Disclaimer: I'm not J.K. Rowling, so nope, I don't own Harry Potter…
A/N: It's almost done! Only two more chapters! Also, there is some language in this chapter that might be considered offensive. I have nothing against those that are mentioned in the section of the chapter. Started: 12/29/04 Finished: 4/3/05
Summary: Draco watched over a sleeping Harry, remembering the day of Lord Voldemort's defeat. "You never knew the Dragon had a heart, did you?"
Author: Lenora
Rating: PG-13
2nd A/N: Italics are thoughts and emphasis. +...+ show's actions…hopefully.
Dragonheart
Chapter 8-Aunt Marge and a…Wizard?
Harry looked up from where he was working on his Potions homework on Draco's bed. The blonde was also lying on the bed, only he was working on his Ancient Runes homework. In the one an a half months since their Halloween date, the two had grown even closer than they thought they ever would. Although, they were still treating their growing relationship with caution. Neither one wanted to alienate the other by pushing for too much too soon.
You see, both of them were virgins and they were convinced that the other wasn't. So in a way to keep the tension low, their sexual relationship was steadily growing. Now, it might have saved a lot of trouble if the two just talked to each other about their fears, but if they did that, they wouldn't be men. So each of them suffered in silence, convinced that their partner would one day leave them because of a lack of sex.
Dudley and Neville watched the proceedings with a sort of amused silence as the two boys they trusted above all fumbled through their first real serious relationship. It still made them chuckle when they remembered a conversation that they had with Harry a few weeks before.
Flashback
"You know," Dudley said as he flipped through his Potions textbook, looking for an answer to something for his essay, "if you're so worried about disappointing Draco when you to first have sex, we could take you somewhere and get rid of that pesky virginity," he offered.
Harry laughed a little as he saw the look on Neville's face as he looked at his boyfriend. "Don't look so shocked Nev; he made the same offer the summer after fifth year. It was a way to thank me for saving you from the dementor, wasn't it Duds?" Harry asked.
Dudley nodded. "Yeah. I was hoping on telling him that I was a wizard then, but he refused. Said he wanted to wait. Why did you want to wait again Harry?"
"Well it wasn't that I really wanted to wait, I was shocked and convinced that someone had abducted you and replaced you with a badly polyjuiced version," Harry laughed. "After all, you had never treated me like a human before. It was always, 'Freak', 'Boy', or other unpleasant things like that. That was the first time you actually talked to me like I was there. I was freaked out!" Harry said, chuckling at the look on Dudley's face. However his grin was short lived when he saw that Dudley seemed to be really upset with what Harry was saying.
"Oh so me being nice to you is such a shock?" Dudley asked, angry.
"Well think about how you, Aunt Petunia, and Uncle Vernon treated me when I was little, before I even knew what magic was. The three of you treated me like a house elf, like I wasn't even a part of the family. In fact, to your parents I wasn't even human. I was a wizard and that was worse than being well…gay. Wonder what they'd say when they found out that their freak nephew was also a pillow biter," Harry said, thinking of an insult that people in the muggle world often used for being homosexual.
"A what?" Neville asked, incredulous.
"It's a vulgar muggle insult for homosexuals. Along with fudge packer, and various others. It's always racist or homophobic people that call people those things. And unfortunately, Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia are two of the biggest racists I've ever known. After all, they thought they could beat magic out of someone."
"So no going out and getting laid?" Dudley asked, grinning at Harry.
"Defiantly not. But you can go if you want to," Harry offered.
"HE WILL NOT!" Neville cried, surprising even himself with the adamant screech. Harry looked on in amusement as Neville moved to sit in front of Dudley, taking the blonde's head in his hands. "You will not go somewhere else to get what you could just as easily get at home," Neville said flatly. Harry's grin dropped off his face as he felt his jaw drop. He looked at the intense looks passing between his cousin and friend.
"Ok, I'm going to go find Draco. I'll see you two later," Harry said to the oblivious couple, barely making it out of the room before the two on the bed began snogging.
End Flashback
"I can't believe we leave for the Christmas holidays tomorrow," Harry said, looking up from his Potions book. "It seems like it's too soon."
"I know what you mean," Draco said, "it still seems like Halloween was yesterday. But it will be good to see Dad and Sirius again. You're sure that they're staying with us at Malfoy Manor for the hols right?" Draco asked.
Harry smiled at his boyfriend's worrying. "Don't worry. I wrote them last week and Sirius's letter this morning confirmed it. They will be at the station when the train rolls in to Kings Cross. They will pick all of us up and take us to the Manor."
Draco sat up straighter as he put the finishing touches on his homework, which was due on the first Ancient Runes class back after the holidays. "Done," he said, putting the last period on the parchment. "So who is this 'all of us'?" Draco asked.
"You, me, Neville, Dudley, Seamus, Blaise, Remus, and Severus," Harry said, counting them off on his fingers. "Why?"
"I need to inform the house elves exactly how many guest rooms to prepare," Draco said.
"Well, we only need one room for Severus and Remus, and also Blaise and Seamus. You have a room as do Dudley and I. So we need three guest rooms prepared, right?" Harry asked. Draco did the math quickly in his head and he nodded. Harry grinned and he gave Draco a quick kiss and he turned back to his homework, Draco lay down next to him to help him by giving him pointers…
The next morning, Draco was standing in the entry way of Hogwarts, waiting for Harry, Dudley, Neville, Seamus, and Blaise to come down from the Gryffindor tower. However, the ones that were first to arrive were Professors Snape and Lupin-Snape. Draco decided to ask them a question that had been bothering him for a while. "Professors," Draco started, considering they were still in school, "why are you taking the train with us?" he asked.
Remus smiled a slightly tired smile at the blonde and he rested a hand on his rounded tummy. "Well Draco, it's because in the late months of pregnancy, especially a male pregnancy, the "mother" shouldn't travel by apparating, or floo. So we're going to take the train with you and also ride in the car to the Manor."
Severus smiled and he put his arm around Remus' waist and he pulled his husband closer to him. "Thank you for inviting us to stay at the Manor for the holidays Draco," Severus said, smiling at his godson.
"No problem. After all you two have done for me, it's the least I could do. Besides, you two need to get out of the damp dungeons," Draco said, teasing.
"Well the same could be said about you Draco," Harry said, coming into the hall. He walked over to Draco and he kissed the blonde on the cheek.
Draco couldn't think of anything to say to that so he just settled for a simple "prat." He then turned to look at the others in the hall. "Ok, now Dudley and Harry already know this, so they can tune me out-"
"Comes naturally to me by now," Dudley said, sneaking his arm around Neville's waist, pulling the smaller boy closer to him. Neville, however, retaliated to the comment by elbowing him in the stomach.
"Go on Draco," Neville said, smiling at the blonde as he rested his head on his boyfriend's chest.
"Thanks Nev," Draco said, smiling at the Gryffindor. "Anyway, Severus and Remus and Seamus and Blaise will be sharing a room. Dudley and Harry already have rooms at the manor. Neville you will have a room next to Dudley's. Pansy and Millicent will be over for the New Years party as will the Weasleys. Father and Sirius will be staying at the Manor as per my request for the holidays."
"Why would they need your permission to stay at the Manor?" Neville asked.
"I'm the head of the house now. Father signed over control of the family after he was released from Azkaban. He insisted that I have the Manor and control of the Malfoy assets when he moved in with Sirius." Draco smiled at the others as he took Harry's hand. "Due to the large amount of rooms at the manor, you could all have rooms on a permanent basis if you wanted. Uncle Sev and Remus already have one as will the baby when she comes. Dudley and Harry already possess rooms due to their staying with me this summer."
"We should get going," Severus said, looking at his pocket watch, "the carriages are about to leave. And Remus is not walking to Hogsmeade."
"Protective much?" Harry asked, smirking at his Professor.
"You have no idea," Remus said, sighing. He grinned and he kissed his husband softly.
"You love it and you know it," Severus said, kissing Remus softly. The teens pretended to puke and be sick but they were all awed by the fact that they were allowed to see their stern Potions professor acting sweet to his pregnant husband. Severus looked at the teens standing before them. "Come on brats, we don't want to miss the train."
Draco charmed his and Harry's trunks to float behind them as they started out to the carriages. The others followed and they climbed into a couple carriages and they rattled as they drove down the gravel driveway. They all waved at Hagrid as they climbed into the train. Harry looked around; glad that for once they wouldn't have to worry about finding a compartment. The group would be riding in the teacher's compartment, due to the fact that it was larger and had more room for Remus to stretch out in.
Once they reached the compartment Severus sat down on the bench and he pulled Remus down so that he was lying with his head in Severus' lap. Severus softly stroked Remus' hair and the werewolf softly purred under his breath at the touch of his husband's fingers in his hair. Remus quickly fell asleep under such ministrations. In an interest to be polite, the teens talked quietly, or in the case of the married couple, snogged for the train ride to London. The eight hour train ride passed by quickly, with the only interruption being the lady that brought snacks during the middle of the ride. So when the train rolled into King Cross station, Severus reluctantly gently shook his husband awake so they could leave the train.
Sirius and Lucius stood on platform 9 ¾ waiting for the train to come in. Though neither wanted to admit it, they were both waiting impatiently for their kids to come back. They hadn't seen Harry or Draco for almost four months and it was killing them inside to know that they were on their way but not there yet. "I think the train is taking it's time on purpose," Sirius said for the fourth time.
Lucius looked at his lover and he smiled, it wasn't often that people got to see the insecure Sirius Black that his lover held close to his heart. Lucius walked up to the black haired man and he wrapped his arms around his slim waist and he rested his chin on Sirius's shoulder. "They'll be here love, and no, the train is not a sadistic bastard that's taking it's time on getting here. You know as well as I do that it's a seven hour train ride. Now calm down, you don't want Harry getting worried for you the minute he gets off the train now do you?"
Sirius relaxed in the familiar arms that were holding him. He turned his head and he smiled at Lucius and he kissed him softly. "Thanks love," he said. He then practically jumped out of his skin when the train whistle blew, announcing the arrival of the Hogwarts Express. "They're here!" he squealed, jumping up and down like a child.
Lucius laughed as he hugged Sirius and he kissed the dark haired man's cheek. "Yes love, they are," Lucius said, releasing his lover. The two stood back as the train came to a stop and they watched the doors intently.
"So who's coming again?" Sirius asked, still searching the doors.
"Draco, Harry, Dudley, his boyfriend Neville, Seamus, Blaise, Severus, and Remus," Lucius answered mechanically as he continued searching the station. Suddenly he caught a flash of platinum blonde hair so like his own exiting the teacher's compartment. "There they are," he said, pointing. Sirius yelled and he ran towards the train where his godson was exiting the red train.
Harry jumped when he felt a pair of arms encircle his waist that weren't belonging to his boyfriend. He turned around; ready to hex whomever had touched him when he came face to face with his godfather's familiar blue eyes. "Siri!" he yelled, throwing his arms around the older man's shoulders.
Lucius watched the two of them with a soft smile on his face until he felt someone fly into his own arms. He looked down to see the familiar head of platinum blonde hair that belonged to his son. Lucius tightened his arms around Draco and he hugged him tightly. "I missed you Dragon," Lucius said when he released Draco from his embrace.
"I missed you too Dad," Draco said as he smiled at Lucius. He turned around when he felt someone else's presence behind him and he saw that everyone was out of the train, waiting for Draco and Harry to finish saying hello. "Is everyone ready?" Draco asked, looking at the others. They all nodded and Severus very carefully cast a concealing charm over Remus' pregnant belly. He softly ran a hand over the bulge, reassuring the baby that she wouldn't be forgotten.
"Shall we be going?" Severus asked, looking at the Malfoys.
"Oh yes, I want to see the manor," Neville said, holding hands with Dudley. Lucius and Sirius smiled at the boy that had once been timid. It warmed both of their hearts that he had grown out of that and had become a confident young man. Though they both wished that the maturity hadn't come out of a war that all of the young men before them had participated in.
"I've seen it," Blaise said, shrugging.
"But I haven't," Seamus said, tugging on Blaise's arm like a child. "Could we go soon?" he asked.
Draco laughed at Seamus' enthusiasm, and he nodded. "Yeah Seam, we'll be on our way in a minute."
"Does everyone know where your trunks are?" Lucius asked. All of the teens pulled shrunken trunks out of their pockets. "Have the owls been sent ahead?" Those with owls nodded their heads. "Ok, well then let's get going."
Each of the couples took their partner's hands as they exited the platform. The purebloods all ignored the looks of disgust that were aimed at the four couples, but Dudley, Seamus, and Harry were all painfully aware of the looks they were getting. Draco looked at Harry when he felt Harry's hand start to slip from his hand. Draco followed Harry's gaze and he finally noticed the looks they were getting. He sneered at the small minded Muggles and he tightened his hold on Harry's hand. The blonde raised the tanned hand of his boyfriend to his lips and he kissed it. "See anything you like?" Draco growled at the gawking masses. He snapped his fingers and a man that Harry hadn't even noticed standing off to the side rushed up.
"Yes Lord Malfoy?" the man asked urgently. Draco watched as even more jaws dropped in surprise to see that the young man before them was a member of the nobility that ran Parliament and the House of Lords. (A/N: I'm American, if I'm wrong, please email me and let me know)
"Could you please call the car and have it brought to the doors of the station. My lover and I seem to have attracted some unwelcome attention," Draco said, sneering at the still staring people around him. The other man took on a similar sneering look and he pulled out a small cell phone and he had a quick conversation in French with whoever was on the other side.
"It's done Lord Malfoy," the man said, bowing to Draco before he walked off to do whatever he does.
"Who's that?" Harry asked, looking after the man that he had never seen before.
"Jones. He's the Malfoy family's muggle contact. He keeps us up to date on the entire goings on within the muggle ministry. He just kind of shows up whenever we venture into the muggle world. I'd swear he was a wizard if it wasn't for the fact that I know for sure he's a muggle. Well, we better be getting into the car. I don't know how long it will take for someone to notice the Malfoy car in the driveway, but I don't want to be here when they do," Draco said, as he pulled on Harry's hand, urging the brunet to hurry.
Harry couldn't figure out why Draco wanted him to hurry until he saw some of the photographers hovering around the station. Harry felt horrible that he was making slow down as he crossed the station. Harry saw Blaise notice the reporters too and he mumbled something in French, making the other purebloods look at him and then the reporters. The others hurried as best they could throughout the station so that the reporters wouldn't have a chance to get to Draco. The group had just reached the car when a reporter caught a glimpse of Draco's distinctive hair.
"Mr. Malfoy!" several voices cried out as cameras flashed in their direction.
"In the car," Draco growled, shoving the others into the car. He made sure that he was the last inside the car and he slammed the door. "Drive!" he shouted at the driver. The car's tires squealed and it hurried out of the station parking lot.
"So, now that we have an unbearably long car ride ahead of us, why don't we hear the miraculous story of how Sirius came back from the Veil," Draco said, leaning back against the leather seat. Harry rested his head against Draco's shoulder and Draco put his arm around his boyfriend.
"Yeah, you never did tell me how you got back from wherever you were," Harry said, smiling at his godfather.
Sirius smiled at Harry and he settled in for what would be a long drive, and a long story. "Well, first of all, all of the preconceived notions of what the Veil does are wrong. It does not take you to the land of the dead or any such nonsense. I could hear you and Remus when I was on my way to my destination. I was not dead; the Veil does not kill you. It sends you to a place that most people do not return from. What the muggles call the Bermuda Triangle. A place that most people, muggles and wizard kind alike have considered completely lost. Atlantis."
"Atlantis?" the others in the car exclaimed, looking at the dark haired animagus in shock.
"Atlantis is real?" Harry asked, looking confused and excited at the same time.
"Of course it's real you ignorant boy," Severus said, sneering at the lack of education that Harry had. "Didn't you pay attention to History of Magic?"
"Hey, I was lucky to stay awake in Binns' class. Only Hermione could stay awake, and actually take notes." The others were nodding in agreement with Harry. Severus looked around at the others in the car.
"Was I the only one that was able to stay awake in the class?" he asked his schoolmates.
"Yes you were love," Remus said, smiling at the look of disbelief on his husband's face.
"Anyway," Sirius said, mock glaring at the others, "to say that I was shocked when I woke up, finding several blonde haired blue eyed gorgeous men standing beside my bed would be an understatement." Lucius growled at the "gorgeous" comment. "When I was coherent enough to understand where I was, they told me the whole story. When Atlantis was wiped off the map by the earthquakes that racked it, only two openings still remained for the inhabitants of the island to get out acquainting themselves with the outside world. One of them is the Bermuda Triangle, which several muggle ships have disappeared within it. And the other is the Veil."
"If the Bermuda Triangle is a one way ticket to Atlantis," Dudley said slowly, thinking on his comment, "how come every once and a while, ships and people reappear through it?"
"Well, as Archon, the head god of Atlantis told me," Sirius said, leaning against Lucius for support, "the only way that someone that has appeared in Atlantis can earn a shot to leave the island and return to their lives is if they have something really special to return to. Most of those ships that left the Triangle were allowed to because they swore a blood binding oath to never tell where they had been. The inhabitants of Atlantis welcomed both wizard kind and muggles and were kind to all. I told Archon about you Harry, and about how you would need me to help you defeat Voldemort. Even in utter isolation, the inhabitants of Atlantis knew of your fight against the Dark Lord. When they heard I was your Godfather, they let me leave and return to you. And here I am, I walked back out of the Veil and came home. And you know the rest."
"They didn't make you swear a blood oath?" Draco asked.
Sirius shook his head. "No, because they knew that I would need to prove who I am and let Harry know where I was. I promised them I wouldn't make Atlantis public news. They even invited me to visit sometime with Harry. What do you say Harry, do you want to go after you graduate?"
Harry looked at Sirius, wanting to go but he didn't want to make plans that didn't include Dudley or Draco. "Would they be able to go with us?" Harry asked, indicating his cousin and boyfriend.
"I don't see why not," Sirius said, smiling at the two blondes. He then turned to Lucius, Severus, and Remus. "Would you three like to go as well?"
Lucius put an arm around Sirius' waist. "Where you go, I go," he said, kissing Sirius' cheek.
Severus and Remus exchanged looks, no doubt thinking about their child which was due that month. "The baby would be around six months old," Remus said, softly caressing his belly.
"Atlantis was rumored to have a world famous potions master there before the island dropped out of knowledge. Most potions masters pick apprentices during their lifetime, so there should still be a very knowledgeable potions master there," Severus said, thinking about what he had read when he was younger.
Remus and Severus continued to look in each others eyes before they turned to look at the others. "Let's wait until the baby is born before we give you an answer," Remus said. "We can't conceivably give you an answer until then. We don't know how the baby is going to be. He could be colicky, or have some other childhood disease. And we also need to know if the potion worked and he would be born without being a werewolf. It should have worked since Severus was the one that brewed the potion, but even a potions master may make a mistake."
"You doubt my skills now?" Severus asked, aghast at his husband's words.
"Severus," Harry said, reaching foreword to put a hand on his professor's arm, "you're the best potions master in the world. But you're still human, you can make a mistake. And if you did, none of us would fault you."
"Fudge would, he would attempt to take the baby away from us if it was born a werewolf. The codes state that werewolves are not allowed to breed werewolf children. They have to take this potion," Severus said.
"Fudge is an idiot," Harry said, "We should nominate someone else to be minister."
"Like who?" Draco asked, looking at Harry.
"Lucius," Harry said promptly. "I mean he knows what he's doing."
"That's true," Sirius said, nodding approvingly. "And his reputation is much better now after the war since it is well known that he spied in the war."
"Lucius has always known more about our political structure than half of the highest ranked wizards in the ministry. He has my vote," Severus said, rubbing Remus' stomach absently.
"When are the elections?" Dudley asked.
"In the fall," Remus said dreamily, almost purring due to Severus' attention on his pregnant belly.
"Well then we have plenty of time to get your campaign ready," Harry said excitedly.
"What kind of campaign were you thinking of Harry?" Lucius asked suspiciously. "I won't be made a fool of like some of those muggle politicians."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Harry said, grinning. "In fact, I know just the person to be your campaign manager. She's a squib that is deeply involved in muggle politics despite her batty appearance…"
"Harry," Dudley said, starting to catch on, "you're not thinking of…are you?"
Harry grinned. "Yep. Mrs. Arabella Figg. Squib and batty cat lady extraordinaire."
"Are you positive that she can do this?" Lucius asked. Harry grinned and he nodded. "Well when we get to the Manor, go ahead and owl her and ask her if she wants to do this."
"Yes sir," Harry said, grinning at the older blonde. He snuggled into his boyfriend's arms as they started to compose a draft to send to Mrs. Figg.
"So, who's this Mrs. Figg that you were talking about?" Neville asked Dudley.
"She's our neighbor. Mum and Dad would leave Harry with her every time we went somewhere and they didn't want to take him with us. Two of the biggest muggle assholes that I've ever seen," Dudley commented.
"DUDLEY! They're still your parents," Remus scolded.
"Petunia doesn't deserve to raise a plant," Lucius said.
"I agree," Dudley and Harry said.
The others in the car continued to talk quietly throughout the rest of the drive to the Manor. It was an hour and a half drive to the Manor and it gave the family a chance to catch up with each other.
In what seemed like no time, the car was ambling up the sprawling drive to the Malfoy Manor. Harry didn't understand why there was the long half a mile drive just to the gate then another half a mile to the house.
Harry was content to be held in Draco's arms and watch the two that hadn't been to Malfoy Manor before and gauging their reactions. Harry smiled at the looks of complete wonder on Seamus and Neville's faces. He remembered feeling the same when he first got a good look at the Manor during the summer before. "Impressive isn't it?" he asked, grinning at the two others.
"Wow, Harry, I thought Hogwarts was impressive, but this is…whoa!" Neville said, his eyes wide as he looked at the grounds of the Manor.
"I've seen smaller malls," commented Seamus.
"What's a mall?" Neville asked, looking confused at the other five.
"It's like Diagon Alley, but only in one building. We defiantly have to get you and Draco into Muggle London during the break," Harry said, as the car came to a stop.
"We're here Lord Malfoy," the driver said, lowering the black tinted window that separated the driver's seat from the back.
"Thank you Henry," Draco said, nodding at the driver. Seconds later the door opened and Harry was the first to get out of the car. He turned around to help Remus get out of the car, his pregnancy making him slightly awkward.
"Thanks Harry," Remus said, smiling at the raven haired young man. His smile widened when his husband climbed out of the car behind him.
"You ok Remy?" Severus asked, wrapping his arm around his husband's waist and pulling the shorter brown haired man close to him.
"Hey lovebirds, could you move? You're blocking the doorway," Sirius teased, poking Severus in the back, not wanting to hurt the brown haired man accidentally by poking him.
Severus shuddered. "Now I'm going to have to pour acid on my back to remove your touch from my skin," Severus growled.
"Shove off Snape and move," Sirius said, tempted to shove Severus. He refrained only because of Remus who was firmly stuck to his side. Severus sneered and he finally moved to the side so the others in the car could exit the vehicle.
"Took you long enough Uncle Sev," Draco said, smirking as he exited the car after his father.
"Quiet," Severus hissed at his godson. Draco just smirked at Severus some more and he walked over to where Harry was and he kissed the brunet softly.
"Aww…" Sirius said loudly and falsely. Lucius elbowed him in the ribs. "Oww…" he moaned, rubbing his ribs. "What'd you do that for?"
"Muscle spasm," Lucius said calmly, smirking at Sirius with the patented Malfoy sneer©.
"I'll show you 'muscle spasm' later," Sirius grumbled, ignoring the laughter coming from his godson and best friend. "See something funny you two?" he asked pointedly, glaring at Harry and Remus.
Harry grinned at Sirius. "Yep. You." He flashed the older man another grin and he walked up into the Manor with the younger members of their party. Sirius growled under his breath as he watched the teenagers walk into the Manor.
"Cheer up Siri," Remus said, throwing an arm around his best friend. "Look, Harry's happy. He's got a wonderful boyfriend, and the family he's always wanted. So he makes fun of you a little, so what? The important thing is, he's happy."
Severus rolled his eyes. "Sentimental Gryffindors," he mumbled. Remus pinched Severus' side.
"Don't forget you're married to a 'Sentimental Gryffindor'," Remus warned, sending a death glare at his husband.
"How can I forget?" Severus sneered, glaring playfully at his husband.
"The house elves are going to send out a search party if we do not go in the house," Lucius pointed out. His hand drifted to the small of Sirius' back as he led his lover into the house.
That night, the teenagers were sitting on Draco's bed, Harry with his head in the blonde's lap, watching the dolphins playing on the ceiling. "So what do you guys think about going to Diagon Alley tomorrow for some Christmas shopping. Then we could go into Muggle London and find a mall. I still have a couple muggle friends that I have to get presents for," Dudley said, idly watching Neville look through a magazine.
"Like Piers?" Harry asked, looking at his cousin. "I haven't heard much about him in a while. You two still get along?"
Dudley nodded. "Yeah we still get along, but with him going to Smeltings and not knowing the truth of what we are, it's kind of hard to keep a friendship going. We still write to each other though."
"Who's Piers?" Neville asked tightly. Harry and Draco exchanged looks and they smirked at the look of jealousy on Neville's face.
"He's my best mate. We've known each other since we were in the cradle. We met when Mum would take me to the park so I could get to know the neighborhood children. After Harry arrived, she made sure to take me out a lot more so that I wouldn't be contaminated by him. I'd love to see the look on her face now if she found out that I'm a wizard," Dudley said, laughing.
"It would probably be worse than when they found out I was a wizard," Harry said, joining in with his cousin's laughter.
"So it's decided then? We're going to go to Diagon Alley and then to a mall tomorrow?" Draco asked.
"Yeah," Harry said, looking around at the others. "Agreed?" The others all nodded. "Ok, now shove off so I can spend some time with my boyfriend," Harry said, grinning. The others grumbled and they all left the room.
"Good luck," Dudley said, winking at Harry. Harry blushed and he stuck his tongue out at his cousin.
"GOODBYE DUDLEY," Harry said pointedly. Dudley grinned, unrepentant, at the brunet boy.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Dudley said as he closed the door behind him.
"What's with him?" Draco asked, walking back into the room from the bathroom.
Harry blushed as his boyfriend sat down beside him on the bed. "Nothing, he's just been urging me to do something that I don't think I'm ready for yet."
Draco put his arm around Harry's shoulder and he pulled the other boy close. "Don't listen to him, he's an idiot."
"I know," Harry said, raising his head to look at his boyfriend. He grabbed the back of Draco's head and he pulled the blonde's head in for a kiss.
The next afternoon the six teenagers were walking though the Prince's Square mall, the three that were raised as wizards were staring around at the mall. It was amusing for Seamus, Harry, and Dudley to watch the others as they studied the muggle mall.
"So you guys want to go get something to eat?" Harry asked. The others nodded and they headed down to the first level so they could decide where they wanted to eat. "Italian?" Harry asked.
"Sure," Dudley said, heading off towards the restaurant. Harry took Draco's hand and he led the way to the door. On the way there he bumped into someone.
"Watch where you're-" the voice stopped. Harry cringed inwardly as he looked up into the angry face of his Aunt Marge. "What are you doing here Freak?" she hissed. "Shouldn't you be at St. Brutus'?"
"Shouldn't you be hiding under a rock somewhere?" Harry snapped, past the time to care about what the woman thought of him.
"Why you little…" Marge said, raising her hand to smack Harry. But before her hand could fall, a pale slender hand grasped it in an iron grip.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Draco hissed.
"What are you going to do about it boy?" Marge sneered. At that moment the four other boys rushed up.
"Harry, what's going on?" Seamus asked, looking distrustfully at Marge. A man walked up behind Marge at the same time as the others came up.
"Uncle Daniel?" Neville asked, looking at the man in wonder. The man looked at Neville and his eyes traveled over the small group of teenagers until his eyes rested on Harry.
"Merlin's beard, you're Harry Potter," the man exclaimed. Marge looked at the man in surprise.
"What do you mean? How do you know him?"
"Well how do you know him?" Daniel asked.
"He's my sister-in-law's nephew," Marge said. "But how do you know him?" Daniel looked around and he pulled the others into a small alley before turning to the teens and woman.
"Marge, you already know what I am. You know that I am a wizard and that the magical world exists. Do you remember me telling you about the boy wizard who saved us all from You Know Who when he was but one year old? His parents were killed trying to protect him from You Know Who. He is known as the Boy Who Lived to the entire wizarding world. And he just this last June rid the world of You Know Who forever. His name is…Harry Potter."
Marge gasped, her hand covering her mouth. "You're a wizard?" Marge asked.
"Yes Aunt Marge. So is Dudley," Harry said, looking at the woman that tormented him while he was growing up.
"You too?" Marge asked, looking at her nephew. Dudley nodded and he pulled Neville close to him. "And you're gay too?" Dudley nodded again and he nodded to Harry, who was in Draco's arms.
"Aunt Marge, this is Lord Draco Malfoy, head of the house of Malfoy. This is Neville Longbottom, apparently the nephew of your companion. And these are two of our friends, Seamus and Blaise Zabini," Dudley said, indicating the others in their group.
"Oh, are you two brothers?" Marge asked, smiling at the Zabinis.
"No Ma'am," Blaise said, taking Seamus' hand, "we're husbands."
Marge just looked at them in shock. "That's allowed in your society?"
Daniel nodded. "Yes it's quite common for same sex couples in the wizarding world to marry. The Zabinis and another couple in their year got married over the summer." Daniel then looked over at the group of teenagers that was there. "What are you lot doing in Muggle London?"
"Christmas shopping," Neville said. "We all had to go to Diagon Alley and Harry, Dudley, and Seamus insisted on taking us to a muggle mall."
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked, looking at his Aunt, "and how do you know what wizards are? Uncle Vernon made damn sure to not tell you what I was when I was thirteen. That's why he was pushy to keep me out of your sight when you came to visit."
Marge reached behind her and she took Daniel's hand. "I'm dating Daniel," she said. Daniel smiled and he kissed her hand. It was then that Dudley and Harry noticed that their normally unpleasant to look at aunt was much prettier than she had been their entire lives. Either Daniel was helping her out magically, or now that she had someone that liked her, she was making herself look prettier for him.
Suddenly Daniel was looking at Dudley oddly. "Did he say your name was Dudley Dursley?"
"That's the name I was born with, though I'm now legally going by the name Dudley Evans, my mum's maiden name," Dudley said. "Why?"
"I believe my niece knew you. Did you go to Smeltings?"
"Yes," Dudley said, looking at the man closely. "You're the uncle that raised Shelia, aren't you?"
"And you're the wizard boy that had to be taught at Smeltings, aren't you?" Daniel asked. Dudley nodded.
"Your niece helped me realize a lot last year and she was my best friend. I miss her," Dudley said. Daniel nodded sadly, looking at the blonde before him.
"As do I," Daniel said.
Draco looked at his watch. "I'm sorry sir, but we have to get back to Malfoy Manor or my other guests will be upset. And I don't really want to piss off my father," Draco said, smirking at Neville's uncle.
"Of course. Neville, owl me, we can set up a date for us to go out to dinner to catch up. Bring your young man along," Daniel said.
"I will Uncle Daniel," Neville said, hugging his uncle. Marge walked up to her nephews and she looked at them, nervous.
"Harry, I really don't know what to say to you. I treated you badly because Vernon told me you were a terrible boy that didn't deserve kindness. I never asked him why he hated you so much, I suppose I should have. I hope you can forgive me one day," Marge said.
"I'm sure I can," Harry said, surprising both his aunt and himself when he hugged her.
"I will owl you now that I know you're not adverse to what we are," Dudley said to his aunt, hugging her.
"You look nice like this Dudley. I realize now that I was wrong with saying that you were a healthy size before, if you had kept on gaining weight like that, you would have become s medical case within a very short time. I realized that I was too large when I started dating Daniel. Have fun over the holidays," Marge said, releasing her nephew. The group walked slightly away from the two older adults and in groups of two, they apparated back to just outside of Malfoy Manor.
Once all six of them were outside the gate, they walked inside the grounds and they made their way up the sprawling drive to the Manor. It was a pleasant walk and as soon as they walked inside the door, six house elves appeared to take their coats and purchases to be put in their rooms.
The group walked into the library and they saw the four adults sitting in front of the fire. "We're back guys," Draco said, as he headed over to the tea service to pour Harry and himself a cup.
"How was your day?" Sirius asked, looking up from the chess game he was in the middle of.
"It was…interesting," Harry said, moving over to hug his godfathers, all three of them. After Sirius was considered dead when he fell through the Veil, Remus was declared Harry's godfather since Harry knew of the werewolf's condition and was well able to take care of himself. The only reason Remus wasn't given custody of Harry after James and Lily were killed was due to his condition. If Remus had been married to Severus at that time, custody would have been immediately granted. When Remus married Severus, he was made one of Harry's godfathers by marriage.
"What do you mean Harry?" Remus asked, running his hand over the spot where the baby just kicked.
"Can I?" Harry asked, holding out his hand. Remus took it and he put Harry's hand on the spot where the baby was kicking. "Wow…" he said, awed.
"We saw my Uncle," Neville said, piping in when it looked like Harry wasn't going to say anything.
"Algie?" Severus asked, looking at the young man in curiosity.
Neville shook his head. "No, Daniel. He's Mum's younger brother."
"We saw someone else," Dudley said, looking around the room.
"Who?" Lucius asked.
"Aunt Marge," Harry said quietly.
"Oh Harry," Remus said, pulling the young man into a hug.
"Actually, she wasn't as bad to me as she usually was," Harry said, looking up at Remus from the werewolf's arms. "She actually apologized to me about the way she treated me. She said that Uncle Vernon told her to treat me like that. I wouldn't doubt that he did." Harry extracted himself from Remus' arms. "I'm going to go lay down until dinner," he said, heading up the stairs. Remus watched him until the door of the study closed behind him then he looked at the others.
"What kind of people would treat a young boy like that?" he growled, looking at the others, but mostly focusing on Dudley.
Dudley sighed, looks like he was going to have to explain things. "Look, I am in no way apologizing for what my parents did; they were completely out of line. But what you should know is that about four or five generations ago, Steven Dursley was a wizard and he married a witch from a muggle family. All three of their children were squibs. And every Dursley child after that was a Squib, doomed to know the magical world, but not be a part of it. When Dad married Mum, he found out that she too was a squib, and that once again, the Dursley curse would carry on. However, they were happy about it. They didn't live in the magical world, they wouldn't have to worry about me knowing the magical world, but not being a part of it. And then they found Harry on the doorstep. He was obviously magical and very powerful. From what I've seen from looking back at my memories in a pensieve, apparently Harry and I would levitate and toss things at each other when we were about two. I never hated Harry, he was like the brother I didn't have. I just treated him the way I did because one thing you learn when living with Vernon Dursley is to not make him mad."
Severus nodded slowly. "So he was jealous of Harry's obvious magic and he tried to beat and starve it out of him?" Dudley nodded. "No offense, but your father is insane. Some wizards are just born without magic and some are born with magic. No one can predict who's going to have magic or not. Did he look into the possibility that the family might have a genetic condition that removes the magic from them?"
"Probably not," Dudley said. He looked at the clock above the mantle and he yawned. "I'm going to head up and take a short nap as well before dinner. Oh and Nev…" he said, turning to his boyfriend. "I like your uncle; he seems to be a good influence on Aunt Marge." Dudley smiled at the others and he walked out of the room and up to his room.
The days leading up to Christmas was fairly uneventful for the teens, they played Quidditch on the Manor's private field, did homework if they weren't Harry or Draco, or generally made nuisances of themselves.
As opposed to the teenagers, the adults all gathered around Remus, watching protectively over the pregnant werewolf. They knew that the man was due at any moment, and they really didn't want to leave him alone in case he went into labor. Male pregnancies were well known for premature birth. And it was worse in magical creatures like werewolves. So the other three hovered over the tawny haired man like mother hens. Remus was due on the first of January, but Sirius was convinced that the baby would come on Christmas. There was a pool around the Manor on when the baby was due. The staff of Hogwarts and the Weasley family was also in on the bet. Molly also believed that the baby would come on Christmas and she would know. However, the other's bets weren't up for change, which is why she waited until everyone else had bet before she made her prediction. After her prediction, all bets were off done. She chortled gleefully when she saw the others groan pitifully when they saw that they didn't pick the same day as Molly.
And so life in Malfoy Manor went on in the same routine, the boys annoy the adults and the adults would just sigh in exasperation…
Christmas Day
Christmas Day dawned bright with a light sprinkling of snow on the buildings in Malfoy Manor. Draco was sleeping peacefully in his bed when suddenly he was jumped into the air by a body landing hard on his bed. His eyes flew open and he glared at the laughing Harry who was sprawled across his bed. "Do you mind? Some people are trying to sleep," Draco said. Harry just sat up and looked at the blonde.
"Dudley said to come wake you up so we could open presents. He went to wake Siri and your dad. Blaise said he'd go politely wake up Severus and Remus," Harry said.
"Oh so they get politely woken up while I get you jumping on my bed?" Draco asked outraged.
"Have you ever tired to rudely wake up a werewolf?" Harry asked. Draco shook his head. "Then trust me, don't ever try to. He's scary just as a man in the morning, not to mention him with pregnancy hormones. Blaise is a braver man than me," Harry said.
"Well that was common knowledge long ago," Draco said, smirking at his boyfriend. The smirk was wiped from his face by the hand that smacked him upside the head. "Ow."
"Come on Drac," Harry whined, tugging on the blonde's arm. "Presents!"
Draco eased out of the bed with a sigh. "How old are you, two?" Draco asked.
"Nuh-huh," Harry protested, holding up five fingers. "I'm five!" he teased. It was his turn to be smacked upside the head, only this time with a paper fan. "That's the last time I let you watch Saiyuki," Harry grumbled, rubbing his head. "And where did that fan come from?" he demanded.
Draco smiled. "Never mind about that, I've got to take a shower before I go down. It's Christmas after all."
Harry frowned after Draco when the blonde closed the bathroom door after he went into the room. "He still didn't tell me where he keeps the fan," Harry muttered. He sat down on the bed to wait for his boyfriend to come out of the shower. He was lying down looking at the dolphins when he heard the door open a half an hour later. Harry half rose off the bed so he could see and what he saw coming out of the room was a vision. Draco was stepping out of the bathroom wearing only a skimpy towel. Draco looked sharply at Harry when the brunet boy made a squeaking noise and rushed out of the room. The door slammed behind him as he ran out into the hall. Draco smirked and he picked out his outfit for the day. Five minutes later he was dressed, but it took him another ten to style his hair. Now that he no longer slicked back his hair he didn't have to take another five minutes to style his hair.
He walked out of his room to see that Harry was sitting slumped down in the hall opposite the door of his room. "You okay?" Draco asked.
Harry nodded weakly. "Did you have to walk out of there in just a towel?" Harry asked.
"Of course," Draco said, "how else am I supposed to distract you without saying a word?"
You do that just by looking at me, Harry thought. He then smiled and he held up a hand to Draco so the blonde could help him up. Draco hauled him up and the two walked down the stairs hand in hand as they headed for the sitting room where the tree was set up.
"Finally," Sirius said from where he sat on one of the couches. "We thought we were going to have to send a search party out for you…then again, we might not have wanted to walk in on anything you two might be doing," Sirius said winking.
Harry blushed. "Shut up," he grumbled, sitting down in a love seat, pulling Draco down next to him. Draco snuggled next to Harry who put his arm around the blonde's shoulders. "So how are we doing this?" Harry asked.
"Poka!" Lucius cried, looking around. A house elf popped into the room.
"Yes Masters?" she asked.
"You may begin handing out the presents," Draco said. Poka bowed to Draco and she turned around to look at the presents. In what seemed like no time the presents were distributed to each of those in the room.
"Poka is finished," Poka said, bowing.
"You may leave now Poka," Draco said. "Let the others know to start making dinner."
"Yes Master Draco," Poka said. She popped back out of the room.
"Ok dig in," Draco said, inviting the others to open their presents. The others did so with relish.
Harry got a book from Hermione about careers after Hogwarts; a book on Quidditch from Ron; a box of trick sweets from the twins; his usual package containing homemade cakes and a green jumper with a golden snitch on the front from Mrs. Weasley; Hagrid gave him a snake that could keep him company; from Sirius and Lucius he received a portkey/necklace that would let him into the wards of Grimmauld Place at any time; from Remus and Severus he received a set of jewelry that would go in the several body piercings that he planned on getting. When he opened the box from Draco, there was only a piece of paper inside. I'll give you your present later, Draco. Harry looked at him, curious, before shrugging and watching the others open their presents.
Draco got a similar necklace from his dad and Sirius; potions ingredients from Severus and a book on Defense Against the Dark Arts from Remus; he was shocked to see a book on Seeker techniques from Ron and a book on Ancient Runes from Hermione. What he had been waiting for was the package from Mrs. Weasley. She had promised him that he was now like one of her own children and he would be receiving one of the jumpers as well. He opened the package and he shook out a black jumper with a silver dragon similar to the one that had graced Harry's that he got for Christmas during their fourth year. He smiled and he pulled it on right away. He then pulled the present that Harry got him closer and he opened it. Draco was shocked to see a similar note sitting in the box. Draco mock glared at his boyfriend and he kissed the other teen.
The others all received packages from Mrs. Weasley: Remus received a brown jumper with an amber eyed grey wolf on it, Severus received a grey jumper with a black cauldron on it, Sirius got a blue jumper with a black dog that looks exactly like Padfoot on the front, Lucius' black jumper had a snake on it that looked exactly like the silver handle of his wand/cane, Seamus got a dark red jumper with a large 'S' on it, and Blaise received a green jumper with a large 'B' on it in silver.
"What's this?" Remus asked suddenly, noticing that he still had one package at his feet. Severus reached down and he handed it to his husband. The tawny haired man opened it and he felt tears prick his eyes. "Oh Severus look," Remus said, holding up the tiny Weasley jumper that Molly had apparently made for the baby. It was green and red to complement Remus and Severus' house colors and the accent on the jumper was a rattle. Severus took it from his husband and he examined it closely.
"Remind me to thank her profusely," Severus said his voice thick.
"Don't worry love, I will," Remus promised. Severus kissed his husband and the group continued with their opening of presents. Once everyone was finished opening their presents, the house elves moved the presents upstairs. They then went into the dining room so they could eat breakfast. When breakfast was done the group broke up into twos for the morning.
When the group reconvened for lunch they could see that Remus was a little uncomfortable. However, he didn't want to interrupt their lunch so he just sat there since the pain wasn't nearly as bad as during his monthly transformations. He couldn't hide a wince as one of the pains grew in intensity.
"Remus are you alright?" Harry asked. The others at the table immediately stopped what they were doing and they looked at the werewolf. Severus watched at Remus' hand strayed to his abdomen as he winced in pain.
"Remus love, are you having contractions?" Severus asked. Remus frowned, biting his lip and he nodded.
"I think so," Remus said. Severus jumped up from the table and he helped his husband stand up.
"I'm going to take him upstairs. Black, call Madame Pomfrey. Have her come to the Manor, I don't think we should be moving Remus from the Manor right now," Severus continued issuing orders to the assembled group as he walked up the stairs carrying the whimpering werewolf. He laid his husband on his bed and gently helped the man out of his pants.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Draco asked, standing in the doorway. Severus nodded and he motioned for the blonde and Harry to come into the room.
"Harry, hold Remus' hand and help him breath evenly. Draco, have the house elves fill a bowl with cool water and a cloth and help me wipe Remus' forehead," Severus said. Harry rushed over to the bed and he sat down next to Remus so he could help the man take his mind off the pain.
Many hours later
Everyone in the room with Remus was exhausted, especially Remus. He had been in labor for a really long time and he felt like he had been through two transformations in a row and was working on a third. He was really grateful for Harry and Draco's ministrations. The cool towel against his face felt wonderful and he was glad that Harry was there talking with him to get his mind off the pain.
"Ok Remus," Poppy said from where she was perched between Remus' spread thighs. "The baby is almost out so I need you to push."
Remus nodded and he braced himself. Severus brushed Draco from Remus' side and he sat down in the blonde's spot, whispering encouragement to his husband from where he sat, holding Remus' hand. Draco got up and he started poking around in the equipment that was lying around for when the baby came. He picked up a towel so Poppy could pass him the baby when it was born.
The cries in the room intensified as the time for the baby to come grew closer. Finally Poppy announced that it was time for Remus to push. Both Harry and Severus moved behind Remus to help prop the man up.
Draco watched fascinated as the baby started to emerge from the man on the bed. He watched fascinated as the dark haired baby was squeezed from Remus.
Harry sat at the side of his friend and he hoped that he could give the man support as he labored to bring the child into the world. "You can do it Remus," Harry urged the tired man.
On Remus' other side Severus was watching the baby leave his husband's body, awed. He had seen a lot of amazing things in his lifetime, one of them being Harry's defeat of Voldemort, but he never dreamed that he would live through the war to see his child come into the world. "You're doing wonderful baby," Severus whispered in Remus' ears "You can do it, just think in a little while we'll have our baby. I can't wait to hold him or her. Think about that when it hurts love, think about holding our baby."
Remus smiled at his husband's words and he strengthened his inner resolve, he had been through countless transformations into a werewolf, he could get through this. With new determination he began to push again.
"That's it Remus," Poppy encouraged him. A few pushes and the baby's shoulders were out. "One more push Remus," Poppy said. Remus, Harry, and Severus braced themselves so Remus could push. Remus screamed at the top of his lungs as he pushed hard…and at the end of his scream another scream started. "It's a girl!" she cried, holding up the bloody child. She handed the baby to Draco who wrapped her up and took her to the station where Poppy would examine her.
Severus smiled and he kissed Remus' forehead. "We have a daughter love," he whispered.
Harry got up off the bed so Remus could deliver the placenta and he walked over to where Draco was and they both looked at the child. Draco waved his wand over the baby, muttering a cleaning charm. The excessive blood disappeared off the little girl until Poppy could clean her up. Harry couldn't do much other than look at the little girl; she had Severus' hair and what looked like Remus' eyes.
Poppy vanished the placenta as soon as Remus delivered it and she gave Remus several of Severus' own healing potions. She then cast the rest of the healing charms before she moved over to where the two teen wizards were watching over the baby. Poppy cast several charms over the baby to check her over, to make sure that she was healthy. She then recorded the baby's weight and height on the document that would record her birth in the Ministry. Once she finished it, the parchment rolled up and disappeared after duplicating itself. Poppy then cast strong cleaning charms over the baby and she dressed her in one of the newborn outfits that Harry had pulled out of a drawer. Poppy then carried the baby back over to the bed where she placed the child in her mother's arms.
The others then left the new parents alone with their baby. When they reached the bottom of the stairs they were greeted with the anxious faces of the other six in the house. "It's a girl," Harry announced, grinning from ear to ear. The others let out a collective sigh of relief. The three were swarmed by the others, hoping to hear news of what the baby looked like…
Back upstairs, Severus was sitting next to Remus on their bed staring at his husband and child. Even after nine months of Remus' pregnancy, he still hadn't quite grasped that they would have a living, breathing child until that moment. "I love you," Severus whispered.
"I love you too," Remus whispered, beaming at his husband. He turned his head back to look at the child in his arms. "And I love you too…Tala Kiara Lupin-Snape.
Draco- Could you take any longer to get this done?
Lenora- +Hides face behind hands+ I'm sorry, but writers block got me.
Draco- +Glares at Lenora's muses+ You three are useless…
Tom- +Sneers+
Vegeta- +Crosses arms and sniffs derisively+
Seamus- +Looks up, shrugs, goes back to eating corned beef and cabbage+
Lenora- Please review, maybe you'll convince my almost muses to inspire me…
Severus- I wouldn't count on it…
Remus- +Stares longingly at story-baby+ I want one…Siri can I have a cub-I mean a baby?
Sirius- +Pats Remus on the shoulder+ You're not mine in this story luv, you got to talk to Sniv.
Severus- +Death glare at Sirius+
Harry- Ok, author's note over now…it's too long as it is.
Lenora- +Grins+ Until next time peoples…please review!