Okay you can probably tell my updates will be slightly futher apart, but as I am still updating at fequent intervals I hope this ok x
Thank you to the reviewers of the last chapter and helping me get to 1000 reviews, I never thought I'd see it and I am very grateful x
Thank you:
Way Walker,
Wonderbee31,
Aisucold,
xRosePetalx,
LovePotter001,
arithnocrat,
Padfoot2446,
latin-freak,
Tiffany's Hogwarts Secrets,
Rodrigo Black Potter-This chapter definately has a faster plot x
Ravenclaw-Girl28,
Olaf74,
The Fench Dark Lord,
Shadow315,
marierr,
Florrie- thanks I'll watch for my mispellings x,
xXxCrazyBookwormxXx,
NorrthStar,
mudbloodpotter,
magiquill,
NarutoNamikaze1,
Skidder,
The-MAtt- Thanks I promise good old Tom will appear x,
Mikee,
ShadowMoonDancer,
CelticHeiressFiona,
Annie Nomous- I hope you had a good birthday, and I'm glad you liek Snape I didn't want to deviate to far from his actual character x,
EelvenGirl,
ellesra,
akaren,
Flower248,
Lady Kana,
I'm-Reading,
terriestal-angell,
That-Alien-Thing,
Rori Potter,
hypercell,
blackrhino
and
Vitoria

Chapter Thirty Eight

'I'm just saying it doesn't add up,' Hermione repeated for the third time.

They were sitting in the Hospital Wing the following morning waiting for Madam Pomfrey to release Harry.

'What do you mean it doesn't add up?' Harry asked confused 'Lukyen saved my life.'

'Root of Nightindrade is not poisonous!' Hermione exclaimed 'it makes no sense that Professor Lukyen would immediately know that was what you ate, it took him seconds to identify it.'

Ron shrugged uncomfortably 'I don't know Hermione, Lukyen's a good guy I wouldn't really be that happy to find out he's just like most of our old Defence professors.'

'I'm not saying he's dark,' Hermione protested 'I'm sure Professor Dumbledore wouldn't trust him so much if there was any chance he was going against what they're trying to do, but some things just don't make sense. I'm sure he could have recognized an allergic reaction, but to know the exact trigger…'

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--

Dumbledore tickled the painting of the giant green pear and waited for it to turn into a handle, when it did it smartly pulled the doorway open and stepped into the kitchens. Anton followed him through moments later but already the Headmaster had been sectioned off by the jubilant house-elves, they clustered around his legs all talking at once.

Dumbledore smiled kindly down at them 'Hello my loyal workers I was hoping I would be able to speak with Janky.'

'Janky is working out the food for next week,' announced one house-elf standing close to Anton 'Janky is at the far end of the kitchen Sir.'

'Thank you Hokkie,' Dumbledore said benignly 'I will seek her out immediately.'

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Rhoan dropped onto the sofa and reached for his boots, on the floor in front of him Teddy was playing with a miniature version of the Hogwarts Express and every so often rubbing his mouth which had a few crumbs on it left over from breakfast, his pyjamas were of course, green.

'Rho…' Teddy said slowly dragging the name out 'can I ask you something?'

'Sure mate, you can ask me anything, you know you can.'

'Well…' Teddy continued 'if you came back from the angels, will everyone else?'

'Sorry?' Rhoan asked taken slightly be surprise.

'A'ton said you'd gone to be with the angels with Gia and Mummy and Daddy and everyone else, but you're back, so is everyone else coming back too?'

Rhoan finished pulling his shoe on and thought furiously, he couldn't tell Teddy who his parents were, a five year old wouldn't think of the consequences of what would happen if he told Tonks or Lupin, though no doubt at some point they would have to, he didn't want to say a definite no, if there was any possibility he would be able to get to know his parents, especially if they got rid of Voldemort.

'The world is a strange place Teddy,' he said sliding off of the settee to sit beside the small boy who was watching him through wide eyes 'we were all given second chances, maybe some others will be as well.'

'Fingers crossed?' Teddy said hopefully.

'Yeh buddy, fingers crossed.'

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

They stood in a small room off of the kitchens which had a small house-elf sized desk and chair within it as well as a miniscule fireplace.

'I don't understand,' the house-elf looked up at them with a confused expression 'in the food?'

'Yes Hokkie I need to speak with whoever cooked the meat for the far end of the Gryffindor table.'

Hokkie clicked her fingers and a tiny house-elf appeared before them and was twisting his pillowcase nervously around his fingers, if nothing else his nerves gave him away.

'Lichy,' Dumbledore said softly 'Lichy, I need to speak with you.'

'Lichy's in trouble.' the elf groaned fearfully taking a step backwards.

'We just need you to tell us what happened,' Anton prompted.

'Lichy didn't want to but master made him.' the elf whimpered.

'Master?' Hokkie burst out 'you serve the school, you serve Professor Dumbledore!'

The small elf shook his head terrified 'Lichy doesn't, Lichy doesn't! Lichy serves young master otherwise Lichy will be in trouble, Lichy shouldn't be talking, Lichy shouldn't!'

With that the elf ran to lamp on the table obviously with the intent of some kind of self imposed punishment, he was instead bounced away from the desk as he came in contact with Anton's hastily erected cushioning charm. The elf howled miserably and looked around wildly for another instrument finding none he burst into tears.

'Lichy we would just like to talk to you,' Dumbledore walked towards the elf 'we don't want you to be hurt we would just like a couple of answers.'

'But young master said he would hurt me,' the elf cried 'if he knew I had spoken his name!'

From what Anton could tell this house-elf was quite young, younger by far than most of the working elves and obviously terrified.

'Lichy maybe you can tell us what your master asked you to do,' Dumbledore proposed 'that way you aren't telling us his name.'

Anton knew full well that if the elf continued to refuse then it would be a case of veritaserum.

'Do you think you can do that?'

The elf appeared to be thinking over what the headmaster had said before tentatively nodding.

'When did your master bring you to Hogwarts?' Dumbledore began with.

The elf hesitated a couple of seconds before answering 'Lichy was very young, Lichy did not realise you were not his master until not long ago, Lichy is sorry, but young master made me.'

Dumbledore nodded Lichy's apologies aside 'now then, what did your master tell you that you needed to do?'

'Lichy had to put a potion in the pumpkin juice,' the elf replied fearfully.

'A potion,' Anton was interested 'can you describe it?'

'It was silver,' Lichy pulled at his cloth clothing tears ran down his small face in torrents. 'silver with red streaks. Lichy was so scared. Lichy is so sorry.'

'Then what?' Anton pushed.

'Young master didn't ask me to do anything else until last night when he told Lichy to cook a funny root with the meat. Lichy didn't want to but young master made it very clear what would happen to him if he didn't.'

The sobs came if possible even faster now, as the petrified house-elf began to shake in fear.

Dumbledore looked to the older elf 'I trust you will be able to look after Lichy while Professor Lukyen and I sort this out.'

'Hokkie will watch Lichy,' the head elf promised 'Hokkie can only apologize for what has happened, Hokkie is to blame for not stopping this, Lichy is only young, the blame lies on me.'

'Nonsense,' Dumbledore interrupted 'Hokkie you are an exemplary elf, I will return later to discuss what will happen with Lichy.'

Anton followed Dumbledore to the miniature fireplace as Hokkie began to berate Lichy, her anger obvious in her voice. Waving his wand Dumbledore expanded the grate and summoned a roaring fire, holding out the pot of floo powder he signalled to Anton 'follow my lead.'

The older man stepped into the hearth and said 'Potions lab, password Draught of Living Death.'

The moment he was whisked from sight Anton took the now vacant place in the grate and repeated the words.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

He was expelled to a tiny room that had only one torch to light it and no visible means of exit. Dumbledore was waiting for him standing by the wall directly opposite the fireplace which Anton assumed was a hidden door, when he joined the man Dumbledore rapped smartly on the blank wall.

For a couple of seconds nothing happened but this didn't appear to concern the professor, then the wall became almost transparent and Snape was revealed standing at the other side an irritable expression displayed clearly, when he saw his two visitors some of the tension appeared to leave him slightly and he asked.

'What was the time that I arrived in your office after the Potters were murdered?

Dumbledore quickly reeled off a time and Snape seemingly satisfied pressed something beside the transparent barrier and allowed the two men to enter his private lab for the second time. As Anton emerged he realised the hidden door was concealed as a section of the huge blackboard that was attached behind his desk.

Obviously sensing some of Anton's confusion at the increase in security from one entrance to another Dumbledore supplied him with the information.

'Occasionally Severus has certain visitors that need to come into his lab, be assured to know however, that no dark wizard can step beyond this chamber.'

'Was there something else you required from me?' Snape drawled 'or are you just intent on disrupting my morning as well.'

'We need you to tell us what potion takes on a silver colour and has red streaks running through it.' Anton informed him.

'An identifier,' was the swift reply 'if the potion is added to food or drink it takes on the colour and consistency of whatever it is combined with. The potion enters the system and identifies any allergies, injuries or poisons already present. If the person who supplied the potion did it correctly they would have spelled it so that the results would appear on a piece of paper or a notebook. Am I to believe this is what was used on Potter?'

'It would appear so,' Dumbledore replied 'have you supplied any to anyone recently?'

Snape's lip curled 'in fact Headmaster I have, Lucius Malfoy requested a vial of the potion last month, as it is not harmful I was not to concerned about why he wanted it, I see now that I was wrong.'

'So young master would be Draco,' Anton guessed.

'Damnit! Snape spat out spinning on his heel as he strode towards his potions, his anger and frustration evident 'that boy is heading on the fast track to either death or Azkaban thanks to his useless father.'

'A meeting is required,' Dumbledore announced 'I believe Mr Malfoy needs to be spoken with, away from the control of his father and in the presence of the only man he otherwise trusts.'

-=--=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-

As it was decided to wait until the evening before Draco was questioned, Anton found he had a sudden idea of how to use the day productively, he only had two lessons to teach that day, first period he had third years and last he had fourth year Gryffindor and Slytherins which meant the main part of the day was his own which was meant to be used for lesson planning, marking and general organisation.

Anton had a better suggestion, back in his own quarters he quickly threw a handful of floo powder and crouching down he stuck his head into the flickering flames as he peeled off the address for headquarters.

-=

'No.'

'Come on Rhoan you love this kind of thing,' Anton insisted 'the subterfuge, the danger, the feeling at the end when you're successful…'

'But it's my afternoon off,' Rhoan pointed out looking less than impressed 'I get one a week as well as a full day off, I wanted to spend it with Teddy.'

'Teddy will be learning how to read and write,' Anton insisted 'you'll just distract him, anyway you can spend all evening with him, and this is for the good of all mankind.'

Rhoan groaned but acceptance was obvious on his face 'fine you bastard let me through then.'

'I think you're forgetting something,' Anton grinned 'you're my older brother, if I'm a bastard what does that make you?'

Anton quickly withdrew his head before Rhoan's hex could collide with it, but he heard the elemental curse at him.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

'I can't believe Dumbledore agreed with this.' Rhoan said as they strode down Diagon Alley, both of them were dressed in conservative muted colours in order to attract the least amount of attention as possible.

'I didn't tell Dumbledore all the details,' Anton confessed 'but he realises how important this is, it took far less effort to convince him compared to you.'

Rhoan rolled his eyes 'we're about to risk our jobs and possibly end up in Azkaban, I doubt even Dumbledore can get us out of such a mess.'

'Only if we get caught,' Anton persisted 'you can moan all you like but we both know you'll enjoy every second of this.'

Rhoan smirked 'but I'll never admit that to you.'

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The goblin eyed them suspiciously, as goblins did most things suspiciously the brothers weren't too concerned.

'You wish to access your vault?' he peered at them distrust unmistakable.

'That's the plan mate.' Rhoan drawled.

The goblin bristled considerably at being referred to as mate and puffed himself up slightly as he looked down at them from the high counter.

'Well Sir, I will call Tistan to guide you.'

'Cheers,' Rhoan seemed determined to infuriate the goblin so Anton stepped in smoothly.

'We appreciate your help, we'll just wait over there.'

Tistan arrived fairly quickly and led the way to the carts, 'of course,' he spoke softly 'I am here to make sure your visit today is both successful and completed in as quickest time as possible so you continue with your day.'

'We appreciate that,' Anton acknowledged as the goblin began the cart on its breakneck trip 'it really does need to be successful, however we need something else from you.'

'Imperio!'

A glazed expression fell over the goblin as Rhoan's curse fell over him.

'Bellatrix Lestrange's vault please.' Rhoan said cheerfully 'and make it quick.'

'Of course,' Tisten nodded placidly 'the Lestrange vault.'

The goblin came to an intersection and switched their direction taking them instead to the location of the fifth Horcrux.

'I know its dark of me,' Rhoan commented 'but I love that spell.'

'I'm not going to argue with you,' Anton replied as the cart took them deeper and deeper into Gringrotts.

There was no waterfall this time, no Thief's Downfall like before when they arrived to late to collect the cup, not that they had known.

Tisten braked sharply and both Anton and Rhoan were thrown forwards in the cart. Anton looked up to see the dragon tethered before the deepest vaults, the same partially blind, scarred dragon that they had met in the future.

Tisten shook the Clankers loudly as they made their way to the doors of the vaults and the dragon retreated trembling, he could feel Rhoan's anger for the beast as they passed by. Tisten placed his hand to the doorway and again the doorway melted away to reveal the cave-like opening and it's previously hidden treasure.

The pair rushed into the vault careful not to touch anything, the door shut behind them and Anton conjured his floating fire, they flickered weakly and Rhoan grimaced.

'Thin air.'

Standing rooted to the spot they searched with their eyes and finally Anton spotted it on a high shelf.

'There it is,' he pointed to the stolen cup of Helga Hufflepuff.

'How the hell are we going to get it down?' Anton wondered as they stepped carefully between piles of glittering objects.

'I'm thinking it's time for me to do some flying.' Rhoan grimaced,

Using his power for this was tiring and difficult as he hadn't had as much time to practise and perfect it like other areas of his power. Standing below the shelf he summoned the air surrounding him and gathered the gas molecules to focus beneath him creating a small platform for him to stand on, at the same time he pushed his own element from his body and pushed that into the platform, however like the air in the vault his own was thin matching the weakness of being so far underground.

Slowly he floated upwards making himself the promise to practise more so he would be able to use this aspect of his ability with some skill and limit the chances of it failing him. Reaching out he grabbed the handle of the cup relieved when it didn't burn him. Temporarily distracted he forgot to focus and the platform fell from beneath him.

There wasn't enough time to converge the air again and he realised what was about to happen as he crashed into one of the piles which immediately began to burn and multiply, Rhoan let out a strangled yell and tightened his grip on the Horcrux that was clasped in his right arm that wasn't being burnt. He felt fingers curl around his wrist as Anton yanked him out of the pile. As he found himself back on a small section of safe ground he caught sight of Anton's amused smile that he was trying desperately to hide.

'Thanks for your concern.'

'No worries,' Anton replied as he led the way back to the doorway 'nasty burn on your arm though.'

They made their way out of the vault with Rhoan shooting quite a few sideways glances at the dragon and then looking back at the cart.

'We can spare a couple of minutes if you're quick,' Anton pulled out his wand 'I'll rig up the cart.'

Rhoan headed over to the dragon where he pulled a small coin out of his pocket and muttered a spell over it, slowly he walked over to the dragon and unlocked his chains, then he levitated the small coin over to the dragon, the moment it touched the hide the dragon was portkeyed away from the confines of the dark recesses of Gringrotts which took an incredible amount of magic to achieve.

'Where did you send it?' Anton asked curiously as he finished with the spells on the cart.

'Romania,' Rhoan shrugged trying to look nonchalant though he was obviously still angry for the beast 'there's an area that works with mistreated dragons, it was either that or putting it out of its misery, it deserved the chance.'

They climbed back into the cart with the still imperviosed Tistan who on instruction sent them flying back to the upper levels of the bank and stopped just outside their vault, after dropping a few coins off they were heading back to the main part of Gringrotts.

Anton signalled to Rhoan just as they were about to pass another cart, nodding in understanding Rhoan braced himself as Anton set of the spells he had set, they were untraceable and loosened one of the wheels, the cart swung wildly across the tracks before finally hurling itself into the air, the three of them went down with a crash, Anton and Rhoan implemented cushioning charms just before they hit the ground and so bounced unhurt from the ground.

Tistan was not so lucky and he crashed to the rough floor, Anton had just enough time to whisper 'Obliviate' before the occupants of the passing carriage arrived.

'Is anyone hurt?' the goblin who had just appeared demanded.

'I think we're ok,' Rhoan managed an effective shaky voice as Anton knelt beside the fallen goblin with a look of concern.

Tistan sat up his eyes dazed 'how did I get here?' he asked confused.

=-=-=-=-=-=-

Anton and Rhoan stood in the weak sunlight squinting slightly.

'I can't believe that actually worked,' Anton laughed 'but man did it work!'

'Needed the crash though,' Rhoan rolled his shoulders back to loosen the joints 'had to have some explanation as to why the goblin didn't have a memory of what had happened.'

'That is very true.' Anton agreed.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

'Sometimes I really hate you,' Rhoan scowled.

'Come on you've been dying to see the chamber since second year,' Anton laughed 'now you can.'

They were standing covered in muck next to the rotting basilisk corpse that wasn't exactly looking pleasant.

'This wasn't what I wanted to be smelling though,' Rhoan grumbled 'I don't think I'll ever get the smell of putrid snake flesh out of my memory.'

Anton crouched down by the enormous mouth and held the cup against one of the teeth.

'Just get it over with!' came the growl from beside him.

Anton grimaced as the smell increased the closer he got to the mouth, trying not to inhale he quickly jammed Helga Hufflepuff's cup onto the tooth nearly impaling himself at the same time.

The cup began smoking thick black fumes and emitted a loud shriek that reverberated around the silent chamber with force, both men instinctively covered their ears attempting to drown out the wail. The gold of the cup dimmed considerably before taking on tar like consistency which dripped down the long fang. The cry cut off as the cup was completely destroyed, though not before expelling a wave of black magic that made the brothers retch as it dispersed.

Anton straightened up and turned smiling to his brother, he suspected Rhoan's pale pallor mirrored his own.

'Now you've got to admit that was worth it.'

Rhoan face split into a begrudging smile 'it sure as hell was.'

=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-

Anton barely had enough time to change and wash before his lesson started, but he refused to teach smelling as he did.

It was well after dinner as Anton stepped through the floo to headquarters, the meeting with Malfoy had had to be delayed due to Voldemort calling a meeting. The house was dimly lit and Anton did a searching charm to find his brother.

Rhoan was lying spread out on the roof tiles with a bottle of firewhisky, Anton clambered awkwardly out of a window in the attic and slid along the roof to join him.

'What are you doing out here?' he asked taking the bottle and drinking a big gulp feeling the burn as it slid down his throat.

'Just thinking,' Rhoan replied retrieving the bottle 'that's five down now only three to go including you.'

Anton nodded even though Rhoan couldn't see him 'Harry and I will be fine to destroy its Nagini we'll have trouble getting our hands on.'

'The faster we act the better,' Rhoan reminded him handing the whisky back so Anton could drink some more 'if we leave it like last time we'll lose the element of surprise and end up getting killed.'

'No need to remind me,' Anton scowled 'but if you've forgotten I did last the longest, you gave up on me days earlier.'

'I don't remember dying,' Rhoan said his voice thoughtful 'or anything that happened before it honestly, one second I was standing there and the next second, gone.'

'It turned out okay though, I mean we get another chance to make things right.'

'I suppose, but it also means I have to go to work.'

Anton snorted 'try teaching Slytherins and Gryffindors last thing on a Friday.'

'Try stopping a homicidal wizard on your first day.'

'I could do it with my eyes closed,' Anton smiled 'try teaching Malfoy.'

'I'd rather not, although I still think its worse having to work with Percy the idiot.'

'Not as weird as teaching your younger self.'

'You've got me there,' Rhoan laughed 'I can't remember are you still annoying at this point?'

'Younger me's ok, it's younger Ron who's an idiot.'

'Prat,' Rhoan said good naturedly offering the bottle back to Anton 'just a thought, how the hell are we going to get off of this roof?'

'Good question,' Anton pushed himself up, eyed the floor and the window he had climbed from 'we could just sit here and keep drinking until we fall off.'

Rhoan drained the bottled and exhaled loudly 'now there's a plan.

I am taking down my last poll, I am going to take your views into careful consideration and incorporate what you want into the story.

A new poll is going to be posted this time on relationships!!! So to everyone who asked about them please vote x
Luv SpikyStar x x