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Chapter 8

Remus stayed next to Harry for the next half hour, making sure that he was fine. He was grateful for Arthur's support for their relationship, and now that he thought about it, the other man didn't seem *that* surprised by the news. Harry had told him that Ron had guessed about the two of them being together, and Remus wondered just how many of his family knew the truth about Harry and himself.

Eventually Seamus bounced over to them. Remus had always liked the Irish boy. He seemed to know the right moment to inject a little levity, often helping to release the tension that tended to build when they were discussing something truly awful in class.

"So," Seamus began, pointing to their clasped hands, even as they were hidden in the folds of their robes. "When did this happen?"

Remus watched as Harry smiled, returning the Irish boy's own. His lips twitched as Harry shook his head. "Why should I tell you this?"

Seamus winked at the both of them. "Because I told you about the pool?"

"Pool?" Remus asked before he could stop himself.

Harry shook his head in embarrassment as his face turned red as Seamus answered.

"Yeah! We had a pool going as to when our dear little Harry would find someone to call 'his lurve.'" He winked again, this time quite suggestively. "But, once we knew he found somebody – that has to be you, Professor Lupin –"

"Remus," he interjected. "You're no longer my student."

Seamus smiled. "Remus." He took a deep breath and launched into his explanation again. "We've been trying to figure out who it was. Harry told me that he was bringing a date to the party, but I didn't really think anything about when you two were standing close together. You did that during school, so it was no big deal."

Remus exchanged a look at Harry. Both of them were surprised they had acted like that long before they acknowledged their feelings to each other.

"But when Sirius practically lead you, Harry, over here, it just clicked," Seamus finished, looking at the two.

"You don't have a problem with it?" Harry asked. His voice was soft, and Remus could tell that it held a hint of expected rejection.

"Me? Have a problem?" Seamus laughed, drawing the attention of the people around them for a brief moment. "Harry, I was trying to get into your pants half the year."

Harry's face went a bright pink as Remus gave a chuckle. He knew that Seamus meant no harm when he said that, even as he cursed himself for being so oblivious to what had been in his face. After all, he was the one to go home with Harry tonight.

"So, can I tell Neville?" Seamus asked. "He and I had a bet on who you'd be bringing."

"Seamus!" Remus could practically feel Harry's embarrassment at the admission.

The Irish boy gave a carefree grin. "Just kidding!" he yelled as he took off at a fast rate, leaving Harry to lean slightly against Remus in his indignant anger.

"Sometimes I wonder about him," Harry eventually said, shaking his head.

Remus gave him a thoughtful glance before searching the crowd for where Seamus had gone off to. Finding him speaking animatedly with Neville, Hannah, and Padma Patil, he turned back to Harry. "Are you worried about their reactions?" he whispered.

Harry shrugged his shoulders. "I know that some of them won't be shocked that I'm gay, but I don't think most of them had a clue I was pining over someone in the first place."

Remus saw that he was feeling better as he caught sight of the grin that crossed Harry's lips. As tempting at they looked, he didn't want to create a scandal that was already half in the making. He would wait until they got back to Hogwarts, where they could rest in peace until the fallout started.

Deciding that they should get going, he and Harry rounded up Sirius from where he was arguing with Sirius about how to treat the students this coming fall, said a quick thank-you and good-bye to Molly since they couldn't find Ron, and disapperated to Hogsmeade.

******

Harry sat down and looked at the blue sky.

"Hello, Draco," he said in a soft voice. "I know I'm a little early this week, but I'm leaving on vacation. Me and Remus and Sirius... and you won't believe me when I tell you that Professor Snape – excuse me, *Severus* – is joining us." Harry chuckled. "I couldn't believe it when Sirius suggested it, but now that I've seen Snape, I know why.

"Snape's done with teaching. I think that he wanted to make sure the rest of your classmates made it through to graduation before he stopped. And in a way I'm glad. He's been hurting a lot lately, and being down in the dungeons with the Slytherins hasn't been the best on him. I know that he's been visiting Poppy often the last couple of months, and he spent a month here in January.

"I know that I told you about him when I visited before, but I thought I'd let you know how he's doing. Between the three of us, we'll make sure that he gets better, even if he keeps on muttering about being stuck with Gryffindors. I think I heard that he's coming here before we leave. I know that he's been coming here off and on for a while. Poppy said that it's good for him."

Harry sighed and didn't speak for a couple of minutes. Instead, he watched the clouds as they rolled past, a soft breeze blowing the tops of the nearby trees.

"I told you about going to the Burrow for the party last week, right? Well, things didn't go exactly as planned."

He was quiet again. Remus and Sirius had talked to him about it, but it was hard not to think about what Hermione had said. One minute he was talking to her about the wedding and the next she was telling him that she didn't want to speak to a person like him. Seven years' worth of friendship meant nothing to her because he was in love with another man.

"Hermione told me that it was an abomination for a man to love another man. I don't think so, and most of everyone else I know thinks that, too. I talked to her mum a couple of days ago, to see if Hermione would talk to me. Her mum told me that all of this is because of the way she grew up. It wasn't them, but they go to church every Sunday, where they learn that being a homosexual is a sin. Mrs. Granger said it didn't bother her, but Hermione's a different story. Once she's got her mind set on something, it won't change."

Harry gave a sad, derogatory laugh.

"Hermione is smart. I know that, you know that. But what I've come to realize is that she isn't smart at all. She thinks that every thing there is to be learn comes from a book. There are things you can only learn from life itself. I think that you knew that back in fifth year when instead of calling her 'Mudblood' you called her 'egghead.' Ron and I were angry with you for doing that, but I think Hermione actually thought it was a compliment.

"You saw what we couldn't, Draco, and I wish you could have told us that. Maybe we wouldn't have listened, but it would have made us think."

Harry laughed, a much bitter laugh than earlier.

"Ron wrote me about what he and Hermione had been fighting after Sirius got me away from her – and I am really glad that he did that, I wouldn't have been able to move otherwise – and said that he would either have to give her or me up. Nice, huh?"

Harry sighed.

"I'm thinking that you must be sick of hearing me gripe about my life, instead of telling you what's going on. Remember when I told you that I kissed someone? It was someone I shouldn't have kissed, at least not at that time. But it was the right moment for it. You probably think I'm getting soppy if I told you that it was sweeter than what I thought my first kiss would be. It was back in Christmas – and I was half-drunk – but it was wonderful.

"And then the second.... I think that one was even better. I was sober and he was sweet. I know that it's very Gryffindorish to say something like that, but I like it. Remus is very sweet. I think you would like him now. I know you didn't like him as a teacher, since he actually taught us something. And add in the way your father raised you... it wouldn't have worked. But now....

"Maybe I'm biased because I love him so much, but I think that you could be good friends. I mean, once we got past all that stupid fighting we did our first five years we knew each other, I learned you were so much different from what I imagined you would be. You're smart, and when you aren't insulting my friends you talk intelligently."

Harry slumped in his chair. He felt rather stupid saying this, but he felt like he had to talk to someone. He loved Remus dearly, but the other man would blush and say that everything Harry told him wasn't true. Sirius wouldn't take him as seriously as he wanted. He loved his godfather dearly, and knew that the older man reciprocated his feelings, but it was a little mushy for Sirius to really want to listen to. Snape... no. He respected the man as a teacher, but there was not enough money in Gringotts for him to talk to the man about personal issues. Harry could always talk to Dumbledore, but the old wizard would just smile and nod like he always did, his blue eyes twinkling madly while he offered a lemon drop.

He studied the clouds for a while, letting the peaceful environment around him seep into him. It was quiet here and he liked it. He knew it was the best place for Draco, who, early in their sixth year, had decided that he wouldn't follow his father's path to Voldemort. Harry still wasn't sure who had been more shocked, Draco or Snape. Both of them had ended up in the middle of a meeting for the order, arguing about Draco's place in the war when Dumbledore calmly insisted that if the Slytherin boy wanted to help he was all for it.

Draco had insisted that he prove himself worthy, though, and while most of the others had wanted that, Harry had pointed out that he already had. As Ron and Hermione stared at him as if he suddenly had three heads like Fluffy, Harry had told those assembled that Draco had proven himself in the way he wanted to help, even with knowing what would happen should his father meet up with him. That had quieted down the order, all of who had been staring at him as if he'd gone barkers. Except Dumbledore and Snape. That had been the first time the Potions Master had even acknowledged Harry's intelligence, which had been strange. But it had earned him respect from Draco.

Over the next couple of months, the two had learned they worked well as a team. Each had seen faults laid out by the other, and had strove to fix them. Harry had been glad for the help as attacks escalated, growing increasingly close to Hogwarts as Fall drifted into Winter.

Draco had been one of the students with McGonagall when she had fallen, and rather than letting the others be taken, had started to fight back. It had ended up with him fighting his own father. Draco had eventually killed his father, but he had ended up here, not knowing what had happened from that point until the present.

Still, Harry was here to talk. At first Poppy insisted that Harry come and talk. It would be a kind of therapy, to help Harry realize that the attack hadn't been his fault and that things could have gone even more terribly than they had.

"I know that Blaise came and visited with you before he left school and that he was going to design brooms. I gave him that sketch we put together a couple of days before the attack, and he said he would see about getting it into production. He thought it would make a good broom, since its qualities are good for a seeker.

"He also said that he would try and visit once he gets back from the States. There's a good program for broom designers at the university over there, and it'll take about a year for him to take all the courses. He wasn't sure if he would make it back for Christmas, since both Portkeys and planes from the States to here are expensive. I hope he does....

"He misses you, I think. It was strange to see him at the Slytherin table for the longest time, and he seemed to be wanting to talk to someone intelligent. I tried the best I could, but I will never be a substitute for you."

Harry bowed his head and was silent again. War was a terrible thing. If it didn't cost a person's life, it cost them dearly in other ways. Snape had to deal with the loss of using both his legs. Ginny... she would waste away in the same manner as Neville's parents did if they couldn't find something to help her. And Draco.

A rustling noise alerted him to somebody nearby. Turning, he found Snape sitting in the doorway.

"No response?"

Harry shook his head. "Not today." He looked back down at the emaciated body of Draco Malfoy as it lay on the hospital bed. The blond had been brought here after the attack, unconscious and wounded badly.

Poppy suspected that he didn't want to face a world where he'd had to kill his own father and that's why he didn't wake up. His body was as healthy as could be for someone who had been sleeping for eighteen months, but Harry – and the rest of the staff – were afraid that he wouldn't last much longer.

Snape wheeled over to the other side of the bed and held the boy's hand in both of his. Harry watched the both of them for a while. Finally, he stood and made to leave when Snape's voice stopped him.

"I'm looking for a potion that will help him."

He turned around and found the Potions Master staring at him. His face was etched with pain like it had been for a long time, but his eyes held something that Harry couldn't discern.

"I hope you find it," Harry softly said. He gave Draco another look before he turned towards the door once more. I really hope you do, for your sake and for Draco's.

******

Remus stuck his toes in the sand, feeling the warmth it held reach deep inside him. Next to him, Harry lay stretched out on the blanket, enjoying the sunshine.

Sirius was right, he thought. This is the perfect place to get away.

Speaking of Sirius, he looked over to where he was coaxing Snape out of his chair and into the ocean for a relaxing swim. Both of them were determined to get their own way, and had been from the moment they stepped foot on the island four days ago. While it was rather strange to see the two men getting along as well as they have, Remus thought that there was something missing. Sirius and Snape had learned to tolerate the other's opinion, but they weren't to the point where they respected each other. Both had the mentality of a guard dog in that regard.

Remus looked down to where Harry was and found green eyes watching him.

"Have a good nap?" he asked.

Harry nodded and sat up, stretching lightly. "It was good, but even better having you here when I woke up."

Remus blushed at the comment and the shy smile that accompanied it. Since they had left England, the younger man had started saying things like that, and while Remus loved it, it was still new enough to embarrass him. It hadn't helped when Sirius had overheard such a remark last night as they were retiring – in separate beds, mind. His friend had teased them mercilessly all through breakfast, until Snape had told him to shut up or he'd throw him in the garbage dump in the back of the hotel.

The Potions Master hadn't been perturbed at all by Remus and Harry being together, which was fine by the two of them. The only thing he'd said to them about it was that he didn't want to see anything sappy. Remus interpreted that to mean anything more than sitting close to one another.

He didn't mind that at all if he got to sit next to Harry. He liked being that close to the younger man. Harry smelled of fresh apples and falling leaves. Even in the midst of tropical heat, he reminded Remus of home.

Harry's warm body brushed against his as he wrapped his arms around Remus from behind. The younger man let his chin rest on his shoulder as they both watched Sirius and Snape argue.

"How many times have they had this same argument?" Harry asked, his breath fluttering in Remus' ear.

He shivered slightly at the sensation, but answered, "Too many times. I think that it's all they can talk about."

Remus knew that Harry smiled, even though he couldn't see his face. He rubbed along Harry's forearms where they were wrapped around his waist, smoothing the dark hair that lay there. Remus leaned back slightly, savoring the feeling of Harry skin to skin. With the warm sunshine on them, it was easy to forget the outside world, and as much as he wanted to ignore it, they were going back to it in three days.

Harry shifted, waking Remus from the doze he had fallen into. A bright green gaze drifted over Remus' face as the younger man twisted his body so that he was facing Remus rather than sitting behind him. Remus looked at him as well, eyes wandering from the lovely face and traveling southward. His gaze stopped at the mark he'd made a month and a half ago. The skin hadn't tanned like the rest of Harry's skin. Remus had worried about it, but Harry admitted that he liked it not blending in. He lifted a hand and lightly touched the mark, earning him a soft sigh from Harry.

Remus bussed him on those soft lips before pulling slightly back. "How about we leave the children and grab something to eat?" he suggested.

A black eyebrow lifted above an intrigued green eye. "Hungry how?"

Remus felt a faint blush rush across his cheeks at the leer directed at him. Sometimes he wasn't sure why Harry wanted to be with him. It wasn't as if he was *that* young, and never would be again. Still, looks like that made him feel *loved*, like he had wished to be when he was waiting for the full moon to turn him into a monster.

"Remus?" Harry's voice sounded concerned, and when he looked up, he found that he was wearing a worried expression.

Shaking his head, Remus leaned closer. "It's nothing I should worry about, Harry." He gave the younger man another kiss, this one a little longer than earlier. He turned his head just enough to look down the beach where the two black-haired men were talking. Seeing that they weren't paying attention, he stood up, lending a hand to a confused Harry and helped him up. "How about we get out of here?"

Harry grinned and hugged Remus, nuzzling his nose into his gray-streaked blond hair. "Yes," he whispered into Remus' ear, sending a shiver over his entire body. Remus clutched him a little closer, kissing his way from ear to mouth.

Soft lips brushed gently against his before becoming a little more demanding. Obliging Harry's request to open his mouth, Remus did so and welcomed the younger man's tongue. He swirled his tongue around it, pulling a moan from Harry, even as he held back one himself as Harry's hands moved from his waist to his arse. It escaped as Harry nipped at his lower lip, his soft lips trailing down along his chin and up to his ear.

"Shall we?"

Remus drew a deep breath as he caught sight of Harry. His lips were a soft red color even as his green eyes were dark with desire. Nodding, he leaned in for another kiss, sure that he couldn't last until their room before he could have another.

He tasted Harry's sweet mouth, convinced that he would never be able to get enough of it. Remus trailed his hands across Harry's warm shoulders, the sun's heat radiating off them and increasing the heat between them. He felt Harry's hands flex, pulling him closer to the hips his were attracted to. Just as they touched and two pairs of bulging swim trunks brushed each other, Remus pulled back. "The room. Now," he demanded, grabbing Harry's hand and pulling him back to the hotel.

Harry's laugh sent a tingle down Remus' spine, but he didn't stop until Remus' mouth shut it the moment they were in their room.

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