A/N: Just a warning, this AN may get a little long. I'm tired and cranky, so please, feel free to just skip over it if you want; I'm just doing a little ranting. As for the chapter, some people were curious as to what Remus and Sirius had been up to, so I thought I might add some things in, with a little Tom to balance it out. But the chapter flowed from my fingers, and so we end up with a whole chapter.

This may seem odd, and perhaps some readers will get annoyed with me for joining the ranks of those who do this, but I'm extremely cranky and more than a little pissed off. Just after I posted the last chapter, I received a review on chapter eleven. Now, I do still receive reviews where people express their dislike on what I wrote, but since I'm now eight chapters ahead and everyone seems to be okay with what is now going on, I pay them little attention other than to explain or answer any questions they may have.

This is different.

Very disappointing that you go to all of the trouble to make Harry powerful only to have him raped here... Seems to me someone has some strange fetishes and likes to get them out on the computer screen... Lame Harry...very lame so far. A great series of contradictions that make no sense wrapped into a hybrid with a natural aptitude for magic beyond most witches and wizards...yawn.

I have no problem with criticism, as long as it's constructive. I have no problem with someone telling me that they don't agree or like what I've done, just as it's my right to write that, it is their right to tell me they disagree with it. But this…

I would like to make it very, very clear that I do not take kindly to such words. I may be a sarcastic and sadistic nineteen year old with a liking for slash everything, but to even insinuate that I like people being harmed that way? That I somehow get off on people being raped and abused? No, that just does not go.

I did reply to the reviewer, but I've managed to convince myself that going on a rampage and reading all twelve of their HP fics, so that I can rip into them, is not what I want to do. I refuse to lower myself to their level; revenge may be sweet, but it can also be darn irritating. However, if they're reading this…congratulations, you made an enemy.

Countdown to Ronald Bilius Weasley's Demise-- Five Chapters

This chapter is dedicated to Disco-Dancing on the Roof, because she is the greatest reviewer of all time and somehow manages to make me grin despite the turmoil of emotions I'm currently experiencing. Hope the 'sex' never disappoints!

Also to Bittersweet Alias who makes me feel like I could own the world when she tells me I'm BRILLIANT!!

Chapter Twenty— Just What Have You Been Up To?

Tom Marvolo Riddle

Tom frowned down at another of the large, animated maps Harry had been making him. Fenrir Greyback and his pack were already setting up the wards required to keep them from venturing into public areas. A derivative of the Wolfsbane potion, one that required only a drop at any point before the full moon, would arrive within the hour. The day after tomorrow, the pack would be free to roam the hundred acres of woodland on the side of a mountain somewhere near France. All Harry's idea, all his planning, all his money, all to keep his familial pack safe.

Sighing, he pushed the maps away and leaned back, rubbing a hand over his face. It had been months since he'd had the peace of mind that Harry managed to bring about whenever he was near. He could feel, always there in the back of his mind, the insanity that being bodiless for a good thirteen years had brought with it. It hadn't worried him when he felt his own mind slowly crawling back to the surface; he'd thought he'd overcome the consequences of near-death. But when he'd continued to encounter Grey Shadow, and the fear receded just a little bit more, he'd found the comfort and safety he'd had no idea he craved. Harry had tied a large chunk of his own magic to Tom, saving him from driving himself into further insanity.

He had been aware, somewhere within him, that the false memory of Harry supposedly being harmed during Quidditch was wrong, and when Harry had tentatively contacted him in order to push the true memory of what had occurred while the Mage Merrick was there, he had been consumed by rage. He wanted, needed, to take Harry from Hogwarts, because being unable to fight back, being unable to defend himself and others to the true extent of his abilities was likely to cause a severe backlash. Of course, the Angels and Demons had retracted the order to not truly retaliate, but it was only a small measure of comfort.

His main problem now, was that he was worried Dumbledore would let slip what Harry was to the British Ministry, which could lead to them pouring all their resources into incapacitating him. And while that was good for him and his own forces, and it was not so good for Harry himself. He didn't doubt that Harry was very, very capable of defending himself against the majority of attackers. But Dumbledore was crafty, and he came from an old Pureblood family, which meant that he would have knowledge of Hecatamae Spells, and their was nothing Harry could do against magic like that.

While his younger half was far more capable in battle, having been trained for it while at Durmstrang, there was very little doubt in Tom's mind that Harry would do much better in the shadow's, where his precious Nexus Blade could sing to its heart's content. The Ministry wouldn't give him even a chance for that. They would surround and blast him with the same Shattering Spell at the same time. And then Harry's own magic and blood would destroy him completely.

Standing, Tom strode over to the door and left the small study. As he walked down the quiet corridors, he caught a murmur of conversation and paused outside of another door. Hissing, the small onyx serpent emblazoned into the door twisted and turned itself into 'Strategy'. Another of Harry's ideas. Shaking his head, Tom quickly cast several spells over himself.

"My friend, could I pass through?"

The serpent coiled itself up and blinked at him. "Of course, Speaker."

Nodding, Tom stepped through the door, passing through the wood as if it were nothing but air. Harry's magic seemed to have taken on a life of its own when he'd stepped foot inside the old manor. The house had taken to him quite quickly and the walls seemed to breathe, always willing to help Tom out whenever he needed it. Once he was inside, he quickly noticed the inhabitants as raised voices slammed into his senses.

Obviously someone had taken to using a poorly cast Silencing charm.

"NO!" Bellatrix Lestrange glared insanely down at a calm Remus Lupin, whose amber eyes burned up at her. "My Lord would never stoop to such low acts. Bonded to a mere child? You have lost your faith, Lupin!"

Remus raised an eyebrow. "Faith? Bellatrix, I never had any in Him from the beginning."

Tom pressed his lips together, amusement humming through his veins. Did you know that Lupin is arguing with Bella over us?

A jerk somewhere in the back of his mind told him that Harry had only just woken up, and that his voice had scared the boy. What?

Did you just get up?

Tired. Full moon's the day after tomorrow. The whole pack is jittery.

Jittery?

I just woke up! Do you honestly expect me to think of something eloquent?

Tom let himself drift into Harry's mind, eyes opening to see rumpled sheets and a snoring blonde. Exactly what time is it there?

He felt Harry scowl. Fifteen minutes until class...which makes it about nine...ish?

Tom snorted, pulling out of the teens mind and watching as Bellatrix continued to rant about the many reasons he would not bond with a so called 'child'. Harry was no child, there was no doubt he'd had very little childhood at all. A slight change in the magic beside him had dark eyes focusing on the fully clothed Grey. Emerald eyes danced with silent laughter, even as they turned to survey the room.

"Well, this wasn't what I was expecting."

Remus blinked, amber eyes confused. But it was Bellatrix who latched onto the Assassin first. "You!"

"Me?"

The witch whipped her wand out, pointing the faintly glowing tip towards him. "Stupefy!"

Grey held a hand up, the spell slamming into the open palm and forming a red ball, solidifying and cracking into shimmery dust. "Tsk, tsk. That was not so nice, Bella."

"You are nothing more than a murderer!" Her voice reached an even higher pitch than before, even as she screeched at him. Tom winced and began thinking of the many curses he could use on her. "You murder our people!"

Grey blinked, his emerald eyes glowing within the shadows of the hood. He flicked his hand and a new ball of red magic shot from his palm, slamming into Bellatrix. "In case you failed to notice, dear Bella, my day job is murdering people. In fact, perhaps even you are on a list somewhere."

Tom raised an eyebrow, even as he let the spells he'd cast fall from him, the insane woman paling and instantly dropping to the ground, attempting to kiss the hem of his robes. She paused in this, when she noticed he wasn't even wearing robes. The confused look on her face had Grey snickering at the witch. "I would be watching what you say around me Bellatrix."

"My lord," she breathed in a tone that spoke of her devotion to him. "I am sorry for my words to your Assassin," And here Tom distinctly felt annoyance drifting down their link. "But he has been killing more of us than them!"

He glared down at her, crimson flashing in his eyes. "Do not presume to know what it is that I plan!" He leaned down, hissing angrily at her. "You are not even permitted to be in this room!"

The witch gave a shriek before she darted from the room. The doors guardian hissing after her, "That shall teach you, you insane shrieking banshee poser!"

Grey snorted. "I'm beginning to think that maybe we shouldn't have given it a personality."

Remus blinked at him. "I thought you did it, Harry?"

A nod, but the emerald eyes seemed to go a little flat to Tom. "True, I helped with the magical aspect, the design was Tom's. But I am not the complete 'Harry', rather only the portion of ourself that makes us 'Grey' stands before you."

"You know," Remus mused looking at his godson with narrowed amber eyes. "I'm beginning to think I dislike the fact that there is such a clear distinction between the two halves of you."

Grey laughed. "Sorry, Remus. But I can't send my whole self here, Dumbledore has put a ton of spells around the dorms."

"For what reason would he do that?"

"The same reason you used to."

"Oh." The werewolf blushed, sighing as he slumped in his chair even more.

Sorry, Tom. The spells he's set seem more directed towards me, I'm gonna be late to class as it is, so I thought I'd come see if the plans I sent had made it intact.

I still don't see why you didn't use Phanta. Tom moved over to the large desk set in the middle of the room, several sheets of parchment littered over a larger one, which detailed a map of the Ministry. And how did you get all of this?

Grey moved over to him, his arm brushing along his and yet passing through all the same. "I was able to procure a complete map of the Ministry through my own experiences and the information the Spies have managed to collect. It should be enough to find whatever it is you're after."

He nodded, looking thoughtfully down at the diagrams. He spotted one that seemed to be highlighted and picked up the corresponding sheet of parchment. "The Magical Research Department? What's so special about them?"

The emerald eyes flashed and some form of anger moved through them before they became flat again. "Dumbledore has contacted that department, requesting any notes they may have on Hecatamae. The Council is currently watching all liaisons between them. We hope to intercept the information and destroy it."

Tom nodded again, glancing at Remus who looked as if he was about to burst with anger. "Calm down, Lupin."

The wolf glared at him. "I have places to be. I was only stopping here to hand you these. Lily said they might come in handy." He pulled a dozen amulets on leather ropes from his robe pocket. "She charmed them to be impervious to any Light spells. Use them on your best." With that, Remus stepped over to a marked side of the room and apparated out of the manor.

Tom blinked. "Well, he seems upset."

Grey's eyes turned back to him and he shrugged his shoulders. "He's upset that the Bulgarian Ministry hasn't done anything to help us out. The attack and assault of students should have been punishable by British Law, but it seems that Fudge is hesitant to do so."

"Right." He watched as Grey walked around the table, shifting pieces of parchment out of the way. "What's the plan now? And exactly what half, or part, of Harry are you?"

"The plan is to begin with a little bit of chaos. If the Light side believe they can get away with allowing their leader to pressure the Council into helping a side hell bent on destroying half the Guilds in order to defeat the Dark, than they are severely mistaken. And to answer your question," The Assassin didn't look up. "I'm a part of both our Hecatamus and Werewolf halves. The ability to separate a personality is rare, even among Hecatamae, but it is useful."

"You aren't the part that loves me, are you?"

Grey looked up then. "That must be hard to say, but the answer is no. I am the part that feels nothing. The only way we could be so good at what we do is to have a way to ignore the deaths. I am the part that allows us to retreat from the reality of our profession."

"I never knew."

"You weren't meant to."

Don't take offence Tom.

How come you never told me about this? I wasn't even aware you could separate your personality.

He felt Harry sigh and let himself slip back into the Hecatamus' body. The reason the ability is so rare, is because it takes a great deal of power in order to do it. Even for me, the amount needed is extreme...

But you are already straining yourself. He let his magic wrap around the teen, moving in and out of his body. He looked into his Core, surprised to see another large crack along the shimmering Shield. He directed his magic towards it, healing it as best he could. These are coming up more often.

I know. I think I nearly blew the shower up this morning. Mere was screaming at me about it. I honestly didn't even notice the crack until that happened.

How can you not notice this? It's huge!

Harry sighed, and at the same time Grey seemed to stiffen, emerald eyes flashing once more. Tom ignored that and focused more on the hairline fractures running all over the shield. I guess I'm getting used to them. I never got them this badly until this mission.

You never had to protect sixty odd people in a hostile environment.

True.

Harry? Can I see what's happening to your magic?

Instantly Harry's Core vanished and what he could see from Harry's eyes, namely his dorm room, became a beautiful forest glade. There seemed to be huge parts of the area that had been removed from the colour scheme, now sporting a dull lifeless smoky grey colour. Harry was sitting on a rock, a metre or so above the slowly gurgling stream.

"Hello, Tom."

Tom blinked and made his way over to him. "Merlin, why didn't you tell me?"

The teen scowled. "I don't make it a habit to look at my magic everyday. Marci was checking me over when she noticed it. The cracks are beginning to affect the amount of power I'm able to access. It fluctuates from second to second."

He blinked. "That cannot be good for you."

Harry shrugged. "I'm dealing with it. Healing them all up takes time and patience, and I'm afraid I have neither."

"Take some power from Hogwarts."

"That's what I'm doing, in order to try and keep the cracks from widening before you get to them." Harry sighed, waving a hand through the air. "Anyway, I'm taking my little piece of me back, I have to get to class. Daniel is staging a mock fight between his friends and the pack. We should be 'out of commission' for the full three days. Are you coming?"

"Yes, but I'll need you to morph me. I don't fancy being the only human amidst a pack of Were's."

Harry grinned at him, waving jauntily as the scene vanished.

Once he was back in the Strategy room, Tom raised a hand and rubbed his face, sighing loudly. "Today is going to be a crap day."

With a scowl etching over his features, he swept from the room and made his way to the Summons Chamber. He had several raids to organise.

Remus Lupin

Remus rubbed a hand over his face, as he Apparated back into the Shrieking Shack. Lily looked up, forest green eyes searching him for any sign of injury. She'd never been comfortable with Harry's involvement with the Dark Lord but there was nothing either of them could do about it; Tom Riddle, Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord, was Harry's only life mate and the only person in the world who could help keep him at the same level of patience and kindness. If they took him away, or if Harry refused the bond once more, it was likely that the Hecatamus would simply turn completely into that part of Harry that was Grey, and merely kill all those around him.

"I'm alright, love."

The red haired witch sighed. "I know, I know, he wouldn't hurt you. But the others…"

"Bellatrix Lestrange was the only one who stopped me. She was upset that I'd been clearly supporting Voldemort's choice in companion. The fact I believe it apparently means I have lost faith."

"Faith?"

"She's insane," he shrugged his shoulders. "It doesn't have to make sense."

Lily nodded. "What happened?"

"Grey showed up."

She frowned, glancing down at an old tattered parchment. "Harry is still in Hogwarts…"

"Is that the Marauders Map?"

She gave him a sheepish look. "Yes…"

"How'd you get it?"

With a sigh, she patted to spot on the lounge next to her and he walked over, plopping down beside her. "Daniel gave it to me. He believes it'll help in keeping his fellow Housemates from bothering our kids too much."

Remus nodded. "Harry said he was talking to him, said his brother was going to help get them out for the full moon." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "But it wasn't Harry who turned up. It was simply Grey."

Her eyes shot up in alarm. "I asked him not to do that anymore, splitting himself all the time cannot be good for him."

"Lily, love, he does it all the time. When one half has dominance over the other, he's technically splitting himself."

She nodded, letting her head fall on his shoulder as she watched her son walk into the Great Hall, his pack members following behind him. There was a small image of dragon wings and the name 'Phanta' stuck over the top of him. It was reassuring to know that his familiar was still able to be there when not in Hogwarts classes. When they'd arrived and been told that because familiars were illegal in Britain none of the animals could accompany their Masters, she hadn't known what to do. She'd argued and tried to plead their case, but Dumbledore and Fudge just wouldn't listen. Not that the two had ever even learned how to…

"What now?" She asked softly.

"I'll be going to Bulgaria, and I'll speak with Christof. I doubt Sirius will be able to persuade Fudge to charge the Weasley boy. And I need to see why he hasn't been replying to any of our letters."

"The kids haven't been receiving letters from home either. Harry said all he could sense was some kind of scanning spell. He assumed it was for curses or Dark spells."

Remus sighed. "It could be a spell designed to seek out traces of Dark magic. Most of the kids do belong to Dark families. I'll see what's been going on." He rested his cheek on her hair, inhaling the beautiful cherry blossom scent that was completely her. "What have you got planned today?"

"Well, Hermione Granger will be officially joining us, Harry tested her yesterday on seven forms, it was only Necromantic magic that she won't be able to physically do, but she has the ability to understand it." She traced a finger over the large group of Durmstrang students who were once more sitting at the same table. "He mentioned that she had a good deal of power, just that she's never needed to access it all."

"Her Core is completely Locked?"

"Mhmm…he wants to help teach her to unlock it a bit more." A glance at the tiny watch she wore on her left wrist, made of pearlescent lilies, showed that it was time for her to head back in. "You'd best be going, if you want to help teach tonight."

Remus groaned. "I hate politicians, you know."

She smiled at him as she stood up. "Maybe, but we can't escape them, and you did want to be Headmaster, no one made you."

He snorted softly. "Yeah, no one but you and Harry begging me to do it."

Lily gave him a wide smiled. "Be grateful. Now get going."

He nodded, leaning forward and giving her a quick kiss before he apparated into Bulgaria, right in front of the entrance to the Ministry. The entrance was carved into the side of a rocky mountain, far away from muggles. Once you stepped through you were transported to the foyer, which was situated beneath the capitol city of Sofia. It was a genius piece of magic and had been in place since the 700s.

In front of the entrance, were two Pegasi Guards. The armour on the flying equines had been spelled visible, making them look all the more formidable, and causing their wings to look razor sharp, not that they weren't. Their riders wore slim clothes, spelled with the best defensive magic and they could wield both wand and sword at the same time. They were extremely well trained and to his knowledge no one had ever attempted to force entry and lived to tell of it.

He gave a quick bow, keeping his amber eyes on the two guards. "Good noontime. I am here to seek the Minister and to have a private word with him. Is Christof in?"

The guard on the right, sitting atop a chestnut with gleaming silver armour nodded. "The Minister is in. You may go through."

Remus nodded and spoke his thanks, walking between the two and through the archway, trying to fight down his nausea as he touched the ground in the foyer of the Ministry. Instant noise slammed into his ears and he winced, watching as witches and wizards scurried about, yelling to each other even as other carried noisy baby dragons or cursed objects. He'd never really gotten into the swing of things at this, the central meeting point for all Bulgarian witches and wizards.

Scowling as a witch bustled past, a silver rope swinging from her hands, he started off towards one of the many corridors leading out of the foyer. He couldn't remember the amount of times he'd travelled along these winding corridors, btu it had been enough times ti imprint the layout of the Ministry within his mind. The scents of the hundreds of employees drifted around him and he narrowed his eyes as he walked, looking for the Ministers.

There, sulphur and earth. That was Christof Krum's scent.

He turned right, following the new corridor all the way until he reached a locked door. To the right, was a device similar to a muggle hand scanning device. In front, Bulgaria had been adapting muggle technology for the last twenty years and many items that Muggleborns would recognise now had a common place in Wizarding households, let alone their buildings. He placed his hand on the blank screen and a green light engulfed it for a moment, before he heard the lock click and the glow vanished. He pushed the door open and stepped through, letting it fall closed once more.

The witch who sat behind the ornate mahogany desk smiled when she looked up. "Hello, Headmaster Lupin."

He smiled back at her. "Mrs Swiner, how are you?"

Annalise Swiner was Mere's older cousin, a part of the Swiner family who had refused to forsake their own kin because of something so trivial as a turning. The fact that Annalise's husband was a Vampire had probably helped with that decision. She still kept her own surname, since Heri had none to speak of, his thousand years worth of memories finally stripping him of that. Silver eyes crinkled as she laughed, standing up and coming around the desk. Her belly was slightly distended, the soft roundness proof of her pregnancy.

"I'm good! Heri sends his regards, although I would have expected Mere to of replied to our letters by now. We sent one only a few days after you all left, and yet, to my knowledge, no news has reached Bulgaria from Britain. Has something happened?"

Remus frowned. "No news? That would explain it." He sighed, before giving her a tired smile. "A lot has happened since we arrived. Dumbledore is more foolish and manipulative than I remembered him being. What's been going on here?"

Annalise snorted. "The British Ministry's Auror's have been insisting on coming to see the reparations to Durmstrang and Christof has managed to keep them at bay, at least for now. I had no idea the Council's Mages were so fast; the school is nearly halfway fixed."

He sighed. "They'll slow down a bit now, but if the British Ministry gains wind of this…"

"They'll either send you all back or try and detain the kids on the basis of them being Dark."

He nodded. "Yes, and it's something I'm afraid of."

She gave him a sad smile. "Well, there isn't much we can do about that. As long as the kids are aware of the dangers in the use of such magic over there, then you've done all you can. Are you here to see Christof?"

"If he's available?"

"Having a cup of coffee at the moment." She led him over to the door set into one side of the room, opening it up and stepping smoothly to the side so he could follow her in. "Mr Minister?"

Christof Krum looked fairly different to his son, Viktor. His nose was much smaller, though it resembled more of a Roman nose than anything else, and his eyes were a crystalline blue. He gave a friendly grin as he placed his mug down and stood up. "Zankyou, Anna. Remus! Velcome back, I trust zat ze British are treating you vell?"

Remus smiled back at his friend, taking the seat offered to him. "Hello, Christof. It is good to be here, but they aren't treating us very well at all."

"Oh? Vat have zey done?" He flicked his wand, a pale Heartwood and Pegasi feather one, and conjured another mug of steaming tea for the werewolf across from him.

"No letters have come through, have they?" At the confirmation, he nodded and sighed. "The last letter we received was the one you sent to Dumbledore, since then the kids have received no letters from home and the ones we sent you were never replied to."

"Ve have received no letters from ze students in Britain. Ve zought it vas strange, since zose at Beauxbatons have kept a constant correspondence. Vat has caused zis?"

Remus sighed again and rubbed his cheek with his hand. "Harry seems to think that there's a spell designed to scan the letters; he was assuming that it was merely to check for curses, things like that."

"Zen ze person who cast zese spells must be designing zem to ensure he does not notice zeir true intentions. Harry is safe, yes?"

Christof had always liked Harry, liked the way that one so young could have such an understanding of the world around them. Remus suspected that Harry knew a great deal more than he was ever going to let on, let alone admit it to anyone. The fact that Christof respected Harry so much was the very reason the Hecatamus had any say in what went on within Durmstrang. It was why he now Tested every student.

"Safe, perhaps. But…Christof…"

"Vat? Vat has happened?"

"Harry was attacked, raped, by a wizard by the name of Ronald Weasley. He used a combination of Hecatamae Spells and another designed to transfer silver directly into the blood stream. He was left for dead, and he very nearly did die. He was refusing his bond with his mate."

"But zat is dangerous!"

Remus nodded, a grimace twisting his mouth. "We know. He's…okay now, but he's not particularly pleased that nothing is happening because of it. An old friend of mine was the one to find him, Sirius Black."

"Ze Specialist Auror?"

"You've heard of him?"

"Yes, he vas ze only polite one to ask about ze Guilds aid. I believed him ven he said zat he hoped ze school vould be up and running soon. He expressed his vorry about ze safety of our children." Christof sighed. "I vill contact ze British Ministry. Zis boy vill be punished by zem, or he vill face our own system."

Remus slumped a little. "That's good news. But I hope we can come back soon, because I don't think Harry can keep everything up much longer. His ability to use outside magic seems to be fluctuating, and more and more of his own Inner magic is coming out."

"Ze shields are breaking?"

"Yes. If the British Ministry decide to take action against him…" He frowned and looked up into clear blue eyes. "It'll only take a couple of Shattering Spells before his Shields fall completely."

Sirius Black

Sirius scowled, only just managing to bite back the canine-like growl at the look the Minister's personal guard was giving him. "Just tell the goddamn Minister I need to see him!"

The wizard gave him the same blank look that he'd been getting for the past ten minutes, before replying in the same monotone voice. "The Minister is currently unavailable. Make an appointment at a time more appropriate for…visits."

"It isn't a visit!" He glared at the man. "It's about the Durmstrang students at Hogwarts!"

"Make an appointment."

Sirius let the growl go this time, smirking when the supposedly unafraid guard jumped a little. Letting his magic whip around him, he morphed smoothly into his animagus form. The man's eyes widened even further as the black Grim-like dog leaped at him, landing on his chest as the wizard fainted. Honestly, did they pick Auror's off the streets these days? Sirius morphed back and casually stepped over the prone wizard, tapping his wand against the locked door to the Minister's office and opened the door.

Only to see James Potter casually reclining in the soft leather chair across from Cornelius Fudge.

"James?"

"'Lo Sirius!"

James jumped up, a grin splitting his face as he made to grab his friend in a hug. Sirius sidestepped the movement easily, fixing the man with a hard glare. "Don't."

Fudge seemed to be fidgeting and he stood up, nervously clasping his hands together. "Specialist Auror Black, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

The wizard frowned. "I'd like to speak to you about an occurrence at Hogwarts a week ago which involved both a Gryffindor student and one of the visiting Durmstrang guests." He glanced at James. "Privately, if you don't mind."

James snorted. "Cornelius is already aware of the unfortunate…accident."

He glared at him. "I wasn't aware you'd been sucking up enough to speak on first name terms. And it was no accident."

"Of course, of course." Fudge waved his hand and heaved a great sigh. "James here has informed me that his son has once more become a threat, one which the Ministry intends to neutralise as soon as we can amass a team to confront him. One can never be too careful with a creature such as Harry…Evans, wasn't it?"

James nodded, his hazel eyes alight with some emotion that Sirius really didn't want to think about. "You're going to kill him? You can't kill him!"

The Minister blinked in confusion. "He is an Hecatamus, I cannot allow him to run about unchecked."

"But the Bulgarian Ministry--."

"Has done nothing." James shook his head. "He may be my son, Siri, but he's too dangerous."

"I can't believe this."

Fudge gave a tentative smile. "Do you want the placement?"

"What? No!" Sirius glared at the two of them. "You want to kill a seventeen year old boy just to save your own arses? He was fucken raped by Ron fucken Weasley! Why don't you throw that damn red head into Azkaban instead of plotting the death of someone we could use against Voldemort!"

"Sirius…"

"No!" He spun around and stormed back through the door, not even bothering to step over the guard, merely walking over him. He quickly made his way back to the Atrium, throwing Floo powder into one of the fireplaces and shouting out, "Guild Council Proposition Chamber!"

There was a whoosh and he stepped out into a small, dusty little room. There was a plain door on one side and table and chair on the other. A winged Demon watched him with pure white eyes as he sat down in the other chair.

"For what, are you requesting?"

He took a deep breath. "I need to speak to the Guild Council in relation to the life and safety of one Harry James Evans, a hybrid werewolf and Hec--."

"--atamus. Yes, I see…" He looked down and tapped the book before him. "The Council has just finished a session. They are awaiting the arrival of the second Assassins Guild representative…" He looked up, a smirk curving his lips. "You may enter through the Door, place your hand on it and simply imagine the Chamber. Once the Door has changed, you may walk through."

Sirius blinked, even as the nameless Demon returned to tapping his finger on the pages of the book. Spidery writing made its way across the pages, changing colours at irregular intervals. He swallowed and stood, walking over to the plain looking door. Frowning, he placed his hand on it and tried to imagine what the Guild Council Chamber would look like. He felt a shiver of magic and the door changed, the wood smoothing out into an odd honey colour and the handle twisted before become an ornate set of wings. He looked back uncertainly at the Demon.

"Go on, they are waiting for you."

He pulled open the door to see a long corridor that seemed to open out into a large area. He stepped through and the door clipped his heels as it slammed shut. There was a murmur of voices and when he stepped into the open floor he was surprised by the twenty-two pairs of eyes that watched him calmly. An Assassin, with glowing emerald eyes, spoke up first.

"Specialist Auror Sirius Black, for what reason do you request this Councils attention?"

He swallowed again, suddenly nervous. He could feel whispers of power, shockingly powerful whispers, and was reminded of just how weak he was in terms of magic. "I have reason to believe the British Ministry of Magic, in particular the Minister himself, is plotting to bring about the demise of one Harry James Evans, a hybrid of werewolf and Hecatamus blood."

A blue-eyed Angel smiled at him sadly. "This is not a new situation for us. The British Ministry has tried before to end his life. How did you come by this information?"

"I went to see the Minister to try and persuade him to allow me to charge a Hogwarts student for the rape of Harry, only to find a friend, and the father of Harry, to be there. They tried to ask me to help arrange a team to take Harry out."

The violet-eyed Assassin shifted. "This isn't good news."

The two Spies snorted simultaneously. "Dear Genna--."

"Don't you know that--."

"Nothing to do with this Ministry--."

"And dear little Harry--."

At this the emerald eyes of the Assassin flashed and Sirius frowned as a memory wiggled around in his mind.

"Is never good news?"

The Assassin huffed loudly. "I can still say it, can't I?"

A Demon with harsh red eyes cleared his throat. "The problem now, is how are we to stop them from going through with this without having our own people within the Ministry?"

The grey-eyed Angel shook his head. "There are enough Spies and Mages within the Ministry to suit most of our needs, but we have been unable to get any onto active Auror duty." He looked down at Sirius, who was blinking in shock. "Of course, most Ministry workers wouldn't even suspect that fact."

"You have your own people within the Ministry?"

The emerald-eyed Assassin nodded. "There are currently nine Mages and five Spies situated there, spread through each department."

A gold-eyed Courtesan shifted, gaining the Assassins attention. "Grey, is it not possible for an Assassin to get into the Department of Mysteries?"

He tipped his head to the side. "Possibly. They could even infiltrate the Unspeakables, but to what end?"

Sirius was outright gaping now, shocked and pale as he stared unblinking at the emerald-eyed Assassin. He was Grey Shadow. The Grey Shadow. "Do you know the Ministry has you on one of their biggest, and most rewarding, Wanted posters?"

Grey looked down at him and shrugged. "It doesn't bother me so much. It bothers me that they'd want to kill Harry merely because of his blood."

He blinked. "You know Harry?" His tone was sceptical because he couldn't imagine Harry ever even meeting an Assassin of Grey's calibre.

Grey laughed softly. "Yes, I know Harry, very well in fact."

"He has a mate you know."

Genna cackled to herself for a minute. "Oh, did you hear that Grey? Dear wittle Harry has a mate!"

The Assassin glared at his companion before turning odd emerald green eyes back to Sirius. "I am aware. But this meeting is so that we can find a way to keep the Ministry from harming him."

The blue-eyed Angel shook her head, blonde strands shimmering in the soft light. "It is likely that Dumbledore is behind this, which causes a problem for us."

A woman with blue grey eyes, sitting in a podium on his right, sighed. "If we allow it and do not retaliate, then the packs will believe that they are no longer protected by the Council. But if we do retaliate, the Light Lord will classify us as supporters of the Dark."

He frowned, glancing at the emblem emblazoned on the front of the stand. It was made of an odd pearly grey metal, and was of several animals twined around a stylised 'W'. Wolf, leopard, fox, tiger, and several others he did not recognise. Werefolk.

"Lonah's right. We cannot afford to allow those under our protection to come to harm. The packs will have to temporarily abandon their territories for now." A hazel eyed man wearing blood red robes sighed softly. The emblem before him and his female companion was of a large rune, one that stood for 'Mastery', which meant that they were the two Masters representatives. He guessed that the man was a Necromantic practiser, judging by the twisting rune over his heart.

Sirius shifted and twenty-two pairs of eyes switched to him. "I…I may be able to help, at least, with letting you know who ends up being on the team…"

Grey leaned forward. "You would be in considerable danger, Dumbledore is not a man to be trifled with."

"I know that, but how can I let him kill Harry simply because he was born special?"

Lonah nodded, her eyes soft. "We agree, and we would support him in whatever way we could."

Genna looked at Grey. "We support him also."

Two pairs of blue eyes both twinkled with laughter and the two Spies spoke as one, "We'll help him get in, lest we can do."

The two pairs of Angels and Demons, along with Grey, tipped their heads, eyes glazing over. They all shook their heads after awhile and the red eyed Demon nodded. "It's decided. But we will aid you in whatever way the Guilds can."

Sirius took a deep breath. "Then, Harry will be safe?"

"As safe as we can promise him to be." Lonah smiled down at him. "He is a cub to us, and belongs to my own Guild. We will not let him fall." Her eyes flickered to Grey, who nodded at her.

"Thankyou. I cannot tell you how much…well, thankyou."

"Leave the way you came, but place your hand on the Door and envision whatever place it is you wish to go. When the Door has finished changing, step through. We bid you farewell, Sirius Black." The blue-eyed Angel gave him a reassuring smiled and he nodded, turning to leave.

As he stopped before the Door, he couldn't help but let a secret smile spread over his face. Dumbledore and the Ministry wouldn't be able to touch Harry now.

A/N: Okay, I know Harry sounds like he's got…um, schizophrenia?…but, it works for me. I was always leading up to this, since his halves are more dominant at different times and we all have parts of our personality that seem completely separate to the rest. That's where the idea came from. You know, stepping back and watching yourself as a unique part of you takes care of a situation…okay, now I sound insane.

Anywho, I'm currently running on nearly no sleep and most of this chapter was sort of typed out during a Red Bull high. Well, that's my apology for what I seem to consider a fairly poorish chapter. However…enjoy!