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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
- 54
- 55
- 56
Chapter 55

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.

“This is what we have so far,” Sirius told Albus, tossing the research about the Diadem on the Headmaster's desk. “I'm telling you now, unless you know somewhere else for us to look, we're at a dead end. Though we're both damned sure, from all the clues there, it's in this castle.”
“Where in the castle is the issue though,” Remus admitted with a sigh, shaking his head. They took the research the other three did, read it over then decided to toss it to Albus to see what he could do with it. From what they saw, they doubted they would get any further with it. He might have a way of finding out if the dratted object was in the castle. At least that was their hope. If the object was here it would be the last of them. Then the nightmare could end. Of course, they were going to pass this on to Amelia tonight as well. If Albus couldn't find it, they hoped she could.
Brow furrowed as he flipped through the pages, quickly reading what was there, Albus began to slowly nod. “I think—yes, we might be able to find it if it's in the castle.” Turning around, he spoke to one of the paintings, sending the person in it to get Minerva, have her bring the Grey Lady with her. Then he summoned the head of the house elves in the castle and Dobby.
When the two popped in, he pulled out the drawing of the Diadem and showed it to them, sending them to hunt everywhere they could think of to find the object. The elves knew the castle, and its many hiding places, better than he ever would. He made certain to tell them it was very important and to be careful with the object when they found it.
Once more leaning back in his chair, Albus looked at his desk, brow furrowed. “Let them see what they can find. We'll go from there. If it's in the castle, they'll manage.”
“What does the Grey Lady have to do with this?” Sirius asked, confused as to why the ghost would be brought into the mess.
“She is Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter,” Albus told them simply, once more looking across his desk at them. “She can probably fill in the gaps in the history you found. Though I do doubt she can tell us where it is now.”
“Interesting,” Remus said honestly, eyes wide. He hadn't known who she was, assuming she was here for the same reason some of the others were.
“Let me see what we can come up with. It may take time for the elves to find its location, if it's here. There are many hiding places in Hogwarts, as I'm sure both of you know. Even I don't know all the secrets of the castle. I'll also gather the teachers and see what they know. Maybe they've seen it. I don't know. It's not something I've encountered, at least that I can remember.”
“With what's going on, I think it's something you need to find, Albus,” Sirius told him honestly. “And fast. I doubt this lull is going to last long. He's going off his trolley as it is. And it's growing worse. We all know we've not seen all he can pull out.”
“I know,” Albus admitted with a sigh and nod. “We'll do what we can. I'll get all the help I can muster. On weekends, I may bring in some of the Order members if we don't turn it up quickly. Let's see what the elves can do.”
Albus decided, since time was limited, to change the topic. When it came to the Grey Lady, he thought it was best to handle her without anyone else around. It might be easier to get out of her what she knew if they went about it in such a way. So, he was going to press on to get some other needed information. He had the reports the two sent him each day, but wanted to make sure on one topic. “The hunt for poor Harry—from what you've heard, is the stance still it's taking a backseat to everything else?”
“Tonks and Kingsley have both told us it is,” Remus nodded, not adding in Amelia said the same thing. “They have far more areas to worry about, Albus. If the note is correct and he's safe, it's best he stay there, from what they've said.”
“We were told there are a couple people working on tracing what they can, but there are other areas which needed handled first. While I don't like he's not a priority, I understand it with all that's going on.” Sirius sighed, shaking his head.
“I do understand,” Albus admitted, knowing no way to prod people to look without giving up the reason. “Let's see what we can do to move the search along on our own. I think we have the worst of the troublesome areas shored up when it comes to protection. Minerva and I will discuss the matter then I'll let her proceed. We need to find poor Harry before Tom does. It's no stretch of the imagination to say Tom is probably looking for him as well as he sees Harry as threat.”
“We'll give all the help we can,” Remus nodded with a smile, silently adding the addendum of 'to spin you in circles'.
“Let me see what we can do and the information I can get out of some contacts in the Ministry,” Albus told him. Then he pressed on to get anything else they hadn't passed along yet. The more information he had, the better he could deal with the situation.

Though it was mid-afternoon, a time he usually didn't 'call' Harry, Sirius was talking to him. Not only had he wanted to pass along what happened with Albus, but other news as well, some of which wouldn't make it into the paper until the following day.
After covering the bit with Albus, he said, “This time I honestly think he's trying to find the Diadem. He's under real pressure from many areas, not the least of which is you still being gone. And he's admitting no one knows where you might be. He's going to have Minerva start doing what she can again since we're settled in some areas, but I get the feeling from the way he said some bits he's not holding out much hope. Remus and I think he's going to take care of what he can then push to find you in a way he hasn't before, pulling out everything he can. We still think he won't do anything to actually end it as he's worried about that damned Prophecy.”
“Understood,” Harry nodded with a sigh. “If he does find that Diadem and destroys it, it means someone can end this nightmare.”
“Something we know he doesn't,” Sirius grinned. “And so do the ones that take it seriously.”
“I take it you both sent on everything to Minister Bones?” Harry asked, stretching out on his bed with a groan.
“We did, but we probably won't hear anything until tomorrow sometime,” Sirius told him with a sigh and shake of his head. Before Harry could ask, he explained, “She was attacked at her home last night, long after she was asleep.”
“You're kidding!” Harry stammered, eyes wide. “I assume she's fine?” He then asked, wondering how bad it was.
“From what we heard through our contact, she is. She didn't come out unscathed, of course, and there's some physical damage, but she's alive,” Sirius told him. Then he grinned and added, “And seriously pissed off. Her pissed can help plenty. Not sure what's going on with her, but I'm sure she stepped up personal protection. We know she had bodyguards all the time, so I assume she did at home as well.”
“Good,” Harry nodded, relieved. She was doing a great job of taking the fight to the evil git, so keeping her around was best for all of them.
“In the last couple of days she's put out feelers to me and Remus, both, about joining the DMLE. The Aurors were even mentioned,” Sirius told him, relaxing in his chair and taking a sip of his butterbeer. “We think she's dead arse serious. With all that's going on, she's stretched damned thin and needs help.”
“Are you going to take her up on it?” Harry asked, decidedly curious. It sounded odd, but he could understand it. After all, Sirius had been an Auror during the first war. Remus knew what he was doing as well. It made sense she would like their help.
“No,” Sirius told him with a shake of his head. “We both talked it over but think we can do a better job with what we are when it comes to helping. There is also the delicate dance with you lot. While some of what you have to go through for training when it comes to the DMLE will end up shoved aside in the urgency, some of it won't. Those bits include questioning about all kinds of areas we don't want to go into, under a spell. Veritaserum is—well, you can get around it. I'm sure it wouldn't have much of an effect on you since you can hold off the Imperious. So, it's not foolproof. That's why they use spells that signal when you're not being truthful. We don't want to take that chance, honestly.”
“Instead, we're going to say we'd rather keep it this way and help if she needs us. What we've also decided is to give her some names of people we know could help and would do what she wants. In the end, she won't take it badly. Honestly? She needs someone in our position to help keep an eye on Albus and who she doesn't have to worry about sticking to certain laws when it comes to those in the DMLE and Aurors. We can skirt around plenty if we don't have to worry about this.”
“I guess I didn't think about it that way,” Harry admitted. “Probably best as I'm sure she'd end up right furious to know what you two have done with us if you're working for her.”
“Oh yes,” Sirius nodded. “This way we can do plenty and won't end up in real trouble with the law when it's over. Let's face it, when this is over and you come out of hiding, everyone's going to end up knowing we were helping in some way. While we'll make it clear we didn't know at first, it'll be obvious we did later on.”
“Another bit I didn't think about either,” Harry told him with a shake of his head. “I think I've been more focused on getting Lucius and Severus out of trouble because they'll be in deep when it comes out. Should have thought about you as well. Sorry.”
“Don't be,” Sirius told him with a snort and grin. “We're fine. Lucius and Severus are the concern, honestly, as the charges they'll be facing carry some heavy prison time. Remus and I will just end up with dirty looks as we've done nothing against the law. I made damned sure of it. Well, and we'll make damned sure everyone knows that by the time we were brought into the secret, the bit with Albus setting you up to die was already known. We can make sure that's out there as clear as we can get it and is part of the reason we helped keep your presence a secret.”
“Do you think giving up to her that you know where I am could help?” Harry asked quietly, wondering about it. “I mean, not tell her everything, but that you know and I'm safe, just like the letters said. Might take the heat off you and have her focus where it belongs. Let Dumbledore keep looking. Running him in circles can only help matters.”
“I don't know,” Sirius admitted, brow furrowed after he thought it over. “Let me talk to Remus about it and see what he says. You talk to Lucius and Severus to see what they have to say then we'll talk it over again.” He then added, softly, “It might not be a bad idea. We'll make sure she knows you're as safe as you can get and part of the reason why. If we get it out there now, we might be able to minimize the hell coming for those two when this mess ends.”
“I'll talk to them tonight and see what they say,” Harry assured him, already thinking this might not be a bad idea. He wanted to hear what the other two said though, as they knew about some areas he didn't.
“Let me know when we talk next,” Sirius said, planning to hash this out with Remus tonight and go from there.
After Harry nodded, he pressed on to some minor news they picked up. While it related to this nightmare, it wasn't huge. Just bits they needed to know.

Lucius looked at Severus, who was gazing back at him, after Harry passed on his idea. At the moment, they were ensconced in their normal parlor, relaxing in front of a blazing fire. Harry was sprawled out sideways, back against Severus, who had his arm around him, with his feet on his thigh. Of course, he had his hand on Harry’s ankle, under the cuff of his pants.
After a few moments of silence, he said, “I—this isn't something I know if we should do. In the end, it might make it easier,” Lucius admitted with a nod.
“It might, or it could complicate everything all the worse,” Severus added with a sigh. “However, if it does, that might be balanced out by those in power knowing part of the truth. If they do, we might not be looked at as suspiciously or questioned as ruthlessly. Black and Lupin, apparently, have contacts in high enough places they will be listened to.”
Another glance at Lucius and he said, softly, “We might want to consider this. Those two are, apparently, pulling a lot of clout with Amelia. In the end, that clout is going to help us plenty. If we can get them to not question how we happened to get our hands on Harry, we'll be in the best shape we can manage.”
“Very true,” Lucius admitted, rubbing Harry's ankle absently. “If the questions aren't out there, we don't have to lie.”
“It's the best case scenario,” Severus admitted, looking at him. “We just need to shore up everything we can think of before it comes down to the end is in sight. As we know, especially with our reputations, plenty of questions may come in.”
“There is that,” Lucius groused, rubbing a hand over his face. “Which means, if we do allow this to come about, we need plenty else in place to negate the worst.”
“I'll make it as clear as I can I was safe and protected,” Harry finally said, looking between the two. “Let's face it, my word is going to hold some weight. Not sure how much, but it'll be there. With all we can toss out when it comes to what was going on, it's only going to help.”
“Very true,” Harry,” Severus agreed. “However, because of who we are, suspicion is going to attach to everything and people will wonder, including those we don't want doing so. I'm sure plenty will toss out all kinds of bits, like spells, brainwashing, you name it, because of who we are.”
“He's right,” Lucius admitted, head going back and eyes sliding shut. “Which means,” he then said after staying quiet for a few moments, “we may want to seriously consider this, Severus. It won't negate everything that can come of it, but it'll be a start. Black and Lupin's word will carry a lot of weight if they start before the end comes. Especially with all they’re assisting with. They can do this in small increments so no one gets blindsided all at once.”
“They need to start with what Albus plans to pull with Harry,” Severus tossed out there, voice a low snarl. “And they have no proof. I think I'm the only one that can verify it.”
“You can give up the memory,” Lucius told him, lifting his head and looking at his old friend. “It won't hold up in a court of law, of course, but it'll be enough to get them started down that road.”
“Very true,” Severus mused, mulling the suggestion over. “We would need more than just the memory, though.”
“Give them the remnants of the Horcruxes,” Harry suggested, looking between the two again. “They can prove what they are and it'll prove you're desperately trying to help. I'm sure Sirius and Remus know some way to deal with this so they can get parts out there without exposing too much or being forced to reveal what we don't want them to.”
“Let's—yes, we'll see what they can come up with before we make a decision,” Lucius nodded.
“Harry is correct, though; we have plenty we can bring to the table that will show we are helping, even if it's in an odd way,” Severus added, thinking harder on the topic. “Black and Lupin are having us help them with research, something they can easily prove. Harry is safe here, something we've repeatedly made clear and proven. It might be the way to go. Though, I do agree talking to them first is for the best.”
“We still have other areas to shore up,” Lucius admitted. He then shot Harry an askance glance and added, “If Harry couldn't talk or be forced to reveal anything, it would help plenty.”
“The bond?” Severus asked, eyebrows up.
“We really may want to consider it, Severus.” Lucius admitted. “Unless you can think of another option. With as publicized as this was, I doubt anyone is just going to leave it alone and ask no questions.”
“Very true,” Severus sighed with a nod. Head going back and eyes sliding shut, he sighed, “Why do I feel we don't have a lot of time here? There isn't anything overt, of course, but my gut is telling me it's coming.”
“Probably because it is,” Lucius admitted softly, shaking his head. “Minister Bones is foiling everything the Dark Lord is trying and fighting in a way he probably never anticipated. We both know what he's like when things don't go his way. I'm sure he's already planning something horrific to ensure he gets what he wants. Once he makes the attempt, the Ministry will either fall or the war will start coming to an end. I'm not sure which one it will be. Toss Albus into the mix, and all he's planning for, and I'm sure it'll end up a nightmare in some way, one even we'll have issues with.”
“Agreed,” Severus grumbled, shaking his head. After tossing it back and forth in his mind, he said, “I say we sit down tomorrow and lay out all we can when it comes to the pros and cons of this scheme. Once we have it realistically and methodically plotted, we talk to Black. It might be we have to make it very late so we can have all the time we need. We see what he and Lupin have to say then decide from there. Either way, a choice needs made so we aren't scrambling at the very end to cover our hindquarters.” Then glancing at Lucius, he added, “Once we do make a decision, you might want to get in touch with your Solicitor so he's kept up to date on what we're doing. He may be able to shore up anything we do in a way so we're protected.”
“Something I'll tend to when we decide which way we're going with this mess,” Lucius assured him with a nod. “Maybe he can come up with an idea to help.”
“He's said he has nothing at the moment,” Harry tossed out there. “If we do this, he might know the best way to go about it. Something. I mean, I don't want either of you in trouble over this, despite how it started. It was my choice to stay. As I said before, I could have left, plenty of times, and didn't. I'm safe. As far as I'm concerned, this is the best place for me to wait out this nightmare. We all know if I turn up, I'll be ducking both Dumbledore and the evil git.”
“True,” Lucius conceded again with a heavy sigh. “Let's put this off until tomorrow. We'll go with the hashing it out then. Once we do and talk to Black and Lupin, I'll get in contact with my solicitor to see what he thinks or can do to help. Then we'll make the final choice.”
Severus nodded, though he didn't say anything. Giving Harry a squeeze, he stared in the fire, mind busy with what was just dropped on them. It was something they needed to handle, probably fast. He just—well, he needed time. Part of what they were talking about would affect them for the rest of their lives. Honestly, though, he wanted it and would admit it to himself. He just needed to wait to see what the other two had to say. Then they would press on from there.
Lucius gave Harry's ankle another squeeze then looked at him. While this needed sorted, he would push it aside for tonight. Which meant they needed to focus elsewhere. “What would you like to do tonight, Harry? Anything in particular?”
After pressing tighter to Severus, Harry smiled and said, “Let's just stay like this for a while. It feels good. We can send for some hot chocolate and just relax. Maybe talk out the bit with career options. You've both said we need to get that done.”
“A good plan,” Lucius admitted with a nod and tiny smile. Seeing Severus do the same, he sent for an elf to bring them the beverage then settled back. He looked out the window, watching the snow fall. Yes, this would be good.
“Have you narrowed down what you want to do?” Severus asked, pleased they would stay like this for a time. It felt good, after all. The closeness was something he had never really shared with anyone in this manner. So, he would relish it.
“I think I've weeded it down to two areas,” Harry said, looking between his companions. “I like the curse breaking bit, as long as it's not going overseas to do so. I also liked the one that talked about hunting dark objects. Both are Ministry jobs or you can contract with a private company. They intrigue me. And I don't have to worry about some areas with them.” With a grin, he added, “The research with some of this bit is fun, so it factored in. It's rather like some kind of treasure hunt. And I liked some of the stories, like with the Diadem. I get most of it won't be that exciting, but it sounds great.”
“They can easily fit together as well,” Severus nodded, thinking it over. “Yes, this could be a good choice and you won't have to pick between the two.”
“Oh, I agree,” Lucius told him. “What you'll need you’re excelling at as well. We have the basics of Runes already. You'll need to pick up more of those. And press on with Potions. I don't see those as obstacles.”
“I don't either,” Harry admitted. “As long as we don't go back into Arithmancy, I'm good. Spellcrafting I want to keep up with, same with dueling.”
“Those we planned on,” Severus nodded, pleased, as what Harry would need wouldn't be a hardship to teach.
Still rubbing Harry's ankle, Lucius began asking about other areas. He assumed Harry wanted to continue with some of them, but wanted to make certain.
As the wind howled, blowing the snow outside about, the three in the parlor talked, pressing against each other as they did. It was the warm, comfortable type of behavior of beings who were close and liked each other's company, something that pleased all of them and made them happy.
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Shades of Grey