Finding Family in the Shadows

"Severus, what can I do for you boy?" Albus asked as the potion master flooed into his office. He was sitting behind his desk trying to put some kind of plan together that would get Voldemort moving for the prophecy now. The headmaster was having a hard time figuring it out.

"I have news, Headmaster. I have just come from a meeting the the Dark Lord. He is finally making plans to go for the prophecy. He has decided that at the end of February, he will make his move. There is no set date yet so we will just have to keep our ear to the ground to be ready when he makes his move," Severus told him. Albus was gleeful. Voldemort had finally taken his bait. He was falling into line even if it was a little later than Dumbledore had wanted.

"We will be ready to fight Severus. Thank you for the information. I will pass the information to the rest of the order and we will be ready to act when Voldemort makes his move. Now you look exhausted, My Boy. Why don't you go and relax before classes start back tomorrow?" Albus suggested to the potion master. Severus nodded and stood.

"Thank you, Headmaster. You are right, I am exhausted and I still have papers to grade before classes start tomorrow," Severus agreed and then left the office and headed to his private rooms.

Albus waited until Severus was gone and gave him enough time to get far enough away before he went to his floo and sent a message to Gellert to come through to his office. He went ahead and changed his appearance to his younger self to wait for his lover to come through. He didn't have to wait long before the hooded man stepped through.

"What is it, Albus?" Gellert asked. He removed his hood once he realized they were alone. Albus went to him and kissed him before saying anything. "Awe, so some part of your plan has fallen into place. Tell me about it."

"Voldemort has decided to go for the prophecy. He will be moving for it at the end of February. I was starting to worry that I was going to have to take drastic measures to get him to do what we needed. Now there is a timeline. Voldemort will attack and Harry will kill him and his followers will fall. A few months after that I will start making Harry act out. We will lock him away. James and Lily will come back with a sob story that the world will believe. Then we will make sure that all Dragel and creatures other than Torvak are eliminated here on Earth before finding a way to Nevarah and destroying it," Albus told his lover. Gellert grinned.

"Once Nevarah is destroyed and all other creature lines here are decimated we are going to build up our numbers and then it will finally be time to take our rightful places above the muggles of the world. There will be no creatures or Dragels to oppose us and you and I will live like Kings over them all. Just like we have been planning since we were teenagers," Gellert finished for him.

"Exactly, My Love. We are right on track to accomplish all of our dreams. We have done everything that we have to ensure the downfall of all Dragel above everything else. And if I got to play with a few of them and ruin their lives beforehand that was an added bonus," Albus said as he pressed close to Gellert.

"It is a good day, My Love. Now let us celebrate properly," Gellert said and pressed Albus into the desk.

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

Severus left the Headmaster's office and went straight to his room. Before he got there he almost ran straight into a small white-hair Ravenclaw that was twirling barefoot in the hallway. Severus smiled. She was like a perfect replica of Pandora in her actions and attitude. Pandora had always been calm, airy, and different from everyone else.

"Ms. Lovegood, what are you doing down in the dungeons this late at night? It is almost curfew," Severus asked without his usual vitriol. There was no one around there was no reason for him to keep up appearances of not liking anyone but his Slytherins. The small blonde stopped spinning and smiled up at him with eyes that were far away.

"Professor, the Nargles tell me that you must wait a week before visiting with our lion. If you don't wait a betrayer will catch you. Also, send your Dragon to visit our lion's best friend. The Nargles swear he will listen. Goodnight Professor," Luna stated in that faraway voice and then took off skipping down the hall toward Ravenclaw tower. Severus knew that among some of the students and teachers Luna was known to give warnings that happened. So Severus would listen.

Severus would wait the week before giving Harry detention. He would also talk to Draco about approaching Ron. The potion master had been watching the Weasley boy. Remus had also told him about Ron watching out for Harry's drinks and keeping an eye on Harry. The Weasley boy didn't trust Hermione or Ginny already it might be easier than they anticipated to talk to him about what was going on.

He had a lot to work out and make plans for. He was also still researching what he could do to give Harry back control of his body and expel whatever thing was inside of him that was in control.

The next day in potions False-Harry caught Severus's eye when they were brewing.

Professor? Any News?

Severus saw the message in his mind and the next time he caught False-Harry's eyes he tried to send a message back.

Be patient, Harry. Detention, one week.

He hoped that Harry got his message but he didn't have the opportunity to meet his eyes again until the end of class.

I'll be waiting for you,

Came the message back. Severus was glad that Harry had gotten his message. It was nice that whatever connection they had made went both ways. Now he just had to wait.

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

Ron was walking down a corridor alone for once. He had just left Hermione and Harry in the library. He hadn't wanted to leave Harry alone with Hermione. He had quidditch practice and Harry had been kicked off the team because of Umbridge. He had tried really hard to get Harry to come with him to practice but Hermione had started to look at him funny so he had given in and left. He wasn't happy though.

"Hello, Ron," Luna said as she gracefully danced up to him. Ron was only mildly surprised when she grabbed his hand and walked with him.

"What can I do for you, Luna?" Ron asked gently. He hadn't always understood Harry's relationship with the weird girl but ever since coming back this year, he had felt differently. Something in him told him that Luna was meant to be handled gently and to be cared for. So he hadn't questioned it.

"A dragon is going to try to talk to you. The Nargles want you to listen they say it is very important that you think before you act. The dragon is telling the truth, it wants to help you save the lion," Then Luna pulled Ron to a stop, raised up on her tiptoes, and kissed him on the cheek before dancing away. Ron smiled and then continued on to practice. He would think about what she said later.

He got through practice and was showered and ready to find Harry. He didn't feel comfortable leaving him alone at the mercy of Ginny and Hermione for so long. Ron had almost made it to the stairs when he was pulled very quickly into an alcove that was hidden behind a tapestry. A hand was over his mouth and he was going to fight before he remembered Luna's words. He was going to think before he acted.

"What no fight? I expected that to be a bit more difficult." Ron rolled his eyes at the sound of that posh voice. Of course, the Dragon was Draco whose name literally meant Dragon. "If I let go of your mouth are you going to yell and give us away?" Ron shook his head no. He felt the hand removed from his mouth and the body behind stepped away.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Ron asked with just a little less animosity than normal. Draco rolled his eyes but leaned casually back against the wall and moved his hands in a way that let Ron know that he was not holding his wand or anything. That made Ron feel a little better.

"I know that you know something is going on with, Potter," Draco said. Well, straight to the point then.

"Yes, I know something is wrong. What do you know about it?" Ron asked him.

"Hermione and Ginny are not the only ones in this school that want to hurt him. I know that you probably don't want to believe this but Dumbledore is the mastermind behind what is going on," Draco told him. Ron's first gut reaction was to defend the headmaster to the Slytherin but he took a deep breath and actually thought about it. Dumbledore had been calling Hermione and Harry to his office a lot. Ron had not been included in any of those meetings.

"Let's say I believe you. What do you expect to accomplish from having this conversation?" Ron asked the Slytherin.

"I know that this is going to be really hard for you to believe and is going to rock your view of the world but I need you to listen to me and before I say anything I will swear on my magic that everything I say will be the complete truth. Do you understand?" Draco asked him. Ron took a minute to really think about it. This was really serious stuff and he felt like he was about to truly be told something that would be world-shattering.

"I will listen to you but I am sorry, Malfoy, I am going to have to ask for the vow. You and I have never been friends or even friendly," Ron told Draco. The blonde nodded.

"That is completely understandable. Which is why I said I would take the vow. This is all very serious and I want you to believe me. Need you to believe me," Draco told him. Ron nodded. He would listen just like he told Luna he would. She had said he would tell the truth this was just a way to ensure it. Draco pulled out his wand and pointed it to the ceiling.

"I Draconis Lucius Malfoy, do so swear on my magic that everything after this moment that I speak to you, Ronald Weasley, will be the whole truth. I will not give half-truths or try to talk around the truth. I swear to answer directly and honestly in all things while in this alcove having this conversation. If I lie or give a half-truth I ask that Lady Magic strip me of my magic. So mote it be." Draco gave the oath and then slipped his wand back into his sleeve. Ron was surprised at the added parts about half-truths and not talking around it. It was a very solid oath that Ron could trust in.

"Ok Dragon, tell me your truth," Ron said with a smile and sat on the bench in the alcove to listen. Draco smiled a little and then started.

He told Ron everything. Severus had been very thorough when he told him everything that Harry had heard about the Dark Lord and everything. He didn't hold anything back at all. He told Ron that Harry had no control over himself other than in his own mind where Severus so far had been the only one able to see and talk to him. Ron was shocked to know that the letter about Hermione had come from Harry. It was very concerning to know that Dumbledore had manipulated everything so badly that Harry wasn't actually a Potter and that his parents were Tom and Bellatrix. That he wasn't even human. Then again neither was Snape, Malfoy, Nott, and Zabini.

"I don't think that you and your siblings are human either. My instincts tell me and based on that and smell, tells me that your family are blood traitors in a way that has nothing to do with the wizarding world and everything to do with being Dragel. I think that you and your family are just as suppressed as Harry is. You should talk to your brothers and find a way to secretly go to Gringotts. The goblins will help you," Draco told him finally. Ron would believe anything at this point about Dumbledore. Draco had sworn an oath of honesty so long as they were in this alcove.

"That is a lot to think about, Malfoy. I believe you, I just need time to actually process all of it. I don't know why you decided to come to me and tell me the truth but I am thankful for it. It was driving me a bit crazy to know that something was going on but not knowing what," Ron told him. He needed to wrap this up so that he could get back before Hermione got suspicious about where he was. "I need to head to the tower before Hermione or Ginny ask questions."

"Just to show that I have been truthful and stuck to the oath," Draco raised his wand once again and shot a small thing of sparks into the air to show that he still had his magic. Ron smirked and then stood.

"Thanks, Dragon. See you around," Then Ron strode out of the alcove and back to the tower. When he was asked where he was he told them that he had been ambushed by Luna and she had spent the last hour talking to him about a dragon and that he couldn't get away without being rude. He looked Harry in the eye when he said it hoping that his best friend got the message.

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

Harry was anxious. He felt like maybe Hermione was getting a little more suspicious, especially of Ron. His best friend had been a little pushy the other day about him coming with him to the pitch. Hermione was starting to notice that Ron wasn't acting the way he should be acting if he was still properly dosed on love potions. He was going to have to try and get him another note. He got the chance later that night.

~~~~Hermione is suspicious. You need to start acting like you are still being dosed.~~~~

He knew Ron had gotten the note. Immediately, Ron started acting like he was before. He was a brilliant actor. Harry could see the effort that Ron was putting into keep up appearances. Harry wasn't sure what all Ron was aware of, but he knew that he had been given some kind of information from someone.

The next day, he and Hermione had been called into the Headmaster's office again. Harry was moderately worried. He knew that something was going on since Snape said he was going to talk to him again. Something had gone down somewhere.

"Awe, there you two are. I have some news. Voldemort is finally going to try for the prophecy. He is finally falling into line. I was a bit worried for a moment but things are falling into place. You need to be ready to set things in motion on your side at the end of February. I do not know how he is going to go about implementing him plans but we just need to be ready. Hermione you can write your parents and let them know. Harry, you will be ready to play your role to perfection. A perfect weapon and sacrificial lamb," Dumbledore stated with barely contained glee.

Harry knew it was happening. It was just a completely different thing to have it confirmed that the beginning of your demise is only a little over a month away. He hoped that his dad would be ready. He was putting all of his trust in this man. Or maybe he was putting a lot of trust in Snape. Harry wasn't exactly sure yet who it was he was trusting. He did know that he absolutely had a crush on his professor. Which was weird and impossible.

"I will let my parents know. Is there anything else that you want me to take care of to prepare?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, you are going to need witnesses to everything that happens. I would suggest making sure that Longbottom, Ginerva, and possibly Lovegood go with you. Maybe we can get rid of her. She has a habit of knowing things that she shouldn't sometimes. How are things going on your side? Potter and Weasley are behaving?" Dumbledore asked.

"Harry is behaving exactly like he is supposed to. No signs or indications that he isn't completely under your control. Ron worried me for a little bit that he was becoming immune to the mild love potion so I made it a bit stronger. He is back to being infatuated at this point so that is also back under control. There should be nothing in our way of succeeding," Hermione told Dumbledore.

"And you, Boy? Do you have anything to report?" Dumbledore asked False-Harry. Harry crossed his fingers and prayed to anyone listening that False-Harry didn't give anything away.

"No Headmaster, nothing to report," False-Harry stated calmly. Harry was so grateful. He didn't know if the creature inside was truly oblivious to him being aware or of Severus visiting. But he was so thankful for it. It meant that Dumbledore was still oblivious to Harry being aware.

"Very good. You be ready to play your part. We probably will not have another conversation before it is time for our plans to take place. Just be on the lookout for the signs that it is happening," Dumbledore stated.

"Yes, Headmaster," False-Harry replied.

"Now the two of you may go. You have homework to take care of, I am sure," Dumbledore dismissed them. Hermione and False-Harry left the office and went to the library. They sat there for a bit before Ron joined them. They studied until it was almost curfew and headed back to their dorm and went their separate ways to their dorms. Ron did not go to his bed like his usually did. He sat next to Harry on the side that he had control of. Harry watched in fascination as Ron took hold of his hand and held it palm up.

"Luna was telling me about reading palms the other day and I wanted to see if I could read yours can I?" Ron asked.

"That's a bit weird but sure mate," False-Harry replied. Then Ron looked False-Harry right in the eye and then looked down at his hand and then back up as if trying to signal something so Harry paid attention when Ron started drawing in his hand.

H.....I.....H....A.....R.....R.....Y.....M.....I.....S.....S.....Y.....O.....U.....M....A....T....E......H....A.....N....G.....I....N....T....H....E....R.....E

Harry was touched. Someone had definitely been talking to Ron for him to know that Harry had control of that hand. He felt a single tear slide down his face and reached up with his hand freely and wiped it away quickly.

"So, what do you see in my palm?" False-Harry asked. Ron looked up and smiled like an idiot.

"I have no idea, Mate. I didn't understand a thing Luna was talking about. I just wanted to see what she saw. But, I don't see it," Ron said and stood up and got ready for bed. "Goodnight, Harry."

"Goodnight, Ron," False-Harry said and then crawled into bed. Harry didn't go to sleep for a while. Ron had talked to him. Him, not False-Harry. Ron really was the best friend that anyone could ever ask for. Harry loved him like the brother he always wanted Dudley to be to him. He could hang on.

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

Three days later, he was given another detention with Snape. He was so excited he was messing with all kinds of things in his mindscape. He made sure that the sun was shining and that the tree cast a large lovely shadow. He knew that Snape wouldn't stay long but he enjoyed every minute of having someone to talk to. Also, now that he had acknowledged he had a crush he was going to enjoy it even more while he could. He knew that once this was over he would either be dead, in prison, or free, and in any of those situations Snape would go his separate way and Harry would go his.

Then finally, he was there outside of Harry's door and Harry ushered him in and closed and locked the door. He turned and was surprised when Snape was the one who voluntarily pulled him into a quick hug. Harry grinned at him and blushed a little.

"Hello, Professor," Harry said. Snape moved and sat down under Harry's tree. Harry went and sat next to him. "Did you talk to Ron?" Harry asked.

"No, I sent Draco to him. Why?" Severus asked.

"He made letters in my left hand. Told me 'Hi Harry, Miss you mate, Hang in there' He was very sneaky about it and I am quite proud of the way he is keeping his cool. He is normally such a hothead. Thanks for letting him know what is going on," Harry told his professor.

"You can thank your sister for that. She was waiting to ambush me in the hall when I got back from visiting with your father. She told me that if I didn't wait a week before seeing you we would get caught and that I needed to send Draco to Ron. Looks like she was right," Snape answered.

"She always is. I have never gotten advice from her that wasn't absolutely correct. What did my dad have to say?" Harry asked.

"He wants you to know that they are rescuing Pandora next week. Remus is aware in every way about everything. Your other parents are all cleansed and Narcissa and I are taking care of them. Your mother wants you to know that she loves you and that you are going to be safe and free of Dumbledore. Your father wants you to know that he is going to do exactly what Dumbledore wants. They are going to invade the ministry but not for the prophecy. They are coming to save you and Luna," Snape told him what his parents wanted him to know.

"My mum remembers me now, too?" Harry asked with a slight hitch in his throat. Snape reached over and put his arm around Harry's shoulders and pulled him to sit closer to him. Harry was not ashamed to say that he scooted closer than was necessary and laid his head on Snape's shoulder.

"Your mother was devastated when she regained her memory and realized how much time had passed. She cried on and off for a week about how much she missed of both you and Luna growing up. I would not be surprised if you and Luna are bundled away, smothered, and fussed over for years before she lets you out of her sight. Even though Tom hasn't said it, he is very much in agreement with that plan." Harry was so happy to hear that he had family that wanted him and he was so ready to let them do all of the smothering that they wanted to do. He was touch starved from years of abuse and neglect. These months locked in his own head had made it even worse.

"How will I know when it is time?" Harry asked finally.

"Your father will let me know when he is ready and I will find a way to get a message to you. Either Luna, Ron, Draco, Theodore, or Blaise will come to you and let you know if I can not do it myself," Snape told him.

"Thank you, Professor. I am so grateful for everything that you are doing for me," Harry told him honestly.

"Harry, you can call me Severus. I think we are passed what is proper between a professor and a student. Or do you cuddle with all of your professors?" Harry blushed and sputtered a bit. Did Snape....Severus! just make a joke?

"Of course, I have never cuddled with a professor before. Or actually, I have never cuddled with anyone before," Harry said quietly. Severus was the only person he had ever cuddled with. The only person who had shown Harry any kind of affection honestly. He felt Severus tighten his hold on him. It was so nice.

"I promise once you are back with your family, you will never be without the affection and cuddles that you deserve Harry," Severus told him confidently. "That is a promise. And, should you ever feel like you are not getting enough, you come to me and I will give you a cuddle. I am going to be going away with you all to Nevarah."

"What is Nevarah?" Harry asked curiously. Severus chuckled and Harry loved the way it sounded with his ear pressed to Severus' chest.

"I didn't think you listened to a thing I said last time. You were too wrapped up in my fingers in your hair. Nevarah is a sanctuary realm made by Dragels for all creatures that need a place to run to from those who would treat them badly. Your family plans to take you and Luna and move to Nevarah. The Blacks have a home there. Your family never plans on returning to Earth. It is too dangerous here. I will be moving as well. The Malfoys are going. Theodore lived there for a few years and will be returning with us so that he can go back to his mentor. Blaise's mother has disowned him when he chose to stand with your father against Dumbledore instead of being neutral. So, he will be going with your family as well. A message has been sent to Arthur Weasley and the four oldest who are out of the home. Giving them the details of what is going on and that they need to go to Gringotts for cleansings and answers." Severus told him.

"You all have thought of everything. What about Ron? What if his family doesn't want to go but he does?" Harry asked.

"If your friend wants to go, the Malfoys have agreed to sponsor him in Nevarah," Severus replied. Harry was a bit surprised but he should expect anything by now. No one on the "dark" side was actually dark. Dumbledore had truly messed up everyone's lives.

"All right, Little One. It is time for me to go. I will speak to you again as long as it is safe. Be ready for a message that will let you know when your father is ready," Severus stood up and Harry followed.

"S..Severus?" Harry stuttered. Severus stopped and turned. "Will you tell my parents that I am happy they are ok and that I can't wait to meet them? Tell them that I will welcome all of the cuddles and fussing. I trust them to set me free. I trust you too, Severus. I am scared and I am lonely but I know that you will get me out. Thank you for looking out for me. I know you didn't have to do as much as you are doing to help me. What rank are you anyways?"

"I will tell your parents Harry. They will be happy to hear it. I am a Pareya, a protector. And you are welcome, Harry. I am here for you," Severus said and then he was gone. Severus being a protector made perfect sense to Harry. In all of the time that he had been locked in his mind, he had thought about his entire life.

Severus had been keeping him safe since year one. He was muttering the counter-curse when Quirrell had tried to knock him from his broom. He had served as a referee in the Gryffindor matches after that that year. During the second year when Mrs. Norris was found petrified and Harry had been accused of doing it, Severus told Dumbledore that perhaps Harry and his friends had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. He had given hints about werewolves knowing Hermione was smart enough to get it and let Harry and Ron know. He followed them protected them from Sirius Black and stood in front of them when Remus turned.

Even now, Severus was risking his own cover every time he gave Harry a detention and slipped into his mind. He was doing everything he could to help Harry and his family succeed. Harry didn't think he would ever be able to repay Severus for everything that he had done for him. Later that night, alone in his room he continued to try and take control of more than just his left arm. He had succeeded in wiggling the toes on his left foot. It was slow progress but it was still progress and Harry was proud of himself. Now all they had to do was wait until the end of February.

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

Tom, Lucius, Remus, and the rest of his circle were hiding and watching the two-story house that was holding his Pandora hostage. To make it look believable they would take both. Xenophilius would spend the rest of the time they were on Earth locked in Malfoy Manor dungeon. Pandora would be treated and looked over. He couldn't imagine that she was healthy being locked up for so long. They didn't even know if she had been allowed around Luna.

Tom gave the silent command and only Tom, Lucius, Remus, and Rodolphus moved into the house while everyone else stayed outside to make sure that Xeno didn't escape or call for help. They cleared each floor and found nothing, not even Lovegood.

"Over here," Remus signaled. There was a hidden door that they found led down to a basement. When they got down the stairs and could see what was happening they were sickened. Pandora was sat at a table. Her legs were bound to the legs of the chair and her wrists were bound to the arms of the chair. A rope was wound around her chest and secured her to the back of the chair. Xenophilius Lovegood sat beside her petting her hair and pressing a kiss to her cheek and then trying to feed her a bite of food. Pandora looked like she would bite his face off if he got close enough to her mouth.

"I think it is best if you stand up slowly and back away, Lovegood," Tom snarled. He was barely holding himself back from ripping the vile man to shreds. The man looked up frightened to have been caught but didn't move away. In fact he was so distracted watching them that he wasn't paying attention to how close his cheek had gotten to Pandora's mouth. She reared forward and sunk her teeth in to the flesh of his cheek and didn't let go. The man screamed and even tried hitting her but she did not loosen her teeth. She had spent so many years that she had lost count, at this mans sick mercy.

He had hurt her in so many ways and the worst had been knowing. He had not taken her mind from her. He had put a suppression collar on her so that she could not access her magic or her creature. He had bound her to this dungeon and had layered it with so many silencing and privacy spells that no one had ever heard her or even knew she was down there.

Pandora had given birth to her baby daughter and had been allowed to keep her at first. She had been allowed to feed her and care for her until she was old enough to eat real food and then Luna had been ripped from her arms and moved upstairs so that Pandora could hear her everyday but couldn't touch or talk to her. Luna had been right above her everyday but it might as well have been across the ocean. Pandora had started to worry though. Xenophilius had started to come down here this past year and taunt her with the idea that her daughter looked just like her and was much more pliant and could warm his bed just fine if Pandora wouldn't cooperate.

It had made her sick. Now though, her mates had come. They were going to set her free and get her daughter far away from this sick sick man. She did not let loose of her teeth from his flesh. She couldn't so even when the man was sobbing and begging for help she still didn't let go. Only when she felt a soft, strong hand against her cheek and soothing gentle words spoken quietly in her ear of safety, comfort, and revenge did she finally unlock her jaw and release her prize. That hand never left her face and the words of comfort didn't stop as the ropes were released from her chest, arms, and legs. Then she was being pulled into strong arms the words never stopping.

Pandora sobbed and fell apart. Clinging to her Alpha she fell apart and did not let herself be put back together until she felt multiple bodies pressing around her. Stroking her and pressing gentle kisses to her hands and face. They held her and loved her and finally she allowed herself to relax and stop sobbing. She was safe, her circle had come for her. Her nightmare was over. After a while she was carried gently to a hot bath full of bubbles were her Submissive was her only company. Bellatrix bathed her and washed her hair. She pressed loving kisses to every part of Dora's body as she cleaned it.

After she was clean Bellatrix just allowed her to float in the water and held on to her. Then as the water finally began to cool Tom was back with Rodolphus. Rodolphus pulled Dora from the water and gently dried and dressed her as Tom did the same for Bellatrix. Then Dora was carried to the bedroom where Evan, Rabastan, and Remus were already in the bed waiting for them. The seven of them curled up together, held one another and mourned the loss of Barty who was lost to them forever. Their scales all turning black in mourning.

It was three days before any of them emerged from the room. Tom had been informed that Severus had finally been able to escape the school without seeming suspicious. He had had to stop writing letters and using the floo because Umbridge was monitoring all mail and floo systems. Tom had the elf take Severus to a sitting room and informed his mates that he was meeting with the potion master to receive news about Harry and Luna. Everyone had decided to accompany him. Lucius and Narcissa were there as well. Once they were all settled Bellatrix was too eager to wait any longer.

"Severus, what news from our children?" She asked anxiously. Tom ran his hands soothingly up and down her arms. Pandora was tucked up between Evan and Remus.

"Luna the lovely girl was quite helpful this last go round. She was waiting for me when I got back last time to inform me that it wouldn't be safe to talk to Harry without getting caught so I had to wait. She also informed me, in her unique way to send Draco to Ron. Which made your son very happy. Ron took the time to send Harry a secret message that he needed to hang in there. It made Harry very happy," Severus told the eager parents.

"So Luna is doing good then?" Pandora asked desperately. Severus smiled.

"She is. She reminds me of you so much Dora. A lovely little girl with her head always somewhere far away. She is a beautiful girl that all of you should be very proud of," Severus answered her.

"And our Harry?" Bellatrix asked.

"I pulled a memory for you of our last time together. I know Tom has a pensieve here that can project the memory on a surface. I figured that you might like to see it," Severus told them. He knew it would be a different thing completely for the parents to actually hear from Harry's mouth how he felt. Tom sent an elf after the pensieve and Severus placed the memory inside. It was a lovely thing for Bellatrix, Tom, and the others to hear from Harry's own mouth that he would welcome their attention, smothering, fussing, and affection.

They watched the way that Harry melted against Severus and stayed wrapped in his arms. The way he needed words of encouragement and even the way he was ready to submit to the affection and attention of his parents.

"I would eat my left leg if that boy is not a submissive," Rodolphus stated with an amused smile. He looked at Severus with a smirk.

"Oh, I don't doubt that one bit," Tom agreed. His son displayed all of the classic behavior of an inherited Submissive.

"Once the suppression on him is removed of course," Rabastan added. Remus laughed, he knew his pup.

"I think all of you should go ahead and accept the fact that Severus is going to be our son-in-law. The two of them already have a partial if not full soulbond," Remus told them all. Severus didn't say a word. He had already been suspecting it from the way it was so easy to communicate with Harry even when he wasn't in his mind.

"How do you figure?" Evan asked curiously.

"I have spent the most time getting to know Harry. He is a very withdrawn boy when it comes to allowing people to touch him. He still flinches from me. Has he ever flinched away from you or shown any sort of hesitation when you touch him?" He asked Severus. The potion master took a moment to think about it before answering.

"No, he has not flinched back or hesitated. I have cuddled or hugged him every time I have been in his mind. He is always so sad and the sounds of distress he makes cause my instincts to behave erratically. Soothing him is the easiest thing I have ever done, and he is so receptive to my comfort," Severus answered honestly. Remus gave a look to the others.

"Severus has not denied the connection either, just to point that out. He feels it forming between the two of them," Remus stated calmly. Severus only nodded. He wouldn't deny it. He could feel the connection and it only got stronger each time he was in the boy's mind. They would just have to see what came of it if anything once Harry was free.

"Well, enough about this. It is time to start planning. We have a month left before we set our plan in motion to save our children. Everything must be perfect. I will not risk Harry or Luna's lives. So, I want everything planned out to a T," Tom stated. So, the talk switched from Harry and Severus to a foolproof plan to save their children and get off this Merlin-forsaken planet without any more losses.

Nothing could go wrong their son's life depended on them planning for everything that could possibly go wrong and having a way to counteract it. They could do this.