This is a birthday present to Reflective Velvet…not my best work ever, but I've been extremely busy these past few-erm-months….I'm sorry, and this is really short, I have writer's block majorly, I wrote this a long time ago, and I don't know, this summer for sure, I'll think of something…Cookies and hugs and thanks to all who reviewed.

Chapter 16: In the Smallest Bedroom

Harry had finally settled down after much tossing and turning that night. Draco had stretched out beside him, his head resting near Harry's feet and one foot lying on the Gryffindor's shoulder. Harry hoped that this sleep would be a dreamless one, his arm was aching and his leg felt stiff. He could tell that Draco wasn't feeling very well either; by the way he kept stiffening up and jerking his fingers. After-effects, Harry thought to himself. He turned over a final time and drifted into sleep.

The morning came far too soon for the two Hogwarts students, currently feeling stranded at the Dursley's. They were awakened by an ear-piercing shriek from the mouth of one Petunia Dursley. "Potter," She yelped, rapping quickly and loudly on the door. "Get your lazy self out of bed this instant! My Dudders needs his breakfast now!"

Harry swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up, resigned to his fate, while Draco intelligently mumbled, "wha-huh?" as he felt the warmth next to him vanish. "Where are you going?" he asked Harry, who yawned in response.

I have to work today. He explained to Draco

Draco moaned. What about me? What should I do?

You won't be allowed to leave the room; you might as well get comfortable.

Draco and Harry heard Aunt Petunia walk off down the hall, muttering about abnormal layabouts. Harry dressed quickly, throwing a shirt on and pulling on some way-too-large Muggle jeans. Petunia returned and unlocked the door, sending Draco a hateful glare. The Slytherin watched in shock as Harry was escorted out of the room and the door was locked abruptly behind him. Like prison, he thought slowly. The blonde rolled out of the bed and stood near the window, observing the newly-installed bars. I am so screwed, he thought to himself as he mused of ways to alert the Order of Potter's living conditions. I suppose it won't be longer than a week at the most, he told himself. Then those Muggles will be sorry…He slid to the floor and stared at the opposite wall, lost in his own confused thoughts.

Previously:

"This brings me to my final topic of discussion…Peter Pettigrew." Sirius's mouth dropped open in surprise.

Remus looked over at his friend, barely able to suppress his grin. Dumbledore continued, "During Peter's interrogation under Veritaserum in the presence of numerous Aurors and Ministry officials, Fudge was forced to admit Sirius's innocence and he made an official statement apologizing for the horrible treatment an innocent Wizard received while in Azkaban. There will be a public announcement made concerning all the details. I myself was very pleased with the results." His voice rang throughout the room as everyone fell silent, turning to Sirius to gauge his reaction.

Sirius himself felt as if a weight had been lifted from him, one that had been crushing his very soul as he stood helpless. There was now a light at the end of the tunnel and it began to grow brighter as comprehension dawned. He looked up to Dumbledore, hardly daring to hope. "You mean?"

Dumbledore nodded in confirmation, eyes twinkling. The innocent convict turned to Remus with a watery smile before bursting into unrestrained tears of joy. The entire room broke into applause and Moony leaned forward to hug his brother. "You're free Padfoot," He whispered, as tears ran down his own face. "They finally believe it." Tonks put a congratulatory hand on Sirius's back and laughed out loud. Relief streamed throughout the assembled, many were crying or laughing or both.

Sirius was in a state of shock; he wiped his tears from his face and sat back against the chair, shaking slightly. "I feel ten years younger," He announced loudly and happily.

"Give me some of what you're taking, boy!" Moody growled, eye twirling insanely. Molly and Arthur nodded in agreement.

"I've found enough to last me a lifetime." Sirius whispered, looking around the room at the grinning faces. He turned to Dumbledore. "Thank you," He choked on the emotion in his voice.

"Anytime," Dumbledore smiled at him, before clearing his throat for order in the room.

A red rose was uprooted from the garden and Harry cursed under his breath as he tore away the weeds. He had finally been forced to close off the mind link after Draco had repeatedly attempted to talk with him, distracting Harry in his work. Now he just felt alone, and he dug furiously, trying to finish everything before his Uncle returned from the drilling company.

Draco paced within the smallest bedroom of Number Four Privet Drive. He was restless, and Harry had refused to talk with him, not that he could blame the Gryffindor, he had sensed Harry's urgency in finishing the chores laid out for him at the beginning of the day. As dusk approached, the fear began to gnaw at Draco, until he would have begged Potter to keep his anxiety to himself. Unfortunately, the communication link was closed, and the blonde Slytherin was forced to endure feelings that weren't his own.

((That's all for now guys, thanks for all your reviews and I know you love this story, but for some reason I've hit a rut recently. Any help would be greatly appreciated; for I seem to have lost my thread of thought…))