Thank you once again for all of your kind support. At this writing, this story has over 90,000 hits, and I thank everyone for reading, reviewing, and putting this story and me on your assorted lists. In thanks, I give everyone pumpkin pie and apple cider.

We are drawing to a close. I can't say for sure how much left there is to go, but we've got a bit more to cover. I just figured you should know.

At least two scenes were heavily influenced and inspired by a couple of chapters in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, particularly Chapter 35: King's Cross and Chapter 30: The Sacking of Severus Snape. Even so, I'm sure I changed them significantly such that the presentation is my own.

Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom, Harry Potter, "Shari and Lamb Chop," or The Princess Bride.

Chapter 52

Harry lay on his back. There was a slight rustling. The sounds were very different from those he last remembered hearing. He was not quite alone.

The next sense he registered was touch. He was comfortable, perfectly comfortable and at peace. He felt safe.

Harry shifted a wrist and realized that he was clothed. But he also recognized a new feeling – it was the same feeling he had when he woke up from his vision, but this time, without the pain: he was being held.

He slowly opened his eyes. He was not wearing glasses, but he could see as clearly as if he were. He looked into eyes as green as his own. "Harry, love. You're awake."

Such a tender voice called him 'Harry, love.' He focused on her face and noticed that it was surrounded by a halo of red hair. "Mum?"

She smiled. "Yes, Harry. I'm so very proud of you."

Harry felt a bitter-sweet pang. "I… but, you're… am I…"

Almost a mirror image of himself smiled down at Harry from over his mother's shoulder. "No, son. You're… not quite dead yet. But it was a near thing."

"Dad?"

Another face, younger and more carefree than the last time he saw it, came from a slightly different direction. "Saving your friend that way was very brave of you. It was a better design than when I took my leave, yeah?"

"Sirius!" Harry never felt quite as enveloped in warmth and love before. Then he closed his eyes. "Sirius, I'm so sorry. If I would have planned better…"

"You listen, Harry. My death was not your fault. It was the fault of my rotten cousin Bella and my own cockiness. You fell prey to one of the master manipulators of our time, and older and… well, I won't say wiser, but I think you get my point – people have been fooled by less."

Lily held Harry closer, and Harry let a few tears fall. "Thanks, Mum. But Sirius, if I would have paid more attention to Severus's Occlumancy lessons last year, that might never have happened."

Lily murmured, "Severus… You've made up with Severus."

Harry looked confusedly at his parents and his godfather. "Yeah. He's… different now." He wasn't sure what reaction the people around him would have to his new relationship to his father and godfather's childhood rival and his mother's childhood friend, so he closed his eyes. "When he found out that Aunt Petunia never wanted me, he understood that I wasn't… pampered and spoiled like he thought."

Sirius grimaced. James opened his mouth to speak, but Lily got there first. "Harry, I'm so sorry you had to deal with Petunia."

Sirius muttered, "Never wanted you?" He knew Harry wasn't happy at home, but not being wanted was a whole different dimension.

Lily tearfully held her son. James pursed his lips, as he knew what Petunia and her husband were, and said, "Harry, you've grown into a fine young man. You are far more mature and rational than we were at your age. There are so many reasons we're so proud of you. I love you. We love you so very much."

Harry reached up and hugged his mother. "I love all of you, too." Harry wanted to burst into tears, but that really wasn't the first image he wanted his parents to have of him.

He gulped. "Severus… said he loved me, too."

Sirius looked askance. "Snape? Are we talking about the same Snape who hates all things Potter? And Black?"

James commented quietly, "That was our fault, you know. He gave as good as he got, but… We've had a lot of time to think about this, you see."

Harry felt safe, and warm, and loved, and there were a million things running through his mind. He wanted to share everything, and ask every question he ever wanted to know. But something niggled at his mind. "Dad, you said I wasn't exactly dead."

The senior Potter nodded. "That's right."

"How come?"

James furrowed his brows in concentration. Harry thought, 'Is that what I look like?'

James answered, "I really don't know."

Lily said, "I might. You know those soul pieces you and the Headmaster have been talking about all year?"

Harry nodded vigorously. "Yeah."

"And you know how you sometimes feel Voldemort's feelings, or get visions?"

Harry subconsciously put a hand on his forehead. "Absolutely."

Lily said tenderly, "Sweetheart, I think Voldemort accidentally made you his last soul receptacle."

"Me?" Harry cringed, but he thought about it. "Well, Dumbledore said that an innocent bystander was the final Horcrux. He never wanted to tell me…" He closed his eyes. "Of course he didn't want to tell me. What kind of a person would tell a kid he practically has to die?"

Sirius said, "He never gave a hint of it. I'm rather glad he didn't. You're… He probably expected you to do what you did to save your friend."

This was too much to process, so Harry backed up a bit. "So… Is Voldemort dead?"

James peeked over his shoulder at a dark mass that whined and quivered in a corner. "Not yet. But I think the next time you meet will be the last time."

Harry paused. "Is Voldemort still attached to my soul?"

James smiled. "Nope. You are free and pure. Next time you go to the zoo, find out whether Parseltongue was you or… Tom."

Sirius grinned. "It would be a great gift to have, especially if there were no strings attached."

The zoo… Harry could do that. But he had to ask. "Mum, could I stay here with all of you?"

Lily peaked her eyebrows. "You could, if you really wanted to. We certainly wouldn't mind having you. But Harry…"

James picked up the thread. "Son, don't you want to see the end of the war? You've come so far."

Sirius's grin turned impish. "Rumor has it that you have a girlfriend. While I understand that no professor caught you yesterday, don't you want a chance to explore a relationship with a redhead of your own?"

Harry blushed. He only stole an innocent kiss from Ginny in the Common Room, but he covered them both with his Invisibility Cloak to do it. Ron could get weird about such things.

The senior Potters laughed, and Harry smiled. "I guess."

Lily murmured, "And Severus will miss you."

Severus would miss him. Of all the adults Harry spent significant amounts of time with, Severus was one person who didn't think of him as a hero. Once he figured out that Harry wasn't his father, Severus was one of the few people who simply liked Harry for who he was. And Severus would miss him.

Sirius and James looked at each other and both blushed. James ventured, "About that…"

Harry glanced curiously at the men in this interesting place. Sirius gulped. "Harry, when you go back, could you…" He closed his eyes. Thinking nice thoughts about Sniv-, er, Snape was hard. "I know that it is beyond 'Too little, too late,' but… could you tell Severus that we apologize? While he… well… Harry, when you yelled at me and Remus, I realized how wrong we were. But mostly…"

James sighed heavily. "Mostly, it was just the two of us. Unfortunately, Snape was right about just about everything he said about us. All three of us." He gestured at the three adults present.

Sirius almost growled. "That didn't give him the right to mistreat you, mind, but… We've had a lot of time to view things a bit more objectively, you see. And… While he's got a while to go to fix things with you, he really was right about…us."

"And Harry?" Lily added. "Please tell Severus I forgive him. It's been a long time, and I'm sure he's changed his mind about a few things."

Harry closed his eyes, preparing for whatever might come as a reaction. He took a breath, opened his eyes, and said, "When I go back, Severus offered to adopt me, formally."

James and Sirius's eyes widened in surprise. Lily just smiled. "Once the scales fell from his eyes, I thought he might."

Harry gulped. "What do you think, Dad?"

James closed his eyes, ashamed of his past actions. When he opened his eyes, he asked, "Harry, do you want this?" The boy nodded nervously. "Then please tell him I would be honored to share the title 'Dad' with the one man who decided to love my son as his son."

"Really?"

"Really, son. You've had a hard life, and you deserve as much love as you can get, and so much more." James hugged his son, who was still cradled in his mother's lap.

Lily narrowed her eyes. "You might want to prepare Professor Dumbledore, and let him know he's in for a nightmare, perhaps more than one. I can't believe he left you with Petunia and didn't bother to look in on you until he picked you up last summer! The nerve of that man! He didn't bother to offer you counseling after any trauma you've been through, especially Cedric and Sirius's deaths."

Harry decided that his mother was quite scary when she was angry. She could give Mrs. Weasley a run for her money.

"Oh – and Cedric says, 'Hi, and don't feel guilty.' He certainly doesn't blame you. You shouldn't blame yourself, either."

Harry gave her a watery smile. "Thanks, Mum."

Sirius grinned again. "While we're on the topic of delivering messages, tell a certain werewolf to shake a leg and get a move on in his relationship with a certain Metamorphmagus, or I will… invade his dreams and sing 'This is the song that doesn't end…' Life is too short for such a brilliant man to waste time being stupid."

Harry giggled. "I think Danny would approve of that."

James soberly added, "I've seen your friend Danny. I'm glad you've found that brotherly love you never had before. I warn you – he will be annoyed with you. He can't be killed…"

Harry smacked himself in the head. "Arg! He said so. He just… He just seems so human that I forgot he isn't really. 'Ghosts can't be killed with the Killing Curse. For most ghosts, that would be redundant.' He's going to kill me, isn't he?"

The adults laughed.

James said, "You tell him that Danny's parents and sister, and Sam and Tucker send their love, and… tell Vlad that Maddie mostly forgives him. Does that make sense to you?"

Harry fought a snicker. "Yes."

The four of them spent a few more minutes basking in each other's love, but once they fell silent, Harry said, "It's time, isn't it?"

Lily nodded. "Yes, love. But remember – we're always with you. And we'll be here when you get back."

James raised an eyebrow. "But don't pull another stunt like that again. While we are here and watching you, we don't want to see you back here, or beyond, until you are an old man, married, and a great grandfather."

"And don't pay attention to that old bat, Trelawney," Sirius supplied.

Harry opened his eyes wide. "Will I really…?"

James whispered, "Shh… It could happen."

Harry got up and hugged each of them in turn. "I'll miss you."

Lily reminded him, "We'll always be with you."

Harry nodded. A bright mist descended, obscuring his view of his parents and Sirius, and he came back to the world of the living.

Harry decided to play possum until he was ready to face the future.

After Severus completed his first mournful shriek, he allowed Albus to embrace him, though the dark man was resolved that nothing would console him.

The old man wept as he murmured, "Harry was the final Horcrux. In his selfless act, he destroyed the final Horcrux."

Danny didn't know what a Horcrux was, but it sounded like destroying such a thing was important. He was still angry about Harry's loss, and he tearfully hissed, "Good to know, Professor. But he also destroyed himself, as well."

He brushed Harry's bangs aside and ran a finger over the lightning-shaped scar. Harry clutched it in pain during both visions, and Danny figured out that it connected Harry to Voldemort. "Whatever else this was, it wouldn't hurt you anymore."

A moan elsewhere in the room drew the eyes of everyone present, except for Harry, who just listened.

Danny screwed up his face in disbelief, and complained, "Geez, this guy's like a Timex watch – he takes a licking, and keeps on ticking."

Voldemort rose to his feet and began to get his bearings. Every last Death Eater at Malfoy Manor was either dead or down for the count. The team against him was alive and well, except for the boy.

"Ah. I see the Boy Who Lived is no more. As it should be."

Danny shifted Harry slightly, lowering him gently to the floor. He stood up and glared at the Dark Lord. "It's my policy to not purposefully harm humans. For you, I'll make an exception."

Before Voldemort could respond, Vlad said, "No, Daniel, you won't. I, on the other hand, have no such policy." He raised a black-gloved hand and blasted Riddle across the room and into a wall. Members of the strike team winced at the crunch of bones breaking. Vlad joined his hands together and formed a sword out of pink ectoplasm. He raised it above his head as he charged the fallen villain with a wordless battle cry. With one forceful blow, Vlad decapitated Voldemort.

After turning intangible to divest himself of blood spatter, Vlad stood straight and faced the team, allowing the sword to disappear in a pink puff of mist. "I do believe that concludes your trouble with your Dark Lord."

The assembled wizards, Tonks, and Danny stood silently for a moment, absorbing what just happened. There was no epic battle involving hundreds, or a dramatic showdown between the Dark Lord and the leader of the Light. Voldemort was dead, and there was an end.

Kingsley Shacklebolt found his tongue first. "You know, they say that Harry was 'the Chosen One'."

Vlad cocked his vampiric head. "Oh? Chosen for what?"

Severus raised his eyebrows and covered his mouth. He just realized that, in the entire time that the half-ghosts were in the Wizarding World, no one actually explained Harry's celebrity status beyond being 'the Boy Who Lived,' if that. It was a ridiculous expectation, of course, but no one told the American professor of the media hype depicting Harry's supposed role as the only one to be able to defeat… Severus blinked and prepared to enjoy the show.

Kingsley said, "The Wizarding public was of the mind that Harry Potter was chosen to defeat Voldemort."

Vlad frowned and crossed his arms. "Do you mean to tell me that the Wizarding World actually expected a sixteen-year-old boy to kill a seventy-year-old man?" The magical assemblage (besides Snape, who agreed with Vlad wholeheartedly) was embarrassed into silence. It was shocking to hear the truth so baldly spoken.

With his brows drawn, Vlad uncrossed his arms and his mouth hung open for a few seconds. Then he clenched his fists at his sides and roared, "The Wizarding World is populated by soulless morons!"

After about thirty seconds, Professor Flitwick gulped and shook his head. "Sometimes it appears that way, Professor."

"Morons…" Vlad repeated.

A new moan caught their attention. Severus's eyes flew open. "Harry!" The man dove across the room, snatched the teenager from the floor, and buried him in hugs as he cuddled him on his lap. "You're alive! My son, you're alive!"

Vlad drifted towards Danny, putting an arm around his shoulder. "It's about time." Professor Dumbledore noticed Arthur put an arm around both of his sons. It was horrible for a parent to be bereft of a child, and Arthur was glad both of his sons who were present were safe.

Danny hugged Vlad, looked up, and said, "Yeah. I'll be right back." Vlad peaked his eyebrows and released his son.

Danny sat on the floor. "Harry, how are you?"

"Better. Much better."

"But… we thought you were dead. There's no coming back from dead."

Severus released Harry only enough to look at his boy. He wanted an answer to that, too.

Harry shook his head. "No. From what I understand, I was only mostly dead. There is no coming back from 'all dead'." Danny blinked. "If I was all dead, there would only be one thing left to do."

Danny peaked his eyebrows. "What?"

"Go through my clothes and look for loose change."

Danny smacked Harry in the back of the head. "You jerk." Harry snickered.

Severus refused to process the nonsense the boys spewed forth. He would look for answers only after Madam Pomfrey declared Harry well enough to speak sanely. The Potions Master looked up at the elder half-ghost. "Vlad, I understood that ectoblasts were of heat energy. If that was so, Tom would have caught fire."

Vlad smirked. "It appears that I failed to explain that ecto-energy could manifest as energy, separate and apart from heat or electricity. Mea culpa."

Severus rolled his eyes. "You bastard." Vlad laughed.

At 5:00pm, Madam Pomfrey deemed Harry well enough to receive visitors, but he was not leaving the infirmary any earlier than Monday morning. Severus was quick to agree; with Harry's near-death experience, the professor wasn't taking any chances. Harry marveled at the novelty of having an adult care enough to make decisions for him regarding any hospital stay. What impressed him even further was that Harry trusted said adult to make those decisions on his behalf.

The first round of guests included Danny, Vlad, Remus, and Professor Dumbledore. Professor Snape was nigh immovable, and no one saw fit to try. Danny asked, "So what's the prognosis?"

Harry smiled. "I'll live. Well… I don't know what the Ministry or the media will do yet. Once I know, I'll have a better idea of what I'm dealing with."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Whatever they do can't possibly be worse than last year. Further, this time, you have me." Looking to the others in this particular group, he amended, "You have all of us." He took Harry's hand fondly. Harry closed his eyes contentedly.

When Harry opened his eyes, he fluffed his pillows to help him sit straighter, and began. "While I was… out, I, um… met my parents and Sirius. They asked me to pass along some messages."

Everyone looked at him in various states of surprise. Harry realized it was a bit shocking to receive messages from beyond where even ghosts could go. He took a breath. "First – Severus, all three have messages for you." Severus frowned and Harry gulped. "Dad and Sirius said it might be too little too late, but they do apologize for everything they did to you." Harry closed his eyes. "They said you were right about everything you said about them." Severus peaked his eyebrows. "They weren't too chuffed about what you did to me, but they appreciate what you've done since October."

Severus murmured, "Harry…"

"And Mum says she forgives you." Severus closed his eyes. He would not cry. His eyes did itch, however.

When he opened his eyes, the Potions Master found his tongue. "Do they know that we are merely a form away from formal adoption?"

Harry nodded. "Yes. Sirius was a bit surprised, but Mum wasn't at all."

Severus pressed his lips together, not sure if he wanted the answer to his next question. "And James?"

Harry carefully looked up into his eyes. "He thanks you, and is honored to share the title 'Dad' with you." Harry closed his eyes for a moment. "We didn't discuss it, but… could I call you that?"

Severus practically melted. "If you would be comfortable calling me thus, I… would also be honored." Professor Snape had difficulty swallowing around the lump in his throat. He would be the first person in Harry's memory the boy would call 'Dad.' And the Marauders (who counted – Peter didn't) were not merely fine with this, but they were honored by this. Severus had in mind that he might some day forgive James and Sirius. Not today, but eventually. Perhaps.

Harry squeezed his hand. "Thanks… Dad." Harry now understood why Danny persisted in calling Uncle Vlad 'Pápa.' The feeling of warmth and love he felt by calling Severus 'Dad' was truly addicting. "Could… I say it in public, too?"

Severus smiled. "Voldemort is dead. We no longer have anything to hide. However, you might find less resistance from all parties once the final form is… finalized and filed. But I would be quite happy if you did, either way." Harry smiled so brightly he almost glowed.

Harry looked at his new cousin. "Danny, they told me that your parents, your sister, Sam, and Tucker send their love."

Danny closed his eyes and whispered, "Thanks." A tear escaped his eye. He missed them all so much!

"Uncle Vlad, they told me to tell you… Maddie mostly forgives you."

"Oh, Pixie Stix! Mostly? Well… I…" Vlad covered his eyes. "I guess that's better than nothing, and probably more than I deserve." Danny hid a grin behind a hand.

Harry looked between Remus and Professor Dumbledore. "Which would you rather hear first, the good news or the bad news?"

Remus and Albus shared a glance. Professor Dumbledore nodded gravely. "The bad news first. That way, we can end on a happy note."

Harry took a deep breath. "Professor Dumbledore, my mother wasn't happy about the fact that you never checked up on me as I was growing up. She said she intends to share her displeasure with you in a dream or two." Or a few.

The Headmaster blanched. "I… understand." He had seen Lily upset before, and he was not going to enjoy being reprimanded by Mrs. Potter in her nightly visitations.

Remus gave a half-smile. "And what do you have for me?"

Harry snickered. "Sirius was particularly adamant that you, er, develop your relationship with Tonks. They're all rooting for you, but let's just say that Sirius intends to plague you mercilessly until you do."

Remus was about to respond when Severus said, "Remus, if you value your sanity, just do it. I don't know what they have planned, but…"

Remus grinned. "Point taken. It shall be done. A not so gentle nudge in the right direction…" Danny dissolved into giggles. The werewolf looked on curiously. Severus raised an eyebrow and Vlad started to laugh heartily.

Remus asked, "Did I miss something?" Harry shrugged. Severus started to chuckle and Danny and Vlad laughed even harder.

As it got closer to 6:00, Harry looked back up at a subdued Professor Dumbledore. "Professor, before you go, I wanted to remind you about a trip to Godric's Hollow."

For the first time since Harry delivered Dumbledore's message, Albus smiled. "I think we can arrange with… your father to make a trip towards the start of the summer break."

"I'd like that, sir."

Professor Dumbledore's eyes twinkled once more, knowing that at least Harry forgave him. This trip with Harry was something he should have done years ago. Many things would be accomplished: visiting his parents' graves, learning that Harry's parents were in the same cemetery as Albus's own mother and sister, and the two stones were only two rows away from each other…

The professor decided to get Harry a copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard. That is something that should have been given to him in the boy's infancy. Harry deserved to know how he was related to the individuals in "The Tale of the Three Brothers."

He wondered how both Harry and Severus would not only deal with the fact that Harry was the direct descendant of Ignotus Peverell, the originator of his Invisibility Cloak, but that Harry was distantly related to Tom Marvolo Riddle, who was descended from Cadmus Peverell, the brother who was responsible for the Resurrection Stone.

He debated with himself about when to mention the idea that between Harry and the Headmaster, they possessed the three Deathly Hallows. Perhaps the appropriate time and place would be in Godric's Hollow. In any event, they had time.

Leaving off his personal reflections, Professor Dumbledore looked over at the door of the hospital wing and smiled. "As much as all of us here have enjoyed your company, Harry, we have to clear out to make room for other guests who are eager to wish you well."

"Thanks for coming," Harry said.

Danny squeezed Harry's hand that wasn't occupied by Uncle Severus. "We'll see you later."

Remus smiled. "Indeed, we will." Severus rolled his eyes. Somewhere along the line, an apology was owed. Then the Potions Master brightened; the werewolf didn't know of Snape's resolve to apologize, so Severus was free to pick the time and venue of his own choosing.

Remus and Albus left, and Danny and Vlad followed. They encountered Hermione and almost the entire Weasley clan. Vlad announced, "They're ready for you." Hermione, Ron, and Ginny rushed in, followed by Molly, Arthur, and the twins.

Vlad waited until Lupin and Dumbledore cleared the stairs and turned to Danny, gesturing to the hospital room they just vacated. "Should we?"

Danny shrugged. "They've known him longer, and they deserve some privacy."

"You're right, I suppose. But no one would know…"

Danny snickered. "Maybe. However…"

"Come, my little knight. And when we get back to my rooms afterwards, we'll have tea and cookies. I'm not sure that either of us can handle anything heavier at present. Chamomile will help to remove any remaining traces of ache from the Blood Blossoms."

Danny knew it was wrong, but the temptation was so strong. Danny was a hero, but he was curious. He thought about it, and rationalized that even though it might not be right, no one would be hurt by it. He nodded, and Vlad smiled. The elder ghost took his hand, and both became invisible and intangible, and they floated on the infirmary ceiling.

Ron and Hermione stood closest. "Harry! What happened?"

Severus warned, "You will calm down, or you will leave."

Harry's two best friends were stricken, but the warning was fairly given. Hermione said, "Yes, sir."

Ron took the lead. "Dad and the twins said… They said you were hit with the Killing Curse again."

"I was."

Ginny grabbed Harry's other hand as she cried furiously. "Dad said you jumped in front of it. It wasn't even aimed at you."

Harry looked at Severus, back at Ginny, and closed his eyes. "It was aimed at Danny. And I didn't want…"

Molly stood closer to Harry's head than Ginny. "Harry, you can't do things like that." She slipped a hand behind Harry and hugged him.

Harry decided that, even if the fuss over him was a bit much, maternal hugs were good things. He further decided that Ron was nuts for pushing his mother away when she fussed over Ron more than Ron cared for.

The infirmary door swung open noiselessly, but Poppy was alerted to the fact that one visitor too many had just entered the hospital wing. She was about to reprimand the extra guest until she saw who it was.

Madam Pomfrey's appearance in her office door drew the attention of everyone in the room. "Percy?" Mrs. Weasley gasped.

Percy nodded to himself as he stood in the entrance to the infirmary, looking at the knot of people surrounding Harry's bed; in short, his family. He saw the hostility, curiosity, and longing in everyone's eyes. Only his father was filled with pride. Squaring his shoulders, Percy approached.

"Mr. Weasley, this is an interesting surprise," Severus said, breaking the uneasy silence.

Percy cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses. "Yes, well… I have two important things to do here. First…" He closed his eyes and took a breath. He opened his eyes and met the gaze of everyone in the room. "I apologize." This was so hard. "To everyone. I… was a fool. I was an idiot. I was a pompous prat, I was a… a…"

"Ministry-loving, family-disowning, power-hungry moron," said Fred.

Percy swallowed. "Yes I was. All that and more."

"Well, you can't say fairer than that," said Fred, holding out his hand to his erstwhile wayward brother, which was gratefully taken and shaken.

Mrs. Weasley burst into tears. Ginny ducked out of the way to make room for her mother, who pulled Percy into a strangling hug while he patted her on the back.

Arthur beamed. "I'm proud of you, son." They met each other's gaze, and Percy nodded.

George asked, "What made you see sense, Perce?"

"An enlightening conversation with Dad," Percy admitted as he lifted his glasses to wipe his eyes. "See, over Christmas, the Minister made a comment about how Harry's new guardianship was 'inconvenient.' I didn't think much of it at the time, as it only came on the heels of a much larger anti-Potter rant.

"But," he turned to the boy in the bed. "Please forgive me, Harry." Percy took a breath and looked at his siblings. "Dad explained at least five different occasions when Harry's… relatives denied him simple things, but important things that family is supposed to provide."

Harry blushed and turned away.

"And the Minister complained that Harry gaining a useful guardian was inconvenient. When it was all on the table, I was disgusted by Harry's ill usage by those evil Dursleys, and then the Ministry, and then… myself. I'm sorry, Harry." Harry turned back to him and nodded.

Percy broadened his focus to include everyone. "And I realized that I was truly no better than the Minister when I… treated my own family as an inconvenience." He closed his eyes as fresh tears welled up. "It was horrible when I saw how my behavior compared to that of the Minister. But when I realized I was no better than those… Dursleys, I…" He squeezed his eyes shut and sobbed. Molly hugged him tightly.

It took a while, but once Percy quieted, Harry looked up. "Percy, even when you were a git, you were never as bad as the Dursleys. You might not have done right by your family, but… you didn't take away anything from your family but your care or attention. You didn't beat anyone over the head, literally or figuratively, with the idea that anyone was worthless. What you did wasn't… right, but I can promise you that at your worst, you never even came close to the beginnings of what the Dursleys did. I can promise you that."

Percy came closer to the bed and patted Harry's foot. "Thank you for saying so, Harry."

The oldest Weasley sibling present looked around at his family. They all forgave him. He mopped his face again with his handkerchief, took a breath, and smiled. "And now for my second reason for being here today. Professor, your form of your declaration of intent to adopt Harry has been filed and processed. Now, we need you and Harry to sign this one last form. Harry, it will list whatever you choose to use as a last name."

Drawing the form and a "never out" quill from his pocket, Percy conjured a clipboard and handed the form, quill, and clipboard to Professor Snape, who signed and gave them to Harry, who didn't hesitate. Once he finished, he handed everything back to Percy, who read it and smiled. "Congratulations, Professor and Harry James Potter-Snape."

Severus sat up straight. "You… did… really?"

Harry grinned. "If you could share the title of 'Dad' with my father, I figure I could share my name with you both."

Severus jumped from his seat and hugged Harry tightly. For weeks, he wondered if he could get Harry to help him reenact the jubilant moment in the Masters' library, and now it actually happened. "Thank you, my son." The Potions Master allowed himself to cry tears of happiness.

Vlad grinned invisibly and hugged Danny. Danny whispered, "This is a moment that Clockwork is as happy to see as we are."

"You're probably right, Daniel. And thank you for sharing this moment with me."

At 8:30, Harry drifted off to sleep. Severus prevailed upon Remus to stay with Harry; he had other students who were in need of him.

Severus entered the Slytherin Common Room, waving off attention from everyone until he reached his target students. "Draco, Gregory, I need you to come with me."

Crabbe peaked his eyebrows. "What about me?"

After a moment, the Head of Slytherin came to a decision. "You can come, too, Vincent. That could be quite useful. Come, let's go to my office."

Three puzzled students found seats, and Draco asked, "Professor, what's this about?"

"At breakfast tomorrow, the Headmaster has a few announcements to make. Voldemort is no longer in your house."

Draco raised his eyebrows. "Really? How…"

"A surprise raid by Aurors and other interested parties entered Malfoy Manor, capturing or killing the Death Eaters present and rescuing all prisoners."

Draco gulped as he felt an odd sense of foreboding. "So Mr. Ollivander's safe now?"

Severus nodded gently. "Yes, Draco. Among others." The professor fell silent for a moment. It was time. "Gregory, your father has been sent to Azkaban."

Goyle sat impassively for a few moments with his eyes focused on his hands in his lap. "Guess I won't have to worry 'bout what he'll think of me not takin' the Mark. I'll miss him, though."

Crabbe didn't smile, but he said lightly, "Guess all three of our Dads are together, now."

Professor Snape agreed. "Indeed, they are." Goyle shrugged. It wasn't happy news, but he felt a little safer.

The professor came out from behind his desk to stand closer to the boys. "Draco."

The boy peaked his eyebrows. "Sir?"

"Your mother has been killed."

Draco shook his head. "No, that can't be. She's not a Death Eater, and she's… she's a consummate hostess. No one would do that."

Severus took a quiet breath. "No, Draco. Voldemort had his reasons, and decided 'she outlived her usefulness'." How he hated that expression!

"But… but… That's not right. She made sure he had all he demanded. He wouldn't…"

"I'm sorry, Draco."

"But… but…" Tears threatened to fall.

Severus knelt and put his hands on Draco's shoulders. "It's alright, Draco. We're safe, here. You're allowed to let it out." He hugged the boy who began to cry in earnest.

Crabbe and Goyle shared a glance. Malfoy could be strong later. They would be there for him, regardless.

After the first wave of emotion, Draco's breath hitched. He released Snape and asked, "Now what? Where will I go?"

Severus said, "The Headmaster has a few ideas. He's expecting us, when we're ready."

Draco wiped his eyes with a sleeve. "I guess I'm ready."

"Would you like Gregory and Vincent to come with us?"

The blond looked at his friends. "Not just now, if that's okay."

Greg patted his hand. "Whatever you need. We'll be in the Common Room when you get back." Vince nodded his agreement.

Draco gave them both a half-smile. "Thanks." He wiped his eyes again. "I'm ready when you are, Professor."

On their way up, Draco asked, "Professor? Surely you have a few ideas of what will happen to me."

"Of course, Draco. Your Aunt Bella…"

"Is insane. She'd have no problem killing me or anyone else if it suited Voldemort's purposes." Draco shivered. "Or her pleasure."

Severus put an arm around the teen's shoulders. "Then it might relieve you to know that both Voldemort and Bellatrix are dead."

Draco stopped short. "They're dead?" The young Slytherin felt this was information overload, and needed to process this a bit more slowly. "Voldemort – is it like last time, when Harry killed him as a baby?"

"No, Draco. All of the bizarre machinations that kept Riddle practically immortal are gone. He is dead, never to return. The Aurors present brought the body back for processing and identification. Although I'm not sure what there would be left to process, as Riddle was simply decapitated."

"With Sectumsempra?"

With a wry smile, Severus said, "No. It was done the Muggle way – with a sword."

Draco gave a mirthless laugh. "Such a thing would make 'newly' Headless Nick jealous, huh?"

"I never thought of it that way. I suppose we'll find out when Sir Nicholas is told."

They walked in silence for a few minutes. "Professor, Mother's dead, Father's in Azkaban, and Aunt Bella is… not worth thinking about. Who's left? I can't think of anyone close enough to care."

Severus pulled Draco to a halt. "Draco, your mother had another sister named Andromeda."

Draco screwed up his face. "Why was I never told?"

"Because she married a Muggle-born wizard, Theodore Tonks. Your family disowned them."

Draco paled and gulped. "Professor, a Muggle-born? But…" The boy hung his head. Maybe Danny had the right of it, concerning matters of blood purity. "But… If my family spent so much time rejecting them, who's to say that they'll accept me? I…"

Severus hugged Draco. "Shh. I don't think you need to worry. Andromeda, Theodore, and your cousin Nymphadora are in the Headmaster's office, waiting to meet you."

For the first time since Professor Snape told him of his mother's death, Draco began to feel hope.

18