"Oh Sev'rus, how could they destroy my home like this? How could Ginny do this to her family?" Molly stood, wrapped in Severus' arms sobbing at the scorched earth where her home used to stand. Sobbing, she couldn't stop asking how this had happened.

Severus had told the kids where they were going and begged them to let Molly have this moment without them standing there watching. He knew it would be far more emotional for her as she'd had a hand in the building of the original structure. Once she'd had her time, then the kids could follow and make their peace with their past and decide on their future.

He suspected they'd want to rebuild in the image of the previous home but hoped they'd think more progressively. He could feel them all watching the scene now but didn't want to draw Molly's attention to her audience.

"Molly, I think it's time. Can you release your past and embrace your future?"

Molly took a deep breath, "Right." She turned to face the fields behind her and yelled, "You lot get yourselves out here; we need to do this together."

Slowly Fred and George, Ron, Charlie, Bill and to everyone's surprise, Percy, walked out of the fields and into the clearing to stand with their mother.

Molly wrapped her arms around Percy softly saying, "Welcome home son. I understand you have been of great help to our Harry."

Percy allowed the tears to stream down his face as he hugged his mother and acknowledged Severus, who was quietly removing himself from the scene.

"I've, um…I've got a few things I was able to save before the fire took control. I've crated them and set them aside for you. Just some pictures and so forth."

The siblings surrounded them, all welcoming Percy back into the family and thanking him for trying to preserve their memories. Fred and George asked about their lab, only to discover it had blown up in a most spectacular way, "There were a lot of colours."

"Children, we need to decide how to handle the property and our home. I would like to know what each of you thinks about this and we'll decide as a family." Molly looked around, "Where's Severus and why isn't Harry here?"

"I'll get them Mum," Charlie said, disapparating and reappearing minutes later with the men in question.

"Severus, you shouldn't have left. And Harry, you're a part of this family and will have a say in our home." Molly gathered her men around her and looked at each, "We have a decision to make here and regardless of the past we've had on this land, it's our future we're truly deciding about. I want you to think about where you see yourselves in the coming years and whether or not you see this home in it."

Bill, being oldest, spoke up first, "Mum, you and Dad made this house a home by filling it with love and I believe it would be a disservice to his memory if we didn't rebuild here."

"I feel as though we should rebuild but make it better than ever. I loved The Burrow but I think we should let it remain what it was." Charlie swiped an errant tear from his cheek as he registered his opinion.

Percy looked at his siblings, "I haven't been here in sometime as a member of this family, but for what it's worth, I think The Burrow should remain in the past and The New Weasley family home should be erected."

Fred and George didn't hesitate, "Rebuild."

Ron's eyes twinkled with unshed tears, "New family, new house."

Molly turned to Harry, "And you Harry?"

Harry cleared his throat and quietly said, "It's the first family home I ever knew. The first place I felt love, but I don't think my opinion should carry much weight." He held up a hand at the protests that threatened to explode, "I would love to see a new home built here that's filled with the same love and family noise as the old was. It would be a fitting tribute."

Molly turned to Severus who shook his head. He would not voice his opinion no matter what she asked, although in his heart, he hoped they would find somewhere else to rebuild and let the past stay there.

Molly nodded once, "Fine then, we will rebuild on this sight and you all will have a say in it. Now let's head back to the Manor and get settled again. It's just about lunch and I've got nothing ready."

Harry chuckled at hearing the Molly he'd always known and loved, always worried about everyone having enough to eat.

"If you keep doing that, I'm going to fall asleep," Harry said enjoying the feeling of Draco running his fingers slowly through his hair. "What are you thinking about?"

Draco laughed as he lowered his gaze to meet Harry's. They had returned to their room once Molly had stuffed them and were currently lounging on the bed; Draco sitting with his back against the headboard, staring out the window and Harry stretched out with his head in Draco's lap. Smiling Draco said, "I was thinking about family."

Harry took hold of Draco's free hand and drew it to his chest, holding it against his heart, "What about it?"

Draco's gaze drifted back out the window to the view of the gardens he'd so lovingly cultivated with his mother's help, "Well, it's just my Mum and me now but we still have each other when we need something. You, well…you've been left without that support for so long, I wonder if you've found a way to make your own family."

Harry stared up at the blonde for a moment for the meaning of his words fell into place, "Draco, are you worried about where you would fit in in my family?"

Harry sat up and settled between Draco's legs, wrapping his hands around the pale face and turning it to meet his, "I have always believed that the people closest to you in your life become your family if you allow them into your heart. The Weasleys accepted me into theirs and I found a family there."

Harry smiled as his eyes locked onto the silver ones staring at him, "When I find love, true love, he will be my family."

"But will he be welcome by your current family?"

"With open arms. They know and love me, so my love will be welcome." Harry smiled and kissed Draco's pouting mouth, "Is welcome by them. If they didn't accept you, they wouldn't be staying here."

"I love you too." Draco's eyes twinkled as he asked, "So, how are we going to kill Fenrir?"

Harry sighed and turned around, resting his back against Draco's chest, and pulled Draco's arms around him. Snuggled there, he let his mind wander, "I'm not sure how to do it just yet. I want to make him suffer because of what he did to Sirius and Remus but I can't stand the idea of hurting someone – anyone – like that. Sometimes I think a quick Advada would be best, but then I know the aftermath, for me, would be hard to deal with."

Draco kissed Harry's neck below his ear and whispered, "Don't think so hard."

"What do you mean?"

He pulled back a little and rested his chin on Harry's shoulder, "I mean, you're thinking about this far too much. Harry, when you killed Voldemort, you did it in the moment. You didn't think about it, you didn't even flinch. You just spun, raised your wand and fired. The emotion of the moment guided your reaction."

"Severus has always maintained that I act to rashly, without thinking first. Now I'm trying to think it through and plan, and it's not working."

Draco sighed, "Love, you are far too Gryffindor not to plan. Try and channel your inner Slytherin and see what he would do."

Harry leaned his head back against Draco's shoulder, "Mmmm, my inner Slytherin would be taking advantage of the moment we have and would be ravishing you until you couldn't see straight."

"Tempting, very, very tempting. But, given that the door is unlocked, and Molly is likely to walk in anytime, I don't think that's our best idea. Soon though, if only because I can't hold out much longer."

Hermione stood outside the door and listened to the bantering and found herself smiling at the easy way the boys talked and the obvious love in their voices. Harry was really and truly in love this time and she was going to have to come to terms with the fact that it was Malfoy making him whole again.

She knocked and waited to be granted admittance.

"Come in."

"Sorry to disturb you guys, but I wanted to talk to you two about something."

Draco smiled, "Come on in Hermione. What can we do for you?" He began to shift out from behind Harry but Hermione stopped him, "You don't have to move for me. I'm great with the two of you. Just stay clothed and I'm fine."

"Deal," Harry said laughing and waiting for Draco to resettle and Hermione to get comfortable in the chair beside the bed. "So, what's up?"

"Have you figured out what to do about Greyback yet?"

"We were just talking about that," Draco said.

"And what did you come up with?"

"Nothing," Harry said dejectedly. "I'm at a loss for how to do it. If I had my way, I'd just think it and have it happen. Anyway I take the fight in my head, ends up with someone getting hurt or killed, besides him."

"Harry, do you really think you can kill him? I mean, power wise, we know you can. I don't think anyone who's seen you lately doubts that. But do you really think you'll be okay with killing him?"

Draco glared at Hermione, "Hermione, I realise I'm new to the group and may not say this right but, HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?"

Harry flinched at the sudden outburst and tried to calm the situation. "Draco it's okay. I know what she meant."

Draco moved from behind Harry and stood next to the bed, "No it's not okay. Hermione, can I talk to you in the hall please."

Draco immediately walked from the room, knowing Hermione would follow. He looked both directions in the hall and made eye contact with Narcissa coming up the hall to check on the commotion. One look at her son's face and she turned around and walked back down stairs letting everyone know there was nothing to worry about.

She'd seen that look many times on her son's face, and it was never a good thing to argue with him when he was in that mood.

Draco leaned passed Hermione and pulled the door shut before fixing his steel gaze on her. "You will never say something like that to Harry ever again." The growl with which he made his statement left no room for argument but Hermione didn't like being told what to do.

"And who are you to tell me how to talk to my friend? Harry and I have always been honest with each other and I have no intention of changing that just because you are in the picture."

Draco clenched his hands into fists so as not to hit the stubborn woman before him. "Hermione," his voice eerily quick, "Harry has had an incredibly hard time dealing with what happened at the battle. It took him days before he could talk about it and he threw up the first time he actually acknowledged the killing. Asking him whether he can handle it or not is not going to make things any easier for him. It's simply going to give him the opening he needs for the self doubt to take over again."

"I do not need to be told how to talk to my best friend. I know him better than you ever will. I've seen him grow up with the pressure our world put on him. I've watched the fighting and teasing and seen him lose those closest to him. I know just what he needs to hear and how to talk to him."

Draco couldn't stand it anymore and turning around, put his fist through the wall behind him.

Harry came flying through the door at the same time Narcissa and Severus ran up the stairs.

"Drake! What in the hell happened Hermione?"

Harry helped Draco slowly pull his hand from the wall and Severus took one look at it before declaring, "You've broken your hand with this stupidity. What were you thinking?"

Draco leaned into Harry's neck, relaxing at the nearness of his boyfriend, "I decided it was better to hit the wall instead of her."

Harry wrapped his arms around the shaking blonde and looked at Severus and Narcissa. Severus nodded, turned and headed back down the stairs with Harry silently dragging Draco along, leaving Narcissa and his oldest friend to discuss the situation.

"Hermione, what exactly happened?"

"Draco and I were having a disagreement about how to talk to Harry. He felt I was being too blunt in our conversation and I told him I would not coddle him. I've been dealing with Harry's moods for a lot longer than your son."

"Hermione, when Draco's eyes get the steel grey look to them, don't argue with him; you'll never win. Now, as to talking with Harry – can you appreciate that you may not be equipped to handle the Harry that you see now? Harry isn't the same naive boy that you used to know. Killing someone, regardless of circumstances, changes people, Harry included. From what I've heard from Remus and Severus, Harry's emotional health after the battle was suspect. Remus was concerned, on more than one occasion, that Harry would do harm to himself."

"Why wouldn't he talk to me if it was that bad?" Hermione was finally beginning to understand the Harry her friend had become.

"He's been talking with Poppy on a regular basis and writing in a journal. Sometimes he shares things with the rest of us but not often. When I was incapacitated, he talked with me quite a bit. He'll talk to you when he's ready, until then, just be cautious with what you say."

Hermione nodded and pointed toward the wall the house elves were about to fix, "Sorry about that. I didn't think he'd hit the wall like that."

Narcissa brushed it off with a wave of her hand, "It's not the first time and I'd wager it won't be the last. Now, how about we have some tea and let the boys sort themselves out."

Remus knocked firmly on the door, wondering what he'd find on the other side. As the door slowly opened, he took a deep breath and knew he was right on time.

"Good afternoon Petunia, my name is Remus Lupin and I believe I can help you with your son's problem."

"My son's problem? I'm sorry, I don't know to what you are referring."

Remus leaned forward toward the crack in the door from which the whispery voice had come, "I'm a friend of your nephew, Harry."

Petunia stepped back and opened the door far enough for the gangly man to enter. She took in his appearance and wondered about his health and her family's safety.

Remus looked around the entryway and saw nothing that he expected to. He expected to see flowers and cards of condolence on the loss of her husband; what he saw was one card, obviously from a neighbour, and some wildflowers, likely from the same person. There was no light in the room and didn't appear to be any in the sitting room or kitchen.

Scenting the air, Remus knew Petunia and Dudley were the only two in the house, but there was also another scent he couldn't place. Before he could explore it further, he heard a growl coming from the top of the stairs.

"Duddikins are you finally up?"

"Petunia, why don't I have a talk with your son. You should close and lock your door, maybe have a cuppa and relax in the sitting room." Remus walked up the stair slowly making sure to present himself as no threat to the boy at the top. "Dudley, I'm Remus Lupin and Harry is a friend of mine. How are you feeling?"

Dudley tilted his head a bit and listened to the tall man walking towards him. He heard no fear and no threat coming from him, but his instincts were screaming at him that this man could not be trusted.

"Dudley, I'm here to help you. I know what you're feeling and I can help. If you'll let me."

"Whas your name?" Dudley slurred through his elongated jaw and sharpening teeth.

Remus smiled, "You can call me Remus, I know what you are and I can help you."

Dudley stood still watching Remus. He knew that name and as it sang through his blood, he knew why he knew it, "You're my brother."

"Yes I am, of a sort. Would you like to sit and talk?"

Dudley grunted but stepped back so Remus could top the stairs. "You're Mum's in shock right now, but she'll be fine. You though, you are going to be making a lot of changes over the next weeks and I'd be happy to help you understand them if you want."

"Mum's okay?"

"Yes, she'll be fine."

"She's not in danger now?"

"Not at the moment, but if you don't get a handle on yourself quickly, she could be."

Dudley listened and absorbed what he was hearing, trying to decide if it was fact. He scented the air and found no fear and surprisingly, no lies. He learned immediately that he could smell liars as his neighbours came by with their, "I'm so sorry" and "Is there anything…" He could smell the insincerity and false sympathies.

"Truth. I need the truth."

"Yes, you do. Let's start at the beginning, what do you remember?"

Remus spent the rest of the afternoon listening to Dudley's recollection of the previous night and then answered the most important questions about what the future would bring. As the clock struck six, Remus stood and said, "I'm going to take my leave now. I am available to you whenever you need me. Stick to the diet I gave you and try to control your temper with the relaxation exercises. I'll be back in a couple of days to check on you and I'll have a plan for your first change."

"What if I need help?"

"I'll have an owl deliver a message later this evening. Don't eat it. Allow it to rest here and if you need me, send me a message attached to her leg. I'll be here right away."

"Okay, and my Mum?"

Remus looked at the woman sitting on the couch. Dudley had walked him downstairs to show him out and they'd found Petunia still sitting in the same spot she was in when Remus first arrived. He handed Dudley a phial of clear fluid, "Have her drink this and she'll sleep the entire night without dreaming or waking. It's called Dreamless Sleep and when she wakes, she'll feel much better."

Dudley nodded and opened the door for Remus. "Thank you Remus."

Remus smiled, "No problem. Just let me know if anything changes." He walked to the end of the yard and slipping behind a hedge, he apparated back to the Manor, arriving just in time to interrupt an intimate moment between Hermione and Fred.

Remus quickly covered his eyes and said, "Oh, sorry kids. Any idea where Harry is?"

Fred refused to remove his mouth from Hermione's neck, which he was happily sucking and nipping at, while she pretended to read the Prophet on the kitchen table, "Hey Remus, I think he's in the garden with Molly. He had a bit of a rough morning because of a misunderstanding and Molly decided to start working with on meditation techniques to…" Hermione sighed in frustration, "Fred, will you please leave a small spot on my neck unmarred…" Rolling her eyes as Fred reluctantly detached himself, she continued, "Meditation to help him control his power. She's noticed he's got some spill over."

Remus sat opposite the couple, smiling at Fred's swollen lips and Hermione's bruised neck, "Spill over?"

"Yes, what my dearest here has failed to tell you is she got into an argument with Draco, and when Draco put his hand through the wall, he and Harry got in an argument. When Severus finished healing Draco's hand, Harry walked out into the garden and hasn't been in since. Mum saw a glow coming from the center of the maze and found Harry sitting in a cocoon of magic. He had no idea how to pull it back and he was worried about hurting us."

"Hermione, what were you fighting over?"

"Harry, what else." Hermione went on to explain the fight and her discussion with Narcissa after.

"Well, I need to talk to him about his cousin so I better go and find them. If I'm not back in an hour, or if anything explodes, send Draco. Harry's likely to be upset and we may need him."

Remus rounded the corner of the hedge, following the Harry's scent through the maze, and found Molly standing beside a very still Harry. He'd never seen the boy sit so completely still before and had to concentrate on Harry's chest to make sure he was still breathing.

"Harry, begin to bring yourself back from the field. Slowly walk back to the door, with each step you take, feel the energy flowing from your body back into the Earth. Each step bringing you closer to the door."

Molly watched Harry's eyes and the tension in his body very closely before bringing him back to reality, "Harry when you are ready, step through the door and open your eyes. We're waiting for you."

Molly smiled at Remus and nodded as she walked away, leaving them alone as she'd read the tension in his body when he'd arrived, and knew they needed some alone time.

Without opening his eyes, Harry smiled, "Hey Remus, something up?"

Remus walked around Harry's seated form so he could see the boy's face, "Harry, I just got back from seeing Dudley and I thought you might want to know about him."

Harry gracefully stood, "Have you ever tried a guided meditation? It's the most relaxing thing I've ever experienced. I feel amazing. Molly's brilliant with it." He looked around the centre of the garden, "Remus, let's walk why we talk."

Remus nodded and as they slowly walked back toward the house through the garden maze, he told Harry about Dudley's new path in life and his apparent comfort with it. "I think he's still not grasped the fact that he is no longer human but I can't be sure."

"I want to talk to Severus and Draco first, but I think it would be a good idea for him to see what his life will now be like. Is there anywhere he can go, safely, that he can see how werewolves live?"

Remus stopped walking just outside the hedges and stared at Harry, "Yes, I can show him what this world is like. Are you sure you want Dudley and Petunia here?"

Harry smiled as a butterfly alighted on his outstretched hand. He watched it settle, occasionally flicking it's wings, while he thought about the situation. "Yes, I think it's our best move. Give me a couple hours to talk to Draco and Severus and then we can go and get him."

Draco watched as Harry and Remus finished their conversation and Harry gently placed the beautifully gentle Arctic Blue butterfly onto the daisies beside the door. He couldn't help the smile that suddenly split his face when he felt the waves of calm coming from the brunette as he entered the kitchen. "Molly, you're a bloody genius," he quietly muttered as Harry closed the door.

"Feeling better dear?" Draco teased.

"Mmm," Harry moaned as he stretched and bent himself backward slightly. He knew he was teasing Draco as his shirt lifted in his stretch, exposing his belly button and the light dusting of hair that trailed down from it, but he couldn't resist.

Draco's eyes followed the trail and his breath hitched when he saw the bulge clearly showing in the front of Harry's trousers. He stepped forward as Harry stepped back, just out of reach. "Are you trying to drive me crazy here?"

Harry speared Draco with the brightest emerald eyes and the biggest smile, "Yes I am love. Is it working?"

"Git."

Harry laughed and took Draco's hand, pulling him toward the hallway, "Let's find Severus. I need to talk to you two about Dudley and his new living situation."

"So, that's what I'm thinking."

Draco and Severus looked confused as Harry finished explaining his plan for his relatives. Severus recovered quickly enough to ask, "Harry, after everything you went through living there, are you sure?"

He took a moment before answering, but finally said, "Yes, I'm sure. They were not nice people, but I believe, now that Vernon is dead and Dudley's situation brings them closer into contact with our world, that they'll rise to the occasion and will adapt to our world nicely. Besides, we cannot allow Dudley to continue living in Little Whinging, untrained, and Petunia would die without her son."

Draco had to concede the point to Harry and finally spoke, "Harry, if you feel so strongly about this, then I'll help in any way I can. But you must allow Remus the lead as he's used to dealing with newborns."

Harry nodded and made to leave, "Harry, before you go, Molly, the rest of the family and myself will be leaving for Albania tonight. We need to finalize a few things there before they come home permanently and I don't want them unguarded."

"Severus, it's okay to admit you want to go with Molly."

"Thank you for your approval Draco," Severus replied, his voice dripping in sarcasm. "We will all be back tomorrow evening and you two will meet us at Hogwarts at 8 pm. Do not be late. I'll inform Narcissa as well as we are all expected."

Harry's heart began to speed up as he asked, "Is there any reason why we all have to be there for dinner? I was hoping for a quiet night tomorrow."

Severus waived his hand dismissing the question as he rose and walked out the door, "No special reason. Minerva simply wanted a 'family' dinner."

Harry's heart fell. He'd secretly hoped that is was in honour of his birthday. He silently admonished himself for hoping and reminded himself that it wasn't that big a day anyway. Best not to think about it.

Draco watched as Harry's face fell, right along with his heart. He hated making Harry think they'd all forgotten his birthday and knew that even though he'd be over the moon at the surprise, it would hurt him until then to think he was so easily cast aside. "So if Mum and Remus will be getting the Dursley's settled, that means we'll have the Manor to ourselves tonight. We can have a nice dinner and get to bed early for a change, love."

Harry nodded and left to find Remus, leaving Draco alone to wonder if he should simply tell Harry the truth and spare him the self doubt. He decided not to, as the surprise show of love from his family would make up for the hours tonight.

"So Petunia, you will be given a home near the shore and you and Dudley will be taught everything you need to know to deal with Dudley's new life. The community is very welcoming and will be happy to help you along."

"Thank you Mr. Lupin." Petunia looked at her nephew, sitting so quietly next to the wolf and the regal looking woman who had accompanied them. "I apologise for being such a bother with this, however, how exactly do you fit into all this?" she asked the woman.

"Mrs. Dursley, my name is Narcissa Black and I am the mother of Harry's lover, Draco." Harry's sharp intake of breath was the only sound as Narcissa continued, "My son and your nephew have found their life mates in each other and as such, you are now, by extension, my family as well. I know Harry's life was not made easy here, but as he bares you no ill will now, neither will I. My life has been such that I am well acquainted with the need to start over and I would like to be of assistance to you in any way I can."

Harry cleared his throat, "Um, I think what Cissa means is since my boyfriend is her son, she feels connected to you and wants to help you get moved."

"Harry, I understood Mrs. Black just fine."

"Please, call me Narcissa."

"Like the flower?" Dudley asked, finally tearing his eyes from his cousin. He'd been staring non-stop since Narcissa had so casually mentioned Harry's orientation. He was so happy his father had never known that, or Harry's time there would have significantly worse.

"Yes dear, like the flower," Narcissa said with a smile.

Remus slipped his hand over hers and smiled as well. He loved to see her so honestly happy, and knew asking her to help reestablish the Dursley's had been the right move. "Now, are you all packed up?"

Petunia pulled her eyes from the joined hands, feeling a slight jealousy at the couples open affection and nodded, "Yes, we're all set. I still don't understand how our neighbours will not suspect anything. Aside from the pair that started all this trouble, the rest of the street will be quite curious to our sudden disappearance."

Harry smiled, "Well, Petunia, Mrs. Figg is what we call a squib; someone who has very little innate magic but knows of our world. She's been helping me for years and she will be dropping hints in the neighbourhood that you've taken a position in Ireland, working in hospital, and that you felt it was time for a new start for you and Dudley."

"Harry, I can't thank you enough for helping us like this. We don't deserve it."

Harry looked at Dudley and nodded, "Everyone deserves a second chance. I'm finding my life now and I want you both to do the same."

"Are you really with a young man?"

The smile that split Harry's face surprised Petunia. "Yes I am. He wore me down by showing me support and kindness when I needed it most. He wasn't always my friend, but having him in my life now has reminded me how important it is to have someone who believes in you and will be there for you. If I can do this for you and provide you with a little of that feeling, than I will."

Petunia jumped up and pulled Harry into a back braking hug. "I was so wrong about you all these years Harry. I'm sorry for my ignorance."

Harry hugged her back, "No apologies needed Aunt. It's a new start for us all."