One of the abstract thoughts that passed through Harry's mind was a vague curiosity at whether this was how his parents felt when Voldemort had used the Avada Kedavara against them…
He was dying.
For a moment, the world had snapped into darkness; but that was now clearing into a thick fog as form and colour began to filter through his perception.
Tall, fresh, green hills rolled to a clear cerulean horizon as Harry came to realize he was laying on a grassy bed, his head cushioned upon somones lap as they stroked his hair.
"Time to wake, sleepy head," he heard an amused, female voice hum.
There was no pain, as he expected and, feeling lighter than he remembered being, Harry moved to sit up.
His mother smiled back at him as his father wrapped a content arm about her shoulder.
Tears sprang in Harry's eyes. He really was dead then.
"No," Lilly smiled at her son, "not dead. But close."
"Letting that Malfoy boy curse you, Harry," his Dad shook his head in mock disappointment, "not the best move you've ever made."
"No," Harry admitted, moving a hand to his chest, "but I feel different."
"Voldemort is gone from you." James explained.
"But how? I didn't think a person could be used as a horrorcrux."
"There was already a connection between you, because of your past," Lilly dipped her head, ""it was enough for him to manipulate."
"But he is gone now?"
"Completely," James beamed, "thanks to you!"
Harry moved to hold them both but suddenly found them further from his reach.
"I am sorry, son." His dad said.
"We are gone, but you still have a chance," his mother explained, "you can't touch us…"
"But we will always love you."
"And be proud of you."
As though responding to sound, both his parents turned their heads to the horizon before looking back to eachother.
"It's nearly time," Lilly stated.
James nodded, "Son, there is a link to this virus and Voldemort."
Harry's happiness was suddenly cast into a new light, "I know."
Thinking of light, Harry noticed that the vision was getting darker.
"Just think of what legacy he would want to leave son."
"Can't you help me any more than that?" Harry asked, becoming aware of a distance growing between him and his parents, the light reaching out from the horizon to cast their shadows across the rolling hills.
"You have all the help you need," Lilly insisted.
"And one more thing…" James added, "You're going to have to think of that night in the club and what you wished for. What you really wanted."
"To help with the virus?" Harry questioned, confused.
"No," Lilly laughed, "to restore you, my son."
And with that, the welcoming hills swirled about him and Harry felt the rush of wind carry him away.
"I love you," he shouted.
"Always," his parents replied.
()()()
"Harry!"
His Godfathers voice sounded far away as Harry was dragged back from the warmth of deaths waiting room.
He felt heavy; his muscles flooding with blood again and aching in protest to the torture they had suffered from the purging of Voldemorts soul.
Again, Harry was aware that he was laying on the ground… but this one was hard and cold.
"For Merlin's sake," Sirius screamed, "Let go of me! I need to get to him"
Again, Harry's head was pillowed in someone's lap and there was a hand stroking his hair.
"Harry..?"
His lips tingled and his throat rasped in air.
"Harry! Thank the Gods!" It was Draco. But, rather than the soft awakening Harry had experienced in limbo, Harry felt the Slytherin dragging him up and hauling his arm over the blonde boys shoulder.
The air around them was thick with dust as Draco dragged them further into the basement.
"What…" Harry asked groggily, licking his dry lips, "what's going on?"
"You died!" Draco sounded distraught, "Don't ever do that to me again!"
"I'll do my best," Harry agreed, sensation beginning to flood into him as he found his feet and fled with the Slytherin toward the mirror gate-way he had passed through minutes earlier.
All around them the great house cracked and moaned, as though in its death-throes. "What's happening to this place?"
"I think it's linked with Voldemorts death."
"Who got him?" Harry asked as they dodged large chunks of plaster falling in their path.
"My father," Draco answered with pride.
Harry nodded, "And the house?"
As if in answer, a great beam cracked and yawned down toward them.
Pitching Harry by his slim waist, the blonde threw the Gryfindor out of the way as the great beam smashed to the ground.
Landing in a mess of material, rubble, dust and twisted limbs, Harry rushed to turn back to the scene, "Draco!"
"Here," the boy called, leaping over the debris.
Harry couldn't recall a more forceful rush of relief in his life.
He turned, looking at the smashed mirror, he guessed that's where they were heading… but his legs remained folded beneath him, his body refusing to give any more assistance after such a traumatic ordeal.
Turning back to the other, Harry went to explain his predicament, but fond himself scooped up in Draco Malfoys arms as the Slytherin charged at the entrance.
Only footsteps away from their exit, the rickety house shook its last, roaring its final defiance as Harry and Draco broke into the fresh air beneath the Riddle tomb.
Harry found himself rolling on the grassy floor as Draco collapsed to the ground, exhausted and elated, laughing at their victory… that they had both made it.
In the distance, the Riddle house imploded, taking with it the last evil of its inhabitants and Harry allowed himself a moment of blissful silence.
Voldemort was dead.
The Death Eaters were defeated.
And he had survived.
But at the last, the great stone angel that guarded the remains of the Riddle legacy moved.
Cold, granite eyes found Harry as the beautiful head moved to look his way.
The statue rose its scythe, wrenching its feet free until the stone splintered and it fell, with deadly accuracy, toward Harry, who was frozen in shock.
The next thing was warmth above then below him as Draco rolled him away from the angel's deadly trajectory.
The ground shook from the impact and Harry remained still, fighting for breath as Draco pressed him protectively against the floor.
The remaining tremors shook through his slender figure, passing to Draco as the last of the rubble settled around them.
There was no more movement. No further attacks.
Time sank about them and Harry wondered if this was truly the end.
After a long moment, Harry realized Draco had buried his head in his neck and was raking in ragged breaths against Harry's heated skin.
Trying not to tense as the tingling cold was blasted away with unsteady, heated breath, Harry noticed how his arms had somehow found their way under the blondes and his hands were locked over the Slytherins shoulder blades.
Harry trembled at the sensation of Draco's body moving in time with his own and, somewhere deep down, he hoped that Draco wouldn't notice how vulnerable he suddenly felt.
Vulnerable? Me? Nev-
Oh, God! Draco's lips parted on Harry's collarbone.
Harry closed his eyes. Perhaps it was lack of oxygen… or maybe the rush of adrenaline, but bright spots had started raining down in front of his vision.
Draco pushed himself away, leaving a slight gap between them.
Harry could feel his heart hammering against his chest. A faint thought flashed across his mind… he must look terrible.
Draco, on the other hand, was glowing. His cheeks flushed, lips slightly parted, eyes alive with exhilaration.
"You… saved me." Harry gasped between harsh breaths. Then suddenly felt stupid for voicing his thoughts.
In a rush of motion, Draco pressed forward.
There was a definite air of unreality as Draco's lips shuddered against Harry's and he found he was quite unable to move… but when he did it was yet another shocking action. He tilted his head and gave Draco more room to extend the kiss as they drew each other closer. The moment surrounded and melted between them. He felt Draco's trembling fingers caress the nape of his neck and all but shivered.
In reaction Harry's hands smoothed around Draco's back. The blonde drew a ragged gasp into Harry's mouth. He froze then, pulling away, resting his forehead on Harry's, who was breathing rapidly at this point himself.
They remained like that for some time, neither one of them certain what to say or how to feel as the whirlpool of relief, adrenaline, joy and the overall finality to the horror of the past few years passed between them.
"I'm sorry." Draco whispered, not meeting Harry's eyes.
With that he pulled up and away.
Harry's brain fuzzed. "What for?" He asked propping himself up on his elbows and giving the blonde a shy smile, "I didn't think it was that bad."
Draco huffed and smiled, "If a Malfoy kisses you, then it is considerably better than excellent. One would not describe it as 'not bad'."
Harry shook his head, but noted the defeated slump in Dracos shoulders and how the words were not said with the arrogance he had come to see as insecurity in the boy before him.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, compelled to stand and move toward him.
Draco shrugged away, "I shouldn't have done that."
"Right," Harry nodded and came to a decision.
In a swift motion, Harry - still very unsure of what he was doing or feeling - reached for his glasses and tugged them away, throwing one arm around the blonde, he urged him closer and leaned up to meet his lips.
A breath before they touched, the Slytherin angled away. "Harry, are you sure we should do this?"
An involuntary laugh escaped Harry's lips, the air brushed against Draco's and all doubts about the later consequences of kissing your arch-nemesis, who was recently turned into a girl, seemed to fade.
Harry smiled as Draco finally met his eyes. "It's only a kiss Draco."
And that's all it was. Simple. Elegant. Beautiful. The flood gate of emotion released by it, on the other hand, was rather more potent.
Draco reacted like a jolt of electric had charged between them, at once pressing Harry closer to him and locking a hand into Harry's long hair.
A muffled breath escaped Harry as he was pressed closer into Dracos arms and the Slytherin broke their kiss to shower smaller ones over Harrys face, all the while mumbling, "We did it. We did it! And you're alive. You're alive! Don't die on me again! I thought I'd lost you. But we did it!"
Harry laughed.
They had done it. The relentless battle against darkness was finally finished and he could have a normal life.
The enormity of the moment shook the Gryfindor and Harry tumbled to the floor, holding Draco close and allowing the Slytherin to continue his happy ramblings as they laughed and kissed and enjoyed the moment.
"Harry!" The tortured cry of his Godfather broke across the grounds, before he threw a curse at Draco which sent the blonde flying a few feet away.
In a moment, Harry found himself dragged up and into a protective circle, populated by Sirius, Remus and Tonks.
"Stay away from him, Malfoy!" Sirius spat as Draco's father reached his son and helped him to his feet while training a wand at the order members.
"I swear, Black," Lucius hissed, "try to harm my boy again and I will end you."
"Father," Draco uttered, completely startled.
"We all saw it, Malfoy," Sirius continued, beside himself now. "Your little snake there killed Harry."
"Then how is he still alive?" Lucius retorted, shifting in front of his son as Draco attempted to step toward Harry.
"Perhaps he is as good at casting curses as his father is at switching sides!"
"Lucius," Remus' more collected voice intoned, "we all saw Draco cast the killing curse. You can't deny that."
Lucius threw a look back to his son, "It could have been a trick of the light."
"He must be punished," Tonks stated.
Harry felt his heart leap into his throat. Not after all this… they weren't going to fight amongst each other now.
"Wait!" Harry yelled above them, "Draco did kill me."
"Ha!" Sirius exclaimed.
"But I told him to."
All the adults dropped their wands.
"What?"
"I told him to," Harry went on. "It was the only way to kill Voldemort. I was the last horocrux."
There was another moment where the skeptics exchanged glances until…
"Draco," Lucius said, "Is this true?"
The blonde nodded confirmation.
"Then what in the seven hells was he doing to Harry a moment ago if it wasn't trying to kill him? He was on top of him, trying to strangle him!" Sirius went on.
As soon as the words were out, Harry felt a deep blush flush over his skin. He glanced up to see Draco battling his own embarrassment as his Godfather continued to rant and Lucius Malfoy eyed his son with a barely contained smirk.
"Sirius," Remus again intoned.
"No Mooney!" The man went on, "This little toe-rag killed Harry and was then trying to throttle the life out of him."
"I don't think that was what was happening, was it Harry?"
He tried to find words, but all he could manage was a squirming shake of his head while the toe of his shoe dug into the floor.
Tonks sniggered, "Eeew," she laughed, punching Harry on the arm, "gross."
But while the gesture was meant to defuse the situation, Harry only felt that little bit worse. "It wasn't gross," he mumbled for no apparent reason.
Sirius was still too stunned to speak as Remus moved forward and stretched his hand out to Draco.
"I think we should all congratulate you, Draco," the werewolf said loudly, "and thank you for getting Harry out of that house safely."
The startled blonde nodded dumbly and shook the werewolves hand.
"Don't you think the boy did well, Sirius?"
His Godfather regarded him a moment… looking to Remus and Tonks, Sirius gave a smirk… "So… you and Malfoy…" he didn't like the idea…
Tonks bashed her cousin on his arm, "Sirius! Get over it. The kids done good." She winked at Harry and grabbed Sirius by the hand, "Battle's over but there's still plenty to be done."
"If you would escort these two back to Hogwarts, Lucius," Remus asked, "to make certain they arrive safely."
"No," Sirius finally said, "I'll take them."
"Are you suggesting I would harm my own son?" Lucius asked with great distain.
"Certainly not," Remus replied, now joining Tonks in taking a hold of his friend. "We shall see the two of you in a few days. There are a few loose ends to tie up for now."
And with that, the three members of The Order of the Phoenix disappeared.
Harry waited.
"Father…"
"Yes, Draco."
"Harry and I can make our own way back to Hogwarts."
"I am sure you can," the older Malfoy said, looking curiously between the two. "I hope you know what you are doing, my son."
Draco smiled and reached out, taking Harry's hand.
The Gryfindor was surprised to find a smile spreading over his lips as Dracos fingers laced between his.
"I do," the Slytherin answered.
Lucius shook his head, "Be safe."
Then he was gone and Harry found himself standing hand-in-hand with Draco, outside the watchman's house.
()()()
The sun shone through the gap in the emerald curtains. Harry had been watching how the golden rays highlighted the contours of Draco's chest and the silvery scars that he had marked him with using the Sectumsampra spell last year. His eyes travelled lazily up the tight column of the Slytherins neck and rested on his face. The well-defined cheekbones and sharp features now completely at rest.
"Your staring again," a smile broke on Draco's lips.
"Just making up for missed opportunity."
"You shouldn't look at me so closely first thing in the morning."
Harry snuggled closely to Draco, who closed an arm around him. "Why can't I?" He asked, vaguely aware of Draco twisting his long hair.
"Because my hair is all messed up."
Playfully, Harry twirled a finger over the hallow in Draco's neck. Smiling as Draco gasped in a quick breath, Harry moved his lips close to the blonde's ear. "Well, seeing as it's partly my fault, I guess I'll let you off."
Draco opened one eye. "My breath smells."
Shrugging, Harry countered. "So does mine."
Considering that, Draco's surrounding arm pressed Harry down on top of him until their lips met. Harry couldn't help but laugh against Draco's lips. It was there and then he decided that he would be quite content to stay this way forever. In Draco's arms. Snuggled into a warm embrace. So wanted and needed.
But, as all things, it ended and the pair dressed and made their way to breakfast.
Strangely, even after the previous nights revelations, Harry was nervously excited. He was very aware of Draco at his side. His heart all but lodged in his throat when he felt the brush of finger tips on his palm. Then surpassed that feeling when Draco took his hand.
They sat at the end of the Hufflepuff table, as both had attempted to drag the other to their own house. This was certainly going to be a relationship of compromise, Harry thought as he stared at his jam toast.
He was sure he had been hungry before, but for some reason he was feeling really ill now. Or is it that you just thought the word 'relationship' in connection with your ex-nemesis? Is that good?
Draco's hand crept across the table until his fingertips met Harry's. The simple touch caused a surge of fresh anticipation within the Gryffindor. Draco's eyes were silver crystals, reflecting the light that shone from Harry's as he gazed at his lover.
Did you just say lover?
"You're glowing." Draco was absorbed in Harry. "Have I mentioned you're quite beautiful?"
"And you're quite handsome." Harry beamed.
You remember you're a BOY right?
SHUT UP! This is worth forgetting that little problem.
Hey! Less of the little thank you very much.
"I love you're hair, so soft, cascading down your back…" Draco continued in a daze, "and your eyes…"
"Enough." Harry said gently. "We should get to the library."
"I can think of better places…"
"Nothing you will say is going to lead to work."
Shyly, Draco squirmed.
"Anyway. Everyone will be back tomorrow. We could do with the library to ourselves for one more day." Draco suddenly withdrew his hand. It was at this point that Harry misread the reaction to his words. "Hey," he intoned, "not that I wouldn't mind… you know. But we're really close now. We should keep on researching."
Which they did, sending a house elf to fetch lunch as they worked through the day. As the sun dipped below the horizon, they searched for any reference to the magics old and new and those who possessed them.
Harry was practically falling asleep. When Draco cast the charms that sent the books back to their shelves.
"You should go to bed." Draco said, half-lifting Harry from his seat.
"I thought you'd never ask." Harry smiled, exhausted.
"You're tired." Draco said softly, leading Harry from the library. "Besides, everyone will be arriving tomorrow. It won't do to be caught in each others arms."
"When will I see you?"
"Tomorrow, at breakfast."
()()