Warnings: the usual...

Disclaimer: I don't own it...unfortunately...

Well...(sobs) there's just the epilogue left now...I'm so sad! So, without further waiting, An Ally in the Dark! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Please read and reviews would be lovely.

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Chapter 24: An Ally in the Dark

Harry smiled serenely as he felt the wind toy with his hair and the sun shine warm on his face. As Harry thought back on his life thus far, he realized that he had spent much time in forced darkness. Ever since he had learned of his destiny, Harry had forced himself to give up the notion of a future beyond the War and his final battle with Voldemort. And then when he'd survived the Final Battle, Harry had lived with some hope that he'd be able to settle down with someone like Oliver or Charlie. But obviously that hadn't happened, and when he'd been taken by Lucius Malfoy, Harry had given up all hope of surviving again. Of course, he was once again (pleasantly, I might add) surprised to survive. He noted happily that it was Draco who had saved him once more. Of course, the incident with Flint had set him back, but Harry had survived. Draco had kept him from total depression, something neither Ron nor Hermione had ever been able to do after the War had ended and all the deaths had taken their toll on Harry.

And it was at Pansy's and Fred's wedding, where Harry was holding a very antsy Ron, that Harry realized something. When Draco rescued him from that dark room nearly two years ago, Draco had become Harry's ally in the dark. The darkness of the room and the darkness of Harry himself. Harry was absolutely positive that had it been anyone other than Draco, Harry would have surely been committed to St. Mungo's for mental issues. Or, and Harry cringed as he thought about it, dead due to suicide. The music that announced the bride's ascension to the alter brought Harry out of his thoughts and back to his current duty: keeping one Ronald Weasley in check as the bride's maids, flower girl, and bride herself walked down the aisle.

Harry grinned as he saw the look of total adoration and love on Fred's face. Harry decided that Fred and Pansy really were the perfect match. Both of them were devious and sneaky, they both had a great sense of humor, and they both had a passion for their work. Harry turned his attention back to the procession and smiled madly at the sight of the maid of honor. Harry hadn't honestly thought that Draco would go through with it, but he had. And the sight of Draco in a deep green skirt and button up shirt was brilliant. Pansy's excuse for making Draco maid of honor was that one, Draco was gay so it was perfectly okay and two, because Draco was her best friend and she refused to have none OTHER than her best friend as her maid of honor. Whichever excuse was more appropriate, it was still amusing to see Draco in a skirt.

As the wedding commenced, Harry listened to Headmistress McGonagall's words as he stared over the landscape of Hogwarts. Harry thought how funny it was that he was back. He'd never believed that he'd ever set foot on Hogwarts after all that had happened. Harry smiled as he watched Karin fidget with the basket of flowers. Draco took Pansy's bouquet, signaling that it was time for Pansy and Fred to exchange their vows. Harry listened, smiling at the words and the love that was tangible in their voices. When the two exchanged rings and kissed, cheers went through the small throng of people that were present.

Later that night at the reception, Pansy pulled Harry out of the Great Hall and convinced him to walk with her through the corridors of Hogwarts. They walked in companionable silence until they reached the destination that Pansy had decided upon. Harry stared out over the land from the window, waiting for Pansy to say what she needed to say. After a few moments silence, Harry looked over to see Pansy staring at him in uncertainty, apprehension clear in her eyes.

"What is it Pansy?" Harry asked, concerned. Pansy smiled reassuringly, though an air of nervousness seemed to creep over them. Harry stared at her patiently until she finally pulled something out from the top of her wedding dress. She handed the old, folded parchment to Harry, she blushed.

"I suppose it wasn't exactly right of me to keep this from you two, but I didn't want it to stop you guys from doing what I knew you both wanted since school. I'm sorry if this upsets you, but if you really don't want it, you can go to a wizarding doctor and they'll take care of it." Pansy said a bit sheepishly. Harry stared at her, his confusion evident in his emerald eyes. Pansy sighed and shook her head, pointing to the parchment she gave him. "Just read that. It'll make sense when you do."

Harry nodded and did as told, not noticing her slip away as he became caught up in the new information he was now learning about his and Draco's bond. He blushed a deep crimson as he read further down the page.

Harry stared at the trees from his second floor balcony. It was a beautiful night, and Harry hoped that Fred and Pansy were enjoying their first night as a married couple. Harry thought back to the information Harry learned earlier that night. He couldn't believe that he managed to get so lucky, but he had. And this notion caused the smile that was now spread over his face.

Harry looked up at the starlit sky, feeling as if all of those he lost were there. His parents, Sirius, Dumbledore, Ron, and Hermione were all looking down at him. It was then that Harry remembered something Hermione had said a long time ago, back when Harry and Draco weren't talking.

"Differences, that's what keeps us from each other."

"You're right Hermione, differences was what kept us from each other. But now, now I know that we're not so different. I mean, look at me and Draco, and Fred and Pansy. It was only the prejudices of the different Houses that made us think that the other was too different for us to bother associating with. But you know what 'Mione, I'm glad that we were proven wrong."

"Harry love, who're you talking to?" Draco asked, walking out in nothing but a towel. Harry turned and smiled at him, feeling his trousers grow tight at the sight of a half naked, and dripping wet, Draco.

"No one really, just to myself and the air."

Draco just shook his head and smiled. "Well, in that case, come to bed. Your trousers look as if they need to be removed." Draco whispered seductively and turned, swaying his hips as he walked back into the bedroom. Harry groaned and went to follow him, pausing momentarily to look back up at the sky.

"Oh yeah, and Hermione, guess what! I'm pregnant!"

"Harry! I'm on the bed, naked and waiting!"

"Coming!"

"You better not be! I haven't even gotten to touch you!"