Follow Me

A/N: Thank you to all that have reviewed the story so far, and a thank you in advance to all those that will continue to do so. I have to admitt it does an ego good to see the number of people that are enjoying this story.



A/N2: I am sorry this site wont let me respond to the reviews or your questions. I have seen alot of people who take up page after page of their chapters to respond to reviews and it has always frustrated me when I am reading so I wont do it myself. However, if you have a question...I can respond through the yahoo group that I set up so feel free to ask anything you wish. Primarily it is to give me a place that I can post my stories to, and hopefully get some useful feedback on chapters before they are posted elsewhere on the net. By the way there is a picture of Norische on the group... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Of_Pens_and_Ponders/?yguid=104171974







[...] or {...} = mindspeak

~...~ = parseltongue

\'...\' = thought





Chapter 40



Norische, Chris, Draco and Harry had spent the afternoon viewing the memories that had been placed within a pensieve for them by Severus, and discussing not only what was seen but exchanging thoughts and ideas. At dinnertime they all gathered into the dinning room around the table once again.



“Greetings all. Well here we are to try this once again. Thankfully, this time I am a little more rested so hopefully we can make it through all the different things we need to discuss tonight. Harry is going to discuss most of the stuff but there are a couple of things that I wish to cover before hand.” Norische stated as he stood at the head of the table waiting for everyone to take a seat.



“First, with the assistance of Kain, and Pari… Harry and I are to be bonded in three days time.” There were several gasps and a few exclamations at Norische’s words but he continued. “I know this is a bit of a shock, but I guarantee that I would not agree to this if it was not what Harry wanted or if it would harm him in any way. If you will give me a moment to explain.” Norische looked over to Severus who nodded his support for his son. With that gentle assurance Norische continued.



“Most of you don’t know my unique circumstances so I will explain it to you as best as I can. I am a Vampyre…well half actually. My mother was a full blood Vamp and father you all already know. Anyway… with vampyre, normally they have one mate and they mate for life. However, when a vampyre is born as the result of an interracial breeding it may create what my people call a tribond. A tribond is a vampyre that requires more than one mate, most of the time it is two but it can be three or four although that is extremely rare.



“I am a tribond. I knew this when I found Chris and after we bonded I was still desperate to find my mate. I knew Chris was my mate so I honestly didn’t understand why I was still searching for another. After I went to Pari, she had me tested and found out that I was indeed a tribond. Unfortunately there is no accurate way to anticipate the number of mates that an individual will require. The most common explanation I have received is that for each piece of my soul, meaning my Vampyric portion, and my Human portion, I would require a mate of that origin to satisfy that part of myself.



“We thought that Draco was the person that satisfied the need for the human portion of my soul. Since he was definitely my mate, and that he was human. However, Draco is only part human, he is primarily Veela. So even after I bonded with Draco my search continued. Again I was at a loss, I honestly didn’t understand it at all…but by that time I was already pregnant and the symptoms of my being in season diminished as the pregnancy progressed. It wasn’t until the events at Hogsmeade that it became apparent that my behaviors towards Harry had been similar to that of someone I would consider a mate.



“Three times I have put my own safety at risk in order to protect Harry. I am also physically drawn to him, although I tried to push it aside as being in season… I had noticed my attraction to Harry from the first day I met him in Diagon Alley. Now that he and I have started working towards a formal bond I know that he is indeed the final piece. When I am with Chris, Draco, and Harry, I feel as if my world is finally complete… as if I am finally whole.” Norische looked over to his mates and saw the love he was feeling inside of him reflecting back at him through their eyes. Harry reached over and squeezed Norische’s hand gently, urging him to continue.



Norische rubbed the back of Harry’s hand with his thumb and began to speak again. “Earlier today after discussing it with Draco and Chris, I asked Harry to join us and become my bond mate… I am honored to say that he accepted. Pari and Kain have agreed to take care of all of the paperwork and to push through the authorization for us to bond. Harry and I are to be bonded in three days time.”



Norische paused his conversation for a moment as Molly jumped from her chair and rushed around the table to encompass Harry in a very motherly hug. Arthur was close at his wife’s heels as they both congratulated their adopted son. Norische was thrilled to see that the Minde Cladire was pleased with the announcement; he had been worried that she would see him as unfit…especially since his emotional display these past few days.



“Harry has chosen to do the same ceremony that Chris and Draco chose for their bonding. He has chosen Draco to be his witness and I have chosen Chris to be my witness. So I am sorry but it will be a closed ceremony due to the nature of the ceremony. However, in light of this fact, I wish to ask Mrs. Weasley… who Harry considers to be the Minde Cladire of his house, my father… who is Draco’s godfather and as Draco has told me many times is more of a father than his blood has ever been, and Pari… who has been the Minde Cladire of my house since before my own mother’s death, and Sirius who is Harry’s godfather, to arrange for a celebration. I will leave all the details in your hands, if you have any questions or needs please feel free to ask. While our bonding is a private affair, I want my mates to have the opportunity to have the fairy tale moments that everyone dreams of. Please take all the time you need for the arrangements, I want this to be the most special moment in my mates’ lives…well next to their bonding that is.”



The room was ablaze with excitement, everyone was talking at once and already attempting to make plans as to the parties and ceremonies. Unfortunately, there was still so much that needed to be discussed, Norische reluctantly asked everyone to calm down and retake his or her seats.



“I am very sorry but we do have quite a bit more that we need to cover, and to be quite truthful I am not sure how long the Minde Cladire Weasley and her family will be able to remain with us…so please we need to finish this.” Quickly everyone returned to their seats but not before Harry had his hair ruffed by almost every one of the Weasleys present.



“Thank you. The next thing that we need to discuss is the Dursleys, and before you all start…please listen to what Harry and I have to say. Harry….” Norische held his hand out to Harry who moved over to stand next to his intended. “Since Harry is the one who was truly harmed by these muggles I have allowed him to make the final decision and it is one that I think all of you will find suitable, once you hear our final decision.” Norische sat down and pulled Harry into his lap gently.



Harry was uncertain at first about sitting in Norische’s lap…what there was of it anyway, with the babies and all. But honestly it was exactly what he needed right that moment, he had never been allowed such a simple thing when he was young, in fact the number of times he had been comforted while cradled in someone’s arms could be counted on one hand. Before Molly, Hermione, and Ginny he had never even had a hug, let alone been allowed to sit in someone’s lap and know what it feels like to be loved.



“Harry explained a great deal of what happened to him at the hands of the Dursleys. Some of the things that happened, Harry is still unable to speak about but hopefully in time he will feel safe enough than he can. While we all watched the memories of the conversation that had continued after we left the room the other day we have discussed some of the suggestions and I believe that Harry has come up wit h an appropriate solution that he is capable of living with.” Norische rubbed Harry’s back as he spoke, hoping to encourage his intended to speak.



“Um…yeah… well I want to say that as much as I would like to see Vernon and Dudley pay for all they have done in a number of really interesting and painful ways I have decided that I couldn’t live with myself if I even attempted half the stuff you guys suggested. And I will say right now… Ginny you really, really scare me.” Harry gave the Weasleys a little half grin.



“I wanted to just let it all go, and forget about them. I honestly never wanted to think about them ever again. But Nori pointed out something that made me think. He said that if I just drop it and don’t do anything that my friends and those people that I consider my family will probably take the matter into their own hands and who knows what would happen then. Then Chris said something that made me think about it even more. My parents gave up their life trying to save me. Yes the Dursleys took me in, but I was never a member of their family, I was never more than a slave…a freak. By allowing them to get away with treating me like that, is to dishonor the sacrifice my parents made.



“I used to think that I deserved to be treated that way because I was a burden. They never wanted me, that they took me in out of the kindness of their hearts and gave me a place to live, and that somehow I owed them. But it was pointed out to me that for my entire life the only food I was allowed was that which was left over on their plates or what I could find in the garbage, I didn’t have a real meal until I went to Hogwarts. I slept in a cupboard for the first eleven years of my life and even then I wasn’t allowed to have a blanket or anything, the closest thing to a blanket I had was an old stained sheet that Petunia would rip up on occasion for cleaning rags, I didn’t have a pillow, or a mat…nothing. The only clothing I was given was stuff that Dudley had grown out of. I only managed to get my glasses because of a teacher at the primary school. The Dursleys never spent a single knut on me, I never had a birthday or Christmas present, I never had new clothes, or toys, and I was never taken to the dentist or doctor. I wasn’t a burden… I worked every day from dawn to dark… from the time I was five years old.” Harry sat quietly for a minute, not really wanting to continue so Norische spoke up at that point.



“Harry has decided to press formal charges against the Dursleys. He has agreed to retrieve several memories of the abuse and place them in a pensieve for inspection by the Authorities. There were only two things we took into consideration when we made this decision. First, the possibility that Voldemort would find out and use the information against him in some manner. Second, that the abuse and Harry’s name would some how make it out to the media. After consulting with father and dad, we believe that the risk is minimal in comparison to the benefits. We really can’t do anything about Voldemort at this point. The media however we can, according to our understanding…since Harry is an underage wizard at this point that his name cannot be published anywhere in association with the abuse. The only issue with that is that we must pursue the charges prior to Harry’s birthday.” Norische explained, pointing out some of the concerns that both he and Harry had prior to speaking with Severus and Remus.



Harry nodded and sat up slightly so that he could continue. “I know that once the evidence is presented to the proper authorities that the Dursleys will be found guilty. I am going to make several requests at that point. First, I want them to spend the rest of their miserable lives in Azkaban prison. I know that the things that Vernon and Dudley did are punishable by the kiss, I don’t want that…to me they would be getting off way too easy. I want them to spend the rest of their days listening to the insane screams of witches and wizards and be tortured by the idea that they committed a crime against the wizarding world and that they will be punished by a wizarding court and pay for their crimes in a wizarding way. I am also going to request that they are subjected to Infractiune Pedeapsa, which was suggested by Sirius. To be honest when he mentioned the curse I honestly didn’t know what it was but he explained it to me and I think it would be appropriate.”



“Infractiune Pedeapsa?” Hermione asked, a little put off that she wasn’t familiar with that spell.



“A rather ancient curse actually. It was used centuries ago as a means of retribution for children that had been abused. When it is cast, the recipient will experience whatever pain, fear, suffering and abuse that they inflicted on the designated individual. Each broken bone that Harry suffered at the hands of Vernon Dursley will be duplicated on Vernon’s person. The same would go for the mental and emotional pain, the neglect, and the hunger… all of it will be returned to the individual that originally committed the offence. The primary difference is that instead of years worth of pain and suffering they will experience the abuse in its entirety in a twenty-four hour period.” Severus explained with a slight smirk.



“We are going to make an additional stipulation to the conviction, that they receive the curse prior to being placed in Azkaban and again each following year on the anniversary date of their conviction.” Norische explained.



“Also we are going to request that all properties belonging to the Dursleys be handed over to Harry. Although Harry has assured me that he wants nothing to do with anything that they have, I want him to have the opportunity to go through their things. It is my hope that he will find something that belonged to his mother or other family members. Anything he does not want will be sold. The house and surrounding property will be renovated and will be used as a foster center for abused, neglected or misplaced magical children. Harry found a certain ironic justice in the idea that the Dursleys spent their entire life trying to rid their home of magic, and now that very same home will be used to help others in the magical community to grow and learn that they are not alone.” Norische added, looking into Harry’s eyes.



“I realize that our decisions may not feel as satisfying as some of the suggestions that have been given as how to proceed. However, I think that this is the best way for us to proceed. It will allow justice to be served while making sure that Harry does not add anyone else to the list of people that Harry feels guilty about.” Norische leaned over and gently kissed Harry on the cheek. Harry blushed and swatted at Norische but he couldn’t help but feel warmed at the small show of affection.



Chuckling Norische shook his head and continued. “Ok then, on to the next topic. Dumbledore….”



(A/N: Just to let you guys know, I thought this was a great place to start the next chapter…but since the cliffie police are already out looking for me I thought it better to continue…lol.)



As soon as Norische said that the room once again erupted in a plethora of voices, opinions, and emotions. After waiting for almost twenty minutes for people to calm down Norische decided to get their attention. Looking over to Chris, Norische nodded and a moment later a very loud shrill whistle broke thru the commotion, quickly getting everyone’s attention.



“Thanks luv.” Norische smiled at his mate, silently wishing he could whistle like that… “Folks we need to focus here. I know everyone has something to say about the situations and we want and need to hear each of you out. However, there are a few things that we have already discussed so let’s start with those and go from there. Harry?”



Harry nodded and cleared his throat. “First… Chris can you teach me how to do that?” Harry’s question brought a variety of reaction but Norische couldn’t help but laugh when most of the Weasley boys and even Ginny echoed “Me too!”. Severus shook his head and rubbed the bridge of his nose in response, he could just see that sound ripping though his classroom. Then a sad, morose look came over Severus when he realized that he was no longer a teacher, and that such an event was not something he needed to worry about any longer. All the years he had spent complaining about the imbecilic juveniles that seemed to perforate the classrooms that he was unfortunate enough to be in charge of, and now that he no longer had to tolerate the little heathens…odd… he found himself missing it for some unimaginable reason.



Remus saw that look before, leaning over he took his mate’s hand in his own and squeezed gently, drawing Severus away from his own thoughts, allowing him to focus on the present situation.



“Before we go much further though…” Norische started “Lista?”



The older house elf quickly walked through the door adjoining the dinning area and the kitchens. Lista crossed the room and bowed before Norische. “Yes Sire, How may I serve you?”



“If it would not be too inconvenient I think now would be an excellent time for refreshments. Tea for myself, and I would like some melon…I am not particular as to which one just make sure it is chilled. Please see to the other’s wishes as well.” Norische knew that his throat was parched and he was sure that everyone else would appreciate the break.



After taking everyone’s request Lista returned to the kitchen and within moments, elves were carrying out trays of sweets, fruits and chilled meats. Then tea, juice, wine and coffee were served in accordance to the individual’s request. Norische called Mael to bring him his nutrient potion and after a quick feed from Draco they began the discussion again.



With Draco curled up half asleep in his lap, still basking in the release of the feeding, Norische continued with his previous thought. “I know that each and every one of you has some input on what is happening with Dumbledore and I am sure you all have suggestions as to how we should proceed.”



“Before we take any action what so ever, we need to figure out exactly why Dumbledore is doing the things that we have put together. I am sure there are a lot of things that Dumbledore has done that we have no clue about, but if we can figure out why he has done the things we are aware of then we might be able to get a clearer picture of the true magnitude of his involvement. Draco made a good point this morning…there are basically few reasons that someone would do some of the things that Dumbledore has done. Greed, Fame, Love, Jealousy, and Fear are the most likely things that we could come up with.



“We are pretty sure it isn’t fear at least not in the typical understanding of it. If Dumbledore were afraid of Voldemort then he would be encouraging Harry to be as strong and competent as possible, not basically turning him into a slave and live in punching bag for his relatives. The same goes for love honestly. If he loved Harry as he has claimed in the past then he would want to protect him, to make sure that he was raised in a loving, caring, safe environment…so that wipes out two of the possibilities.



“The next ones we considered were Fame and Jealousy. Dumbledore already has the fame. I mean he has his own chocolate frog card for Pete’s sake; even Harry doesn’t have one of those… yet. He earned his fame when he defeated Grindelwald, ten years after that he becomes the Headmaster of Hogwarts, fifteen years after that he creates the Order of the Phoenix and becomes the new Leader of the Light. Hell he was asked to be the Minister of Magic the year before Harry came to Hogwarts. He was given the Order of Merlin, First Class and was elected the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. I could go on and on about his accomplishments and awards but I think you all have the idea. He had no need for fame, he already had it, and how can he be jealous of a boy that had nowhere near his achievements…it isn’t logical. By the way, thank you Hermione for all the information on Dumbledore. So we can remove those to motives as well.



“Which leaves us with one likely motive… Greed.” Harry spoke out.