I don't know how a mini "outline list" ended up turning into two chapters. I have a feeling this story might double in chapters over all…

Yeah… mini outlined up to the end of the original 17 chapters...it's turning into a monster… x inches away x

Warnings: This story is shounen-ai, yaoi, slash, gay, whatever you want to call it, that's what it is. Tom has declared himself Harry's boyfriend and is not giving the position up. Remus has decided Sirius must repay him for all the hell he put him through during school by being his lover. (The feelings are mutual here.) Anyway, you've been warned.

Notes: (X) is pov change and or time jump

Chapter 23: Restraint

"We should probably get going," Aderes said.

Harry nodded, wondering how lunch could speed by while any class he attended dragged until both student and teacher were ready to fight to the death and offer the loser as a sacrifice for their freedom. Okay, it wasn't that bad, but it felt like it sometimes, especially now when they were leaving the safety of the Great Hall for the unknown chaos and horrors of Defense. With the way things were going, he'd rather be attending a second Potions class or even another History of Magic. School was rather depressing when your favorite class suddenly became the one you hated the most.

"Wish she'd just send us to the library or study hall," Ron said. "It's not like she's teaching us anything."

"For once, I agree with you. We'd learn more defense by throwing rocks at each other than attending this bleeder's class," Aderes said.

At least they can agree on something. A shame it had to be their dislike for the Defense teacher. Hogwarts had had its fair share of horrible Defense teachers, but all of them, Lockhart included, had taught them something. Funny, even when Voldemort had hijacked the back of Quirrell's head, the professor had still taught them proper Defense, but the woman from the Ministry department wasn't. Harry couldn't help making a face at that. Fudge feared the students of Hogwarts more than he feared Voldemort. Draco was right. Fudge is completely mental.

There was nothing any of them could do about Fudge's mental state though. Harry had already indirectly gotten him sent to St. Mungo's for a mental checkup, and the healers there had failed to do their jobs correctly or someone had threatened them until they'd lied to the Daily Prophet.

Worry about that after class. Easier said than done, considering how jumbled up his feelings were. The closer they came to the Defense room, the tighter his lungs felt. His scratched-up hand began to hurt as if to remind him that danger was nearby. Just what he needed, his forehead scar warning him when Voldemort was nearby and his hand scratch warning him about Umbridge.

He glanced over at his boyfriend. He wanted Aderes's arm around him, but he was talking with Draco and interrupting them didn't seem right.

"Are you okay," Hermione asked.

Harry opened his mouth and closed it before anyone could notice, his gaze drifting from Aderes back to his bag. The only thing that might help would be staying close to Aderes. Stop it. He could not remain attached to his boyfriend for the entire school year. It's just because this is new. That had to be the case. He wanted to stay by Aderes, to enjoy the warmth and happiness being near him brought, because he'd never experience such things before. The last ten years of his life hadn't exactly had much love in them, except for Mrs. Weasley who was now gone.

Don't… If he started thinking about Mrs. Weasley he'd crumble.

"Harry?" Aderes touched his hand gently.

Harry looked up, Aderes's eyes meeting his own. "Yeah?"

Smiling, Aderes wrapped an arm around Harry's waist, pulling him close.

Harry's face burned and he leaned in closer, grateful that Aderes understood him so well.

"You look tired. Maybe you should take a nap during your free period."

Harry nodded, though he doubted he could fall asleep. The potion Aderes had given him at breakfast was enough to keep him moving for the rest of the day. Perhaps he could use the free period for something better, like sneaking out the back door and making his way back to number twelve before anyone realized he'd left. The toad couldn't make him serve detention if he wasn't at Hogwarts.

No. He wasn't the bravest person, but he was no coward. He'd finish his detentions, enjoying the looks of disappointment on Umbridge's face when she realized he wouldn't crack, at least not in front of her. Then he'd make sure to never get another detention from the psycho again.

"Should I sit next to you to make sure you don't fall asleep?"

"Eh…" If Aderes sat next to him, he might see the marks on his hand. If he told him no, he would probably get mad. "Probably a good idea." He'd just have to keep his hand out of sight.

"There you are, Aderes." The headmaster was smiling brightly, standing in front of the Defense room. "I believe there is a pressing matter we must address. Immediately."

Aderes snorted. "I have class."

"Then we best do this quickly."

Scowling, Aderes turned to Draco. "Make sure Harry doesn't fall asleep in class." He removed his arm from around Harry and kissed him gently. "I'll be back soon."

"Okay," Harry managed, his entire face red.

"This better be important," Aderes growled.

"It is," Dumbledore said, beaming.

Harry watched the two leave, his stomach knotting up. The idea of going back into the Defense room was bad enough. Going back without Aderes? Dumbledore had said they'd hurry.

"He'll be back, Potter."

"I know." Harry felt two hands on his arm. They pushed him, and he stumbled into the classroom, Draco following him. The sudden onslaught of pink and kittens pulled him back to reality.

"What in the hell is this," Draco demanded. He grabbed Harry's arm, holding it in front of his body like a shield.

"Defense," Harry muttered, looking at Draco. Since when did Draco touch him?

Ron stood beside Harry, his mouth hanging open. "This is not Defense! That tosser turned everything pink and there's enough lace in here for the whole class to hang themselves with! And what's with the kittens running around everywhere," Ron shouted, horrified. "How are we supposed to learn anything!?"

Harry shrugged. "It's not like we were learning anything before she destroyed the classroom." Taking a breath, he removed his arm from Draco's grip and started towards a desk at the very back of the room, and sat down, his eyes instantly going to Umbridge's desk where he knew the black quill was lying in wait for him. He could hardly keep his mental state together just from entering the room. How was he supposed to handle another detention this evening?

His mind pleaded with him to at least risk asking Aderes to meet him halfway after detention that evening so he wouldn't be alone again after hours of having his hand sliced into. He couldn't, though. Aderes would see his hand and who knew what that would result in. Ron was Harry's best friend and so Aderes seemed to tolerate him, and he'd won a trip into a wall and a vacation in unconsciousness for trying to hit Harry. What would Aderes do to a woman he clearly despised and was making Harry carve words into his own flesh?

Even if by some chance he could keep the wound concealed, asking Aderes to stay up late seemed akin to signing a death wish. A sleep-deprived Aderes stumbling to meet Harry and seeing him thoroughly upset, he had no misconceptions that he could hide his fear and overall mental breakdown once he left the detention, would not be good. It would probably lead to something far worse than Umbridge receiving a concussion.

"The Defense room isn't supposed to look like this," Ron said moodily and dropped into the chair next to Harry.

Harry agreed. The room they were supposed to learn to fight and defend in, to learn how to survive against Death Eaters and horrible people like Voldemort, should not look like a pink boutique shop or sound like a kitten auction house. The other fifth year students seemed to think so too. The few who had entered left, staying inside only long enough to turn around, strange expressions on their faces, their brains no doubt trying to process what they'd just seen.

"Well it does," Harry grumbled. He took another deep breath, trying to settle his nerves. He'd thought returning during the day with his friends would make the whole thing bearable. Instead, he wanted to puke.

"This is exactly why we need Fred and George's snack box."

"Snack box," Harry asked.

"Don't listen to him, Harry. Fred and George have been working on these candies that make you ill," Hermione said, hotly.

"They have antidotes," Ron huffed. "You get sick, and on your way to the infirmary you take the cure so you can ditch class."

Harry briefly remembered the twins talking about sending Percy something called a 'Puking Pastille' and not sending an antidote. If that's what the snack boxes were, they sounded exactly like something Fred and George would come up with and while he'd never tell Hermione given her current reaction, useful.

"Yes, because the cures work perfectly," Hermione said, her voice full of sarcasm.

"They're working on them," Ron said, defensively.

"Do they always fight like this," Draco asked, taking a seat on Harry's other side.

"Kind of."

"A first year almost bled to death the other day!"

Ron's face turned pink. "Yeah, but he didn't. They got it under control."

"You're impossible!" Hermione huffed and moved to the last desk in the aisle.

"Girls," Ron sighed, loudly.

Draco didn't seem to want to get involved and instead of saying anything, began pulling out his book and note taking items.

Ron kicked the front left leg of the desk he was sitting in, a sour look on his face. "...Why do you think Dumbledore wanted to talk to Aderes," Ron asked.

Good question. There were plenty of reasons Harry could guess as to why the headmaster would want to pull Aderes to the side. Given that he'd just helped Snape clean up the Potion's room, though, it was probably related to that. On the other hand, Aderes was weird at times and did very questionable things. "Maybe something about the Potion's classroom being destroyed.… Or something else." Given the look on Ron's face, Harry knew he understood what he meant by 'something else.'

"Some boyfriend you got there," Ron muttered.

"Probably not for long," Harry whispered. Ron's look darkened and Draco stopped what he was doing, staring at Harry. "Not because of Voldemort," he said, realizing what Ron at least was thinking. "The git told me the other day if I don't live up to his standards, he would disown me."

"What does he expect from you," Ron asked.

"Passing grades in every class and at least an Acceptable for every O.W.L."

Ron's mouth dropped open. "That's… You don't have to put up with that!"

"I do," Harry groaned, dropping his head onto the desk. "I haven't told you and Hermione everything yet." Like how he was mentally connected to Aderes and how just the thought of giving up the necklace, even to Dumbledore, made him go into withdrawal. Until he was able to get past those feelings, he was at Aderes's mercy.

"Just because you don't want to apply yourself, Weasley, doesn't mean Potter shouldn't. What's wrong with Aderes wanting Potter to improve himself?"

Ron glared at Draco. "Fred and George break it off with girls all the time when they get that way."

"I told him I'd try, but—"

"That just means your brothers don't think those girls are worth it," Draco said.

"If he wants someone as smart as Hermione, he needs to go date her and leave Harry alone!"

"That's not up to you!"

Draco fits right in. "He really should," Harry said, both looking at him again. The same thought had occurred to him multiple times. Why didn't Aderes just date Hermione? Or Draco for that matter if he wanted someone with a brain? Both of them were far better choices when it came to looks, and especially where intelligence was concerned. Just listening to some of the material in the past few days had made his brain die and his eyes glaze over. Even if he tried, the chances of him actually succeeding in passing every class with an Acceptable or higher were slim.

"Don't give up because Weasley's an idiot," Draco snapped. "You can pass your classes if you try."

It was Harry's turn to stare at Draco. The Slytherin had never uttered a word of praise for Harry, ever. Draco turned away, his face going pink. "If you just work a bit harder, you won't have any problems."

Harry wanted to ask where the real Draco had gone and to tell the impersonator who had to be downing Draco flavored Polyjuice potion that he was doing a horrible job, when he saw Umbridge's bright pink robes come into view, and all of his thoughts died.

"Good afternoon class," Umbridge sang, walking to the front of the classroom. She stopped in front of her desk, grinning ear to ear as she took them all in. She stood there, seeming to be expecting something. The students waited with her, the only sounds coming from the kittens. "… I believe we had this talk the other day," she said, a slight edge to her voice. "Good afternoon, class."

"Afternoon," a few students mumbled, none of them enthusiastic.

Umbridge's smile faltered. "I am your professor and expect you to treat me with the respect I deserve. Now everyone. Good afternoon, class."

Professors teach, Harry thought.

"Good afternoon," a few more students said.

"We can keep this up the entire class period if need be." She gave one of her high-pitched laughs.

"I'd rather learn manners from Lucius Malfoy," Ron muttered.

Harry brought his hand up to his mouth to keep himself from laughing too loudly. Even Draco's mouth pulled up into a half smile.

"I could easily give out detentions to everyone."

Harry's heart stopped until he realized there was no way she could possibly make two fifth-year houses participate in writing sentences with their own blood without some sort of consequence following. One of them, no doubt a Slytherin, would get in touch with someone who would raise hell at the injustice their daughter or son was enduring. Or a crowd of Gryffindor parents would show up ready for a fight. Maybe both. Maybe that's how they'd get rid of the toerag.

When no one said anything in response to her threat, her smile disappeared.

It was strange how unified and stubborn a group of Gryffindors and Slytherins could be when they equally despised their professor. He'd expected the Slytherins to say 'good afternoon' together to get the Gryffindors in trouble, but their eyes were burning with as much hatred as the Gryffindors' were towards Umbridge.

"Fine," she shrieked, throwing her hands into the air. "All of you can serve detention together Saturday evening!"

The students didn't seem concerned, a few of them glancing at each other, others shrugging. Harry had a feeling no one would be showing up Saturday night.

Their calm reaction did not seem to be what Umbridge was expecting. She looked like someone was choking her as her eyes glided from one side of the room to the other, her hands slowly tightening into fists. "GET YOUR BOOKS OUT AND READ CHAPTER TWO!"

The class began rummaging through their bags, taking books out. Harry pulled out his own as well as his items for writing. If he wasn't going to learn anything, he might as well use the time productively. He dipped his quill into some ink, his breath catching when he wrote the words 'Padfoot' across the top. Ron gave him a concerned look, but he ignored it and continued with his letter.

So much has happened, and it's only been four days since school started. Turns out what we thought was one thing was something completely different. So, I have a—

He stared at the letter, unable to finish the sentence. Sirius would probably be thrilled to know he was dating someone, weird as Aderes was, but he just couldn't write the word 'boyfriend.' There was no way his godfather would think it strange he was dating a guy; Sirius was dating Remus, after all.

He ran a line through the last sentence.

I'm dating now.

His eyes wouldn't move past those words. Seeing it in ink with the intention of sending it to Sirius made him nervous. Like he was telling him a secret. Aderes wasn't making any attempts to hide their relationship, though. Suddenly he felt like he was involved in some kind of scandal.

I can't. He took the piece of parchment and shoved it into his bag.

(X)

"I believe I asked you not to attack the staff," Dumbledore said, raising an eyebrow.

"You said not to attack 'innocent' staff," Aderes countered as he sat up in the chair on the other side of Dumbledore's desk. Which he had only agreed to because the list was so short. What staff members could possibly be considered innocent in this school? Flitwick of course and Sprout. Madam Hooch seemed to be strict, but not guilty of anything noteworthy.

The rest of them had plenty of things they were trying to hide. Snape was a child abusing arsehole who worked as a spy for Voldemort or Dumbledore, probably both. He tormented Harry, which was more than enough to be guilty as far as he cared. Hagrid, well. He wasn't going there, not when Harry could possibly stumble through his thoughts. McGonagall had driven him mad when he was younger. But her real offense was for not kicking Dumbledore in the shin and making him fetch Harry from the Dursley's immediately, knowing how horrible they were. Filch… he'd be in Dumbledore's office all day listing off that thing's crimes. The only thing he didn't fault Filch with was how he treated his cat.

The headmaster was staring down at him with the same exact tired and torn look that he often wore when Aderes was involved with something. It would be amusing if it wasn't so… pathetic was probably the best word. Dumbledore was by no means stupid, but he was under the impression that Aderes would stop doing things that would land him in the headmaster's office. Wishful, he decided, though if asked verbally by anyone he would say pathetic.

"And what did Professor Snape do that was so wrong that you felt the need to destroy the Potion's classroom?"

"He didn't stop Umbridge," Aderes said, his eyes flashing. "Did he tell you what Harry's detention entailed?"

Dumbledore paused, a frown joining his already haggard look. "He said Harry was writing lines."

Aderes chuckled at that. "Of course, he did. I guess he forgot to mention that that toad was having Harry write the lines with his own blood?" He smirked, watching the quick change of emotions fighting for dominance on Dumbledore's face. Disbelief, anger, confusion. "That's right. That wench is using blood inking and Snape did nothing to stop her. He seemed to enjoy the show actually." And so, he'd enjoyed his own show. He hadn't opened the bond yet to feel Harry's reaction, but he was sure his boyfriend had loved seeing the destruction he'd carried out on the Potion's classroom.

He'd warned the toad too, but her warning had been far more contained, inside her personal living quarters no less. If he lashed out at both of them openly on the same day, it might take a while, but Harry would put everything together and get mad at him. He was proud at how conservative he'd been with Umbridge, only burning a single sentence, 'Leave Harry Potter Alone' into the wall with the room's door. Why, he'd even been considerate enough to write it in large, arm-length letters making it utterly impossible to miss!

It seemed she had not reported the damage yet, or Dumbledore would be lecturing him about that too.

"Why didn't you come tell me as soon as you found out," Dumbledore demanded.

"You had a meeting this morning," he said, shrugging. "It didn't seem worth bothering you for when I could handle it myself."

"Rather, you purposely made sure you would get to handle it yourself." The headmaster snapped.

True enough. He wasn't about to pass up a chance to play the role of Harry's hero. "We're supposedly on the same side and want Harry safe," Aderes reminded him. Dumbledore could go on all he wanted about keeping Harry safe, that Harry was the only one capable of stopping Voldemort, but he'd failed Harry during the Gytrash incident. "If that's something you're no longer capable of doing…" He let the sentence hang.

Dumbledore looked torn for a moment before finally nodding. "If Umbridge continues with the blood inking, get the detention stopped, immediately. Without hurting anyone."

Well, that took all the fun out of it. "She's rather stupid. I can't be held responsible if she jumps in front of a spell."

"Aderes…" Dumbledore said, his voice full of warning.

"I make no promises," Aderes sighed, standing up. He stretched his arms, smirking at Dumbledore when their eyes met. "Harry's safety is my only concern."

"You are not the only one who cares about him."

"No, but I'm the only one who will protect him."

"You know that's not true."

"Isn't it? If I hadn't disobeyed you, Harry would have died because of that Gytrash scratch."

"Or rather I planned for everything, knowing full well you weren't going to listen to me in the first place."

Aderes snorted. "Even if that were the case, it was a stupid and pointless risk to take. If Harry dies because of you, I'll never forgive you." Don't think about that. He sighed again, shaking his head. "I have to get back to class. I suppose I'll be seeing you again soon." He stepped out of the office, slamming the door shut behind him.

(X)

Dumbledore let out a long sigh after the door closed. He'd known Umbridge getting involved in the school would cause problems, but he'd never imagined she'd go as far as torturing his students. The woman was playing a dangerous game. He might not have proof that she was the cause of Harry's scratches, even if he did, no one would believe him or Harry thanks to Fudge, but she'd made a mistake in letting Severus watch. Not to mention getting on Aderes's bad side.

He couldn't help smiling slightly at that. It was good that Harry and Aderes had gotten together. The two of them brought forth good traits in each other. Aderes made Harry want to try harder in school. Harry calmed Aderes down and made him happy. For now, anyway.

Well, best to get things started. He needed to write to Fudge and explain to the man that he would not allow such tactics to be used against his students, regardless if Umbridge deemed it a suitable punishment. Blood inking was a form of torture and decreed as such by the Ministry of Magic.

He removed a piece of parchment and began writing a letter detailing exactly what would happen should Fudge not get his subordinate under control. That there would be consequences. He would warn the parents about what was going on and should some of the details, photos included, leak to the Daily Prophet. Well, Fudge knew how determined the reporters could be, and Dumbledore could only do so much to hide such a story from anyone.

Dumbledore didn't like stooping to such a level. Truly, he'd hoped Umbridge would come, teach the students properly, and Fudge would calm down. Instead, the woman had been at Hogwarts for less than a week and was not only failing to teach the students anything; she was torturing them. And of course, she'd chosen Harry out of everyone to begin with. The one student at Hogwarts with a boyfriend that was so overly protective Umbridge's life was now in danger. He could try and stop Aderes, but then he would have to watch him every second of the day until Umbridge changed her ways.

He'd known the year was going to be a handful, especially after Aderes had pulled his stunt with the necklace, but he hadn't thought it would be this much of a hassle so soon. "But then, when is love not a hassle?" he asked himself with a smile.

(X)

Harry had fought over whether or not to ask Aderes to meet him after his detention was over through both free periods and all of dinner. In the end, common sense had won and he had kept his mouth shut. He didn't want his boyfriend to be a grumpy mess due to lack of sleep or to end up in Azkaban for harming Umbridge after he found out what she was doing. Or kill her, he thought, frowning. As horrible of a person as this toad was turning out to be, he refused to be the cause of yet another death, unless it was Voldemort's.

He entered the Defense room and went straight to the desk with the quill lying on top. Where's Snape? He'd been sure the Potion's Master would be hanging around all his detentions, enjoying the torture Umbridge was putting him through. Instead, Filch was sitting in a corner, grinning at him. He wondered if she was selling tickets to the show and for how much.

"Good evening, Mister Potter," Umbridge said. Her voice sounded somewhat different, lacking its overall honey coating.

"Good evening Professor Umbridge."

He picked the quill up. The faster I start, the sooner my hand will go numb. Then the detention would be nothing more than line writing. Would the scratches be more visible after this detention? How was he supposed to hide them if they were? Eventually he'd snog Aderes and his boyfriend would see the red marks carved into his hand. The only solution for that was for him to not make out with his boyfriend. Yeah, right. Given the way their relationship was, though, it might be good if they took a step back. There were a few things not quite right when it came to Aderes and their relationship. Things he was all too willing to ignore that any other sane person wouldn't. The real question was, why? Was it because of the bond or…?

I can't just give everything up. He hadn't even been able to hand the necklace over without going into a state of withdrawal during the summer holiday, and he did like Aderes. A lot. Maybe things were strange with them, but his life wasn't exactly normal on any level. I don't care. He knew he should, maybe did, a little, but not right now while he was stuck in a detention enduring minor torture. He just wanted to stay with Aderes for as long as he possibly could. Bond or not, he enjoyed having such strong feelings for someone, even if they were inconvenient at times. And made him out to be overly dependent. And—

A particularly deep cut into his hand made him wince.

'Didn't I tell you, you're not to take on the world by yourself?'

It was the only warning Harry got as Aderes's hand in shadow form clapped down over his own. He hissed at the sudden pain, and within seconds it was fading, then gone. Aderes jerked the quill out of his hand and turned towards Umbridge.

'Aderes, don't!' He jumped to his feet, his chair falling over as he grabbed Aderes's arm. The anger radiating from his boyfriend was enough to warn him that the entire school was in danger of going up in flames. 'I can't lose you!'

'What she's doing is illegal.' His voice was calm, but Harry could feel the undertones of hatred.

"What are you doing," Umbridge demanded. She got out of her chair and started towards Harry.

Harry realized how odd the scene before Umbridge must look. Harry was holding onto an invisible arm with both hands, the black quill floating in the air and aimed at her head.

"What are you doing," Aderes asked, his eyes narrowing. Umbridge stopped. "I have every right to carve up your body," he hissed. "Unfortunately, others would disapprove of such methods." He snapped the quill in half and dropped it onto the floor. "Harm him again and I make no promises you'll survive the school year."

'Please!' Aderes wanted to hurt her, bad. Images of Umbridge's room flashed through his mind, Aderes burning letters into her wall. He gasped, releasing Aderes's arm as wave after wave of rage filled the bond. The hatred was consuming everything in Aderes's mind.

"I am a Ministry—"

'Aderes! I hate her too, but if you kill her, they'll just separate us!'

Something seemed to click in Aderes's mind. The darkness vanished and Harry could no longer keep up with Aderes's thoughts.

"I don't care what you are. I'm the curse put on the Defense Against the Dark Art's teaching position, courtesy of Voldemort," he said, his voice full of arrogance.

Umbridge's eyes widened and Filch made a strange noise from the corner.

'Wh, what!?' He gaped at his boyfriend.

'Curses can take on many forms.' He lifted Harry's bag, before grabbing Harry's left hand.

'She's going to know you're lying!'

'We'll be gone before her desolate brain figures that out.'

Harry waited for some sort of retaliation, but none came from either adult, dread forming. 'Why aren't they moving?'

'Body binding spell.' He tugged on Harry's hand, pulling him towards the door. "Come on."

'But…' The rage from Aderes had tired him out, not to mention the relief once it had passed.

'I was told to free you.' With another tug, Harry found himself in the hallway. Aderes shut the door.

Harry blinked as an image of Dumbledore flashed through the bond. "He didn't give you permission to—"

"His exact words were, stop the detention without harming anyone. I believe I left her, regrettably, very much alive and in good health." He shook his head at the door, his annoyance clear. Harry could see there were still plenty more things Aderes wanted to do to Umbridge and how much restraint it was taking for him not to go back in and skin the woman alive. "Should she try this again, well…" He started to laugh, Harry trying to push the murderous thoughts from his mind.

He needed to distract Aderes before he decided he didn't care about Dumbledore's words and went back into the classroom because he didn't think he could get Aderes to stop a second time. "I have to make this detention up now," he sighed.

"No, you won't." He started for the stairs, turning back when he noticed Harry wasn't following him. "Come on."

"You can't just…"

"Dumbledore wants to see your hand."

Harry wanted to protest but getting Aderes away from Umbridge and into Dumbledore's office was probably the safest option right now. "Okay."

"If you think Dumbledore is capable of stopping me, you're mistake," he chuckled, until his eyes landed on Harry's right hand. His body froze, another rush of anger storming the bond.

"I'll be okay," Harry said, quickly.

"…Just bear with this a little longer. Dumbledore wants to take pictures of your hand before I heal it."

Harry nodded.

A blush crept across Aderes's face, something to do with Harry's trust in him. The thoughts became tangled seconds later and they started for Dumbledore's office.

(TBC)