A/N: I had a few reviewers ask what the date is in the story. Harry and Draco both age to seven years old on September 30th and that's when this chapter begins. The spell will come to its end and the boys will return to the age of sixteen on December 2nd.

A/N2: I also want to make clear that Draco can feel what Harry is feeling, but it does not go the other way, and yes this is because of the original intent of the spell. Basically, the boys are connected (formed a bond due to the spell), but it is mostly one way. Harry is only able to tell when Draco is in danger and feels an absolute trust in the other boy.

Chapter Fourteen

Harry woke and curled into a loose ball. Draco turned over and brushed his friend's black hair off his face. Deep sadness and a lingering fear radiated from the smaller boy, but at least it was better than how Harry had been feeling lately. The heavy weight of self-hate had lightened considerably.

"Baby? Hey, what's wrong?" Draco asked when he heard a quiet cry.

"I… I had a bad dream." Harry answered. He turned in toward Draco and shook against the blonde's chest.

"What was it about?" Draco asked softly.

"It was when… when I went to the hospital." Harry turned his green eyes to Draco, begging the boy to understand. "I've never been to the doctors before… Aunt Petunia always made copies of Dudley's records and just put my name on them… The school never really looked, they didn't care…"

"That's stupid!" Draco yelled indignantly.

Harry only shrugged, "It did matter, Ray. I wasn't sick that often anyway… But… But I had to go to the doctor this time… U-u-uncle hit me before, but nothing like this… He'd never gotten so… so bad before… Ray, he almost k-k-killed me... I was so scared."

Draco grabbed his friend in a tight hug. He felt rage. How dare anyone hurt his baby? He didn't understand how this could have happened to him, but he made a solemn promise he wouldn't let anything hurt his Harry ever again. He was pulled from his thoughts when Harry's soft voice continued.

"I… I never really… thought about it before then… I just thought that's how it was, that I deserved being punished and put in my cupboard, but after I got back from the hospital everything was different. I was terrified because… because I knew it didn't matter what I did. U-u-uncle would always hate me and hurt me… It wasn't fair… It didn't seem…."

Harry fell silent and Draco guessed at the next word; "Right. It didn't seem right that your Uncle, someone so much bigger than us, could hurt you like he did."

"Yeah." Harry sighed, burying his face into the blonde's shoulder. "It didn't seem right anymore."

"It wasn't right." Draco said firmly, pulling the boy from him so he could look into his tear stained face. "It isn't right to hurt you. You are not bad and they're gone and never coming back. I'm here now."

"Thank you, Ray." Harry smiled and wiped at his cheeks. He knew his friend hated it when he was upset and crying.

"Come on. I'm hungry." Draco smiled back and jumped out of bed.

Narcissa, Severus, and Remus sat at the breakfast table waiting for the boys. Narcissa had gone to check on them, but when she heard the serious conversation going on, she had backed off. The boys could dress without her anyway. They were old enough now. Severus raised an eyebrow when she entered without the two children, but she said nothing. Eventually Draco came into the room with a bright smile and loudly saying "good morning". Harry followed and waved shyly.

"How did you sleep?" Remus asked as the boys got into chairs, no longer needing booster seats. Though Harry had to sit on his knees, he was too short to comfortably see over the table. None of the adults mentioned this.

"Fine." Draco answered. His mother gave him a look and the blonde rolled his eyes before turning to the werewolf and saying with strict formality and false sweetness. "I slept well. Thank you. I hope the same can be said of you?"

Harry giggled and the blonde sniffed at him, putting his nose in the air. Narcissa frowned at this, but Remus cut in before she could say anything. "Really, Narcissa. He doesn't need to be so proper with me. I had hoped we were becoming friends."

"It is good practice." She argued. "Manners are important. Especially for the Lord of the Malfoy family."

"Yes. We know." Draco said and there was a glint in his eyes that made Narcissa hold her peace for the rest of breakfast.

After they ate, Severus rose to go to class. Harry reached for him and he obediently lifted the child for a quick hug. Draco didn't ask for the same, but he did smile sincerely and wish his Daddy a good day. Severus half-bowed and strode from the room. Remus just sat back and laughed at them all.

"Come on, boys. We need to go to the infirmary for another check up." Narcissa stood and walked regally to the sitting room and the floo. It was deemed too dangerous now for the boys to wander through the halls (they could no longer trust the boys wouldn't run off), so Severus' fire had been hooked up to Madame Pomfrey's. Harry and Draco followed her and Remus took up the rear.

Pomfrey hovered and fussed over the boys as she ran her tests. Draco sat stiffly, answering her with a regal politeness that did his mother proud. Harry sat, blushing nervously and hiding his face against Draco's arm more often than not. Remus tried to calm him, but Harry wouldn't relax. He just didn't like strangers and his new memories of being in a hospital made him dislike the infirmary with a new passion.

"Well. They're healthy as can be." Pomfrey finally stepped away from the little boys. "Though Harry is still underweight and short for his age. He is 3 feet 1½ inches and weighs 62.5 pounds while Draco is 3 feet 6½ inches and weighs 73 pounds. Nothing's wrong that I can see. Harry still has one more vaccine to go. Do you want me to give it to him now?"

"That will be fine." Narcissa nodded.

Harry's eyes got wide and he turned to Draco afraid. Draco frowned at the nurse and wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders, but he didn't say anything when she lifted the smaller boy's arm and began to chant a spell. Harry whimpered and began to cry. Pomfrey finished and handed the boy a potion to drink, promising that it was over. The boy swallowed quickly between tears and jumped from the bed, running back to her office and the fireplace there. Draco followed him to the nurse's office letting his mother uphold the parting rituals.

"Do you want to play?" He asked Harry once Remus flooed them back to their Dad's rooms.

"Okay." Harry smiled.

"Beat you there!" Draco yelled and took off. Harry chased him with a laugh.

That afternoon they were taken to another new tumbling teacher who was also a martial artist. Narcissa hadn't taken her son to such lessons the first time he was a child, but had wanted to. Lucius had forbidden it because it was too Muggle, but he wasn't around to do so again. Draco was thrilled, but it quickly became apparent that Harry wasn't happy.

"Alright, boys. Your mother paid for an extra hour of defense lessons." The man smiled as the other children left them alone. "Copy me."

Draco obeyed readily. He wanted to be able to protect Harry from bullies and learning to fight would be a great help. Harry mimicked their new teacher's stance obediently, but wasn't as excited as Draco. Fighting wasn't something he saw as fun. After thirty minutes and learning how to block and dodge, their teacher began throwing slow-motion punches at Draco.

The blonde did as he was taught and was praised. It was Harry's turn. He stood where Draco had and looked up at the man teaching them. The teacher smiled reassuringly and then his expression became one of concentration as he threw a blow. Harry's eyes widened and he went stiff. His uncle was bearing down on him, face purple with rage, fits ready to hurt him. He dropped into a tight ball, whimpering. Draco ran to his side and the teacher backed off with surprise.

"Harry, it's alright. You're safe. No one will hurt you." Draco promised, petting the smaller boy's hair. It took a while, but Harry eventually uncurled and sat huddled in Draco's embrace.

"You alright there, Harry?" Their teacher asked, dark eyes worried.

Harry nodded and blushed. How could he be so stupid? He knew his Uncle wasn't here. Draco wouldn't let anyone hurt him. He stood and nodded that he was ready to try again. But when the teacher tentatively made to slap him, again he had a flashback. He screamed and flung himself away.

Draco stood between the teacher and Harry, "We're finished for today." He ordered. "Thank you for your instruction."

The man nodded and left them alone, taking up a position on the other side of the room. Satisfied, Draco knelt by Harry and tried to get him to come out of his defensive position. Harry wouldn't do it. The waves of terror that rolled off of him were too powerful. Draco couldn't get through to him.

"Shhh. It's alright, Baby. I'm here." He whispered as he curled around Harry protectively. "Come on. You're alright. I made him go away. Come on, Baby, I know you can do it. Calm down. You're safe."

Harry, though still crying, relaxed and turned so that he was press up against Draco's chest. The blonde held Harry close, the boy's head right under his chin and just lay there until Harry stopped crying. They were just sitting up when Narcissa came into the room to pick them up. The boys said nothing as she gathered them up and said her thanks and goodbyes to their teacher. The man watched them with suspicious and pitying eyes, but said nothing of Harry's fits to Draco's mother.

"How did it go?" Narcissa asked once they were safe inside Severus' sitting room.

"Harry can't go to the fighting class." Draco told her. "It scares him. He just drops into a ball when the teacher tries to show him a move. He's afraid of being hit."

"I will let Severus decide if he is to continue or not." Narcissa answered. Harry was blushing with mortification at her son's side and she tried to make him feel better. "Harry, it is not your fault that you are afraid." The boy nodded mutely, but didn't relax or meet her eyes. Draco stood with a demanding expression, hands on hips, but she couldn't give what her son wanted and say Harry didn't have to go. With a sigh she said, "You have an hour before dinner. Why don't you go wash up?"

Draco didn't answer at first, but eventually backed down. "Come on, Harry."

Narcissa frowned, "I want you two to take separate baths. You're too old to take one together."

Harry's head came up and he looked at her with confusion, surprise, and unhappiness. Draco just looked angry; "No we're not."

"Don't argue with me, Draco." Narcissa warned.

"We're taking a bath." Draco glared and tugged at Harry's hand to get the boy moving.

"Draco Malfoy!"

"No!" Draco yelled at her and ran for the bathroom. Harry now looked afraid, but raced after his friend.

Narcissa took two quick long steps, but wasn't fast enough. The bathroom door slammed and she couldn't open it. She could feel her son's magic on it. She sighed and knew she wasn't getting in. She went away to think of a suitable punishment for his behavior. In the bathroom, Harry was looking at his friend with wild eyes.

"Why is she mad?" He asked breathlessly.

"I don't know." Draco shrugged carelessly, his movements stiff with anger still. "Come on. Let's take a bath."

"Why did she think we're too old?" Harry questioned as he pulled off his clothes. The blonde was doing the same.

"I don't know." Draco repeated. "She's just being stupid."

"Ray!" Harry scolded. "That's your Mommy. You shouldn't say that."

Draco ignored him and turned the facet to get hot water to fill the tub. "Come on. You can be the red ship."

"Okay!" Harry smiled, argument forgotten. Draco's body relaxed as he watched Harry get happily into the bath and garb the large red boat. He took up the blue and they began to play, steam and laughter filling the air.

"Narcissa…"

"Don't, Severus." She glared at him, already reading from his expression that he agreed with Draco about their baths. "They are seven now. They shouldn't be bathing together. And they shouldn't sleep together either. This is a critical time, for Harry as well. We need to encourage independence."

Severus said nothing. Remus was standing silently by the fire while he and Narcissa sat on the couch. Dinner should be over, but the boys were still locked up in the bathroom playing. They could hear their laughter from here. He knew he had to be careful. Narcissa was already considering taking Draco away; he couldn't keep opposing her views.

"Alright. They need to be more independent and modest." Severus finally answered. "You told me Harry is not responding well with the martial arts lessons. That's understandable. He's skittish around strangers as it is, encouraging one to hit him might not be the best way to go. I agree he needs to be able to defend himself, however, so I purpose that after the tumbling lesson Remus will bring Harry back here to teach him self-defense. Draco will stay behind and take his defense lesson with their tumbling instructor. That will give the boys time apart and give Draco a chance to assert himself."

"He will not bath with Harry." Narcissa said, telling him that this wasn't enough for her to back down from this point.

Severus sighed, "I will tell them they need to bath separately. But they will continue to sleep together."

"Agreed." Narcissa agreed. "I will see if the boys are ready for dinner."

Remus waited for her to leave the room before coming to the Potion Master's side. "Severus, I can't take Harry. Tonight is the last night I can stay, remember? The full moon is in a week."

Severus saw that the man was tired, but otherwise looked fine. There was no mistaking the sadness. If Remus held to the rule Severus had placed that he had to be gone the week before and after the moon, he'd miss Harry as an eight year old entirely. Now that he had come to know the man better, he realized that his demand might have been a bit extreme.

"You may stay until the day before the full moon and three days after." Severus answered. "I will find someone else to watch over Harry the days you are not able to."

"Thank you." Remus said softly.

Draco was not a happy camper when Severus told him that he was not to bathe with Harry again. He wanted to protest, but Harry squeezed his hand under the table. He felt his baby's insecurity and fear. Harry loved their Daddy, but was still unsure of Severus' continued care. He didn't want to push him. So Draco fell silent, but glared at the adults. He felt better when Severus told him that Harry wouldn't be taking the fighting lessons, but was still unhappy with his mother when they went to bed that night.

The next morning Narcissa continued Draco's lessons in politics, etiquette, and Malfoy family history. Harry took lessons with Remus. He learned different things every day. Some days Remus spent the few hours talking only about James, Lily, and Sirius. Others they focused on reading and math. Occasionally they even discussed magic theory. After lunch, Draco and Harry would floo to tumbling class. They stayed two hours and then Remus picked Harry up. An hour later, Draco was brought home by Narcissa. The boys would take separate baths, come to dinner, play with their Daddy for an hour or so, and were tucked into bed.

Severus was pleased with the way things were working out. Harry seemed more relaxed and his eyes less haunted. He was obviously still wounded in mind and spirit, but there was definite progress. As for Draco, he was the same as Severus remembered him being as a little boy. Maybe a little less selfish as he was always considering Harry, but that was an improvement in his opinion. Harry was getting better and compared to what his mindset could have been like without Draco, this was remarkable.

But Narcissa was not as satisfied. She didn't like how much Harry consumed her son's mind. Everything took second place to Harry's needs, though she had to admit that Harry rarely asked for anything. And that was another thing that was bothering her. Harry rarely spoke. Draco spoke for him. Always saying "Harry wants… We want… Harry doesn't like… We like…" and so on. She was glad that he seemed to have stopped calling the smaller boy Baby except for in private, but this joint will was not a good thing. It wasn't healthy.

It was Thursday morning. Harry woke first and grinned. He pounced on his best friend and began tickling him mercilessly. Draco yelled with laughter and easily reversed their positions so that Harry was on the bottom being tickled. When neither could breathe, they stopped and sat up. Their hair was tangled and sticking up every which way. Harry laughed again as Draco tried to comb out his long hair with his fingers. The blonde stuck his tongue out playfully.

"Come on. I'm hungry." Draco said happily as he jumped from the bed and went to the clothes cupboard.

Harry giggled, "Your Mom's going to be so mad at your hair."

"Then fix it." Draco shrugged.

Harry obediently got up and went to his friend, running his hands through the white, silky strands. Magic swirled out from his fingers and as he brought his small hands down, Draco's hair untangled and lay in a shimmering, smooth sheet down to the middle of his back. Draco smiled at him over his shoulder and handed him clothes. Harry put them on, not really caring what his best friend picked out for him and followed Draco to the kitchen.

"Good morning!" Draco shouted and ignored his mother's frown. "We want toast with strawberry jam."

"What do you want, Harry?" Narcissa asked, ignoring her son in turn.

"What Draco said is fine." The small boy smiled and got quietly into his seat.

"I'm hungry, Mommy." Draco whined impatiently.

Narcissa said nothing as she fixed the boys' toast. Casual conversation went around the table until Severus rose to go to work. He lifted Harry into his arms and the boy hugged his neck tight. Severus smiled and put him back down, waving once at the blonde yelling for him to have a good day.

"Come, Draco." Narcissa stood. "We have work to do."

"Yes, Mother." Draco kissed Harry's cheek and followed his mother out of the room.

Harry turned to Remus and the werewolf easily lifted him into his arms, "What do you want to learn today?" He asked as he carried the green-eyed boy into the playroom.

"Where are you going?" Draco asked with a frown as his mother started a fire and got out floo powder. They usually had lessons on the couch. They only flooed to their tumbling lesson and it was too early for that.

"I've decided to have your lessons somewhere else. Come, Draco." She answered and gestured once with a slender hand for him to come to her side. But Draco had a bad feeling about this and took a step back.

"Why? What about Harry?"

"I won't ask again, Draconis." Narcissa narrowed her eyes.

"What about Harry!" Draco demanded again, this time raising his voice.

"Stupefy." She whispered and watched her son crumple to the ground. "I'm sorry, Dragon. But this must be done." She lifted her young son into her arms and carried him to the floo. They disappeared together in a flash of green fire. Harry came running into the room, having felt something was horribly wrong when Draco was spelled unconscious. When he saw the empty room, he ran around screaming for Ray. Remus followed him and said nothing. When Harry had searched every room three times at least, he finally collapsed next to the fireplace, crying. Remus tried to hold him, but was shoved away hard.

"I want Ray!" Harry wailed miserably. "He promised! He PROMISED never to leave me!"

Remus sat helplessly and just waited. After four hours, Harry finally fell into an exhausted sleep and he was able to carry the boy to bed. Severus was not pleased when he got home. His black eyes flashed with fury and he stormed from the room to go in search of Narcissa, but her tracks were covered and he was not able to find even a clue as to their new location. He came back to his quarters a short while after everyone else had dinner empty-handed.

Harry was sitting by the fireplace with his knees drawn up to his chest and his dull green eyes staring into the fire. Severus felt his heart clench at the sight and silently made his way over to the boy. He sat down next to him, but Harry made no move or sound to recognize him. Severus sighed and draped an arm across Harry's small shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Harry." He said softly. "But Draco wouldn't want to see you so upset. He'll be back and until then we'll have to look out for each other without him."

"Why did she take him away?" Harry asked in a whisper. "Did I do something wrong? Didn't she want Draco to be with me? Am I bad?"

"No, Harry." Severus said fiercely, hating Narcissa in that moment. He pulled Harry into his lap and began to rock him. "You are not bad. It wasn't because of you that she took Draco away. She wants Draco to be strong and a leader for his family. She thought he wasn't learning enough here, but that had nothing to do with you."

"Why doesn't she like me? Why did my Uncle hate me?" Harry asked as tears poured down his cheeks. "What have I done wrong?"

"Harry, I told you it wasn't you. Mrs. Malfoy does like you. She just made a mistake, that is all." Severus promised. He tilted Harry's face up to make sure the boy was listening. "As for your family, they hated you because of what you stood for. You were everything they could not be; beautiful, powerful, and special. That is why they were angry with you. They were jealous. Do you know what that means?"

"Yes." Harry nodded, clutching to Severus' shirt. His eyes betrayed his desperation to believe what Severus was saying and that Harry couldn't quite do it. "I was sometimes jealous of Dudley. I just wanted to be noticed and l-loved like was. And Ray loves me, but he was taken away. I don't want him to go, Daddy! I do anything, please! Please bring Ray back!"

"Harry, I'll do everything I can, but I can't find her." Severus cradled the boy's head to his shoulder as Harry wept. "But Draco isn't the only one who cares. Remus and I are still here and we aren't going anywhere."

"Ray said that too." Harry murmured sadly as he fell asleep.

"Damn you, Narcissa." Severus said quietly as he looked down into Harry's pale, drawn face. More than anything he wanted to ease the child's pain, but he couldn't. And he hated that feeling. "Damn you."

"What is it, Weasley?" Vincent asked as Ron came into the dark, abandoned classroom. Greg was standing at his side.

"Malfoy's gone." Ron answered. "Since this morning. Harry and Malfoy usually leave in the afternoon for a few hours, but never separately. I thought he'd come back, but he hasn't. I don't think they will either. I think Dumbledore has finally separated the two."

Vincent looked over the map and saw that Ron was telling the truth. Neither Narcissa nor Draco were in Severus' rooms. Harry was sleeping alone in his bed. Greg shared a worried look with his best friend. Now that Draco wasn't in Hogwarts they couldn't watch him. It made them very nervous. What if something had gone wrong with his condition and that's why he was moved out and away from The-Boy-Who-Lived.

"Why now? Why separate them now? Do you think something's wrong with Draco?" Greg asked as he looked up at Ron.

"I don't know." Ron frowned. "It's suspicious. I mean, they've been together for almost a month. Something must have changed for them to remove Malfoy."

"Will you let us know if he comes back?" Vincent asked softly and smiled gratefully when Ron eventually nodded. "Thanks, Weasley. We really appreciate it."

"No problem." Ron muttered and left them.

"This is so frustrating!" Pansy growled as she set up the scrying bowl. "We don't know what's going on!"

"But what else can we do?" Greg asked. He was lighting the candles sitting in a circle on the floor around the bowl.

"Nothing." Vincent answered. "Let's just hope we can figure out where Draco is from the background of the picture."

"Let's do this." Pansy got into position. The boys sat across from her as she began to say the activating spell.

The water in the bowl remained clear. But once Pansy fell silent, the surface began to ripple. They watched, eyes pinned to the water. Slowly the ripples stopped and in the water's reflection that saw Draco. He was young, about seven. His eyes were closed and he was sleeping peacefully in a small room. The bed looked like a normal twin and the comforter was an expensive quilt.

Suddenly, the blonde's face scrunched up. He looked uncomfortable, but that quickly became distress. The boy jerked away and looked frantically about the room, but it was empty. Pansy watched in horror as he best friend brought his knees to his chest and hugged himself, rocking on the bed as tears slid slowly down his pale cheeks.

Harry woke up screaming from a nightmare. His heart was racing and monsters lurked in the shadows of his room. It was too big. Things could get to him. He screamed again, seeing monsters with claws reaching for him. Severus burst into the room and ran to the terrified child. Harry thrashed in his arms, but eventually stilled when he recognized his Dad.

"It's alright, Harry." Severus promised, holding him. "It was just a dream. I'm here."

"Daddy…" Harry whimpered. "…make them go away…"

"Who?" He asked, brushing Harry's hair away from his sweaty face.

"The monsters." Harry said pitifully. "Don't let them hurt me."

"I won't." Severus promised, cradling the crying child to his bare chest. His shoulder-length hair was tucked sloppily behind his ears. He carefully lifted Harry, knowing he wouldn't be able to sleep in here, and carried him back to his room. The boy huddled in the black sheets of his king sized bed and curled up next to him when he lay down.

Harry eventually fell asleep, but woke once more from a nightmare that he couldn't remember once he woke. Severus held him until he fell back asleep. He lay there, staring at his ceiling and wondered how it came to this. There was a child (the child of his enemy no less!) asleep at his side, in his bed. What was more unbelievable was his arm was draped over the child protectively and the only things in his mind were plots to return peace to his child's mind and heart. He could hardly believe the possessive, protective feelings that were rising in him like a flood. Not even his Slytherins had made him feel the way he did now. What was he going to do?

It was the end of Friday. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville made their way to the headmaster's office as they did every Friday to hear a report on Harry's progress. Ron wasn't surprised when Dumbledore didn't mention Draco's disappearance. In fact, Ron even suspected that Dumbledore didn't know himself what had happened. And that made him mad. Harry should never have been left in Snape's care! Who knew what else that Slytherin had done that the headmaster didn't know about? But what could he do? If he came forward now, he'd have to explain why he hadn't revealed he had the map earlier (not to mention explaining how he got it in the first place!), but Harry could be in trouble and he was the only one who knew enough to help him.

Ron lifted his head and got everyone's attention, "Do you know about Malfoy, Professor? He's not with Harry anymore. I just wanted to know why?"

Dumbledore looked over at the young Gryffindor, "How do you know this? I am unaware of Mr. Malfoy's absence."

"I have the Marauder's Map, sir." Ron admitted. "Malfoy hasn't been in the castle since yesterday morning. He's never been separated from Harry that long and I'm worried."

"Ron!" Ginny cried, astonished. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"You already knew where Harry was." Ron countered with a glare. "I didn't see the point of telling you I found the map."

"And where did you find it, Mr. Weasley?" Dumbledore asked.

Ron went red, "I found a complex summoning spell in the library. I used it to call the map to me. I was as surprised as anyone when it actually worked."

"Yes, well…" Dumbledore chuckled. "Greater need can strengthen a spell."

"I can't believe you didn't tell us." Hermione muttered, brown eyes hurt.

"We weren't talking at the time, remember?" He snapped and Hermione fell silent. So did the others.

"Very well. I will inquire about Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore told them. "Come back tomorrow afternoon."

"Thank you, Headmaster." Neville said since none of the others looked like they would.

"You are welcome." Dumbledore answered and shooed the students from the room.

Harry silently reached for Severus when the Potion Master entered his quarters. Severus lifted the child and Harry laid his head on his shoulder, ignoring the smell coming from his black robes. Remus stood in the doorway to the kitchen with sad, tired eyes. Severus gestured with his chin that he should come and sit on the couch.

"How was he today?"

"He hasn't spoken once." Remus answered. He took the seat across from Severus so the man could see him easily. Severus tightened his hold and Remus smiled.

"Has he eaten?"

"Yes, but not as much as he normally would. He did his lessons, but only would write out his answers. He let me take him to his tumbling lesson, but as soon as he was sure Draco wouldn't show up, he wanted to come home. I brought him back and made excuses to his teacher."

"That's fine." Severus looked down at Harry, but the boy had his face hidden against his neck. He rubbed soothing circles on his back, but tensed when the fire flared. Harry's head shot up and he looked at it with bright, hoping eyes. He crumpled back against Severus' chest again when he realized it was just Dumbledore.

"Severus, my boy, what has happened?" Dumbledore asked as he came to sit next to Remus. The werewolf made room for him easily, but said nothing.

"Narcissa has taken Draco. She didn't feel he was learning enough in this environment, especially considering the duties he will have to take up soon as Lord of the Malfoy family."

"I see." Dumbledore's eyes rested on the back of Harry's head. "How is he taking it?"

"Poorly." Severus answered evenly, but the hard glint in his eye told Dumbledore all he needed to know.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I was hoping she would be back by now. How did you come to hear of it? I was planning on coming to you once Harry was put to bed."

"I have my ways." Dumbledore twinkled at him with a smile. Severus grimaced at him and he quickly changed the subject. "I will help you in your search."

"That may not be the best idea." Severus answered reluctantly. "We don't want to lead anyone to them."

"I understand, my boy." Dumbledore stood. "I hope you feel better soon, Harry. If any of you need anything, you know where to find me."

Draco glared out the window to his room. He had dark circles under his eyes and he was hungry. He had slept poorly and when the sun finally came up, went in search of his mother. He knew what had happened. She had taken him away and he was furious. He could still feel Harry, but he instinctively knew his baby was very far away. His insides curled with dread at the feeling, but his mother wouldn't listen.

He had screamed, demanded, ordered, and eventually begged to be taken back to his Dad and Harry, but his mother wouldn't do it. So he had locked himself in his room, refusing to eat or do his lessons. Narcissa had let him saying he would only get to see Harry again when he did well in his classes.

He sighed again as he stared out into the night. He had no idea where he was. He only vaguely knew where Hogwarts was. There was no way he was getting back to Harry on his own. The only thing left was to do as his mother said and hope she would take him back. His eyes hardened. She would have to. He would act the perfect son and Lord and she would have to keep her promise, but he wouldn't let her take him away again. He wouldn't. Once he was back with Harry, he'd banish her. He'd never forgive her for what she had done.

He lifted a hand to his chest and his fingers curled tightly into the fabric, almost ripping it. Harry's devastated pain ached right there and he would make it go away. He'd make Harry feel better again. "I'm coming, Baby. Just wait a little bit longer. I'm coming." He promised and finally went to his bed. Tomorrow the games would start and he would beat his mother. Not even she would stop him from getting what he wanted. He was Lord Malfoy after all, and no one denies a Malfoy.

Saturday and Sunday passed slowly. Harry remained mute, but he smiled and played sedately with his Dad. Severus never left his side and every night allowed Harry to sleep with him. It didn't stop the boy's nightmares, but it did soften their effects once he woke. Remus wasn't there to help; he left on Friday to prepare for the full moon on Saturday night, and wouldn't be back until Monday. But that was okay; Harry only wanted his Dad.

Draco was having an even harder time of it since he had no one to comfort him or confide in. He acted sullen, but willing to his mother's wishes. He was obedient, cold, and polite. He excelled as his work, driving himself to accomplish everything perfectly even though he was tired and angry. He woke every night when Harry did and it took all his control to hide how he really felt about his mother, but he did it. He could see his mother's approval and pride growing. He hoped he wouldn't have to wait much longer.

Midnight slowly approached and Severus watched Harry worriedly. What was going to happen when the boys aged a year and were separated? He couldn't believe Narcissa was risking this. Draco could be hurt as much as Harry from this. His hands roamed until he felt the shape of the potions he had hidden in his pockets. There were a variety there, but he wanted to be sure he had everything Harry might need if there were problems.

The clock began to chime and Harry arched off the bed, his body rigid. That was all Severus saw before he was thrown across the room and slammed into a wall. He collapsed unconscious. Draco mirrored Harry, hundreds of miles away. Magic whipped around them, filled their rooms as a year was returned to their bodies and minds.

Chapter end.

A/N: Some of you have wondered what is going on with the boys' memories. Draco has all his memories from the first sixteen years of his life and of what has happened since the spell. Things are just a bit fuzzy. Each time he ages, the details of his life become clearer. This is not the same for Harry.

Harry has a stop-gap in his mind. He only remembers things up to the age his body is at physically. He also remembers what has happened after the spell. The memories don't replace each other. Harry doesn't realize that he has aged a year and has gotten more memories. To him, he just suddenly remembers things that have happened. He knows he's been with Severus and Draco for a month without interruption.

Does this make sense? … Of course once they get older, he will realize that he and Draco are under a spell and that he is aging a year and accessing that year's memories, but not yet. Probably when he is eleven.