Lucius watched the occupants of the pub closely, having grabbed a table with a clear shot to the door and taking the chair that placed his back against the wall. Arthur had noticed this and snickered at him. Lucius just glared balefully and watched the darts game with dread. Everyone seemed to know Giles and greeted him like a long-lost brother.

Giles introduced Arthur and 'Jason' and they seemed to be accepted readily on the strength of knowing Giles. Arthur immediately gravitated to the huddle of people watching a 'tellyvision' at one end of the pub. It was showing a rather rough game of ground-level Quidditch ... Lucius thought it was called rugby or something.

Giles was busily occupied by carrying on at least three conversations at once with his friends, so Lucius was left to puzzle out the 'game' of darts. The players soon noted his interest and he was pulled into 'trying it out'. His first attempt terrified him and and pub occupants as well, as it went wild and planted in someone's derriere.

The pained yelp terrified Lucius – how would he explain to the Wizengamot about flinging sharp objects at muggles? Lucius' quick and sincere apology to the offended patron was accepted, although his question about whether the dart was poisoned was met with hilarity. They seemed to think he was a clever jokester.

Lucius tried again and decided to use a bit of wandless assistance on the darts. He didn't try to win at the games – just wanting the darts to hit the board somewhere – instead of another victim's butt. Lucius was soon drafted onto a team for a game and his 'teammates' decided they would be the 'Poison Darts'. Everyone else seemed to think this was clever and funny. Lucius managed a mostly sincere chuckle after a few more ales.

Wagering seemed to be expected and Lucius was glad his lawyer had shoved a thick wad of muggle notes at him. He had a semi-good understanding of pound notes and managed to hand over his losses without incident. He even bought a round for his losing team to cheer them up and a round for the winners in congratulations. This cemented him in as 'a good sport', and his popularity rose.

Not a bad evening, Lucius decided after a few more drinks. They weren't bad sorts, though he would have been unlikely to ever have met them in any other circumstances. This fact was brought home every time some remarked that he sounded 'like a toff' when he spoke. Lucius promptly blamed this on his mother buying an etiquette and elocution book when he was small.

This brought on another wave of hilarity from his audience. Arthur finally staggered over to their table after several hours of TV watching, declaring he had to find a way to make one work where he lived.

Lucius grimaced, Severus had hired someone to put one in Petunia's house – what a pain that was. They had needed to lay wires embedded in lead piping a foot thick and the room the pipe lead to was lined in lead and magic supressing spells. Lucius always felt itchy in that room.

As the evening wore on Arthur got challenged to a drinking contest. Giles laughingly encouraged Arthur, who was now back-pedaling desperately. Lucius grinned a little maliciously and threw his weight behind the idea, peeling off some notes to cover the drinks.

"Molly would not approve." Arthur hissed at Lucius in agitation.

Lucius finished off his own drink and sneered. "Take your balls out of Molly's purse and put them to good use!" Lucius demanded, making the crowd cheer. It was likely made up of a bunch of hen-pecked husbands.

Arthur gulped and caved to peer pressure, determined to win, now. The other contestant started off and Arthur quickly downed his drink as well. There was a blur of drinking, cheering, money changing hands and hilarious laughing over only moderately funny jokes, but Arthur drank the huge muggle under the table at last.

The end of the contest, of course, was accompanied by protests from losing bettors. Soon there were loud arguments. Bouncers waded in and made things worse. Lucius dragged the very inerbriated Arthur and gawking Giles up and started edging toward the door. The fight soon escalated out of control and Lucius finally resorted to a sneaky shield charm that shoved a path through the crowd.

Unfortunately several of the excited patrons felt this was rudeness on their part, and soon fists were flying. Lucius and Arthur tried to protect Giles from the fray, but he was gleefully swinging his cane about with good effect. They'd nearly escaped when sirens were heard and there was a general stampede toward the doors and they were pressed back against the wall where they had started.

Lucius watched in resignation as the police officers entered in force, sweeping everyone up in a general raid. The bruised and disheveled appearance of Arthur and Lucius got them arrested as part of the fight. Giles, unfortunately had managed to clout one of the officers during a wild back-swing and he ended up the the car with them.

Lucius sat between the two of them, listening to the other two in incredulity. Giles was quite enthused about the whole evening, reminiscing about similar adventures in his youth. Arthur was overjoyed at the thought of experiencing the muggle justice system. Lucius just wished there was a nearby wall to bang his head on ... or bang Arthur's head on ... either would do.

Giles and Arthur bounced into the station, eagerly giving their names to the intake clerk. 'Jason' abruptly realized he didn't have a family name, and was just drunk enough to have difficulty coming up with an alias. Arthur had a single clear moment of sobriety when Lucius hesitated after saying "Jason ..." when asked his name and Arthur brightly supplied "... Tavington." When Lucius hesitated.

Lucius looked at him quizzically and Arthur just grinned and shrugged and went back to inspecting his handcuffs. Lucius suspected they would be searched next and he didn't want them finding wands on all three of them. He struggled to remember anything about procedure. With so many arrested he suspected they wouldn't mind hurrying a few things along.

Lucius asked the clerk, "Is it possible to just plead guilty and pay a fine, and leave, perhaps?" Lucius attempted to look harmless and perhaps innocent.

The clerk – a middle aged matron with her hair in a severe bun just looked unimpressed. "You three just have drunk and disorderlies – though the old man clocked young Winton. If you want to go before the judge, you may, I suppose."

Lucius hoped he'd done the right thing and Arthur looked pleased at meeting the 'muggle Wizengamot'. The night court was just getting busy, with a few others from the pub already there. The three of them lined up in front of the bored looking judge and heard the charges read. He looked the three of them over, shaking his head. "What do you have to say for yourselves?"

Lucius arranged his features into earnest sincerity. "We were just trying to leave when the trouble started – Arthur won the drinking contest that started it all and we felt it was better to go on home – but the fighting got worse and we couldn't get to the door." Arthur and Giles nodded emphatically in agreement. The judge came close to sneering, but just look over the paperwork.

"So who clouted the police officer?" The judge was glaring at 'Jason Tavington', clearly believing it was him. To his surprise the tottering old man nervously raised his hand – the officers hadn't bothered to handcuff him.

The judge sighed and shook his head and rattled off fines. Lucius whipped the money out in relief and got them all signed out quickly. Arthur beamed around at everyone and thanked the bailiff, the officers that removed the cuffs and wished some of the other pub patrons handcuffed to chairs the best of luck as Lucius dragged him to the door.

They hailed a taxi and got back to the gates of Spinners End at last. Giles and Arthur were jovially reliving the whole night, their only regret being the they'd not seen any of the jail cells. Lucius shuddered in dread. He would make the two of them pay for this, in some way or other. They saw Giles to his house and borrowed his floo to send Arthur home. Lucius maliciously hoped Molly was waiting with a rolling pin and a shrill voice.

Giles waved Lucius on out the door and Lucius tiredly wandered down to Petunia's house. He should go on to his gate house, but he was feeling a bit lucky and his blood was humming from the fight. He found his way in the door and up the stairs to Petunia's room.

Lucius watched her sleeping from the door for a few minutes before shucking his boots and belt. He wandered to the bed and tried to take off the T-shirt, but the article of clothing proved too cunning for him in his current state and he finally just settled into bed behind Petunia and threw an arm around her.

Lucius chuckled quietly to himself, feeling quite devious. Petunia would be so surprised to find him here in the morning. He sniffed happily at her hair – it smelled of flowers. He was trying to identify them when he fell asleep.

Petunia almost turned over in surprise to hear Lucius start snoring. She'd heard him come in and climb the stairs, and she'd certainly been able smell him from the doorway – had he fallen into a barrel of ale? She'd been curious to know how he would behave after a few drinks. Vernon had always become bullying and violent. She'd rather know now if Lucius was like that. She snickered a bit, apparently Lucius became a cuddler and liked sniffing hair.

Dobby watched carefully and popped away in relief. When Master Lucius had entered he'd not known what to do. Lucius had bound him to this house and to serve Mistress Petunia, but the binding was based on Lucius and his magic – not Petunia, so defending against Master Lucius was still problematic.

Dobby had felt even more agitated as Lucius had entered the mistresses bedroom. He was aware of the horrors a man could visit on a woman – house-elves talked amongst themselves alot. He'd heard stories, though he'd never seen Lucius do more that sneer and perhaps yell at Narcissa – but Narcissa was a witch and had some defenses. Dobby had heard from others about things some wizards would do if they caught someone with no magic. He shuddered to think of that happening to his nice mistress.

He'd frozen when Lucius tried to take off his shirt and but then gave up and just lay down beside Mistress Petunia. The chuckle had unnerved him a bit – but then the snores had started. He'd shaken his head at that. Perhap his old mistress – the one he'd served before Master Lucius had inherited him had gotten it wrong. Master Lucius wasn't acting like a proper Death Eater at all.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Albus sat at Harry's bedside, playing a game of exploding snap with a suspicious Draco, puzzled Harry and oblivious Dudley. Albus hadn't had so much fun in ages. Albus had persuaded Severus to abandon his post – Harry had awakened two days before and Severus needed to rest in his own bed – not the chair and do more than cleaning charms to his clothing and person.

Albus had talked to Harry a few minutes before he got to the point. He'd put off his apology to Harry for too long, now, regarding leaving Harry with Vernon Dursley. He'd broached the subject hesitantly, but Harry had been quiet and patient. Albus had tried explaining his actions at first, then had sighed and said there was really no excuse for not looking into things further and rescuing at least Harry from the situation – or getting rid of Vernon, somehow.

Harry nodded and accepted the apology with good grace. It had been long enough that the memory of hunger, fear and desperation had faded with the fresh memories of love and acceptance from his new family in their place. A cynical part of him would later wonder if Albus had planned it that way. Draco and Dudley had arrived then, and Albus had joined in their game.

Harry's mind was barely on the game. He'd already endured apologies from a despondent looking Ron, a Neville who had defiance in his eyes and an earnest Hermione. They'd apologized to his dad as well, who had not left as yet. Harry wondered what punishments they'd gotten, then shrugged – it didn't really matter. Now the Headmaster was here, making apologies as well, it was weird.

They played for some time, asking Albus questions about the Stone and Nicholas Flamel. Albus answered readily enough and explained that the stone was destroyed. "Young Tom and I took it to Nicholas this morning and he destroyed it straight away."

The boys were more subdued at the thoughts of Nicholas and Pernelle's impending deaths. Poppy finally appeared and, with reluctance released Harry to attend supper in the great hall. Harry bounced out of bed happily. He'd been sure that he'd be allowed – it was the leaving feast, after all and he wanted to say goodby to everyone who hadn't been allowed to visit. He looked at the large stack of get-well gifts – most of them candy from fellow students.

Draco, to Harry's dismay had collected the cards from the gifts, saying Harry would have to write thank-you notes. Severus had lifted an eyebrow at his protests, letting him know that excuses would do him no good.

That was okay, he'd trade favors with Draco and get help with the notes. Harry was greeted in the great hall like a conquering hero – at least by the first and second years. The upper years shouted hello's, and 'glad you're well' at him. After hearing about the dark spirit and Quirrell's possession by it the upper classmen knew better than to think it had been 'fun'.

The loud chattering settled down as the Headmaster sat in his chair. He smiled resignedly – it felt odd to wave the banners to the winners colors with the students so mixed in together. Still, he supposed it was better this way. It was surprising how easily some of the Slytherins had fallen into friendships with the other houses. It likely had surprised the Slytherins as well.

Albus glanced at Marcus Flint, who had the same bewildered look it had held for months, now. The determined Hufflepuff girl sat on his left, cooing at him with a smile – rumor had it that her parents were talking engagement to his parents. Oliver Wood sat on his right, expounding on some Quidditch rule or other that Marcus was likely breaking on a regular basis.

The Headmaster rose and the chattering died out. Albus smiled and read off the points. Minerva and Severus – with Filius and Pomona backing them – had insisted he not give any points for the Sorcerors Stone escapade. "And you must not give a pile of points to any house during the leaving feast – especially if it changes the outcome of who wins ... it's just too cruel to rip a win from children who've worked hard all year ... not to mention showing blatant favoritism." Filius said hardly, glaring at Albus.

Pomona and Severus nodded in agreement with Minerva flushing and nodding as well, after all it was usually her house being shown special favors, and it was sometimes rather embarassing.

Albus sighed and agreed, he'd always thought that the last minute points had made it all rather exciting, but if the others thought it cruel ... perhaps they were right. He'd never really considered the children who had been winners and then were suddenly second place. Of course those were usually the Slytherins or one or the non-Gryffindor houses, so he'd not thought about it, or if he did it was when Slytherin lost and he'd have to hear Severus whine that he was pushing them into the dark.

He read off the names of each year's highest marked pupils. Mafalda Prewett was top in the first years, with Draco and Harry tieing for second, and Hermione coming in a disappointing (to her) fourth. Fred and George were mentioned as second and third in their year – Cedric and the others wouldn't let them slack. Cedric was tops in the fourth years and Tom was shocked to find he'd taken the top spot in seventh year. He'd been certain that what with all the interuptions and the need for tutoring to bring his knowledge up 50 years, he'd not be able to keep pace.

Albus had to make due with awarding the points automatically given with winning the top student awards. Still, that was exciting enough as all four houses were close in points. With the awarding of Tom's points Gryffindor very nearly ousted Hufflepuff from the top spot. They only hung on by a bare 4 points.

The badgers whooped happily – they hadn't been first in quite some time. Cedric and the twins had managed to pull it off. Once Cedric took them in hand, the twins found they were rather excellent students and won points on a daily basis. Even Professor Snape did so at times – mostly for not blowing anything up as a prank.

The idea of winning the house cup had started at spring break when they realized the house points were so close. They'd fought hard for every point they could wrangle after that.

Harry and a grudging Draco cheered happily for the twins. Tom did as well, though he was still reeling from the trip to the Flamel's. Even winning top student for the seventh years barely broke through his reverie.

Tom had had to watch, helpless while Nicholas and Albus had destroyed the stone. Yvane, for the first time had needed to stop him from cursing someone. He had not believed they really meant to do it until they had put the stone in a cauldron of acid. Yvane had released him, he woul have had the time to stun them and grab the stone, but Yvane's words had stopped him.

"Why linger in this life, when your work is done?" Yvane asked.

"How do you know I'll live long enough to do all I wish?" Tom shot back, furious at seeing the stone gone – it would have been the answer to so many issues.

"With your magical power to draw on, I'm sure you'll see at least 200 years. You'll find that if you don't waste your years worrying about death, that you're ready for whatever comes next by that time." Yvane chuckled.

"I don't understand how you can joke about death." Tom complain, glaring in horrified protest. "I could live for millenia on that stone."

"Without your new family ... those that you love ... your friends?" Yvane reminded him gently.

"There would be enough for many..." Tom said uncertainly. Well, enough for some anyway. How would he choose? Severus and Harry, along with Tonks of course. Severus would want Rosmerta. Draco and Dudley would need to be included to keep Harry happy. That meant Lucius, who Tom relied on as well, so Petunia would need the elixir as well ... then there was Percy and ...

The need for a great deal of elixir was growing, Tom thought despondantly.

"Alot of people to insist on keeping with you for century after century, Tom." Yvane sighed. "And what if they don't want to stay?"

"It's all a moot point, anyway." Tom grumped as the cauldron sizzled. But why wouldn't people want to live as long as possible?

They had lunch with the elderly couple. Albus and Nicholas reminisced at length, though Pernelle didn't speak, just stirring her tea with an absent look on her face.

Nicholas had sighed at Tom's concerned looks at his wife. "I'm afraid Pernelle really didn't want to stay so long. This past century she ... lost interest in life. She only takes the elixir to please me. I would be so lonely without her, you see." At Tom's aghast look of incomprehension, he explained.

"At first it was wonderful – I could start experiments knowing I had all the time in the world to complete them – could take on appretices and expand on my discoveries. Slowly though, I'd explored all the things I had interest in and had to constantly look for something new, but what had once been a joy to do was now drudgery and work. Slowly all the faces of people I knew died away, replaced by their children and then grandchildren until all were strangers. Familiar family names on people I didn't know – or worse a familiar face showing up on a total stranger."

Tom sobered at these revelations. He still didn't grasp how it could go so wrong, Tom couldn't imagine the years becoming too long with Tonks and his family and friends at his side. Still, he knew Nicholas was sincere in what he said.

"So you don't regret letting go?" Tom asked hesitantly.

"No, no. Now that the stone is gone ... it feels like a weight has lifted. The time left to me is enough for me to set my affairs in order and say my goodbys – though there are few left that I need to do that with." Nicholas nodded to a pensive Albus.

Tom and Albus took their leave, Nicholas shook their hands and Pernelle smiled with a far-away look and continued stirring the cold tea.

Tom shook his head at the memory and turned back to the leaving feast. It seemed impossible, but perhaps immortality – even with the comparatively benign Sorceror's Stone - was perhaps not the best thing. Tom ignored the snickering dragon in the back of his head.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Heather Black slowly entered the Headmaster's office.

"Yes, Miss Black?" Albus had been surprised at her request to see him, but perhaps she wished another year with the Care of Magical Creatures teacher.

"I wondered if I could speak with one of the portraits?" Heather asked nervously. Albus nodded in mystification, and Heather turned to the curious portraits. She looked up at Phineas Nigellus Black and said, "Sir, may I have a word, please?" The other portraits looked at him in surprise, they and the Headmaster wondered what the younger Black needed with him?

"Yes, young lady?" Headmaster Black asked suspiciously. He was sure she was a descendant, but wasn't sure of whose she was. He hoped she was some byblow of Sirius'.

"I wanted to thank you, Sir." Heather said nervously, but determinedly. "For saving my grandfather, Marius Black's life. He talked about you a lot to his son. I know you went to a great deal of trouble to cover up that it was you that helped him, but I had to thank you, anyway."

Albus and the other portraits were stunned. Marius had been a squib, considered a bit of a disappointment in pureblood circles of the time. In the 1940's, when Marius had disappeared, it had become dangerous for them, with Grindelwald on the rise. There had even been whispers that Phineas or Cygnus – Marius' father – had killed him. To hear that Phineus had spirited him away was a shock.

Phineus shifted uncomfortably and Albus was sure the portrait was blushing. "It was a ridiculous time – yes, we supported the old ways and felt the muggle-borns were a danger to our secrecy, but family was family!"

The old Headmaster snarled. "Some of those morons that followed Grindelwald thought that killing squibs would 'purify the lines of any taint'. Stupid! There have always been a few squibs in any family line ... even back in the founders era there's mention of squibs in even the founders' families. We are meant to take care of squibs and see they find work – either here or in the muggle world, just as we do our magical children." He sighed and slumped back.

"When the danger came too near, Cygnus and I concocted the plan. We got a bunch of muggle money and got him to safety. We had to tell him not to return ... none of us liked that, but it was his life in danger, you see. We knew that fingers would be pointing at us as killers of our own family member – but it would keep him safe, if they thought he was dead." Phineas looked at Heather with a faint smile. "I'm glad to see he had a good life – if you are the result."

Heather nodded, sniffing back tears. "He and my father loved traveling, luckily mum and grandmum liked it too. But it's just my mother and I, now. I was sorry to find there didn't seem to be any of the Black family to talk to ... except for another Cygnus and his wife, Druella – they refused to talk to me."

"Yes, my son Cygnus' grandson – he used to be quite personable – but he joined the Dark Lord and went to Azkaban for a few years – took a lot of galleons to cut the sentence down to five years, I heard. Azkaban made him go quite mad, though, anyway." Phineus grimaced. "Yes, you are one of the few left – the end of the Noble House of Black ... unless ..." Phineus smirked at her.

"Unless, what?" Heather asked irritated.

"Unless you marry a wizard who will take your name of Black ... it's considered quite an honor to do so when you are saving an ancient House like the Black's." Phineus laughed at her shocked face.

Albus rolled his eyes. "I think you've gone far afield of her initial questions, Phineus."

Phineus just chortled, glad to have created a bit of turmoil – it had been awhile since he'd done so.

Heather mumbled some thanks and ran for the door. "COME AGAIN!" Phineus shouted after her.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z

Lucius woke with the taste of dirty socks in his mouth, and house-elves doing a gleeful jig in his skull. A vial of hangover potion was waved in front of his eyes and Ritzy's earnestly helpful face appeared. "Master is needing this?" She squeaked. He downed the potion - the house-elves stopped dancing, and the dirty socks were replaced by the acidic taste of the potion.

Lucius hauled himself out of bed, belatedly realizing that it was Petunia's bed. He groped around in his head trying to remember if he'd done something ungentlemanly. If he had he would be quite aggravated to have gotten lucky with her and not even be able to recall it. What good was it to have fun – but no memories?

He reluctantly looked at a nearby mirror – his glamor had fallen while he slept and he winced at his disheveled look. His t-shirt had a sleeve almost torn off and there were a lot of stain he couldn't identify. He sighed, Petunia would be having second thoughts for sure.

A noise at the doorway had his looking over with a rather hang-dog look. Petunia smiled at him, he looked like he expected a scolding. "I've breakfast waiting for you – well I suppose it's really brunch. Dobby says he can keep it fresh until you've had a shower." She smiled brightly.

Lucius came close to gaping. Apparently he was forgiven even without the apology. He must not have been terribly ungentlemanly after all. Lucius was almost disappointed. And she had a meal ready. Even looking as he did.

"Petunia, would you marry me?" Lucius heard the words and froze, he hadn't meant to do that without his best robes on, and the pricey ring out to tempt her with.

Petunia looked stunned. "Do you mean it, Lucius?" Lucius nodded a bit dumbly, feeling like an idiot, doing this with no plan whatsoever. He always had a plan, with two or three back up plans.

Petunia answered by grabbing him into an embrace and squealing yes in his ear. Lucius almost collapsed in relief.

Petunia sniffed at the t-shirt. "Perhaps a shower – and then breakfast, Lucius?"

Lucius was too relieved to be insulted. "Whatever you wish, my dear." He would spring the ring on her at breakfast and seal the deal before she thought about how rumpled he looked.

Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z~Z