Without a Trace

Author's note--Alright, Part 3 is up!!! Though...I think I realized too late that this is STILL a freaking cliff-hanger! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to be, and somehow the story hung itself!

Bear with me...I'm trying not to turn this into a "two-episode" script...also, YAY to Night for asking about the twins! Extra info about Harry's dynamic duo in the responses to reviews below...hopefully it will help ease the trauma? *hopeful*

**********


Without a Trace

CLIMAX (Part 3)

Draco hit the water head-first, arms tucked over his head in a position that would have made a Muggle Olympic champion diver envious. His body sliced through the water, and he immediately did a 180 degree turn, kicking his powerful legs to the surface. The water was icy, even though it was July. They were, however, far from the warming influence of the shore and even Liberty Island, which made the water all the more deadly for being cold. The first five seconds of hitting the water had been pure agony as his system was shocked with the needles of the water temperature. His shoes quickly filled with water, dragging him down, and he kicked them off, not caring at all that they were expensive or that they sunk to the bottom of the ocean; he could buy more. He began breast-stroking around the corner of the boat, searching for that familiar head of blonde hair or an arm or some indication of where Parker was. Nothing. There were more waves than normal, and it was choppy, not to mention ice cold. The pontoon boat rocked ominously beside him, and Draco suddenly realized that there was another boat just opposite the two that were already floating silently. The sound of a motor filled Draco’s ears, drowning out the fireworks, and his blood ran cold.

The boat’s motor created turbulence in the water and caused the two stationary boats to bob and weave, combining with the natural undertow of the water. It wouldn’t take much for Parker to have slipped under the boat…either being pulled toward the boat’s whirring fan blades…or out to sea…especially being bound like he was…even if he HAD learned to swim, that stupid fuck had restricted Parker’s arms and legs!

No, no!

Draco shook his head once, violently, to clear those thoughts from his head. His heart began to beat faster as he took a breath and dolphin-dove under the water. Even though he was floating in it, going under the water was a horrible shock to his system. He forced his eyes open, astounded that he could barely see in front of his face. He reached out as far as he could in all directions, praying that he would find Parker in time. He surfaced very near the pontoon boat and almost got smacked in the head by the metal bottom as it was tossed by the current. Draco treaded water, turning in all directions, not sure where to look next.

“PARKER!” he screamed, his voice terrified, and he was sure it hadn’t carried farther than a foot in front of him. He took a breath and dove back down, swimming along the length of the boat up to the middle before he had to take a breath. He came back up for air.

“PARKER! PARKER, WHERE ARE YOU?”

A burning sensation began in Draco’s chest, and his eyesight started to blur. And then he heard it. A faint cry.

“Daddy!” Draco whipped around as quickly as he could, considering he was in the water, trying to ascertain where it had come from. It had a slight echo and sounded vaguely hollow.

“Parker?” He called again, straining to catch a sound, any sound. He heard the sound of choking, and then his son’s voice came a little louder, “Daddy!” from under the boat!

Merde!

“Parker, I’m coming!” Draco hollered, cursing in his head, taking a deep breath, and ducking under the metal runner that the pontoon boat floated on. He popped up in the very narrow pocket of air between the runners on the underside of the boat. Clinging to the nearest one as best he could, which wasn’t very good, was the child, who was pushed under and pulled back up, only for him to cough and splutter just before being forced back beneath the water as the boat shook. Draco could feel the pull, even from under the boat, of the running motor, and Parker’s grip was slipping. His hands, still bound by the unyielding duct tape, scrambled for purchase until Draco was next to him in one stroke, putting his arm around his son. Parker, who had shown tremendous Gryffindor courage throughout this entire ordeal, promptly burst into tears as Draco pulled him close, kissing his temple and keeping his head afloat.

“I’ve got you, baby,” he whispered, the relief evident in his voice. They were knocked about rather violently, and again, Draco almost took a runner to the head as they were both submerged unexpectedly for a second. It was too dangerous to be under the boat, but Draco wasn’t about to go near the motor for fear that some well-meaning official would turn the key at the wrong moment. Trying to keep one hand on the metal for purchase, the other arm wrapped snugly around Parker, and feet treading furiously, Draco knew they’d have to go under to get to safety.

“Okay, baby, take a big breath and hold it for me. I’m going to get us out of here,” Draco said, taking an exaggerated breath and holding it. Parker mimicked him, and Draco plunged, popping up on the other side of the boat. As they came up, an exceptionally loud ‘crack’ filled the air, audible over the sound of the motor, and the little blonde cringed, pressing his face to Draco’s cheek in fear. Draco himself started at the sound, squeezing Parker a little tighter. It sounded like a gunshot, and his eyes darted to the deck. He couldn’t see anyone or anything from below, but he prayed Harry was okay. He faltered in the water, flailing desperately to keep Parker’s head afloat, before he resumed treading, although at a slower pace. His limbs weren’t responding as quickly as they had before.

Suddenly Harry appeared at the railing, screaming Draco’s name. Draco saw the abject fear in his verdant green eyes, visible even in the dark and watched as Harry’s face shift to one of relief as he leaned through the rails, reaching out as far as he could to Draco, even though they couldn’t touch. Draco swam as close to the boat as he dared in his weakened state, thinking maybe he could at least pass Parker up. Samantha and Vivian appeared at the back of the boat, lowering a ladder. Draco’s face broke into a thankful smile, and he made his way to the stern. Vivian was kneeling on the back of the boat with Samantha holding her shoulders. The black woman stretched her arm out.

“Pass me the boy!” she commanded, but Parker wasn’t about to let go of Draco. His little hands clutched at Draco’s shoulders as he began scrambling in fear. Draco was tiring quickly from all of the treading—even with the slower pace—and he slipped under for a moment. Vivian’s and Samantha’s faces changed to panic.

“I can’t reach him!” Vivian said. Harry sprang into action.

“Here, let me!” he cried, helping Samantha pull Viv back from the edge. Harry put his foot on the top step as if he were going to climb down into the water, held onto the handle of the ladder, and leaned back as far as he could. Draco reached forward clumsily and just barely grasped Harry’s outstretched hand. Harry flexed with all of his might, hissing as he glided Draco through the current, closer to the boat. He released Draco’s hand so that the blonde could grab the ladder himself. Harry noticed Draco’s near-exhaustion, and he jumped back up to the deck, bracing himself with one hand on the rail, offering the other to Draco. Draco shook his head tiredly.

“Just…just take him!” he gasped out. Harry violently shook his head.

“Grab my hand!” he screamed back, desperate to get the two out of the cold New York Bay water. Draco complied, finding his footing on one of the upper stair rungs as Harry pulled with all of his might, hauling both Draco and Parker out of the water and into himself. He fell back triumphantly, Draco falling on top of him with Parker sandwiched in between. Harry’s arms automatically went around Draco, encompassing Parker as well, and one hand found its way into Draco’s wet hair, working through it absently and comfortingly. Draco made no move to, well, move except for the kisses he planted on his son’s head and face, just lying in Harry’s arms, trembling. Harry didn’t notice or care that his entire front was soaked in a matter of seconds; he was deliriously happy to have Draco back.

* * * * *

Several blankets were dropped over them, and Elena knelt beside them, doing her best to poke the blanket around Parker, between the shivering child and Draco’s arm. The entire team hoisted Harry and Draco to their feet, half-carrying them into the cabin, the warmest place on the boat. Parker understandably clung to Draco, not allowing himself to be pried away, and that only got worse after Martin tore through the duct tape that bound Parker’s wrists together. Freed, Parker clutched at Draco’s neck as if he were afraid that letting go for one second would make his father disappear. Martin pulled the tape off of his ankles as well. The little blonde was silent, staring up at the FBI agent with wide grey eyes before burrowing his head into Draco’s neck, shuddering as Martin touched his arms and legs. Samantha put her arm around Draco, noting that he, too, was shivering rather violently.

“We need to get you both to the hospital,” she said quietly, escorting him to the front of the boat. Draco allowed her to lead him out of the cabin before turning around.

“W-wait, what about Har-Harry? He’sh coming, r-r-right?” Draco questioned, having trouble making his lips form the right words. Samantha tugged on him, trying to get him closer to the Coast Guard boat, but Draco would have none of it.

“Not right now, he’s not,” she admitted. “He’s needed here to help finish up a few things, and he has to write up a report about what happened. But I’m sure he’ll be by later to see you.” Draco frowned.

“He’sh w-wet t-too! Or didn’t you not-notice? He should-shouldn’t stay here on this fr-freezing boat! He’ll g-get sick!” the still-soaked blonde protested. Samantha gave up arguing with him; it was clear that he didn’t want to leave HJ (or Harry, as he insisted on calling their fellow agent). Martin and Elena hesitated in boarding the other boat, ready to force Draco if they had to. Sam went back into the cabin to talk to Vivian. Jack was still leaning against the wall, staring at Spaulding’s body, unresponsive. Vivian had taken over, and her command to Samantha had been to get Parker to a hospital and have him assessed. Sam explained Draco’s reluctance to leave HJ behind, and while Vivian raised her eyebrows, she permitted HJ to accompany them.

“Where is Narcissa?” Harry asked Samantha as soon as they were all seated below deck on the Coast Guard boat, heading back to the dock. Martin and Elena had elected to remain on deck, but Samantha went into the little room with them. Draco still had Parker on his lap, and the little boy was nearly completely covered in the blanket.

“In handcuffs and being transported to the office for questioning. She was bleeding slightly, but it didn’t need treatment or anything. Would either of you know how that happened?” Samantha saw the look that passed between the two men. Draco looked at Harry, surprised yet again at Samantha’s keen observations for an American Muggle. He raised his blonde eyebrows in a silent question, and Harry held his gaze steadily and then gave an imperceptible shake of his head. Sighing, Draco looked back at Sam. He focused on pronouncing the words without stuttering, and he was proud of himself for not shaking.

“I hit her,” he admitted. “I’m not proud of it, but it felt good.” Samantha nodded in understanding, hating the next question, but it had to be asked.

“Draco, are you covering for HJ?” She winced as Draco looked at her oddly.

“What? No! I d-don’t think so…I’m the one that hit her for being such a…a….” Draco trailed off, not yet able to admit to himself that his mother was as heartless as his father. He blinked slowly, his brain alternating between being aware of the situation and feeling fuzzy.

“Bitch,” Harry supplied. Samantha looked at HJ reproachfully, and he flushed. Draco glared at Harry for cursing in front of his son, who was more than likely sleeping by now. Good, he could use the rest. For a minute, he couldn’t remember what they had been talking about, but there was only one person he could have meant, given these circumstances.

“S-she was laying on one of…of the couches w-w-when we got here, and I incap-incapa-incapacitated her so that she c-couldn’t assist him,” Draco jerked his head violently in the direction of the boat they left behind, the movement leaving him completely disoriented. Sam nodded.

“How’s this little guy?” she asked, giving him a small smile and leaning forward to touch Parker’s head gently. The little boy was curled against Draco’s chest, arms still holding onto his neck for dear life, and he stirred, opening his eyes sleepily to blink at Samantha, smile back shyly, and close his eyes again. He was no longer shivering, but his skin had started to puff out, a bluish hue that worried Samantha, even in the small room below the deck of the Coast Guard boat. They would be at the hospital soon enough, though. Both blondes were still wrapped in thick blankets, but Samantha noticed that Draco’s lips were blue as well, and the skin of his face was slowly following suit. She also noticed the way the two men were looking at each other, and Sam excused herself to go chat with Martin and Elena above deck.

* * * * *

Harry glanced at Samantha’s retreating back with a mixture of thankfulness (at her perceptive nature) and regret (he felt like they were ‘kicking her out’) and fear (now he was alone with Draco, and matters that had been ignored or laid aside for seven and a half years would now have to be confronted). He heaved a sigh and looked at Draco, cocking his head suspiciously. Draco was staring down at Parker with an expression of pure, unmitigated love. Harry’s eyes widened, only having seen that look on Draco’s face once before, but even then, there had been a slight guard to it. Draco looked up and caught Harry’s eye, his lips working into a smile with difficulty.

“Shhhh, he’s sleep-ping,” Draco whispered. “W-we need t-to talk, P-P-Potter.” His eyes slipped out of focus for a minute, and Harry’s instincts kicked in. He himself was cold, but being a New Yorker for six years, he could handle it. Draco was still sitting there in his wet clothes, wrapped in a blanket, with his naked child pressed to him.

“Draco, we need to get you out of those wet clothes. You could get hypothermia…” Harry trailed off, suddenly recognizing the signs. He could have smacked himself for not seeing it sooner! As FBI agents, they were trained in first aid, but they only had a little bit of hypothermia training. Ginny had mentioned possibly taking a boat ride with the girls a couple of years ago, and Harry had read more about the condition in order to be prepared. They had never gone, it turned out, but Harry tried to recall what he learned. The blue skin, the shivering, Draco having trouble speaking properly, and Parker was asleep…

“Oh fuck!” he exclaimed, jumping to his feet. Draco didn’t seem fazed at all and continued to blink as if very sleepy. “Draco, I think you’ve got hypothermia. We need to keep Parker awake! Draco? Draco, are you listening to me?” Harry reached for Parker, intending to check the boy’s pulse, but Draco’s arms tightened around him, and he turned away clumsily.

“N-no! N-no one’s-s gonna t-touch him! ‘S sleeping, so l-let ‘im b-b-be,” he stuttered, trying very hard to keep himself upright. This was bad! Harry figured that Parker had to be in stage 3 hypothermia, since he wasn’t moving anymore or responding. He caught a glimpse of Parker’s swollen and blue limbs wrapped around Draco’s paler blue neck and let out a string of curses as he realized Draco was slipping from stage 2 to stage 3 hypothermia quickly. His speech impediments and mild confusion suddenly clicked into place, and the fact that he was turning unreasonable did not bode well at all. On the other boat, Draco’s adrenaline high had kept his vital organs functioning, but as he calmed down, the extra hormonal protection left, and Draco’s body temperature had dropped another degree or so without anyone noticing until now. Harry had to see Parker for himself, though, to keep him from slipping into a stupor, if possible.

Draco was swaying slightly in his chair, sitting sideways from turning away from Harry. Harry approached Draco from behind, and the blonde leaned back, allowing himself to be supported. Harry reached over Draco’s shoulder to pull back the blankets and study Parker, assuring Draco that he ‘wouldn’t wake him.’ Harry stared hard, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him; the little blonde appeared to be breathing, but just barely. Harry turned Draco carefully so that he was sitting correctly in the chair and pulled Parker from his arms. Draco protested, but it was much less coherent. Parker felt dead cold, even as he breathed…shallowly. Harry shucked his suit coat and wrapped it around the three year old, cradling him carefully. He timed the breaths; if his breathing slowed any more, Harry would have to begin rescue breathing. He shook Parker gently, trying to wake him up. The blue forehead wrinkled in protest, but Parker didn’t open his eyes. Harry was uncertain about what to do, so he ducked his head close to the little boy’s ear.

“Parker,” he whispered softly, trying to keep his tone positive or at least neutral. “Parker, listen to me. I know you can hear me, and you are not going to die. Do you hear that? You are not going to die because your daddy loves you too much for that to happen. He saved you, and you’re going to live and grow up to be strong and brave, just like him. He loves you so much, Parker; you’re going to make it.” Harry pressed his lips together, afraid that if he said more, he’d break down. Maybe it was his imagination, but he thought he saw Parker’s eyelids flutter ever so slightly, and Harry swore that the boy’s breathing became a little steadier.

* * * * *

Harry laid him down on the table, wrapping the suit jacket more snugly around him and the other blanket over the jacket. He looked over at Draco, who seemed to have fallen asleep sitting up. He cursed, crouching next to the blonde man and placing one hand on his cheek and the other on his knee. Draco’s eyes opened, and he smiled. Harry was not reassured, though, because, if anything, Draco was too pale and his lips were blue.

“Draco, how are you feeling?” Harry was almost too afraid to ask. His heart fluttered wildly in his chest. Draco stared at him for several long moments as if confused and not understanding the question.

“Cold,” he mumbled. “Wet… he trailed off, and Harry remembered one of the treatments of hypothermia. Remove wet clothes and replace with dry ones. Harry peeled the blanket off and began unbuttoning Draco’s wet shirt. He swallowed hard, trying not to look at the perfectly defined abdominal muscles that comprised Draco’s chest and stomach that were presently covered with blue-tinted skin that should have been as pale as marble. Harry pushed the shirt off of Draco’s shoulders and down his arms, flinging it into a corner behind them. He reached down and peeled off Draco’s wet socks, only then taking note that he had no shoes. Draco didn’t react at all. Harry took a deep breath and reached for the crotch of Draco’s trousers. Once the fly was unzipped and the button undone, Harry stood and placed his arms around Draco’s ribcage, hauling him to his feet.

The blonde could barely stand, and Harry wrapped Draco’s ice-cold arms around his own neck, hoping he would have enough strength for Harry to get his pants off. He felt odd, being nose-to-nose with Draco and shoving the man’s clothing over his smooth hips and sensuous legs. Once Draco’s pants were down around his knees, and Harry could no longer reach them with his hands unless he bent over (which he couldn’t do because he was still supporting Draco). He wrapped his hands around Draco’s bare waist, eliciting a gasp as Draco’s entire body arched into him. He stepped on Draco’s pants with his foot, trying to balance while pushing them to his ankles. Keeping one foot on the clothing, he lifted one of Draco’s thighs, then the other, in order to free his feet from the soaking article, and kicked them away. Draco had begun to whimper incoherently when Harry removed his hands from his waist, and Harry quickly replaced them, running his palms gently up and down Draco’s frozen back. He knew that one of the myths of hypothermia was to rub the skin to get the feeling back (especially for the limbs) but too often, this caused more tissue damage than it helped. Harry was especially careful to keep it to light touches so as not to mar Draco’s perfect (yet still blue) skin.

He could feel Draco’s cold breath on the side of his neck, and he realized that Draco had laid his head on his own arms with his face turned towards Harry. As if by instinct, Harry brought one hand up to Draco’s wet hair, stroking over his head while the other hand still caressed his back. Suddenly the breaths stopped, and Harry panicked.

“No, Draco, no! Fight it! Stay with me!” he choked out, shoving the chairs into the walls as he grabbed for the blanket in one hand, spreading it out hastily in the cramped space, and lowered Draco into a prone position, face up. Harry knelt beside his former lover, tipped Draco’s chin back, pinched his nose, and lowered his mouth over the unresponsive blonde’s. It was nothing like their earlier kiss; there was nothing sensual about Harry’s lips sealing over Draco’s this time…this time, it was a fight for life, and Harry was not inclined to lose. He exhaled into Draco twice, paused, and then began compressions on his chest. He muttered to himself, well, to Draco, rather, as he counted out the compressions in his head.

“Draco, damn you, don’t you dare die on me! You’re tougher than this, you Slytherin prat!” The first set of chest compressions, and no response from Draco.

“Fuck, Draco, come on! After all we’ve been through, THIS shouldn’t be a problem! We survived fucking Voldemort and the damn Death Eaters, for Merlin’s sake!” Harry’s voice was a little more desperate as he finished the second cycle.

“Goddamnit! I’ve been trying to exorcise you for six years, and seeing you today made me realize how futile that was, and if you came all this way just to make me realize that and then die on me…I’ll kill you!” Harry was ready to burst into tears, and the thought of Draco never waking up scared Harry into admitting what he had been denying ever since that fateful New Year’s Eve night.

Alternating between thirty chest compressions to two rescue breaths, Harry had completed three cycles and was going back down for the beginning of the fourth cycle of rescue breaths when Draco’s eyes shot open. His heart jump started again, and he inhaled a ragged breath. Harry nearly collapsed with relief on top of him, but Draco’s lips broke his fall. By the time Draco awoke, Harry was already leaning in to give him another rescue breath, but Draco—in a random moment of clarity just before he slipped away again—kissed him! Yes, it was weak and quick, and his subconscious desires could have been playing tricks on him, but there was no doubt in Harry’s mind that Draco’s lips had pressed into his for half a second.

Harry sat up straight, shocked out of his mind. He let one hand rest on Draco’s chest, and Draco covered it with his own freezing hand. Draco’s eyes closed again, but his lips turned up into a small smile, and he kept breathing, much to Harry’s relief. The black-haired agent heard Samantha coming back down the stairs, and he scrambled to pull the blanket over Draco to protect his modesty.

“HJ, Draco, we’re he—” Samantha cut herself off as she observed the scene. Parker was lying on the table wrapped in Harry’s jacket and the blanket, and Draco was on the floor, cocooned in the larger blanket. “What happened?”

“Hypothermia,” Harry said grimly. “He stopped breathing.”

“Oh my god!” Sam exclaimed, carefully lifting Parker off the table and pulling him into her arms. Parker, though unconscious before, tried to burrow closer to Samantha’s warmth, and she met Harry’s eyes with an uncharacteristic terrified expression. “He’s trying to burrow! Come on, the paramedics are waiting!” She turned and hurried up the stairs with the baby in her arms. Harry turned to Draco, sliding his arms under Draco’s neck and knees. He thought about using a Lightening Charm, but he wasn’t sure if he would be able to take it off in time so that the Muggle paramedics wouldn’t notice anything suspicious. Besides…magic was a thing of the past…or was it?

Harry lifted, grunting a little, but Draco wasn’t THAT heavy. He followed Samantha up the stairs, taking care not to whack Draco’s head on any of the doorframes or the wall of the small staircase. True to Sam’s word, the rescue workers were waiting at the top with a stretcher, and Harry laid Draco onto it. He had just barely let go when they began wheeling him off the boat and to the ambulance. He lifted his head to glance around quickly before settling back on Draco, but he saw that Sam was sitting in the back of one of the ambulances with Parker on the stretcher, and there was a second ambulance waiting. His eyes fastened on Draco, Harry helped (as best he could) hoist Draco’s stretcher into the back of the second ambulance, climbing in beside the Emergency Medical Technicians. Parker’s ambulance took off first, sirens screaming, and Draco’s followed closely, in the race to save two lives.
**********

Chapter notes:

1. Merde! As if THIS phrase isn't used enough in Harry/Draco fanfics! It means "shit!" in French, and I LOVE the fact that Draco knows French (even if I don't!)

2. I used Wikipedia's entry for "hypothermia" as the basis for the symptoms, stages, and the "rule" that Harry mentions. If you go read it, I hope that you will find Draco's and Parker's reactions (when they're supposed to be in Stages 2 and 3 of hypothermia) seem to go along with the symptoms described in the article. I am in no way a medical expert, so if something doesn't seem right (for anyone out there more qualified than I am to say so) please say so!

3. The cycle of CPR that consists of chest compressions and rescue breathing was also taken from the Wikipedia entry for "CPR". I myself have been qualified in CPR before, but my current certification has run out (for the US, anyway, since I'm not there to renew it and won't be for another couple of months).

4. He’s trying to burrow! I used this wording on purpose in reference to "terminal burrowing behavior" (also an entry in Wikipedia; there is a link from the "hypothermia" article.)

Author's note--Alright, what's the damage? *cringe* I actually forgot about the whole "hypothermia" thing until Harry and Draco were on the boat (and talking), and all of a sudden, I was like, "Wait...they've just been in the water, and yes, it's July, but it's freaking cold with the wind on the ocean, so Draco wouldn't be up to a serious conversation after being exhausted in the water..."

Well, and I wrote the first part of this section while I was in The Hague (my last night there) and I was drunk. Actually, according to my notes (which were surprisingly coherent for me being "not sober") I wrote Parts 2 and 3 of the Climax while inebriated...and honestly, once I sobered up, they didn't need a whole lot of editing. Weird, huh?

But I think it was after I sobered up that I realized the whole "hypothermia" thing, so I had to go back and add some slurring to Draco's words to make his downward progression seem natural.

OH, and I'm so glad you guys think Jack putting a bullet through Spaulding's head was a good way for him to die!!! I was really worried that you'd be mad at me for "ending it too soon", so *whew*! And I'm surprised at how many people keep asking after Ginny, but her plotline isn't crucial to the climax, so that's why I haven't included her (yet).

Thanks for sticking with me, you guys! It's not over yet, and I hope you'll keep coming back for more!

KLS--the "babies float" comment was in reference to Draco's diving to save his "now-drowning child" from the last chapter, right? (I hope so because otherwise I'm gonna look like an idiot for this explanation haha) My thought was that while Parker might float, he IS bound (as described in this chapter) and MY natural reaction for anyone being in the water is "OMG They're drowning!" whether or not they *actually* are. So that's what I was going for there, but I hope you think my description of what happened with Parker is accurate...

Thank you for the kudos...I couldn't resist a couple more "moments" between our two favorite hotties, but the man-sex IS coming!

Samayel--*shocked* Really? Wow, THANK YOU for your wonderful words! As far as the Latin goes...*sigh* it should NOT have taken me as long as it did to find those damn three words lol Oh well. It was worth it! H/D loving is coming, I promise!

HPDMkawii--Here is the update! Oh, and *grins* we have the CUTEST little Yorkie terrier in the world at my mom's house. We've had him for eight or so years now, and while I love him to pieces, he has to be THE MOST ANNOYING THING EVER (and even after 8 years, he's STILL not house-trained! Not the brightest bulb in the box, that one.) But the reason I say that is because the *big puppy eyes* ploy has already been beaten out of me by Duke (that's his name)...so I am impervious to THAT particular "give me what I want because I'm so cute" ploy! ;) Thanks for reviewing!

Night--Parker swimming...check. (Well, rather, his lack of) I look forward to your more detailed review!

EmeraldGrey--*dances around happily* Mine too! I was cheering and wiggling all the way through that scene as I was recording it! HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH Bad puns are the ONLY kind! (ALL of my puns are bad! :P ) And I know exactly how frustrating the little review box can be!!!!! *shakes fist at review box* It's cut off my reviews more times than I care to count! (which sucks because I tend to write long reviews too!)

And WOW! Thank you SO MUCH! 4-D?? I'm speechless!

WeasleyWench--More teasing! hehehe No, seriously, though, glad you approve (for now!) and thanks!

Sakya--Hi and welcome! lol Thanks, I think...I'll take that as a compliment. *grins* Five minutes...24 hours...well, no, it's not all the same to the clam...but we like the torture, right? *wink* Please don't kill yourself (I'd like you to come back and keep reading! haha) Alright, here is the answer to your questions about Draco and Parker, and we will find out about Ginny once all of the main action has died down! Thanks for your review, and I hope you'll come back and review another time!

thrnbrooke--You're right! Luckily I caught that before I made an ass of myself (so I gave Draco and Parker hypothermia to NOT make an ass of myself...wow, that makes me feel really mean lol) Thanks for reviewing!

Danine--Yes, I could die happily rubbing on Harry...or Draco...wait, that's not the point! *mental slap* haha And it's not ending JUST yet, as I am quickly realizing. I'm really, really, really trying to keep it to one episode, though! Thanks!

Star55--Thank you very much! I'm flattered (and I so look forward to your reviews too!) You are right...death would be traumatizing. Not only for you guys and the characters, but for me as well! (Well, except for Spaulding's death...and perhaps Narcissa's and Snape's...but that's yet to come--if that even comes to pass!)

Yay, cookies! I am hungry! (OH and I just got 5 boxes of Thin Mints in the mail, so I'm super excited!!! They don't have Girl Scout cookies here in Ireland, so one of my amazing peeps in the US graciously mailed me some!) *shares cookies with everyone* We all DO need a Harry/Draco plushie to love. :D *squeezes plushie and passes around* I think everyone might need to hug this after this chapter! (But I want that back! haha)

And....literary goddess?? Such high praise! Thank you! I hope I can continue to live up to that!

Night--YAY! *sings* Guess who's back (back back) Back again (gain gain) Okay, sorry, sorry! Yeah, FBI stuff....if only Harry weren't so damn committed to his job! lol But I hope you enjoyed the "moments" they had here! More about Snape, more about Ginny, more about the twins!!! haha *wink* Is this story EVER going to get to really end??? j/k

Alright, what would you like to know about the twins? (Actually, I've been wanting to talk about them from the very beginning but didn't quite know how to work it in without just "sticking" it somewhere!)

Currently, the girls are still with Ashleigh (and hopefully they've stopped crying by now; but Ashleigh's a good comforter, so I'm sure they're fine.) Poor things have had a long day, anyway, so they'll be getting to bed shortly!

Ginny gave birth to Molly Evan and Lily Siria in January 1999. They were born with full heads of black hair and Harry's eyes. Harry and Ginny named them after each of their mothers (Molly Weasley and Lily Potter) and Molly's middle name is Harry's mom's maiden name (Lily Evans Potter...well, they removed the "s" to make it more of a girl's name than a last name) Harry chose "Siria" (Lily's middle name) after his godfather Sirius Black.

Of the two, Lily is the more blunt, out-spoken, "say it like it is" girl. Harry's special nickname for her (and only her) is "princess", and she is a true "Daddy's girl". She likes strawberry ice cream, coloring, and Christmas. Her favorite part of Christmas is finding the perfect gift for her perfect daddy. Lily is also a bit more rambunctious, accidentally causing trouble and sometimes breaking rules (sneaking away from Ginny in the park was Lily's idea, whereas Molly felt the need to confess.) Lily is also more suspicious of strangers (which is why she said she didn't like Spaulding) but 100% trusting in Harry.

Molly (it can be said) has more tact than her sister, but she will speak her mind when she feels she has to (like when relaying the "secret" Spaulding told them.) Harry's special nickname for her is "angel", and because Lily has always insisted on being close to Harry, Molly has learned that she can go to other people. (For example, Lily would be insistent on going with Harry, but Molly is more diplomatic in that she would like to go with Harry, but she would go with Ginny or Ashleigh without the tantrum that Lily would throw...I hope that makes sense.) Because of this diplomacy, she has a more trusting nature than her sister, which is why she referred to Spaulding as "smiling and nice", but she shares Lily's view that he was creepy, in retrospect. Molly prefers chocolate ice cream.

So, given those contexts, can you figure out who said what when "Potter's look-a-likes" were interrogating Draco? ;)

(Molly tapped Draco first, then Lily; then Molly, then Lily, and finally Molly's frank question brought Draco to tears on accident.) Then when Harry walked in, Lily (basically) abandoned Draco in favor of her father, while Molly (ever the diplomat) gave Draco a "parting kiss" on the cheek before greeting Harry.

Let's see...I think that's all I have for right now about the girls. Thanks so much for asking! Any questions (anyone)???


chantalmalfoy--Thanks for giving it a chance! YAY someone else who knows WOaT!!! I love that show so much, and I just want everyone to at least be exposed to it! haha I hope you'll be back!

Serpentard--Thanks! I did promise one chapter per night (due to the exciting action!) and so far, I only missed out on one night, but that was due to unforseen internet problems that couldn't be helped. :/ haha Your review makes me laugh! Yeah, Spaulding had his "go" with Parker (grrr) and even though he tried to grab for Draco, he was an opportunist with Harry.

Now you know about Draco and Parker...Ginny will feature later after we find out about all of the characters who are more central to the main plot at this point in time.


Draca--Do you honestly think I could do that to my Draco? haha Actually, don't answer that. I seem like less of a bad person if the answer is "no" (but in reality...yes, I enjoy making him suffer...BUT it ends up being worth his while too!) I'm glad you don't have to wait very long for the continuation of the last chapter, but I'm sorry for this cliffie too!

*passes brownies out* Mmmmmmm, freshly baked! ;) Star's cookies, Thin Mints, brownies...We have quite the party goin' on 'round here! (A sort of Harry/Draco trauma watch party / support group / hot-gay-teen-sex voyeurs, perhaps?)