A/N: Did you know that has a limit to how long your story chapters can be?

I didn't.

Hence, you get a Part A and Part B to chapter Thirty-four. But consider it one chapter.

Q&A will be at the end of this chapter.

And as always,

Enjoy.

Disclaimer: Go back and read the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before the one before this one.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR PART B: KEEPING SECRETS

Back down in his study, Orion sat at his desk going over the last minute details of his mission. But his thoughts were interrupted by an alarm going off in the house. Pulling out his wand, he quickly drew a circle in the air in front of him and studied the information it gave him for a moment.

"Now what?" He asked himself as he frowned at the glowing sphere. Dispelling it, he turned in his chair just in time to see the familiar cyclone of wind start up from the floor in front of him. When the dust and wind settled again, Hershel Bennett stood before him in the room.

Studying the man for only a few seconds in a disinterested manner, Orion finally turned back to the open book on his desk. "Nice entrance as always, Uncle Hershel." he stated to the man behind him, "But tell me, have you ever considered just...I don't know..., say, apparating into a room?"

"And have you ever tried not being sarcastic?" The man answered.

Orion slowly turned back to his uncle. Something in the man's voice triggered a warning flag in him. "So what is it you want?" Orion ask carefully, keeping himself on alert for anything Hershel might try. He didn't like the half Dementor in his house when his children were there as well.

"A moment of your time." Hershel replied. "And one you would be well advised to give me."

Orion sighed as he leaned back in the chair, wondering if the man ever made a simple request anymore, or if they all came out sounding like demands in the end. "All right. I'm listening."

"I've come to repay a debt." the man said simply, as though that one phrase explained his whole purpose.

"I don't need or want your money, Uncle Hershel." Orion stated firmly.

The man frowned down at him. "Don't be impudent." He snapped. "This has nothing to do with money and it certainly isn't a debt I owe to you."

"Pity. Because I could give you a perfect way to relieve yourself of it."

Hershel raised an inquiring eyebrow.

"Release my wife. I'll be thrilled." Orion stated simply.

"Your wife is free of our bond. I have already sworn that to her. I never demand her attendance to me. Katlin has always come of her own free will, honoring her debt to me."

Orion sighed loudly. "Katlin comes to you because, for some reason well beyond anything I can fathom, she actually likes you, Uncle Hershel. Not because of any 'debt' you feel she owes you. Something I'm sure it's pretty much near impossible for you to acknowledge."

Hershel seemed to study the younger man for a few moments before he brushed the idea aside. "The debt I owe is to your father." He replied, picking back up with the reason for his coming in the first place.

"My father?" Orion's interest in the matter peaked. Hershel wanting anything to do with his family was never a good thing in his opinion.

Hershel took to walking about the room as he spoke. "For years I have been indebted to Talon. In the first months after my transformation, your father was the only one who stood by me. He saw me through the darkest days a man can imagine. Things I am sure to this day he has never told anyone of. The threats, the curses, the pleading, the begging, the silence...all of it your father stayed by my side through."

Orion had no doubt that the time his father had spent trying to bring his former partner back to the land of the living hadn't been an easy one. And Hershel was right. He had never spoken about it. But even as a child Orion had sensed his father had come back to them a different person than the one who had left a few weeks before. It was just another brick in the wall that had been built between he and Hershel.

"Your father never once even thought of leaving me." Hershel went on. "He never abandoned me to my own ends. He fought for my life even when I no longer cared if I lived or died. Now I have the opportunity to repay him."

Orion was liking the sound of all this less and less. Hershel rarely, if ever, to his knowledge, did anything for altruistic reasons. But, he mentally shrugged, this wasn't entirely that, really. Hershel was looking to relieve himself of a debt. So in the end, he was getting something out of it.

"How?" He ask cautiously.

"By giving you some advice, Orion."

Orion paused as he stared up at the man. Then suddenly burst into laughter. "Your debt repayment plan comes awfully cheap, Uncle Hershel. I doubt my father would see the trade as fair."

Hershel met the outburst with a stoic stare. "Don't be so sure." He replied in a tone to match his expression.

"All right then." Orion said. "Let's hear your words of wisdom."

"You're going with Voldemort and the Potter boy on their journey to find this wizard." Hershel stated in a manner that was more a statement than a question.

Orion saw no point in denying the truth. Especially with Hershel. If the man said something, he would without a doubt have the evidence to back his claim if his opponent chose to fight it out. "Yes." He replied.

"Then hear me out, Orion." Hershel stated, taking to moving about the room again. To Orion it seemed that Hershel rarely ever stood still. He wasn't sure exactly why, but the half-Dementor always seemed to be in constant motion, as though staying in one place for too long was dangerous to him.

"When I was attacked by this wizard's people, I felt something. Something I hadn't felt in so long I almost didn't recognize it." Hershel fixed his stare on the younger man. "Listen to me, Orion. This wizard isn't unknown to you. Nor are you to him. He knows who you are. He knows what you are. You are the one he fears. The Potter boy is merely a tool for him to use. Voldemort is nothing more to him than a fool. But you...you are the one he seeks to stop."

Orion sat up in the chair, staring up at the man before him. "Why?" He ask.

"I told you. Because he fears you. If you go with Voldemort and the boy, take my advice...take one thing with you."

Orion searched the older man's expression. Whatever Hershel was warning him about, he was absolutely serious about it. "And that is?"

Hershel set his mouth in a grim line. "Take Bo with you."

"Bo?" Orion sat up in genuine surprise.

Even as he spoke, the cyclone of wind and dust began to form around the man's feet. "And not for one second of one day should you not know where he is. You make absolutely sure of that." The cyclone rose up around the older wizard, then just as quickly dropped back down to the ground, leaving not a trace of it's presence behind.

Not a full minute later Katlin stepped into the room, carrying two steaming mugs with her, one of which she handed to her husband.

"And what did Hershel want?" She ask with no surprise in her tone at all.

Orion took the mug as he looked at her. He knew better than to ask how Katlin knew the half-Dementor had been in the house. It seemed their connection worked both ways. Not only was she connected to Hershel, but he to her. And whenever he came to the house, Orion swore his wife knew he was coming long before the wards alerted him.

Orion relayed the conversation back to his wife, frowning as he got to the end of it. Something in all of this wasn't right.

"So what was that all about?" Katlin ask, noting the crease forming across his brow. "A new scare tactic for Hershel?"

Orion shook his head slowly. "I don't think so."

"Surely he isn't thinking of using this as a way to finally get back at Bo? Telling you to take him along in the hopes he'll get hurt...or...worse." Katlin added, unable to completely finish the thought.

Orion shook his head again. "No. I think Hershel was very serious in everything he said, Katlin."

"How can you be so sure? Hershel can mask his true intentions from you. He's ever bit the Auror now that he was before. He knows all the tricks."

"That's true." Orion agreed. "But there's one thing about Hershel that hasn't changed. That in all the years I've known him, since he became the thing he is, one thing that has remained constant. One thing he has always done without fail."

"And that is?"

"He has absolutely never..., not once in all that time, ever referred to Bo as anything but 'that creature'. And he has never once, ever referred to him by his name."

Katlin pondered the information for a moment. "So why would he want you to take Bo with you? And why was he so adamant you keep him close?"

"I'm not sure. All I know is that whatever Hershel encountered during that attack, it worried him. Enough that he is worried about our facing it."

Katlin looked up at her husband. Hershel worried about something was indeed bad enough. Worried enough he would take the time to come over to the house to warn Orion about it tan amounted to disaster.

"But Orion." she stated, "Bo is little more than a child. How can you think to take him on this journey? He could be in serious danger if he goes."

Orion shook his head. "Not if he stays with me. And I'll talk to him before we leave, Katlin. I'll make him understand he's to stay with me. He's not to wander off and he's to do only as I say."

Katlin watched her husband leave the room in search of the boggart. No matter how hard she tried, and past Orion reassurances, she couldn't dismiss the sudden foreboding that settled on her.

Shaking her head, she went off after Orion.

Q&A

CelticHeiressFiona:
Thank you, Dear. It is much appreciated. And a Merry Christmas and Happy Hew Year to you.

Skahducky:

Harry doesn't know that Orion and Katlin are married, right?
You know, Harry's fears would have been assuaged even if he didn't know Orion was coming because Arabella would have told Harry she was coming along sooner or later. Probably in the morning, right?
Why did Orion and Katlin look at each other in stunned shock? I don't think Orion should have a problem with Katlin talking to Harry. I guess he could just be surprised to see here there. Why was he coming into Harry's room anyway? Was nobody in that house asleep at 3 AM?

First of all, I would like to say I was headed for some seriously fancy footwork to talk my way out of the 3AM thing, but finally gave up the idea and will simply say, "You got me. Have a Gold Star and wear it proudly".

Continuity errors, folks, are sometimes a fact of life in stories. And you, Dear, got me good with this one. But I have a small defense for myself. The way that chapter should have read was simply a reverse of the two scenes. Harry's part should have come first, since Arabella, in fact, did go to her room, and then got up later (3AM) to make herself a mug of hot milk. However, in my defense, I wanted the chapter to end the way it did. But in order to do that, I ended up overlooking a rather blatant continuity point.

This also clears up a few other points. One, what was Orion doing in Harry's room at 3 in the morning. Point of the matter is, he wasn't. He came to Harry's room more about 10PM. What was he doing there at all? He was, in fact, coming to tell Harry he was going with him and Voldemort.

OK, with that out of the way, allow me to try and clear up the rest of your questions.

Before this chapter, did Harry know Orion and Katlin were married? No.

Next, true, Arabella would have told Harry in the morning (most likely) that she was coming with him. But Harry didn't know that yet when he called Katlin.

Why did Orion and Katlin look so stunned to see each other? You walk into a teenager's room at ten at night, trust me, the last person you're expecting to see is your significant other. That was the first shock. The second one is, once you're over the first, you're immediately blindsided with the 'Now what?' scenario. Orion's first comment in this chapter more or less said it all. "I suppose it's far too late to pull out my wand and pretend to be arresting you?"

Orion doesn't have a problem with Katlin talking to Harry. He has a problem with his wife standing in a teenager's room at ten at night without telling him she was going to be there. Keep in mind Orion and Katlin have to be very careful about ever being seen together by anyone who doesn't know they know each other in some way. That would include Harry. Being caught in such a situation leads to situations much like the one you have here. Orion has two choices, pretend to arrest her or let her attack him. Exactly what people would expect to see happen. In this case he was utterly and completely thrown off (not something that happens to him too often) by the presence of his daughter, who he is not going to endanger in even a mock fight scene.

He's also more than a little confused by his wife's reaction to his appearance, which isn't, 'Oh, eek, an Auror. I'd better fight for my life', but more of a 'Congratulations! You've won first place in the 'Stupid moves' category. Your prize is getting to explain this whole scenario to the teenager.'

Hope that clears things up a little. Enjoy your gold star, Dear.

MasterLupin:
Well I will pray for your friend's loss this holiday, but the Lord said that he would test us all.
Anyway, so was having us (the reader) meet Katy and learn the names of the other children our Christmas present? I espeshialy like the bind that katy put Orion and Katlin in by saying 'da' at Orion. As thier work to keep that little bit secret was just lit on fire and thrown out the window. I wonder what was going on in Harry's head befor the the 'da'; was he thinking that Orion would attack her or something? And I wonder what he thinks now that he knows Orion and Katlin are an item.
I suspect that Voldermort will be non to pleased to accept another person on for the ride, as it seems he was intending for just Harry, Arabela, and himself to attend. So how will Orion get on board before the train leaves the station. Or will Voldermort tell him he can come with them. Only to leave in the dead of night and lose him on the way.
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

Thank you, Dear. I am sure she appreciates it.

Ummmmm..., not entirely. It was just the way the story unfolded. Actually, this was added as a last minute change. I had Harry finding out about Orion and Katlin, but not until much later in the story. But this idea came to me as I was working on another chapter, and it was just so darned cute, I rewrote that part of the story to be included in this chapter instead.

The very thought in Harry's mind was something very much akin to what you said, Dear. First, he was wondering if Orion was going to attack Katlin, and secondly, what he was going to do about it.

What does he think now that he knows the truth. Well, for starters, that the idea is going to take some getting use to. Remember, Harry knew that Orion and Katlin were married, just not to each other. And the fact that they are makes some changes in how he views things as well. Such as that Katlin is no longer just a friend, she's his aunt. Also, a significant member of his growing family relations is not just a Deatheater, but Voldemort's second-in-command. And lastly, he has to keep in mind that he doesn't slip and expose a very dangerous secret.

Past all of that, he's absolutely thrilled for them, really.

Actually, Voldemort is going to be a lot less pleased by the time he actually gets this show on the road. But that's all I'm saying on that matter.

How will Orion get on board? Dear, it isn't like he's going to ask permission. To him, it's a statement of fact. He's going. Discussion over.

Will Voldemort try to pull a runner? Cute idea. Can I actually answer it? No. Gives away too much of the story.

And a Merry Christmas and very Happy New Year to you, Dear.

Silverfox:

Oh, I love the ending of this one. Leave it to little Katy to explain the whole situation. ... I just hope Harry can take a surprise. ... I don't entirely agree that banning the NC-17 fics was a good idea. Yes, most of them were just junk, but there were a very few good ones that did need the NC-17 for their plot. (Okay, I'm grieving for one fic that doesn't seem to have been reposted elsewhere and really didn't deserve to be lobbed in with the rest.)

Thank you, Dear. As I pointed out above, this chapter actually replaced another because I liked Harry finding out about Katlin and Orion in this manner far better than the way I originally wrote it.

What can I say? Out of the mouths of babes...!

Actually, as this chapter showed, Harry handled the whole thing fairly well. Especially for how very 'by surprise' he was caught. He was seriously expecting to have to fend his uncle off of attacking his friend. After all, Orion is one of the top Unspeakables of the Department of Mysteries. Katlin is Voldemort's second-in-command. Facing each other in a room? That's a highly volatile situation. Instead, you have Katlin handing out first place in the 'Stupid Moves' category to her husband.

All right, yes, some of them weren't utter and total cp. But attracts a great many younger writers and readers based on its content who do not really need that kind of exposure.

And I would also like to point out how interesting I find it that has a program in their software that eliminates their name from any script if you spell it out entirely.

Just out of curiosity, Dear, what story are you mourning that got dumped and have you looked for it elsewhere? Most of the NC-17 went to The Restricted Section website.

All reviews are as of 12/30/2006.

And remember;

Happy New Year. May 2007 bring you all you hope for.