Happily Ever After?

Happily Ever After?

How It All Began

Harry sat alone in his room on Number Four Privet Drive and stared at the wall. He crossed his arms and sat Indian-style. I have to get out of this dump, he thought.

What dump? Came Draco's voice in his head.

Harry sighed. The one I've been at for the last four days, Boa, what other one?

The Muggles treating you bad?

No, actually they've just been pretending I don't exist. When they're not screaming at me for some reason or another.

"BOY!"

Speak of the devil...

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"

What have I done? Hmm... I sat here, and then I watched you scream at me, and then I watched Aunt Petunia scream at me, and then I watched Dudley scream at me, and then I sat here some more...

Whoopee. You've finally learned sarcasm.

"Nothing," Harry said. It wasn't the kind of voice Sirius would use, the voice that said quite clearly that you were lying. It was more like a Professor Binns tone.

"THEN WHAT'S THAT?" Uncle Vernon asked, pointing at the wall. Harry stared at it. There was nothing seemingly wrong with it.

"A wall," Harry said simply.

"GAH!" Uncle Vernon screamed as he left the room.

Well, that was... interesting.

What happened?

'What have you done?' 'Nothing.' 'Then what's that?' 'A wall.' 'GAH!'

Are all Muggles that stupid?

No, not really. Just the ones I happen to be stuck with.

Speaking of Muggles... are you going to Hermione's house the day after next?

I've still got to ask - no, strike that. I've still got to tell the Dursleys. Are you?

I - uh - can't go right away, for - er - certain reasons...

Harry sat up straighter. I totally forgot. Do you want me to -?

No, I'll be all right by myself, Beaky.

Are you sure?

Yes, Beaky, I'm sure. How would you get here anyway?

I can Apparate, Boa. So can you. Remember? Harry rolled his eyes.

You don't have to.

So? It'll get me out of this dump quicker.

You should go to Hermione's -

It can wait.

Harry was almost sure Draco was smiling. I'd have to ask my mum...

What are you waiting for? I'm not going anywhere. Take your time; I have absolutely nothing better to do. Harry stretched out on the bed. There was silence for almost half an hour. Hello? Are you still there?

Yup.

What took you so long?

Well, it took me ten minutes to actually FIND her, that's how big our house is -

Look at that. It took you a whole half-second to start bragging.

Shut up, Beaky... and then I - er - had to explain to her that you knew, which took a LOOOOONG time because she still wasn't ready to believe I actually told you... and then she said something.

How specific.

And the word had less than four letters.

Daring today, are we?

It had one syllable.

That's nice. If you feel like explaining sometime before, oh, I don't know, sometime before I'm dead, it would be nice.

The word had a vowel in it.

You want me to die, don't you?

And the word was yes.

Harry smiled to himself. You have something against straight answers, don't you?

They take all the excitement out of life. Do you - do you want my mum and I to Floo over there -

NO!

There was a pause. That was a straight answer. I don't like straight answers.

I'm full of them.

Do you want us to Apparate over there and help with your stuff, then? Say, tomorrow morning?

That'd be great, thanks, Boa. The new moon is tomorrow, right?

Yea... There was a pause. Thanks, Beaky.

I'm not just going to leave you there. I'm not a Slytherin, you know.

There is nothing wrong with Slytherins! Wait, strike that. There is something wrong with most Slytherins, but I am not included in that number.

Well, I don't know... you did spend awful lot of time around Sirius...

HARRY!

DRACO!

You're so mean to me.

I know. Comes with the package, you know.

Can I contact the returns department?

Harry made a face. I'll see you tomorrow then. I'd better go tell the Dursleys that you're coming or they might bombard you with fine china. And I'll owl Hermione too. I'm sure they'll understand. Er - no, I take that back. Hermione will understand, Aunt Petunia will try to hit me over the head with a soapy frying pan.

I ain't going anywhere. Let me know if you need some aspirin.

Before we got off the Hogwarts Express I filled my trunk with aspirin. With you, you can never have enough.

I'm touched.

You should be. Harry sighed, got up and went downstairs. "Uncle Vernon!" he called.

"What is it, boy?" Uncle Vernon grunted as he walked out of the kitchen.

"There are some wi - some people I know that want me to go to their house. Is it okay? Good. They're going to pick me up tomorrow morning in a somewhat normal way that does not involve going up the chimney, okay? Okay." Harry did not wait for an answer, he just thundered back up the stairs to the safety of his room and collapsed on the bed.

What'd he say?

Nothing. I didn't give him the chance to. I told him you're coming. I told him that you're coming in a somewhat normal way, which is not a complete lie, because for us Apparating is normal, right?

Harry, you talk too much.

Like I said, comes with the package.

I thought I asked for the returns department.

Gee, Draco, that was so funny I forgot to laugh. My bad.

Haha. There, I did it for you.

Thanks ever so much. Now if you don't mind, Draco, it is now officially ten o'clock, and in MY book it's bedtime. I'll owl Hermione tomorrow. I assure you, you DON'T NEED TO WAKE ME UP!

We'll see about that.

HEY, BEAKSTER, GUESS WHAT? SIX O'CLOCK, TIME TO GET UP!!!

Harry sat up straight and almost yelled out loud, but figured that would be suicide considering he was at Four Privet Drive. I hate you. Again. More than usual. You know, NORMAL people are asleep at this hour. But I guess YOU wouldn't know that, would you?

No, I'm not normal. I'm special.

Uh-huh. Just keep telling yourself that, Boa.

It's not really six, actually.

OK... then why did you just tell me it was six?

Because I need a watch.

What time is it? And if it's going to take you twenty minutes to find a room with a clock in it, I'll just -

It's eight-thirty.

WHAT??? Harry jumped out of bed. There is a two and a half hour difference, Boa!

Like I said, I need a watch. And an aspirin too. Thanks a lot, Beaky.

You're quite welcome. Speaking of aspirin... Harry opened his trunk and pulled out a bottle and dumped three of the little pills into his mouth. Ah, much better. You know what? The Dursleys haven't yelled at me since nine o'clock last night. I wonder if they're dead. Then again, who cares?

Hmm... I don't. We'll be there in a half hour, okay?

Okay. Harry looked around his room. He shoved his wand, a half-written Potions essay (why exactly he bothered doing Potions homework when he could just as equally copy Hermione's, he never knew), and his Invisibility cloak into his trunk. Then, reaching his hand under his bed, he pulled a parchment envelope out from under the loose floorboard. He stared at it for a minute. Then he threw it into his trunk. Well, you know what? Just to make sure they're alive - not that I care - I'm going to go check.

You do that.

Harry walked down the stairs and peeked inside the living room. Uncle Vernon and Dudley were asleep on the sofa, and Aunt Petunia was in a sleeping bag on the floor. A very confused Harry, rather than wake them up, raised his eyebrows and muttered, "Psychos." He went into the kitchen and grabbed a few piece of bacon and a piece of toast off the plate that was set out for Dudley. He doubted Dudley would notice their absence in the mountain of appetizing breakfast foods. After he had helped himself, he went back up the stairs. "Come on, Hedwig," Harry said. "I need you to bring this to Hermione's house." Harry sat down and wrote a quick note to Hermione:

Mione-

Draco and I are going to come to your house tomorrow night instead of morning, okay? We have to see Dumbledore about something. Just so you don't worry your pants off. See you then.

-Harry

Harry tied the note to Hedwig's leg. "I'll be at Malfoy Manner when you get back, okay?" Harry said. Hedwig hooted. Harry gave her an owl treat before she sped out the window.

You know what, Draco?

What? You're stupid?

Hehe. Very funny. I'm rolling over on the ground with laughter. I've never been to the Manor before.

It's huge.

I've heard.

I mean, REALLY, REALLY huge.

You're bragging again.

I know. It feels great. Do you have all your stuff?

Yea, I didn't even unpack. I mean, it's all going back in the trunk anyway.

Good point. Whoa, did I really just think that?

I think you did. It's a miracle. You got something right.

No, it's a miracle I got something wrong.

Shut up, Malfoy.

Those words are so magical. Thank you so much for letting me know I have successfully aggravated you for the billionth time.

Nah, it can't be the billionth time, can it? I mean I lost count at three billion...

Ah, I suppose you're right. God, did I just think that? I think I need to see the doctor. I COMPLIMENTED YOU twice in two minutes. Someone help me, please.

Why would I want to do that?

Because I'm handsome?

Harry snorted out loud. Mhmm... it doesn't work any better with you than it worked with Padfoot.

HEY!

Ow. Headache. Harry reached inside his trunk and pulled out the near-empty bottle of aspirin. He dumped the rest of it in his mouth. I've gone through more aspirin bottles than rolls of parchment thanks to you, Boa.

I try, you know. We'll be there in approximately... two seconds. Harry looked around the room and saw Draco and Narcissa next to his desk, where they had definitely not been a minute ago. They were smiling.

"You overestimated," Harry informed Draco.

"Oops. My bad," Draco grinned. "Are the Muggles alive?"

"They are asleep in the living room," Harry asked, enunciating clearly. "Don't even ask."

"It's good to see you, Harry, dear," Narcissa said, smiling at him. Harry smiled to himself. Not another Mrs. Weasley.

"What are you talking about, Beaky?" Draco asked him.

"I didn't say anything, Boa," Harry stated, smirking at Draco.

"I hate it when you turn my words against me."

"Comes with the package, you know."

Narcissa was staring at Harry sadly. "You - you look just like James," she said finally. Harry cleared his throat.

"I've heard," he said quietly. Draco shot him a look.

Are you okay?

Yea, I'm okay. Really.

You're sure?

Yea. Thanks.

"Do you - do you have all your stuff?" Narcissa asked.

"Yea," Harry said, looking around the room quickly to see if he had forgotten anything. He checked his trunk. "Wait - where's the Marauders' - never mind." The Marauders' Map, which he had forgotten to wipe, was at the bottom of his trunk. Picking it up, Harry noticed something he hadn't noticed before. His jaw dropped. "Draco," he said under his breath. "Look at this."

Draco looked at the map over Harry's shoulder and his eyes widened. Shining up at them were the words:

Messers. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, Prongs, and Beaky

Are proud to present

The Marauders' Map.

(With help from Boa too.)

"Whoa," Draco said under his breath.

"What's that?" Narcissa asked.

"Nothing, Mum," Draco said, taking the map from Harry and shoving it into the trunk and closing it. "Got everything, Harry?"

Harry grabbed Hedwig's empty cage and stuffed a quill in his pocket. "Everything," he said.

"I'll go with the trunk," Narcissa said. She put her hand on the trunk. "Ready?"

"Ready," Draco and Harry chorused.

"Go!" Harry shut his eyes and felt himself dissolve. When his pieces rearranged, he opened his eyes. He was at Malfoy Manor.

Draco hadn't been kidding when he said the manor was huge. He was now in a large hall, almost as big as the Great Hall at Hogwarts. There were at the very least a hundred doors going out of it. "Told you it was big," Draco said as he watched Harry's eyes widened.

"You didn't mention that the place was as big as Hogwarts," Harry said sarcastically.

"You didn't ask."

"Knowing you, you would have let the whole world know."

"What can I say? I'm wonderful and not afraid to show it."

"Riiight..." Harry said.

"Don't you want to show Harry his room, Draco?" Narcissa asked.

"I guess so," Draco sighed. "Help me lug this stupid trunk, Harry..."

Harry and Draco hauled Harry's trunk up two flights of marble stairs. They came to the end of a long hallway. "Pick a number, one to twenty-three," Draco said lazily.

"Uh... eighteen," Harry said, apparently confused.

Draco led Harry down the corridor to a door with the number eighteen written on it. "You can stay in here," he said. "I'm number three down that way."

"Did this used to be a hotel?" Harry questioned suspiciously.

"Well, actually it was a resort," Draco said. "This is only one wing, there's one with twenty-six somewhere in the northern section and another one with only fourteen in the eastern wing. Sixty-three in all, I believe. It all started in 1254, when Macias Malfoy built this as a castle for - "

"You know," Harry said thoughtfully, "I never thought it was possible for someone to be able to drone on just like Professor Binns."

"Oh, that hurt. That struck me real deep," Draco said sarcastically.

"Aw, do you need a hug?" Harry asked, outstretching his arms.

"Er - no thanks," Draco said, backing away a little. "Really, I'll live without one." Draco helped Harry heave his trunk into the room.

"What do you keep in here, bricks?" Draco asked breathlessly.

"Aspirin," Harry grinned. Draco snorted.

"Somehow I don't have a hard time believing that." There was a minute of silence. "Thanks for coming, Harry."

Harry nodded. He realized that Draco looked white. "You're paler than usual," he said quietly.

"I know," Draco said, not taking his eyes off Harry.

"I hate this," Harry mumbled under his breath. "It's not fair."

"I know," Draco said, looking away quickly. "I know."

Narcissa came around the corner looking breathless. "Someone's here to see both of you," she panted. She was grinning widely. Draco and Harry looked at each other.

"Who?" they asked as one.

"Come and see," Narcissa said, still smiling. She led them to the hall where they had been before. Remus and a certain black dog were waiting for them.

"Sirius! Remus!" Harry and Draco said together, sweeping them both into big hugs. Padfoot barked. Remus smiled.

"We wanted to see how you were feeling," he told Draco quietly. Draco smiled weakly.

"I'll be okay tomorrow," Draco whispered.

Harry shook his head sadly. Padfoot nuzzled his leg. Draco's smile widened as he patted Padfoot on the head. "Thanks."

Sirius transformed and gave Harry and Draco mocking stern looks. "Don't get into trouble, you two," he said scornfully. Draco and Harry's faces broke into identical evil grins.

"Trouble?" Harry asked.

"Us?" Draco said.

"You're out of your mind..."

"We wouldn't get into trouble, would we, Harry?"

"Why in the name of Quidditch would you think we'd get into trouble?"

"Gee, I wonder..." Remus said.

Sirius's face broke into a grin. "Just kidding. Get into lots of trouble for me, okay?"

"Trouble?" Narcissa asked blankly. Sirius kissed her.

"You don't want to know."

Narcissa beamed at him. "If you say so..."

Remus groaned. "You're all so - juvenile," he sighed.

"Ouch," Narcissa said.

"Gee, Moony, I think I need to huddle up in a corner and cry," Harry said sarcastically.

"Oh, boo-hoo!" Draco cried.

"Thanks," Sirius said brightly.

"He doesn't even realize that I've just insulted him," Remus sigh.

"You insulted me?" Sirius asked vacantly.

"See what I mean?" Remus said exasperatedly.

"Moony, what are you talking about?" Sirius asked blankly.

"He's hopeless," Remus sighed, burying his head in his hands. "I don't know why I ever bothered."

"We all do, Remus, we all do..." Draco sighed.

"You're so mean to me," Sirius said huffily.

"Aw, they're just hiding their own insecurities, Padfoot," Harry said, smirking.

"Insecure?" Draco asked. "ME? That's it, you have gone mad."

"Yea, I know you have," Harry said.

Draco opened his mouth to say something, closed, it, opened it again, and said, "ARGH! I hate it when you do that!"

"Thanks," Harry grinned. "I appreciate that comment. It lets me know I'm doing my job."

"Why would you get into trouble?" Narcissa asked suspiciously. Harry and Draco looked astonished.

"Mum, have I ever gotten into trouble?" Draco said sweetly.

"Yes," Narcissa said firmly.

"Ah, well, you speak the truth. But have I ever gotten into big trouble?"

"Yes."

"Yea, I guess that's right too. Never mind then."

"But when have I ever gotten in trouble?" Harry asked. Draco sighed and started to count on his fingers.

"Norbert, the flying car incident, the Shrieking Shack, the Goblet of Fire..."

"Okay, I get it," Harry sighed.

"Wait, there's more... chicken boy..."

Sirius, Remus, and Harry burst out laughing. "That totally rocked!" Sirius laughed.

"Chicken boy?" Narcissa said blankly.

"...Pooping Potion..." Draco continued. Remus and Sirius laughed harder.

"That was you and Sirius!" Harry said.

"Same concept!" Draco said, waving his hand impatiently.

"Same concept?" Harry said disgustedly. "Same concept? I didn't come up with it, therefore I only helped you and Sirius, plus we didn't get caught on either of those, so we didn't get into trouble."

"You win," Draco said, throwing up his hands. "Wait, no you don't. I win. I always win."

Harry opened his mouth to answer, but an owl came swooping into the Hall at that moment and dropped a letter on Harry's head. It was Hedwig. She landed on Harry's shoulder. "Thanks, Hedwig," Harry said, patting her on the head. Hedwig gave him one of those Looks.

"No, I don't have any owl treats with me." Hedwig squawked loudly. "Get stuffed." She squawked louder. "Go hunting or something!" Hedwig snapped at Harry's hand and flew back out the window.

"What was that about?" Sirius asked, finally recovering his breath.

"It's almost like you could read her mind," Narcissa said in awe. Harry grinned.

"Yea, seems that way, doesn't it?" he said. He opened the letter and read silently.

Harry-

I hope you and Malfoy have a good time. That really didn't sound right. Anyway, Ron and I aren't going anywhere. Ron's really anxious to see one of you (extra points if you can guess who), because he says he's the only "man" in the house. Honestly. Mum just keeps laughing and saying, "Not for long." He's tugging at the end of my rope. Come and save me from him.

Tell Malfoy that - tell him - oh, forget it. Tell him that Ron stills hates him. That'll cheer him up.

Love from,

Hermione

Harry smiled as he folded the parchment back up. "Ron still hates you," he informed Draco.

"Tell me something I don't know," Draco sighed. "I hate him too."

"I'm sure he would be most delighted to hear that."

"I don't want him to be most delighted. He's a freak."

"Forget what I just said then."

"Did you say something?"

"Haha. Hehe. Hoho."

"We've - er - got to go," Remus said lamely. "Padfoot..."

"Stupid Dumbledore," Sirius muttered. "I can take care of myself."

"Uh-oh... hurry up, this is what happens right before he goes and breaks everything in the room," Remus said forebodingly.

"You know, Moony, if it weren't for the fact that you're my friend, you'd be dead," Sirius said offhandedly.

"Are you sure you'll be all right?" Remus asked Draco quietly. Draco looked tense.

"Yea," he said finally. "I've done it before."

Remus held a hand up to Draco's cheek. "Be careful." Draco didn't answer.

"Bye," he said to everyone in general.

"See you," Harry said, giving Sirius and Remus both hugs that he tried to make seem manly. It didn't work that well.

Remus smiled at Narcissa and told her where they would be. Finally Sirius looked at Narcissa. He kissed her lightly on the lips and then on the cheek. He whispered something into her ear. She nodded slightly.

"I know," she said quietly. "I know." Sirius turned into a dog and nuzzled her leg.

"Don't get into trouble, and have fun at Hermione's house," Remus said. Sirius barked. They Disapparated. Narcissa looked shaken. She kept rubbing her lip where Sirius had kissed her.

"Well," she said finally. "You go - do whatever. I'll call you at lunchtime."

"Okay..." Draco said. "Come on, Harry..."

Harry and Draco left the hall. "I wonder what Sir told her?" Draco wondered aloud.

"Don't know," Harry shrugged. "It's sweet how much they care about each other."

"Sweet? It's gross," Draco said, making a face. He started to lead Harry to the wing where the bedrooms were - at least, Harry suspected that was where they were going. He himself was completely lost.

"You'll understand someday," Harry sighed.

"You have no idea how cliché that sounded."

"Yea, I do. I sound like... I sound like some lovesick teenager."

"You are, aren't you? Laura..."

"Oh. Right." Harry slapped himself inwardly for being so stupid. "What ever happened to Susie anyway?" Draco's face turned grave.

"Well, ah, we, er, thought that we, uh, shouldn't be together for, ah, certain things that, er, happened..."

"And that's your way of telling me that that's all you're going to say," Harry said profoundly.

"Yup. That about sums it up."

"I know you too well," Harry sighed.

"And I know more about you than I ever wanted to," Draco said, opening a door. "Here we are."

Harry peeked inside the door. It looked nothing like the wind where they had left. It was a huge room with green wallpaper and black 'M's on all of the sheets. Apparently it was a bedroom, but it was repulsive. There was one window, but no light came in due to huge black curtains. "Ugh... somebody has a bad taste in decorating," Harry said disgustedly

"You know that path we just took? It was a shortcut to my room," Draco said.

"Oh," Harry said. "Er - sorry."

"It's okay," Draco said, his face breaking into a grin. "I, uh, haven't had a chance to redecorate since it left." He scowled. "Besides, there was something I wanted to show you."

Draco went over to a desk and opened a drawer. He took something out and closed his hand around it tightly. He handed it to Harry, who looked it over carefully.

It was a small book. The title read, 'The Plan.' "What's this?" Harry asked, flipping it open. The writing was so tiny Harry had to squint to read it. When he finally made out a couple words, his eyes widened as the book clattered to the floor.

Kill Harry Potter.

The words echoed in Harry's head. Kill Harry Potter. Kill Harry Potter. Kill Harry Potter.

"They know I've betrayed them," Draco said, picking the book back up. "Malfoy Manor is a main target, especially now that you're here. This was the - the plan that there was to - kill you." Draco was silent for a minute. "Keep it. It'll protect you." He put the book in Harry's hands again.

"How exactly would psychotic plans to kill me protect me?"

"You'll know what to expect. There's probably every single attack method there is in this book. I don't want you to get hurt."

"How do you know they won't just come up with more?"

"I don't. But you see, they're not very bright. Take Crabbe and Goyle for example. They're about as clever as Pansy is beautiful."

"I thought you fancied her."

Draco snorted. "Really, do I look that desperate? Honestly. She's butt ugly. I have better taste than that."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. What do you think I am, blind?"

"I wasn't sure. I mean, look at your room."

"Gee, thanks."

"You're welcome."

There was silence. "Don't get yourself killed, Harry. They might even try to come here tonight. Don't do anything stupid."

"Why do you think I would ever do something stupid?"

"I know you too well."

"Oh, pass the walnuts."

Remus and Sirius were in the room behind Dumbledore's office. They had just walked up from Hogsmeade after leaving Malfoy Manor. Sirius sighed contentedly as he leaned back. "Love is beautiful, Moony," he said out loud.

"Mhmm..." Remus said, not looking up from the book he was reading.

"It can make you feel like you've got the whole world on your side."

"Mhmm."

"It's great."

"Just shut up, Padfoot!" Remus said irritably, snapping his book closed.

"What? I'm just saying..."

"Well then don't just say!" Remus said crossly.

"What's up, Moony? You haven't used improper grammar since - well, you've never used improper grammar."

"Look, just because you've got Nar back doesn't mean the whole world is fine and dandy," Remus said.

"Okay, spill. You never are so irritable. It's not like you."

"Look, Padfoot, you just are reminding me of someone who I don't want to think about right now, okay?"

"Who, Snape?"

"No, Snape's an 'it' not a 'someone.'"

"Good point. So, is it me?"

"I never want to think of you. It's Patricia, okay?" Remus just stared at his closed book.

"Oh," Sirius said. "Sorry."

There was silence. "If you miss her so much, go talk to her," Sirius said finally.

"It's not that simple."

"What's so complicated about it?"

"She has kids, Padfoot. She must be married."

"She could be a widow."

"Or she could not be. She could be really happy with someone else."

"She said she loved you. She's not the kind of person to lie."

"She might not have meant it like that. I mean, I love you, Padfoot, but am I in love with you? Definitely not."

"I hope not anyway," Sirius said anxiously.

"Sirius, that is really gross."

"I know. Seriously, Moony, if you just talk to her - "

"No."

"But - "

"No."

"Why -?"

"NO!"

"What can it hurt?" Sirius asked indignantly. "I mean, you just say, 'Hi, I was just in the neighborhood and stopped in to see you.' No big deal!"

"It is a big deal, Padfoot!" Remus said, throwing up his hands. "For all I know, she's totally forgotten me! What if she doesn't WANT to see me?"

"She will," Sirius said, waving his hand. "Trust me."

"I've done that before, and the result wasn't pretty."

"Hey, your feet grew back, didn't they?"

"After three weeks in the hospital wing!" Remus shouted.

"Better than living your whole life feetless!"

"Sirius, I'm NOT going to let you make me go talk to Patricia!"

"I can't believe I let him make me go talk to Patricia," Remus muttered. "This is insane." Remus paced around on the Patil's front porch. "She's probably forgotten about me altogether. Too late now, I guess." Remus sighed and knocked on the door loudly.

He heard someone call, "I'll get it!" The door opened. Padma (Remus had been known for telling the two of them apart) opened the door. "Wha - professor?" she said in awe. "I didn't do it."

"Wha - no, neither of you are in trouble," Remus said. "Can I - talk to your mother?"

"Uh - yea," Padma said, surveying him carefully. "Come on in. MUM! PROFESSOR LUPIN WANTS TO TALK TO YOU!" Remus slapped himself inwardly.

"Keep it down, Padma, I'm not deaf," he heard a familiar voice call. Remus's stomach did a flip-flop. Patricia walked into the room, with a bottle of Mrs. Skower's in hand. "Now who did you say - oh my God." The Mrs. Skower's bottle fell to the floor. Remus avoided her eyes carefully.

"Hi," he said quietly, staring at the wall.

Patricia looked like she was going to faint. She stared at him. Slowly Remus turned his head so that he was staring into her eyes. He kept his face expressionless. Patricia pulled something out of her pocket. "PARVATI!" she screamed. The other twin came bounding down the stairs.

"What?" she asked.

Patricia threw the thing at her. It was a small golden key. "Go. Raid my Gringotts account. Find some cute guys. Go out to dinner. Don't come back until late." The girls looked at each other in awe.

"Okay," Padma said. "Thanks, Mum."

"See you later," Parvati said. They each grabbed some Floo powder and were soon gone, not waiting for her to change her mind.

"You do that all the time?" Remus asked, not taking his eyes off Patricia.

"I'd be broke. But I guess I make some - special exceptions."

"And I qualify as special?"

"Do you want to?"

"I'm not sure."

Patricia just continued to stare at him. "Si- sit down," she said gesturing towards the couch. Remus sat nervously, and Patricia sat down next to him.

"It's - it's really you?" she said quietly.

"I don't know any other Remus Lupins."

"I - I don't believe it. After all these years."

"I - I didn't think you wanted to see me."

"Are you kidding?"

"No."

"Then why'd you come?"

"Someone threatened to hex my feet off."

"I remember Sirius did that in sixth year."

"Yea," Remus said, shifting uncomfortably. "I remember."

"You haven't changed a bit," Patricia smiled.

"You've grown. Grown more beautiful, I mean." Remus blushed instantly and looked away.

There was silence. "So... what have you been up to since Hogwarts?" Patricia asked.

"Not much. I taught there for a while, but I guess you heard about that."

"Yea... what else?"

"Nothing, really."

"You had to have some other kind of job."

Remus shifted again. "Not many people want a werewolf to work for them."

Patricia suddenly scowled. "Rotten people," she muttered. "Filthy..."

"It's not a big deal, really," Remus said quickly. "I just went to work for some Muggles..."

Patricia made a face. "It is a big deal. Filthy excuses for wizards."

"Really, it was OK," Remus said. "What were you up to?"

"I'm a psychiatrist," Patricia said.

"Not a huge surprise. You always knew what to say."

"Yea... anyway I - uh - graduated, and I met Frank - he's the twins' father - and then he died, and I realized..." Patricia trailed off.

"Realized what?"

"Well, I realized I never really loved him. He was a wonderful person, a lot like - a lot like James," she choked a little, "but I wasn't really in love with him. I found out when he died that if I lost the - the person I really loved, it would be different. Really different. And I tried to find the person that made me feel that way. And just recently I found out I had him all along."

"And who was it?" Remus thought, his heart sinking. Patricia's eyes filled with tears.

"You." She suddenly gave Remus a gigantic hug. "Oh God, I missed you. I missed you so much, Remus. So, so much."

Remus was a bit startled. But he put his arms around her. "I missed you too," he whispered. "A lot." He squeezed her.

"I feel like I'm fifteen again," she sniffed.

"So do I."

"Don't leave me again, Remus. Please."

"I never did," Remus said quietly. "I was always with you. Every minute of every day I watched you. I went through hell on earth, only staying alive so that I could see you one more time. And I'd do it all again."

Patricia sobbed harder. Remus just held her, trying to keep his own eyes dry. A single tear ran down his face. "I love you," she whispered. "I always did."

"I know," Remus said quietly. "I love you too. More than anyone should be able to love. It's unreal."

There was more silence. Remus ran his fingers through Patricia's hair. He let his finger run down her cheekbone, like he always used to do. "Do you remember the first time we kissed?"

"Yes," Patricia said, smiling. "It was the end of fourth year."

"Right after the End-of-the-Year Ball."

"And I went with Amos Diggory because he was my boyfriend. He dumped me that night. And I went out by the lake and started to cry."

"Then I saw you crying and went to go see what was wrong."

"And we started to talk about things."

"And then all of a sudden..."

"... Anna came around and pushed our heads together!" Patricia said, starting to laugh.

"And then you pushed her into the lake," Remus smiled.

"Yea... and then she head butted me and sent me flying through the air. I landed at the edge of the lake."

"And then I told her to leave if she liked having her head attached to her neck. Then she ran away."

"So we started to walk around the lake, gradually getting closer, until..."

"... Until you finally kissed me and I passed out."

"Yea," Patricia smiled. "And then I woke you up and we went back up to the castle all blushing..."

"And the next day..."

They both stopped and grinned. "You've gotten more handsome since then."

"And you've gotten more beautiful."

"I'd never hurt you."

"You already have."

"What?" Patricia asked.

"Love is pain, Patricia," Remus said, sitting back. "To have loved someone is to have had them so close to you that it does hurt. To have been smothered with kindness. It's intoxicating."

"That's a very twisted explanation."

"I know. It didn't sound half as kooky in my head."

Patricia laughed. She put her hand up to Remus's cheek. "You are the most wonderful person I've met in my entire life."

"You're the most beautiful person period."

Slowly their lips moved closer together. And they kissed each other for the first time in eighteen years.

It felt like it lasted for an eternity, but when it ended it was too soon. They pulled back in for another one. When they finally pulled apart they were breathless.

"I never thought I'd see you again," Patricia whispered.

"I love you so much. So much," Remus said, closing his eyes.

Patricia rested her head on Remus's chest just as the first star twinkled in the sky. There was no moon, which reminded Remus that Draco and Harry would be outside now, waiting. He prayed that they would both be safe.

Sure enough, halfway across the country, Harry and Draco were leaving Malfoy Manor. Narcissa had explained why she could not come earlier.

"I can't," she had choked. "I would go mad. Completely bonkers. I can't stand to see you suffer anymore. I'm so, so sorry." She had almost burst into tears before Draco had put a hand on her shoulder and reassured her that it was okay. So it was just he and Harry.

"I hate this," Harry said as they entered the woods that surrounded Malfoy Manor. "You don't deserve this."

"It's too late," Draco said quietly. "We can't change it now."

"It's still not fair."

"Life isn't fair, Beaky. What are we supposed to do about it?"

Harry just shook his head. They stopped walking in a clearing that had a fallen tree across it. Draco sat down, and Harry next to him.

"I guess all we can do now is wait," Harry said softly.

"I guess so." They sat in silence for a minute. Suddenly Draco gasped. "It's coming," he whispered hoarsely.

Draco started to breathe harder and faster. Soon he was gasping for breath. "Back up," he gasped as his skin grew fur. His eyes were bloodshot. He was shaking violently. "BACK UP!" Harry reluctantly obeyed, watching Draco in horror. He fell to the ground. His limbs were growing shorter. He started to scream. Harry covered his ears, trying to block out the sound that was making his ears ring, but it was no use. Draco's head was lengthening, and his hands were slowly turning into paws. His screams started to get deeper and deeper. Claws grew painfully on his fingers. Harry bowed his head and closed his eyes tightly. He could tell from Draco's screams that a tail was beginning to grow. Harry opened his eyes a tiny bit and saw that the wolf's nose was growing slowly and it was only whimpering now. There was a pop and the wolf was back. It got up and walked into a circle. It howled into the night. Harry walked forward and put a hand on the wolf's head. It nuzzled his leg and looked up at him.

Harry smiled weakly. "You feel all right?" The wolf shrugged. "You sure?" The wolf shrugged again. "Well, I see your grudge against straight answers still prevails," Harry smiled. The wolf nodded feverently, and then shrugged. Harry shook his head. "You'll never change." The wolf shrugged yet again. "Is that all you do?" The wolf started to nod, but then stopped and shrugged.

"I hate you."

The wolf shrugged yet again. Harry just sighed.

"Well, I guess I'm going to have to put up with this all night."

The wolf shrugged. Again.

"You know, it's not even funny anymore. Not that is was funny in the first place, mind you."

The wolf shrugged again.

"Just shut up. Yes, I realize you didn't say anything. Shut up anyway."

It was now almost midnight. Patricia had fallen asleep into Remus's arms. Remus had not wanted to wake her up, so he had now been sitting there for an hour. Suddenly there was a stir in the fire and Parvati and Padma appeared in the fireplace. They started to talk immediately, but paused when the scene unfolded before them. Remus tried in vain not to go red.

"Uh - your mother - um - wasn't feeling very good, so - er - she kind of fell asleep - yea, that's it - and I didn't want to - why don't you go upstairs?"

They didn't say anything. They stared at him for a full minute before mumbling something and dashing up the stairs. Remus let out his breath. He shook Patricia lightly. "Patty..."

"Wha?" Patricia said, her eyes opening groggily.

"It's midnight. Parvati and Padma are upstairs."

"Good," Patricia yawned, sitting up.

"They're really lucky that you're their mother."

Patricia smiled at Remus gently as she got up and stretched. "I wonder if they cleaned out my Gringotts account... most likely."

"You mean it's ONLY a 'most likely?'" Remus asked, sounding surprised. "When we were their age..."

"...our parents often mistook us for money vacuums," Patricia laughed.

"We were, weren't we?"

Patricia laughed and sank back down next to Remus. "It wasn't a dream," she said quietly. "It's really you."

Remus couldn't find an answer to that. He just stared at her. "And - and what kind of dream would I be in?" Remus asked quietly.

"A beautiful one," Patricia said sincerely. "The best one I'd ever have."

Remus kissed her. "You're beautiful."

Patricia looked into his eyes. "I'd better go check on the twins... I'll be right back, okay?"

"Okay," Remus said. She got up and kissed him on the cheek. She bounded up the stairs. Remus sat and stared at the clock on the wall. The little hand pointed to "Go to bed!" A few minutes later Patricia came down again.

"I wasn't feeling well, eh?" she asked suspiciously, sitting down again. "When was this?"

"Ah... uh... er..." Remus said, searching for an answer.

"Honestly, they're just kids. Then again, they're mine and Frank's kids... never mind. But they'd just think I'm insane, and their opinion of me couldn't possibly get any lower so... yea."

"Yea..." Remus said, looking at her.

"They don't make you... uncomfortable, do they?"

"What? Oh, no, of course not!" Remus said. "They're great kids. Really polite. I was just... thinking... about Sirius."

Patricia was silent. "It was awful what happened. I can't believe that Sirius - of all the people - " Patricia started to choke on her words.

"WHAT?" Remus said loudly. "Oh yea... gee, that wasn't exactly what I was thinking about... maybe I ought to tell you something..."

"Tell me what?" Patricia asked, eyebrow furrowed.

"You see..." Remus said, trailing off. How was he supposed to say this? "Well, ah, Sirius..."

"I know how you must feel now that he - escaped," Patricia said quietly.

"No, really, you don't know the half of it," Remus muttered. "It's Sirius, he's - innocent. Wait, before you say anything, it was Peter, he's alive, Sirius never did anything, Peter was the Secret-Keeper, he betrayed Lily and James to Voldemort, Sirius is innocent." Remus felt his anger seethe.

"Can I say something now?" Patricia asked testily.

"Yes, that pretty much sums it up," Remus said, trying to settle down in vain. He watched her carefully.

"How - how can you know all this?" she asked, trembling. "How?"

"I know where he is," Remus said. "He's the one that made me come here. This is Sirius we're talking about. He would never hurt me, or James. Ever. I trust him. He trusts me. Why can't you trust me like you used to?"

"Of course I trust you," Patricia said. "And I love you. I just don't want you to get hurt. And - and if you trust him, then - I trust you."

Remus closed his eyes. "I hoped you would."

"Of course I do. But - it's kind of a - surprise," she said finally. "I - I mean, after all these years..."

"He was in Azkaban the whole time. The whole time!" Remus put his face in his hands. "It's not fair. He didn't do anything wrong."

"Shh." Patricia put a finger up to his lips. "No one knew."

"I should have figured it out."

"But you didn't, and that's okay," Patricia said, kissing him on the cheek. "Don't live in the past."

Remus sighed. "But that's the only place where everything is okay."

There was a pause. "Everything's okay now, too, Remus. Or it will be."

"It. Is. Really. Cold," Harry said brokenly, shivering. The wolf next to him gave him a look that almost said, 'No, really?'

"Yes, really, Boa, I'm not kidding," Harry said, shivering some more.

There was silence as they both shivered. "Isn't it about time for the moon to set?" Harry asked anxiously. The wolf nodded. He put his foot down hard. Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, apparently I was supposed to get something out of that gesture but, ah... I'm not quite clear on what it was."

The wolf sighed. He separated his paws so that there was a considerable amount of space in between them. His eyes bored holes in Harry's head.

"Uh... you gotta go to the bathroom?"

The wolf rolled its eyes. He pointed at Harry with one paw and put it down, then pointed at himself and put it down farther away from the paw that apparently represented Harry.

"Oh, you want me to go away," Harry said, finally understanding. The wolf nodded.

"No."

The wolf nodded.

"No."

The wolf nodded again, more violently this time.

"No!"

The wolf nodded so hard his jaw hit the ground and he whined.

"I came all the way here to be with you, Boa," Harry said irritably.

The wolf growled and bared his teeth. "But then again..." Harry said offhandedly, "I guess if I just left for a minute..."

Draco barked. Harry yelped and ran out of the clearing. "Just be careful, you stupid prat!" he called over his shoulder. He received a howl in response.

There was silence for a few minutes. Then he could hear whimpering. Harry covered his ears. It steadily got louder until it was howling, and the howling slowly turned to yelling, and then, just when Harry thought it was over and withdrew his hands from his ears, a yelp that was louder than all of the screams put together sounded.

It had only lasted a second, but it seemed to echo in Harry's heart. "Draco?" he called. "Are you okay?" Draco didn't answer; Harry could hear short, hard breaths coming from his direction. "I'm coming, whether you like it or not!" Harry made his way through the trees and saw an awful sight.

Draco was leaning against the fallen tree, but he was not in an ordinary state. His robes were ripped and covered with blood. He was gripping his chest tightly, staring straight ahead, gasping for breath. Harry bit his lip and moved closer. He drew his wand and tried to get Draco to move his hand so that he could see what had caused him to bleed so much. But Draco's head snapped up.

Don't touch it.

"Well, what do you expect me to do, just stand here and look at it?" Harry said irritably.

You can't fix it.

"Watch me."

Harry, it's Dark magic.

Harry paused. "Let me see it."

You can't fix it.

"Yes, Draco, I understand that it's Dark magic, but I might be able to fix it anyway. Without magic. Now let me see it." Reluctantly and painfully, Draco pulled back the shirt he was wearing under his robes to let Harry see the gash. Harry gasped.

Claw marks.

"Take it off," Harry said.

Harry, it's snowing, and I'm telling you, it's going to have to heal on its own because you can't fix it.

"Boa," Harry snapped. "I am the one who's been through Muggle first aid, and you're the one who's hurt, so you're the one who's going to shut up."

But I -

"I DON'T CARE!" Harry said loudly. Draco glared at him, but reluctantly took it off. Harry mumbled something under his breath and a Muggle first aid kit appeared. Draco shivered, and winced as Harry cleaned off the blood.

"It's not as bad as it looks," Harry said, sighing with relief. "It's only a fraction of an inch deep... hold still..."

Harry picked up a bandage and started to put it on. This - this doesn't bother you at all?

"Boa, it must be a million freaking degrees below zero, it's snowing, you're hurt, I have absolutely no idea how to get back to the Manor, and to top it all off, you won't shut the bloody hell up. I have every right to be a little irritated."

But if it wasn't for me, you'd probably be safe and sound inside Hermione's house right now.

Harry paused. "You mean that," he said quietly. "No, Draco. It doesn't bother me at all. Everyone should respect everyone else for who or what they are. Because that's just the way things were meant to turn out. It could have been me, it could been Ron, or Hermione, or Sirius, or anyone. It's not your fault."

"But it's my fault you're here," Draco said through gritted teeth.

"No, it's my own bloody fault for caring too much. Neither of us knew it was going to be the beginning of a new Ice Age, did we?"

I would be smiling right now, but the intense pain is kind of crossing that off the list of possibilities.

That's okay. I know what you mean.

Harry finished tying the bandages with a flourish. "Does it feel remotely less painful?" Harry asked.

Draco prodded it gingerly. "Yea," he said. "Thanks."

"Any time," Harry smiled. "Consider it part of your Christmas present."

"Darn, you got me a Christmas present," Draco said. "Now I've got to get you one." He smirked slightly.

"Come on... your mum will be really worried..."

Don't tell her, Harry.

"What?" Harry asked. "Why not?"

She'd go off the deep end. Please.

Harry sighed. It's up to you. But I still think -

Well I don't.

Harry gasped. "That was a straight answer."

There was stunned silence. I HAVE been hanging around you too long.

Harry snorted. "Come on, let's go..." Draco got up gingerly, but doubled over immediately. "I'll help you." So Harry helped Draco stand up. "Now, let's see... I for one am hopelessly lost. Please tell me you know the way back."

Draco smiled and nodded slightly. Go straight ahead until we get to another clearing a little ways ahead, then turn left...

And so Harry helped Draco limp towards the Manor, silently glad that the night was over.

Remus finally left the Patil household at about one in the morning. When he returned to the secret room inside Dumbledore's office, Sirius was waiting for him.

"What happened?" he asked, by way of greeting.

"What do you think?" Remus yawned, collapsing onto a chair.

"Well, judging by the time you were gone, either it went well or she slammed the door in your face and you've been in a concussion," Sirius said thoughtfully.

"The less imaginative one," Remus yawned.

Sirius smiled widely. "I thought they were both pretty imaginative."

"You thought the sky was green with pink polka dots, too."

Sirius made a face. "At least I have an imagination, Moony."

"I think you have enough imagination for the both of us, Padfoot."

Sirius grinned again. "You talked to her?"

"And a little more..." Remus mumbled, smiling at his old friend.

"Now is the world fine and dandy?" Sirius asked, grinning back.

"No," Remus sighed. "I'm worried about Harry and Draco."

"They can take care of themselves... I hope," Sirius said desperately.

"I hope they're all right."

"So do I."

The next morning when Harry and Draco got up it was already light outside. When Harry opened his eyes groggily, he found Draco's face a fraction of an inch from his own.

"Ack!" Harry jumped. "Don't do that, Boa, it's freaky!"

"Well, sor-ree," Draco said sarcastically.

"What time is it?" Harry yawned. "Why are you up? You're the one who went through the most complex form of Transfiguration there is last night..."

"It's eight thirty, I just got up, I've been through it enough, and we've got to go to Hermione's house today," Draco said breathlessly.

"Oh."

"And if you want to know, it did take me twenty minutes to find a room with a clock. I desperately need a watch. It's probably eight fifty by now, considering the amount of time it took for me to get from my room, to the guest room with the clock, to here..."

"I get it," Harry said, sitting up. "I'm up, I'm up..."

"Good," Draco smiled. "That was the ultimate goal."

Harry groaned and got dressed into his school robes, feeling slightly out of place with Muggle clothes on. Draco led him down to what he suspected was the kitchen, but then again in Malfoy Manor it was hard for a stranger to keep a sense of direction. It turned out that it was the kitchen, in the end. Harry sat down by a table and rubbed his eyes groggily as a house-elf brought he and Draco toast and cereal.

"Thanks, Hubert," Draco said.

"Yes, sirs," Hubert the house-elf said in a squeaky voice. "Would sirs like anything else?"

"No thanks," Draco said as be spread marmalade on his toast. Hubert left.

"Hermione would hate that," Harry said, grinning, as he poured milk into his cereal.

"Why?"

"Ever heard of SPEW?"

"What?" Draco asked unintelligibly.

"Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare," Harry mumbled. "Don't even ask."

"Sounds kind of like SUFAMS to me," Draco said, making a face.

Harry rolled his eyes. Narcissa chose that exact moment to enter and smothered Draco in a huge hug. "Oh, are you all right?" she cried.

"I will be if you stop smothering me," Draco choked. Narcissa let go. Harry saw that Draco was wincing ever so slightly and touching his chest lightly. Luckily, Narcissa didn't seem to notice.

"I mean really," she said sternly.

"Yea," Draco said, his eyes flickering towards Harry. "I'm all right."

What do you think I'll do, squeal?

I wasn't sure.

Harry rolled his eyes again. Whatever.

"We were thinking about Floo-ing over to the Grangers' around nine," Draco said to his mother.

"Of, right, of course..." Narcissa said. She patted Draco on the back, and his body tensed as he twitched. Harry took a hint.

"Gee, Mrs. Malfoy, we really have to go pack if we're going to leave that soon..." he said offhandedly. Since she didn't say anything, Harry grabbed Draco's hand and pulled him out of the kitchen, where Draco let out his breath and clutched his chest.

"Boa..." Harry said, watching him gasp painfully. "Come on, I need to get you back to your room... have you ever thought about drawing a map for this place? It would be damn useful..."

Draco started to hobble forward while Harry followed. It seemed to take forever to got to the bedroom wing. When Draco finally collapsed onto his bed, he was clutching his chest tightly, and on closer inspection, you could see a drip of blood coming out from beneath his robes.

"Don't fidget..." Harry said as he sat down on the edge of the bed, inspecting Draco. "Bandage shifted," he diagnosed. With a wave of his hand he was holding a new one. He carefully put it on over the old one. "Try not to touch it," he said as he carefully surveyed him.

"Have you ever considered a career as a mediwizard?" Draco said, leaning up against the wall.

"Not really," Harry sighed. "I want to be an Auror, like - like my parents." Harry choked and suddenly became very interested in twiddling his thumbs. Draco felt bad for bringing it up.

"They'd be proud of you, Beaky," Draco said quietly. "They really would."

Harry bowed his head and sighed. "I just wish - " Harry couldn't find the words to finish his sentence.

"Hey," Draco smiled. "When we get back to Hogwarts you can talk to them all you want, and I can make an idiot of myself by pretending I can see them."

Harry smiled slightly and looked up at Draco. "How is it that we've barely been friends a month and you can cheer me up better than Ron and Hermione put together?"

"Because I know you love to see me make an idiot of myself."

"That's true..." Harry pondered. "Come on, Hermione will try to bite our heads off if we're late... she's known me too long. She knows I can get into trouble in the blink of an eye."

"Everyone knows that, Harry," Draco pointed out.

"Interesting point..." Harry watched as, with a wave of Draco's hand, Draco's trunk, already packed, was shrunk to the size of a Sickle and came flying to his hand.

"Well, are we going to go, or aren't we?" Draco said with a smirk.

Harry shook his head. "It's amazing how you can be moaning like the world is over one minute and start smirking the next."

Draco grinned. On the way to wherever-Draco-was-leading-them, Harry went through a similar process with his own trunk, along with Hedwig's cage. Hedwig herself perched herself on Harry's shoulder. After about ten minutes they were in the entrance hall. Narcissa was waiting for them. She gestured towards a fireplace in the corner that had a flowerpot on top of it.

"Do you have everything?" she asked both of them. They nodded. Narcissa offered them the flowerpot. Harry and Draco each took a pinch.

"I'll see you for Easter," Narcissa said, giving Draco a kiss on the forehead.

"Mum!" Draco said, wiping his forehead with his arm as if it were contaminated. "Stop that!"

Harry grinned widely. Aww, aren't you going to miss your mum, Draci-kinns? "You first," Draco insisted roughly, glaring at both of them. Harry, giving him one last smirk, threw in the powder and was gone. Draco, saying goodbye to his mother, followed him. And they didn't go back to Malfoy Manor for a long time.

When Harry got out at another fireplace, he found Hermione and Ron waiting for him apprehensively. "You're late," Ron whispered to Harry. "Beware Hermione's wrath."

Hermione pointed her finger at Harry accusingly. "Never - ever - ever - be late - again," she seethed. "Knowing you, you could have been killed!"

"Or I could have been delayed by natural reasons, such as becoming hopelessly lost inside Malfoy Manor," Harry said. "It's great to see you too, Hermione. And you, Ron."

At that moment Draco came tumbling through the fireplace. There was still a slight lipstick mark on his forehead, and Harry chortled. "Don't even say it," Draco warned. "I'm warning you, Harry..."

"Say what?" Harry asked innocently.

"Hello Draco," Hermione said cheerfully.

"Oh, so Draco doesn't get the lecture, but I do, eh?" Harry asked.

"Yup," Draco said gleefully.

"Mum's at work..." Hermione said. "Where's your stuff?" As one, Harry and Draco took their trunks out of their pockets and enlarged them.

"You know you're not supposed to use magic outside school!" Hermione exclaimed.

"And you know the Ministry is a little preoccupied with You-Know-Who to really care enough to put them in Azkaban," Ron interrupted. "Although in Malfoy's case..."

"You know, Weasley, for some bizarre reason I don't want to hear the rest of that sentence," Draco said, cutting Ron short.

"Hermione, they let me blow up my aunt. They won't even notice this," Harry reassured her.

"Well... okay," Hermione said reluctantly. "Come on, I'll show you where you stay..."

The Granger household was laid out similar to the pattern of Arabella's house, Harry thought. The fireplace they had come through had a small flowerpot on the mantle, but besides that there was no evidence that a witch lived there. As Hermione led them up the stairs, Harry proved that theory wrong. There was a picture of Hermione, Ron, and himself hanging on the wall, smiling and waving furiously at them. Harry smiled and waved back at them slightly before bounding up the stairs to catch up with the rest of them, who were already going down another hallway.

When he caught up with them, Hermione opened a door. "Harry, you can stay in here, and Draco, you're across the hall. Ron is next to you, Harry, and I'm two doors down from Draco," Hermione explained.

"Mhmm... could you repeat that?" Harry asked. Hermione slapped him. Draco sniggered.

"You're just so... so..." Hermione said. "You're so... sarcastic."

"Yes, well, you get that from hanging around someone too much," Harry said, staring pointedly at Draco.

"Don't have a clue what you could be talking about..." Draco said.

Harry just shook his head as he and Draco put their trunks down. Then all four of them went into Hermione's room. Hermione started fiddling around with buttons on what Harry identified as a CD player as Ron watched in utter awe. "What's that thing?" he asked.

"It's a CD player, Ron," Harry sighed.

"It plays music," Hermione explained.

"Awesome," Ron said excitedly. "Does it run on eckeltricity?"

"It's electricity, Weasley," Draco yawned.

"I didn't know you took Muggle Studies," Hermione said, surprised.

"I don't," Draco said. "What can I say, I was born to be brilliant. No comment, Harry."

"I seriously doubt that, Malfoy," Ron said disgustedly.

"So, Hermione, before the verbal war engages, what are we listening to?" Harry asked offhandedly.

"Some American..." Hermione said.

"Ooh, I know this one!" Ron said. "Jennifer Stevenson!"

"Jessica Simpson, Ron," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. "She's okay... my Muggle aunt in New York sent this as an early Christmas present..." Hermione put the CD in and set it to a number. As the tune began to play, Harry froze. He knew these words...

Yea, yea, yea, yea...

Oh... Oh...

Every time you're near baby,

I get kinda crazy in my head for you,

I don't know what to do...

Draco paused his argument with Ron over his own IQ and stared at Harry. "Harry?" he said quietly. Harry didn't move.

Whenever you are near the Hermione girl, think of me.

That was what Laura had written. And Harry had done it, without even thinking about it. Hermione and Ron were staring at his blank face questioningly. Harry stared at Hermione.

God, not again... Hermione is so beautiful... what if I can't choose between them?

Harry? You all right?

Harry stared at Hermione. Her brow was furrowed as she looked at him strangely. She and Laura had the same blues eyes, the same wavy brown hair... snap out of it! Harry told himself.

"Yea," Harry muttered. "Yea, Draco, I'm all right."

"What was that about?" Ron asked.

"Nothing you would understand," Draco said quietly. "You sure you're all right, Beaky?"

"Yea... are you all right, Draco?"

"Well, apart from the fact that I am within a ten kilometer radius of the Weasel..."

"Malfoy..." Ron warned.

"... I'm all right," Draco ended with a smirk at Ron.

"I think," Ron said, "that neither of you are all right. I am questioning both of your sanity."

"Well, I would say the same for you, if you had any sanity to question," Draco snapped. Hermione sighed and looked out the window. Harry's eyes followed hers and soon he was reading her thoughts.

God I wish they would shut up. Maybe I shouldn't have invited Draco after all... alleluia, Mum is home... Based on Hermione's thoughts, she had seen a car pull into the driveway. "Come on, Harry, Draco, time for you to meet Mum," she said, getting up.

"Oh joy," Draco said. "I just can't wait to meet the mother of the girl I've been bullying the heck out of for four years..."

"At least it's not Mrs. Weasley," Harry pointed out.

"No, Harry, if Malfoy met my mum it would be a wonderful day," Ron said wistfully. "It would be the last day Malfoy ever walked the earth."

"Oh come on..." Hermione said, pulling them all out of her room and down the stairs. They watched the door opened. A familiar face came through. Of course it was familiar. Harry had seen Mrs. Granger before. But now... he was seeing her through a whole different light. Seeing her up close. And the sight in front of them was enough to make Draco and Harry's jaws dropped and eyes widen.

There, grinning at them, was Lily Evans-Potter.