Hermione woke and stretched as sunlight filled the tent. She yawned, noticing Y/N wasn't next to her. She turned and smiled seeing him sitting on the edge of the bed but instantly noticed the nail marks she had left down his back.

"Oh baby good morning. Sorry if that hurt, on your back. I was just... you know..."

Hermione blushed at the memory as she stood and wrapped herself in her silk dressing gown. She smiled at its feel- Y/N spoilt her so much.

"Baby?" She asked, walking round the bed as he still had not answered her.

"Baby!" She said louder upon reaching him. He was staring ahead, miles away. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Sweetheart?"

"Mmhmm? Oh good morning love. How did you sleep?" Y/N asked with a tired smile.

"With you wrapped around me, fantastic love. Are you ok? You were miles away."

Y/N smiled sadly.

"Yeah sorry baby. I was just thinking"

Hermione sat next to her lover and gently stroked his hair, asking:

"About what darling?"

"Anna. Ash. Pam. Ruby. Leander. Stavros. Proteus. Nicholoas, Orion, Agis and a hundred more."

"All people you lost?"

Y/N nodded, sighing.

"Oh baby come here" Hermione sighed, kissing Y/N's cheek as she hugged him tight.

They dressed not long after, Hermione doing up her laces as Y/N walked out the tent topless, with a frothy toothbrush in his mouth.

"You're not going out like that are you?" She asked panicked slightly.

"Mmmhsm mhdn mfjsj!" Y/N replied, furrowing his eyebrows.

Just to brush my teeth. If I have my shirt on I'll get it on there. You know I'm a giant toddler.

Hermione giggled and nodded.

Y/N walked out brushing as Arthur cooked breakfast, Lavender and Ginny sitting with him.

"Looking bigger and more ripped than ever hotstuff!" Lavender giggled, calling out to her friend.

"Fdhjk ahhff" came the muffled reply as he brushed, causing her to chuckle again.

"What's that on your chest N/N?" Ginny asked, referring to his Phoenix mark. The bird wings flapped slowly on his pectoral.

"Aaaoo" He garbled as he passed them to spit out his toothpaste.

He made it to the boundary, spat and washed his mouth out with bottled water.

"What are those scratches on your back Y/N?" Ginny asked innocently.

Y/N spat out the water and turned. Arthur's eyes had widened. Lavender shoved her fist in her mouth, trying not to laugh.

"Huh?" Y/N asked with a gulp.

"Your back. You have all these big scratch lines down it. On your shoulder blades" Ginny explained.

"Must be from the whipping in second year" Y/N shot back quickly, hoping Ginny would buy it.

"No" Ginny replied, standing. She walked towards and behind Y/N.

"You have three lines running across from that" She said as she ran a finger along one of the faded scars.

"But these are fresh. They look almost like they were from... hands..."

Y/N looked at Arthur and Lavender with a face that screamed help! Arthur looked at him wide eyed and fearful. Lavender had bitten down twice as hard trying not to laugh loudly.

"Must have been from the fight last night. Death Eaters... they do some crazy hexes... heh heh" Y/N chuckled nervously.

It was silent for a moment.

"Huh. Looks like it hurt" Ginny said sadly as she walked passed Y/N and sat back next to Lavender, returning to poking the fire with a stick.

"Why don't you get a shirt on Y/N?" Arthur asked in a panic.

"Way ahead of you Arthur" Y/N replied, quickly re-entering his tent. Hermione noticed his panicked expression.

"What's wrong love?"

"Ginny noticed your... claiming of your territory" Y/N chuckled to Hermione who gasped and covered her face.

"I told her it was from the fight last night. She seemed to believe me. Lav may give us some shit though" Y/N said as he pulled a t-shirt on.

"Oh god baby" Hermione muttered, rubbing her eyes. She got no response and opened her eyes, asking:

"Baby?"

Hermione stopped as she looked at Y/N. He had paused, frozen in time. He stood wide eyed and staring off at nothing. He looked like a statue.

"Baby?" Hermione asked again as she rushed over.

—~—

Y/N was surrounded by darkness. Above, below, around. It wasn't just pitch black- he could feel the darkness. It was all encompassing, like nothing he had felt before.

It wasn't evil. He knew that feeling, he had experienced it first hand often enough. It was just darkness. The polar opposite of light. He heard a voice.

"...Y/N..."

—~—

Hermione was panicking at her catatonic boyfriend before he suddenly came to life blinking and smiling at her.

"Hey love. Sorry. You ok? Wow that was weird."

"Are you ok baby? You went rigid. Non responsive. It was just like Harry and the Dementor last year!" Hermione gasped, still panicking.

"Yeah. It was weird. I was suddenly surrounded by darkness. Pure darkness. Then I heard a voice calling my name and I was back here."

"Whose voice?" Hermione asked concerned. "A man? A woman?"

"I'm not sure. Heard wasn't the right word. I didn't so much hear it as felt it. I knew it was calling me" Y/N explained, still puzzled.

Hermione looked at him extremely worried.

"Hey, it's ok love. Whatever it was I'll work it out. You don't need to worry, ok?"

Y/N gave Hermione his confident smile, the one that made her feel safe, like she didn't have a worry in the world. He opened his arms and she nodded before barrelling into his chest. He held her tightly, rubbing her back in reassurance as he kissed her head.

—~—

The group had packed their tents away, Arthur and the three boys arguing as they tucked and folded, Y/N chuckling before pulling his wand and the tent floating in on itself before shrinking and levitating into his pouch.

"Ok so you three are apparating home and we will walk back to the portkey" Arthur smiled at his elder sons, causing Ron to groan.

"Actually...." Y/N chuckled, opening a portal.

The others looked stunned as they could see the Burrow in front of them through it.

"How?" Arthur asked in disbelief.

"A portal spell. He created it himself last year" Hermione smiled, beaming with pride.

"Incredible!" Arthur muttered as he stepped through. The others followed and Y/N closed it. A moment later he apparated next to them.

"Why didn't we do that in the first place?"
Ron moaned.

Y/N smirked.

"I like hiking!"

Molly came running out of the house, screeching.

"Oh thank Merlin, thank Merlin. Since I got the paper this morning all I could think about was something happened. Is everyone ok?"

"Yeah we are thanks to-"

"Those brave brave Aurors, I know dear" Molly smiled as she interrupted her husband. The group looked at her puzzled.

"It's all over the Daily Prophet. How those brave men and women took down twelve Death Eaters. We're so lucky to have them" Molly beamed.

"WHAT?!?!" Hermione screamed, completely outraged. She tore passed everyone, furious.

"Oh shit" Lavender muttered.

"Yep" Y/N chuckled, happy not to be on the receiving end for once.

"Hermione dear, what's wrong?" Molly called out.

"That wasn't what happened dear-" Arthur started before yelling was heard from the kitchen.

"Outrageous! Disgusting! Of all the cowardly despicable low life..."

Hermione stormed out the house reading the Daily Prophet out loud.

"The Death Eaters were neutralised by the brave actions of Ministry Aurors, who fought tooth and nail to protect the witches and wizards in attendance. Unbelievable!"

"What's wrong dear?" Molly asked a fuming Hermione.

"Aurors didn't take down the Death Eaters Mum. Y/N did!" Ron answered with emphasis. Y/N was surprised at Ron being so quick to give him praise and nodded. Ron smiled.

"What? Don't be ridiculous" Molly chuckled. Hermione's mouth dropped open as her face darkened.

"It's true Mum" Ginny yelled.

"You may be capable of a lot Y/N but I refuse to believe my godson, who is a fourth year mind you, took down twelve Death Eaters" Molly chuckled.

"Fair enough" Y/N smirked.

Molly chuckled again before looking around shocked. She was at a campsite that was on fire. She could hear the screams, smell the smoke. Feel the intensity of the nearby flames. See saw two people being crucio'd. Another woman being held down by two Death Eaters as another ripped her clothes. More were laughing as she begged and screamed for them to stop. Suddenly she was aware of Y/N in front of them.

"Do you maggots not know Death when you see him?" Y/N asked with a murderous grin.

—~—

The scene faded as the blue flames were extinguished and Molly looked at her godson shocked.

"Now do you believe?" Y/N asked calmly.

"Y/N those people. You saved those people and-"

She stopped mid sentence and rushed her godson, hugging him tightly. The others who all experienced the memory were just looking, unsure what to say. Ron pointed out a vital piece of information from the memory though, exclaiming:

"I didn't expect it to smell like that!"

Y/N chuckled.

"Men shit themselves when they die Ron. Didn't learn that in your sheltered upbringing?"

Ron gulped and shook his head. Molly pulled back to look up at Y/N. He shrugged.

"I learnt that when I was eight."

"Oh my boy!" Molly exclaimed as she held him tighter.

—~—

Lavender and Harry were staying at the Burrow for the next week until they travelled to Hogwarts the following Monday. Y/N and Hermione were going home but were invited by Molly to stay for dinner. They happily agreed. Mid-afternoon Y/N said he had to leave to attend to some business but would be back soon.

"Is it important love?" Hermione asked as they sat in the backyard with the other teens.

"The tent this morning. Try to get some answers" Y/N replied nonchalantly. Hermione nodded and kissed him.

"Be careful. Be safe. Good luck."

Y/N smiled and kissed her again.

"I will. Back soon"

He apparated.

—~—

"What do you mean there's no ground to charge him? He used Protego Diabolica! One of the most evil spells ever to be created!"

Cornelius couldn't believe what he was hearing from his Head Auror and the Head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

"I want him arrested and sent to Azkaban for life! Today!"

"On what grounds Cornelius?" Amelia asked forcefully.

"Who did he use the spell against? We have multiple witnesses claiming he saved innocent lives. And even if we do arrest him we will have to admit that under your orders the Ministry of Magic lied to the public about who killed twelve Death Eaters!" Rufus stated in his emotionless unimpressed way. He was against this plan from the start. The boy took down twelve Death Eaters- he should be recruited, not antagonised. He would be a boon to the Auror department- after all he had single handedly incapacitated the majority of them the previous evening.

"He is waging a public relations war against us Cornelius. And we are losing!" Amelia Bones replied in agreement with Rufus.

"So both of you refuse to carry out the orders of your Minister?" Fudge scowled.

"Illegal orders yes!" Amelia snapped.

The Minister got up and left the meeting in a huff, followed by his doting obedient assistant. Rufus turned to his boss and snapped about the Minister:

"Petulant child!"

Fudge entered his office and the moment he closed the door the whole room was engulfed in flames. He turned to exit but the door was gone.

"Not again. Not again!" He cried as he dropped to the floor, curling up in a foetal position against the wall. He closed his eyes tight. When he opened them the skull was back, glaring at him with eyeless orbitals. A piece of paper appeared in his hands.

💀
Gerald Rosier ❌
Walden MacNair ❌
Bertram Goyle ❌
Francis Crabb ❌
Corbyn Yaxley
Lucius Malfoy
Cornelius Fudge

Fudge cried out. Both men had been reported missing by their wives that morning. They must be dead. These men must have been Death Eaters. L/N killed them and he was mocking Fudge with it, but Fudge had no proof and he was in too deep now with his assassination plot to throw Malfoy and Yaxley under the bus. He was fucked.

He closed his eyes and cried. Suddenly he heard Janus knocking at his door.

"Minister. Minister are you ok?"

Fudge opened his eyes. The fire was gone. The list was gone. He stood and wiped his eyes. He opened the door only for the skull to rush him screaming. Fudge screamed in terror shielding his face.

"Cornelius! Cornelius!"

Fudge opened his eyes and lowered his arms. Amelia and Rufus were sat at the table across from him. Both looked extremely concerned.

"Are you ok?" Amelia asked with wide open eyes.

"What I was in my..."

The Minister looked around confused.

"Where were we?"

"I said, Minister we can't arrest the Archduke. We have no evidence and-"

"Yes. Yes ok. Good day" Cornelius replied as he stood, looked around puzzled and left the table, still looking around spooked as Janus followed him.

"He's fucking losing it" Rufus said to Amelia who nodded, a concerned look on her face.

—~—

Y/N made a quick visit to Bobby who gave him what he needed- a thigh bone from a black cat and a handful of graveyard dirt. Bobby took a photo of Y/N on a muggle instant camera, shook it while it developed and handed it to him.

"I hope you know what you're doing boy" Bobby said with a grave expression.

"C'mon Bobby. Have a little faith" Y/N chuckled.

Bobby scowled as he gave Y/N a small tin. Y/N placed the items in, thanked Bobby again and apparated.

He appeared at the crossroads leading from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts. No one was around. He smiled as he dug a hole at the centre, placing the tin in.

He covered it up and stood, hearing a woman's voice from behind him.

"You're a big one aren't you. Is the front as pretty as the... you?"

She reacted with fear as Y/N turned, her eyes becoming red.

"Look we're sticking to the agreement. We're only making approved deals and-"

Y/N held up his hands to silence her.

"I'm not here to kill you. I just need to speak to your boss"

The demon nodded and disappeared. A moment later Y/N heard another voice behind him.

"Well well well. Couldn't keep away Moose? Checking up on me? Or are we BFFs already? Want to sleep at my place, braid our hair and paint our nails? I'm a lot more fun than your angel pals!"

Y/N rolled his eyes and turned with a chuckle.

"Crowley"

"Y/N. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Something happened to me this morning. Something I can't explain-"

"It's normal for a growing boy to have dreams like that. If you wash the sheets then-"

Crowley cut himself off as Y/N's Blade unsheathed.

"I'm joking I'm joking for Hell's sake. What happened?" Crowley muttered raising his hands in surrender.

"I was visited... Contacted... by something... dark. I've got no idea what but it didn't have an issue breaking my occlumency shields without a trace. It's usually me doing that."

"I'll need a bit more to go on if..."

"Lower your demonic shields. I'll show you" Y/N interrupted.

Crowley nodded and as he viewed the memory his eyes filled with fear.

"Who or what was it Crowley?"

"I've no fucking idea. That's darkness more powerful than anything I've come across in centuries in Hell" Crowley answered honestly.
He looked and sounded terrified.

"And it knows my fucking name. Perfect!" Y/N muttered. "And you've got no idea?"

"No. But leave it with me. I'll do a little digging. Free of charge- business partners need to look after each other" Crowley chuckled, back to his arrogant best before he asked:

"How do I make contact? You're a difficult man to track."

"Contact Bobby if you find anything. He can always reach me. And don't scare him"

"You're no fun!" Crowley chuckled as he turned before pausing.

"I have something for you that might help. Straight from the depths of Hell. One of a kind, a true VIP present."

Crowley chuckled again, holding out his hand. A book appeared in it. Y/N narrowed his eyes and reached out. He felt a darkness emanate from the book and blocked it out.

"Impressive isn't it. That's the Necronomicon. One of a kind. All kind of primordial nasties in there. See if any sound familiar. But be careful who you let handle it- it tends to corrupt. Also you're gonna have to learn-"

"Ye Book of the Laws of the Dead. As recorded by Abdul Al-hazred, the mad Arab" Y/N read from the first page.

Crowley looked impressed.

"You read Sumerian? Full of surprises aren't you."

"It would be wise to remember that" Y/N smirked before looking at the book cover again.

"Is this-?"

"Human skin? It is" Crowley chuckled until he saw the look of disgust on Y/N's face.

"What? Hell remember"

Y/N rolled his eyes. Crowley looked at him puzzled and asked:

"Why did you come to me?"

"Who better to ask about darkness than the King of Hell?" Y/N replied.

"I love it when you flirt" Crowley chuckled as he disappeared.

Y/N rolled his eyes again and looked up towards the heavens, speaking out:

"Lord give me strength. And don't judge me. Necessity breeds desperation!"

He magically uncovered the tin and levitated it to his pouch before apparating

—~—

The evening went well and Y/N and Hermione apparated home. Y/N checked the time. 8:00pm.

"Hey love you ok if I pop out for five?"

"At this time?" Hermione asked surprised.

"Just want to pop to Lucius's. Tell him to take the rest of the week off. Spend it with Tiff and to get to know Nina, we're picking her up tomorrow."

Hermione smiled.

"No worries. I'm going to have a bath while you go, ok love."

"Enjoy yourself darling" Y/N smiled. Hermione walked upstairs.

"Buckbeak, Hati. You both guard the house while I'm gone. Keep mummy safe!"

Y/N smiled as the two magical creatures nodded. He apparated to the Foxes' front door. He knocked and Lucius answered surprised.

"Y/N?"

"Hey Lucius. Sorry to bother you. May I come in?"

Lucius smiled and nodded, ushering Y/N into the home and into the lounge.

"Y/N what a pleasant surprise" Tanya smiled, looking over from the lounge suite.

"Hi Tanya, sorry to bother you both so late. I wanted to catch you earlier but Hermione and I had dinner with my godparents and we only just arrived home" Y/N explained.

"It's no problem, Y/N. But what's so urgent?" Lucius asked, slightly concerned.

"Nothing to worry about, just wanted to let you know to take the next week off" Y/N smiled.

Lucius looked surprised.

"My Lord?"

"We're picking up Nina tomorrow and bringing her here. I just thought you could all take the time to get to know her, not to mention spend time with Tiff before she leaves for Hogwarts."

"Oh, well if you're sure Y/N we would appreciate that" Lucius smiled at his wife. He continued:

"I've got leave we agreed on that I can-"

But was cut off by Y/N raising his hand and chuckling:

"Lucius. No. I don't care about that, just enjoy the time with your family. I'll see you tomorrow but work will see you Tuesday, ok?" Y/N smiled and asked in a way that suggested it wasn't a request.

"I can come after the Express leaves on Mon-"

"Lucius! Relax my friend. Your first child going to Hogwarts, I imagine it will be emotional for you both. I mean I don't have parents to base that on, but it was hard for my sister in law" Y/N chuckled.

"Oh Y/N" Tanya said to the young Lord softy with a look of sympathy.

"It's fine" Y/N smiled. "Just enjoy the break and I'll see you with Nina tomorrow. Sorry again for intruding but I wanted to catch you before you got up early and came to work tomorrow only to come back home. I'll see you tomorrow."

—~—

It was 1pm. Y/N and Hermione were at the gate for international arrivals at the Ministry of Magic.

"So what does Nina look like?" Hermione asked as they watched people walk from the terminal.

"Uh... a woman?" Y/N answered puzzled.

Hermione giggled.

"Have you got any more than that? Doesn't narrow it down much."

"A young woman?"

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Is she pretty?"

"Uh I don't know? I guess?" Y/N answered looking confused.

"How can you not know?" Hermione chuckled.

"I didn't look at her like that? She was someone I worked with who became my friend? Speaking of..."

Y/N waved. Hermione turned to see a woman waving back as she entered the last checkpoint.

"Y/N... she's beautiful. How could you not notice?" Hermione asked puzzled.

Y/N shrugged his shoulders. Hermione narrowed her eyes.

"Don't believe me baby?" Y/N asked.

"It's not that I don't believe you love just that-"

She paused as Y/N opened his mind to her. She could see his thoughts, his feelings, his memories of Bulgaria. He only kept one hidden. She smiled with a sad tinge.

"Baby I'm sorry I should never have doubted you!"

Y/N smiled and pecked her lips.

"It's ok love. I just don't look at other girls. I've got you- I don't need to!"

Hermione fought back tears as a thick Bulgarian accent called out.

"Y/N! Y/N!"

Nina rushed over pushing her bags on a trolley. She let go and rushed Y/N, hugging him tight. Y/N hugged her back.

"Thank you. Thank you!" She sobbed.

"You're welcome Nina. Welcome to your new life."

Y/N smiled as they parted. Nina turned to Hermione and gasped.

"You must be Lady Granger!"

She barrelled Hermione with a tight hug. Hermione was surprised but smiled and hugged back.

"Y/N has told me so much about you Lady Granger!"

"Hermione is fine. And he has told me a lot about you as well" Hermione smiled.

Nina pulled back from the hug and looked at Y/N concerned. He quickly spoke to her mind.

I told Hermione you were in a bad situation. I made no mention of the incident. I did not break my word Nina.

Nina smiled at Y/N before looking back at Hermione.

"Herm-min-in-one... can't we keep it Lady Granger for the time being?"

"We can" Hermione smiled before sending a glance to Y/N. He knew a conversation would follow.

"So Nina, I've brought you over to be my assistant- when I need something done from school I'll contact you ok? But eventually I want you to learn and run my business interests along with Marruk and Terrence" Y/N said as he shrunk her luggage.

Nina looked puzzled and Hermione clarified.

"A goblin and a house elf, thats why they don't have surnames. Y/N trusts them implicitly."

"What business interests do you have Y/N?" Nina asked as they walked.

"About a billion galleons worth" Y/N chuckled.

Y/N stopped seeing the look on her face.

"It's ok, it's not for a while and I have complete faith in you Nina. But first things first, I hope you don't mind but I took the liberty of sorting your living arrangements" Y/N smiled as they got outside the Ministry.

"Oh thank you Y/N. I was concerned" Nina said relieved.

Y/N smiled again.

"If you wouldn't mind taking an arm ladies"

They each grabbed an arm and apparated.

—~—

Y/N and Hermione arrived home. Nina had settled in well with the Foxes and her first week was to be spent settling in with the family.

"So love..." Hermione said as she turned the kettle on.

"... I got the feeling you haven't told me everything. I know you don't hide things from me, but is there anything I need to be worried about?"

Hermione held his hands to her chest as she spoke, giving him a full dose of her big brown beautiful chocolate eyes. Y/N sighed.

"I told you everything I could love. Nina was in a bad situation. Something happened.... she begged me not to tell anyone and I gave my word... she feels ashamed. Bulgarian culture is-"

His stammering was broken by a sweet kiss from Hermione. She cupped his cheek with one hand while she laid the other on his chest.

"It's ok baby. I understand. I know that if you gave your word you'll keep it. I trust you completely. I won't push the subject. I love you. You're a good man."

She kissed him again.

The next six days passed quickly. Y/N was having a break. The Bearers continued to train, Nina continued to get acclimated to British life with the Foxes, the Ministry continued to bullshit it's way through the PR disaster that was the Word Cup Final. Y/N ignored it all, just for those days. He had his summer holidays with Hermione- all six days of it.