Harry sat in front of the couch, either twin on each side and Joey lying at his feet. They were watching the 'Nightmare Before Christmas' the twins jumping in fright at the disturbing characters.
Harry could barely concentrate on the movie, his mind kept constantly wondering to the waiting blood test. Tomorrow he would be getting the results.
A knock at the door made him snap back as Joey started to bark and whine at the noise.
"I'll get it." Harry called, getting up and heading to the door.
Joey followed, still barking. "Shush." Harry commanded but the puppy only sat down, refusing to stop his yapping.
Harry opened the door, not at all expecting to see Kevin. "Kevin? What are you doing here?"
When Joey caught sight of Kevin he growled and barked with a hint of threat.
"Joey!" Harry snapped, which didn't help as the puppy just continued to bark.
"Harry, I'm so sorry I wasn't here. I had this trip to Ireland, but I came back as soon as I heard. How are you?" Kevin asked, trying to ignore the puppy that so obviously hated him.
"I'm good, or as good as can be expected." Harry smiled weakly, he felt so tired, drained of everything.
Kevin reached out to tuck a bang behind Harry's ear but Joey was having none of that. The puppy leapt forwards in a flash of gold and sunk his tiny, but sharp, teeth into Kevin's leg.
"Shit!" Kevin jumped back and tried to kick him off.
The twins had appeared in time to see Joey drop to the ground, yelp and hide behind Harry's leg.
"Mr. Ass hurt Joey!" Hope yelled, running to comfort the distress puppy, who licked her ear.
"Girls, can you please take Joey and go to your room?" Harry asked in distress.
Truth glared at Kevin angrily. "I don't like you." She shouted before she stomped off after Hope and Joey.
Harry groaned and rubbed his temples. "Kids." He muttered.
Kevin was rubbing his leg. "More like monsters."
Harry tried to resist the urge to glare and only shrugged. "They're four."
Kevin straightened. "I know this must be difficult for you, but everything will work out."
Harry shook his head. "Well it doesn't seem to be. I don't mean to be rude but is there a reason for your visit?"
Kevin sighed. "I just want to be here for you Harry, whenever you need me."
Harry nodded. "Thank you. Now isn't a good time though…a lot is going on…"
"I understand." Kevin stepped back. "But if you need me, don't hesitate to call."
Harry only nodded weakly as he watched Kevin disapperate.
Draco had decided what he was going to do. He was going to make sure that Ruth never interfered with Harry's and the twin's life again. As he had taken on his father's entire work he also had all his father's contacts.
Two letters and a floo call later and everything was ready. He only let Blaise briefly in on his plans.
"Are you insane?" Blaise hissed when Draco had dropped by to see him.
"No." Draco answered flatly. "Just angry."
Blaise shook his head. "I am not hearing this! You are not telling me any of this. As far as anyone is concerned I knew nothing of this!"
Draco shrugged. It didn't bother him whether or not Blaise approved, he needed to do this, not just for Harry but for himself.
That night he sat alone in his office, drinking the remains of his firewhiskey and staring at a picture of him and Harry when they were sixteen. Until the clock struck nine pm and he knew the deed was done.
Harry woke early the next morning and padded into the kitchen, yawning and rubbing at his eyes.
Isabella and the twins were still sleeping and Sirius was out. He poured himself some strong coffee and sat at the table. It took only five minutes for the post owls to arrive.
He bought a copy of the Daily Prophet and took the envelope from a medical center owl.
Mr. H Potter
Harry's fingers trembled as he held the thin envelope. He was about to open it when he caught sight of the main headline for the day.
Gerald Ruth Found Dead In His London Apartment
Harry's heart was beating so loudly in his ears he couldn't hear Isabella approaching.
Last night at nine-thirty pm, an anonymous letter was sent to the Auror department informing them of the death of Gerald Ruth, age 43.
Mr. Ruth was declared to be killed by a possible, personal hit man.
His body was found lying in his bathtub; he was killed by the muggle process of drowning.
"There is no doubt that this was no accident!" An Auror rep informed the newspapers. "There are red marks around his neck, telling us he was strangled, he was also dressed in his bathrobe."
There was no other statement released.
Mr. Ruth has a daughter, Constance, who was taken to the Ministry and was unable for questioning.
(See pages 4 and 5 for pictures)
"Harry?" Isabella's voice made Harry jump and he placed a hand over his heating heart.
"Sorry." Harry muttered the letter from the Hospital forgotten in light of the new news.
"What's so interesting?" Isabella asked, taking the paper from him. She scanned the title and her eyes widen. "Harry….?"
Harry shook his head, unable to say anything. He was fighting with the conflicting emotions. Fear, anger, hurt, happiness and relief.
"Who would do this…?" Isabella trailed off.
Harry couldn't think properly, his mind was moving to fast for him to think straight. Isabella had placed the newspaper down and instead picked up the abandoned letter.
"The blood tests…" Isabella held out the envelope for Harry. "Are you going to?"
Harry looked from the envelope to the newspaper. "It doesn't matter. Ruth is dead, there's no more case." He took the envelope and paper, throwing them into the bin.
Isabella didn't say anything. She only watched as Harry left the room, heading for his own.
The room felt too small, he couldn't breathe properly and he felt a numbness that seeped through him.
"I have to pack." He mumbled to himself, grabbing the suitcases under his bed. He began to throw his clothes into one. "It's all over."
He went to his desk to retrieve his personal possessions. He opened the draws and pulled everything out, not bothering to look anything over. A slip of paper fell out and fluttered to the floor.
Harry grabbed the pictures and packed them, then changed and packed his pajamas.
"Daddy, why are you packing?" Harry looked sharply up and saw Hope, Truth and Joey standing in the doorway, watching the frantic wizard stuff everything he could wherever he could.
"Girls…" Joey barked. "And Joey." Harry added, smiling a little. "We're going home. We're going back to Australia this afternoon."
Instead of the girls cheering they looked on with distress. "But what about Mr. Draco?" Hope asked.
"And Mr. Remus and Mr. Dumbly?" Truth pouted.
The two exchanged looks. "We don't want to go!" they both whined, Joey barked and gave Harry his puppy eyes.
Harry shook his head. "We can't stay. England isn't where we belong. We live in Australia!"
"But we like it here." Hope cried. "We like being here with Mr. Draco!"
Harry finally snapped. "Just cut it out! I don't want to be here, we are leaving!" Harry shouted.
The girls gasped and ran off in terror and Joey yelped and ran after them.
Harry racked a hand through his hair and tuned around to pick up a jumper he had dropped. Underneath he found a folded piece of paper. He picked it up and opened it to see it was a letter, judging up the state it was old but kept well enough to not yellow.
He was about to open it when the door opened and Isabella came barging in.
"Harry, the girls are crying about you yelling and packing, what's going on?"
Harry looked up, stuffing the paper in his pocket. "What? Oh, we're going back to Australia this afternoon." Harry explained.
Isabella raised an eyebrow. "What about the trial?"
"Ruth is dead, there won't be anymore trail." Harry shrugged.
Isabella held out the envelope he had discarded that morning. "I think you should read it."
Harry shook his head. "I can't!"
"You can't keep pretending you can avoid it. Read it." She dropped the envelope on the bed and left the room.
Harry looked at the envelope with the same loathing and slight fear. He couldn't read that letter, he couldn't see whether or not he had carried Ruth's or Draco's children, he didn't want to know.
He headed to the bathroom to take a calming shower and left the envelope there and the letter in his pocket.
He had pulled off his shirt when Isabella knocked lightly on the door. "Harry, Kevin is here to see you." Harry quickly pulled his shirt on again, tried to make his hair look neater, and then left the bathroom.
Kevin was in the hallway. The twins and Joey were in the lounge room with the door closed so Joey couldn't attack again.
"Harry." Kevin smiled at him with a cheery smile, one that didn't reach Harry.
"Hey." Harry came to stand before him, their height making him look up slightly.
"I know you need some time, what with this mornings report but I need you to know, I want to be with you." Kevin reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box. "Harry Potter, will you marry me?"