"So, something you want to tell me about?"

Harry looked at Fred's smirk and knew he'd seen the heated kiss he'd shared with Draco before they'd left the Manor. "Well, since I know you won't let me rest until I tell you, Draco and I are…I guess we're dating."

"Well that's good to know. I've been wondering if I'd have to throttle him for attacking you like that," Fred answered laughing hard.

"Stop laughing you git. I could say the same for you and Hermione, hickey boy."

Fred's hand clasped his neck as he reddened and he left Harry to his musing as they walked into the park at the appointed time.

"So how long will he keep us waiting?"

"Not long brother," Percy said coming out of the trees and walking up to the pair. He was holding a small box in his hand and his wand was nowhere in sight.

Fred gripped his wand but took Harry's lead and did not pull it.

"Percy, I need to know how you knew Fred was here."

Percy took only a moment before answering, "I've been tracking the family since the attack. When I found out Ginny had turned, I knew it was only a matter of time before the rest of the family would be in trouble and I wanted to know when that happened so I could help. When they disappeared off the map after the attack at the Burrow, I knew you had to be helping them and if I waited, you'd lead me to them, but you haven't been to see them at all."

Severus and Remus were getting increasingly angry and Severus was sure he'd have to stop Remus from exposing them. He got truly worried, when Remus suddenly tensed and quietly, but quickly left their hiding place and disappeared. He was torn between following or watching Harry and decided to wait for Remus to return.

"When Fred showed up in Hogwarts, I followed his signature and noticed he was with Severus and Hermione. I figured that meant he was coming to you. I know you're staying with Severus and that Draco is there. I've also heard rumours that Narcissa is now with you, so I'm assuming you're at the Manor which is why I sent the owl there."

Harry was satisfied that the family's safety was still intact and relax some, "Okay, so why this meeting. What muggle village and why haven't you just told the Ministry about him?"

"First off, I think you should know that the reason I haven't told the Ministry about him is because I believe you deserve the chance to get your revenge. As for which village, well, I'm sorry to say, but it appears he's targeting your relatives in an attempt to draw you out."

"Well shite." Harry and Fred said in unison the same sentiment Severus muttered quietly from his hiding place.

Severus knew that while there was no love lost between Harry and the Dursleys, he'd never let them be hurt if he could stop it.

Harry was pacing in the clearing and Fred was watching Percy, so neither saw Remus grab a hold of the tall body that was watching from the other side of the park and quickly subdue them.

"Okay, do you have any specifics and how did you get this information?"

"As for how I got it, I know someone on the inside who's been trying to get out and they've been offering the help and information. As for specifics, well, I know it's to be tomorrow night and I've been told he's planning on attacking just after dark."

Harry's head snapped up, "Tomorrow's Friday, they'll be coming home from dinner out around Eight, so I expect that will be when he attacks. I'll have to try and warn them during the day. Maybe I can talk to my Aunt while Vernon's at work."

Harry began plotting how to approach his former tormentors while Fred talked with his brother, "So why'd you ask me here? Just wanted to see if you were right about me being in town?"

"No, I asked you here so I could give you this. It's a gift for Mum that I got them for their anniversary."

"You arse! That day was horrible for her. Why would I want to bring that back up?"

"I got it for them prior to Father's death and I know it was hard on her. I was at the funeral, hiding in the trees. I saw the strength it took for her to be there and to conduct herself the way she did. If you and George hadn't been holding her up, I don't know that she could have stood. I'm sure the minute she was out of the public eye she was inconsolable."

"Too right she was and not having all of us there didn't help. You know, she's always been willing to forgive you if you'd just explain why you felt the need to be such an arsehat and side with the bloody ministry."

Percy had to admit defeat and finally give in, "How else was I suppose to help support the family? Look Fred, all I've ever wanted was to help Mum and Dad and the best way to do that was to get a good paying job with the Ministry. It's not like there are a lot of chances out there like the one I was offered."

"Perce, you've always had a stick up your arse, so I get that the job was good for you but why side with them against Harry and Albus when they said Voldemort was back?"

All movement stopped in the park, four sets of ears now trained on the ginger pair to hear the answer they'd been waiting for.

"Because I was afraid they were right and I didn't want to fight. I may be a Weasley, but combat isn't something I've ever enjoyed and the idea of going into the battle and dying, well, I love myself far too much for that."

Severus admired the honesty with which the answer had been given and melted into the darkness knowing Harry and Fred would be fine. He set off to find Remus only to discover he'd returned and had a package with him. He tipped his head toward the wolf's burden and Remus motioned for him to follow.

"Fine, I guess that does make sense. I'll give the box to Mum when I go home but in the mean time, please don't tell anyone else I'm here or where I am."

"I promise I won't betray your confidence brother."

Harry allowed the pair their goodbye before he said, "Percy, I need to discuss our next step with a few people and then I'll be in contact. If anything changes, please let me know. Can you tell me if your friend will be there tomorrow night?"

"Yes I imagine she will be."

"Please let her know that I mean her no harm and will do everything I can to avoid her being hurt if she'll let me know who she is."

"I'll let her know and she'll find a way to make it obvious to you."

"Thank you."

Harry and Fred apparated and Percy walked back to Hogsmead to meet his informant, hoping he'd made the right choice in exposing himself to Fred.

"Draco, they'll be fine. You know Fred would never allow that git to hurt Harry."

"I realise that Hermione, but I can't help it. I should have followed him." Draco had been pacing a hole in the floor in front of the floo in the Library. He knew that it would be at least an hour before they returned but his nerves wouldn't settle.

"Maybe we should give him a calming draught?"

"I've given him two already Hermione. He's so upset his body burns right through them. I need to find a way to distract him until Harry's back. He's in no shape to brew or I'd suggest he work on some potions."

"No he'd likely blow the place up if he did that. I have an idea." Hermione walked to Draco and put her hand on his arm.

The blonde jumped, not having heard her approach and turned toward her, "Are they back?"

"No I'm sorry, they aren't yet. I was wondering though if you wouldn't mind showing me Harry's room. I need to get him something for his birthday and I haven't the faintest idea what. I'm hoping if I can see what he still has, I might get an idea."

Draco looked at the brunette smiling at him and then at his mother who was looking anywhere but at him and answered, "You really are the worst liar Hermione. Come on, Harry's room is next to mine."

The pair apparated to the room just before Remus and Severus returned with their captive. Narcissa helped them get the body into the basement and then followed them back to the kitchen before saying, "How is it that she is in my basement?"

"She was hiding in the trees listening to the meeting between the boys. I caught her scent and found her about to leave. She would have exposed Percy and his informant."

"So you brought her here? This will be the first place they look."

"Brought who here Mum? Isn't Harry with you two?" Draco asked walking into the kitchen. He'd heard the voices and was hoping that meant that Harry was back.

"No Draco, he isn't." Remus glossed over the first question, hoping the boy wouldn't notice.

"Is something wrong? Is he okay?"

"I'm fine Draco and right behind you."

Draco spun and flung himself into Harry's arms. "You were gone so long. Is everything okay?"

Harry hugged the warm body to himself, secretly enjoying being worried about, "Everything's fine. We got some much needed answers and found out what's going to happen. I need to talk to you all and unfortunately, it needs to be tonight."

Draco stepped to the side, lacing his fingers through Harry's and looked at Remus, "You still haven't answered my first question. Who'd you bring here and why is my Mum so worried about it?"

Remus sighed, "Let's sit and Harry can tell us what's going on, then I'll answer your question."

"Okay, so Percy told us the target tomorrow is Little Whinging; in specific, my relatives. Apparently he's sure I'll show up to stop him and then he can kill me."

"Are you planning on going to stop him?" Hermione asked, knowing the answer already.

"Yes I am. They may have been horrible to me but I will not allow them to become pawns in this fight. They don't deserve to be tortured because they're related to me."

Draco ran his thumb over Harry's captive hand and gave a squeeze, "I know it's the Gryffindor in you, but really, they do deserve to hurt for what they've done to you."

Harry looked at the hurt and worry in the blondes eyes and resolved to make it up to him in any way he could. "I will not treat them the way they treated me. That would make me no better and I'm not that person."

Draco nodded, hearing exactly what he expected and proud because he had, "Then I'm going with you and there's no budging on that."

"I'm actually going to need all of you for this. He plans on attacking them when they return from dinner tomorrow night and I have to make sure that Percy's informant isn't hurt."

"Who is his informant?" Narcissa asked.

"I don't know yet. He said they'd make sure to be obvious to me, so I won't know until tomorrow. I need to know if you all will help me so I can let him know. He wants to give me a chance to avenge Sirius before he brings the Ministry in."

Harry looked around the kitchen table and into each face as he waited for an answer. Narcissa was the first, "Well, since my boys are going, so am I. I may not be up to full strength yet, but I'm sure I can help enough."

"Well, then I'm in pup. There's no way I'm letting you three go without proper protection."

"Ya know I'm in," Fred answered watching Remus gaze at Narcissa.

"As am I. I have never let Harry go off on his own and I'm not about to start now."

"That just leaves me then. Of course I will assist. Between Remus and myself, we should be able to come up with an appropriate defense"

Draco nodded, "Now, to my question."

Remus looked at Narcissa, "Is he always this persistent?"

"My son cannot take a hint dear. If you want him to leave the topic, you will need to tell him that outright."

"Right, well then, I guess I'll just tell you all." He chuckled at Draco's triumphant smile. "While Harry and Fred were talking to Percy, they were being watched by another person. I scented them and went to find them while Severus watched the boys. I found the Carrow girl hiding in the woods and brought her here."

"That BITCH!"

"Draco," Narcissa and Harry yelled at the same time. Narcissa in scolding for the language and Harry, because Draco had risen so quickly he'd almost pulled Harry out of his chair.

Draco sat back down and waited while seething with anger. "Draco, we will take care of her and I promise you can have a say in it, but for now, let's focus on Harry's family."

"Fine. But I better have a say in it. She tortured my Mum by keeping her in that state."

"You know, I need to go and owl Percy, why don't you all see what you can come up with in the mean time." Harry rose to leave a Draco followed.

"Drake, you didn't have to come with me. You could have stayed to help."

Draco looked at Harry with a seriousness the brunette had never seen, "I was worried."

Harry brought their joined hands up and kissed Draco's, acknowledging the fact that he'd not let go since Harry's return, "I kinda figured that out. I am going to need this hand back though so I can send this owl."

Draco flushed and smiled, "Yeah, okay. Sorry."

"It's okay. I should tell you though," Harry said as he wrote his note to Percy and attached it to the black Eagle owl's leg, "Fred saw your goodbye for me and asked what was up."

"What did you tell him," Draco asked suddenly very nervous to hear the answer.

"Um, that we were dating."

"Good because that's what I told Mum when she asked me. Can we go to bed now?"

"Please. I'm exhausted."

The boys headed up to Draco's room and changed into sleep pants and curled up in bed together for the first time – on purpose.

Morning greeted the Manor occupants with birds singing and sun streaming through all the windows. Severus woke early and made his way to the floo in the Library and stepped through into his mother's office.

"Good morning son, to what do I owe the time of this visit?"

"Sorry Mum but I really needed to talk to you and this was the only time I could do it without everyone else knowing."

Minerva knew in her bones that something wasn't right from the moment she heard Severus' voice in her floo. Now she had to hope it wasn't the worst.

Severus proceeded to give her the replay of the previous night's discussion and the plans they'd made before saying, "so, I need you to pass this to Molly and not until tonight. She can't know about what we're doing until it's too late for her to come and stop us."

"Severus, are the two of you a couple now?"

"I have told her I wish to court her in a modern way and if tomorrow night goes as planned, I will begin that immediately."

Minerva hugged her son tightly and said, "I'm happy for you, son. I had no idea there was any attraction between the two of you."

"Well, I don't know about on Molly's part, but I've always found her to be an intelligent, friendly and loving person."

"Ah, so you've had these feelings for a while then. I assume you were a gentleman?"

"Of course! I would never do that to someone. I wouldn't want them to know that feeling. No one should."

Minerva linked her arm through her son's as they walked through her school toward the Great Hall, "Severus, I told you years ago when Andromeda left you that you would find happiness, why would you doubt that you deserve it?"

Severus shook his head and asked quietly, "Is it too soon? Will people think badly of Molly?"

"Ah, so that's where this is coming from. Severus, I doubt Molly will be worried about what anyone other than her family will think. Now, enough of all this worry and sadness, have breakfast with me and tell me how everyone else is doing."

Harry woke up to an owl tapping on his window and a warm weight on his chest and smiled as he waved his hand at the window to open it. He was far too comfortable to get up and open it and he needed to develop his wandless magic more anyway.

The owl alighted to Harry's beside table and held his leg out until Harry removed the parchment, then flew out the window without waiting for a treat.

"Quit moving you prat. I'm not ready to be awake yet. It's too early."

Harry chuckled and ran his hand through the hair of the blonde blanket currently draped across his body. "Are you always this hot?"

Draco lifted his head with a crooked smile on his face and Harry said, "Oh for Merlin sake, you know what I mean. It's like there's a heater on in here."

Draco lay draped across Harry, one hand resting on his hip and one leg wrapped around the brunette's, his head pillowed on Harry's chest. Harry couldn't resist the mussy hair and crooked smile and leaned down, kissing the smile right off his face.

Draco leaned up to meet the lips advancing toward his and as they touched, decided it was worth risking 'morning breath' to be greeted in this manner. Harry's lips were soft but strong and took control of the kiss quickly, requesting more by tracing Draco's bottom lip with his tongue.

When Harry's tongue met Draco's for the first time, he felt every nerve in his body stand at attention and beg for more of this amazing feeling. The warmth that engulfed him was like nothing he'd ever felt. It was enticing him to explore their closeness and he was suddenly aware of how hard he was, when Draco moaned and moved onto Harry's body.

Harry put his hands on the hips pressing into his and moved himself against Draco's body. Both boys moaned loudly with the friction of their bodies rubbing together.

The kiss broke as Harry gasped from the sensation, "Oh Gods…" Draco trailed his lips across Harry's cheek to his jaw and down to his neck, placing light soft kisses along the way, then trailing his tongue down Harry's neck to the juncture with his shoulder.

Their erections rubbing against each other was almost more than Harry could take and he held onto Draco's hips so hard, he knew he'd have bruises, but he didn't care. "Please," was all Harry could think to say.

Draco was so close, he couldn't hold back any longer. As he tumbled over the edge, he bit into Harry's shoulder. That was all it took to drag an intense orgasm from the brunette as he clung to his partner and called his name.

Draco shifted to the side and cast a quick cleaning charm over the boys clearing the evidence of their release and softy stroked Harry's stomach as he came down from the euphoria of his completion. He was enjoying the feeling of Harry's quivering abdominals as he tried to catch his breath.

"Drake…holy shite. That was amazing."

"Good morning love."

Harry leaned up, grabbing Draco, and kissed him hard, then flopped back onto the bed. "Oh Gods, I hope no one heard that."

Draco curled onto Harry's chest again, "No worries, I put up a silencing charm last night when we went to bed. I was afraid after the stress yesterday, that you might have a nightmare and I knew you wouldn't want everyone in the house watching you wake up from it. It should have held the night just fine. If not, who cares. There's no reason for you to be embarrassed by what we did or will do."

"Drake, we just, um…"

"Rutted"

"Yeah, rutted to orgasm and it wasn't quiet. I'm not sure I want to whole house to know that we've moved into a physical relationship. It's none of their business and you know they'll all want to comment on it."

"Harry, I agree with you that our private life should be just that and I will always do everything within my power to make sure it stays that way, but I refuse to stop myself from enjoying the pleasures of your body or you gaining pleasure from mine."

Harry sat up, knocking the lithe body of his partner off him and stared at the bed, "Draco, I want to say something and I'm probably gonna muck it up, but here goes. I'm falling in love with you. I knew for sure I was the minute Hermione insinuated it was the magic. Then when you fell and I'd hurt you, I felt my heart stop. I've never felt this feeling before and the intensity of it scares me some, but I wanted you to know before tonight, that I love you and am so glad we found our way through all the crap to each other."

Draco sat, transfixed by the declaration and the beautiful man who'd made it. He'd never had anyone say those words to him before, with the obvious exceptions, and his heart was soaring. It was beating so hard in fact, that he was sure it would fly out of his chest any minute.

When Draco didn't answer, Harry slowly looked up, expecting to see revulsion and rejection; instead he found an angelic smile and silent tears.

Wiping the tears he asked, "Why are you crying. Did I say something wrong?"

"No," Draco said, kissing the palms of Harry's hands, "it was the most perfect thing you could have ever said to me. No one has ever made me feel like you do. Right now, I feel like I could explode with the happiness filling me. I've wanted to tell you for weeks that I love you, but I didn't want to scare you off."

A knock at the door interrupted the conversation and Harry went to open it, "Hermione, what's up?"

Hermione walked in when Harry stepped back and saw Draco sitting on the bed with tear stained cheeks, "Oh Merlin, did I interrupt something? I can come back."

"No Hermione, it's okay. Come on in. What can we do for you?"

"Well, I received an owl this morning from Ginny telling me to give it up and leave here and I wouldn't be hurt. She assured me that the only one they want is Harry and that the rest of us will be left alone if Harry presents himself tonight at eight pm at the Hogsmead station."

"I'll bet that's about the same thing this says," Harry said, picking up the forgotten missive. Harry read it twice before nodding in confirmation, "Yep, sacrifice myself and no one else gets hurt. I'm supposed to tell his 'cub' that while he doesn't want to hurt you, if you try to defend me, he will not hesitate to gut you."

"Oh good, you're all up. We've had a note from Greyback and Severus is on his way back from Hogwarts. He's demanding we give his daughter back." Remus saw the parchments in Harry and Hermione's hands and said, "Bring them with you. Pup, you and Draco get dressed quick and get down to the kitchen."

Hermione left the room and the boys wasted no time getting dressed and downstairs, arriving just before Severus, who was also holding a parchment.

"Alright, I see we've got 4 notes. Let's read each and then figure out what's next."

Harry read his first, causing Narcissa to gasp and cry when he mentioned Draco. Hermione then read hers, followed by Remus, then Severus said, "This was dropped in my lap at breakfast this morning. To summarize the filth in it, he is demanding we return his daughter, unharmed, and he won't destroy my burgeoning relationship and 'new life'."

"For him to know about you and Mum," Fred began, "he'd have to know where we are or be getting information from one of us."

"It's unlikely any of you would jeopardize the rest of your family by giving him any information so, I must conclude he knows where they are. I have already asked my mother to get to them and bring them here. Percy will know something is up the minute they set foot into Hogwarts so someone had better send him an owl."

"That's it! I know how they know where we are." Fred was so happy he'd figured it out he didn't realise he had hollered until Hermione took his arm and pulled him back to his chair, "Fred, what are you talking about"

"Charlie and Ron got bored once we got there and Mum let them go back to the Dragon preserve. Ron's been sending owls to us since. I'll be one or more was followed or intercepted."

"Right, well we can't tell Ron that or he'll freak out."

Harry nodded in agreement and added, "We'll get the rooms readied now and explain everything to them once their settled. But what about this daughter he keeps talking about?"

Draco had called the house elves and set them to work opening the east wing and readying them for the new arrivals. Then sat back down next to Harry, "Well, I'm gonna guess he means little Miss Sunshine in the basement. Maybe we need to talk to her."

Remus brought the young woman into the kitchen and showed her where to sit before binding her to the chair.

"So Little Miss Sunshine, just who the hell are you, really?"

"I've already told you, my name is Misti and I'm a therapeutic healer at St. Mungo's. I was working with Mrs. Malfoy during her stay. I glad to see you up and about again."

Harry held Draco back as he attempted to lunge at the girl, "Don't you talk to my Mother! You're the reason she stayed like that for so long you bitch!"

"Drake, stop. Calm down, she can't hurt Cissa."

Harry looked at Severus and nodded as he took a screaming Draco from the room.

"Now let's try this again, who are you?"

Misti looked scared as she realised she was caught and decided the best way to save her own hide was to confess what she knew. "Fine, my name is Misti Rowle. I was told to make sure that Narcissa Malfoy never regained consciousness."

"Told by whom?" Severus demanded.

"By my father."

Losing his patience, Remus growled, "Who in the hell is your father and why did he want Cissa to stay like that?"

"My fathers are Thorfinn Rowle and Fenrir Greyback; I didn't ask why they wanted me to do it."

Remus and Severus both looked stunned; it was Narcissa who had the presence of mind to continue, "Fenrir is your father? How exactly is that possible?"

"My mother died during my birth and my father, Thorfinn, gave me over to the Dark Lord. He wanted nothing to do with me as I wasn't a baby boy and didn't have a high magical signature so he passed me to Papa Grey as a treat. But Papa Grey told me that when he took me, I stopped crying and giggled so he decided to keep me. He raised me and I when I saw my father years later, he was stunned that I had been spared."

"I remember that," Severus finally said. "I remember Tom being absolutely furious during one of our meetings and he demanded that Fenrir explain his actions. All he would say is she giggled. When Tom ordered her brought to him to be used as entertainment, Fenrir attacked him and was tortured to within an inch of his sorry life. Ironically, Lucius was one of his tormentors."

"Any now you're taking orders from my late husband. How funny life is. So Misti, would you like to explain why you were spying on Harry and Fred?"

"Papa Grey said he would lead me to the traitor Lupine and I could redeem myself by killing him."

Now it was Narcissa's turn to start yelling, "How dare you!"

Remus wrapped his arms around her waist as he dragged her out of the room.

Severus waited until the door was closed before continuing, "Alright, this is what's going to happen. We are going to send you back to your father and you will not tell him anything we've talked about or where you've been."

"And why in the hell would I bloody listen to you old man. You're not even strong enough to keep what's yours."

Severus looked stricken and sat down hard. Hermione, having never seen him act that way ran to his side while Fred held his wand on the captive, "What the hell are you babbling about?"

"Ask him about his wife. He wasn't man enough for her so she..."

"OBLIVIATE!" Severus through the curse immediately and watched as her eyes went blank.

"Severus!"

"Hermione let it go. It's better she has no memory. This way she can't reveal anything about where we are." Fred reassured her as he unbound the woman and laid her on the floor. "Severus, how should I get her back to them? Where should I leave her?"

Severus stared at the body on the floor and quietly said, "Have Remus take her to the clearing where we found her. I'll send word to Greyback that we don't have her and that we last saw her there."

Hermione looked at Fred, about to ask what was going on, but was interrupted by the Weasley clan coming in. "I'll take care of them." She kissed Fred and said, "Be careful baby," as she ran out the door to detour the family.

Fred took body of Misti to the site where she'd been taken from and left her gently laying on the grass and apparated back to the Manor. He walked in on a chaotic mess of screaming voices and death threats from all directions.

"What in the bloody hell is going on here?"

"Well let's see, Draco is pissed that Harry stopped him from killing Misti, as is Narcissa at Remus. Severus is beating himself up for taking the girls memory and Mum is trying to tell him that he's being ridiculous, that it had to be done. While Hermione is pissed that she didn't get a chance to talk to her more about being raised in that environment. She's sure the girl was abused. Then we come to the rest of the family. Charlie's pissed we were pulled from the preserve and brought here with no explanation, George is pissed that he wasn't here to help you and Harry with Percy, Mum's pissed you guys are talking to Percy and finally we have me. I'm sure there was a reason we had to be brought here and I'll wait until I hear what that reason is before I start hollering and throwing punches."

Fred stood and listened to Ron give him the run down, "Geez, is that all?"

"Actually no, when in the hell did Harry and Draco get together?"