Bold Italics = parseltongue

Italics alone = inner thoughts.

Chapter 32

Harry smirked at the wall surrounding the doors into the Great Hall. Twenty small plaques were now hanging where there used to be nothing but stone architecture.

Headmistress Umbridge had set down some new rules that she was calling Educational Decrees. Some were already rules that nobody really followed like 'proper dress and decorum is to be maintained at all times' but others were absurd like 'no music is to be played during study hours'.

Due to Ginny and her brothers' antics, all the twins' sweets were placed on the list of banned items. Luna had asked her father to write some interesting articles in the Quibbler that had placed it on the list as well. Zack had yet to join in the fun of aggravating Umbridge, but he'd been good about working and socializing with the other houses so Harry decided to let that slide.

Harry snorted derisively, shaking his head as he walked away but then he reached the door to his suite and frowned.

Sigmund was moving along his track at an unusual speed.

"What's wrong, Sigmund?" Harry asked soothingly.

"Several things, young Lord Speaker... Your betrothed has a visitor who is not entirely loyal to you. That is stressful but it happens often and he is peaceful so that isn't the reason for my agitation." The snake told him. "Someone is attempting to alter the wards of the school to your detriment and that of your family."

Harry chuckled smugly. The Headmistress was getting bold. "Likely the Headmistress or someone from the ministry. Can you repel them?"

"I can and I have been but it is tiring." The snake informed him.

"Keep up the good work, Sigmund." Harry touched the door. "I'll try to find a way to strengthen you." He hurried inside and yelled out for the others. After explaining the situation, he asked if they had ideas. "My first thought is a strengthening spell but would it be enough?"

"There's no such thing." Draco shook his head but glanced at Luna for confirmation.

She nodded at him. "But there is a potion."

"Professor Snape usually keeps one or two vials around." Blaise observed.

"Alright." Draco said decisively. "Blaise, can you go get it from him?"

The dark skinned Slytherin nodded and hurried out past Zack who had just arrived.

"Hey. Something is weird with the snake on the door." Zack called out in confusion.

Harry caught him up while they waited.

"Harry, the founders' library has something we need." Luna said softly.

Harry frowned but followed her into his office and over to the shelves where she closed her eyes and ran her hand across the spines of the books until she stopped on one.

"Luna, that's Slytherin's journal." Harry said gently.

"He created the wards, Harry. The others helped put them in place but he designed them." She answered serenely.

Harry took the journal to his desk and skimmed the pages until the wards were mentioned. "Here. 'I knew regular magic wouldn't be enough to protect such a place as this so I devised a system of wards to cooperate with our elemental powers.' She must be trying to change that!"

"Blaise is here, Harry." Draco picked up the journal and kept reading. "Go fix Sigmund. He's stopped moving."

Harry rushed to the door and accepted the vial from Blaise. "Do I feed it to him or bathe him in it?" He frowned. "Guess I'll try both."

His cousins watched as he used the eye- dropper from his potions kit to feed Sigmund a few drops of the Strengthening Solution before Zack handed him a medium sized paintbrush. Harry's raised eyebrow earned him the explanation that Zack had hobbies and one was painting. Harry said nothing as he used the brush to cover Sigmund in the potion.

"Lord Speaker, I feel renewed!" Sigmund sighed in relief.

"Good. I'll be sure to keep that potion in my room for the future." Harry happily relaxed. "Who was attacking? Were you able to figure out where the attack was coming from?"

"The attack was made from the office of the Headmistress. I was unable to penetrate the attacker's mental defenses in order to see their identity." Sigmund answered.

Harry nodded, somewhat disappointed. "I understand. Rest, my friend."

"I found something in the journal." Draco was waiting when Harry came back to his desk. "You can bolster the wards, Harry. You'll have to master the elements to do it but you can do it."

"How?" Harry asked intently as Draco turned the book in his direction.

"There are five ward stones in the castle and all you have to do is find them and use the correct elemental power on each stone. The last stone needs all of the elements." Draco explained, pointing to the passage.

"Great." Harry sighed. "Another item on my to-do list. How do I learn to control the elemental powers?"

"That's the tough part." Draco frowned. "You are the first known elemental wizard since the founders. There's no one alive to teach you."

"The castle feels your need, young one." Helena floated up through the floor. "I must tell you - wizards with power over the elements must learn from others like them. If you were able to find it, my mother's portrait would be able to help. Unfortunately, it - along with those of the other founders - was hidden long ago by Dumbledore."

"He has stolen so much from us!" Harry fumed, just thinking about it. "He's destroyed so much knowledge and history! He's manipulated so many people and events."

"Harry, if the portraits are still intact, we can find them." Draco said determinedly. "Plus, the aurors are looking for Dumbledore, so if they find him, you can ask for a meeting or something and..."

"And what?" Harry smirked. "Say - hey, Dumbledore. I know I just stood there when they tried to arrest you but I need a favor!"

Draco huffed. "No need to mock!"

Harry chuckled and sighed before turning to thank the ghost. As she faded, he began to look over the passage again.

While he did that, Draco wandered the office. "Harry, did you consider that the founders' objects might be connected in some way to the portraits?"

"Not really... I just figured they belong together and if we find them we'll put them here... next to each other." Harry muttered, not looking up.

"What if there's more to it than that?" Draco asked carefully.

Harry considered this. "Well...something did happen when I put the sword in place... I didn't think anything of it at the time..."

Draco spun to face him. "What happened?"

"A voice spoke some strange words." Harry told him. "Something about four houses becoming one and darkness getting lighter."

"Ok - didn't you think I'd like to know about this...?" Draco took a deep breath and counted to ten. "Please try to remember what the voice said."

"When four houses become one, darkness will enlighten." Luna said softly from the doorway as she peeked in.

"That sounds vaguely prophetic." Draco murmured, glancing at her before focusing on his betrothed. "We had a broken sphere in the Hall of Prophecy, Potter! This might be that prophecy!"

Feeling guilty, Harry bit his lip. "I'm sorry. I didn't think it meant anything! To be honest... I kind of thought I imagined it at the time and this was before we found out about the broken sphere."

Draco sighed, calming down as Harry made his way over to him. It made sense. "Alright... but tell me next time!"

"Look at it this way..." Harry grinned, sidling up behind him. "Next time you'll be here with me when it happens."

"True." Draco smirked, leaning back against his boyfriend's chest. He let Harry bring his arms up before shifting his hips slightly and stepping out of reach. "Blaise is waiting for me. Sorry!"

"It's okay." Harry's eyes blazed for a moment as he registered the tease and chuckled."Oh, by the way, can you ask Blaise to keep his visits short? He stresses Sigmund out."

Draco considered this. "Explain."

Harry told him what the snake had said.

"I understand." Draco nodded. "I'll limit his visits here... but only if you promise to make an effort to befriend him. Please? For me?"

Luna smiled at them. "You should invite him to join us during the holidays."

"I'd love that! Even if it ends up only being for a day, it'd be nice to have him there." Draco grinned at the brunet.

"Alright." Harry nodded. "Let me know what he says. I might have to send someone with a portkey."

Draco surged forward and kissed Harry quickly before running out the door.

Luna giggled and hurried to her bedroom as Harry sighed happily walking toward the owlery where Hedwig greeted him and lifted her leg to show that she had something attached.

"What's this?" He murmured as he skimmed the parchment. "Draco?" He called with no answer so he went into their bedroom suite and called again.

"I think Potter's calling you." Blaise smirked, looking up from the book in his lap.

"What did you say, Harry?" Draco called, not noticing that Harry was in the doorway. "I couldn't hear you, Blaise was talking."

Blaise gasped in betrayal but smirked when he saw the young lord shaking his head at Draco.

"I said... nothing, actually. I only attempted to get your attention." Harry smirked back at their guest.

"Well, you have it now." Draco lifted an eyebrow.

"So, the train leaves for winter break on Wednesday, right?" Harry said lightly. "Isn't it weird that I just got an invitation to a Christmas party in Slughorn's quarters for Tuesday night."

"Really?" Draco chuckled.

"Nice timing, that." Blaise snorted.

"Uncle Tom told me Slughorn had lots of gatherings in his teaching days." Draco bit his lip. "Maybe I was onto something when I told him it was Dumbledore's fault Slughorn hadn't done any entertaining so far."

Harry hummed. "The invitation is addressed to both of us and I have to reply."

"Oh?" Draco's brow rose as he casually approached his betrothed.

Harry nodded. "Would you like to go?"

"With you?" Draco asked coyly, glancing at his friend. "To a party?"

Harry nodded.

Ignoring Blaise's amused expression, the blond spun around, shrugging his shoulders. "Meh."

"Meh?" Harry laughed. "Really?"

"From what I've been told, he's just after networking and social connections, Harry." Blaise said. "You wouldn't be missing anything if you didn't go."

"You see?" Glancing back over his shoulder, Draco pointed a few things out. "He only wants you there for your Boy Who Lived fame and now your lordship. He was never told of my ancestry, so I'm only on the invitation because of my family's money and my relationship with you."

"Hmm... I think your talent in potions would get you an invitation but that's disappointing if true." Harry pouted. "Still, it's a party, and I have a special someone to accompany me... and dance with."

"Oh?" This drew Draco's interest. He arched his brow and turned to face Harry. "Who might that be?"

"It's you, of course!" Harry chuckled. "You said it yourself that my dancing at the Halloween ball was passable and this is a chance to show us off a bit."

With a wink at his best friend, Draco smirked. "Well, I do like to dance."

"Thanks. I'll send our response." Harry grinned and hurried off.

"You really want to go to this thing?" Blaise asked, honestly a bit shocked.

"I kind of want to see what his gatherings are like but I also want to keep Harry out of trouble and that's the priority here." Draco chuckled. "If we go and nothing happens - all the better... but if we don't go, we don't even gain knowledge."

Blaise nodded. "I wonder if any of Potter's cousins were invited."

"You mean Ronald." Draco smirked.

Blaise grinned. "I do."

"You'll never know unless you ask." Draco chuckled as he shooed the other boy out and closed the door behind him. Then he sighed, leaning his head against the door until he felt Harry come up behind him.

"Is he gone?"

"He is..." Draco grinned to himself as he straightened up, pressing back against his boyfriend's body like he had before. "And my homework is done so there's nothing to keep me from goofing off for the rest of the night."

"Stay just like this." Harry's low chuckle tickled Draco's ear so his answering laugh was a little breathless.

"Why?"

Harry didn't answer with words. Instead, he nibbled a line up the side of Draco's neck and licked his earlobe, to be rewarded with a gasp of surprise.

"Gods, Harry!" Draco moaned, his eyes drifting closed.

The brunet wrapped his arms gently around Draco's waist. "Want to take this somewhere more comfortable?"

Draco nodded hesitantly. "Couch?"

"Not exactly what I had in mind." Harry murmured. "But it'll do."

Draco swallowed the nervousness and took Harry's hand. "Would you rather go to my room?"

Harry smiled softly and nodded.

"We never talked about it but I'm pretty sure my reactions to you and our relationship weren't affected by Dumbledore's potions. I mean..." Draco told him. "I don't feel any differently than before my system was purged."

"I'm glad." Harry said, laying a finger over Draco's lips. "But let's not think about that right now."

"We have to talk about it sometime." Draco smirked but gave in, kissing the finger and pulled Harry into his bedroom, falling lightly onto the mattress with Harry following close behind. Soon they were entwined and enjoying their alone time.

The next day Snape and Laurelle asked to see the other entrance to Slytherin's secret quarters.

Harry and Draco enjoyed their expressions of complete fascination as they watched the wall open and touched the barrier keeping the lake from flooding the dormitory. The walk down the hallway to the druid circle had them wide eyed and Harry could see the obvious excitement in Snape's face as the stairs were revealed. He became increasingly amused as Laurelle rushed around the room to see everything while Snape methodically followed the wall counter clockwise looking at each piece of furniture as if he'd never seen one before. Nothing new was found in the bedroom but when they entered the second room - the one that had caused Harry to flip his lid upon their first visit - Snape noticed a gap in the light of the glow panels.

Harry gave Draco the honor of asking the wall to open and it turned out to be a potions laboratory. Glow panels covered the ceiling of a large room and at the center was a wide table with stools tucked underneath. One wall was lined with cupboards and shelves while another held a large chalkboard. The third wall had sketches of ingredients - both plant based and creature based. The final wall was a window back into the previous room and Harry presumed that Slytherin had wanted to watch the eggs as well as be sure nobody would be able to sneak up on him.

The young lord watched as his companions eagerly pulled books and containers of various shapes and sizes out of their places. Now curious, he quietly called for Dobby. "Dobby, were these books included when I asked you to copy everything from the secret rooms?"

"No, Master Harry Potter, sir!" Dobby answered. "This room was locked until now. The copies will be made when Master is finished here."

Struck with a brilliant idea, Harry told him. "Can you make three copies of these books and take an inventory of any ingredients that might be salvageable?" Dobby nodded but Harry wasn't finished. "Hey, are there any doors like that in the other founders' rooms?" When the little elf only nodded again, Harry silently decided that as soon as the holidays were over he would perform a more thorough search of each room. Then he let Dobby get back to his work and invited the others to move on to another area, telling them that there would be a surprise in his office later.

When an hour passed with nothing more interesting being found, Draco suggested with a careless shrug. "Maybe we should look inside the basilisk's lair next time."

Laurelle couldn't contain her excitement. "I wonder if I can find a reason to stay longer!"

Harry suggested tea in his office and surprised them each with a copy of the collection of books they'd found in the lab.

Before anyone knew it, it was Wednesday morning, Slughorn's party was a memory, and the students of Hogwarts were boarding the train back to London for the winter holidays.

"I'm really looking forward to this, Draco. I've never celebrated Yule before." Harry said as he excitedly settled into their train carriage. "Christmas was always nice with the Weasleys, after I met them. Before that... well the Dursleys weren't very religious about celebrating it. They had the tree, of course, and they gave gifts... to each other. I just got chores and gifts that would help me do those chores."

Draco nodded slightly and silently fumed at the mistreatment Harry had endured. "Well, I've told you what to expect and I've never celebrated as part of a couple. It's slightly different."

"Oh?" Harry asked curiously.

"For one thing, the wish ritual I told you about was done with my parents until I was old enough to do it alone." Draco explained, determined not to think of the past.

Harry nodded thoughtfully. "So, what are your plans for tomorrow?"

"Not much. A little homework and some family time." Draco as he cast a tempus charm. "At dinnertime tomorrow, my mother will be starting the purification ritual to renew the energy of the space she's chosen."

"What space is that?" Harry asked.

"She wouldn't tell me." Draco pouted. "She's keeping secrets this year."

"Tell me about the purification ritual again. I think I've forgotten the plants that are supposed to be burned." Harry frowned at the blond.

"First, Mother will encircle the space she's chosen for the altar with samples of the plants and has a specific order in which she lights them. Then at the end she puts a mixture of all the plants into a bowl on the altar itself." Draco sighed wistfully as he looked out the window. "Holly is first, then cedar. If I remember correctly, frankincense comes next, then rosemary, juniper, and pine. The last one is oak."

"Is there a reason behind the order she uses?" Harry asked in fascination.

"Yes, it's all about symbolism." Draco nodded happily. "Holly and Oak represent the two kings that rule the year according to Celtic myth. They meet in battle at the solstices for the crown of the year. Oak stands for light, fertility and growth while holly represents darkness and death."

Harry nodded thoughtfully. "What do the others symbolize?"

"Cedar is for purification while Frankincense represents inner strength and clarity." Draco told him, patiently teaching his betrothed what he would eventually teach their children. "Rosemary stands for love and remembrance. Juniper is for wisdom, fertility and strength. Pine represents longevity and peace. Of course, my uncle says that what it really represents is immortality because it's an evergreen tree."

"This is all so interesting." Harry chuckled. "I don't know why we don't learn things like this at Hogwarts."

"There used to be a course on wizarding tradition but someone I don't want to talk about did away with it." Draco glared out the window for a moment before shaking the dark thoughts from his mind. "What do you have planned?"

"Well, I suppose I'll follow your lead and spend a little time with Dudley and my uncles before getting some homework done." Harry sighed. "We're coming over just before dawn Friday morning. Right?"

Draco nodded. "I don't know how I'll keep from talking to my uncle and all our snakes until the scepter is altered. I know you want to be there when I show everyone. I suppose I can keep it wrapped in my trunk until our trip to Gringotts."

"It's alright. I gave it to you and you can use it whenever you want." Harry grinned. "You can tell me about it later or let me see it in a pensieve."

"I like that idea." Draco smiled sleepily as he laid down on the opposite side of the compartment. "Think I'll take a nap for a while. Wake me when we're a few minutes from the station?"

Harry nodded and took out his journal. He had plans to make.

An hour later Blaise and Pansy visited the compartment but, upon seeing their sleeping friend, they sat quietly until Harry indicated that it was time to wake him.

"Draco...?" Harry called softly as he reached out to touch the blond's hand. "It's time to wake up."

Blaise smirked at Pansy before addressing Harry. "You've been living together for two months, Potter! Don't tell me you haven't learned his habits by now! He won't wake for less than a hurricane."

Harry smirked back as Draco blinked up at them - still sleepy but definitely aware of his surroundings.

Blaise gaped at him for a moment before Pansy reached over to tap his chin. "Hmph. I guess some things are more worth waking up for."

Draco glared at his friend. "Stop being so dramatic! I've been getting better quality sleep since moving into Harry's suite and waking up is therefore easier."

"You'll get to enjoy some of that as well, Blaise." Harry reminded him. "Since you're joining us at Hearthstone manor for a few nights."

"What do you mean?" Blaise asked.

Harry smirked mischievously. "I might've forgotten to tell you..."

Draco pulled out his wand and cast muffliato on the door.

"My door guardian becomes integrated into the wards of any home I bring him to." Harry explained. "He protects everyone under my roof from nightmares and Legilimency as well as physical threats like burglary or attack."

Blaise stared. "Merlin's beard!"

"He was a gift from my Slytherin ancestress. I appreciate it quite a lot." Harry smirked and took the spell off the door just in time for Ron to enter.

"Um, Blaise?" Ron mumbled. "Can I, um, talk to you out here?"

Draco got a bad feeling and, as his best friend went into the narrow corridor, he said so to Pansy.

She nodded and opened the door slightly. "Uh, oh. Weasley doesn't want to introduce Blaise to his parents."

"I'll beat him to a bloody pulp!" Draco glared at the door; his hands beginning to curl into fists.

"No, it's ok. Weasley explained!" Pansy waved him down. "He wants to come out to his parents before they meet Blaise. They're kissing!"

Harry grinned and pulled Draco up to stand as the train pulled up to the platform. "Have you got everything?"

Draco nodded, still not quite trusting Ron's intentions.

"Hey." Harry whispered. "If he says he'll do it ...he will. I'll owl you if he changes his mind before you join us."

Draco sighed. "Alright."

"Maybe we can inspire him to change his mind..." Harry murmured, impulsively slipping Draco's hand into his as he led the blond off the train and directly over to the bench where Molly and Bill Weasley were waiting for them. "Hi, Molly."

"Hello, Harry, dear!" She said, stepping forward to give him a hug but she stopped when he held up a hand.

"Molly, I'd like you to meet someone." Harry said hesitantly, pulling Draco closer to them and slightly in front. "This is Draco Malfoy. We're dating... Well, actually... We're more than dating. We're betrothed."

"Oh!" Molly was visibly flustered. "Oh, I see, well, i-it's quite lovely to meet you, young man. A-Are you joining us for Christmas?"

"Um, yes ma'am." Draco said, blinking rapidly. He hadn't prepared himself for meeting Harry's family but it was currently happening. "H-Harry's celebrating Yule with my family first though."

"Isn't that nice?" She reached out her hands to shake the one he held out. "Would you mind if I have a quick word with Harry, dear?"

Draco shook his head and stepped aside to join Pansy until Harry was ready to go.

Harry looked worried as he leaned forward to let Molly whisper to him.

"Harry James Potter!" She whisper-yelled. "How dare you put us both on the spot like that! You could've said something on the train to the poor boy or warned me by owl! As it is, I'll have to spend the next three days knitting him a sweater! I don't even know what colors he likes!"

Harry grinned, touched that this was the only objection she had.

"Mum?" Ron, who had watched the whole scene unfold, stepped up, shaking slightly. "I ...I might have something to tell you too..."

Blaise looked like he'd been stupefied but he'd just seen Harry's boldness rewarded so it was unlikely Ron would be rejected for his sexuality.

The Weasley matriarch sat down abruptly as the people milled around them. "What is it, Ronnie?"

"I'm bisexual and dating a boy - this boy... his name..." Ron reached out to grab Blaise's hand as he babbled. "His name is Blaise Zabini and he likes mint tea and the color orange but oddly not oranges." He frowned at his boyfriend for a second before looking back at his mother to continue. "His favorite fruit is actually blueberries and somehow he likes me and I like him..."

Harry's grin didn't fade as his friend trailed off to watch his mother stand up and engulf the two of them in a hug.

Sirius joined them just as she included Bill in the embrace and, seeing the commotion, wanted to know what was going on but all Draco would say was 'Harry will fill you in later'. The older man sighed and waited for his godson to extricate himself from the awkward group hug.

"Hey, Sirius." Harry smirked sheepishly as he ducked under someone's arm, causing his hair to fall across his eyes. "Where's Moony?"

Molly and Draco quickly approached Harry, both intent on fixing his hair for him, but Harry brushed them off. His attempts to do it on his own only managed to make it worse, leaving Sirius in stitches.

"Yes, yes." Harry glared at his godfather. "Very funny. I'm ever so happy to amuse you."

"Remus is with Dudley." Sirius told the young lord with a smirk before looking at the blond. "Your parents will meet us for supper at the Grove, Draco."

"Uncle Tom?" Draco asked lightly.

"Tom will see you later. He's meeting with Sniv-..." He caught Harry's dark look. "That is to say - Severus. They need to catch each other up."

Draco nodded, smirking knowingly at the older man.

"Let's get going, then." Harry replied grimly. He'd have to have a discussion with his godfather about treating their allies with some semblance of respect.

They reached the townhouse without incident and when Dudley saw his cousin, he gripped his hand in a tight shake. "Harry! This is the first Christmas we'll spend together in five years! I'm so excited!"

"Me too, Dudley." Harry chuckled, looking over his cousin. "You're looking well. Have the elves started decorating Potter Grove?"

"You bet they have! It looks amazing!" Dudley gushed, ignoring Harry's allusion to his former body size. "So, what's new?"

"What could be new since Saturday?" Harry asked, laughing out loud. "We chat over the mirror every week!"

"Since September!" Dudley shook his head. "I know you haven't been telling us everything, Harry. What've you been holding back?"

"I'll be sharing everything with you three, as well as Draco's family, over the holidays." Harry eyed his cousin. "You've become insightful, Dudley. "

"School has made me think, Harry." The slightly older boy sighed. "Being around Sirius and Remus has made me think. I've met Draco's parents."

"Oh?" Draco asked, breaking into the conversation. "Both of them?"

"Yes. Your dad was polite but your mum is the nicest!" Dudley smiled, just thinking of the lovely blonde. "She asked me to call her Narcissa when she came and had tea with Sirius the first time."

"Have you met my uncle yet?" Draco asked as Harry pulled Sirius aside.

"Have the wards been merged by Draco's lagoon?" The young lord asked quietly.

Sirius nodded. "Yes, and though I had my doubts, nothing untoward has happened."

"Good." Harry grinned as Remus joined them. "How have the moons been treating you?"

"I've had worse, Harry." Remus replied gently. "Snape sent me the wolfsbane potion for the last one and Sirius is there with me."

"And there's only a few months left before I'll start the process of becoming an animagus myself." Harry grinned proudly.

Draco and Dudley turned their attention back to the others upon hearing that.

"What was that?" Draco asked in shock.

"I've been looking into the animagus transformation and it would be pretty difficult to keep a mandrake leaf in my mouth for a month during the school year so I figured I'd do it at the beginning of the summer." Harry replied reasonably.

"May I join you in this endeavor?" Draco's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Harry nodded happily but Sirius shook his head. "Only if your parents agree."

"Of course." Draco nodded, but he wasn't worried. His parents had said in September that he could make decisions for himself so he would confidently present this as not only wishing to be on equal footing with his future husband but also a challenge to his magical abilities. "I'm certain they'll agree - especially since we aren't planning to do it until summer."

"Are your parents animagi?" Harry asked.

"I know Father is but I don't know his form and I never spoke to Mother about it." Draco told them. "Let's go meet them and we can find out."

Dudley went through the floo first with Remus following close behind while Sirius insisted that Harry and Draco go through before him.

The elves greeted them at Potter Grove and Harry instantly took charge as everyone went to change for dinner.

"Were you informed that Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy will be joining us for dinner?" Harry asked them.

"Yes, Master Harry, sir!" Dobby stepped forward. "Mister Draco's parents will be greeted promptly and we is already preparing the evening meal."

"Good... and that thing we talked about? Is it finished?" Harry asked innocently.

Draco narrowed his eyes at the brunet.

"Yes, Master Harry!" Dobby giggled, causing Draco's eyebrows to rise.

"Should I be worried?" Draco asked.

"Just a holiday gift that's difficult to wrap..." Harry smirked and held out a hand. "So you get it early."

Draco seemed dubious but took the proffered hand to be led.

Harry led his betrothed up a set of stairs and down a hallway lined with charmed glow panels. "This is my room..." He said as they passed it to ascend the next set of stairs and came to a stop outside the room directly above it. "And this is your room..."

"A room in your house?" Draco murmured. "I have a room? Above yours? In your house?"

Harry grinned and nodded as he opened the door. "Don't cry yet..."

Draco walked in and strolled around. The bed was shaped like an elegant sleigh. He lifted the blanket to find sheets that were similar to the ones on his bed at home. The dresser and nightstand matched the cherry color wood of the bed. The drapes were opalescent in color but made of heavy material for the season. He turned around to find his boyfriend looking at him expectantly but didn't know what he was expecting.

Then, Harry stepped aside to show two specialized shelves. "I asked your mom to bring Krum's replica over because I thought you'd like to keep the set together..."

Looking closer, Draco gasped. There were four mini dragons; two on each shelf. Each one labeled and there... in between the Hungarian Horntail and the Swedish Short Snout stood a miniature tri wizard cup.

"Harry!" Draco whispered.

"The room is your Yule gift." Harry said as Draco threw his arms around him. "The dragons are for Christmas... and I have one more surprise that I'm saving for Christmas day."

"Harry! You are too much!" Draco hugged him tightly.

A delicate cough was heard from the doorway and the two young men looked over to find Narcissa smiling at them.

"Thank you for helping Harry surprise me, Mum." Draco said as he walked to her side.

"If you'd like to change for dinner, I'll step out." Harry offered.

Draco nodded quietly and waited for the door to close before turning to his mother. "I can't believe he did this... He was in classes every day and...I mean, there was only one session of the wizengamut that he went to."

"Come now, Draco." His mother remarked with a chuckle. "You know that old saying - where there's a will, there's a way. Now, your father and I have been given the room next to yours, darling. Shall we go down together?"

"I'll be ready in ten minutes, Mum." Draco nodded and closed the door behind her. He hurried to choose his outfit before rushing into the bathroom to freshen up. He splashed a bit of water on his face and looked around as he dried off. The tub looked luxurious and the separate shower seemed awfully large for one person. He sighed to himself...maybe someday he'd get to make use of them but today there just wasn't time... unless... a glance into the spacious closet had him looking closer at the full length mirror but for the time being, he wouldn't dwell on the possibilities. He dressed quickly and, after checking his reflection, stepped into the hall just in time to see his parents do the same.

Harry met them at the base of the staircase and escorted them to the dining room. "Do you like your room?"

"It's quite comfortable." Draco replied. "The closet is certainly large enough for my things and the bathroom is fairly lux."

"You know..." Harry was pleased that the gift had gone over well. "The horntail is the real one..."

Draco drew a sharp breath. "Really?"

Harry nodded and opened the dining room door for Draco and his parents.

"So, Malfoy, has Professor Snape had a chance to fill you in on things?" Harry asked lightly as they sat down.

"I've met Ms. Brooks and heard about the trips you've made into the chamber." Lucius nodded once. "He also told us about the laboratory and your gift to them both, as well as the fact that you've made your peace with each other."

"I'm so glad, Harry!" Narcissa smiled softly. "He's such a big part of Draco's life. I'm sure that's a comfort to him."

The youngest Malfoy was fairly glowing with happiness as his family and his betrothed held a more than civil conversation during the meal.

Lucius reported that Regulus had made contact again. He planned to get to Wiltshire by February and then stick around to help defeat Dumbledore.

This made Sirius very happy which, in turn, made Remus and Harry happy.

Narcissa reminded them of the trip Draco needed to make to Gringotts and Draco brought up the possibility of becoming an animagus with Harry during the summer. During the ensuing conversation they found out that Lucius' animagus form was an arctic wolf while Narcissa had decided not to complete her animagus journey due to an undesirable, water based form. They were, however, both supportive of Draco's desire to become an animagus.

Over dessert, Harry filled everyone in on the situation with Umbrage and how they were trying to find a way to get her out of Hogwarts as soon as possible. "Hermione even stayed at the castle over break to see if she could find out anything more."

Remus felt for the poor girl. She'd been forcibly isolated from her friends and then separated from her parents as well and now she chose to stay at the school when she was sure to need a break from the sinister goings on. It showed her commitment to Harry.

"Hmmm... Did this Langford boy return home for the holidays?" Lucius asked. "If his parents complain to the school governors with photographic proof, we can report her illegal practices to the minister and remove her."

"I don't remember seeing him on the train but I can write to find out." Harry told him before turning to Narcissa. "How is everything going for SSSHEEP?"

"We've set the date of the fundraising event for the spring." She laughed at him. "There will be a student presentation, with several of the experts making speeches. Since the charity is essentially about plants, we wanted a venue with gardens so I booked Sudeley castle."

Harry had never heard of this castle before and was excited to see it.

Over drinks, Sirius told everyone about the wizengamut sessions he'd attended and the Azkaban inmates he'd helped get out of situations like his. A couple had been genuine criminals but the majority of them were cases of mistaken identity or framed for their crimes.

"Now we're concentrating on efforts to find Dumbledore and make him pay." Sirius concluded.

Harry stood up with a grim expression. "I don't think we're dealing with Dumbledore at all, Sirius."

"What do you mean?" Sirius frowned.

Harry took a deep breath as if bracing for an attack. "To explain my theory, I'll have to explain the map."

Sirius hesitantly looked at his cousin and her husband but he trusted Harry so he nodded.

Harry knew it would be easier to show them than just tell so he called Dobby and asked for the map. Next, he demonstrated how it worked and showed them where the teachers and students were, pointing out that Jonathan Langford was nowhere to be found.

"Now, as I told Sirius and Remus back in September - I saw Dumbledore's name tag go blank and then suddenly reappear in the same place with his name." Harry told them, confident it meant something. "I have had the opportunity to see the map malfunction for someone other than Dumbledore."

"Really? Who?" Lucius asked.

"I didn't know it for a long while but Barty Crouch Jr was impersonating Alastor Moody during our fourth year." Harry informed the older man. "It was he who transfigured Draco into a ferret... it was he who demonstrated the unforgivable curses on the spider in class..." Harry turned his gaze to his betrothed. "...and it was he who put my name into the goblet of fire. Now, I don't know what happened to him, but I didn't see him anywhere when I returned from the graveyard."

"The Order of the Phoenix searched the school that night." Remus answered the unasked question. "I stayed with you and Sirius while some of the others went to search Moody's office and quarters because he was the only professor who didn't report to the head's office when called for. They found old containers with traces of polyjuice potion along with an open trunk that held the true Moody. He told us it was Barty Crouch Jr. that kidnapped him."

"How did you know that, Harry?" Draco asked. "Did Uncle Tom tell you?"

"Dumbledore." Harry told them, shaking his head. "I witnessed some memories in his pensieve and recognized Crouch's face from a dream -vision. I asked who certain people were and he explained. Then later, I saw the name on the map and assumed the elder Crouch was meeting with Moody - why else would he be in Moody's office? But then instead of Moody joining him in the office, the name tag went blank for a moment before Moody's name took Crouch's place."

"So, you're saying that you believe Albus Dumbledore is being held hostage somewhere and someone is impersonating him..." Lucius blinked. "But, to what end? And who would be able to best him?"

Harry shrugged. "I have a feeling that we'll need to figure out the answer to the second question before we get the answer to the first."

"Father..." Draco's voice seemed hesitant. "I have an idea. Uncle Tom has mentioned some unspeakables being amongst his followers. If this theory were brought to their attention, they might be able to shed some light."

Lucius nodded. "Very well. Why don't you broach the subject with him tomorrow? If he agrees that it's possible, he may issue orders for an investigation."

"Come, Draco. Time to go home." Narcissa said as she stood.

Harry and his uncles stood to say their goodbyes but Draco hung back.

"Actually, Mother..." The young blond said softly as he took Harry's hand. "May I spend the night here?"

She looked at him with questioning eyes before consulting her husband.

"I'll join you tomorrow for breakfast." Draco offered eagerly, seeing that his request was being considered. "I just want to have a night in my new bedroom."

Looking between the two young men, Lucius nodded once. "I suppose... as long as it's alright with Black and Lupin...?"

Harry's uncles nodded and strolled off with Dudley following behind.

Understanding, Narcissa smiled softly. "Very well, but I want you to floo home, in the morning, Draco. It'll ruin the surprise if you walk."

"Yes, Mum." Draco grinned and kissed her cheek, certain he'd figured out her surprise already.

He and Harry walked with them to the floo and waited politely as they threw the powder to leave. "Shall we join your uncles in the sitting room?"

"Actually, they're probably in the library or their own room." Harry smiled, taking Draco's hand. "I have a better idea..." He tugged lightly and led Draco to his new room. "There is something I don't think you've figured out about your room."

"I think I just didn't have time to confirm my suspicions..." Draco laughed. "There's a secret passage, isn't there?"

Harry nodded with a pout. He was a little disappointed that Draco had guessed the mystery.

"I was suspicious of the mirror for some reason but I ignored it because of time constraints." Draco grinned, walking right into the closet to inspect the full length mirror. "I couldn't figure out how it works, though. Is it a door? Is it a window from the other side so my creepy stalker boyfriend can watch me dress?"

"Good guesses, but no." Harry chuckled. "I found out about it when I asked Dobby to find you a suitable room in the house. He told me 'mister Draco already has a room; it is being the one that's attached to yours'."

Draco laughed. "Hmmm... was there already a password or were you able to set one? I wonder ... maybe it's just got a trigger..."

"Your critical thinking is back on track." Harry commented in amusement. "I'll just sit here for a moment and let you figure it out."

Draco nodded and continued to closely inspect the mirror until it occurred to him that it might not be part of the mirror. Suddenly he stood back, looked at the whole wall and smirked at his boyfriend before smugly pointing to the hook beside the mirror. "That's the trigger. Isn't it?"

Harry nodded, smiling happily. "Go on, then."

Draco grinned and pulled on the hook which caused the mirror to swing inward. He felt Harry behind him as they used the hidden spiral staircase to go down into Harry's dressing room. He followed Harry into the main bedroom and froze when he realized that both sides of the sheets had been turned down.

Harry's hand lightly touched his shoulder. "I have no expectations, Draco. I just wanted to show you the secret passage and thought we might make out a bit."

Draco nodded in understanding. The elves might've just assumed that this was a natural progression of their practices at Hogwarts. "I really do want to sleep in my new room, Harry ...but I have no objection if you'd like to sleep there with me."

Harry's eyes widened. "Really?"

Draco nodded again. "Just sleep... and maybe cuddle."

Harry grinned and agreed.

Draco returned to his room and waited for Harry to get ready to join him. He called Dobby to make a quick adjustment to his sheets and the little elf had fixed everything by the time Harry returned.

"One comforter covers us both but there are two sheets, side by side, that are folded in the middle of the bed." Draco explained. "It's an old custom. We're together but separate..."

Harry understood and got into the bed. Draco relaxed as he lifted the sheets and got in facing Harry. They kissed gently and Draco let Harry wrap his arms around him before settling in to sleep. This was a big step for them and both men knew it...

Hermione looked longingly at the library doors. She'd never felt this way, looking at them from this direction. She'd stayed at Hogwarts to make up some of the work she'd missed but also to spy for Harry. She didn't like it but she knew the importance of pretending to be estranged from her friends who were on their way home to have fun on holiday. She'd gotten good at acting forlorn and lonely... unfortunately, she'd also gotten too used to feeling that way. She sighed, wishing she was on the train, but she knew she could be useful here. As Harry's eyes and ears while he was away, and with Umbrage unsure of her position, Hermione had the potential to uncover something damaging enough to send this horrible woman away - if not to Azkaban, then at least away from Hogwarts.

One of the duties Umbrage had given the ministerial squad was escorting the younger students to the library in shifts during the holiday weeks. Outside of Christmas day, the poor younger year students would not be having fun like they should - not unless they'd already handed in their assignments.

Suddenly, she noticed Roger Davies reentering the library. He tapped his wrist watch and hurried into the stacks. Davies had asked her to watch the younger Ravenclaw students in addition to the Gryffindors while he used the restroom.

"Is it that time already?" She murmured to herself as she cast a tempus charm.

When she realized that dinnertime was quickly approaching, she gathered her things and signaled the closest Gryffindor who happened to be one of those she'd seen working on the Herbology project. When he helpfully offered his assistance in getting the others, she accepted and together, they made quick work of getting everyone back to the dorms and then down to dinner.

It just wasn't fair! She thought to herself as she picked at her food. Harry and the others have probably reached King's Cross by now if not their homes, and I'm stuck here taking care of the younger kids.

"Hermione!"

She looked up to see Dean and Seamus leaving the dinner table.

"You can see the kids back to the tower, right?" Seamus smirked as they turned away.

"No, wait!" Hermione called angrily. "I have to report to the headmistress after the curfew headcount and, you know, we should really be splitting the duties more equally!" They ignored her and waltzed out into the night leaving her to grind her teeth and grumble to herself as she finished her meal. "Maybe I'll just report this to the headmistress and see what happens!"

Hermione grudgingly waited for the rest of the Gryffindor youngsters to finish their meals and escorted them back to the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Is everyone here?"

"All Gryffindor students who haven't gone home for the holidays are behind my portrait except for you, my dear." The Fat Lady said proudly.

"And I have to report to the headmistress before I can enter." Hermione sighed. "See you in a bit." She quickly made her way to Umbrage's office and knocked lightly on the slightly open door which swung open just enough for her to see the pink toad's rear end sticking out from the floo.

"I tried to cut the suite off from the rest of the wards! It didn't work!" Umbrage's voice sounded oddly frustrated.

"The unspeakables might be able to assist but you'd have to get the minister's approval to approach them." A male voice answered.

"Cornelius won't likely agree unless we give him something in return." Umbrage pouted. "And there's only one thing he wants."

Hermione suppressed the urge to gag at the suggestive tone the headmistress was using. Not only was Umbrage revolting, to her mind, but so was Fudge - and wasn't Fudge married?

"I suppose you should just leave it for now." The male voice sounded disdainful. "What were you able to find out about Potter's plans?"

"A few of my ministerial squad members went home for the holidays on the train and they were able to owl me their findings." She was obviously as proud of herself as she was her spies. "It's perfect! Potter's family split up at the station! They will be spending the first few days in their individual families and meeting up somewhere for Christmas."

"He'll be happy to hear that, Delores." The male voice practically crowed. "As long as they're not all together they're vulnerable. I'll be in touch when he makes contact."

"Revenge is at hand, brother!" Umbrage cackled. "Revenge for poor Great-aunt Alfie who perished at Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise!" (see endnotes)

"He was truly wonderful to return her body to the bosom of her family and help us declare vendetta." Umbrage's brother chuckled. "Goodbye for now, sister."

Realizing this signaled the end of their conversation, Hermione quietly rushed back several steps and began humming loudly to announce herself as she approached the door. How fortunate there were no portraits nearby who would've ruined her act. She knocked loudly and called out for Umbrage. "Headmistress? I do hope everything is alright! The door was open!"

Umbrage's eyes widened as she rushed forward and looked down the hall. "I must've been distracted, to have left it open, child! Do come in!"

"I just came to report that the Gryffindors are all in the tower for curfew. We were the last ones, I think." Hermione smiled earnestly and babbled for a moment about Dean and Seamus not pulling their weight before excusing herself and closing the door behind her.

On her way back to the dorm, she debated with herself the best way to get this information to Harry. Writing a letter seemed to be the best way but she didn't have access to an owl and it might look suspicious if she used a school owl unless... it was well known that Ron had forgiven her even if Harry hadn't. Perhaps if she posted it to him, it would draw less attention... Well, it was past curfew so she would write the letter and try to send it off in the morning, though she wondered briefly - if she called Dobby, would he answer...?

Draco woke up in the little spoon position and smiled to himself. He knew he could get used to this. He turned gently and touched Harry's face before leaning down to kiss him.

"Mmmmm..." Harry moaned into his boyfriend's lips and reached up to bring him closer.

"This was so nice, Harry." Draco murmured, happily sinking into Harry's arms for a few more minutes. "I almost wish I could stay here all day."

Harry sighed. It was nice to think about, but they each had lives of their own and people who were counting on special time with them, so Harry sat up as Draco cast a tempus charm.

"Mum will want me home soon." Draco stood up and stretched. "You can sleep more if you want but you should do it in your own bed."

"No!" Harry protested. "I have to be a good host and see you to the floo!"

Draco chuckled, graciously giving in. "If that's what you want."

"Why don't you get ready..." Harry suggested sleepily. "I'll go down to my room and you can knock when it's time!"

Draco nodded, almost shy, promising to not be long. One more peck on the lips saw Harry to the secret passage and he was alone. He giggled gleefully and flopped backward onto the bed thinking about the night before. He'd never thought bundling was hot before. He always imagined it as silly and old fashioned but he would never think of it that way again.

He quickly gathered his things but, after a moment, impulsively placed one set of robes in the closet and the pajamas he'd worn went into the nightstand drawer. He hurried down the stairs in the hallway, reached Harry's door and knocked.

When Harry didn't answer, Draco peeked in and laughed softly. The brunet was asleep and Draco didn't want to wake him so he closed the door and made his way to the floo.

Bundling - the traditional practice of wrapping a couple together in a bed - sometimes with a board between the two of them - usually part of courting.

Cimetiere du Pere-Lachaise is in Paris, France and was the site of a rally in September of 1927...