Y/N and Hermione walked hand in hand down the sloping lawns of Hogwarts towards Hagrid's cabin.

They smiled at each other, both relieved to be over their misunderstanding. They were a really good couple, both of them loved and appreciated the other. Since they had finally committed to the relationship fifteen months prior they had had very few arguments. The last one was the previous year when Y/N started hunting. Even so, their misunderstanding was enough to make them both feel incredibly needy for the other.

Y/N jumped up and sat on a boulder near Hagrid's hut, as they waited for the teacher and their classmates to arrive. Hermione stood between Y/N's legs, wrapping her arms round his neck and smiling as she leant towards him. He reciprocated and their lips connected. Heated, passionately, they moved in synch before Y/N licked Hermione's bottom lip and was immediately granted access.

He explored her mouth and wrestled with her tongue, both of them moaning as Y/N's hands descended and...

"Ahem!"

The couple parted, breathing heavy before Hermione placed her head on Y/N's chest, Y/N looking up at the Headmaster who was standing several feet from the couple.

"May I have a word Y/N?" Albus asked, a small grin on his face.

"Fucking cockblock" Y/N whispered to himself, earning a smack on the arm from Hermione and a chuckle from the Headmaster.

"It never ceases to amaze me how you manage to keep this one in line Ms Granger. Y/N if you would?" The Headmaster smiled, holding his hand to the side. Hermione moved back and Y/N jumped back to his feet, walking off a small distance with the older man. The last thing Hermione heard before a silencing charm was thrown up around the pair was "I need to talk to you about Herb-"

"Alrigh' 'Ermione?" Hagrid asked as he emerged from his hut, Fang next to him and with two large crates in his hands.

"Good morning Hagrid. How are you Professor?" Hermione asked smiling.

"Good thank you. What's going on there- what's he done now?" Hagrid laughed pointing to the two wizards. Hermione turned to see Y/N motioning to rip his own face off and the Headmaster waving his arms looking exhausted.

"Nothing yet Hagrid. I think" Hermione giggled as the large man chuckled and re entered his hut.

Hermione smiled watching the animated conversation going on yards from her, her boyfriend now appearing to be demonstrating choking someone while the Headmaster angrily pointed a finger at him, when she was suddenly engulfed in a tight hug.

"'Mione! I was so worried. Are you two ok?" Lavender almost yelled as she squeezed. Hermione hugged back and giggled.

"We are Lav. It was a misunderstanding. I showed Y/N my memories of the class. He showed me his. He didn't even notice that bitch, he was too busy trying to not murder Finchley."

Lavender made an audible sigh of relief as they were joined by Harry, Ron and the other Gryffindors.

"That looks serious" Ron said in slight fear as Y/N appeared to be slapping an imaginary person and yelling while Dumbledore held his hands up as if pleading for calm.

"Thanks for what you did Lav, to that arrogant pig" Hermione said as a small smile curled at the edge of her lips.

"I don't know what you mean Hermione Granger? I was aiming for the bottle" Lavender smirked before adding

"Third degree burns should teach him a lesson. Besides it was far more merciful than letting Y/N get hold of him."

They turned back to see Albus holding out his hand and Y/N with his hands on his hips, obviously yell "Fuck" and then shake it.

"Looks like it's sorted" Harry chuckled as the Headmaster released the charm and walked away, Y/N returning to his friends and girlfriend.

"Ok baby?" Hermione asked with a cheeky smile, Y/N grumbling as he took her hand and pecked her lips.

"Promised I wouldn't touch bitchley" Y/N muttered.

"Really?" Lavender asked wide eyed. "That is surprising."

"Well it took some convincing. But let me know if you need a pretty dress sweetheart. You and I have a date night Saturday night" Y/N smiled.

Hermione squealed and hugged her boyfriend tight.

"Really? Where are we going?"

"Hogsmeade. They have their end of summer festival on Saturday and... Dobby!"

The house elf appeared and smiled, bowing at his Lord and Lady.

"Yes my Lord?" He asked happily.

"Can you please go straight to the Three Broomsticks. Book Rosmerta's finest room for Saturday night and pay whatever it takes to get the deal done. Five times normal, ten times normal, it's of no concern."

Dobby nodded and apparated.

"Oh baby we're staying there the night?" Hermione asked excited.

"We are love. Albus wasn't overly pleased but that was my price" Y/N smirked.

"It's so unfair! Why don't we get to go?" Yuffie whinged.

"Well it's all about needs and wants Wallace" Y/N chuckled.

"Needs and wants?" Yuffie replied, a clueless look on her face. Y/N chuckled again.

"He needed me to not enact my legally justified revenge in killing the fool who dared to insult my Grand Consort. I wanted to have a special date night with my beautiful Lady Granger. Needs and wants, Yuffie."

Y/N smiled at Hermione who looked at him lovingly before Hagrid emerged from his hut with another crate.

"Mornin'!" He bellowed.

"Been causing trouble again Y/N? It's only the first morning of the year" Hagrid chuckled.

"Not at all Hagrid, not sure what you could mean" Y/N chuckled back. Lavender rolled her eyes before asking:

"What do you have there Hagrid?"

The half giant smiled, motioning them over. As they drew closer an odd rattling noise reached their ears, punctuated by what sounded like minor explosions. Hagrid grinned.

"Be'er wait fer the Slytherins, they won' want ter miss this- Blast-Ended Skrewts!"

"Come again?" Ron asked.

Hagrid pointed down to the crates.

"Eughhr!" Yuffie squealed, jumping backwards.

Eughhr summed up the feelings of Harry, Ron, Hermione, Lavender and the others. The Blast-Ended Skrewts looked like deformed, shell-less lobsters, horribly pale and slimy-looking, with legs sticking out in very odd places and no visible heads.

There were about a hundred of them in each crate, each about six inches long, crawling over each other, bumping blindly into the sides of the boxes. Every now and then, sparks would fly out of the end of a Skrewt and, with a small phut, it would be propelled forward several inches. The Gryffindors looked down in disgust. Well, except for one.

"BABIES!" Y/N yelled excitedly, rushing over to drop to his knees next to the crate. He reached in to gently pat them. They reacted to him, all clambering in excitement wanting his attention.

The trio of friends looked at him stunned. Hagrid smiled proudly. Hermione rubbed her hand on her face and laughed in resignation.

"Loquitur Animalbus. Never met a beast he didn't love" she giggled at her boyfriend as the others stared in disbelief.

Hagrid smiled at his young friend and student before he spoke again.

"Only jus hatched" He said proudly. "So you'll be able ter raise em yerselves. It'll be your major project this term."

"And why would we want to raise them?" A voice spoke coldly. The speaker was Draco. The Slytherins had arrived. None of them had noticed Y/N crouching by the crates.

"I mean what is the point of them? What do they do?" He snickered before paling at the next voice he heard.

"You know, Malfuck, I've asked the Headmaster the same thing about you and your worthless life every time he's begged me not to put you out of your fucking misery!"

Y/N stood glaring as the Sytherins looked down in fear. The Gryffindors moved back leaving Y/N face to face with all of the House of the Cunning's fourth years.

"That's strike one and uh... two Draco. You won't like what happens at strike three. And oh yeah Crabb, Goyle. How are you both? I heard your both of your daddies disappeared. I'm sure they're both fine. Unless of course they went for some extra curriculars at the World Cup Final. In that case you won't ever see them again."

A dark sadistic smile crossed Y/N's face as the majority of the class looked at him in fear. It was no secret that Crabb and Goyle Senior were both Death Eaters. They, like Malfoy Sr, had claimed to be under the influence of the imperious curse. It was also being whispered far and wide who had really disposed of the twelve death eaters at the World Cup.

"Right enough of that then. Today's lesson is feeding" Hagrid chuckled nervously as he tried to lower the tension that was palpable in the air. Hermione slipped her hand into Y/N's as she smiled at him, his body reacting as he appeared to calm.

"First time I've had em so I'm not sure what they like. I've got a wide choice here for you. I got ant eggs and frogs livers and a bit of grass snake. Pick up diff'rent things and try em out!" Hagrid smiled. The students started to apprehensive walk towards the crates before Y/N spoke again.

"Any harm befalls any of these babies and the person who caused it will suffer twice as much."

"First pus now this" Seamus whimpered.

—~—

The students had sat with their skrewts for about half an hour. Nothing but deep affection for Hagrid could have made Harry, Ron and Lavender pick up squelchy handfuls of frog liver to tempt their Skrewts. All the students had one, except Y/N who was sat surrounded by about thirty of the creatures. He noticed about half were impaling the liver and snake flesh with their appendages and inserting it into a hole in their carapaces. The others without appendages looked to lower their suckers towards the food with no luck.

"Hmm..." Y/N said out loud, deep in thought.

"Hagrid. The ones with the appendage impale both the liver and snake flesh and insert it... uh... somewhere... the ones with suckers have no luck though. They seem to like raw flesh, and not particularly care what it is."

"Good work Y/N!" Hagrid bellowed. "I think the ones with stingers are males. The ones with suckers might be females. I reckon they might be ter suck blood."

"I've got an idea" Y/N smiled brightly. He held his blood soaked hands to Hermione.

"Little help baby?"

She giggled and rolled her eyes, casting a cleaning spell. Y/N held his wand up.

Accio

He resheathed it and held his arm up, the others looking at him puzzled before a fish flew into it. He gripped it tight as it flopped before bringing it down with a hard smack on the head on a rock. Yuffie gagged.

Y/N laid the fish on the ground and suddenly the Skrewts rushed it- the males pulling chunks of flesh off, the females lowering their suckers and appearing to drink its blood.

"Yer did it Y/N! 20 points to Gryffindor!" Hagrid cheered.

"Y/N how did you get that fish?" Harry asked.

"Summoning spell" Y/N answered, not looking up.

"Yeah but where did it come from?" Lavender added.

"Black Lake"

"Yeah but how? All the way here?" Ron added with confusion.

"Magic" Y/N answered, still not looking up from the babies.

The boys still looked confused but Lavender held her hands up to silence them. Y/N was one of her best friends. She knew him well. Short sharp answers were a clear signal that he didn't want to be bothered.

Hermione meanwhile sat with a hug smile on her face. She had butterflies in her stomach watching Y/N being so paternal. She adored him at the best of times but when she saw him like this, just like when he was with their own babies, it just made her excited and ecstatic at the same time. She thought back to Pam's warning the previous year, of the two of them becoming parents before they graduated, and felt giddy. She was pulled from the thought suddenly.

"Ouch!" Dean Thomas yelled out. "It got me!"

Hagrid hurried over anxiously.

"It's end exploded!" Dean said, showing Hagrid a burn on his hand.

"Ah, Yeah, that can happen when they blast off" Hagrid said nodding.

"Well I can certainly see why we're trying to keep them alive" Malfoy said sarcastically. "Who wouldn't want pets that can burn, sting and bite all at once?"

The class went silent as Y/N chuckled, all watching with apprehension at what would happen next. Malfoy gulped.

"I actually thought that one was pretty funny" Y/N chuckled again.

The class finished as the group went to the Great Hall and sat down to lunch- lamb chops, potatoes and veg. Dobby apparated to the table as Y/N sat.

"My Lord" He bowed smiling. "Your reservation is booked. 50 galleons- Madam Rosmerta is quite a negotiator."

Lavender and Ron's mouth dropped at the price. Hermione grew giddy with excitement while Y/N smiled.

"Excellent. Thank you Dobby. Fantastic work!"

Dobby bowed again before reaching into his suit.

"Mr Harry Potter. I have a letter for you."

"Is it from Si-"

"A guest at my estate Dobby!" Y/N interrupted Harry quickly, sending him a fierce glance.

Ears everywhere Harry. Especially on you and me. You need to think more! Operational Security!

Harry looked at Y/N and smiled and nodded.

"It is. I take my leave. Thank you my Lord. My Lady."

Dobby nodded again and bowed, disapparating.

"What was it Newt and Tina said baby, three decades? We've got our work cut out for us."

Hermione giggled at Y/N and agreed with him. Y/N loaded up on lamb chops and Brussel sprouts while Hermione did as well, also adding mashed potato.

"Are you two in a hurry?" Ron asked.

"Library" Y/N muttered finishing off one chop before cutting the next.

"What?" Ron asked in disbelief. "It's the first day."

"We've already got two assignments Ron, the Bubotuber scroll and the write up of our findings from the Skrewts. Not to mention I have half a dozen scrolls due for my NEWT" Y/N replied.

"I've got something I'm working on as well. Something non-curriculum" Hermione added as she finished off her sprouts. The two of them finished within five minutes and stood.

"Forty-five minutes left and we have Arithmancy. Enjoy Divination with that fruit bat and we'll see you at... his class" Y/N sneered pointing to his brother who was at the staff table loudly laughing with Rowan.

Penny was sat with Professor Snape talking happily as she saw Y/N point and look at her husband with distain. She excused herself to walk over and see Y/N but panicked when he and Hermione promptly disappeared. She started to run towards the Gryffindor table.

—~—

Y/N and Hermione appeared in the library, startling Madam Pince.

"Sorry Pincy, just trying to get ahead with some work" Y/N smiled. The look he got back told him she did not appreciate the nickname. Hermione huffed, rolled her eyes and smacked her idiot on the arm.

"Apologies Madam Pince. I'm specifically looking for Elf rights and legal charters pertaining to their enslavement."

Pince smiled, slightly, at Hermione and nodded.

"Section 346 and 548."

Hermione nodded and thanked the librarian before she rolled her eyes, smirking at her boyfriend and walking off to find her books.

"So... come here often?" Y/N smirked at the librarian. She did not appreciate his humour.

"Is there something you require Mr L/N?" She huffed.

"Yeah actually. I need anything you've got on orcs, inferi, satyrs and gorgons."

Pince appeared to tense slightly.

"All of that information is in the restricted section Mr L/N."

"Ok well it's for my NEWT, can I access it please?"

"I'm afraid I would need a note from your teacher" Pince chuckled.

"Sam doesn't return until Sunday. C'mon Pincy, help me out" Y/N pleaded.

"I would like to.. but Pincy can be vindictive. Very vindictive" the librarian smirked. "I believe that is check Mr L/N."

"Damn it!" Y/N scowled before he chuckled and disappeared.

The doors burst open and Penny came tearing in. She saw Hermione and rushed her, hugging her tight.

"Hermioneyou'reokthankgodiwassoscaredwherescutiepie?"

Hermione released from the hug and looked at her future sister in law.

"Pardon?"

Penny breathed deeply and then spoke again, forcing herself to slow down.

"Thank god you're ok. Where is Cutie Pie?"

"Oh. I'm not sure. He apparated us here but-"

"That's what happened?!? You can't apparate in Hogwarts. I was so scared it was the angels again when you disappeared and I asked your friends but they looked scared and just said library and I may have been screaming but I ran here and-"

Hermione placed a hand over Penny's mouth, stopping her frantic rambling, and smiled.

"Everything is ok Penny. Y/N can apparate in Hogwarts. He can apparate me in Hogwarts. We will explain when he gets back but everything is ok. Just breathe alright."

Penny nodded and inhaled deeply, calming herself. It didn't last long.

"Booyeah! Read it and weep Pincy. Check and Mate!" Y/N laughed and chuckled before being tackled to the ground. He groaned as Penny hugged him tightly.

"Where have you been?" She said in relief as she hugged her son. Brother. Cutie Pie.

"The Headmaster's office" Pince huffed.

"I hereby grant permission for Lord Y/N L/N, Archduke of Magical Great Britain and Ealdorman of the Wizengamot unlimited and unfettered access to the restricted section in perpetuity. Signed Albus Dumbledore" Pince grunted as she spoke.

"I also have one for Hermione" Y/N said weakly from the ground as Penny lifted herself up. He handed the note to Pince as he stood, winded, and walked back to the desk Hermione had set herself up at.

"I was so scared when the two of you just disappeared. I thought the Angels had taken you again" Penny said, slightly getting teary. She had been told about the events of the previous year. Y/N being taken, forced to torture, the archon breaking free, dying, all of it. Y/N didn't like lying to Penny but it may have been the kinder option.

Y/N smiled sadly, wiping Penny's eyes and cupping her face with one hand. She gripped it with her hand and smiled.

"Maybe it's best to show you how I apparate us. Give me one moment Pens."

Y/N tried to remember the spell Poppy had taught him at his last hospital stay. It came to him as he waved his hand in an X and uttered

Perspicio Röntgen

A beam of light hit Hermione's chest, showing her rib cage, and Penny gasped. Y/N released the spell.

"How!?" She asked stunned.

"A gift from Angels. We both have those Enochian sigils carved into our rib cages Pens. No wards on earth can affect us. I can apparate us in or out of any location. Hermione can't apparate yet but when she can she will be able to as well."

Penny breathed a sigh of relief and Y/N pulled her into a tight hug.

"I'm sorry Pens, I didn't imagine I was going to scare you. We just had a lot to get through and it's important I get on top of things before-"

He stopped himself just in time. Penny wide eyed him.

"Before?"

"Before the NEWT class, Ghoul Studies gets any more intense" Y/N shot back nervously.

Penny narrowed her eyes before shaking her head, as if banishing a thought as though foolish, and continued.

"I wanted to talk to you about Dean and-"

Y/N held a finger to her lips and she looked puzzled before smiling.

"Hermione I'll meet you at Arithmancy love. I don't think this is going to be over soon and I've aggravated poor Madam Pince enough for one lunch break."

Hermione nodded as they pecked lips and Y/N walked out with Penny, who looked apologetically at the frustrated librarian.

"Sorry Irma" she whispered as the pair exited the library.

—~—

Y/N and Penny were walking through the halls of Hogwarts. Penny had interlocked their arms and had her head leaning on his arm.

"It's so good to be back at Hogwarts Cutie Pie, and it's so good to be here with you."

"Great to have you here too Penny. I trust my people. Beyond reproach. But it's great to have you where I can see you" Y/N smiled as they reached a courtyard. Penny directed them to a bench.

"So the reason I wanted to talk to you was because I saw how you looked at Dean."

Y/N rolled his eyes.

"See that that's what I'm talking about. Y/N I know what he said and did. He hurt me as well, you know he did. But he's really really trying. He's back to how he was before everything happened. He's being an amazing husband again. Can't you try and forgive him?"

Y/N chuckled.

"I've always thought Dean didn't deserve you and you've just proved it Pens. You're willing to forgive him, and that's your prerogative. You say he's being the husband he's supposed to be now. Good. It's what he's supposed to be! But what has he done with me Penny? Say he's sorry and want to go back to where we were?"

"Cutie Pie..." Penny said sadly but Y/N took her hand.

"Please Pens, just let me say this. 'You should forget where we live!' He closed that door Penny. Not me! Where did he think I was going to go? Put on the Grangers? Go back to the place I was tortured for years? Or did he just not care? Your home was the first home I'd ever had in my life that felt like I was actually home. I had a home. And he showed me exactly what that meant to him. Even if I could forgive that... he was willing to put you in harms way just to prove a point. That I can never and will never forgive Penny. If anything had happened to you..."

Y/N sat forward looking down, clasping his hands together before he whispered coldly:

"He would have begged for a death that never came!"

Y/N went quiet after his last statement. Penny just kissed his temple and hugged him as the bell went to signal lunch had ended.

—~—

Hermione arrived at Arithmancy with a bright smile on her face. She had had a very productive lunch break. Her boyfriend was already in class. He looked brooding and pensive. She rushed over to sit next to him and placed a kiss on his lips.

"Are you ok baby? You didn't argue with Penny did you?"

Y/N offered her a smile she instantly saw through.

"No we didn't argue love. She asked me to forgive Dean. I... I just can't baby."

Hermione wrapped Y/N in a tight hug as Professor Vector entered the class. She smiled brightly at her two star students in the front row.

"Greetings students, and welcome to Arithmancy fourth year. I trust you all read the prescribed summer reading Birth and Character Numbers in Magic?"

Some students grizzled and groaned. Hermione smiled brightly and Y/N nodded.

"Good for those of you who did, it will form the first of your assessments. Today you will work out your birth numbers from your date of birth and I want these four foot scrolls filled with information why your number is important to you and the sacred charactistics of your birth number."

She smiled as she handed out four foot scrolls to the class. There was room for formulae at the top with prefilled sections spaced for the information Vector required.

"Working out at the top please!"

—~—

Y/N and Hermione walked the short distance to the 'Curse Breaking classroom' and were the first two to arrive. Dean was already in the class. He smiled at the couple.

"Y/N, Hermione, welcome to Curse Breaking 101. Take a seat wherever you want, we're just waiting for the others."

"Thanks Professor L/N" Hermione smiled. Y/N didn't answer and walked to the back row, taking a seat. Hermione was slightly surprised, usually they sat at or near the front of a class, but she of course sat right next to Y/N regardless. A number of Ravenclaws from Arithmancy- Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Anthony Goldstein, Isobel MacDougal, Fay Dunbar and Lisa Turpin soon arrived. The remainder of the students from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw were coming from Divination and took longer to trickle in. Harry, Ron and Lavender were first, Ron and Harry sat in front of Y/N and Hermione and were grumbling about the amount of homework they'd had set. Lavender sat on the other side of Hermione and snapped at them.

"Well it's your fault both of you. Harry for not paying attention and Ron for yelling and I quote 'Yuffie can I see Uranus' across the classroom!" She grunted in frustration before turning to her two non idiotic best friends "How was Arithmancy?"

"Wonderful! We worked out our birth numbers. Mine was nine" Hermione smiled brightly before Y/N spoke for the first time since entering the class.

"Nine was the most sacred number to the Ancients. It is the number of the humanitarian archetype, the helper, healer and enlightener. Suits Hermione to a tee."

He finished by smiling and kissing her hand, staring into her eyes and causing her to blush intensely. Lavender smiled while Ron pulled a yuck face. "What about you Y/N?"

Before he could answer Hermione piped up, gushing.

"Y/N's number is 13. It means to be tested, to suffer and to bring death. It symbolises death of one matter or form and and the birth of the spirit to a higher level of existence. It's the number of a Holy warrior."

"Wow" Lavender said.

"That couldn't be anymore fitting" Harry chuckled.

"Uh is this seat taken?" A voice suddenly asked from next to Lavender. It belonged to Adam Davies, a Ravenclaw. He was tall for their year, nearly 6', had the dashing black hair and good looks of his elder brother Roger, a sixth year Ravenclaw, but had none of his brother's famous arrogance. None of the other four had spoken to him before but Y/N had spoke to him a few times in passing.

"Oh, no, please go ahead" Lavender said smiling. Y/N saw a look pass across Ron's face and smiled to himself.

"Welcome everyone to Curse Breaking!" Dean spoke from the front of the class room.

"This course runs for the next six weeks, but I will be offering once a week lessons afterwards that the Headmaster has permitted for those who are interested..."

Hermione squealed in excitement and Y/N sighed. He knew he would be dragged to see his damn brother all year. Dean continued.

"...There is far more in this interesting subject that could be covered in the eighteen hours we've been allocated. I have a list of texts that you can read for those who want to delve deeper into the subject and have a copy for each of you of the first on the list, which we will cover tomorrow."

A piece of paper and a thick book floated to each student and Y/N looked at it when it arrived at his desk.

Breaking Generational Curses.

Hermione looked ecstatically at a new thick book to devour as Dean continued his speech.

"So to understand Curse Breaking we first need to understand the basics of curses."

—~—

The friends left the class, Hermione buzzing at a completely new subject to study, the others tired from a long day of classes, Y/N tried his best to remain grumpy despite Hermione's unbridled joy fast breaking down his walls.

"Thank Merlin that day's over!" Ron moaned.

"It's the first day Weasley" Y/N growled. "And it's not over. It's Tuesday."

Ron looked at Y/N confused before a look of terror crossed his face.

"Oh no! We have Astronomy at midnight!"

Hermione and Lavender went down to the library, Harry and Ron went off... somewhere... and Y/N headed down to the dungeons. He reached the Potions classroom and knocked on the door before entering. Penny and Severus were talking and both smiled seeing him.

"Cutie Pie!" Penny smiled and rushed him, hugging him again.

"Penny I saw you like two hours ago" Y/N smiled into the hug.

"I know. I just missed you Cutie Pie" Penny giggled.

Snape looked at the pair and rolled his eyes, chuckling.

"I'm gonna go catch up with Dean, let you two catch up. It was a lot of fun today Sev, it's great to be working with you."

Penny smiled brightly. Severus returned it.

"It was great to work with you again as well Penny. I too look forward to the coming school year."

Penny smiled and waved as she exited the class.

"Shock to the system Sev? Having a ray of sunshine in your gloomy dungeon" Y/N chuckled.

Snape chuckled in turn as the pair approached and hugged tightly.

"You have no idea Godson. It's good to see you again."

"You too Sev. You too!" Y/N smiled as he squeezed his godfather tight. They released the hug and Sev rested his hands on Y/N's shoulders.

"Come on, lets have a cup of tea. We have a lot to discuss."

Y/N followed Severus through his office to his living quarters. It was nice and comfortable, a living area, a bedroom, a kitchen, bathroom and library. What impressed Y/N most was the floor to ceiling windows that opened to the Black Lake. Grindylows rushed passed followed by Merpeople who waved to Y/N as they chased their errant pets. He waved back smiling before a huge shadow passed in front, hovering at the window- a gigantic eye looking at him.

"Whoa" He said to himself as he whispered.

Can you hear me?

He heard a deep booming voice whispered back to him

I... can?

Y/N smiled at the confused questioning reply.

I am a whisperer. I can speak to Magical Creatures... but I did not realise you were Magical.

A Giant Squid living in a freshwater lake doesn't strike you as magical?

Y/N chuckled.

Yes I suppose it does. What is your name?

I have no name human. What is yours?

Y/N. Y/N L/N. Can I call you Cthulhu? It was the name of a fictional old one, a primordial aquatic god of omnipotence.

He heard the squid laugh deeply.

That is quite the compliment, Y/N. You may.

"Sorry to keep you waiting" Snape called as he entered the living area with a tea tray.

Y/N smiled before turning back to the window. The squid was gone.

"No worries Sev. No worries at all."

—~—

Hermione and Lavender sat at a large desk in the library, surrounded by books.

"What are you working on Hermione?" Lavender asked, not recognising any of the tomes.

"Elf rights" Hermione smiled.

"Oh. Cool. Thought you'd be working on assignments" Lavender chuckled in reply.

"I will after dinner, but I like working with Y/N, together, you know."

Lavender smiled at her best friend.

"Yeah I do. Glad everything from this morning was worked out."

"Me too- speak of the bitch!" Hermione snapped.

Six Hufflepuffs had walked in. Bones was among them. She and Hermione exchanged death glares before Lavender gently rubbed Hermione's arm.

"Hey don't worry about her. She's not worth it. Besides like Y/N would seriously even look at another girl. That guy's the most devoted boyfriend I've ever seen."

Hermione looked at her best friend beaming.

"Yeah, you're right. Of course you're right. Just really gets under my skin you know."

"I do Hermione, I do" Lavender smiled before something caught her eye. She looked over to see Adam smiling at her, he was sitting with the other Ravenclaw boys.

"I think someone likes what they see" Hermione giggled, causing Lavender to blush and look down.

"Let's just focus on our work Granger."

Lavender smiled to herself as she opened her Herbology textbook.

—~—

"I can't imagine what that was like for you Y/N" Snape said sadly.

Y/N had filled him in about the war, Bulgaria and the World Cup. They had been talking for close to two hours.

"It's not the battles that bother me Sev. It's not the fighting, not the killing. It's the men I lost. The screams and heartbreak of their widows and children when I had to tell them. That's what I have nightmares of every night."

"Does Hermione know? About the nightmares I mean?"

"No. She knows how much I've been affected by the losses, but that would just add more stress to her. She's already worried enough with the-"

He paused. Severus gave him a look. The look of a father who had just caught his son out and now wanted an explanation. Y/N felt warm and overjoyed and a sense of dread all at the same time.

"With the?" Sev repeated, waiting for Y/N to continue.

"Has Albus spoken to you about the tournament?"

Severus sighed. He had a horrible suspicion when the Headmaster had gone to great lengths to clarify Y/N's eligibility at the feast the previous night.

"No he hasn't. But I feel like I already know what you're about to say."

"Albus came to visit us at the start of summer. Wanted me to enter the Tournament. I agreed."

"Why Y/N? Don't you have enough people trying to kill you without entering this blasted tournament as well?"

Severus was a mix of angry and worried. Y/N breathed deeply.

"Yeah, but I negotiated living quarters for myself and Hermione. Private ones. I will be selected Hogwarts Champion and I will win this tournament. It's a distraction Sev, nothing more"

"You would be well advised not to be derelict in your approach to this tournament Y/N. I know what approaches. It would be prudent to-"

"Forgive me Sev. I didn't mean to sound conceited. I'm not taking the tournament lightly, but I will emerge victorious. I'm preparing as we speak. I've increased my workouts 20% each morning. I'm battle hardened and I plan to spend an hour each evening honing my battle and magical skills in the Room of Requirement. I will be ready when the time comes."

—~—

Y/N walked to the Great Hall, Severus choosing to eat in his private quarters. As he walked towards the hall he was passed by a dishevelled looking Malfoy being dragged by the collar by Mad-Eye.

"Y/N" He nodded as he passed.

"Alastor" Y/N chuckled, nodding back. He entered the Great Hall. Hermione was already there with the others and squealed for joy when she saw Y/N approach. Y/N leant and kissed her sweetly on the lips. She wrapped her arms around him as he sat.

"I missed you so much love!" She smiled into the cuddle.

"I missed you two baby. Did you have a good session with Lav?"

"I did. Very productive" Hermione answered as Y/N reached across to tap Lav's shoulder. She tapped his hand smiling before he fist bumped Ron and Harry. Hermione started to dole beef casserole into a bowl for Y/N, fussing over him and causing Lavender to smile.

"How was it with Severus baby? Nice catch up?"

"It was sweetheart... thank you" Y/N smiled as Hermione pushed the bowl of casserole towards him and handed him a spoon.

Ron sat staring at Y/N, smiling widely.

"Speaking of Snape... You just missed the show Y/N!"

—~—

10 minutes earlier

Hermione and Lavender walked to the Great Hall, dinner was due to start in ten minutes time. Harry and Ron were sat in their usual spots, back to the Ravenclaws as the two girls sat across from them.

"Hey guys!" Harry smiled before a nasally voice could be heard yelling across the hall.

"Weasley! Hey Weasley!"

Harry and Ron turned, Lavender and Hermione looking over. Malfoy looked at Hermione fearful for a moment before gaining courage from Y/N's absence and continuing.

"Are you sure this is wise Draco?" Pansy whispered to him.

Draco chuckled.

"It's fine L/N barely likes the blood traitor. WEASLEY!"

"What?" Ron replied shortly.

Draco walked over, his goons behind him.

"Your dads in the paper, Weasley!" Draco chuckled, brandishing a copy of the Daily Prophet, and speaking very loudly, so that the whole hall could hear him. "Listen to this!"

FURTHER MISTAKES AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC
It seems as though the Ministry of Magic's troubles are yet at an end, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. Under constant fire- first from a blood thirsty psychopath named The Punisher who is murdering innocent Pure Bloods. Secondly, by the vote of no confidence and triggering of said clause by a radical teenage Archduke hellbent on achieving his extremist goals and willing to bring to down the Ministry to achieve them; and thirdly by the shocking mass disappearances which have gripped Magical Britain with terror- the Ministry had hoped the recent Quidditch World Cup was the chance to turn things around. However, an attack by Death Eaters right under their noses further reduced confidence in the capacity of the Ministry and its Minister Cornelius Fudge.

This Ministry, seemingly on its last legs, was plunged into fresh embarrassment yesterday by the antics of Arnold Weasley, it the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office.

Malfoy looked up.

"Imagine them not even getting his name right Weasley. It's almost as though he's a complete nonentity, isn't it? Draco crowed.

Everyone in the hall was listening now. Malfoy straightened the paper with a flourish and read on:

Arnold Weasley, who was charged with possession of a flying car two years ago, was yesterday involved with a tussle with several Muggle law-keepers ('policemen') over a number of highly aggressive dustbins. Mr Weasley appears to have rushed to the aid of 'Mad-Eye' Moody, the aged ex-Auror who retired from the Ministry when no longer able to tell the difference between an Archduke and a highly violent sociopathic teenager with an ego larger than a herd of Erumpents...

Draco stopped reading momentarily and remarked.

"Wow. She's dead..." before continuing

... Unsurprisingly, Mr Weasley found, upon arrival at Mr Moody's heavily guarded house, that Mr Moody has once again raised a false alarm. Mr Weasley was forced to modify several memories before he could escape from the policemen, but refused to answer Daily Prophet questions about why he had involved the Ministry in such an undignified and potentially embarrassing scene.

"And there's a picture Weasley!" Said Malfoy, flipping the paper over and holding it up. "A picture of your parents outside their house- if you can call it a house! Your mother could do with losing a bit of weight, couldn't she?"

Ron was shaking with fury. Everyone was staring at him.

"Get stuffed Malfoy. You're only brave because Y/N isn't here. Say something to Hermione, I dare you to!" Harry snapped.

Fear crossed Draco's face before a sneer crossed it.

"Oh yeah, you were staying there with them this summer, weren't you Potter? So tell me, is his mother really that Porky, or is it just the picture?"

"Let's talk about your Mother Malfoy!"
Harry sneered. Both Hermione and Lavender had grabbed hold of the back of Ron's robes, trying to stop him from charging.

"Don't you dare talk about my mother Potter!" Draco yelled, his nostrils flaring.

"What was it Y/N called her at the World Cup? A whore? Didn't hear you speak up then! You're nothing but a coward Malfuck!"

BANG!

Several people screamed- Harry had turned and felt something white hot graze past the side of its face, narrowly avoiding Hermione before it cannoned into the wall behind them. Harry plunged his hand into his robes for his wand, but before he'd even touched it, he heard a second loud BANG, and a roar which echoed through the Great Hall.

"OH NO YOU DON'T LADDIE!"

Harry and the others spun around. Professor Moody was limping through the hall. His wand was out and it was pointed right at a pure white ferret, which was shivering on the stone-flagged floor, exactly where Malfoy had been standing.

There was a terrified silence in the Great Hall. Nobody but Moody was moving a muscle. Moody turned to look at Harry- at least his normal eye was- his magic eye was pointing into the back of his head.

"Did he get you?" Moody growled, his voice low and gravelly.

"No. Missed" Harry said, intimidated.

"You ok Hermione?" Mad-Eye asked with a softened tone.

"I'm ok thank you Alastor... uh Professor Moody" She quickly covered her faux pas.

"LEAVE IT!" Moody suddenly shouted.

"Leave what?" Ron asked whimpering.

"Not you- him!" Moody growled, jerking his thumb over his shoulder at Crabbe, who was about to pick Malferret up.

"The eye's Magical. It can see out the back of his head" Lavender whispered in amazement.

Moody limped towards Crabbe, Goyle and the ferret, which gave a terrified squeak and took off out the Great Hall.

"I don't think so!" Moody chuckled. His pointed his wand, sending the ferret flying ten feet in the air, bouncing on the ground hard and flying up again.

"I'll teach you to attack someone when their back is turned!" Moody growled.

"Stinking... cowardly... scummy..."

Each insult sent the ferret flying again.

"Professor Moody!" A shocked voice called out- Professor McGonagall had entered the hall.

"Hello Professor McGonagall" Moody smiled cheerily, still bouncing the ferret.

She looked between the ex-auror and ferret in a state of shock.

"What- What are you doing?"

"Teaching!" Moody chuckled.

"Teach- is that a student?" She screeched horrified, dropping the books she was carrying.

"Technically it's a ferret!" Moody once again chuckled.

She pulled her wand, screeched no again and pointed it at the ferret. It quickly became a heavily dishevelled Draco once more. He got to his feet wincing.

"Moody- we never use Transfiguration as a punishment! Surely Dumbledore told you that?"

"Might've mentioned it!" Moody replied, scratching his chin absentmindedly.

"We-we-we give detentions. Or talk to a students Head of House or-"

"I'll do that then. Snape's an old friend!" Moody chuckled, walking towards Malfoy menacingly.

Draco struggled to stand, whimpering "my father" Moody laughed heartily.

"Your father was a coward and a liar at the best of times. Spends most of his time now on his knees as Y/N L/N's personal bitch! Dungeons. Now!"

He grabbed Draco by the scruff of the neck and marched him out of the Great Hall.

—~—

Ron and Harry laughed at the memory. Hermione and Lavender looked extremely worried. Y/N had grown quiet, his eyes cold.

"He shot a hex near you Hermione? He insulted Molly?" Y/N said quietly.

"Yes but it's ok baby Moody took him to Sev and-"

Hermione stopped mid sentence. Y/N had apparated.

—~—

"You are a damn fool boy!" Snape bellowed in the Potions class.

"I don't care if you insult Weasley. I don't care if you hex Potter- but firing a hex off with Hermione in close proximity... and what you said. You know who Y/N's godparents are don't you?"

"Y-y-you sir" Draco whimpered.

"And Molly and Arthur Weasley!" Snape roared.

It was at that moment....

Y/N appeared in the dungeon. He moved quickly, a right cross thrown towards Draco. Moody reacted quickly, pulling him back. It resulted in a glancing blow landing. Not enough to knock Malfoy out, but enough to split his eyebrow and send him flying to the floor.

"You waste of fucking-"

Snape jumped in front of Y/N, holding him in a body press, attempting to hold him back. He spoke quickly.

"The fool will be punished Y/N, but he wasn't aiming for Hermione. Your legal standing is shaky if she wasn't the target."

Moody's ears picked up as Y/N continued to fight back before somewhat calming. He exhaled deeply.

"Fine. But the lesson still needs to be taught!"

Snape released Y/N who opened a portal to the Dark Hominids enclosure. Draco and Moody stood there stunned as Y/N threw Draco through and released it.

"Y/N... what in Merlin was that?" Moody asked, seemingly shaken.

Y/N looked at him puzzled.

"You know I created a portal spell Alastor!"

"Oh right yeah of course laddie. Just getting a bit forgetful in my old age!" Moody chuckled, his magical eye zooming around like crazy.

"Nothing physical" Snape said with concern. Y/N grunted and apparated.

"How the devil did he apparate?" Moody asked stunned.

"The Enochian sigils. The angels... surely you remember Mad-Eye?" Snape said eyeing him warily.

"Angels... of course I do Obliviate!" Moody bellowed, quickly drawing his wand.

Snape's eyes suddenly glazed over.

—~—

Draco looked in terror at the monsters that surrounded him.

"Father sends us a treat. We get to feast!" The orc snarled, snapping his teeth menacingly.

Draco whimpered before hearing another voice. He had never been so happy to hear it.

"Easy. Easy. No feasting. Not yet."

Draco looked up at Y/N who glared down at him.

"These are my children Draco. Look around. Take in their beauty."

Draco glanced, terrified. A satyr looked at him, hungrily.

A creature he recognised as a gorgon looked at him before her eyes and hair changed, eyes yellowing and snakes hissing.

He continued looking around in horror.

An inferi, a dementor, a lethifold and the orc. He watched Y/N walk passed them, interacting with each. He stroked the gorgon's face as she looked at Y/N lovingly. He patted the dementor on the arm as it hovered, Draco feeling the happiness being sucked from him before Y/N stopped next to the floating blanket, patting its topside.

"The next time you return Ratbag, my orc, will consume your flesh Draco. Grimm will suck every happy memory from your mind. Sheets my Lethifold will devour your bones. You don't even want to know what Tumnus will do to you!"

Draco looked at the Satyr who wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Y/N was on Draco in a moment- gripping his collar tight with both his hands. He stared down at him before speaking menacingly.

"If you ever disrespect my godmother, or fire a spell in Hermione's vicinity again, I will bring you here. And I will leave you here. My children will consume you. DO NOT TEST ME!"

Draco was shoved back and fell to the floor of the potions classroom. He whimpered and curled up in a ball, rocking back and forth. He heard Y/N's voice.

"He's yours Sev. I hope the punishment fits. I think he has soiled himself. Moody gone?"

"Yes... he had... business to attend to..." Snape answered somewhat confused.

"I take my leave. See you tomorrow Sev"

Y/N apparated to the Great Hall and took a seat next to Hermione. She engulfed him in a hug.

"Baby what happened. Your hand? What did you...?"

"I got one punch in before Sev reminded me I had a shaky legal ground to beat him if he wasn't aiming at you love. So I took him to our... heh... darker children."

Hermione facepalmed. "You didn't?"

"Just a warning. If he ever disrespects Molly or fires a spell near you again love he knows what will happen. Pissed his pants though. Again."

The others sat silently looking at each other, Harry and Ron trying not to laugh- Hermione held a jug of cold pumpkin juice against Y/N's bruised right hand, he ate his beef casserole with his left.

The couple and Lavender returned to the library until 8pm following dinner. After this they returned to the common room. Lavender chatted happily to Harry and Ron as Y/N and Hermione sat entwined on a couch, reading the book Dean had given the class.

—~—

Just before midnight the Gryffindors trudged out of the common room and headed for the Astronomy tower. They entered the class just as the Slytherins and Hufflepuffs left. Tuesday was Fourth Years in Astronomy and they would rotate- one week 9:00pm- Midnight and one week Midnight-3:00am. Draco was missing from the group that passed them, as was Justin. Susan smiled at Y/N, but he was too busy fussing over Hermione to notice. Lavender scowled though. They entered the class and sat.

"Greetings class and welcome back to Astronomy!" Professor Sinestra greeted the class cheerfully.

"To start with let's review Lunar phases shall we? That was a rhetorical question by the way" the professor chuckled.

"My tower, my rules. Tea is over on the table behind you, anyone falls asleep and they have a detention. Let's begin!"

—~—

After a long three hour session the Gryffindors trudged back to their common room. They entered and most students went straight to bed.

"Do we really have to sleep in our dorms baby?" Hermione whined.

Y/N looked at her sadly.

"It's just tonight love. Na-Hath, Gizmo and Newt are fast asleep up in mine and no doubt Crooky is asleep on your bed as well. It wouldn't be fair to drag them out now. I'll miss you too but I'll see you at breakfast."

"But-" Hermione was silenced by a finger on her lips.

"Get an extra hour or two sleep love. I'll go to my workout alone and see you down at breakfast. My training, I'm used to going months with only an hour or two sleep. Three will be fine for me. I love you and I will see you in the morning ok."

Hermione agreed sadly as she kissed Y/N passionately and hugged him tight. She sadly wished him good night and headed up to her dorm.

Y/N watched her leave before heading up to his dorm. His roommates were already snoring. He stripped to boxers before climbing into bed, having smiled at Na-Hath who slept on his perch, Gizmo who was wrapped up in a ball in his basket and Newt who was happily sleeping on a tiny branch in his miniature enclosure. He got under the blankets and not a second after closing his eyes he heard a scurry and felt a small patter. He looked down at the small Niffler who was cuddling into him, looking up at him with his big beautiful black eyes.

Y/N chuckled.

"Yes you can sleep with Daddy. Good night Gizmo. I love you."

He kissed the Niffler gently as the small creature cuddled happily into his father.

Dad-dad-da

He heard a happy little voice that was quickly replaced with tiny snores. Y/N smiled as he fell asleep stroking his tiny fur baby.