Hi everyone! I'm so sorry it took a whole extra week to get this to you! Hopefully you'll forgive me in return for getting two chapters within a couple of days rather than only one this week! That will hopefully put us back on schedule! YAY! (Cross your fingers! LOL!)

Lori

********** Chapter 12 **********

Knocking woke the boys late in the night. Harry whispered for Draco to remain in bed while he handled whatever it was. He got up and wrapped a bathrobe around himself before going over to open the door.

Severus pulled him out the door and informed him of a new crisis. "Pettigrew has escaped!"

Harry gave a frustrated sigh. "Let me dress and I'll meet you downstairs in a bit." He went back into the room and grabbed his clothing. When he glanced over at his fiancé, Draco was blinking up at him with sleep in his eyes.

"Where are you going?" Draco asked softly.

"We caught one of Riddle's men during the take over of the castle. We were keeping him prisoner until we had time to interrogate him but now, he's escaped." Harry placed a hand against Draco's cheek. "Go back to sleep, love…but keep your dagger with you."

Draco nodded toward his boots at the foot of the bed. "It's in the left one."

"I'll be back soon." Harry handed it over and then kissed the hand that had taken it.

Draco blushed as he slipped the dagger beneath his pillow. He watched Harry pick up his sword and the wristband that became his shield before walking through the door and then remembered something. He hurriedly pulled his robe on while running toward the door. "Harry, wait!" Once he was sure Harry had heard him and was coming back, he rushed over to his betrothal chest. Using the dagger, he pricked his finger and opened the chest. By the time Harry was beside him, Draco had what he wanted. "Take this key – it's the Key of Hearth and Home. With it no door in the castle is barred to you…my betrothed…especially not this one…"

Harry smirked at the suggestive tone in his beloved's voice. "I didn't think of that. Thanks. If he's still on the castle grounds, we'll find him…and I'll come back to you."

"Now I can lock the door and relax." Draco told himself lightly after walking Harry back out the door. He lay in bed and closed his eyes for just a moment hoping Harry would be back soon.

********** LTF **********

"While I have you here, Severus…" Harry bit his lip as they walked down the hall toward Sirius. "Draco mentioned a room with portraits…He said that he saw my parents there."

"Did he?" The knowing look in the older man's eyes told Harry that this was just rhetoric. He reached over with one hand to nudge Severus' arm and was rewarded with a frustrated sigh. "Being that you and Draco were betrothed, and they were planning to raise you as such, it was natural that Lucius and Narcissa were gifted with a portrait of James and Lily. When Draco found that room, he was much too young to understand, but you could've been in great danger if Riddle had visited it and noticed your parents."

"Yes…he said that you'd told him you were protecting it with spells." Harry frowned in confusion.

"In order to protect the portraits, we were forced to hide the entire room, which was much more complicated than just casting protective spells at the frames and canvases themselves." Severus sighed and paused to face his lover's godson. "I tried time-locking spells, but the longest span those last is a month at a time. One such spell had just ended when Draco found the room so I told him what I could to get him to stop going there. After that, I considered a number of other spells but the only one that I knew wouldn't wear off after a while was the blood-ward spell."

"But you're not…" Harry began to comment, his frown deepening.

"As we were close friends from a young age, Lucius and I cast a brotherhood bond when we came of age giving me the ability to cast such a spell." Severus smirked, recalling the day Lucius had conceived the idea. "All other spells of that nature must be performed by – not only a full blooded family member – but by the owner of the home himself."

Nodding, Harry spoke softly to himself more than anyone else. "Draco was too young at the time and, as we recently found out, Lucius would have suffered brain damage if he'd even tried."

"Correct…and now, only someone of full Malfoy blood can access that room." Severus glanced at the young man. "That means Draco or Lucius."

"So how did Draco know the room was there in the first place?" Harry asked lightly as they started walking again.

"I remember that Riddle forbade Draco to learn his personal family history as soon as he was old enough to ask me about it but Narcissa had taken him to see his grandparents' portraits when he was small so some part of him must have recalled it and I'm sure he found it once or twice before I time-locked it. A locked door only makes one more curious, no?" Severus fell into step and smirked again as he remembered himself and Lucius wandering the castle looking for secrets. "Anyway, I warded it soon after the incident." Severus explained sighing sadly. "It wasn't necessary until Draco found the room himself and could presumably speak about it to someone who might cause trouble. Lucius suspected nothing because his duty allowed him to visit it and he often did in order to clean there…also he knew he was Draco's blood kin so it wasn't a surprise to see portraits of his family. Lucius probably assumed your parents were more distant cousins."

"And may I see it?" Harry asked in a sad whisper.

"As soon as Draco is able to leave the tower, I'll remind him to take you there." Severus nodded to Harry as he stopped at a door and knocked. "Once a blood-ward is in place, only a full blooded member of that line may alter it in any way."

Sirius opened the door. "Did I hear something about blood wards?"

Harry smiled sadly at his uncle and related their conversation as they made their way into the room.

"You know, I forgot about that portrait." Sirius grinned with sudden excitement in his dark brown eyes but that excitement dimmed after a moment.

Severus rested a hand on his lover's wrist. "The first visit might be better to remain private but I'm sure Draco would allow the two of us to have a few moments…"

Sirius nodded tightly. "Yes…he seems a sweet kid. He probably would."

"Alright, not to interrupt, but I miss my bed as much as my fiancé, so what do we do about Pettigrew?" Harry said clearing his throat.

"Draco gave you the Key of Hearth and Home. We can search every room of the castle…" Severus told him but paused when Sirius shook his head.

"He's gone. I'm certain he is nearly to Voldemort's side as we speak." Sirius sighed. "Peter, James, and I…as well as Remus… became animagi as teens. We'd heard that it was difficult magic and we wanted to stretch ourselves…find our limits, so to speak…"

Harry smiled recalling the times that Siri had become a dog to play with him as a child. "What was Dad's form?"

"Your father was a very noble beast, Harry." Sirius smiled. "He was a stag with one hell of a set of antlers. Remus is a wolf and I – as you know – am a large black dog."

"What was Pettigrew?" Severus almost cringed to ask.

"We didn't think of the implications at the time but…" Sirius paused, closing his eyes in anticipation of their reactions. "He's a rat."

"And you didn't think to bring this to our attention?" Severus asked loudly. "At the very least we could've cast pest controlling charms!"

"Or tightened restrictions against animagi in the room we used to hold him…" Harry frowned. "Wait, I thought you said Remus knew he was an animagus? He's the one who confined him to begin with!"

"Actually, I checked and Remus used the proper spells on the bindings but not the room as a whole." Sirius told them. "Peter must've talked his way around the elf who fed him last night."

Harry nodded. "I can see an elf not understanding that the prisoner should remain bound. Do you really think he's gone or should we search the grounds?"

"There's a spell…You or Draco can perform it if we teach you in time…it will detect living beings and their presences on the property." Sirius informed his godson. "It must be performed at either dawn or dusk to be effective."

"So it's useless at the moment." Harry's lips tightened as both men nodded. "I'll get Ron and the Weasleys to help us search the castle." He sighed as he called Dobby. "Can you gather the Weasleys for me, Dobby?"

Dobby's wide eyes held fear and reluctance. "Dobby can be doing this Master Harry Potter, sir, but it is not being necessary, sir."

"What do you mean, Dobby?" Harry asked kneeling to be at the elf's level.

"Dobby is knowing how Master Riddle's man escaped his bonds, sir." Dobby twisted the cloth that passed for clothing. "It is being because his own elf was the one assigned to be tending him last night, sir."

"And do you know where he is now, Dobby?" Harry asked with a sudden stabbing pain in his gut. He chanted in his head for Dobby not to say it but the words came anyway.

"He is being upstairs in the tower with Master Draco, Master Harry Potter, sir." Dobby confessed.

The world moved slowly in Harry's vision as he turned toward the door with one hand on the hilt of his sword and the other triggering the shield to grow from his wristband. "I thought I'd already conquered the castle. Now I have to do it again." The door opened as he drew close to it.

Sirius and Severus followed as fast as they could but couldn't keep up.

********** LTF **********

Harry walked quickly to the doors at the base of the tower without straining himself because he knew that injuring himself would definitely not help Draco right now. He was fit to explode as he climbed the stairwell but, when he used the Key of Hearth and Home, it turned easily in the lock. The young prince hesitated but, after a moment of thought, he pushed it open anyway.

The first thing he saw was Draco sitting on their bed. Pettigrew was sitting on a chair off to the side of the blond. Harry allowed his eyes to travel the length of both individuals…each for a different reason. Draco seemed safe and somewhat calm while the man who'd betrayed Harry's parents looked quite stiff and unnatural in his current position.

"Draco, my love…?" Harry asked cautiously.

"I'm fine, Harry." Draco smirked in the older man's direction. "As soon as you'd gone, he came out of the bathroom and tried to capture me to bring me to Riddle at Hogwarts. He wasn't expecting my dagger and so I threatened him into that chair and used a spell to hold him there."

Harry felt dizzy from relief. Eyes closed, he held out his arms and was further relieved to feel Draco enter them.

After a moment of silence Draco whispered to his lover. "I think I'd like to go downstairs for breakfast tomorrow."

Harry ignored his tears in favor of kissing his beloved. His Draco was back! Back to normal! He was sure there would be some slight hesitance when they had to separate for some reason or other but that was understandable. Draco had proven to himself as well as Harry that he could take care of himself if he needed to.

At that moment, Sirius and Severus burst in behind Harry and took in the scene. Seeing that the two older men were very confused, Harry and Draco related what had led to the current situation.

Severus sighed with great relief. "Will you keep this room or move into the castle proper?"

"I'll think about that in the morning if you all don't mind." Draco smiled slightly turning to Sirius. "Can we get someone up here to remove this cretin?"

Sirius' face turned to stone as he faced the traitor. "I'll be happy to take care of it myself, Your Highness."

"No titles between family please, Sirius." Draco said drawing a nod of acceptance from Harry's godfather.

Harry watched as Sirius drew his wand and cast several spells. One of the spells forced Pettigrew into his animal form while another conjured a cage.

"The cage is charmed to be unbreakable so if he tries to transform, it will not be the least bit comfortable to do so." Sirius grinned.

"Get some sleep boys." Severus told them. "Things to do tomorrow."

Draco waited until Harry was the only one left in the room with him before pulling the brunette toward their bed. "I missed you… you know…when you were called away earlier. I've been anticipating our next…step…"

Harry bit his lip as his eyes widened. "Have you?" He whispered, his green eyes becoming lit with the inner fire of arousal. "And what might that be, exactly?" He leaned down to capture his beloved's lips

Breathlessly, Draco nodded. "I want to feel you against me…skin to skin…Please Harry?"

Harry didn't answer with words. He pulled Draco's arms up to encircle his neck while he let his hands settle on the younger boy's hips. The kiss they shared left them both wanting more and Harry was disinclined to deny his beloved anything so he carefully guided Draco to the edge of their bed and disrobed.

Draco's eyes feasted on the older boy's body as each piece was bared. He blushed when Harry had removed all but his underpants.

Harry would swear that he could feel the other boy's eyes caressing him as he undressed and although he was slightly embarrassed by that, he was also quite excited. He motioned for Draco to stand because he didn't know if he could speak right now. With Draco standing in front of him, Harry slowly and carefully peeled each layer of clothing off the lithe body leaving only his underpants.

Harry kissed Draco deeply and proceeded to use his fingertips to learn every centimeter of his pale skin. Between each kiss, he figured out that light touches would tickle in some places but sooth others. He learned where to kiss Draco's neck to make the blond gasp in delight or sigh with pleasure. When he encouraged Draco to lie on the bed, he wasn't denied. The blond did, however pull his underpants off before lying down.

Harry stared whispering. "So beautiful…"

Draco bit his lip, his eyelashes fluttering. "You are too, you know."

Harry smirked as he let his own underpants slide down his legs.

Draco's eyes were drawn to the new part of his lover's body that he'd never seen before. He knew what a penis looked like…sort of…because he obviously had one too but Harry's was different. It was thicker than Draco's and just a little longer as well as being surrounded by a dark nest of brown curls where Draco's had sparse blond wisps of hair.

Harry lay down alongside his lover. "We'll do just what we did before…except with our clothes off."

Draco licked his lips and nodded, whimpering as he felt his erection come into contact with Harry's hip. He let instinct guide his movements as he and Harry seemed to melt into each other. Each boy thrust against the other and they moved as one until Harry cradled Draco's face with his hands.

"Look at me, love." Harry whispered.

Draco's eyes fluttered open just enough for Harry to see the haze of arousal in the silver orbs.

"Good…" Harry kissed Draco's lips lightly. "I want to see your eyes as you come…will you let me?"

"I-I'll try…" Draco was breathing heavy and he knew it would be difficult but he could see this was something that Harry wanted very much.

Harry smiled at the easy acceptance of his request. "So beautiful…" He started to move his hips again.

Draco joined in and they became frenzied in their lust for each other. They grappled for a tighter hold on each other and suddenly Draco moaned Harry's name. Their eyes connected and the pure love and joy in Draco's silver eyes mirrored the way Harry felt for the blond. They kissed deeper than they had ever kissed before as they spilled their seed over their stomachs. Both young men lay staring at each other as their breathing slowed to normal rates.

Harry cast cleaning charms over their bodies and the sheets before pulling his lover's body tightly against his own.

Draco reveled in the feel of Harry's body heat as the older boy cuddled close to him. He let his head rest on Harry's smooth chest and fell asleep soon after.

********** LTF **********

When Harry woke the next morning, Draco was curled up against him, with his legs wrapped around Harry's. The brunette smirked and shifted slightly causing Draco to unwrap himself and lay face up. This was conveniently just the way Harry wanted him. Harry moved just low enough on the mattress so that he was at eye level with Draco's lower region which they hadn't covered up after their escapade last night. Harry used one finger to trace the vein up the front of Draco's member.

Harry looked up at the sound of Draco's breath hitching.

Draco's eyes were wide as he saw what Harry was doing.

Harry did it again drawing a needy whine from the blond who soon began to pant lightly. Harry licked his lips. "I want to try something I read about in a book."

"P-Please?" Draco whispered.

Harry kissed the shaft of Draco's manhood lightly before opening his mouth to let the slim organ in. It felt nice…having it there to lick and suck on. He pictured it as a lolli pop and was therefore surprised to hear Draco moan as he jerked his hips.

"God!" Draco was gasping and gripping the sheets for dear life. "So hot and wet…"

Harry licked and suckled a little more until suddenly his mouth flooded with Draco's essence. Some dripped down his chin but he managed to swallow a little too.

Draco was slightly delirious as he felt Harry slide back up toward him. He whimpered and tried to get himself into Harry's arms but didn't succeed until after Harry cast the cleaning charms again. Harry held his lover tightly and managed to calm them both down by keeping his voice low and whispering how much he loved the blond.

There was no embarrassment in Draco's eyes as they got up and shared a bath before helping each other dress. As soon as they were presentable, Harry instructed Dobby to go and announce to the family that Draco and Harry would be joining them this morning.

Harry held Draco's hand the whole way down the staircase and with a deep breath, Draco stepped out into the hallway. He was out of the tower! That tower had been his home and haven for most of his life but his prison for the last three and a half years and now that he was free of it, he didn't want to go back. He pulled Harry to a halt and told his lover of his latest revelation.

"Harry?" Draco said cautiously. "I want to move out of the tower."

Harry merely grinned. "Whatever you'd like, love."

********** LTF **********

Severus and Sirius met them at the end of the hall and Harry could see Blaise and Pansy standing outside one of the doors further down. Blaise opened the door with a spell before leading Pansy in. Severus and Sirius walked into the room and separated, each going to the opposite side of the door while Harry and Draco stood framed by it.

The young princes were dressed in formal wizard's robes with accent pieces that matched their eyes. Harry led Draco into the room. They stopped briefly to shake hands with Ron and greet Hermione. When they reached their throne-like seats, Harry made the formal introductions, taking Draco's attention around the table to each person in turn before signaling for the elves to serve the meal.

To Harry's and Severus' relief, nobody said a word about Draco's previous absence or the reason for it and the day continued according to plan. After breakfast, they met with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley who – with the destruction of their home in Scotland – would take over the care of either Hogwarts or Malfoy castle once Harry and Draco had defeated Voldemort. Ron joined them near the end of the meeting and asked if they'd mind meeting with his brothers next.

Draco was suddenly eager to meet all of the new people who'd helped to free him from his life of captivity but he recalled that Harry had promised meetings to several others as well. "We'll meet with the Longbottom chap first. He's Harry's mother's godson, after all. Then I think my aunt and her family should be accommodated. After that, your brothers are most welcome."

Ron nodded formally and glanced at Harry. He could see that the brunette was happy with Draco's progress and not gainsaying any of his plans so the redhead simply left the room to inform his siblings of the visitation schedule.

They had a spot of tea with Neville – whom they soon found out, had a birthday near Harry's – before allowing him to join them at lunch with Andromeda and her husband. Dora was apparently handy with her wand and had been asked to assist Sirius for the day, so they'd get to know her later.

Once Neville was comfortable, he also divulged that he was betrothed to a young lady from Scotland but he had yet to meet her.

While Harry and Neville chatted, Draco spoke at length with his aunt. He was told several stories about his mother and he agreed to hear more over tea the next time he was available for it.

Luncheon had soon finished and been cleared away, so Harry and Draco took up residence in one of the sitting rooms and asked Mr. Weasley to bring in Ron and the twins. Draco delighted in the humor displayed by Fred and George while Ron seemed to just sit there rolling his eyes at every other sentence they uttered. Harry took his pleasure from watching Draco at ease rather than cowering in the tower as he'd been doing since Harry'd awakened him.

Bill, Charlie and Percy were the next to be met. Upon hearing of Percy's logical approach to wizarding life and the laws that currently existed, Draco asked him to become one of his and Harry's official advisors. Bill and Charlie were found to have knowledge of the Wizarding realms as well as being good in battle, so Draco held a quick whispered conversation with Harry before asking them to be members of their personal protection detail.

Bill – it turns out – was only on loan from Gringott's bank where he was a cursebreaker. Charlie agreed however, and took his leave in order to think over the training schedule they'd need in order for Draco to catch up with the others.

Sirius came in as soon as they'd left. He had a girl with him and a letter in his hand. "Harry. Draco. Two things." He said before gesturing toward the girl Harry recognized as Dora Tonks. "Draco, this is your cousin Dora. She's been assisting me today."

Harry grinned at her while Draco stood up and opened his arms. The pair hugged and Draco began asking questions so Harry asked his uncle about the other subject he'd wished to bring to their attention.

"This letter is the other matter." Sirius told his godson quietly. "Gringott's Bank Head wishes to meet you. Both of you."

Harry hated to interrupt Draco's family time but this was royal business. "Draco-love? There's another reason Siri came to see us and it requires both of our attention."

"Of course." Draco blinked and turned to speak to Dora. "Family talk is just as important to me as the realms but, for the moment, certain other matters must come first."

Dora grinned. "I understand, cuz! I'll try and see you again later."

"Would you mind waiting outside, Dora?" Sirius asked gently. "Anyone who comes to see them is to be turned away for the moment."

Once Dora had closed the door behind her, the princes found out what the letter said.

"My friend Furlok is the head goblin at Gringott's. He says there's something important he needs to discuss with you and wants me to escort you to the bank for a private meeting." Sirius handed over the letter for Harry to read but he just skimmed it.

"It sounds like a good idea." Harry told them. "We need to visit Godric Gryffindor's portrait anyway so if we say we'll only attend this meeting if we may visit our vault at the same time…" He told Draco about the sword having properties that only Gryffindor would be able to explain and Sirius reminded Harry that he and Draco had something else to discuss with his ancestor's portrait.

"Have you spoken to Draco about your shared dreams and the other things you may have in common?" Sirius hinted.

"No, we haven't really gotten to that conversation." Harry shrugged. "I'll talk to him now and you write to Furlok. Oh, wait! We have to let the elves know we're moving rooms!"

A sudden popping noise startled the three men. Dobby bounced in a circle around them. "Master Draco is to be feeling better? Master Harry has helped Master Draco! Master Draco wishes new rooms? Dobby is having just the perfect rooms for Master Draco and Master Harry! Can Dobby be showing Masters their new rooms? Please, please, please?"

Draco bit his lip to hide his amusement and nodded to the little elf. "That would be wonderful, Dobby!"

Harry smiled at the elf. "Why don't you and the other elves move our things while we talk? When you've finished arranging things, you can give us a tour."

Dobby squealed with joy and popped out of sight.

"That elf is too much." Sirius chuckled as he walked toward the door. "I'll take Dora with me. You can visit with her later but you and Harry need to talk…for the safety of the magical realms."

Draco's sharp gaze swung back to Harry's face. "The safety of the magical realms?"

"Mmmhmm…" Harry hummed and reached out to take hold of Draco's hand. "Things between us are going to affect both of our kingdoms. We need to discuss them and find out what will help us get closer as a couple… what will help us defeat Voldemort… and what will help us rule our kingdoms."

Draco took a deep breath as he came to grips with the new direction his life was taking. He'd gone from having to sit on the sidelines as Tom Riddle ruled in his place to handling the reigns at Harry's side. Was he ready for this? He shook his head and gritted his teeth. He'd have to be…his kingdom was counting on him…to say nothing of his parents. He looked up and saw that Harry was still looking at him. The blond bit his lip and slowly nodded. Having heard the hints Sirius had voiced only moments ago, he let his lips curve slightly. "So…"

"So…" Harry smiled. "I suggest we have a couple of hours to ourselves to get further acquainted."

"By that I'm assuming you mean the less fun version of that phrase than the way it sounds…" Draco said softly with a smirk.

Harry chuckled and lifted the blond's hand to his lips. "We'll get to the fun version later, love." Draco's blush had Harry getting hot under the collar but he stuck to his guns. "So…what shall we talk about first?"

"The dreams… I guess…" Draco's eyes fluttered. "I've been wondering when you first dreamed of me?"

"I had the chicken pox." Harry remembered the first dream. "My aunt had just read a story to my cousin – who was sick too."

"What story was it?" Draco asked tilting his head a little to the right.

Harry recalled it vividly, squeezing Draco's hand before divulging the title of the story. "Sleeping Beauty."

Draco blinked. His confusion was evident.

"It's a muggle fairytale in which a princess is cursed by an evil witch to die by pricking her finger on a spinning wheel but instead she just falls into a deep sleep in the highest tower of her family's castle." Harry explains carefully watching for the light of understanding. He was rewarded when he finished his summary. "Her prince climbs the stairs to her room and wakes her with True Love's kiss."

Draco's eyes widened as he recited the story's name. He flushed as he realized that meant Harry was once again saying that he was beautiful.

"And in the dream, I climbed up some stairs…" Harry whispered. "And I walked into a room to see a lovely blond haired boy… lying on a bed…seeming to be asleep."

"Did you kiss him?" Draco asked lightly, knowing the answer.

Harry nodded. "I did in a later dream…but at first I woke soon after coming to stand at his bedside. When I finally kissed him I saw his silver-gray eyes and woke up. The dream always stopped there."

"My first dream of you was simple. I saw you in a yard…you were alone and filling a pot with dirt. You were planting some kind of flowers." Draco's brow furrowed as he tried to recall.

"Lilies." Harry whispered. "I had potted lilies in my bedroom as a child."

"The first time I drew you was several years later." Draco confided blushing. "Did you know I draw?"

"Yes." Harry nodded solemnly. "I've seen the pictures you drew of me… Severus showed them to me. They were beautiful. You have real talent."

Draco's cheeks burned. "Thank you."

"One of the other things we share is something extremely unusual." Harry told him. Looking around, Harry cast a couple of silencing charms at the doors before turning back to Draco. "Severus taught us both occlumency."

"Right." Draco nodded. "I've been practicing it. Have you? Wait – what's so unusual about it?"

"That fact that we both had the same teacher isn't unusual at all, but the fact that our occlumental focus is the same sword is very unusual." Harry told him. "That's what my godfather wants us to speak with my ancestor's portrait about. If anyone would know how it's possible, he would."

"Your focus is the Sword of Gryffindor?" Draco stared at Harry. "I was told…"

Harry smirked. "We were told it wasn't possible. I know. But perhaps there are extenuating circumstances. Only Godric himself will be able to explain all the magical attributes of the weapon he made."

"That's a good reason to go banking." Draco grinned. "Anything else we should discuss or can we get to the fun part?"

Harry laughed outright and stood, pulling the blond up and into his arms. He leaned down and pressed their lips together for a moment before whispering into his beloved's ear. "I especially enjoyed our shared dreams, Draco. How do you suppose that happened?"

Draco blushed again. "I really liked them too. I got hugs and things from Severus and my mum but in the dreams you held me… for long wonderful stretches at a time…It was so…comforting."

Harry's eyes sparkled. "For me too."

"There seems to be a rather large connection between your bloodline and the things we share." Draco stayed in the warmth of Harry's embrace but continued the conversation. "Perhaps it all has to do with the Sword of Gryffindor."

The brunette thought for a moment and nodded. "You could be correct, my love. That's one of the things we'll need to question my ancestor about."

********** LTF **********

"Alright, gentlemen. We'll be traveling to Gringott's by portkey." Sirius told the young princes as he gestured toward Severus who was holding out a broomstick. "It will take us directly to the Head Goblin's office and leaves in thirty seconds. Please take hold."

Harry placed one hand on the broom and the other around Draco's waist. The blond mirrored Harry's position while Sirius and Severus took opposite ends of the broom.

Suddenly they felt the sensation of a harsh tugging at their belly buttons and disappeared only to appear a moment later in an office where they were met by a small contingent of strange looking creatures as well as Bill Weasley. After watching Severus lower the broom and lean it against the wall, Harry held Draco's hand and squeezed to signal that Sirius would take the lead.

"Director Furlok!" Sirius took several steps forward and then bent his head to give the goblin a formal greeting. "It is very good to see you."

"And you, Lord Black." The head goblin stepped forward to return the greeting. "Who do you bring before us?"

"My consort, Severus, and I have escorted the newly restored heirs of the thrones of Potter and Malfoy to meet with you, Director Furlok." Sirius gestured to Severus who stepped up to join him while Harry and Draco remained where they were.

"I have met each of the last three heirs as they ascended to their thrones. These boys greatly resemble their fathers." Furlok told the group. "The reason I have requested this meeting is that something happened here last evening that is both unexpected and unprecedented."

"What might that be?" Sirius asked.

"My ancestor, Barlok is in the painting behind us." Furlok gestured causing the entire party to look at the painting in question. "He was the director of Gringott's in the time of young Prince Harry's earliest ancestor. This painting is connected to one in the royal vault."

"You asked us here for Gryffindor." Harry concluded awestruck.

"Indeed, Your Highness." The goblin nodded. "My ancestor relayed to me Gryffindor's request for a meeting with his heir and the heir's guardian and betrothed. It's a very good thing you liberated Prince Draco when you did."

Harry nodded. "There are things I wish to discuss with him as well. It is the reason we wished to visit my vault."

"Will you please transport us to the Royal Vault?" Sirius asked his friend respectfully.

"I will indeed. Bill Weasley will join us for the journey also while the rest of my party will remain here." Furlok walked over to a bookcase and lifted a heavy looking tome. A false wall shifted to the side to allow for access to a private cart track. Harry and Draco rode in the back while Furlok and Sirius took the front seats. Bill and Severus took the small second cart as the first one sped away.

The carts pulled to a halt in front of a large door and Sirius handed the key to the head goblin. Furlok nodded formally as he took it and then turned to insert the key into the lock. The door opened and they walked inside.

Sirius remembered the way the Potters Royal vault had looked when he visited the first and only time he'd seen it. He led his loved ones inside and waited as the door closed behind them. He cast a nonverbal Lumos spell and went further, aware that Harry Draco and Severus were all arrayed around him. He pulled Harry forward and spoke softly. "I was only here once. I know where the portrait is. I want you to find it yourself or with only Draco's help."

Harry recognized this as a classic – Siri given pop-quiz. He smirked at his godfather in acknowledgement of the unspoken dare and moved to the front of the pack with Draco's hand still in his. He explained the situation to his fiancé and Draco nodded to accept his place in this task. Together, the pair looked around.

It was quite a large chamber. Harry looked up the length of an aisle that seemed to go forever. There were chests of galleons, sickles and even knuts, but he didn't think a painting would be amid the coins.

"A portrait would be among the stock of heirlooms, Harry." Draco commented as he noticed the jewels and vases, shields and mundane swords. "I see some portraits over there near the musical instruments, desks and armoires. They seem to be lining the cavern …There are even a few suits of armor scattered in that direction."

Harry had already looked beyond the grouping of portraits that Draco was pointing out and seen that one portrait was placed rather differently from the others. "That one almost seems to be overlooking the whole vault…" He said absently as he walked over to it and was about to knock on the frame when Sirius chuckled directly behind him.

"Good job, Harry." Sirius patted the boy on his shoulder. "But I'd let Furlok knock since he was used as the go-between."

Harry nodded toward the goblin.

"Follow Furlok's lead here, Harry." Sirius quickly counseled his godson. "The rest of us will bow but you three must not. Furlok heads the bank and therefore the goblin nation while you and Draco are his heirs. You will rule the same kingdom that he did. You are his equals."

Harry silently nodded again.

Furlok went up to the frame and knocked three times.

A deep voice came from within the portrait. "Yes?"

"It is I, Lord Gryffindor! Furlok of the Goblin nation. I have with me, those whose presence you requested."

A tall man walked into view and turned to face them. As he did so, Harry heard movement behind him and could imagine Siri and Severus as well as Bill Weasley quickly taking a knee. Furlok, however, remained on his feet and so Harry and Draco did as well.

"Where is my heir?" The portrait asked.

Harry stepped forward letting Draco take a position just behind and to his left. "It is wonderful to meet you, my many times Great-grandfather. I am Harrington James Potter."

"The pretty little blond is your betrothed, eh?" The tall man smirked as Harry blushed.

"Draconis Hyperion Malfoy…" Draco stepped to Harry's side and nodded regally to his fiancé's ancestor. "At your service."

"Oh, indeed not, my dear sweet boy." Gryffindor's smirk became a grin. "But I can be of service to you."

********** LTF **********

Ok, the next chapter should be up before Friday! Love you all and I hope you had a good holiday whichever holiday you celebrate!

Lori