Chapter One: Free at last!

The cameras were flashing and people were pushing in around him excited that their hero was out of the hospital finally. Luckily he had two great friends at his side helping to get him through the crowd, after the King of vampires left him alone he had told Ginny Weasley what had been happening. At first she had exploded and screamed in panic before checking him over head to toe looking for a bite wound, which admittedly left both Harry and Draco tinted pink since the blond had been with her during her visit. Finally reaching the podium green eyes looked out at the crowd of witches and wizards that had come to greet him upon his release, glancing back at his friends Ginny nodded and Draco tilted his chin some and he felt himself relax just enough to say what he had to.

"Hello everyone," Harry said and people kept cheering for him, "Please, everyone quiet," and they still yammered on he did not want to be rude and sighed before handing the microphone to Ginny, "help."

"On it," Ginny said before taking the microphone and stepping forward, "Listen up you babbling idiots he wants to say something and if you care for him as you have been shouting you'll shut your traps and let him speak!" and everyone was silent staring at her in shock, handing the microphone back she smiled brightly at him, "There stage is yours."

"Thanks Gin," Harry smiled before turning serious and looking at the people, "I thank everyone for the cards, flowers and gifts I have received while in the hospital. I know many of you are curious about what happened that night and I can tell you now that you will always wonder because that is a night I refuse to relive for all of you disappointed?" many people nodded, "Well deal with it life comes with disappointments, I'm not trying to be rude I just…I never wanted to fight in a war, I never wanted to have blood on my hands and I would really appreciate if you all left me be so I may try and have a normal life for once."

"Are you and Miss Weasley to wed?" shouted one person and a bunch of other people shouted things about him marrying them or their children or someone they knew.

"Draco," Harry handed the microphone to him.

"Shut up!" Draco snapped and everyone froze since he sounded just like his father when he used that tone and it took a few moments for people to remember Lucius Malfoy was in Azkaban.

"Thank you," Harry smiled and took the microphone back, "No I am not to marry Ginny, nor am I dating her we dated before the war…it was weird, she's more like a sister than anything else," that made a bunch of woman smile happily, "She has been dating Draco here since the final battle, he and I helped each other that day and his mother saved my life. I have full trust in both Draco and Narcissa Malfoy and know they will take care of Ginny for me. As to my own love life that is none existent at the moment," hearing a clock chime in noon he turned to his friends who nodded before looking back out of the crowd, "Well I have some place I really need to be, so have a nice day," and set the microphone down before stepping back so Ginny and Draco could apparate him away quickly.

Once at the airport Harry turned to Ginny who kissed his cheek and hugged him tightly, "One week and I'm coming to get you understood?" she said hugging him really tight.

"I understand Gin," Harry chuckled hugging her tight as well before smiling at them, "I have two hours before my flight leaves you guys wanna get lunch my treat?" and that got two nods and they headed to an airport café for a quick bite. He paid by using his Gringotts card which looked like a Platinum card to muggles, he had it charmed to the inside right pocket of his new grey trench coat like jacket that Drake had gotten him.

"Harry," Draco looked at him as they waited for their food, "Well after what you told us the other night I…well I searched the Manor for this I hope it helps if things go wrong," and he handed over a small box.

Opening it Harry blinked at the amulet inside, "What is this?" he asked lifting it some to gaze at the clear liquid inside the gem which moved just a bit.

"My Great Grandmother had that made it's a direct portkey to the Manor and is supposed to have good luck qualities," Draco said calmly not quite use to being so friendly with the other teen yet since they were mainly on talking bases because of Ginny and that blasted battle, "Just touch it and say Sanctimonia Vincet Semper it's the family motto."

"Purity always conquers," Harry chuckled and nodded before placing the amulet around his throat and smiling a bit, "Thank you Draco."

"Why does Harry get a Malfoy heirloom I'm your girlfriend," Ginny said hitting Draco's arm and getting the blond to wince, "Cough it up blondy!"

"Gold digging," Harry chided and she paled dramtically before hugging Draco tightly.

"No honey I swear that's not what this is I just…you know I get jealous," Ginny said she had the habit of saying things that made her seem like a gold digger even though she was not after the Malfoy money and Harry always seemed to be there to point it out, Draco found this amusing normally.

"I know Ginny," Draco said kissing her forehead, "Do you mind if I talk with Harry alone for a moment?"

"Oh go right ahead, I'll go pick up our food since I think that's our order," Ginny said and bounced off happy that Draco was not mad at her.

"Okay I only have a minute to do this," Draco said before showing Harry a ring, "I want to marry Ginny, I don't want to propose right now of course but I want your permission."

"isI't this something you should ask her father?" Harry asked blinking at the blond in shock.

"You know her family disapproves of me, Harry seriously," Draco said and watched those green eyes go to the pure white gold ring with a diamond and two sapphires on each side of the diamond.

"If you propose before your six month anniversary I'm going to hurt you for moving to fast with her," Harry said seriously before smiling some and closing the box and putting it back in Draco's jacket pocket, "But I approve, I can't think of anyone better to handle her hot headedness."

"Hot headedness?" Ginny asked overhearing those word only as she came back, "You boys fighting again?"

"Never Gin," Harry laughed and grabbed his meal happily when asked where his flight let out Harry checked the ticket again and said, "Bucharest," he then paused since he was not sure where that was in Romania, "I need a map."

"I'll get one," Draco said as he finished his last crisp and started for the display which had maps of the world, he came back with one of Romania, "Here."

"Thanks," opening the map Harry put his finger on Bucharest and then traced up towards the Carpathian mountains knowing he would be going in that direction, "Hmm," then he checked to see approximately how far that was and gulped some, "I have to travel about five hundred kilometers to get to the Borgo Pass…"

"Why there?' Ginny asked before eating some of her chicken sandwich.

Harry blushed and opened his book to point out the letter in the book, "He signed it the same so I'm guessing it's a hint to finding him," which made Ginny blink and Draco bite his lip from laughing, "Guys I'm going to another country with a ticket, book, amulet, locket and crystal lily the least you can do is pretend my reasoning makes sense."

"It may have been a hint," Draco said before looking at Harry seriously, "If you don't find him just come home alright? They're not known for being decent," which made his friend nod his head some, "Anyway it's a good vacation, you need one after everything."

"I'm just happy I'm not going to be pricked by needles every day," Harry shivered at the thought and both his friends began laughing.