Hi everyone! Sorry for the long wait, but here it is at last! This should have been up a couple of days ago, but I screwed up the computer! To all of those who might read this that are waiting for the next chapter of What Do I Have to Do?, I will get to it I promise, but I'm currently just trying to stick to one story at a time. I'm in a good place with this one at the moment, so hopefully that will push it along faster.

Without further ado, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any related characters. They belong to JK Rowling, and Lilanthe belongs to Kate Forsyth

The Forest of Faeries

Chapter 4

"Grandmother Willow"

Minerva's POV

I worry for these children. I fear that this relationship will not end well, as the chance of them staying together is not high. I've seen it all before, over the centuries. Draco's mortality hangs over them like a dark cloud, especially over Harry. Sometimes it is as if Harry is completely unaware of what he is feeling. It wouldn't surprise me at all; Harry is still young for a dryad, and naïve in a way that the others are not. Even Ron and Hermione, who are still young themselves, have adapted more easily to our way of life than Harry. This is just the way it is; some dryads are perfectly content with the carefree life most dryads lead. Arthur and Molly becoming a committed pair was a surprise to all of us, all those centuries ago, but not strictly a problem since they both are dryads. When faeries fall in love with humans, it hardly ever ends well. Sirius and Remus were lucky…

Harry seems reluctant to start a relationship with the Malfoy boy, yet at the same time seems irrevocably connected to him, as if joined by some mystic power that I have not seen before. I believe that he perhaps realises that any romantic relationship he might have with Draco will cause him pain, but I also believe that he doesn't quite comprehend how fleeting Draco's life will be, and just how long he will have to live without him.

I also fear for our safety. Not from Draco, but from the Parkinson girl. I worry about what she will do if, no, when Draco refuses the engagement. I have heard unpleasant things about the girl from the Malfoy household faeries. The Brownies in particular dislike the girl immensely. I'd be wary if I were here. A disgruntled Brownie is not something you want to come across.

And of course, Albus is absolutely useless! He just sits there and smiles benevolently, assuring me that everything will work out for the best. What his idea of 'for the best' is, I can only imagine. His interpretation is anybody's guess! Had I not known him for so long I would wonder if he were clairvoyant. Of course, a dryad's power doesn't extend into the psychic, but you never can tell with Albus. Perhaps it is that smugly superior air he often has about him.

The other dryads share my concern. Lilanthe and Hermione are at loggerheads over the whole situation. Hermione, while she likes Draco immensely, believes that Harry should remain ignorant of his feelings and avoid pain later on. Lilanthe thinks Harry should understand fully both his feelings, and the pain of losing someone loved. She believes that age old adage of "Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." I'm not sure I agree with her.

Ronald prefers to stay out of the girls' quarrel, but it is clear he has an opinion of his own. He is not overly fond of Draco. I think that he thinks that Draco is disturbing our peaceful, mythical existence in this forest and that he will eventually destroy Harry. However he seems to be rather conflicted, since it is obvious that at the same time that he only wants Harry, whom he sees as another brother, to be happy. Molly and Arthur have been playing mediator between their children's varying opinions; a lot of fights have broken out recently, and they seem to have little to say on the matter themselves. Sirius and Remus seem to be quietly staying out of the whole situation, which is unusual, especially for a loud mouth like Sirius. I can't help but wonder if they have something up their sleeves.

Still, I suppose I'll just have to watch, wait, and see what happens.

Pansy, Draco decided with an internal shudder, was without a doubt the most revolting woman he'd ever met. She had spent the last few weeks planning how she was going to redecorate the manor after the wedding. Currently, she was planning to turn the entire east wing into a nursery for their future children. No doubt tomorrow she'd be trying to turn the south wing into a menagerie.

Draco shuddered again at the thought of having children with Pansy Parkinson. Not a mental image he was comfortable with. The only thing that kept him sane during the day was thoughts of Harry, and the knowledge that he would be able to see his dryad that night.

He wished that he was able to see Harry during the day, but not only was Pansy following his every move, but even his father was getting suspicious of his nights out. Lucius would probably throw a fit if he knew how Draco truly felt about Harry; how completely opposite his feelings for Harry were to his feelings for Pansy. "I love him!" Draco realised suddenly, a bright grin spreading across his face. "I am completely and unconditionally in love with him!" It was an amazing feeling, and the consequences of falling in love with a Faery never even crossed his mind.

"What's got you looking so happy, darling?" Pansy seemed to appear out of nowhere, a simpering smile on her face. Draco immediately schooled his features and pushed aside his burning desire to see Harry, and forced himself to smile back at the insipid woman. "Nothing at all Miss Parkinson." He said to her politely.

"Oh, Draco dear, won't you please call me Pansy? We're going to be married after all." She wheedled. Draco fought back a sigh. "Over my dead body!" he thought. "Of course, Pansy." He replied aloud, and she giggled. Draco steeled himself for the sound. It sounded like nails on a blackboard. Fixing a smile on his face, he offered the girl his arm and escorted her towards the dining room. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of movement, and he turned abruptly to find the source. There, in the corner, disappearing through a small hole in the skirting board was some kind of Faery. Pansy, who had been forced to turn with him, scoffed. "Horrid, aren't they? Little rodents! Had them at home too. When I'm the Lady here, I'm going to fill in every bolt hole those Faeries have." She shuddered delicately. "My father wouldn't let me at home."

Draco's blood ran cold at her words. "And I'm not about to let you do it here, either." He thought fiercely. Aloud he asked, with tightly controlled politeness, "Do you know what kind of Faeries they are?"

She looked at him as though he were insane. "No, I don't know, and nor do I care." She replied. "Horrible things, Faeries, don't you think? Not that I've seen many of course, not that I'd want to…" she prattled on, her words falling on deaf ears.

Draco remained silent. No, he didn't think.

Harry couldn't explain why he felt so excited about seeing Draco that night, but he was restlessly pacing the Glade, waiting for the blond lordling to arrive. The three Naiads were watching him from the lake with amusement, wondering what had the young Hawthorn in such a state. Lilanthe, on the other hand, knew exactly what was bothering her friend. She walked over to Harry and touched his arm. When he looked at her, she said "You're waiting for him?"

Harry nodded. "I don't know why I'm so excited." He replied, looking adorably confused.

Lilanthe sighed. Boys could be so dense sometimes. "Walk with me Harry." she said, and he held out an arm for her, which she took with a smile. Arm in arm, they walked from the Glade.

"Tell me how you feel about Draco." Lilanthe told him after a few minutes of silence.

Harry looked at her strangely. "I don't understand." He replied, confused.

"What do you feel when you're near him?" Lilanthe explained.

"It's hard to describe. Harry answered slowly.

"Try." Lilanthe ordered with an encouraging smile.

"When I'm with him… I feel light headed, like I'm drunk on his very presence. If he touches me my heart beats faster and I feel like I've lost the ability to breathe properly." Harry said slowly, a small smile gracing his features.

"What about when he's not here?" Lilanthe asked.

"All I can think about is when he'll be back again. Everything seems darker when he's not around." Harry replied.

"And what do you think this all means?" Lilanthe asked. Harry opened his mouth to respond, but she cut him off. "Think for a moment, before you speak Harry."

Harry did as he was told, and shut his mouth. He was silent for a long time, while Lilanthe waited patiently for him to reach the inevitable conclusion. The conclusion that Lilanthe herself had reached some weeks ago.

Finally, Harry looked up at her, a terrified look on his face. "I love him." He whispered. "I'm in love with Draco Malfoy."

Lilanthe smiled. "I'm glad. You've finally worked it out." Her smile faded. "Harry? What's the matter?" she asked.

"I can't love a human Lilanthe!" Harry cried. "Too much can happen! He's mortal and I am not. How will it ever work?"

"Harry!" Lilanthe chided him gently. "Forget for a moment that you are immortal and Draco is not. Think back to what I told you to do earlier. Forget about the consequences for a second and tell me how you feel." She told him.

Harry was quiet for a long time before he smiled. "Happy. I feel happy." He said wonderingly.

"Exactly." Lilanthe said, "Worry about the rest when the time comes. For now, just enjoy being in love."

Harry nodded happily, and then stilled. "He's here" he exclaimed. He was about to dash off when he turned back. "Thanks Lilanthe." He said.

She smiled. "You're very welcome." She replied. "Now go! He's waiting for you." Harry grinned and took off.

As Harry vanished into the trees, Albus materialised beside Lilanthe. "Are you sure that's wise," he asked the young tree-changer. "Allowing him to become aware of his feelings? Would it not have been better for him to remain ignorant, especially when any relationship they might have is doomed to fail in the end?"

"Better that he knows a real love, even if it means enduring the pain that comes with it." Lilanthe replied, stubborn conviction colouring her voice.

Albus grinned. "Good girl! I agree completely. Keep up the good work!" He was gone before she could respond.

Lilanthe grinned and rolled her eyes skyward. Trust Albus to leave all the hard work to someone else!

Harry raced to the edge of the forest, momentarily forgetting his worries. The moment he saw Draco his heart leapt, and instead of slowing down to meet the young human, he kept running, cannoning into the blond. "Whoa!" Draco laughed. "Everything okay?" he asked.

"Yes!" Harry replied, snuggling unconsciously into Draco's embrace as the blond's arms went around him. "I'm just happy to see you, is all."

Draco smiled "I'm happy to see you too Harry." He told the small brunette. He couldn't resist leaning down and kissing the dryad's nose, making him giggle. "Can we walk around for a while?" Draco asked. "I want to tell you something." Harry nodded, and they set off into the forest.

"What did you want to tell me Draco?" Harry asked after a few long minutes of silence.

Draco took a deep breath, steadying himself before he began. "Harry, these last few weeks have been both the worst and the best weeks of my life. They've been the worst because of Pansy; the woman is a nightmare!" Harry and Draco exchanged a quick grin. Draco had spent much of the last few weeks ranting about Pansy Parkinson.

"But they've been the best because I met you." Harry looked up at him in surprise, and Draco brought his arm up to cup Harry's cheek in his hand. "Without you the whole mess waiting for me back at home would be completely unbearable. Harry, I love you."

Harry was stunned. Even having realised his own feelings for Draco, he had never even contemplated that Draco might return his feelings. For an instant, the complications and the impossibility of it all ran through his mind, but it was quickly pushed aside by the rush of joy and elation he felt at Draco's admission. "I love you too, Draco." Harry said simply.

Draco let out a bark of delighted laughter and pulled Harry into his arms. "I'm so glad!" he murmured, before drawing Harry into a warm kiss. Harry responded instantly, although a little hesitantly. He allowed Draco to lead him through the chaste kiss, and Draco could tell immediately that this was Harry's first. Not wanting to frighten Harry with too much, too soon, Draco pulled out of the kiss and smiled at the dryad. "Come on, lets go and find the others." He said. Harry returned his smile, stepped out of his arms, and led the way towards the glade.

Harry and Draco entered the glade hand in hand, and Lilanthe let out a cheer, throwing herself at them both in an ecstatic hug. "I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed, pulling away with a wide grin on her face. Draco grinned back at her and pressed a kiss to Harry's lips. They drew apart as they heard cat calls and wolf whistles from the lake. Draco looked over and saw Seamus and Dean grinning at them like lunatics, their tails swishing back and forth happily. Neville was smiling at them too, but there was a sense of sadness about him that made Draco curious. Hermione had approached to hug Harry, reassuring him that she only wanted him to be happy, regardless on her opinion on relationships with humans, but that she hoped he knew what he was doing. Draco carefully detached his hand from Harry's and made his way over to Neville.

He crouched on the lake's edge, beside the Naiad. "What's wrong Nev?" Draco asked.

Neville visibly tried to pull himself together. "I'm fine Draco. I'm happy for you." He replied, and this time he looked visibly happier when he smiled.

"I know you are Nev, but something's wrong; I can tell." Harry had somehow managed to escape Hermione's lecture, and come to join them by the lake, looking pointedly at his friend.

Neville sighed. "I've never been able to fool you Harry." he told the dryad with a wry smile.

"Nope, never. Now spill it!" Harry ordered with a smile of his own.

Neville's face fell. "I was just thinking about how I'm the only one without somebody." He explained. "Even Percy and the twins are seeing dryads from other areas."

"Lilanthe doesn't have a partner." Harry pointed out.

"No, but Lilanthe is content with that. She's not looking for anything lasting, not like I am."

An idea suddenly struck Draco. Neville was exactly the type Blaise usually went for, at least in looks; and Neville was much cuter than any of the boys at the local inn. Personality wise, Neville was different to anyone Blaise had ever known, having long preferred to bed the louder, more outspoken boys. But Blaise had been tiring of those boys lately, and Draco had a feeling that Neville was what Blaise was looking for, whether he knew it or not.

"What's got you looking so smug?" Harry asked curiously. Draco simply smiled secretively and kissed his cheek. "Don't you worry love, it's all under control." He looked over to where Albus was sitting with Minerva. The ancient Dryad stared back at him, with the ever present twinkle in his eyes, and nodded. He knew what Draco wanted, and was giving him permission to do it. The elder Dryad hen spoke up. "Mr. Malfoy, I do believe it is time you returned to the manor."

Draco looked up and saw streaks of light entering the dark sky. "Your right, it's almost sunrise." He replied. He and Harry rose from their spot beside Neville, and Draco said his goodbyes.

Harry and Draco walked hand in hand back towards the edge of the forest, but a rustling in the undergrowth made Draco turn. Harry followed his gaze and smiled when a small dark skinned faery with wiry white hair and clad in a tiny green tunic and breeches emerged out of the heather. It was the same faery from that afternoon. "That's a Brownie." Harry explained at Draco's curious expression. "A household faery. There's probably a whole host of them inside the manor."

"What do they do?" Draco asked.

"Mostly they just watch." Harry replied. "Keep an eye on the occupants of the house they live in. Occasionally they help out with little things around the house too." Harry smiled and crouched low to the ground, holding out his hand for the Brownie, who chittered irately at him, but clambered on to his hand anyway, all the while chattering at Harry in his own language, which Harry seemed to be able to understand. Harry listened solemnly, before turning to Draco with a smile. "He says his name is Oscar." He told the blond.

"Oscar?" Draco asked, trying to keep a straight face.

The faery chittered again. "He says is name is Bellasvalainon, with translates roughly into Oscar, and that since his name is too hard to pronounce in full, Oscar is the closest a human will come to getting it right." Harry translated.

"I see." Draco replied, smiling. He approached the little guy in Harry's hand carefully, holding his own hand out. "OUCH!" Draco cried, snatching his hand back. "He bit me!" he said indignantly, as Harry giggled.

Suddenly, the Brownie grinned toothily at Draco and clambered from Harry's hand to Draco's, climbing up the blond's arm until he reached Draco's shoulder. "Huh." Harry said, surprised. "He likes you."

Draco grinned and pat the little faery on the head, laughing when the tiny creature pat his ear in return. "Well, I like him too." He said happily.

"If you want to know more about him, Minerva is the one to ask." Harry told him.

Draco smiled at the dryad. "I'll keep that in mind." He said, before leaning in to place a soft kiss on Harry's mouth. "I have to go." He said gently. "I will see you tomorrow night." He hugged Harry tightly.

Harry sighed and relaxed into his embrace. "What do you have in mind to help Neville?" Harry asked.

Draco chuckled and kissed Harry's nose. "It's a surprise." He smiled when Harry pouted, and expression that disappeared when Draco kissed him again. "Good night, my love." He whispered.

"Good night…" Harry was too dazed from Draco's kiss to point out that it was, in fact, nearly daylight. Draco watched until Harry vanished back into the trees, and then made his way back to the manor, a Brownie on his shoulder and a dreamy, happy look on his face.

Draco woke the next day to a loud chittering in his ear. Turning his head, he saw Oscar the Brownie standing on his pillow, looking aggravated. He understood why a moment later. Blaise opened his door and stepped hurriedly inside, closing the door quickly and quietly behind him. Draco noticed that Oscar had vanished into the bedclothes upon his best friend's appearance.

"Dray, it's past noon!" Blaise exclaimed. "Pansy's gone on a rampage! She thinks you've been out all night with some village girl!"

Draco groaned. "Wonderful." He said dryly.

"I tried to tell her it wasn't true, but the woman is completely insane!" Blaise continued. "She was all for coming up here and hexing you into oblivion!"

Draco swore and climbed out of bed, dressing quickly. "I can't wait until this is over and I can send her packing." He muttered.

'I could marry Harry.' he thought suddenly, before pushing the thought firmly to the back of his mind. 'Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, shall we?' he reprimanded himself. "Where is she?" Draco asked aloud.

"Looking for your father." Blaise replied. "She's convinced the two of you are conspiring to get her removed from the house. It appears that she's finally picked up on the fact that your father can't stand her."

"Well she's half right I suppose." Draco scoffed. "We both want her out of the house, but there's no need to conspire against her; she'll be gone regardless when the courtship period ends."

"Can we worry about the present please?" Blaise snapped. Then he grinned. "Of course when I said she was looking for Lucius, what I really meant is that he's hiding in the stables, trying desperately to avoid her."

Draco laughed. "Well, he certainly picked the best place to hide. She hates horses!" he sobered. "Better go tame the beast I suppose." He sighed. "I'll see you later." He dashed out of the room with Blaise calling out a farewell behind him.

Draco somehow managed to placate Pansy; even he wasn't entirely sure how he did it. As it was he was forced to spend the day with her, 'touring the village' as she put it. Naturally, the girl refused to leave the carriage to actually meet any of the villagers, scowling whenever one would call a greeting to Draco, who would smile and return the salutation. She got out only to meet Sandrilene, whom, she reasoned, would be making all her clothes as the future Lady Malfoy. The pug faced girl reminded Draco that she deserved the best, and that only the best seamstress in the village would suffice.

For all that she in reality saw very little of the village, the trip nevertheless seemed to make her happy, and it meant that Lucius could stop hiding in the stables!

Later that night an exhausted Draco flopped on to his bed, glad that the day was finally over. He felt both physically and emotionally drained, and was counting the moments until he could go and see Harry. Oscar the Brownie had already become a constant companion, although he had made himself scare whenever Pansy was around. Draco wished fervently that he was as adept at hiding from her as Oscar was.

His musings were interrupted by Blaise entering his room. "Well, nice save, I've got to say." He said with a grin. "I thought she was going to kill me this morning." He grimaced. "Either that, or start breathing fire."

Draco chuckled, sitting up and rubbing his hand tiredly over his face. "You should've seen the look on Sandry's face when I introduced Pansy to her. She looked about as thrilled about it as me!"

Blaise looked at him seriously. "It'll all be over soon Dray." He said, and then sighed. "I'll have to return home soon. Mother wants me to come home and see her before she packs me off to University."

The idea of Blaise returning home and leaving him virtually alone with Pansy was not a pleasant one. Draco stood. "I think I'll – "

"Go for a walk?" Blaise finished, disgruntled. "I wish I could go with you!"

Draco grinned smugly to himself as he opened the door. He looked back at Blaise over his shoulder and asked, "Well? Are you coming or not?" before turning and heading out of his room. Blaise stood, momentarily stunned, before chasing after Draco, a large grin on his handsome face.

Harry met the two boys at the entrance to the forest, smiling joyfully at Draco who, to Blaise's surprise, walked up to the brunette boy and kissed him tenderly.

"Mmm… hello." Draco said when he pulled away.

"Hello to you too!" Harry giggled. He looked over at Blaise. "Who's your friend, Draco?" he asked, a little warily.

"This is Blaise Zabini, he's my best friend." Blaise gave the strange boy a small bow. "Blaise, this is Harry." Harry smiled and waved cautiously. "Harry is a dryad that lives in the forest." Harry glared at Draco, who mouthed something to him that Blaise didn't catch. However, it seemed to mollify Harry, because his smile was back.

As Harry led them deeper into the Forest, Blaise said to Draco. "He's the reason you're out here every night isn't he? You're in love with him."

"Very much so." Draco replied, a smile unlike anything Blaise had ever seen gracing his features. "You're not concerned with the fact that he's a dryad?" he asked.

"Hey, my family's estate is on the forest border too. I know about them." Blaise replied. "You know the consequences, and you are prepared for them. Just be as happy as you can, for as long as you can. That's all I can say."

"Thanks Blaise." Draco smiled.

"Any time mate, any time." His friend replied. Suddenly, recognition dawned in Blaise's eyes. "The ring!" he whispered, voice lowered so Harry couldn't hear them. "You bought it for him!"

"Yes." Draco answered, his smile turning dreamy.

"Did you give it to him yet?" Blaise asked.

"No, not yet." Draco sighed. "It's too early for that."

"Damn!" Blaise commented. "I can't believe that I'll have to go home before this pans out!" Draco chuckled. He had a feeling Blaise would change his mind about going home before the night was over.

"We're here!" Harry called happily, and Draco heard Blaise gasp, and knew that the black boy was as stunned by the beauty of the Glade as he had been.

The dryads emerged from the trees before Harry had a chance to call them. Introductions were made, and Albus shook Blaise's hand heartily. "Well my boy, I must say you gave me quite the run around! Good fun it was too!" He chortled.

Blaise narrowed his eyes at the old man. "It was you!" he accused. "You're the one who kept leading me back to the manor!" Albus merely continued to chuckle gleefully.

Blaise immediately hit it off with Fred and George. "He always did have a strange sense of humour." Draco muttered wryly to Harry, who giggled.

Finally, Draco and Harry led Blaise towards the lake, where he could see Seamus and Dean sitting amongst the rocks, watching the newcomer with interest. After he introduced the two naiads, Draco asked, "Where's Nev?"

"Oh, down the bottom somewhere." Seamus replied in his thick Irish accent, gesturing towards the middle of the lake. "He can't find his toad again. You know what he's like; he still hasn't found those spare harp strings he lost last week!" The four of them shared a grin.

Suddenly, Neville broke the still surface of the lake, his tail swishing as he pulled himself up next to Dean. "Did you find him?" Harry asked.

Neville nodded. "Yeah, swimming around down the bottom of the lake." He replied with a smile.

Draco realised that Blaise had not taken his eyes off the youngest naiad since Neville had emerged from the water. He smirked as he introduced them. "Blaise Zabini, this is Neville. Neville, this is Blaise Zabini; he's my best friend." Draco smiled encouragingly at Neville.

For a moment, Blaise simply stared at the adorable naiad, as he struggled to find something to say. Well, this was new. Blaise had never been at a loss for words before. It was a pleasant change, Draco decided with a smug grin. He nudged a still silent Blaise sharply in the ribs.

Snapping out of his stunned reverie, Blaise smiled charmingly at the pretty creature in front of him. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Neville." He told the naiad, reaching out to grasp his hand and lifting it so he could brush a kiss across the boy's fingers. Neville blushed, and Harry could barely contain his delighted laughter. Oh, but his Draco was a clever one!

"Come on," Draco murmured in his ear, making him gasp. "Let's leave them alone. We'll have to get back to the manor soon."

Hand in hand, Draco and Harry left the two alone to talk; Draco with a smug smirk of satisfaction, while Seamus and Dean left the lake to speak to Ron and Hermione.

Sitting together under a tree, Harry asked suddenly. "Draco?"

"Yes love?" Draco replied with a soft smile.

"What's going to happen with us?" Harry asked.

"What do you mean?" Draco enquired, confused.

"I mean, I'm immortal, and you're mortal. Please don't misunderstand me, I love you with all my heart, but I'm scared. I don't want to lose you."

Draco sighed. He had suspected that Harry would be worried about this. And he had every right to be; there would be no easy way in this relationship. He wrapped his arms around the dark haired dryad. "It can't be helped." He said honestly. "One day I shall grow old and die while you live on. The same is true for Blaise and Neville, should they start a relationship." He heard Harry sniff, and tilted the smaller boy's head up. "Don't cry love." He told the emerald eyed boy. "We don't have to worry about it today, tomorrow, a year from now or even ten years from now, so let's just enjoy being in love."

Harry rubbed his eyes furiously, stopping his unshed tears, and snuggled into Draco. "I won't be able to live without you." He whispered.

"You'll never have to." Draco replied gently, holding Harry tighter. "Because even when I'm dead and gone, I'll be in here." He rested his hand on Harry's chest, over his heart. "As long as you remember me, and love me in some way, I'll never leave you. Okay?"

Harry nodded, and smiled. Draco was right. They had time. Still, he couldn't quite dispel the knowledge that life without Draco would be no life at all. Could he in all consciousness allow a relationship that was doomed from the beginning to continue further? Harry couldn't help but feel that perhaps it would be smarter to end his association with Draco before he got in too deep. But his heart told him that it was too late, and he already was.

* * * *

An hour later, Draco detached himself from a dozing Harry and kissed him awake. "I have to go." He murmured, kissing Harry's lips.

"Okay, I'll take you." Harry replied, sitting up groggily.

Draco shook his head, smiling tenderly at his love. "No, you stay here and get some sleep. I didn't want to wake you, but I wanted to say goodnight." He smiled, and kissed Harry's nose affectionately. "Go find your tree and get some rest."

Harry giggled. "My tree doesn't move, you know. It's rooted to the ground." He pointed out cheekily.

Draco grinned. "You know what I mean!" he scolded playfully. He kissed Harry one last time. "Goodnight love." He whispered.

"Goodnight Dray." Harry replied, stifling a yawn. He waved sleepily to Draco before allowing Lilanthe to lead him in the direction of his Hawthorn tree.

Sighing at just how adorable Harry was, Draco called to Blaise. "C'mon, we've got to get back. I'll ask one of the others to take us back."

"I'll take you." Neville offered shyly, smiling at Blaise.

Draco smiled. "That would be great Nev, thanks." He replied, not missing the grateful look Blaise sent him.

He could see Blaise's astonishment when Neville's tail morphed into a pair of legs as it left the water. "He must have missed Seamus and Dean's exit; too busy staring at Nev." He chuckled internally. He remembered how shocked he had been the first time he'd seen it.

Neville led them back to the edge of the forest, blushing furiously whenever Blaise spoke to him. That blush deepened when, as the trees faded into cultivated gardens, Blaise kissed his hand again as they said their farewells.

After Neville had disappeared from view, there was a long silence as, in the early dawn light, the two snuck their way back into the manor. Draco was dying to ask his friend what he had thought of Neville, but held himself in check, waiting for Blaise to tell him himself. It had been more than obvious that the tall black boy had liked the little naiad, but just how much, Draco wasn't sure.

Finally the silence was broken when Blaise said suddenly. "I think I'll owl mother and inform her that I will be staying here for the rest of the summer."

Draco grinned as they entered the main foyer of the manor. "So you like him then?" he asked mildly.

"Like him? Oh, Draco! He's the most amazing person I've ever met! He's so sweet and lovable and –"

"All right, all right!" Draco chuckled, cutting him off. "I'm happy that you like him, and it was pretty clear that he liked you just as much."

"You think so?" Blaise asked worriedly. "What if you're wrong? What if he hated me?"

Draco had to stifle more laughter as he watched Blaise fret over whether or not the young naiad truly liked him. It was the first time that the blond young man had ever seen his best friend so utterly fascinated by one particular boy. Up until now, Blaise had been the type of man whose bed was never warmed by the same partner two nights running. Draco was glad that Blaise's roving days seemed to be over. Neville would be good for him.

"Trust me Blaise," he said at last, "he definitely didn't hate you."

Blaise heaved a sigh of relief. "I hope not." He replied fervently.

Draco grinned. "Get some sleep my friend. We can go back and see our boys tomorrow night."

Blaise nodded, and waved vaguely at Draco as he headed towards his room in a daze, all the while murmuring to himself, "I'll owl mother tonight, and that way she should get it by the end of the week…" he was still at it as the door closed behind him.

Finally, Draco gave in, bending over as the laughter bubbled from his lips.

Despite his tiredness, Harry found himself unable to sleep. Comfortably ensconced in the branches of his beloved Hawthorn tree, the young dryad was wide awake. His mind wandered inexorably back to his conversation with Draco under the trees; about their relationship. While Draco was right, and they did have time, they didn't have forever, and it weighed on Harry's mind. He was the only one with the luxury of forever.

Distressed by these thoughts, Harry left his treed and went for a walk, tip toeing past Lilanthe so as not to wake the tree-changer girl. He wandered through the forest, lost in thought until he was jolted out of his reverie by a voice. "Harry?"

The dryad spun around and saw Remus standing there. Finally taking notice of his surroundings, Harry realised that he was standing barely a few feet from Remus's home.

Remus's home was a small cottage made from wood donated from local dryads. It was warm and inviting, and surrounded by the Earth magic of the forest. Remus grew a little herb garden in front of the cottage, all set out in the proper fashion; with lavender and sage by the garden gate for protection.

The reason Remus lived in this little cottage was because he wasn't a dryad, he was a werewolf. He had chosen to live in the forest after he met and fell in love with Sirius. Werewolves were known to live longer than humans, and even some wizards, if they survived the monthly transformations and the emotional trauma of all that lycanthropy entailed. However Remus had been with Sirius longer then Harry could remember, and often wondered if all werewolves lived as long as Remus.

Remus seemed to sense Harry's distress. "Come on inside Harry, and tell me all about it." he walked Harry up the garden path to the cottage, knocking on the trunk of a large Ash tree as he passed.

Remus sat Harry down at his scrubbed kitchen table, and had just placed a steaming mug of herbal tea in front of the young Hawthorn dryad when Sirius came through the open front door, tousled from sleep. He'd clearly been sleeping in his tree rather than in Remus's bed, which is where he usually slept. Sometimes a dryad just needed to stay with their tree. "What's going on?" he asked sleepily. "I was having the most wonderful dream, Remy, about the time we –"

"Siri!" Remus cut him off, blushing profusely as he glared at his lover. "Harry is here!"

Sirius finally registered Harry's presence. "Hey kiddo! What's the matter?" he asked, concerned.

It was as if a dam broke inside him, because Harry found himself pouring out all his fears about his relationship with Draco. Sirius and Remus listened to his babbling until he fell silent. Quiet settled for a moment as the older men contemplated what to say. Finally, he silence was broken when Sirius said. "Harry, have you ever wondered why Remus has lived for so long? Even for a werewolf, he's lived an unnaturally long life." Sirius began. Harry nodded slowly. He had often wondered how Remus had loved easily as long as Sirius, when most adult werewolves fell victim to the strain of transformation and were lucky to reach fifty.

Sirius sighed. "Harry, I'm going to tell you a story." He said. "The story of how Remus and I met."

"You've told me that story before. Remus saved your life, right?" Harry responded.

"Yes, but that's not all there is too it." Sirius said with a find smile for Remus.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked curiously.

Remus sighed. "I'd really rather Sirius hadn't mentioned this, but now that's he's started, there's no going back." He grumbled. "It's such a long shot that I didn't want you to get your hopes up."

"Will you just tell me already!" Harry demanded.

"Harry, there's a legend." Sirius said bluntly. "And it's the reason Remus is still alive."

Harry stared at his Godfather. "Tell me everything." He said.

Well, there you have it. I hope everybody enjoyed it. I have started the next chapter, which will be entirely from Sirius's POV. Until then, please R&R!