"Right, so Harry and Draco will both be perfectly fine. Draco's got a mild case of shock and Harry's blood levels are steadily rising. I know that while I would dearly love to know exactly how he managed to lose just over a third of his blood, that none of you will give me a straight answer, so I'll wait until morning and ask him. For now, I've left the two of them sleeping in the infirmary." Poppy said as everyone settled around the new circular table in the Great Hall.

Remus held a chair for Narcissa then sat beside her, draping his arm around her shoulder as she placed her elegant hand on his thigh.

Severus sat beside Molly and gently put his hand over her worrying hands to settle her. She gave him a weak smile in return. Ron and Charlie sat to the other side of Molly, and while Ron didn't appear to be happy with Severus' attention, Charlie seemed pleased to see Molly's flushed cheeks.

The Twins settled in next to them with Hermione between them. Though she was Fred's alone, George was very protective of his brother's happiness, which meant taking a protective stance where Hermione was concerned.

Minerva was the last to arrive and she quietly took the seat open beside Poppy's, smiling at her friend's statement. "I would like to know how this happened myself. Who would like to explain this to me?"

The younger members of the gathering bowed their heads, fearing the obvious fury of the women when they found out what had happened.

"Molly, Narcissa, do you know what caused this to happen?"

Molly spoke for them both saying, "We suspect that Harry went after Greyback but we don't know the specifics. We were kept busy and out of the way while it happened."

Remus cleared his throat and explained, "Harry received information that Greyback was targeting his relatives in Little Whinging, and while he holds no love for them, he couldn't let them be unwitting victims in this war. He tried to explain the danger to his Aunt Petunia, she wouldn't listen, and they were attacked by Greyback and his unusually large pack."

Molly, always observant, knew there was more not being said, "What are you omitting and why?"

"Mum, Ginny was there helping and she tried to hex Harry before she was knocked unconscious."

"Ronald, are you sure?" Ron simply nodded in answer.

Molly began to cry and Severus drew her closer wrapping his arms around her shaking form.

"Is there more?" Minerva said, barely containing her anger.

Fred sighed and pick up the edited story, "Harry and the wolf were throwing curses and Harry got winged by Crucio before he threw Sectumsempra and hit the wolf in the chest. He left and Ginny followed. I think she may have been the one to hit Harry causing his bleeding."

Poppy stood and looked at each of the faces around the table then very quietly said, "So you all helped him to take on an entire pack of wolves."

Remus recognised the tone of her voice and knew the fury she was holding back was likely to show itself any moment, so he tried to head it off, "No Poppy, it wasn't like that. We all knew Harry would do it without us, so we simply went along as back up. We all fought the pack but Harry had to face off with Fenrir himself."

Minerva stood now, "YOU HELPED HIM DO WHAT?"

"We helped him survive what could have been his death," Severus answered.

"Barely. If you hadn't gotten him here when you did, I might not have been able to help him. Then where would he be?", "Poppy demanded.

"I would have been dead. I should think that would be obvious." Harry walked into the room, with Draco's help, as everyone gathered at the table openly stared in stunned silence. "Please stop yelling at them for helping me. I would have done it without them. They simply made me able to focus on one arsehole without having to think about the other fifteen."

"Harry…language. Just because you almost died," Molly began, pausing when Poppy interrupted with, "Again." Molly nodded, "Yes, again, doesn't mean you can just say anything."

Draco bent down and whispered, "I believe you've been forgiven."

"I'm not asking again, where in the hell is he?"

"Mistress, he has gone to ground to heal. He has requested not to be disturbed."

"I've heard him howling, he's not far. I can heal him faster than he can himself."

"Mistress, he will not feed from you. We have others for that."

Ginny continued pacing the floor in the run-down house they had co-opted just before the attack. Being next door to the Dursley's had been the perfect idea, so they thought. Now it was too close for comfort. What if someone came round asking questions? How was she going to explain twelve large men covered in blood lounging round her sitting room?

Ginny had enough and hollered, "WHERE IN THE BLOODY HELL IS MY MATE?"

A young woman, who Ginny knew was tawny coloured in wolf form, stepped forward and bowed, "Mistress."

"Can you answer my question, uh…"

"Alexis," the woman answered, "Yes Mistress I can. He has gone to the caves. He left you this note."

Ginny took the blood stained parchment and thanked Alexis as she walked from the room. She didn't want them to see her relief or her sadness at being dismissed in this manner. She tapped her wand to the parchment and smiled at the endearment that started the note.

My Sweet Angel –

I have gone to ground to heal.

Please take care of our pack and know I will be home as soon as possible.

If you feel it necessary to relocate in my absence, go to the safe house in Hampshire. No one will look there.

I'll be back to you as soon as I have healed.

Be strong and know I love you.

Ginny allowed herself a moment of weakness and sat at the kitchen table, head in her hands and tears flowing, regrouping for a few minutes before wiping her face and gathering herself to do as requested. She would take care of her pack until her mate returned.

Walking back into the room with determination, she began organising her troops. "Alexis," smiling at the nervous woman, "thank you for your assistance; now I must ask you all for more. Stephanie and Michael, I need you to see to the wounded and give me a full report as soon as possible. Jeff, please monitor the neighbourhood for anything that says we've been exposed. Marcus, Greg, help him. Take shifts and keep me informed. If all goes well, we'll be staying here a bit longer. If there is any sign that we aren't safe, I have a safe house waiting."

The pack watched their Mistress and found a new respect for her. They didn't think she'd be so calm under pressure, especially when she reacted so emotionally when she first arrived. Now she was the ginger bitch they'd all come to loathe.

"Is there anything else you lot haven't told me?" When no one came forward, Ginny finished, "Good, get moving," and headed into her room for the night. She refused to allow them to see another moment of weakness and resolved to stand in her mates place until his return.

"So what really happened tonight?"

Remus ran his fingers through Narcissa's silky hair and kissed the top of her head. He knew she was going to be angry when he told her, so he was enjoying the feeling of her snuggled into his side while he could. "We waited for the family to come back from dinner as planned. However, when they arrived, they were riding with Fenrir and Ginny. Harry went flying out the door and we followed. Fenrir had a house full of wolves waiting and while we dispatched them, Harry faced off with him."

"Did you know how much danger there would be before you walked into it? I mean have you ever faced Fenrir?"

Remus didn't know how much Narcissa knew about his past but he figured now was as good a time as any to tell her. "I've dealt with him a number of times over the years. The first was when he bit me and gave me this half life I've been living."

Narcissa leaned up and looked at Remus, "Oh Remus, I'm so sorry. I had no idea he was the cause of your situation. I'd heard years ago that you had been bitten as a child, but I was never around when he was so I'd never heard that. If you don't wish to tell me anymore, I'll understand." She placed a soft kiss on his scruffy cheek and ran her hand back and forth over his chest above his heart.

"There's not much else to tell," he said smiling at the angel before him. "Just before I entered school, he came to me and told me he was the man who'd made me who I am. I told him to piss off and walked away. He was ready to kill me until Albus came over to me and asked if everything was okay and Fenrir took off."

"I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to help Harry, but I really couldn't let him face that without helping. I would never have forgiven myself if he'd been killed."

Narcissa leaned up and kissed Remus firmly, "You are the most amazing man I've ever known and I count myself and my son very lucky to have you in our lives. And I'm doubly lucky because I have you in my bed."

Narcissa proceed to show Remus just how lucky she felt to have him in her life and for once in his long suffering life, Remus went to sleep exhausted, sated and happier than he'd ever been.

"So I got everyone to agree that Harry deserves to have the best birthday he's ever had and Minerva offered up the Great Hall for the party. I'm thinking I need to get invitations out…" Fred tuned Hermione's chatting out as he played the night over in his mind. He was watching the face-off between Harry and Greyback over and over watching for the moment Harry was hit with the hex that almost killed him.

He continued to nod every so often as he watched the light fly towards Harry's falling body. "That fucking BITCH!"

"Excuse me? Why would you call Poppy that. She's only concerned for Harry and I have to take it into consideration so he doesn't get over tired."

"Huh? What? Oh Honey," Fred said, running his hand over Hermione's cheek smiling, "I wasn't listening. I just figured out who hexed Harry. You'll have to fill me in on the party in a bit. I need to talk to Severus."

Hermione watched Fred walk out the door and realised whose wand had cast the spell, "Oh poor Molly. This will kill her."

"Fred, what's wrong?"

"Oh Mum, everything's fine. I just need Severus for a moment and thought he might be here with you."

"Come on in. I'll have him get dressed and come to the sitting room."

"Get dressed! Why's he not dressed?"

"Because your Mother was nice enough to let me use the shower in her room to get the blood off myself while the elves get my dungeon rooms ready. Did you need something?"

"A minute of your time. Why don't I walk with you to your room?"

Severus nodded and turned to Molly, "Thank you again. I'll be here at 7 sharp for you."

"It's a date." Molly stood on tiptoes and kissed Severus softly then kissed Fred's cheek, "Don't talk his ear off and give Hermione my love."

"Night Mum."

The pair walked quietly down the corridor and when they made the second turn, officially leaving Gryffindor tower, Fred finally said, "Ginny's the one who hit Harry. How can I possibly tell her that?"

Severus stopped, "Are you positive?"

"I've been over and over it in my mind and she's the only one who had the angle and opportunity. There was no one else behind him, only my little sister. How could she do this?"

Severus began walking again, "Fred, I doubt there's anything I can say that will make this any better but, keep in mind she's lost now. She may come round but unless something drastic happens, I don't see that happening. As harsh as it sounds, best to move on from this and don't dwell."

"Mmm, I suppose so. How do I tell Mum?"

"I'll tell her tomorrow at breakfast."

"Thanks Severus."

"Good night Fred."

"Molly…Molly, wake up. Can you hear me?" Severus had been knocking for a few minutes before he began to worry. He tried the door, and finding it unlocked, walked in and found Molly lying unconscious on the floor. She was clutching a sheet of parchment which was covered with smeared ink.

He sent his patronus off for Poppy and tried to wake the prone woman.

"Severus, did you try Enervate?"

"Of course I did Poppy. Twice. She's breathing fine, but she won't wake."

Poppy trailed her wand over Molly's torso, "What did you say to her?"

"Pardon me? What makes you think anything I would have said could have caused this?"

"Severus, she's had a shock of some sort and her mind has shut itself off. What exactly happened?"

"I came to pick her up for breakfast and found her here like this. She's clutching parchment but I have been unable to break her grip to see what it says."

"Severus? When did you get here and why am I on the floor?"

Severus and Poppy breathed sighs of relief and the unsteady woman up and onto the couch, "I don't know how you came to be on the floor. I walked in when you didn't answer the door. What do you remember?"

Molly shook her head to clear it and motioned to the table by the window. "I received an owl and read the no…oh Gods."

Poppy sat beside her shaky friend, "Molly just relax. Whatever it is, we will help you."

Molly gave a weak smile, "It's just… It was Ginny." Turning away from the Medi-Witch, she continued, "She sent me a letter asking me to tell Harry she's sorry her aim was off. She fired the hex."

Severus held her shaking hand and spoke softly, "I know. I discovered it last night, or rather Fred did. That's why he came looking for me."

Molly sighed deeply, "How do I tell Harry that one of his family caused his…condition?"

Severus chuckled, "Molly dear, he'll find his way through. He'll be confused, he'll deny it and find a way to try and excuse it. When Draco finally makes him see the light and except the truth, he'll likely have a bit of an emotional overload and blow something up."

Poppy glared at Severus' casual attitude, "Molly, you know Harry; he's likely already come to that conclusion himself and moved on. He's much smarter than people give him credit for."

Molly leaned away, "How is it that you all have managed to come to terms with his magic so quickly?"

"I'm not sure we've adjusted so much as just learned to only deal with the immediate problems and not look to far ahead where he's concerned."

Molly nodded in agreement and smiled at Poppy, "Thank you for coming to check on me dear. I'm fine now."

"Molly, why don't you come tell Harry now. Then you and Severus can go and enjoy a late breakfast."

Severus stood and held his hand out, helping Molly to her feet. He cast a warming charm on the basket of food and settled Molly's hand in the crook of his arm as they followed Poppy to the infirmary.

"Have they slept like that all night," Severus asked as they walked in finding Draco snuggled into Harry's side and Harry's arms firmly wrapped around him.

Poppy hummed quietly, "Yes they have. Neither one has moved a single muscle the entire night."

"Maybe we shouldn't wake them."

"It's okay Molly, I'm up and it would do for Harry to get up as well. He's going to be sore enough, without adding the additional stiffness from not moving." Draco slipped off the bed and straightened his clothes.

"Yes well, I would have gotten up earlier if a certain blonde hadn't been smothering me while he snored and drooled." Harry sat up and wiped at an imaginary spot on his shirt while he flashed a sly smile at Molly and Severus.

"I. Don't. Drool."

Laughter filled the room as Harry nipped away to the loo and answered the call of nature that had woken him half an hour earlier. He'd wanted to get up, but found himself struck by the happiness that filled him when he saw Draco curled up on him.

Walking back into the room, Harry posed the question of the moment, "So why the need to wake us so early? Is everything okay?"

He took note of Poppy purposefully looking away from him; Severus paling slightly and Molly's hitched breath, "What's happened?"

Draco answered, "Harry, we've discovered who caused your injury. Molly received an owl this morning with a note from the caster."

"Why would Ginny choose to taunt you like that Molly? I can't imagine, regardless of the changes in her, that she would do something to upset or hurt you."

Severus whispered, "Apparently we're jumping straight to denial."

"Harry, how did you find out?" Molly looked at him with open confusion and disbelief.

"I went over the night in my head while I was trying to get to sleep and she was the only one in a position to hit me where she did. I just find it hard to believe she would willingly hurt you all like this. Greyback must be holding something over her or threatening her in some way."

Draco shook his head and sighed, "Harry, you can't be that blindly trusting in someone who's clearly shown where her loyalties lie. She's been working with the Death Eaters since her second year. You've seen the proof and seen her fight against her own family. You know the truth, Harry, and it won't do good to be looking past it now."

Harry looked at his bedmate and nodded, "Yes, I guess you're right. So, what do we do with this new bit of information?"

Draco smiled as he heard three sighs of relief and shook his head wondering why anyone would doubt his favour with Harry. "I don't know that there's much we need to do with it, but it wouldn't hurt to keep it in mind the next time we have to face them. She's quite a force if she was able to cause that much damage without anyone actually seeing it."

Molly opened her mouth to defend her daughter but was interrupted by Harry's stomach growling. "Sorry, guess I'm hungry."

Poppy summoned breakfast for herself and the boys while Severus and Molly went for their belated breakfast date.

"I think I'd like to go back to The Burrow."

Severus was shocked by the out of the blue comment from his ginger companion. "But Molly, there's nothing left there."

"Except my memories. My memories are still there."

Severus nodded in understanding and answered, "I'll accompany you if you like."

"Thank you dearest, but I'll ask no one along. This is something I have to do on my own. I have to say goodbye before my life can continue. And I want to move on with my life. I like the direction it seems to be moving in."

The couple walked on, hand in hand, to a spot surrounded by weeping willow trees where they settled in for their late breakfast.

"Boys, you are free to leave the infirmary now but I must ask that you take better care."

"Don't worry Poppy, I'll make sure Draco doesn't get into any more trouble." Harry smiled as he nudged Draco, who was sitting beside him on the horribly uncomfortable bed they'd spent the night on.

Poppy laughed outright, "Harry dear, it isn't Draco I'm worried about."

The boys watched the cackling Medi-Witch walking from the room as they joined her laughter. "Trouble does seem to follow you doesn't it."

"Since I was borne. I doubt that will ever change."

"Well, I guess that means I'll have to keep an extra careful watch on you doesn't it."

Harry smirked, "I think that would be something I could learn to live with."

"Good." Draco leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on Harry's lips. He'd wanted to do that since they'd woken up but they'd yet to be alone. Now that they were, he could think of nothing else.

Neither could Harry. He slipped his arms around Draco's neck and drew him closer, begging for the kiss to continue.

Draco smiled against Harry's mouth as he teased the reddened lips with his tongue. As Harry parted his lips, Draco slipped his tongue into nirvana and began to tease and taste every single nook and cranny of the cavern. He'd had dreams about Harry's flavour and was happy to discover the actuality was far better than his dreams.

Harry's unique flavour was always a bit different. Each kiss was a new experience for Draco to savor. Today, Draco could taste peppermint, orange and the ever present, but indefinable, spiciness that was his essence. He moaned loudly when Harry's tentative tongue finally caressed his and he slowly began to ease Harry down onto the bed.

Draco hovered over Harry's prone body as the kiss deepened. Spurred on by Harry's moaning, Draco slipped a hand over Harry's chest and under his t-shirt, caressing the soft, warm skin, while he slipped his leg between Harry's.

Harry gasped as Draco pinched his hardening nipple and broke the kiss. He pushed himself against Draco's leg and ran his hands into Draco's hair, holding his head firmly and drawing the shining silver eyes to meet his emeralds, "Draco, I'm falling in love with you and I want to be with you more than anything."

"But…"

"But not in the school infirmary."

"Or with witnesses; though I have to say, I'm damn sorry you stopped."

Both heads snapped toward the voice and found Fred and George standing there with smiles and pink cheeks.

Draco leaned off Harry and sat on the bed with his back against the wall. He kept Harry's hand in his and rubbed his thumb over the warm skin while looking at the invaders.

"What in the bloody hell are you to doing here and how long were you there?"

"Don't get so chuffed Harry we just got here, but I agree this isn't really the place."

The Twins sat on the bed opposite and waited until Harry had settled next to Draco, linked hands in the blonde's lap and Harry's leg casually, but possessively draped over Draco's.

George picked up the conversation, "As Fred said, we weren't here that long, but you should be glad it was us. Hermione wanted to come and get you, now that you're free to go. She wants to head back to the Manor and figured you'd want to get back to the safety of the wards as soon as possible."

Draco felt Harry's hand tighten and quietly said, "Relax baby, we're perfectly safe here. Fenrir can't get through the wards."

The Twins let the endearment slide by without comment but did respond with, "Ginny can."

"No she actually can't," Hermione said, striding into the room and walking straight over to Fred's side, "at least we're trying to make it so she can't. Minerva, Filius, Neville and Greg are working on adjusting the wards so she cannot pass."

"Greg? As in Goyle?"

"Yes Draco, Greg and Neville are a couple now, have been for about the last half year. He was afraid to say anything to you before the battle and hasn't seen you since. When Neville told him about what was going on, he jumped at the chance to help. He's hoping to redeem himself so you and Harry will allow him to stay with Neville."

"Why would we have any say in it?"

Draco turned slightly toward Harry, "Love, in Slytherin, I have…had the ultimate say in who could pair off with who. And given Neville is in your house, Greg will assume you have the say there as well."

"I would never dream of telling anyone who they can and can't be with. That's not the way our house works."

"And neither does Slytherin now, I'll have a talk with him later. Let's head home so we can get showered and changed before tackling anything else."

As the pair rose and left the room, Hermione looked between Fred and George, "So, what did you two interrupt? Please tell me there wasn't any nakedness."

The unison answer came, "No unfortunately." Both men received a proper swatting for that and had the intelligence to look properly chastised as they followed Hermione out of the infirmary.