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.

332. The One Where Remus Forgets Tonks

Author's Note:

I'm glad that Ernie parole was a surprise to everyone! It's nice to know I still have a few of those up my sleeves!

Reviews and Comments: To darkhk: Yes, you were the first LOL. Thank you! To AnonymousHufflepuffWriter: Thank you for another beautiful review in thanks for the chapter! To GodMisha: I had no idea you used different names, I just assumed you had stopped reviewing so it's lovely to see your name pop up again. Thank you! To scrappy8: Thank you! Theo does have a big decision to make. To Cassiopeia Anastasia Black: Thank you! I know, I feel bad for Theo, too. Tonks knew that Ginny was exactly what Theo needed and yes, Harry's reaction was exactly what we were all thinking. As to Bas confirming the KofA is real, well, Tonks certainly thinks he did lol. Yes, the book seems very useful, doesn't it? I think Harry and Ginny are going to have fun with it. It is a plan, we'll have to see how well it plays out. Thank you very much! To Moony The Sheep: It has been! I'm not going to lie, I had thought you abandoned this story so it's so nice to see your name again! Yes, there is lots of sex, what can I say? They are randy lol. We will see more school stuff actually in this chapter, but with some smut too. Thank you for liking the Zee and Sorcha chat, it was sad, but it was necessary. You think Ernie is pulling the "or else" card. We'll have to see. Yes, Bas isn't demanding, he knows Theo is hurting and just wants to comfort him. Thanks for enjoying my slow burn Horcrux hunt as well. Thank you!

To alix33: Thank you! Theo will talk to Bas about Ernie. To Jones man: God, I don't even know what I would say are the top 10 quotable lines from ASC, but thanks for loving "we all bleed red." That's the next title of the newest The First Time Around chapter. To EnigmaticEmperor: It was nice to check in with Zee, thanks! Yes, it's still March. Macmillan definitely doesn't deserve to be let out early after what he did to Theo, but he's trying. Nope, not Lucius, glad I threw you off your game LOL. We'll see still Bas, promise, and yes, more of D and J. Teddy is coming soon, this is true! Bas and Tonks have definitely become good friends and thanks for loving Ginny and Theo's friendship. I agree, it does make it more intimate that it's something they both like to do. I think Ginny likes it because it reminds her that it's Harry and she was worried that if she couldn't see him, she might have a flashback, but Harry treasures her and proved that she was wrong. Thank you! To ascfan: Thank you! Yes, Theo does need to figure out if he's brave enough to testify and he does need to talk to Bas. As to fanfic recommendations, in the end author's note of either chapter 230/231/or 232, there is a big list. Thank you!

To Slaidback: I always enjoy the statement a comedy of errors lol. Thank you very much for your kind words. As to Sam, drop her a review and tell her yourself. The more reviews and excitement she sees, the better your chances are. But I'm dying to find out myself. Thanks! To NikkiWeasleyPotter: Thanks for loving Zee. Ha, as to Ginny's vengeance, I think she's kind of over it because a) Neither of them can keep their hands off of each other and b) Neither of them want to keep their hands off of each other LOL. No, Theo really can't catch a break. I agree, the idea of a rapist getting out because "he doesn't deserve to have his life ruined for something he did at 16" is too realistic for comfort. Pretty sure something like that just happened in America. Theo is embarrassed, but he will tell Bas. Thank you! To Nuno Neves: Thank you! I'm glad you still feel such rage over Ernie, me too. Yes, Draco and Blaise are not going to be happy either. Remus and Tonks are excited for Teddy, we'll see more of them in this chapter. Harry and Ginny are definitely like an old married couple in so many ways lol. Yes, they did rather like their first doggy style position and Harry almost falling off the bed was fun. Thanks for loving Neville's plan, we'll see if it's something that might work. Thank you! To puttyman24: Thank you! I agree, Macmillan should never be let out. To pix25: Thank you! Yes, we'll have to wait and see on Neville's idea.

To Driftwood: I agree, in reality it is too common for someone like Ernie to get released. Poor Theo was blindsided and upset and horrified. But yes, he does need to because he never did get closure with it and I explain that in this chapter. I think Bas sharing his own fears was exactly what Theo needed. Neville is an out of the box thinker and we'll see where his idea goes. It is a struggle for Tonks to be stuck doing non-field related things. She is definitely going to miss Bas. Thank you for saying that the relationships I do "focus on are wonderful and beautifully layered." Thank you very much! To Wolf's scream: I think most of us get a little cranky when we're hungry lol. Macmillan reminds you of Barty Crouch Junior? I don't think he's at that level, but he's definitely a horrible human being. Thank you! To Jimbo: I agree, Macmillan should definitely get more than fifteen years, but unfortunately the system does suck. Thanks for enjoying my Hinny scene. As to the addition to chapter six, not any time soon, but in the future, I imagine they will. Thank you! To samashhh: Thank you! We are getting closer! As to Theo taking the stand, he needs to do it, but right now, he can't get over his fear. Thank you! To A Huge Fan: Thank you for your kind words about the support of the fanfic community, I thought it was important to address. Thanks for enjoying the idea about how to get to Nagini, it is something to keep in mind. Thank you!

To Mutt N Feathers: Thank you! He does need to tell Bas and he does need to testify, but it's a lot for him to work out. You don't think Bellarosa loves her son enough? Should be interesting to see how it plays out. Thank you! To Undead Gothic Princess: Thank you very much! To Shivani: Nope, Ernie doesn't deserve parole at all! I'm so glad everyone is on the same page there. Sebastian is very worried and doesn't know what's going on. I'm so glad that Theo feels like a friend, I think so, too, and we want to comfort him. Yes, that "we all have our demons" might be in this chapter. I love that you have those snippets memorized! I love Bas being able to calm Theo down after his nightmare. Thank you so much for such a lovely review! It was nice to hear from you again! To lenalighthouse: Thank you! We are nearing the end, but definitely still a lot more to go. Thanks for reading for two years! Thank you! To the Mandalorian terminator: Yes, Macmillan's parole was quite a shock, to everyone. Theo is still being affected by what happened. Thanks for liking Neville's idea!

To CherrySara: Thank you! I know, poor Theo, he's so happy right now and tossing this bombshell at him isn't good. The flashback makes you miss Finn? I suppose that's fair. Bas is definitely smitten and not ready to admit it. He wants to comfort and support Theo even though he doesn't know what's going on. Theo will talk to him. Yes, Theo's fear that something had happened to Bas was a legitimate one. Thank you very much! To majosaulo00: Thank you for making an account just to leave me a review, that's so sweet! Thank you very much! To Chris: Thanks for catching back up! I do feel bad for Snape, but yes, Crouch is having too much fun with him right now. Ginny will let her family know soon. Theo will talk to Bas as well. Thank you! To Guest: I love Hinny and while I'm pleased people are falling in love with Theobas, Hinny will always be my number one. Thank you. To Saz J: OMG! You caught up! I swear you've been one to two weeks behind for so long now I thought it would never happen LOL! Thanks for adoring the scene with Zee and Sorcha, I thought it was time. I know you love Tonks and Bas' friendship and as to Theo, well, you should know when he just finds happiness, something has to give. Thank you!

To Thrae: Thanks for catching up! Seven weeks of freely reading ASC is a good stretch! As to your English teacher criticism, I apologize. I edit and my beta does, but sadly, things are missed. It's as good as it's going to get for free fanfiction lol. Thanks for enjoying the story arcs and my characters like Theo. Finn was important, but I agree, Bas helps him grow and supports him just the way he is and is the better man for him. Theo will be forced to deal with the trauma of Macmillan, something he hasn't done, and it will be mentioned in this chapter. Thanks for enjoying my Canadian references. Thank you! To ellyann13: LOL, yes, I suppose it is all me and not the parole board, but I have to do what the characters tell me. As to Sebastian searching for Macmillan to find out… that's addressed in this chapter. Theo needs to trust Bas and to trust in himself. I'm glad the muggle airplane title was a surprise lol. Thank you!

To adelkins83: I know this review was left on chapter 268, but thank you for coming back to ASC and for leaving me a review. I appreciate your kind words! To marauders_mowopapr: Theo does deserve lots of hugs! Bas being able to comfort him without even knowing what's going on says so much about who he is, I agree. Yes, Bas and Misha will interact. Thank you very much for your kind words. To shuweet: Thanks for loving Theobas and Hinny! To briana_t: I agree, Macmillan does deserve to rot in Azkaban for all of eternity. Yup, Harry was given that work and very embarrassed by it lol. I don't think he minds it so much anymore. Thank you! To AQuickRead91: I know, poor Theo. Thank you! To CorbanD17: Thanks for loving my Hinny! To 19HuffleClaws: Thank you! I picture Zee as mostly English accent, but for sure she has a crazy mix thrown in there sometimes. Thank you! To LizzyMonster: Thank you! To AnaGPotter: Nope, not Bella sisters in that chapter, but instead Macmillan. He definitely doesn't deserve parole. Thank you! To BadWolfKris: Thank you! To Mackie919: Thank you! Yes, Hinny are adorable and in love. As to Theo not being able to catch a break, he does need to deal with Ernie. Zee is being responsible and careful about the will. Thank you!

To I_heart_cat: Thank you! The rising action to the final battle is slowly approaching. Theo is strong, but no one deserves this and news of Macmillan rather blindsided him. Yes, no one is telling Sebastian about Macmillan because they know it's Theo's story, not theirs. I love how Harry and Ginny can talk to each other about anything and I agree, their communication is what makes them so good. We'll see more of pregnant Tonks in this chapter. Thank you! To TatiRena: Thanks for dropping a review for the first time in a while, it's lovely to see your name again and know you're still reading. Thank you! To Fanfis01: Wow, re-reading for the third time! Thank you! I'm still doing my re-reads and bolding reviews and adding chapter titles (I'm only up to 199 completed though) LOL. I love that you were at the part where Harry gets the sex book, that is a coincidence lol! Thank you! To pottermum: I love how Zee's family is Harry's family too, it's so sweet! Thanks for loving the Theo and Ginny friendship and yes, boo to Ernie! Thank you! To LadyRava: Thank you! To skyreader_183: Thank you! Yes, poor Theo having to go over it all again! To Steelcode: Thank you! To katelyn453: Thank you! To tim2604: Thank you! I'll have to do a search but it's definitely somewhere between 200 and 205. We will learn more about the KofA soon. I think Harry and Ginny are too needy for each other for that to work LOL. Thank you!

To Bellmel: Fuck Ernie is a great beginning LOL. Thanks for loving the Theobas. I agree, it is a bit turning point in their relationship and them balancing their schedules really shows how they want to connect, but Ernie is the first real test. Yes, by Theo not opening up immediately, it gave Bas the chance to be with Theo needed with our pressing for more. He was supportive and caring and exactly what Theo needed. I love the idea of Bas being terrified to jump out of a Muggle plane lol. Theo does doubt himself sometimes and part of him still thinks that he doesn't deserve to be loved because of his childhood. He is vulnerable and he's isolating himself in fear. Yes, Bas is very smitten and Kingsley and Tonks having that conversation over Bas and Bas not knowing what's going on is so cute. Yes, when Bas jumps in to correct Tonks on how long they've been together definitely says a lot about how "not smitten" he is LOL. As to your reaction to Kingsley discovering Bas and Theo are a thing being inconsequential lol, made me chuckle. He is a wonderful man and not concerned. Yes, Tonks is going on maternity leave and Bas leaving but they will still be friends! I love Hinny being so incredibly sweet, funny, and hot all in one scene. Harry definitely was embarrassed at first and then seeing how Ginny was reacting to the book, well, suddenly that shyness is gone LOL. Is there a reason I went into detail over who gets custody of Mina and Leo? She's just being cautious, Bell. As to who would get the panther, I think it's a given that Lady G would go with Harry. We will see more Remadora this chapter! LMAO, ending with fuck Ernie again made me laugh. Thank you for this amazing review!

To haili: Thank you very much! I'm glad I could brighten up your week! To nottnkane: First of all, I am honoured that you love my Theobas, but you are very incorrect. I am not transitioning this story into a Theobas story from a Hinny one. This story is full of multiple stories, but Hinny is the main storyline since it is Harry's story (technically it was Sirius/Zee, Harry/Ginny, and Remus/Tonks with additional couples added in). So no, I will not start writing less Hinny. Second of all, as to this statement: "The way you refuse to make this story more about Theo and Bas make it clear that you're totally homophobic." I'm sorry — what? I'm the one who made Theobas, how am I homophobic? There is lots more of their story to come, but they are the not the main couple in this story. There are lots of couples in this story. And third, as to sharing snippets on tumblr, I can choose to share whichever ones I would like and just because I refused to share any more snippets (of any couple) doesn't make me prejudiced against gay people. This is literally the most confusing comment I have ever read. Thank you for your thoughts and I hope next time you think about what you're saying before you tell someone to go to hell when I am the person who wrote and came up with the couple you claim to love so much. Thank you and I hope your day gets better.

To Gigi87: Thank you! She would love it if you read her work! You're right, Lady Godiva absolutely preens to the attention, but won't admit it lol. You think Zee is going to die in the final battle? We will have to see! I know, the thought of Ernie maybe getting out is a lot for Theo to handle and just the memories are haunting him again. Ernie's dad did disown him and no, he has no part in his son's attempt at parole. Thank you for saying you like that I show male rape and sexual assault. I really wanted to show that it can happen to anyone and it's wrong and it needs to be addressed. Theo does need to heal and move on, something he hasn't really done (which is explained in this chapter). It is so hard to write pets! Like it's so easy to forget about them so just assume Arnold is around when he's not mentioned LOL. "The way you have developed and portrayed Harry and Ginny's relationship is done so beautifully. It's like every time Ginny is hesitant or fearful of something Harry comforts her, gets her to open up, talks to her about it and makes her feel so loved and wanted that she can't help but be confident in herself." Thank you so much! Aww, you're too sweet to say that I've ruined other Hinny fanfics for you! LOL, but all of the happy fluff doesn't warrant you from being worried I'm going shock the shit out of you LOL. Good to know! Yes, Voldemort would definitely kill Bellarosa if she kidnapped the snake. Thank you for very much for the added PS, I don't even know how they think I'm homophobic, but I appreciate your kind words. Thank you!

To ravenclaw_rockchick: Oh goodness, don't get your blood pressure taken while reading sex scenes or torture scenes LOL! I'm glad it gave you a laugh though! You're worried Zee is going to die because of her will? And if she does, you will riot. Noted. No one wants Ernie to be released, he is a twat. Theo does need to talk about it and he has buried it deep. Bas will definitely understand and yes, him jumping in and talking about planes to distract and comfort Theo definitely gets him bonus boyfriend points! Neville is the only Gryffindor seventh year who sleeps on his own. Hannah has slept over once or twice by accident, but they are not having sex. Dean and Seamus definitely share a bed every night! It is a risky plan for the snake, but it's only if Voldemort doesn't show up with Nagini when he attacks Hogwarts, they need a contingency plan to get the snake to the castle. Thank you very much for recommending this and urging others to leave reviews. I appreciate that more than I express. Thank you!

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!

---

CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-TWO:

The One Where Remus Forgets Tonks

It had taken them almost a week to find Mykew Gregorovitch in Germany. He'd been out looking for thestrals to use some of their hair for his newest wands. His grandson, Aleksei Gregorovitch, had welcomed them into Gregorovitch Zauberstäbe with enthusiasm. It had helped, of course, that Bellarosa had put on the charm.

One look at his wife in her short blood red dress, with her high and full cleavage and gorgeous smile, had Aleksei Gregorovitch practically eating out of the palm of her hand. Rossi had to admit, her charm was legendary and it didn't take much for her to charm any man within her radius.

Aleksei was twenty-eight and learning the trade of wand making from his father, Ivan, and his grandfather, Mykew. It hadn't taken much for Bellarosa to get the young man talking. Ivan was running the shop in Krasnoyarsk, Russia with his eldest son, Mykew and his older daughter, Alyona. Aleksei was in charge of the shop in Berlin and in charge of keeping an eye on his grandfather — who was apparently notorious for wandering off.

According to Aleksei, his grandfather had been gone for almost a week, determined to get himself a bundle of thestral hair from a fresh source. Bellarosa flirted the information out of him with skill until Belladonna came in and closed up the shop. She tied Aleksei to a chair while Bellatrix went out into the Spandauer Forst to find the old man.

Rossi guarded the shop with Bellarosa while Belladonna flirted and teased Aleksei, promising to do naughty things to him if he told them more about his grandfather. An Imperius Curse was required to get him talking more, but soon they were well aware of his family and his grandfather's legendary skills at wand making.

Mykew Gregorovitch had been making wands since he'd been fifteen. He had two sons, Nicholas and Ivan, but Nicholas had been killed during Grindelwald's reign. Ivan had given him three grandchildren to help continue in the Gregorovitch wand making business: Mykew, Alyona, and Aleksei. Aleksei was the only one not married and the one Gregorovitch was looking to leave the shop in Berlin to within the next three years of his "supposed" retirement. Aleksei was excited to take on the business with the guidance and help of his father who would work out of the second shop in Russia. As to knowledge about specialty wands, he was full of them, but none were the answers that they sought.

Four hours later, Bellatrix finally returned with the old man in tow. Rossi had to admit, older than sin had been a good way of describing him. He was bald with nothing more than tiny white hairs on the top of his head, but he had a full white beard, kept short. His eyebrows were big, white, and fluffy and his face had more wrinkles than a bulldog. If his math was correct, the man had to be at least one hundred and ten.

Bellatrix bound him to the chair across from his grandson, her wand pointed at him.

"Voo are you?" Gregorovitch demanded, his eyes turning to steel. "Let Aleksei go!"

"Now, where's the fun in that, old man?" Bellatrix asked, tracing his thick bushy eyebrows with her thumbs. "You were a difficult man to find, Mykew."

Gregorovitch frowned and spoke in rather broken English. "I am doing job. I vasn't hiding."

Belladonna stepped around Aleksei, her hands on his shoulders, kneading them. "We need to talk to you."

"Talk! I have nothing hide! Please, leave Aleksei!"

Belladonna bent down, her lips trailing along Aleksei's ear as her hands slid down his chest, slowly opening the buttons of his shirt one by one. "Is he telling the truth, Aleksei? Does your grandfather have something to hide? Something he may have found many years ago…"

Aleksei's breath hitched as the last button of his shirt came undone and Belladonna spread his shirt open, her nails skimming over his naked chest. "Ota, tell them what they want to know."

"Vhat? Vhat do you vant to know?" Gregorovitch demanded.

Belladonna's hands slid lower to unbuckle Aleksei's trousers. "You discovered something many years ago, a wand of great power…"

Gregorovitch stared. "I don't recall that."

Bellatrix's tongue slid over his cheek, making the old man jump. "I can taste your lies."

"I am old man," Gregorovitch said. "I don't revember such vand. Please, let my grandson go. I vill tell you vhatever vant."

"I think you do," Belladonna said, pulling Aleksei's trousers off and making Gregorovitch look at her instead of Bellatrix. "I think you do remember such a wand. A wand of great power… a wand that was so mythical and so mysterious that you attempted to recreate it for yourself…"

Gregorovitch shook his head. "No. I make great vands. I do not need a vand of myth."

Bellatrix chuckled, her nails trailing along his neck. "How about this… you tell us about this wand or…"

"Or," Belladonna taunted, stripping Aleksei of his underwear and leaving him naked before them. "I'm going to gut your grandson from groin to throat."

"But first we might do a little chopping," Bellatrix said with a mad smile. "I rather like cutting things off."

Aleksei's eyes widened in fear as Belladonna's wand became a knife that trailed over his groin, menacingly. "Ota!"

"Let him go!" Gregorovitch demanded. "He knows nothing of past!"

"We could," Belladonna agreed, the knife gliding in a teasing fashion over Aleksei's upper thighs. "But I always find that there's more motivation for those you love than for yourself. Don't you think, Bellatrix?"

Bellatrix licked Gregorovitch's cheek again. "I do. Trade me prisoners, Donna."

Rossi's stomach clenched as Belladonna came to stand next to Gregorovitch while Bellatrix knelt before Aleksei. He looked away as the knife sliced across his testicles in a shallow cut. He screamed and Gregorovitch cried out.

"Stop! Please! He is innocent!"

Belladonna's hands came down on his shoulders. "Where's the wand, Gregorovitch?"

"Gone!" he cried out as his grandson screamed again. "Gone, decades ago! Stolen!"

Rossi stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "Stolen?"

Gregorovitch nodded, his eyes wide. "At turn of century. I did find many, many years ago! It… it vas chance finding at estate sale in Antwerp! It vas in trunk that no one had opened years… I felt power. I vanted to know voo had created such beautiful vand!"

Bellarosa moved her sister out of the way to sit on the old man's lap. "What made it so beautiful, Mykew?"

"The vood vas made elder and… carved so elegantly," he whispered. "I could feel power it vielded and I just knew that vand like that vas very special."

Bellarosa stroked his cheek. "You wanted to recreate it?"

He nodded. "Ja. I vanted to make same, but nothing I tried vorked. Nothing could recreate power it held and I knew that anyone voo controlled that vand vould be… unstoppable. I started to ask 'round, see if anyone might know voo vand belonged to; that's vhen I hear myths."

"The myths?" Bellarosa asked. "What myths?"

Gregorovitch swallowed. "About legendary vand known as Vand of Destiny."

Aleksei cried out again and Bellarosa turned to glare at Bellatrix.

"Stop hurting him, Bella."

Bellatrix pouted, but stepped back.

Rossi stood next to his wife, his eyes on Gregorovitch. "What is the Wand of Destiny, Gregorovitch?"

"Myth," Gregorovitch whispered. "Centuries in the making about vand created from elder tree and carved by Death himself to be most powerful vand in all of existence. All voo have vielded it have done extraordinary things only to die young for those voo craved the power of the vand they held. It has gone by many names over years… Vand of Destiny, Death Stick, Elder Vand…"

"And where is it now?" Bellarosa asked, her eyes gleaming in excitement.

"Gone," Gregorovitch claimed. "Stolen!"

Belladonna snorted. "Convenient, isn't it? Gut him, Bella."

"No!" Gregorovitch shouted as Bellatrix held her wand over Aleksei's groin. "I speak truth! Please!"

"Who stole it?" Rossi demanded. "Who was he?"

"A boy!" Gregorovitch said, tears in his eyes. "He vas only boy! I did not know his name!"

Bellarosa leaned forward and placed her hands on either side of the old man's face. "Show me. Legilimens."

Gregorovitch had tears rolling down his cheeks as he stared into her eyes and it was only a few moments before she stood up from his lap.

"He speaks the truth," Bellarosa said, reaching for her husband's hand.

"Who is this boy?" Belladonna demanded. "Dumbledore?"

"No," Bellarosa said. "But a young man at the time, maybe nineteen or twenty. He snuck into the shop in the middle of the night and stole the wand from the chest."

"He'd been in store earlier in day," Gregorovitch said quietly. "He told me he heard rumours about vand of great myth and vanted to see. I showed him. I vas foolish."

"Yes," Belladonna said. "You were. Get rid of them."

Gregorovitch screamed as Bellatrix gutted Aleksei from groin to throat without a second thought. Rossi turned his eyes away, his stomach revolting at the sight. The hardest part about this was having to stand by as something like this happened and being unable to stop it, being unable to arrest the mad woman who had just killed an innocent man for no reason. It was about the mission, and unfortunately, not everyone could be saved.

Belladonna smiled and took out a tube of red lipstick, outlining her lips for a long moment. Then she leaned in close and cupped the old man's cheek. "Don't worry, Mykew, we won't let you suffer for long."

She kissed him. Long and hard. When she pulled away, his lips were coated with her lipstick. Rossi watched her wipe her mouth off with a handkerchief before she smiled.

"Can't leave any witnesses behind."

"Donna, we don't know who the young man is. He could have told us more," Bellarosa said. "You always act so rashly."

Belladonna laughed. "No, he couldn't have. You have this young man's face in your mind?"

"Sí," Bellarosa said. "He is young and handsome with blond hair and blue eyes, but that does not tell me much."

Rossi reached out to take his wife's hand. "Almost a hundred years ago… it won't be easy to identify him."

"It will," Belladonna said. "You have an artistic hand, Emilio, surely you can draw his likeness for us to discover, can you not?"

Rossi stared at her as he watched Bellatrix abandon the bloody mess that she'd left of Aleksei Gregorovitch. "Sí."

"Then it won't be a problem," Belladonna said. "Get a sketch and we'll go from there. We don't want to keep the dark lord waiting."

Rossi watched her turn and walk away with Bellatrix before he squeezed Bellarosa's hand. "We didn't have to kill him."

"No," Bellarosa whispered. "But it's best not to ask too many questions."

"And Gregorovitch?"

Bellarosa turned to where the man was sitting, his lips blood red, tears rolling down his cheeks as he stared at the bloody carcass of his grandson. "Donna kissed him. He'll be gone soon."

Rossi's eyes widened in surprise before he let his wife lead him from the room. His wife had just confirmed the one thing that they had been questioning for years.

Belladonna Brambilla had just used Lover's Kiss to murder Mykew Gregorovitch.

He had a lot of items to put into his newest report and it was going to start with one very important thing: Bellarosa was not the Black Widow.

But as he looked at his wife he wondered not for the first time just how much he could trust her. After all, if her last five marriages were anything to go on, he needed to figure things out quickly and get out because his time was coming to an end.

~ ASC ~

Harry was trying not to stare at his girlfriend, but he was finding it impossible to focus on his schoolwork. It had always been hard for him to concentrate while knowing how amazing she was with her hands… mouth… knowing what she could do to him while hidden away was seductive enough. But then tack on the intrusive memories of how she tasted, how she felt, and Harry's education always took a backseat. But now knowing what it was like to be with her… Merlin… he wanted to drag her off somewhere and make love to her until they were both too tired to move.

And he wanted it all the damn time.

But March seemed to bring on more than just her second tryout and that meant finding time to do what he wanted to her, was harder than it should have been.

He knew that she was worried about Theo's reaction to Macmillan potentially getting paroled and Harry had to admit, he was too. Just the thought of that complete arsehole getting out on a technicality made him want to do something about the complete injustice of the justice system. He remembered running into Theo, seeing Macmillan hurt him. He was still angry at himself for not doing something more than breaking the prick's nose.

No one deserved to be treated like that. Ever.

Ginny told him that Theo had taken the news hard and Harry was happy to know that he'd been able to run off and spend time with Sebastian. The Auror made him happy, happier then Harry could even remember seeing him. It seemed that Theo spent more time outside of Hogwarts than actually in. It seemed strange, but it wasn't against school policy either. Most students just preferred to stay at the castle as it was much easier for everyone, but Theo was eighteen and had no dorm mates to share his time with him. It made sense that he would want to be other places.

March also meant that the workload in their school work had increased. Professors were determined to cram as much information at them as possible to prepare them for their Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests, which were set to be written the first week of June. It seemed ages off and yet, Harry felt them creeping up on him. Ron's eighteenth birthday had come to pass and after dragging him away from Hermione the Friday night after his birthday, they'd spent the night drinking Jameson and playing Would You Rather with Seamus, Dean, and Neville like old times.

It was fun and it made Harry a bit sad to think that those kinds of times were almost done.

March brought Tonks going on maternity leave from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and Harry was surprised to realize that meant he was going to be a godfather very soon. Tonks had decided to go off at the end of the second week of March and give herself a few weeks to rest and organize before little Teddy Lupin arrived. She was due the thirteenth of April and Harry found himself anxious to meet his godson. Tonks' maternity leave also coincided with Sebastian Kane leaving the DMLE to return to the MIA. Tonks' last day was the thirteenth of March and Sebastian had finished the week before her. The MIA was still working in tandem with the DMLE, but they needed their Auror back to run point from his own office.

Ginny told him that meant Sebastian was no longer available to meet Theo for lunch on Fridays, but since Theo seemed to be living with him most of the week, Harry didn't think that was an overly big deal. The total for the calendars sold on Valentine's Day had come in, earning another sizeable donations to St Mungo's. Harry asked Ginny to sign his and kept the month of August hung up near his bed, making her laugh.

March also brought Neville going up against the Herbological Association to prove his thesis and Harry knew that his friend was nervous about doing so. It was scheduled for two days after Macmillan's parole hearing and Neville was working his arse off well into the night to get things ready. Dean was spending more time in the art room and meeting his father for lunch every weekend to get to know him better. Seamus was studying everything he could on fires and fire flying. The only thing that seemed to bring them all together, was putting final touches on the plans to fend off the castle in case of an attack.

Defence Club had become nothing more than a preparation for war.

Teams were orchestrated to practice archery and Harry had to admit, they'd gotten really good. Hermione had surprised him the most with her ability to shoot an arrow almost perfectly every single time. Professor Rhiannon had a small group of fifth and sixth years learning sword fighting and even the first and second years had taken to archery easily. They wanted everyone in the castle to be prepared to fight until they could get to safety. Everyone was going to be ready for what was coming, even if no one knew exactly when that was going to be.

But even thoughts of an impending attack couldn't stop Harry from thinking about Ginny.

It seemed that no matter what he was doing, he couldn't stop his mind from imagining her soft skin. He thought about kissing the smattering of twelve freckles on the back of her left shoulder and trailing his tongue over the three on the back of her right arm. He dreamed about kissing all seventeen of them on her left breast, dragging his tongue from freckle to freckle before sucking that beautiful pink nipple into his mouth. He wanted to trace his fingers over the seven on the small of her back and show her that if she only had two more back there, he was convinced that it would look like a golden Snitch. He wanted to kiss each freckle around her belly button, the ones down her thighs, over her calves, and the ones between her toes.

He could hardly sit in class without remembering how he'd tugged her into a broom cupboard on the fourth floor where they'd proceeded to shag against the door. Or how she'd followed him into the boys bathroom on the sixth floor, locked the door, and he'd taken her on the counter. Or how they'd wandered off into a deserted alcove in the library and Ginny had straddled him, riding his cock right there in the dark abandoned corner and snogging him senseless so that no one would hear their moans.

He wasn't even including their morning workouts.

After running in the morning and winding down their workout with a hot shower, they usually ended up back in Harry's bed to make slow love before breakfast. Nothing was better in Harry's opinion that having Ginny under him, her hands on his arse, as he took his time and drove them both over the edge. Except maybe for when she was over him, taking control and riding his cock like she owned it (which she did).

Ginny spent every night in his bed and they made love every single night. Harry had to admit, they were definitely getting better at it. He was even proud to admit, he was managing to last a little longer. Being inside of Ginny was the greatest feeling in the world and the problem was, it felt too bloody good. If Harry had thought learning to hold out while being in her mouth had been hard, not coming in ten seconds once he was inside of her was even harder. He focused on Quidditch plays as much as he could, imagined anything he could think of except coming inside of her and their lovemaking had progressively started to last longer and longer. One time he'd even managed to thrust in and out of her for over two minutes before he'd lost it and come harder than he'd ever come in his life.

Ginny would only kiss him and snuggle him to her, but Harry thought that was a pretty big improvement if he did say so himself. And out of all the times they'd gone at each other, he'd only had two other occasions where he hadn't managed to get her off. He'd more than made up for it with his mouth and fingers and Ginny kissed him passionately when they finished and told him how much she loved him.

Harry had to admit, four weeks of sex had given them a lot of practice and he definitely wanted so much more.

It was why he was watching her now, chewing her bottom lip as her quill moved across the parchment. They were sitting up in the tower room, books spread across the coffee table as they sat on the floor and worked on their homework. Transfiguration books were open around her and he watched her pretty brown eyes move over the page of the textbook. He was staring at her for at least a full minute, admiring the one freckle that dipped into her top lip, looking down the soft creamy column of her throat and wondering if he could convince her to loosen her tie when those brown eyes met his.

"Stop staring at me. It's distracting."

"Can't," Harry said. "Being in the same room with you is distracting."

Ginny bit her lip. "I need to finish this paper."

"I know," he said.

"And I can't have you distracting me," Ginny insisted. "I have to keep my grades up even while I prep for my second tryout."

"I know," he said again. "Which you're going to be completely brilliant at."

Ginny turned back to her Transfiguration book.

Harry tried not to watch her, but not looking at her was hard. After five more minutes of admiring her, he pulled out his wand. Ginny gasped when her tie loosened and opened around her neck.

"Harry!"

He grinned. "It's just a tie. You look much more comfortable without it."

Ginny rolled her eyes and turned back to her book.

When his wand began to pop open the buttons on her shirt, she stood up.

"Listen, troublemaker," she insisted, moving to stand over him. "I have homework to do."

Harry's hand slid up her legs. "I think I know of a way to help with that."

"Stop distracting me," Ginny insisted. "We agreed that we would spend the afternoon doing homework and then after dinner we would reward ourselves."

Harry leaned in and kissed behind her knee. "What are you trying to learn?"

"I have a test next week on the four branches and sub branches of transfiguration and the importance of each."

Harry kissed behind her other knee. "I'll quiz you. You know this. We'll make it a game."

Ginny raised an eyebrow. "What kind of game?"

He grinned. He knew mentioning a game would definitely gain his girlfriend's attention. "For every question you get right, I get to take off an article of your clothing."

Ginny's breath hitched. "And wrong?"

"Wrong," Harry whispered, his fingers sliding up her thighs to fiddle with the top of her stockings. "For every question you get wrong… I'm going to do this."

He kissed her skin so softly it was a tease and she trembled.

"This seems more like a game for you than for me."

He grinned. "Oh, it definitely is, but it will still help you learn, won't it?"

"Yes," she agreed. "But I'm changing the rules."

Harry arched an eyebrow. "Changing the rules how?"

"For every question I get right, we both have to take something off and for every question I get wrong, only I have to take something off."

Harry's slow smile made her eyes darken as he jumped up to his knees, his eyes on his girlfriend. "Deal. Let's start with the first and most important branch of transfiguration."

"Transformation," she said.

Harry nodded and watched as she slowly pulled her tie off, dropping it onto the floor. "Transformation and what is that? I need a full answer to warrant me taking something off."

Ginny glared at him before she answered. "It's… any form of transfiguration that causes the intended target to be altered or deformed in some way," she said as Harry's fingertips traced her cheeks.

"Go on," Harry urged. "Give me some examples."

"Turning a match into a needle or going more complex like human transfiguration."

"Correct," Harry said, sliding his hands down her chest and under her skirt.

Ginny made a startled sound of surprise as he unhooked her garter and carefully slid it out from under her skirt, dropping it onto the carpet next to him. "Harry…"

He grinned and stood up, pulling his jumper over his head and dropped it on the floor next to him. "Is human transfiguration considered one of the four main branches of transfiguration?"

"No," Ginny said. "It's a sub-branch listed under transformation."

"Correct," Harry said, unhooking his wand holster and dropping it on top of his jumper. "Conjuration is the easiest form of transfiguration, true or false."

"True," Ginny whispered.

Harry leaned forward and placed a soft gentle kiss to her neck. "Incorrect. Conjuration is one of the hardest forms."

His fingers unbuttoned her cardigan, spreading it open and off of her shoulders before it fell to floor.

"Name the four branches."

"Transformation. Untransfiguration. Vanishment. Conjuration."

Harry smiled and slowly unbuttoned his shirt. "Correct."

He spread his shirt open, slipping it off under his suspenders and leaving him to wear only his suspenders and his Gryffindor tie over his naked chest.

Ginny licked her lips.

"Off," he urged.

Ginny slid her thigh-highs down, stepping out of them.

"Define Untransfiguration."

"It's an art form," Ginny began, her eyes on his chest. "It takes a great deal of power and concentration and requires both a counter spell as well as the transfiguration of reversing the previous transfiguration in a way that safely reverts the spell back to what it was."

"Correct," Harry said, unbuckling his belt and slipping it out his trousers to drop them on the floor. He waited until Ginny stepped out of her skirt, her unbuttoned blouse hanging long enough to hide most of her knickers from his sight. "Tell me about vanishment."

Ginny swallowed before she bit her bottom lip. "Vanishment is the art of causing things to vanish." When Harry only arched an eyebrow, she continued. "It's to make something into non-being. It's extremely complex and difficult as it requires one to understand the correlating complexity of the organism in question. Invertebrates are easier to begin on then vertebrates because of the difficulties of bone structure and density. Evanesco is used for all variations of vanishment, the rest requires concentration, focus, and precise wand movement."

"Very good, Miss Weasley," Harry teased, unbuttoning his trousers.

But to Ginny's dismay, he didn't take them off. Instead he stepped out of his shoes. She bit her lip in annoyance and slipped her blouse over her shoulders so that she stood before him in just her vest, bra, and knickers.

"Tell me about Conjuration."

"It's the hardest form of transfiguration there is," Ginny said.

"Why?"

"Because conjuring something from nothing defies the laws of nature. Something conjured isn't able to remain in being."

Harry pulled his socks off and Ginny pulled her vest over her head.

"Explain."

"There are restrictions on conjuration," Ginny answered. "For example, one cannot conjure more food out of thin air, but multiplying what one already has is possible, but like everything, there are limits."

Harry pulled off his tie and dropped it on the ground. Ginny unhooked her bra and let it fall to the carpet. Harry's eyes fell on her breasts and he licked his lips.

"Tell me about another sub-type of transformation magic outside of human."

"Switching."

Harry unclipped one suspender, letting the strap hang down his back.

"It's a form of transformative magic that allows two targets to switch places. But it's not just about switching, it's about the two objects in question being dependent on the change to switch properly. For example, if I performed a switching spell on a tortoise and a hare, I would have to focus the transformation on every aspect of each animal or in fact I could switch my tortoise and have him possess the long ears of a hare while the hare is still missing a vital part of themselves. It can be as dangerous as splinching oneself."

"Exactly," Harry said, unclipping his other suspender. "Take them off."

"Harry… you were wearing more clothes than me."

He grinned. "Take them off."

Ginny slid her knickers down her legs and stepped out of them, standing completely naked before him. She wore nothing but the earrings in her ears and the h & g necklace that she never took off.

"Tell me another sub-type of transformation magic."

"Trans-species transformation."

Harry's trousers hit the floor and Ginny bit her bottom lip, her eyes on the impressive tent forming in his boxer briefs.

"It's an important part of transformation magic in which one organism is transformed into a completely different species like turning a mammal into a reptile. It can often be a sub-branch of human transfiguration and can be connected to cross-species switches and only be done by those with powerful concentration and focusing skills."

Harry nodded, putting his glasses on the table. "And last question, who is the wizard known for creating the most powerful human transfiguration ever recorded?"

"Gellert Grindelwald," Ginny whispered. "He disguised himself as a MACUSA Auror known as Percival Graves and infiltrated the American ministry for months."

Harry dropped his boxer briefs, his hard cock bouncing up to hit his stomach. "Well, I think you're going to pass just fine."

Ginny took a step towards him, her hand wrapping around him. "This can't really count as studying."

Harry's lips dropped to her neck. "Says who? You learned stuff."

She moaned when he began to kiss his way down her throat. "I learned that studying with you is very dangerous."

He grinned, his mouth moving to cover her nipple. "I think you mean very rewarding."

"I don't think we did this right," she said. "It seems to me that both of us getting naked wasn't the right form of reward system for my studying."

Harry's mouth let go of her nipple as he fell to his knees, kissing his way down her stomach. "I think it was perfect. Let's talk about your reward."

His mouth pressed against her and her head fell back, a hand finding its way into his hair. "Harry…"

His tongue found her and she cried out as he licked and teased her. When she trembled against him, he kissed his way back up her chest and stood up, pulling her with him to the sofa; kissing her breasts as he pulled her down into his lap.

"Tell me more about switching spells."

"What?" Ginny asked, her eyes full of desire and confusion.

"Switching spells," Harry prompted. "For every spell you get right, I'll add a finger."

Ginny's eyes darkened. "Godric, you don't play fair."

"Go."

She demonstrated the first wand movement and he slid a finger into her, moving it in and out in a slow and frustrating movement. She demonstrated the second one and a second finger slid into her. By the time she got to the fourth one, three fingers were moving deep inside of her so he lifted her to stand over him and added his tongue.

Ginny cried out, her hands clutching his hair as he drove her to the edge and let go, licking his lips as he lowered her back into his lap.

"Complexities of human transfiguration versus the Animagus transformation."

Ginny's breath caught and instead of answering, she lowered herself to the floor and covered his cock with her mouth.

Harry groaned. "Nrgl… fuck, Ginny… what happened to studying?"

Ginny dragged her tongue over him, sucking more and more of him into her mouth until he was gasping and then she let him go, licking her lips.

"Animagus transformations are considered more difficult as it's a sub-species transfiguration as opposed to same-species and can be done without a wand."

Harry cupped her cheek in his hand. "Correct."

Ginny bent her head and dragged her tongue over his balls.

Harry's eyes crossed.

"Erm… vanishing spells and their… capa-capabilities," he gasped as her tongue continued to torture him.

"Vanishing spells are complex in nature and can be as simple as vanishing a spell to removing a specific piece of clothing a person is wearing to being powerful enough to vanish an entire person into another dimension." She straddled him again and his fingers slid back into her. "But vanishing… into another dim-d-dim-mmm…"

Harry slid his fingers out of her to rest on her lip. "Continue."

Ginny let out a slow breath. "Vanishing someone into another dimension is dangerous and never lasts longer than a few minutes before the person is brought back. The laws of nature do not allow someone to vanish a human being from existence in any way outside of death."

"Good job," he said, slipping his fingers back into her. "You're going to ace this test."

Ginny groaned as his fingers began to pump in and out of her. "Harry… oh, Godric…"

He kept going, watching her head fall back as she rode his fingers, her breasts bouncing before him in all of their glory and that gorgeous red hair spilling over her shoulders and down her back. When she came, her nails dug into his shoulders as she cried out his name amongst incoherent gasps and he merely added a third finger and started to bring her over again. Ginny stopped his hand and lowered herself onto him instead.

He groaned the moment she did, holding her hips in his hands as she sheathed him inside of her like a warm blanket. They both moaned at the impact and when she began to ride him, he bent his head to capture a nipple.

Merlin, it felt so good. He wanted to stay like this forever. He wanted to hold her in his arms and feel his cock moving in and out of her for all of eternity and he hated that he already could feel the tightening of his balls. He wasn't ready to let go yet. He focused on her transfiguration homework, trying to think about switching spells and transformation, but the feel of Ginny starting to come apart around him, made him bite his lip hard enough to draw blood.

"Ah… yes… oh, fuck, yes…"

Ginny's mouth slammed into his and she moaned into his mouth as she came a second time. He barely made it another ten seconds before he felt himself let go. He gripped her hips hard enough to bruise as he finished with a loud roar. Ginny kissed his shoulders, his neck, and when he finally softened, she slid off of him and stretched out onto the sofa. Harry turned to snuggle into her, his face between her breasts.

"I love you so much," he whispered.

Ginny smiled, her skin glistening in a way that made him want her all over again. "We should always study like this."

He laughed against her breasts. "Want to quiz me on charms next?"

"Absolutely," Ginny said, her fingers in his hair. "We'll make it more challenging."

Harry lifted his head just enough to meet her gaze. "How much more challenging?"

Her lips curved. "Two thrusts per correct answer and then you have to stop."

Harry groaned. "You'll kill me."

She kissed his forehead. "Okay… one suck for every correct answer."

His eyes danced in delight. "I'm going to become a star student."

Ginny chuckled and kissed his forehead again. "I think we both are."

Harry snuggled back into her breasts. "Nap first."

"Nap first," she agreed, pulling the blanket down off the back of the sofa to cover both of them. She ran her fingers through Harry's soft hair, unable to stop smiling as she watched his eyes flutter closed. "I love you, too."

~ ASC ~

Spending time with Sebastian was the exact break that Theo needed from thinking about Macmillan. He had away of keeping his mind off of him and making him forget all about the trial that was coming up in a little over a week. Neither of them had really spoken about the fact that they were spending every spare moment together.

The moment that Sebastian had found out that Theo didn't have classes on Wednesdays, they'd increased their sleepovers. Suddenly Monday nights and Thursday nights were the only nights a week that Theo slept in his dorm at Hogwarts. His bag was at Sebastian's flat the rest of the week and the days they weren't, they talked on the mirrors well into the night.

The thing was… it had just sort of happened. They wanted to spend more time together (and Merlin knew they wanted to fuck each other blind) but waking up next to Sebastian was something that Theo truly enjoyed. It was only the second week of it, but Theo loved every moment of it. Sebastian had to work late every Tuesday, but Theo still met him outside of Hogwarts at quarter after nine to be picked up. They'd end up bed in with snacks, talking and snogging, and more. Theo loved the way Sebastian held him close, cuddling him as he slept. When he got up for his run, Theo would curl into the warm spot he left on the bed and when Bas came back, they usually ended up having morning sex before breakfast.

Theo used Wednesdays for homework and when Bas came home for lunch, Theo decided that having his boyfriend's cock in his mouth was a great distraction. When he returned to Hogwarts Thursday morning in time for class, he was reminded that it was only four more days until Macmillan's trial and left Transfiguration to vomit in the bathroom.

Ginny found him in there just before lunch.

"I'm fine," he said before she could speak.

"We both know that's not true," Ginny said, linking her arm with his. "Have you talked to Smith yet?"

Theo shook his head.

"Theo, it's not going to just disappear. Macmillan's trial is going to happen and you need to be prepared."

"I'm not going."

Ginny stopped him in the hall. "What?"

"I'm not going," Theo insisted. "I can't go in there and face him again, Ginny. I can't! He's already been haunting my dreams so much that I'm barely sleeping. If I see him again, it's going to be so much worse!"

"Maybe," Ginny said. "But if you don't, he could get out and he could do this to someone else. What if he wants payback and comes after you again?"

Theo's eyes darkened. "I'll kill him."

But as Ginny said the words, he wasn't so sure of his own. The thought of being in Macmillan's presence again terrified him. He wanted to cry and scream and he hated that after everything, even two years later, he still felt like he had no control.

Ginny kissed his cheek. "Okay. But there's something important you need to know." When his eyes met hers, she squeezed his hands. "Macmillan's lawyer has been talking to Hufflepuff students today."

"What? Why?"

"To give them a better understanding of his personality and my guess would be to prove his innocence."

Theo shook his head. "No."

Ginny squeezed his arm. "Harry wants to stand up there for you, be a witness to what he saw."

A tear spilled down Theo's cheek. "He doesn't… he would do that?"

"Of course he would!" Ginny exclaimed. "We love you. Have you told Bas yet?"

Theo shook his head. "No. I can't."

"He might have some power to help overturn this plan," Ginny suggested.

"No," Theo insisted. "I can't let him… we talked about our exes and our hookups but I never… he can't know this, Ginny. I don't want him to look at me differently."

"Theo, that man is mad about you," Ginny said with a smile. "You spend five nights a week with him. You can't tell me that he doesn't suspect something."

Theo frowned. "No, he… he thinks that Macmillan is a Death Eater and connected with my father. I've never bothered to correct him. As for the nights… he distracts me. And not just with sex."

At Ginny's raised eyebrow, he sighed.

"I don't know how he does it. One night he convinced me to come back to bed while telling me some mad story about him jumping out of an airplane and he just held me and made me feel safe and I went back to sleep. Another time, we snuggled under a blanket on the sofa and he told me about this adventure he had in Madrid last year with Durant. Another time, he rambled on about Hidden Passions. I don't know how he does it, but I always end up calming down and going back to sleep, wrapped in his arms," Theo admitted. "He only asked once and now he just asks if I'm all right."

"You should tell him."

"Ginny… we've only been dating since the second week of January."

"Yes, and you spend five nights a week with him."

Theo bit his bottom lip. "I don't want him to…"

"To what?"

"I don't want him to stop being… aggressive," he admitted, his cheeks flushing. "I like when he takes control in bed. I love sucking his cock. I love when he's buried so deep inside of me that I can't breathe and I'm scared that if I tell him how aggressive and bloody scary Macmillan was, he won't treat me the same. He's going to pity me and treat me like I'm riding a broom for the first time and… he makes me happy. Like stupid happy and I don't want to lose that."

Ginny hugged Theo tight. "You're scared."

He nodded, burying his face in the crook of her neck. "And I know it wasn't my fault, I know that, but I'm still so… ashamed."

"I still feel that way, too," Ginny admitted. "Being with Harry has helped me put those feelings behind me. You should trust Bas."

Theo let out a slow breath, but he didn't stop hugging her. "I'll think about it."

Ginny nodded. "Okay. And what about Smith?"

"I'll think about that, too."

Ginny kissed his cheek and when Theo followed her to the Great Hall for lunch, he still wasn't sure if he had really decided anything. His stomach was still churning and the thought of eating made him want to vomit again so instead he picked at his food, but he did write to Smith and sent the letter out before dinner. Smith wrote him back right away and suggested having a breakfast meeting the next day. Theo's hands trembled as he read the letter.

"Want me to come with you?" Harry offered, grasping Theo's trembling hands when he came to tell him and Ginny the next morning.

"No," Theo said. "But thank you. I wish Blaise could. He's great at this kind of stuff."

Harry nodded. "If you change your mind, call me on the mirror."

Theo hugged Harry so tightly that he expected him to recoil, but Harry only held him until Theo let go. He bid them goodbye and took off to meet Smith at Apricity Spread for the breakfast meeting before he would head to the Ministry of Magic for the Wizengamot session.

Theo's hands were restless as he sat down and waited for Smith. His eyes widened in surprise when Sebastian slid into the booth next to him.

"Bas!"

Lips brushed his and he immediately felt a sense of happiness and calmness wash over him.

"Good morning," Sebastian said. "This is a nice surprise."

"What are you doing here?"

Sebastian held up his takeaway cup. "Morning coffee. I'm heading into work. What are you doing here?"

"Good morning, Theo," Smith said, sliding into the booth across from him.

He looked the same as Theo remembered him. His sandy blond hair was slicked back and his dark eyes were kind and trusting. He had immediately liked Franklin M Smith when Sirius Black had set up a meeting. The man handled all of his financial aspects and he'd been there at the beginning when Macmillan had been arrested. He'd been there to give Theo advice on everything. He trusted him.

"Franklin, thanks for meeting me," Theo said, relief tearing through him at the sight of the lawyer.

"Of course. When you said that it had to do with Macmillan's parole I knew that it must be serious."

Theo bit his lip. "I… I don't…"

Smith gave him a kind smile. "I understand. We'll go over everything and see what we know. I spoke to Shacklebolt last night and he gave me copies of his prison files and of what his lawyer's plan is. I do think he's right, Theo — you will probably have to testify against him."

Theo's knuckles clenched around the edge table, turning white. Sebastian covered his hands with his.

"I don't know if I can."

Smith nodded. "Well, I agree with Shacklebolt on this. It doesn't look like there's much we can do to stop it unless you speak up against his parole. Higgins and Lupin will speak on your behalf, but unless you come forward and tell them that you fear for your own safety if he's released…"

"But he was given fifteen years!" Theo exclaimed, his voice a little higher than normal.

"I understand your frustration, Theo. I'll look into it more and we'll see, but I really do think that if you speak up and tell them that you're afraid, that you fear for your own safety and the safety of others, it will be for the best."

"I have some pull," Sebastian said, making Smith turn to him. "Auror Kane, MIA. I might be able to speak on the desire to overturn a fifteen year sentence."

"That would help, of course," Smith said. "But in the end, something like this… it becomes about Theo."

Sebastian frowned and Theo squeezed his hands.

"Go to work, you're going to be late."

"I can stay if you want me, too," Sebastian offered, his brow furrowed as he looked into his eyes.

Theo shook his head. "Go. I'll see you tonight."

Sebastian hesitated only a moment before he kissed Theo quickly and headed off.

"He seems like a nice bloke," Smith said. "You haven't told him."

It wasn't a question and Theo's breath hitched.

"If… if I speak. What do I have to say?"

"What he did," Smith said. "And why you think he shouldn't be released, that you still fear him."

Theo closed his eyes. "The thought of it makes me sick."

"And that's why you need to do this," Smith said. "You still fear him and that needs to be addressed."

Theo nodded. Smith went over the prison files with him, telling him what he did know about Macmillan's behaviour since he'd been in Azkaban. He went on to explain how Macmillan's injuries when the Ministry was attacked, his process of being removed and detailed to the crypt and how he'd been a model prisoner ever since; how he was recovered and looking to start anew when he was released. None of it made Theo feel any better. Smith promised to keep him updated and told him that he needed to know by Monday morning whether Theo would be present at the hearing that afternoon or not.

But Theo didn't have any answers for him.

He went to the Wizengamot session, but didn't say much to anyone while he was there. With Sebastian having returned to the MIA last week, he knew that he wouldn't be waiting for him with a cappuccino after the session finished, so he made his way back to Hogwarts, still lost in thought. Neville tried to get him to talk, but to no avail.

Theo didn't know what to say or what to think. He felt like he was a zombie sitting through Ancient Studies and when he packed up his bag and left Hogwarts again to meet Sebastian for dinner, he still had no idea what he wanted to do.

But he couldn't help but smile when Sebastian's arm came around him the moment he saw him outside of the gates of Hogwarts.

"Hi," Theo said. "How was work?"

"Normal," Sebastian said. "It's nice to be back at the MIA, but I admit, I miss Lupin a bit."

Theo smiled. "I miss meeting you for lunch."

Sebastian kissed his temple. "Me too. What do you want to do tonight?"

"Just hang out," Theo said.

Sebastian nodded and they Apparated back to his flat. It didn't take long for Sebastian to tell him that they were going to have pasta and Theo was soon laughing as Sebastian walked him through making sauce and boiling pasta. They shared a nice dinner before Theo jumped him. He needed something to take his mind off of it and the moment Sebastian kissed him, all thoughts left Theo's mind.

It was only after they'd both come and fallen asleep wrapped in each other's arms did the dreams return.

Theo woke with his heart pounding in his chest. A look at the clock told him it was barely ten and he'd slept less than half an hour, but it didn't reassure him.

"You need only ask and I'll be there on Monday," Sebastian murmured, sitting up and kissing Theo's shoulder.

Theo let out a slow breath. He knew that, but if Sebastian was there, it meant he would find out what happened. He wasn't sure if he could deal with that. He wasn't sure if he could admit aloud what had… his stomach churned.

Theo carefully moved out of his boyfriend's arms. "I'm sure your work keeps you busy."

"Yes," Sebastian said slowly, "but part of my job is to keep criminals in prison. Anyone associated with Voldemort would be high on that list."

Theo grabbed his boxer briefs and pulled them up before he pulled on his trousers. "He's not."

"Not what?" Sebastian asked.

"Associated with Voldemort."

Sebastian arched an eyebrow, pulling on his own pyjama bottoms. "Macmillan's not a Death Eater?"

Theo's hands trembled. "I need some air."

He made it down the stairs before Sebastian's arm turned him around.

"Did he hurt you?"

"I… I need to head back to Hogwarts. I-I have some homework to finish up." Theo said. "I gotta go."

Sebastian's hand gripped his wrist when he attempted to run off. "Theo, it's after ten. Talk to me."

Theo shook his head, his heart racing. He couldn't do this. He couldn't explain to him what happened. He couldn't…

"I have to go."

Sebastian grabbed his hand. "Theo. Please, I can't let you run out like this. Let's talk. I'll open some wine. I can get Macmillan's sentence extended. Let me help."

Theo trembled. "He's not a Death Eater."

Sebastian nodded. "Was this not associated with your father?"

"No," he whispered, pulling his hand away. He turned, wrapping his arms around himself as he moved to look out the window. The street was dimly lit and looked empty.

"Theo," Sebastian said, quietly. "Did he hurt you?"

Theo shook his head, his eyes on the city below. "I can't, Bas. Please."

Sebastian moved to stand behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist and pulling Theo back against him. "Twice over the last week, I have made up an excuse to go to the Ministry of Magic. I've gone down to the Department of Files and Records and pulled up the file on Macmillan, Ernest Richard, DOB 03/28/80."

Theo paled, his brown eyes locking on Sebastian's blue ones in the glass. "You read it?"

"No," Sebastian said. "Because every time I pull the file I think… I don't want to read about it, Theo… I want you to tell me."

Theo shook his head. "No. I… I can't."

"Why?"

Theo moved out of Sebastian's grip and picked up his cloak from the back of the chair. "I have to go."

"Theo," Sebastian said, moving to block the door. "Please don't go like this. You don't have to tell me. I just… I want to be there for you. Whatever he did to… whatever he said or whatever he — I'm with the MIA. One word from me in your defence and I can almost guarantee you that he will serve out his sentence. I don't need to know it all, I just want to be there for you."

The mirror in his pocket vibrated and Theo fumbled for it. "Ginny," he said, charming the mirror to open. "I can't talk right now."

"Wait!" Ginny said. "Theo, this is important."

"What is it?" he asked, refusing to look at Sebastian.

"Hannah was just telling us about that lawyer going around getting statements from Hufflepuff students on Macmillan's personality," she explained. "And he's not just asking questions about who he was. They're trying to build a timeline to see if he's susceptible to curses."

Theo turned white. His fingers tightened on the mirror in his hand. "What?"

"The lawyer is talking about him being susceptible to the Imperius Curse and that's why he —"

"— That's a bloody lie!" Theo shouted, making Ginny jump at his loud interruption. "That's a lie! No one put him under a curse! No one… he did that all on his own! He liked it! He liked to watch me bleed and he liked to —"

Theo clamped a hand over his mouth and closed the mirror, ignoring Ginny as he shoved it into his pocket. The sudden sob that tore through him had Sebastian reaching for him.

"Please, don't touch me," he whispered.

Sebastian stepped back, his hands in the air. "Theo… baby, I'm not going to hurt you."

Theo gripped the back of the chair for support, trying to stop the sobs from tearing through him. Trying to stop it was making his chest hurt, but it was too much. This was supposed to be over. Macmillan was in Azkaban and Theo wasn't supposed to have to deal with this ever again. He didn't know why it suddenly seemed to be hitting him harder than ever, but he felt like it was all too real, like Macmillan was still hurting him and still getting off on his pain.

Sebastian moved to stand behind him, a warm soothing hand was running over his back, but he made no move to touch him in any other way.

"It's okay to be upset," he said softly. "I'll be there on Monday and I'll help you. I promise, you won't be alone. Not for a second."

Theo held a hand over his heart. "I… I have to go. I'm sorry."

"Don't," Sebastian said. "You shouldn't be alone right now."

"I… I have to go because I'm…"

"Because you're what?"

Theo's brown eyes were clouded in tears when he finally turned to look at him. "Because I'm ashamed."

Sebastian put his arm around him before he could make it to the door and led him over to the sofa. He pulled him down to sit with him. Theo didn't protest when he found his head in his boyfriend's lap. Sebastian's fingers gently brushed his hair and Theo let out a slow breath.

"I already know that you have nothing to be ashamed about. He's in Azkaban," Sebastian said. "That tells me that whatever he did was wrong and that you are absolutely not to blame in any way. You are wonderful, Theo. You're kind and funny. I don't think that you could hurt someone if you tried."

Theo sniffed. "I can fight people. I have a sword."

Sebastian's lips curved as he carded his fingers through Theo's hair. "Yes, you do. You're a defender and not at all capable of hurting anyone otherwise. It's what I like about you. You're unflaggingly kind."

Theo's hand bawled into a fist against Sebastian's thigh. "He blackmailed me and I let him."

Sebastian didn't speak. The fingers in his hair stopped for only a fraction of a second before they continued to stroke and massage his head.

"He… he threatened to tell my father that I was gay if I didn't do what he… wanted," he whispered.

Sebastian didn't say anything. He simply kept running his fingers through Theo's hair and waited for him to speak.

"It was at the start of fifth year and I was still trying to work out how to get out from under my father's shadow. Auntie Cissa told me that when I turned sixteen I would stand a chance, but until then I had to be cautious," he said. "Father had already introduced me to the Dark Lord before I went back to school. I was scared. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know when October came if I would be free, or if I could even do it. I was just counting down until I turned sixteen and trying to stay as far away from my father as I could."

Sebastian's fingers danced over his scalp.

"Bas… I… I was never ashamed to be gay. I never tried to hide it. I knew who I was and I told my friends in third year and… everyone knew. My friends knew and almost everyone at school did because I planted one on Ginny's stupid ex in the middle of the Great Hall just to make him pay for being such a dickwad to her and that…"

Theo slowly unclenched his fist, his eyes on the winding staircase that led to the second floor loft of Sebastian's flat.

"I shouldn't have done it. It's how Father heard a rumour. He hinted that Goyle had suggested I was and I… he bought me a witch for a night to prove that I wasn't gay and he made me…" Theo bit his bottom lip, trying not to remember how his father had forced him to have sex with the prostitute.

"He made you what?" Sebastian whispered.

"Doesn't matter," Theo said, quickly. "The point is when Ernie… all I could see was myself losing everything if I didn't do what Macmillan wanted. If I didn't play his game."

Sebastian's fingers threaded through his hair, stroking down to the base of his neck and back up. Theo found it comforting. He trembled again and a blanket fell over him, Sebastian's fingers never wavering from his hair.

"The first time he… I was angry and a-a-shamed," he whispered, closing his eyes.

Merlin, he'd been so ashamed. He'd done everything he could to hide the marks the prefect had left on him. He'd showered for almost an hour and cleaned his mouth at least ten times before he went to bed that night. He'd slept all of twenty minutes before he'd hurried into the bathroom to hyperventilate. Blaise had sat up with him all night, he remembered. They'd played gin rummy and Theo had told him he'd dreamed about meeting Voldemort. Blaise hadn't questioned it.

"I-I-I told myself it was one time, that no one had to know it happened, but then it… it kept happening. He kept finding me and he kept…"

Sebastian's fingers gently brushed his cheek. "Did he hurt you, baby?"

"Yes," Theo whispered. "He got off on it. He liked to… hurt me."

Sebastian's eyes darkened.

"I tried to fight back, but he threatened me and… I-I let him because I…" He closed his eyes. "I kept telling myself that I was going to be sixteen soon and once I was sixteen I could make it all stop. I just had to wait. I tried to avoid him, but he… he always seemed to find me."

"You didn't tell anyone?" Sebastian asked, his thumb stroking down Theo's cheek. "Not even a friend?"

Theo shook his head. "I couldn't. He told me if I told anyone he'd… I couldn't."

"Okay, so he kept threatening to tell your father," Sebastian prompted.

"Yes. I-I wanted to talk to a lawyer and get the Norfolk title and the estate away from my father. I thought once I did that, it wouldn't matter if he told him because I would be in control, but until I got that… I would never get it. Father agreed with me about taking on more responsibility. He thought that it was a good idea and since he couldn't do a lot because everyone knew that he was a Death Eater and he had to stay in hiding, he thought me running Norfolk was the best for all of us. He didn't know that I wanted to cut him off and if he found out… I-I couldn't risk it. I couldn't risk losing everything when I was so close and if Macmillan told before I… I couldn't."

Warm fingers continued to tangle in his hair as he spoke.

"So, I let him hurt me. I let it happen. Again and again. One time he beat me so bad I… I passed out," Theo admitted. "My friends were starting to ask me what I was hiding. I knew that I wasn't acting like myself, but I couldn't… I didn't know what to do."

"You passed out?" Sebastian repeated.

Theo nodded, pulling the blanket up to his chin as Sebastian continued to play with his hair. "I… I didn't have time to hide my injuries like I usually did. I… I was afraid to go to the hospital wing so I… I tried to heal them myself, but this time it was too much. I passed out and Draco found me. He was furious and demanded that I tell him, but I couldn't. I couldn't look at him and… I was too ashamed and too scared to admit I was letting it all happen. It was my fault that I was hurt."

"No!" Sebastian growled. "None of this is your fault. None of it, do you understand me?"

Theo rolled onto his back, his eyes finally meeting the blue ones. "I let it happen."

"No, you didn't," Sebastian said. "You were scared, but that does not mean that you let him hurt you. That does not mean that you are at fault for what happened."

Theo bit his bottom lip. "I lied to Draco and to Blaise and to Ginny. They knew something was wrong, but I couldn't tell them. I couldn't… When Harry found us by accident one night… I lied and said that Mac-Macmillan was my secret b-b-boyfriend. That I l-l-liked it. When he had me alone again, he beat me so badly I had trouble getting him… off."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed. "Did he rape you?"

"Yes," Theo whispered. "N-n-not like that, but… he… he just made me… I sucked him off." He sat up. "He forced me to suck him off. Every time. I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want you to pity me or something or worse not want… I wanted you to like me for me and not because you think that I needed to be rescued."

Sebastian cupped his face in his hand. "You're the last person I think needs to be rescued. I'm sorry that he hurt you."

Theo swallowed, turning his face away from Sebastian. "He… forced me to blow him every time and he… beat me. And… I did it. I did it because I was afraid he would take everything from me. I… I went through some dark times, Bas," he whispered. "There were days I told myself that if I just killed myself he couldn't hurt me anymore. I thought about just jumping off of the Astronomy Tower or getting lost in the Forbidden Forest or drowning myself in the Black Lake. Once I even seriously considered it while shaving, just cutting my throat and bleeding out into the sink. I thought everyone would be better off without me."

Sebastian's arm came around his shoulders and he pulled him against his chest. "I am so sorry that he made you have those kinds of dark thoughts."

Theo turned his head into Sebastian's chest. "Draco found me crying in the bathroom and he… I wouldn't tell him why, Bas, but he saved my life that day. Him coming in and just… I wish I would have told him then. I wish I would have just come clean."

"How long?" Sebastian asked. "How long did this go on for?"

"Five months," Theo admitted. "It was when I first started writing to Finn that I finally admitted what was happening to me. He was this faceless man who I didn't know and I posed a hypothetical about someone I knew being blackmailed. He told me that I needed to tell someone, but I couldn't, Bas. I couldn't and he… he hurt me so bad that Professor Snape intervened. I… I told them that I fell down the stairs and they didn't believe me."

"Did someone stay close with you?"

Theo nodded. "Yes. They rarely let me go anywhere alone and I was grateful, but they still knew that I was lying. It's just… I was so close to getting everything and all I could think about was when I was finally Norfolk, I would make him pay."

Sebastian's fingers carded through his hair as he pulled his head back to look into his eyes. He pecked his lips. "You're incredibly brave, do you know that?"

"I'm not brave," Theo whispered, burrowing his face back into Sebastian's chest. "I let him treat me like that. I let him… I sucked him off whenever he demanded it like some common whore and… I let him make me one."

"No," Sebastian said, kissing the top of his head. "You didn't. He's the one who deserves to be ashamed, Theo, not you. I never want to hear you call yourself that again."

Theo turned his face into Sebastian's neck. "Bas… sometimes I wonder what would have happened if Finn hadn't seen him hit me in Hogsmeade."

"Finn saved you from Macmillan?"

"Yes," Theo whispered. "He made sure that he was arrested that afternoon."

"Good," Sebastian said. "He's going to stay there, Theo. He's going to stay in Azkaban."

Theo shook his head. "I don't know if I can do it. I don't know if I can stand up there and answer questions about what he… Ginny said that he's getting witnesses to talk about his personality. He had a girlfriend at the time and… they're going to claim he's okay to come out now. They're going to let him out!"

Sebastian cupped his face in his hands. "No, they won't. You can do this, Theo. You were brave enough to tell me, you're brave enough to stand up there and make sure that they know what kind of person he is."

"I'm not," Theo whispered. "I thought I was over it and one word about him and I… I fell apart. I can't even sleep without having a nightmare and I can't do it, Bas. I can't!"

"I promise you, he will not get out, baby."

"You can't know that, Bas," Theo whispered. "His lawyer is claiming all of this mistrial stuff and how he's changed and already served two years and —"

"—He won't get out," Sebastian vowed, stopping Theo's string of panic. "I'll make sure of it."

Theo's bottom lip trembled and when Sebastian pulled him into his arms, he felt a little stronger.

Sebastian kissed his temple. "I'm glad you told me."

Theo bit his bottom lip. "It was over two years ago, but I… the dreams have made it feel like it was yesterday. I thought I was over it, but…"

"No matter how much we heal from something like that, parts will always be there. Did you talk to someone?"

"A little," Theo admitted. "But Finn made me… I think he made me forget."

"Fae magic is tricky like that," Sebastian said. "He would have kept the wound closed if he could have, but with his death it would have only been a temporary fix. I think hearing about him getting out was enough to make it bleed again. He wanted to heal you, to make you forget because he had the power to do so."

Theo frowned at Sebastian's words before he realized he was right. Sleeping next to Finn, his nightmares had completely disappeared. He never woke from a bad dream, never remembered having them. He'd felt whole and happy. Finn had removed those memories.

"He… he took them away?"

"No," Sebastian said quickly. "Nothing like that, he just… he wanted to help you. He did help, didn't he?"

"Yes," Theo admitted. "I never had nightmares when he was close."

Sebastian smiled, gently brushing the hair off of Theo's forehead. "Exactly. He cared about you and he wanted to help you put what happened behind you. I'm sorry that it's all being drudged up again now."

"I just… I don't want you to think of me differently, Bas. He… what Macmillan did… what I let him…" Theo let out a huff of breath. "He came to me because he said the rumour was I had a mouth like a god and I liked that rumour. I'm not ashamed of who I am and I… I don't want you to think that you can't touch me or that I can't… I love sucking you off and I don't want to let something like what he did take that away from me."

Sebastian's lips twitched. "I wasn't planning on stopping you."

Theo gripped Sebastian's hands in his. "I just don't want you to treat me like a kid on his first broomstick."

Sebastian took Theo's hands and put them on his bare chest. "Theo, I'm not going to start treating you differently. I like you. I like you, a lot. I like kissing you. I like touching you. I fucking love it when you suck me off with that magical mouth of yours. I look forward to every moment we spend together and the fact that I get to see you on Monday afternoon, even for something like this, makes me smile. Got it?"

Theo's lips curved. "I make you smile, eh?"

"Yes," Sebastian said. "Now, the real question is, do you really have to run off and do homework or can you stay the rest of the weekend with me like we planned?"

Theo's hands roamed down Sebastian's toned chest, admiring the well defined abs and broad shoulders. "Depends on why you want me to stay."

Sebastian's lips curved. "I always want you to stay." He kissed his forehead. "How about we open another bottle of wine and play a game? Take our minds off of it?"

"Scrabble?"

"Sure," Sebastian said with a smile.

Theo smiled when Sebastian pecked his lips again before he stood. He watched him move to the cupboard and pull out the game and thought that Sebastian had better be careful because Theo was falling for him and he was falling fast.

And nothing terrified him more.

~ ASC ~

Tonks was starting to feel anxious about having the baby. She wasn't due for four more weeks, but her anxiety had kicked in. In just over a month's time or less she would officially be a mother. It made her miss her own mum more than she could bear.

She started spending more time at Black Cottage to visit with Sorcha and Zee, loving when Zee's mum coddled her more than she wanted to admit. Whenever Molly stopped by for tea, she relished in every moment. Molly seemed to notice because she took time to chat, to check in, and to make sure that Tonks was handling everything all right.

Remus was a complete godsend. He seemed to be taking everything calmly. Too calmly, if she was honest. He had a checklist of things they needed, who they needed to call, and where her go bag was. Tonks knew that Zee had given birth at Black Cottage. Her mother had given birth in their home in Shoreditch, but she wanted a hospital. Remus agreed with her. With the baby having a werewolf for a father and a Metamorphmagus for a mother, they had both agreed that there were too many variables at stake. It made more sense to go to Carmenta's Clinic, the hospital that specialized in childbirth, delivery, and paediatrics. It was named after the Roman goddess of childbirth and prophecy and was said to have the best care for bringing magical children into the world. It was built near Hadrian's Wall and hidden in what looked like an old farmhouse to Muggles who passed by.

Tonks was using the same healer that Zee had used, Abigail Jacoby, but Zee's cousin Ian was her main contact. Ian Brown was amazing and she adored how calm he was and how calm he made her feel. He promised her that he would be there every step of the way and Tonks found it incredibly reassuring.

But it was Remus who was still bothering her.

She had taken to bombarding him with questions, hoping to catch him off guard and make him stutter. The damn man had an answer for everything.

"What if I forget my bag?"

"I'll send someone to get it."

"What if we don't make it to Carmenta's Clinic?"

"Ian will come to you."

"What if I can't do it and he won't come out?"

"He will and you will. Stop worrying, Nymphadora."

But she did worry.

A lot.

It was why that Saturday afternoon as Remus sat at the small kitchen table working on the crossword, she stopped at the counter drinking her vitamin potion. She watched him for a long moment, eyes on his soft hair and the way he absentmindedly fiddled with his earlobe as he focused. She didn't know what made her do it, not really, but she turned to face him, her back against the counter, and put her wand at her back before she silently made water spurt from her wand onto the ground.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, suddenly and loudly.

"Nymphadora?" Remus said, turning to look her at her.

Tonks put her wand on the counter behind her and grabbed her stomach, her eyes wide. "Remus… I-I think my waters just broke."

Remus' eyes widened to saucers. He leapt from the chair so fast it crashed to the ground behind him. "What? You're four weeks early!"

"I know!"

"We… we have to go! We have to get your bag and call Ian and Abby and everyone and fuck, Dora! Charlie is still in bloody Romania! You can't have the baby yet! It's too early!" he exclaimed, his hands in his hair.

"Remus —"

"I got it! I'll take care of everything! Let me grab your bag and we'll go and we'll take care of it! I got it!"

"Remus," she began again but he was already running around like a mad man, throwing random things into a bag.

When he grabbed her go bag and then ran out of the cottage and Disapparated, she goggled.

He'd left her behind.

He came running back inside a minute later, his eyes wide as he realized that he'd forgotten her. He grabbed her arm and then when he looked around desperately for the wand that he was currently holding in his hand, she started to laugh.

The laugh tore through her like an undercurrent and she held her stomach as she howled.

Remus turned to look at her like she had lost her mind.

"It was a joke," Tonks panted. "My waters didn't break."

Remus blinked at her. "What?"

"I just used my wand to, you know," Tonks said, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.

"Nymphadora, are you trying to give me a bloody heart attack?" Remus demanded, his golden eyes as wide as saucers.

"No," she said with a grin. "You've been too calm. I wanted to see if you were really ready for this like you say you are."

Remus moved to stand in front of her. He vanished the water on the floor with a wave of his wand before he knelt before her, his cheek resting against her stomach. He sucked in a breath.

"I'm not calm! What the fuck do I do I if it's real the next time?"

"It will be real the next time," Tonks assured him.

But Remus' golden eyes were wide in panic now. "What if I… I forget you again next time? What if the bag isn't packed right? What if I forget who to contact? What if I don't remember how to Apparate you safely? Merlin, Dora, I just realized that we're not bloody ready!"

Tonks' eyes grew wide. "No, no, we are ready! Merlin, you're shaking, Remus!"

"Of course, I'm bloody shaking! We're going to have a fucking baby!"

Suddenly, Tonks couldn't help but feel slightly guilty for pulling the prank on him.

"You were making me more nervous by not being nervous!" Tonks exclaimed.

"Well, I'm officially nervous now, knowing that I'll be a complete basket-case like that!" Remus groaned.

Tonks carded her fingers through his hair. "Well, just think of that as a practice run. Now you know what not to do. And not forgetting to take your pregnant wife with you is most important."

Remus' lips twitched, his hand running along her protruding stomach. "I love you. I'm trying to be calm and focused for you. You're nervous enough. I didn't want to add to it."

"Knowing you're equally as nervous as I am is very comforting to me."

Remus kissed her belly. "I'm glad that I made you feel better at least. Can't say that I feel better."

Tonks swatted his arm. "Stop it, you!"

The knock on the door startled both of them, but Remus stood up to get it. A moment later Tonks heard Charlie and Molly's voices.

"How are you, Remus?" Molly asked.

"Better," Remus said. "Thanks for asking."

"We come bearing gifts."

Tonks stepped into the living room to see Charlie carrying a large box. "Gifts?"

Charlie moved to kiss her cheek as Molly put Aydin down to let her run around. "Yes, gifts. Did we interrupt something?"

Remus snorted. "If you mean interrupt Dora throwing water on the floor and faking her waters breaking to give me a bloody heart attack, then yes, interruption warranted."

Charlie grinned at Tonks. "You didn't?"

"He was too calm! It was freaking me out!"

"Well, watching me freak out apparently made that change," Remus muttered.

Charlie laughed. "Leave it to Tonks. Behave, will you!"

Tonks grinned and shrugged. "I'll think about it! Now gimme my present!"

"Sit down and I will."

Tonks grumbled as she slowly took a seat on the sofa, thanking Remus when he shoved a pillow behind her back and elevated her legs with another pillow on the table. Once she was settled, Charlie sat next to her, the large box on his lap.

"How are you feeling, really?"

"Fat," Tonks answered. "Yesterday was my last day at work and I already don't know what I'm going to do. I thought you were in Romania for another week."

"Decided to come back early," Charlie said.

"Good. Now gimme me my present."

Charlie grinned and carefully held the box half on his lap and half on hers as she took the card from the top. Tonks opened the envelope and pulled out the parchment, her eyes widening when she recognized her mother's writing.

Pixie — my beautiful Nymphadora,

It is every mother's pride and joy to watch their children grow. You have always been the best thing to ever happen to me. Your father and I have watched you grow, watched you fall in love, and now have watched you grow into the woman who is about to be a mother. Motherhood isn't easy. It's hard. It often sucks more than I can put into words. Some days you think that you're doing everything wrong and some days you're convinced you're going to mess everything up. But then you look over into the sweet face of your child, and you know that everything will be all right.

I have loved you from the very moment you were conceived. The first time I saw your face, I knew that you would become an amazing woman. I am so proud of you. I am so awed of you. Molly has been helping me with this and I hope it's as lovely as you imagined it to be. My little pixie and her wild bands and her loud music. I hope your son gives you as much joy and headaches as you brought me.

I love you, Pixie.

Merry Christmas.

Love,

Mum

"What…" Tonks exclaimed, tears running down her cheeks.

"It would have been a Christmas gift, dear," Molly said, her eyes meeting Tonks' watery eyes. "But when Andromeda… it took me a lot longer to complete it by myself. My mother-in-law, Cedrella — she's a distant relative of yours — and she helped me complete it. Andromeda left this note in the box with the shirts and…"

Tonks opened the lid as Molly trailed off, shoving the tissue aside to stare at the blanket inside. It was just as big and beautiful as she had imagined it would be. The edges were lined in black satin and the bottom was a bright turquoise fluffy material made to snuggle into. But it was the band tee shirts all sewn together on the front that made it worth it. Tonks let out a half sob as she pulled it from the box, opening it wide as her eyes fell on all of her old tee shirts.

"Molly… it's beautiful. Thank you! Thank you so much!" Tonks exclaimed.

Molly stood up to kiss her cheek and hugged her close. "You're very welcome, dear. I'm sorry that it took so long."

"No," Tonks said, shaking her head. "It's perfect. Thank you for finishing it."

Molly smiled, squeezing Tonks' hand in hers. "Of course. It was my honour to finish it. I'm only sorry that your own mother can't be here with you."

Tonks hugged Molly close, grateful the woman was here. When Molly kissed her cheek, she swore that she felt the love of her own mum and knew that despite her worries and her fears of having this baby, everything was going to be okay. Her mother had promised her otherwise.

Remus wrapped the quilt over Tonks' legs and bent down to kiss her. "It's perfect for Teddy."

Tonks pulled him back to her and hugged him tightly. "It's perfect for us."

As she hugged her husband tight, Charlie squeezed her hand next to her and she knew that Teddy was going to be perfect for all of them.

---

End Author's Notes:

We don't know much about Gregorovitch outside of him owning Gregorovitch Zauberstäbe somewhere in Germany and a few other shops around eastern Europe. I added his family members myself as well as the location of his second shop. As to the transfiguration knowledge for the Hinny scene, thank you Harry Potter wiki, LOL.

Thanks to Sam for helping me with this Remadora scene! I loved her idea of Tonks pranking Remus with her waters breaking (apparently someone might have done this to their husband LOL)!

Thank you for reading and please review!