Better Than Cookies {COMPLETE}

“Alright, Harry. This is it.” Remus smiled brightly and gestured around the large but sparsely furnished room.

Harry, still wiping soot from his robes, paused in the action to look around. “Wow, Remus! It’s great.” He couldn’t help a dorky grin from forming on his face. Grimauld Place had become quiet and somewhat unfriendly in the past week. Everyone looked at him with a mix of pity and disgust. Sure, they tried to hide the disgust, but the few who knew what his uncle had tried to do, Moody, the elder Weasley’s, even Tonks, were unable to completely keep the emotion off their face. Harry mentally cringed just thinking about it. Remus’ continued speech drew his attention back to the present.

“Through this doorway is the kitchen.” He shoved open a door and waved a hand toward the neatly set table before letting the door close again. “This door leads to the hallway.” He started across the room only to turn and find Harry still standing by the fireplace with a grin on his face. “What? I’m happy to have you here, Harry.” He fully turned to faced him, a worried look on his face. “You don’t mind staying with me, do you?” For a moment, his eyes were shadowed. “When your parents made Padfoot and I co-godparents, we were both so proud.” He smiled slightly. “But when we weren’t allowed to keep you when James and Lilly died…” His amber eyes flashed. “Anyway, I’m just happy to finally have you where your parents always intended you to be.” He smiled again and the darkness of sorrow faded, leaving his eyes calm once again.

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Severus stared down at the heavy book lying across his lap. With two fingers, he gently lifted one corner to flip the page. He studied the ritual instructions before placing the book on a nearby table and moving across the Dark Lord’s throne room. Splayed out across half of the room, three massive caldrons bubbled with what appeared to be crystal clear water. The truth serum made up the base of the potion all the participants would need to drink and bathe in. Folded next to the caldrons were two sheets made of lacewing silk, one black and one white.

The black would be submerged in a caldron of half Avearan Potion to induce truth and devotion and half dragon’s blood to create passion and protectiveness. The white would be treated much the same except unicorn tears would combine with the potion invoking purity and endless love. Each dominant member taking part in the ritual would sleep in the embrace of the black sheet for one night, its power slowly changing the very make-up of their soul. The actual binding between the dominants and their submissive would take place on the white sheet. The power of the sheet would help the submissive trust his or her new bondmates. Or so the book had said. Severus slowly began adding the last few ingredients.

“Soon, My Lord.” Severus turned to the dark shape standing beside him staring at the cauldrons.

Crimson eyes turned to him. “How long?”

“One month, My Lord.”

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Hermione glared holes into the back of Ron Weasley’s head. Ahead of her, the entire Weasley family hovered around Harry as if moments before they hadn’t been condemning him. “Imagine,” Mrs. Weasley had said, “he actually allowed that man to do those things to him. I always knew he wasn’t right up here.” She dramatically tapped her forehead before continuing on. “I put my own feelings aside because of who he is, even tried to let him into the family, but that…perversion just can’t be allowed.” She fairly shook with her indignation.

If Hermione hadn’t overheard the vicious statements, she never would have believed the warm woman who gave Harry a motherly hug capable of such deceit. Hermione’s hands balled into fists at her sides and she shoved her way through the sea of red hair. Her intent to out the Weasley’s faded when she saw the trusting way Harry looked at the woman. She felt her heart constrict but she simply stood there silently, watching him talk animatedly with the people who had never truly loved him.

After a few minutes, Harry turned around and noticed her hovering nearby. He gave her a brilliant smile and she found herself clasped against him in a tight hug. “Hermione!”

She faked a bright smile but saw Harry’s eyes dim momentarily. His gaze flicked briefly to the Weasley’s and then back to her, a question in his eyes. She simply shook her head and smiled, hugging him again. “It’s fine. Everything’s fine, Harry.”

The group walked down the busy alley together. The afternoon sun gave the day a relaxed and almost surreal feel. Harry walked between her and Ron, completely oblivious to the tension around him. Every few minutes, Ron glanced over at her suspiciously. She did her best to ignore him and focus on Harry.

“So, how is it living with Remus?” Her smile faltered slightly when she noticed Harry grimacing and searching the faces of the people walking past them. Suddenly, he froze.

“Deatheaters!” The scream echoed down the crowded alley and was quickly joined by more frantic yelling. Hooded and masked figures appeared in the crowds. Brightly colored curses flew at random, downing people and causing stone to explode anywhere they hit.

Harry recovered after only a few seconds and pulled his wand from his pocket.

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Bellatrix Lestrange cackled maniacally as she threw hexes at a group of underage wizards. They feebly blocked her first few spells before she disarmed them. One stepped in front of the other three and glared at her. She tipped her head back and cackled.

“Is the wittle boy going to save his friends,” she asked in a girlish voice. “Poor wittle boy.” She smirked as the silent Crucio hit him in the center of his chest. He immediately fell to the ground, screaming in agony.

“Let him go, Lestrange!” Someone yelled from just behind her.

Bella didn’t bother dropping the spell as she glanced over her shoulder. “Ah, if it isn’t wittle Potter.” Her smirk widened at the angry red staining his cheeks. “Still twying to save the world?” She tsked, flicking her wand to lift the spell. “Want to duel with me, wittle Potter?” She cocked her head to the side. Taking a step toward him, she kept an eye on the approaching aurors.

Suddenly, Harry vanished leaving Bellatrix staring at the spot where he had stood. She looked to the right and saw a girl with wavy brown hair wearing a tight smile.

Bella’s wand instantly fastened on the girl. “Where is he,” she demanded, all traces of her childish tone gone.

The girl narrowed her eyes. “Safe.” She stood her ground as Bellatrix advanced.

“You will tell me where he is or…” Bella stopped inches from her.

“Or what? You’ll kill me? I admit, I had thought you would be a bit more imaginative.” The girl gave her a disdainful look.

“Oh, I am. I just don’t have the time to properly inform you at the moment.” Bella glared down at her trying to bring the girl’s name to the front of her mind. “Ah, Hermione Granger.” She knew she had guessed correctly when the girl stiffened. She was unable to fully enjoy the reaction as her attention was mostly focused on the aurors quickly surrounding the deatheaters.

“Bellatrix Lestrange. There. Now we’ve both been properly introduced.” The girl’s wand whipped up to point at her nose. “Pleased to make your acquaintance.” A moment later, she vanished with a loud pop.