Chapter 2886 - Ch: 30-32

Chapter Thirty – Discovering the Animals Within

"I hope Madam Pomfrey was able to help Neville," said Harry as he and his wives walked toward the castle.

After the close of the Wizengamot session, the bonded along with Augusta and Minerva portkeyed just outside the wards of the school. They knew that Amelia had things under control and would give them an update later on how much of a storm they kicked up following the revelations they sprang in that courtroom today. Nathaniel and Danyella were going to head over and fill Dan and Emma in on things knowing the others had somewhere else to be. Right now, they were only worried about their friend.

"I have absolute faith in Poppy," Minerva remarked.

"Well, she has certainly had enough practice with Harry," Hermione added.

"You're one to talk," Harry chuckled, "since between the both of us I believe we've accumulated enough hours in her excellent care to last two lifetimes."

They'd reached the castle doors and had just entered when they ran straight into Severus Snape. Actually, Harry ran into him and knocked him on his arse. Everyone burst out laughing all at once, well, except Harry and Snape.

Harry reached down and offered a hand to the Professor. As he helped him get back on his feet, Harry said, "Sorry about that. We're in kind of a hurry."

"Yes, I gathered that from my position on the floor, Lord Potter. I was on my way to see if Madam Pomfrey needed another batch of potion for Mr. Longbottom," replied Severus.

"You're welcome to accompany us," Minerva stated as they resumed their trek to the hospital ward.

Once they pushed the doors open to the ward, they noticed that Madam Pomfrey had Neville in the bed closest to her office. Luna was sitting in a chair beside his bed stroking his hand lightly. Neville appeared to be resting peacefully, while Madam Pomfrey was nowhere to be seen.

"Hello everyone," Luna said as she noticed them approaching. "He's still sleeping. Madam Pomfrey will be back soon. She said she needed to speak with Professor Sprout about a plant that would help with the scaring on Neville's chest. You were right Head Mistress, it was a variation of the curse that hit Hermione."

By now, everyone had gathered around and was listening to Luna as Neville lay there covered from his waist down by a sheet. His upper body was bare except for a large square bandage in the center of his chest covering his injury. No one commented on his pale appearance as they continued to listen to Luna.

"She said that he would've had permanent damage had you not acted so quickly placing him under the stasis spell, Head Mistress. The curse wasn't only designed to cause sever internal injury, like the one cast on Hermione by Dolohov, but was meant to begin slowly burning the organs in its wake causing you to feel agonizing pain as you succumbed to the curse. It was your quick action that delayed the burning and so Madam Pomfrey was able to heal him. He'll have to take the same potions that Hermione received and be here for at least 3 days while she monitors his progress. He can then be sent home on the potions and have a salve to help with the scaring."

"That's good news. We've been worried about him," said Harry. "Let him know we came by when he wakes and that we'll check in on him in the next few days since he needs to rest now. I remember Hermione slept at least two whole days before she woke."

"He's right Luna, but if you need anything while you're here just owl us or ask Minerva alright. That goes for you too, Madam Longbottom, as I'm sure you'll remain with him as much as possible," Hermione added.

"Thank you, all of you. Neville has wonderful friends and I'm very proud of him," Augusta answered. "We'll let you know when he awakes and I'll let Madam Pomfrey know about your offer of further assistance Professor Snape."

After they exchanged goodbyes, the group minus Augusta headed out leaving Neville in capable hands.

As they neared the entrance hall, Harry asked, "Professor Snape, have you thought how you'll handle your Dark Mark. It's my understanding that it'll burn when you're being summoned. Surely, he'll try and contact you after a prolonged absence."

"He will Lord Potter and unless I remove the arm then there isn't much I can do. I will suffer with it the best I can. He has been known to use the mark to inflict pain when you don't respond in a timely manner to his summons."

"Surely, there must be a way to remove it or nullify it without having to maim yourself," remarked Susan. "It is in actuality, a version of the protean charm, correct?"

"It works with the same principals as the protean charm but it has a dark spell added that responds to a certain persons magical signature, in this case the Dark Lord's. He uses his wand to push his magic into his mark or another to summon his followers."

"How does he summon an individual then? Surely he has a way, so that everyone doesn't show up each time," asked Daphne.

"To summon individuals, he must call the persons name while pushing his magic into the mark."

"That's it. Just call their name," questioned Hermione.

"Yes, Lady Potter, that's it," Snape responded. "When you are marked he uses an incantation that contains the name that is tied to that specific mark while his magic acts as the anchor which allows him to call upon that named individual."

"Well, in that case, has anyone ever considered legally changing ones name. That should confuse the summons, as it won't have a specific mark to locate, since changing your name legally involves invoking your magic to make the change permanent from one name to the other," simply stated Hermione.

Everyone gathered just looked at her with a look that seemed to say 'Could it really be that easy?' while Severus couldn't believe that no one had ever thought to try.

"As far as I know, no one has ever tried but it would be a lot easier than losing an arm," said Snape.

"Well, let us know if it works and if not we'll see what else we can come up with," said Harry. "Right now, we need to be going. We have to get home and check in with Dan and Emma but we'll be back after Neville wakes."

"I'll see you four later. I have the animagus potion from Severus and will stay to see that you have no problems your first time," added Minerva before they said their goodbyes.

Harry and his wives headed down the path that would take them out the gates and far enough outside the wards so they could call Dobby to bring them home. That left Minerva and Severus to ponder the solution to his dark mark as they headed towards her office.

"Do you think that it could be that simple Minerva?" asked Snape.

"I'm not sure but it's worth a try if it nullifies that hideous mark," Minerva answered.

"Will you try it Severus?" she asked after they reached the gargoyle that guarded the entrance to her office without him saying anything further.

"I think I will, my only problem will be coming up with a new name," Severus said.

"The process can be handled by Gringotts or the Ministry," replied Minerva.

"Of course, I will opt for the goblins to handle the process so that it's not made public information immediately by the paper trail inside the ministry that is loaded with the Dark Lord's spies. That would defeat the purpose of becoming someone else, he will eventually find out but why rush it," Severus answered as he and Minerva entered her office where they would continue to discuss the possibilities.

Nathaniel and Danyella were shown to the downstairs study by Winky, who let them know that Dan and Emma would be down shortly. Dan and Emma was surprised to have them show up instead of Hermione and the others and so they'd rushed upstairs to get dressed when Winky announced their arrival.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Dan said as they entered the study to see the waiting couple sitting as far apart as possible on the loveseat drinking tea that Winky had provided.

"It's not a problem Dan," Nathaniel answered. "We're sure you were expecting the kids instead. However, they had to head over to the Hogwarts infirmary to check in on Neville Longbottom."

"Oh my, what happened?" asked Emma. "I thought they were going to the Ministry."

Danyella and Nathaniel explained what happened before and during the Wizengamot session. For the most part, Dan and Emma was not surprised that someone was able to carry out an attack inside the Ministry of Magic and escape without notice.

"That's one thing about a government as corrupt as the Ministry of Magic seems to be, there's always someone shady lurking about and you never know who to truly trust," remarked Dan. "I'm more worried about the kids facing the politicians than that evil snake-faced bastard. At least, he has laid all his cards on the table and you know what he is and what he's about, unlike the politicians that operate similar to the way Dumbledore did. Show you one side of the coin and distract you from ever seeing the other side."

"Unfortunately, you're right," Nathaniel said, "and the best we can do is be there with them and I have to say that they're off to an amazing start. The way they handled themselves today will have a lot of the older families sitting up and paying attention. Especially, the ones that don't like change."

"It makes Dan and I, feel a whole lot better knowing that you and the others are with them at those times we can't. I know Harry said we could wear robes with the house crests on them and attend unharmed but we feel that it's best not to go near the ministry until we are better acquainted with wizarding customs. I'm sure after only a short time living at the school we'll be better suited to spend time in larger numbers of magical beings," Emma said as she snuggled in closer to Dan.

"Just from the time we've been around your family, we know that our world is behind greatly," started Danyella. "From the government right down to the way we interact with one another. If I may be so bold, just from the little we have seen of your relationship, it tells us that you are much more casual and open with intimacy around others than any adult witch or wizarding couple would be. Of course, the younger generation are more casual but nothing to what we have seen Daphne and the others share here. If they kissed the way they do here, they would cause a scene of epic proportions in a pure-blood home, unless it was behind locked bedroom doors."

"Really?" questioned Emma. "I know that Hermione said the wizarding world was a century behind but I didn't expect it would carry over into ones own home."

"Oh, yes," Danyella said, "until this day I can't say that my children have ever seen Nate more than kiss my cheek and hand. I was brought up to believe to do otherwise was a scandal. Heaven forbid you even talk about sex outside your marital bedchambers let alone engage in such things."

"Oh my," Emma sighed, "then we may need to rethink our offer to accept the teaching positions after all."

"I didn't mean anything bad. We admire your openness with your daughter and her chosen spouses. If anything, I envy you a little, I mean I see that Daphne has a much more relaxed relationship with you and Dan than she has with us. Not to mention, you can see the love that's shared in this home," Danyella explained.

"To be fair, Hermione explained that the bond they share has allowed them to adapt to things rather easily, and I'm sure the way we raised Hermione helped ease them into things. I must confess even by normal standards we are different than most," Dan added.

"What do you mean? If you don't mind our asking," Danyella questioned.

Dan and Emma exchanged a nervous glance wondering just how much they should tell them. After all, they were basically family now but not sure how they would react to the news. Before they could say anything however, they heard Nathaniel speak.

"Don't think we will think any less or any different of you two because of your answer. I mean, there are things going on in our relationship that some may not look favorable on and so we understand what it's like to be nervous that you'll be judged."

"It's not that we are afraid that you will judge us harshly, it's just we don't want you to think any less of your daughter or her spouses since they have basically adopted our lifestyle as well," Emma added looking them both in the eyes showing her sincerity.

"Nothing could change our minds or hearts about Daphne or her spouses," Danyella said to reassure them.

"Very well," Dan answered, "the reason we kept you waiting so long earlier was because we had to return upstairs and get dressed."

"I'm sorry if we interrupted anything," Danyella hastily replied with a blush creeping up her face.

"No, it wasn't anything like that," Emma chuckled. "We were actually just lazing about the living room watching the telly waiting on Hermione and the others to return and fill us in."

"Uh, then wouldn't you have had to hurry upstairs and get dressed anyway?" questioned Nate.

"No, you see we are nudist. Inside our home and back gardens we usually are nude. We raised Hermione in our lifestyle and so she grew up with a trusting relationship with us. She has always been able to come to us and know that we will be open minded to things and not jump to conclusions or judge her based on the fact that it is different from what we do," Emma explained. "When we knew the others would be staying for longer, we explained things to them and eased them into it. We wore robes and underwear at first and slowly as they became more comfortable we gradually lost pieces and now they're used to seeing us nude."

"You said earlier that they have adopted your lifestyle basically, does that mean they go nude as well?" questioned Danyella.

"We do," said Daphne startling the four of them, "on our floor at least. Susan, Harry, and I will usually wear our knicker bottoms everywhere else. We are close to abandoning those around Dan and Emma while we are here for the rest of the summer though."

Daphne and the others had been popped back to their floor by Dobby and were met by Winky who informed them that they had company. They knew this was Winky's way of letting them know not to barge in sans clothes. They changed out of the formal clothes into shorts and tee's before heading down to catch Emma's remark about rethinking teaching at the school and had paused to see what could cause them to do so.

"I most certainly do not wear knickers," said Harry mock angrily. "I wear boxers."

Everyone chuckled at him, which is what he was hoping for and so he continued, "Emma, we have grown quite used to this life style and intend to carry on with it even when we return to school. We have a whole tower to divide and have decided that you and Dan will have the top most floor, which resembles a rather expensive flat, so that you may let your bits hang out all you like. Just as we will have the two floors below yours to do the same. Anyone entering will have to be announced just as they are here so we see no problem continuing what we're used to."

"Thank you Harry, that means a lot to us," Dan added seriously then chuckled before saying , "but is there anyway we can add a hot tub too?"

"I'm sure you won't have a bath that has only cold water," said Nathaniel.

"No daddy, they have a wonderful muggle invention that is called a hot tub. It has jets of water that swirl around and massages your muscles as you lounge in the hot water that it uses, and I hope we find a way to replicate it at the castle, since I love the way it relaxes you after a hard day," explained Daphne.

"That does sound wonderful," Danyella replied.

"You are more than welcome to try ours if you like," said Emma.

"Uh, I'm not sure about..." started a blushing Danyella only to be interrupted by her chuckling daughter.

"Mum, you don't have to be naked to get in, though you should probably wear a muggle swim suit instead of the dresses that are called swim wear in the wizarding world. We'd join you if we weren't waiting on Minerva to show up and help us with the animagus potions."

"Why don't I take Danyella and let her pick one of the suits I keep around for times like these and then Dan can take Nathaniel up and get him fitted with a pair of swim trunks. Then we can talk some more while you see what you think about the hot tub," Emma said as she stood up.

The four parents headed off to continue talking while the bonded waited for Minerva. They weren't sure who was more nervous, the two elder Greengrasses or the four teens not knowing what to expect from the animagus changes they were going to experience.

Minerva looked at the nervous faces of the four teens in front of her. She knew they were going to do fine, after all, Harry was a natural animagi, which is why he was going first, and due to the bond the others shared his ability. She just wasn't sure what to expect as far as forms go. She had often heard that the natural animagi had the ability to have more than one form and more often than not the forms varied greatly from one form to the next.

"OK, now, the first thing you will do is drink the potion. You will feel like you've falling asleep and are dreaming, or so I'm told, then you should see your animal form approach you," instructed Minerva.

"Then what?" questioned Harry.

"I don't know," she responded to see his face show the shock register instantly.

"What do you mean you don't know? Your supposed to be the one helping us with this," stammered Harry.

"I mean, I don't know. I had a very long and tedious process to become an animagi. I didn't have the pleasure of drinking a potion and then poof, change into my form," replied Minerva.

"Sorry," Harry said tentatively, "it's just, what if I change into something harmful and hurt one of you?"

"That's why I insisted on being here. Now, from what I understand from the few books I could find on soul bonds, since you are bonded you will carry over you bond abilities to your new form. Which means you will be able to mentally communicate with each other still and lessen the chance that you will attack one of us," reassured Minerva.

"Right, that makes me feel a little better," said Harry. "OK, stand back, I'm ready."

"Remember, Harry, relax no matter your form, it's a part of you and you will instinctively know what to do," Hermione said aloud before adding, and we will be here for you across the bond where Daphne and Susan agreed.

Harry took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and downed the potion in one gulp. He didn't feel anything right away and went to open his eyes to ask if something was wrong with the potion. However, when he opened his eyes he didn't see his family standing in their back garden, instead it was an empty small clearing surrounded by a dense forest.

Harry stepped forward and looked around at his surroundings. It reminded him a little of the outer edges of the Forbidden Forest before you venture into the dark recesses hidden within. He felt a soft breeze blow past as he saw movement in his peripheral vision. He turned and immediately froze and closed his eyes tightly. The movement had come from the giant serpent that was slithering out into the clearing toward Harry.

"You may open your eyesss, I will not hurt you, for we are one," the great serpent said.

"But aren't you a basilisk?" questioned Harry. "How am I or others to look at you without dieing instantly?"

"I am asss you sssay, but I posssessss a retractable lensss that coversss the yellow eyesss of death."

Harry felt that he could trust this information. Somehow he knew it was true, just as he knew they were one as the basilisk had said. He opened his eyes to see the giant serpent with brilliant green skin, a scarlet plume atop his head, and his own emerald eyes looking back at him.

"I am here to merge with you permanently ssso that you can releassse my form when you need to."

"OK, how do we do that," asked Harry as he stared at the massive snake. He thought it had to be at least 7m (23ft) long.

"8m (26ft) actually," the basilisk responded. "I sssaid we are one and ssso I think asss you think and feelsss asss you feelsss."

"Is there anything else I should know about you before we merge?" questioned Harry. "Since I assume after the merger, you will no longer need to speak as we will be complete."

"You are correct, after we finisssh you will be whole and I will no longer need to exissst asss a ssseperate entity. Remember that you are extremely poisssonousss in thisss form, have armored ssskin, sssaber-like fangsss, and a murderousss gazzze when you retract your emerald lensssesss. Now, thisss will only take a moment, and then you will meet the other."

Harry didn't have time to ask what he meant by the other because as soon as he stopped speaking the basilisk lunged forward and disappeared into his chest. Harry staggered a little before he regained his balance and shook off the shock of being a basilisk before he had another shock step out into the clearing.

Minerva watched alongside the girls as Harry downed the potion in one gulp. He remained standing with eyes closed and took a step forward. He seemed steady on his feet and so she glanced over to his wives and questioned, "Can you tell what is happening?"

"No," responded Hermione, "as soon as he drank the potion it was like a fog settled around him."

"He seems to be fine, let's just see what happens," Minerva said as she resumed her watchful gaze.

A few minutes passed without anything happening and all of a sudden he stumbled backwards like he had been struck in the chest before he once again steadied on his feet. The group shared an anxious glance before resuming their silent vigil.

Harry stared at the beautiful animal that was approaching him. He knew it was a wolf but wasn't sure what kind since he remembered there was various species around the world. He watched as the large jet black animal came to a halt in front of him and sat down on his haunches and looked up at him.

"I have waited for you to come," said the wolf looking at Harry with the same emerald eyes.

"What kind of wolf are you?" questioned Harry. "And will you join with me as the basilisk did?"

"Yes, I will join with you the same and we will be whole and able to run freely with our mates when you need our forms. I am a Gray Wolf, the Alpha of your pack. I am bonded to your mates as you are."

"Does that mean they will be Gray Wolfs as well?" asked Harry.

"Yes, I sensed one of their forms will be as mine and that they are mated to us already."

"Can you tell me about yourself before we join? Anything I need to know about your abilities and such," asked Harry.

"Of course. I am the largest of our pack and have reached full maturity. I stand at 122cm (4ft) tall. I am 183cm (6ft) long, and weigh in at 79.4kg (175 lbs). I'm sure your wavy haired mate will research our kind extensively and shall leave the rest for her to share."

"You're right, I'm sure I'll learn all there is to know about Gray Wolfs before she is done," said Harry as he shared a smile with the wolf over his mate wondering how he will manage to shift forms now that he knows what they are.

"Remember, we are only a thought away. Your natural ability will make it easy for you to take our form, don't worry over that anymore. Now, are you ready?"

"Yes," said Harry as he watched the wolf leap forward and disappear inside his chest just as the basilisk had before him.

Minerva and the girls watched once again as Harry seemed to be struck in the chest. This time however, as soon as he regained his balance his eyes popped open and he broke out in a Cheshire cat grin.

"What happened?" asked Hermione.

"As soon as you drank the potion, it was like a thick fog settled around you and blocked us out," elaborated Daphne.

"It was strange, we could feel some of your emotions but they were mere echos at best," added Susan.

"It worked. I think the process might have caused the fog. You will understand once you take it. You really only learn your forms so I think it will be safe if you all drink the potion and get it over with. Then Minerva can observe our changes one at a time," Harry explained.

"Did you say forms," asked Minerva, "as in more than one."

"Yeah," chuckled Harry, "I have two and I'm pretty sure you three will have at least two as well."

"Well, what are your forms?" asked Minerva.

"That would ruin the surprise, godmother," sniggered Harry, "after they find their forms we will reveal them."

"OK, you heard him, let's get this over with," said Daphne as she passed the potions to her wives.

They shared a look at Harry who was sending them reassuring feelings and smiling at them, before they took a deep breath and swallowed their potions in one go also.

Minerva turned to Harry as they drank and said, "You really are like your father. He would have waited for the big reveal as well."

"It'll be worth the wait, I promise," he replied as they turned and watched the girls.

Daphne swallowed the potion, opened her eyes, and gasped. She was no longer standing in the back garden but in a grassy meadow on the edge of a forest. She wasn't sure what she was supposed to do until she caught sight of a cat-like creature walking towards her.

"A kneazle," she said in a whisper.

"You were expecting someone else," the kneazle said as it came to rest in front of her as it raised its eyes to hers. Her eyes she mused, shiny bright blue eyes.

"No, I wasn't sure what to expect," Daphne responded as she stared back at the kneazle.

She knelt down and sat back on her legs to get a better look. The kneazle had creamy tan colored fur with blond spots that was the same color as her hair. It had the large ears and lion-like tail of all kneazles.

"I am you, and you are me, that is why we share so many traits," the kneazle remarked.

"Of course, you are a very intelligent animal and can detect unsavory or suspicious persons very well and react badly to them. I can see we share more traits than our appearance," stated Daphne. "As I learned quickly in the house of Slytherin how to survive by avoiding the wrong people and could have easily been placed in Ravenclaw."

"Are you ready to join with me and be whole?" questioned the kneazle.

"Yes, I will be very glad to share your form," said Daphne. "How exactly do we join?"

"That is easy and will be over quickly so that the other may show herself," said the kneazle as she jumped up and into Daphne's chest before she had a chance to say anything.

She took a moment to compose herself and stood back up wondering what the kneazle meant when it said the other. Only to catch the sight of a cream colored wolf approaching her as it made it's way out of the forest.

Once the wolf reached her, it stopped and drop onto its haunches and looked up at her with the same shiny bright blue eyes. "I have waited on you to come so that I can be set free to run with our mates. I have longed to curl up in our pack alongside our Alpha."

"Excuse me, but are you saying that the others have a similar form," asked Daphne.

"Yes, you and your mates are a pack of Gray Wolfs. A mature mated pack actually," the wolf responded.

"Oh, that's good, is it a result of the bond," questioned Daphne before she continued. "It must be since you are apart of me then that would mean the pack represents our bond with each other, and Harry is our only male and therefore would be the Alpha you spoke of."

"Correct, now as I am sure you and your mates will research our kind I will only share with you these few facts about this form. I stand 83cm (32 ½ inches) tall, I am 152cm (60 inches) long, and weigh 58.9 kilograms (130 lbs), and have reached full maturity," the wolf recited as if reading from a stats card. "Are you ready to join with me and return to your mates?"

"Yes, I'm ready," Daphne said as she saw the wolf launch itself at her and disappear inside her chest also.

Susan opened her eyes as soon as she swallowed her potion only to find herself in awe at what she saw before her. It wasn't the back garden she had just stood in, oh no, this was nothing like it.

She was standing at the edge of a lake on a grassy bank. She looked around and noticed the lake sat on the edge of a forest. She noticed the beautiful blue water of the lake that reflected the sky above it so clearly.

Then she caught sight of something else reflected on that lake surface that made her spin around and scan the skies above.

She saw a large winged horse approaching. As it got closer she could hear the noise created by the rhythm of the horses wings as it circled once before landing in a gallop that slowed to a trot before stopping in front of a very shocked Susan.

"You're an Aethonon, aren't you?" asked Susan in amazement.

"Yes, I am, and so shall you be as we are one in the same," replied the beautiful creature.

Susan noticed her dark blue eyes immediately. The chestnut colored hair was silky looking. The tail and mane was exactly the same shade and flowed freely on the breeze. The wings were even covered in feathers of the same shade and looked soft to the touch but showed the power needed to lift such a muscular animal into the air.

"You don't only drink single malt whiskey, do you, like the palomino's?" asked Susan. She wasn't too fond of the taste of fire whiskey and couldn't imagine only drinking that.

"No," chuckled the Aethonon, "I enjoy fresh, icy water over anything else. Now, do you wish to join with me and become whole so we can run and fly freely as one so the other can approach?"

"I'm ready," said Susan as the Aethonon bowed her head, stepped forward, and disappeared into her chest.

After Susan, regained her balance she mused aloud to herself, "Did she just say so the other can approach?"

"Yes, that is what you heard," Susan heard from a little ways behind her. She slowly turned around toward the forest edge and saw a wolf approaching.

As the wolf drew near, Susan could see it was covered in chestnut colored fur and shared her dark blue eyes too. She stepped forward and then lowered herself down so that she could see the animal better before asking, "Are you here to join me as well?"

"Yes, I am here to join with you and become whole. I have waited on you so that I could join our pack and run with our Alpha."

"You mean Harry, Hermione, and Daphne have wolf forms too?" asked Susan wondering exactly what species of wolf she was.

"Yes, it is the bond manifesting itself, he is our alpha and we are all mated together, never to be parted," said the wolf. "I am a Gray Wolf and so are the others."

"Oh, is there anything I should know before we join?" asked Susan.

"You and your mates will research our kind, I'm sure, so I will tell what you need to know," said the wolf as it watched Susan sitting before her. "I stand 81cm (32 inches) tall, I am 145cm (57 inches) long, and weigh 56.7 kilograms (125 lbs). The rest you will learn with our mates."

"OK, I'm ready, if you are?" said Susan as she stood up before adding, "uh, Do we join exactly like before with the Aethonon?"

"Yes, just leave it to me, you just stand there and brace yourself," said the wolf before it sprang towards Susan's chest and disappeared.

Hermione closed her eyes, downed the potion, and waited. Several moments passed and not feeling any different she slowly cracked an eye, then all of a sudden her eyes shot open and she froze. She didn't know what happened but she definitely wasn't in her back garden.

She was standing on the edge of a cliff. She chanced a look down and could tell it was a few kilometers straight down. She took a careful step back and then another until she was a safe distance from the edge before she glanced around to see where she was.

A grassy clearing, that had a flaming tree in the middle, stood between the cliff and a forest. She wasn't sure what she was doing here but she definitely didn't want to get too close to the edge again, after all, it was her fear of heights that made her dislike flying. She took a step closer toward the burning tree and could see that the flames weren't destroying anything, it almost looked like it was caressing the branches.

As Hermione continued to watch the flames, she noticed an area that seemed to burn brighter all of a sudden before the fire seemed to jump from the top of the tree and soar into the sky. She noticed that it wasn't fire that had shot up as she thought but a beautiful phoenix that had taken flight. It had a crimson body and head with just a hint of a dark blue ring around its neck but the wings were tipped with the yellow and orange colors of the flame.

She watched the beautiful creature swoop back down and slowly circle above her before it landed on the branch of a fallen tree, bringing it eye level with her. All she could do was stare at the beauty before her as the bird seemed to be sizing her up.

"You seemed confounded by your own beauty," said the bird startling Hermione.

"Um, excuse me?" she so eloquently responded.

"I am you, and you are me, so therefore you are amazed with your own beauty," said the phoenix. "Have you not finally come to join with me and be whole?"

"Yes, I have come to join with my other form, but I'm rather surprised to find you," she answered.

"You should not be. You are intelligent, loyal, faithful, and carry a heavy load, be it responsibilities or burdens, you carry on and persevere, such as I," responded the phoenix.

"Yeah, but I'm afraid of heights, and you fly," explained Hermione.

"You are not afraid of heights, you are afraid of falling, and that is nothing to worry about in this form. So will you join me so the other may approach?"

"Yes," Hermione answered only to be shocked once again as the phoenix launched itself toward her and disappeared into her chest. She stood there with a look of sheer shock as she glanced down to her chest where the phoenix had vanished.

"I have never known you to be speechless."

Hermione spun around and saw a chocolate colored wolf with matching eyes sitting before her. The whole time she was thinking to herself nothing should surprise her after what just happened.

"That shouldn't have surprised you either, you knew the potion would call us out to finally join with you and become whole," said the wolf. "A fact I am glad for. I wish to run and play with my mates and nuzzle into our Alpha at night, so let's move this along shall we?"

"Uh, sure," Hermione replied finally regaining her senses, "What do I need to know and what do I do?"

"You need very little information from me since you and our mates will research Gray Wolfs extensively I'm sure. We are a mated fully matured pack. I stand 95cm (37 ½ inches) tall, 160cm (63 inches) long, and weigh 65.8 kilograms (145lbs) and you just need to stand there," said the wolf as it launched itself up and into her chest.

Minerva and Harry watched as the girls stumbled for the second time, regained their balance, and finally opened their eyes.

"Well," asked Minerva, "How did it go?"

The girls shared a glance and then looked at Harry, who just shrugged with a grin on his face, before turning back to Minerva where Hermione responded, "I'm not sure you'd believe me but I know what my hippie uncle must have felt like in the sixities and seventies."

Chapter Thirty-One

"Well, are you going to tell me your forms or not?" asked Minerva after they shared a laugh at Hermione's comment.

"Just give us a few minutes and then we'll be ready," Harry replied to his godmother.

Which do you think we do first, magical or non-magical? he asked.

Why don't we show her our pack first, and then we can change one at time and surprise each other with the magical form when we show her those, suggested Susan.

That's fine. I can't wait to see my mates and we really need to research Gray Wolves, Hermione answered.

Fine with me too, Daphne said when they looked to her.

OK, we're agreed the pack then the magical forms separate, Harry replied before turning his attention back to Minerva. "We're going to change into a form we sort of share and it's a non-magical animal so no worries yet."

"Alright, I assume you know how to take the form then?" she asked.

"Yeah, apparently we just think of our form and the natural ability will guide us thru the change, or so I was told," he answered and received three nods from the girls indicating it was the same for them.

"Get a move on then the suspense is killing me," chuckled Minerva as she stepped back and motioned with her hands for them to proceed.

She watched as her godson and his wives took a few steps back into an open space in the garden and stood side by side. They shared a smile and a nod before turning back to look at her right before closing their eyes. Only a few seconds passed before they phased before her eyes. It was hard to describe the process, it was almost like they started to melt and solidify instantly into the four wolves that stood before her.

She knew who was who by the position in line but could have easily spotted which was which. Harry was easy to pick out since he was obviously male and the largest of the four by far. She looked him over noticing his dense and fluffy black fur was very close to his hair color and he retained his eye color. He seemed slender but powerful with his large deeply descending ribcage, massive shoulders, and sloping back. His abdomen was pulled in with a heavily muscular neck, long and robust limbs that ended in thickly padded paws that had five toes on the front and four on the back. His head was large and heavy looking with a wide forehead, strong jaw with a long blunt muzzle that contained his large, heavy bone crushing teeth. His ears however, seemed relatively small and sort of triangular.

She looked over the three girls and noted the differences. Hermione sported chocolate colored fur and eyes and was the largest of the three. Susan had chestnut colored fur and dark blue eyes and was clearly the smallest of the three. While Daphne had cream colored fur with shiny bright blue eyes and was the middle sized of the three. Overall Minerva noticed that the females, while looking quiet similar to Harry's male form, showed the differences you might expect due to gender. Their foreheads and muzzles seemed narrower and their necks looked thinner. Their shoulders weren't as massive and their legs looked slightly shorter.

She watched them look each other over before they started to see how their new bodies moved. They seemed timid at first but soon they were playfully chasing one another and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Harry glanced over at his mates and took in their beauty and their powerful scents. He took a few shaky steps forward and then instinctively felt very comfortable in this body. He could sense his bond with his mates and he felt highly territorial all of a sudden over them and the area. He was bombarded by different scents from all over and just blocked them out except for his mates, which was really starting to turn him on.

Easy, there Alpha, Hermione chuckled, your scent is attractive to us as well, but we can't let it take over and have you mounting us in front of your godmother.

She's right about that, added Daphne, we have to get used to the overwhelming jump in our senses and see exactly how strong we are first so that we don't accidentally hurt one another.

Unfortunately, their both right. Not that I don't want to have you mount me, but I'd rather not have an audience, Susan responded.

Hey, what are we then? Daphne and Hermione exclaimed simultaneously.

That's easy, Harry said seriously, seconds and dessert.

The three girls shared a look before they looked back at Harry and started chasing him.

Oh yeah, Mister Alpha, we'll see who's dessert, They exclaimed together as they playfully chased their Alpha.

Minerva was quiet amused as they finally tackled her godson. She watched as they phased back into a tangled mass of limbs laughing on the ground. "If you four are through playing around, stand up and let me check you over to make sure you're fine."

They calmed down and stood up in front of her side by side.

"That was awesome. All I had to do was focus on my wolf and I phased into him," Harry said as Minerva ran her wand over him a few times.

"It was the same for me. I can't wait to read about our forms and find out exactly what we're capable of. Is it me or is your sense of smell heightened now that we've changed back?" Hermione asked.

"Mine too," Daphne and Susan said at once causing them to share a chuckle.

"That's normal," Minerva replied as she continued to check the girls, "most animagi, who's magic is strong, adopt the abilities of their form, to a somewhat lesser degree. They will still be at their strongest in your wolf form but will be greatly improved over your normal human senses. Now, you all seem to be healthy and show no signs to worry about from the change, so we can go onto the next form."

"We're going one at a time so that we can all share in the surprises," Harry said. "I need you three to stand over by Minerva and I'll go first. Remember no matter what you think you know, you can keep your eyes open. Trust me."

The girls stepped back with Minerva to give him the clearing in the garden. They watched as he closed his eyes and phased. They gasped as they saw the basilisk in front of them.

"Oh my gods, Harry, how can we look you in the eyes?" Hermione stammered as she stared at him.

Well, if you notice my eyes are still emerald, that's because I have a retractable lens that covers the deadly yellow eyes, he told them as he lowered his head so that he was at head level with his wives.

They stepped forward and touched his brilliant green skin, noticing it was slick and surprisingly dry. After feeling his sides, they moved to touch the scarlet plume atop his head.

That feels nice, like your caressing me all over. I feel the sensations all across my body. Step back, I'll phase back, I think my godmother is on the verge of a breakdown.

They turned around to see Minerva still standing in the same spot with her eyes and mouth wide open. She was just staring at him as if her mind was gone. They stepped back beside her and watched Harry phase back.

"Minerva?" he said tentatively as he approached her. "Are you alright?"

Minerva shook her head slightly and closed her mouth. She opened it once as if to speak and then just closed it right back. She repeated this action several times before finally, "Sweet Mother of Merlin, you're a basilisk and you didn't think some kind of warning was needed before you scared the shite out of me? You are so much like James, it astounds me sometimes."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, just surprise you," he said as he hung his head a little in shame.

"Harry, I'm not mad at you, just shocked. I should've realized it was a good possibility though," she told him as she wrapped him in a hug.

After she released him and stepped back, he asked, "Why was it a good possibility?"

All four were curious about that statement and she could see the curiosity in their eyes as she answered, "Because of the basilisk venom that you had introduced to your system in second year. It's an infective agent where as the phoenix tears were a curative one."

"Why didn't we think of that?" asked Hermione shaking her head at the logic of it. She saw Daphne and Susan shrug and figured they really didn't think too much into it. "Anyways, whose next?"

"I'll go, since I shouldn't scare the shite out of anyone," Daphne joked as she stepped into the opening where Harry had stood. "Ready?" she asked and phased after she received four affirmative nods.

They saw the kneazle stretch it's legs before it plopped down on the ground and looked up at them. They noticed she was a creamy tan color with blonde spots that was the same shade as her hair. They noticed she retained her eye color as well. She fit the text book description of a kneazle they mused: cat-like creature, spotted fur, large ears, and lion-like tail.

Harry walked over to her and ran his hand over her back and felt the soft fluffy fur that covered her.

Harry that feels wonderful, she told him while she started to make a sound that was a like a rumbling purr. OK, step back before I start purring for another reason altogether.

Harry smiled down at her but did as she said. She phased back and asked, "Well?"

"Your beautiful, Daph', it fits you," Hermione said and elaborated at the look of curiosity from Daphne. "Kneazles are very intelligent and can detect unsavory or suspicious persons very well and react badly to them."

"She's right, you definitely showed that ability living in the house of snakes for so long and surviving," added Susan.

"They are both right, it suits you," Minerva added with a smile, "and maybe we can prowl around the castle together and look for some of those rule breaking snakes together."

They all chuckled at that before Minerva asked, "Who's next?" while looking between Susan and Hermione.

"I'll go, I'm dying to show off," Susan said with a large grin. She knew she was the smallest of them in wolf form and hoped that she was going to be the largest of the three wives in their magical forms. After Hermione nodded that was fine, she stepped over to the opening and phased.

The others watched in amazement as the large winged horse appeared and spread it's wings out wide. The wing span had to be at least 365 cm (12ft). She was chestnut colored with silky looking hair and her dark blue eyes.

"Oh my, you're an Aethonon, that's...wow," Daphne said as she looked her wife over. She stepped up and ran her hand through her crest that ran along the back of her neck and hung down her side. Harry and Hermione had stepped over and were caressing her as well.

Thanks guys, Susan said as Daphne was backing up with the others. "I thought it was pretty wow too," Susan said after she phased back. "I was hoping to be the largest of the magical forms between us girls since I'm the smallest wolf."

"That was very wow indeed," Minerva smirked. "That only leaves you Hermione."

"OK, here goes," she said as she took her turn in the opening and phased.

All four gasped as they saw her take the form of a phoenix. She had a crimson red body and head, flame yellow and orange tipped wings, with some dark blue around her neck. She stretched her wings and looked up at them before tucking them back in.

"Of all the magical animals 'Mione, you had to be a phoenix. You hate to fly after all," said Harry jokingly.

I was informed that it wasn't the flying I was afraid of, it was the falling and that was not an option in this form.

"As long as you're alright with it, then I think it's brilliant," he responded as he and her wives stepped forward to stroke her feathers gently.

After they stepped back, she phased back to normal and said, "I was surprised too about being a flying animal but my form told me that we were alike in a lot of ways before we joined. She said that I was intelligent, loyal, faithful, and that I carried heavy loads, whether it was responsibilities or burdens but I always persevered just as she has done."

"That is very much correct, now this has been an incredibly long day, so since you're all fine I'll owl you tomorrow," Minerva said after she hugged them all and had told them how incredibly proud of them she was, before apparating away.

"Dobby," Harry called.

"Yes, Master Harry, what can I do for you?" he asked when he popped in front of them.

"I want you to pop us to our floor and afterwords inform Dan and Emma that we'll see them in the morning that it's been a long day for us," Harry replied.

"Yes, Master Harry," Dobby said as he reached out and took Harry's hand, popping them away.

"Now, what was that you said about seconds and desserts, Love?" Hermione asked as she stalked towards Harry while blocking him out of their mental conversation. Daph', do you remember the modifications we were making on the body-bind and sticking charms?

Yeah, can I assume you have found away to test those using our dear husband here? Daphne replied.

Of course, I'll get him in position while Daph', you handle the body-bind and Susan you take the sticking charms. I think we'll be able to show him why he shouldn't tease us, Hermione smirked as she finally had Harry backed up beside their bed.

Harry knew that smirk and knew he was either going to get extremely lucky, wish he hadn't teased them earlier, or both. "Take it easy 'Mione, you know I was only playing, having a bit of fun."

"I know Harry, why don't you just relax while I make you more comfortable," she replied as she began undressing her husband. She pulled his shirt over his head quickly and leaned forward and captured his lips in a searing kiss. While she deepened the kiss, she nimbly popped his button, unzipped his jeans, and pushed his jeans and boxers down toward the floor. He stepped out of his clothes and broke the kiss. "You're all over dressed my dears."

"Relax Harry," she said as she pushed him down on the bed and guided him back toward the headboard. She straddled his lap as she ran her hands up his chest and nipped at his neck while she ground her clothed center over his growing erection. He groaned at the sensations as she ran her hands across his sculpted shoulders and down his arms. She grasped his wrists and pulled his arms up over his head until his hands were about a foot apart. Now.

Hermione kept her hands up with his as she switched from his neck to his mouth. She released his lips and sat up while she rolled her hips on him and finally released his hands as she sat back and saw Harry tilt his head up to try and see why his arms were still in place. With an evil grin Hermione said, "Relax Harry, you're just going to help us test out some modifications we've been making to a few spells. You see we altered the body bind so that you don't go stiff as a board, while your head and pelvic region remains mobile. The sticking charm keeps you in position until whoever cast the spell releases you."

"Well, they seem to be working fine so you can release me now," Harry said as he noticed the spell indeed let him have full range to move his head while his cock was almost full mast.

"What do you think girls, should we release him?" asked Hermione as she got off Harry's lap and moved off the bed to stand with Daphne and Susan.

"I'm not sure I'm ready to let that comment slide that easy 'Mione," Susan grinned knowing they were going to push Harry to his limits before they released him.

"I agree, I think he needs time to see what his cheek is costing him," sniggered Daphne. "I must say though that the sight of him bound and aroused is making me wet. Care to help me take care of it?"

"Of course," Hermione and Susan said simultaneously as they reached for Daphne's hands to lead her to the end of the bed.

Hermione pulled Daphne close and wrapped her arms around her neck. She brushed her lips against Daphne's and moaned lightly before she sucked her bottom lip in between her teeth before she ran her tongue across those lovely lips asking for entrance. The two continued the sensual kiss while Susan stood behind Daphne and reached around and began pulling her shirt up slowly. She cupped her breast and rubbed her palms across the hardened nipples before she continued to remove the shirt.

Hermione and Daphne broke the kiss long enough to allow Susan to remove the garment before they crashed their lips back together with a throaty moan. Susan unbuttoned and unzipped Daphne's jeans and peeled them down her long slender legs leaving only a black thong. Susan ran her nails up the backside of Daphne's legs and when she reached her bum she rubbed it in caressing circles before she stunned not only Daphne but Hermione as well, when she gave her left bum cheek an open palm slap.

Daphne released a deep moan and felt her desire spike as she felt the sting from her wife's unexpected spanking. "I think she liked that Susan. A lot," Hermione said after she pulled back from the kiss and pulled her shirt over her head quickly revealing her pert breast before she captured Daphne's lips again.

Harry watched his wives as they explored one another without him. He let out a deep moan when he saw Susan smack Daphne's firm bum. He could just see the light red hand print as he watched Susan hook her fingers inside the waist of the thong and pulled it off her hips, down those long tone legs before she had Daph' step out of them. Susan tossed the damp thong near Harry's head teasing him even more as the scent of Daphne's arousal grew that much stronger. Damn his heightened sense of smell, he was already aching he was so hard.

Susan watched the lust build in Harry's eyes even more as she slowly stepped over behind Hermione and began undoing her jeans and removing them. This left Hermione totally nude since she had forgone knickers this afternoon. Susan ran her nails up the back of Hermione's legs and stopped short of her bum. She knelt down and placed soft kisses on each cheek before she slowly stood and ran her tongue up Hermione's spine, as she massaged her bum cheeks, until she reached her neck where she nipped playfully. She licked her earlobe before whispering, "I think we may have to explore Daph's reaction further another time since we already have Harry bound this time. Now, love, why don't you help me out of these clothes."

Hermione released Daphne's neck and asked, "Care to help me?" as she pulled Susan between the two of them. They made quick work of removing Susan's clothes and had her on her back across the end of the bed sandwiched between them. They were latched onto a breast as their hands roamed her stomach and thighs barely skimming over her mound lightly ever so often, as their teeth would skim or nip her nipples in between the sucking and licking. Needless to say she was whimpering with need within minutes and breathing oh's and ahh's of pleasure.

Harry watched enraptured, scared to say anything that might disrupt the moment. Even if he was aching this was something he didn't want to miss no matter how bad he wanted to grab his cock and stroke it to the sight before him. His cock throbbed and twitched at each noise of pleasure and each whiff of arousal. He watched as without releasing her breast they pulled her legs apart and ran their fingers up and down her slick folds before they dipped in between the swollen lips and flicked or rubbed her clit.

Susan's moans grew as they began alternating who was circling her clit and who was driving their fingers into her opening. Hermione was currently licking her nipple while she thrust two fingers in and out of her before she pulled those lovely fingers out and rubbed the juices coating them around the areola and nipple that Daphne just released. Daphne didn't waste any time as she latched back on as soon as Hermione was done. She savored the taste of her lover as she took her turn thrusting her fingers inside her. Susan felt a little disappointed when they removed their mouths and hands from her body but it didn't last long as she saw them both move down her body.

Hermione and Daphne situated themselves above Susan's swollen lips and shared a deep kiss before each used one hand to pull Susan's legs apart as far as humanly possible. Once she was fully exposed Hermione lowered her head and ran her tongue across her swollen clit and sucked it into her mouth as Daphne lowered her head and circled Susan's opening before exploring it as far as she could only to pull her tongue out and run it down the sensitive skin until she teased her puckered opening.

Susan cried out 'Oh gods' as Daphne ran her tongue around her puckered ring. She had come to find that she loved her backdoor played with and knew that she would want Harry to take her there one day. She had shared this info with her wives who said they would help with the stretching and things that she would need to get used to first before having Harry enter her with his cock. She was brought from her musings as she heard Daphne whisper a cleansing spell they found along with a lubrication spell before she felt Daphne slide her finger inside her.

Harry couldn't believe what he was seeing. Daphne had sat up and grabbed her wand and whispered a few spells he'd never heard before she slide her finger inside Susan's bum and if the marvelous sounds Susan was making was anything to go by, she really enjoyed it. He watched as Hermione continued to pleasure Susan with her mouth as Daphne sank another finger inside her bum. He struggled against the spells that kept him from the sight before him. His cock twitched and he begged, "Release me! Please!"

"Now, now Harry," Daphne smirked as she continued to thrust her fingers in and out of her wife. "What would you learn from that?" She looked down at Hermione as she ran her tongue through Susan's folds and sucked her clit back in her wonderful mouth. Susan moaned and said 'Oh gods...I'm cumming' just before she tightened around Daphne's fingers and thrust her hips up towards Hermione's probing tongue that immediately lapped up the juices that began flowing from her lover.

Susan's body went limp as she collapsed back on the bed. Hermione ran her tongue up through her folds and up her flat stomach, between her breast, along her throat until she reached her destination and captured Susan in a smoldering kiss. She pulled back and asked, "Did you enjoy that love?" as Daphne slipped her fingers out and climbed up besides them and said, "Now, 'Mione, you know she did after all you drank in the proof."

Daphne said, "Why don't you take a rest love while Hermione and I take care of each other? You can watch with Harry."

Susan scooted backwards until she was resting next to Harry. She was laying on her side facing him. She let her eyes wander down his torso to his cock where she could see pre-cum leaking out his head. She watch it twitch and throb. She longed to reach out and stroke him to give him some relief but knew that now wasn't the time. She shifted her attention to the beautiful women that were engaged in a heated kiss as they groped one another and let their hands roam freely. The next few minutes was filled with the throaty moans and whispers coming from them before she saw Daphne pull herself off Hermione and turn around and position herself above her.

Moving into the sixty-nine position, Daphne lowered her head and ran her tongue through Hermione's wet folds savoring the taste. She buried her head as she felt Hermione pull her down and start licking her clit in teasing circles before she would run her tongue down and dip it inside her opening before moving further down and teasing her pucker as she had done to Susan earlier. Hermione used her thumb to rub Daphne's clit while she alternated between sliding her tongue deep inside her before she would pull it back and lap at her pucker.

They was driving each other to the brink quickly since they were both highly aroused from everything that had happened so far. Hermione grabbed Daphne's hips and began to pull her down onto her questing tongue as she started to buck her hips up into Daphne's. They both increased the friction and pressure until they pushed one another to their peeks simultaneously crying out in release before collapsing on top of one another.

Harry was throbbing and had that familiar sensation start building in his balls. When he heard Hermione and Daphne scream out their releases and smelt their juices with his new heightened senses, his balls tightened and his cock jumped as he shot strand after strand of hot cum onto his stomach. He couldn't believe he had came without anyone touching him.

Hermione and Daphne crawled up to where their spouses were positioned and looked at Harry's stomach coated in his cum and then to his still erect cock. Hermione grinned evilly and asked, "Should we release him or should we just leave him like this?"

They shared a look before Daphne said, "I say we keep him like this until after we've rode him long enough to satiate his and our needs."

"Daphne, we'd never release him then, let's just have seconds and dessert," chuckled Susan as she sat up and threw her leg across him and straddled his lap. She moved her hips causing her slick wetness to slide up his length causing Harry to groan before realizing that he was going to be extremely lucky the rest of the night whether they released him or not.

Edgar Parkinson knew that he was going to be punished anyway but he hoped that he would receive some mercy since he was willingly before his Lord to deliver the news of today's Wizengamot session. He was currently waiting in the throne room for Lord Voldemort inside the manor house in Little Hangleton. He was shown in by the rat faced Pettigrew and told to wait because their master was busy.

He dropped to his knees and bowed before his Lord as soon as he heard the door to his personal chambers open at the back of the room.

Lord Voldemort swept into his throne room, robes billowing behind him as he approached his throne. He took his seat and saw Edgar Parkinson before him, "Rise and speak," he commanded the prone man.

"I'm here to report on today's session my Lord," Parkinson stammered after he rose to his feet before the Dark Lord.

"And I hope for your sake, that Scrimgeour is now the Minister if for some reason Fudge is not," Voldemort said in his breathy tone that usually scared the wits out of his followers.

"No my Lord, neither are Minister. Madam Bones was elected," Mister Parkinson said in barely a whisper.

"What exactly happened?" questioned Voldemort as he stood from his throne and stepped toward the trembling man before him.

Mister Parkinson was practically vibrating he was trembling so bad as he answered, "Potter showed up with his wives and took their seats inside the Wizengamot or appointed representatives where needed and formed a rather large voting block, my Lord. I protested but was over ruled. I also nominated Scrimgeour but Lord Greengrass nominated Madam Bones and she received the backing from Potter and his alliance's."

"Who was acting in the Chief Warlocks absence?" asked Voldemort as he began circling Parkinson.

"Augusta Longbottom, my Lord," he replied.

Voldemort was not pleased at all. In fact he was furious. Not only was Fudge ousted but the one person he couldn't control was placed in his spot. He had ordered that fool Dawlish to stop Longbottom from attending the session and apparently he had failed in that as well. Potter was going to be an obstacle inside the Wizengamot now as well and would hinder anything he tried to have pushed through that would help his cause at all. NO, he wasn't happy at all as he stopped in front of the terrified man.

"You willingly reported this disturbing news to me even though you knew it would anger me greatly. Even though you are showing your fear, I respect the attempt. However, you will be punished for your failure but know that your actions have caused me to not punish you as severely as I would have, had I had to call you before me. Now, you have a daughter that was contracted to the son of Lucius correct?"

"Yes, my Lord, the contract is no longer valid as you know," Mister Parkinson answered not sure where this was leading and not sure he liked the direction.

"You will bring her before me at the next meeting and I will have a mission for her to carry out. Should she fail as you have, not only will her life be mine but so will yours. Is that understood?"

"Yes, my Lord, it will be done," Mister Parkinson replied with his head bowed.

"Now, leave my sight," Voldemort said as he stood in front of the man once again.

Mister Parkinson bowed again and turned for the door. After he was halfway across the room he heard, "Oh and Parkinson, Crucio!" right before the pain racked his body as he fell to the floor twitching in agony and screaming.

After Voldemort released Mister Parkinson, he called for Wormtail and informed him to summon Auror Dawlish before him. He retired to his throne to think over the possibilities he had left in taking over the Ministry with that bitch Bones as Minister. He didn't have long to wait before Wormtail showed Dawlish in.

"My Lord," the nervous auror said as he bowed before the Dark Lord.

"Can you explain why Madam Longbottom made it into the Wizengamot session, when I instructed you to stop it anyway possible."

"I waited in ambush outside the court and fired a deadly curse at her my Lord, and before I portkeyed away I heard someone scream out. I assumed I had hit my mark my Lord, and had only the one chance as she was surrounded by Potter and others." Dawlish explained while he shivered in his shoes before his Lord.

"Apparently, you missed, and unluckily for you I do not. Avada Kedavra!"

Narcissa Black was nervous. She had a few minutes before the portkey provided by Nathaniel Greengrass would activate and take her to the home he shares with the love of her life, Danyella.

She'd spent hours getting ready while listening to Andy tell her to calm down. She couldn't help but be nervous, she felt like her future happiness hinged on this dinner. She knew if anything was to happen with her and Danni that it would involve Nathaniel too. She wasn't opposed to the idea. She'd noticed that he was an attractive man and he apparently knew how to treat women unlike Lucius. It all depended on their ability to get along.

The portkey activated and she felt the familiar tugging sensation before being deposited gracefully on her feet in an elegant sitting room. After a brief glance around she heard a small voice behind her, "Mistress asks that you wait here for her to greet you, Madam."

The little elf popped out and Narcissa continued to take in her surroundings. She noticed it was elegant but also seemed welcoming and comfortable, instead of sterile and proper like the sitting room at Malfoy Manor. She was so engrossed in noticing the small touches that she knew had to come from Danni that she missed the woman's arrival.

Danyella watched as Narcissa observed her surroundings quietly. She watched her move around with all the grace she remembered. She could tell that Narcissa was nervous by the way she fidgeted with her hands, it was one of the many mannerisms she would never forget. She took in the way the dress clung to her curves and the way her platinum blond hair flowed down her back.

"Cissa," she said in a gentle voice so as not to scare her.

Narcissa turned around at the sound of her name. She knew Danni was there shortly after she arrived. Oh, she missed it at first but she caught a hint of the perfume Danni used to wear. She would know that scent anywhere and was waiting on her to speak.

"Danni, it's good to see you," she replied. "I was just admiring your sitting room."

"It's good to see you too," Danyella said as she stepped forward and pulled Narcissa into a tentative hug. Once she had her arms around Narcissa she didn't want to let her go. Reluctantly she pulled out of the hug and said, "Nate's waiting on us in the dining room. Follow me."

They had a good dinner after the introductions. The conversation flowed easily as they kept to safe topics. Narcissa and Nathaniel got along surprisingly well and even shared many of the same opinions. When the dinner was over Danyella suggested they have drinks in the living room.

After the drinks were served, Nathaniel asked, "So you think you'll enjoy living at the castle while you teach?"

"I believe I will, of course, it will limit my time to visit. Hopefully, after I've settled in, I can manage a Sunday off the grounds," Narcissa replied. They had mentioned spending more time together over the rest of the summer and so she hoped things would go a long way to bring her the happiness she craved with Danni. She enjoyed Nathaniel's company so far and wouldn't rule anything out.

"Actually, I have some news of my own to share with you this evening. I admit, I was saving it for a surprise," Danyella said with a smile. "I am going to be the new teacher for a new class called Introduction to Wizarding Government and Law. So Nate and I will also be moving into the castle."

"Are you serious, Danni?" gushed Narcissa. "We'll be back inside Hogwarts together again?"

"Yes, it's true. I'm glad you seem to like the idea as much as I did," answered Danyella with a blush. "So we have all the time we need. Not that I think it will take that long for us to reacquaint ourselves."

Over the past few days since Amelia had been named Minister, she was overwhelmed trying to understand some of the things Fudge had done. Worse was trying to fix those same things. She knew it wouldn't be easy and was glad she was about to take care of one thing on her list. She was interrupted by her secretary announcing the arrival of Augusta.

"Please, take a seat Augusta," she said as the woman entered her office.

"Amelia, how are you?" Augusta asked as she sat in front of her friend.

"Overwhelmed, but you can help with that," Amelia said with a smirk.

"How can I help?" Augusta asked not sure she liked the smirk at all.

"Well, as the Chief Witch you can help me get the right laws repealed quickly," Amelia answered.

"Amelia, you know as temporary acting Chief I don't have that kind of authority," she replied.

"Which is why I have enough votes and the endorsement from the ICW to make your position permanent," Amelia smirked. "All you have to do is accept."

"If it will help you and our fight, of course I will accept," Augusta said a little overwhelmed that her friend had done this so quickly and had also gotten the endorsement of the ICW.

"Excellent, now would you like to hear some news that I have received from Bloodtooth," Amelia asked with an evil grin.

"This must be good," Augusta chuckled as she nodded for her to proceed.

"Well, it would seem that Molly Weasley hasn't taken to her new accommodations too well. She apparently, threw a tantrum when one of the guards in the mine told her to and I quote 'move your wobbly fat ass human'. Then she turned on him as if to charge like a raging bull and found herself not only being whipped for her actions but also given to the guard as his personal servant to do with as he pleases for the next three months."

After the laughing subsided Augusta asked, "Any news on the other two?"

"Ronald has been receiving several lashings a day and Ginevra has been doing remarkably well. She seems to understand the seriousness even if the other two do not." Amelia said before adding, "I hope we can all learn from the relationship that Harry has developed with the Goblin Nation. We need to try and remove some of the prejudices in our world and I think that should start with us removing some of the laws that encourage those prejudices to continue."

"I think if we start by looking at just about anything that Umbridge pushed for we will have a pretty good starting point. She was the main culprit in the last werewolf restrictions that were passed," Augusta stated as she took a cup of tea from the tray that appeared before them.

"I'm going to assemble a team from the law department to start cataloging the laws pertaining to all magical beings listed as magical creatures and such," Amelia informed her friend as they sat sharing a cup of tea.

They spent the afternoon coming up with solutions and finding ways to improve the ministry. They both agreed on one thing for sure, they had to purge the ministry of Voldemort's followers quickly.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Reunions and Discussions

"Hey, Nev, how are you feeling?" asked Harry after he and the girls entered the sitting room at Longbottom Manor. They joined Hannah, Luna, and Tracey on the way in. Apparently, everyone in their group was eager to welcome Neville back.

Neville had been released that morning and was now surrounded by his friends and his Gran as he replied, "Well, I'm feeling better just being out of the ward. Madam Pomfrey is an amazing healer but not so good at company."

"You aren't telling me anything I haven't found out over the years," Harry chuckled lightly before continuing. "We've missed you too though. Has your Gran brought you up to speed on things?"

"She has. I still can't believe she is the Chief Witch but I couldn't think of a better person for the job. Her and Amelia have been working wonders already I hear," Neville replied with a prideful smile directed at his Gran.

"They have indeed. The committee they established is already presenting unjust and biased laws to be removed and they are currently working to clear out the Voldemort supporters from the Ministry with the aid of the Goblin truth serum since it can't be fooled or nullified," Hermione said from her spot beside Harry.

"I still can't believe it was an Auror that fired the curse at Gran. How did they discover it was him?" Neville asked.

"Well, apparently, the fool used an emergency Auror issued port-key to exit the building which took him to a safe bunker. He didn't know that the Head of the DMLE received a notice each time they were activated in case the returning Auror needed medical attention and no one else was in the building," Susan answered.

"I hope they catch him at least," Neville remarked.

"If he's still alive you mean," Daphne added with a pointed look at them. They all seemed to look a little puzzled so she continued. "Well, let's look at it from this point. He had to be a Death Eater or supporter, who we all know takes orders from the Dark Lord. So that means the Dark Lord assigned him the task, probably to keep Madam Longbottom out of her current position. Now, how do you think the Dark Lord would react when it was discovered that Dawlish had failed to do his bidding?"

"Yeah, he's either dead or soon will be," Harry said as they all reached the same conclusions.

"I actually have a meeting this morning with Amelia to discuss that very issue," Augusta said as she rose from her chair. "I see Neville is in capable hands and so if you will all excuse me I must be going."

"Be careful Gran," Neville said before she left. Then he directed his attention back towards his friends and asked, "Anything else I missed?"

"Not really. We've continued training and when you're up to it we'll help you catch up. Professor Snape has a meeting with the Goblins about his name change this week. We had 'Dumbledore' make a few appearances so that the papers could post his sightings to keep up with his so called escape," Harry said before he reached over and picked up four small boxes he had brought in with him and passed one to Neville, Hannah, Luna, and finally a surprised Tracey. "I have a gift for you four and before you say anything, they are non-negotiable. You are to accept them and use them."

The four exchanged glances and removed the lids to find that each one contained a wand holster. The rest of the time was spent with them explaining the Antipodean Opal-eye holsters and showing them some of the things that they had discovered useful about them before Harry and his wives left for home. Hannah, Luna and Tracey stayed to keep Neville company and use the time to get to know one another better.

Severus Snape was never a trusting man, so when the Goblins had performed the name change this morning and declared it a success he was still a little apprehensive. He knew it was magically and legally correct but it was the task he had before him now that was causing him to have second thoughts.

"The only way to know is to test it and this was the only way we can without waiting on you to be summoned so let's get on with it," Harry said as he stood inside the gates of Hogwarts. They were here to test the effect the name change had on Severus's dark mark.

"I understand that but I fail to see the point in setting the wards to respond in such a way," Severus replied as he eyed Harry .

"We have explained this to you Severus," Minerva said her impatience beginning to show from her spot beside him and Pomfrey. "We believe that this setting resembles the reaction you would receive from ignoring the call from your mark. Now, get a move on we all have things to do. Preferably soon."

They had decided that the wards would react to the dark mark pretty much the same as a cruciatus curse would after it had been applied for an extended amount of time. In other words, it would hurt like hell itself.

'Oh well, I've been through worse,' thought Severus as he started towards the gates. He was surprised to find that he hadn't dropped to the ground in agonizing pain and instead only felt a slight stinging sensation over his mark. He looked at his arm curiously as he was now standing beside a smiling Harry.

"Well, I guess it worked then," Harry said causing Severus to look up at him. "Do you feel anything at all?"

"Yes, just a slight stinging nothing that's remotely uncomfortable," Severus replied.

"Great well, I will be off since I have a training session with my lovely ladies today," Harry said right before Dobby popped in and took him away.

Minerva chuckled, "That little elf sure is prompt. Anyway, let's head back up the castle so that we can go over the new rooming assignments. Severus will you be okay with this stinging or do you think you will need to have Pomfrey try and find a soothing salve or something?"

"It will be fine Minerva, for now, but if I need her assistance I will consult with Poppy," Severus answered as he and the two witches drew closer to the castle doors.

"Should we start calling you by your new name or would you prefer to wait until term starts," Poppy asked politely.

"Well, I guess it is best to start and get used to it now," Severus said coming to halt in front in of the castle doors before turning to face his two companions. "Ladies, let me formally introduce myself. I'm Sebastian Thomas Prince."

Edgar Parkinson was pacing his study as he waited for his daughter. He wasn't sure what to do about his current situation. One side of him, the fatherly side, wanted to just take his daughter and wife and run. The other side of him knew that this would be futile since the Dark Lord's reach was far. He simply didn't know what to do so he decided to at least wait and see what the Dark Lord wanted with his daughter. He was brought out of his internal debate by the knock to his door. Quickly composing himself he took his seat behind his desk and called for the person to enter.

Pansy hadn't known what to think when her mother informed her that her father had requested her presence as the head of house. The last time that happened she became betrothed to the small minded and small member-ed prick Draco. Now that she was rid of him, she was just hoping that her father hadn't contracted her to some other gorilla from her house, like Crabbe or Goyle. A shudder ran through her at that last thought before she knocked on the office door and was told to enter.

"Father, you wished to speak with me?" she asked formally.

"Yes, please take a seat," Edgar said gesturing her towards the chair placed before his desk. "Your presence has been requested by the Dark Lord. I don't know what need he has of you but whatever it is our very lives depend on the outcome. Do you understand?"

Pansy could only nod and all she could think was 'I would have rather been betrothed to the gorillas. Anything but this. What could he possibly want with me?'

"Okay, let's start again," Dan said from his position in front of Harry. "Now, on the count of three.

One...Two... Three!"

The next thing Harry knew he was on the ground once again looking up into the face of Daniel Granger. They had been going over martial arts moves that were good for when he was up close and personal with an opponent. He took the offered hand and took his stance again. He wouldn't give up until he was doing at least as well as his wives who had taken rather easy to martial arts.

"Okay, again," he said with determination.

Later that night when they had retired to the comfort of their room and stripped off their workout clothes Harry asked, "Why is it that you three seem to not have a bruise or mark and yet here I am sprawled out on the floor while you three apply the healing ointment?"

"We fall on our backsides a lot less than you obviously," chuckled Susan as she made sure to rub a particularly bad looking bruise that was forming.

"Oh, noticed have you," snarled Harry who felt a firm slap to his bum cheek and heard Hermione say, "that'll be all of that Mister. We are all trying our best and you will be just as good if not better than we are soon love."

"You're right, as usual 'Mione. I'm sorry Susan," sighed Harry.

"It's okay Harry, actually 'Mione's slap reminded me of something. We haven't explored Daphne's reaction to spanking we noticed when we experimented with your bondage fantasy. Which we need to discuss as well," Susan stated as she continued to rub his sore spots with the bruise cream while Hermione and Daphne rubbed his aching muscles.

"She's right, we haven't actually had the chance since then," Hermione said as she wiped her hands off on the towel before passing it to her wives to do the same. "Might as well, while we wait on the ointment to set in before we head to the showers."

The others all agreed and were now sitting naked on the floor Indian style with their knees touching.

"Well, I have to admit I was surprised when Susan slapped my bum. However, it surprised me more that it spiked my arousal. I'm not sure I won't to go too far but I would like to explore that a little more," Daphne admitted. "I don't know too much about it so maybe it's something we can research a little bit before hand though."

"That sounds reasonable," Hermione said, "since we don't want to do something and accidentally hurt you or turn you off the experience by being ignorant to it."

"Harry, how did you like the bondage. Was it what you had thought?" questioned Susan.

"Well, like I told you all before, I love watching my lovely wives together and would dream of either watching you three unseen or restrained. It was what I had envisioned and I enjoyed it immensely. It was strange though at first because I could almost feel my wolf fighting against me for allowing us to be restrained. Once I figured out what was going on, I informed him that this was something I had wanted to try long before he bonded to me and you three had no intentions on harming me, he calmed down."

"We kinda felt that pull from our wolf side as well protesting to dominating their Alpha in such away but since we still had our mental link working we figured out faster and explained much like you did," Hermione informed him.

"I swear, I heard my wolf say something along the lines of 'only humans' before the feeling left though," chuckled Daphne.

"Do you think this is something we need to look into? I mean we are just developing our sexual identities which is why we agreed to explore a little but do we need to take our animal sides into account?" Hermione asked.

"I think it is something that we will have to deal with, much as we did," Daphne said, "since we can't really know how that side of us will react until we try."

"I agree," Susan said. "We should just see as we go. Let's head to the shower so we can get our husband to bed."

"Wormtail, report," Voldemort spoke from his throne to the man at his feet.

"My Lord, the followers you sent to Romania to look for Potter have found nothing yet to indicate that he is there," reported Peter. Just as the last word left his mouth he felt the pain from his master's crucio for the next minute only to be released and asked to continue.

"Y-yes My Lord," stuttered Peter. "Edgar Parkinson and his daughter has sent word that they will be here when requested."

"Good. What news do you have from our informants at the Ministry?" questioned Voldemort.

"It seems that the MoM has a way to weed out our supporters and our marked followers. They have been testing every department systematically," Peter said while bracing for the curse he knew was to come.

Several minutes had passed and Peter was sure he would soon join Bellatrix as a wall decoration when his torture was finally removed.

"Now Wormtail, it would seem that I still find you useful but my patience is wearing thin. I expect better news when next we speak," said Voldemort as he rose from his throne and disappeared into his chambers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats, this session of the Wizengamot is ready to convene," said the Auror stationed beside the doors.

"I hereby declare this session of the Wizengamot open," Chief Witch Longbottom said as she motioned for everyone to be seated. "We are here today to vote on the removal of several highly prejudicial laws that have limited the many opportunities for those listed by it's guidelines. These include but are not limited to witches or wizards of so called non-pure-blood status such as muggle born or half-blood persons, half-creatures, werewolves, goblins, centaurs, and veela. It is the opinion of the DMLE Committee that these laws have restricted the named members of our magical community from obtaining and keeping gainful employment in many fields that they are qualified for. If we are to progress as a society, we need to abolish these archaic laws that have held us at bay for many years."

Applause sounded all around the chamber before order was restored.

"These changes will ensure our future and pave the way for our children to live in a world where they are not afraid for their very lives from so called Dark Lords or radical terrorist groups. We must change in order to survive. We are not trying to abolish our tradition or history as many believe, instead we are trying to pave the way for a better future."

Once again applause surrounded the chamber.

"Now, everyone was sent a file containing the laws that was presented for removal and should have had ample time to review them. We are here today to cast our vote as an able body for or against the removal of said laws," Augusta stated before she called for the vote that would hopefully go a long ways in removing some of the extreme prejudices in their system.

Daily Prophet Excerpts from the day following the vote.

Laws Abolished that Cripple Our Society

by Rita Skeeter

This reporter was one of the few allowed inside yesterday's Wizengamot session officiated by newly elected Chief Witch Longbottom. My employer, the Most Noble and Most Ancient Houses of Potter Black and Bones, insisted on reliable media coverage for such a monumental event in our society. Several archaic laws that have been crippling our world for ages was presented for removal based on their extreme prejudices against many of our citizens.

Lord Potter had this to say, "Our world received a major boost today that will hopefully allow our future to prosper. We have fallen behind our brother nations, as well as, the general population around the world. I fully intend to learn the traditions that was apart of my heritage but I also intend to provide a better future for the next generation of my families. Now that our government seems to be on the right track with capable leaders, my wives and I intend to focus our attention on the problems that have been allowed to grow inside our educational institution, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We have made many changes to the staff and curriculum and are looking forward to a very productive year."

This reporter is looking forward to those changes and the chance to provide the coverage needed to bring our community the reliable coverage it needs. ...

Dumbledore Sightings 

by Zamira Gulch

Our previous so called Leader of the Light, Albus Dumbledore, was seen recently in several spots around the country. We have learned that the sightings reported to the DMLE was immediately followed up on but produced no substantial evidence of his presence at the scenes. We are asking the community to be alert and report any sightings directly to the DMLE and not approach the subject themselves as he is considered dangerous....

The Former Hogwarts School Board Found Guilty

by Rita Skeeter

Earlier this week a Goblin run investigation was completed of the School Board of Governor's for the past fifty years. The findings were astonishing to say the least. The Goblin Nation unearthed many shady deals and financial handling that cost the school hundreds of thousands of galleons over the years. The complete details have not been released but I was provided with some of the more note worthy findings. Albus Dumbledore was apparently employing Professor Binns after his death as a means to continue drawing his salary for himself. Now, while the numbers may not seem like much compared to the total theft over the past fifty years, it does once again show you the type of person we gave our trust to almost blindly. Lucius Malfoy was discovered to have handled many bribes to and from the school board as well as receiving them. The board had already been released of it's duties earlier on and are now facing charges inside the Wizengamot and the Goblin Nation. ...

"Nate, are you in here?" questioned Danyella from the door to their library.

"I'm here, sweetheart," called Nathaniel Greengrass from the back corner situated just beyond her view behind a shelf where they had a small reading desk.

"What has you holed up in here?" asked a smiling Danyella as she approached her husband.

"Just some of the older law books we have, nothing special," Nate replied nonchalantly but quickly cutting to another subject. "I take your day with Narcissa went well if the smile on your beautiful face is anything to go by."

"It did and actually I was just looking for you to see if you would like to accompany us for a stroll through the gardens before night fall?" she asked after placing a kiss on his cheek when he stood to greet her properly.

"I will be there shortly dear," he said before shooing her off to where ever she had left Narcissa waiting.

He gathered his book and thanked the gods that she hadn't asked to many questions about it. He had been trying to find the correct passages that would allow him to take Narcissa as a second wife for him and Danyella. He was sure the relationship was headed that way since the third or fourth date they had as a group. He knew that his wife was already being somewhat intimate with Narcissa but nowhere near what they so clearly craved from one another. He wanted to ready for any possibility when the time came so he had already begun looking into the legal aspects and such.

After everything was put away he headed for the door with a smile on his face knowing that he was also beginning to feel more than an attraction for Narcissa for the sole reason that she was bringing him and his wife happiness. He really hoped things continued progressing so nicely.