WARNING: Do I even need to bother with the warnings here? Seriously, it's chapter ten. You can't have possibly made it this far if I can offend you with my writing.

Author's note: Thank you everyone who has given me your thoughts on who should teach at Hogwarts. I have a solid idea for everything, but nothing is set in stone until the school year starts.

As always, I appreciate everyone who reads my story, and special thanks to those who review. Reading your reviews is my favorite part of writing, so please let me know what you think.

Now we return you to the thrilling conclusion of the Black family reunion, already in progress.

-o-o-

Chapter 10

Blacks, snakes, and rodents.

-o-o-

"This is heartwarming and all, but can we just get on with this?" Draco grumbled.

Harry walked over to his schoolyard antagonist, and leaned over to be at eye level, a wide smile on his face. "Come now Draco, why the attitude? We should all be one big happy family here."

Harry's smile grew even wider as he realized how uncomfortable he was making the other teenager. "Years ago, you offered to shake my hand in friendship. I'm offering you something greater than that."

Draco was awash with thoughts and emotions. His first thought was that he was a Malfoy, and inherently superior to Potter. That thought was tempered by the knowledge that his hated rival had literally ended the Potter line, and taken up the name Black. He seethed in anger, by all expectations, he should have been the one to inherit, not Scarhead. The grinning idiot in front of him had no right to be lording over him.

Before he could open his mouth to tell off the Gryffindor fool, he saw his mother's face at the edge of his vision. His mother was white as a ghost, and was subtly shaking her head no. There was a look of terror in her eyes, the likes of which he'd never seen before. That confused him, until he actually looked at the new Black paterfamilias, and locked eyes with him.

Those green eyes were completely devoid of sanity. Instead, they held a madness that surpassed his Aunt Bellatrix's. The smile no longer seemed insulting. No, now it was downright frightening. His mind blanked, and he had no idea what to do or say.

Almost disappointed that Draco didn't say anything, Harry spun back around, and walked to where everyone could easily see him. "We are the last of the Blacks. The once mighty House of Black has fallen far, but it has not yet succumbed to the bittersweet embrace of Death. I want to rebuild. I've learned quite a bit about the family I've inherited, and I believe I know what went wrong. More importantly, I know how to fix it."

"What went wrong is the stupidity of pure-blood dogma." Tonks said under her breath, but loud enough to be heard by everyone. A little louder, she boldly clarified, happy that she was obviously upsetting her aunts and her cousin. "Marrying your cousin is a great way to have screwed up kids. Muggles have known this for ages."

Before an argument could break out, Harry loudly agreed with a flat voice. "She's not wrong, but it's also not that simple. That is only half of the problem."

Making sure all eyes were on him, Harry explained. "Toujours pur has been the Black family motto for centuries, but it's actually a poor french translation from the original Latin. Now my Latin sucks, but I'm almost positive I know where the translation screwed up. It's supposed to be always holy, not pure, holy."

"Are you trying to say we're descended from some muggle religious order?" Draco said with a look of disgust.

"No, no, of course not. Muggles worship their gods, and we worship our magic." Harry dismissed Draco's question with a wave of his hand. "Grandmama Frump could explain this better. After all, she's the one who figured this out in the first place. She's almost certain that the Black family originally came from the old magic, the real primal stuff that nobody remembers how to use anymore, just like the Addams family. Except of course, the Addams family never forgot where it came from."

"Wait, are you saying..." Tonks started, as she remembered the utter disaster that the Order's raid had been. "That's why none of our stunners worked... Those freaks use primal magic?! That's insane! Primal magic eats away at you. No one uses it, because it will kill you!"

"I'm not going to pretend I know enough about it to explain." Harry said, cutting her off. "If you really want to talk to an expert, Grandmama is around somewhere. The point is, our family used to pride itself on our magical strength. Somewhere along the way someone made the mistake of thinking that the way to maintain that strength was to only allow established bloodlines to marry into the family. Even worse, somewhere along the way the old magic was allowed to wane."

Harry gestured to Tonks, who was still trying to grasp the situation she'd found herself in. "The whole marrying your cousin thing did screw things up a bit. It's not always going to cause problems, but eventually it will. Those problems add up, and will wipe out a family. New blood is needed to keep a family from dying, just look at Nymphadora.

Tonks twitched at the sound of her real name, but held her tongue. Dumbledore would need to know that they were using primal magic. She decided she would go along for now, learn what she could, and report back to Dumbledore.

Smirking at how Tonks' eye twitched, Harry continued. "She's not a weak witch at all, and a metamorphmagus as well. The muggleborn blood did no harm, and may have been what made her a metamorphmagus."

Harry looked around to see the various reactions. Bellatrix and Tonks both looked conflicted, Narcissa looked thoughtful, Andromeda looked smug, and Draco was furious.

"Now you're saying we need to start marrying mud-bloods?" Draco spat, his anger overriding his earlier fear. "You've lost your bloody mind."

"I'm saying you should look look for a witch who's powerful." Harry said as he focused on Draco. "Her magic should concern you much more than who her parents or grandparents were. Of course, the most important thing should be that you love her."

Harry laughed bitterly. "As much as I hate to admit it, Dumbledore was right about one thing. Love is one of the most powerful magics there is. The Addams family is nothing if not loving. Their passion binds them together, draws in those who would strengthen them, and it might just be what keeps the old magic from destroying them like you were talking about." Harry finished, pointing at Tonks.

"Am I right in thinking that Nymphadora and I are being brought back into the family?" Andromeda asked. "If so, what exactly are you proposing we do to rebuild the family?"

"I've already re-owned... Is that a word?" Harry thought about it for a moment before continuing. "Doesn't matter. Yes, you both are Blacks, by blood and by law. As for how we rebuild, I thought that would be obvious. All of us need to do our part to add more Blacks to the family tree. I might be the only one with the Black name, but you all have Black blood. We all can produce Black children."

Harry was met with silence, so he pressed on, addressing each person individually. "Bellatrix, You really should have produced a Lestrange heir by now anyway. Is there an issue with your marriage? I'm pretty sure I can dissolve it if you'd like. I know you and Asclepius get along well."

That comment made Bellatrix snort with amusement before she nearly doubled over laughing. "Asclepius is lots of fun for widdle Bella to pway with, but he isn't exactly lover material. Well, not for me anyway. I lack the equipment he's interested in." She chuckled knowingly. "He and Rabastan have been sneaking fun time of their own when they think no one will miss them."

Her laughing changed from amused to sardonic. "Rodolphus and I have been too busy serving the Dark Lord, and then rotting in Azkaban to start a family." She looked thoughtful. "If my master allows, we can make time for that sort of fun."

Harry nodded. "If you'd like, I can always ask him to allow it as a favor to me. I think we've got a nice working relationship going by now."

Tonks could feel the color literally drain from her face. In times of stress or emotion, she lost full control of her morphing abilities, and they tended to physically show how she was feeling. Right now, she was horrified. Harry wasn't just dark, he was in league with Voldemort. This was bad... very, very bad.

Harry smirked at the sight of Tonk's face which was now whiter than even Morticia's. Moving on, he Addressed the three sisters together. "The three of you can all have a second child, and give them the Black name. More if you'd like, but I'm not going to insist you turn into brood mares. I'm not that sort of monster.

"Draco, you and I have at least a couple years yet before we should contribute." Harry pointed out casually. "Obviously all of my children will be Blacks, but after you father a Malfoy heir, you can father a new Black as well."

Still unable to fully curb his petulance, Draco all but spat, "I suppose you think you have a say in whom I'll marry."

Harry produced a smile which did not match the coldness of his eye. "Of course not. I do ask that you choose a witch you love, and one with power, but you are the Malfoy heir. I'm not going to hold a knife to your throat over this."

Harry paused, closed his eyes, and his smile grew... less sane. "I think we've reached the fun portion of the meeting. Bella?"

At his prompt, the eldest sister rose and drew her wand. In one fluid motion she secured both of her sisters with conjured ropes. As she did this, Harry's eyes flashed open, and he similarly bound both Draco and Tonks.

In response to the noise of objection and outrage, Harry silenced everyone but Bellatrix, who was merely giggling like a child. "Andromeda, Narcissa, I can't have you interfering as I deal with your children. Don't worry, I shouldn't have to kill them. I just need to impress upon them the situation that they are in now."

Harry slowly walked over to Draco, pocketing his wand, and producing his knife. "Now, I never said I wouldn't hold a knife to you for other reasons." Smiling jovially, he walked behind Draco and jerked his head back roughly, exposing the boy's throat. He leaned down to whisper in Draco's ear as he pressed the point of his knife ever so slightly into the boy's flesh. "There's the jugular here, the carotid here, or I could just open you up from here... to here."

Though Draco's whimpering was silenced, the tears streaming down his cheeks clearly displayed his fear. The acrid scent of urine punctuated said fear.

"Like it or not Draco, we're family now. I suggest you get used to the idea. I'm not the same golden Griffindor that Dumbledore built me up as. Why, I think we should get along famously now. If you disagree, you're welcome to try and kill me whenever you'd like. Just remember..." Harry slowly slid his knife along Draco's throat, barely scratching the skin. "As your dear Aunt Bella would say, I play rough now."

Patting Draco's cheek with the flat of his blade, Harry then moved over to crouch in front of Tonks.

"As I see it, you have a choice." Harry said, his face completely serious, and without emotion. "You can choose family or Dumbledore. On the one hand, you have a dishonest old bastard, who will do whatever he feels necessary for his greater good. This includes by the way, keeping vital information to himself, and even going so far as to screw with my brain to mold me into the boy-who-lived that he wanted." For emphasis, he swirled the tip of his knife around his temple. In doing so, he wound up cutting a thin gash which bled freely. His complete disregard of the bleeding wound unnerved Tonks more than anything so far.

"Then you have us." Harry stood, and flung his arms wide and smiled gently. "We are your family, your own flesh and blood. All I want, is for us to be a loving family. Is that really such a difficult choice?" He took his knife into his left hand, drew his wand again, and removed the silencing charm on Tonks.

Tears of loss and rage welled in her eyes as she snarled, "After you and your twisted girlfriend murdered Remus, you expect me to go along with this?"

"Huh?" Harry was taken aback. "What are you talking about? Remus isn't dead."

"You think I'll believe that after seeing what you did to Mad-Eye? He was barely alive when he escaped." Her hair had turned a vivid red, making her head appear to be aflame, which matched her ire. "Besides, if Remus was still alive, he would have checked in with the Order. Unless he's your prisoner here, and that's even worse."

Harry was confused as to why Tonks was so upset. "Uh... okay. Well I think I can clear up this misconception fairly quick. Kreacher!"

The elderly house elf appeared with a -pop- between Harry and Tonks. "Master called for Kreacher?"

"Yes, find Remus, and have him come here. I have an issue that he can help me with." Harry ordered.

"Kreacher lives to serve the noble house of Black." The elf bowed low before vanishing.

Moments later, the elf reappeared with an upset and half-naked wizard in tow. Remus was dripping wet, and clutching a towel firmly around his waist. "Merlin's beard Harry! What is so important? I barely had time to grab a towel before Kreacher apparated me here. Glancing around the room, he noticed that he was surrounded by witches, and gripped his towel tighter. To his credit, he took Bellatrix's presence, and everyone else being tied up, in stride.

"Sorry about that. I guess I need to be more careful with how I word things with Kreacher." Harry apologized. "It seems the Order thinks you're dead. I figured you could clear things up for Nymphadora." He pointed behind Remus.

Turning, Remus saw the bound metamorph gaping at him, with a slight blush tinting her cheeks.

"Why don't you go put on some robes." Harry said rather than asked. "I think Sirius' stuff should fit you, and you know where his room is."

"Yes, thank you." The werewolf agreed, and walked away with as much dignity as he could manage.

"Now then, What do you say? Loving family, or a manipulative, lying old man?" Harry asked as he focused his attention on Tonks."

"I'm an auror Harry, I fight dark wizards. You can't ask me to just switch sides." She argued, calmer now that she knew her crush was alive. She'd worry about why he hadn't let anyone know that later.

"First, you fight criminals. Not every dark wizard is a criminal." Harry pointed out. "Second, I'm not asking you to change sides. I don't care if you fight Voldemort or not. If you can manage it, you're even welcome to arrest Bella. Kill each other for all I care. A little bloodshed never hurt anyone."

Seeing the confusion on everyone's faces, except Bellatrix's, he tried to explain. "All I want is for us to love each other as family should, and for the family to grow strong again. There's no reason why you can't love your aunt as you fight each other to the death. Bella gets it, I don't understand what's so hard to grasp here."

"If you want, this house can be a neutral ground until you figure out what I'm talking about." Harry conceded. "Until everyone understands what I want being a Black to mean, my house is a safe place for the family to meet. Can we all agree on that?" Harry asked as he canceled the silencing charm on everyone else.

"I can see most of you need some time to think. Take your time, and let me know what you think." Harry said reluctantly. He was really hoping that everyone would be as excited about this as he was.

One by one, he vanished the ropes that bound everyone, until he reached Tonks. "I really do need a commitment from you though. If you're going to side with Dumbledore I need to know. Then I'll let you go, and we can fight each other to the death over this right here and now."

"We don't want to kill you Harry, we just want to help you. This isn't you. What happened to the noble, selfless boy we knew?" Tonks asked, trying to understand as Remus had before her.

"See, that's where we disagree. This is me. Turning me back into the noble martyr that Dumbledore was forcing me to be, will be worse than killing me." Harry said flatly. "If you must turn your back on your family, then at least have the decency to kill me yourself."

With that, Harry freed her, and stared at her expectantly. After a moment of no response, he drew his dagger, flipped it around, and placed the tip over his heart. "Two choices, family or Dumbledore. Leave and think on what I've said if you want to be part of this family. Drive this dagger into my heart here and now if you'd rather serve that bastard for his greater good. Despite what he says, I guarantee that he does want me dead, once I've served my purpose anyway."

"I'll explain things to her Harry." Remus said as he reentered the room wearing only slightly ill fitting robes. "I think I need to have a talk with her anyway."

Harry nodded, and put his knife away. "Alright everyone, you're all free to come and go as you please. My home is always open to a Black. Literally, the wards can't harm any of you. Well, the pain ward can, but it can't kill you. I'll be putting that one back up later today, so fair warning. Personally I like the tingle, but I guess others find it less enjoyable." Harry slumped into one of the chairs, disappointed in how the meeting turned out. No one died, and no one seemed thrilled about his plan for rebuilding the family. Hopefully they would realize it was a good idea after thinking on it for a day or two.

Remus led Tonks out of the room to talk in a more private setting. Narcissa and Draco left, with the witch whispering furiously at her son. Harry wasn't certain, but he thought he heard her use the words 'idiotic,' and 'lucky to be alive.' Bellatrix lingered, lounging on the couch, clearly waiting for the others to leave. Finally, Andromeda approached Harry with a worried look on her face.

"Please, I'll try to convince her. I want us to all be a family, but I need my daughter." She said nervously. "And if you could, please persuade Remus that he is all wrong for Nymphadora. She's as stubborn as I am, and has it in her fool head that they're a match."

"Considering he didn't let her know he was alive, I think it's a safe bet that he's not interested." Harry said as he thought about Remus and Tonks as a couple. "Either that, or he's a complete arse. Either way I'll talk to him. If he can't convince her to side with us, then I'll let you try. If she still chooses Dumbledore, then I will see her dead, and it will be by the hand of a Black. Whether she likes it or not, she is family, and deserves that much."

Wringing her hands nervously, Andromeda went to wait for her daughter by the front door. Hopefully she could get her hardheaded child to see the situation for what it was, and then she would make the right choice herself.

-o-o-

Remus led Tonks into an unused room. The room had scorch marks here and there, as if someone had been practicing blasting curses with abandon.

"Has Harry told you what Dumbledore did to him?" Remus asked calmly.

"Never mind that." Tonks said as she faced him. Slapping his face, she demanded he explain himself. "How could you let us think you were dead? How could you do that to me."

Remus sighed. "Very well, we'll go over that first. I've cut all ties with the Order. I'll have nothing more to do with them, and if they think me dead, all the better. As I've told you before, there is no us, and there never will be. Since you're part of the Order, I had no intention of talking to you either."

Ignoring what should be the greater issue, Tonks pressed on, insistent that the werewolf give their relationship a chance. "I don't care that you're a werewolf you stupid git. I like you! The age difference isn't that big of a deal, so there's no reason why you can't give me a chance."

To think, he was trying to take a bath earlier to relax. Harry owed him for this headache. "I care that I'm a werewolf, the age difference is a big deal to me, and most importantly, I'm not interested. Let it go."

She opened her mouth to argue, but he held up his hand and continued. "A few days ago I had one of the least painful full moons of my life. It involved my wolf half being the reluctant playmate to a three-year-old demonic child. I'm still trying to decide if it was worth it or not. Before that, I learned that the last bit of family I had left has been mentally raped time and again by the man I most respected. Very few things in my life make sense to me anymore, but I do know one thing. Harry is the most important person in the world to me right now, and I will do everything in my power to protect him. His father is dead, his godfather is dead, his other Marauder uncle betrayed him... It is my responsibility to care for Harry, and do right by him. A relationship of any kind is out of the question right now. Especially one with a child who steadfastly refuses to take no for an answer."

Perhaps the upset look she was giving him, with a slightly trembling lower lip, may have affected him once, but at this point, Remus was resolute. He pressed on, fully addressing the more important issue of the former headmaster. "Dumbledore may be a great wizard, he may even be a great man, but he has done terrible things to Harry in the name of the greater good. For Harry's entire life, Dumbledore has been trying to modify his mind. The Harry in there, the one who no doubt frightens you, that is the real Harry. He may have turned out less... extreme... if Dumbledore had allowed me to be the uncle to Harry that I wanted to be, but he made sure that I had as little contact as possible."

He gave a feral snarl. "Dumbledore is the reason why the Dursleys abused Harry. He is directly responsible for how they treated him. Why? Apparently that stupid prophecy claimed that Harry could kill Voldemort. Dumbledore didn't like how Harry wasn't turning out to be hero material, so he stepped in to force him into the role. You can go ahead and be a pawn of Dumbledore's, but if you do, I wouldn't be surprised if you wind up dead within the year."

-o-o-

"You wanted something Bellatrix?" Harry asked the witch who was casually laying on the couch, and giving him an odd smirk.

"I've got a present for you." She said in a singsong voice. "A gift from my master."

Harry perked right up. There was only one thing he'd asked of the Dark Lord that he hadn't already received.

Bellatrix reached into the folds of her robes, and withdrew a small wooden box. She set the box down, lifted the lid, and cast a spell that Harry vaguely recalled from a couple years ago. The box broke apart as a figure enlarged and transformed from within. Within moments, the pitiful form of Peter Pettigrew lay on the floor between them, snoring almost peacefully.

Harry's disappointment from earlier vanished, and he broke out in a wide grin. "Oh Bella, you just made my day."

Cackling madly, Bellatrix withdrew a phial, and handed it to Harry. "That's a Wiggenweld Potion. He'll keep until you're ready for him, and that will wake him up."

Crouching low to get a closer look at the man who betrayed his entire family, Harry felt excited. "Would you like to stay for tea, or perhaps something stronger? I think this is cause to celebrate."

"I'd love to stay, but I have to go kill some blood traitors now." Bellatrix said, somehow conveying both regret and eagerness all at once. She walked off with a parting comment. "Have fun playing, don't do anything I wouldn't."

"Is there anything you wouldn't do?" Harry asked with amusement. The only response he received was insane laughter that trailed off as she walked through the house.

-o-o-

Harry found most of the family in the ballroom. Gomez and Morticia were once again dancing with each other to music that only they heard. Off to the side, Pugsley was playing with several doxies that he'd tethered to a table with string of some sort, and Wednesday was quietly turning the pages of a large tome.

Before he could say anything, Grandmama's voice called out from behind him. Slightly frustrated with himself that he hadn't noticed the old witch when he walked in, he turned around to hear what she had to say.

"Over in that corner." She said simply, pointing off into the shadows with one wizened finger.

Moderately confused, he walked over to where she was pointing anyway. As he approached the corner, he noticed a large pen of some sort, and heard dozens of voices softly speaking. Eyes wide, he looked back to Grandmama who was cackling with glee, then hurried to look into the pen.

There had to be hundreds of snakes slithering about the pen, complaining about the cold and lack of food. Harry couldn't figure out how they had gotten here, or how Grandmama knew that he'd want them. None of that really mattered yet, first he had to enlist his new friends' aid.

"I can make sure you have warmth and food, water and a safe den as well." Harry spoke to the snakes in their own language. "All I ask in return, is that you guard a single man for me."

The snakes, almost as one, turned to face Harry. All of them voiced their interest in his offer. Laughing softly, harry reached into the pen and raised his arm back up as soon as a snake climbed on to it.

"This one will speak for all. If you all try to talk at once I can't understand you." Harry explained. "The man I want guarded is my prisoner. He can turn into a rat. If he tries to escape, as rat or man, I want him killed."

"What food will you give us?" The snake that wrapped itself around his wrist asked.

"Come with me, and we will find out." Harry said as he turned to go speak with the Addamses.

-o-o-

The Addams family watched as Harry approached the pen, and began speaking to the snakes.

"Did you know your boyfriend was a parselmouth Wednesday?" Morticia asked curiously. She had heard of them, but hadn't ever encountered one herself.

Wednesday shook her head slightly. "No mother, but it does explain a talent of his."

Morticia raised an eyebrow and grinned slightly in amusement as Harry walked toward them carrying one of the venomous snakes.

"Okay, I'll bite. How could you possibly know that I wanted a whole bunch of snakes?" Harry asked, looking between all five of them.

"I told you before, I have reliable ways of gathering information." Grandmama said as she pointed to a crystal ball on the table she had been sitting at.

Harry's eyes widened in understanding. "Wait, you mean divination actually works?"

"Of course it works! What kind of garbage are they teaching at that school of yours?" Grandmama replied, concerned that her granddaughter wanted to go to such a substandard school with Harry.

"Well, they do teach divination, sort of." Harry said carefully. "Only, the professor is rubbish. She got sacked last year, and a centaur replaced her. To be honest though, I can't understand anything that any centaur says. They just seem to talk in riddles."

"What's your friend saying there Harry?" Gomez asked, pointing his cigar at the snake on Harry's wrist.

"Huh?" Harry looked down at the snake which was practically purring. "Nothing, I think it's just enjoying my body heat. Wherever they came from, they're used to warmer weather."

"India, Great Uncle Sapera collects snakes there, and was willing to part with quite a few. I ordered several hundred mice to feed them, but they haven't arrived yet." Gomez frowned as he said the last part. "Sorry about that, they were supposed to be here by this morning."

"They did come." Pugsley said casually as he untied one of the doxies. "Luna asked Lurch to do something with the crates, don't remember what."

"Do you know where she is?" Harry asked, eager to find food for his perfect guards.

Instead of answering, Pugsley slowly worked his way behind his sister who had returned to her reading. He held the doxie he'd untied carefully by it's wings, and was reaching out toward her exposed neck.

"I believe she's in her room with Thing." Wednesday said before lightly closing the thick book, and swinging it in a forceful arc behind her.

Dust erupted from the old tome as it struck Pugsley on his temple. The doxie flew off, rapidly seeking freedom, as Pugsley's hand went limp, and he fell to the floor unconscious.

"Thanks." Harry said simply, then addressed the others. "I've got Pettigrew tied up in the far corner of the basement. I've asked my little friends to keep him from escaping, so I'm going to let them out and show them where he is. A few of them might go exploring every now and then, so if you see one, please don't hurt it."

They watched with interest as Harry hissed at the snake on his wrist, and walked back to the pen. Harry opened the gate, and a living river of serpents flowed behind him like a writhing shadow. A few of the more adventurous ones slithered up his legs as he walked them toward the basement.

-o-o-

Peter Pettigrew moaned as he slowly woke up. The last thing he remembered was his master telling him that he had a special mission. His master told him that it was vital, and only he could successfully complete this task. Only Peter couldn't remember what the task was.

Groggy for some reason, he gradually took in where he was. He was hanging by his wrists, which were tightly bound by ropes. There was an unpleasant musty damp smell, and it was uncomfortably warm. There was a sound which he couldn't quite place, similar to the creepy slithering of Nagini, but not exactly. Finally, he cracked open his eyes to see Lily's emerald gaze boring into him.

Shocked fully awake, his eyes opened completely, and he nearly lost control of his bowels at the sight. Harry, not Lily, was staring at him from below. There was a hungry eagerness in his features, complete with a half-grin. He'd seen that look before on Bellatrix when she was preparing to torture someone.

"I've got you now Peter, and you won't be escaping this time." Harry said, his grin growing wide as he moved back to let the suspended man see the floor. "I really wouldn't suggest turning into a rat, they're rather hungry right now."

Pettigrew whimpered piteously as he saw that the floor was moving. Centered on him, was a circle of writhing snakes, slithering over each other just inches below his dangling feet. Instinctively, he pulled his legs up to distance himself from the horror below.

"They aren't supposed to hurt you unless you try to escape, but I wouldn't risk it if I was you." Harry said with an insane chuckle. "The warming charm I've cast is where you're allowed to be. Move outside of it, and I'm afraid my little friends will have to give you a few bites. They tell me that they are all venomous, and quite deadly."

Carefully, so as not to hurt any of the snakes, Harry shuffled out of the circle of warmth, and waved goodbye. "Don't worry Peter, I'll come visit you soon enough."

As he walked away, several snakes slithered down his legs, and fled back to the warmth of the circle below Pettigrew. The dangling wizard sobbed unintelligibly as he tried to keep his feet aloft, but he was already starting to tire.

-o-o-

Harry knocked on the door to Luna's room. Hearing her serene voice grant him entry, he opened the door to have dozens of little mice scurry past him, and escape down the hall. Harry couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Luna. She had released all of the mice, and sat on the floor to play with them. They were crawling all over her, as well as running around her entire room.

"Would you like to join us Harry?" She asked as though she were offering him a cup of tea.

"Us?" Harry asked, he couldn't see anyone else in the room. Unless of course she meant the mice.

"Why Thing and I of course." She said, and looked down. "Hmm, that's odd, he was here a second ago."

Noticing a bulge on the floor, Harry reached down, and pulled the severed hand out from the pile of mice. "I think he's a little too short to play like this." Harry laughed, and let the hand leap onto Luna's head, which was the only mouse-free part of her.

"Thank you Harry. They are a bit more enthusiastic than I was expecting, but this is rather fun." Luna said with a bright smile.

"I almost hate to ask this, but you do know these mice are supposed to be food for my snakes right?" Harry said as he lifted his arm, revealing the snake wrapped around his wrist.

"Oh." Luna said, but thankfully her smile did not falter. "Well, that's okay. They aren't very good conversationalists anyway."

Noticing that more and more mice were escaping the room, Harry shook his head. "Well, I guess the snakes will have to hunt for their food. They might even prefer it that way. I guess I'll leave you two alone, and go tell the snakes where they can find their dinner."

"Okay Harry. Don't worry, I won't stop them when they eat the mice in here." She said as she held up a mouse that was wearing a tiny dress. "They aren't very good at playing any of the games I've tried so far, so I won't miss them.

-o-o-

Harry opened the door to his room, and noted that something was off. Looking around it hit him, there were more items in the room than his own belongings. A headless doll sat on his dresser, leaning against the mirror, and laying next to the doll was an ivory handled hairbrush. An extra pillow was on the bed, and a book was on a nightstand that wasn't there before.

"I figured that there really wasn't any point pretending we weren't spending every night together." Wednesday said as she pressed herself against his back, and ran her hand up his chest.

"I never should have told you how I saw you in the shadows back then." Harry said ruefully. "I'm never going to be able to catch you sneaking up on me again, am I?"

"As if that's a bad thing." She whispered before nipping his ear with her sharp teeth. "But first, I have a few questions for you."

He was enjoying the feel of her body molding to his own, the sharp pain in his ear only added to that, so he was disappointed when she pushed him away, and walked around to sit on his bed. Their bed now, he supposed.

His breath caught as he took in the sight of her. Surprisingly, this was the first time he'd actually seen her dressed for bed. Her lace panties were clearly visible underneath a body-hugging sheer black nightgown, and a corset that looked impossibly tight drew his attention to the swell of her breasts.

"I visited Pettigrew just now, and I'm impressed. You haven't even done anything to him yet, and he's crying, literally. I've never seen a more pathetic man. What do you have planned for him, and can I play too?"

Tearing his eyes away from her cleavage, he walked over to his dresser, and began his own nighttime routine. "To be honest, I have so many ideas that I don't know where to start." He admitted as he undressed, keeping his eyes glued to her petite form in his mirror. "I want to enjoy his suffering as long as I can, so your help would be welcome, appreciated even."

"Oh!" He exclaimed as he noticed the snake still wrapped around his arm. "Do you have any ideas for a good thank you gift? The ambassador here and his friends were just what I wanted. I really need to get your father and Grandmother something special."

"The ambassador?" Wednesday raised her brow in amusement. "Well, I know father doesn't want anything in return. He's been bitten three times already, and says the venom is wonderfully potent. As for Grandmama, I think she just likes surprising you."

"Still, I'll have to do something. Maybe when we go shopping for Hogwarts, I'll find something good." He finished buttoning up his pajamas, idly wondering whether or not he would actually be wearing them come morning. "Is that as uncomfortable as it looks?" He asked as he turned to face her.

"The corset? It's excruciating." She said calmly, watching him light a small candelabra, and then turn off the gas lights. "The seamstress tried to tell me it was supposed to be comfortable, but I knew better. Speaking of excruciating pain, what was that spell? You used it on that one wizard with the magic eye, and then Voldemort used it on the hook-nosed wizard."

"The cruciatus? I'm not one hundred percent sure what it does exactly, but I know It induces blinding pain. It can drive a man mad, shattering his mind if held under it too long. It's also one of the unforgivables, forbidden spells that are supposedly pure evil." He explained as he set the candelabra down on his nightstand, and placed his wand next to it.

Wednesday licked her lips at the description. She wondered what it would feel like to be on the receiving end of that spell, perhaps she'd ask him about that possibility later. He seemed interested in actually sleeping tonight. As Harry lifted the covers, she moved to join him underneath them. The room became pitch black as the candles were snuffed out, and she suddenly found herself in his embrace. She had no idea what her father had said to him, but ever since that day, Harry had grown more assertive, and much less hesitant.

Her breathing quickened as his lips pressed against her exposed neck. His one hand took hold of her hair, pulling her head back to give him greater access, even as his other hand slid along her leg. The thin fabric of the nightgown only added to the experience. Between his attention, and the constricting presence of her corset, she felt herself grow more aroused. Breathing became difficult, as his hand explored every inch of her through her nightgown.

As attractive as he'd found her sheer nightwear, it now felt more in the way than anything. Letting go of her hair, he grasped the fabric with both hands, and pulled the nightgown up until it was bunched around her waist. Her arousal was obvious as his unimpeded hand found its way between her legs.

Wednesday's head was swimming. This was the first time she'd worn this corset, and between the lack of air, the constricting pain, and Harry's ministrations, she could hardly think through the haze of pleasure. She barely noticed when he slid her panties off, but couldn't stop herself from crying out as she felt him inside of her.

Harry once again used her hair to pull Wednesday's head back. He was enjoying the sound of her moaning and gasping for air, even more than the feeling of joining with her. In the darkness he grinned ferally, and managed to grab his wand.

She could feel herself rapidly approaching release, and her chest fought against the corset in a battle for oxygen. Suddenly, through everything she felt a sharp jab in her side, and heard Harry whisper in her ear.

"Crucio."

Harry nearly lost a hold of his wand as Wednesday violently bucked and screamed. Her climax was forceful, and drove him to finish in an instant. Between his own release and her writhing, Harry lost control of the curse, and it ended nearly as soon as it began. Her screams however, did not fade, nor did she stop thrashing.

The world exploded around her, and Wednesday felt every nerve catch fire. She couldn't tell the subtle difference between pain and pleasure anymore, everything felt so wonderful. The leather thongs holding her corset tight gave way under the pressure, and her lungs filled with air, only to empty as she cried out in pleasure with abandon. Drained, she slowly stilled. The only movement being the heaving of her chest as she breathed heavily, no longer constrained by her lingerie.

Harry slid away from Wednesday slightly, letting her roll onto her back. In the darkness, he could hear her labored breaths slowly steadying. Before long, he could tell she had fallen asleep from the rhythmic sound of her breathing.

Harry laid there, awake for several more minutes. He wasn't quite sure when it happened, but Gomez was absolutely right, he loved Wednesday. He chuckled softly to himself. Somehow he didn't think Dumbledore would approve of his version of 'the power he knows not.' Though, the question that kept him awake was: Did Wednesday love him as well? Thinking back on the time that they had spent together, and what he knew about her, he couldn't help but laugh at himself. Of course she did. If she didn't, then she would have killed him by now. The matter settled in his mind, he easily drifted off to sleep.

-o-o-

Author's note:

To guest reviewing chapter 9: "'I'll let Lurch know to expect your scarred friend, and let him in.' What scarred friend?" – I was referring to Asclepius stopping by to pick up Harry, and take him to Voldemort. Asclepius is heavily scarred because Harry carved him up back in chapter 4.

To guest reviewing chapter 9: "Get Gomez for Dark Arts teacher with Granny Frump helping" – The Addamses cannot use wands. Considering I have witchcraft traditionally practiced by the Addams women, Gomez knows little about magic anyway.

To Mizu reviewing chapter 9: I hope you liked the rest of the Black reunion, it turned out longer than I expected.

Being a double agent, regardless of which side you're really on, doesn't really give you a high chance of survival. Granted this is just about the worst way for things to end for Snape. I'll bet he really wishes Voldemort was angry enough to just kill him outright.

The school board/governors and/or the ministry need to okay the next DADA professor. Since Remus was publicly outed as a werewolf back in '94, I can't see them hiring him again. Especially since Umbridge has drummed up so much anti-werewolf sentiment as of late.

Tonks has had the reality of the situation laid out clearly for her. Time will tell if she's going to accept it or not.

To Null Reviewing chapter 9: Your thoughts on possible professors and their subjects have been noted, and are appreciated.