Slowly his boy's eyes moved from him to the Head Scientist and a look of shock passed through them before they quickly recovered to blank.
"Tom," the voice sounded to business-like for the Minister's liking. "I see you're busy. Meet me later?" The words sounded so casual that even the Head Scientist looked up at the Auror. The Dark Lord carefully nodded and the youngster took a step backwards before turning around. To Tom it looked like his boy intentionally slowed down to not look to eager to leave. As the door closed again, the politician's attention moved back to the prisoner, who spit out some blood while staring at the door Harry had just left through. Raising his wand, Tom healed the internal cuts before smirking at the scientist.
"So you don't die," he smiled charmingly. "I have to say that this was very educative. Please enjoy the not lethal part of the Black Death a little longer," he smiled almost like he meant it before turning to Miss Black. "Please, continue." The Interrogator gave him a nod and stepped closer. Without another word, the Minister walked out of the cell. Outside he found his boy discussing something with one of the other Interrogators. "Marvolo," he called out and his heart thumped. The Auror's cold look turned to him. "You asked for me?" Instead of answering Harry motioned for him to follow him back to the prisoner's cell.
"Has he said why he did what he did?" the Auror questioned as he knocked on the blackened see-through window. Tom could only be really happy that it was blackened and not see-through right now and before during his session. It was standard that way when one of the Interrogators was inside.
"The attack on you was revenge for the magic draining for the devices." The youngster nodded.
"And why he betrayed us?"
"No, but he's known to be a pureblood lover, who had sympathy for Grindelwald," the politician reasoned.
"And since when are you part of the interrogation team?" the Auror dropped the bomb.
'Here it comes!' Tom knew it was coming. "If they need help I'm not one to refuse," the Dark Lord countered and the other's green eyes narrowed.
"Miss Black asked for help?" the name was spat and the Minister realized that this wasn't the place to have this discussion.
"Yes. Can we continue on the way to my office? My work is piling up as we speak," he nonchalantly suggested as he turned his body with one step towards the exit.
"Sure," his boy said in a monotone voice and stepped past him. Tom followed his example and in a tense silence they walked to the Minister's office. The younger man stopped in the middle of the room without turning around to face the other.
"You don't approve," Tom stated quietly and Harry briskly turned to him.
"Which you know all too well! What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?!" The youngster was beyond angry.
"Helping us win this war."
"By torturing people?!"
"Yes, as it has always been," the Minister had to choose his words carefully.
"And you're the best one for the job, aren't you?!" Harry mocked him.
"It would be a waste to ignore my talents if the need for them arises." Green eyes narrowed.
"Your talents? Hurting people is a talent?!"
"No," the Dark Lord quickly answered as he saw an opening, "getting in someone's mind. Having that person change his mind and trust you enough to tell you everything you want to know."
"Getting his trust! Giving someone the Plague is going to get someone's trust?"
"I'm certain you understand that fear has a lot of impact on someone's state of mind," the politician reasoned and his boy shot him a disbelieving look.
"Yeah, I know that all too well…" he said in an icy tone and the Dark Lord realized his mistake too late.
"Harry." Tom dared to step closer. He raised his hand but the other moved away before he could touch him.
"Don't, just don't…" The Auror stepped backwards and fear shot through the Minister's heart.
"We're at war…" he tried again, but the youngster just shook his head before turning around. "I'll let the professionals deal with the interrogations," he shouted in desperation, but only got a sneer from his boy.
"As if you mean that." Green eyes glared at him over a shoulder and the youngster walked out of the Minister's office. As the door closed, Tom stepped forward with the intention of following, but the shaking of his hands stopped him from grabbing the handle.
"Get a grip!" he ordered himself while balling his fist. "He just needs to calm down," his voice didn't sound very believable, but he chose the small hope over losing his love. Slowly he turned around and walked over to his desk. Dropping down in his seat, his eyes automatically moved to the spot his boy had been preoccupying not moments ago. 'Am I really going to stop? Can I?'
-THTH-
Harry burst into the men's bathroom and was more than glad he was alone. His feet carried him to the sink and he just stared at his reflection in the mirror above it.
"How could he?!" he screamed and leaned his hands on the sink.
"Elladora needed help!" he spat and looked up into his own eyes. Brown eyes seemed to cloud over his own and giving in to his urges he punched them away. Only when he pulled his fist back, did he see the pieces of mirror sticking out of his skin and the blood starting to come up from the wounds.
"Shit!" Ignoring the part of him that said he needed to get it treated, he started pulling the pieces out of his hand and held it under running water.
'How long has he been helping her?' The green eyes narrowed. 'Is that how they became so close?' He closed the tap and grabbed some papers with his free hand before dapping his wounds dry. 'That's going to leave marks if not treated properly,' he though absentminded as he observed his hand.
'I'll make certain he stops!' his mind turned back to the reason of his anger as he grabbed his wand. Mumbling a couple of spells, he cleaned the cuts and healed them without scaring.
'Proper treatment,' he smirked not really feeling it. His wand got put away and his fingers carefully touched the healed skin. Green eyes automatically zoomed in on his engagement ring. He could only stare at it in silence. Somehow he had forgotten about it, about the promise it presented. Slowly his eyes rose to look at the broken mirror again. Staring at his own reflecting, he didn't seem to recognize himself anymore.
-THTH-
Harold looked up as his grandson walked into the Head Auror's office and pulled a questioning look at the youngster's expression.
"You don't want to know," Harry simply stated and the other's eyebrows rose for a moment before a short nod dropped the subject.
"We're starting to get the reports of the suspects' schedules and surroundings," the oldest Auror said as he waved over the papers on the desk in front of him.
"And? Anything special they're doing while children are being attacked under their command?" the youngster's voice sounded irritated and his grandfather gave him a look. Harry ignored the look. He knew he had reacted more harsh than usual. 'It is a subject to be angry about!' he mentally defended himself as he took a look at the information.
"Nothing out of the ordinary. Most will be at work or meeting with someone," Harold answered his question.
"So they will have alibis," his grandson grumbled.
"Yes, a couple are even each other's alibi." Harold pushed two papers towards the other.
"Seriously?" The youngster picked up the papers before shaking his head in disbelieve. "I will be glad when these people are behind lock and key," he sighed and the older Potter nodded his agreement.
"We'll put them there," he assured his grandson.
-THTH-
Elladora looked up as Tom entered the Head Scientist's cell.
"How is our guest?" the Dark Lord asked with a charming smile.
"He's enjoying a moment of well-deserved rest," Miss Black answered and brown eyes moved to the prisoner, who had visually lost his stubbornness. Tom liked that those confident eyes now held fear directed at him. "He has helped us a lot already," Elladora said in the proud voice the Minister knew she kept for her praises during torture.
"Then he deserves a reward," Tom mumbled and pulled out his wand. He undid the spells he had left on the Head Scientist. Having done what he came to do, the politician nodded to the torture specialist before turning around and leaving. He wasn't surprised Miss Black followed him and moved to the desk with evidence.
"What did you find out?" he questioned as he stared down at the papers and scrolls without really reading anything.
"He told us the name of his contact and also how he came to know how to contact Azac." The Minister's eyebrows rose.
"Apparently you post a notice in the Prophet and they respond."
"How do they know to post a notice?"
"Rumours." Tom's look told her to be more detailed. "From what I've gathered Azac looks for recruits itself and starts spreading rumours around the people they might think are interested." The Dark Lord frowned.
"Which means they choose their members with care."
"Yes, and after the initial contact the pledge has to proof himself."
"Like Dern with the explosion and our Scientist with attacking Marvolo."
"Which was actually not the main part of his plan," Miss Black piped up and the Minister narrowed his eyes at her.
"Attacking Marvolo wasn't the main part?"
"It wasn't, Marvolo was the bait to get you in the open." Brown eyes widened before narrowing again.
"He wanted to kill me!" It wasn't a question and the Interrogator nodded.
"Killing the Minister was definitely going to get him into Azac." Tom frowned.
'I didn't think he had the guts.'
"How's Marvolo doing anyway?" she suddenly asked out of character and as he met her eyes he could read the real question.
'How did he react?'
"He's angry, but everything will be all right," he knew he was lying and the flash of disappointment in Miss Black's orbs wasn't missed. Choosing to ignore the woman's futile hope, he nodded to her before walking out of the dungeon.
'Yes, everything will be all right!' the Dark Lord assured himself. He would give up his public torture sessions and keep the private ones hidden, like he did before. He would have to lie to Harry again. A grimace appeared on his face. He knew all too well that wasn't going to work.
-THTH-
Alistair was the last one to arrive at the Minister's office.
"We all know why we are here?" Zanal questioned with a bored look on his face and everyone nodded. Harry glanced at Stromay, who gave him a small smile. Madam Prince's funeral was tomorrow and they had to come up with a safety procedure for all of them to be able to go. "Okay, then the only way we're all going, is if we take turns," Zanal started. "And logical wise, the Minister can't go together with Mr Malfoy, neither can Marvolo and Martin and just in case, they best not go with me either." Everyone agreed. "Mr Stromay can go with who he wants," the Head Auror ended and the youngster shared another look with his friend. They would go together.
"Maybe it would also be better if Marvolo and Tom aren't seen together," Harold suggested and the Dark Lord was so quick to agree, making Harry frown at him. That kind of hurt.
"Yeah, taking out the power couple would be a big blow to us," Alistair said as he saw the Auror's face. Tom nodded at the youngster to indicate that that was the reason.
"All right, then Marvolo goes with Mr Malfoy, Martin goes with the Minister and I'll go alone," Cornelius split them up before turning to the Scientist.
"I'll go with Marvolo and Abraxas," Alistair informed him of his decision and the Head nodded, not surprised in the least.
"Okay, there will be a team of Aurors at the funeral as protection for everyone and another to protect us." Zanal looked at the Minister, who agreed with the plan.
"Ms Grelyon will contact the family." The Dark Lord's eyes moved over everyone to stop on Harry. "We should all get some rest," he said in a quieter tone, surprising the youngster with the attention.
"Yes, Marvolo, please make sure our Lord actually gets some rest," Abraxas said while patting his cousin's shoulder. The Auror glanced at the blond and gave him a small nod. From the corner of his eyes he could see his grandfather staring at him with a frown.
'He must have figured out my anger is because of Tom,' he mentally sighed as he turned around to leave.
-THTH-
As Harry entered the house, Tom was already present and waiting for him. "I've asked Dopper to prepare dinner," the Minister said as the younger man walked to the kitchen to be stopped by a hand wrapping around his wrist. "I know you're angry," green eyes refused to look at him, "but don't avoid me." The Dark Lord pulled a little at his arm, but the Auror pulled himself loose.
"I'm going to spend the night at Abraxas. Lysandra and Lucius could use some company," Harry stated without turning around and continued his way into the kitchen. "Dopper," the youngster called out as he felt the other's presence behind him. "I'm not staying for dinner. I hope I'm not a bother." The Auror found the house-elf at the table cutting vegetables with widened eyes looking up at him.
"Of course not, Master." Harry gave it a small smile before turning around and taking a step back in surprise at how close the Dark Lord stood.
"Don't go!" It sounded like an ordered and the Auror glared at the other.
"I can't… stand you right now," he brushed past him with the intention of going back to the fireplace, but once more a hand stopped him. "Let go!" the younger man raised his voice and tried to pull himself free again, but this time Tom was prepared. His grip tightened and briskly he hauled Harry closer to him.
"We need to talk this out! We don't have time for this!" The Auror shot him a disbelieving look.
"We don't have time for this?!" Harry could feel his anger rage to the surface again. "Let me go!" he screamed but the Dark Lord wasn't relenting. Before he was aware of what he was doing, the youngster's fist was already connected to the Minister's face and finally his arm was freed as the politician staggered backwards, mostly in shock.
"Let me make this easy for you!" the Auror wasn't done yet. Brutally, he grabbed the ring around his finger and pulled it off. "Here," he threw it on the floor, like it was dirt, right in front of Tom.
"Now we don't need to make time!" he sneered and angry turned around to stomp to the fireplace once more. This time no one stopped him.
-THTH-
Taking a fistful of Floo powder, he realized that his empty looking finger would draw questions out of Lysandra he didn't want to hear.
'She would only try to defend Tom,' he closed his eyes with a frown. How he missed Hermione and Ron at this moment.
'Ignatius and Alex,' his mind automatically supplied and impulsively he threw in the powder while pronouncing Crabbe's name.
-THTH-
Alex was more than surprised to have his wife suddenly appear up at his home office with his old friend in tow. "How are you, Marvolo? Is everything all right?" Worry was clear to see on Crabbe's face.
"Can I stay the night?" Alex's eyes widened at that question.
"Of course, my dear," his attention moved to his wife. "I'll have a room prepared," Leticia said from behind the younger man and left the two of them alone.
"What did our Lord do this time?!" Crabbe went straight to the point and Harry let out an angry sigh.
"He's been lying to me..." A frown appeared on Alex's face. "He's been torturing people behind my back." It didn't go unnoticed by the Auror that his friend didn't look surprised. "You knew!" he accused before his brain caught up with his mouth. Crabbe shook his head before answering.
"No, but I know our Lord and that sounds like something he would do." The youngster sighed again.
"I'm sorry, I just..."
"You're clearly in shock," his friend continued as he struggled for words, "Our Lord has changed since he met you-."
"But clearly not enough," the Auror continued bitterly. Alex just gave him a look full of pity.
"He's a work in progress," Crabbe put forward and the youngster just felt really tired all of a sudden.
"What are you going to do?" Alex questioned and Harry's eyes fell to his hands.
"I think I've already done enough." His friend cocked his head at that in question. "I broke up with him," the younger man said, almost in disbelieve with himself.
"Wow," Crabbe let out stunned.
"After punching him," the other continued before hiding his face in his hands.
"Wow," Alex repeated himself. "That must have definitely made an impression."
"Let's hope a good one!" the Auror's face came back in view. "He needs to stop thinking he's above the law!" he said angry.
"Our Lord knows he's not above the law, but the thrill in finding ways around them and getting away with it, is what gets him every time," Crabbe clarified and the other pulled a face that made clear he didn't care.
"Doesn't change what he did."
"No, it doesn't," Alex agreed. "Maybe this break up is what will make him see things in another light?" he shrugged and the youngster blew up his cheeks before letting the air escape in a heavy puff.
"He will just try to make me understand his reasoning, so he won't have to give up his hobby," the Auror spat the last two words.
"As long as you're strong that won't happen," Crabbe pointed out. "And eventually, our Lord will give in as losing you is something that will destroy him and he can't have that." Harry just gave his friend an odd look.
"I think you're overestimating what I mean to him."
"No, I'm not, even if you don't want to see that he loves you more than anything," the younger man rolled his eyes, "there's still the fact that your relationship is one of the reasons he's such a beloved Minister." At that the Auror's eyes widened before closing them with a groan.
"That's true and I'm going to regret it later on, if I ruin his career." 'It would only lead him more to the Dark side!'
"So, your break up can't get out to the public," Alex added gasoline to the fire. "Definitely not during a war!" Even with all of his senses protesting, Harry knew he was right.
"I can't go back to him," he mumbled not in defence but in realisation. "Just seeing his face makes me sick!"
"I understand and you don't have too, but that ringless finger is a death giveaway," Crabbe pointed out and the other let out a heavy sigh.
"So, I'll get the ring back to keep up the pretence and make very clear, he's going to get it back after the war." Alex nodded in approval. "Are you going to Madam Prince's funeral tomorrow?" the Auror changed the subject and got a single nod from his friend as answer.
"Ignatius' also coming. His owl also had a letter for you, but I presume you didn't read it yet." The youngster shook his head.
"I'll get it tomorrow morning. I need clean clothes anyway." A knock interrupted them and Leticia came in.
"Your room is ready, Marvolo," she smiled and Harry immediately thanked her.
"I'm sorry for the unannounced intrusion." Both husband and wife waved his apology away.
"What are friends for," Alex assured him. "Come, we'll show you to your room. You need your rest." The Auror wasn't going to fight his friend's words. He was tired anyway and tomorrow was going to be a difficult day.
-THTH-
As Harry entered his hallway, he found Dopper waiting on him. "Master!" the house-elf couldn't have sounded any happier to see him.
"Dopper, I've come to get some clean clothes."
"Of course, Master. Do you want breakfast, Master?" the elf hopefully looked up at him.
"No thank you, I've already eaten." The youngster hesitated for a moment. "Do you know where Tom put my ring?" A part of him seemed to be screaming for it, while another part couldn't stand the thought of touching it again.
"Master took it with him." Dopper nodded to himself.
"Oh... thank you," the Auror stared at the house-elf. 'He deserves to know.' "Hm, I won't be coming home for a while," he carefully said and saw Dopper's eyes widen in alarm. It knew all too well what that meant.
"Master won't like it!" the elf said in a high pitched voice.
"No, he won't... If he does something to you, I want you to come to me immediately!" Dopper's eyes widened in astonishment before it nodded heavily. "Did any owls came when I was out?" the Auror changed the subject and again the house-elf nodded.
"Yes, Mr Parkinson sent one, Master." Seemly out of nowhere it procured the letter and handed it over.
"Thanks, remember what I told you!" Harry pressured and Dopper assured him with words and manners that he would listen. Feeling a little uneasy about leaving the house-elf in the Dark Lord's possession, the Auror forced his feet in the direction of the bathroom. "I'm going to freshen up and then leave for work. Could you prepare a bag with a week worth of clothes?" He wasn't planning on returning in a week, but he couldn't just move out when he didn't know where he would be staying. He couldn't stay at Alex's forever.
"Of course, Master! Immediately, Master!" With a grateful nod, the youngster walked deeper in the mansion.
-THTH-
Abraxas looked up from the Minister's desk and gave his cousin a grin. "What brings you here this early in the morning? Missing that Lord of yours already?" he teased and anger seemed to rise out of nowhere inside the youngster's chest.
"No!" Harry knew his answer was too brisk and Malfoy gave him an odd look.
"Trouble in paradise?" he questioned with a hint of worry in his voice that seemed too uncharacteristic for him.
'Tom clearly hasn't said anything. Should I tell him?' Harry cocked his head in thought. 'Did he know?!' "Elladora Black," the Auror said the name with distaste and the other greyish eyes narrowed.
"What did she do? Has she finally succeeded in coming between you two?"
"Finally?! What do you mean, finally?!" Harry burst out and the blond gave him an apologizing look.
"Everyone knows she has a thing for our Lord and is rejecting any marriage proposals she gets for the chance of being with him."
"But he's engaged to me!" the younger man stated angry.
"Yes, and she would bear your presence until she gets pregnant and then kill you," Abraxas shrugged like it was the normal thing to do.
"What?!" Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Tom would never sleep with her!" Of that he was certain.
"Even if it was to give the two of you an heir?" Malfoy gave him a look.
"We can adopt an heir!"
"Blood is stronger than a name," the blond pointed out. "And it isn't unheard of that a gay couple gets an official mistress to bear them children." The look on the Auror's face only worsened.
"Well, there won't be any need for an official mistress as the whole engagement has been broken off anyway!" he spat and Abraxas suddenly got a serious look on his face.
"What do you mean?" greyish eyes intently stared at him. "You broke off the engagement?" Harry nodded with an angry passion and his cousin's eyes narrowed. "Why? Did our Lord bed Miss Black?"
"No!" the youngster sneered in disgust. "He's been helping her with her work," he spat and the greyish eyes suddenly widened in alarm.
"Her torture work?!" The Auror nodded.
'At least he didn't know...'
"If someone finds out about this...!" Panic was clear to read on Malfoy's face and the youngster knew it had nothing to do with being kept in the dark.
"What?" he questioned and Abraxas focused his attention back on him.
"This could ruin his carrier!" Green eyes widened for a moment before he suddenly shrugged.
"Maybe it should. Have him learn a lesson for once," Harry said not really meaning the words.
"A lesson? He would ruin us all before going down alone!" the blond roared. "Especially you!" the Auror frowned at that accusation. "He'll push you so deep that you'll come crawling back to him!" It hurt that Malfoy was right. As Minister, Tom had the power he wanted and if he lost that, it would lead him straight to the Voldemort path.
'No, I won't give in!' "At least, I'll have someone who will take care of me, but what about you?" Harry shot back and his cousin's expression only worsened. "He won't give a damn about Lysandra or Lucius if it comes to that." Pouring gasoline on the fire.
"It can never be discovered..." Abraxas mumbled while shaking his head. "Never, no one can ever find out about those torture sessions!" The younger man nodded in agreement.
"It's for the best of all of us that he stops doing that," he reasoned and the blond nodded.
"Yes, I'll have a word with him and Miss Black!" A fire seemed to have been lightened in the greyish eyes.
'Yes, I should also have a talk with her!'
"Now, about that broken engagement..."
"I know, I know, the public can't find out about it," Harry waved his words away before pulling a sheepish look. "Could you maybe get my ring back for me?" Abraxas blinked at him before his eyes dropped down to the other's fingers and a resigned sigh fell from his lips.
-THTH-
Watching the casket with Madam Prince's body disappear in the ground, made Harry feel very small. He wondered how Tom had experienced the mass service and quickly shook those thoughts from his mind. Glancing at Alistair, he noted the man wore a poker face and he sighed in pity. His friend should be able to show his pain without caring about the others' opinions. His eyes moved to his other side to Abraxas, but stopped on Eileen who stood opposite him. He frowned as she leaned a little in herself and his eyes zoomed in on her heavily pregnant stomach, where her hand was harshly pressing into her skin. With her other hand she suddenly pulled on her husband's sleeve as she leaned in even more.
'Something's wrong!' the youngster quickly realized and his feet were already moving on their own. Absentminded he noted one of the Aurors assigned to him, Alistair and Abraxas follow his every step. He could also feel his cousin's confused eyes on his back. As he reached Eileen and Thomas they had already moved to the back of the crowd.
"He's coming," the pregnant woman stated with pain in her eyes as she held onto her stomach.
'Snape!' Harry's eyes widened at the thought of seeing the scary Slytherin Potion Master being born as a cute little innocent baby.
"Move!" another woman suddenly pushed him out of the way and the youngster blinked in surprise for a moment, but quickly realized she must be the midwife. She did a quick check up and casted some spells with her hidden wand.
"We need to move her to the hospital right away," the witch turned to Harry and his shadow, who had joined them.
"I'm coming along," the youngster stated to her and the other Auror. "Keep an eye on the others," he ordered his colleague, who gave a nod in acceptance. The midwife was already manoeuvring her charge away from the public and Harry was quick to follow her.
-THTH-
Harry almost couldn't believe it as he took in the happy family before him. Eileen had trouble staying upright against the headframe of the bed, but she did none-the-less while holding her baby close to her. Her husband was sitting on the side of the bed making sure that his two most precious persons were all right.
"They look good together," Tom's voice surprised him and he briskly turned his head to find the Minister standing way to close behind him.
"They do. Shouldn't you be at work?!"
"My godson just got born," Tom reasoned and the Auror turned his head away from him.
"I should be getting back." Harry decided to leave instead of starting a fight, which would be the outcome. He turned to the wall with the intention of slipping past the other, but an outstretched hand stopped him. Green eyes glanced downwards and immediately focused on his ring.
"You wanted it back," Tom said self-assured and the youngster shot him a glare. He couldn't stand the confident look in the other's eyes and his entire being suddenly refused to even touch the jewellery.
"We'll announce our break up after the war." The Dark Lord's face hardened. "We can't have people doubting us," Harry added as if he needed to give an explanation. Hesitating at first, the Minister's hand slowly rose to the Auror's face and his head leaned closer.
"Harry..." Tom said just above a whisper so only the other could hear him.
"Do you want another punch?!" the younger man harshly shot back and the other retreated, clearly against his will. Not saying a word, the Dark Lord held up the ring once more; now in front of the other's face, who simply stared at it. With a huff, the Auror just pushed the hand away with his body and started walking away. He couldn't stop his feet from accelerating once he got past the Minister. He needed to get away from him!
R&R