Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling still owns all of this stuff. I am only humbly borrowing it.

A/N: I would like to thank my wife for putting up with my fan fiction addiction. You are amazing.

Chapter 1: For Love

Draco Malfoy apparated into a crowded muggle parking lot outside the local suburban mall. Draco detested the place, with all the muggles around it smelling so dirty, but his wife loved the clothes that they sold and thus Draco found himself shopping here way too often. He rubbed his left arm absentmindedly. He had another stop to make today. He stopped as he arrived at the automatic door to the mall, a door which had opened a little too quickly for him to have set it off.

Once inside, Draco worked hard to remain out of sight. This was common for Draco in the mall, he didn't like to be seen with muggles, but today it was especially important. He couldn't be seen: Scorpius's life likely depended on it. He calmly moved toward the elevator which would take him to his second floor shop. The elevator arrived and he got into it, stopping a family of muggles with his stare and ensuring he had the elevator alone. The doors closed and it began to rise. Draco took out his wand and waved it at the ceiling. Immediately, he felt the elevator rock to one side and then it began to fall. He pointed his wand at the floor and a wind current whipped up, cushioning everything in the small elevator as it plummeted to the bottom of the shaft, hitting it with a bang.

"We're safe now, Potter," Draco said as he floated to the floor. "You can take that disgusting cloak off."

Harry Potter emerged from thin air, pointing his wand at Draco.

Draco smiled. "You are not in danger here, Potter," he said, putting his wand away.

"You called me here and then crashed the elevator and you expect me to feel safe?" Harry said.

"I'm sorry, but I had to make sure we were not overheard. I cannot be seen with you right now." Draco paused for dramatic effect before saying, "The Dark Lord has returned again."

The words didn't exactly have the effect that Draco had intended. "Tell me something I don't know," Harry said, keeping his wand out and pointing to his scar. "Why come to me?"

"24 years ago, The Dark Lord used me to punish my father. That punishment never actually took place, seeing as I am still alive." Draco stopped and Harry let him have as long as he needed. Finally, he continued, "The Dark Lord does not forget or forgive. He will attempt to collect Scorpius to punish me and therefore punish my father. I will not let that happen, Potter. I am not my father."

"What do you want me to do?" Harry asked.

"Dumbledore offered my family protection," Draco said.

"Dumbledore could have offered it," Harry replied. "I have never pretended to be Dumbledore. I would offer protection if I could, Draco, but I can't. I can't hide you from Snake Face."

"DON'T PATRONIZE HIM, POTTER!" Draco shouted.

"Sorry," Harry said. "I can't hide you from…" he paused before adding "The Dark Lord."

"I can't do it again. I was young and naive 24 years ago. I'm a different man now; I can't stand by and watch him tear families apart when I have one. I'm not my father, I'm not that weak."

"Then prove it Draco," Harry urged. "Fight against him."

Draco stood stunned. A cry from workers trying to break into the elevator shaft above them brought him back. "I...I...I can't. You don't know him, Harry."

"You disgust me," Harry said, getting ready to apparate.

"NO!" Draco said, "Please, you don't understand."

A bang from above. "Then help me to understand," Harry said.

Draco magically resealed the elevator door. "I am not as good as Snape. How could I fight against him? How could I possibly lie to The Dark Lord?"

Harry moved to face Draco. "You're mother did."

Draco looked up, "What?"

"You're mother lied to The Dark Lord that night during the battle of Hogwarts. After The Dark Lord killed me in the forest, he wanted proof that I was dead. Your mother came and felt me. She felt my breath, felt my warmth. She knew I was alive. But she simply asked me whether you were safe. Once I assured her that you were alive, she turned to The Dark Lord and told him I was dead. Occulmency is no good against You-Know-Who, Draco. The last thing you want to do is empty your mind of emotion. Love is what he can't see past. Love allowed your mother to lie to him; love allowed Snape to lie to him. Love keeps him out of my mind. Focus on Scorpius and you can lie too."

The two men stood in silence for several minutes. Finally the muggles began to hack away on the second floor door. Harry sighed, "Well, I have places to be. I thought you were strong enough to do it. I guess I was wrong."

"No wait," Draco said. "If I do this, how do I contact you?"

Harry shrugged, "I use my house elf," he said.

"Will you protect my family if I do?"

"Scorpius needs no protection," Harry said. "But if anyone is protecting him, it's you. If you fight that is," Harry added and vanished, quickly followed by Draco.