Sparks flew as the spells were volleyed between the three wizards. Snape was not holding back his spells as he would for a student. This was Harry, the savior that he was facing.
Harry's breathing was getting heavy as the sweat broke out on his body. He still was not sure how he had gone from being irritated at having to allow Snape access to the manor, to learning about Draco without fighting with him, to throwing curses at Snape for training. He winced as a curse grazed his shoulder.
"Dammit, Potter, focus!" Snape threw another curse at him.
Harry blocked it. Harry returned a cursed and almost stung the man. He turned and blocked another curse from Draco.
"Focus is so much easier when you haven't been fighting for two hours." He took deep breaths as he glanced between the two who had been hexing him.
"The Dark Lord does not rest for anyone." Snape pointed his wand at Harry.
He braced himself for the next onslaught and was surprised when the other man threw the curse at Draco. "No!" Harry dove towards Draco pushing him out of the way, taking the pain-filled curse into his own body.
Draco rolled Harry's body over as Snape ended the curse. "Harry!"
"Mr. Potter, you must keep your head at all times." Snape said as he walked over to the boys. He looked down at the boy on the ground. He kneeled next to the him and ran his wand over him. "This could create an issue. You did not worry about Mr. Malfoy until I chose him as a target. I will need to discuss this with Lucius."
He stood up and looked down at the boys. "Come along. Your mother will not be happy if we are late for dinner. You need to be cleaned up."
"Yes, sir." Draco responded. He took Harry's hand and helped him to stand up. "Come on, Harry. Let's get inside and clean up. Mother will have our heads if we turn up for dinner dressed like this."
Harry tilted his head and gazed at the blond. "I just don't get it. Why do we have to dress up?" He shook his head and began to follow their professor. He moved slowly behind Draco. "This isn't going to be some formal thing, is it?"
Draco stopped and turned around and although the exhaustion was evident in his body, he flashed a golden smile at Harry. "Of course it is formal. My father has been in prison and this is his first dinner home. Come on." Draco let him catch up and grabbed his arm and walked him in.
Lucius and Hermione had just made it to the verandah when the three stragglers came in. Hermione's gasp rivaled Lucius' own thoughts. "Severus, is there something that I need to know?"
Snape looked up at him. "No, Lucius. After a short battle at St. Mungos, the Order prevailed. I came back to find that young Mr. Malfoy had decided to give up his life as a spy, so we began training for battle." He stepped up next to the blond man.
"In that case, please freshen up for dinner and relax."
Snape nodded and brushed past his friend striding into the manor.
Lucius waited patiently as the boys walked up to him more slowly. He crossed his arms as they came up the steps. "Boys, please tell me that neither of you are hurt. Was the fighting worth the feelings of love you claim to be experiencing?"
Draco raised an eyebrow at his father. "Father, I'm married now. There is no need to call me a boy."
"When you act like a man, I will treat you like a man. It looks as if the two of you were scuffling. Harry, you must learn to accept the bond. It is going to help you." Lucius watched the features on Harry's face changing.
"We weren't fighting, Lucius. It was Snape."
Lucius raised his eyebrow at that one. "I believe that you and I have had a discussion in reference to him as well."
"Father, please, leave him alone. He was only training with Professor Snape. We were not fighting. We were talking. I was hoping that he would realize that it really was me he gave his heart to."
Harry's shoulders stiffened. "Yes, my darling husband, why don't you explain to me why you had to trick me. Shall we finish the discussion we were having the other night?" The sarcasm was barely kept out of his voice.
Tension filled Draco's body as he took a deep breath. "I thought we had started to move on. Didn't you relax this afternoon?"
Harry glared at him. "Yes, I did relax. Whether I like it or not, you are my husband. I am also still so fucking mad at being deceived. It is going to take more than one afternoon, Draco." He turned to stalk away to his room when he stopped.
"Lucius, where am I supposed to go?" he asked stiffly.
"Draco, please show your husband to your rooms. I do believe that this would fall into the realm of taking care of your husband," Lucius said formally. He turned sharply and walked away from the boys. "Dinner will be served in the formal dining room. I expect you both to be presentable."
Draco sighed sharply. He walked to Harry who was still facing away from him. He slid his arm through Harry's and led him to their wing. They walked silently through the halls until Draco opened the door to the rooms. He sighed as he looked around. It spoke completely of him. It was all of his things accumulated through his life. "Welcome to our rooms, Harry," he said softly turning to gaze at him.
"Wow! No wonder you were upset over my room." Harry ran his hand through his hair.
Draco smiled at him. "Well, I'm sure that there is plenty of room for you here. If I know Mother, she already has a new wardrobe for you."
Draco crossed the room and opened a door. It led into a huge walk-in closet. Harry followed him at a slower pace. Draco opened one of the wardrobes in the closet. "Yes, just as I suspected. You have officially moved into the manor." Draco turned around holding onto a red sweater that looked suspiciously like a Weasley sweater.
Harry smiled. "I guess we have the house-elves to thank?" He walked over and looked through the closet. "Not all of this is mine."
Draco smirked. "Trust me, this is not my wardrobe. It is all yours. I'm sure Mother is dying to get her hands on your house as well. She would have got enough so that you would feel comfortable, but would have added her own choices as well."
"I can't take your mother's clothes!" Harry said letting the sleeve of a dress robe fall back into the cabinet.
Draco ran his hand down Harry's cheek and gazed at him. "Yes, you can. You are an heir to the Malfoy family now. Mother will make sure that you dress the part."
Harry closed the door to the closet and leaned back against it. "Sometimes, this is still too much to process."
The blond took closed the distance between them and placed his arms on either side of Harry. "Sometimes it is too much to process, but then you know what I say during those times?" He leaned in to where his lips grazed the others. "Fuck it, I'm going to enjoy myself. Do you want to enjoy yourself, Harry?"
Harry's eyes opened wide as he gazed into the eyes he had fallen in love with. His lips parted to say something, but Draco closed the distance. He leaned in and captured his husband's lips, kissing him. He slipped his tongue into the warm cavern when Harry's lips parted. He pulled back slowly and gazed into the green eyes blinking in shock.
"Draco…"
"Come on, love. We need a shower at least before our meal. I'm not sure about you, but I feel grimy." Draco pulled Harry behind him as he left the closet. He led his husband into the large bathroom and turned on the shower.
Harry just stood and gazed around at the opulence before him. There was a huge tub near a window that overlooked the rose gardens. To the side of it was the shower, large enough for four people. It had a bench seat sitting in the middle of ten jets of water shooting towards it. "Wow."
Draco smirked. "Yes, darling, this is my favorite room." He walked over to the counter that held all of his hair care products. He selected two bottles and placed them inside of the shower. "Come on, let's get your clothes off."
"You can't just demand for me to take my clothes off!" Harry said indignantly.
"Honestly, all I'm saying is let's take a shower. I will even stay on my side. We need a shower before dinner. This is the fastest way."
Draco shook his head and slid off his robes. He slowly unbuttoned his shirt. He took it off the showing his perfect body.
Harry was beginning to feel a tightening in his own pants. His mouth dropped a bit when Draco moved his hand down his chest to his pants. He unbuckled them quickly, never taking his eyes off of Harry.
"Come on, my dear husband. We have to hurry before we are late for dinner." He stepped out of his pants and into the shower. He let the water splash over his body as he lathered his body with soap. He looked over his shoulder as he spread the white bubbles over his cock. His smirk at Harry's dropped jaw was all he needed to turn around and stroke himself.
Harry quickly took his clothes off and stepped into the shower in front of his husband. In a brave first step, his fingers wrapped around Draco's cock. He gazed into Draco's eyes questioningly. He saw an answer in the eyes and leaned in to kiss him. His fingers were sure as he stroked the hard member.
Draco moaned as his husband began to kiss his way down his body. "Oh Harry."
Harry pulled back one more time and gazed deeply at Draco. He smiled and fell to his knees. He took the rock hard cock into his mouth and began to suck. He ran his hands up Draco's torso caressing the soapy body. He bobbed his head over his husband listening to the sounds coming from the other.
Draco pushed him off before he could finish. Harry's face showed the obvious hurt of his husband pushing him away. "No, don't look like that, Harry."
Draco knelt down beside him and kissed him. He ran his hands over Harry's body. He gently laid him backwards as the water poured over them. He slid his fingers down Harry's body and began to prepare him. "I love you, Draco," Harry said softly.
Draco groaned as he slipped into Harry's willing flesh. "I love you, too, Harry. Always I am yours." He captured the lips beneath him as they created magic within the shower neither noticing the golden bonds surrounding them. They finished faster than either would prefer.
Separating, the two stood slowly and washed the other's body sensually. Soft kisses were applied to wet skin. Soap covered their bodies as they explored leisurely in light of their knowledge of being together willingly. It was an hour later that they stepped out of the shower and began to get dressed.
They left their rooms, hands clasped and went to find Lucius. The needed to find out what was going on with the horcruxes.
"This definitely looks promising," Lucius said as they faced him. "An afternoon of resting always does the trick."
"Yes, Father, I find that the afternoon of rest created many promises." Draco pulled Harry over to the chairs to talk to his father.
Lucius nodded and sat back watching the two of them. "Are you both happy?"
Draco squeezed Harry's hand. "I hope so."
"Yes, Lucius, I think we are on our way. It feels different today."
"That is good. Harry, it will only get easier as you accept the bond. I know that it hasn't been very easy on you."
"Father, for what it is worth, I have apologized to Harry for not being completely honest. I hope that as soon as we get this war finished, we can truly heal all of our past issues." He picked up Harry's hand and kissed it.
Lucius nodded. "Alright then, we need to update you on the destruction of the horcruxes."
"Hermione did it?" Harry got excited.
"Yes, she did. I'm sure she will want to tell you all about it at dinner."
Draco watched the fire shining in Harry's eyes and he smiled. He watched as Harry became animated and questioned Lucius over the details. He felt his heart aching watching his father interact with Harry in a way that he had always wanted. It was bittersweet, but he knew that he would not change anything.
Dinner that evening at the Manor was a festive event. Hermione worried over Harry’s cuts and scratches, even while he was pushing her away. They were a bit more jovial after replaying the events surrounding the destruction of the horcruxes. They discussed how the spell exhausted Hermione and Lucius and that they needed to make sure that there were additional people when they destroyed the final ones. Draco enjoyed hearing about the lessons that Ron received that day from his mother. Hermione blanched when she found out that she was going to receive them as well.
Amidst the laughter, it became serious again as they discussed strategies.
“I got an owl from Professor McGonagall earlier. She said that we would be welcome to come to Hogwarts as soon as we need to.”
“I would suggest that we leave tonight, then,” Severus spoke up gazing pointedly at Harry. “The sooner you destroy what needs to be destroyed, the sooner you can face him and end the war.”
“That would be a wise idea, Harry.” Lucius spoke up. “You and Severus can get into the dungeons and practice some more, and Hermione, Ron and myself will work on the final two.”
Ron nodded with his mouth full of food. “That sounds like a good plan. Madam Pomfrey should still be at the school if any of us get hurt as well.”
“Draco, I need you to stay here with your mother to make sure she is kept safe.” Lucius looked at his son. “You will know if something should happen to either me or Harry. If the worst should happen, then be prepared to take your mother to Grimmauld Place quickly. From there you will need to go to Harry’s aunt’s house.”
Harry shook his head. “Are you sure this is the best way? I’m sure my aunt will turn them away.”
“Do you not remember how large her eyes got when we discussed my wealth with her? If she knows that this is her nephew’s husband and his mother, then she will welcome them both. They can stay there until they get further word. You did send an owl to your aunt, correct?”
He nodded. “I just know how my aunt and uncle are. They thought they'd seen the last of me.”
“Yes, but we did promise them a large wedding after all of this trouble passes us by. Narcissa and Petunia may discuss what you are going to do for the wedding, as if they may have a say in the wedding. You know as well as I do, them going there would be the last resort.”
“Why can’t I fight with you?” Draco sounded as if he were going to pout.
Narcissa laid her hand on his. “Draco, dear, it is not that I need protecting, but that your father believes that he is protecting me. It is the way of husbands.” She gazed at Harry who was watching her intently. “Although your husband may not realize this yet, he is doing the same thing. He is making sure that you are out of the fight and safe.”
Ron spoke up, with his mouth clear of food, “So, why isn’t Hermione staying here as well?”
Harry and Lucius laughed at the look on Hermione’s face. “Ronald Weasley! You know that I am needed to destroy the horcruxes that are remaining. Why don’t you stay here and wait for me to return for you?”
If it weren’t such a serious subject their laughter would have sounded forced, but it was met with a bit of cheer. “Fine,” Ron grumbled as he put a bite of food into his mouth.
~~ ** ~~
The group met at the fireplace. Snape was dressed in black and carried nothing besides his wand. Hermione had a bag over her shoulders that looked to be empty even though it contained many supplies. Ron was pacing back and forth still thinking of ways to get Hermione to remain.
Lucius pulled Narcissa into his arms and began to whisper in her ear. They held each other tightly and then shared a tender kiss. The others were polite enough to turn away.
Draco faced Harry. “You are a git, you know.”
Harry narrowed his eyes. “Because you still want to go?”
“Even you have to admit that I helped in the training earlier.”
“Who is going to protect your mother and get her to safety?”
“Who is talking as though he is going to die?”
“Who is going to…”
“Enough already!” Ron yelled at them. “Just kiss and say goodbye so we can leave already!”
Harry ducked his head as his face turned red. Draco looked the other way, obviously ignoring the red-headed weasels that were being let loose in his home. Harry looked up and bit his lip. He held out his hand. “See you soon.”
Hermione gasped quietly when she heard that and was tempted to pull out her wand to hex Harry. Draco responded quickly with a firm slap to Harry's face. “See you soon! Is that all you can say? I’m your goddamned husband and it is about time you start acting like it!”
Draco pulled Harry to him by the offered hand and kissed him firmly, leaving no room for debate as to the message he was sending. “We still have unfinished business to discuss such as why our future home is still in a state of disrepair! I have already told you that we must clear out the junk so that my clothes can be moved in!”
“Clothes! That is all you are worried about? You <i>are a git</i>”
“Yes, clothes! You are going to go out there and defeat the man like you were supposed to do sixteen years ago. If you had done it then, then we wouldn’t have to be standing here right now fighting over it!”
Harry saw red. “I was supposed to defeat him sixteen years ago? How the hell does a baby destroy a madman? How the hell was I supposed to bloody fucking kill the monster when I didn’t even know I was a wizard!
“Besides that, are you saying that you don’t want to be standing here married to me? You forced this on me! It’s all my fault though. I don’t kill a madman when I’m an infant and so now you are forced into hiding. If I had done it then, you wouldn't have to be married to someone you hate to suffer a lifetime of never being loved. What do you want out of me? What the fuck was I supposed to do?”
“How the fucking hell am I supposed to know. You are such a bastard. Go!” Draco turned from him and walked quickly out the door, because Harry knew that Draco would never have ran away. He felt his heart breaking as he watched his husband leave.
Narcissa kissed Lucius one more time. She followed her son from the room.
Hermione touched Harry’s arm, but he moved away from her. “Let’s go. I have to go kill someone.” Harry grabbed some floo powder and disappeared.
~~ ** ~~
Professor McGonagall met them at the doors of Hogwarts. She had her wand drawn and pointed at Snape before she would let them pass. “Potter, you are aware that there is a fugitive in your midst?"
Harry rolled his eyes. “Professor, he was apparently a part of Professor Dumbledore's ultimate plan. He just didn’t share it with all of us. Besides how can I complain when I'm married to the other one?”
She grimaced as she let them pass, against her better judgment. She was not sure how Harry could trust the man, but then again if Dumbledore had planned it she would not be surprised.
Harry turned to face her. “We have to destroy two items first, and then I believe that there will be a battle fought not too far from here. Will Hogwarts hold up to a battle?”
Minerva nodded her head. “Yes, she will. I will inform the other professors who are in attendance and I will put out a call to the Order members. I expect a few answers from you shortly, young man.”
Harry smiled and followed Snape to the dungeons to further his training.
Hermione, Ron and Lucius started up the steps quickly. “Um, Professor McGonagall?”
“Yes, Ms. Granger?” she replied.
“Do you think that we could prepare the house-elves? I know a few of them may fight willingly, but I really don’t want them to get hurt over our battle.”
“Hermione! Do you think we can worry about the house-elves later? We have a job to do and you were the one that insisted upon coming.” Ron kissed her firmly on the lips before she could respond.
Covering her laugh behind a cough, the Headmistress agreed to see about the house-elves and any other creatures on the grounds as well.
~~*~~
Harry followed Snape down to the dungeons. He pulled on a torch and entered a room that Harry knew had never shown up on the map. He stepped through the door cautiously and it slid closed behind him.
"Mr. Potter, we have a few things that we need to discuss without extra people. There are things about the final battle that you need to be prepared for."
Harry sat down in a chair. "What is it? You couldn't tell me this earlier when we were practicing?"
Snape walked to the a wall covered in books. He ran his fingers across some spines before pulling out a specific book. "Professor Dumbledore was afraid of the horcruxes."
"You know?"
The professor turned around and walked to the chair adjacent to Harry. He sat down and began to flip through the book. "Yes, I know. The headmaster was afraid that one of the horcruxes was within your scar. He spoke with me about this to make sure that what needed to happen would happen."
He handed the book across to the boy. "This is a little rare book that was given to me by him. This specifically describes how to create and destroy specific horcruxes. The good news is that you would only have to die."
Harry looked up in shock. "What?"
"Relax, Potter, I have no intention of doing this. The only one that can do this would be the Dark Lord himself. It is quite possible that when it happens, you will just die. On the other hand, this note here at the bottom of the page should give you hope. Simply put the scar that is the vessel and though you may die, your soul may also return. Professor Dumbledore believed this."
Harry ran his hand through his hair. "So what you are saying is that I have to die, no matter what?"
"I am sorry, Mr. Potter. I know that I did not keep you safe all of these years so that you could die. I am sure that if there is anyone that is able to defy death, it would be you."
Snape waved his wand and a decanter of Scotch and two glasses flew to them. He took them and poured two glasses, handing one to Harry. "I would, however, suggest you make amends with everyone. Mr. Malfoy would be one specific person. The beauty of our plan is that we are the ones that will determine when the final battle will take place. I can give you tonight, but tomorrow morning we would need to finish this."
"Why would I want…"
"I always knew you were a dunderhead. You are in love with Mr. Malfoy. Tonight may be your last time to be with the boy." Snape took a sip from his drink. "He deserves to be loved after what he has gone through to keep you safe. As much as I tried to dissuade him from his course of action, he wanted to keep you safe."
"How is he keeping me safe?"
"Without him, you would still be looking for horcruxes. You are able to finish this quickly instead of a year or two from now with how many casualties. Can you imagine who all could have died if you were still hunting the horcruxes? One of the Weasleys, Ms. Granger, any number of people you are close to. You have the full support of the Malfoy family. You may believe that the ring you are wearing is only a protection from simple things. The protections woven into that ring should help you to succeed in returning back to life."
Harry tipped his glass back and drank the Scotch, sputtering at the burn.
"With the plan that you and I are going to formulate now, no one besides you and I will be at the battle. I will create a spell that will dampen all magic within a radius, excluding myself, you, and the Dark Lord. You will allow him to defeat you willingly, and as soon as that is done, I shall destroy him. I will then portkey the two of us to the infirmary."
"There is just one issue with this. How can I trust you?"
"Do you really believe that I wish to continue bowing to that man? He killed the one person that I loved. He lost all loyalty I might have had for him."
Harry tilted his head. "You lost someone?"
Snape nodded. "I am only going to show you this because you need to trust me. I can guarantee that I will do everything within my power to protect you." He pulled a locket from his robes. "I do everything for her and keep safe what she held as most precious."
Harry took the locket and opened it. His hands were shaking as he gazed at the picture. "My mum?'
"If you survive, I will tell you about her. I can say this, for Lily I would defy anyone." Snape took another drink from his glass.
Harry nodded. "Okay, I believe you."
Severus stood up and walked to the window. "I can open the floo here and you can spend the night with Draco. If the worst happens, he deserves one last night with the man he loves. Do you want a fight to be the last thing he remembers about you?"
"Yes, I want to see him one last time."
"I will arrange it. You go back to the Great Hall and see if you can help with the horcruxes. Then get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow this ends."
