AN: I'm sorry this took so long to write. My exams have been hellish and now that they're over I've finally had time to update. I hope you all enjoy this.

Chapter 8

Harry let out another sigh as he walked down the corridor. He was more frustrated then he could remember being in a long time. The whole situation seemed ridiculous. How the hell was he supposed to go on a date with the Dark Lord? The whole thing was insane. He had barely been out of the house during summer and now he was expected to go to a restaurant full of the elite of the wizarding world, watched from every angle.

However that was not what was throwing Harry off the was used toeing forced into uncomfortable situations. No, it was the attitude that the Dark Lord seemed to have adopted over the last week that was making Harry feel as though he was in deep water, not knowing how to swim. The man had made a whole one hundred and eighty degree turn in personality. He was treating Harry as though he was delicate and would shatter like so much glass crunched underfoot. The man was, for lack of a better word, insane. He had been following Harry around for the past few days; escorting him to meals and watching his every step. Harry didn't know how to respond. The man was saying very little but Harry felt the concerned eyes following him everywhere.

What had been even more off putting thing had been the gifts. Harry was really not sure what to make of them. He had woken up two days ago to a large bouquet of flowers; pink and white roses scattered amongst white carnations, dahlias, ivy and large pink peonies. The flowers making up the bouquet were a clear message, each flower displaying its own unique message. Harry's pureblood heritage had ensured that he had read the message loud and clear. The new flowers had easily replaced the bouquet of sunflowers that Harry had received only three days prior. Another even more extravagant gift had arrived in the form of a ring. It much resembled the muggle tradition of a wedding ring, fitting perfectly onto Harry's left ring finger. It was evidently a rather extravagant gift. It was platinum with diamonds inlaid all around the circumference of the ring. They sparkled in the light with each movement of Harry's hand. On the inside the inscription 'victoriam in caritate' was engraved in delicate cursive. Harry had worn the ring, pretending to himself that he had not noticed the similar ring encircling the Dark Lord's own finger. Neither of them had mentioned it.

With the bouquet of flowers that Harry had received, was an accompanying note that told of the date that Harry was invited to. The time had arrived far sooner than Harry wished, forcing itself upon him in only a few hours. That was the reason for Harry rushing from his rooms in what resembled a panic. He needed to find Fenrir, the wolf would know what to do. Fenrir would be able to coach Harry through the mind fuck that was the Dark Lord being remotely nice to him.

Harry pushed his way through the doors of the manor and made his way into the forest, his feet pounding heavily on the floor in a desperate run. He soon found himself in the familiar location of the werewolf pack's territory. It had become Harry's sanctuary over the past week, after he and Fenrir had talked out their problems at the ball. The Dark Lord's new found attitude, seemingly allowed Harry the freedom to spend time with the wolf. However the time was limited. Harry knew that he needed to be back before any meal, or the Dark Lord would be there to retrieve him. However his retrieval now lacked the torture that had previously marred their encounters.

Harry rushed to where he knew Fenrir spent most of his time. None of the people that stood and sat around the clearing halted his movements; knowing where it was that he was going.

"Fenrir" Harry called out, knocking on the door of the small cottage that belonged to the wolf. The village of the werewolves was situated behind the clearing that Harry had initially discovered, hidden by the trees. Each wolf had their own accommodation, however many preferred to spend their time outside in the open, allowing their wolf the freedom that it desired.

Fenrir pulled the door open, a grin puling at his lips as he pulled Harry into a hug and into the cottage.

"You don't need to knock Harry" the silver haired man broke the hug. "Come on in."

Fenrir pulled Harry's hand, leading him into the simple cottage. It was small, but homely. The whole thing was only one room, a bed was pushed against one wall. A small kitchen consisting of a stove, a few scruffy counters and a cold, magic, storage unit. Shelves littered the walls, filled with various foods, clothes and verbs; both magical and non-magical. However the best part of the cottage was the large scruffy sofa that was situated in front of a constantly roaring fire. Several animal skins littered the floor before the couch, as well as strewn across it. Harry was pulled to said sofa and pushed down onto it.

"So what's the matter, little Harry?" Fenrir smiled as he crossed his legs onto of one of the deerskins, turning to look at Harry.

"Well" Harry hummed indecisively. "The Dark Lord asked me on a date tonight, well I say asked, asking is not really his…thing" Harry brought his thumb to his mouth, beginning to chew at his nail.

"What do I do?" was mumbled behind the nail.

Fenrir tried to contain the laugh, however it bubbled from his mouth, the smile spreading across his face. He brought his hands up to cover it, the laughter still huffing behind his hands. However as he saw the scowl that marred Harry's face he managed to contain himself. He cleared his throat, forcing his lips to be straight. Fenrir let out a deep breath as his lips threatened to curl again.

"Sorry Harry" Fenrir struggled as he attempted to prevent any further laughter. "It's just…I can't imagine the Dark Lord on…a date." Fenrir lost the fight as another laugh broke free with his last words. He found tears forming in his eyes as a snort ripped from his nose.

A smile pulled at Harry's lips as he watched the werewolf before him fall apart with laughter. The image that Fenrir had suggested flickered into his head. The Dark Lord dressed in formal robes, a nervous smile on his face, a bunch of flowers in his hand and a slight blush on his cheeks. Harry's smile spread further and soon he found himself engulfed in laughter as violent as that of the silver haired man before him.

It was several minutes before the two composed themselves. Harry had slid from the sofa, resting with half his body on the floor. His head was resting on a bear skin on the floor, while his legs were hooked over the edge of the sofa. He grinned up at the wolf that looked down at him.

"Wat ya doin down there Harry?" the man grinned back, with a tilt of his head.

Harry stuck out his tongue in response, holding out a hand; a demand for help in regaining a sitting position. Fenrir obliged pulling Harry up and repositioning the man's legs over his lap.

"Feeling better?" Fenrir asked.

Harry gave a hum of agreement, running his hands through his hair as he smiled at the man before him.

"As long as he doesn't look like a simpering teenager on his first ever date, I think I'll be okay." Harry said with a huff, as the image of a smitten Voldemort once again came into his head.

Harry pulled his legs from Fenrir's lap and shuffled closer to the wolf. He rested his head on the silver haired man's shoulder and let out a sigh, filled with relief and contentment.

"Thanks Fen, you always know how to make me feel better."

Harry could only afford another ten minutes with the werewolf before he had to make his way back to the manor. His date was looming. He needed to get ready. Harry headed back to his room and after a quick shower he dressed in a set of well fitting black dress robes. Silver embroidered leaves spread across the front of the material in delicate patterns. He tied his matching silver tie around the collar of his white shirt, examining himself in front of the full length mirror. He had given himself only ten minutes to spare, which he used to gently run a comb through his unruly hair. However he was mostly attempting to settle the nerves that fluttered in his stomach; using the repetitive motion of the comb.

Harry was snapped from the repetitive motion as the door leading to the Dark Lord's study was pushed open to reveal the very man. He looked a tad aggravated, however seemed to clear the look from his face as his eyes met Harry's form. The man was dressed in clothing that seemed to compliment Harry's; well fitting and evidently expensive. Charcoal robes with matching trousers sat well with the black shirt and tie that accompanied them.

"Hercules" The Dark Lord's face attempted neutrality. "You are ready to go?" It was worded as a question. It was not one. However the words held far less aggression than they would have a done a week ago. They were not violent or demanding, merely matter of fact.

"Yes, My Lord" Hercules agreed, looking through his eyelashes.

"We are traveling by floo Hercules." As he said it the man began to make his way back to his office. Harry followed suit. Soon the pair were engulfed in green flame, arriving in a restaurant known for its extraordinary cliental and its near extortionate prices.

As Harry's feet hit the floor, an arm firmly wrapped its way around his waist. Harry looked up to the Dark Lord. The man's mood already seemed lifted. However rather than his attention being on Harry, it was instead on the woman that nervously stood before the pair.

"Welcome to 'Le Sanctuaire', please follow me to your table" the girl easily said the well rehearsed words as she anxiously lead the two men to their table, before setting their menus before them.

"Can I get you anything to drink, sirs?" the girl asked. Harry was impressed with her confidence. The fact she was able to ask the Dark Lord direct questions without her voice trembling was a testament to her courage.

Harry assumed that he had no choice in his selection of drink and simply let his eyes roam over the french words that filled menu. His eyes skittered over the prices and he held back the wince at the three figures that sat next to the name of each dish. He was used to fine dining, but even for his family this sort of meal was reserved for a special occasion. However he was interrupted from his browsing by the Dark Lord.

"Hercules" Harry raised his head at the unexpected address. "Is there anything you wish to drink?" Harry blinked at the question, the words taking a moment to process.

"Ummm" He murmured dumbly. He quickly flicked to the drinks page, rapidly scanning for anything that remotely appealed to him. Harry had no idea what any of the wines were, let alone if the Dark Lord would like them.

"Well…I…" Harry was stumped. He didn't want to embarrass his husband with a ridiculous choice of wine. However his mind was blank for a suitable choice.

"I would suggest a bottle of Chateau Margaux" The Dark Lord rescued. Harry let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief. "It's a rather good vintage."

"Yes that sounds fine" said Harry, glad that the decision had been taken away from him.

Their drinks quickly arrived, Harry being poured a small taster of wine into his glass. Harry took a small sip. Wine was to something that Harry was to at all well versed in. However the wine did taste rather pleasant to his uncultured pallet.

"Acceptable?" the Dark Lord questioned

Harry gave a small nod and a hum of appreciation as his response. The Dark Lord seemed satisfied with it. He singled to the waiter to pour wine into his own glass. The Dark Lord looked toward the waiter again as she finished pouring the wine.

After Harry's previous hesitation the Dark Lord quickly ordered an array of starters and mains for the pair. The assumption of sharing was evident. Harry had no reason to protest. In fact he was a little relieved about the entire situation. He was rather reluctant to order anything in case of mockery that may follow from the Dark Lord or the groups of people that littered the dining room.

Casting his gaze across the room he noticed several faces he recognised. Lucius Malfoy was sitting with his soon to be wife Narcissa Black. The pair, however, seemed to be only concentrating on each other. Avery the younger, Aldric, Harry believed he was called, was seated with his wife Monica and their two daughters Aurelia and Penelope. Harry recognised Aurelia, the girl being a third year Slytherin. He was sure that he had heard that Penelope would staring first year that September.

Harry took a breath. Why had the thought not occurred to him before? Would he be going back to Hogwarts next year? Would the Dark Lord allow it? Did he even want to go back? He really had no idea. The thought crashed upon his like a wave. Why had be never thought about this before? He knew that he wanted to get his NEWTs. Harry had done well in his OWLs; he had taken nine and got Os in all of them.

He had started his NEWT courses last year. He had decided to take Transfiguration, Potions, Charms, Herbology and Defence Against the Dark Arts, with an aim to become a healer once he graduated. However he had not planned for all the shit that had occurred in the last few months. If he was allowed to go back to Hogwarts would he even be permitted a career after he graduated? These were things that hadn't crossed his mind until he had seen the two young girls sitting at the table; probably discussing the excitement of the new school year.

"Your day has been a pleasant one Hercules?" The Dark Lord pressed his way into Harry thoughts, but it seemed that Harry was too lost in them to respond immediately.

"Hercules?" Distracted, Harry looked over the rim of his glass, his eyes widening slightly. He thoughts were still not focused what was around him. So he didn't quite register what was coming out of his mouth as he spoke.

"I want to go back to Hogwarts." A beat of silence before his mouth ran away with his again. "I want to be a healer." Harry's hand shot to his mouth as he realised what he had just said.

"Your food sirs" Interrupted the wide eyed look that had engulfed Harry's face.

The Dark Lord gave a deep glare at the woman as she rapidly set down the dishes. She moved from the table as fast as she could; as though the hounds of hell were at her heels. It was very much the right decision.

The Dark Lord looked from the food and then back to Hercules. He repeated the motion before pushing the plate away with a small nudge.

"It would not be proper-" Hercules interrupted.

"But…but, I've always wanted to help people and-"

"Hercules you would be in danger, Dumbledore is-"

"Can't you…can't you send someone. The Defence position is always open each year and-"

"You do not understand how serious the situation is Hercules. We can discuss this at home; In private."

"But I-"

"Not here Hercules. You will listen to me."

"Of course My Lord" Harry spat out bitterly.

The rest of the meal was awkward. Harry ate reluctantly, barely tasting the food as he swallowed. He didn't look at the man before him and didn't touch the wine glass that was still set by his plate. He felt angry. Why hadn't the Dark Lord given him a chance to explain? He wanted to live his life and experience everything that he could, free from the Black cloud of his family. It seemed he was trapped in this new cage of marriage.

The next week was bad. Harry was frustrated beyond belief. He had not talked to the Dark Lord since the dinner and due to the man's new found motivation to get Harry to like him the man was unwilling to do anything that might anger Hercules further. He attempted to send the young man another dinner invitation in which he had planned to discuss the matter that had arisen in the first. Not that Harry was aware of this.

Harry had refused to enter the manor since his return from the stupid restaurant, whatever pretentious name that the owner had deemed fit to call it. Harry hadn't cared to remember. Instead he had spent the last week in the woods with Fenrir and the rest of the pack. He had successfully evaded capture by the Dark Lord and it seemed the man had given up on attempting to force Harry to meals after the first few days.

Harry spent his days playing with the cubs and making friends with the children that were tasked with overseeing the group of younger ones during the day. Most were a few years younger than Harry; around thirteen or fourteen, but Harry got along with them really well.

Harry had really hit it off with almost all of the younger ones who seemed to cling to him. Harry assumed it was the fact that he had spent the past seven days doing little more than indulging in their whims; letting them pull him along on all manner of adventures. However he thought that he really felt a connection with four of the older children.

Autumn was a young woman with long shaggy brown hair that tended to flop over her face. She was a little dreamy at times and always seemed to be thinking about something more. She seemed to notice things that others overlooked and was massively insightful for a fourteen year old. She saw what was on Harry's mind before he himself could even recognise what it was that he was feeling. She was the first person that Harry thought that he could call a friend; a true one.

She had been the first person that had introduced herself the day that Harry had fled to the woods away from his unreasonable husband. Fenrir had been away on a mission if some sort and Harry had learned that the wolf would not be back until that evening. Harry had sat on a log by a fire that had long since burned out. He stared at the ashes in contemplation. A form had placed itself by his side without a sound. Harry hadn't even noticed the footsteps.

"Chocolate?" The word seemed so out of place. Harry looked up to see the form of Autumn holding out a small bar of what looked like Honeydukes chocolate. The gold foil was crinkled and the paper torn. It looked as though the girl had had the bar for a while. Maybe saving it for a special occasion and here she was offering it to him.

"I couldn't-" Harry had tried to explain. But she had paid him no mind. She had already ripped the wrapper from the chocolate and handed him half of the bar, while she held the other.

"It'll make you feel better" she had insisted.

Fenrir had not returned that night and so Harry had spent his night with Autumn and the rest of the parentless children in one of the cabins that littered the small village. This one was filled with sets of bunkbeds, toys scattered across the floor. Harry had accepted the bottom bunk that had been offered to him as well as the change of clothes into something more comfortable. He had fallen asleep feeling warm.

The second person that Harry had clicked with was Landon. He was only twelve but had a love for animals more than Harry had seen with anyone. He had a pet polecat by the name of George that he had raised from a young pup. A fox by the name of Francesca was always around his ankles, nipping at the children; encouraging them to play. The boy's pockets were also filled with a hedgehog by the name of Georgina and a field vole; Albert. However the boy seemed to have a new animal with him every few days.

Harry had been part of one of the experiences with one of these temporarily adopted animals. Harry had discovered a blue bird that had broken its wing chirping wildly on the floor as it attempted to seek out saviour from the imminent death that was sure to take it. Harry had stepped toward the small creature, unsure of what to do. However just as he had been about to pick it up a voice had objected.

"I wouldn't" a light and lyrical voice had called out. "You might only end up damaging its wing more." Harry had only been able to stare and give a small nod as the boy had rushed forward to care for the injured boy.

He had soon managed to create a sturdy looking splint on the creatures wing as he cradled the small blue bird in his palm. It let out tired trill before settling itself into the boy's hand. All the while the polecat and the fox that the boy had with his sniffed around both the boy and the bird; although there was no aggression in their actions.

Harry had spent the rest of the week approaching Landon to check up on the blue bird. In that time Harry had been introduced to the rest of the animals in Landon's cohort. Landon had also shown Harry how to care for the bluebird that seemed to gain confidence and strength with each day. In fact, only that morning it had flown off with a happy chirp. Landon was approachable and compassionate. His empathy was not limited to that of animals. Even though Harry was older the boy seemed to have adopted him as he did with his wounded animals.

Next was Kumi who looked much younger than she actually was. At fourteen she was only just scraping five feet tall. Although she made up for it with her take-no-shit attitude. She and Harry had bonded over their mutual hatred of their less than optimal height.

The first few days that Harry had been with the pack he had let the children drag him about on all their adventures and stunts, even if Harry had not felt comfortable with them. They would make him play hide and seek, while he caught in an area he was unfamiliar with. It mean that he had to spend hours looking over terrain that he had no idea of the nature of. It was not something that Harry had enjoyed. That was until Kumi had come over to him.

"Just because you're short doesn't mean that you can let them boss you around." she had squared her shoulders and had looked at him with determined eyes.

"Ummm…I'm not sure what you mean." Harry had tilted his head.

"I mean" she had clipped a hand across his head with just enough force to get his attention. "that you can tell them if you don't want to do something."

"Oh" Harry rubbed the spot where she had hit him. "Well, I'll try." He had given her a weak smile and she had responded with a small huff. It was the start of a beautiful friendship.

Sparrow was the last member of the people that seemed to have embraced Harry into the pack. Sparrow was, well, Sparrow was Sparrow. Sparrow had chin length brown hair which was constantly being run through by fingers that were often coated in mud or moss from one of the numerous and dangerous adventures that Sparrow had decided to go on.

Harry had been on one of these adventures. Sparrow had dragged Harry to a small stream at the deep in the forest with the intent of exploring the almost undisturbed area. However the issue had been that the bank of the stream had been at the bottom of a rather deep gorge that the pair had to scramble down to get to the banks.

Using tree branches and roots the pair had scrambled their way down the side of the gorge. However about half way down Harry had misstepped. His foot had slipped and he had hurtled down the side of the gorge. A rock had caught his arm on the way down causing a rather large from about half way up his forearm to his elbow. Harry had landed in the rather shallow river with a splash and a wince.

"Not very good at this whole adventuring thing are you?" Sparrow had laughed before giving Harry a wide grin. Harry couldn't help but smile in response to the wide, good natured smile that lit up Sparrow's face.

"Come on then Buzz Aldrin, lets get you fixed up." Harry looked confused.

"Who's Buzz Aldrin?"

"Second man on the moon" Sparrow grinned.

"Why am I not the first?" Harry questioned as he pushed himself up from where he had fallen in the water.

"Well you can't be the first, I'm the first, obviously." Harry gaze a small snort at the narcissism of the comment. "Come along Buzz"

Sparrow had wrapped Harry's arm in some spare bits of cloth in the bag they had brought with them. After the long walk back Fenrir had managed to heal the gash. Although the skin was still pink around the area of the cut.

Harry had spent his evenings, other than the first, in Fenrir's cabin; sleeping on the sofa, of course. He had spent long hours chatting with the wolf and discussing everything under the sun. Harry felt content. He had friends, true friends, real friends, for the first time in his life. He had people that genuinely cared about him. It seemed to him that he could just be Harry here in this woodland haven. He didn't bare the burden of being Hercules Black, the husband of the Dark Lord with all the pressures that surrounded such a role. He could just be himself.

However with all great things it seemed that his time in the woods must come to an end, even if it was only for a short time. For the next two days the camp would be off limits to any non-werewolves due to the full moon. It seemed that Harry would have to retreat to the manor or risk his own death. He was on the fence about which way to go.

That was how Harry found himself trekking along the gravel path up to the manor for the first time in seven days. He squeezed his eyes shut in frustration; his fists clenched. He did not want to see the Dark Lord. He was in fact surprised that the man had not forced him from the woods earlier. The Dark Lord must have been tracking the lunar cycle far closer than Harry had been. He knew that Harry would be forced back into the house that he hated, sooner rather than later.

Harry stepped into the dining room. He hadn't bothered to change. He was still in the ragged and dirt pocked jeans and short sleeved t-shirt that was marred with flecks of his own blood from his rough play and tumble with Sparrow. The clothes had been washed, but there was only so much that water and soap could do and Harry had little concern about his own appearance at the moment. There was also dirt under his nails and he was sure that his hair was far messier that any one, even himself, had ever seen it before. His feet were bare. He didn't care.

He set himself in his seat; pride of place, he thought sarcastically. It was a place that many would kill to sit in whereas Harry was sure that the only way he'd be able to get out of it was through his own death. Eyes pinned him down, watching his every step. Well, at least this time they had something to look at. Let them talk, let them say whatever they wanted about the ghastly state that he was in. Harry didn't care anymore.

The Dark Lord looked up as Hercules let himself plop ungracefully in the chair next to his. The man's face was a storm as he saw the appearance of his husband. Harry's presence had been actively missing for the past seven days and now he had appeared looking like a poor street urchin. The man was not impressed. He stood.

"I believe that Hercules and I will be eating elsewhere this evening." The Dark Lord grasped his husband's wrist and pulled him up out of his seat. He dragged him along the length of the table and out of the room; each set of eyes upon the pair. Although, Harry noticed that the grip lacked the bruising quality that had been present on previous occasions of such an action. As the door to their quarters was slammed open the Dark Lord tugged Harry in behind him.

"Get yourself clean and change your clothes. I will not speak to you when you are in such a state." The man sneered, a disgusted look on his face as his eyes raked the young man's form.

Harry's head dropped, the sneer pulling at his lips effectively hidden from view. He just felt so angry at the man before him. All the time he was around him he had to restrain himself from punching him straight in the noise. He wanted to rejoice in the sound that would vibrate through his fist as the nose crunched against his knuckles. He didn't quite understand these feelings. It was the first time in his life that he felt so angry that he could burst. He had never felt such a rage before.

He slammed the bathroom closed behind him before he quickly stripped himself from his clothes. He stormed to the bath, letting the water fill faster than would have usually been possible. Magic was marvellous. Harry sank into the perfectly heated water. He was glad of the time he now had. He let the soothing heat spread through him as his eyes fluttered closed, the satisfied feeling running over him.

The anger in him seemed to settle slightly and he focused on the task at hand. He wanted to go to Hogwarts and he wanted to make that clear to his husband. Husband. That word represented the equality that was supposed to be in their relationship. Harry knew that it would have been easy enough for the man to make Harry's family give him over as a servant. He could have been nothing more than a slave to the Dark Lord in name and status. But the man had decided to marry Hercules. That was a declaration of equality. Harry didn't know why that was the choice that the Dark Lord had chosen but he sure as shit wasn't gonna let it pass him by.

Harry stepped out of the bath. He suddenly felt a wave of nervousness and trepidation ripple through him. He had no clothes. The ones that had been on the floor had already vanished and had not been replaced. He would have to walk through the room without his armour.

Harry had wanted to face the Dark Lord on his own terms. He had wanted to show the man that he was worth the status of equal that the man had, for some reason, deemed him as having. Yet here he was with only a towel wrapped around his waist. There were bruises and scratches across his usually pristine skin due to the rather rough play that he had been engaged in over the past few days. He looked like a child that had been outside with his friends into the late hours of summer. He supposed that was what he had been for the past week. He had been seeking out a childhood he had missed. The friends that he had never had. The experiences that he had never gained. He was angry that it was over.

Voldemort had let Harry dress and seat himself on the bed, without a word. Although there was still frustration and anger glittering in the Dark Lord's eyes. Harry looked to the hands in his lap. All his confidence seemed to drain away before the dark brown orbs. Although the anger was still there. It bubbled low in his stomach, even if he could not find a way to free it.

"Hercules" his eyes briefly flickered up.

"You cannot go back to Hogwarts. It is unsafe. There are far too many factors that we cannot foresee. You are at risk from both pupils and staff alike. You will not be going."

Harry clenched his teeth, before taking a deep breath. He had thought over what needed to be said. He, however did not think he could articulate them to the standard he wished at this very moment. But he needed to try. He couldn't let his life be bulldozed by an over bearing authority figure, yet again. His mother had ruled his life till this point. Harry had always though he had a chance at freedom. To marry someone for love and live a life in a job he wished for.

However, that did not seem even a remote possibility now. His life would be controlled by the Dark Lord, forever, unless he did something about it. He had always let people walk over him, hoping that one day he would have his freedom. Yet, now it seemed that he had lost any chance at that freedom unless he took it. He needed it. He took a breath.

"It…It's my life and I need to go back" He didn't look up. "I can't spend my life stuck in a place where no one wants me and I have nothing to do with myself." Harry took a breath. "You could send Rodolphus, or maybe Macnair to teach defence if you are worried about my safety. Also there are several magic wolves in the pack that would happily attend with me." Harry gripped the wrist of his shaking hand.

"Dumbledore could not do anything with so many of your Death Eater's children in the school." Now Harry was about to bring out the big guns. "In fact I think it would show Dumbledore how powerful you are. That even under his nose you can…" Harry gulped. The words were unsavoury in his mouth. "claim one of his students as your own and he can do nothing to stop you." Harry breathed deeply.

"It will show him that you have more control over the school than he does." Harry finished. He dared a glance up at his husband and was shocked at the grin that spread across the man's face. It was not one of happiness.

"It seems, Hercules, that you have thought this through. Your argument is rather convincing. If you are willing to put this much thought into your argument, I suppose I may be able to rethink my position." The man hummed in what seemed like contemplation but Harry knew that the man had already decided exactly what he was going to say.

"Rodolphus has already applied for the defence position. I believe that there are seven members of Fenrir's pack that have accepted the proposal for them to attend Hogwarts. They will of course return to their lodging the days of the full moon." Harry grit his teeth in frustration. It seemed that the Dark Lord had already predicted Harry's plan down to the letter. The Dark Lord had wished to test him.

"You will arrive back here on Friday evenings and return to Hogwarts on Monday mornings before classes. No arguments."

Harry gave a nod. At least he was going back to Hogwarts, he couldn't help the small smile that pulled at the corner of his mouth, and this time he was going with friends.