Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Freedom Bound in Chains	By : TaintedSensibly Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Slash - Male/Male Views: 58477 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 13
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Harry Potter characters. I did not make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 54
- 55
- 56
Playdate
It had only been a week since the magazine had come out. They still hadn’t read it. Draco had been in the interview after all. He knew what it would say. Besides, the glowing faces of Lucius and Narcissa the day after it had arrived said it all. Today they were going on a playdate to the Parkinson’s, and Draco wondered if the magazine would change the way others would react to them.
They looked elegant yet casual as they walked the half mile to the ward boundary. Harry wore a tan coat, a pale green vest and a dark green, wide silk ribbon around his neck tied in a bow that hung downward. His black shorts fell mid thigh and he wore knee high black silk socks and loafers. Draco wore a white button-up, a royal blue vest, black pants, and his sneakers.
Narcissa had argued about the shoes, but Draco compromised by allowing her to trim his hair to his chin. She herself wore a floor-length white summer dress with small blue flowers around the trim and bodice. Taking the boys’ hands, she gave them a smile and Apparated. Upon arrival, she swayed, using Draco’s shoulder to help her keep her feet. It had only been a little more than three months since she had drained her magic dangerously low in the blood ritual to look for Draco. She hadn’t cast a single spell since then, letting her core recharge and recover. Side-Apparating both boys with her would have been impossible over long distance, but the Parkinson’s home wasn’t far.
“Are you okay, Narcissa?” Harry asked worriedly, talking her other hand.
Pulling a handkerchief from her pocket, she patted her forehead. “I’m fine, Harry. Thank you. Just a little dizzy.”
The boys waited patiently for her to recover, looking around curiously.
They stood on the lawn of a house about a quarter the size of Malfoy Manor. It had three floors, but it was taller than it was wide with only two windows on either side of the front doors. It was beautiful though. Off-white with a flowering vine that nearly covered the whole front of the house. It had lots of windows, and wild flowers grew alongside the front walkway.
When Narcissa felt more recovered, she led them through the open iron gates, down the dirt drive, and up the three steps to the front door. It opened immediately. A young woman welcomed them in. She had strawberry blond hair up in a bun and wore a grey skirt that fell jus past the knee and a white blouse. Her eyes widened upon seeing the boys and a slight blush rose to her cheeks.
“Welcome, Lady Malfoy. Madam Parkinson will attend you in the garden.”
Narcissa didn’t respond, merely inclined her head to signal she’d heard.
The garden was out the back. They transversed a long hallway with art on the walls and elegant wallpaper. The back doors were glass and were left open, revealing a beautiful scene of hills and wild flowers. There was a table for nine set up to the side set with a linen table cloth and silverware. They were ready for an elegant luncheon.
Mrs. Parkinson stood to greet them, wearing a lavender dress that fell to her knees. She had a warm smile and excitement in her eyes as she took Narcissa’s hands and kissed her cheek. “Narcissa, good of you to come.”
“Of course, Amaryllis.” Narcissa returned the kiss. She turned and smiled down at the dark-haired little girl standing so politely at her mother’s side, her cheeks rosy with a blush. “Good day, Miss Pansy. How are you?”
“Very well, Lady Narcissa. Thank you for asking,” Pansy piped and gave a curtsy.
“Thank you for having us,” Harry responded, smiling sweetly. He gave her a short bow.
Narcissa’s smile grew. She looked to the boys. “You may play while I catch up with Mrs. Parkinson.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Harry answered.
Draco led Harry off by the hand, Pansy following without compliant. He could see a hedge maze and he thought it would be fun to try it. The one at the manor had become so familiar it hardly counted as a maze now.
“I like your dress,” Harry complimented.
Pansy’s whole face turned pink. “Thanks. Mum bought it special for today. You look very nice, too.”
Harry blushed happily. “Thank you. Draco chose it.”
They walked silently for a time, figuring out the twists and turns of the maze when they heard a kid call out from behind them. “Pansy! Where are you?”
Pansy must have recognized the voice for she yelled back, “Vincent, Gregory! Over here!”
The two big blonds from Harry’s birthday party came around the corner. They had dress shirts, pants, and vests on: one wore green, the other black. Harry tensed and moved closer to Draco.
Tightening his hand around his boy’s, Draco gave a fake grin. “Hey, Greg, Vince. Nice to see ya again.”
The boys blinked at him for a moment before smiling. “Hiya, Draco,” Greg said happily.
“Want to play Hide and Seek?” Draco asked. He’d gotten a feel for the maze and had found the center already. It wasn’t nearly as large as the one at the manor.
“Okay,” Pansy agreed, although hesitantly. She’d rather talk some more.
“Harry and I will count first, okay? You got to stay in the maze,” Draco ordered and began counting.
The two boys ran off. Pansy went in the opposite direction, giggling.
“They won’t hurt you, you know,” Draco said, turning to Harry and stroking his cheek gently.
Harry ducked his head - shame regret. “Sorry, Draco.”
Draco smiled and kissed the top of his head. “It’s okay. Come on. Let’s show these kids how to win this game!”
Harry smiled faintly and followed him into the maze.
They must have played for over an hour before moving on to other things. Draco had won every game, much to Pansy’s frustration. Harry had taken his jacket and green ribbon off, leaving him in just his vest and short-sleeved white shirt. He was smiling as he picked flowers with Pansy. Draco watched over him from his position perched in a tree. Greg and Vince were busy trying to climb up next to him. It took them a while, but eventually the two boys managed to get on a branch, panting and sweating.
“Great job,” he praised them and their faces lit up. Grey eyes watchful, he asked, “You don’t get told that a lot, do you?”
Greg shook his head. “Nope. We’re dumb. Don’t do things right.”
Draco considered them thoughtfully. “You don’t understand some things, but you’re more clever than people give you credit for.”
“Things… get… jumbled… sometimes,” Vince admitted quietly. He spoke slowly, but his words were clear and to the point. Draco could bet not many people had the patience to wait and listen for Vince to finish what he was trying to say, so he’d ended up not talking very much at all. Greg was their mouthpiece.
Draco sat quietly, just enjoying the day and the other boys’ undemanding presence.
The woman in grey came looking for them not too much later, calling them to lunch.
“Who is she?” Draco asked as he began to climb down.
Vince answered in his slow, clear way, happy that he’d met someone who wouldn’t get impatient and cut him off. “Her name’s… Lucy. She’s the… Parkinson servant.”
Jumping the last few feet, Draco brushed off his clothes. “What about House Elves?”
“They’re expensive. And the family has to be strong to bind them to their blood,” Greg answered as he jumped down next to Draco.
“You have… two, right?” Vince asked. He was scared to jump, so he was climbing down more carefully than Draco or Greg.
Draco shrugged. “Yeah.”
Vince finally made it to the ground and smiled at the smaller blond. “That’s… really… impress-ive.”
Greg nodded his head.
“Boys! Come on!” Pansy demanded, further up the path, waving her arm. “Lunch is ready!”
Harry, in contrast, stood next to her patiently, hands folded in front of him, his head slightly bowed forward.
Draco smiled at his boy, taking his hand.
Mrs. Goyle and Mrs. Crabbe were at the table along with Narcissa and Mrs. Parkinson. There were chairs set next to each of them and the children took them after receiving Refreshing Charms from Lucy to clean them of sweat and cool them off. Harry was back in his day jacket, the wide ribbon tied neatly around his throat, the two ends of the bow hanging elegantly.
Lunch was filled with polite small talk. Harry had warmed up to the bigger boys by this point. He was set next to Greg and he quietly corrected him if he were about to use the wrong fork or spoon. Draco did the same to Vince on the other side of Narcissa. Mostly the women dominated the conversation, talking about fashion, the weather, their kids and their hobbies. Pansy demonstrated her singing skills, singing A Little Country Garden and earning their polite applause. When Vince and Greg were prompted to tell about their hobbies, Mrs. Crabbe answered for them, clearly not willing to wait through her son’s plodding answer. and explained they were both good at swimming and horseback riding.
Mrs. Goyle agreed with a twitter. “Oh yes. My Gregory is very athletic.” She turned her brown eyes to Draco and Harry, blushing and excited. “And what activities interest you, young Malfoy, Mr. Potter?”
Draco had to think about it when he was asked what his hobbies were. Unlike with Vincent, no one rushed him. Eventually he answered, “I find maths and fencing to be the most enjoyable.”
“That’s very intelligent,” Ms. Parkinson gushed. “I’m sure you’ll make a fine business man someday.”
Mrs. Crabbe and Mrs. Goyle echoed her.
“What about you, Harry?” Narcissa asked, noticing the boy looked a little wide-eyed at the question.
“Oh, I’m grateful for everything you teach me,” Harry insisted, voice soft and sweet as he looked up at her through his fringe.
The women cooed and twittered at this, but Draco wanted a more solid answer.
“But what do you think is the most fun?” he pressed.
Harry fidgeted for a moment, but when Draco mentally reminded him about his public mask, he lifted his head up and met Narcissa’s eyes. Red-faced, he admitted, “I like gardening and reading very much.”
“Very nice!” Mrs. Parkinson approved. “You both have a physical hobby as well as an intellectual one.”
Narcissa smiled proudly.
Talk then moved to Hogwarts and Quidditch. Families were always welcome to pay for a ticket to watch the Quidditch games at the school. Pansy’s older brother was in his final year and played Chaser. Mrs. Parkinson invited Narcissa and the boys to join her for the first game of the season during the second weekend of November. Narcissa thanked her for the invitation, not yet committing to go.
The children were freed to play after the meal. Pansy showed them to a pond where they fed the fish with leftover bread from lunch. Dark hair in pigtails, she pouted as she threw the bread in the water.
“It’s not fair you all have horses! Father still hasn’t gotten me one.”
Vince and Greg just stared at her, not sure what to do, but Draco took a seat comfortably in the grass and promised to ask Narcissa to invite them over so they could all ride together. Pansy practically tackled him with a hug, squealing and thanking him over and over.
They didn’t stay much longer after that. They made their polite goodbyes and Narcissa Apparated them all home.
“Did you enjoy today?” she asked as they sat just within the Malfoy wards. She looked white as a ghost and her voice was faint.
“Yes,” Draco admitted. He gave her an inquiring look. “Pansy would like to come over to ride the horses.”
“And Vince wants to learn how to garden,” Harry added, eyes bright.
She smiled, some color returning to her cheeks. “I think that can be arranged.”
“This if for you, Narcissa.” On Harry’s palm rested a flower-ring created by carefully braiding the stems together. “Pansy showed me how to make them.”
Narcissa accepted the ring gratefully. “Thank you, Harry.” She pulled him closer to kiss his forehead. “I’ll ask Lucius to charm it so that it stays fresh.” She slipped it on her thumb and admired it, tilting it slightly one way and then another.
Harry blushed - happy.
…
A week or so after their playdate, September 21st arrived. Dobby woke them just before dawn with excitement and flapping ears, instructing them to wear warm sweaters and pants, but to remain barefoot. Curious, the boys dressed and went to the breakfast room. Lucius and Narcissa were dressed similarly, except Narcissa wore a wool skirt with her sweater.
They welcomed the boys warmly, the room lit by dozens of candles, and explained as they ate that it was Mabon, a spiritual day that marked the Autumn equinox. A day when light and dark, day and night, were perfectly in balance. It was a day to renew the wards, be thankful for all the blessings in their life, and to prepare for the darkness of the winter months.
“We will begin by renewing the wards. It will take us through to lunch. After we eat, we will go to Diagon Alley and contribute to the harvest booths where those who are less fortunate can come and eat freely and gather supplies without charge,” Lucius continued.
“Then we will go to an apple orchard and pick our own apples to bring home for Lottie to use,” Narcissa chimed in. It was clearly her favorite part of the day from the twinkle in her eye. “After dinner, we will give thanks at our altar.”
Draco looked at Harry and shrugged.
The boys took the robes they were handed. They were a simple black, much like their school robes would be except without a crest. Lucius and Narcissa put on similar robes. Draco was intrigued. Lucius wore robes regularly, especially if he were about to conduct business, but he usually left them hanging open and he’d never seen Narcissa in a Wizarding robe before. It gave Mabon a mysterious and exciting feel.
Lucius gave each boy a clay bowl while Narcissa carried one green candle and one brown. Once they were outside, Lucius instructed Draco to fill his bowl with dirt near the front door. Draco did so. They walked clockwise around the outside of the house and collected dirt near the back door. Then Lucius led them off to the south where a small stone altar was placed near the ground. The sun had risen and they watched as Narcissa set her candles on either end and indicated for the boys to set their bowls in the center.
“This ritual will strengthen the wards and help reinforce the bond between them and our family.” Lucius explained, his grey eyes bright as he spilled a pouch of iron spikes in front of the altar. The sun rising on their left, he said in a loud clear voice, “Dark and light, equal parts at the time of Mabon. Fire and earth, together. Balance, harmony, security, these things shall be mine.”
Harry was instructed to grab the green candle and Draco one of the bowls. Narcissa knelt gracefully and gathered up the iron spikes. She began to mutter over them, whispering things that made this land home. Things like dinners, and parties, and lessons, and making love, and loss, and ritual magic, and family portraits… They began the lengthy journey around the boundary of the Malfoy property, traveling again in a clockwise direction.
“Feel the energy of your land, and the way in which you connect with it,” Lucius instructed, voice gentle and introspective. “Open yourself to the energy here. Let your magic mix and add to the energy of our home.”
A charge had grown in the air. It made the hair on their arms stand on end. Occasionally, for no reason they could discern Narcissa would stop and set a nail into the dirt so that it stuck up like a golf tee. Lucius would hold his hand over the iron nail. His head tilted back, eyes closed, he took a deep breath in and slowly let it out. Magic seemed to strike from his hand and the nail was shoved down, deep into the earth.
Voice deep and oddly resonant, Lucius intoned, “Iron - strength unyielding - protect my home, my family and me. Keep out that which would cause us harm.”
Draco and Harry might not know why Narcissa had chosen that spot, but they could feel a ripple in the energy around them, a buzz almost. They set down thirteen nails when they reached the halfway point and they came to another altar. It had been an hour at least. The air wasn’t nearly as chilly as the morning wore on.
Harry was instructed to set his bowl in the center and for Draco to press the candle into the dirt so that it wouldn’t topple. As soon as Draco released it, it lit magically with a bright flare.
Lucius again intoned, “Dark and light, equal parts at the time of Mabon. Fire and earth, together. Balance, harmony, security, these things shall be mine.”
They continued around the property, nailing the iron spikes and making the wards buzz, until they reached the first altar. The second bowl was already there, so Draco took up the second candle and pressed it into the dirt. Again it lit magically, flaring up with a whoosh.
“Dark and light, equal parts at the time of Mabon. Fire and earth, together. Balance, harmony, security, these things shall be mine.”
They stood reflectively for a moment before Lucius turned to them with bright eyes. “I’m sure you are hungry. Let’s go eat lunch and change before we head to Diagon with our donations.”
They ate sandwiches for lunch and talked of inconsequential things. Harry and Draco chose to wear the same clothes they had worn for their playdate, except Draco also put on a dark blue blazer. Diagon was busy. People were talking loudly - shopping, eating and laughing. Families were there in droves. The shrieks of children could be heard and the cry of babies.
Lucius and Narcissa cut through the throng, expressions remote as they ignored the pointed fingers and excited chatter they left in their wake. They made sure the boys stayed close while Lottie and Dobby carried their boxes of gifts and food that they set on the harvest tables for any and all who needed them. The witch who worked behind the tables organizing the items gushed about how generous they were. A few flashes went off as pictures were taken by journalists and fans. Lucius and Narcissa ignored it, but Draco scowled and held tightly to Harry’s hand.
They weren’t there for more than an hour, fortunately, before Lucius Apparated them to the orchard Narcissa had visited ever since she was a child. It was her favorite. So many trees all in rows, the shadows and bright sun danced together under their canopy. It was beautiful. Everything smelled green and fresh. Birds chirped and a cool breeze whistled through the leaves.
“Tresillian House and Garden is open by appointment only,” Narcissa told them excitedly. “They have more than eighty-five varieties of Cornish apples as well as medlars and quince. The restored walled garden also contains cordons of historic varieties of apples, pears, peaches and cherries. All of which are organic and planted using lunar cycles.”
They were given baskets, which they spelled to float beside them. The boys were unsure at first, but soon they were running down the rows, searching for the more interesting specimens. Lucius and Narcissa walked hand and hand, enjoying the day and the boys’ happiness. Their baskets were filled before long. Red-faced and smiling, apple juice stains on their chins, the boys took Lucius’s hands and were Apparated back to the manor.
They delivered their baskets to the kitchen, got cleaned up, and had a big meal with roast pig and tons of vegetables. Draco was sure his stomach would pop. Once dinner was done, they donned the robes once more and kicked off their shoes, going barefoot out into the evening.
Narcissa smiled and took Harry’s hand, Draco and Lucius followed, and they all returned to the southern altar, the sun setting on their right to the west. Once they got there, she released Harry’s small hand and reached up to unbind her hair. It fell in a golden wave to the small of her back and floated on the breeze.
“While we celebrate the gifts of the earth, we also accept that the soil is dying. We have food to eat, but the crops are brown and going dormant. Warmth is behind us, cold lies ahead,” she began, pulling two apples out of each of her robe pockets. She handed one to each of them. “The apple is a symbol of the Divine. Apple trees are representative of wisdom and guidance.”
She turned her back and faced west, cupping her apple in the palm of her hands. She lifting it toward the setting sun. Lucius mimicked her and a few seconds later Draco and Harry followed. Narcissa spoke, rhythmic and ritualistic, almost like a song.
“The apple is sacred, a symbol of the gods, and holds the knowledge of the ancients inside. Tonight I ask the gods to bless me with their wisdom.” She turned to the altar and set her apple next to the bowl of earth with the still burning candle. A spell severed the apple in half, revealing the seeds in the middle. “Five points in a star, hidden inside. One for earth, one for air, one for fire, one for water, and the last for spirit.”
Lifting her hands, she turned back to the west and the dying sun. “I call upon the wise ones, the ancient gods to hear my devout prayer. As the sun moves away and fire fades to be replaced with the chill of the night, I will reflect on the guidance of the gods and let the cool autumn rains that will come wash over me, cleansing my heart and soul.”
Lucius stepped forward, placing his apple on the altar. Draco and Harry gave him a questioning look and he nodded. They set their apples next to his. Draco shared a look with Harry. They could feel a deep thrum of power under their feet, as if the very earth was listening and breathing.
Lucius took out a wooden goblet from his pouch and a small flask of dark red wine. He filled the goblet and set it on the altar and stepped back.
Narcissa took up the goblet. She lifted it to the darkness, the sun having set. “The wild god returns this night to the belly of the Mother. The mother goddess tonight becomes the Crone. As the Wheel of the Year turns, the earth dies a bit each day. I willingly follow the old gods into the darkness, where they will watch over me, protect me, and keep me safe.”
She sipped from the goblet and passed it to Lucius who also drank. He passed it to Draco. The blond sniffed it and wrinkled his nose at the smell. He considered his parents for a long moment. They didn’t seem affected by drinking, so he shrugged and took a sip. It felt warm and unexpectedly thick, like honey. Eyes narrowed suspiciously, he waited, but nothing else happened. Slowly, he passed it to Harry, not sure he approved. Harry obediently sipped from the wooden goblet and handed it back to Narcissa.
She used the rest of the wine to pour over the candle, extinguishing it. As soon as the flame went out, Draco felt an almost electric current run through his veins. Sparking and snapping, his magic practically hummed deep in his core in response. The - surprise - through the bond told him Harry must feel similarly.
“The wild god has gone to rest in the Underworld. I look to the darkness for renewal and rebirth.” She pressed her fingers into the wine-dampened earth in the bowl. “Earth, symbol of security and stability, bring peace and harmony into my home at this season of thanksgiving. May my family be well, my house be a haven, and my table be one of hospitality. May the earth, the soil, the land, ground me and protect me and those whom I love, and that which I call mine. My property shall be a safe place, a secure place, a harmonious place for all those who enter. As I will, so it shall be.” Narcissa then took out the candle and set it aside, handing Draco the bowl of wet earth. “Take a handful and scatter the earth back over our property. With it, say thanks for something you appreciate in your life.”
Draco pressed his hand inside. He expected the dirt to be cold, but it was warm just as the wine had been. He looked over at the smaller boy at his side. “I’m thankful I have Harry.”
- devotion self-doubt - rushed through the bond as Harry ducked his head.
Draco flung a handful of the earth back toward the manor. It flew farther and wider than it should have and a wave of energy pulsed through the ground. Eyes wide, he passed the bowl to Harry.
“I…” Harry was awash with - deep gratitude unworthiness - It was clear he didn’t know how to say what he wanted to say. In the end he said a quick, “Thank you for everything.” He flung the dirt and again it seemed to fly through the air blown by invisible winds. Again a pulse of energy shivered through the ground.
Lucius took the bowl next. “I am thankful my family is whole once more.” He flung the dirt back toward their home. The energy pulse was stronger, a physical tremor running through the ground and rushing toward the manor.
Narcissa took the bowl last. “I am grateful our son has returned and with him the one who completes him.” She flung the rest of the bowl and it scattered far and wide.
The tremor was even stronger this time. The wind blew, whipping Narcissa’s hair about. The air felt electric. Narcissa laughed and took Harry’s hand. Draco smiled, feeling light and free, and chased after them as they spun and ran. Lucius kept pace with Draco, teeth flashing in a wild grin. It didn’t last long, but they were red-cheeked and panting by the time they reached the front door of the manor.
“Thank you both for celebrating with us,” Narcissa told them, stroking each of their heads as they parted at the staircase. “Have a restful night sleep.”
“Goodnight,” Harry called sleepily, hand secure and warm in Draco’s grip as he led them up to bed.
Draco decided that Mabon wasn’t so bad. It was something he wouldn’t mind doing again next year. The - happy contentment - from Harry told him that his boy felt the same.
“Love you, Draco,” Harry whispered in the dark as they snuggled under their blankets.
Draco smiled tenderly and pet Harry’s hair. * Love you, * he whispered into Harry’s mind as they both fell into a deep, restful sleep.
…
September came to a close and October arrived. They arrived at the Leaky Cauldron and found Andromeda waiting for them. She smiled and welcomed them warmly. Draco was alert for any hint of disapproval or discomfort, but he saw none. That either meant she was good at hiding it or she had actually come to terms with them being together. It didn’t matter to him either way. All that mattered was that she didn’t upset Harry.
Andromeda did, however, have new rules. Due to Dora being at Hogwarts, the boys were no longer allowed to run about freely. Either Andromeda, Ted, or Remus would escort them wherever they wanted to go in the city. Draco argued, but Andromeda was firm and eventually he gave in.
They continued their studies in science, math, and reading in the evenings, but their days were spent out of the apartment. Remus helped them join a neighborhood youth baseball league, which practiced two afternoons a week and played a game every weekend. They saw movies, went to museums, and Andromeda took them to restaurants from many different countries. They tried sushi, ate Chinese and Indian curry, had Mexican and Greek. Andromeda always taught them about each country while they ate. She was very intelligent and knew a lot about many subjects, but it was Ted who made the biggest impression on them.
It started when they went to work with him one day at his invitation. Tonks’ Clocks was in London, a small little store, and although it was completely Muggle, it felt magical. The store had warm wooden walls and an event darker wooden floor, polished and shinning. It was lit with soft yellow-white lamps and had an open floor plan with the walls lined floor to ceiling with wooden clocks of all shapes and sizes.
The artistry and craftsmanship was obvious even to their young eyes. There were desk clocks, grandfather clocks, wall clocks, lamp clocks, mantle clocks, wrist watches, and so much more. Dark wood, red wood, white wood, golden wood - every type of wood imaginable. They had gold and silver watches and clocks as well. Vines, flowers, animals - so many things were carved into some of their surfaces. Ted led them to the back to the workshop. They met Edward Tonks Sr. He didn’t have even a bit of magic. He was a jolly older man in a leather apron and thick glasses. While Ted manned the store and did simple repairs upfront, Edward showed them how to carve, how to feel the grain and work with the wood.
“You have to reveal the shape it was meant to be, not force it,” he told them with a wink.
The workshop smelled of natural oils, woods, and soft metals, and the soft comforting ticking of the clocks in the showroom filled the air. It was fun, and the boys were happy to go again if Ted wanted to take them. Harry especially was fascinated, which didn’t surprise Draco in the least. Harry loved beautiful things. Draco was more interested in the store aspect. How much did they sell on average? How much did it cost to buy supplies and tools? How much was rent? Ted was taken aback by the surprisingly business-savvy questions, but he chalked it up to Lucius’s tutelage.
On another day, halfway through October, Ted also took them to his art studio, which was off of Diagon Alley in the magical district. The building was huge, more like a warehouse, with three levels. The center was open all the way to the roof and you could see all the balconies of each level from the ground floor. There were dozens of studios that were rented by various magical artists and various art pieces were on display like a museum. Ted’s space was on the second floor. It was small but it was a corner room, so it had two windows - one on either wall.
Harry stared in awe at Ted’s newly finished painting of the ocean floor. It was filled with shadows with the occasional beam of light piercing the gloom and giving glimpses of fantastic and mythical things hidden in the underwater depths. It was breathtaking.
Ted caressed the painting fondly. “It’s definitely one of my favorites,” he admitted. “The trick to magical painting is to be open to your own magic and to inspiration. You have to create it layer by layer until it solidifies into a living, breathing landscape. I’ll show you.”
He set Harry and Draco up with brushes and charmed paint. He had them paint the outline of a cat that batted at a yarn ball. Draco’s cat’s eyes kept appearing and disappearing. Harry’s had the ball of yarn batting at the cat instead of the other way around. It was fun, and they all had a good laugh.
All too soon, October was ending. Draco and Harry were disappointed to learn that England didn’t celebrate Halloween in the same way as America did. There were some decorations in stores and Halloween themed food items, but dressing up and trick-or-treating wasn’t done - except for the occasional Halloween party teenagers and young adults would go to.
However, the magical district did celebrate, if a little differently. Halloween was called Samhain. It was a time when the veil between the living and dead was at its thinest. It was a feast day; families would get together and have a big meal and reminisce about the dead and leave food and offerings for anyone recently departed. Pumpkins were carved with scary faces to scare off any evil spirits from the home. It was a time for ghost stories and harvest games.
This year Andromeda had arranged for them to attend a community bonfire and Samhain celebration. She promised them they would have fun since the other families who were going had children their age. She also, of course, invited Remus. Fortunately it wasn’t near the full moon, so he was able to accept.
Remus arrived shortly after lunch and he brought a photo album. He made sure to get Draco’s permission before showing Harry. The blond had agreed on the condition that Remus presented it in a casual way. If Harry began to get upset, he had to change the subject. Remus had agreed.
Andromeda was sitting at the table working on embroidering protective runes into some new robes for Dora. Ted was at the table with her, reading a paper. He had taken the day off so that he could spend time with them. Harry had just finished the dishes and came to sit on the couch with Remus and Draco.
“I have something to show you,” Remus said lightly, pulling the photo album into his lap. He smiled, his scars pulling slightly.
Harry looked at the first page of moving photographs curiously.
“These are from my time at Hogwarts,” Remus continued. He pointed to a picture of a lanky teen with half his face obscured by a book. He was sitting in a stone window. “That’s me as a Second-year. And this one here is of James and I. We were working on a Herbology project.”
Harry smiled as he saw the two pre-teen boys stand in the shallows of the lake with their pants rolled up to their knees and their shirts rolled up to their elbows.
“You look a lot like him,” Remus noted gently, watching for a negative reaction.
Harry’s eyes widened as he really realized what he was seeing. “That’s my…” - uncertainty nerves -
“Father. Yes.” Remus turned the page. “I found some of your mother. I had to owl a few classmates to get them. See, you have her green eyes.”
- sadness unease guilt - Harry stared at the picture of the little girl in her school robe sitting under a tree and laughing.
“Stop,” Draco ordered in a quiet, firm voice. He sank his hand into Harry’s hair, holding firmly. His grey eyes seemed to pierce into him. “It’s not your fault, Harry. They wanted to fight Voldemort. They died doing what they thought was right. It didn’t have anything to do with you.”
Tormented green eyes looked up at him beseechingly.
“It’s Samhain,” Draco explained. “Remus did a thoughtful thing for us. He wanted us to be able to see them when we think of them tonight. We’re also gonna remember Brendon.”
Harry relaxed - love gratitude sadness guilt. He felt conflicted about his parents. He understood they were murdered because they fought a bad guy in the war, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that it was his fault. The Dursleys’ hateful words still haunted him; part of him still believed them. His parents were dark figures, evil and guilty like him, dead like he should be, but they were also figures he used to long for and wish would save him when he still thought he could be saved.
He pushed aside the violently conflicting emotions. Draco wanted to remember them tonight when they thought of the dead: the Potters and Brendon. Draco wanted it, so it would be so, and that made things so much simpler. He leaned into Draco’s side and listen passively as Remus showed Draco the rest of the album. There weren’t more than twelve or so pictures.
As Draco listened to Remus’s stories and asked a few questions, Harry let the voices wash around him comfortingly. He watched from a safe distance the boy and girl in the photos who looked like him. He tried not to feel anything in particular and focused on the fact that Draco wanted to see his parents, and it was okay since Draco wanted it.
Remus felt near to crying by the time he got through the album. Harry had retreated. He was calm, but he was clearly unengaged. He wondered why Harry felt so strongly against connecting to his parents and suspected the answer would break his heart. The way Draco’s eyes had taken on a silver color told him all he needed to know about Harry’s emotional landscape at the moment.
Fortunately, Andromeda took over before things could get awkward. “Look at the time,” she said, voice light and cheerful. “We’d better head out if we’re to make it. Ted, darling, are you ready? Boys, why don’t you grab your coats.”
Draco hopped off the couch and led a passive Harry into their bedroom.
“Thank you, Remus,” Andromeda said sincerely, taking the album. “I’ll keep this for Harry when he’s more ready to receive it, and I’ll say a prayer for the Potters tonight.”
Remus gave her a wobbly smile. “Thank you, Dromeda.”
Ted came up and put his arm around his wife’s waist. He kissed her temple briefly before looking at Remus with compassionate eyes. “I will as well.”
Remus thanked them both again, but didn’t have time to say more. The boys had returned with their big winter coats on. They seemed subdued. The excitement from earlier had gone. Remus was upset he was the cause, but he hadn’t known what else to do. James and Lily deserved to be remembered, especially by their son.
Andromeda moved to the boys’ side and offered them a big wooden spoon. “Here we go,” she said with forced cheer. Her hair was pulled back into a pony tail, her lips painted red. “A finger on the portkey please.”
They all placed a finger on the spoon.
Smiling, Andromeda said, “Portus.”
Chapter end.
A/N: Sorry for the delay! I was working out how I was going to do the time jump to the boys’ First-year. I suspect it will come by chapter 60 or so. I’ll likely end this story and start a sequel at that time. Who’s excited?
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Freedom Bound in Chains