Chapter 8

Secrets in the heart

" Harry you must be bloody Mental!" George Weasly laughed at Harry who was trying to get James and Remus out of the front seat of the car."James get out of thier, Dad has to drive" James peeked out from beneath the Car. "We dont want to go shoping!" Shoping was never a plus on any mans list. Shoping for a Ball was even lower on the scale, Why he'd decied to hold a ball for Luna was beyond him. Oh yeah it was guilt. For almost makeing fred Murder someone in his own home. That might do it. "I didnt think it would be this much work! The last ball i whent to I was fourteen All i had to do was show up!" Harry grumbled. Ginny who was puting a sqwirming Sirus into his car seat, smiled up at Harry. "Yeah i remember that Ball! You spent the entire time not dancing, and moping because Cho Chang was dateing Cedric. And I spent the entire night with Nevil! wishing I was with you. Dont remind me." Harry Grimaced. He wasnt fond of Balls.

"Hey Harry, you think this time Ginny will let you have a Dance?" George, laughed as Harry shot him a scathing look, then turnd back to his son. "James i'm going to count to Three! One..." George let out another hoot of laughter. "So I take It your paying, cause i need a new pair of Dress robes" "With all the money you make at the Shop, why cant you afford...James thats TWO... To buy dress robes? Harry was not having fun at all, James let out a screech of pouty defiance. The front door opend and Hermione carrying Lilly in her arms who thankfully wasnt putting up much fight. Ron was beghind her yelling at some Fred who was yelling something incomphrensible back. "I dont bloody care if the frigger majigor is broken. thats what you get for experimenting with muggel objects." Ron scoffed tossing his red hair out of his eyes. Hermione rolled her eyes, at him and frownd at the scene at the car. "Remus Allisdair Grint! You listen to your uncle this instant!" She comanded taping her foot angerly. Remus blushed and with a pout roled out from beneath the car.

"You too young man" Ginny orderd, having finally gotten Sirus into the car seat. James roled from beneath the car a pout on his lips and a glimer of defiance in his bright brown eyes. " I dont want shop with girls! I want to stay home. Please Papa please!" Harry sighed leaning down to be on eye level with his son. "your not shoping with girls, were going to split up. We'll leave the ladies beghind that work for you little guy?" James didnt answer his little body swaying slightly on unsteady feet. He finally nodded, and Harry took his hand. It was warm and so very tiny James head rested against his leg his fingers were in his mouth. Harry felt something in his heart melting like it always did when he looked at his son. he never thought he'd be gratfull to voldemort for anything, but he found that he was. He played with Harrys feelings like they were toys, amplifying them reducing them at will. Harry knew Voldemort could numb Harrys love for his son, it would still be there of course, but Harry would be unabel to feel it. But he didnt, for whatever reason probably for his own gain. For whatever reason Harry was gratefull.

"Oh your a smart bloke now eh, dont give me that rubbish about muggel objects! your the one who owns a muggel car!" Fred said to ron, in a condisending tone. They were still arguing, even as Ron helped Hermione put thier kids in the car, and they got into the car themselves. Ron turnd to glare at him. "apperiating with an infant happens to be illigal moron! and we saw how wonderfull floo powder turnd out with all ove us." Fred glared right back and said. "ever hear of a portkey!" Ron rolled his eyes and trund away. "your so bloody thick sometimes, The kids are Todlers you git! if they fell wrong on the landing they could die!" Goerge scoffed at Fred from the front seat.

"Your one to talk old man, you know where your family is lately, misplaced them again have you?" Fred teased him poking a finger in his back. Goerge swatted at his hand laughing. "Angelinas in the states visiting cousins or something. I told you that, i'm only here to help your sorry Arse with the store." The twins grined at each other, Fred tugged on a long lock of Goerges red hair. "Help, ever since you married her I havent seen hide or tail of you. Not that thats so bad, i dont have to look at your ugly mugg for hours. apartments kind of lonely though. " he ment it to be teasing but it came out sad instead, becuase it was true. He didnt begrude his twin his happiness his marrige or his son. However after years of sharing everything together it was hard to be unabel to share this one thing.

"aw mate, you know i want you to room with us, thiers about a million guest rooms after all. But Angelina seems to find a problem with you in the house. Maybe its because you insisted on sharing a room across from us and makeing looney comments about our marital habbits! Or it could be when we'd get up in the morning you would give us a replay!" Goerge grinned at him and Freds smile widend, "You two are as loud as elephants in a china shop! Good lord Fred i had to find some way to amuse my self. Or go insane take your pick." Goerge burst into laughter, then soberd looking at his twin specutlivly. "you should consider marrige for yourself you know. It has its benifits."

Fred was about to answer when the front door flew open, and a whirl of blue robes and shimering blond hair flew towards the car. "WAIT DONT LEAVE I'M READY!" Luna hit the side of the car in whirl of clothing her face bright with excitment. "Oh Fred i'm so excited! my first ball with you! i want to buy the best gown possible! oh its going to be so amazing... except...I'm kind of low on funds." Fred stared at her noticing the flush on her face and the way it turnd her alabaster skin into a delightful rosey hue. She was turning him inside out, and he couldnt figure out why it was happining. Before he knew it he was replying, "Buy whatever gown you want Luna I'll take care of it dont worry."

"You What! just a minute ago you couldnt pay for your own dress robes..."

"OH THANK YOU FRED! You'd do that for me. I love you so much!..."

"...Your such a liar, i knew your didnt need the money..."

Fred wasnt listining, her eyes were sparkling silver at him and once again he was finding himself drowning... I love you so much...

4 hours later

Madam Buetix

Hermione granger stared at the many bolts of cloth, and gowns on display in shop on Diagon Alley. The boys had long since split from the girls to attack a mens robes shop a few turns away. It was just her the baby, Ginny and Luna. The young woman was bursting with vitalitly and anticipation. Rushing from here to there. She had yet to choose a gown, was the only one yet to have chosen a gownThey had chosen a white gown with little frills for Lillian who had stared at it in disdain but acepted it anyway. Ginny had chosen a long pale green ball gown with white satin gloves. it molded to her waist in perfection and showed off her hips rather nicely Hermione thought. The neckline was daring but not trashy or tasteless. They had giggeld together at the thought of Harrys reaction when he saw her.

Hermione had chosen for herself a red gown with no back. It had been enchanted to sparkel and turn almost crimson in the light a nice touch if she didnt say so herself. She would also wear evening gloves but hers would be the color of her gown. She smiled to herself, the night was going to be perfect. Dinner dancing and the entire time Ron was going to have his eyes focaused on her where they should be. "Should I choose this one, wait no its pink pink goes terribly with my complexion and he dosnt seem like pink would flatter his either..." Luna fretterd from place to place bashing gown after gown.

Madam Buetix stared at the young woman in aphrension. Legend had it anyone who walked into her shop found his or herself ladeld with a gown. Her gowns where legendary. Young brides or young hopefulls flocked here in hopes that whatever magic whent into makeing gowns so light and so delicate would rub off on them. Her wedding gown had come from here, Hermione smiled at that memory. Ron had been so wonderfull that day staring at her as if she where his sunshine air and water all in one small package. As the day had worn on his attention had not faded, it had intensified. She couldnt help a giggel, his adoration his wonder, all that passion had seemd to build and build untill...

"Wedding night memories, I remember those, Thanks for the tip by the way i'm so glad i bought my gown from here" Ginny whisperd into her ear and they both whent into giggels. "Mrs Potter, dont you worry we will find a gown for the young Madmosiel never you worry." Madam Buetix assurd a specltive gleam in her eyes. Hermione grinned and nudged Ginny slightly whispering. "watch the master at work". Madam circled luna eyeing her like one does a tasty cream. "yes, definitly love. Albet very strange love. young and untried. Just begining to bud, she is uncertian he is confused Wary of these new feelings. yes... He is tall and strapping... Red hair... and Wit, he makes you laugh. when your near him all you can do is laugh and smile and feel. Am I correct. Ma pettit?

Lunas mouth fell open in shock. "HOW COULD YOU KNOW THAT, your not a Grebblie Seiress are you. There seeing ability is legindary. Can i interview you. Wow daddy would just flip!" Madam let out a belly full of soft laughter and shook her head. "Luna I think its the fact she saw Fred and the others drop us off, you two are getting rather obviouse" Ginny smiled at her friend a teasing light in her eyes. Luna frownd in dissapoint ment then brightend with triumph. "how could she know how Fred makes me laugh, and how I just want to cuddel him like a gungey or how when he looks at me I..." Luna fell scilent a scarlet blush blooming on her cheeks staring at something in the shop doorway.

The boys stood there, Ron shifted uncomfortably back and forth Goerge didnt bother to hide his snickers Harry just grinned at the lot of them. Luna risked a peep at Fred who's face was scarlet, his eyes searching out hers. "We um, came to um... Ready to go ladies" Ginny Giggeld tossing luna a sympathetic look. Luna seemd to bristel at Goerges snickers. "Goerge weasly you shut your mouth. It isnt funny.. I... I... Oh You've rueind everything! Your no better then that no good Gregory Jenkins!" She pointed her wand in anger and Goerges hair stood strieght up on end trying to pull itself from his skull. In a rush of tears and curses she flew from the shop.

"Luna Wait, Luna!" Fred called runing after her. The shop door tingeld and slamed after them. Goerge was yellping in the background. Ron was doubled over in laughter, "I havent seen a Haiery hex since first year!" he laughed. Harry waved his wand in Goerges derecition and his hair went flat again deciding it once again preferd to remian in his head. Goerge scowled at Ron, "you'll be glad to know it still hurts the same, Damn she's just as looney as ever i didnt do anything." Madam apeard beside them holdin a long box. "robes for the young madmosel. This ones on the house. The young master has his work cut out for him"

Hermione laughed all the way to the car, sliping her hand in Rons. Fred was perched in the backseat a stony look all over his face. He looked thunderous Luna was perched on the roof of the car her head in her hands shaking with furry. They didnt apear to be talking to one another. She laughed again, Fred had work to do.

the next afternoon

Tonks stared thoughtfully at the mug of coffe in her hand, she wasnt one for dressing up she never had been. Growing up her rather boyish figure and nature for that matter had never called for girlish finery. She sighed, the first time she'd ever worn a gown it had been a disater she'd sworn never to repeat. She grimaced at that awfull child hood memory. Her pure blood family had been big on polite society good english breeding and it was always about the circles you ran in. short to say her tearing a gown and runing after her older cousin Sirus with a broom stick wasnt the first impression her parents had wanted her to make. Neither was triping like the clutz she had always been and tearing it strieght up the back, she'd been wearing pink nickers. She shudderd, shoving the memory aside.

She'd grown up since then, she had to remember that. she'd worn a gown on her wedding day, true she'd also torn that one or rather Remus had, she smiled to herself. That however had not been an accident rather imaptiance on his part. Gowns werent all a bad thing she decided.

"Hey boss Lady" She grinned turning to a cheeky young Auror with flaxen hair and a wide grin. one of her favorite of the rookies, becuase with his gangly body and charm he reminded her of her. "Samual, you have the paperwork on that Skelki attack in Westminster?" She asked, arching an eyebrow. The young man shrugged. "Yeah, filed and ready...hey whats this?" Sam picked an engraved letter off her disk it let out a soft chime of music. "Invitation friends are throwing a Ball" Tonks Shrugged studdying the young man. She wonderd if he was tired of desk work, and ready to go out into the field. She knew he was ready all he needed was a chance. It had taken some convincing on Remu's part, but she had done it.

"Big crush at the Potter place eh, funny i saw Potter this morning and he didnt look in a dancing mood, He and Malfoy are on training detial. Theres a big crowd down there, i was thinking of selling tickets what do you say?" Tonks Groand. She had to get down there before somebody died. She knew Harry wasnt happy about Malfoy she just hoped he'd keep his head about him. It would kill Remus to suspend one of his best. The floor shook and a scream of Rage rang in the hall way along with cheers. She groand and pushed away from the tabel. "If we sold tickets we would be rich"

Training field

Deep in the jungle it was hot, Draco felt sweat sliding down his face and bugs of all types trying to feast on his sweaty skin. He ignored his akes and pains concentrating on locating his enemy. There! Movement! Draco sprang foward, his wand pointed. "ExvactoVasiler!" The spell should have finished Harry it would hit him dead on and turn his limbs to useless puddy. Harry reached up and flicked a bugg away, that simple a sweeping irriatated motion with his hands and the spell seemd to halt vibrate and burst into harmless stardust. "Missed Draco,"

Something was wrong with Potter, Malfoy could only stare at the man advancing towards him. Potter had always been good, when they were in school he had been the best flyer and could beat anyone against the dark arts in no time flatt. He might even have been the best at potions if Snape hadnt have been breathing down his kneck ruining any enjoyment or confidance he had inhimself. This was diffrent, none of any of the spells he tried worked, and Draco knew many nasty hexes. Serve a few years under Voldemort and you learn a few things.

It lookd as if Harry had learnd some things. He ducked into a ditch gaurded by bushes to ceatch his breath. Harrys vioce rang out loud and clear." Come now draco, were all adults here. Why dont you face me like one. Children hide in bushes!" He heard distant laughter, he knew the trianing seesions were viewable, and he was being made to look a coward. Damn Potter anyway! It was his fault Draco had never made it on the team in the first place and now he made him look like a fool. Fine he wanted a dirty fight he'd get one.

"Come out Draco, Tiraccio!" Befor he knew what was hapining the world was spining, everything was upside down. The dirt and the bushes that had hid him were ripped away as if they wighed nothing a any tree in the vcinity was being uprooted. A horrible sucking noise filled the air, like the kiss of a death eater. Thier was a loud humm in the background a pale blue light like smoke shot from Harrys. He couldnt tell whether he had even lifted his wand, draco was being tossed in mid air like a toy. His body smashed into a flying bush, he felt his ears ring and spliting pain in his head. His vison blured.

"Potter stop! I yeild!" He could just barely rasp the words, words that where swept away on the roaring sucking wind. He felt his body jerk sideways and hit something hard and rough. He was going to die like this he thought for a moment, Killed by a man he hated. a tiney vioce whisperd in his mind. Killed by a man you love. As his vison faded to black he found he had not the strength to deny the vioce. He had always loved Harry. Not in the way of lovers but in a way that he couldnt explain even to himself. He loved and respected harry more then he ever had himself. And that had never sat well with him. The last thing Draco thought he'd see before he blacked out was two skinny boys. One flaxen blond the other with hair as dark as a ravens wing.

He stuck out his hand for the dark haird boy to shake, his condesending tone and the jeer in his vioce was a mask. He Hated weasly, not for the reasons he'd given the other boy. It wasnt about supurorty or good blood. It was about family. Weasly had family that loved him, he had a father who would never think of wielding a cain to his son. Weasly never had to watch his father debase and kill all that was pure in his household. Draco hated feeling inadiqute. Harry didnt have family, his family was aunts and uncles and judging by his slightly malnurished look they didnt treat him too well. They were alike, Harry and he they could be friends. They could be each others support, he just knew that if Harry potter made a friend they were in it for ever. He wanted that, He offerd his hand.

Harry stared at it as if it where dirty, as if draco had spit on it before offering it. "I can tell the right sort for myself thanks" Draco let his hand fall. Who was he kiding, he was alone. Weasly just had it all didnt he, he was insufisant, weak uneeded and unloved. Just like his father said. Draco hated being weak! How dare he! HE HATED POTTER!

Draco snaped back to the present as his body hit the ground with a non to gentel lurch. he lay there panting there was a gash on his forhead and the back of his head felt sticky. There was a long rake on his arm where something had torn across it. He was alive if dizzy and light headed. Harry stood over him, All I ever wanted was to have what you and weasly have. Draco glared up at Harry, he'd lost and lost badly. Harry had crushed him like the nats buzzing around them. And his knowolge of magic was astonding. What surprised him the most was strieght and narrow Harry was using dark magic. Nothing that would land him time in azkaban but thier was definitly a dark side to his magic now.

Thier was a darker side to Harry, Harry the golden boy, Harry everybodys hero including your own; Harry who could do no wrong was practising the dark arts. As a boy whould grown up shrouded in it he knew it when he saw it. It was familer, there was something familer about the form the style. Yet oddly unfamiler. There was Harrys usal style and something elese. "Games up Draco, as your comanding officer my report fortoday is this" Draco refused to beg, if Harry failed him he'd never be an auror, He'd tried everything he knew. This would be just another dream Harry would take away.

"You need work, sixty two points. See you on monday but not in this sloppy condition. Got it. your on triaining detail with Shasten for three weeks." Harry waved a hand and the jungle dissaperd, the mud the buggs the scratches the pain in his head it all faded away. To reveal simply a room with observation chairs. Ones that were filled, heck people where sitting on the floor right up to the edge of the circle, whic was good or they would have found themselves in the middel of the jungle dodging spells had they come anycloser. Draco ignored the excited murmering the yells of encouragment and the admiration coming Harrys way. He hadnt failed him, he hadnt taken his victory and beaten him raw with it. Weak usless fool his own fathers words could have easly come back from his past to slash at his heart as it had in its youth.

Harry hadnt, he'd passed him. Even though he knew Harry would never forgive him for his part in dumbledoors death or for trying to kill him. He knew Harry hated him just as much as draco often hated himself. He'd passed him. It isnt right to feel like this. He ignored the constant vioce of doubt in his head, right now he could enjoy this brief feeling of joy. He could get his life together, he could become his own person without the taint of his father and the dark lord on his life. Harry had given him that chance, Harry thought he owed Draco his life, but it was the other way around. Harry had just saved his.