Remember You

When Ron and Harry returned to the castle, they were shepherded to the hospital wing to check for any injuries sustained in the duration of the Death Eater attack. When none were found, they were pushed to the Common room so that the injured people could be tended to. Witches and wizards from Hogsmeade with lesser injuries were being treated by Madam Pomfrey, as were the students, while the critical injuries were being sent to St. Mungo's for immediate care.

The two Gryffindors sighed with grief as they sat down on the couch in front of the fire. The common room was nearly empty as most students were congregating in the Great Hall, awaiting news on friends who had been visiting the village that day. As Ron sniffed, Harry looked up and they made eye contact.

"She's gone," Ron whispered brokenly. "I can't believe she's gone. She never even got to take the N.E.W.T's. You just know that she would be pissed off about that."

Harry managed a small smile. "Yeah, she would be.... I can't help but think--"

"Don't you dare start in with, ‘it's all my fault.' Because it's not, Harry," Ron said fervently, sniffing more fiercely and sounding like he had inhaled something unpleasant down his throat.

"Well, the thought had crossed my mind, but I thought that I wouldn't bother saying it since I knew your reaction..." Harry felt his lip tremble and his voice began to shake. "I just can't help but think that we should take over S.P.E.W for her. I mean--"

"If you even think that one more time, Harry, I promise I will go throw myself in that fire again."

Harry and Ron whipped their head around and stared toward the Fat Lady's portrait. Hermione had her hands on her hips and was looking just as well as she always did, though she had soot on her face and her hair was a bit singed. She smiled slightly at their awestruck faces. "I'm a little offended that my two friends didn't try to find me to see if I was all right."

Harry was the first to gain his wits. "Hermione!" he cried out joyously and ran to her recklessly, crashing into furniture and just about knocking over the petite girl when he threw his arms around her. "We thought you were dead! How did you... what in the..." Ron then came barreling at them and then Hermione was encased between both boys. Harry laughed giddily and kissed her forehead, then continued kissing her forehead and cheek. Ron followed his lead and began kissing the other side of Hermione's face. She laughed and tried to bat them away.

"You two are slobbering all over me. Stop it!" she cried out, laughing.

The boys did listen to her and they pulled back, staring with shining eyes. "You were thrown into a fire, Hermione," Ron whispered, stroking a piece of singed hair behind her ear. "How are you alive?"

"Honestly... are you two wizards or not? How do you think I'm alive?"

"Erm - don't know," Harry said, pulling away and scratching his head. "But I'm bloody happy that you are."

"So am I, but I want to know what you did."

"Well, it's not that hard to figure out, Ron. When I was separated from Harry and Draco because of the fire, I saw that Death Eater coming for me, and I just knew what he was going to do, so I cast a flame-freezing charm on myself. It's quite amateur really, the charm; but as Muggles say, it worked like a charm." She smiled brightly and walked to the couch and sat down with a small sigh. "I can see why Wendelin the Weird liked being burnt so much now though. It is quite pleasant, but it's not as if I'm going to do it all the time. Besides, she could have gone about it in a much simpler way instead of revealing herself to Muggles."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah... she could have just had a bon fire in her back yard, invited some family and friends and they could watch while she burnt herself. That'd be good fun."

"Well, it is easier. I'm not condoning it, because something could have gone wrong, but I was just making a point." Hermione shook her head. "Anyway, where is Draco?"

Harry felt himself visibly pale as fear and grief returned to him. Hermione put her hand over her mouth. "Oh, Harry... he's not--"

"He's not dead, as far as we know," Harry answered hurriedly. "Lucius Malfoy took him. He was the one that threw you into the fire."

Hermione's face hardened. "Draco will be fine," she declared firmly. "He's strong and a Slytherin to the core. He'll find a way back."

***

The next couple of days were spent in a kind of stupor. Harry only vaguely noticed that the students who had been injured in the attack were slowly returning to school life... all except for Draco. There had been no casualties within the student body, with Draco being the only one taken. Harry was glad that nobody had died, but it did not lessen his pain over his fiancé. The Gryffindor could only imagine the kind of tortures that the blond was going through, and he honestly could say he did not want to imagine them. The things that he could possibly be going through were just too horrible to think of, and Harry did not want to think that Draco could be experiencing them all over again.

Dumbledore and selected members of the Order of the Phoenix had assured Harry that they would get Draco back for him, but the job they were doing was not quick enough. The Gryffindor was standing at the edge of patience and he could feel that only one thing would snap it. In the deep recesses of his mind, the part that he allowed no person a glimpse of, Harry hoped for something to happen so that he could move into action.

The only occurrences worth mentioning that did happen in the coming three weeks of May, was a truce of sorts with Aunt Petunia and a conversation with Remus Lupin. Aunt Petunia had come to him a few days after Draco's kidnapping and demanded to speak with him once more. Being too tired to resist, Harry complied and was led to a cushy room he had never been in before. She had then sat him down, gave offerings of condolences over Draco, which Harry could tell were forced since she obviously did not approve of homosexual relationships, and went on to say that they were under no circumstances to keep this feud going between them. She claimed that it was for her late Duddy-kins, and that since it would make him happy, it would make her happy.

The most Harry could offer her at the time was to be civil and to say hello whenever they crossed paths, and maybe the occasional cup of tea if the mood struck them.

Even a few days after that, Remus Lupin cornered Harry on his way out of Sirius' class and dragged him to the latter's office. Harry shifted uncomfortably in a chair while Remus sat behind the desk and poured them a cup of tea.

"I asked Sirius permission to use his office right now and I asked for privacy, so he won't be bothering us, if that's what you're worried about," Remus said lightly, pushing a cup towards Harry.

Harry added his usual sugar and took a small drink. "Have anything stronger?" he asked dully, setting down the cup.

Remus raised an eyebrow and set his down as well. "No, I don't. Even if I did, it would be highly inappropriate to serve you anything more than tea, while you're at school anyhow."

Harry shrugged. "It was worth a shot."

Remus offered the boy a small smile. "Yes, I suppose it would have been worth it." As quickly as the smile came, it went and the older man's face hardened slightly. "What did you say to Sirius, Harry?"

Harry raised wide eyes to the man before him, but quickly averted them. Remus' eyes were not accusing, but understanding, and Harry did not know which one he preferred to see. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, what did you say to him to make him completely cut ties with you? He may not be speaking about it with me, but I can see that you two aren't speaking. Sirius has been pacing about the chambers in a nervous fit, babbling on about if you have been sleeping and eating well enough and whether or not he should check up on you. To be frank, it's driving me insane."

Harry looked back up at Remus, his eyes wide and hopeful. "He has?"

"Non-stop," Remus confirmed with a nod of his head. "I think for about two months now. It's getting to the point that I'm expecting to see it whenever he's there.... What did you say to him?"

"Something stupid, Remus," Harry confessed, hanging his head. "I had just had a fight with Draco, and I was already so stressed with everything.... When Sirius started in on me about Aunt Petunia, I just couldn't take it. I snapped... and basically said that he was doing a terrible job at being my godfather, and I asked him why he even bothered."

Remus closed his eyes and sighed, but Harry rushed on. "I never meant it! I couldn't ask for a better godfather and I am terribly sorry that I ever said it. He should be the one telling me that I'm a terrible godson. I don't know why he keeps worrying about me. He should just forget about me. It would do him a lot of good."

"Harry," Remus sighed, "that would not do him any good. In fact, I think it's safe to say he'd be worse off if he did do just that."

Harry hung his head. "I just want things back to normal. I want Draco back and I don't want Sirius to think I hate him... I could never... I love him too much to hate him, or to think that he's a bad godfather. What other man would give me the sex talk, or an entirely inappropriate book on gay sex?" Harry chuckled at the thought of the book.

Remus spluttered. "He gave you a book on gay sex?"

"Yes. To be quite honest, I was mortified that he had at first, but it came in handy. I never would have known what to do with Dra...co..." Harry trailed off as he realised what he was saying and flushed crimson.

Remus did not seem to notice because he looked rather dazed. "I wonder if Sirius read that book as well. He does always seem to know what he's doing for a man who had always claimed he was straight when we were at Hogwarts... and afterwards come to think of it."

Harry flushed even more. "Remus!" he exclaimed, clearly scandalised. Remus seemed to come to himself and flushed pink when he realised what he had said. They sat in awkward silence for a few moments until the door behind Harry opened.

"Wow... if you two blush even more, this place might start to overheat," Sirius said, fidgeting slightly at the sight of Harry.

Remus cleared his throat. "Sirius... is my time up already?"

"Yeah, you overdid it. Sorry if I was interrupting something."

"You were right on time," Harry said quickly, trying desperately not to meet Sirius' eyes, lest his mind create vivid images of Sirius reading the gay sex book and then using it on Remus. Harry shuddered slightly, an act that both other men caught. Remus sniggered quietly, and Sirius looked on clearly confused.

Sirius bit his lip, clearly trying to bring up a safe topic. "Erm-- Remus? You weren't giving him a sex talk were you? He only blushes that much when I catch him snogging Draco or when I gave him the sex talk."

"Something like that," Remus said, coughing slightly as he stood up. "I'll leave you two then."

The werewolf quickly left the other two alone. They shifted in awkward silence for a few moments. "So... how are your classes going?" Sirius inquired, shifting slowly toward his seat behind his desk.

"All right. We have too much homework though and all I'm doing is studying for N.E.W.T's."

"Well, that's good. You want to get good scores on those."

"Yeah, I don't think I'll do that badly... How are your classes going?"

"All right," Sirius responded in kind. "My first year Hufflepuffs are giving me problems with their wand work, but other than that, everything is going fine."

Harry nodded. "How are you doing?"

"I... I've been better," Sirius answered honestly. "How are you?"

"I'm terrible," Harry admitted before he could stop himself. "I'm not eating, I'm not sleeping... my grades have been falling the past couple weeks."

"You're worried about Draco then?"

"That's half of it. But I also just want you to forgive me, Sirius. I can't take it anymore. I never meant those things. I love the job you're doing as godfather. I love everything you've given me. I love the time you've spent and I don't think it's been wasted.... I love you and I can't lose you. Not just because I need you, but because you need me. I know you do and I'm sorry for saying those things to you. They aren't true."

By this time, Sirius was up from his chair and moving toward Harry. The older man stopped in front of Harry and smiled slightly. "I'm happy to hear that. I really am."

"You're not mad then?" Harry asked hopefully.

"Oh, I'm mad, Harry. I would understand if it was because you couldn't get over what happened in your sixth year, but the fact that you said it just to let steam off..." Sirius shook his head. "I'm not looking forward to the day when I really make you angry over something. Who knows what might come out of your mouth."

Harry hung his head. "I'm sorry," he whispered earnestly. "I never meant any of it and I don't know why I said it. I was just--"

"Harry," Sirius interrupted, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I know. You don't have to explain again. Just... next time your temper gets out of control, don't speak. I kind of like having you around, so don't let your mouth run off with you."

Harry smiled. "I kind of like having you around too, Sirius."

Sirius smiled slightly. "Now what is this I hear about not eating or sleeping? We can take care of the food in a minute because I told Dobby to bring food to my office and he always brings enough for four people. But I'll have to nip down to Snape's office for a sleeping draught afterwards so that you can sleep tonight." Sirius sat Harry down and continued fussing over him, straightening robes, tidying hair, cleaning glasses and even making sure that his shoes were tied. When Sirius went for Harry's tie, Harry grabbed his wrists and smiled kindly at his godfather.

"Sirius... I'm fine, really. Now, quick acting like a mother hen."

Sirius offered a cheeky grin. "Was I that obvious?" he winked. His smile quickly faded and he looked concerned again. "No, but really, is there anything you need right now?"

"Well, I could use some food, and just my luck! Dobby's here!"

The house elf had popped in while Sirius was cleaning Harry's glasses. Dobby had waved at Harry enthusiastically but went about his business quietly. Sirius looked back and gave a small start. "So he is!" Sirius threw up his arms. "Well... let's eat!"

***

After his reconciliation with Sirius, Harry began to eat a lot more, though his sleep did not change in the slightest. Snape had given him a sleeping draught as Sirius had promised, but after that night, Harry claimed that he was sleeping much better and did not ask for them again. If Harry slept, he felt like he would miss something, and that he was being lazy while Draco suffered whatever it was that he was suffering. If Harry was worrying right when Draco had been taken, it was nothing to what he was doing now. Dumbledore had said that he would inform Harry if they heard or found out anything on Draco's whereabouts. But it was now heading on three weeks since the Hogsmeade visit and there was not one word on him.

The Gryffindor became testier to everybody that was around him, but true to Sirius' request, did not speak much when his temper was tried. He did not want to end up in a fight like he did with Sirius. Ron had tried to cheer him up by planning out a bachelor party, but thinking of the wedding, made Harry think of Draco, which did not make him happy. As a result, Harry bit through his lip, attempting not to say anything. Hermione had rushed him to the hospital wing while Ginny scolded Ron for being so insensitive. Harry knew that Ron was only trying to help, but he also knew that Ron could have been a bit more tactful than that.

This was why Ron and Hermione watched Harry anxiously as he brought a fork full of chicken and ham pie to his mouth at dinner, one week since he had made up with Sirius. They were worried that he would explode from the pent up anger and fear at any time. Plus, Harry had just heard a Ravenclaw say that they were better off without the sort like Draco Malfoy. Just as he was about to take a bite, an owl swooped into the Great Hall overhead, screeching loudly. All heads turned up to look at it in confusion as it circled the Gryffindor table. Harry's food was forgotten as he looked hopefully at the letter clutched in the owl's talons.

When the letter was dropped in front of him, he dropped his fork onto his plate and tore the letter open. It was a small, hastily written note, but Harry knew who it was from without looking at the signature at the bottom.

H,

I've seen my mother. She sends regards to Dobby from the dungeons.

Love you,

D

Harry stared; perplexed at the letter as Hermione read it over his shoulder. "What does this mean?" he muttered under his breath.

"It's code," Hermione whispered breathlessly. "He says he's seen his mother, so that must mean he's at Malfoy Manor... Which of course he would be... I doubt Mrs. Malfoy would send regards to a house elf and considering she probably doesn't live in the dungeons... He's saying to speak to Dobby about something in the dungeons?"

Harry made eye contact with her, and he knew that she was deliberately lying so that he would not do what Draco was asking him to. "No, he's in the dungeons at Malfoy Manor and is saying that Dobby can help me."

"Harry!" Hermione cried as he stood up.

Before anybody could stop him, Harry ran from the Great Hall, note clutched tightly in his hand. The kitchens had never seemed further away as they did at the moment. The dark-haired boy ran as fast as he could to the bottom-most floor of the castle and to the picture of the fruit. He tore into the kitchen.

"Dobby! Dobby! I need your help!"

The little house elf instantly popped right beside him looking eager to do whatever he could to help Harry. "Oh, Harry Potter, sir has come for Dobby's help! Dobby will do anything to help him, sir. What can Dobby do, sir?"

Harry lowered himself to Dobby's level and gently took hold of his shoulders. "Do you know that Draco Malfoy is my fiancé?"

"Oh, yes, sir!" Dobby nodded his head vigorously. "Dobby is always knowing that Master Draco is good. Harry Potter can help him. Harry Potter is most good for Master Draco."

"Okay, then you must know that Draco has been kidnapped by his father, right?"

"Oh, Master Malfoy is a terrible wizard, Harry Potter, sir. Master Draco is in very grave danger."

"I know and that's why I need your help, Dobby. I know this is a lot to ask, but you are the only one who knows Malfoy Manor. Draco is being kept there. See?" Harry held out the note. "Draco even wrote me a note just now to get you to help me. Draco trusts you to help me. You must have been really good to him if he is showing this kind of respect towards you."

Dobby, who had faltered at the mention of going back to Malfoy Manor, puffed up proudly. "Dobby always did his best, sir."

"I know you did... even now you do a great job. Could you please help me out, Dobby? I need him back with me. Please."

Again, the little elf faltered and his big eyes grew smaller with worry. "I'll keep you safe, Dobby. Once you get me in, you tell me how to get out in case Draco isn't feeling up to it, and then you can leave for Hogwarts again without me. Okay? And if I'm not back within two hours, tell Dumbledore what I've done, okay? Remember that the Malfoys aren't your masters anymore. Dumbledore is now your boss and he is a good wizard. He will understand what you're doing."

"Okay. Dobby will take Harry Potter to the Manor for him."

"Thank you. Now, do you think you could quickly go up to my trunk? Inside there is a silvery piece of fabric. I need you to get it for me. I'll run up to the entrance hall and meet you there, okay?"

Dobby nodded his head, making his large ears flap and then disappeared with a loud crack.

Harry immediately ran out of the kitchens and into the entrance hall. As soon as he skidded to a stop in front of the doors, three voices called his name.

"Harry Potter, sir! I have it!"

"Harry!"

"Harry! What are you doing?"

The Gryffindor spun around and saw Ron and Hermione coming from the emptying Great Hall. "I'm sorry. I need to do this. If I don't, I'll regret it." He walked quickly towards them as he realised that he might not make it out of Draco's childhood home. When he was standing directly in front of them, he looked earnestly into their faces. "I'm doing it because I can't imagine living without him and I know where he is now. I have to do this, okay?"

"Harry..." Hermione choked out. "Get Dumbledore and he'll take care of it."

"No. I've already wasted too much time here.... If I..." Harry stopped to collect himself. "If I you know.... don't make it back--"

"Stop being so melodramatic, Harry!" Ron exclaimed desperately.

"I'm not being melodramatic, Ron. There is a good chance I won't come back. Who knows what or who is there with him. Anyway, if I don't come back... please tell Sirius that I'm sorry for going... but I have to do this." He then gave them both a quick hug and began to walk away.

As soon as they got to the door, Harry turned around, smiled, and gave them a mock salute and then disappeared out the front door with Dobby on his heels.

"Bloody sodding hero complex, he has," Harry heard Ron mutter in a fear-filled voice as he walked out.

Harry only chuckled softly as he ran to the outer limits of the Apparation barrier surrounding Hogwarts. "Ready Dobby?" he asked the elf as he came to a stop. Dobby nodded his head bravely, took hold of Harry's hand and transported them to Malfoy Manor.

When they reappeared with a loud pop, Dobby looked around wildly. They were surrounded by trees and they could just see the intimidating structure of a castle in front of them.

"Dobby is not knowing what happened, sir! He is always able to get inside of places, no matter what charms is on them!"

"Don't worry, Dobby," Harry assured. "It's probably just because I'm with you. Let's just hope we didn't set off any alarms. Do you know the grounds as well as the house?"

"Dobby is knowing it, Sir, but not as good."

"Okay, then we'll do the best we can. Here, get under this cloak with me, it'll hide us."

"Oh, Dobby knows what it does, Sir," Dobby whispered breathlessly as Harry wrapped it around them. "Dobby has never had the chance to use one before though. What a great honour to be using one with Harry Potter."

"It's nothing big, Dobby, don't worry about it. You can thank me later." Harry grinned as they moved forward. At first, Harry was surprised with how well Dobby moved without a sound, but then he remembered that house elves were only to be noticed by the cleaning job they did or the food they set out.

"There is a small hole in the wards that is deliberately put there for house elves and family," Dobby informed him quietly as he stopped. "Nobody can ever find it though because you is having to pull a certain branch on a bush. It is over here somewhere." Dobby reached out of the Invisibility cloak and pulled a branch towards them. It stretched a bit unnaturally before Harry felt magic crackle in the air and Dobby let go of the branch. "This way, Harry Potter, sir." They went single file through the invisible hole. As Harry stepped through, magic crackled in the air again and he knew that it was sealed again. Now that he was on this side of the wards, he could feel the magic pouring out of the grounds and house. It was a wonder that anybody could live here with the amount of magic that seeped from every stone and tree. It swept through Harry's body, making him shiver, but he did not know if it was the amount of magic, or the Dark magic that overpowered the Light that made him do it. Dobby was talking about the ward door that they had just stepped through and only now did Harry notice.

"... elves use that only once in a while when we is having to go out into the woods to collect wild fruits for Master's dinner. We would just Apparate, but it zaps our energy going through those wards. Dobby has never gone through anything as powerful."

Voices drifted from around the corner of the Manor as they neared it. Harry laid a hand on the elf's shoulder to stop him.

"Cast the detection spell over toward the gardens. I'll do it in the opposite direction."

Harry bit his lip as he looked around him and cursed. The Gardens were just behind them. They had come from the left of them and had just turned to go towards the Manor. Dobby pulled Harry behind a bush and did a spell of his own that Harry did not recognise, mostly because it was house elf magic. When the person's spell passed over them, the man gave a triumphant yell.

"There is something blocking the spell in those bushes!"

"Would you be quiet!" hissed a man that was all too familiar sounding to Harry. When the men came around, he saw three of them. The first two were Crabbe and Goyle Senior, while the third was Lucius Malfoy. "Cast the spell again."

Goyle was the one who cast the spell and they were obviously pleased with what they found. Lucius was not. "It's a house elf. They always use that blocking charm when I try to find them like this. Come out you piece of vermin!"

Dobby shook beside Harry, and he placed a comforting hand on the elf's bony shoulder. "It's all right, Dobby. He won't get you. You can just tell me now where to go and you can go back to Hogwarts."

Dobby shook his head bravely. "Dobby is helping Harry Potter, sir, inside of the Manor."

"You would have made a great Gryffindor, Dobby."

Dobby beamed.

"I have things to do," Lucius snapped irritably. "Cast more detection spells around the grounds, but I doubt you'll find anything. It was probably that ruddy house elf."

Dobby and Harry sat quietly as they watched Lucius stalk churlishly back to the manor house. Crabbe and Goyle looked their way one more time then went the other way, casting detecting spells. Harry breathed a quiet sigh of relief and let Dobby lead the way to the house, ducking behind lavishly carved trees and bushes, and even statues.

"This is a servant's door," Dobby whispered as they sidled next to the stone exterior. "Dobby is using this all the time when Dobby worked here. It leads to the kitchen."

"Okay. Dobby, I think it would be best if you were to hide somewhere while I go to find Draco. Do you think you could go to the kitchen?"

Dobby nodded his head vigorously. "Okay, then tell me the way to the dungeons." The two slipped inside the door and Dobby whispered in his ear.

Minutes later, Harry ran down a corridor in the dungeons, slipping on the damp stone floor. There was water dripping from the ceiling and there was a mouldy scent to the dungeons of Malfoy Manor. It was a little disorienting to be running along a corridor of dungeons that was nothing but jail cells and the occasional closed door that Harry had a sickened feeling were torture chambers, or something equally nauseating. Not for the first time that night, he wondered how Draco could have grown up in a place that like this.

The Gryffindor stopped for a moment when ear piercing screams met his ears, but he ran further when he realised that it was probably Draco. Dobby's directions repeated themselves over in his mind as he ran. Right, left, put your back against the wall and slide past the hole in the floor (It's a hole to hell, they say), right, go through third door on left, and Draco's door would be the second door on the right. Harry was nearly there when he went through the door and took a left. The screams grew louder as he approached and Harry's heart leapt into his throat. When he reached the outside of what was supposed to be Draco's door, Harry threw the cloak back on and stepped inside.

The screams had stopped and the nearly silent room was now filled with ragged panting. There was a naked boy lying on the floor, blood running freely from him. The upper half of the boy's body was covered in shadow. Though Harry could not be sure that it was Draco, he had a nasty feeling that it was. Two other men occupied the room as well, though Harry only recognised Lucius Malfoy. The elder Malfoy was holding the other man bodily against the wall in a very threatening manner. All three occupants looked up when the door opened of its own volition. Lucius shut it again with his wand and sent a curse in Harry's direction that he dodged, but never needed to since Lucius did not know where or who he was.

"Who's in here?" he commanded.

Harry pressed his back against the wall and held his breath. Lucius and the other Death Eater waited in silence for a few moments before Lucius grew tired and slammed the man into the wall. "What do you think you were doing?" Lucius hissed venomously. "You know perfectly well that Draco's body is for the Dark Lord only. Now I shall have to spend extra time tending to the damned boy for your actions. The Dark Lord will notice that Draco has been played with, you utter fool. If he does after I am done cleaning him up, I will not hide your secret. How many times have you been down here, Nott?"

"I… I… Lucius, be reasonable. This is hardly the first time since the boy was brought here and the Dark Lord has never noticed. I've cleaned up every time. He doesn't suspect."

Harry felt his jaw clenching and unclenching, and he quickly but silently moved to Draco's side. Draco had since curled into a small ball, shaking uncontrollably. Harry knelt by his side. "Don't move," he whispered into Draco's ear, who jumped despite the warning. Harry carefully laced his fingers through Draco's, feeling the boy tense at the contact.

"It's me... Harry."

"Harry?" he asked, his voice croaking. It echoed around the nearly empty room.

Lucius spun around at the sound of his son's voice and glared. "I would have thought that my lesson had gotten through to you." Without turning around, Lucius ordered Nott from the room. Lucius waited until the door had closed once more before he spoke again. "You are not to speak of him ever again. Harry Potter does not love you, and he never has."

The anger that statement instilled in Harry was palpable. Before he could think rationally, he jumped up and slammed Lucius against the stone wall, knocking all his air away. The older man looked through Harry, completely bewildered. "Who's there?"

"Take it back!" Harry shouted.

"Take what back?"

"You know that I love Draco, you bastard!"

"Potter," Lucius hissed out.

"Good job," Harry sneered, letting his cloak fall from his body. "Now I ask you nicely... let Draco go."

Lucius laughed almost jovially. "You are not in a position to negotiate with me. You are trespassing on my property looking for something that does not belong to you."

"Draco doesn't belong to anybody and certainly not to either of us. But I can tell you with absolute certainty that he would rather be with me at Hogwarts, then here with you." Harry laughed without humour. "What, is it part of some unwritten Malfoy code of honour – do not treat son fairly, so that he has to live a miserable life? I could name a lot more that Malfoys supposedly don't do, but yet, they've all been broken, haven't they?"

"Yes, by that rotten piece of flesh down there. I used to be proud to call him my son."

"He used to be proud to call you his father. It was just good luck that he realised what you were before it was too late."

Lucius sneered, and before Harry could realise what was happening, Lucius twisted his wand around and using it, threw Harry up into the opposite wall. The Gryffindor hit with a sickening sound, though he had managed to put his hand behind his head. He fell to the floor beside Draco, onto the hand that had stopped his head from hitting the wall and realised that it had been broken. Harry bit his lip to keep from crying out, and then glared menacingly at Lucius, who smirked triumphantly.

"While having you here is a nuisance, Potter, I have to say I don't mind terribly. This way, I get to show my darling son what will happen when I bring you to the Dark Lord." The older man then sent a curse at Harry, which he dodged easily by rolling over, but Harry's new position on the floor made it harder to move out of the way of the next curse. Lucius had disarmed him with Expelliarmus and he was now defenceless against any magic. He then magically bound Harry with rope.

"It seems I have a gift to present to my master. I think he will be most pleased with it. You can stay here like a good boy for a few minutes while I go call on him."

Lucius pocketed Harry's wand and left the dungeon, shutting and locking the door behind him. Draco, though he was in pain, and Harry could only guess what other injuries he had sustained besides the obvious, got onto his hands and knees to crawl to Harry. With shaking, pale hands, Draco made slow work on the bindings of Harry's upper body. When his torso and arms were free, Harry stilled his fiancé's trembling hands with his unbroken hand.

"It's all right; you can leave those, Draco. He'll be back to tie me up again anyhow." Draco looked at him with wide eyes and Harry managed a small smile. "I've been so worried about you, Draco," he whispered, brushing his hand down the side of the Slytherin's face. "I haven't been able to do anything these past couple weeks but worry."

"I'm doing all right," Draco assured, smiling without conviction.

"I'll believe it when I see it." Harry gently stroked Draco's face and cupped his chin. "I swear I'll kill them…"

"Harry, there isn't anything you can do right now. Getting angry won't help us get out of here."

"I'm sorry," Harry whispered. "I screwed up again. I shouldn't have let my anger come out. If I hadn't, we could probably be out of here by now."

"Harry, stop," Draco said firmly. "Nobody is to take blame for anything that has transpired already. We still have an opportunity to do something. Lucius will probably come back alone. If he does, we'll fight. In fact...." Draco stood painfully from the stone floor and guided Harry up as well. "We should get ready. Let's stand on either side of the door."

"What do we do when he comes in?"

"Jump on him."

Harry stared incredulously. "He's an armed man, but yet, you want us to jump on him?"

"It's the element of surprise. When two boys jump on him seemingly out of nowhere, he won't know what hit him for a few seconds. I know that he has more weapons on him than just his wand, so I'll grab it."

"What is it, precisely?" Harry asked curiously.

"It's a dagger." Draco's eyes glazed over. "I've always wanted it, but he has never even let me touch it. It's actually a family heirloom. It's designed like two snakes intertwining, and there's six spikes sticking into the hilt to represent the oldest and most powerful Malfoy fathers. It's so..." Draco sighed reverently. "I've never wanted anything so badly in my entire life. Anyway, he keeps it on his belt, in a special carrier. It shouldn't be too hard to grab."

"Keeping it on his belt... isn't that a bit... I don't know... Muggle?"

"No. Muggles keep daggers like these in a display case or something of the sort. They don't actually use them, but my father has. Plus, it has ancient spells on it that not even my father has been able to figure out. Personally, I just think he hasn't put the right amount of effort into researching."

Harry nodded, and let his eyes wander down Draco's body. He bit his lip and swallowed, turning away quickly. While Draco did have a nice body, it pained Harry immensely to see the fresh bruises, cuts, and blood staining his body. There was blood running down his thighs. "I think you should dress, Draco."

Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Draco look down and cover himself with his hands. "I don't know what Nott did with my clothes," he confessed, cheeks turning pink. "He took them off with some spell and they disappeared."

Harry sighed shakily, closing his eyes. He swiftly took off his Gryffindor cloak and gently fastened it around Draco's shoulders. Being careful not to touch Draco's flesh, Harry pulled it loosely around the Slytherin, covering everything. Draco let out a small sigh and moved closer to Harry. "I don't mind if you touch me, Harry," he whispered. "I love you… you should know that."

"I do know that," Harry replied, gingerly moving his broken arm around Draco's neck so that he would not have to do anything with it, and keeping the other hand clenched tightly around the cloak, keeping it closed at Draco's belly button. The darker boy dropped his head, letting out a large puff of air. "I'm so sorry, Draco. I should have known where you were. I should have come weeks ago. How did you even get to send a letter to me?"

"That wasn't me," Draco said, a small smile lacing his voice. "My mother came to visit me and whispered to me that she copied my handwriting and sent you a letter, giving you just enough information to find me. I assume Dobby is here?"

Harry nodded. "He's in the kitchens."

"I always liked him," Draco admitted. "But you had to go and free him, you sod."

Harry smiled weakly. "Sorry, but he was truly miserable here."

"I know." Draco smiled sadly, moving forward and dropping his head on Harry's shoulder. "I used to be happy here. I don't know when it all changed." "When they locked you in these dungeons?"

"Yes, and if I recall, father never did that until after fourth year when Voldemort returned. It all started with that bastard."

Harry suddenly let out a dry sob. "I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to go through this." Harry touched the small of the Slytherin's back to show what he meant. Draco tensed at first but relaxed when Harry rubbed small circles. "I should have been able to do something more."

Draco lifted his head and touched Harry's cheek. "At the risk of sounding cheesy, there isn't anything more you could have done, and there's nothing more that I want right now. Well… a kiss wouldn't be all that bad. I've missed you terribly."

Harry smiled shakily, leaning down to kiss the shorter boy. Draco thread his fingers through Harry's unruly mess of hair, and gently prodded his tongue into Harry's mouth. When they pulled away, it was not out of need for air, or that their need for each other was satiated, it was because they heard echoing footsteps coming down the corridor outside.

Draco carefully stepped away from his boyfriend with a small wince, giving a small nod at the same time. "Jump on him, okay?"

"Are you sure you're up to it?" Harry whispered.

"Of course, I am. What's a little pain anyway?" They did not have further time to argue, so they stationed themselves on either side of the door. Harry was having a particularly hard time of it, what with his injured hand, and the fact that his lower limbs were still bound together. He bunny hopped to his position, knowing all the while that Draco was smirking at him. The darker boy looked around at their surroundings as they waited for their prey.

There was one small bed in the far corner behind Harry, and a nearly empty glass of water was sat on the floor beside it. Looking at it, Harry realised that he was quite thirsty, but knew that it would not be worth the risk of hopping over there as the small amount of liquid in it would not quench his thirst. Draco coughed to grab his attention.

"We'll be out of here in no time."

Harry raised an eyebrow and was about to ask a question, but was interrupted when the door opened. It opened up in Harry's face, so he could not see, but hear Draco jumping onto his father. Lucius gave a small cry of surprise as Harry slammed the door shut and jumped onto the man as well. Draco had wrapped his legs around Lucius' waist and was seemingly trying to distract him while he tried to steal the dagger. Harry was enough of one when he too jumped onto the older man. Harry saw Draco slip the dagger from Lucius' belt.

Harry grinned at their advantage, but knew that it would not last long if Lucius got the mind to do something with his wand. With this thought, Harry poked Lucius brutally in the eyes and punched him in the gut. The older man gave a small grunt of pain and surprise, giving Harry ample time to fetch his own and Lucius' wand from the pocket. It was not hard to find since the wands had been poking into his hip while they fought.

However, Harry's rough treatment did not put the Death Eater out of commission for long. He came to quickly and threw both boys to the floor. Harry was taken by surprise and let the wands clatter and roll across the floor. Lucius was quick to grab his own and bound Draco magically to the floor before pointing his wand at Harry.

"This was very foolish, son. Very foolish. The Dark Lord will be here shortly for you, Potter.... Until then, I don't think anybody would mind if I had a little fun."

Lucius sent the Cruciatus curse at Harry, which he rolled out of the way and to his feet, just in time. Before he could think rationally, Harry charged at the older man once again and rammed him into the wall. "I don't know what makes you think you'll come out on top here. I'll have Draco safe and back at Hogwarts before long. You're just a small detour," Harry panted out. The comment seemed to get Lucius riled up and he tried to push Harry off of him so that he could get use of his wand, but Harry clung on and they ended up stumbling from the wall together. Harry pulled back a fist and slammed it into Lucius's face, which the dark haired boy realised too late was his broken hand and cried out with pain.

Lucius shook off the punch and tried to throw Harry to the ground, but he wrapped his good arm around the man's neck and held on. They tumbled to the ground, and Harry, despite his pain, wrestled, punched and even managed to kick Lucius' wand from his hand. It rolled only a foot away however, and Lucius used his now free hand to his advantage and rolled over so that he was on top. Harry, his anger rising, lifted his good fist and slammed it into the other side of the former Slytherin's face. Lucius rolled off of Harry with a small groan. Draco called quietly to Harry.

"The dagger," he whispered urgently as Lucius scurried to get his wand. "I put it in my right pocket."

"But I..." Harry protested, not wanting to actually hurt anybody, no matter how much he knew Lucius deserved it.

"Don't use it, for Merlin's sake! Just threaten him a little with it!"

With slight hesitation, Harry rolled onto his left side and rummaged through the Gryffindor cloak to retrieve the weapon. The wavy blade was covered with a piece of protective rubber and Harry threw it off. He could hear Lucius nearing him once more and quickly turned over, blade point in the air defensively.

When Harry turned over however, he found that Lucius was much closer than he had anticipated, and the blade was not slicing through the air anymore, but Lucius's stomach. The Gryffindor felt warm liquid seeping onto his hand and he looked down to confirm to himself that he had indeed sunk the knife into another person's flesh. Harry had hit on the older man's left side, right below his last rib, and the blade was already halfway inside. Harry retracted the blade on horrified instinct. Lucius made not one sound during the entire process and glared murderously at Harry.

"Oh my... I… sorry." Harry winced, and Lucius sneered.

"You're sorry for stabbing me? That's something I never imagined hearing." He then covered the wound with his left hand and pointed his wand at Harry's forehead. He was gasping for breath. "Well, I'm not going to be sorry for doing this--"

Harry panicked as he saw Lucius' lips form the words of a curse, though he did not know which one. The Gryffindor reached up and pushed the man's fingers into his own wound painfully. Lucius hissed out in excruciating pain and blood began to seep from his mouth. The blond tore his fingers away from the wound and raised his hand to smack Harry across the face, but Harry was running on instinct now. Harry brought the dagger up to the bottom of the Death Eater's upper arm and stuck it straight through to the top. The point came out on the top and blood spurt like a fountain along with it.

Lucius' breaths were now coming in ragged pants, but he still held murder in his eyes. Harry chanced a glance at Draco and saw him encouraging him with his eyes, though they looked almost regretful, though Harry could only guess what Draco was feeling regretful about, whether it was the fact that Harry had to do this, or about his father.

"Enough!" Lucius wheezed out, making a snatch for the knife, but Harry held it away from him. Being of much more strength, Harry wiggled out a bit from the older man's weight. Lucius gave up on getting the knife manually and pointed his wand at it. Harry brought his knee up, kicking Lucius' elbow, and sending the wand flying for the third time.

By now, Lucius had had enough and reached for Harry's throat. He began strangling the younger man, and Harry was strongly reminded of the time that Draco had done the same to him.

"Harry!" Draco cried out. "Fight back!"

Draco's voice brought him back to reality and the truth of the situation. He would die if he did not do something about Lucius right now. Without a moment's thought or hesitation, Harry brought the dagger up and drove it into the man's neck. Lucius choked and his grip slackened on Harry's neck. Harry drew a deep breath of air as Lucius tried to do the same. As Lucius exhaled, blood poured out of his mouth and onto Harry's neck and chin. His grey eyes rolled down to look at Harry and he tried to say something, but his voice failed as there was a blade stuck in his throat. In the next moment, Lucius' eyes rolled back into his head, and he collapsed onto Harry, dead.

Harry lay in shocked silence for a few moments before roughly rolling the heavy man off of him and backing up on his bottom across the floor. He stared, wide-eyed at Lucius Malfoy, who had been alive a few minutes before... but was now dead... And it was all because of Harry.

The Gryffindor's breath began coming out in erratic breaths as he stared at the bloody mess five feet from him. Harry had killed a man. Harry killed a man. It was slowly sinking in and the more it did so, the sicker Harry felt.

Harry gagged. "Oh God.... I.... I killed him." Harry gagged again and then turned his back from the sight and retched onto the floor. Even after he was finished emptying the almost nonexistent contents of his stomach, Harry continued dry heaving as the images of him killing a man replayed in his mind. Only when the heaves stopped, did he notice the tears that were silently making their way down his face. He wiped at the sweat and tears that mingled on his face, and refused to look at Draco for a few minutes.

"Harry," Draco finally ventured after a while. "We need to get out of here. Lucius said that Voldemort would be coming soon."

Harry still refused to look at his fiancé as he gingerly stood up to retrieve his wand. He could hear Draco's almost silent sigh of exasperation. "Harry, look at me.... Harry, look at me right now, and remember that I'm still bound to the floor in a very uncomfortable position and would like to be freed now."

"I can't do magic outside of school."

"For Morgaine's.... Don't be daft! You're seventeen and can do magic whenever you like."

Harry glanced back quickly, blushing pink, unbound Draco and then picked up his Invisibility cloak. Draco came up behind him and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. Harry felt his resolve crack to not say or do anything. "I.... I killed your father, Draco," he whispered brokenly. "I never meant to."

"I know. Can we just…talk about this later? I want to get the hell out of here."

"How can you be –" "Harry, just stop already. You did what you had to do. If you really want to talk about it, we'll talk when we're safe. As it is, we're not completely safe. I think Voldemort is a larger threat than my father was. Come... give me the dagger."

Harry did not realise that he was still holding the weapon tightly in his hand and willingly gave it up. Draco took Lucius' wand and magically cleaned the dagger of blood, stuck it back in the protective case and then attached it to an inside pocket of Harry's cloak.

"You're keeping it?" Harry choked out.

"Of course. I told you that it's a family heirloom. Technically, I'm still the heir, and so have the divine right to keep it."

"I know... but I killed your father with it," Harry whispered.

Draco swallowed and looked down at Lucius with contempt and something else that Harry could not quite decipher in his silver eyes. "It doesn't make me like the dagger any less. Go on..." Draco continued in a tightly controlled voice. "I'll be out in a moment."

Harry slowly turned from his boyfriend and walked to the door. His curiosity got the better of him, so turning, Harry saw that Draco was now kneeling in a puddle of blood beside his father. Draco was looking down at the Malfoy dagger and then looked back to his father. Harry looked at the dead man for a moment, but felt nausea threaten again, so looked back to Draco. He wished Draco would close Lucius's eyelids.

"Father," Draco whispered hoarsely. Draco looked down at the dagger again and placed a hand on his father's chest where there was no blood. Harry distinctly heard a shocked exhalation of breath. "No heartbeat," the blond muttered to himself, as if just realising that Lucius was in fact, dead.

Harry felt guilt at its highest rip through his chest like the knife he had just used. Tears pricked his eyes and he looked away for just a moment, before curiosity claimed him again. Draco was finally closing Lucius's eyes, and to Harry's surprise, leaned down and kissed the man's rapidly cooling forehead. Draco then placed his own forehead where he had placed a kiss, and let out a shuddering breath.

"Thank you, father. I'll never forget what you told me." Draco took a deep breath, lifted his head, and Harry saw his face harden. "As much as I'll miss you, I hope you rot in hell."

As Draco rose, Harry quickly turned and stepped out in the hallway, looking the other way, as if he had not been listening. Harry was confused. He did not understand the relationship between Draco and his father at all. Since becoming friends with Draco, Harry had always assumed that Draco hated his father. But now, it was uncertain with Draco's blatant show of affection, followed by one of hate. Curiosity still burned inside of Harry's chest, as he wondered what Lucius had said that his son would remember.

Draco still had not moved as Harry looked back. The blond's face was wet with tears that he was quickly wiping away. Agony, like none he had ever experienced before, made Harry's eyes well with tears again and one fell down each cheek. The Slytherin looked up and the boys met eyes. "Draco," Harry whispered hoarsely.

Harry did not know what he planned to say next, but he did not get the chance to anyhow. The clinking of a door opening near them startled both boys. "We need to go," Harry whispered urgently. "Come on."

Draco nodded and stepped forward, but promptly fell back to his knees; the last of his energy had gone to jumping on Lucius. He let out a small cry of pain and looked to Harry for support. Harry hurried to him, cast a lightweight charm on him, and swept the other boy into his arms. Summoning the Invisibility Cloak to him, Harry handed it to Draco, who flung it around them and held it so that Harry could carry Draco, and cast spells if needed. They squeezed out of the room just as Voldemort was sweeping down the dank corridor like a slithery serpent, two servants behind him.

Draco whimpered in Harry's arms at the sight of him. Harry tightened his hold and backed up so that nobody would bump into them. The Gryffindor barely heard the shout of outrage when Voldemort discovered Lucius dead, as he was already running down the hall, the way he had come.

"He is still around here somewhere!" Voldemort was heard shouting as Harry ascended a staircase. "Get him before he gets away!"

"Harry," Draco whispered fearfully. "Keep running. Don't let him get me again."

"Don't worry, I won't. Where are the kitchens?"

Harry opened the door to the first floor and peered out. It was completely deserted, and he was entirely grateful for it. "Go left," Draco whispered, and Harry obeyed. It was not long before they reached the kitchens. Draco pointed to a door about three feet tall, and just as wide. Harry stopped in front of it, and stared. Draco sighed.

"We're not made to go in there. We can, but the kitchens are a place for house-elves, not the people of the house."

Harry sighed. "Ridiculous," he muttered, and knelt with Draco still in his arms, and opened the small door. It opened inwards and Harry moved forward awkwardly and peered in. Two house-elves were looking at the door in fear, and Harry waddled in. The door shut promptly behind them.

"Harry Potter, sir?" Dobby asked from behind them.

"Yeah, it's me, Dobby. Is there anybody in here?"

"Oh, no, sir. The masters never come in here."

"Good. Let the cloak down, Draco."

By that time, a group of no less than ten house elves had surrounded the disembodied voice, staring at the empty space beside Dobby, then to Dobby with their large eyes. Draco let it drop as Harry gingerly set Draco to the floor, so as not to hurt him further. The house elves gasped as they saw Draco in his bloodied and battered state. "Master Draco!" half of them cried out in unison, and then started scurrying around, getting things that would clean and make him better. Draco coughed as one elf sponged at his forehead.

"Master Malfoy is to be informed, Master Draco," one elf cried out fearfully.

"Lucius is dead," Draco said, wiping spittle from his chin. "I'm the Master of this house now, and as such, you will take orders from me. Nobody is to be informed of Harry and my visit here today. If Voldemort asks any of you, you are to lie, and say that you never saw us. Got that?"

Ten house elf heads bobbed up and down in unison. "Dobby?" Draco asked a bit more kindly now. "Could you get us to the wards outside?"

Dobby nodded his head, making his ears flap. "Yes, sir."

Another elf by the name of Mitty, came forward and offered her services so that both Harry and Draco could be transported there at the same time. Draco thanked her kindly, and grabbed her bony hand. Dobby grabbed Harry, who threw the cloak over all of them, though it was a tight fit, and they Disapparated to the wards outside. Death Eaters were crawling the grounds, looking for any sign of Draco. Harry's heart began to beat fast as the group of four slowly walked to where Draco would be able to open the wards. Once it was done, they walked through, where the house elves insisted upon Apparating the boys back to Hogwarts grounds. Draco gave no sign of protest, and neither did Harry. They were both aching, and very tired. Harry's hand had been numb for quite a while now, and he did not know if that was a good or bad sign.

Moments after walking through the wards of Malfoy Manor, they were directly outside the anti-Apparition barrier to Hogwarts. Harry took the cloak from around themselves and breathed the late night air. Mitty bid them farewell and disappeared with a pop.

Draco looked up at the welcoming castle with tired eyes and sighed. "I never thought I'd see this place again."

"O ye of little faith," Harry chided gently, attempting to pick the boy up again, but finding that he was much too tired.

"Bad faith," Draco grunted as Harry accidentally dropped him.

Dobby snapped his fingers from beside them, and both boys were suspended on invisible stretchers. "Master Draco and Harry Potter, sirs, are much too tired to be exerting themselves now."

"Mmm," Draco sighed, closing his eyes. "This is nice," he murmured as Dobby began floating them back to the castle.

"Yes," Harry agreed. "Thank you, Dobby. I'm going to get you a pair of socks for every time you've saved my arse since we've met. That includes the times you nearly got me expelled and or killed."

Draco chuckled lightly. "You two must have an interesting history together."

"Oh, but we do. Dobby and I go way back to second year, when he showed up in my bedroom at 4 Privet Drive."

Dobby turned red, as Draco turned over gently on his invisible stretcher. "Why... you little sneak. How is it that father never knew you had gone somewhere?" Draco then waved his hand as Dobby opened his mouth speak. "It's no matter, Dobby. I'm glad you helped to save Harry's life. Now... is there a way you can connect our stretchers?"

With a snap of his fingers, Dobby had connected their stretchers and Harry felt himself sinking into the middle like an air bed that was losing air. It was a bit disconcerting and for a moment, he was sure that they would hit the ground, but then he and Draco collided, chest to chest.

"Mmm... I was hoping that would happen," Draco smiled softly, as he wound his arms around Harry. Harry returned the embrace, and stayed there. They were only passing the Quidditch pitch now, and Harry was a bit thankful for the quiet because he knew it would liven up again once they returned to the school. But the quiet served well for Harry's thought processes to return to the body they had left on the dungeon floor of Malfoy Manor... The body that Harry had killed. Harry shuddered and pulled away slightly from his boyfriend. Draco opened his eyes, as they had fallen shut upon wrapping himself around the Gryffindor, and questioned Harry with a look.

"Draco," Harry choked out quietly. "Your father... I'm so sorry."

"Harry... I'm so tired. Please don't do this right now, okay?"

"But I--"

"But nothing. I don't want to think, or talk about it, okay?"

Harry reluctantly nodded and allowed Draco to kiss him reassuringly. "Now, if we want to miss the commotion our return causes, I suggest we fall asleep quickly," Draco suggested as he looked up at the nearing castle. "Then we can sleep through Madam Pomfrey and avoid questions until morning. How does that sound?"

"Heavenly."

"My thoughts as well."

Harry leaned forward once more and kissed Draco slowly, teasing at the Slytherin's tongue, before retreating and burying his face in Draco's neck. "You stink, so bad," Harry murmured as he drifted off.

"You smell like roses," Draco said. "Roses that have been dragged through rubbage, buried underneath hippogriff dung for a fortnight, and... drowned in old sweat."

"Mmm hmm... I love you, Draco."

"I love you, too."

Harry fell asleep as Draco buried his nose in his unruly hair, and Draco followed into the land of dreams, just as Dobby floated them up the stairs, into the Entrance Hall.

As it turned out, they need not have worried about the commotion that their return caused. With the help of the Headmaster, and the Deputy Headmistress, Ron and Hermione managed to keep anybody from knowing that Harry had left. They were floated into the hall, handed over to Dumbledore, and were brought quietly to the Infirmary. Any admonitions the Deputy Headmistress may have had, were stopped at the tip of her tongue as she laid eyes on the peacefully sleeping young men.

There was always tomorrow, she thought to herself.