A Moment in Time
DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter (and associated characters, likenesses, concepts, etc.) belongs to J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Publishing, Scholastic, Inc. AOL/Time Warner, Inc., among others. I make no claim, written or implied, upon Harry Potter. No money is being made and no infringement or disrespect to the creators / copyright holders is intended.
Warning: This story will contain slash (i.e. male/male relationships) and mpreg, although neither will be graphic.
A/N: This story was inspired by the many wonderful stories that I have read and enjoyed here at fan fiction and any similarities to existing stories is not intended. This story is AU, meaning that the events that occurred in the OOTP have not been taken into account and am I in no means suggesting the material described in this story should be considered as a direct interpretation of cannon. Also, I am American so I apologize in advance for any Americanisms.
Thank you to the wonderful and indispensable RaNdOm Hp FaN for being my beta.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to review, this chapter is dedicated to all the wonderful people that have sent me feedback and encouragement. The number of people who have me listed as a 'favorite' or have me on alert status is truly overwhelming. Thank you all so much. This story is quickly coming to the end, only a couple more updates to follow this one. Lastly, the scene at the end of this chapter was reviewer inspired. Thank you again.
Chapter 33
Life Goes On
It was Christmas Eve and even with every inch of the Great Hall decorated as befitting the holiday, Draco still couldn't find it within himself to dredge up even a miniscule amount of Christmas cheer. The holiday spirit had completely passed him by this year; and for good reason. It had been ten days. Ten excruciatingly long, nerve-wracking days and still there was no word regarding Harry.
The many dead had been mourned and buried; and many more had been treated, healed of their battle injuries and released from the various impromptu field hospitals. Although still taking baby steps, the Ministry was beginning to formally reorganize. Plans were even underway to begin rebuilding Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, along with many other war ravaged areas. Life was starting to move forward, a life that so far didn't include one Harry Potter.
In Harry's absence, the community once more turned to Dumbledore for direction and guidance and Albus rose to the occasion by making sure that the news of Voldemort's ultimate defeat at Harry's hand was spread quickly and accurately. Although the official victory celebration had been postponed pending official resolution of Harry's condition, small parties were continuously breaking out all over the place. Joy was abundant everywhere one looked, everywhere but with a small family that were currently clustered together at one of the long tables for the Christmas Eve feast.
Pasting a fake smile on his face for the sake of his sons, Draco reached an arm around the shoulders of the two small forms sitting on either side of him, giving both Matthew and Evan a reassuring squeeze in an attempt to lighten their spirits. No one wanted to be there that night, celebrating a holiday they didn't feel, but Draco knew their presence was important, not only to the recovering wizarding community, but also for themselves. They needed to start to heal and they couldn't do that holed up in the Founder's Hall endlessly watching the door waiting and praying for Harry to burst in. They had already done that and it hadn't worked. It was time to rejoin the living, at least for a while.
"Hey guys, it looks like we are in for a real treat tonight," Draco said, catching Sirius' eye, who was sitting across the table from them beside Nicole. "I heard from Professor McGonagall that a special visitor may be making an appearance later tonight, so I hope you both have your lists ready."
"Is Daddy coming?"
Matthew's question broke Draco's heart. Harry's extended absence was difficult enough without it being over the holiday season. "Oh Sweetheart, I miss Daddy just as much as you do. I bet he is on his way home right now, but I'm not sure if he'll be able to make it tonight or not. But seeing as how it is Christmas Eve, isn't there anyone else that you think may be coming to visit?"
"Santa Claus," Evan said, his voice lacking the enthusiasm that most three year olds should have this time of year.
"That's right Evan, Good ol' St. Nick, as we like to call the jolly old man, just may be stopping by later on. That is, if you two feel that you've been good enough to deserve a visit from him this year," Sirius teased trying to lighten the mood.
Draco mouthed 'thank you' over the table and Sirius nodded in response determined to do everything in his power to make this Christmas special for the twins in spite of the uncertainty surrounding their other parent.
"I'd rather have Daddy come visit," Matthew said in a low dejected tone.
Nicole sighed. "Matty, you just have to believe that your Daddy wouldn't want to spend Christmas without you either and that he'll do everything in his power to get home to you just as soon as he can."
Last Christmas had been so wonderful. Harry had made sure that he had plenty of time off from the band and had taken the whole family to Colorado so that the twins could enjoy an 'old fashioned' Christmas with snow. That was the one thing Harry never seemed to like about the part of California that they had been living in was that it never snowed. The family had spent the short days and long nights playing in the snow or cuddled in front of the huge fireplace in the living room sipping hot chocolate, roasting marshmallows and singing Christmas carols. It had been so much fun.
Nicole was marginally surprised that remembering the happy times spent together actually made her feel closer to Harry somehow, and not just more upset than she had been since hearing about Harry's burning. "Boys, one thing you can be absolutely sure about is that your daddy loves you very much. So now that we know all that, how about we concentrate on what we want to ask Saint Nicholas to bring us for Christmas, if he does show up?"
"Good, then we can ask him to bring Daddy back, face to face," Matthew stated matter-of-factly as he crossed his arms in a very determined manner in response to Nicole's suggestion.
"What do you mean, Matty?" Nicole inquired cautiously, trying like all the other adults at the table to turn to focus this evening away from Harry so that the children could relax and have some fun for a bit.
"Well, we sorta already asked Santa to bring Daddy back when we wrote him our ledders. You gave them to the owl, right?" Matthew responded.
Severus, who was sitting beside Matthew couldn't help but feel the pain that these two young children were currently going through. "You asked Father Christmas to bring you your daddy for Christmas?" Severus clarified.
Both Matthew and Evan nodded in confirmation unaware of the glare that their father was giving to Nicole concurrently. Correctly interpreting his annoyance that she hadn't screened the letters to Santa Claus, she rolled her eyes in response. Quite frankly she had been more concerned with holding herself and the twins together at that point and had forgotten to read the damn letters.
"You did ask him to bring you other things as well, didn't you? Like toys and games, right?" Draco was hopeful that the twins didn't rest all their Christmas wishes on having Harry back.
"Nope," Evan chimed in. "We thought that if we asked for too many things that Santa may think that we didn't want Daddy home enough and just bring us something else. Besides, if Daddy comes home, I'm sure he'll bring us some presents with him."
Matthew nodded in agreement with the logic that his twin just expressed. Getting their Daddy home was what they wanted most. Not only did they miss him more than anything, but also the other night after they were already supposed to be asleep, they had snuck back downstairs to see if father was still awake. They had found him curled up on one of the sofas holding a stuffed wolf and crying. They knew that Draco was crying because Daddy wasn't there. He was so sad that the twins decided to just leave him alone and sneak back upstairs to their bedroom unnoticed. Seeing their father so upset had scared the boys, they needed their daddy to come home as soon as possible. They were positive that when he came back, everything would be all right again. It just had to be.
Draco knew that he had been self-absorbed lately, caught up in his own sense of loss and misery over Harry's disappearance, but had he really been so selfish that he hadn't noticed his sons' own depression. 'Damn it, these kids are going to have a great Christmas, he didn't care what it took' Draco vowed, burying his own worries deep inside.
His resolution barely had time to develop before a flash of scarlet and gold caught his attention. Draco forced his immediate elation aside until he could be sure that this bird was in fact Harry.
The center of attention, the phoenix swooped low over the head table and trilled a cheerful greeting before finally coming to rest on the table directly in front of where Draco was seated.
"You almost fooled me again, Fawkes," Draco said, feeling both disappointed and hopeful at the same time when he recognized the old bird. "So, where is he? If you don't tell me that he's alright and that he'll be home soon, so help me I'll pluck every single one of your feathers and use them to stuff my pillow." Draco's voice escalated as he vented a small portion of his frustration jabbing a finger at the regal phoenix with every word he uttered.
Fawkes, taking Draco's rant in stride, tilted his head in acknowledgement. Once again, Draco cursed his inability to understand the bird. "Well…." Never a patient person, Draco had already been pushed way passed his tolerable limits. Giving the immortal being a look that meant business, Draco leaned across the table closing in on the phoenix and raised his hand in warning.
Fawkes didn't even blink, but continued to stare unflinchingly at the irate man, knowing that the source of his threats weren't stemmed from anger so much as from severe anxiety about the fate of his mate.
Knowing that he wouldn't follow through on his warning, Draco placed a shaking hand on the brilliant feathers and stroked the phoenix's back gently. "Oh god Fawkes, he has to be alright, I need him so much." Draco's voice shook with suppressed tears as he tried to remain strong, not wanting to lose control in front of everyone but especially not in front of Matthew and Evan. No, tears were only something that he allowed himself to indulge in when he knew that he was alone.
Feeling the great depths of Draco's desolation, Fawkes rubbed his head reassuringly along the back of Draco's hand and softly trilled a happy note. Feeling moderately better, Draco sat back in his seat just as another flash of scarlet and gold made its grand entrance.
The Great Hall came to its feet, as there was no doubt as to the identity of this most recent arrival. It was Harry. It was Harry. Oh thank God, it was Harry. Draco wasn't capable of any other thought at that very moment as the majestic bird made a beeline directly for him, landing in the midst of their evening meal alongside Fawkes.
Unable to even utter a simple sound, a stunned Draco watched with expectant eyes as the large phoenix was instantaneously replaced with a slender fine boned muscular man who was without a doubt the most ethereally beautiful thing Draco had ever seen. Stunned as every wish he had made since Harry's burning came true before his very eyes, Draco could only stare at the sight sitting on the tabletop.
"I wouldn't pluck any feathers if I were you Dray; Fawkes is very sensitive about his plumage. Besides you wouldn't believe how much it hurts to loose a feather." Harry teased, wanting to break the heavy silence that suddenly filled the hall with his transformation. Unfortunately, his words fell flat and Harry felt the weight of over a thousand pairs of eyes trained solely on him, waiting expectantly to see what would happen next.
After his 'rebirth', Fawkes had taken him to a place only accessible to other phoenixes. Here was a haven of sorts for the breed. It had taken Harry awhile before he regained his strength and attained the proper maturity so that he was able to transform back into his human self. All the while, Fawkes had stayed by his side and cared for him, as a parent would a young hatchling. Only this afternoon, Fawkes deemed him old enough to attempt the transformation and had taken Harry back into the realm where such a transition wouldn't immediately kill him, as he couldn't survive as a man in the phoenix world. Very simply, the magic there was too pure and powerful, it would have immediately tried to assimilate his human form and correct any impurities both in the flesh and in the spirit. Transforming in that realm would have killed him.
After Harry was able to successfully assume his human form, both he and Fawkes immediately started the long journey back to Hogwarts, where Harry knew that his worried family would be waiting for him. Shyly looking around now at all the people gathered together to share their holiday dinner, Harry saw the elation start to spread as everyone realized that he had returned, although he was starting to be concerned that no one had said anything yet.
"Potter, do you mind? You're sitting in the mashed potatoes," Snape said calmly as he continued to eat, as though having Harry Potter returning once more from the grave and sitting amidst one's dinner was a common event. Harry grinned at Severus' greeting, feeling welcomed. Harry winked at Severus, pleased to see the potion master sitting beside Remus at what he had come to think of as their table. Sliding off the table and a quick cleaning spell later and Harry was pulled abruptly into Draco's arms.
Squirming to escape the uncomfortable tightness of the embrace, Harry fought a losing battle. Knowing that he wouldn't be gaining his release any time soon, Harry ceased his struggles when he felt Draco relax his arms slightly, at least such that Harry could finally take a much needed breath.
"Harry, I …" Draco's voice was low and stilted. He choked and couldn't seem to continue overwhelmed by emotion.
"I know."
"If you ever…" Once more Draco gave up, unable to finish his train of thought.
"I know."
"Oh Merlin, I was…"
Harry felt the full body shudder that shook the thin frame in his arms as Draco broke off his comment with a sob. Easily feeling the bones in Draco's shoulders Harry became concerned about the amount of weight Draco had apparently lost while he was gone. "I know."
Finally, Draco leaned back in the embrace so that he could look Harry directly in the eyes, taking a deep calming breath, he managed to get out, "You stupid son of a bitch, if I didn't love you so much, I would kill you."
"I know."
"And stop saying 'I know', you don't know. You don't know anything. There is no possible way that your microscopic brain could even begin to remotely fathom what you put me and the boys through." The narrowing of the slate gray eyes where all the warning Harry had before he was slugged hard in the stomach.
The unexpected blow to the stomach caused Harry to double over and lose his breath, but it didn't bring him to his knees, it was only when he looked up and saw the tears streaming down Draco's pale cheeks that his knees hit the hard stone floor.
Tears filled his own eyes when they looked upon the horrible pain and suffering displayed so prominently by the one he loved above all others. He had known when he devised this plan that it would entail time for him to recover from the burning, hell, he even knew that he might not survive it, but at the time it had been worth it. All that mattered was to finally defeat Voldemort and to get his revenge not only for his parents, Cedric, Ginny, Colin, and most importantly, for his unborn child, but also for the thousands that had perished under that sick fuck's reigns of terror. It had to end, and that was the only way Harry could be certain that it finally would end. It was over, but looking at Draco now Harry wondered for the first time if it had been worth it. Had the cost been worth the benefit? He never wanted to be the cause of such agony ever again.
The need to feel Draco, to touch him, to ease some of his anguish became overwhelming. Gasping as he recovered his breath, Harry struggled to his feet and managed it only to be knocked back down again. This time it wasn't Draco's fault however. Harry found himself buried underneath two little wiggling bodies that were plastered up tight against him.
"Daddy…Daddy…Daddy," two voices blended together screaming at an eardrum shattering pitch such that they were indistinguishable.
Grasping the happy boys in both his arms, Harry was able to hold them still long enough to sit up, pulling the boys onto his lap.
"It worked, he did it; Daddy's home," Matthew squealed excitedly, giving his twin a slight push to make more room for himself.
"Oh God, I missed you guys so much," Harry rasped out, allowing the feeling of completeness at being reunited with his loved ones wash over him, filling him.
Harry didn't have a whole lot of time to enjoy his sons' presence as he was quickly swarmed with well-wishers. The twins vanished, only to be replaced with outsiders.
Arms hugging him, pats on the backs, holding him, hanging on him, face after face demanding his attention blurring together as one body was immediately replaced with yet another as Harry twisted and turned tying to get away only to be surrounded by the next cluster of people congratulating him, crying over him, touching him.
Snippets of conversation, words without any real meaning bombarded him from all sides. "Thought you were dead this time man…" "Thank you for saving…" The noise it kept coming, escalating to a fevered pitch, the voices not individually discernable as they overlapped and meshed together creating one loud chaotic sound. "I thought Malfoy was going to loose it there…" "He's really dead this time…" "We were so afraid for poor little Evan…" "Thank you…so happy to see you."
It was overwhelming. Not usually a claustrophobic person, Harry felt his chest tighten as his breathing became quick and shallow. In the back of his head he thought he had heard someone mention Evan. Why were they talking about him? Did something happen?
Hot and dizzy, Harry looked around for somewhere he could go to put a bit of distance between him and the mob; unfortunately, he wasn't able to see past the ream of bodies that separated him from freedom. He needed room to breathe, but the sea of wizards just kept on coming and coming, unaware of the affect they were having on the one person above all others that they revered, and in so doing, wanted to be close to.
"Back off, he's mine."
Even though his eyes didn't seem to be focusing properly, Harry saw a pale white blob, followed closely by two black blobs and several more red blobs pushing their way through the crowd in an effort to reach him. "Get away, you vultures, give the man some space." Off balanced and disoriented such as he was, Harry couldn't help but chuckle as his one and only swooped in for the rescue.
"Get out of my way!" that beloved voice demanded. "Can't you ingrates see that he needs air?"
"What a bunch of morons," Draco said disgustedly as he finally shoved the last set of grabby hands away from his property. Imagine, he hadn't even had time to properly greet his Harry and all these imbeciles wanted to impose on their time. Well, that was going to stop right now. How dare they even think to come between them? With the help of Severus, Sirius, Fred, Charlie and Bill, who cleared a path to Harry, Draco was able to remove him from the overzealous populace.
"Thanks, did I ever tell you that you're my hero?" Harry teased, feeling much better as Draco assisted him onto the bench at their table and cool air was refreshingly absorbed by his lungs.
"I'll show you a hero, Potter," Draco threatened, his heart still racing with unadulterated joy at Harry's return. "And so help you, if you ever pull another stunt like that one, everyone won't have to wonder whether or not you're still alive as your cold dead body will be evident to anyone who cares to look for it."
"Are you threatening me, Dray?" Harry asked in a low voice as he leaned in and kissed the smooth sensitive skin on Draco's pale neck just below his ear. "Because if you want to get rough, I'm sure I'll be more than able to perform," he continued suggestively, nipping gently on a tasty earlobe.
"Not here, you idiot," Draco squeaked, not wanting to put on anymore of a show than they already were. His protest soon halted as Harry lips moved slowly over his warm flesh, finally reaching their prize. Neither man heard the cheer that rose loud and strong as their kiss continued.
"Fadder," Matthew said loudly, trying to get Draco's attention. Failing, he tried again and again until he was finally shouting in the blonde's ear, "FADDER!"
"Ow! Matthew that hurt, what do you want, buddy?" Draco responded to the determined three-year-old.
"I wanna to sit next to Daddy, move plweese," Matthew said giving Draco a full blast of his perfected puppy dog eyes seconds before trying to wiggle into the nonexistent space between him and Harry.
Draco knew that Matthew wanted some time with Harry as well, but damn, he was just starting to get comfortable with the idea that Harry was back safe and sound himself and he didn't feel like letting his precious mate go, not even for his son. "I know you missed Daddy, Sweetheart, but I need to talk to him for a bit and then, very soon, you'll get to have Daddy all to yourself, okay?"
"No!" Matthew stomped his foot in irritation, his attempt to sit next his Daddy foiled. "I wanna sit there. Evan is sittin' by Daddy too."
Draco hadn't even been aware that Evan had plastered himself onto Harry's other side. "Come on Matty, just give me and Daddy a few minutes, please and then I'll gladly more over and you can sit right here between both of us. Now be a big boy and go sit over next to Nicole, I think she has some of that pumpkin pie with whipped cream that you like so much."
As successful as bribery had worked in the past, Draco hadn't expected it to change Matthew's mind and Draco, feeling like crap, almost gave in to his young son as the beautiful green eyes filled with tears. But before Draco could make up his mind, Matthew turned and walked around to the other side of the table and slid into a spot next to Nicole.
"Um Dray, is there something that you need to tell me?" Harry worriedly watched for the public reaction when Matthew loudly recognized Draco as his father. However, much to his surprise, there was none.
"Actually yes Leo, I have much to tell you as you were gone, vanished, as in without a trace, missing in action, for ten days. But I think what most of us here want to know is what the hell happened and where the hell have you been?"
Harry cringed, the euphoria was starting to wear off and he was about to be called on the carpet, and he knew from experience, unfortunately way too much experience, that an angry dragon was never fun to deal with.
"I know Dray, I'll tell you everything, but I just wondered why no one has said anything since Matthew has broadcasted at the top of his voice that you are his father." Harry was positive by now that someone would have figured out that Draco was much more than just 'their daddy's boyfriend' to the twins.
"Yes well, that's because everyone already knows," Draco said shortly, trying to get Harry back on topic.
"What do you mean, everyone already knows? Everyone most certainly did not know last time I checked." The words hadn't even passed his lips before Harry knew they had been a mistake. Cursing his own stupidity at reminding Draco that he hadn't been there wasn't a very smart thing to do right now.
"Everyone already knows because after your little burning trick there were discussions about what to do with the boys in the event of your….well… In case you never came back." Draco paused for a second, still not able to utter the word death even as he held Harry in his own two arms.
"Not sure what to do, your solicitors came and had an official reading of your….Last Will and Testament, which you prat, you never told me you had even updated." Draco felt to conflicting urges to both shove Harry hard off the bench and to hug him tighter at the same time. In a remarkable exhibit of self-control, he did neither.
"It didn't take long for the secrets of that highly confidential meeting to find its way through the halls of Hogwarts and from there it was only the matter of a half a day before it was headline news. So you see Leo dear." Draco paused momentarily to let his words sink into the thick skulled Gryffindor. "Everyone knows that I am the biological father to the boys as you inadvertently told them!"
Listening to Draco, Harry couldn't help but wonder if the blond might have a chance at a professional singing career now that the war was over. Rarely had he heard a voice run such a large spectrum of volume and tones, from a low softly deadly tone to a loud ear piercing screech, in a matter of seconds, amazing really.
Excited and relieved that he wasn't going to have to make that announcement anytime soon, Harry nervously looked around at the still gaping faces. "And?"
"And the news, for the most part, was well received." Draco allowed himself to relax enough for a chuckle. "I think Leo after what you did to Voldemort, that nothing you do will surprise them anymore. Besides," he added, rolling his eyes for effect. "They are too damn scared of you now to ever say anything derogatory about you, me or the twins."
Pleased, Harry leaned over and kissed his mate softly. "I never said that being the most powerful wizard in the world didn't have some perks."
"Yes, but groping me at the supper table is not one of them," Draco said as he pushed Harry off of him just a bit. "Now my dear, you will start talking and you will not stop until I am satisfied, understood?"
Harry gulped as the other individuals at the table laughed. Maybe being the most powerful wizard in the world didn't mean as much as he apparently thought it did, perhaps the one with the real power was the one who controlled the wizard. There wasn't a doubt in anyone's mind just then who ultimately had the power, and it wasn't him.
"Well said Draco; well said indeed." Harry turned slowly to see Dumbledore, the Weasleys, and other members of the Order's Council assembled behind him. "I hope you don't mind Harry, but we would also like to hear what happened to you after the burning. And might I say what a brilliant piece of work that was too."
Knowing that there was no possible escape, Harry took a swallow of pumpkin juice from Draco's goblet and started his tale. He spoke about his research and his discussions with Fawkes and how to trigger the burn. As his tale continued, he was continuously interrupted with questions, mostly from Hermione, but he answered each question patiently with as much detail as he could. He told them about he spell he had discovered to call upon the founding spirits of magic and how he used the spell to bind Voldemort's powers temporarily to give his an edge. Harry described what the burning and rebirthing process felt like, to the best of his recollection and how Fawkes had taken and cared for him until he was able to return.
The audience played their part well and oohed and ahhed in just the right parts, when the explanation was over the crowd fell silent more from amazement than anything else.
"I see, I see," was Albus' only comment through out the long process; however, at the end he couldn't stop himself from asking. "Harry, when did you develop the ability to be a multi-animagus? I am assuming that the sheepdog and the phoenix are not your only forms, but if I am correct, you have at least one other, it that true?"
Harry nodded that Dumbledore's assumption was factual. After Halloween he had been concerned that the old man had suspected something when consistent tales of the black panther made their way around the castle, but when Albus never confronted him about it, the whole thing had slipped his mind in light of everything else that had been happening at the time.
"Before Azkaban," Harry's reply communicated everything that was needed to be said in two words.
Albus nodded his head sadly. Harry's mistrust of him had started sometime before he had so terribly betrayed the young man. It was probably a good thing that Harry hadn't trusted him completely at the time, as Albus hadn't deserved it, not really.
"Well, thank you for that Harry. Thank you for everything. I think we'll leave you alone here with your family as I'm sure you have quite a bit of catching up to do." Giving Harry's shoulder a firm squeeze, the old man turned and walked back up to his seat at the head table, the Weasleys and the rest of the order following suit.
Feeling better now that his telling of what went on recently was out of the way, Harry looked around at the faces at his table. "So, who is going to fill me in on everything I missed?"
Sirius and Nicole immediately blanched and looked away from the inquiring man and the potentially explosive question he had so innocently packaged. They didn't want to be the one to explain about Evan's kidnapping. Severus and Remus simply made an excuse that they had a potion brewing that needed their attention and tried to leave the table but stopped and sat back down in a huff when Sirius called them cowards. Something had definitely happened, not sure what Harry sought out his mate. Harry only became concerned when Draco refused to meet his gaze. "Tell me." It was no longer a question.
Observing from the Head Table, Albus and Minerva were quietly discussing what needed to be done before they could attempt to reopen Hogwarts as the scholastic institution it was. First all current residents of the school would need to be relocated and then the castle would need to be refurbished. Teachers would have to be hired and trained. The list seemed endless, but the task was certainly more enjoyable than the tasks that had been occupying their attention for so long. Occasionally, Hermione would chime in with a question or a suggestion or two.
Their discussion continued through out supper, only to be halted by a loud angry shout from Harry's table.
"I'll kill the son of a bitch."
Albus rose in the event that his assistance was needed and was very relieved when Draco followed Harry's outburst with his own. "Calm down, he's dead. The bastard is already dead so you can't kill him."
"Wanna bet?" Harry sneered and he pulled little Evan onto his lap. "If I wanted to, I could bring that piece of shit back from the underworld and kill him all over again."
"Excuse me, Professor?"
"Yes," Dumbledore replied to Hermione's inquiry, not yet looking away from a highly agitated Harry Potter.
"Well, I know that Harry's innate magic is very strong, off the record strong, but how did he manage to alter the charms on the ceiling?" Hermione pointed up where the image of the clear night sky was now fiery red and swirling.
Dumbledore, sensing that the wards had not been altered, just shook his head. "Hermione, the charms on the ceiling haven't been changed, at least not that I can tell."
Hermione was dumbstruck. "But if the….then that would mean…the sky…"
By now the erratic behavior of the charmed ceiling had captured the attention of many of the dinner guests.
"Yes, indeed it would Hermione, indeed it would."
Unable to resist the urge to run outside and witness the unnatural event for itself, no one noticed when Albus, Minerva and Hermione excused themselves from the table and quickly exited the hall.
Sometime later, a calmer Harry Potter sat still holding Evan who wiggled impatiently after being checked over meticulously several times by his Daddy in the last half hour. The events as described to him were unbelievable and it was taking him awhile to come to the conclusion that his family was finally free of any immediate danger. Thankful that they were all right, he knew that he'd regret not being there for them for the rest of his life.
"Daddy, where did your light-bolt go?" Evan demanded, pointing at Harry's head.
Draco examined Harry's face carefully and instantly realized what Evan was talking about. The tell tale scar that had adorned Harry's forehead since his parent's death was gone. There wasn't even a trace that it had ever been there at all. Cupping Harry's face in his hands, Draco pulled him to him. Brushing his lips over the spot where the lightning bold had long resided, Draco whispered, "What happened to it?"
Harry's eye's sparkled. He couldn't wait to share this next bit of information with his beloved. "When I resumed this form after the burning, the scar was gone, and that's not the best part."
"Well?"
Harry smiled as he captured Draco's lips in a kiss full of promise. "I'll tell you later, I want to wait until we have a bit more privacy, if you know what I mean," Harry whispered against Draco's lips after his had slowed the kiss sufficiently.
"Just don't keep me waiting too long," Draco whispered back nibbling on Harry's upper lip for a moment or two. He was pleased when he felt Harry's response to his double meaning.
"I wouldn't dream of it, luv." Harry sighed in longing as he pressed one last chaste kiss to Draco's lips before turning to address Matthew who had been pulling on his pant leg demanding attention this entire time.
Harry finally stopped laughing. Father Christmas still hadn't made his appearance but amidst much confusion the wizarding confetti and fireworks prepared to announce his arrival had been activated early. Harry suspected that Fred had something to do with it, but didn't know for certain.
He so enjoyed seeing the smiling faces of his loved ones. Feeling extremely grateful for how everything was working out, Harry couldn't help but glance in awe at each member of his family. Draco's face was flushed with happiness and his beautiful eyes were alight with love and something else that Harry was anxious to explore as soon as they found themselves alone. Nicole was laughing as she cuddled next to Sirius who was rubbing her back and whispering something into her ear. As Harry watched the pair, he couldn't help but speculate that what he had in mind with Draco was most like something similar to what Sirius had in mind for his best friend from the blush that spread appealingly across her cheeks.
Across the table from his Godfather sat Remus and Severus. The pair was sitting rather close together Harry observed with a grin. It looked like Draco's assumptions about there being more there than just companionship appeared to be confirmed, especially when Severus brought his hand up and gently wiped a piece of confetti from Remus' cheek. Harry chuckled; they thought they were being so secretive. He couldn't wait to publicly out the couple, but with the earlier spectacle he had caused, Harry decided to wait until another time.
Finally, Harry brought his eyes to rest on the two most important members of this family. The contentment that had spread through out his soul during the evening quickly turned to concern with a hint of fear when he only saw one dark head.
Apprehensive as to where his three year old son could have wandered off to at a time like this Harry left the table without even excusing himself. Exiting the Great Hall, Harry stopped and listened intently for any sign of the direction that Matthew could have taken.
Hearing none, Harry cursed softly under his breath and after playing a quick "eeny meeny miny moe" game with himself, he took off toward Gryffindor tower. Harry was disgusted that he had been so preoccupied that Matthew was able to slip unnoticed away from the table and out of the hall. After giving his son a hug and a kiss when he first returned, Harry had gotten caught up in the horrific stories of Lucius' kidnapping of Evan and Ron and Draco's subsequent rescue. He should have realized that Matthew was feeling left out and paid more attention to both of his sons.
After running down the corridor for a couple of minutes and up several flights of stairs, Harry came to a skidding halt at another juncture. Not sure if he should still proceed into Gryffindor territory or if he should go left which would take him toward where the old Ravenclaw dorms were, Harry paused.
This time when he listened, he could hear the soft sobs of what unmistakably was a very upset Matthew. Grateful that his luck was still holding out, Harry headed in that direction.
Several turns and a long hallway later Harry happened upon a small dejected figure sitting on the stone floor with his back against the wall and his forehead resting on his arms which were crossed around his knees. Harry felt truly awful when he saw the slight shoulders shaking as Matthew continued to sob out his obvious distress.
Sliding down the wall until he was sitting on the floor next to Matthew, Harry bit his lip as he wondered the best way to approach this situation. Dark Lords, Death Eaters, even screaming fans, he could handle, but an extremely upset and emotional three year old was a completely different story. Usually when one of the twins was upset, Harry deferred to Nicole, feeling that she was better equipped to handle such things. Just another part of his life where he felt inadequate, no thanks to the wonderful upbringing the Dursleys had given him.
Deciding the first thing he needed to do was to reassure his son that he had his full and complete attention, Harry reach out and began to gently pat Matthew on his back. From the time they were babies, both boys liked to be patted in a soothing manner at nap time or bedtime; it really seemed to help them relax.
Harry grew increasingly worried when after a few minutes Matthew failed to respond to his touch. Realizing that maybe a more direct approach was needed, Harry pulled the tiny boy into his arms, cradling him up close against his warm strong chest.
"Shh Sweetheart, its okay. I promise everything will be all right now. Whatever the problem is, I'll make it better, just please stop crying," Harry cooed as he kissed Matthew's forehead.
After a few more minutes, Matthew's heart wrenching sobs gradually subsided, replaced with sniffles and an occasional hiccup.
"Will you tell me what's wrong?" Harry asked.
"You love Evan more than me," Matthew said, his voice hoarse from crying.
Harry closed his eyes. He should have been expecting this with all that attention that Evan must have been getting lately with his kidnapping. "You know that's not true, Matthew. I love you, both you and your brother."
"Yeah, but you love him more."
"No, I love you both the same," Harry corrected. "Your father and I love you both equally; we love you so much that there just isn't any way to love someone else more than how much we love you."
"You love him more, because you pay more attention to him," Matthew said despondently.
Slightly frustrated at his inability to make Matthew understand, Harry sighed, squeezing Matthew tighter against him. If companies would hire children to be sales people, the entire world would be in debt, because children never take no for an answer. They were single minded in their belief and changing that mindset was often a fruitless task. Come to think of it, telemarketers were very much like children in that respect. Maybe some companies did hire children. Chuckling at the unexpected image of children on the phone harassing adults on Sundays, at dinner time, or any other inconvenient time to purchase something that they certainly didn't want or need, Harry said a small thank you for the gift of children and kissed the top of Matthew's head.
"I'm sorry that I haven't been here to be with you Matthew, but I'm here now and I promise that I'm not planning on going anywhere for a long time, okay?"
Matthew slumped in Harry's arms, only marginally satisfied. "But even when you did come back, all you did was talk to Evan, you don't love me."
Pulling Matthew up so that he was facing him, Harry gave Matthew the serious 'you're asking for trouble' look. "That's not fair Matty, and you know it." Matthew was too young to be reasoned with; he wouldn't understand why Daddy had to speak with all those people when all he really wanted to do was spend all his time catching up with him and his twin. All Harry could do now was to continue to reassure the toddler and make sure to spend as much time with him as he could over the next however long it took before the boy felt secure again.
Deciding to change tactics, Harry asked Matthew to tell him all about the things that he had done while he had been away. It seemed to work and after a few stilted attempts, Matthew was soon rambling on and on about everything that they had done over the last week or so.
With rapt attention, Harry listened to a very detailed description of what they did. He winced when Matthew told him about finding Draco crying in the middle or the night and laughed when Matthew recounted how one afternoon when they were supposedly napping how he and Evan had caught Uncle Siri and Nicole kissing on the couch. Yuck.
Eventually, Harry coaxed a now calm Matthew into returning back to the Christmas celebration. The initial melt down had been diverted, but Harry knew that only a long time of constant love and patience would mend his son's troubles.
Standing up, Harry stretched the kinks out of his back from sitting on the cold stone floor for so long. Bending down, he picked up Matthew and held him close to his heart as he started their journey back to the feast. He had only managed a few steps when a stranger's call brought him to an abrupt halt.
"Oh Harry dear, is that you?"
Harry froze when he heard the familiar voice. Not sure if he had properly recognized it, he and Matthew turned in the direction where the voice had come from.
"Whatever are you doing out this late, Harry, and who is this man you are with? I don't believe I have ever met him before? Is he a relative of your father's? He certainly looks like you, dear."
Harry blinked and Matthew went still as a statue as the questions were fired at them faster than they could possibly process them. When his brain started to catch up, Harry came to the unexpected conclusion that Mrs. Weasley had in fact been addressing her inquisition not at him, but instead at young Matthew.
"It's been so long since I've seen you dear. Mind, I haven't seen you since you were a baby, and Lily, God Bless her soul, came to visit me here at the Burrow. I heard that you were living with your aunt and uncle. How are they treating you? You certainly look like you could use a little more to eat; you're much too thin. I'll just have to say something to your aunt when I see her."
Molly didn't even appear to pause to take a breath before she was off again. "Your mother was such a wonderful person. We became close when we were working together for a great cause. She was almost like a daughter to me that I asked Albus to let you come live with us after your parents passed on, but unfortunately, he said that you would be safer with your blood relatives. But I'm sure you'll be able to come visit us soon. My son Ron is your age; I bet the two of you will be the best of friends."
Harry slowly shook his head as he set Matthew down, trying to make sense of her ramblings. He knew that she had suffered mentally since the extent of Percy's betrayal had been discovered and her family literally torn apart, but he never expected her to be like this. He had been meaning to visit with her, but whenever the thought had crossed his mind, something always seemed to come up. Harry took a moment to study the woman who had always been so kind to him, his very own Grandmother.
From the way she was talking, Harry wasn't sure if she was remembering him after they had met when he came to Hogwarts, or if she was seeing him as a toddler like Matthew was now. One thing was perfectly clear; she had mistaken his son for him.
Bending down, the old woman took the young child in her arms, giving him a hug and an affectionate kiss on the top of his tousled head. "Now you, young man, I don't know who you are, but don't you think that it's too late for Harry to be out and about, and especially on Christmas Eve at that?"
Harry jumped, surprised to be addressed directly and Matthew let out small insecure whine, not sure how to react to this strange woman whom he had never seen before in his life.
The soft sound drew Molly's attention back to the child. "Don't worry dear, I'm sure this kind man will have you home and tucked into bed in plenty of time for Father Christmas to come visit. Besides I'm sure that in the morning you'll find at least one special present under your tree."
Matthew shifted uncomfortable under Molly's continued scrutiny.
Harry realized that he was going to have to say something, but how did one go about trying to explain something that he was fairly confident her mind wouldn't allow her to comprehend. Just as Harry opened his mouth to begin his explanation, Molly turned and looked him directly in the eye. For a fleeting moment, Harry could have sworn that there had been some flicker of recognition, a look of deep sorrow and helplessness, but before Harry could even analyze it, it was gone.
"Oh my, look where the time has gone. I'd best get going back to the Burrow. My family is waiting and I'm so excited we'll all be together now that Bill and Charlie have come back from Hogwarts. Besides I'm sure Arthur is probably worried about me by now, that man wouldn't know what to do without me. Happy Christmas, Harry."
"Happy Christmas, Mrs. Weasley" Harry managed, followed by a softer, "Merry Christmas" by Matthew.
Watching Molly Weasley walk aimlessly down the long hallway, Harry couldn't help but once more feel the senselessness of the war. It was over, but some things would never be the same.
"Come on Matty, we need to get back to the Great Hall, you don't want to miss Saint Nicolas' visit, do you?"
Matthew looked up at his Daddy, glad that the crazy lady had finally left them alone and grinned, shrugging his shoulders. "Don't really madder," he drawled, sounding alarmingly like Draco.
Shocked that his son wasn't bouncing off the walls in anticipation of Christmas morning and all the wonderful presents that he would be getting, Harry stuttered, "And why not?"
"Because Santa already brought me and Evan what we ask him to for Christmas." Matthew continued to grin, but then looked puzzled for a moment as he tried to figure something important out. "But I guess he decided to bring you early, but that's okay don't you think? He won't try to take you back or anything, will he?"
Just when he thought the love in his heart couldn't grow any more, Harry swore that hearing that his sons had asked Saint Nicolas to bring him home for Christmas caused his heart to throb under the intensity of the feelings it invoked. "No Sweetheart, Santa isn't going to take me anywhere. I'm here to stay. I love you."
"Love you too, Dad," Matthew said as he took his father's hand, entwining their fingers tightly as they headed back down the corridor towards the Great Hall.
To be continued.