Cheating time, Unwilling fate.

Chapter 15

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Immediately after the war, the general consensus turned against Malfoy family. They were incarcerated within Azkaban very quickly. Harry however had chosen his confidants cleverly. Granger and a semi reluctant Weasley testified for Draco and Lucius at their closed trial a mere week after Narcissa had been kissed. As a result, Draco and his father were given a mild sentence; a fine of 10 thousand galleons and house arrest for two years for their alleged actions during the second war.

Draco had treasured the rare occasions when his father had been himself for sometime; then there were bouts of cold and calculating imperiousness to deal with. The first such incident was fresh in his memory.

His father had always counted to the last minutes of his birthday with him. It was their thing. Narcissa was never interested in interrupting her sleep merely to wish him 'Happy Birthday' in the night. It was the night of his seventeenth birthday that something unexpected happened. His father's eyes went wide as Draco's appearance began to change right before his eyes; a fog seemed to have been lifted from his eyes and he had freaked out. Then came the shocking revelations. He initially thought his father had had too much to drink when he was told about his parenthood. Him a Potter! The very idea nauseated him initially.

Only after months of hiding his changed self under glamor (which was prone to fail at times), he noticed that several things were not adding up. There were several occasions when he could not remember being himself and the increasing frequency of such incidents terrified him. Slowly, he had begun to make sense of what he thought once were drunken ramblings of his father.

Lucius's health had been steadily declining during the past year and it worsened quickly after they were placed under house arrest in the Malfoy manor. It seemed to Draco that the Dark enchantments Narcissa had placed on his father had left lasting damage through the years.

He had broken through the enchantment his 'mother' had placed on her chamber with surprising ease. What he had found out had shocked him to his core. His 'mother' was threatening Lucius with his life every time Lucius had broken through her spells on him. The amount of control was tremendous. That his father had fought through them a number of times impressed upon him the amount of power his father wielded. She also had an impressive collection of memories from the people she had manipulated or obliviated. Then. there were the spells she had placed on a number of people. Muddling though all of it he had realized that his 'mother' was truly an ice cold bitch.

He was furious when he finally worked out the truth about his parentage and the enchantments on his father. He and his father were trapped in a hopeless situation. He had nowhere to go, nobody to confide in. So, he had manned up and hid his pain under the Malfoy mask and carried on with the life of pretend. He found out that the Muggle means to hide his appearance were far better as he began to successfully shield himself against Narcissa's notice during the time.

With each passing day the situation grew grim. Voldemort had begun to gaze at him with a crazed gleam in his eye. Draco felt violated even thinking about it. Bellatrix's crazed fervor and his many failures had helped him escape the lunatic's attentions. He was glad he never had the particular honor that his aunt salivated over day after day.

Draco had kept the knowledge of his parenthood quite until his father's death. As he was under house arrest all the arrangement for the funeral were made by his lawyer. The Ministry worker who was looking at his case had promptly informed the Minister about his request for that particular phrase on the grave marker. Kingsley Shacklebolt himself had paid him a visit the next day.

"Mr. Malfoy, I am sorry for your loss." Draco stood up and nodded his head at the new Minister and his companions, his secretary Percy Weasley and Hermione Granger.

"It's Malfoy-Potter actually." Draco informed them with a cool gaze. Hermione looked at him speculatively. He looked entirely different than the Draco Malfoy she known before. Draco had taken off his contact lenses and regained the normal color of his hair since his confinement in this house. It was amazing to see what a profound difference a change in hair and eye color made in him.

Kingsley's eyes were riveted too. He hadn't seen the Malfoy heir since the trial. He wore his hair differently now; coupled with the changes, it made him see how Draco could claim to be a Potter. He certainly looked like one.

"I have considered your claim. I must say I am surprised. What I find suspicious is the timing."

"What! You don't think I would want to honor my father's love for his husband after his death?" Draco spat angrily.

"No Draco! What I mean is that you and your father were on the other side of war; against the Potter family. Your wish to associate yourself with Potters now that Harry Potter had gone missing is liable to be under tight scrutiny." Kingsley tried to placate.

Draco snorted. "Malfoys have been scrutinized for centuries. It never bothered us. You never believed that my father was under Imperius did you." Kingsley hesitated. Draco knew he had hit his mark. "Since we were placed in this confinement healers at St. Mungos certified that my father was under Dark mind control curses for the majority of his adult life. Surely, the information had reached you. It was the effect of those curses that killed my father at the mere age of 35." Hermione's eyes widened. She hadn't known this.

Kingsley's jaw tightened. It was highly classified information that the Malfoy senior was indeed under control of his wife for years. However, the public outcry against Malfoys was too great for him to ignore initially. Hermione and Ron's statements had definitely helped him spare them unnecessary anguish. People still believed that they had gotten off light. If the news got out that the Malfoys were actually related to Potters it would definitely turn public opinion in Draco's favor. At the moment, the news was bad for him. He had to stop Malfoy from gaining a foothold in the ministry again.

He sighed. "So, you really are a Potter?"

Draco narrowed his eyes. "Look at me. You have access to old betrothal contracts at the ministry. The contract for my fathers was never broken. They were married in secret, right before I was conceived and the contract was magically sealed. My father, Alex Potter disappeared mere weeks later. He is presumed to have died in a Death Eater ambush."

"So you and Harry are.." Hermione hedged.

"First cousins." Draco smirked. "Not that I like it." She reddened.

"Mr. Malfoy-Potter. The ministry would see to the proper burial protocols to be observed. However, I must insist on a private ceremony." Draco acquiesced. There was hardly any public coming to attend anyways. "Once again I offer my sincerest condolences your loss." Kinsley stood up and nodded at him.

"I am sorry Draco." Hermione whispered. Draco looked at her. She had tried to help him despite the red headed Weasley's objections. It heartened him to see that Harry had such loyal friends, quite unlike the traitorous bastards he had. For a Mud…..err Muggleborn she was definitely far more intelligent than the rest of them and more attractive compared to the ones in Slytherin house.

Draco shook his head as if to clear his muddled thoughts. "Thank you Granger, for err everything."

The day was overcast. It threatened to rain any minute. Draco stood beside the freshly covered grave with wild lilies in his hand. It was his father's favorite flowers. In the last days he had known his real father without any outside influence he found that his father was a warm and passionate man. He had loved wild flowers, many Muggle pleasures and most of all, his real father who disappeared after Narcissa had faked his poisoning and death. He found out that Alex was a master dueler, expert negotiator, Slytherin and quite a charmer. Despite what Narcissa insisted till her last breath, Lucius had refused to believe that his father (Alex) was dead but he gave up as the time passed. In the end when death came for him he had died peacefully in his sleep.

His lips curled. He didn't know whether he should be happy that his parents were together in death or grieve for the loss of his father. A sense of despair had engulfed him. The whole day seemed to be in his mind engulfed in a fog. He laid the flowers down beside the grave stone and touched the marker. It was exactly as he had requested. Needless to say, the marker had caused quite a stir.

In remembrance of Loving Father and Husband

Lucius Abraxas Malfoy Potter

1965-2000

The funeral was short and to the point. Draco found himself numbed. After the burial he sat down beside the grave. The wild lilies he had gathered moved with the breeze. The pain rose with a fury in his heart. He grieved for the father who had given him life and the father he had never got a chance to know.

Draco woke up with a wildly thudding heart. He had relived the memories he had tried to suppress since his brave sojourn into the past. It seemed now that he was staying here permanently. The funeral was one of the worst days in his life and he had nightmares weeks after it. It was the catalyst that had sent him blundering in the past like a Gryffindor.

He found himself tangled up in between the very two people he had come to seek. They lay on his either side, sleeping with their arms around him as if seeking to protect all evil from this world. He slowly sat up in the bed and glanced down at the other two. The sight assured him that he hadn't dreamed the whole meeting in the Room of Requirement. Seriously, the last night had been a revelation. He gazed down at the slumbering brunette.

'Damn! Harry freaking Potter is Alex Potter. Him and my dad. I never even knew he was gay. Not that I imagined him in Slytherin.' He was amazed and horrified in equal degrees as the reality of the whole situation sunk in him. 'He was in front of me for all those years and I never realized. I wonder if he could have been a Slytherin in my time.' His eyes wandered to the blond sleeper. 'Father looks so free. He is in love.' It showed in the way he looked at Harry/Alex whatever Potter. The last few months that he spent with his father had certainly showed him his capacity to love. Last night was a sight for his sore eyes. It had erased any guilt what so ever he had felt in trying to change time. He had simply watched him talking, laughing, holding Harry as the latter blundered through his explanations. His father was delighted that Harry had told him his secrets. His face showed his astonishment and later resignation to whatever had transpired later in the timeline.

Draco's jaw clenched. He was not going to allow anybody to take away his father's happiness this time around. As long as he was concerned he was erasing the whole timeline including his existence from it. Narcissa was never going to sink her black claws into his father. He would ensure it.

Harry turned on his side. He sensed that the surrounding area was empty and opened his eyes blearily. His sight met a thoughtful looking Draco. He smiled lazily as he met his son's gaze and opened his arms. "Come here Drake."

Draco hesitated for merely a second before he crawled back into Harry's arms. "Drake. I like it." He murmured smiling.

Harry tried to give him a stern expression. "You better." He laid a kiss on his forehead gently. "Sleep, it isn't morning yet."

"I had a nightmare." Draco felt childish admitting it. He had never been bothered by nightmares before to go crying for his parents. Well he knew he wasn't wanted by them before. With Harry now, it seemed only too easy to confess.

Harry tightened his arms around his fragile son in response. "I am here. Nobody is going to hurt you." It sounded suspiciously like a parent. Draco believed the sincerity in that voice. He hid his face in the crook of Harry's arms and burrowed in the warmth. Harry ran his hands over the pressure points in the boy's body and began to knead slowly. Draco relaxed as the tension in his body ceased to Harry's ministrations. Tonight nothing was going to hurt him. He was soon lost in slumber.

Harry laid awake absently running circles on his son's back. Draco clung to him as if his life depended on it. Lucius had exhibited similar behavior after the Malfoy dinner when he had been tortured by Abraxas. The implications told him how deeply wounded Draco was on the inside. Lucius's death had truly broken him. He knew Lucius had cared deeply for Draco. In the time Voldemort had been absent from Britain Draco had been a pampered brat. 'The second war has been hard on both of them.'

He gazed at the shadows surrounding his son's face. 'He looks exhausted…… As if he isn't sleeping or eating properly for a long time. There is hardly any meat on his bones… I wonder if I should just ship off my entire family off to some remote place and hide them until the coming storm named Voldemort blows over. I should look into it. I have to talk with Charlus and Dorea and inform them about this new development too. They are going to be thrilled. Meeting their great-grandson through time travel isn't something which happens to everybody. Dorea would definitely love him.'

Narcissa! She had definitely flown under his radar till now. Never in a million years would he have thought that he had thrown his brother in the arms of such a traitorous witch. The guilt within him rose swiftly. He had to figure this out quickly before she harmed any member of his family. The new threat needed to be dealt with effectively as soon as possible.

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Lucius woke with the sun. The light had penetrated the frosted glass windows diffusing the rooms with beautiful patterns of the morning rays. Unwilling to disturb the other pair sleeping in tight embrace with each other, he tip-toed to the bathroom and freshened up quickly. He came back to settle down in a chair and picked up the book he had been reading last night. He would read a line or two before he would glance up at the sleeping pair, and then go back to his reading. The two looked so adorably cute together.

From what he had seen of their interactions there had been a hesitance between the two to accept each other as family. Harry hadn't lied when he had said that the two hadn't gotten along in the past. It was an understatement. They had been at each other's throats literally, for far too long than he would have preferred. His son had been vague about the reason for his coming back but he sensed that he was hurting. The war had been hard on Harry too. 'I wonder how much more Harry had hidden from me to spare my feelings.' The thoughtful actions last night had left him with warmth polling in his stomach. Harry was instinctually protecting him and his son. 'I wonder if he realizes that he is in love with me. I see it so clearly now. He had to figure this out on his own with a little help.' He smirked but sobered quickly as the next thought hit him. Narcissa's betrayal had hurt; a lot. He would be careful of her and warn James off before he could get hurt. He himself had to look for protection against mind control.

Draco stirred slowly in his cocoon of Harry's embrace. He opened his eyes and found Lucius's eyes on him. Lucius smiled at his son. "Morning Draco."

"Morning father." Draco grinned. Instead of rousing up he leant back in his dad's embrace and closed his eyes again. It had been a restful sleep, the kind he hadn't had in ages. Slowly he opened his eyes again and met the amused eyes of his father.

Lucius simply shook his head and went back to reading. After a minute he spoke up, "You are an Apprentice. Don't you have classes to prepare for?"

Draco considered the words for a second. Then he grumbled and sat up in the bed. Lucius laughed at his disgruntled expression.

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"Damn you, you idiot." James peeked out of his covers at the grumbling. Someone was outside his door, most likely cursing him, but why? He tried to think of a reason. The Marauders have decided to be serious this year and not start off the ear with a prank. After all he was Head Boy. Then just who was outside? Lily! Shit did he forget to do something he had promised. He scrambled out of the bed fast.

He discreetly opened his door and found Lily chastising…… herself! What in the heaven? He was amused at the sight of Lily looking so frustrated and cursing. It was cute.

"Er Lily. Is there a problem?"

Lily froze at the sound. It was James standing at his door, arms crossed across his bare chest and his hair sticking up in all directions. He was just too handsome to be real. 'Kill me God!' she thought. Outside she composed herself and answered. "I kind of forgot to include our prefect schedules in the notes I gave to McGonagall….. They were sent to Headmaster Dumbledore last night. So, I cannot include them now. Professor McGonagall is going to be so angry. It was the first thing I was supposed to do as a Head Girl and I messed up."

"Ah! Professor Dumbledore is not in the castle. He left just after dinner last night. I can add them to your notes without anybody seeing me."

Lily perked up, "You can…………of course you can. You are a Marauder."

James laughed. "It is the first time you haven't said that with disgust in your voice."

Lily blushed. "Thank you, James. You are really sweet." She handed him the parchment. Then on the spur of the moment pecked him on the cheek and ran out the common room.

James stood there stunned. 'Did she really say I was sweet? Merlin! She kissed me.' He laughed weakly. He shook his head and left to find his invisibility cloak.

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James ran up the stairs to Headmaster's office under his invisibility cloak. As Head Boy he had the privilege of knowing Headmaster's password. His cloak ensured nobody would catch him snooping in there. The office was empty. He placed the parchment on the new stack he identified by Lily's neat scribbling. As he moved from the desk he heard the floo activate. There wasn't enough time for him to rush out undetected. He scrambled to get in a corner so that the incomer doesn't bump into him.

It was Narcissa who stepped out of the fire followed by Professor Dumbledore. His eyes narrowed. 'What is she doing with the Headmaster, out of the school at this hour?'

Narcissa turned toward Dumbledore with a smile on her face. "I hope you found the arrangements satisfactory, Professor."

Dumbledore nodded in acceptance. "Yes, Ms. Black. Once Alex is separated from Mr. Malfoy, I don't think you would have any trouble in breaking your own contract with James. He was rather forced into his own contract. I think he would gladly let you go to pursue Ms. Evans. You would be a free woman to marry Mr. Malfoy soon enough. Please, keep your head down and pass me whatever information necessary for our plan."

James was speechless. Dumbledore was trying to sabotage his family's betrothals and Narcissa was helping him. Bloody bitch was plotting against his brother, him and Lucius. His hands clenched as a red haze clouded his vision for a second. He forced himself to calm down without making a noise. This was what Alex had warned him about. His so called mentor wanted his family under his thumb. So, not going to happen.

"Yes, Professor. Good day." Narcissa nodded and moved to leave the office. James silently followed her. Once past the staircase he sprinted towards his brother's quarters.

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James reached his brother's rooms in five minute thanks to his extensive knowledge of castle's shortcuts. As he neared the door it opened and a distinctly disheveled Apprentice stumbled out followed by laughing Lucius. 'What the hell!' Still under his cloak he stilled.

Draco hugged his father goodbye. "Bye father." James eyes widened.

Lucius nodded happily. "Bye son. I will see you in Potions." The brunette nodded and walked away in the direction of the dungeons.

James took off his invisibility cloak. Lucius stilled at his sudden appearance. He gazed straight in the eyes of James Potter which were filled with a million questions. A few seconds later he jerked his head and stepped away from the door. James followed him in and shut the door.

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"So let me get this straight. Draco is my grandson." Harry nodded with his head in his hands. "You are my son with Lily and you drew up the whole betrothal fiasco to keep me away from her till next year's Halloween." Harry nodded again. "Wow!"

Harry peeked between his fingers. "You are not angry?"

James laughed. "It's a prank worthy of a Marauder. Besides, I was really an ass to you……. You know Lily kissed me today."

"Dad!" Harry whined, "Too much information."

James shrugged playfully messing up his hair. "I will behave myself and keep an eye on Narcissa."

"No telling anybody else." Harry glanced in the direction of Lucius.

James caught the look and nodded. Lucius was officially off limits for him. "I give you a Wizard's Oath that I will not betray your secrets to anyone not of your choosing." The magic swirled around them and settled.

Harry hugged him. "Thanks dad." James sighed happily. The morning had been full of shocking revelations. His naïve belief in Dumbledore was gone for good. In the end he was happy despite the treacheries discovered. This future was going to be a better one.

I hate cliff hangers and writers who write them. So, I am not going to give you one. Enjoy