Freedom Found in Chains

by SensiblyTainted

Draco is stolen and made a slave. The Dursleys sell Harry on the black market. Thrown together, they form a bond, escape to live with a Muggle in the mob, and eventually get discovered by wizards. This is the story of how Harry becomes a ward of the Malfoy family. Neither world would consider them normal: Draco was forged into an Alpha while Harry finds freedom in submission.

12. Chapter 12

Interlude

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March - June 1989

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Remus and the boys – all three naked – were seen by a few neighbors as they made the dash to their cabin. No one was home, but all of their things still remained. If Draco's assumption was correct, and it really looked like he was, then it wasn't surprising that Laila wasn't there. She had a life and a job. She couldn't stay puttering around a cabin in a secret village far away from society for three months or so just to wait for them. Remus was just grateful the village leader hadn't given the cabin to someone else. That meant the people of Lusio hadn't given up on their eventual return.

They were barely dressed when visitors arrived: the Shaman and the village leader, a petite blonde-haired women who was going grey. Remus let them in, cheeks still warm from having to streak naked across the village.

Lucinda Balfour had intense blue-green eyes and a no-nonsense expression as she eyed them suspiciously. "Thank you," she said politely as she stepped into the living room, the Shaman silent at her side. "We are very happy that you've returned."

She caught sight of Draco standing with his arms crossed, leaning in the living room doorway. His eyes had gone silver and the suspicion in them made her own seem like nothing. Remus shivered and turned his back, trying to focus on their visitors. Draco had been an intense child before the abduction, but there was something even more strange to his stare now.

"Thank you for holding this cabin for us and keeping our things," he said quietly, gesturing for them to have a seat at the couch. He sat with them in the armchair adjacent.

"Do you remember what happened?" Balfour demanded. Her gaze was still on Draco as she asked, but it was Remus who answered.

He told them the story just the same as he'd told the boys. He left out the sex scene and fight. First, it was an ingrained habit to keep everything werewolf a secret. Second, it was only a very blurry memory. He remembered the rage, remembered pain and submission, and the vague impression of a black monster, but that was it. And as for the sex...

He kept that secret for obvious reasons. The Asclepius and Laila both emphasized how important it was to keep the boys together. Bringing the fact that the two eight-year-olds were sexually active was not the way to go about that. Even he still struggled with that knowledge. He didn't want to give Balfour any excuse to claim Draco and Harry were unhealthy and tear them apart.

"It sounds like a very trying ordeal," Balfour remarked, but even though the words were sympathetic, her delivery made them perfunctory. Remus's metaphorical hackles rose.

Harry entered the room, head bowed shyly, carrying a tray with three cups of steaming hot tea, a small creamer, and a small bowl of sugar. Balfour's watched his every move, clearly interested. Harry said nothing as he set the tray on the coffee table and then handed each adult a cup.

"How are you feeling, Harry?" Balfour finally asked.

She reached for his arm, and Remus's eyes snapped to Draco who still leaned in the doorway. The blond watched unblinking, but he made no move to enter further. Remus looked back at Harry and saw the boy had sidestepped her hand and now stood just out of reach. His hands were folded in front of him as he answered politely.

"I feel okay. I don't remember it at all. I was meditating at the statue and then woke up in the forest with Draco and Remus."

She smiled, but it was not a warm expression as she looked the small boy up and down. "I'm glad to hear that."

Harry gave a vague nod of his head and turned to leave the room, but Balfour stopped him, saying, "Would it be okay if our Shaman looked you over. We want to be sure there aren't any compulsions or strange faerie magic active on you still."

Harry faced her again, but his head lifted to check with Draco. The blond strode into the room. Remus couldn't take his eyes off the boy. He felt strange around Draco now. He had no idea what it meant. Everything was still so strange. He found himself holding his breath waiting for the blond's decision.

Draco took Harry's hand in his and gave their visitors a look of innocence. "Will it hurt? Is he gonna try and see what happened to us?" he asked, voice small and shaded with hesitation, maybe even fear.

Remus felt his eyes go wide in surprise, having never seen Draco act like that before, but otherwise he held himself still. Draco's act was near perfect. Only the cold intelligence in those still silver eyes gave Draco away. Glancing at his visitors, Remus saw that they had relaxed, obviously not knowing Draco well enough to see this for the deception it was.

Balfour offered Draco a reassuring smile. "No, sweetie. He's just going to check for foreign magics."

Draco gave a shaky smile and pulled Harry closer to his side. "Kay."

The Shaman stood, staff in hand. He looked exactly as he had the night they disappeared. Silver hair in low pig-tails that fell over his shoulders, face creased with age, dressed in traditional Native American leathers. He placed his staff in the crook of his arm and held his hands out to the boys, a melodious chant rising from his throat as he tipped his head back.

Remus watched in fascination, but nothing really noticeable happened. He felt magic rise in the room slightly, and the boys stood still, hands clasped, and stared up at the Shaman, blinking occasionally. Two minutes later, the Shaman turned to face Remus and continued chanting. Surprised, he held still, but he didn't feel anything odd. The Shaman dropped his arms and retook his seat.

"You have residue of another plane, but it is not alive. You are clean of spiritual interference," he intoned.

Balfour smiled and took a sip of her tea. "That is very good to hear. You've been through enough already."

Remus eyed her, but he couldn't tell if she was sincere or not. "May I ask the date?"

"Of course. My apologies." She set her tea cup down and gave him a smile. "It is March 23rd, the day of the Spring Equinox, 1989. You have been missing four months."

Remus swallowed hard. Even though they had already suspected that, it was still disorienting to hear. A hand touched his shoulder and he looked in surprise to see that Draco had moved to his side. He wasn't looking at Remus, his eyes were still on their visitors. Something warm moved through him at the blond's touch and he felt his nerves steady.

Draco dropped his hand from Remus and moved back to Harry. "We're gonna go to our room," he said, looking at Remus as if for permission.

"Of course," he murmured. He gave their visitors a smile as the boys took their leave. "We're still trying to find our feet. A little rest and I'm sure we'll be put to rights."

Balfour smiled a politician's smile. "I will leave you three to get settled. Please let me know if you need anything. President Smackhammer has rented this cabin for you indefinitely for as long as you need it."

"Thank you." Remus bowed his head and made a mental note to contact both Smackhammer and Dumbledore to give them updates.

…

Draco cornered Remus as soon as their guests left. He listened as Remus explained his impressions of the meeting and what was normal and what wasn't due to it involving Harry Potter. He thought furiously as Remus explained he'd have to contact the American magical president, to offer polite gratitude for the cabin and for the permission to stay in the country without the visas technically required, and also make a report to Dumbledore.

Draco predicted Dumbledore would demand their immediate return and ordered Remus to stall as long as he could. That would give him the time to really buckle down and learn what he needed to know about the Wizarding world before he and Harry arrived there. The time for recovery and play had ended. The world was breathing down their necks, and Draco would not go in blind.

In the end, Remus managed to secure their stay in America until June 29th. Hogwarts closed for the summer on the last Friday of June, so Remus had convinced Dumbledore that the following Saturday, the 29th, would be the best time to return. Dumbledore agreed that the boys would reside in Hogwarts until they could work out who would become their legal guardian.

So Remus and the boys settled into the cabin for their extended stay. Once she heard of their return, Laila arrived. She was overjoyed to see them, weeping and hugging them for several minutes before calming. She promised to continue their therapy sessions for as long as they were in America, and as she started up again, Draco noticed Remus no longer looked like roadkill afterward. Something had settled in the man. He was still timid and soft-spoken, but there was a stability and loyalty there that Draco was glad to see.

Draco did eventually get Harry's collar. After much badgering, Remus brought home a black one, a thiner version than the red had been. It also didn't have a loop to attach a leash, only a slim silver buckle. It annoyed Draco that it mattered so much. It was basically jewelry and it made Harry more comfortable, so what was the problem?

After a longer conversation with both Laila and Remus, Draco was made to understand that it was unacceptable to society and made people uncomfortable, but it annoyed Draco that he had to care what other people thought. That he had to care about the opinions of a hypocritical society who created a world that allowed sex slaves and child abuse to exist and then felt they could judge others on how they chose to cope in such a world. Those people who would judge Harry had no idea how hard life could get and were willfully blind to how disgusting human beings were at their core. Draco didn't care about them or their opinions in the slightest, but Laila and Remus had convinced him how important it was to play the part in order to make use of the conveniences of society, for Harry if for nothing else.

And it was true that Harry liked people. He liked stories and being useful and belonging. None of that compared to how much he loved Draco. He'd give it all up if he had to choose, but Draco didn't want him to make such a choice. He wanted Harry to have all the things he needed to be truly happy. So over the course of the following months, Harry joined Draco as Remus and Laila instructed them on Wizarding culture and history. They taught the boys the names of important people and the expected behaviors of someone of Harry's status. However, Draco made sure Harry was occupied with housework, practicing reading, or with Laila when he cornered Remus for lessons on the war. He wanted to know everything he could about Voldemort and how the war had been fought. He wanted to know about other wars with Dark Lords, and Remus taught him a lot about Dumbledore and Grindelwald.

By June, Draco wasn't an expert, but he felt he had a good understanding of what they were walking into. He'd also spent some time helping Laila teach Harry how to behave differently around others. They called it a 'public mask', a persona both haughty and impervious. It wasn't perfect, but over time they hoped it was something Harry could grow into more.

As much as Harry didn't like pretending to be something he wasn't, he understood that it was necessary or other people might try to take advantage of him because of his famous parents. He didn't have the psychological ability to protect himself, but he would protect Draco. Once it was explained to him that people using him or hurting him was the same as people doing that to Draco, he had put more effort into learning. He represented Draco now, and he had to present a strong front because to do otherwise would make Draco look weak. Still, it was hard at first, nearly impossible, and Harry had many panic attacks, terrified that he was incapable of doing what Draco asked of him. By June, however, he was a little more comfortable and had the beginnings of a good 'public mask'.

The only hiccup during this time was on June 5th, Draco's ninth birthday. Draco had grown surly and withdrawn. He adamantly refused any type of party, much to everyone's confusion and worry. At first Harry had been upset that Draco was upset, but the blond had whispered a confession the night before his birthday as they tried to fall asleep.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I'm not mad at you. I just... I can't stop thinking about Liam. I miss him... I don't want to have a party, not right now. I know it's my fault he left, but it's just not the same without him. I know I'm upsetting you, and that makes me feel worse, but I can't do it, I'm sorry... " Grey eyes bright with frustrated tears, he'd asked Harry, "Can't we go somewhere, just us? Please?"

Harry felt his heart break. Draco rarely asked him for something like this, something just for himself, and he became determined to give him what he needed. Feeling protective, Harry had taken the lead, standing between the adults and Draco as they argued about birthday traditions and asked over and over 'what's wrong'. He'd packed up the cake and told them they'd be back by dinner, pulling a silent Draco after him.

…

It was a warm day, blue skies and hardly a breeze. Birds chirped and green things grew everywhere. The hollow tree was solid, wrapping them in a soothing darkness with the smell of earth and life. Harry sat at the very back, deep in the tree's shadowed belly. Draco lay on his side, head in Harry's lap, his breath ghosting across Harry's t-shirt above his stomach. Harry stroked Draco's hair and hummed. He loved Draco so much, and it made his heart swell and fill near to bursting as those grey eyes stared up at him with a mirrored love and gratitude.

Eventually they grew hungry. They sat together, shoulder-to-shoulder, as they ate several pieces of cake. Draco tickled his sides and he giggled. When they were full, they raced each other to the near-by stream and drank water. Eyes glinting with mischief, Draco stripped out of his clothes and Harry quickly followed suit.

Laughing, they took turns tackling each other in the shallow stream, splashing and playing. As the sun began to sink, Draco lay on the bank to dry. Harry, feeling a rush of joy so strong he couldn't contain it, began to dance.

* Harry, so beautiful, don't stop. *

He danced for Draco, putting his whole heart into every movement. He spun, dipped, wove his arms and hands into swirling patterns. He kicked his legs and rocked to a rhythm he heard in his dreams. So wrapped up in his dance, he didn't see Draco stand. He opened his eyes, panting, as warm hands slid over his skin. Moaning, he draped his arms over Draco's shoulders. They moved together. Never once stumbling or tripping over each other's feet. They swayed and rocked, going from smooth slow movements to something more wild and rapid and back again.

Throughout the dance, Draco's mouth lighted here and there along his skin, setting Harry on fire. Those perfect lips skimmed the inside of his arm, brushed his jaw, moved over Harry's nipple during a dip before finally latching onto his mouth. Harry tumbled backward, Draco pressing him down. Moaning, rubbing his tongue along Draco's as the blond licked hungrily at his mouth, Harry spread his thighs to cradle Draco's hips. They rocked together, a smooth undulating wave as the kiss went on and on.

* Love you love you love you… * Draco's voice whispered along his mind.

Yours forever always please need you love you yours... Harry's heart sang back.

…

Remus and Laila didn't ask questions when they eventually returned to the cabin, but they relaxed when they saw it was Draco in the lead. The blond's eyes were bright and fierce once more, and Harry was also back to normal, offering them a shy smile before moving to the stove to finish the dinner they had started.

Days full of lessons and shared meals passed until June 28th finally arrived. Laila insisted on a Going-Away party, partially in revenge for having been denied a birthday party for Draco. They had kept to themselves mostly during their stay in Lusio, so they expected the party to be very small. The only guest they invited other then themselves was the Shaman, who had stopped by at least once a week to talk to the boys and Remus, usually about magic, but sometimes just to talk. So it was a surprise, therefore, when two very unexpected visitors showed up at their little cottage, which was strewn with balloons and streamers: President Smackhammer, who seemed genuinely sorry for their departure, and the Asclepius, who arrived with an apprentice in tow.

From President Smackhammer, Draco received a malachite pendant, the dark green and pale green stripped stone was intricately carved into the shape of a griffin. It was an exact replica of the statue at the center of the village. It was expensive and beautiful, but more importantly it was a portkey to Lusio in case he and Harry ever needed a place to rest or hide. About an inch tall, it hung on a chain, but when Draco slipped it over his head, he quickly took it off again. It's size made it uncomfortable to wear. Instead, he wrapped the chain around his wrist and fist, promising to put it somewhere safe.

The Asclepius gave them matching silver rings. The round stone fitted to the top of the rings was white and glossy. The Asclepius explained that it was a selenite marble severed in half. The Asclepius had chosen selenite because it was a stone with powerful vibrations that called for unity. He fitted the ring on the index finger of each boys' dominant hand – for Harry that was his right and for Draco that was his left. He explained that many years ago, and still in the Jewish culture, a ring on the dominant index finger symbolized marriage. Woven into the unity stone was a location spell. Using the rings, the boys would always be able to find each other if they got separated.

Draco and Harry bowed deeply the way Remus had taught them and formally thanked them for their kindness. Both men gave slight bows in return, indicating that they were pleased with the reception of their gifts.

The other gifts they received were more mundane. The Shaman gave them a beautiful ten-inch dream catcher to keep nightmares at bay, Remus gave them both a miscellaneous bag of Wizarding candy, and Laila gave them each a book. For Draco a book titled Art of Manipulation: How to Get What You Want Out of People in Business, in Your Personal Life, and in Your Love Life by R. B. Sparkman. For Harry, a cookbook of traditional Wizarding recipes, including instructions on basic household and cooking spells.

Toward the end of the evening, Laila brought out her Wizarding camera and insisted they all pose. Moving together, the diverse group stood in front of the couch, a Farewell banner hangin along the ceiling behind them above the windows and balloons drifting along the floor at their feet. It was a very interesting mix of people.

The Asclepius, who wore elaborate robes with beads, feathers, and precious stones worked in endless spiraling patterns. His hair stood wild around his head, white as a cloud. His face was cragged and wrinkled with age, his eyes a fogged hazel, his skin a soft tan. In his hands he held a staff with a slender brown snake wrapped around it. His apprentice stood at his side. She was in her late twenties. Her brown hair was pulled back into a short ponytail, her eyes a mix of blue-green, her skin a warm honey, and her expression serious. She wore a gem- and feather-strewn Healer's robe.

Then there was the president. Cyrus Smackhammer was the tallest of all of them, standing at six-feet five-inches. He was of Native American decent and had long, glossy black hair that hung straight as a ruler down the middle of his back. He wore pale silver robes and at least a dozen necklaces in various lengths with charms and crystals. His skin was reddish-brown and he had black, piercing eyes. Smackhammer's face was angular with a strong jaw. There were faint scars on his right cheek and through his left eyebrow. He was smooth-skinned, wearing no beard, and his robes were decorated with feathers along his waist. A few could be seen woven into his long hair. He also carried a staff. It was thick and almost as tall as Remus. Runes were carved into its entire length. Bones, beads, and feathers fell from a cord wrapped around the top.

The old Native American Shaman stood next to Smackhammer. He was the last holding a staff. His was also decorated, but not as elaborately as the president's. It had runes and only a few feathers hanging from the top. He wore pale brown leather pants also with ornate stitching, a matching vest, and slipper-like moccasins. His long hair was silver-white and tied into low pigtails that fell over the front of his shoulders and down his chest. His face was creased and wrinkled with time much like the Asclepius.

Remus stood next to the Shaman. He was the shortest man there, taller only than the female apprentice. He wore a white button-down and dark blue jeans, his feet in brown leather boots. His dirty blond hair was brushed back from his face, his eyes a golden amber. He had a scar across his nose and two deep marks on his cheeks, but his smile was warm and genuine. He had a hand on Harry's shoulder, the boy standing in front of him. Draco - to Harry's right- stood in front of the Shaman. The boys were holding hands, Harry smiling shyly and Draco looking bored.

Laila stood at the far end with her dark skin, white teeth, and long dreadlocks. She wore a bright purple blouse and a pale pink skirt. Her smile was widest of all of them, her dark eyes sparkling with humor and life. She moved the most in the photo, nudging Remus's shoulder and flashing the peace sign. Harry would occasionally duck his head shyly or glance at Draco, and Remus would roll his eyes at Laila, but otherwise the other figures remained mostly still.

Draco placed the photo along with the one of Liam, Harry, and him at the zoo in Harry's journal. Remus had spelled them so they wouldn't fall out. Tucking their gifts and the journal into their few bags, Draco felt ready to leave. He knew things would be hard, but there was nothing left but to face whatever the future had in store.

Reintroduction

Dumbledore stood calmly, hands clasped behind his back as he waited for the boys to arrive. He'd been overwrought and anxious since Remus had left him to search for young Harry. Hearing of their abduction by the Muggle equivalent of Death Eaters had been terrible, and for the very next check-in after their rescue to be missed... Dumbledore had his first bout of chest pains during Remus's long silence. Once Remus had finally contacted him four months later, it was almost beyond belief that he and the boys had been spirited away by faeries. Clearly Harry was one of those souls who attracted the strange and dangerous.

To be honest, Dumbledore had been anxious about allowing the boys and Remus to stay in America, but he'd also been relieved to have the space to plan. He'd need to be vigilant and crafty if he was going to keep Harry safe, especially from his own karma. He'd need safety nets and back-up plans for any contingency. That being said, he'd want to get familiar with the child before publicly reintroducing Harry to the Wizarding world and beginning the possibly ugly custody battle that would likely start if he didn't have things lined up neatly. It was absolutely out of the question for Harry to return to his Muggle family.

Secrecy was the highest priority right now. Therefore Remus had returned by international portkey through the proper channels at the Ministry. Dumbledore didn't need someone to notice Remus had left for 'tourism' purposes and never officially returned again only to be somehow back in the UK. It was always important to keep Remus out of the Ministry's eye as much as possible to keep his lycanthropy a secret.

So while Remus was making everything official and neat, closing off that loose end, Harry and Draco were traveling via an illegal international portkey created by Dumbledore and finished by President Smackhammer himself. The portkey was targeted to Hogwarts' Great Hall, and Dumbledore had the elves move the tables and benches aside, giving the boys plenty of space in case there was some degree of variance on their landing.

He did not need them landing on furniture and getting hurt. It was crucial that Harry have a positive first impression of the Wizarding world. The poor boy knew too much about America now, and it was possible he'd be tempted to return there permanently, which was why Madam Pomfrey was also waiting with him. She'd be able to help tend to the boys expected pains and illness after such a long portkey trip.

Dumbledore loosed a careful breath, keeping his mind calm as he waited. Ten more seconds. For the past four months, he'd spent the spring contacting people across the country, reestablishing old ties, building his public image, and feeling out his enemies and those in power all in preparation for Harry's return. Five seconds. His chest pains had faded away once he'd had his connections more stable, and he now felt ready to welcome home the Wizarding world's lost child-hero. One second.

There was a pull in the magic of the school that he felt deep in his bones as the two children passed through the wards that he had opened to allow their entrance. They appeared in a blink of invisible power and fell backward as if pushed by a giant's hand, skidding a foot or two before coming to a stop. They'd been pushed in opposite directions: Harry on his stomach, head toward the Great Hall doors, and the blond child on his back, his head pointing toward the Head table and coming to a stop only a foot from Dumbledore's feet.

As if from far away, he could hear Madam Pomfrey tending to Harry, could hear the boys' panting breaths and their nearly inaudible moans as their bodies reacted to the forceful transport halfway across the planet. He'd been prepared to cast cushioning charms on the floor and to wait for them to recover, but his eyes were fastened to the face below him. Even as he watched, it was as if a film were being peeled away from his vision. A blockage in his comprehension was pushed aside. A massive spell was broken.

Eyes wide, Dumbledore stared down at the visage of the stolen Heir. Draco Black... was the lost Draco. Lucius. Malfoy! Harry Potter, Boy-Who-Lived, was bonded in a three layer bond to a Malfoy, the lost Malfoy! How was it possible?

His shock shattered as his mind began to race. The Fidelus Charm? Amazing! It had been modified not to hide a place but to hide a name. Such ingenuity of thought! As to who... He believed there was a hint in the name Draco was left with: Black. There weren't many Black's left, but it could have also been an enemy to the Black family. He'd be able to narrow it down if necessary. However, all of these considerations paled before the realization that things had gotten vastly more complicated. How was he going to manage this?

"Headmaster, we need to get them to the Hospital Wing. They are drifting in and out of consciousness. I see no real damage, but I'd feel better with them under my care until they settle."

Dumbledore nodded vaguely and helped her levitate the children to the infirmary. He was careful to let Madam Pomfrey go before him. He did not want her aware of the blond's identity yet. He needed a few more minutes to grasp the situation before he dealt with her surprise. And surprised she was! She exclaimed over the boy who'd been stolen as an infant and remarked on how delighted his parents would be.

To stall, Dumbledore suggested sedating the two children, and she immediately agreed. Sleep was best for them really, to recover from portkey travel, and it would also let her do a discrete examination. She felt great urgency to reassure herself that they were physically well after their experiences among the Muggles and their time among the faeries.

Dumbledore stood aside as she worked her magic and ran her tests. He couldn't take his eyes off of the innocent face of the Malfoy Heir. The boy had no connection to his family, no ties to the Dark, but his family had ties to him. Now that the secret was broken, any who saw Draco would recognize him for who he was. It wouldn't take long for Lucius and Narcissa to become aware of their son, Dumbledore was sure of it, and if it were discovered that he'd had the boy for any length of time before coming forward... The whole of the Wizarding world would tear him apart. Draco had become an icon, a missing prince. He was as famous and beloved as Harry! Mostly because his family would not let the world forget their son.

Regardless of Remus insisting the boys couldn't be separated, Dumbledore had to see this invulnerable bond for himself. Gathering his magic, he allowed his vision to shift. He opened himself to the currents and magic around him. Madam Pomfrey's magic was gentle and relentless, it flowed like an endless sigh, a clear pale green. He moved forward as soon as her work was done and she went off to her desk to analyze her findings. Bracing himself, Dumbledore stepped up to young Draco's bed and placed his hand upon his head.

Magic fierce and passionate snapped closed around him like a metal bear trap with bloody, serrated teeth. The blood was old and new, Draco's as well as Draco's enemies'. Deep green, verging on black, it was supple and flexible, shaped by an analytic and ruthless mind. Dumbledore trembled at the touch of that magic, shocked that it came from such a young child.

He almost took his hand from the boy, horrified, when... There... At the center, peeking through the prowling green power, there was a gorgeous golden light... It was so gentle and pure, so soft. Dumbledore carefully wove his way between the sleeping bands of power and realized it was protecting something. Golden light throbbed in slow pulses, and it was Harry...

The boy's magic was self-sacrificing, loving... It filled Dumbledore's tired soul with comfort and strength. All the fear from before washed out of him, but the longer he looked into that golden power, he realized that calm, gentle surface was just that. The golden light was fragile, nearly insubstantial, and all the more beautiful for it, but deep within the depths lurked something Dumbledore could not name.

Taking his hand from Draco, he moved blindly to the other bed and placed his hand upon Harry. He was awash in the gentle light once more but could see clearly now what else lay beneath the surface. Verdant green wrapped around a howling storm of mindless destruction. White lighting hotter than the sun lashed and cracked through the psychic heart of Harry Potter. There was no direction or intelligence, wild and insane, it hissed and spat, held at bay by the cords of green that held it secure, held it safe, filtering that ferocious madness into the golden waves that had soothed Dumbledore's soul. By Merlin... Draco's magic may be dangerous and shaped with a rigid control that honestly terrified him, but anything less would not have been able to contain Harry's wild magic. Draco was all that stood between Harry and mass destruction.

Dumbledore stumbled back from the bed. He was shaking. Sweat dewed his face and he slipped his glasses off to rub at his eyes. "What have we wrought?" he whispered.

Two young children had been forged by experiences so monstrous that their magic and minds had twisted into gruesome shapes. And yet... He stepped close once more and this time laid his hands on the children simultaneously. Green and gold locked together. Green braced and sheltered the gold when it threatened to snap; gold illuminated the green in the places that grew too shadowed and softened the sharp edges. They were eternally spiraling, equally entwined without the common spikes and flares of magical bonds. They combined into a single glorious signature...

The American Asclepius had been correct. These two were fully bonded, and the bond was so deep that to attempt to sever it would damage both children to an enormous extent. Folding his hands behind his back, Dumbledore turned and strode out of the infirmary. Tears glistened on his cheeks. He needed some air and then he would tackle the challenge before him.

…

Draco felt like he'd been in a wreck. Scowling, he pushed himself up. He was on a bed with a pillow and blanket in an empty, unfamiliar room. Harry? There. Beside him on another bed. Green eyes blinked open as he watched. Draco slipped from his sheets – stiffness and cold feet hardly registering – and sank his hand in Harry's messy hair.

- confusion anxiety need -

* I'm here, * he said into Harry's mind even as he took in their surroundings.

The room was massive with rows of white beds. Huge windows that let in a flood of sunlight stood along one wall. The ceiling was set at a sharp angle high above their heads with massive wooden beams. Grey stone walls and floor. A huge doorway with two heavy, closed wooden doors. He turned back to Harry, pleased to see the boy had calmed down. He helped Harry sit up and kissed his cheek before asking, "How're you feelin'?"

"Wobbly," Harry admitted softly. He was looking around through squinted eyes.

Draco noticed a small bedside table. Harry's glasses were on top and their shoes and socks were on the ground underneath it. He handed Harry his glasses, socks, and shoes. He quickly pulled on his own and shoved his feet into his sneakers. Fortunately for Dumbledore they were still dressed in the same clothes they had left Lusio in: jeans and button-ups. Harry's jeans were pale blue and his shirt was white while Draco wore black jeans and a pale grey shirt.

They would have been more comfortable in t-shirts, but Draco had wanted to look presentable when they met Dumbledore. No one had told them they'd end up in a hospital room. He also didn't like that they were alone. He hadn't expected that. He thought Dumbledore would be all over Harry as soon as they arrived. Then again maybe he had been. Who knew how long they'd been here.

Glare growing darker, he took Harry by the hand and led the way toward the doors. If Dumbledore wouldn't come to them, he'd go to Dumbledore. An older woman in a floor length, old-fashioned dress and white apron bustled out of a doorway much smaller than the large wooden ones that held his attention. He hadn't noticed the smaller door because it had been partially concealed by a massive silver cabinet. She had her arms open as if to hug them as she approached.

"Boys! I didn't expect you up so soon! The portkey really did you in," she exclaimed in a soft, excited voice as she tried to herd them back toward the beds. "You should really rest a moment more. I don't want you to get dizzy and..."

Draco stood his ground, forcing her to stop or run them over. He met her eyes and said as calmly as he was able as anger beat through his veins. "I'd like to see Dumbledore. Now."

Her mouth fell open a little in surprise and she blinked hard. "W-well... He should be returning any moment..."

Draco narrowed his eyes at her. "Is there a waiting room?"

"The beds..." she tried.

"Are for patients. We feel fine," he insisted. He wasn't about to let Dumbledore see them as small or defenseless. He was going to make it clear that he and Harry would not be manipulated or "managed". Draco had a voice, and Dumbledore was going to know it from the start.

"Well!" The woman's face had grown red, her surprise turning into offended anger.

He gave her a cold look and folded his arms. Harry stood at his back –calm trust – flowing down the bond. The standoff was interrupted, however, by Dumbledore's arrival.

The wooden doors opened inwardly, and a tall, thin man in pale purple robes strode forward. He had a wrinkled face, a waist-length white beard and equally long white hair. His blue eyes twinkled above half-moon glasses as he beamed happily at them.

"Draco. Harry. I see you are awake," he said cheerfully. "Good. Come with me. We have much to talk about."

Draco gave a stiff little bow toward the red-faced nurse and took Harry's hand. He said nothing as he followed the old wizard from the hospital and into the stone hallway beyond. Draco couldn't help staring around. They really were in a castle. He could feel Harry's – curiosity – and it fueled his own.

Paintings moved and gossiped along the walls as they walked through the quiet corridors. Knights in shinning armor stood straight and proud only to bend and turn as they watched them go by. Catching glimpses of the outside world through windows showed them courtyards and castle towers, green rolling hills and a dense forest. The grounds were massive! The castle looked enormous too from what he could tell. It'd be very easy to get lost. Draco felt reassured by that and nervous at the same time.

Eventually they stopped at another door. This one had black iron bands supporting it with an iron ring as the door handle. Dumbledore pushed it inward easily and held it open for them. Draco warily stepped past into the sitting room beyond. There were fat sofas and soft rugs, coffee tables and bookshelves, and two windows with thick curtains hooked to either side to let the light shine in. There were a lot of reds and browns, among other colors, and it had a lived in, homey feel.

Dumbledore stepped past them and took a seat on one of the sofas. He gestured them closer. "Come in, dear boys. Come in. The teachers like to use this room as a place to rest between classes or as an informal place to meet. Please, make yourselves comfortable."

* Public mask, Harry, * Draco reminded as he released the younger boy's hand. Expression blank, he sat on the sofa that was positioned at an angle to the one Dumbledore had chosen.

Harry sat beside him, hands folded in his lap. Head up, expression calm, direct eye contact with the person Draco was talking too, and not touching Draco was the extent of his "public mask" so far, and he could only maintain it for a little while before he felt too overwhelmed or nervous.

* You're doing perfect, * Draco praised and his lips twitched as red rose in Harry's cheeks. Then his attention shifted fully to Dumbledore. "Thank you for the portkey."

"It was my pleasure." Dumbledore gave them a charming smile, his hair silver in the sunlight. "I'm sorry it was so hard on you. Would you like a drink? Snack?" Before either could respond, he called, "Pippy!"

A soft pop and a house elf appeared. "Yes, Headmaster sir?"

It was small, coming to about Draco's shoulders in height and wickedly thin. Its hands looked like spider legs, and its eyes were huge and blue, taking up half of its face. It had a long nose and wide mouth full of teeth, and it wore some kind of pale sack. Its ears were long and pointed and moved in odd ways. Its head was bald. Remus had told them about house elves, of course, but seeing it was something else.

"Snacks and tea, please, my good elf," the old man ordered cheerfully. His eyes twinkled at them while they waited a moment and the elf returned. Draco refused to be unsettled and merely observed the old wizard while they waited.

Pippy arrived with a tray stacked tall with finger sandwiches, a pot of tea with three delicate glasses, and three small porcelain plates. They watched in fascination as it bustled about serving everyone. Harry tried to help, but it squeaked in distress so he settled back and simply waited. Eventually they all had a small plate and a cup. Harry sampled both the food and the drink and murmured compliments. The elf's ears waggled before disappearing.

"Amazing creatures," Dumbledore commented as he sat back with a happy sigh, sipping his tea.

"Yes," Draco agreed. He didn't bother trying either the sandwich or the tea. He wondered what game the crafty old man was playing. "So... What now?"

Dumbledore lost some of his cheer as he met Draco's eyes. "I'll be honest. I'm not fully sure, my boy. I had planned to give you and Remus rooms and let you run the castle for a few days, give you time to adjust to being in a new country, but things have already changed."

Draco straightened, attention focused sharply. "Why?"

Dumbledore sighed and put his cup down on the coffee table. "How much has Remus explained?"

"A little," Draco answered casually, immediately deciding to downplay his knowledge. Maybe Dumbledore would give him new information if he was forced to explain things.

"About Harry?" Dumbledore pressed.

"We know he's called the Boy-Who-Lived here." Draco took Harry's hand as – anxiety unease – slithered through him. Harry still watched Dumbledore with his chin up, but he was beginning to lean toward Draco's side.

Dumbledore observed them for a moment before speaking quietly. "And about the war? About the two sides?"

"We know there might be people still after Harry because Voldemort lost."

Leaning back against the sofa, Dumbledore began to stroke his beard thoughtfully. "Yes. Death Eaters. Those who work Dark magic and wish to take the Wizarding world in a different direction. They believe there are some wizards and witches better than others, and that they should have power over these lesser people. They are a very ruthless and dangerous group."

Harry now had his head on Draco's shoulder and was sitting pressed against his side with not an inch of space between them. This was a little new for him. Draco had been careful with what he let Harry know about the war, and he narrowed his eyes at Dumbledore warningly, although he felt pretty safe that the old man wasn't going to tell them that the war wasn't really over, that Voldemort wouldn't stay gone. The last thing Dumbledore would want to do is scare them back to America. Frightening them wouldn't gain him anything. So knowing this, Draco was curious with what Dumbledore was driving at. It must be big because he was definitely being more heavy-handed about the threat than Draco had expected he would be. Maybe he wanted them a little on edge and clinging to his robes for protection?

To stop that idea in its tracks, Draco rolled his eyes in disdain and flapped his hand carelessly. "But they were defeated, so we don't have to worry about that. There's still some Death Eaters left, so we have to be careful, but the world's safe, right?"

"Mostly," Dumbledore agreed, tone and expression becoming grave. "But good people should always be watchful, young Draco. I don't mean to frighten you, but I must bring this to your attention, I'm afraid. There were certain families suspected of helping the Dark and believing in the Dark's values. One of these goes by the name of Malfoy. Have you heard of them?"

Draco shook his head. Of course he was lying. One of the first things Remus taught him were the names of the Dark families, but he was very confused by all this talk of the Dark. He was also thrown by the fact that Dumbledore was mostly talking to him and not Harry. He'd suspected, and Remus had agreed, that Draco would be a distant second thought, everyone focused on Harry once they arrived. He'd been set to make an impression, but the old wizard wasn't meeting any of his expectations and that put Draco at a disadvantage.

"The Malfoy family has a long history. They are very wealthy and hold a position of power in society. I'm sorry to say that the current Lord Malfoy worked directly with the Dark Lord, but due to his influence with those in power, he escaped charges when Voldemort fell."

"Okay..." Draco drew the word out, making his confusion clear. "What about 'em?"

Dumbledore stared at him intently. "Lord Malfoy lost a son, you see. Right before the Dark Lord's fall. He's been looking for him ever since. Raises the reward for his son's return every year. It now equals enough to let someone live a very wealthy lifestyle for the rest of their life and never work a day again."

Draco's eyes narrowed. Dumbledore had kept him guessing from the moment they'd met. It was about time to return the favor and show he wasn't some stupid kid. "You either think I'm this missing kid, or you want me ta pretend to be 'em. Which – with magic an' all – seems stupidly dangerous. So you do think I'm this kid. And that means you think... What? I'm gonna go Dark and hurt Harry or something?"

Harry's confusion cleared in flash and he sat up with a smile. "Draco wouldn't ever hurt me."

Dumbledore bowed his head. "I believe that." When his face lifted again, it was filled with worry. "I am not so confident about the Malfoy family, however."

Draco glared hotly at the thought of anyone hurting Harry. He wanted to say he'd stay away from these people, but he knew better. He was nine. That meant he had virtually no rights in society's eyes. At least not until he hit the age society believed made him a human being capable of making decisions. Until then, if Draco really was this guy's kid – and how the hell had that happened?! - the Malfoys would own Draco and through him Harry. The truth was they'd escaped slavery only to still be a type of slave in the eyes of the world as long as they were still under that age.

"Should we go back to America?" he asked levelly.

"No." Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "Your identity was hidden by a very powerful spell called the Fidelius Charm, and unfortunately that spell is broken. It broke the moment you arrived, allowing me to recognize you. A secret once held by the Fidelius and then revealed cannot be hidden that way again. The reward for your return is very substantial, and the Malfoy's have hired very capable people to find you. Without the spell shielding you, that will happen sooner rather than later, even in America. I'm afraid to delay will only make things more complicated."

"How certain are ya that the Malfoy's were with the Dark Lord?" Draco asked, eyes unblinking as his mind raced.

Dumbledore's eyebrow lifted in surprise at Draco's intelligent and direct questions. "Absolutely certain. However, it is my understanding that when you were taken, Lucius no longer actively participated in the war."

Draco frowned. "They placed their child as more important than the war?"

"Yes, but it would be a mistake to think that would render you and Harry safe." Dumbledore sighed and began stroking his beard again.

"You want to split us up," Draco said softly, expression gone flat.

Harry gasped beside him – fear denial – spiking hard. He clutched at Draco's hand, but he said nothing.

Draco couldn't imagine leaving Harry's side, but he forced himself to consider it. From what he understood, at eleven, all children were made to come to this school. That was two years from now. No way! That wasn't going to work. He knew it deep in his bones that he couldn't leave Harry ungrounded that long. Harry needed him in a visceral way to give him a frame of reference. Flashes of Harry's melt down in the woods and the mini-meltdown after the Scourers had tortured them... of Harry's daily request for rules, praise, and punishment... Harry could maybe go a week without Draco, but no way would he survive two years without unraveling.

Dumbledore broke the tense silence. "It would be ideal, but I understand that your bond is such that you cannot be separated without ill effects."

The old man tried to give Harry a reassuring smile, but Harry was blind to it. He was staring at the side of Draco's face, eyes wide with - fear horror.

* Trust me, * Draco scolded. It made Harry gasp again and duck his head, a swirl of – shame trust – flaring sickeningly through the bond.

Draco turned so his back was to the arm of the sofa and pulled Harry into his lap. The boy rested his back against Draco's chest and turned his head so his face pressed against Draco's neck, his glasses digging in uncomfortably, which Draco ignored. Casually, he grabbed Harry's wrists, holding them together in Harry's lap. He held tightly enough that Harry's hands began to go slightly numb. Harry relaxed back into Draco as the sensation of being held - Draco's arms boxing him in, his wrists secured - let him sink into that serene place where he felt empty and at peace.

Draco's voice rumbled against his forehead and back. "So are ya thinkin' ta call them here and negotiate, like, shared custody or somethin'?"

Dumbledore's eyes lit up and he gave Draco a genuine smile. "You are every bit as clever as Remus reported you to be, young Draco. Yes. That is exactly what I plan to do."

Draco sighed, more to relieve tension than anything else. At least Harry was calm in his arms. He blew his breath out once more, his long bangs swaying, and eyed the old man. Dumbledore hadn't blinked at Harry moving into his lap or at the way Draco held him. Point in the old man's favor. He also seemed to genuinely want to help protect their bond. Another point. Lastly, he wasn't talking down to Draco and seemed to take him seriously. Okay. Maybe Remus was right and they could trust the man. Maybe.

Grmly determined, Draco said, "So we gotta have someone for them to share custody with." They didn't have time to be picky. Harry needed a guardian as soon as possible.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled brighter. "Just so."

"First choice is Remus," Draco said instantly. Harry shifted in his arms so that he was looking out at Dumbledore and no longer hiding his face. Draco took that to mean he could let go of the boy's wrists and did so slowly. Instead, he let one arm curl around Harry's stomach, holding him in place, the other hand he lifted to sink into Harry's hair, petting him. "The Ministry doesn't know he's a werewolf, so..."

Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "I agree Remus is a good choice, but he will have to go through screenings before he can gain custody of Harry. His condition would be revealed, and the law forbids a werewolf from adopting or reproducing after contracting the disease."

"Scumbags," Draco cursed lightly. "And you? Is it legal for you?"

Dumbledore gave a wide smile. "I am flattered. However, I am older than the Ministry would prefer. They would also assume I wanted Harry for political reasons, and so would resist."

Draco scowled, growing annoyed at the old man's dramatics. "So who do'ya have in mind then?"

Faded blue eyes twinkling, Dumbledore laid out their options. "Harry's parents named a godfather and a godmother in their will. Sadly, both were incapable of taking up their duty as Harry's guardians at the Potters' deaths, so Harry was sent to live with the closest blood relatives. Obviously, they are not a consideration now, and the Malfoys would not allow partial custody to Muggles in any case. According to the law, we must look at the next of kin along the godparents' lines. The next legal candidates would be Harry's godfather's eldest first cousin, Andromeda Tonks, and Harry's godmother's husband's mother, Lady Augusta Longbottom. I contacted both earlier in the season intending for you to have interviews during the summer with the two families in order to choose the best fit. As we do not have the time for that, we must choose now based purely on what we know about them.

"There are benefits and risks with either family. The Longbottoms are Pureblood and have some political influence that could potentially balance out the Malfoys. The Malfoys, I am certain, would prefer this choice. However, Lady Longbottom is elderly, and she already has custody of a boy your age. She is also very conservative. I do not know how well she'll understand your bond. Both her son and her daughter-in-law, who is Harry's godmother, suffered horrible wounds during the First War that incapacitated them. This has made her greatly dislike war in general, but the Dark in particular.

"I personally favor Andromeda. She is Lady Malfoy's elder sister. They have not spoken in decades due to Andromeda marrying a Muggleborn wizard, much to her family's shame, but she is still technically family to you, and this would make her guardianship of Harry even more secure. She is also younger than Lady Longbottom at thirty-six years of age. The risk of choosing Mrs. Tonks is that she is eccentric. Madness runs in her birth family and she is temperamental. She has never forgiven her family for disowning her, so it is likely there will be a lot of turmoil and conflict between Lady Malfoy and herself. She has a daughter, but Nymphadora has just finished her Fifth Year here at Hogwarts and is away ten months of the year. Two young boys should not be a problem."

"What House was the daughter sorted into?" Draco asked curiously.

"Nymphadora is a Hufflepuff," Dumbledore answered with a gentle smile. "So we can assume Mrs. Tonks is not raising her child in the manner in which she and Lady Malfoy were raised. Both of these ladies were sorted Slytherin, as nearly all of their family was."

Draco continued to pet Harry. He stared across the room, eyes moving over the stuffed bookcases and the closed door, taking in again that he was in an actual castle. Harry was content and trusting in his arms. Honestly, Draco wasn't too concerned yet. He felt confident he could manipulate any situation. No matter what, he would not tolerate someone hurting Harry. If he had to murder the Malfoys to keep Harry safe, he would. Simple as that.

So the choice was to either follow Dumbledore's lead and choose Mrs. Tonks – Dumbledore clearly wanted the boys to go in that direction – or be rebellious and choose Lady Longbottom. He knew Remus would want him to heed Dumbledore's advice. That didn't matter, either, really. Remus would follow no matter what Draco decided. It boiled down to the pros and cons of letting Dumbledore take the lead.

Breathing in slowly, he then let his breath spill from his lips in a controlled exhale... Longbottom or Tonks... He had only minutes to decide.

The Malfoys

Draco scowled the whole way to Dumbledore's office. He was deeply annoyed by the fact that Dumbledore had already summoned Mrs. Tonks long before he'd come to talk to Draco and Harry, and that Remus had been up there with her while Dumbledore talked to them, filling her in on the key events that had happened. Draco had known that Mrs. Tonks was the choice that Dumbledore wanted them to make, but Draco hadn't known Dumbledore had already made it!

Minus ten points to Dumbledore. That put him at negative seven by Draco's count. He really didn't appreciate the show of asking his opinion when the issue had already been decided. If the old wizard truly respected him as he had pretended during their meeting, he would have let Draco make the decision in truth not just in name. Draco had been neatly manipulated and he would not forget it.

* I'm in a bad mood, so I need you to be extra sweet to this lady, okay? * Draco said into Harry's mind. He glanced over his shoulder to see green eyes focused on him. * We need her on our side, especially if the Malfoys turn out bad and I have to take care of it. *

"Yes, Draco," Harry whispered and squeezed Draco's hand – resolve trust.

* Thank you, * he whispered with genuine gratitude. * Love you. *

- happy love -

…

Harry's heart began to beat hard with adrenaline. Draco was depending on him, and as much as that thrilled him, it also made him terribly nervous, so he was breathing a little harder than normal when they stepped off the moving staircase. Dumbledore was waiting on the landing, holding open an arched wooden door.

Eyes cold and face carefully blank, Draco led them into the large office beyond. It was round with multiple levels. The walls were covered in things, moving-chirping-ticking things. Two huge windows let in natural light, rugs overlapped along the floor, and there were massive pieces of furniture: a desk, padded chairs, scattered tables, a bird perch. Brilliant red feathers that trailed to the floor, the bird that sat on the perch was as big as a fat cat with large black eyes and a wickedly curved beak. It gave a little trill as it tilted its head, and Harry felt a shiver of delight move through him at the musical sound.

Draco gave a little tug on his hand. Harry blushed hotly, only now realizing that Remus and a woman were watching them from a few feet away. They had risen from two huge armchairs that had been turned to face each other, he guessed for their talk. Harry wondered what exactly Remus had told her, but didn't dwell on it. Draco would find out. He always made things right. Instead, Harry focused on turning his biggest smile on the woman.

She stood with a hand covering her mouth and tears in her eyes as she looked back and forth between Draco and Harry. The attention made his skin crawl, but Draco had told him what to do, so he lifted his hand in a wave and gave what he hoped was a happy, "Hello."

"Hello, Harry," she answered, voice thick with emotion. Her hand dropped to show she was smiling. "Hello, Draco. My name is Andromeda Tonks. I'd be pleased if you'd called me Andromeda."

Harry thought she had a nice smile; her lips were thin and painted red. She was tall, as tall as Remus, and her eyes were dark brown with long, dark lashes. Her thick, shiny brown hair was woven into an intricate pattern at the back of her head. She wore a dark red dress that was tight on top with long sleeves, but flared out slightly at her hips to fall straight to the floor. She was on the thin side, but with bigger breasts than Jess or Drey.

"O-okay," Harry finally answered, stuttering slightly. He was careful to keep smiling even as his heart continued to hammer. "Um. Thank you. For..." He had no idea how to say it.

"Letting us stay with you," Draco finished for him, helping him out.

Harry felt a mix of relief and shame that he already needed help. Laila and Draco had worked so hard to get him ready for coming here, but he was messing up again and again. Lower lip trembling, his smile beginning to waver, he tried to keep it together.

"I am very happy to have you join my family. Both of you," Andromeda was saying.

* Deep breath. Don't think about anything but your task. I'll take care of you, * Draco whispered in his mind.

Harry looked up as Dumbledore shut the door behind them and moved across to the biggest fireplace Harry had ever seen.

The old wizard gave Remus a hard look before telling the room, "I believe our final guests are here. Please give me a moment while I welcome them."

Harry was immediately pulled forward by Draco to join Remus and Andromeda by the massive desk. Harry was glad to put some distance between them and the people who were Draco's parents. He was insanely curious about meeting them and simultaneously terrified. It was enough to make him feel woozy.

Through wide, curious eyes, Harry watched as two people stepped free of a sudden whoosh of green fire. The man was tall, only slightly shorter than Dumbledore, and wore an old-fashioned grey suit. He had long platinum blond hair that fell past his shoulders and angular, hawklike features. His silver eyes were just like Draco's when he was focused really hard on something. In his hand was a long cane that had a silver snake head. When the man's eyes found Draco, they burned so brightly that Harry would have melted under the look, but Draco looked as cool as ever.

The woman was also staring at Draco. Her expression was blank the way Draco's got sometimes when he was hiding something. She wore a fancier dress than Andromeda, but it looked very similar. It was dark blue, a shade or two darker than her eyes. It had white lace at the throat and wrists with a silver wavy pattern sewn along the bottom and her waist. Her hair was a yellow blonde compared to Draco's and the man's white-blond, and it was wrapped up in a braided knot. She was a little shorter and a lot thinner than Andromeda – In fact, Harry thought she looked kind of sick - but he could tell they were sisters even though Andromeda had darker hair and eyes.

"Draco..." The woman held out her hands, her eyes shinning with obvious need.

Draco cast Dumbledore a questioning look and the old wizard gave them a smile. "It is safe. No one will leave this office until we have things straightened out."

* Stay with Remus, * Draco ordered as he walked across the room to the two new people.

Harry watched wide-eyed as the man gave Dumbledore a cold look before giving his whole attention to Draco. The woman clasped Draco's hands in her own. She was trembling a little, Harry could tell. The man reached out to gently touch Draco's shoulder.

For a long second, the man stood with his eyes closed. He didn't move his hand when he finally turned to Dumbledore, and Harry didn't think the man ever planned on letting go. Worry squirmed through Harry's belly, but Draco looked at him from across the room, gaze steady, and Harry calmed, trusting the promise in Draco's eyes.

"I'd like an explanation. Now please." The man's voice was soft but cold as ice.

Clapping his hands softly together, Dumbledore gave a smile. "Come, Lucius, Narcissa. Sit. I insist. It is a difficult and incredible tale to tell."

Harry blinked. Within minutes, more big chairs appeared and were arranged in front of the large desk in a half circle. Andromeda sat at one end, then Harry, then Remus, then Lucius, then Draco, then the woman. Harry noticed that even though the man and woman were keeping their faces serious, Lucius still had his hand on Draco's shoulder and Narcissa was clutching one of Draco's hands in both of hers.

* You're doing so good, Harry, but if I tell you to, I want you to go look around, okay? * Draco sounded so calm that Harry felt his heart begin to slow from its rapid hammering. So much was happening; it almost felt like a dream by this point.

He opened his mouth to tell Draco yes, but he caught himself in time. Draco didn't want him to answer out loud in front of people when he spoke in Harry's mind. He thought it would be a good secret to have, just the two of them, so Harry closed his mouth and gave a small nod instead.

* Good boy. *

The praise made his stomach flutter as it always did and he ducked his head, blushing.

…

Lucius felt hot and cold by turns and knew Narcissa wasn't doing much better. Draco – his son – He'd finally returned to them. By Dumbledore. Suspicion sharp as knives cut through him. His old, crafty enemy... Lucius's fury settled into a stillness that sharpened his thoughts into crystal blades. He'd destroy Dumbledore if he'd had even the smallest part to play in his son's abduction.

Helplessly, he stroked his son's shoulder, still hardly able to grasp that Draco was here. It filled him with a joy so bright it nearly doubled him over. Even with his enemy seated in front of him, Lucius couldn't help stealing glances at his son.

He was beautiful: Lucius's pale hair and grey/silver eyes, but his features softened just that little bit by Narcissa's beauty. Draco's hair fell just below his jawline and was hooked behind his ears. He looked older than his age, Draco's expression already folded into a blank mask. It tormented Lucius that he had no idea what his son was thinking, that Draco was utterly strange to him, even as he felt a fierce pride in his son's obvious mental strength.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, drawing Lucius's attention back to the room. There was Andromeda Tonks, Narcissa's banished sister, a man who looked familiar but he did not know by name, and a second dark-haired child. Lucius shook himself mentally. Clearly the crafty old fool was plotting something. Lucius wasn't about to let the wizard get his hooks in them or his son. He had to be sharp.

Dumbledore folded his hands on his desk and smiled at the assembled half-circle of people in front of him. "Let me begin at the beginning. I beg your patience during this tale. I assure you I will eventually answer any question you may have." This last was said in Lucius's direction.

Lucius's rage flared. In other words, shut up until I finish. He glanced at Narcissa, but her eyes were on their son. He steeled himself further. She had tried the blood spell again on Draco's birthday three weeks ago. She had only recently come off bedrest and her magic was barely a whisper right now. If it came down to a fight, Lucius would be their only line of defense. His hand tightened briefly on his son's thin shoulder.

"My story begins a year ago," Dumbledore began. He looked liked he was enjoying this immensely. Lucius set his teeth and forced himself to endure the barmy old man's drama. He would have answers before he took his son and his wife back to the safety of the manor. "It came to my attention that the safe-house in which Harry Potter resided no longer housed the Boy-Who-Lived. Little Harry had already been missing almost a year before we discovered he was gone."

Narcissa made a soft sound, sensitive to any child being lost. Lucius immediately looked at the other child sitting with them. Was that Harry Potter?

Oblivious to the sudden tension, Dumbledore went on with his story. "After months of searching, we discovered Harry's trail led to America. Mr. Lupin," he inclined his head toward the other man, "was selected to discreetly travel overseas to continue the search. On Halloween, he managed to make contact with Harry only to discover the boy now lived with another child and a young man. However, powerful magic shielded his attempt to locate Harry and so he was forced to ask the boy to meet him. At the zoo, I believe?"

Voice quiet, Lupin answered. "Yes, Headmaster."

Dumbledore straightened in his seat, smiling. "So Remus requested that Harry come meet him at the zoo."

"Actually..." Draco interrupted, speaking for the first time in their presence. "He asked Harry to tell 'em where he was. I decided it wasn't a good idea ta tell some guy who's voice came outta nowhere where we were, so I told Remus ta meet me at the zoo in a week."

Lucius was utterly surprised to hear such composed speech from the boy. Despite his high, childish voice, Draco spoke clearly and evenly, if with an American accent. It fascinated him, and he immediately wanted to hear more.

"I'm sorry, my boy. Thank you for clearing that up." Dumbledore dropped his son a discrete wink as if it were all a part of his plan for Draco to correct him.

Lucius narrowed his eyes, suspicious that he was being played. Whatever Dumbledore had planned, Lucius would not allow it to continue. Draco was his!

"So a week went by, but it was Draco who met Remus at the zoo."

"You've known Draco's location since last November," Narcissa stated with cold precision. Nearly everyone in the room cringed, all except Dumbledore, Lucius, and Draco.

"Not quite, my dear. Let me continue. All will be clear in the end." Dumbledore gestured to their son. "Draco asked some questions and told Remus to give him another week to think about everything. Of course, Remus had warded the building allowing magical persons in but not out. Somehow Draco was able to break that ward and escape."

Again Lucius was impressed. Draco was powerful as well as well-spoken and self-contained.

"Another week passed and Draco brought Harry to Remus, agreeing to leave his home and come to the magical world." Dumbledore looked to Lupin, asking gently. "Would you like to tell what happened next?"

Lucius watched as Lupin kept his eyes on Dumbledore. When he spoke, his voice was flat, brittle. "We were captured by American Scourers and underwent exorcisms for over twenty-four hours before being rescued by Aurors. We were then taken to the American magical hospital for treatment. Due to our injuries, it was agreed we'd stay in America to recover."

Immediately Lucius looked his son over for injuries. He saw none, and Draco's calm silver eyes stared back at him unimpressed. The hot and cold feeling returned.

"I would like copies of Draco's medical records, please," Narcissa spoke up.

"Of course, of course," Dumbledore agreed easily. Too easily. "The American government very kindly rented a cottage at a very secure, Wizarding village so that Remus and the boys could convalesce. However, it was only a few days into their stay when the boys were spirited away within a faerie circle."

"Surely you jest," Lucius demanded. His son had been living with Harry – Boy-Who-Lived – Potter, was tortured by Muggle filth, rescued, and was then abducted to the land of Faerie? It was worse than a drama!

Dumbledore actually had the gall to chuckle, and Lucius bared his teeth in a dangerous smile. Nothing was funny here. "Trust me," the old fool said brightly. "I was just as flabbergasted. I believe these boys will be a trial to watch over."

"How long were they gone?" Andromeda asked curiously. She looked unruffled by the strange, unbelievable story, and Lucius became suspicious all over again. How long had she been here before Narcissa and he had arrived? Just how much of this was staged? How much was truth?

"Four months," Lupin answered her. He looked a little pale. His reactions were in line with someone who had suffered recent trauma, and he was too stiff to be very practiced in telling this tale. "We were gone the entire winter."

"We?" Lucius lifted a brow.

Dumbledore smiled at them, hand beginning to stroke his beard. "Remus very bravely walked into the circle in an attempt to bring the boys back. In any case, he was successful and they were freed at the end of March. We felt it best, considering Harry's situation and after such trying experiences, that his return to us be postponed until school let out for the summer. I had hoped I could give him a few quiet weeks at Hogwarts to adjust before his public return. He and young Draco arrived this morning."

Lucius's heartbeat pounded in his ears, a constant boom as he forced down his rage. "I do not understand why you left it this long to contact us," he said in a very dangerous voice, never once looking away from Dumbledore.

Dumbledore bowed his head, but there was not an ounce of humility in the gesture. "When the boys arrived, it was as if a veil had been lifted. Very powerful magic had concealed Draco's identity until that very moment. You see, we did not know he was Draco Malfoy until this morning."

Through gritted teeth, Lucius demanded coldly of everyone sitting in that room. "You cannot expect me to believe that you did not recognize my son all these months of knowing him. That this isn't some scheme designed to some end of yours, Dumbledore."

"Hear me, Lucius Malfoy." Faded blue eyes bore into him. The facade of an jolly old man slouched off to reveal the diamond hard intelligence that it usually hid. At least he was no longer laughing. "I swear on my magic that all I've revealed to you is true. I am even willing to take Veritaserum if you should desire it."

"What spell is that powerful?" Naricssa demanded. Lucius was glad she asked because he was too furious to speak. He had no doubt Dumbledore had ways around Truth Potion. Lucius would not be swayed by the old fool's platitudes and dramatic proclamations.

"It is my opinion that whoever stole Draco cast the Fidelius Charm."

Lucius sucked in a breath. That was... actually possible.

"As you know, only the Secret Keeper can reveal the secret. However, it can be discovered by others in very rare instances. I believe that is why Draco was taken to America in the first place. It was part of the condition of the Fidelius. It wasn't until he returned to his home country that any of us understood who he truly was."

"The Fidelius..." Narcissa whispered. Tears glittered in her eyes. "Do you have any suspects?"

"Not at this moment," Dumbledore said sadly, shaking his head. "It is a very old and obscure spell. There is no knowing who has the knowledge to cast it successfully."

There wasn't anything in Dumbledore's expression or voice that seemed off, but Lucius was suddenly dead certain that he was lying on that score. Lucius's free hand tightened around his cane.

"This tale is not finished, however." The cheerful old wizard persona had returned. "You see, the reason we were able to bring Draco here, since at the time we thought him an American Muggleborn, was due to the bond that has developed between your son and young Harry. It was discovered in the hospital after their rescue from Scourers."

No. Lucius felt everything go still. Absolutely not.

"It is a rare three-fold, twin bond," Lupin spoke up, looking at Lucius for the first time since the meeting had begun. Lucius saw amber eyes and scars across his nose and puckering his cheeks. His expression practically screamed sincerity. "The Asclepius and a well-respected Mind-healer agreed that trying to break the bond would cause significant, permanent damage to both Draco and Harry. It might even kill them and would definitely render them mad."

"I've had Madam Pomfrey, an expert Child-healer, cast diagnostic spells to examine the bond herself, and I took the liberty to look with my own second sight, as meager as it is. We both agree with the diagnosis that the bond is too deep and pervasive to sever at this point." Dumbledore stared at Lucius. "It is not what I would prefer, as I'm sure you understand. However, the bond is unbreakable. Draco and Harry are considered twins by magic." The old man sighed, as if exhausted. "To this end, I summoned Harry's magical guardian as well as yourselves. I'd like to help both you and Harry's guardian come to some sort of understanding regarding custody and residency."

Lucius stood and pulled Draco up with him by the grip he had on the child's shoulder. Narcissa followed a second later. They would take their son and leave. If anyone tried to stop them, he'd murder them. Under no circumstance would he allow Dumbledore's machinations to connect his son's life to that of Harry Bloody Potter.

A small but surprisingly strong hand knocked his own away, and with a graceful twist, Draco stood facing them. With his head tilted back and his cupid-bow lips pressed flat, he stared up at Lucius through intense silver eyes. "Look. I'm not gonna pretend I know what you're feelin'. I get that you lost your kid and want him back, but I'm not your kid. I lived a completely different life. I have my own ideas that aren't yours. That's not my fault, and it's not your fault from the sound of things, but that's the way it is. "

Lucius heard a roaring in his ears. Draco pressed on, relentless, completely uncaring about the turmoil he was causing. He'd gone from unexpressive to crystal clear within a second. The set of his jaw, the clarity in his eyes, made obvious the complete lack of attachment or even interest he felt in them.

"I don't want ya thinkin' that I've been brainwashed or somethin' by Dumbledore. I'm not with him, either. I'm with Harry, and Harry's with me. We're on no one's side but each other's. "

Distantly, Lucius noted that Dumbledore was not pleased by the cruel truths Draco was laying at their feet, either. The old man was frowning and his eyes had grown worried, but Lucius didn't have time to savor that. The pressure in the room had shifted. Power hummed along Lucius's senses as Draco's eyes grew impossibly more focused and his voice grew colder than even Narcissa's cold get. Lucius had a flash of intuition that his nine-year-old son was capable of murder.

"So if you try and separate me from Harry," the boy said slowly, emphasizing every word. "I will fight you until my last breath. I hope you're both smart enough not to start things with me like that."

…

Narcissa had been watching the people assembled in the room while her husband dealt with Dumbledore. She'd also been watching her son, unable to look away for more than a moment. Those silver eyes frequently rested on the other child... on Harry... but Draco also followed the conversation happening above his head. Harry, on the other hand, very rarely took his eyes off Draco. He was content to let things play out around him and follow Draco's lead. That soothed a lot of her fears.

Even now, Harry was calm. He didn't seem distressed in any way at this talk of possible separation, and that was clearly due to the absolute trust shining in those green eyes. Harry had no doubt in Draco's ability to keep them together. Such trust was built on evidence. His son had proven to the other boy beyond possible doubt that he'd stay by Harry's side. It absolutely convinced Narcissa that Draco would not be mollified. Draco would keep them together no matter what it took, including severing his ties to his family permanently. She wasn't about to lose her son a second time. Never again!

Reaching over, Narcissa placed her hand on Lucius's arm. It was rock hard with tension, practically vibrating under her fingers. After a long moment, he stilled under her touch. Narcissa met her son's dangerous glare and bowed her head in agreement. Lifting her head again, she entered the verbal fray between her husband and Dumbledore.

"I assume Andromeda is here because she is Harry's magical guardian?"

"She is," Dumbledore answered her. "His legal godfather's eldest blood relative."

She looked directly at her sister for the first time since they'd entered the Headmaster's office. Andromeda looked so much older than when Narcissa had last seen her. Twenty years would changed anyone, but it hadn't changed the betrayal. Rage rose to almost choke her. Andromeda had been the eldest. She'd been groomed to rule a Pureblooded household, to maneuver a powerful husband, and to raise powerful children in the Old Ways. Pureblooded wives were Destiny in the making. They were the backbone of the Family, the hand behind History. And Andromeda had spat on all of that. She had removed herself from the continuation of their Line just so she could mate with a filthy Mudblood. Worse, all of her potential had been destroyed. Andromeda had murdered her future self and all the future children who would have come.

Narcissa would never forgive her. Andromeda had destroyed their mother and driven her into madness because of her selfish, perverse desires, and then she had left them to deal with the fallout. Unlike Narcissa who had her engagement to Lucius to protect her, their little sister Bella had been at their mother's mercy. She had been warped under their mother's vengeful hand. Narcissa had nightmares about it to this day. So looking at her sister now, sitting across from her, still without shame for what she had done, and knowing she would have to share her son with her... It was almost too much to bear.

But instead of screaming or raving, Narcissa held herself rigidly straight and asked with perfect politeness, "What custody agreement did you have in mind?"

Andromeda met her gaze, her dark eyes giving a slow blink. Narcissa knew that look. Andromeda had come to a decision and would not be moved. "I believe the best option is to follow the example of Cygnus Black the First and Ella Black née Max. We shall host the children in our homes every other month. During the month the children are not in residence, we are afforded a one three day visitation period."

Narcissa hated with a passion the idea that Draco would be lost to her every other month. She glanced once more into her son's implacable silver eyes. He stared at her, waiting to see if he would need to fight. Narcissa lifted her chin and gave her older sister a cold look. "Very well. I agree."

Lucius turned toward her, fire in his eyes. She stared him down and fortunately he did not interrupt. If anything tested her right now, she'd either explode or faint.

Dumbledore produced parchment designed for magical contracts and two quills. Narcissa primly strode over to the desk and bent over it to write out the details of the custody agreement:

The Malfoy family, consisting of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, does consent to equal guardianship with Andromeda Tonks over the two male children Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter.

Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter will reside in alternating months with the Malfoys and Andromeda Tonks. The guardian with whom Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter are not residing is due a three-day visitation period in which the children will leave their current residence and return to the alternate guardian's residence for the duration of the visitation period.

All major decisions pertaining to the health, safety, and future of Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter will be discussed by all guardians. Any major decisions made by a guardian acting without the consensus of the other guardians will result in the loss of one residency month and a visitation period.

In a state of emergency, the guardian who is present first will make all decisions independent of the other guardians without penalty until the emergency has concluded.

Any suspicion of abuse – mental, emotional, physical, or magical – will grant the alternate guardian sole custody until the investigation is concluded. Should abuse be proven, the guilty party will be stripped of all guardianship rights over Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter. If no abuse is proven at the conclusion of the investigation, the accusing guardian will forfeit one residency month and a visitation period.

Narcissa read over the contract she had written and gave a satisfied nod. She focused what little magic she had left and signed the contract. She straightened, hiding the dizzy spell and moment of blindness as best she could, and offered the quill to her husband. When the spots cleared from her eyes, she noticed his expression was chilly, but she ignored that. There really was no other option, not if they wanted to keep any part of their son's heart.

"I wanna read it."

Narcissa looked down to see Draco staring up at her. She gave him a gentle smile. "Of course. My apologies." She handed the contract to her young son.

She watched in interest as Harry shuffled over and the two boys read the contract shoulder-to-shoulder, working through the large words and formal wording. It was obvious after a moment's observation that Harry was the more advanced reader, but Draco comprehended the information better. She glanced at Dumbledore. He was talking in a low murmur to Lupin. She avoided looking at Andromeda. Lucius stepped close to her side and firmly grasped her upper arm. Magic surrounded her. Lucius's spell hovered over her skin and would ensure no one would overhear them.

"What are you thinking?" He was so agitated that he nearly hissed the question, even as his expression remained frozen. The others may not hear, but they could see.

Looking into her husband's eyes, she saw the desperation and fear that his mask hid, partially because she felt the same: fear that there was no winning their son back, desperation over their son being tied to Harry Potter, their Lord's old enemy. Letting her determination shine through her eyes, she placed her hand atop his. "We must win our son back, Lucius. We will win him back, and we will make the bond to Potter an advantage for our family."

Lucius stood straighter at her words. He held her eyes for a moment longer before letting his spell collapse.

Narcissa checked on the room, but it was as before. Satisfied that nothing had changed, she let her attention fall to her child. She could watch Draco for hours and be happy. The boys were still murmuring over the contract, their heads close together. Occasionally Draco would ask Lupin for clarification. Clearly a rudimentary relationship had formed there. The man had endured torture with the boys and had willingly given himself over to the inhuman and capricious faeries in an attempt to get the children back. It was something to keep in mind.

Chapter end.