Archive of Our Own ^beta

It was the early hours of the night. The red shadow of the sun was coloring the sky, getting ready to leave its place to the moon. From the row of houses, the smell of food was rising into the air. Inside the houses, there was a sweet rush of dinner preparations.

Pat pat pat

Hearing running and then the sound of retching, Petunia turned her head toward the door from the food she was preparing. Then, when her son spoke, she turned her eyes to him.

"Mom... are you sure Harry’s okay? He’s been throwing up for days."

Petunia didn’t answer. She turned her eyes back to the food, her eyebrows furrowed in thought. She knew Harry had been having nightmares ever since he came back from Hogwarts. She had kicked him out of the kitchen because he was too distracted. She was afraid he’d burn the house down. But for the past few days, the nightmares and the dazed look had been joined by nonstop vomiting. Even Vernon, who usually ignored Harry, had noticed it.

"I'm going to check on Harry."

Dudley got up from the dining table and went upstairs. When he reached the bathroom door, he saw Harry sitting on the floor, breathing heavily. His mouth was full of blood. Dudley froze in place while Harry turned his gaze to him.

"I'm fine..."

Harry’s voice came out like a whisper. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and stood up by holding onto the sink. His body was shaking. It was clear he could barely stand.

Dudley swallowed hard at the sight. The bathroom was clean. There was no sign that Harry had vomited. The only sign was the blood on his mouth.

"I’ll go to my room... I won’t bother you."

After Harry's weak words, Dudley watched him walk toward his room, supporting himself on the wall. He frowned at the uneasy feeling growing inside him. Then he stepped toward Harry to help him walk.

Harry looked at him in surprise, but a tired smile appeared on his face a few seconds later.

"Thanks, Big D."

"Don’t call me that, you big magical moron."

—------------------------------------------------------------------

Harry was sitting cross-legged on his bed, examining the wand in his hand. It was made of holly wood. Eleven inches long, and it had a single feather from a phoenix’s tail inside. Its flexibility felt nice. Harry held the wand in his right hand while running the fingers of his left along its length.

This wand, which he had used for four years, now felt like a stranger. It wasn’t his wand. He was searching for the feel of another one—the one he had made with his own hands and used for years. But that wasn’t the only thing he searching. He longed for the world that felt like a dream, the one he had lived in for years. He mourned it every time he remembered what he had lost.

“Just a dream...” Harry whispered to himself as tears began to fall. He pulled his knees to his chest and rested his head on them.

“Just a dream... None of it was real... I was never a Slytherin... I was never...” Harry breathed shakily. “...save the world with Malfoy... I never married him... We never had a son... His name was never Scorpius...”

With every sentence, Harry cried harder. He covered his mouth with his hand to muffle the sobs. “Scorpius... I never had a son... My son...” Harry’s whispers finally gave way to sobbing. He cried for the lies he couldn’t make himself believe.

Him life had been like that since the 'dream'. First, he would think deeply about the dream. Every detail came back to him the life he lived until the age of thirty-five: Meeting Draco, being sorted into the same house and sharing the same room, finding the Philosopher’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets together, saving Sirius, sneaking around behind the pink toad's back, giving Dumbledore secret information to hunt horcruxes, the great battles at school, becoming a wandmaker after the war, proposing to Draco, their marriage, Draco working at the Ministry, deciding to have a child years later, Scorpius’s birth, and the 11 years they spent with him before he went to Hogwarts...

Harry breathed shakily. Even though he kept saying it was a dream, deep down, he knew: it wasn’t. They were his memories. Memories of true happiness of a husband and a son he had loved deeply. That world may have been different from the one he was in now, but those memories were his. And now, they were gone.

Crack

Harry quickly pointed his wand at the door, which had suddenly opened. He cast a silent protective charm around himself and hurried to wipe his tears. As the black-robed, hooded figure stepped into the room, Harry gripped his wand tighter.

“Harry.”

When the figure softly whispered his name and pulled back the hood, Harry immediately recognized the voice. He dropped his wand and jumped out of bed, wrapping his arms around the boy’s neck. The tears that had been falling moments ago from sadness and pain now fell with joy and relief.

“For Merlin’s sake... It’s really you. I... I thought it was all a dream... I thought I’d lost everything... I prayed it was just a dream...”

Harry stepped back, his eyes still filled with tears, and looked at Draco’s face. Seeing Draco cry too confirmed it even more he remembered. Harry could tell by the look in his familiar blue eyes.

Those eyes were burned into his memory.

“I—”

“We have to go,” Draco interrupted quickly, his voice shaky with emotion. “My parents could realize I’m gone any moment. We need to leave. We can’t stay here long. Also The Order patrols may notice something’s wrong.”

Harry nodded quickly and hurried to get dressed and gather his things.

It didn’t take long. There wasn’t much he wanted to bring. He shrunk his suitcase with a silent spell and slipped it into his pocket.

He then noticed Draco opening Hedwig’s cage.

“Hedwig, I want you to go to the Potter Manor, okay? Harry and I will be there.” As Draco spoke, Hedwig turned her head to Harry and looked him in the eyes as if waiting for approval. When Harry nodded, she flapped her wings a few times while standing on Draco’s arm. Draco cast a disillusionment charm over her and opened the window to let her fly out.

“You really think the Potter Manor is still in the same place?” Harry asked as he joined Draco by the window, his voice hoarse from hours of crying.

“I hope so. Otherwise, we’ll have to camp in the woods again like in seventh year.” Draco looked from the sky back to Harry, scanning him from head to toe. His brow furrowed as he locked eyes with Harry. “I hope there’s a good reason for how weak you look, Potter.”

Harry scratched the back of his neck awkwardly at Draco’s intense gaze. All he could do was give a faint, bitter smile.

Draco let out a deep breath and held out his left hand for Side-Along Apparition. “Let’s go.”

Harry placed his right hand over Draco’s, and with a pop, they vanished from the room.

—

Harry had been missing since the second week of summer break. No one had ever been able to find out where he was. Many ways had been tried to reach him: countless letters sent by owl, countless Patronus messages. Yet no member of the Order had managed to contact Harry – Dumbledore included.

“The Dark Lord is not involved in this.” Severus’s voice was the only sound in the room where the Order had gathered. No one spoke after Severus—except for Sirius Black.

“Not involved?” Sirius let out a bitter, almost mad laugh, filled with exhaustion and grief. “Who else would want to take Harry? You’re with them! He’s there, and you know it!”

As Sirius’s voice rose in anger, Remus tried to step in. “Arguing won’t get us anywhere. Harry’s been missing for a month. He hasn’t replied to our letters or Patronuses. The only thing we know is that he’s still alive.”

Remus’s words brought silence again. At the head of the table, Dumbledore fixed his gaze on Severus. “Severus, is there something you wish to tell us?” His voice was calm, almost as if speaking about a trivial matter.

Severus turned to Dumbledore. His face was expressionless, but it was clear he was choosing his words carefully. “The son of one of the Dark Lord’s loyal followers is also missing. His wife begged the Dark Lord to find him, offering to give anything in return.” His words hit the table like a bomb.

“Who?” Kingsley asked the question everyone already knew the answer to.

“Narcissa Malfoy. Since Draco went missing, she has tried everything. She even attempted to reach him through dark magic but failed. So she turned to the only person left—the Dark Lord. But even he, no matter what he tried, couldn’t reach Draco.”

—

The Daily Prophet
Issue: xxxx – 25 August 1995
Official Publication of the International Confederation of Wizards

BLACK FAMILY VAULT BROKEN INTO!

Valuable item stolen – identity still unknown!

The private vault of the ancient and noble Black family, long kept under protection at Gringotts Wizarding Bank, was broken into last night by person or persons unknown. Authorities have confirmed that an item belonging to the Black family was stolen from the vault, though its exact nature has yet to be identified.

While the bank has not released an official statement, it is reported that Gringotts official Ragnok told close contacts that “the protective enchantments were of an extraordinary level.” Strong claims suggest that the item in question was an heirloom transferred from the Lestrange vault to the Black vault.

Ragnok is also said to have stated that this breach of security is “an event that could shake the balance of the wizarding world.”

—

The new year at Hogwarts had once again filled the Great Hall to the brim. Many students who had just stepped off the train were already seated at their tables. Everyone was excited to see their friends again. They were sharing what had happened over the summer and complaining about the homework they had been assigned. Some were even betting on which house would get the most new first-years during the Sorting.

“Scared, Potter?”

Draco asked mockingly as he walked hand in hand with Harry toward the closed doors of the Hall, noticing Harry’s tense demeanor. Draco wore his Slytherin-crested robes, his long, white-blond hair tied back with a green ribbon.

Harry, on the other hand, was wearing plain robes with no crest, like the first-years who had not yet been sorted. His messy hair contrasted with the bright green eyes shining beneath his glasses. As always at the start of the school year, his slight frame still looked much healthier than in previous years.

“If you mean the young crowd, the answer’s obvious: no. But if you mean 15-year-old Hermione, then definitely yes.”

Draco laughed at Harry’s reply. Squeezing Harry’s hand, they stopped in front of the doors. Harry swallowed nervously, took a deep breath, and then, together, they walked forward—hands still clasped—as the doors slowly opened.

With every step they took inside, the loud chatter in the Hall faded into hushed whispers. Harry and Draco were used to this. Years ago, in their own world, it had been the same. Back then too, the savior of the wizarding world being seen with the son of a Death Eater had always been a scandal.

They made their way to the Slytherin table and sat beside Blaise. While whispers from the other tables grew louder, the Slytherin table fell into complete, stunned silence.

“Draco… You… and… Potter…?” Pansy, usually the most talkative, spoke slowly in shock. Her four words voiced exactly what everyone else at the table was thinking.

“What about it?” Draco replied carelessly, leaning against Harry. This was something he often did when they argued back at the Potter estate—he’d lean on Harry, let Harry play with his hair, and keep talking.

“What about it?! For Merlin’s sake, Draco, you’ve been missing for months, and suddenly you walk into the Hall holding hands with Potter! And you bring him—him, a Gryffindor—to our table!” Pansy hissed now, leaning in so only those nearby could hear. “Don’t tell me you fed him a love potion and kidnapped him! Merlin’s beard, you’re obsessed—you’ve been obsessed with Potter for four years! You kept denying it, but look at you now!”

Draco’s ears turned pinker with every sentence Pansy spoke, while Harry covered his mouth with his hand. But the tremor in his shoulders made it obvious he was laughing. When Draco finally jabbed an elbow into his side, Harry coughed in an attempt to stifle his amusement.

Pansy frowned at the two of them, while Theodore, seated beside her, cleared his throat softly.
“The Gryffindor table looks like they’re about to lob a bomb over here.”

“Sorry for sitting without permission.” Harry smiled apologetically, then finally spoke to the people he’d once spent years alongside. People who now remembered nothing… He swallowed past the lump in his throat and continued. “I just—”

Harry’s sentence was cut short as the Sorting of the first-years began. All eyes turned toward the staff table. Harry and Draco quietly watched the new students get placed into their houses. When the last one had been sorted and everyone was expecting the Headmaster’s speech, Professor McGonagall read out one more name—one that instantly hushed the entire Hall.

“Harry Potter.”

As Harry rose from his seat, Draco gave his hand a gentle squeeze before letting go. Harry smiled faintly at him and walked toward the Sorting Hat with steady steps, ignoring the stares fixed on him. Without looking at the teachers, he sat quickly and closed his eyes as the Hat settled onto his head.

Hm… so you have memories from another world… As I suspected, you achieved quite a lot in Slytherin there. Now… where should I put you?

Slytherin. Please put me there, Harry thought, clenching his hands nervously.

Slytherin? Are you sure? You’ve already claimed victory there once. In the house you belong to now, with the knowledge you have, you could shape an entirely different ending. Don’t you want that? …Ah, I see. You wish to stay with your partner. But remember, Harry, a Gryffindor will always live in your heart. If you are certain of your choice, then… SLYTHERIN!

At the Hat’s final word, Harry opened his eyes to see a hall full of astonished faces. Hermione and Ron had shot to their feet. Even McGonagall was staring at him in shock. Harry didn’t turn around, but he was sure the teachers behind him were equally stunned. The only person who wasn’t surprised was Draco.

Stepping down from the stool, Harry made his way toward the Slytherin table. Just before he sat beside Draco, Draco discreetly tapped his wand against Harry’s robes. With a small smile, Harry glanced down at the Slytherin crest that had replaced his plain front before sitting.

“I suppose a very long conversation is waiting for us in the Slytherin common room,” Blaise murmured quietly, just before Dumbledore—or rather, the pink toad—began the opening speech.

—

After Professor Umbridge’s speech, the students stood up to go back to their dormitories. At that moment, Draco, who was heading toward the dungeons, whispered softly into Harry’s ear, “Welcome back to the awful fifth year. On the menu, we have a bunch of teachers pushing us to figure out where we disappeared, pink frog always bothering you, and oh, a group of Gryffindors who can kill us just with their looks.”

Harry frowned and paused at the door of the Great Hall where Hermione and Ron were waiting for them. In their past lives, Hermione and Ron had different places in Draco and Harry’s lives. Their friendship, which started during the war, grew stronger when Hermione and Draco worked together at the Ministry. Especially when Hermione was pregnant, Draco’s help was very important to Hermione, Ron, and the Weasley family. They unexpectedly found themselves part of the Weasley family. Because of this, Ron and Hermione made Draco Rose’s godfather. Years later, when Harry got pregnant, Hermione also didn’t stop helping Harry. Draco and Harry appreciated these help and made Hermione Scorpius’s godmother. Both of them would move mountains for their godchildren.

But now, there was no world left for them to move.

“Harry, you don’t have to talk now.”

Harry shook his head slightly at Draco’s whisper.  “I’ll talk and be back soon.”

Smiling softly at Draco, he started walking toward Hermione and Ron. He knew it wouldn’t be a quick talk — it would be a long one.

—

At the end of his conversation with Hermione and Ron, Harry left with a bad headache. The only positive outcome was that Hermione realized Harry was truly happy with Draco.

He took a deep breath and hurried toward the dungeons. As he approached, a faint cough from behind made Harry silently curse himself.

“Mr. Potter, seeing you outside your dormitory on the very first day… how interesting,” Umbridge’s sharp voice echoed down the corridor, and Harry turned around with a cold smile, already thinking about what kind of lie to tell.

“Professor Umbridge—”

“Dolores was with me,” Harry turned his head at the voice. Seeing McGonagall eased him, but he avoided Severus’s gaze behind her.

“Is that so, Minerva?”

At Dolores’s mocking tone, McGonagall stepped forward and placed a hand on Harry’s shoulder.

“Yes, Dolores. Until today’s Sorting Ceremony, he was under my care in Gryffindor. Since he was sorted into Slytherin, I wanted to speak with him as his former Head of House. Of course, new Head Snape was with us too. When we noticed no permission slip was given to send Harry to the dungeons, we followed after him.”

Umbridge’s face paled from the failed attempt, but her smile didn’t fade. “I see… I hope you’ll be more careful about this from now on.”

After she turned and left, Harry looked up slightly at McGonagall.

“I’m sorry, Professor. I didn’t want to put you in a difficult position.”

“Oh Harry, believe me, I’ve been hearing the same things for four years.” McGonagall smiled back and adjusted her glasses. “Actually, I wanted to talk with you more in detail, but I didn’t want to interrupt your conversation with Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley. I hope you understand what I mean.”

Harry nodded and turned to McGonagall and Severus. McGonagall smiled at Harry, then looked at Severus.

“I think it’s best the new Head of House takes you now. Good night, Harry. Good night, Severus.”

—

After several silent minutes, Harry took a deep breath when they reached the dungeons and he finally escaped Severus’s gaze. Neither he nor Severus had said a word on the way.

Nervously running his fingers through his hair, Harry stepped into the common room and found Blesie, Theodore, Pansy, Crabbe, Goyle, Millicent, and Daphne gathered around Draco. Harry gave a painful smile as he met Draco’s desperate, pleading look.

“Finally! Potter, come here! You have to drink this!” Pansy rushed over, holding out a potion to Harry’s mouth. “It’s something that will break the love potion! Trust me, you have to drink it for all our sakes! I don’t want Draco to rot in Azkaban.”

“I’m telling you, I didn’t use any love potion!” Draco said tiredly. Daphne raised one eyebrow, and the others all hummed skeptically. It was clear no one believed him.

“Last year you handed out badges against Harry. The year before that, you kept bothering Harry. For the first two years, you acted like a completely obsessed lunatic. Pansy is right. No matter how stupid Potter is, he won’t fall in love with you.”

“Blesie’s right. Besides, Potter is in Slytherin now, and you know the rule: Slytherins protect and support each other, and keep their secrets.”

“Guys, really, Draco didn’t give me any love potion,” Harry said after Millicent’s words, but Pansy pressed the potion bottle harder against Harry’s face. “Then drink this! Theodore got it directly from Professor Snape.”

Harry looked at Theodore, who quietly raised his wand and swore an oath with a spell.

“I swear I got this potion from Severus as the exact antidote to the love potion.”

Trying not to laugh, Harry covered his mouth with his hand. There was no need for Theodore’s oath because he was very familiar with the potion. Especially after Harry’s accident with a fan letter, Draco had never let this potion run out at home. No matter how much Harry said he wouldn’t open fan letters anymore, Draco wouldn’t listen.

“Come on, drink it.” Draco said tiredly while Harry, suppressing a laugh, took the potion bottle that Pansy stubbornly pressed against his face. After opening his mouth, he drank all the purple liquid inside.

“How do you feel now, Potter?” Pansy stepped back and asked, her urgency replaced by nervousness as she looked at Harry.

“So… normal? Just a little headache.”

Pansy hummed and looked back at the others.

“How will we know if the love potion’s effect has worn off now?” With Goyle’s question, Theodore poked Draco with his wand.

“Hey Potter, look at Draco’s face. Do you still love him?” Theodore asked, and Harry looked at Draco. His expression was cold as ice. His lips were a straight line. The person who had smiled at Draco with love just minutes ago was gone.

“Oh my Merlin… Oh my Merlin, Draco!!! Did you really give Potter a love potion? Merlin’s sake, Draco!” Daphne hit Draco with a pillow on every sentence, while Draco looked at Harry in shock and disbelief.

“I didn’t do such a thing, Harry!” His body froze, and he hurriedly pushed through his friends and stood up. When he reached Harry, he saw the smile on Harry’s lips.

“It was a joke!” Harry laughed, hugged Draco, and kissed his neck.

“For Merlin’s sake, WHAT?!”

“Merlin’s breasts… Is Potter really in love with Draco???”

Despite the loud voice behind them, Draco laughed but punched Harry’s stomach hard. “Potter, you’re 35, not 15. You have no idea how scared I was,” he whispered in Harry’s ear.

“Sweetheart, you know I was joking,” Harry whispered back, wincing slightly. He looked at the Slytherin group arguing near the common room and smiled. “If they couldn’t realize my love for you is real, I’d love to help them understand.”

“It would’ve been great if you’d warned me before the joke,” Draco continued whispering, then hugged Harry tightly. “This joke’s going to cost you, Harry James Potter. You’ll have to work hard.”

—

“The pink frog caught me on the way to the dungeons.”

Harry spoke as he stroked Draco’s hair resting on his chest. They were both in Draco’s bed, their legs tangled together.

“Is that bitch obsessed with you here too?” Draco said with disgust, lightly pressing his head against Harry’s chest. “You should stay away from her, Harry. We have to stay away. She’ll report everything to the Dark Lord.”

“I know. I didn’t expect my talk with ‘Mione and Ron to last this long.”

“How did it go?”

“Ron was angry.” Harry murmured while playing with Draco’s hair. “Mostly because I didn’t answer the letters and Patronuses. They thought I was dead. Actually, they thought both of us were dead.”

“Both of us?”

“Severus said you were missing too. Cissy must have tried to find you.”

Draco went silent at his mother’s name and leaned closer to Harry. Harry kept stroking his hair.

“Draco… if you want, you know—”

“No.” Draco refused firmly.

“Drac—”

“I said no.” Draco pulled back and looked at Harry sharply, but his eyes were on the verge of tears. “It was my mother’s and father’s choice. They wanted it. They accepted raising me beside that man. That’s not love. If there is love, it’s only my mother’s endless love for my father. I love you, Harry, deeply, but if you had risked Scorpius, I know you wouldn’t have done it. I wouldn’t need even a second to leave you.”

Harry smiled sadly and gently brought his hand to Draco’s face, stroking it. “He is our star.”

“Harry, I miss our son…” Draco’s tears started to fall as he buried his face in Harry’s chest. “I couldn’t protect him… What my parents managed, I failed to do for my son, whom I cherished… I couldn’t protect him… I couldn’t watch over our star…”

Harry bit his lip, tears streaming down his face. He said nothing and just held Draco tightly. Since coming to this world, he had shed tears for the two things he lost: his son and Draco. Now, his tears were only for his son, his precious, his one and only star.

—

“Potter and Malfoy, come to my office after class.”

After delivering the potion, Harry and Draco went to Severus’s office as requested. Both knew clearly why they had been called.

“He will give you the letters your families have been trying to send. While we stayed at the manor, their letters didn’t reach us.”

Draco answered Harry carelessly but then reached for his hand and intertwined their fingers. “Most likely. He’ll probably ask where I’ve been all this time. I’m sure you’ll get similar questions. What will you say?”

“I’ll say I ran away because no one cared about me after Cedric’s death. It’s not a lie.”

Draco frowned and looked at Harry. “You never told me that.”

“Because, darling, it was like suddenly remembering thirty-five years of life all at once. Also, while at the manor, we never had the chance to talk about it. We were both busy researching how to come back.” Harry gently squeezed Draco’s hand in response to his concerned look. “Remember the broken mirror? It’s here too. I tried to contact Sirius. I wrote letters to ‘Mione and Ron every day, but their replies were either very short. They acted like they hadn’t seen someone die. So I’ll act like I ran away from home. I’ll tell them I met you while running away.”

Draco frowned and nodded. When they reached Severus’s office, they again entered hand in hand. Severus’s stern gaze first landed on their joined hands, then on them.

“Sit. Both of you.”

After Harry and Draco sat in two chairs facing each other, Severus’s eyes scanned them. “You two have caused me so much trouble I don’t even know where to start. I suppose you want to start somewhere yourselves.”

“Sir,” Draco was the first to speak, “I don’t understand what trouble you mean. The school has only been open two weeks. During this time, neither I nor Potter caused any problems in class.”

“I know you understand exactly what I mean, Malfoy.”

“No, sir, I don’t.”

Harry’s gaze shifted between Severus and Draco. Severus frowned and looked toward his bookshelf. With a flick of his wand, two stacks of letters floated down into Harry’s and Draco’s laps.

“These are letters sent by your families and friends’ families. When it was heard you arrived at school, they sent them to me. For days I’ve been receiving letters saying they want to communicate with you because their letters haven’t gotten any reply.”

Looking down at the letters, Harry recognized many familiar names. As he ran his fingers over the envelopes, Severus called to him, and Harry looked up.

“This applies to you too, Mr. Potter. Se—”

“Sir, no need to beat around the bush.” Harry cut Severus off, folding his hands over the letters. “We know you called us here to ask where we’ve been, but we don’t think we owe you an answer.”

“Potter—”

“Why did I run away from the house I was raised in, starved and treated like a servant, sir? That’s the wrong question. The real question is: Why was I left alone after witnessing a death and the return of the man who killed my family just days ago? My letters went unanswered too, sir—you can ask Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. I only freed myself from the house that needed saving for years.”

Severus froze at Harry’s words. Draco then continued after Harry. “You shouldn’t ask me why I didn’t answer my family either, sir, because you already know the reason. You probably can predict better than I what would happen if I had stayed in that house.” He threw the letters in his lap to the floor and stood. Harry quietly put his letters down and also stood.

“Tell both sides this, sir: We are not sacrificial lambs who remain silent just to survive when we are face to face with death. We will live.”

—

“Maybe we should form Dumbledore’s Army before we leave.”

Draco whispered this while they were getting ready to leave Defense Against the Dark Arts class together. Both had tried to stay quiet throughout the lesson. Especially Harry, who was the main cause of the headache from trying so hard.

“Do you think it’s necessary?” Harry whispered, running his fingers through his hair.

“I hope it’s not necessary, but back then it helped us a lot. It was why most of the school survived the last war.”

Harry frowned thoughtfully. His gaze met Umbridge sitting just beside the board, smiling at him, and a forced smile appeared on his lips. “Then I’ll talk to Mione and Luna. You…”

“I’ll arrange a magical paper for secrecy and talk with the Slytherin group.” Draco finished Harry’s sentence, then nodded with a mixed smile at Umbridge’s grin. “It’s going to be a long night.”

—

Harry and Draco had been busy for a few days making preparations for Dumbledore’s Army. During class hours, they attended lessons and did their homework. Afterwards, they went to the Chamber of Secrets and worked on tasks they had been dealing with since they first arrived at the school. At the top of the list was making a dagger coated with basilisk venom.

“How are things going with Hermione and Ron?” Draco asked while carefully placing the dagger’s handle.

“‘Mione is on board with it, but Ron is uneasy. Maybe because some Slytherins will join. But when I mentioned the enchanted paper, I think he got a bit more convinced.”

Draco laughed mockingly. “Trust a paper made by a Slytherin?”

“Cut it out. They’re only 15, and they’re facing someone who’s 35. It’s not that hard to convince them. Especially since ‘Mione already agreed.” Harry smiled while looking at the sharp dagger in Draco’s hands. “Do you think it will work for the Horcruxes? We’ve always used basilisk fang.”

“It will work. While melting the metal, I added basilisk venom inside. Also, it has been soaking in a mixture made from basilisk venom for days. One cut will kill someone within seconds.” Draco carefully put the dagger into its sheath, then moved toward a nearby boiling cauldron.

“When will it be ready?” Harry moved closer to Draco.

“In about a month.” Draco murmured as he stirred the cauldron. “I hope I’ll be able to perform the spell again within a month. Last time, when I removed the Horcrux, I had to use up all my magical power.”

Harry smiled sadly and wrapped his arms around Draco from behind. He rested his forehead on Draco’s shoulder. “I’m sorry… I dragged you into this again.”

“Ah, Harry…” Draco stopped stirring and turned around. He took off his gloves and gently touched Harry’s face with his bare hands. “Didn’t we swear to each other? How could I not help you? How could I not be by your side? You are everything to me. You are my sky.”

Harry’s eyes filled with tears as he lightly pressed his head against Draco’s hand. Then his gaze found Draco’s lips. After a soft kiss, he whispered, “I love you.”

Draco quietly wrapped his hands around Harry’s neck and pulled him closer. “Silly… Come here.”

—

“Do you think gathering everyone here was a good idea?” Harry whispered to Draco as he looked at the group split in two, whispering: One group had people from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff, while the other was made up entirely of Slytherins. Harry took a deep breath and rubbed his temples.

“At least they’re not fighting. Think of it that way,” Draco whispered back, grinning at Pansy’s tired look. “Start the talk, Potter.”

“Oh no, no. You’re the one who’s worked for the Ministry for years, Malfoy.”

“Come on, Potter. Stop being a coward.” Draco put his hand on Harry’s back and sharply pushed him forward. Harry stumbled forward with Draco’s push, drawing everyone’s attention and ending the whispers. When Harry turned to Draco, he saw a mocking smile and couldn’t help but laugh. They were two people trapped in 15-year-old bodies but were starting to act like 15-year-olds themselves.

“First, thank you all for coming.” Harry smiled and looked to both sides as he spoke. “The reason we gathered here is the insufficiency of the Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Yes, written knowledge can give us important information, but what really matters is how to apply it in practice. Also, we can’t pass the practical exam part with just written knowledge. So we thought of forming a study group.”

After Harry’s words, no one responded. Harry squeezed his wand tightly, then looked to the Slytherin side where a hand was raised. He looked that way. “Parkinson?”

“Who will teach the lessons? Draco said this would be secret training. So which professor will join us?”

“About that…” Harry quietly looked at Draco. With Draco nodding, Harry turned his gaze back to Pansy. “I will give the training. Draco will assist me.”

Harry’s words caused whispers, then noise among the students. Harry frowned, hearing a question from the mixed group: “We don’t trust Slytherins! Potter, you’re no different from them. My mom almost didn’t let me come to school. Do you know why? Because of you!”

Everyone fell silent, and a flat expression settled on Harry’s face. History was repeating here. He couldn’t describe the sadness sinking into his heart.

“If you came to learn about Cedric Diggory’s death and what happened that night, just write and sign your name on the paper, then leave.” Draco spoke before Harry could answer. He placed the paper and pen forcefully on the nearby table. “Don’t trust Slytherins? That’s your choice. We don’t trust you either, but we will take the same exam and be responsible for the same spells. This won’t be the only place we’re together. Maybe in the future, we’ll have to work together in the Ministry even if we’re from different houses. Will you say the same then? That you won’t work with someone just because they’re from a different house? Grow up and face reality. We might be from different houses, but we live in the same world, the same country.”

Draco’s words silenced everyone completely. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and rubbed them with his thumb and forefinger. He remembered how difficult dealing with young people could be.

“That was a good speech.” Harry whispered into Draco’s ear, then took Draco’s free hand. He looked at the students in front of him. “Draco, I think you said everything that needed to be said. Does anyone else want to ask a question?”

“Is it true you can do the Patronus charm, Harry?”

Harry jumped at Luna’s question while Draco suddenly laughed. Both were caught in the tragicomic moment of reliving this scene again.

—

The students started signing the paper and leaving. The Slytherin group was the last to remain.

“Dumbledore’s Army, huh?” Theodore raised one eyebrow for a moment as he looked at Harry and Draco while writing his name. “Draco, I hope if we get caught, you have a manor where you can take care of us.”

“When have I ever done anything that put you in danger?” Draco softly tapped his wand on the paper. The words on the paper disappeared and changed, and a new name appeared: The Heir of Slytherin’s Army.

“Merlin’s beard...” Theodore said in surprise, while Pansy read the name aloud. “The Heir of Slytherin’s Army? By Merlin! That’s right! Potter is the Heir of Slytherin! But only those who were in the class back then know that!”

Harry laughed at the name and leaned to look at the paper. “I haven’t heard that name in a long time…”

“Oh, you want to hear it?” Daphne said mockingly, taking the pen Theodore handed her. “Then we’ll call you that, honorable Heir of Slytherin.”

“Oh no, please.” Harry frowned, while Pansy burst out laughing. “I love it! From now on, we’ll call you that! Our mighty Heir of Slytherin!”

Draco laughed loudly, while Harry frowned and grumbled. Meanwhile, the name on the paper changed back to Dumbledore’s Army.

“Alright... If this gets out, I’ll have to change schools as many times as my mom changed marriages.” Blasie said as she signed last, and the entire Slytherin group laughed.

—

Harry and Draco were looking together at the empty wall that was once full of forbidden things. A few days had passed since the first gathering. Harry and Draco had distributed coins made by Draco to everyone. Through those coins, they would find out where and when the next meeting would be.

“It seems like we haven’t been noticed,” Harry whispered.

“Of course we won’t be noticed. We’re not 15 anymore, Harry, we’re 35. And I work at the Ministry. Trust your husband a little.”

“I always trust my husband,” Harry said with a smile, gently taking Draco’s hand.

—

“Wow…”

“I never even imagined a place like this existed.”

Everyone who entered whispered similar things, while Harry and Draco waited inside for them. They had prepared the supply room before the students arrived, making sure everything needed was there. Finally, they had created a memorial corner to remember those they had lost, just like they did in the past.

“It feels nostalgic, doesn’t it?” Draco asked, and Harry nodded. A bittersweet smile appeared on his face.

“Sometimes... I wonder what it would have been like if I had become a DADA teacher instead of a wandmaker.”

“You would have been a great teacher, Harry, you know that.”

“I know... Actually, maybe this time I’ll do just that,” Harry said, smiling at Draco with a glance. “Just a thought. Maybe I won’t.”

He looked toward the crowded hall where everyone had gathered. Draco squeezed Harry’s hand.

“Whatever you decide, I’m always by your side, Harry. Whether you want to be a wandmaker or a teacher...”

Harry looked at Draco gratefully and kissed the back of his hand. “Shall we start the lessons?”

—

“Harry, where are we going at this hour?”

“Just follow me. I have a surprise for you.”

Harry, along with Draco, had slipped under the invisibility cloak and was making his way toward the Forbidden Forest. As they went deeper, the surroundings grew darker and the school disappeared from sight. Finally, Harry stopped and lifted the cloak off them. Draco frowned, scanning the area, before turning his gaze to Harry when he heard him cough.

“Merlin’s beard... Could this be...” Draco looked in surprise at the wand Harry was holding out to him. Slowly, he took it into his palms and swallowed hard, feeling a sweet sensation spread through his body. “When... How...”

“A bit of Potter Manor, a bit from outside... I’ve been working on it after you fell asleep. I thought our wands could be better,” Harry said with a smile, revealing the wand he’d made specially—almost a perfect copy of the wand he had in his previous life. “I made it exactly the same in every way. There shouldn’t be any problem, but if you feel something off—”

“Expecto Patronum!” With Draco’s command, a stag emerged from the new wand, glowing blue and drifting around them before disappearing into the forest. Draco’s laughter echoed behind it.

“Harry, this is amazing! Just like... just like my wand! No, even better!” He hugged Harry joyfully and kissed his lips. “Is this why we came here? You could have given it to me in the Chamber of Secrets too.”

Harry smiled warmly at Draco’s excitement. “I thought it would be good to practice a bit. The Chamber of Secrets is a bit too risky for that.”

Draco pulled back slightly, raising one eyebrow at Harry. “A duel?”

Harry nodded.

“Like our second year?”

“Yeah... you could say that.” Harry frowned as he said it, and Draco burst out laughing. “Alright! I accept it! Let’s try out these wands!”

—

“Ebublio!”

Suddenly, Harry found himself trapped inside a mass of water. Every time he waved his wand to get out, Draco’s control prevented him. Finally, with great effort, he managed to wave his wand and break free from the water. Taking deep breaths, he brought his hand to his mouth and blew out all the air in a single breath.

Draco swiftly waved his wand at a fire dragon charging toward him. The dragon vanished under a strong gust of sandy wind, leaving scorched marks around.

“Did you just use the Dark Lord’s spell on me” Draco asked, laughing in surprise. Harry responded with a coughing chuckle, which suddenly sounded right next to him as he materialized beside Draco.

“Didn’t you use Albus’s spell on me?” When Harry waved his wand, Draco materialized too, narrowly dodging the attack.

“Let me learn something from that old fool.”

“Well, it’s only fair I learn something from Voldy too.”

“Really? You’re going to use the Dark Lord’s spell as a symbol of the Light side?”

“Why not? You know, Tom wasn’t actually that bad.”

Between their constant materializations and spells flying back and forth, Harry’s last words gave Draco the chance to press his wand under Harry’s chin.

“‘Not that bad’?”

Harry raised his hands in surrender. “I was joking! Really, I was joking.”

Draco raised an eyebrow, looked at Harry, then pulled his wand away from Harry’s chin and took a few steps back.

“Sweetheart, really—”

“Sectumsempra!”

The spell from Draco’s wand whooshed past Harry’s head and struck a tree behind him, splitting it into pieces. Draco crossed his arms over his chest.

“Keep going, love, if you want the next one to hit you.”

Harry smiled tensely, knowing the next spell wouldn’t come his way, and gave in. “Alright, alright... How’s your wand?”

Draco’s eyes lit up at the question. “Perfect! Even better than the last one.” He moved toward Harry, slipped behind him, and jumped onto his back. Wrapping his arms around Harry’s neck and his legs around his waist, he said, “Haven’t had a duel like this in a long time.”

Harry knew Draco’s habits well—especially when he was tired, he loved to climb onto Harry’s back and let him carry him. So Harry didn’t react as Draco jumped on. After settling him securely, Harry’s gaze drifted down to the invisibility cloak on the ground. When the cloak floated up to cover them both, Harry started walking slowly.

“You know making new wands used up all my energy. Otherwise, I really love the duels we have together.”

“I know.” Draco yawned, then suddenly closed his eyes, overcome with fatigue. “Between dealing with the Ministry and everything else, I’ve had no energy left. Only Merlin knows how I find energy for Scorpius.”

Harry laughed quietly and continued toward the school, watching his step carefully. Not wanting to disturb Draco’s sleep, he kept silent. But moments later, feeling a pressure in his throat, he stopped and whispered, “Draco?”

Frowning, Draco looked toward the voice’s direction. Then he cast a spell to contain their voices, preventing sound from escaping their vicinity.

“I think we just caught Severus gathering supplies.”

—

Harry and Draco, after finishing the last class of the day, hurried towards Severus’s office. After what had happened the previous night, they had decided to talk to Severus the next day. If things don't go well, Draco'll erase Severus’s memories.

When they reached Severus’s office, they looked at each other. At Draco’s nod, Harry knocked on the door.When Severus’s voice came, he opened it. The two stepped inside, and Severus looked at them with a blank expression before carefully placing the potion bottle in his hand back on the shelf.

“How can I help you?” Severus’s voice was flat, without any emotion, though his eyes watched them cautiously.

“We need to talk to you about something important, sir. If you have the time.” Draco was the one to start speaking, his tone formal and even.

“Sit.”

Harry and Draco glanced at each other, then sat down in the same chairs they had occupied days earlier. “About last night…” Draco began, but before he could finish, he dodged a spell. Together with Harry, he raised his wand against the rain of curses coming at them, and Harry shouted, “We know you were the one who told the prophecy to the Dark Lord!”

Severus froze at the words. His already pale face went even whiter, and his features hardened. The information, known only to Dumbledore and Voldemort, brought a deadly silence to the room.

“Who are you?” Severus asked after a few seconds, still not lowering his wand.

Draco, breathing heavily, also kept his wand raised. “Sir, if you want to know, you’ll have to make an Unbreakable Vow. Otherwise, we’ll have no choice but to erase your memories. I’m sure after what you saw yesterday, you realize we can do it easily.”

Severus frowned at them, his gaze lingering on Harry, wondering where and how he had learned such a thing.

“You know there’s no tricking an Unbreakable Vow, sir,” Harry said, meeting Severus’s eyes. Severus looked away. After a few seconds of silence, he finally lowered his wand.

“I accept. But we will talk under the effect of Veritaserum.”

—

“Do you swear to keep secret the information you will hear from Draco Malfoy and Harry James Potter?”

“I do.”

“Do you swear to protect and hide everything you see and hear in light of this information from everyone?”

“I do.”

“Do you swear to keep this information safely from both the Order of the Phoenix and Voldemort, and to ensure our safety?”

“I do.”

From Harry’s new wand, threads shimmering in emerald and silver flowed with each vow. They wrapped around Severus’s and Draco’s arms, and with the final vow, Harry flicked his wand to seal the Unbreakable Vow.

“In that case…” Draco pulled his hand back and straightened his robes. “It’s going to be a long talk.”

—

"Where do you want to start?"

After each taking a drop of Veritaserum, Harry and Draco sat back down in their usual seats. It was Draco who answered Severus’s first question.

"Harry and I have memories from another world. In that world, Harry was in Slytherin from the very beginning. We overcame many things together… and we got married. I worked at the Ministry."

Harry nodded in agreement, meeting Severus’s gaze.

"After school, I got into wand-making. When you caught us in the Forbidden Forest, we were testing the wands I’d made."

Severus studied them thoughtfully, speaking in a calm, steady voice.

"You both received these memories around the time you disappeared, didn’t you?"

"Yes."

"That’s right. When I first remembered them, I had trouble believing they were real. Draco decided to verify their authenticity before I did."

"I knew where Harry was being kept under the Order’s watch. In our world, the Order was watching him around this same time too. So once I escaped the house, it wasn’t hard to reach him."

"And after that, where did you go?"

"To Potter Manor. Only members of the Potter family can enter, and it blocks letters as well. We decided to go there because we needed a quiet place and resources to figure out what was happening. Potter Manor was perfect for that."

"What brought you here?"

At Severus’s question, both Draco and Harry fell silent. Severus frowned at the pause but didn’t push, waiting for their answer.

"Scorpius… our son… was kidnapped by sympathizers of the Dark Lord. We went to rescue him…" Harry’s voice wavered as the memory filled his mind, his eyes misting. After a deep breath, he continued, "We found him in a room. Just as we were about to take him out, a potion was thrown at us. When I came to… I was here."

Draco only nodded, pressing his lips tightly together. It was clear he was struggling not to cry. When Harry reached for his hand, Draco gave a small, pained smile.

"A potion?" Severus asked in surprise. "Impossible. You can’t time travel with just a potion, not without an incantation."

"This wasn’t time travel," Draco said, his voice unsteady. "It was parallel world travel. Harry was always in Slytherin there. We experienced many of the same events as here, including the Dark Lord’s rise and fall."

"So you… in that world…"

"Yes. We won the war," Harry said, locking eyes with Severus. "And we hope to win it again here."

Severus frowned thoughtfully. "Do you remember what kind of potion it was, Draco?"

Draco listed the ingredients he suspected were in it, ones he knew by heart after reviewing the memory over and over in the Pensieve. "I don’t remember the color. Only that when it hit the ground, it released a cloud of smoke. Then—"

He stopped when Severus abruptly turned to his shelves. They watched as he pulled out a thick, ancient-looking book, flipping rapidly through the pages until he stopped. Severus striding over, he handed it to Draco.

"This is a very old dark magic. It’s a potion created centuries ago for mass killings. When it hits the ground, smoke spreads and kills everyone nearby."

Draco’s body went cold as he read the description. Harry frowned. "But we didn’t die. Couldn’t it be the wrong potion?"

"No," Draco whispered. "This is the one."

"Then the brewers must have made a mistake at some stage," Severus said.

Draco shook his head, pointing to an ingredient on the page. "Dragon’s blood. They must have made an error here."

Harry looked between them, puzzled. "I don’t understand. How could dragon’s blood cause something like this?"

"Ingredients like dragon’s blood are extremely rare and dangerous to use. Even a small mistake can change the entire potion. Dragons are ancient beings—there are legends of them traveling through both time and worlds."

Harry froze at that. "So… you’re saying they messed up with the dragon’s blood, and that’s why we ended up here with our memories intact? That if we fixed the potion, we could go back to our own world?"

Tears slid down Draco’s cheeks as he looked at Harry. "Our own world ceased to exist the moment that potion hit the ground, Harry. It was only because of the dragon’s blood that our memories survived… and why we could remember what happened here."

—

Draco blinked when Harry suddenly got up. Noticing Harry running to the bathroom, he quickly got out of bed and hurried after him.

“Harry?”

Harry was leaning over the toilet. As the sound of vomiting filled the bathroom, Draco silently went to his side and rubbed his back. After a few minutes, Harry took deep, steady breaths.

“Vision?”

Harry shook his head while wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “They escaped from Azkaban. Tom is gathering his old followers again.”

—

"Alright! Today we’re going to learn how to cast the Patronus Charm. This is a difficult spell, so if you can’t do it right away, don’t lose hope!"

After his opening speech, Harry explained the basics of the Patronus Charm and then let everyone start practicing. He and Draco walked around the room, giving advice. When Harry noticed a group of Slytherins gathered off to the side, he headed toward them.

“What’s wrong, everyone?”

No one answered at first, until Daphne leaned in and whispered to him. “Slytherins are known for not being able to cast Patronuses. Especially the children of Death Eaters…”

“That’s not true,” Harry interrupted her. “You can cast a Patronus. Look over there.” He gestured toward the students practicing around the room. “No one is happier than you. Everyone has bad memories. The important thing is finding the happy one. You can’t know until you try.”

“Potter, you make a fair point, but…” Theodore glanced toward a group of Death Eater parents. “A Death Eater will always be a Death Eater. And their children will always be Death Eater’s children. And Death Eaters—”

“Draco,” Harry cut him off loudly, “can you cast a Patronus?”

Draco had been helping students from other houses, but at Harry’s call, he paused. Realizing the Slytherin group was watching, he nodded, raised his wand, and said, “Expecto Patronum.”

A Stag burst from Draco’s wand, circled the room, then paused by Harry’s side, gently brushing its head against his arm before fading away.

Harry smiled at Draco, then turned to the wide-eyed Slytherin group. “Still think you can’t cast a Patronus?”

—

“Think of your happiest memory. Picture it in your mind and—”

“Expecto Patronum!”

This time, a blue light burst from Hermione’s wand, forming into an otter. It circled around Hermione and Draco—who had been helping her—before gliding toward Ron. But before it reached him, it faded away.

“That was perfect, ’Mione!” Draco said happily, giving her a light pat on the shoulder. “Keep going! You just need to make it last longer!”

Hermione froze for a moment, surprised by the way he addressed. Then, after a second, she smiled at the compliment. “We have great teachers.”

—

“Theo! You did it!” Harry said cheerfully, as Theodore stared in shock at the spot where his Patronus had just been. Harry’s voice snapped him out of it, and he turned to him with a smile.

“Potter—”

“How about just Harry?” Harry grinned, stepping closer and giving his shoulder a light tap. “It’s your first day and your first try! You don’t even want to know how many days it took me to get mine.”

“Oh, come on. You’re lying.”

“I’m not! Finding a happy memory isn’t something only you have trouble with. I told you.”

Theodore paused at Harry’s words, and Harry caught the reason for his silence, smiling softly. “Finding that memory can be hard, but once you do…” He gently flicked his wand. “Expecto Patronum…”

A brilliant blue light streamed from his wand, forming into a dragon about his own height. It soared gracefully above the hall, drawing everyone’s astonished gaze, before gliding toward Draco. As the dragon neared him, Harry smiled at Draco—who was already smiling back. “Everything gets easier.”

—

“Alright, everyone!” Harry clapped his hands, gathering the attention of the room. Meanwhile, Draco had pulled out the Marauder’s Map, planning the safest way to get everyone out without running into Dolores.

“That’s it for today’s lesson. If you can't produce a Patronus, don’t be discouraged. Like I said, it’s a powerful spell, and it requires a strong, happy memory from you. But remember—this memory has to be yours. Not someone else’s. Don’t compare your moments to others’. Keep practicing. Draco and I will be here for anyone who wants to stay a bit longer.”

As his words echoed through the room, most students began gathering their things, whispering among themselves, filling the hall with a low hum of voices.

Harry clapped again, and the chatter died down. “Also… next week we’ll be working with Boggarts.” At that, murmurs rose again, and even Draco frowned—Boggarts weren’t exactly his favorite.

Harry exhaled deeply, then clapped once more. “I know, you’ve done it before, but fears can change. And we’ve got students here who aren’t from our year. I think they deserve the experience, too.” When no one voiced an objection, Harry smiled and clapped his hands a final time. “Alright, that’s all for today! Draco will help you with the way out. If you still want to practice, I’m here.”

—

“Harry, can we talk?”

Harry looked up from the student he’d been helping to see Hermione standing there. A smile formed on his face. “Of course, ’Mione. Can you wait just a moment?” His gaze shifted to Ron, who was standing right behind her, scowling.

“Sure.”

—

"Harry… we wanted to ask if we could… be friends again."

Harry froze at Hermione’s question, then a smile spread across his face. “‘Mione, we’ve always been friends. You and Ron are two of my most important friends. I don’t know how I would’ve made it through the past four years without you—well, except for what Ron did last year.”

“Hey!” Ron grumbled, his face turning red. “I know I acted like an idiot.”

“Yes, a complete idiot.”

Hermione laughed, shaking her head. “One hundred percent an idiot.”

The three of them laughed together before Harry stepped forward, smiling, and pulled them both into a hug. “I love you guys. It’s just… some things had to change.”

“Did you really have to move to Slytherin?” Ron mumbled. “Feels like I lost my best friend.”

“Ronald, Harry’s not dead—he’s just a few tables over,” Hermione said with a small laugh, though her tone carried a hint of sadness.

Harry smiled faintly as he stepped back, looking at them both. “I—”

His words were cut off when the cupboard behind him suddenly swung open. A swirl of black smoke slipped out, twisting in the air before forming into Harry’s worst fear: Scorpius, covered in blood, reaching toward him. “Dad, help me!”

“Scorpius…”

—

Draco was, as always, busy ushering the last remaining Slytherin group out of the hall. Every so often, his gaze drifted toward the Golden Trio talking nearby.

“Ohhh, I smell jealousy in the air~!” Pansy said mockingly, laughing as Daphne and Blaise—lingering at the back—also chuckled.

“I’m not jealous.”

“Oh, Draco, jealousy is perfectly natural, darling. Especially when your lover is the center of attention—it’s exactly how you’re supposed to feel.”

“I said I’m not jealous,” Draco grumbled, eyes still fixed on the Marauder’s Map as he searched for the safest way out. His ears, however, had turned a noticeable shade of red.

“Oh!! He’s blushing!” Daphne laughed while Blaise gave Draco a light pat on the back. “It’ll stay between the three of us. Just admit it.”

Draco let out a long, exasperated sigh. “I’m not jealo—”

His words were cut short by a familiar sound that froze him on the spot. Snapping his head toward the source, it didn’t take him long to realize what was happening. “Harry! Use your wand! Your wand!”

When he saw Harry standing motionless, Draco sprinted forward, putting himself in front of him. The boggart shifted quickly, and Draco faltered for just a moment. Standing before him now was a twenty-four-year-old Harry, holding baby Scorpius in his arms. A small suitcase sat at their side, as if they were about to leave at any moment.

“Riddikulus!”

Draco flicked his wand, and the scene burst apart into a flurry of butterflies. Another flick sent the fluttering swarm darting back into the cupboard, which slammed shut with a loud bang and locked itself.

Drawing in a deep breath, Draco turned sharply. Harry was still standing, but trembling—looking as though he might collapse any second.

“Harry…” Draco stepped closer and cupped Harry’s face in his hands. “Look at me. It’s okay, alright? It’s over.”

Harry shook his head as tears slid down his cheeks, but he clung to Draco, burying his face in the crook of his neck. His body still shook with every breath. Draco’s own eyes burned, and he swallowed hard against the lump in his throat.

—

Hermione froze at the sight before her. The thought that had been turning over in her mind for days had just been confirmed—and the truth of it left her stunned. But what shocked her most, the thing she had never even considered in her musings, was the presence of a young boy.

“We should go…” Hermione whispered to Ron with effort. “We need to gather everyone and leave. There aren’t many of us—we won’t get caught.”

“’Mione, but… what’s happening here…”

Hermione swallowed hard, her eyes fixed on the two figures clinging to each other and crying. “The secrecy charm on the parchment Draco prepared covers everyone here. They can’t speak of it, even to each other,” she murmured, giving Ron’s shoulder a light tap. “Come on, Ronald.”

Moments later, Hermione—being the last to leave—glanced back at the pair, now collapsed on the floor. Just before the door closed completely, the sound of their grief-stricken sobs reached her ears, bringing tears to her own eyes. The pain of losing a child… it was a sorrow she could never even begin to imagine.

—

“I’m sorry,” Harry whispered, his voice hoarse from crying. “I knew what I had to do, but I couldn’t move. I just—”

“Harry, you don’t need to explain,” Draco replied, his own voice rough from tears. “If it weren’t for the training I had at the Ministry, I would’ve frozen just like you.” He leaned back slightly, placing his hands gently on Harry’s face. “I always thought your boggart would be a Dementor.”

“So did I.” Harry closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. “It must have changed after… everything.”

They stayed in silence for a few seconds, Draco softly caressing Harry’s cheek until Harry finally opened his eyes. “Draco, your boggart—”

“The day after our argument, I came home and couldn’t find you or Scorpius. Remember?”

“Oh—when Mrs. Weasley invited us over.” Harry frowned. “I left you a note before I went.”

“I know… but for a moment, I thought you had taken Scorpius and left. Because—”

“Draco, don’t tell me it’s because I said I’d take him with me during the fight.”

Draco’s silence was enough. Harry let out a small, tired laugh and pulled him into a hug. “Don’t you remember ’Mione? After Rose was born, every time she fought with Ron, she’d come stay with us. It’s just hormones.”

“I know,” Draco murmured, holding him tighter. “But losing you—both of you—will always be my greatest fear. That’s never going to change.”

—

“I think we should ask Severus for help,” Harry said as he looked at the nearly finished potion. Draco frowned while adding the final ingredients.

“I can do it. We don’t need anyone else.”

“Draco—”

“Har—”

Harry covered Draco’s mouth with his hand. “I know you can, but back then we had no other choice. It was our only way out and it had to be done quickly. Now, that’s not the case. If something happens to you after the ritual, I won’t be able to help you—you know that.” He moved his hand to gently cup Draco’s cheek. “Back then, we took that risk. But now, we don’t have to, love.”

Draco held Harry’s gaze for a moment before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. “Alright. Let’s talk to Severus.”

—

“What’s the ritual for?”

Severus looked at the pair standing in his office, setting the potion ingredients in his hands gently down on the desk.

Harry and Draco exchanged a glance before Draco spoke up. “Sir, are you familiar with Horcruxes?”

Severus frowned at them, and Harry let out a deep breath. “Sir, you might want to sit down.”

—

Severus was frozen and shocked. Covering his mouth with one hand, he looked at the two in front of him. “So, a part of Voldemort is inside you too because…”

“Thanks to my mother,” Harry finished the sentence Severus couldn’t continue. Severus said nothing, clearly trying to process what he heard. Neither Harry nor Draco spoke; they waited for Severus to say something.

“What do you need me for in the ritual?” Severus finally spoke after a few minutes. Harry took over the conversation. “Draco will lead the ritual. I don’t doubt he can do it, but it’s a ritual that consumes a lot of magic.”

“You want me to watch you,” Severus said, looking at both of them.

Draco nodded. “I don’t think there will be a problem, but Harry doesn’t want to take any risks. Same here.”

After a few seconds of silence, Severus took a deep breath. “Alright. But give me a few days to understand what’s happening.”

—

Harry stepped into the center of the ritual circle drawn in the middle of the Chamber of Secrets, holding the potion in his hand. He grimaced at the smell of it, then stopped. Looked at Draco a few steps ahead of him, and at Severus standing right behind Draco.

"Are you ready?"

Draco took a deep breath, then tightened his grip on the wand -Harry had made- in his palm. "I’m ready."

Harry nodded, then drank the potion in one gulp. As soon as he finished, he collapsed to the ground.

"It’s fine. This is how it’s supposed to be," Draco said to Severus behind him, though he kept reminding himself that this was normal.

Seconds later, Draco began reciting the words that were part of the ritual. With every word, black liquid dripped drop by drop from Harry’s scar. Severus, meanwhile, watched coldly from the back.

Minutes later, as the ritual neared its end, the ground under Harry’s head was covered with a tar-like black liquid. Sweat was streaming down Draco’s face. His voice was slower and weaker than when he had first started.

When Draco spoke the final words, Harry suddenly opened his eyes. After taking a sharp breath, he turned his head to the side and began to vomit. But what came out was nothing but blood. The blood spread across the floor without mixing into the black liquid.

Draco quickly flicked his wand at the bag at his feet. A potion flew out, and he rushed to Harry. Kneeling beside him, Draco rubbed his back, letting him finish. When he saw Severus raise his wand with a stern expression, Draco stepped in. "You can’t clean it. Neither the blood nor the black liquid can be removed with a cleaning spell."

Minutes later, when Harry stopped vomiting, Draco carefully poured the potion into his mouth. Once he was sure Harry had drunk all of it, he let out a relieved sigh. Looking into the tired green eyes staring back at him, he smiled faintly. "You can sleep, Harry. We’re safe. It’s all right."

Seconds after Harry closed his eyes at Draco’s words, Draco turned his gaze to Severus. "Severus… just a little…" But before he could finish, he collapsed to the ground. Severus quickly went to them. Once he saw they were both all right, he took a deep breath and looked at the large statue in the room. Many thoughts crossed his mind, but first, he had to make sure both of them woke up safe and healthy.

—

"Medallion, cup, ring, diadem…" Draco lightly shook the sealed glass bottle filled with black liquid in his hand. "…and the piece inside you."

"Only Nagini is left." Harry looked seriously at the five Horcruxes in front of them. Both of them knew they were close to the end.

"We need to prepare to destroy the Horcruxes. The Christmas holidays are coming." Draco carefully placed the glass bottle on the table. "There’s a war we have to finish."

—

"The ring should be somewhere around here." Harry’s whisper echoed through the old house, his breath coming out like mist from the December cold. Each step made the wooden floor creak beneath him. A beam of light shone from the wand in his hand, lighting the surroundings.

"Where could Voldemort have put the ring?" Draco, just behind Harry, asked as he scanned the area carefully. A light also shone from the wand in his hand.

"I don’t know… But it has to be here somewhere." As Harry took another step, the floor cracked. One of the traps in the house had been triggered.

"Harry!"

—

“My dear followers…” Voldemort’s voice echoed off the stone walls. The Death Eaters kneeling in the hall held their breath and listened closely.

“Today, I will ask you to carry out a very important task for me.” He walked slowly with bare feet, feeling the cold stone beneath each step. With his fingertips, he gently stroked Nagini’s head, who slithered beside him.

“You know the names of two among you very well… Harry Potter and his… precious friend.” A mocking smile curled at the corner of his lips. “They dared to sneak into a place that belongs to me.”

Voldemort’s eyes scanned the kneeling crowd on the floor. “I want them. Both of them… alive.”

As his words hung in the air, Bellatrix’s high-pitched laugh filled the hall. The others quietly vanished, melting into the darkness.

Only two members of the Malfoy family remained in the hall. Voldemort slowly turned to them.

“Lucius… Narcissa… I know how much you long to see your son.” A cold, thin smile settled on his face. “I believe I can promise you… you will be reunited with him very soon.”

—

“Now.” Harry took deep breaths, still shaken by the vision he had just seen and the five Horcruxes they had destroyed moments ago. His strength was steady, but sweat covered him from head to toe.

Draco nodded seriously and reached out his hand to Harry. When Harry took it, they both disappeared from the small room where they had destroyed the Horcruxes.

—

“Avada Kedavra!”

“Stupefy!”

Draco was kneeling, his eyes fixed on the familiar but deadly duel happening before him. Blood dripped slowly from a deep cut running from under his eye down to his chin. Just below his chin, a small cut that had stopped bleeding was still bright red.

He still held the dagger with which he had just killed Nagini. Suddenly, an idea struck him. He gripped the dagger tighter and raised his arm. Whispering a spell, he threw the dagger into the air. It flew like an arrow and pierced Voldemort’s heart. The Dark Lord staggered backward.

When Voldemort stopped his spell, Harry stopped his as well. Both of them stared at Voldemort, shocked by the dagger stuck in his heart. His face began to decay slowly from the basilisk venom. Voldemort collapsed to his knees. A painful, ear-piercing scream escaped his throat. Watching the man who had ruined his life die for the second time, Harry felt an unusual calm.

Draco was still on his knees, his eyes never leaving Voldemort’s crumbling body. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. But a few seconds later, he quickly opened them when he heard a painful groan. His gaze shifted from Voldemort’s now destroyed body to Harry. Harry was bent over, holding his right eye, blood dripping between his fingers.

“Harry… Harry!”

—

The Daily Prophet
Issue: xxxx – December 25, 1995
Official Publication of the United Wizarding Confederation

AZKABAN PRISONERS CAUGHT!
Ministry: "Dangerous wizards neutralized."

Last night, several dangerous prisoners who had long been thought to be in hiding were caught in a raid near an abandoned land in Northern England. Ministry officials said the operation was "planned and successful," but kept details secret.

Among those caught was Bellatrix Lestrange, known as one of the Dark Lord’s most loyal followers. However, witnesses reported that during the operation, Lestrange suddenly had a rage attack and attacked both Ministry officers and her own supporters.

The Ministry called Lestrange’s uncontrolled aggression "mental instability," while some wizarding groups suggested that "an unknown event in dark circles" might have happened. Especially rumors spread after claims that Lestrange screamed, "What happened to my lord?!"

Ministry teams are still securing the area where the operation took place. All prisoners have been sent back to Azkaban and are kept under high security.

—

The Daily Prophet
Issue: xxxx – December 27, 1995
Official Publication of the United Wizarding Confederation

Peter Pettigrew Captured! – BLACK’S INNOCENCE PROVED!
Ministry: "12 years of injustice corrected."

In a shocking development, Peter Pettigrew, long believed dead, was found unconscious last night on Hogsmeade’s main street. Officials from the Magical Law Enforcement Department confirmed that after interrogation and magical examinations, Sirius Black, who escaped Azkaban in 1993, was proven innocent.

A Ministry spokesperson said, "Pettigrew confessed to the deaths of twelve Muggles and to supporting Lord Voldemort." He also admitted that years ago he faked his own death to avoid capture and framed Black.

Sirius Black was cleared of all charges this morning. After spending 12 years in Azkaban, Black was freed but declined to answer questions.

How Pettigrew was brought to Hogsmeade is still unknown. Witnesses said they saw flashes of light in a narrow alley before finding Pettigrew unconscious.

—

“Mrs. Narcissa Black Malfoy.”

When Narcissa’s name echoed through the wizarding court, Draco squeezed Harry’s hand where they sat. They were under a Disillusionment Charm and wearing Invisibility Cloaks, having sneaked in to watch the trial. At first, Lucius was questioned and sentenced to one year of house arrest under Ministry supervision. The biggest reason for this was that Fudge was still Minister. Now, they were waiting for the verdict on Narcissa’s sentence.

“Found not guilty.”

Draco breathed out deeply in relief, and Harry smiled, squeezing Draco’s hand back.

—

“No matter where you are, your mother will lie for you, Draco.” Harry said as they walked toward the Ministry exit. A spell shielded their conversation from anyone outside hearing.

They were still holding hands, but the Ministry people’s eyes weren’t on their hands. Everyone was staring mostly at Harry’s gray glowing eye and Draco’s two deep scars on his face.

“I know, but—”

“Draco, parents can make mistakes too. They aren’t perfect. Neither were we.” Harry squeezed Draco’s hand again. “Try talking to them.”

Without replying, Draco stepped outside with Harry and looked at the falling snowflakes. Then his eyes found two men watching them outside. “Looks like I’m not the only one who needs to try talking.”

Harry glanced where Draco was looking and took a deep breath. Draco let go of Harry’s hand and gently tapped his shoulder. “Go and talk. I’ll go back inside the Ministry to find my mother.”

—

When Harry entered beside Sirius and Remus, he had already prepared the words for what he wanted to say. But before he could take a step, Sirius hugged him tightly, making Harry blink in surprise.

“Sirius, I—”

“No. No, you don’t need to say anything, Harry.” Sirius pulled back and placed his hands on Harry’s face. His eyes were full of tears. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have listened to Dumbledore.”

“Sir—”

“No, listen to me. Ever since Severus told me what you said, I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind. You were right. I shouldn’t have left you in a place you didn’t love just to keep you safe. I should have taken you with me. I shouldn’t have listened to anyone… When have I ever listened to anyone?”

As Harry listened to Sirius, a lump formed in his throat. Tears began to fill his eyes without him meaning to. The words he had wanted to hear from Sirius, whom he lost because of his own mistake in his past life, were now reaching him again as his 15-year-old self.

Sirius wiped Harry’s tears away with his thumb as he stroked his face. “I’m sorry, Harry. I should have taken you from there. Because you are not just the last gift from James and Lily to us… You are our most precious.”

Unable to hold back, Harry hugged Sirius tightly. The weight of years of longing and the words he wanted to hear made him sob.

“I’m sorry, Harry… I’m so sorry…”

—

“Time for Christmas presents!”

Mrs. Weasley’s voice echoed around the Grimold Place’s dining table filled with food as everyone started taking out their gifts and handing them to each other. Harry, sitting right between Sirius and Remus, received his first gift from them: a memory book.

“Remus and I made this together. We thought you didn’t know much about your mother and dad.”

As Harry flipped through the pages of the book, he found pictures he had never seen in his past life. The most striking were the letters at the end from Lily Evans Potter and James Potter.

“These are...”

“Lily started writing letters after she found out she was pregnant with you. She even got James to join her,” Remus explained, while Sirius placed another stack of letters on the table.

“James convinced us to write letters too. I wanted to give these to you earlier but... you know what happened.”

Harry smiled sadly, wiping away tears as he hugged Sirius and Remus. “Thank you…”

“Harry!”

Startled, he turned and saw Mrs. Weasley. A thousand memories ran through his mind as he smiled. “Molly.”

“Here you go! We’re so happy you’re with us for Christmas.” Molly put two gifts in Harry’s lap, hugged him, and gently stroked his hair. “Happy holidays, dear. No matter what, know that we love you.”

“Thank you, Molly.” Harry smiled warmly and looked at the gifts in his lap. But seeing two presents made his eyebrows knit slightly.

“Molly! There are two gifts here.”

“Oh,” Molly said, looking at the gifts then back at Harry. “Hermione and Ron told me a lot about Draco. I heard you have a wonderful relationship. I made a gift for him too. Will you give it to him?”

After Molly left, Harry glanced at Remus and Sirius, who were looking at him knowingly. His face reddened as he muttered, “So what?”

“Draco Malfoy, huh? Did you switch to Slytherin because of him, you lovebird!” Sirius teased, nudging Harry, who covered his face with his hand. It was partly true.

—

Sirius looked at his watch and slowly stood up. Harry, happily chatting with everyone at the table, didn’t notice Sirius getting up. He was caught up in the moment, enjoying time with his friends.

“Harry.”

When Sirius called, Harry looked over at him, trying not to smile at Ron. “Sirius, what’s wrong?”

“No problem. I just thought you wouldn’t say no to one more gift.” When Sirius stepped back, Harry jumped up and ran to hug the person he saw. Their cheerful laughter filled the room.

“I thought you’d spend New Year’s with your mother,” Harry whispered into Draco’s ear, his happiness clear in his voice.

“My mother said she wanted to stay with my father. So I thought… why shouldn’t I spend New Year’s with my husband?” Draco whispered back and stepped away.

“But how…?”

“Thanks to Moony,” Sirius said, leaning against the wall and smiling at them. “He’s the Fidelius Keeper of the house. I asked him to tell Draco where it was, so Draco could come here using Floo.”

Harry frowned at Sirius’s words. “Wasn’t it Dumbledore?”

Sirius’s face paled at Harry’s question. He clearly didn’t want to answer.

“He was,” Remus said, putting a hand on Sirius’s shoulder and squeezing it. “But not anymore. Now only the Weasley family, a few people from the Order, and you two know the location. No one else.”

—

Harry and Draco walked hand in hand in the small garden behind Grimmauld Place. Snowflakes fell on their faces, hands, and clothes, melting within seconds. Both were wearing sweaters knitted by Molly.

“I have a gift for you.” Draco’s words made Harry pause and look at him. When Draco gently placed a small box in Harry’s hand, Harry looked at him surprised.

“It’s not a marriage proposal, idiot,” Draco laughed, stroking Harry’s hand. “At least not yet. Let’s see who will propose first this time.”

“If you’d look up from your studies, it would probably be you,” Harry teased, slowly opening the box in his hands. Inside, a shining black stone was set.

“The last one got ruined because of the Horcrux, but this time I managed to get it out properly. I thought 15-year-old Harry might want to talk to his family.”

—

Harry swallowed as he looked at the stone in his hands. Then he glanced briefly at Draco. “Together,” he said in a low voice.

Draco hesitated for a moment but then smiled. Together, they held the stone and turned it three times. On the third turn, four ghosts appeared before them, stopping them right where they stood.

“I told you,” said Narcissa, leaning on her husband’s arm. “They froze when they saw us.” There was a cheerful tone in her voice. Lucius had a faint, controlled smile on his lips. Both looked like they were in their fifties—just like when they died in their previous life.

“Our son is so surprised by his husband’s parents that he’s not even looking at us,” Lily Evans Potter laughed. James was right behind her, one hand on Lily’s waist, with a happy smile on his face.

Harry was the first to regain composure. His face blushed slightly at his mother’s words. “We just… didn’t expect to see them. Because they—”

“They’re alive in this world,” Draco finished quietly. “Just hours ago I was with them. I… didn’t expect to see you.”

“My dear…” Narcissa’s voice softened. “We have always been by your side.”

“Wherever you are,” added James. “You both were very brave, kids. You were amazing.”

Harry looked at his father, swallowing the lump in his throat. “Thank you… Dad.”

“But I don’t understand,” said Draco, without taking his eyes off his family. “How? Why are you here?”

Narcissa looked at Lucius with a sad smile. Lucius’s smile faded. “We were there too during the potion accident,” she said. “We were watching you.”

Harry and Draco frowned slightly at this. Draco hurriedly looked around. “Then—”

“Not here,” said Lily, her voice trembling. Her eyes were moist.

“Who?” asked Harry.

“Scorpius,” said Draco, looking at the ghosts. “If everyone who was there at that moment somehow managed to come here, he must have come too.”

Harry froze at these words. James slowly nodded. “Scorpius never actually existed here.”

“Maybe…” Lily spoke softly. “He is waiting to be born again.” She gently reached out her index finger toward Harry’s stomach. “Maybe he’s just waiting for that time… with you.”

—-

“Harry!”

“I’m coming!” Harry took one last look at the room. The room he had shared with Draco for three years was full of memories. Now, those memories were just in their minds.

“Harry!”

When Pansy called again, he took a deep breath. Finally, he left the room and walked toward the common room. “By Merlin, are you trying to memorize my name? I thought you learned it in these three years.”

“Merlin! You’re finally out!” Pansy said teasingly, grabbed Harry’s arm, and pulled him into the crowd in the common room.

“What’s going on? Are we having the farewell party here or something...?” Harry’s sentence trailed off. The crowd in front of him parted, and Draco appeared in the middle, wearing a suit. Harry stared frozen at Draco.

“Harry.” Draco took a few steps forward and knelt on one knee. Then he opened the box in his palms. Inside the box were two silver rings shining brightly. One had a moon symbol, the other had a sun. They were exactly like the old rings.

“Harry James Potter. Will you marry me?”

Harry looked at Draco with teary eyes and then smiled with tears in his voice. “Of course. Of course, I will marry you.”

In response to the cheers around them, Draco gently placed the ring with the sun symbol on Harry’s finger. Then he stood up and waited for Harry to put the other ring on his finger. They both smiled happily, their eyes full of tears.

“Kiss! Kiss!”

Seconds later, their laughter echoed through the Slytherin common room. Harry reached out with the hand wearing the ring, pulled Draco by the nape of his neck, and kissed him passionately. Their loud kiss caused a commotion, but they parted laughing.

“This time, you didn’t forget.”

“This time, I had reasons not to forget. Like a peaceful three years.”

—-

Harry was pregnant. It had been three years since he married Draco, and after three years, they decided to have another child. But they were both in their early twenties. Draco was just starting his career. Harry was writing a book about wand-making. He was halfway through the book. But the biggest problem was something else entirely.

“Harry! Are you in here?”

Harry took his hand off his belly when he heard the voice. “I’m outside, ‘Mione!”

Hermione came out holding a few-months-old Rose. She sat on the chair right in front of Harry and sighed with frustration. “I was really about to lose it.”

Harry smiled at Hermione and gently waved his wand. “What happened?” Two cups of tea floated quickly and placed themselves on the table between them.

“Merlin, Ronald is driving me crazy. He panics at the smallest things. When he panics, Rose either wakes up or never sleeps.” She said while grumbling, gently rocking Rose in her arms. When Rose reached out her hands to Hermione’s face, Hermione smiled. “Don’t think I’m complaining about Rose. It’s just…”

“I know.” Harry smiled and nodded. Then he reached out and took his tea. “Sometimes spouses can be very anxious.”

Hermione looked up at Harry. For the question she had been too shy to ask Draco and Harry years ago, she opened her lips to speak, “Harry, actually—”

Hermione’s words stopped halfway when a glass broke on the floor. Hermione jumped, and Harry ran inside.

“Harry?!” Hermione hurriedly stood up and ran after Harry. She rocked the crying Rose while looking toward the bathroom door where Harry was vomiting.

“Oh my god, are you okay?” Hermione patted Harry’s back. Rose stopped crying for a moment in her arms, as if she understood what was happening.

“I’m fine…” Harry said quietly, taking a deep breath.

“Are you sick? Does Draco know? Should we go to the hospital? They say there’s an outbreak at the Ministry too. Harry ha—”

“Hermione, I’m not sick.” Harry smiled tiredly at Hermione. When his hand slowly went to his belly, Hermione covered her mouth with her free hand.

“For Merlin’s sake… You… you’re pregnant?”

—-

Draco didn’t know how he had left the Ministry and Apparated to the hospital. After a Patronus from Hermione, he started to get ready to leave work.

When he ran to the room Hermione said out at the hospital, he saw Hermione, Ron, Sirius, Remus, the Weasley family, and the Slytherin group waiting outside. “Is he okay?” Draco asked anxiously. Hermione placed her hand gently on his shoulder, smiling broadly.

“They’re both fine. Go inside and see for yourself. I fought hard to keep anyone else from going in before you.”

Draco smiled gratefully at Hermione’s words and then pushed open the hospital door to step inside.

Harry was sitting on the bed, holding the baby in his arms. He looked up and saw Draco. Tears were streaming down his face. “He looks like… like Scorpius…”

—

“Hyperion… Honey, what’s wrong?”

Harry and Draco had entered Hyperion’s room after hearing his screams, waking him up. When Hyperion woke, he hugged both of them tightly and cried for minutes.

“I’m sorry... I… I didn’t want to go with him... He forced me... I didn’t go… I listened to Papa…” Hyperion’s words made Draco and Harry look at each other. Both of them were frozen.

“I’m sorry... I caused your deaths... I’m sorry...”

“No, sweetheart,” Harry interrupted, cupping Hyperion’s face in his hands. “We’re here, see? I’m here, and your dad is here. We’re alive, my dear.”

“But…” Hyperion whispered, still crying. “You always called me Scorpius. You never used my middle name. You don’t remember! Because of me… Papa’s blue eye and the scratches on my dad’s face are because of me… You don’t remember!”

Harry looked at Hyperion frozen, but Draco quickly stepped in. “Hyperion, do you remember we entered the room to save you?”

Hyperion looked at Draco with teary eyes. He pressed his lips together and nodded. “Really… Do you remember too?”

“Oh, my little star…” Draco spoke to Hyperion as he always called Scorpius. Hyperion started crying again. Draco hugged him tightly.

“I’m sorry, Dad... I’m sorry…”

“It’s okay, sweetheart.” Draco smiled through his tears, looking at Harry. Tears streamed down Harry’s face too. Both were feeling the happiness of an unexpected miracle.

Lily Evans Potter had been right.