Harry had just woken up from a nap when Dobby popped in with Draco's things. Dobby had let him know that the cup and diary were secure in Draco's trunk. Harry figured that he had at least an hour before Draco and his mum showed up. He knew Draco would want to make sure that he and his mother had everything. There would be no way for them to go back once they cleared out. At least not until Voldemort and his Death Eaters were rounded up.
Draco would also have to explain to Narcissa that where they were going was in a muggle area meaning no one, not even Dobby could use magic. She was to believe that they were going to be staying with a friend of his. She would not know it was Harry until she got here.
Less than 20 minutes after Dobby had dropped off Draco's things, Dobby popped back in with an angry looking Draco and a shaken Narcissa. Harry was startled. He was not expecting them so soon. When he noticed that Draco's anger was covering his fear, he gave Draco a hug.
"Dray what happened? I was not expecting the two of you for at least an hour. Are you okay? Why are you angry? Why did Dobby bring you both together?" Harry fired his questions off rapidly while checking Draco for any injuries.
"I'm fine Harry. Lucius came back earlier than I expected. I was heading into my mother's room to let her know that we would be leaving soon when I saw him yelling at her. He hit her Harry. I didn't know that he hit her," Draco replied his voice cracking on the last sentence.
Harry watched as a lone tear rolled down Draco's cheek. He knew that Draco was thinking about last time. That he was wondering if Lucius had hit her then too. That he was blaming himself for he now knew she only stayed to protect him.
Harry wrapped Draco back up in a hug. "It's okay Dray. You are safe now. You both are. We will make sure he never hurts your mum again. It is not your fault this time or last time. You did not know. You could not have known. We fixed it. We have changed things." Harry held Draco as he sobbed into his chest. Harry knew that tonight would be rough. There was a good chance that Draco would have a nightmare about the night his mother died. Harry knew Draco felt helpless about what had happened to his mum and that it would remind him of how he could not save her last time.
Harry guided them over to the bed. He sat there and rubbed calming circles on Draco's back. He whispered to him that it was not his fault and that it was different now over and over again until Draco had cried himself right to sleep. Harry tucked him in and looked at Narcissa who was standing there watching with wide eyes.
"Hello Mrs. Malfoy. I'm Harry Potter, a friend of your son," Harry said in a quiet voice. "I know this must be confusing but trust me when I say you are safe here."
Harry watched as Narcissa just nodded. She seemed to be at a loss for words. Harry noticed that she still seemed shaken and had a nasty bruise forming on her cheek. Harry told her to make herself comfortable and not to leave the room. He went downstairs to gather some ice, grateful that his relatives were out at the moment. He grabbed a glass of water and some pain medicine too and went back upstairs.
Narcissa had not moved. She was still looking at Draco with wide eyes. Harry moved in front of her holding out the glass.
"That is a nasty bruise you have forming and we can't use magic here. Here are a couple of muggle pills that should help with the pain and swelling. Just put them in your mouth and wash them down with some water. I also have some ice here that will help with the swelling."
Narcissa did as she was told. She had her focus on Harry now. Harry watched her relax when the pain meds kicked in.
"Thank you Mr. Potter. I feel much better now," Narcissa said finally addressing him.
"You're welcome Mrs. Malfoy and please call me Harry."
Narcissa nodded. "Only if you call me Narcissa. I don't want to hear that bastard's name," Narcissa said with a shudder.
"I can do that Narcissa. Now I am sure you have a lot of questions and I would be glad to answer them if you want me to. Of course, I would understand if you want to wait for Draco to wake up. After all, I am a complete stranger to you. I would like to reiterate we are in a muggle neighborhood. As far as I know except for a squib that lives up the street, I am the only magical person in the area. As such any magic usage will be attributed to me whether I am the one doing it or not. It is important that I am able to attend school. It is also important that no one knows that you and Draco are here. If too much magic was done here, I am sure it would catch someone's attention and then the jig would be up. Except for coming in and going out Dobby too cannot do magic. Do you understand?"
Narcissa nodded. "Good. Now the next thing you should know is that my Uncle hates anyone who has magic. My Aunt is in a situation similar to yours so you will not be surprised to know that she follows his lead. My cousin likely is not a threat but if he sees you, he will tell his father and there is no way that would end well. You need to stay in this room at all times unless I tell you the cost is clear or you leave with Dobby. Do you have any questions Narcissa?" Harry finally asked.
"Yes I have many questions. I have seen that way my son trusts you. He would not have brought me here if he did not trust you and for now that is good enough for me. How old are you?"
"I just turned 11."
"That may be your physical age just like my son but I know that is not the complete truth. I will ask again, how old are you?"
Harry was surprised. He had not expected Narcissa to ask him that question nor be forceful that 11 was not entirely truthful. He decided that since they were planning to tell Narcissa everything he should be truthful. He needed Narcissa to trust him.
"You're right physically I am 11. The answer you are looking for is 23. When I died I was 23."
Narcissa looked thoughtful. "What do you mean by died?"
"Your son and I were 23 when we took a potion to end our lives. Instead of working, it brought us back to the day before we met instead. We are not sure how or why. All we know is we are getting a second chance and we plan to fix some mistakes. One of which was getting you away from your jerk of a husband."
Harry watched as Narcissa took in the information. "Thank you for being honest with me Harry. I think I will wait for my son to wake to ask any more questions. Would it be alright if I too took a nap?" Narcissa asked looking exhausted.
"Of course. I will see what I can do about finding us some food while you two are asleep," Harry replied before leaving the room and calling Dobby.
When Harry got back from getting them some food, he noticed that what he guessed were Narcissa's things were in his room. Draco was awake and was watching his mother sleep.
Harry approached Draco, "Dray I got some food. Are you hungry?"
Draco focused his attention on Harry. "How did you get us food? Won't your relatives notice it is gone?"
"No because I didn't take it from them. I had Dobby help me get to a store and I bought it. Before you ask I had him bring me back to Gringotts a few days ago to change some of my galleons into muggle money."
Draco and Harry sat down to eat and Harry filled Draco in on what had happened while he was napping. "Your mother seemed to take the fact that we aren't 11 rather well. It was the only thing she really asked me about. She said she would wait for you to get up before asking anymore questions."
Harry and Draco finished the rest of their meal in silence. Then they organized Draco's things as best they could. They needed to make sure nothing seemed odd if Vernon or Dudley happened to look in on things. Harry was pretty sure they would be fine. His family had avoided him for the rest of the summer because of Dudley's tail. They did not know yet that he couldn't do magic outside of school.
They were chatting about nothing of great importance when Petunia arrived home. They listened for a few minutes to see if Dudley or Vernon was with her. They weren't.
Harry looked at Draco, "I'm going to go and try and talk with her. You should get your mum up and get her to eat. Hopefully things will go well and I'll be back soon and we can have a discussion with your mum."
Draco nodded. "Okay, but be careful down there. Remember that she is not the same person she was the last time you talked to her."
Harry went downstairs and into the kitchen where Petunia was putting groceries away. "Aunt Petunia," Harry started in a polite tone of voice, "May I speak with you for a moment?"
Harry watched as Petunia looked at him suspiciously. Harry did his best to look innocent. This was important.
"What is it?" Aunt Petunia finally replied in a hard voice.
"I just wanted to thank you for everything you have done for me. I don't just mean the things people can see. I mean making sure I didn't starve, that I had proper medical treatment and doing your best to keep Vernon's anger from being taken out on me as best you could without raising suspicion."
His aunt look flabbergasted. He had never seen his aunt at a complete loss for words. If it weren't such a serious situation, it would be quite funny.
"I don't know what you are talking about. The only reason I make sure you are healthy and don't starve to death is because the other freaks might do something to my Dudley in retaliation."
"That's not true Aunt Petunia. You do it because you loved my mother. You love me too even if you don't want to admit it. I know that Vernon is abusive to you. I just want you to know that if you want to leave him I can help you. I can get you and Dudley away from here and make sure he never sees you again. I can protect you just as you have protected me all these years. You can give Dudley what you always wanted. You can let him go to school with me. I'm not expecting you to answer me now but think about it."
Before his Aunt could get a word out Harry had turned around and went back upstairs to his room. When Harry got to his room, Draco was staring into space and Narcissa was just finishing eating. Harry went over and sat on the bed.
"What are you thinking about Dray?" Harry asked.
Draco looked at Harry, "Everything."
Harry understood. Anytime he had any down time since being back, he had trouble keeping his mind on simple things. He would think about everything that had happened, everything he and Draco needed to accomplish, and all the possible outcomes of the things they were changing. He would worry about who to trust and how much he would tell those he did trust. He was sure Draco was thinking about those same things.
Harry turned his attention to Narcissa. "Now that Draco is awake would you like to ask some more questions?"
"No, I do not want to ask any more questions," Narcissa replied in an even tone.
Harry and Draco exchanged a look. Harry was just as confused as Draco seemed to be. How could Narcissa not have any more questions?
Narcissa looked at them both in turn; giving them what Harry assumed was her stern mother look. "I am not going to ask any more questions because I would like the two of you to tell me what is going on and to start at the beginning. I trusted you Draco. I followed you here without question even though I knew something was different about you. And you, Harry, I trusted you even though I had never met you before and was scared out of my wits about being brought to your bedroom. I feel I deserve to know what is going on. I want you both to tell me right now," Narcissa said, her voice matching the stern look on her face.
Harry and Draco looked at each other and had a silent conversation. Harry just shrugged. Harry didn't know Narcissa well enough to decide if they should tell her or not. This decision would be up to Draco.
Draco sighed, "Alright mother. We will tell you everything. Just know that it is not pretty nor is it pleasant. We also don't know everything. We can only tell you what we do know."
For the next three hours, Harry and Draco told Narcissa the whole story starting with the day they met the first time round and ending with the moment Draco asked Narcissa to leave. They told her about all the death and destruction, all about the time they had spent being the only two left and how they had finally ended it only to end up back here. The only things they didn't mention were the horcruxes and any current plans.
By the end of the tale, they were exhausted but felt a bit better about not carrying the load alone any more. Narcissa looked horrified. She cried silent tears for both of them. At the end of the tale, she gave them both a hug. Harry had really needed that and was sure Draco had too. She then told them to get some sleep that they would talk more in the morning.
Harry gratefully slipped into bed. He was pretty sure he was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
Harry awoke suddenly and looked at his watch. It said it was 3:17. He looked around to see what woke him and saw that Draco and Narcissa were curled up in sleeping bags on the floor and that Draco was whimpering in his sleep. Harry got out of bed and went over to Draco.
Harry could hear Draco saying, "No please no not my mother. Please don't hurt her. I'll do anything."
Harry shook Draco. "Draco, wake up. Draco it's just a dream."
It took Harry a few minutes but Draco finally woke up. He looked at Harry with a fearful face, and then looked around for his mother breathing a sigh of relief. "It was just a dream," Draco mumbled to himself.
Harry made his way back over to his bed. He climbed in and got settled. He looked back over at Draco. Draco was sitting there glancing at Harry.
"Come on Dray," Harry said lifting up the covers. "You can sleep with me."
Draco got up off the floor and slid into bed next to Harry. Harry waited for him to get settled then grabbed Draco's hand.
"It will be okay Draco. Get some sleep."
Harry settled in and was once again quickly off to sleep.
The next morning, shortly after Harry had returned with breakfast, there was a knock on Harry's door. Harry looked panicked. He hadn't really thought about what to do if the Dursley's came knocking.
The knocking started again along with a soft, "Harry? Are you in there? I would like to talk about yesterday."
Harry breathed a sigh of relief. It was just Aunt Petunia. If she was bringing up yesterday then that meant Dudley and Vernon had already left.
Harry opened the door. "Good morning Aunt Petunia. If you just give me a minute I'd be happy to talk about yesterday."
"Okay Harry. I will wait for you in the kitchen."
Harry closed his door and looked at Draco and Narcissa. That had been a close one. "I'm going to go downstairs to talk to her. I'll be right back."
Harry went downstairs and sat at the kitchen table across from Petunia. He could tell Petunia was nervous. She kept looking around for something to clean.
"What can I do for you Aunt Petunia?" Harry asked.
"I thought about what you said yesterday," Petunia started off slowly. "I'm not sure how you knew all of that. Then again you've always been a very observant child just like your mother." A slow smile appeared on Petunia's face at the thought of Lily. "You were right about everything. I made a mistake marrying Vernon. I just wanted someone to care about me. I wanted someone who didn't love Lily. I was very jealous of her. Your mother was an amazing person Harry. We were close until I realized she had magic and I didn't. I worried that she would forget about me and leave me for a world I had no part in. I decided that it would hurt less if I left her first. Vernon helped me do that."
Harry waited as Petunia composed herself. He was pretty sure that Petunia hadn't meant to tell him all that.
"When Dudley's letter came I was so scared I was going to lose him to. I knew if Vernon found out that he would start to treat Dudley as he does you. He would also blame me for what Dudley is. It was safer to tell the school no."
Harry watched, as Petunia seemed to take stock of him. He could tell she was trying to gauge his reaction to what she was saying. Of course, after years spent with Draco, Harry had learned how to control what showed on his face.
"I know all that Aunt Petunia which is why I told you I could get you out of here and away from Vernon if you wanted. I can hide the both of you if that's what you want," Harry replied.
"I don't know what I want," Petunia whispered.
Harry sat back and thought for a moment. He felt like Petunia needed more reassurance that this was the right thing to do. He figured she was having trouble with this because of his age. He decided it would help if she could talk to an adult. Preferably, one who had been through some of the same things. Luckily, for him he happened to have just such an adult upstairs in his room.
"Stay here Aunt Petunia. I will be right back."
Harry went upstairs to talk to Narcissa. When he got to his room, he could tell they were surprised he was back so quick.
"I think my aunt is almost on board with leaving which will make things easier. However, I think her main concern is my age. I think it would help if you spoke with her Narcissa. I think hearing from another adult will help. It is important to Draco and I that Dudley goes to school with us and as long as they live with my uncle that will never happen."
"If you think it will help I will speak with her Harry," Narcissa responded.
Harry and Narcissa went back downstairs. His aunt was startled when Harry brought someone back in with him.
"Aunt Petunia this is Narcissa. Narcissa this is my Aunt Petunia. I would like you to talk to her. She is a friend of mine. I think she will be able to help you."
Harry went back upstairs and sat on his bed. He looked at Draco. "So while your mother is busy with my aunt I thought we could talk about what to do with Quirrell and the chamber."
"Well there isn't much we can do about Quirrell is there. The only way would be to tell Dumbledore about what happened and I don't think that is wise," Draco said as he settled in on the bed.
"I agree about not telling Dumbledore. I feel like the whole Quirrell thing was a set up to test me. I worry that if I tell him I know what is going on he will find a different way to test me. I do however feel there is someone at the school we can tell. I think we should tell Professor Snape. You always trusted him and after seeing his memories I trust him too. He is caught between Dumbledore and Riddle and I think he will help us to get out of that situation."
Draco was silent for moment. "I agree. We can probably trust Severus. Now the chamber is easy. We sneak down there after we free you dogfather and bring a rooster. We wake up the monster and slay it. Then we use its fangs to destroy the horcruxes. Problem solved. We already have the cup and diary. Sirius will get us the locket and we can grab the diadem while at school. That just leaves the ring."
"What about the one I carried? How are we supposed to tell if I still have it? I certainly don't want to risk dying again in case it is not there."
"That's easy. We will know by seeing you with Quirrell. If your scar hurts like it did last time the horcrux is there if not then we are home free."
"Oh. I hadn't thought of that. That makes a lot of sense Dray."
Draco smirked, "Well of course it does. I thought of it."
Before Harry could reply Hedwig flew in carrying what he hoped was Andromeda's response to Draco's letter. She wouldn't give them the letter though. It was addressed to Narcissa.
"I wonder why Hedwig has a letter for your mum." Harry said. "Maybe Andromeda wrote to her thinking it was a Malfoy owl."
"No that can't be because I told her that I was using a friend's owl so that my father wouldn't know I contacted her. I told her it was for her safety as much as mine and my mother's."
Before they could speculate further, Narcissa came back in.
"Harry dear your Aunt says she will leave whenever you are ready. I have Dobby packing some of her things. Nothing Vernon would notice missing. I told her not to worry about things that could be replaced, that we would take care of her."
Harry smiled. He was glad having Narcissa talk to his aunt had worked.
"Thank you Narcissa. It is a relief that she is coming with us."
As Harry said this, Hedwig flew over and gave Narcissa her letter. Narcissa took it and thanked Hedwig for waiting for a reply.
"Harry, I hoped you don't mind that I borrowed your owl."
"It is no problem, Narcissa. Feel free to use her whenever you want."
"Mother, who did you write to?" Draco asked.
"I wrote to Severus. I let him know that we were safe. I told him we couldn't tell him where we were but that I would let him know when I could. After what you boys told me I decided we could trust him."
Harry was just glad Narcissa hadn't told him where they were. Snape didn't like him yet. He still saw James instead of seeing Harry. He hoped that with Narcissa and Draco's help he would be able to win Snape over. He was not sure the man would ever like him but hopefully, he would be able to tolerate him enough to work together.
Other than the talk with Petunia and the letter from Snape, they had a quiet day. Most of it was spent with telling Narcissa some of the good things that happened to them. She got a big kick out of the Weasley twins. She wished she could see them pull a prank on Severus.
It was the next day when they got a letter from Andromeda. She had agreed to meet Draco in a muggle park in three days. Draco wished they could meet sooner but understood that for Andromeda to feel safe she needed to set the terms. He had agreed. He didn't mention that Harry would be going.
Harry wasn't about to let Draco go alone just in case it wasn't Andromeda who had answered. Harry had spent the next 3 days filling Narcissa in on anything and everything he knew about Sirius. She had agreed to help Harry get him a trial. She was also positive that Andromeda would help them. She shared stories with them of her, Sirius, Andromeda and Regulus as kids. She was very careful not to mention Bella.
Finally, the day came for them to go meet with Andromeda. Harry had agreed to let Draco wait for her alone. He would be nearby just in case. Once Draco was sure that she trusted him, he would tell her about Harry and invite him over.
They had been waiting about 30 minutes when Andromeda finally showed up. He watched her look around nervously. He couldn't blame her. Given what she knew about Lucius this could be a trap. He would be cautious if he were her too.
Harry observed as she walked over to Draco. He was too far away to hear what they were saying. He saw Draco relax more and more as they were talking. Finally, after about an hour Draco flagged him over.
Harry sat down at the table they were at and introduced himself.
"Hello Mrs. Tonks. I'm Harry Potter."
"Hello Harry. It is nice to meet you. My nephew here has explained your situation. I would like to help. I will owl Madam Bones in the morning to start the ball rolling. She is fair and I'm sure once she finds out Sirius went to prison without a trial she will work on fixing that. I will also see what I can do about finding you and Draco a safe place to stay. Cissy must love having to share a bedroom with you and Draco. He also told me that your aunt and nephew would be coming with you. I will do my best and let you know what I come up with."
"Thank you Mrs. Tonks. I appreciate your willingness to help me. I do have one question before you go. Do you happen to know a Remus Lupin?"
Andromeda nodded. "He was friends with you father and Sirius when they were in Hogwarts. Why do you ask?"
"I was wondering if maybe you could get in touch with him. As I am sure Draco told you, we have proof that Peter is still alive which casts doubt on what Sirius did. If you could please tell him that and tell him that I would like to see him I would greatly appreciate it."
"I can do that Harry. I will see you in a few days. Draco and I agreed to meet back here. It was nice meeting you Harry, Draco."
With that, Andromeda walked away. Draco and Harry went back to where Dobby dropped them off and got him to bring them back home. They filled in Narcissa when they got back. Narcissa decided to send an owl to Madam Bones the next morning too. She figured if both she and Andromeda wrote it would make a bigger splash.
Harry settled down on his bed. Now there was nothing to do but wait and see what happened.