A/N: Thank you to Fanofbellaandedward, Owlsnape, babyvfan and spittingllama7856 for the support! Please share your theories!

~0~

EPILOGUE:

Wednesday 28th December 1888

~0~

Upon returning from his Christmas weekend visiting his parents in Yorkshire, Harry received a letter in the post with the official results of his medical exam and the thesis he'd finally completed. It had been a long road, filled with a lot of late nights and heated discussions among his classmates –including Blaise who had had a few choice words the next time he'd encountered Slughorn at the hospital –but he could only hope that it had all been worth it. As he broke the wax seal on the back of the envelope and unfolded the thick sheet of parchment within. His heart was like a thick thudding lump in his chest, pressing down on his lungs and making it harder for him to breathe.

This was the moment he'd been toiling over for the last few months.

He opened his eyes and stared down at the neat calligraphy spelling his name. His eyes widened. He'd done it –He'd passed his exams! He had his official license and was invited to a dinner in his and the other graduates' honour to congratulate them, get them mingling with the inner circles of high society as well as getting their pictures taken for the newspaper. He staggered, almost completely floored by the revelation.

"Severus?" he called out into the large house. "Severus! Severus! I got my letter! I passed!"

He found the older man residing in the study, his long nose in a book with a fire crackling merrily in the grate beside him. Looking over the rim of his newly acquired glasses, he smiled. "Congratulations Harry. I knew you'd be able to do it. You put in more effort than half of your classmates."

Harry beamed, a rush of softness and calm smoothing over him like thick treacle. He hadn't realised how on-edge he'd been over the last two weeks since his submission deadline had been met. Yet now, here he was, with his certificate neatly penned and held aloft in his hand. He only wished he could have celebrated with everyone who had made such an achievement possible for him. It had been a difficult six weeks living under the same roof as Severus –however they had managed to set aside their differences for the most part and had managed to remain quite amicable towards one another.

It had all paid off in the end.

As soon as he'd eaten dinner, he went to his room, sat down at his desk and penned a couple of almost identical letters to his parents and Draco. He had tried to write to everyone as frequently as he could, however as soon as his double lessons ramped up the studying for final exams, he found that there were only so many hours in the day. A lot of the letters he had needed to rewrite as they were doused in ink smudges from being awake into the early hours of the morning. Once the letter to his family were signed and sealed, he took one last glance at the letter he'd written to Draco. He had managed to find a spare hour or two to keep the blonde man updated on the almost daily goings-on of things down in London.

He had all of Draco's letters locked away in the top drawer of his writing desk. He kept the key on a ribbon around his neck. There was no way he could risk Severus finding those letters, even my accident. He couldn't deny that he and Draco weren't as discreet as they could be in their outward approach to their affectionate feelings for one another, however there was a different between keeping it to themselves as opposed to shouting it from the rooftops.

Pressing his lips to the parchment, he inhaled wistfully before slipping it into an envelope and sealing it. Now that he was a qualified doctor, he needed to prepare himself for the dinner in his honour.

~0~

A plume of pale grey smoke rose into the air as a train on the opposite platform chugged off on its journey. Harry watched it go for a moment before a hand on his shoulder brought him back to reality.

"You promise that you'll be back in time for the wedding?" Hermione asked, her smile bright and beaming as the wind caught her brown curls and tried to tug her hat off her head. She clamped it down quickly with one hand and tightened the ribbon under her chin.

"I'm only going away for two weeks," Harry smiled reassuringly as he gave her shoulder an affectionate squeeze.

"I know. You do deserve a holiday and some fresh air," she conceded.

"Of course he does!" Ronald agreed enthusiastically. "He's been working himself to the bone just to get to where he is. He now gets to work on the same level as Severus Snape. That's something to be admired."

"Well he's not at the exact same level," Hermione corrected.

"Well perhaps not," Ronald said, "However, he gets to work alongside the man and that speaks volumes to the medical community here."

"I'll take your word for it darling," she smiled before pressing a chaste kiss to his cheek. Turning her attention to Harry, she took him by both of his shoulders and looked him square in the eye. "Now, are you sure you've packed everything for your journey?"

Harry nodded. "Of course. I may just sleep. I was awake anticipating this all night."

Hermione frowned in dismay but didn't voice any of her concerns. Instead, she embraced Harry tightly and squeezed. "Just make sure you come back soon. Ronald will be absolutely bored if he doesn't have his best friend to join him at all these high society functions."

Harry chuckled and nodded his head in agreement. "I'm going to miss you both so much. I only wish I could have seen you more before the exams."

"Christmas is always busy for all of us," Hermione said sympathetically. "We'll see you soon." She pressed a kiss to each of his cheeks. Ronald gave him a firm handshake and after hesitating a moment, gave Harry a firm hug.

"Go on, off with you," he beamed down at Harry. "Get on that train before it leaves without you."

Climbing up onto the train Harry spared his friends one last glance, raised his hand in a wave and then ducked into the carriage just as the final boarding whistle blew out. Settling down into the seats, Harry watched the platform slowly roll away beneath him. He waved at Hermione and Ron and they waved back until he was out of sight. With his leather satchel between his feet, the soft tinkling of glass vials catching his ear every half hour or so, Harry sat back in his seat and watched the city bleed away into the rollig hills of the countryside.

Soon, he'd left London behind entirely.

He dozed on and off for a few hours at a time. By the time he arrived in Scotland the sky had grown completely black outside, with no hint of stars to guide him. Through the bleak, black landscape that rushed by, small flickering beads of orange lamplight started flicking to life. The platform wasn't as busy as the one in London had been. He was surprised to find that Sirius was awaiting his arrival. He was dressed in a fine brocade waistcoat, had his dark tinted glasses on his nose with his tophat and cane. He definitely stood out as one of the richest men on the platform, most likely in the town at that moment.

Once all of his belongings had been unloaded, Harry found that he couldn't contain his excitement. He ran to Sirius for a hug as readily as any toddler seeing their Papa for the first time in months. "I am so excited to be here!" he gushed as Sirius squeezed him so tight he thought his lungs would burst.

"We're all excited to have you up here with us at last!" Sirius grinned as he released his godson and straightened himself up. "We've all been anticipating your arrival. Especially as it's a full moon tomorrow night. We want to have your first evening here being as calm and relaxing as possible."

"Will there be food?" Harry asked as they each took hold of one of the trunks each and steered them towards the exit.

"Of course. Remus and Draco are at the manor cooking right now."

"Oh," Harry frowned. "They needn't go through the trouble."

"Nonsense, Harry, we have been planning this all week. We want to make a fuss, especially as we didn't get to over Christmas. Just –let us enjoy spoiling you? For one night? That's not too much to ask.

The young man had the decency to blush as the footman took his trunks and loaded them onto the carriage. "Very well then. I can't wait to see everyone again." Sirius agreed as they climbed up into the carriage and set off towards the estate.

The horses tugged the carriage along the rough, weathered roads. It was definitely a lot bumpier than in London. Harry had to hold on a little tighter for support, but Sirius had no trouble in keeping his balance. There was no way to see anything beyond the lace curtain. Even if they did, Harry doubted he'd be able to see anything anyway. Within the hour, they had pulled up to the large double doors and unloaded the trunks and satchels onto the gravel driveway. Grabbing a handle each, Harry and Sirius tugged the luggage up and into the entrance of the manor.

Inside it was even more extravagant than Harry could have imagined. Even more so than Draco's townhouse –and that had been dripping in extravagance at the best of times. His jaw dropped open as he took in the high, carved wooden ceilings, the pristine tiled floors and the large mirrors in the gilt gold frames. Portraits of people long-dead hung on the walls and the doorways arched along the hallway, each one leading through into different rooms. Sirius watched him with unmasked amusement as he spun in a slow circle, taking everything in.

"This place –this place is magnificent!" he gushed out as he slowly unwound his cloak from his neck.

"I'm glad you think so," Sirius mused. "Now, there's a lot to show you but I fear we've kept Remus and Draco waiting far too long. We can give you the tour later on."

Harry nodded in agreement and followed the older man down the hallway towards the kitchens.

The kitchen itself was made of bright, smooth sandstone and had a large set of ovens, all crackling with fires; strings of garlic, chilli and dried meats and cheese and other varying herbs hung from the ceiling in clusters, giving a dry spicy tinge to the air. Remus was just finishing setting the table when he caught sight of them walking through the archway. "HARRY!" he beamed straightening up from the table and dusting his hands off.

Harry hurried forward and gave the mild-mannered man a tight hug. "It's so good to see you again!" he said, burying his face against the scarred man's shirt.

"Well, well, well if it isn't Harry Potter," drawled a low, silky voice from the far corner. All heads turned to see Draco framed in the narrow archway with a bottle of wine cradled in his arms. Harry felt himself flush upon seeing the blonde man for the first time in almost two months. He both had and hadn't changed; physically, he'd changed a little, he'd put on a little weight so that he didn't look as pinched and gaunt, and his hair had grown out a little, long enough to require it being tied back with a ribbon. It was strange but suited him beautifully. This was the most casual Harry had ever seen him; he was wearing pressed trousers covered in flour smears and his shirt was loose and open at the collar with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Draco raised a blonde eyebrow, "Don't I get a proper greeting?" he teased.

Coming to his senses, Harry crossed the warm room and enveloped his lover in a tight embrace. He wasn't sure how long to hold for, or if he should even risk kissing the man in front of the other two, however all his doubts were erased when Draco lowered his head and pressed a firm, warm kiss to Harry's cool ones, soaking up the moment and the rush of emotions that encompassed them.

Harry had to choke back a sob. He'd missed the intimacy so much.

Remus cleared his throat with a smirk, "If you'd please release the guest of honour, Draco, dinner is getting cold."

Draco raised his eyebrows with a matching smirk. "So sorry, my liege." He gave a mock bow, before guiding Harry over to the small wooden table. It was large enough for six people, however it just meant there was more elbow room at either end.

Dinner was a lively affair. They drank good wine, toasted any and every anecdote as well as recounting stories that had happened over the last six weeks since they had gone their separate ways. Under the table Draco constantly rubbed his palm over Harry's thigh, teasing him and making him feel ashamed to wish for the end of the evening so they could retire for the night. They laughed and drank and –before becoming too intoxicated –Sirius raised his glance and bade everyone a happy and successful full moon without too many bad incidents and that they all hoped Harry's next formula would bring them closer to such a day where a completely docile werewolf could be achieved. As soon as dessert was served with yet another bottle of wine, their third of the evening, they reminisced about Christmas and what they planned to do once all the celebrating had died down.

By midnight, Harry felt his eyelids were drooping.

"I think it's time this little one gets some proper sleep," Draco chuckled as he rested his almost empty wine glass on the table. Taking one of Harry's arms into his own, he stood up and gave a gentle tug for the young man to follow him. "Come on, Harry, let's get you to bed. You've had a very long, tiring day." Harry was barely about to stumble over saying goodnight to everyone as Draco gently escorted him from the room.

Arriving as Draco's bedchamber in the west wing of the manor, Harry grunted as the blonde man laid him down as gently as possible on the beautifully carved four-poster bed. It had thick velvet curtains draping down from each corner. Everything was new, ordered within the first week of arriving in Scotland and Draco had paid extra to speed the processing time along. Now, he was grateful that he had when he had Harry stripped down to his undergarments and sprawled before him like a gift from Heaven.

"Oh, Harry!" he breathed as he hastily undressed himself. "You have no idea how desperate I've been for you. I've missed you so horribly!"

Harry stirred so that he was more awake, tilting his head so that he could properly see Draco as he dragged his clothes off his body and climbed up onto the, bed straddling Harry in the process. "I've missed you too Draco," Harry murmured, as he smoothed his hands up and over the planes of the blonde's body, committing every muscle and hair to memory. "Mmmm you're so warm."

Draco lowered himself on his forearms over Harry's head and wasted no time in slipping his tongue between Harry's soft pliable lips. A hand reached up and slid through his hair, tugging on the ribbon and letting his hair fanning down around their faces. "Harry I've missed you," he groaned low in his throat. "Let me show you, Harry, let me show you just how much I've craved you?"

Through the haze in his mind, Harry finally realised that Draco was begging him. He was asking for permission into Harry's body. A smile tickled at his mouth. "Please, Draco, I need you too," he moaned, slipping his hands down the back of Draco's undergarments and gripped his buttocks. The blonde man moaned as he suckled on Harry's throat, his tongue pressing and probing against the flushed skin with his hips rolling hot and heavy against Harry's own. "Make love to me Draco."

The blonde man needed no further invitation.

That night they did everything; they fucked hard and dirty over the end of the bed and the writing desk until they were both slick with sweat, claw marks and wet, raw bite marks over their necks and chest, they had energetic sex on the bed in as many positions as they could muster and then, finally, Draco stood up, naked and damp with his erection still swollen and urgent, and held out his hand for Harry to take. The younger man was panting heavily as he stared up at the blonde God before him and felt his heart lurch. Taking the pale hand, he was tugged off the edge of the bed and guided over to the thick, fur rug that was sprawled out on the hearth. There, he was laid down, the fur tickling his inner thighs, as Draco positioned himself between his legs, entered his body and made slow, aching, burning love by the heat of the fire. It gave Harry a chance to breathe properly again. It almost didn't matter at that point whether they finished or not –however Draco took his time and lovingly cared for Harry until they were both spent and collapsed into the plush rug.

Harry must have dozed for a while because when he came to, there was a blanket draped over him to ward off the chill. Draco was dressed in a robe and lounging on his side, his blonde hair still hanging down his back as he watched Harry stir awake. Harry gave a lazy smile before propping himself up. "Sorry," he mumbled. "I didn't mean to nod off."

"It's okay. It gave me some time to think and –I think I'm ready."

"To … what?"

"I have a question I wanted to ask you," Draco admitted. "I wasn't sure if I should but … I have to."

"You can ask me anything," Harry stated as he forced himself to sit upright.

Facing one another, Draco gave a somewhat nervous smile before producing a blue velvet box from the pocket of his robes. "I wanted to give you this."

Harry stared down at the box, his mind running blank. There was only one thing a box of that calibre could mean. His heart felt heavy in his chest as he took in with trembling hands. What would he say to Draco? He couldn't reject him at such a moment like this. It wasn't as though he wouldn't want to, if it were at all possible, but they'd both be hung if word got out. Whilst his mind raced and panicked, Draco was probably able to see that he was nervous at least. He pried the lid open for Harry.

It wasn't a ring.

That was the first thought that went through Harry's head. For some reason disappointment and relief washed through him in equal measure. He couldn't deny his confusion at what was in the box, however. Frowning up at Draco, he gingerly touched the silver metal bullet nestled within. "What is this?" he asked, gently pulling the bullet free. It was attached to a silver chain with a heavy clasp. He laid it out in his palm and studied it. "Draco, I really don't understand."

Draco nodded in understanding. Adjusting his robe, he took both of Harry's hands in his own and cupped them around the bullet. "Harry, I need you to know that –I have never been so lucky to have met someone as remarkable as you."

Harry swallowed, feeling his cheeks flush.

"You're kind, caring and intelligent. More so than I'd originally thought. You're inspiring and wonderful and are truly beautiful." He smiled as he watched Harry blush even more. "I say all of this, not to flatter you –although that is a benefit –but also to draw attention to the fact that there are not many people like you in this world. It breaks my heart to think that flames as bright as yours get snuffed out by unnatural or unnecessary means. No one, least of all you, deserves to be ripped from this earth ahead of their time, least of all by –by someone like me."

His hands were trembling now. It took all of his strength not to cry as he cleared his throat. Harry moved his hands and, suddenly, he was cupping Draco's quaking hands between his own. "Draco," he finally found his voice. "I –I can't accept this."

Draco reanimated, pressing the bullet firmly back between Harry's palms. "No, Harry, you must!" he choked out. "You need to promise me that –should the need ever arise –that you will think of yourself first. I –I need to know that you are forever protected!"

Harry felt his eyes brim with tears as he felt the hot metal roll between his palms. He swallowed thickly and tried to remember how to breathe. He let his mind process the words that Draco had just spoken. They hung in the air between them burning as fiercely as the flames behind them. Without asking permission, Draco slipped the bullet from between Harry's palms and undid the clasp. "May I?" he murmured, grey eyes pleading as he opened the necklace wider.

Harry hesitated for a moment, not wanting to promise anything as macabre as ending his lover's life in cold blood. That had been exactly what he'd tried to stop from happening nearly two months ago. Then again, there was no saying that he would ever need to use the bullet, not if he did his research right and continued to find new and better ways to improve the formula. The current batch rested in the kitchen, waiting to be used the following evening. If he was lucky, that would be the last time he'd need to make any alterations. It was wishful thinking he knew that. He was also hopeful.

Drawing in a deep breath, steeling himself, he nodded. Turning on the rug with his back to Draco, he shuddered as the bullet was draped over his chest, the heavy clasp fastened and resting on the nape of his neck. He didn't have a moment to think before two strong, pale arms wove around his chest and hugged him fiercely. "This is how much I love you," Draco murmured in his ear. The words made his heart skip. "I love you enough, that I would give up my own life, if it means that you can live yours to the fullest."

"I want you in my life," Harry insisted in a hushed whisper.

"You probably will," Draco said. "Look at Sirius and Remus. Two decades, Harry. I hope to God you will never have to use that bullet, but promise me? Promise me that -if it's your only option –you'll use it?"

Harry fingered the cooling metal and pressed back against Draco's chest. "Yes, Draco. I promise."

A finger hooked under his chin and turned his face around so that they could share a deep, tender kiss. They remained that way for a while, wrapped in blankets and each others arms. The fire dimmed a little, the wind howling in the outside world. Harry nestled his head under Draco's chin and couldn't help but worry about the following night. Another full moon, another medicinal potion to test out on his lover –and now a bullet ready and waiting to kill him dead. It was too much to take in, but at the same time it was a thrilling new step towards their future. Two decades? He'd need to cherish every moment as it came; the good, the bad and the ugly.

Somewhere in the manor, a clock or two chimed 3AM.

He continued to roll the cool, smooth bullet between his fingers as he laid down with Draco on the rug and turned so that his face was pressed to the older man's scarred chest. He traced a few of them sleepily, pressing a tender kiss to his skin as his brain slowly wound down for the night.

Soon, there would be a full moon.

Now, at least, he was prepared.

~ THE END ~

A/N: I cannot believe it! I finished it! In time for Valentine's DAY! As sad as I am to finish this, I am so glad that it's finished and wonderful and I hope you guys have enjoyed this insane wave of updates!

Thank you to everyone who faved, followed and reviewed this story. You have been amazing and have helped keep my spirits up from day one!

Please review and gush your little hearts out ... since it's Valentines Day ;) I love you all!

Belle xox