Lucius was as reluctant as last time to come, even more so. He and Nick had been in the UK, visiting the bank, when they came before. But Nick had his heart set on seeing Molly, when word came she was awake, and asking for him. Andromeda knew the risk but encouraged it, it might do Nick a lot of good, especially his eyes. Every time he had an emotional break through, when a barrier came down and he trusted someone more, his eyes slightly improved. He had his family now, and was finally coming to trust, but he loved and relied on the Weasleys so long. He had been scared, when he found out who he was, it had all been lies. But Arthur and Charlie assured him, at least for them and Molly, it was true.
Nick leaned on his brother as they were escorted into the room. Titan was too big for them to bring on the trip, so he had to rely on his brother. He saw shadows here and there, but nothing else, well not for long at least.
Molly saw him and had tears in her eyes. "Oh Har…I mean…."
Nick was led over to the bed to sit. "Nick, Domenic, but everyone calls me Nick except Narcissa. I'm so glad you're okay."
The woman managed to kiss his head. "I'm getting there. Arthur tells me he spoke to you, that you told him where you are, and you know."
Nick once she too took the oath, told her about who he was. He added. "Mr. Weasley promised me you guys never knew."
Molly shook her head. "No, Merlin no. All I ever wanted was to end this war so you were safe. If I knew you were a pawn, you could leave…"
Nick understood. "I know you thought I was needed for the war, and didn't know about the stone or graveyard until after. I understand."
Molly squeezed his hand. "I hated it. I cussed that man from kingdom come, but I knew what was needed. I lost my brothers and dad already."
Nick knew and understood, he knew if he had really been Harry, it was needed he was at risk. He didn't get why he had to face the stone, or the basilisk, the latter of which the couple didn't know was a set up even after. That was likely due to the danger their daughter had been in. Albus had trouble enough with them, Molly was not lying about the chewing out, when it was just Harry or Nick at risk. If she had known her own daughter had been placed in such danger, on purpose, she'd have ousted him. Her daughter was not needed, and had almost died.
Nick spoke to them, and Molly admitted she had heard his voice and something, when he came before. His was the only voice she remembered, from when she was in the coma. Nick again had to wonder, if it was his powers coming to the surface.
Molly held him when she was able to pull him down. "You will always be ours do you hear me? No matter what name you have, always."
Nick nodded against her. "I know, I love you too, I'm sorry I risked you."
Molly kissed his head. "You weren't in the house to risk us, and it was our choice, we love you. Albus is the one who lied to all of us."
Alastor appeared in the door. "I just received word that Albus is about to arrive, and he has the other one with him."
Lucius went to help his brother up. "We need to get him out of here now."
Fred spoke up. "Harry has wanted to meet Nick, and I am sure the other way around. This may be the only chance they get for a long time."
Lucius was worried, but he shared a look with Moody, who shrugged. They could use wards, and keep Albus out, make sure the man didn't come into the room. Harry had already proved he could be trusted, beyond the oath he had taken before, and the friendship with the twins. He knew he was a pawn, and he made it clear when the war was over, he would not allow it to continue.
Fred looked at Nick when they were about to do the spells. "You can tell us what you think, still not sure how he is to pass for you."
Nick smirked. "I was the one passing for him, besides Titan is not here, and I won't see much if anything."
Arthur spoke up. "He may be really Harry Potter, but to those who love you, he is the one playing the part not you."
George agreed with his dad. "I still think the man is a fool, Hermione and Luna already caught on, others will too. Not just his looks."
Nick was not certain. "Neville. But the ones who really knew me, were my real friends, have graduated besides them."
His old quidditch team, he had no doubts, even before the twins assured him. Their girlfriends knew long ago, and now Oliver did. Katie was still at school, and she would soon know the truth, so it wouldn't matter to trick her. The twins had gone to them, before they found out about Nick, when worried about the letter. They had been given permission to tell the others, and to no surprise, they were all behind Nick.
Fred could hear. "Albus is remaining outside. Harry is about to come in."
Harry stood looking at the kid who had lived his life. He was a bit embarrassed, he knew saying hi was the lamest thing he could have done, but it was all that came out. He had so many questions for the kid before, and he felt such guilt for what happened to him, and didn't know where to start. He knew he was the reason the kid was blind, as much as Molly being in the hospital room, he knew it. The kid may have chosen to go to the ministry, but with the way Albus let him choose to go for the stone, and Sirius had died. But the boy had been kidnapped from his family, he had been tricked to believe he was him, and now had that all taken from him. Harry had to be in the war, he had no choice, this kid didn't.
Nick had listened to the kid, as he spoke to Molly, and for a moment he thought the kid did sound like him. His friends and Remus told him, he always took the blame and guilt for things on himself, when it wasn't his fault.
Nick shook his head. "He may have less trouble passing for me, then you think."
Harry had an odd look on his face. "And what does that mean?"
Nick shrugged as his brother helped him into a chair. "I believe Professor Snape threatened me with detentions for my articulate responses."
Harry sat down in a chair next to him. "Well it isn't every day you meet the person who stole…who lived your life?"
Nick didn't miss the slip up. "No, it isn't every day you meet the person who is living your life, that's for sure."
Harry was taken back. "It was my life. I know you were innocent, a decoy and didn't know but…."
Nick cut him off. "Those are my friends, my life, my team. This is my family. I'm the one who made them, not you, no matter who I am."
Harry was reminded, what the twins, and everyone else had said to him. He had got angry, they kept referring to this kid as the real Harry, their Harry. He was the real Harry, he was the son of James and Lily, he was the one with the scar. But he understood where they were coming from, he understood where this kid was coming from. They were right, this was the kid who had made those friends, joined the quidditch team, bonded with the Weasleys. He was the one who helped the twins open their shop, saved Ginny from a basilisk, and so much more. He may have had the wrong name, but he was the one who had saved the stone, slew the basilisk, and won the tri-wizard, not Harry.
Nick knew he had to calm down. He had known the kid was innocent, and had told the twins and others to help him, but he couldn't help it. Just because he had been a decoy, didn't make it any less his life. Finding out he was a Malfoy, didn't shut out his concern and love for them.
Harry started. "I plan to go back to my relatives when this is done, and you're welcome to have your life back."
Nick smirked. "When you're done playing me for a while, you'll leave them? I am done playing your life, I have my own family thank you."
Harry bristled a bit at that. "What I am not entitled to my own life? The only memories I have, good ones, are with them and Travis."
Nick felt bad. "I'm sorry, I know how that feels, and I understand why you will go back. It's just hard to rely on you to protect those I love."
Harry took his meaning wrong. "Like you protected my godfather? Killed one, and ran off with the other."
Nick snapped. "Sirius was my Uncle, and I already feel guilt so don't you dare throw that in my face. Albus set that up."
And Remus had chosen to come with him, he pointed out. For better or worse, Nick was his cub, the one he loved. Remus had come to France with him to take care of him, and be with him. It was also a matter of his life, Albus knew Remus was the one who snuck him out, and would want him dead. But even if Remus' life wasn't perhaps in danger, he'd have stayed, and it was his choice to make.
Nick calmed. "What I meant was that I feel helpless. I love them, and it's hard to sit in France, and know I can't be here to keep them safe."
Harry understood him. "I'm sorry about what I said. And I know they barely know me, but I'll keep them safe for you, as best as I am able."
Nick believed him. "I am happy we got your relatives to safety for you. I'll make sure we keep them safe for you, seems only fair."
Lucius spoke. "We really need to be going."
Harry stopped Nick before he went to leave. "I'd like to stay in touch. It would be easier to protect those you love, if I could."
Nick knew he was being honest and nodded. "I will." He turned to Molly and for a moment saw her. "Get better for me please."
She kissed him. "I'll be home soon, and knitting a sweater for you…."
Nick assured her he'd be honored, if she'd still send him one, at Christmas. He knew Ron balked at them, but those sweaters had meant the world to him, over the years. It had been one of his first Christmas gifts, and they'd always have a special place for him. He allowed his brother to take him, a secret entrance had been made, the door to the bathroom made a portal into an office, where they could floo.
Harry's shoulders slumped a bit when Nick left. "How am I ever to live up to that?"
an: keep up the reviews, story continues.