Chapter 14

He glanced up at George as memories of a fight on a Quidditch pitch surfaced. He was a terrible person. Would the twins accept him? Then George smiled down at him and his doubts instantly dissolved.

George led him down rickety stairs to the main store. "I can tell you're not much of a talker and that's alright. We'll get most of the work done faster and if Damian doesn't slack off you can stay with him behind the counter." He nodded toward the counter where an ancient cash register stood next to countless small items. "Fred helps the customers and we have one or two other assistants who run the place. I like to run the inventory. Easy with numbers and quieter."

Draco nodded and craned his neck to try and see everything. The main store was an explosion of color where crazy things with fun names flew to different shelves, made strange noises and somewhere bubbles floated down from above. He had an insane urge to chase after them. Rows and rows of shelves stretched up to the ceiling and tall wheeled ladders circled the store. Sweets and perfumes assaulted his nose and his ears rang. It was loud and insane and wonderful but he knew if he stayed any longer he would be overwhelmed.

He jumped as George grabbed his hand. "Come on then, let's get out of here." He nodded towards the double doors where Fred was heading. "Fred's about to open for the day. If you think its bonkers now just wait until there's people." Draco, blushing, let himself be led to a bland side door marked "Troublemaker Employee's Only"

He heard, just as the door was closing, a group of witches enter, giggling. They apparently got customers from opening to closing. Based on what he saw of the products, he wasn't terribly surprised.

The storeroom was cool and dark with dim lights and hollow feel. Their footsteps echoed in the large room. Rows held boxes with different labels and numbers that have been crossed out or written over. Draco felt the hairs on his neck stiffen and a chill ran up his spine and he was taken back to the forest with eyes that glowed in the night across the dim fire.

Something was watching him.

He strained to hear the rhythmic pulse of a third set of footsteps but could find none. He became cold, and felt a sheen go over his eyes that made it easier to see in the dark. He steps changed slightly to become lighter. He let go of any tension and became loose, like water and stepped into that place where he had no name and he was wolf. George's voice was a mere speck in his mind; he heard his heartbeat thrumming softly.

And someone else's. He walked on, seemingly unaffected, face betraying nothing. He was the hunter, not the hunted. He sensed the person was behind him, three feet or so, close enough to catch. George would've have seen him so they were probably under a hiding spell.

Now it was whether or not the person wanted to do him harm or not. Wolf breathed deeply, his mind clouded with the store's overwhelming concoctions. He tried to pinpoint exactly that person's scent to examine their emotions and pheromones. There was worry, not anger, steady breathing, almost curiosity… and green apples, wood, earth and shampoo… Draco's mind snapped back almost instantly. What the hell was Harry doing here?

He's watching out for me.

Draco stopped as George stopped and brought himself back to the human. He scanned his brain and listed all the things George had said in the last ten seconds. Draco deemed himself save since he hadn't been asked a question or given instruction.

He followed George's instructions carefully and talked with him. George was a charming and sweet person who showed him some of their newest prototypes and Draco felt himself relaxing and enjoying himself for the couple of hours he worked. He felt Harry like a shadow that stuck to his side and took comfort in his scent. Sometimes he would back up quickly or stop suddenly pretending it was an accident and feel the watery cloak or hear the cloth in the air as Harry quickly tried not to get caught.

It was only when he was sitting on the very highest platform close to the ceiling; looking down at the shoppers below with Damian on their lunch break did he grin and say. "I think this place is haunted." Their legs dangled above the shoppers heads and bubbles floated down, coming out of the ceiling.

"Why do you say that?" Damian took a bite out of his sandwich and sipped a canteen, which Draco tried not to smell lest it ruin his appetite. "Because I'm being watched," He winked at Damian. Harry was to his left and a little bit behind so didn't see.

Damian rolled his eyes and scoffed but winked right back. He smelled his father too. "It's all in your head dog breath. There aren't any ghosts."

"How do you know?" Draco grinned when he sensed Harry lean forward just within his reach. The man was on his knees.

"Because they would've come out and told us by now, you're just paranoid. You were in those woods too long Wildman."

Draco growled. "Now you are just making fun of me,"

"You bet were-git,"

"I think you are right about the ghosts,"

Damian's fangs flashed as he grinned. "Why furball?"

Draco's hand was a blur as he snagged the infamous invisibility cloak off of Harry. "That's why,"

Harry blushed to the roots of his hair. " Um, Hi?"

Damian laughed. "Smooth move old man,"

Harry shrugged and didn't look at Draco. "How long did you know I was there?"

Draco grinned. "Since I started working."

Damian looked like he was going to fall off the ledge from laughing so hard.

Harry snatched up the other half of Damian's sandwich and shrugged. "I didn't bring any lunch." Draco looked behind Harry and they both saw a witch do a double take to look at Harry and Draco blinked, only to find a completely different man settling down to sit next to him. The man had shorter, curlier dark hair and his face was sharper, more masculine and his eyes a startling blue. Draco internally balked at the ease of wandless magic. Harry had perfect control.

"Were you worried?" Draco asked. Harry's blush came back full force. "A little, but I knew you could take care of yourself."

"Of course he can." Damian cut in. "He's The Wolf Wonder, The Blonde Menace, The—"

"One who's going to push you off the platform." George cut in from behind him.

"You better watch it Shark Tooth," Fred snickered.

"Or you're going to get the boot," George grinned.

"Literally," They both finished with matching wicked smiles. They had dimples. Draco wanted to fan himself with his sandwich. Damian wanted to push him off the edge.

"Get back to work Damy," Fred grinned. "And bring your two new helpers."

Draco suddenly didn't like the sharpness to their grins and had a flash of panic. They knew something. They knew something big. Draco moved with caution the rest of the day. He rarely spoke. Harry and Damian also seemed to sense the ominous feeling. The only discovery they had though was that Draco was good enough at math that he could occasionally beat the cash register at figuring out change.

At closing time, Fred waved out the last of the customers and George escorted the three of them up to the office. The twins had the other employees clean up and the door to the office closed behind Fred with a snap like the jaws of a beast.

"Hiya Harry," They said. Harry scowled. "How did you know it was me?" He canceled the glamor.

"A few reasons," George shrugged. Draco didn't like this. He felt the tension in the air. He sensed tension, not danger, so the wolf curled up in the back of his mind and promptly fell asleep. The human was all that's left and the human desperately wanted to hide behind Harry to get away from the twin's flashing eyes.

"Number 1!" Fred held out a finger very officially. "Who else would approach these two and spend the day with them? Especially since we don't recognize you."

"Number 2!" George cut in. "You have the same magical aura. It's only because we've been around you so long that we know that."

"Number 3!" Fred frowned this time and it looked out of place on his face. "We've been testing a new product for Kingsley and the Aurors. It's supposed to see through glamors."

Draco's mouth went dry as everyone's eyes swung towards him. He gave into his panic and hide behind Harry, grabbing onto his jacket in a white knuckled grip. Oh Salazar they're going to kill me. He sensed rather than see—his eyes were screwed shut—Damian step in front of him to block him from view. Harry's magic faintly tainted the air.

"Hey calm down." George said trying to mollify the tension in the room. "We just want the whole story. We aren't going to hurt him." Draco believed him. It was Fred that he was wary of. He knew the man was passionate in all things and right now there was tightly controlled anger trickling off of him versus George's seductive calm. He opened his eyes and gave Fred an accusing stare not letting go of Harry's jacket. He saw Damian doing the same, and strangely enough, George.

"Alright!" He snapped. Fred took a deep breath and Draco's nose twitched as the anger faded—still there, but not as prominent. "We won't hurt you."

Draco peeked over Harry's shoulder and let his jacket go, but he didn't come out from behind him. He wasn't a fool.

Harry waved his hand and Draco's blonde hair fell back into his eyes and he felt the twinge of magic on his tongue. It tasted like green apples strangely enough.

He heard Harry explain his situation to George, but honestly didn't hear any of it. The wolf was up and prowling after Fred's burst of anger and currently he was looking in Fred's direction but not at him. The wolf growled at him, goading him to meet Fred's stare and show he was not afraid. So he did.

They stared at each other, measuring each other up. Draco kept his face uninterested and blank and Fred grinned wickedly only sharper. A ruby sheen slid over Damian's eyes as a reaction to the tension. Draco blinked slowly when Fred finally nodded, his grin getting softer. He was forgiven. He didn't know how or why but he was forgiven.

Damian gave a sigh of relief. Draco rested his head on Harry's shoulder and breathed in his scent. He was exhausted and the wolf curled back up. He must've dozed like that, for Harry shook him awake and whispered that they needed to go home.

He nodded wearily then gasped as he was engulfed in a bear hug by George. He blushed hard. "welcome to the family" George's lip curled in a smile. "Draco" Draco bit his lip. "Thank you."

Damian tugged him toward the fireplace and he stumbled out of the floo. He coughed, brushing soot out of his hair. "Dray!" Niki ran toward him and he picked her up for a hug. Damian landed out of the floo flat on his face and Harry followed, almost sideways, just missing landing on his son.

Draco laughed. Niki squirmed. "Daddy! Uncle Ron's here!" Draco froze. Damian and Harry cursed at the same time. Niki lost her joy when she realized it wasn't the reaction she wanted. "Daddy?"

"Harry?" Ron Weasley stood in the doorway. He was different, Draco noted. Older. He was Head Auror that chased down the bad guys. Draco vaguely wondered how Kingsley kept Draco's capture and transfer from the German Auror's secret from Mr. Head Auror himself.

"Put. Her. Down." His voice was like ice and his eyes were as fiery as his hair. Draco slowly put Niki down. Damian scooped her up and got out of there vamp speed, wisely staying silent. Remus and Hermione hid the kids around the landing of the stairs. Since the stairs were in the middle of the kitchen and parlor, they could see everything in both rooms.

Harry stood slowly and held up a hand. "Wait. Silentio Permanens." A wave of magic passed through the room. Hermione, against her better judgment, tried to break the silencing ward and nearly cursed. What was her stubborn goat of a husband going to do now! Damian looked at Lexie and she nodded.

He took a deep breath and thought back to the spell. "Finite Permancantum" Finish the permanent spell. "Finite Silencantum" Finish the silence Damian shivered as the spell broke.

If Harry felt the spell break, he didn't say. "I did that because I wanted to keep the kid's impression of you golden. If you were going to yell I didn't want and audience." The room temperature dropped a few more notches.

Draco made to sneak out of the room but Ron pointed to him. "Oh no you don't, stay where I can see you."

"Ron!" Harry hissed. "He is a tenant. Do not speak to him like that." Lexie clenched Damian's hand when she saw Draco slink to the corner, hunched, trying to make himself invisible as possible.

Half of Draco wanted to jump up and put himself in the middle again, but the other half of him, the feral half, wanted him to go find the highest, darkest place to wait it out. There were no other werewolves here. That other time with Minacet and Truxen, was him and Damian showing signs of territory and dominance on their home turf. They were protecting what was theirs. Now the werewolf was subdued and it was just Draco, who wanted to curl up away from the anger and the hurt that clouded the room. Ron was angry and hurt and Harry was worried and angry and Draco shook his head trying to clear it.

"But- but- How! Harry, how is he here, what the bloody hell happened and why didn't you tell me!" Remus, with a wince, but his hand around his son's ears a few seconds too late. Teddy batted the hands away.

"Because your Auror hours don't let you come here a lot and he needed time to adjust! I do this with all my tenants!"

"But this is Malfoy! He's supposed to be dead! And you swore Hermione to secrecy? My own wife!" Hermione cringed guiltily at that.

"You know that when she started working here she needed to keep secrets and so do you when you're working!"

"He. Is. Dangerous." Draco's back thudded against the wall.

"so is Damian. And Remus. And Me. See where I'm going with this? And I'd appreciate it if you would let him go so he doesn't have to hear your tripe."

"He's not going anywhere." Draco didn't think he could move anyway. His legs couldn't support him.

"He's here for a reason Ron, he needs my help"

"he doesn't deserve your help." Draco held back a whine. He knew it was true.

"Dear merlin Ron, do you even hear yourself talk? You're not making any sense!" Funny, Draco thought he was making perfect sense.

"I KNOW THAT! I'm just worried! You're a professional but he is a Slytherin! An unstable Slytherin! How do you know he won't snap!" Draco's back slid down the wall until he hit the floor and he gave into the temptation to curl up in a ball. But he didn't cry.

Niki tightened her hold on Dragon. Draco was scared. She didn't like anyone to be scared. He hated being scared. She wanted to be brave like her Daddy. Her mommy told her to be brave, right before the bad man took her away. She was brave. She was her new Daddy's princess that didn't need a prince to save her. Draco needed to be saved.

Niki whimpered and bolted out of Hermione's grasp and violently tugged on Ron's Auror robes. "Stop it! You're hurting him!" And with that, the girl stood stubbornly in front of Draco's crouched form, Dragon at her feet and arms crossed. The fiery little redhead dared anyone to hurt her Dragon again. Draco was the friend who saved her and her Daddy their protector. Just because she couldn't speak well, doesn't mean she doesn't have a voice. She needed to be heard.

Teddy scrambled out of Remus's hands and raced to be by his friend's side. Draco shifted a little and looked up. Damian marched over and gently coaxed Draco to look up and stand. Hermione touched her husband's shoulder as the tension slowly dissolved. Lexie raced into the room, Dog on her heels as always and held up a sign.

"We trust him Uncle Ron. He's an Honorary Scarhead." The sign read:

The Big Bad Blonde Wolf

Lexie smiled. "He's family and he deserves it. He's one of us whether you like it or not." Dog meowed his agreement.

Ron shook his head and looked anywhere but Draco. He looked at Harry. "I'm sorry. I'm a horrible best mate." He took a breath. "I should trust your judgment, but this is crazy. You just can't be normal can you? How did he get here?"

Harry frowned. He should have apologized to Draco. He glanced at the werewolf. He seemed shaken by today. And worn down. "Everyone under twenty and/or blonde upstairs to my room. Dobby will bring you hot coco and snacks."

Lexie went to pin Draco's sign to his stool and led the parade up the stairs. Draco carried Niki, his face buried in her hair, whispering his thanks and how brave she was.

Draco's chest ached from Ron's words. He didn't know what to make of anything anymore. Why should the redhead's words matter. It was Harry he trusted. And his family. He hugged Niki tighter. He had a family. He was loved. It was a crazy thing, he was loved and he loved.

They entered Harry's room. He liked it. It was simple with dark wood and light blue coloring. The set up reminded him of the Hogwarts dormitories. The five of them squeezed onto the soft bed and Draco collapsed into the pillows, exhausted.

He had another family too though. Harry had owled his father, he had talked to his parents. He was supposed to see them again. The thought once brought him panic but now he was too tired.

If his old family didn't accept him, at least he knew his new one did. His eyes closed without his permission.

Harry sighed as he walked up the steps. He was exhausted. It had been a long day. Slightly successful but Ron's outburst may have set Draco back or pushed him forward. He had no idea. He started his nightly ritual. Niki's was on the right, closest to the stairs. He opened the door to find her with company. Teddy was there too, both cuddling the dragon toy and sleeping softly.

He scanned the room and made his way to Lexie's right across the hall. She was reading, Dog in her lap. "Light's off Lex." She pouted. "But I'm at the good part!" Harry smiled. "Off. "

"Fine" she grumbled turning off the lamp. Harry paused. "That was a good thing you did for Draco, Lex. I think your parents would be proud. I know I am."

"Thanks Dad." Harry smiled softly. "Goodnight Lexie, Goodnight Dog"

He passed Remus's room and came upon Damian's across from Draco's. He knew Damian would've heard his steps and didn't bother to knock. Damian grimaced as he swallowed the potion that helped him sleep and Harry rolled his eyes. "It's not that bad and you know it brat."

Damian shrugged. Harry leaned against his bedpost. "You and Draco seem really close."

"So do you. I like him though."

Harry narrowed his eyes. "How did you break my silencing spell?" Damian's smile turned rather evil. "It's a secret."

"Draco taught you."

Damian rubbed his neck and the smile never faded. "Yeah…"

Harry's lip twitched. "You seem protective off him, when it's against all your instincts."

Damian ran his hand through his hair. "I was human first just like he was. I don't care what my instincts say. He's my friend and I'm not just protective of him because of that. I protect him because it's the right thing to do."

Harry smiled. "That's all I needed to know."

This was why he created the house right after the war. He thought that while he was trying to help the kids lead their broken lives, the children would help him heal. Harry found that each child he raised taught him some new value of life or about himself. They healed his scarred soul just as much as he healed theirs.

Damian called as Harry was walking away. "Hope you sleep well Dad"

Harry frowned at the closed door. That was strange for Damian to say. He opened Draco's door and his frown deepened. Draco wasn't there.

He had a weird feeling as he open his bedroom door, and found Draco curled up in a ball, hugging a pillow. He was sound asleep. Didn't even twitch.

Damian, Harry decided, was a smartass.

His eyes ached and giving into the fight; took off his shirt and climbed into bed next to the other man and promptly fell asleep.

What do you think of the sign? And Draco's not so subtle crush on the twins. I don't blame him. Yum. Damian is a smartass. Love him to bits. Ok we got so many things to review, crushes, nicknames, smartass vampires, idiotic redheads, Niki's past, and of course the ending. What do you think will happen when they wake up? Oh the drama!

Speaking of reviews, the contest is still going on so if you want your part in the story itself it will be greatly appraised. I love writing funny comments and I hope you do too.

Also big big big HUGE HUG to Filia Libri who is translating this story into German! It made my day.