Chapter 3: Loss of Life Loss of Confidence

Harry woke up a week after that talk Draco huddled up next to him Hedwig sitting nearby watching him with her amber eyes, "What time is it?" Draco whispered.

"Six thirty go back to sleep." Harry said kissing the top of his head. "I'll try to get to home early enough for us to get some time together tonight." Harry said to him Draco sat up his blond hair sticking up at all angles. "Honey you should get your sleep while you can the twins will be keeping you up later on in your pregnancy." Harry said.

"Its okay the bond doesn't allow me to sleep after your up at the moment, lets have breakfast together before you go to work." Draco said to him.

"Sure but lets shower first." Harry said Draco smiled wickedly at him as they got out of bed. "How are you feeling the nausea getting to you yet?" Harry asked.

"None yet. Do you have a busy day?" Draco asked.

"Not especially so, but you never know with the west wing." Harry said. "Do you want me to quit?" Harry asked.

"I thought so at first but I know you love your job and I know what you are doing is good so no I don't want you to quit." Draco said kissing him. "That meeting you got called to it was about the woman in Iraq right?" Draco asked.

"Draco you know I can't talk about it." Harry said to him.

"Even with your mate?" Draco asked.

"Its national security, you may not mean to but you could leak something and that would cause me and the president a lot of trouble and probably get me a little jail time." Harry said to him. "I trust you Draco the government doesn't my boss can't there for I have to follow there lead on this." Harry added with a sad smile. "There is procedure to follow." Harry said. "We have a trip to the theatre coming up with the president so I need you to get a tux for yourself back Draco." Harry said as he rubbed soap into the mans back.

"I get an invite?" Draco asked.

"You're my plus one." Harry said to him Draco smiled. "Prepared to be bored silly." Harry said to him.

"And I have to come to this?" Draco asked.

"The president likes you he asked me to bring you." Harry said to him.

"You find yourself a deputy communications director yet?" Draco asked.

"We have a couple of candidates, a guy called Will Bailey and a woman by the name of Shannon Ashley." Harry said to him. "Bailey is the fore runner Ashley is just a little to eager to suck up for my liking and the presidents." Harry said to him Draco giggled as he turned around to face Harry.

"I'll buy one today it has to be black?" Draco asked Harry nodded.

"I have the added headache of vetting point men." Harry said to him.

"What do they do again, are they the guys with guns that you have." Draco asked Harry spluttered.

"No Draco their the secret service and they are here to make sure I'm safe and by and by you are to." Harry said to him. "I'm the chief of staff to the president so I am one of the people who don't hold a cabinet position that get security. The president's point man is someone who would make sure he stays with the time frames, gets to his meetings is reminded of things and tends to his needs as a general rule." Harry said to him.

"Oh so his a servant." Draco said Harry groaned.

"No, Draco his paid to… I won't bother trying to explain it but he isn't a servant his a member of the staff." Harry said to him with a smile on his face. "Or she… usually male but we can employ a female." Harry said to him.

"The president likes me?" Draco asked Harry.

"He does but his eccentric so be nice, Abby will love you." Harry said as they finished off stepping out of the shower. "I'm running late honey so I'll get breakfast at work, we have been invited to have dinner with the president at easter. His rather insistent so lets not disappoint, he'd like to meet the boys properly so that break their coming home, Zoë isn't that much younger than you are so your have someone your own age their." Harry said to him.

"I look forward to it is that black tie to?" Draco asked.

"Sarcastic at seven in the morning Draco you should be a democrat." Harry said as he pulled his boxers on.

"Is it enough for me to be married to one?" Draco asked Harry laughed.

"Its not, if you go out make sure you have a glamour on, I don't want the press speculating about your girth growing." Harry said to him.

"You saying I'm getting fat." Draco said to him Harry laughed.

"No I just want to be careful." Harry said to him.

"I'm going to try and get away on time today Draco, but I have wheels up at eight and we should be back about four." Harry said to him with a smile on his lips.

"You say should like it's a dirty word." Draco said to him.

"It is, we tend to be an hour behind by ten and probably about three by the time we are finished in LA." Harry said to him. "Now I have to get going my car should be waiting, so I love you and I'm leaving before I miss my plane." Harry said to him.

"It'd leave without you?" Draco asked Harry laughed.

"Yeah it would I'll try and get you something from LA while we are out there." Harry said to him.

"Why you going there in the first place." Draco asked.

"That would be the gala lunch put on by an actor in honour of the president." Harry said walking out of the room. "Good morning Michael, are we going to catch air force one?" Harry asked his guard.

"Yes sir, if we go now." Michael said.

"What about breakfast." Lily called after him just before the door closed.

"His in a rush something happen?" James asked Draco.

"No he has to be in LA for lunch." Draco said to him.

"Excuse me LA for lunch that is what is so important." Lily asked.

"Yes apparently as the chief of staff he has to go to some luncheon with the president." Draco said to him with a smile on his face. "We got invited as a family to the presidents for easter dinner." Draco said to her.

"We meaning us or we meaning you Harry and the kids?" James asked.

"I haven't clue you should ring him and call him about that." Draco said to his father in law. "Though I'd wait until his awake and dealt with Josh Lyman or his likely to feed your ass back to you after cutting it of." Draco added.

"He really doesn't like that man who has the most power? Can he just fire him?" Lily asked.

"No he doesn't like him and no he can't fire him, technically Josh isn't part of his staff." Draco said.

"Is he flying on air force one." James asked.

"Yes I think so, when I asked whether they'd wait he gave me a look that suggested that it was the most stupid thing he had ever heard." Draco said to him. "It probably was as well." Draco said laughing. "I love that he has something to fight for and he does a great job." Draco said.

"You resent that he doesn't spend as much time at home as you would like." James said.

"The bond between us is taking longer than I would like to reassert itself, I just want to be able to sleep through the night without having to get up with him, and until the bond is back to the strength it was before the accident I'm getting up when he is and going to bed when he is." Draco said to her.

"I'll talk to him tonight, your pregnant he doesn't know how much strain this is putting you under right?" James asked Draco shook his head. "If he did he'd kill you for not telling him sooner." James said to Draco who blushed.

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"Harry you have a call from your father." Mrs. Laningham said to him handing him a phone.

"Thanks Delores." Harry said. "Hey dad, what can I do for you?" Harry asked him. "No I didn't know that, yes I'll sort it out, yes tell Draco his a fucking idiot he should have told me sooner. Tell him I love him but his a fool at times." Harry said saying goodbye before putting the phone down. "Mrs. Laningham would you get me a moment with the headmaster." Harry said to him with a smile on his face the woman giggled.

"I'm telling him you called him the headmaster." Mrs. Laningham said Harry laughed.

"He reminds me of my mentor when his teaching us history." Harry said to him with a smile on his face.

"His free now." she told him.

"Come in Harry." Bartlett said as Harry opened the door.

"You heard that didn't you?" Harry said.

"I was asking for you before this happened." Jed said.

"Sorry sir. My dad called, Draco is straining himself and the bond we have because he didn't tell me he needed me about some more, sir I need a week or so off, if we don't reassert the bond it could kill him me and the babies." Harry said to him.

"This serious?" Jed asked Harry nodded. "Sam can cover you for how ever long you need." Jed said.

"Thank you sir, I'm sorry this is a pain in the backside." Harry said to him.

"No problem at all, your not resigning right?" he asked.

"No sir I'm not, I just need to take care of business." Harry said to him. "I'll see out the trip since I am already on the plane, fly back with you and assuming nothing bad happens I'll start tonight." Harry said to him. "Oh um by family you were talking about me and Draco and the boys right?" Harry asked politely.

"No I meant your family your parents are here and your godfathers to as I understand it." Jed said to him.

"You talked to them already right?" Harry asked the man nodded. "I'll brief Sam sir will that be all." Harry asked.

"Thank you Harry and have a good break." Jed said.

"You know between now and the next election I probably won't get a break." Harry said.

"You bet your candy ass that's true." Jed said as he left laughing.

Harry walked to the staff room on the plane, "Sam walk with me would you." Harry said to him pointing to the small office of the room itself.

"Everything okay?" Sam asked.

"I need to take a few days of for personal reasons, starting tonight assuming something doesn't go wrong between here and there your be briefing the president and chiefing for him while I am away." Harry said.

"Draco okay?" Sam asked. "The pregnancy okay?" Sam asked.

"Excuse me you're a muggle how the hell do you know about that." he asked.

"I'm a wizard I was trained in Australia, that's why they don't have a record of me here in this country as a wizard. Congratulations Harry now is it him?" Sam asked.

"Yes its him. His part Veela and the bond is strained putting a strain on him and the twins so I need to reassert it." Harry said to him Sam nodded. "I would appreciate this not going the rounds with the wizards on the staff Sam so keep it stomp." Harry said to him

"How long will you be away?" Sam asked.

"Probably about a week." Harry said to him. "No more than about two." he added.

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Air force one put down in LA on time for once, the president and Harry walking down the steps with the first lady, "I say we ditch the press and go surfing sir what do you say?" Harry asked him as they stood for the camera's.

"Your as bad as he is Harry please do not encourage him." Abby said Harry snorted.

"I wouldn't want to do that, maybe we should turn to toilet humour." Harry said Abby gave him a look that said she wasn't impressed. "Okay so toilet humour would keep you up long into the night." Harry said she nodded. "Sir we need to get going the press can snap photos at the party." Harry said nodding to the limo driver and secret service as the limo door was opened.

"Ride with us Harry." Bartlett said.

"Of course sir." Harry said to him watching the president get in first before somehow managing to get in last his arm still in a sling it was awkward to say the least.

"How is your shoulder?" Abby asked.

"Oh you know painful." Harry said to her as the president gave the okay to get underway.

"Jed told me your coming for a meal at easter with the family, finally taking up an offer is their anything the chef should know?" Abby said to him.

"Yes no turkey on my plate." Harry said to her.

"You don't eat turkey?" Abby said.

"I don't eat meat." Harry said to her she stared at him.

"Fair enough I will let him know." Abby said.

"I've briefed Sam sir about tomorrow onwards." Harry said to him.

"Your holiday, I have Leo coming into help him out tomorrow." Jed said.

"Yes sir, his a little wet behind the ears." Harry said Jed laughed. "I'm sitting down with the party leadership when I come back to get them behind the equal rights bill." Harry said to him Abby smiled at him.

"Jed told me about that you think you can get it done?" Abby said.

"Yes ma'am if I can convince this stubborn ox it's a good idea I think I can conquer the world." Harry said Jed snorted as Harry's phone rang. "Sorry sir." Harry said answering it he listened to something. "John get ready to turn us around." Harry called up front to the secret service.

"What's going on?" Jed asked.

"A plane just went down at JFK." Harry said to him. "They believe it was a bomb sir." Harry added Jed looked at him Harry nodded.

"John turn us around." Jed called up front.

"Yes sir." came the reply.

"What do I do?" Jed asked.

"We find out the facts then we make a release on the plane." Harry said to him as he called CJ and Sam telling them what the hell was going on as his other phone rang he was managing to have two conversations on the phone at once. "Thank you CJ tell them when we have something they'll know. Yes Fitz I know this please tell me we have more than that." Harry said down the phones closing one. "Okay well we will be back in the air shortly, yes I'll let him know thank you." Harry said closing the phone.

"What's going on?" Jed said.

"Sir they targeted a plane on a special trip for some kids." Harry said. "No survivors as yet, Islamic Jihad have taken responsibility for the attack." Harry said to him as his phone rang looking down at it he smiled softly before answering. "Draco we are fine we got to LA, Draco I'll be home tomorrow morning likely. Yes I'll let him know, my holiday will start when this crisis is over, yeah I know it sucks I have to go honey I love you to." Harry said as the car pulled to a halt outside the plane.

"Everything okay?" Abby asked.

"Draco phoned to make sure we were okay." Harry said to her.

"Understandable." Jed said as they stepped out of the limo Sam was with him.

"They hit two more targets." Sam said to him.

"Mr. President do you have anything to say about the attacks." someone called.

"Guys we will be making a statement shortly." Harry said as they ran up the steps to the plane.

"Get them on board CJ I want to be in the air as soon as possible." Bartlett said to her as they walked to his office on the plane.

"The chiefs are waiting for us to call." Harry said to him Bartlett nodded as they sat down hitting the speaker phone. "Fitz your on the line with myself and the president so lets hear what we have and quickly." Harry said down the phone.

"They hit three targets and we have a plane in the air unaccounted for." Fitz said to them.

"Do we know the target?" Harry asked.

"No we do know that its heading in your general direction." Fitz said.

"Can we get it out of the air?" Bartlett asked.

"Before it reaches LA sir yes." Fitz replied.

"Do we know for sure its hijacked?" Harry asked.

"No sir but they haven't responded to our attempts to contact them, it's a passenger line." Fitz sad.

"When do I give the order." Jed said Harry stood up pacing the room.

"They be over populated areas in five minutes." Fitz said.

"Sir we have to assume their a threat and act accordingly we are under attack." Harry said to the president his voice dull with pain. "Fitz Nancy do you concur?" Harry asked over the phone the president staring at the news on the big screen behind Harry.

"Yes we concur." Fitz replied.

"Nancy I need to hear you say it." Harry said to the woman.

"I concur." came the reply a moment later.

"Do we have anyone who doesn't agree there?" Harry asked.

"No." Fitz replied.

"Mr. President." Harry prompted quietly.

"How long do we have?" the president asked.

"Two minutes." Harry said checking his watch.

"Take them out Fitz." Jed said to the phone their was a sigh Harry bowed his head.

"Yes sir Mr. President." Fitz replied the line went quiet for a while Harry had poured a whiskey for the president before slumping back into his chair. "The target is down." Fitz replied.

"May god have mercy on our souls." Harry said.

"Amen to that." Jed said to him Harry looked at him the president had the shock to find that tears were in the mans eyes. "Do you need a moment Harry?" Jed asked Harry as he wiped them away he shook his head.

"Is the threat over?" Harry asked.

"As far as we can tell." Fitz said.

"We'll take to the air in a moment Fitz, we'll be back in Washington if a few hours." Jed said to him.

"Of course Mr. President we will have a brief ready for you when you touch down, an update is waiting for you both." Fitz said to them before the phone went dead Harry watched the president give the okay to take off.

"I never thought we would ever have to give an order like that." Harry said to the president.

"I don't think anyone does." Jed said to him.

"I'll brief the staff once we are in the air, and have Toby start putting together something for a press release." Harry said to him Jed nodded a couple of minutes later Harry was sitting in the conference room with the staff.

"Harry Danny as a story saying we shot down one of our own planes." CJ said to him Harry took his glasses of his nose rubbing at the sore spot. "Oh my god we did didn't we." she said as Harry replaced his glasses.

"Yes a little while ago the president ordered the plane shot down it was heading our way, their was no choice they weren't responding to contact and they were of course." Harry said to her. "The country is under attack people, I can tell you that the president did not make the decision likely and he did so with the backing of the staff." Harry said to them. "Sam I would like for you to work with Toby get a press release ready." Harry said to them.

"Of course." Toby said to him.

"This is going to be a long day." Harry said to them.

"How is he?" CJ asked.

"How do you think he just ordered a passenger liner shot down." Harry said to her. "Nothing goes out from us until his ready to release a statement you have an hour then I want him in front of a TV is that understood." Harry said to them the people nodded. "Get to work." Harry said as they left Harry slumped back into his chair.

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'Ladies and Gentlemen the president of the united states…' CJ said to the press Draco stared at a haggard looking Harry on the TV who was standing behind the president.

"Mum they are on." Draco called to Lily she James Sirius and Remus entered the lounge.

"My god he looks like death." James said staring at his son.

'A short time ago our country was attacked by terrorists, as we count the numbers of our dead and wounded we are a country in mourning. This is a time for mourning and reflection for our country. As your president I promise you we will find the people behind this we will bring them to justice. We will leave no stone unturned we will not rest until justice is done.' Bartlett said to the crowd. 'I'll take some questions.' Bartlett said to the reporters as applause died down.

'Mr. President did you order a liner shot down?' someone yelled.

'First of all Mike the liner in question was three hundred miles of course and heading for LA they were not responding to radio calls, but yes I ordered them shot down before they reached LA.' Bartlett said Harry looked over at the man with a look of pure rage the reporter had the good grace to look ashamed.

'Mr. President do you believe that their will be more attacks today?' Danny asked.

'At this point we aren't ruling anything out.' Harry stepped forward whispering something in his ear. 'Thank you for your time." Jed said as the staff walked back out.

"Jesus do you think Harry was in on that meeting?" James asked.

"As chief of staff probably, I know I have not seen him that bad for a long time." Draco said to him.

"What I'd do to have been a fly on that wall." James said softly.

"Harry said their would be days like today." Lily said to her husband.

"I should call Harry." Draco said.

"His phone will be of honey his on a plane, give him some time he has probably been involved in the toughest decision that they have ever had to make." Lily said to him softly. "Now go put your feet up your supposed to be relaxing he'll be home tomorrow." she said.

"He'll be home today, he just won't be able to get back to the house till tomorrow. I'm going to call the boys." Draco said to her before picking the phone up of its cradle. "I need to know that they are okay." Draco said to his parents who nodded softly leaving him alone to his thoughts.

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Harry walked into the presidents office in the white house to find most of the joint chief's already there, "Fitz, Nancy, Mike its to early in the day to see your ugly faces tell me you have good news or some kind of news that doesn't make us all look like gun toating maniacs in the press." Harry said to the people in the room Jed laughed.

"We arrested six more terrorists from the cell, the fourth plane was meant for you." Nancy said.

"Air force one, if we had been in the air they would have hit us?" Harry asked she nodded Harry's shoulders heaved before running out of the room from his office they heard a violent choking sound coming from it several times.

"Harry as a young family." Jed said to them just before he walked back into the room.

"You need some water?" Fitz asked.

"Yes please." as Delores came in with water for him. "Thanks Mrs. Laningham." Harry said to her she nodded.

"They had plans for three more attacks all major targets." Fitz said.

"They'll face the death penalty for this right?" Harry asked the man nodded. "This is good news the nation is baying for their blood after what happened." Harry said to him. "Is the threat over with?" Harry asked the man nodded.

"I'll get CJ in here to organise a press conference." Harry said to the president.

"Go take care of it Harry." Jed said as Harry walked out of the room.

"Is he going to be okay?" Nancy asked.

"I think what happened yesterday just hit him." the president said to her. "He realized how close we were to being victims." he added.

"Does he have the stomach for this job?" she asked.

"I have to say I was close to losing my lunch when you said that, Harry is a father and his expecting twins so I think you can see why he lost his breakfast." Jed said to her. "He as the balls to do the job, you just took him by surprise." he said.

"I thought I'd ask." she said to him the man nodded.

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Harry walked into his house late that afternoon having not slept and looking like shit, Draco hugged him as soon as he was past the threshold of the house Harry buried his face into the mans shoulder holding him close to his body.

"Its good to have you home." Draco whispered in his ear Harry nodded raising his head to look at his parents.

"How are you feeling?" Lily asked.

"Tired I haven't slept since this thing started." Harry said to her taking his tie of his neck. "I'm going to take a shower and freshen up." Harry said to her before heading up the stairs and out of site from their view.

"Youser he looks worse in person." James said as Draco went after Harry.

He found Harry slumped against the shower wall crying a short while later, his whole body shaking Draco stripped of before pulling his mate up of the floor and into his arms, Harry must have cried for almost an hour just standing there against his mate not saying a word.

"Harry what the hell happened?" Draco asked.

"We were the fourth target." Harry said to him. "If we had been in the air like they had intended we would be among the dead right now." Harry said Draco gasped as he understood what was being said to him. "You can't tell mum and dad honey I shouldn't have told you…" Harry said to him Draco nodded. "You have me for a week or so." Harry said to him.

"It'll be nice to have you about a bit more." Draco said to him.

"Yeah it'll be nice to be about." Harry said to him with a smile on his lips. "I want to visit the boys tomorrow." Harry said to him.

"How comes there are more guards tonight?" Draco asked.

"In case of a threat to the country and the president or if we are in conflict with another country the security around the chief of staff is always increased." Harry said to him Draco nodded in understanding. "This might go on a while so get used to it." Harry said to him Draco nodded as they stepped out of the shower. "You turned me into a prune." Harry said with a soft smile Draco laughed as they dried each other of.

"No work for a week this is going to be fun." Draco said to him.

"I have some stuff to do but nothing that involves me being in the office at all, I am working on the equal rights bill you know so I'd like to get your opinion on things and suggestions and stuff like that you know." Harry said to him Draco laughed.

"I'd love to help." Draco said to him and he knew he was sincere about that.

"Thanks, it can wait till much later in the week though for now its just you and me time." Harry said to his mate who giggled as Harry stroked his face with his hand. "Um maybe you can make it a three some me you and a tub of mint choc ice cream." Harry said Draco giggled as they left the bathroom with bathrobes on.

"Harry, Draco dinner is nearly ready." Lily called up them.

"I'm going to eat baby then I need to get some sleep." Harry said to his mate who nodded. "I have been working all night you understand?" Harry asked.

"Of course I do, I can't imagine that your night was all that much fun." Draco said to him Harry smiled kissing him lightly on the lips before he dressed in boxers and his bathrobe. "I'm hungry for some sausage later." Harry whispered in his ear as they entered the kitchen.

"Do the security eat?" Lily asked.

"Not on duty no, if you cooked for them though you should put it in containers or something and give it to them when they are of shift." Harry said to her she nodded her head. "A cup of coffee probably wouldn't go amiss with them at some point but just let them access the kitchen and I am sure they can do it themselves." Harry said to her she nodded. "Um food you never looked so good." Harry said taking a mouthful of his dinner into his mouth.

"Your going to bed after this right?" James asked Harry nodded as he munched away on his food.

"I am so tired its unbelievable that I am able to stay awake for this." Harry said to his father who laughed when dinner was over Harry kissed his mother on the cheek before heading back up stairs to their rooms Draco said good night before following them Sirius and Remus came back in from shopping not long after.

"Harry come home yet?" Sirius asked.

"You just missed him, Harry went upstairs a little while ago to sleep." Lily said to him.

"Oh well we can tell him the good news tomorrow Sirius." Remus said to him Sirius nodded his head before sitting down at the table.

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When they walked into Salem academy the next afternoon Harry was quickly surround by twins both wanting hugs from him, Harry grabbed a hold of the boys hugging them in the air, "We thought we'd come see you, I have a week of so we are staying locally." Harry said to them the boys nodded. "Plus I wanted to check up on you and make sure that you were okay." Harry said to them he had a couple of bags on the floor. "We came bearing gifts to." Harry said to them.

"Wicked, this is Sam and Ryan." Troy said.

"Hey boys, enjoying school?" Harry asked them they shook their heads. "Oh don't worry it only gets worse as you get older." Harry said Draco snorted in amusement.

"Dad." Kaden said to him as a growl.

"A bag each, their not specific to you so just pick one." Draco said to them Troy giggled picking up the bag with the basketball.

"I personalized them Draco." Harry said to him.

"What why?" Draco said.

"The boys are two very different people, so I added something's that were specific to them both." Harry said to him Draco nodded. "Its sweet that you tried." Harry said to him Draco smiled sourly. "Draco lets not fight in front of the kids okay." Harry said to him as he stepped through the door into the castle grounds the twins following him.

"How do they get a castle in Salem?" Draco asked.

"Your forefathers had a lot to do with it." Harry said to him.

"What do you mean by that?" Draco asked.

"I got curious about that the first time I saw this place, one of the houses is called Maltet which is a French family." Harry said to him.

"So?" Draco said.

"Do you know that your family is French in origin?" Harry asked.

"Dad said something about it." Draco said.

"Your great grandfather eight times removed from the current line left France with half the family fortune, he changed his name from Maltet to Malfoy, the Maltet family came to the USA moving their French castle in what was a massive feat of magic to the USA to where it stands today. The Maltet family died out in the second world war their last air served in the Navy and died at Pearl Harbour." Harry said to him.

"Wait your saying that the Malfoy family is the last remaining remnants of the Maltet family?" Draco asked Harry nodded. "Your family reabsorbed the fortune left behind, your grandfather Abraxas knew about it before he died but your father never really paid attention to the family fortune like yourself actually." Harry said.

"I take notice I know we are almost as rich as your family." Draco said.

"The president thinks I can run for president, the truth is I can't Draco I'm not born here I can't hold that position this job is the closet I am ever going to get to sitting in that seat. Those who can lead those who can't follow, when this is over I am going to lobby to become the next minister for magic in England." Harry said to him Draco stared as they watched the kids play with their new ball. "I didn't even realize until Josh Lyman told me the truth of the matter before I left for home yesterday, you ever feel like the rug was ripped from under you." Harry asked.

"All the time." Draco said.

"I wanted that job, now I realise that like Jed I have eight years to do my job." Harry said to him. "Eight years to make a lasting impression on the government and the muggle world, I'm on a clock Draco." Harry said taking his hand. "When you're the subject of an attempted terrorist attack on your self and the president you realize a few things, I need to know your back me up I need to know that no matter how much shit we go through your follow me into hell." Harry said to him Draco smiled at him as Harry caught the ball tossing it back. "Troy Reece your dad is pregnant be more careful please." Harry shouted at the boy who blushed nodding his head.

"I have your back Harry, I'd walk into hell after you if you asked me to." Draco said kissing him. "And when you go for office in the ministry I'll jump the cliff with you." Draco said to him Harry laughed as they watched the boys.

"Sir." Michael said to Harry.

"Michael what can I do for you?" Harry asked.

"I have the president on the line he says its urgent." Michael said to him.

"No rest for the wicked, sorry Draco I need to take this." Harry said to him Draco nodded.

'Mr. President." Harry prompted as he put the phone to his ear.

'Harry I have Minister Fudge in my office.' Jed said to him.

'Corny Fudge is in your office?' Harry asked Draco snorted in amusement.

'His on speaker phone Harry.' Jed said Harry snorted.

'I apologise Mr. President the minister an I have a history that is colourful, what can I do for you Minister.' Harry said to him.

'We have a dark lord on the rise and I am demanding your help.' Fudge snarled.

'Sure look me up in eight years.' Harry said Jed laughed at him. 'Mr. President is there anything you need like me to drop by the office, I am at Salem at the moment with the twins so it's a little inconvenient.' Harry said to him Draco snorted.

'Mr. Potter you are a British citizen you will do what your told by me or face treason." Fudge snapped.

'With all due respect minister you can kiss my ass, I haven't been a citizen of your country for a number of years I am a dual national, I am the presidents chief of staff and I am busy having a holiday which is well earned. If you threaten me one more time minister I will use all seven votes I have on the Wizemgamot to remove you from office, do we understand ourselves." Harry asked Jed was impressed he was managing to scare the little man over the phone. 'You have auror's and unless you do a Voldemort and ignore the threat until his actually killing someone, tell me is Delores Umbridge still on your staff minister.' Harry asked.

'Yes she is my deputy minister of magic.' Fudge said.

'Something's don't change, your looking at a dark lord or mistress right there, she's a bigot at the best of times your seriously telling me you made her your deputy and you want to improve your image minister.' Harry asked the man Jed laughed and made a mental note to ask about that when the man came into the office. "Troy why don't you show us your dorms." Harry said to the boy who smiled at the two of them.

'Do I have your attention Potter.' Fudge snarled.

'Would it matter if you did?' Harry asked. 'Sir this is going to be how it plays your going to return to the rubbish heap you call your ministry and when my time is up here you and I are going to meet at the poles. Either in four or eight years Minister your time as minister of magic will be over, Mr. President do you need me any more?' Harry asked the president said no. 'I'll bring you a knick knack and a stack of magical sweets back sir, have you ever had an owl visit you?' Harry asked when he knew they were on their own again.

'Fudge just left, I had the feeling you wouldn't like him.' Jed said.

'No sir, we have a colourful past that is well known through out the wizarding world. He is the reason people hate the ministry, he gives politicians a bad name and he isn't even a good politician." Harry said to him.

'How are you doing Harry?' Jed asked.

'I'm doing just fine sir, would you like to talk to one of the boys or Draco?' Harry asked.

'I'd love to talk to one of the boys.' Jed said Harry could hear the smile.

"Which one of you two misfits would like to talk to Uncle Jed?" Harry asked the boys Troy shrugged before nodding his head the communication between the twins always fascinated by for years. 'Mr. President I give you Troy Reece Malfoy Potter.' Harry said officially as he handed the phone over to his eldest son.

"They love him?" Draco asked.

"They've met the first family quite a few times, hell Zoë babysat them election night so I could be with the president, Kaden is quite smitten with Zoë." Harry said as his son punched his arm while Troy was laughing.

"I am not… she as cuties." Kaden said Harry could swear he could hear the president laughing on the other end of the line Troy handed his brother the phone. "Hello Uncle Jed." Kaden said blushing furiously as Harry ruffled his hair with his hand.

"Our son is growing up." Draco said.

"Kaden is getting hairy." Troy said Harry stared at him.

"Troy what do you mean?" Harry asked.

"Down there, I'm not." Troy said blushing Harry laughed as he bent down to meet his sons eyes.

"Troy your eleven, your get there honey." Harry said to him. "Are you embarrassed or jealous or something?" Harry asked Troy shook his head.

"My twin is doing something before me we always do things together." Troy said Harry laughed.

"Do you know what is happening to him?" Harry asked Troy shrugged shaking his head. "Its something we all have to go through usually when you're a little older than you and Kaden are now, it means that your brother is beginning his journey into adulthood." Harry said to him.

"Puberty?" Troy asked Harry nodded Troy smiled.

"Do you both use deodorant?" Harry asked Troy nodded. "Do you need anything?" Harry asked.

"Aftershave." Troy said Harry laughed as he ducked his head.

"You need to start shaving before that but I'll send you some." Harry said to him. "If you need to talk about anything you know you only have ask." Harry said to him Troy nodded.

"Your going to see Uncle Jed and Aunt Abby at easter they are having us over for dinner." Harry said Troy's eyes lit up.

"Dad I stopped eating meat." Troy said Harry and Draco stared at him.

"Is that what you want?" Harry asked.

"Its icky." Troy said to him Harry nodded.

"If your sure then its cool with us right Draco." Harry said Draco nodded.

"Of course it is." Draco said to him.

"Thanks dad." Troy said hugging them both. "I have a girlfriend." Troy said Harry's eyes widened.

"Wow we miss out on a lot don't we." Harry said Troy nodded.

"Do we get to meet her?" Draco asked Troy blushed.

"No your not embarrassing me with Emily." Troy said Harry ruffled his hair while Draco patted him on the shoulder.

"What about your brother he got a girlfriend to?" Draco asked.

"I will fry you if you answer that Troy." Kaden said handing the phone back to Harry who spoke for a minute.

"Thank you sir I'll see you in a week." Harry said to him closing the phone and handing it back to the secret service agent. "Thanks Michael." Harry said to him.

"Your welcome Harry, you have two handsome boys." Michael said Harry beamed.

"Thank you they are a credit to the both of us." Harry said.

"That they are, my wife just gave birth to a little boy." Michael said.

"Just?" Harry asked.

"During the attacks." Michael said to him.

"What did you name him?" Harry asked.

"Alexander James." the man said to him.

"A strong name, do you have a picture?" Harry asked the man nodded pulling his wallet out opening it he pulled a small passport sized photo. "Hey Draco take a look at this." Harry said staring at him were the most brilliant shade of blue eyes blinking at him. "He has your eyes." Harry said to him Michael laughed.

"Thank you sir." Michael replied.

"If your going to be in charge of my security I want you to start calling me Harry, sir makes me feel old and I'm immortal." Harry said to him Michael laughed. "Congratulate your wife for me… oh boy Draco get the boys to their dorms Michael front and centre and keep your hand on your wand." Harry said to the man who nodded as the secret service approached from all sides Draco's eyes widened Harry nodded towards the corridor behind them. "Your pregnant I can deal with this go." Harry said Draco nodded his head leaving them to deal with Fudge Umbridge and am army of auror's okay well five of them versus four secret service guys and Harry.

"You didn't take the hint over the phone." Harry asked.

"Your coming with us." Umbridge snarled at him as she shot a spell which was deflected before he had to use his own wand.

"You know firing spells at me is basically a declaration of intent, and I am told that these guys aim to kill and ask questions later." Harry said to her she glared.

"Your ordered to return you will come by force if need be." Fudge snarled.

"Mike would you mind sending some guys to keep an eye on Draco and the boys I know it was upped after the call." Harry said his guard nodded saying something into the mic that Harry wasn't really paying attention to him. "This isn't going to work Corny, you do this your declaring a state of war between us and you, forget the dark lord and think about your ally baying for your blood because that is what you will have on your hands." Harry said to him.

"What does one man have you we don't." Umbridge said.

"Intelligence." Harry said to her. "A better attitude, I have better dress sense, I don't look like an obese toad. The list is endless of things that I am better at than you." Harry said to her she snarled at him throwing a killing curse at him in a split second of madness Harry didn't know how it happened but he was pushed out of the way by someone beside him spells were fire as he was covered by a body. "Mr. Potter are you okay." someone said above him when the fire was taken care of.

"I'm fine Michael you can get of me now." Harry said their was no response Harry pushed him of with a heave. "No Michael no not like this." Harry swore turning him over the mans lifeless eyes stared at him.

"He took the curse for me." Harry whispered closing the mans eyes. "Your going to pay for this Umbridge you just committed murder on a muggle your going to muggle trial fuck your magical immunity." Harry snapped rising to his feet. "Can I borrow your phone please." Harry said turning to the agent who had bound the men and woman in front of him.

"Of course sir." the man said.

'Mrs. Laningham will you patch me through to the president tell him we have a problem.' Harry said down the phone a few minutes later.

'Sure thing Harry are you okay?' she asked.

'No.' Harry said shortly.

'Harry I just spoke to you a little while ago is everything okay?' Bartlett asked him down the line.

'Your guest this morning turned up at the school with a posse of friends, his deputy tried to kill me, Michael took the curse.' Harry said his voice hollow.

'Michael is he on the way to the hospital?' Bartlett asked.

"Michael was killed by the curse sir.' Harry said. 'He gave his life to save mine.' Harry said the tears falling as he slumped down the wall of the hallway. 'We're coming home.' Harry said to him.

'Harry I am so sorry.' Jed said.

"Thank you sir, I'll pass it on to the guards here.' Harry said to him.

'I'll have the FBI and ministry of magic meet you at the local police station.' Jed said to him.

Hphphphphp

Harry walked into the west wing a week after the attack dressed in black, "Harry thank god." Sam said hugging tightly. "I'm so sorry about what happened." Sam said to him Harry nodded.

"Thanks Sam, I'm going to the funeral in a little while." Harry said to him.

Harry walked to the oval office knocking on the door before entering Abby and Jed looked up at him as he entered, "Harry my god you went of the radar for a week." Abby said hugging him. "How are you baring up?" she asked.

"I rebroke my collar bone in the fall." Harry said she smiled.

"We took the boys away for a couple of days I needed to get my head together you know." Harry said to her.

"You were in my prays Harry." she said to him.

"Thank you ma'am but I wasn't the one who needed it Michael's wife had a little boy the day the attacks happened, his little boy is never going to know his dad." Harry said to her. "I lost my parents when I was one the first time around and I don't remember the second time around because I am not the boy who disappeared god knows where he is or if he is even alive." Harry said to the president. "I never asked him to take the curse for me sir, I can't get past that right now." Harry said to him.

"He did his job Harry, he gave his life to save his charge." Abby said to him.

"I know Abby it just doesn't help, I haven't suffered the loss of someone I considered a friend since the end of the war I'm used to losing people I care about but I didn't think I would have this with this job." Harry said. "This is my resignation sir I would like you to accept it, I can't do this any more." Harry said putting it down on the table in front of the president.

"I can't accept Harry, your doing great things your going to do great things. If you quit because of this your letting Michael down, your making his sacrifice meaningless." Jed said to him Harry stared biting back the rage that surged in him. "Your resignation is rejected go to the funeral and I will see you tomorrow." Jed said to him.

"Thank you Mr. President." Harry said walking out of the room without a back ward glance at the man.

"His a mess." Abby said to her husband.

"I think we would all be in a worse place if it was us and not him." Jed said to her. "He'll get through it, his strong incredibly so he just needs time." he added his wife nodded. "Draco and the boys are doing fine the kids are back at school." he said to her.

Hphphphphp

Harry walked up the path to the small town house where people were gathering, "Can I help you?" an elderly woman asked.

"Michael was attached to my security consignment." Harry said. "I hope you don't mind his wife asked me to come today." Harry said to her.

"Michael was my son, his pop died ten years ago." the woman said. "He lived for his job, Sarah was in the service until she found out that she was pregnant, she works for NCIS now as a field agent when she goes back." the woman said.

"Michael told me about the little boy." Harry said she smiled. "I know something about loss ma'am you have all been in my prays since it happened, I considered Michael to be a friend not a body guard." Harry said to her she nodded.

"He was proud to be on the detachment of the boy who lived." she said Harry smiled. "Of course he knew that you hated to be called that, he liked you Harry and he was proud to be apart of that side of your life. You would dishonour his memory if you mourned his passing he died the way he would have liked to go." she said Harry nodded.

"Yes he did." Harry said she smiled taking his hand in hers.

"When we heard about the attacks you were in our thoughts and Sarah worried about you after she was told about Michael, don't let his death hang over you young man, god bless you." she said pulling his head down to kiss his cheek.

"Thank you ma'am." Harry said as he walked up the drive the rest of the way.

"Mr. Potter thank you for coming, I'm Sarah Michael's wife." the woman said Harry smiled.

"Sarah, I'm sorry for your loss." Harry said as she hugged him. "How are you faring up?" he asked.

"We have to move in with my parents I can't afford this place on my own." she said.

"I wanted to talk to you about that." Harry said to her leading her away from the group. "I spoke to some people, I owe Michael's family a life debt that I can never repay what he did transcend anything I could give back to you." Harry said to her she smiled tears in her eyes.

"It was his job Harry." she said.

"I know it was, I want to help I am a billionaire with more money than I know what to do with." Harry said producing something from his pocket. "This isn't a bribe its not something to make me feel better it's a gift a sizeable gift there is enough to buy the house and to get Alexander through school and college." Harry said handing her the cheque.

"I can't take this." she said.

"Yeah you can, your husband was an incredible person, because of him I get to see my boys grow up and that's a gift from god. Its not going to make you super comfortable I know you would never accept that from me, but I want you to take this for Alexander in the hope that you and he can start the next chapter of your lives together with a smile." Harry said.

"Your sure?" she asked Harry nodded. "Then I accept." she said hugging him.

"Just promise me that your take good care of that heartbreaker because his beautiful." Harry said to her she smiled.

"I can never repay you for this." she said to him.

"If that little boy turns into a fine young man that's enough for me." Harry said she smiled.