Homeless - Drarry

Chapter 7 – Family

Published: 5/22/22

Dinner had been a quiet affair. Hermione had tried to get him to talk about what he had been doing, but he didn't feel comfortable talking it to anyone but Harry. She also asked about his mother, his only real family left, and he said that it had been a long time since he received a letter. He didn't have an address, and the owls will avoid muggles. So when she offered to send hers over tomorrow, he profusely thanked her.

After that, Harry and Weasley ended the awkward small talk by telling him about their recent cases. It was easier to talk about potion smuggling and cauldron thefts. Weasley and Granger didn't stay too long after dinner, as though sensing it had been a difficult night for everyone. Weasley shook his hand and thanked him for what he had said to his wife. Draco only nodded, but Hermione hugged him, again, before she left. He could barely say goodbye to her. Gus was pawing at his knee, desperate to reassure him. He wasn't sure where his feelings were, when he followed Harry mutely up the stairs.

"Draco? Are you okay?" Harry said, quietly.

"Yeah... it was rough... I mean, talking about Theo."

"I'm sorry. I wish I could have known him. Hell, I wish I could've known any of your friends."

"Yeah..." he said, glancing down the stairs and remembering Hermione's hug of friendship... or more. They were Harry's family.

"Draco?" Harry asked, a little concerned.

"She... they were so nice, even after everything I did."

"Forgiveness is divine, Draco. You apologized and they accepted it. It's behind us. Please trust that they, and I, forgive you for everything. Maybe we should just start over? The past is the past, and I won't ever hold it against you."

Draco nodded, but still seemed shaky. "Thanks. I... umm... goodnight...."

"Goodnight, Draco."

Draco went into his room and curled under his blankets. Gus licked his nose before settling next to him. He mulled over what had happened. His uneasiness grew as he couldn't wrap his head around this notion of acceptance. How could anyone even want to be friends with him? Gus whimpered, sensing his thoughts, but Draco just closed his eyes and let the tears hit his pillow.

In his dream, Voldemort was watching him. He tried not to look at the evil-snake man, but his eyes would always flick over to him eventually. When he did glance at the thing, it came over, practically floating like some kind of cursed apparition. Draco tensed as his unnaturally long fingers caressed his face.

"Draco," the half-being purred. "You want to prove your loyalty to me, don't you?"

"He will do anything you desire, my lord," his aunt declared.

"I know he will. Any son of Lucius and Narcissa will do anything I want, won't you?"

Draco couldn't speak as he felt the snake brush against his leg, but he didn't answer him fast enough.

"I think another round... shall loosen your tongue. Crucio!" he hissed.

Draco dropped to the floor, riddled with pain. After Voldemort released him, he pleaded, "Yes, master! I'll do anything, please! I'm sorry!"

He tensed as the giant snake slithered toward him rapidly before stopping in front of his face on the floor. Its forked tongue licked his nose, and all he could do was look into its slitted eyes in complete terror. He froze, knowing it was venomous, and that the Dark Lord could easily tell her to kill him with one bite and eat him... hopefully after he was dead.

"I'm afraid your dinner will have to wait, Nagini. I will give this one a chance to pay for his father's failures. Does that sound fair, Draco?" his master hissed, like his pet.

"Thank you for your mercy, master," he whispered, barely moving his lips. Finally, the snake slithered away to terrorize someone else, and Draco waited for his torturer to tell him what to do.

"Get on your knees."

Merlin, Draco hated that phrase, but he did as his master commanded. There was no help coming, not even from his mother. She knew defiance meant death, for both of them.

"Hold out your arm. It's time to take your father's place at my side," he declared.

Draco shook and felt the blood drain. This can't be happening! He wasn't even of age, yet. But the Dark Lord raised his wand and pointed it at his arm. He didn't hear the incantation, but he felt the searing, binding pain of the Dark Mark being branded into him. He screamed and cradled his arm to his chest. The Dark Lord flung him into the wall with his wand.

"Stop whimpering!" he ordered, viciously.

Draco had to beat back his tears and get up, unable to let go of his forearm. His right hand covered the blackened Dark Mark like it would undo what had been done. He stared up at his master in fear as it was never over with him.

"Draco... you are mine, now. Mine forever... and you will obey me. You have a new family, now, and you can never leave."

Draco sucked in a breath at his words as he pulled his cursed arm tight to his chest. Tainted is what he was. The Dark Lord's vision of family and brotherhood was beyond twisted. A calling that he could never escape from. Marked by more than brand... Draco knew he was now part of a cult that he could never be rid of. He would always be identified by his new family of killers and torturers.

"Draco!" a loud voice called out and the dream swirled.

He opened his eyes. He was on the floor, Gus was on his chest, Shadow was next to him, and Harry was kneeling at his side and looking down at him.

"Draco? Are you out of it? Gus was barking like crazy. He couldn't wake you up," Harry explained.

Draco was still cradling his arm, covering it. Though the mark was nearly gone, it was still there like a stain forever tainting him. It was always there. It would always be there. Tears came out of his eyes, and Gus licked his nose, trying to reassure him.

Harry gently touched his shoulder. "It's okay, Draco. You're safe here. You're not back there. You're free."

He choked and turned his head away from all of them. He could never be free of it. It was permanent. Harry didn't say anything, but reached down to slowly pry Draco's fingers off his own arm. He didn't easily let go, but Harry managed it, and one of his hands took his, and the other rested on his curse mark. Draco was shaking and starting to panic. The Dark Mark was the symbol of everything he did wrong.

"Draco, breathe, okay? Big, deep breaths."

Draco slowly did, but was still looking away from him. He felt just as open as he was when he was attacked. He was waiting for the rejection, the rebuff from Harry, who was tracing his thumb over Draco's mark. He was going to remember what family Draco really belonged to.

Harry frowned and he just knew what he was thinking about. His voice was soft, "Taking this... wasn't your choice, Draco."

Draco cringed and shook his head. It didn't matter. He was a marked traitor to all wizardkind, and he wouldn't be accepted back. He tried to pull his arm away, but Harry didn't let go.

"Come on... listen to me. You couldn't say no, could you? He hurt you, didn't he?" Harry said, still rubbing his mark.

More tears came out as he choked out, "He tortured me... the snake... it was... right there... ready to...."

Harry squeezed his hand. "Draco, please listen. You-did-not-have-a-choice. Whatever he said, whatever he did to you or made you do... it wasn't your fault. It isn't who you are. Remember what I told you? About your familiar? About remorse? You're a good, moral person, Draco, and no one, not Voldemort, not Lucius, and not the Ministry could make you into a monster."

Draco sniffled and looked down at his forearm. Nothing could wash it away. He was branded forever.

Harry rubbed it, again. "Don't, Draco. I know what you're thinking."

"I'll always be one of them. It'll always be there."

"Yeah... but it's not what you think it means, Draco. This mark... this is a mark of enslavement, Draco. He forced you to take this... to work for him, or he'd kill you or worse. It's a testament to what you suffered at his hands, that you survived. You didn't want to take it, did you?"

"No... I wasn't supposed to. I wasn't! Mother said that he would wait until... I was of age, but he didn't!" he cried, looking at Harry, trying to explain.

Harry patted his arm, reassuringly. "He was a monster, Draco. He didn't care if you were underage. Hell, he tried to kill me when I was an infant. He didn't care about the sanctity of life. You were just a kid, Draco. You couldn't even legally use magic outside of school back then, much less refuse him!"

Draco's lips trembled. "He said... he said...." He couldn't finish it, though, and looked away, again. Gus whimpered and put his head on his chest.

"It's okay, Draco. You can tell me," Harry said, still gripping his hand and arm.

"That I would always be his...that I would always be one of them... his family."

Harry's eyes narrowed. "He was not your family. Hell, Lucius wasn't your family by the end. Your real family members are the people who love and cherish you. Blood doesn't mean shit if your father sold you out to Voldemort. That mark sure doesn't make you his, any more than the scar on my head makes me his. It's just a scar... an old wound that sometimes reminds you how much it hurt you. You can leave it all behind Draco, whenever you want. Ron, Hermione and all the Weasleys are my real family, not the muggles I grew up with. And you can accept anyone into your family... as you did with Gus."

Draco locked eyes with his familiar, who was already reaching out to him mentally to declare that he was his true family. Gus whimpered and put a pawed him gently. Then Draco looked at Harry. He didn't know what to say, but he wanted it to be that way for Harry, too. He remembered that desire to belong that he felt earlier, but he wanted Harry to offer it. He wanted to be a part, a permanent part, of his life. He couldn't ask... he just couldn't. If Harry rejected him... it was over. His eyes watered, and he just knew that he didn't belong.

"Draco..." Harry whispered, as though reading his mind, again, "... you're already a part of my family. Draco... you bonded to my familiar. Do you not understand what that means? Just think about it... the connection."

Draco then looked to his other side at Harry's krup, who tilted his head and then stepped forward to lick his face. He grimaced from the dog breath, but felt such love and devotion from Shadow just like he did for Gus. He wasn't alone in the world anymore. Harry was right. They were his family, and then he looked at Harry, who smiled. His fingers were still gripping him, and his thumb was still gently rubbing his Dark Mark... caressing it.

Caressing it? Draco repeated in his head and looked down at Harry's hand before briefly back up to his eyes. Oh. Harry had a patient smile on his face and he nodded. Draco took a staggered breath, realizing Harry was talking about... their connection. That Harry really meant he was his family... not just the krups.

His breathing was erratic when he broke eye contact. This was more than just Harry feeling bad for him or helping him out. It was more than concern for his well-being. It was more. Harry wanted him... as a... friend? boyfriend? Or more? But the way that Harry was staring at him left little doubt. Harry was attracted to him, and Draco knew he was attached to Harry, too.

But he looked back at the Dark Mark. He was tainted. "I'm not good for you," he whispered. The dark thoughts in his head were coming out.

"Yes, you are," Harry growled.

"I have nothing," he lamented.

"You don't need to have anything. I don't need wealth or material things. I know you and I can feel your heart. I can't describe how much you mean to me. Draco... I want you in my life, my home and..." Harry paused before he whispered. "...and my heart."

Draco gasped, "You... do?"

"I really do, Draco. I don't want to... overwhelm you, but I can't stop thinking about you. All I do at work every day is think about getting home to talk to you. I want to know you and I want you to know me. I don't care about what has happened in the past. We both had so much crap to deal with... and most of it, wasn't our fault. And if you feel like you need to contribute to our family... we can find you a nice, safe job that you enjoy. But I never want you to leave. I'd honestly be devastated... if you did," Harry said, lowering his head.

Draco reached up and touched his face. "Harry... I don't want to leave. I... want stay. I love talking with you, and I feel so safe, safer than I ever had before. I-I just think that you could do better."

Harry smirked. "Better than someone who's smart? Someone who's a survivor? Someone who's been through hell and back and didn't lose your soul in the process? Someone... who understands what Voldemort was really like."

Draco lowered his head. "I was so scared, I thought I was going to die every day."

"I know. I really did know that. Draco... I was there at the tower. The night Dumbledore died, did you know that?"

Draco trembled and shook his head.

"You didn't kill Dumbledore... even at the risk of your life and your family's lives. You lowered your wand. Draco, you're a good person. A good person raised in a bad place and hurt by so many people, and you still choose not to be evil. But you're free, now, Draco."

He took a shaky breath and nodded.

"Let's get you off the floor, alright?"

Draco accepted his hand, and Harry pulled him to his feet, where he promptly sat on the bed. Harry sat next to him and offered his hand to him. Draco took it and let Harry soothe him until he calmed down enough to lay down and sleep. Harry whispered a goodnight before slipping out of the room, back to his own.

***

Gus and Shadow were curled up next to him when he woke up. Potter was probably at work. He got up, showered and dressed. The krups had wandered around whilst he did that. But then he opened the door to the hallway as Harry was about to knock.

"Oh... hi..." Draco said, awkwardly. He wasn't expecting him.

"It's Sunday," Harry explained. "I get days off every once in a while."

"Right, sorry."

"No need to apologize, but breakfast is ready... want to join me?" Harry said.

"Sure, thanks," Draco said and followed Harry and the krups downstairs.

Harry had made a skillet of bangers and eggs with some bacon, which was probably more for the krups than them. They ate quietly, as the previous night had been a bit... tense. When they finished, Harry gave Shadow his treats and Draco gave his krup some bacon. Harry magicked the dishes into the sink. Strange, as Potter didn't usually use magic in front of him.

"I... umm... wanted to wait until after breakfast... to talk to you."

Salazar, fresh chills went up his spine. "Yeah?" he whispered.

"I didn't want to put you off eating... but there are two things. First, Hermione sent over Iris, her owl, for you to write your mum."

"Oh," Draco said, as he straightened up, happy and excited to write her. "Thank you."

"No problem. Hermione was glad to help you out, but the other thing..." Harry trailed off.

"Harry?" Draco prompted, a little worried.

"It's... well... I've told Andromeda about you. She's... your aunt."

Draco's eyebrows rose in surprise. Of course, he knew she was his aunt. Voldemort made sure they knew it, and Aunt Bella hated her for that. He had never met his eldest aunt, who had been estranged from the Black family since before he was born.

"Okay? My father and mother cut ties with her... decades ago."

"But you didn't. She wants to meet you. I was wondering... if you wanted to go with me to her place today and meet her and her grandson, Teddy."

Draco lowered his head. She was his family by blood, but as Harry said last night, family cherishes one another. His family had forsaken her. So why would she want to meet me? he wondered.

"I don't know."

"You don't have to decide now, and I don't want to push you, Draco, but... she really wants to meet you properly. Teddy, me and, well, you are all the family she has left. If you want... we can wait till next week, if it's too sudden. Just let me know, okay?" Harry said, gently, as if walking on eggshells.

"Okay, I will. Where is...Iris?"

"In the mudroom, down the hall," Harry said and got up to wash the dishes.

Draco wrote a lengthy letter to his mother about how he was, who he was with, and an abridged version of why. He hoped that she would write back soon, and sent the owl off. He then when outside for some fresh air, he needed space to think. Gus followed him and brought a squeaker toy for him to throw. By the second throw, Shadow had come out with a toy, too, desperate for attention. He threw the toys for a bit and decided that no matter his comfort level, Aunt Andromeda was his blood relation. And if she wanted to meet him after everything, then he should try to mend fences.

Harry did not come outside until lunch. Perhaps he was giving him some peace to think. The fact was, he trusted Harry and believed that Aunt Andromeda really did want to see him. After lunch, he quietly told Harry that he wanted to go. Harry was ecstatic, and when it was nearly dinner, Harry called him downstairs to leave.

"We going by Floo?" Draco asked.

"No, I got a two-way portkey. We can take the krups, and they don't mind it as much. They love Teddy."

Draco perked up at the idea of bringing Gus. He loved his companion, and when Draco had left the house before, Gus had always been sad. Harry activated the portkey and said they had ten seconds. So they each grabbed a krup and touched the old-rusted screwdriver. Really? Couldn't Potter find a better item for a portkey? Draco grumbled as he was hooked by the naval and pulled to the porch of an old farmhouse.

He could barely remain standing, and Gus whined about being put down. Potter had already set Shadow on the ground, who looked a little dazed, but was off to chase a jarvey that he had spotted, and Gus followed him into the garden barking.

"Harry, dear? Is that you?" a voice from inside called.

"Arry!" screamed another, making Draco jerk.

"Yes, it's me!" Harry called out, and he chuckled, "Warning, we're about to be attacked by a toddler. Teddy enjoys having visitors, but he'll be playing with the krups soon enough. Don't worry."

The door opened and a little boy ran past him into Harry's arms. Draco smiled, but then gasped as he thought Aunt Bella appeared in the doorway. However, when her soft voice called his name, he knew it wasn't her. Aunt Andromeda was looking at him concerned and, therefore, was nothing like Aunt Bella.

"Good evening, Aunt Andromeda," he said, formally, bowing his head. "I'm s-sorry for the bad blood between our families, and I h-hope that you can forgive...."

But Aunt Andromeda opened the door wider, came out onto the porch, and pulled him into a hug. "No, child. No forgiveness is necessary. I know who your father was."

Draco shook a little under her embrace. He did return the hug and glanced at Harry, who gave him a smile with Teddy snuggling in his arms. Draco cleared his throat. "Still, I was part of...."

Aunt Andromeda let go and took hold of his hands. "You're not one of them, dear. Those... they were vicious killers. You're a sweet boy and you make Harry so happy. If we all judged people by what family they were raised in, I'd be a pariah right there with you."

"You aren't a marked Death Eater, though," he whispered.

Aunt Andromeda humphed. "Child... you look me in the eye and tell me you wanted that branded into your arm."

Draco dropped his head. There was no point to try.

"Your mother already told me... what happened to you."

Draco's eyes snapped up. "My mother? You've heard from her? Recently?"

"Yes, my dear boy. Just a few days ago. She's found a distant cousin of ours in Montpellier to stay with. She's doing well, but has been worried sick about you. The owls always came back with the letters unopened."

"I was living amongst the muggles... they're trained not to go there," he explained.

"I see. We suspected, but we never could know for sure. I haven't said anything to her, yet. Harry wrote me a letter a week ago, explaining why he wouldn't be stopping by."

"I wrote to her this morning," he whispered.

"Good, she'll be so happy to hear from you. May I ask what you plan to do, now? If you need a home... you are always welcome to stay here."

Harry tightened up, but his attention was on Teddy. However, Draco just blinked at her in surprise. He couldn't believe that someone he didn't know would offer that.

"Why are you so surprised? You are my nephew. We are family and I will always have you."

He dropped his head, again. "I know my family didn't always accept you."

"Your father didn't. You had little choice in it. I know that much. Come inside, and we'll have dinner. You got Teddy, Harry? Yesterday he took off and jumped into the stream."

"Burr..." the toddler replied.

"I bet it was. Teddy, you shouldn't be running from grandmum. And you shouldn't be outside alone," Harry chastised.

"Sarry!" he giggled, and Harry sighed. He nodded to Draco to follow his aunt inside.

She led them to the sitting room and told them to have a seat, while she checked the roast. Harry sat on the couch, with Teddy in his lap. He motioned for Draco to sit, and he hesitantly did. He had never been around small children as an adult. Even the younger siblings of his friends were super well-behaved and often were kept with their nanny until they were able to act like proper little purebloods. He eyed the vibrant child with caution.

"Teddy, I want you to meet Draco. He's actually your cousin," Harry said.

The boy turned his head up and looked at him. Draco tensed, as though waiting for the child to suddenly jump at him or scream. Children were unpredictable.

"What's coz-in?"

Harry paused, considering. "He's family, just like grandmum and me."

Teddy straightened up and stood up on the couch, making Draco anxious about the boy falling. But the jovial boy held out his hand, all formal, and said, "I'm Teddy Lupin. Nice to meet you."

Draco raised his eyebrows in surprise. He bowed his head and took his hand. "I'm Draco Malfoy. It's a pleasure to meet you as well."

Then Teddy giggled and bounced. "I did it right! Right 'Arry?"

"You certainly did," Harry said, giving the boy a hug and then gave Draco a pointed look.

Draco said, hurriedly, "It was perfect, Teddy. You were a perfect gentleman."

Teddy jerked up and suddenly lurched off Harry, kneeing him in the groin in the process, which Harry gave a muffled groan. Teddy jumped into Draco's lap and then stared into his face as though curious. Draco froze. He didn't know what to expect, but suddenly Teddy's hair turned to his platinum blonde and grew out to his length.

"Holy c–" Draco started, but Harry quickly covered his mouth.

"He's special, like his mum," Harry explained, and Teddy giggled and admired his new long hair.

Draco recovered from his shock and remembered that his cousin was a Metamorphmagus. "It's very cool, Teddy."

"I like your hair, 'Raco."

"Dray-Draco, Ted," Harry corrected.

"Ray-co," he insisted and then hugged him.

Draco looked at Harry, a little terrified, which Harry smirked, but he slowly wrapped his arms around him. Teddy stayed that way until the krups started barking at the door. Teddy jumped up and off him and ran to the front door. He opened it, and Gus and Shadow tackled him. Teddy was laughing like crazy and petting the "douggies".

"You okay?" Harry asked quietly, though smiling.

"Yeah, never been around kids before."

Harry laughed. "I wouldn't have guessed. He's a cutie, though."

Then Aunt Andromeda came back and said, "Alright, time for dinner. Go wash up, Teddy."

"No!" he cried.

"Teddy," Harry said with the right amount of sternness.

Teddy kicked the carpet and pouted all the way to the loo. Draco smiled and Harry got up and pulled Draco to his feet. They had a nice dinner. Aunt Andromeda asked him what he had been doing, and he wasn't very truthful. She was in contact with his mum, but he did say that he wasn't working and just staying at Harry's until he figured things out. Harry didn't say anything to contradict him, and he appreciated that.

"It was a great dinner," Harry said, as he set his utensils down.

"Yes, thank you, Aunt Andromeda," Draco said, nodding respectfully.

"Thank you, dears, and please, call me Aunt Andy. Your mum always called me Andy."

Draco nodded, though a little nervous that he had offended her. "As you wish, Aunt Andy."

"You needn't be so... proper, Draco. My little house isn't a mansion. You can relax."

He nodded and met Harry's eyes. He could never relax. She surely didn't know everything. So he lowered his eyes, and Harry thankfully took over the conversation. Draco sat quietly and petted Gus, who scratched his leg supportively. When they were done with dinner, Harry magicked the plates into the sink to wash themselves, and they went back to the den. Teddy chased around the krups for another hour before it was his bedtime, which he didn't go willingly. Harry had to carry him to his room, leaving Draco alone with his aunt, possibly by design.

His aunt leaned forward in her seat. "Draco, please don't think that I'm cross or bear you any ill will. I know you had to do evil things for that man. You are my nephew, and I will always have you."

Draco lowered his head, and Gus hopped up to nudge him. "You couldn't possibly... after the things I've said and done."

"Forgiveness is divine, and I know what I see when I look into your eyes, dear boy. It's not hate or rage, I see. It's regret, pain and sadness. You have suffered enough at the hands of your father and Voldemort."

Draco shook a little as he looked up at her. "I couldn't... I didn't want to...."

"I understand," she said and came over to hug him.

It took a few minutes before he calmed down to say, "Thanks... for...."

"Hush, there's no need for that. I want you to come over and talk with me. We know so little about each other, and I want you to know Teddy, too. I'm... not getting any younger, Draco. He needs active people to run, fly and horseplay with. Harry comes over to play with Teddy when he has time. I have no problem in you coming as well," his aunt said, patting his leg.

"You... really want me around him?"

She took his hand. "Yes, I trust you with him."

Draco grimaced. "I've never really been around children before."

"Well, it's time to change that. He's a good boy, but needs someone other than this old woman watching him. I can barely lift him, now."

"But you have a wand," he said, quietly.

"Aye, and he laughs when I make him float, and loves when I bring him into my arms. I can't sit on the floor and play games with him, or chase after him outside. I need a younger man to help me out. You can always floo over from Harry's to see me. I'd be delighted to see you."

"I'll think about it."

She patted his leg. "Good, good. Harry... is the boy's godfather. If something were to happen... to me...."

Draco went cold. He didn't want anything to happen to her. He had already grown fond of his nice and caring aunt. "Nothing's going to happen. I could stop by... how about on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I mean... unless I find a job?"

She smiled. "I'd like that a lot. Quite frankly... it's been so... quiet these past few years. Harry's a workaholic. Teddy's not old enough to really talk to. I've been so lonely, and I'm sure you can understand how I feel."

Draco met her eyes. He did. He could never talk to muggles, or he'd be carted off to a mental health facility, if not wizard prison.

"Yes... we will talk. Truthfully, too. I know that you weren't telling things, because you're worried about your mum. But I won't tell her anything you don't want me to. I promise."

Draco sighed. There was so much he never wanted her to know. The loneliness, homelessness and starvation were only parts of it. There was still the bad stuff: being a Death Eater, the assaults and whoring himself out for money. He teared up and shook his head. Gus whined and hopped into his lap, and Draco petted him, thankfully for his affection.

"You shouldn't want me around you and Teddy... you won't want me around. You don't know what I did, what I had to do," Draco whispered, as Shadow came running from down the hall to his side, too, and pawed his leg.

"Draco... I do want you around. I know... it wasn't pleasant, what you went through, but I know that you are both sorry and traumatized by what happened before, during and after the war. Please, please don't think so little of me that I am incapable of forgiveness, kindness and mercy."

He nodded, and wiped his eyes. "I'm the one who's ashamed."

She slowly pulled him into another hug, and he cried into her shoulder. Gus wiggled out and sat at his side. "I'm your blood, Draco. I will never be ashamed of you. I will hold you like you were my own child, like I know my Cissa would hold you. Cry it out, lad."

"B-But I-I know you l-lost your husband, daughter and son-in-law to the Dea-"

She quickly separated from him, and he thought she was mad at him. He braced himself to be struck or cursed. Her eyes widened.

"Draco? I'm not going to hurt you," she reassured him, and he looked at her. "I just want you to understand that I don't blame you or your mother for all that. You didn't actually harm them? Did you? No, Bellatrix and Fenrir did. They were evil. You are not, and I will not have you say that you are. So, let's have no more of that unearned guilt about that. It was not your fault or within your power to stop, and that is final."

He swallowed and nodded immediately. "Yes, Aunt Andy."

Gus yipped, and she petted his pup, too, and said, "We have a lot to talk about on Tuesday... when Teddy is napping."

Draco nodded, and Harry finally came back into the room. Draco was spent and gave him a pleading look.

Harry said, "Well, thank you for dinner. We do appreciate it."

"Of course, Harry. You and Draco are always welcome, invitation or not."

They both gave her a hug and collected their familiars. Harry led him out to the front porch and activated the portkey, taking them home.

This time, Draco landed a bit better and said, "Thanks for taking me."

"No problem. I hope it wasn't too much."

"No. She was nice. It's nice that we... connected."

"She's your family, Draco, like she's mine. We both need her... and soon you'll be reunited with your mum, too. Just have faith, okay?"

Draco nodded. Faith was a foreign concept. "I'm going to go to bed."

"Okay, goodnight, Draco."

Draco went up, followed by Gus. He took a hot shower and tried not to think about anything. He just wanted everything to click, but things were uncertain and so hard to trust. He fell asleep after a long shower and more fretting.

When he woke up, Harry was already gone. He made breakfast, as Kreacher was still sulking, and then got to work on the den, needing to keep his mind busy. Draco took down the dusty curtains and put them into the wash. He stripped and scrubbed the furniture and floors, detailed the walls and emptied the large pile of soot from the fireplace. After he hung the freshly-cleaned drapes back up, he started on the hallways, removing dirt, grime and cobwebs. He had just started on the stairs when Harry came home early.

Harry didn't patronize him by saying that he could have just used his wand or that Draco shouldn't be doing it. Harry went and changed and started cleaning the upstairs hallway by hand, too. Draco smiled, and they continued to work for another hour, before Harry said that he would get dinner going and suggested Draco stop and maybe relax a bit. He did, putting his cleaning bucket away. He showered and came down to the kitchen, and Harry was still working at the stove.

"I figured it'd be done by now," he joked, as Harry was usually quick.

"Some meals take longer. I also enjoy prepping by hand."

Draco nodded. "Thanks for helping..." he trailed off, looking away from him.

Harry laughed. "You're thanking me for helping clean up my own mess? No, thank you for doing this. It always seemed so much, but it looks wonderful. Maybe we can go pick up some new decorations and furniture this weekend?"

Draco blinked and nodded. That was something families do together. Harry was including him in the decision process. He just nodded, and Harry served him dinner. It was cutlets in a sticky, yummy sauce that he just couldn't describe. It was delicious, and the smirk on Harry's face told him that he was deliberately buttering him up. His mother had always said that the way to a man's heart was through his stomach. Salazar, Draco never wanted to leave, again.

"Good?" Harry said, smirking as Draco rubbed his no-longer starved stomach.

"You know it was. You're a great cook, Harry."

"Years of practice. It's nice to have someone else to cook for. I hate eating alone."

Draco nodded. "Me, too."

Harry took their plates to the sink to wash up and said, "Want to dirty up the hearth again with a roaring fire?"

"Sure," Draco said, with a smirk, and they went out into the den.

After Harry built the fire, he sat on the couch, and Draco sat next to him like it was the most natural thing. Shadow and Gus sat at their sides, content. They all sat in companionable silence, and Draco took Harry's hand, earning a smile. Draco might have been the one leaning closer, but Harry took the chance and rested his head on his shoulder. Draco, in turn, rested his head against Harry's, basking in the light contact. Merlin, it felt... nice.

They didn't say anything, just watched the fire together and, eventually, fell asleep. However, Draco did not wake up in that same position. His back was against the couch, and his arms were wrapped around Harry, who was spooned against him, sleeping still. Though the fire was only embers now, Draco smiled down at him. Harry pushed more into him, and Draco thought it was affectionate at first but realized that Harry was unbelievably tense. A small whimper came from his lips, and his breathing was staggered.

Gus suddenly yipped and was shaking. Shadow's tail was tucked between his legs and his ears down. They both were staring at him as though urging him to do something. Draco wasn't sure how to wake Harry up, but after Harry flinched, Draco took his hand.

"Harry!" he said, loudly. "Harry! Wake up!"

Harry jerked back into him, and his eyes opened. His breathing was short and panicked. "Draco?"

"It was just a dream, Harry," he said, trying to sound reassuring. He didn't like how scared Harry was.

"A dream... just a dream," Harry repeated, leaning into him. Shadow whined and licked his hand, while Gus jumped back on the end of the couch and curled up between their feet, resting his head on Harry's leg.

Harry petted his familiar. "Thanks." His eyes turned and met Draco's for a second. "I get... bad nightmares, too."

"I remember. I'm sorry."

"It was... it was the fire... trapped... screaming... I couldn't find you," Harry said, whimpering.

Draco leaned in and clenched him tighter. "I'm right here. It is gone forever."

Tears rolled down Harry's face. "Please... can you... stay with me?"

"Of course, I will, Harry. I won't ever leave you," he said, and it sunk in how true those words were.

Draco smiled and kissed the top of Harry's head. He felt Harry's breath hitch and could see his smile. His acceptance. The words were just too hard to say aloud, now, anyway. He wanted this. He wanted Harry... to be his, and squeezed him tighter.

Harry leaned down and kissed the back of Draco's hand that was clenching him. He had kissed him back, though it was indirectly. Gus and Shadow were both on their feet wagging their forked tails, clearly excited about it, too. Shadow even did a few circles, and Gus was almost bouncing.

"I think they're happy," Harry laughed, as he pet Shadow, again. "I know I am, now."

Draco felt his heart swell and pressed his head against Harry's. He found his courage and managed to whisper, "I want this family."

Harry's green eyes were misty as Harry turned to face him, inches from his face. "I do, too. So much so, Draco."

His heart fluttered, and Draco leaned in, capturing his lips in a sealing kiss.