Chapter 43

"That was one unhappy bloke." Twin one said to twin two.

"Your observation skills astonish me." Twin two said and plopped onto the couch in their suite in Parkinson Manor.

"You reckon mum's got all this right?"

A shrug was the only reply he got. Their mum had spent a lot of time with Lady Parkinson today, while they had been told to wait in their suite. But someone had forgotten silencing charms.

Lord Voldemort had not taken the report on the Hogsmeade attack well. He'd apparently wanted 'the Greengrass girl' for one of the rituals. Not only had she not been kidnapped by Lord Parkinson, but somehow had killed Lord Parkinson, his brother, and the Nott heir.

"Perhaps we'll need to rethink our revenge, brother mine."

"Yes. If the Greengrass girl can kill two adult Death Eaters, and a fellow student, while being kidnapped…"

Twin two nodded. "No need to elaborate. But I want that cunt to suffer for what she did to us."

"Well, yes. But maybe we're thinking about it wrong?"

"What is the right way then?"

"We need to hit her where she's vulnerable. Her family."

"Oh, I like it."

"Yeah, doesn't she have a younger sister?"

}-{

Marlene and Ginny returned to Hogwarts well past lunch. Her brothers had kept them for about two hours, interrupted by the Healers coming in on several occasions to check on him or dose him with a potion.

On the way to the lift, they ran into Parvati. "Ginny!" the Indian girl exclaimed, running to them while an older woman in a flowing purple and blue garment who could only be her mother.

"Par!" Ginny said and accepted the older girl's tight hug, returning one of her own. "How's your sister?"

"Good, but they won't let her out yet."

"The healers believe she must be observed for several additional days." The woman said as she joined them.

"Yes, my older brother is stuck here too." Ginny said. "I'm Ginny Weasley, this is Lady McKinnon, one of our teachers at Hogwarts."

"Marlene." The Hit Witch said by way of greeting to the older woman.

"I've heard much of your team building and practical lessons." The woman said, without providing her name.

"It's been the best." Parvati said. "Though not always very easy." She added in a softer voice.

"Would you join us for lunch? Or are you in a hurry to depart?"

When Ginny looked pleadingly at Marlene she nodded. "We can spare a bit more time. No classes for the next few days."

"Oh, thank you." Parvati said and led the way to the lifts.

Though Parvati and Ginny had both continued to talk through most of their lunch the twin's un-named mother hardly spoke at all.

"We must be going." Marlene finally said when even the younger girls became aware of the awkwardness between the adults.

"Yes, thank you for lunch." Ginny said, as Parvati's mother had insisted on paying their bill.

"What happened there?" Ginny asked when they were walking up the path to the school.

"Isn't it strange we never got her mother's name? I find it interesting that she would dismiss such a universal custom. And she either was wary of speaking openly with me, or was somehow disturbed by my presence."

"Did The Spear, tell you anything about her?" Ginny asked, pointing at the staff she always had with her now.

"I didn't try to use it on her, but no, nothing really. I mean if she meant either of us harm I would have known that. No this is something else, possibly cultural. I don't know traditional Indian behaviors, the twins were born here, but may be more lenient than their parents."

"Oh." Ginny said. "Would it be alright for me to ask Parvati later?"

"Sure. She's your friend, just don't do it when anyone else is around."

"Yes." Ginny said with a firm nod. "Do you mind if I head up to my dorm for a bit?"

"We're back at school. I'm no longer your escort, though if you wish, I will walk you there."

"Yes, please." Ginny said as they headed up the grand stairs.

}-{

Marlene went to Harry's suite, by way of her own chambers, and found Daphne at their study table, with the Black Family spell book, while Harry and Hermione worked on homework on the far side of it.

"How did it go?" Harry asked, standing to give her a welcoming kiss.

"Good. Oaths obtained." Marlene said sitting on the long couch that could accommodate all four of them with room to spare. "We also ran into Parvati and her mother. Padma is recovering, but will not be released for a few days. Her mother, who failed to provide her name by the way, seemed distant from me, though she readily engaged with both Parvati and Gin."

Harry sat on her left, pulling her against his side with a pleasantly strong arm.

"Why would she do that?" Hermione asked, snuggling into the Hit Witch's other side.

Daphne had briefly looked up from the book, realized it was her, and went back to reading.

"I don't know much about Indian culture. Ginny was going to ask Parvati in private later. So what happened here?"

"Not much." Harry said.

"Neville went to the library with Susan and Pansy, we came up here and had lunch served in the suite to allow Daph to focus." Hermione said.

"Well, I wish I could get my boots off and relax with you for a bit. Unfortunately, I'm a responsible adult and need to check in with McGonagall." Marlene said.

"If you must." Hermione said, and kissed Marlene's cheek several times.

Marlene sighed. "You know I must." She said and gave the brilliant girl a firm kiss on the lips before Harry claimed her mouth for his turn. She managed to leave a bit later, slightly dazed from the snogging.

Fortunately, she stopped in her suite and fixed her makeup and hair before venturing into the castle proper.

}-{

Harry and Hermione had just settled back into their school-work when an elf appeared near them in the suite.

"Headdy Master asks Lordy Potter read this." The elf said.

"Um. Sure." Harry said and took the letter from the elf. The message was short, and the script a bit less-elegant than he remembered.

}-{

Please bring your ladies to the infirmary at your earliest convenience. We have grave matters to discuss and time is short.

Albus

}-{

"Thank you, please inform him we shall be there as soon as possible." Harry said and the elf gave a sharp nod before vanishing.

"What's going on?" Hermione asked as Daphne hadn't noticed a thing, being buried in the Black family spell book.

Harry handed her the note, "Dumbledore wants to speak to us." He told her, even as she read the note herself.

Hermione handed it back to him. "I'll get Lene and meet you there in thirty minutes."

"Alright." He said and looked at Daphne. He'd only recently realized that his Blonde Witch could become just as absorbed in the written word as his Brunette one. And disturbing either when they were so engrossed could be dangerous to one's health.

He sat down at the table opposite her and knocked once, sharply, on the table to get her attention. It worked, perhaps a bit too well, as she jerked in her seat and drew her wand, even as she almost fell over.

"Harry!" She said as she righted herself and snapped the book closed.

"Sorry. But you were gone there." He said, though his words did not lessen her scowl. Deciding to press ahead he put the note on the table facing her. "Dumbledore needs to see us right away. Mine's gone to get Lene."

"Oh." She said, her expression clearing in a flash. The wand vanished into its holster and the book to an inner pocket of her robe. "Let's be going then."

It was hard not taking offense at her rapid change. But he knew he shouldn't, he had been equally rude he realized.

Daphne was doing everything she could to try and find a spell that might have been used to incapacitate the Longbottoms, without ever actually seeing their symptoms in person.

A fact he found especially intriguing since the entire effort was to help Neville have a relationship with Padma. Though it also would allow Pansy to become his concubine or consort, assuming Neville would accept her. Then again, this would also allow him to keep his initial declaration of no more witches, something they would discuss tonight after dinner.

There had again been no response from Sirius, though Kreacher had informed them he'd hand-delivered the letter almost a full day ago.

She looped her arm through his left and got him moving from their suite.

They passed Lavender, Seamus, and Dean on the Grand stairs. The trio looked grim, as most students had since the attack on Hogsmeade killed and injured so many residents of the castle.

There were a pair of students in the Infirmary when they got there, first years by their size. Madam Pomfrey was slowly waving her wand over their hands which were covered in fur. She paused and looked up when the door was pushed open.

"You may proceed. No one else is here yet." She said without offering greetings or a smile.

"Thank you." Harry said and parted the curtain which segmented the end of the infirmary and provided the Headmaster some privacy.

His first impression was that Dumbledore looked old. Far older than he should be. "Headmaster." Harry said and paused at the foot of the bed.

Dumbledore was sitting up reading a book with several others, I easy reach, on the far side of the bed. He looked up as they entered and gave them a small smile, though it did not last long. "Thank you for coming so quickly." He said, his voice sounding as smooth as ever.

"Hermione and Marlene should be here soon." Harry said.

"Ah. Then let us speak of other things until they arrive. I hear that the attempt to kidnap your sibling was thwarted."

"Yes." Daphne said. "Miss Parkinson, Miss Davis, and her boyfriend, Mr. Mulcumber of Ravenclaw, managed to catch up to them at the outer edge of town."

Dumbledore nodded. "I've often touted second and even third chances for those who do wrong." He paused and slowly shook his head, looking down at the book resting in his lap. "We must support Lady McKinnon in her pursuit of those with The Dark within their hearts."

Harry was scowling when the Headmaster looked up again. "I still don't know why you trust Snape. And I fully intend to support her." He tapped the hilt of Hope over his right shoulder.

"We're here." Hermione said, pushing the curtain open behind them.

Harry was surprised, they hadn't heard them approaching at all.

"Yes, please come in and close the curtains. We're secured within its confines."

Marlene brushed aside the curtain with her hand holding The Spear and Susan Bones followed her with The Bulwark strapped to her back.

"Good, you are all here." Dumbledore said and then briefly held the book in his lap up towards them. "I've been refreshing my memory on the Artifacts of Light."

Hermione looked positively hungry at the knowledge held in the volume before them.

The Headmaster chuckled at her expression before growing solemn and speaking once again. "I'm afraid my news is rather grim. I am not long for this life and will soon move on to the next adventure."

Harry, Hermione and Susan gasped. Daphne's hand tightened on Harry's arm while Marlene did the same with The Spear.

"My magic is failing and I no longer have the will to hold it. Apparently the mass magic I enacted at the Wizengamot meeting was the beginning, it was then exacerbated by stunning the Death Eaters in Hogsmeade Village."

Marlene nodded and went to speak, but Harry spoke up first. "What's this about the next adventure? What do you mean?"

Dumbledore shrugged. "I'm dying. But death is merely a transition from one form of existence to another. To the well-organized mind, it produces no fear, merely curiosity as to what lies beyond the veil."

"How long?" Harry asked, his panic rising.

Again Dumbledore shrugged. "Poppy has had several of her colleagues look over my condition. They cannot set a time table. I will be released from here tonight, but the more magic I use the quicker the end will arrive." The old man did not look the slightest upset by this turn of events or the restrictions it placed upon him.

He cleared his throat, then seemed to remember something. "How in Merlin's name did you arrive in the village before me? Fawkes flaming is instant?"

"Um." Harry said.

"I was wondering about that myself." Marlene said.

Daphne nudged Hermione who looked at her sharply. "How did you get the door to transport us to the village?"

The brilliant brunette took nearly a minute to speak, her mind apparently off on Dumbledore's other news. "Well, since the Room creates what we wish for. I closed the door and wished for a path to Hogsmeade so we would be in time to save Astoria." Hermione said and shrugged. "I didn't realize that it apparently transported us back in time several minutes until the Headmaster arrived. Though he could have gone somewhere else, then the central square, which is what I initially believed. Until just now actually."

"It took us back in time?" Susan asked, her ginger eyebrows vanishing into her fringe.

Hermione shrugged. "If the Headmaster went directly from the seventh floor to the central square, and we were there for several minutes before he arrived. Yes."

"Astonishing." The Headmaster said in a breathless whisper. "You must further explore the possibilities of that room. Though, I caution you with experimenting with time travel, I shall certainly not forbid it."

"Is that why you wanted to see us?" Marlene asked.

"No. My Lady. It is not." He looked at Susan and gave her a smile before speaking again. "Unfortunately, I have horded knowledge as a dragon hordes treasures. I am now afraid that there will not be enough time for me to impart that to you. And am even more concerned that something I believe trivial, turns out to be critical and I did not choose to speak of it ere the end."

They were all silent after that was said, each delving within themselves for a way forward.

"Well." Hermione said slowly. "I've got my inner-selves working through Tom Riddle's memories. Unfortunately even with all of my resources it is a task that will take several years to complete and catalogue for reference. Yet the knowledge I've gleamed, including his method of Flying from Death, have proven incredibly helpful."

Daphne pulled her into a one-armed hug but did not speak.

"Unfortunately, I don't think I can handle a hundred and fifty or so years of information atop the seventy I've already got." The brunette said, a tear leaking from her now closed eyes. "Sorry." She added as Daphne folded her into a hug.

"How about the Sorting Hat?" Susan suddenly asked.

"What?" Harry asked.

Susan shrugged, causing the strap holding The Bulwark to slip from her shoulder but she caught it with a practiced tug on the other end. "Well it can obviously read our minds. It has a thousand years of memories in it already, what's another hundred and fifty?"

"Now that." Dumbledore said causing them to turn their attention to him. "Is not something I thought of. An interesting possibility Miss Bones. Once I am released I shall make that my first priority. If it can indeed hold my memories, and then participate in discussions with you later, utilizing them, it could certainly prove to be the answer."

Susan blushed, her entire neck and exposed bosom turning a light pink. "Thank you."

"Now," Dumbledore said. "As to the contents of the Room of Hidden Things. I have ordered the Elves to focus their energy on sorting it. Anything with a Dark or malignant aura, which they can sense very well, will be left where it is while those things around it will be moved. Even with nearly a hundred of them at work, I'm told it will be several days before they complete the task."

"That's brilliant." Harry said.

"Thank you Lord Potter. On occasion I've been known to have an intelligent thought or two." He replied with a smile.

"So we'll only need to sort through a few items." Hermione said, her attention once again focused on the discussion.

"I've further instructed the Elves to inform Lady McKinnon when they are done and to follow her instructions. Just in case I'm not present to assist." Dumbledore said.

The group nodded, understanding he could very well be dead in the next few days.

"I'm afraid that is all I had to speak of."

"I've been taking a more public role." Marlene said, twisting the butt of The Spear on the stone floor. "I'll have to become the Leader of the Light. At least for a few years. Until Harry has a better understanding of the duty that entails."

Dumbledore nodded. "It can be no other at present. Though Lord Potter has the ability, he lacks the experience. Which I believe you are assisting him in gaining. In a few years, should you be granted the time, you will stand as the equals you are. And for that reason I regret my time is short."

"I'll need to call up the Order once again." Marlene said.

Though the remainder of them were fairly confused by that statement it had a profound effect on the aged Headmaster. He looked up at Fawkes, who let out a gentle hum. "In order for that to be possible, Fawkes will seek to bond with you when I have moved on."

"What?" Marlene asked, looking at the immortal bird in surprise.

Fawkes lowered his plumed head briefly as though bowing.

Marlene responded with a deep curtsy.

"Um, what just happened?" Harry said.

"Do you remember I mentioned the Order which the Headmaster formed to fight Voldemort?" Marlene said.

"Yes, sort of."

"Well, it is properly called the Order of the Phoenix." Marlene said, with a gesture to the immortal bird, who once again bowed his head.

"Fawkes is the actual power behind the Order, it is he whom enables it." Dumbledore said.

"Oh." Harry said.

"Sir," Hermione said. "Isn't there a way to get your magic back?"

"Several." Dumbledore said but quickly shook his head to remove their sudden hope. "But I am not willing to perform any of the rituals that are required. All are Dark and require a sacrifice of a magical soul or two. I've spent my life learning not only the Light, but the Dark. I refuse to turn down that path."

"Of course." Hermione said immediately. "I wasn't trying to imply you would. I just hoped there was some way that wasn't Dark."

The Headmaster gave her a gentle smile to reassure her. "I regret that I am not aware of any Light-sided rituals that would stabilize my magic."

"We may have taken out a lot of his followers in Hogsmeade, but many of them were German Mercenaries." Marlene said.

Dumbledore held up his index finger, "Actually I believe we will eventually determine those mercenaries are followers of Grindelwald. Knights of Walpurgis, to be precise."

"Really?" Hermione asked, her voice higher than usual.

"Wait, who?" Harry asked, though Hermione seemed to understand what they were talking about.

The Headmaster looked over his half-moon glasses at Harry. "Grindelwald used an ancient Germanic order of Knights, called the Knights of Walpurgis, to implement and enforce his policies. Though he was defeated, and sits in prison, they were not."

"It makes sense." Marlene said. "Riddle was well aware of their movement and supportive of it."

"Precisely." The Headmaster said.

"Regardless, we have removed a substantial number of his resources, there are plenty more. Fenrir Greyback for example, followed him in the past and his pack is larger now than it was a decade ago."

"Yes, and made stronger by the fact that the government has established more stringent laws around those afflicted with Lycanthropy." The Headmaster said.

Harry was still back on trying to follow how Voldemort now had the support of the previous Dark Lord's followers.

Daphne pulled him away from the bed and near the curtain before turning him to face her. "Are you alright?" she asked gently.

He started to shrug, but changed his mind and shook his head slowly. "Who are we fighting?"

Lady Black's eyes grew hard and she stood a bit straighter. He could feel her magic pulsing along their bond. "Anyone who thinks they can harm us or ours without repercussions." She hissed, her jaw clenched tightly.

Then Hermione and Marlene were hugging them both tightly.

A few moments later they parted and the Headmaster spoke. "I believe we are done for now. I shall send word when I know more."

"Thank you Headmaster." Hermione said, her hand firmly on Harry's left bicep.

Susan didn't quite seem to know what to do with herself. She hadn't joined the hug, but had moved closer to them. She now turned back to the Headmaster and gave him a well-practiced curtsy. "Thank you sir. House Bones stands ready to assist."

Albus gave her a seated bow and then leaned back on the pillows closing his eyes.

"Out." Poppy said, causing several of them to jump and the Headmaster to open one eye in query. "Out I say." The Matron repeated herself, brandishing her wand and ushering them from her realm.

}-{

"I say we should head to dinner. What do you think?" Hermione said in a high, nasally voice.

"I say." Marlene replied in a similar snooty tone. "I say, I'm famished and could eat the proverbial horse."

This caused Hermione to cackle, she was soon joined by the elder witch and the pair led them towards the Great Hall.

"What are they doing?" Susan asked in a whisper from just behind Harry.

"I would imagine they are simply trying to lighten the mood." He eventually said. Since her declaration Daphne had remained silent, though still clutched his hand tightly as they walked.

"Well." Susan said. "I'll see you later alright?"

"Sure." He said and the ginger turned towards the Hufflepuff table and her friend Hannah.

After dinner Harry was guided by both his younger ladies back to their suite. He wished he had forgotten what was after dinner, but Luna's fairies were hiding somewhere. It was time to discuss Pansy Parkinson.

Instead of heading directly to their bedroom, Hermione sat with him on the longer couch while Daphne headed deeper into their suite.

"She'll be back shortly with Lene." Hermione said, turning to face him better on the couch. "I want to make one thing clear before they come back. I don't care how many join us, so long as we can both love them. And for the record, I like girls just about as much as you do."

"Mine." He whined, and instantly realized the tone of his voice and blushed. "Sorry." He intoned, his voice dropping back a full octave.

"Love." She said, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "We're learning all of this together. The three of us are permanent fixtures in your life, as you are in ours. The only reason Daph and I are not yet carrying your children is the social impact that would have on you. I could care less about how people feel about me, except when it would reflect poorly upon you. Lene is an adult. At worst, she will be seen as taking advantage of your youth, though most witches will still be jealous of her."

He nodded, squeezed her hand tightly and closed his eyes. Several calming breaths later, his hand was loosely around hers and his tension had at least fled into the back corner of the room. "Alright. I'm ready to discuss this rationally."

"Good. Honesty is all we ask." She said and hugged him gently. It was only a few minutes later they heard noises from further in the suite and Marlene walked into the parlor and sat opposite them on a small couch, leaving space for Daphne. She had changed into informal robes, and had left The Spear somewhere in the suite.

"Tea's been bothering my stomach, I'll have some water. Thanks."

"What?" Harry asked.

"I was responding to Kreacher, there, beside your couch." Marlene said with a brief gesture to Harry's side.

"Yes, Lady McKinnon." The elf said and a crystal pitcher appeared on a side table along with the tea service Harry hadn't noticed.

"Alright, are we ready?" Daphne said as she walked into the room. She too had changed from her school robes, though had foregone informal robes and gone straight to a very soft teal night robe. It was apparently designed for cold weather as it included a hood as well. She settled beside her aunt, tucking her feet up beside her and folding the base of her robe over to keep herself warm.

"Yes, I believe so." Hermione said, taking the offered cup from Kreacher with a small nod.

"Well, I've known her the longest so let me begin." Daphne said. She paused to take a cup from the Black Elf before continuing. "We met when we were six. Our mothers were having some event or another. I had brought along my Babba Yaga doll." She shrugged when Marlene chuckled.

"Sorry." Marlene said. "I had forgotten those."

"Anyway." Daphne said, turning back to Harry. "Pansy took exception to my choice of dolls. She preferred the traditional Morgana doll. Probably had Merlin as well to play house with."

She shrugged slightly, so as not to spill her tea. "I was in tears by the time the event was over and my doll had mysteriously been eaten by their dog."

"Since then." Marlene said. "They have not gotten along. At least until now. What changed?"

Daphne scowled at her aunt but nodded slowly. "Since we've been working together. And yes I know you forced that on me, she has been reliable and actually helpful."

She paused to blow on her tea and take a small sip. "We likely had very similar lives, father beat me because I wasn't a boy. Pansy's father and uncle were both Death Eaters, while mine was only a sympathizer."

Harry winced at this but kept from speaking, looking down into his tea instead.

"When I used The Spear on her." Marlene said into the silence. "It gave me a similar impression, yes. I don't get a lot of details, just a feeling for how light or dark someone is. Perhaps it's just because I'm still learning. I don't know. But the knowledge that she wasn't dark, yet had a Death Eater for a father, made me decide to put her in your group. Otherwise it would have been Tracey Davis."

"Well." Hermione said as Marlene took a slow sip of her water. "When I first started Hogwarts I hated Slytherins. That of course changed during my third year, though Daph can tell you a few stories of our first few weeks together. I didn't trust her at all, we had to come up with a system to attend classes together and use the Time Turner responsibly."

Daphne had begun to smile as Hermione talked. "And since I didn't stab you in the back while we were showering?"

That caused Hermione to blush.

"Wait, what?" Harry found himself asking.

"Nothing." Hermione said but Daphne spoke over her. "Since she didn't trust me alone with the Time Turner, and honestly I didn't trust her alone with it either, we went just about everywhere together. Including the Loo and the Showers."

Now partially aroused, Harry shook his head. They had been thirteen, and eventually had become lovers before the year was out.

"So anyway." Hermione said to get them back on track. "I eventually learned to trust and love Daph. But since I had very poor experience with friends growing up. They all ended up taking advantage of me somehow to help them with their school work. I've not extended that trust to others very quickly."

"Though Tracey is an exception." Daphne said.

Hermione nodded. "And Sue of course. But Parkinson, no. She's always seemed too close to Malfoy for me." She looked suspiciously at Marlene. "Was that another reason to put her in our Defense group? Or should I say put us in her Defense group?"

"What do you mean?" Marlene asked.

"To separate Pansy from Malfoy?"

Marlene nodded, hiding a smile behind her glass of water.

"Thought so." Hermione said. "Since we've been working with her, and she's been helping us to the best of her abilities, I've changed from distrusting her to admiring her. She put up with Malfoy for all these years? And was able to rescue Astoria twice in one day?"

"And there you've hit my reason for trusting her." Harry said. "She warned us about the plot against Astoria, and kept an eye on her in the Slytherin Common Room. Then she managed to do what we couldn't, prevent Astoria from being kidnapped. Yes she had help, and I'm not saying she could have done what she did without Jasper and Tracey. But she did quite a lot better than I expected during the whole fight in Hogsmeade."

"So you do trust her?" Marlene questioned, leaning forward.

"Yes, though saying that surprises me."

"Alright." Marlene said with a nod. "So she's past the first hurdle of joining us, we all at least trust her. And in Hermione's case admire her."

"Do you have a checklist?" Harry asked, his eyebrows furrowing.

"No," Marlene said. "But I do have several criteria that simply must be met. For example, can we trust her with our secrets? She's known for a while now that Daph is Lady Black. Yet that hasn't been published in the Prophet or even spread around the school in general."

They each thought about that and sipped their drinks. Harry finally put his empty cup down on the table, Kreacher quickly refilled it, though Harry ignored it for now.

"Yes, I see your point there and I guess I too have some points that must be met for her to join us." He scowled, but seemed to merely be upset with his own words. "She's shown her loyalty, I don't see how she could be playing us, when she went against her own father to help rescue Astoria. If she knew what he was doing, it would have been easy enough for her to foil Tracey and Jasper's rescue attempt."

"Or simply seal her own mouth when the Dementors came into the shop." Hermione said making them all cringe.

Harry sat, fiddling with the edge of his school robe, not looking at anyone.

"For me." Marlene said. "I believe she wants to be free of the life she's lived. Can I learn to love her?" She shrugged. "That's too soon to tell. We have hardly had any time in private to really speak or explore that."

"Do you think that's important?" Harry asked, his head still down.

"Yes." Marlene said. "We've all grown accustomed to sharing a single bed. We need to be open about this. If she joins us, she will need to accept the fact that you cannot… Harry look at me?"

Reluctantly Harry looked up into Marlene's eyes.

"This is nothing against you. As I know Hermione and Daphne have both said it to you in the past. We do not expect you to satisfy all of us every night. You can certainly have days where you're too exhausted, or may just not feel like it. That is fine. We will each have similar days."

"But those who do want some attention." Hermione said, her cheeks a light pink in embarrassment, though she couldn't meet Harry's eyes. "Will seek it from others who feel the same, at that time. So if Pansy joins us, she'll need to be open to sex with us, in addition to you."

Harry let out a slow breath and leaned back in the couch.

Daphne's tea service made a soft clink as she put it down on the table. A swish of fabric made him open his eyes as she stood and came to kneel beside his legs. She didn't touch him or even reach out to do so, instead settling on her heels and looking up at him.

"Harry. We're not trying to force you into anything. Any one of us would be utterly content to have you to ourselves. But if we can rescue Pansy, and the real cost to us is including her in our lives, then I will not stand against it. Remember, I've asked my own father to get her contract from Malfoy."

He reached down and brushed his finger over her porcelain cheek. "I don't want any of you to feel slighted." He managed to say, then shook his head again and closed his eyes to regain his self-control. "But I do understand your point Lene. I have no illusions of being some sex god. I just hope to be able to satisfy each of you, not all of you at once. I don't see how anyone could possibly think they could do that."

"Alright." Daphne said and lightly touched his knee as she stood to return to the other couch.

"Will he keep her?" Hermione asked.

"No." Marlene said firmly. "Celeste won't tolerate sharing Malcolm."

"Glad you knew what she was asking." Harry said and laughed as he relaxed. "So if he is able to obtain her contract, he'll need to pass it to someone else. And that is likely me."

"Yes." Daphne said.

"Now Harry." Hermione said, resting her free hand on his wrist. "We need you to be utterly honest with us here, and with our bond I think we can tell if you're not."

"Yes." He said and then pressed on before she could continue. "Yes, I find her attractive, assuming that's what you were going to ask." He added with a cheeky smile.

"Oh, you." Hermione said and gave his wrist a gentle squeeze. "Yes, and thank you for being honest."

"I believe we're done." Marlene said.

"Already, what?"

She smiled at his confused expression. "We have determined there is no reason to reject the idea. We each trust her, and think she deserves our help. I can't see her objecting to being intimate with witches, the four of us are in an established relationship. She simply cannot have you to herself."

"And I find her attractive." Harry said with a nod. "Alright, I agree we're done discussing this for now. But this doesn't mean we're going to start anything with her right now."

"Correct." Daphne said.

"Only once this mess has been sorted out." Hermione added while Marlene nodded.

Harry finally picked up his, elf-warmed tea, and took several sips of it. He was just thinking of suggesting they head into the bedroom when Hermione cleared her throat.

"That brings me to another topic." Hermione said. "One which Lene and I have discussed with one another, but not with either of you." She made a quick gesture to both Daphne and Harry.

"No." Daphne said, and dramatically placed her forearm over her eyes, leaning her head back. "You love my Aunt more than me?"

"No, silly." Hermione quickly said while Marlene chuckled.

"We need to discuss the rough sex." Marlene said, growing serious.

"Oh." Harry said while Daphne rapidly switched to a thoughtful frown.

"What do you mean?" Daphne asked.

Hermione took a slow breath before replying. "I mean, I'm alright with it once in a while, but I do not like pain. I wasn't ready to be buggered, and it hurt a lot." She shook her head turning to Harry. "I would never deny you, but please. I think I would have been fine if we'd started slowly." She was crying, unable to look at Harry.

"Sorry." Harry automatically said.

"Wait." Daphne said. "I want… and need, him to own me. I've got to feel that intensity in both his magic and body. When he holds or moves me firmly into a position that he wants, I know I'm satisfying his desires, and he's not merely accommodating mine."

"Do you like pain?" Marlene asked her niece.

Daphne shrugged. "That's inconsequential. My entire focus during sex is discovering and meeting his needs." When her three lovers still looked confused she continued. "Harry is too self-sacrificing. During the entire time I've known him he rarely actually says 'I want to do this.' Or pushes his opinion. Instead he accepts our choices. I don't want a passive Lord. I need a Lord that is strong, certain, and willing to take what is freely offered."

She was leaning forward on the couch now, looking intently at Harry. "I've said I won't ever deny you and I meant it. If you wish to take me in the Great Hall tomorrow at Breakfast, I will fully participate."

"Daph!" Hermione exclaimed with a bright blush.

"Mine, I'm quite certain of this." Daphne said, not taking her eyes from Harry's. "Lord Potter must be able to stand up for himself. And Lord Black, absolutely has to be someone the world respects and fears. The family magic will not accept less, which is why Sirius is only lightly connected to it."

"So you're willing to debase yourself?" Marlene asked, pushing her niece fairly hard to explain her feelings.

"Yes." Daphne said, keeping her eyes on Harry. "I've no shame where this is concerned. If creating a proper Lord Black means I end up with a collar and spend my life crawling at his feet, so be it."

"Well." Marlene said, looking around the room at her companion's reactions. Harry was simply stunned while Hermione bit her lip and her eyes flitted between the two of them. "This is not what Hermione and I suspected when we discussed it."

The others seemed to only partially be aware of her words. She continued anyway. "We believed it was more related to the fact that both of you were abused and needed to receive and issue pain to feel loved."

"What?" Harry said, tearing his eyes from Daphne's intense gaze. "I never."

"Pain may not have been your intention. You have not whipped or beaten any of us, but when Daphne asked you to bugger her, you took her hard."

"That's what she wanted." He said.

Daphne gave a firm nod.

"But you did the same with Hermione, and I'm worried you will do the same with me. I'm not against it, or feel it's beneath me, but I want to enjoy the experience as much as I can. That means it's got to be slower, allowing my body to stretch and accommodate you."

"Oh."

"Now. I'm not going to tell you not to act that way with Daphne. She's made her point regarding that." She put her arm gently around Daphne and pulled her into a one-armed hug. "She's Lady Black and will know best what the family magic needs. I also agree that Lord Potter has to be strong. Those who would stand against your grandfather were very few. Your father did not live long enough to establish himself, but certainly had that ability."

Hermione put both arms around his chest and buried her face in his neck. The four of them sat there thinking for several minutes.

"Harry." Hermione said, pulling back far enough to look at him. "You do need to be able to stand up to others, both politically and privately. Yet, I don't want to feel pressured into doing things I'm not ready for or comfortable with."

"I feel the same." Marlene said, absently putting a hand on her lower abdomen. "Too much of my life has been violent, I need something romantic and gentle, to give me hope for the future."

"I think I get it Harry." Daphne said. "And I don't mean this in a condescending way." She added to Hermione. "They need you to think of their desires during sex, while I need you to think of yours."

"How is that going to work?" Harry asked.

"No, I don't think that's quite right." Marlene said. "I think it's more of a meeting of equals, where we will try to satisfy your desires as you try to do the same with ours."

"It's just what Daphne's asking really." Hermione said, her excitement showing as she puzzled it out. "She desires you to be dominating, you're actually satisfying her desire by thinking more of your own."

"Yes." Daphne said and stood. "So let's practice!"

"Wait, you mean you still want to?" he said, looking between Hermione and Marlene.

"Of course." Hermione said and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "We love you, which is what made this such a hard conversation for me."

"We just need to teach you how to be more romantic with Hermione and I."

"But commanding with me." Daphne said.

Harry's grin wasn't his only response, which made itself known as he stood.

}-{

"Why do you wish to purchase this contract? I've had several other requests." Malfoy said.

"Well, I'm certain you've heard that all male Parkinsons are now dead? As such, I'd like to use the girl for breeding one of my cadet lines back into existence."

"I wasn't aware Greengrass had one of those."

"Dagworth was folded in to the main Greengrass line in the fifteenth century. For the previous three centuries we were Dagworth-Greengrass. Another branch merged with the Granger line, that would be Dagworth-Granger to be exact, but that line is extinct, allowing us to resurrect the parent line."

Malfoy looked at the two goblins sitting in on the meeting, one was his account manager, the other represented Lord Greengrass.

"Lord Greengrass is correct." The goblin closer to Lord Greengrass said. "The cauldron on their coat-of-arms was added to represent the Dagworth contribution to the potion industry."

"I can confirm my colleague's information." Lord Malfoy's manager said.

"But the contract specifies Line Continuation." Malfoy said.

"Goblin." Lord Greengrass said rather firmly. "Can we not alter the contract during this negotiation?"

"Of course." They said in stereo, then Lord Malfoy's manager continued. "The Malfoy family currently owns the contract, one of the sub-clauses they insisted upon allows anything they desire, can be either struck or amended to the contract."

With a sharp nod, Lord Greengrass turned back to Malfoy. "So, let's go over this in further detail. First, strike the Line Continuation condition. I'd like to add fertility and male offspring potions for the first five years of the contract. I'm tired of female children. I like the three children requirement, and with the potion they should all be able to carry the name. Third, I see no need for her to have the rights of a Consort, let's just make the cunt a Concubine."

Malfoy's expression turned from skeptical to spouting a lecherous grin by the time Malcolm was done detailing his requested alterations to the Parkinson contract. "And what compensation would you offer?"

"Well." Malcolm said, leaning back and meeting Malfoy's eyes. "She's young, I've heard a bit of a pug-nose though, youth can make up for many shortcomings. I suppose I can have her altered once I own her to be more appealing. And again her youth will grant me many more years of possible heirs. Let's say seventy five thousand?"

Malfoy's eyes went wide in shock. He'd only paid ten thousand for her to begin with. "Why in the world would you offer so much for a chit of a girl?"

"Humph." Malcolm said, looking cross with Malfoy. "You're not a very subtle Slytherin are you? Well, as you know we are a Grey family, having some inclination to support both the Light and Dark in politics and, shall we say, other things."

"So what are you saying, precisely."

"Oh, for Merlin's sake." Malcolm said, throwing both his hands up in frustration. "Has losing the Black Dowry caused you to lose your brain as well? I'm trying to give you money to support your Dark Lord you idiot."

Malfoy looked rather peeved by the insults and thought a bit before answering. "Why not join him?"

"Have you forgotten my in-law? Tall women, carries a special Staff that makes a bright light? Her father damned near ended your Dark Lord, and I can tell you that she's stronger than her old man."

Malfoy winced at the description of Marlene McKinnon.

"Yes, her. In case you didn't know, she's one of the anchors for The Light. I wouldn't live out a week if I took your Lord's mark. Now paying you money to resurrect one of my lines, one which was known for its Light tendencies I might add, will be accepted."

"Yes." Malfoy said with a sour look to his face. He leaned forward slowly and tapped his cane on the floor between his legs. "Very well. With the specified modifications, though I've got one more to add."

Malcolm tried to maintain his expression, and nodded to get Malfoy to continue.

"If she is not pregnant by New Year's Day, of '97, then the contract reverts to me, and you forfeit the galleons."

Malcolm rubbed the short stubble on his cheek as he thought. "I'd prefer it for after the chit graduates, but we have elves for assisting in such a situation. Very well, I accept your condition."

"You realize, that you will be unable to alter the contract until that time?"

"Of course, I'm aware of that."

"Good." Malfoy said with a grin and held out his hand.

Malcolm shook it once, firmly and turned to the goblins.

"Give us five minutes to re-write the contract Lords." The Greengrass manager said as his companion was busy marking up the original.

Several minutes later the altered contract was turned to Lord Malfoy by his account manager. He read it through, then sat back with a smile.

The goblin shifted the contract for Malcolm to read and Lord Greengrass went over it, making sure that nothing else had been modified. The bit about her being pregnant would throw a doxy in with the puffskins, but it couldn't be helped. It was likely Malfoy would scrap his agreement if offered more money to drop that condition. It was Malfoy's assurance that Malcolm intended to do what he said. However, the contract did not specify that he had to be the father of that children.

"Acceptable." Malcolm finally said.

The contract was turned back to Lord Malfoy, while the other goblin pulled a blood-quill from a sealed container.

With his usual flourish, Lord Malfoy signed the amended contract.

Moment later Lord Greengrass did the same.

With a look in a ledger, Malfoy's account manager turned to his client. "The money is in your account."

"Excellent." Malfoy said and stood. "Pleasure doing business with a real man for once Greengrass."

Malcolm stood and gave Malfoy a half-bow as the platinum-haired man left with his account manager on his heels.

When he was alone with his account manager he looked over to the scowling goblin. "My apologies Grimtooth. I only acted the way I did to help convince Malfoy to accept my offer." He slowly took his seat once again.

"One understands this, though it was hard to refrain from drawing my blade. I do not know how Sharpaxe deals with that man."

"Thank you for your indulgence. Now, in your opinion, can this contract be nullified, freeing the girl?"

"What?" Grimtooth asked, his eyebrows both rising dramatically.

"I am not resurrecting the Dagworth line. During the attack on Hogsmeade, Miss Parkinson rescued my daughter Astoria, twice. She asked me to free her from Malfoy. My family owes her a Life-Debt."

"Hmmm." Grimtooth said, scowling as he took up the contract to re-read it with this in mind.

Malcolm sat patiently waiting as he did so.

"No." Grimtooth said. "Even if you transfer this to another male, the final condition must still be met, or the female will revert to Lord Malfoy."

"As I thought." Malcolm said. "And the rest of it cannot be altered until then either?"

"No, see this." Grimtooth said, pointing a sharp claw to one of the paragraphs. "Being with child by that date merely seals the contract, you specified a term of five years, which only takes affect from the date of confirmed pregnancy."

"And the three male children must be born within that period to fulfil it?" Malcolm asked, to verify he understood the details.

"Yes." Grimtooth said. "The female must be bred thrice, within a five year period, by the same male mind you, and the first deadline is a bit over thirteen months hence."

"Once the three male children are produced, and the five year period is expired, the contract may be nullified?

"As of that date yes." Grimtooth said. "Now remember, the first deadline, only determines if the female reverts to Lord Malfoy. It does not alter any of the other conditions."

"Yes, I see that. Provide me with a certified copy of this please. I will speak with the girl and follow her directive."

"As honor dictates." Grimtooth said, which didn't quite make sense to Malcolm, but he nodded anyway. As long as he'd dealt profitably with goblins, their culture was still difficult for him to understand. He supposed theirs was similarly murky to them.

}-{

Lord Voldemort stood once again before the crystalline door in the crumbling passage. Last time he had been here had been twelve years ago, shortly before his encounter with the mudblood bitch.

He hadn't been able to proceed past this point. The ancient wards still held far too much power, as though someone periodically renewed them. Now he held the correct knowledge to breech them. These wards were even older than he had believed, predating not only the Norman Conquest, but the Roman one as well. That could only mean that they were Merlin's very own, safeguarding his deepest treasures.

Fortunately the vampire historian he had originally hired to research the wards, had continued to do so after his encounter with the bitch. The ultimate answer hadn't even been in England, but instead under one of the temples in Rome. Hidden away in a vault of antiquities the retreating Roman Mages had taken with them.

With careful inflection he formed the sounds the vampire had taught him. He wasn't sure they were actually words, but the light emanating from the crystals in the wall faded and the door flickered out of existence.

"Yes." He said and lit his wand to see within. He would be unstoppable with the treasures of Merlin at his command.

}-{

At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, an immortal woman paused in her preparations for her next lecture and cocked her head. "Idiot." She spoke, though she appeared to be alone in the chamber.

}-{

Across the Atlantic Ocean in the American city of Las Vegas, a man froze while walking down a busy street.

The woman behind him narrowly avoided him and scowled as she passed.

The man in question paid her no attention. Instead finishing his step and moving to the nearest brick wall. A thought rendered him un-noticeable behind a curtain of night.

Once obscured he was able to focus. Yes some idiot was disturbing that which should not be. "She's not ready to wake you idiot." He said, and began making his way towards the nearest taxi.

She would not be happy upon waking, and would vent her displeasure. He only hoped it wouldn't be noticed by the non-magical in the area.