Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Rise of the Dark Angel	By : isabel88 Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 61368 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 12
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling does, as such, I am NOT making any money off of this....

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
Title: Rise of the Dark Angel

Author: Izzby09

Beta Reader/Co-Author: Tonks-is-cool

Chapter: 9: Declarations and Defections

Settings: AU after OOTP: It's canon up to the beginning of the battle at the DOM when they are in the veil room, after that, it's AU and mine.

Pairings: HP/DM; LV/SS; LM/RL; NL (CL)/LL; RL/BL

Warnings: This story will contain mentions of Violence, Child Abuse, Adult Language, Alcohol Use, Slash/Het Sexual situations and Death. Please discontinue reading if such scenes or themes are offensive to you.

A/N: this chapter was very long (almost 30,000 words) so it was decided to still post it as is...*smiles sheepishly* sorry it’s so long...

Disclaimer: I own nothing…if I did, Ginny would have died in the CoS, Dumbledore would have choked on his lemon drops and Harry would have stood up for himself against Molly and Dumbledore.

Disclaimer 2: this story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Letter or commentary/introduction and flashback

{Parssseltongue}

~…~ indicates scene change

O.P.D.: December, ‘10

Last time on RDA;

Voldemort understood the message and nodded at Harry. “You are dismissed as well as your partner. I am very pleased with the both of you.”

“Thank you my Lord,” Harry murmured before he bowed once more and left the room.

Voldemort turned back to his few followers. “This meeting will be cut short. I will call upon you at a later date to finish this discussion. You are dismissed.”

“Yes my Lord,” chorused throughout and the Death Eaters bowed before leaving.

Voldemort smirked as he gathered his robes, pulling it around him, before making his way out of his rooms, warding it behind him, and continued to the dungeons. He nodded at Goyle, before he entered the cell which housed his prisoner. He closed the door behind him and looked over his prisoner.

“Hello Horace,” he said and he smirked as he watched the man’s face pale as fear filled his eyes.

After Harry had left Voldemort, he had fetched Draco from the dungeons and Hedwig had flashed the two back to the living room in Potter Manor.

“Can you believe it?” Draco turned to his boyfriend. “We just successfully completed our first mission.”

“Technically it was our second,” Harry smiled. “But I know what you mean. I think I’m still feeling a little adrenalin rush from the whole thing.”

“You know,” Draco stepped close to Harry and wrapped his arms around his neck, “your birthday’s not over yet.”

“Hmmm,” Harry smiled, “that’s true. Did you have something in mind?”

“Well,” Draco said as he kissed Harry. “I had this really excellent thought.”

“Oh?” Harry asked as he sensually licked his bottom lip, smiling when he saw the blond’s eyes darken. “And what was it?”

“It’s your birthday present,” Draco said between kisses, “and it involves me, your bed and no clothes.”

“I like the sound of that,” Harry groaned just before he captured Draco’s lips in a kiss. He ran his hands over Draco’s body, not only in passion but to reassure himself that the blond was ok. After they had gotten back, getting the message to Voldemort had been his top priority, so he hadn’t time to check him over, but now he could and he was happy that his boyfriend was ok.

The kiss soon turned heated as Draco tightened his arms around Harry’s neck. Harry’s arms went from around Draco’s waist down to his ass; he cupped them, lifting Draco off the floor, allowing the blond to wrap his legs around Harry’s waist. He moved them until they came to the couch where he sat down, leaving Draco straddling him.

Draco ran his hands through his boyfriend’s shoulder length dark locks as he angled his own head to deepen the kiss. Feeling Harry’s erection below him, he pushed down, grinding his own hardening cock against Harry’s. He moaned when Harry gripped his waist and pushed back.

Harry pulled his lips from Draco’s to trail kisses down the jaw and the endless column of the blond’s neck. He knew Draco was enjoying his ministrations from the sounds of pleasure he was letting out; he nipped and sucked on Draco’s pulse point, drawing a loud moan from him. He then moved one of his hands under Draco’s shirt, toying with the nipples; he rubbed and pinched them before moving his hand downward. A twitch of his fingers, which let out a tiny pulse of magic, and Draco’s trousers were unbuttoned and unzipped, giving him the room to slip his hand inside and wrap it around the blond’s hard length. Draco’s arms tightened their hold on Harry’s shoulder in response.

“Fuck,” Draco hissed when he felt Harry’s hand on his cock. He thought his dreams were amazing, but they couldn’t compare to the real thing. The feel of Harry’s hand on his cock was beyond that; pure pleasure rushed through his body as heat slowly built. “Harry…”

Harry smirked against Draco’s neck as he stroked his cock; he twisted his hand at the head pulling a whimper from Draco even as the blond started thrusting into his hand.

“You look and feel so good,” Harry whispered against Draco’s neck and he increased his pace.

As he thrust into Harry’s hand, Draco slipped his own down Harry’s body. He palmed Harry’s groin, before he impatiently fumbled with the buttons to open Harry’s trousers. Eagerly, he slipped his hand inside, wrapping it around the straining member. He moaned at the first touch and Harry growled into his shoulder. Mimicking Harry’s movement on his own prick, Draco tightened his fist around Harry’s hard cock before stroking him. Each time his hand went to the base, he did a corkscrew motion twice before moving back up where he slipped his thumb across the slit.

Harry’s head fell back the moment Draco started fisting him and he couldn’t help but to thrust upwards into the blond’s hand. His hand on Draco’s cock slowed down, but he didn’t stop. Feeling himself close, he stopped his hand and pulled Draco’s from his, drawing a whimper and confused look from the blond. “Too close.” He growled before he captured Draco’s lips in another kiss. He pulled back, and grabbed both cocks in his hands, pulling moans from both at the exquisite feeling.

Draco’s head fell forward and he got his first look at Harry’s cock and his eyes widened as his mouth watered at the sight; from a bed of dark curls, the same color as his raven hair, his cock stood proud and erect. The head was slightly purple from how aroused Harry was and Draco guessed it to be eight inches long and just over two inches thick. He shifted on Harry’s lap, feeling his entrance clench and release and it took all his control not to impale himself on the brunet’s cock.

“I know what you want,” Harry whispered as he moved his hands, driving them both crazy with lust, “because I want it too. I want to fuck you so bad. I want to be in you right now.”

“Then do it,” Draco whimpered as he moved his hips in time to Harry’s hands; vaguely, he felt a sense of déjà vu and he tried to remember why, but all thoughts drove from his mind when Harry tightened his grip until all he could think of was the feel of his cock against Harry’s and how it would feel to have it in him. “What’s stopping you? Merlin I want you to fuck me…I want to feel you in me pounding my ass over and over.”

Harry moaned as he bucked his own hips and sped up his motions. He wanted to do what Draco said, but still something stopped him. “I…I can’t…oh Draco…fuck…”

“Why not?” Draco whimpered as he bucked even faster and harder against Harry. He could feel his balls get heavy and the trembling in his muscles let him know he was close. The pre-cum slicking between the two cocks let off a wet, incredibly erotic sound that had him gasping and writhing on Harry’s lap.

Draco moved his head forward to nibble on Harry’s ear before he pulled back to whisper. “Wouldn’t it be nice? Imagine…fuck…how it would…so good…feel to sink into me? How hot…oh fuck…and tight…(whimper)…I’d be around you...”

“Draco,” Harry moaned out, even as he made another corkscrew motion with his hands, “please…oh fuck…so close…so fucking close…”

“Cum for me Harry,” Draco groaned in his boyfriend’s ear, “cum with me.”

Harry moaned as he leaned down to captured Draco’s lips in a kiss. He moved to his ear and whispered. {I love you}

The parseltongue pushed Draco over the edge and with a cry of Harry’s name, his orgasm tore through him and bursts of cum splattered his and Harry’s chests.

Seeing the look on Draco’s face and hearing his name cried out like that triggered Harry’s orgasm and seconds later, he called out Draco’s name as his cum mixed with the blond’s over their chests.

Leaning down, Draco kissed Harry before resting his forehead against his boyfriend’s, trying to control his breathing. The two looked into each other’s eyes as they got their body under control. Waving a hand, Harry cleaned them of the mess. Without taking their eyes off of each other, they fixed their clothes.

As he looked into his boyfriend’s eyes, Harry raised a hand and cupped Draco’s cheek, smiling when the blond leaned into it. “I love you.”

Draco’s eyes filled with pleasure at the words; he had heard from his father and everyone else how Harry felt about him, even Harry himself had all but told him, but hearing the actual words made it even more real. A smile lit up his face as he leaned to kiss Harry. “I love you too.”

“Were you worried?” Harry asked; he had seen something in the blond’s eyes when he had said the words.

“A little,” Draco admitted as he shifted on Harry’s lap. He leaned back a little to see him better.

“What about?” Harry asked as his brows furrowed.

“I wasn’t sure, you know?” Draco said. “I mean, I knew how you felt, but it’s still nice to hear the actual words.” He paused before he took a deep breath. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything,” Harry said; he had seen the hesitation and he wondered what was going through Draco’s mind.

“Why me?” Draco asked. “Why did you choose me?”

Harry was quiet as he looked at Draco; his question was a legitimate and he wasn’t surprised by it nor was he offended. He knew that despite the tough guy facade that Draco wore, underneath, he was just as scared of rejection and getting hurt as anyone else.

Draco looked at Harry and a slight unease started to build in him; Harry was being really quiet and for so long that Draco was starting to think he had made a mistake in asking the question. He was about to say something when Harry started talking.

“Why I chose you?” Harry looked at him. “The first time I saw you, we were at Madam Malkin’s, getting fitted for our robes. You were standing there; proud, well groomed, handsome, your blond hair slicked back...the first wizard I ever saw up close, Hagrid notwithstanding. You were so completely different from me. I was the muggle-raised orphan boy, feeling a bit overwhelmed by all that had happened that day; I was told just hours before by Hagrid that I was a wizard and then I came to Diagon Alley with him for the very first time. I mean, I was doing magic before, but I didn’t know that that’s what I was doing; all I knew was that I could make things happen. You were talking about what house you would be in and about what your parents were doing, that you wanted your own broom; you were so nervous, I saw that a mile away, but I didn’t mind. The first thing that popped up was that you were trying to please and impress me.

“I thought you were cute and adorable and that confused me, because at the time, I thought that that wasn’t something you were supposed to think about another boy. When you started sprouting off about Hagrid and other families, I wanted to agree with you, but I couldn’t. Even at that age, I knew I had to put on a mask. When we got to school and you told me you could show me the way, believe me, I wanted to take your hand. I wanted to be your friend, but, again, I couldn’t. I know that hurt you a lot and I felt so bad, but it needed to be done.

“My feelings for you changed around third year. At the time, I had no idea what brought it on, but looking back I think it was when Granger punched you. I felt so much anger at her; it took a lot of control not to hex her where she stood. I couldn’t understand why I would have such a violent reaction to her doing that, and then I started to see you in a different light.

“I realized I liked you, but I wasn’t sure if you liked me as well. I was going to ignore you, but every time I wanted to, you would always do something that would draw my attention back to you. After a while, it came to me that you liked me too; I mean, why else would you get so angry if I paid any attention to anyone else and why else would you work so hard to get my attention? Add in the fact that you didn’t treat anyone else in school like that; I was the only one you seemed to go out of the way to attack.”

Draco flushed as he remembered his own actions. Everything Harry just said was true; he did get jealous when he saw Harry’s attention on anyone else and he had hated the other two with a passion because they were close to him and he wasn’t. He had spent the last five years obsessing over Harry, not even realizing until around fourth year that was what he was doing and he had come to realize that he didn’t hate Harry as he had claimed, but the opposite. He shook his head to clear his mind and refocus on what they were talking about.

“You still haven’t answered my question,” Draco said.

“I know,” Harry smiled. “The thing of it is Draco; I’m not sure myself why I chose you. All I know is that I love you. I love how you bite your lip to try and hide your smile when you find something really funny or something to smile at. I love how your eyes light up when you’re happy or angry. I love the control you have over your emotions, but I love it when you lose control around me...when you let me see the real Draco Malfoy, as you did earlier on our mission. I love you Draco because I can be myself around you and you’d still accept me, I love you because you get me; I could be as shy and vulnerable or as bold and invincible around you and you wouldn’t judge me...like I said, I can truly be myself around you. I love you for the way you make me feel.” Harry paused as he shrugged. “I just love you; no big reasons, no deeper meaning. I just love you, only you.”

Draco could only stare at Harry; he was not expecting that. He had expected Harry to say how he chose him because of his Malfoy name or his looks, but Harry hadn’t commented on any of that and Draco felt a rush of relief and gratitude go through him for it and he felt lucky that it was him that Harry had chose.

“I love you,” Draco’s eyes traced Harry’s face before meeting his eyes once more. “I admit I wasn’t sure why you chose me and what your reasons for it were, but hearing you...I’m so unbelievably happy right now. I’ve always been worried that people would only be with me because of either my name or my looks, but you didn’t even say anything about any of that. I think I fell in love with you in fourth year during the tournament; when your name came out of the Goblet of Fire, I’ve never been more terrified in my life. I knew just by looking in your eyes that you didn’t want to be in it; when the first task came around it took everything in me not to jump out of my seat. Seeing you battle that dragon and then seeing it break the chains securing it and chasing you...”

Draco paused as a shudder went through him as he recalled the terrifying sight. “I felt as if my blood had been frozen; the relief that came through me when I saw you flying back was so staggering, I collapsed back in my seat.” Draco closed his eyes before he opened them once more to look at Harry. “When the third task came around, I was worried, but that worry turned to downright terror when I saw the look on the Old Coot’s face. I knew something was wrong and I knew it had to do with you. Then you came back with Diggory’s body and I could’ve sworn my heart stopped when I saw the both of you lying there; I thought you were dead. When you moved, all I felt was relief that it was you that was moving. I’m not sure what I would’ve done had it been you who had died.”

“I’m sorry,” Harry whispered when he saw the tears and fear in Draco’s eyes. “You won’t lose me Draco; I won’t put you through that kind of pain. To be honest, when I was in that graveyard and when Marvolo possessed me back in June, all I could think about was you; actually, thinking about you and how much I loved you caused him to leave my mind.”

“Circe, I love you,” Draco smiled. “And not because you’re Harry Potter, but because you’re Harry; you’re the guy that is very protective and extremely loyal to his friends, the guy that stands up for what he believes in and who’s stubborn as hell. I love you because you see me; you allow me to be myself around you. I don’t have to be Malfoy, I can just be Draco and you’d still want me.” He shrugged. “I love you because you love me for me.”

Harry said nothing, instead, he kissed him. Draco kissed back immediately, slightly tightening his arms around Harry’s neck. The kiss went on for a few minutes before they slowly pulled away.

“I can’t believe we just poured our hearts out to each other just seconds after bringing each other off,” Draco huffed.

Harry laughed and seconds later, Draco joined him.

~...~

Cory shook his head as he walked back out the room; he had come in to get something to eat when he had heard Draco and Harry’s voices. He was going to ask them to join them, but when he got near the room, he heard the noises. His face had gone red from embarrassment and he had decided to give them their privacy, so he had turned back and headed to the kitchen.

After some time had passed, he had decided to once again brave the living room. Hearing no sounds, he sighed in relief and was about to once again announce his presence when he heard Harry talking; he listened for a few minutes and hearing the nature of their talk, he once again decided to give them their privacy and he turned to go back to the others.

When he got outside, Fred turned towards him. “What’s up?”

“Nothing,” Cory said as he walked over to them. “Harry and Draco are back.”

“Already?” George asked and he and his brother made to go inside.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Luna spoke up, a smile playing on her lips.

“Why not?” Fred asked as he stopped. He looked at his brother before looking at Luna and then back at Cory. “Cory, why wouldn’t we go inside?”

“Uhm,” Cory flushed a little as he remembered the sounds. The twins were quiet and looked at the two with puzzled expressions before they cleared.

“Oohhh,” Fred grinned. “Why the flush Cory?”

“No reason,” Cory shook his head as he walked over to his girlfriend.

“It’s only natural for them to release their stress and tension,” Luna piped up with a smile. Her dirty blond hair was blowing in the wind and Cory reached out and captured a few strands, turning his head slightly so that the twins wouldn’t see the blush on his cheeks.

The twins looked at each other before at the house before turning to look at Cory with a grin on their faces.

“You heard them...” Fred started.

“...releasing their tension?” George finished and he waggled his eyebrows.

“Shut up,” Cory mumbled; he had nothing against what they were doing, he just hadn’t wanted to hear it.

“Guys,” Luna laughed at her boyfriend, “let him be.”

“Alright,” both twins held up their hands, grins on both faces.

“Say Cory,” George said. “I don’t remember if I ever asked or not, but isn’t the Lady Longbottom wondering about you?”

“No she isn’t,” Cory shook his head. “After the will reading, when Harry asked us to move in with him, I told her about it. I told her I was going to live with Harry; I think that was the happiest I’ve ever seen her. I mean, if it was anyone else, she would’ve had a problem, but since it is Harry Potter, the Golden Boy and Saviour, she has no problem. She’s at a spa in Prague and she hopes I’ll learn from Harry.” He paused to smirk. “What I learn, she’ll wish I hadn’t.”

“Too true,” Luna nodded.

“You should go to Gringotts,” Fred said.

“Why?” Cory turned confused eyes onto him.

“You’re a LeStrange biologically, but you were blood adopted by the Longbottoms,” Fred said. “You should go just to ask them what that means for you.”

“What what means for whom?” Harry asked as he and Draco walked out towards them. The others turned to look at them; Cory blushed, the twins smirked and Luna smiled.

“What?” Draco asked.

“Oh nothing...” George started.

“...just wondering how much tension you released,” Fred continued and Harry and Draco looked confused for a second before they blushed as they picked up the meaning.

“...and Cory here just happened to hear said tension being released,” George finished with a smirk.

Harry and Draco looked at Cory, who avoided their gaze for a second before looking back at the two; this time, a smirk was on his face.

“You guys should really be more careful,” Cory teased, “you never who could walk in on your...tension release.”

“Shut up,” Draco muttered good-naturedly even as he tried to control the flush on his face.

“So,” Harry cleared his throat. “What were you talking about?”

“We were telling Cory here that he should go to Gringotts to find out what it means for him,” Fred said, “I mean, he’s a LeStrange by birth, but he was more than likely blood adopted by the Longbottoms...how else would he look so much like them?”

“He’s right Cory,” Harry nodded. “Think about this way; if you were truly blood adopted, you inherit everything from the Longbottoms. Can you imagine how Lady Augusta would feel to know the LeStranges got everything from her family?”

A smirk crossed Cory’s face as he thought on it. “May I use Hedwig to request a meeting?”

“Of course,” Harry nodded. “Ask to meet with Ragnok.”

“Ok,” Cory nodded. “Let’s relax or train first and then I’ll do it.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Draco said.

“So guys,” George asked as they turned to walk to the back where the pitch was. “How was the mission?”

“It was amazing,” Harry said as he placed his arm around Draco’s shoulder, drawing the blond closer to him. “It was a little tense at first...” as they walked, Harry and Draco told the others what their mission was, though not who it was, and how it went.

~...~

Albus Dumbledore was enraged. His magic lashed out as his anger spilled out. The portraits cowered in fear and Fawkes trilled angrily as he ducked to avoid being hit by a flying object. He looked towards his human and his eyes narrowed at him.

‘How could this have happened?’ he thought to himself as he paced his office. ‘I almost had him! And now he is in the hands of Voldemort.’ He snarled quietly when he remembered Slughorn’s refusal to come and work for him. ‘If that Potter brat had done as he was asked, I would have convinced Slughorn.’

“Does Tom suspect what I am doing?” He asked out loud. “Is that why he sent his minions after Horace?”

It was a farfetched idea, as he had informed no one of what he was researching when he left Hogwarts, but it was the only explanation he could think of. Somehow, Voldemort had been able to get to the Gaunt cottage a few minutes before he could. With the massive amount of attacks that had happened during the following nights in the Muggle and Wizarding World he suspected that Voldemort was enraged and upset by their encounter, so his suspicion was confirmed that something very valuable, most likely a Horcrux, had been hidden there. Before Apparating away, Voldemort had used a peculiar phrase; he had called out “You’re too late, old man!” And then, with the brutal murders of Emmiline Vance and Amelia Bones on the very same evening, it was a personal message to Dumbledore to back off, or else...not that he would heed the message, of course.

“How?” Dumbledore asked himself. “How does he know this? I told no one of my plans or my research. Voldemort cannot be aware that I know of his Horcruxes; he must be destroyed. I have to find out if he made more Horcruxes than the diary and perhaps that Peverell ring or maybe that Slytherin locket Merope had around her neck when Ogden visited them.” He stopped pacing and with a wave of his hand, he fixed his office; walking over to his desk, the Headmaster sat down, laced his fingers together and rested his chin on them, oblivious to the looks he was receiving from the portraits and the phoenix.

“He must be destroyed and Harry is the one to do it,” Dumbledore frowned at that statement. “I am the most powerful being and yet, a mere child is the one supposed to defeat the Dark Lord?” it enraged him to no end; he had defeated Grindelwald and yet, the people were counting on someone else to defeat Voldemort; someone else would get the glory and fame.

“After everything I have done,” Dumbledore muttered, “the fates have decided to mock me by choosing someone else.” A smirk crossed his face. “No matter; I have ensured that the boy would remain faithful to me and he shall do whatever I ask. His muggle family truly helped in that area, leaving a pliable boy that I can form into the perfect weapon...and when he destroys Voldemort, I shall destroy him. The people are fickle-minded; they will be thankful and give me the praise and glory that I rightfully deserve when I tell them the boy had a connection to Voldemort and he was in danger of becoming the next Dark Lord...especially since he has a piece of Voldemort’s soul inside of him.” He chuckled and the darkness in it had the portraits shaking their heads in sorrow. Phineas narrowed his eyes at Dumbledore before looking at Fawkes. He noticed that the phoenix was intently concentrating on Dumbledore and he wondered as to why.

~...~

Fawkes looked at the human; he had known over the years that Dumbledore was not who he seemed, but even this was shocking to him. To hear that the old man had deliberately placed a child in a home that hated him so that he could have his perfect weapon, only for the child to be destroyed later on, so that he Dumbledore could regain the fame he had gained when he had destroyed Grindelwald...it was upsetting to say the least.

Fawkes knew Dumbledore had lost his grip on reality and by listening to the man’s thoughts, he knew that whatever he had planned, it would be the downfall of not only him, but the current Wizarding World as a whole. The time for he, Fawkes to do something was coming, but for now, he would stay and gain whatever information he could before he made his move.

~...~

Remus was at Malfoy Manor talking with Snape; he had a scowl on his face and the reason for it was sitting across the room from him.

The second night of the full moon, which was three days ago, he had been joined on his run by another wolf. Moony had instinctively recognized the wolf as his Sire and Alpha, and only that had prevented him from attacking. The next morning when Remus had made his way back to the Manor, he had been shocked when he saw the Alpha wolf in his human form.

Flashback

Remus shook himself as he walked through the halls of Malfoy Manor; that was the first time in his life he had ever felt so free. The first night he hadn’t focused on the run as he had wanted to be near his cub, but last night he had been able to give in to his wolf and it had been exhilarating. His run had been interrupted when Moony felt another wolf...his sire to be more precise and now, he was determined to find out what was going on.

He got to the Dining Room, and stopped in his tracks when he saw the extra man sitting next to Lucius. A growl escaped his lips and his eyes flashed amber.

“Get...away...from...my...mate,” he growled out as he stalked across the room. Inside, Moony tried to tell him that this man was their Alpha, but even that was half-hearted as Moony didn’t like the Alpha wolf sitting so close to his mate. So intent on Fenrir, Remus missed the shocked look on everyone’s faces, including Lucius.

“Calm down pup,” Fenrir growled out as he stood; he wasn’t going to attack as he knew that this was one of his and he admired him for standing up to him in regards to his mate. He growled once more, and watched as Remus stopped and his wolf backed down.

Remus shook himself when he heard the growl; it was the growl of a Dominant...the growl of an Alpha...the growl of his sire. His eyes cleared and he looked over at Fenrir, who was smirking at him. He took in his appearance and said the first thing that came to mind.

“Why do you look like that?”

Fenrir smirked and explained.

End flashback

Remus’ scowl deepened as he recalled the explanation given by the werewolf Alpha; the man had been wearing a glamour in his human form to make him more dangerous looking. His true human form was actually attractive; his hair fell to just below his shoulders and wasn’t unkempt, but rather very well groomed, his face wasn’t dirty or anything, but well cleaned, his eyes were a dark blue, but they seemed to flash to amber periodically; his body was more muscular than Remus’, the only feature, or features, that made him different was the fact that even in his human form, he kept his fangs and his nails were so long they resembled claws.

“Still angry pup?” Fenrir asked with a smirk. “It has been two days since you’ve found out the truth.”

Remus ignored him and focused on Lucius who walked into the room; he was also angry because he hadn’t planned on Lucius founding out he was his mate the way he did. The blond had spent the two days either avoiding him or giving him looks.

“Good day,” Lucius greeted as he walked into the room. His gaze drifted over everyone until they rested on Remus. “Remus.”

“Lucius,” Remus’ scowl changed to a smile. “You’re looking well.”

“Thank you,” Lucius nodded as he took the seat across from Remus. “Our Lord?”

“A meeting,” Snape answered. “Harry and Draco finished their mission and our Lord is overseeing the results.”

“I see,” Lucius nodded, his eyes staying on Remus.

“Cub did a mission on his birthday,” Remus shook his head.

“His birthday?” Lucius raised a blond eyebrow.

“Yes,” Snape nodded. “Today is Harry’s birthday; the Dark Lord questioned him about performing the mission, but he had no problems doing it. Quite supposedly, it is because of past experiences.”

“Understood,” Lucius nodded.

“So,” Fenrir smirked. “My little grand-cub has his birthday today.” He had been shocked when he was introduced to the newest members in the Dark Lord’s ranks, but had gotten over it quickly; the main reason for that being he had not wanted to be subjected to another one of the Dark Lord’s Cruciatus Curses after he had questioned him. He had of course been sceptical as he knew just how loyal not only Remus, but Harry was to Dumbledore; add in the Weasley twins, whose family was beyond deeply loyal to the Old Man and the Light Side...it was a shock to the Alpha wolf, but he had gotten used to it.

“He is not your grand-cub!” Remus growled, but Fenrir only chuckled.

“So Lucius,” Snape smirked at his friend, “have you finished your avoidance tactics and sly looks or are you going to finally talk to the wolf about his comment?”

Lucius glared at Snape before glancing at Remus; he noticed that the man had a small smirk playing on his lips.

“Not that it is any of your business Severus,” Lucius drawled. “But I had and have every intention of speaking with Remus.”

“Hmmm,” Snape mused. “What better time than now?”

“I think you’re spending too much time with my cub,” Remus smirked at Snape. And it was true; Snape had been requested by Voldemort to teach Occlumency to not only Harry but the other teens as well. Because of the potion he was working on at the time, Snape couldn’t start the lessons and then Harry had the mission, but he had spent the last few days teaching Harry and the others. He knew of the mission that was given to Draco and Harry, as the Dark Lord had confided in him and during the lessons, he had impressed upon them to be careful and not let themselves get hurt.

“And I of course think you should be making progress with your mate and leave all remarks about me spending time with the brat out of it,” Snape countered with a smirk.

“As always Severus,” Remus smirked as he stood up. “You are right. Lucius, if I may speak with you a moment?”

“Of course,” Lucius answered as he too moved to his feet; Snape was right, he had spent the last few days avoiding the wolf and that was unbecoming of a Malfoy. He had waited years to be with the man and now that he had a chance, he was going to take it. He no longer had to worry about Narcissa and he knew he should claim Remus before someone else decided they wanted him for themselves. Of course, he did not intend to let that happen and anyone that wanted Remus would have to go through him.

The two left the room, leaving Snape to smirk at them and Fenrir chuckling.

~...~

Lucius led them down the hallway and out the doors, coming to the entrance to the gardens. The two walked side by side in silence. They came to a stop at one of the benches and Lucius sat down, gesturing for Remus to do the same.

“You wanted to talk to me?” Lucius asked.

“Yes,” Remus nodded. “It’s about me referring to you as my mate.”

“Oh?” Lucius raised an eyebrow.

“It is true,” Remus said as he turned to look at the blond. “You are my mate; the sooner you accept that, the better it is for us.”

“As if I had any intention of doing otherwise,” Lucius smirked. “Foolish wolf, you were mine long before you came to realize I was yours and when a Malfoy owns something, they do not give it up.”

“What do you mean?” Remus turned a confused look at the blond patriarch.

Lucius looked out at the expanse of the garden and sighed. “I’ve had feelings for you since our days in Hogwarts. They were never acted upon due to the fact that we were on different sides of the spectrum; you were a Gryffindor and I was a Slytherin. We both had our duties to uphold and I could not allow myself to stray from what was required of me.

“As such, it was wise for me to bury whatever affections I held towards you and do what I was supposed to do. I did not want to marry Narcissa; it was what my family and hers wanted. The only good thing from that farce of a marriage is my son. Draco is everything to me and I truly cannot imagine not having him in my life.”

“You’ve wanted to be with me since school?” Remus was shocked. “All these years you’ve had feelings for me?”

“Yes,” Lucius nodded; he felt as if a burden was released from his soul as he finally told Remus what was in his heart.

“I’ve felt the same,” Remus said after a while, shocking Lucius. “I’ve had feelings for you since school as well, but I never said anything because I didn’t think you’d feel the same way about me. I was the quiet Gryffindor and you were the Prince of Slytherin. I thought you could’ve done better.”

“I never knew,” Lucius said softly.

“I know,” Remus nodded. “No one did; though I suspect Sirius had his suspicions. He used to give me odd looks whenever you were around and after meeting up again at Grimmauld Place, he would make comments.”

“Well,” Lucius reached out and grabbed Remus’ hand, causing Remus to turn to him. “It seems we both have been given the chance to act on our feelings. I love you Remus, and I would be honoured to be your mate.” Lucius held his breath as he looked into the amber eyes of the man he loved. He had bared his soul and confessed the secret in his heart; as irrational as it was a part of him was terrified Remus would choose not to be with him.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Remus smiled as he reached up a hand to cup Lucius’ cheek, “as I love you as well and I would want no other as my mate.”

The smile that came across Lucius’ face was nothing short of breathtaking and Remus found himself thankful he had been given the chance to be with the one he loved. Without the two knowing, they started leaning towards each other, bringing their faces closer with each passing second.

Remus looked up into Lucius’ eyes and saw that he was anticipating what was about to happen just as much as he Remus was as well. The two kept their eyes open and on each other until the moment their lips touched when they closed them, relishing in the absolute sweetness of a kiss years in the making.

~...~

He sighed even as he raised a hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead. The weather in Egypt had been more sizzling than normal, making the place, and the people, hot and sweaty. He was glad to be inside his house over the noon break. His room with its white washed bare walls was still warm, but much cooler compared to the heat wavering outside in the dusty street between the yellowish walls of the crumbling old houses. His eyes narrowed when he glanced outside; it hurt to look into the too bright light of noon sun, which was burning down mercilessly from the steal blue sky spanning over the ancient village. He closed the wooden shutters in front of the window again to keep the heat during the day out.

Turning away from the window, he walked over to his bed and sat down on the edge. His eyes drifted to the letter lying innocently on the bedside, though the words were anything but innocent.

William “Bill” Weasley frowned as he recalled the words in the letter he had gotten from his mother about two weeks ago. He had returned to Egypt temporarily for a special assignment, after working most of the last year at Gringotts in London. As a Curse Breaker, he travelled all over the place to excavations of old tombs and that made it hard sometimes for him to receive letters from family; he would usually receive a letter about something that happened a few days, sometimes weeks, prior and this was no different. After all, it took a post owl about five days to fly from England to Egypt and if he was working all day deep underground, like in a Pyramid or a tomb in the Valley of Kings, the owls could not locate him because of the wards and would search until he came back outside at the end of his shift.

He reached out and picked the letter up, scanning its contents once more. He had read it already, but hadn’t done anything about the contents as he had been so busy with his job, however now he was on a break and could properly read it and determine what to do about it.

Hi Son,

How are you doing? I do hope you're fine and that you're eating well. I know this letter will take a while to reach you, but I wanted to keep you updated on what has been going on here in England.

I'm sure by now you've heard of what has happened at the end of June; it is true. Sirius is dead. I was sorry to hear that, but in all honesty, I have to say that a part of me is not sorry. I do not think the man was a fit guardian to young Harry and now, Harry can be looked after properly; after all it is what I have wanted and Albus supports my view.

Speaking of Sirius, his will reading has occurred and I must say it did not go how it was expected. Albus promised us that we would receive monetary compensation for taking in Harry and Ginny would receive a marriage contract for the both of them. Sirius left nothing to us! He said I wasn't Harry's mother so I shouldn't have treated he or Harry the way I did. I have never been so disrespected! The man wasn't fit to raise kids let alone the Saviour of the Wizarding World!

Albus was angry as well. He had another will drafted for Sirius but it turns out the mutt had created a new one just before he died. The only people in our family to receive anything were the twins. Can you believe that? He gave money to those two!

I didn't have to take the boy in, but Albus assured me we would get paid for it and had things gone as planned, Ginny would've been Mrs. Potter, thus receiving everything that goes with that title. But we received nothing and the twins have refused to share their money with the family. How could they be so selfish? Instead, they want to open a joke shop. Of all the nerve! Ron did not get anything because according to Sirius, he hasn't been a good friend to Harry. I guess Ronald almost dying every time does not count. Not even Hermione received anything; he compared her to Peter Pettigrew.

Maybe you could talk to the twins. Maybe hearing from you will convince them to share the money; after all, we all deserve it. And maybe I can figure out a way to get the money we were promised. If I can't, then Ron can do it.

Anyways, Bill, I do hope you're ok. And please talk to the twins

Love mom.

Bill’s hand tightened on the parchment before he slackened it, enough for the letter to fall to the floor. His eyes narrowed as he thought on his mother's words and he felt disgust flow through him.

“Maybe I will talk to the twins,” Bill muttered, “but first, I'll talk to Charlie.” With that thought in mind, he summoned a spare piece of parchment and wrote out a letter to his brother, announcing his desire to visit him in Romania on the way back to England.

~...~

Voldemort had a smirk on his face as he left the dungeons where Slughorn was residing. He had interrogated the man, ensuring that no one else knew of the inquiries that he, Voldemort, had made when he was still in school. Slughorn had been utterly terrified to be in his presence, falling over himself to please him without prompt. Slughorn had always been sharp and a good observer of people; he had taken keen notice of the words exchanged by the two young Death Eaters and put the clues together correctly. Now he was absolutely convinced that Voldemort would win, with Potter on his side, and had frantically offered his services, his connections, to the Dark Lord in a truly Slytherin show of self-preservation.

As he walked through the hallways he passed by one of the windows and paused when he noticed that Remus and Lucius occupied the gardens. He watched the two men for a few minutes and a tiny smirk came across his lips when he saw them share a kiss.

“Seems like having Harry on my side was truly a good thing after all,” Voldemort mused to himself. He watched the two for a few more minutes before he continued walking. He entered the Dining Room and saw Snape sitting at the table with Fenrir. The two noticed him coming and moved to their feet.

“My Lord,” they bowed.

“Severus,” Voldemort nodded. “Fenrir.” He moved to the table to take his seat at the head before gesturing for the two to reclaim their seats.

“My Lord,” Snape started. “How did the boys do on their mission?”

“They were successful,” Voldemort nodded to his potions master and spy before turning to the Alpha werewolf. “Fenrir, what about your pack? Are they still willing to help in the upcoming war?”

“Yes My Lord,” Fenrir nodded. “We have heard talk of two more packs and with your permission, I was going to head towards them to recruit them as well.”

“Very well,” Voldemort nodded. “Take Remus with you; he can learn about other wolves and how to deal with them.”

“Yes my Lord,” Fenrir said. He was going to say something else, but the door opened to reveal the LeStranges, Avery, McNair, Remus and Lucius.

The seven bowed towards Voldemort and waited until he acknowledged them before taking their seats. Lucius called for a house elf and dinner was served immediately.

“Anything to report?” Voldemort asked.

“No my Lord,” Bellatrix answered. “So far, everything is going according to plan.”

“Very good,” Voldemort smiled. “Lucius, I would like to speak with you in private after dinner and Severus, you as well.”

“Yes My Lord,” both replied.

“Remus,” Voldemort turned to him. “You will be working with Fenrir on the recruitment of two packs of wolves. I know the two of you have your differences, but I trust you will not let it deter you from your job.”

Remus knew better than to refuse or object to the Dark Lord’s request, so he reluctantly nodded his head in agreement, though inside, he bristled at working with the Alpha Wolf.

The rest of the dinner passed in relative silence as the group quietly discussed many plans. When it was over, Voldemort dismissed the others for the rest of evening and led Snape and Lucius to his private rooms.

The trio was quiet as they walked down the hallway, each slightly lost in their own thoughts; when they got the doors to Voldemort’s rooms, Snape and Lucius paused as Voldemort waved his hand, disabling the wards surrounding the room. Voldemort entered first and the two followed him, the door closing behind them as Voldemort re-enabled the wards.

Voldemort sat down in his chair and gestured for the two of them to take a seat, when they did, he spoke.

“As you know,” he said, “the boys had their first real mission earlier today. Unlike Severus however, you Lucius did not know the details of what the mission entailed.”

Lucius nodded; he knew that it was important, but he hadn’t been told and finding out that Snape knew sent a pang through him as he remembered it was his own fault his Lord was not trusting him as he used to.

“The boys were sent to collect Horace Slughorn, your former potions teacher at Hogwarts,” Voldemort said. At Lucius’ slightly confused look at the name of the man, Voldemort smiled. “The measures in which I ensured I would be able to return after that fateful Halloween night fifteen years ago are known to only one person other than myself. Horace Slughorn however, had information regarding the method, information that I could not allow to fall into the hands of Dumbledore.” He paused when he saw the look on Lucius’ face. “He is still alive; Goyle has orders to keep him that way until I decide his fate.”

“I understand my Lord,” Lucius nodded.

“According to young Harry’s letter from the Old Man,” Voldemort continued, “he needed Harry with him to convince Slughorn to re-take his position as Potions Master, thus more than likely enabling Severus to claim the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher position; however, now that Dumbledore failed in recruiting the man, Severus will remain as Potions Master, but that will leave the position for the Defence teacher open.” He paused and looked directly at Lucius. “This is where you will come in.”

“Whatever my Lord needs me to do,” Lucius immediately offered.

Voldemort regarded him intently. “Indeed; you shall meet the Governors and you shall use your...influence over them to allow you to take up the Defence position. As capable as Severus is of protecting the kids and as they are of protecting themselves, I do not trust the Old Fool not to try anything, especially concerning Harry. Your presence there will hinder his plans and should protect the boy.”

Lucius and Severus looked at him with identically raised eyebrows, knowing he wasn’t finished.

Voldemort continued to speak with a smug smile, “Secondly, teaching Defence is an excellent base to re-educate the students, to aid in recruitment for us and at the same time to assess those upper years that are determined or brainwashed to fight on Dumbledore’s side. You will gain great influence over the students. Because of the curse on the position, the Defence education has been severely disrupted over the last decades. After the succession of possessed incompetents, worthless charlatans or sadistic ministry sycophants, the majority of the students will instantly adore and trust any half way competent teacher, as Harry, Draco and Remus assured me.

“Defence is mandatory for all years, so you will have the chance to get to know all students from all the houses. Be strict, but fair to all of them; in fact, I mean also to Hufflepuff’s, Gryffindors and any mudbloods. Those from light families will encounter you with biased distrust. Those from neutral families will wait and see. Nevertheless, a fair, former Slytherin teacher, rumoured to be a Dark wizard, perhaps even a Death Eater, that knows his subject well and finally teaches Defence to all that are willing to learn, can plant the seed among the students that maybe not everything is as black and white as it seems from Dumbledore’s propaganda. That to be dark, does not equal evil and light does not equal good.

“Reintroduce them to the concept that Nature and Magic exist in balance; Dumbledore and his light wizards have upset this balance. Their actions endanger us and all magical folk, because they enhance the risk of exposure to the muggles. Ask your upper year students for instance, which spell or counter curse could defend them against a projectile fired from a muggle gun? Which wards could protect their homes against an attack by muggle armed forces? Use the halfbloods and mudbloods to explain the mortal danger of such an attack to their peers, should the muggles ever discover us. They will be shocked and suddenly understand why our world has to be kept secret to keep it safe. That this is the exact opposite of what Dumbledore and his band of muggle loving fools believe and teach.

“With subtlety, you can introduce some true wizarding history, under cover of assigning essays, to look into the history of certain defensive and offensive spells and curses for upper years. Most of the Slytherin students and those Ravenclaw’s from dark families will have learned our true history and traditions at home, but we want to get the others interested. These students will ask you for a pass to the restricted section of the library. Get them to think, to question their previous education, to revaluate their former beliefs. If they browse the library, they should still find something on the Dark Arts, although you know Dumbledore has removed many valuable tomes from it to control the knowledge available to the students. If a student asks you why they cannot find enough to sate their curiosity, you could tell them to look up in a dictionary what Restricted means... and hint that it is possible to order books per owl, and that there are indeed other bookstores besides Flourish and Blotts , only a short walk away...

“With luck and your charisma, you can help Severus to recruit a number of followers or at least silent supporters for us and encourage the rest to stay neutral with their families as a third option, instead of fighting as pawns for Dumbledore. Harry, Draco and their friends will help. I know this mission is difficult, but I am sure your skills on the political parquet enable you to pull this off.”

“Brilliant,” Snape breathed as he looked between the two. “With the Governors backing you, Dumbledore will have no choice but to allow you to fill the position.”

“I don’t mean to question you my Lord,” Lucius said with much reluctance, “but, how shall I achieve this? Dumbledore will surely ask to see my arm and will use the Dark Mark as a reason for a refusal. After all, I was already accused twice before to be a Death Eater.”

Lucius, and Snape, watched his Lord for a reaction to the question; though Lucius was expecting a negative one and feared immediate punishment. When his Lord only nodded and gestured for him to go on, he continued to voice his doubts in a slightly stronger voice,

“Do you think the Governors, and the Ministry, have forgotten that? I managed to argue and bribe my way out of prison the last time, but my position in the Ministry is not safe or as accepted as before...especially now since Rufus Scrimgeour is the new Minister for Magic. Dumbledore will argue that you sent me to Hogwarts to cause him problems. Although, he would be right on that, wouldn’t he?” Lucius ended with a small chuckle, finally relaxing when it appeared Voldemort was still in a good mood and more open to a candid discussion as he was during dinner, instead of just snapping out orders and demanding complete submission as he as he did before the Ministry fiasco.

“I thought of that,” Voldemort smirked. “Firstly, you will remind the Governors of everything that has happened during Dumbledore's reign for the past five years and inform them that it would be better if they had someone of their own inside the school to observe him. You will stress that you are worried over the sinking quality of education at Hogwarts and that you are willing to take a sabbatical from your usual business obligations to personally help the school with your expertise for a year, especially after the unjustified accusations against you after the Ministry debacle.”

Lucius furrowed his brow and started to object again, but quieted immediately at the raised hand of his master.

“Secondly, We shall do a ritual that places your Dark Mark under a special Glamour Charm,” Voldemort continued, “however, unlike the common charm, this one will not be easily removed and cannot be detected by ordinary means, and that Severus is where your skills will be needed.”

“My Lord?” Snape sat up straighter.

“I will require a potion from you Severus, one that will take five days to brew,” Voldemort explained. “The recipe is from Salazar Slytherin’s personal potion manual; it is why you have not read of this potion anywhere before. Most of the ingredients have already been collected. I shall show you the instructions later; please look them over and check if this will work as planned or if you will have to enhance or develop it further. The original text is in Parseltongue of course, so I am quite sure I translated everything correctly; however, there are two ingredients where Salazar used names that are very distinct, imprecise. I think that the names for these ingredients have changed over time.” He paused and sent a small smile to Snape. “But, you are the potions master, you will figure it out.”

“Yes my Lord,” Snape nodded. He was curious as to what potion he would be making and was thrilled to work on a potion developed by the great Salazar Slytherin himself. This was what he loved about potions; the thrill of the research, the improvement of old potions and discovering and creating new ones, not teaching unruly, ungrateful dunderheads at Hogwarts who couldn’t complete a simple first year potions. Now he knew what Voldemort had been working, as he Snape, had noticed upon entry into the room, old looking scrolls, stacks of books and parchments filled with calculations and notes covering the desk.

“My Lord,” Lucius started, “if you could please explain the ritual and the potion some more?”

“The ritual is based on a dark warding ritual of Slytherins I have used before in another context. Together with this potion, it consists of three parts,” Voldemort said, “the potion, a spell in Parseltongue and a blood and life sacrifice. The procedure is uncomfortable, perhaps painful.”

After a short pause, he fixed Lucius with an intense stare and continued. “Whether it is more or less painful that receiving the Dark Mark, I cannot tell, however, the results would be that no one will be able to remove the Charm, not even Dumbledore. Furthermore, it will be protected from detection by a small, but powerful, ward around the Mark, which means that the old one-eyed Auror with his magical eye, Mad Eye Moody, will not be able to see it either. The potion is a variant of the invisibility potion designed originally to only disguise a specific area of skin; the Dark Mark will still be on your arm, working exactly as before, but it shall be invisible.”

“Amazing,” both Snape and Lucius breathed. The two exchanged looks, excitement and awe moving through them. Both of them studied and revered the Dark Arts for a reason and the skill and cunning to successfully plan and calculate like this, the tweaking of a powerful ritual to better suit ones needs, was something they appreciated on a professional level.

“Indeed it is,” Voldemort smiled. “That is all, you are dismissed. Severus, you may stay.”

Snape nodded while Lucius got up; he bowed before turning to leave, the door closing behind him.

“How are the teens coming along with the Occlumency lessons?” Voldemort asked.

“Very well,” Snape said. “I suspect that by the time they are ready to return to school, their minds will be well protected. Not even the Old Coot will be able to read them.”

“Very good,” Voldemort nodded. He looked at Snape for a few seconds before he moved to his feet. A smile on his face, he walked over to where Snape was sitting, pulling him out of his seat.

“I haven’t had you in a few days,” Voldemort breathed into Snape’s neck. “Why is that?”

“We’ve both been busy Marvolo,” Snape whispered back, tilting his neck as he felt Voldemort placing a kiss there. A moan escaped his lips as he felt a tidal wave of lust rise up in him. His arms moved up to wrap around Voldemort’s neck and he pressed himself closer. He couldn’t help but to grind against the hardened cock he felt, pulling a groan from the dark Lord.

Voldemort pulled back from Snape’s neck to look into his eyes. The lust he saw swirling in the obsidian orbs drew him in and fed his own.

Snape looked up into Voldemort’s eyes and he bit his lip to stop himself from begging Voldemort to fuck him. He had thought the first time a fluke, but the emotions coursing through him now told him it wasn’t. Snape knew without a doubt, he could and was falling for the Dark Lord. He shook his head and looked at Voldemort again. He tightened his arms around his neck before leaning up.

“We can make up for it though,” Snape murmured against Voldemort’s lips before he captured them in a kiss. It was heated and full of the passion that both men were feeling. He licked Voldemort’s lips, and the moment they opened, he thrust his tongue inside. The two battled fiercely, even as their hands roamed each other’s body, removing their robes and opening buttons as they did so. Snape pulled back from the kiss to place kisses alongside Voldemort’s neck; he sucked on his pulse point, causing the Dark Lord to release a guttural groan.

Voldemort’s hands moved over his lover’s body, reaching around his back to cup his ass, pressing Snape closer to him. His cock was rock hard and he hardened even more as he thought of burying himself inside his lover’s tight, hot ass. He let out a snarl when he felt Snape’s hand on his cock and he started walking them towards the bed. Placing Snape on the bed, he stood and looked down at him and the image had him groaning; his dark locks flared out around him, his shirt and trousers unbuttoned, Snape made a very wanton and tempting image.

Snape looked up at his lover, his dark eyes taking in everything. He didn’t care if he was being vulgar or acting like a whore from Knockturn Alley, but he needed the Dark Lord; he needed to feel him inside him again, to feel the glorious cock as it fucked him over and over. He lifted his hand, ready to banish the rest of their clothes, when he was stopped.

“No,” Voldemort spoke and his voice was rough with lust. “Don’t, last time it was hurried; this time, I plan on taking my time with you...I plan on seeing and worshipping your body.”

Snape’s eyes darkened even more as he let his hand fall. Keeping his eyes locked to Voldemort’s, he moved them down his body; he stopped at his nipples, pinching and twisting them before he moved down. He reached the top of his trousers and slipped his right hand down and over his bulge; he palmed it slightly rough as he watched Voldemort’s eyes darken in lust and a shiver went through him from it. He unzipped his trousers, and pulled them down. With a wave of his hand, his trousers and black, silky boxers disappeared, freeing his cock to both gazes. Still watching his lover, Snape wrapped a fist around his cock and tugged slowly. He moved his hand up until he reached the head where he thumbed the slit, drawing more pre-cum before moving his hand back down.

“Stop,” Voldemort growled out as he watched Snape; his own cock was leaking and his body was tense with the control he exerted not to pull Snape’s hand away and bury his cock in the tight heat.

“Why?” Snape panted out; he was getting a heady sense of rush not only from the force of his desire but from the fact that he was the one doing this to the most feared wizard in the world. He was the only that would ever see the Dark Lord how he was; losing control...all because of him. It was a power only he had over the Dark Lord and the knowledge of it fed his desire. His back arched and his lips opened on a silent gasp as he slowly fucked his fist while his other hand travelled down to cup his balls before moving down to his entrance. He muttered the Cleansing Charm, too far gone in his pleasure to feel the slight twinge; wordlessly and wandlessly casting the Lubricating Charm on his fingers, he slowly slipped one inside, groaning at the feel.

Voldemort, without a thought, banished the rest of his clothes as he looked on at his lover. His hand immediately went to his cock, tugging and pulling at it in motion to Snape’s hand. His magic crackled in the air as his lust spiralled out of control. His eyes were stuck on Snape’s hands and what he was doing; he had never seen anything hotter in his life and he could feel a growl building in his throat. Pre-cum was steadily leaking from his cock, slickening his hand as he pumped himself. He watched as Snape slipped another finger inside and his cock hardened further and his eyes darkened further at the guttural moan that spilled out. He couldn’t take it. His earlier vow forgotten, he let out a desire filled growl as he quickly moved to his lover.

Snape was slowly fucking himself, knowing exactly what he was doing to the Dark Lord. His body pushed backwards on his two fingers before pushing upwards, fucking his fist. He could feel his balls tightening up and knew he would soon reach completion, but he didn’t want that. He wanted to feel Voldemort’s cock in his ass, fucking him as he came. No sooner had the thought flitted through his mind did he feel Voldemort’s hands pulling his own away from his own ass and his cock. His eyes flew open to meet the lust darkened ones of Voldemort and he moaned wantonly and spread his legs even further; Voldemort wasted no time.

“You have no idea what you do to me,” Voldemort hissed out between gritted teeth. His body shook slightly with the force of his desire and the control he could feel snapping. He captured Snape’s lips in a harsh and passionate kiss. He pulled back to nip at his neck before sliding his lips close to Snape’s ear. {Ssso hot...ssso wanton...I’m going to fuck you now Ssseverusss...}

“My Lord,” Snape shouted even as he thrashed on the bed. As always, the parseltongue got to him and his controlled shattered; he acted like an insatiable and wanton slut for his lover and he did not mind. “Fuck me...shove your cock in my ass...take me Marvolo...take me hard...”

Voldemort needed no other incentive; with a groan, he lubricated his aching member, grabbed Snape’s legs, lined his cock up and shoved home.

“Fuck!” the word exploded from both men; Snape because he was filled so suddenly and Voldemort because of the tight, velvet-like heat around his cock.

“Marvolo,” Snape groaned out even as he shifted his hips, “move.”

“You’re so fucking tight,” Voldemort growled as he pulled out, leaving only the tip of his cock inside, before he slammed back in; the movement forced Snape to arch his back even as his muscles tightened around Voldemort’s cock. “Fuck...so hot...” swearing was normally uncouth and beneath him, but tonight, it was appropriate. He had never felt anything like this before, not even with the lovers he had taken when he had first came into power all those years ago. None had ever made him lose his control and composure like Severus did...none ever would as he would never share his body or his lover with anyone else.

“Oh Salazar,” Snape panted out. “So good...h-h-harder Marvolo...fuck me hard and fast...”

Voldemort nodded before increasing his pace; he shifted Snape’s legs to shoulders, allowing him to sink deeper into the tight, delicious heat he loved. The movement pulled a scream from Snape and he knew he had found his prostate. A feral grin stole across his face as he canted his hips, allowing his cock to ram directly into Snape’s sweet spot, drawing and delighting in the wanton screams from his lover.

When he had felt Voldemort’s cock hit his pleasure button, Snape couldn’t stop the scream from escaping; his world exploded in pure, unadulterated pleasure. His back arched and his cock hardened even more as he tightened his muscles around Voldemort’s cock. “D-d-don’t...don’t stop...”

“Never,” Voldemort growled. He slipped a hand between their bodies and grabbed Snape’s cock. He could feel his release coming and by the way Snape was moving, he knew he was close as well and he was determined to bring him off either before him or at the same time. Shifting Snape’s legs back to his waist, he leaned down and kissed him. “Mine!”

“Yours!” Snape whispered back against his lips. He pushed back onto Voldemort’s cock whenever he pushed forward, tightening his legs around his lover’s waist. “Ohhhh...so close...I’m gonna c-cum...”

“Cum for me Severus,” Voldemort said before he pressed a quick kiss to his lips. He sped up his movements, almost brutal in his pace. He could feel his cock swell as he neared his release. He increased the movements of his hand on Snape’s cock, making corkscrews every time he neared the head.

Snape arched his back as his head fell back to the pillow; his mouth opened in a silent scream as his orgasm tore through him. His muscles tightened on the cock inside him as jets of cum splattered both his and Voldemort’s chest.

Voldemort roared when he felt the muscles clamped down almost viciously on his cock, pulling his release from him. With a few thrusts, he emptied himself inside of Snape.

The room was silent save for the harsh breathing as both men came down from their release.

Voldemort looked down at Snape before he bent down to kiss him tenderly, a stark contrast to his kisses minutes earlier. Minutes later, he pulled back, “Are you alright?”

“Never better,” Snape smiled as he moved a hand to brush back the lock of hair that had fallen over Voldemort’s face.

Voldemort smiled and pulled out slowly. He collapsed on his back and pulled Snape towards him, allowing his lover to rest his head on chest as he wrapped his arm around him. With a wave of his hand, they were cleaned up and covered; within minutes, they were deeply asleep, relaxing in the mutual feeling of warmth and safety.

~...~

The next three days were relatively quiet; the teens, minus the twins, had received their letters from school. They were now at Malfoy Manor, sitting out on the terrace overlooking the magnificent lush gardens with Snape, Remus, Lucius, the LeStranges and Voldemort. In the distance, they could see a pair of white peacocks picking underneath the white and yellow rose bushes bordering the hedge.

“Sev,” Harry called out from his seat with Draco.

“Yes brat,” Snape turned to Harry; the others chuckled as they knew that the word was no longer an insult, but rather a term of affection.

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” Harry smiled. “You know we got our letters, right? Well, I saw that I got an E in potions and to be in your class, I needed an O. I have no doubt that we’ll want to talk with each other, but I have no idea how that will work since I’m not in your class because it would raise too much suspicions if we suddenly started spending time together.”

“I understand where you’re coming from,” Snape nodded as did the others. He laced his fingers together and placed his chin on them. “Hmmm...what to do?”

The group was quiet as they thought out the possibilities that could help Harry’s situation. In the end, it was Luna who came up with the answer.

“It’s rather amazing the way a lioness protects her cubs,” Luna said from Cory’s side, causing the others to look at her. “She would do anything to ensure they got what they wanted...including facing off with a venomous snake.”

The others looked confused, but Harry watched her with a smile building on his face.

“What the devil is she speaking about?” Rastaban asked.

“Luna,” Harry smiled at her. “You are a genius.”

“Cub,” Remus looked at him. “Would you explain what is going on to those of us in the dark?”

“It’s simple really,” it was Voldemort who answered. “Despite the fact she is a tabby cat; the woman was as fierce as her House’s animal. She was that way when I was a student and I do not doubt that she is still that way.”

“Our Lord is talking about Professor McGonagall,” Harry chuckled. “Her animagus form is a tabby cat, but when she got started, she was like a lioness, especially when it came to protecting one of her house members.”

“And I’m guessing Uncle Sev is the venomous snake,” Draco piped up.

“Yes,” Harry nodded.

“So what’s the plan?” Cory asked. “I mean, what does McGonagall have to do with you being in Snape’s class?”

“All I have to do is mention to her that I want to be an Auror, but I can’t because I needed an O in potions,” Harry said. “I’ll just be really sad and mention how I wanted to follow in my dad’s, and Sirius’, footsteps and that I think I could improve on my potions if I got the chance.”

“And knowing Minerva,” Snape smirked. “She’ll immediately jump on it; she’ll rant and rave about you deserving a chance and she’ll more than likely go to the Headmaster about it. Seeing a chance to make you see him as a “saviour”, he’ll agree with her, knowing we’ll have problems, or so he thinks, and you will come to him to seek guidance.”

“Brilliant,” Draco smiled. He turned to his boyfriend and placed a quick kiss on his lips. “That is the ultimate Slytherin move.”

“Well,” Harry smiled. “I did tell you guys I was supposed to be in Slytherin.”

“What?” the LeStranges, Fenrir and Lucius were shocked.

“You were supposed to be in Slytherin?” Lucius asked

“Yep,” Harry nodded. “But I talked the hat into placing me in Gryffindor.”

“Harry,” Rudolphus said. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone talking the hat out of placing them where they’re supposed to go.”

“Hmmm really?” Harry was amused. “I guess I’m unique.”

“I myself was shocked when I was told,” Voldemort shook his head. “The boy never ceases to surprise s and everyone else.”

“Keeps them on their toes,” Harry quipped and the others laughed.

Bellatrix was about to say something, but was interrupted by the arrival of the twins by Hedwig.

“Hey guys,” Harry said when they walked over to them. Hedwig flew to his shoulder and nuzzled his cheek. “Hey girl.”

“What’s up?” Cory asked.

“My Lord,” the twins bowed towards Voldemort before taking a seat.

“Just received two missives...” Fred started.

“...one from Charlie, the other from Bill,” George continued.

“...apparently, mum wrote to them telling them about everything that’s happened...”

“...including the will reading and she asked them to talk to us...”

“...they want to meet us, so we thought we’d tell you guys to get your thoughts on it.”

The group was quiet for a few minutes. Harry looked up and shared a look with Luna, who had a small smile on her face. They kept eye contact for a few minutes before he looked over to Voldemort.

Feeling the gaze, Voldemort looked up and locked gazes; he was immediately pulled into Harry’s mind.

[What is it Harry?]

[I think it would be beneficial to us if we arrange a meeting with them...Luna agrees]

[May I ask why?]

[I don’t think they have the same values as their mother and I don’t think they blindly follow the Old Coot either. At the will reading, Sirius felt the same. He had said he wasn’t too sure, but I got the implication that he would’ve sooner trust those two than the Old Coot and Molly]

“I want you to reply to them,” Voldemort spoke up. “Tell them you would like to meet them to discuss the contents of the letter. You will not go alone; you will take Harry and Severus with you and you will take an oath from both of them to not reveal anything you deem them worthy of knowing. Find out where their loyalties lie; when it is done, you will tell them you will contact them to speak further. Is that understood?”

“Yes my Lord,” the twins nodded as one.

“How soon would you like the meeting to be arranged?” Fred asked.

“Hedwig?” Voldemort turned to the phoenix resting on Harry’s shoulder. Said bird looked up at him. “I need you to deliver two letters to the eldest Weasley brothers, William and Charles.”

Hedwig trilled before flying from Harry’s shoulder to Voldemort. She landed on his knee and his hand came up to rest on her head.

“Wait for a reply from both,” Voldemort said before he summoned a piece of parchment and quill. He handed it to the twins and allowed them write the letter. When they were done, they handed it back to Voldemort, who looked it over and duplicated it before he gave them to Hedwig.

She flew to Harry, rubbed her head against his cheek, before disappearing in a flash of fire.

“Alright,” Harry nodded. “My Lord, is Nagini up for visitors?”

“Yes she is,” Voldemort nodded. “She has been asking for you.”

“Alright,” Harry nodded before moving to his feet, the other teens following him. “I think I’ll go and see her...if that is ok with you?”

“That is fine,” Voldemort said. “There is nothing else to be done. Severus, I would like to speak with you.” He got up, so did Snape, and the two headed to Voldemort’s rooms. “Harry, I will alert Nagini to your request and send her down.”

“Yes my Lord,” Harry nodded and moved to the doors leading to the gardens. “I’ll be in the gardens.”

“Very well,” Voldemort nodded before he left the room, Snape with him.

“So I take it Nagini had her babies?” Lucius raised an eyebrow.

“It seems that way,” Bellatrix nodded.

“It seems a bit surreal doesn’t it?” Rudolphus commented, his gaze drifting to where the teens were.

“What does?” Fenrir asked.

“The fact that they are here,” Rudolphus explained. “I mean, not only do we have our son back, but our Lord gained new followers...and not just any new followers, ones that greatly influenced the outcome of this war and now, we might possibly be gaining two more.”

“I know,” Bellatrix nodded.

“The tides of war have shifted and are currently going strong in our favour,” Remus said.

Murmurs of agreements came from the others.

~...~

“Is there something wrong Marvolo?” Snape asked after the two were in Voldemort’s rooms.

“One moment,” Voldemort said. {Nagini}

{Yesss massster?} Nagini slithered out from her cosy nest in an open space next to the fireplace that Voldemort had created for her.

{Harry hasss been asssking for you and would like to sssee you} Voldemort told her, not missing the shiver that ran through Snape’s body at his hissing.

{I have misssed my young massster} Nagini replied {I ssshall sssee to him and he can meet my sssnakelingsss}

{He isss in the gardensss} Voldemort told her.

{Very well} Nagini answered as she moved to the door. {Have fun with your potionsss massster. You know, it isss quite a sssurprissse that the roomsss haven’t burned from the passsion that you expel}

“Nagini!” if Voldemort was one prone to blushing, he would be.

{And we ssshould be happy mortal men cannot get pregnant...though that would be a sssight to sssee}

“Nagini!” Voldemort scolded the snake, knowing full well she was laughing at him. “Shouldn’t you be meeting Harry?”

{I am leaving...don’t fuck him too hard again}

Voldemort turned to curse at her, but she had already escaped through the door. He briefly wondered where she learned the word, but dismissed it and turned back to Snape. He walked over to his chair and sat down.

“Tilly,” he called out.

“Yes master?” the house elf said as it popped in the room.

“A bottle of scotch and two glasses,” Voldemort said as he gestured Snape to sit down.

“Yes master,” Tilly said before it popped out, only to return seconds later with the contents.

Pouring into the two glasses, he handed one to Snape before taking a sip of his own.

“Severus,” he started. “Ever since I gave Harry and Draco the assignment regarding the locket, I have been having suspicions, ones that have been confirmed over the last few days.”

“What sort of suspicions?” Snape asked as he took a sip of the scotch and relaxed in his chair.

“Do you remember what we talked about some days ago?” Voldemort asked. “In reference to how I ensured my return?”

“Yes,” Snape nodded.

Voldemort stood and paced a little. “When I spoke with Harry, he mentioned something to me, something that caused great concern.”

“What is it?” Snape asked.

And so, Voldemort told him of the conversation with Harry and his suspicions; he also told of his and Harry’s strange reaction to the ring, the locket and Nagini when they had been together in that same room. When he was done, Snape was looking at him with shock.

“When I figured it out, I felt the same shock,” Voldemort told him.

“Marvolo,” Snape spoke. “Are you saying that you inadvertently made Harry a Horcrux that night?”

“Yes,” Voldemort nodded. “It is the only thing that makes sense; it explains why Harry can feel intense emotions through his scar, why we share dreams, why I could send him dreams and visions, why he reacted that way to the locket and why he was able see through Nagini’s eyes the night she attacked that muggle loving fool Arthur Weasley in the hall in front of the Department of Mysteries. The connection between us has developed further this summer; we can sometimes hear each other’s thoughts if focus and concentrate hard enough.”

“I never suspected,” Snape said and his brows furrowed as he thought on it. “I knew the connection between the two of you was rare and shocking, but even after we discussed your methods, did I suspect it was for that very reason.”

“Neither did I Severus,” Voldemort said; it was troubling him. He had thought he had only created six Horcruxes, seven if he included the soul still within himself, but with this information, it turned out it was seven or eight after all; although, now that the diary was destroyed, he was down to six safeguards once more.

“What are you going to do?” Snape inquired softly as he looked at his lover; he could feel the frustration coming off of him.

“That Severus is the question,” Voldemort sighed. “I do not if I should remove the Horcrux from Harry or leave it undisturbed in his mind.”

“If I may make a suggestion?” Snape spoke up.

“You may,” Voldemort nodded.

“I believe it would be wise to remove the Horcrux from and either re-join it to you or place it in another object,” Snape said. “My reason for saying this is simple; you are now aware that the Old Man is searching for the Horcruxes to destroy them, if he finds out that Harry is one, though I suspect he already knows, now that he knows you are aware of his plans, he will do everything in his power to use Harry. He will place him in harms’ way once again as he has done in the past years. He will either kill him to destroy the Horcrux within, or he will try and use him as bait.”

Voldemort was silent as he thought on Snape’s words. He knew he made sense and he could understand where he was coming from.

“Your reasoning is sound and valid,” Voldemort said at last. “However, I must confess I am concerned as to what will happen to Harry if I choose to remove the Horcrux.”

“Are you worried about his abilities, more specifically, his Parseltongue?” Snape asked.

“Yes I am,” Voldemort answered.

“You have no need for such concerns,” Snape said. “If you did choose to remove the Horcrux, Harry will still retain his Parseltongue and other Slytherin attributes.”

“Explain yourself,” Voldemort narrowed his eyes at him.

“You know that we found Parseltongue books in a hidden section in the library at Potter Manor,” Snape said. “What you do not is why they were hidden. We were confused about it, but Harry’s ancestor, Harrison explained to us, he told us...

Flashback

Snape had a thoughtful look on his face. He looked from the book in his hands to Harry and back again. There was something tugging at his memory. Seconds later, his eyes narrowed.

“Harry,” he held the book out towards the young man. “What does this say?”

“It’s a potions book,” Harry said excitedly when he read the cover. He flipped through it. “Sev, you’d love this; it’s filled with so many potions, even more than the books in the library at Hogwarts and the ones from Diagon Alley has.”

“Can you read some of it for me,” Snape said; he had a suspicion as to why Harry could understand the book when they couldn’t.

“Sure,” Harry nodded and he started to read. He read for about a minute before he realized that everyone was looking at him in awe. “What?”

“It is as I suspected,” Snape’s voice was filled with confusion and awe. “The books are written in Parseltongue.”

“But,” Harry looked at them. “Why would my family have Parseltongue written books in their library?”

“I can answer that,” A voice called out. The group filed out of the room and saw Harrison Potter in a portrait.

“Explain please,” Harry said as he and the others took up seats around the portrait.

“It is common knowledge that the Potter line descended from Godric Gryffindor,” Harrison said. “But what you don’t know is that our line is also descended from Salazar Slytherin as well.”

“What?” Harry, along with everyone else, was shocked. Not in a million years did he imagine that he was a descendent of Salazar Slytherin.

“Shocking, I know,” Harrison smiled sympathetically. “But it is nonetheless the truth. Salazar’s great grandson Alaric had a love affair in his youth with another young woman before he married. The affair resulted in a child, which had to be kept secret as Alaric was betrothed to someone else and it was an arranged marriage of great political value to his family. Because of the betrothal, he had no choice but to give his first born son away to his mother’s family. The only thing Alaric got to do was to name his son; he named him Anteros.

“The child was given to a close friend of the mother’s family to be raised. To protect both families, little Anteros was adopted under the name Caden Warren. Young Caden grew up not knowing his true parentage. Later, he got married and sired offspring under the Warren surname. The Potter line came about through our ancestor Ignotus Peverell. Ignotus was the many times great grandson of Godric Gryffindor.” He paused. “I assume you know of The Tale of the Three Brothers?”

Harry looked confused while the others nodded.

“Well, that is a wizarding legend about three brothers that met Death and tried to cheat him,” Harrison explained. “Death gave each of them an invaluable, magical artefact; an unbeatable wand, a ring that could bring back spirits of the dead and a cloak of Invisibility. Now, the Peverell brothers, Antioch, Cadmus and Ignotus are believed by some to be the subjects of this legend and indeed, without a doubt, they are the three brothers. Each possessed one of the artefacts, which together are known as the Deathly Hallows: Antioch held the unbeatable or Elder Wand, Cadmus held the ring or Resurrection Stone and Ignotus held the Cloak of Invisibility.”

Those who knew of the legend met his statement with raised eyebrows and sceptical looks; only Harry looked mildly curious and still confused.

“However,” Harrison continued, “I do not think that Death gave them the items like it says in the tale, which is truly hearsay or fiction. Whether they acquired the extraordinary magical items on their travels in foreign countries, of if they perhaps created them themselves, nobody knows; they kept their origins secret until their death.

“Our family history and the legend only both confirm that apparently, Ignotus lived a long and fulfilling life, and, having decided to elude Death no longer, passed the cloak on to his own son. He joined Death and welcomed him as a brother. His linage is the easiest of the three brothers' to trace, as the cloak would continue to be handed down from parent to child through the generations finally coming into your, Harry's, possession.”

Harry, having finally grasped why the convoluted family history concerned him, exclaimed, “So that’s where my dad’s cloak came from!”

The others looked very impressed; while Harrison beamed at Harry and continued the lecture.

“Ignotus’ grandson had several children, but only his daughter survived, who then married a Potter, thus the name Peverell became extinct; nevertheless the bloodline continued on in the Potter family. One of Caden’s descendants, Elisabeth, met and fell in love with Artemis Potter, who was a descendant of Ignotus Peverell.”

“As interesting as that is,” Harry interrupted him, “could you please explain how the books came to be in the library?”

“Very well,” Harrison nodded. “Parseltongue is hereditary, inborn ability, because it was always said that Slytherins line were Parselmouths. I suppose Caden could speak Parseltongue, as most likely did his descendants in the Warren line over the centuries. However, nothing was ever rumoured about the Warren family being dark or Parselmouths. He hid his ability, as did the others who inherited and discovered it, because none of them wanted to be labelled as a dark wizard like Slytherin.

“Additionally I suppose that most of his descendants, who are our ancestors, never discovered that they could speak Parseltongue. After all, garden snakes or vipers are quite rare in Britain, not a kind of animal that many people encounter often during their lives, not as let’s say post owls, dogs or horses. And not many people have reason to conjure a snake with Serpensortia, do they?” Harrison explained enthusiastically. It was obvious to everybody that he loved to talk about the past.

Harry and the others shared glances and nodded.

“And? What happened to Elisabeth and Artemis Potter?” Harry asked impatiently.

“Since Elisabeth never met a snake up close as a child, she did not she held the special ability. It wasn’t until their youngest son, Geoffrey, had the ability that the truth came out. One day Geoffrey was playing outside their garden, next to a hedge. There he came upon a garden snake and being a small child, he innocently spoke to the animal. Imagine his surprise when it answered, it was astonished to meet a Two-Legs that could talk. Excited, he ran to his mother and babbled away about his new snake friend. Both parents were shocked and terrified. Artemis knew no one in his family line had that ability so he confronted his wife. When she was confused as well, they sought out their ancestry; it was then they found out Elisabeth was a direct descendent of Salazar Slytherin who could talk to snakes.

“The Potter family for generations have been either neutral or firmly situated on the Light, same as the Warrens, so for this ability to show up, one which is considered dark, it was not welcomed at all. You could imagine the scorn that the family would’ve received if anyone knew, so, as it was, no one outside the family knew of the Parseltongue ability or that one of our own was actually descended from Salazar himself. The Warren line was not a descendant from Salazar, only those children that came from Caden. And because of Elisabeth’s marriage to Artemis, the Potters held the ability as well. Like I said, because of the fact that our family was always neutral or on the Light side, no one outside the family could know about the ability. A few generations ago, a spell was cast on the family line to render the power dormant. However, every once in a while, it would awaken, thus skipping generations.”

“Could my father could talk to snakes as well?” Harry asked.

“No he couldn’t,” Harrison nodded. “When James was born, his parents hoped the power would not be in him as it seemed to skip every once in a while and it wasn’t.”

Everyone was silent as they let the news sink in.

“So why Harry?” Draco asked.

“All indication showed that the power would’ve remained dormant in Harry as well,” Harrison said. “However, that Halloween night fifteen years ago changed things. When Voldemort, who is also a descendent of Salazar, attacked Harry, my guess is, it forced Harry’s own Slytherin bloodline powers to awaken. Being in the presence of another descendent, especially one that was direct and so powerful must have caused their powers to search each other out. When Voldemort sent the curse at Harry, Harry’s own powers came fully awake and protected him; it also caused his other Slytherin abilities to awaken, including Parseltongue.”

“What you’re saying is,” Cory said, “Harry didn’t survive the Killing Curse because Lily sacrificed her life for him, but because he was fighting against another of his bloodline, which caused his powers to come to?”

“Merlin no,” Harrison shook his head, “Lily loved Harry, I have no doubt about that, but do you know how many other mothers loved their children and sacrificed their lives for them and none survived the Killing Curse? If Lily did do something, it must have been some charm, some Dark Arts ritual using her own life as a willing sacrifice, something she had prepared well in advance. It is possible that she was so desperate to protect her family, her son, that she did this in secret without telling James, because as a light wizard, he would have objected. As powerful and gifted in charms as she was, Lily could not have managed this alone. I think Harry surviving the Killing Curse was a combination of the two; it was his mother’s protection and his dormant power coming awake.”

End flashback

Voldemort was not someone who was surprised easily and often, but in the past few weeks, no months, he had been shocked. First was learning of Harry’s true nature, his turn against Dumbledore, his preference and then gaining the followers that he did, followed by finding out that one of said followers was actually the son of one of his most loyal followers. But this information surpassed everything else. To learn that Harry was the direct descendent of not one, but two bloodlines and that that, combined with Lily’s sacrifice, explained why Harry survived all those years ago, astonished and intrigued him.

“Needless to say,” Snape finished, “when Harry heard that the Old Man had once again lied to him to try and control him, it strengthened his resolve to be the one to kill him.”

“I cannot believe this,” Voldemort’s eyes narrowed as he thought over what he was just told.

“Neither could we,” Snape said, “but Harrison showed us a hidden Family Tapestry and we were able to discern the truth for ourselves. So you see, even if you were to remove the Horcrux from Harry, he would still retain his abilities.”

Voldemort became quiet as he thought over everything; from what he was just told about Harry’s family to his decision regarding the Horcruxes. He was thankful for his lover as he allowed the silence to sort through everything.

Finally, after some time, he looked up at Snape. “I will remove the Horcrux from Harry, and I will do so before he goes back to school.”

“Will you place it another object or will you take back within yourself?” Snape asked.

“I will replace it within me,” Voldemort nodded slowly. “It would be best.”

“How will that happen?” Snape asked. “I assume it shall be with an intense and painful ritual?”

“It shall,” Voldemort said. He shifted his gaze for a split second before looking back at Snape. “For me to re-claim a Horcrux, I have to feel true remorse for the murder that created the Horcrux.”

At Snape’s calculating look, he smirked wryly. He looked off into space as if contemplating the past. “Yes Severus, I have to regret killing Lily Potter and attempting to kill her little boy, Harry. Nevertheless, from all the Horcrux murders I committed, I think these are the only two times I cast the killing curse that I could ever regret. I remember well that I didn’t want to kill Lily, I asked her twice to step aside because you had pleaded for her life. I hesitated before cursing Harry, when he was standing there in his crib, clutching the rim, staring at me with those Avada bright green eyes. It was eerie. I felt something, a connection. I should have listened to my instincts and taken him along, to raise him, instead of attempting to kill him.”

Voldemort looked up, shaking his head. “In contrast, I’m sure I will never feel any remorse for killing my worthless muggle father for the ring or that filthy muggle tramp I caught snooping about my mother’s home for the locket.

Snape nodded, unable or rather, unwilling, to say anything.

~…~

“Cory,” George asked. “When’s your meeting with Gringotts?”

“In four days on the seventh,” Cory answered. “I figured I’d go when we went to Diagon Alley to get our school stuff.”

“Cool,” Fred smiled. “That means you guys will be there for the opening of our store.”

“It’s finally ready?” Draco asked as he leaned against Harry.

“Yep,” George nodded. “It will be up and running in time for it.”

“It’s too bad unwanted weasels will run amok,” Luna said as she gazed around the garden. “Oh well, as easy as it is to rile tempers, snakes have more patience.” She looked back at them and her gaze went slightly past Harry. “Why, hello Nagini.”

“Nagini!” Harry turned to look down at the snake with a smile. {How are you?}

{I am fine sssnakeling} Nagini replied as she curled her body into coils at Harry’s feet, her head coming up to rest on his lap. Her tongue flicked out as if tasting the air. {I sssee you are on your way to claiming your mate. Good, asss I wasss wondering when you would ssstart}

{Yesss I have ssstarted} Harry nodded with a smile. {How are your sssnakelingsss?}

{They are fine} Nagini said, and Harry could sense the smile and pride in her voice. {I ssshall have you meet them sssoon}

{Sssoundsss good} Harry hissed his reply and he could feel the shivers and tremors that moved through Draco’s body; he smiled as he knew that his boyfriend was deeply affected whenever Harry spoke Parseltongue.

Nagini, sensing it, chuckled. {You are asss much a teassse asss Marvolo isss with hisss potionsss massster}

{Oh really?} Harry chuckled. {Care to give any juicy detailsss?}

{Now sssnakeling} Nagini shook her head. {You know I cannot sssqueal on my massster}

{You did lassst time} Harry laughed and the others looked at him in amusement, each wondering what the two were talking about.

{True} Nagini nodded. {Very well; jussst remember that you asssked. It isss a very good thing that both the potionsss massster and Marvolo are now young, they can keep up with each other’sss ardour}

{What?} Harry looked shocked and intrigued.

{Oh yesss} if Nagini was human, you would see the smirk on her face. {Much fucking went on between the two; firssst when the potionsss massster completed the potion and then again the night of your misssion}

{Nagini} Harry groaned {I did not need to know that!}

{You did asssk} Nagini hissed.

“I wish I didn’t,” Harry muttered in English.

“What,” Draco swallowed a bit before he continued. “What was she saying?”

“Trust me,” Harry looked at the blond. “You do not want to know.”

“It sounded…” Fred started.

“…interesting,” George finished. “I think I’d like to know.”

“Same here,” Fred grinned.

Nagini hissed something and Harry was about to reply when Hedwig flashed in.

“Hey girl,” Harry greeted her.

She trilled as she landed on his lap; in her beak were two letters, he took them and gave them to the twins.

“Charlie said he was available tomorrow at noon,” Fred said as he finished the note.

“Bill said the same thing,” George said. “He said he’s coming into this with an open mind.”

“Good,” Harry nodded. “Did they say where they would like to meet?”

“Leaky Cauldron,” Fred and George answered.

“Things would run smoother if you discussed things where you’re most comfortable,” Luna said. “I’m sure Bill and Charlie would appreciate the open air and a chance to play a game they haven’t played since school.”

The others started at her before smiling.

“Alright Luna,” Harry smiled at his sister. “So, the twins will meet Bill and Charlie at the Leaky Cauldron and then Hedwig will bring them back to the Manor where Severus and I will be waiting.”

“And if things go as planned,” Draco said. “The Dark Lord will have two new followers.”

“The tide is growing stronger,” Luna commented with a smile, one that was shared by the others.

~…~

The next day, the twins got ready for the meeting with their brothers. Harry would be waiting at Potter Manor for them, as would Snape as he was working on the potion for Voldemort, which had one more day to go and then it would be ready.

“Alright,” Fred said. “It’s almost time to meet Bill and Charlie.”

“Remember to keep your hoods up so that you’re not easily recognized,” Harry said.

“We know,” George nodded, “don’t want to tip anyone off too early in the game.”

“Will you guys wear glamours opening day or will you leave it as is?” Draco asked.

“As is,” Fred said. “We want our family to know just what we think about them.”

“What’s the name of the store?” Cory asked.

“That depends on Harry here,” George said as he turned to him.

“Me?” Harry was shocked. “Why?”

“We want you to blood adopt us,” Fred said to the shock of the others, minus Luna of course, who only smiled.

“What?” Harry looked between the two, thinking they were joking. When he saw the serious expression on their faces, he knew they weren’t.

“Harry,” George said. “We are ashamed and disgusted with what our family did to you…”

“…not only that,” Fred picked up, “but you have had more faith in us than they ever did.”

“Mum and dad never believed we’d ever amount to anything,” George continued. “They always thought our pranks were a waste of time and that we were throwing our life away.”

“But you didn’t,” Fred said. “You not only believed in us, you gave us money to help us get started.”

“We meant what we said that day of the will reading,” George said. “You are more of a brother to us than Ron was and we would always choose you over the rest of them.”

“And what better way to stick it to them than to become Potters?” Fred finished.

“Are you sure about this?” Harry asked; he was touched that they wanted to do it.

“Yes,” Both answered.

“What do I have to do?” Harry asked after a moment of silence.

Fred and George looked at each other before looking at Harry. The twins held hands and spoke as one; “We Frederick Sebastian and George Ulrich denounce the name Weasley and its Clan.”

A light flowed through the room, covering the two for a few seconds before it disappeared. When it did, the twins stood there with smiles on their faces.

~...~

About one hundred miles southeast in Ottery St. Catchpole, Devon, Arthur Weasley straightened with a gasp as he felt the shift in the family magic and The Burrow wards, specifically in the number of Weasley family members keyed into the wards. Worried, he left the living room to check upon their Family Clock. At that moment, Molly bustled into the kitchen through the backdoor from the garden, a basket of fresh eggs in her hand.

“Arthur, is something wrong? I’ve got the strangest feeling just now,” she called out to her husband.

“I don’t know, yet. I felt a shift in our family magic and the wards, it concerns the twins,” Arthur answered, walking into the kitchen. “Where is the Family Clock?”

“Wait a moment, here it is, behind the laundry basked,” Molly answered, picking up the clock. When she looked closely at it, she paled dramatically and shrieked, “Arthur, look! The twins they are gone!”

~...~

“What do I do now?” Harry asked.

“You do the same that they did,” Draco said. “Except, it will require blood as well; the easiest way would be to cut your hand and join with them.”

Harry nodded as he trailed his wand over his left hand, whispering Diffindo. He carefully made a shallow cut in the palm of both hands. The twins quickly caught on to what he wanted and each made a corresponding cut into their palms. When they were ready, he held out his hands for the twins to take so that their blood could combine.

“I Harry James Potter-Black hereby accept and welcome to the Potters Clan the two formerly known as Frederick Sebastian and George Ulrich Weasley, through this blood bond they are now and forever known as Frederick Sebastian and George Ulrich Potter. So I speak it so mote it be.”

A blinding light surrounded the three and a loud noise sounded through the room. The power washed through the house and down in the Potions lab, Snape gasped as he felt it. After casting a suspension charm on the potion to slow down the ongoing reaction, he hurriedly made his way upstairs, stalking to the library. When he got there, he stopped in the doorway, riveted by the display of magic inside.

When the light cleared away, Cory and Draco gasped at the sight. The three were still standing there, but it was their appearances that shocked them.

Harry still looked the same, but Fred and George had changed, though it wasn’t much. Fred’s hair had gone from Weasley red to the dark red that Lily Evans had, while George sported the Potter’s jet black hair; both twins eye colour had changed from blue to sea-green, their faces had become slightly more angular, and their bodies slightly muscular. If anyone would see them now, they would not recognize them.

“Whoa,” Harry said when he saw them. He conjured a mirror and held it up for them to see.

“Wicked,” the twins breathed as they looked at their reflections.

“So I take it you did the blood bond ritual?” Snape asked sharply as he walked over to the two, taking the mesmerizing changes in their appearance.

“Yeah,” Harry nodded, “they asked me too.”

“Splendid,” Luna smiled. “Now that that is done with, I think it’s time you gained another sibling Harry.”

“Luna-girl,” Harry smiled at her. “I already think of you as my sister. We do not have to do the bond.”

“Oh I know,” Luna smiled. “I wasn’t talking about that. I Luna Xenophilia Lovegood hereby acknowledge Harrison James Potter-Black, Frederick Sebastian Potter and George Ulrich Potter as my brothers from this moment forth through all eternity.”

“We accept the acknowledgement,” Harry, Fred and George replied as one. Like before, a light surrounded the four for a few seconds before it cleared away.

“Ok,” Harry said. “Could someone explain everything that just happened to me?”

“You did this without knowing what exactly you were doing?” Snape’s eyebrow shot up. “You ignoramus dimwit! When will you start to think before you act? I thought you had changed Potter!” most of the statement was snarled out as he was frustrated with Harry’s relapse into brash, foolhardy Gryffindor behaviour.

“I followed my instincts,” Harry replied defensively.

“Well,” Draco cleared his throat, “with the blood bond, Fred and George are now your brothers; that means that the Weasley family has no right to them. So, the money that the twins make from their store, they do not have to give any to their former family. Also, nothing that the Weasley Patriarch can do will affect them as they are now Potters.”

“For Ms. Lovegood,” Snape explained in a brisk tone, “while she did not perform the blood bond, she has been acknowledged by the Potter house as a sibling. You claimed her and as such, she is now protected under the Potter Family law. No one can touch her without bringing down the House of Potter on them.”

“Oh,” Harry said. “Ok, that’s fine with me.”

“It’s time,” Luna said.

“Alright,” Fred nodded while he held out his hand and summoned two robes, one for him and the other George.

“We’ll see you guys in a bit,” George said as he took the robe from his twin and put it on.

“Alright,” Harry nodded.

The twins nodded at the others before they walked over to the Floo; picking up the powder, they called out their destination and stepped through.

“Did Remus leave yet?” Harry asked; he knew that he had a mission from Voldemort and he was supposed to leave today. He had said goodbye this morning, but he knew that Remus wouldn’t leave without seeing his mate.

“How should I know? I am not his keeper,” Snape glared, still slightly angry at Harry’s actions, not matter how right his instincts were, but he decided to deign him with an answer. “I believe he wanted to be with Lucius before he departed with Fenrir.”

“I thought as much,” Harry nodded. “How is the potion coming along?”

“It will be finished by tomorrow, if I could concentrate on my work without foolish interruptions,” Snape snapped. “The potion will be at a critical point soon.” With that, he turned on his heel and left.

“Ok,” Harry said, completely unfazed by Snape’s behaviour as it was, after all, quite normal. “What do you guys want to do until they come back?”

“I’ll stay in the library,” Luna smiled. “There are many interesting books in here that I would love to continue reading.”

“Have fun,” Draco teased.

“I most assuredly will,” Luna laughed as she moved to walk through the aisles.

“Ok,” Harry nodded. “What do you two want to do?”

“I know what I want to do,” Draco leered at his boyfriend.

“Pervert,” Harry muttered with a smile and Cory laughed.

~…~

When the twins came through the Floo at the Leaky Cauldron, they made sure their hoods were up and hiding them. They scanned the pub, eyes stopping on the two redheads sitting in the back corner. Exchanging looks, the two made their way over to them.

Making sure not to knock into other tables, the twins arrived at their brothers’ table quickly.

“Hello,” both said as they slid in, taking a seat next to each brother.

“What the hell is going on?” Charlie was the first to speak. The dragon charmer had the typical Weasley red hair and blue eyes; he was shorter and stockier compared to Bill, Percy and Ron. He had a broad, good natured face, which was slightly weather beaten and very freckly. His arms looked strong and muscular and one of them had a long, shiny burn.

Bill was a good-looking young man; slim and tall with red hair, but his was longer than his brothers, held in at the back of his nape in a ponytail with a tie. He had a single fang earring in his right ear; he also had the blue eyes of their father.

“Not even a “hi” for us…” Fred started.

“…I’m hurt,” George sniffed.

“Boys,” Bill’s voice held a warning tone. “Fine, hi, how are you? Now what the hell is going on?”

“We’re fine,” Fred answered. “More than fine I’d say…”

“…and not here,” George said as he stood up followed by his twin. “These walls have eyes and ears.”

“Follow us,” Fred said as he and his brother headed towards the stairs.

The two oldest Weasley brothers exchanged looks before following after their younger siblings. They ignored the other patrons and moved up the stairs with a slight nod to Tom.

The four brothers were quiet as the climbed up and no one spoke until the twins opened a door. After checking to make sure it was empty, they gestured their brothers inside.

“Now will you tell us what the hell is going on?” Bill asked. “Like mum’s letter and the attack on the Burrow.”

The twins said nothing before casting spells to detect Listening and Watching Charms; finding none, they nodded before turning back to their brothers. They stepped towards and grabbed their arms and each other before George spoke.

“Hedwig.” the name drew confused looks from the older brothers, whose eyes widened in disbelief when the phoenix flashed into the room. Before they could say anything, Hedwig landed on Fred’s shoulder and the four flashed out.

~…~

After the twins had left, Harry, Draco and Cory had headed over to Malfoy Manor so that Harry could say goodbye to Remus.

The trio had spent a little time over there, before Harry headed back home. He went down to the lab, knocking softly and waiting for the impatient “Enter!”, before he opened the door. Snape stood at the workstation behind the softly bubbling cauldron, gathering up utensils.

“Do you have some free time, sir? The twins will be here any moment with Bill and Charlie,” he asked politely, wanting to appease Snape’s volatile temperament after the earlier irritation.

Snape scowled, answering curtly, “Yes, now it needs to just simmer for two hours. I’ll be up in a few minutes.” He proceeded to clean up his workspace before he set out the ingredients for the next stage.

Harry quietly closed the door again; he was glad that Snape was in a better mood now than before. He walked back to the Living Room for the twins and the two Weasleys. He had just taken a seat when Hedwig flashed into the room.

“Fred, George,” Charlie growled. “You have ten seconds to start explaining.”

Harry said, “Charlie, Bill, good to see you. Long time no see!”

At the Tri-Wizard Tournament Charlie had been one of the dragon handlers for the first task and Bill had visited him with Molly just before the third task. Then he had met Bill again at Grimmauld Place.

“Who the hell are you?” Bill narrowed his eyes at the teen. He took in the messy, jet black, shoulder length hair that was pulled into a half ponytail, the bright green eyes and the scar on his forehead and his eyes widened slightly. “Harry Potter.”

“Bingo,” Harry nodded with a smile.

“Always knew Bill was a smart one,” George grinned as he threw off his hood, shaking out his dark hair.

“Bloody hell,” Charlie breathed. “What happened to you?”

“Same thing that happened to me I reckoned,” Fred smiled as he too threw off his hood revealing his own changed appearance.

“Ahh,” Snape said as he walked into the room. “I see our guests have arrived.”

“Professor Snape?” Bill and Charlie exclaimed incredulously, astonished not only by the man’s presence, but by his appearance as well.

“I think I need to sit down,” Bill said; as a curse breaker he was used to seeing lots of different things, but this overshadowed everything.

“Yes,” Snape sneered. “That would be agreeable as I have no doubt what we are about to disclose will shock you.”

“Does it have to do with the twins’ appearance?” Charlie asked.

“Yes,” Harry nodded before narrowing his eyes at the two. “Before us explaining however, I would require a wizard’s oath from the both you not to disclose anything that is said in this room today to anyone else not present without explicit permission from me, Severus, Fred and George.”

Bill and Charlie exchanged looks.

“Is this really necessary?” asked Bill, looking from Harry to Snape. He still held deep respect for the potions master.

“Indeed it is,” Snape answered, “otherwise, I wouldn’t bother; if you do not agree, we cannot tell you anything, and now, that would be a terrible shame, wouldn’t it?”

Bill and Charlie exchanged another telling look and then fixed the twins with their stare. The twins just smirked and winked. Sighing, they agreed and pulled out their wands to swear on their magic to keep everything they were about to be a secret.

Meanwhile, Snape walked over to stand next to Harry’s chair, the twins following him.

“What you guys are about to be told will rocky the foundation of your beliefs,” Harry spoke. “After we tell you what we have to, you will be given some time to think things over and draw your own conclusions. When you are done, we will tell you where we stand in terms of this war and what is expected of you.”

“Ok,” the two brothers looked at each other before looking back at the four.

“Now,” Fred said, his voice uncharacteristically serious, drawing the brothers’ attention even more. “We assume you have questions for us?”

“Yes,” Bill nodded. “Why do you look like that?”

“We denounced the Weasley name,” George answered, “we basically disowned ourselves and asked Harry to blood adopt us, which he did.”

“Why?” Charlie asked, looking between each twin. “Why would you do that? Why would you turn your back on the family?”

“They are not our family!” Fred hissed, his sea-green eyes flashing dangerously.

“Calm down Potter,” Snape said, his tone highly amused at not only calling Fred by his new surname, but by the looks on the Weasley brothers’ faces. “Perhaps you should disclose why it why it is you now considers the Weasley Clan your former family.”

And so, Fred and George told them everything; they told of the plans they heard between Mrs. Weasley and Dumbledore, the things they had noticed over the years…things that didn’t add up and when they had become suspicious of the family. They told of the manipulation they had seen being done to Harry and their former mother’s reactions to them and also, of Ron’s subsequent friendship with Harry as well. When they were done, the two Weasley stared at the four in shock.

During the talk, Harry had summoned Minky and Tanna and had lunch brought into the room.

“Take your time to process what you were just told,” Harry said, “because there is much more to come.”

“Any questions about anything you were just told?” Snape asked as he raised an eyebrow.

“No,” Charlie shook his head. “This can’t be. You’re lying, you have to be.”

“What could we gain from lying?” George asked.

“But, if it makes you feel any better,” Fred said. “I Frederick Sebastian Potter swear on my magic that everything that I just told was the truth to the best of my knowledge.”

A light flashed through the room to signal the vow taking place. When it cleared, Fred looked at Charlie before pointing his wand at one of the vases.

“Reducto,” he called out and the vase exploded. “Reparo.” They watched as the vase repaired itself.

“Is that proof enough for you?” George asked as he folded his arms across his chest.

Bill and Charlie looked at each other before looking back at them.

“Here’s something else to think about,” Harry said. “When the muggleborn students first get their letters, a teacher is sent to their home to tell them about the Wizarding World and schooling; McGonagall visited the Grangers. So tell me this, if I was so important to this world, why would Dumbledore send Hagrid instead of a teacher?”

Bill and Charlie could say nothing to that, so they remained silent.

“When Hagrid took me to Diagon Alley,” Harry continued. “He kept going on and on about how wonderful a man Dumbledore was and then he told me that there was not one wizard from Slytherin that haven’t gone bad. Why would he mention that if it wasn’t to dissuade me from going into that house? Moving forward, he never told me how to get onto the platform…why?”

“Because he knew that mum would be there,” Bill whispered, but it was heard by everyone.

“Bingo,” Harry clapped. “According to the twins, that year was the first time your mother used the muggle way to get to Platform 9 ¾; she’s always either used the Floo or Apparation, but that year, she used the muggle way and not only that, but why the hell was she screaming about 9 ¾ for everyone to hear her? When I asked a man about it, he looked at me like I was crazy…bastard was lucky I didn’t hex his ass.”

“She wouldn’t have gone there unless someone told her to,” Bill said; everything was coming clear to him now. Despite the oath, he heard the words that Fred spoke; he had said that it was the truth to the best of his knowledge, which meant that he could’ve been wrong; but to be presented with facts like this, it was hard-pressed not to believe him.

“I see the time you have moved on from the school has improved upon rather than diminish the intelligence that you have,” Snape said.

“This is crazy,” Charlie said. “You’re talking crazy.”

“Are we?” Fred raised an eyebrow. “Think about it Charlie; you know what mum is like. Hell, it’s the reason you left home as soon as you could. Dumbledore’s been manipulating Harry from day one and mum’s been helping him…dad as well.”

“You had that friend Bill,” George spoke up. “The one that lost his parents? Michael I think it was.”

“Yeah, why?” Bill asked, wondering where his brother…former brother, was going with it.

“Did mum ever knit him a sweater?” Fred asked. “She didn’t, did she? Just like she’s never knitted one for Lee or for any other of our friends and yet, she knitted one for Harry; now, considering she hadn’t even met Harry, except for that brief moment at the Platform, why would she do that? Why would she knit him a sweater?”

“She wouldn’t,” Charlie muttered as he closed his eyes in resignation, “unless it was to make Harry want to seek out the family or to endear him to them.”

“And he catches on,” Snape drawled. “I do hope you are more proficient in your line of work than you are in using your cognitive abilities to determine truth from fiction.”

Charlie winced before he levelled a glare at Snape, only to look away when Snape glared right back.

“What happened at the will reading?” Bill asked.

“Your family didn’t get what they want,” Harry answered. “Ronald truly thought he’d get something, especially after he told me he was no longer my friend.” Harry snorted. “As if I cared about him and his friendship. Sirius was a lot of things, and one of them was observant. He noticed things weren’t right with Ron and our “friendship” and he made sure Ron wouldn’t receive anything at all.”

“They were angry because apparently,” George picked up, “Dumbledore had forged a will where Ron and the other traitors would receive majority of it, and not only that, but he also drew up a marriage contract for Ginerva and Harry.”

“But Sirius must have suspected something,” Fred said, “because just days before he died, he had a new will created where he didn’t leave anything to them.”

“This all sounds so surreal,” Charlie shook his head.

“We know,” Harry nodded, “but that doesn’t mean it isn’t the truth.”

“You said there was more,” Bill said. “What else is there?”

“I’ll tell you about the last five years at Hogwarts,” Harry said, “with inputs from Severus, Fred and George, and you tell me what you think.”

“Ok,” Bill and Charlie nodded. “Tell us.”

“Alright,” Harry nodded. “Let’s start with first year.”

He told them about the Sorcerer’s Stone and the situations surrounding it; about how Hagrid removed such an important object from Gringotts on the same day he was collecting Harry, how they figured out exactly what was being guarded on the third floor, why they were given detention in the Forbidden Forest on the same night Voldemort was there, how they told McGonagall that the stone was in danger only to be dismissed like little kids. How easy it was for three first years to get pass all the guards to get to the stone and how they were rewarded with hundreds of house points for breaking about a dozen school rules and placing their lives in danger. When they were done, Bill and Charlie looked at them in shock.

“I’m beginning to see what you mean,” Charlie closed his eyes briefly.

“To think that Dumbledore set all that up,” Bill said. “Why?”

“I assume it was to train and test Harry,” Snape answered.

“He was only eleven,” Charlie said.

“And you think that mattered to the Old Man?” Fred snorted.

“Think again,” George added. “And if you think his first year was bad, wait until you hear about second year.”

“That was when the mess with Ginny happened,” Bill said.

“Yes,” Harry nodded.

“What really happened?” Charlie asked.

And so he told them about the Chamber of Secrets; when he was done, he looked at them.

“How is that if three second years could figure out exactly where the Chamber was and what was in it,” Harry asked, “that Dumbledore, the proclaimed greatest wizard, of all could not?”

“And not only that,” Fred added, “but how did he not realize that Ginny had the diary considering the amount of dark magic that surrounded it?”

“The bastard placed our sister in danger just to what...to test you?” Bill moved to his feet. “To see how you would fair? And what would’ve happened if you hadn’t figured it out? Ginny would’ve died.”

“I assume so,” Harry shrugged, “or maybe not considering he still needed her to be with me.”

“How can you be so cavalier about this?” Charlie asked.

“Because I can be,” Harry said. “Quite frankly, I didn’t give a rat’s arse about your sister back then and I still don’t. The only reason I saved her was because it was expected of the Golden Boy. If I was being myself, I would’ve left her arse to rot down there.”

“What do you mean if you were being yourself?” Bill asked, effectively stopping Charlie from yelling at Harry.

“You’re smart Bill,” Harry said. “I’m sure you can figure it out.”

“Moving on,” Snape said. “There is more information they should be aware of and we do not have time for petty interruptions.”

“Petty?” Charlie shouted as he let his anger get the better of him; he heard what they were saying, but he still had a hard time believing that his family could be so callous. Add in Harry’s nonchalant attitude to Ginny’s life, was his boiling point.

“I would appreciate it Charlie,” Harry spoke softly, but his tone showed his displeasure, “if you would not shout at either of us. We are not shouting the information at you, but rather presenting in a calm manner and it would be great if you could show the same courtesy.”

Both Weasleys looked at Harry in shock; they could feel the power rolling off of him and in that moment, they became terrified.

“Good,” Harry said when he saw that Charlie calmed down. “Now, onto third year; why would they give Granger, a third year student, a time turner to use only so that she could take more classes than normally possible? Did something similar ever happen when either of you two were students? I suppose not. That was also the year Sirius came into play. Nothing special happened that year that Dumbledore could have manipulated except for the fact that he told Granger and me to go back in time and save Sirius. With Sirius however, why did he spend twelve years in Azkaban without a trial when as Head of the Wizengamot, Dumbledore could’ve ordered one for him? Also, after that year, Dumbledore knew where Sirius was, if he wanted him free, all he had to do was contact Amelia Bones and allow her to question Sirius under Veritaserum...he did neither.”

“This all sounds so wrong,” Charlie shook his head.

“And now we’re onto fourth year,” Fred said, “and the Tri-Wizard tournament.”

“Yes,” Snape nodded, “That was the year that I truly saw how far the Headmaster was willing to go to keep his pawn in line.”

“What do you mean?” Bill asked.

“Fourth should’ve been the one year I was safe,” Harry said. “As far as I was concerned, with the tournament, I wouldn’t be risking my life at all that year because Quidditch was cancelled; but that wasn’t the case. Instead, I was entered into a tournament where I not only risked my life, but a student lost theirs.”

“See,” George picked up, “Dumbledore created an age line around the Goblet of Fire so that no underage student could enter and yet, Harry was. It was obvious that someone entered his name, but what shocked us was that Dumbledore allowed Harry to continue to participate in the tournament.”

“The Goblet’s contract was binding,” Bill frowned. “Harry had to compete.”

“No,” Fred shook his head. “He didn’t; if Harry had declared he had no intention of competing, they would’ve had to do the name picking over again, but because Harry decided to compete, which he only did because nobody told him a way out of it, that was when it became magically binding.”

“Simply put,” Snape injected. “Harry’s magical signature was no way near the Goblet. Did it not occur to you there were precautions situated that would prevent others from entering someone else? The age line was just one of many; they were created so that those who did not want to could not participate if they were not the ones to enter their names.”

“Dumbledore knew all that,” Harry said. “And yet he told me nothing; instead, he pushed me to participate in a tournament with others three years older than me.”

“If what you guys are saying is true,” Charlie said, “then that means that Dumbledore—

“Is more evil than the Dark Lord,” Fred finished. “At least with him, you know exactly what is going on, with Dumbledore, you don’t.”

Fred’s comment had both Weasleys narrowing their eyes at him.

“Fred,” Bill started, “what side of the war are you on?”

“Harry’s,” Fred said without hesitation, a slight smirk playing on his face.

“Harry?” Charlie asked. “Where do you stand in the war?”

Harry said nothing; he only smiled.

Bill looked at him in suspicion; his mind replayed the last few moments and one of Harry’s comments came back to him;

‘...I saved her was because it was expected of the Golden Boy...if I was being true to myself, I would’ve let her arse rot...’

“You’re on his side, aren’t you?” Bill asked as he looked at Harry with wide eyes. “You’ve joined the Dark Lord.”

“Ding, ding, ding,” Harry clapped. “And he gets it. I always knew you were smart; you had to be otherwise the goblins wouldn’t have hired you.”

“What?” Charlie looked at his brother before looking back at the trio. “All of you?”

“I told you,” Fred smirked outright. “I am on Harry’s side and that side happens to be the dark side.”

“And before you think this is a recent thing,” Harry said. “I was dark long before I joined Hogwarts; I just hid it.”

“Why are you telling us all this?” Bill asked.

“We wanted you to be aware of what was really going on,” Fred said. He hoped they joined them as he knew their side would benefit from it.

“We want you on our side,” George said. “You will have two days to think things over and at the end of those two days you will meet with our Lord.”

“And if we don’t?” Charlie asked.

“I think you’re not as against the idea as you would like us to believe,” Harry smiled. “If you were, you never would’ve sent that note to the twins and you never would’ve met with us today. Add to the fact that you actually sat here and listened...”

“Very Slytherin of you,” Snape said in approval.

“Thank you,” Harry grinned before turning back to the two Weasleys. “If you want, you could spend the two days here and talk things over. When you are done, call Minky and she will get in contact with me and I’ll come get you guys.”

“If we are finished,” Snape said. “I must return to the lab.” With that, he turned around walked out the room.

“And I have a blond to go see,” Harry said as he stood up.

“A blond?” Bill’s brow furrowed.

“Ah, ah, ah,” Harry shook his finger at him, “can’t tell you everything without first knowing what side you’re on.”

“Well gents,” Fred smiled.

“We’d love to stay and chat,” George continued.

“...but we have to get back to our store,” Fred said.

“...got to get everything ready for opening day,” George finished.

“Store?” Opening day?” Charlie looked at the twins in confusion.

“Don’t worry,” Fred grinned. “Things will be much clearer in two days. Later boys.”

The twins headed to the Floo and disappeared in it. Bill and Charlie turned back to Harry who was chuckling at them.

“I’ll see you guys later. There’s a Quidditch Pitch out back if you want to use that. Hedwig,” He smiled and seconds later, Hedwig flashed back into the room and landed on Harry’s shoulder. “Oh before I forget, here’s one last thing to think about; everyone thought Sirius was the Secret Keeper for my parents and he was the one that betrayed them. Dumbledore was the one to cast the Fidelus Charm and bind Sirius as the secret keeper; he was also the same one to transfer the secret keeper from Sirius to Peter Pettigrew, the true betrayer of my parents. No one knew about that and yet Voldemort knew exactly to go after Pettigrew. Think about that.” With that, the two disappeared in a flash of fire.

“What do you think bro?” Charlie turned to Bill.

“I really don’t know,” Bill sighed. “But everything they said makes sense...including that last bit.”

“Let’s go check out the pitch while we talk,” Charlie suggested and the two headed out that way to have a long discussion.

~...~

The next day, the potion was finished and Snape bottled a vial before heading towards the Floo. He called out his destination and stepped it; seconds later, he stepped out in Lucius’ private library.

Exiting the library, he made his way to Voldemort’s wing; when he got to the door, he knocker three times and waited until he heard the “Enter” to go in.

“Severus?” Voldemort said when he saw who entered his rooms. He stood from his seat and walked to meet the potions master.

“Marvolo,” Snape smiled as he came to a stop in front of the dark Lord. “It is complete.”

“Truly?” Voldemort raised a pleased eyebrow.

“Yes,” Snape nodded as he held out a vial towards his Lord and lover.

“Perfect,” Voldemort near hissed as he looked at the potion before setting it down on a small side table. “Now, Lucius is needed as well as a sacrifice. Your arm Severus.”

Snape bared his Dark Mark, suppressing a wince when Voldemort swiftly pressed his wand into the mark, concentrating to call only Goyle and Lucius to him. After a few seconds, he slipped his wand back into his sleeve and sat down in his comfortable wingback chair to wait.

“A sacrifice?” Snape asked as he took a seat on the adjoining couch.

“Yes, for the Mark concealment ritual, “Voldemort explained. “Any blood and life sacrifice will work; we could even use a muggle. However, an innocent, young, virgin light wizard or witch, an unwilling victim, dying slowly and painfully, is preferable because this will further strengthen the Dark Magic. Lucius will ingest the potion after you have added three drops of the blood; it will take a minute to start working. With the blood from the victim, I will draw a fine chain of runes around the Dark Mark. For this, you will make a small cut on the victim, enough to bleed a bit, but we don’t want them to die too quickly.

“On the side table over here is a suitable ritual dagger of etched black steel, clean, very nice and sharp; next to it is a pure white swan feather quill, a light symbol, for drawing the runes and a new vial for the blood. As soon as I am finished with the runes, kill the victim, but not instantly, so that rules out the Killing Curse. Nor do I want a large mess in here, so please no Entrails Expelling curse, beheading or severing a limb.”

Snape filed away the details in his mind, nodding he asked, “So, what should I use? Anything special?”

Voldemort looked thoughtful for a moment, and then answered, “No, nothing special. You can choose, do whatever you think will work best; either deliver the fatal wound with the ritual dagger or if you prefer using your wand, cast a precise Sectumsempra or a strangulation hex perhaps. The timing is essential. This has to happen while I speak the warding incantation in Parseltongue three times and direct the power with my wand into the rune circle around the Mark. The blood and life energy will be transferred into the Mark, they will activate the invisibility potion, concentrate the ward around the Dark Mark and in consequence rendering it invisible and undetectable.”

Snape was going to ask something else, but before he could, there were three knocks on the door.

“Enter,” Voldemort called out as he moved back to take his seat.

Lucius and Goyle entered and when they were a few feet away, they bowed. “My Lord.”

With a short “Take a seat”, the Dark Lord acknowledged their presence.

“Goyle,” Voldemort looked at his follower. “Last week, I told you to procure a suitable victim for a ritual. Report.”

“Yes my Lord,” Goyle nodded, “I spoke to Dolohov; Pest Control team recommended a family they wanted to target anyway. He delivered two mudblood children; two brothers, Gryffindors, Colin and Dennis Creevey, a fifth-year and third-year. Colin took lots of photos at Hogwarts send home to show his father how everything looked like. I heard from my son several times that Colin followed Harry Potter everywhere, always pestering him for attention and taking pictures of everything and everyone. He continued like this over the last four years, the idiot also took photos of the Hogwarts Express and of Hogsmeade to show his muggle family and friends; a prime example of recklessly risking exposure of our world. Additionally both brothers participated in Dumbledore’s Army, Potter’s Defence club last year.

“Today Dolohov brought in another mudblood; he said one of his Snatchers got lucky. A little Hufflepuff girl, Rose Zeller; she’s a second year. She didn’t do anything special, caused not as much damage as the Creeveys, as far as I am aware. About her muggle family, well Dolohov said they are not English, they are Swiss and moved here a few years ago for work, that’s the reason she got a Hogwarts invitation. I’ve kept all the kids downstairs, in good condition; they are only scared to death. Which one should I bring to you, Master?”

At the mention of the children’s names, Severus and Lucius had perked up. The name Creevey garnered a scowl and identical dark looks; obviously, Draco had told his father the same information as Gregory had, but while the name Zeller only caused a blank, bored expression from Severus, Lucius raised a brow and asked in a low voice, “Zeller?”

Noticing this, Voldemort raised an identical eyebrow and asked Goyle, “Zellers family, were they killed already? Or did Dolohov only kidnap the child? And are you sure they are all virgins?”

While asking Goyle, he waved his wand at the file cabinet to summon the Zeller family file, which he sent into Lucius outstretched hand.

“Yes my Lord, they are virgins,” Goyle nodded. “I checked and questioned them and Dolohov. He swears none of his team touched or raped them; they are all healthy and unhurt, well apart from a few scratches or bruises. The girl was kidnapped from the playground near her home. I am not sure if the parents already got a visit or not. The Creevey brothers he claimed right at the beginning of the raid on their home. They were stunned and portkeyed directly to the dungeons. All children have been securely locked up since arrival.”

While listening, Voldemort had walked to his desk and quickly scribbled a note on a piece of parchment, calling for the house elf. “Tilly!”

A second later, Tilly appeared. “How can Tilly serve master?”

“Take this note and deliver it as fast as possible to Dolohov. Wait for his reply,” Voldemort ordered her.

With a squeaked, “Yes, master,” the elf popped out of the room at once.

“Very well Goyle, fetch the elder boy for the ritual,” Voldemort said. “Keep the others alive for now, in the smallest cell; they may be of use later on. You are dismissed.”

Goyle bowed once more before turning and leaving.

“The potion is complete Lucius,” Voldemort turned to the Head of his Inner Circle. “We will conceal your mark today.”

“My Lord,” Lucius’ grey eyes widened slightly, the only indication to the surprise and pleasure coursing through him.

“I will explain in detail what is going to happen,” Voldemort said. “You’ll consume the altered invisibility potion after Severus has added three drops of the victim’s blood, allowing it to camouflage the mark from the inside. I will draw runes on your skin directly around the mark with the blood of our sacrifice. As soon as I am finished, Severus will start to kill the victim.

“I shall speak the incantation in Parseltongue three times and trace the runes with my wand, building up the power of the ward charm. Through the blood and life power of the dying sacrifice, the ward charm shall be bound to the area of the Dark Mark; the potential of the invisibility potion will be activated and concentrated inside the area of marked skin on your arm resulting in an undetectable, powerful glamour. I suppose it will be unpleasant or even painful, I expect your skin over the Dark Mark to itch and burn after an initial feeling of freezing cold.”

Lucius and Severus nodded; this dark ritual was straightforward and not very complicated at all. Only the timing was of essence.

“And when the Mark is under the Glamour,” Snape spoke. “Lucius will go to the Governors, persuading them to allow him to be the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, thus allowing another of your operatives to be in Hogwarts.”

“Yes,” Voldemort smirked. “The Old Fool will be unable to do anything about Lucius’ presence and it will hinder whatever plans he may have for Harry or the other teens. On top of that, Lucius will be in a prime position to re-educate and to evaluate the students, as we discussed last time.”

“I cannot wait to see his reactions,” Snape smiled, “as well as the others’ reactions to Lucius’ presence in Hogwarts. This year is shaping up to be quite exciting.”

“Indeed it is,” Voldemort nodded.

“Master,” Tilly popped into the room. “Tilly was told to give this to you.” The elf walked over to Voldemort and handed him a small piece of parchment.

“Thank you Tilly,” Voldemort said as he looked at the note, before putting it into a pocket of his robe.

Lucius and Severus watched him and exchanged a telling glance, but did not ask for an explanation. It looked like their Lord was concerned about the fate of the foreign muggle family from Switzerland; perhaps he was worried about international consequences.

Lucius scanned the file and remembered that he had met Mr. Zeller last winter at a wizard controlled muggle company; he was the head of the research department. The man had conducted himself impeccable; he had not indicated that he knew anything of wizards in Britain or that his daughter visited any strange or unusual school. When during the obligatory small talk after the business meeting their exchange had briefly turned to their children and the British education system, both men had only said that their children attended excusive private schools. Lucius decided to address the matter later. Perhaps the older Zellers where still alive and well, then he could ask for mercy. It would be a shame to lose a muggle like Mr. Zeller, because his research had turned out to be extremely profitable for the Malfoys, after all Lucius was one of the wizard shareholders of that lucrative muggle company.

After Tilly popped out of the room, there was a knock on the door. After Voldemort had called, Enter, the door opened and Goyle strode into the room, levitating behind him the stiff form of Colin Creevey. The boy’s arms were at his sides, legs stretched rigidly out. He was obviously under a Body Bind Curse, but awake, because his eyes moved rapidly, taking in what little he could see of his surroundings.

Voldemort waved his wand, conjuring a sturdy, medium sized table into the middle of the room. He gestured for Goyle to drop the body face and chest upside onto it and then dismissed him. Snape silently cast Incarcerus, securely tying down the boy with ropes, should Goyle’s Petrificus Totalus wear off before it was opportune.

“It is time,” Voldemort said as he walked over to the table; he summoned the swan quill with a snap of his fingers, gesturing for Lucius to come and stand to his right side. Both dark wizards stood now next to Colin. As soon as the boy noticed them looming over him, his eyes widened in terror, he would surely have screamed and trashed around in fear if he only could move. A wet spot appeared suddenly on the front of his jeans.

Lucius wrinkled his nose at the sight and smell; he exchanged a glance with his master, again a prisoner had wet himself, like it had happened countless times before when they realized their inevitable fate. Nothing left of any bravery or courage in the face of certain death.

Picking up the ritual dagger and both vials, Snape stepped closer to the boy, his face a perfect unmoving mask. In a detached fashion, as if he were preparing potions ingredients, he took hold of Colin’s right arm and turning the inside up, he made a cut into the soft skin near the wrist. Blood welled up instantly, most of which Snape deftly caught in the small, wide necked vial. The only sound was Colin’s rapid breathing; the sole indication of his growing panic. Goyle had obviously thought it prudent to silence his captive well in advance.

Snape held up the other vial with the potion and carefully filled three drops of Colin’s blood into it, after sloshing the liquid around counter clockwise, he held the potion out to Lucius.

Lucius took the potion from his Snape and swallowed the contents; both Voldemort and Snape watched him in anticipation. He held their gaze, his brows slightly furrowed before a gasp escaped him. He could feel the potion running through his body; it felt like ice, a very unpleasant feeling. He shuddered.

Voldemort stepped forward and uncovered Lucius’ arm, bearing the Mark to their gazes. Then he took the vial with blood from Severus, dipped the quill into it and started writing runes meticulously around the Dark Mark, drawing one symbol carefully next to the other to create an unbroken chain of repeating runes that would anchor the warding charm and repel any attempts at detection and to also contain the power activating the invisibility potion.

He wrote Algis first for Protection, a shield and to channel energies appropriately. Algis Merkstave: Taboo, warning, turning away, that which repels. This he followed with Isa for Psychological blocks to thought or activity. This rune reinforced runes around it. Isa Merkstave: Treachery, illusion, deceit, betrayal, guile, stealth, ambush, plots.

Next, was Mannazwith the meaning of The Self; the individual or the human race, friends and enemies, social order, intelligence, forethought, create, skill, ability. Mannaz Reversed or Merkstave: Mortality, blindness, self-delusion, cunning, slyness, manipulation, craftiness, calculation.

The symbol sequence ended with Eiwaz for Strength, reliability, endurance, defence, protection; the driving force to acquire, providing motivation and a sense of purpose. Eiwaz Reversed or Merkstave: Confusion, destruction. This was his personal favourite, because Eiwaz was the symbol of EI, the Yew tree and reflected his power and purpose as the Dark Lord.

When he was finished, Voldemort banished the vial and the feather. Drawing his Yew wand, he took a deep breath, calling forth his dark power. Concentrating on the mark, he nodded to Severus that he was about to begin the incantation.

Moving his wand clockwise over the runes, he send his magic into the symbols spelled out on Lucius pale skin, while chanting three times, {Contain and protect the invisible snakes power inside us delivered through innocent life blood unwillingly given.}

Snape had already drawn his wand in preparation and was watching Voldemort intently. As soon as he noticed his Lords signal, he moved his wand in a slashing motion, sending out a streak of purple flames directly into the middle of Colin’s chest. The boy’s body moved violently from the force of the curse, only the conjured ropes held him down onto the table.

Snape clinically observed the effects of the curse that was known among the Death Eaters as Dolohov’s Curse, as he had invented it. Snape had become so proficient casting magic that he could cast it voicelessly, just like his own trademark curse, Sectumsempra. He’d chosen to use the Conteramrupture Interna curse, because this curse caused severe, usually fatal injuries inside the body, without causing a gory mess on the outside, just like the Dark Lord had wished.

Colin’s face turned red and then purple quickly, his eyes bulging out of their sockets as he apparently struggled for breath amidst terrible pain. Then his face turned paler again, the wheezing breaths sounded disgustingly wet, while his abdomen turned dark and swollen, because of all the blood and liquids pooling there, caused by the breaking of his ribs, the rupture of numerous blood vessels and internal organs. His whole body was suddenly trembling and shivering, his magic trying to heal the terrible damage, to no avail. The Body Bind broke, his moth opened in a silent wail of agony, he tried to move desperately, but the ropes held him tightly bound, so he could only trash his head from side to side, screaming into nothingness.

Lucius felt the power building up, as soon as Voldemort started to hiss the incantation. A second later, he was not able to completely suppress a flinch when the purple light of the curse flashed from Severus wand into the boy so close to him. The freezing feeling rushed through his body towards his left forearm. His right hand flew over to grasp his left arm where the Mark was, but he stopped himself in time, clenching his fists. Lucius gritted his teeth and tried to bear the building pain but he couldn't stop the second gasp that left his lips, even more as he felt the potion working and the dark power of the ward strengthening with the second repetition of the charm. The mark tingled, itched, burned, the freezing feeling turning rapidly into warmth and then burning hot like fire, similar to the original branding.

As Voldemort was hissing the incantation for the third time, Lucius couldn’t stop the groan from escaping his lips; his head was thrown back and his eyes closed as he felt the magic working on him. What seemed like hours, but was actually minutes, later, Voldemort stopped his hissing and stepped back from Lucius. Colin’s struggles ceased, lungs collapsing, as his last desperate breath could not sustain his fading life any longer.

With the pressure relieved on his mind and body, Lucius fell to his knee; he took a few shuddering breaths before he moved back to his feet.

“How are you feeling?” Snape asked as he looked him over.

“Slightly off balance,” Lucius replied as he looked at the two.

“Well?” Snape asked as he indicated Lucius’ arm.

The blond looked down and gasped when he saw the smooth forearm.

“Perfect,” Voldemort smirked. “Tomorrow Lucius, I want you to go to the Governor’s and state your case.”

“Yes my Lord,” Lucius nodded. “Thank you my Lord, for this opportunity.”

“Do not mess it up Lucius,” Voldemort warned. “It is imperative that you are given entrance.”

“I understand my Lord,” Lucius said.

“Good,” Voldemort nodded. “You are dismissed.”

“My Lord,” Lucius bowed. “Severus.” With that, he turned to walk out the room; he paused, allowing Voldemort to lower the wards to allow him leave, which he did, closing the door behind him.

“Your plans are coming to fruition Marvolo,” Snape murmured as he moved to stand next to his lover and lord.

“Yes they are,” Voldemort turned to smile at him and he drew him in his arms. “Soon Dumbledore shall fall and the Wizarding World shall be ours.”

“Splendid,” Snape muttered before Voldemort drew him into a kiss. “Have you spoken to Harry as yet?”

“No,” Voldemort shook his head. “I will have a meeting with the Inner Circle and the Weasley boys, and then I will speak with Harry.”

“Very well,” Snape nodded and that was the last thing that was spoken between the two for a while.

~...~

The next day, on the sixth, things progressed. The teens had decided to go to Diagon Alley early tomorrow morning to avoid the majority of the students. Harry had written McGonagall after mentioning the idea to the others and true to his words, she had written back yesterday saying he was allowed to be in the Advanced Potions class.

Snape had sent in a letter indicating he was out of town and wouldn’t be back until the week before school started. The teachers were surprised and had wondered about his ability to get everything ready in that week, but he had scathingly assured them he would.

Lucius had met with the Board of Governors earlier in the day and had arranged for a meeting with them along with Dumbledore, which would occur in exactly one week on the thirteenth.

Now, it was late afternoon, and the Inner Circle, along with the teens were sitting in Voldemort’s private rooms. They were about to meet with the Weasley brothers to discuss their positions in the war. It had shocked them when Bill and Charlie had sent word saying that they had already made their decision.

“Hedwig,” Voldemort’s voice was soft, yet loud enough to be heard by everyone in the room.

The phoenix flashed into the room, first going to Harry’s shoulder to rub his head in welcome, lightly tapping Draco in the process, before she flew over to land on the table in front of Voldemort. With the exception of the LeStranges, Lucius and Snape, the rest of the Inner Circle was in awe of the phoenix, as they were extremely rare creatures.

Voldemort ignored their surprised looks and mutterings, gently rubbing Hedwig on her breast. “Go and collect our two guests from Potter Manor.”

Hedwig trilled once before flashing out.

“Was that a phoenix?” Avery asked.

“Yes it was,” Harry answered. “She’s mine. Is that a problem?”

Remembering the night of the teens’ induction, Avery, along with the rest of the Inner Circle, shook their heads. “Well, congratulations Mr. Potter.”

Harry smirked.

“Good,” Voldemort nodded; he was about to say more, but Hedwig flashed back into the room, with the two guests, depositing them near the entrance door.

Bill and Charlie looked around the room, blanching slightly when they noticed the occupants; their gazes drifted over to the teens sitting alongside the Death Eaters around the large table, and shock was evident when they recognized, Cory, Luna and Draco. They tried to identify the Dark Lord; however, none of the men present resembled a terrifying, pale, snakelike monster they had expected, according to Dumbledore’s description.

“William, Charles, come here and sit down,” Voldemort started, drawing the brothers’ attention to him and gesturing towards two free chairs opposite him.

They walked gingerly over to the chairs and sat down, feeling very nervous and overwhelmed. They were lions in the snake pit, indeed! Harry and the other teens, excluding Draco, smiled encouragingly at them.

“You are here because it was revealed that your presence would be beneficial to my side. I hope that that is true,” Voldemort continued. “You were spoken to on a few facts from Severus, the twins and Harry and I hope that you have seen the errors that were highlighted and you have made a decision.”

Bill and Charlie exchanged looks before turning back to Voldemort.

“We have,” Bill spoke first. “We’ve made our decision, but if you permit us, we would like to know something.”

Voldemort looked at the two of them before shifting his gaze over to Snape, Harry and finally Luna; he stared at the girl for a few seconds, before he looked back to the two as Luna smiled and nodded.

“Very well,” Voldemort nodded. “You may speak. What is it that you need to know?”

“Your stance on muggles and mudbloods,” Charlie said after he took a few calming breaths.

“What?” McNair interrupted before Voldemort could respond. “How dare you question our Lord?”

“Quiet!” snapped Voldemort, threatening pain with a glare at the man.

McNair cringed, blanched and shut up at once.

“I gave them permission to ask a question and therefore take no offence,” Voldemort waved McNair’s words away. “Now, as to your question Charles, my stance on muggles and mudbloods has shifted from what Dumbledore and the Ministry make the public believe. I will not outline all of my plans to you at the moment, but know this; I will be more careful in my dealings with muggles in the future.

“My faithful followers, you will be surprised about what I have learned and the conclusions I have drawn for our future dealings with muggles, mudbloods and our enemies. This is a good opportunity to explain all this to you. I am sure much of my next words will sound strange or unbelievable to you. Next week we will have another meeting to discuss all this when you have had time to look at the evidence and to form your own opinions. This matter is of the utmost importance. Rest assured that I have had access to the newest findings of the Department of Mysteries and some information was provided by Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy to me.”

Everyone looked at the two in question in curiosity before they turned their attention back to Voldemort.

“Let me first stress that I continue to believe that magical people are superior to muggles. I hate muggles, despicable creatures that they are. However, on the one hand they do have their uses and on the other hand they are very dangerous, as the Malfoys and Harry kept reminding me this morning,” Voldemort continued with his explanation. “I had to rectify my plans. After seeing this new evidence and regaining my sanity, I see some issues differently than twenty years ago or even last year. What is endangering Magic, weakening Magic, are many different issues.

“We on the dark side wish to enforce the Statue of Secrecy, which is an international agreement between all wizarding nations. I want to keep the wizarding world, all magical people and beings as safe as possible from detection by muggles. Muggles are too numerous to conquer them all or to eradicate them from this planet. There are nearly six billions of them, compared with perhaps five hundred thousand wizards all over the world. Our Ministry of Magic does not have any reliable data there are only estimates.

“Muggles have made frightening progress concerning split second communication, surveillance, warfare and weapons compared to my youth. If the muggle scientists and military would discover us, they would attempt to study us, then to use us to fix their problems. If we would not cooperate, they would not leave us alone. If they discover that we are a serious threat, or if they fear that we would help their enemies, they would turn against us in the blink of an eye. A witch-hunt, an incredible blood bath would result and magical people and beings would be wiped out. We would fight of course, but it would be futile.”

The Death Eaters, with the exception of Snape, Harry, Draco, Remus and Lucius, had shocked looks on their faces.

“Yes, this is the shocking truth, a concept very difficult to grasp for purebloods with little contact to the muggle world,” Voldemort chuckled at their looks. “Today, Harry and Draco persuaded me to look at the facts and to remember my youth, that was during Grindelwald’s rise to power and the great muggle war, called World War 2. I remembered that I witnessed firsthand what destruction muggle mass destruction weapons could cause in parts of muggle London during the Blitz. I remembered that Headmaster Dippet or his deputy, Dumbledore, did not take my concerns seriously at all. As long as no wizards or only a few of them and those dead were all halfbloods or mudbloods - lost their life, it also did not concern the Ministry of Magic.

“As it turns out, we, the magical community, were lucky. The wards on the Ministry and the Alleys were strengthened and they held. There was no direct hit by a muggle bomb on them. Since the end of that war, nothing has changed; no progress or reinforcement was made. The long time of peace made the Ministry complacent. Of course, it is easy to intimidate, torture and murder a few random muggle civilians; we have done that enough in the past. But against their armed forces with today s modern weapons we would be equally helpless. Muggles have made progress; their weapons today are much stronger then 50, 60 years ago.

“Our current spells and shields do not work so well against most of their weapons. Transfiguration can help us, but would it be enough in a battle? We will have to research that in the future. Should the muggle scientists bend their considerable intelligence on the question of searching out magic, I am concerned that they would succeed. Until now, any strange occurrences observed by random muggles are explained away or oblivated by the Ministry of Magic. If the muggle governments were to tell their people, especially the military and their scientists, yes, the strange appearances and happenings are real and caused by Magic, this information would spread very fast among millions or billions of muggles over television, telephones and something new called the Internet. The Obliviate Teams of all wizarding nations combined would not be able to contain it.”

Harry and the teens, along with Bill, Remus and Charlie, could see why the man had gained as much followers as he had. The way he spoke was mesmerizing and it drew them in, making them listen intently to what he was saying.

“Fudge has done everything to keep my return unacknowledged. If his Aurors and Hit wizards fail so against me, one strong dark wizard and his relatively small group of devoted followers, how would he or his successor cope with a massive surprise attack by muggle armed forces, their bombs and intelligent weapons? Not at all. The Ministry could not protect the magical population or itself. One muggle Neutrino Bomb detonated in the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic or in the middle of Diagon Alley would kill everybody in the building or the vicinity within seconds, while leaving the structure of the buildings intact.

“As the Dark Lord, I will and would try everything to protect the dark families of my followers, but that would be most difficult and not enough. We are simply too few. So, our only hope lies in keeping us a secret, of keeping our world hidden from the muggles. That is where I see the big crime of Dumbledore. He does not see this danger, the end of all magical folk.”

He paused and looked towards the Weasley brothers. “People like your father, Arthur Weasley, think that muggles are funny, harmless people; that he has to protect the poor little lambs against the nasty dark wizards. He goes into the muggle world to study them, to collect empty batteries, for Merlin’s sake! He should visit a muggle public library or a museum of science or get his television set to work and watch the news.

“Something else that concerns me is the fact the old rites are followed by fever and fewer pureblood families. The Weasleys are a prime example, again. Your parents have taught you nothing of how to celebrate Beltane, Midsummer, Samheim or Yule; they give you Easter Eggs and celebrate Christmas, two muggle church festivals of the Christian Church, the organization that prosecuted magic and burned witches at the stake over centuries.

“I strive to regain the balance in Magic, to redeem the Dark Arts, to stop the oppression of dark beings, to salvage what is left of the old traditions and rituals to teach them to the next generation. It is necessary for our survival to push back the overwhelming influence of light magic and the foolish muggle preferences of Dumbledore and his bunch of misguided blood traitors like your parents. You might have noticed that we usually do not attack randomly, over the past year there were mostly undercover actions and controlled raids. Yes, we still do target muggleborn and half-blood families that endanger the wizarding world by spreading the knowledge about our existence recklessly among their muggle friends, relatives and co- workers.

“Two weeks ago, I led a massive strike against several public muggle and wizard targets to show Fudge and Dumbledore that they should take me seriously. Well, Fudge was sacked a few days later. There is ongoing research at the Department of Mysteries about the possible origins of mudbloods. There are several theories; time will tell which is correct. One is that Mudbloods somehow stole magic from a witch or wizard. Harry and Severus have pointed out to me that at least in case of Lily Potter, Harry’s mother, that was not the case; she simply was born with magic like any other half-blood or pureblood child.

“Severus was her neighbour growing up in a muggle town; he observed that Lily started to show accidental magic early on as a child just like himself and his pureblood wizarding cousins. There was no other wizarding family in the vicinity besides Severus and his mother and they were not negatively affected by Lily Evans. Lily grew up to be a talented witch, not particularly powerful, but gifted in Charms and Potions. This is proven without doubt by the occurrence of Halloween 1981: her death, Harry’s survival and my temporarily defeat fifteen years ago.”

Everybody listening gasped; it was unheard of that the Dark Lord would praise a mudblood this way.

Voldemort scowled and continued, “Lily did something before I came to Godric’s Hollow; some undoubtedly dark ritual or charm, that protected her child through her willing life sacrifice. We that we use the Dark Arts understand about these powers. I must acknowledge that Lily Potter was indeed a capable, strong witch.

“Harry said her sister is as muggle as possible, she hates and abhors Magic. Lily’s parents and grandparents were muggles as far as Severus knows, however they were happy for their daughter to be special, so they were different to the overwhelming majority of muggles that believe magic to be an evil power of the devil in their Christian religion.”

He paused once more, and his jaw tightened as he recalled what Harry had revealed to him about his own childhood; it was similar to the way his own childhood was and it sparked anger if he thought on it. Getting control over his emotions, he continued;

“Harry experienced the exact opposite growing up; his aunt hated her sister, consequently hated Harry, and never told him anything about his family. It would be an interesting project for Harry to research his family tree, maybe he could find an ancestor that was magical to explain where his mum got her magic from. So it seems that it is possible that muggleborns are magical offspring of squibs or perhaps halfbloods that have married muggles in the past, a few generations back until the connections to their wizarding ancestors was forgotten. Nobody understands at this time how squib ancestors or perhaps forgotten or unknown half-blood ancestors (through rape or affairs for example) can suddenly produce a magical child again, but it obviously happens.

“Therefore, I have concluded that it is not feasible any more to murder all muggleborns simply because they are muggleborns. We are so few wizards; we need fresh blood, because the old pureblood lines begin to fail from too much inbreeding. They have fewer and fewer children born per generation over the last hundred years and the really powerful students at Hogwarts are becoming increasingly rare over the last decades, at the moment the most powerful student is Harry Potter and he is a half-blood. Again, it pains me to say this, but it is the truth.

“For the future, I would like to establish an earlier detection method of these muggleborn or perhaps unknown half-blood children living in the muggle world that show accidental magic, so that we might start their education a few years earlier. Of course, best would be to remove them from their muggle parents or guardians, especially if they are abusive because they are frightened of their own children because of accidental magic. Continued marriages of wizards of all kinds, purebloods, halfbloods, mudbloods, to muggles are not advisable as a rule. Although it is true, that in the first generation, these half-blood children are sometimes either on the same level as their parents or even much stronger, much more magically powerful.

“A good example for this is Harry Potter or Severus Snape. Both are halfbloods with one parent from an old pureblood line. In muggle biological science, this effect is called Heterosis or hybrid vigor or out breeding enhancement; it is the increased function of any biological quality in a hybrid offspring. It is the occurrence of a genetically superior offspring from mixing the genes of its parents. If these halfbloods marry another witch or wizard, halfbloods or purebloods, they usually have moderately powerful children. Some are much more powerful than average, same as the first generation halfbloods. This is good, if Magic is enhanced, strengthened and continued in the following generations.

“But if these halfbloods and their children continue to marry muggles instead of other witches or wizards, their Magic weakens over the next few generations until it is nearly or completely lost. Sometimes, a new with or wizard, a muggleborn is born. But they are seldom and rare and we have no logical explanation at this time, we cannot predict when a muggleborn will show up. There obviously are factors at work we do not understand, yet. That’s one of the projects of the D.O.M. Why do muggleborns marry muggles instead of other muggleborns or halfbloods?

“This seems to have occurred in the past, because many muggleborns cannot find adequate work in our wizarding society, so they go back to their muggle society. Seven years of magical education at Hogwarts completely wasted and the risk of exposure is heightened if these muggleborns continue to use some magic at home or in front of relatives and friends. To change all that, we will have to overthrow the current government and at the same time seize control of Hogwarts, to change the educational system. A small step in this direction was undertaken today by Lucius; if all goes according to plans, he will become the new Defence teacher at Hogwarts.”

The long lecture was met with stunned silence. The Death Eaters especially were shocked; they wanted to retire and think about everything their lord mentioned. To change his views on pureblood supremacy and their attempts on governing muggles so much, he must have seen tangible proof, incontrovertible evidence.

Bill and Charlie nodded while Draco, Harry, Snape and Lucius exchanged looks; they had only spoken to Voldemort earlier this morning before Lucius had left to speak with the Governors to arrange their meeting with the Headmaster.

“We thought over everything that the twins and the others told us,” Bill started. “And it sickened us to see the truth in what they were saying. But I guess it shouldn’t surprise us; the reason I had taken the job at Gringotts was because I knew it would take me all over the world, thus limiting my mother’s influence in my life.”

“That’s the same reason I took the job in Romania,” Charlie continued. “Mum’s a bit mental and it was the only way to escape her, but to hear about her actual actions...it was sobering.”

“Your decision then?” Voldemort asked.

“We’ve decided to join your side,” Bill said. “We don’t agree with anything Dumbledore or our family did, and hearing your views on muggles and muggleborns helped greatly in our decision.”

“And if my stance had not shifted?” Voldemort asked.

“Then we would’ve asked to remain neutral,” Charlie answered.

Voldemort was quiet after that and everyone, with the exception of Luna, held their breaths in anticipation.

“You are aware that by joining my cause,” Voldemort said at last, “you will face your family sooner or later?”

“Yes,” both nodded. “We are prepared for that.”

“Harry?” Voldemort turned to look at said teen. “Did Hedwig—?”

“Yes she did,” Harry nodded with a smile. “They are yours; I suspect through Hedwig, they have been all along but stayed where they were due to circumstances.”

“Very well,” Voldemort nodded before turning back to Bill and Charlie. “I accept your decision.

Both men stood up, bowed and bared their left arms, ready to bear the mark.

“No,” Voldemort shook his head, surprising them. “Like the teens, you will not be marked; your aide will be even more beneficial to me this way.”

“Yes my Lord,” Bill and Charlie said as one; they were surprised, but did not question it.

“The tides keep growing,” Luna spoke up and the others chuckled in agreement and amusement.

“Now, I wish that you return to your normal lives; just keep your eyes open,” Voldemort said. “Take notice for example, who is in the Order, if there are new members, what people talk about behind Dumbledore’s back; if there are any others dissatisfied or critical of the Old Man. Information that Dumbledore tells you in any meetings that are held without including Severus, missions that he sends you or others on; you will compile a weekly report, which shall of course be disguised and charmed for my eyes only, and you will give that report to Severus inconspicuously after an Order meeting. Should you learn of anything extraordinary, like a planned raid on Malfoy Manor or acute danger to Severus or Harry for example, you can always send a missive through Hedwig. Simply call her name and concentrate on your urgent need to contact Harry. Do not use normal post owls.”

Bill and Charlie nodded, that sounded reasonable and easy to accomplish.

“You are all dismissed,” Voldemort said. “Harry, I would like you to stay behind.”

“Yes my Lord,” Harry nodded; he gave a quick kiss to Draco and walked back over to stand next to Snape. As the others left the room, they could hear the twins teasing Bill and Charlie about coming over to the dark side; both Harry and Snape chuckled as Voldemort’s lips quirked slightly in amusement.

“I must apologize for this morning,” Voldemort said once everyone was gone and the room was enclosed in its wards once more.

“For what?” Harry’s brows furrowed.

“For losing my temper with you and Draco,” Voldemort clarified.

“Oh,” Harry said. “Well, looking back now, it was completely understandable. Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”

“No, it is not,” Voldemort sighed and looked over at Snape, who moved to lightly touch his lover’s shoulder. “Harry, what do you know about Horcruxes?”

A/N 2: So, Bill and Charlie have now joined the Dark Side...hmmm...Dumbledore keeps losing people...what is going to happen next? Oh, about Colin dying; considering the MOM’s stance on keeping muggles oblivious of magic, why didn’t Colin raise any red flags? I mean, the kid took Wizarding photos and sent them home to his parents. Who’s to say they didn’t say anything or show the photos to any friends or other family members? Point is, the Creepy—I mean, Creevy brothers, were a threat to the Secrecy of magic...he had to die (besides, if he didn’t die now, Draco would’ve killed him for following Harry all the time...lol...)

A/N 3: oh, and remember, all missing scenes can be found at www(dot)fanfiction(dot)/u/1957989/Tonks_is_cool

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Rise of the Dark Angel