Escape

Chapter eight

Dumbledore, Draco and about three other order members had apperated to the Little Chef where Harry had last used magic and began their search. They soon found the only person with magical relations and sat them down. Even for Dumbledore the memory charm placed upon him was far too deeply imbedded to mess around with, it would only mentally hurt him and he'd most likely die as a result. The headmaster was willing to bet that Harry knew this. He therefore knew that they were close behind him.

"What do we do now?" Draco asked Dumbledore who stood by the road side watching as the cars past one by one.

"We wait, that is all we can do." He said with a tireless edge to his voice that Draco attempted to ignore with complete success.

"Wait, where does this road go?"

"It goes towards Scotland, why?"

"Hiding in plain sight"

"What?"

"He's going to Scotland where Hogwarts is, maybe he thinks that by staying close to the magical community but involving himself in it we won't find him, who in there right mind would suspect that he would live in … what's the muggle town near Hogsmead?"

"Grantown-on-Spey"

"Right, who would suspect him of staying there?"

"No one, but what makes you think that he's headed there?"

"My intuition I guess, he was raised by muggles and he told me once that to escape from the Dursley's he would often hide in plain sight."

"Still the smart one, that's my Harry"

"But he's not your Harry anymore Sir, he's no one's Harry."

"Too true Mr Malfoy, too true."

Harry was indeed headed that way, it was a small community but a nice environment to live in and raise children in. It was perfect for them a hopefully he could remain there for at least a couple of years before anyone found him. However he wasn't to be so lucky.

There was one hotel in Grantown, it was not in the one high-street but admits the cute picture perfect houses, it had once, Harry assumed, been a large manor house owned by the richer families of the area before it was transformed into a hotel. It was called the Coppice Hotel and like the surrounding houses it was almost the type of house that you would find on the front of a postcard.

He would contact the estate agent tomorrow and go job hunting while also looking around for a good nursery. He had it al worked out in his head as he pulled up the gravel driveway leading to the hotel. He was working it all out in his head as he parked up and removed the buggy from the boot so he could move the sleeping twins into it without waking them.

Seeing that he was having a little trouble one of the desk clerks came out to assist him by taking his luggage. He checked him and took him to his room, provided was a double cot that was trimmed with lace and the blankets were silk, the desk clerk looked a little started, he certainly hadn't put it there.

He left soon after; Harry assured him that it was ok. He out the twins inside sat down upon the bed and began to cry. All he wanted was to be left alone, he couldn't even have that. Why couldn't he just escape, why did life have to be so damn difficult for him?

"I'm sorry for upsetting you." A smooth voice drawled as the owner sat next to Harry, close enough to provide comfort but far enough away so that Harry would not fell invaded once more. "Dumbledore is waiting downstairs for you."

"I can't do this Draco, I can't go back."

"You have to, we need you."

"No you don't. I'm staying here, I'm going to get a job, buy a house and live here. All I want is to fit into a normal town and not have to worry about when I'm going to be attacked next. It isn't fair, I'm almost nineteen years old, I've raised our children well so far, and I can't go back."

"Is that why you refuse to let me go back to you? Because I'm part of the magical world and excepting me would be like accepting that world to?"

"Yes and don't tell me that isn't the case, I won't go back Draco, Albus can do or say whatever he wants but it won't make the slightest bit of difference because I won't go back to that. I deserve more."

"You do and so do … what are their names? You never told me."

"This one is Gory" he motioned to the sleeping girl and then pointing to the little boy who stirred he said "and that's Gavin."

"They're perfect, I wouldn't want your life inflicted upon them but that's the point together we can protect them better."

"I was protecting them just fine before you showed up." Harry snapped irritably. He didn't want to talk to Draco right now; he wanted to curl into a ball and go to sleep. "Can I make one request?"

"I'm sure you can."

"I promise not to bolt again, but I would very much like to get some sleep, it's been a long day." Harry said yawning, it wasn't fake either, it was very much legitimate.

"I'm sure that can be arranged, your not superman after all."

"Some people think I am."

"But not me, your just a boy." Then after a while as Harry lay down and closed his eyes, Draco watching him with a loving stare he was asked, by Harry himself

"Stay with me tonight."

"Anything" Was the reply and Draco lay down next to Harry, placed an arm around his waist and they fell asleep together, wrapped in each others arms.

Okay, things have got a little complicated since the Half-Blood Prince book was released, I'm going through a phase where I hate both Snape and Draco, (they were previously my favourite characters). I had always known that who had died would die (I'm not ruining it for those who haven't finishing the book yet) but it's still a big shock. Still I am trying my best to get my stories out even though I'm ready to make Harry strangle Draco and possibly Snape! Please don't forget to review, five gets the next chapter up. xxxxxxxx