Sorry it took so long. I wanted to get the chapter I was working on finished before updating again. I am also working on several other pieces, unfortunately not all of them for here. Please be patient for my Updates I promise they are coming!

~I Blame the Letter for it All~

-Chapter Six-

Settling In

Draco looked at Harry. "What do you think about all this?"

Harry glanced around the room wide eyed. "Wow… just wow…"

Harry and Draco decided to explore, but one room at a time and together. Before you reached the main room was a small greeting room. There were a few chairs and a small fire. The room was mostly to welcome someone but not necessarily bring them into your home. The room was a neutral colour of tans and light browns. Through a set of doors on the far side of the room was the main room.

Harry's immediate thought upon seeing the main room was delicate. Every thing was a china white or light cream colour. There was a crystal chandler hanging from the ceiling and the fireplace, which took up a large portion of the left side of the room, was done in white marble. The furniture was done in creams and the tables were glass with white oak legs. The walls were done with the feel of walking in clouds, kind of atmosphere

Harry had a feeling he was going to love the rest of the place if done in the same taste. Draco seemed to note Harry's pleasure in the room and shook his head. He had to admit that it was well done; the room was so plain it was fancy.

The library was about the same size as the school's library, if not just a bit smaller. Several areas in the room had been set up for a peaceful place to read in solitude in the centre of the room how ever sat a large table with several chairs for heavy research.

Through a set of glass double doors was a small but beautiful garden. Rose vines climbed up the walls of the castle and Draco could even see a bench next to a small pond with water lilies in it.

Draco was having a little more fun taking in Harry's reaction to each new room then actually taking in the room though. Harry's face would light up with wonder then with joy. It was quite amazing to be truthful. After all in Draco's opinion these rooms were no better then the one's he grew up in, but then Draco's mind ran back to the small hovel of a home he had found Harry at.

The dinning room was done up with elegant high back chairs in stained elm's wood, with a matching table. The same wood made up the countertops in the kitchen and was used on the flooring in both rooms.

They decided to skip over the spare bedrooms and bath and head into the main bedroom. The room was dominated by the overly large bed in the centre of the room. There were two wardrobes as well as two chests that sat at the end of the bed. The bed had a large canopy covered the whole bed in a shade of robin's egg blue to mach the bedding. The floor and walls were done in a similar grey-blue as Snape's spare room was. There was a large fireplace that was done in grey stone work. Off to one side of the room was a door that led to a spacious bathroom done in black and white. Across from the bathroom was a matching door that when opened led to a landing where a set of stairs disappeared upwards and a set off to its side led downwards.

Deciding it was probably best to leave the down stairs alone till they had more time to explore it they headed up. The stairs led up to a circler room, it was spacious and done in pale yellows, greens, blues and pinks. It had four windows one pointing in each direction. "I think its perfect Draco, don't you think so?" Draco didn't answer, just nodded his agreement.

"With a few touch ups here and there…" Draco was mostly just funning to see what Harry thought.

"Draco you dare change one thing in any of those rooms we just looked through and I'll turn your hair permanently pink." Draco actually gaped at Harry.

"You wouldn't dare!"

Harry raised an eye brow. "Oh wouldn't I?" rolling his eyes Harry quickly made a decision. "Dobby..."

"Yes Harry Potter sir, what can Dobby do for Harry Potter sir?" Harry offered up a patient smile.

"Dobby could you be so good as to bring our things from Snape's spare bedroom and place them here where we will be staying from now on?"

Dobby nodded his head enthusiastically. "Yes Harry Potter sir, Dobby be happy to!"

"Thank you Dobby, you can put the babies' things in this room and Draco and mine in the room below." Harry smiled as Dobby disappeared.

"Wait a minuet Harry. I thought you would want your own room now that we have more of a choice."

"Draco I see no reason too, but if it is what you want then I won't argue with you. I just thought we would both want to be where we could get to the children if we were needed and the main bedroom is certainly large enough for the both of us. Plus we're supposed to be married and in love, what would people think if we had two separate bedrooms?"

Draco thought over what Harry had said, he had to admit that Harry had some good points. "I guess you're right, I suppose we should get ready for dinner, Dumbledore and Severus will be back anytime." Harry nodded, and headed for the stairs.

… … …

"Now I've been doing some thinking, and I think it best if we talk about the future. Harry I know you know I've already offered you the D.A.D.A. position after you graduate, but I've also heard that both of you have receive invitations to go pro as Seekers. How ever with things as they are I am willing to offer you to share the position of D.A.D.A. I have also considered opening a class to seventh years only about the repercussions of the Dark Arts and the good and bad points of them. Draco I believe this would be a field you could cover well."

Dumbledor was offering them the chance to stay, to make this permanent. "We'd have to think that over professor, we'll let you know when it gets closer to time to make a decision." Draco could tell Harry was glad he answered.

"That is completely understandable boys. Now to the problem of someone watching the little ones while you're in class, I think I have a solution. I'd like to switch over the employment of Dobby and Winky to the two of you." At Harry's hesitation Dumbledor smiled. "I'm sure Mr. Granger would have no objections as they are free and will be paid and have every benefit of any other employed servant."

Harry offered up a weak laugh. "I think we can agree to that, don't you think so Draco?" Harry glanced over to where Draco sat taking a sip of water.

"Yeah, I don't think there will be a problem with that."

"Good, good! I've heard from Severus that you went shopping this morning, but most likely did not get everything that you may need." At the boys nods he continued on. "Well, feel free to come and go as you please just try to be careful I'm sure that the papers would love to get a hold of this information especially before you are ready to give it."

Draco saw that Harry actually paled at this and stopped eating. "Professor, am I to assume that we are not allowed to have visitors to these rooms?" Dumbledor shook his head.

"I see no reason why you can not allow a few trusted individuals to know where you are, but the rooms must not become common knowledge or any such then." The boys nodded there understanding.

"One last thing, Harry I'd like you to continue your D.A. club, only perhaps we could open it up to more students. I was thinking, 3rd through 7th." Harry wasn't sure which feeling was more dominate at the moment, joy, excitement, worry, wariness, or just tiredness. "I will leave everything for you to arrange, just as you did in your fifth year. Only this time you won't have to sneak about." Dumbledor's eyes held a furious twinkle.

"Very well headmaster, I'll continue and open it up to the other students, as long as I am completely in charge and have the complete say in who is and isn't to do what and if I decide that someone should not come again that is my choice." Harry would not back down from this. Draco saw the determined look in Harry's eyes. "And Professor, I'll teach what I choose how I choose."

"I think I can agree to that my boy, I do expect a time table at least two weeks ahead of time, and a basic area of spells you intend to cover, just so I can inform Poppy as to what kind of injuries she may want to prepare for." Dumbledor seemed to be resisting the urge to laugh, as Snape stared at him unbelievingly.

"Well I think that about covers it, thank you for allowing me to dine with you. I will see you upon the start of the new school semester, but I now must return to my meeting I had to put on hold. Harry I expect the first time table on my desk by the first week of the new term." Harry and Draco saw the two men out though Severus had not said a thing the entire night but a few words here and there; it was a strangely nice dinner.

Harry sighed and glanced over at the basket cradle. "I'll feed and clean up Briar while you do the same for Rosetta…" It wasn't a demand merely an asked request which Draco complied to.

*(The Next Day) …

Draco looked over at Harry who seemed to have a far off look on his face. Now come to think about it, Draco couldn't recall Harry saying more then one or two words at a time all morning.

"Harry…" Harry glanced up and blinked his eyes slowly.

"Yeah?"

"You alright? You've been quiet all morning."

Harry went to reply but at that moment the Knight Bus slammed to a stop. "PRIVATE DRIVE!" Draco watched as Harry's already worry drawn face palled further.

Just a little while ago they had left their two little ones with their newly acquired servant house elves to go and retrieve Harry's things from his relatives. Harry hadn't seemed very eager about this venture, and now Draco was positive that the other wasn't.

As they disembarked from the bus Harry took in a deep breath. The moment before he stepped onto the ground he let his glamour fade away. He knew the moment his uncle saw that his handy work had disappeared he would be in trouble. Not to mention he still had another 6 days till his 17th birthday, and any magic he did here would be considered underage magic.

Draco stared at the now almost faded bruise, he had completely forgotten about it, till now.

"Stay here."

Draco went to complain but stopped at the stone glare in Harry's eyes. He instead just nodded and watched from where he stood as Harry walked up to the door of number 4 and knocked.

With in minuets the door was opened and Draco watched furiously, as Harry was grabbed by the front of his shirt and dragged into the house the door slamming behind him, just barely missing his heals.

The moment the door swung open Harry knew he was in trouble; his uncle had that look on his face. With in seconds he was inside the house and felt a resounding pain along the left side of his face. "Who the hell do you think you are? Leaving in the middle of the night, completely neglecting your chores, thinking you can come back any time you please."

Harry felt another blow to his head, this one sending him into the wall and onto the floor. "You lazy, good for nothing, freak." Harry's uncle emphasized each word with a kick to his ribs. He quickly forced himself to block out the loud booming continuous stream of insults.

Harry let out a low groan as his uncle hit already cracked and broken ribs and a deeply bruised hip, doing his best to cover his vital organs.

Harry was on the verge of letting himself black out, in order to escape the rest of the ordeal when he realized it had all stopped. Harry refused to move though. He knew that look he had seen in his uncle's eyes. The man had no intention of leaving him alone till he was a broken heap. 'This must be some kind of trick.'

Suddenly soft, gentle hands were running through his hair. Harry had to force himself not to flinch away. It would not be good to let Vernon know that he was scared. 'What is he playing at now?'

Harry refused to give any sign that he was still conscious, even as the hands began to carefully caress the side of his face, and almost nervously try to tuck strands of hair behind his ear.

Something wet touched Harry's cheek startling him slightly. "…come on, wake up. I'm here Harry; I won't let him hurt you any more, I promise, just please wake up. Everything's going to be okay, it's all over now." Harry forced himself to open his eyes. The voice wasn't his uncle's, and it sounded genuinely worried.

It took him a moment to recognize the figure in front of him with out his glasses, as soon as he did though it all came rushing back. "I thought I told you to stay outside." His voice was raspy and he wheezed a bit between words, completely destroying the scolding tone he was going for.

He tried to push himself up, but was gently pushed back down by his shoulders. "Don't move, you could aggravate your injuries." The world came into focus as his repaired glasses were placed back onto the bridge of his nose, giving him an un-obscured view of Draco's face.

He had what appeared to be tear streaks down his face and his eyes still held unshed tears, and uneasy worry. It was a strange look to find in someone's eyes directed at him.

Hermione often showed concern and in her own way worry, but never to the magnitude that Harry could see in Draco's face.

Harry's attention was brought back as Draco's hand returned to carding through his hair once again. "Let's go home." Draco waved his wand and muttered "Accio Harry Potter's things."

There was a sound of clatter then a few thumps then nothing. Draco quickly shrunk everything and stuck them in his pocket. He looked down and contemplated, what was the best way to get Harry back to Hogwarts?

Harry rolled his eyes and slowly rose into a sitting position then forced himself into a standing one. He continuously batted away Draco's attempts to make him return to a prone position. Taking a deep breath he took a step toward the door and almost collapsed right there.

Suddenly there was an arm around his waist and a hand pulling his over their shoulders. "You are going to get yourself killed one day, you know that?"

Harry wasn't really sure if Draco really wanted him to answer or not but decided not to as he wasn't sure he would be able to.

They made it to the curb when Draco stopped and wrapped both arms around the other boy pulling him close and hoping that what he was about to do wouldn't cause to much harm to the other boy.

Harry was about to ask what Draco thought he was doing when the feeling of being tightly squeezed from every angle began. The experience was unbearable, he blacked out just before they reached their destination.

Draco almost staggered back at the sudden weight that he hadn't expected. Draco quickly cast a weightless spell and swung Harry up into his arms. He hurried as quickly as he could across the grounds and castle, practically running down to the dungeons.

…

As Draco watched Harry sleep off the effects of Severus's potions. He let the events of earlier crash down upon him. He had, had every intention of following Harry's demand that he wait for him, but the sound of yelling and then crashing drove him to check on the other. The sight that had met him was something he had never contemplated in his entire life.

Even when he and Harry had fought there had always been some kind of respect between the two. Yes Draco would admit, he had fought dirty on an occasion or two, but nothing like what he saw before him there. A man at least four times Harry's size not only physically but brutally beating him, with out any restraint at all.

Draco noticed something else that was different from this fight and the ones he had, had before with the boy who lived. When he and Harry fault, Harry always fault back.

Draco was sure, now that he thought about it, that it was this fact that had broke his restraint. To be completely honest he couldn't really remember what happened after that. Harry's uncle lay stunned where he had fell and Harry wouldn't wake up. The last part was all he really focused on.

Harry was so pail and there was blood. Draco was scared to move the boy, was afraid he hadn't stepped in soon enough. Draco wasn't really sure how long he had sat there trying to coax the other awake when he heard Harry's voice.

Draco hadn't even realized he had cried at some point till his godfather forced him to go clean up.

Draco shook all these stray thoughts out of mind. He was slightly surprised to see it was dark and probably had been for some time now. Standing up he walked around the bed, kicked off his shoes and climbed into bed. He edged closer to the still sleeping body next to him. Facing the other boy he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Hope you enjoyed… I'm trying my best to keep my updates on the long side just to let you know that my chapters have never been so long so constantly! Personally I think that is something to celebrate about!

I am going to be working on an adopted story soon I hope y'all might take a gander at it when I do :D

Please Review: Let me hear your thoughts and Ideas… any thoughts on how the first day back at Hogwarts for everyone should turn out? I'm trying to decide whether they ride the train or not… sigh that's all till next time :D