A/N: Ok, so I had a real issue in tying this chapter together to get a decent flow. It had to be picked apart and re-written several times before I finally got this together. In here we have a POV change in here, some Harry/Tom and the ball all rolled in to one, so I hope you can forgive the lateness for its content!
BRILLIANT NEWS! This fic has been nominated for the The Fanatic Fanfics Multifandom Awards under the category of "All-time Favourite Harry Potter Fanfic". Voting begins on the eleventh of April, so if you do love this story then feel free to drop a vote in my direction. You can find everything at: awards. fanaticfanfics. com
Thanks guys!
Warning: SLASH! Language, possible mentions of violence or blood.
Disclaimer: I'm not J.K, but this fic is mine.
Parsel
Chapter 47:
The three Malfoy's were sat having light conversation in the early afternoon before the ball when the wards alerted them to visitors. They didn't have to wait long before their guests were revealed to be Narcissa's sister, Bellatrix, and her husband, Rodolphus.
"Bella, Rodo, this is a welcome surprise." Narcissa greeted, rising to kiss her sister's cheek and accept the one from Rodolphus in return, indicating seats for them to take.
"Our apologies for the sudden visit. We must speak with our Lord." Bella replied, and then she smiled. While the smile was still slightly insane, it was no longer completely deranged. "I do like to visit anyway, so I thought we would stay for a while."
"That would be lovely." Narcissa allowed easily, a bright smile coming to her face.
"Where is our Lord?" Rodolphus asked, "In his study?"
Draco snorted as Lucius sighed and Narcissa released a delighted laugh confusing the Lestranges.
"Do share the joke," Bella said.
"Our Lord is somewhere in the manor but you can bet it isn't his study," Draco said with a slight grin, "Not after the strop Harry threw."
"Potter-Black?" Rodolphus confirmed, "What's he got to do with it?"
"What hasn't he?" Bella countered, "We all saw them at Yule."
"That is true." Her husband agreed, before turning back to the Malfoy's, "What is going on?"
"And what has it got to do with our Lord not being in his study?" Bella added.
"Our Lord announced that he intended to spend the time before the ball this evening working." Lucius began. "Only, Potter-Black seemed to have other plans."
"Why didn't our Lord ignore him?" Rodolphus wondered and this time all three Malfoys snorted, though they would deny it.
"As if our Lord would ignore him." Narcissa said as if it was absurd.
"Besides, it was kind of hard for him to ignore Harry when he decided to turn himself in to a human sloth and refuse to let go." Draco pointed out, laughing as his mother looked at him with fond amusement and his father fond exasperation over their guest.
"He did what?" Bella exclaimed.
"Oh yes. Arms and legs like our Lord was a tree branch." Narcissa confirmed, smiling.
"He complained that our Lord simply couldn't hole up in his study because Harry had plans for them and our Lord couldn't abandon him." Draco told them with a shake of his head.
"And our Lord just listened to him?" Rodolphus said incredulously.
"Well, he sighed and asked if he agreed to go with him would Harry let him go and return to human behaviour." Lucius remembered, "I feel as if this situation has happened before with them."
"With or without our Lord carrying Harry out in bridal style?" Narcissa asked coyly.
"Are-Are they together?" Bella questioned lowly, leaning forward slightly.
"Believe it or not, no." Narcissa sighed. The Lestranges shared a look before rising to their feet.
"We shall go and see our Lord, then we can come back and finish this conversation. I feel like there is more to it." Bella decided, "Any suggestions?"
"Sun room, Harry likes the winter sunlight." Draco answered. "We don't have any snow so he won't go outside."
"Thanks," Rodolphus said, offering a wave as he made to leave with his wife. Narcissa's voice stopped them in the doorway.
"Bella, Rodo, whatever you see between them, do not say anything in their presence." She warned. They both shot her looks of confusion but nodded and left, it was easy to get to the sun room, both having been to the manor millions of times previously. They could hear voices and shared a raised eyebrow when they heard a burst of laughter, they moved quickly down to the doorway and saw Potter-Black straddling their Lord with his arms draped around his neck and a wicked grin on his face as their Lord smirked at him. Rodolphus got over his shock enough to knock on the door causing both of the occupants to snap around to look at them. Harry pouted, dropping down to the side and throwing his arm over his eyes with a sigh.
"See what you did." He complained, deliberately dropping his legs heavily on to Tom's lap.
"I told you I had work to do." Tom pointed out amused.
"Ugh your cruelty grows by the day," Harry huffed dramatically, Tom barely bit back a snort at the teen's behaviour. He waved his two elite members in and motioned for them to take a seat, smirking slightly at their bewildered looks directed at Harry.
"Ignore him," Tom advised, holding Harry's legs still when he tried to kick him.
"My Lord," they greeted, bowing before they took their seats.
"What has brought you?" Tom inquired.
"We've kept an eye on some of the leads we have been building. We believe we have found a pattern." Rodolphus answered and Tom raised an eyebrow in interest, even Harry removed his arm from his face to give them his attention.
"They are working on the Dark Elves first, my Lord." Bella told him surely, "We've worked out the numbers with Antonin and there aren't many left at all. We wouldn't have even seen it if we hadn't mentioned the locations we have been following Moody and his band of filth."
"Antonin told us that they were the exact locations of where he had tracked clusters of Dark Elves." Rodolphus added, "We think they have something planned."
"Do they have a focus point?" The Dark Lord questioned, his mind whirling.
"The North East," Bella replied, "There seem to be three clusters of elves and that's where they have been the most."
"Get as close as you can." Tom instructed, "We need as much information as possible and you need to be close enough to go on the elves defence if it comes to it."
"There is an underground bunker where we could set up, keep a temporary placement in case of emergency." Rodolphus said slowly.
"Yes, that would work because we need to be able to collect information on the elves there. There may be an actual reason for the target." Bella reasoned, and then she grinned madly, "And I would love to slice up Moody."
Harry had thought Bellatrix was acting too rational, he found it odd that he was reassured by the appearance of some madness.
"See to it that it is done, and keep all communications with Antonin open." Tom instructed, "We cannot have them gain the upper hand."
"Yes, My Lord." They responded.
"I'll speak to Alina and ask what is in the North East, see if we can gain any ideas in to their plans from that." Harry offered to Tom, who blinked.
"Ah yes, Miss Dean." He remembered, "And perhaps Miss Lovegood?"
"I'll do both." Harry decided, "Luna can go fishing and then you can pass it on."
"My Lord?" Bella wondered and Tom looked over at her.
"Harry is in contact with a half Dark Elf who might be able to reveal some information allowing us to work out what Dumbledore's order is up to." Tom explained and they nodded.
"If anything serious happens we shall alert you immediately." Rodolphus said, "Otherwise we shall see you at the ball."
"Do not get caught." Tom warned, smirking at the extremely offended look he got for his trouble. Harry snickered, pulling himself up and stretching out his limbs, he bent down to kiss Tom and flashed him a smile.
"I have to go now, but I'll see you later." He said, "Tonight is set to be boring as hell so do think of some entertainment for us, Tom."
He laughed at Tom's deadpan look and sauntered off, tossing a wave over his shoulder as he vanished.
"He's…" Rodolphus trailed off not knowing what to say and Tom barely bit back his own snort.
"Do not waste your time or mental capacity on working out exactly what he is, you'll give yourself more questions and confusion." Tom sighed and Rodolphus laughed.
"Bastan said something similar." He agreed, thinking about the many times Rabastan had sat seemingly questioning his own existence after speaking with Potter-Black for more than ten minutes. They all had questions about him, and nearly all of the elite has shared a conversation about the teen, but no one seemed to know anything. One thing was said but then it would be completely countered by another story, Rodolphus found himself very confused. He did, however, completely understand why Narcissa warned him and his wife not to mention anything to do with their Lord's behaviour with Potter-Black. They were waved off with a nod that they returned with neat bows before leaving the sun room. They shared a look when they were out of their Lord's sight but didn't speak until they found their family sat in one of the many lounges.
"I thought you said they were not together?" Bella accused her sister, flouncing in to the room and dropping down on the sofa opposite.
"They aren't." Draco stated, "They believe it is casual, which is why mother said not to say anything."
"How can they think that? Our Lord has never taken a lover." Bella pointed out.
"Our Lord's emotional range isn't exactly large," Narcissa pointed out, "Harry's is apparently just the same."
"So the pair of them have gone completely blind?" Rodolphus wondered incredulously, "In all my years of service, I have never seen our Lord allow anyone to touch him, let alone kiss him in public."
"We are working on it." Draco defended, "But we have a lot going on right now and we cannot exactly tell them they are so obviously in love that the American countries can see it."
"Love!? I wouldn't-,"
"He took Harry to my father's tranquillity room." Lucius cut in and both Lestrages fell silent in shock.
"We can all admit that the Dark Lord's return to his previous self is very much a positive; I would like to keep him like it." Narcissa said firmly, "Which means that the pair of them must stay together in their own section of happiness because I would be terrified to witness what would happen to the world otherwise."
"Surely it would not be too bad?" Bella questioned, though she didn't sound so sure.
"You have not seen them as much as we have." Lucius denied, shaking his head. "They are like one person."
"They share a room here, too." Narcissa told them, "Harry has his own, but he uses it for bathing and keeping his luggage."
"Oh and the fact that when Dumbledore pulled his latest stunt with Harry, our Lord refused to allow Harry back to his own rooms." Draco remembered.
"Figure out what Moody is up to, make sure no Elves are harmed and safeguard our Lord's non-relationship relationship with Potter-Black so we don't all go down in an inhumane killing spree." Rodolphus said brightly, "Easy as a boil cure."
"Thankfully I have already prepared my will." Lucius said drolly, wincing as Narcissa whacked him on the arm.
"Lucius! You cannot joke about things such as that." She scolded, "Obviously we make sure they see sense and stay happy. How hard can it be?"
"Mother, I love you dearly, but that is possibly the worst thing you could have ever said." Draco groaned, dropping his head in to his hands.
"Whatever do you mean?"
"A silent rule we keep as a group is never ever ever ask rhetorical questions in regards to Harry." He told her, "For example: we never say 'Can it get any worse?' because yes, it can: and we never say 'How hard can it be?' because the answer is always hard."
"Normally I would disagree with your logic, Draco." His father said. "But I have actually met Potter-Black for an extended period of time and find myself understanding on a much more serious level."
"Hopefully the fates will take the question directed at our Lord." Narcissa said, only half joking.
"We had better go, we have work to be doing." Rodolphus commented, "We'll need the head start."
"Yes, I don't want to miss my shot at Moody." Bella agreed in delight.
"What has happened?"
"Moody and his team seem to be focusing on an area populated with Dark Elves, we're marking them." Rodolphus answered, standing up, "You'll understand our haste."
"Oh of course," Narcissa assured, "Go, and be safe."
"You worry too much, Cissa," Bella waved her off, kissing her cheek and skipping away, dragging her husband with her.
"Mother, father, I believe I should follow them. We're meeting up with Neville to speak of the MacMillan ball." Draco said, casing a quick tempus.
"Very well, Draco. Do remember to return in time to change correctly." She reminded him and he nodded, kissing her cheek and nodded to his father as he too left the room. The youngest Malfoy went straight to the entrance hall to apparate to McKinnon Manor, landing in the private sitting room he had apparated from previously. Immediately, his body was surrounded by four arms and two torsos as his identical menaces jumped to greet him.
"Our Dragon!"
"I see you are excited to see me." Draco returned, his smile coming to his face automatically.
"We're always excited to see you." They informed him brightly, throwing their arms around his waist as they led him to sit down.
"Hey, Swift. Where's everyone else?" Draco asked, greeting the red head in his own school year.
"Blaise is at home, Nev found the greenhouses and the girls stole Harry." Ron replied, "Apparently he hasn't shown them any of their dresses."
"Are you surprised?" Draco questioned with a smirk, to which Ron rolled his eyes.
"No. But it doesn't mean I'm not sick of hearing them complain about it."
"I don't know why they complain." Fred said with a wave of his hand.
"Harry would never give them something bad." George agreed.
"Try telling them that." Ron sighed.
"How was Italy? I do not think I have asked yet." Draco inquired.
"Brilliant." Ron answered with enthusiasm, "Rosalia is intimidating as Hel, but then no one would expect anything else. B thinks she warmed up to me though; she's a touch overprotective."
Draco snorted at that.
"That is an outrageous understatement." Draco informed him. "The only reason he even comes here is because she spends the time he's in school in England."
"Something I am thankful for."
"Oh, hello!" Neville greeted them all, walking in to the room looking slightly surprised. "Where's the girls and Harry?"
"Dresses." Everyone answered together.
"Ah, say no more." Neville nodded seriously. He dropped himself down on to the sofa with a pleased sigh.
"Have fun with the greenhouses?" Ron questioned and Neville grinned.
"Yeah. They obviously need work, as good as the elves remaining here are they aren't witch or wizard." Neville said.
"Or you." Harry's voice floated over as he came from the bedroom. "Hi guys."
"You're still alive then." Draco noted, making Harry laugh.
"Oh yeah, though I think I might have broken Paws."
"What did you do this time?"
"Well, I wasn't too sure on how the Zabini ball was going to play; it's always been a wild card. So, I thought to myself that I was going to need something to cause a minor stir."
"And that results in a broken Paws how…?" Neville trailed off waiting for him to fill in what they were all waiting for.
"When you see her dress, my good sir, I think you'll understand."
"I should think he would understand." Hermione sniffed, walking in with her nose in the air, but they could all see the smirk playing on her lips as she sat down.
"I told you I had a backup." Harry pointed out.
"Oh no, I already have the look planned." Hermione brushed off.
"It will go well with yours and Ron's anyway." Luna added, dropping down next to Harry.
"See there is method to my madness." Harry exclaimed and all of them snorted.
"You tell yourself that." Ron said, patting his hand consolingly. Harry shot him a wounded look.
"Well, that was rude."
"We have a rule to always be honest with each other." Ron replied with a straight face, Harry's jaw dropped a little and the rest of the group burst out laughing which made him pout.
"You are all mean to me."
"There there," Luna said and Harry huffed.
"Moving on from your outrageous bullying. How did it go, Nev?"
"It was as absolutely mind numbing as I expected it to be." He said with mock cheer, "With me having to remain absolutely silent for the entire evening."
The group winced in sympathy, not at all surprised by the dark snarl that twisted on to Neville's face.
"Just a few more weeks," Harry murmured and Neville nodded, taking a deep breath.
"There was one positive, of course. I wasn't allowed to leave my dear grandmother's side, and so I heard all the interesting conversations she had."
All of them sat forward eagerly and Neville smirked.
"The major part of the conversation was based around Dumbledore's recent removal as we suspected. Gran has dismissed the proxy holding our seat because of it and many of them were discussing ways in which the action can be revoked."
"They obviously do not know it cannot be reversed then," Paws said pleased, and when some of then looked at her in confusion she elaborated, "It is in the Hogwarts charter. The Board was created because it was believed that parents should have a say in how their children were being educated and that those with the power and knowledge, i.e pureblood Houses, would form a committee and have a deciding factor in Hogwarts. Decisions were based on majority vote, however there were stipulations made.
"Firstly, any heir to the Founders would have a double vote and final decision on the Board's decision, and if two of the four heirs came together they could completely overrule the Board. Obviously, unless they were challenged by the other two heirs. Secondly, the Headmaster could not be challenged unless it was a unanimous decision within the Board, meaning gaining majority would not suffice. However, because of this particular stipulation, it meant that any decision unanimously voted on by the Board could not be revoked and it was binding in magic, sealed by Hogwarts herself. The only way it could ever be changed was if the entire Board decided to retract the vote, and seeing as we have Lucius Malfoy on our side Dumbledore will never return."
They shared pleased grins at that, relishing in knowing what they had accomplished, knowing that never again would Dumbledore darken Hogwarts with his presence.
"The realisation that he's lost that position forever will hit even more when we reach the Wizengamot." Harry said pleased, "And I have decided, I do not care if we have to go in to hiding and only appear directly in the ministry, we are going to the next session,"
"I agree," Paws said firmly, "We have to be there. School, as much as it pains me to say, doesn't matter. We can all go to the ministry for testing if necessary, but we can no longer afford to be away from the Wizengamot."
"No, because they have already got Scrimgeour in place to become the next minister. Of course they plan on waiting until the next election, but he is ready to go at the moments notice. Some of them are not stupid, and would be blind to notice the anger directed at Fudge at the moment." Neville pointed out.
Surely they can't still have any faith in him?" Swift said in disbelief and Neville shook his head.
"It is not Fudge they still have belief in, it's Dumbledore. The old man has pinned it all of Umbridge and Fudge, and most of them are gullible enough to believe he truly had his hands tied. It doesn't help that obviously the Board had no knowledge until the article and Umbridge was sent there by Fudge due to his paranoia of Dumbledore creating an army against him. With Dumbledore being proven that the Dark Lord had in fact returned, many see Dumbledore as the one person that tried to warn them all. The true fanatics see the articles attacking Dumbledore as a mere repeat of last year." Neville explained.
"But then surely we can also use that for ourselves?" Ron pointed out and they all looked at him. "Well Dumbledore only said the Dark Lord was back because of Harry. People are going to question why the both of you are no longer on the same side and that's when we can hit. It'll be huge headlines again: the Saviour v Dumbledore."
"That's brilliant, Ron." Hermione exclaimed, "We can turn the focus on Dumbledore's direct actions against us. We'll us our medical history as well as the wills that he blocked and his sticky fingers over Harry's and your gold."
"Ask mother to do an official medical report, get it stamped properly and then when it's released it cannot be refuted." Draco suggested and Harry grinned.
"Cissa has already done mine; she wasn't pleased." Harry laughed, "We can also have an unspeakable verify memories if it comes to it. And me and Ron can go to Gringotts to get the official documents from them. Ragnok would love to get one over on Dumbledore officially, I swear he's been waiting for it."
"Will they just hand it over, or will they charge for an audit?" Draco asked and Harry shrugged.
"I don't care if they do charge, it's a little in regards to what the forms could do when we use them. Besides, I'm pretty sure Ragnok has done one for my account given what came out about Dumbledore and what he's been doing for the past Merlin knows how many years."
"There is that." Draco conceded, "So if we have medical and audits, we just need to get in to the ministry to get the official documentation that Dumbledore hid about sealing the wills to the House Potter and Black."
"Which we will be more than happy to collect." Fred told them with a slight grin.
"We are somewhat familiar with the ministry layout now." George picked up, a light chuckle passing his lips at the amused expressions he and his twin were receiving.
"You'll need this," Harry said, conjuring up something to write on and quickly signing his name and stamping the necessary rings. "Just in case it's not cut and dry due to it being pureblood family business."
"Have faith." They chimed, accepting the sheet of parchment without some much as glancing at it, "But thanks for the backup."
"The admin in charge will be bound to silence. Of course, this does not mean they will keep it so only use the authorisation as a last resort, because if Dumbledore knows its been accessed he will come down hard on me – it's only me with the rings and he doesn't know I still have them."
"We wouldn't endanger you over something like this." Fred stated seriously.
"If we can bug the DMLE and steal and replace a newly passed Wizengamot law we can steal the application for sealing a will, even if it is of two of the biggest names within our world." George agreed.
"I know, but things are getting tricky right now and I don't want anything happening to any of us. Who knows what Dumbledore would say if he caught wind what you two have been up to?" Harry said with a shrug. The twins snorted darkly.
"We know what would happen, thanks,"
"Anyway, back on to the topic." Luna interrupted them and Harry nodded.
"Nev, how ready is Scrimgeour and his campaign?"
"Well, like I said they are ready to go whenever, but I know a few of their main supporters, other than my grandmother and her ilk." The Longbottom Lord answered, "Unfortunately, as we first expected, the Lord Shacklebolt will be backing Scrimgeour. However, the saving grace is that it isn't due to loyalty to Dumbledore like the younger Shacklebolt, but because they used to work together within the auror office and they were quite close; Scrimgeour was the reason Kingsley Shacklebolt has done so well within the office." Neville explained and Ron frowned.
"But then do we assume that Shack is in the same league as Scrimgeour and Dawlish? Because I know he's loyal to Dumbledore and willing to do certain things, but I cannot see him working with them."
"No, he isn't." Luna said, "He barely deviates from his auror protocol, he does respect his uncle, the Lord of his House, very much. Of course, he can still use his influence heavily and he is the Heir to the Shacklebolt House."
"Hm, what about the Lord Shacklebolt's beliefs and ideas?" Paws wondered and Luna shook her head.
"I haven't yet looked in to it, but I might be able to get something up together before it comes to the actual elections. Even if we get Fudge out and our own interim minister, it will still needed to be voted on in the end and if we can break Shacklebolt away from Scrimgeour then it would be a dent to him, as Shacklebolt has a fair few number of allies."
"I can start setting up a plan for that," Ron broke in, "I'll work with you and we'll get down everything we can, then I can start building the information needed."
"And if we time it just right it will work well when we are working my father's campaign." Draco said.
"Yes, right before the votes so the public backlash hits just as they are about to cast their vote." Harry agreed with a smirk.
"I'll start a base plan now, and then as soon as ball season is over I'll start working with Luna," Swift decided.
"That's perfect, because we can start with the information we already have before going on the scout." She allowed.
"Who else do we know that is planning on backing Scrimgeour?" Hermione asked.
"Smith is a sure in, he wants Fudge gone and he's none too happy with Dumbledore, but like Shacklebolt he has history with Scrimgeour." Neville replied, "Lord Ogden is still on the fence, he is keeping his neutral position as it Bones. Abbott is leaning towards following us, which will set things up nicely because I know who I'm voting for and it's not Scrimgeour."
"The look on many people's faces is something I am looking forward to." Harry sighed, "It's such a shame I have to enter last."
"Well you should have thought about that before you went and got four Lordships." Ron told him and Harry made an indignant sound at the back of his throat.
"I was born!" He exclaimed and Ron shrugged.
"That's your fault then."
"How in Merlin's name is it my fault?" Harry disputed, mildly outraged.
"Knowing you, you had something to do with it." Ron reasoned, "Besides, you were the one you yanked the Gryffindor sword out of the hat, before that many of the Potters had become ignorant of their true power. So really, if you think about it, it is you fault."
Harry opened his mouth to refute Ron's words but realised that he actually couldn't, it was remembering the hats words when he pulled out the sword that had made him inquire about a blood test at Gringotts, so without doing that he wouldn't have ever thought to. The rest of the group were snickering at his predicament and Harry pouted, before he remembered something.
"Wait!" He burst out, "I pulled out the sword because I was forced to go down in to the Chamber, and I wouldn't have had to do that if Dumbledore hadn't screwed around with the wards."
"Yeah, I'll take it." George agreed.
"Dumbledore is responsible for most things." His twin picked up.
"One more thing will hardly be a surprise." They finished together. The group shared a laugh at that and settled back down.
"Was there anything we needed to know?" Luna questioned and Neville shook his head.
"Not particularly. I mean, the main thing was Dumbledore's loss of position and given that we already have that covered, it's back to build up and covering our asses until Wizengamot." Neville told them all and they seemed to breathe in relief.
"Thankfully," Ron muttered and Harry snorted.
"Second that."
"Anything of interest then?" George wondered, "Any snippets?"
"Unfortunately the conversation was dryer than the Sahara." Neville sighed, "Even those we go to school were quite quiet, both Susan and Hannah were there, but the entire feeling of the ball was rather subdued."
"If all goes well it will be the last one you'll have to attend alone." Hermione said brightly, "I can't promise others won't be equally as dull, but at least one of us will be there with you."
"There is that." Neville acknowledged, "Roll on January session."
"I have to admit I'm all but counting the days." Ron said, "Yeah we have tonight and two more balls, but it's Wizengamot that I'm looking forward to."
"I think we all are." Harry said, "Although, I cannot deny how much I am looking forward to the Nott and Malfoy balls."
"Yes, I think they are going to be very enjoyable." Hermione agreed.
"I know they are." Luna said simply and all of them turned to look at her eagerly, but she shook her head with a light smirk. "Not a chance."
"You've been spending too much time around Snake." Draco stated, and Harry puffed up proudly much to their amusement. He flashed a remorseless grin before he cast a tempus and blinked.
"Well, time is getting on and it's almost five."
"Holy Merlin," Draco exclaimed, "Mother is going to kill me."
"Well that looks like our que to leave, too." Fred noted.
"Yup, we'll see you out." George agreed.
"I'll see most of you later. Badger, I'll see you tomorrow or the day after." The blond said to Neville, who grinned and nodded.
"See you, Bleach. Bye guys." He called as they bounded out of the room with Draco following them at a more sedate pace.
"I think it's time we started to get ready." Hermione said, "It's going to take us at least an hour to get my hair how I want it."
"Luckily we don't have to deal with mine or we'd be exceptionally late." Luna commented and they both shared a despairing look.
"Have fun," Harry said with a grin.
"You had better get in the shower if you want to be ready in time," Hermione warned.
"Yes, Hermione." They chimed. The girls rolled their eyes and vanished in to Hermione's room and Ron, Harry and Neville shared a look.
"Unless you want to get hurt I would go and get ready." Neville advised.
"I want it to be known that I am doing this under duress." Ron announced, getting to his feet and pulling Harry with him, "Come on, I'll show you somewhere to shower seeing as you have yet to leave these rooms."
"Yeah, that might be helpful." Harry agreed. They walked through the halls of McKinnon Manor and Harry looked around in interest, he didn't get to see much of it as Ron pointed out a door that Harry could use and vanished in to a different one. The Potter Lord shrugged and went inside, grinning when he saw his outfit for the night and a tray of potions waiting for him; thank you Luna. Going through the motions of preparing himself was easy enough, he dragged it out a bit longer and it was only when it was six forty-five did he return to Hermione's room. Ron had beat him, which wasn't surprising, and the girls were nowhere to be seen as he came in and took his seat. The red head was in a rich dark blue open front robes, with a navy shirt underneath and a navy button holding the robes together at his waist and allowing them to fall freely. He had gold stitch detailing and gold cufflinks to finish the look and Harry grinned.
"The common theme for the night is dark then." Neville noted, eyeing Harry's attire with a critical eye. He was dressed in navy blue and dark red: navy trousers, wine red shirt, matching tie, with a darker blue open front robe with flared sleeves. The deep colours were intense and Harry chuckled.
"The girls will fit in." He told him and Neville shook his head with a slight smile.
"I'm not surprised."
"Harry, are you sure this is the right dress for this ball?" Hermione's voice floated through and Harry looked up towards the sound of her voice.
"Of course I am." He assured, "Though I have a back-up like I said."
"She'll be fine." Luna said, walking out with a delighted smile on her face. Her gown was deep navy blue with a jewel neckline bodice with white embellished straps and a cinched waist that had a white illusion panel leading to the full-length mermaid silhouette skirt, adorned with a cascading drape and contrast white patterned detail and modest train. Her hair and makeup was simple but effective, she had dark red lips, a light dust of blush on her cheeks, and her long blond hair was slicked back away from her face and was falling down her back to rest just below her bum.
"Wow," Neville said, looking at her with wide eyes.
"Still modest, but not so pure." Harry pointed out.
"You look great." Ron told her and Luna happily took a seat revealing open toed navy platform stilettos with a white twisting pattern that matched the illusion panel around her waist.
"Thanks," She replied, "Come on, Hermione."
"Fine," The other girl sighed, walking out of her bedroom with the confidence of a queen. Both Neville and Ron's jaws dropped and Harry grinned at their reactions, though his expression switched to a genuine smile when he turned to Hermione.
"You look fantastic."
"I love the dress, I do." She told him, "But I wonder if it will be too much?"
"Did you not see Cissa in the last ball?" Harry asked rhetorically.
"True." She allowed. Her dress was a deep purple, with a one sleeved design made up entirely of embroidered lace at the top and a bandeau top protecting her modesty. On the left side of the dress, from shoulder to hip, there was a daring cut out revealing flawless creamy skin only marred with the revealed half of the bandeau top and a strap securing the gown around her waist. The embroidered lace continued down to the full length skirt with a slight train. Her usual chocolate curls were pin straight, parted in the middle of her hair to fall like shimmering sheets framing her face and stopping by the band on her waist. She had chosen dramatic makeup, with deep smoky eyeshadow and thick eyeliner that made her eyes appear darker and rich purple lips that matched her dress effortlessly.
"Shit," Ron commented intelligently.
"What he said," Neville agreed faintly.
"I know." She sighed, shooting Harry another look, though he could see that she was more pleased than anything else.
"You all look rather intense." Neville said looking at each of them, "And Hermione… yeah wow."
"I wanted to make an impact." Harry said in lieu of an explanation, "And why not flaunt what you have? You are a beautiful Lady and the Head to a Noble and Most Ancient House, you are also young but you are not to be taken for granted because of that, you are confident in yourself; this dress says all of that."
"You actually do think things through sometimes." Ron said amazed, "Huh,"
"Believe it or not, I do." Harry said proudly.
"You do look amazing, Paws. I can't wait to see Nott's face." Ron said with a smirk, and Harry grinned with teeth.
"My thoughts exactly."
"You have to take me home now, Harry." Luna reminded him and Harry nodded, wrapping an arm around her and vanishing in to the shadows. He kissed his sister's cheek and stayed long enough for her to leave her bedroom and her father to acknowledge her with a compliment before returning to the others. Neville handed him a drink as he sat down.
"I'm going to go back to my greenhouses at the Sanctuary and I'm going home just to be on the safe side." Neville told them, "I doubt anything will happen, but caution is for the best."
"Yes, I agree," Hermione said, "Though I do feel as if it is not necessary."
"It's probably not, but then our track record for things going right isn't exactly great." Harry pointed out, and they shared a grimace.
"The lovely truth." Ron grumbled before grinning, "Just think of Dumbledore's face."
"Ah what a lovely coping mechanism." Hermione commented dryly, but she was also grinning.
"It's working so far," He agreed.
"Well, I will wish you good luck for tonight and I will see you tomorrow." Neville said to them, getting to his feet and stretching out his limbs.
"See you, Badger," they replied, watching him leave.
"Are we ready?" Hermione asked and the boys nodded. Hermione and Ron took the floo once again allowing Harry to go to them and arrive in the Zabini floo room. It was rich purple in colour, with hints of pale yellow to brighten the room. An elf came to check their invitations and allow walked them to the ball room. Unlike the Greengrass ball, there was no announcer for this one so their entrance was not brought to everyone's attention immediately. Of course, given the stir they caused last time, and Hermione's dress, it wasn't long before they became noticed and all expressions had to be kept of their faces. Many eyes widened as Hermione glided past them: envy, astonishment, lust and anger seemed to be the main emotions, but they slid of the Lady in question like oil on water. Harry and Ron kept close to make sure any of the single Lords didn't dare approach her, Harry steered them towards the host for the evening. Lord Zabini and Blaise were stood speaking with Lord Flint, who looked like an older version of his son, and someone Harry didn't quite recognise.
"Ah Lord Potter-Black, Lord Prewett, Lady McKinnon." Lord Zabini greeted, "A pleasure to see you."
"Thank you, Lord Zabini, we are pleased we were able to attend." Harry answered for them all.
"I am sure you know my heir, Blaise." Lord Zabini said, motioning to his son.
"Of course, how good it is to see you again, heir Blaise." Harry said, withholding the smirk that wanted to curl across his face.
"Hello to you all. Are you enjoying the break away from school?" Blaise asked politely, his eyes sparkling in humour even if his face was blank.
"Greatly, there has been too much upset for it to be a comfort right now." Hermione answered.
"Plus outside company can always bring much needed peace." Ron added.
"Have you had the pleasure is meeting Lord Flint or Lord Jugson?" Lord Zabini inquired, motioning to his fellows.
"I do not believe we have." Harry answered, shaking the offered hands.
"I believe we have met Lord Flint's son, however." Ron mentioned, shaking the man's hand.
"Yes, in our first year. Opposing Quidditch teams." Hermione confirmed, offering her hand. Both men brushed their lips over the back of her fingers and bow their heads to the Lady.
"Lord Potter-Black, I have yet had the opportunity to speak with you since your appearance within our sector." Lord Flint spoke calmly. His voice was gravelly, but it held none of the slur any of the Gryffindors had heard in his son's voice.
"Then let us call this meeting fortunate. My appearance, I know, has been rather abrupt, but I am sure you understand the rapidly changing political climate." Harry replied, deciding to judge the man by his own merit. He didn't know much about this Lord Flint: he was a Death Eater, but other than that nothing much was said about him, he was a newer Lord, only sitting in the Wizengamot for two years so far since his father's sudden death. The man was a curse breaker and one of his wards ruptured as he was trying to pass it, the result had been a gruesome but instant death.
"Yes, there has been many changes over the last four months. I cannot help but believe that we have not yet seen the last of the changes." He commented lightly.
"Well, I there has been quite strong conversation of Fudge's position, and his ability to manage it correctly." Harry pointed out.
"Yes, it all seems to be resting on the upcoming session." He said, "Will you and both Lady McKinnon and Lord Prewett be in attendance?" he opened the question up towards both of Harry's friends, who had been speaking to Lord's Jugson and Zabini, and Blaise.
"It is our hope that we shall be able to be in attendance." Ron confirmed.
"Your sudden arrival within our sector has raised many questions, especially between those who have not yet had the chance to speak with you all." Lord Jugson informed them.
"I would expect nothing less." Hermione returned, a slight smile coming to her face to show she wasn't offended. "We were not in a position to be able to attend previously, our options were rather limited."
"You are against Dumbledore, then?" Jugson asked, "Your trio appearance coincides with his eviction from the school."
"We felt that given the tension this Yule season that our attendance was a necessity, no matter our alliance." Ron answered, "Dumbledore's change in position merely enabled us to move more freely."
"Do you know what he intends to do to regain his position?" Jugson wondered.
"We wish. Dumbledore has always played his hands close to his chest and now he isn't in the school I can only imagine it will get worse." Harry replied.
"Yes, that I can understand. I have sat on the Wizengamot for nearly forty years, he's always put on a facade, making his motives or actions impossible to predict." Jugson mused.
"We should leave you to greet your other guests, Lord Zabini," Hermione broke in, "Else we create a queue."
"Of course," Lord Zabini allowed. "It was good to speak with you all."
"The same to you," Ron said.
"Lord Flint, Lord Jugson, I am glad we had the opportunity to speak." Harry said.
"I look forward to your Wizengamot attendance." Jugson said.
"Yes, I, too, shall be in wait."
Hermione was the one to lead them away and both young Lords followed swiftly as she made course towards the Greengrasses.
"Hadrian, Naomi," Hermione greeted with a touch of a smile, "Good to see you once again."
"Harry, Ron, good evening." Naomi replied brightly, "Hermione, you look divine, my dear. HPB?"
"Naomi, you look wonderful." Ron told her, kissing her hand.
"Yes, a true gem." Harry agreed, repeating the motion.
"Thank you. Yes, once again he has come through." Hermione confirmed, answering the designer question, and then looked the Greengrass Lady over with a smile. "You look incredible, am I right to cite the same designer?"
"Yes, I admired the layering on this gown."
She was in a one shoulder number, done in bronze, with an elegant knot where the strap met the dress, there were a few layers of crossed material before going down to a thread of beads around the waist, from there it flowed down to the ground where Harry had added in different length layer so it stood out and curled slightly.
"Harry, Ron, Hermione, you look well."
"Thank you, Hadrian," Harry said with a smile, "I hope your ball did not cause you to much undue stress."
"With my brilliant wife's skill, it was a simple matter." He replied, casting his wife a fond look.
"Ah a queen if ever I saw one." Harry said with a wink, she blushed slightly and shook her head.
"That charm of yours will get you in to trouble one day." She warned, though it held no heat and she gave him a smile.
"We try to keep him busy else he cause a national incident." Hermione mock whispered, and they all chuckled while Harry pretended to look outraged.
"You're lack of faith wounds me, my dear Hermione."
"Unfortunately, it is an repercussion of being your best friend for five years… we know you." Ron told him solemnly.
"You see the harshness in which I suffer." Harry said to the Greengrasses, who were watching the three amused.
"Poor you." Hermione said blandly, "Where are Daphne and Astoria, if you do not mind my asking?"
"Unfortunately, Astoria is feeling unwell and we did not wish to leave her alone." Hadrian answered.
"Oh that is a shame. I hope she recovers quickly." Hermione said.
"Hadrian, I have a question relating your Wizengamot career, or rather your experience." Harry began and Hadrian nodded for him to continue, "What is your professional opinion of Lord's Jugson and Flint?"
"Lord Jugson is a sharp man, though his status is neutral he leans heavily towards the dark. He has not been consistent in his creature votes, though he has on pureblood issues." Hadrian responded after a moment's thought, "Lord Flint is new, he has been playing things carefully since he stepped up, abstaining from many votes. He has yet to show an interest in anything specific, so he had been hard to measure."
"I see." Harry murmured, "I have just met them both. I understand you're mention of how sharp Jugson is, he easily linked Dumbledore's removal with the appearance of Ron and Hermione."
"He has become more so since his wife began ailing." Naomi commented.
"Yes, that is true." Hadrian agreed, "Several months ago the change became apparent."
"Do you know much of him personally?" Ron questioned, but Hadrian shook his head.
"No, his son is a couple of years older than I so we did not interact very much; only during ball seasons."
"We'll have to rely on observation." Hermione declared, "It is nothing we have not done before."
"Ah, Xeno, it's good to see you. It was a shame we did not get to speak very much during our ball." Hadrian greeted the man who had approached while they were speaking. He had almost white hair that came to his shoulders, and sharp features that Harry had seen many times in Luna's face, though that was where the similarities ended. His eyes were a dark grey colour, with thin lips and strong shoulders. He was dressed in a deep purple that complimented his daughter's dress well.
"Hadrian, Naomi, yes it was unfortunate, but you know how I am." It was spoken warmly, showing the two men got on quite well.
"Yes, you are your watching." Hadrian remembered.
"Luna darling, you look gorgeous." Naomi said to the girl, "It's very nice to see you again."
"Thank you, Naomi." Luna returned, "The gown, I have to admit, is HPB."
"Of course it is," Naomi muttered, though her tone was fond.
"Harry, Ron, Hermione: I don't know if you have met Xeno before." Hadrian said to them.
"To our incredible shame we cannot say we have formally met." Harry replied, "And I am very honoured to meet you, Lord Lovegood. Your daughter is truly incredible; I would not be half where I am without her."
"Xeno, please, all of you. I thank you, my Luna speaks so highly of you all, its a pleasure to finally meet you."
"The same for us." Ron said.
"We have just finished having a rather informative conversation with Lord Dearborne." Luna told them.
"Oh? I do not believe we have much knowledge of him." Ron said.
"He works in the Goblin Liaison Office." Xeno informed them, "It seems that there has been some interference and it is causing the goblins to anger."
The trio and Luna shared a look.
"That… cannot be good." Ron mused slowly, "Was there anything else?"
"There has been an application to assign auror guards to Gringotts for the comfort of witch and wizards." Luna explained and Harry groaned out loud.
"Good Merlin someone wants to start a goblin war." He complained.
"Surely anyone who knows the slightest thing about goblins knows what a terrible idea that is." Hadrian argued, "Goblins barely tolerate wizards at the best of times, and given the amount of restrictions they have on them I cannot say I actively blame them. To put wizards in their space to comfort other wizards is just asking for conflict."
"Apparently that hasn't come to mind." Xeno said dryly.
"We'll have to look in to who put that application in and why they did so." Hermione decided.
"And try and keep Ragnok from blowing his lid; the last thing we need is a financial crisis." Harry added.
"Wonderful; mopping up more ministry mess."
"Try saying that five times faster." Harry whispered, and Ron gave him an unimpressed look. There were three sharp rings and the light music that had been playing in the background came to a pause as Lord Zabini stepped forward.
"I thank you all for attending the Zabini Yule ball." His voice carried easily through the room, "The meal is about to begin."
The tables appeared and slowly the guests started to find their seats.
"In case I do not get to speak with any of you again this evening; it was good to speak with you." Harry put in before they split up.
"Yes, it was good to see you too," Hadrian acknowledged, and the others repeated the sentiment before they parted ways. The trio weaved through the crowd carefully, finally making it through to the head table where they knew they were sat. Harry was highly disappointed when he saw the name cards at the head table; Hadrian was not at the head table, nor was Luna, but then his eyes lit up. It appeared as if Nott was considered high up or was allied with Zabini to be sat at the head table. It was just what Harry needed to brighten up the ball. He was sat next to the Dark Lord and Swift, thanking his stars he wasn't placed next to Nott; that would be a bit of a disaster.
"It's slightly disappointing who we shall be dining with this evening," Paws commented taking her seat next to Swift.
"It is," Harry agreed, "However, I am looking forward to speaking with Lord Nott, such an interesting man."
"No doubt," Swift muttered, a smirk flashing across his face. The tables quickly filled and Harry saw the Malfoys take their seats next to the Zabinis, the Selwyns sat down and Harry bit back a sigh, he wasn't particularly fond of that family and this night seemed to be decreasing in entertainment value because once Nott sat down the final seats were filled with the Bulstrodes. They must have all been allied because no one in their right mind would want to sit with all these families together for the best part of the night, Swift seemed to share his opinion because Harry was sure he could mentally hear him banging his head on a brick wall.
This is set to be oh so fun Paws said seriously in their minds.
I can almost feel the thrill now, Swift deadpanned and Harry bit back a grin at that.
You never know what information we could get if were listen between the lines Harry pointed out trying to stay positive, they both shot him a look that said 'sure', he shrugged.
We have that mysterious werewolf bill to consider. He reminded them and they seemed to perk up.
Of course, we just speaking of it. Swift remembered. Tom sat down next to him and Harry heard the man sigh under his breath when he saw who was sat there, Harry did smirk at that. At least he wasn't the only one to suffer. Slow conversation began and Harry felt his intelligence leaving him already, he tried to keep his attention working, but it was a very difficult task. Nott, Zabini and Bulstrode were discussing Bulstrode's promotion in the Department of Security, not something Harry found even remotely interesting.
Draco, Blaise and Theo were discussing something to do with Slytherin, but it wasn't anything important nor really interesting for a non-Slytherin. Lucius looked to having a delightful conversation with Lord Selwyn about the latest tax decrease given to muggleborns; it has passed by a hair, but Selwyn was making it apparent that he wasn't happy about it and poor Lucius looked like he wanted to pull his own ears off. Harry personally believed Narcissa had it worse, she was entertaining both Lady Selwyn and Lady Bulstrode, though she was making brilliantly disguised digs at them much to Harry's delight. Hermione, bless her, swooped in to aid the Malfoy Lady and Harry could see she was grateful. The pale yellow menus appeared on their plates and Harry shook himself, the food was overwritten as expected and he ordered a salad for his starter as soup really wasn't for him.
His ears perked up when he heard Lucius and the Selwyn Lord's conversation change and the topic he had been hoping for came up. It was about the new bill that he wanted passed in the Wizengamot, and Harry's attention focused solely on them, wanting to hear exactly what the bill was all about. He felt his eyes narrow the longer Selwyn spoke. The bill was about werewolves, as they had already suspected, but what made Harry's angry instantly was the fact that it was for more restrictions. The derogatory terms were spilling out of Selwyn's mouth like they were about to go out of fashion, and Harry was about to interrupt, but was beaten too it.
"Intelligence and common sense has clearly decreased over the generations," Swift stated coolly and Harry bit back a grin, the much needed entertainment had come.
"Excuse me?" Selwyn said giving Ron a dark look, Swift placed down his cutlery and gave him a blank look.
"Your suggestion for the new werewolf legislation is one that should immediately be torn up and burned," Swift said honestly, "Not only does it lack any semblance of value, but it will never be put through."
"What do you know, many decent purebloods would be happy to see these beasts tagged and monitored." Selwyn sneered and Harry sat up properly then, the man had just sighed himself up to be taken down. No one got away with calling his uncle a beast.
"You're new legislation is to 'tag' werewolves so they can be monitored, but for what purpose exactly?" Harry inquired, the derision in his tone apparent, "Not only would it be a massive waste of resources, bodies and money, but it literally does nothing for anyone."
"They have been disappearing, hiding, so it is in our best interest to have them tagged with a permanent tracking device." Selwyn replied imperviously and Harry blinked once.
"You want to have them tracked because they are going away?" He repeated, "Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds? You do not want werewolves in main society obviously, yet they have decided to leave and now you want to know where they are?"
"It's necessary in case of attacks." Selwyn pointed out.
"But you just said they were leaving, that they're hiding." Harry countered, "In order for them to perform an attack, they would have to come out in to the open, defeating the purpose of hiding."
"They cannot be left to their own devices. Who could guess what they may start doing, or if they bred." Nott butted in, his tone cutting. The man very nearly lost his head, and it was only Tom's hand suddenly squeezing his knee that stopped his magic snapping in response to his words.
"And there illustrates the lack of intelligence," Swift pointed out coldly, picking up easily, "Anyone with a touch of sense can see the benefits of leaving the werewolves alone, and if anyone bothered to expand their knowledge in other culture would know that it is the segregation and prejudice of the ministry that has reduced the British werewolf population to the pariah that they currently are."
"Anyone who have the right ideas about our world will see that it is a bill worth investing in."
"Do you really think you will gather enough seats to have something so prejudice and simply plain stupid put through?"
"Many will vote for it," Selwyn assured.
"But not enough," Hermione said bringing herself in to the conversation.
"So you think," Selwyn said.
"So I know," Harry stated in a steely tone; he would pull every trick he knew to make sure it never became law.
"You don't know anything," Selwyn sneered and Harry's eye twitched.
"Are you truly naïve enough to believe that I do not have the power and influence to stop this bill going through if I wish it not to?" Harry asked him mockingly.
"You are merely two seats,"
"Four," Harry corrected, even if that was a lie; he had eleven. "I hold Black and Potter, add the two from Prewett, two from McKinnon and you have eight seats there. Longbottom gives another two, Lovegood gives one, Bones won't go for it so there's two, Shacklebolt will oppose which is one, Scrimgeor may go for it if he thinks it will gain him favour, he could also oppose if he thinks he will get what he wants through that, but even without him that's fourteen votes, Lucius holds the Peverell seat which will vote apposed even if Malfoy votes for it so that's seventeen and I know another four seats, possibly eight that will vote apposed so that's twenty-one maybe twenty-five. Of course, I could speak to Hadrian for the two Greengrass seats, Davis allies with them so that's one and Boot follow Davis so again another one, that right there is over half the Wizengamot voting against your new bill. Would you care to carry on and embarrass yourself or have you seen sense?" Harry gave him a sweet smile and Selwyn was flushed an angry red.
"Dumbledore is using your seat and Narcissa is sitting in the Black seat, and Longbottom could agree." He ground out and Harry didn't even bother to stop his eyes rolling.
"I will be taking my seats for myself in the next session, so both fall back in to my control. As for Longbottom, everyone knows the House of Longbottom have allied themselves with the House of Potter since the beginning of the Wizengamot, if you have forgotten a detail such as that then it leaves a lot to be desired." Harry drawled.
"There are other houses that could vote," Selwyn tried and Harry was sure the man was the result from over inbreeding.
"Any house that could have a chance of standing for this bill would be committing a status suicide to stand against so many." Hermione pointed out as if it was obvious, and it was. Selwyn went to speak again but his wife seemed to realise that her husband was about to crash them in to the ground, because she stopped him speaking. The second course was chosen and the conversation bleed of to other unimportant things, Harry did listen, but it soon became apparent that he was going to die of boredom unless someone said something stupid again.
He chanced a glance at Tom and saw the man's crimson eyes were slightly glazed indicated the man was so completely bored that he had retreated in to his mind to read, it was something that Harry couldn't manage without cutting off all communication to the outside world and he hadn't had the time to learn. Harry sighed lowly to himself, it was set to be a really long evening unless he found something to entertain himself with, why couldn't he retreat in to his mind like Tom; the man had it easy. Harry blinked an idea suddenly popping in to his head, he wouldn't be heard and he wanted to see how much will power the man truly had.
Tom He hissed lowly adding a slight edge to his voice, the Dark Lord blinked slowly coming back to the present and Harry made sure not to look at him directly.
Mmm Tom He moaned and he saw the man stiffen up,
Tom please, I want you Harry begged, I need you in me.
Stop the man ordered but Harry could hear the edge in his voice, Harry mentally smirked.
I want you to fill me with your cock, I want you to make me scream your name, Harry pictured Tom at his best and let the desire fill him before pushing it through the link, and he saw Tom become completely still out of the corner of his eye.
Harry, stop, The low hisses were husky with obvious lust now much to Harry's amusement, it was cruel, but brilliant.
Please make me beg for it, harder, faster, deeper, Tom shifted and releases a somewhat unsteady breath, Please Master, make me yours – only yours, Harry took vindictive pleasure when Tom's knuckles went white,
Yours to use Master, to make scream and beg, Harry hissed, Does master want his slut to dance for him? Harry watched as dark ruby eyes glazed and then went practically black, he was flushed with desire from Tom and had to bite back a slight moan.
Please, I need you Master, I want you to fuck me, bite me until I bleed for you, only for you.
Tom swallowed hard and Harry was sure the man had stopped breathing, his eyes were black, his knuckles were white and his jaw was clenched in an effort not to move or make a sound. The dessert has started now and Harry noted the conversation was still as trivial as before.
Show me who I belong to Master, show me I belong to you apparently Tom had finally reached his limit because it looked like he was about to force-apperate out of the room.
I'm going to kill you, Tom told him with difficulty.
Is that before or after you have me against a wall making be scream your name? Harry returned and bit his lip as lust shot through him, Tom was giving him a burning look and Harry finally met his black eyes. There was promised in those eyes and Harry had the distinct feeling he would be leaving early, Harry licked his spoon suggestively and smirked when Tom hissed under his breath. When the desserts disappeared, the Zabinis took to the floor to start the ball. Everyone rose and the tables vanished and were replaced by long tables around the room filled with drinks. Harry noted that Blaise had dragged Swift off to dance and Luna appeared in front of him, an expectant look on her face so Harry gave an exaggerated huff and allowed her to drag him off. He did throw a coy look over his shoulder at Tom to which the man returned a smirk full of promise. Harry followed the steps to the opening waltz with ease, smiling slightly at Luna's delight as he twirled her around.
"How went the meal?" He asked her.
"Nothing that we didn't already know about came up, I was sat with Greengrass, Davis and Boot." She replied.
"A much better selection that what I had to deal with." Harry complained and she grinned.
"Bulstrode, Selwyn and Nott all on one table, I bet that was fun."
"Oh yes, it was a delight." Harry agreed sardonically, "Honestly, the lack of brain cells between Nott and Selwyn is innumerable; I am genuinely surprised they manage to function."
"The others?"
"Dryer than the pages of a theory book."
"Oh dear."
"Yes, which is why I need entertainment." Harry sighed and Luna flashed him a very Slytherin smirk.
"Do not worry, I have both your excuses covered." She assured and Harry blinked at her, confused.
"What..." Harry trailed off when a hand secured itself on his waist and he felt familiar coiling magic wash over him, hiding him from sight of the others. He saw Luna slip away easily as Tom leaned in next to his ear.
"You are coming with me," Tom growled and Harry smirked.
"Have plans Tom?" He asked lightly.
"I hope you don't plan on walking tomorrow," Tom murmured and Harry's eyes dilated rapidly, he swallowed a few times at the desire Tom was pushing through the link. Harry went with no resistance when Tom dragged him from the room, he was shoved back against the nearest wall and his lips seized in a hot, demanding kiss. Tom bit down harshly on his lip and Harry hissed as it began to bleed, he went to grab the man's hair, but his arms were pinned above his head by Tom.
You're playing with fire, Tom hissed dark eyes burning with lust and desire, Harry smirked knowing his eyes were equally as dark and he slowly licked the blood from his lips watching as Tom's eyes followed the movement.
Then burn me.
It was lucky Harry liked clothes shopping because his robes were literally ripped off of him while the rest of his clothes he vanished himself. His arms were freed as Tom's hand gripped his hips in a painfully tight grip. Harry made quick work of the man's clothes as Tom dominated a fierce kiss, he trailed light bites all along his jaw and down his neck making Harry groan in pleasure and it turned in to a hiss when Tom bit down hard enough to draw blood.
Ah fuck,
I'm going to make you scream my name over and over again, Tom told him huskily.
Yesss
Fuck you so hard that you can't walk
Tom please, Harry was burning, he needed him now.
Mark you as mine,
Yes, Tom please, He begged nearly delirious with desire, Tom easily lifted him and Harry wrapped his legs around his waist. With only copious amounts of lubricant, Tom slammed in to Harry hitting his prostate; Harry screamed. It felt like he had been torn in half and the pain was brutal, but at the same time undiluted pleasure ripped through his system making him feel light headed and dizzy.
He came back to his senses slightly when he felt his neck be attacked and he moaned Tom's name, it had an effect as the bites became rougher, more frantic, and the grip on his hips somehow increased. Tom started to move and Harry was lost in a world of pleasure, every plead was answered and he cried out Tom's name repeatedly. The pain was out of his control, the pleasure was out of his control, everything was out of his control; and he loved it. He loved the fact that there was someone who could completely control him, completely own him during sex that it made him delirious and he knew that there would be no one else that could; only Tom. A wonton moan left Harry's throat as Tom hit his spot again and his head dropped back, it was rough, bites, scratches, harsh, deep thrusts leaving Harry breathless and Tom burning.
Shit, Tom, Harry gasped, involuntarily dragging his nails down Tom's neck drawing blood and leaving four angry marks in his wake, Tom hissed at the feeling and hit Harry's spot again.
Scream for me, Harry, Tom ordered in a rough voice, I want to hear you beg, for a point he slowed down making Harry whimper,
Please Tom, he begged easily, Please, faster, ha-AH, he screamed out when he was slammed in to again and Tom picked up speed, Harry was reaching his peak quickly.
Sso clossse he moaned and Harry could have cried when Tom completely stopped, don't stop, please Merlin don't, Tom gave him a smirk and claimed his lips, the other man's eyes were still black and Harry knew it wasn't over. He needed his release and he tried to move himself but he found Tom's grip unrelenting.
Ah Ah Harry, have patience, we have all night. Tom hissed in his ear lightly biting down, Harry groaned at the feeling and tensed his muscles so he contracted on Tom, the Dark Lord moaned at the feeling and Harry smirked.
But do you want to wait? The answer was obvious in Tom's eyes and Harry found himself apperated back to Tom's room at Malfoy Manor. He was pressed down on the bed and he adjusted his leg to wrap tighter around Tom, he rolled his hips to get Tom to start moving and finally his pleas were answered. Tom snapped his hips forward and carried on fucking him relentlessly. It was hard, it was brutal, and Harry was not in control of the sounds coming from his throat. Tom was going mad just listening to Harry, it was taking all of his control to make himself last and he knew that would be breaking very soon. Harry was on the edge and heat was coiling in the pit of his stomach, he came screaming Tom's name and that sent Tom over the edge with a shout of Harry's name. Tom collapsed next to him panting and Harry was in no better state, he did get his breathing under control a little faster and he summoned the strength to hit him on the shoulder.
"Bastard," He muttered and Tom laughed, he waved his hand for cleaning spells and then wrapped his arm around Harry's waist pressing him against his chest. Harry sighed in contentment and covered Tom's hand, which was splayed across his navel, with his own.
"You know I wouldn't have taken you for a cuddle person," Harry murmured and Tom could hear the grin him his voice.
"I don't hear you complaining," He returned, "I could move," He went to retract his arm and Harry grabbed it with a surprisingly tight grip.
"No, that's perfectly ok. I do not have any problems with this position," Harry replied rather quickly.
"I thought as much," Tom drawled amused and Harry rolled his eyes, before letting them fall closed.
"Bastard,"
Tom laughed.
So, there we have it folks; the Zabini ball and more Tom and Harry! Things are really picking up now, the relationship is coming to its peak, and if that wasn't enough only two balls left before the Wizengamot session. I'll get right on it, I promise, so please let me know what you think!
Jess*
P.S. In case you didn't read in the beginning note: BRILLIANT NEWS! This fic has been nominated for the The Fanatic Fanfics Multifandom Awards under the category of "All-time Favourite Harry Potter Fanfic". Voting begins on the eleventh of April, so if you do love this story then feel free to drop a vote in my direction.
You can find everything at: awards. fanaticfanfics. com
Thanks guys!