Warning: Graphic slash

April 30th, 1998

"At the end of my reveries
you're my redemption and my sin;
you and me joining our bare skin,
whispering your name to the breeze."

Ron finished reading aloud Draco's poem, putting the parchment on the bench. He fingered Draco's fine calligraphy on the soft vellum, mumbling, "Blimey, that's disturbing!"

Draco angrily put the parchment on his school bag, looking at the door of the locker room. He lifted an eyebrow, muttering, "Still a homophobe, Weasley? I'd thought that after all we've gone through-"

Ron interrupted him, raising his hand and brushing his fringe. "No, it isn't what you think, Draco. What if Harry tells Hermione about the poem?"

The redhead shuddered, recalling his girlfriend's tenacious streak. "She'll want me to write one too, and I'm piss at it!"

Draco took the leather gloves from his Quidditch kit, carelessly pulling aside his green Quidditch cloak. "Do not worry, Weasley. I'll dictate poems to you. I'll be your Cyrano, your Beedle!"

Ron frowned as he took out the case that contained the golden Snitches. "I don't need you to be my bard, Malfoy. Just... tell Harry to keep your poetry to himself, please!"

Draco sat on the wooden bench to adjust his black dragon leather boots. "I'll do it, but you know Harry, Ron. Once he's made up his mind..."

"... he doesn't change it," finished Weasley, sighing wearily. He took out his wand and cast Tempus, frowning at the results. "Where is he anyway? He's the one who insisted on playing you one on one!"

"Probably with your brothers." Draco looked sharply at his shiny boots, carefully moving his right heel to test the balance. "Or he might be escaping that crazy elf, Dobby."

Ron shook his head, watching Draco. "Leave your footgear alone, Malfoy. You're quite the narcissist, you know?"

"I'm only trying to look my best when I catch the Snitch before Harry!"

Ron snorted, hefting the small golden ball that would flutter its wings once it was activated. "In your dreams, Draco!"

The blond Slytherin smirked. "You're talking to the captain of the team that won the Quidditch Cup!"

The redhead went to the door of the locker room, turning his face to glare at Draco. "That was a fluke! And Harry caught the Snitch if you remember."

"Not before I got so many goals that it didn't matter whether he caught the Snitch or not." Draco brushed his green cloak, shifting from his right foot to his left as he gazed at his reflection in the mirror.

"Who would've believed you'd be a better Chaser than Seeker?" growled Ron, recalling the indignation of watching his beloved team lose as he sat on the stands. "You only scored so many 'cause I wasn't Keeper; it was that prat, McLaggen!"

The door opened, almost hitting Ron. "Watch out, will you!"

"Sorry, Ronniekins." Fred sauntered into the room. "What's taking you so long?"

George's voice came from outside. "Probably Draco is discussing with him how to tell Harry about the BJ."

Draco snorted, picking up his school bag. "Already told him; didn't get mad at me."

George walked into the room, throwing a potion vial to his twin, who deftly caught it in midair. "What did you tell him, oh cunning one?"

Draco fidgeted as he fingered one of his wands, touching the smooth hawthorn surface. "I told Harry he had the sudden urge to give me a BJ because you were testing one of your products."

Fred turned to his twin, winking. "Very sneaky... also cowardly. We might decide..."

"... to blackmail you..."

"... if we ever need to..."

"... keep you in line," finished George, gleefully rubbing his hands.

"What's a BJ?" Ron walked out the door, holding the leather case in his left hand as he bounced the immobile Snitch on his palm.

Fred draped an arm around his kid brother. "Do not fret your pretty head, Ron. You have no need to know what a BJ is, unless Hermione takes Polyjuice."

Ron squinted at his brother. "You too? McGonagall is always hinting that Hermione likes to change her body to do unseemly things. Mione's worried that McGonagall won't give her an Outstanding on her NEWTs and she'll lose to you." He pointed accusingly at Draco with the leather case.

"Granger is just afraid she'll end up second to me, as well she should be." Draco puffed up his chest.

"Conceited much?" said Fred.

Draco glared, a sarcastic reply on the tip of his tongue; but then Cho Chang greeted him. The Ravenclaw Seeker was walking next to Padma Patil, Blaise a few steps behind.

The blond scowled at his best friend who was whistling a melody he and Pansy had concocted called, 'Potter is our King for he catches the Snitch.'

The Slytherin duo was mad at Draco because they felt he'd neglected them since the fight where they finally got rid of Voldemort.

"Oi, Ron!" Blaise greeted Weasley warmly, clapping his shoulder as he ignored the fuming blond.

Draco thought they were only pretending to be mad; he suspected they just wanted to vent because Snape was driving all of his students bonkers in their final weeks at Hogwarts, preparing strange brews. The Headmaster was still teaching Potions, being unable to find an adequate substitute for his classes.

Cho smiled brightly at her fellow Seeker. She grabbed Draco's elbow, kissing him on the cheek. "Beat Harry for me, will you, Draco? I want that wet-kisser to lose."

"Cho, please! That was long ago!" Harry sauntered towards them, coming from the Pitch. He put a hand on his glasses to shield his eyes from the sun's glare. Because exams were coming up, the only moment they could play to find out who was the best Seeker was just before sunset.

Cho frowned at Harry whilst Padma put a calming hand on Chang's shoulder. "You just had to tell Hermione my kisses are wet and she told everyone! Boys didn't want to go out with me, let alone kiss me. All because of you, Harry Potter!"

"Mione is not a snitch!" retorted Ron angrily. "It was Lavender and your sister." He pointed at Padma, continuing in a softer tone. "They overheard and spread that tale!"

Cho shrugged, she wasn't that angry. She just liked to rile Harry up, taking a leaf out of Draco's teachings. She was happy enough that her fellow classmates no longer blamed her for tattling to Umbridge. Poor Marietta had to bear the brunt of their displeasure now.

After they arrived at the Pitch, Harry soundly kissed Draco as the girls cheered them on.

"Want to bet something?" Harry cocked an eyebrow, a mannerism he picked up from Draco.

"No, Harry. I'm sure I'll beat you; don't need any bet to insure that."

The group saw several adults walking toward them. Sirius Black was striding purposefully just behind Remus and Severus.

The Marauder caught up with the Headmaster and whispered something in his ear. Snape shook his head, nodding grudgingly to the students.

"What were you telling Sev?" Remus looked around, a bit fearful that Dobby would suddenly appear. The fanatical house-elf had become a big fan of Sirius and had the habit of following the Marauder, together with the ever-grumbling Kreacher.

Sirius went to his godson, ruffling his hair. "Oi, Harry! Remy, I asked Severus if he'd prepared the potion."

"What potion?" Remus frowned worriedly; now that Voldemort was gone for good Sirius had reacquired his old habit of pranking people, aided by the Weasley twins. Molly hadn't helped when she insisted the twins had to finish school or face her formidable wrath.

"The one that will get rid of your lycanthropy." Sirius fingered his goatee, winking at Harry.

"You're just taking the piss, Siri, aren't you?" Remus thwacked Sirius on the head. "Now you turn out to be a Potions Master too?"

Sirius rubbed his hair. "Don't be so violent, Remus, or I'll tell Tonks! And for your information I got the potion from another reality where they cured lycanthropy!"

The two Seekers jumped on their brooms and rose to the air after Ron let go of the Snitch.

George eyed the Headmaster, expecting him to be the referee but Snape just handed a pair of binoculars to Cho.

"Really? Is there a cure? I gave up hope long ago." Remus stared wistfully towards the castle and the forlorn branches of the Whomping Willow in the distance, remembering all the troubles he had to hide his lycanthropy while at Hogwarts.

"It's something I picked up in another realm." Sirius crossed his arms as he gazed skyward, following his godson, hurtling through the air chased by Draco. The two boys feinted each other, swerving right and left of the brightly coloured stands as they followed the Snitch, glinting in the twilight.

"Are you serious?"

Sirius rolled his eyes as if to say, 'Aren't I always?'

Severus coughed, his grave mien betraying no emotions as he quipped sarcastically, "Indeed. I have it ready, Remus. It's a pity that there will be only one... mutt left to mock."

Remus took aside his friend, whispering, "You prank everyone, Sirius. How come you don't prank Draco?" He waved to one of his favourite students, Luna Lovegood, who was skipping towards them moving in a random fashion. Maybe she did not want to disturb strange magical animals.

The Marauder winked at Remus. "Moony, I need Draco so he can save me in the future with the Elder wand... the Golden Bough... whatever."

Sirius smiled in a sinister fashion, rubbing his hands. "Once the dragon does that, I have a great prank to play on him, involving Moody."

Meanwhile, Luna had looked up at the sky, following the tiny figures of the Seekers. "Draco had better watch out for the gobblemassels. They come out in force around this time." She squinted at Ron and Hermione. "Well, who is going to comment the game?"

Harry was too busy ogling Draco's lean form to care much for the Snitch. In the waning twilight, Draco's hair sparkled as if it was spun of finest silver. The Slytherin's strong legs gripped the broom. Harry sighed, gripping his new broom. Wish he had his legs wrapped around me!

Draco's green robe flapped in front of Harry as the blond swerved to avoid the Gryffindor stands. Harry was startled, almost stamping himself on the canvas. With a swift movement of his hand, Harry leaned his body to the right and evaded that fate.

"Scared, Potter?" taunted Draco as he flew above Harry. The Gryffindor squinted at his boyfriend, sure in the knowledge that Draco was his, that they had a future together.

His painful journey had been worth it because Harry recovered his love and his best friends, together with Sirius, Remus and Snape.

"You wish!" shouted Harry joyfully as he sped towards the Snitch. He turned to smirk at Draco but at that moment the fluttering golden ball flew to Harry's right, evading his grasp as if it was a summer dream - or one of those memories that still haunted him sometimes. Draco dancing away in the arms of Boot and leaving Harry alone during their graduation ball as the Weird Sisters sang the song he hated with a passion, 'A cauldron full of hot, strong love.'

Harry smiled when he saw his faithful friend flying towards him, her white wings spread wide as she flew over the southernmost hoop.

However, his happiness stopped when Hedwig hurtled past him, hooting angrily.

"I'm sorry I haven't been to see you, Hedwig."

"HOOT!"

"Been busy saving the world, again." But Hedwig glared at Harry, her wings flapping majestically in the air current that lifted her above the Gryffindor.

"You're crazy, Harry. Talking to your owl!" Draco drawled, flying next to Harry and Hedwig.

"Like I haven't heard you talking to yours!" retorted Harry.

"A word of advice, Harry. Treat her like a Slytherin."

Harry looked sharply at his boyfriend who sped away. He remembered Draco talking about his owl and Hedwig. Shaking his head, Harry decided to use that knowledge to win his owl's good graces, like a Slytherin.

"I reckon I wouldn't be adverse if you hooked up with that handsome owl, Chibigon."

"Hoot?"

"Really, Hedwig. You and he contrast nicely, light and dark if you get my meaning."

"Hoot!"

Hedwig gazed at her understanding master and flew towards the Owlery, hooting affectionately.

The Gryffindor flew towards Draco, hovering above the centre of the Pitch. Harry drank in the sight of his blond lover; the sunlight made him look as if he was enveloped in a golden glow. His hair in disarray - cheeks blushing and stormy eyes sparkling - Draco smiled lovingly at Harry and flew towards the Snitch.

This was worth all the trouble in the world; the love and companionship of Draco, his equal and friend at last.

Harry dimly heard Luna commenting from a makeshift magical amplifier. "After that owl interlude - Harry, you should pay attention to your pets - the Slytherin follows the Snitch, deftly evading the angry gobblemassel that feeds off smirking boys. Though now Harry seems lost in his world. 'Hogwarts calling Harry!' You're losing the-"

Ron grabbed the microphone and shouted to his best friend, "Mate, don't let Draco beat you! I have plenty of confid-"

Fred yelled into the microphone, "Ron means he bet me 20 Galleons against Draco, Harry! Don't let him fool you!"

Harry smiled and waved at his friends below; tiny speckles of black, gold and red against the green of the Quidditch pitch.

Draco swooped down from above, holding in his palm the Snitch. Harry wasn't angry at all, but his Slytherin side reared up its scheming head and he feigned a glare, intent on getting Draco where he wanted him - on his bed.

After the Seekers dismounted from their brooms, Harry advanced menacingly on Draco, grabbing his arm and calling out for his helpful ally, "Dobby!"

Pop!

"What does master Harry want? The Malfoy boy has displeased Sir?" Dobby bowed, his long nose almost touching the grass as Kreacher popped just behind him.

"I reckon he has, Dobby. Please get us to my room."

The Seekers were transported to the Head Boy's room. The light of the sconce reflected off the mahogany bed, but Harry needed more for his nefarious purposes so he waved his wand and lit the candles.

"That'll be all, Dobby and Kreacher. Thanks."

"Wait, I might need Kreacher's help!" said Draco, but the house-elves had already vanished.

Harry waved his wand, casting on Draco and himself the protection charm Hermione taught him. He glared fiercely at his lover. "Draco, you broke my perfect record! You used my infatuation against me. I have to avenge myself!"

Draco frowned at the Gryffindor. Harry's green eyes were smouldering, he had crossed his arms and there was a telltale bulge in his tight white trousers. He looked intimidating, demanding, and very hot.

"What are you going to do about it, Potter?"

The Slytherin walked to the bed, taking off his billowing Quidditch cloak as he undid the buttons of his shirt, showing tantalizing glimpses of milky skin. Harry's gaze grew more passionate.

Draco looked out the window at the sun setting over the Quidditch Pitch; then he turned, throwing a heated look at Harry. "You're waiting for what, Potter? A bard called Beedle?"

Draco took off his shirt and let it fall on the floor; his chiselled chest appeared to shine in the candlelight.

Harry spluttered, finally answering, "I'll show you my Beedle!"

Looking at Draco's bare shoulders, his blond locks completely mussed, Harry was engulfed by a strong wave of tenderness and desire. Draco had never looked as vulnerable, as enticing and lovely as in that moment.

Harry waved his hand and wandlessly levitated Draco to the bed, ignoring the Slytherin's furious looks. He climbed on top of Draco, framing his head with his hands.

Smiling tenderly at Draco, he said, "I love you, my Dragon. Always have, always will." He rained kisses on those full lips. "You're mine, and I'm yours." He wandlessly divested Draco of his trousers, boots and underpants. A moment later he did the same with his Gryffindor uniform.

The blond made to speak, but Harry shut him up with a fierce kiss as he whispered huskily, "We belong together."

Draco couldn't help but react to Harry's invading tongue. His Gryffindor acted so passionately that heat coursed through his body. Harry's emerald eyes glittered with the spark of desire; his kiss was fierce, demanding. It was all Draco could ever want.

Harry caressed Draco's thighs tenderly as he moved them apart. "I'll have to fuck you into the mattress so you'll never doubt that you're mine."

He fisted Draco's engorged cock. "I see you're up to it."

Swiping the precome off the glistening glans, Harry bent down to lick Draco's ear, whispering, "Now open up, love."

Draco obediently spread his legs. Harry rubbed his rim with one finger wet with Draco's own juices, tentatively pushing it inside.

He gazed lovingly at Draco as he added another one, "It feels like years since we last made love."

Draco curled his lip upward in the gesture Harry loved, quipping, "A reality or two can't keep us apart, Potter."

Harry gazed for a timeless moment at Draco's long limbs, spread just for him. He wanted so much to submerge himself in that heat, to know Draco perfectly. Harry eyed hungrily the thick cock, wanting to impale himself, to ride Draco like he was atop a hippogriff.

Harry yearned to be one with his lover, to never let him go. He took off his glasses, putting them on the floor as he inhaled the heady scent of sex on the air.

The brunet bent his head, licking hungrily the tip of his lover's glistening prick as Draco mewled and groaned. Swallowing him whole, Harry made obscene slurping sounds.

After a few seconds, the blond groaned. "Stop, Harry, I'm going to…"

Draco didn't want to come just yet; he wanted Harry inside him.

Harry moaned around the cock, wet with his spit. He reluctantly let it slide down his puffy lips with a popping sound. He muttered a spell and Draco felt a cool liquid sensation coating him inside; preparing him for the invasion he so ardently desired. He spread his legs wantonly.

Harry looked at Draco's flushed cheeks, noting how his darkened pupils made his eyes seem almost black. Though Harry saw blurrily, he really didn't need his glasses to imagine Draco's perfect face. His lover's visage was indelibly imprinted on Harry's mind, engraved upon his heart by passion and magic.

Harry knew he would remember this moment for as long as he lived. It would withstand the passage of time, for he felt as he could grasp the world's magic by the ineffable sweetness and heat of Draco's gaze.

Harry hooked the long legs of his lover around his shoulders, lining his cock with Draco's entrance. He pushed softly, easing a bit when he felt he'd passed the tight ring. Feeling Draco's warmth all around him. Groaning when Draco clenched. Giving him time to stretch around him.

His prick glided along the smooth walls languorously, mindful of Draco's grimace of pain until Harry was sunk in to the hilt. The warmth and tightness felt wonderful. He saw that Draco had his eyes closed.

Harry savoured the moment, trying to stretch it as long as he could until Draco pushed his hips back, impaling himself on Harry's girth.

The Slytherin moaned as he fucked himself on Harry's cock. Opening his eyes, he glared at Harry.

"Move." Draco fisted the sheets and arched his back. "Harder, deeper!" Writhing his lower body, he speared himself on Harry's prick.

Harry lost whatever control he still had; pumping his cock in and out of the tight hole, he growled. His strokes were rough and hard, and Draco was slowly pushed to the edge of the bed, propelled by Harry's fierce thrusts.

Draco's cock leaked precome steadily as it throbbed; he wrapped his legs around Harry's waist until Harry dragged out his cock.

He edged away from Draco, squatting above him. Staring at the puffy, swollen entrance Harry rubbed his thumb around it teasingly. Draco moaned, feeling empty. Harry entered again; losing all control he pushed in and out, irregularly.

Draco wrapped his left hand around his cock, sliding his thumb around his cockhead. After a few more thrusts, Draco spurted thick, creamy streams of come over his chest. He clenched around Harry and the brunet came a few seconds later.

Draco was too tired to move. He sat up and yawned, finally reclining his head against Harry's chest.

The brunet rolled sideways. He wasn't done with the Slytherin just yet, he needed Draco inside him. He hungered for that which had eluded him before his journey, the freeing sensation of yielding to his demanding lover.

Harry murmured Accio and caught his wand from where it had been discarded on the floor. He needed it for the spell Fred had taught him; an invigorating charm for when they needed to stay up late at night, before they sat exams. He unobtrusively cast it on Draco and himself.

Harry caressed Draco lovingly, bending down to lick his come off his chest. Biting the enticing pink nipples until Draco moaned. Pausing every now and then to lay kisses down the trail of blond hair that led to Draco's groin.

Draco put one arm around his neck as Harry continued touching his body, massaging the slim hips until he found his target.

Harry slid two fingers inside Draco's slackened entrance and rubbed them lovingly along his channel.

Draco felt his cock stir again, he spread his thighs and propped himself up on his elbows, looking curiously at Harry. It seemed his lion was insatiable.

Harry slowly knelt down, scissoring languorously his fingers inside Draco. He scooted on the bed until he sat astride on Draco's thighs.

Harry finally took out the wet fingers and slid them inside his own entrance, lubricating himself with his own come. He fingered himself, unmindful of Draco's astonished gaze.

The blond couldn't take his eyes off of Harry. It was the most erotic sight he had ever seen. Harry was prepping himself with his own semen, his eyes closed as he moaned. Undulating his hips as he fucked his hand, Draco could see the rim of Harry's hole fluttering around the fingers, indicating how needy he felt.

Harry's cock twitched and grew slowly, turning an angry red. Draco's mouth watered, wanting to suck him off until Harry screamed his name.

The light of the candles reflected off Harry's tanned skin; his unruly mop of hair looked as he had just been shagged silly as he moved up and down. Harry's green eyes opened and Draco noted they'd become dark jade.

Draco felt refreshed, up for the second round, though he suspected Harry's magic had something to do with it. He had the sneaking suspicion that the Gryffindor was becoming as enigmatic and tricky as a Slytherin. Draco looked forward to finding out Harry's tricks if it took him all his life, or one or two realities.

Draco said hoarsely, "Want me to use a lubrication charm?"

"No!" Harry moaned, eyeing hungrily the blond's thick cock, shiny with his come. "I see you're still wet."

Draco grunted as his Harry's hand wrapped around his cock, guiding it towards his hole as the brunet sank down. Harry leisurely pushed down until Draco was completely sheathed on his warm sleeve.

Suddenly Harry stopped and turned around.

The blond could hear the sound of the door opening, but he was unable to do anything, seeing as how Harry was straddling him as if he was a hippogriff.

Harry hastily threw a wandless spell to lock the door, glaring at it. He wouldn't let anyone interrupt his time with Draco, not even if it was Snape wearing pink trousers, a red clown wig and black cape. He looked down at the dilated pupils of the Slytherin, tightening his rim around the thick dick, enjoying the rubbing motions the cockhead made against his prostate.

Draco whined, pumping his hips upwards, hissing like a snake burrowing within a warm nest, "You're going to be the death of-"

He thrust upwards a few more times.

"-me, Harry."

The brunet nodded distractedly, not listening because he was bouncing up and down in the Slytherin's lap as he sought the elusive contact Draco's cock sometimes made against the nub of nerves inside him. Harry's cock dripped precome, making noises as it smacked against Harry's taut abs when he bounced upwards.

Nothing was heard but Harry's moans as Draco's cock glided in and out; Harry's dick slapping against his abs as he rode the Slytherin, their combined grunts and breathy whispers of endearment.

Finally the maddening, teasing rubbing of his prostate caused Harry to come, spurting semen across Draco's chest as he clenched painfully around the Slytherin.

Draco thrust a few more times, blabbing incoherently. Truly Harry drove him out of his mind in the most pleasurable way. He came with a shout.

Harry disengaged his sweaty, aching bum from Draco and lay down next to him.

The blond hugged him, yawning tiredly, he was about to fall asleep when he heard Harry muttering, "I wonder if Terry Boot has a huge cock, they say that the weedy-looking ones are hung…"

Draco sat up with a start, glaring at Harry. He poked his chest with a finger, "What!"

Draco prodded him some more and then kissed him. ""You're mine, Harry. You do not belong to other blokes."

He thwacked him on the head. "Or bints for that matter." He yawned and laid his head on Harry's chest. "You're mine, my only…"

Harry ruffled softly Draco's hair, listening intently until Draco's breathing became more regular. "And you're my Dragon, forevermore."

June 1st, 1998

Remus snickered softly from his place next to Sirius, who was pulling his goatee as he grimaced. Harry turned his gaze from the window and smiled at his teacher. "Is Tonks going to come for our graduation?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world. Teddy is teething, so that might be a problem." Remus smiled proudly, thinking of the toddler. "Narcissa and Andromeda promised to help her with the baby if there's any problem so she should be here."

Draco sat on the couch of the Gryffindor Common Room, his eyes shying away from the garishly decorated walls as he smirked in triumph at Hermione. "Face it, Granger; I'm going to beat you!"

Hermione looked up from her book, 'Pithy Potions and how to brew them' by Mero de Ador.

"Don't be so cocky, Draco! It all depends on the results of Advanced Transfigurations!" huffed Hermione. "Though for the life of me, with McGonagall acting like that, I'm not sure…"

She trailed off, her gaze straying to Sirius and Ron playing chess. "We have the same marks right now, Malfoy. Why don't you go play chess with Ron and stop pestering-"

At that moment the students in the Common Room heard McGonagall shouting angrily, "COWARD! COWARD!"

The Fat Lady opened suddenly, muttering sullenly, "Of all the nerve! In all my years I've never seen a Headmaster so rude!"

Severus stumbled into the room, shooting a glare at the portrait. "I have a thinning potion that might work for you!"

The Headmaster turned an imploring look to the occupants of the room. "Quick, I need a place to hide! Minerva thinks I used my prerogatives as Headmaster to breach her wards and search her office!"

"Were you trying to find something, Severus?" Sirius looked up from the chessboard, sneering.

"It wasn't me! She thinks I stole one of her books!"

"Let me in! I command you!" shouted McGonagall from the other side.

"You and who else? Under whose authority?" shot back the Lady.

Severus looked at Remus. "Help me, former mutt! I prepared the potion that cured you!"

Sirius ordered his king to surrender. The chess figure muttered angrily, trying to resist.

The Marauder stood up and walked towards the middle of the room, Remus behind him as if they had choreographed their moves beforehand.

"Don't wave your wand at me!" shrieked the Fat Lady at McGonagall as Severus eyed the door, joining the two Marauders in the middle of the room.

"You can do that thing you do," suggested Sirius, pointing to Remus and himself, his hand swaying as if it was a leaf. He smiled craftily. "Take us with you when you disappear in thin air."

"You took the book, Minerva is furious!" Severus glared at Sirius whilst Harry squirmed guiltily, a gesture that the Headmaster thankfully didn't notice.

"Didn't!" shot back Sirius.

"Fine, go in! Teachers aren't what they used to be, in sweet Dumbledore's time!" moaned the Fat Lady as she opened the door.

The robes of Headmaster Snape whirled as he gyrated, holding the arms of Sirius and Remus. The three disappeared in swirling smoke that shot towards the open window, just as McGonagall strode imperiously into the room.

She looked around the Common Room, sniffing haughtily when she saw the chessboard. "Where is Severus? For that matter, where are Black and Lupin? I have serious questions about their unseemly behaviour!"

The dumbfounded students stared at her as they shook their heads.

McGonagall snorted angrily, turning her back on the students and striding out of the room.

Harry, Ron and Draco rolled their eyes whilst Hermione muttered, "Men! Thankfully McGonagall didn't blame me this time!"

Harry looked toward the loose stone slab near the couch; beneath was the Potions book property of the Half-Blood Prince. George had revealed the spell to unmask its contents so Harry would finally get to see what Snape doodled during his student years.

McGonagall closed the door to her office with finality as Narcissa said, "Finally you've arrived, Minerva. We were going to leave without you."

Draco's mother was clad in a sumptuous green robe that complimented her alabaster skin. Her hair was arranged in a broad plait tied into a chignon at the back of her head.

Minerva nodded to Mrs. Malfoy and the men as she went to her desk and took a cookie. "I don't see the need for all that theatre. Did we really have to do that, Sirius?"

Sirius hefted in his hand a milky-white sphere. "Draco is very observant, not to mention Hermione. We had to distract them. Otherwise they'd be asking where we are going."

Severus glared at the Marauder. "It's your fault, Black! I have no desire to witness Draco's wedding to Potter. Another Malfoy lost to a Potter!"

Remus elbowed the Headmaster. "Admit that you want to see the future Draco as he ties the knot with Harry, Sev!"

Narcissa sighed dreamily. "I know my Dragon. He'll be very nervous; he'll need two mothers by his side!"

Sirius beamed at his fellow Marauder. "I promised Harry I would visit him. I've been following his progress in wooing Draco away from Boot. I was tempted to offer advice, but-"

He stopped when he heard two loud popping noises, indicating the arrival of Dobby and Kreacher.

"Master Sirius!" Dobby bowed, his arms stretching to the sides as if he was directing the traffic in Diagon Alley. Sirius shuddered when he saw the strange egg the elf was holding; it had yellow, scarlet and violet stripes and it twitched.

"Dobby has got hold of the manticore egg master Sirius wanted"

"You asked for a manticore, Sirius? Really?" Remus gasped.

Sirius mumbled, "Only to keep the elf occupied. I'm not crazy, Remus!"

"I doubt that, mutt!" growled Snape.

Dobby beamed whilst Kreacher mumbled, "The uppity elf will kill us all!"

Sirius motioned with his arms as Remus, Severus, Narcissa and Minerva rapidly approached him, touching his arms as he activated the sphere.

The egg opened just as the Marauders, the teachers and Narcissa disappeared.

"Wait, kind sirs!" yelled Dobby, vanishing after them with the baby manticore, Kreacher following suit.

June 19th, 1998

In their last day at Hogwarts, Draco and Ron were playing chess in a room in the first floor. They appeared to be evenly matched. Harry stood behind Draco, leaning his head next to the blond as he whispered in his ear.

Hermione was seated next to Ron, her arm draped lazily around Weasley's shoulder as she made suggestions which the redhead studiously ignored.

Draco intertwined his hand with Harry's, marvelling that their school days had ended like this. He looked up at Harry. Illuminated by a stray sunbeam, the Gryffindor's emerald eyes shined with the promise of a thousand futures. Draco pledged right then that one day soon he would ask Harry to marry him so they could spend the future together. Draco knew that eternity by his side would pass as swiftly as the flying Snitch.

He smiled and whispered a haiku he composed in the spot for Harry. Always for Harry. The brunet blushed prettily when he heard it.

"Blimey, you two should go rent a room at the Three Brooomsticks!" Ron snorted as he ordered his knight to E3.

Hermione whispered, "Ron, if Draco gets distracted, you're sure to win."

"Now that I think of it, there's nothing wrong with a bit of groping," said Ron, eyeing shrewdly his best friend. "If you get my meaning, Harry."

After several moves, Draco lifted his arms in despair. "I can't see my way out of this. I've lost the plot!"

Ron sighed, clutching Hermione's arm to his side as if seeking support. "You're right, mate. It's stalemate for sure."

Harry snickered, ruffling Draco's hair. "A usual ending, not!"

Draco touched softly Harry's nose with his own as Ron made gagging noises.

"You distracted me, Harry. Could've won with a hand tied behind my back," drawled Draco.

"Did not!" retorted Harry.

"Did too!" Draco crossed his arms, stomping his foot.

Hermione sighed tiredly. "You two will never change!"

Then Narcissa's voice came from the other side of the door. "Draco and Harry, time to go to the ball! I want to see you two wearing the formal dressing robes I got for you!"

"Come on, you lot. Teddy's getting impatient, is he not?" added Tonks as the noise of a gurgling, happy infant filtered through the door.

Draco stood up, wrapping his arm around Harry's waist as he called to his mother. "We're coming; hold your hippogriffs!"

"Ron, have you seen Fred and George?" Molly tapped against the door, sounding worried. "They so insisted on wearing those absurd pink robes. I think the fumes of their potions affected them."

"Haven't seen them, mom!" Ron opened the door and held it, kissing Hermione's cheek. "After you, my dear."

"Teddy, let me hold you!" cried Hermione as she went out, Ron behind her.

Harry looked around, feeling bereft. This was a room he would not be coming back to, now that he was leaving his beloved school. In a short while they would board the Hogwarts Express for the last time. It felt strange leaving his true home after the seven tumultuous years he'd spent there.

Draco brushed aside Harry's hair as he lightly touched the scar. "Don't look so sad, Harry! We'll visit first thing, coming back after the holiday mother arranged."

Harry shook his head. "The Bahamas sound too extravagant for me, Draco."

As Harry was leaving the room, Draco growled, "Can't wait to make love in the beach."

Harry blushed as Draco sauntered out of the room. The blond pulled the handle and the door slowly…

oOoOo

… closes behind the Seekers, who will no longer play Quidditch at Hogwarts. Other Pitches and games await them, far beyond Scotland.

On the table, sunbeams lit the chessboard. Black and white, the figures wait for other students to play with them. Generations to come will study, laugh, and suffer at the school, now that Voldemort is finally gone thanks to Harry, Severus, Draco and their friends. It is the end of the arduous journey that began with the sacrifice of James and Lily.

The sound of footsteps and voices seep through the door.

"Ouch! Teddy bit me!"

"He likes you. Teddy even changed his hair to blond, didn't he?"

"Do you like your new robes?"

"Reckon I do, Narcissa."

The sound of voices full of laughter and love grows progressively fainter whilst the chessmen stand poised, ready to begin another game.

White against black, the kings eye each other warily. Light against Dark, the eternal conflict goes on, amidst enduring moments of joy and love.

Chess offers endless variations that are but a weak shadow of the infinite permutations of human lives. The game never ends, as long as people want to play - as long as imagination cherishes the endless realities which are only visible to the likes of Luna Lovegood.

This unusual ending has much in common with the Ouroboros ring: the serpent bites its tail in the never-ending cycle which stands for eternity, and the phoenix rises from his ashes once more, ready to rejoin the game of life and play another match with his mate.

The story of the Seekers cannot be contained in one reality.

Sunbeams caress you,
eternity in your eyes,
our future beckons.

INFINITE INCANTATEM