Chapter Text
Epilogue
One Month Later
A thin veil of clouds obscured the night sky, hiding the stars from view and casting dappled light upon the forest below. Only the moon remained unshrouded, gleaming with acute sharpness through the dark of the cold autumn night. The trees of the forest creaked and groaned as the icy wind from the west blew in, causing a cacophony of sound on this sacred night.
A shrill scream broke the melody of the natural world, echoing harshly through the woods and disturbing the creatures that roamed when the sun descended. They did not flinch nor were they drawn to the sound of dying prey.
They knew what night this was.
Harry Potter watched with a carefully masked face as Zacharias Smith was prepared for the Samhain sacrifice. His would-be rapist had been stripped bare and painted in the blood of animals sacrificed earlier on that day.
Runes were currently being gouged into his skin, causing the once-arrogant young man to scream in pain, the sound reverberating around the clearing they were in and beyond. The werewolves completing the process wore sadistic grins, pressing their knives into the teenager's skin even harder to produce more delicious noises.
It was not a full moon, and so the werewolves present were in their human forms, but the atmosphere of the night had their inner wolves close to the surface and baying for blood.
Swallowing heavily, Harry was forced to look away as one of the werewolves moved to pry Smith's jaws open, with the intent to remove the young man's tongue.
To his right Bellatrix watch on hungrily, pleasure evident in her onyx black eyes. Flanking her on either side were Rabastan and Rodolphus, who did not look away from the gruesome preparation for the ceremony, but were much more stoic than the sadistic woman in between them. Severus Snape and Bartemius Crouch were deep in conversation, paying no attention to the agonised screams of the disowned pureblood.
The only member of the Inner Circle whom was not present was Lucius, who had chosen to celebrate Samhain with his wife and son. It was traditionally an event to be conducted with family, honouring past ancestors and reconnecting with deceased loved ones.
A warm body pressed up against Harry's own, and strong arms moved to encircle his frame. With a sigh, Harry leaned back against the support offered, tilting his head to view his lover.
'Must it be so messy?' the emerald-eyed teenager asked.
The Dark Lord smirked, crimson eyes flashing with satisfaction as he replied, 'Not always. I believe Fenrir is paying a tribute to my future Consort, by ensuring maximum pain for the man that attacked him.'
Harry raised an eyebrow, still not used to being offered the respect he now mustered from not only the Inner Circle, but the Dark Lord's supporters as a whole. He had not even been officially inducted into the position yet.
Both he and his lover had agreed that they would wait until Harry had reached his majority and graduated from Hogwarts before formally holding the ceremony. It would not only give Harry time to prove himself to the Dark supporters as a worthy Consort, but it would create a better image for the couple.
In the past month Britain's magical community had been undergoing some drastic changes, widely and legally recognised as the Servile Rectification Act, or the SRA for short. It was publically acknowledged as the future Dark Consort's first political exploit, and had been met with mixed reactions in the extremes.
All three ranks of the servile caste had been abolished, with Aphrodite's House of Pleasure and Damara House being shut down. Rehabilitation centres had been set up to deal with the newly freed Birthers and Courtesans, with accommodation facilities being arranged to deal with the influx of Menials without lodgings.
Those Birthers who had had children by their contractors were protected under the SRA, with the fathers expected to not only provide housing for the women, but to pay for any and all needs of the subsequent children from their intimacy. Family plans were currently underway to ensure both parents had equal rights to their offspring, and were being met with general success in most cases.
As for the issue of Muggleborns, Harry had recently begun campaigning his Muggleborn Protection Act, in which they were to be given equal rights as half-bloods and purebloods, who were now on even standing with one another.
He had had to compromise with his lover in regards to the removal of Muggleborns from their Muggle parents; the Dark Lord had refused to change the system in which such children were taken and their parents Obliviated. He had been adamant that magical children must grow up in magical communities.
Harry knew that there would be opportunities in the future to argue about this, and so settled for ensuring his Muggleborn Protection Act gave these children appropriate accommodation and services when they arrived in the wizarding world. Already many children and teenagers alike were finding new homes through the adoption plans being implemented.
Hogwarts was another topic Harry and his future spouse had argued over, but Harry had eventually come to realise the value that came from allowing Hogwarts to remain an elitist school. Not only would it keep the purebloods appeased, who were highly disgruntled from the abolishment of the servile caste and the equalising of the law in regards to those of differing blood, but it allowed the curriculum to remain rigorous and tailored to more skilled adolescents.
Other education facilities were currently being built, not only creating new paid jobs for ex-serviles, but producing magical schools for those who did not pass the entrance exams into Hogwarts. As for those entrance exams, under the Muggleborn Protection Act, Muggleborns were now able to take the exam for an opportunity at the elitist school. Furthermore, purebloods were now required to take exams to enter the school, equalising the rights of all children wanting to attend Hogwarts.
With his intelligent foster sister in mind, Harry had advocated under the Muggleborn Protection Act to set up special education facilities for young people who had missed out on a magical education due to their servile status.
It had been a success, with many seeing the value of having young people trained and given opportunities to join the workforce in later years, rather than just leeching off the system under benefit schemes.
Hermione was currently attending one of these advanced courses, learning to wield the wand she had been given. She was apparently at the top of her class. Harry was ecstatic to note that Angelina, Katie and Alicia were also in one of these programs.
So much progress had occurred in the short month that had passed since Harry had returned to his lover's side, and yet there was still a long way to go until many of the issues in the magical community were resolved. But any change was positive, and Harry had become somewhat of a beloved champion of the Muggleborns and half bloods.
The main problem he had was with the purebloods, who would never completely accept him until he had proven himself. So far he had only made their lives more difficult, and had not shown that he would support their traditions and unique culture, as was an essential part of being the Dark Consort.
Lord Voldemort had assured his anxious lover that they would come to love and respect him in time, once they saw his dedication to the magical arts and his power. Harry was determined that he would earn their loyalty and devotion; would prove that he would not only campaign for those of lesser blood, but would support and defend pureblood rights and customs also.
Another loud scream drew Harry out of his thoughts, and with a barely perceptible wince he turned further into his lover's arms, on the pretence of an embrace. He knew he couldn't fool the Dark Lord, who pulled away slightly to look Harry in the eye.
'It is important that you watch this ceremony, that you are here to oversee it conducted. There may come a time as my Consort when you will need to be present for a public execution. If that time comes, you must be able to stomach it, must not show any weakness.'
Harry's face was terribly conflicted, and Lord Voldemort sensed it was not entirely to do with Smith and his impending execution.
'What if the person being executed is someone I love?' Harry asked quietly.
Suddenly the Dark Lord knew what was bothering his beautiful lover.
'You are worried about your family and their continued absence,' he guessed quickly.
Harry's face fell, and he nodded slightly.
Despite Hermione returning to Britain with him, the Weasley's had not only decided to not come back, but had chosen to continue to support the Order of the Phoenix.
Any person who had been evacuated in the Order's medallion scheme had been invited back to Britain with amnesty. Whilst most had returned to start new lives, many had chosen to disappear with the rest of the Order, fleeing from France and holing themselves up Merlin knows where. The Weasley family had made their choice, and were now out of Harry's help, perhaps for good.
Remus and his pack had also been offered amnesty by the Dark Lord, in exchange for Remus' actions in assisting in Harry's escape. As a further reward, Remus had been granted a house in Britain to live in. Despite selecting to remain in France with his pack, Remus had accepted the lodgings in Britain, in order to have a place to stay when he visited Harry, as he had done about a fortnight ago.
As for Sirius Black, any charges against the man had been dropped on Harry's request, but he was still under close surveillance. Recently Harry had been paying him supervised visits, simply talking with him and giving the man a chance to know his godson. They were by no means close, but were slowly starting to know one another.
In contrast the Weasley family, along with any other known fugitives, were wanted dead or alive by the British magical government, and faced death or imprisonment if they were captured. Harry knew there was a possibility that one of his foster family members would be caught, brought to Britain, tried and then executed. As Lord Consort, he would need to be present, would have to watch as one of his loved ones was killed before him.
He was so unbearably angry, and yet he knew the Weasley's had had the opportunity to return home like any other involved. They would all have to live with that decision.
'Has there been any news on the Order?' Harry questioned his lover.
Their best spies were scouring Europe for any sightings of the rebel organisation, who were now more than ever a danger. In the heat of escape Harry had had no chance to Obliviate Minerva McGonagall of the knowledge that he and the Dark Lord were bonded.
The woman had that extremely sensitive information in her arsenal, and as such knew that if she could simply kill Harry, the weaker target, then she would destroy the Dark Lord's power. Security around the pair was tighter than ever, and after Lord Voldemort had told his trusted Inner Circle of his bonding, they had gladly extended their protection to cover Harry.
'There has been no news. Wherever they are, they are well-hidden.'
Feeling the unpleasant burn of helplessness, the knowledge that he could do nothing but wait for the Order to rear its head and attempt to strike, frustrated Harry beyond belief.
Glancing at Rabastan Lestrange from the corner of his eye, Harry wondered if now would be the time to propose to the man his plan that he had developed. Seeing the direction of his lover's gaze, the Dark Lord asked Harry calmly, 'Are you contemplating offering Rabastan your proposition?'
Roughly a week ago, when the Inner Circle, the Dark Lord and Harry had been present in Lestrange Manor, Harry had caught sight of something extraordinarily strange.
He had seen an innocent enough servant woman from the corner of his eye, passing dishes into the room for their luncheon. However it soon became clear that there was something suspicious about the female, as the shimmer of magic upon her skin had caught Harry's eye.
He had realised, as he ate his lunch and only half-listened to the talk around him, that the woman was in fact wearing the face of another, and had transformed from her true body. She was a Metamorphmagus.
There was only four Metamorphmagus' registered in Britain. Three of them were Rabastan's children, and Harry could tell instinctively that the magical signature of the person in the corner was that of an adult.
Therefore, the only possible identity of the servant woman was Nymphadora Tonks, Rabastan's retired Birther.
Harry had already been informed of what had happened to his friend Draco Malfoy, how the boy had been kidnapped and impersonated at Hogwarts by none other than Nymphadora Tonks. As the report made by Rabastan went, he had tracked his traitorous ex-Birther to one of their residences, only to discover she had fled to France.
The search was underway for the Metamorphmagus, who was under charge of aiding in the kidnap of both Draco Malfoy and Harry himself.
Therefore, Harry was naturally confused as to how the woman was in hiding in Lestrange Manor. He knew about Rabastan's ability in sensing magical signatures, and knew that there was no way Tonks could have remained here without Rabastan knowing.
It had occurred to Harry as he quietly ate his lunch, that Rabastan Lestrange had betrayed the Dark Lord.
Later that night, as he and his lover lay entwined in bed, Harry had told the truth of what he had uncovered. Despite his past relations with Rabastan, despite any lingering attachment to the man, Harry felt he owed his first loyalty to the Dark Lord.
His lover had been furious, but Harry had had time to deliberate on how to best deal with the situation. When he had proposed his plan, the Dark Lord had completely changed his mindset. He still insisted on being the one to decide on Rabastan's punishment for going behind his back, but had agreed that as his future Consort, Harry should have a say in what happened to Nymphadora Tonks.
Now standing in the middle of a forest, in the dead of night on Samhain, Harry decided that it was time to give Rabastan his proposition. Turning up to look at his lover, Harry said quietly, 'I am going to speak with him now. I promise we will be back in time for the ceremony.'
With a brief kiss to his lover's lips, Harry left the warm circle of his arms and approached the Lestrange trio. When he came before them, they all bowed their heads, offering him the respect that was rightfully his as the Dark Lord's future Consort.
'May I speak with you in privacy Rabastan?' Harry asked after the trio had given him their proper greetings.
Rabastan's eyes immediately went to his Lord, worried that the man would think he was attempting to seduce his Consort-to-be if he accompanied Harry into the privacy of the trees. Before he had a chance to work out if Lord Voldemort had approved of this private conversation, Harry discreetly rolled his eyes and said meaningfully, 'The Dark Lord has given me full permission to speak with you alone.'
Looking mildly embarrassed, trying to ignore the snickers of his brother and sister-in-law, Rabastan gestured for Harry to lead the way. They disappeared into the trees, followed by watchful crimson eyes that held a hint of pride. His Harry was exercising his power as Lord Consort, was learning how to deal with situations such as these.
Once Harry had swept the trees with his magic and ascertained that there was no one within hearing distance he turned to Rabastan and decided there was no use in dodging around the issue.
'I know about Nymphadora Tonks, and how you are harbouring her in your Manor.'
Rabastan froze in horror, staring uncomprehendingly at Harry whilst the green-eyed boy simply looked back straight-faced.
'My Lord Consort…' Rabastan begun.
The Inner Circle had begun referring to him in that manner, because it pleased the Dark Lord to hear his lover be paid the proper respect and deference.
'There is nothing you can say that can prove me otherwise. I saw her with my own eyes Rabastan.'
Rabastan clenched his jaw, cobalt blue eyes revealing his mind calculating as he tried to work out how to handle this situation.
'Does the Dark Lord know?' he asked at last, eyes not quite meeting Harry's. He was ashamed.
'Yes. I told him the night I discovered her presence in your Manor,' Harry responded promptly.
Rabastan seemed to fold in on in himself as he questioned in a voice barely above a whisper, 'How long have you known? How long has my Lord known?'
'For about a week. It was during that luncheon that was held in your Manor.'
Slowly, Rabastan straightened his spine and set his shoulders back, regathering his pureblood pride. Finally looking Harry in the eye, he said with quiet determination, 'Then there truly is nothing I can say in my defence, other than I did not have the strength to turn her in. But that is no excuse.'
Harry felt pity rise in him, understanding his ex-contractor's attachment to the woman who had birthed his children. But he had to push it away, and remain strong for what was coming.
Rabastan continued to speak, his voice strong even as he said, 'I accept any punishment my Lord sees fit, as is his right. But I must ask…why is he not speaking with me now? With all due respect, should he not be the one handing down punishment?'
At this, Harry had the opportunity to raise his proposal.
'You are right of course, and the Dark Lord will be issuing your punishment to you in due time. However I am speaking to you tonight, because I have come up with a solution to our problem.'
Rabastan searched Harry's face, looking for some indication of whether this 'solution' would result in his ex-Birther's execution.
'Tonks is a known, and accepted member of the Order of the Phoenix. I am sure they would welcome their agent back to them with open arms, should she return to them.'
Rabastan watched Harry as he spoke, noting the intelligence and charisma behind his words. Then Harry turned to him, face hard as he said, 'My Lord and I have decided on two options to be offered to Nymphadora Tonks. The first is death by public execution. The second is for her to swear an Unbreakable Vow of loyalty to the Dark Lord and return to the Order as our secret agent.'
Rabastan was stunned at the simple brilliance of what Harry was suggesting, knowing that Tonks would undoubtedly choose the second option, not wishing to put her children through the pain of losing their mother.
'I will bring these two proposals of action to my ex-Birther, and return to you with her answer,' Rabastan said after a short pause.
'You have twenty four hours to do so,' Harry responded coolly, before turning to leave. Another thought hit him, and he looked back at Rabastan saying in a gentler tone of voice, 'The Dark Lord values your long service and otherwise unwavering loyalty to him, and will keep this in mind when deciding on your punishment.'
With the slightest quirk of his lips Harry added, 'Good luck.'
Then the future Lord Consort was gone, returning to the clearing and to his lover, to witness the execution of Zacharias Smith.
As Harry strolled through the trees, wrapping his fur cloak tighter against the icy wind blowing toward him, he wore a subtle smile on his face.
This was his new life, the position he would be stepping up to. He was not only doing this for his lover, but for himself also. He wanted the chance to make a mark on the world, to close the chapter of his life in which he had been a Courtesan.
He didn't want to bury it in the past, for it played a part in making him who he was today. But he would create new memories to combat the unpleasant ones, would move on from that time in his life.
He would do this with his lover by his side, and the motley collection of friends and supporters he had made through his journey to this point.
Harry Potter was ready for the future, and whatever was waiting in store.
FIN