Disclaimer: I regret to say that everything about Harry Potter belongs to the talented author JK Rowling. There are some original characters and they belong to me: they include Shawn and Pixie as a couple and a mention of Yumiko and Chris, two OCs from the first story. All general story notes as mentioned in the first chapter apply to the story. Other miscellaneous OCs for this story include Luka Craydon well as the main characters' and the OCs' kids.

Warning and Story note for this chapter: lots of Draco/Harry love and lovely family moments and there will be more OCs as well.

13/8/2013: Ah! I retract what I said in the previous chapter! After reviewing the overall plot and drafting this piece, I decided that this is the second-last chapter before the epilogue is to be written. But I hope that it's worth the wait as I am still organizing my assessments, readings and class assignments in my Tafe course. It's a lot of hard work but it's fun too. I'm really satisfied at how this chapter turned out and it definitely needs a (Special Bookmark). Please read on and leave a review when you can; I really appreciate the follows, faves and reviews that come into this story so thanks for that, dears!

Unforgettable Memories

Chapter Eleven: On the Mend

Rating: T to borderline M

After a week since the ordeal with Lucius, the Malfoy-Potter and Livinsky families eventually were given a clean bill of health before they were deemed fit to leave St. Mungo's. They finally got to go ahead with the dinner get-together with the rest of their friends. Soon after, Pixie and Shawn decided to travel to Shawn's family home in Paris with their children to recuperate from the ordeal and needing to reaffirm their close familial bond. Before they left, they promised to return immediately the moment Harry and Draco informed them of the funeral date. They wanted to be there for them as close friends should in this grievous period. Charles and the twins shared a tender moment together with Ramona promising to send her love through her parents' owl.

Upon leaving the hospital, the Head Auror fulfilled the second of two requests Draco demanded of him: giving the much-needed privacy from the hounding press. Draco had spent extensive meetings with the family solicitor as they organized funeral arrangements and went over the last-minute family matters of the estate that had been brought up in the light of the former Malfoy patriarch's death.

Draco wanted to get them over with so that he could be with his husband and son...they needed to heal together for this period...

After that, Draco, Harry and Charles spent the next weeks in their home in Godric's Hollow, waiting for the news when Lucius's body was ready to be formally identified and released. Everyone within the circle of friends were thankfully spared from the throngs of the Daily Prophet journalists and respectfully allowed Harry, Draco and Charles to have their time alone until the funeral would arrive. They would occasionally have a get-together to keep up to date on each other's news. Fun and heartwarming though they may be, they were also brief since the scars and wounds inflicted were still fresh and had yet to fully heal...

All the while, the little family did everything to mend from the trauma as they bonded over sharing more past memories in Draco's study, having movie nights in the living room and Harry cooking their favourite meals and desserts. They took comfort in each other's presence and cried together to release the grief inside their hearts. Everyone had been affected greatly from the encounter in the mountains. Whenever Harry over-exerted himself, he would get short on breath which would often set off alarm bells for his son and husband, an unfortunate side effect from the curse. But thankfully, the Flying Instructor could be treated with an inhaler to spray a healing potion to his lungs. Charles would occasionally experience terrible nightmares of not being able to save his fathers in time and having to witness his grandfather plummet into the dark abyss. It haunted the poor teenager greatly to the core. It finally took Severus's specially brewed sleeping draughts and occasional visits from his other friends to finally accept that everything that happened was not of his doing and to move on. True to the Healers' words of caution, Draco did occasionally feel the sharp pains and dull aches emanating from the wounds caused by the Sectumsempra curse. Severus blamed himself for what happened to his charge since he was the original creator of the said curse. However Draco assured him that he had no ill will towards his mentor...he was just thankful he was still alive and he could live with it as long as his beloved family and friends were with him always.

However, something else was on Draco's mind: he was constantly haunted by the upcoming day he would have see his father's motionless body in the flesh. He wasn't sure what to expect...what to come out of it...would the Auror keep his word to make sure that Lucius's body wouldn't be further desecrated because of his cruel deeds performed in allegiance to the Dark Lord? His anxiety over the matter morphed into uneasy dreams of Lucius's corpse blankly staring at him or having to witness his father being man-handled in the most atrocious of methods. It eventually took Harry's soothing embraces and hushed coos to calm the blonde man's anxious state of mind...

Before long, the day finally arrived when the coroner announced that the restoration of Lucius's broken and mangled body from the fall was completed. The blonde Potions professor almost couldn't find the strength to go until Harry and Charles decided that they should accompany him. When Draco came down with his family to formally identify his father's body before releasing it to the designated funeral house he discussed with his solicitor, he had to force himself to hold back the bittersweet anguished tears upon seeing the dead man's aristocratic and chiseled face. It took all of his willpower and Harry's constant squeezes on his shaking hand to not collapse fully onto the floor too. He had to stay strong for his husband and son. Although his white marble skin was littered with small bruises and faded scars, Lucius looked like he was sleeping, a gentle tranquil look present on his face instead of the conniving sneer that constantly marked his features. The rest of the elder Malfoy's body had indeed been handled with care: the wounds were closed, each broken bone set back in its proper position and the scent of lavender, myrtle and a tinge of Dittany essence lingered around him. The Auror had kept his word and a weight was lifted from his shoulders.

After signing the release papers and overseeing the delivery of Lucius's body transported to the designated funeral home, Draco took Harry and Charles to the Malfoy Manor Church to pay their respects to Narcissa. While Charles went to the gardens to pluck a small bunch of roses, Draco took Harry for a slow leisurely walk before heading to the gravesite. Upon arriving at their destination, Harry noticed that the enclosure had been expanded and a freshly excavated plot was positioned next to the rose-covered tombstone. The former Gryffindor looked up to his husband who had a faraway look in his silvery grey eyes as he stared off into the mountains.

"Dray? You wanted the funeral to be here, don't you?"

Draco nodded in affirmation.

"He is still family, after all...Father did love Mother even...even when she disagreed with him in terms of looking after my well-being..." Draco reflected softly as he fiddled with his ponytail, "I guess...it's the least I can do for him..."

Harry linked his fingers tightly with his husband's, "Well, let's hope that the weather won't be too gloomy for the occasion..."

Just then, Harry coughed slightly, feeling the cold air attacking his chest. Draco turned to his husband and gently thumped his back before handing him his inhaler with the potion spray. The smaller man breathed in the potion as Draco pumped it into his mouth.

"Take it easy, my lion..." Draco chided softly, "We better not stay out too long...this cold air isn't good for you..."

"I'll be fine, don't worry, my dragon. Let's wait for Charles to finish and then we can leave."

As if on cue, the teenager finally joined his fathers and knelt before the tombstone, his hands carefully cradling the freshly plucked roses. They watched their son skilfully thread the flowers into a simple but well-crafted wreath before placing it respectfully at the base. Charles could've simply used an Orchideous charm to create the flower wreath but the young man loved the feel of the flowers as he woved them and somehow the crafting process brought him a sense of peace. Charles stood up and dusted the dirt away from his jeans. He gazed at the empty plot before turning back to Draco.

"Will Grandfather Lucius be all right here?" came Charles' question, his voice soft and filled with innocence.

"I'm sure he will be..." Draco answered, grasping his family close to him, "I think it's time to let Shawn and Pixie know about the funeral. It's confirmed to be in a week's time."

"Sure, Draco. We'll use Sirius's new Snowy Owl, Fidget. He easily knows the location."

Fidget did his task successfully as Shawn, Pixie and the twins returned to England swiftly to fulfil their promise to attend the funeral. Charles immediately embraced Ramona, having missed her so much, and shared a fist bump with Raymond. It appeared that the loving bond between Shawn and Pixie had strengthened on their trip aboard. Although Pixie's eyes would occasionally darken over the terrible memory of that encounter, the presence of her husband and children would be always near to drive the horrible feelings away.

Over the final day before the arranged date, Draco and Severus went over the finer details of the private funeral that was to take place in the gardens outside the Malfoy Manor Church. Charles worked with Severus to enchant the venue with strong repelling wards to keep prying reporters and uninvited guests away. The former Potions professor wanted to ensure his charge could have the privacy to grieve. Harry stood on the sidelines as he watched the gardeners performed their duties in the enclosure. They were busy trimming the topiaries, watering the roses, the carving of the tombstone for the inscription, tidying the vacant plot where the coffin was to be buried and setting up the chairs and floral arrangements for the event. The dark-haired former Gryffindor felt another presence beside him and a head rested heavily against his shoulder. The man found tired-looking silvery eyes gazing at him.

"Tired, Charlie?"

The youth nodded slowly, feeling Harry wrap his arm around his shoulder, "I never knew that putting up wards take up so much out of you...Uncle Severus has left to tend to some business and said that he'll be here tomorrow. How much more does Father have to do?"

"I don't think your father has much left to do...do you want to head inside the church first and wait for us? We'll stop somewhere to have dinner before heading home."

Charles nuzzled Harry's shoulder and mumbled an affirmative reply before trudging towards the church. After seeing the youth disappear into the building, Harry observed Draco talking over something or other to the same gentlemanly priest that married them. He strolled to his husband's side as soon as the priest gave Draco a warm embrace before leaving to head back inside the church. The bells gently tolled, the tolls echoing in soothing waves and accompanied by the powerful pipe organ's angelic melodies.

"Dray? How is everything going?" Harry inquired as he laced his fingers with Draco's.

"It's all good. Everything's nearly ready. Where's Charlie?"

"He went inside the church to rest. All the hard work to help Severus has taken a toll on him," Harry then felt Draco's soft lips kissing him. When they pulled back, he was absolutely mesmerized by the unusually soft twinkle in his grey silvery eyes, "Dragon?"

"Thank you, my beloved..."

Harry chuckled and ducked his head against the silk clad shoulder, "I didn't do anything, Draco...I was sure I was getting in your way."

"Shut it, Harry...you help just by being here."

The two men stayed still in a loving embrace, their arms tight around each other. Then a gentle chorus that would've belonged to angels rang out in accompaniment with the organ and the church bells. Draco closed his eyes as the chorus began to sing their hymns for the evening.

"I'm scared, Harry..." Draco softly confessed. He felt ashamed as he felt the familiar stinging in the back of his eyes as he opened them, "I'm feeling an empty pain building up inside me..."

Draco's eyes were shimmering in tears as they sparkled in the rays of the evening sunset. It made the pale wizard more ethereally beautiful and vulnerable at the same time. Harry felt his protectiveness over his grieving husband grow strong...

"What if I can't feel anything in my heart other than this hollow pain after tomorrow? I can't bear my love for you and Charlie to be lost..."

Harry hugged Draco and tenderly kissed his cheeks, catching the tears trailing down his skin. He wound his arms around the swan-like neck and caressed the pale skin in gentle touches.

"Draco...whether your heart will be broken or become empty...it will be fixed...we'll help pick up the pieces and mend them back..." Harry said as he leaned his head against his spouse's chest and kissed the spot where he could feel the rhythmic thumps, "No matter what...Charlie will be here...I'll be here...I love you so much..."

"Harry...Harry..." Draco murmured and embraced his husband close, kissing his forehead, "My lion..."

"Charlie's waiting for us. Shall we head to Diagon Alley for dinner? We can go to The Greenhouse Cafe if you like. Then we can head home after that," Harry suggested.

"Yes, let's do that then..." Draco agreed as they began to stroll back into the church where their son was patiently waiting for them.

The family spent a quiet dinner in the Greenhouse Cafe which was located just near the Leaky Cauldron. It had been open some years ago and its simple yet elegant garden-themed decor and widely varied menu of savoury dishes and sweet desserts greatly appealed to Draco. The two men and the youth hadn't much on their appetites and decided to settle on a warm meal of meat pies and creamy potato and leek soup before heading home.

When they arrived home, the two men saw to their exhausted son. While Charles changed and showered, Harry went into the kitchen to make some tea for all of them while Draco went to his laboratory get some of his specially brewed massage oils when the youth mentioned that he had a growing headache and his hands started hurting. When Harry returned with three steaming mugs of peppermint tea on a tray, he found Charles leaning against Draco as he applied a salve on the boy's temples and his hands, which were thankfully not terribly scarred.

"Thanks, Father...Dad..." Charles said as he accepted the mug and sipped the hot beverage.

They drank their tea in a companiable silence, content to bask in each other's presence. Harry and Draco took their cue to leave their son in peace when he started to nod off and dropped his empty mug onto the thankfully carpeted floor.

"Here, Charlie, I'll take it," Harry retrieved the mug from the carpet to place it back onto the tray with the two other nearly empty mugs.

"Try and sleep well tonight, son. Tomorrow is a big day for all of us," Draco advised as he stood up and pulled the covers over Charles after he dragged himself into bed and placed his glasses on the bedside table.

"Alright, Father...Dad...night..." Charles mumbled and hummed softly as Draco gently ruffled his hair. Then he was out like a light and his steady breathing could be heard.

Satisfied that their son was peacefully sleeping, they switched off the lights and quietly closed their son's bedroom door behind them. Harry stayed behind in the kitchen to clean the mugs while Draco went upstairs to their bedroom to wash up and dressed down to his silk boxers. He laid down on their bed, bunching the comforter and sheets around his curled body to imagine his husband cocooning him. He squeezed his eyes shut, feeling his strong facade crumbling now that he was alone. He wished that Harry would come back up quickly. He felt the suffocating darkness starting to creep around him and the anxiety building up inside him.

"Harry...Harry...please..." the former Slytherin whimpered.

"Hush, my dragon...I'm here...shhh..."

The rustle of the sheets and the bed dipping with an additional body caused Draco to gasp in relief as he latched onto Harry. The smaller man cradled his troubled husband close. He positioned them comfortably among the pillows and buried under the sheets. Harry laid flat on his back while Draco snuggled on his chest, feeling the rippling muscles and soft skin not covered by the flannel button up top rise and fall with each breath. Tender caressing fingers threaded through the silken long locks, brushing them down his back.

"Don't want to be alone...don't leave me..." Draco pleaded.

"Never...I give you my word," Harry promised, "We're here for you...I love you and I'll never leave your side when you need me most."

Reassured by his husband's passionate and loving conviction, Draco slowly fell asleep. Harry took his time to admire his slumbering dragon. He looked at peace...for now anyway. Nevertheless, the former Gryffindor would be there comfort him and to offer his shoulder and the love within his heart. He looked outside the window when he heard the thinner rumble outside and brief streaks of lightning flashing outside. Then the pitter and patter of rain drummed against the window and the roof sheltering them. He sighed and took off his glasses, placing them onto the bedside table before gathering the lithe man close to him and kissed the pale forehead. Lulled by the rain, Harry closed his eyes and joined Draco in the land of dreams.

The rainstorm last night lessened in intensity to a drizzled shower when the sun rose for the funeral. Draco went ahead into the church first with Severus to privately pay their last looks at the open casket and oversee the procession. Harry and Charles stayed in the gardens to greet their friends who chose to attend in order to show their support for Draco in this grievous event. So far Neville, Ginny, Yumiko, Luka, Chris, Cho, Shawn and Pixie had arrived with their children. Charles strayed from his dad's side so that he could mingle with his girlfriend and his friends. Ron and his family would be the last to arrive. The wards had done a commendable performance to repel reporters disguised as mourners and shielded the attendants from the drizzle. Harry glanced back at the church, wondering what his husband and former Potions Professor were doing inside.

"Hey, Harry..."

Harry snapped out of his reverie when he heard Ron's voice greeting him. Hermione approached him first and gave him a huge hug and a gentle platonic kiss on his cheek. The two men grasped each other's shoulders in greeting. After greeting Harry, Jack, Jason and Christie joined Charles and the rest of the group.

"How's Draco doing, Harry?" Hermione inquired.

"Okay but...he's still hurting greatly...I can see it in his eyes. I've never seen him this scared and sorrowful before...I know that he hadn't been treated well by Lucius but...he was still his father all the same..." Harry commented, "He confessed to me he's scared that his grief would overpower the love he has for me and Charlie. I can't bear it to happen...so I'll do what it takes to erase that pain..."

"That's just like you, Harry..." Ron offered a small grin, "Hey...if you need some time alone to help Draco grieve and heal his spirit, Charlie's welcome to stay with us. We have a long overdue talk with him about the excursion."

"Yeah...listen, we're so sorry about that. I knew that you and the boys were looking forward to it so much," Harry apologized.

"It's okay, Harry. Right now, we just want to make sure that Charlie's in the right state of mind when he comes with us. And it's still not too late so there's no rush. Anyway, the offer is open if you and Draco need some time alone to sort things out."

"I'll ask Charlie when it's over...I really appreciate what you guys are doing...truth be told, I'm scared too," Harry's bespectacled green eyes turned sad and hollow, "I know I said that I'll never leave him. But I don't want to lose him...what if I'm not strong enough to help him..."

"Harry...that is such a nonsensical thing to say...Draco loves you and you love him. You will work it out in the end. You always will," Hermione said soothingly.

Harry nodded and glanced back at the church.

"Dray..."

Draco hadn't imagined to say goodbye to his father in this manner. He glanced at the unmoving pale body clad in shimmering satin black robes and laid inside the mahogany casket lined with the finest silk padding. His heart throbbed with the same growing hollow pain he felt last night, which intensified the longer he gazed at the former elder Malfoy patriarch. It seemed so...final. Finally Draco would have to accept that Lucius Malfoy was no longer in the world of the living and he would have to carry the emptiness in his heart for the man that showed a sliver of compassion in the last moment of his life.

"Draco?" a cool palm rested on his shoulder. Draco welcomed the chilling touch that always accompanied his close father figure and mentor. He needed something to distract him from his troubled heart. He looked up to find Severus looking at him with solemn dark eyes, "It's time..."

Draco nodded and watched in a trance as the coffin-bearers carefully closed the partitioned lids with audible thuds, forever shadowing the face of his father he would never see again. A stray tear formed in his left eye and trickled down his pale cheek.

"Mr. Malfoy-Potter?" Draco quickly wiped the tear away and found the priest gazing at him with a gentle and warm look on his face, "The procession is ready when you are."

Draco sighed and steadied his breathing, willing himself to stay strong. He clasped the small bouquet of the dark crimson roses; they were beautiful to behold. Then he placed the roses on the casket, signalling to the bearers and the priest that he was ready.

"Let's put my father to eternal rest..."

The sounds of the organ in the distance and the procession of the casket filing from the church doors alerted the attendants in the garden. They quickly took their seats around the plot. Charles took his seat beside Harry whereupon the raven-haired Flying Instructor clasped his son's hand. They watched the procession coming closer and closer towards the enclosure and the wards momentarily dissipated to allow the small line to come through before reinforcing their magic once again. Harry nodded in greeting to Severus who sat near Charles. Then he looked at his husband approaching to take his seat beside him. Right now, he looked so regal and majestic in his midnight black robes. But the telltale signs of his vulnerability were his red-rimmed eyes and the slight tremble of his clenched hands on his lap. Harry reached out and placed a free palm on his left tense fisted hands. His fingers tenderly laced with his as the fingertips reverently caressed the sparkling band. Draco's eyes met his and Charles's gazes.

"Harry...Charlie...I..." Draco whispered, looking lost.

"I'm here...we're here..." Harry whispered back reassuringly and stroked the larger hand below him.

The priest that was leading the procession signalled the bearers to stop as he made his way around the vacant plot. The kindly face turned solemn and the atmosphere was eerie and silent. He opened the Bible and began saying his prayers. All the while, Draco kept his eyes on the coffin that housed his father's body...now he would be together with his mother in the afterlife...would she forgive him? He wasn't sure but at least, they were together...

After the priest finished the prayers, the bearers positioned by the plot to carefully lower the casket into the grave.

"We therefore commit Lucius Malfoy's body to the ground. Earth to earth...ashes to ashes...dust to dust...in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life. May God have mercy. Come, let let us all give a prayer of reverent silence...if not for this redeemed soul but for the beloved son he left behind..."

Draco felt his eyes burn once again as they stood in silence. He maintained his grip on Harry's hand...if he would let go...he would go insane...

"Mr. Malfoy-Potter?"

After what it seemed to be an eternity, the priest gestured to Draco to make his move. The blonde man reluctantly released his husband's hand and made his way to one of the bearers holding out a shovel to him. Draco accepted the small shovel and scooped a sizeable amount of freshly dug soil before throwing it into the plot. The clumps landed on the coffin with dull thuds.

"Rest in peace...Father..." Draco whispered.

Draco stared blankly at the freshly covered plot and the inscribed tombstone identical to that of his mother's...the plot would soon be covered in moss and the marble had yet to be tangled in rose vines but he knew it would in time. It was real...his father was truly gone...

"Father?"

Draco snapped out out of his trance and looked to his right to find Charles next to him. He pulled the youth close to him in a one-armed embrace.

"Hey, Charlie...anything on your mind?"

"Father...is it okay for you and Dad if I stay with the Weasleys until this weekend? I...I need to talk to Uncle Ron about the trip..."

"Of course you can, Charlie. Your dad and I will be fine on our own," Draco said reassuringly, "We can finally go on that outing I promised you both."

"Father..." Charles embraced Draco tightly as he pressed his wet face against his father's chest, "I'm sorry...I'm really sorry."

"Shhh...hush, my little dragon...my kind and loving boy..." Draco soothed the teenager even though he was crying himself. He knew that the boy still blamed himself for Lucius's death. But he hoped that his brief stay with the Weasleys would help him recover.

Meanwhile Harry saw the rest of their friends off as they wished the family their condolences and support for Draco. Ron, Hermione and their three children remained behind while Severus was lingering nearby, feeling slightly out of place among his former students and their families.

"We'll make sure Charlie's okay, Harry," Hermione promised as she hugged her best friend tightly, "So we'll see you both this weekend?"

"We'll be there," Harry nodded, "Thanks for looking after him..."

"Anytime, mate. We'd better get going. I promised mum and dad that we drop by at the Burrow to let them know what's happening. Ginny and Neville went on ahead of us," Ron looked behind Harry to see Charles trudging towards them. The dragon handler offered a small grin in greeting, "Hey buddy...ready to go?"

"Yeah...I just need to get a few things from home...if that's okay with you, Dad."

"Go ahead...I have a feeling that we'll be staying here a whole while longer..."

After the Weasleys and Charlie departed, Harry stood alone with Severus. Both men turned towards Draco still standing before the fresh grave. Just then, they heard a faint hum emitting around them. The wards were starting to lose their magical potency...and it showed when the rain filtered through the invisible barriers.

"Harry..."

Harry looked up at Severus. Even in his advanced years, he still maintained a stern and noble demeanor that just didn't seemed to disappear and his coal-black eyes still had that same hard glimmer.

"Take care of Draco...he needs you more than ever..."

With those words, Severus departed from the enclosure and Apparated home. Harry strolled to the gravesites, now they were the only ones remaining behind. Slowly but surely the wards eventually dissipated, allowing the drizzled rain to coming showering over both men. But they were oblivious to how wet they were becoming. Harry followed his husband's gaze at the engraved script on the marble.

Lucius Malfoy...May He Rest In The Earth And His Soul Redeemed in our Holy Father's Eyes

"He's truly gone...he's gone...isn't he, Harry?"

Harry found his husband's face drenched in rainwater. Yet he knew that his red-rimmed eyes that there were hot salty tears mingled with it.

"Oh Merlin...why am I feeling all this?" Draco gasped and collapsed onto his knees. Draco looked at Harry with widened and tearful silvery eyes, "Harry...help me...please...stop this pain...stop this pain!"

"Dray..." Harry followed suit and wrapped his arms around the taller man securely, "I'm here, my dragon...let it all out...hush..."

Harry cradled Draco close as the older wizard howled and wept in anguish against the slender chest. The smaller man rocked Draco in his arms all the while kissing his wet hair and clammy forehead and running his hands on his shivering back. He wasn't going to let go anytime soon. His husband needed him.

After what it seemed to be an eternity, Draco's howls and cries died down to soft pants and whimpers. Harry cupped Draco's face and kissed his sore eyelids, catching the teardrops in his mouth when he finally pulled his face away.

"Harry..."

Draco felt his heart slowly mending through his husband's gentle kisses...the pain was still there...but it was fading...he could feel it...the former Slytherin's cheeks heated up despite the chills from the rain. Draco slowly opened his eyes when the kisses slowed down and he found himself breathless at the sight of Harry's handsome wet face, looking so strong and invincible. His green eyes were intense like the darkest emeralds...god, he looked beautiful...

"Harry...please...take me home...I need you..." Draco buried his face against the golden neck, hugging him tightly, "I want you to make me feel again...heal me...please..."

Harry noted the breathy whispers and the desire behind them. He bit back a whimper as the long thin fingers skated across his back. He nodded and kissed his temple before helping him up. He linked Draco's hand tightly with his.

"Let's head home, Draco..."

Draco braced what was to come when Harry closed his eyes. Within a blink of an eye, they Apparated home.

The two men landed in the sanctuary of their bedroom that was now cast in partial shadows now that it was early evening. The drizzle had returned to a heavy shower and the pitter and pattering of the rain thundered on the window.

Draco wasted no time to crush his lips desperately on Harry's as they collapsed onto the bed in a writhing heap. Their wet robes chaffed their cold clammy skin and contrasted greatly with the steamy gasps between their desparate kiss and the heat centering in their groins as they shifted against each other. Draco wound his fingers in Harry's messy hair as his anchor and whimpered when the smaller man bit his lips and tangled his tongue with his in return. Harry used the mild distraction to reverse their positions. Draco didn't object as he loosely intertwined his legs with his husband's, now slowing down the intensity of their kiss. He needed this...this time, his lion could be in charge. Harry broke away gently, admiring the flustered condition of the man beneath him...he was so beautiful...still so beautiful even though there was sadness and pain still lingering on his elvish face.

"Draco..." Harry leaned down to kiss his forehead.

"Harry...please...make me feel your love...I need you in me..." Draco begged softly as he trailed his hand downwards to Harry's pants, "Oh Merlin, I need to be in you too. I need all of you...I...please..."

"And I shall grant it, my dragon..." Harry stilled the wandering hand and kissed the fingertips softly before sucking the digits sensually, his green eyes shimmering in deep love and reassurance, "Whatever you need, I will give...let me take care of you..."

Draco nodded and allowed the tears of relief he held back to streak his cheeks as Harry pulled back his robes and showered his neck with feathery kisses that could belong to an angel. With a soft cry, the taller man arched into his beloved's ministrations and let himself go...

"Here you go, kiddo..." Ron smiled at his apprentice as he carefully slid a mug of hot tea towards Charles who accepted it gratefully. Then he slid identical mugs to his sons before retrieving his own beverage and slid into his chair.

He, Ron, Jack and Jason were currently seated around the dining table while sipping their hot drinks. Hermione and Christie decided to retire early, knowing what the boys would be up to.

"Uncle Ron, Jack and Jason...I...I'm sorry that this tragedy has caused a huge delay in our plans for the excursion to Wales. I know we're supposed to leave two weeks ago but-"

"Hey Charlie, don't apologize for what happened. All of us never saw this coming and we understand that you wanted to be there for your dads," Ron stopped the youth with an empathetic twinkle in his blue eyes, "The boys and I had a discussion and we thought about postponing to the time your dads are returning to Hogwarts to teach. My older brother understands the situation and he said in his latest owl that it's not too late to help out with the birth census with the mountain dragon sanctuary. So don't worry about it."

"Like we said, Charlie, we wouldn't go anywhere without you," Jack grasped his younger friend's shoulder, "How does this new arrangement settle with you, mate?"

"Yeah...it sounds good...thanks a lot for that," Charles commented gratefully.

In the teenager's mind, the timing couldn't be better...that meant that he could still have time to head to Diagon Alley to get what he needed...saving up for these long months wasn't easy but it was worth it...he would definitely require Christie's help in this...and if he could get it before this weekend...then everything would be perfect. Then he just needed to call Uncle Shawn and Auntie Pixie whether they and the twins could join them this weekend...and Ramona...his beloved...he hoped that she would love what he was going to do-

"Charlie? Hey, Charlie? You alright?" Jason was nudging his shoulder, snapping him out of his reverie. He, his twin brother and their father gave him concerned looks, "You spaced out there...you sure you're ok?"

"Huh? Oh yeah...I'm fine. I just needed a bit of time to process everything through."

"So it's settled. I think that since you're staying with us, you might as well get back to helping out at the sanctuary. Your dragons missed you, you know."

"Actually, Uncle Ron, is it alright if I can be excused just for tomorrow? I just need to get some important errands done before the weekend and I'd like to ask Christie to accompany me. I really need her help in this," Charles requested, hoping that his company wouldn't catch on to what he had in mind.

Ron shrugged, "Sure Charlie, do what you need to do. I believe Christie's still up right now so you can tell her the news yourself."

"Thanks, Uncle Ron."

"Well I don't know about you boys but I think I'm ready for bed. I'm going to turn in," Ron stood up with his lukewarm tea. He patted each boy's shoulder before heading upstairs, "You know how your mother is when she loses sleep over loud noises so keep it down, boys."

"Sure, Dad. Hey Charlie, want to do some stargazing before we head to bed?" one of the twins asked.

"You guys go ahead without me," Charles declined the offer as he headed upstairs with his mug, "I think I'll turn in too after checking with Christie. Good night, mates."

"Oh Harry...fuck...so hot...I...I can't..."

"Yes...yes! Give me all you got...there! Ah!"

Harry threw his head back with a sharp cry as the last of the euphoria his dragon given him shot through his aching sweaty body. Draco's grip on his hips was unrelenting and he was sure there would be faint bruises later. But it didn't matter to the former Gryffindor as he collapsed onto the lithe body beneath him...his dragon's wish had been fully granted and more as indicated by the sated and peaceful look on the beautiful pale face. Harry carefully extricated himself from his over-exerted husband and gently kissed him.

"My beloved..." Draco hoarsely whispered, his eyes losing some of its dark haunted pain to let a loving shimmer shine through, "Thank you...you were incredible..."

"I'm the one who should be thankful...I'm so happy...that you didn't shut me out..." Harry confessed as he nuzzled the pale strong chest, "I'm so happy I can help you make the pain go away..."

"I know and I'm so blessed to have you here with me..." Draco nodded and pulled him close so that Harry's head rested comfortably against his shoulder, "The pain isn't going away so soon but..I have a feeling that the grief is more manageable now..."

"So does this mean that I'll get to dominate you more often than usual?" Harry let a sliver of humor be prominent in his teasing remark.

To Harry's delight, Draco let out a rich chuckle and knuckled the scarred forehead, "Don't get ahead of yourself...I'm still in charge here..."

Harry snuggled close to his spouse and kissed his collarbone, the atmosphere now tender and soft. He ran his hand over the faded scars across the chiseled chest...the cursed remains of the Sectumsempra curse that nearly took his dragon's life. He bent down to kiss them reverently.

"You mean the world to me, Draco...if I lost you...I..."

Draco cradled Harry close upon seeing the trembling shoulders and kissed his forehead.

"Harry...I love you more than you can possibly imagine...I can't bear to lose you too..." the Potions professor replied and kissed away his tears.

Then Draco quickly discarded the soiled sheets and threw the thick comforter over their bare bodies, the exhaustion of the day and their lovemaking quickly catching up to them. They couldn't be bothered to take a shower or do anything about their drenched clothes now strewn on the carpeted floor. They could wait until tomorrow morning. They buried themselves among the relatively clean pillows, hardly able to keep their eyes open.

Christie was busy reading a leather-bound novel. She had been working in Flourish and Blotts for some time and she enjoyed it immensely. One of the greatest perks was that she got to keep an extra copy of the books that came in and often shared them with her mother.

Just then, she heard a knock on her door. She quickly bookmarked the page she was reading.

"It's open!" she called out. When Charlie peeked inside, she smiled warmly at him, "Hey Charlie. How did everything go with my dad and brothers?"

"Hey, Christie. The trip is still on. It's postponed until my dads return to Hogwarts to teach."

"That's good to know," it was then she noticed a serious contemplative look on her friend's handsome face, "Hey, is something bothering you?"

"Christie, I'm going to Diagon Alley tomorrow and well...I need your help in what I'm going to do."

"OOOkay? And you need me because?" Christie raised an eyebrow.

"It's for Ramona," at this, Christie bore a surprised look on her face upon hearing the shyness creeping in Charles' tone, "You and Aurelia practically know her taste in fashion. Since you're the only one here, it's you who I can turn to...so please say you'll do it."

"It's not like I have a choice, do I? Now you got me intrigued in this scheme of yours, Charlie," the young girl commented, "Aren't you going to tell me more about it?"

"Tomorrow as soon as we leave the house. You'll see what I mean when we get there," Charles said before yawning.

"Then you'd better get some much-needed sleep. I'm going to turn in," Christie advised before pulling the covers.

"Alright. Sleep well, Christie."

"You too, Charlie."

Harry and Draco were wrapped in a serene silence. Draco combed his fingers through Harry's hair while the smaller man was content to lazily stroke his muscled stomach tenderly under the covers.

"Dray?"

"Hmmm?"

"I'll make you breakfast in bed tomorrow. Do you want those Belgian waffles?"

"Mmm...Sounds heavenly..." Draco nuzzled his nose against Harry's hairline and inhaled the lingering scent of rain, fresh grass and roses among the dark silken strands.

"Hmmm...then I'll have to wake up extra early then..."

"We can always sleep in and have them for brunch instead, lion..."

Harry tiredly shook his head.

"A promise is a promise, my dragon. Anyway...expect yourself to be given the royal treatment until we see Charlie again this weekend..." a soft yawn punctuated the last sentence.

"My beloved...Harry? Harry?"

When Harry didn't make a sound to his call, Draco looked down to see the shorter man already fast asleep. Shaking his head fondly, he gently extracted his spectacles that laid crookedly on the other's nose to place them on the bedside. Then he made himself more comfortable on the bed while still cradling Harry close.

Draco knew the grief over his father's death wouldn't entirely disappear but at least, his beloved Harry was still living and breathing and he still has their wonderful son, Charlie to guide and watch over. The youth had yet to achieve what he had set out to do but he hoped that he and Harry would live long enough to witness those wonderful happenings. And one of those things was the strong hope to see Charles eventually settle down and start a family of his very own. Things were going strong between him and Ramona so surely their romance would transpire into something more. While he had a funny feeling in his stomach that something exciting was going to happen sooner than later, there was still the weekend outing to look forward to and that was enough for now.

Feeling assured on what tomorrow would bring in light of this grievous day, Draco sighed and closed his eyes, comforted by the warm presence of his lion.

Outside their house, the heavy shower slowed down until it stopped and the stars started to peek out of the dark sky in their nightly splendor.

To be continued...