Thanks For the Memories

Staring out over the sun rising over the rubble that was once his home, Harry felt a strange sense of tranquility for the first time in his life.

3 months later
A handsome young man walked into the cozy establishment outside Wiltshire and scanned the back booths. He was waved over by a small but attractive girl sitting with an average looking larger bloke. To any outside observer, these were just three friends on a normal outing. Who would guess they just sacrificed so much of themselves to have saved the entire world.
They’d all changed their appearances for privacy of course. Harry’s formerly dark hair was sandy blonde, and his scar was gone. But if anyone who knew them looked closely at the three, it would be obvious.
Harry leaned down and hugged Hermione and hit arms with Ron before sliding into the booth.
“Blimey ‘Mione, could’ve found an easier place.”
She gave a small smile, “thought it best to go unseen.”
Harry smiled back at her. “How’d it go in Australia?”
“As good as it could have, I guess. Their minds are still a bit scattered. And they were rightfully upset with me. But overall, it was successful.”
“That’s great, Hermione. I’m happy for you.”
Hermione and Ron exchanged an uneasy look.
“Oh, come off it guys. I know you’re together, and I think it’s brilliant. No need to hide anything because I’m alone.”
Harry gave an apologetic smile to Ron.
“Sorry it didn’t work out with me and Gin.”
“No worries, mate. You’re more like our brother anyways. Everyone understands but Mum.”
Hermione smiled cautiously, “Harry, we’ve gotten closer over the Holidays, and we wanted you to be the first to know. Ron’s proposed.”
Harry beamed, “that’s aces!” He clapped Ron on the back. “I was hoping you’d do it soon. Cheers, guys. Next rounds on me.” Harry got up to go over to the bar.
Harry leaned on the bar on his elbow waiting for the bartender and looking at Ron and Hermione cuddled together in the booth smiling. He was happy for his friends of course, but there was a pang of longing in his chest. After he and Ginny had decided they were better as friends, he had just kept to himself for the summer trying to heal from the previous year.
“I’d offer my congratulations, but I doubt they would be well received.”
Harry knew that aristocratic drawl. He turned to see Draco Malfoy facing the back wall nursing a firewhiskey. He looked tired but still handsome and posh as ever.
“Draco? What are you doing here? And how did you recognize me?”
“Malfoy Manor’s in Wiltshire in case you’d forgotten. And I’d recognize you anywhere Potter.” He said not unkindly.
“Oh. Right.”
“Mother and I don’t much like spending time there after everything. Speaking of which, I suppose I owe you a debt of gratitude for the trials.”
“Oh, uh… Don’t mention it. It was the right thing to do. Oh! That reminds me, here’s this back.” Harry pulled out Draco’s wand and handed it to him.
“Meant to give you this back at the trial but slipped my mind.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course. Well, I’d better get back to the lovebugs. See you ‘round?”
“Take care, Potter.”
“You too.”
Harry picked up the three butterbeers he had ordered and went back to their booth. Hermione smiled at him.
“Saw you talking to Draco, Harry. I’m proud of you.”
“The war’s over. Think it’s time for everyone to move on. I know I am.”
Ron looked a bit uneasy. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be friends with the ferret, but I can try to be civil in the interests of moving forward.”
Hermione gave a surprised look and patted his arm, “thank you.”
Ron laughed. “I can occasionally be mature.”
They all talked and laughed for a while over a few rounds. They spoke of the future as they preferred not to dredge up the past. That included the upcoming school year. The ‘eighth years’ as they had been referred to had all been offered a choice. They could return to finish what was supposed to be their seventh year or each of them could take their NEWTs regardless of prior academic achievements. And of course, Harry could probably get any occupation he wanted. But after much discussion with the ever-brilliant Hermione, they had decided the post-war tensions and risks of publicity incidents meant they would be better off at Hogwarts for another year.
Ron had just finished laughing at Harry’s comment of Victor Krum having the opposite brain power as Hermione. He leaned back and yawned to deflect tension as Hermione glared. “Well mate, we’d better get back to Mum. She’s fussing over us more than usual. See you in a couple weeks on the train?”
“Yeah. See you.”
Hermione leaned over to embrace Harry. “If you need anything before then just ask Harry and we’ll be there.”
“I know, thanks guys.”
Harry watched them leave out the door. He then looked to see Malfoy was still at the bar. He got up and went over to him.
“Hey uh… I’m not really in the mood to go home either. Care to join me?”
Malfoy looked up surprised. “Sure.”
They sat in the same booth in awkward silence for a while.
“So, this may be a stupid question, but how are you?”
Malfoy looked at him for a while. Harry fully expected a string of insults to come spewing out. Instead, he lowered his gaze to his glass and shrugged.
“Okay I guess, all things considered. Wish I could sleep better though.”
“Nightmares?”
He looked up and nodded. “If you can call them that.”
Harry nodded back. “I get them too.”
They again sat in silence for a minute. Then Harry laughed.
“Hey, it could be worse. We could be missing a nose.”
Draco looked up and couldn’t help but squint and smile at him. They both busted out a chuckle.
They took turns buying rounds and talked for hours. It would seem in the past year Malfoy really had changed. Suddenly, he looked at his watch in alarm.
“Mother should be home soon, and I don’t want her to be alone. House isn’t far, would you like to walk with me? I’d understand if you said no after… everything.”
Harry shifted uneasily. “No, it’s okay. It’ll be nice to say ‘Hi’ to your Mom.”
Malfoy looked pleasantly surprised.
As they walked up the road, the blonde boy seemed more in his element. He pointed to different areas of the grounds, giving explanations, and recalling fond memories. His face turned wistful.
“It’s okay to have good memories about this place, Draco.”
He smiled at Harry. They had reached the front door, so Draco waved his arm and the large white doors swung open. A house elf quietly greeted them.
“Hello, Mimsy. Is Mother home?”
“Yes, sir. She is waiting for you in sitting room, sir.”
She took Draco’s coat.
“Thank you.”
Harry started. Draco Malfoy respecting and thanking a house elf? That one caught him off guard again. How times can change. They walked around a hallway to a room with windows overlooking a field. Thankfully, the house looked much different than the last time Harry was here. Narcissa Malfoy was sitting in an ornate chair sipping tea and looking out one of the large windows. She turned to Draco.
“Draco, darling. Why didn’t you tell me we were having company? Hello again, Mr. Potter.”
“Hi, Mrs. Malfoy. How are you?”
“Oh, I’m fine dear, thank you. I’m so happy to see you and Draco together. Perhaps we can all move forward after all.”
“I’d like to.”
“Wonderful. I’m afraid I’ve already sent the kitchen staff to bed so I can’t offer you supper, but I can get you some tea?”
“That’s alright. I must get going, but just wanted to say hello.”
“Oh, how sweet. Well, you may return any time. Draco can walk you out,” she said with a smile.
“Thanks.”
Harry and Draco walked back to the front door. Draco seemed to hesitate.
“Thank you for this evening, Potter. Perhaps we could do it again before returning to school?”
“Oh, so you are coming back? That’s great. How about same time next week?”
“Sure, see you then.”

And so, without realizing it became a routine. Every week preceding their meetings, Harry found himself thinking of Draco. He had never expected to be civil, let alone friends. But here they were spending time together. And Harry had enjoyed every minute of it. It was understandable how it was easy to be around each other as they had similar wounds, literal and metaphorical.
He kept thinking about Draco’s smile and laugh. And how he had really grown into his looks, the childish pointy features had turned into the mature and striking face of a very attractive man. Why was he thinking this way? He guessed he hadn’t much time to explore romance with what he had been through. But he wouldn’t let himself dwell on it for too long. He had just been through the trauma of a war and so much loss. Feeling strange and confused was normal, wasn’t it?
Harry and Draco met at the same pub again, week after week. They became much more at ease and found they quite enjoyed each other’s company. Draco was more open and actually admitted he and his mother were glad Lucius was in Azkaban. They still visited him when they were allowed, but him being gone allowed them to move on more easily. Draco also admitted to being afraid of his Father in a way. The things he could do or the power that he had. ‘Once had’ Harry had thought.
This particular evening, they left early to walk around the Manor grounds. Harry couldn’t remember feeling this peaceful since the day the war ended.
“And thank Merlin all the ivory peacocks are gone. Bloody nuisance birds.”
Harry laughed. “Are you nervous about going back?”
Draco shrugged. “Can’t be any worse than walking down the streets here.”
“I’m sorry.” Harry reached out and rubbed Draco’s arm. Draco looked up to the setting sun.
“Hey, come with me I want to show you something.” Without waiting for an answer, he grabbed Harry’s hand and pulled him.
They had to go through some thick woods. Branches hit Harry’s face as he tried to navigate through behind Draco.
“Draco, where the bloody hell—”
They came into a clearing. It was a small cliff face overlooking hills and the sunset. Harry stepped up beside Draco.
“I know what you think of my father. But he was a decent father to me when I was young. Although he was still Lucius. As I got older, he changed. He tried to get me to do unsavory things, and part of me was scared to say no. So, when I needed refuge, I came here. I also used it last summer when—"
Harry automatically reached down and grabbed his hand. They stood there and looked at the beautiful colors of the horizon as the dwindling light cast shadows on the land. Draco looked down at their hands then back up at Harry. Without realizing it, their faces were getting closer. Then their lips crashed in an explosion of passion. Each could feel tingling all over as the kiss deepened and clothes started coming off. The boys locked in a passionate embrace that seemed to last hours. Heads were spinning as pure extasy overcame them.

They were embracing each other, laying under a makeshift blanket of their discarded clothes, and staring up at the stars.
“Harry?”
“Yeah?”
“This doesn’t… I mean you don’t have to talk to me at school. I would understand.”
Harry snorted. “Dumbledore once said in difficult times we must choose between what is right and what is easy. I choose what is right.”
“I love you, Harry Potter.”
Harry moved over to look at Draco.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t hav—”
“No, it just caught me off guard. I love you too Draco.”
Draco looked surprised. Harry laughed, “well we both know I was obsessed with you sixth year. Perhaps that obsession went a little deeper. And now that we became close…”
Draco laughed and looked back up at the stars. “If our younger selves could see us now.”
Harry laughed in return. “That would be something.”
They laid together in peaceful bliss for a while until Harry rolled over. “I hate to do this, but I need to finish packing.”
Draco sighed. “Yeah, okay. Me too, I suppose. See you at school?”
“Of course.”

Harry was sitting across from his friends looking out the train car’s window.
“Harry, Earth to Harry?”
“Huh? Oh, sorry ‘Mione. I’m a bit out of it.”
Ron looked at him speculatively. “You look knackered, mate. You okay? Did Malfoy do something to you after we left the pub?”
“Well… things kinda happened between us. We’ve spent some time together, and well… we confessed feelings for one another.”
Hermione and Ron exchanged a smile.
“What?”
Hermione leaned forward to place her hand on his arm.
“Harry, we always wondered if there was more there than just animosity. You two were always… drawn to each other.”
“So, you’re not mad?”
They both looked at Ron.
“Hey, mate. Personally, I don’t see it, but you’re the one going with him not us. And… if he’s important to you I can try to be civil. But don’t expect the whole school to get on with him.”
“Thanks Ron.”
Hermione patted Ron’s knee in approval.
“Yeah so, I don’t think he would do anything, but I have felt rubbish. My stomach’s been doing flips for days. Hermione, do you think I have any lasting effects?”
She gave a sympathetic smile. “I’m not sure how to answer that, Harry. Yours is a case that’s never been presented before. But I can look into it when we get settled.”
He smiled at her.
“You’re the best.”
Ron and Hermione exchanged another uneasy look. Hermione leaned forward to speak in a low, serious voice.
“Harry. There’s something else.”
Ron leaned forward to match her.
“Dad pulled us aside last night and asked us to tell you something.”
He looked to Hermione to continue, “Arthur said the ministry agents and aurors have captured most of the death eaters. However… there is a small faction of them that have proven difficult to capture. They seem to be regrouping.”
Harry just stared at them and set his jaw.
Ron grabbed his knee. “Mate, I doubt there’s anything to worry about. They’ll get ‘em. Dad just wanted you to know. Besides, we’ll be at Hogwarts soon. They’d be stupid to come there.”
Harry seemed to relax. “Yeah, okay. No more worrying until we have to, yeah?”
The two smiled and nodded at him.

Headmistress McGonagall was in the middle of a very sweet but long plea for forgiveness and peace in place of a welcome speech. The houses all still existed, but the students had all been placed together at the tables. Although every person seemed to sit with members of their own house except for Luna who was among her Gryffindor friends. Harry looked around to see Draco sitting with Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, and one other Slytherin girl he didn’t recognize. They were the only eighth years to return from Slytherin.
“…though it may be difficult, we should strive for unity and peace. I know we have lost much but let us remember what we have won. Thank you and welcome back.”
The hall applauded somewhat apprehensively. Harry, Ron, and Hermione shared a look. They were almost done with the meal. Harry was preparing a coffee just to try to stay awake until bedtime. Hermione noticed this.
“I’ve a free period tomorrow morning, Harry. I’ll see what I can find.”
“Thanks.”
Harry looked over to Draco and his friends. Draco had been staring at him and offered a small smile. Then he too went back to making a coffee. Harry got up. He shrugged to his friends.
“No time like the present.”
He walked over to where the eighth year Slytherins were and took a small space next to Draco. Draco smiled in appreciation while the others looked on in stunned silence. Harry noticed the entirety of the great hall was silent.
“I hope one of you brought firewhiskey. I’ve a felling I’m going to need it.”
For a moment, the hall was silent. Then Blaise started laughing.
“We’re Slytherins, Potter. I’m sure we could round you up something.”
“Good.”
The hall seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief, and murmuring filled the silence. Harry looked up to see the Headmistress smiling and nodding to him.

The eighth years had been given a private dormitory away from the others. Half of them were in the common room, again separated by houses. A tense and hushed atmosphere lay heavy in the room. Ron sighed at the other two.
“Guess it’s my turn.”
He walked over to the Slytherins on a couch who looked up with surprise.
“Oi, Malfoy. Rumor has it you’re the only one who could give me a challenge at chess.”
Draco smiled evilly at him. “Accepted.”
The tension was again broken as the two played while the other houses followed suit in intermingling around the common room. The chess game ended in a stalemate which actually excited Ron.
“You taking the piss, Weasley?”
“Nah, I’m just thrilled to have a worthy opponent for once.”
Harry took offense to this, “Oi!”
“Likewise. Perhaps a rematch at a later date?”
“You’re on.”
The two shook hands. Harry looked at Draco.
“Walk up with me?” Draco nodded.
They held hands as they ascended the staircase. When they got to Harry’s and Ron’s door, they turned to each other.
“So, how is everything?”
“Peachy thanks to you noble bloody Gryffindors.”
Harry smiled. “See you tomorrow?”
Draco nodded, and kissed Harry on the lips before leaving. Harry loved the feeling when Draco kissed him. The warmth spread through his stomach, replacing the bad feelings of the past week. He wasn’t sure what would come, but Draco made him happy and gave him hope.

Peace seemed to be reigning throughout the castle in the following weeks. Classes and life at Hogwarts progressed with surprising normalcy. So much so that Harry and Ron were remembering how much they detested academics, at least some of them. The one upside was having Draco for both a tutor and potions partner. They had become very close in the last several weeks. It was as if they had been friends for years. Only now came the added excitement of a new romance. By now, they knew the room of requirement and every broom closet very intimately.
School at least made one person happy. Hermione, of course, was in heaven. Except in one subject. She came into the great hall during dinner and slammed a book down with a grunt.
“Ugh. I can’t seem to find much Harry. I’m sorry. But there are a couple things?”
“Hermione, I appreciate you trying. But honestly, it’s mostly subsided now. It only comes and goes. All things considered, it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
Harry was trying to play it off, but the truth was he got sick at least two or three times a week. But the way he saw it he had gotten a second chance at life. This was a small price to pay.
“That’s noble of you Harry. I just wish I could figure this out. McGonagall allowed me access to the restricted section. But even so, there are no recorded cases of a person being a hor— you know. There are a couple where people have been infected by them, but they were vague and unhelpful. If it continues or gets worse your best bet may be to ask Arthur if he could take you to the ministry curse breakers?”
“Sure. If it gets worse, it’ll be the first thing I do. Thanks Hermione.”
Harry looked over at the Slytherins. Draco winked at him, and he blushed. Most days they sat together but they also spent time with friends. Ron groaned. Seamus leaned over to them.
“So ‘Arry, how is it with the potions master extraordinaire for a partner?”
“Better than you I reckon!”
“Oi! I haven’t exploded anything yet!”
Hermione giggled. “I don’t think there was much potion-making going on last class. I saw that table moving Harry Potter.”
Harry blushed again and Ron dry heaved.
“Oh, ‘Mione!”
They were all laughing.
A loud crack of apparition turned their attention to the middle of the great hall. Antonin Dolohov and Amycus Carrow were standing scowling at the students and seemingly searching the crowd. Luna was the closest to them, so she turned to stand and raise her wand. Just then the doors to the great hall slammed against the wall and a great roar revealed a snarling Fenrir Greyback. His appearance and roar distracted Luna while Dolohov raised his wand quickly.
Harry jumped up and pushed Luna to the ground as a bright stun came from Dolohov’s wand towards him. When it hit, a bright white circular light surrounded Harry’s abdomen. Harry fell back on the table bench but quickly recovered and raised his wand. Dolohov locked eyes on him and walked forward purposefully.
In the background, Greyback had only sent one boy flying before being subdued by several students’ stunners. McGonagall had quickly defeated and restrained Amycus Carrow with a few hits.
Dolohov blocked a few wayward stunners, and frustration took over as he began to spray fire from his wand, clearly wanting to engulf the hall. Thinking quickly, Harry sent up a shield but over Dolohov himself. The round shield contained the massive bright flames within and surrounded a screaming Dolohov. The screams died down quickly with the fire and McGonagall disappeared what was left. She turned to some of the other professors.
“Get the ministry here at once. Hagrid, please accompany me in carrying the other two to the tower.”
“Yes, Professor.”
“Potter, stay here.”
He gave her a weary look. Luna jumped up to hug him.
“Harry Potter, what were you thinking? Thank you.”
He hugged her back. But the entire hall was nervously not trying to look at him. They were probably thinking the same thing he was. ‘What am I?’

Harry was sitting in a classroom waiting for the Headmistress. She was a clever woman. She knew her office reminded him wistfully of Dumbledore, so they rarely met there. She came walking in and stopped beside his desk facing him, seemingly exasperated. It occurred to Harry that the war was hard on her too. Now all of this mess… She put a hand on his shoulder.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m okay Professor.”
“Good. The ministry says they should be all that remains minus two or three others. But I trust a group that small will be met with the same fate as those today. As to why they did so, we are all astonished. It made no sense.”
She sighed.
“I trust Miss Granger will be helping you figure out what you need to then?”
Harry knew she was politely referring to the strange power that came from him during the fight. He half-smiled.
“She won’t let me rest until we do.”
“Mmm. Well then. The boy, Dennis Creevey. Fifth Year Gryffindor. You probably remember his older brother Collin who passed in the battle. It— It would seem Greyback scratched him.”
Harry looked confused, then understood.
“I thought it took a bite?”
“In rare cases a scratch is sufficient. I thought since you were close to our Mr. Lupin and witnessed the events of his Lycanthropy you may be able to help the boy. Get him prepared for the next lunar cycle should it happen.”
Harry was silent for a moment, missing Remus.
“It may also give you refuge from prying questions and their bearers.”
Harry knew after the events of today, he would be relentlessly questioned by other students.
“Yeah, okay. Happy to help.”
“Excellent. You sure you’re okay my boy?”
“I’m good Professor.”
She put a hand on his arm.
“Off to bed with you then.”

Harry and Dennis Creevey were busy building magical reinforcements into the shrieking shack. They had set up a room on one side of it that resembled a nicer jail cell.
“So… if I have this straight, you’re gonna lock me up here all night on the off chance I’ll turn into a werewolf?”
“Yeah. Sorry. Sometimes they can be released into the woods for a night or so with an animagi or someone to watch them. But I’m not one and McGonagall agreed this would be better for your first uh… possible change.”
Dennis sighed. Harry remembered how bubbly he was as a kid. His brother’s death and now this must weigh heavy.
“Hey Dennis? Think we’re done but we need to test this. Get in.”
Dennis gave him a strange look but entered the cell warily. Harry closed the door behind him and smiled.
“Go nuts.”
“Excuse me?”
“This thing needs to withstand a werewolf. Get your wand out. Blow off some steam.”
Dennis again looked at Harry strangely but did as he said. He shot a stunner at the wall and an invisible force dissipated it. He looked at Harry and shrugged.
“That’s it? Come on, let it out.”
Dennis stood there for a moment. Then he shot a ‘bombarda’ at the wall. Again, it dissipated.
“Yeah! There you go! More!”
Dennis smiled and let loose shooting spell after spell at each of the walls.
After a few minutes, Dennis was panting and looked at Harry with a smile.
“Feel better?”
“Loads.”
“Good. Let’s get outta here.”

They were walking back up the path towards the school when they ran into Draco.
“Oh, hey.”
“Harry, can I talk to you?”
“Sure. Dennis, I’ll see you later. And remember Thursday at six sharp or I’ll come looking for you.”
Dennis nodded and continued up the path.
Harry and Draco fell into step together looking at the brightly colored leaves.
“Harry did I do something wrong?”
“What? No, of course not!”
“Then why have you been avoiding me?”
“Uh, well… You saw what happened in the great hall. Aren’t you scared of me?”
“No, of course not. Do you not remember…” He trailed off.
“Yeah, I guess we’ve been through much worse. I think I was afraid of myself. Didn’t want to hurt anyone I care about. Let alone the man I love.”
Draco looked up, “really?”
“Well of course, you know that.”
“I thought you just said it to be nice because I said it.”
“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it, Draco. Gotta get going, want to meet me in the Astronomy Tower later?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”

Draco and Harry were wrapped up in each other looking up at the stars.
“Are you scared?”
Harry snorted.
“Not really. After everything else, as long as I have people who care about me, I’m ready for anything.”
“Stupid Brave Gryffindor.”
Harry laughed.
“You love it.”
“I do.” Draco leaned in for a kiss. The kiss deepened, and limbs explored body parts before clothes started flying.
“Wait, I want you to do me this time.”
Harry leaned back, “Really?”
“Oh yes.”
Draco was bouncing on Harry as Harry’s claws dug into his back. Draco’s head was swimming as his insides tingled with pleasure. Harry was in heaven as he and Draco came together.

Harry’s head was on Draco’s shoulder, and Draco had his leg on Harry.
“Have you thought about what profession you’ll seek?”
“Not really. I think everyone expects me to be an auror, but I rather think I’d like to help people another way. I’d say healer, but I can’t do potions without you. What about you?”
“I’m sure you could do anything you wish, Harry. I’m not sure. Just know I want to be a better person. Do something good.”
“You are a good person Draco. The world will see what I do. Just give them time.”
“I love you, Harry.”
“I love you most.”
They laid together the rest of the night talking and drawing circles on each other’s skin. It was a perfect night.

Harry had told Draco what was happening tonight, as well as Ron and Hermione. Ron and Hermione had wanted to help of course, but Harry had forbidden it. He said this was something he and Dennis needed to do together.
He was standing at the entrance to the shrieking shack impatiently. He cast a tempus which read 6:30. Where was that boy? It was already dark. He was about to go looking for Dennis when he came running down the hill towards Harry.
“Sorry, sorry!”
“Blimey, Dennis, the moon’s almost showing. Where were you?”
“Sorry I got held up in potions and didn’t want to explain to Slughorn. Besides, I thought you said this was unlikely?”
“Well, yeah but better safe than sorry. Let’s go.”
They had reached the bottom steps of the shack when they heard a howl in the distance. Harry stopped and looked towards the woods before hearing a grunt behind him. He quickly turned to see Dennis doubled over clutching his stomach.
“Oh no.”
Dennis was making a strange and pained noise as he took two shaky steps forward and threw his arms out. His limbs began to twist awkwardly and grow as his head threw itself back and elongated. Sharp teeth were appearing as well as grey skin and hair all over his body. He had doubled in size.
His newly transformed body couldn’t stand. He slumped over and just laid on the ground for a while. Harry had his wand drawn but just stood watch for the time being.
Minutes seemed to turn to hours as Harry just stood watch. He wondered if this was normal, or if Dennis being a bit young and small had anything to do with the transformation being rough for him. Thoughts kept him occupied until he heard a crunch up the path. He jerked his head towards the noise, and in his periphery, he saw Dennis’ ear perk up. There was a young student who looked to be a first year sneaking down the path.
‘Bloody hell.’
Harry looked back to see the new werewolf raising its head and locking on to the student. Dennis seemed more aware of his legs as he got to his feet and onto his haunches as if he was about to pounce. Harry quickly stepped in front of Dennis. This earned him a swing for his head. Harry ducked and sent a light stun to the werewolf’s chest, forcing him onto his back. Harry turned to the student.
“GO! Get McGonagall. Tell her I need help!”
Harry turned back around as Dennis was righting himself. Under normal circumstances, Harry could hold his own. But he couldn’t hurt Dennis in the process. He had to fight smart.
Dennis snarled as he approached Harry again. Harry spelled the grass and vines at Dennis’s extended lower limbs and the foliage wrapped around the feet and legs again and again, rooting him in place. The werewolf roared and began clawing at the roots. He was free in no time and rushed Harry.
“Incarcerous!”
Lengths of rope wrapped around the werewolf’s body. Harry wasn’t trying to choke him but needed to buy a few precious seconds. It didn’t work.
Harry thought, ‘new werewolves must have immense strength,’ as Dennis’s arms broke the ropes free, and he roared. Harry was sent flying onto his back. Harry was helpless as he couldn’t do anything in time that wouldn’t seriously harm or kill Dennis. In a single bound the werewolf was hovering over top of him and snarling. Harry also thought he saw another figure in dark robes approaching. Yes, there were definitely dark shapes around him. But the werewolf was most concerning at the moment.
Harry fully expected to be ripped to shreds. But then there was the most beautiful blinding white light. Harry had thought he was dying. Again. But strangely, the light seemed to be coming from him? The werewolf and other shapes were forced back by the light’s intensity. Then everything went dark.

Harry shot up in a bed. He looked around to see everything was white and for a split-second thought he actually had died. Then he realized he was in the hospital wing. Ron and Hermione came rushing over, leading a larger group of friends. Hermione grabbed him in a hug.
“Harry, thank goodness! Are you alright?”
Neville and Ron took one side.
“Hey, Harry. You should really be wrapped in foil, ya know?”
Seamus laughed. “As if that would help.”
Luna leaned over. “I could relocate some Wrackspurts for you. But I doubt that would help either.”
Harry laughed with them but groaned and held his head as he sat up.
“You know, I thought my days of waking up here were over.”
Harry heard clicking of shoes as Madam Pomphrey and Headmistress McGonagall walked in.
“I had thought so too, Mr. Potter.”
A thought occurred to Harry, and he began to panic.
“Dennis? Is Dennis okay? He didn’t mean—”
McGonagall cut him off.
“Relax, dear boy. Dennis is fine. He ran off into the woods and Hagrid went and retrieved him an hour ago with nary a scratch. The same cannot be said for the boy you saved. A first year out after hours? Who could imagine such a thing? He’s still waiting in my office for punishment.”
Harry laughed. “Who indeed? Don’t be too hard on him Professor.”
“Perhaps I should’ve been harder on you.”
“The others? I thought I saw—”
“Disapparated on my arrival. But I did inform the ministry of them. With these two occurrences, it would seem they are after you. How they got on the grounds is still a mystery though.”
She sighed and shook her head in a look of grandmotherly adoration.
“Are you alright, Harry?”
He nodded.
“I’ll leave you to it, then.”
Poppy had been quiet but now stepped forward to him.
“Minerva saw a bit of what happened as she was coming to help, but can you tell me in your own words?”
“Well, I dunno. They were coming at me and then there was a bright light. That’s all I remember.”
They all turned as another pair of shoes could be heard echoing in the hospital wing. Draco slowed as a group of faces around Harry turned to stare at him.
“I just heard… I can go—”
Harry tried to set up, “don’t you dare! I want you here.”
Draco tried not to smile as he came to sit on Harry’s bedside. He picked up a glass of water and offered it to Harry who took it gratefully.
Poppy cleared her throat. “Mr. Potter, you were saying?”
Hermione cut in.
“Harry, tell her about the attack after Halloween.”
“Oh, yes. When Dolohov sent a stunner at me, the same kinda light appeared in a circle around my abdomen like a shield.”
“Hmm.” Madam Pomphrey’s face was blank. Then a brief flash of shock washed over her face and was gone as she tried to compose herself.
“Um, Mr. Potter. I would like to do a few tests. I have an unlikely theory. Nothing invasive, just spells.”
“Yeah, go ahead.”
“The uh… nature of these spells has some… confidentiality concerns.”
“Huh?”
Hermione patted his arm.
“There might be some things revealed here that you don’t want to be Harry.”
He looked at Madam Pomphrey. “It’s okay.”
“I really must insist, Mr. Potter.”
“Poppy, just do the spells. I have no secrets from my family.”
“Very well.”
The group smiled at him for that affirmation. Especially Draco.
Madam Pomphrey waved her wand over him.
“Revelare Gravida.”
A swirling around Harry changed a few different times, first changing color followed by showing an amorphous shape above his abdomen.
The group jumped as Draco dropped the glass. Harry saw Hermione had her hand over her mouth in shock. Luna seemed to be happy about something. Everyone else was as confused as Harry. Draco slowly and mechanically got up and went across the room to sit in a chair with his head in his hands.
Madam Pomphrey cleared her throat. “Mr. Potter. It would seem congratulations are in order. You’re pregnant.”
Harry looked blankly at her. Then the corners of his mouth began to turn up. He chuckled.
“Very funny.”
Harry looked up to see that the rest of the group had shared a laugh with him. Except Ron and Hermione. They had joined the others in their strange reactions as he just stared wide-eyed at Harry’s stomach. Harry gave them a strange look and looked back to Poppy who offered a small smile. Harry then lost his sense of humor.
“Okay this isn’t funny anymore.”
Hermione had regained her composure and stepped forward to lean down on him.
“Harry. It’s possible, although rare, for wizards to get pregnant. Draco can explain more.”
He looked at her as if she had turned into a dragon.
“What?”
He looked to Draco who still had his head in his hands. Now he understood that this was real. But he still didn’t believe it. Neither did half the group. Seamus stepped forward.
“So, wait? You’re not taking the piss? Harry’s really up the duff?”
Pomphrey nodded. “Just reached second trimester. Somewhere between twelve and fourteen weeks. He would need to see a specialist healer to be exact.”
Harry was in shock. An uneasy silence fell over the room. Ron and Hermione moved quickly, “alright everyone. Perhaps we should give Harry and Draco some time. Harry, we’ll be right outside if you need us. And we won’t say anything until you’re ready. Can’t say the same for Seamus though.”
“Oi. Nobody here will say anything mate.”
Harry smiled and nodded his head for them to go.
Draco was still sitting head down in the chair.
“How could this happen?”
“If I need to explain that to you, then we’ve obviously been doing it wrong,” Harry teased.
“This isn’t a joke. Harry, this is bad. Wizard pregnancies are exceedingly rare and complicated. There hasn’t been one for the last several decades at least.”
“So, you have heard of it then? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It’s a theory some say surrounding purebloods. It says most of that pureblood nonsense was really trying to keep the line so the gay ones or half-creatures could more easily marry and sire if they wished. Stupid because it has more to do with will and magic. But as far as I know it hasn’t been seen in over a century at least. Like I said, it never happens. One in a million. Of course, that would be you.”
Harry smiled, “us, darling.”
Draco sighed again.
“Harry, my father probably won’t be locked up forever. He would try to exert control if he found out. And what will the public say or do? I don’t care about me, but I don’t want anything happening to an innocent child.”
“Draco, calm down. I think this is good news! I mean yes, it’s definitely weird and we’re young but I’ve always wanted a family.”
Draco looked at Harry pleadingly to say he was not understanding him.
“Draco. We both know better than most that life can be shite sometimes. But you can’t live in constant fear. And you have to take your happiness where you can get it. And us being a family? Wouldn’t it be great?”
“Harry, it would quite literally be everything I’ve dreamed of. But I don’t know… You once told me we had to choose between what is right and what is easy. How am I supposed to know what to choose here?”
Harry grabbed Draco’s hand.
“Choose us.”

Harry joined Ron and Hermione in the hallway.
“So, how’d it go?”
“He said he needs time to think.”
“Eh, it’ll be aces mate. He’ll come round. Congrats, by the way.”
Harry laughed. “Thanks. A part of me keeps thinking this is a joke.”
Hermione grabbed his hand. “Harry, you know we’re always here for you.”
“Thanks. Poppy set me an appointment at St. Mungo’s Saturday next. If Draco’s not around, you wanna come with?”
“Of course.”

The next week passed slowly leading to the appointment. Harry had mostly relegated himself to his room. Draco was of course avoiding him. Harry was taking yet another nap. It seemed this was all he did anymore. He ended up napping until dinner this afternoon. He guessed before he hadn’t realized how tired he actually was. He rubbed his stomach as he was approaching the great hall.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m hungry too munchkin. Let’s go.”
Ron and Hermione came out to meet him when they saw Harry coming.
Dennis Creevey was sitting outside in the corridor along with about thirty other students.
Ron shooed them away. “Alright off to class, all of you! Show’s over!”
Hermione nodded to Harry, and they left him with Dennis. He slid down the wall to sit beside the obviously distraught boy. He put a hand on the boy’s knee.
“Alright, then. Now, it’s okay. I know you’re upset, but this can be managed. It’s not the end of the world.”
The boy lost his composure and started sobbing into Harry’s shoulder.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you! Please don’t kill me or send me to Azkaban!”
Harry patted his back, “woah, woah! Calm down. What are you talking about?”
Dennis stopped sobbing and looked up at Harry with teary eyes. “You’re not mad at me? You’re not turning me in?”
“I want to show you something. Accio Pensieve!”
After a minute, a silver bowl levitated down the corridor slowly towards them and stopped in front of Dennis. Harry used his wand to pull out a memory and toss it into the pensieve. Dennis looked to him, and Harry nodded. Dennis dove head-first into the bowl.
Dennis saw Professor Lupin change and attack his friends and Snape. The scene changed into the werewolf chasing him through the woods. The scene changed again, and he saw Harry speaking to Lupin in his office where he looked ragged from the night before.
Dennis came up and Harry chuckled a bit. “I’ll admit it didn’t go as planned, but sometimes that’s how it goes I’m afraid. But no harm, no foul. And I’ll help you get better with it. There’s a potion you can take, but it’s a good idea to go through the first few changes to know what to expect.”
Dennis at first was in shock. Then he showed a grateful smile.
“Really?”
Harry stood him up. “Okay now. We’ll plan for the next one better. Go to your friends.”

Harry was about to follow him when he looked up to see Draco walking down the opposite hallway towards him. He started towards him when the blonde stopped. He looked stricken and sadder than Harry had ever seen him. Harry’s insides twisted and his heart broke.
The boy shook his head slowly from side to side as Harry thought he saw a single silent tear fall. Then he turned and walked away.
Harry’s own silent tears began to fall as he was left shattered and hollow, seeing his chance at love disappearing before his very eyes.

The next day found Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the Healer’s office. Ron and Hermione had arrived polyjuiced and would leave the same. Harry was afraid of hurting the baby, so for him it was a hair dye charm, makeup, and baggy clothes.
The healer walked in with a clipboard.
“So, Mr. Pearson? I’m Healer Hayes. I’m actually on loan from America for a study, but I’ve been asked to step in as my grandfather treated the last known male pregnancy and taught me what he knew.”
“Nice to meet you.” Harry thought the doctor was very handsome. With blonde hair and a strong build, he looked like the surfers he had seen on television. But he was still in love with Draco. Even if the wanker had left him and their baby.
“So, erm. Is this the… other father?”
“No. He won’t be involved.”
“Oh, okay. No worries. Do you know anything about male pregnancy?”
“Only what little I’ve been told.”
“It’s not dissimilar from a human female’s. With a few obvious differences.”
“Am I gonna lose my… you know?” Harry pointed down with his eyes.
The healer laughed. “No, no. Really, the only physical difference is the temporary uterus you’ve grown. Besides that, there isn’t much difference. Except when you give birth, we will have to do a cesarian obviously. They can be done with magic, but the muggle way is actually safer.”
“And there is one more thing. Your magic is no doubt very powerful. It would have to be for this to happen. But your condition requires a great deal of magic as well. Any exertion or overuse of power could be dangerous. Most would advise bedrest. But as long as you’re careful I don’t see that as necessary.”
“What about the baby? Does the baby have magic already? We’ve had a couple of incidents…”
“Hmm, yes. Madam Pomphrey explained the events to me. I’ve never heard of that happening. But as I’m sure you’re aware, this is a rare phenomenon, and there’s not much evidence. I can go through some of my grandfather’s old notes to see if there is an answer.”
“Thank you.”
“So, if that’s all the questions you have let’s do a scan.”
The healer pulled up an ultrasound.
“Muggle technology. Aren’t they clever?”
He put blue gel on Harry’s stomach and spread it around.
“Is it safe?”
“Of course. The magic protection surrounding the baby makes it a bit more difficult. But we should be able to see well enough.”
Harry heard a rhythmic beating and looked to the monitor.
The doctor pointed to a blob on the screen and Harry’s own heard skipped a beat when he saw the baby.
“Heartbeat’s good. You’re measuring about nine and a half centimeters, so I’d say just under 15 weeks along. In other words, about as big as an apple. Would you like to know the sex?”
“Yes!”
“It’s still a bit early to tell on the monitor, so I’ll do a spell for this one.”
A whiteish smoke appeared above Harry’s abdomen. It slowly turned blue.
“Congratulations, you’re having a boy!”
Harry looked at Hermione and grabbed her in a hug. “I’m having a boy!”
Ron clapped him on the back. “That’s great, mate!”
Healer Hayes smiled. “Yes, everything looks good. I’ll want to see you every week. If you like I can come to your home. But for the next couple I’d like you to come here. You can schedule with the receptionist.”
“Thank you!”

They walked into the Burrow smelling fresh pastries. Harry saw a jumper being knitted in the corner of the room. The sights, smells, and sounds that made him think of home.
“Mum? We’re home.”
Molly came running around the kitchen and ran straight for them, grabbing all three in a hug.
“Hello, what a pleasant surprise! Come, come and eat.”
Molly was too busy fussing over them to notice anything off about them. Finally, she looked at Harry.
“Looking a bit peaky Harry. Is everything alright dear?”
“Well Molly, uh…”
Harry looked to Ron to continue.
“You’re gonna be a Gran, Mum!”
She looked at Ron in shock. “What? Ginny? Before she’s finished school? Oh, honestly. I’m going to ring her neck.”
“No, Mum. Harry.”
Molly looked to Harry and her eyes widened. “Truly?”
“Yes. I’m having a son in about twenty-five weeks.”
Molly threw her arms up and squealed. “Oh, how wonderful!”
She grabbed him in a hug. “I may not have given birth to you, but you will always be my son. And we will always consider this our first grandbaby. We will spoil him rotten!”
Harry smiled warmly. “Thanks, Molly. It was a bit of a shock.”
“I’m sure. What of the other father?”
“He’s not… He didn’t want to be around.” Harry said sadly.
Molly flashed a rare moment of rage. “No matter. This baby will have all the love in the world.”
“I was actually thinking about moving back into Grimmauld while Hermione and Ron finish school. Do you think you could help me out occasionally Molly?”
“As if you even had to ask dear.”
Hermione was visibly upset. “You’re not returning to Hogwarts?”
“You heard the healer. I don’t wanna risk it. I’ll still visit and try to help with Dennis or whatever else McGonagall needs if I can. Besides, I can either test out or just spend time with the baby. It’s not like I have to work.”
“Well, we’ll miss you, but we understand. Besides winter hols are coming up. We’ll hang out as much as we can.”
“Thanks.”

When they returned for the last week of school, everyone of course asked about Harry’s absence. They told their close friends, but the others were met with shrugs or ‘I dunno’s’. Until Friday.
Draco Malfoy approached Hermione after potions class. “Granger, a word?”
Hermione sighed and looked at him expectantly. After looking around to make sure there were no prying ears, Draco looked at her pleadingly. And Hermione noticed how awful he looked.
“Is Pot—” he shifted. “Is Harry okay? Is it the baby? Where is he?”
Hermione looked at him. “You lost the right to ask those questions, Draco. Out of compassion, I’ll tell you that Harry and the baby are fine. But I’ll not say any more.”
Draco flashed a split second of surprise then understanding. He nodded once and turned to go.
******************************************************************************
Part II
Harry shifted uncomfortably on the couch. He looked at Molly who had been doing some work on family records. It was the end of April, and the baby was due June first, so Harry had quit his visits to Hogwarts and was spending all his time at the Burrow. According to the healer, they could not stop his labor once it had fully started so he was trying not to stress. He was mostly happy with this anyway.
Dennis was doing well thanks to Harry, although he had no longer been able to supervise him alone, he still mentored him to very positive results. Harry had also gladly taken his NEWTs and passed with flying colors according to Hermione. He had only been to Hogwarts a few times but had avoided Draco. He refused to see him again. And now it would seem that he never would. This made him sad and lonely, but at least he would have his son.
Harry was beyond excited about the baby. He had already told everyone so of course it had leaked in the Daily Prophet with a surprisingly small and positive article. Draco’s name was kept out of it, and Harry wondered if Draco or his family had something to do with that. He had wanted to tell Narcissa as he had seen her a few times when visiting Andromeda and Teddy. But he decided that was best left to Draco. If he ever did.
Harry shifted again.
“Ugh. Were you this uncomfortable with yours?”
Molly laughed. “Some of them. Don’t tell Ron, but Ginny was the biggest and worst. I gained the most weight with her and it was in the middle of summer. She was lucky she was a girl.”
Harry laughed. “Oh, I’m so telling Ginny. I just can’t seem to get him to settle so I can rest.”
“Have you thought of names?”
“Mmm. I keep thinking James, Jamie for him. It would’ve been Lily for a girl.”
“Aw, that’s wonderfully sweet Harry. I do like Jamie.”
“Aaahh. Woah.”
Molly jumped in alarm.
“What dear?”
“Molly, what does labor feel like?”
“AAHHH UGH!”
“Like that. We need to get you to the hospital.”
“But I’m not due for another six weeks? Ron and Hermione?”
“No time, I’ll floo from there.”
Harry and Molly flooed directly into the maternity ward at St. Mungo’s.
“We need Healer Hayes!”
Just then he came running around the corner. “Hello, Harry. I had a feeling you would go early, but this is pushing it a bit. Let’s get you to the O.R.”
“What? No! We have to stop it I’m not due for six weeks the baby—”
“He’ll be fine, Harry. A little small, but fully formed.”
They wheeled a very scared Harry into the O.R.

James (Jamie) Potter was born 5 lbs 4 oz on the morning of April 24th. He was small, but perfectly healthy, and let everyone know this by his scream. Harry had not let Jamie out of his sight. When they were sewing him up, they tried to wheel the incubator out of the room and Harry’s magic had almost destroyed the O.R.
Harry loved his little guy. He wouldn’t let him go to the chagrin of Molly, Arthur, Ron, and Hermione. But Harry eventually relented and gave everyone a turn. Even Luna, Neville, Seamus, and Ginny when they had stopped by. Harry had also lovingly called Ginny a fat baby according to Molly. The healers wanted Jamie to spend more time in the incubator, but Harry argued that he was just as warm and he could cast a warming charm if needed.
It had been a long day for everyone, and it was just Harry holding Jamie in the room now. Ron, Hermione, and Molly were fighting off sleep outside. Harry’s head was bobbing as he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He felt like he got hit with something, and his mind went fuzzy. Jamie started crying loudly and Harry saw a bright white light in his hazy vision and heard screaming. Then he was out.

Harry awoke with a start. He felt nothing in his arms, so he shot up and out of bed. He fell to the floor yelling for his son. Hermione came running in and rushed to him on the floor.
“Oh honestly, Harry.” She picked him up.
“Where’s James? Where’s my son!”
“Harry calm down.”
Just then Molly came in carrying Jamie. Harry went to grab for him, but Hermione stopped him.
“Harry, you’ve ripped your stitches.”
“I don’t care.”
“You’re going to care when you bleed out. Lay down. I’ll go get a healer.”
She came back with Healer Hayes a minute later.
“Harry, mate. What happened?”
“Uh, nothing?”
“No worries, I’ll get them fixed.”
Harry moved James up so the Healer could have access. He set to work with a couple of spells while Ron approached.
“Um, Harry. I think you should see what happened.”
Hermione grabbed her bag and pulled out what looked like a miniature pensieve. Ron threw a memory into it and Harry plunged in. Inside, he saw himself as Ron running into the hospital room. There was a man standing over the bed reaching for James as that Harry lay dazed. Suddenly, a bright white light came from Jamie and forced the man back. Just then Ron and Hermione locked hands and a shield erupted from them that blasted into the room, slamming the man against the wall. He crumpled to the floor with a sickening thud.
Harry pulled his head out to look at them. “Where’d you learn that? Could’ve come in handy.”
Ron smiled, “my idea. Worked pretty well.”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “Harry. Did you see your son?”
“Yeah. Looked like the same thing that happened when he was inside.”
“Hmm.” The doctor had finished and was looking at them thoughtfully.
“What is it, Ethan?”
Harry and Healer Hayes had become close having seen each other every week during the pregnancy. Obviously he had learned his true identity, and Harry had started calling him Ethan without realizing it. He suspected the man had feelings for him, but that wasn’t something he had time to worry about with the baby coming. But now he wondered…
“I have some theories, although I would like to confirm with some research. Harry, we were going to keep you and Jamie for observation, but with everything that’s happened I think you should go home. He seems more than strong enough to me, and you can always floo me anytime.”
“Thanks, Ethan. Talk soon.”
Hermione took James so Harry could start packing them up.
“Who was he?”
“A previously unknown death eater. Someone who worked behind the scenes. It has the ministry scared because he wasn’t even on their radar. And he worked inside in the records department.”
“Why was he trying to take Jamie?”
“We don’t know Harry. But he didn’t get him. And no one else will either.”

Jamie’s First Birthday
Jamie was giggling and laughing as Harry placed the large cake in front of him. Everyone started singing, “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Jamie, happy birthday to you!”
Before the song was even out, he had dived head-first into the cake to everyone’s amusement.
Harry laughed, and Ethan had rushed to get him cleaned up. To outside eyes, Harry and Ethan were dating. And for all intents and purposes, they were. They spent a lot of time together and had kissed a couple of times. But Harry was still reluctant. All this time later, and he still wasn’t over Draco. But he found he was giving more of himself to Ethan as time went on.
He had won him over when he figured out what was going on with Jamie. He had rushed to Grimmauld in a fuss yelling for Harry. Harry was excited but annoyed that he had woken Jamie up. Ethan said because of the nature of the pregnancy having to be sustained by Harry’s powerful magic throughout, Jamie was being imbued with magic before he was even born. Most witches and wizards come into their powers slowly over time. But Jamie was born already having a great deal of magic in addition to his fathers’. Harry as a bit alarmed to hear this, but decided it wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were as close as ever. They had been honored by the titles of godparents and babysat whenever they could. Jamie just adored them and called them “Bon” and “Minnie” to Harry’s extreme amusement.
Harry had started working part-time at Hogwarts as a guidance counselor after a request from Headmistress McGonagall. She had been so impressed by his work in eighth year that she said he was ‘absolutely essential’ to the school. Harry was pretty sure she just wanted him there regardless. But he enjoyed the work and felt like he made a difference. Some days he took Jamie with him, but most of the time he was with Gran Molly, Aunt Minnie, or Uncle Bon. Jamie adored all of his family, so Harry tried not to hold resentment when Molly caught his first steps. Or when Hermione had taught him his first sentence. They had given him the pensieve memories anyway. Hermione was making a display for all of their memories. The happy ones.
There were no further incidents with the supposed ‘new death eaters’ but they still were extremely careful and protective. They hardly went anywhere, certainly unknown, and never alone.
Harry was going through the presents at the party and came across one impeccably wrapped with a card showing calligraphy writing. Harry’s gut dropped.
Surely enough, he opened the card attached and it was from him.
Potter,
I know you probably will not give this to him, but thought I’d try. Also, if you ever need money or anything I can get it to you without contact. I know I have no right to ask this, but if he ever wonders about me, please do not ever let him think he was unloved or unwanted.
You may not understand this, but I had my reasons. Perhaps one day you will understand. Perhaps you will even forgive me. Until then I am sorry. I hope you and the little one are well and that he has a wonderful birthday.
D. Malfoy
P.S. Of course, it’s safe.
Over a year and a half later and Harry’s heart broke as much as it did that day in the hallway. A single tear fell onto the letter. Harry quickly wiped it off and opened the gift. It was a beautiful toy dragon that was spelled to fly around and breathe fire but only away from him.
Harry took the toy to his son who squealed in delight. He would file the letter away later with Jamie’s keepsakes. Ethan noticed and came over to Harry.
“Are you okay?”
Hermione had come over as well.
“Draco sent a gift.”
“Oh, Harry. Do you want to talk?”
Ethan excused himself and set about feeding Jamie better food.
“All this time and it still kills me, Hermione.”
She grabbed him in a hug.
“I know.”

2 ½ Years Later – Ron and Hermione’s Wedding
“James Potter you put that down right now!”
An adorable little boy with messy blonde hair and aqua blue eyes froze with a fork part way to an ornate white three-story cake. He gave a devilish grin as several adults in the area were giggling with amusement.
“But Daddy!”
“No! Get over here son.”
The boy put his head down and sulked over to Harry.
“Sowwy Daddy.”
Harry sighed and picked him up into a hug.
“It’s okay buddy. I know it’s tempting. We’ll have some later. Let’s go find Aunt Minnie.”
Harry went into the beautiful makeshift tent with his son’s eyes gleaming at all the potential mischief he could do in the tent. They rounded a corner to find Hermione dawning a beautiful but reserved white dress looking into a mirror. Harry gasped.
“Hermione, you look stunning!”
She turned to smile at Harry. He put Jamie down who went running to her. She picked him up and smiled at him.
“Aunt Minnie, you’re so pwetty!”
She hugged him close.
“Aw thank you sweetheart.”
“You really do ‘Mione.”
“Thanks, is it stupid I’m nervous?”
“Aunt Minnie you said a bad wood!”
Luna had come in wearing a blue bridesmaid dress. She bent down.
“Hey Jamie, you wanna go hunt for kneazles? I bet they’re everywhere here.”
The little boy gasped and went running to her.
“Yes Aunt Wuna!”
She scooped him up and left.
Harry smiled apologetically. “Sorry. Ethan was supposed to be watching him. Don’t know where he went. By the way, you may not have a cake by the reception.”
Hermione laughed. “Oh, I don’t care. I’m just very happy. And nervous. I don’t know why.”
“Because you’re human. And you’ve waited a long time for this.”
“Thanks. Maybe it was stupid to have such a long engagement, but neither of us was in a hurry. But now that it’s here it feels very strange… Harry, are you gonna be okay today?”
Harry knew what she was referring to. Last year, there had been a story in the Prophet about Draco Malfoy’s upcoming nuptials to Theodore Nott. It had almost destroyed Harry. Not long after, he and Ethan had gotten engaged. But they kept pushing the wedding date back. It was a source of constant turmoil for them.
Harry adored Ethan. And Ethan was great for Jamie. But if Harry was being honest with himself, he could never love another man the way he loved Draco. And the source of animosity in his current relationship was due to that in some small part.
“Today’s your day, ‘Mione. I’m good. I swear.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Because I think I should tell you, we invited Draco.”
Harry’s head snapped up.
“You what!?”
“Harry, it didn’t feel right not to. You would’ve done the same. I seriously doubt he’ll come.”
Harry ran his hands through his hair and sighed.
“I wish you would’ve told me. But it’s fine. I can be civil. If he does come, we’ll probably just exchange awkward glances or pleasantries and be on our way.”
Hermione gave a sad smile. Then to break the tension, she did a mocking twirl.
“So, you really think I look okay?”
Harry smiled. “Ron’s gonna flip.”
Harry made his way back out to the aisle to sit in the front with Jamie. His little ring bearer was very proud to have the job. He was very adamant that Daddy was not going to help and that “he gots this.”
The venue was at Hogwarts beside the lake with McGonagall serving as the officiant. They had decorated to match the early autumn colors which made the scene even more picturesque.
Harry looked up to Ron and smiled. He gave a signal that only they knew, and Ron gave it back. George and Neville stood beside Ron as his groomsmen. Harry had told Ron to do this as he could just help Jamie, and this way everyone would be included. Seamus had moved back to Ireland and couldn’t be there.
The music started. The crowd turned to the back. Harry gasped as even through the massive crowd he saw a shock of platinum hair in the back. He tore his eyes away as he told himself, ‘ignore it. You can do this.’
Bill and Fleur’s daughter Victoire was being walked down the aisle by Molly as she tried to throw flowers. She did very well for a two-year-old and Molly beamed with pride.
They were followed by Ginny and then Luna who both looked amazing. Finally, Hermione came into view with Arthur on one side and Hermione’s dad on the other. Some people gasped. She certainly was radiant. Hermione’s mother was crying on the opposite side of the aisle. Harry looked back to Ron who was now alight with love and desire. When they made it up to Headmistress McGonagall, Ron rushed down to meet her with a kiss on the cheek and a “you look brilliant as ever.” He then shook both men’s hands as Hermione smiled back at him.
The service was heartwarming. Little Jamie did a wonderful job to Harry’s delighted surprise. Afterwards, they were all sitting at white tables with blue flowers and decorations. Harry, Jamie, and Ethan were sitting at the head table with the happy couple. Harry was decidedly not looking towards the back of the tables. He was here and happy for his friends, but internally he just wanted them to go on Holiday already so he could run home.
Ron and Hermione did some apparently muggle tradition of feeding each other cake, but rather got it all over each other. Jamie was very disappointed that he did not get to join them.
“Alright buddy. You’ve been very good. I’ll go get you some.”
Harry leaned over to Ethan.
“I’m gonna go get him some cake before he explodes. Please actually watch him this time.”
This earned him a scowl from Ethan.
Harry got up and went to the back bar where the cake was being cut. He was waiting for one of the people cutting to hand him a plate when he heard the voice from behind him.
“You look nice.”
Harry’s stomach dropped. He turned to face Draco Malfoy. He was sitting at the bar in a fancy suit swilling a drink and looking towards the back of the bar. It reminded Harry of the first ‘date’ they had.
The man turned slightly, and Harry got a good look at his face to which he almost gasped. He could recognize it was Draco, but only slightly. He had at least a week’s stubble on his face. There was a new very large scar on the side of his cheek near the hairline. His eyes were sunken and obviously tired. And he had lost too much weight.
He looked terrible. But at the same time, this ‘bad boy’ look really suited him and gave Harry a familiar stirring he didn’t like.
“Malfoy. You look… different.”
Draco snorted.
“Like shite I reckon. How’s the boy?”
“The boy’s name is Jamie. And he is brilliant. Not that you would know.”
Draco visibly tensed.
“Yeah.”
“How’s Theo?”
Draco visibly tensed harder. His jaw set and Harry thought he was going to break his glass.
“Uh oh. Trouble in paradise?”
“Don’t push me, Potter. It’s none of your business.”
This time Harry tensed. His emotions were running wild, and he was about to start screaming when he reminded himself that he needed to stay composed for his son.
“You’re right. It’s not. Well, perhaps I’ll see you in another few years Malfoy.”
Harry turned to leave.
“Leaving so soon? Golden trio not honeymooning together?”
Harry took a breath, ‘don’t hit him, don’t hit him.’ “Nope. Going home and far away from you as quickly as possible.”
“Yeah. You’re good at that.”
That was it. Harry rounded on him.
“You Fuc—”
A hand grabbed Harry’s arm. He turned in fury to see Luna.
“Harry, perhaps you should take some cake to Jamie? I’ll stay and keep Draco company.”
Harry deflated as he looked around to see the concerned looks of Hermione, Ron, and several others. He gave one last look to Draco who had the same steely gaze. Then he grabbed a plate of cake and hurried back to the front table. Jamie noticed his Daddy’s mood.
“You otay Daddy?”
“Wow, checking on me over having cake. You’re the sweetest little man.”
Harry hugged him.
“Eat your cake honey.”
Ron and Hermione came over. Hermione put her hand with a new ring on Harry’s shoulder.
“Are you okay?”
“As okay as I’ll ever be. Merlin, why did I ever love such a pratt?”
Jamie gasped with a mouthful of cake.
“Daaay you say baaaa woooood.”
Hermione laughed at him.
“Oh harry. You can’t explain love. And nothing is ever as it seems.”
Harry almost questioned her, but he just smiled. They went back to their seats. Harry leaned over to Ethan.
“Everyone should be leaving soon. We should get ready.”
Ethan had been surprisingly quiet. Now he simply nodded.

The ride home was mostly silent. Harry had a feeling Ethan was terribly upset with him. And part of Harry didn’t blame him.
When Harry and Ethan had arrived back from the train station, Harry noticed a man lingering across the street trying to hide his face.
Harry retrieved their bags out of the back and gave them to Ethan.
“Take Jamie inside please, I’ll just be a minute.”
Ethan nodded. “Be careful.”
Harry put his hand inside his coat to grasp his wand as he crossed the street.
“Hey, buddy—”
Harry stopped dead as Draco Malfoy turned around.
“Wha— Draco! What the hell are you doing outside my house!?”
Draco grinned that sweet grin that Harry did not wat to see right now.
“Free country, Potter.”
Harry squinted his eyes incredulously at Draco. “What!? Are you drunk?”
“I can walk down the street if I want to Harry.”
Harry was just about to retort when Draco’s face turned to shock, and he lunged forward to push Harry aside and to the ground. Harry did not have time to react until he was on the ground. He was just about to recoil and go after Draco when he saw him get hit with a blast that sent him flying back. Harry turned and drew his wand as he stood. He was facing three obvious death eaters with wands drawn.
Harry’s temper flared. Draco was hurt. His son and fiancé are inside. He drew his wand back and easily blocked the two stunners that they had sent. Harry’s strike then went further and knocked the three people on their ass. They started to stand again when Harry had enough and decided to take a page from the evil bastard himself. Harry let loose and gutturally cried out. The windows in the surrounding buildings shattered. Harry raised his wand to gather thousands of the shards of glass to swirl and stop surrounding the three death eaters with some inches from their necks. Realizing they were clearly beaten, the woman and two men and gave an earie smile as they dropped their wands.
Harry ran back to Draco. He was holding pressure on his abdomen which was bleeding badly. Harry drew his wand to stop it, but he knew he couldn’t help something this bad. He put his hands on top of Draco’s.
“Ethan. ETHAN! GET OUT HERE!”
Ethan opened the door. He ran out to Harry and bent down. He started working. Harry ran back to the house and a now screaming toddler. He picked him up and held him tight.
“Shh, shh. It’s okay buddy. Everything’s okay.”
Harry ran to the floo. He brought up the ministry. A woman started speaking before he cut her off.
“It’s Potter. Send aurors, now!”
He cut off before the woman could speak again and called Luna.
“Luna, are you home? I need some of the order here.”
Within minutes, almost a dozen people were crowding the scene. Harry raised his hand to drop the shards of glass. The three would be stupid to challenge at least three wands each.
Kingsley Shacklebolt, the new Minister for Magic who had also attended the wedding, walked over to Harry with a smile.
“Looks like you have this one handled Harry. Mighty impressive. Still not sure why you didn’t join the aurors. Why the call for assistance?”
“I was worried for my son. Last time this happened they tried to take him.”
Kingsley looked towards the house.
“It’s alright. Luna’s with him and they have wards.”
Kingsley nodded.
“Kingsley, what’s going on?”
He gave Harry a look.
“Not here.”
Harry knew what he was trying to convey. The ministry and/or the aurors had been compromised.
Ethan began yelling.
“Harry!”
Harry went running over to Ethan and Draco. There was so much blood.
“I—I thought I had him stabilized. We need to disapparate to St. Mungo’s. It’s his only chance.”
“Daddy! Daddy!”
Harry looked up to see Jamie running down to him. He was about to protest when Jamie saw Draco and his beautiful little eyes became large. Harry bent to scoop him up, but Jamie moved sideways and put his hands on Draco’s abdomen. After a moment, a bright white glow appeared. Harry and Ethan gasped as Draco screamed. The light lasted for a few seconds and then subsided. Harry and Ethan were staring in shock as Draco sat up a bit. They saw that the wound was mostly healed.
Kingsley had walked over to the adults in stunned silence and a little boy nervously holding his dragon.
Harry bent down to his son.
“Oh, Jamie. My special little guy. I’m so so proud of you. Good job, sweetheart.”
Jamie still had tears on his little face but beamed at his Daddy.
Kingsley cleared his throat.
“Harry. Take your son inside and put up the strongest wards you can. Healer Hayes, please get Mr. Malfoy to the hospital to get stitched up. I’ll contact the Granger-Weasley’s. I know you didn’t wish to bother them, but we don’t have a choice. I’ll come back when I can.”
He turned to Harry gravely. “Harry. Go. Keep your guard up.”
They all jumped into motion. Harry was running back to a surprised Luna.
“Harry, I’m sorry. He broke through the wards!”

True to his word, Kingsley sent as many people to Grimmauld as he could including Hermione and Ron who were mad at Harry for not contacting them first.
They were stuffed in the living room waiting for him to return. Everyone was in good spirits, all things considered. Most were offering congrats and advice to Ron and Hermione.
A ‘pop’ outside without alarms sounding meant Kingsley had returned. He and another auror came into the living room.
He sighed before he began. “Okay everyone, listen up. Here’s what we know. A new faction has formed. Death eaters. Lucius Malfoy is believed to be their leader. He escaped Azkaban yesterday. Their target is James Potter. They wish to kidnap him.”
Harry was surprised. “Kingsley, how do you know all this?”
“Some from interrogation. Some from people we have on the inside.”
“And Draco?”
“He’s not one of ours that I’m aware of. But he’s also not on our radar.”
Hermione cleared her throat. “He’s one of us Harry.”
Harry rounded on her. “And how exactly do you know that?”
“I can’t say.”
Harry grumbled. “Enough of this shite.”
Before anyone could stop him, he went over to the fireplace and flooed to St. Mungo’s. He stomped around until he found Draco’s room. He slammed open the door and Draco sat up in bed.
“Potter?”
Harry slammed the door behind him.
“I want some answers Draco.”
Draco just stared at him.
Harry groaned.
“Ugh, do you really hate me that much?”
Draco looked stricken. “Hate you?”
“Yes. I can understand bailing when you found out about Jamie. Guys do it all the time. But then you apparently go back to your old ways or old friends? And to top it, you show up and save my life making me even more confused. And now Hermione just says to trust you. What the fuck, Draco?”
Draco sighed. Harry noticed he was clenching his bedsheets tight.
“Get out Potter.”
“What?”
“Get. Out.”
Harry quivered a lip but composed himself.
“Fine.” He turned and slammed the door behind him.

Kingsley clapped his hands. “Gather ‘round people. Harry’s got a brilliant plan.”
“They want my son. I say we give him to them.”
Two dozen shocked faces stare back.
“Harry—”
“What’s this potter, have you finally gone ‘round the bend?”
Kingsley shot a look. “Quiet, Robards! Go on Harry.”
“As I was saying, we put Jamie in the middle of a park but with us watching nearby of course. We would get them before they even got close. Jamie would never go with a stranger anyways.”
“Some brilliant plan.”
Kingsley had his fill of the aurors. “Enough. Go back to the ministry. You know what to do. Need-to-know basis.”
“Yes sir.”
A dozen aurors flooed or disapparated out so that only family was left. Hermione came and sat with Harry.
“So, what’s the real plan?”

A small blonde boy was wandering through a park in the dark. He clutched a toy dragon in one hand and wiped his wet eyes with the other. As he made another round, a tall blonde man with a cane approached.
“Well, hello young one. Why are you crying?”
“I—” sniff, “I can’t fine my Daddy. He was just hewe.”
Lucius Malfoy looked around the park warily.
“Ah yes. Mr. Harry Potter. We know each other quite well. In fact, I can take you to him.”
“You can?” Sniff.
“Of course, my boy. Just take my arm.”
The little boy reached up slowly with a shaky little hand. As soon as it made contact, they both disapparated.

Jamie looked around and saw he was in front of a large building.
“Is… is this you howse?”
“No, young one. It belongs to a friend. Friends share things, which means it is also yours for now.”
“Is my Daddy hewe?”
“He will be. But first I need your help with something very important.”
They started walking towards the front doors.
“You see child, your father did something naughty. Have you ever done anything naughty?”
“Uh huh. Daddy makes me say sowy.”
“That’s right, we have to make up for our mistakes. And I want you to help me fix your Daddy’s mistake.”
“Wha did he do?”
“He killed my friend Tom.”
“No. My Daddy wouldn’t huwt anybody.”
They had made it inside a parlor. Lucius turned to face little Jamie.
“Everyone makes mistakes, Jamie.”
“You know my name?”
“Of course. You are a very important little boy. So, will you help me fix your Daddy’s mistake? Please?”
“What do I hav ta do?”
“We are going to a wonderful new castle far away. There, you will learn everything I teach you and do everything I say. And one day you will be my new friend like Tom was.”
“Otay.”
“Excellent! Now, first we need to make a fun mark on your arm.”
Jamie looked up in horror. His shocked face started to turn into a wicked grin. When he spoke, his voice was strangely deeper and clearer.
“Will I meet a sticky end?”
Lucius’s expression changed and he took a step forward to lean in quickly.
“Excuse me?”
Jamie seemed to be getting bigger somehow. He laughed.
“I knew you were an evil son of a bitch Lucius. But this is a new low even for you.”
Lucius’s look of shock turned to realization as he could make out a scar appearing on the quickly growing child’s head. After a minute, Harry Potter was scowling and smiling at the man. Lucius drew his wand.
“How dare you. You will suffer this time if I have to see to it myself.”
Lucius drew his wand back quickly and muttered a spell. As he was bringing it around, Harry was faster and swiped his hand sideways, disarming him.
“For all your supposed power, you are a weak, cowardly man. I don’t know how something as beautiful and pure as Jamie came from something like you.”
In a split second, dozens of aurors were swarming the manor. Lucius was taken away along with several others. Harry was so frazzled and angry he almost checked on Narcissa before remembering their infrequent visits with her and Andromeda. Harry grabbed the toy dragon and disapparated out. He returned to Grimmauld to several worried faces. Many rushed to hug him.
“Jamie?”
“I here daddy. You bought back Bwaze!”
“Of course, I told you I would keep him safe!”
Harry looked up to see Draco leaning on a couch in the corner of the room. He nodded once and left out the door.
Everyone offered their congratulations and thanks to Harry for once again saving them. He attempted to usher everyone out as it was past Jamie’s bedtime, and he was knackered himself. Eventually, he had thought everyone was gone but noticed Ron and Hermione standing by the fire. He walked over and laid his head on Hermione’s shoulder.
“Will it ever end?”
The three just smiled at each other.
“Moments of happiness, mate.”
“Harry. This isn’t over. You don’t have the whole story. Not even close. You need to talk to Draco. Really talk.”
She handed Harry a vial.
Harry sighed. “I don’t suppose you could tell me then?”
“You need to see it with him, not us.”
Ron clapped his hand on Harry’s shoulder. “We’re always here, mate. But you need to sort this one yourself.”
They smiled at him and left out the door. He began to draft a letter to Draco.

“Harry, can we talk?”
“Ethan, of course. I’m sorry these past few weeks have been crazy.”
“Harry. It’s not just that and you know it. I know you’re still in love with him.”
“I—”
“Harry. I know I’m just a placeholder.” He continued quickly to cut Harry off. “I’m not saying you didn’t love me. You have treated me wonderfully. And I know you’ve tried so hard to make it work. But you have a chance at the family you deserve. Don’t let it pass you by.”
Tears formed in Harry’s eyes.
“I do so adore Jamie. I hope you’ll let me see him from time to time?”
“Of course!”
“Oh, and one more thing. Something I’ve been meaning to tell you about Jamie. Nothing you don’t already know, but I didn’t know how to tell you. You’ll understand when you see it.”
Harry laughed, “yet another memory. Okay.”
Harry grabbed Ethan in a tight hug.
“I do love you, you know.”
“I know. But this is what was meant to be.”
They parted and Ethan ran his hand along Harry’s cheek.
“Be happy Harry. You deserve it.”
“You too.”
Ethan gave him a large smile and turned to leave out the floo.

Harry put his head in the water.
It was a somewhat chaotic hospital scene. Ethan had taken Jamie to work sometimes when they were in a bind. But this day looked wild. A few stretchers were being wheeled in with shouting people.
“Healer Hayes! We need help in here!”
Harry knew Ethan had specialties, but he helped in emergencies. Harry looked on in horror as a small boy just a bit older than Jamie was wheeled in with burns covering his body. Ethan took him back to a room and yelled for Jamie.
“Hey buddy, can you keep him company for a second?”
“Suwe, Efan.”
Jamie happily waddled over to the boy. He reached out and held the boy’s hand.
“I’m Jamie. Efan’s gonna heal you. He’s my daddy kinda. Well not reawy, but I wuv him.”
The boy moaned in pain. Ethan was hurrying back towards him when a bright white light emanated from the boys’ clasped hands. Ethan and two other workers looked on in astonishment. The light started subsiding as they looked at the burned boy. He was nearly healed. Only a few minor burns remained over his body. Ethan quickly grabbed the two workers firmly, but not as to hurt them.
“Not a word. To anyone.”
They both nodded. He then went over to Jamie and kneeled down.
“I am so proud of you, buddy. You are an amazing little boy.”
He hugged a beaming Jamie. Then he stood and went to work on the healed boy.
Harry pulled his head out of the pensieve. He was a bit dumbfounded. Jamie had helped heal Draco, but Harry assumed that he just helped close or cauterize the wound a bit which was incredible as it was. But now, this was something completely different. He was trying to put off talking to Draco, perhaps indefinitely. Especially after their last disastrous meeting. It was what he wanted anyway, right? They never had to speak again. But now he knew he needed to speak to Draco whether he wanted to or not. He needed a bit more information that he felt Draco had. It was for his son. Maybe he could even help. He sighed as he began drafting a letter asking Draco to meet and eventually sent it off.

The next morning, a knock at the door drew Harry from the kitchen. He opened it to an apprehensive looking Draco.
“Hey. Thanks for coming.”
“Of course.”
“I know you probably want to get back to your own life, but I thought there’s a few things we should talk about.”
“Indeed.”
“I know before you didn’t want anything to do with us. But if that’s changed and you wanted to officially meet Jamie, you could take him on Saturday after Molly in the afternoon. But uh… first Hermione and Ron told me to do his while you were here.”
Harry pulled out a vial and poured it into the silver bowl.
Draco tensed and looked about to flee but remained put apprehensively.
Harry was about to put his head down when a hand stopped him. He turned to Draco.
“Please just try to understand.”
Harry gave him a confused look but nodded. Then he took a deep breath. It seemed like every time he looked into this reflection of the past, his life changed. This would be no exception. Harry plunged in yet again.
FLASH
The first flash was a hand banging at the Burrow’s door. Ron opened and reluctantly waved an arm for Draco to enter. They went upstairs to where Hermione was waiting by a bed.
“Hello Draco.”
“Hermione.”
Draco sat on the bed as Ron came walking over. “Alright ferret. Out with it. You’re lucky we’re not beating you for what you did to Harry.”
Draco looked up sharply, “you think I wanted to—”
He regained composure. “Two days after we found out about the baby I went to see Theo’s father. He wasn’t officially a death eater, but they used him from time to time. And he always knew their dealings. I asked him in vague terms about Harry. Without me letting anything on he already knew about the baby.”
Ron and Hermione exchanged a confused look. Hermione sat down in a chair across from him.
“How—”
“Please, let me finish.” He sighed. “People do not know my father.”
Ron visibly took offense to this.
“Uh—”
Hermione cut him off.
“Ron, please.”
“What I mean to say is, how do you think the death eaters rose to be what they were? Yes, Voldemort had power and persuasion. But diplomacy, money, people on the inside? Who do you think was pulling the strings? The other death eaters had the intelligence of a rock. But my father’s clever reach went far beyond what anyone thought. For all his supposed hatred of muggles, he even used them from time to time to gain even more power. Some of the more competent leaders had suspicions, but most either didn’t have the right power to do anything about it or were killed before running their mouths. He himself taught Voldemort some dark magics. And when he lost favor with him, still he was playing puppet master. For himself or Voldemort who knows.”
He stopped to take a breath and Ron and Hermione waiting patiently.
“Mother and I knew vague things. But never enough to call him on it. And even if we did, what could we have done? We distanced ourselves and just survived. You know the rest. At the trials, we were both relieved when he got sentenced. But we knew his reach extends beyond Azkaban. When it was just Harry and I, I deluded myself into thinking we could protect ourselves and each other. But then…” He trailed off.
“Back to Theo’s father. He tries to stay neutral, but he’ll give information for the right price. He told me there was a new power rising. And my father was believed to be the head of it. He has a talent for… turning people. He was actually the one who gained most of his followers before. As for his current motives, it’s unclear at the moment why, but he said Lucius was interested in our— the baby.”
Hermione gasped. “That’s why you—”
“Yes. I wouldn’t be Lucius’s conduit. It killed me. But better he hates me, and they be alive and free.”
It was Ron’s turn to gasp.
“The only reason I’m coming to you now is I need your help. I’m going undercover. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I need you to promise me something. I’d make you take the vow, but I believe that is barbaric and unnecessary. But I do need your word.”
He looked to each one who nodded.
“Harry can’t know any of this. If he does, he’s in danger. Knowing Harry, he would fight for me or try to go and end them all himself. But if something happens to me, he needs to know everything so he can protect himself and his baby. Without someone on the inside, he is vulnerable.”
Hermione sighed. “Draco, you’re putting us in an impossible position.”
“I know. But you don’t have a choice. None of us do.”
“There’s something else I need you to do. I need my going back to be convincing. My plan is to come crawling back to my father pleading after an attack.”
Hermione and Ron exchanged a look. Hermione nodded grimly and stood with her wand pointed at Draco’s face.
“I’m sorry, Draco. You’re a good man. And a brave one.”
He offered her a smile.
“Get on with it then.”
FLASH
“Well, well. My pathetic poof son comes crawling back after being shunned by the mudbloods and half-breeds. I knew you would. But it’s not so easy this time. You must prove your loyalty.”
Lucius Malfoy stood and haughtily walked around his cell.
“When a dying animal is caught in a trap, they will often chew off their own arm to get free. That is what you are, yes?”
Draco nodded.
“You’ve always had such pretty teeth, Draco. So, I’ll be kind.”
Lucius reached through the bars and held out an obviously homemade and dull knife.
FLASH
Harry was watching himself with Jamie through a glass window at his first birthday party. A peach but shiny and obviously fake hand touched the window longingly.
FLASH
Harry (Draco) was standing in Lucius’s cell.
“They failed because of you!”
“They were defeated in mere seconds. I told you an attack on the school was foolish and that they would fail.”
“I knew they would fail. We have a bigger plan. It wasn’t my intention to overtake the school, and I didn’t think they’d actually get Potter. But you did NOTHING to help them! You simply fled like a coward!” Lucius brought his hand back and Harry’s vision went dark. When he looked up, he was lying in a puddle of blood.
FLASH
“What more do you want, Nott? I’ve already provided money and favors.”
“I want my son to be protected. I want you to marry.”
“DAD! I—”
“Quiet, Theo!”
He turned back to Draco.
“You need what I offer. It is essential.”
Draco just stared, obviously enraged.
“Fine. Now tell me.”
Nott Sr. smiled and lifted his head high.
“I trust you know your father has moles in the aurors, but I don’t know their names. However, what I can offer you is this. The seer witch your father had captured. She had another vision. It is what began his newfound dogmatic campaign. Your father believed Harry’s blood might still be able to bring him back if done quickly. That was the reason behind the attacks. But now… well. You need to see it.”
Mr. Nott held out a vial with a memory in it. Draco took it and left with a scowl.
FLASH
Harry (Draco) was looking at his reflection in a window in a bar. He looked more like how Harry had seen him at the wedding. Hermione had walked into the bar. She held out a box and put it on the table. She looked at Draco’s appearance and sighed.
“Draco. Enough is enough. We need to get you out.”
“Not yet. There’s a couple more things I need to do. Are these all of them?”
“Yep. You’re lucky I learned how to duplicate memories. Harry still thinks I’m just making a display.”
“How is he? Are they both okay?”
“You will see that they’re fine Draco. But they need their family back.”
“What they need is to be safe. Remember to tell St. Mungo’s about destroying Harry’s blood. And one more thing, I have good reason to believe there’s a mole in the aurors. Maybe more than one. Would explain a lot. Thanks Hermione, take care and be careful.”
“You too,” she said sadly as he was leaving.
FLASH
Harry (Draco) was looking at a pensieve memory. The actual Harry gasped in the water as a beaten Professor Trelawney was shown in a cell. Two men were standing beside her as the owner of the memory approached. She was talking in a voice that Harry had heard before.
“…shall have more power than any before him. He shall be our salvation by light or our destruction by dark.”
The owner of the penseive memory looked at one of the men.
“She say anything important before?”
The man smiled an ugly smile. “Just that ‘the baby is the bringer of life, gifted to the friend of death.’”
FLASH
Harry (Draco) was walking down the street.
“Draco! Draco!” Theo was running up to him.
“It’s happening. Dad says they’re moving after the wedding. I think they plan to follow Potter until they get an opening.”
“Theo, go and pack me a bag please.”
FLASH
Harry was seeing himself confronting Draco in the hospital room. The discussion and yelling ended, and he left the room.
Harry’s vision looked down at the bed and droplets fell to the sheets.
FLASH
Harry’s head shot up. Shock and amazement were inaccurate words to describe the bewilderment that came over Harry. The feelings were immediately replaced by tremendous grief. This amazing man had literally given up everything. He gave up his love. He gave up his son. He purposefully made so many people hate him. All to protect his family. Harry was breathless.
He didn’t even realize he was crying heavily.
“How, how could you not tell me?”
They both knew the answer and just stared at each other as Harry’s tears fell.
“They wanted to use me to bring him back. Then Jamie. You... did all of this for us? You are the most amazing person who ever lived.”
Draco remained still.
“I don’t even know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything. You would’ve done the same. It’s what you do for people you loved.”
Draco got up and left before Harry had time to stop him.
“Loved.” Past tense. Why is it his words hurt worse than any spell?

Almost a week later Harry was sitting by himself in his living room with a cup of tea. Hermione came storming in directly to the living room.
“Harry Potter! What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Um, sitting? Molly has Jamie for a ‘cooking lesson’. Think that just means him eating cookie dough.”
Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose.
“Harry, I say this with all the love in the world, but you’re a sodding idiot. If you don’t get up right now and go find Draco, well then you can just bugger off.”
“’Mione!”
“No! You have been pining over him for years only to find out he’s been sacrificing himself all that time for you and your son. Now go find him before I kick your ass, leave Ron, and go find him myself.”
Harry couldn’t help but smile at her. He jumped up to grab her.
“Hermione, stop! You don’t think I know what he did or how amazing he is? He and Jamie are all I think about every second of every day.”
He sat back down. “But we already talked about it. He left before anything real was said, but he said ‘loved’ when he referred to me and Jamie. Past tense.”
Harry sighed.
“There’s nothing there anymore Hermione. At least not for him. I can’t blame him after everything… But it’s over. Otherwise, I’d go running back to him in a heartbeat. Otherwise, I’d go to the ends of the Earth for another chance at us.”
“You would?” A voice from the kitchen said.
They both looked up in surprise to see Draco.
“Sorry, couldn’t get in but back door was open. I was supposed to pick up Jamie?”
“Didn’t we say afternoon?”
Hermione sighed.
“Harry it’s almost half five.”
“Shite.”
“I’ll go entertain your son. You fix this. NOW.”
She left out the door and Harry sheepishly walked towards the kitchen.
“So, how are you?”
“Okay.”
They stood in awkward silence.
“Did you really mean what you said?”
“Of course.”
“What about Ethan?”
“We split. He knew I’ve held a candle for you for years.”
“You have?”
“It’s only ever been you, Draco.”
Draco smiled widely and stepped forward. Harry stepped back.
“What about Theo?”
Draco laughed. “That was only ever part of a deal. Theo knew that. There was never anything romantic. We got it annulled and he is getting remarried to his last girlfriend.”
Harry sighed in relief, “Oh.”
They slowly got closer to each other. Harry put his hand on Draco’s cheek.
“I love the new look. You know, you’re going to be in the doghouse for the rest of your natural born life for putting me through all this and not telling me.”
Draco looked up and smiled. “Deal.” His lips crashed into Harry’s.
They stumbled to the couch.
“Draco?” He said as kissed were placed down his neck.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for the memories. And for the amazing ones we’re gonna make.”
“Mmm thank you Harry.”
Clothes flew everywhere in heated passion. Gods they had both missed this!

They both showed up to the Burrow two hours later with apologies. Jamie was playing action figures with Ron.
“Hey little buddy!”
“Daddy!” The little boy ran to him, and Harry scooped him up.
“So, buddy I’d like you to meet someone. James Draco Potter, Draco Malfoy.”
“Siwy Daddy, I know Misser Draco! Can he be my papa agains?”
Draco and Harry’s mouths dropped.
“Jamie, where did you hear that?”
“I didn’t. But he looks wike me. An I’ve seen him befaw. An Minnie and me foun a letter fwom him. He was on a missen so couldn’t be my Papa yet. But now he’s back!”
“Wow, Potter. Not yet four and already smarter than you.”
Harry pushed Draco. “Shut up.”
Harry had a feeling that Hermione had more to do with this than she let on. She allowed Jamie to come to that conclusion himself from giving him clues. But Harry wasn’t mad. If anything, he was grateful.
“Can I giv you a hug Papa?”
“I would love nothing more, my son.”
The boy happily ran to Draco and Draco held him tight with neither refusing to let go.
Harry let the watery happiness freely fall at the sight.

A month later Harry was sleeping soundly in bed beside Jamie and Draco when he sat up and grabbed for his stomach.
“Oh no.”

THE END
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