Disclaimer: The characters and places and stuff belong to JKR. But for now, they are at my mercy. *evil grin* I'll return them as soon as I'm finished…maybe.

This is the sequel to "What Is Happiness?" To understand this story, you must first read that one. It is located at http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=946096

Nicky: You're right, that IS a logical problem…hmm…what to do, what to do… I am saying nothing. *grin*

~~~

"I believe that a certain someone has a birthday coming up," Remus commented a few nights later. He, Sirius, Harry, Sean, Kayla, Draco, Katie, and Severus all sat around the living room of Snape Manor after eating dinner.

"Yes, Moony, I believe you're right," Sirius agreed, smirking at Harry. "I wonder who that could be?" Harry sighed good-naturedly and shook his head, leaning comfortably in Draco's arms.

"Katie and Sev's kid will have a birthday soon," he reminded them. "Not only me."

"Smart ar--" Sirius's word was cut off by Remus elbowing him in his ribs and gesturing towards Sean and Kayla. "Oops."

"Anything special you want for your birthday, honey?" Draco asked Harry, softly. The dark-haired boy cuddled closer to Draco, if that were even possible.

"Mmm, no, I don't want anything..." Harry murmured, yawning.

"Come on, there has to be something you want," Sean insisted.

"Surprise me," Harry told him, smiling. "As long as it's from any of you, I'll love it."

"Love, that was so incredibly sappy," Draco told him, smirking. Harry shrugged his shoulders.

"It's the truth. I don't want or need anything, other than the people I love. I don't care if it's sappy."

Kayla took that moment to get up from the floor and climb onto the sofa, nestling herself in Harry's arms. She laid her head on Harry's shoulder and closed her eyes, letting out a quiet sigh.

"Something wrong, sweetie?" Harry wondered, stroking his sister's hair.

"Don't feel good," Kayla muttered. "My tummy hurts." Harry looked at his fathers.

"I'll take her up and lay down with her in the guest room," he told them. "I'm a little tired myself, anyway."

Harry lifted Kayla up and carried her upstairs, where he lay down with her on the guest bed. He gently rubbed her tummy until she fell asleep, and then he turned over onto his stomach, his arms folded under his head, and closed his eyes.

After a while, he felt two hands massaging his back. He smiled slightly and turned his head to the side, finding that Draco was sitting next to him.

"Stay still," Draco requested, pressing his hands against Harry's skin. "Your back is full of knots. I'm surprised you could move at all."

"Mmm, you're so good at this..." Harry murmured, closing his eyes again. Draco smiled as he massaged the tension out of his lover's back.

"You're so tired," Draco observed, softly. "Will you even be able to go to the ceremony tomorrow?" The next day was the Ministry's ceremony for Harry, at which he will be awarded the Order of Merlin.

"Don't remind me," Harry groaned. "I'm not looking forward to that at all... But I suppose I'll be able to, if I must." Draco sighed and leaned over to place a kiss on the back of Harry's neck.

"Honey, if you don't want to do it, you don't have to. Or we could say that something came up and you're unable to go, and Sirius or Remus or someone could accept the award for you."

"That's a good idea," Harry commented. "I just...don't like the idea of everyone's eyes and ears and cameras being on me, and only me. It makes me paranoid and uncomfortable. But if I'm able to go, I don't want to lie and say I can't."

"Well, then, let's just hope that you catch whatever it is that Kayla has," Draco joked. His face became serious. "But really, love, if you're uncomfortable with it, tell Sirius, Remus, Mr. Weasley--somebody. You don't have to do it. They could decide to not do a ceremony and just give you the award or something. You know that if you ask them for something, they'll do it for you."

Suddenly, Harry turned over onto his back and stared up at Draco. Harry's green eyes seemed extremely concerned.

"I'm getting all this attention," Harry said, quietly. "But people forget that I wasn't the only one there, Draco. You were with me, and you were the only reason I killed them when I did. I couldn't stand to see them hurting you. Now I'm getting all this attention for killing Voldemort, when really, you were the only reason it happened." He hesitated, then continued in a small voice.

"Are you-- Are you upset by the attention I'm getting? I mean, I've noticed that when people are fussing over me, you tend to go off on your own for a while and close off, and I... I just worry about you. You went through something worse than I did, and you seem to be keeping it to yourself, and--" He was cut off by Draco's finger resting on his lips.

"I understand what you're saying, Harry," Draco told him. "I will admit that I get angry sometimes because people pretty much grovel at your feet and ignore me." Harry let out a breath when he saw that Draco didn't mean for the comment to be harsh. "It's a great thing, what you did. You killed him forever, and that's amazing. You deserve to be recognized for it. But there are times when I resent the fact that everyone's fawning over you for killing the Dark Lord, while they ignore the boy who was beaten and raped by the Dark Lord.

"Those feelings that I get are rare, love. I don't resent you. I'm not angry with you. If you actually liked the attention and relished it, then yes, I would be quite pissed. But I know that you hate it. So if you're worried that I'm angry with you, then set your fears aside. I love you." Harry sighed with relief, and Draco chuckled before lying down next to his boyfriend.

"That's a relief," Harry commented, wrapping an arm around Draco's waist and laying his head on Draco's chest. "And I love you, too... I think I will talk to Mr. Weasley about tomorrow. In fact, it's not too late to go over there now. Will you come with me?"

"Of course," Draco agreed.

After a short while, Draco and Harry Floo-ed to The Burrow. They politely declined Fred and George's offers of candy, and they went into the kitchen. Molly and Arthur were both in there, and they greeted the two boys warmly.

"Are you hungry, dears?" Molly wondered. "You're still awfully thin."

"No, thank you, Mrs. Weasley," Draco replied. "We just finished supper a little while ago. Harry just wanted to talk to Mr. Weasley about tomorrow's ceremony."

"Sure, Harry, is there anything you need?" Mr. Weasley asked as they all sat down at the table.

"Um, actually, there is," Harry said, nervously, as he wrung his hands. "See, the thing is, sir... I just don't like the idea of being in front of all those people yet, and I-- Well, honestly, I don't think I ever will. People watching me, taking pictures of me...it all makes me feel very uncomfortable, and I know that if I have to speak in front of all these people... I just-- I know it's short notice, since the ceremony is supposed to be tomorrow, but I-I really can't do it. I can't get up in front of all those people and--"

By now, Harry was nearly shaking; he was so nervous and upset. Draco moved closer to Harry and wrapped his arms around him, stroking his hair and whispering calming words into his ear. Arthur placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and gave him a gentle smile.

"It's all right, Harry," he assured the boy. "Calm down. I understand your concerns. If I were in your place, then I'd probably feel the same way. I'll cancel the ceremony and give you the award in private, all right? It's really no problem."

"Thank you," Harry whispered before laying his head on Draco's shoulder. He closed his eyes and began to breathe deeply. Draco glanced between Molly and Arthur, who looked sad and concerned.

"I'm going to take him home," he told them, softly. He looked at Arthur. "Thank you, sir."

~~~