Lettered

Disclaimer: J.K.R owns Harry Potter, not me. That's why she's making the big bucks, and I'm deciding between paying for books and buying food.



Warning: This is a Slash Story. That means boy/boy lovin'. Which there is in abundance at the end of this chapter- Citrus!



I'll reply to any and all comments in my livejournal, which is linked in my profile.



:Parseltongue:



------



"...Harry?"



Harry groaned and threw his arm over his eyes. "Siri?" Sirius jumped up from his chair and grabbed the teen, pulling him into a hug.



"You're all right!" Harry rolled his eyes.



"I'd be better if you'd stop squeezing me." The animagus let go of the boy and sat down on the edge of his bed.



"We were worried- you were so drained from that last spell." Harry nodded.



"How long was I out?"



"Two days, now." Harry sat up.



"Where's everyone else?"



"Poppy made them go to bed after Ginny fell asleep the third time." Harry nodded again and started to get out of bed.



"Young man, what do you think you're doing?" Madam Pomphrey rushed over to her patient's bed.



"I, erm-" Harry started to flush under the glare of the nurse.



"Whatever it is can wait a minute. Let me check you over." She cast a few diagnostic spells. "Alright, then. You can go, but be careful, and watch your shoulder- it's still not fully healed yet." Harry nodded and climbed out of bed, trying not to wobble. He quickly tossed his robe on over his hospital pyjamas- he could change once he got back to the dorm. Once he was dressed, he started toward Gryffindor tower, Sirius right behind him.



"So, what else happened? Is everyone alright?" Sirius nodded.



"We're all fine, Harry. That Felix Felicis worked perfectly, and there was enough for me, Moony, Tonks and the Weasleys. Mad-Eye's got a new scar to add to his collection and Hagrid spent most of the battle in a body-bind, but other than that, the only casualty was Dumbledore."



"And the Death Eaters?"



"Two of them were killed- one had his neck broken by the Willow- McNair- and another was bitten by Nagini. The rest of them are in Azkaban- they're waiting for you until they hold the trial."



"So- it's really over now, isn't it?" Sirius smirked.



"Well, the fighting's over. Now, you've got to deal with being the Saviour of the Wizarding World."



Harry groaned. "Please don't tell me...?"



"I'm afraid so. McGonagall's had to refuse to let anyone into the school without your say-so. I'm pretty sure Rita's sent an owl every twenty minutes asking if you're wake and ready to interview." Harry snorted.



"It figures." Harry stopped in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Piffle."



The portrait smiled as she swung out of the way. "Nice to see you up and about, Harry."



Harry nodded at her sand stepped through into the common room. Ginny and Neville were sitting in chairs by the fire. "Harry!" Ginny launched herself at the older boy, who just about fell over.



"Nice to see you too. What did I miss?" Ginny's face fell.



"They're trying to charge Blaise and Draco- they're saying that they were supporting Voldemort. Snape's in trouble too, the ministry's set someone to watch his every move."



"Fuck. It figures. Alright- I'm going to toss on some real clothes, and then I'll have to have a talk with the Headma- erm, Headmistress." Harry darted into the dorm and got dressed.



Walking out, he ran his hand through his hair, muttering. "What's that, Harry?"



"Oh, nothing. Just the mess- you know." Ginny grinned, she knew how often Harry wished his hair would just lie flat. "Alright, come on, let's go find McGonagall."



------



"Mr Potter, I know that you want to help your friends, but you can't do anything until the trial!" McGonagall looked at the boy, exasperated.



"There shouldn't even be a trial! They helped me beat the bastard! They should be getting medals!" Harry was pacing.



"I agree, but there's nothing we can do. It's impossible." Harry shook his head.



"It's also impossible to survive the killing curse. There's got to be something we can do..." Minerva sighed.



"They'll be tried on Friday. You'll have to wait." Harry flopped down into a chair, defeated.



"Bloody hell."



"Indeed, Mr. Potter. In the mean time, I suggest you owl Ms Skeeter so she'll stop sending me interview requests."



Harry's eyes lit up. "That's it! Professor, would the ministry hold people prisoner if the bloody saviour of the wizarding world publicly called them heroes?"



Minerva frowned. "I don't think so- Oh! Right then, owl Ms Skeeter- tell her to be here in an hour, I'll make sure you have some privacy."



Harry grinned. Being famous did have some advantages, after all.



------



"Hello, Harry, how are you feeling?" Rita smiled at the boy from her seat.



"Oh, a little sore and tired, but generally not too bad." His eyes flickered to the poison green quill racing across the parchment, making sure that it was recording exactly what he said, as per their agreement.



"Alright, Harry, so we're all dying to know- how did you do it?"



"Really, I don't know. Lots of practice." He laughed. "Professor Snape spent hours dueling with me, getting me ready for battle. The bloke deserves a medal, really- and he's not the only one."



"Really? Who else?"



"Neville and Ginny, definitely. Blaise Zabini- Ginny's boyfriend- and surprisingly enough, Draco Malfoy. They got the rest of the students out of there, away from the battle."



"Draco Malfoy? Blaise Zabini? Aren't they in Azkaban?" Harry scowled.



"Yeah. The ministry's calling them supporters of Voldemort- all because they're Slytherins, and because of Draco's father. Draco spent part of last term pretending to spy on me, and would feed the Dark Order rubbish. Like, that I was absolutely terrified of serpents after what happened second year- anyone in the sixth year Care of Magical Creatures class could tell you that that was absolute bull-"



"Yes, erm, I see. So, if I understand what you're saying, Draco Malfoy helped you spread misinformation to the Dark Lord's ranks, at high risk to himself?"



"Exactly."



"Alright. So, now that you've defeated the Dark Lord, what are you planning on doing?"



"Finishing school. Then, who knows? Maybe I'll travel or something- I've always wanted to see the rest of the world. Spend time with my friends. Let loose a little- I never really got a chance to before now, you understand." Rita nodded.



"I understand completely. So, for the question every eligible witch in Britain is asking- is there any one special in Harry Potter's life?" Harry started to blush.



"Yes, there is."



"Oh, and who is the lucky girl?" His blush deepened.



"Erm, actually... I'm not sure he'd want me to say right now."



"Oh, alright- Wait a second, he? So, the Savior of the Wizarding World is gay?" Harry rolled his eyes.



"No, I'm not gay. If I were gay, I'd be attracted solely to men. If I had to say, I'd probably label myself "bisexual". But yes, I am seeing a man."



"Alright then. Now, onto a more serious topic, can I ask how you feel about the Ministry posthumously honouring Albus Dumbledore by publicly declaring him a national hero?" Harry froze.



"Harry?"



"I'd tell you what I think, but I wouldn't wish to be accused of speaking ill of the dead." Rita nodded, and put her quill away.



"Alright. Now, as an anonymous contributor, on the other hand..." Harry described to her the memories he had received from the hat. "...I have them stored in a pensieve, if that would prove useful to you."



"No, I don't think that will be necessary right now. Is there anything else you wish to say on the record?"



"Nah. I do much better when I'm off the record, don't you think?" She smiled.



"I do. Also, you're a much better actor than your friend- Neville?" Harry snickered.



"Draco told me you'd seen through that. Though, it's not like I could have approached you myself, could I?"



"I suppose not. Alright then, Harry, it was a pleasure, and I'm sure you'll be happy to see that your statement about Misters Malfoy, Zabini and Snape will be on the front page tomorrow- and your statements about Dumbledore, on the second." Rita held out her hand, which Harry took, and - much to her surprise- kissed her hand with a flourish, causing her to let out an uncharacteristic giggle.



Harry smirked. "Thank you. Can I escort you to the castle gates?"



Rita smiled. "Let it never be said that you aren't a gentleman. That would be lovely."



Harry held the door open for the reported, winking at the two Gryffindors which had stationed themselves outside of the room. Blaise and Draco were as good as free.



------



"HARRY JAMES POTTER! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?" Harry rolled his eyes.



"Why Hermione, it's nice to see you too." Harry was sprawled in a chair, dozing.



"Oh, shut up! I know you're responsible for this garbage in here about Dumbledore! You just couldn't let him have any of the credit he deserves, could you? You had to make up this- this- rubbish!" She threw that day's copy of the Daily Prophet at him.



"No, it's all quite true, actually. The sorting hat showed me the memories- Dumbledore had a bad habit of conversing with it when he wanted to work something out." Hermione's eyes went wide.



"You've gone dark, Harry! Just like he said you would! I knew it!"



"No, Hermione, dark would be dragging someone into an empty classroom to interrogate them with veritaserum, and then obliviating them afterwards." By this time, everyone assembled in the common room was watching the fight.



"Wait, but how did you..? Dumbledore said that Snape-" Harry snorted.



"Dumbledore was a manipulative bastard who forgot that other people are capable of independent thinking. If he hadn't died before Voldemort, I'd be nothing more than a squib, and he'd have more power than I really want to think about."



"Dumbledore was a hero! An icon for the light!" Harry stood up.



"Dumbledore was a fraud, who thought nothing of letting his weapon, his hero, his fucking saviour, get-" Harry choked. Taking a deep breath, he started again. "Dumbledore left me with people who thought that taking care of me was sticking me in a cupboard for ten years and treating me like a house elf. People who locked me in a little room over the summer, barred my window, fed me through a fucking cat door, and let me out twice a day to go to the bathroom. For nothing!"



Those gathered in the common room were shocked. Most of them knew that Harry hadn't had an idealistic childhood, but still, they never knew that it was this bad.



Harry continued. "Don't sit there and pretend that the man was light. The man was just as insane and power-hungry as Voldemort- the only difference was that he was discreet about it." Harry shook his head. "I don't have the energy for this." Turning, he made his way to the portrait hole. Looking back over his shoulder, he smiled. "Oh, and Hermione? Thank you. You've as good as admitted that you interrogated me under Dumbledore's orders- I'm sure that the ministry will find that most interesting." With that, he stepped into the hallway, shutting the portrait behind him. Ginny, who had been in her room and had only caught the tail end of the argument, rushed after him



------



Harry paced in front of the room of requirement. I need a place to sit and think, I need-



"Harry!" He looked up, seeing the red haired girl.



"Gin, I'm sorry, but I- I-" He stopped. She nodded.



"Come on, we'll talk inside, alright?" She smiled at him and opened the door that appeared.



The room was small, with two chairs similar to those in the Gryffindor common room, a fireplace, and a small table. Harry immediately curled up in one of the chairs.



"She- I- I almost told the whole- the whole- They almost- they could have-" Ginny took a deep breath.



"Harry, listen to me. It's alright. Take a deep breath. Good, now tell me- what did you almost tell the rest of the common room?"



"About- about the Dursleys. About what they did."



"Harry- whatever they did to you, it isn't your fault. You don't need to be ashamed or embarrassed."



"I was weak, Ginny! Uncle Vernon- he- he- I couldn't make him stop!"



"Harry James Potter, stop it. Your whale of an uncle could physically overwhelm almost anyone. That doesn't make you weak."



"But I should have stopped him!"



"Harry, you shouldn't have had to." They sat in silence for a while.



"You- you know, don't you? What he did?" Ginny nodded.



"I figured it out at New Years. So did Remus and Professor Snape. Harry, you are a good person, no matter what happened to you. Now look at me. Repeat after me: What Vernon Dursley did was not my fault."



"But I-"



"Harry! What Vernon Dursley did was not my fault. Say it."



"What Ver-Vernon Dursley did was- was n-n-not my fault."



"Again."



"Ginny-"



"Harry, you need to get this through your head. Say it again."



"What V-Vernon Dursley did w-was not my fault."



"Again."



"What Vernon Dursley did was not my fault!" Harry screamed. He swallowed hard, and collapsed back into the chair. Ginny was nodding.



"It really wasn't, was it?" Ginny smiled at him.



"No, Harry. It wasn't." She got up and walked over to his chair, sitting on the arm. "You alright?"



Harry started to nod, then stopped. "Not really. But, I think I will be."



------



Tom watched as Harry paced silently.



"So, what do you want to do with your family?" Harry frowned. he hadn't really thought of them.



"Well, I'd say let them go, but they know too much..." Tom grinned at his young boyfriend.



"Now, Harry. What kind of Dark Lord would I be if I didn't know a way to ensure a person remained silent? A simple secrecy charm should suffice, I think, and we could arrange for your aunt and cousin to be found. I'm not sure about your uncle, though. I don't think he's been punished enough." Harry sighed.



"Yeah, I'd say that sounds good. I'm sure a tip can find it's way to the ministry that Death Eaters were known to be seen near a certain abandoned building." Harry sat down on Tom's lap. "And I have some ideas for my uncle..." Harry whispered something in Tom's ear. The older man's eyes went wide, and he started to grin. Yes, that sounded suitable, indeed.



------



"Order! We have convened for the trial of Hermione Jane Granger. Miss Granger has been accused of assault and conspiracy to commit treason. How does the accused plead?" Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, looked down at the girl sitting in front of her.



"Not guilty." A number of members of the Wizengamot nodded.



"Miss Granger, we have several pensieve memories provided by Harry Potter and other students, as well as several memories from the Hogwarts sorting hat, which show that you, under Dumbledore's orders, forcibly interrogated Mr. Potter using veritaserum. Several memories also show that you had some idea that Dumbledore was seeking out power, and at least one show you conversing with him about reshaping the ministry. What do you have to say in your defense?"



Hermione hung her head. "Harry- he started going dark! I was worried- I thought I was doing the right thing."



"I see. Is there anything else you wish to say?" The girl shook her head. "Alright. There will be a short recess while we deliberate. Guard, please escort Miss Granger to the holding area." A man that Harry vaguely remembered from Hogwarts- a seventh year during Harry's first year- took Hermione gently by her arm and lead her away. Harry stood up, wanting to get a breath of air.



"Harry." He turned around to see Mrs. Weasley standing behind him, looking pale and drawn.



"Mrs. Weasley. I'm- I'm sorry." Harry looked down, feeling guilty. Molly clucked her tongue.



"Harry, you have nothing to be sorry about. If anything, I should be sorry- I trusted that man." She sighed. "I honestly thought we raised Ron better than this..." Harry closed the distance between him and the Weasley matron, and wrapped his arms around her.



"It's not your fault. Everyone trusted Dumbledore- he made sure of it. And were a wonderful mother. Just look at Ginny! And the twins and Bill and Charlie and Percy- well, Percy's a bit of a prat, but anyways- Ron just made some bad choices. You could have done a lot worse, ma'am." She looked up at the teen.



"Harry, how many times do I have to tell you, it's Molly?" Harry's reply was cut short.



"Order! Please, return to your seats." Fudge turned to the rest of the Wizengamot. "All of those who find Miss Granger guilty of assault?" All of the members raised their hand. "And all those who find Miss Granger guilty of conspiracy to commit treason?" This time, all but two members of the court raised their hand. He turned to look at Hermione, who was again seated in the center of the room.



"Miss Granger, you have been found guilty of both counts. As such, you are summarily expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and sentenced to six months in Azkaban prison. Guard? Please escort Miss Granger to the holding area."



------



Ron received the same sentence as Hermione- expulsion and six months in prison. After the trials, Harry made his way to the Leaky Cauldron, accompanied by Tom, Severus, and Draco. Ginny and Blaise had returned to the Burrow with Molly, and Sirius and Remus were accompanying Luna and Neville back to Hogwarts.



Harry sighed as he stared at his bottle of butterbeer. "I can't believe that it's over." Tom put his arm around his boyfriend.



"I know. It's the end of an era, but at least now you can make a fresh start." Harry smiled and leaned against the older man.



"I guess you're right. So, Professor, now that you no longer have to play double agent, what are you planning on doing?" Snape scowled.



"Staying as far away from you as possible, Potter." Harry pouted as Tom and Draco snorted.



Tom looked at his friend critically. "Come on, Sev, I know you've got something going on. Tell us!" The Potions Master rolled his eyes.



"If you must know, I will spend the summer researching the wolfsbane potion- a joint project with an old friend of mine." Harry smiled at him.



"See? That wasn't so hard, was it?" He ducked as the man swiped at him, giggling. He finished off his bottle of butterbeer, and went back to leaning on Tom. He looked up in time to see Professor McGonagall walk into the pub, talking quietly to a witch he didn't recognize. She excused herself from her conversation, and walked over to the corner table where they were sitting.



"Hello, Severus. Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy." She pursed her lips and looked at Tom. Tom immediately sat up and extended his hand.



"Tom Mollrore, ma'am." She took his hand.



"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Mollrore." Harry quickly stepped in.



"Oh, I'm sorry. Tom, This is Professor McGonagall- the new headmistress. Professor, this is my, er, boyfriend..." Harry trailed off.



"I see. Mr. Mollrore, you look quite familiar- like someone I knew a long time ago." Tom furrowed his brows. Minerva continued. "Did any of your family members attend Hogwarts?"



Tom looked pensive for a moment. "I don't think so. As far as I know, I'm the only wizard in my family, and I went to school over in the States- my dad's from over there." She nodded.



"It's only that you remind me of a classmate of mine." She looked at Harry meaningfully. Harry understood immediately. "Tom, you wouldn't happen to be named after a relative, would you?"



Tom looked pensive. "Well, my Nana used to talk about her cousin Tom- I think he's who I was named after. He was killed when she was a kid- no one talks about it much." She nodded.



"I see. Severus, I expect you to return Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy to the school by 5 pm." Severus nodded at the headmistress, and she turned and walked back to the witch she was talking to earlier.



Harry expelled a breath he didn't even know he was holding. "I'd forgotten that other people might recognize you." Tom smiled.



"It's a good thing that I did, then. You are looking at Tom David Mollrore, the muggleborn great nephew of a certain Dark Lord." Harry raised an eyebrow.



"So, why Mollrore?" Tom smiled at the teen.



"Anagrams, Harry, Anagrams. I've had the same name for the last 70 years or so, it's kind of grown on me." Draco looked at the exchange, confused. "I'll explain it later- when we aren't in the middle of a crowded pub." Draco nodded. "Not to change the subject, but Harry, be ready to be called into her office tomorrow morning."



"You mean-?" Tom nodded.



"What's going on?" Draco again looked confused.



"You'll see."



------



The next morning, Harry was indeed called into McGonagall's office.



"Harry, we've found your uncle." Harry looked up at the headmistress.



"Is he...?"



"He's alive. He's unconscious and in the hospital. Your aunt and cousin are there now." He nodded.



"Unlike the rest of your family, he appears to have been... tortured. He was somewhat mutilated."



"Mutilated?"



"He was-" Minerva paused, taking a deep breath. "-castrated. He was found in London, tied to a lamp pole, in a state of undress." She swallowed hard.



Harry nodded. "But.. I mean, he's alive, right? He lived."



"Yes, Mr. Potter, he's alive. Right now, though, I'm more worried that there is still someone out there who would do this. It seems like there is still at least one Death Eater out there."



Harry took a deep breath. "I- I see. Thank you, Ma'am." He stood up, and started toward the door.



"Harry, I know you're tired of hearing this, but be careful." Harry nodded, and walked out of the office.



------



"Alright, Tom, she thinks that there's another Death Eater still out there- looks like I owe you a sickle." Tom nodded.



"Well, of course, love. Luckily, there is. Or, at least there will be once I finish marking him." Tom inclined his head toward a man shackled to the wall. It was one of the Azkaban escapees- Tom had immediately had one locked away as soon as possible, just in case.



"Can you hurry up, then? I want to get to bed." Tom chuckled at his young lover and went to work. Soon, the man bore the Dark Mark on his forearm. An imperio had the man walk into the nearby town, cast morsmordre, and pass out.



"You ready, love?" Harry nodded, and let the older man lead him to the bedroom.



------



"Tom-" Tom looked at the younger wizard standing a few feet away from him.



"Yes, Harry?"



"I love you." Tom smiled, and quickly closed the distance between them. Pulling the teen close with one hand, he used the other to tilt his lover's head.



"I know, Harry. I love you too." He leaned down and brushed Harry's lips lightly with his own. Emerald eyes met pale blue, and then he leaned back down to kiss Harry more firmly. His hands dropped to the hem of the boy's teeshirt, and started working their way underneath. Harry, in turn, reached for the buttons of Tom's robes. Tom stopped for a moment to bat Harry's hands away. "Let me do this tonight." The boy nodded, and placed his hands on Tom's hips.



Tom grasped the hem of the teeshirt and began to pull it up. Harry dutifully lifted his arms, allowing the older man to peel it off. Dropping the shirt on the floor, Tom started running his hands along his young lover's skin. He paused to tweak a nipple, earning a moan from the boy. :Beautiful: he hissed.



He picked up Harry, who immediately wrapped his legs around Tom's waist, and walked over to the bed, where he laid the teen down carefully. He began kissing the boy's neck, nipping at the delicate skin lightly. Meanwhile, his hand moved down to the fly of Harry's jeans. Quickly, he undid them, pulling them down to reveal- nothing but bare skin. Tom moaned- the thought of Harry wandering around with no pants all day was almost too much to bear. He quickly undid his own robes and pulled them off.



:Merlin, Harry, do you know what you do to me?: Harry swallowed thickly. Tom began kissing his chest, worrying one of his nipples with his teeth as he rolled the other between his fingers. Harry's moans were like music to the older man.



:Oh, god, Tom.: Harry cried out as Tom trailed his hand lower to encircle the teen's hardness. Tom began kissing down lower. Reaching the boy's member, he blew on it lightly. :Tom, please.: Tom smirked, and began teasing the boy with his tongue. :Oh, fuck!:



"I plan to." Tom said, mouth still on Harry. The vibrations sent shivers through the boy's body. Tom quickly pulled off his boxer shorts, still focusing intently on the writhing body on the bed. Pulling away, he moved up to give the boy a deep kiss. Reaching over to the table beside the bed, he grabbed a vial of viscous blue fluid. Harry thought he recognized it from somewhere.



Tom opened the vial, and poured a small amount of the fluid onto his hand. He leaned over and started whispering into Harry's ear.



:I think you'll like this, love.: Harry moaned as he felt a finger against him. Whatever that was, it felt good- warm, and slightly tingly. Tom quickly prepared Harry, and then positioned himself and slowly pressed in.



Harry keened. He didn't remember anything every feeling this good before. As Tom slowly moved, he kept hissing.



:Merlin, Harry, You feel so good around me. So warm, so tight..: The older man gradually began thrusting harder and faster, making sure to angle his strokes to hit Harry's prostrate, destroying any rational thoughts that entered the boy's mind. With a keening cry, the teen came, clenching down on the man inside him and forcing him over the edge.



The two laid there for what felt like an eternity before Harry felt like he could speak again. "What- what was that?"



Tom shifted and grinned at his young lover. "It's a special potion- it increases sensations. You liked it?" Harry nodded, and yawned. Tom rolled off of him and pulled out his wand, cleaning them both off.



"That was absolutely brilliant." Tom chuckled.



"Indeed." He wrapped his arms around the boy. Harry smiled. They'd have to do that again- although, there was no rush- after all, they had all the time in the world.



------



And that's it! There's still going to be an epilogue, though.



Um, notes- the blue potion was from Christmas. Other than that, I think it's pretty self-explanatory.