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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
- 48
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Chapter 49

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

With help from Lynn who works with me when it comes to flow, continuity and other issues.

Just a reminder of what's on my profile: reviews complaining or whinging about the lack 'o sex in stories will get deleted. If you want a smut-filled romp, you need to find another story to read.

“There is even treacle tart,” Harry said with a grin, looking over the spread on the table. They were sitting down for 'Opening Feast' at the house and it looked like the elves had tried to outdo anything Hogwarts had ever attempted. The multiple dishes of all kinds filled the table in the main formal dining room to the point they were spread down well past where they were sitting and he wondered if the table itself wasn't groaning under the weight of the food.
“While I didn't pay much attention to what you like when it came to food while you were at school, that's one I did notice you favored, so I said something,” Severus told him with a bit of a smirk. He was pleased with this as well. Though it wasn't the same as sitting at the teachers table and indulging, it was close. In ways, this was better as he was sitting there not with colleagues, some of whom he knew didn't like or mistrusted him, but two friends. Even the snakes were present, curled up on stools by them. Lucius had even gone so far as to hang banners that were emblazoned with Avalon House on them. It was an odd thing to do, but comforting. Something he liked a great deal.
“The rest I just judged by what I know of you two,” Lucius added, pleased himself as the elves seemed to have taken his instructions and gone well beyond what was needed into the realm of something quite special. Good. Looking around at the decorations he arranged, he said, “I thought it inappropriate to put up the house banners, as we don't have those, but created our own.”
“That was a nice touch,” Severus agreed with a nod.
“Let's consider this a new beginning for all of us. A transition, if you will, into something better,” Lucius smirked looking between the other two. “It's changing for all of us for various reasons. We might as well celebrate because it's something worthy of that.” Looking smug, he tapped his glass with his spoon then said, “Gentleman, let the feast begin.”
Lifting his glass, seeing Harry and Lucius do the same, Severus added, “And term begins.” Taking a sip of the wonderful wine, he then began to load up his plate, watching the other two do the same.
Chuckling, as he added all kinds of food to his plate, Harry said, “I think by the time we're done, the elves are going to have to take us to our rooms as we won't be able to move from being stuffed!”
“We'll manage to get up the stairs some way,” Lucius said, entirely amused. “Though I do believe all of us are going to feel overstuffed when we're done.”
Smirking at that himself Severus nodded as he dug into the impressive spread. Relaxing, feeling some of the worry over the choices they had made at the start of summer fade, he began to discuss other bits they could start doing to help make this more bearable.

Apparating into the train station at Hogsmeade, Sirius and Remus took off towards the sound of the battle as fast as they could, wands already drawn. They knew the situation already, at least the basics from Minerva's Patronus, and knew just what to do. The Aurors, Hitwizards and members of the DMLE were there, but Albus called in all the Order members he could to help get the students into the castle where they would be safe. That they could easily take on.
Coming into chaos when they stepped onto the platform, they went up to Hagrid, who was not only shielding students with his massive body, but trying to get plenty of the ones that were just hysterical moving where he needed them.
Conjuring the best shields he and Remus knew, Sirius shouted over the din to the half giant, “Are the carriages ready?” Hearing the affirmative, he said, “Right, we're on it.” Shouting louder, he said, “Students this way. Get into the carriages. I want one older student in with younger ones. Once you're on the grounds proper, you'll be safe. Use your shields until you get there.” Then he began sorting them just that way. Though it was traditional to take the first years across in one of the boats, he wasn't going to chance that.
Helping Sirius sort them, making sure that he put the older ones he knew were good at defense into carriages packed with the younger years, Remus kept watch over his shoulder at what was going on. Though Voldemort only had a small number of followers with him, they were powerful and causing all kinds of hell. He could already see bodies of Aurors and other members of the DMLE on the ground. He wasn't sure if they were dead or just out, but that meant he wanted the students out of harm's way before it grew worse. Albus and the teachers were out here, of course, but they were busy trying to shield the students the best they could rather than battling it out. Of course, that would be expected as well, as the kids needed to be gotten out of here.
After getting Ron, Hermione and Ginny into a carriage with the last of the first years and sending it off, despite the fact that the three looked like they wanted to help, Sirius began getting the older ones left into the remaining carriages. That wasn't as easy as some, like Fred and George, looked like they were trying to help. “Move, you lot! Now!” He bellowed, sure that they would listen. “If you don't, I'm Stunning you and sending you that way.” Glaring at Fred and George, who had mulish looks on their faces while others began moving, he added, “Or telling your mum. That's a fate worse than death and you know it.” And that got the twins moving, though they looked like they didn't like it.
With the help of Hagrid and Filius, who came over to assist them, Remus and Sirius managed to get the remaining students, that they could see anyway, into the carriages and got them moving. Trailing along behind, just to make sure they were shielded, they waited until the last of them passed through the castle wards then hurried back to the battle.
Panting, starting to cast spells just as they were coming back into view of what was going on, Sirius told Filius, “Someone might want to get into that castle before a few of the students decide they want to come back out and join the fun. We do not want any of them getting hurt or killed because they want to 'help the cause'.”
Having slid closer to the trio, Albus, who was beyond angry, told Filius, “You go. I'll send Pomona, Horace, and Hagrid with you. Between all of you, you can corral the students. Talk with the doors so that they won't let the students out. Gather everyone in the Great Hall. We'll do the sorting when we get this mess under control.” Hearing an affirmative from Filius, Albus summoned the others mentioned then sent them along their way. After that, he motioned Sirius and Remus to follow him then waded back into the battle. Of all the things they expected from Tom, this was not one of them. Though it looked like the targets were the older ones and not the students, the mere fact Tom had attacked where the students could be in danger of being killed was enough to infuriate him. It also meant that the war had fully begun. That was not good.

Sitting in Albus' office after the attack ended and the Sorting had taken place, most of the Order was there. The DMLE was outside the gates to the castle, shoring up everything they could think of to protect it. Feast was going on and Albus would have to return at the end to do announcements and such, but there was so much here to handle that he had to stay away during most of it, understandably. The DMLE also wanted to take statements from some of the people that were there. That was expected and no one took issue with it.
After listening to what Albus wanted them to do, Sirius groaned then asked, “Any idea what this stunt was about? He wasn't going to gain much by attacking that train and it didn't look like they were taking after the students.”
Sighing, running a hand over his beard, Albus told him, wearily, “I think it was just a show that he is, indeed back. Nothing more than that. Going about it this way will ensure it gets out there.” Softly, he added, “And that there is no way to deny it. He was seen by plenty in the DMLE, Rufus and Madam Bones herself. Cornelius can't deny it anymore. It also means, however, that this is just the first overt attack in the war. His first shot. From here on out, he will get more blatant with what he does and we'll need to stay cautious.” Looking around at concerned faces, he added, “On the upside, we will now have the Ministry helping. It may not be much, depending on what's going on and how they handle it, but it's more than what we've had. That can only aid our side. I'll do what I can to pass information to them. And get plenty from them. That's something we all need.”
Groaning, he sat up straight then said, “All of you, other than the ones that the DMLE want to talk to may go. I'll set up a meeting for late tonight. I don't think that I can get out of the castle, as we have much to do, but I'll call you here. It's safe enough. Until then, what I want all of you to do is make sure that your homes, and the ones of those that aren't here or are targets, have every safety measure you can think of put in place. Also, please, get with the ones you know who have children in the castle and assure them that their kids are safe. Molly and Arthur should be the first there. I'll send them an owl, of course, but I would much rather someone do it in person as this is not news that will remain quiet until the paper in the morning.”
“Sirius and I will go over there after we leave here,” Remus assured him, planning to do just that. “We'll also check the wards and add anything that we can think of.”
“I'm going to suggest you go over there and apply a Fidelius, Albus,” Moody grunted as his eye worked overtime trying to keep watch over the outside of the castle. “Nothing we're putting up is holding because of all the people keyed into those wards. They need more. With as high a profile of 'Blood Traitors' as they are, they need something, fast. I'm sure they can keep most out, other than family, at this point.”
Making a note of that on the piece of parchment at his elbow, Albus nodded, “I'll tend to it or see if I can get Filius to go over and do so. He's well aware how much danger they're in, so he shouldn't balk. We'll manage, never fear.” Looking at Sirius and Remus, he instructed, “Let them know that's coming and to prepare.”
“We will,” Remus nodded with a smile.
“That's all for now, I think. I'll send word along when I find a time to hold the meeting. Just expect it to be late tonight.” Albus told them, looking around. Then he sent them on their way. Once everyone cleared out, he stood with a groan. Not only did he have to do the normal when it came to the end of feast, but he needed to soothe plenty of frightened students that they were safe here in the castle. That came first, as far as he was concerned, and he would make sure they knew it.

Brow furrowed as he looked at his godfather, Harry shook his head. As Sirius had asked, he had sent for Lucius and Severus, but his godfather's disheveled, dirty appearance and how tired he looked had him on edge. “You and Remus are fine, aren't you?” He asked. It wasn't late by any means, just a tad before ten at night, but this was off. Petting Kaliya when he slithered onto his shoulders, he waited to see what was going on.
“We're fine. So is everyone else,” Sirius told him, leaning back with a groan and taking a sip of his butterbeer. He wanted a real beer, badly, but with all they probably had to do and concentrate on tonight, he was forgoing that. He needed to stay alert, that's for damned sure. “Don't worry about that. I'll explain it all when Lucius and Severus get here. Remus will join us shortly. He's out tending to something right now.”
Nodding distractedly as he looked over his shoulder when the door opened, he waited for the apprehensive Lucius and Severus to come in. When they were standing next to him, he asked, “What's going on, then?”
“The evil arse attacked Hogsmeade station just as the Hogwarts Express pulled in.” Seeing wide-eyed, stunned looks, Sirius shook his head then went on to explain what they knew and what he had seen. When he finished, he said, “I agree with the old man for once; this was a show to let everyone know he was back. As what he did was big enough, with too many seeing him in person, no one can cover it up. No students were hurt, no one was killed, though there were some injuries, so he wasn't going for a full attack. He was there in plain sight. So were the ones he broke out of Azkaban. That tells me he wanted people to see him. If he were going for real damage, he would have gone after the kids and been more covert about it.”
Though pale, Lucius nodded then ran a trembling hand over his face, “I agree. He also would have targeted those he wanted out of the way. He didn't do that or go for actually trying to pick someone out to tend to? It was just a general attack?”
“The only one he really got into it with was Albus. And I'm sure that's because Albus went after him with everything he had as he was right furious,” Sirius told him, looking between the pale faces. “Of course, as you would expect, the rest went after plenty and they had to defend themselves, but even batty Bella didn't off anyone. She would as you both know. He must have had a leash on her in some way. Remus and I got there late to the party and concentrated on getting the kids to the castle, but even we didn't have a problem doing that. If he had wanted to go after those kids, he would have and we would have had to fight with all we had to keep them safe. We didn't.”
“It was a show.” Severus sighed, folding his arms over his chest and looking down. Shaking his head, he groaned. “I'm sure he wanted more out of that attack than to just prove he was back, but I have no idea what it could be.”
“I agree,” Sirius nodded, looking up as the door to his room opened. Seeing Remus come in, as expected, he said, “We've got a huge meeting tonight. Not sure what it'll jog loose, but if it's big, we'll get in touch.”
“Do that,” Lucius nodded, still trying to work on the issue. Conjuring chairs for all of them, he waited until they were seated then said, “Give me a rundown of what you saw and heard. That way I can judge what might be going on.”
After Remus took a seat, Sirius launched in and explained all he could remember, with Remus adding in what he knew. Shrugging when he finished, he said, “We didn't see it all, of course, because we were focused on getting the kids inside the damned wards on that castle. After that, we helped, but it was winding down. He's not one, at least from what I knew from the last war, to just leave. That's what happened. You would think he would have tried taking out as many of the opposition as he could manage. That he didn't do.”
“It was a show,” Severus gruffed, rubbing a hand over his face then groaning. Shaking his head, he sighed, “You're correct. He just wanted the world to know he's back in the most spectacular way he could manage.”
“Agreed,” Lucius nodded. “Which means he's got plenty covert in place to take on and will go for overt to throw people off what he's really trying. And what that might be I don't have a clue on.”
“We don't either, Lucius,” Remus sighed. “Well, other than his obvious goals. While Albus isn't our favorite person in the world at this juncture, I say we let him suss it out. Even his guesses on this topic will be good. He proved that with the last war. Let him see what he can come up with and we'll pass it along. Between those and what we can figure out, we might be able to put together more that can only help all of us.”
“A good, sound suggestion,” Severus nodded. “Do that. We'll help all we can.”
After agreeing, Lucius added, smirking a little, “I'll take a flier and say that Fudge is now out. Within days he'll be gone. I'm also going to say that people are going to put a real wartime Minister in place. Denial is now over and he struck at the most vulnerable of our citizens. That's going to rally the masses, somewhat anyway. They won't step up, most likely, but they're going to put someone in that will make it to where they feel they don't have to. Something like that can only help all of you.” Looking between Remus and Sirius, he added, “Depending on who it is, you two might want to consider going to them and feeding them everything you have. It can only help and will get more than Albus on the case with some of this.”
“Let's see who they get into place before we ponder that,” Remus told him.
“We'll get with you and see what you think when we find out,” Sirius added. Shaking his head, he admitted, “I'm not going to deal with a few of them, like Rufus, for obvious reasons. Remus can take that on, but I'm not sure Rufus would actually listen to either of us. You know him.”
“True,” Lucius admitted with a sigh. “We need to wait to see who is put in. If its Amelia Bones, we've got a better shot at getting what needs done tended to.” Shaking his head, mind slightly chaotic, he tried to think what he could suggest to help. There just wasn't much right now. He would ponder it overnight then think over what he remembered from meetings that might assist. They would then go from there.

Lying in bed about one in the morning, Harry wasn't sleeping. Instead, he was gazing out the balcony doors at the night sky. It was a blustery one, with the trees whipping back and forth in the wind. It was stormy enough that even the panes of glass were shaking slightly. His mind wasn't on that, though, but what he heard earlier. That's where it was circling though he couldn't do anything about it. Sighing, he shut his eyes. At the moment he was waiting for Sirius to call back. They had gone to that meeting, of course, and he promised to get in touch even if there wasn't much to report.
Petting Kaliya when the snake slithered onto the bed and curled up by him, he wasn't sure what to think. It was all so confusing.
“It'll be fine, Harry,” Kaliya soothed, slithering up to drape over his young man. “Everyone on that end knows what they're doing. Your godfather and his friend can protect themselves.”
“I know,” Harry sighed. “It's just the idea. I've been in the thick of this mess since my first year and part of me wants back in it because we know it's me he's after in some ways. Of course I won't do that, but the impulse is there.”
“Completely understandable. It's hard to sit on the sidelines and watch as something horrific happens,” Kaliya schooled softly. “You'll do fine. Those you care about will keep themselves safe.”
“True,” Harry nodded. “They will. It's just hard knowing how bad this might get.”
“Another understandable stance,” the snake admitted. “Keep in mind that you are helping. Just not by being in the middle. All of you in this house are helping Sirius and Remus in plenty of ways. That, I'm sure, will factor in as this mess grows worse. The advice all of you give, and suggestions, have been most helpful. That is doing something.”
Smiling at that, Harry nodded. “Very true. I didn't think of that.” In his mind, it did help him when he looked at it from that perspective. He was helping. So were Severus and Lucius, just not in the normal way. And what they were doing and coming up with helped Sirius and Remus in plenty of ways. That was self-proving. Good. It made him feel better.
Sitting up when the signal from the mirror went off, he waited to see what his godfather had to say. Seeing an exhausted looking Sirius there, he asked, “It went fine?”
“Nothing to worry about,” Sirius assured him. “I'm not staying long as I'm dead on my feet, but I just wanted to pass on that there really isn't anything we heard that will help much. It's more seeing what we can find out and helping people that need the most protection. The only thing that is a maybe is that Albus is certain people are now huge targets. Those know what to do, as they are in the Ministry, so it's nothing you need to worry about. He's going to call us in for another meeting tomorrow, but he has plenty on his plate right now. So, I'm going to head to bed as we'll be busy again when I wake up.”
Relieved there was nothing more, Harry nodded. “Get some sleep and I'll talk to you tomorrow.” Hearing an affirmative about that then the connection with the mirror ending, Harry curled up with a sigh. Staring out at the rain again, he concentrated on Kaliya's hissing. Though he hadn't thought he would get to sleep anytime soon, he was soon dropping off to the soothing sound.
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