Usual Disclaimer: Unfortunately this world and its wonderful inhabitants do not belong to me, they belong to J. K. Rowling, I'm just borrowing them. I am making no money from this it is purely for the enjoyment of those few who choose to read it. Thanks J. K. for lending me your ready made world of magic.

A/N: A HUGE Thank You to all who reviewed the last chapter and an extra special thanks to those who continue to read this story after the horrendous wait for an update. I can do no better than apologise profusely and hope I am forgiven.

Also in order to get this posted quickly, it has not been subjected to the rigorous beta-ing that my other chapters have so once again I beg forgiveness for any errors.

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Another week passed but the Medi-wizards assured the Weasleys that Harry and Draco would be ok. They were slowly healing themselves and it could take a long time for them to return to full strength even after they woke up.

Two weeks had passed since the battle and the wizarding world was beginning to wonder what had happened to their saviour. The ministry had to provide security guards to stop the press getting into St. Mungoes. The Medi-wizards and Ministry members were of course sworn to secrecy and so word of Harry and Draco's relationship and bond had not yet gotten out. Every day newspapers and Magazines printed ridiculous theories on what had happened between Harry and Voldemort, and what had happened to Lucius Malfoy (the Ministry had turned a blind eye when they found Draco's magical signature on the body). Draco hardly made it into any of the stories although a few had connected some of the dots after noticing he had seemingly disappeared and was not on the list of those dead or arrested from the battle. Those few presumed he was in hiding. They would never guess the truth.

Harry and Draco slept on, oblivious to the world around them. Occasionally they would stir and their eyes would flutter open for a mere moment as if to check their mate was still there. They would move closer or stroke each others faces or hair before their eyes fluttered shut again.

When eventually they woke, it was Draco who woke first. "My angel." He whispered as he stroked Harry's sleeping face.

"Draco! You're awake!" Hermione promptly dropped the cup of tea she was carrying as she entered the room. He raised an eyebrow, he felt like had only been asleep for an hour. Hermione rushed back outside and returned with a Medi-witch.

"Ah Mr Malfoy, welcome back." She smiled as she checked him over. Harry stirred as Draco moved away from him in order to be examined.

"How long was I out?"

"You were unconscious for a week then asleep for nine days."

"It feels like minutes." He rested his head back against the pillow and moved back towards Harry as the Medic left, his body ached all over but with no marks to show for the pain. Had it really been so long since the battle? They had missed the whole aftermath and he dreaded having to hear about it. There were surely deaths, and most likely a warrant for his arrest, did everyone know about his and Harry's bond?

Hermione rushed outside and within half an hour the whole Weasley family was gathered around the bed. Draco felt as if he had been well and truly welcomed into the fold. Harry seemed to sense that something was going on and murmured something in his sleep.

Draco leaned closer to hear what he was saying.

"Sore hand."

"Sore hand?" Draco repeated puzzled. "Oh!" He released Harry's hand as he realised how tight he had been squeezing it from nerves as he talked to the Weasley's, trying to fit in.

Harry smiled as he woke and yawned. He could see blurry figures standing around his bed.

"Glasses?" He asked, feeling that a full sentence might just tire him out and send him back to sleep.

Ron handed him his glasses and the world came back into focus. He yawned again.

"I feel like I've been asleep for hours!" Harry looked at his watch. Ron, Hermione, Draco and the twins began to laugh and Mr and Mrs Weasley smiled.

"We've been asleep for weeks, love." Draco smiled.

"Oh." Harry thought about the amount of stuff that could have happened in the weeks since the battle and his heart gave a jolt. There were faces missing from those smiling at him. "Where's Remus?" He was almost too afraid to ask. The smiles around him disappeared and he closed his eyes.

"He's with Sirius now, Harry." Hermione sounded choked. Harry nodded and fought back tears. Draco put an arm around him and Harry leaned in close.

"We should all go." Mrs Weasley said. "Let the Medics check them over. Give them some time to adjust again." She smiled and began to usher her children from the room.

"Dumbledore." Harry blurted before they left. "I need to see him."

Hermione frowned but nodded. "Tomorrow maybe. No stress today." She told him and he smiled at her bossiness as she left.

A Medi-wizard entered as they left and began to check him over.

"How long will we be in here."

"As long as it takes, Mr Potter." He replied. Harry sighed, he really hated hospitals.

By the end of the day, they had been medicated, fed, showered and dressed in clean hospital gowns.

Harry laughed as Draco returned from his shower trying to look sexy in his hospital gown.

"What? It's not my fault they're afraid of quality material!" He scowled as he crawled back into bed.

"You carry it off well though." Harry soothed mockingly.

"Only because you know what's underneath." Draco raised an eyebrow as his hand slid expertly up Harry's thigh.

"We can't!" Harry breathed. "It's a hospital..." His argument trailed off as Draco's lips crushed his. He had forgotten how good Draco tasted and he kissed back hungrily, his hands rediscovering what was his.

"Good morning Harry, Mr Malfoy." Dumbledore greeted them as he arrived the next morning.

"Professor." Harry regarded him.

"I suppose there is a lot to go through from the past few weeks..."

"So start from the beginning. He's gone for certain this time?"

"Indeed, that was the most powerful magical event in centuries. The magical surge you caused was off any scale the Ministry have. You are the most powerful wizard I have ever met, Harry your..."

"It was exhausting and painful beyond anything you could imagine." Harry cut him off before he could mention his parents. He wasn't in the mood for flattery.

"The ministry analysed both of your wands when it was over but I... can I ask..."

"I duplicated a pool of my own magical energy and transferred it to Draco. When I cast the spell he added the energy I shared with him plus his own. It used pretty much every fibre of magic we possess."

"Incredible." Dumbledore smiled but Harry's expression remained cold.

"What about... Lucius?" Draco asked.

"Lucius died in battle. There is no evidence to suggest otherwise."

Draco's eyes flickered briefly to his wand.

"There is no longer any evidence to suggest otherwise." Dumbledore clarified.

"The Deatheaters were all caught?" Harry changed subject, feeling his mates intense relief.

"Nearly all. There are a few on the run but none to worry unduly about."

"And Snape?" Harry's abrupt question seemed to take Dumbledore slightly off guard.

"Professor Snape was not the one who kidnapped Mr Malfoy. Another spy has been watching you closely since summer. A girl, Ravenclaw. She followed Draco from class and back into his rooms under a disillusionment charm, drugged his food and took him to Voldemort. Severus found out Draco was gone and went after them. That is why he was not at dinner that night. He went to save Draco. Unfortunately he was too late and when Severus arrived Voldemort was not best pleased at his rescue attempt and... He's dead."

Harry swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat and Draco looked at his lap.

"I'm sorry." Harry apologized sincerely. He had jumped the gun and blamed his professor and his Headmaster and now Snape was dead. He died because he tried to save Draco. He was grateful. It was a feeling he never thought he would have for Snape but he silently prayed that his potions master knew he was sorry.

"It's over now." Dumbledore broke the silence.

"How many casualties to our side?"

"A fair few. But less than we could ever have imagined from the last battle. Harry I can do nothing but apologise for not fully preparing you for battle. I am only glad that you managed to prepare yourself. It seems I was a bit unprepared for this year. I must be slipping in my old age." He smiled. "Nobody could ever express their gratitude enough to you for ending these dark times and doing it on such a small scale that most of our warriors returned home to tell the story."

"My mother...?" Draco suddenly asked at the mention of homes.

Dumbledore's smile faded. "After the battle, the ministry searched your home for dark arts artefacts, books, weapons etcetera belonging to you father. They found your mother... She had been dead for days..." He did not need to say who had killed her. Draco closed his eyes and shuddered. She had at least been some sort of parent.

"You don't need to deal with it straight away but all that your family owned is now yours all except what was taken by the ministry, quite a collection I believe." Draco did not respond and Harry squeezed his hand.

"What now?" Harry diverted the topic of conversation.

"Well I believe the Ministry has had quite a job keeping the press away from the Hospital. There are a few stories flying about to do with your health and Mr Malfoy's whereabouts but so far nothing true has been said. The Ministry were able to give some details about the battle to keep them satisfied but I believe they are waiting to hear it from the man himself, or men themselves as it may be. How much you tell them will be up to you."

"Nobody knows that Draco was involved?" Harry looked incredulous. People could be so blind.

"It seems not. There were some mild rumours around Hogwarts after your... little tirade in the Great Hall. Most guessed that you were in a relationship and that Draco was taken hostage as a trap. So again it is up to you how much you say."

Draco's attention was focused on Harry at this point.

"As for the press, I can arrange for one interview to take place and then be sent to newspapers and magazines?"

"I suppose..."

"And Hogwarts will be relieved to have you back when you are fully recuperated. I have heard that Gryffindor tower has yet to celebrate the end of the battle. The reason I believe was that it wasn't really over until you were there to celebrate with them."

"Idiots." Harry laughed. "In that case lets find out when I can leave this damned place!"

"You share my passion for hospitals I see." Dumbledore was glad to have Harry smiling again.

"Arrange the interview, for both of us, for the day we can leave. I want to tell my friends myself rather than have them read it before we see them."

"It would be my pleasure." Dumbledore stood to leave. "Should I send someone in to be harassed for early release?" His eyes sparkled once more and Harry nodded.

Once the door shut behind him, Harry turned to face his mate who looked both sad and happy at the same time.

"My family is gone." He whispered. It was a harsh realisation.

"Your real family are all still here. Me, Hermione, Ron, the Weasleys we're all your family now." Harry searched his eyes.

"You're right. Thank you for giving me a new life."

"It's our new life. Together." Harry leant in and kissed his mate with an instant soothing effect. They were interrupted by a rather embarrassed Medi-witch clearing her throat in the doorway.

"When can we leave?" Harry demanded. Draco elbowed him.

"You'd have thought at least some of my manners would have rubbed off!"

"Ow! Okay, when can we leave, please?"

The Medi-witch smiled. "At least until Friday. You need more rest and we still need to make sure there are no lasting effects to your bond."

"That's four days!" Harry pouted.

"Four days in bed." Draco murmured in his ear, dissolving his pout into a grin.

"Four days." She confirmed. "Tomorrow your scheduled in for a test separation." Harry and Draco scowled. "Don't worry it'll only be for an hour or two at the most. Dr Oakland will explain more tomorrow." She left them scowling after her.

As was to be expected, the next four days seemed to drag by. The test separation went better than either Harry or Draco had expected. It had hurt slightly towards the end of the hour but the Dr explained that their bond was still in the process of healing. He had also asked questions and tested the strength of the bond and informed them that, as a relatively new bond that had not been 'stretched' (as he put it), it was natural for them to feel constantly drawn together. Only by going about separate daily routines and practising separation would they be able to 'stretch' the bond otherwise, he warned, they could eventually begin to feel restricted and depressed.

"That's the last thing we need." Harry had joked. "A depressed Draco to look after!"

By the last day, the Medics had insisted that their beds were separated and they were itching to get out of bed and back to a normal life, whatever normal may be.

"I would quite happily run up and down the corridor a hundred times if it got me out of this room!" Harry was pacing up and down the room wearing his blue hospital pyjamas. Draco was sitting on his bed brushing his hair.

"Feel like burning off some energy?" He raised his eyebrows suggestively and Harry grinned, swiftly pinning Draco to the bed.

Then somebody knocked on the door.

"Hmph." Draco huffed as Harry moved quickly to his own bed and shouted "Come in if you're sexy!" Draco laughed and Harry flushed beetroot as Dumbledore entered the room.

"Sorry Professor." Harry mumbled to his feet.

"That's quite alright." Dumbledore's eyes sparkled with laughter.

"I brought you both some smart clothes for the interview tomorrow. The Hospital is kindly donating one of its rooms for a few hours from 11o'clock tomorrow morning. You will leave for Hogwarts after lunch and arrive just after dinner." He informed them of the arrangements.

The look on the interviewer's face when Draco walked into the room behind Harry the following morning was a classic and the photographer was so stunned he forgot to take a photo. Together they told of their escape the previous year, their relationship that began after Draco first fought with Harry and had progressed into a bond that summer, their final battle with Voldemort and how they would have lost if Harry had been alone, and finally their long road to recovery after complete magical exhaustion and almost breaking their bond . The interviewer and photographer listened avidly to their story looking incredulous the whole time. When they had exhausted all their questions, they got a better picture than they could have hoped for. Harry kissed Draco thoroughly and when they pulled apart they faced the camera and flashed smiles that would definitely be nominated for awards.

"Harry!"

"Alright mate!"

"Good to have you back."

Harry entered Gryffindor tower that night to the smiling face of all of his friends. There were banners, balloons and party decorations everywhere. They were celebrating at last.

The happy faces turned into looks of confusion as Draco stepped slowly into the room behind Harry and took his hand.

"I know nothing much has been said about what's happened this past year, but the one thing you all need to know is that Draco has been at my side through it all. He helped me defeat Voldemort. The reason he could do so is because we're bonded. We're an item and I hope you can all accept that."

"Bloody hell."

"Gay? Damn it why is it always the hot ones?"

"Bonded?"

"Malfoy's a good guy?"

"I knew it!"

The random murmurings went on for a few moments before Dean piped up.

"What are we waiting for? Lets get celebrating!"

Harry smiled at Draco as Hermione, Ron and Ginny moved towards them. They had kept their distance to let them say their piece but now all they wanted to do was give them huge big hugs. Ron even hugged Draco (but still called him Malfoy).

"Don't you ever, ever, ever do that to me again!" Hermione whispered in his ear as she hugged him, tears threatening in her eyes.

"I don't ever, ever, ever intend to." Harry responded. He watched as Ginny dragged his mate away to mingle with everyone. Music began blaring and drink started flowing as everybody celebrated the homecoming of their saviours and the end of the war between dark and light. Everyone was in high spirits and when, hours later, Harry and Draco happened to find each other again they hardly noticed they had been separated at all. They reunited with a kiss which provoked cheers from those around them and caused them both to blush profusely.

"A toast!" Harry shouted, raising his glass. "To the first day of the rest of our lives. Here's to living the lives we all dreamed of. Without fear and with only happiness.

I wish you all the very best." He looked at Draco and then at all of his friends and laughed. " Now lets drink till we forget I said all that crap!"

Everybody laughed and raised their glasses

"CHEERS!"