Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Turning Tides	By : Slayer-of-Destiny Category: HP Canon Characters paired with Original Characters > Slash - Male/Male Views: 15372 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 12
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and its characters are sadly not mines. I make no money from this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
- 3
Chapter two

"Your sure it's ok if I come?" Hermione asked nervously as they made their way down the grounds to the gates.

"Yes Hermione, they said I could bring a friend or partner with me, Gregory confirmed that when he owled me. Besides it's the first time I've attended something like this, I need moral support here. I had to do the Wizengamot by myself!" Harry pouted.

"Alright, alright. Do I look ok?" Hermione sighed brushing her hand over her hair for the fifteenth time.

"You look amazing," Harry said gently taking her hand and looping it through his arm. Hermione giggled and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I got in touch with Rita, she's back at the Daily Prophet. She going to do a piece on the new Bill and you claiming your place on the Wizengamot for young people, tasteful naturally," Hermione said.

"She doesn't have any other choice. It's probably a good thing that's she's back at the Prophet, maybe we can have her cause a stir about those that are still locked up that are clearly innocent," Harry suggested.

"I'll speak with her. Are we ready then?" Hermione asked sucking in a breath.

"Not really but come on, hold on," Harry groaned before apparating them to one of the richer streets of Diagon Alley. They made their way through the crowd until they came to the restaurant. Sharing a look Harry opened the door and allowed Hermione to step inside before following her. A waiter took their cloaks leaving Hermione in an amazing silver dress with a crimson belt to match the ruby teardrop earrings and necklace Harry had snagged from his vaults for her to wear, managing to get them onto her after a lot of arguments. Harry was dressed in black dragon hide trousers with crimson patterns worked into them, long following crimson robes flowed around his body like water, the sleeves were slightly wide and displayed his pale delicate hand, his black hair was now passed his shoulders and tied back at that moment. Hermione slipped her hand back through his arm and stepped closer to him nervously as her chocolate eyes took in the restaurant and people there.

"This is really fancy Harry!" she whispered.

"I know, but you look amazing. You deserve places like this Hermione, don't worry," Harry whispered back kissing her cheek comfortingly before turning to smile at the maitre de. "We're with the Flint reservation," He said politely.

"Ah you must be Mr Potter-Black and Miss Granger. Yes come this way please," The Maitre de bowed slightly before leading them through the tables to a more secluded corner of the restaurant where Gregory, Amelia and Dante were already gathered.

"Harry! Wonderful you came! Wonderful, wonderful!" Gregory beamed spotting them and jumping to his feet.

"I was honoured to be invited. Hermione this is Gregory Boot, Amelia Bones and Dante Flint. This is my very good friend Hermione Granger," Harry made the introductions as he slipped Hermione into the seat beside Gregory thinking that the kind man would put her most at ease.

"Ah, it's nice to meet you all, thank you for inviting me as well," Hermione smiled shyly.

"It is interesting to meet those the young Lord Potter-Black counts amongst his friends. He himself is definitely most interesting. It is good to see you again Lord Potter-Black," Dante smirked kissing Hermione's hand before holding his hand out to Harry as Amelia and Gregory greeted Hermione.

"A pleasure to see you again Lord Flint, and please call me Harry, my title is rather a mouthful," Harry smiled.

"Then you shall call me Dante. You really are interesting. Take a seat," Dante chuckled shaking Harry's hand.

"Ah it seems that our newest members have better timing than we do," Nessa laughed stepping up to the table with Marcus.

"This is Hermione Granger, Harry's guest. Miss Granger this is Nessa Goldstein and Marcus Greengrass," Dante made the introductions this time.

"Hermione, please. It is lovely to meet you," Hermione smiled politely.

"Oh, such good manners! And so pretty, that necklace is beautiful if you don't mind me saying," Nessa said as she slipped into the seat opposite Hermione. Hermione sent Harry a dark look as he smiled innocently back at her.

"They are from the Potter vault, Harry insisted on me wearing them as they matched my dress," Hermione said sounding put upon and getting laughs from everyone as Marcus settled on Gregory's other side.

"And they look wonderful where they are. It seemed stupid having all that pretty jewellery sitting un-worn and it's not like I could wear them," Harry shrugged.

"I think you are fighting a losing battle on this one," Amelia chuckled.

"I know that, but I can't just give in without a fight or it goes to his head and he'll start throwing different items at me claiming that it's silly for them to sit in the vaults," Hermione laughed.

"You are very generous from the sound of it Harry," A deep baritone from behind Harry caused the hair on the back of his neck to prickle and everything in his body to come to attention.

"He's much too generous," Hermione smiled at the man.

"Ah Mikhail it seems you are the last to arrive, sit down, sit down. This beautiful young lady is Hermione Granger, Harry's friend. Hermione this is Mikhail Zabini," Gregory said brightly. Mikhail nodded to Hermione before taking the seat on Harry's free side and settling down.

"You look wonderful tonight yourself Harry," Mikhail said softly smirking as he watched the blush appearing once again on Harry's cheeks.

"Thank you, you look nice as well," Harry managed to respond. Mikhail did look nice, his long hair was unbound and flowing over his broad shoulders, the sapphire blue robes he was wearing seemed to make his eyes darker and wilder.

"Well, here is to new friends, old ones and new starts," Dante smiled raising his glass. Hermione and Harry shared a look as they sipped their wine remembering the intensive course on wine tasting that Sirius had given them over the summer.

"You do like wine don't you? We could order something else for you both if you don't," Amelia asked concerned.

"Oh, no it's fine. We had our pallets developed over the summer with the Black wine collections," Harry smiled as his eyes twinkled at the memory of Sirius happily opening centuries old wine with a mad cackle every time and toasting the furious but silenced painting of his mother.

"I have a feeling there is a story behind that. You wouldn't happen to know where your godfather is, would you now Harry?" Dante asked amused catching the second shared look.

"Of course not, innocent or not he is still an escaped convict," Harry said seriously and watched with amusement as they tried to figure him out.

"An escaped convict who signed over all his vaults, properties and titles to you. Not something you just randomly decide to do," Nessa said dryly.

"Like I said I have no idea how my godfather's mind works," Harry smiled causing Hermione to snicker.

"Hm, I don't believe you but you shall keep your secrets for now. So Lucius hinted that Hermione helped you a lot with claiming your seat?" Dante asked glancing between them.

"Hermione is the brains of the outfit, she helped look up all the rules and laws that would allow me to take my seats as well as helping put together the proof needed," Harry explained as Hermione blushed.

"If Hermione is the brains then what are you?" Marcus asked.

"The charm of course," Harry grinned.

"And you certainly have plenty of it, along with a quick smarts and a quicker tongue. I have never seen anyone put Lucius Malfoy in his place or out whit him so easily or calmly! It was amazing!" Amelia laughed clapping her hands.

"I have somewhat of a soft spot for Lucius, he brings out the best in me," Harry smirked getting a round of laughs.

"The two of them have butted heads on quite a few occasions. It's always something to watch," Hermione agreed.

"So how did you two become friends?" Gregory asked. Hermione and Harry shared another smile.

"Oh that's easy, he rescued me from a troll when we were eleven," Hermione said before laughing at the looks on their faces.

"A troll? Eleven?" Nessa blinked.

"Yes, stupidly I went after the troll myself with our friend Ron Weasley rather than thinking of going and getting a teacher when we realised the troll, which had been let into the school, was heading to the girls toilet where Hermione was. We were lucky really, but it brought us together as friends so..." Harry shrugged.

The meal went better than they had been expecting. The political questions they had been expecting came and went and everyone seemed fairly impressed with their knowledge and opinions. Dante and the others were interested to hear about Harry's dislike of the Headmaster and his methods, Hermione's intelligence clearly impressed them all. But through the whole meal Harry felt as though he was being charged up with electricity every time Mikhail glanced at him, the older man spent over half the meal simply watching him, every now and then he would brush his hand against Harry's or touch his arm or back to get his attention, their legs would brush. By the time Harry went to the bathroom before dessert arrived he felt like he was hyper aware and it was all focused on Mikhail Zabini! Splashing water in his face he took a breath to try and gain some control over himself before he did something embarrassing.

"You look a little flustered, is something the matter Harry?" the way his name was purred out made shivers burst through him. Looking in the mirror he saw Mikhail leaning against the wall calmly, his arms crossed and watching him closely.

"No nothings wrong, just needed to freshen up a little," Harry smiled shakily drying his face and hands.

"You and Ms Granger are doing very well. Most people would be intimidated, you two are more than holding your own," Mikhail complimented gaining a laugh out of Harry as he turned to face Mikhail.

"Are you surprised because it's Harry Potter and his muggleborn friend or because of our age?" Harry asked with a smirk leaning against the sink and crossing his arms. Amusement flickered across Mikhail's face.

"Very blunt of you," He said calmly.

"I don't believe in mincing my words," Harry shrugged.

"I've seen that. Very well, I am slightly surprised because of you being the Gryffindor Golden boy – which you clearly are not. But because of your age as well, you are the same age as my son, and yet maturity wise you fit in perfectly with us all out there. You are intriguing," Mikhail grinned as he glided closer.

"Really? And how am I that?" Harry tilted his head to the side, not quite believing that he was flirting with a man that had a son his age.

"Your eyes for one, your beauty for another, that quick tongue and intelligence is scorching to watch," Mikhail breathed out reaching and brushing a finger down Harry's cheek causing his breath to catch. "Tell me Harry, am I going to have to steal you away from your little muggleborn?" Mikhail asked leaning in so Harry could feel his breath across his face.

"Hermione? We really are just friends, she's my sister," Harry said breathlessly gazing up at Mikhail as the older man placed his hands either side of Harry's body and leant closer.

"And is there someone else that I have to coerce you away from?" Mikhail smirked.

"Why would you want to know that?" Harry asked softly, his eyes flickering over Mikhail's features.

"Because I don't like sharing and I don't mind doing whatever I need to do to get what I want. And I very much want you,"

"Really? And what is it you want from me?" Harry smiled coyly up at Mikhail watching the man's eyes darken even more.

"Everything," Mikhail breathed leaning even closer. At this proximity Harry could smell the spicy, warm scent that Mikhail possessed and almost groaned as it sank into his senses.

"That's a lot to ask for," Harry responded.

"But it's what I want, and I tend to get whatever I want," Mikhail said softly reaching up to stroke a hand down Harry's cheek. Harry allowed the touch, absorbing the feel of Mikhail's large hand cupping his cheek but as the man leant in to kiss him he slipped easily to the side and made his way to the door, looking over his shoulder he smirked at the slightly lost looking man who was staring at him partly frustrated, partly confused.

"You'll have to convince me that that is what I really want," Harry smirked before walking out and going back to the table. The dessert had arrived by the time that Mikhail came back and sat down next to Harry, once he was sure everyone was distracted talking to someone else he placed his arm along the back of Harry's chair and leant close to speak to Harry.

"That...was extremely cruel," he breathed into Harry's ear. Harry smiled faintly.

"Really? Maybe you can convince me to make it up to you then?" He offered staring up at Mikhail through his eyelashes.

"You're doing that on purpose," Mikhail groaned causing Harry to give a slightly breathless laugh. "Very well, you wish for me to chase you then that is what I shall do. But be warned Harry, once you are mine you won't be going anywhere again," Mikhail's words and tone caused a faint shiver through Harry that he barely managed to suppress.

"You haven't won me yet, and I'm not a possession," Harry murmured softly before taking a bite of his chocolate mousse, Mikhail let out a puff of air at the sight of Harry sucking his spoon clean enthusiastically.

"Yet being the operative word in that sentence. And I am aware that you aren't a possession, you are much too beautiful free to be locked or chained away, it would be like caging a phoenix to make you a possession," Mikhail said softly, brushing his fingers lightly against the back of Harry's neck. Bright green eyes locked on him and searched his face intently looking for any form of lie in the man's words. Seeing none he smiled lightly.

"You have a silver tongue Mikhail," He laughed lightly.

"Only when needed. I will win you over, I am a Slytherin after all. I may enjoy the chase, but having you in my arms will be even better," Mikhail flashed him a slightly predatory smile that made Harry's breath catch.

"Harry? Everything ok?" Hermione asked concerned from his other side placing her hand on his arm.

"Yes, fine. Why?" He asked as lightly as he could having to drag his eyes away from Mikhail's intent ones.

"You have barely touched your mousse, you love chocolate," Hermione said glancing between him and Mikhail.

"Really, that's very interesting," Mikhail smirked at Harry causing him to blush. "I'm afraid it's my fault he's not eating, I struck up a rather distracting conversation," He added smiling charmingly at Hermione who smiled back before turning to talk with Nessa and Gregory about the restrictions of underage magic.

"It's ridiculous, right now we need to be able to use our magic to defend ourselves, Harry is the perfect example of that!" Hermione said annoyed shaking her head and catching Harry and Mikhail's attention from where it had been on Mikhail's hand playing with the end of Harry's ponytail.

"What's this?" Nessa asked concerned.

"His trial during the summer before our fifth year," Hermione snorted. Suddenly all six of them looked a little uncomfortable.

"I couldn't really understand why Fudge insisted on holding a full Wizengamot in the old court rooms for a bit of underage wizardry," Marcus finally said shaking his head. Feeling annoyance at the memory of it crawling through him Harry picked up his wine glass and swirled the liquid.

"Ex Minister Fudge was too wrapped up in keeping his position of power that he swooped on the chance to make a fool of Harry, which was the reason behind the entire situation in the first place," Hermione huffed taking a swig of wine herself.

"He set it up?" Dante frowned.

"Close, Umbridge sent the Dementors after me, she knew it would please Fudge. Either I would end up a soulless shell or in trouble for underage wizardry. Unfortunately for her she confessed all this in front of myself, Hermione and four of our friends before attempting to cast the cruciatus curse on me to torture me for information on where Dumbledore's supposed weapon was, that mixed with the use of a blood quill during detentions and attempting to feed a large number of students veritiserum in their tea and she might as well have signed her own prison forms," Harry shrugged.

"She...I knew that woman was insane but I didn't realise just how insane!" Amelia snapped thumping her hand down on the table.

"Did she actually cast the cruciatus curse on you?" Gregory asked concerned.

"No, Hermione came up with a story about the weapon being in the Forbidden Forest and gave us the chance to escape when the centaurs got hold of her. They weren't too happy with her calling them half breeds," Harry smiled at the old man who still looked a little distressed.

"And the blood quill?" Mikhail's voice was low and dangerous but also alerted Harry to the fact that he had been leaning towards the older wizard, merely for the comfort his presence supplied.

"Harry has never really learnt to keep his temper under control when something he believes is wrong is being committed, he's quite famous for it around school. The denial that V...Voldemort was back and the circumstances around Cedric's death counted as one of these situations, unfortunately Umbridge pounced on this," Hermione scowled.

"I must not tell lies, it was very convincing proof when she tried to deny it," Harry sighed catching their curious looks and held his hand up. Mikhail snatched his hand straight away and stared horrified at the scars easily seen in the lighting of the restaurant.

"That...that...it's a good thing that she is locked tightly in Azkaban right now!" Gregory hissed pretty much guessing what Mikhail was looking at on Harry's hand. Mikhail's jaw was tensed so tightly it was twitching and while his grip was firm on Harry's hand to stop him pulling away he wasn't hurting him. Slowly he closed his fingers around Mikhail's hand and squeezed it lightly.

"It's alright, we got her back. She's in prison for a long time and hopefully won't be getting out," Harry said softly to the table but glanced at Mikhail pointedly. Mikhail let go of his hand allowing Harry to take a hasty sip trying to ignore the buzzing and tingling that was resounding through his body from where Mikhail had held his hand. Hermione was now giving an account of what had happened during the year before with Umbridge. Mikhail was listening closely but when Harry lowered his hand to his thigh he felt fingers slipping through his. Glancing down he watched the dark fingers entwining his own pale ones. He considered pulling away but it felt nice and he needed some comfort at that moment after being exposed like that. Mikhail smiled softly at him before listening to Hermione again. Between the two of them they told the truth of Umbridge's rule of terror, the six becoming more shocked and annoyed as they went on.

"She actually tried to get Filch permission to chain people up and use whips!" Gregory choked.

"Yes. Although the whole incident where she got rid of Trelawney only for Dumbledore to replace her with Firenze was brilliant," Harry laughed.

"I bet she wasn't best pleased with that, she always did have a thing against anyone with creature blood," Amelia sighed.

"If she wasn't so far up Fudge's arse I wouldn't have been surprised if she wasn't a Death Eater, although I don't think that Greyback would have appreciated her very much," Harry snorted.

"No I don't suppose so. So where do you two stand on creature laws?" Nessa asked curiously.

"They're shit," Harry said blankly causing Hermione to shake her head while the others blinked at him.

"Harry, tact," Hermione groaned pressing a finger to her forehead.

"What? They are shit, nothing more to it. They are prejudice against people like Remus who is only a werewolf for three nights a month, he's in poor health because he couldn't afford to buy the wolfsbane and no one would give him a job. He's an intelligent, kind, hard working man but no one will give him a chance!" Harry frowned.

"Harry I know that, but you need to remember to be tactful about it!" Hermione smiled as Harry pouted.

"Ah no, that's who he is. It is refreshing to see someone so young so passionate about something, especially for other people. Who is this Remus?" Gregory smiled.

"Yes, who is Remus?" Mikhail asked calmly even as his fingers tightened around Harry's slightly.

"Remus Lupin, he was the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher during our third year, werewolf. He was best friends with Harry's dad and his godfather when they were at school. He is the perfect example for how the creature laws are ridicules though, he was the best Defence teacher we have had but despite having dealt with turning into a werewolf and how he feels after it for an entire year without problem, when he was revealed to be a werewolf he had to leave," Hermione explained.

"I remember that, Susan complained that he had had to leave that summer," Amelia nodded.

"Ah, I recall Terry mentioning something about it. But surely a werewolf in a school full of children is dangerous?" Gregory frowned.

"Have you ever met a werewolf, spoken to one, asked them about their curse and got them to explain what life is like for them and how they cope with it?" Harry asked softly releasing Mikhail's hand to sit straighter in his seat.

"Werewolves don't tend to be very people friendly Harry," Dante smirked.

"Can you blame them?" Harry asked.

"Pardon?" Nessa blinked surprised.

"Can you really blame them for not wanting to talk with wizards and witches, with the treatment that they receive? Were they to try and speak they would be shouted down as wild animals, beasts, dark creatures, dirty blood, half breeds. Are any of those phrases ringing any bells?" Harry drew out each word watching their faces closely.

"Werewolves can not control their natures!" Marcus sneered slightly.

"Wolfsbane potion, developed 1987 by Severus Snape, allows the werewolf to control their wolf during the nights of the full moon, they are effectively no more than animagus' forced into the transformation," Hermione said softly.

"It's also been shown to a small amount of research that if the werewolf is accompanied by who they view as pack in their animagus form then the human side of the mind has more control than the wolf during the transformation, with or without the wolfsbane potion having been taken," Harry added.

"How do you know this?" Dante frowned but Harry could see the interest in his eyes.

"I run with Remus during the moon," Harry answered and grinned at the stunned gasps that he got.

"You run with...are you infected?" Amelia narrowed her eyes.

"No Madame I am not, would it affect what you think of me, how you treat me if I was though? No don't bother answering, we all know that it would be yes. You have spent the evening complimenting myself and Hermione but were you to think that we had been bitten by a werewolf and turned into one once a month we would suddenly not possess the intelligence or sanity to be worth listening to," Harry laughed humerlously.

"I...I did not mean..."

"Yes you did, the look on your face said it all. You were repulsed by the idea that you had had dinner with a werewolf, a potential werewolf," Hermione said softly.

"I just..." Amelia drew off biting her lip.

"Have you ever wondered how Voldemort gained the help of the werewolves and vampires so easily? It is the same reason that purebloods kneel in front of him. The wizarding world's prejudices allow him free reign to sweep in and gain all the allies he needs. Misunderstanding and prejudice is the real reason behind this war," Harry sighed leaning back in his seat.

"Explain," Dante's voice was soft and dangerous, his brown eyes flashing with intelligent curiosity.

"It's rather a long explanation," Hermione sighed glancing around the almost empty restaurant.

"They will stay open as long as we need, and I will deal with Dumbledore. You can not leave us hanging till our next meeting," Mikhail said softly before waving over the Maitre de and murmuring something. Seconds later they had more wine on their table and candles were being relit around the restaurant. Harry and Hermione shared a look before sighing and taking a sip of their refilled glasses.

"Alright, well just bare with us. Firstly, what is it that Voldemort wants? Why is he fighting this war?" Hermione asked looking around the table.

"Are you kidding, everyone knows what he wants!" Nessa snorted.

"So tell us," Hermione insisted.

"He wants to wipe out all the muggleborns and half bloods and only have purebloods in the wizarding world," Gregory recited clearly trying to keep the peace.

"Alright, so it's pureblood supremacy that he wants?" Hermione clarified looking at everyone and waiting till they had all nodded before she looked at Harry who sighed and placed his arm along the back of her chair getting comfy.

"Tom Marvalo Riddle. Born over seventy years ago. Half blood to a witch and a muggle. The witch fell in love with the muggle they got married despite her pureblood families dislike of muggles. When she was eight months pregnant with their first child the muggle caught her doing magic and threw her out, the stress sent her into early labour and knowing that her father and brother would have nothing to do with a half blood child she made it to a muggle orphanage where she gave birth to a son, she lived long enough to name him, Tom Marvalo Riddle. Fast forward eleven years and Albus Dumbledore, then the transfiguration teacher and deputy head of Hogwarts goes to the same orphanage to inform Tom that he is in fact a wizard and will be attending Hogwarts, but Tom is already aware that he is different and had been isolated by the rest of the children for years, by this point Tom has already killed two children who had made fun of him. When Tom gets to Hogwarts he is sorted into Slytherin and there starts to flourish while hiding the fact that he was brought up in the muggle world. When he is in his fifth year he brews a paternity potion to try and find the family that abandoned him. He finds out who he is and where he was descended from. That summer he killed his muggle father, grandmother and grandfather and then his maternal grandfather and uncle who had turned their backs on his mother with a curse he had invented especially for them. After this action he decided that he no longer wanted to be called by his muggle father's name which was also Tom Riddle, so he rearranged his name to make a new one. Do you know who he is yet?" Harry asked looking around the table at the gobsmacked faces.

"It can't be!" Amelia gasped.

TOM MARVALO RIDDLE

I AM LORD VOLDEMORT

Harry performed the same spell he had seen Tom using in the Chamber of Secrets. The table stared at the burning words after they rearranged themselves until they faded.

"Lord Voldemort is Tom Riddle, a half blood, it was because of pureblood prejudice that his mother couldn't get wizarding healing that probably would have ensured she lived through his birth to bring him up. He hates muggles for the torment that he suffered in the orphanage, but he hates the wizarding world that he saw as abandoning him equally," Hermione's voice was soft and slow as she allowed them to absorb the information.

"But if that's true then why is he...why does he ..." Amelia frowned.

"Voldemort wants to destroy the world, that's his aim. Powerful as he is he couldn't do that alone, he needed an army. With this discovery of his muggle side he also discovered that through his wizarding side he was the last descendent of Salazar Slytherin, who of course is known for his dislike of muggleborns," Harry started and then paused letting Hermione take over.

"The minute he revealed he was the Slytherin heir the pureblood extremists would have respected him straight away, and through this he realised that he had an army ready and waiting for him so long as he made his campaign the right one. The wizarding world is rank with prejudice and bigotry against one thing or another, hardly any witch or wizard is free of preconceived notions as to what is right and what is wrong, who is right and who is wrong. Voldemort used this, by claiming that his cause was the cleanse the wizarding world of mudbloods, halfbloods, the purebloods flocked to him, willing to do whatever. Because of their prejudice they were a ready made army, and once Voldemort gains control it will be everyone for themselves," Hermione sighed.

"How do you know all this? For all we know you could be lying," Marcus frowned at them.

"I'm Harry Potter, boy-who-lived, chosen one, whatever the hell you want to call me. Do you really think that I wouldn't have learnt something about Voldemort over the years I have been fighting him, that I wouldn't have been told things by Dumbledore? I heard the information of Tom's muggle heritage from the mouth of his seventeen year old self before I fought a basilisk," Harry said coolly but everyone flinched harshly.

"He told you himself?"

"Seventeen?"

"A basilisk!" were some of the responses.

"Erm, yep Basilisk. Whole other story though. Let's just say it was included in one of his attempts to come back, in which his sixteen year old self was preserved in a diary and managed to get loose," Harry grinned shrugging.

"So you can now see what we mean about prejudice and preconceived notions helping in the destruction of the wizarding world?" Hermione said trying to get them back on track.

"Alright, but werewolves are still dangerous creatures, look at Greyback!" Nessa argued.

"Alright, let's compare. Remus Lupin, werewolf from the age of four after Greyback bit him. Greyback, savage, cruel, evil. Bellatrix Lestrange, mad, savage, evil, cruel, tortured the Longbottom family and Merlin only knows however many others into insanity. Her cousin, Sirius Black, same family, same blood, Sirius was loyal to a fault to his friends, fought against everything he had been brought up to think of himself and where he came from, broke out of Azkaban to protect me. Remus and Greyback are both werewolves, Sirius and Bellatrix are both Blacks, Greyback and Bellatrix chose to be evil, they chose Voldemort's side, to torture and murder. Remus and Sirius chose to be good despite all expectations on them to be anything but, despite the fact that it would be easier to turn on those that look down on them simply because of who or what they are. Remus is out there right now fighting for the light side, fighting against Voldemort. How many light, normal, witches or wizards can you say the same about?" Harry asked.

"Everything you have been told about werewolves comes from witches or wizards that know absolutely nothing about them and have just seen what they want to see, anything that was close to the truth has been ignored. Remus is a werewolf once a month, he suffers for days afterwards with the pain of the transformation, he is a kind, intelligent, gentle man who is honourable to a fault. Does that sound like a savage beast with no control over it's nature?" Hermione carried on.

"No...perhaps there is something in what you say," Nessa said thoughtfully.

"Perhaps. Anyway we need to get going back to school, our friends will be worried about us. Thank you for inviting us, we enjoyed ourselves," Harry smiled as he stood and helped Hermione to her feet motioning for their cloaks beforehand.

"Oh...wait, we did not mean to upset you, truly you have given us something to think about!" Nessa said worriedly also standing.

"You haven't upset us. We are more than aware that it will take a lot for us to get proper understanding about werewolves, especially with people like Greyback going around. Really, we do need to be getting back, Ron will be pacing a hole in the rug while planning to come rescue us from whatever has happened," Hermione smiled as she tugged on her cloak.

"Are you sure?" Gregory frowned.

"Well he could be on his way already," Harry said checking his watch.

"I didn't mean..." Gregory said quickly before blushing when he took in Harry's grin.

"We really aren't offended," Harry insisted.

"Then you will both join us at our next meal?" Dante asked standing up.

"We'd love to, we had a good time," Hermione smiled.

"Yay, I'll get the Goblin's to pick something new out for you," Harry laughed at Hermione's exasperated look hugging her lightly. "Thank you for inviting us and we'll look forward to the next meal. I'll see you at the next Wizengamot I suppose," Harry smiled at the table.

"It was good seeing you again Harry," Gregory beamed pumping his hand.

"Yes, it's been an enlightening evening," Amelia smiled allowing him to kiss her hand.

"We shall look forward to talking to you again at the next meal," Dante smirked slightly as he shook Harry's hand before moving to kiss Hermione's.

"Likewise," Harry nodded before turning to Mikhail who was standing right behind him. "It was interesting meeting you again," Harry said with a soft smile that only Mikhail could see.

"I'll look forward to getting to know you better," Mikhail smiled back squeezing his hand lightly. "Look out for my owl in the next few days," he added softly before letting go. After saying a goodbye to the table at large the two of them made their way out the restaurant and down to the aparation point arm in arm.

"Mikhail is very good looking isn't he?" Hermione said lightly after they had barely stepped out the restaurant.

"You could just say you know that there's something going on and you want to know what," Harry laughed.

"But that spoils all my fun," Hermione pouted. Harry laughed and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Fine. Yes Mikhail is very good looking I suppose," Harry played along getting more laughter from Hermione.

"So what's going on between you two? You disappeared to the bathroom, he followed, you come back looking smug and he comes back looking frustrated before you spend the rest of the time making doe eyes at each other and flirting," Hermione grinned as Harry blushed.

"Where we obvious?" He asked concerned.

"Just to your best friend and the person sitting next to you," Hermione grinned wrapping his arm around his waist.

"He's very charming, and intelligent, and good looking. He seems really interested in me as well," Harry admitted softly

"And you like him?" Hermione asked.

"I like him. I told him to win me over, convince me that I want him...but he makes my heart beat faster and everything about me is super aware of him," He sighed.

"Aw Harry. Good choice to make him chase you though," Hermione grinned squeezing him.

"I shouldn't be getting involved in something like this though! We have so much on our plates, the Wizengamot, getting what we want pushed through, fighting Dumbledore and Voldemort, trying to sort out the creature laws. A relationship right now isn't what we need," Harry said slightly hysterically.

"Or maybe it's exactly what you need, something for you to enjoy, relax, someone to look after and woo you. Someone who's not interested in your name or money but you. Harry not everything can be business, we are allowed to have fun as well, we need it otherwise we're going to go nuts. Cut lose have fun and invite me to the wedding," Hermione squeaked when Harry shoved her away glaring.

"Hermione!"

"What? He's a Slytherin, once he has you he's not letting you go, your gorgeous, intelligent, funny, kind, your not interested in him for money. He'd be thick to let you escape," Hermione snorted in an extremely unladylike fashion as they reached the castle.

"He said he was interested for the long term. He has a son my age," Harry sighed.

"And your nowhere near anyone our age in maturity, something he's clearly seen. Have fun Harry, live a little!" Hermione smiled tugging on his arm to lead him to the staircase.

"Mr Potter, Ms Granger where have you been? Your going to be lucky if I don't give you detention for the rest of the term! One hundred points from Gryffindor and..." Harry and Hermione turned to see Professor McGonagall and Snape storming towards them.

"Professor we have permission to be out," Harry said coolly. McGonagall faltered while Snape sneered.

"Just because you are the precious saviour doesn't give you permission to be wondering around as you like!" Snape snapped.

"Actually as Lord Potter Black and an official member of the Wizengamot I am allowed to wander about as I like. Hermione's parents signed the forms to allow me as an emancipated minor to be allowed to take her from school with me when needed as my advisor and co manager of my estate," Harry said his eyes never leaving the two teachers.

"You are only allowed out of the school if you have claimed your seat on the Wizengamot Mr Potter," McGonagall snapped.

"It's Lord Potter-Black actually, and it's a good job that I have claimed all four of my seats then isn't it? We were out with members of the Wizengamot tonight actually," Harry responded icily.

"You...you have?" McGonagall choked.

"Yes I have, if you'll excuse us it's been a long night," Harry nodded his head before turning and leading Hermione away.

"Thank Merlin! Where the hell have you two been? I've been worried sick here!" Ron blustered as they stepped through the portrait door.

"Sorry, we got talking about Riddle. They were very eager to hear what we said and what we thought. It went really well," Hermione grinned as she started tugging clips and pins out of her hair.

"Really? Already? That's good," Ron smiled.

"Dante Flint was extremely welcoming of Hermione, shook her hand and spoke to her regularly, not a Death Eater. We can rule out Marcus as well," Harry listed as he stripped off his outer robe and flopped onto the sofa.

"What about Zabini?" Ron asked sitting down as well. However when Harry blushed and Hermione smirked he perked up. "What? What's going on?"

"It seems that Lord Zabini has taken a rather strong liking to our Harry here. He's planning on wooing him," Hermione grinned.
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Turning Tides