The wind shifted just enough so that Harry was able to catch then foul scent of a true Death Eater. Not these dead rotting wannabes sprawled all over the Greengrass's Estate. Whoever it was, the Bootlicker knew how to conceal himself. That alone told Harry to be cautious, but that just wasn't his nature.

They'd learned pretty much everything they could from Carrow. Amelia and her Auror's were raiding all the locations they learned from her. Though fruitful at first and quite a large number of Death Eaters were captured and Dark Artifacts seized, the last couple of raids turned out to be abandoned houses. Harry also learned from Grimhook that Lestrange's Vault was emptied during the attack on Gringotts. They were sure that was where he was keeping one of the Horucruxes. That meant they needed to capture a new Bootlicker for interrogation. To do that they needed some enticing bait. Ginny and his mum were going to ring his neck for even thinking this was a good idea, let alone actually trying it without back up. Peter had waited until he was at point blank range to transform and curse Harry. His curse hit him in the back and the boy dropped like a stone.

"Ha, ha,ha, that was almost too easy. I was expecting better from you boy." Peter mocked his fallen adversary. "James would be disappointed in you."

Pettigrew paused for a moment. This was James's boy and all the reports they had received about him stated that he was to never be underestimated. He hit Potter with a few more curses to make sure he was truly unconscious. He gave no reaction to the painful curses. Peter decided that no one was that good of an actor. He rolled over the son of his best friend so he could get a proper look at him.

"Oh yes, you're James's boy all right. I suppose you're probably wondering why you're on the flat of your back, and I'm standing victorious over you." Peter taunted the unconscious man. It was so rare that he was in this kind of situation, and he wanted to revel in it for a minute or two. It would be a while before his fellow Marauders would miss Potter, and he planned to be long gone before they returned.

"It's true I may not be as bold and fearless as Sirius, brilliant and skilled as Remus, or powerful and charismatic as James. I have no misgiving that in a fair fight you would most likely kill me. Then again, I don't fight fair, because I was the sneak, the scam …the survivor. Hell that ruddy hat was going to put me in Slytherin until I begged it to let me go to Gryffindor.

Lestrange said that she and the Dark Lord think me weak, and don't respect me because I surrendered to their will to quickly. I say let them. It's an advantage. I'm not a fool. I know my limitations. Why suffer needlessly when the outcome is assured. Look at me now. I stand victorious over you! Why do you think that is Potter?" Peter gloated with his arms spread wide and looking to the sky for his answer. He should have been looking at his quarry instead. Perhaps if he had Peter would have seen Harry eyes snap open. At the very least he would have been able to avoid the boot that just collided with his crotch with enough force to lift him off his feet. As he came down bent over in pain his eyes met a pair of ferocious emerald ones. In an instant he was weighed, measured, and without a doubt found very wanting.

"That's because you're stupid." Harry answered before his fist crashed into Pettigrew's unprotected throat. Peter was thrown back with the force of the attack. Hard as he tried the vile little man couldn't get any air into his lungs. He knew that his throat was crushed and was going to choke to death. He pointed his wand at his neck and prayed he could wordlessly heal himself. He was just able to get in his first grasp of precious air as Potter got to his feet rather casually. With a very unsteady hand he pointed his wand at him.

"Bitch Please." Harry taunted as he locked Pettigrew's wrist and twisted his arm. "One, monologuing is freaking cliché." He told him before bringing his knee into Peters elbow and bending his joint 90degrees in the wrong direction. The Potter's betrayer cried out as the youngest one pulled him to his feet by the broken limb.

"Two, don't drop your guard before your prisoner is secure. What, are you new at this?" Harry continued as he stomped down on the side of Pettigrew's left knee. He almost didn't hear the cracking sound over the man's screaming. Harry followed with a roundhouse kick to his head. Pettigrew landed on his back. He pinned the bastards arms with his knees and sat on his chest.

"Can't breathe." Peter wheezed out as Potter put all his weight on him.

"Don't care ass wipe. Now where was I, oh yes three…" Harry pulled down his shirt enough to reveal a Basilisk skinned undershirt underneath. "Ya got to protect your vitals. Uncomfortable…yes, your drawers tend to ride up on you, but so is being tortured. Speaking of torture, I do believe you have information I need. DUNCAN!" Harry finished his mockery by calling his house elf. The stately clothed magical creature appeared next to him an instant later. Once he recognized Peter he lunged at Master James's former friend. It was all Harry could do to keep him off of Pettigrew.

"I'll let you have a go, but first we need to secure him in the dungeon at Grimmauld Place. I'm going into his mind, and I need you to monitor my body while I do that." Harry ordered and Duncan nodded his head in agreement while never yielded his glare on the betrayer.

"Once I've ripped every last drop of useful Intel from your little head. Then rodent you and I are going to dance. Because of you my father is dead, and I'm going to make you bleed for every tear my mother shed,"

There were precious few times in her life when Lily Potter was rendered speechless. One was when James asked her to marry him. It was so sweet and touching that she almost forgot to say yes. The next time was when Harry made her a birthday dinner when he was seven. It consisted of spaghetti with peanut better balls and jelly for sauce. He ended up wearing more of it than he made. It was the most precious thing she had ever seen. It took two days to clean the mess in the kitchen. To this day she still didn't know how he got jelly on the ceiling.

This was another one of those times. She saw Emma with the body of a Succubus that just saved the life of a fellow student. But there was more in her features. She honoured not only Tuney, but her and Harry as well. Lily had so many conflicting emotions swirling around in her head, that she felt like she was trapped in a dream. The kind of bizarre dreams that you would vow to never eat Chili with a strawberry shake before bed again after. What a second. Did she just call her…mum?

Lily was overjoyed and touched at hearing Emma calling her that. She hadn't realized how much she was longing to hear those words come from her that until that very moment. Emma's voice held a flavour of innocence to it that touched a place deep in her heart that Lily thought she had closed off long ago. Perhaps that was what spurred her into action.

Lily quickly snatched up Emma in her arms and pulled her in a tight hug. Emma wrapped her arms around Lily with equal vigour and desperation. When Lily kissed the top of her head Emma let out a sob as tears of joy ran down her cheeks. Her greatest fear was that Lily would reject her in this form.

"Y-you're not mad? You weren't too happy about how Sasha and Harry used to shag. I thought you hated Succubi."Emma squeaked out as she tightened her grip around Lily. Realization that Emma mistook her actions that day washed over her. She would need to set her straight about a few things it would seem.

"My sweet beautiful and brilliant girl, what you did was truly extraordinary, and I couldn't be more proud of you." Lily told her before lifting her chin until she was looking her eyes. "I'm not going to lie to you sweetie. I'm hurt that you didn't feel that you could confide in me sooner about this. I think we are going to have a very long chat about a great many things once everything settles down a bit."

Emma nodded her head in agreement, and with a hint of fearfulness in her eyes. She felt ashamed that she let her down. She should have known that Lily would never turn her back her. Again her head was tilted up and she was looking at the woman Emma now considered her mum. What she found was complete acceptance and love looking down at her.

"I love you unconditionally sweetie. Nothing and no one will ever chance that." Lily told her as she whipped the tears from Emma's face.

"I love you too mum." She answered and transformed back into her human form. Lily didn't think she would ever tire of hearing Emma calling her that. That didn't mean that she was going to go easy on the girl for keeping such an important secret from her. First she needed to tend to Draco's injuries. A quick glance to his direction showed her that Astoria had that task well in hand. If she wasn't mistaken the two Slytherins were having a moment of their own.

I'm sorry that I hurt you, and by the way thank you." Astoria whispered as she healed a nasty gash that she had inflicted on him. Draco looked at her with a half smile. It was the first time he could remember someone ever apologizing for hurting him. She was too focused on healing him to notice the way he was looking at her. Astoria had a soft touch when it came to healing and her voice had a soothing quality to it. Despite her cloths being torn and dirty from what he guessed was a hard fought battle, still she smelled fresh and flowery. The smudge of dirt on her cheek, just made her look that much more enduring.

"For what?" He asked not knowing what else to say. Emma was the one that saved her life not him.

"For not letting me go." She answered in a whisper with her head down. Draco chuckled a little and she snapped her head up at him. This was no laughing matter. She was stupid and almost got herself killed, but he didn't have to mock her for it. She was about to let him have a ear full, but when their eyes met, Astoria knew in her heart that wasn't what he meant by that. There was something in Draco's eyes that she had never seen in them before. Softness would be the best word to describe what she saw. He would never show that in public for others would take it as weakness. It made it more special to her that he had dropped his guard for her like that.

"It was no-" Draco started but was stopped when Astoria leaned in and kissed him. It was soft and tender, and for an instant the tips of her tongue touched his. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. She pulled away much sooner than Draco would have liked. That kiss was a hell of a lot better than the one they shared under the mistletoe.

"What did you do that for?" He asked and noticed a slight blush was creeping its way across her cheeks. Even thought she had pulled away from him, her lips were still very close to his. The urge to kiss her back was very hard to resist.

"All Damsels in Distress give their hero's a kiss as reward silly." She told him as she tried to make light of it.

"I'm no hero." Draco corrected her quickly. Astoria ignored what he said. It was true that Emma saved her life and she was very grateful to her for that, but she would have been dead long before that if it wasn't for Draco. He just needed to see it that way. She leaned in again and kissed him. It was brilliant, but like before it ended sooner that Draco would have liked.

"Yes you are." Astoria whispered in his ear while her cheek caressed his. Then she quickly stood up and backed away from a stunned Draco Malfoy. She then turned to Professor Potter and told her that she was ready to go. Lily motioned to the stairs, but lingered for a few moments. Lily closed her eyes and took a deep breath before pulling out her wand. Draco nodded his head in understanding. She had to protect Emma and she didn't trust him that much yet. Draco respected that. He didn't even try to stop her from Oblivating him.

Lily only took out the part where Emma was directly involved. She had no intention of removing the entire memory. His interaction with Astoria was left intact. She had a feeling that he just had a very important moment in his life. He was now at a crossroad, but the next step was up to him. She could only hope that he chose wisely.

"Get Astoria to safety and keep a keen eye on her." Draco advises Lily after she was done altering his memory.

"Draco, what you did today was a very noble thing. You are starting to become the man your mum always hoped you would become." Lily confided in him before deciding the stairs after the girls. Only when she was gone did Draco speak.

"Thanks for showing me another path."

A few minutes later Draco descended the stair to see two Prefects watching the gagged and bound Bulstrode and Zabini. Not far away was the corpse of what he assumed was a student. His fellow Slytherins with relief in their eyes saw him sneaking up behind the two that were obviously watching them until the Headmaster arrived. He knew he needed to clean up this mess before Dumbledore stuck his crooked nose in it.

Astoria had told him a brief summary of what happened to her, even the part about her killing Cauldwell. He couldn't believe she actually felt regret for what was an obvious case of self-defense. He had seen the Wizarding World's legal system manipulated too many times, by his father and other Death Eaters, to trust blindly in it. That was of course if Dumbledore didn't use her to further his own agenda first.

Draco pulled his unregistered wand from its hiding spot and sent a green gas cloud from the tip of the wand. It engulfed their heads before they even knew it was there. The two Prefects dropped in a heap on the floor. After banishing the Sleeping Gas from the area, he walked up to the captured Slytherins. With a wave of his wand their gags were gone.

"Well, look what we have here. Care to tell me what you were trying to do, and how much you are willing to pay for me to save your worthless arses?" Draco taunted them with great pleasure. He needed to play this carefully if he wanted to get any information out of them.

"Nicely played Draco, but now is not the time for jokes. We need to get out of here now. That bitch Potter will be back soon with the Headmaster or worse Auror's." Millicent requested of him while trying not to sound too desperate. She failed miserably at it.

"I see no profit in that. Answer my questions or try your luck with the old cogger or the DMLE. If you are arrested, you'll be dead before dawn." Draco added to let them know he would not faultier on this issue. They were at his mercy and they knew it. For blackmail was a common practice among Purebloods. It was nothing personal, just good business.

"Fine! We received orders to kill one of the Greengrass's. Are you happy now?" Blaise snapped while looking to see if anyone was coming.

"Not in the least. Details or I'm leaving." Draco pushed and they soon were telling him the Mission they were given and their involvement in it. After they told him everything they knew, Draco banged their heads together with a loud smack. Millicent was knocked out immediately, but Blaise only looked dazed.

"This is for Astoria you son of a bitch!" Draco snarled as he rapped Blaise's head on the floor two times. That did the trick, and he found that he rather enjoyed hurting him for what he did to her. Why am I feeling so protective over a girl I hardly paid any attention to before? Okay, yes she has soft lips, expressive eyes, and is really beautiful. Get the bird out of your head! You're stronger than this. Merlin, I want to kiss her again. Focus stupid! You have a lot of work to do and time is running short.

The Lair was a bustle of activity when Sirius escorted Gabriella into it with Daphne and George right behind them. In a far corner what looked like a group of first years were brewing several cauldrons of potions. Gabriella noted that they were being instructed by a girl that looked to be her daughters Daphne's age. In another corner were several older looking children practising offensive and defensive spells and hexes. Not far away a few students ran up to a brown haired girl wearing a Head Girl badge. They talked to her briefly before hurrying back out of the room. In the centre of the large room was a huge 3 dimensional map of Hogwarts. Around it were several seventh years monitoring different areas.

"What is this place?" Gabriella asked as she looked around in astonishment. Sirius wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. Gabriella's fingers interlocked with his without knowing it, as she leaned into him.

"Gaby, welcome to the Marauder's Lair." Sirius told her as he motioned around the room as a Ringmaster would do in a Carnival.

"I told you that I made a lot of good friends this year." Daphne told her as she came up beside her mother and gave her a wink. Then her eyes scanned the room and didn't like what she wasn't seeing. "Astoria isn't here."

"She isn't? Wait, Jade!" Gabriella gasped. Daphne smacked herself in the forehead and quickly took off Harry's Basilisk skinned trench coat. She handed it to George to hold open while she reached inside the liquid like lining and pulled out her youngest sister.

"T-that w-was c-cold." Jade shivered out and Sirius quickly knelt down and used a warming charm to comfort her. She shivered for a second, and then a big smile greeted her face. George held out his hand and a cup of hot chocolate appeared in his hand. He handed it to Jade who took a sip and let out a long sigh.

"Better I take it Sweetie?" Gabriella asked as she pulled her daughter close. Her youngest snuggled into her mother for warmth and security.

"Very much thank you." She chirped out as Gabriella tightened her hold on Jade. Daphne sat on the other side of her mother, and the three drew comfort that they were alive and together. Gabriella wrapped her free arm around Daphne and she leaned into her mum for comfort. Their lives would never be the same again.

"D-daddy's dead isn't he mummy?" Jade asked in a whisper. Gabriella kissed the top of her youngest head and tightened her grip on her even more.

"Yes sweetheart he is, but he died protecting you. That was his honour and privilege. He loved you girls beyond reason, and you made him a better man. I'm looking at the best part of him right now. You are his Legacy and every breath you take from this moment on is a tribute to him. Never forget that."Gabriella explained to both girls.

Sirius nudged George and jerked his head to the left. The motion that told him they needed to give the ladies some time to themselves. Gabriella mouthed thank you as they left. They silently made their way over to the command centre.

"What's the status of Astoria?" Sirius asked Susan Bones. She turned around and looked at them with a smile.

"She should be coming through the door any moment." She told him as she motioned to the map. Sirius and George saw a dot with her name on it heading down the hall to their door. It was flanked by Ginny's and Tracey's dots. Following behind them was Lily's and Emma's as well. Sirius let out a sigh of relief. It seemed that with the exception of Harry just about everyone was accounted for.

No sooner did he finish that thought when the door to the Lair opened and Astoria and the others walked in. The room broke out in applause. Gabriella looked up at what all the commotion was about. Upon seeing her daughter, she jumped to her feet and rushed over to her with Jade and Daphne only a step behind her. Astoria ran to them as well and they met in the middle. The four of them just held onto each other as if the next second was their last.

"Good, you all did a brilliant job and the Greengrass family and I am very grateful for all your efforts. If I could give the Marauders points I would. All the houses worked together for a common goal, and that is something to be proud of." Sirius praised them with esteem. Lily seconded it as she walked past the Greengrasses and up to Sirius. She looked him over with an appraising eye.

"What?" Sirius asked innocently. She cocked a brow and held it for a few seconds before she chuckled and shook her head.

"You look like shite Mutt. Didn't anyone ever teach you how to block?" Lily poked fun at him like she always did when she was worried about something. Sirius took notice right from the off.

"And here I thought all I forgot to do today was wear my tightie whities." Sirius joked back and put his arm around her neck. He gave her a quick kiss to the temple and whispered. "We'll talk tonight about it after things settle down a bit." Lily squeezed his hand in thanks.

"Like I needed to know that." She said in mock disgust, and pushed him off. "First things first, we need to contact the authorities and unfortunately the Headmaster as well. Two students are dead, one was put under an unforgivable, and two need to be sent to Azkaban." Lily continued.

"M-mum?" Astoria's voice broke as the memory of her actions earlier came crashing down on her, and she gripped tighter on her mum for support. Gabriella looked down at her second born and for the first time truly noticed the state she was in.

"What did they do to you?" She asked with a mixture of fear and rage. Astoria buried her head in Gabriella's chest unable to meet her mum's eyes.

"I-I was stupid and was by myself. I was just sending off an owl. I've done it a hundred times. T-they caught me. I-I fought back the best I could and ran the first chance I got. Then two more showed up and I was cornered in a room. I…I…K-kil-"Astoria blubbered out, but Gabriella pulled her tighter into her chest so what she said was muffled. She had to stop her before she said too much.

"No no no, Not here, not now. Whatever you did, I'm sure was in self-defense." She reassured her daughter, and looked to Sirius for help.

"As I recall, Marauders have Auror status. So we can investigate this incident thoroughly. I think it could take quite some time to do it properly. We can remove certain students from Hogwarts and secure them elsewhere while they're under investigation. That's all the Headmaster needs to know for now." Sirius told mother and daughters. Gabriella thanked him again. Astoria looked up with hope in her eyes and her DADA Professor gave her a reassuring wink.

"That might be a problem Professor." Susan Bones yelled from across the room.

"Why's that?" Black asked over his shoulder.

"Because Su Li and Stephen Cornfoot the two Ravenclaw Prefects assigned to watch our prisoners are still at the Astronomy Tower, but Bulstrode and Zabini are gone." She told him while pointing to the map.

"There they are, and they're with Malfoy! The prat's helping them escape!" Ron yelled.

"NO! Draco wouldn't do that!" Astoria defended him and earned a surprised look from Daphne as well as a few others in the room. She ignored all of them and continued on. "Draco was the one that helped my break free from the Imperious Curse. I would have jumped off the Astronomy Tower if it wasn't for him. When I fell off the ledge, he was the one that grabbed me. He wouldn't let go of me even after he lost his holding. Even after I c-cut him, he wouldn't let go. I would be dead right now if it wasn't for him." She pleaded with them.

"She's telling the truth. When I got to up there, Draco was only holding on by one hand. There has to be a reason he's doing this." Lily added before anyone tried to dispute what Astoria said. Sirius knew that she had been trying to get through to the boy. He trusted Lily's judgement, but he would need more assurances before he allowed Draco to have direct contact with Cissy. As Lord Black it was his duty to protect her.

"Where are they now?" Ginny asked as she moved to the 3-DMM to get a better look.

"Looks like they're heading to…Hagrid's?" Hermione asked in confusion. That was the last place she would have expected them to go. Then again they could enter the Forbidden Forest from there.

"I'll get to the bottom of this." Sirius declared before looking to Lily. "I need you to get them to St. Mungo 's to get checked out. Gabriella took a direct hit from a curse I didn't recognize. Then take them to my house and call Amelia. She'll want a full debriefing so take Ginny with you."

"You better be making your way to St. Mungo's as well Mister. You took more than a few curses that were meant for me." Gabriella ordered as she came up to Sirius. She couldn't help but run her finger threw his messy hair. She acted like she moved his hair so she could look at a cut above his left eye. Even her youngest wasn't fooled by it. She'd never seen her mother act that way with her father. Jade looked to Daphne as she always did when she was confused Her oldest sister always could explain things to her.

"Not now, but soon I promise, soon." Daphne promised. "All that really matters is that we're together and alive."

"Take care of your girls. I'll be along shortly. They need you." Sirius told her in a hushed voice as his fingers intertwined with hers, out of sight of her daughters.

"And I need you." She whispered back with her emotions bare and exposed.

"You have me, you always had." He returned with his equal love and affection. Then he rushed out of the room after Malfoy and the others. Gabriella eyes sought out Lily's. The redhead gave her a knowing look and she couldn't help but smile at.

"Where's my son?" Lily asked as her eyes scanned the room. He should have been back by now.

"He contacted me when we were coming down the stairs and said he had a prisoner and was going to interrogate him." Ginny told her.

"All right then. Let's get these lady's to St. Mungo's. Hermione I need you to inform McGonagall where we are and that Ginny and Emma will be coming with me. Susan you did a superb job running this Opp. You have your aunt's knack, that's for sure. The lot of you should be proud of your actions today. I know I am." Lily told them as she looked around the room. Every face that looked back at her was glowing with earned nobility. She then motioned Gabriella and her daughters towards the door. The seven of them left for St. Mungo's.

Draco bowed to Buckbeak in the manner he should have done in his third year. In his arrogance he had disrespected the noble creature terribly and almost suffered great injury if not for the quick thinking of Daphne Greengrass. It surprised quite a few people because that was not her style. When asked why she helped him. The then well established Ice Queen stated that she didn't want the Hippogriff put down because he was an idiot. He didn't appreciate it then, but now he did. His father would have most definitely demanded Buckbeak be put down. The noble creature moved closer to him but was still watching him with a stern eye. It seemed the Hippogriff remembered him.

"For my previous disrespect I ask for forgiveness. As an offering, I have brought you four ferrets for lunch." Draco told him with an internal laugh. That seemed to improve the beast's mood quite considerably. Draco tossed the first one that was the transfigured body of Owen Cauldwell. He had magically cleaned the room Astoria had killed him in. Ironically enough, it was Professor Potter that had taught him the household spells that he used to remove all traced from the room. He knew that she would not approve of his actions, but he had to protect Astoria. He didn't share Lily's faith in their legal system, nor was he going to let Astoria be used as a pawn by either side, no body, no proof, no crime.

The next to be fed was the transfigured body of Duncan Inglebee. He was very much dead as well and was devoured quickly. That left his two fellow Slytherins, which unlike the other two were very much alive, transfigured, awake, and petrified.

"You should never have used the Imperius on her bitch." Draco sneered at the ferret formerly known as Millicent Bulstrode. With a flick of his wrist she flew through the air and landed in the hunger mouth of a Hippogriff.

"Blaise you took the mark, now pay the price." He taunted and could almost see fear in the ferret's eyes before he sent him at Buckbeak. With a crunching sound Draco knew his work was done. Satisfied he turned to leave only to find he was not alone. Lord Sirius Black stood behind him. Draco took a step back unable to hide his surprise.

"My Lord how long have you been there?" Draco asked with a slight panic in his voice. The man stood with his arms crossed over his chest looking at him with an appraising eye. Even with Blacks cloths tattered and battle worn. He was imposing, and Draco had to admit very intimidating.

"My Lord?" Sirius asked with a raised brow.

"Yes, I will always be a son of the House of Black, even if I am no longer recognized as one." Draco explained and Sirius's Grim could not sense any deception from the boy. Sirius gave him a single nod in understanding.

"To answer your question Draco, long enough. Therefore, there is only one question I need to ask. Are your intentions towards Astoria Greengrass honourable?" Black asked bluntly. This was not the boy he met the first day of class. Had Lily really gotten through to him? He wasn't where he needed to be to rejoin his mother's House, but he showed great progress today.

"Not entirely, but the choice will always be hers." Draco said with a chuckle. He wasn't completely sure what it was that he felt for Astoria. These feeling were very foreign to him. What he did know was that he couldn't get her or that kiss out of his mind.

"Ours never are, but well said none the less." Sirius answered with a laugh of his own. The boy was so in over his head and didn't have a clue. Then again so was he. He still remembered how fast he fell for Gabriella. It looks like mother, like daughter.