Curse of Fate

Title: Curse of Fate
Author: Mistress Nika
Rating: PG-15 (Yes, 15. That's somewhere between PG-13 and R)
Summary: Thousands of years into the future, vampire Harry only wants to join his loved ones in death. However, his curse of immortality is absolute. Therefore he sends himself back into the body of his infant self, vowing to this time refuse eternity. When do things ever go according to plan? Unexpected changes to the timeline, people who aren't as they once were and more send his life spiraling out of his control.
Pairings: Harry/Lucius(main), possible Harry/Severus, possible Lucius/Severus, possible Harry/Lucius/Severus, Sirius/Remus, Theo/Hermione, possible Theo/Blaise, possible Hermione/Ginny, Draco/Luna, possible one-sided Harry/Luna on Luna's part, possible Hermione/Pansy, Cedric/Eleanor(OC), past Harry/Ginny
Warnings: AU, het, slash, angst, language, violence, time travel, VampireHarry, DarkLordHarry
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

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Chapter Sixteen:
Harry dismissed his Elite and Inner Circle soon after their impromptu lesson on Dark Lords and Lucius took the seat his wife had vacated.

"I must apologize to you, Lucius," Harry began, offering the man tea which was quickly accepted. "It never crossed my mind until the girls mentioned it. Had I realized you were my Consort, I would have spoken to you in private. Also, what I did in the hall was uncalled for. I lost my temper at my own circumstances and I should never have taken it out on you. If I hadn't, the Consort bond would not have activated this early."

Lucius was quick to reassure him. "I don't mind, my lord. Yes, the idea of a sexual relationship with you at this age is a bit disturbing, but it's not only about that. It's about putting your needs before any others. This changes very little. I have been your most faithful and loyal servant for almost two years now and I will continue on as such. I may love my family and wish to protect them, but if you asked me to murder my wife and son in their sleep, I would do it, because you are my Master. Though I trust that you wouldn't ask such a thing of me." Here he paused, as if searching for a way to adequately explain. "It's difficult to put into words, but you have my eternal allegiance and devotion. I worship and revere you. You are everything to me."

Harry smiled. "I understand, Lucius. It's much the same as I feel, only your need to serve is, for me, a need to protect. I need to protect you because you belong to me and only me." He chuckled. "It truly is difficult to put into words. How about we move on to another subject? What is it exactly that makes you think Severus is loyal, other than his actions today?"

"Severus is loyal," Lucius began, "because he is Dark. Not just a Dark Wizard, but a Dark Creature."

Harry's eyes widened and he leaned forward. This was news to him. "Explain."

"When Severus was nineteen, he was attacked by a vampire."

"Yes," Harry interrupted. "He managed to kill it and escape." The vampire had been the child of one Harry had later worked with during the war. There had been quite a bit of tension between Severus and the vampire and Harry had broken up several, rather vicious, fights between them.

"Not before being bitten," Lucius continued. "It attempted to turn him, but the moment Severus regained enough strength, he killed it. One of our house elves found him unconscious on the doorstep the next morning. Narcissa is quite skilled at healing and tried her best to save him, but the vampirism had already progressed too far. We had no choice but to send him to Dumbledore at Hogwarts. Poppy Pomfrey is a licensed mediwitch. She had access to potions and knowledge of spells that we didn't. She did her best to halt the change and eventually succeeded. Severus is still a wizard, but I would say, he's a little more vampire than human. He needs blood regularly, but is only slightly irritated by the sun. He seems to be mortal, but has a longer lifespan. He's only aged a few years since that day.

"He's able to pass for human and only a handful of people know, including myself, Narcissa, Draco, Dumbledore and the Hogwarts staff. Dumbledore likes to think that Severus is loyal to him because he could out him, much as he did Lupin. Severus would be hunted down and killed because, not only is he a vampire, he is also a convicted Death Eater. Dumbledore counts on his fear of discovery to override his natural loyalty to the Dark."

"Dumbledore is a fool," Harry stated absently. "If Severus were a true Dark Wizard before he was turned and is now a Dark Creature, he could never betray the Dark. It would go against every natural, unavoidable, irrepressible instinct he has." Sitting back, Harry tapped a long nail thoughtfully on the tabletop. "Things have changed in ways they shouldn't have. My very presence, or the anticipation of such, seems to have been enough to throw off events even before I was born."

"My lord?" Lucius asked in confusion.

Harry continued talking to himself, almost as if he had forgotten Lucius' presence. "Severus should not have been turned, you should not have found me at Privet Drive, that second prophecy should not have been made and the ministry should not have discovered the First City so soon. I wonder how much has truly changed from the original, just because of my return."

"Return, my lord?" Lucius tried again. "Have you been, reincarnated? Is that why you have the memories of a First Vampire?"

Harry chuckled. "Not exactly. How much do you know about time travel, my friend?"

-SCENE BREAK-

Severus heaved a great sigh when the large double doors finally opened. He gracefully rose to his feet from where he'd been resting against the stone wall and smoothed down his robes.

"Lucius, where the hell have you bee--?" He paused in his angry rant at being made to wait when he saw who had entered. "Lupin?" he asked in curiosity. He stared at the man with some surprise. He hadn't actually believed him to be a Death Eater, and if so, likely a spy. He just didn't seem the type. However, he quickly reassessed his opinion as he took in the werewolf's appearance. New robes fell neatly over the werewolf's body, physical power and strength no longer hidden behind second-hand robes and a thin form which spoke of constant illness. His hair was neatly trimmed and somehow seemed to have lost most of it's grey. He seemed healthier, more confident and full of life. This was not the Remus Lupin he had seen last nearly ten years ago, begging Dumbledore and then the ministry to listen to his claims.

Despite his momentary loss of composure, he managed a sneer. "I thought you were an impostor when Lucius announced you, used to bolster morale and all that, at having the support of the werewolves."

The man just smiled kindly at him. "Not at all. The Dark Lord-" he paused to chuckle, "-wants to see you. Lucius had a bit of a shock, so I was sent to fetch you instead."

With a sharp nod, Severus closed the distance between them and began following the other man up a flight of stairs into what he assumed was the main building in which the Dark Lord resided.

"Just one thing," Remus said as he led him out. "Sirius is here as well. It would do you well not to attempt to harm him. Not only is he quite capable of defending himself, the Dark Lord," another chuckle, "is quite fond of him."

"I will do my level best to restrain myself, Lupin," he replied tersely, not at all pleased with the idea of being forced into friendly relations with Black.

After fantasizing, though he would never admit to fantasizing about anything, over several very painful, bloody and prolonged methods of torture and subsequent death that he would be more than eager to bestow upon one of the main tormentors of his teenage years, he was brought alarmingly back to the present when a ray of light from the setting sun struck him full in the face. With a cry, he leaped backwards into the shadows and brought a hand up instinctively to protect his eyes.

A moment later heavy curtains were yanked shut, the window being completely obstructed, and the hall was plunged into darkness. A concerned hand fell on his shoulder, which he angrily knocked away with a snarl.

"I'm sorry, Severus." the werewolf said gently. "I should have asked the house elves to close all the curtains, but I didn't think you were that sensitive."

"You weren't to know," he growled in reply, "and I'm not. It was instinctive after being in the dark for so long." Straightening himself, he glared threateningly. "I expect you to keep this to yourself, Lupin. I don't intend to have people look at me the same way they look at you."

It was meant to be insulting, but the insufferable man just continued to smile.

"I've known since you were bitten, Severus." he replied. "I am a werewolf, after all."

With that, he turned and began leading him down the hall once more, curtains snapping shut in front of them as they progressed.

-SCENE BREAK-

Poor Lucius was in a state of shock. He'd just gotten the cliff notes version of over six thousand years worth of history. A history which was the future, that would never be. It was all very confusing.

Lucius considered himself a very intelligent man, and rightly so. However, it was all a bit difficult to take in.

The idea that a young Harry Potter could be possessed by the spirit of Voldemort was a very believable one. Possession, for such a powerful dark wizard, was simple and an innocent child's spirit would have been no match should he have wished to take permanent possession of the body.

Likewise, the idea that an extremely powerful child's spirit, fueled by ancient magic performed by the mother, would be able to force out the dark wizard while keeping his memories and powers for himself was not unbelievable.

The idea that his Master was a vampire somehow born with the memories of a First One was remarkable, yet still believable. Magic was an unpredictable entity with a will of its own. Magic makes anything possible and if it needed him to be such, it would be a simple matter to make it so.

However, these believable lies were completely untrue. It was, instead, a nearly ridiculous idea that was the truth.

His Master was the spirit of his future self, sent back into his infant body from over six thousand years in the future, turned into a vampire by his magic which, being tied to his spirit and not his body, traveled back with him and reacted with his dormant vampiric Potter genes, who's only wish was to restore balance to the magical world and then die as he was unable to do in the future...which was no longer the future...to anyone but him...

It was no wonder he had a headache. Not to mention his Master had handed him a headache potion, given him a fond pat on the shoulder and then left him to deal with Severus by himself!

His only instructions had been, "Tell him what you think he needs to know." Then he had headed off to do damage control with the now Widow Bell and her three children before the ministry could inform them.

Lucius was still staring blankly at the wall, empty potion vial dangling from his lax fingers, when Lupin and Severus entered the room.

-SCENE BREAK-

Harry appeared at the edge of the Forbidden Forest a few hours after sundown. He'd spent three hours with Claudelle Bell, informing her of her husband's passing and explaining his reasoning behind the man's murder.

She'd remained strong and stoic at first, accepting everything he told her with naught but a nod of her head. She had always known that her husband was not a very powerful or courageous man. She'd steeled herself for his death for many years; ever since he had come home Marked. That didn't mean she loved him any less. She'd finally broken down and cried when Harry had warned her of the likely condition of her husband's body when she went to collect it. Harry then had the uncomfortable task of dealing with an emotional woman.

Sixteen or six thousand, it didn't matter. He'd never been able to deal well with crying women. An angry woman? Simple. A depressed woman? Easy enough. Hermione and Ginny had been prone to random fits of both and he'd learned how to deal with them.

However, they'd rarely cried. They'd often joked that they had cried themselves out ages ago.

Eventually, Mrs. Bell had said, through her sobs, that she understood the why and his visit was more consideration than she had expected. Harry had left soon after.

Now he waited for the inhabitants of the castle before him to go to sleep for the night.

He'd already felt the wards and magic of the ancient structure reaching out to greet him and he'd returned warm feelings in kind. The castle was nearly sentient enough form mental words and she was happy to welcome her lord home.

It had been many years since a Lord of Hogwarts had walked her halls and she missed that feeling. She'd made do with the various heirs; James Potter, Lily Evans and Tom Riddle among others.

For each heir that had graced her stone walls with their presence, she'd strengthened her wards using just their innate magic given off in classes and as they went about their lives. However, she yearned for one who would restore her to full strength, inundating her with pure magic of their own free will. No longer would she have to siphon the magic of others just to maintain the most rudimentary and essential protections.

No matter how powerful her spells and wards seemed to be to the present day wizards, she knew she was capable of so much more.

Harry, upon sensing her nearly ecstatic hopes, sent back feelings of rueful regret and a promise of 'soon'. She instantly feel into a bout of brooding, but the magic in the air tingled with a sense of anticipation as well.

Dumbledore would feel the shift in Hogwarts magic when she fully accepted a new lord. He had to wait. The old man couldn't know that Harry had been here yet.

A rustle to his right drew his attention and he barely caught a glimpse of a monstrous serpentine form slithering through the underbrush before it disappeared into a large cave well hidden by old magic.

Harry smirked. Perhaps, while he was here, he would pay a visit to an old friend.

-SCENE BREAK-

Eleanor knew there had been an attack on Hogsmeade and likely the Ministry. To the best of her knowledge, Professor Snape had not yet returned from his summons and the headmaster had been forced to cancel all classes for the rest of the day. Most of the other teachers had left the castle soon after Professor Snape. Professor Flitwick and her own Head of House, Professor Sprout, had remained to keep order. Professor Trelawny had temporarily been put in charge of the Gryffindors, much to their dismay, and Professor Vector had taken control of the Slytherins.

Most of the upper year Gryffindors wanted to go join the fight in Hogsmeade, as did half of the Slytherins, though obviously on different sides. The Ravenclaws kept trying to sneak into teachers' offices to floo the Ministry and the Hufflepuffs were just hoping the castle wasn't attacked. They had all been confined to their dorms when fights began to break out in absence of most senior staff members.

Her own sister, Lavinia, had been involved in one of the fights. Antoinette Young, a seventh year Gryffindor, had started in on her about her Death Eater father and how Lavinia must have been dying to go join "her kind" in Hogsmeade. Lavinia was known as one of the more patient Slytherins, but it only stretched so far when it came to arrogant Gryffindors. Eventually, she had hauled off and punched the other girl in a most unladylike manner. She then blamed Young for breaking her nail and began hexing her. Young's friends jumped to her rescue and began attacking Lavinia. A good two thirds of Slytherin house from fourth to seventh year then leaped to Lavinia's defense, or just decided to use it as an excuse to create havoc. A free-for-all battle between Gryffindor and Slytherin had quickly ensued leaving six students in the infirmary and Lavinia in danger of losing her status as Head Girl.

It was nearly nine that night when Professor Sprout entered the Hufflepuff common room and informed them that the battle in Hogsmeade was over and that most of the teachers had returned. A few had been taken to Saint Mungo's, but were expected to make full recoveries, and the headmaster was still at the ministry sorting things out.

Shortly thereafter, they had been sent off to bed and now, at nearly midnight, the second year girl's dorm was full of soft snores.

Eleanor couldn't sleep, however. She tossed and turned, worried that something horrible had happened. Although, unlike the rest of her house mates, she was not worried for the missing teachers or the people of Hogsmeade. She was worried for her father, she was worried for the Death Eaters and she was worried for her friend, the Dark Lord.

Rolling to her left, she suddenly bit back a scream. Two glowing green eyes peered at her from within the dark confines of her bed. She then let out a sigh as she realized who it was.

Harry sat on the edge of her bed cross-legged and facing her with the curtains still closed behind him, as if they hadn't even been disturbed. He raised a pale finger to his lips, motioning her to be silent. She nodded immediately, sitting up and drawing the blankets around her.

"Meet me in the potions classroom," he whispered softly. She nodded again and just like that, he was gone, seeming to simply melt into the shadows and vanish.

Without hesitation, she threw back the covers and slid out of bed. Careful not to wake her sleeping dorm mates, she threw on her cloak and shoes and headed out.

On her way through the common room, she failed to take note of a figure curled up on the sofa. The figure watched her leave with curious eyes before hastily following after her.

-SCENE BREAK-

Cedric had been waiting up for word from his family. He was a bright boy and he knew that the attack on Hogsmeade was probably a diversion. After all, the Dark Lord would be wanting his servants back. His father worked at the ministry and would be in great danger should an attack take place. So, he had vowed to stay up all night until he received word that his father was alright.

He had been lightly dozing when he was awakened by a small form creeping across the common room, stubbing a toe on an end table and then dashing out the door. He recognized her as a girl in his year, Eleanor Bell. She was, for the most part, shy, quiet and wholly unremarkable. The only reason he remembered her at all was because she had spilled ink all over his Herbology essay last week. She'd stuttered an apology while backing away and then fled in tears.

She was one of those who gave Hufflepuff its reputation for housing only cowards. She certainly didn't seem the type to be sneaking out at night.

He briefly considered waking a prefect, but decided against it. The last thing the girl needed was to get in trouble with everything that had already happened. Her father had been arrested as a traitor, after all. The poor girl would be horrified if she were to be caught and berated by a prefect, or worse a teacher, when all she wanted was to find a place alone to cry.

That decided, it still wasn't safe to be wandering around the castle at night.

Grabbing his cloak off the back of the couch, he quickly made his way out the door and down the hall after her.

-SCENE BREAK-

Bianca groaned, swatting absently at whatever kept poking her in the shoulder, before pulling her pillow over her head in an attempt to go back to sleep. She shot up in bed when, seconds later, a boy's voice growled, "Don't make me hex you, Miss Bell."

Two glowing green eyes were narrowed in annoyance and watching her steadily.

"Who are you?" she demanded angrily, groping for her wand on the nightstand. She gave a pathetic whimper when the eyes turned red and her hand struck the wooden instrument, knocking it onto the floor to roll under the bed. "My lord?" she questioned meekly, bowing her head to hide her shame at attempting to intimidate the Dark Lord.

"Meet me in the potions classroom," he replied tersely before disappearing into the night.

-SCENE BREAK-

Lavinia gave a malicious grin as she put the finishing touches on a piece of parchment.

"This will teach that brat not to mess with Lavinia Bell!" she cackled, glad for the silencing charms she'd placed on her bed.

"That may be, Miss Bell," said a voice from behind her, "but it will have to wait."

Without stopping to think, she pivoted, throwing her fist blindly in the direction of the male voice. She gave a wince as she felt it connect with something very solid. Turning to see her opponent, her eyes widened and she paled.

"Holy fuck," she whispered in shock as she took in the red-eyed form of the Dark Lord sitting comfortably on her pillows. His face was tilted slightly to the side from the force of her unanticipated attack and he did not look pleased.

Well, she had just punched him.

"Do you know?" he said almost conversationally. "That is the first time anyone has successfully struck me in a very long time." A cruel smirk twisted his lips as he pinned her with his blood red eyes. "I must commend you on that, Miss Bell. I must also ask you to join your sisters and I in the potions classroom. Immediately."

As Lavinia thought desperately to come up with some kind of apology that wouldn't get her Crucio'd, she failed to notice his departure.

-SCENE BREAK-

Harry grimaced as he paced the empty potions classroom. Dealing with the four Bell females was almost as annoying and unpredictable as that time Hermione had cloned herself in order to study faster.

He'd been cried on, almost made one scream in terror, almost had to hex another just to wake her up and finally he was struck by a teenage girl with a mean left hook! Not that it actually hurt. It was just the principle of the matter.

Harry quickly slipped into the shadows as the door opened. It was not one of the three Bell sisters. It was instead a tall man, clad all in black robes. Black hair framed a pale face set with equally dark eyes that glittered in the near dark. His movements were inhumanly graceful as he locked the door behind him and made his way across the room to the office behind it. A few moments later, he exited the office again holding what looked to be a large wine bottle. He strode over to a section of stone wall at the back of the classroom, tapped it with his wand and then walked straight through it into the secret passage beyond on the way to his personal chambers.

'Looks like Severus intends to get thoroughly plastered tonight.' Harry shook his head in amusement and went to unlock the classroom door just as Lavinia reached to open it.

-SCENE BREAK-

Cedric lost track of Eleanor somewhere in the dungeons. He now assumed she was going to see her sister, one of the older Slytherin girls. Considering she was probably safe and sound in the Slytherin dorms, he turned around to head back to Hufflepuff when he collided with one of the last peopleanyone would want to meet late at night in the dungeons.

Professor Snape glowered down at him as he picked himself up off the floor with a blush.

"Well, well," the man drawled. "What have we here? A young Hufflepuff out of bed. Whatever shall I do with you?"

Now, Hufflepuffs are not weak, nor are they cowards as most seem to think. They simply don't act in haste and have a good sense of self preservation. When confronted with a dangerous situation, unlike Ravenclaws, they don't analyze it. Unlike Slytherins, they don't try to outwit it. Unlike Gryffindors, they don't bravely and blindly charge in. No, they rely on the fight or flight response. If it seems likely that they can win, they will fight back. Otherwise, their self preservation instinct kicks in and they get the hell out of there.

There was no way Cedric was going to explain why he was out of bed, that he had been following a fellow house mate, thereby betraying her to Hogwarts' most terrifying professor. Nor was he going to try to defend himself without explanation. When that wicked smirk spread across sinister lips, he did what came naturally.

He ran.

His instincts told him he definitely didn't want to find out what the frightening man, and rumored Death Eater, was planning for punishment and his feet were in total agreement. Without thought, he dashed back down the corridor in a blind panic.

Snape cursed and quickly chased after the wayward boy.

-SCENE BREAK-

Minerva had been assigned the duty of giving Hogwarts a once over to make sure no Death Eaters had caused trouble at the school while they were busy in Hogsmeade. It was really just a routine precaution, but she was currently checking the castle over, making sure the wards were still unbreached and all the students were safe in their beds.

She was therefore surprised when a small blur of blonde hair and black cloak dashed by her and around the bend. A young male head then poked itself back around the corner. A smile spread over the boy's face and he called out, "Professor McGonagall!" In the space of a heartbeat, he ran back down the corridor to her side and ducked behind her.

As footsteps came running, he whispered desperately, "Save me, please! I swear I have a good excuse for being out!"

Scant seconds later, Severus came pounding down the dark hall and paused when he saw the errant student hiding behind the deputy headmistress.

Her eyes narrowed as she noted the way he used the wall to brace himself and the slight stagger as he strode over to her.

"Minerva," he growled, pointing a finger accusingly at the boy behind her. "That boy is-"

"Severus," she interrupted sternly, "Have you been drinking?"

She savored the sweet taste of victory as the normally unflappable man did a pretty good imitation of a fish before drawing himself up and sneering at her disdainfully.

"I am not drunk, if that is what you are asking!" he growled angrily. "Though I was well on my way when the headmaster stuck his head through my floo and demanded I report to him now! You deal with the little brat! I'm going back to my chambers!"

With that, he spun around, stalked off down the hall and disappeared into the night.

With an exasperated shake of her head, she turned back to the boy.

"Now, why don't you tell me why you're out of your dorm?"

-SCENE BREAK-

Harry massaged his temples to fight off the headache that seemed to accompany Bell women. Yes, he felt bad that he had taken their father from them, but he'd already had to deal with their mother's tears. He was only thankful that Lavinia remained composed. She had not been very fond of her father and was attempting to stifle the silent tears of Bianca and the outright sobs of Eleanor.

Surprisingly, when he had told them of their father's fate by his command, Eleanor had thrown herself at him, not to attack, but for comfort. She had clutched him in a death grip and cried on his shoulder until it was damp. He'd awkwardly patted her back, not sure what to make of her attempting to find solace in her father's killer. Eventually, Lavinia had pulled her off him and she'd latched onto her eldest sister instead.

Apparently, he'd underestimated exactly how much he meant to her. She'd told him before that she'd never had other friends and no one else had ever treated her as kindly as he did, but to excuse such an act? It was unthinkable.

However, even her own father, to whom she'd clung either because of their similar personalities or out of a need for love and approval, had treated her little better than furniture, to be given a pat on the head here and there and ignored the rest of the time.

Lavinia was blonde-haired and blue-eyed. She was beautiful, intelligent and witty and everyone fell all over themselves for her. Bianca was naturally smart, loved books and had an assured confidence that caused people to gravitate to her. She had their maternal grandmother's dark hair and olive skin and stood out amongst the rest of their immediate family. Eleanor had their father's mousy brown hair, their mother's dull brown eyes and a slight chubbiness to her that she doubted she'd ever grow out of. She was shy and quiet, hardly ever noticed by anyone. Though she was very smart, she rarely managed more than an Acceptable in any class simply because she'd foul up practical work with her nervousness and lose homework two minutes before class began.

She was worse than hideous. She was average. No one ever looked at her twice, until she met Harry. Sure, she counted the others as her friends, but they were all so powerful and confident and they tended to overlook her.

She considered Draco to be more Harry's friend than hers. She'd been raised in such a way that anyone of Malfoy blood was supposed to be far above her acceptable circle of friends. Her mother had been horrified the first time she'd referred to the boy as simply "Draco". As for the boy himself, he was kind to her, but still distant. She was, after all, the only member of their little group that came from an untitled family.

Pansy was nice, once you got to know her, but she was a girlie girl. She liked to shop and wear pretty clothes and gossip. Eleanor hated shopping, most of the clothes she owned were simple robes in black or grey, and she hated talking about people behind their backs.

Theo was just scary at times and he'd try to talk her into things that could get her hurt or in lots of trouble.

Blaise was nice, quiet and intelligent, but he tended to stay around Draco and Theo far too much for her tastes.

It was Harry who actually made her feel like a real person. He spoke to her like she was an equal. He valued her opinion. He made her laugh and paid attention when she spoke. Whenever she felt like she was becoming just a part of the scenery again, he would pull her forward and engage her. Something as simple as offering her a sweet or directing a question to her, rather than the entire group, made her feel like she mattered.

She knew there was a darker side to her friend. A side that enjoyed causing pain and ordered men to their deaths. A side that used the Dark Arts as easily as he breathed, but this wasn't the side she knew. Whenever she looked at him, she saw just Harry, her friend.

That was the reason she was able to forgive him, but she'd never forget.

-SCENE BREAK-

Cedric trailed along behind McGonagall as they searched for the missing Bell girl.

"You last saw her going down this corridor?" the woman questioned and received a hesitant nod in response.

She could see he was torn between house loyalty and wanting to assure the safety of his house mate.

"We'll check the main classrooms and if we don't find her there, I'll look in the Slytherin common room. However, both of you are in serious trouble. I understand that you were worried about Miss Bell, but both of you are not only out after curfew, but also out after all students had been confined to their dormitories because of safety issues. You could have been seriously hurt. Even killed! Attacked by other students, locked in rooms with vanishing doors, fallen down trapped stairs, harmed by hexed suits of armor, strangled by Professor Sprout's Devil's Snare that she's got growing in some out of the way room in the dungeon, happened upon one of Hagrid's "pets", or even worse, happened upon Professor Snape's personal quarters and touched his door, which I'm sure is cursed in many nasty ways. Or you could have-"

Cedric paled at the variety of ways they could have come to harm. He ducked his head in shame as the woman scolded him, even as they continued the room to room search.

-SCENE BREAK-

Harry's head shot up when Hogwarts sent a warning to him moments before he heard footsteps and McGonagall scolding someone as they rapidly approached, doors opening and shutting audibly as they searched the classrooms.

Conjuring three letters, he handed them to each of the three girls.

"McGonagall's coming," he explained. "Tell her you snuck out to meet up because you received these from your mother."

They took them with nods and scanned them over, finding them to be standard letters informing them of their father's death. Eleanor sniffled and launched herself at Harry for one last hug.

Harry smiled sympathetically and patted the girl on the back before stepping back into the shadows and disappearing just as the door opened.

When Harry returned home, the sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon. He was met in the front hall by Nutmeg, one of the house elves. The gentle creature had Nellie wrapped around her small body and was wringing her hands nervously.

"Master Harry, sir," she began with an inelegant curtsy, "Lord Malfoy fell asleep waiting for yous to come home and Master Black is threatening to kills you's snakey!"

Nellie lifted her head up off the elf's and hissed loudly, 'He's mad! Mad, I tell you!' Then she uncurled herself and leaped dramatically at Harry expecting him to catch her, which he did.

Placing her in her customary place around his shoulders, he glared at her and hissed, 'What did you do to him?'

Nellie tried to look innocent and affronted by the suggestion. 'Nellie did nothing,' she stated indignantly.

Turning his attention back to the house elf, he asked, "What did she do?"

"Snakey bited him!" she nearly wailed, twisting one of her ears in agitation. "Master Black was walking by the sofa and snakey just bited hims foot! Nutmeg knows how much Master Harry likes hims snakey, so she keeps it safe, but Master Black says hims gonna kill it!"

'He smells like dog!' Nellie defended with a verbal pout. 'Nellie doesn't like dogs.'

Harry just rolled his eyes.

"Nutmeg," he sighed, "send an elf to Malfoy Mansion around breakfast to inform Narcissa of where her husband is. Move Lucius from wherever he is, assuming he's on a couch somewhere, into a guest room and when he wakes up, let me know. I want to talk to him. When Sirius wakes up, send him to me, as well." He started for the stairs with another sigh. "And send some tea up to my study." As the house elf gave another curtsy and popped away to carry out his orders, he shook his head. "No rest for the wicked, Harry."

-SCENE BREAK-

The papers that morning all had headlines screaming about the attacks and the sighting of Sirius Black at the ministry. The publicly available list of charges against him was updated and printed alongside the article. The list now consisted of the betrayal of James and Lily Potter resulting in their deaths, the murders of twelve Muggles and one wizard, leading an attack on the Ministry of Magic, assault, giving away Auror secrets, the attempted kidnapping and attempted murder of the Minister for Magic, multiple unconfirmed uses of the Unforgivable Curses and high treason. He had been raised to the number two spot on the Ministry's Most Wanted list, right below "Dark Lord You-Know-Who".

Harry had chuckled and hidden the paper. He'd let Sirius see it after he'd relieved his anger on Wormtail. He liked his house just where it was, thank you, and had no desire for massive renovation.

Harry then sent letters to Leonora Goyle and Zora Crabbe encouraging them to seek divorces from the Ministry and publicly denounce their husbands for being Death Eaters. That would serve to clear them of any suspicion and to free them of their husbands' iron rule. They both immediately complied.

After breakfast, Sirius had been instructed not to kill Nellie and Harry promised in return to keep her with him from then on, or at least away from Sirius.

Lucius had awoken around ten, having waited up most of the night to speak with Harry. After being asked, he explained that he had told Severus that the Dark Lord they now served wasn't Voldemort, but the true chosen Dark Lord. Severus had, of course, not believe him at first. It wasn't that he mistrusted Lucius, but it was very difficult for most wizards to discern a true Dark Lord from a fake. Lucius finally convinced him with the words, "I know, because I'm his Consort." There was no faking a Consort Bond. Severus left with the reason for his unenlightenment being that it was unwise to give him their secrets when he was constantly in contact with Albus Dumbledore. The aging headmaster was incredibly intelligent, wily and manipulative. He could trick someone into revealing damaging information without them ever knowing, until it was too late.

Harry praised Lucius for his foresight. Though Severus was an incredible man, capable of deceiving just about anyone, the fact remained that he would be teaching Harry at Hogwarts. If he knew Harry as the Dark Lord, his natural instincts would make him act differently towards him. Severus Snape could not be respectful to Harry Potter, in any way. He needed him to be mean, snarky, superior and just plain vile or it would cause Dumbledore to become suspicious.

Lucius remained with Harry the rest of the day, helping him to acquire the things he needed for the interrogation of Peter Pettigrew and simply taking pleasure from his Master's presence. The Consort Bond was new and constantly sought reinforcement and approval, causing him to seek out Harry's company and affection. Harry, as always, found Lucius' presence quite agreeable and allowed him anything he wanted. This had led to a rather awkward moment when Sirius and Remus had entered Harry's study to find Harry just waking up from a nap.

Harry had been half-sitting, half-laying on the couch, Lucius sharing it with him and laying with his head in Harry's lap, Harry's fingers tangled in his long blonde hair, having been stroking it in his sleep. After a moment, where the three stared at each other blankly, Harry blinking sleepily, Sirius let out a burst of deep, loud, hearty laughter. Lucius had jumped violently, rolled off the sofa with an unpleasant sounding thud and bolted straight up, looking around wildly like a startled cat. This only made Sirius laugh louder.

As both men had been warned repeatedly against cursing each other, a lengthy chase ensued. Lucius leaped at the animagus, intent on doing the other man serious physical harm. Sirius didn't bother to dodge. He simply took off down the hall, still laughing and with Lucius hot on his heels. The chase eventually made its way outside and Harry and Remus watched it unfold with great amusement from a third floor balcony.

Sirius finally escaped the panting wizard's clutches by transforming into Padfoot and dashing into the Barghest kennels. Lucius' angry cry of, "That's cheating, Black!" was responded to with a loud taunting bark, which set the Barghest to barking and howling as well. The barking disturbed the tigers on the other side of the house, causing the mother to roar angrily. The tiger's roar caused all of the non-magical animals of the surrounding forest, from birds to squirrels to deer, to scatter in a cacophony of various animal noises. Pandemonium descended as what might have been half the animal kingdom stampeded across the lawn in a general, uncoordinated panic.

Harry doubled over laughing as the creatures continued their frightened warpath into the village before realizing there was no danger and wandered back into the trees.

Sirius and Lucius had glared at each other for days after that.

Two weeks later, everything was ready for Wormtail's interrogation.

-SCENE BREAK-

In a dark basement below a dilapidated home in a crumbling muggle slum, three men in black robes, two in silver masks and one in bone white, prepared for a nasty bit of business. A muggle video camera stood on a tripod, directed at an empty wooden chair. A single torch was placed to each side of the chair, brightly illuminating it while leaving the rest of the room in shadow. In a corner, a simple animal cage sat on a table. Inside cowered a quivering rat who watched the proceedings with terrified eyes.

Severus placed a dark wooden box on the table beside the rat. He then opened the lid and removed several bottles of various potions, eyeing each one carefully before setting it aside. When he found the one he seemed to be searching for, he nodded to the others.

Lucius moved behind the camera, switching it on and Sirius stood directly in front of it to narrate what was about to occur.

"This video will serve as proof of an official interrogation for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement by a rebel group opposed to the current magical government," he began in a solemn tone. "The date is the seventeenth of March in the year nineteen hundred and ninety one. The prisoner to be questioned is Peter Pettigrew. I am Sirius Black, formerly an Auror for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and I will be the interrogator. The Veritaserum has been brewed and properly documented by Potions Master Severus Snape."

Severus nodded toward the camera and then drew his wand.

Sirius continued, "The prisoner is currently in the animagus form of a rat and will be stunned and removed from his cage. He will then be force-fed Animagus Ostendo, a potion which will force him to resume human form. That will be followed by Animagus Prohibitus, which will render him unable to transform for twelve hours. He will then be restrained, revived and questioned under Veritaserum."

A quick stunning spell from Severus later, Sirius was holding the rat's jaws open while the other man poured a metallic vermilion potion down it's throat. Seconds later, Sirius let go and a balding, rat-like man collapsed to the floor unconscious. Sirius sneered, but held open the mouth of a man he'd once considered his friend as Severus forced him to consume another potion. They then manhandled him into the chair and bound him with thick ropes.

Sirius pointed his wand at the man and said, "Enervate."

The reaction was instantaneous. Peter jumped, struggled futilely against his bonds and his eyes darted around the room in a panic.

"W-What's going on?" he questioned in a small voice, rough from disuse. He took in the sight of three Death Eaters, completely ignoring the muggle camera, and asked, "Why are you doing this to me? I've been loyal to the Dark Lord! I swear!"

"That's the problem, Wormtail," Sirius growled. "You should never have framed me."

Peter looked at the dark haired Death Eater in the silver mask in confusion. "W-Who..?" Surely, it couldn't be.

Sirius removed his mask and Peter screamed.

-SCENE BREAK-

Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, rubbed at his eyes and sighed heavily.

Two days ago, a large package was delivered to his office. It contained several unfamiliar muggle artifacts, each one bearing the Dark Mark somewhere on their surface. A note accompanied them containing instructions on their use, the fact that they would now run on magic and that a "video tape" of Death Eater activities would follow soon after. The items were sent to the Auror Office in preparation for the arrival of this next object.

It arrived precisely six hours ago.

After being checked for a variety of harmful spells and being deemed clean, the Aurors had watched it with him present. It was then rushed to the Unspeakables to be verified as authentic. It was confirmed.

Peter Pettigrew was alive and in the custody of the Dark Lord. He had admitted under Veritaserum to being the Secret Keeper of the Potters, betraying the family, framing Sirius Black and fleeing in animagus form. He also admitted that, to the best of his knowledge, Sirius Black was not a Death Eater. At least, not at that time.

It seemed that they had imprisoned an innocent man for eight years and then driven him to join the very creature they had accused him of serving in the first place. Not only that, they had lost a valuable Auror who's skill was nearly unparalleled. A great soldier of the Light had turned to the Dark because of his own betrayal at the hands of people he trusted, including the Ministry and Albus Dumbledore.

Severus Snape had been questioned, of course, his statements substantiated the video and, having been granted immunity by the Ministry of Magic years ago, was let go. Despite his actions in the video, which were atrocious at best in the torture that followed the questioning, he could not be prosecuted for anything he did as a Death Eater.

Cornelius straightened his collar and opened the double doors to the press hall. Time for spin control.

-SCENE BREAK-

Sirius laughed loudly in joy as he read the statement given by the Minister to reporters the day before.

"Evidence provided by a trusted agent within the Dark Lord's organization has proven, without a doubt, that the betrayer of James and Lily Potter was none other than Peter Pettigrew, formerly believed deceased hero. He has been stripped of his Order of Merlin and Aurors have been given permission to attack the now fugitive upon sight. In light of this new evidence, Sirius Black has been cleared of all charges against him, including those stemming from his recent attack upon the Ministry of Magic. It is believed that he would never have turned to the Dark if he had been given a fair trial and set free as his innocence warranted. As such, the Ministry is offering Lord Black a full pardon and restitution of one hundred thousand Galleons provided he renounce his loyalty to You-Know-Who. Until such time as he presents himself to the Ministry, Aurors are no longer permitted to use lethal force to apprehend him. If he has not presented himself within three months, his continued support of the Dark Lord will be assumed and he will remain a fugitive from the law.

"Also, in light of recent events, the Ministry of Magic has decided to declare all those who bear the Dark Mark innocent unless proven guilty of Death Eater activity. Simply being Marked is no longer sufficient evidence to warrant an arrest. Many are good people who have taken the Mark out of fear, either for themselves or for their families, and have not engaged in any malicious or traitorous activity. They will not be punished for accepting the Mark and all those in such a situation who would seek safety from the newly resurrected Dark Lord may present themselves to the Ministry. They and their families will be placed in protection, either behind spells and wards, with an armed guard or, in extreme cases, given new identities.

"In these dark times, it is often hard to know who is friend and who is foe. Villains wear the faces of heroes and the seemingly most wicked scoundrel can be a kind hearted soul forced into a role they do not wish to play. My friends, I say to you, we must band together to overcome-"

He tossed the paper to the table with, "And he just goes on from there about how good will triumph over evil, etceteras, etceteras."

Harry chuckled as Sirius grabbed Remus by the shoulders and began shaking him happily. "Do you hear, Moony!? Do you hear!? I'm free!"

Remus laughed as well. "I hear, Padfoot."

"Whoohoo!" Sirius whooped, picking Harry up and swinging him around in his arms. "I'm free! I'm free! Well," he paused, dangling the amused Harry by his underarms, "I've got to go to the Ministry first, but then I'm free!" Then he began swinging him around the room again. "And then I can get custody of you like I was supposed to and FUCK DUMBLEDORE!!" he shouted loudly, causing a house elf to drop the duster she was holding with a clack and flee the room. Sirius just laughed harder before setting Harry back on his feet. "And then," he grinned, smiling mischievously at Remus, "I can finally ask Moony to marry me."

The happy smile was wiped off Remus' face to be replaced by a look of shock. "Come again?"

Sirius took a running start, dropped to one knee and slid across the floor to land dramatically at Remus' feet. "Moony, my beloved! My darling! My one and only true soul mate!" he declared with one hand to his heart and a look of adoration in his eyes. "Will you marry me?"

Remus rolled his eyes, but smiled indulgently. "Off your knees, Romeo," he chuckled. "We're bonded mates. It's the same thing, remember? James and Lily were our witnesses. You've got the papers in your vault."

"Yes," Sirius replied, standing up and winking at him, "but then I'd get to show you off at a formal wedding." He nudged him suggestively. "Imagine, all those stuffy pureblood relatives of mine forced to attend the wedding of their family head to, not just a halfblood, but a werewolf as well. Wouldn't it be worth it just to see their reactions?"

An impish smile took over Remus face, his amber eyes sparkling playfully. "Perhaps, Padfoot. If I do agree, I have one condition."

Sirius spoke without thinking, as he often did. "Anything!"

Remus smirked. "You have to wear a dress."

Sirius looked simultaneously horrified and intrigued.

-SCENE BREAK-

Shredded newspapers covered Dumbledore's office like snow. He would read an article, tear it to pieces, scatter it angrily in various directions and then go on to the next.

"Sirius Black innocent!" he growled, tearing viciously at the newspaper. "Bearing the Mark no longer illegal!" he continued, ripping at another. "Black renounces You-Know-Who and takes custody of Harry Potter!" he ranted, balling one up and throwing it across the room. "Black declares marriage bond to Remus Lupin!" he raved, waving his arms angrily over his head. Finally, only one word could sum up his feelings on the matter.

"ARG!!"

He grabbed the inkwell off his desk and hurled it furiously where it smashed against the far wall, narrowly missing Fawkes who fluffed up in surprise and disconcertment.

Said phoenix gave Dumbledore a wary look before clucking in disapproval and disappearing in a burst of flame.

Dumbledore never even noticed he'd gone.

-SCENE BREAK-

It was the end of May when Harry received a very unexpected visitor. He was sitting in his study and watching Sirius, as Padfoot, out his window chasing a butterfly through the garden, growling playfully and nipping at Remus' hands, encouraging him to play.

A burst of fire near his desk had him reacting in instinct. He sent a stream of water at the fireball, knocking it out of the air and away from his important papers. The loud squawk as something hit the floor surprised him.

Walking around his desk, he found a very wet, very angry firebird glaring at him. His eyes widened as he was privy to an angry chirp followed closely by a growled, "Bastard."

Now, Harry was not an expert on phoenix behavior and abilities. Indeed, in his entire lifetime, and those of his predecessors, Fawkes was the only phoenix he'd ever seen. They usually didn't like to hang around Dark creatures such as him. However, he had acquired second and third hand knowledge and nowhere had he heard or read anything about a phoenix speaking.

He pointed a finger at the sopping bird and asked in astonishment, "Did you just...talk?"

"No," came the sarcastic reply, the phoenix drying itself with another burst of flame and jumping up to perch on the desk. "It was the other phoenix you so kindly shot out of the air with a highly pressurized jet of water."

"I need to sit down," Harry said flatly and promptly did just that.

"Congratulations, by the way," the bird continued, now only slightly annoyed at the boy. "I don't think most pre-school age children are able to perform such magic. Then again, I doubt you're a normal pre-school age child, are you?"

Harry just blinked in response.

"Right," he continued impatiently. "Moving on. I'm Fawkes, currently the reluctant familiar of Albus Dumbledore. Truly, I'm bound only to the office of Hogwarts' Headmaster, as I was the original headmaster, Godric Gryffindor's, familiar. I've stuck by each successive headmaster through the ages and never had much of a problem with it. However, my current "master", if you want to call him that, is, in my opinion, more than slightly insane. His behavior has grown more erratic and more explosive over the past few years, usually when it concerns you, directly or indirectly. I saw you enter Hogwarts several months ago and the castle had been buzzing with excitement ever since, and I'm not talking about its inhabitants.

"Ophion has grown restless, so I assume you spoke with him. I noticed Linara in quite a nice little set up just outside your house." He scoffed. "I'm surprised you haven't found Caelestis yet, considering how powerful you seem to be. Though, I don't suppose you've been looking. So, anyway, I decided to throw in my support too."

He then flew over to Harry's shoulder and peered deeply into his eyes. "Please," Fawkes said seriously, "Please! Save me from the madman!"

Harry laughed at the desperation in the phoenix's voice, finally shocked out of his stupor. "What, exactly, do you want me to do?"

"Just," Fawkes began, "let me hide out here from time to time. Please? Then maybe in your room when you come to the castle?"

Harry continued chuckling. "Sure. Why not?"