A/N: I told you guys this chapter was coming, and I promised more Tom, didn't I?

Chapter Seventeen— Making Up And Obliviations

Hermione had tried, and failed dramatically, to convince the Durmstrang students to get rid of the Imps who were still terrorising the Gryffindor's well into the first class of the day. Snape had seemed amused as a bluish shield sprang up around him, defending him from the magic that flew about his classroom. He was content to sit back and watch as the students from his most hated House were turned into screaming girls.

She sighed and continued on down the corridor until she stepped out into the crisp winter air. The snow was even deeper than before and one could not trudge through it. You had to shuffle, slowly, as you froze. A whinny caused her to frown and turn to look at the lake. She paused and her mouth fell open.

Harry, and several of his classmates, were thundering down the bank on the back of the pegasi, heading straight for the water. She gasped and ran towards them, shouting frantically, "No! Don't go near it! The Giant Squ--!"

The pegasi opened their wings and gracefully glided over the surface of the water. Almost instantly, a tentacle shot out and the creature banked sharply away. She blinked as she realised that it was a game, a game that they all seemed to be enjoying if the laughs floating over on the wind was proof. Huffing, the witch continued down to the lake, grumbling about the snow inside her boots and the fact that her mad dash had resulted in a grand total of three metres.

"Harry James Evans! Get down here now!"

Harry's Pegasus, a beautiful black stallion, snorted and tossed its head as Harry directed it back towards the bank. The large wings beated through the air, throwing sand, dirt and twigs in Hermione's direction. Holding back his laugh, Harry said, "Sorry about that. We've been neglecting them a little."

She glared darkly at him. "You should not go near the lake! The Giant Squid could catch any one of you, though I doubt you're even going to listen to my advice." Taking a deep breath, she pointed back towards the castle, still gazing up at him. "Can you at least get rid of those damn Imps? They're still terrorising the Gryffindor's."

Harry laughed, a light, musical sound she hadn't heard for days. "I didn't set the prank and those Imps are only going to listen to those who did. It took me an hour just to get our familiars back to normal."

Hermione frowned. "Oh. I thought that that was planned."

"Nope. I think Phanta actually insulted me about one hundred and seventy two times, with each one ending with 'Master'."

The Ravenclaw blinked, shaking her head. "Who set the prank? The one with the Imps, I mean."

He shrugged. "If I had to guess, I'd say Darren had something to do with it. The Prank War usually starts after…next week, so if anyone thought it would amuse me to begin early, he would have had a hand in it."

She nodded, glancing over the lake and spotted Darren on a palomino Pegasus. She mentally filed his reference to himself away for inspection when she had the time to question it. "What about Headmaster Dumbledore?"

Harry laughed, his emerald eyes sparkling with mirth. "That? Oh, Merlin, that was funny! I'd have to say someone set their familiar up with it, none of us like Dumbledore very much. Or maybe that's Bumbledore…"

Shaking her head, Hermione smiled softly. "It's good to see you happy again, let alone outside of Hufflepuff."

A sad smile overcame the bubbly expression and Harry leaned forward, folding his arms over the neck of the Pegasus and leaning his cheek on them. "I never said I was happy. I'm so far from home, from the safety I've gotten used to. And after what Weasley did…"

She frowned. "What did he do? He's been bragging about teaching you your place for days. Not to mention the fact that Potter has taken to defending you all of a sudden."

"Never mind what he did." Harry waved a hand lazily in the air. "But when did Dan…niel start that?"

Filing the odd pause in his brother's name, and the dark look at Ron's actions, away for inspection later, she raised an eyebrow. "About three, maybe four days ago. Why?"

He frowned slightly. "Odd. I would have expected it a couple of days ago, but that long?" He shrugged, sitting back up. "Wanna come for a ride?"

"What?"

"A ride. You know, in the air, on the back of Kerans here." He patted the neck of the stallion, which snorted and stomped his right rear hoof.

"Um…is it safe?"

Harry grinned at her, holding his arm out to help pull her up, which was awkward when one considered the fact that a large feathery wing was in the way. "Trust me, he won't let us fall, and I wouldn't let you either for that matter. Kerans is the familiar of one of the fifth years, Sarah Kane, and is the only one who doesn't go into the castle. For obvious reasons." He turned the Pegasus back towards the lake, easing them into a slow trot. "She can't ride too well at the moment, a second year Gryffindor stuffed up the hex he was cursing at her and left her legs numb."

"Oh my god! Is she okay?" Hermione wrapped her arms around his middle, gripping the edges of the soft velvet robe he wore.

"Yeah, Marci is helping her get them back into working order. But Kerans was a little jumpy. I think I was the only one allowed near him. So, I'm giving him a good exercise."

The witch nodded, eyes wide as the stallion bunched his muscles and leaped into the air, wings snapping open and beating down as they lifted into the sky. "Eep!"

Harry laughed and it vibrated through her. "This is freedom, Mione!"

She had to admit; it was exhilarating being up there, feeling the powerful creature beneath her move with such ease through the air. But she was distinctly aware of the feel of both hard muscle and a strange flexible metal beneath her. As they glided in a circle, she asked, "Harry? The armour on Kerans…is it, hard or soft?"

Harry frowned, letting go of the silver reigns and turning his head to look at her. "You know about the armour?"

"Well, yes, ever since the first day…shouldn't you be holding on to those?"

"It's fine." He waved off her concern over his control of the creature. "The armour is a living part of them. Battle Pegasi, very rare in our grand world, but protected in Bulgaria. It's both metal and flesh, melded together."

A short time later, all of the pegasi were rubbed down, their feathers carefully groomed, and were replaced inside the paddock Hagrid had built. The half-giant grinned and waved enthusiastically as the Durmstrang students made their way back to the castle. Hermione was freezing and was shivering almost constantly. She was sure she had a cold now.

Harry flicked his fingers and she was warmed by a permanent warming charm placed on her cloak. "Better?"

She nodded, sticking her gloved hands under her arms. "Much, thankyou."

"Anytime." He frowned, biting his lip. "Are you still coming tonight?"

"For that meeting, or class, thing?"

"Yeah, that."

She gave him a scathing glare. "Of course I am! Think you can get out of teaching me so easily?"

"Testing, Hermione, I'll be testing you." He pushed his bangs away from his eyes, sighing. "But I'll be late. There's some things I have to attend to…"

"You're leaving the grounds?"

He raised an eyebrow at her shocked expression. "Yeah. That was one thing Fudge and Dumbledore couldn't steal from us. Some of the students have creature blood, which means Mates. Contact is sort of needed."

"And I suppose that includes yourself." At his questioning look, she continued, "I overheard Weasley telling some other boys that you had creature blood. They were trying to guess who your Mate was, but if you're leaving school grounds, I suppose that means it isn't a student."

"No," he laughed. "Not a student. He used to be one, but that was a long time ago."

"A mature aged man? Curious."

"Never really found guys my own age appealing," Harry mused.

Hermione gave him a smile. "Have you always liked males? Not that I'm saying it's bad or anything."

"Yep, for as long as I can remember. No offence, but girls just don't ring my bell."

HPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLV

Grey scowled as he entered the Council chambers. The voice of both Fate and Balance whispered in his mind and he pushed them away, irritation rising fast. Dumbledore and James had both tried to stop him from going, claiming that it wasn't safe outside the wards. Ha! More like it wasn't safe inside the wards. And the bloody old fool had placed a tracking charm on him after he said he was visiting his mate.

Grumbling under his breath, he climbed the hidden staircase and took his seat at the Assassins Guilds box. Hood drawn up, and veil carefully placed, only his fiercely burning emerald eyes showed, glaring down at the ground before him.

Fate was suddenly whispering in his mind, "Calm yourself, young one."

He scowled.

"There will be time for revenge, but take no pleasure."

And of course, Balance just had to get in on the fun! He sighed. The two beings had never spoken to him before, and now was the first time he had heard the musical voices for himself. He knew for a fact that the Angels and Demons heard the voices; voices of the only two remaining deities the Hecatamae had ever looked to. And now he was hearing them.

He watched passively as the Council filed in to the room, each seating themselves calmly, though he could smell their apprehension. He nodded as Genna sat beside him. "Hey."

Violet eyes glanced over his form, though the charcoal grey cloak hid anything that may have told of his current position. "Hey yourself. You doing a report after this?"

"Yeah," he said softly, eyes scanning the room. "Whose petitioning today?"

"Dumbledore again. We think it might have to do with you, or his Order."

Grey stiffened. "Wonderful."

Kely's blue eyes latched onto him as footsteps sounded in the hallway leading to the Exitus Door, the door that changed to allow you to exit back to where you left from. Dumbledore strode into the room wearing sunshine yellow robes with odd orange crescent moons floating around. Grey had to bite back a snort as Gabriel visibly blanched at the fashion sense of the old wizard.

"Albus Dumbledore," Corsis hissed, his fire red eyes blazing in annoyance. "What is it that you need from this Council that requires such a…sharp petition notice?"

Dumbledore straightened his robes and turned twinkling blue eyes on the Demon. "My boy," He ignored the way the black and red wings twitched. "I am here to ask if we have your alliance in the war."

Kely frowned. "We told you at the last petition that we would decide on our stance after viewing the situation."

"And yet, you have sent a Healer to spy on me within my own school."

The two Healers shifted uncomfortably. Qurias sighed, his voice coming out soft as he spoke, "We did not wish to send the young Healer, and it was not our intention. But when Durmstrang was attacked, it was convenient to ask it of her. But it was not intended to be seen as Spying on you or yours."

Beltheir cast a glance at Grey, his dark eyes worried. "Nevertheless, we have heard some worrying things about your actions regarding those of Durmstrang."

"I have done nothing but that which benefits the Light. Those children are so enthralled by the Dark. There is even a hybrid Hecatamus with werewolf blood."

Cole leaned forward. "And what does that matter in the grand scheme of things?"

"He is biased, and most likely is already in the service of the Dark Lord." Dumbledore glanced at the two Assassins. "In fact, I would like to request a Contract be placed on him."

Grey froze, emerald eyes widening. He cleared his throat, pushing away the surprise and worry. "A Contract cannot simply be requested, Dumbledore. There must be a clear reason behind it."

"Are you saying that the Assassins Guild will not accept this Contract?"

Genna narrowed her eyes. "We say neither yes nor no. But we have not heard of anything terrible that he has done to warrant such a thing."

"Indeed," Kely tilted her head to the side. "But we have heard of a terrible act that occurred between the Hecatamus and one of your own students."

Grey frowned, he had told none of them yet. Though it didn't surprise him that they knew.

Dumbledore waved a gnarled hand through the air. "Nothing happened that is of any consequence."

The Courtesans stiffened. Sali narrowed his golden eyes. "Rape is not an offence in your eyes?"

"From both accounts, it was consensual."

Magic suddenly whipped around the room, throwing it into a pitch-black darkness. Genna blindly reached out and grabbed hold of Grey. He was shaking, anger and shame radiating off of him like a heat wave. Leaning closer, she whispered, "Grey, calm down. You need to control yourself. Remember, they all get what's coming to them."

Grey shook himself, reciting the spell his mother used to use over and over in his mind. Slowly, but surely, the magic was sucked back into him. Eyes closed, he ignored the rest of the Council, who shifted nervously. Dumbledore peered up at him curiously and the Council worked to keep him from even beginning to think that Grey was little more than the Elemental he had first thought of him as.

Nori snarled at Dumbledore. "Consensual? We will speak to this Hecatamus and find out his own version of events. If he is Mated, then you will have broken more than one Law in the Council's eyes."

Gabriel lifted grey eyes and glared down at the wizard. "We will give you our answer, on the standing of this Council, in our own time, wizard. Now leave! Before we change our minds."

Dumbledore drew himself up taller. "If this Council does not give a decision by the time the Christmas Holidays begin, we will assume you are on the side of the Dark. Good evening." He turned and strode back down the corridor leaving the twenty-two members blinking in his wake.

"Well," Lonah said slowly. "That didn't go so well."

Haren snorted. "Well? Exactly what planet are you living on, my dear little Were?"

The wereleopard snarled. "One where idiots like yourself don't exist!"

"Oh? Really, now. And how far into your own twisted mind are you?"

Harry blinked, his body still thrumming with power. "Did I miss something?"

Genna shook her head. "One of the European Werepacks had an unfortunate incursion with a Demon clan. They've been arguing non-stop for the past week."

"Incursion?"

Fred pushed his hood back and shook his head. "Dumbledore had something to do with it, so don't worry so much."

George copied his twin, blue eyes tired and worn. "We have stuff to report as well. Are you okay, Grey? I feel so bad for leaving you. If I had known…"

"Stop." Grey raised a hand and shook his hood back. He pulled the veil down and sighed. "It wouldn't have mattered much. Your brother would have simply waited for another chance. He has information to hang over my head now, so he has the power."

The chamber fell silent. Kely frowned. "What information Grey? And what exactly happened?"

He shifted uncomfortably. "How much do you know?"

Gabriel's grey eyes bore into him. "We know that he raped you, and somehow managed to incapacitate you. But other than that we know very little."

Grey took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "He used a very old spell, one that's designed to stop an Hecatamae's ability to draw magic from their surroundings. It leaves a gap in our defences, too small for a major spell to harm us, but enough for someone to magic silver into the system."

Cole blanched. "What?"

"I suppose it was the only way to keep you from killing them." Nori mused. "But where would he have found such spells?"

The witch, Ashley, shook her head. "There aren't any books in existence that hold such information."

"What if we missed something?" Her counterpart, Jolik, frowned. "When the Head of Research was taken out, is it possible that they had stored their information elsewhere? Railes was a Muggleborn, after all. Don't they have ways of storing things indefinitely?"

Ashley nodded. "Yes, computers. Muggles have hard drives, memory devices to store information. They don't work near magic though, so it would be somewhere completely Muggle."

Kely cleared her throat. "Be that as it may, the fact is that Grey is obviously no longer entirely safe there."

Grey snorted. "Entirely. My dear Angel, I was never safe in Hogwarts."

Gabriel blinked. "Continue Grey. We need to know what happened."

Frowning, the emerald eyes darkened dangerously, more of Grey's Hecatamus nature drifting past the fully erected shields that protected them from the unnatural power of the creature. "What do you think happened? I was double dosed with enough silver to kill the entirety of the second largest werewolf pack, let alone any member of my own. I was raped, not once, not twice, but four times before I finally passed out." He growled softly, gold leaking into the swirling emerald irises. "My core was frozen in retaliation for my inability to refuse the…sexual aspect of the attack."

The chamber was silent a moment, before Kely tilted her head, eyes slightly unfocused. "Is there…something else, Grey?"

Grey sighed. "Yes. I request a Contract on one Ronald Bilius Weasley."

Good, Little One, Fate whispered in his mind, They will not refuse you.

Corsis blinked. "What?"

Gabriel shook his head, even as Kely copied him, clearing their minds from the influence of Fate and Balance. "It will be granted, Grey, and the Contract will be created and placed within your mission files."

Blue eyes blinked and pure white wings stretched a moment before Kely spoke again. "But we have one condition."

"Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like it?"

The Angel smiled softly at him, sadness tingeing her brilliant eyes. "You have not spoken to your Mate, Grey."

He stiffened. "I cannot."

"You will, or the Contract will be forfeited." She leaned forward and peered over at him. "You must put aside this foolish belief you have. Your magic may have lashed out when he attempted to contact you, but it was not you who caused him to be unable to get to you."

Phillip nodded. "It would have been the spell. The research papers you gave us listed a variety of ways such a spell could affect both a bonded and unbonded Hecatamae. That was one eventuality discovered."

Grey swallowed. "But…what happened--."

"Was not your fault." Lonah's blue grey eyes glowed across from him. "Do not delude yourself, Grey. You are one of the strongest and most capable Assassins this Council has seen for a great many years, never mind your age. It is the restrictions of the mission that makes you appear so, but this attack was not the result of any weakness on your part."

"What if he doesn't want me?"

Grey's voice was so soft, that many of the members had to strain to hear it. The pain in that one sentence was astounding, even as his entire form slumped into his seat. The waves of unleashed power that he had unconsciously been giving off, in an effort to warn off anyone who posed a threat to him, suddenly died down and his multi-coloured aura turned a bleak grey.

The Master of Necromancy, Vero, sighed and rubbed a hand over his face, hazel eyes tired. "Your mate cannot hate you Grey, it is impossible. I know that you are aware of this, since it is you who taught us to understand those odd tendencies that make up your hybrid nature. Do not be foolish enough to play into the hands of both Dumbledore and his foolish minion."

"Vero is correct." The Herbology Master, Keris, nodded in agreement. "Your mate will understand what has happened, and your reasons for what has transpired between then and now."

Kely cleared her throat. "You will go, now, Grey, and visit your mate."

Phillip nodded. "Merrick will go with you, to ensure that any of his followers do not see or cause a problem for you."

Grey blinked, a sudden tenseness filling him as he unconsciously reached for the comfort of the link between him and Tom. His mate was worried, scared for him. "Okay."

HPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLVHPLV

Even after having stepped into the small room thousands of times before, Harry had never entirely gotten used to the way his wolf self suddenly quieted down. The creature treated the Scottish castle, which was Tom's favourite home since Harry's own voice was softly touched by a lilting Scottish accent, as if it was its own den. Never mind the way Salazar and Rowena were always waiting to have a chitchat with him since he normally returned from missions via the same door. But this was different. His Hecatamus half was fidgety and nervous, and Godric and Helga were also occupying the two portraits by the door.

Godric gave him a jaunty wave, ignoring the icy blue glare that was being sent towards him. "'Lo, Harry!"

Salazar scowled, elbowing the invader of his portrait. "Fool! Can't you see he's worried?"

"Of course! That's why I'm being cheerful. Why make whatever it is worse?"

Helga shook her head, giving him a soft smile. "Whatever it is, don't worry so much over it, kitarus."

Harry blinked. He'd always liked Helga. She was the most misunderstand of the Founders, since most of the records regarding her had been destroyed. Because Helga, the true Head of Hufflepuff, was just like him. She was a Hecatama.

He gave a small nod of his head. "Hello, serook."

Rowena raised an eyebrow. "Whatever you did to Sal's Heir, I hope you don't intend on ever doing it again." She frowned at the sound of arguing from Salazar's portrait. "He was frantic. Came in her trying to use that door of yours, but he couldn't open it to find you. As far as I know, Helga never put in a ward to keep a Hecatamae's mate out."

"I didn't. I made sure that they would always have a route in if the need arose. Granted, Dumbledore could have changed them."

Harry shook his head, glancing out the corner of his eye at his escort. Merrick was an older Mage, well versed in history and all the beings and creatures of the world. With hazelnut coloured hair, peppered at the temples with grey, vibrant pale green eyes and softly tanned skin, he could be considered handsome. But Harry had always fel wary around the man. He had been far too close to Dia for his liking, and had a hard and angry feel to his aura.

With a sigh, Harry moved forward, pausing as his hand came in contact with the smooth wood of the door. His mind was whirring around, his two halves warring for dominance and his instincts were screaming RUN and STAY at the same time. Swallowing, he pushed the door open and slid into the room, not bothering to wait for Merrick. The corner of his lips tugged valiantly in an attempt at a smile. The various wolves peeked out from the trees on the walls; those from his own small pack crouched close together, while select members from his familial pack watched him carefully.

His emerald eyes landed on the slumped figure of his mate in one of the plush armchairs by the bed, hair mussed and Harry had such a sudden longing for Tom that he was forced to draw in a sharp breath. He ignored the frown Merrick threw his way, as brown eyes snapped up to meet his own. His eyes instantly lowered and he flinched visibly as Tom rose and took several steps towards him.

"Harry…?"

Merrick cleared his throat. "Mister Evans has something to say to you…sir. Not that I consider you anyone important, but we must keep our Allies."

Harry whipped around, his magic lashing out and slamming the man into the nearby wall. His eyes swirled gold, and his voice dropped into a low growl. "Don't you dare even think to insult my mate!"

The Mage glared at him, even as he stalked the few steps between them. "You were never planning on telling him!"

Harry trembled as the thin shield surrounding his Hecatamus half cracked. Power suddenly spread through him, making his eyes glow bright and dark all at once. With a gasp, he lurched backwards. Strong arms wrapped around him, warmth spreading through him as he was pressed tightly against his mate. Panting, he mentally reached out and yanked at the black and gold strands of magic, pulling them back behind those precious defences.

"Harry?"

He stiffened, suddenly realising he was in Tom's arms. He didn't deserve to be comforted by his mate, didn't deserve anything. He twisted and turned, but the arms wrapped around him didn't yield to his struggles, not even when he slammed his foot down onto a bare foot. "…Tom, please…"

Confused, Tom let Harry slip out from his arms and watched as he turned around, slowly as if he was frightened. "Harry?"

"Yes?"

The emerald eyes glowed with a power that Tom had never seen before. He knew that Harry desperately shielded his Hecatamus half, to the point where the majority of his power was always being used. And he knew that if those shields broke, Harry's calm and patient demeanour would vanish and be smothered by the fear and anger he surely felt whenever surrounded by wizards. Too much had been done in the past for him to forgive all the wrongs done to his people.

"What is going on?"

Harry blinked and his entire form shimmered as Tom forced his own magic down their link, repairing what he could of the damage to the shields. Harry shuddered, drawing in a shaky breath, before he took a single step closer. "Tom…I…"

Merrick huffed, even as he struggled to undo the magical bonds keeping him against the wall. "Mister Evans was raped. By a mere wizard."

Emerald fire flashed, but it was the sudden ruby red in Tom's eyes that had the Mage shocked. He had known this was the Dark Lord, but he had only ever seen the man with ordinary brown eyes, the pupils only ever holding a hint of crimson. But now they bled and there was such rage in them that he feared for his own life.

"What?!"

Harry frowned, even as Tom's magic healed his shields, he was still annoyed at the intrusion. He turned burning eyes on the Mage, revelling in the frightened wide eyes. Turning back, he was suddenly hit with a wave of shame and a chill swept through him. Stumbling, he clutched onto the warm arms that would always catch him should he fall.

Tom held Harry close, eyes closed as he tried to keep the anger at bay. "What happened Harry? And please, please don't lie to me."

Harry drew another shaky breath. "Weasley. He…somehow he got hold of spells, spells I can't fight. Old ones that shouldn't be anywhere for him to find. I could have sworn I destroyed all the incantations…"

"Hecatamae based spells?" At Harry's small nod, he swore. "Fuck!" He pulled back a little and looked down into glowing emerald orbs. "You can't go back there. I don't care about some fucking mission to determine whether or not a Light Lord cares for some stupid balance. I will not have you in that kind of danger!"

Harry nodded, his body sagging. "I have no problem with that. But the pack…"

"Will be taken out as well."

Merrick frowned. "You cannot make that decision, no matter who you are. The mission will go ahead and Grey's orders still stand."

Tom tensed. "I can do whatever the hell I want, Mage. You can't stop me from protecting him."

Harry sighed and pressed his face against Tom's neck, breathing deep and inhaling the one smell that would always comfort him. Winter breezes and cinnamon. He had no wish to return to Hogwarts, but he knew without a doubt that this was one mission he couldn't weasel out of. Closing his eyes, he reached out and slowly let the shield he'd placed around their link fall. Tom had managed to get past it, at least enough to help him, so there really was no point in trying to keep him out.

Merrick narrowed his eyes at the tendril of magic that entwined about the pair. He'd been much more comfortable with them being separated. "I am a Mage, you are nothing more than a wizard. What makes you think that you can keep me from stopping you? If I let you pull Grey from Hogwarts, you put the Council in jeopardy."

Red eyes narrowed, the small circle of brown retreating from the edges. "A wizard? You think me nothing more than a wizard?"

Harry stepped back, out of the comfort of his mate's arms and turned to face Merrick. "You obviously don't know much about Hecatamae and their Mates, do you?" He flicked his wrist and his aura swept into being, bringing Tom's with it. A swirl of colours, joining and dancing around each other, and on Harry's back, slightly raised, was a pair of blood red wings, the slight shimmery quality adding to the show. "I bound my life to Tom, and in return he keeps me from killing myself. So I give him at least a part of my own power. He is no more a wizard than I am."

The Mage scoffed, raising his hand and moving it in a delicate flourish. A spell shot past Harry at such a speed that he couldn't reach out and change it before it engulfed Tom, just as he raised his wand. Harry turned and watched as the light faded and Tom was left blinking blindly.

"What did you do?"

Merrick looked at the Hecatamus, whose wings had flared out, curving around his shoulders. "He can't remove you from Hogwarts. This is a necessary measure."

Tom blinked. "What happened?"

"Grey has injured himself in a Quidditch practice, nothing much to worry about, but he was deeply embarrassed that a wizard was able to beat him in the practice match. He's sorry, of course, for blocking you out."

Tom frowned, the red vanished in a blink and his warm brown eyes focused on Harry. There was a disbelieving light in them, and confusion, but Harry was too busy seething with anger at Merrick to do much to help his mate. "Harry?"

"I'm fine now, Tom."

"Okay…are you sure that was it?"

"Yes. Now, I must be getting Grey back to Hogwarts, before he is missed."

Again, Tom frowned. Harry sighed and folded his wings against his back, barely noticing as they vanished and his aura faded away. He stepped forward and, after yelling at himself for his foolish thoughts, placed a soft kiss on Tom's cheek. His lips brushed over the soft skin, as he whispered, "I'll talk to you, explain it. But don't believe him, please."

The Mage gave a nod to Tom and followed him out. When the door closed and locked behind them, Harry bit out angrily, "How dare you tamper with his mind!"

Merrick sneered down at the Assassin. "He was going to stop you from returning. Isn't the mission more important than any fuck--."

Harry flicked his wrist, the Nexus Blade landing in his palm from its sheath, before spinning and slamming the Mage into the wall. He held the sharp, black blade against his throat, pushing it slightly against the skin. "Don't you dare insinuate that I care so little for my mission! I am risking everything to complete it!" His emerald eyes sparked and glowed, gold swirling slowly. "And don't you dare even think to insult my mate! Or I promise you won't live to regret it."

Merrick glared at him, even though the Mage was clearly frightened. "Why don't I just tell the Council that their precious Assassin, the perfect Grey Shadow, has fallen to the Dark?"

"The Council know of my standing. The only Assassin to ever refuse a side. I stand in the middle. I have survived the advances of both the Light and the Dark to stand strongly by my own beliefs. Can you say the same, Mage?" He hissed angrily. "Or is the Light too intoxicating for you to resist?"

"I stand where ever I am of more use! You are nothing more than the fuck toy of the Dark Lord, the Leader of the Dark!" He stiffened when the blade pressed harder, the slow warm trickle of blood sliding down his neck. "And more, you were beaten by a mere wizard. Some powerful being you turned out to be. Perhaps the wizards of old were right, Hecatamae aren't much more than wandless Veela, nothing more than an animal. So why don't you run and hide? Shield yourself from the world while you hide behind your insane mate!"

Harry hissed angrily, his body shaking in fury. "Oh aren't you grand, Mage? I'd like to see you be dodging those spells! Oh, but wait! You're human! They don't affect your kind; they're designed for mine! They don't require power, or ability, let alone a sliver of intelligence! Just a wand and a voice!"

The emerald eyes flashed and Merrick had the distinct feeling that Harry's two halves were fighting for dominance. "You have to return to the school."

"Perhaps, but I might just pay the Angels and Demon a visit. It's about time Durmstrang was given permission to fight back." He leaned forward, the blade biting just a little more. "Be careful of your choices, Merrick, or you will meet your end at my hands!"

He hissed out a curse in a tongue Merrick recognised as the Hecatamae's language before spinning and wrenching the Exitus Door open, stepping through it. He gasped, before a shaking hand rose to touch the shallow cut to this throat. He was well aware of the fact that Harry had struggled to leave him alive then, and he knew next time he wouldn't be so lenient. Like everyone, he knew that the Assassin accepted targets and missions from both sides of the war, but if the Balance required them to live, he simply removed them for the time being.

"You know, you shouldn't piss him off. He may just decide to kill you for his own pleasure."

Merrick looked to his right, to see a portrait of Salazar Slytherin scowling at him. "I know that."

"Then don't be a fool."

Sneering at the portrait, Merrick opened the door and strode through it. He was no fool!

A/N: wow, I think this is my longest so far. 5,900 and something words, and all story. Anywhoo, I'm working on yet another fic, which seems to be moving along faster than The Fey Courtesan. I seem to have developed a fascination for fics that start in First Year and continue through. My muse is adamant that I try my hand at it. What I was wondering though, was if anyone knew what nationality Blaise Zabini is, the only thing I can find in the books is that he's dark skinned. But that could mean seriously tanned, dark olive, or African-like dark.

I promise it won't take up much time though, and I've written another chapter and a half for this story. Oh, and I love you guys! Cyber cookies to all!