Transcendence

~ Chapter 19: New Looks & New Lives ~

Three weeks later...

The Great Hall was brightly illuminated to help the students who were cramming for their class tests. It was after dinner, and Harry and some of his friends had converted one corner of the Gryffindor table into a study corner.

Draco watched his green-eyed lover practicing one of the Transfiguration charms intently. He looks different without the scar. More youthful too -- but that's probably because he doesn't have the weight of the world on his shoulders anymore. The Slytherin had stopped revising his Potions about ten minutes earlier and felt that he deserved a break. He rested by watching his boyfriend practice with the new wand that he had chosen from among the ten that Kingsley had brought with him. Since Harry's first one was completely destroyed with its twin, Dumbledore had sent an emergency message out that a new wand was needed so that Harry would be able to perform in his classes. The new wand was ten-inches long, made of dark ebony with a core of silver metal. The wand reacted with Harry when it was first touched and all who watched concluded that it was the right one for the boy.

Draco sighed and glanced at the watch on the table. It was after ten in the evening but Hogwarts was still full of activity. Dumbledore had extended curfew to midnight after Voldemort's passing and the truce with the Dark Lord's remaining followers.

The Slytherin felt a pang of regret and guilt when the thought about the Dark Lord's followers surfaced in his mind. He had not known that his mother had died even before Halloween; she had died as a sacrifice to strengthen Voldemort's power. But his father...

Lucius Malfoy had lost all of his magical abilities in the blast created by the pure magical powers of Voldemort, Harry and his son combined. Draco didn't understand why that had happened. Why do Harry and I still possess the magic? The boy thought solemnly. Dumbledore and Harry can't tell for sure if the loss is permanent or just temporary. Could his loss be temporary? The blindness that we suffered only lasted for a few minutes. It was a miracle that the Ministry and the Confederation of Witches and Wizards had given a full pardon to his father. It meant that his father was allowed to remain in the wizarding world -- he would still be able to work. But Lucius was still not forgiven by many including Draco's own friend, Blaise. Mr. Weasley too, had thought that Lucius had gotten off easily.

The silver-eyed boy shook the hair out of his eyes. It had grown rather long and he was due for a haircut. I'll just wait until someone tells me off. Green-Eyes seems to like running his fingers through it. As he toyed with his soft, silvery hair, he contemplated about the last time he had visited St. Mungo's. Dumbledore had appointed him to tell Lucius the news that he had been given a full pardon and was not required to serve a sentence in Azkaban (the prison was being reconstructed and new jailers were needed to man the building). The Headmaster was also hoping that father and son would reconcile. Lucius had been mostly silent while the Slytherin told him about the Ministry's decision. Draco would have felt terribly nervous being alone with his father but fortunately Harry had offered to go along. Still, things were far from comfortable after the young Slytherin had told his father.

*********

Flashback. St. Mungo's Hospital.

Friday, 8^th November.

Draco uncomfortably stood beside the bed with Harry standing close behind him. His father, heavily bandaged across the chest -- the wizard had broken his ribs during the skirmish with the minotaurs -- and leg, looked at him with an icy expression.

Finally, after what seemed like an hour, Lucius leaned back onto the stack of pillows, one lock of pale blond hair falling over his eye. His father took a deep breath and closed his eyes, probably to contemplate the young Slytherin's words.

The door opened -- it was Tonks, checking up on the two students. Harry gave her a wave and she nodded, before closing the door to ensure their privacy. Draco studied his father. The absence of magic from the older Malfoy disturbed him. He had also seen a certain kind of emptiness in Lucius's eyes and it felt wrong to him too.

Draco's eyes fell upon Lucius's bandaged wrist and slowly traveled upwards, to where Voldemort had left his mark on his father for more than two decades ago. Like Sev's, the mark on Lucius's arm was completely gone, thus confirming the fact that the Dark Lord had been successfully destroyed. No amount of resurrection would be able to bring the wizard back.

"I suppose you must be happy," Lucius said quietly, jolting Draco out of his musings.

"Happy?" Draco asked, feeling a little confused.

"That the magic has left me," his father said coolly.

Draco was at a loss for words. He couldn't express how he felt, just that it was wrong. Death was probably a better option to the older man than losing what had always been a part of him in a second. Lucius stared at him for a moment before his icy gaze settled on Draco's lover.

"What exactly is your relationship with my son?" Lucius asked him impassively after a minute of studying the emerald-eyed Gryffindor.

"Uh ... Drake?" Harry's tone was slightly uneasy.

"I don't know ..." Draco's mouth became dry. He opened his mouth to answer but no voice emerged.

"I'm -- We're --" Harry too had lost his eloquence.

"Harry is my lover ... father," Draco finally managed to reply. He was uncertain if he had answered to spite his father or to gain acknowledgment.

One eyebrow arched; Lucius was skeptical at the confession. "I thought Severus tried to seduce you." The wizard directed the question at Harry.

"What?" The boy's face took on a closed expression.

"He didn't?"

"Sev is my godfather. He wouldn't have done that to me. Besides, he had already set his eyes on someone else long before," Harry answered dryly.

Lucius chuckled, surprising both boys. "Yes, the werewolf ... I heard about that."

"How?"

"The walls have portraits, Mister Potter. And portraits gossip. Someone had been ranting about the werewolf being taken by someone and a male at that," Lucius said flippantly but his eyes were alight with amusement.

"Tonks ranted?" Harry voiced his question silently and Draco shrugged.

"Draco," Lucius called him and the young Slytherin stepped forward. "Take this key."

The boy stared at the small golden key his father held in his right hand. "Take it. Your vault number is 643."

"My vault?" Draco squeaked.

"Yes, your vault, you idiot. Severus made me open up a vault for you when you were young," Lucius said in a slightly scornful tone.

"And he didn't tell me!" Draco was offended.

"I think with good reason, Drake. If you knew you had money, you'd probably have spent it to the last Knut in your anger," Harry said good-naturedly.

"That man's foresight was too accurate," Lucius muttered. "The Ministry and the Finance department will probably raid the mansion more thoroughly and probably tell the goblins to open up my vault too."

"Then what about you? Won't they confiscate the money?" Draco asked worriedly.

"Well, thanks to Severus I too had taken up another vault under a different name and appearance," his father answered dreamily. "He might regret that he had helped me at all, considering that I tried several times to kill Lupin. But how I am going to go back into that persona I will never know." His father sounded defeated and sat slumped on the bed.

**********

Present.

"Drake? Are you all right?" Harry asked with a worried expression.

"What? Yeah, I'm fine ... just lost in my thoughts," Draco answered sheepishly.

"Where the hell have you been?" Hermione asked accusingly. "We've been calling your name for the last ten minutes before Harry finally got a response from you. If you have a problem, share it. Don't mope about on your own."

"In other words, what she is really trying to say is, if you're troubled and not intending to share it with anyone, conceal it," Harry told him slyly.

"All right, all right. You both win," Draco said with a smile.

"Hello!" Ginny greeted them cheerfully, carrying a notepad in one hand before sitting down beside the Slytherin. "It seems that the Hufflepuffs knew that the two of you are together. Some even asked me outright if I feel sick about it."

"Hah! Knowing you, yes -- you feel sick, but entirely in a different manner," Draco teased her and Harry nodded his agreement.

"You three are sick," Ron responded without looking up from memorizing the list of Transfiguration charms that Hermione had helped him with.

"We're not!" the accused three retorted loudly.

"More rumors about Remus and Sev are running about too. Students are getting more observant these days," Ginny added. "Anyway, I hope those two will confirm it by dancing during the Yule Ball this year."

Although it had already been decided earlier that they would be celebrating the Yule Ball that year -- because it was Harry's last year in Hogwarts -- Dumbledore had decided to exploit the occasion to celebrate a Voldemort-Free world. The staff members obliged the old wizard without any complaints.

"Do you think Sev would dare to do that?" Hermione asked Harry. The boy shrugged in reply.

Suddenly there were several exclamations coming from a group of Ravenclaw girls.

"Oh my god!"

"Look at him! He's so gorgeous!"

"Who could he be?"

"Bill Weasley? I heard that he's a charming bloke. He works in Gringotts," one girl gushed.

"Bill Weasley?" I don't think so. All Weasleys have red hair -- this guy has got the blackest hair I've ever seen!"

"Like Professor Snape?" one girl queried.

"Eeeew ... not him! His hair is greasy -- not glossy!"

"Oh Merlin! Look at that chin ... and those eyes ..." the voice trailed off.

"Who are those girls ogling?" Ron asked in amusement.

"They're right. He is gorgeous," Hermione answered in a preoccupied manner. "Don't you think so, Ginny?"

All of them turned to watch a stranger in dark blue robes talking seriously to Dumbledore. It was also the first time Harry had ever felt attracted to another man besides Draco. He knew his expression was getting dreamier with every second that passed. Harry flushed slightly when the man in blue robes turned and looked in his direction. Draco too felt immensely attracted to the stranger but he felt a little angry when Harry seemed just as enthralled. A surge of intense jealousy made the Slytherin study his 'opponent' more carefully. A few minutes later, the blonde was smacking his head with his notebook repeatedly.

"Have you gone mental?" Ron asked.

"I am mental for thinking that guy is attractive," Draco answered as he continued to hit himself like a repenting house-elf. The rest took a good look at their friend and saw that his lips were rather pale, as if he was feeling ill.

"Harry, take another look," Draco instructed firmly and the Gryffindor did.

"Bloody Hell!" Harry finally yelped and snatched Draco's book away to hit himself. "I don't believe it! I was not attracted to him!!!" he raved. During the Gryffindor's rants, the stranger had been walking toward them and a knowing smile was plastered on his face.

The stranger finally stopped and smiled warmly at Hermione and Ginny. He was tall, with a slight build. His robes looked expensive and under his robes, he wore a simple black turtleneck that clung to his chest in a way that was appealing. He was muscular too; he was showing off his abdominal muscles with that tight fitting shirt. He was fair-skinned and rakishly handsome, with thick black hair -- but neat -- that Harry wished he possessed. He had a sharp nose and a stubborn chin, high cheekbones and very neat eyebrows. But it was his eyes that were the most special. They were a stark blue and when the stranger tilted his head at an angle, they had the color of the most precious amethyst. What surprised Harry the most was that the man had sword-shaped earrings in both ears.

"Draco," the man spoke in a clear baritone that hinted that he had musical talent in him. "I assume that you approve of my looks?"

"Harry is mine so stay away from him," was the response from the Slytherin.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'," the man answered with a smile. "I'll be leaving for Japan soon."

"What? You aren't going to stay?" Draco looked stricken.

"You have your own life now and I trust your lover will ensure that you don't spend the money in one go," the stranger said solemnly.

"But ... why are you going to Japan? Are you fully recovered? Your powers have returned?" Draco asked.

"Yes to the last two questions. Although I have regained the magic, it isn't as strong as what it had been before. But it's better than being a Squib. Now ... why I'm going to Japan? No reason at all. I might take up drawing," the man answered distractedly.

"You're really serious?"

"Yes, Draco. Don't worry, I'll write to you. Just make sure you inform me of your new address. Bye now," the stranger smiled at all of them and walked off, nodding to Dumbledore along the way.

"Harry, who is that wizard?" Hermione asked suspiciously. She thought she knew who it was that had just strolled over and conversed with them but she was afraid to guess.

"Who did you think it was?" Harry asked her back.

"You mean ... that's him?!" Hermione looked appalled. She couldn't begin to understand how such a menacing character had suddenly become a good-looking and enthusiastic bloke.

Harry and Draco nodded glumly.

"Oh my god." Hermione leaned back, looking stunned.

"What the hell are you guys talking about?" Ron asked, looking quite annoyed that they knew things that he didn't.

"Never mind," the three answered.

"But --"

"Never mind!"

Ron sulked and the group continued to study. Ginny wasn't; instead she was sketching the wizard that had visited them suddenly.

"Merlin! That guy was so cute!" The girl sighed and Draco looked ill again. "What was his name?"

"Make something up!" Harry pleaded.

Draco managed to give something resembling a shrug and answered dispassionately, "Luke. We got to know each other in St. Mungo's. We thought he was definitely ugly since he was wrapped up in bandages. Burns or something like that." Ginny didn't reply when Remus suddenly sat down beside Harry, looking quite shocked.

"Remus?" Harry asked softly, glad that the group had something else to worry about. "What happened?"

"Harry, he -- Sev, he ..." Remus's eyes looked a little wild.

"What? What did Sev do?" Harry inquired, wincing when his tone ended up sharper than he had intended it to be.

"Big question..."

"Big question?" Ron repeated stupidly. Draco too felt unenlightened.

"He popped the 'Big Question'?" Hermione exclaimed, and at the professor's nod, she grinned widely.

"'Mione, what's a 'Big Question'?" Ron pestered.

"It means ... Sev proposed," Hermione whispered gleefully.

"He did?" Harry was surprised and pleased at the same time. "Did you accept?"

Remus nodded dumbly.

"Then why are you looking so glum? Aren't you happy?"

"I thought ..."

"Pah! You should know better, Moony," Harry answered. "You're his lifemate. Of course he would ask."

"When's the wedding?" Draco inquired, feeling excited too.

"This Christmas," Remus said in a hushed tone. "Just before the Yule Ball."

"Are we invited?" Ginny asked him with a cute puppy dog-eyed expression.

"Yes, you are," Remus replied. "I don't think Molly would be pleased if we did it secretly and popped by one day telling her that we're married."

"Where?" Hermione interrupted. "In Hogwarts?"

"Yes. Dumbledore's the official and McGonagall said she would 'take care' of things."

"Ooops, then I think you better say that you and your partner will be the ones making all the arrangements," Ron inserted. "I wouldn't want to see those two arguing."

"It's a small ceremony. Nothing flashy," Remus said, looking at the table shyly. "Considering that a lot of students will be around, I don't think Sev would like them to sniff out the ritual."

"Small or big, it will be special, Remus," Harry said, wrapping his arm about the professor's shoulder.

"Yes, it will." Hermione nodded. "These kinds of things usually end up like that."

"Who wants to go and tease Sev with me?" Harry asked slyly as he put his wand away.

"I'm in!" Ginny cheered.

"Blame yourself if he decides to hex you," Ron yelled at her as she, Harry and Draco rushed off to the dungeons below.

**********

The Big Day.

"Stay still, Harry," Bill Weasley spoke firmly.

"Okay," Harry muttered as he watched the older boy carefully trim his fringe.

"Done!" Bill finally exclaimed and smiled brightly at his customer.

"Good job bro!" Ginny clapped her hands in approval. "Mum wouldn't approve but listening to the twins this time has its merits. It's great that you had enough time to grow your hair. You look dashing!" The girl bent down to give him a soft kiss on the cheek. "Well, I'm going off to see Remus and make sure he doesn't eat too much chocolate!"

"Wait! Who's with Sev?" Harry shouted after her.

"Hermione and Madam Hooch!" she answered. Other sounds were abruptly cut off when the door closed.

"Is he ready yet?" Draco complained as he studied himself.

"Yup! You can inspect him now," Bill said, making a face at the impatient Slytherin.

Harry readjusted his clasp and the cloak that hung about his shoulders. Then he looked nervously at his boyfriend. "So ... what do you think?" Harry felt a little strange wearing Remus's gift: the black and silver sorcerer's robes he had gotten from the professor on his birthday. His outfit matched his silver glasses well and he preened a little at the admiration he was getting from the Slytherin.

"You look yummy. Now I fear that you might get stolen by the girls who wish to dance with you," Draco said in mock solemnity. He was wearing a cerulean sorcerer's robe with vine designs all over it and Harry thought the Slytherin looked exquisite as well.

"Girls? Not boys?"

"If any boys dare try to cut in on our dance, I'll hex them. But if it's Sev or Remus ... I won't have any objections." Draco came up to him and rearranged part of Harry's fringe to his liking. "I'll say it again, Green-Eyes: you look yummy."

"Don't start drooling," Fred admonished. "You can drool all over him later, after the ball."

There was a knock on the door. "Are you boys done?" It was Mrs. Weasley and she looked very energetic.

"Yes!" the boys in the room answered in unison.

"Good! Let's go down now. Oh, don't forget the rings!"

"Oh shoot! Where did I place them?" Harry swore.

"The table," Bill replied and the two younger boys rushed to the table.

"Drake, you're holding on to Remus's ring!"

"Oops, give me the ring that has Severus's name on it then."

The group then swiftly made their way down to one of the dungeons that had been selected for the ritual.

**********

The soon-to-be-wedded couple weren't yet there when Harry and the rest of the group arrived. The emerald-eyed boy looked around and saw Hermione and Ron talking excitedly with Ginny and Madam Hooch.

"Harry! Can we have a quick look at the rings?" Hermione pleaded.

"Sure," he smiled and he and Draco presented the wedding bands.

"Make sure you don't drop them," the Slytherin mumbled.

"We won't," Hermione answered with a glare.

Professor Vector, who had been waiting in one corner of the room with a seated Professor Trelawney, walked slowly up to them. Madam Hooch looked at her colleague inquiringly. "I used to wonder about the banter between the two of them during meals," Vector said, her eyes bright with amusement. "I didn't expect anything between them." She smiled. "But now I'm here, with Minerva being the planner. I can't believe that the two are getting married."

"Me neither," Hooch agreed.

"This is the ring that Remus is supposed to be wearing," the Flying instructor informed her and handed the ring carefully over to Vector.

"Very simple bands but neither man languishes in ostentatious things," Vector commented.

"Looks can be deceiving -- look at the engravings on the inner side," Hooch said slyly.

Professor Vector rolled the slim, plain white gold ring between her fingers to read the words. "Severus Snape ..." She raised her eyebrows at the next set of engravings. "You're Mine." Harry and Draco snickered.

"Fancy being the one in control, doesn't he?" Hooch smiled crookedly and the boys laughed.

"What about Severus's?" Vector inquired. She was grinning when Hermione handed her the ring's twin. "Remus Lupin: Always yours. Typically romantic." She giggled.

"Here be the grooms!" the twins yelled out enthusiastically as Remus and Sev came into the room, with Flitwick and Dumbledore close behind them.

Harry smiled brightly at his scowling godfather -- the Potions Master was uncharacteristically nervous. At least the wizard wasn't the only one getting edgy; Remus was trembling slightly but he managed to give a faint smile in the students' direction. The couple stood at the positions that Trelawney had assigned to them. Sev and Remus stood face to face and Sev's eyes softened just a little.

Harry came to stand on one side of Remus while Sirius -- the latter was requested to be a witness -- stood on the other side. Draco and Flitwick mirrored their exact positions. Dumbledore and McGonagall stood roughly in between while the rest fell into the points of a hexagram. The Headmaster looked inquiringly at Trelawney and she nodded haughtily.

The ritual of handfasting began silently. No words were necessary; emotion was the only thing needed. And since it was a bonding of two male wizards, Harry, Dumbledore and Draco had twisted the proceedings to fit the nature of the bonding. Orbs of misty light began to emerge, throwing back the shadows, illuminating the dungeon and softening the harsh surroundings.

Sev had been holding both of Remus's hands and staring deeply into the light brown eyes. He stepped closer to the frail looking wizard and began kissing the palms gently. Remus repeated the action and the two stepped back, still lost in each other's eyes. That act symbolized their respect for each other and the willingness to compromise. Then it was the rings, to make it known to people that they had been claimed.

Again, Sev reached for Remus's hands and clasped them lovingly. Plain red and green ribbons magically conjured by Dumbledore and McGonagall wrapped about the couple's hands, thereby uniting their life, fate and souls together. Remus and Sev stared at their bound hands anxiously but fortunately the ribbons remained laced.

Harry caught his boyfriend's eyes and winked. "Good omen. The ribbons held for far longer than I had expected them to."

"Yeah," the Slytherin answered happily.

"Well," a hollow voice emerged from the group. It was Sirius and he was looking at the now-married couple oddly. "What in hell are you waiting for? Seal your oaths."

Remus blushed and stammered something while Sev glared at the wraith. Sirius somehow managed to look arrogant in his ghostly form and he was grinning. Harry had never felt happier in his life.

Everyone waited somewhat impatiently for the married couple to do the last rite. When the two kissed shyly in front of sixteen other people, the students erupted in catcalls and loud cheers.

**********

Outside in the corridor.

Ellie and her girls were on their way to the Great Hall when they passed the dungeon room. "Hey, did someone forget to invite us?" she asked.

"I don't know," one of her friends replied with a frown.

"Do you want to check?"

"Let's not. Come on, I've kept Van waiting for too long -- let's go before he decides to partner someone else."

"Too bad Draco's taken," a girl with a neat bun said wistfully.

"Say's who?" Ellie asked, surprised. "He isn't going out with Pansy!"

"Ellie, haven't you paid attention during meals? He's been taken by a Gryffindor!"

"Hermione? You're joking!"

"Oh, you're dense! Harry, witch. Draco's going out with Harry. They slept together in the forest!"

"You're joking," she said flatly.

"Let's see who is Draco's partner later," another girl suggested as they ascended the staircase.

"Let's bet on it and the loser has to be the other's personal slave for three weeks."

"Fine. I'll bet that Draco's partner is not Harry," Ellie said.

"Are you sure you won't regret it?" her friend asked slyly.

"Of course not! I absolutely don't think Harry could be gay!" Ellie said with determination. "Just because he associates with Snape and Lupin doesn't mean he is!"

"What do you mean by Snape and Lupin?"

"Really Vicky. You should take midnight trips with Walter more often. Then you will understand," Ellie triumphed.

"Then I'll make another bet. Snape and Lupin aren't gay and absolutely not a couple," Vicky said, shuddering at the thought.

"Deal?"

"Deal."

"Witnessed!"

*********

In the Hall. Supper.

For the first time in what felt like a long time to Draco, the Slytherin sat with his housemates. He picked up the menu and leafed through the pages in a preoccupied manner.

"Your boyfriend looks quite fine today," Blaise whispered.

"Hey, eyes off. He's mine," Draco glowered at his friend.

"You're much more blunt than you used to be," the dark-haired Slytherin observed. "Try not to be influenced by him so much." The pale-haired Slytherin only gave a noncommittal response.

"So how did the ceremony go?"

"What? Oh -- that. It went too well. Sev's left hand is still bound to Remus's right. I don't think they'll come anytime soon." Draco looked at their empty seats and then the doors. Fred and George suddenly appeared, carelessly shouldering the two Slytherins seated across them.

"There's a bet going around about whether Remus and Sev will attend the Yule Ball. Joining?"

"Can I skip that?" Draco asked thoughtfully.

"Come on, lad. Where's your sense of adventure?" George pouted.

"Okay. Four Sickles. They will come, hand-in-hand," the Slytherin said impulsively.

"Are you sure?" Fred asked, holding out his palm for the money.

"Not now lout. Do I look like the kind who brings money to a school function?" Draco glared and the twins backed off.

"You're on the list laddie!" The twins chorused as they went back to join the Gryffindors.

*********

Trelawney had pulled them aside to give them a free scrying, ignoring Sev's remarks that he would rather not know their future. She told them that she had seen two young children that they cared for and cherished -- identical looking twins but of different sexes. She told them that they 'looked' complete when Draco and Harry joined them.

"What do you think of the reading?" Remus asked his husband. They were just leaving Sev's chambers and had managed to remove some of the ribbons. Two of their hands were still stuck together though -- not that he minded.

"I am not sure," Sev admitted, looking at him sideways.

"But ... do you think we'll ... have a family?" the brown-eyed professor asked hopefully.

"Perhaps," Sev replied softly kissing the hand that held his fondly.

"One other thing -- are you sure about this?" Remus stopped in his tracks to look up at his slightly taller partner. "I mean ... people are going to talk ..."

"Do you care, lover?" Sev closed in on him and backed him against a wall.

"Not particularly," he squeaked out.

"Then, we'll go. All right?" Black eyes stared penetratingly at him.

"Yes." Remus finally nodded and led the way.

**********

In the Hall.

The Weird Sisters were playing a slow song and some students, to their amazement -- and horror -- saw Harry carefully move around the crowd to reach his ex-nemesis. Ellie's eyes bulged, her mouth working but no voice emerging.

"How are you feeling?" Harry asked gently. His fingers relished feeling Draco's waist and he couldn't help but feel slightly possessive about it.

"Dizzy, excited, thrilled -- I don't know!" The Slytherin was feeling a little breathless as Harry showed off his dancing skills. The Gryffindor was quite different from the awkward boy who had danced with Parvati at a Yule Ball three years earlier.

"Merlin, it really feels good dancing with you." Harry took an opportunity to kiss his forehead. "Did you accept the twins' bet by the way?"

"About Sev and Remus? Yes, I did." Draco looked at him inquisitively.

"Do you think they will come?" Harry asked a little nervously.

"Green-Eyes, how much did you bet?" his Slytherin partner asked shrewdly.

"Don't scream. Twenty Galleons."

"Are you nuts?!" Draco's mouth hung open in shock.

"Do you think they will appear?" Harry repeated his question.

His boyfriend's eyes widened suddenly and the Slytherin pointed his chin at something.

"I don't believe it!" Dean who was passing the boy couple swore while his dancing partner and girlfriend smirked.

"Didn't know that they were planning on a grand entrance," Draco said with a small smile. A group of girls gaped when they saw the professors' ribbon tied hands.

"Do you want to know who's dominant?" Harry asked suddenly.

"How can you tell?" Draco was curious and looked at the newlyweds.

"It might not be accurate but I have the distinct feeling that the one who is mostly dominant is the one whose palm faces inward. It's Remus who is dominant." Harry's eyes twinkled mischievously, ignoring the exclamations rushing through the Hall like wildfire.

"Maybe, but I'm willing to bet on Sev being the most dominant in bed," Draco snickered as he watched Remus leading Sev to the middle of the dance floor. Enthusiastic applauding rang clear and Ginny whistled loudly.

Harry steered Draco closer to the spot where his godfather was dancing. "And how can you tell?"

"I'm using us as an example. When I hold your hand, it's mine that's leading yours but you're more provocative in bed," the Slytherin replied, lips quivering with mirth. Harry just smiled broadly.

"Enjoying yourself?" Harry asked his godfather.

"I am," the Potions Master replied, smiling despite himself.

"Dance all you want. The twins are going to take some pictures anyway."

"Remus, Sev and you two. Let's take a formal picture. We have a bit of film left," Fred interrupted the couples.

**********

The twins took several pictures of Sev and Remus together, making them pose in a way that showed off their ribbon-laced hands. Then came the family picture of Harry, Draco, Sev and Remus. Fred and George took several shots before letting everyone else join in. Then it was time to photograph the couples while they were dancing, occasionally irritating other dancing couples.

The dancing continued for most of the night and the two married professors took the opportunity to unwind. Harry and Draco had stopped dancing and were watching the Gryffindor's godfather and Remus from the sidelines with a very flushed-looking Hermione.

"It will be your turn soon," the girl suddenly piped up.

"Ours?" Draco scoffed. "I doubt your partner will wait that long."

"Drake's right. I think the both of you will be the first to tie the knot among us," Harry agreed, chuckling when Ron turned bright red. The Weasley was grinning rather sheepishly.

"What?" Hermione stared at her boyfriend.

"Nothing 'Mione." The stupid expression was still on the boy's face when Harry excused himself and pulled his lover along. They ignored the looks and whispers as they went out of the Hall.

"It's been a great day," Harry informed his boyfriend as they walked quietly to their room.

"It has. But now we have to make it a great night as well," Draco said impishly.

"You think?" Harry opened the door and went in.

Draco absently took his boots off and laid himself down on the bed, frowning a little at the bright candle flames before distinguishing all of them. Harry swallowed his protest -- he couldn't really see what he was doing. His boyfriend created those mystical lights once more and the room took on an entirely different mood. It was perfect for a long night of intimacy.

He saw the Slytherin hold out his arms and Harry immediately went to him. The simple gesture was stronger than a magnet and Harry reveled in the warmth of his partner. Before he knew it, he was kissing Draco on the lips while his hands roamed freely all about the slender form beneath him. Fingers came up to trace the blonde's face and the Gryffindor trailed one finger along the scar that marred the Slytherin's right cheek. He heard his boyfriend give a sigh of contentment when Harry pulled back to remove the silver clasp holding the cerulean cloak together.

"Do you really want me to be dominant in bed?" Harry asked softly as he stared deeply into a pair of lust-glazed gray eyes.

"Blindfold me, Green-Eyes," the Slytherin said in a husky tone. That simply heightened the Gryffindor's own desire but he forced himself to be patient.

"You're naughty," Harry said, bending down to lick Draco's chin.

"No -- not naughty," Draco gasped when Harry ground his hips provocatively against the Slytherin's. "Just --" The pale-haired boy purred. "-- Just plain horny."

"I think I like it..." Harry was slowly removing Draco's clothing.

"I'm addicted to it." Draco growled softly and ran his hands along the Gryffindor's spine.

"Do you want me to --" Harry was quickly interrupted by a wild-looking Draco.

"Yes," the boy hissed. "I want you inside me..."

"But I want you too..." Harry looked a little disappointed.

"Bugger it. We'll take turns." Draco grinned triumphantly when Harry yowled suddenly.

"Drake -- stop!" Harry panted but his boyfriend just ignored him. In the blink of an eye, Harry was completely exposed, and so was Draco.

"Please ..." Draco spoke in a coaxing manner. The Slytherin struggled a little until Harry was completely off him and the latter was in a sitting position. One hand came to fist at the silvery-blonde hair as Draco grinned mischievously. "I want to do this..." The Slytherin carefully lowered his head and Harry squeezed his eyes shut, shaking violently as wet heat enveloped him.

**********

Two years later... In an orphanage run by the magical community.

Harry and Draco swiftly went into the waiting room. Remus was sitting down, fingers wrapped tightly on a coffee mug while Sev paced around the room, scowling darkly. The two young wizards hugged the adults in turn and sat beside the tired-looking Defence professor.

"How was work?" Remus asked the two married youngsters. He arched an eyebrow when Harry snorted derisively and Draco rolled his eyes upwards in sarcasm. The two young wizards were Aurors-in-training and they had gotten married just two days before Ron and Hermione did, three months earlier.

"Another cult trying to resurrect Voldemort," Draco answered. "Powerful wizards, I might add."

"Death-Eaters?"

Harry shrugged. "We can't tell for sure."

Dumbledore came in and looked sympathetically at Sev. "Do stop pacing, Severus."

McGonagall appeared by the Headmaster's side. "Congratulations, you two. You got them." The witch smiled faintly.

"We did?" Sev looked at her stupidly. The Headmaster nodded and stepped aside to let two young children in.

"They're the Savvils, aren't they?" Harry asked his husband and Draco nodded solemnly.

The youngsters could've been identical twins: one was a girl and the other was a boy.

"This is Anna and this is her brother, John," Dumbledore introduced them to Harry and Draco.

"John? Isn't that Remus's middle name?" Draco looked at the emerald-eyed wizard beside him.

"It is," Harry nodded in reply while smiling at his two foster siblings.

Anna was looking at Sev seriously; it was a little unnerving since she had just turned five. "Don't we have a mother?"

Sev and Remus looked at each other but didn't answer their little adopted daughter. The silence stretched until the older twin -- John -- broke it.

"Are you married?" the young boy asked curiously, eyeing the identical white gold bands on Remus and Sev's fingers.

"Yes, we are," Remus answered, getting up from his seat.

"Oh," John replied then fell silent. "Anna, we have two fathers."

"Two? No Mummy?" The girl's eyes were watering and Remus quickly knelt before her. He carefully clasped the small face with his palms and gently wiped the tears away. Their eyes locked for a minute and finally, Anna smiled, one hand reaching up to curl around one of Remus's fingers. She looked up at Sev and one arm lifted, as if she wanted to touch her other father too.

The Potions Master quickly came to her and she traced Sev's sharp cheekbone gently. It might have been a trick of the sunlight filtering through the windows but Harry thought Anna's face softened a bit more when she touched his godfather. "Father," she addressed Sev clearly. John imitated her. "Daddy," she then addressed Remus.

"Daddy," John chorused. The boy smiled happily when Remus's face lit up with happiness.

"Father, who are they? I know that is Grandpa, and that is Grandma." McGonagall blushed a little but young Anna didn't notice.

"This is Harry," Sev responded. "He is my son."

"Your real son, or is he just like us?" John asked curiously.

"Don't you think they're extremely cautious for their age?" Draco gave a sidelong glance at his husband.

"They're definitely different."

"No -- just like you," Remus answered softly.

"Oh ... then the other one too?"

"No, that is Harry's husband, Draco."

Poor Anna looked confused and her face grew anxious.

"Anna? Is something wrong?"

"Harry is your son too, which means he is my older brother," Anna spoke slowly.

"Mine too!" John insisted.

"But what about Draco? What do we call him?" Anna looked at her fathers anxiously.

"I think you can just call me Draco," the silver-eyed wizard said lightly. "When you grow up, we can go into the more complex details."

"Okay! Can we go home now?" Anna requested.

"It's a rather big home, Anna, John," Remus said happily.

"Really? How big?" the twins asked excitedly.

"Father and Daddy are teachers, so you'll have to share us with the students in the place where we teach, I'm afraid." Remus looked apologetically at his two children.

"Do we get to study too?" the twins asked again.

"No, not yet," it was Dumbledore who answered. "But you can watch."

The twins squealed happily and ran to hug the old wizard's legs.

"How nice," McGonagall mumbled softly. "They think of you as their grandfather." Dumbledore beamed happily.

**********

Lucius watched the group of eight from a nearby magical bookstore. He noticed that his son looked happy and he smiled. So Severus has adopted children. Never thought that he would have the craving to be a father.

"Wintermoon!" a witch in black shouted his name, the name which his lover had given him. He watched with amusement as she tried to kiss him but failed. She scowled. Even though she was standing up on her toes, she wasn't quite able to reach him. "Damn it!"

Lucius laughed and bent his head to kiss her instead. She glowed happily and linked her arm in his. "So did you see your son?" she inquired.

Lucius fondly pulled on her curly black hair and nodded his head. He too, felt happier than he had been when he was a Death Eater and married to Narcissa. He had escaped life imprisonment and was also allowed to live as a free wizard, but memories of his Master still haunted him, especially in his dreams. That had all stopped when he met the Asian witch -- the one who was walking with him. Her name was Jade Avalon and they had met each other while he was on vacation in Singapore. It was a purely Muggle country since those with magical abilities had emigrated to places that offered teaching. Jade was a Mudblood, and she had been visiting her hometown. He thought about his magical abilities again. It is just as well that I no longer have the capacity to use the Unforgivable Curses. No one knew the exact reason why his powers had decreased but Sev might have thought about it. It was a side-effect of changing into another personality. He had to be 'nicer' and less inclined to Dark Magic so that the change would become permanent. He desperately wanted it to be that way.

"Did you talk to him?" Her voice penetrated his mind and he sheepishly shook his head. She smiled mischievously. "Afraid to tell him about me?"

"I didn't say that!" he protested.

"Okay ... I'll just wait but I'll start pestering if we're bonded."

"Impudent little witch," Lucius said disapprovingly.

"Icy king," she retorted and stuck out her tongue.

"Do that again and I'll carry you on my shoulder and go back to Hogsmeade," he threatened.

"You wouldn't dare try Apparating like that." She looked at him challengingly.

"You think?"

Several minutes later, witches and wizards turned toward a woman shouting madly. "Damn you, you rake! Put me down!" Jade was blushing furiously, not because her stomach was resting on Lucius's shoulder but more because his hands were on her bottom. "Merlin! I swear --" Lucius and his lover disappeared and appeared in the busy streets of Hogsmeade.

"Please! Put me down!" Jade wailed helplessly, passing a group of Hogwarts' students and a group of Ministry officials.

**********

Hermione stared at the figures numbly. Does Draco know about this? Ron, too was staring at the odd couple as the wizard carried his girlfriend into the Hog's Head.

"Isn't that the guy we saw in Hogwarts during our seventh year?"

"That's the third time I saw him carrying the girl in this week," a witch said to her friends. She sounded envious.

"Lucky witch. He's got the looks and probably money as well," another added.

"Is that girl his girlfriend or something?"

"Fiancee, more likely."

Hermione pulled her husband away from the chatter. "Do you know where Harry and Draco would be today?"

"Hogwarts probably. Remus and Sev will probably take their adopted children there -- if their application and interviews are a success," Ron said thoughtfully.

Hermione smacked her forehead with her palm. "I had forgotten about that! Ron, do you think --"

"We're near, so might as well."

**********

In the Great Hall.

Hermione had pulled Draco off to a corner while she watched Anna and John admiring the talking Sorting Hat. She was about to speak when Anna exclaimed gleefully and ran up to Remus.

"Father is a wizard! The Hat is magical!"

"Oi. What's up?" Draco called to get her attention.

"Have you heard from your father lately?" she asked, looking on patiently.

"Yes -- I received an owl from him two days ago. Why do you ask?" Draco tilted his head and looked at her speculatively.

"Well ... I don't mean to pry but I -- I saw your father in Hogsmeade today." Hermione searched his face carefully.

"Yes, he told me. I asked Harry if I could visit him today and since he's okay with it ..."

"Then you knew that your father is with someone?"

Draco looked blankly at her. "He has ... someone?"

Hermione nodded her head. "It's a woman."

"Bloody hell! He didn't say anything about getting me a new mother!" Draco exclaimed then rushed off.

"Hey Drake! Where are you going?" Harry yelled from across the Hall.

"I'm going to send a note to my father! I'll be in the Owlery!" Draco answered via the telepathic mode.

**********

Jade was curled against Lucius's side when Helios appeared by the window with a parchment note jammed in his beak. Since her lover was napping she got up quietly from the bed and cautiously took the parchment. When she flipped it over, she read the words silently:

OLD MAN! WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND?!!!

Draco.

She giggled and carefully shook Lucius awake.

"What are you doing? Get back in here," Lucius mumbled sleepily.

"Lucius," she called softly. She always called him by his birth name when they were alone together. "You've had an owl."

"I'll look at it later. Come back to bed."

"Dearest, it's from Draco," Jade said gently and Lucius jolted out of the bed. She felt her cheeks reddening since Lucius acted like he wasn't actually unclothed.

"Bloody hell," was Lucius's only response.

**********