A/N: I don't own the artwork used in this chapter. They were sent by a friend but I'm not sure who the owners are- all rights belong to them and they are only here to enhance this story, I'm not claiming them as my own. I hope you enjoy.

The couple returned to the Granger's house the following day and had a couple of days off. Quiet time with Hermione, quiet time with Monica and Wendell, it was like an absolute dream. By the 29th the snow had cleared and Y/N knew he had to return to business.

At 11:30am he came down in a suit and tie, causing Wendell to go wide eyed in shock and Monica to laugh at Hermione who was practically drooling.

"So I look alright?" Y/N asked his lover genuinely. All Hermione could do was nod her head. She had lost the power of speech.

"Ok I have to disappear for an hour but I'm going to be gone about 20. I may be pretty tired when I get back" Y/N smiled.

"Wa-what?" Wendell asked confused.

"I have under my shirt something called a time turner. Top secret, very illegal. Shh" Y/N chuckled as he put a finger to his lips causing the Grangers to nod and Hermione to giggle.

"I've got a business lunch now, very important, then two days worth of work at my estate. I don't want to be away from Hermione for that long so I'm going to have the lunch, go to my estate, turn back to 9am, work til 5, turn back to 9am again, do the second days work then turn back to-"

He looked at his watch.

"- an hour from now then come back. Like I said I don't want to be away from Hermione for that long so I'd rather time travel."

Wendell held his hands up and smiled.

"You're gonna do magic then come back but be tired. Everything else just makes my head spin."

They all laughed. Y/N smiled:

"Right but remember its very illegal. No one is supposed to know I have one, but I trust you two beyond reproach. You're like the p- you're very important to me" Y/N said, quickly correcting himself before he leant down, kissed Hermione, and apparated. The moment he was gone Monica squealed loudly and happily:

"Everyone else heard that right?"

Hermione and Wendell smiled and nodded.

—~—

Y/N apparated to the Fat Duck and was quickly shown to his reserve booth. His guest was already waiting for him and rose to his feet, reaching out to shake Y/N's hand.

"Lord L/N, thank you for inviting me here today. I must confess myself surprised, but honoured, when I received your owl."

Y/N smiled and sat, inviting his guest to do the same as he replied:

"There's no need to be so humble, indeed it's my honour that you came. You're the greatest magical mind in Britain, if not the world, today. I must admit myself feeling somewhat star struck. I've read everything you've ever published."

Y/N's guest was incredibly taken back, and felt somewhat saved by a waitress coming over and taking the pair of wizards' drinks and lunch orders. As she left Y/N threw up a silencing charm.

"So may I ask, Lord L/N, why you invited me here today?"

Y/N smiled.

"I can't help but feel like you're squandering your talents in the Department of Mysteries. Tell me, are you satisfied with your work?"

"I can say honestly I do enjoy my work, Lord L/N"

"That's not what I asked" Y/N chuckled. "Do you feel satisfied working for the Ministry? Please be honest, it's at the heart of why I invited you here after all."

The elder wizard sighed.

"In all honesty not really, my Lord. I develop the ideas I'm told to. It's mainly esoteric in nature with no practical applications. No way to make a difference to peoples' lives."

Y/N nodded before asking bluntly:

"What's your salary?"

"Lord L/N I-"

"Please. Humour me"

The man sighed again and answered: "8000 galleons a year."

Y/N felt outraged. The Minister and members of the Wizengamot ensured they were paid many dozens of times that rate annually.

"Honestly that is insulting for an entry level Magical Researcher, let alone someone of your talent. May I ask why you haven't sought employment in the private sector?"

"In all honesty my Lord there haven't been many positions, not since the war. So many died, so many businesses closed down. And I have a wife and children to support. If I took a private sector job and the company closed down..."

Y/N nodded in understanding but smiled:

"May I ask then that you come work for me in the L/N Applied Magic Lab? As head researcher your salary would start at, say, 100,000 Galleons a year?"

The man's eyes nearly popped out of his head as he stammered:

"A hundred... my lord that's, I mean, I didn't know there was a L/N Applied Magic Lab."

Y/N held up a hand, pausing their conversation as the men's entrees and drinks arrived. As soon as the staff had left Y/N raised his charm again.

"I wasn't aware there was a L/N Applied Magic Lab, my Lord" the man reiterated. Y/N smiled.

"There wasn't. I just started it. You're going to establish it. You will work on both any project you see fit, and concurrently with projects I give you. Each project you successfully complete adds a further 50,000 galleons to your salary, and the revenue generated by any inventions or patents the lab creates under your governance will be split 50/50 between the laboratory and yourself."

The man sat in stunned silence. That salary was not a figure he ever dreamed of earning, plus to increase at such a generous rate. And no researcher ever profited off their inventions. It just wasn't done. The company always kept any profits made. Y/N waved his hand in front of the man's face and chuckled.

"You ok? You went silent five minutes ago."

"My Lord that is generous beyond words, but-"

"I have the perfect warm up project for you" Y/N said with a smile, cutting the man off.

"I need a method for communication over large distances. Quicker than owls and more discreet than patroni. I have the delivery system for you already."

Y/N held open his hand.

"Golden snitches. Fast, a brilliant idea but not really practical. They're very expensive and-"

Y/N again interrupted with a smile.

"I purchased the Golden Snitch stockpiles of three nations a week ago. There are over 3000 snitches waiting for you in a storeroom in my estate, where your lab will be located. You alone will be able to apparate there each morning. So... what do you say?"

The man again stammered:

"It's a generous offer my Lord. Beyond generous, but the costs of establishing a lab alone are-"

"Oh right. On that matter would a budget of say... a million Galleons suffice, at least to begin with? We can always add more funds if required."

The man's mouth dropped open.

"I'll take that as a yes. You'll have a team of House elves at your disposal with anything you need, and should you require any other staff that won't be a problem either, subject to my approval and the use of the Fidelius charm. You'll understand why when you begin. So what do you say?"

The man got over his shock and smiled, shaking Y/N's hand.

"I accept Lord L/N. Thank you, Thank you!"

"Fantastic. Welcome to the family. When can you start?"

"I'll give my two weeks notice today- I'm on holiday the next two and a half weeks but-"

"Fantastic . I'll start paying you today. We'll make it 104,000 a year- it's easier to just deposit 2000 galleons a week into your account at Gringotts. In two and a half weeks when you're ready I want you to simply say Dobby."

"Dobby?"

The small house elf appeared causing the man to smile.

"Hello my Lord. How can Dobby help you?"

"Hello Dobby my friend. I trust your Christmas was good?"

"Yes my Lord. Your presents and the feast you provided were most generous, the staff and your guests were very very appreciative. Thank you. Dobby loves his new suit."

"Only the best for my staff and friends Dobby."

Y/N noticed the surprised but smiling look on the mans face.

"I have a large number of free elves on staff my friend. This is my Chief of Staff, Dobby. Dobby this is my newly appointed head researcher..."

"...Lucius Fox"

"A pleasure to meet you Mr. Fox" Dobby smiled.

"You too Dobby" Lucius smiled back as they shook hands.

"In a little over two weeks Lucius will call for you Dobby. Please bring him to the manor. The special untouched room next to the potions lab will be our Applied Magic Laboratory."

"With pleasure. Thank you my Lord".

Dobby disapparated and Lucius smiled at his new employer.

"You're a remarkable young man, Lord L/N. There aren't many who are so courteous to House Elves."

"I hold one belief dear to my heart, Lucius. Freedom is the right of all sentient beings."

—~—

After finishing lunch the pair shook hands and Y/N left, apparating to the manor and turning back to 9:00am.

The Phoenix Bearers were assembling in the ballroom, ready to start another day of training. Jackson and the Acolytes had prepared numerous magical exercises designed to make them stronger, faster, more deadly. All was in service of their Lord and their goal. Freedom for all. They were in for a surprise this morning though. Jackson walked into the room and all bowed.

"I have a surprise for you today Phoenix Bearers" he smirked as Y/N appeared next to him. The Phoenix Bearers immediately dropped to a knee, large smiles on happy faces at the sight of their Lord.

"Greetings, my children. I trust you all had a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas. Jackson have the families been settled into the protectorate wing?"

"They have my Lord" Jackson smiled.

"Excellent. Rest assured my children, your loved ones are safe and their needs will be provided for, you are of course free to visit and where required stay with them as in necessary. But as for today. Today each of you will be tested. By me"

Y/N took off his jacket and tie and handed them to Jackson, then rolled up his sleeves. He walked to one end of the ballroom as the Phoenix Bearers separated, leaving a duelling space in the middle.

"So can I get a volunteer to start with?"

A man with black hair and a smirk that bordered between confident and arrogant stepped forward. It was the man from Knockturn Alley the previous year who was working to support his sister, who turned out to be Evie.

"I volunteer my Lord" he said with a grin that bordered on over confident. Y/N noticed Evie rub her eyes out of the corner of his vision and he smirked but feigned ignorance.

"And who may you be?"

"Jacob Frye, my Lord."

"Ah, Evie's twin brother."

"Yes my Lord. And I must warn you, I am the best dueller in my family."

Y/N glanced at Evie, who looked at him apologetically and he chuckled:

"As am I, Jacob. As am I. Let us begin."

In less than a minute Jacob had been disarmed and left a groaning mess on the floor. Y/N smiled and spoke:

"Make no mistake, Phoenix Bearers. I am the measuring stick. The same fire and determination that flows in my veins I want to see in each of you."

Another Phoenix Bearer stepped forward and raised his hand, asking "Can I be next?"

Y/N glanced at Jackson who chuckled.

"Sure man. Lose the jacket."

—~—

After six hours all the Phoenix Bearers had been tested, with the exception of Evie, Charlie, Chiara and the Acolytes, and all had been left wanting. Y/N walked to the middle of the room.

"I understand this has been challenging my Phoenix Bearers, but it was necessary to show you the level required. Over the coming months, as you gain in power and experience, let these goddesses be your inspiration."

He held up both wands to his sides and closed his eyes looking down and he orchestrated his wand movements with elegance and grace. The Phoenix Bearers looked in amazed as at both the ends of the ballroom, above the entrance doors, as large portraits came into existence.

"These are my beautiful angels. My Lady Hermione Granger and my sister in law Penny Haywood. Serve them as you serve me. Evil men and women want them dead simply for living. Together with your Lord we will tear the bastards apart!"

"A-Roo!" the collective Phoenix Bearers replied in unison.

Upon finishing he called Chiara and Garth to follow him. They walked down the hallway passed the medical bay.

"Evie tells me the Wolfsbane will be prepared in time. Fourteen days until the full moon."

He noticed both Chiara and Garth look down with looks of shame. The same that almost any werewolf felt. They were shocked as he pointed at them and spoke, not harshly or angrily, but firmly, like a parent to a child.

"Hey hey, both of you, no! There is no shame in your condition nor judgement. You both have an illness, and I can't control ignorance out there, but there will be none here, not ever. I will put all of my resources towards helping your Lycanthropy. Everything I have..."

He stopped to stroke Chiara's face and kiss the top of her head.

"But in the meantime, here."

Y/N opened a reinforced steel door with a circular locking device. Chiara and Garth walked in and were amazed. There were large beds, scratching posts and a magically enhanced area full of forest.

"This room has been set aside for you Chiara. Yours is next door Garth. You can be as comfortable in here as possible. As for the forest, should you feel the need to run, even with the potion, you will have room to. I can't imagine how the transformations are for you both, but I'll do everything in my considerable power to ease your suffering."

Chiara suddenly gripped him tight in a blubbering mess. Garth also stood head down in tears. Neither had ever felt so accepted, or loved.

"Hey hey no tears. I swore to you I would do everything in my power to help you and I meant it."

I love you my sister.

Chiara smiled at the voice in her head and wiped her eyes. Y/N continued:

"I won't be here for the transformation but you both know what to do. I must take my leave but thank you both for your hard work."

He smiled and apparated.

—~—

Y/N appeared at the left side of his estate and timeturned back to 9am again. He looked back at the livestock that was already settled and the crops which had been plowed and planted and smiled.

"Dobby"

The House Elf appeared in front of him.

"Yes my Lord" The house elf smiled.

"This is where it will be Dobby. My greatest weapon as we discussed. I'm going to clear the land and level it today. You remember what is needed?"

"Of course my Lord"

"Excellent. While I'm here, later today I'll summon you to the Fat Duck, and you'll see me in the manor all day as well. Best not to question Dobby, you know how magic is."

"Your magic maybe, my Lord" the Elf chuckled. He didn't question anything to do with his Lord anymore. Y/N's power made his former owner look like a weak child.

"Dobby will organise it immediately my Lord" the Elf said with another smile and
disappeared as Y/N began to work.