Author's Note:
I'm not a politics kind of girl. I usually try to stay out of what is happening around the world as there is just so much sadness and death and tragedy and watching the news is more heartbreaking than anything. But I would like to start by saying that as a Canadian, watching the disgusting show of unrest unravelling in the USA right now is mind-blowing to me.
It felt like a movie, like it couldn't possibly be real. There's a lot of civil unrest in countries all over the world and America is not the country that you would think to let something like that happen. As our prime minister, Justin Trudeau, stated: "Canadians are deeply disturbed and saddened by the attack on democracy in the United States, our closest ally and neighbour. Violence will never succeed in overruling the will of the people. Democracy in the US must be upheld — and it will be." Watching from afar, seeing people support Trump is just boggling to me, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. No country is perfect and we all have issues with how our own governments are run all over the world. Unfortunately not everyone will agree and I'm sure some people will greatly disagree with my statement here. All I will say is that I have never been so happy not to be an American before in my life. I hope that when Biden takes over, things get better for America and for their people, because right now, Trump has NOT made "America great again," but he has in fact made the world look upon them with deep embarrassment and shame.
That is all. I won't say anything more on this and I'm sorry if anyone thinks I am speaking out of turn, I just need to speak my mind.
Reviews and Comments: To Seriously Sam: Marry this girl if she thinks you're funny LOL. Poor Percy. I like writing Draco and Blaise's friendship. To JamesTKent: "You've become a real mistress of this kind of storytelling" — thank you! To Nightwing2013: I think it fits Percy's personality well, but I also think Audrey is going to give him a run for his money. To LilyBlack18: I'm sorry to have broken your heart. To muracochildren: No promises. To ValGrey02: Making people love characters they normally hate is kind of fun. To Krazyasibe: I'm glad I totally shocked you. To Wolf's scream: Yes, Barty is most certainly disgusting. To Guest: Thank you for saying my story is Awesome! To nothatchhavi: I wanted Tonks to be the one to break Lucius down with the coward bit and to see if he knew about his wife. It was a test and unfortunately one he passed because he didn't know and is now devastated at the loss of the woman he tried to protect. He thinks his son is dead and now this. Ron knowing that flying isn't Hermione's style definitely means he loves her. And yes, Ginny will be an awesome auntie.
To Chintan: You will get Draco's reaction, yes. To kaniskkannu: Haha, I can't believe you said, can one good thing happen to the Malfoy family, either. I will take that as a compliment. And we will see Thea again soon-ish. To Funbunnypotter26: It does make sense that Ron would win at Cheat, doesn't it? LOL. To SkiGirl121: That's sweet of you to say if this story was sold in a bookstore you would buy it ten times over. The Theo/Finn chapters are listed on my tumblr if you want to read just them, but no, I will not write an alternate ending. They were in love, I'm sorry that hurt you, but sometimes death must come. To Undead Gothic Princess: Thank you! To midnitewanderer: You never did come back with a lengthy review? But yes, you should have been scared for Narcissa. To alix33: I agree, Blaise and Draco's conversation was necessary. They are two scared young men, Draco isn't even seventeen yet, and they need to keep themselves safe. To pix25: An unexpected turn! Good. I do love surprising people. To boomer21b: Thanks for loving my story. To Derek Louden: Always expect the unexpected. To Tiegdalewills15: Hmm, you thought Narcissa deserved to die, but also didn't deserve to die? Interesting. To Dresden13: Yes, the Malfoys definitely just found a reason to grow some spine.
To Steelcode: Harry will definitely be a good big brother, once he finds his footing. To CarpenL: Ron and Hermione are definitely made for each other. And no, there will not be any more details about how Narcissa died, I felt that was gruesome enough. To coloredwords: Draco will definitely be heartbroken. I'm happy to hear my swift uploading is already making the new year better. To DexterBlack: Thank you for saying that I have perfectly summed up Crouch's crazy side. To Dianne: Yes, Lucius and Narcissa were stuck in a bad position and they were cowardly as well. To Firemantrucker80: Thank you for saying that "this is probably one of the best written fan fics I've ever come across. The level of detail is superb and your ability to keep the reader in suspense and wanting more is amazing. Admittedly I did cuss you out a bit when you killed Sirius, but now many chapters down the line I see that it makes sense for the story. I look forward to continuing reading this story and I hope it continues until Harry is as old and gray as Dumbledore and has about four generations of great grandkids. LOL. Keep up the awesome work and I'm thinking after reading all this you must be a writer professionally. I can hardly wait to read more. (And P.S. be proud of yourself, because in all the fan fics I've read over the years this is the first time I've ever left a review)." — I am not a professional writer, though one day hopefully if I ever sit down and finish my novel I will be, LOL.
To Leapyearbaby29: I killed Narcissa because it felt like it needed to happen. To Endinium: Crouch will get what he deserves, I can promise you that. To Raindrops & Flowers: Aydin, Leo, and Mina will all be at Hogwarts together, I'm sure they will be friends. You are the first person to notice that "Audrey being Audrey Mayfair but not playing by any rules. I got a crack out of that one." — I thought it was a funny inside joke for myself so thanks for catching on LOL. Yes, we will see more of Hannah and Neville as well. To stormchaser20: Thank you! When people are angry for the characters, I do take that as a compliment and I hope that when I get to the final battle it will do justice. I struggle with action scenes. To Harem_HP_GW_is_Queen: It is unfortunate that Narcissa had to pay for his cowardliness, but I think it was also important to show that our actions have consequences and those consequences sometimes affect those around us more than ourselves.
To Jmcglynn522: Theo will be heartbroken, yes. To Allyriablack8: Thank you! Narcissa waited because in her head, she was trying to figure out a way to help her husband instead of worrying about her own safety and her own hesitation is what killed her. To LordSmidgeon: Wow, thank you for re-reading! Sirius' death was foreshadowed a few times, you're right. You think Theo, Blaise, and Draco are going to reconcile at the end of sixth year? We shall see. To PurpleLotus: Thank you! To AQuickRead91: No, Narcissa didn't deserve that, but considering the Horcrux has already been removed from Harry, he doesn't need her to save him with a mother's love either.
My posting schedule: Once a week.
Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.
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 SIXTY:
Harry was anxious to go back to school. He was sad to leave Zee and the twins so soon. He found himself rather enjoying getting the opportunity to just hold them both, to watch them sleep. They were these tiny little humans that he was just completely in awe of. And he wanted the chance to spend more time with them.
He knew returning to Hogwarts was important and he knew that he could see them through the mirror whenever he wanted. Zee promised him that whenever he wanted to return home for a weekend to spend time with the twins, he could. That made him feel a little bit better.
He spent the train ride stretched out across the bench, his head in Ginny's lap. It was incredibly relaxing as she stroked his hair. Luna had come in and told them all about her adventures at Santa's Village and how they hadn't had any luck in finding a real flying reindeer, but how her father was still going to write about the journey for The Quibbler.
Justin came in, kissing Luna, and urging her to go sit with his friends for a bit, which she did. Harry still wasn't sure what Luna saw in him. Ginny only told him to shush when he brought it up.
The welcome back feast was a bit subdued as Dumbledore announced that many students had chosen not to return. He went on to explain that if any students felt they had any concerns about what was happening that any teacher was available to speak to about it. Harry thought Snape looked rather appalled at the idea and wondered if anyone would be brave enough to even attempt to talk to him about their concerns. If it were Harry, he thought that he'd rather stay concerned.
He headed up to his dorm with Neville and Ron, kissing Ginny goodnight before continuing up to the sixth year boys' dormitory. He changed into his pjs and had just sat on the bed with his potions book. He wanted to skim it more closely now that he knew a little more from his grandfather, to see if he could pick out more from the half-blood prince and try to ascertain the prince's identity. But instead his attention was on Seamus, who was pulling a huge box from his trunk.
"Wait until you blokes see the gift I received from Dean's mum! I'm going to put it right here next to the window!" Seamus exclaimed in excitement.
Ron raised an eyebrow. "I feel like I should be worried. How did you even get that here?"
"I shrunk it down, but Merlin, it's huge and fantastic!"
"That's what she said," Dean muttered.
"You love it!" Seamus exclaimed.
Dean sighed dramatically. "I apologize in advance. My mother's an instigator."
"What does that even mean?" Harry asked, standing up to get a closer look.
Then his eyes widened as Seamus opened the large box and pulled out the giant phallic shaped vase.
"Ta-da!" Seamus explained, putting the sunflowers and hollyhocks to stick out the top. "Isn't it fantastic?"
"It's a giant cock," Ron said, his eyes wide.
"With massive bollocks," Neville said, his mouth agape.
"I know! Dean's mum made it herself!" Seamus exclaimed, grinning at the art as if it was the greatest thing he'd ever seen.
"It's a giant cock," Ron repeated, staring at the vase completely dumbfounded. "Why would anybody bloody well want that?"
Seamus' grin widened as he stared at the vase in glee. "Because it's bloody fantastic! What do you blokes think? Here by the window?"
Harry shook his head. "Not really."
"Seam, I told you, let's not put it somewhere so bright. How about by the door there?"
Seamus pouted. "But it will get covered every time the door is open."
"Exactly," Dean said, making Ron snort.
Seamus shook his head. "No way! Sunny made this for me and I'm putting it right here next to the window for all of us to enjoy." He situated it into the spot, turning it so that it was fully showcased in the light of the moon, the shape of the shaft pointing towards the beds.
Ron only stared at it. "I feel like I can't look away."
"It is oddly mesmerizing," Neville agreed. "And the flowers coming from the top? They're fake?"
Seamus nodded. "I didn't think I'd be able to keep real ones in there in the middle of January."
"Seamus can't even keep a cactus alive," Dean supplied.
"Not true," Seamus said defensively. "The sun killed it, not me."
Dean rolled his eyes. "I rest my case."
Neville chuckled. "I can help you keep real flowers alive, if you'd like."
Seamus shook his head. "Nah. I think I'm going to use it to hold my broomstick. What do you think? The hole is big enough and the broom can sit right there coming out of the head?"
"Oh, brother," Dean muttered.
Harry laughed. "I feel like this is going to be an interesting conversation starter."
"And then some," Dean agreed. "Mum was going on about how much Seamus would love it and I couldn't talk her out of giving it to him."
"Dean! This is the greatest gift ever!" Seamus exclaimed.
Dean rubbed his hand over his short hair. "Sure, Seam. Whatever you say."
Harry climbed into bed, listening to his friends bicker over what to put in the giant penis in amusement. There really never was a dull moment when Seamus was around.
~ ASC ~
The package was sitting on his bed when Theo stepped into his dormitory. It stood out, as did his dorm. The other four posters had magically vanished, giving him the entire sixth year Slytherin dorm to himself. His bed had been moved to the centre of the room, the desk by the window and it made the room look massive in comparison. The big windows showcased the underwater kingdom of the Black Lake. It looked more ethereal and beautiful than ever before with the lack of furniture in the room, the moonlit underwater casting a greenish glow on the room.
Theo kicked his shoes off, walking across the soft carpet to sit on his bed, his eyes on the box. It was wrapped in green velvet and tied with a red velvet bow. He knew immediately who it was from. No one else would make the wrapping of a gift look so elaborate and expensive.
He stared at it, wondering if he could dare open it. It had obviously been sitting here since before the holiday and that made him feel a bit better. It meant it had to be safe, and if he was honest, he knew that it wasn't out to hurt him. He wished that he could say the same about who had sent it. He felt like he was constantly sorting through mixed feelings on the actions of his best mates as of late. One minute, he understood completely their reactions and thoughts and another, he was convinced that they'd abandoned and betrayed him. Sometimes it was just too much and he wasn't sure what he felt.
After Bill had told him about Blaise writing to Andromeda, claiming sanctuary before he removed the Dark Mark, Theo had felt relieved. His friends were okay and they hadn't abandoned him. Looking around the room, he wondered just what abandonment meant considering he was once more alone.
Theo carefully reached out and untied the bow, opening the box. Inside was a designer brown leather messenger bag with his initials carved into the side in gold lettering. He touched the butter softness of it before he saw the letter.
Theo,
I know you probably hate me and you have every right to feel that way. I lied to you. But I had to help Draco and I know that's something that you can understand. You two are the brothers that I never had. My best friends. I couldn't let him go through this alone, watch him go under in his desire not to hurt you.
We're safe. Both of us. I need you to know that. And I want to say that I am so sorry about Finn. I know how much he meant to you. I liked him, too. I just want to say that I'm sorry. We promised each other that we'd stick together. We promised that we'd make it out alive and together and this was the only way that I could see to keep that promise to Draco.
We miss you.
Blaise
PS — I know that it's just a new bag, but I thought that it was good for you to bring to the Ministry. Lord Norfolk is going to do great things and he should look the part.
Theo clutched the letter in his hands, tears sneaking down his cheeks. They were alive and safe. He wanted to hate them for leaving him, for Finn, for it all, but he couldn't. He knew exactly the position they'd been placed in. He understood it.
That somehow made it worse.
The knock on his door had him pausing. The only other sixth year Slytherins who had returned in the new year were Daphne and Tracy and he really couldn't think of any reason why they would come looking for him.
"Come in."
The door opened and Ciara stood there. The sight of her made his breath hitch.
"Ciara. I'm so sorry!"
Ciara simply hurried across the room and flung herself into his arms. The feel of her in his warm embrace made his heart burst and the tears started to fall all over again. Ciara didn't say anything, she only held him tightly as he cried. When he finally stopped, she smiled kindly at him.
"He loved you."
Theo nodded. "I loved him. It... it's my fault he's dead. They came after him because he was with me, because I loved him."
Ciara shook her head. "Uncle Finn would knock some sense into you if he heard you talk like that. I don't blame you. My family doesn't blame you. Stop blaming yourself, Uncle Theo."
"Uncle... Ciara, I'm not..."
She smiled. "You are! You were the best thing to ever happen to Uncle Finn and I won't have you wallowing."
He hugged her close again. "You're one amazing little duck."
"And don't you forget it!" Ciara said, her eyes on him. "I was worried about you over the holiday."
"I stayed with Ginny's family," he assured her.
Ciara smiled. "Good. Thank you for my gift. It was so beautiful and I loved it."
Theo nodded. He had forgotten about the gift that he and Finn had sent to her parents' home for her to open on Christmas. The necklace was a pendant with a rainbow pearl at the centre, coming out of what looked like a silver egg. They'd come across it at one of the stores they'd been shopping in and thought Ciara would love it. It was white gold and just simple, yet lovely. They'd added it to her pile of a new hooded cloak in dark green velvet and a slew of new jumpers.
"You're welcome, little duck."
Ciara hugged him. "I don't want you to be sad."
"I'm… not as sad as I was," he admitted. "But I miss him."
"I miss him, too," Ciara said. "And anytime you want to talk about him, I'm here to listen."
Theo kissed her cheek, making her grin. "Noted."
Ciara said goodnight and hurried out to her own dormitory, skipping as she went. She was a little gem and he adored her. Her words made him feel a bit lighter and a bit more relaxed. It was a new year and as much as he felt alone, he wasn't.
And it would do him good to remember that.
~ ASC ~
They'd been back at Hogwarts two days when the news hit the paper. Narcissa Malfoy's body had been gruesomely found off the Irish coast. Ginny only read the headline before she hurried to find Theo. He was just sitting down to breakfast when she grabbed his arm.
"Hey, come with me."
He frowned. "What happened?"
Ginny ignored him and took his hand in hers. She brought him into an empty classroom and closed the door. "Theo, I have something to tell you."
His brow furrowed. "You're very serious right now."
Ginny held out the Daily Prophet to him. "I'm so sorry, Theo, but Narcissa Malfoy has died. I'm sorry."
Theo's mouth opened in surprise before he accepted the paper from her, opening it to look at the front page. It was the Dark Mark rising high into the sky and Aurors removing a body from the coast of Ireland. Privacy shields flashed into place, blocking the photo every few seconds. The photo next to it was of Narcissa Malfoy at a garden party she had hosted a few years back. Her arm was around her husband's waist and every few seconds she'd look back over at him and he would smile.
"They were very much in love, weren't they?" Ginny asked, kindly.
Theo nodded, but didn't speak.
"It says that they found her body yesterday and it claims that Lucius Malfoy turned himself into the Aurors almost a week ago," Ginny told him, keeping her voice low.
"Do you think that he did this to her?" Theo demanded.
Ginny's eyes met Theo's troubled ones as she spoke quietly. "I don't know anything, Theo. I only know what the paper says."
Theo swallowed as he read the article, his eyes narrowing. "It says that he did it! It says that he murdered his wife and then turned himself in, but refused to tell them where to find the body. 'An anonymous tip told Aurors where Lady Wiltshire could be found. No one has been able to locate the earl's son, Draco Malfoy, for questioning.'" Theo shook his head. "No, Uncle Lucius didn't do this! He could never hurt her! And especially not like this!"
Ginny nodded. "I believe you. You know him, Theo. You know that the paper doesn't always have the facts."
Theo ripped up the paper and turned to storm out of the classroom. He shoved his way past Harry, who had just been about to open the door, and Ginny made to go after him. Harry grabbed her arm.
"Let him go."
Ginny frowned and let Harry wrap her in his arms. "He shouldn't be alone."
"Let him go. We'll make sure that he's not alone later on, but right now, he needs it."
"He has class and I don't think that he's in the mood to sit through it and... she was his godmother, Harry."
Harry nodded, his chin resting on the top of Ginny's head. "I know. He'll be okay, Ginny. He just needs some time."
But Ginny wasn't sure how much time she should give him. Coming back to Hogwarts was more subdued than ever. The missing students had left a huge gap and Dumbledore had done what he could to gloss over where they were. At first it had made her angry that he'd tried to hide it, but she understood now. The younger students were so young and there were some things that it was better with them not knowing.
Slughorn was still planning his delayed New Year's bash for this Saturday night and she was looking forward to it. The normalcy of just being able to have a night out. Theo was invited as well and she hoped that he came. The idea of him being alone in his dorm worried her.
Ginny pressed her face against Harry's chest; the warmth of his embrace making her feel safe. "I wish that there was something I could do for him."
Harry kissed the top of her head. "We can only be there for him, Gin. The rest is up to him."
Ginny knew he was right, but it didn't make her feel any better.
~ ASC ~
Harry was late getting to Potions that afternoon. As soon as Ginny had seen the paper that morning, he knew that she had to find Theo and he'd followed her. He knew that Theo considered Lucius Malfoy a father figure and he knew that reading the news of Narcissa Malfoy's death would be hard on him. The bloke needed all the friends that he could get. He'd done his best to comfort his girlfriend and he wondered where Theo had stormed off to. Ginny had been worried when he hadn't come to lunch and Harry had tried to help her find him to no avail.
Harry couldn't imagine what Theo must be feeling. He knew that the whole situation made him angry. He had met Narcissa Malfoy and he hadn't considered her to be evil. He'd known that Sirius had trusted her and that was enough for him. Harry knew that Theo had grown up without a mother and he knew that Narcissa had become that surrogate mother to him. Watching his two best friends betray him, his lover die, and now to lose the woman he considered a mother all within a few weeks was more than anyone could bear.
It made Harry angry.
Theo didn't deserve this.
He was a nice bloke with a kind heart and to have the people around him working against him… it was a horrible thought. It was a thought that made Harry even more angry, not just for Theo, but for himself as well. Ever since Voldemort had resurfaced, Theo had definitely taken the short end of the stick. It was because of Voldemort that Theo had lost Finn, had lost Draco and Blaise. It was because of Voldemort that he had now lost more.
Theo had been blackmailed, raped, and assaulted by Ernie only to be saved by Finn as Ginny faced off with Umbridge. Then Theo and Ginny had been kidnapped, Theo's father killed, and then Sirius… Harry's world fell apart and Theo found his life beginning for the better and now as Harry was finally starting to see a world without Sirius, Theo was losing everything all over again.
It just felt like every time one of them found a thread of happiness in the world, someone around them was cutting the thread and sadistically watching them unravel.
He left Ginny outside of Remus' classroom, promising her that he would keep an eye out for Theo before he'd done one more sweep of the nearby study halls looking for him. When he finally made his way down to the dungeons, ten minutes late for Potions, and saw the Slytherin sitting at the table, he felt relieved. Theo was in class and Harry considered that a good sign, especially considering Snape was the teacher.
Harry knew that Snape was the Head of Slytherin and he knew that despite his dismal attitude towards most students, he was fairly decent towards those in his own house. But when it came to this, to the grisly murder of Narcissa Malfoy, the sight of Snape at the front of the class only reminded him that Snape could have played a role in this latest tragedy. Snape was a Death Eater and the words that he'd shot back at Andromeda and Dumbledore before Christmas flashed through Harry's mind.
Had Snape been in on this too?
"Ten points from Gryffindor, Potter!" Snape snapped when he stepped into the dungeon. "Being on time is a requirement not a request."
"Sorry." Harry mumbled, moving to take his seat.
Snape was the last person that he felt like dealing with at the moment. Snape, the double agent. Snape, the one Dumbledore trusted, the one Voldemort trusted… who was right? Whose side was Snape really on?
"Sorry, Sir," Snape corrected.
Harry's eyes shot up to Snape's dark ones, anger coursing through him. Did Snape know what happened? Did he have any remorse? Did he even care what this was doing to Theo? The words left Harry's mouth before he could stop them.
"There's no need to call me 'sir,' Professor."
The whole class went dead silent at his words.
They had slipped out before he'd even thought about them. Harry could feel the hatred fuelling from the man standing before him. When he looked up, Snape's eyes were dark pits staring at him in such a menacing way that he thought the wizard might curse him on the spot.
"Detention, Potter. Saturday seven a.m. and another twenty points from Gryffindor for your cheek."
Harry didn't speak, but when Snape turned his back, Ron grinned.
When class ended, Ron slapped his hand on his shoulder in the hall. "That was bloody brilliant, mate!"
Harry shrugged. "Getting detention?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "'There's no need to call me 'sir,' Professor.' Like holy fuck I thought Snape's eyes were going to start melting!"
Harry grinned. "It just snuck out."
"I bow to you. You are now my god."
Harry laughed and snuck a look at Hermione. "Hermione doesn't approve."
Ron draped an arm around his girlfriend's shoulders. "Even though he's a git, she still thinks he's a professor."
"No," Hermione said, carefully. "He is a professor and should be shown that respect."
"I get it. I was late for class, but he doesn't always have to be such an arse. I was looking for Theo."
"Theo was in class. On time," Hermione scolded, shaking Ron's arm away.
Harry rolled his eyes, slipping his arm over her shoulders and making her scowl at him instead of her boyfriend. "Well, how was I supposed to know that?"
Hermione looked up from under his arm. "If you'd been to class on time, you would have."
"But then we would have missed that epic moment! Wait until Neville hears what he missed!" Ron exclaimed. "Admit it, you were trying not to laugh."
Hermione's lips twitched. "I will admit no such thing. Now come on, we're going to be late for Charms."
Ron nudged Harry lightly as Hermione headed off in front of them. "There's no need to call me 'sir,' bloody brilliant!"
He was still laughing as they headed up the stairs to Charms and Harry couldn't help but grin back. It had been a pretty good line, he admitted to himself, but he wondered how awful Snape was going to make his detention in retaliation for his cheek. He caught Ron's eye and his friend grinned at him.
Detention was definitely worth it.
~ ASC ~
Crouch moved into the throne room, his eyes on the large snake as she circled the throne where her master sat. Death Eaters were gathered all around the large table, eyes on the Dark Lord and waiting for his word.
"My apologies, my Lord," Crouch said, bowing as he came into the room. "One of the prisoners was being difficult."
"If you're late again, Bart, I will remove a finger."
Crouch nodded and sat between Rabastan and Woodrow.
Woodrow Selwyn leaned over. "Did you see Kata?"
"Her belly is starting to swell," Crouch assured him.
Woodrow looked pleased with this as Voldemort began to talk.
"The unfortunate loss of the Malfoys has been felt by all of us. Abraxas was a loyal man, a good one to have around and it's unfortunate that his son does not have his values. As to his grandson, I want his body found to confirm his death."
"You're sure that he's dead, my Lord?" Bellatrix asked.
Voldemort's red eyes seemed to pierce through her. "His Mark has gone dormant. There is no other explanation for it. The same goes for the young Zabini heir." He turned to look at Bellarosa. "Your son turned out to be quite the blessing, my dear. He will be missed."
Bellarosa nodded, wiping a tear from her eye. "Will you find his body as well, my Lord? I would like to give my son a good burial."
Voldemort nodded. "Yes. I will. Woodrow, Titus Jr, I want the two of you out searching for them. It's been almost a month since the attack in Hogsmeade and yet I've heard no word on them. I want their tracks traced from the moment they headed down into that village. The rest of you will be telling me what you remember from that day and what you don't, I will find for myself within the depths of your minds."
Crouch smiled, his fingers tapping together. "Sounds fun, my Lord."
Voldemort ignored him, his eyes on Bellatrix. "Bella, you've fully healed from the attack by now. Would you be willing to find a disguise and work with Corban and Octavius to try to find out what's happening in the Wizengamot?"
"Yes, my Lord."
Voldemort nodded. "Lucius may have been a failure, but he did help us find out which members of the council we may be able to turn. We're going to find ways to them. All of them. Discover what their true leanings are and figure out where to go from there. The more cracks we can make in the council, the easier we can slither in and grasp control. It needs to come soon as Corban has told us that the rumours are indeed true and Lucius is being held by the DMLE."
"Do you think that he knows what I did to his wife yet?" Crouch asked, his voice almost boyish. "I hope they showed him photos of my work. I made sure I left her laid out special for him."
Voldemort's lips twitched. "Yes, Bart, you did good with her. I hope it teaches Lucius a lesson and it reminds the rest of you what will happen if you would dare to cross me."
"We would never, my lord!" Bellatrix said, reverently. "The Malfoys were weak and foolish! They were a disgrace to your cause!"
"Admittedly, they weren't strong soldiers, no. But it does mean we've lost four more. That is something to be grieved over. Avery, with Brax's death, have you been able to wrangle up the Dementors?" Voldemort asked, his red eyes staring down the man a few seats away from him.
Avery nodded, sitting up in his chair. "I have, my lord. I worked with Brax enough that I understood his methods. They won't be controlled, but are willing to take orders if it allows them to feed. The Ministry starved them for years by keeping them as guards on the North Sea."
"How do the Dementors communicate?" Alecto asked. "Do they speak?"
Avery's eyes found hers across the table. "Yes, but not in a way that you'd enjoy."
Crouch looked pale as he answered. "It's like they can get into your head. It's cold and you can hear their voices in your head, telling you it's going to be all right."
"The hard part is working yourself into communicating with them and not allowing their presence to overpower you. It's not an easy feat and one that Brax had mastered over the years," Avery explained. "He knew how to force them to speak without getting too close, to keep them near and yet far. I don't yet have his skill level, but I can communicate with them, my lord, and they're willing to listen to what you have to say."
"Excellent," Voldemort said. "When it's time, I want them to know that they will be able to feed as much as they wish. I have a few plans for them down the road, but for now, it's about trying to get more information on what's happening inside of the Wizengamot. Yes, Bellarosa?"
"I was hoping to go to my home in Tuscany for a few days, my Lord," Bellarosa Zabini said, her voice like silk. "I know a wizard out there who might be able to help us infiltrate the council. He's quite the charmer in more than one way."
Voldemort nodded, his red eyes gleaming as they looked over her. "You have three days. Take Antonin with you and Emilio. I'm pleased with your new husband's work, but I want Antonin with you. Contact your friend again as well. If she still wants to help me take down Dumbledore, I have plans for her. To those of whom I let marry before the holiday, it's been four weeks. I expect results to start coming in. So far only Woodrow and Castor have shown that their pureblood semen is worth its weight."
No one spoke and Voldemort's lips curved. "Find your new spouses and get yourselves a baby on the way. Go."
They dispersed quickly and Voldemort called Crouch to him.
"I want you to call a meet with Severus. I want to know exactly what that old fool is doing up there at the castle. Severus needs to provide me with more information. He has been lax in that department and I want to know why. I cannot move forward with my plans if he doesn't keep me more informed."
Crouch nodded eagerly. "I'll get word to him, my Lord."
Voldemort touched Crouch's arm. "How are your wives, Bart?"
"Ungrateful," Crouch admitted. "All they do is cry. I've taken to gagging them while I shag them. A silencing charm is just too mundane as I like to hear the sounds they make."
"Good boy," Voldemort said.
Crouch let his eyes drift down. "I've been a very good boy, my Lord. I punished Narcissa for you. I've done all that you ask. May I?"
Voldemort's lips curved. "Set up a meet with Severus and get me some new information. If you do that for me, Bart, I will give you your reward."
Crouch smiled and scurried off, his eyes meeting those of Rodolphous as he did so. The older man was standing in the doorway, his hands at his sides as he waited for Voldemort to acknowledge him. Crouch stayed by the door when he heard Voldemort speak to him, curious.
"Rodolphous, did you need something?"
"Yes, my Lord. I'm sorry to come to you like this, but as you know, my wife has still not yet been able to produce a child."
"Ah, yes, Bella's lack of fertility has been noticed."
"It's not a lack of fertility, my Lord. She gets pregnant easily, but she cannot carry the child past the first three months. As you know, we've lost two more in the last six months."
Voldemort nodded. "What are you proposing, Rodolphous?"
"Zabini was going to marry Isabella, but we've presumed him to be dead. This leaves his potential bride open, does it not?"
Voldemort stared at him. "You wish to take a second wife into your bed?"
"You allowed Crouch to do so, my Lord. He has two young brides in his bed."
"Yes," Voldemort said slowly. "But Crouch is not married to Bella."
Rodolphous nodded. "Bella will be busy with Corban. I can handle my wife, my Lord."
Voldemort looked interested in this before he nodded. "There's a private suite off of my room on the third floor. Come there tonight. Alone."
Rodolphous nodded. "Thank you, my Lord. Thank you."
He hurried out of the throne room through the back door. Crouch made to move but Voldemort's voice stopped him.
"Bart, come in here."
Crouch walked inside slowly.
"Spying, were you?"
"I'm sorry, my Lord."
Voldemort flicked his wand and Crouch fell to his knees as the torture curse ripped through him. He cried out again and again before the curse was lifted. Another flick of the wand and Crouch slid across the stone floor until he was crumpled in a heap at Voldemort's feet. Voldemort reached down to grip his chin, yanking him up to his knees.
"Good boys don't spy."
"I'm sorry, my Lord. It won't happen again."
Voldemort kept his fingers in a vice grip on Crouch's chin as he used his other hand to open his robes, pulling out his flaccid penis. Crouch's eyes widened in glee as Voldemort rubbed the organ against the side of Crouch's face. Crouch's attempts to get it in his mouth were denied.
"Please, my Lord."
Voldemort smacked his face with the flaccid member. "No. You don't deserve this."
He shoved Crouch back onto the floor and covered himself as Crouch whimpered.
"Talk to Severus. And we'll see if you can get yourself back in my good graces. If I catch you spying again, I won't let you play with the prisoners anymore."
"Yes, my Lord. I'm sorry, my Lord."
"Out of my sight," Voldemort sneered.
Crouch stumbled to his feet, his own cock hard as he hurried from the room. He went all the way upstairs to his bedroom where he found Millicent and Hestia talking in bed. Since the Malfoys were now gone, they had vacated the manor. Or the manor had vacated them. No one could gain access to Wiltshire, almost as if it had locked them all out of its own accord. He had since then found a room in Avery Castle. He undressed, stroking himself and saw Hestia's eyes widen in fear. She was always the most afraid of him. He grabbed her first, using his wand to tie them both to the bed, then he spread her legs and shoved himself into her.
She screamed, still struggling, and it fuelled him. He felt himself grow harder as he shagged her, looking for that sweet release he could only get when they fought him. He finished with a roar and climbed off of her.
"I have work to do," he said as he fixed his robes. "I'll be back to shag you later, Millie. Why don't you have Hestia there get you all wet for me?"
"Fuck you," Millicent spat.
Crouch grabbed her face. "Oh, I'm going to," he promised. "And you're going to appreciate me for the husband that I am."
She spit in his face and he slapped her. He tightened the restraints on both of them before he spoke again.
"You'll both learn to obey me soon enough."
Then he stormed out of the room, feeling more angry than before. His wives were going to give him sons and then he was going to enjoy making them pay for speaking to him like that. He licked his lips as he imagined all the ways that he could punish them and his erection strained against his robes.
Oh yes, they were going to become his favourite toys yet.
~ ASC ~
Harry made his way up to Dumbledore's office that evening, wondering what it was that the headmaster would be teaching him. He hadn't had a lesson since the impromptu one at Grimmauld Place the day before Christmas Eve and he found himself feeling a bit anxious. With everything that had been going on as of late, he knew how important these lessons were.
He found Dumbledore sitting behind his desk, scribbling away on some parchment.
"Ah, Harry, do come in."
Harry closed the door behind him and took a seat in front of the headmaster's desk. Dumbledore finished writing for a minute more before he placed his quill in the stand.
"An old mind like mine needs to finish my thoughts or I lose them." He leaned back in his chair, resting his hands on his stomach. "How are you?"
"Fine, Sir."
Dumbledore's blue eyes met his over his half-moon glasses. "Fine is a good place to be. I'm sure by now that you've seen the paper concerning the unfortunate death of Lady Narcissa Malfoy."
"Yes, Sir. I heard people are speculating that Mr Malfoy killed her."
"Gossip is the worst kind of news. I feel it always makes everything brighter and more abhorrent. The darkness is dark enough on its own, we hardly need to shine a light upon it and make it seem worse."
"Do you think that he killed her, Sir?"
Dumbledore twiddled his thumbs as he spoke. "I was already headmaster when Narcissa Black and Lucius Malfoy came through these doors. They were very much in love and Narcissa didn't come back for her seventh year as she married Lucius. Love is, as you know, a very powerful emotion, but love can also blind us to what is in front of us. Lucius has darkness in him — we all do, but how we choose to deal with it is what makes us who we are. But the way that man loved that woman, no, I don't believe that he hurt her."
Harry nodded. "But the Aurors do?"
"The Aurors are speaking to him and doing their job, Harry. Now, as fascinating as Mr Malfoy is, we have other things to discuss. Part of that is what Mr Malfoy has told the Aurors. Kingsley relayed some of it to me, concerning Ministry protocol. It seems that Voldemort is moving up his plan on getting into the Ministry of Magic and he wants to start with the Wizengamot."
Harry frowned. "He wants to join?"
"Oh no, Tom is much too smart for that," Dumbledore assured him. "He knows that the Sovereign Chalice would never accept him. No, it's the members that he plans to get through. He wants to try to get eyes and ears on the inside. We're working on a screening process for members as they arrive in the courtroom."
"What does that have to do with me, Sir?"
"I would like for you to ask Mr Longbottom to attend council meetings once more along with Mr Nott. Theodore has informed me that he plans to attend the council from now on, but I would like to see Mr Longbottom take his seat as well."
"Why?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore tapped the watch on his wrist. "Because they're young men with fresh eyes and fresh ideas and frankly, my boy, we can use as much of that as we can get. They're part of the new generation and we would love to have them on board."
Harry nodded. "I'll speak to Neville, Sir."
"Good," Dumbledore said, standing up. "You can remind him that the next meeting is next Friday afternoon. Now, I would like to start with a new lesson tonight."
Harry stood up as well as Dumbledore moved into the larger part of his office near the door. "What kind of lesson, Sir?"
"A practical one."
Harry waited as Dumbledore adjusted his robes and pulled his wand out.
"Last time we spoke about using spells one already knows, on embellishing them and learning to expand them into offensive and defensive magic. I showed you how my water trick was just an expansion of a few basic spells you already know. Have you practiced it?"
"Er," Harry began, taking out his own wand. "Not really, Sir."
"Well, the holiday did bring you two new babies to dote on so I suppose that we can let it pass this one time," Dumbledore said. "But if I'm going to teach you things, I would like to see you practice them."
"Yes, Sir."
Dumbledore used his wand to gesture at Harry. "Let's go down into the training room."
Harry followed Dumbledore out of his office and down the stairs until they ended up in the large duelling room they normally used for Defence Club. Once the door was locked behind them, Dumbledore gestured with his wand for Harry to get started.
Harry thought back to the spell that Dumbledore had showed him. It had started with a simple water charm mixed with a levitation charm, he remembered. He began to move his wand, concentrating hard as he felt Dumbledore's eyes on him. The water emerged slowly as Harry focused and the water began to circle more quickly, growing bigger and bigger as it sped up. The jet of water spiralled from his wand faster and faster, growing into the whirlpool he wanted.
"Focus on it," Dumbledore guided. "You can make it to do whatever you want it to."
With that in mind, Harry expanded it. The whirlpool vertically dropped, spiralling into a twister and knocking out the training dummies as the tornado whipped through them. By the time it became a hurricane, it was at full power and Dumbledore was nodding enthusiastically. Harry whipped his wand to the left and the hurricane grew exponentially, tearing through the room like a force of nature before Dumbledore raised his wand. A gust of wind so powerful changed the direction of the water and Harry gasped when the storm he'd created suddenly turned on him.
"Ventus!" Harry exclaimed as strong winds slashed through his water. "Tempestas!"
The storm grew and a crack of thunder raked down. Dumbledore zigzagged his wand again and lightning lit up the room, temporarily blinding Harry as it smashed into the ground between them, blackening the stone. Harry jumped back, twirling his wand like the eye of a hurricane and making it grow bigger and bigger.
"Ventus Duo!"
The wind picked up speed, wrapping around the hurricane he'd created and whooshed through Dumbledore's wind. Water knocked the wizard back before he slashed his wand again and lightning once more shot down. His wand froze the lightning in the air and it hit the water. The hurricane lit up in a dazzling white-blue that blinded him for a moment before the storm once more turned upon him.
Harry threw himself to the ground, erecting a shield just in time as the water smashed into his shield.
Dumbledore's lips curved. "And knowing when to take cover is one of the most important things that I can teach you."
Harry jumped to his feet, removing his shield. "You used the lightning with my water. It would have shocked me."
"And yet you didn't let it," Dumbledore said, calmly.
Harry stared, suddenly feeling the heat of such teachings. Dumbledore wouldn't intentionally harm him, he knew that, but he also realized that he wasn't going to hold back either. The headmaster was showing him that when it came down to it, a fight to the end was what he would find himself in.
Harry adjusted his glasses and rolled his shoulders. "Show me how to make the lightning."
Dumbledore smiled. "Let's begin."
~ ASC ~
Ron felt like he was walking on air as the new year swept into place. The holiday had been relaxing, despite the rough start to it, but it didn't stop Ron from smiling. Hermione was his girlfriend and he'd never felt better about anything.
News of the death of Narcissa Malfoy had flooded the school. People were speculating on where Draco was along with the other missing students. Ron knew that Theo was grieving and he knew how much his sister was worried about him. He'd given Theo his condolences after dinner, but he wasn't sure how much the Slytherin wanted to hear them. Having Theo at his home for most of the holiday had definitely helped, but Ron knew that he was still grieving Finn on top of Mrs Malfoy.
He'd bid Harry goodbye after dinner to meet Hermione for patrol. Harry had a lesson with Dumbledore that night and Ginny said that she was working late at the Herald with Colin. Neville had hurried off to work on the new greenhouse that he was helping Hagrid construct as part of his Herbology project and Luna had gone to meet Justin.
It was how Ron found himself walking behind his girlfriend, his eyes on her arse, as they patrolled the halls.
"Will you stop staring at my bum?" Hermione asked, turning to look at him. "Walk next to me and hold my hand like my boyfriend instead of such a prat."
Ron's lips twitched as he took her hand. "You like that I stare at your arse and that I'm your prat."
Her cheeks flushed. "Walk with me."
Ron kissed her hand as they did. "Do you think that we should go check on Theo?"
Hermione shook her head. "No. Ginny already insisted that he hang out in the office of the Herald with her and Colin. She claimed that he wasn't leaving her sight."
"Good," Ron said. "I'm not sure he should really be alone."
"Your family has been so good to him," Hermione said.
Ron shrugged. "He needed us. The poor bloke's been through a lot."
Hermione made a sound of agreement.
They checked a few classrooms as they walked and began the trek up to the Astronomy Tower.
"Anyone saying anything in particular in your rooms?"
"About what?" Hermione asked.
Ron shrugged. "About anything. I mean, you do share a room with Patil."
Hermione sighed. "I think that she's doing okay. Lavender said that she took it hard, but seems to be doing well now. Zabini broke up with her that morning."
Ron's eyebrow rose. "Before he left? Smart move."
"I don't know him well, but from what I do know, he's very intelligent and doesn't go in the direction you'd think. He's… conniving."
Ron nodded. "Kind of the impression I got from Theo as well."
Hermione checked inside of a broom cupboard and found two fourth years snogging. She took away five points from each of them and they scurried off before she turned back to her boyfriend.
"I don't know what I think. A lot is happening right now and it's a little overwhelming sometimes."
He could agree with that. As happy as he felt, he knew how much was going on in the outside world and it sometimes snuck up on them and smacked them across the side of the head.
"Have you been keeping your parents updated?"
Hermione nodded. "Mostly. I've left some things out. I'm starting to worry about them more and more. If Voldemort was sending werewolves out to attack the families of Muggleborns, maybe they won't be safe if they have a witch for a daughter?"
Ron put his arm around her, holding her close to his side. "I'll write to Bill and see if he can check in on them. You know we can do things to protect them, Hermione."
"I know, but it's… they have a practice, Ron. They have jobs and lives and I can't ask them to go into hiding and give it all up."
Ron didn't speak. He understood what she was saying. Greg and Jean Granger had their own lives and since Hermione spent most of the year at Hogwarts, she wasn't as much a part of that life as she used to be. They owned a dentist practice, they travelled, and had their own lives to live. It wasn't like they could stay home and just wait."
"I'll write to Bill and he can go check in on them," Ron repeated. "He might have some ideas."
Hermione squeezed his hand gratefully. "It's like watching someone build dominos and just waiting for them all to tumble down, isn't it?"
"We're stronger than dominos," Ron assured her. "We have other things to focus on; things to remember what we're fighting for. Like Harry, he seems happy with the twins. You didn't get to meet them yet, but they're pretty cute, for little potatoes."
"Ron!"
"What? Babies look weird. Give them another few weeks and it won't be too strange. They'll look more like little humans soon enough. Aydin is cute, but she's starting to look more human and less, you know, like a goblin potato."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Babies hardly look like goblins or potatoes, Ron."
"How do you know? Have you seen many babies in comparison to goblin potatoes?"
"Well, no. I don't actually know anyone who has babies, but I do know that they don't look like potatoes or goblins."
"Oh yeah?" he asked, tugging out his wallet and removing the small photo there. It was a picture of him holding Aydin in front of the Christmas tree. "Goblin potato!"
Hermione's lips twitched. "She's adorable and look at you, smiling in that photo."
Ron shrugged. "She's my niece, of course she's going to be adorable! But the red fuzz on the top of her head and the little weird face makes her look like a goblin potato. I'm not saying that she won't grow out of it or anything. I mean, from what I've seen she's already looking more like a person."
Hermione gave him an exasperated look. "There's no such thing as a goblin potato, Ron!"
"Oh yeah?" Ron shot back. "Then what do you call those weird spuds with the fuzz on them?"
"Expired."
"Swot," he muttered, laughing when she elbowed him in the ribs. "Ouch!"
Ron's lips twitched and she moved out of his arms, holding his hand as they walked companionably down the hall.
"Have you talked to your parents?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Don't even get me started! I get the whole wanting to be better-connected deal, but Mum mirror calls me every bloody day! We haven't even been back at Hogwarts a week!"
Hermione chuckled. "The novelty will wear off, I promise. I talk to my parents once a week now as opposed to every night."
"Thank Merlin," Ron muttered. "She's already driving me bonkers. But every time she calls, she holds the mirror over Aydin. Apparently Charlie's house is charming and a real delight. He's taking care of himself and his daughter."
"I think seeing his house is good for your parents. It must be so hard on them knowing he's moved so far away."
"It is," Ron told her. "But considering that Charlie loves to work with dragons, they understand. Devon doesn't exactly have a dragon reserve down the street."
"Well, that's true. The Village of Blue Fire is known to be one of the better reserves in the world," Hermione said. "I heard they have magizoologists and dragonologists who come and go from all over the world there. Charlie is one of them. He — what are you doing?" Hermione said as her back hit the stone wall on the winding staircase. Ron stood three steps below her making her almost eye level with him.
Ron's hands gripped her bum, moving up the steps to press himself against her as he bent his head to nip at her mouth. "Thinking about other things."
"We were talking," Hermione scolded. "You can't just snog me whenever you want!"
"Sure, I can," he said, kissing her softly. Once. Twice. Three times. He pulled away, his blue eyes twinkling at her. "What were you saying?"
Hermione linked her arms around his neck. "About how you should definitely snog me whenever you want."
Ron's lips curved. "Good answer."
Hermione tugged him closer. "I always know the right answer."
Ron chuckled as her lips covered his. "Five points to Gryffindor, Miss Granger."
Hermione smacked his arm and deepened the kiss just as the sound of vibrating interrupted them.
"Bet I know who this is," Ron muttered as he tugged the mirror from his pocket and saw his mum's smiling face.
What Ron liked most about the mirrors was that unless he answered it himself, the person trying to reach him couldn't communicate. It was an extra safety precaution put on them that only those who were connected to his mirror were able to communicate through it any capacity. If a stranger found it, they would feel it vibrate, but would have no way of connecting through the mirror.
"Hi, Mum."
"Ronald, why are you in the halls? It's almost curfew."
"Prefect, Mum," Ron said. "Hermione and I are patrolling the halls."
"Oh, hi, Hermione, dear!" Mrs Weasley exclaimed brightly from the mirror.
"Hi, Mrs Weasley," Hermione said when Ron turned the mirror to look at her. "How's Romania?"
"Lovely!" Mrs Weasley gushed. "Oh, Charlie's home is so sweet! It reminds me of the Burrow and little Aydin is just a darling."
The mirror was suddenly full of Aydin's face and Ron nudged her with his arm mouthing the words "goblin potato." Hermione stepped on his toe and he winced.
"She's beautiful, Mrs Weasley," Hermione said.
Ron turned the mirror back to himself. "Mum, Hermione and I have to finish our patrol."
"Yes, of course, dear," Mrs Weasley said. "Say bye bye to Uncle Ron, Aydin."
"Bye, Aydin. Bye, Mum."
He shook his head as he tucked his mirror into his pocket. "Mental, I swear."
Hermione stood on her toes, linking her arms around his neck. "I think we have to get back to our patrolling."
Ron's hands slid down to grip her arse. "Right, patrolling, definitely."
Then his lips met hers and he thought that this new year definitely had its perks.
~ ASC ~
Voldemort was going over the published article on mind control. He found it fascinating how the author wrote about how there were some people who had minds considered to be too strong to be controlled through an Unforgivable. The article said that there were other ways to break into one's subconscious and to take their control away from them without using the Imperius Curse. He found it intriguing. He'd been studying it excessively for the last week, memorizing every single detail, but he wanted to know more.
The author wrote that this kind of dark magic was about getting into the anatomy of one's brain. He spoke about the difference between the right and left brain and how the back of the brain, the cerebellum, controlled the physical movement of one's body. The outer part of the brain, otherwise called the cerebrum, was what controlled one's thoughts and drives. The article explained how when the Imperius was cast, it reflected upon both of these sections like a shock that froze them and allowed for someone to implant their own thoughts inside while the brain was frozen. Some people were able to push those thoughts out, shake off the shock, and fight for control no matter how hard the witch or wizard might be working against them.
Dragomir claimed that there were certain ways to get past that. He wrote that if someone truly wanted to take control over another person, it was about more than simply casting an Unforgivable; it was about breaking their body, mind, and soul. It was about pilfering power and control from them in every aspect. He wrote that this kind of dark magic was ancient and forgotten; the worst sort of darkness one could call upon. He listed those who had been charged with this crime throughout history and the damage that they had managed to inflict upon others by calling up this kind of magic.
Waleran the Wicked was especially known for this.
With his invention of many unpleasant jinxes and hexes, he had even caused a powerful witch named Gunnora the Gracious to fall into irreparable madness. Gunnora the Gracious, known to use her powers for good, giving up all material things to help those in need and spending her life fighting the dark arts, lost all sense of control over herself. After being kidnapped by Waleran the Wicked, she was forced to spend the rest of her life screaming or rocking in horrified silence, locked away in a cell, unable to find herself whole again. Waleran claimed that he'd never once used an Unforgivable on her, but only that he challenged her for control and power.
Voldemort looked up from his notes at the knock on the door to his chambers. A glance at the clock told him that it was just after midnight. He called out for the person to enter and Bellatrix pranced through the door wearing a black negligee that left nothing to the imagination.
"My Lord, you wished to see me?" she asked, running her hand provocatively up her thigh.
"Sit down, Bella."
She did and stared at him reverently.
"You've still been unable to conceive a child."
Her expression sobered. "I've tried, my Lord!"
"Yes," he agreed, his eyes on her. "Yet it doesn't seem to be happening for you. Whether that's because of your age or whether something is wrong within you, it's not happening, and I think that it's time to move on and do more important things. You're a talented witch, Bella, and you've always been my favourite. I could use you for other things."
"My Lord, perhaps if you were to help me —"
"No," Voldemort interrupted. "But Rodolphous doesn't need to be punished as well. It's not his fault that you cannot carry his child to term. Therefore, as we speak, he is taking Isabella Shafiq to his bed. He took her as his second wife about an hour ago."
"No!" Bellatrix exclaimed. "I didn't tell him that he could do that! I am his wife! Not that stupid little whore!"
"She is also now Mrs Lestrange and you will give her that respect, Bella."
Bellatrix looked like she wanted to anything but. "My Lord, as his wife, I am entitled to —"
"—A wife unable to give him a child," Voldemort said. "Therefore, he has the right to take another. And you will allow it and her into your life as well as your husband's. Do you understand?"
Bellatrix looked like she wanted to argue, but she didn't say a word.
"I know that you don't agree with me, but trust me when I say that it's for the best. And don't worry, once she conceives and gives you both the child you crave, I'm sure you can find a place for her."
Bellatrix smiled, her eyes lighting in glee. "Whatever I'd like with her, my Lord?"
"Whatever you'd like, Bella. In the meantime, I have things for you to help me with. Now, you may return to your rooms."
Bellatrix bowed before leaving, closing the door behind her. Voldemort merely turned back to the papers he was reading in interest. He had a few questions for the author of the thesis concerning dark magic. Now he just needed to figure out who he could dragoon into taking a little trip to Eastern Europe to find his answers.
He had a feeling that Dragomir knew a lot more than he had revealed in his paper and Voldemort was more than interested in discovering those answers for himself.
~ ASC ~
Harry spent the first twelve hours of his Saturday in detention with Snape. He'd arrived at Snape's office a few minutes before seven that morning as requested due to his outburst earlier that week in Potions. Snape had immediately ordered him to get scrubbing the Potions classroom down the hall. He'd cleaned every cauldron, every desk, every chair, every surface until they were gleaming and all without magic. Then he had cleaned every jar and shelf in the potions storage cupboard until they sparkled. Every once in a while Snape would make a snide comment about how Sirius had probably never made Harry work a day in his life. Or a comment about how Harry's cheek was going to get him in trouble one day. Harry did his best to ignore him, not wanting to give Snape the satisfaction of knowing it was getting to him, but he'd cracked at lunch.
Harry had just finished his sandwich that the elves had brought him (Snape had denied him lunch in the Great Hall) when Snape made a snide comment about how if he truly cared about the Potter legacy, he would pay more attention in Potions. He said that just because Sirius had handed everything to him on a golden spoon didn't mean he could slack off. How someone from a so-called Potions-skilled family should be ashamed that he couldn't even brew a decent healing potion let alone something complicated enough for the Auror Academy.
"If you want to be an Auror, Potter, you better step it up. No one is going to let you have that pathetic life you want if you can't even make a blood-replenishing potion."
Harry snapped. "You're just jealous"
"What did you just say to me?" Snape demanded.
"You heard me," Harry said. "I don't have a pathetic life, Sir, but you, what are you doing with yours? Pretending to play both sides, watching people die like you let Voldemort kill my parents!"
"Do not speak his name!"
"Do you even care that he killed my mum and dad?" Harry demanded, his voice rising. "Do you even care that Theo lost the only mum he's ever known? That he lost Finn? Some head of house, you can't even show sympathy to someone in need."
"Shut your mouth, Potter!"
"No!" Harry shouted. "You sit there pretending to be holier than thou and you're just as bad as Voldemort! You let him marry off children! You gave them lust potions so that they could be forced to breed! You let him do what he wants!"
"If you knew half of the stuff I knew it would make your toes curl!" Snape exclaimed. "Do you think that being a spy is easy? You have to make them believe that you're on their side, Potter, and sometimes that means doing something that one doesn't like. It requires sacrifices to be made!"
"Yeah, like you sacrificed my mother."
"Shut your mouth!"
"As long as it's not you making the sacrifice, you don't care."
If the vein in Snape's forehead pulsed anymore, Harry thought it would burst.
"Fifty points from Gryffindor and detention every Saturday for the next two months!" Snape declared before he slammed the door behind him so hard that Harry had to hold the shelf study to prevent any of the shaking ingredients from crashing to the floor.
Harry didn't feel any better after his outburst. He continued to clean the potions storage shelves, shelf by shelf. He had just moved to the last row on the top (sixty shelves high) and stood on the tall stair ladder when Slughorn poked his head in.
"Severus? Ah, Harry, my boy, how are you?"
"In detention."
"Ah, well sometimes one must do our best to behave, but tonight you can let it all out!"
"Er, right," Harry said. "Are you looking for Snape?"
"Yes, I was hoping to borrow a few ingredients."
"I think he went back to his office."
"Good, good! See you tonight, Harry!"
Harry spent another two hours cleaning until he finished and Snape let him go, taking another ten points from Gryffindor because Harry had taken too long to clean everything. He'd gone up to his dorm to shower as he swore that even his skin smelt like the dust he'd cleaned off, before he'd changed into dress robes and hoped Slughorn would be providing food at the party as Snape had made him miss dinner.
After finding Ginny waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs in a long-sleeved sparkly black backless dress, he decided food could wait. He ran his fingers over her naked back.
"You're wearing those rose buds again, aren't you?"
Ginny's long red hair tumbled over her shoulders and down her back in careless waves, a braid pulling her hair away from her face. "Harry, this dress clearly doesn't have room for a bra."
His eyes took in the high neck as his fingers danced under her hair over her naked back. "You look incredible."
"Thank you. Fleur helped me pick it out."
"Remind me to tell Fleur that she has impeccable taste," Harry said, kissing her.
"You'll smudge my lipstick," Ginny said, pulling away and taking his hand.
Harry rolled his eyes, but took in the bright red she wore on her lips. He wasn't sure what trick she'd done to her eyes, but she looked fantastic. "I'm okay with that."
The dangling g necklace that Harry had bought her hung over the black dress and he noticed she wore tiny sparkly studs in her ears with her usual assortment of hoops. She wore black heels with a red heel.
"You look bloody amazing."
Ginny's lips curved. "When my feet hurt later you'll have to carry me."
"Deal," Harry said, kissing her again. "Why do you wear shoes that hurt your feet?"
Ginny held out her heel, giving him an eyeful of her toned calf as it slipped from the slit in her dress. "How do they look?"
"Makes your legs look even more fantastic than usual."
Ginny smiled. "That's why I wear heels."
Harry hadn't said another word as they headed down to Slughorn's party, his eyes on how incredible Ginny looked walking next him. Despite it being the end of the third week of January, Slughorn had decked out the dungeon in celebration to welcome in the new year of 1997 in earnest. Harry had to admit, as much as he hadn't really wanted to come, it did look grand. Everything was decorated in gold from floating golden lights in hanging potion vials, to shimmering golden faberge holders for the food, to gold specked crystal champagne flutes. It was exactly the kind of over the top party that Harry had suspected it would be.
Ginny squeezed his wrist in assurance. "It will be fun."
Harry wasn't so sure about that. It wasn't that he wasn't interested in attending a party, or getting a chance to dance with Ginny, it was more of how Slughorn was always chatting him up.
He didn't mind at first. The old man was clearly harmless and liked to be known as a friend to the big shots. It was how he portrayed Harry to those friends of his that made him feel a bit uncomfortable. Slughorn was always telling people that he taught Harry Potter or telling Harry that he named dropped him to Mrs Big Shot Healer or to Mr Famous Broomstick Inventor or to Mr Amazing Auror. Four times over the last week Slughorn had stopped him in the hall to tell him about some special guest he had invited who couldn't wait to meet him.
That's what unnerved him.
After eyeing the decorations, Harry looked around to see who else he recognized. Slughorn had invited a decent amount of students, but most were older and obvious guests who he'd wanted to attend. Harry recognized Theo by the far side drinking champagne as he talked to an older man that Harry didn't recognize.
Ron and Hermione were dancing on the other side of the room as The Charmers performed live on a stage. Slughorn definitely didn't slouch in the entertainment department. Anthony Goldstein and Mandy were dancing nearby and Harry saw Cormac McLaggen talking to the Head Girl, Ella Wilkins.
Katie Bell made her way over to them with a smile, holding the hand of her own boyfriend, Andrew Graham. "Hi, you two! Ginny, I love your dress!"
"Thank you," Ginny said. "You look beautiful yourself, Katie."
Katie was wearing a sleek silver dress with spaghetti straps and a scooped neckline. "Thank you. We missed you at practice today, Harry. How bad was your detention?"
"Joyous."
Katie chuckled. "Ron told us what you said. I think you're lucky Snape didn't murder you on the spot."
"I think I am, too," he admitted.
"'There's no need to call me 'sir, Professor,' will be a story passed down," Andrew said. "When Katie told me, I choked on my pumpkin juice. I can't believe you said that to Snape, mate! Good on you!"
Harry shrugged. "Like I said, it just kind of slipped out. How was practice, Katie?"
"Good," she told him. "Ginny ran the workout and Ron pretty much ran the practice. The team is still in good shape. Ginny's almost as tough as you."
Harry laughed. "She learned from the best."
"Other way around, I assure you," Ginny said, making Katie grin.
They exchanged a bit more small talk before moving through the crowd.
Harry still wasn't sure what he thought about the party, but he did have to admit, Slughorn had definitely invited some high end people. He was introduced to one of the head healers at St Mungo's, someone named Belby who invented the Wolfsbane Potion, a man who flew his broom to the moon and back, and to his delight, a few professional Quidditch players. The sight of Lexie Longhorn wearing a skimpy red dress made him drool a little as he tried not to swallow his tongue when he spoke to her.
"Close your mouth, Harry," Ginny teased. "It's not polite to drool." Harry was about to make a comment when Ginny grabbed his arm. "Oh Merlin! Harry! Harry, it's Gwenog Jones! She's really here!"
"Now who's drooling," he said, making her laugh.
"I mean, I know that I told you that I hoped she would be here, but I never really… do you think Slughorn would introduce me?"
Harry nodded. "We don't need Slughorn. We're at the same party and we can say hi."
Ginny squeezed his arm. "We can't just go say hi!"
"Why not?"
"Because that's Gwenog bloody Jones! She's a legend, Harry!"
"Gwenog!" Slughorn exclaimed jollily from across the room. "So happy you made it this year!"
"Hello, Horace," Gwenog Jones said, sipping champagne from the flute in her hand. "Lovely party, as always."
"Thank you, thank you. This year I have a very special guest of honour," Slughorn's eyes roamed the room before they landed on Harry and he eagerly waved them over. "Gwenog, I'd love for you to meet Harry Potter!"
"Mr Potter, it's a pleasure to meet you," Gwenog said, her eyes taking him in as he and Ginny approached.
"You too, Miss Jones. My girlfriend and I are big fans."
Ginny extended her hand. "Ginny Weasley, Miss Jones."
Gwenog's eyebrow rose. "The Gryffindor Chaser. I know who you are."
"You do?" Ginny asked, her voice a bit higher than normal.
"It's my business to know," Gwenog said. "You have one hell of an arm and you're quite the impressive flier. Have you been training with a professional?"
Ginny shook her head. "No, ma'am. My brothers told me that I couldn't play Quidditch with them because I was a girl so I used to sneak out at night and practice on their broomsticks since I was seven."
Gwenog laughed. "Now that's the kind of initiative I love to see!"
Ginny beamed at her.
"She's a decent Seeker, too," Harry said. "But no one is a better Chaser."
Gwenog nodded. "How old are you?"
"Fifteen."
"Well, keep up the good work and we'll talk more next year. I start scouting and recruiting at sixteen."
Ginny's eyes widened. "Wow. Thank you!"
Gwenog nodded again before she excused herself. Slughorn turned to them, a big grin on his face as Ginny's fingers dug into Harry's arm in excitement.
"Harry, my boy! These parties are such fun and I'm so happy you made it! Come, I'd like for you to meet a friend of mine, an Auror from America!"
Harry looked down into Ginny's excited eyes and sighed. If coming to one of Slughorn's parties could make Ginny look like this, he'd let the old man drag him around to meet anyone he wanted. Especially when it involved his girlfriend dressing up in an outfit like the one she was wearing.
He wondered how long they had to stay before he could convince her to show him the rose buds again. He definitely couldn't wait to get his hands on those.
End Author's Notes:
I do not own the iconic Harry line, that belongs to JKR. I hope I did it justice in this scene as I desperately wanted to find a way to add it in.
Spell I invented was Tempestas.
(Latin) Tempestas = storm
As to Voldemort's research, I made up Waleran the Wicked and Gunnora the Gracious. Also, points to anyone who remembers who Draogmir is.
Thanks for reading and please review!