Chapter 18

All lessons were suspended. Some students were hurried away from Hogwarts by their parents over the next couple of days—the Patil twins were gone before breakfast on the morning following Dumbledore's death and Zacharias Smith was escorted from the castle by his haughty-looking father. Seamus Finnigan, on the other hand, point-blank refused to leave Dean Thomas's side when his mother came; they had a shouting match in the entrance hall that was resolved when she agreed that he could remain behind for the funeral. Even though the war was over and Voldemort dead, it still felt like a crushing defeat for the Wizarding community because of the lost of Dumbledore.

Harry didn't really care.

He was too focused on healing to think much on Dumbledore's death, or Voldemort's. Sometimes he couldn't believe that he and Jamie were still alive, that they, he, have bested both Dumbledore and Voldemort, and all it took was a luck potion! Madam Pomfrey released the twins the next day, telling them both that they are lucky to survive without any lasting damages. Draco and Blaise refused to leave the twins alone when they were released, and nobody was in a mood to argue with them when they saw the Slytherins sitting with the Gryffindors.

Rumors spread that witches and wizards were pouring into Hogsmeade preparing to pay their last respects for Dumbledore. Some excitement was caused among the younger students when a powder-blue carriage the size of a house, pulled by a dozen giant winged palominos, came soaring out of the sky in the late afternoon before the funeral and landed on the edge of the forest. Meanwhile, a delegation of Ministry officials, including the Minister of Magic himself, was being accommodated within the castle. Harry and Jamie were diligently avoiding contact with any of them; they were both sure that, sooner or later, they would be asked to account for what happened in the now repaired courtyard. Professor McGonagall have already asked them both once Jamie woke up, and neither were exactly eager to repeat themselves.

The snow kept falling, following traditional January weather. The weather forced Harry and the others to keep inside, but they did not mind. Harry and Draco spent their days sitting in hiding places, enjoying each other's touches and kisses before talking about topics far away from Dumbledore, Voldemort, and the Dark Arts. Voldemort's memories were being kept hidden in a pair of Harry's socks, rolled up and stuffed to the edge of his trunk.

They visited the hospital wing twice a day where Bill remained under Madam Pomfrey's care. His scars were as bad as ever—in truth, he now bore a distinct resemblance to Mad-Eye Moody, though thankfully with both eyes and legs—but in personality he seemed just the same as ever. All that appeared to have changed was that he now had a great liking for very rare steaks.

"…so eet ess lucky 'e is marrying me," Fleur said happily, plumping up Bill's pillows, "because ze British overcook their meat, I 'ave always said this."

The day of the funeral was surprisingly sunny. There was snow still on the ground that glistened in the sunlight, but around where the funeral was taking place it was magically removed, leaving only green grass and seats. Harry heard about there being a fire last night on the grounds, apparently the Ministry have decided to burn Voldemort's body. "And with good riddance, can you imagine him just springing back to life during the funeral?" Ron said during breakfast. "That would be absolutely terrifying!"

Harry was feeling mostly back to his normal self as they went down to the funeral site. Jamie still needed Blaise's help to walk long distance, but neither boy minded. The Hogwarts Express would be leaving after the funeral, during which Hogwarts would be closed for a month allowing both the staff and students time to grief and get ready for the change of staff needed. The four Houses were led by their Heads out of the Great Hall, and into the chilly winter air. They were heading, as Harry saw when he stepped out onto the stone steps from the front doors, toward the lake. The brisk air seemed to stop as they walked nearer, the snow melting away until they arrived at the place where hundreds of chairs had been set out in rows. An aisle ran down the center of them: There was a marble table standing at the front, all chairs facing it.

An extraordinary assortment of people had already settled into half the chairs; shabby and smart, old and young. Most Harry did not recognize, but a few he did, including members of the Order of the Phoenix. The Weasley clan took up a whole row, Fleur was supporting Bill, and they were followed by Fred and George who were wearing jackets of black dragon skin and were holding hands. Then there was Madame Maxime, who took up two and a half chairs on her own; Tom, the landlord of the Leaky Cauldron; Arabella Figg, Harry's neighbor; the Weird Sisters; Ernie Prang, driver of the Knight Bus; Madam Milkin; and some people whom harry merely knew by sight, such as the barman of the Hog's Head and the witch who pushed the trolley on the Hogwarts Express.

"Dumbledore really touched a lot of people, haven't he?" Jamie whispered to his twin.

"Yeah… he did," Harry said. "But, that still doesn't forgive the man for what he done to us… to you."

"You were the one with the broken heart, brother," Jamie said. "I just had to deal with Muggles." Harry gave a sad smile as they filed into seats at the end of a row beside the lake.

Cornelius Fudge walked past toward the front rows, his expression miserable, twirling his green bowler hat as usual; Harry next recognized Rita Skeeter, who, he was infuriated to see, had a notebook clutched in her red-taloned hand, and then, with a worse jolt of fury, Dolores Umbridge, an unconvincing expression of grief upon her toadlike face, a black velvet bow set atop her iron-colored curls. "Can we do anything to them?" Jamie asked pointing at Umbridge and Skeeter.

"Not unless you want to make a show of yourself," Harry whispered. He frowned and said, "Remember that time a couple of years ago? When Viktor and I were dating?"

"Yeah."

"She tried to write an article about us," Harry said, a sad smile playing his lips. "I remember, she came running towards us when we were in the middle of a snog session… demanding for an interview."

"What did you two do?"

"Viktor nodded and proceeded to throw her notepad into the lake when she pulled it out," Harry smiled.

"Harry…"

The smaller twin shook his head, "I'm okay, just remembering. It's not important. Besides, I got Draco now. I'm happier than ever with Draco."

"Good," Draco whispered in Harry's ear, his arm going around Harry's shoulder, "because if you weren't, then I would have to remedy that." Harry smiled and leaned against his boyfriend's chest. He turned his head to see Blaise leaning against Jamie, the two whispering to each other.

He felt a small nudge on his shoulder, and looked up at Draco, who pointed. Harry turned his head to see Hagrid walking slowly up the aisle between the chairs. He was crying quite silently, his face gleaming with tears, and in his arms, wrapped in purple velvet spangled with golden stars, was what Harry knew to be Dumbledore's body. He watched unemotionally.

They could not see clearly what was happening at the front. Hagrid seemed to have placed the body carefully upon the table. Now he retreated down the aisle, blowing his nose with loud trumpeting noises that drew scandalized looks from some. Harry tried to make a friendly gesture towards Hagrid as he passed, but Hagrid's eyes were so swollen it was a wonder he could see where he was going. The sight of the half-giant's misery made Harry sadder than the whole funeral.

A little tufty-haired man in plain black robes had got to his feet and stood now in front of Dumbledore's body. Harry could not hear what he was saying. Odd words floated back to them over the hundreds of heads. "Nobility of spirit" … "intellectual contribution" …"greatness of heart" …It didn't mean much.

"Harry, what do you plan to do? With his memories?" Jamie whispered to him. Harry turned, keeping his head on Draco's chest.

"I'm going to watch them," he whispered. "I don't know how many of those awful things he had left… I am going to find them all and destroy them."

"Well, there is no way you are going to do it alone," Jamie whispered. Harry did his best to suppress a grin.

"Wouldn't have it any other way," he said. There was movement from both the lake and forest. The merpeople and centaurs both came to pay their respects. They did not move or speak, but Harry saw them standing quite still, the centaurs half hidden in shadow, their bows hanging at their sides and the merpeople's heads stuck out of the water, listening.

"When this is done, when this is all over, we are heading to a place where we can be alone," Draco whispered in Harry's ear. Harry just nodded, relaxing under Draco's touches.

The little man in black had stopped speaking at last and assumed his seat. Harry waited for someone else to talk; he expected speeches, probably from the Minister, but nobody moved.

Then several people screamed. Bright, white flames had erupted around Dumbledore's body and the table upon which it lay. Higher and higher they rose, obscuring the body. White smoke spiraled into the air and made strange shapes; Harry thought, for one heart-stopping moment, that he saw a phoenix fly joyfully into the blue, but next second the fire had vanished. In its place was a white marble tomb, encasing Dumbledore's body and the table on which he had rested.

Harry looked at Draco, Blaise, and Jamie. They were rather stoic, all contemplating on the events they personally have started. Harry leaned forward to see both Hermione and Ginny crying openly, and Ron's face was screwed up as though the sunlight was blinding him. People were starting to get to their feet and the buzz of conversations began to grow. Harry and Draco stood up and told Jamie and Blaise that they would meet up later before walking away.

Together they avoided everyone on their way back to the castle. Draco led them into the dungeons, down the corridor, and into the Slytherin Common Room at the end of the corridor. It was strangely empty, but Harry half expected it as everyone else was still loitering around outside. Draco continued to guide through the common room, and towards a spiraling staircase which led down to the boy's dormitory. Stepping inside the empty room, Draco closed the door and magically locked it. "Strip," he commanded.

Harry looked at Draco, slightly confused.

"You heard me Potter, strip," Draco growled out. Harry nodded and took a step from Draco. He took off his winter cloak, his tie and shirt, revealing his smooth, taunt skin. He stood in his underwear, waiting for Draco to take off his clothes. But instead Draco turned Harry around and gave his ass a light slap. "All of it Potter," he growled.

Harry nodded and quickly pulled off his underwear, revealing his hardening cock. Draco circled around him, eyeing Harry carefully. "You're so beautiful Harry," Draco breathed. "Beautiful, and mine."

"Yours," Harry nodded.

"But not officially," Draco sighed. "But you will soon, hopefully. Keep still."

Harry watched confused as Draco walked towards his bed. He knelt over his trunk, his back to Harry, and pulled something out. Draco stood up, closing the trunk, and returned to Harry. "Harry Potter…" he breathed. "Harry bloody Potter… our history is weird, confusing, and just straight confounding but that doesn't change the fact that I love you, and I want to be with you for the rest of our lives. So, Harry, this day has gotten to a sad start… but will you at least make it the happiest day in my life?" Much to Harry's shock, Draco got to one knee in front of him and pulled out a small black box. Opening it, he asked, "Harry, will you marry me?"

The ring was simple but Harry didn't care. A smile graced his face as he nodded. "Yeah… yes Draco!" he said.

Their hands shaking, Draco reached for Harry's right hand and slipped the ring on. They admired the look of the ring on Harry's finger for a moment before Draco gave a smirk. "Now for the reason you're naked, Harry Malfoy," he purred. And in one expert move, he swallowed Harry's flaccid length. He licked and sucked at Harry's cock, his hands moving around Harry's body, one fondling his balls while the other went around to tease at Harry's hole.

"Draco!" Harry gasped, his cock hardening in Draco's mouth. Draco started to bob his head, licking the fully-hard length before slurping it out. Silently they moved together to get rid of Draco's clothes, and the next moment Harry knew, Draco was in him fully, his ass squeezing greedily at Draco's hard, thick cock. Both boys moved with an animalistic pace, Harry bent over Draco's bed, holding onto the frame for support as Draco bent over him. This was not the time for slow, sweet love making, no this was a time of need, a time of passion. They needed to feel each other, they needed to own each other fully. Draco's arms were wrapped around Harry's chest, rutting and burying his cock deep into Harry's needy ass. They both came too soon, Draco jerking Harry's cock was he felt their pressure build, Harry's cum spilling over Draco's hand as Draco came deep inside Harry. Feeling drained, they turned and kissed each other.

"I love you Draco Malfoy," Harry breathed.

"And I love you, Harry Malfoy," Draco said, both boys feeling like the world, for that small moment, was perfect.

.

.

.

Five Years Later

The Malfoy-Zabini Manor, formally known only as the Malfoy Manor, was home to both the Malfoy and Zabini families. The formally Potter twins, now known as Harry Malfoy and Jamie Zabini, couldn't stand the idea of living away from each other so after many nights of persuasion, the two families joined under one roof. It worked out for the best for both families as the Manor was too big for the Malfoy family of two, and both Draco and Harry were a little excited to live with Jamie and Blaise again. Besides, Blaise and Jamie needed all the help they could get with their children.

It was a sunny summer morning, and Draco was in the dining room drinking his morning coffee. It was part of his morning ritual, sitting in the dining room before everyone else woke up. The sound of small footsteps filled the room and he turned to see a three-year-old making his way into the room. He was tall for his age, about the size of a regular five-year-old with light-dark skin, brown eyes and short black hair. "Good morning, Antonio," Draco said looking at his nephew. "What are you doing up?"

"I'm hungry, Uncle Draco," Antonio said as he climbed into a children's seat. Draco waved his wand and a cup of milk poured itself for the toddler. He began to drink it but Draco cleared his throat, "What do we say, Antonio?"

"Thank you," the young boy said. Draco smiled and said, "You're welcome."

He returned to his coffee and tapped against the table twice. A house-elf appeared and Draco said, "Please get our breakfast ready, thank you." The elf bowed before disappearing. There was a tapping at the window and Draco and Antonio turned to see several owls holding letters waiting to get in. With another wave of his wand, the window opened and Antonio laughed with glee as the owls all flew in at once with a flash of feathers and left a small stack of letters in front of Draco. Draco began sorting them out, leaving letters for Blaise and Jamie in one pile and letters for himself and Harry in another. He paused to see a couple of letters from both his parents, his father was still in Azkaban and his mother moved into another house. He torn them up without a thought.

He stopped at a hand-written letter for Harry and bit his lip. Going against his senses, he opened the letter and began to read it.

Harry,

Hello, it's Cormac McLaggen. I know that it must be weird to hear from me after all this time… I understand if you never thought of me since Hogwarts. And I also understand that you would never want to think or talk to me ever again, but I have a few things to get off of my chest. My therapist told me that this letter would help, I've been seeing her for the last five years for my anger and there are some things that I just wanted to explain to you that I didn't get the chance before.

I grew up in a hateful, jealous, competitive environment. My father was under my uncle's shadow his entire life, even though he was the older of the two. In his lifetime he had built up a lot of unrestrained rage which he placed on myself and my mother. I was taught that being a homosexual was wrong, that I was not allowed to be gay; that I was to marry a wife, get a good, well-paying job and become successful, more successful than my uncle, whom I spent most of my time with. My childhood had lead me to have views that were awful, wrong, and in the end harmful both to myself and others. On our date I've laid too much on you, I've allowed my father's anxieties and rage to control me and in the end, it led to a downward spiral. I lost a lot after that. I've let my father's insecurities take control of my life and in the end it not only made me push everyone I knew and care about away, it also almost ended my life. I am not trying to blame my father, I know that I have responsibility, that I am not blameless. My therapist and I work tirelessly to take away this rage that I've inherited and grew up with. And I am happy to say that I am a changed man because of her, along with the other people in my lives.

That night on the Astronomy Tower when I was thinking of doing the most stupid action of my life, I was stopped by someone. A boy. We talked, I found out he was in Hufflepuff, your year even, and after talking all night, we walked away. And now here we are happily married. I am doing so well in my life now. I'm happy, I run a small flying school for young children where they learn to fly and play Quidditch on these cute broomsticks that can only go a couple of feet in the air. We're expecting our first child. Life, life is really good Harry. Not for me, but just in general. Ever since that night I've gained a new appreciation for living and… and I just want to say thank you.

Thank you Harry.

I know that it would never have worked between us. I was not in the right mindset to consider a serious relationship. I was too mentally unstable because of my upbringing. I know that because of our history, this might never happen but I want us to try again. As friends. I want to start over, maybe you and your husband can meet me and mine over a cup of coffee or something. It doesn't have to be now, it doesn't have to be serious, but I just want to open that door, just in case you want to take it.

I am deeply sorry for all the sorrow and harm that I have caused Harry, I know that a single letter isn't nearly enough to balance all of that. But I want to try. I really believe that if you can give me the chance, that I could one day make up to you the wrongs that I've caused. Besides, Ernie would love to see you again. He looks very pretty with a pregnant belly, it's amazing what potions can do nowadays. … but I digress.

I hope that your life is going good, I hope that you are honestly, truly happy with the life you're living, Harry. And though I am an awful, black blot in your life, I hope that you give me the chance to make up.

My therapist was right, I do feel better after writing this. It's like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders and soul.

Hope you are well,

Cormac McLaggen & Ernie McLaggen neè Macmillan

"Uncle Draco, why do you look like Sirius when he poops?" Antonio asked. Draco looked up at his nephew, not realizing that he was scowling. Food was on the table and the three-year-old was happily eating a rather syrupy piece of pancake.

"Don't worry about it," Draco said. "And I do not look like your little brother, thank you very much."

The boy just shrugged and continued eating. Draco looked down at the letter and frowned. Without thinking twice he tore the letter in half, its shreds joining Mr. and Mrs. Malfoys' letters. He placed them on his empty plate and, with a touch of his wand, they burst into flames, curling inwards towards each other as they blackened and turned to soot. Draco magicked the remains away when the fire died out and continued looking through the letters, one of them was a picture of Ron and his husband Colin who currently looked heavily pregnant with their triplets.

"Good morning, Antonio," Harry's happy voice said as he walked in. Draco looked up from the mail and kissed his husband when Harry got near him. "Anything for me?" he asked.

"No, but Ron sent us a picture of him and Colin," Draco said handing the picture to Harry.

"Blimey! Colin looks ready to burst any moment now! You sure that's just triplets he's carrying?" Harry asked.

"They swear, but you should know love, you check them yourselves," Draco said.

"I know but I can miss one, it's known to happen," Harry said. He sat down and pated Draco's arm. Despite it being summer, Draco wore a long-sleeved shirt. He always wore long-sleeve shirts no matter the time of year. Only Harry was allowed to see his arms.

Antonio swallowed the bite he was chewing and asked, "Uncle Harry when am I going to have a cousin?"

"Not for a long time, Ant," Harry chuckled, his hand going to his flat stomach.

"But you said that yesterday! I want to be a cousin now!" the three-year-old pouted.

"Antonio, sweetie, your uncle is only a couple of months pregnant," Draco said. "It is going to take some time before he's ready."

"How long?" Antonio pouted.

The two men shared a look. "A long time, but don't worry Antonio, they'll be here before you know it," Harry smiled.

"And we'll lose any chance of sleeping again," Draco muttered. Harry chuckled and slapped his shoulder. "After breakfast, meet me in my study, will you, Draco?" Harry asked.

"Why?"

"It's a surprise," Harry hummed filling his own plate. He turned to his nephew and said, "And how did you sleep tonight?"

"Good! But Sirius kept crying," Antonio said. "And then Dad and Daddy have to pick him and up have him sleep in their bed!"

"And leave you all to yourself?" Harry gasped.

"I'm a big boy! I don't need Dad and Daddy to fall asleep!" Antonio bragged. "Sirius is a baby and needs help!"

"I see, but sleeping with your Dad and Daddy is okay when you're scared," Harry said. "I remember when I was young, whenever I was afraid I used to sleep with your Daddy."

"You did?"

"Yup," Harry smiled.

"How did you guys fit? Daddy's huge!" Antonio said, spreading his arms as wide as he could.

"Your Daddy was a lot smaller back then," Harry chuckled. Draco chuckled and silently watched as Harry talked with his nephew throughout breakfast. He was going to be an excellent parent.

After breakfast, Draco followed Harry into his study. It was a large room with open windows. On the walls were various news clippings of all the accomplishments both he and Jamie have done. Against a wall in a heavily warded glass case was a golden locket, a silver tiara, a cup, and a ring with a black gemstone. They all were in pieces except for the Locket, which was Harry's current test subject. On either side of the glass case were bookshelves filled with heavy tomes of every type of magic available from the simplest healing charms to the Darkest of Dark Arts. Harry's desk was a mess: papers cluttered everywhere, tomes opened to random pages and broken quills scattered on the floor.

Harry turned on his feet and smiled at Draco. Taking his wand he held out his free hand and said, "I've figured it out! Give me your arm."

Draco did so and Harry gently held it in his left hand as he slowly pulled Draco's sleeve up to his shoulder, revealing the white piece of cloth that he wears daily on his arm. Harry slowly unrolled it, revealing creamy pale skin only blemished by a fading Dark Mark. The cloth was dropped to the floor and Harry looked apprehensively at Draco. The blond nodded and Harry pressed his wand against Draco's forearm.

Incredible pain surged through Draco's body, his gritted his teeth as he kept his eyes locked onto his forearm. Harry was muttering under his breath and agonizingly slowly pulled his wand down Draco's arm. It felt like his skin was being fried alive before violently pulled off, agonizing every nerve Harry's wand past. It reached the top of the Dark Mark, and it slowly faded out of existence, leaving nothing but milky skin. The rest of the mark followed afterwards, disappearing with the same agonizing pain that made Draco want to scream, but didn't. When the last of the Dark Mark disappeared, Harry moved fast. He pulled his wand from Draco's skin and rushed to get a potion as Draco gave a howl of pain. Harry handed him a vial which he downed instantly, the pain magically going away.

They stared at the results. "It's gone! It's actually gone!" Draco said in disbelief.

"We did it… it's amazing!" Harry said. They hugged and kissed each other deeply. Harry grabbed Draco's arm and held it up for them both to see. "A new beginning," he said, looking up at his husband.

"Yeah, a new beginning… just the three of us."

A/N: Draco… you never learned, did you?