A/N: I had lots of help with this. Thanks to: Bubbles and Apples, Golden Gryffin, Rose Shepard, Solana Rose, Honey Me, Violet Rose, Gulotta, and finally RKP! Thank you, thank you!

A/N2: This chapter is REALLY long, so I don't think I'll update again for two weeks. Maybe you should read half one day and leave the rest for later? Who am I kidding? lol! Enjoy!

Chapter Sixteen

The boys woke Monday morning curled up in each other's arms. Draco smiled at Harry and laid a gentle kiss on his lips. Harry cuddled up against him with a happy murmur. They lay peaceably for a long minute before Draco asked how Harry slept. Harry didn't answer at first and Draco could feel the wild swings in the smaller boy's emotions as he went through the year of memories now available to him.

"I couldn't keep my magic locked away and it burnt Uncle Vernon." Harry said softly. "He hasn't hit me since then. It hasn't stopped Dudley, though."

Draco felt the sharp spike of gratefulness and twin waves of horror and disgust. "You thought that just proved you were evil and they had a right to hurt you." He guessed.

"Yeah." Harry admitted, burying his face into Draco's shoulder.

"But you know now that magic isn't bad or evil."

"Yeah." Harry agreed and the horror and disgust gave way to an accepting sadness.

"You'll be fine." Draco smiled and kissed him again. "I'll make sure of it."

"Thank you, Ray. I don't know… I don't know how I could make it through this without you."

"And you will never have to find out because I'm not going anywhere." Draco grinned and climbed out of the bed pushed into the corner of the headmaster's bedroom.

He straightened his clothes and wrinkled his nose at the stiffness of them. He'd been wearing the same outfit for three days now. Harry laughed quietly at him and brushed them off with magic-tainted hands. The cloth softened and smelled cleaner when he was through. He then pushed his hands gently into Draco's hair and slowly pulled them down, watching the white silk become smooth like water. Draco smiled as Harry's serene pleasure and content rolled through him. His mother had wanted to cut his hair a bit shorter since it was now as long as his hips, but he had refused. He knew how much Harry loved his hair and that in turn made him prefer it long.

"You next." Draco sniffed disdainfully at Harry's soiled clothes. Harry laughed and obliged his friend.

"Good morning, boys." Dumbledore said brightly as he sat up with twinkling eyes.

"Good morning, Headmaster." Draco answered formally, his smile turning into a blank mask now that he knew they were being observed. Harry shrank back a bit so Draco was standing half-infront of him. Draco felt pride and strength swell his chest at his baby's trust in him.

"How was your night? The change wasn't painful?"

"No, Headmaster." Draco answered. Harry merely looked confused.

Dumbledore saw his confusion. He explained as he got up and got dressed. "You and young Malfoy are under a spell. You are really sixteen years old, but due to unforeseen side-effects to a healing spell Severus, Draco, and I cast on you, Harry, you were returned to four years of age. Every seven days, you are returned a year of your life. You and Lord Malfoy are now nine years old. It is because of this spell that you two are connected as you are, as well. Lord Malfoy can feel your feelings as you do and the spells is how you know when he is in trouble. The reason you can't feel his emotions the way he can feel yours is because you are the focus of the spell and so his magical connection to you is stronger than your magical connection to him." He chuckled warmly. "Though I'd guess that your emotional bond is about equal and has nothing to do with the spell at this point."

Draco felt Harry's worry and grabbed his hand, accurately guessing what had caused his friend to be filled with doubt. "Dumbledore is right. I love you because of who you are and everything that we've been through together. It's not 'cause of some stupid spell. I won't change any when the spell wears off. Baby, I swear it to you as the oath of a Malfoy."

Harry's fear melted and he practically beamed with joy and love. Draco felt his cheeks burn as the heat rushed through him and he wrapped an arm around the smaller boy possessively. Dumbledore laughed, but he was calculating behind his kind eyes. He led the two boys down to his office where he had breakfast served. Fawkes flew to Harry immediately and the green-eyed child played with the fire bird happily. Draco watched with a fond smile and dutifully carried on polite, small-talk with his host. They had just finished when Dumbledore looked off into space and shooed them back up into his bedroom.

"Your mother is on her way and she is not happy." He smiled. "Hide. Don't come out unless I say."

"Come, Harry." Draco said and put out his hand for the smaller boy to take. Harry took it obediently and the blonde led him up the stairs.

"Come in, Ms. Malfoy." Dumbledore called as there was a knock at his door. Fawkes flew over to his perch as the woman entered. Dumbledore smiled kindly at her. "What can I do for you today?"

"Don't play dumb, Albus." She answered, stalking to his desk and glaring at him. "I've come for my son. Where is he?"

Dumbledore smiled sadly at her. "I truly regret not being able to tell you that information, Narcissa, but I was bound into a wizard's oath of silence by Lord Malfoy. He does not wish his presence known to you. I do sympathize with your concerns, however, and assure you that the young man is in fine physical condition, happy, and continuing to receive an excellent education."

Narcissa let him talk and when he was finished, planted both of her long, manicured hands on his desk and gathered all of her will and magic around her like an icy blanket of power. "Do not test me, Albus Dumbledore. I will bring the world crashing down around your head if you try and keep my son from me."

"Narcissa. The child is afraid you will remove him from the man he looks up to as a new father and the boy he looks on as his brother. They are bound by magic, I've tested it thoroughly. Separation for any length of time would cause magical and emotional harm. Ignoring your son's condition and wishes is negligent. He has called on a third party to protect him. There is nothing illegal about what has happened. My hands are tied and so are yours. Draco has made his choice."

Narcissa mentally winced at the headmaster's words. He was calling her an unfit mother! Doubts swirled in her brain and fear pumped in her heart. What was she suppose to do? Leave him to grow more and more attached to Harry when the boy was obviously damaged beyond recovery? Draco was almost acting like the brunette had been an extension of his own body and soul. His individuality, his independence was being robbed from him. Was she supposed to sit back and let that happen? No! No, she wouldn't allow that ill-fated boy and this manipulative devil-spawn to take her baby from her or ruin him!

"Negligence? That is an ironic charge to be throwing at me, Albus, when you had your little boy hero growing up in a foul, abusive home. What would you call that? Conspiracy, collusion? You aided and abetted the mental, emotional, and physical abuse of a child for almost ten years. In fact, that would make you guilty of his murder."

"Enough." Dumbledore cut in sharply. He stood and glared into her eyes. "You've said enough. There is no proof of your claims. No one has brought charges against me. Draco, himself, is acting against you. We have nothing further to say to each other. You are free to remain at Hogwarts for as long as you deem necessary, but I cannot reveal your son's location until he permits me. If you wish to communicate with him, write him a letter. I would be more than happy to pass it on."

Narcissa bared her teeth in rage, but knew she would get no further with the stubborn bastard. She turned, her skirts swirling about her ankles, and stormed from the office. Dumbledore sighed and sat in his chair, closing his eyes for a few seconds. Narcissa's accusations had been dangerous indeed. He'd have to deal with the woman's ire and knowledge. But first he had two boys to question.

With a swish of his wand, his bedroom door opened and he called them back down. He waited until they were settled into the chairs across from his desk before offering them candy. Draco accepted, but Harry shook his head shyly. Dumbledore smiled at him, but Harry still wouldn't meet his eyes or speak up in his presence. Ah, well. Some things took time.

"How are your studies going?" He asked once the blonde had finished his candy. "If I'm going to continue your lessons it would be good to know where you stand."

"Won't Dad and Moony teach us still?" Draco asked with a small frown. He knew he was supposed to keep all emotion from his face, but sometimes allowing some emotion through achieved a purpose. This expression was a warning. He was going to get what he wanted and it would be less painful to just go along with him while he was still in a good mood.

"They will be coming and teaching you when they can, but if your mother is around or they have class to teach, then it will be up to me. I don't want you two to fall behind and have your father get angry with me." Dumbledore smiled.

"Well, we have different lessons." Draco answered thoughtfully. "I study acting, politics, law, history, and language. My physical lessons are walking, dancing, tumbling, and self-defense. My magical studies include Occlumency at night with Dad, magical theory, and memorizing the pronunciation of spells. I haven't been aloud to actually practice magic yet because my mother feels I'm still too young. I would also like to return to flying. Swimming would be nice too."

"That is very impressive, young Malfoy."

"Thank you, sir."

"And what about you, Harry? What have you learned?" He asked gently, but the boy shook his head and looked shyly at his hands in his lap. "Come now, my boy. You know I wouldn't hurt you. I care about you a great deal. There is nothing to be afraid of." Fawkes gave an encouraging trill and Dumbledore smiled fondly at the bird. "You see. Even Fawkes thinks you're safe here."

Harry looked up at the old man with wary green eyes. He slid a glance over at Draco, but the boy was sitting straight and blank faced, unwilling to influence him one way or the other since he was unsure how much he trusted the old man himself. Harry turned his attention back to Dumbledore and whispered, "I haven't learned much. Just reading, writing, math, and some magical theory. Occlumency too." He blushed and his voice became a mere whisper. "I didn't talk for a while and they couldn't really teach me like that and Moony mostly talks about my first father and my mother."

"I see." Dumbledore twinkled at him. "Your parents were very great people. It is a worthy subject to learn about. You shouldn't feel too overshadowed by Draco's progress, Harry. He is ahead only because he has knowledge from years you do not have access too yet."

Harry nodded and his gaze in his lap. Draco thought it was time to step in. Harry's anxiety was rising. The small brunette hated to be in the center of attention. "Will you take us out flying today, sir?"

"I don't think that will be possible, Draco. It's too big of a risk and I'm afraid your mother still hasn't accepted the situation."

"So we're going to stay up here all day?" Draco asked evenly, but his frown had come back. "What about our tumbling lessons in France?"

"I will see what I can do." Dumbledore promised. "Now. How would you feel about a practical lesson in magic?"

Draco perked up. "That would be great."

"Alright. I have Harry's wand here. I'm sure since you are both so close you will have no problems using it as well as Harry."

Draco accepted the wood and smiled. "I'm sure I'll be okay."

"What spells have you memorized?" Dumbledore asked.

"Wingardium Leviosa." The blonde said with an easy flick. A paper weight on the headmaster's desk rose gracefully in the air.

"Well done." Dumbledore laughed. "Why don't you try it, Harry?"

Draco ended his spell and was handing Harry the wand when the black-haired boy raised his hand and repeated what Draco had. The paper weight obediently rose. Draco's mouth stretched into a proud smile. "Good job, Baby!"

"Yes. Very good indeed." Dumbledore smiled with satisfaction.

The hours passed as they practiced more and more difficult spells. Dumbledore left once or twice to go to work, but came back shortly to continue their lessons. By dinner, the boys were dueling with harmless spells and weak shields. Dumbledore's office looked the worse for wear, but the headmaster couldn't be any happier. The boys were relaxing around him, Draco especially who felt grateful and hungry for more lessons. Yes. Things were going very well.

The boys were just getting ready for bed. Dumbledore was down in his office doing paper work. Draco was glowing with happy exhaustion and Harry looked the same. Suddenly, Harry tensed. His whole body went rigid. Draco's head snapped up and he rushed to Harry's side.

"Baby! Baby, what's wrong?" Draco demanded, grabbing the smaller boy roughly by his shoulders.

Harry's eyes slowly slid over to the blonde's, but he couldn't focus. Draco opened his mouth to scream for help when he suddenly crumpled unconscious. Harry swayed without his friend's support. Then the pain hit. He screamed as blood erupted from his scar and began to go into convulsions.

Dumbledore rushed up to his room to find the boys on the floor; Draco as still as death and Harry spasming with agonized whimpers. He tried to hold Harry secure, but the boy's body bowed back as his muscles clinched impossibly tight. Reaching with his magic he sent a mental call for the school nurse and held on as best as he could.

Draco slowly woke to the sound of ragged breathing and a sharply chanting woman. He opened heavy eyes and saw the nurse hovering over his baby who jerked horrifically like a dieing spider. He screamed and launched himself at his friend, but was grabbed by the waist. He looked up furiously into Dumbledore's face.

"No, my boy. Harry needs medical attention and you'll only get in the way right now." He said with sad sympathy. "You do want your friend to get better, right?"

"Yes." Draco's voice trembled.

"Come. Sit with me and tell me what you saw."

Draco allowed himself to be carried over to Dumbledore's bed. His gray eyes never left Harry's small broken form. "The evil man was there and he was telling the Death Eaters that training was finally complete. He's ready to start some missions. The first will be to attack Kings Cross station and all the establishments that serve as a gate between the muggle and wizarding world. I didn't recognize many of the names, but I know the Leaky Cauldron. Then he called forward the Inner Circle. He noticed Dad wasn't there and got really, really mad. He punished lots of people for not preventing Dad from leaving the fold and punished them for not informing him of the betrayal sooner. Then he screamed that the one to bring him Dad's head would be rewarded beyond their wildest dreams. Then he dismissed everyone and I woke up."

"That is very grave news." Dumbledore said, his eyes focused elsewhere as he began to plot.

"Baby felt all the curses the bad man cast to punish his followers?" Draco asked in a terrified little voice. "Will he die?"

"No, Draco. He will live." Dumbledore assured. "He is just very, very sick."

"I want my Dad!" Draco wailed and burst into tears.

"I'm sorry, but he can't come up. We'd be giving away where you are and he is very tired from all the worrying you've put him through. You want him to rest, don't you? Besides, Harry needs quiet. He'd be very hurt if he saw how upset he was making your father. When he's feeling better, I will bring him."

Draco cried helplessly, but tapered off when Madam Pomfrey approached looking like she would faint at any moment.

"I've done the best I can, but there is still damage done. He's too young and already malnourished. We need specialized potions, Albus."

"I will get them. Just give me a list." Dumbledore nodded. "What kind of permanent damage can we expect?"

"He will get tired easily and his hands will begin shaking when he gets fatigued. His eyes are worse now and I expect he'll have temporary blind spells. There is also the possibility of him having random seizures."

"May I go lay with him?" Draco asked in a hoarse voice.

"You may." She smiled at him tiredly and Draco ran to the bed and crawled up next to Harry, crying into the smaller boy's shoulder as he curled protectively around him.

Draco woke the next morning and instantly looked for Harry. The smaller boy was where he was supposed to be: at his side, asleep. He sighed in relief and stroked the black hair from his friend's too pale face. He lay like this for an hour before the green eyes opened slowly. They blinked a few times and then panic hit Draco in the gut.

"What's wrong, Baby?" He asked worriedly.

"R-r-ray?" Harry's voice questioned and Draco hated the weak quiver in it.

"Yes. I'm here. What's wrong? Does something hurt?"

"Can't… can't see, Ray." Harry whimpered. "E-e-everything is d-d-dark."

"Shhh…" Draco wrapped his arms around his friend and rocked him. "Madam Pomfrey told me that you will have blind spells, but that they are only temporary. You'll see again soon."

"Hurts." Harry cried.

"I know. I know." Draco cried with him. Minutes passed and they clung to each other fearfully. Draco almost crumpled with relief when a wave of relief and joy rushed out from Harry.

"I can see!" He said happily, his green orbs focusing on Draco for the first time since he woke.

"Good." Draco smiled tearfully.

Harry frowned and brought his hands up to wipe away the blonde's tears. "I'm okay. Don't be sad, Ray."

Draco nodded and forced his emotions from his face. He was still torn up and frightened, but he wouldn't let his baby see. He'd be strong for Harry. "Alright. Do you think you can get up? I can go get you breakfast."

"I can walk downstairs. It's not too far to Dumbledore's office."

Draco helped Harry stand and slowly make his way to the stairs and down them. Halfway there, Harry's hands began to tremble and by the time Draco got Harry into a seat they were shaking violently. Draco clasped them in his own and whispered soothing nothings until Harry relaxed and began to doze. Harry knelt in front of his chair and didn't move, even when the black-haired boy fell asleep. He stared at his friend, unable to look away.

His baby was so fragile and yet strong. Even now he could feel the deep and powerful magic rising to work with the healing spells still wrapped around Harry to fix as much as they could. Dumbledore said Harry needed potions. Dad was great at potions. Decided, he carefully pulled his hands from Harry's and went over to the fireplace. He pulled Harry's wand from his pants and Accioed the floo powder.

"Potion's classroom!" He called as he flung it down. The fire whooshed green. He waited impatiently until Severus' head entered the flames.

"What is it?" The man snapped, but his expression melted into concern when he saw who called him. "Draco? What's wrong?"

Tearfully, Draco told his father what happened and how bad Harry was and that he needed potions bad. Rage crossed Severus' features before he carefully masked his face into something neutral.

"I'll be right there. Don't leave Harry's side."

"Yes, Father." Draco nodded, wiping away his own tears. He trotted away from the fire and returned to his place sitting in front of Harry's chair, his back resting against Harry's legs.

Severus dismissed class and flooed to his rooms. He found a defeated and exhausted Narcissa and a worried Wolf. He quickly told them what he had learned from Draco. There was no time for petty games with Narcissa. Not if the headmaster was moving to try and separate him from the boys. He'd need all the help he could get to check Albus' manipulations. Remus' eyes flashed gold when he heard and Narcissa stood with renewed strength.

"We have to work together no matter how much we may not like it." Severus snapped at the blonde woman. "Separating the boys caused Draco agony and damage during the aging, who knows what going through a vision would do to him if he were away from Harry. Maybe he would feel some of the curses as well. In any case, we can't risk it."

"And Draco will only fight you. He has his memories of being sixteen." Remus cut in with a hard edge. "He is not truly nine and he has made his decision. You will have to accept that."

"It was a mistake." Narcissa said shortly. "I am aware of that."

"Good." Severus nodded once. "They are up in the headmaster's office now. Remus, you and Narcissa go to them. Take care of them as best you can. I will go see Pomfrey and find out what she needs."

"What about the headmaster?" Remus growled.

"He's probably informing the Order. You should have a small window with the boys uninterrupted."

Narcissa and Remus hurried to the floo and were gone. Severus was on their heals, except he was heading for the infirmary. Remus came out of the floo first and smiled as Draco lifted his head from Harry's lap and wilted with obvious relief. His expression shuttered, however, when Narcissa stepped out of the fire behind him.

"She won't take you away again, Draco." Remus promised, going to the boy and holding him while running a hand through Harry's hair. "She's admitted she was wrong."

Draco hugged Remus tight before pulling away and taking up a position between them and his mother. "I want to hear it for myself."

Narcissa looked down at her son. His hair was unbound and began to lift and wave lazily due to his rising magic. Rage and determination shone from his eyes. It hurt so badly to see that look directed at her that she back-stepped and clutched at the fabric above her heart. "I'm sorry, Dragon. I did what I thought was best. I didn't understand the situation."

"You aren't forgiven, Mother." Draco answered coldly. "But you may stay on the condition that you don't come within reach of me. I mean it. If you touch me or Harry, I will not be held responsible for my actions."

"I understand, Dragon." She said meekly and took up a position by the fireplace.

Draco nodded in satisfaction and turned back to see Remus sitting in the chair with Harry cradled in his lap. Green eyes opened sleepily. Draco went over to them and grabbed Harry's hand in his own. There were still gentle tremors going through it. "How do you feel, Baby? Are you hungry?"

"Yes." Harry blushed at all the concern and attention.

"I will order something." Narcissa offered quietly, moving to the floo.

Draco nodded at her and turned his attention back to Harry. "Dad is making you potions to make you better. He'll be here soon."

"Okay." Harry smiled at the blonde and warm affection rippled down their bond. "Thank you, Ray."

"How do you feel?" Remus asked gently, realizing Harry had never answered the question.

"I'm fine." Harry assured him.

"Nothing hurts?" Remus pressed, cupping the child's face in his hands and looking deeply into Harry's eyes.

"A little bit all over. I think my head and chest is the worse." Harry shrugged. "But really, it's not that bad. I can handle it."

"Oh Pup. You shouldn't have to handle it. Never keep your pain to yourself. I'll always do all I can to make sure that you don't hurt."

Harry nodded tearfully and wrapped his arms around the man's neck, crying into his shoulder. Draco smiled lovingly as he felt Harry's surprise and gratitude. The fire flared behind him and Narcissa pulled out a tray overflowing with food and drinks. Draco took out Harry's wand and magically lifted it from her hands and placed it on the desk. He busied himself with separating the foods Harry' favored from the rest.

Severus flooed into Dumbledore's office just as Harry had finished eating. He rushed to the boy and scooped him up out of Remus' lap without a word. Harry clung to him, but didn't cry. Severus held him tight for a few minutes before allowing himself to become aware of the others in the room. Draco and Remus sat in the chairs in front of the headmaster's desk and wore identical smiles. Narcissa still stood by the fire and was conversing quietly with Poppy who had followed Severus.

"Harry?" He asked, turning his eyes to the child in his arms.

The boy had tensed and he watched in horror as the boy's eyes rolled back into his head and he began to seizure. Severus dropped to the floor and protected Harry's head through the violent storm. Draco had leapt to his feet, but Remus was holding him back. Poppy had rushed over, but her spells were not calming Harry's spasms. It was over as quick as it had started and blurry green eyes were staring up at him.

"Dad?" Harry whispered confusedly.

"Shhh. It's alright. I have medicine. Swallow them for me, son."

Harry slow and heavy hands reached for the vial, but Severus ignored it and put the potion to the boy's lip himself. Harry drank obediently; one, two, and a third before falling into an exhausted slumber. Poppy nodded permission for him to lift the sick child and he did so. Draco pulled away from Remus and pressed desperately against Severus' legs, hand clasped in Harry's shirt.

"My." Dumbledore said as he tried to enter his office, only to find it very crowded.

"I'm taking him back to the hidden room in the infirmary." Severus said and walked toward the door and the old man, but the headmaster didn't move. Severus glared at him warningly, arms tightening around the precious burden in his arms, still horrified from witnessing Harry's suffering.

"Albus?" Remus questioned, eyes beginning to glow.

"The war has truly begun." Dumbledore intoned gravely. "St. Mungo's is overflowing and the death count will be high. Seventeen establishments were attacked. Only four were we able to protect, the rest were destroyed."

"I can do nothing for them, Albus. But I can take care of my son. Move aside." Severus said softly.

"I have opened the school infirmary to the healers to use. I told you, St. Mungo's overfilled. Harry will stay here. It is safer at the moment." Albus shook his head and gazed sadly at the child.

"Then I will take him back to my quarters. Poppy has done all she at the moment and I can call her if I need her again."

Severus wasn't about to leave Harry in the company of the manipulative old man when he was vulnerable and sick. Dumbledore must have sensed this for he reluctantly agreed and stepped aside. Severus strode past him, Draco on his heels. Remus and Narcissa moved to follow, but Dumbledore stopped them.

"We need all the help we can get with the injured and warding the four establishments we were able to save." He sighed tiredly and leaned against the wall. "I could use your help."

"The Dark Lord has placed a price on me head." Narcissa answered coldly. "I'm sure I will be of no help."

"I can put a glamour on you or you could use Polyjuice." Dumbledore shook his head. "I understand if you would rather not. It could be dangerous and you have a son to think of. Remus? What about you?"

Remus felt torn. He was afraid to be lured back under the headmaster's control. He wanted to be there for Harry and Draco. He even wanted to be there for Severus, but Narcissa was there as well as Poppy. He knew the medi-witch was none-to-happy with the headmaster and would support Harry in anyway she could. And he couldn't let others suffer because of his displeasure with Dumbledore. He nodded. The old headmaster smiled in relief and gestured the werewolf closer, explaining what he needed him to do. Narcissa shook her head and left them to it. She had a son to care for after all; even if he hated her at the moment.

Harry woke to the sound of someone singing a sweet slow tune. He opened his eyes and blinked in surprise when he found that it was Draco's lap his head was in and that it was the blonde singing as he played with Harry's hair. Draco smiled, but didn't stop. Harry closed his eyes and just basked in the gentle attention and affection of his best friend. It was one of the best moments of his life. All too soon the song came to an end. He opened his eyes again to see Draco's grey ones ready to catch them.

"How are you feeling?" He asked softly.

"I feel fine." Harry answered honestly and lifted his arms to prove it. He wrapped them around Draco's neck and pulled until the blonde was laying next to him on the bed, practically draped over him. Harry sighed in contentment as Draco's arms came to wrap around him, making him feel utterly safe and cherished. He sighed again, a smile on his lips.

"You're in a good mood." Draco laughed softly.

"I love you, Ray." Harry answered and burrowed closer to his warm body.

Severus and Draco were both surprised at Harry's high spirits throughout the following days. He tried to explain that he finally believed that they really loved him, that they wouldn't leave him, but they didn't really understand. So he would just smile sweetly at them and shrug. He had five more seizures and two blind spells. Though the seizures were more horrific, Harry hated the blind spells most. When they happened, he had to be held by either Severus or Draco until it was over. His hatred for the dark had not lessened.

The third day after the vision Harry was strong enough to stay awake for more than a couple hours and was able to walk around without collapsing with exhaustion after a dozen steps. Severus renewed their Occlumency lessons and they worked on it until the boys thought their heads would explode. Narcissa was allowed to be in the same room as them by this point and Draco was even speaking to her, though he was still short with her. She accepted this meekly, but Harry had a suspicion that she wouldn't for very much longer.

"What do you want to eat?" Severus asked Harry as he brushed a hand through the boy's hair.

Harry leaned into his father's hand. Severus responded by pulling the boy to him and lifting him. Harry wrapped his legs around his father's waist and laid his head tiredly on his shoulder. Severus continued to run his fingers through his son's hair. Draco watched all this from his position sprawled on the couch. He wrinkled his nose with slight jealously, but didn't say anything about it. Instead he answered their father.

"I want steak."

Severus inclined his head in agreement, giving Draco a look that erased any jealousy he was feeling. There was pride in that dark gaze and respect. Draco sat up straight, warmth burning in his chest. Severus reached out to smooth over Draco's head tenderly as he passed. Draco followed and made faces up at Harry over their Dad's shoulder. Harry made faces back. It was Draco who burst into laughter first.

"If you have enough energy to be ridiculous, maybe we didn't work hard enough." Severus scowled playfully.

"Please." Draco drawled, sitting next to Harry while their father went around the table to sit across from them. "I'm giddy with exhaustion. If you are annoyed, maybe you worked us to hard."

"Eat your dinner, brat." He glared and put his napkin in his lap. Narcissa did the same beside him. Harry and Draco copied them and the table filled with delicious food. The next few minutes were spent in silence as they ate.

Twice Severus prodded at the boys' mental shields to see if they were being maintained. Draco's was weaker than Harry's, but the blonde could maintain them and erect them longer. Draco's shields were present both times he checked, but he could see through them a bit. The first time Harry's mind was open, but the second it was locked tight. He nodded his approval.

"What are your plans after dinner?" Narcissa asked halfway through the meal.

"Bath and bed?" Harry spoke up hopefully.

"For you, yes." Severus agreed. They all could see the fork in Harry's hand shaking every so slightly. He was reaching his limits. "But Draco has work to do."

"But Father…" Draco protested, frowning. He wasn't as tired as Harry, but bath and bed sounded divine.

"You need to work on your studies. Soon you will be taking up your duties as Lord." Severus told him.

Draco looked over at his mother suspiciously, but her face was blank. Had it been filled with triumph, he would have rebelled. As it was, he sighed and glared over at his father mutinously. Severus didn't seem to mind. Once dinner was done, he led Harry to the bathroom while Narcissa took her son back into the sitting room.

"I'm really getting sick of this room." Draco smiled ruefully. Harry, he, and Severus (who had taken a temporary leave of absence from his teaching duties until Harry and he mastered Occlumency; Dumbledore had called in a substitute, a Mr. Farris) had been studying there every chance they got.

"Maybe when Severus announces that your training is adequate, I can take you and Harry out." She offered as she settled into chair.

"I wouldn't let you take me anywhere." Draco answered matter-of-factly.

Narcissa flinched and looked away. Draco felt smug, he thought she'd remain remorseful and submissive (as she should!), but she didn't. She turned back to him and her eyes were hard as diamonds and when she spoke Draco thought he should see her breath, her voice was so cold.

"I disregarded your feelings and wishes, Dragon. I caused you unintentional pain. But look at the situation from my point of view. You are my son. You are the leader and pride of your family. You have wealth and power and privilege. But that is all a second thought to Harry Potter, a boy you use to not be able to stand. I'm aware that things have changed, that you are bonded to him almost as tightly as a twin. I care about Harry. I don't want to see him hurt. But you are my first priority. Your honor and reputation and your life are all more important to me than your bond to Harry. I would not have acted so if you weren't as close as you are to him. I acted to save your life."

"My life was never in danger, Mother." Draco spat back, finally gathering his courage.

"It was and still is, Dragon, but I know that trying to prevent you from traveling down this fatal course is pointless."

"You are wrong." He sneered at her. "You are grasping at reasons to possible justify your behavior. It won't work."

"Do you remember the story of Aurora Haidyn?" She asked softly, eyes now on her lap.

"What does that have to do with this?" Draco's eyes narrowed dangerously, thinking his mother was changing the subject.

"Tell me the story. I promise it has relevance."

"In 1549, Jeffery Gordon killed her brother to revenge his father and she attacked him. They dueled. It was close, but Jeffery overpowered her. They say he went mad with victory and went into a rut due to how closely she matched him. He ripped the rest of her close off and Desecrated her. She couldn't fight back. Her magic was too depleted. The Haidyn's declared Blood Feud with the Gordon's and they went to war. The Haidyn's did all they could for Aurora, but she went insane. The best healers of the day could do nothing and in 1550 Aurora's magic rose up and killed her. The last Gordon perished in 1564, killed by the Haidyn's."

"Has anyone survived Desecration?"

"No. Aurora was recorded to have lived the longest after such an act." Draco waved his hand impatiently with a glare. "What does this have to do with you ignoring my express wish and acting against me?"

"Dragon…" Narcissa's will seemed to waver and Draco felt dread build in his gut. Why was his mother looking at him like that? "Dragon, you know how we discussed why Harry acts and thinks they way he does? Why he is so afraid?"

"No." Draco jumped to his feet, his hands clenched into fists. Magic swirled around him, prowling and beginning to wail with his rage and terror. "You go to far, Mother."

"Harry's family abused him since he was a child, but when he turned sixteen his Uncle…"

"Don't say it." Draco bit out through gritted teeth. "Don't you say it."

"His Uncle drugged him to paralyze both is body and magic and Desecrated him." Narcissa finished in a whisper.

"NO!" Draco roared and his magic struck. But he was blind to his mother's cry; blind to the destruction of the room around him.

Faded memories were rising in his mind. At first all he could make out was a haunting and cuttingly painful tune: an angel singing, a piano's ringing cry. Words of pain and despair, of resignation, of death. Green eyes pale and empty within a lifeless body that obeyed orders as a puppet would. Eyes that began to wake when they looked into him only to shut down for a final time. He remembered chanting, offering his magic and his mind in a desperate attempt to heal the fallen angel before him. He couldn't remember the words, couldn't even remember if it hurt.

But as soon as these slivers of memory rose they were washed away with vividly clear memories. His Baby laughing with him, playing tag, bathing, eating with him, crying into his shoulder, needing him, holding him, loving him. Baby brushing his hair with magic imbued fingers, mourning him when he was gone, curling around him to sleep. His Harry who was tortured by the evil man far away and smiled at him even through his pain just so he wouldn't worry.

Harry who filled his heart with an uncomplicated joy that he had never been capable of feeling on his own, who filled him with a love more pure and powerful than he had ever experienced, who knew true terror. His Baby who was finally finding his feet and strength and was beginning to stand up to the pain and horror in the world, who was had finally opened his heart fully to him and their father and gave them the most precious of all gifts: unconditional love.

Even now Draco could feel it like a tiny sun burning in his chest, could feel the heat and magic and strength that Harry had hidden away because of his fear and self-hate. It was finally free and Harry had given it to him and to a lesser degree their father. Draco could feel his Baby coming closer, drawn by his magical outburst. Harry walked through it, parting it gently with his own magic much more powerful than Draco's could ever be. Draco expected him to try and subdue him, but he didn't.

Their eyes met and Draco saw worry, love, and acceptance in the emerald depths. Harry didn't care if he raged, if he lashed out. He just wouldn't let Draco do it alone. Harry stood at his side, inches away, calmly waiting for him to do what he needed. Draco screamed again with denial. Desecrated. This angel staring at him so openly, ignorant of the atrocities he would wake to in a few weeks time.

Black messy hair, pouty lips, clumsy glasses that couldn't contain the brilliance of the eyes behind them. A slender body to small and short, testament to the abuse he already suffered, survived, and overcame. Draco was two inches wider, five inches taller, twenty-one pounds heavier and yet Harry was larger on the inside. Draco knew he was only peeking into Harry's heart through the bond and it filled him up till he was snug inside himself, no extra space or echoes that he could remember from another life.

He admired his Baby's heart for it was so large, his emotions so damn strong and pure and powerful. There was nothing diluted about them; they weren't tempered with reason or justifications or rationalizations. Harry should have been cherished, protected, because those same emotions that made him strong and extraordinary also made him fragile. Desecrated. It was blasphemous! It was horrendous! It wasn't fair! Not Harry, not his Baby!

"Ray." Harry reached for him and his small hands landed gently on Draco's cheeks.

Draco could only stare, struck numb with a horror so great, he could only stare at the one who meant the world to him, stare at the one whose soul had been murdered and pulled back by the brink of death to be temporarily caged by the mind and body of a child. His magic was weakening. Not because he felt any more calm, but because he had no more left to strike out at the world with. He was empty. Empty of everything except Harry's heat still burning unwaveringly in his chest.

"Ray." Harry repeated again, worry and fear filled his voice as his love reached and blanketed Draco, offering unconscious comfort. Harry wiped away his friend's silent tears and stared into those grey pools. They were older, aged suddenly by pain and horror. "Was it the bad man? Ray?"

Mute, screaming in his mind and heart, Draco's hands unclenched and slowly lifted. Long, pale fingers covered Harry's hands that still rested ever so gently on his cheeks. At the touch, Harry's thumbs stilled in their job of brushing away his tears. Draco's fingers closed slowly around Harry's and pulled the boy's hands down between them so that they rested just above Draco's laboring heart. Harry's eyes widened and splayed flat so that he wouldn't miss a beat. Green never left gray.

Draco suddenly felt too small. His body didn't fell right. Suddenly, he was sixteen again with the clarity of age that he hadn't remembered ever losing. He was aware of mortality. He was aware of what he was going to lose when he looked into his Baby's face. He looked and understood that he knew nothing of pain yet and it terrified him.

Harry reached for him as he sank to his knees with a helpless whimper. Draco felt his friend hold him, felt Harry sink to the floor with him, and he wanted to scream that Harry was lying! He wouldn't be there always! He was going to leave him, alone and as broken as Harry ever was.

"Draco!" Harry cried, frightened.

The sound of his true name coming out of his baby's mouth shocked Draco. He felt Harry's fear and rising panic. It pushed him into action, though he didn't know what action to take. All he knew was that even when he was shattered he could not ignore Harry's call. He found himself hugging the boy back and that seemed to calm his Baby somewhat.

"Harry." He whispered hoarsely. He meant to say it reassuringly, but instead it was a plea.

"What is it, Ray? Are you hurt?" Harry asked him frantically.

"I love you, Baby." Draco buried his face into Harry's shoulder and cried.

Harry looked up at his Dad and Ms. Malfoy. They stood motionless against the wall where they had been shoved by Draco's magical outburst. He demanded they come help him, but they didn't move. Narcissa just shook her head as tears fell from her eyes. Severus just said that there was nothing he could do. Draco didn't stop crying. He'd never seen the blonde like this. Not even the horrible visions had made the arrogant, confident, protective Lord Malfoy breakdown like this. His eyes went back to Ms. Malfoy and they hardened.

"What did you do to him?" He demanded. Anger began to rise in him, like a slow spiral rising up from his belly. He'd never been so angry and he knew it would get worse. He didn't try to stop it. He wanted answers. He wanted to know what was wrong with his Ray and he would fix it. "Tell. Me. Now."

Narcissa gasped. She felt the rising magic and knew she was in danger. The submissive, fragile boy before her suddenly took on a new cast in her eyes. For the first time she truly understood that Harry Potter was The-Boy-Who-Lived, the boy who had defeated the Dark Lord twice and survived battling him two more. Before it was words, it was a concept of power, but now she was feeling it first hand and it was terrifying. She looked over at Severus desperately, but the man only had eyes for the boy and ignored her plight.

"TELL ME!" Harry roared. He released Draco and stood. The blonde's broken cries were slowing, but he was still lying crumpled at Harry's feet. His grey eyes caught on the boy before him as if mesmerized.

"I did nothing." Narcissa tried to say. It was the wrong answer.

Green flame rose up out of Harry's skin. It had no heat, but instead lashed out with pure energy. Narcissa could feel it lapping at her skin from where she stood. Like a breeze made solid, the waves coming off the flame pressed her rhythmically against he wall. Each ripple was getting stronger as the green fire got larger. The flames snaked around Harry's small form. His glasses shattered and disintegrated, his clothes dissolved into dust and his hair thrashed wildly. But it was his eyes that were the most disturbing. They glowed brighter than the flame. His hands rose and the green flame flowed up his body and down his arms, moving to gather in his palms. Originally the flame had been a rich emerald green, Slytherin green, but as they combined the color lightened and got brighter. Narcissa's eyes widened as she recognized the exact shade of the killing curse.

"You will never hurt my Draco again." Harry promised, fury in his voice and eyes.

"Don't." Draco gasped as he finally found the strength to stand.

Fighting the rage was hard. It was so bright and hot that he had a hard time telling himself that it wasn't his anger, telling himself that he wasn't the one that wanted to destroy. Knowing the strength of that anger, therefore, Draco was surprised when Harry responded and leaned back against him. And then Draco understood.

The anger was so strong because it was supported by love. Harry's love for him was spiraled around that anger, making it stronger than it could ever have been on its own. Harry was protecting him. Grinning, tears returning to his eyes, Draco leaned down and bowed his head so that it rested on Harry's shoulder. His blonde hair cascaded around Harry's shoulders as if it were his own hair. It shimmered in the light of Harry's protective fury.

"Don't, Baby. It wasn't her that hurt me. Let it go, Baby." Draco murmured and the fire began to retreat, Harry's hands to lower. But it didn't go out. It burned just above his skin. "Harry, I'm better now. I… I just… I can't tell you why I was… upset… But I'm better now."

Harry shuddered and the fire disappeared. With a choked cry, Harry spun in Draco's grip and clung to the blonde, his face buried in his chest as he shook from the aftermath of his rage. Draco rocked him, tears gone. His baby's anger had cleansed him and left behind determination. Harry wasn't like anyone else. There was no one like him in the past, nor would there be anyone like him in the future. He didn't care what happened to those who were Desecrated. Harry would not die. His Baby would live. Because Harry had him and because Harry was a survivor.

"Don't do that ever again, Draco." Harry said with deadly seriousness, still shaking with his fear and anger and worry. "Never again."

"I promise." Draco smiled and bent his head to lay a salty kiss on Harry's lips. Harry kissed him back, chastely, and fainted with exhaustion. Now it was Draco's turn to sink to the floor under the weight of another's body. He looked up at Severus with tired eyes. "A little help here, Dad?"

Draco woke the next morning starving. He remembered everything that happened last night, but it was fuzzy. Like a horrible dream. The talk with his mother was even worse, but he suspected that he was just too young to understand. Maybe it had to do with the spell Dumbledore had been telling him and Harry about before the bloody vision that hurt his Baby so badly. In any case, what he did know with one hundred percent clarity was that his Baby might die when the spell was over and he remembered something really, really bad that happened to him and that Draco was determined to prevent that from happening.

"You have wrinkles." Harry giggled sleepily, bringing up a hand to rub at Draco's forehead.

"Wrinkles." Draco sniffed and then grinned. He attacked the smaller boy and tickled him until he begged for mercy. "That'll teach you to insult a Malfoy!"

"S-s-sorry." Harry laughed and tried to catch his breath.

"Come on. I'm hungry!" Draco exclaimed and jumped from the bed.

Harry followed more slowly with a happy smile. He wouldn't ask what happened the night before that upset Draco so badly. He just wanted to forget his friend ever being that broken. But he would keep watch to try and prevent it from ever happening again.

"Hurry up, Baby." Draco smiled sweetly and Harry picked-up his pace.

"Can we stop?" Draco whined and collapsed back against the couch tiredly. His head pounded. They had been working at Occlumency for hours and it was getting close to bed time.

Severus frowned at the boys, but Harry couldn't see it. The small brunette was sitting in the blonde's lap completely blind. That didn't prevent him from working on Occlumency, however, and Severus had insisted they still practice. Both boys looked tired, but Severus couldn't stop. He couldn't let the Harry suffer from a vision like that again. It might cause permanent damage or even kill the child. But before he could snap at them to start again, the door opened and the Wolf came in. They hadn't seen him for days, not since they had fetched Harry from Dumbledore's office.

"Moony!" Draco cried out in relief. No way would Father make them practice now.

"Moony?" Harry perked up, excited.

"Hey, cub." Remus smiled tiredly and came over to collapse next to the boys on the couch. "You alright?"

"Blind, but it should be over soon. Right, Father?"

"Yes." Severus sat back tiredly and rubbed at his face with his long-fingered hands. "The longest blind spell lasted just over three hours and we're going on two and a half now. It should be over any minute."

"How are you, Moony? Where were you?" Draco asked curiously, eyeing the man and his filthy clothes and haggard expression.

"I've been bolstering ward with other people to protect places from Voldemort."

Severus hissed at the use of the Dark Lord's name, but Draco tilted his head curiously. "Voldemort? Is that the evil guy's name? I wondered why no one would tell me. It's embarrassing. How can we get beat by a guy with such a ridiculous name?"

Harry laughed and Severus looked about ready to explode. Remus chuckled and cast a soothing look in Severus' direction. Though it didn't calm the man, it did keep him silent. That was progress at least.

"So what are you guys doing this weekend?" He asked, changing the subject away from the war.

"Probably practicing till our brain oozes out of our ears." Draco muttered and hugged Harry tight in an effort to hide his mutinous expression.

"You have to have a brain before it can ooze anywhere." Severus sneered playfully. "Why don't you go take Harry to bed? I'll be in to tuck you in later."

Draco acted quickly, afraid his father would change his mind. He jumped to his feet, grabbed Harry's hand, and practically ran from the room, Harry laughing behind him the whole way.

Remus shook his head and cast a stern look at the man across from him, "You're not torturing those boys are you, Severus?"

"More like torturing myself." He smiled back, but that quickly faded into a serious expression. Remus sighed. He knew such a nice look wouldn't last long on the Potions Master's face. "What's going on out there, Wolf?"

So Remus obliged by detailing his work for the Aurors. It took a good twenty minutes. Severus had risen during the recounting and fetched him a glass of Firewhisky. Remus sipped at it gratefully. "Where's Narcissa?" He thought to ask when he was finished.

"She made one mistake too many." Severus sighed tiredly and to Remus' surprise came to sit beside him instead of across from him. "She told Draco that Harry had been Desecrated." Remus gasped and the glass fell through his fingers. Severus caught it and set it aside. "To understand the concept, the spell bent and he regained his sixteen year old mind back for just a few minutes. You can understand that he was very distraught. Harry, of course, didn't understand what was going on, still being nine, but he knew that Draco was hurting and got very angry. I've never seen anything like it. I'm going to have to talk to Albus…"

"What happened?" Remus demanded when the other man trailed off.

"His magic manifested so that we could see it. It was so powerful that the waves it emanated pinned me to the wall despite trying to prevent it. I don't think he knew what he was doing, but he summoned a wandless Killing Curse."

"What?" Remus paled. "That's impossible."

"Not anymore." Severus answered grimly. "In any case, Draco stopped him before it got that far. Then they both fainted from exhaustion. I've been teaching them Occlumency and that on top of everything else was just too much. When Draco woke up, his child-mind had suppressed the more far-reaching concepts that he had learned the night before. All that's left is the knowledge that Harry might die when the spell ends and that he will stop that from happening."

"How will he do that?" Remus asked shakily.

"By demanding it to be so." Severus sneered and then shrugged. "All that matters to me is that he is no longer despairing."

Remus sat silently for a while. "Do you think… Do you think Harry will make it?"

"Yes. He will." Severus answered with certainty.

"How do you know?" Remus demanded, fear and pain in his amber eyes.

Severus held their gaze and whispered, "Because I cannot bare the alternative."

"And Narcissa?" Remus asked, looking away with a blush.

"Draco sent her away." Severus stood. "I recommended she not return until Monday and the boys have aged a year. Maybe the extra maturity will keep her son from killing her."

The weekend passed with no further disturbances. Severus made the boys practice Occlumency for hours everyday, Remus would intervene before Draco's temper could snap or Harry could collapse, they had meals together, played, and told stories. Harry didn't have anymore seizures and Severus gave him the last doses of his potions, announcing Harry was healed. All four went to bed Sunday night hoping the next week would be free from disasters.

Chapter End.

A/N: Wow. That was a long one. Too much Draco angst, do you think?