Gideon and Severus were able to return home to the manor for a week. The wizengot only met once a week unless something major came up and a two week recess had been called after the election, to allow the new lord a chance to settle in. He'd have to return in a week though so he could start trying to make things happen.

Fabian was waiting when Gideon came through the floo. "We heard the news. Congratulations High Lord Black-Snape, your dad, sister, daughter and I are proud."

Gideon laughed as he turned to hug Regulus. "As happy as I am this worked out, lay off the title for me dad. I have enough of that back in London."

Regulus beamed at him. "Okay Gideon but you're dad is right, we are both extremely proud of you. Your husband has told us how you have handled it all."

Gideon looked over at his husband. "Has he? What exactly has he been telling you?"

Severus came up and kissed him. "That you won over Lord Hunt, one of the hardest men to win the approval of. And that you're already set for changes."

Regulus nodded. "I remember that man when he came to visit dad. He used to scare the crap out of me and Sirius when we were home from school."

Gideon shrugged. "He actually seems nice enough to me. I do think he'd stab a knife in you're back if you betrayed him, but he's a good ally to have in this."

"That he is. Especially if you are going to try and push to get Lucius and your husband cleared of their charges." Regulus said.

"I still don't know how I'm going to do that? I know they're entitled to a trial as I was but even if it comes out they were spies, are they sure to be cleared?"

Severus stopped him. "No but we don't need to be tried. The old law states a lord must either be given a trial or can be forced into exile for five years now."

"How exactly would that help? Lucius and you've been in exile less then two years? We can't wait for you to return for another three."

Fabian spoke up. "There is a clause that states that in a time of war or danger that a lord can be recalled after one year. We just need the war to be made official."

"You'd have to have the lords declare a war or at least a state of emergency. Then there would be enough grounds for us to be returned."Severus explained.

Gideon hoped this would work. "Robert said he would support my work to get the lords back. Do you think I'd have much support among the others?'

"Do you have any idea how many of them have kids who were arrested and thrown into prison without a trial because they were thought death eaters?" Severus asked.

Gideon had not thought about that. "We were talking about the ones who are in exile. How would my activities help free their children or other family for them?"

"Because we'd be taking on the laws of exile and trial. Even if they weren't freed, those who never got a trial would be entitled to a trial." Fabian explained.

"As children or family of a lord they're actually entitled to demand a trial though not by peers as you would be. Many are innocent; I could name a few dozen." Severus said. "Lucius and I weren't the only spies and others were wrongly turned in."

Gideon thought of something. "Are any of those innocent prisoners among the 17 lords and ladies who have not voted on my side?"

Severus nodded. "A few and a few among those votes you did receive who's loyalty to your moved are still a bit questionable as well."

Regulus got parchment, quill and ink. "Perhaps we can make a list of them and you'll be able to know who to get into contact with when you return to London."

Severus started on the list. "We could even contact them from here as well. A country estate would not be an odd place to have them for a lunch or drinks one night."

Gideon hadn't considered that. "Would that be considered strange? I mean would people like Hunt thing I am plotting behind their back and support."

"No because you'll make sure to keep him notified and invite him to a few. He'll not come to them all but he'll appreciate you keeping him in touch."

"Luna will have to return to school in September but with Susan done school as well, she'll be able to continue as your hostess until you get this passed."

It still seemed so strange it was mid July. He had missed his seventh year and everything that went with it including NEWTS and graduation. The graduating class would have been much smaller, with the absence of Gideon and others like Ron and Hermione who had spent the past year in the order.

Severus seemed to sense this. "You know you've learned so much and I wish you could have returned to school. I hate you were arrested and all this, for me."

Gideon pulled him into a hug. "You know I wouldn't change it. If I could go back to last June I'd do the same thing. I would do anything for you."

Regulus came over. "And now you're married and have a baby on the way and one day when this is over, you can return to a normal life."

Gideon didn't know if he knew what normal was. "All I want is to ensure my sister and daughter have a safe world to grow up in. Everything I never had in life."

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The conversation they had on their return stuck in Gideon's mind and he was busy down in the dungeons of the house where he had continued his training. He found it easier to handle this time. It came far more natural then politics came for him.

Severus walked in on his third day back. "Word has come from Lord Hunt that he is willing to attend the dinner that you set up with a few of those names."

Gideon looked up from the fire circle he had worked with. "I guess it starts again already does it? I hope that he will be able to help navigate me through this."

"I'm sure Robert will be more then happy to help you but from what I've seen, you handle yourself well enough. You won the others easy enough."

"That was about getting elected to a seat I never really was sure I wanted. This is more important. This is about getting my husband and our family back home."

Severus kissed him. "You know we're here for you even if this fails. But I admit it would be nice if I could walk the streets of London again, as a free man here."

"What are you and my fathers going to do when they come?'

"Your fathers are neither of them criminals in the minds of the world. You have revealed that they were alive. I will disillusion myself though."

Gideon was surprised. "My fathers are going to be there? I wasn't sure that either of them would be prepared to make an appearance at this event."

Severus laughed. "They likely won't. I don't think at six months pregnant your father is going to want to attend. But they won't need to be on guard either."

"I guess I should send word to Susan and Luna. I believe they are both staying with Amelia for the summer."

"They are. Susan's parents are away on order business out of the country and as you know Xeno has been running the paper in France."

"As wonderful of a hostess as Susan makes, I'll be happy when we clear your name and you can be on my arm officially at these events."

Severus smirked at that. "I'm not sure we should give her the boot all together. I'd be happy to be on your arm but I'm not much for charming hostess."

Gideon pulled him down for a kiss. "Maybe we could curl your hair and find you some new frilly robes, and you'd look like the proper little hostess."

"How about we leave putting people in frilly robes and curls until our daughter is born? I think I'd rather save the embarrassment."

"You do look better in black then you would in pink, I agree. I guess Susan can help and I can wait till our daughter is born for someone to dress."

"Thank you." Severus said and returned the warm kiss.

"So how about I put out this fire and you take me out for a ride? Politics and training are making my head spin with all of this talk."

Severus laughed and led his husband up through the house and towards the stables. "I could think of other ways to unwind but perhaps after we're done."

Gideon looked at the hayloft. "Perhaps though we should remember about doors. I'm sure Molly or the other Weasleys would prefer no more shows."

"Molly and the boys are staying at Potter house in Wales right now remember? But I'm sure your fathers would not want a show any more then they."

Molly and the Weasleys had decided to give the family some space and had moved to one of Gideon's numerous other estates, one in the northern Welsh mountains Gideon missed them a lot but they promised to return They made sure the door was closed later when they had returned from riding.

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Gideon and Susan had been making their rounds of the guests for their cocktail party. Lord Hunt had come early and made sure to ensure Gideon he would support his move to have the lords returned.

Robert led him over to a woman he had not met before. "Gideon this is Sofia Avery. I believe the two of you have some things in common."

Sofia shook his hand. "I understand Gideon that you with to have the banished lords returned. I must say this intrigues me."

Gideon thought quickly what he knew. "I understand that your niece and two nephews have been wrongly imprisoned. I'd hope we could see them freed through this."

Sofia nodded. "My brother is a death eater, but his three children refused the death mark. They have been in prison and their children are wards of the state now."

Gideon sighed. "I know you're aware I myself am expecting with my husband. I know how important it is to get families back together. It is of course top priority."

"So you would have us look over and change the old marriage laws, would you?"

"No, just to follow the laws as they are stated. Lords not tried can be returned from exile before five years in times of extreme danger. And in the case of your niece and nephews, they are entitled to an immediate trial they have been denied, as your family."

Sofia smiled a bit. "If you are willing to help work to free my niece and nephews, you have my support young Gideon. I'm sure you'll have many others."

Gideon returned the smile. "I know there are those who voted for Lady Goyle in fear of my age, but I assure you that I intend to see these wrongs corrected."

Sofia led him over to another group. "There are a few more people you should meet then. I'm sure that they'd be as intrigued as I am by your suggestion Gideon."

By the end of the night Gideon had a surety of another five people who had not voted him into office, to have the law passed. He knew he could count on a number of those who elected him, but he wanted to make sure he covered all of his bases. Getting his husband, the Malfoys and others back, was first priority. Then he could turn his attention to Remus, Hagrid and the other so called half breeds.