Harry Potter and Gaining Momentum

Harry sat studying in the Gryffindor Suite on Christmas day. Although he was alone, he was content. So far, he'd only received one owl from someone who didn't appreciate their gift, and that was Moody. Harry knew what the old man was mad about : Harry had really given him no choice about the new leg. But at the same time, Harry reasoned that Moody was one of the Order's best assets, and felt that he mustn't be lost due to a non-functional appendage. He was fond of the old man, and refused to imagine him being hurt while out in the field because of some stupid peg-leg - that is, not if Harry could help it. He sent a letter back with Hedwig saying exactly that, but hadn't received word back yet. Ron, Ginny, Dumbledore, Fred and George, Molly and Arthur, Charlie, and Luna all sent thank-you letters; and Remus sent a particularly long-winded one. Neville didn't know that Harry was responsible for the awakening of his parents, and Harry certainly had no intention of telling him. Instead, he sent Neville a rare book on magical plants he'd picked up from his family vault that morning while he was out getting Molly and Arthur's gifts. Harry had not heard from Hermione yet, though he was pretty sure that she would be either sending a howler or flooing over here to choke him for giving her so much additional responsibility. M.I.S.S.E.D. was going to be a very worthwhile organization; and the only person he knew who could pull it off was Hermione. As he thought back over the last few days, and especially the day he'd purchased all the gifts, he felt somewhat selfish and rash for some of the things he had done.

He'd given Moody a leg without knowing if he actually wanted one. He'd given Hermione a million- galleon organization (with several million more to come from the goblins) without knowing if she'd be up to running it. He gave both Remus and Petunia protection that hadn't been asked for. And last but not least, he gave Neville his parents back, without thinking the whole process through: he could have damaged their minds even more - no matter how little it would have affected them.

"Harry?"

"Huh?" Harry answered Godric without even looking up from his book.

"Young Malfoy is here, and wishes to speak with you." Harry started, and looked up at the portrait that was hanging above the mantle.

"Draco?"

"Do you know any more young Malfoys?" Godric asked sarcastically. Harry scowled at him.

"I'm busy," Harry responded shortly. He had no clue what to say to Malfoy right now. After the bomb that he and Hermione had dropped on him yesterday, he still felt rather numb.

"No you're not," Godric countered. Harry again looked up at him, and scowled harder.

"Can't you see I'm reading?"

"You're always reading," Godric said, rolling his eyes.

"Yes, but this is reading that will help me remove Moody's new magical leg, if he wants it off," Harry said, as if it were extremely important.

"You haven't turned a page in half an hour," Godric retorted, narrowing his eyes at Harry. Harry now rolled his eyes right back at Godric.

"Are you going to give up pestering me?"

"No."

"Fine; let him in," Harry said, closing the book and getting up to take it back to the library, which was next to the lounge. Godric left his portrait for a second. Footsteps echoed with taps down the archway that led into the inner rooms of the Suite. Draco appeared, and stood just beyond the archway in the lounge, looking around nervously. Harry returned to view from the library. "Hi."

"Uh... hi," Draco said lamely. Harry moved to the couch and sat down once more. Draco followed suit, but didn't sit close to him. "Have you ... thought about what I said yesterday?" he asked, not looking at Harry but down at the patch of robes he was fidgeting with.

"Not really. I'm still sort of shocked by it."

"Yeah - I'm sorry I sprang it on you like that," Draco said pathetically.

"No to mention that you put me on the spot in front of my friends," Harry said darkly.

"Sorry," Draco mumbled.

"No matter, what's done is done," Harry said, rubbing a hand through his hair, as the tension in the room lessened a bit. His eye caught Draco taking something from his pocket and pushing it over the center cushion of the couch toward Harry.

"What's this?"

"What's it look like? It's a Christmas present," Draco said, letting a bit of sarcasm break through his voice. Harry fought back the scowl that wanted to jump to his eyebrows.

"I kind of guessed that; I was merely referring to the contents within." Draco didn't reply. Harry picked up the small parcel and removed the brown paper and bow. Inside was a crystal box that could fit in the palm of his hand; but when he opened the small case, nothing was in it. Harry looked up at Draco and raised an eyebrow.

"It's a preservation case. I know you're having a small problem trusting me after what I did; and I thought that letting you keep and store the egg that Hermione's going to help us with might be the best way to gain back your trust," Draco said, finally meeting Harry's eyes.

"How do I know there's no tracking charm on the box?"

"You can see magic, right?" Draco asked, almost looking hurt.

"Listen, why are you suddenly interested again? You dump me like some bad habit, then expect to pick me back up just as suddenly. It's not going to be that easy. I had to learn to let myself care for you, and it was hard enough the first time," Harry said rather sternly.

"I know, and I'm sorry," Draco said again.

"Draco - " Harry began in frustration, but stopped, looking at the ceiling and taking a deep breath. He started over. "Draco, sometimes 'Sorry' doesn't mean very much. You can only say it so many times before its meaning is lost," he said, keeping his voice calm.

"I know, but it's the only thing I can think to say. I've done a horrible thing, I know; but I can't change it or turn back time to take it back; so I can only apologize, and hope that you'll accept that apology, the gift, and ... my heart," he said, almost pleading. Harry just stared at him for a second.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you think I should accept it?"

"Harry, everything in my life was at stake, for a short period of time. You heard Pansy the day Nott tortured me! If I didn't marry her, if I failed to fulfill the marriage contract, everything she received from the Malfoy estate would go to the Dark Lord. What was I supposed to do? She was the only means of getting out of the Veela Heritage, and she knew it; but that's all she knew. She doesn't know that if she isn't pure when we are to have intercourse, I can nullify the contract. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place, and I couldn't draw my wand. What would you have had me do?" Draco asked rhetorically. Harry just sighed. He knew Draco was right; but what he had done still had hurt immensely. He hadn't even shown the slightest bit of affection since that day in the lavatory, and now he wanted to resume their relationship as if nothing had ever happened.

"I know you did what you felt you had to, to save yourself and your family fortune; but I can't help feeling betrayed," Harry said in a quiet voice.

"You should feel betrayed, Harry," Draco said, scooting closer to Harry and placing a hand on the small of his back, as Harry put his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands. "I did nothing to give you a sense of closure, or to help you find any hope that day; I just did what I had to and left." Harry didn't like this. His emotions were again in an uproar of conflict with one another. Hope, love, longing, determination, and even a little rage at Draco's audacity, were all trying to gain the upper hand in Harry's head. He shook it slightly and sat up, pressing Draco's hand between his back and the couch. That hand, that touch did so many things to Harry. It sent exhilaration through him, not to mention also making him feel weak in the knees. He closed his eyes and rooted through his emotions to find the appropriate one. He wasn't going to give in to Draco this easily; he didn't want to, he wasn't mere putty in his hands. He brought his determination forward and plastered it onto his face, before sitting forward and letting Draco's hand fall from its pinned position.

"I'm not sure what to do yet. Until we are totally out of the woods, I don't want to get my hopes up," Harry said, gathering all the strength he could to tell Draco that it wasn't going to be that easy to turn a relationship back on. But to Harry's surprise, Draco just nodded in acceptance.

"I know. I've been owling people all semester that I could get help from, and I currently have two at work on it over the Christmas holidays," Draco said.

"At work?" Harry repeated, confused.

"Yes: boys who will court Pansy while we're on Christmas break. I've made deals with them, and whoever is the first to get to Pansy gets a rather large reward. I've been doing this all semester, and yet no-one at school has even been able to get into a snogging session with her. She's been warned about the way a marriage contract works; and I have a feeling she knows what she's doing when she refuses all these guys," Draco said.

"Hermione suggested - if we get desperate, that is - that I should use my gift of suggestion to make Pansy break the contract," Harry said, looking at Draco curiously. He didn't think it would be a good idea himself, but he wanted to know what Draco thought.

"No, that wouldn't be right. She deserves to have her own mind. Yes, it would break the contract, but she needs to do it of her own free will. I'll sleep better knowing that she did," Draco said, casting aside the idea. Harry never felt more longing for the young man sitting next to him, almost touching him. Draco really did have respect for others, no matter how much he tried to act as if he didn't.

"Good; I didn't want to go about it that way either. It didn't seem right, as you said, to take her free will away from her," Harry said, having never felt so relieved. Draco gave him a twisted smile.

"Ever the Gryffindor," he said; Harry smirked.

"Don't forget the ... other matter." He meant his Slytherin side - but didn't want to discuss it in front of Godric. Draco darted his eyes quickly to the painting of Godric Gryffindor, who was looking at the two with pride shining in his eyes. Draco didn't say anything, but realized that apparently Godric didn't know of Harry's other Heir title yet. Draco just nodded at Harry, showing he knew what he was talking about before he stood.

"I'm going down for lunch; are you coming?"

"No, I still have some studying to do. I was also thinking about popping down to Grimmauld Place to speak with Moody about his new leg. I'm not sure if it was appreciated, but I need to convince him that it was needed. I'm going to start practicing dueling soon; and until I can start with Dumbledore, the only other person I trust to train with is Moody. I don't want him to still be sore at me when we train," Harry said, also rising.

"So... are we all right?" Draco asked a bit apprehensively. Harry looked at him a moment before crossing his arms.

"Maybe soon, Draco." Draco nodded and moved forward. At first, Harry though Draco was going to kiss him, which would not have been easy for Harry to take; he probably would have turned to jelly. But Draco didn't; he only embraced Harry, and Harry returned the embrace.

"I understand," Draco said softly in his ear.

"I'll still perform the ritual that Hermione has planned, even if we can't get Pansy to give herself to someone else before the contract goes into effect," Harry said, quite abruptly. He felt he had to give the boy some hope. It was just an egg; it wasn't like he was obliged to have someone carry it to term, if he and Draco were never able to be together.

"Thank you," Draco said, then took a step back and turned to head out of the portrait hole. When Harry heard the click of the entrance closing, he let out a breath he'd been holding, flopped back down onto the couch, and wiped his hands over his flushed face. He growled in frustration deep in his throat and stood again, heading to the small room off the lounge and into his bedroom. He grabbed a rather nice cloak, one with a charmed clasp of a phoenix on the front, and fastened it. With a swirl of smoke, he was gone.

Harry reappeared in the kitchen of Number 12 Grimmauld Place, and looked around at the startled occupants. Snape, Shacklebolt, Tonks, Lupin, Moody, and Dung were all present. Lupin was the first to stand and embrace him, much to Harry's embarrassment; but he fought back the blush that rushed to his cheeks. Tonks apparently still caught sight of some of the embarrassment, because she winked at him and gave him a warm smile.

"Happy Christmas, Harry!" Remus nearly shouted in his ear. Harry winced, but showed no other indication that Remus had just about made him deaf in his right ear.

"Evening, Moony; Happy Christmas," Harry said in return, though not nearly as loud as Remus had.

"Wotcher, Harry!" Tonks said, standing and moving to hug him too; this time he did fight back his embarrassment. He suddenly remembered he hadn't gotten her anything for Christmas. He'd forgotten all about her.

"Hi, Tonks; gosh, I left your Christmas gift at Hogwarts. Do you want me to get it now, or later?" he asked, lying.

"Don't worry about it, Harry; I've been too busy to shop for anyone this Holiday anyway, so I didn't get you anything. I'd feel guilty if you got me something and I didn't return the gesture," Tonks said modestly. Harry just grinned at her.

"Later, then," he said, as if she had answered him simply, and not gone through the long-winded detail. She just rolled her eyes, knowing there was no convincing him otherwise. "Kingsley, Dung, Severus," Harry said, nodding to three of the other occupants of the table. They all gave a curt nod in return, though it looked as if Dung had had a little too much eggnog beforehand, because his nod almost unbalanced him, which would have caused him to be splayed out on the kitchen floor. "Mad-Eye, if I could have a word please?" he said, giving Moody a pointed look and turning on his heel to meet the man outside the kitchen door. He stood for a second before Moody walked out. He didn't appear mad, but of course, he never did - not even while dueling Death Eaters.

"Potter," he said in greeting; Harry just nodded back before speaking.

"About the leg... if you really would rather not have it, I'll take it off and replace your peg. But I beg you to listen to reason first. You're one of the best and most powerful Aurors in the Order right now. I was also going to be requesting dueling lessons with you in a couple of months; but your usefulness is hampered if you have a handicap while in the field. We can't afford to lose you over something as small as a wooden leg, especially when there are means to improve upon it. Yes, I realize that it was a small bit of what most consider dark magic; but I myself don't believe in dark magic. The only thing that makes magic dark is the person wielding it, and their intent. A simple instruction charm can do horrible things if used on a knife. What I mean to say is: I'm sorry if I disregarded your right to choose; but you have to understand that the Order would be losing one of its most valuable assets, and a very loyal friend, if something were to happen to you over something as petty as that peg," Harry finished, feeling winded. He'd hardly breathed at all during the whole lecture, and he was pretty sure he'd repeated himself several times. After a second, Moody just twisted his gnarled face at Harry; and he wasn't sure if the ex-Auror was smiling or sneering.

"You could have saved yourself a lot of trouble with your fancy speech, Potter. I've already accepted the gift, and started getting used to it. After your owl this morning, I decided I'd give it a try to see how it felt. Mind you, if this leaden thing gets in the way, I'm meltin' it off," he said, with both his normal and magical eye pointed at Harry. Harry swallowed hard before nodding in agreement. "Right; hungry?" Moody asked, turning back around and heading back to the kitchen. "Molly stopped by this morning and started dinner. I think the whole lot of Weasleys are going to be here this evenin'."

"Really? I thought they'd want a family Christmas after last year," Harry voiced.

"The more the merrier, Molly said. I think she also knew you'd be here, no doubt. But we let her act like she was cookin' just for us, all the same," Moody said.

"Anyone else?" Harry asked, bewildered that Mrs. Weasley would have guessed that he'd be coming there tonight.

"Granger and her folks, and the Longbottoms," Moody said, turning and looking at Harry for his reaction. Harry just furrowed his brow for a moment.

"Longbottoms?"

"Aye, Frank and his lot'll be here," Moody said shortly.

"Frank?" Harry said, playing ignorant.

"Aye, he an' Alice both woke up this mornin' with nothin' wrong with 'em. Medi-witches don't know what happened, but released them this afternoon with potions for the Holidays. Lucky them," he added, still looking at Harry for a reaction; but Harry gave no sign of anything but bewilderment.

"Who would've thought?" Harry mused with his brow still furrowed, and Moody gave him a pointed look before turning back around.

"Aye," was his only comment.

Harry walked back into the kitchen, seeing Tonks standing behind Remus with her arms draped over the back of his shoulders, and grinned at the scene. Harry felt so much more light-hearted that he could almost swear he could hear Sirius in the other room, singing 'God Rest Ye, Merry Hippogriffs.' His features darkened a bit at the memory of his godfather, but he pushed it away like so many other memories, and grinned again at Tonks and Remus. Snape was eyeing the two of them with distaste, and Tonks whispered something in Remus' ear and he laughed. Wanting to divert any attention from them to keep Snape from commenting and ruining their moment, Harry spoke up.

"So, I noticed yesterday that Petunia and Dudley were back at Privet Drive," he said. Remus and Tonks smiled at him before Snape spoke up.

"Did you expect them to stay here?"

"Not really, but I also didn't expect them to go back to that house," he said.

"Your Aunt didn't want to leave the house she had lived in with her husband, so she decided that she and the boy would go back. She's hooked up to the floo, if you want to speak with her," Moody said.

"Maybe later."

"Harry, I really do think she'd like to see you. She grew quite fond of you after Vernon passed. I really think you should call on her," Remus said.

"You mean visit?" Harry asked. Remus nodded. "Dudley would freak if I came there. He probably thinks I'm the reason his father died anyway," Harry said darkly.

"Actually, he doesn't. He blames Fudge," Snape spoke up again. Harry looked at him oddly for a moment.

"Why?"

"Because he knows what the wards on the house were for, and what it took for them to be broken. He wanted to kill Fudge, I believe," Severus said, smirking.

"Who didn't at the time?" Harry said sarcastically.

"Yes, well, regardless, I think you should visit before school starts again. At least to explain her Christmas gift to her," Remus said.

"How did you know I got her a gift?"

"Because she flooed here this morning, wondering when you had been there, and why you didn't stay until they got back. Apparently they had taken flowers down to your uncle's grave," Tonks supplied. Harry didn't think he could go back and face them. It wasn't entirely Fudge's fault his uncle had died; he felt he was also partly to blame. He could have turned the Minister into a toad and stayed on the property, but he had to go and prevent Kingsley from getting in trouble for defying the Minister. Harry was brought out of his thoughts by a bang, followed by yelling.

"George, I told you to leave all that rubbish behind!" Molly's voice carried though the house from the front foyer.

"FILTHY BLOOD TRAITORS... GET OUT OF THIS NOBLE HOUSE THIS INSTANT... KREACHER! KREACHER!" the foul voice of the portrait of Mrs. Black roared in the foyer. He heard scuttling feet as the whole herd of Weasleys made their way down the hall and into the kitchen.

"Ole bat!" Ron said, cursing at the painting.

"DISGRACE TO WIZARD-KIND EVERYWHERE! HOW DARE YOU BRING YOUR FILTH IN THIS HOUSE!"

"Remus, where's Dobby?" Harry asked over the yelling.

"KREACHER! KREACHER!"

"I'm not sure; he was trying to get the attic cleaned out, last I saw," Remus said, wincing at the painting's words.

"Dob..."

"FILTHY EXCUSES FOR WIZARDS!"

"Dob..."

"MUDBLOOD LOVERS!"

"DOBBY!" Harry bellowed over the old hag. With a crack the house-elf popped up, right in front of Harry.

"Master Harry Potter Sir! Harry Potter has come home?" he asked hopefully. Harry tried to smile, but he was too irritated by the painting.

"Why haven't you gotten rid of that painting yet?" Harry asked, looking down at the small house-elf that looked guiltily away from Harry.

"Dobby and Winky both tried, sir, but she will not come down," he said, cowering slightly. He then picked up a stool that Tonks had used earlier, and started to hit himself over the head with it. Harry waved his hand and muttered something, and the stool disappeared and reappeared in its place. "Dobby, I forbid you to punish yourself just because you couldn't do anything about the portrait."

"WHERE IS THAT DISGRACE OF A SON OF MINE? I DEMAND HE COME OUT HERE NOW! LETTING THESE MUGGLE-LOVING VERMIN INTO MY NOBLE HOUSE!" That was it; Harry had had enough. Anger filled him at her mention of Sirius. He drew himself up and stalked down the hall, passing the Weasleys as he did, until he made it to the foyer where the painting was bellowing under her curtains. Retrieving his wand from his back pocket, he trained it on the painting.

"REDUCTO!" he roared; and the painting was silenced as it and the wall that had held it were blown to bits. By this time, Remus, Tonks, Moody, Shacklebolt and Snape had all hurried after him, thinking he was going to do something foolish.

"Why didn't anyone else think of that?" Ron asked, confused, and looking at the other adults.

"We did; even Dumbledore tried it," Moody said, before turning and making his way back to the kitchen like nothing had happened.

"Remind me not to piss Mr. Potter off, please," Tonks said as she too turned and followed Moody. Remus was looking at Harry in wonder, as Harry was still staring at the huge hole he had made in the wall. There was a crack and Dobby appeared before Harry.

"Would Harry Potter be pleased if Dobby fixed the wall and cleaned up the mess?"

"Yes, I'd like that very much, Dobby," Harry said, as he too turned to make his way back to the kitchen. He stopped short at the look on the faces of everyone in the foyer. Ron was looking at Harry like he'd never seen him before. Ginny was staring at him with pride gleaming in her eyes; and Mrs. Weasley was looking at the hole and nodding thoughtfully.

"Right, dinner's not going to finish itself," she said, and briskly turned to make her way back to the kitchen, with Snape and Remus following her. Remus gave Harry one more odd look before following, but said nothing.

"Harry, mate - how'd you do that?" Ron asked, looking between the hole and Harry.

"Ron, I've heard tell that emotions can have a great effect on your magic; which is why they say you should never duel when you're mad. You could make rash decisions, and hurt someone unintentionally," Harry said, quoting something that the Headmaster had told him once when they were speaking about Voldemort.

"Oh," Ron said, and Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Ron, why do you think my hexes always hurt so badly?" Ginny asked. Ron looked at her with a new realization, and then nodded. Ginny smirked at him, seeming to have gotten a point across that she'd been trying to do for years.

"Well, I'm going to the library to floo over to my Aunt's for an hour or so. I'll be back shortly," Harry said, making his way out of the foyer and down the hall to the library. He'd decided that he could use a bit of quiet time, and he wanted to get this visit over with. He just hoped that his Aunt didn't lay into him about him being the reason Dudley had lost his father.

Grabbing some floo powder from the mantle, he thrust it into the grate and stuck his head in.

"Aunt Petunia?" he asked quietly, so as not to alarm the woman. No one responded. "Aunt Petunia!" he yelled this time, and there was a crash from the kitchen, followed by his aunt's voice.

"Just a moment, Harry!" she called. Harry could see her from her reflection in the window, bending down to clean up a broken piece of china. Harry swore under his breath. That was what he was trying to avoid.

He backed out of the grate and took a larger pinch before tossing it in once again, and this time calling out "Number 4, Privet Drive." After a short swirl and the thud of his feet hitting the bricks in Petunia's fireplace, Harry stepped out. (He could have used his Phoenix-apparation skills; but he figured Petunia didn't need another shock just now.) He walked into the kitchen just as his Aunt was about to throw away the pieces of china. He waved his hand and said 'Reparo,' and the cup reformed itself from the shards. Petunia started. She looked around to see Harry standing in the doorway.

"Merry Christmas, Harry," she said, taking the cup off the dustpan and returning it to the sink, where apparently she was washing dishes.

"And to you, Aunt Petunia," Harry said. The house looked exactly the same - well, save for the Christmas décor scattered throughout the house. "It's been so long since I've been here at Christmas time," Harry mused quietly, as he turned in a circle surveying the surrounding scene.

"Yes, well, we've added a few decorations since you were eleven," Petunia said, but she wasn't rude about it.

"Where's Dudley?" Harry asked.

"Oh, out with his little gang. And on Christmas, too. Shame," she said, as she wiped her hands with a small towel and made her way to the kitchen table. "Tea?" she asked.

"Thanks," he said, nodding. "Gang?" Petunia heaved a sigh.

"It's gotten worse, you know," she said, opening a cabinet and retrieving tea bags. "Since the attack, he's thought they were coming back. He and his gang go around every night like guards," she said.

"That's good, isn't it, like security?"

"No; he suspects everyone. The slightest movement in the wrong direction, and he's calling for his boys to tear into the person. The constables have returned him to me four times now for violence. One more time, and they're taking him from me. Say I can't control him," Petunia said. She had her back turned from Harry, but Harry could tell she was on the verge of tears. She sniffed once and turned back to him. "I'm not sure what to do anymore. I can only hope he takes their threats seriously." She moved to the stove and lifted a steaming kettle from the back burner, and filled their cups with hot water.

"I'm sure he'll come around," Harry offered; but he really wasn't so sure. The boy was spoiled beyond belief, and whether his Uncle was there or not, Harry had seen this coming a long time ago.

"I hope so. He's all I have left," she said - then stiffened and turned to Harry. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean it like that. It's just..."

"I know what you mean, Aunt Petunia; there's no need to explain," Harry said in a soothing voice. He really didn't take any offense to her words. He had long ago faced the fact that he was the outcast of the family, if he were even as much as that.

"Well, it can't be excused. From what all the Order members have told me, I should be honored for you to be a part of my family. It wasn't until I saw you in their presence, and through their eyes, that I really realized what I've become," Petunia said gravely, as she place a cup of tea in front of Harry. She then turned and retrieved the sugar and milk before returning and taking a seat. Harry followed suit, sitting across from her, and nursing his cup with his hands.

"Did you like your Christmas gift? If you didn't, I can take it back and get you something different," Harry reasoned; though frankly he wouldn't have any idea what else to get her.

"It's probably one of the best gifts I've ever received. I still haven't been able to place what kind of bird that is, though," she said, taking the dainty gold necklace out from under her sweater and holding it between her fingers.

"It's a phoenix, my Animagus form. I learned to transform into it over the summer. Draco learned to become a white panther with silver eyes; beautiful creature," Harry added as an afterthought. He took a sip of his tea and placed it back on the table.

"Are these real?" Petunia asked, fingering the green emeralds the phoenix had for eyes.

"Yeah," Harry said, grinning. "But that's not why the gift is so valuable. It has the power to deflect any charm, hex, curse, or spell that is thrown at you," Harry said.

"What about... that one that killed your mother, father, and... and V-Vernon?" she asked, struggling to keep her composure.

"It may be able to take one of those; but any more than one, and the pendant will be nothing more than what you see: jewelry," Harry said.

"I'll remember that," she said, clutching the pendant in her fist, and closing her eyes for a second. "Does it have the magic to play music in my head too?" she asked wistfully. Harry looked at her oddly.

"Music?"

"Well, it sounds like a bird's song, but it's so beautiful. It makes me calm, and reminds me how to feel happy," she said, still with her eyes closed.

"No, I didn't charm it to do that; but it may have been a side-effect, because of my phoenix form," Harry theorized.

"It's my favorite thing about it," she whispered; then she put the pendant back down between her sweater and undergarment.

"I'm glad you like it. I didn't know if Dudley would accept anything from me, so I didn't get anything. If you think he will, I'll get him something; it will only take me a few minutes," Harry said.

"Oh, that won't be necessary. Though I'm sure he'd be grateful for anything from you, he knows he already has anything and everything he wants. After Minister Fudge's assets were liquidated and given to us, not to mention the settlement from the Ministry as an apology, we should never want for anything again. I didn't realize your world was so wealthy," she said, furrowing her brow.

"Yes, well, it's mostly just the UK. Most other Wizarding nations around the world aren't so lucky. Not to mention that in the Wizarding world, a lot can be done just by magic; so any money that would normally be spent on furniture, or material items like that, often doesn't have to be spent. Instead, it's put back into a vault, and passed on to the next generation. After so many generations, the family can become quite wealthy. Those like my father's or godfather's are known around the Wizarding world for their wealth. Malfoy is also a big name, though it's been tarnished by Draco's father, when he became a follower of Voldemort," Harry filled her in.

"How is Draco?" Petunia asked, taking a sip from her still-steaming tea.

"We were sort of on the outs for a while; but I spoke with him this morning, and I think things will soon be coming around. It won't be easy, but we'll get there," he said. Petunia nodded at him, though she looked like she was thinking of something else.

"What did he get you for Christmas, and you him?" she asked.

"Oh... er... well, I didn't really get him anything material; it was more an agreement to reconcile. And he gave me... well, a child in the future," Harry said, furrowing his brow. His Aunt sucked in a sharp breath, and looked at him as if he'd grown an extra head.

"Child?"

"It's a long story; but the gist of it is that unless he did this, he'd be stuck having to marry someone he didn't love; and if he didn't marry her, he'd lose his family's fortune. So, my friend Hermione came up with this plan. It's kind of like cloning, but it's not. She's using one of her eggs and then putting my DNA in it, to make it as if it had come from me. Then Draco will fertilize it; and then he won't have to marry Pansy, the person his marriage was arranged with," Harry said, hoping she wasn't going to flip out. Instead, she did the exact opposite: she smiled warmly at him.

"This means I'm going to be a Great Auntie, or maybe even a substitute Grandmother?" she asked carefully. It was now Harry's turn to look at her as if she'd grown another head.

"No! Um... I mean... maybe, eventually, but not anytime soon. I've decided that I'm going to put a preservation spell on it, and hide it until the war is over. After that, perhaps I'll try to find a Muggle that can carry it to term; but the way things look now, it may be a while before the war is over."

"No matter; as you said: eventually. That's enough for me. Why are you waiting, though?"

"Well, it's not really well-known, but I'm sort of the descendant of two very great wizards. I have gifts that most would kill for. Draco is half Veela, which makes him also quite powerful, but not that much more than a normal wizard. If someone got hold of that egg and had it carried, they could use it for evil, and the world would never stand a chance. It has to be raised in the correct environment, or the results would be disastrous," Harry explained.

"Would some time spent with us Muggles be included in that environment?" Petunia said hopefully. Harry considered her for a second before answering.

"I would hope to have a very well-rounded child," he said; and Petunia looked like Christmas had come early.

"If you planned it, when would this happen?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Harry almost grinned at her.

"After graduation. Most people think that children are a burden; but for me, they'd be a blessing," he said. "I've never seen myself with children, or with a family - so I hope I get one as soon as possible," Harry said, trying not to meet her eye.

"I'm sorry I didn't give you the family you deserved, Harry. If I would have known that you'd turn out to be this extraordinary young man, I would have tried much harder to please," she said. There were tears in her eyes, but she didn't wipe them away.

"You're making up for it now, and I hope you continue to make up for it in the future. That's enough for me at the moment," he said. Petunia lifted her mug again and set it back down when she realized it was cold. Harry waved his hand and the cup bubbled a bit before steam rose from it again. Petunia smiled thankfully and sipped it again. "I hate to cut this visit short, but there's a Christmas dinner going on at Grimmauld Place that I skipped out on early. I should really be getting back before everyone starts looking for me," Harry said, standing and straightening his cloak around him. Petunia looked saddened for a moment before she too stood and led Harry to the living room. "Would you perhaps... like to join us?"

"Thank you, Harry, truly; but I need to be here, in case Dudley gets home. He'd be terribly upset if he thought I were missing. Harry - if you need someone to guard this egg - I'd be honored." Harry nodded, smiling. "Be safe, and write once in a while. I know you can't visit that often, but a visit would be nice whenever possible," she said as she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a hug that Harry would always remember. It lasted almost a full minute before she let go and took Harry's face in her hands, forcing him to look her in the eye. "Your mother would be so proud of you if she could see you now. She had a big heart, just like you," she said, then dropped her hands and retrieved a small pot from the drawer of the end table next to the fireplace. Harry kissed his aunt on the cheek, then grabbed a handful of floo powder and threw it into the grate.

"Number 12, Grimmauld Place!" And with that he was gone - but not for good.

Harry stepped back into Grimmauld Place, to the sounds of uproarious laughter. His heart swelled immensely as he realized that this was his house, and that these were his guests. He made his way to the kitchen to see Mrs. Weasley, Mrs. Longbottom, and Winky all bustling around and cooking up a storm.

"My mother taught me to make the fig pudding; she always put extra cinnamon and pumpkin spice in. Gives it that extra zip," Mrs. Longbottom was saying. Mrs. Weasley nodded in approval, while Tonks, who was sitting at the small table, commented on something. Harry assumed they were allowing her to watch, but not to touch anything. After all, she was quite the klutz.

"Been chained to the table, Tonks?" Harry teased, entering; and Molly whirled around and beamed at him.

"Just in time, Harry dear. I wasn't sure you were going to make it back from your Aunt's in time for dinner," she said, and she smothered him in a strong Weasley hug.

"Careful, Molly, we need 'im breathing," Tonks said, grinning at Harry's embarrassment.

"Indeed we do," Mrs. Longbottom whispered, catching everyone's attention but Winky's.

"Ah, Alice, this is Harry - Lily and James' son," Molly introduced him.

"Yes, I know," she said walking forward and hugging him also. If she had seen how embarrassed he was earlier when Molly did this, she didn't care. "Thank you," she whispered in his ear before withdrawing.

"How did you know who he was?" Molly asked curiously. Harry looked worried that Mrs. Longbottom would tell everyone what had happened; but instead she winked at Harry.

"He looks just like James, but with Lily's eyes. He could hardly be anyone else's," she said as she moved back to the stove, where she once again started on the fig pudding. Molly nodded and agreed understandingly.

"Harry dear, everyone else is in the living room. Why don't you go say hello to Frank and Mr. and Mrs. Granger, before dinner starts?" she said, ushering him out of the kitchen. He was going to offer to help; after all, he was no stranger to cooking, especially Muggle-style.

But Harry did as he was told, just to make Molly happy, and headed for the living room, where Winky and Dobby had erected a grand Christmas tree that was covered in Wizarding ornaments that moved, sang, and glowed. Above and around the tree there was snow falling from nowhere, which must have been enchanted. Harry stepped around the crowd and settled himself in the corner, where he could watch without being in the way.

Fred and George, recent inductees into the Order, were sitting with Frank Longbottom, showing him different pranks and such from their shop. He seemed to be quite fascinated with them. Ginny, Hermione, Ron, and Neville were all sitting, not far away, in a small circle, talking in whispers to one another; and Mr. Weasley was sitting across from a very bewildered-looking Mr. and Mrs. Granger, while discussing various Muggle artifacts. Bill and Charlie were engaged in a game of Wizarding chess, while Mrs. Granger looked back and forth once in a while, her eyes widening when one piece would destroy another. Snape was nowhere to be seen, and neither was Draco. Harry thought that Dumbledore would have grabbed them both to come there for dinner, before they ruined their appetites at Hogwarts. Rising and walking to the foyer, where Dobby was putting the finishing touches on the new wall, Harry apparated away to Hogwarts, directly into the Headmaster's office.

Dumbledore was startled by Harry's sudden appearance, and then chuckled as he put his hand over his chest.

"Gave me a fright, Harry. Is something wrong?" he asked.

"I was wondering why you and Professor Snape weren't at Grimmauld Place?" Harry asked bluntly.

"Ah, well, though it may be Christmas, there were a few things I had to get out of the way," Albus said, laying his quill down.

"Well, put it away, it's almost dinnertime, and I'd rather not see the wrath of Mrs. Weasley when she realizes that you didn't show up for dinner," Harry instructed, smiling. Albus chuckled again and did, in fact, lay his quill down.

"Shall I call Severus also?"

"If you would. Or we could just pop down there on the way, and scare him too?" Harry said mischievously. Albus grinned.

"I'm afraid he may actually hex us should we just pop in suddenly. Not because he'd be mad, but because he's... very cautious these days."

"Point taken," Harry said, as Albus rose and called Severus by floo.

"You are needed in my office, Severus; oh, and please bring Mr. Malfoy along," Albus said, before ending the call. Turning back to Harry he said, "I was right to invite Mr. Malfoy?"

"Yes, he was going to be my next call. I was going to invite Professor McGonagall too, but as I've heard via portrait, she won't be in this evening due to having her own business to attend to," Harry said mysteriously.

"Too right, too right," Albus murmured before shuffling some papers on his desk and putting them away. A few minutes later, the grate flared, and Snape and Draco stepped out ever so gracefully.

"Potter," Snape said, giving a curt nod; Harry returned it.

"Harry," Draco said, giving him a hug, which Harry returned, warming to the idea of being back together with Draco after his talk with Petunia.

"Good, your attire is appropriate," Albus said, looking them over.

"For?" Snape inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"You're both coming to dinner at Grimmauld Place, and I'm not accepting an argument from either of you," Harry said, as he held out a hand to Draco and a hand to the two professors. "Grab on." Draco did so almost instantly, as if he couldn't wait to touch Harry again. Professor Dumbledore laid a hand on Harry's shoulder while Snape took the other hand, though reluctantly. In a flash of flames they disappeared from the Headmaster's office and right into the center of the living room at Grimmauld Place. Immediately wands were drawn and everyone was standing, due to their sudden appearance. Neville actually threw a spell that Harry banished, before the Headmaster chuckled.

"Do excuse us. Harry's aim seemed to be off," he said, beaming at those around him. It took a second for everyone to relax, but as they did everyone burst out laughing, and Neville colored. Frank was patting Neville on the back for exhibiting such a quick reaction; and Hermione, Ron and Ginny rushed up to Harry.

"Your aim wasn't off, was it, Harry?" Bill yelled across the room. Harry smirked almost a Malfoy smirk before responding.

"Not an inch," he said, as everyone had another round of laughter. Harry loved the atmosphere. He held onto Draco's hand while he met his friends halfway, and was instantly bombarded with questions.

"How was your Aunt?"

"Where have you been?"

"Have you been to the kitchen, is Mum almost done?" that came from Ron, and made Harry and Draco laugh.

"Aunt Petunia is fine, and was happy to see me. I've been to Number Four, to here, and to Hogwarts to retrieve the rest of the clan. And Ron, your mother said it was still going to be a few minutes," Harry responded. Ron looked like he was about to blush. Harry turned to Hermione, still worrying whether his present had infuriated her. "Er... Hermione, did you have any questions about my gift?"

"Oh, Harry!" she said, turning pink. "I'm so sorry; we've had a houseful of relatives, and I haven't had a chance to open any of my presents yet! It's an interesting-looking package; but I won't ask - I'd rather be surprised! Besides, there's still Boxing Day tomorrow, to open gifts." Harry smiled with relief; he didn't mind avoiding a row that evening. Just then, Neville interrupted.

"Hey Draco, Harry: this is my dad, Frank Longbottom," Neville said, approaching. Harry and Draco turned to him, and Harry held out his hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Longbottom," Harry said, shaking his hand.

"The pleasure is all mine," Frank said, giving Harry a silent 'thank you' with his eyes.

"Pleasure," Draco said, extending the other hand that wasn't held by Harry.

"A Malfoy!" Frank said, looking Draco over for a second before taking his hand. Draco seemed to let out a breath he'd been holding when Frank finally did this. "The very image of your father," Frank commented, still holding Draco's hand.

"We're not all perfect," Draco said sarcastically, and Frank smiled.

"I was hoping that was the case, after all Neville's told me about you."

"I'm hoping it was all good," Draco said, looking at Neville with his eyebrows raised.

"Reformed, but well enough," Frank said, smiling warmly at Draco.

"You were a Gryffindor, weren't you?"

"What gave it away?"

"You trust too easily," Draco said, smiling warmly back. Frank laughed before patting Draco on the shoulder.

"We're not all perfect," he said; and they both laughed.

"Well, Draco and I need to speak with Hermione for a few moments; so we'll see you at dinner," Harry said, nodding to Frank and Neville. Neville nodded, seeming to never leave his father's side; and Hermione and the two boys left their other friends and headed to the library.

"I was hoping you'd want to talk about this tonight," Hermione said as they left the room.

"I want to get this done as soon as possible. I'm letting someone hold the egg for me, and she'll guard it with her life if need be. I couldn't ask for a better caretaker," Harry commented.

"Your Aunt?" Hermione asked. Harry nodded. Draco also looked pleased at this.

"I'll be taking more precautions at her house, but it will be there," Harry said.

They entered the library, and Hermione took a piece of parchment out of her robes, along with her wand.

"Did you expect this?" Draco asked, surprised at her readiness. She just nodded.

"So how does this work?" Harry asked.

"You'll have to banish an egg from me into this container," she said, conjuring a clear container. "Then I'll perform a few spells to extract its nucleus; and then I'll banish the nucleus of one of your sex cells to the center of the egg in the dish. I'll then banish a sperm cell from Draco to the outer part of the egg, and then we'll do a couple of tests to make sure it's fertilized," she explained.

"Sperm cell?" Draco said, nervously blushing. Harry didn't know why he was blushing; he certainly had no reason to be ashamed of exposing himself. He didn't give voice to this, though.

"Don't worry, I don't need to see it; I need only have my wand in close proximity," Hermione said, rolling her eyes. Harry cleared his throat nervously now: they were about to make a baby, magically.

"Go ahead, I trust you," Hermione said, looking at Harry. She lifted her shirt just above the navel, and pointed to a spot that would be the closest to her uterus. Harry concentrated on what he could remember from Muggle primary school about reproduction, and visualized an ovum and how small it was.

"Amoveo Alicunde Intra," Harry said, tapping his wand just below Hermione's navel. She shuddered at the magic moving through her, but didn't move otherwise. He moved and pointed his wand at the dish, "Formo."

"Perfect," Hermione said, examining the contents of the dish with a conjured magnifying glass. "Amputo," she said as she removed the nucleus, or genetic material, from her own ovum. "Hold the waist of your trousers out," she told Harry, and he looked at her like she was crazy. "Harry, I need a sex cell, and the only way I can get one is by taking one from your testicles." Harry was now blushing madly; but nonetheless he held the waist of his pants and briefs out for her. She stuck her wand down his trousers, and he squeezed his eyes shut. An egg was one thing; but a man's goods were something totally different. Hermione just rolled her eyes at him.

"Amoveo Alicunde Intra," she said, just as he had; then, "Formo." Harry felt a tingling sensation; and as Hermione moved her wand to the dish, Harry discreetly checked to make sure everything was still intact. He breathed a sigh of relief when everything was still where it was supposed to be.

"Your turn, Draco," she said, moving to him. He didn't blush as he had the first time; he just did as Harry had done, and followed Harry's example to make sure everything was intact when she finished. The egg should now have been fertilized.

"How do you know if it worked?" Draco asked.

"Pregnancy test. It's the same thing Madam Pomfrey does. She could tell the second after conception, if she needed to," Hermione said, as she raised her wand again and pointed it at the egg. "Declaro Conceptum," she said, as the small dish turned blue, and Hermione cocked her head.

"What?" Harry asked nervously.

"I don't remember which color is positive and which color is negative," she said, still looking at the egg.

"What?" Draco all but yelled at her. She gave him a stern look.

"I was in somewhat of a hurry, seeing as how you so inconveniently didn't mention this until a month and a half ago." Draco had the good grace to snap his mouth shut. "There's blue and there's pink, and I just can't remember which is which. Harry, could you take me to my house real quick? The book is open to the page on my bed," Hermione asked. Harry breathed a sigh of relief, and for once was glad that Hermione always bought any book that she found interesting, instead of just looking at them in the library and then returning them to the shelf. Harry took Hermione's hand, and in a flash of flames they were gone. It took only seconds for them to return, with Hermione beaming, and Harry looking as though he were in shock.

"Well? Did it work or not?!" Draco demanded, dancing in place.

"Of course it did," Hermione said, as though she were offended that he ever doubted her.

Harry flicked his wand and summoned the container that Draco had given him from his rooms at Hogwarts, and levitated the minute fertilized egg into it. "Progressio," he said to start the growth; but then waited a few seconds before saying, 'Desisto'... 'Reservo' to pause the growth and preserve the egg. He closed the box, and put a complicated locking charm on it that left it glowing gold; then he scribbled a note on conjured parchment, and banished the casing and note to his Aunt Petunia.

"All done; ready for dinner?" he asked. The other two nodded, and they made their way out; but first Draco hugged him and whispered in his ear.

"Brilliant, Daddy."

[Latest Edit April 5/04, David305]