A/N: Well, I'm done with my summer classes, with an A average, I might add. Yay for me! On to Paramedics school! To the nice people who asked, my mommy is doing fine. She says thanks for thinking of her. This chapter was really hard to start. I spent almost four days just staring at the computer screen, wondering what the hell I was going to type. Obviously, I did type, and nineteen pages, too. Thank you for all the lovely reviews. To the lovely people who found my story within the last two weeks and read it straight through, does it make sense as a straight shot story? I had a review that said it didn't, and I spent several months agonizing over it, before thinking that that person was insane.

Thank you to everyone else who read and reviewed, and maybe just read. It's nice to be appreciated. Here's the next chapter, enough of my talking already!

Chapter 3

The next morning, Harry and Draco Apparated to Snape Manor to check up on things while Severus and Laurel were away. They appeared in the foyer of a brightly lit, airy room. Draco immediately ran through the vast, neutral colored formal room, calling for someone named 'Frodo'. He returned with a small house elf.

"Frodo?" Harry asked as his eyebrows rose.

"Uncle Sev's mother had a thing for Tolkein," Draco muttered.

Harry nodded, and then looked thoughtful. "A Muggle author? I thought they were from a long line of Purebloods..."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Not all of us despise Muggles, especially an author as good as he was. Now, Frodo, is everything all right?" Draco asked, producing a parchment and a quill. "Do you or Sam need anything here? How is Rosie?"

"Master Draco, we are fine. Sam and Rosie are doing fine as well. Master Severus made sure we had everything we would need before we left. He said you would stop by every couple of days."

Harry and Draco nodded. Draco put the parchment away. "If you need anything," he said.

"We'll come find you or Master Harry," Frodo said with a wide smile. He bowed and showed them out.



A week after Severus's wedding; Ginny woke up, in her 'other bedroom', the one in Potter Manor. She stretched, kicking off the light blanket and toeing her way into her fluffy black bunny slippers. This is the life, she thought happily, padding out of her room and down the hall to the bathroom.

Forty wonderful minutes later, she sauntered from the bathroom, dressed to kill in a black and silver tube top, black flare jeans and her trench coat, plus the jewelry Draco gave her for her birthday. She immediately ran into Darius, who was waiting against the wall, similarly clad in dark jeans, a black tee shirt, and trench coat, complete with spiked bracelets and a choker.

Are you ready? he asked, suddenly nervous. He clenched his fists and forced himself to relax.

She gave a shaky grin and nodded, clutching his hand. They Apparated straight into Muggle London, Queens Court, the shopping mall where Claudette had her store. They walked to the food court on the first level and walked over to Baskin Robbins, buying an ice cream sundae. They sat down at a four seater table and started eating quietly. A shadow loomed over them, and Darius looked up. "Hello."

A teenage version of Adrian, clad in black leather pants, a leather trench coat, multiple piercings, and a black mesh shirt, pulled up a chair and sat down backwards on it. "Hi." He absently ran a hand through his black hair with silver streaks in the front. "How are you two doing?"

"We're good, and you?" Ginny pushed over the barely touched sundae and summoned a spoon, handing it to the Prince of Hell. She started to giggle quietly, shaking her head in disbelief.

Adrian and Darius looked at her strangely. "What's so funny?" Adrian asked in an undertone.

"You're the Prince of Hell, and we're having ice cream with you, in a Muggle Mall, and pretending this is NORMAL!" she gasped, holding her sides. Darius started chuckling. Adrian scowled.

"Yes, well, can we get out of here?" Adrian asked with a sneer. "I don't think you want your mother finding you here with me. She'll kill me and make you wish you were dead."

Darius blanched and stood up abruptly, Ginny following suit. They quickly finished the ice cream and dumped the bowl in the nearest trash can. Without a word, the three of them strode from the mall and out into one of the deserted service bays, Apparating half way across the world to New York City.

"Oh, wow," Ginny exclaimed, standing on the sidewalk of Fifth Avenue, surrounded by millions of Muggles, witches and wizards going about their business. "I've never seen so many people."

Adrian and Darius shrugged. "You get used to it." Adrian said with a sigh. "Where to? Coney Island is fun." Ginny just nodded, still staring around with undisguised wonder at the skyscrapers, cars, and airplanes that flooded her vision.

Adrian led his two soul mates into a secluded alleyway and Apparated them to the amusement park. They spent the whole day riding roller coasters and playing games, wandering around the amusement park and having fun. Once, Adrian tried his luck at the basketball game and promptly won a six foot long stuffed dragon, which he turned over to Ginny with a blush. Ginny grinned as she wound the dragon's tail around her neck, carrying the body over her shoulders.

Darius, not to be outdone, spent five dollars on the ring toss and won a tiger just as large and carried it around the park with pride. Adrian eyed the tiger for an hour, through roller coaster rides and eating dinner, pouting slightly.

"What?" Darius asked curiously, finally noticing that Adrian was sulking.

"That's a really nice tiger," Adrian said with a sigh. "I like tigers..."

"And..." Ginny prompted. Adrian pouted and walked ahead of his soul mates, unsure of how to go about getting the tiger he wanted so badly.

"Aww," Darius snickered. With a grin, he walked up behind Adrian and hugged him, passing the tiger over. "It looks better on you," he said with a laugh, his four inch fangs glinting in the reddish light of the sunset.

Adrian's eyes widened. "Thanks... Darius," he said, petting the tiger gently with his painted black finger nails.

Ginny grinned and dragged them off to yet another game. The two guys groaned and followed her.



It was well past midnight when Ginny and Darius finally Apparated home to Potter Manor, dragging the dragon, a two foot wolf, various small stuffed animals, and a four foot frog through the front hall, trying to walk, well, stagger as quietly as possible. Harry, Draco, Lily, James, Alanna, Claudette, Lucas and Xander stood in the stairs with their arms crossed, watching them intently.

Ginny and Darius shushed each other several times, giggling softly as they pulled the stuffed animals across the floor. "Quiet, you dork!" Ginny whispered, trying not to fall over. "They'll hear us!"

"You're making all the noise, dumb nut!" Darius hissed, snickering softly. He stumbled and sat down, holding his head.

"Ahem." Claudette finally had had enough and she cleared her throat. The two teenagers jumped almost through the roof, shock and dismay written all over their faces.

"Hey... Alanna! Xander!" Ginny stared up the stairs at the waiting people. "Harry, Draco, Lily, James, what are you doing still up?"

"Mum, Dad," Darius managed to say, his face flaming red. "What's up?"

"Apparently, you two," Claudette hissed, her fangs jutting through her lips. Beside her, Lucas bared his fangs, his eyes burning crimson. "Where were you?"

"Mum, Dad, we can explain," Darius pleaded.

"We went to an amusement park!" Ginny said quickly, holding up the frog by one of its hind legs.

"We can see that," Alanna said coldly. "Explain what you were doing in a Muggle Theme Park in New York City with the Prince of Hell."

"WHAT??" Ginny and Darius yelled, their faces pale.

"I repeat, what were you two doing with Adrian first at Queens Court and then at Coney Island?" Xander asked, his eyes narrowed.

"Ummm, oh shit," Ginny muttered, staring at her eight official and unofficial family members.

"Oh shit is right," Lily said with a smirk. "You come home at midnight, dragging stuffed animals and the youngest Prince of the Vampire Drow Nation, having spent the whole day in the company of the second most dangerous being in the universe. Add to that, you both," Lily sniffed the air delicately, "have been drinking."

Ginny sat down with a muted thump and started giggling. "Well, we had fun! He's fun! Fun, fun, fun!" she half sang, swaying slightly.

Darius lost it completely and lay on the ground, rolling with laughter. "We're caught!" he snickered, gasping for breath.

Claudette stormed down the stairs and grabbed her son's shoulder. "You are in for a world of hurt, young man," she hissed.

Darius just stared up at his mother uncomprehendingly before falling over with a very undignified giggle. Claudette and Lucas just glared at him with disgust before hauling him upright and Apparating him to their rooms.

Harry and Draco, having been silent throughout the entire exchange, picked Ginny up and Apparated her to her room and tucked her into bed.

"Mmmh, you two aren't mad at me, are you?" Ginny asked sleepily.

Harry and Draco looked at each other with matching smirks. "Nope," Harry said quietly. "How is he? You do realize that if he hurts you, we'll have to be protective older brothers and kick his ass, right?"

"You'll have to get in line," Ginny yawned. "Ron, Charlie, the Twins, and Bill will want a piece too. But he won't hurt me- us. He can't. He's rather sweet, really." She yawned again and rolled onto her side. "G'night," she muttered, closing her eyes.

Harry and Draco Apparated out of her rooms and into the enormous study, where the other six people were waiting. "I can't believe this!" James burst out. "What were they thinking??"

"That he is their soul mate and that, regardless of who he is, they are drawn to him and safer in his presence than at any other time?" Draco drawled, crossing his arms. Harry sat down on the overstuffed couch and pulled Draco onto his lap.

"What?" Claudette snapped. "I don't want Darius having anything to do with him! In case you forgot, he's Clautius's Heir!"

"He's their soul mate, first and foremost," Draco announced to the entire room.

Alanna, Xander, Claudette and Lucas scowled at him.

"I think they should be allowed to go to public places together," Harry said with a smirk.

Claudette raised her eyebrows. "You're sixteen, Mr. Potter. What gives you the right to say that?"

"If Draco and I accompany them, they'll be fine!" Harry protested.

"Yeah. We're more powerful than he could ever hope to be. We could make sure nothing bad happens," Draco said with a shrug.

"You're missing the point," Claudette hissed. "I do not want my son associating with that monster!!"

Alanna winced.



"Where have you been?" Clautius asked, standing next to Adrian.

"Out and about," Adrian replied cautiously. "Why?"

"You've been drinking an Earth drink, an alcoholic one at that," Clautius accused. "And the humans McNair and Parkinson saw you in the company of that infuriating red headed demon on their side. What were you thinking?"

Adrian turned around, his eyes blazing. "I was thinking that I've been alive for almost three millennia, Father. I have the right to make my own decisions and pursue relationships! Besides, she's powerful and funny and I like her!"

Clautius's eyes narrowed. "You don't have time for this! We have to attack and devote all our strength to getting rid of my infuriating kin!"

Adrian turned back around. Why? He silently asked himself, shielding his thoughts so his father couldn't hear. Why must we do this? She's nice and funny and he's the same, so why do we have to destroy everything? Why does Father hate Alanna, Xander, and the others so much? I don't understand. What did they do? He walked away from his father, his mind reeling.

"ADRIAN!!" Clautius bellowed Apparating in front of his son. "Don't you DARE walk away from me!"

"Or what?" Adrian asked, his eyes narrowing. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm no longer a child. I do not have to listen to you and follow your rules any more. If you cannot understand that, then, perhaps it is time for me to leave."

"WHAT???" Clautius bellowed. "What the HELL is wrong with you?? You've NEVER acted like this! It's this girl! I forbid you to see her!"

Adrian coolly stared at his father. "You don't understand. She's mine. You cannot tell me what to do." So help me, God, if you try to hurt her I'll rip you apart piece by piece.

Clautius's eyes widened. "Soul mate?"

"Yes. You cannot order me on this one, Father." And as long as he doesn't know about Darius, Darius is safe. It's too bad they saw Ginny, though. I don't want anything to happen to her.

Clautius's eyes narrowed and he smiled evilly. "I think we can deal with this," he purred, pacing back and forth. Abruptly, he stopped. "Yes. This will work."

"What?" Adrian asked, his heart sinking.

"Don't worry, my Heir," Clautius grinned. "You'll have your soul mate, and I'll have my revenge."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't worry about it. I'll bring her to us."

Oh, hell. This could be bad.



"I don't care that he's their soul mate!" Lucas yelled at Draco. "My son will NOT be associating with him!"

Harry sighed and checked his watch. "Look, we've been at this for two hours. It's simple. You cannot keep them from each other. They are soul mates. That defies familial ties. That defies everything, good versus bad, light versus dark, everything."

"But-" Claudette sputtered.

Lily smirked. "Do you really think we were thrilled when we found out that Harry was soul bound to a Malfoy? Our families have been at each other's throats for the better part of five centuries."

"Hey!" Draco pouted. "I'm not my family, and Father threw a fit when he found out it was Harry. I think he's homophobic."

"Exactly my point." Lily grinned at Draco. "We accept that Harry is bound to our family enemy because there's not much we can do about it. They would still be soul mates, no matter what we did. Lucius and Narcissa accept it, too, because they have no choice."

"Actually, there is the matter of Merlin's Fortune," Harry put in with a smirk.

Claudette threw up her hands, "Has everyone gone insane? He's the Prince of Hell!"

"We know that," Alanna said with a sigh. "We've been over this for hours already. Let's go to sleep and discuss this in the morning, with Ginny and Darius present."

"Fine." Claudette stalked from the room, Lucas following. Harry and Draco sighed, Apparating. Lily and James left as well, leaving Alanna and Xander alone.

With a sigh of defeat, Alanna rested her forehead on the windowpane, gazing out at the brilliant stars. Xander slid behind her and rested his chin of her head.

"Lana, you can't beat yourself up about this. He's a grown man, and will make his own decisions." He wrapped his arms around her.

She turned, sighing, and rested her forehead on his shoulder. "I can't help it, Xander. Regardless of who his father is, he's still someone I care about. I can't stop, and I can't help feeling that, if he were to just know what Clautius is really doing and how horrible it is, that he would give it up in a heartbeat."

"But he's been raised to be pure evil, Lana. He has never questioned his upbringing."

"We don't know that! He could be questioning all the time and, I think if he hasn't he will start, because of who his soul mates are. Ginny is a wonderful girl. Darius we don't know as well, but if he's Ginny's other soul mate, he's gotta be a wonderful kid as well. I think this situation is the best for him."

Xander rolled his eyes. "You are entirely too optimistic and forgiving, Love. He turned you over to his father without a second's hesitation."

"Not true." Xander looked at her sharply. "Two weeks before it was to happen, he told me to leave and never come back. He tried to make me leave, but I wouldn't. He tried to save me."

"If he really wanted to save you," Xander said, cradling her face in his hands, "he would have said something other than, 'leave and never come back, this was a mistake.' He would have told you."

"Can we not argue about this?" Alanna asked, blinking tears from her eyes. "I still love him, even though he betrayed me like that. You cannot stop loving someone so important to you just like that. And, no matter what he does, when he finally realizes that Clautius is wrong, he can always come to me."

"Fine. Let's go to bed," Xander said with a sigh. Turning, they Apparated.



The next morning, it began again, this time with Ginny and Darius present.

"MOTHER!!" Darius yelled. "You cannot change who my soul mate is!! He is my soul mate!!! He isn't going to change his identity, no matter how hard you wish and you will just have to accept that!!!"

"Darius, I refuse to allow you to see him!!" Claudette yelled.

Lucas just rolled his eyes, as did Harry, Draco, Lily, James and Alanna. Xander got up and left the dining hall, grumbling about broken records.

Ginny and Darius stormed from the hall, Draco and Harry following them.

"DON'T YOU WALK AWAY FROM ME, YOUNG MAN!!!" Claudette yelled at the top of her lungs.

"Mother," Darius turned around. "Mother, I love you and respect you. But, this is my life. I am seventeen, a legal adult. You cannot fight me on this. Ginny isn't having this problem-"

"Because her parents don't know," Draco muttered. Harry snickered.

"And I wish you would leave me alone about this. Adrian has not hurt us, nor will he. He can't."

Claudette scowled. Harry shook his head. "Come on, Darius, Ginny, he's expecting you. Let's go."

Darius and Ginny joined hands, Harry and Draco standing behind them. They Apparated to Queens Court, just like before. Harry and Draco walked off to Baskin Robbins for waffle cones. When they came back, Ginny and Darius were seated at a table with Adrian, talking quietly.

"Hello!" Harry said brightly, grinning at the three of them. Ginny immediately absconded with his chocolate chocolate chip ice cream cone and sat down, licking the ice cream with relish. Harry frowned. "Get your own."

"I just did." Ginny smiled impishly up at him. Harry scowled down at her while Darius chuckled and Adrian stared at her incredulously.

"Are you going to let her get away with that?" Adrian asked, shocked.

Harry shook his head and walked off, returning a few minutes later with another ice cream cone. Draco snickered when Ginny eyed the new cone. "Down, girl," he said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "You got the last one and he gets cranky when he's ice cream deprived." She turned around and eyed Draco's, cherry cheesecake, hungrily. "Stay away!" laughing, he pushed her a few inches away from his cone.

Harry scowled and guarded the ice cream, glaring at his sister. Darius and Adrian stood and walked off, returning with shakes. Ginny pouted at Darius and Adrian until they relented, sharing the shakes with a sigh.

"Is she always like this?" Adrian asked to no one in particular.

"No, worse!" Harry, Darius and Draco responded. Ginny pouted.

"Come on," Harry gestured. "The movie's starting soon."

"Movie?" Draco, Ginny and Darius asked in unison. "What's that?"

Adrian and Harry smirked. "They have a lot to learn," Harry said casually.

"Indeed. May I ask, who knows they are here?" Adrian asked curiously. "And why are you and your soul mate here?"

"Oh, we all know, now," Harry said with a wave of his hand. "We caught them coming in last night, drunk as hell. Total reminder of the Yule Ball, and the Halloween Party, and New Years and... I'm sensing a pattern here. Damn it, Draco, we get plastered fairly often!"

Adrian let out a snort of laughter, his eyes dancing. "I TOLD them drinking was a bad idea," he said, shaking his head in amusement.

"What are you talking about?" Ginny demanded. "You bought it, and drank most of it!"

Harry and Draco snickered. "I don't know what the hell Claudette was complaining about, Harry," Draco drawled. "Adrian is pretty cool. I think we're going to get along fabulously."

"Besides, if you were really this bad guy, you wouldn't have pouted for the tiger, you would have flambéed us," Ginny said brightly.

"What?" Draco sputtered. Adrian's eyes widened comically.

"Yeah. I'm Adrian. Darius, pretend you have the tiger!" Ginny said, laughing.

Darius grinned and held up an imaginary tiger. "Ok, this tiger is, like, huge. It's almost as big as I am, and I have it on my shoulders, like this." He pantomimed, holding the tiger, and Harry and Draco started to snicker.

Ginny walked around Darius, pouting, eyeing the 'tiger' pleadingly. Darius ignored her, which made the guys, with the exception of Adrian, laugh even harder. She pouted and pouted and pouted before breaking character. "Ok, fast forward an hour," she said brightly, and them resumed pouting.

Darius finally looked at her. "What?"

"I like tigers," she trailed off hopefully.

"And?" Darius prompted. She just walked off, still pouting. Darius finally relented, handing over the tiger.

"See, he's a total sweetie. If he were really mean, he would have been like- DIE YOU PATHETIC SCUM!!! THE TIGER IS MINE!!! Mwahahahahahaha!"

Draco stared at his sister before feeling her forehead. "She isn't feverish. Are you sure you're feeling all right, Gin?"

Adrian and Harry just eyed her suspiciously. "It sounds like you have practice being the evil witch," Adrian said with a raised eyebrow.

"I have eight brothers," Ginny said off handedly.

"That explains everything," Darius muttered. Adrian just nodded.

"Anyway," Harry continued. "We're here as official chaperones, because Claudette got her panties in a twist about you. So, we're here just in case. Which means," he held up his hands in a placating manner as Adrian was almost smoking at the ears, "that we'll go one way and you'll go the other and meet back up in about four hours, ok?"

Adrian slowly grinned. "That's all right. Stay. I think I actually like you guys."

"Don't sound so surprised," Draco teased with a grin. "Hey, Harry, make the people pass out again."

"How?" Like this?" he put on his best smoldering look and aimed it at the nearest group of teenage girls. Three of the seven dropped into faints, two walked into walls, one had no reaction, while the last, the bravest, sauntered over.

"Hey, gorgeous," she purred, shaking her wavy ebony hair out of her face and winking one cerulean eye. Draco's face paled.

Harry smirked. "Hey." He and the unknown girl walked off about fifty feet, talking for several minutes.

Adrian doubled over, laughing. Draco elbowed him. "Don't encourage him!" Adrian, Darius and Ginny were just about rolling on the floor with hysterical laughter.

Draco was itching to hex the girl staring at his soul mate so adoringly. That is so fucking cheap! What an obvious bitch- quit touching his hair! My territory! Bad girl! Bad girl! I'm gonna set you on fire, you stupid whore! Get AWAY from him!!!!

Your fault, you know, Ginny remarked with a smirk. Draco whipped around and gave her the Malfoy Death Glare ™. It is.

It is not! I told him to make them pass out, not come on to him! Draco protested. Adrian sagged against the wall, howling with laughter. Darius hung onto Ginny, his legs no longer able to support his weight.

At last, Harry and the girl separated. She was pouting slightly, and Harry was smirking. As she passed Draco, she looked him over appreciatively. "You lucky bastard," she said, licking her lips. "Oh, Harry was it, if you have a cute brother or cousin or something, let me know."

Harry grinned. Dudley? Hmmm. Beside him, Ginny's eyes widened.

Harry, that would work. He can't marry a witch or else his kids will be squibs. Besides, now that he's slimmed up, he's pretty handsome.

Sounds like a plan. "You gave me your number, right, Amanda?"

The girl, Amanda, nodded. Harry continued, "I have a cousin named Dudley. I could hook you two up..."

Amanda grinned. "Sounds lovely. Bye, Harry." She ran off to catch up with her friends

"Bye!"

Draco scowled at Harry. "What was that all about??"

Harry grinned. "Well, after I told her that I was currently in a relationship with that simply gorgeous blond over there, not much. Oh, and Dudley is gonna get a girlfriend. Did you know her eyes are naturally that color?"

Draco sulked, leading to another round of laughter.

"What? What did I do?" Harry asked, completely confused. "Oh, come on, Draco, it's not like we're married- well, it is, but I don't see a wedding ring on my hand, or yours for that matter."

"I'll deny it if you quote me, but I'm actually having fun!" Adrian said, amazed.

Hmmm. Draco stayed silent for a while, thinking. That would be interesting. Married.



"Hello, Evans residence."

"Aunt Petunia? It's Harry. Is Dudley there?"

"Hi Harry! How are you, sweetie! I didn't know you guys had a phone!"

"Well, how else would we call you? We're excellent. Mum and Dad are fine, and Gareth is growing steadily. He's rolling around now."

"That's wonderful! Oh, hang on, here's Dudley."

"Hello?"

"Dudley?"

"Yeah, is this Harry?"

"Yeah. Listen, what are you doing on Friday?"

"Ummm... Nothing planned. Why?"

"Come to Queens Court. There's someone I want you to meet."

"What??"

"Her name's Amanda. She's really nice, and you know I don't swing that way."

Dead silence.

"Dudley? Dudley.... Duddikins!!!!"

"Don't call me that, Poofter."

"Hey!"

"I had to ask my Mum. She said yes. I assume we're Apparating?"

"Or, Thursday, you and Aunt Petunia could come over here. Either way."

"Cool! Hang on, Harry!"

"Dum dee dum dum..."

"She says we can come over Thursday. Are you sure it's all right?"

"Yeah, I already asked. Besides, we still have Claudette and Lucas here. They're busy planning with Alanna and Xander."

"Sounds good. I'll see you Thursday, then."

"Bye Dudley."

"Bye."



Thursday afternoon, Dudley Apparated with his mother to Potter Manor. Everyone immediately took off on brooms, racing around the Manor and the surrounding grounds, playing a pickup game of Quidditch, Tag, and just swooping around, having a good time.

Harry and Draco, in a moment of either insanity or creativity, sprouted wings from their backs and let go of their brooms. With a thought, they sent the brooms to the ground and lazily flapped around the Manor, racing the others on their brooms and losing miserably.

They kept their wings throughout dinner, to the consternation and amusement of everyone at the table, and, once dinner was over, disappeared back outside. "You know," Harry said conversationally, once they were in flying over the seventy acres of forest on the Potter grounds, "we never did get to try it in midair like we wanted to."

Draco smirked and reached for him, weaving invisibility spells upon silencing spells on the air around them. "I guess we'll have to fix that."

Friday, they left once again in the morning, intent on the mall. Ginny and Darius headed for their usual meeting place with Adrian, while Harry went off in search of Amanda. He found her- getting kicked out of Abercrombie and Fitch for making loud, off color, obnoxious remarks about the type of people who shop there.

"That looks like fun," he said with a grin, helping her stand up. The sales assistant glared at them and he flipped her the bird before grabbing Amanda's hand and hauling her off. "What exactly did you say to them?"

"Nothing but the truth- that they're a bunch of stuck up, geeky freaks, in more colorful language, of course." Amanda brushed her black jeans off and straightened her blue Happy Bunny tee shirt angrily. "So, where's this hunky cousin?"

Harry grinned and spotted Dudley trying to eat a rapidly melting ice cream cone. "Ummm, see the one with the chocolate dripping down his hand? Yeah."

She started giggling. Dudley heard her and locked eyes with Harry, his face turning bright pink. He straightened up, and with as much dignity as he could salvage, threw the ice cream away and sprinted for the bathroom.

"That's Dudley," Harry said faintly.

"He's so...cute and.... muscular," she said with a smirk. "I especially liked the brown around his mouth. That is so attractive."

"It gets better, I hope," he muttered under his breath.

Ginny, Darius and Adrian walked up. "Hey, Amanda, was it?" Darius asked.

"Did you see Dudley?" Ginny asked with a smirk. Harry watched as a much cleaner cousin of his walked from the bathroom, his face still stained red.

"Hang on." Harry walked over and led Dudley away. "Ok, are you all right?" he asked, biting the inside of his cheek.

"Yeah, that was really bad, wasn't it?" Dudley asked, chewing his lower lip.

"Yeah, but it's salvageable. She thinks you're cute," Harry offered helpfully. "And muscular."

"Really?" Dudley perked up considerably. "That's good, right?"

Harry brought Dudley over to the group. "Amanda, this is my cousin, Dudley. Dudley, Amanda."

Ginny elbowed Adrian. "Ten Galleons says she runs off screaming within an hour."

"You're on."

An hour later, Ginny was out of ten Galleons and Dudley had a new girlfriend named Amanda, Mandy for short.



"Find her, her name is Alanna. You will know her because she will be the most powerful being, other than myself or you, which you have ever felt. You are to put yourself into a position where she trusts you. Once you have done so, I will come to you."

"Yes, Father." He bowed and departed, his mind whirling. Who is this woman? Why is she so important? Why does Father want her so much?

Three years later, he sat in a grimy drinking hall, swinging back ale as if his life depended on it. Three years, and not a trace, he thought ruefully. Three long years of searching. And, I can't use my powers, Father's orders. She'll recognize me as evil if I do so. And then, it hit him like a warm summer's breeze, like the calm after a hurricane. He turned around slowly, and there she stood, serving ale to the man next to him.

 Oh, cripe, what do I do? How do I go about introducing myself? He needn't have worried.

"Hello, you aren't from around here, are you? I'm Alanna." her voice washed over him, caressed him gently, lovingly. Her power flowed over him, soothing his tired, aching body, curing him of all his ills.

 Home. That's what her voice feels like. Home. "I'm Adrian, and no, I've been traveling. This has been one of many stops."

"Well, Adrian, maybe it'll be your last." He left a year after, for a short journey to a metal smith for wedding rings.

They were wed on Midsummer's Day as the sun rose, pledging their vows of faithfulness and love. Two years later, two years of pure joy and peace, years during which Adrian felt normal and free and alive, their twins, Morgrainne, or Morgan for short, and tiny Mearlein entered their lives. Clautius didn't contact him once and he grew fearful, worried as the years passed.

He began to dream of running away, of leaving and never coming back, of taking to his ships once again to keep this woman, this jewel safe. She's the one person I love, the only person I trust, and she should have been the mother I never had, he thought one night, watching as Alanna nursed seven year old Mearlein, sick with a fever, back to health. No one has EVER treated me with such love and devotion as this woman right here.

I can't hurt her. She's too precious, too pure, he vowed. Twelve years had gone by, his children were eleven years of age, and already incredibly strong in the ways of magic.

Clautius finally came, appearing in the middle of his home one morning while Alanna was out at the market and the children were off playing God knows where. "Well? Where is she? Have you found her?"

"Yes, Father," he said, his heart sinking. "I found her."

"Well? Does she trust you?" Black clouds rolled across the sky and thunder rumbled in the distance.

"She trusts me enough." His heart shattered at that statement. "One month and she will be yours."

That night, he prayed to all the gods in heaven, to his father's rivals and his father's soul mate. "Please, Mother, you are everyone's mother, please help me. I can't go against my father. I can't. I haven't been able to for the millennium I've been alive, but I can't hurt her. She's wonderful." He watched as his wife, the woman he vowed before God and man to protect, lay sleeping in their simple bed, in their simple house and he prayed.

A week later, he had made up his mind. He couldn't leave, because his father knew where he was. He would have to make Alanna leave.

The next morning, he tried. Mother help him, he tried. "Leave! Marrying you was a mistake! I dissolve our marriage! Leave this house and NEVER come back!!!" he had shouted, raged at her. He ordered her to leave, to take the children, his children, and run, go anywhere but there. He couldn't tell her, but he had to make her leave. He raged, she cried. He yelled, she yelled right back.

"I won't leave!" she shouted at him. "This is my home! You are my husband! I won't leave you!" He longed to scream that it wasn't safe for her, but he couldn't put it into words. Finally, he stormed out, furious.

 If she won't leave than she deserves what she gets, he thought savagely, instantly regretting it. No she doesn't and you're a sick, evil fuck up for even thinking it, he berated himself.

He stopped eating, sick with worry. He and Alanna hadn't spoken, and it was eating at him like cancer. A week passed, and he longed to drug her and the children and put them on a ship far, far away.

That fateful day, the day his heart broke forever, he was at home, with his family, for the last time. Alanna sat in the corner, combing Morgrainne's pale gold hair while she sang an ancient ballad. Mearlein sat in the corner, weaving elemental magic to amuse himself as he listened to his mother's sweet soprano.

BOOM. The door blew in, and Clautius appeared. Alanna's face turned a sickly yellow color and Adrian's eyes filled with tears.

"My son, you have done well," his father said coldly, surveying his family.

My Family! NO! I can't hurt them I- "Yes, Father." He released the hold on his magic, and Alanna's head whipped around. An expression of wonder crossed her face before being replaced with agony and finally cold. Coldness directed towards her husband.

"Clautius," she sneered. Adrian almost fell over. In their twelve years together, she had never looked as angry and hateful as she did that day. "You can't do your own dirty work, so you must recruit others, others who have no idea what they are doing. How pathetic, older brother."

"Adrian, take her back to our realm." Clautius ordered. He hesitated and Clautius raised an eyebrow. "Do it, boy."

The center of the room burst into flames, and a man stepped out. "Clautius," he growled. With a wave of his hand, he sent Adrian into and through the wall, before taking Alanna in his arms. "Love, I think we should end this one," he said with a fond smile.

Adrian staggered back into his house just in time to see his wife in the arms of another man before they shimmered and disappeared.

"NO!!!!!" Clautius screamed. Lightning crashed through the sky, striking the town where they had lived for over a decade. Everyone died instantly.

"Do what you want with the brats," Clautius ordered tersely. "I couldn't care less. But we must go back to our realm. They have escaped me again!" He stalked from the house and disappeared.

Mearlein and Morgrainne stared at Adrian fearfully. He bent down. "Well, what do you wish to do? If you come with me, you will have me, but it will be harsh."

Mearlein shook his head. "I am already apprenticed, Father, to the Elves. Take Morgrainne, but not me. I have work here to do and a destiny to fulfill."

Morgrainne nodded solemnly. Adrian leaned his head forward and rested his forehead on hers. "You must forget, dear heart. Forget that your mother was kind and wonderful and everything a mother should be. If you remember, you will never survive in my world."

"Mother will never come back, will she?" Morgrainne asked.

"Hopefully, never. If she does, she will have a fate worse than death."

"You knew," Mearlein accused.

"Yes, and damn me for it. I deserve it." With one last hug goodbye, Mearlein and Morgrainne separated, never to see each other again. Adrian hugged his son and opened his arms for his daughter. With one last look at her younger twin, father and daughter disappeared in a flash of light.

Adrian bolted awake, cursing mentally. That damn dream. Can't it give me one night of peace? Slowly, he rolled out of bed and padded over to the mortal witch chained to the wall in the corner of his room.

I've become my father; he cursed himself for the second time in as many minutes. Granted, he kept her there as a last resort, and only used her powers if she agreed so his father wouldn't become suspicious of his true feelings, but...It's time to change. This isn't right.

With a gently shake of the chain attaching the girl's collar to the wall, she sprang away, her terrified eyes darting back and forth. When she saw who was standing over her, she relaxed imperceptivity. "Do you want to get out of here?" he asked almost silently.

She raised an eyebrow. "Why now?" she asked softly.

"Because I'm growing a backbone," he said with a wry grin.

She shrugged. "You haven't treated me badly like your fathe- uh oh."

Adrian snarled. "What did my father do?" he asked, his voice dangerous.

"If he needed a fix of energy, he's come in here," she said, her eyes distant.

"Are you all right?" he asked, concerned.

She shuddered.

"Right, stupid question. Come on, stand up." With a wave of his hand, he dissolved the chains around her and wrapped a blanket around her small frame. "Wrap your arms around me," he ordered softly, Apparating them both to the only safe place he knew.



The Apparation wards around Potter Manor shrieked telepathically as they were shredded, jolting everyone in the Manor into wakefulness. Within seconds, everyone had Apparated to the point of intrusion- the Front Hall.

Adrian stood there, his arms around a moving blanket. "Help her," he said softly. "Please. I don't know where else to go. You're the only ones who can protect her."

Alanna walked forward and gently took the bundle from his arms. A young woman, no older than twenty, peered out at her, her eyes hopeful. "How long has she been in your realm?" she asked, staring at the young woman sorrowfully.

"A little over three years, Ma'am," the girl said with a soft Southern Accent.

"Please," Adrian said again, trying to ignore the accusing eyes of his soul mates, before Apparating across the galaxies back to his bedroom. Please.



A/N: Well, that was one of the hardest chapters I have ever had to write, emotionally, that is. The only one harder was the chapter that shows Alanna being taken by Clautius. Both visions and dreams are some of my nightmares, but told from his perspective. It was really hard, but I actually shelled out eleven pages in four hours. Unbelievable. So, I'm sitting here at 12:15 AM, writing this author's note. I finished school, I think I mentioned that. Anyway, this is the first day of true vacation, as the semester ended yesterday. I have two weeks until Paramedics school starts. So, on to chapter four, right?

B/N: Gooey, gluey, glumpy, shlumpy, la la la la la. Sorry, Laura is reading Dr. Seuss to my little sister and it is grating on frazzled nerves... I will not crack, I will not crack, I ... will... not... CRACK!!! O shit, now look what she made me do! Laura! We need to call the psych ward again! Anyway, before they come to get me, the story was awesome, I think- wait... (rereads last sentence)... (labored breathing)... (paling of face)... Noooooooooo!!!!! Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!! You'll never take me alive!!!! Never! Never give up; never surrender! (strikes pose from Braveheart)... (and is tackled by the goons from the Loony Bin) Laura! I don't think I can be a good Beta if I'm stuck with the Squirrels!

A/N: I think that means she's going to the Nut House...

B/N: No shit, Sherlock! (still be dragged away by Evil People from the Secret Organization of Stalkerish Weirdos) Damn you, get your hands off of me! Unhand me you brute! You're all nucking futters! I mean nutting fuckers! I mean... You're all fucking nutters!!!

A/N: Sniff A moment of silence... (5..4..3..2-) Anyways!!!

B/N: D you!!!!!!!!!!! Get me the f out of here!!!!....... O no, they've started censoring me already! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A/N: OH HELL, MY BETA IS INSANE!!! Oh well. Come on out, Annie! I promise I won't let them take you away like you deserve............... (Holding a straightjacket behind her back.) Here Annie, come here Annie. I have Manga! Good Manga! Come on, I promise you won't be taken away!

B/N: Okay! (smiling veryveryveryveryveryvery brightly) I love Manga! (the eyes in the back of my head decide to wake up and see the straight jacket)... ... ... Yay! New clothes! Ooh, it will go so nicely with my bathing suit! And my electric toothbrush! And my wooden slide!

-For reference, watch Friday Night Stand Up on Comedy Central... see Elvira
Kurt!

A/N: (holding hand over eyes) hellooo? Is anyone out there? Shit, Annie I think we scared them all off.... Damn it! This is no longer funny. Come back!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!! I promise we won't be quite so insane next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!

B/N: We? What the Hell are you smoking? I will do whatever the Hell I so wish to do at the time...

READERS: We want the truth!!!

B/N: You can't handle the truth!!!..... Sorry, I've always wanted to say that... Okay, I'm done now... Bye!

A/N: This is ridiculous. Anyway, please don't flame us for this bout of insanity. I promise we'll get her meds adjusted. Ta ta!