Author's Note:

Well, I was going to wait and post this tomorrow BUT, I hit 5000 reviews! Guys, wow! Just wow, thank you so much! It means the world to me!

I love you, 5000!

Reviews and Comments: To xXMizz Alec VolturiXx: Thank you! To scrappy8: Thank you! To boothbonesrule: Thank you! To wheezing-reader: Thank you for loving this fic so much. You're too sweet! To alix33: I tend to visualize breast size based on fruit, don't really know why, but I feel like it best gets my point across. So if I were to break down boob size of my main girls: Zee (cantaloupes), Ginny (oranges-grapefruits, kind of a happy medium), Hermione (grapefruit), Tonks (apples) — hope that helps! Thank you! To Wolf's scream: McGonagall knows better than to tell Harry she knows he knows about her stare LOL. Thank you! To Guest: Thank you! To Guest: I plan to keep writing, thank you! To Leaf Ranger: Thanks for saying this chapter was "not bad?" I guess that's good? To supersandman86: I fully support this (in my opinion, I think Dumbledore has been secretly teaching him since he was expelled, not believing Tom and hoping for the day Hagrid can clear his name). This is 100% canon to me. Hagrid knows a lot more magic than a third year does. Thank you! To Meggie0205: Things will get better for Theo slowly, thank you! To Carys924: Yes, Harry did kind of witness what's happening to Theo even if he didn't fully believe or understand it. Theo deserves a big cuddle, thank you! To Saz J: Yes, it's all slowly coming together indeed! Thank you!

To LifeonEarth: Thank you! Harry definitely needed to bloody that asshole! To Guest: Ernie definitely deserves to be humbled, thank you! To speedsONEandONLY: Harry does tend to adopt his girlfriend's friends and he and Theo will become closer. Thank you! To coloredwords: Smith vs Staunton was pretty awesome in the Downtown movie you're right, but I think I also enjoyed it more because I had the McGonagall vs. Umbitch vibe. I'm glad I surprised you with the Harry discovering Theo moment. Thank you! To Krazyasibe: Thank you. And you're not supposed to like Theo's situation, he's being hurt and needs help. To TJ Law: Chapter 122 (The One With Nyx) is when McGonagall got Nyx, Christmas of Harry's third year. Thank you! To Guest: Thank you. To Steelcode: Glad you liked the Animagus class, it was fun to write. Thank you. To ClaireRoss: Thank you, I'm still amazed by the 5000 review mark myself! To dutchie: Thank you very much! To CF: I know, Theo lying for Ernie is heartbreaking, but he's stuck and he hasn't figured out how to ask for help. Ha, Harry biting Umbitch would have been funny. Thank you! To HinnyMe: I'm glad you enjoyed McGonagall walking in on Sirius and Zee. I think Snape gave the detention immediately for the bloody nose, but after hearing Harry's words, kind of thought oh, he was defending one of my boys and let it go because he himself is worried about Theo. Thank you! To Guest: Theo will get help, just not yet. Thank you.

To KhaleesiGinny: Yes, Harry touched Ginny's boobs lol. I love that Harry told Draco about Theo and Ernie as well, it says a lot. Now Draco is more worried though. Thank you! To pix25: Thank you! To musemesmer: Thank you for saying my writing is tighter and more clean than before — I owe that to Dusk. Thank you. To xXQueenofDragonsXx: I know, Theo is being very stubborn. Thank you. To K: Thank you! To Matt71478: Thank you!

Thanks to Dusk for her hard work editing this.

My posting schedule: Once a week.

As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!

Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!

CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FOUR:

The One Where Remus Finds A Present Under the Tree

When the train arrived at King's Cross, Harry hugged Hermione goodbye and wished the rest of his friends a happy holiday before he slipped his arms around Ginny's waist and tugged her back into the compartment with him. She smiled mischievously.

"Worried that I wasn't going to say goodbye?"

He let his hands slide up her sides, brushing her breasts, before he framed her face. "Nah, I know how much you're going to miss kissing me."

"Cocky, Mr Potter."

He only smiled and licked his lips. "I'm not going to miss you at all."

Ginny pressed herself closer to him, her hand sliding up his arms to link around his neck. "No?"

"No, absolutely not."

She stood on her toes, leaning in to kiss him, only to stop a breath away from his mouth. "I won't miss you either."

When she made to move away, he pulled her back, and she smirked. "Tease."

His hands slid her up her back and into her hair as their lips met, both sighing against each other. He lingered a moment longer and brushed their lips together — once, twice, three times — before he rested his forehead against hers.

"Fuck, I miss you already."

Ginny's brown eyes twinkled triumphantly. "I knew it."

Harry slid his hands down to hold her hips. "Thursday?"

"Thursday," she said, standing on her toes to kiss him once more, before she tugged away. "And Harry?"

His eyes met hers as she adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder.

"I miss you already, too."

His grin was catching and he took two steps forward to kiss her again. "When did we turn into such saps?"

Ginny chuckled as the whistle blew on the train. "Are we that disgustingly happy couple now?"

"I think we might be."

She shuddered in mock horror. "Well, it must stop."

"Absolutely."

They stared at each other for a moment longer, and then Ginny pulled his face back down to hers and kissed him again. "I love your lips. Bye Harry, I'll see you on Thursday."

"Bye," he said, his eyes falling to the sway of her hips as her gorgeous crimson tresses danced down her back when she walked away.

He let out a slow sigh before he grabbed his own bag, and headed off the train. While scanning the platform for Sirius, he saw Ginny launch herself into Percy's arms, where he was waiting next to Mrs Weasley. Harry waved absently at his classmates on the platform, wished Neville a good holiday as he passed, and nodded at Dean and Seamus as Dean followed Mrs Finnigan with his bag. He spotted Tonks a moment later, lips curving at the sight of her.

She was wearing black leather ankle boots with hot pink lace. Her jeans were ripped pale denim and she had black fishnets underneath. She wore a red and black plaid flannel shirt tied around her waist and a black leather bomber jacket over a white Weird Sisters tee shirt. She waved at the sight of him and he laughed when she threw herself into his arms to hug him tightly.

"Harry!"

"Hey, Tonks!"

She hugged him tighter, smiling up at him. "Merlin, you're growing like a weed! You taller than Sirius yet?"

He shrugged. "Dunno. Probably. I'm sure Uncle Sirius will make me stand in the kitchen and get measured again."

Tonks laughed and looped her arm through this. "I volunteered to come get you. Remus was staying at the school to finish up some marking and then he had plans of meeting with Adrian."

"News?"

She shook her head. "Unfortunately no, but he wants to touch base. How was the last few weeks of school? How's Ginny?"

"School was school. Ginny's amazing. Umbitch is evil."

Tonks laughed as they headed out of the train station. "Remus has been telling me. Sirius is working with the board on that."

He sighed. "I know."

"Anything else new and exciting?"

He shook his head as he followed her out of the crowd. "Not really. Shouldn't you have a warmer coat or something? It is December."

Tonks rolled her eyes at him. "Okay, Mini Remus, I was outside for two minutes, calm yourself. I'm fine."

"That's my line."

She elbowed him and he laughed as she held her arm out so that they could Apparate to Sidmouth. "Excited for Ginny to come stay?"

"Definitely."

"You two are good together. We all knew that you would be. I know that we were all teasing you about her, but we wanted you to see it."

"I know," he admitted. "I just had to get there for myself. She's important, you know?"

"I know," Tonks told him as they headed up the drive toward Black Cottage. "Are you sure that there's nothing new and exciting going on, outside of you being with Ginny, that is? So glad that you chose the match by the way, as it caused me to win money off of Zee — and you know how much I love winning!"

Harry shook his head in amusement. He still couldn't believe that they had bet on him — well no, he could — but he thought that it had been a little over the top. Between Neville placing bets with Dean, on top of his family, it was no wonder it had taken him so long to make a move. Everyone had made him more than a little nervous.

"No, nothing new and exciting. But I did see something strange."

At her look, he quickly explained about Theo. Tonks gave him a look as he stepped into his home with her behind him.

"That is rather suspicious. You say that you don't think Theo would ever be interested in this Hufflepuff romantically?"

Harry shook his head. "Ginny says no, and when I spoke to Malfoy about it, he seemed pretty sure as well. But Theo… he's a good liar, Tonks. He gave nothing away to me. I know that Ginny trusts him, and even she thinks its fishy. I agree with her, as she knows him better than I do. If I thought that it was odd, then her instincts must be right. Plus, Macmillan has always been a bit of a prick. He's the one who instigated the badges against me last year, and the one who helped spread the rumour that I opened the Chamber of Secrets."

Tonks hmmed at him, making herself comfortable on the sofa. "Well, I'd definitely go with my instincts then. If I were you, I might even do some snooping on this Macmillan when you get back to school. He sounds like trouble. Did you really break his nose?"

"You broke someone's nose?" Zee exclaimed, her eyes widening. "Harry! Violence is never the answer!"

Harry grinned sheepishly at her as he plopped down into the armchair. "He called Ginny a whore — I think that he's the one who beat up Theo, not that Theo will admit to it."

Zee frowned, shoving Tonks' legs over to sit on the sofa with her. "Well, good reasoning or not, I don't condone it."

"Didn't you just beam Sirius with a frying pan last week?"

"That was... an accident."

Harry's mouth dropped open. "You hit Uncle Sirius with a frying pan? Why? What happened?"

Zee blew her curls out of her eyes, pulling her hair back into a messy bun. "I — yes. We were arguing and it was in my hand and... I didn't mean to, not intentionally, and I apologized."

"What were you arguing about?"

"My health," she said, smiling at Harry. "Don't worry, sweetie, everything's fine. We're both just stubborn and sometimes butt heads."

Harry nodded. He definitely knew that, but he had never really heard them argue before and he wasn't sure that he liked it. "Anyway, Macmillan deserved it and Snape gave me detention, but it was worth it."

Tonks snorted. "Worth a detention with Snape? Well, that rather says a lot."

"I only met Snape the once, but he definitely gave off a wave of unpleasantness. Is that usual?"

Harry grinned. "I think that he prefers it that way, actually."

Zee lifted her leg up onto the couch, reaching around to scratch her calf, and Harry pointed at it.

"How's the leg?"

She rolled up her pant leg to show him the back of her calf, where the large burn scar resided. "It's healed up well."

Tonks scrunched her nose up as she looked at it. "It's a big scar."

"Yeah, it is. I'm trying not to be self-conscious about it which, granted, is easy enough now that the weather is cold — but come the summer, I know that I'm going to think about my vanity more than I should every time I choose a dress or shorts."

Tonks smiled sympathetically at her, lifting her tee shirt up to show them her stomach. A faded jagged white scar still criss-crossed her abdomen, around her belly button ring. "I do too whenever I decide to show a little skin, but then I remember what we achieved the day I got this."

Zee smiled. "My story isn't as exciting I'm afraid." She shrugged and pulled the leg of her trousers back down. "I was thinking of maybe getting a new tattoo to cover it up."

Harry's eyebrow rose. "Can they do that?"

She nodded. "Absolutely. It's a lovely way of hiding scars. I'm not ashamed of it. It's a sign that I survived a dark curse, but having it not so blatantly there would also mean people wouldn't stare at it either."

"What would you get?" Tonks asked her. "I always wanted a tattoo, but I could never decide on something that I wanted badly enough to mark up my skin like Sirius."

Zee smiled. "I've always wanted to put Lady G on my body and I don't know maybe I would do that... I still have to think about it."

"I think that I want to get a tattoo," Harry admitted.

Tonks' eyes widened. "Of course you do! Mini Sirius, this one."

"You just said that I was mini Remus earlier!"

Tonks smirked at him. "Both are accurate."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I don't want to be so covered like Uncle Sirius, no. I just... maybe one day I want to get one to symbolize my parents or something. I was talking about it with Ginny."

Zee's eyes softened. "That would be lovely."

"Not now," he said quickly. "I'm not ready, and like Tonks said, I don't really know what I want, nor where I would want to get it. It's more of a passing thought, really."

Zee smiled at him. "It's still a lovely thought, Harry, and whether you decide to go through with it or not is completely up to you. I'm still working out what I'd like to get and if I do decide to do it, I want to surprise Sirius with it, so let's just keep that between the three of us, okay?"

Tonks nodded, stretching her arms up over her head. "Agreed."

"Where is Uncle Sirius anyway?" Harry asked.

"Ministry," Zee told him. "He had a late night meeting with the Hogwarts Board of Governors. They finally found the newest member of the board and were bringing them up to speed before the holiday. Unfortunately, Saturday was the only day that worked before the holiday. Sirius wanted to fill them in on the new information he had pertaining to Umbitch as well. They are all meeting with Richardson at the end of next month to talk about her, and it's important for the whole board to be informed and decisive on what they want for the inspections at Hogwarts."

Tonks wrinkled her nose in disgust. "She's a foul woman who should not be allowed near a school."

"She's a bigot and a hypocrite and she's afraid of things that she doesn't understand. I almost pity her," Zee said honestly.

"I'd like to see her thrown in prison myself. She tried to have my husband executed because he was bitten as a child!"

Harry stretched his legs out to prop his feet up on the coffee table. "I don't like her either, Tonks, but I just want her out of Hogwarts. I don't know if I agree with her going to prison. Plus, we don't even have one of those anymore!"

Tonks sighed dramatically. "I guess."

Zee smiled at them. "Well, unfortunately, it's not for us to decide."

Tonks nodded. "And we're working on the prison, Harry. The Ministry is still very scattered in that regard and anyone we've arrested is being detained in the holding cells in the dungeons of the Ministry of Magic until they come up with a solution to the Azkaban problem."

That made sense as he did wonder what they were going to do now that Azkaban was essentially destroyed. He wondered how big the holding cells were and if they were strong enough to hold prisoners for long periods of time, but figured the Aurors knew what they were doing.

Zee stood, stretching her arms up over her head as she did so. "Thankfully, that's not something that we need to worry about. Harry, are you hungry?"

"Starved," he admitted, standing up as well.

"Bring your bag upstairs and I'll throw something together for dinner. I don't know how long Sirius will be, so we won't wait for him."

"Can dinner include something pasta related?" Tonks asked, standing up to follow Zee into the kitchen.

Zee grinned at her. "It could."

"Don't let her help, Zee, she'll destroy the kitchen."

Tonks only gave him the two-fingered salute as he headed upstairs to his room, grinning widely. Yeah, Harry was glad to be home.

~ ASC ~

Remus sat across from Adrian in the Alpha's kitchen, his hands folded around his tea cup as he listened to Adrian tell him about the plans for the wolves. The Ministry was working well with them, and so far the wolves were quite happy with the new adjustments.

"The students are great," Remus told him honestly. "They come to see me once a week, but they are adjusting fine. There've been almost no issues outside of the usual first year problems. There was some minor bullying with the two half-fae girls, but the wolves have been largely left alone. They are fitting in great with the other students. Kids are sometimes more resilient than we give them credit for."

Adrian smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. Were the two half-fae girls all right?"

"Yes. Snape said that everything was handled well by his prefects. They seem to be fine," Remus told him. "Some of the older students have taken them under their wings in a mentorship capacity and they're all making friends. And you? Sirius fills me in on the Ministry stuff, but I know that there is still a lot of groundwork to be laid in terms of the Phoenix Initiative?"

Adrian nodded. "More than a lot, yes, but it does seem to be coming along. Madam Bones had each Alpha swear an oath into the Wizengamot last week, along with three vampires and four fae. It felt right when we added our blood to the Sovereign Chalice, and chairs magically appeared before us. It was a nice feeling, Romulus. It was like we were being officially welcomed into the magical world. I admit, it's something that I thought would never happen."

"Me neither," Remus admitted. "It's incredible how fast the Ministry has moved in the last few months. Centuries of oppression are being overturned with just a few changes. It's nice to see that kind of thing happening. How are the other Wizengamot members treating you?"

"Fairly for the most part. There are some of course, who look at us with disdain, and clearly think that us being there is tainting their Ministry and their world, but most are very accepting. I know that most of the world still views us as monsters, but I like to think that we're changing that. Allowing Daimon to run his own team in the Terra Troops is one way to help change that."

"What about the fae?"

"We're tolerating each other," he said with a grin. "We all have baggage, and until we learn to put aside our differences, we cannot all become one community the way that we would like. We all have our histories of not trusting each other and now it's time to put those worries aside and come together."

Remus nodded. "Well said."

Adrian bit into the biscuit in his hand. "Madam Bones is discussing changing the symbol of the Wizengamot to represent a more diverse group, but nothing has been set in stone yet. She is a very passionate woman and she wants to do it right. She has very strong views about the Ministry, about how it leads, and how it is portrayed to others. She gave a long winded speech the other day about the statue in the front atrium. The gold one, I believe is called the Fountain of Magical Brethren?"

Remus helped himself to a biscuit as he nodded. "Yes, I know it. It paints the image of the wizard above everyone else."

"Exactly," he said. "She doesn't agree with it. She claims it to be an anti-feminist and anti-magical creature objectification, which I can agree with. The witch is staring at the wizard as if he knows all, and the centaur, goblin, and house elf are staring at the witch and wizard as if they should be worshipped; as if they are better than they are. Madam Bones said that she thinks it's a symbol of an old and ignorant world and she wants to help change that mindset."

"All from a fountain?" Remus asked in surprise. The fact that Amelia Bones was stretching her mind out that far was very pleasing to hear. "I'm glad to hear it. Does she have any proposals on how to do so?"

"A few," Adrian admitted. "She has some artists coming in to work on a new Ministry image. I don't know what that means exactly, but I think that she's working on some plans in that sense. She did mention the words tree of life a few times, but nothing is set in stone yet."

"And you?"

Adrian merely rolled his shoulders and sighed. "Volk is a complicated wolf, you know that, Romulus."

"But is he at war with Greyback?"

"At war isn't quite the right phrase, he's… displeased with him."

"Displeased is not what you said back in June. It's December now, Adrian, are you telling me that nothing has changed? What about Ivory and Cami?"

Adrian hesitated. "They are strong supporters of Fenrir. They worship him and the ground he walks on. They love him as their Alpha and they love that he treats them like queens, but he did get Ivory pregnant which put a strain on his alliance with Volk."

"Has he still abandoned her, then?"

Adrian shook his head, tapping his fingers on the table. "No. But someone from his pack thought that she was too much trouble, and from the information I was able to gather, Ivory was attacked and she lost the baby. Fenrir claimed that the child wasn't his, and has now claimed Cami to be his mate. Volk is furious and says that he should stand beside Ivory and the child they lost. But Fenrir had never believed in the one mate idea. He has always taken whoever he wanted whenever he wanted. Since he's never found his mate, he has no problem doing this, and seems to enjoy hurting those around him. Echo is doing her best to read Volk, but he's an enigma. He's always supported the more violent side of the wolf. He thinks that wolves should be made more than born and likes Fenrir's ideas of living like a wolf, but he's never been a fan of your Dark Lord. He didn't support him the last time."

"But he didn't support us, either," Remus said. "We need him to pick a side, or at least proclaim neutrality. Fenrir's pack brings enough wolves onto Voldemort's side as it is."

"Echo is working on him, Romulus, but we can't promise anything. Volk is a stubborn man."

Remus sighed. He knew that Adrian was telling the truth in that regard, but it didn't make him feel any better. Volk was Alpha of the largest werewolf pack in all of Europe. He lived in Berlin, but controlled wolves in Scotland, Germany, France, Sweden, and Denmark. Having his support would be a huge blow to Voldemort's forces. At this point, just having him guarantee to not join Voldemort would be a huge help.

"Is there anything else that I can do?"

Adrian smiled warmly at him. "You coming here to check in is more than enough, my friend. Keep an eye on our children and keep us updated on your news and I will do the same for you. Joining your Ministry was a good choice for all of us and being in the Terra Troops an even better one. It is a changing world, my friend, and we are a part of it."

"That we are," Remus said, leaning back in his seat.

But with the changing world also came the bad, and until they knew exactly where it was that Voldemort stood, the changes needed to come quickly; unfortunately, that just wasn't how the world worked.

~ ASC ~

Dean had trouble going to sleep that night. He had come to stay with Seamus for a few days to be there for his friend when he told his parents that he was gay. Dean knew how terrified he had been to do so, but his reassurance had done nothing to comfort him either. But then he had told them this afternoon, the second day of the Christmas holiday, and it had been all right.

Seamus' mother had cried, engulfing him in her arms. She told him that she loved him more than life, and who he decided to love would never make her love for him change. But it was Patrick Finnigan who Seamus had been most concerned with. His father had stared at him for a long moment before he had simply hugged him tight.

"Did you think that we don't know our own son? We love you, Seamus."

Seamus had clung to his father in relief. He broke down in his father's arms, telling his parents how worried he had been. He told them all about Will and how they had broken up two months ago so that he could go to the Congo, and how he had hidden his relationship from them for over a year, in fear of what they would say.

Mr Finnigan had cupped his son's face in his hands. "Never hide who you are. Always be proud of who you are. You're a Finnigan and I'm so proud to call you my son."

Seamus had hugged his father again as Mrs Finnigan tugged Dean into her arms.

"And you have a wonderful friend here, Seam."

Seamus nodded. "I know, Mam. He knew how worried I was about telling you, and he didn't want me to be alone."

Mrs Finnigan kissed Dean's cheek. "You are such a good friend to our boy, Dean. You are always so welcome here."

Dean smiled and hugged her back. "Thanks, Mrs Finnigan."

The rest of the evening had been stress free and Dean had watched as Seamus had visibly relaxed. He knew that his friend was finally able to be himself at home for the first time in longer than he could remember. He was happy for him. When he finally did fall asleep, it had been with a big smile on his face. He was glad to see the tension leave his friend. Although, when he woke up to the sound of soft pants a few hours later, he wasn't entirely sure what had woken him.

Dean blinked for a moment, unsure of what he had heard before he rolled over, looking up at where Seamus' bed was on his right. His eyes adjusted to the dark and then widened as he realized that Seamus was wanking in the bed next to him. A sliver of moonlight illuminated his pale hand sliding slowly up and down his thick shaft, and Dean watched in amazement as his sweet tip glistened.

Dean licked his lips. "Seam?"

Seamus' hand stopped pumping and his eyes widened. "Er… I thought that you were asleep."

"I was," Dean told him. "Don't stop on my account."

Seamus hesitated only a moment before his hand began to pump again, his rhythm getting faster, and his breath coming out in little huffs.

"Fondle your balls," Dean told him.

Seamus' eyes met his in the moonlight as he reached down with his other hand to do just that. Seamus watched in amazement as Dean pulled his own cock out, rubbing himself and when he started to pump himself as he watched Seamus, Seamus lost it. He came all over his chest in thick waves; embarrassment evident from the flush on his cheeks.

"That was brilliant," Dean said, continuing to pump himself slowly.

Seamus licked his lips. "Dean… aren't you — with Nat?"

"Yeah," he said, still slowly pumping himself as he stared at his friend.

Seamus leaned over the side of his bed. "Why did you want to watch me?"

"Because you're gorgeous," Dean replied.

Seamus' eyebrows rose in surprise. "What?"

Dean let go of his cock, letting it bob for a moment, his eyes on his friend. "I think about you sometimes."

"Oh?" Seamus asked, his face carefully guarded.

Dean nodded, swallowing. "I like Natalie. She's beautiful — and snogging her makes me so hard. She lets me touch her tits, and there's been some heavy petting, sure, but sometimes… I think about you and… I get off on it."

Seamus' breath hitched slightly as he watched Dean trail his own finger down over his full balls, kneading softly. "You get off on it?"

"Yeah. I remember how good your mouth felt."

Seamus slid down onto the pull-out, his hand sliding up Dean's bare chest. "Are you trying to tell me that you're gay, Dean? Because I can't handle this if it's a joke."

Dean shook his head. "Gay? I don't know, Seam. You're the only bloke that I've ever been sexually attracted to and… I don't know what to do with that information."

Seamus slid his hand lower, past Dean's cock to play with his balls. "Do you want me to touch you?"

Dean moaned as his friend's fingers kneaded across his balls. "More than you know."

Seamus trailed his fingertips around and over Dean's testicles, tickling them, as Dean's hard cock bobbed, begging for attention. Seamus slid his hand around the shaft, sliding down slowly. He watched the glistening tip emerge from the foreskin before disappearing as he pumped him, and then he let go.

Dean whimpered.

Seamus lowered his face to his friend's and gently kissed his lips. "I won't hide again, Dean. Telling my parents today, it was what I needed to realize that I can't be ashamed of who I am. I'm gay. And we both know that I've fancied you for years. I want nothing more right now than to wrap my mouth around your big black cock. I want to feel you pulse in my mouth. I want you to come in my mouth and I want to swallow every — single — drop. And then I want you to do the same to me."

Dean visibly swallowed, his cock still pulsating in the air.

Seamus gently slid his hand over his friend's stomach. "But I won't be taken advantage of. You're attracted to me, great… but you have a girlfriend. If you want your cock sucked: Ask her."

Then he got up and went to the toilet.

The door closed behind him and Dean gripped his cock tightly before coming so quickly that he almost startled himself. He cleaned himself up, his eyes on the closed door as he processed what Seamus' words. He touched his fingers to his lips where they were still tingling, and he closed his eyes.

He had a lot to think about.

~ ASC ~

Harry spent the next few days getting ready for the holiday. He, Sirius, and Zee decorated the cottage until it looked and felt like Christmas. They found a tree and set it up in sunroom this year since Zee had cleaned it out, reorganizing the comfy furniture and tables to accommodate the big tree. Zee strung twinkling fairy lights up around the top of the room, illuminating it in a soft glow that made the tree seem brighter.

They listened to Christmas music as they decorated, singing and laughing as they did. Sirius sang loudly and obnoxiously until Harry and Zee begged him to stop. They had a war with the tinsel, resulting in silver pieces everywhere. Sirius measured Harry in the kitchen doorway as Harry rolled his eyes. He topped off at six feet two inches (one hundred and eighty-eight centimetres) and had proceeded to tease Sirius for the rest of the day (after all, now he was taller than Sirius by two full inches). Harry helped Zee bake Christmas biscuits and pies and when Zee went to work, he spent his time in the workshop helping Sirius rebuild her motorbike.

This was where he was Thursday morning, wiping sweat and engine grease from his brow as Sirius blasted AC/DC over the speakers in the work shed. Harry guzzled some water before he went to the wireless to fiddle with it making Sirius shout.

"Hey! No messing with the tunes, Prongslet!"

Harry rolled his eyes. "You know as good as AC/DC is, it's not a crime to listen to music from this decade, Uncle Siri."

Sirius only raised an eyebrow. "And what do you think is better than this?"

Harry rolled his eyes again, reaching down to grab the CD that he had purchased in London that summer, and charmed the wireless to play Green Day's Insomniac album. "This is good."

Sirius only gave him a look as he listened to the opening chords for a moment. "I suppose this is acceptable."

Harry turned it up and turned back to the bike. "Zee really has no idea that you have this?"

Sirius shook his head, his feet tapping to the beat of the music. It wasn't bad, he thought. "No. They told her that it was destroyed, and to be fair, it was. She doesn't know that I took what was destroyed."

Harry bent down to help Sirius slide the new frame onto the back, holding the wheel in place. "She's going to cry when she sees it — you know that, right?"

Sirius grinned. "Maybe I'm hoping she will. Harry, this belonged to her grandfather. She was devastated when she learned that it was destroyed. He rode this bike during the Second World War. We can't just let her lose it."

"I didn't say that," he said. He knew how much this bike meant to her. "She's going to love it. Is it going to be ready for Christmas, you think?"

Sirius shook his head. "I was hoping, but I don't know. My initial thought was January, but I've had the time lately and have been out here working on it almost seven days a week — but, there's still a lot of work left to do on it."

"You could tell her that it's a late present, one that is still to come?"

Sirius snuck a look over him, reaching for a wrench. "I could. The thing is, Zee and I, we kind of agreed to this whole no gift rule this year. Neither of us needs anything and we'd much rather just enjoy the holiday."

"But that doesn't mean that you can't give each other gifts, right?"

The grey eyes narrowed as they stared at him. "Shit! She got me something, didn't she?"

Harry shrugged. "Maybe."

Sirius wiped his hands on the towel hanging from his jeans, tugging his hair back into a stubby ponytail. He had already taken his shirt off in the warmth of the workshop and his tattoos were visible.

"Now I have to find her something and it's four days before bloody Christmas… fuck!"

He laughed at the panic in his godfather's grey eyes. "You have this! You just have to tell her it's coming later, she'll get it."

Sirius didn't seem to agree, and Harry tried not to be amused by his panic. He kind of found it funny that they were both secretly giving each other a motorbike. He wiped sweat from his brow again. Sirius kept the work shed extra warm in the winter to balance the cold outside so he pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it in the corner as he opened the mini ice box to pour himself a glass of cold water from the jug.

"You want?"

"Yeah, thanks." He accepted the glass from Harry and drank deeply, eyes on his son. "So, what's this I hear about a tattoo?" He pointed to the ones on his own body. "Want to be as sexy as me, do you?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "You're ridiculous."

"No really, you want a tattoo?"

Harry shrugged, drinking his water. "I don't know, maybe."

Sirius stared at him for a moment. "I was your age when I got my first tat. I knew what I wanted and I've never regretted it, but most people your age aren't that sure. Tattoos are wonderful ways to express yourself. I love them, which is why I have fourteen of them. I don't want any more at the moment, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't be open to getting another one in the future. It's just that I'm content with what I have, and I only chose to tattoo my arms, torso, and back. Your dad had one. This one, right here in the same place," Sirius said, tapping the Marauder crest on his back left shoulder blade. "It meant a lot to him to get this crest, the same as it did to Moony and Wormtail. But just because we have them, doesn't mean that you have to get a tattoo as well."

"I know that."

He nodded. "Zee mentioned that you were thinking of getting something for James and Lily?"

Harry shrugged again, bringing the water back to his lips. "It was just an idea I was telling Ginny."

Sirius smiled at him. "Well, I think that it sounds like a really nice idea, but until you're a hundred percent sure, and know exactly what you want and where you want it, let's keep it on the back burner, okay? I don't want you putting something on your body that you're not absolutely sure you're going to love. There's no need to rush into anything. Agreed?"

"Agreed," Harry said, feeling relieved.

He knew that Sirius would understand better than anyone what made him nervous about getting it and why. He knew that he wanted it, but he wasn't sure how he wanted to represent their memory. Talking about it with Sirius made him feel better about waiting until he was older.

Sirius handed him the empty water glass and grinned. "Good. Now get back over here and help me get the brakes working."

Harry grinned and did just that.

They were interrupted forty minutes later by the door to the workshop opening. Harry stood up as Sirius adjusted the charm to hide the bike, worried that Zee had come home early. Instead, Harry's grin widened at the sight of his girlfriend.

"Ginny!"

Ginny laughed as he rushed over and picked her up before sitting her on the worktable in the corner and giving her a soft kiss. "Hi, Harry. I came in through the Floo a few minutes ago. When I found the house empty, I followed the music."

"Hi, Ginny," Sirius said, waving a screwdriver at her. "Am I losing my partner?"

"Definitely," Harry told him. "I'll go get Ginny settled in."

Sirius snorted. "Right, settled in. No closed doors, you two."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I'm going to make a sandwich."

"Bring me one!"

Harry only nodded, and lifted Ginny down from the table. He led her outside the shed and through the backdoor of the kitchen, shivering in the cold. "Damn, forgot it's cold outside!"

"Where's your shirt? Your coat?" she asked, her hands sliding slowly up his chest after Harry closed the back door of the house.

"It was hot in there! Uncle Sirius overdid it in the heating charms a bit, and besides, my tee shirt was covered in engine grease."

Ginny nodded, her fingers trailing up his chest, over his shoulders and down his arms. "It's awful that you have to be without a shirt like this," she said, fingers brushing over his abs.

Harry lifted her chin with his fingers to kiss her. Ginny's fingers brushed over his navel to rest on the button at the top of his jeans. "I missed you."

Ginny stood on her toes to press her lips to his, kissing him over and over until they were both breathless, her thumbs in the belt loops of his jeans. "I really missed you too. I like that I found you all shirtless and sweaty. It's sexy."

His slow smile made her stomach turn to jelly as he kissed the tip of her nose. "I mean, you can be shirtless and sweaty too, if you'd like."

She blushed and he kissed her cheek.

"Where's your bag?"

"I put it in the guest room already when I was looking for you," she told him.

He smiled. "Good. Come upstairs with me."

Harry tugged her by the hand, up the stairs to his room, and urged her to have a seat while he cleaned up. Ginny chose the round egg-shaped chair in the corner rather than the bed as he headed into the bathroom to get the engine grease off. She let her eyes wander around his room in curiosity.

Ginny hadn't stepped foot in his bedroom since they'd been children, and she could see the changes. His one wall was still covered in photos, patched all over the wall in a haphazard collage. Some of them were old: Baby pictures of him with his parents, of the Marauders in their teen years, or of his parents' wedding. Others were of him growing up: Standing in Pompeii with Sirius, sitting on the top of Remus' shoulders in the snow, riding a child's motorbike — and the other half included the more recent ones. Photos of Harry with his friends, of Harry riding a horse on a ranch, of Harry with Colt and Flo, Sirius, Harry, and Zee near a waterfall, Harry and Zee with their faces covered in pie, Harry with Misha and Sorcha, Harry and Tonks on a beach in Greece, Harry with Remus on a snowmobile in Norway, Harry with Marauder over the years, Harry flying around the Horntail during the First Task, Harry coming up from the Black Lake with her and Gabrielle on the kelpie, and many more.

Her eyes landed on the one of her dancing with Harry at Remus and Tonks' wedding and she smiled, watching the way his eyes followed her, and she wondered how she had truly been too dense to see it — to let herself see it. He fancied her, and now even after almost two months, the thought still sent a little thrill through her body.

Ginny's gaze moved past the photos to the Quidditch posters, to the Quidditch statistics of the 1993-1994 season; the paintings purchased when he'd travelled Europe, and over the rack on the wall that held his Firebolt. Next to his broomstick was a large map with tiny red pins scattered across detailing all of the places he'd been. She'd found it adorable and felt a little envious that he'd been given the chance to travel so much, even though she had been fortunate enough to travel a few places herself. The bookcase in the corner with random books tossed around it in between old toys and a few framed photos (one of Harry and Neville as children, one of Harry, Ron, and Hermione in Diagon Alley, one of Harry with the boys from Gryffindor that looked fairly recent, and one from Harry's twelfth birthday of Harry, herself, Luna, Neville, Ron, Hermione, Dean, and Seamus) as well as a few souvenirs.

The large bed stood in the centre of the room in Gryffindor colours, a night table on one side with a desk lamp and a few novels. A tall dresser stood on the other side of the room.

She looked up when Harry came back into the bedroom. He tugged open a drawer and pulled out a jumper as he covered himself (much to her disappointment). Ginny watched as the lean muscles in his back disappeared beneath the jumper.

Harry walked over to her, holding out his hands. "Did you eat before you came?"

"Yes, Mum insisted."

"Well, I haven't eaten since breakfast, and I'm starving. Plus, if I don't bring Uncle Sirius a sandwich, he'll come looking and he'll be grumpy."

Ginny grinned as she let him tug her to her feet. "Well, we can't have that."

Harry nuzzled her neck a moment, holding her in a tight hug. "I really missed you."

Ginny hugged him back, enjoying the feel of his strong arms around her, the smell of him, the feel of him. "I really missed you too."

He kissed her forehead tenderly before he pulled away, a soft smile on his face. "Let's go find some food."

Twenty minutes later, they were curled up in the hammock in the treehouse with a plate of ham sandwiches, salted crisps, and fizzy drinks. They were half lying, half sitting, and Harry had his arm around her, her head resting against his shoulder. A thick warm faux fur blanket in chocolate brown covered their legs as the wireless was on the local WWN station on low.

Ginny popped a crisp into her mouth. "How's your holiday been so far? What were you and Sirius working on?"

"Zee's motorbike," he said, taking a swig of his fizzy drink. "She doesn't know we have it. Uncle Sirius is trying to rebuild it as a surprise, but he's not sure if he'll have it done in time for Christmas."

"He's rebuilding the whole thing?"

Harry nodded. "It was pretty destroyed, but he said that the heart of it was still good. It's a 1937 BSA M20, and it belonged to Deda, Zee's grandfather. He rode it in the Muggle war in the '40s. It means a lot to her, and she was pretty upset when she learned it was ruined. Uncle Sirius said that she wasn't looking forward to telling her grandfather that the bike had been part of her accident."

"He would understand though," Ginny told him. "I mean, she was attacked by Death Eaters! Her safety is more important than a motorbike."

"I know, but she's sad about the bike."

Ginny nodded, munching on another crisp as Harry ate a square of the ham sandwich. "Is there any news on the Death Eaters who attacked her?"

"I don't think so," Harry admitted. "Uncle Sirius hasn't said much. One of them was Theo's father though. She recognized him."

Ginny paled. "You can't tell Theo that — he'd never forgive himself!"

"I don't blame him," Harry said quickly. "I know that he's nothing like his father."

"Do you know who the other two were?"

Harry shook his head. "It was no one that Zee recognized, but she's pretty sure that Lady Godiva killed one of them."

"Thank Merlin she has her! That panther saved her life."

Harry sighed as Ginny linked her fingers of her free hand with his. "I know that, too."

"What about the Merpeople? Is she still going to try to talk to them?"

"I think so, yeah," he ventured. "I don't know when, but I know that she's going to try again. It's important."

"And they wouldn't attack her a second time in the same spot?"

"I don't think so, no," Harry replied. "But I'll still be nervous when she goes."

Ginny leaned in to kiss his cheek. "Maybe Sirius will go with her."

"If he does and claims it's to protect her, she'll go nuts. She hit him with a frying pan two weeks ago."

"What?"

He nodded and relayed what Tonks had told him. "It was an accident. She would never hit him intentionally, but they were arguing and he got too close… by the sounds of it, it surprised both of them when it hit him in the head. Uncle Siri's worried that she's going to overexert herself. She just went back to work last week, so she's not going to be doing anything for the Order until after the holiday."

"They're guarding something, Percy told me."

"What are they guarding?"

Ginny was quiet for a moment. "Percy wouldn't say. He said that it's Order business, but that it was important in helping to defeat Tom."

"He wants me dead, Ginny. He wants to be the one to kill me, and he wants to show the world that I can't defeat him."

Ginny slid her hand over his ribs, turning towards him more so that she could look into his eyes. "He's not going to win, Harry." When he made to protest, she put her fingers over his lips. "He's not going to win. We're going to find the diadem, and we're going to destroy it. Then when the time is right, we're going to get rid of his snake… and then, he's just a man."

"We both know that he's more than just a man, Ginny."

"Yes, and no," she said softly, kissing his cheek. "He has supporters and he has his own army that he's amassing, but we have something that he doesn't. We have heart. We have something worth fighting for."

Harry brushed her hair away from her face. "When I was in the graveyard standing across from him, when Bellatrix gave me back my wand and he told me to duel him… I was prepared to die. I didn't know how to fight him. I didn't know how to stand up to him and I thought that it was the end of my life — and then I did die, two weeks later — and I was able to meet my parents and my grandparents for the first time in my life, and…"

Ginny rested her chin on his chest as her warm brown eyes met his. "And you came back. You came back to us; to me. Tom won't defeat you, Harry. He won't. You have so many people in your life who love you; so many people willing to stand up to him. You stood up to him for me once, and if I ever see him again, I won't back down without a fight."

Harry's eyes met hers, green on brown. "I don't want you to face him again."

"Part of me doesn't want that either," she said quietly. "Part of me wants to hide in a corner and curl up crying in terror at just his name, but I won't do that. Na'eemah taught me that I had to put it behind me to move forward, but that doesn't mean that I forgot about it."

"Ginny…. what he… I wish every day that I had gotten to you sooner."

She slid her hand up his chest, curling her fingers over his heart. "I don't blame you, Harry. I got myself into that mess and… things happened."

He stared at her for a long moment, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. "Will you tell me what happened down there? What he… you've never really said it…"

"That he raped me?" she whispered, her eyes darkening in remembrance.

He swallowed slowly, his finger still stroking her cheek. "I always suspected that he might have I just… I didn't know how to…"

Ginny's eyes were on his, but she wasn't seeing him as she spoke. "I didn't know how to tell you — my friend, the boy who rescued me — something like that. I… he didn't actually… I mean, he used a bone, but he… touched himself over me and he… I didn't understand until after — and that made it worse, somehow."

Harry's finger was still stroking her cheek as her chin rested on his chest. "I'm sorry that happened to you. If I could make you forget it, I would."

She shook her head, seeming to come back to herself and snuggled herself into his embrace, her cheek resting over his heart. "I don't want to forget it. It's part of who I am. Even the nightmares; they make me remember that I'm strong, that I overcame that."

His fingers danced along arm as he held her. "You're incredibly strong. I've always admired that about you."

"Harry… can I tell you a secret?"

"Always," he whispered.

She was quiet for a long moment and when she spoke, her words were so low that he had to strain his ears to listen to her voice as it was muffled against his chest.

"Sometimes I think about when the time comes that you want to… become more intimate… that I'll be too scared — or that I'll panic and have a flashback like I did with Michael. I don't want to be afraid to be touched."

Harry tugged her up to his face and kissed her softly. "You're not afraid to be touched, Ginny. You have the biggest heart of anyone I know, and you always have a hug for anyone who needs it. Do I want to touch you? All the bloody time. The other day, when you let me kiss your tits through your shirt… Merlin, it was the best thing in the world -0 and did I want to go further, yes! Of course, I did — I'm fifteen — I think about sex all the bloody time, and I want it all of the time. But I'm not ready for it yet."

Ginny looked slightly relieved by this. "I'm not ready for that either. I like it when you touch me, Harry. I liked it when you kissed my tits, too."

Harry slid his hands up her sides, brushing her breasts, and with his eyes on hers, curved his hands around to cup them in his hands, the mounds spilling over the sides of his fingers through the jumper she wore.

"See? This is good. This is me touching you and you letting me touch you. Ginny… you'll tell me when you like something, won't you?"

She smiled and kissed his lips gently. "I'll tell you."

"And you'll tell me if you don't like something?"

She stared at him before she licked her lips. "Only if you promise to do the same."

Harry slid his hands around to cup the small of her back, kissing her deeply. The empty bowl of crisps slipped out of the hammock and fell to the floor along with the empty sandwich plate, but neither of them noticed. Ginny's hands slid over his shoulders as they kissed softly and slowly through long, drawn out kisses that left them breathless. Ginny sighed in pleasure when his mouth trailed down her neck.

"Harry! Ginny!" Sirius called out.

Ginny pulled away from her boyfriend's lips and snuggled back into his arms just as Sirius stepped into the treehouse. He raised an eyebrow at them curled up in the hammock.

"Hey, Zee's back. How do you two feel about going ice skating? The River Sid is frozen solid and we thought that it might be a fun way to spend the evening."

Ginny smiled warmly at him. "That sounds wonderful, but I don't have any skates."

Sirius grinned and waved her off. "No worries. Zee says that she can transfigure our shoes. Come on, meet us in the living room."

He slid down the fireman's pole and Harry smiled at her. "Ice skating sounds fun."

Ginny hopped out of the hammock and bent to pick up their empty dishes. "I think it's exactly what we need."

Harry jumped out of the hammock as well, tugging her to her feet and up against him, his hands resting on her waist. "Are you good?"

Ginny looped her arms around his neck, standing on her toes to kiss him. "I'm better than good. I'm with you."

Harry's slow smile made her grin back at him. "Let's go ice skating."

She linked her hand in his, laughing when he lifted her into his arms. She locked her legs around his back and he slid down the fireman's pole with her. Ginny was definitely good, and the sense of relief that she felt after telling Harry about her fears surprised her.

They were good.

~ ASC ~

"Master Theo, there is an advocatus at the front door," Kiki said, making Theo look up from his book.

He had been curled up in the large armchair near the fire for almost three hours reading a murder mystery, enjoying the peace and quiet of the manor. He hadn't been expecting visitors.

"Let him in," he said, putting his book down.

Kiki nodded and he moved to sit up straight in the chair. It had been a week since he'd come home for the holiday and he'd been enjoying himself. It was quiet and peaceful, something that he never seemed to enjoy anymore. He'd worked with the house elves to put up a small Christmas tree in the library and found himself looking forward to spending the holiday alone. Ginny and Draco had both invited him to their homes for Christmas, but he wasn't in a celebratory mood. After what had happened over the last few months, he just needed the time to himself. To relax, to regroup, and to think.

Morrigan had found him again the other day with another letter, and Theo had found himself smiling as he'd read Finn's words. The man seemed very friendly, and he liked the idea of having someone he could talk to without any constrictions. Finn didn't know him. He was a man who loved his niece and wanted to help change the world. Theo admired that, and hoped that if he did manage to get his affairs in order, maybe he could do something to help with that, maybe even to help the Court of Tara.

Writing to Finn was oddly cathartic; like a secret friend he knew that he could trust. He found himself telling the man all about himself and his life, leaving a few things out for obvious reasons, but he told Finn about his childhood, his likes, his dislikes, his interests, and his friends. He was pleased to find that Finn responded with the same. He was making a new friend and he thoroughly enjoyed it.

His thoughts were interrupted when Franklin Smith stepped into the drawing room, taking his bowler hat off as he did. "Lord Nott, sorry to disturb your holiday, but I thought that this was important."

Theo nodded and gestured for him to take a seat. "Kiki, please send in some tea and bannocks."

Smith smiled as he took a seat in the armchair across from Theo. "That's kind of you, thank you. Is Thaddeus Nott around?"

Theo shook his head. "He knows better than to show his face in England right now, at least I'd hope he does. Him not being here is the main reason I came home in the first place."

Smith nodded and reached into his briefcase to pull out a folder full of parchment. "I guess that makes sense, but I thought that I should ask nevertheless."

Smith looked up as Kiki returned with a tray of tea and bannocks. He waited for the elf to pass him the tea cup, thanking her before she left the room. He put the tea cup on the table next to him and picked up the folder again once the elf was gone.

"I received your reference letters and I must say, you have some pretty great references here."

"I'm sorry that I could only send three," Theo began, starting to feel nervous. "I didn't know who to ask… and well, it seemed like a fair number. I know that you wanted five originally, but I just couldn't get that many."

Smith raised an eyebrow. "You sent more than enough. I have eight here."

Theo's eyes widened. "What? Eight? How? Who?"

Smith smiled as he flipped through the letters in his hands. "Professor Severus Snape claims that you 'are a mentor to first year students, both intellectually and socially, making you a responsible member of society well above your age.' Professor Minerva McGonagall says: 'Theodore Nott is an exceptional young man full of character, charisma, and kindness. As the Marquess of Norfolk, he would do a lot of good for this world.' Lady Narcissa Malfoy says: 'Theodore Nott is the second son that I always wanted. He's intelligent, witty, kind, and has a heart of pure gold.' The curse breaker Bill Weasley writes: 'Theodore Nott is the kind of person that you can depend on. He's trustworthy, kind, and a remarkable young man, more than capable of taking upon the responsibility that he seeks.'"

"Bill Weasley?" he interrupted in surprise.

Smith nodded and continued to sort through the letters. "Molly Weasley says that you 'are a sweet, honourable young man, who I would trust with the world and is more capable than most young men your age.' Lord Sirius Black writes: 'Nott is an intelligent young man who knows what choices he wants to make, and is smart enough to realize that claiming the title he deserves to have now, will help him get away from the dangers that his father, a known Death Eater, poses to not only the world, but to his son. Allowing Nott to become the Marquess of Norfolk is not only a brilliant, responsible move on the part of the wizarding aristocracy, but the ideal choice for Theodore Nott's life and refusing him based on his age would be a terrible mistake.' Professor Albus Dumbledore writes: 'Theodore Nott is a young man of sound mind and strong disposition more than capable of the responsibility he seeks'; and lastly, Prince Finley Alexander wrote to say: 'Theodore Nott has a kind heart and soul, tender to those in need, willing to offer a helping hand to all who need it, and denying him his birthright is damaging to the good he can do in this world.' Theo, I must say, with references such as these, you are looking very good in the eyes of the court."

Theo was staring at him, his eyes wide. "But I… I didn't send those."

Smith smiled. "They are legitimate, I can assure you. I received the three you sent me from Lady Malfoy and professors Snape and McGonagall. The others arrived separately over the last few days. Each one is a strike in the plus column for you. In fact, my firm believes that it's enough to give you the title."

"I — really?"

"It's not official, not yet. But it's yours, Theo. With the holiday, it's going to be pushed back to get the parchment signed and sealed, but it looks good. On the twenty-first of January, we have an appointment with Praetor Samuels at three o'clock, and we'll plead your case — but trust me, with the names you have on this list here, with these references alone… this looks good."

Theo's grin widened. "Really?"

"I wanted to tell you something good for the holiday, but yes, really. As of the twenty-first, you will officially be the Marquess of Norfolk, and will inherit and have access to all of the Nott stocks, properties, wealth, and vaults. You will have full control over everything under the Nott name and the Norfolk title. I must tell you, that when you sign for it, though, there is a possibility that Praetor Samuels will insist that you turn over your father if you see him," Smith warned him. "I know that the two of you aren't close, but are you willing to do so?"

Theo stared at him. "I can promise you that I won't be seeing him any time soon, Smith, but if I do, I'll arrest him myself once I'm Marquess."

Smith extended his hand out. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you, Lord Nott. If you are interested in retaining a lawyer to help with your books, I hope that you'll keep me in mind."

Theo smiled, his heart jumping in joy. "Smith, if on the twenty-first — you actually make me Marquess — I can promise you a job for life."

The lawyer blushed, a huge smile on his face as Theo shook his had enthusiastically. "Happy Christmas, Lord Nott. I'll send word after the holiday."

"Happy Christmas," Theo said as Smith closed up his briefcase and headed out.

It was the twenty-third of December, which meant that in twenty-nine more days, he would have what he had been struggling to obtain since October. He would be the Marquess of Norfolk. He closed his eyes as he leaned back in the armchair. That meant that he only had to deal with Macmillan for fourteen more days when he got back to school, and then he was going to make sure that the prefect paid for blackmailing him.

Because nobody messed with Theodore Nott and got away with it.

Nobody.

~ ASC ~

Remus finished the last of his shopping that afternoon and felt his panic ease a little. He wanted to get something special for Tonks, but he just didn't know what to get her. He had finally found something that he thought was perfect and had gotten it gift wrapped before heading home for the evening. He checked his watch as he headed up the drive of the dark cottage. His wife was only supposed to have worked half the day today before being off for the next five, so he wondered why she wasn't yet home.

He stepped inside, stepping out of his boots and hanging up his coat and scarf before he saw the lit Christmas tree from the corner of his eye. "Nymphadora?"

When there was no answer, he sighed and placed his wrapped present beneath the tree. His eyes just about bugged out of his head.

His wife was home.

Tonks was lying on her side, a thick red silk ribbon tied around her breasts in a large Christmas bow. It came in one long strip, dangling from her breasts and wrapping down between her legs, barely covering the essentials. She had a Santa hat on her head and was slowly sucking on a candy cane as she lay half under the tree on a thick blanket, with throw pillows under her arm and near her head.

Remus visibly swallowed as he took in the sight of her. She winked at him. "Nymphadora," he gasped.

Tonks merely turned to give him a look at the two thin strings of fabric that held the ribbon in place across her back and slid between her round arse cheeks, leaving the rest of her back completely naked. "Come unwrap me."

Remus hardened as he took a step towards her. He stopped when she held her hand up.

"Naked first."

Remus kept his eyes on her as her moist lips wrapped around the candy cane and his cock twitched. He pulled his jumper over his head, dropping it to the floor, followed by his shirt and trousers. He tugged his socks off to add them to the pile before he moved towards her a second time, only stopping again when she shook her head.

"Boxers too, Professor Lupin."

He grinned, slipping them off as his hard cock bounced free and then he knelt down next to her. He placed his hand on her shoulder, sliding his palm down her arm and around to fiddle with the thin red string across her back… the same one that slipped down her bottom, essentially leaving her gloriously naked from behind. His hand slid around her thigh and up over her stomach, his fingers dancing just under the large bow.

"Did you make this?"

"Bought it at a lingerie store when I went shopping with Zee. Do you like it, Professor?"

Remus bent to kiss her stomach. "It looks like you wrapped yourself up for me."

"That's the point," Tonks said, her eyes on him. "I'm even under the tree!"

His eyes darkened as his fingers trailed over her skin. "I thought that we learned our lesson about the tree last year when we knocked it over."

Tonks smirked. "I used a charm to prevent that from happening this time."

Remus licked his lips, bending to kiss her softly. "Mmm," he murmured, tasting the peppermint there.

She glided the wet candy along her skin and his eyes eagerly followed the trail, before he let his tongue do the work, tasting the peppermint along her skin as he kissed her. Remus' lips trailed under her breasts, kissing softly under the bow before his mouth slipped over it, sucking her nipple into his mouth through the ribbon. Her head fell back against the pillow in pleasure.

"Unwrap me," she purred.

Remus ignored her. He continued to suck and nibble through the ribbon, his hand stroking the skin of her hip while the other rubbed deliciously over the ribbon between her legs. His thumb pressed into her, pushing the ribbon in, and the combined friction made her gasp until she was wantonly pressing herself against him.

"Unwrap me," she purred a third time.

Remus licked his lips, moving his head up to kiss her again. "No."

"No?" she asked incredulously.

Hot lips touched her mouth before Remus pulled away and rolled her over as his fingers played with the two tiny strings that covered her back. His mouth trailed over her skin, leaving hot kisses over her back and down her bum, sucking and kneading. His tongue slipped in and out of her bum as she squirmed desperately.

He did want to unwrap her. Merlin, did he want to unwrap her. But she looked so deliciously sexy all trussed up like a naughty present. He slid his thick length along her bottom, teasing them both, before he looped his index finger under the string, pushed it aside, lifted her hips, and slid into her wet heat. She moaned as he did so, her face pushing into the pillow as her arse rose higher into the air to meet him.

Remus held her hip with one hand, slipping the other around to rub her clit through the ribbon. The friction of the ribbon along with him thrusting was enough to drive her crazy. She was panting his name over and over and he increased his speed before he pulled out and finally flipped her over. Tonks gasped as his mouth dove to engulf a breast through the ribbon — and then he pushed her legs up to her shoulders, spreading them wide.

"Hold your legs, Nymphadora," he instructed, bending his head to kiss her clit, licking along the thick band of the ribbon to where it narrowed into a string. Then he simply pushed the thin string aside and positioned himself over her to slide into her again.

She cried out, holding her ankles tightly as he rode her. He kept the speed deliciously slow before he'd speed up and then slow back down.

"Reeemm," she begged.

Remus turned to kiss her curling toes near her head before he slid his hand down to circle her clit, pumping deeper and harder. She screamed as the orgasm tore through her, losing her grip on her legs as her hands fisted in his hair. She tugged him closer as he followed her over the edge. Remus gripped the blanket on either side of her, burying his face in the large bow over her breasts as he tried to catch his breath.

Tonks slid a sweaty hand over his back, a big grin on her face. "So… do you like the outfit, then?"

Remus chuckled against her breasts. "Do I like the outfit? Merlin, Nymphadora, I'm never going to be able to look at a Christmas bow the same way again."

She grinned widely, sighing when he slid out of her and spooned her from the side. "You didn't even unwrap me."

Remus trailed his fingers over her the smooth cheeks of her arse before he lifted his hand and let it come down with a resounding, startling crack. "I like it. I like you just like this," he said, his palm coming down again and making her breath hitch. "Such a naughty wife."

He spanked her a third time before he lifted himself, turning his body sideways as he stroked his growing erection. He lifted her legs, swinging her more fully under the tree before he propped her bum onto the pillow. Remus lifted her hips just enough to change the angle. The sight of her illuminated beneath the sparkling lights made him smile. Remus kissed her knees, her thighs, before he bent his head and used his mouth, pushing the ribbon away with his fingers as his tongue swiped her.

Tonks' fingers gripped his hair and he lifted his head to meet her gaze. Remus held two fingers over her clit… then spanked the nub sharply. Her eyes crossed.

"Again," she panted.

He tapped his fingers over her again as she writhed beneath him, before his eyes caught the candy cane dangling from the tree. He unhooked it, and with his eyes on her, he slowly unwrapped it, before allowing his tongue to trail along the candy as he wet the peppermint. With his eyes on hers, he spanked her clit again with his fingers, and then slid the candy into her. He slid the thin treat along her folds, stroking it along her clit, and slipping it in and out of her in a slow, torturous fashion. Her breath hitched.

"Mmm," he murmured, putting the candy back into his mouth to suck on. "Delicious."

"Remus," she gasped, eyes rolling back. His fingers pumped into her as he stroked the candy cane along her clit in swift strokes.

Her heat was melting the candy, and he whispered a swift melting charm to help it along. Peppermint juices melted into her folds, and he eagerly licked them out, his tongue swiping over every angle as she squirmed beneath him. He licked her thoroughly, fingers pumping her until she was on edge… and then he pulled back, lips trailing over her thighs, as she begged for him.

Remus lifted her legs again, locking them around his waist, and thrust into her. Tonks' feet hit the tree, ornaments jingling above them with each thrust, but neither noticed, nor cared as he held her hips tightly and rode her faster. Ornaments fell from the tree around them. When they came together, he bent his head, using his teeth to pull the ribbon open at her breasts… and finally unwrapped her. Her nipples were pebbled as he rested his face on her right breast, covering the left with his hand. Remus kissed the nipple next to his lips, carefully tugging the ribbon out from between her legs. He tossed it to the side, his hands hitting ornaments, knocking more of them down and off.

"I don't think charming the tree into the place made it better."

Tonks chuckled. He turned to rest his chin on her breast as he looked up at her. "But we didn't knock the tree over this year."

He made an agreeable sound as he kissed her breast. "Nymphadora, I adore you."

Tonks slid her fingers through his tousled hair, her thumb stroking over the grey that was slipping in at his temples. "I adore you, too."

He smiled, sighing in contentment as he stroked his hair. "This is a pretty great way to start off our Christmas holiday, I must admit."

Her fingers continued to gently stroke his hair and his eyes drifted closed at her ministrations.

"I thought so. Do you think that we broke the ornaments beyond repair though? I'm afraid to look. If I broke one of the ones from Mum, I'll never be able to look her in the eye when she asks how it broke."

Remus chuckled as he kissed her breast before he lifted his head to look at the fallen ornaments. Most had merely rolled away, one had broken, some were on the pillows along with pine needles. "Nah. We're fine. Only that ugly one from your Christmas party last year broke."

She laughed when he snuggled back to her breast, tugging the blanket up with them and wrapping them both. "Are we going to sleep here, then?"

"Nap here," he corrected. "When we wake, I'll find something for dinner other than candy canes."

She blushed and kissed the top of his head. "Okay. I know just the place to tie a bow on you that so I can unwrap you later."

Remus grinned, sucking her nipple into his mouth. "Naughty Nymphadora. I'll have to spank you again."

She bit her lip. "Next time, do it when you're inside me."

Remus's eyes darkened. "Careful, love, or we won't end up having that nap."

Tonks only grinned and cuddled him back to her breast. "Nap first, then you're going to make me some food with that ribbon tied into a big bow around your cock."

Remus' lips met hers. "Sounds like a plan."

He closed his eyes against her breast. The smell of her skin, peppermint, and sex made him sigh in contentment. It was definitely the best start to the holiday that he could think of.

~ ASC ~

Sirius softly kissed Zee that evening, grinning at Harry and Ginny where they were working in the kitchen. "You two behave yourselves and take care of Zee."

"Where are you going?" Harry asked, turning to look at his godfather. "It's the night before Christmas Eve. Don't tell me that you have to go to the Ministry?"

Sirius shook his head. "No, guard duty for the Order. I'll be back in the morning."

Harry frowned. Ginny had said something the other day about Percy doing the same thing. "Guard duty over what?"

"Zee will fill you in. I'm going to be late. Have a good night, guys."

He hurried off and Harry turned to Zee. "What are you guarding? Did you guys find something?"

Zee shook her head, absently rubbing Lady Godiva's head from where she rested in her mistresses' lap. "No. We didn't find anything, I'm afraid. It's the copy of the prophecy."

Harry's eyebrow rose. "Copy?"

"Yes. The prophecy that was made about you, Harry. There's a copy of it in store in the Ministry of Magic," she explained. "Every time a prophecy is made, the Guardian of the Hall of Prophecy places a copy of it inside the hall for protection so that it can be studied and broken down. Sometimes it is obvious what the prophecy is referring to, but other times, it could mean many different things. There are people in the Department of Mysteries who study them."

Ginny looked at her curiously. "All of the prophecies?"

Zee nodded. "Yes, I believe so. Anyway, Dumbledore gave a copy of the prophecy that was made about Harry sixteen years ago, and there is a copy of it there. Our concern is that Voldemort will try to obtain it as it has come to our attention that he is interested in hearing the exact contents."

"Why?" Harry asked as Ginny took his hand in hers. "What does it matter now? He heard part of it back then and it made him kill my parents."

Zee's eyes softened. "And I think that he regrets that, Harry. He doesn't regret killing them, mind you, as I'm sure to a monster like him, that isn't even on his radar. But I think that he regrets acting so rashly before he knew the full details of prophecy. Now that you've escaped his grasp multiple times, and after you transformed into your Animagus and Apparated out of the graveyard, he's starting to wonder about this mysterious, great power that the prophecy stated you have. He's wondering if you could be more powerful than him. If he hears the prophecy, he'll understand it better. We don't want this to happen."

"If he learns that he was the one to make the prophecy come to pass, it means that he knows Harry isn't more powerful than him," Ginny said simply, linking her fingers through Harry's when she felt him jerk at her words. "He'll know that Harry is a powerful wizard, but that he's not necessarily more powerful than him. Just chosen by him to defeat him."

"Not only that, but he might realize that he left a Horcrux inside Harry, and that's the last thing that we want."

"Because then he might know that it's not there anymore," Harry pointed out.

Zee nodded. "Exactly. It's a little thing, but if we can keep watch on the Hall of Prophecy and make sure that no one from Voldemort's inner circle tries to steal it, it keeps us one step ahead. As far as we know, Voldemort has never been aware of who gave the prophecy. When Snape originally told him, he didn't know that it was Trelawney, so he was never able to tell Voldemort who the Seer was. We think that he believes only Dumbledore knows it and that there is the copy in the Hall of Prophecy."

Harry frowned. "Why can't we just take it and destroy it?"

"It's not that easy unfortunately," Zee told him, her fingers running along the ears of Lady Godiva. "The Hall of Prophecy itself resides in the Department of Mysteries, and it's a huge enigma to everyone. We know that there is a secret Guardian who keeps track of the prophecies and records them and studies then and from what we understand, the Guardian is the only person capable of placing the prophecy into the hall and removing it."

Ginny let out a slow breath. "So, if they can't get it, why bother guarding it?"

Zee smiled. "That is a fair question. We want to keep an eye on it and make sure that there is absolutely no way for them to get a hold of it. It also helps us know that they haven't somehow gotten to the Guardian, and by keeping an eye on things, we know where they are going and what they are doing. We know very little of Voldemort's plans, so every little thing counts."

Harry could understand that. He knew that they were doing what they could to watch Voldemort and his followers, to try to learn what his ultimate plans were and this was one step in the right direction, no matter how small it seemed. He found it interesting that no one outside of the Guardian could touch the prophecy. He wondered why that was.

Was it to really keep it from the wrong hands, or was it merely a spell?

Or was a curse upon it in some way?

Who was this Guardian?

Zee stood up, patting Lady Godiva on the head. "I'll leave you two to finish making dinner, if that's all right? I think Lady G and I are going to walk next door and finish wrapping our presents."

"Can I see the bike?"

Zee smiled warmly at Harry. "Absolutely. I'll show you both after dinner. You can help me figure out how to wrap it while Sirius is gone."

"Do you have a really big box?" Harry asked.

Ginny laughed. "I may have a better idea…"