Chapter 11

The Pieces are Moving

Ginny smiled and waved her way through the crowd, stopping to greet the many guests as was required of the hostess. Her mind wasnt on any of that, her mind was on Harry. Something was wrong, she couldnt put her finger on it but what she'd just witnessed upstairs left her body feeling cold and made her knees want to shake. Always, Always Harry instructed their children to be kind to those who seemd weaker. Harry had always tried to teach his sons the importance of humility and honor. Old fashion ideals maybe but it would make them better men. She couldnt belive what she had just heard as she had climbed the stairs, she didnt know what had made her pause instead of just anouncing her precanse. Maybe it was because she liked watching Harry with thier sons, he was so tender and loving with them all the time.

Ginny wanted to cry, she didnt want to smile and wave as if everything in her world was still all right. She wanted to stop in the middel of the floor and demand to know what had happend to the man she loved. She actully did feel her knees trembel then, she needed him. She needed her Harry to come and tell her this was just a cruel dream that he wasnt changing right infront of her. That he was still her hero. "Ginny are you alright, dear sit down you look ready to fall." Angelina was at her elbow a worried frown on her face. She guesterd towards Hermione who was leading Luna along.

Luna was wearing a gown of the palest pink almost pearl, it brightedn her face and seemd to set lights dancing in her silver grey eyes. She looked lovely, enchanting and as the only unmarried woman in thier group she was drawing alot of attention. Ginny musterd a smile for her friend, "You look lovely Luna" She managed to say befor the tears threatend to spill. Luna blushed, but it faded as a concernd frown crossed her lips. The three woman hearded her to a seat, fawning over her in womanly concern.

"Spill it Gin, whats wrong?" Angelina asked cocking one slinder eyebrow. Ginny took a deep breath, "Its Harry, If you could have heard what he said up thier to James. He encouraged him to be cruel to Siruis! I couldnt belive my own ears. He's changing right infront of my eyes and I dont know what to do. How could this Happen this isnt Harry." The tears wouldnt be held back they where sliding down her cheeks. Angelina swated at a curious guest who got to close then turnd back to Ginny. Herminoe nelt down on her level. Placeing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "your not alone in this, all our Husbands seem to be changing. Somethings bothering all of them and they've shut us out." Hermione turnd to Angelina and grinned at her. "Doesnt mean we have to stand for it, if anyone knows how to get answers out of them its us right. Things will be ok Ginny just get him to talk to you."

"Get whom to talk to whom?" Tonks asked breezing up to them dressed in a gown of dark velvet inchanted to look like the night sky, her hair today was its natuarl color deep black and flowing to her shoulders. Her gloves where satin and she placed one gloved hand on Ginnys arm. "Our husbands to talk to us, And you luna should probably work on fred, with the way you look tonight he'd probably tell you his darkest secrets" Angelina teased turning to wink at luna. Luna grinned like a cat who'd gotten into the cream. Tonks nodded and sighed. "Ah, i see you mean the way the men seem to be carrying around the fate of the world and not telling us, i was just coming over to say we fix that problem. If Harrys acting funny Ginny we'll get to the bottom of it. Turn on the charm a bit and he'll tell you anything, its what men in love do."

"What do we do?" Remus Lupin asked as he walked up beghind his wife, whom turnd to smile at him. "There you are Remus, I was just discusing you" Tonks smiled at him walking into his arms. He smiled down at her fondly she crossed her arms around his kneck smiling up at him. Her eyes twinkled promising, knowning. She leand foward so that her lips just brushed his ear and whisperd. Remus turnd bright red and grabed her hand none to gentel tugging her onto the dance floor. Angelina bit back a grin of delight, "Tonks knows how to handel her man, she'll have his secrets before the nights done. Speaking of men, here come ours Luna." She said guestering towards the door.

Fred and Goerge both dressed to the nines in scarlet dress robes where heading towards them, well as best they could in a room full of guests. Goerge said something to Fred that caused him to blush and try a playfull punch in his twins deriction. They both looked up at exactly the same moment to notice the women. Goerges face split into a cat grin, like a little boy spying christmas presents ungaurded beneath the tree. Angelina knew she looked stuning in white it offset her coloring strikingly and the gown had been taliord perfectly to fit her form. His eyes danced at her even from across the room, promising her wicked delights as soon as the ball was over. She grinned right back at him, then turnd to the other women and whisperd.

"He's smiling now and better be smiling later when I tell him the news, I told him I wanted sixteen or seventeen when we married and he nearly fainted." Ginny and Hermione giggeld, it was still hard to think of George as a father. To them he was still one of the boys who never grew up, oh he knew his duties and did them well. He was a man where it counted but there would always be something boyish in the weasly twins. When Fred and Goerge finally reached them he wasted no time in grabing his wife in a kiss. A kiss not really suited for a Ball room party, and the little scamp knew it. He grinned down at his wife with impish delight and whisperd something in her ear that had Angelina swatting him. "behave, Goerge people are watching, Fred dear i just noticed you how do you like dear lunas dress?" Angelina smiled at Fred just before Goerge dragged her away for a waltz.

Ginny found her glum mood and all her worries fading, the look on her older brothers face was priceless. Fred looked as if he'd been hit by a truck, his eyes wide with shock, body stiff as a board. Then his stance began to soften, he seemd to gravitate towards luna as if pulled by some outside force. He melted to her side and it didnt look as if he would ever be leaving. And if Any of them had thier way he would never even consider it. Ginny found herself frowning a moment later when Fred took lunas hand, he only apeard to be holding it but judging by the crimson blush on lunas cheek he was doing much more. she knew her brothers of all people, and just now Fred was looking at Luna like prey.

"You'll be alright wont you luna, call one of us if you find you need a breather?" She asked pointedly scowling at Fred. Fred just grinnd paying her no mind, he dragged Luna onto the dance floor. Ginny groand, the poor girl didnt stand a chance. Well it was just as well as far as she was concernd wedding bells where wringing. And if for any reason, which she doubted he would, Fred had doubts. A little birdie in Molly weaslys ear might just let the cat out of the bag. And the choice wouldnt be up to him anylonger. "Sure thats wise leaving that bounder alone with her." Ron asked coming from Ginnys left. She turnd and smiled at him. "Probably not wise, but it wont hurt her any either. She looks inoccent but I get the notion Luna lovegood knows how to handel herself" Hermione laughed, tossing her brown curls over her shoulder. The glitter of her red gown caught his eye, Ginny found herself roling hers.

"Might as well dragg her off, Ron go on with you. I'll be fine." Ron tossed her a gratefull grin, before grabing Hermiones hand, and pulling her to him for a kiss. She pratically purred with pleasure grining up at him. When that little scene was done, he turnd back to his sister a concernd frown on his face. "You'll be ok wont you Ginny?" Before she could reply Harry was beghind her, and placing a hand on her shoulder. It spread imideiat heat through her. She was turning red she knew it, and tried to resist the urge to fan herself. "She'll be fine, More then fine" Harry said, he knelt and his lips brushed the back of her neck. She felt a shiver go through her. Ron shifted uncomfortably.

"Good god, Hermione lets leave i'll never get used to those two together." He shiverd as if the thought of his best friend and his little sister gave him chills. Hermione rolled her eyes, "Oh hush Ron you know very well you'd have killed Harry if he had ended up with anyone else." Ron grinned and winked as he contiued to pull Hermione away. "Dosent mean I have to like watching them do I, oh and Harry I will kill you if you ever even think of being with another woman." Harry's lips twitched, as he tried not to smile. " I cant love your sister without makeing you puke, and I cant be with anyone else, else wise you'll kill me. Thanks for the choices mate." Ron laughed. "no problem" He said with a jaunty wave befor he and Hermione dissaperd into the crowd.

Harry turnd to smile down at her, his hand still on her shoulder, his other reached down to help her up. When she was standing infront of him, he leand foward and kissed her. When Harry was kissing her everything in her world was good and perfect and right. He was her personal hero, the man who'd saved her life many times over and she didnt care if he failed or fell he would always be hers. When she was looking at him like this she found it hard to belive what she had overheard on the stairway. When he was holdining her he held the world at bay. She grasped onto him, didnt realize how tightly untill he laughd and said. "Gin, if you hold me any tighter i'm going to pass out"

She blushed and stepped back, ducking her head. She wasnt one to cry, not usally but suddenly the tears where back. His hands where framing her face now, as he brought her eyes level to his. "Ginny whats wrong?" He asked his eyes searching hers. She shiverd and edged closer to him. "I heard you, what you said to James, Harry how could you say such things to our son." Harry stared down at her, his eyes were warm and his arms so loving and strong holding her to him. Suddenly he was the one clinging to her as if, when he let go he would shatter. " I, I just wanted siruis to be ok. I'f you knew what i knew Ginny if you had seen what i've seen. He cant stay tender, I just wanted him to be strong, to be ok. I didnt mean for James to be cruel I explaind that to him afterwards. I'm sorry Ginny"

Love is a powerful force, love can take the weakest being and give him unpareled strength. When Harry had searched for the Horcruxes, when it had seemd like he would die in the search and all hope was lost. He had seen her face, and it had given him the strength to go on. As he stood here holding her knowing that he was well and trully lost, there was still something in him that cared. Something in him begging for realeas. "Oh God Ginny help me please" The new Harry the cold one shaped by evil and born of tainted magic couldnt stop this small part from nearly screaming the words. They where a scream in his soul but he was so diminished they came out as a whisper to the outside world. A plea one last finall plea, one last burst of strength.

Love has true power, it can make one strong but it also has the power to make the strongest person weak. Ginny Potter was a strong woman, with a strong will. She knew something was terrible wrong she felt it in the depths of her soul and it was shakeing her entire world. She saw the terror in her husbands eyes the pain just before it was replaced by cold fire. Then even that was gone replaced by simple warmth. And he was reasuring her that he'd be clearer to James in the futcher and that he just wanted the best for them all. He was charming loving the man she loved, The man she needed more then the breath in her body. Ginny took her husbands hand and alowed him to lead her onto the dance for. Her first moment of weakness.

Ginny PLEASE! There was a screaming vioce inside him. Harry could no longer seperate himself from this vioce and the vioce of lord voldemort. Voldemort seemd to have faded into a mere shadow, no it was more like he had faded into Harry becoming Harry. Harrys wants and desires were still the same. He wanted and loved his family, his friends. But they were merged shadowd faded with his desires. Domination, control, secruity, Vengance! Harry was going to take the world and hold it in the palm of his hand if he had to destroy anything and anyone in his way he would. Voldemort was no longer an entity in his soul, Harry finally understood what the dark lord had done. The last Horcrux he had spelld to empty itself into the person who destroyed it. Harry was carrying a piece of Voldemorts soul in him, and it was programed like a virus infesting manipulating and ravishing everything it touched. A man with a virus at first is aware he is sick, then when it spreads and brings on fever and delirum he is no longer aware.

Harry was no longer aware, He was infested delerious in a fever he couldnt break. He had become the Virus. That last peice of Voldemorts soul had merged with his own the merging had hurt, had been painfull. But he no longer noticed the pain, delerious men often didnt. Now and then the fever seemd to abate he got respites like When James had touched him in the hallway by the stair case. When he was touching Ginny. Yes sometimes in moments like those that Screaming vioce that he normaly couldnt hear blared like a foghorn in his body. He was screaming now, pounding on the walls of his own soul begging for Ginny to really look at him.

She diddnt, the screaming fadded into desperate moans. Was this vioce him, a part of him in his new state he had forgotten. He examind him, thier was light thier was goodness in this part of him. This part of him was fading, ill the light was dimm, it flickerd as if threatning to blink out. He had no use for weakness. His plans where already in motion, he had no room for any kind of weakness. He knew he had the power to kill this part of him, to smash him and send him away. And he must, or this part of him would ruien all his carefully made plans for his family his friends his world. He reached inside himself like a sword of justice to spear the light to send it to its death.

It should have been easy, after all he could sense part of him actully wished he was dead, but at the last second Harry was aware that outside himself in the ball room James and his cousins had come running up, and harry was swinging his son into his arms. The light grew Brighter, refusing to be killed. It hurt he felt the pain as if it hurt to be near such shining brillance. NO THIS THING WOULD DIE! HE WOULDNT FAIL NOW NOT WHEN HE'D JUST STARTED.

"I'm your other half, you kill me and you kill whatever chance they have, i'm the only thing keeping you from killing everything you love! as long as i'm alive we still have a chance!" Harry Falterd, was this true, would he really kill those he loved without this light part of him, and what did he mean by a chance. "you'll know, when the time comes, we have a chance let me talk to my son just once please" The light pleaded, Harry was confused this battling with himself was painfull, as if inside him things where ripping shattering. Harry was aware that he was leading his son into another room, that James was looking up at him trustingly. The room was empty away from prying eyes, "Stop it, thats my son what are you doing!" Harry demanded of the light.

Light dark, its what they where, and he as the dark was stronger he knew it but at this moment the light was he couldnt stop what it was doing. He was spining magic, magic that he recognized. "NO! NO You'll RUIN EVERYTHING!" He threw himself at the light part of him, attacking it with all his will tearing into it. He would kill it here and now for the last time and it would never make him weak again. Some how he knew he had to kill it before it finished the spell or all would be lost.

James body shook with pain and fear, it hurt his Papa was holding him too hard, he tried to scream but his screams wouldnt make it past his throat. he was chanting something Funny words he didnt understand, their where was a burst of light beghind his eyes and his little body shook. He felt tearing pain as if he was being shredded. He could here vioces two vioces, they both sounded like papa but diffrent one was pure it was love it was strength and it was soothing him.

"Papa please help me!" The words didnt make it past his throat but somehow it still heard him. "Listen dont fight this james you wont even remember this once its done, not till the time comes dont fight son." Papa was hurt, James could feel it, he was bleeding torn something was wripping into him. The second vioce the dangerous one familer but yet unfamiler. "Leave him alone, I wont let you weaken my son! I'll kill you first what will you gain by hiding in him!" This vioce shook through james like a chain saw ripping tearing. He screamd and screamd with no sound makeing it past his lips. "I wont be hiding, I'll be getting stronger. Strong enough to come back and finish this!" "Fool! i'll kill you first, you think to make a weapon of my own son against me! I'll kill you first!"

James felt it then like a knife was shoved through his heart and it was burning and burning and he heard screaming. The first vioce the papa he knew the one he recognized was screaming reaching. James blacked out not wanting to watch his papa die.

Harry held the limp body of his son in his arms, his breathing was shallow and his skin pale and pasty. But otherwise he looked to be ok. He smiled in satisfaction, The weakness was gone destroyd before he could contaminate his son. James was going to be a King one day James was his dreams his proudest joy. Harry kissed his sons forhead. " I'll always protect you". He whisperd. As long as he did what he was told. He smiled as he carried his son from the room and to his bed.

Harry smiled he was torn faded nearly broken but still alive, James couldnt feel him. When he had passed out and finally stoped fighting the intrusion into his body he was abel to slip inside. He was alive he had left the hallowed and tainted peices of him beghind. He knew he had just become a danger to the world every last scrap of morality that was left in Harry was here inside his son now, gathering streangth. It was going to be a long weary rest. James couldnt hear him nor could he feel him. He wouldnt even remember this incidant. And the other Part of him thought him to be dead, Harry could become strong could become strong enough that when the time was right when the peices where just right he could reawken and undo what Voldemort had done. Untill then all he could do was...sleep.

What had she been thinking, she couldnt do this. It wasnt playing at being in love that was hard, it was being in love. She'd always been in love with this man, knowing deep down they would never be together. His hate his pride and his vengance had always stood in thier way before. Her pride, and what was right and her vengance stood in thier way now. So when he looked at her like this, when she moved in his arms in a slow waltz thier bodies matching perfectly. When he leand close to breath her in and whisperd into her ear, she trembled. She loved him, loved a man she'd sworn to dispise, sworn she'd neve merry and could never Marry. Not unless she gave up everything she belived in.

Draco was a means to an end nothing more, she told herself sternly. As long as it looked as if they where madly in love and he would propose any minute Emilla and Garrot would think she was cowed into going along with thier plans. So when she found out if her Uncle was dead or alive and left they wouldnt know what hit them. But he didnt feel like a means to an end, he felt like a man she could live the rest of her life with. A man she could trust, one she could treasure.

He must have felt the trembel that shook her, because he stoped dancing and looked down at her. "Are you ok, are you cold?" When she nodded he took her by the waist and led her off the dance floor and wrapped her in his dark cloak. He smiled down at her. "Better?" She nodded again. You Raven will not cry! she scolded herself. She wouldnt, she'd lived years without him and would contiue to live years without him. Why did it feel as if she were lying to herself. " you sure your ok Raven?" He asked her agian tilting her head so he could look into her eyes.

Raven steped out of his grasp and smiled up at him, she didnt know how she kept herself from crying or her lips from trembling. She managed it, even managed a laugh. "Of course I am, i'm with you arent I." He just looked at her as if he couldnt figure her out. Emila and Garrot where watching them, she could feel their stares, boring holes into her back. She shiverd again. His eyes glanced beghind her and something whent hard in him.

"Raven, I didnt think you where a coward. They want this match between us they always have. Both our familys always have. You once said you'd rather Marry the Giant squid, why the sudden change? Dont let them rule your life, dont pretend with me!" His vioce was cold, well not cold Draco was never cold. It may seem like he was with his sneering jeers and biting tounge but she always saw the passion the real emoation simmering beneath that layer of ice. He hid beghind it like armor, and he was using it now.

"I never hated you Draco, I hated alot of things. The family you where born in the family i was born in. The choices I was forced to make. Never you, if anything I hated wanting you when i knew i was betraying who i was. They wanted us to be together and I want to be as far from like them as possible. Feeling what i do for you would ruien all of that" Truth she could tell him that truth, but never the whole of it. Because now she had to taint it with a lie. "but I realized I dont care anymore, if they gloat about it the rest of thier lives so be it. I want you and me to-"

She never finished, His kiss had the power to take away every thought in her head every breath in her body. It came as a shock one minute she was talking the next she was in his arms her world spining upside down and changing right before her eyes. It was fire it was heat, it was tender it was lovely and it was magic. She felt her knees weaken, but he held onto her keeping her standing as he layed her entire soul bare. She was lost, spoiled for life and drowning all at once.She broke the kiss with a cry, she did the only thing she could do. She slapped him and ran like a bat out of hell from the room.

Draco stared after her, slightly dazed and wondering two things. What the hell had he done wrong and why the bloody hell had he done it. "Well done Malfoy, very well done." Draco turnd to find Ron grining at him. Hermione at his side. He scoweld at him, and reverting back to old habbits snapped at him. "What of it weasly, mind your own bloody busniess!" Ron laughed and put his hands up in the air . "Alright, simmer down mate. I was just pointing out that assulting her on a ball room floor is not the best way to gain a ladies attention"

Draco snorted crossing his arms, he gave weasly a glance over. His dress robes were crisp imaculate there was really nothing poor or shabby about him anymore. But he could still muster the old look of supuroity to toss at him. Buggar it all weasly just grinned at him, as if he could care less what Draco thought of him. "I hardly assulted her, Weasly and I'm no mate of yours and dont you forget it!" It would have been a nice line to end on to glide from the room on but he had to go and ruien it. "You dont think thats why she was upset do you, I didnt.. I couldnt help it.. I?" He blanched realizing he was stammering like an idiot and to Weasly of all people. And good lord was he turning red now! He turnd then and marched stiffly off, mortified beyond all reason.

Hermione stared after Draco, and giggeld. Ron shook his head. "Dont laugh, i dont know whats less belivable right now, him being in love or me trying to be friendly with him." Hermione swatted him on the shoulder. "Every one deserves Happiness even Draco, and now that your working together you should try and be friends." Ron sighed. "He doesnt make it bloody easy, still looks at me like i'm gutter trash, not that i mind anymore still makes for a rocky friendship. Enough about Malfoy what time is it, only a few more hours till i can take you up stairs and..." Hermione blushed bright red and swatted him. Not that she really minded.

"Behave yourself please, or its couches for you." She scolded, he blanched and shook his head. "You wouldnt be that cruel would you?" Hermione stiffeld a giggel. Then pointed, "Look thiers Fred and Luna talking in the corner over thier near the balcony doors." Ron fallowed her finger with his eyes and then grined when he spotted his brother and luna. He frownd slightly, "looks about ready to eat her, not that i blame him she cleans up nice in a gown. Good lord he isnt going to right in the middel of the ball room with Mom and Dad here is he!" Hermione tried not to laugh right out loud at Rons agahst expercion. and it looked as if Fred was. He was going to lay one hot kiss on Luna even shadowed in the cornor if anyone glanced thier way would notice. And someone had, a man a few feet away from Hermione stiffend in shock clenched his fists and began to barrel towards the couple.

"Isnt that...?" Ron nodded and sighed. "Gregory Jenkins. come on lets go divert dissaster."

A smart man would have fled when he first saw luna in a gown so shimering it looked as if she'd dressed herself in pearl. A smart man would have apearated himself all the way to alaska when he felt what Fred had felt when he'd first seen her. Like a slam to the gutt, a batt to the head and a fire in his blood he couldnt bank. This had to be enchantment all he could think about was touching her kissing her, holding her. Makeing her laugh, makeing her just as crazy as he felt right now. He had to be crazy, only a crazy man would kiss a woman sensless in a ballroom full of people. And only a crazy man would stop once he'd dived into the heaven that was Luna lovegood.

speaking of crazy men, you had to be crazy to grab a man in the middel of the best kiss he'd ever have in his life and call him foul names. Gregory Jenkins had to be crazy, cause he'd done just that. Grabed Fred by the collar and began to scream at him. "you Bloody, Bleedin Bounder! you Cadd of the worst order.. How dare you treat a lady in that kind of manner. Come Luna away from him this instant." Luna turnd pink with fury. She clenched her fist and gritted her teeth trying not to loose her temper.Fred was trying to decide whether or not to hex the moron or just forget magic and deck him one.

"Leave us alone Gregory! I told you more then once i want nothing to do with you!" Luna bit out between clenched teeth. Gregory turnd red and sputterd, "But luna! The potters are one thing they after all are respectable but the weaslys! espcially this one! Riff Raff I Forbid IT!" That was the last straw for fred and luna both.

"WHO ARE YOU TO FORBID ME ANYTHING!"

"YOU BASTARD GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HER RIGHT NOW"

"your father promised you'd merry me!"

"what is this the bloody 1700's i dont care what he said i wouldnt Marry you if you..."

"Is thier a problem here?" the three of them turnd to find Harry standing beghind them, oh it wasnt just Harry either. Mr. & Mrs Jenkins where present as well as his parents Ron, Hermione and a cirlce of other on lookers. Fred felt a bolt of fear, Harry seemd sane enough most the time in fact he'd seemd more sane of late then he had anyother time in the last month. Still changed but sane. As of yet they had found nothing in any scrolls or books to counter what Voldemort had done to him. Strangely instead of getting more out of control Harry had become... Fred couldnt place it. He was cool charming and utterly calm. Utterly not Harry. But nothing that they could fault him for, it was like he'd doned a layer of ice only melted by his family.

"Nothing really Harry, just having a discussion with this Bloke here." Fred assured him. He rememberd the result of Harrys last dealings with Jenkins. He shiverd, Harry still had that edge of wild danger about him but it was tempard now with a cool elegance. Like Harry belonged on poster somewhere. Alexander the Great Napaleon. Dangerous as a plauge but cool and elegant on the outside. Harry smiled as if he'd only interupted a delightful Tea instead of a blistering argument. Gregory frownd blistering, Fred had to fight a groan. Did the boy never learn, was he really that dense. He was going to whip lash harry with that tounge of his and end up dead one day. Harry didnt doubt it, not one bit.

"Mr potter Your, Brother in Law here was asulting My intended." Gregory huffed turning to Harry with a plaintive eye. Harry nodded as if sympatheticly then tossed Fred a wink. Emila Jenkins spoke up then a bright smile on her face. "We can vouch for the poor dear, Harry Dear. Lunas father and My dear Garrot have been discussing a match between the two of them since they where in diapers." Garrot Jenkins nodded in the affermitve, Gregory tossed Fred a triumphent look. "Doesnt anyone care what I think about this match! I dont want to Marry your son, sorry Mame but its true." Luna pleaded. Emilla frownd at luna a cold glint coming into her eyes then it was gone just as fast. Smotherd by motherly concern.

"Oh you poor dear, Miss luna is far too inoccent for her own good I fear." Luna turnd bright red her fists clenching. Fred was torn between laughter and screaming, he felt as if he were trapped in some old world play. What was wrong with these people, this wasnt the medival ages luna could bloody well marry whoever she chose! And it was bleeding hell going to be him! He turnd to glare at Harry opend his mouth to speak Harry raised a hand. He found himself faltering, Harry held such an air of comand. Fred foound himself staring at Harry facinated drawn to the raw power that seemd to cloak his every movement. He wasnt the only one, it seemd as if everyone in the room was held transfixed by Harry waiting at the edge of thier sceat for whatever he would say.

"Mr and Mrs Jenkins, I understand your plight. Luna after all is a lovely girl a better woman to be a loving wife to your son you couldnt find. However I find myself torn, after all Fred is my brother in law and a dear freind who wouldnt want such a gem for thier friend." Their where chuckels and knowing glancess the Jenkins's stared at Harry in Mezmarised Facination as if he where a god who had glanced thier way and found favor. They nodded and chuckeld along with everyone else, as Harry contiued. "Gregory your a fine man. Fred here is a bit of a scamp, always has been as it apears he's stollen away miss lunas heart i cant find it in me to break them apart. If thiers anything I can do to make it up to you please let me know."

The words sounded sincer in fact every word Harry spoke dripped of polish and power. It rang with sincerity and warmth. Fred found himself wanting to trembel, a vioce like that could compell a man to lay down his life, to fallow blindly. It inspired loyality just as much as it inspired fear. Looking around the room at the faces eager to please entranced staring at Harry in facination, Fred felt a shiver of fear. He had these people in the palm of his hands. Mr. And Mrs. Jenkins both twiterd and laughed good natuardly Emilla even placed a comforting hand on Harrys shoulder. "Oh dear boy, think nothing of it. After all who are we to stop love. Dear Fred is a handsome lad, we'll miss Miss luna of course but if it had to be anyone who stole her away we would have it be that delightful lad."

Fred nearly choked, dear fred, delightful lad. Was he the only one aware that they had just completely reversed the view of him? They didnt even look aware of it! And everyone was just nodding along with them as if this where exactly right. Even Gregory was noding and smiling at Fred as if they where the best of friends! Harry smiled over at Fred, thier was a knowing glint in those eyes as if making promises to Fred. He shiverd, Ron slid up beside him staring at Harry with concentration. Harry was now looking derictily at Fred. It suddenly felt as if he stood on shakey ground. As if he couldnt find his footing, Harry was bright like flame. Flame he wanted to get closer to he was cold, needed its warmth. It was dark and he was light he was tired of the dark.

"That wasnt very well done of you Fred, even still." Harry just grinned at him, he hadnt asked for an apology. But it was implied that he owed one, Fred found himself turning a sheepish smile on his lips to face the Jenkins. He really should apologize, after all she had been all but engaged to another man before he came along. Harry was right it wasnt very well done of him, Harry with such bright green eyes. Eyes that you could get caught in and he'd never let you go. "you arent about to actully apologize to that, that, cheeky little snippit! Are You!" Luna hissed in his ear. He was wasnt he, Fred Jerked back like he'd been slaped. He trembled, this was just like befor, he had nearlu murderd a man at Harrys comand and now Harry had him jumping to his every comand. Harry was just as out of control as before, he realized. Just so much better at hiding it.

This was true power, Emilla Jenkins thought as she stared at Harry as he dealt with this nasty busniess. She had never seen a man so enthralling so abel to hold a crowd, he was like a bright flame and they where all moths helpless to resist the light and the heat. She felt a shiver of excitment go up her spine, He had everyones attention and that was no small feat. Not with Philip Rochet attending the ball, Philip was the bloody minister of magic and no one was even glancing his way. The fact that the minister was even present said that Harry stood blessedly high in standing but to steal all his attention away? She looked over at Garrot. He was just as excited as she was, this was an opertunity! Harry was going places and if she had her way the Jenkins family would be right on his heels!

"ho, there Harry. Nasty busniess all this. Handeld it all very well though very well there." The Minister had stepped foward to clap Harry on the back. A joval grin on his lips, Philip had always been a cheery fellow but altogether too bookish in her opinion. He would just as soon dive into a book on some ubsard woodlen creature or new jinx or charm then do anything else. He was likeable if one liked that sort, Emilla dispised it. The man was a thinker he thought and thought and never did. She could tell Harry was the perfect mix of both. Cunning and unafriad to do.

"Thank you Philip, wasnt really much of anything just a lovers tangel" Harry Smiled, at the minister. That was a hero's smile, Emilla shiverd again. A smile like that had every woman in the room in a swoon and ready to throw down everything just for a look from him.Harry was a hero and the best Auror this side of the world. He was on first name basis with the Minister of magic and rich to the nines. He had friends in all the right places and even friends in some of the, she glanced at the weaslys, Wrong places. The man oozed charm and elegance. Oh yes, what a fool they'd been to not see it before! And standing next to the minister as he was with friendlyness and acord roling off between them she saw it. And she was sure she wasnt the only one.

Harry was made to be in a positon of power, he looked at home chatting with the Minister. He looked, like he could be the Minister! It was perfect one day he would be, one day Harry was going to be the most powerful wizzard in all of england! And one day possibly the world. Emilla had she been alone would have danced a jigg. They where going to be his seconds, they where going to be right up there in the front of all that power. Finally the dream would no longer be a dream.

"Harry dear boy, this is quit a smash. I was just saying so to Remus here" He geusterd towards Remus who nodded, his wife was by his side. Remus could be a problem, a mentor and friend to Harry it would be hard to leave him in the dust. Emilla gritted her teeth, they would manage it by god. This family had waited too long. " your work on the Welton county project was extrodinary! I told him i've never seen such a display of orginazation and well gritt!" Harry nodded in acent and turnd smiling towards Ron weasly, he said. "It wasnt just me, Dont know where i'd be without my partner here." Humiltiy to boot, Potter knew how to play his crowd.

"Of course, of course. We've been watching Mr weasly as well. We have plans at the ministry for the both of you. I got your missave by the way stunning ideas stunning ideas. Brilliant notions me boy. Which reminds me i've scheaduld a meeting of officers for later in the week. I'll anounce it all then, dear boy. Smashing party by the way just smashing." Emilla caught Garrots eye, Potter wasnt just friends with the minister he was actully in a position to advise! "this is absoultly stunning i knew that boy was destind for greatness!" She whisperd into Garrots ear. he nodded, "its a shame he's already married, still Malfoy will do fine for our little Raven. Look there he is, with Remus and weasly. His connections apear to be sound. We'll be doubly profitable if she can just keep her end of the bargan." Garrot sighed. Emillas lips thined and her eyes glinted cold. "Oh she will Darling, never fear on that score."

"Since when does Harry send Missaves to the Minister!" Ron demanded of Remus as the exited the ball room. They where headed towards the balcony doors. Remus shook his head, contemplating the situation. "Philips a good man, always has been. Just never was cut out to be a minister of magic, not that he's bungald anything. His heart just isnt in it, I warnd him when he was offerd the positon that it was a mistake of the first order. You have to have the drive the want, else the job swallows you sucks you dry. Dumbeldoor knew that, they offerd it to him over and over again you know."

Remus felt a pang at the thought of his old mentor, would that twinge ever go away that sad contemplation. Probably not. He sighd and nodded when draco said, " Thiers been rumors he's running dry. That he's thinking of resighning as soon as the council agrees to it." Ron let out a sigh of his own as they finally reached, the balcony doors and a blast of hot summer air hit them. "So Rochets tired, he's resighning and a new minister needs to be elected. Whats that got to do with Harry doesnt tell us why he's sending Missaves to Phil." Remus was afraid it did, it had happend so fast too fast. They had searched and searched for any mention of the kind of magic that could undo what voldemort had done and come up dry. And now he was afriad they where out of time, he could feel it. It was out of thier hands cureing Harry was no longer up to them. Countering his plans though was another story.

Draco was looking at both Harry and Ron with puzzeld expressions. "Am i missing something here, since when do you two discuss Harry like your against him?" Ron tossed him a glance Remus nodded. Draco would be working closely with Harry afterall. He had hoped that they could put the fued between them aside to see that they really wherent all that diffrent. Those plans would have to be put on hold, but Draco should still be told. The more people warnd was the more people saved in his opinion.

"Harry aint himself lately mate, wont give you details here but the Harry we know and trust has been put on hold for the time being." Ron explaind. Draco nodded not completely understanding, but willing to wait. Remus was about to speak when he heard a sniffel from the other end of the balcony. On a bench a woman sat her head in her hands long black hair spilling across her face, having either torn loose from its pins or been set loose. Even unabel to see her, Remus could tell she was lovely. when she did raise her head to wipe her eyes it was her face that made him stop short.

He hadnt seen that face in years, the delicate bone structer. The hiar black as a ravens wing and the blue eyes. If he died tomarow one of the last things he would remember was the way that sort of blue could take a person and make them wish to swim in them forever. Those where an enchantress eyes, Silvias eyes, He felt a sharp pain in his chest as memories assulted him.

"Sirius if you dont hurry up where going to be for our own send of!" Remus brushed a lock of brown hair away from his eyes. He usally kept it neatly brushed and trimed at all times. But the full moon had been last week and he was still coming out of it. He tended to forget about keeping tidey when his body was changing and screaming at him. Sirius lay on his bed the red and gold curtains only partially shielding that he was top naked and decidedly scruffy looking.

"Shove off Remus!" He mumbled. A bed away Remus heard James laugh, James ducked into a white shirt and began to button it as he said. "Dont bother Moony, he was up all night with Jenkins yesterday. He'll be dead stone tired for weeks." Remus felt his face go red, he suddenly felt the need to examin his shoes. Sirius managed to find the energy to sit up his black hair tumbling around his head. "Whats it to you prongs what I do with my woman." He shot at James who was draging on his black school robes.

James snorted and grinned, "Nothing but Harris, you know the big strong hothead from Ravenclaw might have something to say about it. Brothers do tend to dislike people shagging thier sisters." To that Sirius mumbled something even a sailor might have blushed at. Remus roled his eyes at both of them and anounced. "Does anyone feel like graduating, not that I dont love it here really..."

"I do, might wanna pull on a shirt there padfoot might give the proffesors a turn if you strolled down there in only your knickers." James suggested with a grin. Sirius let out a bark of laughter as he dragged himself from bed. "They cant start without us, Remus here is graduating top of the class. How are they going to skip over that." Sirius reasond, Remus roled his eyes again and grinned at his two friends. "I've a mind to just go down there myself so the two of you can just miss it."

A brief round of tussling followd that, untill Remus found his robes where wrinkled and his tie had ripped in a place. He didnt mind, it felt good to have friends like them. It always had, they didnt need to know that though. " sirius you oaf look what you've done, if your anything like that with Silvia its a wonder she keeps you around!" he acused, but with a grin. For that he reseved a sharp slap on the back. Sirius wide grin faded slightly. "Why does everyone think Silvia and I, well..." Remus nearly fell down in shock, he'd never seen Sirius black blush at anything.

"Because its you Sirius!" James jeered. Sirius punched him in the arm half heartedly. And sighed. "Not that i dont want to mind you, its just that..." He falterd his face coloring again. James eyes widend in shock then delight. "OH! Dont tell me! After all that ribbing you gave me about Evans your finally getting your own! This is prime, mate just prime. How are you handling it, do you need a healer. Madam Pomfrey has an eccelnt potion, its for warts really but if has the most delightful cooling sensation that might help with any pent up frustration you might be-" James never finished as Remus had taken a pillow from the nearest bed and tossed it at his head.

"leave him alone James." He tossed a sympathetic look Sirius's way. "The poor fools in love for the first time. He needs tender care." James snorted at that statment and crossed his arms. "Where the bloody hell was my tender care when Evans and I started dateing. All I got was his bloody comments." James inquired with a laugh. "well with you and Lilly it was just kinda funny mate, you'd been mooning after her for years untill she finnally agreed and then she refuses to sleep with you. Even though lord knows you tried hard enough. Made quit a cake of yourself I might add." Sirius chuckeld. James made a face at him.

"So if you and Jenkins wheren't ah doing that, what where you doing last night and all those nights?" Remus inquired with a puzzeld frown. Sirius shrugged, then sighed. "We talk mostly sometimes we kiss or I just take her places. But mostly we talk, last night she was upset. Something about her aunt and uncle and not wanting to be there anymore. She doesnt want to stay with them anymore, thier like my parents after all sometimes I think thier worse. She ran out on them like I did, and is staying at a mates but that cant last forever as Emilys going into work soon enough and moving out as well. So unlike me she cant stay at a mates place, thanks for that James by the way" James nodded as Sirius contiued, "She was in a real fix about it too, crying all over me about the futcher and what its going to bring. And Harris as we all know is a flyer and is going to play for england or try to anyway. He'll be on the road with no real place of his own, she cant stay with him either."

Remus winced, if Silvias aunt and uncle where like sirius that ment they where cold, unfealing people who's view of the world was narrow and laced with biggitry and prejudice. Silvia with her loving nature would feel crushed living with such people. " What about us, were all moving on Aurors make pretty decent money dont they. soon as you get a place have her move in with you." Remus sugested. Sirius thought that over then shook his head. " we wont be Aurors yet will we, we'll just be apprentice for years yet if even that at first. on that kind of sallary i'll be lucky if I dont starve nevertheless afording a place of my own."

James looked at his best mate, at the troubled frown on his face and the sadness that had seemd to enter his eyes fleetingly. All teasing aside he put a hand on his shoulder, "Why dont you Merry her thiers marrige rates on apartments in muggel and wizarding districts espcially muggel ones. Go to Gringots and exchange your Gallons for muggel money." Sirius shot James a scalding look.

"you've got Evans on the brain again mate, I told you you where crazy to ask her this soon. Who gets married strait out of school. Most people are just finding jobs! Not James he up and proposes to his girlfriend as soon as its legal! Then came moaning to me when she rightfully knocked you on your arse where i think you should stay for awhile. No thanks Marraige sounds nice for some but good lord i'd die before tying myself down like that." Sirius admonished.

"then your going to loose her mate, cause no woman in the history of mankind has waited around forever." James cautioned. Sirius shrugged then tossed James a rakish grin. "thats cause I wasnt born yet." When James laughed Remus just shook his head, giving up on ever getting to the graduation practice nevertheless the actuall ceramony tomarow. The James smile faded and he shook his head sadly at Sirius. " Do you really love her?" He asked his vioce had gone soft and quit. Sirius stiffend then relaxed slightly nodding. James sighed, " thats what I figured. Might want too loose some of that arogance then, I found that women tend to find it distateful. On day you might wake up and find everything you thought was so great about yourself really wont matter if she doesnt love you. If you value your freedom more then your love for her your going to loose everything and I dont want to see that happen to you."

Remus shudderd, as the memories faded into the background of his mind. James vioce seemd to echo through out his head. A haunting echo of what had once been. Siruis hadnt headed his warning, not really. He had indeed contiued to love and take care of Silvia. Had even taken thier advice in buying a place in a muggel neighborhood. They had lived together for years, while they had become Aurors and Silvia had become a Healer. James and Lilly had finally married, albet not as soon as James would have liked but it had finally happend. Remus smiled fondly at that paticular memory. Thier wedding had been one of the happiest moments of his life. Remus rememberd the yearning he had glimpsed in Silvias eyes sometimes, fleeting at most there had been flashes. She wanted what james and Lilly had, a reall loving marriage built on something more then promises and Passion. Built on thier obviouse love for each other.

But those moments had been merely flashes, wishes that she shoved aside cause quit simply Sirius had just never been ready. And she had never pushed him, they had shared a home and a life together and had even had a child together a baby girl. James and Sirius had often marveld over thier two infants even argued over silly things like which baby was the prettiest or destind to go the farthest. Remus had envied them, never resented thier happiness but he had envied it. James had named Siruis god father of his son natuarly, it had been Lillys suggestion that Siruis make little Raven Remus's god Daughter. It had humbled him, the greatest gift he had ever been given. Siruis had been glad to give Remus a part of his own happines. Funny how life turnd out, he had a measure now at what that happiness felt like, but they had both lost thiers in one moment of terror and to one man.

James had died in the hallway trying to defend his wife and baby son, his wife having to watch as he fell. But lilly had kept her head about her she had not crumbled to peaices she had always been brave bold and couragous. She had taken, young Harry in her arms and attempted to shield him, giving her life for his. They had both died that night in one moment Remus had lost two of his greatest friends. He rememberd going stark raving cold with shock and his body shakeing and with tremors. In thier death he had felt he had lost three friends, for Sirius was thier secret keeper, wasnt he. If they had died that meant. even at the possibility that he had betrayed thier bestfriend and caused his death Remus had feared for him. Loved him and wanted him to be thier to tell him it wasnt true...

Remus pounded on the door of number 9 Curry Lane, He pounded so hard he felt as if his fist would either smash through the wood or bleed raw. He fought the tears, they refused to be still they pourd down his cheeks mixing with the rain. "SIRUS!" He bellowd pounding on the door. It swung open and he stumbled inside. Knocking into sirus one wet ball of fury and terror. He felt Siruis ceatch him hold him sooth him.

"Remus my god, whats happend whats wrong with you." Sirus asked giving him a slight shake. Remus jerked away from him. He couldnt stand his touch not until he knew for sure, he shook a grown man and he shook like a child. "Thier dead siruis thier both dead lilly and James! the alarm just whent up every auror knows and your telling me you didnt! YOU WHERE THERE FUCKING KEEPER AND YOU DIDNT KNOW! DONT LIE TO ME! OH GOD SIRUIS WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!" He wasnt aware that he was cussing and he rarely cussed. He wasnt aware that he was flying at his best friend one of the only friends he had left in the world. He wasnt aware that he was pounding on siruis until he knocked silvia in the eye as she tried to prie him off. EVACTA! Thier was a burst of light and Remus felt himself go smack into a tabel. Propeld away from siruis.

He lay there, shivering staring up at his friend his ally, could this man really now be an enemy. Siruis stood there panting, a wild Ferral gleam in his eyes. "Thier dead...James is gone..." thier was something dangerous in Siruis eyes, but Remus was beyond careing his words just made him angryer."Your their keeper, everyone knows it! He would only trust you siruis! As thier keeper you would have felt it the moment they died! dont lie to me and say you didnt know. How could you do it! Tell me he found out some other way tell me he bewtiched you! Tell me anything! Dont just stand there."

Silvia had let out a cry of mingeld pain and shock, but Siruis didnt even look at her as she trembled. He didnt even deny it. He just stood there scilent and numb so very cold. No, not cold thier was fire in his eyes pure rage. Remus had his own rage to deal with, "I'll kill you Azkaban isnt good enough for you you Bastard!" remus shot to his feat his wand out! "I'll send you to hell where you belong!" But he wasnt quick enough. He was being slamed again by a hex and he flew backward. His head cracking on the wall He lay there stunded unabale to move. the Voices swiming in his head.

"REMUS! REMUS!" Silva was beside him, her vioce a thin wail of shock and pain. Somewhere in the house little Raven was crying, but in this moment she was forgotton. "You killed him, oh god siruis what have you done!" he felt her hands on his forhead and rain hiting his face, no not rain they where inside. It was tears her tears. As she discoverd the man she loved was a triator and a murder! Remus tried to move but the hex held firm he was unabel to move an inch or even breath for that matter.

"Going to murder him like the rat he is! THAT FUCKING RAT IS GOING TO DIE! just like james...oh god just like james!" Siruis sounded quit simply like a mad man, his vioce cracking his eyes wide with a ferral gleam. HIs hair dripping with rain from the open door way as it whipped the night and the wind ripped it open with wails. The night seemd to be screaming sobbing. Even as remus could feel the hex leaving his body Siruis was runing outside, into the night the sound of a Motercycle roaring into the rain the last he knew of his friend. He was going after Peter! Remus struggeld to move but all he could manage was a feebel twitch of legs. he had killed James and Lilly and had tried to kill him now he was going to finish with the last member of thier group of friends.

Silvia stood in the door way trembling screaming her vioce carried away by wind and rain. Raven in her crib contiued to wail. Silva turnd slowly her front plasterd with rain so that she looked like a wild creatcher, a bird ready for flight. Her eyes where wide and hallow, almost empty. She moved woodenly past him and picked up the baby. She wrapped them both in a cloak sheilding Raven from the rain as she stood in the doorway, rain pelting her in a gale. She just stood their crying her heart out, tortured sobs of fear and anguish waiting, waiting. As the minuts past he slowly slowly gained more power of movemnt. But she never turnd around once, her eyes remaind on the night before her, waiting for some sighn that he would come back, tell her it was all just a nightmare.

He never did. And As Remus dragged himself to a sitting position still unable to speak weary with exahstion she stepped out into the rain. He tried to call out to her, tried to reach out, only ended up back face down on the floor. His body a wreck but he feared his heart was in worse condition.

So many mistakes had been made that night, he never should have doubted Sirius. It had taken years for him to peice together what he wanted to belive and what was truth. To realize tnat they where one in the same. Years in which his friend had waisted away in prizon. He had vistied him only once.

Remus stared at what had once been his best friend and a great man. His once swarthy skin and beautiful black hair was now sallow and lanky. His body apeard to be waisting away. The only thing that apeard to be alive about him was his eyes. They darted back and forth, clever eyes calculating eyes. The Air of the prizion was one of hopelessness thier was no happiness in a place such as this. Not with dementors roaming the building at free will. Even he was affected he shiverd, to see his friend in a place like this, even if he had done such evil left a hole in his heart and a bad taste in his mouth. For a prizoner in Azkaban he was remarkably whole. The man in the cell just over was nothing but a wastied hulk. pasty white drawn and weak as a kitten he was a husk barely recognizable as a man. And he had been here less time then Siruis had.

How was he doing it, why wasnt he a blubbering hopless shell. Why was thier still life in his eyes, he knew he should be angry should wish that Siruis sufferd, but he couldnt do it. No matter how many times he replayed thier deaths in his mind. He didnt want him to suffer he wanted his friend back. Those gleaming eyes setteld on him. "come to gawk have you remus" the vioce was ruff haunted weak shatterd, yet had a thread of steel in them. Remus stiffend, he was sensible. Rational even certianly more Rational then he had been the day he blew Peter to smitheriens.. Remus felt a pang, Peter had always been a tagalong a wormy boy true. But not everyone could be like James and Siruis confidant and so very sure of themselves. And he had killed them.

"Surprised to see me, Sirius. You thought you killed me that night didnt you." he watched as Siruis eyes naraowd then he let out a bark of laughter, mad laughter. So he wasnt sane after all. That mad gleam was still thier Ferral an animal trapped in a cage ready to chew its own leg off to escape. "is that what you think, Its true then. Friendship is so very shallow! After all you tried to kill me first. Very nearly did it too. Then you would be the one in here and not I. I saved you from yourself." Siruis let out a giggel it was a frightningly raspy and haunted noise. "some group of friends we made, eh remus. Friends forever untill we murder each other, he killed them so I murderd him in return. You try to kill me I try to kill you. One circle of madness."

He had gone mad, Remus oddly felt relief. Siruis had simply lost his mind, it was the only reason he cold fathom for what he had done. Siruis would never have turnd otherwise, he would rather it be Madness then simply that he had used and fooled them all.That would render his heart a broken and usless oragan. "I came to ask you why you did it, i needed answers closure. Now i see i neednt even ask." Siruis let out another mad laugh. "Closur, closure! I killed him like he deserved blew him from this earth! That closed it enough for me!" He whent into a peal of laughter then and remus felt his temper pike.

"what about HARRY! your his godfather! you where supposed to take him if his parents died! Take care of him! Now he's with muggels! The same muggels who always hate lilly! Wheres the closure for him! Siruis! And Silvia! She belives you killed us all and she's somewhere out there in the world alone! Wheres her Bloody Closure!" Remus watched as the light left Siruis eyes they dimmed turnd empty nearly hopelss. From beghind him, a Dementor swooped down the hall. A light of terror filled Siruis and he began to tremble. Remus felt sick. "I wont let you take my memories! you wont crush me! I killed him and i'm not sorry i'd do it again. But i wont die nothing!" And right before his eyes, Siruis shifted into a dog. He paced his cell like a cage whining.

Remus watched in facination as the Dementor paused as if confused then glided away. Siruis waited a moment before changing back. He lay on the floor panting trembling shacking. Thats how he was doing it, a dogs emotions whent the same as a humans or other sentanit being. The demontor couldnt drain and suck the life from him the same way. Couldnt take away his hope, well he could judjung by Siruis aperance and the way he just lay there moaning, but at a much slower rate. He lay in the cornor shivering. Remus felt his own body begin to shake, "I dont even pretend to imagine what you think peter did to deserve what you did to him. After all madness has no reason, does it old friend. The only thing i can give thanks for is that James never did have to see you loose it all."

And then he had turnd and walked away, knowing his heart couldnt bear another visit.

He still berated himself for being such a fool. To belive siruis could ever deliver his best friends to the Dark lord. He had been the mad one, if he had just had more faith listend to his friend. Tried to calm him instead of attacking him. Things might have turnd out diffrently. They could have caught Peter the day he "died" and cleard siruis name from the very begining. Harry would have grown up with Silvia and Siruis instead of with cold hateing muggel relitives. And Siruis might still be alive. But he hadnt belived. and now they where all well and trully dead. Peter, James, Lilly, and Siruis. He had never thought to see her again, this was a part of his past that was alive and well.

"Silvia!" He called out to her without thinking, Her head jerked up and she stared at him in confusion. Not in recognition or shock at his being alive. After all to her knowlege he had died that night to lost in her own grief to notice that he yet lived. Thier was only confusion and puzzelment, and rightly so for as he got a better look at her he realized she was much to young in her twenties. But the resamblance was uncanny, almost exact! Draco turnd and looked at him oddly. "Who are you talking to? Thats not any Silvia thats Raven Jenkins, and i've been looking for her." Draco didnt notice Remus stiffen becaus he was walking towards the young woman with determination, but ron did.

"You know her?" He asked nodding towards Raven. yes yes he did, but now wasnt the time. The last he had seen of her she was a sqwaling one year old. The last time he'd held her, his God Daughter Sirius gift to him because he could never have the joy of children of his own was a grown woman. A lovely grown woman who was sad and lonely when she should have been loved and cared for. If not by sirius then by him. She and Draco apeard to be talking intensivly about something, their was a sheen of tears in her eyes as she shook her head. They narrowed with intent, with a gleam. Remus was nearly knocked off his feet. Sirius, there was Sirius in her peices of him. Another gift. He saw james so often in Harry that it helped heal the wounds of loosing him. Cause in a way he'd left a part of him beghind. And now here was Raven caring a peace of her father a band aid.

He would never make the mistake of thinking that either Harry or Raven could replace thier fathers, for that would be cruel not only to them but the respectives memory. And foolish, but he was right to delight in the fact that something of two great men lived on. And this time he wouldnt fail them, He was going to protect and shelter them both if it killed him. Remus sighd, a part of him feard it would. He had tried to protect Harry before and faild every time he tried. Now Harry was gone lost to him, and that in itself was a blade to a recently mended heart. His heart couldnt take anymore shredding it just couldnt. he watched As Raven fled away from Draco in tears.

Tonks sighed as she shimmed into her nightgown, it was a sheer pale pink that revealed more then it hid and suited her just perfectly. She set hair pins on the bathroom sink and picked up a bright flask filled with green liquid, and listend to Remus move around in the bedroom. He was distracted, his mind was on something important. She sighed putting the flask down, she had, had such confidance in what tonight would bring. Tonight was supposed to be about them about trusting in each other. Tonight she had worn a knock out gown even though as a rule she didnt wear them. She had pinned up her hair and made sure the house elves knew what food was to be ready when she called. She had looked foward to a night of passion and celibration and had prepaired for it. After all she knew his feelings on them ever having children. In frustration she put the flask away, and sat down heavely on the edge of the wide rimmed tub. She wished he'd let her in, she knew her husband and his habbits. He boar his troubles on his shoulders and to often sought to bear them alone. That was the entire problem with the lott of them she decided!

All thier lives James, Siruis Remus and even Harry had saught to bear every burdan that came thier way alone. even when they took vows and proffesed to have gotton over that manly stupidity they sometimes slipped back into machoism. Tonks as a woman was obviously to frial to know what was going on in the world around her. Bullox! And he bloody knew it, she was niether deaf blind nor stupid and wouldnt be treated as such. She knew bloody well that Harry wasnt well and hadnt been well for sometime, she knew remus knew what was wrong with him. She knew something was weighing on his heart and his mind and that he chose to keep her out. Seemd to her a rejection, a rejection of thier partnership of the life they where trying to build together. She wasnt going to play the meek woman. She was armd and loaded and he was going to confind in her whether he liked it or not. She marched from the bathroom.

He was siting on the bed his chin propped on his fists, contemplating lord knew what in that stubborn thick headed and well meaning mind of his. She balled her own fist and advanced on him like a caged tiger paceing a cage. "Well, what are you doing here then!" Remus glanced up at her starteld out of his thoughts, his eyes warmed slightly at the sight of her nightgown. It gave her only a twinge of satisfaction, for he stared at her slightly puzzeld. "Getting ready for bed?"

She shook her head at him, "Not here your not when your ready to stop hideing things from me you can come back. Untill then sleep in a guest room or something but not with me!" She stuck her nose in the air and prepaird to make a sweeping exit from the room when Remus caught her wrist. Never being overly gracefull she stumbled on her own feet and slamed into him, he steadied her but he had ruiend her exit. "Tonks please, its complicated. I know what your thinking i'm not shutting you out. I want...I want to tell you its just. I made a promis."

She trembled, what of the promis he had made to her on thier wedding day. To share everything with her, to never shut her out as he had in thier youth. That no longer would they waist time with regrets and unshared burdans that would drive a wedge between them. "Dont try to excuse this, in makeing such a promis you broke yours to me. Remember that one do you? You made it on our wedding day. I planded a special night for us, and you havent even noticed. You didnt see the roses or the wine or the music didnt even see me. Your so wrapped up in yourself, at least let me be apart of that."

She wasnt natuarly a weeper, but Remus tended to have that affect on her. For reasons unknown to her he could drive her to sobs and sleepless nights. She felt them start to spill and tried not to make a fool of herself but if love didnt make one a fool what did. "Tonks please dont cry please, I'm sorry love that was wrong of me. I made a promis to you and should have honord it!" he kissed her then, it was tender it was heart breaking. It was the husband she knew and loved, strong and sure yet she could feel a tremor in his lips. He was not unshakebel dispite how strong he was. He needed her streangth whether he always admited it or not. She didnt think, she just gave. gave what as his wife was her joy and her right to give. And he gave to her in return a joining of something beautiful and something strong.

And later when they both lay together sleepy and content, she was not distressed he still had not told her what was weghing on him. He would tell her in the morning, as soon as he was ready. No matter what happend she would always be by his side. it never acoured to her that a green flask was in her bathroom unopend and unused.

two weeks Later

It was a bright summer day, she was surrounded in friends and family. They each of course, had thier own homes. Seeing however that fate seemd to aspire that thier children be so close in ages, it was impossible not to be in and out of each others house holds almost dailey. Even had thier children not been such a close nit group Ginny didnt doubt that they would be close friends even into adult hood. In her first years of marriage Harry was always poping in at Ron and Hermione's or Ron would show up on thier door step Hermione in tow. And of course Fred and George had to make sure Harry was taking good care of thier baby sisster. The bond had just streangthend with the children.

It wasnt uncommen for them such as they had during the ball, to all congergate at one house hold for a period of time. It was easier that way, family dinners and evenings spent over where common acourances. Ginny was surrounded by family and friends to say the least, she was married to the only man she had ever loved and had two little dreams to mother. She placed a hand to her stumocah. And if her Body was telling her correctly a third was on its way. So why wasnt she happy, far from happy. Why did she feel as if she where holding onto an illuison.

Because she was, she couldnt ignore that her son was changing just as much as her husband was. Her sweet little boy was becoming spoiled callous and uncareing. And his father was pulling the strings, so that thier other son felt weak and alone. She had found him just yesterday in tears gritting his teeth and strugling to tie his shoes without help. He had bit his lip so hard in an effort not to cry when he couldnt do it that he had bled. When she whent to take him in her arms he had stuggeld against her as if in fear. Harry had been in the door way, how do you deal with the knowlege that your own child fears his father. How did she deal with the knowlege that she feared her own husband!

James pranced around thier home like a king, mirroring his fathers words the night of the ball to perfection. He was a god amoung ants and belived the world would be given to him on a platter. Thier where moments of confusion of course, when he would look to his father for guidance, should I help the old muggel lady Papa, or sneer at her. Ginny fought back a sob of pain, her world was fast crumbling beneath her feet. She could nolonger lie to herself, Harry had changed. He wasnt the man he had once been, the man she would have been proud and honored to bear another child to. It made her sick to feel that she might have concieved a child with this new man of darkness and greed who was twisting and crushing her children.

She had been weak, love had weakend her she knew that now. Instead of faceing the problem at hand she had stuck her head in the sand and now it was too late. Harry was at work, called into a special meeting by the minister himself. She shudderd, if Philips wifes words where anything to go by the Ministry wanted Harry to be the next minister of Magic. A young one to be sure, but who better then the destroyer of the most powerful dark wizard ever known to man kind. Who better then the most tallented auror the ministry had ever employed. Who better then the peoples hero who had always proved to be a fighter a good man and just that a hero. Who better then Harry potter. A month ago she would have been happy for him exstatic. She would have been so very proud of him, and all that he had done with his life.

Harry short to say, no longer had her confidance her trust... her love? How else to explain what she was contemplating doing. Taking her children and abandoning a marrige that had become false, lies that left her cold and empty. Since the night of the ball, to be touched by him left her feeling chilled and dirty. He was so not Harry she wanted to scream at the public. Why couldnt they see! He had tried to make love to her and she had felt used almost as if he had raped her. Needless to say he hadnt touched her since the night of the ball. He had been angry she could see it in his eyes, the way he had traced a finger across her cheek and that icyly charming smile had graced his lips.

It gave her the shivers, She had finally talked to Hermione. She was going to leave she had to, for her childrens sake. Harry had been eaten away by something whether it was ambiton greed or something else entirely she didnt know but she would not watch him destroy thier children. Hermione had told her that Tonks wanted to speak to them all while the men were with the minister and thier was no chance of them being interupted. So Ginny wasnt surprised whine Tonks swooped in with Hermione, Angelina and Luna chatting beghind her. With the kids outside playing in the garden they could be offorded some privacy at least. Hermione looked at her with a sympathetic smile and gave her a brief hug, Luna was bright and happy as well she should be. The last two weeks for her had been filled with nothing but the bright promise of new love.

She bit back a cry of pain, she had known that promise once. Angelina was staring at her a contemplating look in her eyes. She titled her head and sighed, "Alright Ginny, Tonks said you wanted to talk. Lets Talk." She inquired tapping one lean black finger on a marbel counter. Ginny took in a deep breath, she didnt know how they were all going to react to what she had to say. Ginny wasnt normally a quiter, she had waited years for Harry. She had been with him through all his tials, the ones he would alow her and the ones he wouldnt. She wasnt afriad of death and pain for herself, but her sons her babies. They where a diffrent matter altogther. She gritted her teeth and spat it out.

"I'm leaving Harry." This anouncment was met with scilence. Then predictable protests, not the protests she excpected however. She expected shock, and lamients on how perfect they where together and how she was a fool to give up a man who loved her. In stead Tonks crossed her arms over her chest, and shook her head sternly. "Since when have you been a coward Ginny. When Harry locked you in a Tower to keep you from fallowing him as soon as someone found you, you fallowed defied your own parents and his wishes and fallowed him anyway." Hermione nodded and added, "And after harry destroyd the fith horcrux and you where injurd by death eaters and he threatend to Hex you into sleeping for a thousand years if you didnt go back you told him he might as well hex the both of you, cause you'd fallow him anywhere. That you werent ever going to leave his side. Harry needs you and suddenly your running away!"

"You think this is easy for me! That was the old Harry, that was a Harry who wouldnt touch me as if he ownd me, and wouldnt fill my sons heart with poisen! I would have fallowed him anywhere. But he's no longer here to fallow!" Ginny spat out on a burst of tears, she hated crying. Not when her sons needed her to be strong, not when she had two small boys depending on her. But she couldnt halt these tears, they where tearing out of her body as if they couldnt stand to reside there one more second. Luna put a hand on her shoulder drawing her closer. "I think Ginny is right, Harry has changed too much. Fred has even noticed it. He seems to fear Harry, All the men do, and they know whats going on." Ginny nodded leaning on her friend.

"George goes in and out at odd hours of the night, he looks weary sad. He avoides Harry alot as well, they arent as close as they used to be. He's excited about the baby of course, but thiers a sadness there as well. Yesterday he actully sat me down and told me if anything where ever to happen to him he wanted me to go to my family in America. Things are scary now we all see it, we all feel it. But that just means he needs you more then ever. You have to stay with him, However i dont think its fair to send her in running blind. Is it tonks?" Angelina asked crossing her own arms, and glancing at Tonks who winced. Ginny glanced at her, with a puzzeld frown. Tonks sighed and plopped down.

"Alright, i was going to tell you anyway. Even though Remus doesnt want me to. I have to do whats right, he should have done this." She gritted her teeth and turnd to face ginny, "Ginny Harry isnt the same man you married thats true, but its not his fault. I suppose if its anyones its voldemorts or fate whichever you would cast. After six of the Horcux's where destroyd it apears that Voldemort knew there was a great chance he was going to loose. He took measurs, he charmed the last Horcrux with deep magic, irrevrsable magic. He put a piece of his soul inside it, with a spell to infest whoever desrtoyd it. So that even if after he was hunted down and killed a peice of him would live on to gather streangth inside its host till it was strong enough to..." Tonks falterd, watching how Ginny had paled and had begun to shake. she contiued.

"To awaken. Now since its only a fraction of a soul Voldemort can never be whole again, never be lord Voldemort in his own body. His vengance has been to control Harry to slowly twist him rott him from the inside untill Harry becomes a shadow of himself. Remus susspects the more he taints Harry the more Harry becomes like him the more what was voldemort fades, not out of him but into him. Harry has become Voldemort and Voldemort has become Harry. The men have searched and researched on a way to undo what was done, but as we all know Voldemort was the first to try and do many things. This is one of them." Tonks watched as Ginny turnd away tears streaming down her cheeks. Angelina balled her fist eyes lighting in fury.

"Are you telling me that from the moment he destroyd the last Horcrux voldemort has been inside him, He let harry destroy him knowing that even if he died he could still watch Harry fall. That he would live on, how come all this time he's seemd so normal?" Hermione asked on a whisper. Tonks sighed, "becuase upon first entering Harry, he was too weak. And had Harry senced his precance then he could easly have destroyed him. So he let Harry be, let him move on with his life. Get married have beatiful children taste joy. In a way that was part of the vengance to be abel to take that all away from him when the time was right. When he had enough streangth he began to work. At times it was like a toss up, which one of them would be in controll. Now it looks as if Harrys finally lost." Angelinas pent up fury finally seemd to break That Damnd Monster, as if Harry hadnt suffard enough!"

Luna was looking at Ginny, who hadnt said a word so far she gently rubbed her back. "Ginny, what are you going to do now." Ginny let out a trembling sob and glanced up there was fire in her eyes. "All his life Harry has taken blows from that... That... Monster. That he could do this to him, just when we had finally found our own happines. I could murder him! and thats just the problem, he is Harry now. If it where just me I would stay with him, try to reach him. But its them, our boys. Harry, he wouldnt want...He'd just die if he could see what was happining to them. We've made three beautiful beautiful childen together and I have to do whats best for them.

Hermione paled, shot a glance at the other two women and asked. "Are you sure, well i'm not surprised what with gardens and all. Oh Ginny." She steped foward to Give her little sisster a hug. Ginny nodded drying her tears. "I had wonderd why his kisses always tasted like a goodbye. He didnt tell me, he knew he was falling and didnt tell me!" Angelina rolled her eyes, "If you havent noticed all our husbands knew he was in trouble and didnt see fit to tell us. George is going to hang for this i can promis you. I hate to lay it down like this honey but as far as I can see, Harry still has the same needs as before just...well Twisted."

Hermione nodded, "meaning Harry still loves you and the kids. Not the same love, a darker well more hidouse version. Your his, you leave him and he'll repsond like a Dark lord. Leaving him would put you and the kids in more danger then your staying. Right now he belives he owns you, that you dont susspect and if you do that he can break you in to his way of thinking. It sounds so...Demonic to think of Harry that way I know but he thinks and acts like a villian now." Luna sighed sitting down as if this where a little too much, for once she wasnt spouting on about dissapering floppy nits or some such. Her rather large eyes where sad and slightly weary.

"This morning, I saw James push Siruis out of the couch, he hit his head. Nataurly he cried I heard James tell him to shut up, and stop being so "bleedin weak" as he put it. Harry was sitting right there, he pratically rewarded james. I cant bring another child into, into this mess that has become our family." Ginny shiverd. Tonks sighed sadly, and smiled softly placeing a hand on her belly. "Harry isnt going to be a passive dark lord. He's going to strike, whether openly in warfair or in some other more deceptive form. He's going to try and do what Voldemort failed to do. And anyone in his way is going to suffer, we are all bringing children into a world that is once agian in peril. George could very well die in trying to stop Harry." Tonks said nodding towards Angelina. "that goes for all of us, My own children as well. Remus cant stand by and let Harry succed. Niether can Ron or Fred. His greatest friends must become his greatest enemies, and they all risk death. Not only thier death but death of those they love. Every child born today or the next enters a time of darkness. But you have a place by his side, and so do they."

Ginny, stared at Tonks a sheen of tears in her eyes, she placed a hand on the other womens cheek. "Oh Tonks. Does remus know, are you sure." Tonks shook her head, "no, i'm going to tell him tonight. I'm scared, it will kill him to know that he's passed on what he sees as a curse to a child. I was so stupid, I had it in my hand. I'm always carefull, I dont know what happend..." Angelina cutt her off with a loud snort. "Tonks please, Remus is going to be thrilled! Or he bloody well be or I hang him by god i swear it. This is hardly your fault, and if you ask me you two where being silly about the whole thing. No one knows whether it can even be passed on Geneitcly anyhow! You have both wanted and needed children of your own forever. Its happend and its a bloody gift, one he aught to treasure, one he will if he knows whats good for him!"

Tonks was about to reply when they heard the front door open and raised mens vioces. Luna, turnd a sad smile on her face. "Men are home."

"What the bloody hell was the minister thinking, I always thought he was sound in the head. Not the best minister we've ever had mind you but not bleedin crazy!" Ron nearly shouted as he slamed the door beghind him. He ignored Dracos scathing look as it popped back open to hit him in the shin. Remus made a shushing geustur which he ignored. He was too angry, angry scared well just plane piss in his pants scared really. "At least we know what was in the missive he sent the Minister. When you think on it its very clever, vile but clever." Draco said from the door way having popped it back in place.

"I dont care how Bloody clever it is! Rochet just placed Harry ABOVE REMUS!" Ron shouted, He wanted to hit something. Things where moving to fast, and no matter how hard he tried no matter how many spells they tried or books they read nothing hellpd. He was loosing his best friend and couldnt do anything to help. "Not just above me, but above the law itself. He answers to no one but Philip now." Remus clarified, almost calmly. How could he be so bloody calm, shot him a whithering glance and smacked a fisted hand on the wall. "EXACTLY!" "Weasly do try and keep your vioce down, being as this is supposed to be a secret kept from the women folk your shouting is hardly going to help that" Draco advised in bored tones. He glanced around the house noticing its elegant yet comfortable furnishings.

"Too late, they already know" Angelina said from the door way. She luna,Ginny, Tonks and Hermione stood in the living room door way glaring at them. Great just great ron thought, He could tell by the look on Hermiones face he was in for it latter. he handt wanted her to know, but she knew and he would be held acountable for not telling her. He felt his fury boil. "ahh, see what i mean weasly. Way to keep a secret" Draco said dryly.

"Oh stuff it Malfoy go find your girlfriend or something" Ron grumbled. He knew Malfoy was right but that didnt mean he had to like it. Draco roled his eyes, "what kind of retort was that weasly, its like me saying go find your wife. Besides Raven has holed herself up in her parents home. And thier not to happy about it I dare say." Ron was not in the best mood, perhapes it wasnt smart to pick and needel at malfoy nor even very fair, but he wasnt in a fair state of mind. "Hows that working for you mate, you used to be such a ladies man. Whats happend lost your style, finally find a girl who doesnt fall down and kiss your bloody arse everytime you bend over!"

Draco's eyes flashed like steel and his grip on his wand tightend. "Dont tell me how to handel my woman, Weasly! you sure drove yours up a wall long enough! I must say I was rather impressed though, i would have expected an ape such as yourself to take at least twenty years to get things right. You only took eleven well done!" Ron knew he had asked for it, hell he was begging for a fight. For a problem that he could solve with his fists. He could pound malfoy into the floor and they would both feel better for it afterwards. He couldnt do that with the rest of his life, he was helpless there.So he ignored Remus who was trying half heartdly to intervien, he ignored the women who vioced something about all men beiong apes and how they where both being children. He hated feeling helpless he had sworn to Harry that he would free him, but he was failing was ment to fail. And that made him furious as hell and someone was going to feel it!

"Least when I kissed Hermione she mildly enjoyed it. She didnt slap me and run to the balcony to puke! She's probably hiding in her room till the Horror wears away, might be awhile mate i wouldnt wait for her if I where you." Ron spat back at him raising his wand to point at his chest, Draco stiffend and his eyes turnd from steel to fire in a second. "look at you, you want a fight dont you Weasly! I have someone you can fight go fight your mate Potter. He would just love to have a row with you these days wouldnt he. He might even be persuaded to dance on your grave when he's finished."

Two things happend then, not what either of them expected either. The Draco Ron knew would have grinnd in triumph at that remark his sneering smile cutting into him like the blade it was fashiond to be. He wouldnt pale and slowly lower his wand as if he knew he'd overstepd as if he where sorry. And draco didnt expect what Ron did. Fly at him with a hex, or just plane try to beat his brains in yes but not to just crumble like that. Ron seemd to shrink into himself his face going pale as if he had been laying in open winter for hours. He shiverd his wand clattering to the floor, his hands flying to his eyes as if to pry some image from them.

"Ron...I..." Draco steppd foward, he didnt know what he could say or would say. Ron shrank back raising hallowed eyes to stare into his own, Draco shudderd. "no, no its truth. The truth shouldnt bloody well hurt its such a cold hard word. Truth. Unfeeling. My life means nothing to him now and he would kill me, and he would dance on my grave. Its truth. Fact. All you did was vioce it."

"Oh come now, Ron you dont mean that now do you" Harry said from the front door. He leand against the frame lean stark and Dangerous a troubled frown on his lips. But his eyes, they where cold, they taunted there was a tiny flick of pleasure before it was masked with hurt. Ron blanched and looked away, shuggeing his shoulders. He would have liked to shout, to rage to yell yes he did belive it! And that if it was the last thing he did he was going to stop him or die trying. That of course would be giving the game away too soon. Thier familys where safe, as long as they played Harrys game, if he thought they were blind and couldnt see that he'd fallen.

"it would be a shame to think that my best friend, my brother no longer trusted me. Ron I would never do any of those things Ron. I love you." Harry said looking at him with hurt. Ron felt his temper pike again, How dare he. This hurt he saw in Harrys eyes was a ploy! He had to remind himself that his friend was gone that these where crocidile tears ment to snare him. As long as Harry thought he was snared things where ok. He couldnt do it, the best he could do was stand there and bite back the scream of rage that wanted to burst out of him. He wanted to raise his wand and hex Harry so hard voldemort would flee from him screaming in pain. He realized his fight wasnt with Malfoy it was with the darklord, it was with Harry. And it was a fight Harry wanted him to induce.

He could see by the slight smile that gleam in the eyes, that if you looked close enough past the mock hurt and anger you could see. Harry wanted him to loose his head, wanted a reason to slaughter him. Those eyes seemd to mock him, the laughed. He would slaughter on him and not just dance but spit on his grave. Ron was going to snap. Oddly enough it was draco who saved the day. He steppd foward facing Harry derictly. The two men stared at each other, both seemingly made of ice both match for match with sneering hatred. Draco reached out and touched Harry, it was light a simply touch to his forhead. Harry's eyes widend in surprise. As Draco spoke softly.

"I will have to beg your pardon Harry, What i said was wrong. Anger i supose, old rivalry, bad habbits...Whatever the blame I will have to beg your forgiveness. And I have to congradulate you, Phillip naming you head of E.L.L.I.T.E. Was a brillant move, for him of course. I suppose in my jeolousy I lashed out at Ron. You have so much Harry Potter, More then you'll ever know. Part of me wants to see you loose all that, it would delight in it. Vengance for all that I have lost and all that I have never had. But I find I cant do it, I'm going to help you keep all that you have and offer you anything more that I can. I owe you that much, I owe it to myself."

Ron stared dumbfounded at Draco. Draco hadnt begged for anything in his life, nevertheless anything from either him or Harry. And his words, thier was meaning in them on the surface it apeard just as it was an apology an offer of peace between them. On another level, man to man Dark lord to weaker being it was an offer. Ron shiverd, Draco might have just offerd Harry his service his very life. It was also a challange a warning, a plege to fight him. What was it apollgey, offer or Warning. Perhapes it was all three. If Harry took it as a warning, Draco had just sighnd his life away, if he took it as an offer of service Draco had just sighnd his soul over to the devil. A slow smile spread on Harrys face, one of cunning.

Draco faught down the urge to tremble. He was standing face to face with Evil, perhapes not pure evil he refused to belive all of Harry was gone. Still it was evil enough. His cloaked warning had not gone unoticed. It was what it was, he ment it. He was going to fight for Harrys life when Harry no longer could, so that when Harry came back they would still be here waiting for him. He did owe Harry that, for his part in Dumbledoors death for years of hatred and pain. He owed it to himself, to break away from what he was told to what he wanted. It was a challenge, a challenge cloaked as an offer. And if he knew evil Harry would call his bluff. He was counting on it.

Harry stepped closer to him, his so cold he would never again think of ice as being clear but instead a startlingly deep green. "Thank you Draco, I think its time we put the Past beghind us. Dont you. I would like you to be my friend" And then Harry Smiled offering his hand. Draco felt pain hit his head like a lance and Harrys vioce was there. Come to me then, if you would offer your Service. Fallow me into Darkness become the first of my herd, you have wanted power forver. The power to hurt those who have hurt you. Streangth. No one would dare look at one of mine own with pity. Come to me Darling Draco.

Draco shiverd rocking on his feet slightly, He blocked out the pain and faced Harry eye to eye. He thought that he could control him he thought he would suduce him into darkness. Draco let the pleasure he felt like that enter his thought, it would only serve his purpose. See, give your soul to me, and I shall give you Power. Draco smiling clasped Harrys hand. And was torn instantly.

His body was tearing itself into peices rejecting the taint that was trying to pour itself into him. It burnd and scalded at his skin ripping and tearing as it whent. His eyes were burning, he half expected jutting flame to sear from them. He let out a scream of pain, he couldnt let the taint in or he would be lost. Some how he held onto that thought even as his body was torn. Somewhere inside himself he was screaming and Whrithing on the floors of his soul. Even as he was aware of this he was aware that he stood in the middel of the room perfectly still a smile frozen on his face shaking hands with Harry as he told him how glad he was they could put thier fued beghind them.

You deny me entry to your soul Draco you would Deny me, Your master. Your lord. Draco flet as if Harry had taken a dagger and plunged it into his heart only to twist it back and forth. He could feel blood running down his chest, his arms his legs, his heafd splitting tearing. Even as he felt dry cloths and harrys hand in his. He was falling, he wasnt strong enough. he was such a fool to have thought that he could defie even trick a Dark Lord. He had given away his soul on a gamble. Stupid. Stupid. Fool. As he could see the first of the darkness prying open his being eager to seep in to taint him to take him, he could also see the door opening and the kids coming in.

James ran up to his father, a proud smile on his face holding something. In that brief moment of distraction Draco pushed with all his might. With a scream of frustriation he pushed at Harry. And As he felt the evil fadeing from his body he could hear the echos of Harrys laughter. It's already to late, tainted or not you are bonded to my service for all time Draco. Servant to a dark lord. Just like your father it seems. Draco shiverd and as Harry turnd to pick up his son Draco staggerd backwards. He felt instanly like pukeing. His body wracked in cold hard shivers, he felt no joy. even though he was where he had wanted to be. In His service, Bonded but not tainted not warped incapable of thought. He was one of Harrys own, he would be the one fallower of his with his own agenda.

To bad for Harry that agenda was to do exactly as he said, that didnt mean he would keep that imformation to himself. He knew he had taken a risk, to large a risk he realized. If it hadnt been for James he knew he would have just lost his soul. He shiverd. But the gamble had paid off in the end. He looked to Remus. Thier was sadness there, he knew, he understood. Yes he could report to them in secret now but untill Harry was back to normal and voldermort Finally destroyed part of him would be bonded to that darkness. He shiverd.

She was doing the right thing, Raven tried to convince herself as she darted down the stairs of her aunt and uncles home. She had made a royal mess of things, she knew that. She couldnt play with his feelings or hers for that matter. Which ment she could no longer stay here either. Which ment it was time to go, where she would go she didnt know. All she knew is that she had to go, Diddnt she? As she slipped into an alley her cloak fluttering about her she debated this. Well of course she had to go, she couldnt stay there could be no futcher between her and Draco none. And she was in danger here.

"Steady mate steady, your a right fool you know that. What possed you to do it i'll never know" Raven shrank back from the light into the shadows. There where three men ahead of her, two of them where handing onto the third as if he was having trouble supporting himself. Infact it sounded as if he were emptying out his last meal right there in the alley. Dispite her better judgment she leaned foward, trying to get a closer view of them men. "needed to be done, we need an inside man we..." The speaker was forced to cease as whatever he had eaten last refused to stay in his stomach. He collapesd and would have fallen to the ground if the two men hadnt caught him.

"I dont know whether to call you brave or a fool Malfoy." One of the men holding him grunted. Raven gasped then clasped a hand to her mouth. One of the men turnd sharply to stare into the shadows, peering as if he could see her. The other contiued on having noticed nothing, "your right though. The minister gave the ELLITE primary sanction. And with Harry in charge that means trouble. We did need an inside man but not at this cost i mean after all..." Raven was so busy trying to listen to what the man was saying to Draco she didnt notice the figure stalking her untill it was too late. One minute she was safely hidden the next she was being caught from beghind and dragged into the light.

She let out a scream of fright, and twisted but her attacker was strong she was dumped rather ungently at the feet of the men with Draco. She recognised Ron Weasly and Proffesor Lupin right away, and sighed in relitive relief. Still her bum hurt from the hard toss her attacker had bestowed on her, who turnd out to be Fred weasly. She tossed him a glare and clamored to her feet. "Raven? What are you doing skulking around in Alleys at night it isnt safe!" Draco scollded as he tried to rise to his feet. He swayed his pale skin nearly chalk. Ron gave him a bracing arm. "Fine thing for you to say, you can barely stand. Where you attacked, mugged?"

She fouldnt feel such a spurt of alarm and concern for him, she pushed away her concern and contiued to glare at him. "I have to agree with Draco on this, Raven you shouldnt be out here. These are Dangerous times." Lupin scolded. She bristeld, what was his deal? She barely knew either of them, sure she'd seen Ron around when they where both in school but they hardly ran in the same circles, as for Lupin he had been her professor once but to him she was just one amoungst a sea of students. Maybe it was just a male thing, well she was having none of it. "I can go where I please, Malfoy i would ask you what your doing out here but I know what men of your Ilk do in shady corners."

She regreated the words, they where cruel bust nessecary. He had gotten to close, they had both been standing on the ledge of some great cliff. And for a preciouse moment she would have glady taken his hand and taken the fall. Distance and anomosity between them was better. She expected Dracos usal reaction, hurt quickly masked by disdain and cruel worlds. He blinked at her in puzzelment then in...was that delight? "oh good lord, i've been such a fool. We both have been for so long. Come here Raven. Its what we both want."

Raven backed up, was he mad? What was wrong with him, Lupin tossed him an inquering glance. Malfoy apeard to be abel to stand now and some of his color was returning. He took a step toward her, and she scuttled backwards. Too close, he was getting to close. If he touched her she feard she would break."Are you mad, or just plain stupid Malfoy. Maybe its both, your father had enough of both, and you know like father like son..." She gasped as he lept foward to grasp her hand he raised it to his chest and just stared at her. Remus had stepd foward just as quickly and was gripping Dracos shoulder in warning. Was he protecting her, whatever for?

She tremebled as he carresd her hand softly, his eyes... They were green! No not green, they where still his natuarl color, but there was something...green about them. Like a shadow, she shiverd. "Dont lie, it will do you no good. I can see it, no not into you but... like a shadow of your feelings. Your broadcasting fear, too much fear. And there isnt any reall hatred or disdain there just fear. You never did hate me did you, you dont think i'm like my father at all do you." She snatched her hand away from his, as if she'd been burnd and backed away. He caught her again.

"What can you see Draco?" Lupin asked questioningly. Draco titlted his head. "its strange, its not like i'm reading her mind but more like i'm reading the air around her. Like her emotions set off a kind of perfume in it. In short your words are hatefull Raven but the air around you reads diffrently. You think i got this ability from Harry?" Draco questiond Lupin. Lupin nodded and said, "yes as his follower he may want you to have certian abilities, which means he has this ablity as well he'd never give you an edge over him. Its a good thing to know." Raven was confused what where they talking about.

"We should take Raven home then..." Draco halted. At the mention of home, she couldnt help the spurt of terror that ran through her. She clamped down on it hard trying to hide her panic, but he had noticed. "Why do you fear your home Raven. Please note Remus that it is possible once the person knows you have the ability to read his or her emotions you can hide them, but not quick enough for Harry to have seen it." He was going on like this was some bloody sience project! She crossed her arms and glared at him. "Done testing now!"

He said nothing and just waited, She kept her mind as blank as possible she thought of falling snow. Of blowing leaves ordinary and mundane things as possible. Draco grined at her, "Ah with will you can remain blank but I wonder if under pressur." Before she could even register he was moving, she was pulled to his chest and his lips where on hers. Feeling, how could she not feel with his mouth on hers. So warm and soft and everything she had wanted for the longest of times. How could she not feel when he was unwinding her from inside out. She was bursting with feeling. And memories...Every thing Emilla had told her, the years of being unwanted and not good enough where flying through her head as if being pulled... She jerkd backwards feeling Violated, and slaped him as hard as she could.

He just stood there at her blinking. "You love me..." The words where a whisper, a whisper of disbelife and delight. "All these damn years we've both been lonely and afriad, all these years we've loved each other and we were to stupid to notice. I cant belive we've been in love since we were children and niether of us was willing to admit it" She gapped at him. "you cant... you cant just go inside my head like that. Its not right." He pressed her head to his shoulder again. "I didnt mean to, i'm just discovering these abilitys really. I wont let them hurt you Raven. I love you I've always loved you. And you love me."

How was she supposed to live with a man who could tell when she was lieing or telling the truth. She burrowed deeper into his embrace, She gave up. Years of fighting how she felt for him had just exploded in her face, why fight love anyway. Ron laughed, "Looks like it took you longer then even me, eh draco. Whats it been twenty years now." Draco tossed him a sneer and turnd back to her. "merry me . This era of peace we have known has come to an end. Things are going to get Dark, Dangerous and I think we've waisted enough time dont you." She couldnt agree more, she snuggeld closer to him, finally for the first time in her life. Feeling safe and whole.

"um well, there might be some problems with that" Remus chuckeld, Draco glanced at him questioningly. "Why?" He asked. Remus blushed. "if i'm correct your Mother draco is Siruis Blacks cousin?" When Draco nodded Remus contiued. "well as I thought, that makes you and Raven second cousins." Draco groand and Raven had to fight back laughter and tears all at once. Ron let out a hoot of laughter. "Oh thats rich, Merry her anyway Mate the kids might be a little strange of course but alls fair in love I always say." Raven wasnt overly worried, they werent Derict cousins and they wouldnt be the first pure blooded family that married a little too close to the line. She would feel better of course if he were a third or forth cousin, you know give the blood a chance to thin out.

"Dont look so stone faced Draco, your children will just be "special" children thats all." Ron teased, Draco grumbled."if you dont shut your bloody trap i'll shut it for you Weasly". As they contiued to gripe at each other something acoured to Raven. "WAIT! How would you know we were second cousins to be second cousins i'd have to be..." Remus noded and stepd foward placing an almost loving hand on her shoulder. "Siruis Black was your father. I was there when you were born, I was even named your God Father. The night that Siruis found out James and Lilly had been murderd he whent a little mad. And you see everyone thought he had betrayd them, and then killed Peter Pedigrew. Your mother left thier home broken hearted and I never saw her agian."

It was all starting to make sence, thinking her husband was a murderer and a deatheater was what drove Silvia to despair and broken hearted madness. She had stumbled her way to Emilla and Garrots and had died. to answer the question in his eyes Raven said to Remus, " I never new her, she died that very night. Emilla said it was fever..." Raven frowned. "But if it was the same night she couldnt have been out in the rain that long could she london isnt that big is it? She watched as Remus paled. "Even if it was, that she a grown and healthy woman would ceatch fever and you a small babe would not, makes little sence." Raven shiverd, as if she could feel the touch of evil on her skin.

"them they did something to her, I thought the simply just let her die but now..." She shiverd and Draco drew her closer. Rubbing her back in comfort. "there are dark times ahead in deed. I had hoped that she yet lived but it was dim hope at that. The reall hope is this, no matter what lies ahead if you can hold onto love such as this things will be ok."

Words that bit him on the arse as he stared agast at his wife that night.

"YOUR WHAT!"

Tonks winced, remus rarely raised his vioce the fact that he was nearly screaming now was bad sighn.

"Expecting, Pregnant, knocked whatever you want to call it i've said it three times." Remus stared at her, thier was fury in his eyes, fury a little bit of joy and stark raving terror farely lept off his face as he feel jelly kneed onto the bed.

"But how...Good lord this cant be happining"

Oh for heavens Sakes! Tonks was ready to kick him, it was either that or start crying. When a woman told the man she loved he was going to be a father him falling onto the bed looking like he would weep was not the saught after reaction.

"we do have sex every now and then Remus, that does tend to result in children. Didnt anyone ever teach you that!"

Remus winced and glared at her, the brute was actully glaring at her as if this where her fault. Which guilty she thought it sort of was. If only she had not slipped up, if only she had rememberd to drink that potion. She'd always rememberd before.

"You know how I feel about this, You know it! We agreed we wouldnt have children. I didnt want this, how am I going to look our child in the eye and tell him he's cursed and that I knowingly brought him into this world a cursed being."

She couldnt stand this, She whirled on him then her wand pointed, she would never quit remember what hex she mutterd but it flew him into the air so that he hung by his ankels. He stared at her in dumb kneed shock.

"what am I supposed to do Remus, take it back! Say oops and charm it away! Is that what you want, a Visit to some seedy Healer to make the mistake go away. This baby is not a mistake to me, not just a cursed being as you see fit to put it. Its our child, a part of you and me! Right now i'm a bit ashamed it has a part of you, but i cant really help that now can I! " She flicked her wand and he fell on the bed with a grunt.

Tears beging to spill down her eyes, she contiued before they could hamper her speech "The only thing cursed about you or our child Remus is the way you see youself! The way you handel your life, if thats the way you see the gift that god has given us, i'd rather he or she never knew you. Maybe then they could grow up to see themselves as human! Instead of simply cursed beings with no hope of happiness or love or companionship!" She turnd to leave, the tears finally becoming to much when he caught her up and wrapped her in his arms.

"i'm sorry, I'm so sorry." He kissed at her hair, her cheek her neck, holding onto her as if he feard she would break. Or maybe that he would, he was trembling. She turnd in his arms to grasp his face in her hands. " I know your scared, I am too. The risks aside this is a dangerous time to bring a child into the world. life is ment for risks to be taken, take this one with me." He kissed her again, long and deep full of his fear and full of his love. He rested his head on her shoulder and sighed. "Dangerous times indeed. If the child is wolf, like me I would like to be here to guid him. With A new dark lord rising that isnt assured.

Tonks shiverd. "Dont talk like that, dont you dare leave me now Remus Lupin dont you even think it. you cant cop out of fatherhood by dieing. I'd fallow you to the grave and drag you back to change his diapers. Remus chuckeld, "I dont doubt it, i'll save my self the trouble and just change them alive. I love you, No matter what happens in the years to come I'm going to tell you that everyday even better i'm going to show you. No matter how dark things get." He kissed her softly his lips grazing her neck in a butterfly like touch. She warmd to his touch and leand into him.

"Remus"

"Yes"

"are you still scared."

"Terrorfied"