Chapter 15

Draco's redemption

It took a few moments for everyone to register what had just happened, by that time professors Dumbledore and Snape had arrived and was trying to inquire from Professor McGonagall what had happened. She in turn told them that Harry and Draco had just been port keyed to Merlin knows where. Dumbledore was about to ask McGonagall how it happened when they felt it. It was a subtle change in the air, kind of like the air had suddenly became to thick to breath and was charged with electricity. There was a small wind that whipped their robes around them and sent papers flying through the air. Then Dumbledore felt the power rushing towards them like waves in a stormy sea; he turned in time to see Amelia standing by herself aglow surrounding her and her long hair whipping around her. Dumbledore was awe struck. He'd figured she'd have possessed great powers but he hadn't realized just how powerful she was and he suspected this was only the tip of the iceberg so to speak. Amelia started gliding towards the main staircase followed by Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna. Dumbledore knew immediately what was happening. Harry was apparently kidnapped right in front of her and now she was going after him. But there was no way he was going to let other students endanger themselves.

"Miss Emrys just where do you think you're going?" Dumbledore asked, striding over to her.

Amelia stopped and turned to face the headmaster.

"I'm going after them and then I'm going to snap that sniveling, slimy little snake in half." She replied through clenched teeth.

Dumbledore had seen the way her eyes had bled from there usual blue-green color to mostly green and knew that her mind was made up and that she wasn't about to let anyone or anything stop her, but he was determined to try anyway.

"I'm afraid that I cannot allow you to go off like that, besides he could be anywhere. We have no idea where he's been taken and-"

"I know where he is." Amelia cut him off before he could finish his sentence. "He and I are connected so I know where he is."

"But surely miss Emrys-" Dumbledore started, but was cut off again by Amelia.

Professor with all due respect it doesn't really matter what you say at this point. The fact still remains, I'm going to get my husband." She grounded out then turned and continued down the stairs. She seems to be floating and Hogwarts seem to bow and flex at her will. She reached out her right hand and a staff appeared. Then her school robes seem to transfigure themselves into a robe of deep purple with a crest bearing rampaging twin dragons on either side of a staff. And her uniform into a black form fitting pants and black tunic mad of some sort of scaly material complete with knee high boots made of the same material which Dumbledore ascertained must be dragon hide. The six friends headed toward the front entrance and the great doors just crashed in on themselves. They entered the courtyard then Amelia turned to the others.

"Are you ready?" When they nodded in the affirmative she held out her staff and they all touched it and were gone.

Dumbledore was taken aback he hadn't realized just how powerful Amelia was. She seems to ride on her power like a wave, even the castle walls seemed to bow to her will. And did she just refer to Harry as her husband? Professor McGonagall calling his name brought him out of his thoughts.

Albus, what just happened here? I thought no one could apparate in or out of Hogwarts, and what was all that earlier? Did you feel it? It was as if power was being poured in the air, you could actually feel it against you skin." She finished rubbing her arms.

"Well Minerva," Dumbledore started. "If you would pardon the expression, I believe someone has managed to royally piss miss Emrys off. And as for apparating in and out of Hogwarts, as far as I know you still can't. Miss Emrys did not apparate everyone, she teleported them. I must say I do feel just a bit sorry for whomever is responsible for taking Harry." Dumbledore smiled stroking his beard. Then turning to the students gathered around the main entrance he continued.

"I must insist that all of you report to your respected houses. Your heads of house will be along shortly with further instructions. Prefects please escort everyone and await my instructions." He finished in a voice that brook no argument.

Amelia was beside herself with anger. She was going to wring Draco's neck for this little stunt once she gets her hands on him. They were standing just outside of Malfoy Manor. She'd contacted Harry the moment he was taken and he'd told her where he was. He was in the dungeons beneath Malfoy Manor. Amelia had teleported them outside of the wards even though she could have went right through. But she was certain that Dumbledore would have the Order there as soon as he could and she didn't want them wasting any time trying to disable them. So she proceeded to destroy the wards surrounding the place. She was like a rampaging dragon. The others hadn't said a word to her since they left the castle. They'd just stood back when she asked them to without asking any questions. And now she was demolishing the wards surrounding Malfoy Manor. She'd ripped the last of the words down and entered the property when they were surrounded by Death Eaters they had their shield in place as they approached the manor. Death Eaters were firing cursed at them from all direction then suddenly the felt when their shields all seem to flex in then out and merged and afterwards it felt like a metal dome was surrounding them that was allowing everything out and nothing in. They continued walking towards the manor when about a half a dozen Death Eaters charged them from the Manor and were dispose of as quickly as they'd approached. Amelia's powers seem to roll off of her and crashed into them sending them flying in all directions. The others brought up the rear stunning Death Eaters as they went. Once inside they paired off and went to search the house. Ron and Hermione went upstairs to make sure they didn't get any surprises from up there. Neville and Luna took the front of the house and Amelia took Ginny with her towards the back taking out Death Eaters as they went.

Harry and Draco landed inside a dark musky cell he immediately reach for his wand and realized it was gone. Harry quickly erected his shields as he looked around while Draco seemed to pull into the shadows as if he was trying to hide. Just then a torch lit on the opposite wall illuminating their surroundings. Footsteps could be heard approaching then a hooded figure appeared, and then Harry heard a sneering voice he knew all to well.

"Hello Potter, didn't I tell you that your meddling would bring you to the same sticky end as your mudblood mother and muggle loving father?"

"Nice to see you too Lucius." Harry replied coldly. "I see you've managed to escape from Azkaban. I must say I'm rather surprise Tom didn't leave you there to rot. I guess he's even more desperate for followers than I thought."

"You will refer to the Dark Lord as Lord Voldemort." Lucius spat vehemently.

"Lord Voldemort indeed, oh spare me the dramatics Lucius the man isn't Lord anything. He is just a self-loathing megalomaniac who has somehow convinced other egotistical idiots into believing he is something he's not. Lord Voldemort my arse his name is Tom Riddle son to a muggle father and a witch mother. So tell me Lucius, how does it feel to be licking the boot of what you claim to hate?"

Lucius was livid at this point. How dare this insignificant piece of magical waste talk about the Dark Lord in that manner? He was going to make him pay for his insolence.

"How dare you speak such lies about the Dark Lord. You're not even worthy to speak his name."

"I see we're still on that, are we? The only person lying here is you, and the worst part is you're only lying to yourself. And as far as me being worthy spare me the melodrama, as if I would want to be considered worthy by a bunch of simpering idiots."

Draco was silently watching the exchange between his father and Harry. He was surprised Harry didn't seem to be afraid of his father. Once he'd seen where they were he was suddenly terrified. He'd expected Harry to be begging for his life once his father showed up but instead he was managing to enrage him. And the things Harry was saying about Voldemort, could they possibly be true? Did his father just blindly follow a mad man? Draco was confused his whole belief system had just been shattered.

"Well Potter," continued Lucius. "We'll just see what you say when I'm done with you. I'm going to make you pay for your disrespect and for sending me to Azkaban. CRUCIO." But nothing happened. Instead Harry just stared at him with a bored expression. CRUCIO, he cried again and still nothing happened. Lucius was beside himself with anger. Why wasn't anything happening, he raised his wand again but Harry waved his hand sending him sailing across the room and crashing into the door behind him.

"FATHER!" Draco called out. Lucius notices his son for the first time and got a look of murderous rage in his eyes. He had been so focused on Harry and all the hate he felt that he hadn't noticed that his son was there also.

"What are you doing here?" He Barked at Draco. "Why can't you ever do anything right? I give you a simple task and you managed to muck it up. Make sure potter gets the quill. That's all I asked. And what do you do? You get dragged along also. Is there anything you can do right?" He finished, glaring at his son.

"But father, I-"

"SILENCIO." Shouted Lucius. "Since you wanted to come along with him, you can suffer along with him."

Harry saw the terror in Draco's eyes as his father yelled. "Crucio." and his son bent double in pain unable to cry out. Harry had seen enough. Even Draco didn't deserve this, especially not from his own father.

"STOP IT." Harry yelled, waving his hand sending Lucius crashing once again into the door. Harry went over to where Draco was laying rolled in a ball. He removed the silencing charm and adjusted his shield to include the trembling boy. Harry was helping Draco to a sitting position when they heard more footsteps entering from above. Lucius was now back on his feet grinning maliciously.

"Now Potter we'll see just how tough you are. The Dark Lord himself approaches to make sure you pay for all you've done." Lucius ranted.

Harry knew exactly what Voldemort wanted and started preparing his mind for inevitable intrusion. He placed all the trivial insignificant things in the forefront of his mind and from there on he strengthened his shields around the things he didn't want Voldemort privy to.

Just then the snake faced man entered and the older Malfoy threw himself at his feet. "Master." He began, kissing the hem of his robes.

Draco was astonished. How could his father bow down and grovel to another man like that. He looked like nothing but a common dog. Then Voldemort spoke.

"Lucius my faithful servant, you've done well. But you acted without order and for that you must be punished. CRUCIO.

Draco saw his father doubled over in pain screaming.

Harry was right. Voldemort was a lunatic. How could you punish someone for doing something you considered good?

Raising his wand from Lucius Voldemort turned to Harry.

"Ah, Potter," he hissed. "I believe you possess something I desire LEGILLIMENS."

The assault on Harry's mind was ruthless but his shields held. Just then all hell seems to have broken loose outside. Harry felt when the wards were ripped apart and knew it had to be Amelia. She's the only person he knew who wouldn't waste time in trying to disable them. There were shouting and screaming coming from upstairs. Harry smiled inwardly; he could only imagine the havoc she was wreaking upstairs. Voldemort was assaulting his mind with renewed vigor. No doubt he believed it was Dumbledore upstairs. It was taking everything Harry had to keep him out. They felt the magic before they even saw her. The doors to the dungeons crashed opened revealing a purple and black clad figure followed by a petite red head. Harry was beginning to lose control. Voldemort was hacking away at his shields. He'd gained access to a part of Harry's mind, which he called Pandora's box, and he was hacking away trying to get in.

Amelia looked around the room and saw Harry struggling for control. She sent out a call for the others and rushed towards him. She waved her staff and sent Voldemort crashing into the opposite wall. She ran over to Harry and threw herself at him.

"Harry I'm so glad you're alright. How far did he get?" She asked him giving him a once over to make sure nothing was broken.

"I'm fine Amelia." He answered. "He got as far as Pandora's box. I'll be fine go help Draco I think he's hurt."

"He's going to be more than just hurt when I get through with him." She began, helping him to his feet and turning towards Draco.

"Amelia it wasn't his fault, he had no ide-"

"HARRY" Amelia screamed. Harry had suddenly gone pale and had a death grip on her arm. Voldemort was inside his head once again and was hammering at his defenses.

"Harry." Amelia screamed, shaking him. "Drop you shields and let him in enter Pandora's box.

Harry stopped struggling and allow Voldemort to enter into his mind. Voldemort was pleased with himself. Soon he would have the information he required and be able to dispose of this nuisance forever. But his triumph was sort lived, for no sooner had he entered that her started screaming and trying to pull back to his own mind but it was too late. Amelia had entered Harry's mind behind Voldemort and had strengthened his shields, which Harry now erected in full force trapping the vile man inside. It was more than Voldemort could stand. He had to get out of here. He was surrounded by memories of Harry and Amelia together and expressing their love in one-way or another. He didn't know how much more of it he could stand so with one last desperate move he managed to pull himself free and collapsed on the floor.

Harry was trying to convince Amelia that he was okay when he noticed Ginny going rigid. At first he thought some sort of curse had hit her but then she started speaking in a hollow voice.

"THE TRUE SERPENT LORD WILL SOON BE AWAKENED… OLD BONDS WILL BE RENEWED AND NEW OATH TAKEN... BROTHERS IN DEED AND BROTHERS IN ARMS WILL BRING FORTH THE LIGHT AND BANISH THE DARK... THE BEGINNING OF A NEW DAWN IS UPON US… A MAGE WILL ONCE AGAIN WALK AMONG US TO PROTECT THE FUTURE AND PRESERVE THE PAST… THE SERPENT LORD WILL SOON BE REVEALED." Ginny finished falling to the floor.

Voldemort had heard the prophecy in its entirety and had managed to apparate away while everyone's attention was on the redhead.

Amelia had rushed to Ginny the moment she fell and was helping her to a sitting position. Harry looked up in time to see Lucius Malfoy pointing his wand at Ginny whose back was towards him. He'd just started saying the killing curse when a powerful banishing charm hit him squarely in the chest sending him flying across the room and connecting with the adjacent wall with a sickening thud. They all turned in the direction the spell had came from to see Draco standing with his wand drawn and a look of pure rage on his face. The rage was slowly starting to dissolve and was being replaced with one of guilt and remorse as the realization of what he'd done began to dawn on him. His wand fell to the floor as he fell to his knees and buried his face in his hands.

Ginny walked over to where Draco was kneeling and sobbing uncontrollably and touched his shoulder.

"Draco it's going to be okay, it was an accident."

He looked up at her with tear stained face then wrapped his arms around her waist sobbing.

"I didn't mean to kill him. I just couldn't let him kill you. I just couldn't. When I saw him starting to say those words I just couldn't- it was as if something inside just snapped- I just knew I had to stop him- I didn't mean to- I just couldn't let him- I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." He finished sobbing loudly in her waist.

Ginny felt her heart break for the boy sobbing uncontrollably before her. She reached down and gently began to stroke his hair.

"It's okay Draco, you're not a bad person. It was an accident."

Ron who'd seen the whole thing was speechless and confused. Did Draco Malfoy, the prince of Slytherin and the amazing bouncing ferret just save his sister? And did that same Draco Malfoy end up killing his own father while doing so and is now holding on to his sister sobbing? This was too much for Ron. Just when you think you know someone they go and change on you.

Ginny managed to get Draco to his feet and they headed upstairs in time to see Dumbledore and Kingsley along with several ministry Aurors and a few members of the Order who were rounding up unconscious death eaters.

Dumbledore turned to his students with relief and asked if they were all right.

"We've seen better days." Replied Harry. "But otherwise we're fine." He finished, taking Dumbledore aside and explaining what had happened to Lucius in the dungeons. Dumbledore had Remus and Tonks escort them back to Hogwarts while he and the Aurors decided what to do about Lucius and the other death eaters.

When they arrived at Hogwarts they reported to the hospital wing at the insistent of Professor McGonagall where madam Pomfrey confirmed that other than a few scrapes and bruises everyone was fine except for Draco who appear to be in shock. She told the others they could leave but Draco had to remain there for observation and Ginny decided to stay with him for awhile at least until he fell asleep.

They were all gathered in the Headmasters office discussing everything that had happened, including the prophecy Ginny made and of Draco saving her.

Professor Dumbledore was listening intently to everything. This was indeed an interesting turn of events.

"Harry you're are absolutely certain that young mister Malfoy didn't intentionally place you in mortal danger?"

"Yes professor I'm certain. Draco was as surprised as I was to find ourselves in a dungeon. But I do believe he's spent time there before." He finished shaking his head.

Everyone turned to look at him then but it was Dumbledore who asked the question.

"Why would you think that?"

"Because he recognized the place immediately."

"That's because it's his house." Ron replied hotly. He was still trying to process everything that had happened.

"That may be so Ron, but that's not how he reacted. I don't know how to explain it but I know Draco Malfoy had spent time in that dungeon before and it wasn't so he could have a quiet place to read."

"But Harry how can you be so sure?" Hermione asked.

"Mione I don't know how to explain it. It was as if he was scared out of his wits when he saw where we were. He sort of just drew himself inside as if he expected pain, and you could actually see the terror in his eyes. And then when his father Crucio him and-"

"Crucio him," cried Amelia coming to her feet. "His own father Crucio him? What kind of a monster uses an unforgivable on his own child? This is an outrage, it is simply barbaric, unheard of-"

"Amelia calm down," Harry called grabbing her hand to stop her from pacing back and forth. "It's over, he's going to be okay."

"Yes miss Emrys it will take some time but he should recover." Dumbledore agreed. "Right now we should examine the events of the day and try to figure out what this new prophecy means.

Ginny was sitting on a chair next to Draco's bed. He'd only recently fell asleep and had finally let go of her hand. She was trying to figure out what was going on. Why would Draco make such a sacrifice for her? She decided she would wait until he was feeling better to get her answers.

"Miss Weasley."

Ginny jumped at mention of her name. It was madam Pomfrey and by the looks of it she had been trying to get her attention for a while.

"Miss Weasley the headmaster would like to see you in his office." Madame Pomfrey informed her then added. "I will be sure to inform you the moment Mr. Malfoy awakens."

Ginny thanked madam Pomfrey and headed to the headmaster's office where the others were waiting for her.

"Miss Weasley I have just been inform of some very interesting news and would like to examine the facts if you don't mind."

"You mean that prophecy everyone claims I made but I can't remember?"

"You are correct in your assumption miss Weasley that is indeed what I am referring to."

"But I don't remember anything professor, I don't see how I could help."

"Not to worry miss Weasley, all I need you to do is just relax and let me retrieve the memory and place it in the pensieve, that way we can examine it closely."

"Okay professor." Ginny answered, as she sat back and closed her eyes. The next moment she felt a gentle tap on her temple then a slight tug. She opened her eyes to see Dumbledore pulling a silvery strand away from her head and placed it in his pensieve. Dumbledore prodded the silvery strand with his wand and watched as the silvery mist cleared and became recognizable. They watched in silence as Ginny in the memory went rigid and started speaking in that hollow voice. "THE TRUE SERPENT LORD WILL SOON BE AWAKENED… OLD BONDS WILL BE RENEWED AND NEW OATH TAKEN... BROTHERS IN DEED AND BROTHERS IN ARMS WILL BRING FORTH THE LIGHT AND BANISH THE DARK... THE BEGINNING OF A NEW DAWN IS UPON US… A MAGE WILL ONCE AGAIN WALK AMONG US TO PROTECT THE FUTURE AND PRESERVE THE PAST… THE SERPENT LORD WILL SOON BE REVEALED." After the memory faded everyone turned questioningly towards her.

"Why are you all staring at me? I don't even remember saying that stuff."

"I realize that," Dumbledore began. "But do you have any clue as to what or whom it is referring to?"

"I don't know professor but what I gained from it is that maybe we were all wrong in our assumptions that Tom is the heir of Slytherin. But as for the rest I'm a bit confused."

"What if-," Hermione interjected. "The old bonds will be made means that whoever is the heir of Slytherin once he or she is found will join with the other heirs and new oaths taken probably means he'll decide to fight alongside them instead of against them."

"Well," interrupted Harry. "That would explain the other part also, But if Voldemort is not the true heir of Slytherin then who is?"

"I don't know my boy," began Dumbledore. "But I suspect we should find out soon enough."

Ron stood before Dumbledore could continue. "Say all of this is true and Voldemort is not the serpent lord, and whoever is the serpent lord decides to be on our side how does that explain the beginning of a new dawn part?"

It was Luna who answered him. "It means that no matter what happens or which side wins, it is going to change us all in one way or another."

Everyone was looking at Luna intently this was the first time that she had spoken and it wasn't in some sort of riddle or something.

"Well that explains that, but what about the mage bit?" Asked Ginny coming to her feet.

"That my dear is the question of the hour." Dumbledore began. "There haven't been a mage around for close to a millennia and I'm afraid he died a long time ago." He finished, looking around at all of them. He'd noticed the look that passed between Harry and Amelia at the mention of the mage.

"I think we've racked our brains enough for tonight, why don't you go ahead and get something to eat and then get some much needed rest. Harry, Miss Emrys may I have a word with you please?"

"Sure professor, what's on your mind?"

"Well first of all earlier this morning after you were taken Miss Emrys made to go after you. When I tried to stop her she informed me in no uncertain terms that there was nothing I could do to stop her since she was going to get her husband." Dumbledore paused, observing them both. "Now what I would like to know is, was this a mere slip of the tongue or are you two truly bonded?" He finished, twinkling madly.

Harry and Amelia exchanged surprised looks.

"Did you tell him that? I thought we weren't going to reveal that to anyone until we were ready to perform the other ceremony." Harry asked telepathically.

"I guess I did," Amelia answered taking a deep breath. "So what do you want to do now?"

"What do I want to do? Why does it have to be me? You're the one who told him, so why do I have to come up with something?"

"Because whenever I explain something you always say that I volunteer too much information. But if you want I could explain everything to him, including our wedding night."

"NO! I'll tell him." Harry responded quickly coming to his feet and trying to hide the color that was rapidly staining his cheeks. "Professor the answer to your question is yes we are bonded."

"So why haven't either of you said anything before now?"

"Because we are suppose to be having a ceremony here so all of our friends can attend and take part in the happy occasion, but someone decided to spill the beans early." Harry responded, turning to look at Amelia.

Dumbledore smiled to himself these two were obviously in love and he'd suspected that there was more to it from their first day back at Hogwarts.

"If you had said something earlier I probably could have made arrangements for your special circumstances."

"That's okay professor, we don't need to have special accommodations. We'll continue the way we'd planned except now we will have to tell a few people."

"Okay if that's the way you prefer it, but if you change your minds do let me know. Now what are your thoughts on young Mr. Malfoy? And do you have any idea why he would do what he did?"

"Truthfully professor, I don't know what to think of Malfoy right now, and I have no idea why he saved Ginny."

"I see, what about you Miss Emrys? Any thought on the subject." Dumbledore asked, turning to Amelia. He'd seen the slight change in her features when he'd asked about Malfoy.

"Well Professor," Amelia answered coming to her feet. "I've been working with Mr. Malfoy for few weeks now and I can honestly say that he his not as bad as he wishes everyone to believe. As a matter of fact the whole time I've been speaking to him I got the feeling that he was rather conflicted. As for why he chose to save Ginny, I'm afraid it would be purely speculation on my part." She paused then continues. "Professor what is going to happen to Draco?"

"Ah yes, young Mr. Malfoy will be remaining here. I've sent word out to his mother and she should be here within a few hours. She usually travels whenever her son is here at school."

"I guess her coming will do him some good."

"But what about the incident at the manor? How is that being handled and how do you believe she'll take it?"

"I've decided to leave it up to Mr. Malfoy to tell her what happened. And as for how it's being handled, as far as everyone is concerned while Harry was in the dungeon Voldemort showed up and a fight ensued and during the melee Lucius was thrown against the wall where he suffered a blow to the head and died. I'll leave it up to Mr. Malfoy if he wishes to say anything different, but I've already cautioned him against doing so."

"That's the best way, because if Voldemort finds out that Draco is the one who killed Lucius he will most certainly kill him."

"That is my point exactly, but we will have to wait for young Mr. Malfoy to recover before doing anything. And while we are on the subject of Voldemort and Death Eaters, Miss Emrys how soon do you believe you can negotiate with the dragons about guarding Azkaban?"

"Osirus has informed me that a lot of them has agreed but we will still need to go to the reservation and speak to a few elders there. If you'd like we could leave tonight for Romania and be back with an answer within a couple days."

"That would be greatly appreciated, I see no reason why you couldn't leave tonight. Now that that's settled there is something else I would like to understand. Harry my boy you said that Lucius used the cruciatus curse on you but it didn't affect you, how is that possible?"

"I was taught how to block it while I was in Alfhiem."

"Interesting, so how does one block such a curse?"

"First you have to know what the spell requires, once you know that you can block just about any curse that's being cast at you. For instant the cruciatus curse requires fear. Fear is actually what your feeling the whole time. Because you've been told that it would hurt that's the reason it hurts. It is sort of like how people treat Voldemort, they are so afraid of him that they even fear his name and in doing that they've made him stronger the same applies with the cruciatus. What it does is it takes your fears and magnify them to the point where it paralyze you and causes involuntary muscle spasms all through your body which are extremely painful. But if you learn to conquer your fears then you've conquered the curse."

"I see, so that's why it didn't work on you. You have knowledge of how it works so therefore it didn't affect you, very interesting."

"You know what they say professor, knowledge is power."

"It is indeed my boy. And by gaining knowledge you've taken away one of the Death Eater's greatest weapons."

"Professor, you are not listening, I said the same principle applies to most of the other curses as well."

"You mean you can't be serious."

"Oh but I am professor. You see when I went to Alfhiem I sat down with the elders and we had a discussion about my part in the upcoming war. I told them all about the prophecy and how my mother had sacrificed herself in order to save me. And they told me that the sacrifice had nothing to do with why I survived the killing curse. They said if that were the case many of the children that had died in Voldemort's reign would still be alive because a lot of mothers had sacrificed themselves also. No the only reason why I survived the killing curse that night was because I had no fear of it. I was too young to even comprehend what was happening to me. So when Voldemort cast the spell and it didn't work he experienced a moment of fear himself and that's why it rebounded on him, and if he hadn't taken all those precautions using dark magic he would have died but instead he just lost his body."

"Are you telling me that your mother's sacrifice was for nothing?"

"No professor it wasn't for nothing, her sacrifice kept me alive all these years. Because of her sacrifice I am able to feel love even though I grew up with none. And that same sacrifice makes it virtually impossible for anyone to attack Privet Drive while I'm living there."

"Harry as usual you've surprised me, this is indeed a lot of information for me to mull over. But first I must see to the rest of the students and check on young Mr. Malfoy, you two go ahead and I will speak to you if anything comes up."

They left the headmaster's office and headed toward the Founders Courtyard. The others were already there when they arrived and wanted to know what Dumbledore had to say. Harry and Amelia told them everything that was said. After they were done everyone was silent for a few minutes before they were bombarded by questions.

"You know how to block the cruciatus curse?" Ron asked in disbelief. But before he could answer Hermione and Ginny was advancing on him and Amelia their eyes flashing.

"You, you two have been married all this time and you haven't told us. I thought Amelia was just upset about you being taken when she said it to Dumbledore but now I know she was dead serious."

"Hermione please I can explain."

"Don't Hermione please me, you two have been holding out on us."

"Yeah," added Ginny. "What else have you two been keeping from us?"

"Not a whole lot, but as I've said before some things I am unable to reveal right now."

"Okay so how long have you two been married."

"Nine years."

"Nine years!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Calm down Hermione, it's nine Elvin years which translates to roughly a little over one month in our time."

"It doesn't really matter how long it's been," began Ginny. "The fact is you kept it from us. I thought we were friends."

"We are friends and I am sorry that we didn't tell you, but I wanted to wait until you got to know Amelia first before I said anything."

"Harry you didn't have to wait for us to accept Amelia, we would have been happy for you nonetheless."

"I know that and I'm sorry, I promise I'll tell you everything but right now we have a order meeting to get to and later Amelia and I are leaving for Romania."

"Romania? Why are you two going to Romania?" Hermione asked looking from one to the other.

"We're going to speak with the dragons about Azkaban. But we are keeping it quiet for now, the only people that know are you and Dumbledore and that is all that needs to know."

After the Order meeting the friends went back to the Founders Courtyard. Harry and Amelia went off to get dress to leave. Harry was the first to rejoin them he was wearing all black. Black pants, black form fitting shirt and black leather trench coat.

"Wow!" Exclaimed Ginny. "Harry you look both sinister and sexy at the same time."

"Thanks Ginny," he answered trying to control the color that was creeping up his neck.

"Yeah Harry you look like one of those chip-n-dale dancers."

"Hermione," Harry cried, coloring furiously. "What do you know about the chip-n-dale dancers?"

"Oh come off it Harry, I'm not a child you know besides you do look like one of them."

"What are chip-n-dale dancers?" Asked Ron and Ginny at the same time.

"You don't want to know." Harry answered quickly.

"Oh they are these cute guys with really hot bodies who strips." Came a voice from behind causing everyone to turn. Amelia was dressed exactly as Harry except for hers seemed to have been painted on. And she was wearing knee boots that were laced all the way up and carrying her trench coat over her arm. Harry was dumbstruck along with everyone else. Luna was the first to recover.

"I want the name of the person who made that outfit, I have to have one for myself."

"Thank you Luna, I'll be more that happy to oblige."

"Bloody hell Amelia, what did you do spray it on." Asked Ginny grinning.

"Yeah Amelia how do you plan to sit in that?" Hermione asked, coming over to get a closer look.

"Quite comfortably actually, it's not as tight as you may think the material is very pliable and moves with you." She answered with a smile. She'd noticed that since the battle at the manor Hermione had became less hostile towards her.

"Ron close your mouth before something decides to move in there." Ginny called to her brother.

"Yeah, you too Neville." Hermione laughed.

"And Harry I can see your thoughts from here." Luna began in her dreamy voice. "And I must say they are rather shocking." She finished causing Harry to turn beet red to the amusement of the girls. Then Ginny got a mischievous look in her eyes then look from Hermione to Amelia then asked.

"What were you two saying about chip-n-dale dancers?"

"Oh that," began Amelia with a grin. "I was just saying that they are these really good looking guys with extremely hot bodies that strip."

"Oh yeah," began Hermione catching on. "I was saying how much Harry looked like one in that outfit he's wearing."

"Uhmm," Ginny began with a grin. "They sound like something I'll have to see sometime." Causing Ron's eyes to open wide and his ears to turn pink. Then she continued striding towards Harry. "Do you think that since we don't have the chip-n-dales here that Harry would give us a show?"

"GINNY" cried a mortified Harry.

"I don't see why not." Began Amelia.

"AMELIA"

"Oh come off it Harry it's not as if we're going to tell anyone." Added Hermione.

"Oh Harry please do, it would be such an interesting change." Luna added.

"What has gotten into all of you, especially you Hermione? I expect this from Ginny and Amelia but not from you and Luna."

"Come on luv, it's not as if you have anything to be ashamed of. You have a gorgeous body." Amelia purred at him.

"Yeah Harry if you've got it flaunt it." Added Ginny.

Ron and Neville couldn't help the color that had stained their cheeks. They felt bad for their friend but there was no way they were going to draw attention to themselves. Harry would just have to handle this on his own.

"This is so not happening," Harry began. "There is no way I'm going to take my clothes off for your entertainment."

"Oh come on Harry, besides you're really good at it."

The look on Harry's face was too much for the girls and they dissolve in laughter. Harry turned to his two friends standing behind him.

"Thanks for your help guys, I couldn't have done it without you. You two were extremely brave."

"We didn't want them to start asking us to give them a show." Began Neville.

"Yeah mate," began Ron. "We figured you wouldn't mind taking one for the team."

"Take one for the team indeed, I hope you two realize that I'm going to get you for this."

"Oh come on mate we knew they wouldn't actually make you strip."

"Ron how in the world did you know that? You underestimate your sister and you have no clue about Amelia and as for Hermione and Luna I'm never putting anything past them ever again."

"But Harry you have to admit it was pretty funny the way they had you going." Began Ron starting to laugh at the look on his friends face.

"Yeah Harry they even had me going." Neville added also starting to laugh.

Harry had to admit to himself that it was really very funny but there was no way he was going to admit it to anyone else.

Amelia came over to where Harry was standing scowling at everyone and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"You didn't actually think we were serious did you?" She whispered in his ear causing a shiver to run down his spine.

"Weren't you?"

"Of course not, you know your stripping is for my entertainment only." She purred against his neck making him swallow involuntarily.

"Amelia," he began but had to clear his throat that had suddenly gone dry. "Amelia it's time for us to go. Besides it's getting rather late."

"You are absolutely right." She began as she unwrapped herself from him. "Osirus is on his way and I just have to make sure we have everything then we can leave." She finished as she gathered up her coat and headed towards the weapons locker.

There was a loud rustle of wings then Osirus appeared. They climbed onto the back of the enormous dragon and in the next moment they were gone.

After Harry and Amelia left Ginny headed up to the hospital wing to check on Draco. She was really worried about him. Madame Pomfrey had promised to let her know if he woke up but so far she hadn't heard anything. On her way into the hospital wing she saw Dumbledore escorting out a crying Narcissa Malfoy. She made her way over to where Draco was laying still fast asleep. She sat on the chair next to his bed and watched him while he slept. As she sat there looking at him she saw something she hadn't seen before. Draco Malfoy was very handsome when he wasn't sneering at everyone. Without his usual sneer his face was boyish and lovely and his lips looked positively inviting. "I wonder what it would feel like to kiss those lips." She thought to herself. Now where did that come from, the fight must have affected me more than I thought for me to want to kiss Malfoy. She shook herself trying to get rid of the image that had invaded her mind and caused the color to rise up her neck. She didn't know what to make of Draco anymore. Sure Amelia had said he's not what he appeared to be but this was crazy. Why would he go out of his way to save her and even more why go up against his own father? As far as he was concerned she was beneath him, so why the heroics? She needed someone to talk to about this. She wished Amelia didn't have to go to Romania, she was the only one who'd seen some good in Draco and she would probably be the best person to talk to about all the things that were going through her mind right now. She sat there watching him until madam Pomfrey came over and told her it was time to return to her dormitory.

Ron and Hermione were waiting for her in the common room when she got back they was worried about her. She was spending entirely too much time with Malfoy. Even though Malfoy saved her life Ron wasn't too keen on her spending so much time around him. Besides he was worried that Ginny was blaming herself for what happened.

"Alright Ginny?"

"Alright Ron."

"Ginny how is Draco doing?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know, he seem to be okay but you can't really tell because he's been sleeping the whole time. I saw his mum on my way up to see him and she didn't look so good."

"Narcissa Malfoy is here?" asked Ron.

"Yes I saw her leaving the hospital wing with Professor Dumbledore."

"How do you think she's taking it? Do you think she knows what happened?" Hermione asked thoughtfully.

"I don't think she knows exactly what happened but she was crying and holding on to Dumbledore"

"Did she see you going to check on Malfoy?"

"No Ron I don't even believe she saw me at all she was too distraught to notice anything."

"Good, Ginny I want you to be careful around Malfoy, I know he saved your life but we're not sure what he's about."

"Ron how could you say that? I think we should at least give him a chance. Besides he jeopardized everything to save my life and he didn't have to do it."

"I know that Ginny but all I'm saying is you don't want to trust him blindly until we know which side he's on."

"I am aware of that Ron but you also have to understand that I can't just ignore him, I have to at least thank him for saving my life and find out why he did it."

"Ginny," Hermione began. "I understand what you are saying and I agree with you but you have to think about Draco also. It wont look too good for him if all of us was at the manor when his father got killed and then all of a sudden he's seen being all chummy with you. What do you think would happen to him if that sort of information gets back to Voldemort?"

"Hermione trust me I've already thought about that besides I think Voldemort probably heard that he is friends with Harry's girlfriend."

"That is completely different he and Amelia did not become friends right after his father died."

"Hermione I think you're missing the point completely. Sure he and Amelia had been great friends and they always talk to each other in and out of class and some might even say he flirts with her every chance he gets. But Amelia was at the manor and you didn't see what she did to Voldemort combined with the fact that Harry was shielding Draco from his fathers attacks bring me to the conclusion that Voldemort is going to try to kill Draco no matter what. He's going to have to be extra careful now and it is going to be up to us to keep him safe whether or not he chooses a side."

"I hadn't thought about it that way. So what's going to happened to him when the other Slytherins finds out what happened at Malfoy manor."

"I think that is something we need to discuss with Professor Dumbledore as soon as Draco wakes up."

Draco awoke with a start, he was confused about where he was. He looked around and then the events of the previous day came rushing back to him. His father was dead and he had killed him. Draco couldn't face himself he felt unclean and guilty. He'd killed his own father, what kind of a person would do such a thing. He replayed the events of the previous day in his head but instead of answers he had more questions. Like why had Potter protected him when he was the one that brought him there in the first place? And were all the things Harry said to both his father and Voldemort true? Was Voldemort really a half blood or was Harry just baiting him? And what was that prophecy that Ginny made about serpent lords and vanquishing the dark? He was getting a headache trying to think about everything especially what was going to happen to him? Was he to be sent to Azkaban for his father's murder? He vaguely remembered Dumbledore speaking to him last night but he couldn't remember what was said. Draco decided he needed answers and he knew exactly were to go for them.