"Draco darling, how would you feel about me not living in the Manor any longer?"

"Why wouldn't you? There's plenty of room for you and Remus without our being in each other's way. There's no reason…unless you don't want to be there."

Narcissa smiled at her son's sudden insecurity. She knew he must be contemplating something fairly serious with regards to Harry if he was insecure about his status in her life. She walked around the potions table her son was working at and embraced him, "Oh my sweet Dragon. It's not that I don't want to be there anymore, it's simply that I believe Remus will be wanting to do something different and I would like to be with him."

Draco hugged his mother in return and looked up at her smiling, "I didn't realise it was that serious. Are you happy with him?"

Smoothing his hair down and trailing her hand along her son's face, Narcissa smiled, "The only time I've been happier was when you were born."

Draco was silent for a moment, nodded and said, "The wolf and I will have to have a conversation when he returns about his intentions and the proper way to treat a woman of your worth."

Narcissa laughed loudly as she left Draco to his potions, knowing he was okay with her choice.

Dinner at Hogwarts was never a quiet affair, but when Harry and Remus returned to their makeshift home, that is exactly what they found. A hall full of children and adults quietly eating dinner as the house elves helped feed the youngest. The men stood in the doorway to the Great Hall wondering what had happened to cause the alarming silence, but were both to afraid to end it.

Draco felt Harry enter the castle and was therefore the first to notice them at the door. The smile that split his face was almost blinding to those around him and no one questioned his sudden departure from the table. He wrapped himself around his mate and placed a rather chaste kiss on his pouting mouth before whispering, "We promised them ice cream if they ate in silence tonight. There hasn't been a peep since." Remus smiled as he watched the boys walking from the door toward their rooms, then headed for the table to great his family.

Draco sat on the bed watching Harry hang his robes in the cupboard and change into his muggle clothes, while Harry explained the results of his visit. He still wasn't sure he understood Harry's need to look like a slob to be comfortable, but since the muggle jeans Harry loved made his arse look so delectable, Draco didn't complain…much.

Harry turned and walked to his lover as he pulled his shirt over his head and said, "So it would seem most if not all of the children will be kept here and none will have to go overseas. Has there been any progress on finding family members for any of the children?"

Draco smiled and ran his hands through the disheveled hair and straightened the glasses on Harry's face as he nodded, "We've found eight families that can lay claim to some of the children. Most are not closely related, but are aunts or cousins that didn't follow the 'family path'. They'll be coming in the next couple days to take the children."

He took Harry's hand in his and pulled him toward the door, "Come on, let's get you some food and then you can play with the children for awhile. They'll help take your mind off whatever it is that's causing that crease between your eyes."

Harry pulled Draco back toward him and placed a soft kiss on his mouth, "You're all I need to make this crease go away." He leaned into Draco and kissed him again, taking comfort in the love passing between them.

Draco broke the kiss with a sigh, "Come on Lover Boy, you also need food." Harry chuckled and followed without comment.

As Harry ate dinner, he scanned the room and watched each member of his family. He opened his heart and took in the strength he saw in each of them with the knowledge that they were helping because they wanted to and not because they were ordered to.

Narcissa and Remus were sitting amongst the toddlers reading and playing with them, not even caring that they were getting sticky from the ice cream covered hands that grabbed at them for attention, all the while talking softly and smiling.

Poppy and Molly were helping the sick children take their potions and applying salves as needed while telling stories to keep them entertained. While Severus worked with Brandon on replenishing the potions and salves with a soft smile as he watched Molly minister to the children.

Ron, Charlie and George were sitting with Rose and Parvati chatting and relaxing as they poked fun at Percy's attempts to help Penny with the babies. She was quite good…he was not. His nerves were running high as he wanted to impress her and he kept dropping things like bottles and nappies. The highlight of the show for Ron was when a little boy peed on Percy while getting his nappie changed.

Hermione and Fred were sitting with the older children reading and playing games. Harry loved to watch Hermione trying to teach the children the rules only to have Fred remind her that rules were made to be broken. He hadn't seen her this frazzled in years!

Then his eyes rested on Draco, and all was right in his world. He felt his tension drain and he couldn't stop the smile that grew on his face. Seeing Draco so comfortable sitting on the floor surrounded by rambunctious children did his heart good.

Breakfast was back to the normal cacophony of noise that accompanied the children when awake. Harry still couldn't fathom how the staff had handled all the years of hundreds of children and their noise.

"What's got that grin on your face this morning?"

"Hermione, do you think we all make this much noise?"

"Some of you do. Others, like me, tend to enjoy silently eating so I can digest my food and savour it's flavour."

Fred swept Hermione into his arms laughing, "The only reason she eats so quietly, is because she's usually absorbed in some book while she's eating and forgets about the food."

Hermione swatted at him and then kissed the pouting lips presented to her. It was a wonder to her that she had ever thought Ron was the Wesley for her.

"Must we have this type of public display this early in the morning?"

Draco chuckled and slapped Severus on the back, "Oh, don't worry, Severus. I'm sure they won't be nearly as expressive as Harry and I; and you've survived living with us just fine."

"And just how expressive are you two?" George, never one to miss a chance to tease, was politely waiting for an answer when the lightest tinkling of laughter reached his ears, "I dare say that Severus knows them almost as well as they know each other!"

"LUNA!" Harry and Draco admonished. Severus simply shook his head and found a place between children.

As the days slowly passed, children were claimed by aunts and uncles as well as parents, all who had believed they'd never be reunited.

Harry had voluntarily given an interview to the Daily Prophet about the situation and asked for anyone whose child had gone missing within the last year to send an owl with their information and they would be contacted regarding the situation. Many of the children's parents had died in the battle or when they'd been taken, so extended family had claimed them. Draco was sad to see so many of his little playmates leave, but overjoyed they were going back to family.

To Severus' great disappointment, no one had been found to be related to Brandon, so he had the arduous task of telling the boy he had indeed been orphaned.

"Brandon, please understand that while no family has been found, we haven't stopped looking."

Brandon wiped the tears from his face and looked up, "I know sir. I didn't think anyone would come forward. I'll be fine wherever I go."

Severus hugged the boy and smiled, "I know you will. "

Brandon pulled back and asked, "Would it be okay if I owled you once in a while, sir?"

"I'd be very disappointed if you didn't." Severus replied. "And I'm sure Draco will have a few words to say about that as well. You know how he loves to answer your potions questions."

Brandon smiled and walked toward Remus, "Sir, I'll go to the colony with the children."

Remus looked at the boy and nodded, "Thank you Brandon. I know having you there will help them immensely. And I know someone who is really looking forward to meeting you."

"You do? Who would care about meeting me?"

Harry spoke up this time as he walked into the room, "Well you see Brandon, Remus and I have a friend who lives at the colony who is hoping you'll want to live with him. See, when we went to talk to him about letting you all come and stay, we were telling him all about you and he got very excited about meeting you."

"Why though, I'm nothing special."

At this, Severus spoke up, "I beg to differ young man. You are quick witted and very intelligent. You are also one of the better potions students I've had in a long while."

Brandon blushed, "Thank you sir, but…"

"NO, no butting," Harry interrupted. "Let's just see how the meeting goes and then we can talk about it."

Remus' idea had been pure genius; divinely inspired even. As he'd gotten to know more about Brandon, he'd realised that the boy would need a firm hand to raise him and someone who would still give him the leeway to be a child, and he knew just the man.

"Remus! Harry! Welcome back. Is this all the children you're bringing us?"

"Donaghan, this is just the first wave." Harry indicated the children behind him. "These are the oldest and we've brought them by portkey to make it easier. The younger ones are coming later by boat."

"So how many total are we getting?"

Remus answered this, "These twelve, plus twenty-four more for your two colonies. We've been able to place the rest."

"Wonderful! We've got more than enough room. Come on everyone, we've got food set out and we can all get to know each other while we eat."

The men led the children to the dining hall and watched as the families evaluated the children. Harry smiled at his aunt and cousin and nodded a greeting before sitting beside Brandon and Remus. The young boy refused to leave their sides.

"Do you know them Harry?"

"Yes Brandon, that's my cousin Dudley and my aunt Petunia," Harry answered. He went on to explain, "Dudley was bitten recently and is new to the change. He and my aunt came to live here so they could be taught about his new situation and so he'd have the guidance he needs."

Remus quietly spoke, "So Brandon, do you recognise any of these people?"

Brandon looked around the room and then shook his head.

"No one at all?" Remus asked smirking.

"Well, just the man you first talked to. I mean, he's part of the Weird Sisters, so who wouldn't recognise him. But no one else is familiar."

"And what if I told you that Donaghan was the person who wanted to meet you?

Brandon spit his pumpkin juice out all over the table and yelled, "NO WAY!"

Everyone stopped their talking and then began to laugh. Donaghan hearty bark was heard over everyone else's, "Yes way! I've been waiting and waiting since Harry told me about you. See Harry said you are a dab hand at potions and I'm horrible, so I was hoping you might be able to help me. See, as alpha here, I'm sort of in charge of making sure that everyone has what they need, and I can't even make a good headache potion."

"But those are sooo easy!"

"Great! Then you are now in charge of that and I don't have to worry about it." Donaghan smiled at the wide eyes on the boy and waited.

Brandon jumped up and spoke without thinking, "Are you daft?! I'm only 7. I can't be in charge of anything." Then, realising what he'd just said to the alpha, he slapped his hands over his mouth and began to tremble. If you spoke that way back at the camp, you wouldn't be able to walk for days after the punishment, and here he'd gone and done it right off the bat. Now no one would want him to live with them.

Donaghan paused and then began laughing loud and long. "That was a brilliant answer, Brandon. So, what say we talk about that some more as I show you your new room and the potions lab I have?"

Brandon shook his head emphatically, "You can't mean that. Not after I just said that." He turned to Harry, "Please don't leave me alone with him. I know I was wrong to speak to him that way, but I don't want to be punished. Can't I just go back with you?"

Harry placed his hands on Brandon's shoulders, "Brandon, Donaghan is not going to punish you. He meant what he said. He and his wife would like you to live with them."

Brandon turned to the alpha, "Really?"

Donaghan kneeled, "Yes, sir." He gentle stroked the boy's red cheek, "See, my mate and I have been together a long time, but have been unable to have a cub of our own. So when Harry told me about this brilliant young man who needed a little help, well, we just couldn't say no."

A tall woman walked up behind Donaghan and smile serenely at the pair, "Is this Brandon?"

Standing and pulling Brandon slightly forward, he answered, "Yes love, this is Brandon. Brandon, this is my mate Delainey."

Brandon looked up at the statuesque woman and took in her blonde hair, green eyes and wide smile and took a deep breath, "'Lo ma'am. I'm Brandon. It's nice to meet you." He noticed a young boy hiding behind her and looked at Donaghan.

"Ah, that's Deagyn, Delainey's nephew. He's been living with us since his parents were killed in the battle. Your room is right next to his."

Brandon looked back at Harry and Remus and then walked over to the little boy, "Hi, I'm Brandon. I guess I'm gonna be staying with you for a bit."

Deagyn, smiled and stepped out from behind his aunt, "Hi," he started quietly, "are you gunna be my brother now?"

Delainey laughed and answered, "We haven't talked about that yet honey. Let's show Brandon around and then we can all talk about that tonight, okay."

She took both their hands and led them away as they chatted around her.

"Huh," Harry said. "He didn't even say goodbye.

Remus chuckled, "That's okay."

"It's too quiet here now."

"I know dearest, but isn't nice that we've been able to reunite so many families." Narcissa smiled at her son and his wistful look. He'd been helping her supervise the arriving family members as they came to pick up the children that had been claimed.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we've been able to find blood family for so many, but, I've gotten rather used to being summoned with excitement when I walk into the room."

"Awwww, isn't Harry enthusiastic enough for you?"

Draco slowly turned to see Ron standing in the door with a smirk on his face. "Think about what you just asked and then tell me if you really want that answered."

Ron looked confused as he replayed the comment in his head then grew red as a lobster when he realised how it sounded and that he'd said it in front of Narcissa.

"I'm really sorry Narcissa. I didn't mean that the way it sounded."

"Oh Ronald, I'm aware of that." Narcissa smiled fondly at the boy and continued, "And that's what makes it so comical." She caressed Draco's cheek and patted Ron on the shoulder as she left the Great Hall.

"Draco, I actually came here for a reason," Ron began. "After talking with my brothers, we've decided that we're going to head home for a bit. If you need us, just send a message and we'll come back. Bill's wanting to get back to Fleur and Charlie and I will be needed at the Dragon Reserve."

Draco nodded as he walked toward his newest friend, "Have you spoken to Harry yet?"

"No," Ron replied leading them toward Harry and Draco's room. "I've been waiting until I have you as a buffer and until just before we left. He's going to be brassed off that we're leaving and the mission isn't completed."

"I don't think he'll be as angry as you think," Draco reassured the ginger. "He doesn't see this as your fight. It's his and his alone. I think he'd like us all to be out of it." Draco held the door open and followed Ron into the room.

"Harry mate, where are you?"

"Ron, you don't need to yell," Harry answered as he walked into the room. He smiled at the two and dropped onto the chair in the living room, "Sit and tell me why you looked worried."

Draco smiled and watched as Ron took the seat farthest from Harry and sat fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.

Harry looked at Draco and then Ron before sighing, "Did you two have a fight again?"

Draco slid onto Harry's lap and kissed him soundly before replying, "No we did not have a fight. Ron has something he wants to talk to you about."

Harry wrapped his arms around the bundle in his lap, "What's up mate?"

Ron cleared his throat and quickly said, "We're leaving in an hour and heading home."

Harry paused and his smile faded, "All of you?"

Ron looked up, "Bill, Charlie and I. I think 'Mione and the twins are staying and, well, we can't pry Mum away now."

Harry nodded once and bumped his lover off his lap, "Right. Well I guess I better go say my goodbyes, yeah." Harry left the room and headed for the main hall.

Ron looked at Draco, "Well, that went better than I thought it would."

Draco smacked him in the head, "You burk! He's pissed and we need to go after him."

Harry briskly walked down the hall running through his mind the things he wanted to say the Weasley's before they left. When he walked around the corner to see the family standing in the hall quietly talking, every single word he'd thought of left his head. This was his family. He couldn't ask them to abandon their own lives, jobs and families to cater to his whims. He stopped and watched as the twins joked with their older siblings and Hermione and Molly quietly chatted.

"Just tell them what's in your heart and they will listen," Severus quietly advised.

Harry nodded and stepped forward. Molly turned to smile at him and his resolve broke, "Thank you all for your help, but please just go. I don't want any of you to stay and get hurt. You've helped so much already and it's enough."

Everyone watch Harry as he spoke and when he was done, Fred tilted his head slightly sideways saying, "We're not all deserting you Harry."

Hermione walked to Harry and looked him straight in the eye, "No one is leaving because of what happened. We all knew there would be fighting when we came back. Bill's leaving because he needs to get back and check on Fleur and the work on the property. Charlie and Ron are heading back to work because a couple of the dragons are about to give birth and they need everyone there."

Harry smiled behind the tears in his eyes, "And you, why aren't you leaving?"

"Because this is right where I belong," Hermione replied with a knowing smile. Harry walked over to the others and began his goodbyes just as Draco and Ron appeared. "He's fine," Hermione said.

Draco nodded and watched the goodbyes, waiting for his lover to come back.

AN: This is now a repost on this chapter as only part of it uploaded originally.

Thank you to any and all who have stayed. Sorry I've been gone so long, but RL kind of had other things in mind for me. Hopefully, things are back on track now and I'll start posting fairly regularly.