Into the Arms of the Night

Chapter 9: Home-Front Preparations

In two short weeks since the two had returned to Britain at the first day of December, Tom had allowed himself and Harry to settle the bond as needed. They had legalized it when it had been most needed and opportune; the goblin shaman more than happy to be a part of the history that was coming.

They had also sorted out Harry's massive fortune and humongous estate.

A fortune that Tom quietly smirked to him and had whispered of out-doing even the Malfoy's; which, prior to now, he hadn't thought was possible. His resources and material assets were far more numerous and large than most would have ever suspected.

Mostly, that was due to the Potter and Peverell families having been quite careful with them due to the bloody history it had; they hadn't wanted their lineage to be bereft of means to care for itself if necessary.

While Harry and Tom hadn't dared to take any form of formal honeymoon or personal vacation due to the Order and Albus already seemingly being on the move; they had isolated themselves away in the Manor for the next week after. Most of the followers who had seen them together and go into the same room had been curious of what was going on. Harry had changed from what they knew, but they dared not to ask or to hesitantly inquire.

It had also piqued their curiosity when no one exited the room soon and no noises could be heard from within after some time. That meant whatever was going on with their master and Potter had been private and secret. They had erected wards to keep all of them unaware and out of their business as much as away from the door in general.

As the long week continued and neither had re-emerged; Tom's followers had become agitated, with only Lucius seeming as if he were not bothered by the turn of events. His smirks and glazed gaze as he eyed their door at times indicated that the blonde lord had some idea of what was likely happening.

He wasn't answering questions, however, and most knew not to play around with the Malfoy patriarch when matters with their lord was this serious. Though some, like Bella, had tried to use her connection as family to get answers. It had not worked out well...

Then when both of them had felt the magic finally meld them fully to the other as bonded, both powerful wizards emerged again. The Death Eaters had to try really hard not make any sort of reaction; the power they gave off had made them all want to go to their knees and to submit to them.

Harry was shortly thereafter brought before the Inner Circle to take his place beside Tom as his partner.

The audience hall had been decked out in an elaborate feast for the event of Harry's placement. The full Inner and Outer circle was there, among countless other allies and supporters of the Dark tide. The whole acceptance of Harry being equal however, was a bit hard for them all to swallow.

Most of them had not said much about the events that had landed before them as they were; they didn't dare with their master so close at hand and knowing that the man was always watching, always listening.

It was clear to them that he had chosen Harry; the affection between them was visible to all. Neither of them shied away from showing their bond to them; in fact, some would have believed they purposely were doing it and that they both seemed to enjoy the slight facial expressions or little responses they got for them. For some of the motions and touches that passed; they were hardly modest or innocent. It had taken great control for most not to stare or to react.

Most thought the actions done were to deter the others that disagreed.

Those few who were alive from the time of his first rise to power and were not locked away in Azkaban Prison; those who had been there from the very start...they saw how much their friend and their lord cared. Most of them knew internally that their lord did not see his Circle as friends; merely as his followers, instruments for change in his vision of the world.