"I won't," Conor yelled refusing to look at anyone.
"Conor, you have to come with us," Freya told the boy.
"No, I don't," he insisted.
"Conor," Anara said. "Harry has been designated your guardian. You are all going home with him today."
"NO!"
"Conor, come on," Fiona pulled his sleeve.
"NO!"
Harry sighed quietly unsure just what to do. He didn't want to force the boy to come and make him angrier or unhappy, but he also didn't want to leave him here. He worried that leaving Conor would give Margaret Larkin ammunition to prove he wasn't a worthy guardian. If she had that she might find a way to remove all of the other children including Teddy.
"Conor," Draco said sitting down at the table next to the boy. "I'll be at Harry's every day instead of coming here. I'll miss seeing you if you aren't there."
"Why can't I just go home with you?" the boy mumbled.
"I… I'll be helping take care of all of you at Harry's. I won't be home to take care of you. My house is big and lonely. You wouldn't have anyone to play with."
"So, I could go with you when he's not home and then go back to your house. I don't have to live at his house."
"Conor, you have to live with me. You're my big brother," Fiona said, pulling on his arm again.
"Not if you want to live with him," Conor snapped.
Tears filled the little girl's eyes.
"Enough," Harry said firmly. "Conor, I don't know what I did to make you so upset, but I'd like the chance to make it better. I'd like you to come home with all of us. I have a room just for you."
Conor didn't respond.
Harry shook his head, "Well then if you refuse I won't force you. I'm sure another family can be found for you and Fiona."
"Wait," the little girl cried, "I can't go now?"
"I'm so sorry, Fiona, but I really don't want to break you and your brother up. I think it's better if you stay together. We'll find out where you go and you can come visit or we can visit you, or meet up in the park," he told her.
"No, I wanna go with you," she sobbed. "Conor, you have to go. Stop being mean. Harry likes us and wants to take care of us."
Conor finally turned and looked at his sister, but he frowned, "He is mean, or he'd take you and leave me."
"I think it's meaner to not let you and your sister stay together," Harry commented.
"You'd miss Fiona if you weren't living with her," Draco pointed out. "You're going to miss Freya and James as it is, and Harry's right. Even if you don't think it's mean to split you and your sister up most people will think so. Do you really not want to live with your sister and help make sure she's always okay?"
Conor didn't answer.
"You're the mean one," Fiona yelled at him.
"Yeah," Freya agreed. "I don't like you anymore."
"Me either," James added.
Michael and Riordan didn't say anything, but they stood next to Harry and watched the others carefully.
"I don't care if you don't like me," Conor snapped back.
Draco stood, "Conor, why don't you come with me down to the storytelling area so we can talk."
The boy considered then nodded and walked ahead of Draco down the ward. Draco looked to Harry and shrugged before following the child.
"Conor, why don't you like Harry?"
"I just don't. He's mean."
"Why do you think he's mean?" Draco prodded. "Has he said something mean to you or treated you badly in any way?"
"He's mean," the child insisted.
Draco fought not to become irritated. "How do you feel about Harry taking Teddy home before the rest of you?"
"Why should Mongrel get a home and not us? We're better. The uncles said so."
"You are getting a home as well, and his name is Teddy. Actually, it's Edward Lupin. His mother was my cousin and an Auror like Harry. His father was a professor at Hogwarts. His grandmother is my Mother's sister. Teddy is my cousin. We are related. If you think he's not as good as you, do you think I'm not as good as you either?"
"I don't know," the boy said slowly.
"What is it that makes Teddy not as good as you?"
"They said he's a mongrel and mongrels aren't good."
"Do you even know what a mongrel is?"
"Him," Conor pointed back down the ward to Teddy.
Draco took a deep breath. "Men like the uncles and my father that followed the big bad guy Voldemort believed anyone who wasn't born from two parents who are magical isn't as good as people who were. People like me who have two magical parents and all magical grandparents are called Purebloods. People like Teddy's mom or Harry who have one parent that was magical and one that was born as a muggle are called Halfblood. People like Teddy's grandfather that whom he's named for, are called Muggleborn because no one in their family can do magic. Muggles can't do magic. The men called Teddy a mongrel because his mom was a Halfblood and his dad had an illness that they thought made him a less worthy wizard. All of that is nonsense though. Voldemort himself was a Halfblood, though most of us didn't know that until Harry defeated him. The smartest witch I've ever known was a Muggleborn. Who you're born to has nothing to do with whether or not you're better or worse, whether you're worthy of magic or not."
"You're just saying that so I'll go live with Harry. It's not true."
"I used to believe it was true though that I was better because I'm a Pureblood, but I learned that I'm not. When we were in danger, when the whole wizarding world was in danger it was Harry who saved us. It was Harry who was willing to die to save us all. I wasn't brave enough. Most of the people I know weren't brave enough. Harry was. Harry and his friends. Look, you don't have to just believe what I say, but you also don't have to believe what those men told you. You can make up your own mind. If you come live at Harry's you can get to know him better. If you really don't want to live there I'll help you find a new family. Do you really want to be separated from Fiona?"
"She's just a girl," Conor said without much enthusiasm.
"She's your sister. Do you love her?"
"I guess."
"Do you want to take care of her and protect her?"
"Maybe."
"Well, you can't do that unless you're living in the same house as her. You never know, you might actually like it there. You have a bed and a toy box all your own. There's a big playroom. I'll teach you to read so you can read books you want to read. I can teach you some magic. I think if you end up alone you're going to wish you at least had your sister with you. I grew up an only child and used to want a sibling. You'll have loads and if they bother you too much you just go to your room and close the door."
"You sure he'll let me."
"Yes, that's why he made sure you each have your own room so you each have your own space."
Conor considered, "You'll be there every day right?"
"I may occasionally have to do things for my Mother and not be there for a day but other than that yes."
"And you promise I don't have to stay if I don't want to."
"You have to try, really try, and you can't stay just a day and then change your mind."
"How long?"
Draco thought a moment, "Let's say a month. If you don't want to stay then I will help find you a different home."
"Promise."
"I promise."
"Fine, I guess we can go then."
Draco looked up and caught Harry's eye, then nodded slightly. Harry slouched a bit in relief as the blond led the child back to the others.
"Ok, does everyone have everything? We already packed up your new clothes. Do you all have your animals?"
Six little heads nodded.
"Then say thank you Healer Bennett and the other healers for taking such good care of you and we'll go."
A chorus of thank yous filled the air.
"You make sure to let me know if you need any assistance or if you need me to stop in and talk to any of the children," Anara said in a low voice.
"Thank you, I think we will plan some mind healing sessions. Preferably at home, if we can arrange it."
"That's probably a good idea."
"Right then, everyone partner up. You need at least one buddy to hold hands with as we walk through the building so we don't lose everyone. Teddy and I will walk in front as we know where we're all going."
"And I'll walk at the back with Conor so we can make sure everyone gets outside together, right Conor?" Draco looked down at the boy who had suddenly puffed up at the assignment.
"Yes."
"Let's go then," Harry said and led the way out of the children's ward. With Freya, Fiona, and James in a trio right behind him and his godson. Next came Michael and Riordan followed by Draco and Conor.
Heads turned and eyes widened as they traipsed through the hospital to the main floor. Eyes widened as both men were recognized. Whispers began flying. Both Harry and Draco did their best to ignore it and continue walking. With so many little legs it was a long trip taking several minutes.
By the time they reached the doors and exited to the sidewalk, Harry wasn't surprised to find Rita Skeeter waiting.
"Mr. Potter, wizarding kind would love to know what you're doing with these children. Where did they come from and where are you going?"
"We're going home with Harry," Freya said smiling brightly at the woman.
"And that's all you need to know," Harry added. "Come on children, keep walking."
"And what might you be doing here Mr. Malfoy? What could a convicted Death Eater possibly be doing with these children and Mr. Potter?" she asked in a sickeningly sweet voice doing her best to project total innocence as she trailed the group, with still others following behind.
"I am quite sure that you are aware of the terms of my sentence, that should be your answer," he replied evenly.
"Harry," Ron called appearing from the crowd and stepping up on the other side of Teddy, "You didn't wait for us."
Addie and Elaine moved to flank the three children in the middle while Hermione dropped back next to Conor.
"Malfoy," she said.
"Granger," he acknowledged.
"And this is Conor right?" she asked.
"Yes, Conor, meet Harry's good friend Hermione Granger," Draco introduced them.
"Hello Conor," Hermione said with a smile then with a tilt of her head peering at the still trailing Skeeter from the corner of her eye she asked the boy, "Do you like bugs? I used to have a beetle in a jar. It was such a pretty beetle. I let it go because I felt bad keeping it locked up, but sometimes I miss it. What do you think Conor, should I try and find it again? I could show it to you."
"Bugs can't be pretty," Conor argued.
"I never thought they could be until I caught my beetle. It was. It was very pretty. The antennae were curled and when you looked really closely it looked like the beetle was wearing glasses."
Draco bit back a smile and then stifled a chuckle when Skeeter stopped following them.
"Did you really have such a beetle in a jar?" he asked. "And you even let it go? I'm impressed."
"I'm sure it would look familiar to you if you saw it," she said with a side-eye.
"I believe I did see one like it several years ago. It's too bad you didn't keep it. I imagine a beetle like that is good luck, it might help Potter stay out of the limelight."
"Unfortunately, I think he's stuck with being on the front page after this stunt. I told him it was a bad idea. So did everyone else."
"Including me," Draco put in, "if for no other reason than it's not good for him to be seen with me with certain people buzzing around like that."
"And of course, he didn't listen," she replied. "I'm rather shocked that you didn't stay at Grimmauld Place."
"And hide?"
She shrugged.
"I did think about it," he said as they reached the car and the children began climbing in, each one being strapped into a car seat by an adult. "I wasn't going to let him do it alone, though I don't think he would have let me anyway."
"So he dared you to come along."
"Not in so many words, but basically. Being seen with me can't be good for him, and it's guaranteed to get him in the paper which he hates, but maybe they'll concentrate on me instead of him. It's a slim chance, but it'll be worth it to keep these kids safe."
"I just don't understand him sometimes. There are enough of us with the Weasleys that we could have each taken one child and gone through the Floo or apparated. He did this on purpose."
"Maybe he's trying to flush out Death Eaters holding the last kids," Draco suggested.
"Are you two getting in the car or not?" Harry asked exasperated.
"It looks full," Hermione responded. "You have Ron, Addie, and Elaine. We'll just apparate and be there waiting for you."
"Hermione," Ron began just before she shut the door on him.
"Was that a good idea?"
"He'll be moody, but he'll get over it. Shall we?" She held out her arm.
Draco looked at her for only a few seconds before taking the arm and seconds later they were standing on the front step of Number 12 Grimmauld Place. She rang the bell and then turned to him.
"Interesting that you trusted me enough to apparate us here."
"It seemed better than arguing about it. Listen, Granger-"
"Master is not home," Winky said as she opened the door. "Oh Miss Hermione and Mister Draco, is you waiting for Master Harry?"
"Yes, Winky," Draco answered and led the way into the house, stopping several steps inside the door to turn and look back. "Granger, are you coming in, or are you going to stand there until they get here? Won't it be a while in that car?"
"Yes," she shook her head and then followed him in the door.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I just, I didn't know Winky knew my name."
"But you did know that Harry had brought her here and bonded with her?"
"Yes," she said with derision.
"That answers that question," he said softly, continuing down the hall to the drawing-room.
"I hate that she's here and not as a paid servant," she told him, "but I also understand how unhappy she was at Hogwarts. I don't know if she was brainwashed to believe she had to be a slave or if it really is something she was born with-"
"Though you believe it was probably brainwashing."
"Indoctrination at the least, though that's really just a matter of semantics."
Draco nodded, "House-elves are born and raised to serve. They watch their parents serve and believe it is their life's work. That's not to say that there aren't more out there like Dobby who would continue working for families if they were paid rather than owned."
"But it's a small number," she sighed. "Then again even if they were free there is so much discrimination against magical creatures of all kinds they wouldn't have an easy life trying to find work other than for a family."
"You're working on that though, aren't you? The rights of magical creatures?"
"Yes, currently the department, well I am focusing on the rights of werewolves. Why should a witch or wizard who has been infected by a disease from an attack suddenly be less than? Why should they or their families suffer? Especially when potions like the Wolfsbane exist, it's ridiculous and outdated. The Ministry or St. Mungo's should be brewing it constantly and we could have safe houses for werewolves to go during the full moon. If the right person worked on the potion, maybe they could improve it. Those poor people shouldn't be discriminated against because they were attacked. It's simply not fair that they and their families suffer."
"Teddy," he said simply.
"Teddy," she agreed. "I don't want him to suffer. People will still know Remus was his father and even though Teddy shows no signs of lycanthropy they'll treat him differently. They'll constantly be watching him just in case."
"Harry will work to make sure they don't."
"He will but that won't help when Teddy gets to Hogwarts. Bill Weasley gets watched. He doesn't let it bother him because he's an adult and he's secure in himself. Teddy is just a child and will be when he goes to Hogwarts. Harry won't be able to help him there."
"It will still help. The others will be raised as his siblings and not care. All the little Weasleys won't care. Anyone you all are friends with that have children will be raised better. He'll have a rather large support group. They'll all look out for him. Being raised by Harry and people knowing that will help him."
She tilted her head to the side in thought. "I suppose he will, still…"
"Still there will be those like I was that will harass him for his parentage."
"Like you were?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Like I was, yes. I still fight within myself nearly every day against how I was raised. It helps that Mother also is more tolerant now than she was and that Lucius is locked up. Perhaps she always was a touch more tolerant. She never took the Mark after all. Her sister married a Muggle. Well one sister did. Lucius was the die hard along with Bellatrix, who was totally barmy."
"You call your father by his first name."
"It helps. He's still my father and I know he loves me, but he put us in that situation. He raised me that way even more than Mother did, though she never argued with it. I'm incredibly lucky the Wizengamot didn't decide to take out his prior transgressions and their previous leniency on me. They had every right and every reason. I should be locked up with him. I should have spent my three years in Azkaban rather than in my home. Mother is the only one who never openly fought or hurt anyone."
"Other than other followers on orders of Voldemort, right?"
Draco stared at her for a moment. "Was that revealed in the trial? Why don't I remember?"
"No," Hermione replied, "Harry could occasionally see what was happening at the Manor because of his connection with the noseless wonder, Harry's term not mine though I do appreciate it. He saw you and others being forced to torture your fellow believers under your own threat of torture."
"Which isn't an excuse. I should have been brave enough to die like Harry was rather than give in to him.."
"But it wasn't just you he threatened was it?"
"No."
"No, he would have killed your mother and made you watch."
"After torturing her, yes. Still not an excuse."
"Harry died to protect others, you did what you did to protect your mother. The war was awful on all sides."
"And at least some of that was my fault. I really don't deserve to be here."
"So why are you?" She suddenly snapped. "Why are you here? Why aren't you hiding in the Manor with your Mother? Why do you really want to help with these children? Do you think it will help clear the red out of your ledger? Do you think being seen with Harry, and helping him will make people like you again? Are you trying to repair your family name?"
"I don't care if anyone likes me, not anymore. That's not important. I could spend the rest of my life hiding in the Manor. We still have enough money and investments for that. I need to do more than that. Once upon a time, I considered careers I might have. I thought about being a barrister, a healer, running my own business, anything but just managing our accounts like Lucius always did. I want to do something worthwhile, and none of those are options for me any longer. This is worthwhile and no one really has to know it's happening. I was seen with him today, but I don't ever have to be seen again. I can Floo between here and the Manor. It's not like he's going to let Skeeter in here, and if she tries buzzing about well, it sounds like you have that in hand. I can be totally anonymous. If he decides he doesn't need me anymore or would rather have a nanny he's hired I'll go and find something else to do."
"Skeeter will still try, I have no doubt. We'll have to work on a special ward to keep her out without keeping out all other bugs. Gardens need bugs after all, just not the snooping to sell papers kind."
"Granger, I-" Draco was interrupted by the door opening and little feet rushing in and running down the hall ignoring the adults yelling at them to stop.
Draco and Hermione stepped into the hallway.
"Stop," Draco said firmly.
The children did, but then began looking around wildly.
"Which one's my room?" Freya asked.
"Yeah I wanna see my room too," Fiona said.
They were followed by a chorus of "Me toos."
"Well there are two bedrooms right here," Harry pointed to the doors across from the drawing-room. "They have a connecting door between them. I thought maybe Michael and Riordan or Conor and Fiona might want them so they can see each other. There is another set of rooms like this on the third floor though so you can both have rooms that connect to your sibling I just need you to pick."
"We get to pick our rooms?" Conor asked, regarding Harry with suspicion. "You're really not going to tell us which one is ours? What if two of us want the same room?"
"We'll work that out if it happens. We can always draw straws or something. All of the rooms have the same bed and other furniture, just in different colors. You can pick any of the rooms that are open. Teddy's room and mine are on the second floor but there are two more on that floor and four on the third floor. The two rooms on the fourth floor are not to be used. They're locked so don't even bother trying. Now, if you'd like to go look at them all you may."
Fiona, Conor, Freya, and James took off up the stairs. Draco followed them up. Michael and Riordan went into the rooms across the hall, then came back out only a second later.
"Can we have these rooms Mr. Harry?" Michael asked.
"Yes, you may, but you don't have to call me Mr. Harry, just Harry is fine."
"Hermione, are you okay?" Ron asked as Harry went up the stairs as well after the two boys had gone back into their chosen rooms.
"I'm fine, why?"
"You spent all that time alone with Malfoy," he responded. "He didn't try anything did he?"
"Would he still be standing here conscious if he did?"
Ron shrugged. "So what did you do?"
"Nothing, we apparated here, sat in the drawing-room, and talked. That's it. Did you really think he would try and hurt me?"
Ron shrugged. "I figured he'd insult you."
"He didn't. He was very polite actually."
"He's just doing this to make himself look better."
"He might be," Hermione acknowledged, "but I don't think so. I really do think he wants to help, as odd as that sounds. He said he's willing to never be seen with Harry or the children again Besides, most people are smart enough to see through it if that's his only reason for helping. Kingsley approved his hours. Harry told us that remember. He'd checked to be certain."
"Which just shows Kings has gone round the bend," Ron argued.
"Ronald, you don't have to trust the man. You don't have to like him. You can keep an eye on him as much as you want by spending time here with Harry and the kids, but you should be civil. Set a good example for the children. They've had a hard enough life so far. They don't need any of us making it worse."
"Then Harry shouldn't have let him be here."
"If it at any point it looks like I'm making the lives of these children worse, I will leave," Draco said as he stepped down to the first floor. "You won't have to even ask me. I'll be gone. I'll find another way to do my community service."
"You could just go now," Ron suggested.
"And leave Potter alone with seven kids daily? Have you hired him a nanny? Or are you planning on taking a leave of absence from the Auror department as well to help out?"
"No, but he has two house-elves."
"Yes, he does," Draco acknowledged, "but having house-elves, even ones trained to be nannies is not the same thing as having people to interact with. I suppose with all of the people in your family and all of your friends you probably could set up a schedule so he always has someone here with him but do you really think that many people rotating through the house would be good for the kids either? They do need to be comfortable in large crowds at some point and yes, exposure to a number of people is good. It's hard though, for children to build connections, close connections, with people they may only see once a week or even less often. These children need close connections to adults. They need to know there are adults in our world that they really can trust to treat them as they should be treated."
"So what happens when your hours are up, when you have no reason to stay?" Ron asked.
"Are you leaving us Draco?" Fiona asked from behind him. "Please, don't leave. My brother needs you."
Draco spun and dropped to his knees in front of the little girl. "I'm not going anywhere Fiona, not right now. At some point in the future Harry and I may decide that my being here with you all isn't working and then I would go, but not without telling you all. I would never leave without telling you."
"Do you promise?"
"Yes, I promise," he smiled gently. "Now, did you pick out your room?"
"Uh-huh, Conor and I are on the third floor. Harry said come get everyone so we can see the playroom."
"Well then, why don't you go knock on the door there and let Michael and Riordan know. Be sure to knock, everyone will need to knock before going into someone else's room."
"Ok, Draco."
"Well, then, I'm going to go upstairs with the children," Draco told Hermione and Ron. "Are you going to join us?"
"We'll be up in a minute," Hermione answered.
Draco nodded and followed the three children who had run up the stairs.
"I still can't believe Harry is letting him do this," Ron grumbled. "He's gone barmy, first taking in all these kids now this."
"Ronald, even you have to admit that Draco was really good with Fiona just now," Hermione scolded him gently.
"That's probably all for show."
"Then we'll keep an eye on him," she assured him, "as will Harry and if it is he goes. It's that simple."
"Why even give him the chance?"
"Because Harry has decided to and I'm going to support him in that. Now, let's go see what he got done in the playroom."
"Fine."
They stepped into the playroom to see the children spread out playing in various corners.
"They love it," Addie told them.
"It looks like it," Hermione responded. "I don't know why they wouldn't. I would have loved a room like this when I was a kid."
"Me too," Elaine said.
"Better than an enchanted toy box huh?" Addie asked softly.
"Much better."
"This is the happiest I've seen Conor since I first visted them at Mungo's," Harry commented coming over to the other adults.
"He has been in a mood lately," Draco agreed. "Hopefully, this is the start of a change, but I have to tell you he asked me to promise to find him a new home if he isn't happy here. I told him he had to try for at least a month first."
Harry shrugged, "Well at least he agreed to that. I'd hate to let him and Fiona go, but if it's what's best for them."
"I don't think it will be best for Fiona though," Draco said. "I think she's going to want to stay and I agree it's not a good idea to separate them. You're going to have to spend individual time with each child. I can do the same. Maybe that will help wear down this attitude he's developed. Starting lessons might help as well."
"Possibly, but let's let them settle in for a week first."
Draco nodded, "That gives us time to go through the curriculum you have for them. Granger, we could probably use your help, and Weasley most of what he has came from your mother so your opinion on them would be good to have too."
"We'll come by in a few days with dinner and we can discuss it then," Hermoine replied.
Ron grumbled something that sounded like an agreement.
"You sure you want to bring dinner for everyone?" Harry asked. "That's a lot of food. Kreacher can do it. He might get mad if we don't let him."
"So have him make a big dessert or something," she suggested.
"It's a good thing there's such a large table in the kitchen," Draco commented.
"Tonight is the first dinner with all of them," Ron said. "Do you want us to all hang around and eat with you guys?"
Harry shrugged, "All of us might be too much but help tonight would be good and appreciated. Eventually, we're going to have to figure it out but for tonight-"
"For tonight the more adults around the better," Draco finished.
"We'll go home tonight and be here tomorrow to help out," Addie offered.
"Thank you," Harry said.
"Well then," Hermione smiled. "I'll go check in with Kreacher and let him know how many to cook for."
"Maybe, suggest something kid-friendly," Draco suggested.
"Yeah," Harry seconded, "preferably not the French onion soup he loves to make so much, as good as it is I don't think they'll see it that way."
"Okay then," Hermione said and headed down the stairs.
"You're really going to teach the kids?" Ron asked Draco skeptically.
"They need an education and we can't drop them in the local Muggle school," the blond replied. "They've been exposed to too much magic and haven't had any experience controlling their own magic. Your mother educated you and your siblings at home, right?"
"Yes, but-"
"I know. I know what you really mean is you can't believe I would lower myself to educating children, especially in basic subjects and not magic."
Ron just glared.
"Trust me, no one is more surprised at the thought than I was when it occurred to me. I don't think there's anything I can say to convince you that I'm not here to do any harm. You'll just have to trust Harry and the Minister in their decision. You can be here every day if you feel the need to watch over me."
"No," Harry said firmly. "Ron, you have to figure this out. You can't be watching Draco totally suspicious every time you come over. The kids will pick up on it and wonder why."
"They should know who he is," Ron protested.
"They do," Harry responded.
"You told them?"
"As much as they can understand," Draco said. "If I'm still around as they get older we can tell them more, explain more. They need to know what happened anyway. Every child in our world will learn of it from now on. It's probably already been added to the History of Magic and Defense Against the Dark Arts curriculums."
"There will be a new edition of Hogwarts: A History released next year," Hermione said as she came back into the playroom. "It will include the Battle and most of the other events that occurred in our time there."
"I'm surprised it took them this long to update it," Draco commented.
"I think there was an argument as to whether or not those events actually count as historical," Hermione said.
"What the bloody hell else would they be?" Draco asked exasperated.
"Current events," Harry replied.
"So they think the kids coming to school don't need to know what happened?" the blonde shook his head.
"Most of them lived it," Harry said.
"Ok, I acknowledge that, but do they know what happened on both sides? How it all started?"
"What? You want to have one of them thinking they can do the same thing?" Ron accused.
"No, I want them all to know how it starts, how they might be taken in, how charismatic leaders can hide their true intentions and turn on you before you even realize what's happening. We need to keep this from ever happening again, for the safety of everyone."
"You sure you don't want to be the next Dark Lord."
"Weasley, I want to be left alone. I want a quiet life. I don't even want to be in charge of the damned family accounts. My mother has taken those over though I'll still have to learn them eventually in case something happens to her. I know the basics. I was well taught in how to manage the finances and invest. I just don't want to do it. I don't even want to live in the damned Manor anymore, but I'm not going to try and find a flat somewhere, won't give the Prophet the satisfaction. Rita'd love to write that little story. By the way," he said turning to Harry and Hermione, "be sure to check the paper in the morning."
"She wouldn't dare," Hermione said.
"Oh yes she would," Harry replied.
Draco nodded. "She'll put it under someone else's byline or have it as a 'letter to the editor or something. Might be a good idea to give someone else at the Prophet an exclusive on what you're doing."
"Not the Prophet," Harry said, "but maybe for the Quibbler."
Ron groaned, "After good old Xeno tried to turn us over to the Death Eaters?"
"He was trying to get his daughter back," Hermione argued, "but I don't know that the Quibbler is the best place for a story like this anyway."
"Why not?"
"While there are some realistic and factual stories, Lovegood has gone back to his crazy ways again. You need to talk to someone who will write this as a human interest story, someone or some publication that won't sensationalize the story as much as Xeno or Rita would," she replied.
"And that would be?"
"Witch Weekly," Draco and Hermoine said in unison.
"That's better than the Prophet or Quibbler," Draco said. "May I make an additional suggestion?"
Harry nodded.
"Doesn't your friend Lee have a show on the wireless? You could do a live interview with him. Then Witch Weekly could put out an article with pictures."
"I don't want the kids in pictures. They don't need to be seen."
"It might be a way to find any living family members they might have," Hermione pointed out.
"Take the pictures with the children from the back or only in profile at a distance. Maybe focus on the playroom here and the back garden, one of the children's rooms. It's not a bad idea to use it as an opportunity to find family. List their ages and genders, maybe their first names or merely their initials," Draco suggested. "It might also serve as a way to find adoptive families for them if you're willing to let them be adopted."
"Why wouldn't I?" Harry asked.
"You are rather attached to them already and the longer they're with you, the more you'll feel like they're yours."
"He's right," Hermione said softly. "You might need to think about it before you talk to anyone. Are you going to be willing to let these children be adopted by someone else? Are you going to want to keep them?"
"If we find their families and the families want them I'll have to give them up," Harry pointed out. "I'd want to approve whoever is asking to adopt, though I'm sure that hag at the Ministry won't want me to have any say at all. It's not a bad idea, the interviews, and I'll think about it but I think we'd better wait until the other kids are found or we may never find them."
"Do you really think they're listening to the wireless or reading Witch Weekly?" Ron scoffed.
Draco shrugged. "You never know. It would depend on which Death Eaters have the children. Some of them are smart enough to keep track of all news to see if there's anything suspicious, others wouldn't think of it. Even knowing the names of all the ones who have been captured I still can't tell you who wasn't. There are too many assumed dead that may not be as bodies were never found."
"Which is why Robards has kept the previous arrests tightly under wraps," Harry said.
"It makes sense."
"Harry," Fiona said quietly, pulling on his robe, "we're hungry."
"Dinner will be soon," he promised. "If it takes too long we can get a small snack for you."
"Thank you," she said smiling and skipped back to James and Michael to continue building with the blocks.
"They're all so happy here," Hermione commented.
"It won't last," Draco predicted.
"You really want them to be miserable don't you?"
"Weasley, it's common sense that children who have been through trauma, once they are feeling comfortable and cared for will attempt to push the boundaries. With this many children in the house that will lead to more than the usual arguments you would expect from a large group of children."
"Not all large groups of children argue," Ron protested.
"Are you telling me you lot in Gryffindor always got along? There was never any conflict? Never a time when one of you wasn't speaking to others? Or that you and your six siblings never had any disagreements ever?"
"Ron, shut it," Harry said. "Don't even try to argue. You know it's true. He's right. They're happy now but they won't necessarily stay happy. We'll deal with it as it comes. I already talked to Anara about mind healing sessions here at the house. For right now I'm just going to enjoy their happiness. Even Conor isn't complaining or pouting."
"Just don't talk to him," Draco advised, half teasing. "He'll start up again."
"Thanks," Harry replied and rolled his eyes.
With a loud crack that led several of the children to jump or scream, Kreacher entered the room and announced that dinner was ready before popping away again.
"Well, that could have gone better," Hermione commented.
"I've asked him not to do that," Harry said.
Draco shook his head. "You know you're going to have to order him to walk in or to send Winky."
"Yeah, I'll do that after dinner. Ok everybody, time to eat. Stop and wash your hands in the lavatory nearest your room and then meet in the first-floor hallway by Micheal and Riordan's rooms and we'll show you where the kitchen is."
"Everyone on their best behavior for dinner," Hermione instructed.
"Why'd you look at me when you said that?" Ron demanded.
"Because you're the one that can't stop being confrontational," Harry replied.
"Maybe I should just go home," the redhead groused.
"Perhaps I should," Draco said. "I'm the odd one out here. I can always eat with the children another time. They'll get used to me being around later."
"No," Harry objected. "The kids are going to expect you to be here."
"Yes, but there may be times I have to go home to my mother. They're going to have to understand not everyone will be around all of the time. You'll miss meals when you go back to work as well."
"Still, for their first night you should be here," Hermione agreed.
"Fine," Ron snapped, "then I'll go."
"Are you saying you can't be civil for one hour while we eat?" Hermione asked.
"Of course, I can."
"Then there's no need for either of us to leave," Draco said. "So, we should probably head down. The kids are most likely all waiting for us now."
"Harry?" Michael said as they sat at the table eating breakfast two days later.
"Yes?"
"Do we have to stay inside?"
Harry turned to look at the boy. "No, we have a garden out back you all can play in."
"Really?" the boy's eyes went wide and the other children echoed him.
"Yes, really? Were you not allowed outside before?"
Seven little heads shook.
"Never," Freya told him.
"We couldn't even be near the windows," Riordan said.
"It was to keep us safe," Conor argued.
"Safe from what?" Freya asked.
"I don't know," the boy admitted.
"It doesn't matter now. You may go outside as long as it's not raining," Harry said. "You can go out as soon as you finish your breakfast if you want."
"I'm done," James shouted and jumped down from his spot.
The others followed running to the back door, with Conor trailing at the end of the line.
"We may never get them back in again," Draco commented.
"I don't know why I didn't think of it. It should have been obvious. They wouldn't want the children seen. The garden is the first thing I should have shown them after their rooms instead of the playroom in the attic."
Draco shook his head, "You didn't know and you couldn't have. Be thankful they trust you enough to ask now. I'm going to head out and keep an eye on them."
"Good idea. I'll be there in a few minutes. I'm going to help-"
"Master should go now," Kreacher cut in. "Kreacher will do the cleaning. Winky can help."
"Winky will clean the table while Kreacher washes the dishes. Master Harry and Master Draco should go outside. Winky will make the children's beds when the kitchen is clean."
"Why do I ever think I'm in charge in this house?" Harry asked as they went to the door.
"Was that a rhetorical question?"
"I don't honestly know," Harry said
Draco chuckled. "I think in some homes the house-elves run things and while they may act as servants they really aren't. Dobby would have been happier in a home like that."
"Dobby was very happy when he started working at Hogwarts," Harry told the other man as they sat in chairs to watch the children run and play on the playset he'd had installed.
"Why am I not surprised to find out he worked there?"
"He loved it, especially after Hermione started knitting."
"Granger can knit?"
"Well, I think that depends on your definition of knitting," Harry joked. "Not everything she makes turns out so well but she tries."
"Does she do it Muggle style or magically?"
"Magically, and she all started it to save the house elves at Hogwarts." Harry went on to tell Draco about SPEW and Hermione's crusade to free all house elves.
"We'd heard rumors in Slytherin but obviously she didn't approach any of us to try and get us to contribute."
"Yeah, she wouldn't have even tried. Honestly, most of us that gave her money just did it to get her to stop asking."
"I can see that. I'm actually surprised some other Muggleborn haven't tried to free house elves before now, or maybe they have and we just haven't heard about it."
Harry nodded. "I'd bet others have. It makes me wonder what my mother thought of house elves if she ever knew. I don't think my dad's parents had one or it would have come to me at some point unless it was already bonded to someone else. I don't need another elf anyway."
"Granger works in the Department for Magical Creatures doesn't she?"
"Yes, and yes the elves are part of the reason but so is the treatment of centaurs and werewolves."
"Lupin," Draco said quietly. "He's certainly the exception to what most people think of when they think of werewolves."
"Which Hermione argues is part of the way so many werewolves behave the way they do."
"They behave the way they're expected to?"
"No, it's something more about them not having any other options."
Draco thought for a moment. "She's right. We're taught that they're dangerous. No one makes and provides the Wolfsbane as a health potion. It has to be sold and most werewolves don't have jobs because of the prejudice against them so they can't afford it which means they can't take it so they're at risk every month of being dangerous unless they lock themselves up somewhere they can't get out. It's a bad cycle. I don't know if it'll help at all, but tell her I'll give testimony on behalf of whatever it is she wants to do to help improve life for werewolves. There were dozens around the Manor when He lived there. Some of them were absolutely cruel but I think they probably were before they were infected. Others were just desperate and He promised them so much. I think if they'd had any other option they would have chosen differently."
"Remus tried to recruit werewolves to our side, but they wouldn't come," Harry told the other man. "They didn't believe anything would change for them."
"Understandable, though I think the ones that fell for what He offered them were going to be disappointed if He won."
Harry turned and looked at Draco. "Why do you keep saying He?"
"I don't really know. I refuse to call him Lord or Dark Lord."
"So just call him by name."
"I don't know if I can."
"Why not?"
"It just doesn't feel right."
"Okay, but when you say He the way you do it sounds almost like-"
"Like I still think he's important."
"I was thinking it sounds almost like some people in the Muggle world when they talk about their god."
"Really? I certainly don't mean it that way. I think I'm just trying not to give him the respect of a name."
"Then call him the noseless wonder. I do."
Draco's eyes went wide then he snorted and nearly fell out of his chair in gales of laughter. "That's… that's so… perfect."
When he finally stopped laughing and sat up wiping his eyes he said, "That truly is perfect. It's so irreverent and utterly disrespectful and since he isn't deserving of any respect it's just the absolute best idea. I think Hermione told me you call him that, but it didn't really register until I heard you say it."
"I still call him by name. I'll say Voldemort or Riddle but sometimes it's just more fun to say Noseless Wonder. I've only ever used it around friends though. How do you feel about him?"
"Still somewhat conflicted. It's hard to fight old prejudices, to fight years of training and teachings by your parents and grandparents. He was so horrible, so awful. How can you win a way if you keep torturing people on your own side until they run away or die? Not to mention presenting yourself as something you're not and claiming superiority that doesn't even fit your own birth. I was all in when he called on me to take the Dark Mark," Draco said absentmindedly rubbing his forearm. "But then he gave me that mission to kill Dumbledore and I didn't know if I could do it. I knew I had to try. I didn't understand why if he was so powerful he didn't just do it himself. The things I saw him do or make others do. The fact that you saved us, you and Weasley a supposed Blood-Traitor, and Muggleborn Granger and any number of others that weren't according to him strong enough because of their heritage. It made me think after it was all over. Memories of fellow students lying dead in the Great Hall ran through my mind day after day. Honestly, I tried to maintain my Malfoy facade."
"You seemed to be doing a fairly good job of it when I came over to the Manor," Harry commented.
"That was a combination of self-preservation and force of habit. I really don't expect you and the others to ever understand, but something changed in me. Maybe, it's because something in me broke but I just can't be the same even when I tried to be. I don't know. It doesn't really matter. For now I have a purpose. I can stop acting and try to figure out who I am now."
"I never thought you'd even have a job after Hogwarts," Harry said.
"I thought about a number of careers. We all had to have that conversation with our Head of House," Draco went on to share a number of positions he'd considered. "Ultimately I knew I'd just wind up as a businessman or taking over the family accounts. I wouldn't have to work. I still don't. I really don't understand how the Wizengamot didn't order us to pay out massive amounts of restitution. Our vault should be empty. It's probably better for Mother that it's not. She'll need to have money to live on and I think she's planning on remodeling the Manor. If she doesn't move away that is, of course that's years away. She talks about it though. She's mentioned finding a small place in the country or moving to France to some old family home. She's taken to cleaning the rooms over and over again."
Harry leaned the chair back against the wall lifting the front legs off the ground. He put his hands back behind his head and just listened as the other man continued to talk."
"One day I walked in on her on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor without magic. I've never seen her do that before. I've never seen her clean before even with a wand. I had no idea she even knew how to clean. I guess it was probably something she was required to learn from her mother. You can't possibly be a good wife and mother if you can't be sure that the elves are doing their jobs correctly, and of course, it must be elves because even with Unbreakable Vows it's not acceptable to have human servants with the exception of very large parties. No reason is ever given for why, just that it's not allowed. Still, the sight of my mother, of all people, on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor was shocking and a bit frightening. Not just to me, our poor elves were so worried. I think they were more worried about Mother than about getting clothes for not doing their job well enough. You know it was having Voldemort living in our house that made me realize just how strong house elves can be. They kept working, kept doing their jobs, and kept doing anything they could to take care of us. More than once they popped into my room with a pain-relieving potion or with food that they practically forced me to eat. They stayed completely out of his way. They were more invisible than they'd ever been before. You would never have known they were there if you didn't know before. I hope if Mother does move elsewhere she takes them with her. I can't imagine she won't, but one or two may argue that they have to be with a Malfoy by blood not marriage, or that they have to be at the Manor. She won't sell the Manor I don't think. She'll just move and leave it for me, which will be a waste because I have no intention of spending my entire life there for the same reasons. Someday I will have to find a new home. I'll wait at least until her sentence is over and she decides what she's going to do though. Why am I telling you all of this?"
"I have no idea."
"You didn't ask me to, I just dumped it all out there."
"When was the last time you spoke to one of your friends?"
"It's been a while. You think I'm lonely?"
Harry shrugged. "It's a possibility."
"Yes, I suppose it is. Though I won't be lonely here. When I go home I notice the quiet like I haven't before, or maybe in a different way than I have before. I appreciate it more I know that much. I apologize. I promise I won't make it a habit of dumping everything I'm thinking on you. I'll reach out to some of my friends. Perhaps I can still visit one or two."
"It's all right actually," Harry replied. "We ought to get to know each other better if we're going to be spending time together."
"And you getting to know more about what I'm thinking now might help you convince everyone that I really don't have an ulterior motive in helping out here."
"There is that."
"Well if you don't mind I think I'll stop talking now for a while."
"Not comfortable sharing that much."
"Not exactly."
"Need to think about what you said."
"That's more along the right line."
"Ok then."
Lightning flashed brightening up the room for a second. Thunder slammed in the sky and Harry woke groggily to a body curled up behind him. He rolled over to find Teddy lying wrapped tightly around his teddy bear.
"Teds?"
The boy looked up and then immediately curled at the next clap of thunder.
"Teds, does the thunder scare you?"
The boy nodded but didn't look up again.
"It's okay. It's just a thunderstorm. I know it's loud and scary, but it can't hurt you in here. You're safe inside the house."
No response.
"Do you want to stay with me for a while?"
The little head nodded.
"Ok then."
Harry laid back down until the next thunderclap led to the thunder of little feet on the stairs and in the hall. Soon Freya, Fiona, and James were climbing up on his bed.
"Let me guess, you all are frightened of the thunder too."
"It's so loud," Freya said.
"And you all want to stay with me?"
Three more little heads nodded.
"Ok, just a second." He leaned over, grabbed his wand from the nightstand, and waved it over the bed enlarging it. Seeing Michael and Riordan coming through the door he enlarged the bed a bit more.
"Now there should be room for all of us. Come on up boys," he said to the twins.
Once everyone was settled Harry laid back down.
The next flash of lightning had all of the children tensing, the accompanying thunder led to shrieks from several of them.
"Ok everyone, I know it's loud, but it's just noise. It can't hurt you."
"How do you know?" Michael asked.
"It's something I learned in school, just like you will," Harry replied.
"Tell us now," Riordan requested.
"Will it make you feel better?"
His answer was a chorus of yeses and maybes. He first directed his wand at the window to draw the shades and considered casting a silencing spell on the walls but decided the children needed to learn to live with thunder. They might not always be somewhere they could cast a silencing charm or be with someone who knew how to do it. Better to try and talk to them and calm them down. So, the lessons would start now instead of later.
Before he could begin he spotted Conor standing in the doorway. The boy had his arms crossed and was as close to the door frame as he could get. He was shaking.
"Come on in, we're having a bit of a slumber party here tonight," Harry said to the boy. "I think the others would be glad to have you with us."
The child seemed to think for a minute but didn't move.
"Come on, Conor," Fiona said to her brother. "There's room right here by me."
The boy stepped forward slowly at first then rushed and crawled up onto the bed. Harry resisted reacting and began to explain.
"Well then, lightning always comes first. Lightning is an electric current. Within a thundercloud way up in the sky, many small bits of ice that are actually frozen raindrops bump into each other as they move around in the air. All of those collisions create an electric charge. After a while, the whole cloud fills up with electrical charges. The positive charges or protons form at the top of the cloud and the negative charges or electrons form at the bottom of the cloud. Since opposites attract, that causes a positive charge to build up on the ground beneath the cloud. The ground's electrical charge concentrates around anything that sticks up, such as mountains, people, or single trees. The charge coming up from these points eventually connects with a charge reaching down from the clouds and – zap – lightning strikes!"
He looked around at the children's faces, noting that they all showed confusion. He thought a moment then said, "Have you ever rubbed your feet across a carpet and then touched a metal door handle? If so, then you know that you can get shocked! Lightning works in the same way. If you do it in the dark you might see a little spark. Except what's happening in the sky is a bigger spark."
A few of the children nodded.
"Thunder is caused by lightning. When a lightning bolt travels from the cloud to the ground it actually opens up a little hole in the air, called a channel. Once the light is gone the air collapses back in and creates a sound wave that we hear as thunder. It's like when you clap. The air comes together like your hands and makes a sound. The reason we see lightning before we hear thunder is because light travels faster than sound!"
Another thunderclap rumbled through the room. The children shrieked and curled up.
Harry sighed realizing they would never get any sleep at this rate. A continued explanation about counting to tell how far away a storm was wasn't going to do any good tonight. He once again grabbed his wand, gave in, and cast the silencing charm on the room.
"That should take care of it for tonight," he told them. "Go to sleep."
"Will you tell us a story?" Freya asked.
"A story?"
"Yes."
"Please," begged almost every other child on the bed.
"Let me think for a second. When I'm done you have to all go to sleep."
"We will," they promised.
"All right then. Once upon a time…"
"I'm telling you it was exhausting," Harry said to Hermione over tea the next day while Draco supervised the children in the back garden. "They all slept but I don't think I did the entire rest of the night. Too many little feet kicking and bodies rolling over. I'm surviving today on coffee and sheer willpower. Stop laughing at me."
"Sorry, I just have this image in my head of you with all the kids in the bed like in Sound of Music." She and Harry had introduced Ron to movies after she had finished at Hogwarts. They tried to watch one a week when they could fit it into auror training. Hermione had wanted to make it more when she realized just how few movies Harry had seen. Sound of Music was one of the last they'd watched before Harry had brought Teddy home. She wondered now if that movie had had any influence on his decisions regarding the children.
"I did NOT sing to the kids."
"Might be something to keep in mind for the next time," she suggested.
"No, just no. I can't sing and you know it. That would just keep them awake."
"Ah Harry, they'd love it. It wouldn't matter how well you sang or how poorly."
"Nope, maybe Draco can sing to them."
"Now that would be hysterical and you'd need to show me the memory."
"I don't think he'd do it either."
"Who wouldn't do what?" Draco asked from the door. "The kids would like you to come outside and watch them on the toy brooms."
"Ok, I'll be right there."
"Not gonna answer my question?"
"Nope."
Hermione snorted and chuckled, rocking in her chair.
"Maybe I don't want to know," Draco said, looking at her through narrowed eyes.
"It's nothing. I was just telling her about the storm and the kids all coming to my room last night," Harry said as he passed the other man and went out the door.
"I still maintain that you should have cast a silencing charm on all the windows. The kids have plenty of time to get used to the noise," Draco commented.
"He's got a good point. These kids have been traumatized enough," Hermione said. "There's really no need to force them to adjust to everything at once. We know thunder and lightning aren't a big deal but for them it is."
Harry shrugged as he watched the kids zoom back and forth across the garden. "It was just so odd. You'd have thought they'd never heard thunder before."
"They may not have," she pointed out. "It's a good bet that every place they've been has had silencing charms not only so they can't hear what's going on outside but so they can't be heard from the outside."
"I really need to think about taking them out someplace one or two at a time. They need to adjust to being in public."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you want to do that?"
"We wouldn't go to Diagon Alley," Harry began. "I'd take them out somewhere Muggle and start in a small town"
"They'll complain if they don't all get to go," Hermione noted.
"Yeah, but that's just too many young kids to take out at once even if we both went," Harry said, gesturing between himself and Draco.
"If we're going out in public at all I need polyjuice," Draco commented. "Otherwise we're sure to end up in the papers and you've already said you don't want that for the kids."
"I doubt you need it in the Muggle world. It's not like anyone there knows you," Harry replied.
"You never know who's out where. Better safe than sorry."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea for the kids though," Hermione observed, "unless they see you change first and even then you'd have to explain why."
"Good point," Draco said grudgingly. "Still, it's probably better to do as Harry first said and just have him take out one or two at a time. We can make a list of places and they can pick where they want to go. They all need more clothes. It would be good to take them to do that, and all the better to do in the Muggle world or someone will begin to wonder what you're doing. After you do the interviews at least they would understand but-"
"But then they'll be mobbing us if we go to wizarding places," Harry acknowledged. "They need to get used to seeing other witches and wizards though."
"So take them to the Weasleys," Draco suggested.
Hermione nodded, "Molly would love it. There's plenty of room for them all to play around the Burrow. You wouldn't even have to leave any of them here. She can invite other members of the family over one or two at a time until the kids are used to them. Eventually they can build up to everyone being there, which would really make Molly happy because then you could bring the kids for Sunday dinner. I know she's missing you then."
"She has a point," Draco said. "Though, if you do that you probably should take someone else along, or make sure someone else is there. I'll stay here and wait for you to get back, or meet you here afterwards."
"I'm not sure Conor will come if you don't," Harry observed.
Draco nodded. "That's possible. I'll just have to talk to him and explain why first."
"You could ask Molly if she'd be willing to let Draco come to the house," Hermione suggested. "She's more likely to understand if you explain the situation to Conor with her than he is to understand since he's only a child."
"No," the blond protested. "Don't do that. Don't put that pressure on her. That's not fair. Don't put her in that position. Conor can adjust or he can stay with me, or I can take him somewhere else."
"Where?"
"I don't know. Maybe the grounds of the Manor. I wouldn't take him in, but I could take him to the grounds. Actually, you could bring all of the kids there if you wanted to, it's also big enough. That would just be to play though. There wouldn't be other people around. The Weasleys' is a much better choice for that. Besides, they should get to know Mr. and Mrs. Weasley anyway. If you end up keeping all of the kids, they'll be the grandparents right?"
"Yes, though I don't think we'll do a Sunday dinner anytime soon," Harry replied. "It's going to take a while for the kids to get used to being close to that many people, especially that many adults."
"By Christmas though," Hermione said. "She'll want you and all of the kids there. I'd bet she's already started on Weasley sweaters for them. Making one for each kiddo ought to keep her busy until then."
Harry chuckled as he pictured the knitting needles clicking away fast and furious in the Burrow living room. "Ok, I'll send her a letter later and start taking the kids over two or three at a time. We can go through the Floo. I can take one and come back for another. Draco can stay here with the rest until they're used to traveling that way. I should order a bunch of new kid brooms to be sent to their house. There's plenty of room in the shed. We can try taking a big trip to the Manor grounds once they've all been out and about. Not sure how we'd get there as easily though."
"We could take turns side-along with them," Draco said. "It would take a little bit, but we'd get them there. Winky can sit with them here so there's always someone here until we get all of them over. Then she can join us there."
"That sounds really complicated," Hermione said. "Maybe you should borrow a car again."
"Yes, but then I'd have to actually ride in it this time," Draco commented. "Unless I went ahead to allow you in the wards."
"I'd need you along to give me directions," Harry said.
"I've never gone there by road," Draco pointed out. "I wouldn't be any help that way."
"True, well, we'll worry about that later. First to talk to Molly and Arthur."
"Good plan."
"Before you leave, could we talk?" Harry asked Draco after they had tucked all of the children in bed for the night and met up in the drawing room.
"I suppose," Draco replied, moving to sit in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace.
"Actually, could you follow me?"
"Ok," the blond said and stood.
Harry led the way out of the room and quietly up to the fourth floor. There they stopped between the two closed bedroom doors.
"Why are we here Potter?"
"Are you still willing to move in?"
Draco raised an eyebrow and thought for only a second before nodding slowly. "Are you offering me one of these rooms?"
"That one actually," Harry replied pointing to Regulus's room. "I'll be taking this one."
"You're moving up here?"
"Ron just owled. They found the other three kids. He would have let me know so I could join them but decided I was more needed here. They're at St. Mungo's now but-"
"But they'll need a place to go soon and you want to keep the kids all together and not move any of the seven we already have out of their rooms."
"Yeah. We told them those rooms were theirs. If we ask anyone to move it seems like I'm breaking a promise and I don't want to set that precedent."
"So, what do we know about these three?"
"According to the list we got from the Hogwarts enrollment book we have Marcus who's six, Liam who's five, and Caela who's three."
Draco counted on his fingers. "That means we'll have a new oldest child. Conor's not going to take that well. He likes being the one in charge."
"No, he's not going to like it, and he's finally settling in. I'm sure he'll still try to take the lead."
"We'll figure it out. We have three five-year-olds, four-year-old twins, and four three-year-olds. No wonder you want me to move in."
Harry shrugged. "I can't do this alone, but I can't just leave those kids to whomever they may find to place them with. I understand if this is more than you were expecting and you don't want to stay just let me know and help me find someone when your hours are done."
"I'm not going anywhere. I've grown attached to these children. Besides, Conor will revolt if I don't stay. I'll bring my things tomorrow."
"You might want to wait. The room probably needs freshening up and redecorating. I know mine does."
"These were the Black brothers' rooms right?"
Harry nodded, "Yeah, and I need to get the bloody posters off the walls in Sirius's room. The Gryffindor color scheme can go too."
"So this is Regulus's room?" Draco turned and moved to open the door, stopping to look over his shoulder.
"Go ahead."
"It's like some super obsessed first-year puked Slytherin all over the place."
"Yeah, I think it was almost an unspoken fight between the two, with the house colors everywhere."
"If Sirius's room looks anything like this but in red and gold I'd say you're right. I'll still move in tomorrow," Draco told him. "I can work on redecorating over time. It's more important to be here."
"I thought about staying in my room and letting one of the new kids take one up here so we'd be on different floors-"
"Don't want to be that close to me, Potter?"
"Why would I?" Harry glared briefly. "No, it was more that I thought if we're on separate floors we'd be more accessible to the kids. One of us would be close to them. I was worried about being all the way up here with the twins on the first floor."
"That makes sense. What made you change your mind?"
"I always planned to move into Sirius's room. I just hadn't done it yet. Then when Teddy moved in and I wanted to be close to him…"
"I could take your old room if you'd rather," Draco offered.
"No, I've enchanted all of the mirrors in the kid's rooms. They can call either of us to the mirrors up here. They can pick one of us or both," Harry explained. "The enchantment I put on these two will chime to let us know they're calling, and if we don't respond within a reasonable time it will flash a bright light in the room."
"That's some complicated charm work there and an excellent idea. Nice job. That ought to work well and we can always apparate directly to their rooms or the hall outside."
"Exactly."
"I guess you can also schedule those interviews and try and get Rita off your back. She's been buzzing around you know," Draco commented.
"Literally buzzing? I thought we warded against that."
"No, I mean there has been someone walking up and down the street every day but it's a different person every day."
"It's a neighborhood," Harry said. "People walk."
"Yes, but usually you see the same person more than once and they don't slow down as they reach number ten then speed up again when they pass twenty. Your address may be a secret but I think she's been watching you or your friends enough to notice they disappear somewhere in this block."
"You really think she's been taking polyjuice each day as someone different to try and see something to report?"
Draco raised an eyebrow. "You think she wouldn't?"
Harry shook his head and tried not to sigh. "No, she most definitely would. A bug was the perfect animagus form for her, she's an absolute nuisance. Fine, I'll send Lee a letter tomorrow and then see who I can contact from Witch Weekly. I might talk to Luna too. If I give everyone but the Prophet a story, or part of the story it might sting a bit more."
"How very sneaky and spiteful of you," the blonde said with a nod and small smile. "Who knew you had it in you. Well, I'd better get going so I can start packing. It will take me a bit to bring everything I need."
"Take as long as you want. I've asked everyone else I know so I'll ask you: you don't happen to know a way to unstick a permanent sticking charm? Or maybe your mother knows. I know, I know it's permanent for a reason but really there has to be a way besides cutting the wall. I need those posters gone and I don't want to have to rebuild the walls or try and plaster over the posters."
"I honestly don't, but I will ask Mother. If she doesn't know she can at least search our personal library. It would give her a new focus for her energy."
"How is she?"
"Doing fairly well now that she's managed to scour every surface of the Manor three or four times. I think she's actually missing out on the charity committees she used to complain about taking her time."
"Then maybe we should take the children to visit. We don't have to crowd her, but if they play in the back she can at least watch them if she wants or spend time with you."
"Maybe. I'll see what she thinks. Night, Potter."
"Night, Malfoy."