::20 February::

Dumbledore rested his head in his hands and listened to Severus and Minerva bicker. They were on about something mundane, as usual, and it forced a sigh from him.

"Listen," he raised his head, "You're both grown, intelligent people, settle it without all this bickering."

They looked at him strangely, "What is wrong, Albus?" Minerva asked, standing up to move closer.

"I have troubling news, Minerva," he lifted a small orb from his desk, "Ms. Parkinson sent this to us today."

The orb, called a Carta, held a visual and oral message from up to forty-eight hours and could be shown at any time. Dumbledore touched his want to it and the image of Pansy Parkinson appeared.

"Albus, I would like to start off by saying I'm terribly sorry about all the trouble I'm sure my disappearance has caused. Please assure my sister and friends that I am all right and I have been put in no danger. You, however, are being put in grave danger. There is a spy for Roua in the school," she turned her head to the side, "Cuida is a mercenary, trained and favored by Roua herself. Professor Cuida exists in the school so she may kill you, Severus and any Order member present at a moment's notice as well as gather information on our plans, strategy and advantages. You must remove her immediately and whether or not you betray my situation is irrelevant, she will kill you if she is presented with an opportunity and you must not allow her to."

Pansy sighed and returned her eyes to the orb, "My other news is less grave but of equal importance; I have been given a mission, part test of loyalty part convenience. Roua has charged me with the 'removal of Lucius Malfoy from combat and influence in this upcoming conflict' and you know that means she wants him dead. I do admit that considering some of the things he has done I do not have strong feelings against it but reconsidering his recent change of loyalty I do need the okay from Narcissa, Draco, Professor Snape, yourself Headmaster, as well as members of the Order to assure that I will not be tried and punished for such actions."

She nodded, "Do tell my friends that I love them deeply and I do hope everything is okay."

The orb went dark and the three adults looked to one another with worry.

"That is a lot for one message."

"We must show Narcissa and Harry," Snape said immediately, "Draco is a magnificent planner and the other Order Members as well as the children will want to know."

"Call them up," Dumbledore said, "I cannot wait any longer to resolve this matter."

Within a few minutes Narcissa sat with her child in arm while Violet, Azriel, Julian and the gang of six teens sat awkwardly on a single sofa.

"What's going on?"

Dumbledore played them the message and they sat silent and stunned.

"That's…wow…I," Julian sighed, "I knew Cuida was up to something but I never assumed she was a spy."

"None of us did," Azriel said and sighed, "What are you going to do?"

"Dismiss her, of course," Dumbledore said and then sighed too, "But it would be insurmountably suspicious if I dismiss the Defense teacher as we are on the brink of war."

"What if Az and I replace her?" Julian suggested, "It would be more an easier transition if she is replaced with people the students have seen around."

"That does not deter from the fact that we are replacing the defense teacher."

"We'll say she got a bun in the oven and put an end to it."

Narcissa raised her eyebrows, "What if we set up an accident that disallows her to continue teaching?"

"What could happen?"

"I'm sure Ron could put his head to it, perhaps call in some experienced tricksters and set something up."

They all grinned at Ron and the youngest male Weasley nodded, "I like that plan."

"Then make it happen, three days before I dismiss her on my own," Dumbledore warned. "And what to do about your husband, Narcissa?"

She looked down at her youngest son, "Lucius is a smart man, strong and fierce in all that he does but he does not believe in our cause, only in saving himself."

"Does that mean you condone his murder?"

She looked up, "If he dies I may have a chance to spend my life with Severus and Draco would have freedom to love Harry openly, perhaps it would be for the better."

They all considered this for a moment, Harry and Draco looked at each other and exchanging facial expressions before they both agreed.

"I don't want to be responsible for anyone's death but, as much as I feel that way, I think it may be best." Draco said and crossed his legs, sliding into Harry's lap.

"I feel the same," Harry agreed and everyone consented.

"Then it is settled."

::Room Of Requirements::

Draco lay atop Harry, and Draco's head rested on Harry's collar bone, both facing towards the fire place and watching it silently. They were tired, exhausted physically, emotionally and morally.

The past few days had dragged on, piling with homework, training, Quidditch, planning and decisions.

"What do you want to do now?"

Harry hummed and Draco smiled at the vibrations.

"I dunno," Harry admitted, "I kind of want to fall asleep with you to keep me warm," he lifted his head and left a kiss on Draco's nose, "And wake up with you," Draco moved and they kissed, opening their mouths and pressing against one another, tongues roving and slipping into the other's territory.

"I like your plan," Draco smiled as he pulled his mouth away, "But I do have one adjustment," and he slipped his mouth to Harry's neck and licked and sucked down the pulse towards Harry's collar bone. He left a large, almost heart-shaped hickey along the way and a small bite mark just below the bone.

Harry moaned, arching his head back and running his hands up Draco's back, under his shirt and along his spine. He spread his hands out and slid them down again, cupping the pretty round arse that sat, almost as a dot on an exclamation point, just below his spine.

Draco gave a petite giggle and led his lips back to Harry's.

"Most enjoyable," he said in his most posh accent and kissed Harry again.

"You know what I like best?" Harry asked and Draco pulled back and watched him intently.

"What do you like best?"

Harry smirked, "This," and he Eskimo kissed Draco and the blonde smiled.

"Too cute," he pecked him on the lips. "Sometimes I think it's too good, this…whatever is happening between us, then you do something adorable and I don't care because you make me happy."

Harry grinned proudly, "I do try. And you really are amazing; forgiving me for having a bet about you, for letting me hang around you all the time and for taking in stride this position of 'planner' for the war." He laughed, "That was sort of forced on you and I had hoped you wouldn't be involved with the war but I love having you there."

Draco blushed just a little, "You're a nice boy," and he kissed him again.

Harry laughed out loud, "a nice boy? I'm a nice boy? I'm not devilishly handsome?- rogue like?-charming?-wicked?"

It was Draco's turn to laugh, "First off, I'm wicked and second off, you're far too sweet and philanthropic to be devilishly anything, you're no rogue and you are charming but not in the suave way you are intending it. It's all sweet and wonderful," he assured the other boy.

Harry did not speak again but continued to kiss the petite blonde laying on top of him.

::Castle of the Death Queen::

"What?"

Lucia snarled and threw her chair across the room, watched it shatter against the wall and she turned back to pace, "I don't know!"

Roua rested her chin in her hand, "What happened?"

"I was walking through the corridors, it could not have been past three when a student ran up and fell to their knees, they screamed and screamed and started bleeding from their eyes! A Sangria Moris curse and Merlin I didn't cast it but somehow, when everyone came running the child blamed me!"

"Strange," Roua glared, "Are you certain?"

"Dead certain," she snapped, "Dumbledore said such accusations, especially in a time of war, could not be tolerated, he asked me to leave and already had my replacements lined up."

"Who?"

"The half-breed and his bitch," she snarled and Roua stood violently.

"It was set up," she growled and began to pace, showing her claws and teeth, "Someone told them."

The doors opened and a trio of nymphs walked in, "Queen," they knelt simultaneously, "The flower," in reference to Pansy, "has reached Europe and will continue towards the target on foot."

Roua nodded carefully then turned to Lucia, "Do you suppose?"

The Spaniard's eyes widened, "That bitch," she drew her wand, "I'll find her and show her what her place is."

"No," Roua stopped her cold, "You will do no such thing."

"Why not?"

Roua motioned for the nymphs to leave, "I need you by my side as we close in on Hogwarts."

"We are…?"

"Within the fortnight."

"Does the Dark Lord know?"

"It is his idea," she said and summoned her iron staff, "Sit, I have plans to discuss with you."

::Bulgaria::

"Lucius," Octavio seated himself near his brother-in-law, "What has happened?"

Lucius looked up and sighed at the sight of the other man, "I am tired, brother, of the world and this place."

"What has happened?"

"Narcissa's child, Chael, looks so much like his father and my daughter, dead now near as long as she lived, still cries every night and I hear her but when I rise to comfort her I find none else in this house."

"You are lonely."

"I am."

"Lucius, why do you not find someone to live with? Something to occupy your time?"

"It does not matter," he said, "My betrayal means someone is on their way here, to kill me or otherwise."

"You know for certain?"

"I do," he admitted, "The only way to postpone such fate is to continue to run and hide. You know that I do not run away and I certainly do not hide. I will wait and in that time perhaps I will write my memoirs or, perhaps, just letters to my son and wife."

Octavio leaned back, sighed and looked away, "Leave us some memory of you, dear brother, it would be tragic for the world to loose another hero without his story."

Lucius nodded, "I have time," he said, "Perhaps a month if this killer moves slowly, more than a fortnight I am sure."

"Then you should work," Octavio stood, "But I do hope you will be okay."

"I am a Malfoy, brother. We are always okay."

The other man gave him a fond smile, "I will write you within a few days and if you would like, I shall maintain your standings and accounts in England."

"Would you?"

"Of course," Octavio nodded and they shook hands. "I suppose this may be the last time I see you…"

"I assume as much."

They stared at each other in silence, nodded and Octavio stepped back.

"Good-bye, brother."

"Good-bye."


YAY!

Chapter in a week!

WOOOOO!

Okay, so,I really like this chapter, don't ask why, it just smiles at me.

Draco: You know what smiles at me?

FireStorm: No, what smiles at you?

Draco: HARRY!

Harry: AH!

FireStorm: Adorable.

:: Draco and Harry Eskimo kiss::

Ron: eew

Chael: AKSJGWH!!!

Ron: What?

FireStorm: He called his brother a girl.

Draco: What?!

FireStorm: Can't you speak baby?

Draco: No, you wierdo, I cannot.

FireStorm: That sucks.

Ron: I know who sucks.

FireStorm::sigh:: Who sucks?

Ron: Draco, in more ways than one, HAHA!

Draco::ATTACKs Ron::

Ron::screams like Ginny when she was four::

FireStorm: Oh Merlin.

Chael: OTRHWKS!

FireStorm: Now you're all immature, according to a two week old baby.

Love
FireStorm