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Please enjoy chapter 35.

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Harry and Draco could hear Narcissa's and Severus' quiet voices coming from the dining room. The conversation sounded intimate, so the boys chose to not return to the dining room. It was just after six, and the sun was setting. Harry realized that this was the first time in weeks he was able to witness an actual sunset. Draco seemed to have a similar thought as he watched the ruby sky from one of the huge hallway windows.

'Did you want to go and see the Manor grounds?' Draco offered, giving Harry a small smile.

Harry smiled at Draco too. Then, taking his boyfriend's hand, Harry led the way out.

'What are you so excited about?' Draco asked, a little perplexed; he was forced to jog lightly to keep up with Harry, his hand still clasped tightly.

'Haven't seen a sunset for weeks! Don't want to miss it,' Harry said enthusiastically, not noticing the glares he was getting from the portraits in the hallway. Apparently, running was frowned upon in Malfoy Manor.

As they neared the entrance hall, Harry suddenly turned to face Draco. 'What did you think of dinner?'

Draco chuckled at the question. 'It was brilliant. I can't believe you called my father "Dad". I thought he was going to have a heart attack.'

Harry breathed out a sigh of relief.

'Harry, were you nervous that I wouldn't approve?' Draco asked, taking a step closer to Harry.

Harry nodded, his eyes downcast. 'I was worried that...your father said...never mind.' He finished lamely.

'What were you worried about?' the blond boy asked, sounding confused.

'Nothing. Let's just go outside,' Harry said, pulling himself together. He didn't want to tell Draco anything just yet. Draco was an adult; he could make his own choices. Harry decided against asking his boyfriend whether he would continue accompanying him in the search for Horcruxes. Of course if Draco said no, Harry would be crushed, but at least he would know Draco was relatively safe.

'Has something happened between you and my father?' Draco asked, gripping Harry's hand tighter.

'Not exactly,' Harry countered, deciding to tell the truth. 'I'll explain outside.'

Draco nodded at this, happy that Harry was about to explain everything.

The sun was shining brilliantly upon the Manor grounds, bathing them in a ruby red glow. It was definitely an evening to remember.

'Let's go around the house. I can show you the stables and my grandfather's horses.'

Harry nodded at Draco's suggestion, looking around the grounds with his mouth slightly open.

'That's Mother's greenhouse and flower gardens.' Draco pointed at a small white building just as they turned a corner. The back of Malfoy Manor was nothing like Harry had expected. He had anticipated more pavement and perhaps a swimming pool, but he was unprepared to see grassy hills and trees stretching for yards.

'Don't you have a swimming pool?' Harry asked, watching a neat stone pathway leading up towards the hills.

Draco laughed at the question. 'My bathroom has a bathtub big enough to be considered a swimming pool. Besides, no Malfoy enjoys swimming.'

It was Harry's turn to laugh. He snorted, imagining Lucius swimming in a perfect breaststroke. Somehow his brain could not comprehend such an absurd picture.

'Just wait - the view is even more impressive when you climb over the hills,' Draco commented smugly, giving the incredulous Harry a smirk.

The view was indeed more impressive over the edge of the hill. Harry stopped in his tracks, looking out on a huge forest valley stretching past the horizon, embedded with numerous rivers. He could even see birds flying low over the trees.

'Mother used to bring me here for picnics. Father would always complain about it and say how I was growing up a nancy-boy. I do love it here.' Draco sounded nostalgic. Harry did not fail to notice the change in his boyfriend's voice; it sounded like Draco really missed being here. However, Draco turned away from the beautiful valley and looked Harry straight in the eyes.

'Those times are long gone. This place, magnificent as it is, reminds me of Voldemort and the War. I can't stay here, at least not for long.' Just as Draco said this, he felt a funny sensation in his chest; a chill of sorts was creeping up his body again. Remembering the horrible dream he'd had only an hour ago, Draco tried to contain his panic.

Harry, too, was staring Draco straight in the eyes. He thought it was a trick of the sunlight but Draco's eyes had an odd red gleam in them. The blond looked away suddenly, his face pale.

'Draco.' Harry placed his hand on his boyfriend's shoulder. 'Those memories will fade eventually.'

The freezing pain dissipated as soon as Harry touched him.

'Draco?' Harry asked, concerned, tilting the blond boy's head up. Startled, Draco blinked a couple of times before smiling quickly.

'Sorry. My mind wandered off. Let's sit and talk for a bit.'

Harry still looked concerned but followed Draco's suit and sat down on the grass.

'So tell me what happened between you and my father.' Draco decided to start here. There were a few things they needed to discuss.

'Oh,' Harry said, not expecting Draco to change the conversation. 'Well, your father is convinced that you will stay at the Manor and that you won't join me.' Harry looked away guiltily.

Draco looked grim at this. 'I thought he would say something like that...' Draco stopped talking when he caught Harry's facial expression. The black-haired boy appeared tense and apprehensive.

'Harry, you didn't actually believe him, did you?' Draco asked. Harry's face said it all. 'You silly silly boy,' Draco muttered. 'Why did you believe him? Didn't I say I wasn't going to abandon you, no matter what happens?'

Harry found his voice. 'But your parents...I thought you would want to spend some time with them.'

'Didn't I just say that this house is too much? I would never want to stay here. This isn't my home anymore.'

'Then where is your home?' Harry asked, giving Draco a curious look.

'My home is where your home is. I'm surprised you didn't know already.'

Harry looked guilty again. 'I never thought...Draco...it's just that you've been away for so long, this almost doesn't feel real.'

Draco nodded at this. 'I feel the same way, you know. This is almost unreal, but I know this is what I want - to be with you.' Draco looked straight into Harry's emerald eyes.

Harry hugged Draco, kissing the boy's forehead lightly. Draco squirmed away, looking unhappy.

'What?' Harry asked, confused.

'You kissed me like my grandmother. Is that all I am going to get?' Draco asked haughtily.

Harry laughed before capturing Draco's lips. The kiss brightened up Draco's spirits considerably. Moaning slightly, Draco permitted Harry's tongue entrance.

Little did the boys know that they were being watched.

Lucius Malfoy was standing by the window of his own lavish bedroom, the Manor grounds below him, watching as the two boys kissed passionately. Sighing heavily, Lucius turned away and sat down in an armchair.

'Isn't it time to let it go?' Narcissa's voice came out of nowhere.

Startled but not showing it, Lucius turned his head slowly to face his wife.

'Whatever do you mean, Cissy?'

Narcissa flinched at the name, giving her husband a judging look. 'I stayed silent about your antics, but I now regret that choice. Can't you see how happy Draco is?'

Lucius sighed again and looked away. 'I see it,' he grumbled dispassionately. 'It's still not what I want for him, though.'

Narcissa walked towards another armchair and sat down. 'Of course it's not what I would prefer for him either. But it's not a fact we can change. If we want our son happy, then we will let him be.'

'Where did I go wrong, Narcissa?' Lucius asked suddenly, looking at his wife, his face pensive. 'What did I do to deserve all of this?'

Narcissa gave her husband a stony smile. 'Your ambition and thirst for power. You've risked too much, and that risk has not paid off.'

Lucius looked at her. Narcissa never criticized him, but it seemed that the world was changing.

'Lucius, you didn't listen to anyone's warnings. Your father was against you joining the Dark Lord. I was against it too, though I remained silent. I now desperately wish I had spoken up back then, I wish I'd had the courage I have now. I abhor the Dark Lord now. If you remained neutral, none of this would have happened. But you made your choice. You and you alone are responsible for our hardship today.'

Narcissa did not sound accusatory at all. In fact she sounded supportive. 'You've made mistakes. But it's time to move on and look at the future. It is time to think about happiness, ours and Draco's.' Narcissa smiled, her eyes shining brightly. 'I am not accusing you, Lucius. You have your faults, but you don't have to deal with them alone. I am here, and I will always be here. No matter what happens, I will love you.'

Lucius looked back at his wife, staring directly into her blue eyes. He suddenly got flashbacks of the first time he met Narcissa, their first kiss, the night he proposed to her, his wedding dance. He had not thought about these things in years.

Narcissa was leaning back in her armchair, watching her husband closely. She knew her words made an impression; yet she knew Lucius wouldn't change overnight.

'Narcissa, it's been so long since anything happened…' Lucius muttered at the carpet. 'I don't know I haven't paid enough attention to you or Draco. I now realize that our marriage is lacking any strong emotion. I witnessed Draco growing up, but I was always concerned about the superficial things – his grades and status. I never asked about his feelings, I inquired into his wishes. And it cost me.'

Lady Malfoy was sitting with a smile on her face now. 'Finally I got you to see the truth. I have been trying to make you understand this for years Lucius. There is nothing more important than our family. No amount of money or fame can compete with our blood; the bond we share as a family is the most sacred.'

There was a silence for a moment but then Lucius got up gracefully and approached his wife with his hand outstretched.

'Dance with me?'

Narcissa laughed softly before accepting the hand. It really has been years. She put her hand on Lucius' shoulder and Lord Malfoy set a slow pace, his hand on his wife's waist, their faces very close. Lucius could smell a scent that he could only ever associate with Narcissa. It was slightly flowery, but it reminded him more strongly of what he has been missing for so long.

They danced for what must have been minutes, both seemed deep in thought. Lucius did not know what his wife was thinking about, but that wasn't important right now. He thought about Draco and Potter. The fact that Draco was gay did not concern Lucius; it was of course not what he preferred for his son. The issue at hand was Harry Potter. A boy Lucius despised. But as Lucius circled the room yet again, he began to wonder why he despised Harry so much. Was it because the Dark Lord hated the boy? But Lucius could never be loyal to the Dark Lord again, so was there any reason to be against Harry Potter? If Potter really did make Draco happy, if Draco really did love Harry Potter, he Lucius supposed he could give it a chance.

They stopped their dance at last. Lucius smiled at Narcissa, raised her hand and pressed his lips to the back of her palm. Narcissa almost giggled, unused by this much affection from her husband. Changes were definitely coming.

'You do realize how much danger Draco will be in once he leaves?' Lucius asked at last, already sitting at the armchair again.

'I know. But my heart tells me it's the right thing to do. Besides, Potter has been unbelievably lucky against the Dark Lord.'

Lucius thought about that too, his finger tracing his mouth. 'Even if the Dark Lord suffers a defeat, it will come at a high cost. Draco will have to struggle, and I don't want him to go through that.'

'I understand. Draco will struggle, yes, but he will also gain courage and experience. Enough to teach him a valuable lesson for the rest of his life. If he can survive through this, if he can outlive the Dark Lord, then he can do anything in his life.'

Lucius sighed again. He knew he would spend another sleepless night thinking about this.

'I think Severus will be accompanying them too, or at least keeping a close eye on them.' Narcissa looked comforted by this thought.

'You don't expect him to stay here?' Lucius asked incredulously.

'No, I do not. He still needs to heal, but as soon as he recovers, I expect he will leave. He is not the type of a man to sit still while the world is crashing around him. I think he may help Draco and Potter, and maybe even find Dumbledore.'

Lucius nodded at this, getting up from his armchair. 'I need to think.' He approached the window again but could not see Harry and Draco anymore. Minutes stretched, but he was still staring out of the window, watching the dusk settle. Lucius did not even notice Narcissa leaving.

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