It was late Monday afternoon when Rufus Scrimgeour was walking towards the Minister of Magic's office, flanked by two of his aurors.

One was his most experienced and senior Auror, the legendary Mad-Eye Moody, and the other was his youngest auror, still in the late stages of her training, Nymphadora Tonks. Rufus was anxious as to why the Minister specifically requested she personally attend.

It had been a difficult few months for Rufus. First there was this 'Punisher' running around killing Purebloods at will. No matter what they did they could get no leads on the maniac, it was like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. Then to top things off the DMLE were getting  reports of a new Dark Lord rising who wanted to recruit Muggleborns and Halfbloods.

Finally just yesterday it was announced that the new L/N Lord had arrived and it was the boy, Y/N, who had somehow defeated both his brothers to claim the title in a hidden rite of passage no one in the Ministry had even known existed. Of the three brothers Y/N was by far the most difficult for the Ministry in terms of continuity of the status quo.

Y/N had been suspected of being both or either characters for months by some in the Auror department- but Rufus was quite critical of the idea. Y/N was a child.

Yes he may be powerful, and may have done things in desperation when he was sent to Azkaban, but he was still a child.

Not a scrap of evidence could be found incriminating him, and the Minister had been trying, hard, to find it. He had been obsessed with the now Archduke for months.

The trio arrived at the office to be greeted by the Minister himself; their boss, Amelia Bones and the Minister's personal aide who followed him wherever he went, recording notes for his 'memoirs'. The six of them sat around a meeting table, Rufus looking over his shoulder to a woman skulking on the far side of the office, a woman he only knew as Lilith, but who could frequently be seen alone with the Minister, only to seemingly disappear into nothingness, despite apparition being impossible inside the Ministry.

Fudge started quickly without even bothering to greet his employees:

"I called you here to discuss this meeting that is being whispered about. Just over a week away, have any of you heard anything, a location or-?"

Fudge's fast paced rambling was cut off  by Scrimgeour:

"As I told you yesterday, and the day before Minister, not a peep. No one knows where it will be, the only information with have is a somewhat esoteric promise that he will call his followers to him when the time is right."

Fudge continued without listening:

"I want you to arrest the boy, Y/N. On suspicion of organising-"

"Are you insane?!?" Mad-Eye suddenly screamed at the Minister's prosaic demands, causing him to jump in fright.

"You want us to arrest the Archduke and Ealdorman of the Wizengamot, on nothing more than the fact that you don't like him? Are you trying to destroy this Ministry?"

"I-I beg your pardon?" The Minister asked rudely. Moody continued:

"What grounds do we have? What evidence? You can not arrest and detain people without cause Fudge. And him of all people. Your approval rating and the confidence of the witch and wizard on the street has never been lower since Black and Selwyn escaped. You arrest the most public critic of this Ministry, on no evidence and for charges that are unprovable will do nothing but push more people towards his message. Your incompetence really has reached a new level!"

Moody ended his tirade and Fudge turned purple. He was about to open his mouth when suddenly Mad-Eye spoke again.

"Forget whatever weasel-worm threat you were going to make. Rufus, I officially offer my resignation. I'm retiring. I can't work under the blundering moron any longer!"

He stormed out of the office. Rufus rubbed his temples. He'd just lost his strongest and most experienced auror because of this arsehole. His month kept getting worse. Fudge moved on without a moment's hesitation:

"Right, onto the next matter. Ms. Tonks your father is a Muggleborn, correct?"

Tonks eyes widened and Amelia looked furious as she rounded on Fudge:

"Minister you can't ask questions like that to employees of the Ministry!"

Cornelius offered his hands in mock surrender:

"No you misunderstand, Amelia. You are a half blood correct Ms. Tonks? The only half blood in our auror department. I want you to go to this meeting and infiltrate it. Bring me back the name of the man or boy responsible and I will personally sign off on your training and promote you to auror."

"Minister I must insist-" Rufus began before he was quickly cut off.

"I must ask you all to leave please. I have more appointments today. Thank you."

Fudge got up and walked away from the desk. Rufus got up and stormed out, incensed at the Minister's arrogance and stupidity. Amelia Bones was right behind him. Tonks got up, still in shock at everything that was just said, as the Minister called out to her:

"Ms.Tonks. Bring me the name. Tell me it's L/N. Give me reason to have him executed. You'll have Scrimgeour's job in a month."

Tonks nodded in shock at what she just heard, noticing his strange PA was still noting everything down. She exited his office in shock, closed his door and burst out in tears, running to the closest restroom at the realisation she had just been asked to help the Minister execute her little cousin.

—~—

Tuesday at Hogwarts was very quiet. Draco had regained consciousness after a couple of hours and limped to the infirmary. He would be in for the rest of the week. Y/N chuckled that was likely for his own protection.

The entire school with the exception of Hermione and Professor Snape had been terrified of Y/N all day. Teachers and students refused to look at him in class, sitting as far away as possible at meal time and shrinking back as much as possible in the halls. By the end of dinner Y/N had had enough. He looked to a crowded teachers desk, no doubt there worried for a repeat of the previous night, with the exception of Severus who was eating his dinner without a care in the world.

Y/N magically closed and locked the doors to the Great Hall and got up, walking to the spot he emasculated the Malfoys the previous evening, and started to address the hundreds of terrified students and likely, staff.

"I apologise for locking the doors. I just need to have a brief chat with you all. You are afraid of me. All of you. Why? Yes I am brutal. Yes I am extreme. Yes I am violent. When I need to be. Who among you can name a single time I have ever raised a finger to anyone who didn't deserve it? Those people..."

He pointed to the Slytherin table.

"...who have felt my wrath deserved it. Listen to me clearly- Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws..."

He pointed at the Slytherins again for emphasis

"...those I have hurt, hate you. They look at you, at us, as filthy half-bloods, Muggleborns and blood traitors and I have done nothing but protect your right to be safe, more so than many of those seated behind me who for too long have turned a blind eye to a problem too difficult to address!"

Y/N felt his anger rising and sighed, reigning himself in before continuing:

"Since last night I've seen the look of fear in people's eyes I never would have expected. It broke my heart. Beatrice, Lavender, even when you slapped me over the last two years have I ever given you even a moment's cause to think I would hurt you? Ginny, Harry I nearly died in that fucking chamber to protect the pair of you!"

Y/N composed himself a second time so he could remain calm:

"I'm about to lay some home truths on the lot of you. All my life I have been tortured, beaten and abused to turn me into the machine I am now. All of my suffering was so I was strong enough to protect all of you. You go on living nice happy lives while I fight in the shadows, facing things you can't even imagine. No thanks, no glory. So you can go on living in safety."

He reached into his moke pouch, pulled out some black powder and whispered an incantation, blowing it into the air. Suddenly the student body could see, like a 3D movie, all of his battles. They saw him in first year being tortured by Voldemort. They saw him duelling a boy and fire a fireball at the basilisk, they saw him fighting for his life covered in blood taking down the vampire den, fighting wendigo, satanists and demons. They saw him being absolutely pummelled by Alastair.

"That last one was me trying to fight the King of Hell. The actual demonic King of Hell, not a euphemism. I took that beating to save a young woman he wanted to torture, allow her time to escape. All these things I do to keep you and your families safe and I've never asked for a damn thing. All I ask now is that you don't fear me. You have no reason to. I have only ever hurt those that would hurt you. Even when you don't even know it!"

He unlocked the doors magically and then walked over, kissing Hermione:

"I have to leave now for my meeting with Lupin. Will you be ok love?"

Hermione looked up at her boyfriend and smiled, kissing him again.

"I will. I'll meet you in the library afterwards?"

Y/N nodded and turned to a stunned teacher's table, calling out: "It's 6:00pm Remus."

He walked out leaving a silent hall behind him.

—~—

He entered the DADA room when Remus arrived and leant on a desk, waiting for the Professor to speak.

"Y/N I wish to call a truce to the hostility you feel towards me. I understand how close you are to Severus and how much his bullying has hurt you. I just want you to know I am sorry. I am sorry I didn't stand up to James and Sirius. I am sorry I was afraid that the only friends I had ever had in my life, the only people who accepted me for me would abandon me if I spoke up. I truthfully regret it everyday. It doesn't make it right but I can't change the past."

Y/N wanted to scream to the rooftops how he was a coward. That he stood by while Y/N's godfather suffered, pushing him towards darkness.

He sighed. Hearing it resonated deep inside him. He felt the same fear, losing the trust of the only two people who ever accepted him for him, without question. Damn it empathy made things difficult.

He looked at his Professor and asked: "Have you told Sev any of this?"

"I... no" Remus replied, looked down. Y/N stood up.

"Talk to Sev. Tell him what you just told me. Then we'll talk. Until then.... I'll try not to be such a prick. Good night Professor."

Y/N turned and left, leaving a smiling Remus Lupin behind him.

As Hermione and Y/N worked in the library that evening their friend group had approached them. They had apologised. There were hugs and tears from the girls (as well as Ced and Harry) but Y/N had smiled and forgiven them all. It still hurt him though.

Wednesday was a much easier day. People were still not as friendly as normal, they were still whispering when they thought he couldn't hear it, but they weren't fearful any more. No heads shooting down or desperately trying to climb into the walls to avoid him.

Y/N chuckled to Hermione "I guess this is as close to acceptance as someone like me gets."

He laughed but Hermione could tell he was using humour to mask the pain he felt. He was always different. His path was never to be an easy one.

Wednesday evening came a number of letters. The Weasley family were for some reason having a massive Christmas celebration and wanted Harry to come and have his first proper Christmas with them. They also wanted Hermione, Y/N and Lavender to stay with them for a few days- to help Harry celebrate it.

As Y/N was going to Hermione's she came up with the idea of celebrating Christmas with her parents a couple of days early and then her parents they could come to the Burrow for dinner after her grandparents had gone home on Christmas Day.

Y/N apparated out the Great Hall and returned ten minutes later. It was all sorted. They were catching the express home Sunday, celebrating Christmas with the Grangers Monday and then Tuesday morning going to the Burrow. Tuesday evening was the time of the meeting.

Hermione, Lavender, Ron and Harry were overjoyed they would be spending Christmas together. Y/N was happy but as long as he was with Hermione he didn't mind where it was.

—~—

On Thursday after class the five friends went to Hagrid's hut to see him before they left on Sunday. They banged loudly on the door a couple of times before it was finally answered by an even more than usual disheveled looking Hagrid.

"So you've heard?" Hagrid wailed to the confused group.

"Hagrid, are you drunk?" Hermione asked as he struggled to line up his huge rear end with his seat.

He sobbed and wailed and handed Hermione a piece of paper before she sat on Y/N's lap. She quickly read it before handing it to Y/N. He looked it over quickly before calling out:

"Terrence!"

An elderly house elf instantly appeared in the hut.

"Yes my lord" the friendly elf said, bowing deeply:

"Can you please bring Marruk here immediately?"

Y/N asked the house elf politely, but in the kind of tone that suggested it wasn't a request. The elf bowed again and disapparated while Harry chuckled.

"Quite good at this Lordly thing already mate, aren't you?"

Y/N smiled.

"It's my position now Harry, this Lordship. I can't be see as being anything other than authoritative and strong. Too much depends on it. Too many lives. My family has a thousand years worth of enemies waiting to strike from the shadows."

Lavender looked sympathetically at her young friend. Fourteen with the literal weight of the Wizarding World on his shoulders.

"That's quite enough of that Hagrid thank you!" Hermione chastised, standing from Y/N's lap and taking the giant ale stein out of his hand. She quickly tipped it down the sink.

"Oh 'Mione that was good ale" Y/N chuckled before a look from his girlfriend ended that conversation. Lavender couldn't help but smirk.

"Let Y/N handle this Hagrid" Hermione said in a much warmer and less disciplinarian tone, taking his giant hand in her dainty manicured ones and smiling.

Ron rolled his eyes but was elbowed by Lav as the house elf reappeared with a goblin. He bowed and shook the hands of both Y/N and Hermione before speaking.

"My Lord and My Lady. It is wonderful to see you again."

Harry held out his hand only to earn a look of distain. The goblin then looked at a drunken and again wailing Hagrid.

"Interesting company you keep, my Lord. What can I do for you?"

Y/N smiled at the goblin handing him the piece of paper.

"I'd like your advice on this matter please Marruk."

The goblin took the piece of parchment and read it over.

"I see you have been summonsed Mr. Hagrid as the legally responsible person at the time of the attack. You will have to front the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures."

"Can the Archduke appear in his stead?" Y/N asked. Harry smirked before realising Y/N was being serious.

"Unfortunately no my Lord. This falls into the judicial arm of government and your authority lies in the legislative."

"Damn. Alright Marruk I want you to hire the finest legal minds in the area of creature law you can. I want a solid cast iron case. Pay them a years worth of retainer and any necessary costs. It is of no import how expensive this is. I want that hippogriff saved!"

The three friends and Hagrid were shocked at an even high level of authority and force in Y/N's voice. Hermione felt a heat rise in her.

"Of course my lord. Anything else?" The goblin asked.

"Just keep me informed. Also while you're here it saves me a trip. Please grant yourself, Terrence and all my staff 50% of their annual salary as a Christmas bonus."

The Goblin's eyes widened.

"My lord that is exceedingly generous of you but-"

"No buts, Marruk. Have a good Christmas with your family. Please let me know as soon as possible how our case progresses."

The goblin smiled, bowed and shook his Lord and Lady's hands again. The elderly house elf smiled with tears in his eyes and hugged his master tightly. Y/N returned it, lovingly embracing the sweet old elf who had personally healed the young Lord so many times in his childhood.

"Thank you, my Lord. Thank you. You are a fine man. Your father would be so proud."

"Thank you for your years of service to my family, Terrence. Thank you for all the kindness and love you and our other elves gave me at a time no one else did. You are appreciated and loved, you are family. Have a very special day at the manor with the other elves and my guests. I won't be able to attend long unfortunately but Lady Granger and I will see you on the day."

The elf disapparated with the Goblin with tears in his aged eyes. Y/N turned to Hagrid but before he could speak he was wrapped in a giant hug. Hagrid smiled from where he sat:

"Yer a good man, Y/N. I'm proud of yeh. I know your Dad would be proud of yeh. 'Ermione is right no more booze!"

With that he took off out the door and the group heard a loud splash.

"Oh" Hermione said looking out the door. "He's dunked his head in a barrel of water"

Hagrid re-entered and sat down much happier and slightly more sober, although there was now a faint wet dog smell in the hut. The group stayed until dinner before departing and wishing him well and a Merry Christmas.

"I'll meet you at the Great Hall baby, I just have to apparate to the infirmary quickly" Y/N said as he kissed his girlfriend.

"Everything ok baby?" She asked concerned.

"Yeah just Hagrid's drunken bear hugs. Think he cracked a couple of ribs" Y/N chuckled.

—~—

Following dinner Y/N had an overall quiet meeting with Charlie. He'd asked to go alone.

He discussed the Lordship with her, the plans he had for his financial estate, strategies he could use to deal with the added pressure he now faced. He'd asked about a type of therapy for his 'ptsd and depression' as she put it and she said it was a wonderful idea to build something with his hands, if that's what he was interested in. Finally he asked a question that made her sit upright.

"Char, you're a Muggleborn aren't you?"

"Yes Y/N, why do you ask?" Charlie responded with a smile.

"Do you have any plans for the 21st December at say, 9:00pm?"

He noticed her instantly but subtly stiffen.

"No... w-why would you ask?"

"Just a little get together I was planning. Just wondering if you were interested. I do have something though. Close your eyes."

She did and he placed a small box in her hand. She opened her eyes.

"Before you say anything about not being able to accept it, Char, I know a spell to permanently attach it to you. I know I'm not the easiest person to help, and I've dumped a whole lot of shit on you. It's just my way of saying thanks, for not giving up on me."

He smiled and she opened the box. She was stunned as tears formed in her eyes.

"Don't get all emotional Char you'll make me start" Y/N laughed as he placed the bracelet on her wrist.

"It's just to say thank you. Have a great Christmas and I'll see you next term."

They hugged after she thanked him profusely and he returned to Hermione.

—~—

Friday was a relief, Y/N got Severus to agree to come to Christmas dinner at the Weasley's as his personal guest but apart from that it was straight revision in class. Y/N even kept his promise to Lupin and was friendly in DADA.

An extremely eventful term was finally at end. It was just the next day's visit to Hogsmeade and they could get the train on Sunday and enjoy two weeks off and Christmas Day together.