Moments of Regret

A/N:This chapter has a different approach to the death of Albus in HBP. It is not a big thing, just a small part in passing. It is still AU, but makes the story somewhat compliant to the sixth book. Ignore it, if you like.
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Moments of Regret



Tom stood, concentrating on the embers burning in the fireplace. His head was hurting beyond all belief. That little Mudblood whore had cast the killing curse on Peter. Fury made his hands tremble. Did she really think that ridding the world of Pettigrew would save that fetus buried safely in her womb?

He had ways. There were things he could do to inhabit the body of that babe within the fortnight. All he needed was the Nocturnal Astral Projection potion and a sleeping mother who would be none the wiser to the mental attack he would wreak on the soul of the innocent babe. He would dazzle her with some special effects. Make her feel safe enough with him to welcome him in, then he would push her spirit from the safety of her newly forming body and he would be free to move in. Like taking candy from a baby.

A sardonic smile graced his lips as he thought over how easy it would be. Then he would be alive in the body of a ripe young girl. He'd be able to watch her grow. Watch her little tits take form and her thatch begin to grow hair. The idea caused a morbid heating pleasure deep in his loins. Oh yes, he would make sure his little feminine body knew the meaning of foreplay early on.

Not that he was by nature a sexual man, but the idea of shocking and tormenting the Mudblood who would be his mother in every way imaginable was very pleasurable. Until the girl's body was old enough to kill the bitch... yes, that would be exquisite!

He would make sure that he drank a memory potion so he retained all his memories when the time came. He'd be sure that the youthful body he planned to inhabit would be divested of its virginity as soon as there was a willing male to accomplish the job. No sense in allowing that body to stay innocent for long.

He moved to sit in the same shitty chair he had been in when Pettigrew had first told him of Hermione's and Lucius' growing affections for each other. Staring malevolently at the fire, he began to formulate his plan. He had to do everything just so. Better go at it alone. It wouldn't do for anyone to be the wiser to his plan. Although, it had been nice to have Pettigrew's rat animagus. That thought elicited a sigh from him. So, Peter was dead. Oh well, he'd never really liked the damn rat anyway!

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"Harry," her voice spoke softly to him. "Harry, I need your help. Please don't let this tear up our friendship. I thought our bonds were stronger than this! I need your help."

Harry awoke suddenly, drenched in sweat and breathing hard. Something was terribly wrong. He could feel it. And the pain! Reaching up, he rubbed his scar. What was going on? The scar hadn't hurt like that since...

Jumping from the bed, he donned his clothes and grabbed his wand. In a moment, he used a handful of Floo powder. Standing within the fireplace, he spoke firmly, "Malfoy Manor."

When he stepped out of the fireplace and into the parlor, Hermione was sitting on the couch alone. Her eyes were red from crying. For a moment they just stared at each other before she spoke. "I cast an Unforgivable."

All of their past cruel words forgotten, Harry moved to sit beside her. "Tell me what happened."

More than half an hour later, Hermione had explained to him all about her arrival at the manor, her first meeting with the ghosts that had beseeched her to help Lucius, and finally, how she had come to fall in love with him. When she spoke of their unborn baby, Harry watched her face light up.

Then, she told him of Ginny and Severus, the books, and Pettigrew. She told him about the plans Voldemort had for Hope and Harry felt himself beginning to shake. Reaching out, he wiped a tear from her cheek.

"I'm sorry, Mione. I've been terrible." He shook his head. "I know you could never love him if he was the same man we once knew. I just had to get used to the idea, that's all." He grinned sheepishly. "Forgive me?"

Hermione beamed back at him through her tears and nodded. "You and Ron are my best friends. I can forgive you almost anything."

Harry tucked a stray hair behind her ear before saying, "And now, you need to forgive yourself. The man was a disgusting creature. Had I been here, I would have done it for you!" he sighed. "Or if Lucius had been in the room, I'm sure he would have beat you to the curse."

Hermione nodded. "I just never thought I could feel such anger. He made me see red." She shuddered. "The suggestions he made about Hope," her hand covered her stomach protectively. "I just couldn't control my rage." Her voice lowered to a whisper. "I didn't even use my wand!"

"Hermione?" Lucius' sleepy voice spoke from the doorway. "Are you well, my dear?" Gray eyes moved from Hermione's face to Harry's. Harry braced himself to be thrown out of the elder wizard's home. What Lucius said instead made the young man stare. "Welcome back, Potter. I believe your room has already been prepared."

Harry exchanged a look with Hermione, who was smiling. "He was the one who showed me how to call you through your dreams. It didn't scare you, did it?"

Chuckling, Lucius spoke. "Serenity has prepared hot chocolate. We'll hurt her feelings if we don't at least have some."

Standing, Harry followed Hermione and Lucius to the kitchen. There, Serenity had not only hot chocolate, but hot cinnamon cakes waiting for them as well. Upon seeing Harry, she smiled broadly. "Mr. Potter! It is an honor to see you again. I am so glad you came!"

Harry stared at the little house-elf. She not only spoke correct English, but she was dressed in the prettiest little dress. It looked like it had been made especially for her. He remembered seeing her before, but he had been being such a git, he had not thought on what exactly he had seen.

"Y-You're wearing clothes?" Harry stuttered. "And your English... it's perfect!"

Serenity nodded. "After the Mistress and young master died, Master freed us. He not only presented us with clothes, he gave us specially made wardrobes. Most of the others left, but my mate and I... we stayed." She looked from Harry to Lucius, and a look of such affection crossed her features that Harry was speechless. "He pays us now."

"It was Master that taught me how to speak properly." Her smile grew. "And he taught me chess! I can play quite well."

Harry returned her smile and nodded. "We'll have to play a game or two while I am here then."

Serenity giggled and did a happy dance. "I look forward to it, sir! I can't wait to tell Fizbot! Harry Potter has spoken to me! He wants to play a game of chess... with ME!!!"

Lucius and Hermione exchanged a gentle smile at Serenity's excitement before Lucius stepped forward. "Why don't you go ahead and find your bed, Serenity. I can clean up when we are done. You must be tired after all the excitement today."

Serenity looked up at Lucius and nodded. "Thank you, sir," Her eyes turned back to Harry. "Until tomorrow, Mr. Potter." she said softly. Then, with a snap of her fingers, she was gone.

Taking his drink, Harry took a sip and sat for a moment in silence before giving in and asking the question that was occupying his thoughts. "You freed all of your house-elves?"

Lucius nodded solemnly. "Yes. I was given quite a revelation when Tom killed my family. I realized that everything that I had once believed in was built in lies and deceit. I wanted to make amends for all the terrible things I had done." He shrugged. "The house-elves were a good place to start."

Harry looked from Lucius to Hermione and back again. "Hermione was right, Lucius. You have changed. I am sorry I didn't see it before." After a moment of hesitation, he stood and offered Lucius his hand by way of apology.

The elder wizard smiled kindly and grasped Harry's hand. "Think nothing of it, Harry. Hermione and the baby are my family now. You and Ron are like family to her. In my eyes, that means we are all related."

"Is this a private party, or can anyone join?" Severus drawled from the doorway.

Lucius turned and looked at his old friend. "Well, there is plenty of hot chocolate to go around, so I don't see why not. Where is Miss Weasley? I'm sure she would like a cup as well."

"I'm coming." she said from right outside the room. "I only wanted to make sure the fireworks were over." She came in and smiled at Harry. "I heard all about your temper tantrum. Is it really over now?"

Harry nodded and smirked at the youngest Weasley. "Yes, I am much better now. I just had to come to terms with the fact that Hermione could love someone old enough to be her father." He smiled broadly at Lucius' mock scowl.

Ginny laughed at that and poured herself a glass of hot chocolate. Turning, she offered Severus a cup. A silent look was shared between them before she turned back to Harry. "So, how are you? Are you enjoying the life of an Auror?"

Harry nodded and was about to comment when Severus interrupted. "He has not made his decision yet, but Albus has asked him to join the staff at Hogwarts."

His announcement elicited a gasp from Ginny and a look with raised eyebrows from Lucius. Hermione smiled broadly. "Harry has been offered the Defense against the Dark Arts class," she said proudly.

Lucius moved closer to Severus and asked softly, "Are you all right with this? I know it was a position you once wanted above all else."

Severus shrugged and turned to look at his friend. "If I am to lose the position to anyone, I would rather it was Harry than someone like Mad-Eye Moody... again." He smiled for a split second before moving to sit beside the younger wizard. "Incidentally, why have you not told Albus yet? I can tell you would love to teach. What's holding you back?"

Harry sighed deeply. "I do want the position, Severus. But I don't feel right committing myself to teaching when Voldemort is still out there. Too much has been sacrificed," he shrugged. "Draco lost his life when he refused to truly commit to the Dark Mark.You lost your spy status when it came out that Albus was still alive and everything had been staged to fool the Dark Lord. I just feel like this whole thing has to be over before I can take the position."

Lucius moved to Hermione and took the empty cup from her. Everyone handed him their dishes in turn. Moving to the sink, he then set about washing the cups and plates. For the second time that night, Harry found himself staring. But this time, it was at Lucius. The man was washing dishes.

When Lucius turned, he smiled at Harry's expression. "I was once a boy, Harry. My mother always saw fit to punish me for anything I did wrong by making me wash dishes. What she never knew was that I actually enjoyed it, somewhat."

Moving to Hermione's side, Lucius urged her to her feet. "It is past midnight, and I insist you get some rest."

Hermione nodded before turning to kiss Harry's cheek. "Thank you for coming back, Harry. I couldn't have borne it if you had refused me."

Harry smiled. "You know me, Hermione. I am hot tempered, but I calm down... when given the chance."

With a parting smile, Hermione let Lucius lead her away from the rest of them.

Ginny smiled and stood, "Come with me, Harry. I'll show you to your room. It's across the hall from mine."

Severus was instantly on his feet. "We might as well all go, since we are all in the same wing." He kept his demeanor calm, but he would be damned if he would let Harry invite Ginny into his room to reminisce about old times.

They had once dated. He knew that. Her sixth year, his seventh. Sudden jealousy swept over him. He understood that she had once been completely enamored with Harry. But that was when she was a child.

She was a grown woman now. It would be a step backwards for her to think of entertaining thoughts of Harry now, much less acting on them.

Ginny gave Severus a curious look, but said nothing as the three of them started up the staircase. Harry asked her how her apprenticeship in America was going. She answered that it was good and that she was enjoying America very much.

Severus followed behind silently. At first, he was almost surprised that she had not spoken of her true calling to Harry, but then he remembered her request to Hermione, Lucius and himself that no one else know just yet.

When they arrived before Harry's door, Ginny leaned up and kissed his cheek before wishing him a good-night.

He watched as she crossed the hall to her own room. When she stepped inside, she turned to close the door, but was startled to see Severus still standing there. For several seconds they simply stared at each other.

Ginny's heart began to pound in her ears. She could feel his desire as his eyes held hers. His fists were clenched and he seemed torn for several seconds. She wanted to reach out to him. She wanted to draw him inside her room to make wild passionate love.

For a moment, she almost did just that. But then she knew that if she truly wanted him for keeps, and not just in passing, she had to be harder than that to attain. Her eyes grew cold and she found herself asking him in a sarcastic voice, "What? Do you need me to tuck you in?" She had to fight her smile at the astonished look on his face. "Good night, Severus."

With that, she closed her door and leaned heavily against it. She wanted nothing more than to open the door and drag him into the room demanding that he make her his. But her heart told her that if he was to truly be hers, he had to come to her. It wasn't time yet. Not yet.

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When Hermione and Lucius made their way back to her room, he slowly began to undress her. Each brush of his fingers against her skin made her even more sensitive to his touch.

When she stood naked before him, he stepped back and slowly began to undress as well. His eyes never left hers. He let her see the longing he felt for her, and it turned her on to know he wanted her so badly.

Closing the distance between them, his lips crushed hers in a kiss that was hot and demanding. She felt his arousal against her thigh as she answered his passion with a demand of her own.

Suddenly, he was urging her towards the bed. When he gently pushed her down upon it, he moved to kneel between her legs. She smiled and laid her head back as he began to nudge and lick at her nether lips.

Moaning, she followed his silent demand to open herself for him. When she felt his tongue against her nub, she moaned loudly. His answer to that was to thrust two fingers inside her moist core. Still sucking and nipping at her, he used his fingers to bring her to a quick climax, before sliding slowly up her body, kissing and nipping along the way.

When he reached her breasts, he used one hand to play with one nipple, while he lavished attention on the other with his mouth. She cradled his head to her as he used his tongue to make her nipple tighten.

When he rose above her, he smiled. "One day soon, our baby will suckle at your breast." He thrust himself inside her the moment after he spoke, making her moan deeply. "Do you know how excited it makes me to know your body is nurturing our child?"

She smiled up at him, as he moved slowly within her. "I love you, Lucius."

Leaning down, his lips claimed hers as he moved within her gently. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she let him lead her in a slow, gentle ritual of love. When they finally succumbed to the desire to sleep, the sky was already beginning to lighten.

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A/N: I hope you don't think I went too far in my little idea of Severus killing Dumbledore was staged. For some reason, I just feel like if Severus killed DD, it was because the Headmaster wanted him to. Perhaps I am wrong. But I guess we won't know for sure until the seventh book comes out. Until then, I will just play with my little ideas, and hope you all enjoy them as well.