DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of it, JK Rowling and associates own all rights, no infringement intended, no money is being made, unfortunately. This is Definitely AU since HBP about which I decided that the last couple of chapters were a figment of my imagination.

WARNING; Pre-slash if you do not like do not read remember you have freedom of choice. Reviews appreciated but no flames those will be ignored.

A/N: I apologize for taking so long to update. I am in a new class that requires a paper a week and it is time consuming.

PAIRINGS: HP/DM, SS/RL, GW/OC, RW/HrG, NL/LL

Chapter 14

Draco lay on the couch staring into the blazing fire wondering when someone would have the courtesy to tell him 'What the HELL was going on.' Sev and Remus had run out of headquarters when the alarm went off almost an hour ago. All that he was sure of was that it was Tonks' alarm and that meant that Potter was in trouble. Not that he was worried or anything he hurriedly added, he just did not want that stupid git to die before he could teach him anything or before he could kill that half-blood monster.

With a sigh he sat up gingerly being careful not to pull the muscles in his back, he spoke aloud as if repeating a mantra, "I am not concerned with a bloody Gryffindor I just want to hold up my end of the bargain. Besides, I do not want Sev to worry and he will if Remus is worried. Who knows how Remus would react if anything happened to the fool. Once I train him both Sev and Remus will be able to stop worrying. I am really doing all this for them since I owe them so much." He nodded decisively things were so much clearer now that he had had a chance to work it out. He was glad that he had not told Severus about the dreams that he was having about Potter. It was so obvious that they could be put down to lack of sleep, too many pain potions and being without a decent partner for the past few months, well, okay, past year.

He could hear noises as people moved around the building and knew that others were waiting for word as well. Mrs. Weasley and Professor McGonagall were in the kitchen along with the headmaster. He had to admit he had been surprised at the treatment from the two women. McGonagall had never liked him and he had never really met the Weasels' mother. Both had been very kind to him since Remus had brought him in of course that could have been because he was covered in blood; Mrs. Weasley had even been mothering him, something he would never admit enjoying.

He knew the rules the headmaster put down, he had said them often enough, who ever responded to an alarm was to bring the Boy-With-The-Bird's Nest Hair straight back to headquarters to keep the idiot safe. How hard could that be to follow? Sev and the others should have been back within minutes of the alarm going off. He slapped a fist down on his thigh in frustration, "Where the hell are they? I swear if Potter is doing something stupidly Gryffindorish I will kick his arse from here to Hogwarts."

Suddenly there was a disturbance in the hall and several voices broke out. 'Finally', he thought not even realising that he was smiling. Carefully lying back down on the sofa, he artistically arranged the throw to cover the worst of his back while leaving the rest of him exposed. He wanted to be looking his best not weak like he had before. A Malfoy was never supposed to appear weak no matter the circumstances. Pillowing his head on his folded arms he waited, he could hear Potter's laugh and smiled again not even wondering how he recognized it among the others. If the other students had seen his face just then, they would have fainted in shock; they would never have believed that he could smile without malice. Suddenly calm he gazed serenely into the fire; he knew without a doubt that Potter would come to see him before long that was just the way it was between the Slytherin Prince and the Gryffindor Hero.

Harry looked up at the headmaster with a sheepish grin. Laughing along with the other boys, he scrambled to his feet trying to regain his composure. 'Just once', he thought, 'just once I would like to land with grace and style not like a sack of potatoes.' Deep down, he was sure that Malfoy never landed less then gracefully from a portkey or floo. Brushing himself off he wondered if Malfoy was up, not that he cared or anything but at least then he could release a little tension with some rude remarks. That was all the ferret was good for well except for teaching him so dark spells, Merlin knows he probably knew enough of them. He could not hide the smirk as he saw Snape thrust the colourful handkerchief at the headmaster. 'Well that explained that! I thought it was too colourful for the greasy git.'

Snape snarled when he caught sight of the smirk on Potter's face. "Something funny Potter" he said in a low voice, effectively wiping the smile off the boy's face. He glared at the teen who was glaring back at him, 'this is your fault entirely you, you Gryffindor. Just wait until school starts you imbecilic excuse for a wizard, I will have you in detention until Halloween and…' his thoughts broke off as he felt Lupin sway against him slightly. Ruthlessly he squashed the immediate reaction of putting his arms around his lover since they were in front of an audience. He turned to the headmaster and with one of his usual sneers he told him, "I am sure that Potter would love to explain the trouble he got everyone into headmaster," smugly ignoring the glare that Potter and now Remus was giving him he continued. "Lupin was injured and should be looked after before he does something stupid like try to heal himself."

Dumbledore smiled and spoke affably, "Of course Severus, however Poppy is not able to come today so if you would not mind taking over I would appreciate it."

"I am not a healer Albus, I am a Potions Master." After a minute of staring at those aggravating twinkling eyes, Snape sniffed loudly and with an abrupt gesture signalled Remus to follow him. Sweeping down the hall to the room he had set up for his potions, he considered the lecture he was going to give that aggravating werewolf. Just because he used to teach D.A.D.A., Remus thought he could handle anything. In reality, it was no reason to suppose that he was any more of an expert dueller then anyone else. Risking his neck was a stupidly Gryffindor thing to do and he was going to let him know how he felt about it. He tried to remember if the pain potions were here or had he taken them to Draco's room. He also need the potion for scars, the idiot had enough he did not need another one.

Remus kept a look of pain on his face even thought inside he was smiling. At least Sev was no longer thinking of all the ways to torture his cub. He would have to keep them away from each other for a while until Severus calmed down. Honestly the two of them reverted to two-year olds every time they were in the same room. It was definitely time to play the role of injured lover. He sighed pitifully as they entered the room and felt Severus's arm go around his waist as he helped him to a chair. He leaned against him slightly enjoying the contact. He could imagine the lecture he was going to get and wanted to put it off as much as possible. He successfully hid a chuckle as he watched his mate sweeping around the room gathering healing supplies. Who would have believed that under that cold exterior was a fussy mother hen.

Harry eyed Dumbledore as he watched the others talking among themselves. He still was not too sure how to act around the man. He did not blame him anymore but he was not too sure that he trusted him as he had before. No, it was not that, he trusted him with his life. It was something else, he did not trust him not to try to fix things for him. He was just too manipulating, he meant well but he did tend to think that his way was best. Seeing him eye Sergio Harry decided that introductions were in order but before he could say anything, Dumbledore spoke.

"Harry I am acquainted with your cousin Mr. Dursley and with Mr. Donnelly but I do not believe I know your other two friends."

"Sorry sir, this is Donnelley's cousin Peter and this is Sergio Gambelli. He was the one that brought me home last time and he is the instructor of the self-defence class we are taking. He helped us fight off the attack."

Dumbledore nodded then turning to the three boys "Why don't you three go into the kitchen and Molly will fix you something to snack on while I speak to Harry and Mr. Gambelli. I will send you back as soon as it is safe." With a wave of his hand he indicated a door at the end of the hallway from which their came a murmur of voices.

Dudley had been chatting quietly to the other two boys as he looked around. Man, this was weird; the old guy looked a little like Gandalf he decided. He looked at Harry when the old man finished speaking and at his nod went off down the hall with the others. He figured that the man was waiting to talk to Harry about what happened and they would only be in the way.

Peter perked up at the mention of food; now that the danger was over, he was practically bouncing with excitement. He was in a wizard's home and had travelled magically; He immediately started peppering the other two boys with questions as they made their way to the kitchen. Dudley and William just looked at each other and sighed, well the silence had been fun while it lasted. The two women looked up when the boys entered wondering where they had come from.

"Professor McGonagall," William spoke to her since he did not recognize the other woman, "the headmaster told us to wait in here while he spoke to Harry. This is my cousin Peter and this is Harry's cousin Dudley."

"Is Harry okay, he's not hurt or anything is he?" Mrs. Weasley asked anxiously

"Nah, he's fine the old man wanted to talk to him in private. He said we could get something to eat. Are we going to eat magic food? Is it different the normal food? Are you witches? Can you show me some magic? Will I have magic if I eat magic food? Can I…." Peter was finally silenced when Dudley slapped a hand over his mouth as William boxed him on the ear.

McGonagall just looked at him in astonished surprise that he had said all that in one sentence. Mrs. Weasley more used to excitable children just laughed and indicated where the boys should sit. With a wand, she began serving them some of the beef stew and hot bread she had ready as she answered the young boy's questions. If the headmaster were talking to Harry, it would be a while before he came in to see them. Moreover, she always had a soft spot for young boys especially the hyperactive ones like Peter.

"Headmaster," Harry spoke as soon as it was only the three of them, "I can explain…"

Sergio put a hand on Harry's shoulder, "Why don't I explain things to the Headmaster, and you take a minute to rest. You have been through a lot in the last hour and you look exhausted. Something to drink and a little rest will do you some good. Although I might stay away from Peter for a while or you will get your ear talked off".

"Excellent idea Harry," Dumbledore almost seemed to be bouncing for joy, "I will have Dobby bring you something to drink in the drawing room while Mr. Gambelli and I retire to the library. If you would be kind enough as to write down your thoughts on what happened, I will see that Kingsley files it with his report to the ministry. Mr. Gambelli if you would follow me." With a shooing motion, Dumbledore directed Harry to the drawing room.

Harry decided that either he was getting smarter or the headmaster was getting more obvious but he was pretty sure that he would find Malfoy in the drawing room. Shrugging his shoulders in resignation he opened the door and went in, if nothing else he could harass the prat about the fact that he had knocked the hell out of a bunch of Deatheaters. Yep, there was Malfoy, his hair glowing in the reflected light from the candles and fireplace. Harry decided he much preferred it without the gel, ignoring the voice shouting hysterically in the back of his mind that this was MALFOY. After such a stressful event any wayward thoughts were to be expected he decided and nothing to worry about. In a blissful state of denial, he walked in to have a chat with his favourite pain-in-the-arse.

tbc