It was a cruel and blistery night as icy blue eyes opened in shock, "James..." he whispered into his lonely bedroom. The man breathed heavily as if he had awoken from a nightmare. He glanced around the room as if checking for danger before quickly getting himself out of bed. "What did you do, James?" he asked himself as he hurried to his study.

He burst into the room and ran to the far wall, the wall he hadn't felt compelled to look at in over thirteen years. He was quickly scanning his family tree, looking for what his dream had shaken loose. He felt his heart stop as he found the name he had thought had died, "Dante…" he began to feel tears streaming down his face.

He thumped into his chair and continued to stare at the name on the wall, directly under his name, Lucius Abraxous Malfoy, and right besides Draco Lucius Malfoy was the name he had forgotten until his mind had finally remembered. A memory charm that had finally broken and revealed to him his second son, Draco's twin, Dante James Malfoy.

As the Malfoy Lord sat he remembered the memories that had plagued him in his dreams.

~oOo~

"James! Why in Merlin's name were you with her?!" Lucius asked angrily, his eyes shining with unshed tears.

A man with raven hair and hazel eyes, concealed by glasses to large for his face, frowned in response. "You know how much I love you, Luc, but my father wants me to marry a light witch and have an heir. He knows you're a dark wizard, and while I agree with the Dark Lords plans, I do agree with my father's desire for a Potter heir."

Lucius could feel his anger burning in his veins, "So you were planning on marrying the little mudblood the whole time?!" he asked harshly, gaining a small sense of satisfaction as the other man winced as if struck. "You didn't really care about me, if you actually cared about me you would have seen the signs. We were supposed to go out tonight, James."

The man called James raised an eyebrow, "So where were you Luc?! Were you out with that little chit Narcissa?! I know your father still has that marriage contract between you two!"

"He broke the damn contract when I went to see him! That's where I was James! Right after I had been to St. Mungo's I went straight to my father so that we could be together!"

James hazel eyes softened as he listened to the man he loved, "Oh Luc…" His eyes then became concerned, "Why were you at St. Mungo's? Are you sick? Are you dying? For Merlin's sake tell me!"

"Why should I tell you?" His eyes harsh, "Why in Merlin's name should I tell you anything anymore?! You all but admitted you were going to marry the mudblood!"

"Only because I thought you were going to marry Narcissa!" James let out harshly.

Lucius had a calculating look in his eyes now, "And now that I don't have the contract with Narcissa?"

"I don't want to marry Lily Evens, Lucius…" James said with a sigh, "but we both need heirs…I still can't believe your father cancelled the contract…unless…" his hazel eyes widened in shock. He looked for truth in the silver pools of his beloved. "Luc, are you…? Am I…? Are we going to be…parents?" he asked softly coming to stand in front of Lucius.

Lucius pulled his eyes away from James' hazel orbs, "I do not need you to be with me, Potter only for my children. If you'd rather be with the mudblood than go ahead I will take care of my children alone!"

"Children?" James asked incredulously, "Lucius, are there more than one?"

Lucius' eyes softened significantly at the mention of his babies, "Twin boys."

"Luc, for a male to be able to have children in itself is incredibly rare but twins!" James exclaimed excitedly.

Lucius turned to look at James again his eyes turning harsh again, "And what about Evens? James, if you don't love me you have no reason to stay. I won't let my children be hurt by someone who claims to love them and then turns and runs into the arms of that mudblood!"

"The only reason I would ever marry Lily Evens is because the Potter's need an heir! My father no longer has any leg to stand on! Luc, if you're a bearer and pregnant with our twins there is no way I'll miss that!" He said with passion as he cupped Lucius' face in his hands. "Lucius, I love you and our children. I will meet you at the manor in an hour, I need to see my father."

~oOo~

Lucius could remember what happened after that plainly. James had returned in high spirits, Lord Potter still did not approve of him since he was a Dark Wizard but because he was with child he allowed James to break things off with the mudblood.

They had become engaged that night and married shortly after. Lucius refused to be married when he was as big as a house and he knew they would become to busy when the boys were born.

After the wedding James had a falling out with his father over their beliefs. James sided with Lucius on the Dark Side. He had been inducted into Voldemort's inner circle and had formed a sort of friendship with the man.

He felt tears again as he remembered the day his babies were born.

~oOo~

James had been in the Dark Lord's study discussing war strategies as Lucius relaxed in the den. He was nine months pregnant and ready to burst any minute. Suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his lower back that knocked the wind right out of him. He lowered his hands to his bump and rubbed it gently. "Calm down boys, please don't kick Mummy anymore." He pleaded with them gently, chuckling slightly as he remembered the argument he had with James about what they'd be called by their children. They had finally decided that James would be Daddy and Lucius would be Mummy.

It was ten minutes later that he felt the pain again only it was harsher and more sharp. Lucius was more alert now, "Ok, that was not a kick." Lucius admitted to himself breathlessly. Now that he knew that his children wanted out he knew he needed to find James as soon as possible.

"Dobby!" he called, still slightly breathless.

A creature with large green eyes and flappy ears answered the call, "Yes Master Malfoy, how may Dobby be helping Master Malfoy?"

"Get James please, Dobby…tell him the twins are coming."

Dobby's eyes widened impossibly and his ears flapped wildly as he nodded his head quickly. "Dobby will get Master James for Master Malfoy, right away!" and he popped away.

A few minutes and another contraction later Dobby popped back in twisting his hands nervously. "Mister Dark Lord sir would not let Dobby in Master Malfoy. Yous be telling Dobby not to bother Mister Dark Lord sir…"

"Ignore that order for now, Dobby! If the Dark Lord gets angry just tell him that I said his godchildren want out! Now get me James!" Lucius exclaimed in pain.

Dobby's ears flapped again with a nod as he left again. This time when he returned it was with a concerned James and a hovering Voldemort. "Luc? Are you alright, Love?"

"No I'm not bloody well alright! I started having contractions almost an hour ago and sent Dobby to you! Where the bloody hell where you?!" Lucius cried out as he bent over in pain again.

"I'll summon the healer." Voldemort said in a firm voice as he quickly and quietly left the room.

James moved the hair from Lucius' face as he helped the blonde wizard relax. "I'm sorry love, Tom and I were discussing contracts."

"You said we wouldn't discuss contracts until we learned if either of them has the ability." Lucius breathed in-between contractions.

James chuckled, "You know that through blood it is most likely to pass on to at least one of them, and we can have the healer check when they're born."

"Fine." Lucius sighed, "But only if he's interested in men. If both of our sons are straight they will marry women! I will not force one of my straight sons to marry a man, James Charlus Potter-Malfoy!"

James smiled as he caressed his husbands face, "Never love, it's only to keep them safe."

Lucius nodded again as another contraction hit him. The healer entered then and they all moved to the Malfoy's room as they prepared to welcome two more little wizards.

"I swear to Merlin, James Potter-Malfoy you will never touch me again!" The blonde exclaimed as the healer told him to push.

James winced as his husband squeezed his hand, nearly breaking the bones. "Whatever you want love."

Minutes later they heard the cry of a baby, the healer smiled as she handed him to James. "A little boy."

"Draco…" James whispered gently as he accepted the bundle, "Draco Lucius Malfoy."

Lucius smiled gently and nodded in agreement with the name before another contraction came along, causing him to push again. This time when the baby came there was no cry.

James quickly put Draco in his cot and went to Lucius' side, holding his hand as the blonde began to panic. "Where's my baby? Why isn't he crying? James? Where is he James?!"

James cupped the man's face and whispered sweet nothings in his ear. "It's alright Luc, everything's going to be okay, Love." He continued on even after his own tears began to fall.

Lucius was sobbing, still looking for the healer and his youngest baby. "James! I want to see my baby! My Dante! Where is he James?!"

"The healer is doing what she can, Love." James whispered gently.

Suddenly there was a soft cry, it didn't come from the cot and it wasn't a full cry like Draco had given. The healer was suddenly there holding a tiny baby, smaller than what Draco had been. "His lungs weren't fully developed, I used a spell that is like muggle steroids. It hurried the growth of his lungs. Draco is still much larger and healthier than this little one, but he should be fine now." She said with a gentle smile as she handed the small baby to its Mother.

Lucius quickly cuddled his child. He kissed the baby's forehead, eyes, nose, and lips before allowing happy tears to fill his eyes. "My baby, my Dante."

James let out a breath he didn't even know he was holing before he placed his hand on his youngest son's head in a loving manner. "He's alright, Love, he's alive."

Lucius nodded as he went back to smothering his child in kisses. He kissed the baby's belly and all of his fingers and toes before kissing his head again. James went and gathered Draco, placing him in his Mother's arms next to Dante.

"They're beautiful, James." Lucius said in awe as he watched his now sleeping sons.

James smiled softly and kissed the blonde's lips, "They are gorgeous, Love."

Lucius then turned to the healer who was packing her things to leave. "Are either of them bearers?"

"The little one, Dante…" the healer said with a smile. "He's a bearer."

Lucius smiled at the woman, "Thank you, Poppy."

"My pleasure, Lucius. Take care of those little boys, they are certainly precious." She said gently, "Should I let Tom in on my way out?"

Lucius nodded with a smirk, "If you could Poppy, we'd appreciate it."

James smiled at his husband as he just watched their children, "He will never let anything happen to them." He said gently.

"I think it's a good idea to go ahead with the contract for Dante." Lucius said quietly, "He's so delicate, I think it's a good plan for him, and if he ever wants out we will break it."

James nodded his agreement as Tom entered the room. He looked worried, "I heard one cry…"

"They are both safe, Tom." James said as he gestured for the man to come closer.

The man with ruby red eyes came closer to the blondes bedside, "They are both gorgeous, Lucius, James."

"This is Draco Lucius Potter-Malfoy, the Malfoy heir." Lucius said handing James the oldest baby before he turned to the smaller baby in his arms. "And this is Dante James Potter-Malfoy." He said handing the baby to the Dark Lord.

"He's yours to protect, Tom." James said locking eyes with the Dark wizard. "Don't make us regret this, Tom."

But the small bundle in his arms had already entranced him. The baby had opened his eyes to reveal startling emerald green eyes. Tom felt this rush of emotion take over him, "I'll protect him with my life."

Lucius smiled when he watched his lord bond with his baby, "Good."

~oOo~

Things had gone horribly wrong after that. Dumbledore had found out about his children and had imperioed James to take Dante and marry Lily Evens in secret. He wiped his memory of his husband and his youngest baby and married him off to Narcissa.

He needed to find Tom, he needed to find out what happened that night in Godric's Hallow. He needed to find out now! He jumped from his chair and marched his way through his manor. He jumped into the floo and shouted, "Riddle Manor!"

He hopped out of the green flames and made his way to the Dark Lords study, "My Lord." He said respectfully as he bowed.

Ruby red eyes burned in a fury at being disturbed, "Lucius…why have you come here?"

"My Lord I need to know if you remember why you went to the Potter house fourteen years ago." Lucius requested, he needed to know if he remembered being Tom, if he remembered his baby, his Dante.

The mans eyes narrowed, "Why do you question me, Lucius? Your Lord?"

"I do not question you My Lord, but I have just broken some mind compulsions and I believe you may be under some as well." Lucius said hurriedly, he pulled a piece of parchment, "I found this in my locked drawer in my desk after I broke the mind compulsions."

The Dark Lord took the parchment, his eyebrow raised, "Dante James Potter-Malfoy?" he questioned, before his eyes unfocused.

~oOo~

Tom could remember the devastation Lucius felt the morning that James and Dante disappeared. "Lucius, I promise you I will find Dante and James." He said firmly to the sobbing blonde as he clutched the ten-month-old baby to his chest. Draco was crying as well, he could no longer feel his younger twins presence and it scared the baby.

It was a few days later that the Daily Profit had announced that James Potter had married Lily Evens in secret a year before and that they had an eight-month-old baby named Harry James Potter.

Tom could not find it in himself to show the paper to the already distraught blonde man. But the evidence fit, James had left with Dante for an outing at the park that was a mere two blocks from the Manor, from there the man had been kidnapped by the so called 'Light' side.

Tom could feel the bond with James through the Dark Mark and it was strained to its limit. That told the ruby-eyed man that it was some form of the imperious curse on his steadfast follower. Most likely Dumbledore forced James into living with Evens and claiming Dante as 'Harry'.

He turned to Bellatrix, "Get Wormtail." Was all he said with his mouth quirked in a smile. He had promised to always protect Dante, so that was what he was going to do. The crazy haired woman jumped to her feet and ran from the room in an effort to please her Lord.

A mere five minutes later Bellatrix reappeared with the sniveling form of Peter Pettigrew behind her. "The rat is here my Lord!" he said with a crackling laugh.

"M-my L-lord?" the cowardly man asked in a stutter.

Tom regarded him with narrowed eyes, "You were friends with Black, Lupin, and Potter, correct?"

The man just nodded.

"Good. I want you to gather information on the whereabouts of the Potters, find a way to weasel out their location and bring it back to me." Tom said with no emotion in his eyes.

Pettigrew swallowed around a lump in his throat, "Y-you won't hurt him, will you My Lord?"

"James Potter and Harry Potter will come to no harm by my hands, Wormtail." Tom said firmly, he made no mention of the mudblood who had dared to steal his most trusted follower from his family.

Pettigrew gave a small nod and turned from the room. He had a family to find.

~oOo~

Two months later, October, Pettigrew came back with an excited grin on his face. "My Lord!" He exclaimed running into the man's study.

Tom raised an eyebrow, it was the first time he had not seen the rat cower in fear in front of him. "Wormtail."

"I have their location My Lord! The idiot Black thought it would be a great ruse! To have me as their secret keeper instead of himself!" The rat faced man forced out in excitement.

Ruby red eyes sparkled with a twisted happiness, "Excellent, tell me then Wormtail, where are the Potters?"

"The Potters are hidden at 7 Godric's Hallow."

~oOo~

The night wet and windy, two children dressed as pumpkins waddling across the square and the shop windows covered in paper spiders, all the tawdry Muggle trappings of a world in which they did not believe... And he was gliding along, that sense of purpose and power and rightness in him that he always knew on these occasions... Not anger... that was for weaker souls than he... but triumph, yes... He had waited for this, he had hoped for it...

"Nice costume, mister!"

He saw the small boy's smile falter as he ran near enough to see beneath the hood of the cloak, saw the fear cloud his pained face: Then the child turned and ran away... Beneath the robe he fingered the handle of his wand... One simple movement and the child would never reach his mother... but unnecessary, quite unnecessary...the image of Lucius hunched over Draco's form, sobbing, was lodged in his mind at the thought…

And along a new and darker street he moved, and now his destination was in sight at last, the Fidelius Charm broken, though they did not know it yet... And he made less noise than the dead leaves slithering along the pavement as he drew level with the dark hedge, and peered over it...

They had not drawn the curtains; he saw them quite clearly in their little sitting room, the tall black-haired man in his glasses, making puffs of colored smoke erupt from his wand for the amusement of the small black-haired boy in his blue pajamas. The child was laughing and trying to catch the smoke, to grab it in his small fist... He felt his heart clenched at the sight of little Dante…

A door opened and the mudblood entered, saying words he could not hear, her long dark-red hair falling over her face. Now the father scooped up the son and handed him to the woman, the child trying to leave the woman's arms. It was clear to Tom that the child knew she was not his mother… James threw his wand down upon the sofa and stretched, yawning...

The gate creaked a little as he pushed it open, but James Potter did not hear. His white hand pulled out the wand beneath his cloak and pointed it at the door, which burst open...

He was over the threshold as James came sprinting into the hall. It was easy, too easy, he had not even picked up his wand...

"Lily, take Harry and go! It's him! Go! Run! I'll hold him off!"

Hold him off, without a wand in his hand!... He laughed before casting the curse...

"Stupify!"

The red light filled the cramped hallway, it lit the pram pushed against the wall, it made the banisters glow like lighting rods, and James Potter fell like a marionette whose strings were cut...but his heart continued to beat…he continued to breathe…he would have his most trusted back…

He could hear her screaming from the upper floor, trapped, he grinned…she had everything to fear... He climbed the steps, listening with faint amusement to her attempts to barricade herself in... She had no wand upon her either... How stupid she was, and how trusting, thinking that her safety lay in the great Albus Dumbledore, that her weapon could be discarded even for a moment...

He forced the door open, cast aside the chair and boxes hastily piled against it with one lazy wave of his wand... and there she stood, Dante in her arms. At the sight of him, she held the child closer to her chest…

"He's not mine! It wasn't my idea!"

"No, it was your idea…Dumbledore merely went through with it…"

"Spare me please!"

"As you spared my followers?! As you spared Dante?!"

"Please... have mercy... have mercy...spare me! Please, I'll do anything..."

"Put the boy down, you silly girl!"

He could not curse her with Dante in her arms…or could he?

The green light flashed around the room and she dropped even harder than James had. He had been stealthy in catching the baby in her arms as she fell. The child had not cried all this time. He looked up into the intruder's face with a kind of bright interest, when he saw who was beneath the mask he began to giggle and clutch at the man's robes even tighter.

"It's alright, Dante. I promised to always protect you."

As he turned to gather James and head back to Lucius there was the sound of footsteps behind him.

"It was foolish of you to come, Tom."

Tom sneered, "It was foolish of you to steal Dante and James from their home, Albus."

"You finally acknowledge your followers by their names? I'm surprised, Tom. Now put the child down, he does not deserve to be hurt."

Tom felt his anger rise, as if he would hurt the boy he had promised to always protect. "You fool! As if I would hurt the boy!"

"I grow tired of this, Tom. Obliviate!"

The spell hit Tom firmly, before he could gather his wits another spell came blasting at him.

"Avada Kedavra!"

And then he broke. He was nothing, nothing but pain and terror, and he must hide himself, not here in the rubble of the ruined house, where the child was trapped with his enemy screaming for his 'Tom', but far away... far away...