Finding Family in the Shadows

Harry thought being at Grimmauld was a really weird mix of happy and terrified. Being around Hermione, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley scared him. They had unlimited access to him in a place that he could not get away from them. He was constantly watching everything that was going on around him so that he would at least be aware of something happening to him. He was keeping a log of everything. The memories were meticulously filed away until a time when he could offer them up as evidence against the people who were hurting him. He had an almost eidetic memory and perfect total recall since he had been locked away in his mind practicing mind magic.

While he was scared of the three women he was terrified of Sirius. Something had happened to Sirius since the last time he had seen him. Back in third year, he had seemed fine if a little bit eccentric. The fourth year he had mainly only talked to him through letters and those had also seemed fine if a bit eccentric. Then, in his fifth year, he had been concentrating on the tournament too hard and apparently completely under Dumbledore's control to even pay attention to Sirius' behavior. However, now staying in the home with him and sleeping under the same roof, witnessing his behavior firsthand was terrifying. The man was completely barmy, like Mad Hatter and March Hare crazy, with Red Queen, level violent outbursts.

He called Harry 'James' more often than not. At any given time day or night you could hear things in the house, breaking or have to dodge as something was thrown. You could randomly walk into a room and find him having full arguments with people who were not there. A few times he had come at Harry at almost a dead run and shaken him violently or pulled his wand on him. But, every time, Remus was there.

Wonderful, strong, and steady, Remus who distracted Sirius with memories of the past or simply stepped in front of Harry so that Sirius couldn't see him anymore. He had even on occasion gently grabbed Harry and pulled him from the room, handed him chocolate, and tucked him under his arm. Remus, who would carefully tell him stories about his mum and dad. It took only one story for Harry to understand that Remus knew Lily and James were not his parents. Remus, wonderful Remus, was telling him stories about his real parents. The ones that he had been stolen from. But he said no names and he made it sound as if he was talking about Lily and James just in case anyone overheard them.

Harry loved Remus. He was so grateful for him. Remus and Ron were his most favorite people in the whole world right now and he was going to show them and tell them every day when he was free from the prison of his own mind.

And then, all too soon it was time to go back to school. Right away Harry could tell things were just a little bit different. It was a very subtle thing, and he didn't think anyone else noticed. But he guessed that was to be expected. Everyone else had other things to do. Homework, gossip, and just being oblivious teenagers. Harry had nothing to do but observe the people around him while False-Harry was in control. So, if you think about it, it wasn't all that strange for Harry to notice the subtle difference.

Harry had been suffering from dirty looks and random hexes or being tripped in the halls all year. Classmates sneering and calling him names had been a very commonplace thing this year. People were pissed about the papers and the fact that he had claimed that Voldemort was back. Harry just hadn't paid it much attention because people's opinions of him had always shifted between adoration and exaltations to degradation and detestation.

But slowly, it stopped. It had been very, very subtle. Every time Harry was tripped, the person who tripped him fell not moments later. Every time he was hexed, the person who had done it suffered the same thing. Every time he was called a name or talked bad to the other person became tongue tied and couldn't speak properly for the rest of the day. At first, Harry thought it was Ron or the twins doing it. Then, he realized that Ron and the Twins had been loud and brash about their defense of him. Whoever was doing this was quick, cunning, and smart. Then Harry realized it.

None of the people tripping him, hexing him, or talking bad to him was a Slytherin. In fact, the Slytherins hadn't messed with him since coming back from winter break. It was like having his own personal body guards in all honesty. At any given moment he could look around him and see someone in green just kind of watching. Eyes never still, completely focused on the people around them. Even after his bad treatment stopped, they were always there. Harry was very confused but also a bit happy about it.

Someone was looking out for him and he was starting to see a bigger picture here between comments that Dumbledore had said, stories Remus had told him, and now the Slytherins being silent, secret body guards. Even Snape was less snarky and hateful. Harry along with everyone else just assumed it was because the school and Umbridge were already torturing Harry on a daily basis so he was satisfied that Harry wasn't 'getting a big head'.

Then Harry had a front row seat in potion class to the Slytherins plotting. False-Harry was busy brewing and Harry was watching everyone else in the classroom. So when Snape subtly signaled the table with Draco, Theo, and Blaise Harry watched as they gave each other looks and then an ingredient of some sort was floating high into the air and hovered over Harry for a moment. Draco laughed out loud to distract False-Harry and when he glanced away from his cauldron the leaf of some sort dropped in. A noxious gas began to bubble out of the cauldron and spread throughout the room. Snape banished it and then was giving Harry detention to be served with him tonight.

"But Sir, I already have detention with Professor Umbridge," False-Harry exclaimed.

"Also, it wasn't his fault," Ron started to protest. Bless him.

"I suggest you close your mouth Mr. Weasley before you join him, and before you get any ideas you will be serving separate detentions," Snape snarked. Ron had opened his mouth to comment and then snapped it closed at the last bit.

"I know that you are serving detention with Umbridge. As you have practically every day this year. You will come to me after your detention with her," Snape told False-Harry.

"Sir, sometimes she doesn't let me out until after curfew," False-Harry stated.

"I will speak to her about making sure you are let out with enough time to serve with me afterwards," Snape said coldly and with a false glee. Harry could see that it didn't truly reach his eyes.

"Yes, Sir," False-Harry said with barely contained anger. Harry could see Hermione hide a quick flash of a smirk and Ron was nearly vibrating with anger on his other side. Snape returned to his desk and gave the three Slytherins a slight look of pride for a job well done and Harry watched as the looked very pleased with themselves. Something was going on. There was some kind of plot happening that included getting Harry alone with the professor. Harry was very curious.

"Oi, Malfoy," Ron started after class. He went to take a step toward the blonde but Harry did something he promised himself not to do, he took control of his hand which had extended to his entire arm at this point. He reached out and grabbed Ron and tugged his sleeve. Ron paused and looked up at False-Harry and saw the sneer that was clearly there enjoying the altercation that was fixing to happen. Which did not at all go with the fact that Harry was holding his sleeve. Ron being the brilliant strategist that he was immediately noted the obvious contradiction.

Harry released his shirt and Ron played the whole thing off brilliantly. Harry dared anyone to ever call Ron dim in front of him again once, he was back in control of his body.

"Tsk, I know what you did. Watch your back slimy snake. C'mon Harry they aren't worth it," Then the redhead was stomping off with a gloriously convincing scowl on his face. Hermione linked her arm with False-Harry's.

"He is right Harry. They aren't worth it. Let's just get to lunch," Hermione said as she was pulling Harry down the hall away from the trio.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later that evening, Harry only had to endure his torture from Umbridge for an hour and a half before he was dismissed with a sneer.

"I am releasing you early tonight because you have apparently earned a detention with another teacher. He has promised that if I cut mine short that he would make sure you hated every minute of your detention with him as well. Go on. Run along to the dungeon and report to Professor Snape," Umbridge told him with her annoyingly high-pitched voice. False-Harry stood and left the room. He pulled out a bandage and rewrapped his hand to cover the blood.

False-Harry went straight to the dungeon and began cleaning cauldrons and chopping ingredients when he was instructed to. Then Harry watched as Snape began to examine him very closely. Harry saw the subtle wand movements and knew from the brush of magic that he felt that they were diagnostics. Snape was checking on him? Weird. Then he felt the subtle brush of something against his mind. Snape was trying to use Legillimency. Harry was going to let him in.

Harry saw a version of Snape like a strange non-corporeal version of himself appear in his mind. Harry watched from the shadows of his forest as the professor seemed confused and tried to pull memories to him. Harry had felt the tug. Then Harry saw the other being that occupied his mind begin to move through the shadows on the other side of where Snape was. Harry could not let that other being get to Snape. This might be his only chance to let someone know that he wasn't ok.

Harry dashed out of the trees quick as a bunny and snatched Snape's arm. He was surprised to find that he didn't just grab air since the man looked like a ghost. But Snape felt solid under his hand.

"Be quiet and Run," Harry whispered desperately to his professor. Snape, the prodigy that he was, caught on quickly. He took off running behind Harry. But he was taller and had longer legs so he was faster than Harry. He snatched Harry up and kept running. Harry did not need to be told to give him instructions. He prompted Snape where to turn and when. Finally, they reached Harry's secure area.

"Put me down, Professor," Harry stated urgently and then he moved forward and unlocked his heavy door before dragging Snape inside. He pulled up the draw bridge and then closed and bolted his door. As he turned the last lock and stepped back there was a bang on the door and a screech. "He is so mad," Harry stated with a grin as he turned to his quiet professor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Potter?" Severus asked. Harry nodded with a grin.

"You found me," Harry stated sounding a bit manic. Severus looked around a bit impressed at the mindscape Harry had built. Then he looked back at the boy in front of him.

"Explain please," He demanded gently. This was his friend's son after all and he had promised to look after him. Harry looked small and worn out. Severus watched as the boy opened his mouth as if to answer, then he snapped it closed and wrung his hands together nervously.

"Who do you serve?" Harry asked instead. Severus was caught off guard. He hadn't expected that at all.

"No one. I serve no master. Dumbledore is not what he seems and Voldemort does not exist. Tom Riddle is my friend and I am working with him, not for him," Severus stated as truthfully as he dared. He still did not understand what was happening. He watched as Harry's eyes seemed to fill with hesitant hope. Then, he was truly shocked to his core when the sixteen-year-old was suddenly sobbing in his arms.

"I need help. Please, please help me, Professor. I am trapped in my own mind. I have no control over my own body or the words that come out of my own mouth. Dumbledore has complete control of me. I am so afraid," Harry continued to sob in Severus' arms. The potion master just held him and soothed him. Speaking quiet words of comfort to him.

"I am going to help you, Harry. It's ok. I've got you now," Severus mumbled. Harry finally stopped crying and seemed to finally comprehend what had happened. His cheeks turned bright pink and he gently pulled out of Severus' arms. But Severus noticed that he stayed within touching distance.

"Tell me what has happened, please Harry," Severus asked the young man gently. Harry nodded.

"I first noticed something was wrong over the summer. Someone would ask me a question or tell me to do something and I realized that my body and my mouth were not responding the way I wanted them to. Then a month later Dumbledore came to my house. Said he was checking on me to make sure I was still under control. He has been controlling me since I was fourteen apparently. But something happened in the graveyard that changed it and loosened his control in my mind."

"Anyways, apparently there has been an agreement between Dumbledore and the Dursleys that he would pay them as long as they beat and starved me, and kept me compliant and downtrodden. He says and does a lot of things in front of me because he doesn't realize that only part of me is his," Harry explained.

"Like what, Harry? What kinds of things have you seen and heard?" Severus asked him. Harry grinned.

"For instance, I know that James and Lily are not my parents. I also know that they are not dead and are in fact pretending to be Hermione's parents. Well, not pretending, because they are actually her parents, I mean they are pretending to be muggles. I also think I have figured out who my real Father is based on things that Dumbledore has said. I know that Grindelwald is not in prison and is working with Dumbledore. They are lovers. I know that whatever prophecy that Dumbledore keeps going on about is absolutely fake. Ginny, Hermione, and Mrs. Weasley are helping Dumbledore keep me potioned up. Ron can absolutely be trusted and has been trying to look out for me as best he can without giving himself away. Remus knows that Lily and James are not my parents. Dumbledore orchestrated the attack against Mr. Weasley. All of my "Dreams" about the Department of Mysteries are false," Harry stopped finally and took a breath.

"There is so much more than that honestly. I have a list," Harry told Severus with a shy grin. Severus placed a hand on his head and smiled gently. It was weird for Harry to see at first but quickly decided he liked it.

"You have done brilliantly, Harry," Severus praised him. Harry grinned and preened a bit under the praise and affectionate touch.

"I also know that over winter break something changed and the Slytherin house has been silent, secret, bodyguards. And I have slowly gained control over my left arm. But it is the only part of my body that I currently have control over," Harry added.

"Your father is making plans, Harry. He is going to free your mum and a few others from Azkaban. We are going to give them a little time to recover and then he is going to rescue you and your sister," Severus was interrupted.

"I have a sister?" Harry gasped with hopeful eyes. Severus nodded.

"Luna, the little blond Ravenclaw that you sometimes hang out with. She is your sister," Severus told him. Harry smiled brightly.

'I love Luna. She is a wonderful friend," Harry exclaimed. Then he grew serious. "My father has to come for me by the end of the year. Dumbledore wants me dead. His plan is to have 'Voldemort' so convinced that he needs to see the prophecy that he breaks into the ministry. Then Dumbledore wants me to fight 'Voldemort' and die. Then he will get the glory of defeating another Dark Lord. James and Lily will come out of hiding and Hermione will take my place as Heir Potter."

"Ok Harry, I have to go now," Severus stopped when Harry whimpered and shifted closer to him. He placed an arm around his shoulders and pulled him closer. "I am going to find a way to free you and give you back your body. I have to do some research so I know just what will be successful. You are not alone and you will not be forgotten. We will not allow you to die. Watch the papers for the prison break. That will let you know that plans are moving along."

"Promise you will get me free?" Harry's small unsure voice tugged at something inside Severus. He pulled Harry into a proper hug.
,
"I promise. Now what can you tell me about the thing that chased us in here?" Severus asked as a distraction.

"Pretty sure that he is the thing that is controlling my body and mouth. He hasn't properly seen me yet. He knows that something is in here with him he just can't figure out what. I don't know why he hasn't said anything to Dumbledore yet. It is a bit weird honestly," Harry told him. Ok, that was something that he could work with when he started his research. He squeezed Harry once more and then stepped away. Harry whined again and Severus rumbled to him soothingly. He watched as Harry relaxed a bit at the noise and then he opened Harry's locked door and stepped out and then was gone.

Severus returned to his own body and became aware of his surroundings again. False-Harry was still cleaning and didn't seem suspicious of anything. So Severus started making notes of everything that he had learned and then wrote a letter to Tom. The man needed to know that his son was trapped in his own mind and everything that had been discovered. Tom was going to lose it.

Finally, he dismissed, False-Harry. But before he left Severus locked eyes with him once more and was shocked and awed when he felt a brush against his mind and then words appeared.

I'll be waiting for you, Professor. Please save me."

Then False-Harry blinked and the connection was severed. Severus watched False-Harry leave and still sat staring at the closed door. That shouldn't have been possible. How had that sixteen-year-old managed to speak to him in his mind while a prisoner within his own? Apparently, being locked away in his own mind for so long was going to make him quite the Master of mind magics. Or maybe he had created a bridge between their minds when he had gone in and stayed so long talking with him in his own head. For now though, that wasn't important. He had a letter to send and research to start.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry was gleeful when he saw the paper a week later. There had been a mass prison break from Azkaban and the ministry and wizarding Britain were in a panic. Plans were moving along just like Snape had promised. Harry couldn't be happier right now. He was summoned to Dumbledore's office along with Hermione later that day after lunch.

"You wanted to see us, Headmaster?" Hermione asked once they were inside his office. Dumbledore was scowling and looked like he was one wrong word away from a full on fit. Harry loved it.

"This was not part of the plan. He was never meant to break his mates out of prison. Something is wrong. I knew it. How has his behavior been?" Dumbledore demanded pointing at Harry. Hermione looked startled by the question.

"He has been perfectly obedient. I have been watching like you said to. He hasn't shown even any subtle signs that he is not completely under your control. He is still pretending to have dreams of the corridor. He is reacting and responding just the way you want him to. Why?" Hermione asked calmly. Harry was watching Dumbledore intently. The man was agitated and therefore would be slightly unpredictable. He was growing suspicious.

Something was important about the people that had broken out of prison. Dumbledore hadn't said followers or Death Eaters. He had said mates and he hadn't said it like he meant friends. So that was weird. Mates implied they were less than human. Like they were magical creatures instead of wizards. That was interesting.

"We need to make sure that he never becomes aware. If he learns his true parentage or heritage, it could be disastrous. We may need to move up our timeline also. Instead of waiting for the end of the year. I do not want to give them time to get together and learn the truth of who they are to each other. I don't want to give them time to scheme or get their hands on Harry or Luna before I can complete my plans," Dumbledore grumbled.

"I still can't believe that Dragels actually exist. It makes sense that Voldemort is such a dark creature. It is unnatural to have so many mates as well. No wonder Harry is so unnatural liking boys and such. But what can you expect with Voldemort, Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange are his parents. His family circle is full of Death Eaters. It is a good thing that you were smart enough to alter all of their memories and separate them. I shudder to think of what the world would have been like with such dark, powerful creatures grouped together causing chaos," Hermione revealed.

Harry had suspected that Voldemort was his dad. It was nice to have it confirmed. Also he was going to have to try and get information about what a Dragel was. If his parents were Dragels then he probably was too. Also, he had three parents. That seemed weird. Dumbledore was going to suffer so badly for what he had done to everyone.

"Yes well, I didn't get to be where I am today by not being clever. At least they are missing three of their mates still. Remus is still firmly under my control, and Pandora is still locked up in the Lovegood home by Xeno the world thinks that she is dead, and Barty crouch is dead. They have no idea that Harry and Luna are their children and no way of figuring it out. Now, go on and enjoy the rest of your weekend. Just keep an eye out and report if Harry or anyone else starts looking suspicious," Dumbledore dismissed them. Hermione said her farewells and they left the office with Harry having a lot more information than he had started the day with.

He needed another detention with Snape. His dad needed information.

Two days later in potion class, False-Harry accidentally made eye contact with Snape and Harry moved quickly.

Give me Detention. It's important.

Harry knew his message had been received because Snape's eyes had widened fractionally and then gave a barely there nod of his head. Then Harry watched as the Slytherins were once again signaled. Draco made it a point to get up and walk past their table and dramatically stumbled into a shelf knocking things down just as he passed beside Harry.

"Mr. Malfoy, did you lose your balance?" Snape drawled in his deep voice.

"I am sorry, Professor Snape. Potter tripped me," Draco cried dramatically. Harry rolled his eyes and laughed. Draco was brilliant. Harry heard False-Harry protest and call Draco a liar. Snape cut them all off and gave Harry another detention. Draco smirked and winked at him as he walked away back to his table. Harry was getting Draco sugar quills. He knew the other boy was obsessed with the sweet.

Harry once again served his detention with Umbridge before being sent to Snape. He was only there a minute before Severus slipped into his mind and Harry pulled him into his sanctuary. He hugged the man tightly for taking him seriously and moving quickly. No adults had ever done that for him.

"I have important information for my dad. You have to get it to him in case he doesn't know," Harry started.

"Go on and tell me, Harry," Snape prompted him when he was quiet too long. He was trying to gather his thoughts. Snape knew a lot of things maybe he could answer some of Harry's questions.

"What is a Dragel?" Harry finally asked. Snape smiled. Harry watched as the man shrugged and then suddenly large, scaled, black wings sprung out from his back then dark scales dusted across is face and hands that now had claws. Harry saw a hint of fangs also. He was in awe.

"That is amazing," Harry breathed out. Harry reached out as if to touch Snape's wings, but he pulled his hand back at the last second and clasped them behind his back. He did not want to embarrass himself by stroking his professor's wings. "Dumbledore said my dad is a Dragel. That he had mates. That I have three parents. Is all of that true?"

"Yes, Harry all of that is true. A Dragel is an elemental-humanoid Dragon. I will tell you everything you want to know about them when we have more time. What is it that your father needs to know?" Snape asked him.

"Dumbledore is worried because he broke his mates out of prison. He wants to move up the attack from the end of the year to sooner but I don't know how much sooner. Which essentially means that my death date has been moved closer. He also said that my dad may not know that his mates are actually his mates because their minds and memories have been messed with. He also said that three of them were not with him. Remus, who I don't believe is quite under as much control as Dumbledore believes, Barty who died last year, and Pandora who is being kept prisoner by Xeno Lovegood." Harry rambled all off. He was pretty sure he hadn't missed anything.

"Is that it? You are sure?" Snape asked him. Harry thought about it and held up his fingers and counted it off.

"Let my dad know that the people he broke out of prison are actually his mates so that they can fix their memories. Two, tell him about Remus, Barty, and Pandora. Three, let them know that Dumbledore was going to be changing his mind about waiting until the end of the year. Oh, and Hermione has been instructed to keep a closer eye on me. Dumbledore is suspicious," Harry finished. He was silent a moment and then he nodded. "Yeah, that covers it."

"You did a very good job, Harry. Your father is going to be very proud of you for helping. I need to get him this information so that he can plan accordingly," Then Snape walked toward the door. Harry gave a distressed sound but didn't move. Snape made that same rumbling noise as before that soothed Harry a bit. He figured it was a Dragel thing. Snape stopped walking away and came back and draped an arm of Harry's shoulders and walked him over to the tree in his safe space. Snape sat down and pulled Harry down next to him.

"I know that you are lonely and that this is hard for you. You may not have inherited yet but you are a Dragel and we are very social creatures. We thrive on being with family and friends. Physical touch is a normal thing. I can sit with you for a little bit if you want me to," Snape offered to him. Harry looked up at the man who had been so bad to him for the past few years. It was like he was a completely different person. Which he probably was considering Dumbledore had messed with everyone's mind and personalities. Harry liked this Snape much better.

"Please, I would like not to be alone for a little bit longer," Harry told Snape with a slight blush. Snape gave a gentle smile and kept his arm around Harry and allowed him to lean against him. It took Harry only a minute to act on his Gryffindor bravery. He moved and laid his head on Snape's lap. Snape reached down and started running his fingers through Harry's hair. Harry sighed and relaxed.

"I can tell you just a bit about Dragels now if you like," Snape offered. Harry nodded and made a small noise of encouragement. "All right, let's start with what a Dragel is. Like I said before Dragel are elemental-humanoid Dragon hybrids. Our society lives and thrives in circles. Family circles are made up of parents and children. There are friend circles and mate circles. Each circle has a main triad, a Submissive, an Alpha, and a Beta. From there, you have Pareya who are protectors, and Gheyo who are fighters. There are much better explanations but that is for a mentor to explain and I am not equipped for that."

"Whatever you want to talk about is fine, Professor. It has just been so long since anyone has actually talked to me and not False-Harry," He told his professor. Snape just kept running his fingers through Harry's hair.

"Ok, Harry, but only for a bit longer. I am quite capable of splitting my focus between here and the classroom but it will get exhausting after a bit," Snape informed him.

"I understand, Professor," Harry said. And so, Harry lay there with Severus' fingers running through his hair and listened to his deep velvety voice. Harry couldn't repeat what he was told because he was just listening to the sound of another person actually talking to him. Harry must have fallen asleep at some point because when he opened his eyes next he was alone. False-Harry was sitting in the common room talking to Hermione and Ron about some assignment or other. Harry couldn't be bothered to pay attention. He was too busy trying not to think about how nice it had felt to have his professor's fingers scratching against his scalp and how much he enjoyed the sound of his voice talking to him low and quiet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tom was equal parts livid, concerned, and elated.

Livid because his son was being so thoroughly controlled by Dumbledore that he had no control over what he said or did. That he was being used and abused so that he could die when Dumbledore wanted him to. Lived because his son was afraid and alone locked in the prison of his own mind. Livid because his beautiful Pandora was being held prisoner by a man who had always been obsessed with her to the point of stalking and threatening her life. Now she had been under his explicit control for fifteen years. There was no telling what that man had done to her.

Concerned because his Submissive, Beta and both jokers were severely malnourished and half-mad from so much exposure to Dementors. Their only saving grace was that they were innocent of the crimes that had put them there. But they were so sickly in mind and body that Tom was afraid they would never fully recover. Severus and Narcissa swore to him that they would be back to normal or very close to it soon. He just didn't see how. But Severus was treating their bodies with potions that he had invented or tweaked himself and they already looked much better than they had when they had been rescued. Narcissa was working on their minds. She had been trained in mind healing and Tom had to admit that he was slowly seeing the madness fade from their eyes.

Concerned because Dumbledore was moving up his time frame and Tom didn't think that his mates would be ready to join the fight to save their children. He would go alone if he had to. His children needed him more. He would have Remus, Severus, and Lucius. They would have to be enough if the others were not ready. His son's life hung in the balance.

Elated because his son was willingly helping him. Harry had made the conscious decision to go to Severus to get a message to him. Harry knew that he was his father and he did not hate him. He was gathering information that he was freely and without coercion passing on. He was asking about his parents and heritage. His son trusted him with his life. Tom would not let him down. Severus was going to have to figure out when exactly Dumbledor was planning to make his move so that they could be ready.

"Tom, My Alpha, you are thinking very hard. What has you so twisted inside?" Tom looked up to see Bellatrix standing near his desk looking at him with a smile. Awe so she is having a lucid moment.

"Bella, My Love. You should not be out of bed. You need to rest your mind and body," Tom said gently. It did not stop him from allowing his Submissive to crawl into his lap and snuggle with him.

"I want my children, Tom. I want my babies home. I want Dora, Mooney, and Barty home. I don't like that our family is so split. So split in more than one way. I know that my mind is fractured, Alpha. I know that Dolph, Rabs, and Evan's are all just as fractured. I know you are trying to hold us together at our jagged edges. You are working so hard, my Alpha to put us all back together again. Such a good Alpha," Bellatrix cooed at Tom.

The Alpha sort of melted at the sound of his Bella's voice. It had been so long since she had talked to him like this. He had missed her dearly. Bella began to purr and run her fingers through his hair. Tom relaxed even more.

"Cissy and Severus are both very good at potions and mind magic. I can feel my mind clearing and staying clear for longer. Our Harry isn't a baby anymore, is he Tom? He is nearly grown, and we missed his whole life. Didn't we? And our Luna? Pandora already had her, and we missed it. We didn't get to hold our little moon when she was born. She is almost old enough to inherit. We missed everything, Alpha." Just like that, Bella was no longer comforting Tom.

She was being held while she sobbed into his chest over all of the things that they missed with their children. Tom swore that he would give her all the time that she needed to get to know their near-grown children and then when she was ready, he would give her more babies to love and raise. As many as she wanted. It wasn't something that she was ready to talk about right now, but he knew that she would be before too long.

"You have a plan already. Will you tell me?" It wasn't a question Tom realized. Bella knew he already had a plan.

"Yes, I have a plan. I am waiting on word from Severus and then we will move. We are going to do exactly what Dumbledore wants us to do," Tom told Bella. She grinned up at him.

"And what does Dumbledore want us to do?" Bellatrix purred.

"We are going to break into the Ministry of Magic," Tom told his Submissive with a smirk. Bellatrix laughed and then kissed her Alpha. He never did anything by halves and she wouldn't have it any other way.