A/N: Thanks for the reviews on the last chapter!

WARNINGS: see Ch. 1 for general fic warnings

'Thoughts'

"Dialogue"

~Parseltongue~

{Mind-speak to familiars}

[Mind-speak between bonded (i.e. spouses, spouses-to-be)]

~~~~-scene change-~~~~

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor do I make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter 12

Secrets Revealed, Twins Terrors and Newfound Familiars

August 2, 1996

When they had entered the parlor that the Floo connected to, Harry launched himself at Remus and hugged the werewolf, grinning broadly.

Remus looked slightly taken aback that a stranger was hugging him. "Um, not trying to be rude, but why are you hugging me?"

Harry looked at Remus bemusedly, then remembered about his appearance change.

"I came into my inheritance-," was all he was able to get out before the werewolf pushed the air out of his lungs in a bone-crushing hug.

Once Remus had finished suffocating Harry with a hug, he pulled away and grinned at his pseudo-godson. Then, he realized what happened and who they were with, and his eyes flashed amber. "Tell. Me. Everything."

Harry looked at Draco and asked if they could borrow his sitting room. He nodded slightly.

"Come on, Remus," Harry said and walked from the parlor, not noticing the contemplative look the werewolf, Severus and Lucius had shot the couple. Remus followed Harry through the maze of corridors until they came upon another pair, presumably Harry's room.

When they walked inside, Remus realized this wasn't a room, but rooms. Harry caught the widening of Remus's eyes, and snorted slightly. "I always thought the Malfoys spoiled their son. As I fully intend to do as well," he said.

Remus looked questioningly at Harry. "Sit down, this is a lot to take in." Remus nodded and sat down on the couch. Harry sat across from him in a chair. And, he told Remus everything from the last couple of days. Since his birthday, to the will reading. He only left one thing out: Draco finding the bandage. Unfortunately, that was not to last, because, once Harry finished, Remus pulled Harry up and into a hug, and felt the bandage through his shirt.

"What is this, Harry?"

Harry looked down. He didn't want anyone to know, not yet. As his thoughts kept plaguing him, Remus was getting impatient. He started growling, and Harry whimpered in fear.

Back in the parlor, everyone had left. The Malfoys were making their way to Lucius's study, when Draco felt a tug in his mind. Acting on instinct, he ran towards his chambers. His desired was in distress.

Back in Draco's sitting room, Remus was growling. Then, he heard a fearful whimper, and abruptly stopped. He looked down and what he saw made his wolf go away. He saw his pseudo-godson folded in on himself, sinking into the chair as if trying to escape into himself to get away from a threat. He immediately realized that his growling had caused this reaction and attempted to comfort his pseudo-godson. However, Harry shied away from his touch.

Just as Remus was about to try again, Draco burst through the door and ran to Harry. He ran over to Harry, unfolded the young man, and curled himself inside of the protective layer of his dominant, trying to calm him. He knew that whatever had happened had happened because the wolf had fucked up. "What did you do to him?" he asked through clenched teeth.

Remus, realizing this was probably not a good time to question the boy that was obviously attempting to protect and comfort his desired, answered him immediately. "I just asked what was under the bandage, then, when he wouldn't answer, the wolf took control for a second and started growling."

Draco glared at the man for a second, before realizing that it was doing no good. He turned what little he could, and whispered words of reassurance into Harry's ear. When Harry had calmed, about twenty minutes later, Draco told him that, it would probably be best if he showed them what was under the bandage now, please.

Harry had tears in his eyes. "I don't want to. Once you see it, you won't like me anymore. I don't think I can handle it if you reject me," he sobbed into Draco's hair. Draco turned and kissed him full on the lips.

"I don't think I will ever be able to reject you, Harry."

Harry nodded, hardly reassured at all by the statement. But, nevertheless, he began to take his shirt off. 'This way, when he rejects me, I'll have more of a chance to move on,' he thought. When Harry had taken his shirt off, they noticed, with growing concern and anger, that large scars covered Harry's back, and even some on his front.

When Harry turned to look at them, they saw that whoever had put the bandage on was obviously not trained. It was very bad work, and it looked like it could fall off at any moment. Whoever had done it must have been severely distracted at the time. "Who dressed the wound?" Remus asked.

Harry looked at the floor and answered "I did."

Before Remus could ask why it was so bad, Harry had taken the bandage off. Draco and Remus gasped. Then growled. Then stopped, seeing Harry's face, wet with tear tracks.

There, across Harry's abdomen, "FREAK" was carved in angry red letters. "An early birthday present from my uncle," Harry said.

While both were gawking, Harry walked into Draco's room, quiet sobs emanating from him, and began to pick what little he had unpacked up. Draco came up to him and grabbed his wrist. "What do you think you're doing?" he asked with an angry edge.

"I'm leaving."

"Why"

"Isn't that what you want?" Harry asked, genuinely curious. When Draco saw the confusion in his eyes, he knew something was definitely wrong.

"No. I want you to stay."

"Why? I'm a freak. I'm ugly. No one wants me," Harry said in a small voice.

"I want you because I like you. I want you because you're funny. I want you because you love people with all your heart. I want you because you are fucking sex on legs. I want you because…because I love you," he whispered the last part, though Harry still heard it.

Harry grinned like an idiot, and started squealing "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" in between peppered kisses all over Draco's face.

While Draco knew that Harry's issues were far from dealt with, that could only happen when he had gotten some retribution, he knew that they had made progress.

"And, if I ever hear you put yourself down like that again, Hadrian James Potter, I will hex your balls off and keep them for my own personal pleasure," Draco warned.

Harry leered at the blond and said, "Cheeky, are we? Well, I may have to tighten your leash, pet."

Harry kissed Draco harshly.

August 4, 1996

The previous day had found the boys cuddling and making out in different section of the Manor, with Lucius, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Rodolphus and Remus placed bets on who would make out in the most rooms in one day: Severus and Tom, or Harry and Draco. Naturally, Harry and Draco had won, and, when they found out about it, Severus and Tom had glared murderously at the group of gamblers, while Harry and Draco had gloated, then made out again.

At breakfast, three owls came, all with letter bearing the seal of Hogwarts. Two of them fell in front of Harry, and one in front of Draco. The ones addressed to Harry and Draco were the normal school supplies lists, and Draco's prefect badge, though it was the second one that fell in front of Harry that puzzled everyone. It was addressed to Ethan Madriot.

Dear Mr. Madriot,

I would like to offer you the position of Defense against the Dark Arts professor here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. All information regarding the position is enclosed. Please read it and reply to this letter no later than August 7, 1996.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Albus Perceval Wulfric Brian Dumbledore,

Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Chief Wizard of the Wizengamort

Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards

Defeater of the Dark Lord Grindelwald

When Harry read the letter to the group, many looked shocked.

"But you don't have any credentials. Hell, you don't even exist in the Ministry records!" Tom exclaimed.

"Dumbledore knows that, but, he wants to get me under his thumb. He wants to learn all he can about me to get me on his side.

"What do you al think: Should I return to Hogwarts as Harry Potter, or Professor Madriot?"

Severus asked the question everyone at the table wanted the answer to. "What will you do if you go as Ethan?"

"Simple, I will reply to Dumbledore and say that Lord Potter has opted out of returning to Hogwarts on the grounds that he has found more suitable private tutors. Then, I will take my OWLs and NEWTs at the Ministry as Harry Potter. I am already doing things at Auror level, even potions."

Severus snorted in disbelief. "Sure. And I am a ballerina in a purple tutu."

"That can be arranged, Severus. And I will explain later, when I am ready." Everyone sent him questioning glances, but a death-glare from Draco stopped them from saying anything else.

"So, what should I do?"

Everyone took a couple of moments to decide, then decided that Harry being a professor was a better idea.

"Draco, what do you think?" Harry asked softly.

"It's up to you. But I would prefer if we could continue our relationship while at Hogwarts."

Lucius thought for a moment. "I do not believe that there are any rules against student-professor relationships."

"Thank you, Lucius." Lucius simply nodded. Draco smiled and said it was OK.

Harry conjured parchment and a self-inking quill.

Headmaster Dumbledore,

I thank you for the job offer. I am pleased to say that I accept.

Sincerely,

Ethan Madriot

P.S. As Lord Potter's magical representative, it is my duty to inform you that Lord Potter will not be returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to complete his sixth year on the grounds that he has found a private tutor.

"Well, that will certainly ruffle his feathers."

Harry attached the reply to the owl that had brought his letter and it flew away.

August 5, 1996

It was ten o'clock in the morning, and Draco and Harry, along with a throng of people, were in Diagon Alley, anxiously awaiting the unveiling of the Weasley…no, Potter Twins' store. In the front of the crowd stood the Weasleys.

Out of the front came two well-dressed twins. But, the Weasleys noted, they looked different.

Fred started the speech. "May I introduce my brother, George Fabian Potter-"

"And may I introduce my brother, Fred Gideon Potter."

"We would like-"

"To welcome you all-"

"To the opening-"

"Of our shop!" they finished together.

"Now, we know-"

"That you're all-"

"Anxiously awaiting-"

"The opening."

"So, we'll cut out-"

"The speech we had planned."

Everyone sighed in relief. Listening to two people talk intermittently was giving several a headache.

In unison, they yelled, "Welcome to Potters' Priceless Pranks!" The curtain fell and the doors swung open.

Everyone except the Weasleys, Fred, George, Harry and Draco went inside. Fred and George to ignore their old family in favor of Harry. "Hey, H-"

They stopped when they saw the gesture Harry gave them. "Call me Ethan," he mouthed. They nodded in unison.

"Hey, Ethan, Draco!"

"What do you-"

"Think of the shop?"

"It looks great! How come-"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN POTTER?" Molly finally burst out.

Harry cut in before Fred and George could reply. "Mrs. Weasley, it is generally considered rude to interrupt others."

She turned around, wand drawn, to hex the person who had said that, but she faltered when she saw the most beautiful man she had ever seen. Her eyes widened slightly.

Harry looked calm on the outside, but on the inside, he was revolted. He knew exactly what Mrs. Weasley was thinking.

And so did Draco, apparently. "Mrs. Weasel, I would appreciate it if you would stop fawning over my boyfriend."

Ron was the first to react. "I always knew you were a poof, Malfoy."

Ron suddenly clutched his head in pain. "I wouldn't advise making fun of my boyfriend, Weasel," a voice rang in his head. He looked up to see the other man glaring at him. The pain as gone, just as suddenly as it had come.

Fred and George finally replied to Molly. "We have disowned ourselves from the Weasley family, and were blood adopted by Lord Potter into his family."

Then, they, along with Harry and Draco, turned on their heels and walked into the store. They walked into the back room, where Harry proceeded to tell them about his alias and professorship at Hogwarts.

The next hour was spent perusing the products, and buying useful ones. And some funny ones. For academic purposes. Obviously. Definitely not to use on Albus…

Later that day, Harry and Draco were walking down Diagon Alley. "Draco, do you mind if we go down Knockturn Alley?"

"No, why?"

"Just 'cuz-."

They walked down to where Knockturn and Diagon Alleys met and went into Knockturn Alley. They walked down the dreary street until Harry came to a stop in front of a pet shop. "Draco, let's go in here."

Draco nodded and they went inside. It was filled with all manner of creatures, form owls to snakes, each one locked in a cage. There was an old lady sitting behind the counter. "Can I help you boys?"

Harry heard a slight hiss, but brushed it off.

"No thanks. We just want to look around."

Harry and Draco walked around until they came to a stop as they heard something. {Pick us,} Harry heard whispered in his mind. He looked around, trying to find the source of the sound. He finally spotted two identical black ravens, and the voices in his head grew louder. {Pick us, bond us, pick us, bond us,} he heard, over and over. He knew that these two wanted him to buy them. He nodded at them. He walked up to the lady behind the counter, and asked if he could, please, get the identical ravens.

"That's odd. They usually try and attack anyone who wants to buy them," she said, but nodded anyways. He paid and went to find Draco.

While the raven-haired man had been getting his familiars, Draco had been doing the same. {Pick us,} he heard. He followed the whisper until he came upon two eggs. They were large, not as large as an ostrich's, but bigger than a chicken's, and realized that these were where the whisper was emanating from. 'What are you?' he thought. {Dragons,} was the whispered answer. Draco was excited. He loved dragons. His love of dragons could rival Charlie Weasley's. He wanted them. It was then that Harry walked up to him. "What did you find Draco?"

He pointed at the eggs. "I want them. Please," he added as an afterthought.

Harry chuckled and went to ask the lady how much they would cost. Draco vaguely heard the lady warning Harry that they were dragons, but Harry brushed her worry off and paid.

When they had all the necessary supplies, Draco was carrying his eggs close to his chest, and Harry's ravens were on his shoulders, Harry was stopped by the hissing again. Only, this time, he could see its course, and it was blocking the door. The woman noticed the snake, and blanched.

~Master. Take me with you, please.~ Harry nodded.

"I would also like the snake, please." The lady nodded, still blanched at the snake. The snake was…big. Almost as long as Harry was tall, and black, with vibrant green eyes. The snake moved out the door as Harry opened, and went ahead of them, hissing at anyone who came too close to its master.

They left through the Floo in the Leaky Cauldron and went back to the Manor, where the House Elves had already set up places for the familiars to stay. Harry can Draco curled up together in bed, and lay, basking in the other's presence.

A/N: Thanks for reading!

For this story to go as planned, I need to change Draco's birthday. It will not be June 5, as in canon, but sometime in August, so yes, he will be slightly younger than Harry.

Next chapter: The library, Draco's birthday, and maybe September 1. Not sure…