Authors Note: Thanks for all your support in the form of faving and following this story. Also a special thanks to Rori Potter, .3, daithi4377, ilovebooks12345678910, Andrea Cuadra, MsAwesome2u, Yaoianime4everlove and HMRoberts for the lovely reviews.
Also, I'm very sorry it took this long to upload this chapter. I was a bit preoccupied with my family. My father is getting rather depressed because of the Corona crisis and all the restrictions he doesn't understand. On top of that is my job as a caretaker currently a bit more complicated due to the virus. I'll try to be faster with the bonus chapter but currently, I just can't make any promises. My work schedule changes almost daily and sometimes I don't have to work at all or work more than I normally do all of a sudden. It's also rather stressful to be at work with all the precautions I have to take to avoid that I or the people I mind get infected.
I know this chapter seems very rushed, but a lot of things will be as they were in the last book and there really was no point in copying most of that. So I mostly wrote the parts that are different. I hope you like the way I did this chapter.
Baby on board
Chapter seven
Charlie Weasley has his hands full. Draco had just arrived from Hogwarts via portkey and had burst into tears right away after his goodbye from Harry. It would have taken Charlie too long to calm him so he just made sure that Draco touched the next portkey with him and they both appeared in the countryside of Romania, not too far from the dragon reserve but far enough to be safe from the dragons. Especially with all the warding, Dumbledore had done over the whole area surrounding the safe house. Neville is already there as is Professor Severus Snape who went towards Draco to hold him and talk with him to help calm the clearly distraught teen. He also mumbled the exact address of the safe house. After that, he walks with Draco towards it and Charlie takes the whining infant from Draco. Eileen clearly didn't like the portkey travel and Charlie manages to calm her quickly. He had always helped his mother with his younger siblings and especially with Ginny he had been old enough to be a real asset when watching her. Those experiences help him to easily calm the upset baby girl now.
Severus has less success, Draco is still crying by the time Charlie got Eileen to nap a bit, apparently, it wasn't as easy to calm him. They all are in the living room at the bottom left of the medium-sized mansion that had been divided into four living spaces. Draco would be at the bottom left with his baby and Andromeda and her husband on the right side on the top with Narcissa below them. Charlie had promised to move in above Draco to be there for him after work and to let Snape or Neville stay there whenever it was needed too. Andromeda, her husband and Narcissa would arrive later today. By the time they finally arrived Draco had cried himself to sleep. By the time Draco wakes up again, only Charlie is with him and it is already dark outside. "Eileen." He mumbles looking around frantically.
"I put her to bed." Charlie calmly replies "Want me to show you around a bit?" Draco just nods and Charlie starts to show him around his area and the entrance of the mansion as well as where he'll find his mother in the morning and of course Eileen's bedroom that is right next to Draco's. Charlie also shows the way into the garden but suggests to have a look at that when the sun is back up. During all of that Draco is very quiet and barely seems to take anything in.
He stays that quiet for the first few weeks during which he starts to lose weight from eating too little and he even seems to develop a nervous stomach considering how often he gets sick during the day.
One day Draco suddenly becomes more restless and even goes with Eileen to his mother where he constantly claims that Harry is in danger. He insists that he can feel it, though he himself can't explain how he can be that sure of it. He calms after a little over one hour. Finally agreeing with his mother that she is right, Harry is probably fine and he couldn't know otherwise anyway. It must be his own anxiety that is playing tricks on him and nothing else and that he needs to calm himself to prevent his stomach from acting up again.
However, on the same evening they hear over the wireless radio that Harry had broken into the ministry and stolen a locket from Umbridge, which was a family heirloom of her from the Selvin family. Harry nearly had gotten caught too but managed to escape with the help of two friends. Draco wonders why Harry had taken such a risk for a stupid locked of that bitch. Harry had never told him much about what Dumbledore had told him out of fear that it would only increase the target on Draco. This way Voldemort may just ignore him and Eileen if anything happens to Harry. After all, Harry's occlumency shields are barely present and the Dark Lord can easily find out that Harry had not told Draco anything that Voldemort wants to keep a secret.
Christmas is particularly hard for Draco. To be separated from his husband not only on Christmas but their first wedding day as well. He had gotten gifts for him via Charlie who bought most things anyone in the house needed. But because he couldn't give them to Harry, Draco left it in his room on the bedside table on the right side of the bed. Simply because in Hogwarts Harry had always slept on the right side. He also is particular anxious again on Christmas eve for some time. Once more feeling like Harry is in grave danger but Draco is unable to explain why Harry is in danger or why Draco feels that way. This time he doesn't tell anyone though. His mother hadn't believed him even after they had heard just how accurate Draco's feeling had been. She still said that it must have been a coincidence. He just hopes that this time, it really is just his anxiety that worries him.
It also didn't help Draco with his anxiety that he found out Draco only recently that he doesn't have a nervous stomach. He is pregnant once again. Obviously since some time during the last week of Hogwarts and obviously from Harry. Something he couldn't even tell Harry so far. And Draco knows that he might never be able to tell him if the Dark Lord indeed gets Harry. As Draco fears during the increase of his anxiety during Christmas eve.
Harry on the other side has no idea about Draco's fears or how much he senses when he walks through Godric's hollow with Ron and Hermione. He had a few fights with Ron but the fact that Harry still constantly talks about Draco or blew up Ron's radio when Ron dared to claim that Harry didn't know why Ron had to hear it because he had no parents only for Harry to then shout "I have a child and if you think that I'll be able to function at all after hearing her name you are wrong." Harry is terrified to hear her name or worse Draco's. He knows he has to function. He has to fight Voldemort because according to that prophecy, no one else can. But Harry knows that he'd get lost in his grieve if he'd lose either Draco or their Daughter.
When Nagini attacks them on that evening, his wand nearly breaks. Only Ron's quick reaction saves it. Harry also feels Draco near him somehow while fighting Nagini just like he had when they were in the ministry. He isn't sure why though. Hermione is sure it's only because he was thinking about Draco but Harry wonders if it has anything to do with the everlasting bond he had read about. By now Harry is even more certain that he and Draco had done that bond in a previous life.
Little does he know that Andromeda and Narcissa, as well as Charlie by now, wonder if there is some kind of connection between Draco and Harry because some days Draco seems rather calm and on other's he's suddenly terrified that Harry is about to die. They had noticed his anxiety rise drastically on Christmas eve too, despite his attempt to keep it a secret. And Severus later told them how he heard that apparently Nagini had nearly gotten the foolish boy when he visited his parents' grave at Godrics Hollow.
Harry does, however, start to use every free second to read more about the everlasting bond in Hermione's books to make sure he is right and find out more about those couples that had done one. He has to know if there is a bond and if so, how much will Draco feel. If it is too much there is a risk that Draco will break his promise and come after him to protect Harry and that is something that Harry fears more than anything else. And Harry knows that if he felt Draco in danger and had a way to sense even where he is, then there would be nothing to stop him. Harry would break the very promise Draco had to give him.
Not too long after the incident with Nagini Harry sees a patronus like his mother's and follows it, such he is leaving the safety of their wards on his own. He barely left them when Severus appears out of the shadows holding Gryffindor's sword that Hermione is sure can destroy the Horocruxes.
"Harry," Severus whispers. "I don't have long, but I have news for you from Draco."
"How is he?" Harry asks taking the sword that Severus holds out to him. "Is he alright and safe?"
"He is fine, missing you terribly, but fine." Severus sighs "However, he also is pregnant again. Seriously did you have to knock him up that soon after Eileen's birth? And at a time like this? We are lucky that Andromeda has training in healing and can help him give birth because I rather not bring your husband to a hospital and pray that the Dark Lord won't hear it!"
Harry stares shocked. "What? He's pregnant again? And just so you know it's not like I planned it. I mean I'm kind of happy but I'd rather have him pregnant with my child when I can be there for him!"
"Remind me to teach you a contraception spell." Severus grins but then frowns worriedly "Be careful okay. Draco and your children will need you!"
"I'm always careful," Harry replies to which Severus snorts disbelievingly.
Severus takes out a few potions in a special protective bag and hands them over. "In case you'll need anything. Some general healing potions and a few more specific ones, including one against Nagini's poison. Just in case you are as careful as you were on Christmas. Foolish boy. What made you go there of all places, o course the Dark Lord expects you to go see your parents graves eventually. You haven't been there before so why on earth could you not wait a little longer?"
Harry just grins before he says "Thanks for the potions, I really appreciate it. And give Draco my love and tell him I'm okay and that I'm careful."
"Like he'd believe you more than I did." Severus sighs "But I'll let him know that you said it. And I do have some more good news for you. Blaize Zabini talked to the Dark Lord. He claims that you appear to take your responsibility to Draco and your child seriously but not love him. He convinced him that killing Draco and the child would relieve you of a burden rather than make you suffer. He even claims he overheard you talk to Ron that you wished you could focus more on planning your own actions than worrying about bloody Malfoy. I never told Draco and I don't believe any of it, though I told the Dark Lord that I agree with Blaize's assessment. But due to it the Dark Lord barely bothers to find Draco. He will take him and or your children if there is a chance to lure you with those responsibilities into a trap. But he isn't trying that hard to find them or even to find out who you chose as secret keeper."
"Thanks, good thing your occlumency shields are that good, that way he'll never find out that it's you! And I bet his own death eater is the last person he'll assume I'd choose. It means a lot to me that my family is relatively safe, thanks to you." Harry replies and gives him a hug. "Just don't forget that you are a part of my family too. Be careful dad."
"Says the idiot who broke into the Ministry and nearly got eaten by Nagini while I was in a tough spot how often? Oh right, not once. Unfortunately, I have to go now though." Severus sighs and gives Harry a short hug, still hardly able to believe that he was just called dad. But after that Severus forces himself to leave. Feeling relieved that Harry at least seems to be doing well for the moment and that he still trusts him. He just prays that it wasn't the last time he saw his son.
Appart from Harry and Draco, distrust Severus now. Neville even had tried to talk Draco into moving away when Severus was named headmaster and acted as he had as a death eater. It also didn't help that the Carrows let it slip that he poisoned Dumbledore when he was supposed to try and cure him on the day the old man died. Ever since Severus couldn't deny that claim, Minerva also glowers at him angrily whenever they see each other. Draco had calmed Neville by saying that he had overheard Dumbledore tell Severus to kill him. But the Gryffindor still looks doubtful and tries to find another place for Draco and added wards to his current safe house too. Severus can still get in, there was nothingNeville could do to prevent it and if he could Draco would not let him, but Neville knows every time anyone enters or leaves that building and even who that person is.
Severus has no idea if Draco really had overheard him and that's how Harry knew about it or if he had really figured it out and Draco just claims to have heard it to calm Neville at least a little. It doesn't really matter though. All Severus cares about is that Draco still trusts him enough to stay within the safety of the manor Harry had prepared for him with Dumbledore's help. This way Severus can ensure that Draco and his own grandchildren are safe.
Draco is just happy when he hears from Severus that Harry at least knows about their second child and just hopes Harry will be all the more careful due to his responsibly for two kids now.
Severus doubts that very much and is proven right when Harry is first nearly caught while he visits Xeno Lovegood and than really gets caught, only to escape from Malfoy Manor shortly after with the help of Dobby the house-elf. Luckily said elf also managed to retrieve his wand while getting them out. On both occasions, Draco had been terribly anxious again and on the later, it had once again been bad enough that he had gone to his mother for comfort. She still tries to tell him that it's just his anxiety to calm him, but by now she doubts it very much. But neither Severus nor Narcissa who heard from him, dare to tell him about either occurrence. Draco, however, doesn't believe that it's only anxiety. he might not know what caused those feelings or how he feels them but he is sure that Harry was in danger every time he felt it.
Draco probably also wouldn't be amused if he heard that Harry is now planning to break into Gringotts.
During that break-in, they get to the Lestrange vault with only slight troubles. Sadly those include that the goblins are already aware of their break-in before they even reach it. Still, until then it's nothing they can't handle but Harry has a strange feeling like something even further down draws him in. He asks Griphook what is down there and is shocked to hear that it's Merlin's vault and that he locked it himself using his own soul as a key. Only someone with his soul or bonded to it can open it. Everyone else that tried got a major electrical shock. Not enough to kill them but just about not. Those who tried to claim it were always knocked out and without medical attention, they would have died. Griphook looks like he really would like to watch it happen to someone.
The cup within the vault gives them some trouble with the Gemini spell on everything and Griphook uses that to take the sword and run. After that they are stuck and Harry makes the split-second decision to trust his gut feeling and what he learned about soul bonds. He just tells Ron and Hermione to follow him and runs further down into the bank. Soon after they are before a big double door with a giant M on it. "Merlin's vault." Hermione mumbles who had heard Harry's talk with Griphook "And now?"
"Now we go in." Harry just says and touches it. The door opens and Harry ushers his surprised friends in before he closes up behind them.
"That might have bought us some time but how will we get out," Hermione asks.
"You really can still focus on that?" Ron asks shocked. "Harry since when are you Merlin and since when did you know."
"Well, I was born with this soul so I guess him his reborn self since my birth. And I know for sure since that door opened. I had a feeling about it since my research for my wedding with Draco on different bonding rituals. It just fit us so well." Harry replies before looking at Hermione. "And there must be a set of rings down here that were wedding bands. Merlin left both after his husband died and they are spelled. Sort of like a portkey. Just instead of going to a certain place at a certain time, they are password activated and soul bond to go to a certain soul, no matter the wards around him. We can get straight to Draco that way." Harry beams at the thought of getting to see Draco so soon, though he knows he can't stay with him for long. Voldemort will know what they are up to soon with this and he'll protect the other Hoecruxes better, which means they have to hurry now. "They are also spelled to return here when we die while wearing them so they must be here even if one reincarnation took them out."
They look for rings and while Ron finds them quickly despite the size of the vault. Harry finds Merlin's wand simply by following the pull he felt all the way from the Lestrange's vault. Touching it makes him feel the power in it. If certainly feels more powerful than his Pheonix feather wand. After Ron called out that he found the rings and Hermione and Harry are closer enough to hear Ron he asks "Which one is who's? It's not much of a point going to you right?"
Harry looks at them and takes both into his hands before putting one on saying "That was mine. I can feel it since it's connected to me. It won't work for anyone else." He holds the other to Ron. "If I die before Voldemort, get that to Draco if not to me so I can give it to him, but don't let him know about it unless Voldemort or I am dead. I don't want him able to come to help me while I'm in danger. He places the box that held the rings back saying "They should return to this box when we die so our next reincarnation can get them. Now touch my ring so we can go." Ron and Hermione do as told and Harry smiles and says the activation according to the book. "Everlasting devotion."
They all feel the typical feeling of portkey travel and reappear in the garden behind the mansion Harry had inherited from an old unwedded lady after the first fall of Voldemort. "Harry." Draco cheers from behind him and Harry turns just in time to embrace Draco who had rushed to him.
For a moment both just cling to each other until Harry gets a vision again and his head starts to feel like it's exploding from pain and he nearly faints in Draco's arms. Draco is worried while Ron and Hermione explain to him about the visions Harry occasionally has from Voldemort.
Only after that vision does Harry notice that Draco is skinny again and looks worriedly until Draco rolls his eyes, having seen where Harry's eyes have moved he says "I haven't seen you for almost an entire year! It's nap time and your kids are sleeping giving me a rest. I put a spell on them so I'll know when they wake up."
Harry grins and kisses Draco again but then sighs sadly. "We have to go using one of the portkey's for Neville to get back." Neville had some at Hogwarts to get to Charlie and can apparate from there but there are also some here that take him back to Hogwarts. That way Draco had gotten regular updates from Hogwarts and a bit of schoolwork so he might be able to do his newts when this is over.
"Hogwarts? Are you kidding me? It's too dangerous for you to go there." Draco cautions.
"I wish I could stay too." Harry sighs. "But it won't be much longer I promise. This will all be over soon. And I really have to go to Hogwarts. He left something there and if we don't go now, he'll move it and protect it better and we have to destroy it."
"How will we do that?" Ron asks "Griphook took the sword so unless you have a Basilisk tooth lying around, we are stuck."
"We'll think of that when we have it." Harry sighs.
"We have two daggers with a Basilisk tooth as a blade here." Draco points out. "Mother found them in her living area and we put it with Charlie because Eileen and James visit her sometimes. I didn't want a deadly venom covered dagger anywhere close to my children and Lupin's son is occasionally with Aunt Andromeda because you know, Tonks is his mom. I mean from Lupin's baby you know."
"Remus told me. I saw him at the start." Harry replies.
"I'll see if I find it." Ron offers. "You'll stay with your family until then."
Draco kisses Harry again and Harry asks about his children. Such finding out that he now had a son whom Draco had named the way Harry had wanted to name their first child, James Sirius. And that Eileen refuses to leave the room her baby is in and that no one apart from Draco and her is allowed to touch him without causing her to throw a major tantrum. Apparently, James is her favourite doll right now and Eileen wants him changed into different outfits all the time. Eileen also can walk a little tough she still stumbles a lot and she speaks enough words to get annoying. Apparently her favourite words are 'no' and 'want'.
"I really wish you could stay." Draco sighs. "Promise to be careful okay? And I mean it! I'll kill myself if I have to take care of your troublemakers on my own once both can walk and wreak havoc. I need you to help me! They have your talent for mischief."
Harry just nods and gives him a kiss saying "Trust me. I've got an excellent reason to come back to you alive. Three reasons even."
"And you better don't forget that," Draco replies. "We need you."
"Got them, let's go," Ron calls from the door. Narcissa is there too, looking worriedly at her son, knowing he'll have to let Harry leave again. She already gave Ron and Hermione a shoelace, which is the portkey to Hogwarts.
Harry looks at Draco and whispers "Stay with the kids, please, you have to stay safe!"
"I promised, didn't I." Draco mumbles. "I won't let your precious children lose both parents."
Harry looks at him and just gives him a fierce kiss before he whispers. "You're more precious than anyone or anything else. And I have to know that you are safe! I can't focus on fighting him if I worry about you! I love you Draco!" He kisses him again but then rushes to take one end of the shoelace before Draco can say or do anything that would make it impossible for Harry to leave him. He manages to turn and see him one last time before Hermione activates the portkey. Harry is unsure if he's grateful that he didn't have to activate it or upset that he was taken away before he could change his mind.
They arrive right outside o the room of requirement and Ron walks up and down for a safe room while Hermione just holds Harry a bit while Harry is visibly fighting against his tears before they find some students in that room. Including Neville who gets them up to date on what was going on at Hogwarts during that year. Neville also looks at Harry's reaction when he tells them that it seems that Severus, instead of helping Dumbledore, had killed him. Harry just nods and as soon as he can whispers to a clearly still nervous Neville "No matter what, trust him! He'll help you keep them safe."
A few hours later Harry waits just outside the boathouse while Nagini attacks Severus. He just takes out the potion Severus had given him not too long after Nagini had attacked Harry while he waits until Voldemort is gone. He rushes in feeding Severus the potion as soon as he can. Glad to see that the blood stops to flow and the wounds get much smaller right away. Severus isn't instantly healed but looks much better already. "I need a phial." He mumbles and as soon as he has it, Severus takes a deep breath before he extracts a memory and bottles it. He holds it out to Harry saying "Please, for once in your life, don't trust Dumbledore! Watch this and run. Let the Dark Lord know of this and just stay out of it. Please," a tear rolls down his face "Please don't follow Dumbledore's plan."
"Bloody git." Ron mumbles. Upset about what Neville had told them about Severus' betrail and murder of Dumbledore.
"Don't Ron." Harry sighs. "He's on my side. Dumbledore was dying from something else. His blackened hand was the result of a curse. Dumbledore wanted Severus to kill him in the end to have his role as a spy secure. This was all part of the plan."
"And you buy that?" Hermione asks.
"Severus is my biological father and the secret keeper for Draco and my children. He's also the one that got us the sword. He gave it to me." Harry admits quietly and watching around to make sure no one overhears them. "I trust him with my life. I already did by entrusting my family to him and guess what, Draco and my children are safe and sound." He gets up from his position sitting next to his wounded father and says "Watch him and help him inside. I'll have a look at this."
Harry goes to Dumbledore's office to look at the memory. They start with memories of his real parents during their school time and are followed by Dumbledore telling Severus about the horcruxes. In the end, Harry hears how Dumbledore tells Severus not only that Harry has to die, but that keeping this from Harry to safe him will only make Harry angry so Severus will have to tell Harry when it is time. He hears how Severus told Dumbledore "I will tell him to run. To take Draco and their child and to leave. If the dark Lord knows that Harry is one of the last ones he has, he won't kill him. He values his own life too much."
"I understand." Dumbledore sighs "I won't begrudge you that. I would even understand if Harry does just that, but I don't think he will. He is not the kind of man to let others suffer."
"He can't be that kind of man. Because guess what, he isn't a man! He's a child. I don't care if he's married and nearly has a child of his own, he is sixteen years young! He is a child himself with childish notions more often than not. You just have to look at that rushed wedding to see it!" Severus bellows "He's a child that shouldn't even be asked to sacrifice his life never mind be expected to actually go through with it. This is wrong."
"It's not fair, I know." Albus smiles sadly "And I'd rather it wasn't necessary. And I mean it, I'd understand if Harry does as you suggest and I even hope he'll listen to you. I don't want him to die, I really don't. But considering what happened in his past, he has a right to know that Voldemort can't be killed unless Voldemort himself kills Harry. It is critical that he himself does it. And I really don't think that Harry can just turn his back, once he knows. Because he never really was just a child. Harry has always been extraordinary, and you, my friend, have every reason to be incredibly proud of him."
"I am." Severus sighs. "No matter what he does. I was always proud of him and always will be. But I can't just let him die. I don't want him to die. I protected him all his life even before I knew that he is my son. I protected him for Lily alone. He is all I have left of her. I can't let him die!"
"It still isn't our choice." Albus sighs. "I know it isn't fair, but sadly, life never is!"
Harry takes a deep breath after the memories end and he finds himself back in Dumbledores office. He takes a moment to calm his thoughts before he slowly walks down. He sees Ron and Hermione support Severus on their way in. Severus looks up at him saying "Please tell me he was wrong. Remember that Draco needs you. Think about how you'd feel if he'd give his life for you! And what about your children. They need you two. You have two children now!"
Harry looks sadly and says. "I don't want to leave him or my children. But I'm sorry. The Dark Lord might want me to stay alive if I told him, but Draco and Eileen would always be at risk and now my son as well. And I can't risk Draco's life. Please, be there for Draco and my children. Please, protect them like you've done for me. Now, they are all you have left."
"What are you talking about?" Hermione asks.
"I'm one too," Harry explains. "That's why I feel them. Why I can see into his head. He's in mine." Harry points to his scar. "I'll go now. Then it's just the snake and him. I know you'll do what you can to finish it."
Hermione sobs but all three just watch as Harry walks past them. "Harry please!" Severus says one last time. "Please, tell him the truth. Please don't die!"
Harry just walks on sadly. It feels like he is sleepwalking, kind of numb. Even while talking to his parents with the resurrection stone he barely registers what is happening. He's glad when they tell him that they watched him all his life because it means that he'll be able to watch his family too. He'll still be able to see Draco and watch his children grow. But it hurts to feel Draco's worry for him. He hopes that he only imagines it, but it really feels like he can feel Draco with him. And like Draco can feel how hopeless he himself feels. Like he knows that Harry is about to die and want to get to Harry. But all Harry can think is, 'Stay with them, stay safe!' Slowly he walks to Voldemort who despite the report that Harry didn't truly love Draco, tries to tease him by talking about how Draco had wanted to get fucked by him before he went back to school. Just to see if he can rile Harry up.
For a moment Harry's anger flares so much that he is about to attack. But he takes a deep breath. He has a mission. He has to do whatever it takes to ensure that Voldemort will never get anywhere near Draco again. And the best way to do that seems to die. "Try all you want. I won't fall for it." Harry just replies hoping to speed up Voldemort's taunting. "But even if he had wanted it before, he must have regretted it. After all, according to him the old wife's tale about a man's dick being as big as his nose must be right in some cases, he told me it is in your case and he wasn't even sure if you were big enough to have been in him at all. Certainly not big enough to let him feel it."
Voldemort is livid and casts the Avada kedavra without further bragging. The next thing Harry knows is that he is wandering around a white seemingly endless space. He hears a whining sound from a strange thing and then a scream from behind him. He turns around towards the scream. It was Draco's voice.
"Harry." Dumbledore's voice says from the other side than the scream making Harry turn again. "You are such a wonderful and brave young man."
"Harry!" Draco's voice screams from behind Harry again, making him turn once more.
"It's your choice Harry," Dumbledore says smiling. "You can go on or go back."
Another pained but wordless scream makes Harry keep his back turned to Dumbledore saying. "He needs me."
"He is stronger than either of you seem to think." Dumbledore smiles. "But I'm sure he'll appropriate your choice nevertheless."
Harry goes a step forward but then turns again asking "Is this real or just in my head."
"It's most certainly in your head." Dumbledore replies grinning mischievously, "But that doesn't mean this isn't real."
Another agonized scream of his name makes Harry run towards it only to wake up on the cold forest floor. He hears a few death eaters, including Bellatrix, fuss over Voldemort while someone else comes closer and touches Harry's pulls point. Harry stays motionless hoping that if they think him unconscious he'll have a moment to find a way out of this. He can no longer feel his connection to Voldemort nor understand his hiss towards Nagini.
"Is Draco okay? And can you kill that bastard here?" Blaize's voice asks in a barely audible whisper. To Harry's surprise, the Slytherin must have joined the war but clearly isn't truly loyal to the Dark Lord. From what Harry heard so far Blaize is on their side. Harry nods right before Voldemort looks at them.
"Is he dead?" The dark Lord asks.
"Yes." Blaize lies before he mumbles "You better win."
In the meantime, Draco, back in Romania, slowly calms looking confused.
"What happened?" Narcissa asks. Andromeda came down again to help and calm the fussing children. Ted stays with their own grandson. Lupin had dropped him off at a meeting place after sending a patronus to let them know they needed to leave Ted with them. Shortly after Harry left they had heard where Harry is through the wireless radio and went to help him. Another student had ensured that they all hear it over the radio to get further help there. Draco had been close to joining them and leave Eileen and James with his mother. But he remembers what Harry had said. Going there only meant Harry was more likely to risk his life for Draco. And if not that, then Draco's presence at least will distract Harry. He'd only be a liability. Draco knows that he is no match to either Harry or Voldemort. He couldn't even hope to hold his own against most of the death eaters. And such he had stayed.
He does regret it now. A little while ago something had changed. He knew Harry was in danger since he left. But most of the time he had not felt it as he had when Harry had broken into the Ministry. Or how it felt before Harry had shown up today.
But all of a sudden he felt like all hope was lost. Like Harry was already walking to his certain death! He wanted to get a portkey and go but at the very moment Draco took it, and before he had time to activate it, he could feel Harry's longing for his safety and the safety and care for their children. Draco knew he had to stay! Despite what he felt. And nothing had really changed. How could Draco help Harry when Harry himself clearly didn't see a way to get out alive?
It wasn't easy to stay though and Dracogot more agitated than all year and then all of a sudden, it was like those feeling were leaving him. Like it was fading away. It felt like Harry was fading into nothingness.
He screamed in fear and for a split second those feelings got stronger again. Like Harry wasn't gone yet and might return. But it got weaker again right away.
He screamed his name as loud as he could. Every time he did call out to him, Harry seemed to return a little only to leave again. But it was getting stronger, like Harry is making two steps back before turning away for just one. And Draco started to hope that he could pull Harry back if he just kept calling him. He kept screaming until he could feel him as strong as before. Until he is sure that Harry isn't dying for the time being. He can still feel the danger though.
His mother looks really worried now that he calmed again and stopped screaming.
"He died," Draco mumbles, trying to explain why he had screamed. "I don't know how I know but I know. He died but, I don't know, now he's not dead. He's in danger but he came back. He came back to me."
"Are you sure?" Narcissa asks she had stayed with him after Harry had once again left her baby boy alone, knowing that the separation after seeing Harry again would hurt her son. "Maybe you dosed off and had a bad dream."
"No, I felt it," Draco whines certain now that he can feel Harry somehow. Maybe Harry was right after all and the soulbond had gotten stronger even after they had to separate for a year.
"That's impossible." Andromeda insists "You had a muggle wedding. Only people with an everlasting soul bond can feel their mate's life fade."
"I think that's what we have." Draco mumbles. "What we did before we were born." He blushes a bit "Might explain how he got here with Ron and Hermione despite them not knowing where I am. Severus never told them. They shouldn't be able to get past the wards."
"Maybe Severus told them since we last saw him." Narcissa replies "And you said yourself that you think Harry is okay now and really, how is that supposed to be possible if he died? I know Harry loves you but even he can't come back from the dead just for you! Just calm down for now, I'm sure it's just nerves and worry my dear. Don't let your anxiety get the better of you."
"Maybe." Draco hesitantly concedes, after all, it really is impossible to come back. But what if he wasn't fully gone? "I just wish I knew what is going on. He is still in danger." Mostly he wants to know if Harry really was this close to death and if yes, was he still hurt? Was he maybe still dying? should Draco go and try to find him after all? Was there anything he could do for him?
"I'm sure he'll be back soon," Narcissa replies trying to lighten the mood with a smile. "And Remus or Tonks are bound to pick up little Ted as soon as the fight is finished. Harry will probably come as well as soon as the others let their hero get away from them."
"I know," Draco whines feeling the danger for Harry increase again "But I need to know now."
While Narcissa is still trying to calm her son, Harry is once again fighting. He's back at Hogwarts and fighting Voldemort to buy some time for someone to kill the bloody snake. He is still using his old Phoenix feather wand and for now only buying time.
Voldemort suddenly stops fighting, clearly feeling something, Harry just grins and switches wands while his opponent is distracted. His talk with Olivander before breaking into Gringotts had been very informative too and right now he is sure that he can win.
"Now Tom." Harry grin. "How about we get serious? You have a different wand so I got another of my own."
"No matter which one it is, mine is better." Voldemort brags.
"Maybe a little." Harry concedes, not knowing where Merlin's power had come from. Knowledge, experience, his own power or his wand. But it at least is more powerful than his other wand. Harry could feel that much for sure "But unlike yours, mine belongs to me. Actually, I think yours does too."
"This is mine now." Voldemort grins "I killed the previous owner."
"Technically, you ordered Nagini to kill someone, in which she failed." Harry grins "But that doesn't matter. Severus never truly was on your side and he never really killed Dumbledore. Severus is on my side."
"It doesn't matter. I could kill you with any given wand no matter how week." Voldemort glowers hoping Harry is only bragging. How could it be his wand? Harry had not killed Severus, he wouldn't even have the guts to finish off the dying man after Voldemort had left him to die. And Harry certainly would never take Dumbledore's wand, never mind attack and kill him. And he had heard how Dumbeldore had died. Severus had fed him poison instead of a healing potion.
"If that's the case, why did the last Avada kedavra you cast towards me fail? Well, I know why. But do you? And more importantly, can you prevent to fail once again?" Harry asks "Especially since you have no idea which wand I'm holding while I do know about the elder wand. I even know more about it than you. I even know it is part of a set and where the other two items of that set are. Well one really, I kind of threw one away."
"And what wand do you have?" Voldemort asks teasingly. His voice pretending to doubt it to be any good but his curious and calculating eyes betray that doubt to be true. He obviously does fear that this set was three wands that are equally powerful because if that is what Harry meant with a set, he might be in trouble. But he is still confident to have more power than that child opposing him this moment. Harry, after all, is just some random kid. Too week to do what is necessary to gain true power.
"Like I'd tell you about my wand." Harry grins. "But let's end this chit chat. My husband is getting worried and would like me to come home so let's get to it."
"Are you under his thumb already?" Voldemort teases.
"That isn't how I'd put it." Harry smiles lovingly at the thought of seeing his Draco soon "But I doubt there is any point in explaining true love to you. You are too demented to understand that."
And with that Harry casts an experliarmus while Voldemort uses his all-time favourite, the killing curse. The spells meet in the middle and from there quickly back to a stunt Voldemort.
"Should have used another spell," Harry says right before both spells hit Voldemort, killing the Dark Lord with his own spell.
Harry watches as the magically created body turns to ash and catches the elder wand before the last of Voldemort's ashes pollute the grounds and the air. Harry quickly breaks it.
Giddy with the prospect of seeing Draco again he looks for Neville who stands in the circle that was created around the dueling pair. Everyone looks awed and Harry is sure that unless he goes fast, they'll never let him go at all. "Neville, portkey!" is all he says and Neville throws a stone he quickly gets from his pocked over to him. Harry catches it and says the activation "Dragons." He is gone before everything goes wild and looks at Charlie who was close to where the portkeys go, assuming someone would stop by to apparate further and let the others know how it ended. He had also stayed there because his job is to protect Draco if everyone else dies and as a last defence should death eaters get a portkey from Neville "We won with minimal casualties. Your family is fine from what I saw though I have to admit that I was in too much of a rush to do a headcount. Can you get me to my family? You can grab a portkey from there to see yours."
"Sure, If you say it's safe to leave my post than what are we waiting for." Charlie replies taking his hand and apparates him into the entrance room in the safe house.
Harry rushes in and the first thing he hears is Draco saying "I mean it I know he's fine he's..." Draco freezes and even though he is with his back to Harry he adds "Here!"
This time Draco just about manages to turn before Harry grabs him around his waist only to lift him and spin him around.
Both males laugh even though Draco also orders to be put down and as soon as Harry slows and lowers him a little, they kiss. Though instead of being put back on his feet, Draco's legs move around Harry and both kiss each other heatedly until a little girl's voice says "Fada?"
Draco stops with a sigh and let's go of Harry to walk over to Andromeda who is holding Eileen. She had been distraught when her father had suddenly started to scream in hysterics not too long ago. She did calm a little with Nana calming her father and even more hearing him laugh now. But she is not happy to be ignored by him "I'm fine now sweaty. And look, daddy is back."
"Dada?" she looks sceptically towards Harry, not really remembering him. Draco had shown her pictures of her daddy every day but the small girl has a hard time to accept that the tiny two-dimensional guy from the little papers is the same as the big man in 3D that spun her father around and then kept her father distracted from her. Something she really didn't like. "No." She says upset.
"But he is," Draco replies surprised. "You know him, from the pictures."
"It's okay," Harry interjects. "A picture isn't the same and she's too small to understand what has been going on. For now, I'm just a stranger to her but she'll get used to me soon enough I'm sure. And we have plenty of time now."
"Yes, we do." Draco agrees and gives him another kiss. Happy to have him back, while Harry is happy that he got away from the school before anyone could start to celebrate their victory.
Authors Note:
Next up is the Bonus chapter. Which will be a little insight on how life will be for them from now on. What do you think? Will it stay at two children? Or will they beat the Weasley's? Will Severus and Harry get closer now that he doesn't have to spy? What job will Harry take and what will Draco do? Who will raise the kids and who will work or will both work? And will Harry really get closer to his baby girl again as he thinks or will she always be much closer to Draco? And will she allow Harry to touch her favourite dress-up doll, James? Let me know what you think!