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Harry Potter and the Corvinus Strain
Chapter 6

Godric’s Hollow
Corps Training Ground
Wednesday
1 October 2003
06:00

Harry wiped his brow with his towel and dropped it. He made the change and galloped away in his Hell Stallion.

Sighs went up across the grounds and Nym snorted. “What is it with young witches and horses?”

“They dream of something that powerful between their legs and at their command.”

Sarah turned to bark at Eugenie and saw her staring longingly after Harry and the Nightmares as they flowed over the hill and out of sight temporarily. Eugenie was hypnotized, with her right hand held to her breast and her left poised to rise. Sarah smiled gently, stepped behind her daughter, and hugged her. “Aren’t you lucky then?”

Eugenie nodded furiously and then blushed heavily. Sarah laughed outright. Eugenie hardly ever blushed.

Harry, the Nightmares, Hell Stallions, Centaurs, both Unicorn mares and all eight Unicorn foals flowed over the rolling floor of the Hollow and made two circuits with the young Hell Stallions and both young Unicorn stallions out as flankers. Harry enjoyed the run tremendously. So did everyone with eyes in the Hollow. Harry led the herd back and into the water. Steam rose from the water as they stood head deep.

If you watched you could almost see the steam rising from the watching crowd too. Something about the herd made them the most beautiful things, erotic even.

Harry strode from the water and straight to Eugenie. He knelt on his off foreleg and Eugenie clapped her hands and mounted bareback, using the flaming mane as a handhold. Sure, it was corny and over the top, but it was essentially Harry and slew the magical corps, students, and staff dead. Harry rose and bunched; his first leap took him into a flat-out, ears-back run and Eugenie’s squeal of glee was surely heard in Glasgow, maybe Manchester.

Every girl and woman in the Hollow stopped watched and blushed as the undulating squeals of joy continued endlessly. Harry made the turn and swung back by the crowd and Eugenie was mounted gripping Harry’s barrel with her thighs and her arms stuck out to the side. She was completely transported and her doppler affected squeals of glee were amusing to say the least.

The young Hell Stallions, Unicorn stallions, and their sister Nightmares and Unicorns took off after Harry. He simply cranked on more speed until he was literally a blur. His leap from the beach at the end of the second lap carried him and Eugenie into the middle of the lake and raised a great billowing cloud of steam. There was a stunned moment of silence, followed by a standing ovation from the assembled troops, mates, students, and staff.

The crowd broke up still discussing it as Harry swam back with Eugenie leaning forward and wrapped around the magnificent, huge corded neck, lying amid the flames that were Harry’s mane. Imelda and Lisa exhausted their supply of film in the wizarding cameras and reloaded, twice. Jacquelyn would turn their photos of the transparently clothed Eugenie mounted on the magnificent, huge, fearsome Harry into a set of cheesy but panty dampening, pants tightening paintings. Those paintings would be displayed proudly in Potter Castle and the Potter’s Field. The tamer photos that didn’t display quite as much high, tight, stiff-nippled thirteen-year-old breast would make all the wizarding papers and magazines.

The Hell Stallions and young Nightmares had run straight into the lake again after Harry and stood head deep, waiting. As he approached, they closed in and escorted him and Eugenie from the lake.

Sarah smiled at Eugenie. “Have fun, baby?”

Eugenie nodded and hugged Harry’s neck. Harry snorted a three- foot flame and trotted toward the Castle. As he overtook the crowd they parted respectfully and smiled broadly. It never even dawned on anyone that Eugenie might as well be nude in her wet white cotton PT clothes. She was a perfect redheaded Lady Godiva, her modesty barely protected by the fiery mane curling about her from her magnificent charger.

The mates followed, smiling.

When they got to the Castle Harry and Eugenie were in the master suite, Harry laid out on the rug before the fire still in his Hell Stallion and Eugenie stretched out on him, sleeping. The mates smiled and left them as they went about their business. Elizabeth knocked quietly and opened the door. She had heard from Edward’s Sophia, who had moved into the Castle for this pregnancy, and wanted to see for herself. Her entry started a parade of mothers.

Geoffrey appeared, looked around, and laid a buffet in the huge bedroom. Nothing much outside the bedroom got done until that afternoon. The vassal witches all ended up in the bedroom, however, so there was no way to say no work got done. Andrew, Phillip, and Dan even had a quiet planning session by the banked fire with Hestia and Hermione. Luna and Li came, joined Eugenie on the Hell Stallion rug, and gave what information they could.

Harry contributed, through all the mates, to whatever they needed him for; all in all an outstanding morning. Heidi Garrick Potter and Dakota Egger Potter were very disappointed to miss it as they and their companies stayed on watch on Kraven and Lucian. They got a ride of their own in recompense.

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Potter Castle
Master Bedroom
Wednesday
1 October 2003
12:02

Sarah leaned down and kissed the lounging Eugenie on her cheek. “Getting up, baby?”

Eugenie frowned but nodded.

Na Wen looked at Eugenie and grinned mischievously. “So how was it?”

Eugenie blushed. “How was what?”

“Having that monstrous orgasm in front of the whole Realm—well, a lot of it anyway.”

Eugenie buried her face in Harry’s flaming mane and blushed dark red over her entire body. Then she looked up, sat up and held her head up proudly. “Tremendous, actually.”

The mates had all felt Eugenie’s orgasm and her surprise when it happened on the first lap she had taken. Her position leaning forward had put her sex directly against the flexing lump of muscle covering Harry’s withers. When Harry had sped up to stay ahead of his colts and fillies Eugenie had been pitched into a series of monstrously powerful orgasms.

She rose and strode confidently to the bath. Harry snorted and followed her, hooves clopping on the oak and then marble flooring. “Harry! Change, you’re getting hair in the tub!”

The mates laughed incredulously at Eugenie’s admonishment. Harry was such a lovely big lump sometimes.

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Potter Castle
Dining Room
Wednesday
1 October 2003
12:12

“You’re not serious, Hamilton. You can’t be sitting in my godson’s dining room, eating his food and drinking his wine, and suggesting a revolution. If you are, then perhaps we could discuss the division of your Duchy. I’ve had my eye on your sister for a while and my bonded like her.”

“I must protest, Lord Black!”

“Fine, won’t matter soon. Dead men tell no tales and file no protest. Now about your sister....”

Melinda Wieland Black laughed lightly. “I think what my lord is attempting to tell you is that His Highness will take a dim view of your refusing to pay the tax, Your Grace.”

“As do I, Hamilton.”

Every single person present at the comically large table sprang to his or her feet at the Queen’s frosty opening. “The word ‘forfeit’ springs into my head; perhaps you can tell me why it should not cross my lips?”

Hamilton paled but gamely continued his argument. “Your Highness, it is usury, specifically prohibited in canon law.”

“Surely you jest, Hamilton. I had thought English was required in the Scottish schools?”

Hamilton reddened and opened his mouth. Andrew gave a cautionary, “Steady, Hamilton, or the division of your property and chattel will be mine to make.”

Phillip had had enough. “English was in fact taught at Gordonstoun and you excelled at it, Hamilton. His Highness has made no loan to you and therefore could not even be considered to be charging you usurious rates of interest. Your parsimony has unmanned you. Personally I think you should pay the full inland revenue and we’ll see how you like that.”

Lady Kay Hamilton looked at Elizabeth. “Just forfeit the old fool before His Highness lights him on fire, Your Majesty. It would be painful to lose him now.”

“Kay!” a shocked Angus Hamilton barked.

“Oh, willing to listen to reason now, are you?” the Lady Hamilton rejoined.

The crowd settled and was seated as the Duke of Hamilton was verbally taken under fire and destroyed in fierce whispers and tiny, violent gestures by his third wife.

Harry led his mates, including the still slightly pink Eugenie, into the dining room and beamed at the Duke of Hamilton as he seated as many mates as he could beat the elves to.

Narcissa sat across from the Duke and Duchess of Hamilton. “Angus, why are you being such a curmudgeon about this?”

Kay looked at Narcissa. “He doesn’t know. It just offends him somehow, so he goes on and on about principle and duty and whatever else pops into his head, Cissy.”

“Kay! I can speak,” Angus nearly shouted.

“Well?”

“It’s the totality of it, Duchess Narcissa. One hundred and twenty-two million pounds is a lot of money.”

“And twelve billion, two hundred million pence makes it seem even more, Your Grace. Do you or your chattel or vassals want for anything?”

“Well no, actually.”

“Be happy, then. Harry doesn’t judge your worth on your wealth. He judges you by the quality of your family, property, chattel, and vassals and your care of them. Or should I point out Lord and Lady Weasley?”

Angus Duke of Hamilton settled back in his seat thoughtfully as Kay cast a grateful look at Narcissa and the bond rang with praise from her mates. Only the mates noticed her smile was fixed and her knuckles bright white as Harry thanked her very, very hard. Daphne smirked and waved a gentle cleaning charm under the table at Narcissa. She got an almost imperceptible nod in thanks.

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Budapest
Club Nitro
Wednesday
1 October 2003
22:23

Beatrice turned slightly just as Michael got his fingers on the top of her butt. “Michael!”

“Yes.”

“Stop that. I thought you had work to do at the library.”

“Nothing that won’t keep for the next thirty minutes or so.”

Beatrice laughed. “You’d need more time than that and to be fully rested. Now be a good boy and toddle off.”

Michael shrugged and headed toward the stairs to the ground floor. Lacey Emory Potter looked at her mate. “I’ll be glad when this is over. He’s forever trying to handle us.”

Beatrice nodded. “Selene will have her hands full.”

“So you don’t believe he’ll settle either?”

“No, Lacey, I don’t. He’s just…just…well, he thinks he’s pretty.”

Lacey laughed at Beatrice. “Okay, odd way to say it but I know what you mean. And no telling what the hybrid thing will do to him. Well, mentally anyway. I don’t see what the big deal is with them—vampire werewolves, so what? It’s not like they’re indestructible. Just a little tougher than vampires.”

“I think that’s limited to us and the older vampires and werewolves, maybe the older Veela too, Lacey. In the exercises even the mages had a hard time with them. Come on, we’d better go or he’ll get away.”

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Hungary
Ördögház
Wednesday
1 October 2003
22:23

Erika smiled grimly and pushed Monica Listopadova Potter down on the sofa in the great room while she watched Kraven chatting up some new boy-toy vampire. “Erika, smile better. We all know you hate him but at this rate he’ll know it too.”

“Fine for you, Monica; you don’t have to let him handle you.”

“You don’t either; there are five of us here.”

“You know he likes to display his power. He’ll be over here groping me in a minute.”

“Fuck it, just smoke his ass, Erika.”

“No, Harry!”

“Why not, Luna? I smoke him, Lucian, Viktor, Marcus, and Alexander, stick Selene and Michael in a room and Bob’s your uncle, we’re home and dry.”

“It’s important that it play out with the characters acting as they are.”

“Why?”

“We don’t know, but you can’t just run around lighting them on fire willy nilly.”

“Yes I can, Luna, and with not much more provocation I will.”

“Harry!”

Lilith rolled her eyes.“Imperius Kraven, Erika. That way you can keep him from touching you and he’ll think it’s his idea.”

“Oooh, that’s good. Thank you, Lilith.”

“Hmmm, all those millions of years were good for something, eh?”

“Why, you! Come back here, Harry Potter.”

Erika, as well as the rest of the mates, could only laugh as Lilith and Harry went after each other in the bond and in the bed in the master suite. The laughter died down as Harry held Lilith down and drove firmly home in her center. Lilith hummed contentedly and bit Harry in the right clavicle. Harry arched hard into her and slid his head down until he found a nipple and distracted her very thoroughly with a talented tongue.

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Hungary
Ördögház
Thursday
2 October 2003
05:32

“Well, Kahn?”

“Nothing new, Selene. Bullets again—fifty caliber, filled with this silver powder.”

“So what, Selene? Some mortals are killing them for sport or revenge.”

“Or your fuck buddies from Amelia’s are, Erika.”

“Yes, well, there is that. They get so restless when they’re not kept amused, and I’ve been slightly busy.”

Selene blushed. “Yes, with Kraven.”

“Jealous? You should come to bed sooner. No need to wipe the poor Lycan completely out; Viktor would be so disappointed to have no one to kill when he was awakened.”

Selene glared at Erika. “I wouldn’t dream of interrupting your Kraven plans.”

Erika smiled brightly and grabbed her hand. “No bother! I finished with him early last night. He should eat better—no stamina.” She dragged Selene from the room to the sound of Kahn’s laughter.

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Hungary
Budapest
Thursday
2 October 2003
06:00

Singe sat back and looked at the board. Another dead end; it was all coming down to this Michael Corwin. Now to find him so they could get some blood and test it. Oh well, these others first; but it would be useless, he was certain.

Lucian watched and waited in the hard chair in the corner. Amelia was going to have the Coven meeting on the fifteenth. They had to have Corvinus’s human heir before that—he must know where the mortal was. If it was outside of Europe, sneaking it in past Corvinus would be a problem.

As it was, the Cleaners and Death Dealers were working the Lycans over hard. This last two weeks had seen all his females killed or captured and the males thinned to the truly hard bastards.

Goddamn Peter anyway. “It’s not in the pack’s interest to irritate the Duke of Magic.” Duke of Magic? Bah, a mere mortal! Perhaps it was time to pay this Duke of Magic a visit, although reports of strange things had made it back from England and Russia. Things like Wargs. If only.... Wouldn’t those be a surprise for the bastard vampires. Make William and his ilk look like lap dogs they would, yes indeed.

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Godric’s Hollow
Sports Ground
Sunday
5 October 2003
09:33

Harry watched the Quidditch and tried to relax. It was coming hard today. Thirty-eight troops in hospital. None critical, but the attack on Riahnnon Meldrum Potter’s Scout Company garage had been heavy and the fighting fierce.

Harry was taking this as a sign that Lucian was getting upset with the interference. A feral grin crossed Harry’s face. Tired, was he? Wait until the tenth. Harry chuckled and continued to plan the Clan run in the environs of Budapest.

Elizabeth shuddered; she would hate to be a Hungarian werewolf on the full moon. Harry was in what Phillip would call a bloody-minded mood.

“Promenade, Da.”

Elizabeth smiled as Daphne’s Samantha, the apparent spokeswoman of the Clan’s children for today, came for her escort, and money bag.

Harry’s evil smile morphed into a heart-melting thrilled grin and he offered his hand. Samantha led him away in a veritable mob of Potter children with older daughters and sons chaperoning and assisting.

The crowds on the promenade parted respectfully for the Potters and smiled as they passed. The merchants were thrilled as always. While the Potters were very careful with their allowances, there were hundreds and hundreds of them, and then there were the older children and the youngest mates, always a good day when Himself took the kids shopping. Besides there was no telling when Himself would pop into a stall and buy something hideously expensive and order a few thousand more of the same for presents.

“So, violence in the offing, Nym?”

Nym nodded. “Afraid so, Elizabeth. Lucian really should have left it. Luna was just able to warn us and we barely got the Guards Regiment there in time.”

“Good account from the reports, though.”

“Yes—very quick, very violent, and very brave.”

“Nym, when you say ‘brave’ in that tone it sounds more like stupid.”

Nym didn’t reply. Sarah grunted. “She and Ginny are still mad at the staff sergeants Weasley.”

Elizabeth smiled. “I don’t think it was their fault exactly, Sarah. How could they have known the werewolves would split and try to use routes they were each guarding separately?”

“That’s not what they’re mad about. They’re mad about them disobeying orders to withdraw, ma’am.”

“Sarah! None of that. You couldn’t really expect them to withdraw and leave their injured.”

Nym finally spoke. “The wardstones would have evacuated the troopers. As it is now we have two squad leaders in hospital who don’t need to be there and Neville’s Company, the only male-led Company in the Regiment, looks bad.”

“Not from where I’m sitting, Nym, and not from where Major General Sir Iain Mackay-Dick is sitting either. It looks like we may have the first active service female infantry recipients of the VC on our hands, as well as Captain Lord Longbottom. That one-man stand in the alley against four Lycan over Fred and trooper Bains was in the finest traditions of a leader of the foot. That he put them all down and evacuated his troops in good order while maintaining control of the situation and completing his primary mission after being shot twice was well beyond the call of duty.”

Nym grumbled and Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Phillip saw an opportunity. “Elizabeth!”

“Oh hush, Phillip. Shouldn’t you be off with our grandchildren?”

Phillip withdrew smiling, considering this a win.

He and the other grandfathers, uncles, and cousins went and found Harry and the children on the promenade.

“Harry, spot of trouble, what?” Harry turned around and Phillip started and then laughed. Harry had what appeared to be two small bangers stuck between his lips and teeth and his hands raised in claws beside him. He was menacing a very unimpressed Christie Potter (Zsuzsa and Harry’s daughter).

“Oh, sorry, Phillip.” Harry snatched the two sausages out of their positions and popped them in his mouth.

Christie beamed at Phillip. “Thank you, grandfather!” She turned and escaped before Da could do something else embarrassing.

Phillip looked at Harry, still chuckling. “Over our mad, then?”

“Oh no, Phillip, just saving it up.”

“Harry, you can’t just run around killing people.”

“You know, I would have thought the last five years would have proved I can, in fact, do exactly that; and if Luna and Li could figure out what exactly was going on with these idiots I’d take a little flight this afternoon and solve this problem. I’m feeling a little peckish.”

“Have a couple more bangers then. Remember you had indigestion for six months after all those Ugandans.”

Harry chuckled. “I’ll cook these first, then.”

Phillip smiled and as they passed Fortescue’s he sat down at a table outside. “Seriously, Harry, what is your plan?”

“I’ll run the pack along with the of-age Nightmares, Centaurs, Hell Stallions, Dragons, and Unicorns in the environs of Budapest on the night of the full moon. The Mongols will seem a pleasant diversion in comparison.”

“Harry, you can’t.”

“I’m getting really tired of that word, Phillip.”

“Sorry, son. You still can’t. You’ll run amok ,which will push the clan into a beserk rage like Africa. We need these events to play out. Well, unless Luna and Li say differently. In that case go ahead and eat all you want.”

“Grrrrr.”

“What is it the girls say? Oh, yes yes: big bad Alpha. Now run along and be a good boy.”

Harry glared at Phillip. “Oy, they never say ‘now run along and be a good boy’!”

“Might as well. We all know what they mean.”

Harry grumbled for a few minutes as Phillip laughed.

Sarah Ramos Potter approached her mate, undaunted. “Through, Harry? Good. Take me to Gladrags. I want to try on some things.”

Harry stood immediately and Phillip gave him a look that said, “See? Even the newest mates own you.”

Harry shrugged and passed back a look that said, “Like father, like son.” Then he grinned and offered Sarah Ramos Potter his arm.

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Godric’s Hollow
Sports Ground
Sunday
5 October 2003
12:28

Nym wandered down the promenade with her Alphas and the Primaries. It was a madhouse, a Regimented and Harryistic madhouse but still a madhouse. Mrs Finch-Fletchley hailed her.

“Your Highness, thank Morgana. Can you tell his Highness to stop giving our children Sickles?”

Nym blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“He’s in Gladrags with the daughters and young Duchesses. The ladies are trying on things so to keep the boys busy His Highness gave them Sickles. Your boys told our boys and now they’re all lined up outside Gladrags and His Highness is giving them all Sickles. Then they run straight to the Weasleys’store and—well, you can imagine.”

Nym didn’t have to imagine much as a large purple chicken ran down the street in pursuit of a three-foot-long red and yellow caterpillar, hotly pursued by a pair of harassed mothers.

She covered her face with her hand for a moment and then went to find Harry. She followed the line of boys, which dissipated rapidly as she passed. She reached Harry and had to smile. He was guarding, blocking really, the door and watching the crowd of older boys and wizards with those green eyes in full AK glowing green as his hand dipped into his pouch and placed a Sickle in each little outstretched hand. Nym walked up with the crowd of mothers following her and the boys scattered. Nym reached up, kissed Harry, and entered the shop. The Primaries and Alphas followed her.

Inside Gladrags they found a seraglio; the store was packed with naked or nearly naked girls who were passing various bits of thread with rifle-cleaning patches attached between themselves. No wonder Harry was outside. “Girls, what are you doing?”

Sarah Ramos looked up. “Trying on clothes, Nym.”

Sarah looked at her “Looks more like thread to me. That’s going to cut you, Sarah.”

Outside Harry conjured a table and chair. Geoffrey popped in with a butterbeer and a basket of fish and chips. His boys stopped by off and on to steal bites of fish and whole chips from Harry’s never-emptying basket and the mayhem settled to its normal Sunday level.

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Hungary
Budapest
Wednesday
8 October 2003

Daphne crouched in her dragon, miniaturized and still, pretending to be a gargoyle watching Selene in the rain watching Raze hunt Michael. This was surreal even for the Clan, from Harry having a great day and the mates having a great night on the fifth to Luna and Li going into some kind of coma and then filling the bond with visions, to the entire Magical Army of the Realm going to combat status and deployment in three days. Well, that view made up for it a little. Damn, Selene had a nice ass—and that leather bustier over rubber suit outfit of hers, yummy!

“Daphne! Get your own vampire!”

“What, Erika? I’m just saying. Not any nicer than yours, by the way. We should get you one of these rubber suits and a leather bustier.”

“Eeewww! No, I’ll stick with the leather pants and my satin bustier, thank you very much. Selene is just being a skinflint ’cause she uses up a new one every night being Miss Killy Thing.”

Daphne followed Selene as she began closing the noose on Raze, unaware of Michael.

Daphne changed to her human and faded slightly out of phase and followed Selene through her drop to the street and then into the subway. She smirked as Michael, habituated to Selene by the mates, locked eyes, apparently by accident, with the real Selene for the first time in the subway. It stopped him cold. Daphne couldn’t resist; she skimmed Selene’s thoughts and found Selene very intrigued. “He’s not the dream sire but he is a very pretty mortal boy.” Daphne shook her head; she just didn’t see it. Then again, Selene hadn’t had the trapped-in-a-phone-box-with-a horny-drunk-octopus experience yet, either.

Daphne stayed just faded as, unnerved by Michael, Selene watched a Death Dealer follow Raze. Daphne waved at the slightly faded Tracey, who was shadowing Raze tonight.

Crap! Raze identified the Death Dealer. A huge gun battle broke out and Daphne found herself dodging bullets as she desperately tried to hold the now raging, nearly out of control Harry outside the city. Beatrice, who had the duty, used the mates’ favorite expedient of fading Harry out of view and with Eugenie’s assistance she very thoroughly distracted him in the floor of the Corps TOC.

Tracey sent Daphne a thumbs-up indicating everything was okay and followed Raze. Damn, Raze couldn’t shoot worth a damn, but he did have control of an MP 5—or was it a MAC 10?—with each hand. Eeeeww, those UV bullets did a number on vampires, though! That was gross, and Selene watched the whole thing.

Selene drew her pistols and rolled from behind her post. Tracey’s thumbs-up was early, it seemed, as somehow Michael, the dumbass, had gone to some wounded civilian woman’s aid. Great—a letch with a hero complex. Raze dove into a railcar as more of Selene’s bullets sprayed his end of the platform and her reinforcements arrived. Daphne frowned; Selene couldn’t shoot worth a damn either and those auto pistols weren’t helping. This was going to get messy.

Oh, she hit that one, though. What the hell? I thought they had the silver nitrate ammo?

“Kahn is having trouble with producing more than a few rounds a day of it, Daphne. I’m working on it.”

“Thanks, Marietta.”

Daphne stayed faded as more mates including Bellatrix and Allison flowed into the tube station, following the rest of Selene’s team. Damn, two hundred rounds or so and all these idiots had hit were one vampire and a civilian. Selene was going to have to do better.

“Daphne, Selene is loading normal ammunition. She’s hit Raze and his partner but it isn’t putting them down.”

“Damn stupid girl. Bellatrix, get some snipers in here. We’ll have to take these Lycan down. We can’t let Selene get killed.”

Bellatrix nodded and His Highness’s bodyguard, the most fervent slaves, and the Patil twins flowed into the tunnels.

“The vampire are shooting solid silvers, Daphne. This Lycan I’m following just pulled one out.”

“Okay, Parvati.”

“Daphne, Raze and a Death Dealer are fighting in the tunnels. It looks bad for the Death Dealer.”

“Don’t interfere unless Selene is threatened, Tracey.”

Daphne continued to follow Selene as Bellatrix arrayed her forces and swept the tunnels behind her. She froze as a howl reached them and then was cut off. “Quietly, Bella, Selene heard that one die and got distracted.”

“Sorry Bella, Daphne. He got loose for a moment.”

“It’s fine, Kelly, just be more careful with the next one.”

“Yes, Bella.”

Daphne chuckled and turned back to Selene. Fucking stupid cow—not the sewers! Morgana, this bitch must have a death wish. Oops, and there he is. Daphne hit the Lycan’s arm just as he pulled the trigger, and the UV round went high. Selene’s silver solids didn’t. Oh my, we’ve got our panties in a bunch. Six shots in him and then empty the magazine in him while holding him on the ground.

Uh-oh, here comes another. Why Raze, you naughty boy. I may have to kill you.

“Daphne, down!”

Daphne dropped at Tracey’s warning and four shirikins or something like them flew over her and ruined Raze’s evening. She threw Tracey a grateful smile. The things wouldn’t have hurt her, as she was faded, but the thought was there. She got a rueful head shake and smile from her partner wife and then took off in pursuit of the running Selene.

Selene’s flight took them right under a known den where the Lycans were amusing themselves. Merlins flaming penis, Lucian. Yada yada, I’m dominant, yada yada. Well, now Selene knows you’re alive unless Raze scared her off in time, idiot. Daphne shook her head.

The Clan digested events as Bella and company finished cleanup, Tracey chased Raze back to the den, and Daphne, following Selene, returned to the Ördögház.

Erika informed the bonded that Kraven was on the way to Kahn’s lab and he was on the prod.

The bonded flowed into their positions on their principals and waited. Amelia Fastida paced in the Corps TOC. She was unsure about this move-the-awakening-forward thing. It had strengthened Kraven and marginalized Selene. Kraven was lording it over everyone and Kahn was playing close to the vest; poor Selene. Bodyguards, the slimy bastard Kraven had bodyguards. A real Elder needed no guards. Now Kraven was protecting the Lycan to facilitate Lucian’s plan, even to the point of putting Soren, his ass-licker, in “charge” of investigating the den. Nothing would be done.

They had done this so fast after Luna and Li’s visions on the night of the fifth and morning of the sixth. Now the Corps was in the field and they were in the opening gambit.

“It will be fine, Amelia.”

“I hope so, Luna.”

“If I have to play the slut to Kraven’s stud much longer it won’t be. If he touches me one more time I’m going to vomit on him.”

“Erika!”

“It’s true, Nym, he makes me ill.”

“Try not to let it show quite so much. Only a few hours to go, Erika.”

“Yeah, then I’m going to change to a male and piss on his ashes.”

“Erika! Go talk Selene out of the trees.”

“Yes, Nym. Hmm, yes, Selene time!”

“Eeewww! Raze picked up his partner, blood everywhere. Selene does have her panties in a bunch.”

“Stay with him, Tracey.”

“Amelia’s figured out they were after Michael, Nym.”

“Okay, Erika.”

“Yuk, Kraven is here. Morgana, where did he get that shirt?”

“Erika!”

“Grrrr!”

“Lucian’s back with Singe. Last one’s negative. Only Michael left, Nym.”

“Okay, Susan.”

“Raze is back with Lucian and Singe. Lucian is upset at Raze for being seen; he’s going after Michael himself, I think, Nym.”

“Okay, Tracey. Laktos Joseph Utca 39 fifth floor. Na Wen, move a company there.”

“Oh, this American Elder is a smarmy git. He sounds Irish.”

“Got it. Minerva, stay with him.”

“Selene is gone.”

“I have her, Erika. Stay on Kraven.”

“Urrrgh, gross bad image. Okay, Daphne. Oh, Kraven’s all upset, poor baby.”

“I may kill him myself.”

“I have dibs, Harry!

“Erika—Harry! You two hush. We have a lot going on. Focus, everyone.”

Harry grunted at Nym’s instruction and went silent again after handing out a round of his mental caresses. The mates smiled and went back to work.

Later Daphne watched as Selene entered Michael’s flat and went snooping. Wow! All jealous girlfriendy and she just saw him—what was that about?

“Shit—Lycans. Damn, why don’t we have someone on Michael again? He got away from Selene.”

“Ginny!”

“I’m on the way, Nym. Steer me to him, Daphne.”

“Na Wen, you’ll have to. I have a bit of a Lycan issue at the moment.”

“Okay, we have the building surrounded, Daphne. Do you need help?”

“Yes. Na Wen, take out the ones higher and lower than me. Oh shit, neat trick. Selene just shot her way to the fourth floor. We’re headed down.”

Na Wen gave her orders and then cursed. “Daphne, Lucian is in the building. He’s waiting on the elevator. Crap, he’s got Michael. He bit him just like Luna said. Even after Selene hit him four times. Gods, he’s scrawny. Eeeeewww, he pushed the bullets out of the wounds. Although that is a good talent to have.”

After Na Wen’s comments the mates could only watch as Selene fled with Michael and fought off Lucian. They then watched as the car plunged into the Danube.

Daphne’s judicious taps on the windshield freed them from the sunken car by collapsing the safety glass, just as Marietta had said they would after she reviewed that part of the vision. “Silly girl. Damn, that water is cold. All right, Michael has her out and under a pier, and the idiot missed me. Why would he shoot the glass? That would make a little hole.”

“Good, Daphne.”

“Lucian is back at the den. He bit Michael and got some blood, Nym.”

“Thank you, Susan.”

“Singe tested it. They’re onto it now; the test was positive.”

“Okay, Susan.”

Daphne, Erika, Minerva, Narcissa, Megan, and Alexis kept the mates informed of events on the banks of the Danube and in the Ördögház. Everyone watched in amazed interest as Selene fell in lust—love—something with Michael. Daphne’s comments that Selene’s leather T-shirt/bustier was too big but would be good when she was first pregnant ligntened the mood over the next hour or so as Kraven flew into a jealous rage.

Daphne scanned Selene’s thoughts when Kraven made his comment about Lucian in the present tense, but Selene was all about Michael right now and didn’t catch it.

Erika’s minute observation of Michael was a source of amusment for all of them, as was her commentary on his shortcomings as compared to Harry in the bond.

Harry blushed furiously, adding to their amusement.

Erika was almost sad to force Michael from the Ördögház, but she had found Lucian’s mark on him and Luna was very insistent. Ginny grumbled about the rain and followed him. She was pleasantly surprised that she stayed dry while faded.

Daphne tripped Kraven down the stairs, much to the amusement of all, after he slapped Selene. Selene’s new gun from Kahn seemed to settle her right down and the bonded watched, mollified.

Well, except for Harry who had faded to the roof of the Ördögház and was busy driving Kraven slightly insane with some judicious use of focused complusion.

“Harry should just give him to the Clan hybrids for a toy.”

“You know he doesn’t think like that, Amelia. I almost feel sorry for Kraven. What’s left of his life will be an affliction.”

Amelia Bones nodded to Emmeline and they turned back to their work.

Marietta glowed; finally Kahn had got the silver nitrate concept worked out and she had done a little surreptious work on the loading lines. Now they had plenty of the Lycan killers.

They watched as Selene publicly questioned Kraven’s integrity and Kahn backed Kraven. Kahn was taken off the “to be saved” list.

Harry, who had followed Kraven to torture him more, watched with Tracey and Susan as Kraven was throughly punked by Lucian, but Lucian fought off Harry’s compulsion aimed at getting him to to fuck Kraven in the ass. Susan shook her head as Tracey smirked. Harry was really on the prod for Kraven now.

Erika was in physical pain as she watched Selene become more and more isolated during the next few hours. And then to have to tell her Michael was marked...it was killing her. Her mates consoled her as much as they could.

Ginny watched Michael deteriorate as the virus gained a hold on his system and the full moon approached. And then suddenly the Lycan made a grab for him. Luna held Ginny from helping, only allowing her to insure his safety.

At the same time they watched as Selene broke the chain and raised Viktor.

Events began, or rather kept up the very fast flow that had the Guards Magical Corps and the magical forces of the realm stretched very thin. Lilith was commanding the magical forces as they shrunk the AOR ever tighter, and the mates commanded troops all across south central Europe. Stray Lycan and vampires were hunted down mercilessly and either submitted or died. If they submitted they were transported to the dungeons of Potter Castle, where the slave hybrids acted as warders.

Hermione watched through Daphne’s eyes and saw the library Selene went to. “Cho, take a platoon and strip that library after Selene leaves.”

“Sure, Hermione.”

“Michael’s in a cab; it looks like he’s headed to the Ördögház, Nym.”

“Thank you, Ginny. Everyone pay attention. Here we go again. Amelia Fastida, check Selene’s work on Viktor, please.”

“Of course, Mistress, but she did very well for her first time.”

Erika nearly wet herself in glee when Selene told Kraven that Viktor was awake. The expression on his face was priceless. The dessicated walking corpse that was Viktor, though, almost had her wetting herself for a different reason. Was peace really worth that? He was hideous.

Daphne joined Ginny on top of Selene’s Aston Martin and found the ride quite enjoyable.

Minerva watched as Kraven politicked his way to staying alive at Selene’s expense, and only Harry could stop her from killing both Kraven and Viktor in the crypt right then. Minerva really didn’t appreciate the old-boy thing.

“And he lied to his master about Amelia. He’s planning something already, Harry!”

“Yes Minerva, he is, but it won’t stand so don’t worry.”

Susan was suddenly on the move again and Amelia Fastida had to go catch her train. Well, program her simacrula with Hermione anyway, and give it a little of her blood. Okay, so a lot, but they’d brought several liters for Selene to feed on after she filled the simacrula. Also Amelia’s subordinate vampires had been giving blood for three days to fill their simacrula. The train would be another splatter-show like the fight the Death Eaters had had getting to the Hall of Mysteries back in ’ninety-six. Amelia took off her mithril neckpiece, a gift from Harry, and put it on her simacrula as a final touch.

Daphne and Ginny watched and gave a running commentary on Selene’s latest encounter with Michael in the safehouse she’d taken him to—over-the-top, highly dramatized commentary.

“Ummmm, yess, look at that perfest ass. I’ll have some of that, please.”

“Morgana, what’s with the catsuit? Pansy doesn’t need that for definition. Selene should dance with her some.”

“Daphne, get in the spirit of the thing.”

“Oh, sorry, Ginny, Yes, you big hunk of mortal love muscle, no one understands me. Let me unburden my immortal soul to your soon-to-be-dead Lycan self.”

“I don’t know about that, sweetie, but how do you feel about a little doggy walking?”

“Eeeewwww, Ginny! Oh look she cuffed your dufus to the wall while he was being all salve and deboner.”

“No fair, she distracted him with that kiss. How did he get to be my dufus?”

“Bad luck?Ooops, she’s leaving. I don’t know, got to go, sweetie.”

Ginny stayed with Michael. She was really starting to wonder how this was supposed to work, though. He really did have the emotional depth of a teaspoon, as Hermione would say.

Daphne stopped in the hall and watched Selene gather herself. “This is bizarre; she really is falling for this guy.”

“Leave my Selene alone, Daphne. She’s lonely. You are all mean girls.”

“Not intentionally, Amelia it’s just amazing really.”

Amelia settled some at Bellatrix’s comment.

“Okay, the Lycans’ assault force is set, they have eyes on Selene.”

“Thank you, Cho. Katie, get your troops ready. Remember, Kahn is off the list. You and Cho kill the Lycans and vampires after their little fight is over, then evacuate the listed ones.”

Nym got a chorus of “Yes, Nym” back and smiled. Some of both would escape, but not many, and then Selene and Michael would have an easier time.

“Damn! Selene broke Kraven’s nose!”

“All right, Daphne, now let’s watch.”

As they kept watching, Selene went before Viktor and he abandoned her for Kraven. Selene was heartbroken and Harry had to leave for a moment. A section of forest got the Godzilla treatment before the Chinese Army Corps’ eyes. They knelt with their heads on the forest floor as their lord vented his rage.

“Hey, Amelia, what’s this 1400 years thing Viktor was talking about? And Viktor left Kraven in charge?”

“I have no idea about the 1400 years, Hermione! As for Kraven, he’s in charge of Viktor’s coven only.”

“You’ve forgotten how old you are?”

“Well no, but I still have no idea!”

The mates chuckled at Amelia’s prevarication.

Daphne sighed. “Wel,l that little zinger about cutting the skin should have fixed Kraven. She as much as called him a coward.”

“Amyrydan, I’m beautiful. Come on, Hermione, we can kill these Lycan and save me.”

“Errrh, no, Amelia, your simacrula has to die.”

“But I’m so pretty! Look at that neck—you know you want a nibble, just like with Harry!”

“We agreed not to talk about that, Amelia!”

The mates all felt Hermione’s deep blush and Amelia Fastida’s exasperated eye roll.

“You’d think the idiots would realize that taking down an Elder and her personal attendants wouldn’t be this easy. I would house-break these dogs in thirty seconds, Hermione.”

“Well, we haven’t actually left Lucian the sharpest knives in the drawer, just the best fighters, Amelia.”

“We may regret that later.”

“Okay, here we go. I’m killing the lights.”

Erika killed the main breaker and then immediately moved to Selene’s room to free her. She delivered her line as Luna told her to, though it hurt her to leave this final impression with Selene that she was throwing her away for Kraven, and then she left. Right outside of Selene’s room she faded to where Kraven was questioning Kahn.

She watched and reported Kahn’s team sucessfully distrated and Kahn moving off after allowing Kraven to change the pick-up plan for Amelia.

Daphne followed Selene and reported Singe’s team moving with her. They followed her to the safehouse where she had stashed Michael and immediately assaulted. Na Wen, who had been guarding the safehouse, had her hands full controlling this fight. And Daphne had a full-time job protecting Selene.

Ginny was the only one who saw Michael bundled off in the police car, as he should be, and she sat on its roof Indian-fashion with a sticking charm on and just faded.

Selene had Singe, though. And Kahn finally grew some balls again and sent a scout to find Amelia dead—well, the poor simacrula.

Ginny was hit in a very sensitive spot when Michael pounded on the roof as he changed and he lost further stature in her estimation.

“She even looks good dead.” Amelia clapped her hands like a schoolgirl.

“I don’t know, Amelia, that top’s got your poor nipples pulled down so hard. Oh well, come on, vain one. Let’s go kill someone.”

“Oh Hermione, you do know how to show a girl a good time.”

The bonded had to laugh, even Harry.

Daphne watched as Selene’s captive Singe told all the secrets and Kraven escaped. Events began accelerating again. The mates were very displeased with Viktor’s attempted manipulations of Selene.

Nym eyed the operations screens in the TOC. “Okay, everyone, we’re all starting to move, it looks like. Anticipate the movement to be to the Den as Luna and Li foresaw.”

“Yes, Nym.”

“Raze is on his way back to the den, Nym.”

“Thank you, Tracy”

“Selene and Kahn are here at the den, Nym.”

“Thank you, Daphne.”

The bonded followed, watched, and assisted as necessary to keep their listed vampires alive as the next hour’s events unfolded, including the huge fight in the den.

Susan watched and reported, as did Erika, as Kraven shot Lucian and left him for dead.

Tracey was cheering for Raze as he killed Kraven’s sychophants starting with Soren.

Harry watched sadly as Kahn was taken down, but his team killed the Lycan that killed him.

“Big fight here, Nym. There may not be many left. Not much we can do about it.”

“Okay, Katie. Drop transport stones on your principals, then let the rest kill each other.”

Suddenly there were no females left in the fight, of either species.

They all watched from multiple angles as Michael confronted Kraven and was shot. Kraven put his slant on the past as Lucian ended the immediate threat from Kraven and then advised Selene to turn Michael, and then Kraven killed Lucian.

“Michael is very fast, Harry.”

“But no skills, Ginny, all instinct.”

Harry was forced to use his compulsion on Viktor to limit his damage to Selene after she took out the Death Dealers. And Selene finally accepted the truth she had found behind her sire: that he had killed her family and his pregnant daughter. Harry knew Viktor had to die here once and for all, no matter what. He would use the complusion to lead Viktor to an error, if possible, but if not Harry would kill him himself.

Selene made her decision and Viktor made his last mistake, striking her. Harry watched and waited and then diverted Viktor for a split second, and in that second Selene ended it.

Harry watched over the pair as the mates went about their missions. He was nervous as everything went according to plan.

“Harry, this isn’t the hard part. We’ve seen this, remember. We have two more days and then we’re on virgin ground, so to speak.”

“I know, Luna, but still, something could have gone wrong. It always has before.”

Luna smiled. “And it may yet. Everyone pay attention.”

Harry nodded and followed Selene and Michael.

He watched them make it to the mine safehouse and then he called Daphne to him when it looked like Selene would leave Michael alone. Harry would stay with Selene.

“We’ve got movement in the Adriatic, Harry.”

“See, Luna? I told you.”

“It’s fine, Harry, it’s still in line with the vision. This is just the second phase. Amelia?”

“Yes Luna, Hermione and I have the Cleaners.”

Harry grunted his assent.

“Did you know the M on Marcus’s coffin is upside down? Does that make him Warcus?”

Amelia Fastida’s peal of laughter rang through the bond. “All these years and you’re the first one who’s noticed.”

“Amelia, did you do that?”

“Yes, I hate the little weasel. Bit me while I was sleeping, he did, and then tried to molest me. Spineless little worm. I should have killed them all years ago. All of these Corvini are nasty, loathsome creatures. No wonder they were always a plebian House.”

The bonded blinked; Amelia Fastida was pouring her loathing into the bond.

Erika gasped. “Morgana, I thought Viktor was ugly. Marcus really has those nasty wings. Eeeuuch.”

“Eeeewwww, he ate Kraven.”

“Need help, Erika?”

“Oh no, Nym. Marcus made short work of Kraven and Co. I’ll just stay faded and watch him. He’s the only thing left alive here anyway. Everyone will be glad to know Kraven died begging for his life. His name was upheld, the coward. I hope Selene forgives me.”

Ginny commented into the silence, “Well, glad that part’s over, we were running out of simacrula.”

“Marcus lit the Ördögház on fire.”

“Thank you, Erika, we’ll fix it and put it under the Fidelius. I’ll send Tuningfork’s Battalion.”

“Yes, Nym. We’re on the move in Pest following Singe’s route.”

“Why does she leave him alone, Daphne? He’s had no training.”

“Who knows, Harry?”

“Nym, we just landed on Alexander’s boat.”

“Thank you, Erika, and you, Hermione.”

“Amelia, wait!”

“What? That’s my favorite neckpiece. I want it back, Hermione.”

“Wait until Alexander leaves. Hey, he’s cute, for an old guy. We should introduce him to Augusta or Griselda.”

“Hermione?”

“Oh yeah, right. Forgot he’ll be dead tonight. Too bad really.”

“Him or Selene, Hermione, make up your mind.”

“Selene.”

“That was fast.”

“Have you not seen the ass on her, Amelia?”

“You must have the virus. You get more vampire-like every day, Hermione.”

“Ladies, while this has been very enlightening...if you don’t mind?”

“Oh. Sorry, Nym.”

Hermione and Amelia Fastida Occluded and continued their discussion of the merits of mates’ derrieres. Susan was the benchmark for Hermione and Pansy for Amelia.

“Michael left the mine. He’s headed for the village, Nym.”

“Thank you, Daphne.”

“Selene is on her way back to the mine. She saw the Ördögház burning. Go ahead and start Tuningfork on it, Nym.”

“Okay, Harry, and thank you.”

“Marcus is en route to the mine, Nym.”

“Thank you, Erika.”

“Luna and Li are still right on—the idiot ate normal food and the police identified him, Nym.”

“Thank you, Daphne.”

“Alexander’s on it, Nym. He’s sending a team. We’ll follow.”

“Okay, Hermione.”

“Michael is in trooouubblle. Selene just found him gone.”

Nym chuckled. “Thank you, Harry.”

The mates, through the bonded with a view, watched Selene, Michael, Marcus, the local police, and the Cleaners all come together in the hills north and east of Budapest just before dawn.

Michael managed to get himself fairly well shot up. Daphne stood watching as his life was not in danger yet.

“This jackass is going to get my Selene killed, Nym. It’s almost dawn.”

A vast silence reigned in the bond after the “my Selene” came from Harry.

Selene did very well against the police, but then again they didn’t have UV rounds and thought vampires were legends.

Harry and Daphne watched as Selene fed Michael. Daphne smiled evilly. “Soon I get to try that with you, Harry. Look at Selene, she’s transported.”

Harry picked up Daphne’s wrist and extended his canines slightly. He nipped her and sucked gently. Daphne knew immediately why Selene looked like that. So did the bonded.

“Harry!”

“Hehehe!”

“You’re terrible, Harry, poor Daphne!”

“’m fine, Nym.”

“That’s good, but I’m Sarah, Daphne. Ginny, go help Harry while Daphne recovers, please.”

“Sure, Sarah, but I’m next then.”

“Grrrrr, after William is dead, please.”

“Sure.”

Harry and the bonded settled into their roles as watchers again although it was not without effort. The chase and running fight between Michael and Marcus over Selene was fully on now after the confrontation in the woods near the mine.

Selene did very well and that raking Marcus off on the cliff wall was inspired. Michael was even some help when the sun came up. And at the factory he tried to help.

“What is she doing, Daphne?”

“How am I to know, Ginny? I haven’t seen her with him all along. Harry? Harry?”

When Daphne turned, Harry was gone. Ginny supplied, “Uh-oh!”

“Oh, very erudite, Ginevra!”

“True though, Daphne.”

“Well, yes, there is that.”

Harry had to leave the girls with it as the couple got closer during daylight. Harry Occluded them and wandered the woods near the warehouse in his Warg. Through the day he sniffed out and killed several vampires and Lycans who refused to yield to him. Harry was in no mood to tolerate any discussion.

Daphne and Ginny watched and knew that while Selene was happy with Michael she was not feeling as much passion as she was capable of. She still held the dream sire first in her heart. Michael came up short by comparison, but in her mind he was real and Harry was not.

While Harry wandered, the Cleaners, Amelia, and Hermione arrived at the mine at the same time as the police returned. The Cleaners went about their business as Alexander’s ship docked in Rovnji.

Hermione was impressed with their level of efficiency and was already making plans for the survivors. Unfortunately the destruction of Viktor’s Coven’s safehouse did not kill Marcus.

That evening when Selene awoke and immediately clasped the blanket to herself Daphne thought, “Did you see that, Ginny? That was guilt. She really doesn’t want to be with Michael.”

“Funny time to decide that, after you’ve slept with him I mean.”

“It happens. I wonder what she’ll do now?”

“Well, since we’re supposed to be following them I suspect we’ll find out. Well, she’s put him off with that memory thing. Look, she’s left the underwear off this time.”

“Finally! That had to be chafing.”

“Oh, that three hundred year comment has slowed him down too.”

“Ladies?”

“Evening, Na Wen.”

“All right, I will be your Battle Captain this evening. Nym is out with Harry. Please stay with Michael and Selene. If you need relief, just call. Same plan as yesterday. Follow but don’t interfere unless it’s life or death for Michael and Selene and outside the visions as we know them.

“Other operations are continuing in your area, so help is not far away.”

“We’re fine, Na Wen. We traded off napping during the day and we ate so we should be okay.”

“All right then, we’ll leave you to it.”

Miles away Harry sat on his haunches with Alastor Moody looking up at him. Nym sat beside him.

“In there, Harry—at least three werewolves as guards, probably four; two female vampires with him. Right little hedonist nest he has here. That Lucian fella supplied him in trade for information. Warders not been checking the prison or prisoners.”

Harry nodded once. Alastor grunted. “I’ll be around until you’re done here. Then I’m going to nip off to Rovinj and see what trouble I can get into.”

He got another nod.

“The females, Harry?”

“If they’re alive after, we’ll transport them, Nym. They can sit in cells for a while till I get to them.”

“Tanis?”

“Dies.”

Nym nodded and she and Harry went to ground as both their ears and their sense of their mates told them Selene and Michael, along with Daphne and Ginny, were approaching.

“He doesn’t fight well, Harry.”

“Too dependent on his strength, Nym. He’s cocky. It will cost him.”

“Selene has grit and skill, though, knife to the brain and a good throw. She moves fast too. Well, that’s two for the cells. Marcia, make a note to check these thoroughly. I don’t like where they’ve been.”

“She’s moving too fast, taking too much on because of Michael. If we weren’t here they both would have already been dead. That little dark-haired one is cute, nice shoes too.”

“Later, lover boy.”

Daphne smirked at Ginny and mouthed, “See? Harry will end up with Selene.” Ginny shrugged, puzzled as to how she made that mental leap, and nodded toward the alcove with her head. While Daphne kept watching, Ginny made a detailed study of the UV ammunition equipment for Marietta.

“We have to kill Marcus soon, Harry. He’s out here eating horses.”

The bond paused for a moment, feeling deeply offended. Luna cut off Harry’s rage. “Tonight or tomorrow if Selene hasn’t killed him first, Erika. Remember the plan.”

They all felt Harry’s assent.

“See? Her butt looks better with the thong thing, Daphne.”

“Maybe, but I don’t blame her for leaving it off. I mean, this is the second day for that rubber suit, Ginny. It’s got to be getting scratchy in there.”

“We could hit her with a Scourgify.”

“Damn, we should have thoughtof that earlier. Wait till she’s done with Tanis.”

They all listened some more. Harry was curious. “Amelia, does anyone truly know the history of your people?”

“I told it to you, Harry. You’ve seen it in my mind. I’ve seen the true early days in Marcus’s mind. Tanis knows what was written before he was turned and his own memories.”

“Erm, sorry, I meant the dates.”

“What is time to an immortal, Harry? I’ve given it to you as I remember it. Hermione has researched it and put the dates on it. She’s close to correct, as far as I can tell.”

“What about this sire-dying-takes-the-bloodline thing?”

“Marcus’s ploy to keep Viktor in check. I didn’t say anything as it helped me to have them so concerned with each other.”

“Oh Harry, look, the girls are still alive. Barely, but Marcia will be able to fix them. Well, her and Lilith. That blond has nice breasts.”

“I still like the dark-haired one, Nym I like that nail polish color on her, too.”

“Shoes? Nail polish? Harry, do you actually pay attention to all that? No matter. We’ll have them both. Shhh, here comes Marcus, I think.”

Daphne and Ginny, who had followed Selene and Michael away, grinned. Harry hadn’t even objected. It was going to be a good new year with all these new vampiresses to get bred.

“Greedy little scrawny boy, he is.”

“Marcus reminds me of Malfoy somehow, Nym.”

“Lucius or Draco, Harry?”

“The worst of both, I think.”

“I will defer to your wisdom, Narcissa.”

“Come on, Harry, he’s off. Na Wen....”

“Bellatrix is right behind you, Nym. She’ll see to the girls.”

“Strip the place too, Na Wen. Then burn it. Better yet send in a company of Goblin engineers and we will take it over.”

“Yes, Harry.”

Daphne watched Selene critically as they arrived at Pier Seventeen in Rovinj. Selene had her panties in a twist and was going back into Death Dealer mode again.

Ginny looked at Daphne and shrugged. They followed them onto Alexander’s ship.

The calm only lasted moments and then Marcus was there. The four mates on scene watched the heartrending loss Selene was suffering or thought she was suffering, ignoring the fight onboard the ship. Its outcome was certain, and this was more important. Selene was more important.

Her grief tore at Harry and the mates.

Afterward, a hurt Harry was forced to use his compulsion to get Selene to go with the Cleaner Leader. And now as his mates watched Selene talk to Alexander he bit his own wrist and gave Michael a little of his Basilisk-poisoned, Phoenix-tear-containing, supercharged blood. He knew he was sealing Michael’s fate; Michael, knowing the truth from Harry’s blood, would challenge him for Selene—well, if he didn’t mature very rapidly he would. There could only be one outcome to that, but if he didn’t do this Selene would never see Michael alive again.

The flight as Dragons beside the helicopter was easy and Erika was able to keep them informed of where Marcus was.

Amelia and Hermione joined them after Alexander gutted the boat—not before rifling his files, as he was occupied and gutting all but his personal office. The explosion washed over them and Lilith moaned as the engery was converted and fed to her.

Grindaknivur kept her troops concealed on the prison island near Temne Smerciny Slovakia as her mates approached. Her job was done. Once in the castle ruins, Marcus and William would never leave.

She watched as first Marcus and Erika arrived followed by Harry, Nym, Susan, Ginny, Hermione, and Amelia following Selene in the helicopter.

Harry and Amelia’s compulsion was completely unmasked and the other mates’ were all the way on. The only thing saving the mortals, Lycan, and vampires on the island was them holding themselves just out of phase.

They watched the battle unfold. The mates wondered why Selene never headshot Marcus. The exploding shirikins were as much a surprise to the bonded as they were to Selene and the stones got a workout deflecting falling rock. That the Cleaners turned from being clawed was another nasty little surprise. Selene did well against them, though Harry was both glad and saddened when Michael awoke. In all probability he knew the truth about Harry and Selene through Harry’s blood now. The helicopter fell as foreseen.

Fairly quickly after Michael’s entry the battle turned, well after William focused Michael’s attention. Selene’s never-quit attitude, the crashed helicopter, and Michael’s strength won the day and Selene and Michael found themselves the winners.

The mates watched in glee as the sun hit Selene and she did not burn. Harry watched sadly as her eyes filled and the memories returned and she got what she thought she wanted there in that ruined castle on the morning of the eleventh of October 2003.

Lilith brought the Magical Forces on the realm to attention and released them on their track, capture/destroy missions.

The Guards Magical Regiment transported to their start points and their commanders joined them.

A fortnight in the field and hundreds of engagements and casualties ensued as the Magical forces tightened the noose as they had practised. Lilith had turned over command to Nym almost immediately and she treated the casualties the medical mates could not save. Of course in the end there was no option but to turn some, and Amelia Fastida or Lauren received those calls.

Already hybrids or attempts at hybridization were occuring as the forces of the realm closed with the isolated groups of Lycans and the vampires remaining in the region or coming in from outside.

Daphne and Ginny stayed on Selene and Michael as they visited first one safehouse and then the remainder with Selene becoming more and more irritated at Michael every day. She wanted to get to other vampires and form a coven for protection. He wanted to have sex. Selene was not having it, and Michael was becoming very demanding trying to prove his Alpha status.

They were, as Luna had said, in virgin territory now and the training was the only thing keeping them ahead of the enemy. That and the fact that Harry and the bodyguard mates would fall on enemies who had units hard pressed in their Dragons and Harry was merciless.

Bellatrix, Allison, and the Patils developed a technique as Harry invariably would fall on the largest male present. They and the mates dropped transport stones Marietta had keyed to females and then they herded the remaining vampires or Lycans to Harry. It was a very effective technique. Along with the fading onto the mate in trouble, it saved the Magical Forces any KIA—barely, but it had worked so far.

Nym, Sarah, Lilith, and Na Wen were trading eight-hour shifts and the magical world watched in horror as Harry established total dominion over half to two-thirds of the globe. The fights ranged from the Cape of Good Hope to above the Arctic Circle as units hunted down clans or packs and forced them into fight or surrender positions.

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Italy
Rome (the catacombs)
Wednesday
24 October 2003
13:12

Selene turned down the tunnel and headed for her room. Michael was acting just like Kraven had. Now that she—she, not he—had put together a decent group of seasoned vampires displaced in the war that was raging as this Duke of Magic forced the capitulation of both races, he had decided to be its King and that she would be the Queen. What gave him the right?

And why did these idiots follow him? Corvinus blood? What did that mean? These two new girls were a comfort, though. Massively powerful, and massively powerful witches too. Selene snorted. Michael’s pride was still smarting from being Petrified when he grabbed the fiery redheaded Ginny’s ass.

She sobered; of course that stinging little whispered lecture from Ginny about controlling Michael hadn’t exactly been welcome. How was she to control him? She was more experienced but he was massively strong and could recover from almost anything, it seemed. She was not a witch and could not freeze him. Lately, too, he had been dropping snide comments about her only liking vampire, and then only in the daylight.

He said he had seen her and the sire together. Selene tried to tell him it was all a dream that he had seen because of the blood memory, but Michael insisted the sire was out there. He was obsessed with it and convinced that the sire was his only competition for Selene.

Where had that come from? She had slept with him once! Since then no place had been secure enough, with these units of troops moving about demanding the submission of vampires and Lycans to their master. Well, not secure enough for Selene; Michael would apparently like her to bend over in St. Peter’s Square so he could roger her good and proper and bay his accomplishment to the world. Hybridization had taken away her pretty mortal and left a pretty megalomaniac in his place. It seemed her Michael had in fact died on that rotten dock in Rovinj. And now, just now to accuse me of being a lesbian because he saw me with Erika and Amelia through the blood memories? How dare he!

“Trouble, Selene?”

“Michael, Daphne! He just called me a lesbian.”

“And?”

“And he knows differently!”

Daphne cocked an eyebrow. “What’s the real problem, Selene?”

Selene sat on the bed and looked at Daphne, who was seated in the only chair in the room. “This isn’t the Michael I loved. Hybridization has changed him.”

“So move on then, Selene.”

“Is it so simple for you, Daphne? Have you never lost anyone?”

Daphne remembered seven brave souls and thousands in peril this very instant. “Yes, Selene, as we all have. Remember the good times, grieve your loss, and move on.”

“And if there is no one for me?”

“A statistical impossibility, Selene. We are, after all, immortal.”

Selene made a moue. “I wish I could find Erika.”

Daphne grinned and pulled Erika’s note from her pocket. “This came for you by owl.”

“That is so strange! Why use owls? Haven’t you people heard of the Internet?”

“Open it, Selene—and we’ve told you electricity and magic don’t mix well. We have a type of Internet and I understand they’re working on connecting it to the Mundane one but, well, with the current problems....”

Selene opened the folded parchment.

Selene,

I hope this finds you first and that it finds you well. I am safe. I have accepted the Duke of Magic as my master.

Please forgive me for the things I did to you in those last days. I was forced to hurt you and I’m sorry. I cannot tell you why I did what I did, only that it hurt me to hurt you.

There are witches and wizards in the world, Selene. The legends are true. Not the horrible old frightful stories, well at least not yet. This Duke of Magic has been kind to me and to several hundred of our people as well as hundreds of werewolves, Lycans as we know them. I am sure he would treat you and however many vampires that are with you well also.

The owl that delivered this is like many others. They are known as post owls. You can send me a letter to let me know you forgive me and are all right with one of them. Look for owls carrying what appears to be paper and think of your need. Write my name on the letter and think of me as you hand it to the owl. It will find me.

Love,
Erika

“Are you all right, Selene?” Daphne asked as the tears tracked down Selene’s cheeks.

Selene looked up, still crying but smiling. “It’s from one of my oldest friends, Erika. I thought she had been killed.”

“Well, good news then.”

Selene nodded and handed Daphne the note. Daphne read it and smiled, just as they had planned. “Well?”

“Well what, Daphne?”

“Write her, Selene!”

“Didn’t you read it? She thinks I’m a vampire still!”

Daphne rolled her eyes. Selene was so complicated. She hadn’t had to deal with this since the Slytherin dorms. “And you are—well, at least part of you is. Give that part the pen.”

Selene hesitated and Daphne conjured parchment and a pen. “Here, hurry up and then give it to me and I’ll catch an owl for you.”

Daphne rose and left Selene to her writing. Ginny was waiting in their room next door to Selene. She installed silencing and locking wards as soon as Daphne closed the door.

“And?”

“She was happy, Ginny.”

“Whew, that’s a relief. Think it will get her?”

“Eventually. What about Michael?”

“No hope, I’m afraid. Somehow he’s gotten the idea that as the oldest hybrid he’s the most powerful. These new ones of Selene’s believe it too. He plans to build a super coven to fight us with. They’ll turn on her eventually.”

“More like soon. He called her a lesbian just now, Ginny.”

“Why, that rotten bastard! I’ll turn him into a statue.”

“Again, you mean. What are we going to do, Ginny?”

“I don’t know, Daphne. I’m just the muscle, you’re the planner.”

“I want this over, Ginny. Every day we fight we run the risk of someone getting killed, and I miss the children.”

“Some Ice Queen you turned out to be.”

Ginny ducked the thrown conjured pillow and laughed. “You take tonight at the castle, then. I’ll be fine here; the schedule has Estelle Desanges Potter here for tonight and I want to talk to her anyway. Why does Hermione write the full names?”

Daphne beamed at her. “Thank you, Ginny! And so we don’t get fourteen Estelles here at once.”

Ginny blushed a little. “Oh, sorry. I forgot.”

“That’s why you’re the muscle.”

Ginny looked at her smirking mate and growled. “Oh no, Ginevra Molly Potter, you keep those little fingers and that tongue over there. I want to see the children at the castle, not sleep. You can’t be wearing me out again. Ginny! No, Ginnnnyyyyyyyy!”

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Kosovo
Hill 993 (overlooking Gnijlane)
Wednesday
24 October 2003
15:47

SFC Roper climbed out of the HMMV and walked to the OP. “Krichek, Johnston!”

Corporal Neil Krichek answered. “Yes, Sergeant?”

“Chow!”

The private and the corporal came from the bunker. “All right, you guys, it’s an overnight so fifty percent and hourly commo checks. Lock the doors on the bunker too. Weird shit happens up here at night lately. Animals in the area or something. Don’t be out here crapping in some badger hole getting your nutsack ripped off.”

Corporal Krichek grinned; he’d heard this war story before. Some troop in a maneuver area had gone to take a dump and he’d done it down a badger hole. Apparently badgers didn’t like being crapped on, so the badger tried to rip the troop’s balls off. Supposedly the guy had lived but he had to get some ungodly number of stitches. It was a funny story when the old crusty SFCs told it. Point was, don’t fuck with the wildlife. Krichek got it.

“Okay, put those mermites inside. One’s got lunch and dinner—it’s marked. The other is pork products for breakfast. No eggs, you know the deal, they won’t keep anyway. Here’s a case of MREs in case.”

“In case of what, Sergeant?”

“In case you get snowed in, Johnston! Just in case. Geez, privates today. I don’t know. In my da—”

The rest was lost in the roaring diesel as SFC Roper flung the HMMV down the hill to get to his platoon’s last OP on the edge of town.

“Great, Johnston, now he thinks you’re stupid. Get the fuck in the bunker.”

Fred watched this whole exchange, smiling under his Disillusionment charm. Armies were apparently the same all over; he had heard that same badger war story. It never occurred to him that with U.S., British, Russian, and allied senior sergeants doing their training the magical forces of the realm had become a kind of giant military melting pot. Okay, back to work. That “animals” comment from that platoon Sergeant was another indicator that Lycans were near.

Hestia was receiving intel summaries from U.S. units Mundane and magical. With the U.S. deployed in 129 countries worldwide and over all the navigable waterways these reports were comprehensive, and if you knew what to look for they pointed right to the Lycans’ centers of mass.

Neville’s Company was closing on one of those centers of mass carefully. His sister company commanders Emma Dobbs Potter, Victoria Frobisher Potter, and Blair McNeil Potter were reporting to his liaison, Amy Ullman Potter, that they were linked up and now it was time to close the circle. The Battalion Commander, Jessica Brewster Potter, gave the order and Neville prodded his platoon leaders into motion.

Fred heard Hannah Crims Potter, his platoon leader, over the net and began his movement. To his right George did the same.

It was obviously going to be a long, hard night as they were headed further into the taller mountains and the terrain was tough.

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Poland
Katyn Forrest
Wednesday
24 October 2003
17:38

Harry stooped on the large Lycan hybrid just as it clawed Nanna Grønnevik Potter across the shoulders, or tried to. The stone held its claws back and the green diamond lashed out at the Lycan hybrid. It could have saved the effort as Harry’s strike drove the hybrid into the ground and Harry then burned the earth where the hybrid had been pushed down underground. The shattering triumphal roar of the magnificent black Dragon froze friend and foe alike for a moment, and that was all Bellatrix and Allison needed. They led the mates in scattering their stones and then looped and stooped on lesser males.

It was all over in a wash of flame. Hannah appeared with Anna and they changed to their humans as they flared for landings. Soon the wounded were Petrified, put in stasis, and transported to the Magical Corps Hospital.

Harry changed to his human. “Nanna, you all right?”

“Yes, Harry, and we would have had them in another moment or two.”

Harry grinned. “We were just hanging around, Nanna. You have the only game in town right now.”

“And you just took all the fun out of it.”

“Don’t be like that, Nanna. There are more out there.”

Nanna nodded. “Yes there are. Good thing for you, Harry, or I’d have to be cross. Come here and kiss me to pay for stealing our fun.”

Nanna’s troops whistled and catcalled as she got a marvelous snog.

Hermione faded in and looked around. “Harry, try not to burn them quite so badly. Marcia will have to get her section to do genetic analysis on these to tell us who they were. Harry?”

Bellatrix smiled at her. “He’s a little busy, Hermione.”

Hermione looked up. “Someone should get a room.” She threw an obscuring charm over Harry and Nanna. The troops booed and hissed.

Hermione’s AK-eyed glare sent them scurrying to finish their actions on objective task.

Allison was looking thoughtful. “These were hard to find but very few were hard to beat.”

Hestia appeared. “Yes, it’s becoming a pattern. It looks like we missed a hybrid or two and they’re creating more as fast as they can find werewolves and vampires. Then they build packs or covens, and some of those they turn then leave and start their own packs or covens. Luna says anyone Michael draws blood on turns hybrid; he is apparently some kind of super carrier.”

Allison nodded. “Typhoid Mary. Thank Morgana the virus isn’t airborne.”

Hermione shuddered; that would be a complete disaster. As it was, this exchange of fluids transmission method was way too fast, but it appeared to only work on existing vampires and lycanthropes. Hey, wait a minute .“Shouldn’t we be running out of these, then?”

Tracey faded in. “The vampires and Lycans from the rest of the world are coming in, getting infected by the virus, and going home. When they get home they try to take over their covens or packs. Most of these will no doubt be from the Caliphates, Americas, and Oceana. They then apparently come back here to claim territory. It appears our covens and packs here in the realm are turning mortals and then turning them hybrid after a few days when they’ve recovered from the first turning, if they do. Luna and Li support this analysis.”

Hermione was in planning mode. “Well, all of them won’t come, and of those that do, not all will be successful against their Elders or Alphas. We should start seeing a decline in numbers ,but unfortunately everyone that escapes will be smarter and harder to beat later. We’re honing our enemy.”

Hestia nodded grimly. “Exactly, but there’s no way to not do it. We’re hunting them down as fast as possible, but it’s a war of attrition now. We’re committed.”

All the bonded’s heads snapped up at the same time. Jessica’s Battalion of the Guards Regiment was in trouble. The small nest they thought they were on turned out to be a mixed coven pack led by former Death Dealers of Selene’s that had avoided capture. They were in an ambush.

Harry exploded out of the obscuration dome and Bella, Allison, and the Duke’s Guard followed. They went supersonic immediately. Tracey, Hestia, and Hermione followed. Nanna barked orders ,getting her battalion finished and ready to follow. Hannah and Anna finished up and leapt into the air behind Harry and Co. The noise was deafening.

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Kosovo
Defile behind hill 993
Wednesday
24 October 2003
17:47

Fred stood over Tracey Wheelwright with the remainder of his squad. Suddenly her stone activated and the emergency Portkey snatched her away. Fred, no longer able to feel her, went berserk. It was not like he lacked targets for his rage. His and George’s squads had tripped the ambush and while the Battalion maneuvered to break it, Neville’s Company took the brunt. Neville was down and suddenly he was whisked away too.

Suddenly the earth shook and the enormous black Dragon they knew and loved blasted from the side of the mountain above them and slammed into and through the other wall of the defile. Fire lifted from the ambushed company and concentrated on the raging natural disaster that had fallen on the ambushers.

Amy took the opportunity and activated the emergency recall stones of the company.

Bellatrix and Allison circled, watching for an opportunity as Harry ran amok. It came soon enough and they led the bodyguard down on the stone strafing run.

Even with the females gone it was a huge and determined clan/pack and it would not yield—unfortunately for them, as this caused Na Wen, who was in command, to pour more and more forces into the fight.

Corporal Krichek heard and felt the fight and his combat experience told him it was a big one. He reached for his telephone just as the ground under the bunker collapsed and the bunker, Corporal, private and all fell into a giant gaping hole in the hill. The bunker landed on the door with the viewing slit facing up. Lying on his back, Krichek watched Godzilla versus the vampires and werewolves play out over his head. Godzilla won, of course. Krichek looked at Johnston after the noise died out. “And there’s your ‘in case’, Johnston! You jinxed us, you sleprock.”

“You can’t blame that on me, Corporal, I don’t even like Godzilla.”

“I knew there was something wrong with you, Johnston! How can you not like Godzilla?”

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Potter Castle
Friday
31 October 2003
12:00

Elizabeth sat in the current Operations Room watching Harry watch the screens and concentrate on the bond. The world map had very few blue dots near concentrations of red dots. Elizabeth sighed. Harry had hardly spoken since the twenty-fourth. He had ordered the withdrawal of magical forces and the scouts out to watch concentrations of hybrids and then withdrawn into the bond where he first raged and then began planning. Amelia Fastida had had to bite half of Neville’s company and Lauren had to bite Neville. Romilda, Alicia, Angelina, Molly and the rest of the Weasleys and Longbottoms were shattered and Harry was in a rage.