Disclaimer: Not mine.

Warnings: This story is AU and contains Slash. The pairing is HP/DM. Also, the Potter's are royalty and had other children after Harry. It's part romance, mystery and fairy tale. :)

Thanks to LimbosArcher for betaing this.

For Mark

"What will be left when I've drawn my last breath, besides the folks I've met and the folks who know me? Will I discover a soul saving love, or just the dirt above and below me? I'm a doubting thomas. I took a promise, but I do not feel safe. Oh, me of little faith."

Doubting Thomas

Chapter One

It was the most terrifying experience of his life and that was saying something because Draco Malfoy was no stranger to hazard. He was a permanent undercover operative for the Auror Corps and the Order of the Phoenix. But this was nothing like all his other missions. This was the culmination of everything they had feared, the worst possible outcome. Voldemort was returning. Wild calculations ran through Draco's mind and he realized there was absolutely nothing he could do to stop the horrifying ceremony.

Barty Crouch Jr. had abducted two individuals for the purpose of whatever grotesque ritual he intended to use to completely resurrect his master from his incorporeal half life. The older of the abducted pair was known to Draco. Adam Green was his most frequent contact within the Order of the Phoenix and Draco had been harboring a not so secret crush on the other man from the moment they met. The other was Adrienne Potter. She was the second child of Lily and James Potter. Her terror was obvious, but she ignored the taunting around her and never succumbed to tears, which was impressive for a child of only sixteen years. She held Adam's hand tightly. Adam wore the most defiant expression Draco had ever seen. He was a fighter. He made no sound when Crouch cut his arm and let the blood drip into the cauldron. It was disturbing, but nowhere near as disturbing as the man who had willing added his own hand to the concoction.

Voldemort rose from the cauldron, dripping and scaly. Crouch robed him and they spoke for short moment. Voldemort turned to the crowd, raising his arms slowly.

"Welcome, my friends, my loyal friends, on this most momentous occasion. Tonight we will deal with a persistent thorn in our sides. I'm sure some of you have discerned the identity of our guests." He turned his red eyes to the girl, "What name did the Potter's bestow on their second offspring? Tell me, girl."

"Adrienne," She replied with her chin up.

"Adrienne…" He repeated, before facing Adam, "And you?"

"Adam Green, Seneschal to His Majesty and Heir apparent Harrison Potter," He stood defiant, keeping his body as a shield before Adrienne, "And I will protect Her Ladyship with my life."

Voldemort looked pleased, "His Seneschal? This is almost good as the blood of Harrison himself."

Draco felt his heart drop to his feet. He had no idea that Adam Green had that connection to the royal family, but he found himself wishing the other man had just kept his mouth shut. He was only making it for difficult for a successful escape to occur. Draco could not conceive how they had been able to locate Adrienne Potter in the first place, but that was irrelevant now. He absolutely could not allow Voldemort to kill either of them. No matter what the cost. Beside him, Draco suspected his godfather was thinking a similar thing, only trying to add how to best protect Draco into the equation. It turned out that Adam was more competent and cunning than Draco had dared to hope.

The first Death Eater to make the mistake of moving within grabbing reach of Adam Green lost his wand. Adam managed to duck the first stunning curse sent his way, but he couldn't avoid the cruciatus. He screamed and Voldemort laughed. Draco hid the shaking of his hands in the sleeves of his robes. Then, they dueled. Draco thought Adam was holding out decently, but was unsure how much longer he'd be able to last.

Suddenly, Adam turned and ran at him. Before he could think to move, Adam held him as a shield, wand tip pressed against his temple. Draco schooled his expression to outrage, but he was more worried that Voldemort would simply kill him to get to Adam without a second thought. Only he didn't.

"The Malfoy Heir," He pondered this for a long moment, "You chose a good hostage, Mr. Green."

"I'm not the Seneschal because of my good looks," He sneered.

Voldemort's eyes narrowed and he glanced at Adrienne before jerking his head towards Adam, "Go to your brother's champion, girl."

Adrienne moved to stand behind Adam, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her body against his. Adam leaned heavily on Draco.

"Release him," Voldemort demanded.

"Lower the anti-apparation wards."

Adam wasn't able to keep his voice steady that time and Draco had an inkling of how injured the other man was. From his peripheral vision he could see that Adam's wand and hand were both bloody. Draco hoped with all his strength that Adam wouldn't pass out.

Voldemort waved his hand and a moment later Draco felt the anti-apparation wards give. Adam apparated immediately. He did not release Draco and therefore brought the other with him and Adrienne to their destination.

Adam hit the ground the moment they disapparated. His face was pale and he was still. Adrienne's eyes darted between Adam and Draco for half a moment. She lunged for Adam's wand and disarmed Draco with a spell in what he assumed was Chinese. He didn't resist when his wand flew from his hand to hers and she calmed marginally.

"Prove to me that you are Draco Malfoy."

"The Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix are at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place."

Adrienne returned his wand before moving to knee beside Adam. She meticulously checked his pulse, heart and lungs. The shaking of her hands betrayed her anxiety despite her calm appearance. She appeared competent, so Draco did not disturb her. She held the stolen wand over Adam, moving it back and forth between his shoulders and hips. She did not look to Draco until she was done and it was then that he noticed the dried tears on her cheeks.

"Are you hurt, Milady?" He asked, taking a half step towards her.

She shook her head, "No. Are you? I'm a decent healer. I've been patching Harry up forever," She winced as if she'd made some sort of blunder, but continued on, "And Adam too."

"I'm not hurt. How did this happen? How did Crouch find you?"

Adrienne ignored the question, "Once I leave I won't be able to return. Stay with him until he is well."

"Why are you leaving? Where are you going, Milady?"

"This place is meant for one," She explained, "It can protect two, but a third will begin to drain the magic. I'll get word to my brother and the Headmaster that you and Adam are alive and well. The Headmasters trust in you is implicit, but if you were to turn up without either myself or Adam, my brother would be livid."

Draco nodded in acceptance.

She took a last lingering took at Adam before going over to the kitchen table. She paused long enough to scribble a note and seal it, before leaving through the floo with the stolen wand. Draco took a moment to get his bearings in the small cottage. There was a fully stocked kitchen with a table, a full bathroom and a single bedroom. He put Adam in the bed and spent most of the night watching him from a chair he'd dragged in from the kitchen. Adam hardly moved the entire time, but he did wake briefly in the early hours of the morning.

"Addy? Addy?" He moaned weakly.

Adam drifted back off to sleep easily. Draco was forced to push aside uncharitable thoughts about Adrienne Potter. She was an impressive young woman and Adam Green owned him nothing. He tried not to feel terribly bitter about the idea what Adam was in love with Adrienne or that they were lovers. Adam slept the entire day. Draco left his side only to take care of his needs. He feel asleep in the chair beside Adam's bed and woke up in the same spot the next morning, only he was alone. He found Adam sitting at the kitchen table, freshly showered and perusing the letter Adrienne had left for him. Draco took the seat across from Adam.

"How do you feel?"

"Better," Adam smiled at him for a long moment before gesturing to the plate of pancakes and jar of maple syrup, "Help yourself."

Draco did just that and neither of them spoke until Adam lowered the letter to the table.

"You look much better," Draco ventured.

"It was a tiring duel, as was the three way apparation."

"I didn't even think that's possible."

"It's possible, just not practical…seeing as how I fainted from it and then slept for two days."

Draco smiled at him and Adam returned the expression.

"Why did you bring me here?"

Adam looked decidedly embarrassed for a moment before he admitted, "I was afraid if I released you I would fall down."

"How did the Death Eaters find you and Lady Adrienne?"

"I don't know how they found us," He admitted, "And I am very disturbed by that."

"But the King and Queen are safe? And the Heir?"

"Their location remains unrevealed. Lady Adrienne and I were elsewhere when we were abducted."

Draco was mildly surprised that Adrienne Potter was apparently wandering about with only one bodyguard and that the Potter family trusted Adam with her life. Draco once again wondered if they were lovers. Draco had lusted after Adam from the moment he met him. He was a witty, powerful and intelligent. He also hadn't made his conquest of Adam much of a secret. No wonder Adam has always been so amused by Draco's outrageous flirting. The person second in line for the throne was enamored with him. Draco wondered if he was the only person who had been unaware of Adam's connection to the Potter's and of his regard for Lady Adrienne. Draco avoided his gaze. He felt like such a fool.

Draco took a deep breath, determined not to act awkwardly, "You should take it easy today."

"I will," Adam agreed amiably, "I won't venture the floo until tonight."

"What commands did her Ladyship leave," Draco asked, gesturing the letter at Adam's elbow.

Adam shrugged, "She has left it to me."

Draco's raised an eyebrow, "Very close to the royal family, are you?"

"Her Ladyship trusts me."

"You called out for her in your sleep," Draco said softly, staring at the table.

Adam's expression hardened, "No. There is nothing of that nature between myself and her Ladyship."

"She's quite admirable."

"No, Draco," He was quiet, but firm.

"I-"

"Surely you think her a better judge of character than that," Adam joked, "I'm a lowly knight, a mere servant to her distinguished brother."

Draco snorted, "You held your own against the Dark Lord. There is nothing lowly about you, Adam."

Adam was startled, "Thank you."

Draco inclined his head. Adam leaned forward on his elbows.

"You have yet to proposition me. If her Ladyship had not written that she was positive of your identity I might be suspicious," He teased.

"Well, it is hardly appropriate anymore."

Adam tilted his head.

"You have an exalted rank."

Adam snorted, "I am nothing past myself. But even then, your father is a Lord. Exalted? An exalted servant, maybe. I spend most of my time ensuring that her Ladyship is safe. It's hardly toplofty."

"What honor is there in my families name?" Draco asked bitterly, "And you are not free to make your own choices. Your life belongs to the Heir of Galahad."

"There is you," He said quietly, "And do not pretend you were ever serious about me."

"But I was," Draco whispered, "And even when I spoke to you seriously you never entertained that notion that I do enjoy your company and wish for you when you are absent."

Adam was silent.

"I want to court you. If the Heir of Galahad will consent to it…"

"I am a knight. You cannot court a knight. Knights court, they are not courted," He said with a small smile.

"Adam-"

"How do you think the war will end?"

"The Heir of Galahad will destroy that abomination," Draco said without hesitation.

"And then what?" Adam pressed.

Draco leaned back in his chair, "I- I don't know."

"My liege will have to unite the population. As is tradition, it will be done through a marriage."

"Yes," Draco said slowly, "He'll wed someone from the other side, as well several of his most trusted-" Draco tensed, "He intends you for someone else."

"No," Adam said quietly, "He intends you for someone else."

"Lady Adrienne?"

Adam shook his head, "It was considered. If he were to wed her to anyone it would have been you because he is aware of your true allegiance. Draco, there will only be one wedding."

His hands shook, "As the Heir of Galahad commands."

Adam's brow creased, "Draco?"

"His most valued friend is a Weasley!" Draco blurted in an uncharacteristic expression of agitation, "The feud between our families… I- I-"

Adam's eyes widened.

"I don't have any particular dislike for them, but… please, Adam, if you have his ear in anyway."

"It's not a Weasley."

"Peace or not, my father would murder me and whichever Weasley-"

"It's not a Weasley," Adam reiterated.

Draco inhaled slowly, "Who, then?"

"Himself."

Draco felt himself go numb. It was a high honor, to be sure, but he would see Adam everyday while wed to another.

"Oh."

"Draco," Adam reached for his hand.

Draco flinched and pulled his hand away, "I will see you everyday."

"My liege is a noble sort of man. He is not pretentious or unduly proud. He would value your company and your counsel. He would always treat you well."

"I see."

Adam sighed and moved to sit beside Draco, "Why does this make you so unhappy? Your father-"

"Don't talk about my father!"

Adam didn't back down, "Your father will otherwise marry you off with no regard-"

Draco shoved him, "Stop it! Stop it! Don't pretend isn't some desperate bid to try and keep peace once Voldemort is dead! My father," His lips tightened, "Don't talk about my father."

Adam jumped to his feet and grabbed his elbows, "Why are you so determined that this will be such a tragic fate for you?!"

"Because I love you and you're working to see me wed to someone else and it's no skin off your nose," Draco shouted.

Adam's grip tightened, "That is not true!"

There were both silent for a long moment until Adam released one of Draco's elbows to gently caress his cheek with the back of his fingers. He slowly pulled Draco into a loose embrace and gently toyed with the ends of his blonde hair. Adam brushed his cheek against Draco's.

"Will you accept the offer?"

Draco nodded silently.

Adam cupped his face, "You won't regret it. There is more at work here than you can interpret and I cannot tell you yet. I would never let them do anything to you that would make you truly unhappy. Please, trust me."

Draco closed his eyes as he continued to enjoy Adam's embrace, "I trust you."