Chapter 15: Difficulties

"Potter," a silky voice began from somewhere in the shadows. Neither man had to turn to see who it belonged to, but both did to greet him.

"Severus," greeted Draco, nodding at his Godfather, Harry following his example.

'Ha,' Harry thought, 'Trying to keep his reputation I see. There's not even anyone here to hear him. What a silly, funny man he is.'

Severus nodded back, and said, "Draco, Harry. You are here for the meeting?" Draco caught what he meant… so you're finally telling Dumbledore where you are and what happened. About bloody time.

"Yes," Draco said, "How are you?"

"Decent," Severus said amicably, "And the two of you?"

"Fine," Draco answered, "Had a slight run-in earlier, but we are fine now. Right?" He looked sideways at Harry.

Harry nodded at them and agreed, "Yes. Fine. Now, anyway." Severus looked them over scrutinisingly, then nodded.

"I will accompany you. The meeting has been planned under my name, so I will introduce you. If you feel the need, I will accompany you, but it is not necessary." Severus told them, as they began to walk the distance to Dumbledore's office.

Harry answered, "Er… yeah. If you could actually, er… that'd be good. Thanks," he finished belatedly.

Severus nodded abruptly, "Of course. It may make things easier in the long run."

"So… " Draco began, trying to cut through the silence, filled with Harry's worry, "How have your classes been so far?"

Severus snorted, "We have been gifted with a small Ravenclaw girl with Longbottom tendencies. Loves books, but has the memory of a goldfish. My classes… have been… interesting is one way to describe them. As have her detentions."

"Got them scared of you yet?" Harry piped up, trying slightly to join in the conversation, when all he really wanted to do was crawl in a giant cauldron and stay there til the end of time. Or at least until this meeting was over.

"Sufficiently," Severus agreed, and the three men stopped in front of the gargoyle that was the entrance to Dumbledore's office, "Chocolate Frogs," he said to it, rolling his eyes, and muttering about moronic, senile old men as he did so.

The gargoyle moved out of the way, revealing a staircase. Severus stepped up a few stairs, and Harry and Draco followed. As soon as they did so, the flight of stairs began to move, reminding Harry of an escalator, as it always did. It stopped a moment later in front of a door, across from another Harry knew to be the Headmasters quarters.

Severus rapped on the door quickly, three times in succession.

"Enter."

Severus turned to Harry and Draco, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Ready?"

Harry nodded, and Severus nodded once back. He opened the door, and stood aside so Harry and Draco could be seen. They moved to the doorway, and walked through.

Dumbledore's eyes followed them into the room, nothing was said. Harry looked at his shoes. Draco stared at the elderly man challengingly.

Severus began to talk, "Albus, Mr Malfoy and Mr Potter have asked for a chance to speak with you. They have also requested that I stay in the room. I hope this is satisfactory."

Dumbledore stood up, "Harry, Draco. It is good to see you. No one has seen you for such a long time. I hope you have kept well."

Harry was torn between being polite to the man, it was after all still Albus Dumbledore, and snapping at him. He chose the first… to begin with anyway.

"Dumbledore," he said, nodding.

"Sit down, sit down." Dumbledore said, sweeping his wand, and three chairs appeared. The three men sat down, Harry furthest from the door, next to Draco, with Severus on the end.

They sat for a moment before Severus began to speak, knowing that none of the other men wanted to begin, "Two months ago, when I was returning to Hogwarts, in my path I found Mr Malfoy. He was severely hurt, and in danger. I took him back to my rooms, where I healed him, and I delivered him to Mr Potter, with whom he had developed a friendship during the last six months of school." He was careful not to reveal what they both wished to keep a secret.

"I see," Dumbledore said, his expression guarded, "Whereabouts had you come by these injuries Mr Malfoy?" He asked, looking directly at Draco.

'As if you can't bloody guess' Harry thought, 'Always playing mind games… God I hate that….'

Draco sat forwards in his chair and began icily, "My father," Dumbledore's eyebrows rose, "You let Joseph Montevay into the school, but my father had got to him. He took his hair and Poly-juiced into him, and he put me under the Imperious Curse. I was forced to leave. When I got back to Malfoy Manor, I was thrown in the dungeons and tortured because I had refused the Dark Mark. I was continuously tortured until I escaped. This time my father tortured me, and was fully intent on killing me. They threw me in the dungeon, half dead, but I managed to escape."

"I see," Dumbledore said.

Inside, Harry was screaming. He could feel magic coursing through him. It wasn't as bad as it had previously been, but it wasn't nice. He was beginning to hope that it wouldn't always be like this. He'd forgotten how much he had loved being part of the magical world. It was the first place that had ever felt like home to him. 'Why,' he thought, 'Why can't he see it? He can't see anything. He doesn't understand at all. He thinks he does, but he doesn't. He doesn't understand the pain he's been through. He doesn't understand the nights he's been up, shaking, and crying his fucking eyes out over this. He doesn't understand how he's managed to get here today, who he's had support from, what he's done. There is no way he sees it, as he thinks he does. Hypocritical arsehole. Not a fucking idea about any of this.'

"He plans to become the next Dark Lord," Draco announced into the stony silence.

"What?" Dumbledore announced sharply.

"You didn't think the Death Eaters left out were just drinking tea, did you?" Draco smirked, "They've re-banded. They have taken my father as my leader."

"He told you this?" Dumbledore asked, sitting up sharply.

"Yes," Draco said simply, remembering his last encounter with Lucius, "He told me I could die a traitor, knowing this information, and not being able to do a thing about it. He didn't give me details, only told me what I have told you."

"Thank you for informing me of this. I… we will be able to stop this before it gets out of hand. I'll inform the necessary people, and try to work it out. May I count on your support on this issue?" He asked, looking at Draco, but directing his question at Harry.

"I…" Harry said, but was cut off by Draco.

"No," Draco said simply, "We have done enough for your cause. Send your beloved Aurors in, there are only about 30 of them altogether. We can't afford to do this, we have done enough."

Dumbledore's head was bowed, and he nodded slowly, "I understand. May I keep you informed of our progress?"

"Yes," Harry said, before Draco could say anything, "We can't help, but we want to know what is happening." Draco nodded in agreement.

Dumbledore nodded, "All right. Would it be inappropriate to ask of you Harry?"

Harry considered the old man for a moment, "No. I have been… fine. I have stayed in contact with several people I used to know. Er… I see Seamus and Dean a lot, when they're not working, and of course Sirius and Remus." He felt it best to omit Severus' involvement in his life as well as the twins.

"And you live…" Dumbledore enquired.

"In the Muggle world." Harry replied simply, fiddling with the cufflinks of his shirt.

"The exact position is none of your concern," Draco cut in smartly.

Dumbledore nodded sadly, "I see. Is there anything else you wish to tell me?"

Harry looked at him for a minute, scenarios and thoughts flowing through his mind, before he said quietly, "No Sir."

Dumbledore nodded again, then stood, Draco, Harry and Severus following his lead, "I greatly appreciate the information you have given me Draco. And for attending Harry, you have put my mind at rest. I'll be in touch." He held out his hand to Harry, who reluctantly shook it, as did Draco, and they walked out the office.

--88—

It was a month before they heard anything from Dumbledore. A lot of nothing happened in that month. Harry and Draco visited Diagon Alley once, so Draco could pick up a new wand. Ginny Owled Harry, and Harry had kept in contact with her ever since. Sebastian's hair had grown darker, as had Persephone's fairer. They spent time with Sirius and Remus, Seamus and Dean and Severus, as well as a lot of time just the four of them, and the two of them. Draco's nightmares were growing more violent, but were very scarce in coming, and Harry's body was finally feeling the effects of having carried and delivered twins. The strain was getting to them both and they were becoming more agitated with each other, as the pressure of having two children got to them. All their friends could do was help as much as they could – they just didn't know how.

"Draco," Harry said as calmly as possible, "I don't give a toss whether Malfoy's hoover or not. You aren't a Malfoy, you don't live there. You live with me. I can't do this on my own."

Draco stuck his nose in the air, "I'm changing 'Bast's nappy. Then I am going to sit down."

Harry made a noise of disgust and turned around, and stormed down the stairs muttering, "Sleeping on the fucking couch tonight… I just can't do this…."

When Draco came down an hour later, after having a nap instead of a sit down, he saw Harry lying on the couch. The first thing that flashed through his mind was, 'How lazy,' before he remembered where he had just come from. The next was, 'I wonder what's wrong with him….'

"Harry?" He said, not as softly as he meant.

Harry sat up suddenly, and Draco's mouth opened as he saw the redness and blotchiness of Harry's face. He raised his hand and rubbed his face, and turned away from Draco.

"Harry?" Draco asked, walking over, "What's wrong?" He sighed.

"I don't know!" Harry said, standing up, "Everything, nothing, I can't decide,"

"Is it me? The twins?" He suggested scathingly.

Harry said nothing, and he sat back down head in hands.

Draco folded his arms, and smirked at Harry, "Come on Harry, tell me."

Harry looked up sharply and stood up again, "I can't do this any more. I feel like I'm doing this all on my own, and I can't take it. I mean, I know you aren't used to doing sod all for yourself, and I accepted it to start with. But I thought you'd get better. You've got worse. I'm not your fucking slave."

"You think this is any easier for me?" Draco asked incredulously, "It's not. I got out of hell, and then I'm a father, then I'm back with you. I don't know how to do any of this, I feel so out of place. We've both changed since Hogwarts and we haven't been able to get to know each other again. I never expected any of this shit, and I've tried to do it. You know what, I can't do it either. I've fucking tried, I have."

"You should have told me, I'm not a mind-reader!" Harry told him.

"Yes you bloody well are!" Draco said.

Harry rolled his eyes and snorted aggressively, "You know I'd never do that to you, you dense prick."

"Don't call me names you fuckwit. If you had, this wouldn't be happening!" Draco said angrily.

"Back at you. If I had, we'd be arguing about me invading your privacy, or some such rubbish!" Harry said, stepping closer to Draco.

Draco snorted and looked away.

"Look at me," Harry ordered, and Draco's head slowly turned. Harry shrugged at him and said, "So… what are we going to do?"

Draco opened his mouth and said quietly, "I don't know."

Harry sighed, slightly regretfully, "Me either." He sat down on the couch and Draco sat next to him. Leaning back against the couch, Draco followed, and leant his head next to Harry's and put his hand on his knee.

"Want to have sex?"

"No."

--88—

The letter from Dumbledore came later that night. Both Harry and Draco sat at the table, neither of them hungry, picking at the pasta they'd made.

Harry saw the owl flying down first, and said, "Owl," as it came down. He did this when the phone rang too, and it was starting to annoy Draco. He used his fork to eat another bow of pasta. Draco stood up and let the owl in the window. It held its leg out and Draco sent it away, taking the letter and sitting at the table. He twirled it in his fingers.

"You want to open it?" He asked Harry.

"No," he answered simply.

Draco nodded and broke the seal on the envelope and read,

I "Mr Potter and Mr Malfoy,

A Death Eater has been taken into custody. It was Avery, he was part of the Inner Circle and there at Voldemort's resurrection. He was caught in Knockturn Alley, buying illegal substances. His trial is in a week, and I will attend, and send news accordingly, about what he confesses under Veritaserum.

Yours Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore. /I "

"Well," Draco said as he finished reading the letter, "That's good isn't it? He might confess something to the jury, and then Dumbledore could… send in the Aurors, couldn't he?"

Harry nodded, and smiled weakly, "Yeah, it's good. At least something is happening."

"Yeah," Draco agreed, "Said before, they aren't sitting around drinking tea, they're planning I something /I and the sooner Dumbledore finds out what it is the better. The… the threat is over."

Harry looked at him suspiciously, "You're OK, right? I mean it's your father. If this was Sirius, well, I dunno what I'd be doing. But I don't think I'd be plotting his downfall."

Draco looked at him sharply and said, "He's always been like this. After the way he's treated me, how can you blame me?"

"I don't," Harry told him simply, running his hand up Draco's arm soothingly, But it still can't be easy."

"Nothing about any of this is easy," Draco said bitterly, "You know that as well as I do."

Harry nodded, agreeing completely, "I know. I know. It's all bull shit, but it's our messed up lives. We… just need to make the best of it, and get on with it."

Draco stood up rashly, "But why? Harry, we've done, you've done so much for these people that have outcast you from your home. You don't deserve this. I mean, you want to be left in peace, and that is understandable, but you should be able to do that where you want. You shouldn't have had to move out here to get some peace from the press."

"Yeah, and they shouldn't be assuming you're a Death Eater just because your father is. You shouldn't have been kidnapped, or any of that. But you were. There's nothing we can do to change that now." Harry said, and watched as Draco sat heavily back in his seat.

"No," he said softly, "There isn't. I mean I wish it hadn't happened, of course I do. I would have been with you and the twins the entire time, and I really hate my father for making me miss that."

"It wasn't your fault," Harry protested.

"I know," Draco said, "But I still regret it. But then, who's to say that everything would have been OK if we had been together. Everything now is good. I don't think I'd want to change what happened if I could. It's too good for us now."

Harry smiled at him shyly, looking at him from beneath his hair, "Yeah?"

"Yeah," Draco said, and carried on, "I mean, it's hard sometimes, but, we'll get through it won't we? We can't not…."

Harry nodded softly, "We can… we're just adjusting. I'll try and help you more, to do things, and to you know, be more understanding and shit. But… you need…"

"I know. I can't expect you to do things for me when we've got two babies to look after. I mean," he smirked, "You're the mother so to speak and they're more attached to you, so I need to do more in the house."

Harry narrowed his eyes jokingly, "You're mean."

Draco smirked again.

"But thank you. I really… appreciate it…." Harry told Draco.

"Good," Draco decided, "Then it's settled," He stood up and stood behind Harry's chair. Harry looked at him curiously, and turned around, sliding onto the table to look at him at eye level.

"What's settled?" Harry asked in mock naivety.

Draco sighed, and took hold of Harry's sock-covered feet and pulled them around his waist. Harry crossed his feet, "Us. Again. We're good, yeah?"

Harry looked at Draco for a moment, as if considering his options, then laughed, "Of course we are." He put his arms around Draco's neck, drawing him closer to the table, and to Harry.

Draco looked at him questioningly, and Harry just shook his head and leant forwards kissing away any doubts or fears he may have possessed. Draco slid a hand into Harry's hair, pulling his glasses off as he did so, and tossing them aside carelessly. It always amazed him how something that could so closely resemble a birds nest at times, could be so soft.

Their ministrations on each other slowly became more heated and frantic, the only sounds being heard were the slaps of skin on skin, and gasps and moans. Clothes were hurriedly discarded, in a rush to feel the thrill of each others skin beneath their fingers. Tongues trailed, and fingers lingered, discovering places of each others bodies.

An hour later, they both decided they would never be able to eat at the table again. At least not without blushing. A lot. And remembering. A lot.

A/N If there's one thing that annoys me about the Harry Potter films is that Harry hasn't got green eyes!! Grr….