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Shades of Grey	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Threesomes/Moresomes Views: 103926 -:- Recommendations : 6 -:- Currently Reading : 21
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter nor do I make any money off this dance in the realm of strangeness and smut

Chapter List
- 25
- 26
- 27
Chapter 26

Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi. You're the best, woman, and thank you!

Shifting in his chair in the small, but homey, parlor in Albus' house in Godric's Hollow, Severus was waiting for the aging headmaster to return from taking a call before he launched into what he needed here. Already, he had what he wanted to say in mind and was just honing how to go about it. Once he was done here, he needed to pop over to Grimmauld Place so he could get with Black and Lupin about something. That, he thought, was the last of the running around he needed to do. Then he just had to return to Avalon Manor to start the preparations for the bonding the following day, Potter's birthday. It was a great deal of work, yes, but nothing overly taxing, thankfully. Most was already in place and, in the case of Grimmauld Place, it was just some simple information he needed to confirm to go about what they needed, nothing more.
Coming alert when he heard Albus return, he waited for the old man to seat himself so he could begin.
Taking a seat, Albus signed, picked up his tea and took a sip before getting comfortable. Looking at Severus, he said, shaking his head, “What I just heard is probably information that you will need to pass along, Severus.”
Intrigued, the Potions Master nodded, waiting to see what it was.
“With tomorrow being Harry's birthday, the Prophet is going to run an article about him vanishing and some details about what was found. They aren't going to name the suspect, though the DMLE is now looking for Peter as he's the only known rat animagus and they matched the human blood to him from the evidence that came with Sirius, but they are going to mention that there were blood and hairs from one found. Also, that the blood found was matched to someone that was thought long dead, having been murdered at the end of the last war. For the first time, the Prophet is going to say that foul play is suspected and that the Ministry is now considering this a kidnapping by someone unnamed, not a stunt to get attention. From what I was just told, a reward for information is going to be offered and that they are going to use the Ministry's new line that it may have something to do with known followers of Tom. Though they are going to say it's because of the last war, not what's going on now.” Albus sighed, shaking his head. “Though it's not all I want, it's a step the right direction and we might get some clues as to where poor Harry is.
Now adding a visit to the insane Dark Lord to the day's agenda, something that would actually be easy since the maniac would love this and wasn't apt to take his ire out on him, Severus nodded, looking grave. “How intensive is the DMLE search for Wormtail going to be?”
“From what Kingsley and Tonks are saying, very. They are focusing on him exclusively now, unless they get some kind of information that points them in another direction. They are going to work with what they can of what we have on the situation, saying it came from protected sources as it won't be something that could be used at trial, if it comes to that, so it should help.” Albus told him, looking pleased.
“Good. That means we can turn the heat up in two directions here and see if the rat won't poke his head out of his hole then someone can grab him,” Severus said, settling back.
“We can hope,” Albus conceded. “Or, at the very least, that he'll get sloppy enough and panic, then Harry can do something to either send a message or get himself out then find his way to someone that will help. Harry is a smart young man. If he sees a chance, he's going to take it. I also don't think that Peter is any match for Harry in a fight where Harry has a wand and isn't blindsided. Harry may be impulsive, but even with his magic bound, he's strong and good at what he does. This might be what he needs to get a break then escape.”
“We can only hope,” Severus told him.
Finishing his very sweet tea and refilling the cup, Albus then looked at the other man and asked, “There was something you wanted to get with me privately about? You didn't say what, but I inferred that it was an idea you had.”
“I do,” Severus told him with a firm nod, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. “I was thinking over the conversation that we had about what is in Potter's scar. There was something you mentioned in that which may help us track him. Well, if you have information on the topic, that is.”
As he was now at a loss as to work with this situation any more than he was and trace Harry through other means, Albus was more than willing to take suggestions. “What did you have in mind?”

“You said the Dark Lord might be able to use that piece in Potter's scar to track him. If he can, can't we as well? I wouldn't know how to do that, obviously, as I have no information at all on the topic, but it might be something worth looking into. As we are coming up empty on anything that's worked, maybe we might want to look in that direction. Wormtail is not this smart, Albus. I don't know what he's done here to hide Potter, but there has to be a way beyond normal tracking spells to do this. Wouldn't this work a different way and allow us to do something that the rat can't negate?”
Stroking his beard, looking down at the floor, a thoughtful look on his face, Albus began to nod slowly after a couple minutes. “Maybe. It may be an area that we can work with better than anything we've done up to this point. There isn't much information out there on Horcruxes, but I do have some. They were ancient books that were in the library at Hogwarts before I became headmaster. It's my thinking that Tom used those to create his first one; that diary. I've not looked at them too much, honestly, as they disgust me because of what they contain. It might be worth checking on. If I send them over to you, do you think you could see what's there? This might be something we can pursue alone with no help from others.”
“Send them on to Spinners End and I'll check them out to see what's there,” Severus told him softly, pleased that he was able to point the old man in the direction he wanted so easily. Normally, Albus wasn't one you could do this with. However, with the corner the old man was in right now, he was desperate for any kind of lead and was willing to even ponder the most outlandish of schemes to try, like the psychic.
“I'll go to the castle today and send them over via an unusual method; I'll just have Fawkes drop them on your dining room table. That way no one is the wiser what I'm sending.” Albus told him, already starting to think over what he had on the topic and if there were others he could get his hands on. These kinds of disgusting works were hard to come by and it would take some delicate dancing to get what was out there without raising too many eyebrows. Not to mention, he didn't want to give up the reason why he wanted them. No, this wasn't going to be easy, that's for sure.
“That's fine,” Severus said with a dismissive wave and shake of his head. “I won't be home, probably, as I'll be dealing with the Dark Lord for some time. I may pop over to Grimmauld Place and see if I can get into the library to see if they have anything. I can make sure no one is the wiser there.” For him, this was perfect. It was a good excuse to be there if someone else showed up and no one would think anything of it.
“Good idea, Severus,” Albus told him with a pleased nod. “Just tell Sirius what you need to and that you're there at my behest. That should be all the diversion you'll need for it. I'll send a note over when you finish here to let him know you're going to be there to look something up for me. That'll smooth the way and he won't ask questions.” Liking where this was going, Albus asked, “Was there anything else?”
“No,” Severus said with a shake of his and an internal sigh of relief it had gone well. “It was just something my mind wouldn't leave alone and that I thought could aid in what we are trying.”

“It may be the best lead we have yet, Severus,” Albus told him, very pleased. “I'll let you see what you can come up with then go from there.”
Finishing the last of his tea to be polite, he then asked, eyebrow arched, “Is there anything you need to go over with me?”
“No, nothing,” Albus told him with a shake of his head. “I'll get the books to you as soon as I can and let you get to work.”
Standing, Severus nodded to the old man and said, “I'll take my leave then. If I get anything useful from the Dark Lord, I'll message you as soon as I can. If not, I'll just wait until we talk next.”
“Thank you, Severus, you've been most helpful,” Albus said, standing, then showed the man out, planning to leave for Hogwarts as fast as he could.

Looking at the Potions Master after he filled them in, Sirius and Remus, both, were looking pleased, nodding. “This is good, Severus,” Remus said quietly.
“You led him to water and he took a swan dive in. That worked great,” Sirius grinned.
Smirking, pleased at the compliments, Severus nodded. “I think he's desperate enough that he's willing to try just about anything right now. I'll go check my home for the books before I head back. If they are there, Lucius and I will see what we can find in them. I'm a little more hopeful here than I have been on the topic. I'm not sure what is in those books, but it may be something that can at least point us to somewhere else to look.” Stopping, he changed topics then asked, looking at the two, “I need to confirm some information with you. I don't even want to chance trying to look it up and Harry just isn't sure, understandable because of the Dursleys.” Seeing them nod, he asked, “He was born at 11:59 PM on the 31^st, wasn't he? We want to know so we can do the bond when it'll be strongest with him as he's the one that needs the most protection from it.”
“That's right,” Sirius told him with a nod. “Just before midnight on July thirty first.”
“We wanted to make sure, though we both thought that was the case. Also, though I know you both want to come over tomorrow, for obvious reasons, we feel it best if you don't. Even before learning about this article, we thought it best not to as it might look very suspicious. I'm sure you understand. We're going to get you over there on the second, but, as a compromise, we thought using the mirrors would work for that. It won't be a long talk, obviously, but you can have a chat. And I'll come over and pick up anything you have for him so he gets it. We just don't want to take a chance of anyone getting suspicious,” Severus explained, looking at the two.
“We understand,” Remus told him softly. “You're just protecting him the best way you know how. A couple days after is fine with us.”
“Don't worry about it,” Sirius said. “We'll use the mirrors and be good there. I'm sure he will understand why.”
“He does, we've already explained it to him,” Severus confirmed.
“You were able to get your hands on some things for him, weren't you? I was told that you were having problems coming up with something you thought he would like,” Sirius inquired.
“We did,” Severus told him, smirking. “They are odd, but he'll like them. The elves are also going to ensure he has a good dinner and a cake. It won't be something like the Weasleys would do for him, but he'll enjoy it.”
“That's all that matters,” Remus said, smiling.
Shifting around, Severus clasped his hands on the table in front of him then looked at the two, ensuring his voice was lowered, before saying, “I wanted to give you fair warning that before the start of term I'm going to take you up on your offer. I want out. This foolishness—I don't think I can do it anymore. If it were just the two sides I was working with, I probably could keep going, though it would be taxing. With what is going on with the old man, and how what he is planning isn't much better than the Dark Lord's scheming, I just can't keep the dance up. So, I've decided to end it before the start of term. I'll get what information I can, but then you two will have to take over. Lucius and I have a plan on how to do this so that will look effective and both sides will buy it. Before it comes to pass, we'll both get with you to fill you in. I'm also going to get some kind of biological evidence from a couple known Death Eaters we can plant to make it look like they are helping Pettigrew. They aren't ones I will have any problems framing and need to be in Azkaban anyway. Though not high ranking and they don't have any kind of useful information, they are evil sadistic people that don't need to be walking around free. We'll get you a couple dummy wands that no one can trace to anything, help fabricate the robes and masks, all of it. We'll make sure, in the week before it takes place, to teach you the spell needed and a couple others. We have in mind to make it look like a battle and that I was a traitor to the Dark Lord. Any objections?”
“None from us,” Sirius said, shaking his head. “Whatever you need there, Snape. If you give me the names of who you want to make into the scapegoats here, and if they were in the last war, I might remember enough to be able to make it look more authentic. We'll manage to do what's needed just so we know what we're working with.” Chuckling, grinning bigger, he added, “I don't think the old goat or the other side of this mess realizes what they are dealing with here. Neither one stands a chance against the combined plotting of two sneaky Slytherins and the last of the Marauders. Add in the second generation of the Marauders and none of them will know what hit 'em!”
Not having thought of it that way, Severus gave an amused snort and nodded, “Very true! Combined, we can plot out things the opposites ends of this wouldn't think of because there are too many shades of grey in between. We'll manage, that's for sure, with no one the wiser.”

Sitting by the pool, reading, Lucius was running his fingers through the messy mop of hair on Harry's head as the young man was stretched out beside him, sleeping, with his head resting on his thigh. Kaliya was draped around his shoulders, since they were in the shade. From what he could tell, the snake was dozing as well. Reading through one of the books on the cobras, he was just double checking facts to make sure that they had everything they needed to do the bond. On his end, it was more ensuring that they hadn't missed anything that might throw a few spanners into this and get an odd reaction. Right now, though, they thought they could deal with anything odd that might be tossed their way because of the situation. No, they were going to go for this and work with whatever came up, that's all there was to it. So far, he wasn't finding anything they didn't know about. That was good and meant this should work quite well. It didn't solve all their problems, but it was going to give them the time they needed to do what was required to keep them all safe. That's all that mattered.
Finishing the tome, he set it aside then signaled for an elf to bring him a drink. While waiting, he stroked Kaliya's head as the snake began to stir then looked in the direction from which he heard a sound. As they were safe here, he wasn't on alert and assumed, rightly, it was Severus. Watching the man come in their direction and take a seat under the shade of the umbrella, he asked, “Did it go well?”
“As planned. The old man jumped at it. I have the books inside, actually. They are—disgusting tomes, but I have them. However, I don't want Harry touching them. There are nasty spells on them that you can't negate. Even we are going to have to be cautious with a few and will need to wear gloves to even pick them up. Not to mention, I'm sure he doesn't want to know about some of what is contained in them,” Severus explained, shaking his head, a sour look on his face. Filling him in on the conversation with Dumbledore, Black, Lupin and what he did with the Dark Lord, he then told Lucius, “The Dark Lord is very pleased with the information. I imagine that Pettigrew is in for a world of hurt if he's stupid enough to show up anytime soon. It'll also get him off the track of looking elsewhere and focus in that direction. I'm hoping that he thinks there is more than one of his Death Eaters involved in this so we can use a couple of the lower ranking ones as scapegoats when I exit. That will make it look plenty authentic.”
“We should,” Lucius nodded. “You've got a couple in mind, I take it?”
“Macnair and Yaxley. They are low enough that the Dark Lord won't think too much about it. And, in both cases, he would see it as them trying to garner favor because of the past. Besides, as vile as both of them are, it's a case of good riddance anyway. I should easily be able to get the evidence to plant for them. Black knows the two well enough, because of the first war, to be able to mimic what they know and pull it off. That will be an immeasurable help.”
Liking what he was hearing, Lucius nodded. “It should work. Yaxley—he is disgusting. Even if he dies, it won't be a great loss. Damned child molester and rapist! Mcnair won't be either. He's too bloodthirsty to be trusted, even the Dark Lord knows that. If you play it right, it can look like the two are doing whatever they are to gain favor.”
“I was thinking hanging the word traitor under the Dark Mark to make it look even better. That was done in the last war and would send Albus off the deep end.”
“Good idea,” Lucius told him, looking pleased. “I know the spell for that one and can easily teach it. When Black and Lupin come over next, we'll get them a couple wands that are as close to compatible as we can find so they can work with them to get them to function correctly. I'm sure, between the three of you, that you can make it look authentic.”
“The only problem I see here is we need another body to show there were three there after me.” Stopping, Severus shook his head then added, quietly, “I don't want to chance you, but, if we do this right, I was thinking Harry could help. With his new wand, no one will be able to figure out who it is by the signature. All he would need to do is throw a few spells, nothing more. We can cloak him long enough to do that. Plus, if we do it in the middle of the night, no one would be around to say anything.”
Thinking that over, Lucius said, tone distracted, “It should work. The signature won't even be close with the magic unbound and the new wand. I'll come along to keep watch, in robes of course with a different mask, but it should give all the evidence needed. It's just imperative that I cast no spells, nothing more. If something arises, one of you will have to handle it.”
“Yes, you there would make me feel better and give us a lookout once spells start flying. I would say that it's workable. Plus, I think you can 'direct' what we should do as you know what might look better. Though setting fire to the house is good, I think it should be done in a way to leave some of it standing, just not my body there. That way there will always be doubt, like with Harry. It would also make it appear that whoever did it might have me and is willing to turn me over to the Dark Lord. At least from that end, it should help. We'll, of course, hone this better as the time approaches, but the basics are good.” Severus said, liking what he was hearing.
“Do you have a specific day in mind for this or just as it presents itself?” Lucius inquired, hand trailing down to rub the sleeping Harry's shoulder.
“No specific date, no, but I was thinking it should be very close to the time of me going back to school for the term. Within days would be perfect. Unless, of course, something comes up before then that would make this look even better. I would estimate that we plan for two days before the start of term and make that the target. Once we get through these books then get them back to Albus, we can then work more and jump at an opportunity that presents itself to make it look good, if one crops up that is,” Severus explained.
“That sounds good to me. We'll plan on it. Black and Lupin, though not as experienced with such things, will be able to rise to the occasion here and take on what's needed. They've already proven that to us. I don't see the rest as a problem, even any problems that might arise we'll need help with.”
Giving an amused snort, Severus told him dryly, “They will, trust me. Since school, they've just continued honing the skills they started there. Lupin is the one everyone underestimates because of his mild manner. He was with the others for a reason and is just as sneaky as they were. That facade serves him well now. No, there will be no problems on that end, that I can assure you. Add the fact that they are doing this to protect Harry and you have the makings of something that most will never suspect and will be as underhanded as anything we could ever dream up.”
Giving an amused chuckle, Lucius said, “I never thought of it that way, but you're right! Albus and the Dark Lord, both, aren't going to know what end is up by the time we're done with them.”

“Oh so very true,” Severus told him smugly, taking a sip of his drink. “And it'll be most amusing to observe while it's going on.”
Looking down at Harry, making sure he was still sleeping, Lucius asked, lowering his voice, “Were you able to get the last of the presents from us?”
“I was, easily,” Severus said with a nod. “I employed a glamour, of course, so no one thought something was off, but it's in my room waiting.”
Rubbing the young man's shoulder softly, Lucius said, “Good. He'll like it. It might not be the best circumstances in the world for him to celebrate his birthday, but we'll make it enjoyable.” Giving another amused chuckle, he said, “I guess this means I'm actually going to have to get on a broom and do some flying, doesn't it?”
“Oh yes,” Severus snorted, smirking himself. “You better get some practice tomorrow too. Because Black, though now rusty, was formidable. Lupin was no slouch either. We're going to have to include them the day they come as well. It's best we see tomorrow as refreshing our skills so we don't get our backsides handed to us in a spectacular fashion.”
“I never thought of it that way,” Lucius said, rubbing his chin. “You're right, though. We at least need to make a good showing!”
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Shades of Grey