The Darkness

The Darkness ~

Chapter Ten ~ The Clarity of Daylight

But oh, how it feels so real lying here
With no-one near
Only you, and you can hear me,
When I say softly, slowly.

~ Elton John (Tiny Dancer)

~*~

Draco awoke with a yawn and a wince. "Too bright..." he hissed, even though there weren't any windows in the dungeons. Each room had simulated sunlight so that the students wouldn't suffer from depression or any other darkness induced maladies. Having a bitch of a hangover and artificial sunlight did not belong in the same room, thought or sentence.

Don't think I'll make it up to my chambers, I hope Pansy has some hangover potion on hand, he thought as he tried to get up. He stopped when he noticed that there was a body lying across him.

Harry? He thought with a jolt of excitement. But reality dawned on him when the raven haired man turned out to have brown not green eyes. "Gerroff, Zabini!" He pushed the man off him and onto the floor.

At least we're fully clothed, he thought again, with relief.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands, he thought about the events of the night before. That bleeding fool stormed the common room to find me. Granted he was piss drunk, but so was I. Pansy and Snape are right, I should just show him. But what if he is just a genuine friend and he doesn't like me like that? What if I make a move and he rejects me so far as to hate me? Oh, Merlin...I think I'm gonna vomit.

He forced himself to stand, picking up his shoes. He staggered over Blaise's unconscious body and headed to the room he had seen Pansy go into. He was about to knock on the door, but felt foolish. It was Pansy, he'd seen her naked more times then not, what is the worst he could find...

Opening the door he stood there in shock. "Oh Merlin! Whoops...that's it...my brain stopped."

He was staring at not only a naked Pansy Parkinson, but an equally naked Charlie Weasley. It took a few minutes for Draco to get his bearings and then he slowly shut the door. His mind still in shock, he would torment her with this later, he had a hangover to cure.

Grabbing his shoes he silently headed toward the common room, which had taken on the look of a refugee camp. Approaching the exit he turned, slamming his shoes against a metal shield that decorated the wall he closed his eyes and yelled, "RISE AND SHINE!!! TIME TO FACE THE SHITTY MORNING!!! HOPE YOU'RE ALL SUFFERING JUST LIKE ME YOU GRYFFINDOR BASTARDS!!! Bye Harry...meet me for lunch today..." The last bit was more for himself because Harry couldn't hear it over the yells and bits of flying furniture.

He ducked a small table and headed up to his chambers.

Pansy woke to the sound of Draco yelling. "Shut the hell up Malfoy!" she yelled back, though he couldn't hear her. She tried to keep her eyes closed and go back to sleep, but the feeling of someone in bed with her was driving her nuts.

"Zabini, knock it off. You are so queer that the word queer takes offense to you." Then she realized she was naked, oh shit...which one of the little buggers did I nail. She rolled over and spied the red hair, "Oh Crap! A Weasley..." She rolled back over, her head hurt too much to care. She'd deal with this later.

Blaise, in the meantime, peeled himself up off the floor in the room he'd shared with Draco. "I say it every time, I'm never drinking again."

He staggered out of his old room and into the one Pansy had stayed in. He pulled open the door and saw the two lumps on the bed; he calmly crawled up in between them and collapsed.

"Does either one of you have a hangover potion? I have to see my mum today and I can't when I feel like something has died in my brain...or my brain has died...either or..." He began to drift off again, preferring the sounds of Draco snoring then the sounds of his blood pumping thru his brain. Though, he had never realized Draco snored so damn loudly...

The redhead felt movement in the bed and gingerly forced one eye open. The simulated light hurt, so he quickly closed it again as he maneuvered himself closer to what he thought was the gorgeous woman lying beside him. Oh the hell, I didn't! Charlie Weasley's senses started to come into focus as he remembered the night before. He actually had Pansy Parkinson.

"Morning darling," moaned the dragon handler, a marching band played in his head. He began nuzzling the neck in front of him. He wasn't one to let a naked woman go to waste. He reached around to find a firm round breast when Charlie realized that it was not a woman lying next to him at all. Jumping out of bed he grabbed his wand and pointed it straight at the man. Charlie was so disorientated that he totally forgot that he was naked.

Blaise rolled over to face the naked Weasley. He opened one eye and looked the man up and down. "Hmmm, the rumors are true. Weasley's are well...endowed." He smiled, but the room began to spin and he quickly pulled his arm across his eyes to block out the light.

Pansy rolled over, "Do you two mind? I'm trying to die over here." She looked at the naked Charlie and smiled. "Love, could you point that somewhere else? I think you've stunned my Blaise and it isn't nice to tease." Charlie dropped his wand as his hands flew down to cover his modesty.

"Lady Godiva, do you happen to have a hangover potion hidden on your person?" Blaise asked, not too surprised in the least by Charlie being in bed with Pansy. Not much shocked him when it came to her.

She leaned over the bed and reached into her purse and pulled out the potion for Blaise. "Here, Love. Drink and go see your mum. Give Isabella my love and if you forget to bring me back some Italian chocolates I'll turn you into a eunuch." She patted him on his thigh, smiling as evilly as her hangover would allow.

He drank down the potion and immediately began to feel a bit better. Sitting up, he eyed Weasley up and down one last time. He then turned to Pansy, "Shame you know. Big lad like that, wasted on a tart like you." He kissed her cheek and headed out of the room only stopping to add, "Don't do what I wouldn't do, which is sure as hell not too damn much." He left the room, smiling and humming as he headed off to visit his mother in Milan.

Pansy rolled her eyes at Blaise and turned back to Charlie. "So Weasley? Were we any good? Have to say I can't quite remember, but then again..." She gave him a wicked grin, winking at him as she sat up, drinking her own potion and throwing one to the naked redhead.

At that moment, Charlie's swollen male pride deflated as the potion bottle flew towards him. He caught it single handily and uncorked it with the skill of a man that had done this before. He knocked it back and threw the bottle aside, giving the naked woman a cheeky one sided grin rather reminiscent of his brother Ron. This caused Pansy to shudder. "I'm not sure Parkinson, but if you give me an hour I am sure we could refresh your memory." Charles Weasley could remember every touch every stroke of last night's events but he would never admit that to Pansy, instead he chose to just play dumb in the hope of getting a repeat performance.

Pansy placed her empty bottle back in her purse. "Hmmm, Weasley...um which one are you again?" She enjoyed this part of the game.

"Charlie," he replied, his face a mask of disappointment. He himself had spent many nights with nameless women, he really didn't fault her.

"Oh," she paused, thrilling to herself, the Dragon Handler. "Anyway," she continued, pretending that she wasn't impressed. "Do you really think I'll lower my standards, which are already pretty low, and give you a nice morning fuck when I'm sober?" She smiled, innocently before standing up, not bothering to cover her body. She didn't care if he looked because, in her opinion, he'd never get to touch again.

Charlie watched her with slight anticipation, which was soon dashed as he watched her retrieve her clothing from all corners of the room.

As she pulled on her clothes, she continued. "You're sweet and all, but that's the problem. Sweet. I don't do sweet, I don't do nice and I don't do more then one night stands. See the key word...one." She winked at him, appraising his body again. It was nice, she had to admit. Handling dragons had definitely made him cut and...wow. "Though I must admit, the prospect of a second night stand has occurred to me, but it would be against my unwritten rules." She stood up and walked over toward the naked man, her face so close to his. Charlie felt her warm body grazing his over inflated-ego. Then suddenly, she bent over to straighten her stockings and her face was a little too close to his...well, her soft breath danced over his arousal and he jumped slightly.

She smiled, evilly, again.

Standing back up she asked, "So? Are you for breakfast and I do mean food?"

Charlie realized he was not going to win this one. "Um, I suppose I could stretch to breakfast. That is if it would not be breaking any more of your unwritten rules?" He quickly dressed and offered the blonde his arm, "Shall we?"

~*~

Sitting in the small room in the inn above the Three Broomsticks, Donna felt odd and out of place. She was beginning to think that Scotland was the oddest place in the world. People dressed like they were all Gandalf or the Wicked Witch of the West. She was looking out the window half expecting to see Dorothy or maybe Frodo come around the corner and walk down the street. Though, she had a feeling that if they did, no one would notice.

She had arrived here a few days back and still had no idea where to start. Something told her that she didn't belong, that something wasn't quite right. The owner, a woman by the name of Madame Rosemerta, treated her well, but she kept throwing her side-ways glances. She had been lucky in Dovetown. A gentleman took pity on her and brought her to Hogsmeade after a week of people insisting that they didn't know of any place with such a name. Unfortunately, she had fallen asleep in the traveller's carriage; yes, a freaking horse and buggy, so she never saw how she got there.

When she arrived, her travelling companion led her to Rosemerta and the woman took over. Donna had wanted to show her the ring right away, but she held back, wanting to befriend her before trying to get information. Unfortunately, the street smart girl from Manhattan soon found herself completely overwhelmed by this small town. So she found herself cloistered in her small room, watching the world from the window.

Then she saw him.

It had to be him, Draco. Who else had that same silvery white hair and that ram-rod straight posture? She stood and watched him from her second story loft, watched as he walked down the street and entered the Three Broomsticks.

Donna rushed over to the door, glancing at herself in the mirror, she stopped. "He can't see me like this." She quickly pulled out a pair of chocolate brown silk slacks and a cream coloured sweater. Her long brown hair was left swinging like a curtain behind her as she touched up her make-up and ran down the stairs.

As she entered the pub, she stopped short. There he was. Her heart thumped nervously in her chest. She couldn't believe just how much she had missed her employer. Taking a deep breath, she walked over and touched his shoulder. "Mr. Mal...um...Draco?"

Her face fell slightly as the blonde turned to face her.

He gave her a smirk of a smile, "Sorry to disappoint you, but you have the wrong Mr. Malfoy." Lucius eyed her with glee. It was obvious she was a Muggle, but she knew his son and that made her the best thing he'd seen in a long while. He stood up, removing his cloak, which hid his long blonde hair. Taking her hand, he kissed it and smiled, "The name is Lucius Malfoy. I'm Draco's father."

Donna couldn't believe it. This man could not be old enough to have a son Draco's age. She smiled, "Donna Avezzano, I am his...um..." she trailed off, remembering what Draco had said, that his family wouldn't understand the concept of a personal assistant. But before she could answer, the handsome man finished for her.

"His wife?" He eyed the Slytherin ring on her left ring finger. She'd begun to wear it there, though she hadn't really put much thought into the finger choice.

"Umm, yes," she agreed, feeling no sense in telling the truth until she knew if he was really his father.

"Well then, come and take a seat." He pulled a chair out for her. He snapped his fingers, "Rosemerta, a bottle of your best wine, we're celebrating my son's new bride." He sat beside the dark beauty. "Draco never said anything about a wedding. Was it big?"

"Oh, no, we umm, eloped." She lied, again.

Rosemerta came over with the wine and gave Donna a quizzical look. "Love, why didn't you say you were Draco's bride. I would have sent for him up at the school. I know your kind can't see it on your own."

This truly confused Donna, but she only shrugged and blushed. She was not happy about lying to this sweet woman.

"Don't worry Rosemerta, I'll bring her up to the school," drawled Lucius, taking his glass and lifting it. "To my new daughter," he said, sipping the drink after clinking his glass with Donna's. "So, you kept your last name?" he asked, not disguising the slight contempt in his voice.

Donna picked up on it immediately, "No, um, well, I didn't but I didn't know who you were and Draco had warned me that some people no longer appreciate the Malfoy name." She half lied.

This seemed to have appeased Lucius a bit. "You were travelling alone? Why didn't my son take you with him?" He raised an

She couldn't help but think of how much father and son do look alike. "He travelled here to take care of a friend. I was lonely and so I followed, but...it's a surprise."

Lucius nodded, his face bearing only a slight smile, inside he thrilled and danced. He would finally be able to get revenge on his son, by kidnapping his wife.

~*~

"Sirius?" Tonks asked with disbelief. She followed Remus into the cabin, her not quite able to wrap her mind around what he had said. How could that small baby in his arms be Sirius Black, her cousin? "Remus...Remus stop, I don't understand."

He stopped by the bed and lay the baby gently upon it. Straightening himself, he turned to look at her, tears in his eyes. "He told me he would come this way. It's him, Dora. Who else could it be? The only footprints out there are ours, so no one left him. It's Sirius." He looked adoringly at the small babe.

Then the baby wailed again.

"Why is he crying like that?" Tonks asked, eyeing the child, warily.

"I'm not sure. He could be hungry. Don't you know what to do?" Remus gave her a questioning yet fearful look. He knew nothing about babies.

Tonks' hands clenched at her sides in drunken anger as she spoke in a deadly tone. "Remus John Lupin, how dare you assume that because I'm a woman I should automatically know how to take care of babies. That is an unfair assumption and I do not..."

"Shove off, you two. Let me in..." Dung pushed the other two aside. He'd taken an empty beer bottle, rinsed it out and filled it with milk from their supplies. He'd ripped off a bit of one of Remus' shirts, assuming they were the cleanest from this lot, and tucked it into the neck as a stopper, allowing a piece to dangle out. The milk traveled up the white cotton and Dung, after picking up the babe and nestling him in his arms, offered the soggy material to the child to suckle. As soon as the milk soggy cloth hit the baby's tongue, he quieted and began to suck the milk.

Remus and Tonks stood, gobsmacked. Tonks was the first to break the silence. "How did you..."

"Know how to do this?" Dung finished for her. "Me mum. She taught me everything I know. Besides, I do have younger brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and a cousin here and there." He smiled up at the pair, quite proud of this information.

Remus, from relief or from being overwhelmed, collapsed into the chair he'd sat on earlier, his eyes never leaving the small child. His mind whirled with the situation. Not only did he have to worry about learning to take care of a child, he'd have to worry about explaining where the child came from. "I don't know what to do," he whispered.

Tonks put her arm around his shoulder, "Of course you don't, but I know Dung will show you what you need to do." She offered him a helpful smile as she quickly added, "I don't change nappies."

"Thanks," he rolled his eyes at her. "But no, I don't know what I'm going to do in general. I thought I was getting Sirius back, not baby Sirius. I...I'm not sure I can do this." He slumped forward, resting his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands.

Dung chuckled and Remus looked up. The baby had finished off the milk and was falling asleep. Dung stood up and offered the child and the bed to Remus. "Here, mate. Take him and get to know him. Tisn't that hard and ya needs to bond."

Remus stood up and moved to the shoddy bed, kicking off his shoes before taking the baby. He raised an eyebrow at the thought of them bonding, they already were...in a way. He curled up on his side, his back to the room, the baby nestled in the hollow between his body and the wall. He could hear Tonks and Dung take out their sleeping gear and set up on the floor. He had planned on giving Tonks the bed, but the situation had desperately changed.

The baby looked at him with sleepy eyes. The child was beautiful, full pink cheeks, dark shock of raven hair and those haunting silver eyes that spoke of age not youth. "Is this what you wanted, Sirius?" he whispered to the baby, his large hand hovered over the child as it reached out chubby hands to grasp onto his fingers. "Did you make a deal to live your life over? I envy you." He placed a kiss on the soft smooth skin of the baby's forehead and watched him fall asleep. Remus pulled the blanket up over them and closed his eyes. "I missed you, love," he whispered; his face brushing against the baby's hair as sleep finally claimed him.

~*~

Light shone thru the chink in the logs of the cabin. It danced with dust motes as it travelled down Remus' forehead and eventually settled in his eye. He turned his face into the pillow and was instantly swallowed by softness. He threw his arm toward the wall, attempting to pull the blanket up over his head. Instead his hand hit a solid warm chest. He realized that the softness on the pillow was hair. His eyes flew open.

What he saw shocked him to no end, a familiar profile, the dark mop of hair that cascaded over the pillow. He reached up a timid hand and stoked the cheek before him. The babe was gone; leaving behind the man it was to be.

Silver eyes shot open and a smile curled on deliciously familiar lips. They turned toward Remus, and than his head followed. A deep hoarse voice whispered to him thru the semi silence of the cabin. "Hullo, Moony."

...

Remus jumped, falling backwards out of bed and landing on Mundungus, below. "Wot the feck, Brains! I was sleepi..." he broke off as he looked at the shocked Remus. Following his gaze he saw the partially naked man lying in the bed. "Holy feck! Where's the babe?"

Tonks was rubbing her eyes as she sat up; obviously her head was throbbing because her movements were slow and deliberate. She mumbled, "Leave it to you guys to cock things up and lose a baby." She yawned and stretched with her eyes still closed, but let out a yelp when she opened them.

They all stared at the man in the bed. Again, Tonks was the first to break the silence. "Sirius!" she squealed, launching herself onto the bed and into her cousin's arms. "It's really you!"

Sirius smiled, "Yep, it's me." He hugged Tonks back, looking over her shoulder at Remus.

Remus, still in shock, slowly got to his feet and promptly sat back down into a chair by the table. He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand as he tried to take in the situation. It was really Sirius. Last night was a shock, but this morning took the cake. It made no sense, a babe in the forest and now full grown and very healthy looking Sirius.

"Holy hell, Brains...it's bloody Black," Mundungus said with his usual eloquence. He stood up and sat on the chair beside Remus. "At least it looks like the bloody bastard. Are you still sure it's 'im?"

Remus watched as Tonks straddled her cousin and touched his face; Sirius smiled at her and hugged her again. It was endearing to watch, yet painful. Tonks shouldn't have lost Sirius in the first place. He remembered her tagging along, following after him and James and Sirius and even Peter. She tried her damnedest to be a Marauder. How many times did Andromeda threaten to hex them all if anything happened to her daughter? He was just happy that Andromeda had accepted him into the group; the Black family was rarely forgiving of certain dark creatures.

He startled suddenly, realizing that Sirius and Tonks were both looking at him. "What?"

Tonks jumped off the bed and sat at Remus' knee. "You look lost," she whispered.

Remus looked at her and ruffled her still green fringe. "Not lost, found," he said, smiling up at Sirius.

Sirius remained on the bed, still wrapped in Tonks' red scarf. He'd manoeuvred himself so he was leaning against the rough wooden wall. Remus was amazed at how healthy he looked, so he said so. "Dying suits you, Pads."

Sirius smiled, his silver eyes glinting in the early morning light. "Mourning doesn't suit you, Moony. You look like warmed over shit."

"Blame that on Dung," he said, motioning to the man who was rummaging thru his rucksack for something. "Got pissed last night, hell of a sobering up job you did with that appearance."

Sirius actually blushed slightly, "Sorry 'bout that. The ladies said it would get your attention."

"Ladies?" Tonks asked.

"The three Witch Trees. They were quite lovely and took great care of me as I was slowly getting younger." He absently rubbed the back of his neck, much like Remus. "I don't recommend coming back into the world as an adult. I was told that there was a reason we are born so small. I am glad to say, I don't remember a single bit except when Moony picked me up." He gave Remus a large smile and the werewolf itched to kiss him.

"Right," Dung interrupted, "This calls for a celebration." He pulled some packages from his rucksack. "Got us some bangers and some kippers and...beer."

"Sounds like a right feast," Sirius said, trying to stand up, but falling back onto the bed.

Remus ran to his side, "Okay?" His eyes were full of concern.

Sirius only smiled, "Gotta get used to walking and not floating." Seeing the astonishment in Remus' eyes he smiled brighter. Remus only shook his head, they'd have a lot to talk about. "Where's the loo?"

"I'll take you," Remus offered, leading him to the door. "Oh, but you'll need proper clothing. You'll get sick in just that lovely red scarf. Tonks may want it back."

Tonks, who was now setting the table, only rolled her eyes. "He can keep it. Not too keen on having it back at the moment."

They all began to laugh as Sirius pulled on the trousers that Remus had offered him. They were a bit big, but Remus hadn't thought to bring any of Sirius' clothing along. He cinched them tightly and pulled a jumper over his head. He then followed Moony out to the outhouse.

Remus stood outside, leaning against the cold faded wood of the little shack while Sirius took care of himself. He was silent, still lost in thought. He knew he should be happy, but he was afraid that something was wrong. He still had no idea if this was his Sirius. What if they'd made a mistake and this is a daemon trying to pretend to be Sirius.

He was startled from his thoughts as a pair of very warm hands touched his face. He had been so engrossed that he hadn't even noticed Sirius standing before him. Steam was coming from their mouths as they exhaled in the bitter frosty morning. "Moony, are you alright?"

Remus smiled, but did not have a chance to reply before two very warm lips met his. He gasped and Sirius took advantage of this and parted his lips, softly with his tongue. Remus gave into the kiss, his hands slowly finding purchase on Sirius' face. Sirius' own hands were snaking down his chest and after finding the edge of his jumper, began to work themselves up the bare skin of his stomach. Remus moaned softly and reluctantly moved away.

Sirius looked into his amber eyes, "Alright, Moony?"

Remus suddenly couldn't understand how he could have doubted who this man was. "Never better, Pads, never better." He took Sirius' hand and they re-entered the cabin, announcing, "Bring on the beer, we have a celebration to commence."

~*~

Harry had finally managed to drag himself from the Dungeons and made his way up to his chambers. Stumbling into the door, he managed to pull a hangover remedy out of the cupboard over the sink before collapsing onto the sofa. He didn't notice the blonde sitting at the window and painting.

"'Bout time you showed up. I was beginning to think I lived alone." Draco drawled from his seat before the canvas. He held a paint brush in one hand and a wand in the other, making Harry remember his comment on being ambidextrous.

Rubbing his temples, Harry grumbled, "Bugger off."

Draco gave one last glance at his painting; it was beginning to take shape. He was taking his time with it, wanting it to be perfect. He placed his brush and wand next to the easel. He stood up and stretched, his shirt raising enough to show a patch of pale skin. "Yet another eloquent moment from Saint Potter. What happened, did your Quidditch Tart leave you for Davies?" He raised a blonde brow in a taunting manner as he threw himself on the opposite sofa.

"What the bloody hell are you talking about...Malfoy?" he retorted, stressing the name he'd stopped using so long ago.

Draco only stared off into the fireplace, his face cold and un-readable.

Harry sat up, casting his emerald eyes on the blonde. "Are you deaf now? Or are you still pining over that kiss you witnessed." He stood up and threw his arms into the air. "Merlin, Draco...are you that vain? You think that because you helped me that I'm supposed to turn and fall to your feet like Zabini and Parkinson, your effing groupies?"

This got Draco's attention. "Actually I could say the same for you, Potter. You seem to think that everyone should bow down to you, the Saviour of the Wizarding World," he spat.

Harry looked as if he'd been struck across the face and Draco felt his stomach turn. He knew he'd gone too far and he felt horrible, though his face remained the cold mask. "That's it isn't it," he continued, his mouth now on auto-pilot. He was beginning to feel sickened by his own words. "You can't handle not being in the spotlight. Hence your little excursion with Chang and then your 'Siege on Slytherin'," he got up and began to pace. He hadn't planned on fighting with Harry, he had hoped that they'd finally start to talk again, but of course, yet again, his and Harry's tempers got the better of them. "When are you going to stop playing the bloody hero? When are you just going to try to be normal?"

Harry glared, "What is normal? Tell me, Malfoy because I haven't been able to figure that one out on my own. Is it normal to defeat the Dark Lord at the age of one? Is it normal to grow up in a cupboard? Tell me, is it normal to defeat a basilisk at the age of twelve, or I know...it must be utterly normal to finally get your life on track and have your wife killed by something that apparently doesn't exist." At this point, Harry was seething and he could feel hot tears streaming down his face.

Draco felt like shit. He hadn't meant to do this at all. He went to open his mouth when that blasted plant cut in.

"Buggering bastards! Effing poufs!" Hank the angry house-plant proclaimed. "Self-pitying fools! I'll kill ya, and I'll make it look like a bloody accident!"

Harry fought it but eventually he snickered. Draco too gave a soft chuckle. Unfortunately, instead of opening up their dialogue, Harry saw it as an opening to run upstairs and hide under his blankets.

Draco shrugged and turned to the plant. "Thanks for nothing." He then cast a hopeless look at his painting and knew he'd never be able to work on it again that day. His mood was ruined. Instead he grabbed his cloak and decided to take a walk.

Upstairs, Harry had swiftly drifted into a restless sleep.

~~He was walking through the desert, yet he was neither hot nor thirsty. The rusty sand flowed around him on the soft breeze and the sun shone high. All he did was walk.

In the distance he spotted an oasis so he trekked on, slowly gaining on the patch of green in the distance. He half expected it to vanish, but it remained solid as he approached. As he neared it, he could make out the large palm trees and a patch of water that reflected the crystal blue sky. Beside the pond sat a woman. She was lovely; her dark skin glowed as if it were painted with gold. Her dark eyes penetrated into Harry, as though she could read his soul. She motioned for him to join her.

"Hello Harry," she purred, her hand trailing small circles in the water and sand.

"Erm, hullo. Who're you?" Harry sat down on the sand, feeling its warmth under his hands. He had a sudden urge to take off his trainers and dig his toes into the sand.

"I am the One. I am the First. I've had many names. You may know me as..." her form shifted and she became his dead wife.

"Ginny!" Harry said, startled.

"Yes, Harry. Ginny. I am she and she is me." The woman wearing Ginny's face whispered.

"But Ginny is dead." Harry spluttered, trying to move away from the woman.

The woman smiled, "Of course she is. I can only become someone if they are no longer living."

"D-do you know who killed her?" He asked, his own voice lowered to a whisper.

She laughed a silvery laugh. "Why Harry, my sweet, you killed her."

Harry began to shake his head. "No...I was there, I was knocked out. I didn't kill her."

The woman, now returned to her original form, raised one finger and smiled. "But Harry dear, Ginny didn't want to go to the tomb. She didn't even want to go to Cairo. She wanted to stay with her dear Lucas in New Zealand. She only went with you because you wanted her to go. Ginny was killed because of you."

Harry struggled to move away from the woman, his hands and heels digging into the soft sand as he moved back. "No...that's not true. I loved her..."

"You loved Draco." The woman gave him a knowing look. "You settled for Ginny when Draco left. He left and you turned to the one person who loved you." Her face softened, "But my dearest, Harry. I can tell you this, you too were a victim."

Harry was utterly confused.

"There were many events that led to my awakening. It had been so dark in my tomb. My Keepers held me there. But another needed my amulet, needed it to be reborn. Come, look into my waters and I will show you the face of the man who gave the goblins the wrong information. He is my saviour, but he is expendable. He and the rat took my amulet, I need my amulet so I can finally get out of your dreams." She moved her hand over the water and it rippled softly then stilled.

He couldn't stop himself; Harry moved closer to the water and peered in. Two images flowed together. One he knew, the other he did not.

Her voice startled him from his thoughts. Again, she was Ginny. "Find them, Harry. Find them and kill them...for me. Find the amulet and I will be free." She moved toward him and he shrunk away. She was no longer the beautiful woman, nor his wife...she was a rotting decaying creature and he couldn't stand to have it touch him. "My amulet, Harry, bring it to me. We cannot be free without it. The one who calls himself the Dark Lord, he has my amulet. Get it..." The creature moved ever closer and Harry heard a scream pour from his lips.~~

He awoke, screaming.

Draco had returned from his walk, a letter clutched in his hands, but forgotten when he heard Harry's screams. He ran up the stairs and rushed to his side, grabbing his shoulders and holding him steady. "Harry...Harry it's me. Calm down."

Suddenly, Harry grabbed him, pulling him into a tight hug. "Draco...Draco help me, please. I'm going insane. The dreams...Ginny...I can't stop them. They won't go away." He clung to the blonde.

Draco shushed him, rocking him slowly. "It's okay Harry. I promise to help you. Calm down," he whispered, brushing his sweat soaked fringe from his face. "Tell me what you dreamed."

Harry had his face buried in Draco's neck, it felt comforting and...right. He took a deep breath and slowly began to tell Draco of his dream. The blonde listened and ignored the curl of happiness in his stomach. He also ignored the curl of anxiety that began to creep into his chest as Harry spoke of the dream. He needed to talk to Hermione, tell her what he found out; he knew it would help her research.

Harry began to drift off to sleep again, wrapped in Draco's arms. Draco stayed, holding him, keeping him safe. He too eventually dozed off, comforted by Harry in his arms.

That evening, Harry didn't have another nightmare.

TBC