Disclaimer Notice and Warning: Refer to previous chapters

Chapter 19 – Visiting the Canines

Harry nervously tugged at his shirt before the fireplace. Sirius' grim attitude was making him tense. Remus stood on his other side. The werewolf, too, seemed distraught but wasn't going to show it for Harry's sake.

The reason the three were standing in front of a fireplace in the first place was because Voldemort was coming to spend a weekend of Christmas break with Harry and his two self-appointed guardians. Voldemort didn't think it would be good for Harry to spend anymore than a night's time at the Manor because Bellatrix and her husband were still trying to find a safe hideaway.

Sirius and Remus agreed to have Voldemort come to their place. (Sirius had finally gotten a place of his own in the country unbeknownst to the ministry.) Both were nervous and a little angry. This was the person who had killed their friends after all. But they were willing to make peace with the monster for Harry.

All of a sudden, green flames roared up making all three jump and out stepped Voldemort with…

"Gallant!" Harry crouched down and threw his arms around the Doberman which joyfully licked his face.

Only after Gallant had gotten a few pats on the head did Harry turn his attention to Voldemort. The green-eyed boy stepped up to him and buried his face in the man's chest breathing in his scent. Voldemort enveloped him in a hug and kissed his hair, smelling the shampoo he used. He then looked up and his eyes met Bellatrix's cousin and the werewolf. He had the sudden urge to smirk at them. To tell them that Harry was his and loved only him. But he knew first impressions would be crucial here so he waited until Harry could introduce them formally. He would try to keep his jealous feelings from showing, at least, for now.

Harry stepped back and cleared his throat, turning around toward Sirius and Remus. "Sirius, Remus, Tom. Tom, Sirius, Remus."

Voldemort was the first to make a move. He held out his hand with a serious expression. This was more than just a first impression; this was a chance to put the past behind them. The three men knew it. Sirius took the outstretched hand with hate filled eyes. Voldemort wasn't forgiven, but he wasn't going to be killed by them either. Remus' handshake was slightly more friendly, but only slightly. He didn't have the look.

They sat down at the dinner table where a small feast was laid and they began to eat in tense silence. Sirius broke the silence but with a subject that wasn't much better.

"Is Snape treating you okay?"

Harry looked up across the table meeting Sirius' eyes. "Yeah. He's a little grumpy in the mornings but otherwise fine."

Sirius nodded, "Probably because he's too afraid…" He glanced at Voldemort in a meaningful way. Harry followed his gaze to find his mate concentrating very hard on cutting into his turkey, practically shredding it into pieces.

Harry sent a calming force through their bond and Voldemort began to relax a little bit more.

"How are you doing in school?" Remus asked, trying to at least settle things down to near-tense.

Harry thought about that for a few moments, "Well, compared to my other years I've spent at Hogwarts, it's quite peaceful. Except…" Harry stopped himself just in time. He wasn't worried about Remus or Sirius knowing this, but Tom might get mad.

"Except what?" Remus pressed on. The rest of the table waited for an answer as well.

Harry sighed, knowing he was stuck, "There's this girl – " He immediately felt Tom tense, "She threatened me on the train. Apparently she and her family are big supporters of Tom and – "

"What!" Harry glanced at Tom and back to his plate. "Harry, why didn't you tell me?"

"It isn't that important." He mumbled.

"What is her name?" his voice was hard, cold.

Harry looked to Sirius and Remus for help but they were watching him, waiting for an answer. If someone was trying to hurt Harry they wanted to know who.

"I don't know, I didn't bother to find out…" Harry winced at the flash of anger Tom sent his way through the link.

"You are lying."

Harry shrugged and took a bite of his now cold potatoes.

Remus hoped he wouldn't regret his next question as the first one had stirred up enough trouble. "How about quidditch?"

All in all, the rest of the dinner went fairly well. Although, there was a moment of confusion when a turkey breast went missing. Harry found Gallant in the living room licking his chops.

Sirius and Remus led Harry and Voldemort upstairs to where they would be sleeping. Both Harry and Voldemort were displeased to find that they were in separate rooms.

Sirius explained that the bathroom was at the end of the hallway and then the dog and werewolf retired to the same room. Harry raised a curious eye to this but then was grabbed roughly by two arms encircling him and lips crashing down on his.

The kiss was filled with longing and passion. Protection and devotion. Love and faith. The bonded pair ached to have one another but knew this was not the time or the place. So with great regret Voldemort pulled away from Harry and slipped into his room. While Harry moved sadly into his. Both trying to will away the roaring fire in their groin area.

XXX

Sirius seethed as he watched through the keyhole as Voldemort practically groped his godson and then some. But calmed down a little when they went to their respected rooms.

"Are you quite done spying yet?" Remus asked, lying on the bed reading a book.

Sirius turned to him and snapped out, "Someone's got to look out for him!"

Remus looked up from his book and into his friend's eyes. "Harry can look after himself. He has proved that more times than any can count. Besides, I don't know why you gave up your room. One of them is just going to jump into bed with the other."

"What!"

"Sirius, do keep your voice down. You might wake the dead. Now go to sleep."

Sirius glared at him but conjured up a dark blue sleeping bag with a pillow to match and curled up in it on the floor. Remus closed his book and turned off the light.

In the darkness he asked, "Did you remember to hide the corn form the turkey-stealer?"

Sirius thought a moment then a muffled, "I don't know," reached the werewolf's ears.

Remus sighed and turned on the light again getting out of bed and stuffing his feet into slippers. Before he walked out of the room he told Sirius that he'd make a hat out of him if he went to go check on the couple. He got a grunt in answer.

As he entered the kitchen the sight of Gallant up on his hind legs nosing around the counter greeted him.

"Hey!"

Gallant immediately sat down, looking like he had been an innocent bystander.

Remus rolled his eyes, "Don't play dumb with me."

Gallant lowered his head but wagged his tail. The werewolf resisted the urge to roll his eyes again. Instead he walked over to the cold box and took out a piece of bread. Tapping it with his wand he whispered a Latin word and the piece turned into a bone. Gallant's ears perked up. Remus laid it on the floor at his feet. Gallant's tail wagged again and he picked up the bone and trotted to a secluded place in the house.

Remus sighed and began the trek back to his room. As he reached the top of the stairs he heard a door open and jumped down a few steps out of sight. He peered around the corner and saw Voldemort slip into Harry's room. He smiled grimly. If Harry was happy then neither he nor anyone else had any right to protest.

XXX

Harry sighed with pleasure as he felt hands begin to rub soothing circles on his back. He flipped over on his side and saw Tom there, a small smile on his lips.

"I thought you were scared of the big bad canines." Harry teased.

"Not even Hell itself could keep me from you." Tom whispered as he climbed into Harry's bed.

"Good to know." Harry whispered back and laid his head on his mate's shoulder.

XXX

Sorry this is so short, but I wanted to crank out another chapter before christmas ended. You have my promise that the next chapter is worth waiting for!