I have just managed to finish the first half of chapter 24. I hope you like it. Thanks for your patience!

THANKS FOR READING AND REVIEWING.

Warning: Character death, well sort of…and no it's not Harry, Remus or Sirius….

Harry Potter and Co. belong to Rowling… there I've said it again!

Chapter 24. Part A. PLANS, AN OWL, DEATH, REENCOUNTERS

Severus had finally made his way back to his and Harry's chambers. He had crossed words with the Prince before he left the ballroom and that had not helped his mood.

He had never felt such uselessness and been so utterly overwhelmed by his inability to deal with his life. He knew Harry must be furious at him and could not fathom why he had lost his temper. Given the circumstances Harry had been as supportive as he could. And how had he repaid him? By leaving him in their chambers without an explanation, his conscience answered. He was enraged at himself and wanted to walk away but he knew he couldn't. Taking a deep breath he aparated inside.

"Well?" Harry asked looking up when he heard Severus apparate in the room.

Severus hesitated, What the hell had happened? When had he lost control? He wanted to do nothing more than kiss Harry but the fury inside him kept him where he was. All his efforts to keep things going their way were barely stumbling along.

"Well what?" Severus asked unbuttoning his coat.

"Well what! Well this! What the hell was this about?" Harry demanded pointing at the room he had been left in.

"You acted rashly."

"That's your excuse. I acted rashly. Well so what!" Harry was in complete disbelief. "I can't believe it! You locked me up like some medieval Lord that's displeased with his, his, his….whatever!" Harry sputtered unable to bring himself to say the word.

"Bonded is the word you were looking for."

"Slave you mean."

"Don't be ignorant."

"I'm being ignorant! The only will in my life is yours."

"It's the way bond works."

"Well the bond sucks!"

"Your language!"

"SCREW MY LANGUAGE!"

"I thought we were beyond this point but I-."

"We were until you decided to drag me up here!" Harry interrupted throwing his arms up in exasperation.

"..guess I was wrong." Severus finished.

"Is that how it's going to be? I do something you don't agree with and you drag me up here as punishment?"

"You could've gotten yourself killed!" Severus thundered pulling on his shirt buttons furiously.

"They are afraid of me! They want me alive, not dead!... And that's not what this is about and you know it!" Harry pointed his finger at Severus.

"You're using magic that's beyond your control! I felt the Dark Lord inside you!"

"You're wrong!"

"You're playing with fire. I have been teaching you how to block the Dark Lord and what do you do? You welcome him with open arms. You're still too immature to deal with this; if you're not going to listen to my instruction then I'm done talking." Severus said walking to the dressing room.

"So that's it. You're pissed because I didn't listen to you."

"I will thank you to refrain from using anymore profanity when conversing with me."

"I will thank you to refrain from using anymore profanity when conversing with me," Harry mimicked, "Or what! You'll lock me up again! Throw me in irons! News flash Severus this I will not repeat itself." Harry said kicking a coffee table aside.

Severus's face was unreadable much to Harry's exasperation. "You've been warned."

"YOU'RE WORSE THAN ALL OF THEM!"

"I MEAN IT." Severus warned.

"I hope you don't because Merlin help you if-"

"BUT NOTHING. Do as you are told."

"DO AS I'M TOLD! DO AS I'M TOLD! WELL THAT CERTAINLY PUTS ME IN MY PLACE, DOESN'T IT?"

"We all have our place."

"Was that an order Severus?"

"Take it as you like. It's late. We'll discuss it tomorrow." Severus turned his back on Harry and left him standing. Harry couldn't believe the Wizard's behavior!

"Answer my question!" What had gone wrong? Hours ago they had stood on common ground they had supported each other. They had kissed and shared something. What had happened?

"ENOUGH! I'M DONE WITH ARGUING AND DEBATING! I'M DONE WITH TRYING TO OUT TALK AND OUT THINK EVERYONE. THIS CONVERSATION IS OVER!"

"Do you mind losing control so badly?"

"Don't be absurd! You are using power that is beyond your age and it's dangerous."

"I don't buy it." Harry said standing in front of Severus.

"Get out of my way."

"No I won't." Harry said blocking him. Severus wasn't telling him something and he was going to find out what.

"Very well don't move. You want to act like a little brat. Go ahead!" Severus said turning from the dressing room. He could've just pushed his way through but Harry's injuries were still in the healing process and using force was not his way at least not with the youth. Looking away he drew his wand and magically changed into pajamas and robe.

"You bastard! You couldn't get enough of me an hour earlier!" Harry said reminding Severus about their kiss in the library. "Now you won't even look me."

How was he supposed to protect him from Voldermort when he couldn't even keep him away from the Prince's maneuvering! Severus asked himself angrily. Harry had said he trusted him to make the right decisions but he wasn't sure he trusted himself. Severus walked to the table where the potions were kept. "Your hands seem to be doing much better but we can't be too careful. Take this." Severus said placing a glass in Harry's hand.

"DAMN YOU!" Harry shouted throwing the glass against the wall.

Severus had tried to maintain his anger in check but so far Harry had made it impossible. "Clean it up!" he whispered dangerously.

"Fuck you!" Harry whispered back.

"You ungrateful little brat!" Severus swore.

"Ungrateful? This fucking bond has made me your freaking…your freaking…! I have to ask your permission to leave the table! I can't walk out of this room without you saying it's all right! You have taken everything from me! I have nothing! If I want to wear blue and you say red I have to comply! I… have… nothing!" Harry's hands were shaking so badly that he clenched them. "So how about you tell what I have to be grateful for? Tell me!"

"I have taken nothing from you, you ignorant fool! It's the way the bond works!"

"Poor Severus! It must be a real sacrifice for you." Harry dripped sarcasm with every word.

Seconds passed but the Portions Master did not respond. "You know Severus when this whole nightmare started I thought that you were brave but now I see that the only time you're brave is when you have me on my back…" Harry whispered coldly. "I guess it doesn't take much guts to do that."

"What did you say?" The brat! How dare he!

"You heard me. Doesn't take much guts to get me on my back especially when there's a bond that makes it impossible for me to reject you." Harry held his breath and waited but Severus did not say anything else.

"It's the last dose. So don't smash it and that's an order." Severus handed Harry the mixed potion and moved past him. Harry did not smash the glass; an order was an order but he poured it onto the floor and let the glass drop instead. Severus turned at the sound but said nothing. It seemed that the potions master was done talking or listening.

Harry moved to the door, if Severus was done then so was he. He tried the door but the knob wouldn't turn, completely frustrated he laid his head on the door, "Could you let me out?" He asked vacantly. He couldn't stay here he had to think. He had to leave. HE HAD TO LEAVE.

Severus looked up sensing Harry's last thought and panicked, "the Vampires have left to feed but I don't put it past them to try something. You're not leaving." Harry sighed and realized that Severus was just like everyone who wanted to control him and keep him in line. He was just like his Aunt and Uncle, just like Dumbledore, just like the Vampires just like the Ministry. Harry could feel a dark anger rising inside of him and this time he did not try to control it.

"THAT'S A BUNCH OF CROCK! LET ME OUT!" Harry pulled at the doorknob furiously and then drew his wand.

"No and don't try any spells they won't work."

Harry had had enough… in a flash the truth hit him and he let it all out. "You fucking coward. You're pissed off because you were stupid enough to call you're freaking father. I guess you thought we didn't have enough drama in our screwed up lives! Well you stupid git that was your fault and not mine! You should be kissing my ass! I did what you couldn't! And that's what's getting your goat, isn't it? A fucking seventeen year old did your fucking job cause you- "

"Shut up!"

"No! Cause you-"

"I'M WARNING YOU!" Severus said stepping closer to Harry.

"couldn't handle it! Everything is fucked up and you're responsible and you're so fucking frustrated that you are taking it out on me! You're mad at me because you couldn't get us out of this mess! A mess you created!" Harry shouted violently. He had tried! He had trusted him! He had done everything he was supposed to do and in the end it was all for nothing! Well then fuck him! He wanted nothing more than to hurt him to make him cry out in pain and make him suffer like he was suffering right now. Severus wasn't supposed to be like everyone else! He was supposed to care! "WHY ARE YOU SO ANGRY AT ME?"

Severus was in turmoil. How had he let things get away from him? Everything was wrong and it was his entire fault. A fact he blurted out before he could stop himself. "IT'S NOT YOU!"

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?"

"IT'S NOT YOU!"

"NOT ME? Then who? Your father? Sirius? Who?" Harry asked furiously.

"It's me!" Severus shouted losing his patience.

"What? Wh….wh…why?" Harry was barely able to put two word together.

"BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT!" Severus shouted kicking one of the chairs in anger.

"I'm…I'm right." Had he heard right? Did Severus just admit that he was right? Wow that was for the history books!

"YES!" Severus stood in front of the chimney waiting for Harry to continue ranting at him.

Harry didn't know what to say. He had been so vent on gettingSeverus to talk that he didn't know what to say now. Afeter a while he managed to continue, "Why couldn't you just say so?...Why are you telling me now?" Harry asked suspiciously.

"Oh Merlin!" couldn't the brat leave him some dignity.

"What do you mean OH MERLIN? I DESERVE AN ASWER!"

"I don't want you to leave!"

"I can't leave and you know it. I was just thinking about it!"

"I don't want you to even think about it, it could, it could weaken our bond!"

"Severus, just tell me the truth?" Harry felt he was finally getting somewhere and he wasn't going to let up, not yet anyway.

Oh what the hell! He would just obliviate the brat if he laughed. "I don't want you to think of leaving because, because…because"

"Yes?" Harry prompted.

"Hold your bloody horses!... Because…I care for you!"

"Of course you do the bond-" Harry interrupted.

"It's not the bond! I care for you, the bond aside!"

"How do you know it's not the bond?"

"Because I just do! Damn you!"

"Really? Wow!... I mean you really do?"

Severus nodded wordlessly in complete defeat.

"There's no need to look so tragic. It's not that bad is it?"

"Yes it is."

"Oh how?" Harry's anger was forgotten; it had been replaced by a curiosity that opened up a door of endless possibilities.

"It's obsessive Harry. The only thing that keeps me thinking straight is when I have you near me. I can't stand you talking to anyone, that's why I was I dragged you up here. I didn't want you talking to Black."

"But that's impossible I mean you were ok before the bonding ceremony."

"No I wasn't!"

"YOU WEREN'T?"

"No."

"I care for you too; I don't know if to that point though. I don't think I'm there yet.

"Why not?"

"Geez why do you think? You got saddled with me!." Harry answered exasperated.

"You and everything you own according to what you said." Severus shot back.

"I guess deep inside I'm still ticked off about that part."

"Nothing we can do about it… I'm not used to having my life dictated to."

"I've had my life dictated to for as long as I can remember. So, I understand how you feel."

"I'm sorry about the bond."

"Sorry enough to change places." Harry grinned weakly.

"I'm sorry not insane."

"Coward."

"More like intelligent."

"My bad luck I guess."

"I care about you."

"I believe you and I do too but I think that for me it's the bond talking…I'm sorry."

Severus was not a fool and he knew that to expect Harry to feel the same way would be ludicrous. He was seventeen and if anyone was stuck with anyone it was the youth with him.

"I wish I knew what you were thinking I feel you are locking me out." Harry said looking at Severus besieged expression.

"I am and I'm sorry. There are things that I wish to keep secure for now…"

"I kinda figured that."

Severus added quickly. "I'll eventually tell you but we'll have to work on your occlumency first."

"Fair enough." Guess Severus didn't want Harry advertising his inner most secrets, the youth thought. "Are you really that mad at yourself?"

"There are things I could have done differently. I'm livid at the errors I have made.I have taken certain measures though to try and reduce the damageI have caused."

"An intelligent man makes the best of his mistakes."

"Yes, he does." Severus said walkingaround theroom. The late Lord Potter which to Severus was Harry's grandfather and not James had very costly tastes, not one item in the room could be considered anything but priceless.

"Too bad we can't take a vacation so we could figure things out." Harry said seating on the only chair still standing.

Severus stopped abruptly, "...not a vacation... but a BondingTime yes."

"I know I'll kick myself for asking but whatis a Bonding Time?" Harry asked warily.

"It's the wizard's equivalent of a honey moon."

"A honey moon! You're drunk!"

"No in fact I'm quite sober. Yes BondingTime is what you and I need."

"But what about everyone!"

"What about them! I'll name Remus caretaker of your estates and my Godfather of mine. I'll send word to my attorneys incase any legality should arise and we can leave tomorrow at six in the evening."

"Wait a minute we were about to rip each others throats out minutes ago and now you want us to take a honeymoon."

"It's what we need. There's too many people around us. We need time to fully adjust to our circumstances or we will end up hurting each other sooner or later."

"But you said you needed to speak to the Weasleys!"

"Yes and I will, they'll be dropping by at 11am."

"But what's a BondngTime about?" Harry hated being so ignorant and Severus was back to his old knowing self again.

"Like I said it's the equivalent of a honeymoon."

"So we basically do what married couples do?" Harry asked.

"Yes basically." Severus finished.

"but what if I get pr..."

"Dobby!" Severus cut Harry off on purpose,he did not want to lie to Harry he did not feel comfortable telling him that the sole purpose of a Bonding Timewas to conceive a child.

"Yes Master Snape Sir."

"Bring a dose of strengthening potion and burn salve and something light to eat. The usual for Harry."

"Yes Master!"

"I'm not hungry Severus."

"You never are. If I waited for you to get an appetite you would never eat, so let's not argue."

Harry did want to argue but the idea of actually eating anything was making him nauseous already. He sat back wondering where his anger had gone of to. Guess you can't really be angry at someone who confessed his love for you, even if he did act like an ass.

Dobby aparated with the potion, salve and food and set everything out.The elfwas a fountain of information and told Harry about Draco, and Sirius's involvement in his escape.Harry asked the little elf about his Grandfather and the little elf told him that the only thing the Ghost did was roam the grounds. Maybe he lost something, though Harry.

Harry listened to everything while Severus helped himself to some food and served himself half a glass of fire whiskey. Minutes later Dobby was gone and the room was back to normal the elf had repaired the broken coffee table, chair and cleaned up both broken cups and potion stains from the wall and floor.

Harry opened his mouth but Severu raised his hand to stop him, "I know you have questions and I promise to discuss everything with you but I suggest you bathe first and then try to eat something. You can not-" Severus said rising to help Harry undress.

"live on potions alone. I know I know." Harry finished rubbing his eyes tiredly. The potion had tasted terrible and a bath actually sounded like a good idea. "You could join me you know." Harry bit his lower lip invitingly. If the Potions Master didn't know any better he would have accused Harry of seduction.

Severus kissed him and regretfully explained, "I don't think that's a good idea your injuries…" he nibbled on Harry's ear and then slowly moved down the slender neck, "will take at least two more days to heal…." He moved back to Harry's mouth, "completely… and I don't think you…" Harry's hands traveled up the Potion master's chest and pulled himself up to deepen the kiss, "or I would be able to control…," he pulled away when Harry's tongue touched his, "ourselves," he finished and pulled Harry's hands from around his neck.

Harry sighed and entered the bathroom alone. Severus looked at the door longingly reciting the ingredients to a wart removal potion he had learned in his second year, anything to keep himself from following Harry.

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Harry took a long time inside. The cool water was relaxing and he took advantage of it to think things out. He was young but not stupid; Severus had told him that he cared. Really cared! Wow! He thought putting the soap in his hair. One thing was to have a bond that compelled you to love someone and another was to love someone on your own and to admit it. Severus was everything but emotional so for him to break down and confess, it had to mean something.

Harry worked the soap in his hair and wondered how to use this. A part of him told him to be grateful and another told him to make Severus eat crow and the last part told him not to be stupid or weak.

It was OK to be grateful but he didn't have to be a wuzz about it. Severus would just take charge again.

Then again if he pushed too much the Wizard was still dominant in the bond and would push back, for all he knew Severus could just obliviate the memory from him. He did not feel like starting a tug of war with the wizard. So what to do?

Severus was extremely intelligent, and knew more about magic than he was letting on. He was an excellent potions master; didn't his father say he was one of the best? He was gifted in mind disciplines and wealthy. In the Muggle World he would be a catch and he is Mine, thought Harry smugly, Mine with a capital "M".

Harry was his bonded but it was Severus who had admitted to loving him. LOVE HIM…Harry thought about it...and began to feel guilty. Severus had admitted his feelings for him and here he was trying to see how he could come on top! The other side quickly came to the rescue? Equal footing! Not on top!

What do I do? He wanted to be trusted and to trust those around him. He wanted… oh damn! Harry slammed his fists in the water. He didn't want this! He didn't want to second guess Severus! He wanted Severus to… love him…oh Merlin! Now what do I do? Harry thought sinking himself in the tub.

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Severus sat in his pajamas with a half eaten sandwich before him. What had possessed him to tell Harry how he felt? The youth's intentions of leaving him, he had panicked Severus answered himself.

Of course Harry could not have left and that made his confession more ludicrous. Severus had spent most of his life pushing people from him and had come to feel comfortable in a solitude that did not beg for attention or recriminate any of his actions.

When Harry had been made a permanent in his life he found his solitude no longer welcoming but cruel. He wanted Harry there and he'd be damned if he'd let him leave. Severus looked to the door and brushed against Harry's mind, the youth was just as confused as him.

Everything was happening too fast for both of them. They needed time to deal with everything. Things were as stable as they were ever going to get. If they did not do something for themselves now things would be slow to improve.

Bonding time had not seemed like an attractive idea when this whole thing had started but now that things had come to this it was extremely important that they use their bond to strengthen each other. Bonds came with powerful magic that when channeled properly could make the couple invincible. Their lives had just gotten more complicated. Before it was only Voldermort and Dumbledore, but now it was them plus the Ministry, the Vampires and Merlin only knew who else tomorrow. He should have thought of it sooner Bonding Time was exactly what they needed. the world had been making demands on the both of them for a while now. Well fine, but if Harry was supposed to fIght for everyone and he with him like the Vampires were saying then they were going to take time out to heal and get to know each other.

He would have to think of something to make sure Harry did not get pregnant. A child would be catastrophic for the pair right now.

But first he had to keep his hands off Harry tonight or the youth would never heal properly. Easier said than done Harry was getting to be a damn good kisser just thinking about it was making his temperature rise. He had to make sure they both got their rest.

"Dobby!"

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"The salve smells. Can I skip dinner?" Harry asked from the door wrinkling his nose. He was dressed in pajamas and was shivering slightly. He had stayed in the tub for as long as he could and had decided to play Severus confession by ear. He was a lousy strategist anyway.

"I don't think so. The potion needs you to eat." Severus answered swallowing the rest of his drink. It was his third; he put the glass down and resolutely closed the liquor cabinet.

"I'm just not very hungry." Harry sat at the table and began playing with the soup until Severus walked over and sat in front of him. "All right." Harry mumbled and ate some after the fourth spoonful Harry put the spoon down and concentrated hard on not throwing up.

"I don't think I can eat anymore."

"That's all right."

Harry ran a hand through his damp hair and pushed it from his face gaving Severus a clear view of his scar. Harry touched it accidentally and winced but did not make a sound.

"Does the scar hurt?"

"Only if I touch it." Harry said looking up half smiling.

"Do you feel Pettigrew or the Dark Lord?"

"Pettigrew is gone but the Dark Lord is there, I can ignore him when he's not mad. It's when he's angry that I can't seem to shake him off. "

"Try not to think of him. Do you know if he's picked up on the fact that you can feel him?"

"No. I'm pretty sure he hasn't."

"Good because there are things you must know. First, I'm Draco's Godfather.

"You're kidding!"

"I do not kid."

"Is that why you let him get away with murder at school?"

"Naturally."

"Naturally."

"Second the oath I pledged to the Vampires will tie our loyalty to them so long as both of us are alive."

"How did you manage that? I didn't hear you say anything of the sort."

"Blood oaths are tricky and vary in many ways I used a variation that the Vampires are not aware of."

"But your father?"

"The Prince, has been away and has become lax."

"But how?"

"The blade."

"But they brought the blade…wait a minute did you switch the blades?"

"You could say so." Severus said apparating a blade that looked just like the one he had used on himself.

"What if they find out?"

"No if's about it. They'll find out. It's just a matter of time."

"But they can't do anything to us without hurting themselves."

"Yes and no. They can ask for a second oath but…"

"But what?"

"I won't give it to them and this time I won't care what they do."

"They can't hurt me; they wouldn't dare. But what about you Severus?" Harry asked feeling his heart go crazy inside. OK maybe he did feel more than he was letting on.

Severus shrugged and smirked, "If anything happens to me. You'll be free of them and Dear Old Dad." Severus said flinging the blade across the room. Harry opened and closed his mouth but couldn't muster anything to say.

Severus quickly changed the topic, "I have a lot of things I wish to discuss with you."

Harry leaned back worried wanting to change the topic too. "Why didn't we do the Bonding Time thing sooner?"

"Because I didn't think it a suitable alternative." Severus had added a small dose of sleeping potion to the soup. If Harry kissed him again like he had earlier he would not be able to keep his hands off him a second time.

"Why?" Harry asked yawning.

The moment of truth, Merlin help him! "The purpose of Bonding Time is for Wizards to not only get to know each other, work things out, but to procreate offspring."

"PROCREATE!" Harry shot up in the chair, eyes groggy from the potion, bath and soup.

"Yes. 90 percent of the Wizards involved usually manage to conceive"

"Do you think? I mean, I don't want to! Not yet." Harry protested. "Not ever….don't see why you can't be the one…" he mumbled to himself.

"There's no contraception for Wizards, none that's legal anyway."

"Like that would stop you." Harry snorted sleepily. "Did you put something in the soup?"

"I didn't think we would be able to keep our hands off each other without some help."

"Coward! So I'll just be pregnant for how long was it 10 or 11 months?"

"You won't."

"I better not… don't worry Severus if the Vampires try to hurt you I'll Abra Cadabra their blood thirsty bodies into hell." Harry said yawning a second time.

"Don't be foolish!" Severus answered lifting Harry in his arms.

"I would Severus…I'd kill them all. I don't think I could help it…" Harry yawned his eyes half closed, "….. you're a git," Harry half giggled half yawned, "but you're my git." He whispered pecking Severus on the cheek before he finally fell asleep.

Severus frowned and laid Harry on the bed. When he moved the arms over the blanket he noticed Harry's hands trembling but more importantly he was surprised to see flickers of green light coming from Harry's fingertips. Severus moved the sleeve up curiously and saw Harry's burns healing right before his eyes.

"They are afraid of me!" He remembered Harry saying.

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THE NEXT MORNING…..

The Prince and Sirius had just come from feeding and Alessander was in particularly good spirits.

His King and Queen had departed after the feeding. They had given him instructions regarding Harry and Severus. As soon as Harry got to the point where his training would require a more knowledgeable teacher they would be sending their best Vampires to help and it would be his job to basically make sure that Severus did not react negatively and allow for the training to take place. Their future was riding on it and his son would have to understand or drastic measures would have to be taken.

The Prince and Sirius languished in the dining room next to their bedchamber chatting or trying to. Sirius was being completely pig headed about the way he dressed opting to wear weather beaten clothing instead of the more elegant styles the Prince preferred and not only that but Sirius had refused to drink from him again!

Sirius actually preferred to dress as elegantly as he could manage but since the Prince liked it too, he had decided not to do it anymore. Besides he had the funny feeling that the Prince was up to something and if that were true, it probably involved his Godson and that could not be good for Harry.

"So you went to your cousin's rescue?" the Prince asked changing the subject.

"Yup!" Sirius asked wishing he had a butter beer in his hand.

"When are you going to introduce her to the clan?"

"I'm not. I've got plans for her. She's a first cousin. And thanks to Lucius timely departure a widow and a Black again. Never have I owed so much to such a conniving bastard." Sirius said smugly.

"What about the son?"

"You'll have to talk to Sev about that one. He's the kid's Godfather."

"Indeed?" So it was Severus again. Oh well!

"Indeed." Sirius had pretty much blocked Draco from his mind; the boy was all Malfoy and useless as far as he was concerned. It's Narcissa that had him thinking. As a widow she was a Black again. His fortune had pretty much been left intact because everyone was pretty much married. But now that he was innocent his fortune would be restituted to him. But as soon as the Ministry found out that he was a vampire the Black fortune would be confiscated. He only had girl cousins so there was no direct male heir. Boy was he in a pickle.

"I never thought my son would keep such strange company in his home." The Prince mused out loud.

"Harry's home. And what strange company are you talking about?" Sirius corrected still deep in thought.

"Well for starters Lady Myrtle, second Harry's snake you do realize that's a basilik, third Dobby-that elf is an odd one. Fourth Lord Potter, and last that werewolf friend of yours."

"Remus, the name is Remus Lupin and I owe him my life several times over so quit the werewolf bit. He's my best friend."

"I meant no offense Precious. The Professor has proved his worth in my eyes, he has a warrior's heart underneath his learnt exterior.Such a quality can only be admired and respected."

"I'm sure he'll be thrilled to know you have such a high opinion of him," Sirius mumbled sarcastically.

"I respect bravery that's all. But where were we? Ah yes! The Malfoy's legacy and the Ministry."

Sirius did not want to discuss his plans with the Prince. So he remained silent until the Prince asked him point blank.

"What will you do about the Ministry?"

"I have to go back tomorrow and see what the idiots got out of Bella. She's a tough one but I get the feeling that something will definitely happen. If not, I can just fly away." Sirius flapped his arms laughing hysterically.

"and if not?"

"The Black name, meaning me is restored."

"Indeed?"

"Indeed."

"But as Harry says you're a bat and bats are not welcomed in the Wizarding world."

"True but that'll change real soon, won't it?" Sirius said with a knowing smirk. Both Vampires stood their ground unwilling to give an inch.

The Prince simply smiled and reached for Sirius. They still had a couple of hours to kill.

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Remus woke early and decided to walk the grounds. He had been to Potter Manor twice before and had never thought he'd be back again. He walked up a hill and sat down at the top enjoying the silence of the early morning.

He was deep in thought when he saw a speck in the sky. It was an owl. Someone was had sent and owl to Harry or Severus, he hoped it was good news. What would be his surprise when the owl landed three feet away and slowly walked towards him. Remus turned his head back and forth wondering if the bird had made a mistake.

He hoped Sirius was not back to his usual joking self, the Wizard/Vampire didn't know when to behave. When the owl was close enough, it presented its leg and Remus quickly removed the message.

Half an hour later a visibly shocked Remus got up and made his way back to Potter Manor he had to talk to Sirius.

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Lord Gribaldi had decided to go to the office. He hadn't been there in a while and he had to make sure things were under control.

"Judge how good to see you!" His secretary jumped up in relief.

"Really anyone that hears you would think I never come around!" The Judge admonished sweeping by the Wizard to his office.

The secretary ran after him. "OF COURSE NOT SIR! IT'S JUST THAT YOU HAVE-

Lord Gribaldi stopped at the entrance. Of all the people! "Good day Minerva."

"Gustavus it's good to see you again." The Professor answered rising to her feet.

"...company. She's been coming for the last three days. I informed her that you were busy else where but she insisted on returning." The secretary explained.

"You got past my secretary congratulations."

"He's a good young man but he needs to be more imposing." The Professor commented eyeing the secretary like she would an errant first year.

"Did you hear that? Imposing. Work on it!" the old Lord said over his shoulder before he shut the door on his worried Secretary.

"Well my dear Minerva first a worried fourteen year old and now you."

"Stop it Gustavus Ms. Granger came because she was troubled over a dear a friend."

"Oh and why are you here?"

"The same reason."

"Ahhhhh."

"Don't ah me Gustavus. I'm not your secretary. I'm here out of legitimate concern! Dumbledore knows you're involved with Harry and Lord Snape!"

"I don't know what you're talking about Minerva. If the Headmaster sent you, You can go back right now. Neither I nor the Ministry of Family Affairs will be pressured into dissolving a bond. I've tolerated visits from the Minster demanding I revoke the custody of Lord Potter Snape to his Muggle relatives and to Albus Dumbledore! First that poor child and now you!"

"He didn't send me! Look it doesn't matter if you believe me! I owe you and I'm here to pay you back! Dumbledore knows about your connection with Severus. Be careful he's not a wizard one crosses!"

"Minerva! If he's so bad then why are you still there?" Lord Gribaldi asked angrily.

"Gustavus you'll never understand me! You never did. I'm not now or have ever been there for Albus. I'm there for the children! If I leave now what will happen to the children that still attend Hogwarts. Who'll protect them? The Ministry? They're obsessed with Snape. The Aurors? There aren't enough. Dumbledore? He's obsessed with the Dark Lord and Mr. Potter. I alienated poor Hagrid. I have to stay. The majority of the children still attending aren't from powerful families and have nowhere else to go. I don't want another Ms. Granger."

"I'm sorry Minerva but there is no connection between Lord Potter Snape, Lord Snape and myself."

"Then my trip has been for no reason."

"It appears so." Lord Gribaldi said walking to his desk and seating down.

Minerva nodded wordlessly and moved to the door. Gustavus no longer trusted her. She knew he would doubt her intentions but his blatant disbelief hurt her deeply. How had things come to this? She looked up one last time, "He doesn't know what your connection to them is but he is looking and if he finds anything he won't think twice about using it."

"Good day Minerva." Lord Gribaldi said looking up blankly. The Professor nodded and walked out silently.

Lord Gribaldi sat feeling guilty. But how could he be sure that Dumbledore had not sent Minerva like he had that poor girl? He had wanted to say thank you at least but he couldn't.What if he questioned her? Merlin how had things come to this!

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Minerva got back to Hogwarts and went directly to her rooms. She walked to her small kitchen and after preparing herself some tea walked back to her small living room and found Dumbledore standing in front of her with a look that screamed traitor!

"You bitch!" the Wizard screamed knocking her cup from her hand and grabbing her by the throat. Minerva's last thoughts were that she had failed the children.

Her dead body was found at the edge of the dark forest two days later. There were cuts and bruises all over her body but what stood out more than anything were two puncture wounds on her neck.

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Hagrid couldn't be happier. Boy was Lord Snape gonna be pleased! Dragons! And not one but two,a male and female! Wow!

He hadn't just found dragons though. There had been some items in the cave too, a large blue green stone, a small locked chest, and a very small red bag. He would be seeing Lord Snape and Harry in a couple of hours and he would hand over the items. Who knew they might be important?

He had just slipped away with his life! Good thing his little voice had told him what to do otherwise he'd be a dead bloke. His voice had not deserted him unlike Fluffy and Fang, cowardly mutts! Oh but they were gonna get it! No more sleeping inside the house! Nope out they went! And no more hunting for them either! If they wanted to eat they could just go get their own food! Things were going to change and fast! Hagrid thought resolutely ten minutes later he let both of the animals in, it was raining outside and he didn't want them to catch cold. His little voice just laughed at him.

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Hagrid's little voice was laughing merrily when she saw a soft shape far, far, away. The shape was moving slowly hesitating every couple of steps. Hagrid's little voice had not seen anything or anyone one her side since she had passed over. Making sure Hagrid was always in her line of vision she slowly walked to where the white shape was.

………………….

She opened her eyes and knew she was no longer among the living. She was dead. Merlin she was dead! She panicked momentarily and felt like crying. He had killed her, had beat her and then left her to die. Oh no! Who was watching the children now! Oh no! She whimpered and cried into her hands.

"Excuse me!" Hermione asked softly.

"Excuse me?" she tried again. Was the woman alive? She didn't look like it. She tried again a little louder this time. "Ma'am!"

Professor McGonagall heard a voice speaking and looked up quickly. Before her stood Hermione Granger with a worried look on her face. "Ms. Granger?" She asked sniffing loudly.

"Professor McGonagall!" Hermione shouted and flung her self at thedeceased Professor.

Hermione had clung to poor Hagrid to keep herself from breaking down but seeing her old Professor in her same predicament made her remember where she was and how truly alone she had been.

"I'm so glad you're here Professor I was scared. I'm dead and I couldn't see anyone. And I woke up and it was all dark at first and then I heard crying and then I saw them put me in a box…" Hermione shuddered in the Professor's arms. "…and …and …I couldn't get out and then I did and then I found Hagrid he doesn't see me but he feels me and I stayed with him I was so afraid…" Hermione sobbed hugging her Professor tighter.

Professor McGonagall held Hermione tightly and patted her head, "It's all right child, it's all right…we'll get through this…it's all right." Hermione nodded through her sobs. Things were going to be all right now.

HSHSHSHHSHSHSHHSHSHSHHSHSHSHSHHSHSHSHHS

Well there's the chapter 24 part A.

I hope you like it. Question- Should I send Harry and Sevurus on a honey moon or not?

CHAPTER 24-PART B. REMUS'S OWL, THE FUNERAL, BELLA'S TORTURE, THE WEASLY 'S MEETING ETC.