Remember You

Remember You
Chapter Thirteen
~~~~~

"Harry, what are you writing?" Ron demanded as he sauntered over, butterbeer in hand. "We need our Seeker for the celebratory party, now don't we?"

"Sure. I'll be there in a minute, Ron. I'm writing a letter."

Ron grudgingly walked away with the promise of a good hex if Harry was not done within five minutes. It was just after dinner and the party in the Gryffindor tower was just starting in earnest. There had been a bit of a celebration before dinner, but that had been with the younger years. Fourth year and younger had been sent upstairs to their dormitories for the night so that the older students could have some fun of their own. So, with the thought of a little partying before he followed through on his plan, Harry took his self-inking quill and began to write.

Draco,

Don't be like this, all right? You know you're a great flier.... I know you're a great flier, so stop sulking, you prat. Anyway, I'm going to get away from the Common Room in a little bit. I have a present for you that I think might cheer you up. Meet me in our classroom at exactly ten o'clock. No sooner, no later. I mean it, do not show up any sooner than ten. It will ruin the surprise.

Love,
Harry

After Harry had showered in the changing rooms, he had hurried to find Draco, only to find that Draco was truly mad at his boyfriend for winning. Harry had tried to explain that it was not a big deal, but the blond had said that he just wanted to win one time against the Gryffindor, but that Harry was making it damn near impossible to do just that. So, Harry had come up with this plan and would carry through with it in a few hours. He reread it, smiled, folded up the letter and beckoned Wally to him. The dragon dissolved the parchment with his fire and took off out the window. Harry watched the silver dragon for a few moments before heading over to where a crowd of students were congregating, making bets on who would take the longest to get drunk on butterbeer.

***

Harry manoeuvred himself behind the couch in the classroom and knelt down behind it, waiting for Draco to arrive. The Gryffindor had just extinguished all the lights, pulled the curtains over the windows, and now the only light in the room was the odd golden light emanating from Harry's body. He smiled to himself for his brilliant plan and waited patiently until Draco came.

Five minutes later, Draco cautiously opened the door and stepped into the darkened room, closing the door behind himself. Before the Slytherin could say anything, Harry flicked his wand and golden letters appeared in front of Draco. The blond stepped back in surprise and read the words.

I am golden,
I am sparkling,
My name is Snitch,
And I am yours,
If you can find me.

"What.... Harry? What is this? Do I have to look for a Snitch?"

Draco continued to look around in a bewildered way as the words faded away. "I'm not quite following, Harry." Harry stifled a laugh with his hand as Draco began to walk around the darkened room.

The Gryffindor stealthily moved from behind the couch when Draco came near and moved under the cover of all the furniture. "Hey! What's that glowing, Harry? Come out!"

Harry smiled and moved along the darkened wall to the side of the bed as Draco leaned over the back of the couch, looking for the golden glow. He climbed onto the dark silver blankets and not so quietly pulled the hangings shut. He could almost imagine Draco spinning on his heel towards the noise and moving cautiously to the now curtained bed.

"Harry... what are you doing? Seriously, this is starting to get a little weird."

Harry chuckled low in his throat, intending for his fiancée to hear him. He sat on his knees, bum resting on his ankles, and folded his hands primly in his lap, waiting for Draco to open the curtains to see him in the middle of the bed.

Finally, after what seemed ages to Harry, but was only a few seconds, the curtains flew open and Draco finally caught sight of Harry and his mouth gaped open in shock. "Harry?"

"Draco," Harry purred. "You found me."

"But.... but..."

Harry grinned seductively at the other boy. He knew exactly why Draco was speechless.

Harry had made himself into a human Snitch.

The Gryffindor had covered his entire, naked body with golden paint that sparkled and glowed in the dark, and procured silver wings that were now flapping slowly on his back.

"Have you lost your mind?" Draco asked incredulously.

Harry pointedly ignored him. "If you want the Snitch, Draco, you'll have to catch it."

The Slytherin stared at him in disbelief

Harry made the wings flap quicker. "You're completely insane, Potter."

Harry started to get anxious that the idea was completely ludicrous. "Do you want the Snitch or not?" he asked trying to sound as if he was completely sure of himself. He spread his arms wide, exposing everything for Draco see. "It's here at your disposal. When have you ever heard of a Snitch offering itself up willingly to a Seeker before?"

"Well..." Draco looked Harry up and down, looking completely torn. "As any fair Seeker, I would like to catch the Snitch, but I don't want it covered in all that goo you have yourself covered in."

Harry licked his lips and smiled. "It's magicked on. It won't come off on you or anything else."

"Will it come off at all?" Draco asked nervously.

"You ask questions that aren't relevant, Draco. Catch me."

Draco slowly crawled onto the bed, kicking his shoes off as he approached his boyfriend. The blond grabbed onto Harry's shoulders. "I caught you."

Harry shook his head. "Not yet."

"What?" Draco asked, now getting frustrated.

"Well, it can't be that easy, can it? A normal Snitch puts up a fight at being caught. You have to know it... sense how it wants to be caught." Harry bit his tongue to keep from biting his lip anxiously. He did not know if Draco would buy this or be completely comfortable with actually doing what Harry wanted to do. But, it would be Draco in charge the entire time.... "So Draco... do you know me well enough to catch me?"

Draco looked confused for a few moments but then slowly lowered Harry onto his back, beginning a careful exploration of Harry's body. Draco pinched, and nipped, and sucked, growing more and more aroused as the seconds turned to minutes. Slowly, Draco stripped off his own clothing and worked his way down Harry's luminescent nakedness. Harry arched and moaned, and when Draco finally talked himself into licking the head of Harry's erection, Harry gasped.

"150 points to Slytherin."

Two hours later, as the two boys lay in the afterglow, Harry shifted so that he was not lying on his wings and moved awkwardly into Draco's arms. True to his word, the paint had not come off Harry's skin, even with his body now covered in a layer of sweat. Draco sighed with content and kissed Harry's scar. "God, but I love you," he murmured sleepily.

"Mmm... You're not mad at me anymore?"

"I wasn't mad at you, you twit. I was mad at myself."

"Well... did I manage to cheer you up?"

"Mmm... Do I have to answer that dim-witted question?" Draco sighed, nestling his head into the hollow of Harry's neck and running his tongue along the pulse point, making Harry moan.

"Stop... I'm so tired. You're like a machine, Draco," Harry teased sleepily.

"I only licked you. It's not like I want another go at the moment. I'm too damn tired. Maybe I'll wake you up in an hour or two though."

Harry smiled at sound of Draco's smirk and kissed the top of his head. "Mm'kay. Goodnight."

"'Night, Harry," Draco replied.

The two boys fell into a peaceful sleep, not waking until late the next morning.

***

It was a rather dreary day outside; the Great Hall's ceiling above reflected the drab sky, dampening the students' moods. Homework was at an all time high for all students, and everywhere Harry looked, he saw downcast faces. Harry was just about to turn to Draco to remark on this when he was tapped on the shoulder.

"Mr. Potter, if you would follow me to my office, please."

Harry spun his head around and found that Professor Dumbledore was standing behind him, eyes set with worry. It had been a week since the Quidditch game and Harry's post-game play as a golden snitch. The Daily and Evening Prophet had been very busy reporting attacks on wizards and Muggles by Voldemort's Death Eaters and Dark creatures. The creatures were becoming more than a fierce threat as even the most friendly of magical creatures were turning vicious and attacking their owners. Unprecedented amounts of cases had been present in St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies in the past months, but the numbers were only now being reported.

"All right," Harry said apprehensively. "I'll see you three at dinner," he directed towards Ron, Hermione, and Draco. They had just stepped out of the last class of the day, Potions. Harry vaguely noticed that Snape was following behind the Headmaster and was casting quick glances back at Harry. It made Harry feel a little apprehensive. "Erm - may I ask what this is about, sir?" he asked.

Dumbledore turned his head slightly, but continued walking. "It's nothing new, if that's what you mean, Harry," the wizened man replied, taking out a lemon drop from his pocket. "Lemon drop, Severus? Harry?" Both kindly declined the offer. "Well..." Dumbledore continued, after popping a piece of candy into his mouth, "it's about your family, Harry."

Harry immediately stiffened. "What about them?"

Dumbledore did not answer, but said the password. "Skivving Snackboxes."

Harry raised an eyebrow at this, but did not question it as he knew that Dumbledore was a bit off his rocker at times. Before anything more was said, the three men made themselves comfortable in the office. Harry looked around at the snoozing former Headmasters and Headmistresses, and wondered if they really were asleep this time, or if they were awake and listening. Dumbledore cleared his throat bringing Harry's attention back to him.

"As I was saying, this is about your family."

Harry looked at Snape inquiringly, wondering what he was doing here, but Snape merely raised an eyebrow and looked back to Dumbledore. "Professor Snape," Dumbledore nodded towards him, "recently made a trip to Diagon Alley to restore some of his supplies in the student cupboards. Now, this did not make the Prophet, but I am sure you would be interested to know that there were more people who mysteriously dissolved as some of our students have been victimized.."

"But how?" Harry asked painfully. "I still have Austin and Sierra locked up."

"Yes, we know that, Harry. They were not the ones who did it."

"Then who?"

Dumbledore sighed. "It was your parents. Professor Snape saw both of them. For some reason, only he was able to see them and managed to stay out of harm's way."

"No! It was not my parents. They would never do anything like that, you know they wouldn't."

"I know they wouldn't, had they been alive, Harry."

"Then why do you believe Snape?"

"Professor Snape, Harry--" the Headmaster began but Snape interrupted in a low voice tinged with anger.

"No, Potter, why should the Headmaster, or even you believe me?" The Potions Master moved forward in his seat so that he could bring his face closer to Harry's. Harry moved back in his chair slightly as Snape bared his yellowed teeth at him. "I'll admit, though it was never a secret, that I hated your father... I still do, and that will never change. Your father was an insufferable know-it-all prat. For years, I thought you were just like him, but by some bad twist of Fate, I got to know you last year. Do you know what I discovered? I found that you were more like your mother than I ever thought possible. You may look exactly like your father, but your personality is completely different.

"Then... by an even worse twist of Fate... you begin dating my godson and Merlin forbid, I actually started to like you." Harry's eyebrows flew up but Snape took no notice. "Now tell me, Potter, why do you think that I would purposely hurt anybody who my godson is in love with?" Snape paused and there were unspoken words there that Harry understood, but was strangely glad that Snape did not repeat. One declaration of like was enough.

Harry bowed his head. "Sorry, Sir."

Snape snorted softly and sat back in his seat. "I would hope that you learn to call me something else when you leave Hogwarts."

"Sev?" Harry asked, grinning, thinking of Draco and how he purposely defied Snape with the nickname.

"Don't push your luck," Snape replied sourly.

Harry pouted. "And you know the routine, Potter... None of--"

"This gets out to anybody," Harry finished. "I know."

Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling merrily when the two younger men turned back to him. "It's good for an old man to see so many good things coming out of this war. Friendship and love are too important to throw away, and they both come stronger when in hard times." Snape merely sniffed and Harry looked down at his ring that was still glowing brightly in the lit room. "Harry, would you be able to control your parents as well?" Dumbledore asked suddenly, effectively ruining any happy thoughts of Draco.

"Erm - I don't know. I could try, I suppose."

Harry closed his eyes concentrated on finding his parents in his mind. Within a few minutes, he found them, heading towards Little Whinging. Harry's eyes snapped open. "They're going to Little Whinging."

"Try and stop them," Dumbledore urged.

Harry immediately closed his eyes and zeroed in on them. He mentally urged his parents to stop in their path, but Lily Potter only told him that they were doing it for his own good and kept going. As he desperately tried to communicate with them, he felt another attack on his mind, and knew that his brother and sister were trying to escape from their prison. Harry's head began to ache from trying to control all four people at once. Harry felt his mind replace the door to the younger Gryffindors' room, felt them pounding and slamming their fists and bodies into it in a mad attempt to escape.

The dark-haired Gryffindor clenched his eyes shut and grabbed his head. A shining white light erupted behind his eyelids and Harry cried out as his mind exploded with excruciating pain.

The next thing Harry knew, he was on the floor, crying, sweating, and somebody was attempting to pick him up. The young Gryffindor opened his eyes and found that it was Professor Snape bending over him. Professor Dumbledore was leaning over his desk, eyes squinted with worry.

"Harry... what happened?" asked a soft voice as Harry closed his eyes again.

His body was trembling in pain, fear and worry as Snape helped him up and set him in a chair. "P...parents got into Number four.... don't know if the Dursleys are okay. Austin and Sierra escaped. I couldn't hold them all. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry." Harry began rocking back and forth until Snape laid a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I tried to stop it."

"Harry, it's okay," Dumbledore said softly. "I'm impressed that you have been able to hold them for as long as you have."

Dumbledore continued speaking, but Harry was not listening. He was tuning into his siblings so that he could see where they were. The Gryffindor was up in a flash when he found them heading towards the Great Hall. "They're going to the Great Hall!" he yelled and then he was out of the Headmaster's office. He tuned into their minds as he ran and he could hear just one name in their minds. Draco Malfoy.

With that knowledge, Harry ran at even greater speeds through the halls, ignoring the indignant yells when he ran into people. When he reached the entrance hall, he saw Draco emerging from the Great Hall with Ron and Hermione not too far behind him. Harry glanced back at the top of the marble staircase when he felt his siblings' presence and saw them quickly descending the staircase. Sierra raised her hand when she caught sight of Draco and shot off the blue light, directly towards him. Harry yelled out something unintelligible and tackled Draco to the stone floor. The blue light narrowly hit them once again and hit a Ravenclaw behind them. The Ravenclaw boy shrieked in pain before falling to the floor and dissolving into thin air.

Draco was sucking in breath after having it taken away by Harry. "Up for some running?" Harry asked breathlessly as he quickly checked over his boyfriend's body for any injuries.

"Not really, no," Draco choked out. "Why are they still after me? And how the bloody hell did they get out?"

"No time to answer now. Get up."

Ron and Hermione approached them both then, looking towards where the Ravenclaw had once been. "What's going on?" Ron asked stupidly.

"Run! That's what's going on!" Harry shouted as he pulled Draco along with him.

Neither Ron nor Hermione needed telling twice, nor did any of the other students. There was mass hysteria and Harry thought it best if the four of them headed outside where it was free of people, and therefore, less chance of other students getting hit. They ran outside into the warming spring air, looking around for a place to hide from their predators. Harry wrapped a protective arm around his fiancé. He spotted bushes by the base of the castle, and motioned for them hide amongst them.

"You three stay under here. I don't want you getting in the way."

"What are you doing?" Draco asked angrily, pulling Harry's body towards his protectively.

"I'm going to go out and talk to them," Harry whispered as Austin emerged from the castle, closely followed by Sierra.

"Are you mad?" Ron asked incredulously. "You'll be their next victim."

"Not the way I see it."

Without another word, Harry left the bushes to Ron and Draco's quiet mumblings. But Hermione had a contemplative look as he left. "He's right, you know," Harry heard her whisper quietly.

Harry walked into his sibling's view, out of shooting range from the three students in the bushes and crossed his arms over his chest. "You know... mum and dad wouldn't be very happy with you."

Austin sneered. "Mum and dad are the ones who told us to do this."

"Well..." Harry watched as Austin held up his hand in preparation of shooting Harry. "Even if they did, I don't know if they would like you shooting me. After all, they just visited Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia in my honour today. I'm sure they would be pretty upset."

Austin lowered his hand and glanced at Sierra. "Fine," he acquiesced. "Give us Draco then."

"Why do you want Draco?" Harry inquired.

"Because he made me mad," Sierra pouted like a small child. "And he's not meant to be here anymore. He needs to be taken away."

"Where do people go when you shoot the blue light at them?"

"That isn't any of your business, Harry, not unless you help us."

"No, I don't think I will, thanks. So... you're working for Voldemort, right? What a big prize in life. Where do you plan on going from here?"

"What do you mean?" Sierra asked.

"I mean... are you staying at Hogwarts, or are you going out to find mum and dad? I think they might like to see you."

"We were thinking about it," Austin said slowly.

"Of course you were," Harry replied easily. "You should go, see them, spend some quality time."

"I do miss them terribly, Austin," said Sierra.

Inwardly, Harry grinned. "Yes, but you know that you're not allowed to use any magic once outside of Hogwarts... so, you won't be able to follow mum and dad's orders. But I'm sure they wouldn't mind. You two need an early holiday. Go, and I'll cover for you here." Harry let his mind begin pushing them away from Hogwarts and within moments, their feet started obeying and they were walking away.

"Thanks, Harry!" Austin yelled.

"No problem! And remember, no magic outside of school!"

"We will!" Sierra called back.

When the two were far enough away that they would not be able to recognise anybody at the castle, Ron, Hermione, and Draco stepped out from behind the bushes and rushed over to Harry. "That was great Harry," Hermione praised. "How did you do it?"

"I can control their minds," Harry said simply, grabbed Draco's hand and led him and his friends back inside of the castle. Hermione looked ready to question him, but he shot her a look. "They won't be any trouble now that they think they can't use magic... but my parents are a different matter altogether."

"Don't worry about it, Harry," Hermione said consolingly. "I'm sure everything will be straightened out sooner or later."

The foursome stopped in the entrance hall when they saw that there were students all around, sobbing into each other's shoulders. Ron grabbed Seamus who was standing by Dean, looking absolutely terrified.

"Seamus, what's everybody's problem? Harry got rid of the idiots who have been doing this."

Seamus looked at all of them with terrified eyes. "It's just that I've never seen any of that happen before, you know? Dean and I saw you four run for it, but after you left, four more students were taken. There were three Slytherins, one Ravenclaw that you saw, and one Hufflepuff."

"Do you know who the Slytherins were?" Draco asked.

Seamus shook his head but Dean was the one who spoke. "They were fifth years, but I didn't know their names."

Draco nodded his head and squeezed Harry's hand. "Let's get out of here," he whispered quietly so that only the Gryffindors around him could hear.

"Where do you want to go?" Harry inquired.

"Anywhere but this funeral ground. Outside... somewhere."

"It is really nice out today," Ron said in fake cheerfulness, but then he looked outside at the clouds. "Oh, yeah. It's not so nice. Well... let's go back out and sit by the lake anyway."

"It's muddy," Seamus pointed out. "The snow only melted a week ago."

"Ah," Ron waved a dismissive hand. "I'm sure Hermione knows of some spell to help us out."

Hermione huffed. "It's always up to me, isn't it, Ron? Why don't you do work for a change and maybe you would know something useful?"

Ron looked incredulous. "Why work when I have you?"

Harry, Draco, Seamus, and Dean shook their head in unison as the two continued bickering all the way to the lake. Ginny Weasley caught up with them on the way there, seeming very eager to get away from the mood of the castle and smiled along with the four boys as the couple ahead of them fought. The youngest Weasley wiggled her way in between Harry and Draco and both their hands. Draco stared down at their joined hands in obvious distaste, but did not say or do anything after a look from Harry.

"So... do you have anything planned for the wedding, boys?"

"Men," Draco corrected automatically.

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Oh, of course. Well... men, what do you have planned?"

"Erm... nothing?" Harry said dismissively.

"What?" Ginny shrieked. "Hermione! Do you realize that these two have been doing absolutely nothing to plan for their wedding?"

Hermione backed away from Ron and rounded on the by now, two terrified boys... or rather, men. Seamus and Dean immediately joined Ron. The busy-haired girl poked Harry and Draco painfully in the chest. "I've told you plenty of times since you told me, Harry, that you need to start planning this event! It's a very important day and should not be taken lightly."

"We don't even have a date set though," Harry defended, though this did not bode well with the two girls.

"Well, get one set!" Hermione said fiercely and stopped walking, crossing her arms over her chest and staring at them meaningfully.

"Now?" Draco asked incredulously.

Hermione checked her watch, looked up and rolled her eyes at them. "I don't know of a better time than now."

"Well... I..." Harry began. "I know I want it sometime in August or September. Draco said he wants it on Halloween, but I don't."

"I've decided against that actually," Draco said. "I think in July or August would be perfect."

"August is your moot point, so August it is," Ginny said with a tone of finality. "Now, what's the date?"

"Third weekend, didn't you say, Harry?" Draco asked.

Harry shrugged.

Hermione and Ginny threw their hands up in disgust. "Boys!" they both exclaimed.

"Wait until my mother hears about this!" Ginny said.

"No!" Harry said in horror. "You two are bad enough. Don't bring Mrs. Weasley into it!" he exclaimed, eyes wide.

"Bloody hell," Draco muttered softly. "I'm almost glad my mother isn't speaking to me. She would be ten times worse than any of you Gryffindors."

"So, the wedding is this year on the third weekend of August, right?" Hermione confirmed. "I'm assuming Saturday, or Friday night even?"

Harry locked eyes with Draco, thinking on Draco's uncertainty about marrying this year, but Draco's eyes looked set when the blond turned to Hermione. "That's good. I'd like it on Friday evening."

"Finally!" Ginny exclaimed. "We have some answers. But we really have to get started if we want everything to be perfect." The red-head started ticking off items on her fingers. "You have to choose the colours, the flowers, the groomsmen, the cake, the music..." Ginny let out a breath. "Hermione, we have a lot of work cut out for us. You want to go look through some books in the library for ideas?"

Hermione's face, which had fallen at the thought of getting no help from the boys, brightened considerably at the prospect of book planning the whole thing. "Ooh, I know the perfect books. I came across them a few months ago." She took Ginny by the arm and began leading her away. "We'll compile pictures and notes on all ideas... Maybe I should conjure up some sort of scrapbook and have a section for each... Cakes, musical groups, colours and their meanings - you know, just so they know which colour is perfect for their special day - flowers.... It'll be perfect for them to make final decisions. Plus there are wizarding traditions that they have to choose from..."

Hermione's overexcited voice faded away as she led a rapidly deflating Ginny away. Harry and Draco looked at each other with looks of utter despair. "Want to elope?" Draco asked.

"Seems easiest. We might want to do it soon though before they get too far into it. Otherwise, they might get royally ticked off if we wait too long."

"Oh, I think they'd already be hopping mad if we eloped tonight." Draco grinned impishly. "Want to go now?"

Harry laughed, playfully smacking Draco's arm. "You prat. Let's just keep to August for now and if things get too bad, we'll elope."

Harry smiled affectionately as Draco leaned up and kissed the Gryffindor softly. Draco turned towards Ron, Seamus, and Dean after a few moments and smirked. Ron had tried a spell to dry up the mud under a tree by the lake, but had failed miserably and was now attempting to clean off his robes.

"Weasley, you utter incompetent. That's not how you say it."

Draco waved his wand with the correct pronunciation and a small area had dried up enough for them all to sit down. The clouds were finally giving way to sunshine and the day warmed up considerably. "It sure is warm already," Draco commented as he lay on the ground beside Harry. "You guys wouldn't mind if Harry and I had a quick shag right here, would you? I've always wondered what it would be like to shag outside in the sun."

Ron made a disgruntled noise. "Go find your own area to shag."

"I did dry the ground up for us, Weasley. You go find your own area and practice your Latin. Meanwhile, I'll help Harry with his wand work."

"Argh!" Ron let loose a couple very creative expletives and left in a hurry back towards the castle. Dean and Seamus were roaring with laughter while Harry pinched Draco in his armpit.

"You sure play evil, but I know you don't mean it," Harry whispered.

Draco did not pay attention however. He was pouting at Seamus and Dean. "I was serious. Why aren't they running away screaming?"

"Because it's Seamus and Dean," Harry replied, smiling. "They'd rather watch... and maybe join in."

"Argh!" Draco let go a couple of his own creations and hurried back to the castle, listening to Harry's laughter mix with Seamus' and Dean's.

***

Over the next couple days, Harry was a nervous wreck. N.E.W.T's were fast approaching and Harry still was secretly planning to become an Auror. It was the only profession that had ever interested him, and he would be damned to let his fiancé stop him from doing what he wanted. Besides, Harry figured that it would be nice to be in the same area of work with his future husband. They could go through training and maybe even become partners when their three years of training were complete. It was one promise to Draco that Harry felt he just could not keep. Their brief argument had done nothing for either of them, except give Draco false hope.

Because of Harry's desire to become an Auror, studying was a large priority and he spent most of his time doing just that. If N.E.W.T's had not been so close, Harry knew that Draco would be suspicious of Harry's sudden interest in studying. Though Harry did not understand why Draco was not already suspicious, considering they had had this talk before. Hermione, however, was very suspicious. Hermione was one of the few people who knew Harry like the back of her hand. She knew his study habits when it came to the end of year exams. This was why she cornered him three days after Austin and Sierra left Hogwarts.

"Okay, Harry, what are you doing?"

Harry looked up from the books that were scattered around him and raised an eyebrow. "Knowing you, Hermione, that was a pretty stupid question, especially since we're in the library with books and parchment around me. It should be obvious what I'm doing."

"I know that you're studying, so don't get smart with me. I'm wondering why you're studying."

"You probably know better than I do that N.E.W.T's are coming up--"

"In ten weeks," Hermione interrupted.

"See, I didn't know that, but I knew they were soon. I'm studying for them."

"But why?"

"Are you discouraging my studying, Hermione?" Harry asked slyly.

"No!" she exclaimed, affronted. "It's just that in every year before, you and Ron have never got down to studying more than a few weeks in advance, so I'm sorry if I'm a little suspicious right now. Ron hasn't started yet."

"I just want to do well," Harry explained indifferently as he bent his head back over a potions book.

Hermione sat next to him, and studied, though it was Harry whom she was studying. "You're trying to become an Auror, aren't you?"

Harry bit his lip and looked up at her. "How did you know?"

"Because I've known for a long time that that's what you want to do." Harry grew nervous. "Don't worry, I won't tell Draco. You know... he's spoken to me about it a few times."

"He has?" Harry asked.

"Don't act so surprised. Draco comes to me a lot when he's unsure with something that has to do with you."

Despite his need to study, Harry set down his quill and pierced Hermione with a curious look. "What does he say about the Auror thing?"

"To be quite blunt, he doesn't want you to do it."

Harry sighed and looked away. "I already knew that, but it doesn't make me any happier to hear it.... Does he say why he doesn't want me to become an Auror?" He bit his lip, curious. He wondered if there was another reason that Draco never explained to him.

"He never comes out and says it to me, but he's just worried that you'll throw yourself into some situation that will get you hurt or killed. He doesn't want to lose you."

Harry sighed. "I knew that already, but he won't lose me! I'm careful and I'll probably always have somebody with me. Don't you think that I'm worried about him becoming an Auror, too?"

"I know you do, Harry. But maybe you should just listen to him."

Harry drew in a deep breath. "Draco is my fiancé, not my keeper. If I want to become an Auror, then I will be one. And I will not listen to you either. Why are you taking his side?"

"I'm not. I think you would make a great Auror. I'm just saying that you should listen to what he wants... not necessarily to act on what he says, but just to listen."

"I do listen to him," Harry sulked indignantly.

"I know," Hermione sighed. "It's just... believe it or not, Draco is very insecure about himself, and he needs to be reassured that what he's feeling about this whole thing isn't some weird paranoia, or that he's the only one in the relationship who cares enough."

"Draco isn't insecure and he knows that I care about him."

"If you think he's completely secure with himself, you have another thing coming, Harry. He is a very good actor and I have only picked this up when he's slipped some words, or has said something I wasn't supposed to hear. Anyway... I'm not asking you to rethink your career choice, I'm saying to rethink about how you're dealing with it."

"I didn't think I was doing a bad job dealing with it."

"Draco has the right to know what you're planning. You're getting married in exactly five months, Harry. You need honesty."

Harry sighed and let his head drop onto Hermione's shoulder. "I just want him to let me do what I want without all this drama."

Hermione wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders and kissed the top of his head. "He wouldn't be Draco Malfoy without drama... I mean, have you ever noticed that the first three letters of Draco and the first two letters of Malfoy spell 'drama'? It should tell you something."

Harry laughed, wrapping his arms around Hermione's waist. "I don't know how you even noticed something like that, Hermione. You're one perceptive witch."

"And what's this?" asked a voice behind them. "Harry, I thought you were supposed to be gay?"

Without lifting his head, Harry replied, "No, Ron, that was just a guise so that I could get into Hermione's skirt. We've been secretly dating for nearly a year now."

Another voice joined the conversation. "If my ring wasn't glowing right now, I'd be highly offended and might just kick you where the sun doesn't shine, Potter."

Harry's eyes darted to his homework and felt his face flushing. He looked up over Hermione's shoulder and smiled at Draco and Ron. "Well, that won't do you any good, Draco, when Hermione and I ask you to join a threesome."

"Thanks for the offer, but not interested. You see... I like boys."

"Plural?" Harry asked offended. "How many more fiancés do you need?"

"Shut up, Harry--"

"Well, why aren't I invited to the threesome?" Ron asked.

Harry raised an eyebrow while Draco burst out laughing. "I always knew you three were entertaining dreams of a threesome!" the blond exclaimed.

"Oh, honestly, I need Ginny here to even out the testosterone," Hermione said huffily, pushing Harry away from her.

Harry smirked. "Well, Ron, looks like Hermione is out... it's just you and me in the sack now."

Ron looked positively disgusted. "I wasn't serious, Harry."

"Neither was I," Harry laughed.

"Well..." Draco put his hands on his hips, and pouting. "Is somebody going to be getting some today, or am I sticking around for nothing?"

Harry smiled and turned back to his work. "Sweet, sweet, DraMa."

Hermione made eye contact with Harry and they both burst out laughing as Ron and Draco looked on, adorably confused.

The next day, as the Gryffindor team was practicing for the upcoming game against Hufflepuff, Professor McGonagall entered the pitch and called for Harry to land. Harry yelled to Ron to keep the practice going as he had caught the Snitch a few minutes ago and had not let it go again in favour of watching his team play. As Harry dismounted, he smiled slightly at the older woman.

"Professor McGonagall," he greeted amicably.

"Potter," she nodded her head. "Practice is going well, I hope?"

"Yes, as well as it ever does."

"Good. Remember that I'd like to keep that trophy in my study again this year."

Harry smirked. "No problem there, Professor. I'll even shine it for you when we win it, and if for some reason we don't win it.... I'll shine your shoes."

The strict professor offered a rare smile. "I'll take you up on that offer, Potter. Anyway, the reason I am here to see you is that Professor Dumbledore wants to see you in his office immediately."

Harry's face immediately fell. "Oh... well that's a damper on my day. Lately, he has been the bearer of bad news."

"Well, unfortunately, there isn't much happiness to report." The two began walking towards the castle. "Besides for your engagement to one Mr. Malfoy. Congratulations, Potter."

"Oh," Harry flushed. "Thank you."

"I'll be honest with you, Potter... I've seen strange things in my day, but never have I seen sworn enemies from Gryffindor and Slytherin work out those problems well enough to get married."

"Not to mention we're both boys," Harry pointed out dryly.

McGonagall's cheeks flushed a light pink but she levelled a glare at him. "I think you underestimate me, Mr. Potter. When I say I've seen things, it includes two young men being in love, but by all accounts, that isn't strange to me at all. What you have to understand about the wizarding world, is that we aren't all prejudiced against homosexuals. In fact, I'd say we are much more tolerant than Muggles, but you will meet the bigots out there. I, however, am not one of them."

"Thank you, Professor."

"Well, what are you thanking me for?" she asked incredulously as they neared Dumbledore's office. "I'm merely telling you that I'm not a bigot."

Harry smiled shyly. "Well... thank you for just accepting me for who I am."

McGonagall's eyes suddenly softened. "You're welcome, Harry. Now, I believe Professor Dumbledore has some news about your family." When Harry looked confused, she elaborated. "The Dursleys."

"Oh.... Oh!"

"Skivving snackboxes," McGonagall intoned with a bit of a disapproving tone. "I will see you in class, Potter."

"Yes, see you, Professor," Harry answered while hiding his grin.

He moved up the moving staircase to Dumbledore's office and knocked. From inside, muffled crying could be heard, and Harry furrowed his brow. Dumbledore's voice permitted him access and the Gryffindor stepped in.... and received the shock of his life.

"A... Aunt Petunia?" he exclaimed disbelievingly, staring at his crying aunt. Harry looked up at Dumbledore with an open mouth. "But... but... she's a Muggle, Professor. How can she be here?"

"Oh, we have our ways," Dumbledore said evasively. "Why don't you sit down, Harry. You can set your broom against my desk."

Harry looked down at his hand and found to his surprise that he was still holding his Firebolt XP. He slowly set it against Dumbledore's desk and sat in the chair next to his Aunt. "Is this what... what I think it's about?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so, Harry."

"What happened?"

"Well... I've been explaining to Mrs. Dursley that it was your parents who visited them a few days ago. The Dursleys weren't able to see them, of course. Anyway, Mrs. Dursley had gone out for groceries. When she returned, she was speaking with her husband when he was pushed to the ground by an invisible force. What proceeded to happen was what has been happening here at Hogwarts."

"So they got Uncle Vernon." Harry said tonelessly. To be honest with himself, he was not especially sorrowful for his uncle's disappearance, but he was sorry it happened. Harry did not wish for that to happen to anybody, even his uncle. The Gryffindor mostly felt sorry for his aunt, for whom he was feeling an unexpected desire to protect. Harry suspected it had to do with Dudley's wish for him to take care of her, but it was there all the same. Hesitantly, Harry reached over and grasped her hand.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Petunia. But, I mean... there is a pretty good guarantee that we'll get him back, right, Professor?" Harry looked to the older man hopefully, who reluctantly nodded.

"We're hoping so."

Aunt Petunia sniffed and took her hand away from Harry as if feeling contaminated. Harry looked away. "I want to go back home," she said quietly. "I did not want to come here in the first place. Take me home," she demanded.

"All in good time, Mrs. Dursley. Right now, I believe you need to be cared for and have a familiar face around you. I have arranged rooms for you to stay in for an indeterminable amount of time. Not only is this for your health, but for your safety. Harry has the suspects at bay, and the magical wards around Hogwarts will keep anybody else unfavourable out of the castle."

"I don't want to stay. I thought I made that clear."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Dursley, but it's in the best interest for everybody."

"Please... Aunt Petunia," Harry spoke up hesitantly. "Dudley... Dudley asked me to take care of you in the last letter he wrote to me. If he thought this was safer for you, he'd want me to keep you here. Besides, don't you want to see things that he was interested in the last year of his life? I think he would have liked to know that you took interest in it."

Harry looked at Dumbledore who had a strange twinkle in his eye. "Not only see it... but practice a little, perhaps?"

Harry's eyes flew to Aunt Petunia in confusion and saw her tense up visibly. "I don't see how that's possible," she replied tightly.

"I think you do, Petunia. You just have to open your mind a little. Embrace something that could do wonders for you. Embrace Harry like you never have before... embrace Lily."

Harry was by now, so confused that he felt as though his mind was spinning in circles. "What's going on?" he demanded.

Aunt Petunia made eye contact with him for a few seconds before dropping her head in defeat. "Harry... your grandparents never knew, but your mother did, and that's one reason we never got along. She thought I was crazy for never giving it a shot. Then she got her letter and she accepted it without a second thought. My parents embraced it easily and loved her so much because of her being a witch... I rejected it because I thought everybody would think I was a freak, but that's not what happened. So, I started to resent Lily because of her willingness to accept the unknown."

"What are you saying?" Harry asked, voice low and shaking.

"Harry, don't you see? I received a letter to Hogwarts when I was eleven, but I threw it away. I'm a witch, Harry."

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