Dec 21

Tom woke to find Hari watching him sleep. Her fingers trailed gently over his chest in random movements.

"I know we're busy between now and the New Year, but after the holidays would you like to see my home?"

Tom stopped breathing for a moment. "You are inviting me to your home? A home that no one is aware of the location? You realize that once there I will be able to locate it?"

"Yes. A relationship right? Trust? I'm not very trusting if I always come here and don't even let you know where I live."

Tom's smile was luminescent. "I would love to see your home."

Hari smiled back at him. "It isn't anything like yours. Except for a dueling room and a potions lab it's pretty muggle-ish. No house elves."

"I'll survive." He drawled teasingly.

"Hmmm, at least my friends know I'm a witch so if they show up you don't have to pretend not to be magical." She glared at him sternly suddenly. "No harming Seth."

Tom scowled at the mention of the young, handsy Shifter.

"Tom. He saved my life, you know. He killed one of those vampires. His interest in potions and magic gave him the knowledge to know what to give me to help me heal." She bent to kiss him. "I'm sorry about the nightclub. It really didn't mean anything. He was temporarily aged to get into the club. He really is very young. I know you were raised in a different era when men treated women differently. Believe me, Seth isn't interested in me like you think. I'd actually like to amuse myself by bringing him to Hogwarts and have him wander around to see if he'd Imprint on a witch."

Tom huffed in amusement despite himself. "Alright. I won't hex your friend." He tangled his fingers in her hair and drew her down for a kiss.

Hari moaned and melted against him. She luxuriated in his skillful kissing for a moment then shifted to press kisses along his jaw and down his neck. She stroked her fingers over his broad, muscular chest as she scattered kisses along the smooth skin. She licked and nipped his flat nipples making him jerk and moan softly.

A few minutes later, she trailed down his abdomen stroking over lightly defined muscles to his belly button. She traced it with her tongue grinning when he groaned and his cock twitched in appreciation.

Speaking of...she turned her head and licked the beads of pre-cum from the velvety soft head of his cock.

"Hari."

His voice, thick and raspy with arousal, shot straight to her womb making it clench with need. She sucked on the head of his cock gently then moved to slide her mouth down his shaft engulfing him. She bobbed up and down several times letting her teeth graze the large vein on the underside of his prick.

"I want to fuck that tight pussy," he groaned when she pressed her tongue to the sensitive underside just below the head.

She raised her head and looked at him. "Hard?"

"Yes." He hissed knowing she liked it at times when he slammed in and ground into her.

Hari scrambled around onto her knees and elbows.

Tom quickly moved to kneel behind her. He grasped her hips and lined his cock up with her opening. With a grunt of satisfaction he plunged into her.

Hari moaned and shuddered as he claimed her. He jerked her back and settled as deep in her as he could before rotating his hips grinding his cock into her then he began to thrust shallow and hard. Her inner wall would be bruised feeling later. Deliciously so. Every time she shifted she would be reminded of his magnificent cock filling her, pleasuring her.

Tom watched in amazement as she shuddered and moaned and rocked back on his cock. One of her hands clenched over and over in the sheets as pleasure twisted and coiled within her.

"Yes," she moaned arching back onto his cock. "Fuck...yes...Tom...ah!" She shuddered and her muscles milked his prick.

He drew in ragged breaths as he bent over her, covering her slim form. One hand on the mattress by her head; the other reached around to rub her clit.

She cried out and pressed up into his chest and back on his cock.

"That's it. That's it. Cum for me, my Hari. Cum on my cock. Squeeze it. Milk it. Salazar, you're so sweet, so tight! I love being in you."

"Tom...yes... Tom!" She shrieked as she came hard. Her head dropped forward as her body shook through the intense orgasm.

Tom groaned and pushed deep as he spilled his seed into her. He collapsed forward taking her to the mattress with him. He shifted sideways taking his weight off her and pulling her flush against him.

Hours later they were strolling down the wide stairway arm and arm speaking softly when a strangled noise below caught their attention. They looked down to see Severus Snape along with several other Death Eaters that had come to celebrate Yule staring up at them.

Snape looked shocked, horrified. Potter...an older looking Potter was on the Dark Lord's arm and looking very happy to be there. A red and black snake coiled around her left arm. A long haired little dog scampered at her feet as Nagini slithered beside the Dark Lord who looked more content than Snape could ever recall seeing him.

Hari smiled sunnily at him. "Professor, Happy Yule."

Amusement at Snape's shock sparked along their connection making Tom have to fight back his own chuckle.

"Happy... I find you in the Dark Lord's home and all you say is Happy Yule?" Snape snarled. Potter really was with the Dark Lord! He had heard the whispers but thought they were mistaken. She was the one that had summoned him back to bed? The one with a cougar patronus? She told everyone she had fled England yet here she was. He couldn't believe the audacity of the girl. Not to mention she didn't look sixteen. Or scrawny. And where were her glasses?

Hari blinked. "Um...don't tell Dumbledore." She added as they continued down the stairs.

"Don't...tell..." Snape glared at her. "That is all you have to say for yourself? Do you have any idea how many hours were put into searching for you?!"

"Too many since I quite plainly told you all to kiss my arse and fight your own war."

Tom snorted. His lips twitched in amusement. "Happy Yule, Severus."

Snape's glaring gaze snapped to his lord's. The ire smoothed away with effort. "Happy Yule, my lord." He ground out.

Tom held his gaze a moment then shifted to the others. "Happy Yule everyone."

"Happy Yule, my lord....Lady Potter."

Hari grinned when Antonin Dolohov edged away from her. Her nose wrinkling ingenuously. "Happy Yule to you all."

They parted as the Dark Lord and Lady Potter reached them and strode through their midst toward the salon where the rest of the Inner Circle gathered for the lighting of the Yule Log.

Snape fell in with the others in a daze. Potter really was with the Dark Lord! When and how had this happened? How did they go from fated enemies to lovers? He shuddered at the thought and tried to scrub it from his mind.

"What is she doing here?" Bellatrix' strident voice cut through his thoughts.

"I love you too, Bellatrix." Hari replied sweetly not in the least bit afraid of the deranged Death Eater. The beautiful red and black magical snake that Tom had given her for a Yule gift coiled around her left arm hissing at everyone warningly.

The Dark Lord ignored Bellatrix and her low-cut, form hugging dress and moved to the large fireplace where the thick Yule Log lay waiting to be lit. Two small offering pits had appeared one on the left and one on the right of the hearth. A roast lay in one. Several ears of corn and wheat sheaves lay in the other.

"Hari."

Everyone stared. Potter was going to say the blessings? Light the fires?

"Potter is going to light the offerings? " Bellatrix screeched. "She's a Light blood..."

"Enough, Bellatrix." Tom snapped forcefully. He touched Hari's back gently.

Hari glanced up at him and bit her lip. Dropping her wand to her hand, she moved to stand before the fireplace facing the left offering she intoned, "To the Crone that awaits to guide us all at the end of life's cycle; to Magic that makes us Special we give thanks for another year full of blessings." Silently, she called forth fire and the roast began burning brightly.

Hari turned to the right offering. "To the Maiden that brings new life and sustenance. To Magic that supports our babes and imbues them with Its own essence. We give thanks for the year to come. For crops that will feed us and children that will ensure we are not forgotten." The grain offering began burning.

Tom stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her briefly. He turned them to face his Inner Circle. "We are gathered to celebrate all the blessings we have been given and the blessings yet to come. I give thanks for those faithful who did not desert me in my madness; for those who have forgiven me the atrocious acts I committed before regaining myself. You have not been just followers. You have been steadfast allies...some steadfast friends as well. We have stood together during the dark, bleak times. We will continue to stand together as we step into the bright future where we reap the rewards for our perseverance."

He turned and with a silent Incendio lit the Yule log. It began burning strong and hot.

Keeping his arm around Hari, he led the group to the dining room. He prodded Hari to the head of the table. The table had been expanded so Hari could sit comfortably at his right side. The symbolism was not lost on any of those gathered.

Potter resided at the head of the table as an equal to the Dark Lord. As they all settled around the table, the house elves brought in the first course while several Death Eaters fought to keep the hate off their faces.

As the meal progressed, Hari remained quiet just listening to the various conversations. She had always just thought of these people as Death Eaters. Enemies. She never really thought about them having personal lives, family. As she listened they became people to her. She listened to them discuss their spouses and children and troubles with said children.

She was glad that Barty Crouch, Jr. and one of the Lestrange brothers was between her and Snape. She didn't want to deal with his venomous tongue today.

Lucius and the other Lestrange brother was on Tom's right. Bellatrix after them. Bellatrix and Snape were glaring at her. The rest trying their best to ignore her presence except for Lucius and Barty.

She noted that Dolohov was as far from her as possible.

Tom noticed her gaze lingering on Dolohov and chuckled. "You are not imagining it. He is keeping his distance." He said softly.

Hari laughed. "Maybe he'll think twice before putting his hands on some random witch in the future."

"What could Potter do to make Dolohov leery?" Rodolphus asked in a contemptuous tone.

Tom looked at him coldly. "She cast Herbivicus tartantulus very pointedly at his groin. The thorns were sharp and hooked. Matilda had to physically remove them one at a time. It took over an hour to free him from the vine."

All the men were pale and ill.

Hari just smiled sweetly. "I don't like men grabbing me..." she cast a sultry look at Tom, "without permission."

He smiled warmly at her.

Conversation ebbed and flowed around the table then Tom said, "Do you still intend to go to St. Johns next week?"

Hari nodded. "I miss them and it will be an excellent opportunity to try and remove some more of his blinders. Besides, neither of us are ready for people to know that I've joined you yet."

"Luxemburg would be more entertaining with you there."

"Of course it would." Hari replied impishly.

"Arrogant as ever." Snape snarled. "Tell me, Potter, are you certain the glamour over your Dark Mark will hold? It would be disastrous if it fell in front of your dogfather."

Hari froze then slowly shifted her gaze from Tom to Snape. Everyone inhaled at the red streaks in her eyes. "My arrogance issss nowhere near the level of yourssss sssso you really have no reasssson to mention it, Sssseverusss and I will only sssay thisss one time. I am not Marked. I do not bow and grovel at anyonesssss feet. You ssshould asssk Rosstler how I resssponded to her insssinuating I did and be thankful it isss Yule."

Tom inhaled and trembled as red bled into Hari's eyes and her voice went all sibilant and hissy in her fury. His erection bloomed fast and hard. It throbbed painfully as she hissed and spit.

Snape was both infuriated at being dressed down by her and white and shaking with ingrained fear of both the red eyes and the hissing tone of voice. The Dark Lord usually handed crucios out like candy when he got that way.

Snape held her gaze longer than Tom thought he would then the man broke and averted his gaze just the slightest bit. "Pardon the assumption that the glamour on your left forearm was covering the Dark Mark." He murmured the innuendo silkily.

Hari glared at him. She held her arm out so all could see and dropped the glamour. The thick, shiny oval scar appeared. "Basilisk fang second year when I did the staffs' job and rescued a student. Fawkes cried in it saving my life. The scar is here to stay though. Would you like to see what is under my other glamour to clear up any lingering doubts?"

Snape bristled at her insinuation that they hadn't done their jobs. "Yes."

Tom's hand clenched on his fork. "You are pushing my limits, Severus."

Snape paled slightly. "My apologies, my lord. Would it not be better to settle any doubts now?"

Hari held her right hand out and released that glamour as well. I shall not tell lies appeared on the back of her hand. "Umbridge, fifth year. Blood quill. Another time that the Hogwarts staff failed their charges."

Snape eyed her hand and arm with disappointment. He would have loved to see her groveling at the Dark Lord's feet. "And the Mark isn't..."

"She is not Marked." Tom hissed furiously. "Do not insinuate she is again."

Snape bowed his head before the Dark Lord's fury.

Hari glared at Snape for a couple more minutes before turning and visibly gathering herself, shoving her anger down. She drew in a deep breath and exhaled then she gently forked a piece of roast and began eating again while the snake on her arm coiled around and around hissing softly.

After a few minutes where everyone got their hearts to beat normally again and Tom fought down his anger, Hari looked over at Barty. "Except for when you portkeyed me to a graveyard, you were one of my favorite Defense professors."

Barty grinned. "Teaching was actually fun."

"Hmmm, yes. You did seem to enjoy teaching students lessons. I seem to recall a bouncing ferret." She murmured still feeling a little out of sorts.

Barty groaned when Lucius glared at him. "I thought you said you liked me, Potter."

She laughed gently. "Lucius knows you were only playing a part."

"I know he had better never turn my son into an animal again." Lucius responded snottily.

"You are instigating." Tom huffed at her.

Hari grinned as she shifted restlessly in her chair. "At least I'm not practicing my cruciatus." Her gaze rested on Snape a moment before flicking to Lucius. "Will Draco be at the party tonight?"

"Yes, Lady Potter. Most of our children will be there."

"Have you warned him I'll be there?"

"I wasn't sure if you would be making an appearance or not."

"I wasn't planning on it while Dumbledore was still at Hogwarts. He is a nosey man. Always dipping into your mind, but with him gone I decided to attend."

"That's right you were abysmal at occlumency, weren't you?" Bellatrix giggled.

Hari's eyes flashed. "I don't think I was ever given a real lesson. 'Clear your mind,' wasn't very informative." She said cattily. "I am hoping to get a real teacher this coming year."

Snape glowered at her.

Tom looked between them and sighed. "Enough. This is Yule. We are supposed to be on the same side. Act like it."

It wasn't much longer before the meal was over and everyone adjourned to the salon with the Yule log. Glasses of honeyed mead, fire whiskey and brandy were handed out.

Hari sipped at her drink. Her stomach rebelled fiercely. She moaned and set the drink aside. "Tipper," she called out nauseously. "Could you get me some ginger ale?"

"Yes, Miss Hari."

The elf was back in a flash with a glass of ice cold ginger ale.

Hari sipped it cautiously and sighed when her stomach was happier with it than with the brandy. She leaned back in her chair and watched the various groups shifting about the room.

This was his Inner Circle. The ones he trusted the most; was the closest to. She watched him talking with MacNair and Goyle, Sr. He was as relaxed as he ever got around other people.

"So you traded sexual favors for safety." Snape sneered as he settled in a chair near her.

"You are going to make me hex you yet." Hari huffed unwilling to play the frightened little Gryffindor any longer.

"Evading."

"I did not trade sexual favors for safety. I have a secured home far from here. Tom has no clue where I live. He wrote me via Gringotts. I wrote back. Before we knew it we were conversing regularly. He invited me to visit. I did. We connected. We trade sexual favors on a regular basis now because we both enjoy it very much. Any more questions about my sex life, Snape?"

Snape glared at her hatefully.

Lucius decided to try and diffuse the situation brewing between his close friend and the Dark Lord's lover. He crossed the room and settled in a chair in their little grouping. "Severus, Lady Potter."

Snape nodded at him sharply.

Hari gave him an amused look. "Lucius. Do you think Delaine Pfeiffer will be voted in as headmaster?"

"I believe he has more than a fair chance. He isn't connected to us in any way and he has a reputation for being fair minded and unbiased. He has excellent educational credentials as well." He shifted slightly. "Umbridge has gone missing apparently. I have yet to locate her."

Hari shrugged. "I'm not sure the centaurs ever let her go. She may still be in the Forbidden Forest or even dead. It really is no big deal."

"What are you two on about?" Snape growled.

"Umbridge and her blasted Blood Quill." She growled back. "Tom says we need her in order to remove the scar."

Hari sipped her drink. Suddenly she stood. "Pardon me," she murmured and strode quickly from the room as her stomach roiled.

Once out of the room she ran for the nearest bathroom. She barely made it before she started throwing up. She groaned and laid her head down on her arm. She hated being sick.

She threw up and threw up. She drew in shallow breaths trying to calm her stomach.

The door opened and Tom was there kneeling at her side with a cold cloth on her neck and forehead while he held her hair out of the way.

"I hate being sick," Hari moaned as she threw up again.

Finally, her stomach settled slightly and she leaned back on her heels resting her head against Tom's shoulder. "Sorry."

Tom frowned. "You have no reason to be sorry. You can't control getting sick." He wiped her face and gave her a glass of water to rinse her mouth with. "Come on, let's get you in bed. I'll call Emily."

"No. It's Yule. Don't bother her. I'm sure it was something I ate or maybe the brandy. It didn't sit well earlier."

"Add the hateful glares and the sniping."

"Yeah."

"Alright. Let's get you into bed and you can nap until time to get