The Boy Who Lived

Appeasing the Ancestors

Draco watched as Harry hung yet another of Blaise's portraits on the gallery wall. This time, Sirius Black joined Remus and Tonks Lupin, and James and Lily Potter and Harry's own portrait. Sirius was the last of the deceased ancestors to join the gallery and Draco knew, immediately, that Harry's rogue magic had calmed substantially with the completion of these portraits. There was still Minerva, his mother, and his own portrait that needed to join the fray. And, somehow, Gladwyn needed rescuing from Malfoy Manor. Even Severus had taken his place amongst portraits, albeit at the other end of the gallery from James. Their rivalry, even in portrait form, had not diminished. James was quite put out that Severus should have a place in the Potter hall of fame until Harry had had some serious words with his father.

Draco didn't want to know what Harry had done; how he had managed to draw the Ancestral Magic into the portraits and nor did he want to know. He knew the Deathly Hallows had been removed from their room. And he knew that after every time Harry had transferred his magic into the portraits, he tended to take himself off for a while, normally to his study where he'd hung his punchbag from the ceiling. Draco had bought him boxing gloves and at least he submitted to wearing them. But he was also pensive afterwards.

Draco also wondered if Harry seemed taller in the few days after he'd performed whatever magic he performed.

He seemed so now. Taller and more mesmerising. Harry was stood apart as Draco's mother and aunt stood in front of Sirius's portrait, reuniting with him. Draco ignored them, watching Harry. He was stood in front of his own portrait, vibrant green eyes engaged with him from his image as Harry talked to his portrait in a low voice. Harry had asked that Blaise painted him in his Auror uniform, particularly his long coat and his wand holster around his chest, not that the portrait showed beyond his shoulders and chest but the large collar of his coat framed his face and the wand holster straps across his shoulder was just visible. Harry wore the same coat now which Draco was somewhat surprised about, especially as it was a warm September evening and despite the troubles involving Minnie, Harry still hadn't been back to the Ministry and hadn't got involved with his work beyond calling the odd team meeting at the Hall. Harry's hands were buried deep into his pockets and Draco was fairly certain he was casting a spell, especially when he stepped back with a nod and his shoulders seemed to drop for the first time in weeks; since the day he'd changed Severus's portrait.

Harry's portrait image nodded back at his mirror and appeared to pat his side where the holster lay. As the real Harry shucked off his coat and draped it over the gallery banister, the portrait Harry caught Draco watching and winked.

Draco wandered up behind him and wrapped his arms around his waist. 'What were you doing?' he asked quietly in Harry's ear.

'It's better if I don't tell you,' Harry said. 'I promise no other secrets, just this one.'

Draco frowned.

'It's better this way.'

'Something to do with the Deathly Hallows?'

'Yes,' Harry sighed heavily.

'You've hidden them in your portrait?'

'Draco!'

'I assume no one but you can retrieve them.'

'Something like that.'

'How do you even know how to do that?'

Harry twisted in his arms to face him and cupped his face. He kissed him deeply, almost desperately, despite Narcissa and Dromeda standing less than three feet away.

When he pulled away, Harry said quietly, 'Dumbledore introduced me to his way of thinking right back when he had to hide the Philosopher's Stone. I've used a similar spell to hide the Resurrection Spell and the... Elder Wand. People still believe them to be missing and they are, to the rest of the world. It is not a lie to say I dropped the Resurrection Stone in the Forbidden Forest or snapped the Elder Wand after the battle. No more needs to be said and with the items hidden in plain sight, it's the safest place I can think of. I don't want anyone ever coming here to try and seek them out. I don't want anyone to harm you or our family. Not after what we've been through with Minnie. It scares me that someone might try that with you or Teddy.'