Title: The Life I Now Lead

Rating: M – Due to the adult themes involved and mentions of sex and violence.

Genre: Action/Adventure, Romance, Angst.

Summary: Harry has moved away from his old life and is trying to get on away from the world he once knew.

Word Count: 1997

Disclaimer: I don't own it. Seriously.

Pairings: LM/HP. DM/AU. HG/RW

Thanks To: Dracavia, for being so wonderful,

A/N: Sorry this chapter is late. I wasn't really in the mood for writing fanfic these past few days after I heard about Eddie Guererro's death. I'm a big fan of his and am absolutely devastated by his death. My thoughts are with his family.

Viva La Rasa Homes.

PS This chapter is also shorter than the previous ones, but as soon as the next one is finished, depending on how reviews are going, I'll post.

Chapter 4 – No Regrets

Tell me a story

Where we all change

And we'd live our lives together

And not estranged Robbie Williams – No Regrets

August 12th

If there was anything Harry regretted about his life, it was the fact he couldn't speak to or contact the people he was once friends with. He regretted not being able to talk to Ron and find out how he was doing, or how Hermione liked being in the ministry, he'd heard she'd recently been making noise about werewolves and how they were unfairly treated. He hoped that she was able to do something with the knowledge and spirit she had. Change the world for the better.

He pondered all this while out on a sunny day at the park with Lucius, Abbey and Jonathan. The park was a wizarding park and Jonathan was enthralled watching a group of teens on their summer break playing a mini game of Quidditch. Just chasers and goals.

Harry remembered with great fondness playing this game with the Weasleys in their paddock. He sighed softly watching them. It had been years since he'd played seeker in a Quidditch match. He'd often play with his friends from the office but he was scared to go seeker, just in case someone took his picture. Because, Harry knew he was an excellent seeker. Quidditch scouts often saw small practice matches. He did not want to be scouted.

Lucius watched Harry carefully, the look on his face told Lucius not to bother Harry, as he was lost once more in the life he sometimes wished he'd had. It was all Lucius could do not to wrap his arms around him and tell him it was perfectly okay to wish. But if Lucius asked him, Harry would always look guilty, as the alternate existence he sometimes longed for was one that Lucius couldn't possibly be part of.

"Which school do you think Draco will send them to?" Lucius asked Harry softly after leaving him to his own thoughts for a while. Harry frowned, "I'm not sure… I think the would like to send them to Hogwarts… but well… the kids know you and I are alive and its dangerous to take that knowledge to Hogwarts… after all, they have a statue of me there… seeing as they couldn't find my body."

Lucius sighed softly, he wasn't going to get Harry away from this subject of conversation. Before he could say anything more Abbey ran towards them with Jonathan in tow.

They would finish their conversation at a later date.

'Reports suggest that, though death eaters are no longer around there is a growing number of death eater/Voldemort sympathisers. The attacks on muggleborn and pureblood 'blood traitors' are growing. As yet there have been no fatalities but, speaking from the ministry last night Hermione Weasley, Former Hogwarts prefect, Head Girl and well known muggleborn (once the school reopened) spoke of the attacks.

"I think it is despicable. Voldemort is long gone; their fight has no merit any longer. Anyone that believes that muggleborns aren't as talented as Purebloods should take a look at me and my husband Ronald. I am a muggleborn, he is a pureblood and I am just as good at my job than anyone else. Pureblood or not. Surely people cannot be so stupid anymore. Those days are past. Times are changing."

This opinion is shared by many in the magical community but the underlying threat of sympathisers, cannot be ignored.'

Ron sighed at the paper while sitting at the breakfast table. It looked like there would still be years of repercussions from the war. He hoped it would stop soon. Harry would turn in his grave if he knew what was going on.

Hermione looked over at her husband. "I shouldn't have spoken to that ruddy paper." She said annoyed, "I always think I sound like a prat." Ron smiled a little at his wife, "You never sound like a prat." He said softly, "You sometimes sound like a 'know it all' but, love, you are a know it all…" she looked mildly affronted for a moment and then shrugged shaking her head gently.

"You're right…" Alex looked over at his mother and smiled a little, "Mum… you shouldn't worry about the papers. They lie half the time anyway…" Alexander had his mother's hatred for the papers, as all she ever seemed to do was complain about them.

Hermione smiled a little, "So Alexander. When do you want to go for your school things?"

Alex smiled brightly, "As soon as possible! I can't wait to go to Hogwarts." He seemed lost in some fantasy, "I can go on adventures like you and dad did with Uncle Harry…" he looked a little sad, "I wish I could have met him."

Hermione and Ron looked at each other and then back to Alex, Ron spoke softly, "We wish you could have met him too Alex. Now… go get your Quidditch stuff together, we've to meet your uncles Fred and George in half an hour."

Alex jumped down from the table and grinned, "Great, wont be long." Hermione and Ron heard him thundering upstairs. They smiled at each other.

Hermione spoke softly, "He's got so big."

Ron nodded, "Yeah… I hope Samantha had a good time at your mums with Tara. Where was she taking them again?"

Hermione smiled, "Girl stuff… shopping. Clothes, you know my mother."

Ron began to clear away dishes and wait for his son to get back downstairs so they could get going.

August 14th

Hermione looked down at the piece of parchment on her desk. It was a simple piece of parchment, but something she wished she didn't have to do.

"Severus Snape mandatory 10 year Trial Review. Requesting your presence on August 30th."

Hermione knew that at her home Ron would be looking at a similar piece of paper with the same disdain. She really didn't want to go, but by law she was required to attend, as was Ronald, and even Draco. All three of them had given evidence at Severus' Trial.

Ironically it had been Harry that got this law implemented, the 5 yearly reviews. Designed to stop another situation arising such as Sirius' locking up without trial.

Though, in everyone's view, Severus shouldn't be put through this. He had admitted his sins and they had 3 reliable witnesses.

Hermione sighed deeply, it was going to be a long month.

August 30th

"I really hate these reviews…" Draco said as he walked down Diagon Alley with his wife. They were on their way to the ministry to the hall where Severus' trial would be held. She nodded, "I know Drake, but the quicker we go in and get things done the easier it'll be."

They walked into the ministry, making their way to the hall, they approached and outside Ron stood with Hermione and a few other ministry officials that had been called for the trial. Hermione smiled faintly at Draco and Anne.

"Hello…" said Hermione, looking quite strained. The dark circles beneath her eyes told Draco and Anne that she hadn't slept, probably since getting the summons.

"Hello." Said Draco and nodded slightly to Ron. "Weasley." He said simply and Ron nodded back, "Malfoy."

The two men still disliked each other but they were at least civil. The ministry officials opened the doors and walked into the circular room. Draco kissed Anne and told her he'd get her later. He entered the room.

Down in the centre of the room Severus Snape sat, strapped to a chair. His white skin paler than ever, his black hair plastered to his head. Black beady eyes staring right at Draco, a cruel smile on the lips. His cheeks were sunken and his frame was thinner than ever.

Hermione shuddered as Severus' eyes raked over her. She could almost hear the words 'filthy mudblood'.

The review went on as it did last time, the statements being re examined, Severus' confession and his wild claims that Harry Potter was alive and well, as was Lucius Malfoy. Hermione and Ron scoffed at this every time he said it; Draco stayed his usual stoic self and wondered just if Severus knew or if he was grasping at straws.

Well, he was about to find out.

The time for Severus to speak was at hand.

"Harry Potter and Lucius Malfoy are alive. I know you know, I've seen pictures of the bastards alive and well. Together… I know they were shagging before the war ended!"

Ron stood, enraged, "Snape, shut the fuck up. Harry is dead, your master killed him! And he'd never shag Lucius Malfoy! I-"

"Why don't you ask Draco? He knows. He lives near him."

Hermione and Ron looked to Draco and Draco scowled down at Severus, "Snape… just because you wished that you were the one shagging my father and not the man he took on during the war, doesn't mean to say you should throw around accusations that the lover my father had was Harry Potter. My father would rather tie a noose around his neck and hang before jumping into bed with a Gryffindor. Especially that Gryffindor."

Draco was very glad his father had taught him how to lie.

Hermione sighed, Ron scowled slightly at Draco.

Snape smiled a little and then laughed, the laugh of a man who knew he was right. Draco was more than a little worried now.

Before he had time to contemplate this, a hollar from the back started a panic.

"AVADA KADEVERA!"

A wizard stood, his cloak around him, hood covering his face. The spell missed everyone but another hooded robed figure had taken this opportunity to join with another and free Severus Snape and handed him a wand in his one good hand.

Severus pointed straight at Hermione and shouted with great ferocity

"Avada Kedevara!"

Hermione stood frozen to the spot, as did Ron. Draco threw himself across the room, instincts born from the many times he'd had that curse thrown at him and he decked Hermione and Ron before it managed to hit either one of them. By the time this had happened Severus had apparated from the building with his helpers.

Hermione lay on the floor with Ron beside her and Draco Malfoy now standing above them looking around wildly.

"Shit… shit, shit, shit…" Draco kept cursing.

Hermione sat up, "Draco… you… you saved my-"

Draco looked down at her, "Yeah, well, get over it, I saved a lot of peoples lives… I… Oh god, Anne!"

He ran from the room, Anne was standing in the street outside looking around frantically. "Draco!" She ran to him and they embraced in the middle of the street.

"He… he escaped Anne…" he whispered in her ear, "He knows about dad and Harry…" He spoke louder, "We have to go, now."

And with that, they apparated on the spot straight home.

AN: Thank you for reading. Please review, I need a little cheering up.