The Privy Councilors 33/33
Dec. 13th, 2011 12:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
herumtreiberChapter: Epilogue: Marauder Moon
Author:
Genre: AU to HBP, romance, adventure
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or related characters. Nor do I make any money from the writing of these stories.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Epilogue compliant? No way!
Chapter length: ~6,233 words
Summary: Draco/Harry, Luna/Neville, Ron/Hermione, Narcissa/??? Harry is about to be sent to Azkaban. The story explores Wizengamot politics and the fight against evil Dumbledore - where he gets vanquished early and does not prattle on and on - but is he gone? Plus de-aging. Someone returns whose name begins with S. (And my revenge on characters whose accents are hard to read – like Hagrid and Fleur ;-)
Table of contents
32. The Rose
Weary to be home again
Among the faces of my friends
The day is done
Candles burning by the sea
Are waiting for me patiently
I wish the same for you
(Eventide, John Bettis, Richard Carpenter)
Harry was delighted to have his parents with him! They used the horcruxes Dumbledore had kept hidden in the Chamber of Secrets for many years, and the return of James and Lily Potter occurred before the spring equinox of their Sixth Year.
The brunet took every opportunity he could to bask in the presence of his parents whilst his blond boyfriend was a bit jealous. But Draco knew Harry had been separated from his parents' love for too long; they had years to make up for and stories to exchange. He hoped Harry told his parents everything about him. Their parental bond with Harry had to be nurtured, so the blond kept his peace.
Even if James Potter was arrogant and a mischief-maker, acting like a spoiled brat now and then, the man loved his son. He had sacrificed himself for the toddler and was keen to find out how Harry had fared in the years in between. James was enraged at Harry's treatment at the hand of the Dursleys. He vowed to avenge his son until Lily reminded him the Dursleys were no more.
Harry couldn't help but compare his father's behaviour to Draco's, and the similarities gave him pause. Both were haughty purebloods that followed their instincts, they could be cruel yet they had hidden kindness. In short they were walking paradoxes.
Lily's love and acceptance, shining in her green eyes every time she looked at her son, warmed Harry's heart. She was the compact beauty that got things done, fiercely protecting him. It was good to enjoy the company of his mother once again.
oOoOo
Draco waved his fork at Harry. "You're like your mother, you know."
Harry dove into his kidney pie. "What do you mean?"
"You love your friends and stand by them. Your mom did the same." Draco motioned at the teacher's table. Lily was smacking Sirius upside the head whilst Remus smirked.
Harry waved at his mother. "She's not being loving to Sirius you know."
"He's trying to prank everybody." Draco took a sip from his pumpkin juice and instantly his tie turned a bright purple.
After seeing his boyfriend's clothes, Harry coughed. Draco squinted at him and hit him in the back, drawling, "Sirius wanted me to ensure he was elected Head of the Wizengamot after I stepped down."
"I still can't believe you quit." Harry hid his face behind the book Hermione had lent him, trying to suppress his sniggering.
"Well, I want to concentrate on besting Hermione's grades next year. Can't do that and cope with all the intrigue." Draco stared at the title of the book Harry appeared to be reading, 'Defence against pranking.'
"What if there's more trouble? I reckon with Dumbles and Voldie gone, we're safe. But there are some Death Eater remnants." Adopting a serious expression, Harry put down the book and continued eating.
Draco shrugged. "Then the Privy Councilors will have to intervene. I've even prepared to ask the Queen to aapoint Sirius to the privy council."
Harry shuddered, picturing his godfather doing all kinds of mischief in the Wizengamot. Then again, maybe that was exactly what the stuffy people needed in their deliberations.
Harry waved at James Potter, who entered the Great Hall and made to the Gryffindor table. He ruffled his son's hair and started sniggering, seeing Draco's tie. "Hello, Malfoy."
The Slytherin growled at the Marauder whilst James took out his wand and changed Draco's tie a bright yellow.
The blond turned to look at the table, Severus was looking wistfully as Lily took a bite from her dish. Sirius motioned for James, who patted Harry's head. "I've got to see what Sirius wants, Harry. See you later for our Quidditch game."
"Sure, dad."
As James sauntered towards his wife, Draco pointed at him. "You've got your father's love for mischief. You've made a career disregarding rules."
"You did the same in the Wizengamot."
"I had to, Harry." Draco smiled when Sirius stood up and hugged James whilst Remus moved to another chair to make room for Tonks. She sported yellow hair, which unknowingly to Draco, was the same hue as his tie.
The blond frowned, noticing that his godfather's sleeves were a bright magenta. He took out his wand and changed them to white.
"I think dealing with the Wizengamot is quite easier than living with the Marauders," drawled Draco.
Severus nodded at the blond and swished his wand, changing Draco's tie to Slytherin colours. Meanwhile, McGonagall just shook her head, her lips pursed as she considered who would be the ideal partner so Headmaster Snape could be happy at last.
The Head of Gryffindor smiled ruefully, watching Harry wave at his parents. Potter had concocted a story he leaked to the Daily Prophet. According to it, James and Lily hadn't been killed by Voldemort; instead they were kept in suspended animation as long as the Dark Lord was alive. When he'd been vanquished, the spell work vanished and the Potters woke up. Harry fibbed expertly that his parents had contacted him and he'd arranged their transportation to Hogwarts.
Slowly paintings of Dumbledore began to appear. It would be some time until people realized that the old man in the paintings was blind and could not speak. Attempts to communicate with him failed, he would scurry away when he suspected someone was going to ask him questions.
oOoOo
On March 21st, the vows of Arthur and Molly Weasley were renewed, along with those of James and Lily Potter. Sirius and Narcissa Black also made private vows. The Blacks would be sustained by these promises until they were sure about the directions their feelings took them. Some bigoted Muggleborns had protested against them being a couple, because of their genes. Draco failed to understand why the science which studied jeans should be so important to these people. When he mentioned this to the others, Harry and Hermione laughed whilst Ron scratched his head.
Ron got his answer from Seamus and told the blond which was enraged at the insult to his intelligence from the smart Prowlers. Perhaps it was time for phone-elves payback?
Draco leaked some embarrassing moments of the people who were most vociferously against his mother and Sirius. Taking advantage of Dobby's connection with other house-elves, he learned interesting things. The elves talked amongst themselves about their owners' foibles.
The elf was sympathetic to Narcissa – it was only Lucius who struck and humiliated him. So the blond used his connections to Luna who published these indiscretions in the Quibbler.
Lily and Narcissa were finally free of their constraints and could build a friendship. To the utter confusion of their sons, their partners and everyone else, they did this with alacrity. People grew to appreciate the fact that it didn't bode well to face the fury of Lily and Narcissa. Flower Power may have sounded a bit lame, but they managed to put the fear of Merlin into everyone who was foolish enough to displease the women.
The first recipient of their wrath was James, unsurprisingly. He whined to Sirius about his choice in mates.
"Why did you have to choose Narcissa, Siri?" James paced back and forth on the room, pointing an accusing finger at Black. "She's a Dark witch! I know she helped you and all, but she was married to that git, Malfoy. She's surely up to no good, just like her son. I don't know what Harry sees in that stuck-up prat!"
Sirius frantically motioned for James to shut up. Lily had opened the door and was frowning at her husband whilst Narcissa scowled at James.
Instead Potter continued in this vein until Narcissa drawled, "Stop right this instant, you lout! To think you doubt my intentions and dare to utter such words about poor Draco. You, sir, are nothing but a waste of space."
The blonde woman glared at the Gryffindors, including Sirius in her chagrin.
Lily brushed her fiery red hair and her emerald eyes pierced the hapless James. "You really need to change. Conditions are not what they were 20 years ago. There's no Dumbledore to save your behind when you pull a prank or hurt someone. You must be reliable and steady, not cold-hearted and arrogant."
Seeing the enraged faces of the women, James lifted up his hands and pleaded. "Lily, it's not what you think…"
Narcissa proceeded to Stupefy him and flanked by Lily, the two Flowers took him to the Forbidden Forest. They made him change into his Animagus form and left him to roam there.
James smirked. It really was a mild prank. Obviously Lily and Narcissa could never aspire to the prankster grandeur of the Marauders, or even the Prowlers.
He changed his mind when in the dim twilight, a menacing feline hurled out of the shadows of the forest. It was a huge tiger!
The stag rushed towards the nearby copse, where he was promptly startled by a leopard. James shook his antlers, ruing the moment he incurred the ire of the women. He didn't know the forest was haunted by these predators.
Eventually he was rescued by his wife and the other Flower, having endured a daunting experience.
Lily laughed and caressed his tousled hair. "Poor James, you didn't know these boys and girls are Animagi, right?"
James growled, stalking towards the Hogwarts gates. "Should've known! That owl that pecked me was suspicious!"
oOoOo
It was the occurrence of pranks such as this that caused the respect shown to the Flowers. Each one separately was too sweet in their pranks but when they joined, their best ideas came forth.
When Lily called an extraordinary reunion of the Marauders. Sirius and Remus showed up, accompanied by their partners.
After everyone were seated, Lily said, "Things appear to be calm; enemies have been vanquished and all should be well. But after summer break? Our sons and friends will attend their last year at Hogwarts. Does that remind you of something?"
No one ventured any guesses and Lily frowned at the Marauders, pointing at Sirius. "Do you remember our last year at Hogwarts? It was a prank-fest. Everyone suffered the wrath of you lot, even Severus whom I asked you to leave alone!"
Sirius rubbed his hands gleefully, remembering those glorious days, until Remus smacked him upside the head.
Observing the antics of the Marauders, Lily shook her head. "The Prowlers will start pranking everyone. Need I remind you that we will be targets of the students." She gazed at Severus. "They are more than twelve?"
The Headmaster nodded whilst he scowled at James.
"Of course James and I will be at Hogwarts," said Lily, motioning to her husband. "We'll take refresher courses; though really I can handle today's magic very well, as some of you know."
James shivered, remembering the Forest escapade. He smiled at the redhead woman; James loved it when Lily was in control and she appeared to be more forceful than ever.
"What we need is to look ahead." Lily crossed her arms, staring at Tonks and Narcissa. "There are 12 Prowlers to three Marauders. We need to change that and get new Marauders, like Cissa, Tonks and me."
Tonks nodded, her hair changing to fuchsia. A bit later she stood up and rushed to the bathroom, saying, "Sorry, I must've eaten something that didn't agree with me, didn't I?"
Lily smiled and pointed at Snape. "We can even get McGonagall and Severus to join us!"
Sirius was about to voice his objections when Narcissa squeezed his arm tightly. She whispered in his ear, "This makes sense! Time to let go of childish grudges." She motioned towards Snape. "Even with all you four threw at him, Severus did what he could for the students. Let go of this grudge. Do it for me, Sirius!"
There was nothing the Marauder would not do for Narcissa so he kept quiet. James had also been chastised, if only visually, by Lily.
The new Marauders were duly introduced to their duties. It was strange to see Sirius, James and Remus confer with Severus.
Later James passed that information to his son in the Gryffindor common room.
"You've got to keep the secret for a while, Harry."
The brunet whistled contemplatively, "Snape a Marauder? Who would've thought?"
James shrugged, enjoying the warm colours of the room and sofa. "We needed to even the numbers for next year, you know."
"Why?"
Lily entered the room, bowing at the Fat Lady. "So very nice to see you again, dear. I hope you have continued your operatic lessons."
"Indeed, Lily, I have," said the Lady before closing the door.
"It is a Hogwarts tradition to use the last years to study and prepare for NEWTS," said James whilst he waved to his wife. "And of course to prank. Don't tell me you don't notice how the Twins follow us like a pair of tigers looking for their next meal."
"It doesn't surprise me to see the Twins described so." Lily smiled sweetly. "They are feline Animagi, just like Remus, Neville and Draco. Now if you will excuse us, darling, I have things to talk about with Harry."
A flabbergasted James left them alone. Lily patted Harry's shoulder. "I wanted to talk to you about the summer, and how you would like it to spend it."
Harry smiled at his mother, basking in her presence.
"At first I thought we could stay in one of the Potter residences. I thought we could get to know each other better but then I realized that you'd feel cut off from your friends. You've shared so much with them, Ron and Hermione and especially your blond."
Harry said, "I'd miss them a lot, mother."
"So I decided to speak with Narcissa. She invited us to stay at the Manor. We'll have the chance to spend some time together and you will be with your friends. Is that fine with you, Harry?"
The Gryffindor sobbed whilst he hugged his mother closely. This was what it meant to have a loving family, he felt accepted and cherished. Mrs. Weasley had offered him succour, and it was quite important to Harry, but nothing could compare with being with his mother again. He was discovering so many things he had in common with his parents, like her love of Charms and James' Quidditch exploits. He wanted to know them better, knowing it was a journey he would enjoy.
As Harry waved goodbye to his mother, he watched Draco and James just outside the Common Room. The two nodded brusquely at each other. It was interesting for Harry to observe their confrontations. They were two proud Purebloods with their own arrogant ideas. Surely a collision course was inevitable. Still they managed to rein in their tempers, thinking about the scolding they would receive from their respective partners. The sparks between James and Snape were too mild for Harry's tastes, Draco and James was where it was at.
oOoOo
During the last of their periodic trips to check on the basilisks, Harry said, "What will happen to them? Will they stay here forever?"
Draco smirked. "They deserve the suffering, after the havoc they wreaked on the Wizarding World."
Charlie reclined against the curved wall of the Chamber, saying wistfully, "Who knows, Harry? Picture time flowing like a waterfall. Soon enough, thousands or millions of years will pass. I think the charms holding them captive will disappear gradually. Magic weakens with the passage of eons you know. Dumbledore and Voldemort would step then onto a virgin world which doesn't know of Mankind, because they left this plane of existence long ago."
Charlie touched the wall, his fingers caressing the rough stones. "They will be all that is left of our world and age. I hope they will redeem themselves and return the human race to the Earth, behaving at long last like heroes."
oOoOo
The next day, the Prowlers were talking in Draco's rooms. Charlie had stayed at Hogwarts for a few days after checking up in the Chamber of Secrets.
Ron growled, looking at them. "I feel trouble coming!"
The others grimaced until the cheeky redhead corrected himself. "Don't mean an enemy like Dumbles or Voldie, rather a Marauder challenge."
Ron was hit by three cushions and a pillow.
Luna waved her wand and the objects returned to the sofa. "I've Seen certain things, which lead me to think that the Marauders have Narcissa, Tonks, Lily, Minerva and Severus as new members."
Draco scoffed. "Severus? He loathes them! For him to become a Marauder would be…"
"Like a Malfoy and Potter becoming friends and then something else?" Harry directed his puppy-eyed look to Draco and the blond caved.
The blond huffed. "Severus a Marauder? Now my godfather is my enemy."
Harry nodded earnestly at his friends. "The Prowlers need new members. I propose Charlie to your consideration. He's proved his mettle in battle and saved Draco's life. He also uses pranks when it suits his moods. He'd make a great Prowler!"
Blaise drawled lazily, "I'm for it, though soon we'll soon be overwhelmed by Weasleys, though they are sturdy partners and helpful."
Pansy glared at Charlie. "Just as long as you are not interested in Veelas, it'll be fine. But then he is a Dragon Tamer and he may be interested in Draco, so watch out, Harry!"
Pansy blithely ignored the combined glares of Draco, Harry, Charlie and Ron.
Charlie was approved by common acclaim, becoming a Prowler.
Of course the real Prowler watched all this bemusedly from his warm place in front of the fire. The ginger cat wondered how to catch his next victim; he needed scratching behind his ears.
oOoOo
One day in May Hermione, Draco, Harry and Ron were called to the Headmaster's office. Severus looked formidable flanked by James and Lily Potter, Narcissa and Sirius Black, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Mr. and Mrs. Granger, and Minerva.
Severus drawled, "We've decided that the Head Girl for next year will be you, Miss Granger. Your grades are excellent and you deserve the chance to prove your mettle in a leadership position."
Hermione blushed whilst she was hugged by her parents.
Severus then said, "After a long discussion, we decided that the Head Boy would be Draco Malfoy…"
He could not continue because Draco interrupted him. "I'm sorry but I must decline this honour. I feel that it would create disunity in the school. They still haven't accepted that not all Slytherins are evil. Until such a time, I must decline."
Visibly gathering strength, Severus turned to Harry Potter, the former Boy who lived, the once and future prankster. "Then allow me to offer the headship position to Harry Potter. He has rescued his schoolmates many times."
But Harry slowly shook his head, signifying no. "I must also decline, Headmaster. I want to concentrate in my studies and in enjoying my family. I reckon I'd be under too much pressure if I was the Head Boy. I think I know the perfect person for the job." He pointed at Ron.
Severus raised his Occlumency shields and buried his anger. These silly boys were treating the signal honour of the Headship like a Chocolate Frog card, to be exchanged at will! Looking at the others, he watched Lily and Narcissa. They were trying to contain their smiles whilst they unobtrusively smacked an oblivious Sirius.
Severus continued, hoping that the next person would accept the honour conferred. "It appears, Mr. Weasley, that you are the only capable person of being Head Boy who will accept the job. I've no doubt that once you accept you will carry it to a successful conclusion."
Ron looked gobsmacked; after Hermione nudged him, he mumbled, "Yes, I will accept it!"
Molly and Arthur went to him and hugged him tightly. Molly patted his hair. "You've done so, so very well, Ron! I'm proud of you."
The students then left the office. Draco and Hermione noticed Harry wanted to talk to Ron. They said their good-byes and left for the Gryffindor Common Room.
Once they were alone, Harry gulped. "There is something else I want to say, and it'll be hard."
Ron patted his back. "Go on, mate! It can't be that bad."
"What I mentioned about concentrating on my family? I need to do that, to be near mom, dad, Sirius and Draco." Harry shuffled his shoes on the stones of the corridor. "Unfortunately it means I won't be able to be the Quidditch captain. The position requires someone who loves the sport as much as I do." Harry looked intently at the redhead. "I want you to be Captain, Ron."
Ron breathed deeply; he looked intently at Harry. "Is that correct? Is the sole reason to be near your family?"
The brunet shrugged. "It's the main motivation. Can't dissect all my needs like Hermione would do, but that's what I feel."
The redhead said wistfully, "Remember the Mirror of Erised?"
"Yes, I saw my parents there."
As the two sauntered along the corridor, Ron clapped Harry's shoulder. "Seems like my desires have been fulfilled, the captaincy of the Quidditch team and being Head Boy. You also got yours; you've got your parents with you."
Harry nodded as he recalled what he'd seen in the Mirror of Erised. "Quite right. I wonder if it wasn't really something like a Mirror of Desires that will be fulfilled. With Dumbles you never knew what to think. He could propose something for you, but instead it was for the common good or some crazy scheme of his."
oOoOo
The next CoMC class was spent discussing the care of Thestrals. Given that most students couldn't even see the beasts, it turned out to be dull.
His students joked with Sirius and several Gryffindors and Slytherins taunted the Marauder. He reflected ruefully it wasn't fun to be laughed at.
In his desperation to make the last classes of the year interesting, Sirius listened to Draco's strange idea.
Seemingly out of nowhere, the blond wondered whether Parseltongue or a variant thereof could be used to speak with small dragons and get them to do things.
The next class was more interesting, because it dealt with a magical variant of Hungarian Horntails. Harry spoke to them and they proved courteous dragons indeed, making geometrical figures or just flying in a special pattern that entranced the watchers. Charlie had pulled some strings to get the dragons, and he squinted at the figures the small flying beasts made. The redhead wondered what would happen if Harry tried to use Parseltongue with the big dragons.
Two days later, Harry gave them the mournful news that the Marauder's Map had disappeared. He couldn't find it anywhere he searched, even Accio failed to bring it.
Hermione and Luna shook their heads whilst Draco and the others listened intently, ready to come up with spells that would help.
Ron said, "Probably the Map is with its makers, Harry. I reckon they might have a codeword by which they could retrieve it and then changed its name so you couldn't Accio it. Probably changed it to something like Marauders Reborn Map."
Neville caressed Luna's blond hair whilst he mused out loud. "Makes sense to me. They're preparing for next year, when we'll meet them head on."
Harry said plaintively, "Not another prank war!" He glared at the twins. "The last one was a chore!"
"Harry, we have to meet them, to find out who are the better pranksters!" Neville stood up and walked to Harry's chair; he squeezed his shoulder. "Gran heard that students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang even want to come here and get to see the battles! They don't have that at their schools."
Harry muttered sullenly, "Lucky them!" He turned to Draco who was reading a book. "Is that true?"
"Yes, they're even placing bets about it." Draco closed the tome and stood up. "Currently our odds are better. But we need to focus on the mysteriously disappearing Map."
Fred brushed the lapels of his robes. "During the time we had it..."
"... we studied that map and we were…"
".. able to duplicate many of its features."
"Using Neville's potions, Blaise's magic books and Pansy's hoard…" George trailed off dramatically whilst his twin took a parchment from his pocket and waved it at them.
"The Weasley twins present to your consideration..."
"What we dubbed the Prowler's Map," finished George. He touched it with his wand, saying, "All for one…"
The yellowed parchment revealed a detailed view of Hogwarts, including Marauders and Prowlers. Harry was amused to note that the Marauders were depicted using a colour code to indicate their current potential to cause prank damage. Grabbing the Map from George whilst Fred feigned a heart attack, Harry shook his head and studied the parchment. His parents were in their rooms, Sirius was with Narcissa. Remus and Tonks were in Remus' office, they were engaged in something which made the Map red as if it was blushing.
Harry noticed a dot in the Headmaster's office near to another professor! He lifted his eyebrows at Draco. The blond went to him and was surprised by the map. This would require a detailed conversation with his godfather. Draco couldn't let Severus get hurt if he wanted to get involved with Professor Sinistra. At the same time, he devoutly hoped she would be the one to fill Severus' life which had been empty since a certain green-eyed witch disappeared from his life.
Fred tapped on the parchment and said, "And one for all."
The Map closed whilst George said, "It works mostly like the original one but it differs in one important thing, resonant magic. Since both maps work similarly, there are bound to be interferences when both act at the same time."
"We know that but the Marauders don't," continued Fred, sporting a devious smirk.
"They won't know what hit them!" said the twins.
oOoOo
"Are you really sure about this, Tonks?"
Tonks brushed her scarlet hair. "Of course I'm sure, Remus! I want us to marry and have your son." She caressed Remus' cheek. "You'll make a great father I'm sure."
Remus answered dubitatively, "But we have been together for only a few months."
"Time enough to know about our feelings and for me to realize we can't live without each other. It's the opportunity to make it official, isn't it?"
"But the law about werewolves marrying…."
Tonks scoffed. "That stupid law was abrogated by the privy councilors. You can do what you want." She touched her belly. "And I'm pregnant, you know."
Remus beamed. "Then let's marry. When?"
"I love June weddings. Gives us time to shop and get everything together. Narcissa and Lily will insist on a shopping spree."
Remus groaned at the thought of one of Cissa's gargantuan shopping trips combined with Lily's attention to detail. He had to make sure he didn't go.
Lupin smiled sweetly. "Tonks, I need some time to bond with my friends and their sons, they are my cubs too!"
Tonks finally conceded that he was right. They needed male bonding.
Sirius, James, Harry and Draco were saved from shopping too hard. They went camping and fishing for three days.
Being wizards helped immensely with the fishing. Sirius used a shocking spell on the fish whilst James increased his reflexes.
Remus used his wolf's abilities to catch them. Draco simply froze a spot with fish on it and Harry levitated them.
Tonks didn't count on Andromeda showing up at Hogwarts. She had told her estranged sister she was under Dumbledore's Imperio. Andromeda felt really bad about what she had been forced to do.
When she learned of her daughter's wedding, Andromeda wanted to be part of it. That meant she wanted to plan it too. So they all went shopping with Narcissa, Lily and Andromeda, a gruelling experience difficult to describe.
The wedding gift of the Prowlers was very thoughtful. It was the deed to the Shrieking Shack with a note signed by them. Remus and Tonks had a place of their own where they could go. He could put it under Fidelius if he wanted.
oOoOo
Pansy arrived at the Manor on June 10th. She wanted to help with the decoration of the garden.
Blaise was devastated by the kidnapping and torturing of his mother. He couldn't conceive how they would go after some powerless people.
Pansy told him he wasn't weak. He held the hereditary position of privy councilor and had the unconditional support of his friends. Furthermore, the miscreants had failed and were paying for their wrongdoing.
Picking the flowers for the garland, she said mischievously, "Just kiss me, stupid!"
He kissed Pansy, and it made them forget their worries for a while.
Neville and Luna arrived at the Manor on the 11th. Thankfully Neville hadn't participated in the shopping spree expedition, but he appreciated one aspect of it as he looked at Luna wearing an attractive dress made with silk. Luna had of course adorned it with lemon rinds. Neville had his own tuxedo for Remus' wedding.
The ring on Luna's finger reminded the pair that they would wed in two months.
In a room in the Manor, two tigers kept transforming into men, changing back to feline form.
Finally things settled down and the redheads remained human. Fred whistled, "That was as botched an attempt…"
"...as any we've ever made. It's obvious that..."
"...we're distracted. We'd better table the potion that forces the transformation."
"And work on theory. It would be awful if…"
"...we had an accident in the cauldrons with Snape nearby," finished Fred whilst he and his twin put the ingredients back on the shelves.
Remus was kissing furiously a stunning blonde in a corridor. She was very pretty, like a Muggle beauty queen.
Suddenly he was immobilized whilst his attacker stepped out into the light.
Harry said mournfully, "Why do this, Remus? Why do you hurt Tonks so? I'll have to tell her what I saw; I reckon she'll be quite upset."
Draco strode into the corridor. "Why do you besmirch the reputation of a member of the House of Black? As a member myself I seek retribution to the damages done to my cousin Nymphadora. I don't care that you are Sirius' friend. No one cheats on a Black so lightly!"
The blonde woman shook her finger at them. "Good work, cuz! Wotcher Harry!"
The Gryffindor stuttered, "T...Tonks?"
The woman transformed into a stunning redhead. She shrugged nonchalantly, "We wanted to follow that ancient Muggle tradition? You know, the groom doesn't get to see the bride 24 hours before the wedding." Smiling at Remus, she said, "We couldn't keep apart though. We decided that the tradition would be fulfilled if I didn't show my true form to my future husband during this period."
Hermione and Ron Apparated to the Manor on the 12th, just in time for a lively breakfast.
All the Weasleys attended. Tonks and the Blacks, the Potters plus Snape and McGonagall. It was full house.
Hermione and Ron held hands; they only had eyes for each other throughout the breakfast. They didn't care if Harry and Draco rolled their eyes.
Ron and Hermione had come through the storm and were determined to strengthen their relationship. If Voldie and Dumbles failed against them, surely they were a force to be reckoned with.
The Prowler watched them carefully from the shadows. His time would come, but first he had to catch some of those delightful mice in the East Wing. His mistress was distracted and wouldn't notice his absence. Time to lounge around for a few days and get the Lion to scratch him behind the ears. So Crookshanks prowled on Malfoy Manor.
Sirius and Narcissa watched their diverse antics from their seats. Hopefully no one would prank them. Sirius had bought them breathing space by subtly sabotaging the potion of the twins, so the redheads would be a little subdued in the wedding. There was nothing wrong with being proactive!
Sirius smiled at Narcissa, his grey eyes sparkling with love. Narcissa shook her head and when she pointed a fork at the Marauder he recoiled.
"I haven't charmed them, silly." She held his hand and waved at Harry and Draco.
In the growing darkness that had enveloped them, Sirius found his match. They'd doggedly held to the slim thread joining them and it had become very strong. It was so much more than the imprisoned guest in his own house had expected; the former prisoner of Azkaban had found peace at last.
At the end, he had the love of Narcissa and two obstreperous and challenging boys, Harry and Draco. They might not be Sirius' by blood, but they were his by his feeling, and responsibility.
Sirius stood up and gave the toast to the couple. Due to unseen difficulties – like James' jealousy – it was decided that Sirius would be the best man and would give the toast during breakfast and James during the reception.
Sirius took his glass of champagne and said softly, "Remus, you're everything I could want in a friend. Warm-hearted but strong, you've suffered many injustices yet you still retain the desire to fight to defend someone you love."
The Marauder saluted his cousin with the glass. "I have no doubt you will be a wonderful husband to Tonks. I wish you many children. Remember, we need to lay a trap for the Prowlers, so when they feel safe the small children will attack!"
Sirius started scrabbling notes on a napkin until a glare from Narcissa stopped him. Shrugging, he continued, "I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Lupin."
Afterwards, Colin Creevey waved his camera at them. "Time for a photo!"
Smiling, Sirius grabbed Narcissa's arm and the two walked to the centre of the room. They were joined by Lily and James beside Sirius. Tonks stood next to her aunt, holding Remus' arm.
After Narcissa scowled at Severus, the dour man walked to them. Minerva toyed with her glass and sighed, finally standing next to Severus.
Harry waved his invisible wand and conjured chairs for the Marauders. He stood behind his parents, next to Draco who laid his hand on his mother's shoulder.
Hermione jostled Ron and he sighed, regretfully leaving behind his cake. The two stood next to Harry whilst Pansy and Blaise sauntered to the group.
Luna fiddled with her radish necklace and stood next to Ron, whilst Neville kissed her forehead and wrapped his arms around his fiancée.
Just before Colin took his picture, Crookshanks walked towards the group with his usual bandy-legged gait. The mice had proved too clever and he was dissatisfied, until Lily picked him up and began scratching him behind the ears whilst the cat purred in delight.
oOoOo
At the end of June, Harry was exhausted. He had exercise sessions with his father, plus lessons about the theory and uses of magic with his mother.
"It's too intense," moaned Harry.
Draco handed him a goblet of pumpkin juice. "Well, Sirius and mother say it's for the best. So do your parents."
The blond shrugged, looking at the windowpane and the manicured gardens beyond. "We need it, Harry. We have to be prepared for the world, to be strong. Perhaps someone will attack treacherously, we have to be ready."
Draco bit his lip, his gaze resting on the Gryffindor's sweat-drenched t-shirt. "We'll develop nice bodies and reflexes." His fingers caressing Colin's photo, he said, "You're fitter than in you were in the picture."
The blond tried to convince Harry with a puppy-eyed look but he wasn't very good at it. He looked as if he were smirking. Influenced no doubt by his Animagus form, he resembled a cat feigning innocence as he watched a mouse and wanted to pounce on it.
There was nothing tender about that look at all and yet Harry loved it. In the mix of innocence and duplicity, Draco's sly look forced Harry to rethink his framework and paradigms, recalling what he once thought of the blond and the way they'd travelled together.
The next day, Harry woke up. Looking at the sunlight, he groaned. He was late for his workout session with Draco.
After lunch with his parents, the Slytherin had promised a special date. Why would that be?
Harry dressed hurriedly and looked at the calendar on the desk. He shook his head when he noticed it was the anniversary of that fateful day when he was tried at the Wizengamot and his fate decided. He smiled as he fondly thought about the silly blond who thought Harry needed something special today; when all he needed, all he ever wanted was to be with Draco.
On June 24th, Harry's fate had rested on the courageous decision of his friends who put themselves in harm's way to protect him. They rejected carefully constructed roads and chose their own path. What their friends did, Harry could only repay by living life to the fullest and caring for others.
As he went out of the door, Harry reflected that Hermione was right; the force of an idea is more irresistible than a mountain.
In the lonely room, Dobby popped in to make the bed. He looked curiously at the photo and held it up with his long fingers. The elf's ears flopped as he watched his beloved Harry, flanked by Draco, his friends, and the Marauders.
Dobby was intrigued by the different hues and the flurry of motion as Sirius patted his godson's shoulders and Draco smirked at the camera whilst Harry smiled. The colours captured for a brief moment, as words weaving a tale, the story of the Privy Councilors.
THE END
