A/N: So here we go. The final chapter ...

Epilogue

.

~April 2001~

.

Another soft grey morning broke out over the rolling hills of Tidworth. There was the ever-present promise of rain on the air, but hopefully it wouldn't come to pass until late in the evening. From the balcony that overlooked the estate grounds, Harry wiped at the lenses of his glasses before turning back inside. The attics of the manor had been transformed into a sprawling apartment with wide open rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, a sleek kitchen through one door, a large bathroom to rival the one at Hogwarts, two bedrooms and a luscious lounge area complete with large, plushie armchairs and sofas. The house had been adapted for both magical and muggle usage, a fact that Arthur Weasley had delighted in. The apartment was a home-from-home, but that didn't mean it didn't need to be decorated cheaply or without care. Not that Harry knew anything about that, he'd allowed Draco and Hermione to take the reins on that one.

Running his hand along the smooth marble counter in the kitchen, he finished the last of his tea and set the mug in the sink. He hadn't wanted to hire a house-elf, Hermione's look of disapproval often flitted through his mind. However, Sirius, Andromeda and Draco had all agreed that the Potter manor was simply too large to not hire a couple. Harry had to admit, that since they'd opened the doors over a month ago -once all the repairs and renewed wards had been completed -that having a couple of house elves definitely helped in the running of the place.

They were giving proper sleeping quarters, got paid and were welcome to days off, as long as they never revolved around the full moons. That had mollified Hermione to some degree.

Preparations were currently underway for the approaching full moon in three days. The manor became a hive of activity in those days. Remus often had to assure him that once they got into a proper routine, and the house elves knew what to do, they wouldn't need as much prep time. For now, though, Harry preferred to triple check everything, just in case. The last thing they needed was to be shut down over something trivial.

A 'whoosh!' caught his attention and the creak of the balcony doors opened. "I'm not too late, am I?" Draco asked, brushing his windswept hair out of his eyes. He set his broom to one side and started to unfasten his robes; his cheeks flushed pink from the cold.

"Nah you're fine," Harry grinned. "Want me to make you some tea?"

"That would be heavenly," Draco exhaled with a breathless smile. He sauntered across the oak floor, his boots clacking gently with each step. Taking a seat at the breakfast island, he sank his head into his hands and let his shoulders sag. "This day could not have ended sooner. I'm physically and mentally drained."

Harry felt his stomach twist in sympathy, "Was it that bad?"

"The medi-witches weren't able to save his eye," Draco exhaled, running his hand through his hair. "And they've said he needs to be kept in isolation through this full moon. I'm going to owl them the wolfsbane potion anyway, so that he shouldn't hurt himself again. I had to get everything signed off with Buxley at the ministry before he let me go."

Harry set the mug of tea in front of him before winding his arms around Draco's shoulders. He pulled the blonde until his head was tucked neatly under his chin and dropped a kiss to Draco's head. "I'm sorry you've had such a rough time of it."

Draco reached up and gripped Harry's hand, "He's just a kid. It's not his fault his parents are bigots."

"Well, it's all still a bit of a shock. Once he's released, we can set him up a room here and get him to talk to Dr. Naya. Maybe things will calm down."

Draco let out a snort, showing that he didn't entirely believe it would make a difference. He took a large gulp of his tea and let out a weary sigh. "He seemed in brighter spirits if anything. We'll just have to take some positives from that." Turning his gaze upward, he looked at his partner. "How about you? How has everything been today?"

"Honestly, pretty good. Your lab is all set-up just in case you need to make some more emergency stock. We may want to top-up on some pepper-up if this damp weather continues," he dropped a kiss to Draco's forehead. "Do you want to have a nap? No one else is going to be here until after six."

Draco bit on his bottom lip but couldn't fight the fatigue that seemed to drag through him. "Maybe not a nap, but a lie down sounds nice. I don't care how much that ages me, I'm shattered."

Taking his hands in his own, Harry eased Draco off the high stool and led him down the hallway to the bedroom. It was still a little unfamiliar, like they were on holiday in the countryside, but Draco enjoyed the luxurious feel of the plush duvet and pillows beneath him as Harry laid him down. Sat on the edge, he worked the shoelaces free and pried the shoes from Draco's feet. He tugged the socks off too, before taking Draco's long pale foot in between his hands and kneading them. Draco groaned and writhed a little as the tension was worked out of him. Harry smiled indulgently and picked up Draco's other foot.

"You don't need to run yourself ragged to prove yourself, you know?" Harry said gently, setting Draco's legs down and coming up to sit beside him. "You still have to report to the ministry for the next six months, but once that's done, you're free of this."

"I'll never be free from the war, Harry. I just have to live with this shadow at my back."

"I know, I -I meant the whole micro-managing business with your wand casting and travel."

Draco turned his head in the soft pillow and smiled gently up at him, "I know. Thank you."

Harry cupped his face between his hands and kissed him slowly, deeply, tasting the cool wind from his lips. Draco melted under his touch and knotted his fingers through Harry's hair, keeping him in place. He opened his mouth and was met with Draco's tongue gently sliding against his own, deepening the kiss and eliciting soft gasps of need. They laid that way, kissing and touching gently, prying each other out of each layer of clothing until they pressed flushed together, naked and warm and hard.

Mouthing along his jawline, Harry grunted, "Let me take care of you, love. Just for a little while."

"You sure -you can manage -after -last night?" Draco panted, his fingers gripping onto Harry's hips. They rutted together, kissing anywhere they could reach, their actions getting a little more eager.

"I'm fine," Harry peppered his chest with kisses, making him arch back and moan. "Let me."

"Yes, yes please!" Draco writhed.

Pressing kisses down the length of the long, pale body beneath him, Harry gently spread his legs and took his half-hard cock into his mouth and gently started to work at him, using his tongue to tease and elicit erotic gasps from the man splayed beneath him.

"Oh, Harry!" Draco writhed, arching up into his mouth, starting a short, stuttering rhythm with his hips.

Harry took his time preparing Draco, turning him into a sweaty, writhing mess and splaying his thighs nice and wide. He was gentle with lube-slicked fingers and mouthing along his trembling thighs. He pressed gently into Draco, drinking in every gasp and moan he made as he gently rocked his hips, easing deeper and deeper until he was fully seated inside his lover. He leaned over Draco, mouthed along his jaw and rocked his hips, relishing in the feel of him quaking and clenching around him.

Draco's moans filled the air between them, his nails scraping gently down his back as he met Harry's thrusts and arched into him. He whimpered and panted, his features flushed pink as he got close to the edge.

"That's it, baby, come for me. Come for me. I've got you; I've got you."

Draco cried out as he came, fingers digging into Harry and clutching him close. Harry continued to rhythmically slide into Draco's hot, pliant body until he felt himself fall over the edge and came deep inside his lover. His groans were muffled as he buried his face into the pillow, their bodies tacky with sweat and glued together. Draco's arms were tight around him, holding him close. He was slowly softening and they eased apart. He rolled onto his side, cradling Draco against him.

"I really needed that," Draco gasped into his throat.

Harry hummed in agreement.

"Thank you," he nuzzled against Harry and closed his eyes. "You always take such good care of me."

"Well, I love you and want to take care of you, every chance I get." Harry leaned up and pressed a smooth kiss to Draco's mouth before edging back, leaving a little bit of breathing space between them. He tucked a stray strand of sweaty blonde hair behind his ear. The worry lines had eased from his forehead, and he looked much more at ease. "I missed you today. I'm not used to missing you."

Draco smiled tiredly, eyelids fluttering closed. "That's what happens when I can enjoy freedom, I suppose. I miss you; you know? On the days when you're off at the Weasley's or when you're at the Ministry trying to sort out paperwork and stuff. Or at Diagon Alley."

Stroking a hand up Draco's side, tracing over the contours of his ribs, his pelvis, Harry let the words sink into his brain. It had taken some getting used, with both of them having different types of freedom, now that Draco's house-arrest had been lessened and he was allowed some small radius for travel, as long as he reported to the Ministry at the end of each day with travel and went through all his usual checks. Harry had also spent a lot of time going to the bank with Sirius, going to Hogwarts with Remus, to a lawyer's office, to a multitude of other places in recent months, just to get everything signed, sealed and delivered for their new foundation.

It had meant a lot of long days without seeing one another.

The last full moon had been hard, when they'd had reports of a young boy, Bryce, being shunned by his family. They'd tolerated his transformations, however as Bryce was thirteen, it meant puberty was hitting and -according to Remus -it made werewolves more volatile during their transformation. No one had been hurt, except for Bryce. He'd clawed at himself far too much and, evidently, lost one of his eyes.

It made his heart ache that they hadn't been able to help in that instance.

"You can't save everyone," Draco breathed the words, letting them ghost across Harry's skin. "You can only do what you can."

"It's hard to remember sometime."

"Good thing you keep me around, so I can remind you."

Harry chuckled, tipping their foreheads to lean together. "Do you feel like we should have waited with all of this?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well -we've sort of gone from one extreme to the next. Maybe we should have taken a year to just … be ourselves?"

"There's no use getting cold feet," Draco chided gently. "Look, getting an inspection is scary, but if we want the backing of the Ministry whole-heartedly, they need to see that this works and is worth their time."

"I can't help but worry."

"I know. But we have a solid proposition here. This way it can even taken some pressure off the auror department. No use chasing after werewolf incidents if they're all in the same place."

"They shouldn't be chased at all."

"I'm aware, love. Small steps, though, alright?"

Harry nodded, nuzzling closer to his boyfriend and squeezing him close. They lie that way for what felt like ages, legs entwined and gently stroking one another as their bodies cooled and the sweat dried on their skin. As he lie there, Harry swept his gaze around the bedroom; it was a calming palette of warm beiges, blue plaids and wood and brass fixtures. There was a lot of softness, in the plush cushions, rugs, the throw along the end of the bed, an armchair next to the balcony doors. It was all very cosy and never failed to calm his erratic mind. He wouldn't mind spending the odd night or two in this apartment, if the need arose in the future. The weight of what still needed to be done settled around him, but he couldn't muster the energy of getting up and going about the rest of the afternoon.

There was still the final checks to do, inventory of their potion stock, and if the need arose, Draco would need to brew any potions that needed replenishing.

"Are we going back home tonight?" he murmured, thinking back to their room at Grimmauld place.

"Would you really have the energy to floo back here?" Draco mumbled into his chest.

"Not really."

"I barely have the energy right now as it is. Wherever we end up tonight at 9 o'clock, that's where I'm sleeping."

With a final kiss to Draco's forehead and a playful swat on his arse, Harry wriggled free and pushed himself upright. "If that's the case, we'd best get a move on with our checklist before we head off."

Draco sighed and rolled onto his back, stretching like a cat along the length of the bed. "You said the aurors will be here after six?" Harry nodded. "Perfect. Plenty of time."

They both got dressed and started to go through the manor, checking that all the wards were still intact -a job the aurors would oversee later that evening, but Harry preferred to do his own checks beforehand -and checked-in with the house elves to see if any cleaning supplies or linens needed to be restocked. There were currently only two families residing in the manor, in the East wing. Both had been in precarious living situations prior to the war, but when one or more members of their family became cursed with the disease, they'd been chucked out on the streets. The Potter estate was something like a haven to them, something beyond their wildest dreams. The young husband who had been bitten -the second husband of his wife, and stepdad to her two children -had aspirations to become a duelling instructor. Remus had found a kindred spirit in Hugo and had regaled him with his own stories and how he prayed that he could help Hugo without any undue suffering on his part.

Soon, the young teen Bryce would also move into the manor. Perhaps he could be accepted into one of the familial folds?

During the full moon periods, Dr. Naya -a ministry specialist -would be available for appointments for anyone residing at the manor, if anyone was under stress, wanted to express themselves, or simply have a chat without feeling judged. It had been a decision that had gotten both Harry and Draco's backs up when it was brought to them, but Kingsley had insisted that it would do those at the manor some good. It would give them a voice and allow them to be heard. They hadn't been able to refute his statements. It was on a purely trial basis, they had agreed, but for the time-being things were looking promising.

It was dusk by the time the two men reconvened in the attic apartment, having finalised their checks for the day. Harry knew he would come back before the next full moon, but for now he was satisfied.

In the living area, Draco took a pinch of floo powder and tossed it into the fireplace. Green flames roared up and, with a smile over his shoulder, he stepped into the hearth and called out, 'Number twelve, Grimmauld place!' before he disappeared in a rush. Harry was quick to follow, despite still not liking floo travel. Growing up anew with it, did not make it any less sickly!

They were spat out into the living room at Grimmauld place.

Draco tutted and started to dust himself just as the sound of bounding footsteps reached their ears. Harry barely had time to straighten up before he was bowled over by a child with a shock of cherry-pink hair.

"Uncle Harry! Uncle Draco! You're almost late!" Teddy cried out, crushing Harry's leg in a hug. "We almost started without you!"

Chuckling, Harry swooped Teddy up in his arms and hoisted him up onto his hip, much like Draco had done to the both of them when they were around the same age. Draco smiled warmly at him, as he ruffled Teddy's hair.

"Good thing we're not late then, isn't it?" he grinned.

"Yah!"

Setting Teddy down, Harry took one of his hands while Draco took the other. As they walked down along the hall towards the kitchen, Teddy's hair flashed to a brilliant white-blonde and his eyes flashed to a familiar green. It still twisted a little inside him whenever he saw it, although another favourite seemed to be when his hair would darken to almost black, and his eyes would lighten to a cool grey. His favourite colour ever, though, was turquoise, and Harry doubted it would change anytime soon.

Sirius beamed the moment they stepped down into the kitchen. "There's my boy!" he grinned, wrapping Harry in a bearhug. "I didn't think you'd make it."

"That seems to be the consensus today," Draco smirked, hoisting Teddy up into his tall chair. "It's my fault. I get held up at the Ministry after visiting Bryce in Mungo's."

"How is he?" Remus asked, his brows furrowed.

"They weren't able to save his eye," Draco rubbed at the back of his neck. "It was touch-and-go for a while. They did the best they could."

"That poor kid," Sirius shook his head, scratching at his stubble.

"Did you go through the checks tonight, before the aurors are due?" Remus asked, carrying over a large, steaming dish to the table.

"Yeah, we got it all done."

Sirius reached for the spoon, only to have Remus swat his hand away. "Don't start without us. I've got a whole drawer of knives over there and I'm not afraid to use it, Sirius Black!"

Both Harry and Draco pressed their lips to stifle their laughter, shooting one another a look that almost threatened the laughter to spill over. Under the table, Draco took Harry's hand and squeezed all the pent-up frustration into the hold. Given that the full moon was approaching, Remus' tempter was wearing thin from the moment he woke up in the morning. It would also explain why there was a dense chocolate cake chilling in the fridge, and why there was a barely noticeable smear of cocoa powder on Sirius' jaw. This had become their routine once a month. Remus obviously knew of the cake, his heightened sense of smell immediately detecting when the cocoa powder tin was popped open.

It was a little dance that they did; Remus would stomp around, slamming cupboard doors, playing with Teddy and cooking with such ferocity that it was a wonder the ceramic bowls didn't crack. During one of his cleaning frenzies, Sirius would sequester himself in the kitchen and whip up a cake. Later, after dinner, Sirius would present the cake and Remus would pretend to be surprised. Then he would physically melt and moan as he inhaled slice after slice and then be bundled up on the sofa with a mug of tea.

Harry was happy to see that some things didn't change.

Sirius caught his eye across the table and shot him a wink. Once Remus had finished setting all the food on the table and sat down himself, Sirius took it upon himself to serve everyone and take over the task of helping to feed Teddy. As he ate, Remus calmed down somewhat and tried to partake in the conversation around him.

When it was time for dessert, Sirius jumped up to go to the fridge. "Now, Remus, close your eyes and count to ten."

Remus rolled his eyes but did as he was asked, his lips twitching into a smile. "One … Two … Three …"

"Ten! There we go, you can open them now!"

Both young men watched from across the table as Remus opened his eyes and smiled beautifully from the chocolate monstrosity before him, and the man at his shoulder. "You always know how to cheer me up," he hummed.

"I've known for twenty years, Moons, I'm not about to forget." He leaned down and pressed an open mouthed kiss to his partner. "Now, eat up. It's orange chocolate this time."

"Orange chocolate?!" Remus and Harry chorused, their eyes wide.

Draco sniggered.

It was almost terrifying watching how everyone devoured into the chocolate cake. Remus put away three huge slices before he groaned and had to loosen his belt. Teddy's entire face was painted with chocolate frosting, and Sirius had to flick his wand several times for all of them to get cleaned. Bundling Remus up into his armchair with a movie on the muggle TV, Sirius took Teddy up to bed before coming back down and cuddling up with his partner under a throw blanket. Draco and Harry curled up on the sofa adjacent, in comfy bottoms and t-shirts with a thick knitted blanket from Molly strewn over their laps.

Harry was watching the TV, but had no idea what the movie was, the character's names or what the plot was. All he cared about was that he was nestled against Draco's chest, his hand dipped under his t-shirt and stroking the taut stomach muscles underneath. He felt soothed and calm as Draco's thumb stroked along his cheekbone absentmindedly as he stared ahead. At some point in the evening, Remus' head lulled onto Sirius' shoulder, and he was snoring softly.

The next week was going to be mentally and physically challenging for all of them.

In two days, Andromeda would come and take Teddy for a long weekend. It was distressing for Remus not to have his baby boy close, but deep down he knew that it was for his own safety. The last thing he wanted was to traumatise his son.

"Hey," Draco hummed as he stroked the nape of his neck. "You ready to go to bed yet?"

Harry shook his head, despite not paying attention to the movie. He peered up through his fringe and smiled up at Draco. He admired the softness of his pale blonde hair, the way it fell in a soft wave across his forehead, compared to the gelled back look he used for official meetings at the Ministry. At the small mole that was hidden just behind his jawline, at his long, pale hands that were always cool to the touch. He watched over Draco's features, committing every detail to memory so that he could call it up whenever he needed the comfort of the man he loved.

"I'm happy here."

As he glanced over towards Sirius, the man who had risen to the occasion of being a father -not just to him, but to three boys that were in desperate need of guidance, support and family. In all his wildest dreams, he had never imagined this turn of events after the Battle of Hogwarts. He had expected to be holed up at Grimmauld place while it rotted down to the foundations around him, surviving off the guilt and food from Molly, and bonding with Ginny over their shared trauma and mistaking it for any sort of romantic connection. Hermione and Ron would have been swamped with work and training at the Ministry, so their interactions would have been sparse at best, except for Sunday dinner at the Weasley's. Not to mention all of those ghastly Ministry functions he would have felt obligated to attend. Harry would have depended entirely on those around him to navigate his own life. The thought made him sick to his stomach to think that he would have been poked and prodded into the shape of 'Harry' that everyone thought he should be.

Instead, he had gotten the chance at a proper childhood with not one, but two fathers. He had steadily dealt with some of the trauma the Dursleys had inflicted upon him, although he still had a long way to go in terms of his therapy. He had been able to study magic and potions without interference or the challenges of a war that raged on around him. Through love, nurturing and one or two shouting matches, Harry now felt as though he could take on the world around him. He didn't feel lost or alone. It made his heart swell so much at all they'd achieved.

A gentle tap on his shoulder made him snap to attention.

"Hey pup, I think Remus is out for the count. You don't mind if I take him up to bed do you?" Sirius whispered.

Over his shoulder, Harry saw Remus curled up into a ball under a blanket that easily disguised his long, lanky limbs. He shook his head and gently said, "No, it's been a long day. We'll probably head up soon anyways."

Sirius smiled knowingly, before winding his arms around Harry and hugging him close. He popped a kiss onto the mop of black hair, before hugging his young cousin tight. "Goodnight you two."

"Night," they chorused.

They both watched as Sirius deftly swept Remus up into his arms, blanket and all, and slowly made his way up through the house, his feet barely making a sound.

Draco looped an arm around Harry's shoulders and cradled him close. They resumed watching the movie, although neither knew what it was about. "Are you still nervous?" he asked, his voice low.

"Until we get the official certificate stamped, I'll always be nervous. Always assume I'm perpetually nervous."

Draco chuckled to himself, "I really did influence you while you were growing, didn't I? Should that be weird?"

Humming, Harry shrugged against him. "Does it even matter? It's not like you were the one taking care of me, bathing me, or taking me to the dentist or the healers. You just happened to live in the same house."

"I suppose you're right," Draco mused. "You definitely picked up some vocabulary from me."

"What makes you think it was from you and not Remus?"

"Because outside of a classroom setting, Remus curses worse than all of us combined."

Harry snorted and burrowed closer, "Okay, I can't argue with that."

"Well, you could, but you'd be wrong."

Harry rolled his eyes as Draco threaded his fingers through his hair. It was soothing. "Do you reckon Remus will be up for your jog in the morning?"

"I'm sure he'll be more than happy to chase me around Islington when I bang on his door at the crack of dawn," the blonde grinned wickedly.

"I'll be sure to watch outside the window. I guarantee he'll bowl you over before you reach the main road."

"Oi! How is that supporting your boyfriend, hm?" Draco prodded Harry in the sides, making him squirm and try to wriggle free. Harry stifled his laughter against his shoulder, swatting at Draco's hands as he did so. Eventually he relented and coaxed Harry back into the warm cradle of his arms.

"Draco?"

"Yes, love?"

"You're happy, right?"

"Honestly? I didn't know if I ever could be again," he mused with a heavy exhale through his nose. "However, slowly, I've remembered what it's like. I still have my mum, I have two insane dads, a younger brother -I suppose? -and I have a loving, doting boyfriend who's as stubborn as they come. My life is pretty fucking great."

Harry felt his face split into a grin as he laced their fingers together. "Yeah, it is pretty fucking great."

Draco cupped his face and tilted his head up, lowering his face down so that he could ensnare Harry's mouth with his own. Soft pliant lips sucked and moulded to one another, fingers knotted into hair and gentle moans were swallowed whole as, on the TV, the credits rolled up across the screen.

They still had a long way to go before either man would feel as though he were on solid ground. However, for the time being, the sun kept rising up every morning, magic was renewing, growing and thriving throughout the wizarding world, and new hope was burgeoning in the lives of many families affected by the war. For some, it had come too late. For others, it had come just in time. All had paid the price for what they'd fought for, and all had to live with the consequences.

Harry had never felt more loved than he did in that moment. He'd wager that Draco felt the same, judging by the way he couldn't stop going in for more kisses. He was only too happy to oblige.

Life was good.

.

The End.

So, this is it. The end of the story. I don't think I've been as invested in a story since I wrote 'THE BOY WHO LOVED'.

As everyone always says, this story was not supposed to take years to finish XD I had an idea, overly-detailed notes, you'd think it would be a breeze! Unfortunately, even with the most detailed of notes, sometimes the urge to write just ... is not there. Life gets in the way and other commitments and for all those long months -where no doubt, people thought this story was abandoned -I'm so sorry I left you all hanging over and over! The urge to not ABANDON and to give you guys all the closure and completion of this journey with me, spurred me towards the finish line! Honestly, whenever I get a new review, saying that someone has binged it in a day or two, it warmed my heart! You kept the momentum chugging away and for that, there are not enough words to express my gratitude.

Now this story is complete and I don't know how I'm going to fill that void. I have many projects on the go, but there's something about Harry and Draco that just keeps pulling me back :3

Thank you for those who stuck with my from the very first chapters, and thank you to all the new reviews that are yet to discover this work. It may not be the best out there, it may have some plot holes (frankly, it's so much effort RN to go back and look), but I hope you got something out of this.

Thank you, my loves, thank you! I'll see you next time!

Belle xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox