Lucius strode down the corridors of the Ministry, his ‘aloof aristocrat' persona firmly in place early Monday morning. Workers scurried by him and an occasional bureaucrat would attempt to engage him in conversation. He finally did reach Hugo Savage's office, located close to the Minister's. Since Hugo liaised with the Aurors, the Wizengamot and the Minister, he supposed that was the best placement.

Lucius was bowed into Hugo's office by the secretary and Lucius took a seat at Hugo's waving of a hand while he finished signing Merlin-knew-what. Lucius grimaced at Hugo's smirking twinkle. Hugo was still finding Aurors and former Death Eaters conspiring together to assist the ‘Boy Who Lived' far too amusing.

"So what can I do for the plotters at Dragonsrest?" Hugo asked merrily.

Lucius took a certain grim pleasure in informing Hugo of what was needed from him. Sure enough, the smile disappeared and Hugo looked stern. His eyes took on a determined light and he nodded. "I'll be there, Lucius, let me know the time."

"It will be Wednesday, as Thursday is Christmas - Just come after breakfast, as the children will likely want to see you." Lucius answered.

Hugo nodded; he was fond of the younger occupants of Dragonsrest, as well. He owled Tom quite often and he'd met with Nymphadora Tonks, as promised and had given her the names of a few other Metamorphmaguses to write to. They had expressed an interest in giving her advice - mostly by owl on controlling her ability though Li Tran - a wizard in the London area who ran a muggle and wizard martial arts dojo - had agreed to teach her some Tae Kwon Do to help her gain better physical control.

Spending extra time at Dragonsrest would be no hardship - he could always go visit Hazelette and feed her a deer, if he got bored.

Hugo walked Lucius through the halls to Arthur's office in the Department that oversaw ‘anything to do with muggles. Arthur had headed the Misuse of Muggle artifacts office, but now oversaw three sections with the Department heads answering to him. He now oversaw tracking down magical plants that had found their way into muggle hands, and stores that had ‘one foot in the muggle world and a one on the magical world'.

Lucius needed application forms for whoever he convinced to open shops in the village of Hale - hopefully very close to the ‘Spinners End Gated Community'. Sure, his lawyer could get the copies, but he want to ask Arthur Weasley for them, personally. He almost smiled at the flustered Department Supervisor who came over to wring his hands and ooze anxiety.

"How can we help the Office of the Board of Governors of Hogwarts?" The Supervisor gushed.

As a governor of Hogwarts, he and the other eleven who held that position did have an office in the Ministry, but the ‘job' didn't actually take up that much time - Unless something was ‘going on' at the school. The Tri-wizard tournament wasn't scheduled to include Britain for a few years, as yet - and something like that would heavily involve the governors, otherwise as long as the Headmaster and the teachers were doing their jobs, all was well.

Lucius had lobbied to become a governor about five years ago, and now the Draco would be attending he intended to have a closer look at things, there. He wasn't sure that having a Headmaster that spent a great deal of time as the Chief of the Wizengamot was the best idea.

But, at the moment, he was looking forward to waving a red flag in front of Arthur. He mused that it really was the simple things it life that brought the most joy - like grinding Arthur's face in the fact that he'd hired Lawrence Prewett - the squib scion that Arthur's in-law's had driven out. Let them choke on the fact that a Malfoy was giving Lawrence a fair deal - not them.

He shooed the man off, saying that he needed Arthur Weasley's ‘assistance' and strode over to Arthur's office, leaving the Supervisor to once again ponder the breadth of Arthur's connections. He would need to keep it in mind if another promotion was in order. Maybe Arthur was due for a raise - wouldn't hurt to keep Mr. Weasley sweet, just in case.

Lucius strode into Arthur's office, as the door was open. Arthur was startled into standing and looked at Lucius suspiciously, confused by the faint look of triumph in Lucius' eyes.

"I need some applications for muggle/wizard stores. I'll be assisting some shops in opening near Spinner's End." Lucius said breezily.

Arthur nodded at the hovering secretary and she scurried to find the requested items. "A brilliant plan, that - using the muggle concept of a gated community to ‘hide in plain sight'." Arthur said neutrally, not sure why Lucius was really in his office.

"Yes, well Petunia Dursley put the thought in my mind, mentioning one of her late husband's co-workers lived in one." Lucius smirked. "I was quite surprised to find that the accountant assigned to Spinner's End is a squib - but he'll have plenty of co-workers to do anything needing magic, and he'll have an excellent grasp of how to deal with any muggles involved in the work, as he lived in their world for years." Lucius' eyes took on a glint. "I believe he's a relative of your wife's ... a Lawrence Prewett?"

Lucius gleefully awaited a furious explosion that he could act affronted about.

"You've hired Lawrence? Wonderful, we've worried about him...it's so good of you to give him a chance ..." Arthur blathered on happily, while Lucius stood in faintly stupefied shock.

Lucius wasn't able to stop his eyes from widening, but he did catch his cane before he dropped it - he might need his wand if this grinning lunatic turned violent. He was grateful he'd managed to clench his jaw so that it hadn't dropped open in shock and had not let the "Huh?" escape that had been the only response in his head to Arthur being pleased about this.

Lucius listened to Arthur's happy banter about Lawrence in sullen silence until the secretary fetched the applications. Lucius grabbed them and endured Arthur following him almost to the lift cheerfully saying ‘Molly would be so relieved Lawrence was in Lucius' employ'. Lucius made a reasonable dignified retreat onto the lift, wondering where he'd gone wrong.

The supervisor heard Arthur talk about an in-law now working for Lucius Malfoy and hastily made the numbers on the papers giving Arthur a raise a bit higher, and waved Arthur over to ‘talk to his favorite worker about things'.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Molly jotted down a hasty note, hoping for a reasonably quick answer from Tom so she could satisfy her curiosity and decide how to approach Augusta and Algie. She went on with the usual morning, Neville joining them - happy to be away from his house, as Algie had finally mostly recovered from the boil curse - enough that he was attending meals and in a bad temper.

Callidora had been upset when he'd told her of events at Hogsmeade, and had given him a gently said, but none-the-less thorough chewing out for being so reckless as to curse someone - and then get caught. He'd waited nervously, sure that he'd be confronted, but after hours went by Callidora had said that this ‘Tom' had apparently decided it had just been school-boy hijinks - and perhaps he'd not done the spell right, as no Malfoy had shown up roaring in anger over it.

Neville relaxed, deciding that in his haste the spell had gone wrong and had gone to the Weasley's the next day feeling light hearted. He'd been curious about Mrs. Weasley's steering the conversation to his accidental magic. Perhaps she wanted to be sure he really had magic...on the other hand perhaps she wouldn't approve of what Algie had done. It would be a good experiment.

Neville had been surprised by Molly - and Ginny's shock and definite disapproval. Ron had found it amusing, making him burn with a little anger. He calmed himself imagining the lout hanging from a window, screaming and pleading like Neville had.

Molly still looked at him in an almost pitying way, though Ron and Ginny acted normal. The day went well, though he remembered Callidora's words ‘no need to show all your ability - having people underestimating you will be a big advantage'.

Tom and Harry arrived at lunchtime carrying a large bag, and Harry joined the other children for the meal. Ron asked after Dudley, and Harry answered around mouthfuls. "He's visiting his Aunt for a few days, and Aunt Petunia went along." Harry had already had lunch, but he didn't mind a bit of extra - he'd had another growth spurt and felt like he was always hungry.

Molly pulled Tom out the door ‘to look at something' and tried to not seem too anxious as she asked him about that he knew of Neville's situation.

Tom hesitated, to give her all the information would place himself a bit at risk although he somehow doubted Molly would betray him, as he was trying to help a child. "I was in Hogsmeade with the three boys - Harry, Draco and Dudley. Dudley and I went to Scrivenshaft's and Harry and Draco were with Severus at Honeyduke's. They left it as Dudley and I were coming up the street to meet them - I saw Neville come out behind them with his wand in hand - I was sure he was casting a spell and I was pretty sure it was at Draco."

Molly wrung her hands, but managed to stay silent. She knew that children casting spells was simply something they were going to do whether their parents forbid it or not. But things could go so badly awry when children tried things - they hadn't the experience or control, which was one reason it was so heavily regulated.

Tom continued his story slowly, "I followed him in and confronted him about it...I've been studying Occlumency and Legilimency as they are necessary for working with dragons..." Tom hesitated, but Molly seemed tranquil at that revelation, although she must have known where he was going with the story. "...it was accidental - his memory was at the surface and I had seen it along with a bunch of others in mere moments. I pulled away as quickly as I could...I'm fairly sure he didn't even know it happened."

Molly nodded slowly. "I knew you looked disturbed when you spoke to me. Could you tell me what you saw? I know you've already told others...but I really need to hear it as well."

Heartened by her lack of judgment over the incident, Tom told her everything he had seen, prompted by Yvane reminding him of details. Molly looked tired and a bit ill when he finished, but she just nodded, "I knew Algie was a nasty piece of work - I don't doubt any of this. I just don't understand how Augusta ..." Molly shook her head and patted Tom's shoulder.

They moved slowly back into the house. Ginny was chatting with Harry and Ron was talking to Neville - they all seemed to be discussing possible Christmas presents. Tom handed the bag they'd brought with them to Molly. "I promised presents for everyone, as I was giving an owl to Percy."

Molly smiled and handed a large covered tin to Tom. "I made a batch of berry tarts for you to take home - Percy told me Harry is fond of anything ‘berry' related."

Harry whooped and they both thanked her. "Well, now, it was thoughtful of you to bring presents for everyone." Molly beamed at Harry's enthusiasm.

Tom and Harry left, leaving Molly to watch Neville with worried eyes and wonder how to approach the Longbottom matriarch. She was not closely enough related to them to claim the right of blood to right a wrong. Molly frowned thoughtfully. Enid Higgs was Augusta's sister-in-law, and had the right to challenge Algie about his actions, and even Augusta - if she felt Neville was in danger, as she would be his Great Aunt.

Molly nodded to herself. She'd never met the woman, that she could remember, but she would be sending her an owl, soon.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Severus was waiting when Tom and Harry arrived and he received a hug from Harry. Severus then surprised Tom by giving him a quick embrace as well, although Tom seemed pleased by it. They then went in the library and Severus cast the counter to the altered mummification curse.

Harry peeked around the corner as they worked and felt a stab of pain in his scar. He ducked back, confused and rubbed it, but the pain had been fleeting so he went back to his room to change into nicer robes.

"The Krums will be here in an hour. Yuan sounded pleased to have them visit - I hear there are several Krums working on various other Reserves and they are highly regarded. Severus riders and keepers are eager to see them as well." Tom seemed mystified by this. "It will make the visit go more smoothly, I suppose."

Lucius and Draco arrived just before the Krums. Lucius was still ruffled by Arthur's inexplicable happiness at having a relative working for Lucius. Lucius briefly suspected a plot, but knew that was just overly paranoid of him. Arthur was likely aware that Lucius hoped he would be angry and was doing it just to make him insane. Yes, he told himself - that was the answer.

Yuan was there just as the portkey brought the Krum family in. Introduction and greetings were done with a rather formal air and the Krums thanked Harry once again for the return of the Krum castle. Harry remembered the answer he and Draco had thought up. "It was an honor to be of service to the house of Krum", making them smile in delight.

Once the formalities were over with, Yuan offered a tour of the Reserve to Victors delight. The adults chatted happily and Victor became acquainted with Draco and Harry. Tom watched the boys carefully, though he was sure Victor was no threat. Victor had endless questions about life on the Reserve. He had two cousins who were riders and wasn't sure if their reports that ‘it was great' were real or not.

Harry pointed out several dragons in the air. Dragonriders and keepers called hellos and Rigel joined Tom on their walk to discuss Hazelette. She had resumed her place in the Healer pens and did her work as a dragon healer, but she still insisted on deer ‘due to stomach pangs'. Rigel felt she was just ‘milking' her injury for the treats she wanted, although Rigel felt her accidental eating of McNair likely had caused some stomach ailment for a time.

Tom liked talking to Rigel; he was pleasant but not intrusive. Rigel also had the Slytherin focus on what he wanted out of life that Tom shared - especially since he now had specific goals in mind. They both groused a bit about Hazelette - luckily the money for deer was still coming in - in generous amounts, so the Reserve accountants and procurers weren't yelling about it as yet. Astrid was also a problem as he was quickly becoming Hazelette's enabler in her ‘deer meat addiction'.

They arrived at Hazelette's pen where she was instructing Astrid in how to clear a young Green Welsh's lymphatic system of toxins. She kept a running commentary of past dragons she had cured of the same thing to Astrid.

Victor watched the dragons closely. He could understand his cousin's fascination with them. He watched Rigel and Tom go over to one and Tom spoke to her, Harry and Draco following him and listening. Victor followed them more slowly, hearing his parents speaking anxiously behind them and be reassured by Director Yuan and Professor Snape. The dragons were enormous - towering over them - by the time he was standing with the other boys. His heart was thudding, but he was determined to show the same bravery the younger boys were showing.

Yvane whispered to Tom about Victor's nervousness and Tom turned to him, reassuring him of the dragon's harmlessness.

"Did she not kill and eat someone recently?" Victor pointed out.

"Yes, but she was defending the boys as McNair was stupid enough to attack her with an axe - which made her act rather instinctively. She's told us she was quite upset to realize that she'd actually eaten him." Tom answered in as soothing a voice as he could.

"She told you?" Victor repeated in curiosity.

"Yes, the dragons can speak to wizards if they learn the needed skills." Tom smirked, "You need to ask your cousins about that." Tom saw the excitement in Victor's eyes - he expected the cousins would have a barrage of owls, soon, demanding answers.

They wandered back toward Dragonsrest, pointing out Yao's hot pool. They paused to admire the Chinese Fireball and snap a few pictures. They arrived at the house, just as Lucius' surprise arrived. Terrence and Roland Higgs, bearing several broomsticks joined them with smiles and invited Victor to join them in flying with the dragons.

The boy's Welsh Green that watched them swim and several other Greens and Hebredian Blacks remembered the impromptu Quidditch match from the summer and were eager to try again. They let a snitch and a couple bludgers loose and a quaffle was lofted. Severus and Lucius conjured some rings to hover up in the air.

Victor soon forgot to be nervous of the dragons and enjoyed watching them whack the bludgers around. Getting a quaffle back from a dragon who grabbed it was tricky - usually you had to wait for them to drop it. Victor was soon gleefully looking forward to telling his mates about this - he hoped his parents were getting alot of pictures.

The Krum parents had been anxious about this, but as Harry and Draco launched first and flew around the dragons whooping and yelling a few challenges to them, they relaxed a bit. Severus and Lucius would not be watching complacently if the thier boys were in danger.

There were soon several dragons lounging around the pasture, watching the game and roaring encouragement. Even Yao left his pool to observe for a time. Hazelette came over, followed by a fussing Astrid ‘to watch the younglings...they reminded her of one her riders children...'

The boys played for hours, but their energy finally flagged and they came down to land. Some keepers and riders borrowed the broomsticks to continue the play. They watched for awhile on conjured chairs and they went inside to eat as dragons traded out so more could try putting the bludger through the hoops or whack a bludger at each other.

The hungry boys were finally led in to supper and the Higgs along with Yuan were invited to stay - Victor and Terrence were in a heated discussion about seeker moves and strategy. Roland had asked Terrence's parents about picking Terrence up a day early from classes at Hogwarts - they had been quite eager to have Terrence meet the Krums and see Harry and Draco again.

The house-elves had outdone themselves in their eagerness to impress the important guests. For a time everyone was intent on enjoying the feast. The Krums talked a bit about the renovations on the castle and Lucius spoke of his ‘Spinner's End' idea, which they thought was brilliant.

"I might mention it to a relative - do you mind." Mr. Krum asked and Lucius waved a hand.

"Hardly my idea - the muggles have been doing it for years." Lucius said.

The Krums portkey was set to go off at 8pm and they at last said their goodbyes, along with the Higgs. Rosemerta flooed over soon afterwards and Draco and Harry watched with apprehension as they got ready to destroy the Horcrux. Rosemerta fetched the dagger and nervously put it in her belt.

"Remember, you promised to be extra careful, dad." Draco said with as stern a voice as he dared. Lucius had talked to him about destroying the Horcrux tonight and had reassured him he would ‘be careful'. Lucius smiled slightly and nodded.

Yuan stood between Harry and Draco and placed a hand on each of their shoulders. He'd agreed to stay with them until Severus and Lucius' return. They had explained they were disposing of another Horcrux and he'd been happy to assist - even if it was just babysitting Harry and Draco.

The four left, walking through the clear cold night to the nearby standing stones. Tom could hear Yvane whispering to the other dragons, reassuring them he and the humans were disposing of part of the evil wizard. The dragons whispered back that battles were still coming - they knew it, but this would slant things more in their favor, so they were satisfied.

They entered the stones where they'd gotten rid of the cup. That now seemed easy, with the fiendfyre in comparison to this attempt. They cast the containment and Rosemerta stood in the center, next the stone in the middle, where the Horcrux now sat. Tom stood at the head of the center stone with Lucius and Severus behind him.

Rosemerta took the Amazon Dagger from its sheath, raising it over the ring and stone. They had said to try to strike the stone in the line bisecting the circle and triangle in the design on the stone. It would take some accuracy to strike hard, fast and exactly where they said. She began the chant to confine the spirit as it left and the dagger hummed with power.

Rosemerta tried to concentrate on her need to destroy the Horcrux, visualizing protecting Tom, Harry, Draco and Dudley hoping to spur the women's magic and the universal need to protect children that all women shared. She could feel more magic crawling up her arm and then down to the earth she stood on. She was sure the dagger intended to assist her, perhaps understanding that destroying the Horcrux was imperative to protect more than just Rosemerta's loved ones.

The others had taken up the chant and Rosemerta brought the dagger down, cutting through the line in the center, the dagger and ring flaring brightly with power. A dark mist flowed out of the ring, and Rosemerta backed up, holding the dagger in front of her in protection.

Rosemerta continued the containment spell while Lucius, Severus and Tom chanted the cleansing charm with Yvane weaving his own cleansing magic with them. The spirit finally lightened to white and then almost transparent and Tom finally said "Spiritus Reclamare" forcefully and another piece of his soul sank into Tom's body.

Tom sank to the ground in a faint, as he'd done before. Lucius conjured a stretcher and the carefully placed Tom on it. Severus gathered up the ring, putting it in his pocket. Severus put an arm around Rosemerta and led her back to Dragonsrest, Lucius levitating the stretcher behind them after casting a warming charm on Tom's still form.

It was still fairly early when they arrived, Harry had been showing Yuan and Draco his mother's picture albums - Yuan had not attended there and found it interesting, and of course Draco was anxious to see where he would be going to school.

They followed the group upstairs as Tom was settled into his bed, Lucius and Severus changing him into pajamas. Yvane reassured them that Tom was fine, and would be awake in the morning. They went back out to the hallway and reassured Draco and Harry that Tom was fine. Yuan nodded in relief, he'd been fearful when he saw the stretcher - but Severus and Lucius had looked calm, so he'd told himself not to panic.

Lucius and Draco left, agreeing to meet about Albus the next day. Yuan was given a report of their success and he also left, relieved that Tom was uninjured; he was fond of Tom and hoped that he would, indeed someday find his place on the Welsh Reserve.

Harry was hustled to bed and tucked in by Severus and Rosemerta. He snuggled into the blankets happily; it was almost like really having parents tuck him in. Severus was, really, his dad now. Having Rosemerta kiss his forehead and wish him pleasant dreams was new, though and gave him a warm feeling of contentment.

Severus pulled Rosemerta into his bedroom with what he hoped was a seductive look. Rosemerta giggled and blushed, so he must have been successful. He had been careful to not flaunt his affair with Rosemerta in everyone's face though he knew Petunia, Tom and Lucius were hardly unaware of it - and he certainly had endured enough teasing from the boys - they knew Rosemerta was his ‘girlfriend'. However having her emerge from his bedroom in the morning was something different.

He couldn't demand exemplary behavior from Tom and Harry if he wasn't demonstrating it. Lucius had talked to Andromeda about Tom and Dora and they agreed to ‘just watch and wait'. The two of them single-handedly wearing out the mistletoe wasn't the worst thing that could happen.

"You'll have to leave before Tom or Harry get up." Severus said regretfully. Rosemerta hummed agreeably, and continued to distract him. He could only hope she remembered his admonition in the morning.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Rosemerta did remember Severus' words. She hadn't really slept; she was used to being up very late. She smiled fondly down at Severus. He was trying so hard to be a good father to Harry and a good ...older brother? to Tom.

She dressed and dropped a kiss on Severus' cheek. His hand shot out an grabbed her wrist, making her squeak in surprise. They both chuckled, then Severus asked seriously, "Are we alright, Rosemerta?"

"I think I was asking that not long ago." Rosemerta answered softly. "We're fine, Severus, though I think we'll need to formalize our relationship if you're shy of flaunting a lover in front of Harry and Tom."

Severus smiled at her. "You may be right."

Rosemerta smiled in return, Severus couldn't be trapped into a proposal - he'd go on one knee before her when he wished, and likely when she least expected it.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Tuesday dawned brightly and Severus sat at a rather late breakfast with Tom and Harry. It was nice, just the three of them, though he felt having Rosemerta present would not be a bad thing.

"Where did you say we were going today, dad?" Harry asked brightly "A Prince Hall?"

Tom looked up blearily, he felt wonderful with the reunion of another piece of his soul. At the same time he was so very tired. He had to admit his reserves had not built up enough as yet. He hoped he wouldn't get a healer let loose on him again.

A trip to Prince Hall would be interesting. He'd studied the floor plans of the place and listened to Severus talk about the people. He felt that as long as he didn't get cornered and asked for details, he could pull off the deception.

"Yes, Samuel owled me and then flooed - he's quite insistent that all three of us have a Christmas lunch with them today, so they can welcome Tom into the Prince family." Severus grimaced at Tom, and Tom chuckled. Severus had warned him that the younger brother Edwin would likely be a totally unpleasant snob to him.

"It will be a good test of your temper, like as not." Yvane said.

Tom nodded and went to shower and dress. Severus chatted to a secretively smirking Harry. Severus knew that all the boys had been working on ‘special gifts' for their parents. He hoped he could pull off a delighted smile - even if presented with one of Hagrid's monsters as a pet.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ