Aimee
Two weeks later, Harry, Ethan, and Kaylee were put on the Hogwarts Express, leaving the rest of the family behind. The full moon was the day the children left; September 1st.
"This is going to feel different." Lily mused that evening as she and Severus watched the sun set slowly over the horizon. "Without the twins and all."
"I can only imagine." Severus said quietly as the last ray of light disappeared. "Are you sure the twins…?"
"Both Papa and Remus assured me they would be normal." Lily said quietly, slipping off her shoes.
"Were they sure?" Severus asked quietly.
"Go check on them if you wish." Lily said, starting
to unbutton her robes. "Bring them in here."
"No… Just in case anything goes wrong…" Severus
paused, looking at Lily for her reaction.
"I'm not going to bite their heads off." She gave him a pointed look.
"I know, love." Severus said quietly as she slipped her robes off her shoulders. "I just want to be careful."
"Yes, we all do." Lily sighed and winced as a slash of pain filtered through her body. Less than fifteen seconds later, she was undressed and curled up on the bed as the first snap of a broken bone make itself heard.
Less than a minute later, the wolf stood in front of him.
I was right… It does feel different.
You're shaped differently.
Of course I am. No huge bulge in my stomach this time.
Yes… Of course.
Come here.
Yes, love.
I want to be petted.
Pardon?
Scratch me behind my ears… Please.
Am I hearing this right or am I picking up Sirius?
Sev… Please? It feels good.
My God, Lily… Ok.
Severus chuckled as he sat down next to the wolf and started scratching behind her ears, amazed at the reaction. She rolled her eyes back in to her head and her body relaxed as she lay down, head in Severus' lap.
This is better than chocolate…
Nothing's better than chocolate, love.
Not even me?
You covered in chocolate is the best thing in the world.
You didn't answer me.
Of course not, love. You're ten times better than chocolate.
Only when I'm covered in it.
Well, that's nice too.
You need sex.
I haven't gotten any for nearly nine months now, no thanks to you.
Bastard.
Bitch.
I know.
Literally.
Isn't it wonderful?
Now, love, when anyone calls Harry, Drake, Ethan, Pollux, or Castor a son of a bitch – they can't argue.
Knowing Harry, he'll just start laughing.
I know I would.
So would I.
You laugh at the slightest thing, love.
I'm tired.
Go to sleep.
I hurt.
I can't very well give you a potion now, could I?
Speaking of, how's the Cure going?
That's going to take quite a few years, love.
I know… Any idea where to start?
Yes, many… All as crazy as the last.
It'll come eventually.
Eventually, love, could be a hundred years.
Then I guess we'll just have to live that long, won't we?
I suppose so.
Could you start on my back, please?
Love, you're pathetic.
I know.
Three weeks later, on September 23rd, was Remus and Narcissa's wedding. Both Draco and Harry were pulled from school for the occasion on Draco's request, as he wasn't about to sit through an hour long ceremony and even longer reception without at least one person his age. It was also appropriate; Lily and Severus were on the guest list and were considered the family of the groom, along with Sirius Black.
Sirius had accompanied Harry and Draco from Hogwarts for their three day break, much to Lily's and Narcissa's satisfaction. Draco had been invited to participate in the wedding, however he declined the offer, mumbling something about tuxes and frilly pink things.
Sirius was best man; Narcissa's best friend, a woman Lily nor Severus had ever met before, was the maid of honor. The ring bearer and the flower girl were cousins of Narcissa and Draco, along with most of the wedding party.
The ceremony was beautiful; Draco abandoned the front bench of his mother's side where he had been squished between a great uncle and a great-grandfather he had never met before to go sit next to Harry on Remus' side, much to Harry's delight. The two were becoming fast friends, despite the Slytherin -Gryffindor rivalry. Ron and Hermione weren't please; neither of them like the boy too much, Ron especially. Draco had swallowed his pride – with great difficulty, mind you – and started treating Ron and Hermione with much more respect than, in his opinion, they deserved.
The wedding was beautiful; Remus had managed to clean himself up and somehow, he looked ten years younger without the gray streaks in his hair. There were no bags under his eyes and he had managed to keep his eyes blue for the occasion, not wishing to be questioned by the rest of Narcissa's family about his strangely amber eyes – the trademark of a werewolf.
"I hate weddings."
Harry and Draco sat side by side, watching couples dance throughout the pavilion during the reception. Dinner had been served; Draco didn't eat a thing. When questioned, he shook his head and waved his hand, as if dismissing the question.
"Why?" Harry asked, looking over at the boy next to him. His white-blonde hair was getting longer; it was nearly down past his ears now.
"Too happy." Draco mused, "Mum and Remus… Look at them. They look like they're about the drown in each other."
Harry glanced in the direction Draco was nodding towards and looked at his former Professor and his now-wife. They did, indeed, look as if they were drowning in one another, but Harry didn't see this as a bad thing.
"It's how my Mum and Dad look at each other all the time." Harry shrugged, "I guess it's natural."
Draco was silent for almost five minutes before he spoke again. "Ever been in love, Harry?"
Harry shook his head, "Nah. I've liked a few people… I really liked Hermione. But, in the end, it was never love. Have you?"
Draco shook his head, "Not that I'm willing to acknowledge."
"But if you had to answer honestly?"
Draco paused. "I'd say I wouldn't know, because I don't. Love's a fickle thing; there is no right definition."
Harry sighed, "The one thing I want in life is to end up in a relationship like my parents'. It's perfect, almost, to the naked eye."
"What is that implying?" Draco asked quietly, his gaze shifting from his own Mum and step father to Harry's parents.
Harry paused, debating on whether or not to tell him. "Can you keep a secret?"
"Yes." Draco said, his eyes still on the couple.
"Honestly? I really shouldn't be going and telling anyone – especially you."
"Why especially me?" Draco asked, curious now.
"Because… well… it has something to do with Remus."
"Remus?" Draco's eyebrow shot up. "What about Remus?"
"You have to swear you won't think of him any differently, or tell him you know." Harry insisted.
"I swear." Draco stuck his hand out. "And Malfoys never break their promises."
"Ok." Harry took in a deep breathe. "You know about him being a werewolf?"
Draco nodded, "Yes."
"He bit my Mum."
Draco raised both of his eyebrows now, "Really?"
"Yeah." Harry said, shaking his head. "I walked in on her and Dad during her first transformation."
"Wow." Draco shook his head. "That's crazy."
"There's more to it." Harry sighed, "But you have to swear –"
"I won't tell anyone, Harry. I promise." Draco looked at the boy meaningfully. "You have my permission to kill me if I ever do."
"Ok." Harry looked down at his hands, trying to form the right words. "Let's just say Pollux and Castor might not be my Dad's children."
"Bloody hell!" Draco exclaimed as heads turned their way. He shook his head, a slightly tinge of pink appearing on his cheeks. "You're joking?"
"They know I know." Harry said softly, "But they
don't know I know my Mum was controlling him at the time; it wasn't Remus'
fault."
"Your Mum cheated on your Dad?" Draco dropped his
voice to barely above a whisper. "The Perfect Couple? Honestly?"
"Crazy, isn't it?" Harry shook his head, "It didn't seem to disrupt their relationship any. My Dad left for a while, but they made up in a matter of days. After Mum found out she was pregnant, she went to tell Remus – on the full moon."
"And he bit her." Draco shook his head, "I'm sorry."
Harry shrugged, looking ahead at his parents once more. "It's not that bad, really. They seem to forget about it."
"They look so happy though." Draco followed Harry's gaze. "It's amazing…"
"They must be meant for each other." Harry shook his head, "For their love to survive like that."
"I know I would never forgive my wife if she cheated on me." Draco shook his head, "That is, if I ever marry."
"You will." Harry said, "You'll find the woman of your dreams some day and fall head over heels in love with her."
"I suppose." Draco got a faraway look in his eyes.
"Unless, of course, your bread's buttered the other way." Harry smirked.
"You're never going to let me live that down, are you?" Draco shook his head, "Meanie."
"If I came up to you and kissed you, would you ever let me live it down?" Harry asked.
"No." Draco answered truthfully.
"Case closed."