In the Cold Light of the Morning
by Ellena McKelles

.two.

Harry walked briskly towards the desk. He ran his hands through his hair and adjusted his robes when he reached the desk. The woman sitting behind the desk currently had her face buried into a copy of the latest Witch Weekly. He hated using his notoriety this way, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

"Welcome to Department of Official Records." She deadpanned, flipping another page. "My name is Donna; how may I help you?"

"Hello Donna, I'm Harry Potter." Harry smiled brightly. "I have a minor request that I'm hoping you can help me out with."

Donna's eyes widened as she looked up. "Mister Potter, what can I help you with?"

"I'm doing a bit of research about my parents and I wanted to know if it was possible if I could take a look at their marriage certificate." Harry leaned over the desk. "I don't know much about them and it would really mean a lot to me if I knew when and where they got married."

Donna looked from side to side. "Normally, you have to be a Ministry official to gain access to the records."

"Oh..." Harry frowned.

"But, you are quite official according to the Ministry." Donna stood, coming out from behind the desk. "What with having an Order of Merlin, and all. I think I can make an exception just this once."

Harry clasped his hands together. "Thank you."

Donna opened the door to the archives. "All the stacks are numbered by year, starting with January on the left. Newest in the front, oldest in the back. I'm assuming you have a time-frame to work with."

"Yes, about a year before I was born." Harry replied. "Thank you, again."

"You are more than welcome Mister Potter." Donna smiled cheerily. "I'll be at my desk if you need anything."

Harry smiled as Donna walked back to her desk. Once he was sure she was gone, he shot towards the stack with the most recent year date. He quickly scanned the February section and found exactly what he was looking for. He stared down at the certificate, his worst fears confirmed.

Lord Harry James Potter of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter

wed.

February the Fourteenth

to

Lord Draco Abraxas Malfoy of the Most Ancient and Distinguished House of Malfoy

Outside of Canvey Island near Thorney Bay

"Fuck... Fuck..." Harry slipped the certificate into the inner pocket of this cloak. "Fuckity fuck fuck."

He walked quickly back to the elevator, thanking Donna for a third time on his way out. Harry yanked Draco into the elevator and then slumped against the wall. Draco glanced sideways at Harry. He looked pale, shaky even.

"So?"

"We're married." Harry replied flatly, holding up a folded piece of parchment. "Don't worry I took the certificate."

"Good." Draco nodded. "I was thinking about my family's tapestry while you were in there." Harry looked up at him. "When you're born, your name is magically stitched next to your parents. It works the same way when you get married."

"Would my name show up automatically?"

Draco pinched the bridge of his nose. "Only if we consummated the marriage."

Harry recalled the pleasant soreness he had woken up with. "Oh fuck..."

"My family will know by now." Draco said solemnly. "We'll have to go to my Grandfather."

"Your grandfather?"

"This puts a rather large hiccup in things." He muttered.

"What kind of large hiccup in things?'

Draco sighed. "Important things. Things that have been in motion since I was a small boy. You should go home, shower and find the classiest outfit that you have in what I can imagine to be the most miniscule wardrobe for a wealthy wizard then meet me at this address. Two hours should be sufficient, yes?" He handed Harry a card.

"More than enough, considering my miniscule wardrobe." Harry slipped the card into his cloak pocket.

"Then feel free to be early." Draco stepped off the elevator. "Separate exits, don't you think?"

"Probably a good idea."

Draco smirked. "See you later."

Harry watched as Draco walked towards the Apparition points from the Ministry. He groaned, of course Draco would take the easy way out and force Harry to the Floo exits. He hated the Floo. Sighing, he began to trudge his way toward the Floo area when someone touched his shoulder.

"Harry?"

He turned around. "Hermione!"

"What are you doing here?"

Harry stared up at the ceiling. "Nothing."

"Harry James Potter, you are a terrible liar. I am well aware that yesterday was Valentine's Day. You didn't stop at the house." Hermione narrowed her eyes. "How drunk did you get?"

"Enough to get a minor citation." Hermione took a deep breath. "And before you scold me, I just paid it, that's why I'm here."

"Well, I'm proud of you. Being responsible for once." Hermione placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Harry reassured. "If you could please do me a huge favor and not tell Molly, I would greatly appreciate it."

"I won't tell Molly." Hermione replied. "Or Sirius and Remus. I know this time of year is hard for you, just promise me that you'll keep yourself out of trouble."

"I promise." Harry turned to leave.

Hermione grabbed his shoulder again. "And visit Teddy. He misses you."

Harry sighed. "I promise I'll visit Teddy."

"Good." Hermione smiled. "Now go home and shower, you smell like a bar."

"Gone." Harry smiled and walked quickly to the Floo exits.

.oOoOo.

Harry slumped against the shower wall as he let the warm spray wash over his body. He rubbed his hands over his face, staring once again at the silver ring on his left hand. He was married. To Draco Malfoy. Draco Abraxas Malfoy. Lord Draco Abraxas Malfoy of the Most Ancient and Distinguished House of Malfoy. Harry sighed He quickly finished washing and exited the shower. He stood in front of the mirror, brushing his teeth. After spitting, he stared at his face. He stared at the smattering of freckles that dusted over his nose and cheeks. The way his green eyes stood out in a ridiculous manner but still somehow fit his face. He wasn't unattractive by any means but he wasn't anywhere near Draco Malfoy's league. He sighed and dipped his hand into a pot of Sleakeazy's hair potion Hermione had gifted him and quickly ran his hands through his hair. Exiting the bathroom, he dressed quickly and Apparated to the location that Draco had given him. He hadn't landed for more than thirty seconds to find Draco waiting patiently on a park bench, reading the Evening Prophet.

"Only fifteen minutes early?" Draco said silkily.

"I got sidetracked at the Ministry." Harry replied.

Draco looked him up and down. "A Muggle suit?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "You said the classiest thing in my miniscule wardrobe."

Draco raked his eyes over Harry's form. "It's a good color for you skin tone and it's wonderfully tailored. Nicely done, Potter. Shall we go?" He gestured toward the tall grey building.

Harry looked stricken. "We're meeting your grandfather now?"

"No, we're meeting him at eight o'clock, Mother was very specific in the Howler she sent me." Draco explained, walking briskly. "We are going to my flat to discuss what to tell him when he asks why I decided to toss my betrothal to the Greengrasses in the fire and marry the Savior of the Wizarding World."

"Because telling your grandfather that we got black-out drunk and then got married on a whim doesn't seem like a stellar idea."

Draco groaned. "Not if you would like to stay attached to testicles. Walk faster."

"Got it." And Harry sped up his pace to keep with Draco's long strides.