In the days that followed neither Hermione nor Ron had much opportunity to wonder about Harry. There had been a lot of work to be done upon returning to the Order. First everyone had to be convinced that this time Voldemort really was gone and that it hadn't been an elaborate hoax. Azkaban had been in an uproar from having a bunch of Death Eaters suddenly appear in their midst on what was supposed to be a totally secure island, so of course teams of aurors had been swarming over the place checking to make sure that no one could get out or in unless they were authorized. Then there was the fact that Lucius Malfoy had apparently appeared right in the front lobby of St. Mungo's where they had immediately institutionalized him and had to inform his wife, who had gone into hysterics. Then there was the mess of trying to convince the world at large that Voldemort was, indeed, really gone. It would be awhile before anyone believed that one.

So the centaur at Hogwart's gates on that early Saturday morning was not actually a pleasant sight. Having fully anticipated using her day off to laze about in bed, Hermione was not pleased to be dragged off to deal with more problems but she had been informed that the centaur was asking for herself and Ron. Reluctantly she tried to smooth her hair into some semblance of order, which had never worked too well, and went to meet whatever trouble awaited her now.

The centaur bowed deep upon sighting herself and a tossle haired Ron. "Greetings. We would apologize for the short notice but your presence has been requested. If you would follow?"

"What is it?" Hermione asked, curiosity piqued. Would she actually get to see where the centaurs lived? Usually they were rather elusive and shy, so few ever got to see their dwelling places or learn that much about them.

Tanan just stared at her, not answering the question.

"Lead on then mate." Ron spoke up.

Tanan led them surely into the Forbidden Forest, keeping an easy pace as he led them deeper and deeper into the woods. Finally they came within sight of a quaint little cabin in a small clearing and the centaur melted back into the woods.

On the far side of the cabin a large vegetable patch could be seen and on the side nearest them was a clothes line stretched between two trees, a few linens waving gaily in the air.

Suddenly the little door opened and Harry stood there, grin wide and unrestrained on his face. "There you are! I wondered when you guys would get here."

"Harry!" Somewhat to her surprise, even after everything that had happened and all the confusion, she was still glad to see him.

"Blimey Harry! You live 'ere?" Ron exclaimed.

Harry laughed and both of his friends were glad to see how happy he appeared. He had never been so unrestrainedly cheerful when they were younger.

"Been living here for almost six years now. Don't tell Dumbledore though. Now there's a headache I don't need! He'll find out soon enough anyway. Why don't you two come in?"

He led them into the interior of his home. It was small and bordered on being cramped with the three of them trying fit inside but it still remained light and bright from the window and the bunch of ferns and wildflowers that sat on the checkered tablecloth. Plants hung upside down from the rafters drying and there was a cupboard up against one wall with a basket of vegetables on it. A door was set into the back wall where a recent addition had been added, the wood a fresh new color that the rest of the house had already passed through on its way to the aged mature look.

"It's lovely Harry. The complete opposite of Fred and George's new place. They had to get a bigger building for the joke shop and they're living in the apartment overhead now." Hermione said.

"Really? I'll bet your mom threw a fit when they moved out, eh Ron?"

The red head groaned. "You have no idea. It was horrible trying to live with her after that. And of course she's been worried sick about you."

"Really? Well, she needn't have worried. This is the safest place in the universe."

"Was…was that why you were here?" Hermione asked carefully.

Harry's eyes darkened. "Yes. No. It depends on what I'm supposed to be safe from."

Before anyone could say anything to that cryptic comment, the door swung open and Draco Malfoy stood there, an absurd floppy brimmed hat on his head and thick work gloves on.

"If you brought a weasel in the house does this mean I can finally bring my squirrel inside?" The tone was light and teasing. Ron wasn't sure if he should be insulted or not.

Harry made a face. "Your squirrel isn't housetrained. And I don't know why you couldn't find it squirrel food instead of feeding it our food."

"Good grooming habits should be rewarded." Malfoy said loftily.

Hermione and Ron watched the exchange with something akin to awe.

Finally Ron asked the question Hermione never would have. "What's he doing here?"

Draco leered at them. "What are you doing here? I live here."

"Stop teasing them Malfoy." He turned his attention back to his friends. "He found this place. It's come in very handy. Although we'll probably be moving soon anyway."

"Oh?" Now there was a question that she could ask without being rude that would help with her enormous curiosity.

"Yeah. We're going to be running for office at the ministry of magic during the next election. And we certainly don't want them finding this place."

"I'm sure it will serve someone else as it has served us." Draco said with something akin to affection.

"It will if you start that shelter like you said you were going to."

"Shelter? Shelter for what?" Ron wanted to know.

"Abuse victims. People down on their luck. That sort of thing."

"Muggles you mean?" Ron asked blithely.

"Get your head out of the sand Weasel. That sort of thing happens to wizards too." Malfoy scoffed.

"And that's part of the reason I'm running for minister of magic. There are a lot of issues out there that are getting ignored and people need to know about them." Harry said solemnly.

Malfoy smirked. "Besides, we're through with old men running the world."

"Dumbledore…" Ron started and trailed off.

"Yes Ron?" Harry prompted.

Ron studied his friend who had changed so much over the six years since he'd last seen him. Then he looked over at the blonde man leaning against the wall, watching them all intently.

"You'd do a good job I guess. Running the world I mean. Are you really serious about that? Do you think you can get elected and all?"

Malfoy spoke up. "We're serious."

Harry looked at Malfoy and his face remained impassive even while his eyes shone so fiercely and with such determination. The two young men were so strange, such opposing reflections of each other.

"We will do it." He swore.

And the world warmed in his fist.

Author's Notes: Well, that's all folks. Thanks so much for making this as much fun as it was. You guys really make this worth while. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. Oh, and I might do a sequel, so keep an eye out. Anyway, review and let me know what you thought!