Aftermath.

Draco was walking down the stairs when the door was knocked on so he got there first, shooing away the house elf. No one they didn't know would ever think of walking up to his front door and knocking, unless it was a reporter - in which case he often got to have fun ranting at them and making them fear for their very lives. He opened the door and looked at the bland man standing there. "Professor Lupin," he said in greeting, letting him come in. "If you stop Potter's sense of humor, we'll put you up for a few days and you can visit. If not, take him with you," he said as he shut the door. "Harry! Visitor!" he yelled, heading for his study.

Harry trotted down the stairs, then paused and smiled. "Came to see if you were right?"

"Not really, but it's a thought," Remus Lupin admitted with a smile. "I more came to check up on you. Molly and Arthur said you were feeling better." He opened his arms and Harry came down to hug him. "What are you doing to Draco now, Harry?"

Harry beamed at him. "Having fun," he said innocently. "Burning some excess energy that I used to use in training." Remus laughed and gave him a back pat. "So, why else did you show up today?"

"I thought I'd check up on you and look in on Ron for his big brothers."

"Did you finally find Bill?"

"We did. He was out in the Forbidden Forest knocking things down to try and control his temper. A lot like you did when you were in your depression," he said with a tweak for Harry's nose. "That and I brought some papers for you." He winked. "Do you have somewhere we can sit down and look them over?"

"Sure. We can commandeer Draco's study or the dining room." He led the way to Draco's study. "He has papers for me to look over, wanna help?" he said, bending down to kiss Draco's cheek. "I'll be nice later and let you get a head start."

Draco pulled him down to hold him still so he could look at him. "Either you quit bouncing or I'm going to put you and your dog out in the dog house you built yesterday," he said quietly, making sure Harry got the point. "I have things to do for the Malfoy estate, so I'll help you later. Go find Hermione." Harry nodded and kissed him on the nose before getting up and going to find her.

"He used to use it all training," Remus pointed out.

Draco nodded, looking at him. "I remember, but that doesn't mean he can't adapt to a quieter life."

"Then give him something to do. Surely you could use someone to sort things or catalog things. It's boring and that tends to wear him out."

"Good point," Draco said with a smile. "Thank you, I think I'll have him do an inventory of the libraries." He chuckled evilly, making the other man shudder, which he adored of course. "Ron," he called. "Professor Lupin's here."

Ron walked in and gave him a hug. "Thank you for calming him down," he said quietly.

"You're welcome. It'll be okay soon enough. Remember, he never got to have an idea about what he wanted to be when he grew up." Ron sighed and nodded. "So help him figure it out. Send him to that new career guy, the one who's helping the extra aurors find new jobs."

"That's a wonderful idea," Ron said happily. He smiled at Draco. "Why have I been in male form for a month now?"

"Because your schedule has thinned out some," Draco told him. "You'll get a month in each phase it seems." He smirked before getting pounced. "Yes, I am wonderful. A month in each state means that we each get what we want." He patted Ron on the butt. "Now get off so I can do some work I've been putting off so I could play with Harry."

"Sure." Ron walked the former professor into the dining room and went to stalk Harry. He had taken too long to find Hermione. He found him waiting outside their door. "What's going on?"

"She's in the baths, her back hurts," Harry told him. Then he shrugged. "I guess it's normal with all the extra weight running around her middle."

"I'm not fat," Hermione yelled.

"No, you're not," Harry called back. "It's all the baby and you'll end up more slender afterwards, just a bit of extra skin from the stretching," he agreed. She waddled out of their bedroom and he hugged her. "Remus is here."

"I heard you the first time," she said with some exasperation. "Let me get dressed, Harry, while you introduce him to Snickers."

"That's a wonderful idea!" Harry said happily, going to do that. His dog was napping in the sun but was more than happy to get up and be played with, even by this new person who smelled like a dog. "This is Snickers, Ron and Draco found him for me. Isn't he great? He keeps me sane."

"It was the last time I was did a good deed," Draco said dryly as he walked in. He handed over a ball. "Here, play fetch." Harry tossed the ball out, watching as his dog ran out into the hallway to get it, and to pounce the house elf for a treat, they always had treats. He sat down with a groan. "I'm tired."

"Being a good guy is often like that," Remus agreed with a smile. He could get to like this Draco Malfoy. He was a lot different than the little shit he had taught so many years ago. "It's all the ethical decisions."

"It's not that, it's more that everyone wants me to save them. I'm not a knight in shining armor."

Remus saw Harry's eyes light up with unholy glee and watched as the wand flicked at Draco, then winced as the armor appeared on him. "Are you sure of that?" he asked, starting to laugh.

"Potter," Draco groaned, forcing himself to stand up and get his mate for that. He knocked him down and tickled him until he screamed and begged for mercy, and the extra weight and protection helped him get there faster because Harry couldn't retaliate. "I didn't need the extra clothing," he said, making Harry look at him. "Get me out of this bloody walking soup can." Harry gave him a begging look. "Or else I can't have sex for a very long time."

Ron walked in and paused to look at them. "Harry, he doesn't look good in that sort of armor, it's heavy and you have to have help taking a tinkle. Put him in chainmail." Draco got up and Ron giggled, running *long* before Draco could catch him.

Vincent walked Hermione in and helped her to a chair before looking at his best friend and employer. "Trying out a new kink?"

"It's self protection from the rampaging madman!" Draco said stiffly, going to find his wand so he could get out of this mess. How did the Ancients wear these contraptions all day for months on end during wars? And some had learned to sleep in them! He came up with a devious plan to get Harry's wand away from him and lock it into the safe. That would show him! He summoned it from wherever Potter had left it this time and locked it in the safe drawer in his desk. Harry didn't even know it was there. Then he got himself free and sat down to look over the monthly budget and bank statements. Something wasn't right and he wasn't sure what.

Harry patted his back pocket, then frowned at the study. "I'll get you for that later," he muttered, then he smiled at his Uncle. "So, what's up?"

"I have these papers from the Ministry. They said they wanted me to give them to you so you wouldn't hurt them again." He pulled them out of a deep inside pocket and handed them over. "The good one is that we've gotten Sirius cleared. Having Pettigrew show up brought about a call for a new trial and we got to reasonable doubt at the very least. The bad one is a charge form for some reason."

"Probably from the auror's training where we dropped out," Harry muttered as he found that one. "Hold on, these are legal charges!" he said, handing them to Hermione. "They want to charge me for hurting people who were trying to kill me during the battle."

"We'll see about that," she said firmly. She read through them. "I think I know what this is, the rest of those people who thought you needed help, Harry. Trying to prove it again." She grimaced and stood up. "I'll handle this with the attorney I'm interning under. This is not right." She went to make a call through the floo, bringing all of her outrage into it.

Remus smiled at Vincent. "What are you going to do when she screams at the baby the first time?" he asked. Vincent looked worried. "All mothers do it at least once. Even Molly. She used to holler at Charlie because he wouldn't let her sleep."

Vincent sat down in his wife's seat. "I guess I'll calm her down or take the baby from her," he said quietly, glancing at the doorway. "I'm sure she won't be that bad, Professor."

"I'm not a professor anymore, Vincent. Don't worry about it." He patted the big man's hand. "You take very good care of Harry and Ron so you can call me by my given name, Remus." Vincent smiled at him. "Of course, if you could calm Harry down, we'd be most thankful, but his father used to have these bouts as well. As a matter of fact, Harry was conceived during one."

"Ron takes stuff so that doesn't happen to us," Harry informed him. "Draco said we can't have any kids for a long time." He got comfortable. "Which is really nice because when we do, we'll have to straighten up and I won't be able to jump Ron and Draco whenever and wherever I wanted to, plus we'd have to plan things out more carefully, no more sudden trips into London." He smiled at Vincent. "He did say we'd occasionally babysit so we knew what to do when we finally had to produce heirs."

"You'll get your chance the first time Herm and I want to snuggle," Vincent said firmly. "That way the baby won't wake us up afterward."

Harry beamed. "I'd enjoy that." He looked at Remus. "My dad had bouncy moods?"

"All the time, usually when he was ignoring something," Remus agreed. "The one time he missed Lily's birthday he bounced for weeks until he figured out how to make it up to her." He put a hand on Harry's shoulder, holding him still. "What's worrying you?"

"I honestly don't know, but I feel like something's missing still, or maybe that something's not finished," Harry admitted quietly, glancing at the door. "Like almost everything's in place but our lives are a puzzle and that last piece is missing and no one can find it to complete the stupid thing."

"Ah." Remus nodded. "Then you're worried about what you'll do now because a life of leisure was never something you could do. You're probably worried about Ron's future as well because he's another who likes to work for a living."

"He could do charity work," Vincent suggested. "It's real hard sometimes but you don't get paid for it."

"But I want to show off my first real paycheck and all that stuff," Harry admitted, frowning at his knees. "I want to be able to cash it and take Ron and Draco out to dinner with it some night, but I'm not really trained to do anything."

"Then go work for the Ministry," Vincent sighed. "Plenty of people there don't have a clue about what they're doing, Harry."

"Maybe," Harry sighed. "I guess I'll figure it out."

"There's someone helping the extra aurors now that they're downsizing. Maybe you should call her and see if she's got anything for you," Remus suggested gently. "You fought as much as some of them."

"Maybe, but wouldn't that be the equivalent of pushing my weight and fame around? I'm not an auror and I couldn't handle the training because of the way they treated me," Harry reminded him. "I don't think it'd look right."

"Perhaps, but you could always ask," Remus suggested.

Ron walked in with a small piece of paper. "The person doing the job counseling is open to everyone, but aurors have first pick," Ron told him. "You're going in tomorrow. We're going together, so work on a skills list. They said so." Harry smiled at him. "That means you can't bounce around anymore, right?" Harry nodded. "Good." He gave Remus a look. "Draco's out of his armor now, fortunately, so I'm going to help him for a bit. The budget isn't adding up right."

"Is my salary listed?" Vincent asked. "Last month's had to be adjusted because of it."

"I'll make sure that's not it," Ron said with a grin and a back pat. "Your wife's cussing out someone over the fire. You might want to calm her down."

"The doctor said I couldn't do that anymore," Vincent complained.

"Then give her a backrub," Remus suggested. "Ron's mother got one every night from her sixth month on. And ask her about that," he said with a knowing look. "Sometimes doctors get a bit hyper for no reason."

"Good idea," Vincent said happily. "I'll go do that now." He stood up and walked off, going to help his wife calm down, before her heart burst from all the stress. He sat behind her and started working on her shoulders, making her moan and lean back against him. "You're upsetting my very pregnant wife," he pointed out grimly. "I should hurt you for that."

"What?" the man on the other side shouted.

"You heard me," Vincent snorted.

"She called me!"

"Yay. You're the one doing awful things." He sneered, doing his boss proud. "Otherwise she wouldn't be on a crusade to see you like Fudge, broken and begging for mercy." He cut the connection. "Would you like more?" he asked, moving over to stroke their baby. "I can always give wonderful massages. I got used to it from sports."

"I think I would," she agreed with a smile. "I can rally the troops later." She snuggled back against him, letting him work on her constantly aching legs. "Thank you, Vinnie."

He grinned. "You know I like touching you in every way," he teased. "This way's nearly as good as the old way." He gave her a gentle kiss. "Now relax and let my fingers do the magic." She nodded, looking very content.

***

Harry trudged out of the second office he had been sent to, looking a bit more dispirited. "What's wrong?" Ron asked, reading the pamphlets he had been given. He noticed Harry wasn't carrying anything. "He didn't think you could do anything?"

"He said I'm too smart and weak for menial labor and too energetic and strong-willed for office work," Harry sighed, leaning against Ron's side. "Let's go home."

"Sure. You can tell me all about it once we're there," Ron soothed, shooting a glare at the office. "I'm sure you can do lots of things, Harry. You tutored very well. You could teach little kids," he suggested as they exited the building rented for this office.

"Ron, I don't like little kids. I'd either end up with a classroom full of Dudley's or a classroom full of kids like the twins." He shuddered. "That's just a disturbing thought, me teaching a bunch of little hellions."

"Okay, so what about tutoring?"

"I don't know," Harry sighed. He brushed his hair off his forehead. "I just want a nap right now. He said he wanted to give me a personality test, but that I might take offense at it because of all this current crap and that mental health warrant attempt. I told him it'd be fine but he didn't seem to think that I knew if I was sane or not."

Ron gave him a kiss on the cheek. "We'll figure it out, Harry. Trust me we will." He got Harry into his car and got in to drive. "Home?"

"Yeah, home. I want a nap."

"You can nap on the way," Ron reminded him, starting the engine and pulling out into the street. He flipped on the radio to hum along with as he drove. He was much more careful than either of his husbands. "Harry, what's that?" Ron asked, pointing at a vehicle ahead of them. He'd never seen one of those before.

Harry peered out the front window. "A motorcycle. Why?" he asked as he leaned back again.

"Just wondering. It looks like something Draco would like."

"They're very dangerous, Ron. Very, very dangerous. We don't want to lose him."

"Yeah, I guess," Ron agreed, pushing it to the back of his mind for now. They could check out the safety factor later, Harry could be a bit overprotective. After all, he was the guy who had chained Hermione to her bed after she had fainted the first time. He glanced at Harry, seeing him asleep, and smiled sadly. "We'll have to do something about that," he decided, considering his options. He would have Draco help him plan. He was more muscle than a planner, more like Vincent. Maybe he would even get Hermione into the act. She would help Harry as long as he didn't try to pat her stomach again.

***

Draco looked up as Ron walked into his study and shut the door. "Something exciting suggested?"

"They wouldn't give Harry anything." Draco groaned and dropped his pen, leaning back. "They didn't really want to talk to him. Shuffled him to a different office and all that rot." He sat down in Draco's lap, making him grunt. "I did get some wonderful ideas, but some of them might be a bit hard with me changing. I have my stuff in my jacket pocket. Now, how do we help Harry?"

"First, we'll send his forms in with a made-up name, see if anything changes," Draco promised, stroking his back. "Then when they ask, we'll tell them the truth. Either that or you're going to have to ask your Father for a favor, Ron."

"Dad doesn't know many people."

"No, but he does have a few odd research topics floating about on his desk. He could easily assign Harry to do those. He could do them here and still work, but not have to deal with people, which he doesn't like."

"I might suggest that," Ron agreed, giving him another kiss. "Thank you, Draco."

"You know I love solving problems. Would you like me to call your Father for you?" Ron nodded, giving him a begging look. "That's fine." He patted Ron on the butt. "Slide off and put Harry to bed."

"I think he's out in the backyard with Snickers by now. That's where he was heading, to lay in the sun with him." Ron slid off his lap and went to check on Harry and Hermione. She was watching him. "Any luck?"

"A bit," she admitted. "The aurors admitted in front of their counsel that they were trying to kill him to save their reputation, so he couldn't put it around that they tried to use him and make sure he died." She looked at him. "It was an accidental admission, but it is on record." She shrugged. "We'll have to wait and see."

"When does he have to do something?"

"Next week is the deposition, that's basically a lot of inane questions being tossed at him that he has to answer. After that, we're set for a court date in three months." She sighed and stroked her stomach. "I wish I could sit second-chair."

"You'll be there, Hermione, that's what's important to Harry, you know that." He kissed her on the cheek. "Draco's going to ask my father about some of those research things he's got floating around." She looked stunned. "He thinks it's about the perfect solution."

"It might be. Harry wouldn't want to deal with a lot of people, he shies away from shopping now." She squeezed Ron's hand. "We'll manage. Harry's getting back closer to normal. What did they say?"

"They shuffled offices and told him he couldn't really do anything." Ron grimaced at her hurt look. "Too weak to do menial labor and too willful to do office work."

"That bites," she decided, walking in to talk with Draco. He always had a plan. She smiled when she saw Arthur Weasley's head. "Hello, Mr. Weasley."

"Hermione," he said happily. "How is the baby? Do we know what it is yet?"

"I think it's a boy, but we're waiting for the official pronouncement," she said with a smile for him. "Draco, do you need to know about the deposition today?"

"Only if you think it'd help," he offered.

"They slipped and admitted they were trying to kill him to save their reputation and so the stupid idiots couldn't be told on. This is going to be a media circus of the highest pitch. There was already a request for an interview through the lawyer's office." Draco and Arthur both grimaced. "Harry's deposition is next week, then the trial's in another three. It would only help if he was gainfully employed or at least searching hard."

Arthur groaned. "I wish I had control over that, but I really don't."

"You do so," Draco snorted. "There's that historical look at changelings on your desk, I know for a fact that there is." Arthur frowned at him and Draco gave him his best shark's smile. "I was informed that whomever did it might want to talk to Ron, just in case I wanted to kill them first."

Arthur laughed. "I'm sure you'll have Ron pouting at you for that, Draco. You are right, that is on my desk somewhere, as is something along the lines of a personal project of mine, retracing family lines. The records office here at the Ministry has a lot of people who have parents listed that aren't part of a family. There's a push to find out which families cheated the most often and had rogue children. Including yours, I saw you had a half-sister at one point in time."

"She died ten years ago," Draco reminded him quietly. "We did meet, and I thought her wonderful, but she died in an accident." Arthur nodded. "If you wanted, either one of those would be wonderful for Harry to do, and your own people are still stretched too thin."

"Besides, he could use it to take his mind off the trial, Mr. Weasley," Hermione pointed out, stroking the newly kicked spot.

"Sit!" Draco ordered. She glared at him. "It's obvious you're in pain, so sit your ass down, Granger." She grimaced but did as he ordered because her feet hurt. "Thank you! I don't want to have to deliver this child myself because you're being stubborn." She shot him a short glare and he turned back to the fire, rolling his eyes so only Arthur could see him. "Please?"

"I think could do that. Which one do you think he'd like more?"

"The changeling thing," Hermione offered. "He's already done a lot of research on it and we know he's not going to be negatively biased, sir."

"Good point," he said with a smile. "I'll have the paperwork sent over, Draco. I'll be listing the both of you as researchers, just in case." Draco nodded. "Thank you for your help, son-in-law." He cut the connection.

Draco leaned back in his chair. "He adores calling me that," he said, sounding confused. "Why?"

"Because you're the first son-in-law," Hermione pointed out. "He's getting practice in for Neville." She heaved herself up, making it on the second try. "I'll tell Harry and Ron?"

"No, I'll tell him," Draco said with a wave of his hand. "You're going to go to bed, young lady."

"I'm the same age you are," she snorted, sounding upset.

"My birthday comes first in the calendar year, and you are younger than I am. Besides, it's obvious the child is exercising again so you probably need it. Now go nap before I tell Harry to tie you down again." She opened her mouth. "Protest, make me lock you out of the library," he warned. She stomped off, but did go up the stairs to their room. "Good girl," he said with a small smirk. He rang the bell for a house elf. It popped in, giving him an expectant look. "Find Potter, bring him here. Bring me some nuts as well," he ordered. It nodded and ran off, going to find Harry.

Harry walked in with the requested bowl of nuts and put them on the desk. "Did you need some help?" he asked, sounding a little hopeful.

"More than that," Draco said smugly, patting his lap. Harry fit very nicely in his lap, he was just the right height to cuddle; unlike Ron who was his height, Harry was smaller. "Ron's father just called."

"Really? What's wrong?"

"Not a thing. He wanted to know if we'd undertake some research for him. It seems someone's suggested we find out about changelings in a more in-depth manner. Of course, since we know so much, we got given precedence over the stodgy historians."

"How long did you have to beg?"

"Not very," Draco admitted, Harry always could see through his plans. "I think he expected us to ask anyway. Since we are nearly experts in the subject and all." Harry looked up at him. "It'll give you something to do while you look for a real job that you like and it can only help Ron," he reminded him.

"I know. Are we doing a historical look or just restating what's in the current books?"

"All the current books, outside of my father's and Ron's journals, are over fifty-years-old, Harry." He gave him a squeeze. "I'm not promising anything, but it might even get published as a book of it's own." Harry lit up at that. "Do you think you could help me with that?"

"I adore your devious mind, Draco," Harry assured him, giving him a kiss.

"I adore yours as well, Harry, and one of these days you'll quit following Ron's hormone swings," he teased. Harry laughed and hugged him. "He's sending over the request tonight, we'll look it over after dinner if you'd like." Harry nodded. "Good boy. Now go play with Snickers."

"He's lonely, Draco. He doesn't want to play."

"Then we'll do what we talked about before and find him a friend," Draco offered. "We'll even go back where we found him." Harry beamed and went to get his dog and his dog's leash. Draco shook his head and groaned. "Let's hope this one isn't as hyper as Snickers. Or else I'll never get anything done," he pouted.

***

Harry peeked into the sanctuary shelter and smiled at the woman behind the counter. "We're looking for a friend for my best friend. Can we bring him in?"

"Sure, Harry, bring the dog in. I'd like to see him." She smiled as Snickers walked in with his master. "Hello, you. Remember me?" Snickers barked and sat, going up on his hind feet to beg for a treat. "You're so good," she cooed, tossing him down a piece of her lunch. "There you are." She smiled at Harry. "How has he been?"

"He's been really tired recently, but otherwise we get along really well," Harry told her. "I think he's been lonely for company, either that or he's been depressed."

"Or you've played too hard and worn him out finally," Ron snorted as he walked in. "Draco's staring at one of those motorcycle thingies, Harry." Harry handed over the leash and headed out to stop him. "I don't know which, but Snickers didn't want to play this morning at all."

"Bring him into the back, we've got our vet in looking at our new ones. She'll be able to see if it's anything serious." She led him into the back. "Virginia, this is Ron and Snickers. Snickers is his boyfriend's dog, they're looking for some companionship because Snickers has suddenly stopped wanting to play."

"I'll get to him in just a moment," she said with a smile for Ron. And with a doubletake. "I know you."

"I'm Ron Weasley."

"Ah! That's where I know you from! Kiana has a picture of you."

"How is she liking Oxford?"

"Quite a lot. Not a bit of dancing or heels to be found," she said with a smile for him. "Where is his father?"

"Out trying to talk Draco away from the big, black motorcycle on the corner."

She laughed. "I wish him luck."

***

Harry walked up behind Draco. "They're dangerous," he explained.

"Not if you know what you're doing, or at least no more dangerous than a broom," Draco told him, looking at him with a feral smile. "Just for playing around on?"

"You'll have to get a separate license and all that insurance," Harry told him. Draco shrugged. "I don't want to be a widow," he tried. "They're *dangerous*, Draco." He pouted. "I don't want to have to scrape you off the pavement."

The owner of the bike two down from the one he was looking at laughed. "It's not that dangerous, kid." He looked at Draco. "Your boy seems like a worrywart."

"He is, but it's usually for my own good," Draco admitted. "Can one learn how to ride one?"

"Sure. But the best way is to try it out and fall a few times. Doing it slowly of course," he said with a nod for the scowling Harry. "No scraping needed."

Draco shrugged. "Where would I go to find one for myself?"

He patted his handlebars. "I had this imported from the US. Harley, a great company. Specially made for me." He grinned at the salivating Draco. "Until you're ready for that, try the dealership down near Covington Station. He's pretty knowledgeable. He even has safety classes so your boy won't worry so much."

Harry glared at him. "I worry about Draco! He's precious to me! And besides, he's *my* boy, not the other way around," he said firmly. Draco kissed him on the forehead and gave him a look, forcing him to calm down. "Fine," he sighed, "but I'm not going to your funeral. If you die, I'm going to do something horrible to your corpse then bring you back." He stomped off, going back to the shelter.

Draco shook his head. "He's a bit upset with me anyway," he said with a smile. "Covington Station?"

The other guy nodded, not bothering to hide his grin. "Or there's a nice one on Raymouth Road. It's got the training you'll need for your licenses anyway," he offered, more to appease the guy's mate than anything. "It's not that far from here."

"Where would it be in relation to Charring Cross Road?"

"'Bout six and a half kilometers probably. Not that far. Here," he said, digging out his wallet and handing over a card. "They did my wife's bike," he told him.

Draco tucked the card into his back pocket. "Thank you." He walked away, thinking about the fun he could have on that machine. It would be much closer to flying than his sportscar was, and if this one suited him better than he might even give his precious car toy to Ron. He walked into the shelter and found Ron patting Harry on the back and giving him a frown. "I only wanted information," he pointed out.

"If you're getting one, you're taking all the safety precautions and you're going to be good on it, no going too fast and crashing into trees," Ron told him.

"Yes, Ron," he said, nodding in compliance. Two worriers it seemed. Maybe Vincent would be happy for him. Snickers and a strange woman came out of the back. "Is he all right?"

"Perfectly fine, just wanting a girl dog and a pack of his own," the vet assured him. She looked at Harry. "You understand him very well."

"He's my best friend outside my mates," Harry told her. He smiled at his dog. "Would you like to find a friend in here?" Snickers barked and wagged his tail fiercely. "Then let's go look." He took the leash back and walked his dog around to look at all the other dogs. Snickers came back to a long haired cat and another dog, making Harry beam at him. "I think he wants two friends."

"Granger will kill you, Potter," Draco pointed out as he went to look for himself.

"She is married," Ron pointed out dryly, following them.

"She'll always be Granger to me," Draco admitted, giving him a slight smirk. "She's not exactly the epitome of Mrs. Vincent Crabbe."

"Good point," Harry said happily, pointing at the animals. "He liked those two."

Ron looked at the cat, then at the dog. "You wanted a familiar of your own?" he asked finally. Snickers barked and wagged his tail some more. He picked up the cat and pulled it over to the little weenie dog, setting them in the same playbox. Then he barked again as they both looked at him like he was crazy.

Draco burst out laughing. "He's recreating his family," he announced. "I'm the cat, the fussy one, the little dog is you, Ron, and Snickers is Harry."

Harry grinned. "Isn't it cute?" he asked, smiling at the owner.

"I'll get two boxes and gift packets ready," the owner agreed.

"Hold on, I'm allergic to cats," Ron told them, giving Harry a look. But the begging one he got back won. Both Harry and his dog turned their big, wet, shiny eyes on him and begged with just enough pout to make you feel miserable about denying them anything.

Draco looked at Harry. "You're good," he said in admiration. He pulled out his wallet and handed over the fees, then helped pick up the two animals to put them into the crates.

Harry bounced in place. "Do you think Hermi's going to like the cat, Ron? After all, her cat ran away after our fight in our sixth year."

"Hopefully," Ron agreed with a smile.

Draco looked at them. "Her cat ran away?" They nodded. "Why?" he asked patiently.

"Because it kinda, sorta chased after the Death Eaters that year," Harry admitted, blushing a bit.

"It always did detect evil," Ron agreed. "Always tried to pounce Scabbers before we found out he was Pettigrew in disguise." He shrugged. "I'm sure she'll love the little squashed-nose darling, Harry. As long as I don't need medicine for my allergies, we'll be fine." He patted Harry on the back as he walked past him.

"I thought you used to play with Charlie's cat," Draco said, sounding confused.

"I did, but I nearly sneezed my head off," Ron said with a smile. "Percy used to say that's what happened to my brain, I sneezed it out a few times. Hermi doesn't know, but I took allergy medicine all the time while in school because of her Croonshanks."

"Hmm, maybe we should talk to Percy," Draco muttered as he followed behind Ron. He noticed Snickers staring at one cage and flicked his wand to open it so the dog could sniff. Instead Snickers picked up the little black dog inside it and trotted back to the car, not caring that he hadn't paid for that one yet.

Ron beamed and Harry giggled. Draco pulled out his wallet and handed over more money with an eye roll. "Any special care instructions on that one?" Harry asked.

"Change the foot bandage at least twice a day for the rest of the week, then it should be fine. Tell your vet to call us and we'll send over her records," the shelter owner told him, handing over a card. "Your Snickers is even more troublesome now than he was when he lived here." Harry laughed as he carried the new carriers out to the car. She looked at Draco. "Does he think I'm kidding?"

"Probably, either that or Harry's becoming more like him," Draco said dryly, taking the gift bags. "Thank you." He walked out to drive them home, letting Harry play with his new friends in the back.

Ron leaned over. "At least the snake went somewhere else," he said quietly. Draco kissed him and started the car, taking off for home.

***

Hermione looked up as a soft something interposed itself between her book and her chest. She smiled at the cat. "Where did you come from?" It kneaded her stomach and settled in for a nap. "Fine, you can rest there," she agreed with a smile for it, putting her book aside so she could go back to her nap. Snickers trotted in with his new friends and bounded up to curl up around her as well. "What did you do, rob the pound?" she asked the older dog. Snickers licked her face, his big tongue going up the center. "Eww." She wiped the slobber off. "Fine, we can curl up." She moved the cat and shifted onto her side, letting it lay against her stomach that way. "Thank you for helping me nap," she said pleasantly. "Let's sleep now." One of the dogs sniffed her rear and she swatted at it, so it gave up and she settled in to go back to sleep.

That's how Vincent found them later. He frowned at the animals, then went to Draco's room since he was soaking. He pointed at his room. "Why is my wife covered in animals?"

"Snickers picked out some new friends," Draco told him with a smile. "Are they all curled around her?"

"There's three dogs and a cat in my bed."

"Snickers picked them out," Draco said with a brighter smile. "I'm sure they're very cuddly. She's probably using them as a teddy bear."

"I'm her teddy bear, Draco," Vincent said firmly, starting to pout.

"So go force your way through the pack and snuggle up to her," Draco suggested. "And do not pout at me. Pout at Harry."

"I'll do that later, after I reclaim my mate." Vincent walked back into his bedroom and shooed the dogs out of his way, carefully helping the one with the bandage on its foot. He laid down behind his wife and the dogs curled up around him. "At least you're not taking my place," he told them. "I wouldn't allow that." The little dog with the bandage problem barked and stood up to hobble up his side. It licked him fervently, like he was a chocolate frog or something. "None of that, nap for right now," he told it, letting it curl up on his side.

They came to an easy agreement, the animals deciding to guard the new one and the humans enjoying their fuzzy bedwarmers when the baby quit kicking a few minutes later.

***

Draco walked into the motorcycle shop, looking at the bikes available. He frowned when he saw the ones unlike the one he had seen outside the shelter. "I want one I can sit up on," he told the salesman. "The man I talked to said you sell those?"

"A newbie?" the man asked. Draco nodded, supposing that sounded right. "Come this way then." He led Draco to their less fancy and non-racing bike section. "These are used, but good for starters. Some blokes do have a problem with the racing models because you're all stretched out on your stomach." He scratched his forehead as Draco sat on one, smirking at his purring. "You like then?"

"I do," Draco agreed, getting off. "I want one that fits me." He turned the full force of his personality on this man. "You'll find I'm very dangerous and deadly," he said with a small smirk. "I like speed, and I happen to enjoy zipping around."

"Hmm. Let's try one of the racing bikes then," the salesman told him, walking him over. He noticed how Draco went toward anything silver or green and pointed at one in the back row. "Not as fast, but for a beginner's bike it'll do," he said proudly. "New model from Honda. A few street racers started out on that sort."

Draco walked back and sat on it, getting comfortable. "It's a bit wide," he offered. He climbed off and shifted his hips. "I'll have to get used to it." He saw one that was drawing him and went over to it, sitting down on it. "I like this one."

"That's not really a good one for beginners," the salesman told him gently.

"Yes, but I'll learn better on the one I'll end up riding. Does this one come in silver?" The salesman nodded. "Good, I'll take this one and one of the more upright models." He handed over his wallet, getting comfortable on his new toy. "I do like this." The salesman walked a sturdy looking bike over. "What's that one?" he asked.

"Good for doubles," he said with a smile. "I bet you've got a sweet piece waitin' on you at home."

Draco shrugged. "Two really, and they both worry."

"Then show them this one, it's rather safe," the salesman told him. "When can you come do the training?"

"Can I do it now?" Draco asked.

The salesman looked at the back office. "Not really. It's by appointment usually and we're full up for the next few weeks." He tossed back the wallet. "Let me get my boss to schedule you. This one's used so it's not as expensive, but it's a good place to start." He walked into the back and gave his boss a grin. "Got one for ya, sir. Really anxious. Walked in and said he wanted a bike."

The manager looked up at him. "Why?"

"He's a rich kid, carryin' around a lot of dosh."

"Ah." He smiled. "When did he want to do his training?"

"Now."

The manager laughed. "I'll set him up a time as soon as we've got one free." He grabbed his appointment book and walked out to where Draco was lovingly stroking his new bike. "You look good on that," he said with a smile.

"Thank you." Draco looked at him. "When can we get this training out of the way?"

The man flipped open his book. "We're full up for a few weeks, but I can get you in soon after that, sir. What's your name?"

"The name is Lord Malfoy," Draco told him. The man's eyes bulged and Draco pulled out two hundred-Pound notes. "I'm a quick learner if you have a few hours today, and I'll take the full kit that goes with it, including the manuals."

The man looked at the money, then at him. He took the money. "I've got one hour free right now, you're lucky you caught me, I was about to head to lunch. Let's see what we can teach you in that time."

"As I said, I'm a very quick learner," Draco assured him. "Both or just one?"

"Let's try that one. It's the harder bike to get used to." He helped free the bike from the platform and took him outside, going back to get them both helmets. He started the usual instruction, and Draco had mastered the basics in his hour. Fast learner indeed. "You'll want to practice a bit before you go for your license," he advised at the end of their hour. "Tool around your driveway. Don't go on the roads without your license. The bobbies can get quit peeved about that and then they'll take your new bike."

Draco nodded. "Understood. Now about how much should I spend on gear?"

"Well, there's the leathers. Your helmet is mandatory. Some gloves would be worthwhile. The more safety equipment you get, the more you'll get used to using it. Like airbags and seatbelts in cars."

Draco nodded. "I always wear my seatbelt after my near-death wreck." The man looked at him. "I was going rather fast and hit a pothole." The man winced. "Fortunately we fixed the axle and neither I nor my mate died."

"Good on you, mate. Let's get you signed out and all that stuff. Did you want us to deliver them?"

"Please," Draco agreed, following him inside the shop to sign all the necessary paperwork. It lightened his wallet a lot, but he was kind enough to get three helmets, just in case.

***

Harry looked up as Draco walked in, waving the packet Arthur had sent them. "I'm going over this and they want more of a historical tracing than anything else."

"That's fine," Draco said, giving him a kiss on the head. "I was good, I even got the training," he told him. Harry scowled fiercely, making Draco grin and laugh. "You look so cute like that."

"Draco!"

"I said I'd get training and I have. If you want, I'll support you getting training as well so you don't feel so nervous. It really is more like riding a broom." He winked. "You'll adore it; I bought you a helmet so you could go for rides behind me. You more than Ron will enjoy it, Harry."

"Fine, I'll let you take me for a ride," Harry agreed. He pouted. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"And I won't be, but this is rather great fun. Like flying, only faster and on the ground." He winked. "Now give me the notes and start pulling books down for us." Harry handed them off and stole a kiss before going to do as he was told. He sat down to consider the quagmire of Ron and Harry. Ron was more like him in many ways, fun-loving and outgoing, but Harry and he shared a lot in common as well. Not that Harry was as studious, but he could do the research and he enjoyed the flying parts. Not that Ron didn't, but Harry *understood* his need to fly. Even if he did worry. It was a good thing they hadn't been together before their last game against each other. Harry would have let him have the snitch most likely and that wasn't the fun of the game.

***

Ron looked outside at the honking. "Draco, why is there a muggle delivery truck outside?" he asked.

"My new toys are here," Draco said, pulling him up so they could go look at them. "Vincent!" he yelled. "Come see!"

"Coming," drifted down the stairs.

Ron looked at the things being offloaded, then at Draco. "You've gone barmy," he decided, walking over to examine them. "How do you protect yourself?"

"That's half of the point," Draco sighed. He knew Ron was going to kick a fit over this. Harry walked out and gave him a hug before going over to look at them. His herd of beasts followed behind him like he was the Pied Piper. They sniffed and jumped up on top of the motorcycles. "Get off there!" he said, shooing off the cat. The delivery driver laughed and handed him a clipboard, letting him sign for delivery. "Are they gassed up?" The driver nodded. "Thank you. And our gear?"

"In the front. Let me get it for you," he said with a nod to Harry and then to Ron.

Vincent and Hermione walked out, and then Vincent looked at his boss. "Your father would shit bricks," he said blandly.

Draco smirked. "Just wait until I take you for a ride around the driveway."

"No!" Hermione said firmly. "My husband is not going to be killed for your pleasure, Draco Malfoy." They got into a short glaring contest, but she won because she started to stroke her stomach. He gave in gracefully and she knew it. She saw Vincent's look and sighed, giving in to him. He did have to know how to use one, in case Draco needed him in the bodyguard capacity. "You may take lessons," she relented. "Until you are fully certified, you're not to touch the back of one of those beasts." She went back to her study, working on her homework.

Ron nodded. "I agree. Draco, lessons?"

"I took the class," Draco told him, showing his certification papers. "I need more practice before I go for my license. Harry?"

"I'll let you give me a ride on that one," Harry said, pointing at the non-racing bike. "The other sort is only for single riders and they scare me." Ron gave him a hug. "Please be careful?"

"I'm going to be very careful," Draco agreed, turning to accept the package and rolling his eyes at the fussy people he was married to.

"Many mates feel that same way at first," the delivery driver noted. "I've heard so many couples rowing it's nearly amusing," he said with a grin. "Have fun, Lord Malfoy. And please be careful." He got in his truck and started off, going back to the shop.

Draco put the large box on the steps and pulled out two helmets, making sure one was his. "Here, Harry," he said, handing it over. "We'll go for a short ride around the driveway." Harry nodded and let him show him how and where to sit, wrapping his arms tightly around Draco's middle. "This has some unexpected benefits," he noted as he turned the key. They roared off at a safe speed, both of them moaning at the feel of the vibrating seat underneath him.

Harry leaned forward. "Draco, I do enjoy it," he admitted. Draco stopped the bike and looked at him. "I do. You were right."

Draco gave him a smug look. "Of course I am." He started off again, showing off by going a bit faster. Harry whooped and wiggled so he went even faster, enjoying this quite a lot.

On the steps, Ron sat and pouted. He didn't like dangerous things. At least not things that dangerous. He was happy enough with a broom. Why couldn't they be happy on brooms? Vincent patted him on the head. "You really want to learn?"

Vincent shook his head. "Not really. Draco likes his slightly dangerous and naughty things though, it's part of who he is. Dangerous and slightly naughty set him apart from his father. That and his sex drive." He winked then walked inside, going to pet his wife while she studied.

Ron waited until Harry and Draco came back, then got up and walked over, giving Draco a hug. "I guess I'll let you take me around as long as you're careful," he said gently. Draco beamed and Harry handed over his helmet, getting out of the way as they zipped off.

Harry jogged inside the house, going to the floo to call for advice. "Molly, do you think it'd be okay for me to get a motorcycle like Draco's if he's keeping his?"

"You are an adult, Harry," she said tolerantly. "If you wanted one, then you should get one." She smiled. "Does Ron like this new thing?"

He grinned and shook his head. "He thinks they're more dangerous than I do after riding one." He signed off and went to plead Draco to take him in for training and his own toys. He found Ron bent over the racing bike and walked up behind him, rubbing up against his rear. "I like you like that," he purred in his ear.

Ron looked back at him. "No." He stood up and got away from him. "No, you can't have your own. You can share with Draco. Two of the death machines are enough, Harry." Harry pouted. "I mean it, or I'll tell mum."

"She said I could have one," Harry said proudly. He looked around and waved at Draco as he sped back. "Teach me this one too?" he begged, giving him his best attempt at begging. "I'll be your sex slave for the next few weeks."

Draco took off his helmet and shook his hair back into place. "You are anyway, Potter," he said with a small smirk. "I take it you have no more objections?" Harry shook his head quickly. "Then I'll start your instruction," he agreed, smiling at him then at Ron. "You as well?"

"I'll ride behind one of you," Ron said, quickly heading into the house. He went to call his mother for support. "Don't let him have one," he whined. "Those things don't have a safety cage around them like cars. You can tip over on them!" he complained. She smiled and chuckled, not easing his fears at all. "Please, mum, stick up for me on this one, okay? Harry's already planning on adding onto the garage."

"I'm sure it'll be fine, Ron. Those things have to have safety features, you know how muggles are about their safety." She signed off and shook her head at the teachers in her office. "I never thought I'd see Ron being the cautious one."

Snape shifted in his seat. "What are motorcycles?"

"I guess they're like a small car if you can tip them over," she said, giving him a fond smile. "I'm sure they're perfectly fine, Severus. Draco won't get into too much trouble. He is a young man and he always did enjoy his flying." He nodded, giving her a tolerant look. "Now then, what sort of problem are we having with this year's new crop of students?"

"I've found one I want to be removed. I begged to have Longbottom removed, but Albus never did. This one is worse, much worse."

She nodded. "I can see why you'd want to be careful, but isn't there a reason why the students take potions?" He nodded, not looking happy. "Can't you put up some sort of barrier around them? Or have some sort of protective device around their seats? I know you have a special corner for the worst brewers."

He stiffened, then slowly smiled. "I believe I can do that," he agreed.

"Remember, it cannot get in the way of their learning, but can be protective for the other students. Nothing *too* thick, Professor." He nodded. She smiled at Minerva. "What sort of problems are you having?"

"I'm afraid it's the same student. I'm not sure why, but the boy's an absolute waste of space most days, Molly. He tries so hard, but nothing is going to go right for him I'm afraid. The boy has no skill, and no class in which he happens to do well enough in. Besides, he's miserable here. He doesn't get on with the other students. I've asked his Head of House to talk to the Prefect and they've all said that he doesn't talk to anyone."

"He could be shy," Molly pointed out. "Not one to make friends easily. I feared Percy was going to do that."

"He's at least doubly as bad as Longbottom in everything," Snape put in. "It's nearly Halloween and he hasn't had a passing grade yet, even when we're being generous. The boy is nearly Longbottom squared." Molly hissed and shook her head. "We may have to hold him back."

"We can do that," she agreed. "Perhaps we should call in the boy's parents for a conference first though?"

McGonagall shook her head quickly. "They're fierce in their protests about their son being brilliant. It won't go well."

"No, but that should always be the next step. Maybe we can come up with a solution, a tutor possibly or something, and ease their own fears. Most parents like that are afraid that what's being said is true." McGonagall sighed. "We can do it via floo Saturday if you want?" she suggested gently. "If it were mine, I'd want to know if they were flunking already."

"While that's a good point, I doubt they're going to be receptive."

Molly smiled. "Yes, but that means that they can't barge in here when and if we have to hold the poor dear back, Severus. Letting them know now prepares them for such blows in a reasonable manner. Then we can all have a drink." They laughed and nodded. "Excellent. Minerva, talk with the boy."

"He's not my house, Molly."

"No, but I'm sure Madam Sprout will be most happy not to have to handle this sort of thing. She is rather sensitive and might cry, which I don't want to see. You can sit him down with the both of you if you want." They shrugged. "Or I can sit him down and bring you in."

"I think that's the better idea," Snape agreed. He stood up. "I'll get to work on that barrier." He left the ladies alone. Things were running much more smoothly for him with Molly in charge. She didn't have any suggestions and the only time she tried to *persuade* him she was very subtle and agreeable about it. She even smiled at him like he meant something to her. He enjoyed this level of calmness and wondered if the school had been like this under Arabelle Malfoy.

Minerva and Molly gossiped a bit about Ginny's scores then Molly got to do the unenviable task of talking to the boy. She had a house elf go for him and gave him a smile as he walked in. "Sit, Trevor," she said gently. "I think it's time we had a meeting about your grades." He nodded, sighing as he sat down. "I know you're trying, but there seems to be a few problems. I'd like to hear your take on the matter since I've talked with a few of the teachers."

He nodded. "I try," he told her, telling her just like he would his mother.

***

Draco walked Harry into the bike shop and handed him over. "Train him," he said, going to look at the accessories. He could see Harry wanting his own and wanted to help him pick out his jacket. Something that made him look wonderful and worthy of riding beside him.

Harry smiled at him. "My mate got me hooked," he told the person behind the desk. "Is the training hard or does it take a long time?"

"That all depends on you. Have you taken any spins around by yourself?" Harry nodded. "Ready to get your license then?"

"I think so, but I'm all for safety lectures," Harry told him. "I was against this idea in the first place because of the lack of safety features on most motorcycles." He leaned on the counter. "Then Draco took me for a ride and I realized I loved the feeling of not having a car around me." He beamed at the smile he got for it. "Please?"

"Well, we have an opening later today," he admitted. "A cancellation." Harry started to bounce. "Hey, now, none of that. If you bounce too much, we'll have to push you back until you're calm." Draco walked over and kissed Harry until he went limp in his arms, then released him and went back to his browsing. "Well now," he said, giving Draco a new look. "I never figured him for one of those. We figured his mates were girls."

Harry shrugged. "One of us is," he said with a wink and a grin. The salesman laughed. "Can I get in sooner? I want my very own one." He pouted briefly.

"The guy's out on a lesson right now," the salesman said, giving the book a look. "He should be done in about ten minutes. What sort did you want?"

"I like his upright one, though there is something really naughty about his racing one," Harry admitted, starting to blush. "I think our woman would like something a bit more sturdy though when we ride together."

"There are touring bikes," the salesman told him, walking him over to the only one they had. "This is a Beamer touring bike. A bit old and very heavy, but steady like an RV." Harry walked around it, pressing on the seat. "It's meant for highway cruising and touring about on the weekends. Even has some storage space."

Harry smiled at Draco, who was giving him a frown. "For when we have to bring Ron about," he noted, patting the seat.

Draco walked over and looked it over. "It's very...sturdy," he decided was the right word.

"Yes, and Ron'll love that. Hermi would even adore that feature," Harry pointed out.

Draco nodded. "Good point. Then she'd quit yelling at me for corrupting you." He gave Harry's temple a kiss. "Is that one going to be Ron's?"

"I'll only use it when it's Ron and I. You know he hates both of yours." He winked and opened the compartments to show him. "We can even go for picnics on this one."

Draco looked at the storage space and nodded. "That's an excellent feature. I miss being able to go shopping on my bike. Even saddlebags wouldn't help that much." He went back to his browsing.

Harry beamed. "I want ones like his and this one," he told him, pulling out his wallet. "We'll work on building an addition to the garage tonight."

The salesman laughed. "I'm so glad I work on commission. My own woman'll adore you two since it'll be paying for her ring." He went to ring him up and start the necessary paperwork for Harry's training.

Draco smirked at Harry, getting a wink in return. He looked out the door as the trainer came back with a crying person and nodded. "That's him."

The crying person rushed off and Harry grinned at the trainer, holding out his hand. "I'm Lord Malfoy's husband Harry," he said, shaking it. The man laughed. "He's gotten me hooked, and I've even decided to buy something *safe* for our wife. Teach me as well? He's shown me a lot and I'd like to go for my test when he does."

"I've got an opening in an hour, kid. Go have lunch and then we'll do you." Harry beamed at him and dragged Draco off for a long snog in a cheap motel. "Those kids are fun," he said, smiling at the salesman.

"Buggerer bought three bikes," he said, handing over the forms. "Their wife doesn't like not having the car around her so he bought a touring bike to ride with her."

"Good job," the manager said with a smile. "And in cash so you won't have to wait for your commission either." He clapped him on the back. "Let me get a drink and I'll go off for my next lesson." He went into their staffroom, getting himself something from the machine.

***

Draco and Harry pulled up outside the Leaky Cauldron, him on his racing bike and Harry on his used Harley. They parked and warded the bikes against theft, then went through to get the twins so they could show off. Little did they know someone had taken their pictures. When they came back out, Harry was beaming like a loon and their pictures were snapped again. The reporter for the Daily Prophet snuck off, going to tell his manager this juicy news and search through the old photos for something else he thought he remembered.

Fred looked at the bikes, then at Harry. "There is no way you're getting me on one of those," he said firmly, looking every bit like his mother at that moment. Harry gave him a hug. "Get off!" He pushed him off. "They're dangerous, Harry."

"They're fun," Harry retorted. "They go fast and it's like riding a really fast broom. Just a spin around the block? I've got my license."

George looked at Draco. "Don't even suggest it," he said quietly. "I'll sic Oliver on you." Draco chuckled. "I mean it. How did Harry corrupt you this way? It used to be that your father didn't like brooms because it wasn't under his own power."

"They really are like a faster version of a broom," Draco assured him. "Very safe if carefully ridden. We've both had lessons."

"What about Ron?" George asked while keeping an eye on the other two's fight.

"He hates them, thinks they're unsafe."

George sighed and looked up. "Thanks, mum, for the common sense being passed on. I won't tell Percy on him." He winked at Draco. "Dad's about to come over so you might want to hide before he sees them."

"Your father will shit with envy," Draco said lightly.

Fred barged over. "You will not allow my father on these death traps, Draco Malfoy, or I will swat you myself. Even if he survives," he said firmly, dragging George with him before he somehow got corrupted by being near them. "How dare they! Those aren't safe and we need those two around! Ron will be miserable without them!"

"Too true," George agreed, smiling at his twin's back. He could be the righteously indignant one, it saved George from having to complain too much or pace about. Wait until Charlie heard about this one. He already wanted to save Ron from the over-sexed duo.

***

Draco opened the morning paper and burst out laughing. "Harry, apparently I'm corrupting you again," he said as he handed it over. They were eating on the bed, as usual, and Harry was leaning on his legs while he ate.

Harry grinned at the pictures. "Hmm, I'm being corrupted because you figured out that muggle transportation goes really fast," he said as he read. "Ooh, there's a call to separate us before it can be finished." He looked up. "Apparently you're also the cause of my mental health issues now as well," he said with a grin. Ron snatched the paper to read.

"Your mother won't complain, Harry already told her about them," Draco offered, rubbing the tense back. Ron was switching back now and had been up most of the night with muscle cramps. "Why don't you stay up here today, Ron," he gently suggested, earning a smile. "You could use the rest."

"Then we can pounce you for one last blow later," Harry agreed with a wicked grin. "My bikes are coming today and I got you a surprise."

"Harry, I'm not learning how to ride."

Harry crawled up Ron's legs, sitting in his lap so he could steal a kiss. "I got one of the big, heavy, *safe* ones to ride with you on the back," he whispered, stealing another kiss. "One with luggage space even." He stole another kiss, and could see that Ron's eyes were dilating. "Nearly a car, only without the roof. I even helped pick out your protective gear," he said before stealing another kiss.

Draco stole Harry and kissed him senseless. "Let her rest. We'll impress her later, Harry," he said patiently. Harry leaned down and sucked him in, making him moan. "Damn, I should corrupt you more often," he decided, sliding down to give him more room to work himself down the hard cock.

"Hmm," Ron said, watching Harry. "You definitely trained him to do that very well." He spanked the wiggling butt. "Don't tempt me, Potter, or you won't be sitting later." Draco pushed the loose sleep pants off Harry's backside, letting Ron have access to it. "Maybe we should wear him out, I could use a teddy bear while I nap," Ron agreed. He grabbed the lube and slicked himself up. Harry had jumped them both last night so he wasn't fully unstretched, it only took a second before Ron could slide in with a groan of delight. "I think we should chain him to the bed today, Draco. At least until his new toys come. That way he'd get something done on the research paper."

"Let him be," Draco advised. "He's upset about how the deposition went last night. They asked a few very stupid questions and he nearly went off on the interviewing lawyer according to Hermione. Fortunately the man didn't realize how close to death he came." He stroked through Harry's hair. "I'm proud of the way you held yourself back, Harry," he said gently. Harry came with a moan, still wrapped around him. Draco smiled down at him. "Did I do that?" He pulled Harry off and gave him a real kiss. "You handled that man very well and you deserve a reward. What would you like?"

"You to flood into me," Harry said with a wicked grin before going back to what he had been doing.

"I like it when he's easy to please," Ron pointed out as he stroked in and out of the taunt body. "Harry, relax, you're crushing me back here," he complained. Harry went limp and he came. "Ooh. Much better." He kissed Draco while still in Harry, putting pressure on Harry to swallow Draco fully. Draco came and pulled back to continue breathing. "Very nice. Now let's finish breakfast so I can jump you both later for the last time in a month."

"Yes, Ron," Harry said, using Draco's lap for a pillow. He yawned then ate the piece of toast Draco held down to him. "Thank you, Draco."

"You know you're my favorite toy of all, Harry," Draco said smugly, smirking down at him when Harry looked up at him. "Seriously. You're much more versatile as a toy than my new ones. I always go back to my favorite toys." Harry lunged up and kissed him, then went back to his lap.

"Maybe we really should tie him to the bed today," Ron put in. Draco nodded. Harry moaned, closing his eyes. "You rest, Harry, we'll decide what to do with you in a few." Harry nodded and snuggled in. Ron and Draco shared a smile, that was the Harry they had grown to adore.

Hermione screamed from down the hall and they clapped.

***

Molly looked up as someone squealed in outrage, smiling at the girl stomping up to her. "Yes, dear?" she asked, taking the held-out paper from the young Slytherin girl. She saw the pictures and frowned. "Well, Harry looks happy," she admitted, passing it down to Snape. He looked at it and his eyes bulged. "I guess we know what motorcycles are now."

"Potter and your son need to be stopped, ma'am, before they fully corrupt Mr. Malfoy and he's no longer the Slytherin Prince he once was," the girl demanded, stomping her foot. "My mother will think that it happens inside the house somehow and will withdraw me."

Molly gave her a look. "Now that's just foolishness," she pointed out gently. "I will be talking to Ron later though." Everyone who had a mother in the room shivered at the look on her face. They doubted Ron would be walking straight after she got done with him.

***

The twins looked up as their fireplace burst out in a gout of flame, admitting Charlie and Percy. "They showed us that day," Fred told him dryly. "We refused to go for a ride."

"We'll have to put a stop to that before they get Ron," Percy said firmly, wanting to stomp his foot so bad. A wizard like Ron and Malfoy, playing with such muggle toys!

"And I thought the gun was bad," George said dryly.

"Guns too?" Charlie asked.

"How else do you think he took out Voldemort?" Fred asked him. Charlie glared at him and he shrugged. "He figured out how to put curses on bullets and shoot wizards! It wasn't me!"

Charlie stomped off, going to tell his father. He would support their taking Ron from that perverted being, Draco Malfoy. He walked into his father's office and slammed the door. "Have you seen the paper today?" he demanded.

Arthur gave him a smile. "I did. Harry hasn't looked that happy in a long time," he agreed. Charlie's mouth fell open. He laughed. "Ron's not enamored of those machines, he does it to humor Harry and Draco a bit."

"We need to remove Ron, dad! There's no telling what they're doing to him!"

Arthur looked at his clock. "They're probably having sex," he put in gently. Charlie blushed and started to cough. "It's all right, Charlie, I had a long talk with Ron the other day when he ranted about Harry and Draco's desire for fast things. You and that nice boy Oliver played quidditch to play the sport, Draco and Harry played because they love the feeling of flying. Give them this one indulgence. Harry looked quite happy for once. He's being careful, he always is."

"Still, father! He's corrupting Ron horribly!"

"Not you too," Arthur sighed. "Charlie, there's corruption and then there's corruption with pain and fear. The first is mostly fine, it will make Ron more powerful but not harm him. The second will harm him and those two regard Ron as the greatest treasure. If we tried to take Ron, or even suggest that he leave them, there would be serious repercussions. The least of which is Harry's mental health would deteriorate rapidly. Ron and Draco keep him happy and not brooding on what he had to do. It's good to see him smile that way again, so please leave them be. Tell Percy it's an order." Charlie opened his mouth. "Now."

Charlie sighed. "Fine!" He stomped off, going back to the joke shop. "Dad said that if we even suggested Ron leave them then Harry's mental health might break. He said Ron's ranted about them so he's not liking it, but he's humoring them," he said grimly. "Told me we can't rescue Ron at all."

Ron slapped him hard across the back of the head. "That's for thinking I needed it!" he said angrily. Charlie winced and looked at him. "Do not even think about that, Charlie Weasley, or you will be sorry. Harry's not the one you have to look out for, he'd break now. Draco would have to help him. Hermione and Vincent would get you for me if you ever tried anything like that." He crossed his arms and glared at Charlie, making him realize what sort of danger he was in.

Charlie swallowed. "I'm sorry, Ron, I was worried about them hurting you on those machines," he said gently. "I'm a big brother and I adore you, even when you're mad at me."

"Oh, give it up," George sighed, shaking his head. "Ron, we know you're not into speed things like those two, but what happens if you wreck?"

"To reassure ourselves," Fred put in at the glare sent at his twin.

"Harry and Draco have both gotten me protective leather outfits, then we treated them with a solution to make sure that they wouldn't wear through and would always make me look quite decent," he sniffed. He shot another glare at Charlie. "Unlike some, they *ask* me what I want." He stomped into the back to sit and pout.

"I'd apologize," Fred suggested.

George nodded. "Before he decides this is a grudge that needs retribution."

Charlie hurried into the back to beg and plead with Ron not to be mad at him. He more than anyone other than Bill knew that Ron could make his life a living hell. He ended up holding Ron tightly against him while he apologized repeatedly, just to get it through his thick head.

The twins looked at each other, then at Percy, who was browsing. "Feel lucky," George told him.

Percy smiled. "I do. Ron would never forgive me after what I did last time, though it was for the best. I wonder if he's going to have the Malfoy heir."

"He can't," George said with a frown.

"They arranged for Ginny to carry it once they've had their first," Fred added for good measure.

"Neville doesn't want kids right off," Percy pointed out gently. "That means a wait and that's not a good thing. Malfoy has to produce an heir within five years of marrying or the family fortune is broken up among his maiden aunts. That is the rule set down by the inheritance." Ron walked out and stared at him until he continued on. "I checked it out to see how Malfoy was going to have to take care of you. You see, there's a part in there about spouses," Percy told him. "What they were to be given if they were a widow and the like. Did you know he's violating a clause of the will because you're big-chested?"

Ron groaned and shook his head. "He knows, but we're not doing anything about it. That's a stupid rule, Percy." He shook his head as he went back to the counter. "Do you have the things for Draco's birthday?"

"Definitely," Fred told him, pulling a package out from under the counter. "That'll be thirty sickles, Ron."

Ron raised an eyebrow. "I don't get a discount anymore?"

"That was with the discount," George told him.

Ron sighed and paid for it, taking the package with him when he left. "Draco, my brothers think I need saving again," he noted as he walked into the house.

Draco laughed from somewhere down the hall. "Tell them I'm siccing Potter on them," he called back.

"Draco!" Harry squealed. There was the sound of laughter.

Ron groaned as he went to find Vincent to help him hide the treats until Draco's birthday.

***

Hermione looked at these new toys, then glared at Draco. "Do you see what you've started?" she demanded. Harry was presently hugging his favorite bike.

"No, I see the happiness that this caused," Draco retorted. She grimaced but dropped the argument. He watched as Harry talked Ron onto the back of the touring bike and took off with him, shaking his head. "Ron's even more paranoid about safety than Harry is," he said in disgust. He went to rev up his racing bike, it needed gas anyway. He roared past them with a wave.

Harry leaned back against Ron's stomach, getting comfortable. He stopped and grinned at him. "Better?"

"Much," Ron admitted. "But I want this to be rare, Harry. No living on it like Draco does. It doesn't offer any shelter in case someone tries anything."

"Yes, Ron," Harry sighed.

Ron hugged him. "I'm not nagging, mate, but I need you to be safe. What would I do if you got hurt again?" he asked. Harry nodded and started them back to the house. "Think we could take this on a picnic this weekend?"

"Yeah," Harry agreed with a smile. "I even bought you a jacket that'll look stunning with this bike since I figured you'd like this one more." Ron gave him a squeeze. "Thanks."

***

A house elf appeared with a silver tray bearing the morning mail, the bright red envelope laying on top of the stack. "Misters, sir, message," he said, holding it up.

Draco looked at the howler, frowning at it. "Who would dare send one of those to me?" he said in disgust, tossing it off the side of the bed. He waited for it to open itself, he wasn't getting near it until it went off.

The flap exploded. "How dare you sully the family name by playing with muggle toys!" Draco's father, Lucius, shouted via the letter. "You are not only sullying the family name, I will have you removed, you misbegotten imbecile! You are destroying generations of Malfoy purity by taking up with *Potter* and a *Weasley*, not to mention that you are breaking a few of the family's long-standing demands. I will see you removed and me put back in your place!" The howler exploded.

Draco looked at the elf, who was cowering next to Harry. "Is the owl that brought it still here?" he asked casually. The elf nodded quickly. "Then keep it here for now. We'll send back a message in a moment," he said with his coldest look. He slid off the bed and went down to his study, pulling out the small charm he had Hermione look up and make for him. He wrote out a quick note and went to attach them both to the owl, letting it go back to her master. He would have to remember to check on it soon.

***

Harry walked into the auror's department and smiled, holding up the mirror charm that Hermione had created for them, well the spare mirror charm anyway. "Draco Malfoy wanted to know if you wanted the tracking charm he had put on his father?" he asked the receptionist. He was shoved into the General's office, still holding the charm up. "Lucius got a bit ...disconcerted wtih his son when he saw our last picture in the paper. So we sent back a tracking charm. Would you like it?"

"What will it cost us?" the General asked, looking at the boy.

Harry leaned down, putting the charm between them. "You dropping the ridiculous charges against me for protecting myself," he snarled, losing all good humor. "Otherwise, we'll get him ourselves, get the reward for it, and then beat you in front of the Courts."

"Now see here," the General started.

Harry glared worse, making him suck in a breath. "Your people tried to kill me to save their own asses. You have to get rid of some of the force anyway, get rid of them," he suggested coldly. "Because if they *ever* come near me again, I'm going to kill them. Including the one that's been watching the house recently." He stood up and looked at him, then smiled again. "Draco didn't send that with the charm, that's just my fee for delivering it."

"Do you really think you should be wandering around with *decent* people, boy?" the general sneered.

"The last I looked, I did what I had to do, and you and Dumbledore turned me this way," Harry said quietly. Then he shrugged. "I had to go through a lot of soul searching to see that I wasn't going to do it again unless it was to protect my family. Be thankful none of the brainwashing your people did worked."

"If it had, you wouldn't be here, you would have died during the follow-up battles," the General told him.

Harry nodded. "That's probably true, and another thing I have to thank Draco and Ron for." He grinned. "Maybe you should send them a card. The first people I would have continued with were the people who came after me. Meaning you." He left, leaving the charm there. He did drop by his lawyer's office and drop off the tape he had recorded while in there, Ron's idea, then went to pick himself up a treat. The candy store salesgirl didn't even bat an eye at him when she sold him the seventeen pound box of chocolates, only took his money with a smile. He waved and walked away, going to use the Leaky's floo to get home since he hadn't rode up. He presented the box to Hermione. "Here, for the little creature so it calms down," he said with a smile. "I taped it, the guy admitted it."

"It's probably not admissible," she warned.

"No, but it's a warning all the same," Harry said sweetly, then he went to find Ron and Draco, finding them together in Draco's study. "I was just reminded that I have to thank you both for negating their suicide switch in my training." He gave them both hugs then went to play with his animals.

Ron looked at Draco. "I knew I should have went."

"You're not getting anywhere near those creatures," Draco said firmly, giving her a squeeze. "I should probably wade into this matter."

"You'll become like your father to a lot of people," Ron warned.

"It's better to be seen as manipulative than to be manipulated," Draco said gently. He stole a kiss and pushed Ron off his lap. "Go play with beast boy while I finish off this last challenge to the will my father filed." Ron nodded, leaving him alone. Draco groaned as he stood up, going back to his desk. "I want to kill the man," he decided.

***

Draco looked at the judge a week later. "That caveat is senseless," he pointed out, using a nice, neutral, calm voice instead of the one that showed he wanted to rip his father's friend's throat out with his teeth. "My great-grandfather was ninety at the time and I don't particularly care for that body part. I prefer the nether regions on my wife's body. I have no intention of suffocating in her bosom."

"Be that as it may, it was a demand for your inheritance."

"I was married before I received it," Draco reminded him. The man did nod at that. "Besides, most of my maiden aunts are barren due to my father's accidents and schemes. My own heir hasn't been born yet and won't be for a while."

"It says five years."

"I've arranged with Ron's sister Ginny to carry it for us, since we don't want Ron carrying for certain reasons. The only request that they made is that this child not be their first because first children are nearly impossible to give up. I foresee it being at the five year limit or shortly afterwards. Definitely on the way by then."

"That would be acceptable, but the problem remains that you've breached the contract the will represents."

"I never agreed to that caveat," Draco pointed out. "For it to be a contract, both parties have to agree to the terms. Personally, I think my former relative was suicidal. He climbed into bed with an eighteen-year-old courtesan of his own free will, a highly trained one because he had talked with her about her training. From all viewpoints, it was an act of suicide that has regulated the family for a few centuries. Plus, my mother didn't fit the cup requirement either when they first married. No one said anything to my father and his father was still living."

"If it were possible, we could call your grandfather. But we can't."

"Actually, we might be able to do a seance and call for him," Draco pointed out with a small smile. "I believe he's a ghost somewhere, possibly in his childhood home."

"No. That is not legal in this court, Mr. Malfoy."

"Then be reasonable," Draco snapped. "This is my father's attempt at trying to regain the family money to restart his crusade against anyone who's not like him. Do you really want to see a new Dark Lord rising? It's bad enough the man wouldn't die when Potter got him in a lung."

"Yes, there is that," the judge agreed, looking down at the papers as he thought. "Can you guarantee that none of the other terms will not be violated?"

"I can guarantee that I'll try but some of them are ancient and unreasonable. Some of them have been cut out of the old will, or even just eroded since we're using the same copy of the will and simply changing names. For all we know, me being a male might break it. There was a rash of double heirs since the first one came out female for nearly six generations in a row."

"That's a good point," the judge agreed with a small sigh. "Fine, I'll find the will's contents invalid and award you full custody of the estate as you're the only real heir. Do make sure that your aunts are all taken care of and be generous with your donations."

"The reward money for turning in my father will be going to the charity of Harry's choice," Draco said, looking a little bit smug. "Thank you." He bowed and left, letting Ron pounce him. "We won."

"Good." Ron snuggled against his side. "The judge called Harry's case a day early." Draco groaned. "Want to walk over there and support him?"

"We probably should, before they make him snap." He walked Ron down to the Wizzengomit's chamber, taking a seat in the public section. This trial was open because of the ramifications of the events. Draco smiled at Harry when he was looked at and Ron gave him a thumb's up. "Should we implement something to take him on holiday after this is over with?" Draco whispered.

Ron nodded. "Definitely, especially if it's not good," Ron whispered back. The judge looked at them and Ron smiled.

"I believe our last witness has arrived from his own hearing," Harry's lawyer announced. "Mr. Malfoy, would you care to give testimony first?"

"I wouldn't care, but I will," Draco agreed, letting Ron go so he could walk down there. He looked back when he heard the movement. "Ron, with me," he said firmly, pointing at the extra chair from Harry's table. "There. Just in case."

"There's no need for that," the judge noted.

Draco lit up the back of the chamber, showing the armed guards who had just come in. "Really?" he asked pleasantly. "Then ask them why they just entered and they have their wands drawn." He sat down, watching Ron until she was beside Harry. "What did you want to know?"

"Is your name Draco Malfoy?"

"Yes," Draco said patiently.

"Did you save the life of Harry Potter during what has been commonly known as the follow-up battles?"

"Yes," Draco repeated.

"From whom, young man?"

"From a few aurors and members of the Order of the Phoenix. A number of them fired shots at Harry's back while I was trying to calm him down. He didn't take well at all to killing and was nearly hysterical at that point."

"I see." The lawyer grimaced. "How many aurors did you kill that day?"

"Any of them that were firing on me. I didn't think to keep count."

"More than five?"

"Probably," Draco agreed. He got comfortable, his wand resting in his lap. Just in case. He had seen one of the aurors flinch at his statement. "I rightly don't recall. I was a bit busy defending my own life. You'd think they had planned it that way or something," he said dryly.

"Do you think they did?" the lawyer asked, jumping on the offered statement.

Draco nodded. "I do believe so. There was evidence that the aurors wanted Harry to die during or directly after the fight. That's what went wrong when he tried to train with the aurors."

"You said tried?"

"Mr. Potter was becoming depressed by their insistence that he sacrifice himself and our mutual wife to the battles. They repeatedly told him that he was to offer up his body as a sacrifice and do his duty."

"Challenge, your honor. Hearsay. He wasn't there."

Draco snorted. "Actually, I was there. You see, I have them marked. I can access his memories if I want to."

The judge and opposition attorney looked at him like he was insane. "You did what?" the judge asked. "I'm not overly familiar with that ritual."

Draco stepped off the stand and walked over to Harry, giving him a small smile. "May they see yours?" he asked, holding out a hand. Harry let himself be pulled up and his marks shown to the court. "Often called branding one's mate in the older families. As you can see, both Weasley and myself have done Mr. Potter, for his own protection and because we wanted it to be so." He helped Harry sit back down again. "It does let me know what's going on inside them. It's not too refined on our part, none of us have wanted to pry into the other's mind, but I have had the occasion to listen to a few of the *lectures* given by the aurors training them." He sat back down again, looking cool and composed even as his mind raced. His mark was fading for some reason. Ron's was overly strong but his mark was fading. Perhaps he would have to kill his father after all to remove him from the family lineup. He saw the lawyers pulling themselves back together again and paid more attention to them than to his family plans. Ron winced and grabbed his side. "What's wrong?"

"The mark is burning," Ron said, still wincing.

Draco stood up and walked over, shielding him so he could look at the mark. His was completely gone. "Somehow my father's gotten hold of the family crest." He touched the ones he wore and smiled, then nodded at the judge. "May I have five minutes?" The judge nodded. "Thank you. I believe I have to harm my father." He walked out, finding a small, unused room down the hall. He pulled out the crest and smiled when the heir's one was dark. His father was trying to remove him using the main crest in the bank. "Really?" he asked, checking the link the crests gave him with the 'family fortune'. What he saw made him cackle. He apparaated over to Gringott's, looking down at the goblin in charge of that vault. "My father was just here?" he asked gently. It looked up at him in fear. "You do know that you turned over the master crest to a wanted fugitive and a madman who should not have access to any of it?"

"He had a key."

"No, he didn't," Draco informed him. "It's a blood key and he was taken out of the succession. That means one of you had to let him in. That means you're liable." He turned when he heard the door opening and fired at the man standing there, a strong stunning spell. Lucius screamed in pain, grabbing his chest. "We'll see, father, won't we?" he sneered, following him out into the main bank. "Someone get an official, this man is a wanted felon and just broke into the family's vaults." A few goblins went running and Draco smirked at him. "I've promised the reward money for your capture to Harry, for a charity of his choice. I suppose, with his nature, he'll give it to the shelter we got his dog from." He smiled then turned to a goblin. "Do call my house for me and suspend all elves." It nodded and ran off to do that. All house elves had to listen to Gringott's goblins because they could determine who was the actual heir of the family, who the elves had to listen to. The goblin gave him a look when it came back. "The animals?"

"Are protected," it told him. "One of them is hiding them. The rest are waiting on orders from whomever wins."

"Good enough," Draco agreed. He looked at his father, then at the auror coming in. "Since none of the dementors will touch him, is he mine?" he asked.

"We need to know how he did it, kid," the auror in front noted.

"Golem. He put a pensieve in the family's first vault, the one protecting the master crest." He looked down at his father. "Good bye." He cast the killing curse and stepped back, taking the knife the goblin held out on a platter. He stuck it into the man's heart and followed the goblin back to the special vaults to smear it on the family's main crests, the one that charged the ones he wore. It glowed white then his glowed. He could feel his connection to Ron and Harry again so it had reverted back to his control. He sighed in relief and slumped, then went to talk to the aurors. "There, all fixed. No more nasty family business I hope," he said lightly. The aurors looked at him like they were next. "He did try to take my mates and everything away from me," he pointed out, hoping they saw the subtle threat. A few shuddered so he knew they did. "Please pay the reward to Mr. Potter as I've given it to him to give away." He walked past them, going to get a drink before going back to the court. He walked in, slamming the door. "Sorry, had to deal with my father." Harry walked over and hugged him before he could sit down. "I'm fine," he whispered, "it's all over with. He was the last strong one."

"I felt you kill him," Harry whispered back. "I'm sorry you had to." He looked up. "I would have if I could have gotten there."

Draco smiled at him and gave him a short kiss. "I know, Harry. Go back to your seat. We'll talk later." Harry nodded and they both returned to their seats. "Sorry. I needed a drink." He saw the head auror in the public section and nodded at him. "You'll find my father is dead," he announced. "He just tried to remove me from the family." The man blanched, shaking like a leaf in a gale wind. He looked at the judge. "Where were we?"

The opposing lawyer coughed. "I believe your side was nearly done," he admitted. Draco nodded.

Harry's lawyer shook his head. "I can call him back if necessary. Your turn."

The opposing lawyer looked at Draco. "You killed him? Your own father?"

"The dementors refused to go near him when he was in prison the first time. He was under a death sentence. The warrant did say dead or alive. He's no longer a threat to my family."

"Do you think such attitudes are good for Mr. Potter and his delicate mental condition." Harry snorted. "We'll get to you, don't worry, Potter."

Draco laughed. "Harry's no more mentally fragile than you are. Than a great many of the older family's children are. His was physical abuse by his remaining family, mine was emotional, and yours put you under the Imperious when you were probably about five," Draco retorted. "He's as normal as can be under the circumstances. With people telling you that you're to commit suicide after that one great act, and you've had the sort of life he had, then one has to break away hard to not do so."

"Don't you think it might have been better if he had?"

"No." Draco sneered at him. "Why would I think that the world would be a better place without him? He's the one keeping me calm." The lawyer backed up a few steps. "Not only that but Harry's been seriously underestimated in all this jockeying for position. The man who talked with him when *someone*," he looked at Dumbledore, "filed a mental health warrant on him said he was perfectly fine." He looked at the lawyer again. "Since then, he's talked with a counselor about what he had done and has come out the other side with an appreciation for the finer things in life, like happiness. I don't think the world is better off, I think you'd be better off if you gave up this crusade."

"I don't like that insinuation," the judge noted.

Draco looked at him. "One of the family's attorneys has filed a civil suit against the aurors for their actions that day," he told him. "Harry's told them that if this one goes away, he can make that other one go away as well. That's all I meant. I have no desire to see anyone begging me for their lives." He smiled at Harry, who wiggled in his seat because Ron was stroking his thigh. "Do behave," he chided gently. "I'm not there with you."

Ron laughed. "Pity, I guess he's mine tonight then, huh?" he quipped. The lawyer looked at him like he was odd. Ron winked at him. "What?"

"Do leave his leg alone, Mrs. Malfoy." Ron groaned. "Sorry." The judge looked at Draco again. "When was this filed?"

"The same day this ridiculous suit was started in the first place. Did they expect to win the right to kill him?" he asked, looking at the pale opposing lawyer. He was clutching the edge of his table. "I see." The judge looked and frowned at him as well. "Fat chance. If you try, then I will be forced to publish my father's diaries." The lawyer shook harder. "Yes, I do believe you were in there. Something about a favor owed. Is that still true?"

"Your honor!" the opposing lawyer shouted. "I am not on trial."

"No, but your reason for being here is," the judge agreed. "Did you take this case as a favor to one of the top Death Eaters?" The lawyer opened his mouth but nothing came out. "Then answer this one," he said coldly. "Are they the ones behind trying to kill Mr. Potter?" The lawyer moaned and sat down. He saw movement in the back of the public section and stopped everyone from moving. "I will not allow such machinations to be the court's purpose. We are here to determine law, gentlemen, not to punish those who did what you couldn't do the first time," he said coldly. "Mr. Potter is awarded his freedom and this transcript will be sent to the civil courts."

Harry coughed. "That's not necessary. I just want them to leave us alone," he put in. "I want to have my own life and have them not do things like tell the career counselor employed by the Ministry to refuse to help me. I'd like to be a normal boy again."

"Fine, Mr. Potter." He smiled at him. "Stay after this is over with. We'll do something about that for you." Harry nodded. "As for the rest of you, leave. Never try such tactics again through the courts. What you are doing is as evil as Voldemort ever did!" He banged his gavel and freed the room, letting them run for it. He noticed someone out in the hallway. "Come in, Minister," he said genially. Arthur Weasley walked in. "I'm surprised you weren't here."

"I wanted to be, but I had to deal with the matter of a dead Death Eater," he said with a nod for Draco. "Economical. I'll have it forwarded to Harry's accounts so he can disperse of it." He looked at the judge. Then at his head Auror. "You're fired," he told him, smiling kindly. The man stood up. "There will be a review. I had to wait until this case was over with, the law said so, but now that it is, you're gone and your whole department is being redone by someone who knows what they're doing." He smiled. "I had a wonderful few talks with a Sergeant named Henderson." Ron and Harry both sighed in relief so he smiled at them. "Ron, no feeling up in public. Your mother taught you better than that, son." Ron shrugged and removed his hand from Harry's thigh again. "Thank you." He looked at the man. "It seems you knew what was going on. He explained the whole idea to me and I have to say it made me quite ill." The smile never left his face the whole time, scaring the man. "Now, go to my office and wait on me," he ordered, pointing at the door. "Before I make it an order." The man walked out, not doing as he was told. That's okay, there were people waiting on him. "I have a petition to make. It will not please Harry, but will accord him a lot of protection." He pulled out a small scroll and handed it over. "This is to put Harry Potter on the list of national treasures, as the old ones back before Dumbledore were. That means that he is immune from most reporters, immune from such plots because killing him would be a national tragedy, and therefore a conspiracy to commit treason against the wizarding world, and it would lend him the status of being able to hide in his house if he wanted." Harry made a protesting sound. "I know," he said, walking over to give him a hug. "But you do deserve it. With what you did, even with how you did it, you do deserve it." He looked at the judge again. "I doubt many could object."

"No, I don't think so." He smiled at Harry. "It will actually fit very well into my own plans. I have the ability to give you a second identity in cases where your life is in jeopardy, young man. As such, I am giving you an official one, to be added to the records under a birthday your father-in-law shall choose. James Weasley all right with you?" Harry nodded, looking dumbfounded. He couldn't say a thing. "Good." The judge smiled at Arthur. "That all right with you and your wife?"

"Definitely. We've considered Harry like our own since that first time we took him in. As long as it won't hurt him and Ron?"

"It shouldn't." He considered it, looking at Draco. "Yours?"

"My mother's family," Harry offered, finally able to open his mouth. "Evans."

"That's a wonderful idea," the judge agreed. "James still, in honor of your father?" Harry nodded, starting to smile. "That's fine then. Do arrange everything, Minister Weasley. Dismissed." He banged his gavel gently, watching as the trio hugged each other, with Potter in the center. Then they shifted to put Malfoy in the center and Arthur got into the hugging. He smiled. A very strong family.

***

Arthur looked up as the judge walked into his office. "Did you hear the real reason they were so worried?" he asked when he saw the confused look.

"You'd think someone like former Minister Fudge would be better able to read people. How could he think that Potter would take over the Dark Lord's spot?"

"Because everyone was right, they chose to put the boy in an abusive family environment. Then they found out a few things that made them decide that he was going to become abusive as well." He shrugged. "They decided that the boy being a parseltongue meant he was evil and weren't going to be swayed." He clasped his hand on the desk. "I had some doubts about Draco myself, but I can see that he wouldn't do that more than to benefit himself."

"Thankfully. At least he can read people. Is he really good to both boys?" Arthur nodded, giving him a cheerful smile. "Then I wish them the best of luck getting away from the reporters." He handed over his official judgement, newly finished. "For the records, Minister."

"Thank you, Judge. I'll have it copied and sent to them."

"I already have," he said with a smile. "Tell them I wish them every happiness and a large, protective family." He walked out, leaving his boss alone. Arthur was so much nicer to work under, there wasn't any pressure to decide a case a certain way.

Arthur smiled at the door, fingering the parchment roll.

***

Hermione pounced them as soon as they walked in the door that night. "What took you so long!" she complained, hugging Harry and Ron first, then Draco. "Vincent's in your study, there's been a rash of reporters calling. Most of them about your father, Draco. Harry, I have dropped the civil suit as per your orders. Are we finally free?"

Ron nodded, patting Harry's butt for him. "Not only that, the judge accorded him a second identity." She gasped, looking at Harry. "For times when things start to look bad again, so he can disappear."

"That and the status of a national treasure," Draco said with some amusement. He goosed Harry. "Go lay on the bed, I want to make sure this doesn't go to your head, Harry." Harry hurried up the stairs, going to do as he was told. He winked at her. "Carry on and tell them to fuck off." He strolled casually up to his room, taking off everything as soon as he walked in the door. Harry had ripped off his clothes and was laying on the bed trying to get a handcuff around one of his wrists. "Do you think you'll need one of those?" he asked as he moved closer.

"No, but I want one," Harry said with an impish grin. "Does this mean we can go shopping soon for Ron?"

Draco laughed. "Of course you can spoil Ron in reward for yourself. We might even have to get her a new costume in appreciation for all she did beside you." Ron opened the door and walked in, shaking her head. "No?"

"No, spoiling me is not the way to celebrate this victory. Getting Hermione to the hospital might be though. Her water broke an hour ago and she's being stubborn. Vincent just begged me to knock her ass out and drag her off."

"Definitely," Harry said, giving up on the handcuff so he could get redressed. Draco was already flinging back on his clothes. "My car?"

"It is bigger," Draco agreed, taking the thrown keys. "I'll start it; Ron, get Hermione and Vincent; Harry, you're with me." They nodded, following him down the stairs. He saw Ron and Harry grab Hermione between them and drag her away from the fire, smirking at their ignoring her complaints. "Vincent!" he snapped. Vincent came running, getting in to hold his wife. The trip to the local hospital didn't take that long, it was only a few miles down the road and Draco was driving. They piled into her room with her, Ron going to tell his mother to get some help in case she got stubborn again. Hermione's parents were on vacation and Molly was the only mother they all listened to. He came back with her and Molly started to fuss.

"Did those mean men drag you off, dear?" she soothed.

Hermione nodded, panting through the current contraction. "I had it planned out to the last minute," she gasped. "They dragged me off in front of a reporter!"

Draco shrugged at Molly's look. "Her water broke an hour ago, mum."

Molly laughed. "I'm sure it was for the best. Children come in their own time, not on a schedule." She felt along the girl's stomach. "It should be soon, not more than an hour and a bit I think." Ron looked at her and she laughed. "You get to know these sort of things when you've done it a few times."

The nurse walked in and smiled at Molly. "Are you a trained midwife?" she asked.

Molly shook her head. "I had seven children." The nurse nodded, accepting that sort of authority. "Hermione, did you want medication for the pain?" she suggested.

"There's drugs for this sort of thing?" Hermione asked, looking at the nurse. "Hell yes I want drugs! Get them for me now!" she demanded. The nurse laughed and walked out. Hermione looked at her husband. "If you want more, you're doing this part," she said, starting into another contraction.

"Of course he will," Draco soothed, taking her hand to let her squeeze. "Just try to float, let the pain do it's work," he suggested. She glared at him and he smiled. "I know it's hard, but the pain is necessary."

"That's why some woman invented the pain killers," she sneered. "Ron, you're next," she warned. "Don't let him do this to you." She screamed, arching her back up. "I want drugs!" she shouted. The nurse came back with a doctor, and they hooked her up to the nice IV. "Oh, thank Merlin," she said when they started to work.

"The pain is a good thing, Hermione, it's pushing your son down," Molly soothed, stroking her forehead. "It will be fine. At least you weren't dragged up to the school, dear. We don't have this sort of thing up there." Hermione gave her a look and she smiled. "I'm surprised Ron didn't try."

"Draco gave the orders," Harry said sheepishly. "He drove too." Molly winced.

"We made it in good time," Draco agreed. "I've never made it this far in under twenty minutes, even in my car."

Molly laughed. "Take it slower on the way home, Draco, or let Harry drive." She walked over and hugged Harry. "I'm proud of the way you handled that today, Harry. I really am. You did very well." He blushed but hugged her back. "Good boy, now go get them something to drink."

"I didn't even think to bring my wallet," Harry admitted.

"I have mine in my purse, but I don't suppose you grabbed it?" Hermione asked, starting to wince. "Yes, this is much better, I can barely feel it now," she told the nurse. She smiled at her. "Thank you. How many have you had?"

"Myself, none, but I've delivered hundreds," she soothed, patting the girl's hand. "Which one of you is the father?" Everyone pointed at Vincent. "Then you come closer and let her break your hand. The rest of you go find an ATM or something."

"I can run home and get a wallet," Draco offered. Harry smiled at him. "Good, I'll be right back." He popped off, going to pack a bag and all that good stuff.

The nurse looked at Molly. "Did he just disappear?"

"No, he runs rather fast," Molly explained. The nurse accepted that and left to check on the other women on the floor. Molly shook her head, laughing. "And I thought Arthur was bad." She gave Vincent a hug. "I'm sure the baby will be wonderful, young man. A true credit to my good care of her during the summers." Vincent blushed. "She's as much mine as Harry is, so therefore I am a grandmother as well and can spoil the child. Right, Hermione?"

"Don't spoil it," Hermione begged.

Molly laughed, giving her a hug. "Of course all the grandparents will smother it in attention. It's the first grandchild."

"You mean the only one," Hermione told her. She looked at Vincent. "I want you to feel this."

"There's no need to be nasty," Ron offered, staring her down. She went limp. "Women went through this for centuries without the painkillers. Even in fields and then they went back to work." Hermione nodded. "So let's think positively because I want to see my Goddaughter or Godson."

"You're a pushy lot," Hermione complained. "What if I had someone else picked out?"

Ron frowned at her. "Then I'd slip a potion into your next dinner so I could have a Godson or a Goddaughter," he told her. She whimpered and clutched Vincent's hand. "See, pushy is sometimes good."

"After all, we're going to be the main babysitters outside of Ginny and Neville," Harry pointed out. "You live with us half the time."

"Good point," she sighed. "Fine. There'll be three Godfathers and two Godmothers." Ron raised an eyebrow. "Technically you are counted as female," she said, then her back arched again. "I think that's the baby demanding it's cue."

"Most likely," Molly agreed, ringing for the nurse. "She's just finished another one and is pushing," she said calmly. She smiled at the girl. "We can work out all the honorary titles later, dear, after you give birth." Hermione nodded and clutched her hand, while the guys spelled Vincent so he could watch. He had wanted to watch. Up until he passed out at the sight of his son's head. Molly laughed. "Arthur did the same thing with our first," she sighed in happiness. The nurse laughed and helped bring the baby out, holding it up. "Oh, it's a girl!" she said happily.

"A girl?" Hermione asked, peering at the child. "You're not what I expected."

The nurse laughed. "I'm sure it'll be fine. Even if you do have to redecorate." She put the baby on Hermione's stomach, letting her check it over while she helped the afterbirth come out. Ron, in loco parentis for Vincent, cut the cord. The baby girl wailed and screamed at this indignity.

Harry smiled when he got to hold her. "Hush, you," he said gently, still smiling. "No more drama from you tonight. It's time for a tit and a nap." The nurse laughed and took her back, handing her off to Hermione to see if she could feed yet. The baby sucked and sucked but nothing came out so a bottle was gotten for them.

Draco walked in with Arthur, smiling brightly. "I missed all the nasty stuff?" he asked happily. Ron smiled and hugged him. "Good. I brought your bag, Hermione, and some money." He handed a wallet to Vincent. "For the little things, like spoiling both your girls rotten." Vincent smiled a watery smile. "Go ahead and cry, this is an occasion where it is more than acceptable."

"I wish my father could see her," Vincent said quietly.

"He's only incarcerated, Vincent, you can bring a picture to him," Arthur said gently. "He cooperated wonderfully and helped us nail Lucius' case shut, along with a few we didn't know. So you take a nice picture or three and bring them to him."

"They'll suck the joy off."

"Yes, but at least he'll be able to see her," Harry pointed out. "You can always make more happiness, but grandchildren are a bit harder." Vincent nodded, accepting that reasoning. Harry took the baby to burp it, doing what the nurse was trying to tell Hermione to do. "You rest," he told her. "That's got to wear a woman out."

Hermione nodded, smiling sleepily at him. "Hand my daughter to her father, Potter, you don't get to hog her."

"Fine." He handed her off, smiling at the look on Vincent's face. He leaned back against Draco's chest, getting a hug for being so good. "She is adorable," he noted.

"We'll spoil her as our reward for being so good today," Draco whispered in his ear. Harry smiled at him. They watched as Arthur took a few pictures of Vincent and the baby, then of the baby in her crib. "May I? I know Vincent's father well enough to deliver them."

"Go ahead, Draco," Arthur agreed, handing them over. He checked his watch. "It's nearly midnight, but I'll give you a pass to let you in. The humans running the prison are very happy with Mr. Crabbe's conduct so it shouldn't be too much of a problem." He wrote out a dispensation and handed it over. "There you go. I'll watch Harry until you get back."

"I think that's my job," Ron pointed out lightly. "You can't claim him as a full son, that'd be incest, dad."

"Good point," Molly agreed. "That's why they changed his name to Evans." Arthur nodded, smiling at the strong family.

Draco walked out more calmly this time, sending himself to the apparation point for the prison, now that he knew where it was. He hadn't learned until they found out Lucius' had escaped, but it came in handy now. He gave the note to the door guard, getting entrance without a fight. The note was handed to the warden and she nodded, taking a look at the pictures. "She's adorable, very demanding already. You can tell Granger's influence in that." The warden laughed and had someone take him down to the cell so he could get in. "Mr. Crabbe?" Draco called quietly. Vincent's father looked up at him and the door was opened. "Vincent sent me with these," he said, handing over the photos. "Your granddaughter is very strong willed and infinitely impatient already."

Vincent's father looked at the pictures, then smiled at him. "Even if I only keep it for a while, it's a wonderful gift, Draco. Thank you. Tell him I'm happy for him." He put the pictures on his pillow and looked at the boy. "Are you watching out for him?"

Draco nodded, squatting beside him. "I am. I've freed him from his obligation, that was my wedding present to him, and I'm paying him an enormous salary." That got a gentle smile. "He did wish you could be there today, but he understands and is grateful that you did turn over evidence so he didn't lose you." He touched the man's cold hand. "Be as well as possible. He'll send you more pictures as time allows." He stood up and left, going back to the house for a small nip before going back to the hospital. He hated that place, it made his skin crawl. Maybe Vincent's father could get out sooner, there was an appeal in place already. He went back to the hospital, hugging Vincent. "He said thank you and that he wanted them, even if he only remembered for a bit," he said against his ear. "Work on the appeal." Vincent nodded, pulling back. "I also told him about your current salary. He smiled at that as well."

"Good on dad," Vincent said firmly, smiling at his wife. "He'd adore you. You'd remind him of my mother while they were dating. She always stood up to him during the early days, Herm." He walked over to sit on the side of her bed, holding both his girls. "Draco, Harry, don't spoil my daughter." He looked at them. "We don't need the help spoiling her and you don't need to spoil her. Really, have your own if you want a baby."

Ron laughed. "I wasn't included?"

"You're pushy, but she'll let you have some authority," Vincent said with a shrug. "We've already agreed on that. Speaking of which, you're not Godparents over this one." Draco looked stunned. "You're getting the next one, we promised this one a long time ago to someone else. Blaize saved me that time and I promised him."

"I had forgotten about that," Draco agreed, stroking Harry's back. "We'll accept being uncles, but you can't take away our fun, Vincent. We will spoil that little girl, even if you move with her. That's what owls are for."

Vincent laughed. "We thought you'd say that. A little bit, no overly generous things. Nothing that we'll have to explain later. And no clothes like you'd put Ron into."

"She's a bit young for that," Harry pointed out with a smile. "And we'd only buy her those if she looked good in them and wanted one, when she's of an age to come to us directly," he added for good measure, to ease the frowning.

"That's fine, once she's graduated," Vincent agreed. He looked at Draco. "I'm not indenturing her to your first born," he said quietly. Draco shrugged. "You're not hurt?"

"Why should I be hurt? They'll play together anyway," Draco pointed out gently. He walked closer. "It's an ancient practice and far out of date," he pointed out. "Unless it's necessary to protect her, I wouldn't have suggested it. I'm not my father, Vincent."

"I know, Draco, but I felt I had to say it."

Draco hugged him. "The only reason your service was demanded was because your father was already in service and it could be. You're not now. You're here because you want to be here. I'm not going to make anything of that. Though I will expect the children to be close so that my own spoiled brats will have decent role models to learn from." Vincent grinned. "Good enough?"

"Good enough," Vincent agreed, giving him a hug. The baby protested and tried to suckle on Draco's tit, but she was gently removed by her father. "That's not for you, dear, he's not your mother." He looked at Ron. "Don't let her try on you either," he said with a faint smile.

"I don't want mine to do that leaking stuff," Ron pointed out dryly. "She's not getting near mine. Harry does enough of that for two babies."

Hermione rolled her head and opened her eyes. "Good." She looked at her husband and the baby. "Why don't you let her sleep in the crib, Vincent? I could use a hug too." He nodded and pulled the crib closer, laying her beside the bed. Then he climbed in and snuggled his wife. "Thank you. The rest of you go home." She waved a hand. "We'll be back in a few days, you can make faces at her then."

"Yes, Hermione," Harry sai