Harry's mind is a jumble for the next several days. "Am I really going Dark? A drive for revenge is one of the main indicators and I certainly enjoyed humiliating Cho." Harry finally writes a letter to Remus asking him to stop by the castle come the weekend.
Friday night, Cho is standing in the study gazing out the window, trying to organize her own thoughts. "What am I going to do? I want to help avenge Cedric's death, but do I need to be one of Harry's Thralls to do so? Harry would allow me to simply remain one of his Retainers if I so asked. It's been so long since somebody held me tight. I've seen him hold Hermione just to cuddle, watched as he comforted Bella after a bad nightmare, and looked on as he gently coached first years in the DA. However, I have also seen him humiliate me publicly, deliberately degrade me, and use me like a common whore. Which is the real Harry or is it possible that both are a natural part of him? He cares for his friends and goes to lengths to aid them; the deal between Bella and Neville Longbottom proves that. This entire mess is too damned strange for words and I'm hip deep in it, by my own choosing." Cho sighs mentally, "When I first started this it was so cut and dried, I should have known it wouldn't last. I want the sex desperately, but do I honestly want to have my will and my future bound to Harry's? He's a surprising lover, no one has made me climax since Cedric died. Tonks is right though, I need to think with my head, not my arse. According to all of his ladies, including Hermione, Harry is almost always completely gentle. Why then was he so rough with me? Did he somehow know that I preferred it that way or did he have other reasons? I can't exactly ask him outright or he might just decide to come down on me again. I'm his retainer and he's certainly earned the right, especially with the way I treated him last year. Mom and dad would be less than useless, 'Go with your feelings honey', yeah right. My only real feeling right now is horniness. I need to find some relief soon or I'm going to get really unpleasant, which could prove even less pleasant for my bum. I always have my vibrator but with this damn plug in, I'd have to settle for the less satisfying alternative. Whatever choice I make, I need to make it soon."
In the morning, Harry is pacing in front of Dumbledore's fireplace waiting for Remus.
Finally, the fireplace belches green flames and the werewolf tumbles out. The two men hug quickly before Harry leads Remus to his apartment.
Harry seals the study and Remus says, "So what's up pup? You don't normally need to talk to me two times in as many weeks."
Harry starts pacing which leave Remus worried. In that exact moment in time, Remus is taken back almost twenty years to a time when James Potter was concerned about his future, his wife, and his soon to be born son.
Harry sees the gentle smile on Remus' face and guesses what is on the werewolf's mind. Finally, the older man's eyes focus on the young man in front of him.
Harry continues to pace as he says, "I'm afraid Remus. I've done three of those public scenes now. This last one I truly enjoyed. I deliberately humiliated Cho. I liked the sense of power it gave me and I also liked watching her pay for the pain she caused me. I used that damn crystal of Albus' but that proves nothing really."
Remus looks at Harry and smiles, "Harry James Potter, I think for once in his life, Vernon Dursley was correct about you. You are an unnatural creature. You have the weight of the world on your shoulders and yet you still worry about going Dark. Most people would simply do whatever it took to destroy Voldemort and deal with the consequences later. I don't really believe that you would go Dark. Hells bells Harry, I'll be completely honest with you, I do not believe that you are capable of going truly Dark. Descending into the Grey realm where Severus resides, perhaps; but you have too much intrinsic goodness about you. Let me ask you a question. During the incident with Cho, did you set it up so she enjoyed herself?"
Harry blushes, "Sort of."
Remus gives Harry a knowing grin, "You are entirely too much like both of your parents. Now, I am going to behave with you like James did with Sirius."
Harry stops for a moment and looks at the werewolf, "You have my attention."
Remus' grin turns outright lecherous, "Give me some details here pup."
"What kind of details?"
"What did you do? Where did you do it? That sort of thing."
Harry blushes as he resumes pacing, "Well, it was in the library."
Remus nods, "That's a good start."
"I had her bend over a table in the Restricted Section."
The werewolf looks at Harry with new respect, "Very interesting, keep going."
"Well, she was licking Hermione's, err, um, her pussy," Harry's face is bright red as he looks at Remus who appears completely stunned.
"So you shagged her while she was eating your girlfriend out."
"Kinda, you see, she's got this pussyplug in that can't be removed yet."
The old man looks like he's about to have a heart attack. "You mean to say you didn't shag her twat?"
"No, you see I kinda buggered her."
Remus looks at Harry for a full minute before he breaks up laughing. He soon has tears in his eyes from laughter.
Harry stops for a second to look at the werewolf, wondering if he's slipped his last cog, before he resumes his pacing.
"I am sorry Harry, but it just seems so strange. I met Ms. Chang in her fourth year and I just can't seem to wrap my mind around the prim and proper young witch with aspirations of Head Girl with that of a tramp who enjoys taking it in the arse."
Harry glares at Remus which brings him up short, "Please don't say things like that Remus. Just because a person enjoys a certain act, like sodomy, that does not automatically make them a tramp."
Remus looks at Harry, "I'm sorry if I offended you. I take it you've dealt with this once already?"
"I have, but that's a different story."
Remus nods, "I'd like to hear more of these if you feel like telling them."
"Maybe someday Remus, maybe someday. Mostly I needed to get this out of my hair. Remus, I watched as Cho was publicly degraded, on my orders, and I loved the rush it gave me."
The werewolf looks at Harry, "Pup, I haven't been given the details of what happened, only that it did. Would you mind filling in the details?"
Harry shakes his head, "The short version is that I made Cho serve drinks in the Three Broomsticks topless for a couple of hours, I then took her into the back room, where she finished stripping, I put a collar on her, and used that to lead her to the castle."
"Which in turn lead to the scene you described earlier, correct?"
Harry nods his head.
Remus thinks for a moment, "Do you intend to subject her to such a scene again?"
"No, she wanted to join my Thralls and I wanted to make sure she was certain. I figured if she could endure that, she must be completely sure."
Remus nods, "I have one more question for you Harry. Speaking hypothetically, if you could have subjected her to that sort of thing without repercussions or any other outside force, would you?"
Harry looks at Remus in disgust, "Of course not. No matter how much pain she caused me, she doesn't deserve that sort of treatment unless she is getting something out of it."
Remus says, "There's your answer Harry. Someone who was truly in danger of going dark would have to think about that for a moment, you responded instantly."
Before Harry can respond, there's a knock on the door. He unseals the door and calls for the person to enter.
Narcissa sticks her head in the door, "Please forgive the interruption master, but I have a request."
"Yes?"
"Draco will be allowed to receive visitors today master and I would like to go see him."
Harry smiles gently, "Of course. Take Bella and Cho with you as protection though."
"Cho master?"
"She is a Ravenclaw and besides, I want to see how well she can follow instructions."
"As you will master."
Narcissa closes the door and Harry reseals it.
Remus says, "Are you sure it was wise sending a student with them?"
"Remus, Cho is in her final year here, if she doesn't know how to defend herself by now, it's already too late. As such, there's honestly little chance of an attack, so it gives Cho some experience in following orders without a major risk."
"Now I understand your concerns about going Dark Harry. If I didn't know you, and what sort of stuff you have endured, I might be worried. As is, I simply realize that you are thinking as you must, as a leader."
Harry nods his head, "It's a manner I don't really enjoy."
Remus smiles, "I know pup, most of the greatest hero's of the light side have said the same words."
Cissa gathers up Cho, somewhat reluctantly on both parts, and her sister before the lot of them go to St. Mungo's.
The receptionist almost has her wand leveled against Bellatrix before she stops herself.
Unbeknownst to the group, a man is in the lobby with less than honorable intents. He stands up and exist the building before he Disapparates to fetch his brother so they can reclaim his property.
Narcissa and company are directed to Draco's room and they arrive without a problem. Bella and Cho remain in the hall to allow mother and son to speak in private.
Draco watches as the door to his private room opens and his mother walks in. "Mum? What are you doing here?"
Narcissa Summons a chair to beside Draco's bed and sits down. "I came to speak with you Draco."
"What about?"
"Primarily your future my son."
Draco sits up, "What are you talking about mum?"
"My son, there is much I need to tell you and a few things about which I must warn you. I know you are considering pressing charges against Ms. Granger for what she did to you. Please, I implore you as a mother, do not do so."
"Why shouldn't I?"
"Because she is a noble Retainer and you issued a deadly insult. Whatever you may think of him, Harry is of noble birth. As a Duke, he is allowed to keep personal retainers."
Draco's normally pale skin goes almost transparent.
"I see you understand son. If you pursue the matter, he has the right, as I will inform him of, to challenge you to one on one combat. Draco, please listen to this part. If he challenges you, he will destroy you. In a legitimate duel, you would stand no chance against him."
Draco says, "I understand mother. I'm not sure I share your opinion of Potter, but I will remember what you have said."
Cissa says, "That is all I can ask for. There is one more thing I think you should know."
"Yes?"
"Have you been reading the Prophet lately?"
"Sometimes, why?"
"Did you read my interview with Rita Skeeter?"
"That I did. I still don't understand how Potter managed the power needed for such a high end spell. A mere half-blood should never have been able to do something that spectacular."
Narcissa has to physically stop herself from slapping Draco stupid. "Listen very carefully Draco, it would behoove you not to insult my master again."
Draco can hear the raw menace in his mothers' voice and for the first time has a measure of both fear and respect for a mere woman.
"Very good, now, there's something you should know about Tom Marvolo Riddle, better known as Lord Voldemort. When Harry used the spell on me and Bellatrix, he got the spell from Peter Pettigrew. However, Pettigrew was merely acting as a messenger for Riddle. He intended to sacrifice me in an effort to corrupt Harry. Your father was also sacrificed. He was incarcerated and the effort needed to have the charges dropped was greater than the possible returns and your father was one of his loyalist followers. Draco, your future is your own, but your father gave his life to ensure that the Malfoy Estates were safe for you, never forget that. Also remember the creed of the Malfoy Family 'Nous s'agenouiller précédemment pas de une,' 'We kneel before no one."
Draco nods in understanding. "I can't make any promises mother, but I will think on your words."
Narcissa stands up and places a hand on his shoulder, "Please do Draco. My first loyalty will always be to my master, but I still care for you."
Draco takes his mother's hand and kisses the back of it. "I look forward to seeing you again soon."
Down in the lobby, two men in cloak Apparate in and head directly to the staircase; they appear to know exactly where they are going so the receptionist barely acknowledges their presence, a terrible mistake.
Bella notices as two strange men in cloaks approach. As the door to Draco's room opens, the men draw their wands.
Bella shoot off a quick stunner while the other two are still drawing their wands.
One man goes down while the other erects a quick shield and tries to revive the other.
Bellatrix recognizes the man's face as he stands up. She shouts, "/Ligo viscus!/"
The spell connects and Rodolphus Lestrange falls to the ground clenching his stomach.
The other man looks at her in surprise as Cho and Cissa both hit him with a stunner.
There's pounding on the stairs as uniformed Security Wizards appear. Bella and the others hesitantly surrender their wands and the healers are summoned.
The other man is uncloaked and revealed to be Rastaban Lestrange whose wand is confiscated and is bound while the Aurors are summoned. A message is also sent to Harry.
The healers work desperately on Rodolphus, not even really knowing how cruel they're being.
Harry is telling Remus of the day he first bound Bella and Cissa to him when someone starts to pound on the door. He stands up, curious as to the cause of a spike of hatred that shot through him a few minutes prior.
Tonks is at the door, "Master, come quickly."
Harry's wand is in his hand as he says, "What's going on?"
Tonks is sprinting down the hall as she says, "Bella and Cissa were attacked."
The pair arrives at the headmasters' office without another word being said.
"Ah Harry, your Thralls were involved in an incident at St. Mungo's. They are waiting for you."
Harry steps to the fireplace and moments later he arrives in the lobby.
One of the Auror's there recognizes him as Tonks and Albus come through the fireplace. "Sir, I am glad to see you. The Healers are working on Mr. Lestrange, but they don't appear hopeful."
Harry nods his head, "Where are my thralls?"
"They're in one of the private rooms Mr. Potter. One of them used a spell we've never came across on Mr. Lestrange."
"Thank you, if you would please direct me to the room my ladies are in, I would appreciate it."
The man gives them directions and Albus stays behind while the other two go looking for the truth.
Harry finds Cho looking heavily shaken as he enters the room. Narcissa is trying valiantly to comfort the girl while Bella is sitting with her arms crossed, almost daring someone to question her.
Tonks seals the room and sweeps it for magical listening devices while Harry goes over and lays a hand on Cho's shoulder, "It'll be alright."
Tonks finishes her sweep, "It's clear master."
"Thank you Dora. Now what happened?"
Cho can't even respond so Cissa says, "We arrived as planned and I spoke to Draco. As I was leaving, two men in cloaks approached and attacked. Bella Stunned one and the other erected a shield. When the stunned one was revived she used another hex on him."
"What hex?"
Bella speaks up, "I used the Tied Intestines curse on the bastard."
Everyone except Cho winces.
The Ravenclaw says, "What does it do?"
"It ties your intestines into several knots. If you survive, you will wish you hadn't."
Tonks looks at Bella, "You are aware of the fact that that particular curse is on the Regulated List correct?"
Bella's entire demeanor is defiant, "I am indeed."
"Very well, I just had to remind you."
Harry speaks up, "Bella cooperate with the Aurors. If I have to pay any fines for this, I'd rather not have them compounded for perjury."
Bella says, "As you will master."
Before Harry can respond, the door is thrown open and a tall Auror in brown robes enters the room. The man has blond hair and stalks over to Bellatrix. "We've got you this time you stupid bitch. You'll get the Kiss for this!" The man goes to grab Bella's arm but freezes when he feels the tip of a wand press against the base of his skull.
Harry's voice is dangerously low, "You had better not have been intent on accosting my lady."
"Put that away kid or I'll have you up on charges of threatening an Auror."
Tonks says, "Won't fly, Mike. He's in the right on this."
The man looks at Tonks out of the corner of his eye, "Auror Tonks, you are suspended for this incident."
Suddenly a voice comes from the door, "THE HELL SHE'S SUSPENDED! BUT YOU ARE, THOUGH. I WANT YOUR WAND ON MY DESK BY THE TIME I GET THERE!"
All eyes except for Harry's turn towards the door as Madam Bones walks into the room and the aging woman is fit to be tied.
Bones says, "Please lower your wand Harry, the situation is in hand."
Harry replies, "Tonks?"
"You can trust her Harry."
Harry slowly backs away from the shocked man and lowers his wand, keeping it in hand.
Mike turns towards his overall boss, "But Mrs. Bones..."
"I heard what you said to the lady in question, Auror Loger. You broke just about every protocol in existence. We will discuss this matter on the morrow; however, you are suspended until otherwise notified."
The man glares at Harry as he leaves the room.
Bones says, "I can't say that I appreciate your threatening one of my men, but you were legally in the right. Auror Tonks, I'll have the paperwork started for a promotion for you."
"If you don't mind ma'am, I'm happy in my current assignment."
Bones smiles, "Don't worry, I wouldn't dream of separating you two. Now if you ladies would mind filling me in on what happened, we can get around to getting all of you out of here."
First Bella, then Cissa, and finally Cho, with a great deal of prompting, tell the story of the day's events.
Bones nods her head, "I've heard of the curse you used, I'm not sure if I would feel worse if we'd managed to save his life or not."
Harry says, "So he's dead?"
"Yes, he died moments before we came to see you."
Harry looks at Bella, "How do you feel?"
Bellatrix smiles, "As though a weight has been lifted from my shoulders master."
Harry nods, "Continue please madam."
"There should not be any fines; though I will have the money transferred to your accounts immediately."
"What money?"
"There was a rather large reward for the capture of either of those men Harry. As it was your thralls who were principally responsible for their capture, the reward goes to you."
Harry nods his head as his brow furrows in concentration. Silence reins for a minute while the young man thinks. "Cho, do you want the reward money?"
"Not really Harry."
"Very well, then Madam Bones, please have the money transferred to St. Mungo's vault instead."
Bones nods, "If that is how you wish the funds to be distributed Lord Potter I will comply."
"It is, and I thank you for your cooperation."
The head of Magical Law Enforcement marvels at how quickly the young man before her has adapted to the role of noble, "It was my pleasure my lord."
Harry nods, "Is there anything else Madam Bones?"
"Not that I am aware of; if anything arises, I know where to locate you."
"Very good, then if you don't object, I was in a meeting when I was summoned here."
Harry and his retinue Floo back to Hogwarts where Remus is waiting in the Headmasters' office. "What happened pup?"
"Bella and the others were attacked. No one on our side was hurt, but one Lestrange brother is dead and the other in custody."
"She killed him?"
"Yes she did."
Remus stalks over to Bellatrix and sticks out his hand, "Congratulations on finally being rid of that worthless bastard, Sirius would have been pleased that he is no longer a factor."
Bella tentatively shakes the werewolf's hand, "I'm very sure he would."
"I hate to leave pup, but Alastor will be wondering where I am soon."
"Thank you for coming to see me Remus, our talk helped."
Remus smiles as he disappears in a flash of green.
Harry says, "I'm heading back to our quarters, I need to relax a bit."
The group goes back to the suite and Harry immediately retreats to the study.
Bella looks at the others and nods her head before following her master.
Harry looks up as Bella seals the door, "Yes?"
"Master, I have a request for you."
"What do you want?"
Bella winces internally at the pain in her master's voice, "I would like to help you to relax master. Despite how it may seem some days, you must never forget that we are here to help you."
Harry bites back a sharp comment, "Is there something I can do for you Bella?"
The woman swallows, "I would like you to beat me master."
Harry's world spins, "SAY WHAT!"
"I would like a beating master."
"Why in Merlin's name?"
"Because it would do you good to let some of that anger out master." Bella blushes, "Also master, I rather enjoy it. I like the gentleness master, but every now and then, I yearn for the feel of leather striking my flesh."
Harry can feel her sincerity, "You're not simply saying this are you?"
"No master. I enjoyed it even during my school days and found a master even then to keep me in line."
"Dare I ask who?"
Bella blushes, "You might prefer not to know master."
"Bellatrix, you know perfectly well that I don't want to harm you."
"Master, I know that you do not wish to fall to the darkness and you see actions such as this the short route there. However, I must ask you a question. Did you consider Sirius dark?"
"Sirius, what does he have to do with this?"
"Please master, I will explain everything, but answer the question first."
"Alright, but I want a full explanation afterwards."
"Naturally master."
"Very well; no I didn't consider Sirius dark at all why?"
"Because master, remember how I mentioned having a master in school?"
"Yes I do."
"Well, your godfather, Sirius was my original Master."
A/N: Until next time.