Gideon took his seat as High Lord for his official first meeting and as she sat there looking at all of the lords in the room he felt a huge pit in his stomach. While Cornelius would open and close the meetings they were his to run now and he had every intention of making sure he got his husband freed.

Gideon stood as the meeting was called to order. "I have asked us to meet today to bring forward the issue of the number of lords who are in exile to this day."

Lady Goyle stood up. "What would you propose? We know that they can not be returned from exile. It is a matter of the ministry. They'd stand trial."

"The old laws state that a lord is entitled to a trial by peers or exile for no longer then five years." Gideon reminded them.

Lady Grant stood. "The lords that we know you speak of have been in exile for less then four years now. How do you propose we should bring them back?"

"It is clear that Voldemort has come back. Though I believe a war may still be abated, it is time to declare this a state of danger." Gideon said clearly.

Another one of the older lords shook his head. "That is no less then declaring war. We will send the people into a panic. This is going too far."

Robert stood. "We have seen the signs. The murders and other crimes. No one can doubt that this war is coming and things need to be done to stop this."

"The law states in a time of war the lords can be called back from exile after only a year. We must agree that in times like this, we need all the help."

Lady Goyle laughed. "Don't think we don't know why you want this. Your husband and Lord Malfoy are in exile. You seek this for us to be able to free them."

Gideon didn't deny it. "Yes. But how many of us don't have people in exile or serving in Azkaban without trials? How many are innocent and will never be free?"

Several voices answered in yes. Lady Avery was the most vocal. "My niece and nephews need to be freed. Their children are in foster care for no reason."

Another man shouted. "My son and daughter in law have been in prison for three years because her brother was a death eater and they were accused as well."

Robert looked at Lady Goyle. "Your own brother and sister are in prison and I know while your second brother is one, we know the others are innocent."

Lady Goyle nodded. "So what do you propose for them? Even if the state of danger is called, how will that bring our families back to us?"

"By the right of the old laws our families are entitled to swift and fair trials. We can order every one of them tried. Their innocence will be proven." Robert said.

Gideon spoke. "I propose that we call for a state of danger and grant reprieves to those in exile. And see to it that all of our families gain real trials finally."

He held his breath for he knew for there to be even a vote there had to be a second and third for his proposition but he wasn't to be disappointed as Lord Hunt and Lady Avery did the honours as they had promised before.

"I ask the lords and ladies of the counsel to cast their vote now on whether to call this a state of danger." Cornelius stood and spoke.

One by one the votes were taken and Gideon kept count in his head with a smile. "The proposal passes with a vote of 30-25."

Gideon turned to Cornelius. "Forms will be brought forward to allow for the return of all lords of this counsel who are currently in exile."

Cornelius bowed. "It will be done. Within the next twenty four hours word will spread that all lords of the counsel in exile and families may return home."

"And trials will be held for every single member of a lord's family who is in prison, vertiserum to be used as asked. No one will be held in prison any longer without trial." Gideon said.

Cornelius again bowed his head. "Madam Bones will see to the trials immediately. Rest assured those of your families who have never been tried, will have their day."

Gideon turned to the others. "Is there any other business that this counsel needs to see too before we adjourn for the week?"

When no one had further business it was adjourned and Gideon found himself being surrounded by his supporters of the vote and even those who had spoken against at first. It seemed many of them had been touched either by exile or the imprisonments. Gideon had fought and won his first battle. Some how he knew the half breed laws were going to take some more time and effort to pass.

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Gideon walked into the manor with Susan and Luna and when his husband saw the smile on his face he knew without asking that his husband had succeeded in passing the bill.

"You and Lucius and Narcissa will be expected to be in attendance tomorrow night." Gideon said as he launched himself at his husband.

Severus kissed him. "You have had me free only for a few hours and you are already going to drag me off to some inane dinner party?'

Gideon smirked. "Hey watch what you say or I might reconsider about putting you in pink frilly dress robes and curling your hair for you."

Fabian snickered from behind. "As pretty as a picture as that might make, I think you're guests would be a bit shocked if they saw one of their lords like that."

Regulus nodded. "So you're going to be able to get rid of a few of those titles that you hate now that your husband and Lucius can reclaim them."

Gideon shook his head. "I don't know, I thought I liked all my new titles. It might take some convincing from my husband and Lucius too get me to give them up."

Severus grabbed him. "I don't know about Lucius but I can promise you some convincing if you need it."

Gideon turned to kiss him. "No need Lord Slytherin, I'm happy to give them back to you. Though some gratitude tonight might be nice as well."

Regulus groaned. "Do we have to have another conversation about things that you're fathers really do not want to hear you speaking about?"

"Or your brothers for that matter." A voice came from the door and Gideon smiled when he saw the Weasleys had returned. Bill had spoken.

"I remind you we're not really brothers any more, we're cousins." Gideon pointed out.

Charlie pulled him into a head lock. "You were our brother before we knew we had any blood in common. Biological cousin doesn't out trump our brother in heart."

Gideon had to agree. "Good because you're my brothers and the only cousin I have had before you is not someone I'd ever want you guys to copy."

Molly looked at the smiling faces. "Can I take it this means that you managed to get your bill passed and your husband is a free man in the UK again?"

Gideon nodded. "He is. Word will spread and by tomorrow night when Lord Hunt hosts a dinner party, the lords are expected to have returned back home."

Severus turned from the fire. "I have just sent word to Lucius and he and the family will be returning tomorrow morning and will be at the dinner."

"We need to go to the bank before the party and make sure that the forms are handled to have the titles back to the right people." Gideon thought out loud.

"Well politics and business aside this is an event to celebrate and I think it's time we have a small dinner party of our own." Molly said.

Gideon had to agree for dinner with his family was definitely a time he enjoyed far more then the dinners he dreaded with the lords. Dinner was quite a happy event. Though there was still many things ahead, Gideon was just glad his daughter's other father would be a free man and a proper father when she was born.

That night when Gideon and Severus were in bed Gideon turned to his husband. "I'm glad we can finally introduce you to the world. Not just to Cornelius."

Severus kissed him. "You know I haven't said it yet but I'm so proud of how you managed to get this done for us today. It will be nice to be out of exile."

Gideon snorted. "You have been living in the UK with me since February. Lucius may have been in exile but you have been home."

"But it will be nice to be able to walk the streets without a charm and show myself to more then Fudge. To be able to escort my husband to parties for real."

"I just wish that there were no more of these parties but it definitely will be nice to have my husband on my arm."

Gideon knew that there was a lot more to do but now that he had his husband by his side he was sure he would get Remus and Hagrid back soon enough as well. He was actually excited about attending the dinner the next night when he'd be able to show off his husband for once.

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When Catherine showed them into the dinning room Gideon knew every eye in the room was on him and not because of his title any more. Now he had his husband for all to see on his arm, and with Lucius and Narcissa behind him.

"Robert might I present to you my husband Severus Slytherin Snape, Lord Slytherin Prince. And our dear friends Lord and Lady Malfoy."

Robert smiled and shook his hand. "Lucius and Narcissa I have known for years. I am happy to have you among our numbers again. Severus, I'm pleased to meet."

Severus shook his hand. "My husband has told me of the help you have given to us to help have myself and Lucius and Narcissa freed. I thank you for that."

If anyone questioned the fact that Severus was not pregnant no one spoke of it as they were greeted by the others. As they were about to sit down for dinner Sofia came forward.

"Gideon I wanted to thank you. My niece and nephews will stand trial tomorrow and if it goes as we hope, their children and they will be reunited in 24 hours."

Gideon was surprised to find himself in a hug and he smiled at the older woman. "I'm happy that we could see them freed. I know the delight of a returned family."

That night many stories filled of the trials that have already been announced. As the toasts were made to Gideon that night he felt more reassured that he would be able to do what he needed to do.