Hola my wonderful, beautiful readers. Since the holidays are close by, consider this chapter an early christmas present just I consider this chapter my yea-I-managed-to-get-through-finals-in-one-piece. Shout out to FanofBellaandEdward, who has been having a rotten few days. Hope this chapter cheers you up. Also shout out to lilyflower who gave me an idea on how to add a Sirius-touch to the chapter. And shewhxmustnxtbenamed who's been a total sweetheart.

Also, quick announcements before you start the chapter:

1). I have several questions on whether this is a drarry-veela or not. Allow me to take the moment to say that indeed it is. Draco is a veela.

2). Most of you guys have questions on where Harry stands with Sirius. Hopefully this chapter will answer that.

3). I posted a new poll on the the story. Check it out. But I'll also post the question here: Do you count the pecks from chapters 11 &13 actual kisses or no?

Okay that's it for now. If I can't update by Christmas, then I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Now, onto the story :)


Chapter 14: Chills and Laughter of the Past

Two words

That was all it took.

Two words to twist the carefree atmosphere his birthday had brought down to a freezing chill. Turned the warm brightness of summer into a cold, dark winter.

Just like the day of their funerals, a voice whispered in his head.

He thought he had never been so cold, so numb. Well, actually, he felt that way before, reached that low end of numbness on two other occasions.

That Halloween night, and the night he stumbled upon the adults talking, finding out who was responsible for that night.

Dumbledore's words swept across his mind like pieces of solid ice digging into his skin.

"Two people were entrusted with the Potters' safety. Two people who knew about the wards and what the Dark Lord was after. One was me. The other was a person that they believed was on their side. Someone James trusted with his life. Sirius Black."

Two words.

Two words that caused ice to wrap itself around his heart, crushing the organ in its' cold fist.

Two words that made up a familiar name he tried pushing aside, locking in the deepest depths of his mind.

"Harry."

He blinked once, then again, stunned by the weight of his eyes.

He had no clue how long he had been staring into space, lost in his train of thought, until Draco's voice reeled him back into the present. Glancing around at the concerned, troubled faces among him, he realized that he had been lost for awhile.

Concern shone in Draco's eyes. He took a step forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. He didn't ask him if he was okay. Harry was sure the look on his face said enough.

"Why don't we take this conversation to the parlor room?" Uncle was already heading that direction, leaving the others no choice but to follow.

Dobby set tea and a plate of crumpets at the table once they were seated. For Harry, the elf handed him a piece of leftover tart from the breakfast.

"Treat Master Harry's favorite. Makes Master Harry smile." The elf said.

Harry smiled just a bit, thanking him. The smile dimmed as he looked up, where the Minister of Magic sat across from him, a troubled frown on his face as he watched him.

The Minster's eyes shifted over from Harry to Draco, narrowing slightly. "Lucius, perhaps it's best that your son leaves us."

Uncle Lucius's eyes went to his son. Draco kept his eyes on Fudge, folding his arms across his chest, leaning back against the couch. The gesture, along with the smirk curling his lips, made it clear that he wasn't going anywhere.

Fudge's eyes narrowed into slits and his lips were drawn into a tight line. Still, he didn't waste time fighting with them about it. He turned his attention to more pressing matters.

"It's your birthday, isn't it?" he asked Harry, who nodded. The look on his face softened. "Allow me to take this time to wish you a Happy Birthday, Mr. Potter."

"Thank you, sir."

"I can imagine this isn't the ideal news a young man wishes to on his thirteenth birthday but-"

"Would you kindly cease with this idle talk and get to the situation at hand?" Uncle demanded.

The Minster scowled, insulted by the interruption, but wisely kept his feelings to himself. To Harry, he asked, "Mr. Potter, what exactly do you remember of that Halloween night, six years ago?"

Harry's stomach retched, as if he was kicked. Bile rose in his throat, filling his mouth.

Fudge sat patiently in his seat, waiting for an answer.

"I…" he cleared his throat, as if to ease the burning sensation of his mouth. "I remember enough." Too much, he thought.

"Specifically?"

A low growl rumbled. Harry glanced over to his left. Draco's lips were fixed into a snarl, eyes lit like burning mercury as they glared at Fudge.

"Mr. Potter?" Harry returned his attention back to the man. "If you please?"

Draco's growl was louder than the first, his eyes more deadly.

Harry swallowed down the bile that burnt his throat, his stomach churning. "I remember that Voldermort attacked my home. I remember that my dad tried to fight him off to save me and my mom. I remember that my mom tried to protect me. I remember that Voldermort killed them, tried to kill me, but ended up getting me this," Harry pushed back his hair, revealing his scar. Fudge flinched from the sight and the usage of the Dark Lord's name. "And I remember finding out that the man responsible for their deaths was…" Dad's best friend. My own godfather. "Sirius Black."

Each word that came out from his mouth burnt like acid.

"That's all I remember."

Draco reached for his hand, linking their fingers together. The familiar warmth settled in his chest, easing away the nausea and the numbness.

Fudge crossed his legs as he leaned back into his seat. "That's all you remember?"

"He already told you everything!" Draco snapped.

"Draconis." Uncle warned.

Draco clamped his mouth, his eyes glowing.

The Minister paid no mind to it. He was waiting for Harry's answer.

"Yes, that's all I remember." He saw that the Minster wasn't pleased, as if he was hoping for more.

His theory was confirmed when the man sighed heavily. "I'm afraid, Mr. Potter," he said. "There is more to the story."

"Minister Fudge." His aunt stepped in. "I hardly think this is the time."

Harry's head swerved over to the direction of Narcissa. Hardly the time for what?

"Circumstances, Madame," the minister scowled. "suggest otherwise."

Nacrissa was silent but the look on her face showed her displeasure.

To Harry, Fudge said "Sirius Black is convicted to being an accessory to your parents' murder, which I'm sure you're already aware of." He waited until Harry nodded before he continued on. "However, he is also convicted for the murder of fourteen people."

Draco's mouth dropped. Any other time, Harry would be amused to see to the esteemed Malfoy speechless if he wasn't so stunned himself. The ice in his heart thickened, his stomach tying itself into knots.

"Four-fourteen?" Harry choked.

The Minister nodded slowly, his eyes never straying from Harry. "I'm afraid so. After your parents…"Fudge frowned, struggling for the right word. Unable to find it, he simply said "untimely end, Black fled."

Numbly, Harry nodded. He already knew that.

"Before he got away, he was confronted by someone who tried to turn him in."

"Who?" Draco questioned for him.

"Does the name Peter Pettigrew ring a bell to you?" The answer was aimed at Harry.

Peter Pettigrew. Peter Pettigrew. Harry's brows furrowed as he thought of the name. He was sure he heard of it somewhere before.

An image popped into his head. His dad showing him a picture of the original Marauders; him, Remus, Sirius, and a short, plump boy. He recalled meeting that same boy-only older-a few times when he was younger. If he remembered correctly, he was a quiet, somewhat awkward man. Fumbling with his pockets as he searched for a piece of candy to give to Harry, the treat usually soaked in his sweaty palms. "He was an old friend's of dad's."

The Minister nodded. "Pettigrew confronted Black a few blocks away from your home. I suppose he wanted to be the hero. A valiant effort. Unfortunately for Pettigrew, he underestimated how insane and powerful his friend had become."

"Sirius killed him?" That was the only conclusion Harry could see for a tale like this.

His guess proved right, earning himself another slight nod from the Minister. "Black didn't just kill Pettigrew, Mr. Potter. He annihilated him."

The ice in Harry's body spread throughout him like parasites, sucking away any and all glimmers of warmth.

"Black eliminated Pettigrew with a dark spell-a powerful spell that nearly took out the entire block. Thirteen people were touched by the shockwaves of the spell. By the time Aurors arrived, it was practically a warzone. Blood covered the streets, houses mangled and destroyed, bodies torn and scattered with a single finger-"

"Minister Fudge," The brisk in Aunt Cissa's voice thickened to pure ice. "That is enough!"

"With all due respects, madam," There was an emphasize in the word that caused a dark scowl to appear on Narcissa's face. "He needs to know what's he's up against. Keeping him in the dark won't help."

"Even so-"

"What finger?"

The question directed the audience's attention back to Harry again.

"Pardon, Mr. Potter?" Fudge asked.

"You said something about a finger," Harry clarified. "In the midst of blood and…remains of the victims, you mentioned a finger."

For a moment it looked like Fudge was considering what his aunt said about exposing too much, appearing conflicted. In the end, though, his views on the matter won. "The finger was all that remained of Peter Pettigrew."

Harry sucked in a sharp breath, his stomach churning.

"And Black fled after that?" Uncle Lucius asked.

"Not immediately," Fudge said. "According to a witness, Black stood in the middle of the street laughing."

"Laughing?" Harry echoed.

Fudge nodded again. "Like a mad man. He just laughed and laughed until he took off."

Harry easily picked on what happened after that. Sirius ran. He ran to his house where he grabbed a bag that he stuffed with clothes, supplies, and money, oblivating his house-elf before he left once more.

Fudge continued on, saying how the lead on Sirius came to be. The source came from no other than Ron's dad, Arthur. Apparently the Weaselys were out in the flee-market when Mr. Weasely noticed a man fitting Sirius' description hanging among the crowd. At first Arthur had no idea that it was Sirius. Sirius, on the other hand, knew it was him. Or at least knew of Arthur's connection to the Ministry because, before man could even blink, Sirius took out his wand. He fired a hex so strong several vendors lost their shops in the process. Not to mention the crowd of shoppers, including Ron who was standing the closest to Sirius, barely escaped with their necks.

The moment the smoke from the blast cleared, Sirius was gone.

"A team of Aurors managed to get the address to the room the place he was living at. More so a room, hidden upstairs in a restaurant. And came across very…interesting décor."

Minister Fudge pulled over several pictures from a manila envelope and laid them flat on the table. Harry leaned in closer to get a better look at them. The pictures were of the egg-brown walls of the room completely covered with newspaper clippings of his parents, Voldermort, Harry. Sprawled over the clippings in sloppy, almost-childlike handwriting was Hogwarts. Written over and over again, sometimes written over another.

The school contained thousands of valuable treasures from ancient artifacts to spellbooks said to have been Merlin's himself. Harry knew, though, not a single one mattered to Sirius.

Not as much as me, he thought, swallowing a hard lump.

'We've already alerted Dumbledore about this," Fudge must have noticed the fear in Harry's eyes, because his voice softened. "He and the people who run Azkaban are working together to make sure that the students will not be harmed."

"Really?" Uncle arched his brow questioningly, frowning. "What sort of plan has the great Dumbledore come up with?"

"I'm not inclined to say, sir. Under strict orders. I can assure you that the students, including your son, will not be harmed."

Draco scowled. Uncle Lucius's frown deepened. He didn't believe the promise anymore than Draco did.

"This brings me back to what I need to speak to you about, Mr. Potter. We should discuss living arrangements."

"Living arrangements?" Harry and Draco echoed.

Fudge nodded. "Black is a dangerous man, Mr. Potter and it's clear that he wants to finish what his master started. Dumbledore and I talked it over. We both agree that for your safety you should be relocated. Just until September first, when the school starts, and we'll have an arranged team escort you to the Platform. I even set up a room for you at the Leaky Cauldron-"

"Absolutely not!" Draco shot up from his seat, fists clenched, face twisted in anger.

"Draco-"

"He's not going anywhere!" Apparently Draco's determination was stronger than his fear of Lucius' wrath. It could only explain why he was able to cut him off so easily.

Draco took one step over to the right, standing directly in front of Harry like he was trying to shield him.

"Despite my son's outbursts," Uncle cut his eyes over to his son, who flinched from the look. "I do have to agree with him. Relocation is hardly necessary."

"Sir, given the circumstances, the right course of action-"

"Would be to set the wards on maximum and make sure to place protection barriers around the manor, which I'll be sure to do once we return there."

Fudge wasn't swayed. "With all due respect, Mr. Malfoy, I don't think the Manor is the ideal place for Harry to be at the moment."

The temperature of the room lowered immensely as Lucius and Narcissa's eyes narrowed. The Minister must have felt the chill, trying to mask his shiver while playing with the collar of his jacket, though he couldn't control the fear that danced across his eyes.

"And why would that be?" Uncle asked, though the ice of his voice shaped the question into a demand.

"Several reasons come to mind, ones that have been encircling both mine and Albus' for several years now." Despite his discomfort, Fudge had enough fire in him to pull off a scowl.

"Oh believe me, Minister. I have a good idea on what ideas could be going on in those minds of yours." His uncle's lips were lifted but not into a smile. The sharpness of his lips were too much sharp, too chilled for a smile.

His words caused Fudge's scowl to tighten.

"But I am curious. What reason could you possibly have that makes you believe Harry staying in the Manor would be dangerous?"

Fudge's eyes shifted over from Lucius to Narcissa.

She immediately got the hint, her eyes cold slits. "And how, may I ask, do I fit into this scenario of yours?"

"Sirius Black is your family, madam, which means two things. He may be able to gain access to the manor because of your lineage. Also, you be inclined to offer him aid-"

"I offer nothing of the sort to traitors and cowards."

The Minister shivered from the ice of her voice. Harry couldn't help sympathizing with the man. Most times, his aunt was a gentle woman. When crossed, though, she proved that she could be just as terrifying as Uncle.

"If I ever come across Sirius, I can assure you, Minister, aid will be the last thing I offer him," She stirred her tea and took a small of the drink. It was a simple gesture but the silence that followed after the ice-chilled words left wide gaps for interpretation. "Secondly, Sirius is not part of the family. Hasn't been in ages. My aunt made sure of that."

A flash went through Harry's head. Sirius showing him his disregarded spot on the family tree.

"My mother did that herself after I ran away," He ran his hand over the spot, his usually mischief eyes somber and distant as if he was reliving that moment. "Charming woman."

"Mrs. Malfoy, with all due respect-"

"With all due respect, Minister Fudge," Narcissa smiled without teeth. A smile that matched the sharpness of her eyes. "It would seem that the reservations you made at the Leaky Cauldron will have to go to another guest because Harry will not be using them. He and Draco, along with my husband and I, shall return to the manor and stay within distance until September first."

Minister scowled. He would have further protested if Uncle hadn't called for the house-elves to escort him out.

As soon as their things were packed, Uncle set the floo to the manor. The first thing he did when they came across the other side of the floo was tend to the wards. Nacrissa ordered the house-elves to tend to their bags and suggested to the boys that they go out to the Quidditch field.

"Actually, Aunt Cissa," Harry said. "I think I'll take a nap."

His aunt smiled in understanding. "Of course, dear. I'll have Dobby get you when dinner's ready."

Harry wasn't sure if he'd be able to manage dinner.

He went to their room. Boxes of un-opened birthday gifts were stacked onto the desk and window still. The bed looked inviting but he didn't go over to it. Not yet.

He walked over to the dresser, crouching down low to the last drawer. He dug his way through the socks and clothes until he pulled out a small, stuffed black dog.

When he first saw the dog and learned who it was from, he wanted nothing more than to see it burn. Watch the flames spread across the toy and feed until there was nothing left but ashes, just like the letter had burnt. But…he couldn't. When he saw the dog again, he knew he couldn't get rid of it, surprising himself again as he decided to keep the name Scuffy.

Maybe it was because he always wanted a dog and knew Scuffy was the closest thing he would have to a dog since his and uncle weren't fond of pets. It could be that fact that he wasn't one to harm animals, even fake ones like Scuffy. Or…

Sighing, Harry shook his head and studied the dog. The fur has worn a little over the years but it was still soft. The snout was cold like an actual dog's. The lips were fixed into a smile.

Harry petted the dog and set it on the desk. Looking directly into its still-doe eyes, Harry said "Speak."

The dog's eyes glowed before they blinked, turning from still to life.

"Kiddo," Sirius' voice emerged from the toy's mouth. "I need you to remember this. Not everything is as it seems."

Harry discovered Scuffy's special talent after that Christmas. He stared at the dog, wondering what was going through Sirius' head when he got him the gift. Somehow the word, speak, spilled from his lips, and the next thing he knew he was hearing Sirius' voice. At first Harry was sure that he was losing it, until he looked over Scuffy who repeated the message.

It was as if Sirius knew his letter would go up in smoke, so he came up with a backup. He made sure the dog would be his messenger.

"Kiddo, I need you to remember this. Not everything is as it seems." Scuffy repeated.

Harry suppose that he should have told Minister Fudge about the dog's message. Should have shown it to his guardians. Yet he couldn't bring himself to do it.

After Scuffy finished his message, the dog smiled, his tail wagging, as he titled his head back, as if he was waiting to be petted. Harry indulged the dog and carried him over to the bed. Scuffy crawled to Harry's side as soon as the boy laid himself down on the mattress, falling asleep almost instantly. Harry wasn't as lucky.

He wanted to sleep. Hell, he just wanted to forget about today, but his mind refused to obey. It was too wired with thoughts. He stared up at the ceiling, his head spinning.

Sirius was back. Really back.

When Harry heard the truth about Sirius, he never felt so-so betrayed, lack for a better word. Betrayed, stunned, furious, and numb. For not only himself but his parents as well, mainly for his dad, who trusted the man and ended up dead because of it.

Harry tried to imagine Draco doing such a thing, then immediately pushed the thought away, flinching. He couldn't imagine Draco betraying him like that anymore than he could imagine himself doing the same thing to him.

Sirius had no problem, a voice whispered in his ear.

Sirius had no problem betraying his best friend for power, just as he had no problem killing their other friend and those poor people. Then, before he could answer for what he had done-or what he supposedly done-he ran. Ran before the Aurors could catch him, and has been running ever since.

That was the one thing Harry couldn't get over.

In the letter, Sirius pleaded his innocence. Told Harry that he would never do anything to hurt him or his parents. In the message, he urged him not to be close-minded, which had to mean something.

But still he ran. He ran that night after his parents were killed, after he killed Peter Pettigrew. And continue to run until he decided to come back.

Why run if you're innocent? That was the question that has been circling Harry's mind for years now, a question he was dying to ask but knew it would get no answer. Innocent people don't run from crimes they didn't commit. They don't hide away from the authority. They don't become fugitives. So why did Sirius?

The bedroom door slowly opened but he didn't turn his head, keeping his attention on the ceiling. He didn't even turn his head as the mattress dipped and an arm entwined itself around his waist, bringing him close to the owner.

Draco glanced over at the dog and frowned. "I should have had you burn it."

"I wouldn't have let you."

"Then I should have burnt it for you."

"Then I would have been mad at you."

Draco shrugged with one shoulder. "Not for long though."

Harry didn't bother answering. They both knew it was true. He tore his gaze away from the ceiling over to the dog sleeping away. He ran his hand over his head, which caused Scuffy to press himself closer to him.

He could feel the heat of Draco's glare, but didn't turn.

"You listened to it again, didn't you?" Draco demanded. He knew about the message. There were no secrets between them. He may not have showed the adults but he showed Draco, who was sure that it was a trick, even after Harry assured him that were no dark hexes or tracking spells attached to the dog.

Harry chose to stay silent, which Draco took as his answer. He sighed, muttering under his breath, but didn't push him on the issue. He brought Harry closer to him, wrapping his arms around him.

"I wish we didn't leave our house." Harry whispered.

"Me too," Draco sighed. "We can always go back."

Harry wished it could be that simple. "You know we can't. Not now. Your parents won't let us. Not when…." Not when an alleged madman was after him.

Almost as if Draco could read his mind, his hold tightened and a growl rumbled in his throat.

"He's back," Harry said, though he felt like he was saying it more to himself than to Draco. "He's actually back."

"I know." Draco said.

"And apparently he's after me." Harry was his target, but Draco was typically by his side, which meant he could also be in danger too. The thought sent ice through his system, chilling his veins.

Draco eased away slightly to sit up a bit. He looked down at Harry and placed a hand against his cheek, stroking his skin. The touch was so soothing, he nearly fell asleep. He forced himself to stay awake, tilting his head up to meet his friend's gaze.

"I won't let anything happen to you."

Draco's face wasn't a twisted mask of rage like it was earlier. His eyes weren't glowing silver, back to simple gray. He looked calm, calm but determined. Harry could sense the power behind the words, behind the promise, that caused him to shiver, but this time from the heat that slid into his body, pooling in his stomach. The heat intensified as Draco pressed a soft kiss against his forehead that made goosebumps break across his skin.

Harry swallowed, needing a moment to compose himself. Once he had, he looked up at Draco. His gaze stopped at his lips, remembering its softness from earlier, and continued looking up till they reached his eyes. He laid his hand over Draco's that was still holding his cheek, taking comfort in its familiar softness and warmth. "And I won't let anything happen to you."

Draco smiled, pressing another kiss against his forehead. He laid himself back on the bed, and Harry easily fell into him, lying his head on his chest, while Draco's arms wrapped themselves around him. "Then it settled. I'll protect you just as you'll protect me."

"Always." Harry whispered.

"Always." Draco agreed.

Harry nodded and closed his eyes, allowing him to be lulled by the steady rhythm of Draco's heartbeat and his warmth.

I don't know about you guys but I definitely got a deja vu moment of the ending of chapter 2 when I was reading their conversation. One of my favorite drarry moments too :) Did you guys experience that too? Hope this chapter was too your liking. I love you. And please please please tell me what you think. You guys rock ;)