***
See disclaimer in Chapter 1. If you haven't figured out I'm not JKR by now, you're not reading closely enough!
***
"Stop fidgeting!"
Harry laughed, placing a restraining hand on Corvus' belly so Draco could secure the nappy.
"He doesn't understand words like 'fidgeting'," Harry said, leaning down to nuzzle the baby with his nose. "Do you, Corey? No, tell your father you don't know what that big word means."
The baby cooed, reaching out to grab Harry's glasses. He winced when the wire frames caught in his hair. He'd long-since learned to spell his glasses with Impervious and Unbreakable charms around his son. Drool-covered fingers slid over the lenses, leaving no mark behind.
"Daddy's getting the hang of this, isn't he, Corey," Harry cooed, capturing the wet hand and pretending to eat the small fingers, much to the baby's delight.
Tizzy hurried into the room, a tiny suit for Corvus in her hands. Draco rolled his eyes, hefting Corvus and handing the child to her after making sure the nappy was on tightly.
"I still don't understand why you wanted your birthday dinner to be a black-tie affair, Harry," he said, his frown turning into a grin as he watched the house-elf struggle to get Corvus into a pair of wool trousers. "Not that I'm complaining, of course."
Harry hid a grin by turning his head, shrugging indifferently.
"I suppose some of your class and composure has rubbed off on me over the last fifteen years, Malfoy," he drawled in a respectable imitation of Draco's most condescending tone.
"Has it been that long, really?" Draco asked, counting back to their first year at Hogwarts in his head. "Merlin, I suppose it has."
He smiled and pulled Harry close, kissing him softly.
"Fifteen years ago I was convinced you were a speccy, attention-seeking, idiotic prat," he said, kissing Harry again.
Harry laughed, pulling away and leading Draco back to their suite so they could get dressed, too. Tizzy had successfully clothed the squirming baby and was now taking him off to stay with Narcissa while the men got ready for the party.
"And now?"
Draco swept past him into his closet, his nose in the air.
"I concede that you aren't deliberately attention-seeking."
Harry swatted at him as he passed, his lips twitching as he tried to suppress a smile. "Idiot."
***
"Is everything ready?" Harry asked Hermione, who was busy casting spells to decorate the large round tables that had been set up in the gardens.
After a complicated wave of her wand, names shimmered in the air above the backs of the chairs. Normal place cards weren't enough of a challenge, I suppose, Harry thought wryly, nodding in approval when the witch turned to him with a flourish.
"I saw Corey earlier," she gushed, her shoulders scrunching slightly in delight. "He looked adorable."
"Narcissa bought the suit," Harry said, grinning. He'd insisted everyone wear Muggle clothing, since he loved the way Draco looked in a tuxedo.
He grabbed Hermione's hand, twirling her around in a tight circle in front of him. The leafy trees glittered with thousands of fairy lights, giving the darkening grounds an ethereal look. Her silk sheath billowed slightly at the motion, the pearly grey color glowing in the low light.
"You look rather nice yourself, Mrs. Krum," he teased, earning himself a swat on the shoulder.
"Mrs. Hermione Krum," she said in a dreamy voice, kicking a foot out behind her as she leaned in to kiss Harry's cheek. She'd decided to take Krum's name without adding her own, wanting this marriage to bear no resemblance to her previous one.
"I'm glad you know your name, but I must ask why you are kissing another man, Mrs. Krum," Viktor growled from behind them, placing a possessive arm around Hermione's waist.
She giggled, leaning back into her husband's solid chest. He looks smashing as well, Harry thought, admiring the tailored fit of the dark charcoal suit, obviously chosen to complement Hermione's gown.
"Kingsley's just arrived, Harry," Viktor said, winking at the dark-haired wizard. Harry patted the pockets of his black tuxedo cautiously, relaxing slightly when he felt the weight he sought in his inner pocket. "He's waiting in the tent."
Harry nodded his thanks, hurrying across the perfectly manicured lawn toward the statuesque white tent Draco had ordered. He'd insisted on having a back-up plan in case of rain, since Harry had been equally insistent that his birthday dinner be held outside in the Manor's formal gardens. Though the skies were perfectly clear, Harry sent a silent word of thanks to the blond for forcing the issue – it gave Harry a convenient spot to slip away to discuss a few last-minute things with the Minister before the guests arrived.
He slid the flap aside, the whisper of canvas alerting Kingsley to his presence. The bigger man turned, looking absolutely stunning in a Muggle tuxedo. His wizarding dress robes were slung over his arm, embroidered with the official Minister's seal and other symbols of his rank.
"I know you wanted to do this the Muggle way," he said, gesturing with the robes, "but I thought Mr. Malfoy would appreciate it."
Harry made a sound of assent, bending to inspect the parchment Kingsley had laid out on a table nearby. Everything looked to be in order. He quickly Conjured a pen, signing his name.
"Doing it out of order like this – that's alright?" he asked apprehensively, worried he was breaking some important rule.
"A technicality," Kingsley assured him, clapping him on the back with a heavy hand. He folded the parchment, tucking it into a pocket of the robes on his arm.
He led Harry back toward the tables, waving at several of the guests who had arrived early. Harry could just barely make out Draco's lean figure walking out of the Manor, Narcissa on his arm, her ice-blue gown falling in graceful waves around her.
"Excuse me, Kingsley," Harry said, and the older man laughed, following Harry's gaze. He patted Harry on the shoulder as the dark-haired man sped off toward Draco.
"It's wonderful, isn't it?" Hermione said softly, linking arms with the Minister as she led him toward a table near the fountains.
"That it is," Kingsley said, turning to Hermione and winking. "It's not every day a gentleman turns 26."
She laughed, a carefree sound that wouldn't have been possible just a year ago. Harry had a lot more to celebrate this birthday, too. She glanced toward the house, her smile growing as she thought about the gorgeous baby boy inside. Tizzy had instructions to bring him out later, right before the meal was served.
***
Narcissa straightened Draco's bow tie, moving on to fiddle with Harry's next. The blond scowled, his hands immediately rising to undo whatever adjustment his mother had made to the Muggle tie.
"Honestly, Mother," he sighed, smoothing his hands over his coat and sticking them in his trouser pockets, earning a glare from Narcissa. "I've seen you less anxious over affairs of state! This is just Harry's birthday party."
Harry leaned in, pressing a kiss to Narcissa's cheek so Draco wouldn't see his smile. His eyes were dancing when he pulled back, grasping Narcissa's hands in his own.
"Really, Narcissa," he said conspiratorially, rolling his eyes dramatically. "My birthday hardly rates this kind of attention."
Narcissa laughed and pulled her hands free, tweaking Harry's cheek before turning away and making her way to see if Lucius' tuxedo needed any adjustments, her movements accompanied by the gentle rustle of silk.
"That sound always used to make me sad," Draco whispered, watching his mother glide across the lawn with a fond smile.
"What sound?" Harry asked, confused. He turned back and saw Narcissa pull Lucius into the house, probably to re-button or re-tie something. The man was quite stubborn in his dislike for Muggle attire.
"The sound Mother's gowns always made as she left my room after kissing me good night as a child," Draco said with a sigh. "They had parties or dinners nearly every night, and she'd come say good bye before leaving. Some days it was the only time I saw her."
Harry frowned, his gaze traveling appreciatively back toward Draco. The blond wore the Muggle tuxedo well, looking as comfortable in the suit as he did in wizarding dress robes.
"That's awful."
Draco shrugged, his broad shoulders looking even more impressive in the lightweight wool. Harry's hands itched to reach out and run his hands over Draco's lithe form, but he stopped himself, knowing they'd never start on time if he got distracted like that.
"It's normal." Draco's face suddenly lit up, his eyes shining as a brilliant smile stole across his face. He's breathtaking, Harry thought, his mouth going dry at the sight. "I'm so glad that's not how we're raising Corey."
Harry nearly choked on his own tongue at the nickname.
"Corey? Since when do you call him that?"
Draco laughed easily, shrugging again. The movement should have looked affected, but it didn't – on Draco, it simply looked graceful.
"Everyone else does. Even Father, did you know that?" he asked, his brows rising. Harry shook his head. "I've decided to give in to the inevitable. Besides, Corvus is a bit stuffy. Don't expect me to call him Corey in public, but here, at home, I suppose it's alright."
Harry grinned, rolling his eyes. Never anything but the utmost propriety from the head of the Malfoy family.
"Let's go," he urged, grabbing Draco's hand and tugging him toward the crowd gathering by the fountains. "I think everyone is here."
***
The men made their way over to the more than one hundred friends and family who'd come to celebrate Harry's birthday. It was a much bigger crowd than any birthday party Harry had ever had, but then again, it was also different from any birthday party he'd ever had.
"Draco?" Harry murmured as they drew closer, stopping before anyone else could hear them.
"Yes?"
"Will you marry me?" Harry's voice had dropped, and the hoarse words were almost lost in the soft evening breeze.
Draco turned to face him, looking puzzled.
"Harry, you know I will. What is wrong with you? We're to be married next month in a –"
Draco gasped, his eyes widening as he glanced back to the group gathered in front of them. The pieces fell together quickly in his mind. The opulent flowers. The sophisticated menu. The small orchestra Harry had insisted he wanted, despite the fact that his musical taste was more Weird Sisters than Wagner. The formal clothing. His easy-going fiancé wanting a formal dinner instead of a night out at a pub, which was how he normally celebrated his birthday. His mother insisting on waiting to send out wedding invitations.
"Now? Will you marry me now?" Harry asked again, his lips quirking when he saw Draco's eyes narrow as he surveyed the scene.
***
The men strode toward Kingsley, arm-in-arm. Hermione hurried behind them, and Lucius slipped away from his wife's side, a few paces behind her.
Harry nodded at Kingsley, who winked at both of them.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Kingsley said, his deep voice catching everyone's attention without need of an amplification spell.
The crowd stilled, and everyone turned to watch the Minister. Pansy was the first to figure it out, squealing and clapping her hands in delight when she realized what was going on. Harry turned quickly and grinned at her.
"We are gathered here today to celebrate Harry's 26th birthday," Kingsley continued, motioning for the two men to come closer. "But we've also been blessed with the opportunity to witness as these two men exchange one of the most powerful vows we in the wizarding world have: a Marriage Bond."
Shocked gasps and catcalls rippled through the assembled crowd, and Draco blushed slightly as he recognized Blaise's voice making a suggestive comment about rushing the wedding to get to the honeymoon.
Harry turned toward Draco, both of their faces visible to their friends and family in profile. Lucius stood behind his son, and Hermione settled herself behind Harry, wiping away tears before the ceremony even started.
"Draco, love," he said, his soft voice carrying. "I know we planned to be married next month, but I wanted to do it today."
Questions burned in Draco's eyes, but he remained silent, slipping his hands into Harry's when the dark-haired wizard reached out for them.
"It's a significant date for us," Harry continued, and Draco tried to remember why Harry's birthday would bear any meaning for them. "Fifteen years ago today, I made a very bad choice."
He felt Draco's hands tremble in his, and he could tell the blond wizard knew exactly what he was referring to. "Harry," Draco whispered, tears forming in his grey eyes. Harry smiled, his voice breaking slightly as he continued.
"Fifteen years ago today, a precocious blond-haired boy offered me his friendship in a dingy back room at Madam Malkin's," Harry explained, pivoting slightly so he could address the crowd. His hands tightened on Draco's. "I wasn't smart enough to take him up on it. We lost years because of it, and only through some miracle of fate and destiny did we ever rise above that animosity to get to where we are today. I wanted to marry Draco on this date, the anniversary of my disastrous decision, so I can right that wrong. I wanted July 31 to be the day we confirmed our commitment to each other, not the day I turned away the friendship of a man who would grow to become the love of my life, my best friend, and the father of my children."
Harry turned back to fully face Draco, nodding slightly at Kingsley, who had slipped his wizarding robes on. He drew his wand, placing it on top of their joined hands.
"As a sign of your love and devotion to one another, do you, Harry James Potter, hereby vow to share your resources – both magical and physical – with Draco Abraxas Malfoy, so long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Harry whispered, and a jet of yellow light shot out of Kinsley's wand, wrapping around Draco.
"As a sign of your love and devotion to one another, do you, Draco Abraxas Malfoy, hereby vow to share your resources – both magical and physical – with Harry James Potter, so long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Draco breathed, his eyes locked on Harry's.
Another jet of light shot out of Kingsley's wand, twining around Harry. The beams of buttery yellow light joined, twisting around the two wizards until the men were partially shielded from view by a wall of shimmery light.
Draco gasped, feeling the full power of Harry's magical core touch his. He felt like a part of him he'd never known was missing had been returned – complete, for the first time in his life. Their skin glowed with a golden hue, their joined hands emitting bright sparks wherever the skin touched.
"Draco," Harry gasped, watching their luminous skin with wide eyes.
"Harry," he answered, trembling at the force of the magic sweeping through them. His knees buckled slightly, and he slid forward into Harry, who was held up only by the force of the field of light surrounding them.
"How do you – it's so much," Draco breathed, his body burning with the scope of Harry's magic.
"All I am and all I have, I share it with you," Harry whispered, using the words that would complete their magical transfer and bond. He fumbled in his pocket for the rings, sliding one onto Draco's finger.
"All I am and all I have, I share it with you," Draco answered, his extremities tingling with the strong magic that now coursed through their joined magical cores. He slipped the remaining ring on Harry's outstretched finger, gasping when both rings glowed brightly for a moment before returning to normal.
They staggered under the weight of the newly formed bond, the magic whirring around them in giant swirls and eddies. The protective cocoon of yellow light remained until they could stand on their own, slowing disappearing when the bond was fully placed and their magical cores had settled.
Harry became aware of the awed silence around them gradually, first registering the disappearance of the buttery light and then the buzzing absence of sound. His gaze traveled around the crowd of their friends and family, surprised to see absolute shock on all of their faces.
"What?" he whispered, nudging Draco lightly.
"I don't know," the blond answered, shaking his head to try to quell his lingering dizziness.
"Gentlemen," Kingsley said, his voice more subdued than Harry had ever heard it, "I truly am privileged to have witnessed your bond. May the blessings of Merlin be with you," he said, using the formal greeting for a newly married couple.
Kingsley's speculative gaze lingered on them a moment longer before he clapped a hand on each of their shoulders, forcibly turning them to face the audience.
"I am proud to present Harry and Draco Malfoy," he said, grinning from ear to ear.
***
"It's amazing."
Harry twirled in a circle, laughing as he took in the crush of verdant trees and shrubs, his feet sinking into the warm sand. Corey gurgled happily in his arms, his face upturned toward the warm sun.
"One Malfoy safe house in Costa Rica, as ordered," Draco drawled from the doorway of the thatched hut along the shore.
"Mmm, I feel safe," Harry sighed, wiggling his toes.
Lucius laughed, plucking the baby out of Harry's arms.
"We," he said, waving Corey's arm at Harry and Draco, "will see you later."
He cuddled the baby to his chest, heading off down the beach. The home Draco bought a month earlier was actually an estate in the Caribbean coastal province Tortuguera. It had been beastly expensive, since it was so difficult to buy beach-front land in the region known for its abundance of nesting sea turtles. It appealed to Draco because the laws that protected the endangered animals kept intrusions of all kinds to a minimum in the area – they would be able to relax here, far from the prying eyes of locals or tourists. Better yet, there was no wizarding district in the tiny coastal town, meaning the likelihood of running into other witches or wizards was very low. The perfect place for a tropical hideaway.
Draco smiled as he remembered the look on the estate agent's face when he signed the paperwork promising to use no electricity during the turtles' nesting season – July through October – the reason the huge estate had been empty for so long. When he'd promised to go one step further and actually retrofit the entire place without any electricity at all, the man had been absolutely bewildered.
"What's so funny?" Harry asked, joining his husband at the entrance to the rough-hewn hut.
"Muggles," Draco said, shaking his head.
Harry watched him with an arched eyebrow, smiling and looking back out toward the small bay. He could hear the crash of waves against rocks in the distance, at the mouth of the small inlet just a short boat ride away. The scene was one of perfect tranquility. Harry sighed again as he took in the deep green palm trees and dense underbrush, traveling over the warm-hued sand to the bottle-green water of the bay. Further out, he knew, the water was crystal clear and blue. The water rippled gently against the shore, and a feeling of complete contentedness washed over him.
"You like it?"
Harry grinned, throwing his arms around Draco enthusiastically.
"I love it!" he cried as they tumbled to the sandy floor of the cabana. He raised his arm, Summoning several of the cushions that lined the wall to use with the beach chairs. He made a neat pile, scooting the two of them over so the soft pillows were between them and the sand.
"Don't you want to see the rest of the house?" Draco asked, laughing as Harry eagerly unbuttoned his shirt.
"No," Harry answered, trailing kisses over the skin as he revealed it.
"Well, I do," Draco said, pushing Harry's hands away when he'd nearly finished. "I want to show you the estate."
Harry pouted prettily, his lower lip extended, the corners of his mouth turned down. Draco shook his head, pulling them both to their feet.
"I'm immune to your puppy dog look, Potter," he said, giggling when he caught himself. "I mean, Malfoy."
Harry dropped his sulk, bounding after Draco up the beach. A colorful house built on stilts came into view, and Harry gasped. The home wasn't overly large, but it was gorgeous. A whitewashed porch wrapped around the entire first floor, which Harry could already tell would have fabulous views of the bay from its elevated vantage point. Another level had several private balconies that afforded views of the tropical forest and the sea, depending on which side of the house they perched on.
"Merlin, Draco," Harry said, catching up to the blond on the stairs. "It's amazing."
Draco crossed the porch – the floorboards were worn smooth with age and weather, and they felt satiny against Harry's bare feet – and opened the door, inviting Harry inside.
"You've already said that," he teased, wrapping and arm around Harry's waist. "You're going to have to learn some new adjectives if you're going to keep up with me. I plan to surprise you with things like this all the time, husband."
Harry wrinkled his nose, sticking his tongue out at Draco. "I know loads of adjectives," he said, looking around. "It just happens to be the one that fits best."
Draco followed him as Harry trailed around the first floor, which featured an open floor plan and a minimum of walls. The back of the house was all glass, and Harry could see the seemingly never-ending expanse of tropical forest extending away from it, the leaves of the trees and plants glistening wetly in the sun, droplets of rain water shimmering against the green like diamonds.
The kitchen took up most of the back of the room, new appliances and countertops shining. The teak cupboards blended perfectly with the forest scene behind it, merging the inside and outside seamlessly. Harry glanced down, realizing the floor was the same burnished copper as the cabinetry.
The kitchen merged with a dining area, which was dominated by a large, comfortable-looking table, perfect for entertaining but not so nice that it would matter when Corvus threw a spoonful of peas at it whenever they began the adventure of solid food. We'll spend a lot of time here, Harry thought to himself, running a finger over the granite countertops. Corey will be comfortable here, and so will I.
A cozy sitting area boasted over-stuffed couches and chairs, all arranged around a large open area filled with toys and mats for Corvus to play on. Draco grabbed Harry's hand, leading him up the stairs.
"Our bedroom," he said, nudging the door at the end of the corridor open.
Harry stepped inside, blown away by the suite. It spanned the length of the house, giving them views of both the distant sea and the tropical forest, with balconies at both ends. The large room was decorated entirely in white, the only patches of color coming from vibrant local artwork in turquoises, greens, oranges, yellows and reds on the walls. Huge canvases hung in the gallery-like space, interspersed with smaller frames. Harry walked closer to inspect them, his heart skipping when he discovered they were all black-and-white photos of the two of them. The photos didn't move, which made them all the more alluring. Draco had managed to track down photos from their entire relationship – from their initial tentative truce at Hogwarts to present day. A large photo from their wedding – taken just hours before – hung above the fireplace, the two of them caught unaware, leaning in to kiss and holding Corvus between them. Draco smiled softly at the photo, making a mental note to send Hermione a thank-you card.
"It's amazing," Harry said again, not caring if Draco mocked him. He truly couldn't think of any other word to describe it.
"Mmm," Draco agreed, coming up behind Harry and resting his chin on his shoulder, wrapping his arms around his husband. "And you haven't even seen the bathroom, with its double-shower and oversized tub."
Harry chuckled, relaxing into Draco's embrace. "I don't need to see it."
"Or Corvus' room, which is down the hall," Draco continued, turning his head to press a kiss to Harry's neck.
"Or the guest house, which is where my parents have Corey right now."
"I don't need to see any of that," Harry repeated, tilting his head to give Draco better access to his throat.
"No?" Draco asked, his lips tickling Harry's throat as he spoke.
"No. It's all amazing."
Draco straightened, stepping around Harry so they were facing.
"You can't know that," he protested, smirking. "You haven't seen most of the house, or any of the property."
"Don't need to," Harry said, taking a running jump at the large bed with its pristine white duvet and fluffy white pillows. The gauzy white bed hangings fluttered, the delicate fabric rippling in the breeze of Harry's enthusiastic leap.
"And why not?"
"Because you're here. Anywhere you are is amazing," Harry said, reaching up to finish unbuttoning Draco's shirt when he pushed the bed hangings aside and joined him.
"A sap," Draco groaned, shrugging out of the garment when Harry pushed it over his shoulders. "I've married a sap."
"You're the one who bought me a house in Costa Rica just because I mentioned it might be nice to have one – once!"
"I'll always give you everything you want," Draco said, nuzzling Harry's neck as his hands slid down his torso to grip the bottom of his shirt, pulling it up over Harry's head.
"You are everything I want," Harry said huskily, fumbling with the zipper on Draco's trousers.
"Fuck," Draco gasped, suddenly desperate to have both of them naked.
They struggled with their remaining clothing for a moment before Harry stopped abruptly and snapped his fingers. They found themselves naked instantly, and Draco covered Harry's body with his own, straddling his hips. He pinned Harry's hands to the bed, claiming his mouth in a scorching kiss that left them both gasping for air.
They were both still feeling the effects of joining their magical cores, suddenly desperate for release as the arousal they felt during the ceremony returned full-force.
"Is this normal?" Harry asked between kisses, his hands sliding down Draco's body until they found his cock.
"Nothing we do is ever normal," Draco gasped in response, his back arching when Harry's fist closed around him and stroked.
They'd made it through the ceremony and reception without ravishing each other – barely. The magical energy that buzzed around them had a distinctly sexual flavor, and they could both feel the bond urging them to consummate it as soon as possible. That, paired with the intense experience of joining two powerful magical cores, had them humming with awareness, making each little kiss or caress send jolts of desire through their bodies.
Draco refused to delay leaving for their honeymoon – even though they were starting it several weeks early – so they hadn't had a chance to find any respite from the sexual tension. Several hours of intense emotions and sensations had left them bursting with need. Harry's initial surprise at the location of their honeymoon – and the fact that Draco had purchased an estate for them – had supplanted the desire momentarily, but it flooded back in a rush the second Draco had climbed on top of Harry.
"Wait," Harry groaned, crawling toward the foot of the bed. Draco moved to join him, but Harry restrained him with a foot to the chest. "Stay."
He curved himself around Draco, angling his body so his erection brushed Draco's soft lips. That erotic contact alone made Harry's balls tighten, and he knew he'd made the right choice – there was no way either of them would last long enough to actually fuck each other. He opened his lips, resting them around the head of Draco's cock and running his tongue around it teasingly before plunging it lightly into the slit. His taste buds flared at the musky, salty flavor of his husband, and he eagerly opened wider to take more of Draco's cock in his mouth.
"Shit," Draco groaned, taking the hint when Harry's bobbing cock smacked his lips again. He pressed a hard kiss to the side of the shaft, covering his teeth with his lips and allowing Harry to thrust into his open mouth.
"Draco," Harry moaned, moving his hips to increase the delicious friction. He mirrored Draco's technique, shielding the sharp points of his teeth so Draco could thrust freely into his mouth.
A few more thrusts from both of them and they were careening over the edge, the world exploding in a kaleidoscope of brilliant, shimmering color. Harry felt like the world had quite simply slipped away, the only sensations he registered being those attached to his cock and his mouth. He could feel Draco's hard length sliding against his tongue, and the sensation of his cock doing exactly the same thing in Draco's mouth sent him over the edge.
They came at the same moment, both of them shooting spurts of hot, bitter come down each other's throats, moaning each other's names and a string of colorful invectives. Draco swore he felt their magic twining around them, the same swirls and eddies from their Marriage Bond ceremony ghosting over their skin. He cracked open an eye, watching as the air shimmered around them with the force of their orgasms, their magic making the very air around them pulse.
"Fuck," he groaned, collapsing back on the bed when Harry's cock stopped twitching in his mouth.
"No kidding," Harry gasped, falling back as well.
"Married sex is brilliant," Draco panted, grinning when Harry found the energy to crawl up the bed and collapse in his waiting arms.
"It's amazing," Harry agreed, nestling into his husband's embrace as they both burst out laughing.
–The end –
Author's note: That's it, folks. That's all she wrote. It's been a great journey uncovering this story with you. Thanks for sticking with me to the end, and for all your brilliant words of encouragement.
I'm posting a glossary of the French and Bulgarian terms and phrases used in the fic as well, so you can see for yourself what Mlle. Vioget said in the trial and the barbs Draco and Viktor so liked to trade.
Thanks again for everyone who waded through this long story, especially those of you who took the time to review. And my heartfelt gratitude to Lady_Aubrey, who bravely tackled this mountain of a story as my beta. You rock! *waves*
- Bru