Draco heaved a final sigh before seemingly slipping directly into a troubled sleep. Gradually the hand on his back stilled and after a moment of hesitation, his younger mate bent gently, brushing aside a strand of hair from his face and placing a tender kiss on his cheek.

"Rest well dominant," Harry whispered into his ear, before easing himself off the bed. Fetching a pair of slippers, the thirteen year old moved quietly about the room, making himself halfway presentable (Well as presentable one could look in a pair of pyjamas) before heading out the door after shooting his mate one last look.

This had gone on long enough, he decided, an expression of determination crossing his face as he padded down the corridor.

"Still in pyjamas whelp?" a voice asked from the wall.

Turning his head slightly Harry nodded in greeting to the previous Malfoy patriarch. "Yes sir. I'm hardly out of my room so I don't see the need to dress."

"That's true enough," Abraxas replied as he walked along, keeping pace with the dark haired boy. "What are you about? That look rarely means good when it comes to you."

Harry ignored the slight ribbing. The man always had a sarcastic edge to his words. With time, he had learnt that he meant nothing cruel by it. It was just part and parcel of who he was.

"Who was Draco speaking to?" he queried, shivering slightly as a wind blew through an open window before pursing his lips at his instinctive move. Really, there was no way his family would consent to his return to Hogwarts in less than a week if his condition did not make a vast improvement soon.

"My grandson deserves a sound whipping," the man declared, causing Harry to roll his eyes discretely at the familiar line. The only difference was that it was directed at someone other than himself for once. "Speaking to Lucius as he did. Were I alive – "

"Sir," Harry interrupted before the man could break out into a full rant. "Can you tell me where papa is currently? And do you know why Draco is so upset; it's the third time in as many days."

"Your mate refuses to see reason," Abraxas supplied, before glaring mildly at the interruption. It receded though when he saw the slight breathlessness of the child. "You're still too weak to be about so. Call your elf and head back to your room. Lucius will come to you."

The boy shook his head slowly. "Draco is there and besides, I'm fine. Where is papa?"

"In his office; I'll go on ahead."

Making a vague sound of agreement, Harry continued on, wondering if the man's office had always been this far away or was it just the fact that he hadn't gone to it in so long. A moment later, he was startled by a soft crack before his father pulled him to him.

"You should not be out of bed," Lucius scolded mildly, bending so he could study his face.

"I'm fine Papa," Harry protested, although he did not fight when the man scooped him up. "I need to talk to you."

"About Draco – Father told me," the wizard stated as he turned and headed to his office, setting Harry carefully down onto an armchair before ordering him a cup of tea. "What has Draco told you?"

"That's the problem," Harry mumbled around his cup, shooting the man a careful look. "He won't tell me anything although I gather it's about me. What is it papa?"

The elder wizard hesitated for a long moment. In truth, they had had no plans on involving either boy in the issues until absolutely necessary. Draco had found out by accident and just a day later the article had appeared in the newspaper and Harry had seen it. The family had all agreed that the boys would be less resistant if one simple directive was given to them. But to involve them from the planning stages was problematic, as Draco's reactions had long since proved. Really, did he want to tell Harry, the more emotional of the two?

But, as he sighed, Harry was more inquisitive and now that his curiosity had been aroused, there would be no stopping him. Harry would dog each of them in turn until he got the answers he wanted. Perhaps it would be best to simply tell him and get it over with.

"It's about the tournament Harry," he finally said, eyeing his dark haired boy carefully.

The boy cocked his head slightly. "Why would Draco be mad about that Papa? It is not like we're going to be involved with it at any level. Well watching maybe."

"It's not that he's particularly worried about the tasks son although I suspect should any prove particularly dangerous and gruesome he may protest your attendance. However it is more the people who will be coming to Hogwarts that has him worried."

"You mean Durmstrang," Harry stated, a hint of sadness in his voice. "Is it because they teach Dark Arts?"

"Partly Harry," Lucius agreed, "but it is more than that. Draco is not being prejudiced. Obviously, there are good students at the Institute the same way that Hogwarts and even Beauxbaton possess a few rotten apples. What has your mate primarily concerned is those rotten apples."

A tingle ran up Harry's spine as he wondered if Viktor would be included among the ones his mate was suspicious about. "Does this have to do with the last tournament?"

"Not really," the man revealed much to Harry's relief. "The actions of one cannot reflect those of the whole school. Harry it is the staff of the Institute that we and by extension Draco is concerned with. Their High Master especially." Lucius paused a moment, choosing the best way to broach the topic that had brought about Harry's illness. "Son, do you remember your 'nightmares'. The one about the servant?"

"Who cut off his hand? Yes Papa," Harry agreed with a small wince. That memory was still disturbing.

"Severus was able to identify the man Harry. His name is Igor Karkaroff, the High Master of Durmstrang."

Goosebumps erupted over Harry's skin and instinctively he wrapped his arms about himself. To see that man in person, Harry thought, knowing what he had done for Voldemort. Wait- "Why would Grandpa allow him into the school?"

Lucius sighed, rocking back in his chair. "And that Harry is exactly what has Draco angry. We all know he is a death eater, the one who resurrected Voldemort at that. But Harry, it is a good strategy. Albus hopes, that by allowing the man free passage into the school without censures it will lull him into a false sense of security."

"B-but what if Voldemort tells him to do something?" Harry asked, a bit of panic in his voice. No wonder his mate's anger. To let a death eater into the school...Harry would never be comfortable with that. "Can't his deputy come instead?"

"His deputy is another well known death eater," Lucius revealed. "Rossier escaped persecution here by seeking asylum in another country whose government was a Voldemort sympathiser. Frankly, knowing Rossier as I do, we are better off with Karkaroff in our midst, no matter how uncomfortable the thought."

"I don't like this," Harry whispered, feeling unnerved. Without a thought, he rose off his chair and moved to the eldest Malfoy, his eyes appealing. Understanding immediately, Lucius pulled Harry up onto his knee, wrapping his arms around him in a tight hug.

"You're safe," he whispered, resting his chin on the boy's head for several moments. "I'll tell you what I told your mate. We will make sure that you are safe Harry. Durmstrang is bringing their own accommodations, I won't tell you what it is lest it ruin the surprise. Their presence in the castle will be limited, unless they choose to befriend our students. The seventh floor of the castle has been set aside for the use of the French students."

"Hogwarts has a seventh floor?" Harry asked in surprise, pulling back.

"It does now," the man chuckled. "As headmaster Albus is allowed to alter the castle if needs be. He has decided to assign a new floor for the Beauxbaton students."

"Grandpa is strong," the teenager said in a slightly awe-toned voice.

"That he is," Lucius chuckled, sharing a slightly amused look with his father when the boy was not looking. "So now do you understand why Draco is upset?"

"I do," Harry agreed, his expression thoughtful. "He thinks I'll be in danger with the man's presence. But Papa, Voldemort is back."

"Yes he is," he agreed, encouraging his son to speak further.

"Doesn't that mean that some of the families will go back to him?"

"You're concerned about your own fellow students," the man said knowingly. Smart boy, he thought, not even Draco had realised that bit. "Harry due to the efforts of many the past few years, myself and your uncle included, quite a few of the Dark Lord's army from the previous war were kissed. A few lesser death eaters are still in possession of their souls unfortunately.

"The major difficulty we now face is the new death eaters. We have little intelligence as to their identities although we along with the Ministry are working assiduously on that front. You are quite right in your question child. There may very well be students who have taken or will soon take the dark mark."

"And Grandpa will allow them to continue in school."

Lucius' eyes darkened suddenly and he raised Harry's face to meet his. His voice was slightly strained when he spoke next. "Harry, Albus must give them a choice. You must understand, the possibility will remain that some of those students may be forced into the mark, much like your uncle and myself was. Son, if it were not for Albus' trust in us, we would have very well found ourselves in Azkaban along with the rest. We cannot condemn them all Harry, not from the get go. Unless they prove themselves to be a danger, the governors will allow them to remain."

There was a brief period of silence before Harry asked the question he had never even considered much before. "How papa? How were you forced?"

The patriarch visibly deflated, shocking Harry as he slumped back into his chair. Above them, in his portrait, a pained expression crossed Abraxas' face before he fled the portrait.

"Papa, I'm sorry!" the teenager apologised quickly, tugging at the man's shirt frantically as his silver eyes dulled. "Papa!"

"I-it's okay Harry," Lucius said after a moment, collecting himself. "It's a painful memory that's all."

"I'm sorry I asked," he said, his tone heavily remorseful.

"No, it's all right," the man stated, reaching up to rub the back of his neck for several seconds before he emitted a heartfelt sigh.

"It was during my last Christmas at Hogwarts," he began. "Narcissa had just gone through her majority and her parents sent a letter saying that she wanted to see me. I did not put it together at the time, but Narcissa had realised that I was her mate. You see Harry; it is possible for a veela to have romantic feelings for another before their majority. Luckily for us, those feelings remained once she changed and she called for me. The second we touched..." The man drifted off for a moment, and as Harry watched, a look of nostalgia crossed his face for several seconds before he collected himself enough to continue.

"It was one of the best days of my life. I sent an owl to my house immediately that I would be away for longer than expected. I stayed until Christmas. The next day Narcissa flooed here with me, so I could re-introduce her, this time as my mate. Father was ecstatic and I know that Mother, were she still alive would have felt the same way. Severus was not with us, he had chosen to stay at Hogwarts to finalise some things with the then potions master. It was the 29th of December that it happened.

"I had gone off to a ring maker. I wanted to propose to Cissy just as the New Year arrived, and somehow none of the Malfoy family rings seemed good enough. I spent hours harassing the man until I got the perfect one. And then I flooed home..."

Harry laid his head comfortingly against his father's chest when his breath hitched, and did not protest when the man's arms tightened almost painfully around him. If it offered him comfort, he would not protest.

"Voldemort," Lucius continued eventually, "Voldemort came to our house. He was recruiting purebloods, especially the rich ones. He wanted not only me but my father. He had little use for Narcissa. That was, until my father refused him. Father – he was dead by the time I arrived home. He had refused Voldemort and because I existed, he saw no reason to keep Father alive. With his death, I automatically assumed the role of head. I was in control of the finances, the wizarding seats, everything. But of course, he knew that I would refuse too.

"And so Narcissa became a hostage. He would kill her if I did not join him. I-I could not let her die. I just could not. Even if he killed me too, I couldn't let Cissy die, not because of me. She begged me not too, pleaded for me to let her go. I would survive without her, I was more important than she could ever be. But I just couldn't go through with it. Narcissa...Narcissa was always a part of my life. We grew up together, she was always there and I couldn't exist for a single second if it meant that she would not be with me. So I did it. I submitted to that madman, became his servant because it spared her life.

"And days later, I found out that the man had done the same thing to Severus. A recruit of his grabbed my brother from a Hogsmeade trip. Although not a pureblood, Voldemort was suitably impressed by Severus spell creation ability and his knack for potions. Severus refused at once. He had not liberated himself from an abusive home only to fall prey to a madman. But like me, Voldemort forced the choice on him, using me as bait.

"He lied, told Severus that he had me at ransom and would kill me if he refused. Draco wasn't born yet you see, and somehow the man had found out the blood ritual me and Severus had done. When I say that Severus is my brother Harry I mean it literally. Severus and I bonded through blood, making him irreversibly a Malfoy even if he never chose to adopt the name. And Voldemort used that against him. Family means the world to Severus and when offered the choice he chose servitude to the man, hoping that it would save me. He was devastated when he found the truth, but found relief in knowing that I did not condemn him. How could I when I bore the same mark as he did?

"That was the worst period of my life – our lives. The minute we graduated Hogwarts our lives became his. The things we had to do – hardly a day passed without either of us retching at the horrors. And when it became too much we sought out succour from Albus, who granted it willingly. We became his spies, working with a purpose to bring down the Dark Lord. Sometimes I think that is one of the few things that kept me sane, knowing that with every person I attacked, it brought me closer into the man's folds opening another opportunity for information that could hopefully bring him down.

"And then you were born Harry, born under a prophesy that cost you your parents, but liberated us all. I was never more grateful to you than that day Harry. I was free. Free from servitude and a madman who threatened to destroy the word. But Harry, if it wasn't for Albus, I along with Severus would have never made it to see this day. Without him we would have been rotting in Azkaban – or perhaps not even been alive at all.

"So you see child? Why I must agree with Albus allowing them back to Hogwarts, marked or otherwise? Everyone needs a chance Harry. Even if there are some who took that mark willingly, they may change once they see what is involved. Is it right of us to deny them that chance, a chance that was afforded to me?"

"No it isn't," Harry said softly, reaching up to touch the man's cheek. "You were very brave Papa, so brave."

Those words, so innocently spoken, but completely sincere tore at the man's heart and he pulled Harry closer to him, kissing his head tenderly. When enough time passed and he was once more in control of himself, he broached their earlier conversation.

"Draco isn't pleased about our stance. But Harry, as I have been trying to tell him, should you go back, we will do everything in our power to keep you safe. Albus is already working on it, and you have an animagus form. Plus you and Draco will share the same schedule once again. There is no reason for you to be unprotected in the least. You will be safe should you return."

"Why 'should'," Harry questioned. "Don't you want me to go back?"

"It's entirely up to you child," Lucius said seriously. "It is the same thing I told you in your first year. If you feel that you are safer home, we will not hold it against you. At anytime you can choose to leave."

"And that's why Draco is so angry," Harry deduced. "He doesn't want me to have that choice. He wants us here, home where it is safest. It's okay Papa," he said quickly, knowing that the man would try to defend his son's choice. "I understand Draco's reasoning. But I can't agree with that. I want to go back to Hogwarts. I love being home, I really do and maybe eventually I'll change my mind and leave, but for now I want to go back. I have already missed so much. I want to see my friends, want to help Professor Flitwick with his charms and visit Hagrid and his pets.

"Is that selfish Papa, my wanting to go back? I mean it would be easier for everyone without me there."

"It would," Lucius agreed, "but you are not being selfish in the least. Those things you mentioned are an integral part of a teenager's life and Professor Flitwick will be terribly disappointed if you don't return."

There was a mild edge of something to Lucius' last words that had Harry looking at him curiously. "Why would he papa?"

Lucius smirked slightly. "Maybe I shouldn't tell you this yet," he said teasingly, "after all you should be receiving a letter from the school anytime now."

Now completely curious Harry poked his father. "Tell me Papa," he begged, "what is it."

Giving in easily, Lucius ruffled Harry's head. "You know that part of the tournament is to give the host school a chance to show off if you will?"

"Yes."

"Well, the governor who accompanied Albus to Durmstrang decided that Hogwarts needs something to give the school an extra edge. You see, in Beauxbatons, there is no number limitation for students in authorial positions."

"Huh?" Harry said bluntly. "Talk plainly papa."

"You have no head for subtlety do you?" the man mock frowned before he complied. "As long as a student met set criteria, come fifth year they are selected as prefects. Their system is more comprehensive than ours, of which I'm sure you'll learn more eventually. Hogwarts sorts students upon entry into Houses and although there is quidditch and the school cup, our house system is nowhere as competitive as theirs.

"Although they have four houses like ours, from the prefect body, six per house are selected to hold house positions, ranging from house captains straight down to treasurers. The houses battle monthly in a variety of challenges and at the end of every term, the house with the most points wins and is afforded a number of privileges the next term.

"Though we are not in agreement of altering our school's traditions simply to seem more advanced than Beauxbatons, the board does agree that from the outside looking it, it may seem that Hogwarts has a limited number of students who excel. Twenty four students out of a student body of about six hundred appears very unbalanced."

"Papa," Harry interjected quietly, "won't it also seem that our school rewards only the most advanced students in each year with authority?"

"A plausible argument my son, but trust me when I say politics is a nasty game. Undoubtedly, Beauxbatons will overlook that little facet and so we the governors have come upon a way to advance Hogwart's appearance while still upholding our positions. As such from this year onwards, in addition to the prefects, the professors are allowed to choose a student from the upper years to serve under them. Such students who may or may not be a prefect will assist the professor whenever they are called upon to. Whether it is by correcting essays, helping teach a class or assisting in any other way the teacher may require."

The man stopped there, waiting for Harry to make the connection. When the boy did a wide smile spread on his face. "Professor Flitwick chose me?" he gasped, his eyes sparkling.

"Without a second thought," Lucius beamed, happy for his son. "Your marks are the highest recorded since your mother attended Hogwarts and your practical work can put a seventh year to shame. Your position gives you the same privileges as a prefect. You may duck points or assign detentions. You are allowed out after curfew for up to half an hour and you now have limited access to the restricted section of the library without a note from a teacher. You will still come up for consideration come seventh year for the position of Head Boy. However, unlike a prefect you do not have patrol duties nor are you required to carry out dormitory searches or inspections."

Harry nodded quickly at the information, storing it away for further analysis later. For now, all that mattered was the Charms part. Without a doubt, he loved the subject and wanted to pursue it as far as possible. Transfiguration was a close second and he would have been happy too if that position had been offered to him, but Charms was dearest to his heart.

"What about Draco?" Harry asked suddenly. If he had been chosen then it was obvious that his mate would have been as well. "Did Uncle Sev take him?"

"Five points to Gryffindor," Lucius chuckled. "Draco was the perfect choice for Severus, and no one can accuse him of favouritism. I believe there was quite the argument between Severus and Professor Vector, but in the end, Severus won out with the argument that your mate's Potions marks were consistently higher. Might I add that both of you caused quite a stir among the teachers?"

The teenager laughed at that. "Let me guess, Hermione ranked first in everything she took and only because we weren't there?"

"Yes," Lucius agreed. "Your friend is a clever witch, but she was the third most sought after student after you two. She is both Gryffindor prefect and assistant in Arithmancy."

"Is there anyone else I know?"

"Hmm...Ronald is the other fifth year prefect; Neville Longbottom is the Herbology assistant."

"Neville?" Harry asked with mild surprise. From what he knew of the chubby boy, he was average at schoolwork at best (and certainly terrible at potions).

"Mr. Longbottom ranks third in the subject Harry, above Miss Granger and only a few points below you."

That detail surprised the dark-haired boy, but he easily shook it off. It was nice knowing there was something the boy was good at. Now that he thought about it, Neville always seemed to be zipping down to the greenhouses. For a moment, Harry reflected on the fact that it was because he loved the subject so much, the same way Harry felt for Charms. Herbology to Harry was just a subject. True he paid it the attention it was due and was careful in the greenhouses, but Harry knew that he would not carry it forward past this year.

"The rest of students came from the higher levels," Lucius said presently, unaware that his son's mind had drifted off. "The only other fifth year prefect that you may be interested in is Mr. Zabini."

"Blaise?" Harry clarified. "That's great!"

"It is indeed. You boys have surrounded yourselves with some very competent people and I am proud of that fact."

"Thank you papa," the teenager chuckled, butting his chest affectionately. "Now I'm really looking to go back, death eaters and all!"

Lucius smiled at the boy's enthusiasm. Harry was so easily placated sometimes, he thought fondly. "I'm glad you are," the man seconded. "But there is still the matter of your mate."

Seconds later the man blinked at the very Slytherin-like smirk that crossed Harry's face. "Leave Draco to me Papa," Harry said, a glint in his eyes, "I'll make him agree."


It was only when the train pulled out of the station that it occurred to Lucius that he should have asked his younger son just how he had gotten his mate to agree. But then, he thought, recalling the glint in the child's eyes, there were just some things that were better off unknown.