A Second Chance

by Breanie

Part 2 Kismet Trilogy: What if Sirius didn't spend twelve years in prison but was given a trial after 4 years? Follow the story of Sirius Black as he learns what it means to be a father/brother/guardian & the story of Harry Potter, a young boy with a loving home who learns about the Marauders from the two men who should have raised him. Slow-burn Hinny. M for sex & violence.

331. The One With Muggle Airplanes

Author's Note:

I just wanted to say that reviews are what make fanfic authors want to share our work. We do this for free. No one pays us. We write for ourselves and we choose to share it with the world. Reviews are what fuel us. Reviews are what bring us joy. Reviews are what tell us that something made people happy or sad or angry or all three. Reviews are the thing that tells us our stories are worth sharing and not keeping to ourselves. They can be long and amazingly detailed. They can be short and sweet. Even a review like the infamous scrappy8 leaves "great chapter" can bring a smile to an author's face. Even just leaving the word "kudos again" when Ao3 won't let you click it a second time can make an author smile. It doesn't have to be much, but please, drop a review to the stories you love and show your appreciation for fanfic authors because without it, we wither away and stop posting because we become defeated and saddened. As a huge fan of Seriously Sam's story Legerdemain, I am devastated by her lack of wanting to continue the story due to the lack of response she's been getting. I don't want to see my favourite authors lose interest in doing something they are so amazing at and I hope that my readers don't want to see me do the same.

If you love something, please let the author know.

Show us that you care and that show us that you appreciate what we do. I know I sure as hell appreciate every single person who takes the time to leave me a review or comment, no matter how big or small.

Thank you!

Reviews and Comments: To SwordBot7000: This fic is closed to being finished. Harry is currently in seventh year and as to writing, I am almost done. I think posting wise, ASC will probably go until the end of this year to cover what I want to cover and then Third Time's the Charm will start in 2023 (at least that's the plan). Thank you! To darkhk: Finally? Were you waiting that long for Theobas lol? Thank you! To HardierGnome: Thank you! To ascfan: Theo and Sebastian are very cute, I agree! Yes, Harry winding Ginny up was definitely fun for him, Ginny didn't agree so much lol. I love Theo having no filter! We'll see more of Crouch soon! Of course Ron accepted Hermione's scar! But it was important for them to have that chat! Aww, thanks for re-reading! Sorry to make you cry again though! Thank you! To the Mandalorian terminator: I think Ron breaking through to Hermione is exactly what she needed to start the healing process. I think the future girl's night is pretty fun, you can let me know when you read it lol. I liked the idea of Ollivander standing up to Voldemort. Thanks for enjoying Voldemort's POV, it's fun to delve into his mind sometimes. Thank you!

To Driftwood: I have been enjoying your reviews so thank you so much for them! Thank you for saying that my "character depth, the intricacy given to the magic, building of suspense is phenomenal." That means a lot! Honestly, anything by SeriouslySam, pottermum, thedistantdusk, or celtics534 are my top favourite authors but I also recommend LegendDairy, deadwoodpecker, velvethope (for AUs), and of course elizablue and her Tea Time Series. Thanks for saying that Theo and Bas were worth the wait and omg, "for someone that's pretty meh about dick, I was not expecting it to be that exciting and steamy" — this is the best compliment so thank you! I can also relate to Theo when it comes to if you see me running, something bad is chasing me LOL. I know Ron kind of approached Hermione a little too aggressively, but I think she needed it. I sent it to Dusk while I was writing it for feedback and she agreed that it was the kind of push she needed to speak. Hogwarts should definitely have a mind healer on the staff! I think they will be adding one soon! Yes, Ginny does finally have an annoying things about Harry topic lol and yes, Harry was so naughty doing that! I don't think he thought he'd get away with it so much as he couldn't resist. I love Theo oversharing! Thanks for saying that was the perfect chapter to start off Pride month! There is some more Lavender and Padma coming up, yes. I'm just not as invested in them as I am in Theobas lol. I love that I've made you feel sorry for Snape. Yes, Voldemort doesn't realize he had the Elder Wand — going to be a bit of a nasty shock for him when he finds out 😉. As to Gregoravitch, I have plans, don't you worry! Thank you very much for that essay!

To alix33: I love wine! Glad Harry's sass could make you laugh, I'm quite proud of that line! Thank you! To EnigmaticEmperor: I figured Theo and Bas had enough interruptions the first time lol. Thanks for loving the Romione talk (Romione doesn't get enough love in my opinion). I think Ron was exactly who she needed to talk to. Yes, Harry found Luna's drawing! I love Theo oversharing and I love him just going on and Harry is all awkward, but I'm so proud of my sassy Harry line! I love writing sadistic Crouch, he disturbs me so much! Yes, it was meant for Rossi. Thank you! To Cassiopeia Anastasia Black: Thanks for saying the wait for Theobas was worth it! Hermione is full of fears and insecurities and she needed Ron to help give her the push. As to Ollivander being rescued, we will see! Thank you! To CherrySara: Yes, as I said, I have a lot of Theobas storyline coming up. Bas is very caring and definitely wanted Theo to be comfortable. I'm glad you enjoyed Bas' reaction to Theo leaning against the table! Thank you for saying the Romione moment showed how good they are for each other. I like writing Theo and Harry as being friends. Crouch can definitely get more disgusting. Thank you! To Zarathos Morgenstern: Voldemort is definitely in for a surprise! Thank you! To scrappy8: Thanks for being glad for Theo and yes, Harry was a bad boy lol. Thank you! To MissKaylee: Thank you! Theo already knows that Sebastian is only at the Ministry temporarily. He works in Londonderry otherwise. Yes, Harry told Ginny everything. Thank you!

To NikkiWeasleyPotter: I'm glad the title stumped you! I like to surprise people! As to Rossi, we will see! I'm glad you thought the Theobas scene was so steamy you needed a cold shower and yes, I love Theo just bombarding Harry with details lol. Things are coming, but lots of other good stuff too! Thank you! To Derpdude32: I don't think Snape wants to be rescued so much at this point, but we'll see. Thank you! To Nuno Neves: Thank you for saying that Theobas are so wonderful and perfect. I'm glad you agree that Ron is an amazing boyfriend and exactly who Hermione needs. I love Harry and Ginny teasing each other like that! Yes, Voldemort is on an interesting path now. Thank you! To ellyann13: I think Ron's words will help Hermione. I love Harry rendering Theo speechless, even if only for a moment. Thank you! To pix25: Harry definitely is! Thank you! To Mutt N Feathers: Thank you! To puttyman24: Thanks for saying you're happy about Ron and Hermione's chat. Feeling bad for Snape? He definitely is suffering. Thank you!

To wolfjinx15475: I love that you took notes to leave a review! That's so sweet! I love that you know all of my tumblr snippets by heart and that you don't think it ruins the excitement of me posting. I do like to try to spoon-feed just the right amount! I like writing Theobas as "soft and emotional on one hand and pure lust on the other." They are getting to know each other and now they are getting to know each other intimately. Ron definitely has a heart of gold and a zero-bullshit policy when it comes to the people he loves. I think you're right, Harry and Theo have really grown to love and care for each other as good friends. Rossi is definitely getting in much deeper, we'll have to see what happens next! Thank you! To Wolf's scream: I think Gregorovitch will indeed raise more questions than answers. Thank you! To Guest: Thank you so much! I love that you wish my Theo was canon, he really is the best. Yes, Voldemort is going to be very pissed lol. Thank you!

To Gigi87: Thank you so much for saying my action scenes are amazing (I really do struggle and antagonize over them). Thanks for saying the Theobas smut was hot and yes, another interruption would have been hilarious, I did consider it LOL. There are a lot of similarities between Bas and Harry, some were intentional, some were not. I think Ron did need to go about it the way he did to get Hermione to talk, he knows her too well. I'm glad that Harry and Ginny's scene had you laughing and yes, he did leave her hanging! I love Theo oversharing and Harry's complete awkwardness. Thanks for loving my Harry sass! Seriously, I'm so proud of that line! Crouch is very messed up and twisted and if I'm honest, it's what I like about his character. Sometimes I don't know where I come up with it. Crime shows mostly. I love Criminal Minds, Bones, and CSI so maybe it influences! I love Ollivander trying to be unfazed by what Voldemort is doing, calling him Riddle and telling him to call him Mr Ollivander. He's a brave man. I think Voldemort will not be happy at all when he finds out his answers. Yes, Voldemort refusing to believe that Harry is powerful is a typical male trait lol — blaming other things. Thank you so much for an amazing review as usual!

To Mary: Thank you very much! To AQuickRead91: Yes, sexy, but not all of it lol. I definitely get the icky feeling writing about Crouch. Umbridge and Lockhart are around and yes, we will find out about them soon. Sorry to hear you have the flu, get better soon! Thank you! To BadWolfKris: Thank you! To briana_t: Thank you! Harry definitely appreciates his invisibility cloak, especially for moments like this lol. Aww, sorry the Romione scene made you cry, but I'm glad they were happy tears! Everyone needs a Ron! Thank you! To LadyRava: Thank you! To shuweet: Thank you! Theo and Bas are not ready for the "I love you" bit, much too soon! I know, Harry was a bit evil to Ginny lol. Thank you! To ravenclaw_rockchick: Ha, sorry the happy smut is reminding you of being single lol. Wow, I put Theo and Bas above Hinny for you (that is pretty impressive). I love Theo not knowing how to cook anything, he is very dependent on his house elves. I'm glad that Theo and Harry's sex conversations will forever make you laugh. Crouch is all of those things and more and thank you for enjoying his scenes just to find out what comes next! Thank you!

To katelyn453: Thank you! Glad the title made you laugh! To AnaGPotter: Thanks for saying that chapter made you need a cold shower! I love knowing Hinny in the library and Ron's birthday were priceless! I'm so proud of my Harry sass! Dark times are coming, but still lots of good too! Thank you! To marauders_mowopapr: Thanks for the holy smut! Yes, I thought it was a twist to have Voldemort not even be aware he possessed the Elder Wand. Mantegna's test will be how he handles himself in Germany so we'll see. Thank you!

To Bellmel: Yes, this begins the Theobas smuttiness lol. I think they were not only impatient in wanting each other, but to get to it before they are interrupted — again! LOL. Thank you for saying the Theobas scenes have "such a magical blend of sexiness and sweetness and genuine care and honesty, and respect for each other… both equally as invested in this relationship." Thanks for loving my Bas one-liners: "I also loved how many more hot Bas one liners made their way into this scene - 'I'm going to fuck you, I can promise you that,' and 'I want you to get used to how full you feel, because this is only the beginning,' and 'I planned on doing lots of that today.,' and that whole thing about wanting to fuck him so good he's going to ruin him for any other man. This man is so bloody smooth (but in an adorable kind of way, not a sleazy cocky way), but I swear it seems like he's not even trying to be, he's just so damn smitten with his man." — he really is! Harry did get sneaky and yes, he does have some nerve! He is definitely the only man who isn't afraid of her lol. Yes, having to listen to Theo overshare was his penance for torturing poor Ginny lol. Harry definitely had no idea what to do with that information lol. Thanks for loving the Romione and Ron kissing her scar. They did finally open up about it to each other and I think it was what they both needed. Sorry to ruin the pleasant scenes with Snape, but it was needed. Yes, I know you adore Theo and Bas and I adore you for your love of them! Thank you very much for such an amazing review!

My posting schedule: Weekly.

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!

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CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-ONE:

The One With Muggle Airplanes

Zee came home from work that evening, smiling widely when her babies ran to her. She scooped them up into her arms, covering them in kisses. When they toddled off to greet Lady Godiva, who only stared at them cooly before lying down and letting them crawl all over her, Zee moved to kiss her mother's cheek.

"Thank you, Mama."

Sorcha smiled. "Oh, it's such a hardship to play with these two angels all day."

"I bet, but I also know that they can be a bit of a handful."

Sorcha waved her off. "Colt and Flo were here this afternoon so I had lots of help."

"Oh, good," Zee said, taking a seat on the sofa. "How are they doing? They haven't said much about having moved to England."

"They're doing good. Flo loves your little cottage. I'm glad because once Misha and I found that flat we liked in Exeter, we were anxious to get out of there. I adore Colt and Flo, don't get me wrong, but living with your mother's parents is more than I need in my life."

Zee chuckled. "I can imagine. Well, I love that you and Papa are close by and Grandma and Grandpa."

"I love being back in the United Kingdom," Sorcha admitted. "I love Russia and I really loved raising you there, but being here… it's always been my home. I miss seeing my great-nieces and nephews and of course, popping in for tea with Ivan and Anya, but my family is here. It's easier to write here. I admit, I'm considering writing a piece on Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini. Visiting them two or three times a week to check up on the babies and help out… it makes me want to write a piece on them and everything that they've endured. Those boys saved a lot of kids by opening up their home."

"They did," Zee agreed. "Considering who their family is and how they grew up, I admire them. They've made some bad choices along the way, but they're on the right path now."

Sorcha nodded. "They are. Misha is loving his new job. He's always taken a shining to teaching, your papa. He's running a small domestic unit as well. He tells me that he's the handler which means that he will be in the field occasionally. I can't say I'm surprised. That man behind a desk five days a week wasn't going to last long."

Zee chuckled. "The MIA is a really good job for him. I think he's excited to see Harry end up in the boot camp this summer."

"Aye," Sorcha said. "He really is. Has he heard any word yet?"

Zee shook her head. "No. Letters aren't sent out until May. Early acceptance often comes in April, but even that is sometimes not until the first week of May. He has a bit more to worry about right now."

"Aye, he does," Sorcha said. "How was work for you today?"

"Good," Zee said. "Really good. Rolf introduced me to the Canadian magizoologists he asked to come to England. I only met Ouellette today as the rest are coming in over the next week, but I really like the ideas that they are throwing our way. I've set them up to work with the Wing Guards as well as the Terra Troops. I'm going to speak to Kingsley tomorrow about maybe having one or two of them in the Spook Squad. This battle is coming, Mama. I can feel it and when it does, I want to make sure that I have everything lined up in a row."

Sorcha smiled. "You will, mo ghràdh. I know you will."

"I met Smith over lunch today in my office and updated my will."

"Zahira," Sorcha said. "I won't hear of such things."

"Mama… I have to be prepared. It's not just me anymore and if something is to happen to me, I want to make sure that my babies are cared for."

"And do you think your papa and I will let them starve?" Sorcha demanded.

Zee's eyes softened. "Of course not. But having everything in writing makes it easier for you to have custody."

Sorcha nodded. "That is true."

"Ian, Mila, Remus, and Tonks are godparents to Mina and Leo and I know that Ian would take them in and raise them in a heartbeat, as would Remus and Tonks, but you and Papa would be better, don't you think? As there's two of you and Remus and Tonks will have their own baby?"

"Yes, mo ghràdh. I do think," Sorcha agreed. "And Minerva?"

"I put her as having shared custody with you and Papa. Being headmistress of a school like Hogwarts doesn't give her the time to raise two babies, but I want her to be in their lives. She's the only maternal figure in Sirius' life who is still alive and Mina and Leo love her so much. And Harry… he's only going to be eighteen and he's going to be a godfather next month when Tonks and Remus have their son. He has enough on his plate. And you know I asked Mila to stand for my babies. She was always like a sister to me, but she lives in Moscow and… I know that she has her two daughters to raise and the last thing I would want would be to send my babies to Moscow and be away from Harry. Nor do I want to separate them."

Sorcha nodded. "I understand, mo nighean. Nastasia is going to be eleven in May, you know."

"I know," Zee said. "I can't believe it. And sweet little Dinara is going to be nine. Do you remember the first time that she met Sirius? How she just crawled right up into his lap and talked his ear off? He was enchanted by her. It was that moment that I knew I wanted to have his children. I wanted to have a family with him."

Sorcha smiled. "You made beautiful children between you. He would have been so proud to see how well they're doing."

"I like to think so," Zee agreed. "We didn't really talk about it, you know. We kind of mentioned it once or twice in passing, this idea of maybe getting married some day and having a family. Then when he proposed — when he and Harry proposed — I certainly didn't expect to get up the duff only a few weeks later."

Sorcha chuckled. "You are an amazing mama. The love that you have for Harry, the way you've helped shape him into the wonderful man he is today, Mina and Leo are very lucky. Now, of course your papa and I will raise them if something horrible happens, but it won't. I can't have them losing both of their parents before they get to know them, da?"

Zee's lips curved. "I love you, Mama."

"I love you, too," Sorcha said, hugging her and kissing her cheek. "Now, let's stop talking of this sadness. I need to get home and work on this idea for my article and get some dinner started for your father. That man is an angry bear when he comes home until he eats. You'd think I starve him."

Zee chuckled. "Give him a kiss for me."

"Of course," she said, standing up. She kissed her on the cheek and then picked up Mina and Leo to kiss them goodbye. "Have a good night, Zahira. I'll be back in the morning at eight."

"Goodnight, Mama."

When Sorcha left, Zee made her way into the kitchen to find something to make for dinner. She turned to see Padfoot sniffing at her and she smiled.

"Go keep an eye on Mina and Leo and I'll give you a treat with dinner."

Padfoot's eyes brightened before he sauntered off to keep an eye on the twins and Zee thought that no matter what happened, she knew her babies would be safe.

That was really all that mattered.

~ ASC ~

"Lupin!"

Tonks turned at the boom of Kingsley's voice, looking behind her to see the Head Auror marching towards her, his mouth in a thin line. "Sir."

"I need you to come with me to Hogwarts."

Tonks stood up, a hand over her large stomach. It took her a bit longer to climb to her feet lately and she was hating it. She only had two more weeks (well one and half if one wanted to be technical) until she would be taking off for her maternity leave. It both thrilled and terrified her at the same time as it meant that she was due to have little Teddy in five weeks. It seemed a little unreal sometimes. When Sebastian's hand helped lift her to her feet, she gave him a grateful look.

"Did something happen at the school, Sir?" she asked.

"Not yet," Kingsley said, his eyes moving over to Kane. "But you've developed a rapport with Theodore Nott. I want you and Higgins with me when I tell him the news."

"What news?"

"What about Nott?" Sebastian asked.

If it was possible, Kingsley's mouth thinned even more. "Macmillan's being given a parole hearing next week."

"Who the hell is Macmillan?" Sebastian asked, his eyebrows knitting together.

Kingsley shook his head. "A low life that Nott helped us put away. Lupin, five minutes."

Tonks nodded as Kingsley marched off.

"Who's Macmillan?" Sebastian repeated.

Tonks rolled her shoulders. "Someone who shouldn't be getting parole. Nothing to concern yourself with, K. I'll go to Hogwarts with King and you can keep going over these files. We'll talk when I get back."

"I should come with you," he said, reaching for her hand. "I only have three more days here anyway and the information is all stuff you know."

Tonks smiled and squeezed his hand. "We both know that you shouldn't come with me. You and Theo are involved now. It's personal."

Sebastian wrinkled his nose. "Fine. But you'll tell me if something's amiss?"

Tonks patted his arm. "You're adorably smitten, do you know that?"

"I'm not smitten!" Kane exclaimed. "I just think if something's going on with him, I should know it."

"Uh-huh, you keep telling yourself that."

She could feel him scowling at her as she walked away. She hated that Friday was his last day here at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She'd really come to love having him around and she hated that he had to report back to the MIA office in Londonderry Monday morning. Tonks understood why, of course. He'd been assigned here to help dig up more information on Voldemort, on the Death Eaters, and to help them find out more about his whereabouts and his locations. He'd done all of that. He'd led joint task forces between the MIA and the DMLE and they'd exchanged information. She knew that if she needed him for anything, he would come and she knew that with him being in the Order of the Phoenix, it didn't mean that she wasn't going to see him anymore, but damn it, she was going to miss him.

Sebastian went out of his way to get her the snacks she craved. He made sure she ate lunch when she was supposed to. He helped her up when she needed it (which she had to admit was most of the time anymore) and he kept her company when her partner and her friends went out into the field. Not to mention, he'd gotten her completely hooked on Hidden Passions. She was going to miss having her partner in crime when she listened to the wireless show.

Tonks shook the thoughts from her head as she called for Higgins and he jumped up from his desk to walk with her.

"We're going to Hogwarts."

Higgins walked next to her. "Excellent! It's been strange being in the field without you."

"You're sweet," Tonks told him. "But I miss being in the field with you as well. Being stuck on desk duty all the time is incredibly boring. I live at Hogwarts fifty percent of the time and I'm still excited to go there for a work reason."

Higgins chuckled, taking her arm in his. "You must be bored then. How was Hidden Passions this morning?"

"Don't make fun," Tonks said. "It's addictive. And you'll never guess who's been sleeping with Harmony!"

"Who?"

"Marestrella D'Maggio!" Tonks exclaimed. "They've been having a mad torrid affair behind both of their husbands backs. I never saw it coming!"

Higgins smirked. "I've missed you, Lupin."

"I've missed you, too, Rex," she said. "How about you stop and buy me a blueberry muffin on our way to Hogwarts?"

"All right. I can't refuse a pregnant woman. So, why are we going to Hogwarts this afternoon?" Higgins asked.

"Ernest Macmillan."

Higgins frowned. "That student I arrested two years ago for rape, assault, and blackmail?"

"That would be him," Tonks said. "Apparently he's come up for parole."

Higgins stopped in his tracks. "He was given fifteen years."

"I know. Kingsley said that he would fill us in when we arrived. He had to make a stop first and speak with Macmillan's lawyer."

When they arrived at Hogwarts, Tonks was polishing off her blueberry muffin. They made their way downstairs and into Slughorn's office to wait for Theo. Kingsley arrived ten minutes after they did and Theo came in a moment later, his bag over his shoulder and his Slytherin tie loose around his neck.

"Did something happen to Bas?" Theo asked, his brown eyes wide with worry.

"What?" Kingsley asked, his eyebrow rising.

"No," Tonks said, quickly. "Sebastian's fine, Theo. We're here about something else entirely."

Theo let out a slow breath. "Sorry, I heard Aurors were waiting for me and I…" He shook his head. "What's going on then?"

At Kingsley's confused look, Tonks spoke up. "Nott and Kane are dating, Sir."

"Ah," Kingsley said. "That makes more sense. No, Lord Norfolk, this has nothing to do with Auror K. This has to do with Ernest Macmillan."

Theo's face sobered. "He's in Azkaban, Sir."

"Yes, he is," Kingsley said. "But his lawyer has brought up a discussion of parole for good behaviour."

Theo swallowed. "He was sentenced to fifteen years."

"He was," Kingsley replied. "Fifteen years for rape, physical assault, and extortion. He's served two years of that sentence."

"He has thirteen more to go," Theo exclaimed. "They can't just let him out!"

Kingsley's dark eyes met his. "Under those two years, Macmillan was injured in the attack on the Ministry of Magic in June of 1996. He suffered a broken leg and a broken jaw. He was buried under some rubble before we could move him safely to the new Azkaban Crypt. He's been in the Azkaban Crypt ever since. His lawyer is claiming his model prisoner status on top of him being injured means that he's suffered enough for his crimes."

Theo's hands bunched into fists at his sides and Tonks understood his rage perfectly. She couldn't imagine anyone who deserved to be released from prison less than the scum that was Ernest Macmillan.

"When Voldemort attacked the Ministry and the giants destroyed part of the building, the holding cells were emptied. It's how Dolores Umbridge escaped along with two other prisoners. Macmillan and another wizard were injured and four others were killed. We were still detailing full security on the crypt at the time and not everyone had been moved over. Macmillan's lawyer is claiming that we left him to die at the Ministry and his injuries are proof that he's suffered enough," Kingsley explained.

When Theo didn't speak, Tonks cleared her throat. "Theo, we're here today to let you know that it's happening so that we can try to stop it."

"Can you?" he whispered, his eyes wide. "It sounds like it's already a done deal and that he's going to get out."

"It's not," Tonks assured him. "But it would be a good idea to get your lawyer to help. Rex, King, and I are all going to give reasons why he shouldn't be released. It would hold a great deal of weight if you did the same."

Theo shook his head. "No, I… I can't! I-I-I can't face him again!"

Higgins moved across the room to put his hand on Theo's shoulder. "You shouldn't have to face him again, but if you don't give testimony, Lord Norfolk… he might get out."

"After what he did and they're just going to let him walk because he's been there for two bloody years? What about the other thirteen? That's shit!" Theo exclaimed, shaking his head. "That's complete shit and it's not fair!"

Kingsley cleared his throat. "It is shit and it isn't fair, which is why I would like for you to come with us and say why you think he shouldn't be released."

"I don't want to face him," Theo whispered. "I've put it behind me. I haven't… I haven't had a nightmare about it in months and this is the last thing that I want to deal with right now."

Kingsley's deep voice was gentle. "None of us can imagine what you're going through. I know it's not easy, asking you to do this. To get up there and face the wizard who hurt you. Again. But if you don't say your piece, he will most likely get out."

Theo's breath hitched and Higgins' hand tightened on his shoulder. "Would he come back here? To Hogwarts? To write his NEWTs?"

"No," Tonks said quickly. "He was expelled so he cannot return to this school, but theoretically, yes, he can write his NEWT examinations if he desired with the other seventh years as they are Ministry tests."

"I… I need a minute," Theo said, falling into the chair and his head falling between his knees. Higgins' hand continued to gently rub his back as Theo tried to catch his breath.

"Theo, you won't be doing this alone," Tonks assured him. "The three of us will be there with you the whole time and I can ask Sebastian to —"

"—No!" Theo exclaimed. "Merlin, no! He can't…. I don't want him to know this happened!"

"Theo —"

"—No," he insisted. "We only just started out. It's barely been two months and when people…. He'll pity me and look at me differently and I won't… I won't have it!"

Tonks nodded sympathetically.

Kingsley cleared his throat and when Theo looked up, he began to explain how Theo needed to get into contact with his lawyer and how the meetings were to be set up next week.

"The hearing is for the Monday afternoon after next, the sixteenth," Kingsley said. "If you do nothing, he will walk free. Let us know what you decide."

They left him sitting in Slughorn's office, pale as snow and eyes wide. Tonks pursed her lips when Higgins looked back at him.

"The poor bloke. It's complete bullshit that they're even thinking about releasing Macmillan!" Higgins exclaimed.

"Agreed," Kingsley said. "But the fact of the matter is, he was only sixteen. Now at eighteen, his lawyer is making noises that he's no longer underage and hasn't been in over a year. He claims that mistakes made in youth shouldn't reflect upon adult choices."

"And usually I agree with that," Tonks said. "But choosing to rape and assault someone isn't a poor choice, it's a serious character flaw. Sixteen is the legal age for most witches and wizards to make choices and to consent. They can marry, live on their own, and emancipate themselves from their parents if they so desire. He was old enough to know what he was doing."

Kingsley nodded. "We'll do what we can, with or without Nott's cooperation."

Tonks wasn't sure if they would succeed without Theo's cooperation. She wanted to tell Sebastian. She thought that Theo was wrong about him, but she could also see why he was concerned. They were new and this wasn't a small thing to throw into the conversation. Instead, she asked Higgins to wait for her and made her way to Remus' class and knocked on the door. She knew that if it was Wednesday, Remus had sixth years in his class.

"Hi," she said, her eyes roaming the classroom for the familiar bright red hair. "Sorry to interrupt. I need to borrow Ginny."

Remus nodded and waved her off so Ginny stood up.

"Grab your things, Ginny."

Ginny frowned but did as Tonks instructed. Once the door to the classroom closed, Ginny spoke. "What's going on?"

"Theo needs you."

Ginny's expression sobered. "Is he okay?"

"He will be," Tonks assured her. "Lawyers are trying to get Ernie released early."

Ginny swore under her breath.

"My sentiments exactly," Tonks said. "He's in Slughorn's office. I can leave him in your hands?"

"Yes, of course," Ginny exclaimed. "Thanks for telling me!"

Tonks nodded. "Ginny, I know that he doesn't want to, but convince him to testify, okay?"

When Ginny hurried off to check on Theo, Tonks made her way back to Higgins. "All right, I sent a friend over to talk to Theo. We can head back to the DMLE."

Higgins offered his arm for her as they began to make their way back to the front door of the castle. "Do you think that he'll testify against him?"

"I don't know," Tonks admitted. "It has to be a lot for him. It's been two years and he's put it all behind him; moved on. To open up that wound again, no matter how much it's healed… it's going to hurt him. I don't know if he's really ready for that."

Higgins pursed his lips. "I don't know if I could do it."

Tonks wasn't sure if she would be brave enough to do it either. After listening to the things Macmillan had done and how he had treated Theo, she knew that this was a lot for him to get over. To reopen those old wounds… no, it wasn't going to be easy for him. It wasn't going to be easy at all.

She listened to Higgins tell her about his girlfriend's new cat as they headed back to the DMLE. When he left her at her desk, she wasn't surprised to see Sebastian march towards her in moments and plop himself into the chair across from her.

"Well?"

Tonks offered him a small smile. "He has to testify on the sixteenth if he wants to help keep Macmillan behind bars. I told him to talk to his lawyer and see what he wants to do."

"He worked with his father, I'm guessing?" Sebastian prompted. "Fucking Death Eaters! Was he okay when you left? Should I call him on the mirror, do you think?"

Tonks smiled. "I had Ginny go sit with him. He could use a friend. Aren't you going to see him tonight anyway?"

"Yeah," Sebastian admitted. "He doesn't have classes on Wednesdays so he's been coming over."

"He's been coming over to yours a lot, hasn't he?" Tonks teased.

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Look, he's almost done at Hogwarts and technically as he's eighteen, he isn't obligated to stay there twenty-four seven. He just needs to be in his classes. So, yeah, we've been spending a lot of time together." At her look, he sighed. "I'm going to start picking him up on Tuesday nights and he'll stay with me until Thursday morning before class. Then he stays with me Friday until his class on Monday morning. I want to spend more time with him."

"I bet you do," Tonks teased.

"Shut up, Lupin."

Tonks grinned. "It's been a few months now, hasn't it?"

"Two, technically in a few days," Sebastian said. "Since we kissed that is, and I'm counting that."

"Smitten."

Sebastian made a rude hand gesture as he stood up. "If you keep that up, I won't give you the goodbye gift I bought."

"You bought me a gift and you're the one leaving?" Tonks asked, her eyes widening.

"Well, you made this place fun to come to work to," he admitted. "So, yeah, I got you a little something. And don't look at me like that, it's for the baby."

Tonks' eyes softened.

Sebastian pulled it out from behind him and passed her the small gift bag. She dug into the tissue in curiosity and when she pulled out the little black onesie with the MIA badge drawn over the heart, she smiled.

"Oh! This is so precious!"

"Turn it around."

Tonks did so and she snorted. Printed on the back, it said: Junior Knight of the Auror (shhh).

Tonks clutched the onesie in her hand. "Does this mean that you're admitting it's real? Is that what this means?"

Sebastian winked at her as he stood up. "It's just a baby gift, Dora."

Tonks watched him walk away and bit her bottom lip. No way it was just a baby gift, she was pretty sure Sebastian Kane had just confirmed it. He was a Knight of the Auror and they were fucking real.

She knew it!

She couldn't stop smiling the rest of the day and when she got home that night and showed Remus the onesie, he kissed her.

"So, you think that this is proof that he's some mythical secret Auror?"

"Yes!" Tonks exclaimed. "It makes total sense!"

Remus chuckled and kissed her nose. "Nymphadora, I adore you."

Tonks rolled her eyes and plopped her feet into his lap. He immediately started to rub them and she let her head fall back. "I'm going to miss him, Remus."

Remus smiled. "I'm sure you'll still see him around. Did you add yourself to his mirror yet?"

"Oh, bugger! I forgot! Remind me in the morning. When I'm off work, I'll need to bug him during Hidden Passions. He said that there's a channel on the wireless that shows repeats so while I'm waiting for Teddy to come out, I'm hoping to catch up."

"I admit, I'm glad that you're going to be off work for a few weeks before the baby comes."

Tonks wrinkled her nose. "I admit, it's getting harder to get to my desk in the bullpen. You know the other day, Savage actually called out for them to make way because there was a dragon attempting to land and needed space to fit. I threw an ink pot at his head."

"That's my girl," Remus said, rubbing her feet a bit harder. "So, why did you need to take Ginny from my class this afternoon?"

Tonks moaned as he massaged just the right spot at the ball of her foot. "Oh, yes, right there… oooh…" She basked in the massage for a moment longer before she met his gaze. "Ernie Macmillan is up for parole."

Remus frowned. "Wasn't he sentenced to over a decade in prison?"

"He was," Tonks said. "Fifteen years, but his lawyer is claiming good behaviour on top of him being injured when the Ministry was attacked by Voldemort two years ago. He might actually have a case, too."

"Fuck," Remus muttered. "That's the last thing that Theo needs. How did he take the news?"

"Not well," Tonks admitted. "That's why I went to get Ginny. I thought that she might be able to comfort him. Kingsley wants him to testify against Macmillan again and remind the courts of why he should be behind bars. He doesn't want to and I can't say I blame him."

Remus nodded, his hands never faltering from her feet. "Well, if anyone can convince him that he needs to take the stand, it's Ginny."

Tonks nodded. "I know. I just hope that she does because while I do believe people can change, Remus, someone who chooses to treat another person the way that Macmillan treated Theo… he deserves to rot in prison in my mind."

Remus massaged her foot a little harder before he rubbed her stomach. "It will work out. He'll just need a bit of time to deal with it. Now, how about we head into the kitchen and see what we can whip together for dinner?"

Tonks sighed as he helped her off of the sofa. "Something cheesy would be great."

"Lots of cheese, got it," he said, kissing her temple.

Tonks followed her husband into the kitchen and thought that no matter what happened, coming home to this domestic bliss at the end of the day made everything better. Then she plopped herself into a chair, her hands on her stomach, and prepared to watch her husband whip her up some food.

The only way it could be better was if she could coax her husband into cooking naked. She had a feeling that it wouldn't take very much convincing at all.

~ ASC ~

Ginny had sat with Theo in Slughorn's office for over an hour before she convinced him to let her walk with him to his dorm. She lay in his bed with him now, wrapping her arms around him tightly.

"I thought that you were going to spend the night with Sebastian," she said.

"I was," he murmured. "I am. I… I don't know."

Ginny ran her hand over his back. "I'm glad you told him that you have Wednesdays free. I like the idea of you spending more time with him. You deserve someone to make you happy."

"I don't know if I want to see him tonight."

"Yes, you do," Ginny said. "He'd want to know that you're going through something, don't you think?"

Theo shook his head. "I can't tell him about this. About Ernie."

"Why not?"

"I just can't," he whispered.

"You said that he was easy to talk to," Ginny said, gently. "You said that talking to him was easy and that you two had shared almost everything."

"Almost being the key word," Theo mumbled. "Telling him about Ernie would be… no, I don't want him to know this."

"Do you think that he'd think less of you?"

Theo sat up, turning away from her. "I think less of me, Ginny! Why the hell shouldn't he?"

"Theo…"

He hopped off of the bed. "I don't want to think about this right now. I'm going to go meet Bas and spend the night snogging his brains out."

Ginny started to say something, but he held his hand up.

"Please, chick. I don't want to talk about it right now."

Ginny nodded and stood up, kissing his cheek. "Okay. If you change your mind, even if it's at three AM, you call my mirror."

"Thanks," he said, hugging her tight.

Ginny kissed his cheek again before she left him alone to pack up a small overnight bag. She understood his fear of reliving those memories. She could understand that better than anyone, but he needed to talk about it. She knew that he had gone to Na'eemah a couple of times and claimed he'd felt better. Ginny wondered if she would be imposing too much if she reached out to Na'eemah on Theo's behalf. No, she thought. She would give him a little more time and see what he came up with on his own.

She left him in Slytherin and headed to the Great Hall to get some dinner. She pecked Harry on the lips before she sat down and quickly whispered to him what happened. His eyes widened.

"No fucking way he's getting out," Harry growled. "I'll fucking testify about what I saw that prick doing to him!"

Ginny nodded. "Let's give him a few days to work things out. The hearing isn't until the sixteenth."

But she knew that Harry was just as annoyed as she was.

They had Quidditch practice that evening and since the team was feeling better, they went out to the pitch to practice. Then they worked on some homework afterwards until Harry convinced her to come up to bed. Neither of them had even bothered to pretend that they weren't spending almost every night together now. She'd only slept in her own bed on the nights of the full moon and she preferred it that way.

Harry went into the bathroom to get ready for bed and Ginny opened his trunk. Arnold hopped down out of her hair to make himself comfortable on the end of the bed. He usually settled on a pillow on top of Harry's trunk once they got into bed, outside of the bed curtains. She sorted through the assorted books and broken quills on the top of his trunk to try to find the extra ink she was looking for and her eyes fell on the book half buried under an old tee shirt and two pairs of rolled up socks.

Ginny carefully pulled it out curiously. Her eyes widened when she read the cover, Pleasing Your Witch or Wizard, A Step by Step Guide. She opened the old worn leather, reading the table of contents curiously and biting her bottom lip. Harry came out of the bathroom and Ginny quickly buried the book under the covers as she settled in his bed. Arnold curled up on top of Harry's trunk.

Harry climbed into bed with her, closing the bed curtains, blocking out Arnold, and placing the automatic privacy and silencing charm they used every night. He opened his arms for her, but instead of snuggling into his embrace like usual, Ginny only chewed her bottom lip and levitated floating lights over them.

"What?" Harry asked.

Ginny's eyes twinkled at him as she pulled the thick worn leather book out from under the blankets. Harry's eyes widened.

"Ginny! Where did you find that?"

"Where did you get this is the real question?"

Harry's cheeks heated. "It was a Christmas gift from Uncle Sirius and Uncle Remus in second year."

"A Christmas gift," Ginny said, opening the book back up to the table of contents. "This book seems very interesting to me. Let's see, Chapter One: When A Boy Becomes A Man."

"Give me that," Harry said, reaching for the book. Ginny was faster, stretching out on her stomach and opening the book at the end of the bed.

"No way," she teased. "This is too good. Chapter Two: When A Girl Becomes A Woman. This is quite informative. Ooh, look, it even describes the flowering of a woman's vagina. How old is this book? Who uses the term 'flowering' any more?"

"I don't know, old," Harry said, his cheeks burning as he leaned forward to try to grab the book.

Ginny merely lied on top of it.

"No, I'm not done yet," she insisted, turning back to the table of contents. "Chapter Three: The Art of Masturbation. This is very interesting," she continued. "It says here that masturbation is nothing to be ashamed of and in fact is considered very healthy. Hmm, Chapter Four: Practicing Safe Sex and the Importance of Communication."

"Ginny," Harry groaned. "I've read the bloody book. Please, give it back to me."

"Absolutely not," Ginny said. "I haven't read this book and I'm very curious as to what comes next."

Harry's hands slid up her naked thighs and over her arse in the blue lace knickers she wore. "I bet I can think of something better to do…"

Ginny ignored him and continued to read aloud. "Chapter Five: Oral Sex and the Use of Hands and Mouth To Please Your Partner. Well, this explains a lot," Ginny said. "Look, there's a whole section on using your tongue and fingers and finding the clit. On finding a woman's special spot… and here I was just thinking that you were naturally talented."

Harry began to plant kisses up her legs. "Oh, I definitely am. You can't learn such practical skills just by reading about them."

His hand slid up to cup her arse as he kissed his way over the back of her thighs.

Ginny's breath hitched a little. "Chapter Five has some very detailed sections. Handjobs, blowjobs, rimjobs, cunnilingus, and the art of sixty-nine."

Harry ignored her and continued to kiss her thighs, his hand pushing up the old long-sleeved Quidditch tee of his she was wearing and letting his hand roam over her back. His hand slid around and under her, cupping the side of her breast. His thumb brushed her nipple and he heard her intake of breath.

"Chapter Six: Penetration and How to Make Sex Feel Good For You and Your Partner," Ginny continued to read. "This chapter has a sub section titled: Vaginal Sex and Anal Sex, Which One Do You Prefer?"

Harry continued to plant kisses over her back, his hands stroking her arse through her knickers. His lips moved lower, kissing her arse now through the lace and Ginny bit her lip as she continued to read.

"Chapter Seven: The Art of An Orgasm, Giving and Receiving, and How to Make Sure You Know That Your Partner Came."

Harry's fingers lifted her knickers, pushing them aside as he kissed her arse, kissing lower and shifting the lace over so that he could kiss her. "I know how to make you come. Watch me."

"Mmm," she murmured. "Harry… this book is very… in-informative."

Harry traced his tongue over her and she made a soft mewling sound. "Chapter eight is my favourite."

Ginny looked over her shoulder to grin back at him before she flipped to chapter eight. "Chapter Eight: Two Hundred and Forty-Five Known Sexual Positions and How To Perform Them. Two hundred and forty-five?" she exclaimed.

Harry slid his finger into her. "It certainly caught my attention."

Ginny let out a small groan as his finger crooked inside of her. "Well, we're definitely going to have to try them all, right?"

His grin widened as he tugged her knickers down her thighs. "That's what I was hoping you'd say." He bent his head to kiss her arse again. "We can start with that downward dog position, if you'd like."

Ginny's breath hitched as Harry's hand stroked down her spine. She had to admit, she was curious.

"I've been imagining it," Harry murmured as he leaned over her to kiss her shoulders. "Ever since I saw that drawing. Ever since I read those words, I've been picturing taking you like that."

Ginny bit her lip and turned her head to meet his lips. "I'm curious, too," she whispered.

His smile was slow. "So… do you want to?"

Ginny rolled onto her side to look at him. Her shirt was bunched up, revealing her breasts and she was naked otherwise. The way his eyes roamed over her made her feel extremely sexy.

"I don't know," she admitted.

Harry lay on his side next to her, tangling his feet with hers at the front of the bed. "What makes you unsure?"

She hesitated. It was a stupid thing and she wasn't sure if she even wanted to admit it aloud as it seemed kind of silly. But those green eyes were staring at her with so much love and desire that she reached out to stroke her fingers through his hair.

"I don't know if I like the idea of not looking into your eyes when you're inside of me," she admitted. "It seems… not as personal. Not as intimate."

"Oh," Harry said. "I guess I didn't think about that."

Ginny brushed his hair away from his forehead to trace his scar with her finger. "I like seeing you when you're inside of me. I like watching you lose control."

"I like that, too," he admitted.

"And to think of you behind me, I mean… I can only turn my head so far and…"

Harry nodded. "Ginny, we don't have to do anything that you don't want to do. I just want you. Any old way will do."

She snorted. "Any old way will do? Well, golly, with romance like that…"

Harry kissed her quickly. "You know what I mean."

Ginny ran her fingers through his hair again as she pulled his mouth back to hers for a long kiss. Those green eyes were bright and full of desire when her mouth left his. She bit her bottom lip before she nodded.

"Let's try it."

Harry kissed her again. "You're sure?"

Ginny nodded. "Yes."

Harry's smile made her positive that it was the right choice. She pulled her shirt over her head and watched as Harry slipped his pyjama pants off. Then his body covered hers as they kissed and Ginny slowly relaxed under him.

She was being silly. Everything with Harry was so incredibly intimate, so perfect. He made her feel treasured; like she was the most beautiful woman in the world. She smiled now as his mouth trailed over her breasts, kissing every freckle he could find and playing with her nipples. She loved how much attention he always gave to her breasts. She loved how good he made her feel, how wanted he made her feel.

By the time his fingers found her, she was already hot for him. His glasses fell on the book next to her and when his mouth moved down between her legs, she arched her hips towards him and moaned as his tongue got busy. Her eyes fell on the book lying next to her head and she smirked.

He was right. There was only so much he could learn from reading a book and Harry had definitely exceeded all expectations when it came to what he could do with his mouth. When she came, she clutched one of the bedposts near the end of his bed, riding his face. He kissed his way up over her breasts to kiss her lips.

"Yeah?"

She nodded and slowly rolled over onto her stomach. Harry carefully shoved a pillow under her stomach and she rolled her arse up into the air. Harry knelt behind her, his hand stroking her arse as he licked his lips. Ginny couldn't help herself, she looked back over her shoulder and his slow smile made desire course through her all over again.

Then he was slipping into her, nice and slow, his cock brushing her in all the right places and she shuddered.

"Okay?" he asked, his hands on her hips.

"Mmm," Ginny moaned. "Yes, keep going."

When he began to greet her with those shallow thrusts that Luna had suggested, her hands fisted in the duvet of his bed and thought Luna had been right… this was bloody fantastic. It felt like he was so deep inside of her. It felt like was giving her everything he had. The way he moved and shifted, his cock teasing her clit before slipping back into her made the angle that much more fulfilling. She could feel his thick, long length filling her as his pace quickened. His hand came around to work her and it wasn't long before they were both groaning. She felt him stiffen behind her and he grunted her name, finishing in a low growl that sent her over the edge. He collapsed next to her, almost falling through the curtains of the narrow bed and making her giggle as she grabbed him.

Her lips met his and he snuggled his face into her breasts. It always amused her that he preferred to snuggle close to her breasts more than any other place.

"That was amazing," he murmured. "I love you."

Ginny kissed him softly. "I love you, too. That was amazing."

"But I agree," he whispered, yawning into her tits. "I like looking into your eyes when I come."

Ginny's smile softened and she kissed his forehead, holding him close to her heart as he began to lightly snore. She reached for her wand (which was somehow still tucked under the sex book) and his glasses, shoved at the end of the bed near their heads. She summoned a blanket to wrap them up in as they were still backwards in the bed and then held Harry close as he slept with his face buried in her chest. It wasn't long before she was asleep as well, a soft smile on her face.

~ ASC ~

Theo woke quickly with his heart pounding in his chest and his eyes wide in fear. Merlin, it had been months since he'd had a proper nightmare and even longer since those dreams had included that arse Macmillan.

"Blow me," the voice hissed in the darkness.

Theo clamped his eyes shut and tried to make the voice disappear, but it only brought it closer. He could vividly remember the feel of Ernie's grip tightening in his hair. The way he'd yanked his head back and shoved his cock right up against Theo's face, the tip slapping his cheek.

"This is what you like, isn't it, Theo? Aren't you a giant cock-sucking whore?"

Theo's eyes were glaring daggers at him, but he opened his mouth and gagged when Ernie shoved his penis inside, hard and rough… he'd cupped his chin hard enough to bruise.

"Open your mouth like a good little whore!"

Theo had never thought that it was possible that he would hate anyone more than he hated his father, but as he stared at the bobbing angry red cock before him, he knew that Ernie Macmillan was in close second. He took a slow breath and then he took the prefect's penis into his mouth. He used his tongue, wincing when Ernie tugged harder at his hair, almost pulling it out by the roots. He licked the shaft to help lubricate it and then he hollowed his cheeks and sucked him hard.

The prefect groaned in delight, hips arching, and his other hand grabbed Theo's hair tightly as he shagged his throat. Theo gagged, but the teen made no notice of it. And then he was coming and Theo, left with no other choice, swallowed.

Ernie sighed in contentment as his cock popped out of the Slytherin's mouth happily. "So, the rumours are true. Of course, I think a bit more practice never hurt anyone."

Theo snorted. "If you think that this is ever going to happen a second time, think again! You'll be expelled for this!"

Ernie smirked. "No, I won't. Because you're not going to tell anyone."

Theo stared at him. "You don't know me! You can't just force yourself on someone!"

The prefect grinned as he zipped himself back up. "I didn't force myself on just anyone, Nott, but the son of a notorious Death Eater. I am a well behaved, hard working prefect who maintains excellent grades... hard choice on who'd they'd believe."

"They would believe me."

"Would they?" Ernie asked, smirking at him. "Bet your father would believe that his son is a cocksucker. He'd disown you. I know the likes of Thaddeus Nott, my father has told me all about him and you. Theodore Thaddeus Nott, the only son set to inherit riches beyond his wildest dreams, the only heir to the Nott fortune, the future Marquess of Norfolk — you will lose everything the moment that your father discovers that you sucked a prick."

Theo paled. After everything that he had done at the end of the summer to make sure his father didn't find that out, this was the last thing that he wanted. Narcissa had warned him that he had to keep his nose clean; to maybe even get a pretend girlfriend because until he turned seventeen, Ernie was right, Thaddeus could make his life hell.

"Why are you doing this to me? Why are you working so hard to ruin my reputation? I just need to make it a year and I inherit everything; my father won't have any say in who I spend my time with."

Ernie grinned. "Good. That's a whole year of practice for you then."

"You're lying."

Ernie simply licked his lips. "Tomorrow night, half past eight, broom cupboard on the third floor. I expect you on your knees and waiting for me, to beg for my cock like the little whore you are... and this time, you're going to show me exactly how good you are, no little quick suck to get me off. Show me why blokes say that mouth is a gift of the gods." He pulled his robes closed, adjusted his prefect's badge and dropped Theo's wand on the floor. "Oh, and Nott? If you tell anyone, I will ruin you and make you the poor little rich boy no more. Don't even think of using magic against me because I will make you regret it."

Theo only glared harder as Ernie smirked before he left the classroom, whistling as he walked and Theo fought back tears as he desperately tried to untie his still bound hands.

If his father heard wind of this, he would lose everything. Thaddeus Nott would take his name off of every account; he wouldn't be left a single Knut to his name... not to mention what his father would do to him if he found out that his only son was a homosexual… what he would allow the Dark Lord to do to him…

He touched his fat lip, wincing at the pain of it. He'd play by the prefect's rules for now, but the moment he had an out, he was going to curse that tiny little prick right off his body. He managed to break himself free and stood up, using a quick concealing charm on himself to hide his injuries before he made his way back to Slytherin House.

No one could find out what had happened.

No one.

Theo blinked back tears as he trembled at the nightmarish memory so real in his mind. How when he'd tried to fight back, he'd hit him and how Macmillan had tied his hands, locking them behind his back.

"I said, get on your knees, Cocksucker!"

Theo jolted at the voice still so loud in his mind. He took a second and then he slowly disentangled himself from the warm body lying next to him. He looked at Sebastian's peaceful face a moment before he got up, slipping his pyjama bottoms back on, and quietly snuck out of the bedroom. He went down the stairs and moved through the living room into the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water, holding the cool liquid to his forehead as the trembling subsided.

Yeah, it had been a long time since he'd let the nightmares in. Leave it to news about Macmillan for them to come rushing back. He still didn't know how he was going to sit in that courtroom; to look at him again and rehash everything he'd…

A week and a half, that's all he had to make a decision.

A week and half… he still had to talk to his lawyer, to figure things out and see what his odds were. He contemplated reaching for his mirror and waking up Ginny. She had told him to call her if he…

He gulped back more water. He didn't know what he wanted to do. It had barely been twelve hours since he'd been told the news and he already was having nightmares again. Coming here tonight to see Sebastian had been a good distraction. Sebastian had asked him about the Death Eater Macmillan and if he was going to testify against him. Theo hadn't corrected him. After all, Macmillan wasn't a Death Eater, but something much worse.

They'd curled up on the sofa and played a Muggle game called Scrabble. Theo loved it and they played four rounds before snogging on the sofa. They'd made slow love in Sebastian's bed before Theo had fallen asleep wrapped in Sebastian's arms, finally feeling relaxed and calm.

Until the nightmare had pulled him away from that comfort.

He could almost taste the blood in his mouth. Feel the fists that hit him… His ribs ached as if the fist-shaped bruises were still there. He brought his hand up to his throat, remembering the purplish and yellow finger-shaped bruises that had seemed to never go away. He could hear how excited Macmillan would get when he bled. He remembered the sound of each pant, each excited sound as he tore his lip, broke his nose, broke his ribs, and attempted to strangle him while he had his cock shoved down Theo's throat.

Just as vividly, he remembered standing in front of the mirror with his razor in his hand as he contemplated whether it would be easier if he just ended it all right there in the bathroom and bled out on the tile…

He remembered how he'd just been afraid all of the time. Too afraid to flirt back with cute boys. It hadn't even been about the forced oral, he'd become used to that; accepted it, even. But the violence that had come with it had been too much. Ernie liked it when he bled: His lip, his nose, his face, his ribs... Theo had been a walking bruise, and he hadn't known how to put an end to it. He'd glamoured the bruises away so often that it had become second nature, but when he looked at the multicoloured wounds on his body, shame had washed over him.

He had become Ernie's whore, and he hated himself.

Memories washed over him and he trembled, the glass of water shaking in his hand.

Macmillan had found him again after Theo had left the hospital. He'd been leaving the library after returning a book and had gone off alone, not thinking. The prefect had pinned him against the door of the broom cupboard, squeezing his throat so tightly that he'd thought that he was going to die. When he'd shoved Theo to his knees, he'd slapped him across the face, hard enough to make his lip bleed — and he'd smashed Theo's head into the shelf on the side, clipping his ear. By the time Ernie'd unzipped his trousers, he'd been hard; Theo had known the prefect had gotten off on hurting him.

Theo stood at the basin of the sink with the razor in his hand, staring at his neck. Sometimes he wondered if it would be easier if he just killed himself. He'd no longer have to deal with the blackmail, with his father, or with the upcoming war — and sure, his friends would miss him, he knew that.

But they'd get over it.

But the longer he stared, the more he knew that he could never go through with it.

He didn't want to die.

He put the glamour on himself to hide his injuries and the dark circles under his eyes before he got dressed. Taking a look in the mirror again, he put on a wide smile. It hurt his face as his torn lip cracked open, and before he could hold it back, a loud sob escaped him.

Theo gripped the counter desperately, loud sobs wracking his body in between heavy breathing, and he slowly crumpled to the bathroom floor.

Warm arms wrapped around him and he turned into them, sobbing uncontrollably. A firm hand ran up and down his back as he was held tightly and when he finally felt like he had no tears left in him, he cuddled closer into the soft neck and then slowly pulled away. His eyes met the silver-blue ones of his best mate.

"I'm sorry."

Draco only stared at him. "Tell me what's wrong, Theo."

Theo swallowed, wiping his eyes and nose on the sleeve of his jumper.

"Theo," Draco repeated when he didn't answer. "Please. How am I supposed to defend you against the unknown? Weaslette thinks it's Crabbe and Goyle… is it? Are they hurting you? Are they threatening you over something for your father? Does it have to do with the Dark Lord?"

Theo shook his head. "No, Crabbe and Goyle haven't done anything. No one is hurting me, Draco. I just… I'm scared about the Dark Lord and about my father too. It's a lot to deal with."

Draco only stared at him cooly. He reached over and squeezed his friend's shoulder. "I found you lying in a pool of your own blood, Theo. When are you going to stop lying to me? If not me… please, talk to someone. I'm worried about you."

He knew that Draco was beyond worried if he had admitted that. He forced a smile onto his face to reassure his friend. "I'm fine. You've been great and I know that I can depend on you. I do, I know that. I just… there are some things that I'm dealing with over the majority issue, and taking on Norfolk and the estate. It's a lot and… I wish your father was around to give me advice."

"Shit," Draco said quietly, slipping his arm over his friend's shoulders as he shuffled closer to him on the bathroom floor. "I'm sorry. I forgot that my father being on the run meant you lost him too."

He nodded, wiping away the rest of his tears. "It's a lot… being Marquess and taking on Norfolk and the estate and the properties and all that comes with it. I just… I wish I had someone to help me sort through it; to help me with this lawyer. If Smith comes through, I'll have it before my seventeenth birthday and as great as that is… it's a lot of responsibility, Draco, and I don't know what I'm doing!"

"You will and you do. It just seems daunting. Take it one step at a time and you know Blaise and I are here to help you," Draco said.

"I know. I know that, like I said, it's just been a lot." He climbed to his feet, rubbing his hands through his messy brown hair. "Thanks for… you know for …"

Draco climbed to his feet as well and nodded. "Yeah, of course." He watched Theo gather up his shower stuff before he called his name, making Theo stop at the door. "Whenever you're ready, Theo, I'm here to listen. Whoever or whatever it is that you're not sharing with anyone… I'll be here to listen."

Theo let out a slow breath and let himself out of the bathroom, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never doubted Draco wouldn't be there, and it was part of the reason why lying to him was so bloody hard.

He trembled again, suddenly feeling like ice as he remembered how awful he'd allowed Macmillan to let him feel.

A hand touched his shoulder and he jumped.

"Sorry," the gruff sleepy voice said. "You okay?"

"Fine," Theo said, not turning around. His hand trembled around the glass of water. "Thirsty."

Sebastian's arms slipped around his waist, pulling him back against his warm, hard body. "Bad dream?"

"Insomniac," Theo corrected. "Ginny and I have a club."

"Ah," Sebastian said, amusement in his voice. Strong hands ran over his arms in a soothing motion and lips pressed under his ear; warmth rushed through him. "You're like ice. Come back to bed."

The thought of closing his eyes, of seeing Ernie's face made bile course him and he furiously swallowed it back.

"Nah, I'm pretty awake. Go back to bed. I'm fine."

Instead of doing so, Sebastian took his hand, his thumb rubbing over his knuckles. "Did I ever tell you about the time I jumped out of a Muggle plane?"

"What?" Theo exclaimed, turning to look at him in confusion over the complete subject change.

Sebastian's lips curved. He squeezed Theo's hand and led him out of the kitchen. "Yeah. I was with Durant. It was for my nineteenth birthday and I told him that I wasn't fond of heights so he decided forcing me to jump out of an airplane was a great birthday gift. Have I mentioned that he's an arse?"

Theo chuckled as Sebastian led him back up the stairs and into the bedroom. "Bas, I'm not tired."

"But I'm cold," Sebastian said. "And the bed is warm."

Theo hesitated before he sat on the side. Sebastian gestured for Theo to get under the covers with him and a moment later he found himself lying on his side with Sebastian's warm body snuggled around him.

"So, I'm scared out of mind. I'm trying to figure out if I can Apparate in front of these Muggles and Durant is locking me into this mechanism thing that has something they call a parachute. Muggles actually do this for fun," Sebastian said, pressing Theo's cheek against his bare chest.

Theo started to sit up, but Sebastian's fingers gently brushed through his hair. It felt nice, he thought. He could sit like this for a minute, just until Sebastian fell back asleep.

"Muggles jump out of airplanes?" Theo asked, settling himself under his boyfriend's soothing hands.

"Yes," Sebastian continued, his fingers gently stroking Theo's hair. The blankets settled around them and Theo could hear his steady heartbeat under his ear. "So, here I am trapped in this contraption and this Frenchman is standing there telling us that on the count of three we're going to jump. I'm terrified out of my mind and I'm pretty positive that my feet have frozen to the floor of the plane. The first Muggle jumps and goes flying out into nothing and I'm so scared at this point that I think I couldn't even piss myself if I wanted to. I'm that blocked up."

Theo snorted, sighing when Sebastian's other hand began to stroke his arm in a lovely steady rhythm while his fingers continued to run through his hair. He could feel Bas' warm chest and hear his heartbeat under his ear and he relaxed, degree by degree. "Liar."

"No, I'm completely serious," Sebastian said, pulling the blankets up to engulf Theo. "So, I'm debating on just Apparating now and thinking fuck Durant and his stupid idea, but D knows me too well. Before I can even think of doing anything, he shoves me right out of the plane. Now I'm free falling and doing my best not to scream when Durant lands next to me, smirking like an arsehole and says, 'isn't this brilliant?' The thing was… it was brilliant. Once I took a second to breathe and opened my chute, it was like gliding on a broom. It felt very picturesque like I was overlooking the earth in some way and seeing everything from a distance. It made me feel very small."

"I'm not afraid of heights," Theo told him. "But I don't want to jump out of an airplane."

"I think normal people don't," Sebastian said. "That feeling in your gut when you know you're falling… it's not my favourite."

"Are you really afraid of heights?"

"Yes," Sebastian admitted. "Usually it's not a problem and I am stubborn enough to suffer through it if I have to get on a broom for some reason or another, but I'll take Apparating every day of the week."

"I don't mind Apparating," Theo said. "Floo always makes my hair dirty and I don't like that."

Sebastian's fingers continued to stroke his hair. "I can relate to that."

Theo sighed when the hand stroking his arm moved up and the tips of his fingers began to trace his eyebrows and down between his eyes. It felt nice, he thought. Relaxing. He focused on the feeling of Sebastian's fingers on his skin as Sebastian began to talk about the things that he saw while he was floating over Paris in a parachute and before he knew it, he was fast asleep.

He woke up alone in the bed, sunlight pouring in through the window. He blinked for a moment, not sure where he was. He felt rested; better than rested, he thought. He couldn't even remember falling back asleep let alone recall a night he'd slept that good in eons.

Until he remembered that Macmillan was going to be released from Azkaban.

He jumped out of bed and almost didn't make it to the toilet. When he finished throwing up, he fell back on shaky legs to catch his breath. He needed to gain better control of himself or he would never make it through the hearing. He rinsed his mouth and cleaned his teeth before taking a shower, basking in the hot water. When he finally came out, a towel wrapped around his waist, he felt only marginally better.

He reached for the jumper on the end of the bed and realized that it was Sebastian's. He pulled it over his head, inhaling the scent of sandalwood and fresh springs before he saw the note on the night table.

Went for a run. Be back before seven.

Bas

A glance at the clock told Theo it was quarter to as he stretched his arms up over his head just as Sebastian came into the bedroom. He was dressed in black jogging pants with a grey zip-up jumper, visible sweat stains in a v down the front and back. His hair was damp as he kicked off his trainers and spotted Theo.

"Hey, morning," he said, kissing his cheek. "I didn't wake you, did I?"

Theo shook his head. "No. You went for a run?"

"Yeah. You know me, I have to get my five kilometres in every morning," he said, reaching for the bottle of water he'd put down.

"I would die," Theo said.

Sebastian chuckled. "No, you wouldn't." He chugged back some water before wiping his brow. "I'm going to take a quick shower and then we can have some breakfast, but help yourself to whatever you want in the kitchen."

Theo nodded, pulling the jumper tighter around him. "Do you have any juice?"

"Orange and grapefruit," Sebastian said, running his hands up Theo's arms. "You look great in that."

Theo blushed. "I was cold."

Sebastian's lips pressed under his ear. "I like you in my clothes." He kissed him softly. "You okay this morning? Did you sleep all right?"

"Yes. I slept… I slept fantastic actually. Thank you."

"Not exactly a hardship to hold you close, Theo," Sebastian said. His hand came up to cup his cheek. "Let me take a quick shower and we'll get some breakfast before I bring you back to Hogwarts so you can make your first class."

Theo nodded before he pulled Sebastian close and kissed him deeply. "Forget breakfast."

Sebastian chuckled as Theo tugged him into the shower and when Sebastian lifted his legs and took him against the wall under the hot spray, Theo pushed all thoughts of Macmillan from his mind.

Sebastian was exactly what he needed.

~ ASC ~

Harry was surprised to find Neville waiting for him when he left Transfiguration the next afternoon. He greeted his friend with a smile and when Neville asked if they could talk in the Head dormitory, Harry only nodded.

Ten minutes later, he, Ron, Hermione, and Neville were sitting in the little Heads common room as Neville tapped his fingers on his knee.

"What's going on, Nev?" Harry asked, his eyes on his friend. "Did something happen?"

Neville shook his head. "No, nothing happened. It's just… I've been thinking. A lot, actually, since the attack on Hogsmeade."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "About anything particular?"

"That blasted snake."

Ron swore under his breath. "The snake none of us has even seen, except for Harry, of course? Yeah, Hermione brought that up a while back as well. How in bleeding hell are we going to kill that fucking thing?"

Neville nodded. "That's what I've been wondering. When I saw you encased in that magical force field, Harry, all I could think of was that you couldn't end him. That we had to wait because of that bloody snake."

"I know," Harry said. "We have to find a way to take her out, but from what I understand, she never leaves Voldemort's side."

"But she wasn't there in Hogsmeade," Neville said.

Harry frowned. "What are you saying, Nev?"

Neville let out a slow breath. "I'm saying that we need to come up with a plan to get to her if Voldemort shows up without her again. We can't just let him keep attacking randomly and have to wait because Nagini isn't with him. We need to find a way to get to her and take her out if that happens."

Harry leaned back in his seat. Neville was right. When Voldemort inevitably showed up again to attack him and most likely the castle, if Nagini wasn't with him, what were they going to do?

"Do you have an idea?"

Neville nodded. "Kind of. I don't know how good it is, but it's something."

"We're all ears," Ron said. "All of us want that bloody snake gone so that we can take out Voldemort once and for all."

Neville tapped his fingers on his knee. "Okay, so if Voldemort shows up again and the snake isn't with him, he has to leave her somewhere safe, right?" At their nod, he continued. "We need someone on the inside to be able to capture and bring her to wherever Voldemort is so that we can take her out."

"Capture her?" Ron asked.

"Yes," Neville insisted. "They won't know how to kill her properly and without a basilisk fang or the Sword of Gryffindor, how are they going to do it? They'll only kill the snake and the Horcrux will escape."

"That's true," Harry admitted. "We have limited resources on that front. But we also don't have anyone on the inside, Neville. The only person we did have was Snape and he betrayed us and he betrayed them… and is most likely dead. No one's seen or heard from him since before Ted and Andy were killed."

Neville shook his head. "Well, we kind of have somebody, but you're not going to like it."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

They all looked up when Ginny came through the portrait hole. She looked around at them, curiously.

"What's going on?"

Harry pulled her down into his lap, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Neville has an idea on how to get rid of Nagini."

"Oh?" she asked.

Neville took a breath. "Zabini's mum."

Ginny scoffed. "What? She's a Death Eater. She's a Death Eater and a known serial killer. What makes you think that she would help us?"

Neville shook his head. "Not us — Blaise."

Harry's brow furrowed. "You might have a point."

"What?" Ron exclaimed. "Have you two gone bloody mad? Why the hell would she ever help us? She loves that old snake-faced loony!"

Harry shook his head. "I don't know, Ron. Some of the stuff Malfoy and Zabini have said… she helped Blaise escape and urged him not to take the Dark Mark. She basically convinced him to fake his own death. If she was a true die hard believer, wouldn't she want her son to be with her?"

Hermione looked skeptical. "Just because she doesn't want Blaise to be part of that world doesn't mean that we can trust her."

"No, absolutely not," Harry agreed. "But when the time comes, if Nagini isn't with Voldemort… we might not have very many options."

"Exactly," Neville said. "And according to Theo, Zabini is going stir-crazy cooped up. If we tell him that this will end everything and set him free… there's no way in hell he won't jump on that train to help us out."

Hermione pursed her lips. "And you think that Blaise will be able to, what? Convince his mother to bring us the snake?"

"Yes," Harry said. "I think he could. We'll have to talk to Theo about it, but I think he would do it."

"And if Bellarosa Zabini brought the snake to us," Neville said. "We could end the snake once and for all and finally put an end to Voldemort."

Harry held Ginny tighter in his arms. "He's not going to hold out much longer before he attacks the castle. Hogwarts has too much power for him not to want to take it on."

"What do you think he's waiting for?" Ginny asked.

Hermione shook her head. "I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was trying to obtain another wand."

"A more powerful wand," Harry agreed. "He could be searching for one."

"Paper this morning said that Garrick Ollivander has been declared missing. His son hasn't seen or heard from him in three days and his shop was found unlocked with signs of a struggle," Ron said.

Harry's eyes met Hermione's. "Guess that proves your wand theory correct."

Neville shook his head. "Does he really think that he'll find a wand more powerful than the Elder Wand?"

"I don't know," Harry admitted. "But it does beg the question: Did he know that he even had the Elder Wand to begin with?"

When no one answered him, he turned his face into Ginny's neck. He rather didn't like the sound of that at all.

---

End Author's Notes:

(Scottish Gaelic) mo ghràdh = my love
(Scottish Gaelic) mo nighean = my daughter
(Russian) da = yes

Reminder of Zee's family tree:

The Zacarias':

Ivan Zacarias m. Anya Zacarias (1939) (Muggles — Ivan was the soldier in WWII with the motorbike) — all of their children, grandchildren, and supporting family is magical.

1. Mikhail (Misha) m. Magnolia Jackson Zacarias (d) m. Sorcha Brown Zacarias (1972)
(a) Zahira Zelena Zacarias (9 April, 1964) eng. Sirius Orion Black (3 November, 1959)
(i) Harry James Potter (31 July, 1980)
(ii) Minerva Euphemia Magnolia Black (31 December, 1996)
(iii) Leonardo Sirius Mikhail Black (31 December, 1996)

2. Olga Zacarias Petrov (1944) m. Dimtri Petrov (1960)
(a) Mikhail Petrov (1962) m. Ana Ivanov (1983)
(i) Yuri Petrov (8 June, 1985)
(b) Mila Petrov Sokolov (1965) m. Nicholas Sokolov (1985)
(i) Nastasia Sokolov (8 May, 1987)
(ii) Dinara Sokolov (3 February, 1989)

3. Sasha Zacarias Blok (1947) m. Yerik Blok (1964)
(a) Tanya Blok Fedorov (1967) m. Alek Fedorov (1993)
(b) Tatiana Blok Kuznetsov (1967) m. Iosif Kuznetsov (1965)

The Browns:

Callum Brown (1894) m. Fiona (1899) (1919)
1. Brian Brown (1921) m. Jocasta Fitzgibbons (1942)
(a) Dougal Brown (1944) m. Ellen Smith (1969)
(i) Jenny Brown Sterling (3 May, 1972) m. Josh Sterling (1970)
(ii) Ian Brown (4 February, 1974)

2. Sorcha Brown (14 January 1937) m. Misha Zacarias (1972)
(a) Zahira Zelena Zacarias (9 April, 1964) eng. Sirius Orion Black (3 November, 1959)
(i) Harry James Potter (31 July, 1980)
(ii) Minerva Euphemia Magnolia Black (31 December, 1996)
(iii) Leonardo Sirius Mikhail Black (31 December, 1996)

Mila Petrov Sokolov and Remus are the godparents of Mina; Ian Brown and Tonks are the godparents of Leo (both cousins to Zee).

Thanks for reading and please review!