Harry spent longer than anticipated in the shower because he couldn't put Draco's parting comment out of his head. Did he want to forward his relationship with Draco? Was seeing Draco naked and writhing below him something that he could see happening? Having his cock buried balls deep in Draco's arse or slamming into the back of Draco's throat while Draco hummed his approval, was this something that he craved?

The answer to all was a resounding YES! If Harry's mind wasn't sure, his body was. As Harry though about each of those things, his cock sprang to life and began throbbing – practically begging – for him to stride into Draco's room and take him without preamble.

Harry took matters into his own hand and when he'd coated the shower wall with the evidence of his desire, he knew he was too far gone to ignore the queues his body had been sending for the past couple of weeks. He was going to have to take the chance with Draco. The only question left was, when.

Draco was across the hall contemplating the same questions as he finished his shower and got dressed. He knew the answers to dilemma were simple. He wanted Harry in any and every way possible for as long as he could have him. His only hesitation was in the best way to achieve his goal. They were rarely alone and Harry seemed quite shy about his subtle advances.

"Maybe that's the problem," Draco said as he fussed with his hair, trying to make it have that 'just been shagged' look without appearing as though he had worked at it. "Maybe I've just been too subtle."

With that thought in mind, Draco opened the door to his room and walked across the hall to the bathroom where Harry was just finishing dressing, opened the door and walked in – unannounced.

Harry stood with his back to the door as he slipped his arms into his button down shirt. He spun when he heard the door close and stood, facing his most recent fantasy, with his pants unbuttoned and his shirt hanging open. Until that moment, he didn't know it was possible for his cock to become as hard as marble, instantaneously.

He watched the gorgeous blonde stride toward him and felt his breath hitch.

Draco didn't take any chances with talking. He didn't want this to be misinterpreted. He walked up to Harry, took his face in his hands, staring into his emerald eyes and slowly lowered his lips to caress the ruby ones he'd dreamt about.

Moans filled the room as their lips met and Harry responded immediately, moving his mouth against the blonde's as he ran his hands up Draco's arms and around to his back.

Draco ran his hands up into Harry's hair as he was pulled against the hard body of the brunette in a firm embrace that said more than any words could. He slipped his tongue out and ran it along Harry's lips, which parted immediately, inviting him into the hot wet cavern that could only be considered the waiting room of heaven.

Harry was just wrapping his mind around the fact that he was French kissing one of the most desirable men he'd even known when said man's tongue gently caressed his own. He allowed his own tongue, which seemed to have a mind of its own at the moment, roam freely around Draco's mouth, while he ran his hands down the muscled back he'd been holding to grasp the round firm arse of his tormentor.

Draco felt himself grasped and leaned into Harry's body, feeling the answer he'd been searching for poking him in the thigh. Harry wanted him. Could anything possibly be better in the world? He decided he would see how far this could go and ran a hand down Harry's neck and into the open shirt to explore the unblemished skin covering Harry's Quidditch toned chest.

As his hand found Harry's pebbled nipple, a knock sounded on the door and they heard, "When you're quite through boys, dinner's ready," followed by a tinkling giggle as Narcissa walked down the hall.

The boys broke their embrace, both gasping for the air they'd been denying themselves, but neither moved from the vicinity of the other. Harry was flushed and his hair was standing out all over. Draco was panting and still had his hand on Harry's chest.

"So, um, I guess we should go down. To dinner I mean." Harry fumbled.

"Give me a minute. My head's spinning and I'm not sure I'm presentable at the moment." Draco tipped his head down to bring Harry's attention to the very large bulge in his own trousers.

"Uh, yeah. I know what you mean. I need a minute as well."

Draco took an unsteady step back and leaned against the counter by the sink. After a few moments of picturing Hagrid and Olympe rutting in Hagrid's cabin and his hard on was gone.

Harry leaned against the wall picturing Filch buggering Barty Crouch and his erection deflated spectacular fashion.

"Okay now?" Draco asked as he fixed his hair.

"Yeah, but we're gonna have to talk about this," Harry said as he buttoned his shirt and tucked it into his pants.

"We're done talking unless it's about who's on top," Draco said as he opened the door and headed down.

Harry face was graced by a smile that reached both ears as he followed.

Dinner was a quiet affair. Remus was still away as tonight was the last night of the full moon cycle; Severus was deep in thought about his upcoming weekend with the Weasley's and some of the research he was going to have to do; Narcissa was worried about what she'd interrupted; and the boys, well, they were both thinking about what they'd like to be doing to each other.

The house elves serving dinner wondered who would be the first to break and start the conversation. "Dobby, is they okay? Tansie's never heard no talking while dinners having been eating."

"Dobby doesn't know. Dobby see's Masters Harry and Draco is watching each other. Maybe they is fighting again."

"Winky is not thinking they is fighting. Winky is seeing Mistress Narcissa walking from the loo and she is laughing. If they is fighting, why is she laughing?"

Tansie suddenly gasped and clutched her chest while Dobby and Winky looked on in fear at the unusual outburst.

"The magic is changing," Tansie said before falling to the floor.

"Winky is to be taking care of Tansie. Dobby will be talking to the Mistress."

Dobby popped into the dining room to see the atmosphere had lightened and the group was laughing at something Harry had said that he didn't appear to see as funny.

"Dobby," Narcissa acknowledged as she stopped laughing, "what can we do for you?"

"Dobby is needing to see Mistress alone please."

Narcissa followed Dobby and everyone else said their goodnights knowing if there was anything they needed to know, the Mistress of the Manor would notify them.

"Harry," Severus said, "I'd like to talk to you a moment."

Harry watched Draco walking up the stairs and wanted to tell Severus to piss off and follow the blonde, but instead he sighed and followed Severus into Library.

"Harry, I'd like to talk to you about your relationship with Draco. I know that you probably won't want to talk to me about this, but I have a theory I'd like to suggest, if I may."

Harry sat down in front of the fire place and waited for Severus to continue.

Severus flicked his wand at the floo and lit a fire as he settled in the chair opposite Harry. "Harry, I believe that you and Draco are getting closer, am I correct?"

Harry blushed slightly remembering the loo earlier and wondered how much he should say. He decided to simply answer what was asked and see where this led, "Yes, we are."

"I realise this is really none of my business, but I will ask that you be honest with me as I believe your answers will be important to my theory." Severus watched Harry twitch slightly and decided to be blunt, "Have you two begun a physical relationship?"

"Severus, I don't see how that is any of your business."

"Harry, it's important or I wouldn't ask."

"Severus," Harry said with more force than he truly felt.

Severus stopped him by holding up his hand and took a different tack, "Harry you will answer these questions. Are the two of you physical?"

Harry recognized the change of attitude from 'Severus' to 'Professor' and knew this had to be important for him to take this attitude. "Fine, no we have not been physical. If you hadn't called me in here, we likely would have been, though. We just kissed for the first time before dinner but had Narcissa not called us to dinner, we might have earlier. Why is this so important?"

"Harry, have you ever heard of a magical anchor?"

Harry leaned forward knowing he was about to learn the reason for the invasive questions. "No I haven't heard of that. What is it?"

"A magical anchor is someone who can help a strong magical person ground themselves and find their centre. It's typically someone who has a physical as well as emotional connection to. I believe Draco is your magical anchor."

Harry slumped back in his chair looking sad and sighed, "What exactly does that mean?"

"Do you remember the night I told you about The Burrow?" Severus waited as Harry nodded. "The magic you were fighting to control would have blown this room to bits had you not gotten it under control, yes?"

Harry nodded again waiting for the aha moment.

"Draco placed his hand on your arm and your magic began to calm. The longer he talked to you and had that physical contact with you, the calmer you got." He watched as Harry processed the new information and saw the minute he connected the dots.

"So my magic responds to Draco's and they balance each other."

"That's partially correct," Severus continued to explain. "In a situation like yours, where the physical attraction was there before the magic saw the connection; they don't just balance each other. They compliment the other and can enhance what each partner is able to do."

"Are you talking about something like soul mates?"

"In a lesser way, yes. Soul mates are a bit more involved and have other ramifications but if it helps you to think of it that way, we'll use that."

"Okay, with soul mates, you are a half of a whole and once you have found your other half, you cannot be separated from the other for any significant length of time without physical and emotional problems cropping up."

"Okay, I think I follow you. What kind of problems?"

Severus tipped his head, surprised by the inquiry, "Well, it would be like withdrawal to an extent. Emotional exhaustion and instability, frequently there are mental problems akin to hearing voices and there could also be problems controlling magic or accessing your magic. It's different for every pair. For those with a magical anchor, the primary symptom would be the inability to control magic without the other present."

"So, if Draco is my magical anchor, what does that mean for us?"

Severus raised his eyebrows at the reference 'us' but continued, "Nothing for now. But I believe once you have consummated your relationship, you will have to be with each other daily to keep your magic under control. I will be doing more research in the next few days to verify the implications of this development as I would like to have more definitive answers for you two. For now, however, I believe any activity short of actual intercourse is perfectly safe."

Harry blushed and coughed as he shifted in his seat, "Yes well, um. Right, so can we help with the research?"

Severus smiled at the obvious embarrassment Harry felt. He still loved to watch his students squirm when being questioned. "Harry, there's no reason to be embarrassed by how you feel. I'm glad that Draco has found someone so strong to be with. I just want you two to be careful until we know what's really happening."

Harry nodded and said, "Is something wrong with me? I mean, I suddenly have all this trouble controlling my magic and I…well, I can feel the magic rising in me when I get mad and feel it flow through me while I'm sitting here."

"Harry, what were you and Draco doing in the basement earlier?"

Harry sat up and smiled, "Draco was helping me focus my magic more. See," he said shifting to the end of the couch closest to Severus, "I got to thinking about the fight back in the field and I realised the reason I was able to defeat Voldemort was because of my emotional state. I was so upset watching Sirius fall that I gave no thought to what I was doing. I just wanted that arsehole gone and I threw the curse with everything I had. I was talking with Draco one night and mentioned that for muggles who lose a sense or ability, like seeing, their other senses compensate. He suggested we do a little experimenting, when my eyes were closed, my others senses took over and I blew the living hell out of the targets we were using. And they were moving at the time."

"And Draco, where were you?" Severus said as he walked to the door, opening it to reveal the blonde in question.

Harry stood quickly, suddenly worried about what he'd said and trying desperately if he'd said anything that he shouldn't have.

Draco walked in and sat next to Harry, taking his hand before answering, "I was on the floor under a shield. Harry told me to drop to the ground just before he started firing. I was never in any danger Uncle Sev."

He turned to Harry, smiled and said, "It's fine."

Severus stood and watched the two. He'd seen the worry on Harry's face when Draco walked in and saw that change when Draco smiled at him. "Draco, how long were you at the door?"

"I just walked up before you opened it. When Harry didn't come upstairs I decided to come and find him. I heard you guys talking and was about to knock when you opened the door."

Harry visibly relaxed onto the couch, still holding Draco's hand.

Severus smiled, sat back down in his chair and said, "Let me tell you what we were discussing."

"Morning everyone. How are you this morning?"

Harry looked up and smiled, "Remus, welcome back. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine pup. So what have I missed?" he asked as he sat down and tucked in to a heaping plate of eggs, sausage, bacon and toast while being brought up to date.

"What in the hell goes on in the world while I check out? Sweet Merlin, I haven't heard about a magical anchor in a decade. Severus, are you sure?"

"The evidence leads me in that direction but I'll be doing more research this weekend while I'm away. I wanted to be sure you were back before I left. Cissa's magic is not quite full strength yet and there have been more rumblings about possible attacks by Greyback and his group."

Harry's head snapped up and Severus quickly continued, "Nothing has happened, they're just rumours, but I don't want to take any unnecessary chances."

Draco slipped his hand onto Harry's thigh under the table and Harry relaxed. "Uncle Sev, we shouldn't be in any danger here. The wards will keep everyone out who isn't keyed in."

"Well son, they would have until last night." Narcissa walked into the room in the same clothes she'd had on at dinner, her sage green gown totally out of place in the kitchen where they were currently eating.

Remus stood and offered his chair to Narcissa, who gratefully took it. She poured herself some tea and took a long drink before explaining. "Last night, as dinner was ending, Dobby came to me and told me that something was wrong with Tansie. She was unconscious on the kitchen floor when I got there and Winky explained that she'd grasped her chest, said 'the magic is changing' and then fell unconscious."

Draco's hand gripped Harry's leg and Harry turned to him, "Drake, are you okay? What's wrong?" Harry took hold of the hand on his leg, prying it off and said, "What's going on?"

"Is he dead?"

"Yes son, he is. As of an hour ago."

Remus knelt beside Narcissa and quietly asked, "Are you okay?"

She reached a shaking hand up and cupped his cheek, "Yes, thank you. I'm doing fine."

"Mother, I will get to resetting the wards and I will notify the rest of the necessary people. Would you like me to include Nymphadora and Andromeda?"

"Son, you don't have to do all this. The family solicitor will be handling everything per Lucius' will and he will be here later this morning to go through everything with us. As for Dora and Andie, Dora was there and she's already notified Andie, who I expect will be here shortly. She and I have spoken and cleared up our differences."

"How can I help you Mother?"

"I would like you to be with me when Solicitor Martin arrives and help me with all the legal ramifications of his death. Harry, as the head of the Black family, I would like to request that Andromeda and Nymphadora be officially reinstated as Blacks."

"Oh Narcissa, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you earlier, that's already been done and each has been given a portion of the estate left to me. You have all been added back onto the family tree and your solicitor has all the legal documents and banking information. I had Goblin Vargroot help me with getting that done. I am willing to step back as head and relinquish that title to a blood born Black now if you wish."

Narcissa shook her head, "Harry, Sirius was right. You are as much a Black as anyone. His love for you never wavered from the day you were born until the day he died."

Harry bowed his head to her, "What can I do to help you now?"

"Just be there for my son." She looked Draco in the eye while telling Harry, "Harry, whether my son wants to acknowledge Lucius or not, he was his father and he will feel this. When he does, please help him."

Draco flushed, knowing Narcissa was right about his feelings and embarrassed that everyone knew. He got up and left with as much dignity as he could muster.

Harry smiled, "I will always be there for you both. Besides, Draco's my anchor and now it's my turn to be his." He got up and followed Draco knowing that if they were needed someone would find them.

"His anchor? Severus, what don't I know?"

"Cissa, it's not important right now. I'll tell you everything once all this is settled. For now, know that Draco will not be alone again."

Remus slipped his arm around Cissa's shoulders and said, "Why don't you go lay down for a while. We can let you know when it's time to come down."

"Remus is right love, at least go up and freshen up and change. I imagine it has been a long night. You can tell us everything we need to know later."

Narcissa nodded and stood, swaying slightly. Remus gripped her arm and slowly walked her up to her suite, only leaving when she assured him she would be fine.

Harry found Draco sitting in the middle of the only room in the Manor he hadn't seen before. Teensie had pointed him in this direction and he followed the elf's directions, finding a single door open.

Draco was sitting on the floor in the middle of the room staring at the portrait over the fireplace, tears silently streaming down his face.

Harry looked around while silently standing in the doorway. The room was obviously a study and judging by the dust covering the large maple desk and the walls of books, Harry was guessing it was Lucius' private study.

"I was never allowed in here. He was just sure I'd make a mess of the place. He always had his 'meetings' in here and when they were here, this wing was off limits. I'd always wondered what this room was like. Now I know."

Harry slowly sat next to the blonde and looked up at the picture on the wall. He couldn't believe Lucius would have a portrait of Voldemort on his wall, but there it was. In the place of honour where the family photo should have been, was a large, hand painted portrait of the evil bastard, in a gold trimmed mahogany frame.

Draco turned to look at Harry and whispered, "Ridiculous isn't it."

"What?" Harry asked gently wiping the tears from Draco's face.

"That with this obvious display of our worth to him," Draco said, gesturing to the painting, "that I would actually cry over him."

Harry pulled Draco into his arms and ran his hand over Draco's hair as he cradled his head against his chest. "You're crying for the father you've lost, not the man who held the held the title. And it's alright to cry."

Draco wrapped his arms around Harry and cried for all that he'd lost and all he'd never had. When he'd shed the last of his tears, he looked up at Harry's face and smiled, "You called me Drake."

Harry smiled back and said, "Yeah, I did."

Draco put his head back against Harry's chest, listening to his heart beat and said, "I like it."

AN: Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. They make my day. And thank you to all who take the time to read.