A/N: ! IMPORTANT ! I have a new yahoo group:

http(colon)(double slash)groups(dot)yahoo(dot)com(slash)group(slash)asensiblytaintedgroup

Please join! You'll find my story Broken Shards of Peace there, as well as all the chapters for Growing Pains and Broken Mind, Fractured Soul. I'm also running polls and have pictures posted. ! IMPORTANT ! I've also discovered a chat feature on the Yahoo group, so I decided I'd try to be on it to talk to anyone who wanted to from 12 to 1 in the afternoon on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 5 to 6 on Mondays and Wednesdays.

A/N2: Guess what!Sarah has made a picture of the boys as children with Severus! It's so adorable, really! I highly recommend you go look at it. It's at:

http(colon)(double slash)www(dot)myu-myu(dot)de(slash)sites(slash)framesets(slash)gallery(underscore)link(dot)htm.

It's in the "boys" section. It's also at my new Yahoo Group. (grins)

A/N3: Dear Mesmer Tomen, you wrote me asking for the title of a story you summarized, but you didn't leave you e-mail so that I could reach you. The story you were looking for is called Twist of Betrayal by Nitwittie.

A/N4: I got a few complaints about the boys being told a story before bed. They felt they were too old for that. Well, I don't think so. I know me and my siblings still liked to be told stories. Especially when we haven't been with our father in a while. They went through a harrowing experience. Having their dad there as they fall asleep would be much desired in my opinion.

Chapter Twenty-two

Draco woke abruptly. There was no inbetween state between consciousness and sleep. Grief and anger were erupting in his stomach and magic sizzled in the air. He sat up with a gasp and watched the walls smoke and the furniture slowly crack and topple over. Clothes and books were thrown against the walls again and again. He turned and faced Harry. The teen was sitting with his back to the headboard and his face buried against his knees, which were drawn up to his chest. He reached for him without fear and drew him into his arms.

"Baby…" He wasn't quite sure what else to say, so he rocked the smaller boy gently.

Harry shook in his love's arms. His eyes stared, unseeing. His mind was churning around the new memories and remembered terror and guilt. He clutched at Draco as his lungs spasmed. His magic lashed out viciously in frustration and the walls cracked. Their dad and Moony were trying to get into the room, the door moving in a few inches before slamming shut in their faces. They were yelling; asking what was going on and demanding to be let in. But he couldn't find it in himself to care at the moment.

"It's not fair." He whispered tightly.

"What, Harry?" Draco asked softly. He stilled and lovingly brushed his long hair from his face. He wasn't surprised to see the rage overtaking the grief in his love's spectacular green eyes. He could feel it, after all.

"It is not FAIR!" Harry yelled. He glared into Draco's eyes, though he knew he shouldn't take it out on the blonde. "Why ME? Why does he want to KILL ME SO BAD? It's not like I CAN DO ANYTHING TO STOP HIM! I just want to be left ALONE!"

Severus stumbled into the room, finally able to fight past the damn door. Remus was at his back and they both froze as Harry's hot gaze focused on them. Draco smiled grimly and just held the smaller boy to his chest as Harry began screaming at them.

"Why didn't I DO anything? Why didn't I shield Cedric? How could I JUST STAND THERE? And then let myself be TIED BY WORMTAIL! He took my blood! And Voldemort came back! ALL BECAUSE OF ME! What was WRONG with me? I've faced worse and was never as HELPLESS AS I WAS THEN!"

"Harry, child…" Severus said as he came forward.

"NO! I don't want to HEAR IT, DAD! I don't want to hear that it wasn't my fault, that I couldn't do anything! I BLOODY WELL COULD!"

"You could now." Draco offered. "You've seen and done more things than you had when you were fourteen the first time."

"And you have a family this time around to support you and to draw strength from." Remus added.

"You did the best you could, Harry." Severus said roughly. "You always do. You hadn't been prepared as we've been trying to prepare you."

"Why?" Harry shook his head. "Why is my magic so much stronger now?"

"It's because we were able to raise you without fear of yourself." Severus answered. He got close enough now to sit at the foot of the bed. Remus came and knelt on the floor beside him and he grabbed Harry's hand, not daring to take him into his arms or away from Draco. "The Dursleys made you fear magic, Harry. You locked it away to try and avoid being punished by unavoidable, accidental magic. But you didn't do that this time around because you were not made to fear your magic. So it is free as it should have been."

"Why didn't I take it off?" Harry demanded. "When I was in trouble, why didn't it come off?"

"It's not that simple." Severus shook his head once. "You weren't even aware it was there. The mind is complex and hard to understand, but even after you got to Hogwarts, you couldn't believe in magic deep down inside. The Dursleys made you so afraid of it that you couldn't trust magic completely, so even when your life depended on it, you kept it bound. You couldn't believe that it would help."

"That's STUPID!" Harry roared and the walls groaned.

"It's not stupid, Baby." Draco argued. "You were an innocent child and it was ingrained in you for years that magic was bad and unnatural. You know it was. You were so young and it became a certainty."

"It wasn't your fault, Harry." Remus knew that look on his godson's face. "You were abused and that abuse left scars. Your magic was scarred and handicapped."

"But why?" Harry's voice was pitiful and lost, but his magic weakened and he slumped against Draco. "Why does he want me so bad?"

"There is a prophecy." Severus sighed. "I'm not sure exactly what it says, but you are the only one capable enough to stand against him. But you will not stand alone, do you hear me? It will never happen again where you face off against that monster by yourself. We will be right there helping you as much as we can!"

Harry threw himself into his father's arms and began to cry. Draco pat him on the back, eyes burning with tears as Harry's cutting emotions tore at his heart. He smiled when Moony came and sat next to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. He was glad he wasn't pulled into a hug. He really didn't need it. The arm around his shoulders was enough.

"Well, boys." Poppy smiled at them. "You both check-out fine. Draco, you are now five feet, five and a half inches tall and weigh just over one hundred and twenty-eight pounds. You are completely healthy, with only a little scaring on you back and your ankle." She turned her eyes to the petite brunette and smiled at him. "You're nerves have made a complete recovery and you have no illness in your system. Your lungs are still scarred, but there was slight improvement so I am encouraged that you will continue to get better. I doubt the scarring will ever fully leave you, but your attacks should lessen with time. You are still small for your age and underweight at four feet, eight inches and eighty five and a half pounds, but considering how much you weighed after your transformation last week, you're recovering."

"Thank you." Harry smiled at her, blushing a bit.

"I think you're cut small." Draco grinned at him teasingly.

"I'm still growing!" Harry protested and slapped his shoulder. "You're just a half-giant!"

"I am not!" Draco gasped, horrified as he pictured himself growing as big as Hagrid.

"Ahem." Poppy stared at them sternly.

"Oh, we're sorry, Madam Pomfrey." He smiled charmingly. "Sometimes it's hard to get him to act his age."

"Hey!" Harry laughed and the mediwitch's lips twitched.

"In any case, I expect you to continue taking your nutrient and high-calorie potions." She told the brunette.

"Yes, ma'am." Harry slid a look to his father who he knew wouldn't let him miss one.

"Very good." She ruffled his hair and he pouted at her. "Would you like chocolate, or are you both two old for that now?"

"I don't think anyone is ever too old for chocolate." Remus chuckled.

"Good." Poppy handed them both a piece and sighed. "I remember the first time I tried to get you to take the chocolate, Harry. Draco, here, had to coax it into you. You were such a cute baby."

"He still is." Draco piped up and ran laughing out of the room. Harry flew after him, promising painful retribution.

"That boy never ceases to amaze me." She shook her head and turned her attention to Severus. "I would like you to take a look at something."

Severus accepted the papers and stared at them blankly. He looked up, asking with his eyes if she were sure of these results. She nodded solemnly. "This would make Harry equal to Dumbledore in magical strength."

"Yes. Combined with his youth and strong emotions, he can do more with that power than Albus, who is caged by his age and certainty of what is and isn't possible." She sighed and began fussing at her robes. "He's only fourteen and his power will continue to increase."

"We need to start training him seriously." Remus said. "Draco's power levels are increasing as well. They're a bit higher than when he was originally fourteen, aren't they?"

"They are." She nodded. "It is my educated guess that he will be about three fifths as strong as Harry when they stop growing. He will most likely be a bit more powerful than Severus."

Severus nodded agreement. He was equal to Minerva and they were the strongest on the staff besides Albus. Flitwick came third and then the others trickled in after that. Remus was a bit weaker than Flitwick, but had extremely tight control, so he could do things some with less control and more power could not.

"Should we tell Albus?" Remus asked.

"Yes. We'll need his help." Severus nodded, though he didn't like it. The old man had been too grasping when it came to Harry for him to feel comfortable with it.

"I could go." Remus offered and Severus agreed.

Narcissa sat across from her son. She made her daily report of the affairs of the Malfoy businesses and investments and he was busy writing official replies. She was proud of his competence. He didn't once hesitate over wording and always struck the perfect balance of being superior and also a co-conspirator. He would be a great leader. No, she shook her head, he was already a great leader. He would never have been able to do the things he was doing when he had been fourteen originally, so why was she so concerned for him?

She sighed as she looked across the room to see Severus drilling Harry in magical theory and other such things. They would duel later whenever Albus was available to stand against the boys. He had informed her that they would be stepping up their training and she had agreed wholeheartedly. The better her son could protect himself, the better she'd feel.

But there was no protection against his heart. She hated that he had fallen so deeply for the small brunette. She couldn't believe everything would work out for the best. History had proven again and again that those who had been Desecrated could not survive. Harry was special and powerful, but he couldn't win against himself. And Draco would die if Harry did. No longer was there a chance he could possibly be put back together again. He lived for the other boy.

"Mother."

She looked up to find her son's eyes scrutinizing her. "Yes, Dragon?"

"What is on your mind?" He pushed the last of his papers away and stared at her patiently. "You've been on edge for days. I'm tired of waiting. What is bothering you?"

She glanced over at the others, but Severus and Harry were oblivious and concentrating in their own world. "I am concerned for you."

"Why?" Draco raised a single eyebrow.

"You know why." She said softly. "I know of your feelings… deepening… for that boy. I'm worried that should the worse happen, you will not survive. I would be heartbroken if I lost you, and I know Harry wouldn't want you to perish as well."

"Mother," Draco sighed and stood. "Come with me, please."

Harry looked up as soon as Draco stood. He smiled at the blonde and Draco gave a small smile back. Severus watched them walk out of the room, his eye unfathomable. Narcissa tried to ignore them both and followed her son. He led her to the garden and whistled for the owls waiting in the tree there. He tied the messages to each owl deftly and sent them flying. Narcissa waited patiently for her son to face her.

Draco turned and looked up only a few inches into his mother's eyes. "I know you love me. You've sacrificed a lot for me and have done everything you could to mute my first father's influence on me. You saved me when I could easily have tipped over into the madness that is Voldemort, and I am grateful. I really am, Mother. I love you. But you worry too much. I am not going anywhere and neither is Harry. I am not deluding myself. I know the road will be hard and extremely painful, but we will survive this. I give you my word we will not let this kill us. We have too much to live for."

"It's not that simple." Narcissa folded her hands before her. "There have been those Desecrated in the past with mates, children, spouses, lovers, and goals, but none of that saved them."

"None of them were Harry. None of them had me." Draco said evenly, but his eyes were sharp and hard. "You can't deny that and I beg you to consider it. You have believed in me all my life. Don't stop now, Mother. I will save Harry. He will save himself."

Narcissa felt so weak standing next to her young son. He was so certain of his convictions. It had been a very, very long time since she had last felt weak and she didn't appreciate the feeling in the least. "What about this war? I didn't want you to join the Death Eaters, but I don't want you fighting in the front lines either."

"Things happen that we don't expect or necessarily like, but we have to adapt and turn the situation to our advantage. That is what you've taught me. That is what I'm doing." Draco took her hand and forced her to look him in the eye. "I'm sorry I've caused you worry and disappointment, but trust me when I say that Harry is worth it and extremely special. He will surprise you. His strength isn't solely magical in nature. We will win against the past and we will win against Voldemort. I'm asking you to help soften the price those victories will cost us by standing by us."

"Of course I will." She said icily. "I will always stand by your side."

"Thank you." He smiled and kissed the back of her hand. "Now please stop worrying and watching me like a hawk. It's annoying."

"I will try my best." She smiled. "You really love him."

"Yes." He answered easily.

"And you have always preferred boys?" She couldn't help asking.

"I have." Draco admitted. He didn't look away, but he couldn't hide the faint blush either. "After Pansy, I realized that I was more interested in the boys on my Quidditch team. I was too afraid for a long time to make an actual move, afraid Father would find out, but in Fifth year I had a thing with a Hufflepuff. I couldn't trust other Slytherins not to blackmail me eventually. We didn't love each other, but we became friends. He hooked up with a boyfriend over the summer before I returned to school and all this happened."

"Who?" She smiled.

"Mother," he gasped, mocking astonishment. "How can you ask such a thing? You raised me better than to kiss and tell."

"Oh, get in that house and finish your work." She laughed.

He smiled at her, "Thank you, Mother."

"Go on." She waved him off.

He nodded and left her alone in the garden to think.

Everyone had been asked to leave Grimmauld Place if they weren't participating in the little mock war that was being staged that afternoon. Albus, Severus, Remus, and Narcissa were on the Death Eater team. Harry and Draco were on the other team, alone. They were sent out to the garden to wait while the house was booby-trapped and the adults got into position. They'd know when the war was starting when the first attack came. Harry was a bit nervous as well as excited. Draco was just excited. He stood next to his friend and was whispering his plans into Harry's ear. The boy was still floating and their heads were exactly even.

"You are better at sensing magic around us, so you will have to be on the defensive until we are sure the house is clean. Go in front of me and maintain the necessary shields. I'll focus on attacking the enemy. When you are certain the area we are in is free of traps, signal me by swaying to the right a bit, so we're more side-by-side and concentrate first on removing any shields or obstacles that are protecting the enemy. After that, take the ones on the right and I'll concentrate my fire on the ones to the left. When the enemy goes into retreat, return to your guard position and leave a few traps of our own behind so that they will have a hard time sneaking up behind us. We'll make a circular sweep of the house, careful not to cross back over into area's we've booby-trapped."

"Alright." Harry breathed.

"Don't hold back too much, Baby." Draco grinned. "They're tough old buggers and Madam Pomfrey is standing by."

"I know." Harry nodded, eyes grim. "We're training to fight against Voldemort, and we cannot afford to hold back."

"Exactly." Draco reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze.

Harry looked over at him and smiled gratefully. "I'm so glad you're here, Ray."

"Me, too." He grinned back. "You know I love this."

"I know." Harry smiled. "Otherwise I'd feel guilty for putting you in such danger."

"Well, I'm glad you know better." Draco said and ducked violently to the right as he shoved Harry to the left.

A strange orange spell that neither of the boys recognized landed where they had been standing and it exploded, leaving a three-foot wide pothole. Draco grinned, eyes bright and leapt for the back door. Harry flew into the advance position, rapidly examining the door and disabling the two hexes he found there before throwing it open and flying inside.

He landed in the hallway beyond the door on his knees, his hands spread in front of him and to the side. Draco stopped at his back, still standing, trusting in his friend's ability to shield him absolutely, his wand (still really Harry's) in his hand and aimed. His hair was braded tight and wrapped in a secure bun at the back of his head. His robes were dueling robes, black. Harry matched him.

There was no one in the hall. Harry waved his hands purposefully, shutting and hexing the door. While he did that, Draco was casting his own traps on the ceiling and in the bottom corners of the room. There were three doors. One at the end of the short hall that led to a sitting room, one on the right lead to the kitchen, and the one on the left was a small study. Harry checked all the doors and found hexes on two of them. He nodded at all but the kitchen door and Draco pointed to the left. The hexed doors first.

Harry agreed and opened the door as Draco sealed the other two until they were ready to deal with what might lie behind them. Remus was waiting for them and pounced, eyes gold. There were eleven days until the next full moon, so Remus was at full strength and had absolute control. This was the time he was most dangerous, besides when he was a werewolf. Harry flung his mentor across the room, but the werewolf used his wand to cushion his fall and spring back at them, this time firing spell as he went.

Draco was casting back. The man rolled and sprang, but a few struck him and he howled and cursed. Harry's shield was flickering between colors as he adjusted them instantly for each spell. They ricocheted around the room, one of them hitting Remus in the leg and he toppled over. Draco animated the couch to move and imprison the growling man. Harry checked for spells and Draco made sure the man was down and out of this little game. Unconscious and wrapped in wood and cushions, Remus lay harmlessly within his prison. Harry cast a diagnostic spell.

"Nothing permanent. Deadening hex on his leg, two nasty burns on his chest, and a powerful befuddling charm. Madam Pomfrey will be able to fix him up."

"We need to keep moving. Activate his portkey to send him to the Hospital Wing where she's waiting."

Harry nodded and did as he was told. Draco was spelling traps into the room and Harry was preparing the door. When they were finished they exited and went toward the sitting room, locking the study behind them. Draco's heart was beating strong and adrenaline raced through his system.

The mock war lasted three and a half hours. The house was torn apart and all of them sported injuries. Harry had a black eye, Draco a broken wrist and sliced cheek, Severus was tongue-less, Narcissa had bruised her back from being thrown into a wall, and Albus had broken a knee. Poppy was fussing furiously over all of them, but they ignored her, talking instead about what they had learned and discussing better ways to handle the situations they were presented. Harry was asleep halfway through the conversation and Draco smiled down at him.

"I have sent elves to restore Grimmauld Place as much as they could." Albus chuckled. "I think it will be ready for another go the day after tomorrow. Would you mind if I invited a few Order members to join?"

"Who?" Severus asked wearily.

"Sturgis and Charlie. We'll keep adding people as we go. Until then, why don't you all stay here at the castle? You can continue your lessons here while the house is being restored."

"Very well." Severus nodded. Remus was glad to hear his lover's voice. It had been very disturbing to see him without a tongue. Where did Draco learn such spells? He shook his head, knowing the answer. At least, he knew they could defend themselves.

"I don't know why you insist on this madness!" Poppy exclaimed.

"Hush, dear." Albus twinkled at her. "It's all for the best, and you don't want to wake young Harry, now, do you?"

"Of course not." She huffed. "You ran him ragged!"

"He's fine." Draco assured her. "He feels better than he has in days. He can't stand being cooped up with no activity."

"That may be so, but this isn't healthy! He had three asthma attacks and any one of them could have caused serious damage."

"But they didn't." Severus reasoned. "He has to learn his limits and how to best work around them. He can't be guessing when he's seriously fighting for his life."

"He's just a boy." She mourned.

"He's more than a boy, Poppy." Remus said sadly.

"Well, if you all are done mooning," Draco sneered, knowing Harry would hate all this pity. "We'd like to return to our quarters."

Remus, Severus, Narcissa, and the boys returned to the dungeons. They got some paperwork done and the boys took dance lessons from Narcissa when Harry woke. They ate twice and then had a big dinner. Everyone was conscious of the goal to get Harry stronger and heavier, and they took every opportunity to get the boy to drink milk and juice or to have cookies and snacks. After dinner they spent a few hours perfecting their Occlumency shields. They were both progressing rapidly now, and Severus had hope that Harry wouldn't suffer as he usually did during the next vision.

They had a chance to find out if Severus was correct the very next day. It was only about two hours after breakfast and they had stopped their studies for a snack when Harry went rigid and fell from his seat. Severus dove for him as Remus dove for Draco, both men sharply ordering the boys to Occlude.

Voldemort stood in front of his throne. His followers were gathered before him and at the back of the crowd were his "recruited" allies. Caged magical creatures thrashed and screamed, but would become his obedient tools once the correct spells were placed on them. Each one had a handler whose sole responsibility was to control one of the creatures. Seventy-five of his precious Death Eaters had this privilege. He looked at the followers closer to the front. They held themselves stiffly. He smiled in pleasure at seeing it. He had punished a good fourth of them severely for their failure in bringing him the two vulnerable boys, but now was not the time for such thoughts.

"Now is the time we show the world what we are made of. That we will not be taken lightly. We will fill them with terror and take control back from our weak government! It will be us who set the rules and guide our country into a glorious future where the whole world will know their place. Muggles will be our slaves as they should, and we will reign triumphant over our brother and sisters not strong enough to take their rightful place! Do not fail me, my followers. Now is our time to triumph!"

The group of about three hundred and fifty men, women, and teens cheered hysterically. Voldemort smiled at them and with a sharp wave of his arm, Dissapparated them from the room. Half were going to the Ministry in London. Half were going to Hogsmeade to capture a base from which to attack Hogwarts. Within an hour, three blocks of London would be on fire and Hogsmeade would be leveled. He threw back his head and laughed.

"No!" Draco and Harry sat up and yelled at the same time. Harry looked up at his father and began babbling what he had seen and learned. Draco was on his feet, flooing Dumbledore. He explained quickly and the Headmaster rushed from the fire and began to call in the Order and Aurors.

"We have to help!" Harry yelled furiously.

"You are not ready." Severus snapped.

"Maybe not to take on Voldemort," Harry agreed, "but I can shield and heal well enough to make sure others get to real doctors in time to survive."

Severus' face darkened furiously, but Draco interrupted him. "Harry's right. We all need to band together. Everyone needs to do their part or we will fall. We cannot allow Voldemort to take Hogsmeade. The castle will be too vulnerable if that happens. We need to go there and help all we can as well as you do. In fact, you should send Sixth and Seventh years who know any first aid or who can make healing potions up to the Hospital Wing to prepare for those coming with injuries."

Harry stood straight and flew into Draco's arms. He had an apology in his eyes, but he could not wait any longer arguing. He closed his eyes tight and with a roaring, silent demand, forced his way through the anti-apparation wards and into Hogsmeade. Severus roared furiously and raced out of the dungeons, heading away from the castle and out from under her wards. Narcissa was pale, but didn't run after him or the Wolf, instead she turned and went to do as her son indirectly ordered. She'd fetch those who could help and bring them to the Hospital Wing.

The battle was hard. The Order was prepared, but was only a small group. Dumbledore had chosen to send most of them to Hogsmeade, having to trust that the Aurors could defend the Ministry and London. There were about a hundred and fifty Death Eaters there, laughing as they caused death and destruction. About fifty creatures with claws, sharp teeth, and sometimes deadly poison were running rampant. The thirty Order members were outnumbered and outmatched. Harry, Draco, Severus, and Remus did all they could, but they were only four people. Harry was tired from forcing him and Draco to apparate. His lungs were still paining him. But he was the strongest one there. Albus was called from the middle of the battle to London; they were losing the battle there as well.

Harry hated to do it, but he couldn't stand it anymore. His face was smudged with soot. There were still innocents trapped in Hosmeade, screaming, hiding, terrified. The dead littered the ground like dolls thrown by a spoiled child. Most were Death Eaters, but not all. Harry was shielding as many people as he could, but he was getting tired and there were still so many Death Eaters. He watched in horror as a woman came running out from cover after a panicked child. The beast leapt on her back and decapitated her. The child turned, screaming as she was sprayed in the face with the woman's blood.

Harry screamed and reached for his friends from memory. Hermione, Ron, Neville, the twins (who hadn't been at the school, but down the street battling at their shop), Charlie (who had been battling at the other end), and Arthur (who was in the middle of the battle at the Ministry) were all forcefully apparated to his side. They gasped as they looked at him. Draco was behind him, firing vicious spells without pause, covering the small brunette's back.

"We need help." Harry croaked, swaying on his feet in exhaustion. "Can't do much more than shield now. Help us." He sunk to the ground and Ron caught him, propping him up against the wall. Harry fought to remain conscious so that his shields would not fail, but he could do nothing more than that.

"I'll go get the rest of the DA!" Hermione yelled. "Charlie! Make me a quick portkey so I can get back here fast!"

Charlie nodded and pulled his father to him for help. It took almost fifteen minutes, but it was done. In the meantime, Neville, the twins, and Draco continued to fight as the Death Eaters tried to bring them down. Huge cats and maddened threstrals clawed at the barrier Harry had erected, keeping them from his friends and other wizards battling all down the street.

The battle lasted almost fourteen hours. Many were killed, but thankfully none of the Hogwarts group. In the end, all of the Sixth and Seventh year Gryffindors joined the fight at Hogsmeade, as well as the two Creeveys and Ginny Weasley who had been in the DA last year, making a total of twelve. Five Hufflepuffs and nine Ravenclaws joined the battle as well, again all DA members. But more surprisingly, five Slytherins (Pansy, Vince, Greg, Terrence Higgs, and Daphne Greengrass) came to help fight after tying and locking up those that tried to stop them. In all, not counting Draco and Harry, thirty-one students came and helped support the Order members and staff.

Many of the Hogwart's Soldiers, as they were now called by the papers, were injured, but would make a full recovery, though most would carry scars for life. Harry held out until the end, but as soon as the last Death Eater either fled or was subdued, he passed out. Draco was not much better off, but refused to be babied. A surprising group unity had come over the school. Rivalries were forgotten as they stood side-by-side and protected their castle from harm. Hogsmeade was destroyed; very few buildings stood without damage, but most of the citizens had gotten out alive and were now up at the castle.

The Ministry did not fare as well. It was completely taken over and half destroyed. Several London blocks were indeed on fire and the Muggles were in a panic, thinking they were being attacked by foreign terrorists. The world was shaken and dangerously balanced. The Muggles were now standing off against each other, placing blame for the destruction and lost lives. They might go to war as the Wizarding World struggled to overcome the darkness in their midst. Fortunately, many of the Ministry employees were saved and were brought to Hogwarts, making it the temporary Ministry of Magic. The papers were writing like crazy to keep the populace informed of who their leader was (Fudge had died and was now replaced), what was going on, and what they should do to keep themselves safe.

The castle was in chaos. Many parents demanded their children returned to them. Dumbledore pleaded with them to reconsider, that Hogwarts was safer than anywhere else. Many subsided or asked to join their children in the castle. Dumbledore agreed, either was fine with him. But some parents, though believing Hogwarts was the most protected structure in the Wizarding World, also knew it would be the next target and would be hit hard, so they still demanded their children. Dumbledore did everything he could to get those children home safely and none of them were attacked in transit.

"I don't have time to wait and gain my memories back!" Harry yelled. He had woken up an hour ago and was very mad that he was left to sleep for almost twenty-four hours when his help was obviously needed. "I want to know what I don't remember and I want to know what is happening in the war."

"Severus," Albus interrupted, knowing that look was a sure sign his spy was about to explode. "He may be fourteen, but he is growing up in difficult times. The war will not wait for him. He must be informed of as much as he can."

The man glowered, but said nothing further. He had been one of the ones most severely injured in the battle at Hogsmeade. His left leg was useless and it would take months of healing and therapy to make it mobile again. The injury had made him even more fiercely protective of both boys. If it weren't for Remus standing at his side, resolute and strong, the man would have been confined to a bed in the very crowded Hospital Wing.

"Do you know the prophecy, sir?" Draco spoke. He sat next to Harry. Both boys were calm, serious, and prepared. Their eyes held the strength they had found in each other and from their hard experiences. Albus wasn't even tempted to ask him to leave. He knew these boys were joined forever.

"I do indeed." He sighed. What followed was an explanation of what happened fifth year.

Harry lowered his head when he learned of Sirius's death and how he had been manipulated by Voldemort because he had stubbornly refused to learn from Severus. Guilt and horror ate at him, but Draco took his hand and he forced his head up again. This was not the time for regrets or confusion. He listened to the whole prophecy and looked over at his boyfriend.

"Think you're the power Voldemort knows not?"

"Maybe." The blonde nodded once. "Merlin knows I'll be standing beside you when you face off with that insane bastard."

Harry nodded acceptance. He would have felt guilt had anyone else made the claim that they'd fight beside him and make themselves a target for all the Death Eaters and Voldemort, but he couldn't when it came to Draco. He had no illusions about his blonde love. Draco would be in the middle of things, whether Harry was there or not. He enjoyed battle, though he didn't like killing or hurting people, he did like testing himself and fighting for what he believed. He would NEVER sit on the sidelines. He had always pushed himself into the center of attention, even if it was negative attention. He was confident and a natural leader. He would never run and hide when this battle would affect his world and his life.

"Harry…" Dumbledore spoke up. The brunette turned to look at him. "I'm sorry. Your Fifth year was a mess. Things could have been handled much better…"

"Maybe, but we can't worry about that right now. Tell me what's happening." Harry shook his head.

"Voldemort has fallen silent." Dumbledore sighed, relieved and disappointed at Harry's dismissal. "We don't know what he plans to do with the things he now has in his possession from his possession of the old Ministry. Most dangerous artifacts were destroyed before the Death Eaters could get their hands on things, but not all. Files and records are in reach. As well as a few power nodes that are anchoring certain spells that keep everyday things running in the Wizarding World. Like the owl enhancer, making them more intelligent and helping them carry out their duties as messengers. That is only one example."

"All the Aurors and those loaned to us from other countries are making their base in Hogsmeade, are they not?" Draco asked.

"They are. Their numbers amount to four hundred." Dumbledore nodded.

"Who is leading them?" Draco cocked his head.

"The new Minister, Rufus Scrimgeour, has taken control of all martial forces. They take orders directly from him or his three Head Aurors."

"And they are?" The blonde drawled impatiently. It was like pulling teeth!

"Amelia Bones, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Vance Robards." Dumbledore answered.

"Does anyone know where Voldemort might strike next?" Harry asked solemnly.

"None." Dumbledore shook his head. "I assume it will take him time to consolidate what he's gained at the Ministry Building and recover from his losses. In the meantime, we will prepare the Wizarding World and guard the more vital places in our Society."

"Thank you, Headmaster." Draco stood. "It's almost lunch and we promised to meet a few friends."

"Of course." Dumbledore twinkled at him.

"Can we come and talk again?" Harry asked.

"Yes, of course, my boy."

Severus bowed his head as his lover and sons left the office. Dumbledore smiled at him knowingly and Severus sneered before following them down the stairs and back into the castle proper. Remus was waiting for him there, but the boys were already halfway down the hall. Draco was striding along, his head held confidently, but his image was weakened by the fact that Harry was floating behind him, his arms wrapped loosely around the blonde's neck and whispering in his ear.

Severus shook his head, exasperated. "Are they really going to meet their friends?"

"Yes. I believe they want to talk to the DA." Remus smiled.

"Should we be letting them do that?" Severus scowled. "The student's shouldn't be encouraged to leave school grounds."

"We would have lost Hogsmeade if it weren't for them." Remus argued. He sighed and took a few steps away and looked over his shoulder. "Are you coming?"

"Where?" Severus narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

"I thought we could make plans of our own." A slow grin spread on Remus' face and his amber eyes were glowing a bit.

"I have potions to brew." He snapped, trying to hide the lust that speared through him at the other man's expression.

"But it's time for my ointment." Remus cocked his head, eyes teasing.

Severus scowled fiercely, but moved to follow his lover. He dragged his leg gracefully and pretended that it was his idea to be going back to his quarters. In all honesty, he felt rather unsettled. His leg wasn't the worst thing that could have happened to him during the battle. In fact, worse almost did happen. Two Death Eaters had backed him into a corner and he had fallen due to the pain in his leg. One launched a cutting spell that would have decapitated him if it hadn't been for the Wolf.

With a yell of rage, Remus had tackled him flat and then leapt for one of the Death Eaters, too enraged to remember to use his wand. The spell had grazed Remus and cut a long diagonal gash in his back from right shoulder to left hip. It would easily get infected and Severus had vowed to make sure that didn't happen. He was shocked at the Wolf's passionate defense of him and for the first time in his life, he felt protected.

It was an amazing feeling, but on top of all the other unsettling emotions caused by the battle and his sons participating in it, he felt a bit overwhelmed. And as he always did when unsettled, he lashed out or hid. Unfortunately, the Wolf wasn't having any of it. They entered his bedroom and Remus casually stripped out of his shirt and lay out on his stomach. Severus sat next to him, ointment in hand, and carefully spelled the bandage off. The gash was open and would be bleeding profusely if it weren't for the spells Poppy had applied. The gash was deep enough to show bone and would have been deadly if Remus weren't a werewolf and already healing at an exceptional rate.

"Hold still." He said sternly and began to smooth the ointment on.

His hands shook slightly as he thought of the man under him dead, sacrificing himself to save him. He tilted his head forward and let his hair curtain his face. His childhood had been dark and full of pain and school had been full of humiliation and fear. Then he'd been a Death Eater and shortly after a spy. It hadn't been until Harry and Draco had come into his life and named him father that he had anything light and good.

To have a child love and need him as completely as Harry did had born in him feelings and sensations he had never possessed before. He was still adapting to that. He'd had feelings of lust, understanding, and respect for the Wolf, but it had just been sex with a friend. What Remus had done for him during the battle shattered that comforting illusion. Now he couldn't deny the gratitude and love the man invoked in him. His hands were shaking too hard to apply the ointment now and Severus turned away. He sat at the edge of his bed and wrapped his arms around his stomach tight, curling over them as he tried to beat back the wave of emotion rising from his gut.

"Severus." Remus said warmly, wrapping his arms around his stoic lover. "It's alright, love."

Severus willingly, consciously, turned into the Wolf's warmth and began to cry silent, cold tears as he finally acknowledged what he now had and recognized what he had been denied for so many long hard years. Remus held him, saying nothing. He pet his lover's hair and breathed in his scent, cherishing the moment and burning with love.

Chapter end

A/N: Sorry this has taken so long to get out. Their fourteenth year has not finished and will continue on to the next chapter.