Sanguini parted their company and Harry and Draco took Dumbledore back to their hotel, where Harry got some new clothes. They shared a drink in their suite and Dumbledore looked pleased with how it all ended.

"So what exactly happened to us, Albus?" asked Harry.

"Just as you suspected, Harry. Both your magic joined in one powerful moment. Perhaps it is a reaction of duress; a way of protecting each other. It is hard to say, since the Ministry has allowed so few such marriages, it is difficult to know all the intricacies. But I'm sure we are all grateful it turned out as it did."

"And if I'd let Sanguini go through with it?"

He turned to Draco. "I doubt the effects would have been the same. We are all very lucky you did not go through with it, Draco. A natural self-preservation must have been at work."

"No," he said, tossing back his drink. "I was just being a typical Slytherin and chickening out."

"I would not say that, Draco. The human heart has a way of knowing what's right for us. I think the rest of you knew what should be done, even if your head did not."

"At any rate, I don't think vampires will trouble us again."

"Or any other magical creature, I'll wager," said Dumbledore. "Word must have gotten around by now. And the vampires you Obliviated will either simply fade away or behave themselves better in the future. In any case." Dumbledore rose and headed for the door. "I do not wish to impose upon your honeymoon any longer. I will return to Hogwarts and await your return."

Harry looked at Draco. "I think we've had enough of Provence."

"Yeah," said Draco. "I think the shine is off the place."

"Well I wouldn't cut your honeymoon short because of it. Try someplace else. Perhaps Malfoy Manor."

Harry's eyes widened but Draco looked ecstatic. "Yes! Harry! Can we go?"

Harry gave Dumbledore a sideways glance. The old wizard's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Sure, Draco. Why not?"

"And perhaps," offered Dumbledore, opening the door. "A side trip to Godric's Hollow."

Harry smiled. Turnabout is fair play. He looked at Draco. "Okay, Draco?"

Draco smiled. "'Course. We'll pack and leave tomorrow."

"Well then," said Dumbledore from the doorway. "I shall see you back at Hogwarts in twelve days. Until then, happy honeymoon." He Apparated right there with a loud crack.

* * *

That evening Harry sat at the writing desk and scrawled out a long letter, telling Hermione and Ron all that had happened.

Draco sat up in the bed. "I know you aren't all that thrilled with going to Malfoy Manor but it means a lot to me."

Harry turned to him and smiled. "I know it does, love. That's why we're going."

"And I'd like to see Godric's Hollow. Sort of significant, isn't it? 'Where it all began', as it were."

"Yeah." Harry turned back to his letter. "Sort of full circle."

Draco was silent for a long time-longer than Harry expected-when he finally sighed irritably. "Are you going to be writing that damned letter all night?"

"I'm almost done. And I want to get it down while it's all fresh."

"Can't it wait till tomorrow?"

"My, you are impatient, aren't you?"

"I thought I was going to lose you. This is comfort sex."

Harry glanced over his shoulder again. "'Comfort sex'? Malfoy-"

"Put the damned quill down, already!"

Harry stood, quill still in hand. "I will not. It's mightier than the sword, you know."

"That's the pen, you git."

"Oh yeah? Well I say it's still pretty handy." He approached the bed, grabbed the covers, and tossed them back. Draco was, of course, naked. Harry slid to the bed and sat beside him. "For instance. One can take the quill and do this." Harry started at Draco's ankle and dragged the feathery end of the quill all the way up his leg and ended at his hip.

Draco bit his lip. "Why are you stopping?"

"Oh. Did you want me to continue? I thought you wanted me to 'put the damn quill down.'"

"Well…maybe I was a bit hasty."

Harry smiled. He dragged the quill higher, letting it trail up Draco's torso. He swirled it around a nipple and pulled it up his long neck. Draco let out a sigh. Harry bent over him and whispered, "Do you like that?"

Draco opened his eyes. "I'd like it better if you were naked as well."

"That can be arranged." Harry set the quill down and undressed, tossing his clothes and shoes aside. The damage of the vampires' teeth had already begun to fade, but Draco traced some of it sorrowfully with his finger anyway.

Harry picked up the quill. "Hey, I'm supposed to be touching you." Draco let his hand fall back.

The feather traveled much over Draco that night. And when Harry was done, Draco took his turn. Harry was pleased he'd gotten his way, even though they were on their way to Malfoy Manor in the morning.

Draco yanked Harry's neck and pulled him down beside him. He kissed his jaw, suckled it a bit, and then drew Harry's lips over to kiss them.

"Mmmm," sighed Draco.

"And just what does that translate to?"

"The same as it always does. 'I love you.'"

Harry offered a loving smile. "Me, too."

When the next day dawned, they were in each other's arms, legs intertwined. As soon as Draco fully awoke he bounded up to the bathroom excitedly to take a bath and Harry lay back in the bed, his gut churning. Malfoy Manor. Not his favorite place in the world. He'd only seen it once when he bought it for Draco and gave it the most cursory of inspections. He had asked Dobby-bribed him, actually-to return there to get the house in order and though Dobby was hesitant to return to the place of his enslavement he cheerfully agreed to do it for Harry Potter. Harry told him to take Kreacher, too, who would probably thrive in the place once home to Dark magic, even though the Ministry had thoroughly checked it from top to bottom. Funny how no one had wanted to buy it. Not even Slytherin families. Any association with Death Eater activity made it off limits for most. When Harry made an offer the Ministry jumped at it. Harry believed he got it at a bargain price. But to see the joy on Draco's face when he told him it was his wedding present, that would have been worth thousands of galleons more, in Harry's estimation.

Malfoy Manor. Well, he supposed one had to face one's ghosts in order to exorcise them.

A/N: And then it continued with the rest of A Hogwarts Honeymoon at Malfoy Manor. But you do see why it was cut out, don't you? Too many things happening at once. No real direction. I'm rather more pleased with the second version, even though we never did get to Godric's Hollow.


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"Vessel of Souls"

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