#and then after some Personal Growth Moments she sits down with hermione's parents and is like. i want you to know.

[greenerteacups]

Have been actively resisting re-reading lionheart lately because my reading list is sooooo long and reading time is soooooo limited, so I was extremely excited to learn about M+G Readings! I’ve listened all yesterday evening while doing chores, and I keep finding myself going back to Hermione having to pretend Draco, Harry, and Ron are girls when discussing her friends with her family. I can’t help but wonder if she made up just really horrible feminine versions of their names to help keep her from slipping up??

On the same note, it has been so much fun to go back to book one just to see how much your babies have grown and matured! They were all such little shits (affectionately) except for our sweet harry, of course.

Hello! Yes! M+G's podfic is a superlative piece of fanwork and the talent involved is off the charts. As someone with zero experience in the field of audio mixing, the whole process reads like magic to me.

The elder Mrs. Granger (not to be confused with her daughter-in-law, Dr. Granger) is, of course, always delighted to hear about her granddaughter's various adventures with Harriet, Veronica, and Darcy.

[agnesacacia]

Hansy Holidays

Pansy Parkinson hated these things. These insufferable fundraiser galas her mother insisted on throwing every few months, where they would honor some wizarding organization or another and all prominent members of wizarding society were invited to donate toward the cause. Because Pansy's mother, like all good pure blood witches, was a philanthropist. Honest to Merlin, that's what the woman called herself, like it was her career. A position that had been drilled into Pansy so hard that even at Hogwarts when she'd had to discuss her future career plans, she'd insisted on 'philanthropist' like it was a job title. She'd never forget the way Professor Snape had rolled his eyes at her and dismissed her as a silly, idiot girl with no real ambition. Which, to be fair, back then that's exactly what she was.

Sure she did well in school. Well enough to be at the top of her house. Not as smart as Hermione Granger (the twat) but she did alright. But a career just wasn't what someone like her did. She was a Parkinson and Parkinsons lived off of their investments and old family money. They contributed to the wizarding world through fancy parties and donations to politicians. And they married other pure blood members and continued to make pure blood children who would carry on that legacy.

But now.

Now Pansy was twenty two, still living with her parents, and woefully and completely single without any sort of career option to speak of. Her days were spent planning these horrible gala events with her mother and becoming increasingly aware that she would rather be doing anything else in the world.

Especially when these galas involved them. The Golden Trio. Harry bloody Potter and his two little minions were always at the top of the guest list and any event that was hosted had to have at least one of the three to be considered a success.

So here she was, glowering across the room as she watched Hermione Granger, looking absolutely fab in a chic new designer robe, her bushy hair tamed into an elegant bun. Weasley stood at her side, looking just as fab in a dark purple robe that made him look distinguished and important, which she guessed he was now. Both of them. Weasley was an auror for Merlin's sake. And Granger was already a top ranking official at the ministry of magic, working in magical creatures rights or some such shit. It only made Pansy feel even more inadequate. Why yes, I'm a philanthropist. The phrase made her stomach turn.

Potter was no where to be found, but that was nothing new. He had probably been roped into some horrid discussion about goblin rights or some such rubbish by all the diplomats here tonight. Sometimes Pansy actually felt sorry for him.

Across the room Pansy's eye caught that unmistakable white blond hair. Draco bobbed into view, looking miserable as always. He caught her eye and nodded in her direction. She forced a smile back, but made no move toward him. There was nothing left to be said between them.

Draco's parents sent him to these things in their steed because they were both too traumatized to leave their manor. They'd been mysteriously and inexplicably pardoned for their war crimes at the insistence of Harry Potter himself, and for that the Malfoys donated to every cause Potter endorsed. It made very little sense, especially to Pansy, but it was why it was so important that Potter be seen at these events. Potter meant money. Money meant success and success meant that the Parkinson family upheld their status as wizarding royalty.

Pansy rolled her eyes and gulped down the last of her elf-made sparkling wine. It was sweet and gritty on her tongue and her stomach rolled for a moment. She hadn't eaten much that day and her head suddenly swam. She needed some fresh air. It's not as if she'd be missed. No one was talking to her anyway. People rarely did.

She exited the party off the main floor out into a secluded courtyard garden. It was a cool November night and the air felt good on her skin. The smell of jasmine surrounded her and she relished the quiet, the calm.

A small sound made her turn around. It was then that she realized she wasn't alone. A figure stood hunched against the garden wall. Pansy lit her wand and drew closer. As her eyes adjusted to the night, she found herself face to face with none other than Harry Potter.

He still looked the same as he did when they were in school even though someone had clearly tried to tame him. He still had that same messy black hair, same glasses that sat a little too crooked on his face (why didn't he get a new pair for Merlin's sake?) and upon closer inspection, Pansy soon realized he was wearing the same bottle green dress robes he'd worn to the Yule Ball in their fourth year. Her eyes swept the hem at his feet and wrists and she was little surprised to find it had been altered rather poorly with a growth charm to adjust to his height.

She resisted the urge to scoff. The man was the savior of the entire wizarding world, had endless funds from his own family name, as well as that of the Blacks which was no small fortune, not to mention the fact that any robe maker would happily have him wear any of their designs free of charge (simply for the publicity...it's how Granger remained so well dressed) and yet here he was, at one of the most posh galas of the year, still wearing the same dress robes from Hogwarts.

How did he even exist?

"Pansy Parkinson," he said her name as a statement and a rather slurred one.

"You're smashed, Potter," she answered and sure enough he brought a flask of fire whiskey to his lips and took a swig. He cheers to her, then took another longer drag.

"You best be careful," Pansy said, wrinkling her nose. The man reeked of the stuff. She was surprised she didn't smell him the moment she went outside. "About a dozen reporters are here, and whatever truce you have with Rita Skeeter will doubtfully apply to the rest of them. No one would ignore the Chosen One being completely pissed at the gala for the benefit of war orphans."

"S'pose not," he said. He pocketed the flask and pushed away from the wall. He took a tottering step and promptly stumbled into a bush. He landed hard on his knees, then rolled to the ground before settling on his back giggling.

Merlin.

Pansy pursed her lips. She should just leave him here. It's not like she and Potter were friendly after all. In fact, other than a few cordial greetings over the years, she hadn't actually spoken to him since Hogwarts. And of course back then, could that really be considered speaking? It was more like jeering. She was such a shit back then.

She did sort of owe him. There was that whole thing where she tried to turn him into You-Know-Who.

Pansy sighed and pocketed her wand. "Oh go on," she grumbled as she pulled Potter's arm over her shoulder so she could haul him to his feet.

He leaned on her heavily, and Pansy steered him toward the staircase that led up to her personal terrace. She cast a concealment charm as they climbed the steps. Best not to be spotted leading a drunken Potter up to her bedroom. Imagine the scandal.

She led him through her ornate French doors and into her suite to the adjoining bathroom. Waving her wand, she lit the room and deposited the now hiccuping Potter onto the toilet and began rummaging through her medicine cupboard.

"I was saving this for a special occasion," she said as she thrust a vial of pearly pink potion in Harry's direction. "But I guess your needs are greater than mine, so bottoms up."

Potter studied the concoction with eyes that were very nearly crossed. "Wha izzit?" he slurred.

Pansy raised her eyebrows. "You don't get sloshed often enough, do you Potter? It's a sobering potion."

"Who sayz I wanna be sober?" Potter asked her.

Pansy shrugged as she settled herself on the vanity, her legs crossed under her black silk robe. "Fine," she said, "piss your pants in front of half of the Daily Prophet. Be my guest, but don't say I never tried to help. Besides, as smashed as you are, it probably won't make you completely sober. You'll still be a bumbling idiot...don't worry."

Harry glared at her a brief moment before uncorking the vial and tossing the potion back. It took about ten seconds before Pansy could see the effects. His eyes cleared and his pink face faded back to its normal swarthy tan. It was another thirty before he was vomiting.

Pansy couldn't help but smirk. "Forgot to mention that part," she said as Harry glared up at her from the toilet.

When he'd finished he sat back down heavily, took off his glasses and rubbed at his face vigorously. Pansy watch him impassively with her arms and her legs crossed. She summoned a glass and filled it with water. She handed it to him and he muttered a thanks before gulping it down.

Pansy watched as Potter buried his head in his hands, and for the first time since she saw his drunken arse in the courtyard, she wondered just what had driven the Boy Who Lived to get uncontrollably smashed. She thought about just asking him. It's what she would have done if it were anyone else sitting before her. But this was Harry Potter. And she was… well. She was Pansy Parkinson and while she and her family hadn't technically been death eaters, they weren't not death eaters. No matter what her mother pretended to be these days, she and Pansy's father, her aunts and uncles and cousins, they were all happy to sit the sidelines during the war and favor whoever won. To be fair, that's what most pureblood families did. They weren't really all that different than the Prewetts and the Greengrasses and even the Fawleys who never officially declared sides and didn't have any prominent family members representing them as death eaters. But they didn't fight either.

Pansy didn't fight. She didn't fight. That horrid seventh year at Hogwarts...the things those Carrows wanted them to do. What Amycus made her do...the things he did to her. And she'd survived it all by hiding behind her pretty face and her blood status and her last name. No one cared. Not even Snape and McGonnagal, not even the Weasley girl and Longbottom and all those pitiful DA members who fancied themselves saviors. They had new injuries every other day and Pansy thought they were insane, the lot of them. To resist was the die, didn't they see that? And many of them did die. They did.

Even Harry had died.

The Boy Who Lived had died, then lived again. A miracle many still didn't understand, Pansy included. But here he was. The boy wonder. Vomiting in her toilet.

He finally looked up at her and Pansy had a momentary shock that Harry Potter wasn't actually bad looking. Without his glasses, Pansy could clearly see those green eyes everyone always talked about. She realized with a jolt that she'd never actually been close enough to him to actually see. See the way they sort of glowed. Like emeralds, like actual jewels.

Her heart fluttered. And it made her angry. It made her feel vulnerable. And she was so done feeling vulnerable.

"So, Chosen One," Pansy said snidely as she studied her fingernails. "What's with the fire whiskey anyway? Felt like livening up the party out there? I admit it is rather dull."

Harry shook his head. "I've just been going through some things."

Pansy scoffed. "Going through some things? I suppose having thousands of admirers falling at your feet isn't enough for you? Now you've got things?"

Harry glared at her. "You haven't changed a bit, have you, Pansy Parkinson?"

Pansy laughed meanly. "No more than you. Still feeling sorry for yourself, are you? Still fancying yourself the poor little orphan? That's why you're here tonight, right? To help war orphans like yourself? Some job you're doing of it, getting pissed and hiding in a courtyard."

Harry stood up. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't I?"

"You don't. All you know is parties and jewels and money and Merlin why am I even talking to you?" He turned to leave. "Thanks for the potion. I'll be going now."

Pansy stood up now. "You think you're the only one who's suffered? You think you're the only one who's got things? We've all got things, Potter. You're the just the only one who's allowed to wallow in them, is that it?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Harry snarled. "I put on a happy face and smile for the bloody cameras and I come to these parties with people who would have stabbed me in the back five years ago, and I do it all because I was there, Pansy. I am the one who saw the dead bodies and the kids crying and I have a godson who will never know his parents, and yes, I was bloody one of them. And where were you that night? Fleeing. Just like the coward you always were. Now if you'll excuse me." He turned to leave again and in a rage Pansy waved her wand with such viciousness that the bathroom door slammed shut.

"Coward, you think I am?" Pansy said softly and her voice was low, dangerous. "Do you have any idea what it was like at Hogwarts that year? Do you have any idea what we all went through, what I went through. Of course not. All you've heard is what your precious girlfriend told you. The blood traitor that the Carrows all but ignored unless she was making trouble. But me? Did they ignore me? Did they let me just be? Do you have any idea what it was like for me, Potter? To be Amycus's little plaything? Because he liked me Potter! He liked me, and it didn't matter that I was a student, that I was a young girl, or that I said no. All that mattered was that he liked me, and he wanted me, and I was pure blood and the Dark Lord promised him pure blood. And no one could protect me. All I could do was endure it all. You think me a coward, do you? For fleeing? You don't know anything, Potter!"

She was crying now and her hands trembled on her wand. She didn't know why she was telling him this. She'd never told anyone, not really. Draco knew, but only because Amycus used to brag to him about it. How he'd stolen his girlfriend. Another way to rub it in Draco's face that he and his father had fallen out of favor with the Dark Lord. Amycus used to whisper things in Draco's ear. Filthy things. The filthy things he'd done to Pansy, and he'd laugh and lick his lips and Draco could do nothing. Nothing except look at her guiltily, pityingly.

Sort of the way Potter was looking at her right now.

She didn't want his pity. She didn't want his guilt. She just wanted him to understand. To understand why she did what she did that night. Why she wanted it all to just...end.

"You're right," Harry said, and he looked like he might vomit again. "I don't know anything. I didn't know. And...I'm sorry. That's...horrible."

Pansy seemed to deflate. She collapsed on the toilet seat, and buried her face in her hands. Potter handed her a wad of toilet paper and she took it, carefully dabbing at her kohl lined eyes.

"I shouldn't have told you that," she muttered. "It's not something I want people...knowing."

Potter sighed and sat down opposite her on the edge of her immaculate bathtub. He sat there quietly for a moment.

"Ginny's chucked me," he said finally.

"What?" Pansy was still drying her eyes, still trying to calm her racing heart.

"It's the things I've been dealing with. Ginny. She's chucked me for some Bulgarian beater, Boris Vulchanov."

"You're kidding," Pansy said.

"I know. I'm being an idiot...I know it doesn't compare to what-"

"That twat!"

"What?"

"That unbelievable twat. I never did like her, no matter what Blaise always said. What a bloody idiot. Chucking the Boy Who Lived for some daft quidditch player. And a foreign one at that."

Potter raised his eyebrows. "What do you c-?"

"I suppose she thinks she's all high and mighty now that she plays for the Harpies."

"I really didn't think you'd-"

"I mean, honestly. Boris Vulchanov? He's not even good looking. And he talks like he's taken one too many bludgers to the head. The bloody idiot."

Potter cocked his head to side. "I don't know what's more strange. Your outrage or the fact that you know who Boris Vulchanov is."

"Oh, don't be ridiculous. Everyone knows who Boris Vulchanov is. And if you ask me, he'll never live up to his father's stats. He's too thick."

Potter's mouth was hanging open.

"Ginny bloody Weasley chucks Harry bloody Potter…" Pansy shook her head in disbelief.

Harry frowned. "Well I'd rather her chuck me than stay with me just because I am...who I am."

Pansy leveled him with a glare. "That's not what I meant," she said. "It's just that the two of you… well Merlin if Harry Potter and Ginny bloody Weasley can't make it work, then what's that say for the rest of us?"

"That we're just as fucked as everyone else?"

Pansy surprised herself by laughing.

And Harry cracked a smile.

And Pansy's heart fluttered again.

She heaved a sigh. "Well I take back what I said before. You totally deserve to get smashed." Taking out her wand again, she summoned in a bottle of Scotch, the good kind, the kind she saved for special occasions.

"Whatever they say about muggles," Pansy said as she poured out two glasses. "They know how to make their liquor. Here." She handed him a glass and raised her own. "To Ginny bloody Weasley and Boris Vulchanov. May they both fall off their brooms."

Their glasses clinked and they both took a healthy sip. "Good, eh?"

Potter smacked his lips and nodded. "You know, my uncle used to drink this stuff like it was liquid gold. I always thought he was exaggerating."

"Was it awful? Being raised by muggles?"

Harry snorted. "It was awful being raised by the Dursleys, yes. Because they were muggles? Nah."

They sat in silence a bit longer, each sipping their Scotch, each lost in their own haunted memories.

"I'm sorry," Pansy said. "About what I said earlier. And about...well. You know. When I wanted to hand you over. I thank god every day that no one listened to me."

Harry drained his glass and poured them both another.

And they sat there. Together in Pansy's oversized bathroom, sipping muggle Scotch and silently forgiving each other.

2

Harry saw Pansy again about a month and a half later. She was standing in line at a shop in Diagon Alley, her arms filled with brightly wrapped parcels. She wore gray robes, stylishly cinched at the waist with a long matching cloak that was buttoned to her throat. A light pink scarf circled her neck and her black hair was windswept, her fringe a bit mussed and her cheeks a bit pink.

Harry caught himself staring before he realized it.

If he was completely honest with himself, he'd thought of Pansy Parkinson more than he'd have liked in the past weeks. It was a bit...annoying really. He often wondered what she was doing, who she was with, what she was wearing that day. It was absurd.

And then there was that trip to Azkaban.

After arresting Corban Yaxley, having taken years to track him down, Harry had wanted to personally escort him to Azkaban, as the man had managed to escape ministry clutches three times already. After depositing him in a high security cell, Harry had found himself standing in front of Amycus Carrow.

The man was lying on a low, hard bed. His legs were crossed as he thumbed through a copy of Witch Weekly. He looked so...at ease. Comfortable. And the rage that hit Harry was so hard that it was alarming. All he could think about was what Pansy had said. What this...scum...had done to her. He nearly reached through the bars and cursed the man right then. He'd settled for incinerating the Witch Weekly.

He watched Pansy pay for her items and exit the crowded shop. It was nearing Christmas and Diagon Alley was a bustle with witches and wizards scrambling to find gifts. Harry followed her outside into the snowy street. She had taken out her wand and was levitating several parcels and shopping bags, making her way toward Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

Harry entered the shop behind her and wasn't surprised to find that the store was more crowded than ever. Fred and George had just launched a new product that was selling like wildfire. Harry had actually had a hand in its development and was quite pleased to see its success.

"Messenger Diaries for sale over here," called out a familiar voice. "Step right up, there's enough for everyone. The perfect holiday gift." George was manning the Diaries sections and though his face was a bit red, he seemed to be enjoying himself.

The diaries really were a brilliant new invention and Harry and Ginny had actually gotten the idea from that old diary of Tom Riddle's (though they'd never admit it to anyone but each other). When Ginny joined the Harpies, she'd had to move to Holyhead, of course, which meant she and Harry rarely found time to see each other. And then there was the match schedule which took her around the world and with Harry busy with auror training and his work with the ministry, it was becoming harder and harder for she and Harry to keep in touch. Owls were much too slow, and flooing required a fireplace, and was always a bit uncomfortable. If only there was a way to write messages to one another that they would receive instantly.

"I hate to say it," Ginny had said, "but I sort of wish we had something like Riddle's old diary. It was bloody convenient being able to chat with him all day."

"Well if Riddle could do it, why can't we?" Harry had said. And so he had enlisted Fred and George's creative minds to help. It was quite simple once they got the logistics down. As long as two people had diaries, they could write to each other.

"Like walkie-talkies," Harry had mused, though the twins had no idea what he was talking about. But Fred took it a step further and enhanced the product so that one could chat with anyone else in the world who also had a diary.

"All you have to do," he'd explained, "is write their name at the top of the page, like this." He demonstrated by writing "Ron Weasley" at the top of a random page. "And now you just..." He took out a quill and wrote Hey git, don't think I didn't see you pocket those dung bombs. You owe four sickles or I'm docking it from your pay.

From across the room Harry and Fred had watched Ron's diary chirp. He opened it, read the message and frowned. He turned and made a rude hand gesture at Fred who merely waved.

"Neat, eh?" Fred asked.

"Brilliant," said Harry.

"We're going to make a killing of it. All thanks to you and Ginny. Don't worry, you two will get your share."

"Don't be daft," Harry protested. But Fred and George were very careful accountants. They were always sure Harry got his share in his investment and despite all Harry could do to discourage this, he continued to find fat amounts of gold in his Gringotts vault, deposits marked Weasley Bros Inc.

Harry watched Pansy head straight for the Messenger Diaries. She inspected several different styles, for the twins had different cover designs for sale. There was the standard brown leather, but also an assortment of designs ranging from deep purple with silver stars to vibrant orange and red stripes.

Pansy selected a shimmering pink that came with a matching quill and Harry smirked. He remembered how Ginny had detested the pink one. She then selected an emerald green one before making her way to stand in the curling line to get to the cash register. Harry saw that the twins had hired several new faces to help in the Christmas time rush, among which he spotted Colin and Dennis Creevy. They stood at adjacent registers, each wearing a matching smile and magenta robes.

Harry followed Pansy as she exited the shop and snaked her way through the crowded street, her parcels floating along behind her. She held her head high, her narrow hips sashaying as she strode along, quite oblivious to Harry following her.

She paused outside Madam Malkin's and surveyed a robe in the window display. When she went inside, Harry took out his own messenger diary. He turned to a new page and wrote her name at the top. Pansy Parkinson.

Fancy a cup of tea?

Her response came quicker than he would've thought.

Bout time you've asked. Seeing as you've been following me all afternoon.

Harry laughed out loud.

Meet me at Rosa Lee's in ten minutes?

More like twenty. I've just found a set of robes to die for. Must try on first.

And so Harry found himself, twenty minutes later, sitting in a crowded tea shop, across from Pansy Parkinson as she sipped her tea and nibbled on a biscuit shaped like a snowman.

Her cheeks were still pink from the cold, and her lipstick left red stains on the teacup. Her fingernails were perfectly manicured, painted a bright, festive gold that matched the studs in her ears. And she looked...beautiful.

Harry couldn't help it. She did.

"So," he said. "Er, Christmas shopping?" He nodded at her parcels and bags which now floated above their table, bumping gently into neighboring parcels as other patrons levitated their purchases as well.

"Ah yes," Pansy said. "All the obligatory gifts. New quills for Mum, shiny new cauldron for Dad—one he will never use, mind you. Let's see, a new hat for Grandmum, which she will surely detest but then...she detests everything. Some sweets for the house elves...let's see, what else..."

"Who's the second diary for?"

"Oh, I'm sending that to Daphne. She and her family moved to America, didn't you know? Just before all hell broke out here. I expect they'll move back after Astoria graduates Ilvermorny, but who knows. Daphne seems quite at home there. Met an American bloke she seems quite enamored with. It's a shame really. She's the only real friend I have left." Pansy smiled wistfully and took a sip of tea to hide her sadness. But it was there. Just under all the makeup and beauty potions, Harry could see it.

Harry didn't really know Daphne Greengrass. She was in his year, but being a Slytherin and one of Pansy and Draco's lackies, he never gave her the time of day. Of what he remembered of her, she was quiet, pretty, and was often found sniggering at something mean Pansy or Draco had said about him.

"And what brings you to Diagon Alley? Christmas shopping too?" Pansy asked him politely.

Harry frowned. "Er, yes. Kind of. I—well, Christmas this year might be a bit...awkward for me, considering…."

"Ah," Pansy nodded. "Considering the She-Weasle chucked you and you spend Christmas with her family every year."

Harry nodded. "Yes, she er—owled me that she was bringing Boris home to meet the family. Puts me in a bit of a strange position."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "The twat," she muttered under her breath. And despite the fact that Harry's impulse was to defend Ginny, he couldn't help feeling a perverse thrill at hearing Pansy's disdain. Part of him agreed. Yes, Ginny was a twat. He was angry with her. And everyone else in his life seemed very eager to stay on neutral territory when it came to Harry and Ginny's breakup. And he couldn't blame them, not really. Half of his friends were related to her, for Merlin's sake. And the other half –well….they adored her. Most people did.

But not Pansy. And that was...refreshing.

He raised his teacup and cheersed her. "So I fear my Christmas this year will very much consist of me popping into the Burrow for half an hour, just enough to drop off gifts and ensure Mrs. Weasley's feelings aren't hurt, then spending the rest of the day at home with my very old, surly house-elf and a portrait of a woman who hates my very existence."

Pansy wrinkled her nose. "I doubt that a dozen or more wizarding families wouldn't very much welcome the Boy Who Lived at their Christmas table."

"Yes, that's just what I want," said Harry sarcastically. "To spend Christmas dinner being toasted and saluted and asked to recount how I'd died and come back to life. That's in the real spirit of the holiday."

"Perhaps not," said Pansy. "Though might be better than spending Christmas alone."

"I suppose you have some lavish pureblood party to attend?"

Pansy sighed. "Well, yes. The Parkinsons are rather connected. Every Christmas Eve the Notts throw this large, ridiculous dinner party where we purebloods stand around together and congratulate ourselves on our numerous achievements and blessings...and until recently discuss how the muggles and muggleborns were destroying our society. But oh no, not anymore. Now it's all about integration and tolerance and creating a new world where wizards and muggles coexist peacefully. All thanks to you and Granger, really."

"Is that so?" Harry said.

"It's all very hypocritical. But at least the wine is good."

"I suppose you have some pureblooded suitor lined up to be your date to this party?"

Pansy snorted into her tea. "Are you serious, Potter? You think I have suitors? First of all, what bloody year do you think this is? And secondly… I don't suppose you read the papers do you?"

Harry gave Pansy a blank stare.

Pansy sighed. "You know Rita Skeeter might be on a tight leash when it comes to you and your posse, but unfortunately for the rest of us...we are free game. And her favorite topics are those of us who were so bold as to oppose you during the war. There's an article in the Daily Prophet every other week about me."

"About what?" Harry said, confused.

"Oh, usually some snapshot of me with an unflattering look on my face with some appalling caption like, 'Pansy Parkinson, Underground Death Eater Cult?' or 'Pansy Parkinson's Secret Pregnancy- how she sacrificed her baby to the Dark Lord!' She almost always begins the article by reminding everyone that I was the one who of course suggested we all turn on you at the battle of Hogwarts. No one wants anything to do with me, least of all romantically. Anyone seen with me in public runs the risk of being my alleged baby daddy to the child I used for some spell to bring back You-Know-Who, or some such rubbish."

"I see," Harry said slowly. He glanced around.

"Oh, don't worry," Pansy said. "There aren't any reporters here. And no one has been following me today...well except for you."

"How did you know I was following you?" Harry asked. "I thought I was being very discreet."

"Oh, you were," Pansy assured him. "You were the proper creep, don't worry. You'd make a fine serial killer. But lucky for me, I've had ample experience with predators and I've become quite adept at the tracking charm. It alerts me to anyone following me, or anyone getting too close. It only took once of being attacked by one of your many fanatics for me to realize I need to protect myself a bit better."

"The tracker charm?" Harry asked. "I've never heard of it."

"Ah, well you wouldn't would you? Learned it seventh year. Flitwick sort of took it upon himself, as did most of the other teachers, to take on teaching some more defensive spells. You know, since Defense Against the Dark Arts had ceased to exist."

"Ah," said Harry.

"It's bloody useful," Pansy went on. "Perhaps you should learn it yourself. Might save you the trouble of being harassed for autographs every few minutes."

"Perhaps you might teach it to me," Harry said before he could stop himself.

Pansy started to say something, but stopped as a blush crept over her cheeks. She buried her face in her teacup in an attempt to hide it, but Harry saw. And his heart lurched.

"So this party," Harry hedged. "At the Nott's… will there be press there?"

"Of course," said Pansy. "They never miss it. The Notts actually invite them. Pay them off to write something positive."

"And will the press be writing about you then?"

"It's likely, yes." Pansy said wearily.

"Well," said Harry, and here he started to smile. "What would they write about if you showed up with a pure blooded suitor on your arm? A certain, war hero of a certain...notoriety?"

Pansy frowned. "Potter, are you actually saying…?"

"Well, why not?" Harry asked. "You said it yourself, anything is better than being alone on Christmas. And this gives me a good excuse to duck out of the Weasleys. And of course, I still owe you for saving me from embarrassment at the last gala. Least I can do is return the favor. Imagine what the papers will say if they see we are friendly. All is forgiven, you're not a death eater, and so on."

Pansy looked down at her plate a moment. "Is it all forgiven then?" she asked quietly without looking at him.

Harry reached out and impulsively took her hand. It was warmer than he thought it would be, her fingers small and delicate. She looked up at him, her expression both surprised and hopeful. "There's nothing to forgive," Harry said softly. "The war was...hard. On everyone. I understand more now...what you were going through."

Pansy visibly swallowed and nodded, giving his hand a gentle squeeze back.

"So it's settled then?" Harry said lightly. "You'll take me with you to Nott's Christmas party?"

"On one condition," Pansy said, tossing her hair back.

Harry raised an eyebrow.

"You wear proper dress robes. Not that ghastly one from the Yule Ball. Something new. Something posh."

Harry laughed. "It's a deal."

3

Pansy stood in front of her full length mirror and studied her reflection. It'd been a long time since she'd dressed with such care.

Her hair was sleek and straight, and it framed her face perfectly. She wore it just as she always did, a black bob with a thick straight fringe that hovered just over her blue eyes which she had lined with kohl, a thick coat of mascara and shimmering eyeshadow. Her complexion was perfect thanks to a beauty potion she'd splurged on and her lips were berry red and matched her robes –the latest fashion – floor length with a plunging neckline that went down past her sternum. The sleeves were tight to the wrist where they flared out slightly and it was made out of a slinky new material that clung to her every curve. She'd paired it with a short gold necklace and matching gold chandelier earrings and when she moved, every bit of her seemed to sparkle. On her feet she wore a pair of simple black stilettos, her creamy white legs peaking out from a slit in the robe.

Pansy checked the clock. Potter would be arriving in just a few minutes time by floo and then from Pansy's suite they would floo to the Nott party together. She tried (and failed) to calm her fluttering heart, reminding herself repeatedly that Potter was just doing them both a favor by accompanying her to the party… but the truth was, her mind seemed determined to think of this as a proper date. She'd be lying if she said she didn't feel a hint of attraction to him. Okay, more than a hint. And it made no sense because he was Harry bloody Potter, and she was Pansy bloody Parkinson and she'd spent most of her life despising him. But for what? Simply because Draco hated him, and she always did what Draco said?

Well Pansy decided to put that all behind her. All was forgiven. Isn't that what Harry had said?

Pansy checked the clock again.

She had no idea what Potter would be wearing. She'd received a number of messages in her diary a few days ago that had given her cause for concern.

H: Pansy, what's the difference between white and ivory? Is ivory just a dirtier white? Why does it cost more?

H: Should I get cufflinks?

H: What are cufflinks?

H: Do they honestly expect me not to wear trousers under the robe? Is that really the latest trend?

Pansy had finally taken pity on him and responded. P: Don't let them talk you into white. Ask for a forest green blended robe, calf length with matching trousers. And yes, get cufflinks, preferably gold.

And when Potter walked through Pansy's ornate fireplace a few seconds later, Pansy was almost rendered speechless by how closely he had followed her directions.

His robe was perfectly tailored, dark green with golden embroidery. It hit him at mid-calf, just as she'd instructed, and he wore matching green trousers underneath. The robe was cut close to his shoulders and waist, accenting both his broad back and trim waistline. He looked...good. Someone had actually succeeded in taming his wild hair (Pansy suspected Sleekeasy's potion) and he wore new glasses –black rectangular frames that complimented the sharp angles of his face and jawline.

"Well don't you look dashing," she said, recovering from her momentary shock.

He smiled at her. "Likewise," he said, his eyes sweeping her from head to toe, lingering just a moment too long at her plunging neckline.

Pansy flushed and swallowed. "Well, shall we go then?"

"Just a moment," Harry said. "I um...well. Considering it is Christmas and all. I...got you a present."

"A present?" Pansy said.

"Yes, you know. Gift giving is sort of a Christmas tradition, isn't it? Here." He took a small poorly wrapped parcel from his pocket and handed it to her.

She held it in her hand and frowned. "I didn't get you anything," she said bluntly.

Harry laughed. "Don't feel bad just yet. You haven't even opened it."

Pansy tore at the shiny red and white paper, revealing a small black box. She opened it and nestled inside in a pillow of velvet was a small gold bracelet with a tiny emerald in the center.

"It's got a cheering charm. Just something to spread the Christmas cheer is all. No need to get weepy about it," Harry said, sounding a bit panicked.

Pansy hadn't realize that her eyes had misted over. She blinked rapidly and looked up. "Thank you," she said. She slipped the bracelet onto her wrist and she immediately felt the charm's effects. Happiness bubbled in her chest and suddenly she was smiling.

"Strong," she said a little breathlessly.

Harry nodded and held up his wrist which bore a matching gold cuff. His smile was as wide as hers. "I thought we could both use a little fun tonight."

Pansy sighed happily. "You thought right."

"Well," Harry said, offering her his arm. Pansy took it and together they made their way back over to the fireplace.

"Oh wait," Pansy said. "I almost forgot." She went to her desk and picked up the invitation. It was spelled so that it allowed access to the party, which was strictly invitation only, very exclusive. Once Harry had basically invited himself, Pansy had owled the Notts to change her RSVP from one seat to two. She received a new invitation back almost immediately, that showed two guests were now allowed access to the party.

They flooed into the Nott's main foyer. It was a magnificent room. At least a dozen Christmas trees lined the walls, each decorated with silver and gold baubles, tinsel and sparkling lights. The ceiling hung with garlands and enchanted snow fell around them. They were greeted by a sweet little house elf wearing a red and green pointed hat with a matching dress and curling shoes. She looked straight out of the North Pole and every time she moved jingle bells sung from her hat and shoes.

"Right this way," she squeaked, and she led them out of the foyer, down a hallway and into the main ballroom. The Nott's manor was very large, but Pansy knew the ballroom had been magically enhanced to accommodate so many guests. It was quite crowded already. Witches and wizards mingled in a sea of colors, chatting and hugging and laughing. No one had noticed them yet, which Pansy was secretly grateful for, but she knew it was only a matter of time.

"Shall we get a drink?" Harry asked.

She nodded gratefully and pointed toward the bar positioned just to their left. Pansy ordered a glass of red wine, and Potter ordered a scotch. They were just turning away when Pansy heard her name.

"Hello cousin," It was Theodore. He leaned in and kissed Pansy on the cheek.

"Theo," Pansy nodded. "How are you?"

"Oh, you know, the same. The mastery at the department of mysteries is keeping me quite busy. My final project is due at the end of the- Potter?"

"Hello Theodore," Harry said, lightly raising his glass in greeting.

"I didn't know you'd- with Pansy?" Theo looked back and forth between the two of them as if waiting for some kind of explanation.

"Good of Pansy to invite me," Harry said. "I've been wanting to meet her family in full for ages. This seemed an opportune moment, seeing as it's Christmas and all."

"Er, yes," Theo said, eying Pansy, who merely smiled. Her cheering charm was in full effect and she was finding this entire exchange quite hilarious.

"Well… er, welcome?" Theo tried again. "This is my grandmother's house. She'll be….er….delighted that you're here."

Harry nodded gratefully and started to lead Pansy away. They left Theo standing there with his mouth agape and Pansy covered her mouth to stifle the burst of giggles that just exploded.

"This is going to be fun," Harry said softly in her ear, and Pansy's neck broke out in goosebumps. They meandered around the room, Harry's hand settled lightly on Pansy's lower back. Pansy watched people glance at her and then away, so used to avoiding her as they were. It was most comical once they realized who she was with. Their heads nearly rocketed off their necks as they did a double take.

"I didn't know Theodore Nott was your cousin," Harry said, taking a sip of scotch as they walked.

"Oh yes," Pansy nodded. "Our mothers were sisters. Both Warringtons."

"Is that so?"

"Of course. Though, poor Theo's mother died when we were very young. He was raised by his father, didn't you know? The death eater. I don't think anyone else in the world was happier than Theo was when the wanker was sent to Azkaban. I think he's secretly grateful to you for that. Ah, and Cassius is just over there. You remember Cassius?" She pointed at her other cousin who was standing just ahead of them. He wore green robes, similar to the ones Harry wore, and his golden blond hair was so carefully disheveled it was almost comical. He stood next to his date, a pretty brunette Pansy recognized as Eleanor Branstone, a muggle-born Hufflepuff several years their junior. Pansy studied Cassius. He looked as pompous and bored as ever, and she wondered if he were really interested in Eleanor, or was simply courting her to improve his family's image after the war.

"Ah, yes," Harry said. "Played Chaser for Slytherin?"

"Harry! Harry, good to see you!" Horace Slughorn seemed to materialize out of nowhere. Pansy watched as her old professor's reddened face smiled fondly and greeted Harry profusely. Slughorn was closely followed by Mr. Olivander, the wandmaker and another distant relative of Pansy's. And so for the next twenty minutes until dinner was served Harry was greeted and received and smiled and cajoled into hugs and handshakes, so much so that Pansy finally took pity on him and directed him straight to their table.

The ballroom was set up with two dozen massive round tables that seated twelve. Pansy and Harry were seated with an assortment of Pansy's cousins. Cassius and Eleanor, Theo and Tracey Davis, her two elder Parkinson cousins from her father's side of the family. Both heirs to massive fortune and had pureblood wives with 2.5 children, lived in wizarding villages and had upstanding careers at the ministry. They pointedly ignored Pansy on most occasions, but tonight they were all smiles, and "Happy Christmas" and "lovely weather we've been having" and "Oh, Harry Potter, what a pleasure!"

Dinner was delicious, of course. A six course masterpiece that left Pansy feeling comfortably full and warm. Her wine glass was never empty and she was feeling quite good by the time their plates had been cleared and the music started.

"Is that Celestina Warbeck?" Harry's voice came from her shoulder, his lips hovering just over her ear.

"Of course," Pansy said, turning toward the stage. "She sings every year."

Harry's eyes widened. "I've tried three times to get tickets to her show as a gift to Mrs. Weasley. They're always sold out instantly."

Pansy watched the aging witch in her glittering robe and her elaborately styled hair as she crooned out her classic hit, A Cauldron Full of Hot Strong Love. She shrugged. "I suppose I could introduce you. I'm sure if she would have known the famous Harry Potter wanted to get tickets to her show, she wouldn't refuse you a box seat."

Harry gave her a lopsided grin. "I don't suppose you'd care to dance, would you?"

Slowly couples were taking the dance floor, swaying together as Celestina switched tunes and started in on a Christmas song about the three Magi and their travels to Bethlehem.

So Pansy followed Harry out to the dance floor. The cheering charm and the wine and her full stomach were filling her with a sense of elation that she couldn't describe. It felt like a dream, swaying there in Harry's arms, his warm breath on her neck, her chest pressed lightly against his. This close, he smelled oddly like wood. Like he'd just gotten off of a broomstick.

She didn't even notice the cameras.

They danced for several more songs, and when Celestina took a break Pansy introduced her to Harry, and they chatted like old pals. Then there was more wine, and more people to meet, and house elves walking around with trays full of chocolate cauldrons spiked with fire whiskey, and Kingsley Shacklebolt, the bloody minister of magic, was hugging her, for Merlin's sake and before she knew it she and Harry were standing in the doorway under a patch of mistletoe, and Harry was saying something about Nargles, and then he was kissing her.

And for a bit, she couldn't breathe. Like the oxygen had been sucked from her lungs, and lights were flashing, and people were laughing, and his lips felt like soft cushions of heat, and he tasted like whiskey and chocolate, and something else that reminded her of quidditch games at Hogwarts and she still couldn't believe that Harry Potter was kissing her, and then they were dancing again. And the cheering charm and the wine and Harry, it was all happening so fast and so strange, and so amazing and she loved it, every minute of it…

4

"Harry, are you mad?" Hermione slammed a copy of the Daily Prophet down on the bar table, her face a violent shade of pink, and her hair looking particularly bushy. "Pansy Parkinson?"

Harry looked down at the moving photograph of he and Pansy kissing the other night at the Christmas party. He hadn't realized that he'd sort of pinned her against the door jam, one hand braced against the wall, the other wrapped tightly around her waist. Her hand cupped the back of his neck, and their lips moved passionately.

The memory of her lips and her body and the warmth he felt… it set his veins on fire. He couldn't keep the smile off his face.

"You think this is funny, do you?" Hermione's voice had taken on that shrill tone she used to use in school when she was telling him off for copying.

"Oh come on, Hermione," Ron said from Harry's right. "He's entitled to a rebound shag. I mean, Parkinson is an interesting choice, but-"

"Harry," Hermione said, cutting off Ron. She took a deep, steadying breath. "I know you and Ginny's breakup could hardly have been easy...but...but… Pansy Parkinson? Is this really the way to get back at Ginny?"

Harry frowned. "It's not about that," he said. "Hermione look. I know you don't like her. Hell none of us did. But she's changed. She's different now. I… fancy her."

"You fancy her?" Hermione shrieked. "Need I remind you that she it was she who suggested we turn you over to Voldemort that night at Hogwarts?"

"No, you don't need to remind me," Harry said crossly.

"Need I also remind you that she tortured us for six years of school? She made up that wretched song about Ron in fifth year and during the Triwizard Tournament she made up all those lies about you to Rita Skeeter? And what about Draco? How could you like someone who was so into him, like she was?"

"Hermione, come on. None of that was that bad."

"Not that bad?" Hermione's face turned even pinker. "Don't you remember fourth year when she sneaked into my dormitory and stole all of my underwear. Yes, all of it! And I had to write home to mum and dad to send me more. And then she just handed my knickers out to all the Slytherin boys who made up disgusting stories about how they'd gotten them. And then there was that whole period during third year when she charmed a tampon to fall out of my pocket every time I raised my hand in class."

Ron snorted and Hermione rounded on him with a glare so fierce Ron nearly backed away. "Sorry!" he said. "But...period." He raised his arms in surrender.

"Yes. Period. I'd just gotten my period that year and it was mortifying! Don't you remember any of this?"

Harry looked at Ron and raised his eyebrows. Ron shrugged. The truth was, Harry didn't recall either of those things. But then, he was a bit oblivious back then. "Hermione, come on," he begged. "I said she's different now. All those things happened in school. People change."

"Oh well, in that case, I'm sure you wouldn't mind a bit if I went off and snogged Goyle. I'm sure he's changed."

Harry sighed.

Hermione was studying the Daily Prophet again. "It says here that you went to the Nott's annual Christmas Eve party with her. Harry Potter was spotted sharing a mistletoe kiss with none other than pure blood bad girl, Pansy Parkinson."

"Bad girl," Ron chuckled.

"Could this mean the two have set aside their differences in the name of a budding romance, or was this merely revenge against Potter's newly split ex-lover Ginny Weasley, chaser for the Holyhead Harpies? See page eight for more details. Oh, honestly Harry. The press is having a field day."

"Oy!" Harry said, his voice rising a bit. "I don't complain when the two of you snog each other in public and your bloody faces are all over the cover pages. Just let this be… Meet her. Get to know her better. I promise things are different now."

"Do you mean to say...you're actually going to… date her?" Hermione said.

Harry shrugged. "I've invited her to Neville's New Years Party. She's said she'll go. I expect you can speak to her then."

"Harry, you didn't," Hermione said. "Don't you think you ought to… ask Neville if it's okay if you bring her?"

"Why would he care?" Harry asked.

"Well...because!"

"Hermione just because you hated her guts in school doesn't mean everyone did."

"Don't you remember how she cast that leg lock curse at him when he was trying to ask out Susan Bones? And how she actually pushed him down the stairs in fourth year? Or how she would call him Neville the Nutless? Or… or what was the other one? Oh yes, Limpdick Longbottom. She was just awful to him."

"But how did she know he was limpdicked?" Ron asked seriously.

"Well," Hermione said smugly. "That is the question, isn't it?"

Harry frowned. He didn't really remember Pansy being that terrible. But then… Neville was always being teased, especially by the Slytherins.

"Alright," Harry conceded. "I will ask Neville. But if he says it's fine, she's coming. And you best be nice to her. There's more to her than you know, Hermione. Trust me."

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and looked doubtful. "Well there's Neville now. Go on and ask him."

Harry peered across the bar and sure enough, Neville had just arrived. He donned an apron and began his work behind the bar.

Ever since Neville quit the aurors to begin his mastery in herbology, he'd been working at the Leaky Cauldron alongside his girlfriend Hannah Abbott. Hannah's uncle Tom, the Inn's notoriously peculiar innkeeper had recently retired and left the entire establishment to her. And honestly it was probably the best business decision the man ever made because under Hannah's management, the Leaky Cauldron had become a completely different place. It was warm, and comfortable and served delicious food and drinks. It's rooms were no longer drab and dark, but decorated tastefully. It's service was impeccable and it was quickly becoming a favorite destination for witches and wizards all over the country, rather than just the entrance to Diagon Alley.

And for Harry, Ron and Hermione...it was basically a home away from home. They met up there nearly daily. They all lived in London now and with all three of them working at the ministry, it was a great place to meet up. And then of course, the pub always had friendly faces.

"Hi Harry," Neville greeted as Harry settled on a bar stool.

"Hey Neville," Harry began. "I was wondering...do you have a minute to chat?"

Neville shouldered a tea towel and turned to Harry, giving him his full attention? "'Course, mate," he said. "What's up?"

"So about yours and Hannah's New Year party… I was sort of wondering if it'd be okay if I… well, if I invited Pansy Parkinson?"

Neville grinned. "Well, of course. You can invite whoever you want."

"It doesn't bother you that...well that it's Pansy? You know, since she was sort of awful to you in school?"

Neville waved his hand dismissively. "Aw, Pansy's alright. She's changed a lot since then."

Harry nodded enthusiastically. "Right?" he asked. "That's what I've been saying." Neville followed Harry's gaze as he glanced toward Hermione and Ron.

Neville frowned. "Seventh year was harder on her than most people think. You three weren't there… you don't know how it was. Not really."

Harry paused and studied Neville. "What do you mean?" he asked quietly.

Neville lowered his voice and got a bit closer. "Well, it was the Carrows of course. They liked her. I knew what Amycus was doing to her. We all sort of knew. It was...kind of obvious."

"It was?"

"Well sure. Everyone always thought she had it easy...you know because they wouldn't punish her like they did the rest of us. She was always showing up late for class and not doing her work and smarting off to the teachers...but they'd just let it all slide, right? But then Amycus would make her stay after class with him most days and... she'd get all pale and shaky. I saw her afterward a few times and well...it wasn't pretty. I tried to help her. I really did. But you know Pansy… she snarled at me, told me to leave her alone." Neville shook his head as if to rid it of the painful memories. "Like I said, people thought she had it easy, but I'd rather take the cruciatus curse any day than what Amycus had in store for her."

Harry looked down at his hands. Had he really been so blind, all this time? Was it true that everyone knew? And that no one did anything? Harry looked up at Neville. There was still a scar on his cheek, a souvenir from the seventh year Harry missed out on. No. Neville had done something. Harry thought of the DA and the room of requirement and the stories he'd heard of the students rebelling…. They'd all done something, hadn't they? And they'd won in the end. He had to remind himself of that.

"And that night..." Neville went on. "The night of the battle when she… well when she wanted to turn you over?" Neville shrugged. "I sort of felt sorry for her, you know? She was so broken by then, like a horse. But honestly, ever since the war she's been right decent. You've heard about all the philanthropies she heads, right?"

When Harry gave Neville a blank look, Neville grinned. "Oh yeah, she's the head of loads of them." He started ticking them off on his fingers. "There's the War Orphan Welfare fund...you've heard of that one I'm sure."

"Of course," said Harry. "I donate every year. Teddy gets a good amount of benefits from it."

Neville nodded. "Hannah too. Even though she's of age and all, they give her a fair amount of money… you know, because her mother was killed by those death eaters sixth year? It helped rahab this place," he gestured to the Leaky Cauldron. "But at first Hannah didn't think she should get the money, you know? She thought the money should be used on kids and stuff. She tried to send it back, but then Pansy showed up one day with a bag of galleons and right near forced Hannah to take it. And the funny part was...even though she was being typical Pansy, yelling and insulting and being a right hag...she ended up hugging Hannah. Saying she was sorry for her loss and then they were both crying. It was mad."

Harry glanced back at Hermione. She was watching them carefully.

"And then there's the St. Mungo's Fund," Neville went on. "She raises a lot of amount of money for that one too. And you can tell things have gotten better there since she started heading the foundation. The hospital's expanded a lot. And now my mum and dad get their own rooms. It's more like a flat than a hospital room. They get their own kitchen and bathroom and sitting room… Me and Gran brought in a bunch of photographs to put up and old furniture from their house that my Gran kept all these years… and while they're still… you know... They seem happier. Mum makes her own tea now and my dad's even started doing a little magic again. Nothing crazy, just sort of turning the lights on and off and summoning his shoes, that sort of thing. Kid stuff you don't need a wand for...but it's done wonders. And I think it's because he feels more at home, like his old self. And I'm truly thankful for that."

"Blimey, Neville," Harry said. "That's great."

Neville nodded. "And that's not the half of it. She's on the board for the Welfare for Magical Creatures, the Muggle-born rights committee, the Severus Snape foundation, Pureblood allies…. Probably a few more. The papers don't report about any of that though," Neville said disdainfully. "They'd rather talk about her clothes or her hair or who they think she's shagging."

"Neville," Hermione interjected. Harry hadn't noticed that she'd joined them. "I've looked into those charities and while yes, they raise a lot of money, the Parkinsons and other pureblood families keep a substantial part of the money for themselves. So while sure, they might be raising money, they work it like a business and it's really not all that philanthropic."

Neville shrugged. "I don't know anything about that. I just see what I see, that's all. But anyway, I'd be happy if Pansy came to the New Years party. Hannah will be delighted too."

"Thanks Neville," Harry said, relieved.

5

Pansy peered over the edge of coffee mug and watched Draco pace the room furiously.

"I saw the Prophet this morning and I just couldn't believe it," he was saying, his hand running rampant through his blond hair. "I had to come over. I just don't understand. How could you do this?"

Draco had woken Pansy up this morning by pounding frantically at her front door, frightening the hell out of one of her house elves, demanding to see Pansy at once. She'd allowed him into her suite with a roll of her eyes. She knew this was coming.

Now she sat sipping her coffee and eating her breakfast, quietly watching him rant.

"It's Potter, of all people, Pansy. Potter! What are you trying to prove?" he glared at the wall, and wouldn't directly meet her eyes. "What's he trying to prove?" Draco muttered more to himself. "It's got to be an angle. Another swipe at me. Hasn't he gotten enough? How much more can I bend and scrape to him?"

"Draco," Pansy said firmly. "I know it's hard to imagine that absolutely everything in the world doesn't revolve around you, but honestly...this has nothing to do with you at all."

"Nothing to do with me? Pansy. You're my girlfriend and Potter just up and snogs you in public!"

"Ex-girlfriend," Pansy corrected.

Draco met her eyes then. "Pansy, I- I know things haven't exactly been...warm between us lately, but I just always thought..." he shook his head and looked away, his face growing red.

"You always thought I'd be here waiting for you," she finished for him.

He glanced at her guiltily before looking away again.

Pansy sighed. To be true, she couldn't exactly blame him. She always thought they would end up together too. After everything died down, with the war and the pure blood mania and his death eater ties. Once they'd both redeemed themselves enough to be accepted by society again… they would inevitably get married. Not because they loved each other, but because they both thought no one else would have them. It was unspoken between them. He was an ex-death eater, known adversary of Harry Potter, and she was the one who sold out the Chosen One. They belonged together. And then of course, there was their history.

She'd been in love with Draco Malfoy since she was eleven years old for Merlin's sake. It wasn't something she could just forget about. He'd been her first kiss, her first...everything. They used to meet in the Slytherin common room at midnight, used to find places to steel away together. And then sixth year happened… and Draco started drawing away from her. Hiding from her. Disappearing for hours at a time, coming back sick and shaky and afraid and it was obvious what was happening, but Pansy didn't know what to do so she just ignored it all… and then came seventh year and everything changed.

Draco wouldn't touch her after that. And he hadn't since.

Sure, he'd tried. He really did. There were late night floos and trips to muggle London for dinner dates, and small, chaste goodnight kisses and weekly owls that felt more and more like correspondences between colleagues, than romantic partners.

"Draco," Pansy said softly, setting down her coffee cup. "Come here."

He seemed eager to comply, sitting directly in front of her, finally meeting her eyes. She reached across the little sitting room table and took his hands in hers. She tried not to notice that he flinched at her touch.

"Listen to me," she said. "I love you." She held tight to him as he tried to pull away. "Wait, listen," she said. "I love you. I always have and I think I always will. But… it's been over between us for years. You and I both know this. And we both deserve better. I see that now. Maybe one day you will too."

His blue eyes met hers and she saw the hurt there, the pain. Not that they were over. But that she thought him worthy of...something more. She could tell that he didn't believe her.

"But why Potter, though?" he asked. "Why him, of all people?"

Pansy smiled softly. She looked down at her wrist, at the gold bracelet she hadn't removed since the Christmas party, though the cheering charm had long since faded. "I honestly don't know," she said.

Draco studied her a moment longer. "I don't like it," he said. "If he's using you, if he hurts you, I'll-"

"Oh Draco," Pansy shook her head softly. "I can take care of myself. You know that."

Draco looked at her a bit longer his expression changing from anger to guilt, to grief. Suddenly his eyes filled. He blinked a few times and bit his lip. "Pansy," he choked out. "I should have – I should have stopped him. Carrow. All those years ago in school. I just...I just..." he bit back a sob.

"Shhhh," Pansy said, soothingly. "There was nothing you could have done. We were just children. Both of us."

Draco let out a muffled sob. He brought Pansy's hand to his lips and held it there with his eyes closed. "I wanted so long to tell you...tell you that I was sorry...that I wanted to do more, but I was afraid. I spent so much time being afraid..."

Pansy waited, watching him silently as her own tears spilled over. They'd never talked about seventh year. Not really. They'd both suffered so much and yet they were both so proud, so stubborn. They should have found comfort in one another, but instead they had pushed each other away. Maybe now they could find healing.

"Come now," she said finally, brushing away her tears and sniffing. "Have breakfast with me. We've much bigger issues to discuss."

Draco sniffed and looked up. "Is that so?" he asked, wiping roughly at his blotched face.

"Yes," Pansy said with feigned seriousness. "What in the world am I going to wear to Longbottom's New Year party?"

6

"Master Potter, your guest has arrived."

"Thanks Kreacher," Harry said, feeling his heart rate increase. "Er, how do I look?"

The old house elf was momentarily surprised at being asked such a question, but his face quickly turned calculating as he inspected Harry's attire. "Very...fetching, sir. Kreacher thinks young Sirius would be most pleased to see you wearing his old jacket. He was quite fond of it, if Kreacher remembers correctly. It drove my poor mistress mad."

Harry turned back to his reflection and studied himself again. He'd found the old leather motorcycle jacket in Sirius's closet (now his closet since he'd moved into Grimmauld Place and taken over Sirius's old bedroom) and immediately fell in love with it. It was well worn black leather with a broken zipper and when Harry put it on he felt almost as if Sirius were hugging him, it fit so well. He smiled at his reflection. He looked...cool.

The leather was so supple and worn it was as if he were wearing cotton. He could just picture a teenage Sirius running around London in the seventies, hopping on the back of muggle motorbikes and sneaking into pubs to listen to muggle bands. Yes, poor Walburga Black must have been beside herself.

Taking the stairs two at a time, Harry made it to his front drawing room where Pansy waited near the fireplace. She looked….well. To be honest, she looked like a glass of sparkling pink champagne.

She wore a shimmering pink dress that fit so close to her body it was as if it were a second skin. It was of modest length, down to her knees almost, and had long sleeves, but the back was completely open revealing smooth, white skin all the way down to her tailbone. On her feet she wore matching high heels, the kind that said all kinds of interesting things, and Harry sort of lost his breath at the sight of her.

She smiled at him. Her eyes were lined with kohl and shimmering pink eyeshadow to match her dress. Her ears dangled with overlarge chandelier earrings and she carried a small black clutch. She looked beautiful and elegant and sexy all at the same time.

"Hi," Harry said, dumbly.

"Hi," she answered. "Lovely home," she said gesturing to the drawing room.

Harry looked around. Grimmauld Place surely had come a long way since he'd moved in several years ago. After months of Kreacher hounding him, Harry had finally relented to the renovations the house elf had in mind. And now the house was almost unrecognizable to those who had known it when it was headquarters for the Order. It was bright and airy and decorated in the most modern and comfortable furniture. It turned out that Kreacher was quite capable of removing all the portraits and tapestries that had been permanently charmed to the walls and he proved quite adept at exterminating all the pests that had been living in the old house. He'd even moved the old portrait of Walburga into a less central location where she wouldn't be disturbed as easily. (Removing it altogether was out of the question of course, and Harry didn't even suggest it.)

Within several months, with the help of a few house elves from Hogwarts whom Kreacher had befriended in his time there, the house became nicer than anything Harry had ever dreamed of living in. The hardwood floors had been refurbished and now shined bright mahogany. The carpets had been replaced, along with the curtains and the bed linens and the ghastly old curio cabinets with all their old, scary relics. The house was massive with eight bedrooms, six bathrooms, two formal dining rooms, two parlors, and one large seating area. The kitchen, located in the basement was now warm and inviting, and was where Harry spent most of his time entertaining guests, despite the ample space upstairs.

The house was of course much too large for Harry to be living in all by himself, and for a bit Ron and Hermione had been his housemates with Ginny a nearly constant presence. But it was decided (mostly by Hermione) that she and Ron needed their own flat to "grow as a couple" as she put it, and of course with Ginny's move to Holyhead and the ultimate demise of their relationship, Harry was quite alone as of late. That didn't stop Kreacher from making sure the place was spotless with fresh flowers and abundant holiday decorations dripping from every spare corner.

Harry watched as Pansy's eyes swept the room. "Thanks," Harry managed.

"You know, I saw the expose' in Witch Weekly last year, but it honestly didn't do the house justice," Pansy said, inspecting a fuzzy white throw pillow Harry didn't even know existed. Harry winced. He'd agreed to let Witch Weekly do that wretched article because he knew it would make Kreacher happy, but the publicity it sparked was a bit overwhelming. Grimmauld Place, a street in London which had once been quite abundant with witches and wizards, had fallen out of favor in the past century with the wizarding community. The surrounding houses had been sold off to muggles who had turned them into apartment flats that were rented out cheaply to mostly unsavory people. Crime had been quite rampant in the neighborhood when Harry moved in and even he had to be careful walking home alone at night. Muggles with guns were not afraid of the Boy Who Lived.

But then the article came out and suddenly those old townhouses were being sold and its muggle inhabitants evicted as prominent witches and wizards moved in. In a matter of months, Grimmauld Place had been transformed into a popular wizarding street. Everyone wanted to be Harry Potter's neighbor. Harry had lifted most of the enchantments that kept the house hidden...the Fidelius charm, for instance, and the unplottability charm, but many protective enchantments were still in effect. Otherwise his house would be swarmed by his many...fans. He'd learned that the hard way.

"Love the jacket," Pansy was saying, gesturing to his attire.

"Love the...er," Harry said, gesturing to all of her.

Pansy laughed, a soft tinkling sound.

"I figured we could apparate to the pub, if that's alright?" Harry asked.

"Of course," said Pansy. She withdrew her wand from the tiny clutch and Harry suspected she'd enhanced its interior with the extension charm. He took her hand in his and together they apparated.

They appeared together in an alleyway just outside the Leaky Cauldron. Loud music and shouts of laughter could be heard from the pub out on the snowy street. It seemed the party was already in full swing.

Harry led Pansy inside where they were greeted by a warm rush of bodies and noise. Harry spotted familiar faces everywhere, mostly friends he'd gone to Hogwarts with. Neville and Hannah were standing together near the door, each bedecked in paper hats and plastic beads.

"Harry and Pansy!" Neville shouted when he saw them. "Welcome, welcome." He draped his long arms over both their shoulders and it was plain to see he was already quite smashed. Hannah smiled widely, her own face flushed with drink. Harry thanked them both as they fetched him and Pansy glasses of sparkling champagne.

Harry kept an eye on Pansy as they were greeted by an array of guests. He'd been quite prepared to defend her presence, but it seemed no one really cared too much that she was there. No one greeted her quite as warmly as they greeted him, of course, but no one was outright rude.

They met Dean Thomas and Susan Bones, who were currently dating... along with Seamus Finnigan and a girl Harry recognized as being in Gryffindor but a few years their junior. Then there were Parvati and Padma Patil, each wearing identical golden dresses that were so short they might as well have been knickers. Lavender Brown actually kissed Pansy on the cheek as she greeted them, her blond hair piled in an array of curls so abundant she looked a bit like a lion. Ernie McMillan was there with his muggle girlfriend and of course the Weasley twins were there, dressed alike in their dragon hide jackets, Angelina Johnson and Verity Hopkirk on each of their arms both dressed prettily in sparkling dresses enhanced with some kind of spell that kept them changing colors. The effect was quite pleasant.

Then there was Luna Lovegood, wearing a white floor length dress that somewhat resembled a wedding gown. "Daddy says it's auspicious to wear white at the new year," she explained. "It marks the purity of new beginnings." Her date was a tall American bloke whom she introduced as simply Rolf. "We met in India," Luna said. "We were both studying the mating habits of the Dukuwaqa. They are really quite fascinating creatures."

They finally met Ron and Hermione, both of whom looked well into their cups as Ron had already spilled something on his shirt and Hermione hadn't bothered to spell it away yet. Hermione looked lovely in a black velvet cold shoulder dress that fit snugly up to her throat and Ron, despite the stain, looked rather good too in a matching black velvet waistcoat and dark washed jeans.

"Harry," Hermione said brightly as they approached. "I'd been wondering when you'd get here… Oh. Hello Pansy."

Pansy smiled tightly. "Good evening Hermione. Happy New Year."

"Yes, and you," Hermione said politely, glancing at Harry. "Er… Harry, what kept you? It's nearly ten o'clock. Hagrid has already come and gone. Said he had another party to get to."

"Ah, that's a shame," said Harry, genuinely disappointed. "I'd been hoping to hear about his holiday with Madame Maxine."

Ron chuckled. "Well, mate. I 'spect you'll hear all about it soon enough. Bloody lovesick puppy, he is."

"So what kept you?" Hermione hedged again. "I thought you'd be here ages ago."

"Er, got hung up at work," Harry lied. "Paperwork, you know."

"Ah," said Hermione. "That I do. I was just telling Ronald about a new piece of legislature I'm bringing to the wizengamot. It's advocating for the equal rights of non wizard magical creatures so that they can rightfully own property. Isn't it just appalling that house elves don't have any personal possessions? Goblins and centaurs too. Not legally."

"Quite," said Harry, glancing around the room. He had already heard about this new bill Hermione had been working on nearly a dozen times and was quite keen to change the topic.

"Yes, working in the department for regulation and control of magical creatures has come with many challenges," Hermione went on pompously, "But I feel I'm really making a difference, you know? And Pansy, how is the ah...philanthropy going?"

Harry felt Pansy stiffen beside him. He prepared himself to interject but Pansy spoke before he could.

"Quite well actually," Pansy said. "It's been an exciting time of year, what with Christmas and all. We've managed to almost triple the donations made for St. Mungos and the War Orphan fund is always growing. I expect we'll raise even more in years to come. It's quite rewarding to see the funds going to good use."

"I'm sure its quite rewarding for your pocket books, as well," Hermione said with a sardonic smile.

Pansy gave a quizzical look. "My pocket books?"

"Well, yes," Hermione said with a false conspiratorial wink. "I've seen the numbers. These philanthropies you head retain nearly seventy percent of their earnings. Quite a bit considering the national number is twenty five percent on overhead."

Harry bristled and opened his mouth to intervene but again Pansy beat him to it.

"Ah, while you may have noticed we retain seventy percent, it hardly goes into the pocketbooks of the heads. If you reviewed the numbers again, and paid attention to the donors themselves, you'd see that the heads of the charities, the Parkinsons in particular, donate much more to the cause than we retain. And I think you are referring to muggle organizations when you say the national percentage, yes? The national number for muggle philanthropies is around twenty five percent spent on overhead, as you noted, but what you're forgetting Hermione, is that muggle organizations get tax breaks and incentives which unfortunately the wizarding world lacks. Therefore our organizations are forced to retain a higher sum in order to pay for staff, food, event spaces etc. Perhaps you should take that to the wizengamot for a change in legislature. It would certainly make things much easier for me."

Harry smiled at the dumbfounded look on Hermione's face as Pansy politely sipped her champagne.

"Er, Neville's been raving about the changes at St. Mungo's," Ron said quickly, glancing nervously between Pansy and Hermione. "Says his mum and dad have been doing really well in their new apartments."

"I'm delighted to hear it," Pansy said. "As chair of the financial committee I've made it a special project to ensure long time patients, especially those suffering from ailments caused by dark magic at the hands of death eaters, are given the utmost care. They are the true heroes, after all."

"And you have that much power?" Ron asked. "You can actually tell them how to spend the money."

Pansy frowned. "Well of course. Haven't you learned this by now, Weasley? The people with the money have all the power."

Ron laughed.

Hermione scowled.

And Harry took a long drink of his champagne.

7

Pansy had never been to a party like this. It was lively and...fun. Everyone was quite smashed, dancing and laughing and cheering at unnecessary things. People she hadn't spoken to in years were offering her shots of fire whiskey and fetching her glasses of champagne and asking her about her life.

She was one of only three former Slytherins present. There was Bridget Farley, a girl a year or so younger than Pansy in school whom Pansy had rarely spoken, and then there was her own cousin Cassius Warrington who had accompanied his girlfriend and former Hufflepuff, Eleanor Branstone.

"Happy New Year cousin!" Cassius exclaimed when he saw her. "Fancy seeing you here."

Pansy stared. He was wearing one of those horrible black top hats with Happy New Year flashing across the brim and a hot pink lei. His shirt was unbuttoned at the neck and he was quite sweaty. Perhaps most surprising was that he was smiling for Merlin's sake. She'd never seen him looking anything but crisp and calm and surly.

"Happy New Year Cassius," Pansy responded. "And to you too Eleanor." The girl seemed surprised that Pansy knew her name. She wore a bright pink dress that was quite tight and quite short and Cassius looked at her with such adoration that Pansy felt foolish that she'd ever thought his feelings for her were feigned.

As midnight approached, Harry pulled Pansy close to him. His hands circled her waist and he eyed her in a way that made her feel hungry and soft and warm and feminine and just...deserving of...whatever this was. And as the Weasley twins cast large golden numbers in the air counting down the seconds until midnight, Pansy couldn't even watch the firework display raining above them, her eyes didn't leave Harry's and three, two, one...midnight arrived and so did Harry's lips on hers and she just sort of melted against him just like she'd done under the mistletoe just a week ago.

Shouts and cheers surrounded them, champagne bottles popped and fireworks exploded. Confetti rained down upon them, getting stuck in Pansy's eyelashes and Harry's hair, and Merlin she didn't want the moment to end. And then the music was thumping and she and Harry were dancing and he twirled her around until she was dizzy and then she was posing for a photo with Hannah Abbott and Susan Bones and Eloise Midgen, smiling like they were all best mates as Colin Creevey's camera flashed. And then she and Oliver Wood were having a lively discussion about Quidditch and Terry Boot was laughing at one of her jokes, and then she and Sue Li were comparing the best charms for levitation.

Around two in the morning the party started to die down. Harry found her near the bar, wrapped an arm around her and drew her close. He kissed her again, open and unembarrassed and she kissed him back, aware that they were surrounded by people but not caring one bit. He broke away a moment later and whispered close to her ear so that his breath sent shivers down her back.

"Come back to my place?"

They apparated together again, just outside the pub. It had begun to snow and the night felt mysterious and alive. When they arrived back at Grimmauld Place Pansy knew she ought to be cold, but Harry's presence warmed her.

"Do you-ah...want a drink?" Harry asked her when they got inside and were seated on the leather sofa in the drawing room. He seemed suddenly shy, unsure.

"Okay," she said.

Harry disappeared for a bit and returned a few moments later with a bottle of brandy and two glasses. He sat down next to her and poured her a healthy dose. "Hope this is alright," Harry said. "I couldn't find the Scotch and my house elf is...erm… a bit useless at the moment." He chuckled at Pansy's confused frown. "It seems Kreacher had a little New Year party of his own. Kitchen has about five or six Hogwarts elves, passed out on butterbeer."

Pansy laughed and raised her glass to her lips. The brandy was sweet and warm. She eyed him sitting next to her, nervously fidgeting. She knew he wanted her. She'd known he wanted her the night after the Christmas party too. She remembered how he'd flooed back to her suite with her, how he'd given her a chaste kiss goodnight, wanting more, but expecting nothing. She hadn't quite been ready then. She wasn't quite sure about him, about what it meant. But now. Now, she knew.

Setting her brandy glass down on the end table, she edged toward him. His lips parted as she drew near, and he leaned into her, their lips meeting in a heated tangle of limbs and tongues and hands touching everywhere. She gasped as his lips left hers and found her neck. His mouth made a trail of kisses down her throat, to her collar bone and she hitched up her skirt so she could straddle his hips. She felt his cock pressing hard against his jeans, and she sort of ground herself against him, just once and he let out a weak whimper. His hand snaked out from behind her back and slowly crept up the hem of her skirt, tracing the line where her knickers should be. Only she wasn't wearing any knickers.

He let out a deep groan as he realized this and his grip on her tightened.

"Hold on tight," he whispered and then she was being jerked upward as he apparted them to his bedroom.

They landed lightly at the foot of his bed and Pansy's hands got busy tugging at his clothes. His leather jacket fell to the floor, followed by his shirt, then his belt. He was more muscular than she'd thought he'd be, all sinewy and lithe biceps and abdominals and back muscles that rippled and moved under her roving hands.

She grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled it up, and up and up until it disappeared over her head, and she stood in front of him quite naked. He stepped back for just a moment and surveyed her body drinking it in with his eyes. The room was dimly lit, just a candle or two flickered on the dresser and she felt her skin singing under his gaze.

Then he was on her, his hands gentle yet urgent as they started at her hips then slid up until they cupped her breasts, his thumb flicking once, twice, three times over her nipple. Then he went south, his right hand sliding between her legs, lightly and gently and delicately touching her clit, just enough to make her gasp out his name and lean into him.

He pushed her gently down onto the bed, lifting her until her head rested on the pillows. He trailed his lips down her mouth to her throat, between her breasts, past her stomach until he fit his mouth directly on her cunt, taking her clit between his teeth he flicked at it expertly with his tongue. He pushed her knees apart and slipped a finger into her cunt where he curled and pulsed in an antagonizing rhythm, one that made her hands go numb and her mind go blank until all she knew was his mouth and her body and she was getting so, so close.

And then his mouth made its way back up her stomach, kissing along her rib cage as his hand cupped her breast. He took a nipple in his mouth and sucked lightly as her hands fumbled for his jeans. She tugged and pulled and was panting that she needed him inside her now and then he was, so full and so firm and he let out a deep groan that was almost a growl. He began moving back and forth, slowly at first, then faster and faster and Pansy gripped the back of his neck and guided his movements with her hips.

But she wasn't getting the friction she needed so she pushed him in the chest, rolling him over so she straddled his hips. She sat above him, his cock fully sheathed inside her as she rolled her hips, balancing on her knees. Reaching for his hand, she pressed his thumb against her clit, and taking her cue he began to circle it frantically. His other hand found her breast and he rolled a nipple in between his two fingers, tugging with just enough force to finally take her over the edge. She came with a barely contained scream and she rode him hard and fast until she felt him grip her tightly, groaning as he came with her.

She sort of collapsed on top of him, her breathing ragged and fierce and somehow still wanting more. They lay side by side for a few moments, catching their breath and relishing the satiation.

"You're amazing," Harry finally said, rolling onto his side and pulling her closer to him. His fingers trailed over her lightly, making circles on her arms and chest and breasts, her skin humming under his touch. And even though it was late, and they had both just come mere moments before, they found each other joined again.

This time it was slower, less urgent. She rolled onto her stomach and went up on all fours, guiding him into her so he could take her from behind. His hands kneaded at her and his thumb pressed and massaged into her. She rocked her hips into his, feeling his cock hitting her just right. He reached around at the last moment, his fingers finding her clit just in time for her to come all over again.

...

She woke up warm, comfortably hidden under a large white duvet, her face buried in a mound of pillows. Morning light streamed into the bedroom from the window's slightly parted curtains. She rolled over and stretched. Harry slept soundly next to her, his breathing long and deep and low.

She watched him for a few minutes still in awe of what her world had become. It was just a couple of months ago that she'd found him drunk in her courtyard moaning over wretched Ginny Weasley and accusing her of being a coward.

Now she was in his bed.

She glanced at the bedside clock. Ten-thirty. She yawned and stretched again, her limbs feeling liquid and soft and good. Rolling over she stood up and walked naked to the adjoining bathroom. Like the rest of the house, it was rehabbed with new tile and a large vanity and a steam shower, for Merlin's sake.

After taking care of her business, Pansy studied herself in the overlarge mirror. She cringed away at the way her makeup was smeared and the way her hair was sticking up in the back. Her eyes felt crusty with sleep and she could smell herself—old sweat and liquor and smoke from the night before. She left the bathroom and tip toed back out to the bedroom. Her dress had somehow been folded neatly and placed on the dresser, along with her shoes and her clutch.

Harry's house elf must have recovered, she mused as she grabbed up her things and brought them with her back to the bathroom.

The steam shower did not disappoint and Pansy emerged feeling quite refreshed. She used her wand to dry her hair and applied some light makeup so she felt more human. Then she reached into her clutch and extracted a pair of knickers, a soft bralette, a pair of black stretch pants and a long, soft jumper.

The breakfast table near the window had been filled in her absence. That house elf of Harry's really knew his stuff, Pansy thought. Harry still slept soundly, his soft snores rumbling from the bed. Pansy helped herself to a cup of hot coffee, a buttery scone and a plate of eggs. She sat there, enjoying breakfast and watching the London street below. The window had frosted over and snow was still flurrying down.

Pansy felt warm and safe tucked away at Grimmauld Place and for the first time in a very long time, she thought that maybe everything would be okay after all.

Harry roused a bit later and joined her at the breakfast table. They chatted and talked and perused the Daily Prophet and as morning turned to afternoon they fell back to sleep, a lazy new year's nap. And when the time came for Pansy to go home, Harry kissed her before she flooed away.

She hadn't been home two seconds before she heard her messenger diary chirp.

Harry Potter: What are your plans for dinner?

Epilogue

The Daily Prophet, December 25th, 2007

Harry Potter Marries Long Time Girlfriend Pansy Parkinson in Christmas Eve Wedding of the Century.

By Rita Skeeter

Notorious auror and hero of the wizarding world, Harry Potter, married long time girlfriend Pansy Parkinson last night during a beautiful Christmas Eve ceremony that had everyone raving. The bride looked stunning in an antique, goblin made wedding gown, a family inheritance from the 14th century. It had been refined to match the bride's particular sense of style with a six foot train and a floor length veil. The dress itself contained over nine million fairy pearls, each individually and voluntarily offered to the original Euphadora Parkinson in the 14th century after she single handedly saved an entire species of fairy from muggle fairy enthusiasts.

Pansy Parkinson, successful philanthropist known for her devotion to the War Orphan Fund and St Mungo's Home for Dark Arts Ailments along with the Foundation for Lycanthropy, which she co-founded with now husband Harry Potter, commented that this was "the happiest day of her life." She certainly looked happy as she walked down the aisle of St. Uther's Cathedral with a large bouquet of winter roses and a swarm of fairies following in her steed. She was preceded by chosen bridesmaids Daphne Greengrass and Hermione Granger, the bride's two most devoted friends, each looking radiant in floor length gowns of frosted blue.

Potter wore customary black dress robes, and was accompanied by his best man Ronald Weasley and godchild Teddy Lupin, a child of eight who shocked the crowd with his red and gold hair.

The reception was privately held in the bride's family home where dinner and dancing followed.

The couple now resides in their private residence, the former Black homestead on Grimmauld Place. They kindly request that in lieu of gifts to please donate to one of their many organizations listed below.

War Orphans Fund, St. Mungo's Home for Dark Arts Ailments, Welfare for Magical Creatures, the Muggle-born Rights Committee, The Severus Snape Foundation, Pureblood Allies, The Albus Dumbledore Foundation, The Granger Home for Newly Clothed House Elves, The Remus Lupin Foundation for Lycanthropy

[asher-blackwood]

Chapter 6 Beyond the Map

Harry sits in one of the last compartments on the train his friends getting settled in around him. He wasn't sure how he felt about what had happened on the platform, but his lawyer had made sure he knew she would arrive at the school the fallowing week so they could figure out what to do. The Auror Shacklebolt had also assigned three of his people to search and guard the train. This bit made him wonder if it was just the press they had been worried about, but he pushed this thought away for later. Neville  keeps glancing at Harry till finally asking the question he has been itching to. " Harry, mate, you... you look different growth spurt or something?"  The raven haired boy blinks at his friend and realizes he hadn't told him or Luna anything.  He looks down blushing lightly then says quietly, "A bit more then that Nev sorry i didn't tell you before. You too Luna, sorry. Then he explains at least part of what had happened. At the end of his story Neville seams satisfied but Luna stairs at him a bit to long before she smiles saying that explains it. Harry was certain Luna knew he held back, but she said nothing . As they all begin talking and relaxing Harry's mind drifts back to his dreams. He hopes to find his bonded some where with in the school. The thought brings a small smile to his lips, the train speeding them along to their destination.  

 His mind drifts in and out of his dreams and the conversations around him till a smell catches his attention. His sits bolt up right sniffing the air and everyone around him stills. " Harry? you alright mate?"   Ron says in a steady voice. The young wizard says nothing as he gets to his feet, the smell of sweet summer grass and rain heavy in the air. "Harry what's wron....."  Hermione  begins but his hand is already on the door. It slides open easily enough, the trolley witch only one door down . There is a small crowd of people buying sweats when a voice reaches his ears. "Two pumpkin pasties, Please." Harry knew that voice and there she is, Cho. He'd  had a crush on her all last year and he felt himself blush as she looks at him smiling.  "Hi Harry," he nods, " How are you?"  Her eyes get shiny for a moment but she shakes her head, "I'm better then I was but it's helps being back to normal life. I'll see you later alright." As she says the last another voice catches his attention "Can I get ten chocolate frogs, four peppermint toads and a pumpkin juice please." It was lighter and more placenta then he had ever heard it. Then Draco Malfoy moves into his view. Suddenly his heart is pounding a blush creeping up his neck. His mouth open in a surprised "O". The Slytherin  prince had change over the summer and it was a nice change. His blond hair hung down past his shoulders, though Harry couldn't see how long it as. The shape  bone structure has smoothed out and softened. His lips a pale pink like cherry blossoms and skin like purl. Suddenly Malfoy looks up and silver eyes lock with his emerald, gold ones. For a moment the world narrows down to those eyes then Ron claps him on the shoulder and the moment is gone. " What do you want Malfoy?"  Ron says in a heated voice. "Just getting some sweets Weasley don't worry."  Taking his things he turns leaving a very confused Harry behind him.

 Hermione looks up from her book as Ron and Harry come back in but before she could speak a cheerful voice came from behind them. "Hello there Lord Potter-Black" they turn moving so the Auror was in full view of the group. Her hair is bubblegum pink ,her eyes purple and a smile lights up her hole face. "I was told to let you know we haven't found any press on board and that the platform in Hogsmeade will be clear of press. If you need us  for anything I'm Tonks you can just ask for me okay."   After this energetic announcement she left with a wave and a smile. The group just looks at the place she had been still a little shocked but slowly they return to normal. "So, Harry what did she mean Lord Potter-Black?"

 Harry explains to his friends how he was named Sirius Black's heir as a baby. Though what he told them it technically true and how it went down on paper, he still feels bad. Neville and Luna are good friends, but is was as much to keep them safe as his family. After that talk turns back to more mundane topics and he drifts off to sleep.

 The smell of a rich wood fire reaches Hadrian's nose as he stirs from his nap. He has no idea how long he slept but is sure there is plenty for him to be getting on with. Then he stops looking around. This can't be right, he thought sitting up. I was on the train and now I'm in a ...a tent I think. He moves and the furs, he had been under, slide from his shoulders. The "tent" is a huge circular thing with a fire pit in the middle. There's a table to one side covered in papers a map hanging from a line above it. Rugs pillows and a low table with food and drink spread around with large trunks, an armor rack, and sword stand. He's about to get up when a voice from outside draws his attention. " You going to sleep all day?"  The tent flap opens and in walks his former self,  Arthur Pendragon. The young man sighs, At least I know what is going on. Arthur sits on one of the puffs near the food  grabbing some bread as he moves. "So young man how are you doing? You adjusting to every thing ok ?" He nods moving closer to the older man. "I'm asleep on the train then."  The king smiles taking a bite of bread. "I think it's about time you and I stop being separate Hadrian" The boy stairs at him not knowing what to say to that. Arthur laughs, "It will be better for you I think to not feel so crazy, it will help with the pain and move things along. I know it will be strange butt I think it's best for you to be the only person in your head. What do you say Young Lord Potter-Black  are you ready for what we have to offer."  Taking a deep breath the young man nods. " Yes, but can you please tell me what changes if any I can expect?"  The blond grins, "Most certainly Hadrian."  Arthur grabs a piece of fruit then continues. " First you will start to gain some of you natural gifts. Things you dowith out needing a spell to do. Second you'll gain emotional growth and maturity. Though only that of someone a few years older then you are now. Third our memories but it will be something you must access like you would have book in a library. To do this you will need to study meditation and mind magics." He takes a drink of wine saying," You will also need to be carful to keep calm and control your magic since you core's full potential will be accessible to you now. There may one or two other things but some of it is because you are Unseelie high court and others will be the rest of you mixed bag of blood." Harry stairs at him for a while trying to process it all when Arthur laughs. He glares at the older man. " Wait now hold on,"  he says holding his hands up in surrender. "Before you get mad you really won't feel different. It will be like this has always been you. And to be honest it should have but with your parents deaths you couldn't be brought into all this slowly. But I am sorry that it will make things harder in your life. The last thing I will tell you is after this you will be even more drawn to your bonded but you can't complete the bond until after your sixteenth birthday do you understand." He gulps loudly but nods. Arthur smiles gently and raises his hands.

 Harry must be tired, Hermione thought as her best friend slept on despite the nose. Ginny had come to find Luna and now she and Ron were fighting about quidditch teams, again. Neville was on Ginny's sides telling Ron the Cannons would never be as good as the Harpies. Luna moves herself between them and Harry so they wouldn't bump him. Hermione tries to keep reading but they are making it difficult. Then all of a sudden Luna stands up," Will you all please stop arguing and look." She point at Harry his skin starts to glow softly. All at once they move into action. Luna covers him in his outer school robes while Ron pulls the door shade and locks it. Ginny cast privacy charms and Neville makes the lamp brighter. Then his frizzy haired friend pulls the window shade and checks him for curses. Once she gives the all clear the group sits down to keep talk checking on him every few minutes.

 Twenty minutes before arriving at Hogsmeade Harry woke. The glowing dies away as he stretches getting to his feet. "How long do we have till we arrive,"  he asks reaching for his trunk. Hermione tells him as he pulls out his robes to go and change. He heads to the bathroom, you would think he could just go and change with out issue but that would be to simple. A girl, who looks to be in fourth year spots him and suddenly there are girls every where trying to get his attention till he is suddenly pulled into a compartment  as they go running past. The compartment is empty besides him and his rescuer. "Thanks for the help I thought I was fucked for a moment there." Harry looks up his hero, 'cause it is indeed a boy, he has long hair that starts silver blond with red, orange, pink, purple and rich blue. It reminds him of sunrise in summer when the sky is at it's most beautiful. The boy turns and Harry's heart is in his throat. Draco Malfoy reaches a hand out to help him up where he sat on the floor. "I'm just sorry i could't help soon," he says pulling the screen down. "Though you might want to change we'll be there soon."  He turns his back to Harry again his ears a little pink. Harry for his part blushes and hurries to change. "Alright I'm done," he says brushing down his sleeves one more time.  Draco turns with a smile the shakes his head with a chuckle. "Where did you learn how to tie a tie?" He steps in close fixing Harry's tie with a well practiced movement not seeing the full blush the young Lord is sporting. "There! That looks better, I'll see you around then." He turns to leave when the Gryffindor golden boy grabs his hand. "Wait ... I .. um.. Thanks for before and the tie thing. Maybe we could ...start again." Harry looks at the grown, what the hell is he doing Malfoy will never agree to this. "I would like that," Draco says in a small but kind voice. Harry looks up grinning "Great! Then I'll see you around?" The Slytherin nods smiling "But , I will need my hand back Harry". He blush letting go of Draco's hand. The blond smiles slipping out of the compartment leaving Harry once again very confused.  A moment later Choe shows up,"There you are Harry every one is looking for you will be a Hogsmeade in a minute you need to get back to the others." Harry's heart was already beating against his rib cage  and she only made it worse. He notes that the girls who and chased him before only looks out their windows and doors now. As if him walking with Choe changes things. Once he was back with the other she smiles at him "Maybe we can all hang out sometime?" He nods a giving her a warm smile, "Sounds good, but it will have to be the second weekend of term. I have a meeting this weekend." She gives him an understanding look,  "It must be a lot to deal with. If you ever need help I'm around okay," she grabs his hand and gives it a squeeze before heading off. Ron claps him on the shoulder, "Well mate looks like things might be looking up." Behind them Hermione has a considering look on her face but says nothing as they leave the train.

 Harry has never seen the platform this orderly before. The first years are gathering around Hagrid while the Aurors are making sure there are only students in the carriages. He spots Malfoy's hair as he slips into a coach ahead of them a shiver running up his spine. Choe waves at him as she moves over to a group of her friends. Then he sees the thestrals. When he reaches the carriage the  eerie horses look at him and bow. Harry stands in shock as Luna whispers, "Bow back Hadrian so we can get in."  he looks at her a bit shaken but bows and they clime into their seats.

 They Great Hall is a welcome site as he moves to sit down. People watch as he glides gracefully through the crowd his long black curls spilling behind him in his loose ponytail. The other students whispering as they watch him. Malfoy gives him a small wave before turn back to Blaize. The Italian nods to Harry a strange look on his face  as he listens to Draco. Choe waves at him with a bright smile though her eyes look a bit red. Finally making it to his seat Seamus gins at him. " Growth spurt Harry? Seams to have made you quite popular." Dean elbows their friend, " What he means is that you look great Harry. He's just being stupid about it."  Seamus wiggles his eyebrows at Harry . "I bet we could make a killing with pictures. What do you say mate."  Harry laughs a bright and warm sound shaking his head. "No thanks, Not my style." Seamus give and overly aggregated pout before they all burst out into laughter.

 The rest of the school files in and Harry's mind drifts back to the thestrals odd behavior. He would have to check the library Sunday since he would have no time tomorrow. There is so much he still has to look into and learn he only hopes he can keep ahead of the homework. He looks up past the first years being sorted and he freezes at the site of the toad woman from his trial. She had said she works for the Ministry so why is she here and in the DADA chair.  His mind works furiously as he glares at the woman. As if she senses him staring she looks down. Her face twist into a cold but self satisfied grin causing Harry to break out in goose bumps. He is brought back to the present as the hall brakes out into applause and the Sorting Hat is taken away. Ron looks at him concerned, "You alright Harry? You look a bit pale"  He opens his mouth to respond as the Headmaster begins to speak. Hermione leans in, " What's wrong?"  Harry tells them About Umbrage in a hushed voice.  Mione glares at the woman as her sickly sweet voice crawls across their skin. She even had the nerve to interrupted Dumbldore's welcome speech. Harry and Hermione listen their faces growing dark with every word she utters. When she's finished the whole hall breaks out in whispers till the Headmaster take control of the situation. Looking around he sees many unhappy faces. Now the Ministry has is interfering at Hogwarts, Fudge is so  paranoid. What does he think this will accomplish? He shakes his head, one problem at a time, he thinks while the food appears at the tables. First we have to see how bad this is going to be. Nodding to himself Harry begins loading his plate with steak and potatoes. He talks and jokes with every one but every now and then he glances at the high table watching Umbrage an uneasy feeling growing in the back of his mind.

  The common room is a welcome site after all the strange things he had been through in the past few months. Ron and Hermione arguing behind him, Neville grin at them from the bottom of the stair to the dorms, the smell of wood fire and spices in he air. Harry smiles, home at last. He sitting up with his dorm mates laughing and joking as he relaxes having fun with the rest. "Hey Harry you going to change or what?"  Dean asks while popping another chocolate in his mouth. This was the part Harry and struggled with the most. Up till now he had always change in the wash room or after the other had left. He didn't want to show the scars or just how thin he was. Now things where both different and not. He would never have to go back to his aunt and uncles house and he certainly was emaciated any more, but the scar where there and now the soul mark as well. He shakes himself making up his mind. The young man stands up to his full height pulling out his new pjs, Gryffindor red bottoms and a yellow gold t-shirt.  He hangs up his outrobes and his tie then puts his shoes at the end of his bed. He'd alwasy been neat and tidy, but his room mates have never seen all he does when getting ready for bed. He finally put the his sweater in the hamper and takes his shirt off. At first nothing changes his friends keep talking and joking but one by one their voice die away. Harry tenses his back exposed to the room. "Harry what art all those...."   Seamus's voice died as he stairs at the various cris crossing lines on his back. Neville steps up beside him as he tries to stand straight and tall. "Are these scars Harry?" He ask in a quiet voice, as though he's scared he'll spook his friend.  At first his friends aren't sure he even heard Neville, then he nods slowly at first then rapidly as though he can stop. Ron comes to his other side, "Oh, mate was this those muggles you live with?" He just keeps nodding tears finally starting to fall though he make no sound. They all hug him. Ron looks at Neville who nods as the taller boy moves away. Heading to the door he wonders, how long did it take for my best mate to learn to cry with out making a sound. He growls low in his throat, " I'll be right back."  he looks around the common room till he finds Angelina. "Hey Angelina can you get Hermione for me please?" She turns to tell him she busy  but something in his face makes her nod and go to grab the last third of third golden trio.

 Harry woke with a yawn and a stretch, he and his friends had all stayed up late last night. The group included Fred, George, Ginny, Hermione and all of harry's dorm mates .  They had let him talk himself horse. Telling them about his life with his mother's family. He also talked about the night Voldemort returned. This brought on a new flood of tears as he blames himself for Cedric's death. After a lot more talking and convincing Harry that it was not his fault, they moved on to other things. They had asked him all sorts of questions till finally Fred asked him about the phoenix resting over his heart.  Though it moved every now and then so they were sure it didn't always stay there. So he explained about the soul bond as well. At the end of the night Harry was laughing with his friends.  Topping it all off Seamus told him his mum wants him to stay away from Harry, but he's going to tell her that she can shove it. He looks around the room were every one had crashed smiling. This is a good way to start the year, he thinks gathering his things to shower.

 Hair clean and pulled back and in some of his new cloths Harry step out of the wash room. Thinking of heading to breakfast, however he is stopped by the twins cat calling from the floor. "Wow Harry you clean up good," they say together. "What do you have going on to get you dressed up?" George asks while his twin grins. He smiles at them , he always found it hard not to smile when they smile. "I have to meet my Lawyer today she should be arriving at nine so I have about and hour and a half to eat and go to the meeting room the Headmaster is letting us use." They nod at him. "Okay we'll be down in a bit for food before your day gets stolen if there is time want to get some practices in." Fred says stretching like a cat. He smiles leaving his sleeping friend at the mercy of the very awake twins.

  Harry made it all the way to the third floor before he felt it. At first he wasn't sure what the tingling on his skin was till his hand meet the bare stone of the castle. Suddenly his whole body is filled with the thrumming of the old magics bound into the every heart of the school. In his mind he could see the school laid out like the  marauders map but more layered, more complete. Suddenly he sees a pair of golden eyes. The power in them feels like they are gazing into his very soul. Then quite suddenly he his back in his own head the Headmaster's hand on his should. "Are you alright my boy?" Harry nods rubbing his hands up and down his arms. Dumbledore smiles continuing to make his way to the Great Hall Harry not far behind.

 He didn't eat much once he got to the Gryffindor table and left almost fifteen before he needed to. The meeting room has a large widow that looks out onto the front lawns of the school. On either side are paintings of what seam to be teachers. Though he couldn't be sure till he asks and they are a sleep so it will have to wait. There is a long oak table in the middle of the room with high back leather chairs seated around it. On the far wall are books shelves with glass door filled with school trophies, pictures, and book. The wall with the door has a low cabinet with what looks like liqueur and glasses. Harry sighs setting his bag down as he sits at the head of the table his back to the view. Ms. Tamrin enters the room twenty minutes later to find the Young Lord Potter-Black going over note he already has with various other documents around him in neat stacks. She's surprised but very pleased to see him ready to work. She had thought so many things about how this wound go, she hadn't been truly prepared for the young man that is her client. He's dressed very well though not flash and he's well prepared. "Lord Potter-Black it's so good to properly meet you at last." The young man stands and shakes her hand. It's a good hand shake, confident. Remus and Bill, to Harry's surprise, show up right at nine o'clock. After the introduction are done they all settle into work.

 "So you're telling me that the paper has been doing this since last year." Ms. Tamrin says rubbing her eyes in frustration. Why had no one reinforced her clients rights as a minor, why if he could have been emancipated  last year did the bank wait, what the hell is going on? She thinks furiously. She will have to do a lot of leg work on this one but at least she'll have Bill to help with the bank. Harry had shown her all the fake stories and interviews that had been altered of out right falsified. He told her about his relatives and how he can't find records of his godfathers trail. The simple  fact that Harry hadn't been getting mail, nor had he received his back log of said mail, that at least should have been held for him, was bad. Some one was trying very hard to keep this young man in the dark. Now he knows something has been going on and the fire in his eyes tells me he won't let it go.  She sighs calling for a house elf, "If the Headmaster is free could you ask him to come here please." the little elf nods her head leaving with a pop.  About a quarter of an hour later Dumbledore arrives with two house elves bring in lunch. The old professor is very unhappy that Harry's mail is being tapered with. He thought they where only keeping the dangerous stuff away from him and yet it seam Cornelius has gone quiet a bit farther. "Then how are my friends and the school getting mail to me."  He asks wanting to understand. "Well, my boy, we use the school owls and your friends either use your owl to reply to you or a family bird rather then the post office." The Headmaster explains calmly. Remus continues, "Most people wouldn't know where to send it but the post office has magically protected records so the bank and other people can send you mail. The reason you get mail at school is they know you are there and can address it accordingly." he runs his hands through his hair. "This means we are going to have to confront Fudge. and I'm not sure if that's a good idea right now."    "Let me handle that gentlemen, it is my job after all." Ms. Tamrin says with a wicked grin creeping across her face. Harry nods his head with a cheshire  cat grin splitting crookedly across his on. For him it feels like he's finally taking the first steps in taking control of his life and it feels good.

 That evening Harry was walking in the court yard before curfew when he hears someone call him. "Hey Harry, how are you? You look different out of school robes." Choe was sitting on a bench in the evening air talking with him. He can feel the blush spreading up his neck to his face but he couldn't stop it. " I'm good and thank you. I didn't know any one else was out here. Do you maybe want to walk with me." His heart is pounding, he can't stop the nerves laugh that spills from his lips. She only smile giving a little giggle, "I would love to walk with you. Thank you for inviting me."  Harry smiles holding out his arm like a proper gentleman. "Shall we then," he ask in a much calmer voice. She takes his arm smiling,  they talk about school, quidditch,  while mixing in some small talk when the school clock chimes loudly. "Well this was an unexpected pleasure maybe we can do it aging some time Harry." He smiles saying, "That sounds great perhaps next Saturday evening then." she blushes and starts to walk away but turns kissing him on the cheek. Both blushing like mad she turns running back into the castle shouting a hurried good night. Harry stands there touching his cheek feeling lighter then he had all day.

Sunday finds Harry already in the  library, Hermione approves but Ron thinks he's gone mad. Never the less he he sits with  all the books he can get, with out a note, on the  Unseelie Sidhe, magical creatures, Hogwarts, and wizarding laws.  He found several things that cought his eye making note of them on a scratch piece of parchment. It was now about ten in the morning, he's been working since eight with out really getting anything done. He just couldn't concentrate with his skin tingling. He stands up rubbing his arms, the tingle has only gotten worse his skin feeling like it's on fire. Not really thinking of anything but getting to the hospital wing he waves his hand at the books and things moving to put them away. Much to his surprise his belonging go back in his bag and the books to the shelves. With a little more force then he had planned but still. Harry's body starts to shake as he grabs his bag. This is bad, really bad. I have to get to the hospital wing.  He walks in a fog as he moves through the empty corridors, leaning against a bare piece of wall he feels the castle thrumming through him once more. Blackness eats the ages of the world as he hears some one calling him "Harry, Oh  Merlin Harry hold on!"  He feels a pair of strong arms holding him up, they feel so warm, he thinks before falling into blackness.  

 He's standing on a hill top not sure how he got here. Below him is a valley with a lovely little town and a castle on the far side. The circle of trees he's  standing in is lovey, green, and full of the warm summer night. As be moves through the circle a thestral comes into view along with a silver white unicorn, small winged fairies, and many others their eyes of peering out from the shadows at him. The pair of horses came and nuzzled him startling him at first but he complies and pets their long faces and necks. He feels more then hears someone behind him. Turning slowly as to not scare his companions he sees a tall figure cloaked and hooded standing before him. Harry wasn't scared but he made no move toward the figure. "It has been long since you have come to this place My lord" came a deep voice from the shadow of the hood. Harry raises an eyebrow at that. "Do you know me then?" he ask suspicion clear in his tone. The man nods pulling his cover back. He's skin is a pale green with what looks like scales framing his face and on his hands, from what Harry could see. His eye a rich gold with a vertical pupil. He bows low, "I'm glad to see you safe My Lord. Your body is still trying to cope with all the changes and the magic. I'm certain i can help. Though only if you need it."   Hadrian just gapes at the man, shaking himself he says, "Any help you can give will be appreciated and please stop bowing." he rubs the back of his head giving a nerves laugh. "I'm not really use to that sort of thing so You can just call my by my name and you don't have to bow and stuff." Smiling he looks at his young master, "As you wish. My name is Bercilak and I'm you'r body guard and teacher. I am also known as the Green Knight. For now we have enough to be getting on with so we can talk about that latter." He looks him up and down sighing. "Your body isn't ready for the magics you are becoming capable of so you need to practices more. So of the old magic bound up in the castle is also call to you but if you shield that can be blocked out. So we will start there." He smiles at Hadrian who nods stepping away from the animals around him.  "Then let us begin." Bercilack starts talking him through what to do. First explaining that the place they are in, though a place of dreams is no less real then where his body lies . Even if the rules are sometimes different here they still must be careful. They work for what seams like hours or maybe even days till Harry can build strong but flexible magic shields. Pleased with this Bercilak smiles. "That will do Hadrian you need to rest." A  caught with blankets, pillows, and furs is suddenly there as though it had been. "Sleep you still have school and other duties to attend to." He pulls the covers over his young lord, who can't remember laying down but goes to sleep all the same.  He smiles as the boy drifts off, it is good to have purpose again. He steps away from his young charge and into the shadows of the trees leaving him to his dreams.

 Blaise is torn between worry and amusement as he watches Draco arguing with Weasley about the boy sleeping in the hospital bed behind them. Since his birthday he's had a strange feeling that he forgot something . Then in the middle of summer everything began falling into place. He takes a deep breath letting it out slowly, I will be damned if I let Weasley fuck this up. With that he looks around for a distraction and Harry just so happens to oblige him. "Hey should we get Madam Pomfrey," they all look at him. "Why afraid I'll hurt Malfoy for jinxing my friend,"  says Ron heatedly. "No!" He replies, " I think we should get her because Potter is glowing." Though in his head he's begging Harry to forgive him for this last bit. He's knows for a fact that Harry has always hated the spot light and always will no matter what life time they are dropped in. As the other start to panic he goes to get the Nurse thinking, this is just like old times. I can't wait to see what will happen next.

 Madam Pomfrey left to get the Headmaster about ten minutes ago and the glowing hasn't stop. Though it hasn't gotten any brighter either. Draco isn't even sure how this all happened to start with, Weasley kept trying to blame him though strangely Granger had not. Blaise just keeps looking about like he's amused or something and Theo is reading. In truth he doesn't care what the others do or say he just wants Harry to be alright. It would truly suck if they finally start getting and he drops dead. The doors burst open announcing with the return of the teacher. The Nurse is back along with the Headmaster, former professor Lupin , a large black dog, and to Draco's greatest surprise professor Snape. They move around Harry casting spells and checking his vitals. After some whispering back and forth they send them all back to their dorms. Weasley tries fighting this saying, "Malfoy hexed Harry," but the teachers squish that flat. Blaise glares at him putting an arm around a very shaken Draco as they leave. They are almost at the dungeons when Granger calls out to them the Weasley no where in site. "Malfoy, I... just... I want to say thank you for helping Harry today and if he's willing to start over, if you want I mean, can we ... start over as well?"  She holds out her hand waiting. Draco looks at Blaise then his face brake into a bright smile. "I would like that very much and please call me Draco." Blaise smiles at them both "So does that mean we can all stop pretending we hate each other, cause honestly I've been wanting to get to know you all for ages." They laugh. Waving good night to them both Hermione heads back to the tower. Draco smiles as they walk down to the Slytherin common room when Pansy meets them at the door. "I'm sorry." she says the others all listening in. Her face is flush and her eyes down cast. "I thought I was loosing my best friend can we just.... can we just make up, and I'll... give the Gryffindores a chance. But I swear if he hurts you I'll.." He cut's off Pansy with a hug. "It's already forgiven." They smile walking fully inside. He's glad the fight about trusting Harry hadn't lasted long now he only hopes Harry will be alright.

 Draco sits in bed still awake despite the late hour. Pansy, Blaise and Theo finally went to bed  hours ago and still sleep evades him. So many strange things have happened over the summer and they just keep going. He really wants to sleep, he looks forward to his dreams each night. He has been dreaming, of who he can only assume is his bonded, since the end of July. He is almost certain he knows who they are but is terrified to say their name. Going to France with his mother was an enlightening experience. It was the time first his father hadn't been with them, it was freeing. Finding out about his blood inheritance was a shock, though his mother told him it would only be the beginning. His past self or rather his first self had been a Lady Guinevere daughter to the Duke of Cornwall. This had been harder to deal with but after calming down he began to research on what this would all mean for him. At first he wasn't sure how to talk with his mother about all of this but he knew he had to. And of course she beat him to it and not only had she believed him she had more to tell him then he could have hoped. As these thoughts drift through his mind sleep finally claims him, caring him off to where he most wants to be.

 The Great Hall was full for chatter as the students eat their breakfast and prepare for the day. Harry listens to Ron and Hermione bicker about something or other while he eats his bacon and goes over a notes he got from the bank.

To our most honored client Lord Potter-Black,

May you enemies fall and your gold ever grow. The Goblins of Gringotts greet you. It is our grave misfortune it inform you that the public reading of your family wills must be delayed till the first weekend of October. Baring any other unforeseen circumstances we should be able to proceed as planed. We are terribly sorry this disrespect towards your person and will be filling complaints on your behalf.

Yours in trust,

        Keeper Venomfang

This bit of news peaks his interest and frustrates . He sighs finishing of his last bit of bacon. He of course sent Hedwig off with a reply, an owl order some more books he needs, and his normal letter to his Dads. The rest of the tension he feels comes from the class he has today DA and double poisons this morning, charms and divination this afternoon. He was finally going to get a look at how Umbridge is teaching them. Though from the reaction of those who had her early in the week it won't be good.The classroom walls were covered in Ministry posters, some saying stupid things like "Rules and Cool" and "The Ministry is  Here to Help" Harry thinks  with a grimes, oh this can't be good.  Their teacher walks into the room, Harry has never seen someone wear so much pink in his life. It doesn't match her toad like face and cold eyes either. Everything about her seams forced or fake, even the way she talks. Her sickly sweet voice fills the room as she address the class. " Now as you are aware there was no textbook assigned for this class since I wanted to make absolutely sure you got the right one." With a flick of her wand there new books float out to each of them. " Aside from this book we will also be talking about the Ministry's laws and regulations on dark magic and creatures." She glances at Harry as she says the last. "But as these tome are quite costly so we'll be lecturing on those topics from my own copies. Now wands away and quills out." As the class begins to comply Hermione raises her hand. Umbridge looks at her saying, "yes dear girl what is it?" Hermione puts her hand down and answers her, "I'm sorry professor but there seams to be no practical lessons in our class out line." Her smile becomes fixed as she stairs at Hermione. "Why should there be , you'll only need a theoretical knowledge for your exams. No one is going to hurt you here." Harry glares at her. She must be joking, he thinks hoping he hasn't caught on the her plan. "But we have to prepare ourselves . That is what this class is for. So we can learn to protect ourselves from what's out there." He says voice rising with each word. "Students will raise their hands in this class." She says in a clipped tone. Taking a deep breath she says. "You all have been told that a certain dark wizard has returned. This is a lie. No one is going to try and hurt you." "That's a load of bollocks!" Harry shouts getting to his feet. "I was there, I saw him, I barely escaped him." As Harry's voice rise with his anger his eyes start to glow. The light spread to the rest of his body  as though he'd swallowed the sun. The wind of his magic dancing the loose hair around his face. "I suppose Cedric dropped dead of his own accord then."  He shouts the glow reaching his hair showing dark shades of blue, green, purple, red and many more. " That was an unfortunate accident." Umbridge shrieks as she backs away. "Are you insane. Is the Ministry really going to ..." Harry's words and anger were cut off abruptly as Hermione grabs his are . He blinks at her and everything dies down as quickly as it had come. "Detention Mr. Potter, my office eight o'clock. Do not be late." She says gripping her wand glaring at him. Harry sits down give an icy stare right back a low growl escaping his lips. Hermione squeezes his arm and he's quiet for the rest of class. The story of Harry Potter yelling at a teacher spreads all over the school by the time he made it to the dungeon for double points with the Slytherins. He enters the room to see Draco who waves him over to the empty seat beside him . Blaise grabs Neville, Theo gets Ron, and Pansy claims Hermione before anyone can argue. The rest of the class is shocked at the seating but some  try to fallow their example while others just try and ignore them.

 Harry arrives at five minutes till eight knocking on Umbrage's door. Her sickly sweet voice answers, "come in." Harry stands in shock at just how different the office is from almost any of the other teachers who have used it. The walls are now a pale pink with kitten plates and ministry posters on every bit of free wall. The furniture, though rich dark wood, is all covered in pink cloth and doilies. Gaudy nik naks sit on every flat service, it reminds s him of Mrs. Figg's.  "Well Mr.Potter, I'm glad to see you are at least punctual." She says shutting the door." Have a seat." She orders pointing at a small table and chair. Sitting on the table is a large role of parchment and quill. He sits in the chair wait to be told what to do next. She smiles at him, "you will be doing lines for me. You will right I must not tell lies." He nods picking up the quill. "Excuse me Professor, but you haven't given me any in." She looks at him with a smile saying, " oh this is my special quill, you won't need any ink." Harry picks it up and begins to write a sharp pain lancing through the back of his hand as he does.

 By the time he leaves her office it's past midnight. His hand is bleeding badly, the pain has gone all the way to his elbow. Walking down yet another corridor his blood dripping to the floor, Harry stumbles into the wall almost falling. His bloody hand presses against the cool stone, suddenly a flare of magic blazes through his body making the pain in his hand worse. He tries pulling away but can't. He looks at the wall about to try jerking away again when his blood soaks into the stone. He stairs then the wall shutter, moving out of the way to reveal a door Harry has never seen before. As though compelled Harry pushes the door open stepping inside. Wind whispers through the room moonlight filling the space. Harry's eyes quickly adjust to his new surroundings and the seen is amazing. He stands in a huge garden filled with flowers, in the middle was a large pool with a small island in the middle. On this tiny bit of land was a ring of trees. Willow, Oak, and Holly are the ones Harry knows but there are at least two maybe three other types. He thinks there's something in the middle but is unsure. Walking further in he sees many paths that lead to archways filled with mist though one or two are broken and empty. The smell of herbs and flowers fills the night soothing him. Moving closer to the nearest flower bed he sees rose,mint, iris, lavender, and lemon thyme. Something about the sent makes him smile. The wind picks up spinning petals  across the water and he swears he sees something through the trees. So Harry walks to the far side of the island and finds a bridge made of carved stone. The trees on either side of the far end of the bridge form an arch that leads into the circle as if the grew that way. He could see what lay in the center now his heart hammering against his ribs. There stands a large black stone with a ring of silver around it, embedded deep within the obsidian rest a sword. He had been unaware that his feet brought him into the ring of trees but as his blood drips into the circle the world holds it's breathe. The sword is free of dust glinting silver in the moonlight, Harry reaches out with his bloody hand and grasp it. The world explodes in a wave of power filling the once quiet place with the sounds of life. Birds sings, crickets chirp, and other small animals move through what is now a large forest on an island in the middle of a lake. Harry pulls the sword free, suddenly there is a weight on his head and shoulders  that hadn't been there be for. He could see a cloak on his back now of black hide and silver white fur. He then reaches up to find a crown of ivy, spider silk,mistletoe and blackthorn on his head with moonstone set in the middle. "Welcome back my Lord," a rich voice says from just behind him. Hadrian turns seeing a group of people he has never met before standing there smiling like yule has come early.

 Blaise wakes in a cold sweat his heart pounding, he looks around frantically but all is quiet. Then suddenly he feels a sharp pull at his magic, Harry! He's not sure how he knows it's him but he is absolutely  sure that he's right. Throwing on a t-shit  he slips out of his dorm to find him. As he leaves the dungeons a small pop catches his attention rounding the corner he almost trips over the house elf that was waiting there. "Please young Master ,Please help his Lordship." the little elf is about to cry clutching a cloth in her tiny hands."What is that in your hands, what has happened?" The small creature shows him what is on the rag, blood and it's still fairly fresh. "Where?" is all he says. The little elf leads him to the trail telling him how it started at the Defense office and lead to the door they were now in front of. He thanks her and lets her leave. Taking a deep breathe Blaise pushes the door open his best friend is somewhere beyond it. What's worse is Harry doesn't remember who Blaise is/was and he's hurt, well no time like the present .  He thinks,then he steps into the room.