Chapter 17

Harry woke early as usual to cook breakfast for Sirius and now Draco. After breaking Draco out of the manor Harry put Draco up in the guest bedroom, both falling asleep in their respected beds almost immediately after lying down. Draco had been too anxious at the manor to sleep at night, only catching a few hours naps after Lucius when to work. He confessed to Harry that he was scared that Lucius would hurt him in his sleep. Only after Harry set the security alarm did Draco relax.

Harry yawned as he walked into the kitchen and found Sirius sitting at the table.

"You've got some explaining to do," said Sirius.

"What about," asked Harry going to the counter to make a bowl of cereal.

"The teenage boy sleeping in the guest room," said Sirius. Harry paused as he poured his cereal and set the box down.

"How did you know?"

"A little birdie told me." Sirius leaned against the chair and crossed his arms. "It said that you were sneaking out at two thirty in the morning."

"Oh." Harry finished making his cereal. He walked over to the table and sat down.

"What the hell were you thinking?" said Sirius giving Harry an angry look. "Do you realize the trouble you've caused?"

"What did you expect me to do? Just leave him there as a prisoner?"

"To resort to kidnapping…"

"Draco had every intention of never going back there."

"My job as a federal agent makes me take Draco back to his parents," said Sirius.

"What about your duty as my godfather?"

Sirius sighed and looked away. Harry knew what his godfather was thinking. Sirius had no legal right to keep Draco from his parents. There was no physical abuse and he hadn't been in any danger, so reasons to keep him away were slim.

"I'll call Tonks," he said. "If he wants to run away, he should at least stay with a relative. When Lucius arrives, and he will, we'll have to have a hearing if the judges say so. And you'll have community service, young man."

"Yes, sir," said Harry with a smile and started eating his cereal.

Sirius had long left for work and Harry was sitting in the living room watching a movie when Draco walked down. He wore a plain nightshirt and plaid night pants. His blonde hair was slightly tasseled from his sleep and he yawned widely.

"What are you doing here," he asked as he walked over to Harry and sat down next to him.

"I live here," said Harry with a smile.

"I meant why are you not at school?"

"Sirius let me stay home to continue to be your bodyguard, as he put it," said Harry smiling at Draco. Draco smiled back and settled against Harry. Harry wrapped his arm around Draco and held him close.

"I've missed you," said Draco and chuckled. "Can't believe I actually said that. Been hating you for seven years and over a span of a month I found myself falling in love with you, and missing you."

"Stranger things have happened," said Harry and Draco looked at him curiously.

"Like what?"

Harry paused for a moment before answering. "Trust me, stranger things have happened."

Draco chuckled and rested his head on Harry's shoulder. "I was afraid I'd never see you again."

"You're not going to cry are you?" asked Harry looking down at his boyfriend. Draco hit him firmly in the side.

"Malfoy's don't cry."

"Oh, right," said Harry sarcastically. "Of course." Harry smiled at him. "That sounds like a rule."

"It is. One of many rules on being a Malfoy."

"How many are there?"

"There are more rules to being a Malfoy then days in the year," said Draco.

"Sounds reassuring."

Draco didn't say anything. He just took a deep breath and turned to watch the movie.

XXXXXXXX

"Tonks, I need to speak to you," said Sirius as he walked into the department.

"Not before the chief speaks to you," said Tonks. "He got an interesting call an hour ago."

"And this concerns me how?" asked Sirius making to throw his coat in the general order of his desk. Remus caught it and put it on the back of the chair.

"Black, in here, now," said Kingsley. Sirius looked at his friends curiously before walking to Kingsley's office

"Sir?"

"I just got an interesting phone call," said Kingsley. "From Lucius Malfoy."

"Riddle's right hand man? What did he want from us?"

"Apparently his son disappeared last night," said Kingsley. "He believes your godson was behind it."

"Why would he suspect Harry of kidnapping his son?"

Kingsley tapped into his computer and turned the monitor toward Sirius. It showed Harry and Draco dancing in the high school stadium, holding each other close and kissing. Kingsley watched Sirius carefully but the agent's face is unchanged.

"You know," said Kingsley.

"Yes," said Sirius.

"How long?"

"A few weeks. According to Harry it just happened and decided to go through with it."

"Lucius sent this as evidence," said Kingsley.

"I find it hard to believe that two boys dancing is evidence of foul play," said Sirius with his hands in his pockets.

"That's what I said," said Kingsley turning off the monitor. "Our informant fell in love with the bodyguard. Can't say that hasn't happened." He glared up at Sirius who shifted slightly on his feet.

"What's Lucius saying?"

"That Harry broke in their house and kidnapped Draco, but without evidence we can't prove it."

"Draco mentioned his home had security systems, lasers and all that."

"Black for ten minutes. Recorded nothing." Kingsley looked at Sirius with a knowing expression.

"But…"

"But when the police investigated they found a suit case and clothes missing. We have reason to believe he took cash as well."

"So Draco ran away and Lucius is blaming Harry," said Sirius. "All because of a video? Sounds crazy, sir."

"Black, did Harry help young Malfoy run away?" asked Kingsley in a serious tone. Sirius looked back without blinking.

"I honestly cannot say," he said. Kingsley looked at him for a minute before turning to his monitor.

"You're dismissed."

Sirius nodded and left the room. Walking to his desk he found Remus and Tonks waiting for him. He gave them a smile as he walked up, sat down and logged onto his computer.

"That that's off the record, where's Draco Malfoy?" asked Remus looked down at his old friend.

"Off the record?" asked Sirius and Remus nodded. "He's with Harry. I need him to stay with you guys for a while."

"Why?" asked Tonks. Sirius smiled up at her. "Me?"

"If he stays with family, Draco hasn't really ran away or been kidnapped, has he?"

"Good point," said Remus. "But what if Lucius demands him back?"

"That's what a hearing's for."

"Great," said Tonks. "It's Harry's hearing all over again."

"I don't write law," said Sirius. "I just enforce it."

"While secretly going around it," said Remus.

"Just doing what's right," said Sirius. "Isn't that our job?"

Tonks and Remus gave him a smile.

"Sure is," said Tonks.

XXXXXXXX

Harry was working on his homework when a persistent knocking interrupted him. Walking up to the front door he opened it to find Blaise, Ginny, Ron and Hermione standing on his front porch.

"How is he?" asked Blaise.

"He's fine," said Harry. "He's in the kitchen making dinner."

"He cooks?" said Hermione in surprise.

"Yes."

"What did Sirius say?" asked Ginny as they walked in. Harry closed the door behind them.

"He took it well," said Harry walking back to the living room. Blaise went in the kitchen to see Draco. "He left to set up a place for Draco."

"Why can't he stay here?" asked Ginny.

"Because this'll be the first place Lucius would look," said Draco walking in the living. "Why he hasn't already is a mystery to me."

"I just hope he stays away," said Harry as Draco sat next to him.

"If Malfoy's not going to give me grief, I don't care if he stays," said Ron.

"But giving you grief is half the fun," said Draco smiling. Blaise had to cover a laugh as Ron glared at Draco. Harry gave Draco a look and the blonde smiled at him. "I'm making chicken Alfredo. Anyone want to stay for dinner?"

"Yes!" said four voices.

XXXXXXXX

Sirius came home late that night. He was reviewing the report that Draco had given them, hoping to find a clue to Riddles next shipment, but so far nothing.

Walking in the house he found Harry and Draco watching a show filmed in Britain. He knew the show well, watching it with Harry when he was able to. It was a good show, funny, time-travel, aliens and new planets. Harry never missed an episode.

"How's it going," he asked.

"Rerun," said Harry. "But it's still a good one."

"Ain't they all?" said Sirius with a smile. "Any food left for me? I'm starving."

"In the fridge."

"How'd it go?" asked Draco nervously as Sirius went to the kitchen.

"Daddy dearest is accusing Harry of kidnapping you. Wants a full blown investigation."

"Except for Ron, Hermione Ginny and Zabini, no one's been here all day," said Harry.

"Kingsley managed to hold the investigation for a day or so, standard wait during for a missing person."

"But I'm not missing," said Draco. "I ran away."

"They're still going to have an investigation," said Sirius. "I've talked to Tonks and Remus. They're going to take you in?"

"You're going to let me stay with my cousin?"

"It's either that or have Harry arrested for kidnapping."

Draco looked over at Harry in thought. Harry didn't have to guess what his boyfriend was thinking about. Draco hadn't got on the right foot with Tonks and was reluctant to stay with her and Remus, but he didn't want Harry to get in trouble.

"When do I leave?"

"I'll call Remus and Tonks," said Sirius as the phone rang. He groaned. "And I just got a break."

He walked off to answer it. Harry looked over at Draco and smiled.

"Come on, I want to show you something," he said and taking Draco's hand he lead him up the stairs. Draco was surprised when Harry stopped in front of the locked door.

"Harry, why are we here?" asked Draco.

"Like I said, I have something to show you." And Harry opened the door.

Inside were shelves and shelves of books and videos, all American Western. On the walls were pictures of famous western actors and in a corner was a custom made cowboy outfit, complete with chaps, lasso and snake skin boots, next to it a stand with a saddle, blanket and bridal. On the wall beside the costume were pictures of Sirius, Remus and Harry's parents dressed on cowboy outfits. They stood outside the famous American town, Tombstone. There was a television and VHS player set against a corner and a chair in front of it to watch the moves.

James Potter had been an admirer of American Western since childhood and collected every book and movie on the genre. James' friends and family also contributed to the collection, making it quite extensive. Upon moving with Sirius, Harry continued the collection.

Sighing Harry went to a table against the wall and looked at the objects there. There was an authentic Native American arrowhead, a hat, gloves, bolo tie, belt with a bronco buckle on it, sheriff star, and pictures. One was of James and Lily at an actual rodeo they visited for their second honeymoon, of when they visited the Alamo, and the last was of one year old Harry dressed in a baby cowboy outfit and sitting on a rocking horse. The last item on the table was a wooden box. Harry opened it to reveal the 9mm six chambered Colt revolver, also known as the Peacemaker. Sirius once said the James liked to call it the Patronus, or Protector since James had taken Latin when he was younger.

Harry reached up and grasped the bullet pendant through his shirt. It was with this gun Lily shot Tom Riddle with, and it was with the same bullet Harry wore around his neck.

Draco looked in surprise at the mass of books, movies and music. He picked up a picture of James and Lily and ran his finger on the edge.

"I've never shown anyone this, not even my friends. Not even Sirius. This one of the things few things I have that connects me to my parents." Harry took the picture of Draco and held it gently for a moment before putting it back. "This is my Library. "

"Why are you showing me this?" asked Draco.

Harry shrugged. "A lot of reasons," he said. "But mostly because it felt right." Both were silent for a moment till Harry spoke again. "Draco, what you're doing, spying on Riddle, getting information to Sirius and the feds, and running from your father, that was a very brave thing."

"Not like you," said Draco. "You've hunted Riddle down for years. What I do isn't something like you thing."

"What I do is vengeance, not bravery," said Harry. "I do it because what he done is wrong and to avenge my parents." He reached up and touched Draco's cheek. "I'm proud of you."

Draco leaned into Harry's touch and took Harry's hand in his, running his thumb on the back of it. The question between them didn't need to be spoken.

"Do you want to," asked Draco in a husky voice.

"Yes," said Harry.

"Have you ever…."

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!" The tone and look on Harry's face told Draco enough. Reaching up to the back of Harry's head Draco kissed him, putting all his passion and love into it.

"I'll be gentle then," said Draco and kissed Harry again. Harry moan into it and pressed himself against Draco, making both of them moan.

"I love you, Harry," said Draco sometime later as Harry wrapped his arm around him and Draco lay on his shoulder. The covers were warm over them and Draco smiled at the reason why they were.

"You too," said Harry and closed his eyes with content. He was about to sleep when he felt Draco finger the bullet scar. "What is it?"

"You took a bullet for me," said Draco. "I don't know anyone who would have done that."

"I would do it again," said Harry running his fingers in Draco's hair. Both were quiet for a long moment before Draco spoke again.

"And if you did? What then?"

"Then I'd die a happy man."

Draco looked down at him. "But what about me? What would I do?"

Harry reached up and cupped Draco's cheek. "You'll do what everyone else does. Live, move on and remember." Pulling Draco's head down, he kissed the blonde's forehead. "But I'm not dead and don't plan to be for a very long time."

"I'll hold you to that, Potter," said Draco with a smirk and leaned down to kiss Harry. Harry returned it.

XXXXXXXX

Harry woke with a start the next morning and looked up to see Sirius looking down at him with a serious face. Beside him Draco stirred in his sleep.

"Sirius?"

"Tonks is coming to pick Malfoy up. Wake him and get dressed. We've got work to do." And Sirius headed to the door.

"Sirius, what's wrong?"

Sirius looked back when he reached the door. "Lucius has pressed charges. In one hour Kingsley coming to arrest you."

TBC