"Damn, it's not easy getting around this castle without being seen," Harry muttered as he and Draco hid behind a statue, waiting for McGonagall to pass by.
"How did you manage it before? You were all over this castle at all hours of the night. At least that's what Uncle Severus told me."
"I had my father's invisibility cloak then," Harry responded.
"Where is the bloody thing now?"
"Voldemort incinerated it, along with my family," Harry snapped.
"Oh. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's not your fault. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped. You didn't know."
"Apology accepted. Now will you get your foot off my foot?"
"Sorry."
"Sure you are. Ow! You didn't have to flick me! I was only kidding."
"Shut up. Look, there's Sirius. Good, he's alone. Go now, and make sure Severus doesn't see you, especially with him."
Draco left the statue and hurried off in the direction Sirius was headed. Harry imagined that the Headmaster had sent him off looking for Harry, since he knew what they were planning. After a few moments, Harry left the statue, heading off towards the Great Hall looking for Severus.
Harry stepped into the Great Hall and groaned. There stood the entire Weasley family.
/OH BLOODY HELL!/ Harry screamed inwardly. /I do not have time for this!/
"Harry!" Ron yelled, running toward him. Harry looked at him coolly, eyebrow raised questioningly.
"I've been hoping to see you! Dumbledore wouldn't tell us where you were. He said you didn't want anyone to know! I can't believe you didn't tell us. Why didn't you come to the Burrow? Don't look now, Harry, but Snape's watching you. I wonder what that greasy old git is up to. Something nasty to do with you I'd wager. After all, he is a Death Eater."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Ron, how long was it after I left Hogwarts before the media was stationed outside your front door? That's why. Now, as much as I would love to talk to you," Harry sneered, "I have something rather pressing to attend to. But rest assured, I WILL have a little talk with you later. And Snape isn't up to anything. Leave him alone."
Harry turned to leave, but Ron grabbed his arm. "Harry, let's talk now! You act like your mad or something. Did I do something wrong?"
"Now there's a loaded question. Trust me, we'll discuss your behavior soon, but I have something to do that cannot wait. Now if you will excuse me." Harry pulled his arm out of Ron's grasp and walked towards Severus. Harry smiled as he walked up to Severus.
"Hey, Sev. I can just imagine the look on Ron's face right now. You can tell me about it on the way to the Transfiguration classroom. Draco wants to talk to you and me privately."
"What does he want? Shouldn't you be with your godfather?"
"You don't have to say 'godfather' like that. It's not a profanity, you know. I will look for him, as soon as we deal with Draco. He said it's really important, and I'd like to take care of it now, so I can spend some time with Sirius before we head back to the Manor."
Harry grabbed Severus' arm and pulled him toward the doorway, ignoring the gasps and whispers his classmates were sharing with each other, shocked to see the two people who hated each other most walking out of the Great Hall together. "I didn't know all these people would be here," Harry muttered.
"Apparently, the mutt decided to take it upon himself to invite all these people to help celebrate his release. I believe it happened a few minutes after you left the courtroom."
"I thought you and Draco left before me."
"Hagrid told me."
"Mm. Just how I wanted to spend the day, being asked about Voldemort." Harry released Severus' arm outside the hall. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to seem so pushy."
"I know I should nail you up to the dungeon walls by your thumbs for that inappropriate behavior in front of all those people, but I had entirely too much fun seeing the looks on the faces of Granger and the Weasley family. The look on Ron Weasley's face would have curdled milk."
"Hermione was there?"
"Yes, she came in just before you drug me out of there. Her parents as well. Albus put a spell on them so that they could see Hogwarts. A rare treat for Muggles."
"I see. How fun my life is. Now I'll have to answer a ton of questions about you."
"Which is entirely your fault, idiot. I don't know what you were thinking, putting your hands on me. I am the greasy bastard Potions master, after all. How did you so poetically put it? The 'bane of Gryffindor Tower'."
"Touché." Harry teased, patting 'the bane' on his head. Harry laughed and ducked as Severus took a playful swipe at him.
"To say Ron Weasley is livid would be a gross understatement. I believe I heard the phrases 'poncy old git' and 'greasy sick bastard' come from his mouth before we left the room."
Harry snorted. "I'm surprised you didn't curse him right there."
"You had my wand arm in a death grip."
"Please! You could have easily gotten away."
"Good point. But as you said, Draco is waiting."
"That's too bad. I would have liked to see a curse thrown at him. At least a small, not too painful one."
"That's a surprise."
Harry stopped and turned, looking into Severus' eyes, his own eyes flashing with anger. "I don't really care right now. You and I both know that Ron sent one of those letters to Draco, one of the nastier letters."
Severus' brow furrowed in confusion. "How did you-?"
"Draco showed me the letters. I recognized the writing on two of them. One belongs to a Hufflepuff, but I don't remember the guy's name. The other was Ron's."
"I'm actually shocked that you are so angry. Up until the other night, you had a rather malevolent opinion of my nephew."
"I'm angry because I don't know what Ron was thinking. Even if things were different, and Draco was his father's son, I wouldn't have sent him a letter like that, no matter what he had done, no matter if he threatened me. His father was there, he helped to kill my family, and I still wouldn't have sent Draco something like that. Those things were just plain cruel. I know that Ron was angry when he wrote it, but it doesn't excuse it. And the fact that he sent it in his own writing was just plain stupid. I believe it was you who told me last year that 'stupidity is not a blanket defense for criminal behavior'. His behavior is not becoming of a Gryffindor. We represent honor and courage, and this act was neither."
Severus smirked as they continued walking. "I was planning on taking care of this when the new term started, but maybe I should just let you loose on him."
"Mm. I think you should put the fear of God into him anyway."
Severus looked at him questioningly. "The fear of God?"
"Scare the shit out of him. Better?" Severus snorted, and Harry continued. "I didn't tell Draco it was Ron who wrote the letter. Draco and I, well, our current understanding is tumultuous at best right now, and I'm concerned that if he finds out Ron is so angry, he'll pull away. I've been thinking hard about what you said, and it's not safe for Draco. I think we'll see that when we go back into the Great Hall later. Here we are."
Severus walked in first, followed by Harry, who quickly shut the door behind him, casting several locking and silencing spells.
He turned around and saw Severus and Sirius glaring at each other, wands raised.
"You greasy bastard! What the hell are you doing with my godson? Get away from him, you perverted old git!" Sirius screamed at the top of his lungs.
"As per usual, Black, you are completely mistaken," Severus replied, in a low, deadly voice that had made many a student faint over the years. Harry just got inappropriate shivers from it. "For Merlin's sake, get your mind out of the gutter. You simple-minded fool. Potter lured me here under the impression that Draco needed to speak to me."
Sirius aimed his wand. "I don't believe you! Now get away from him or so help me-"
"Expelliarmus!" Draco and Harry both yelled, the adults' wands flying out of their hands and into Draco and Harry's. Harry aimed his wands at Severus, and Draco aimed his at Sirius.
"Now," started Harry, looking from one to the other, "we are going to talk like normal human beings. If you two don't like it, that's too damn bad. Now, if both of you would please sit down, and not too close to each other- I don't want to have to hex either of you-Draco and I will explain why you are here."
Sirius and Severus sat down, facing each other, on opposite sides of the room. Harry and Draco took seats nearby, out of reach, wands ready in case someone decided to lunge. Severus glared at Harry and Draco, a hint of betrayal glittering in his eyes. The same could be seen in Sirius', but much more apparent. Harry and Draco sent each of them a pleading look, begging forgiveness for their actions.
"Harry, please tell me what you are doing with this murdering Death Eater? Have you lost your bloody mind?"
"It's so nice to see your vocabulary has expanded at such an astronomical rate after all these years. 'Murdering Death Eater'? How long did it take for you to come up with that insult? Imbecile."
"Shut up, both of you," Draco snapped, shaking his head. "Were they like this last time they were together?"
Harry smirked. "Oh, they're just warming up. This is nothing. I'd forgotten that you weren't around when these two were in rare form."
Sirius looked at his godson warily. "You know, Harry, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that you'd been spending time with Snape."
Severus sneered. "Ah, so there is a brain cell in there somewhere. Who would have thought?"
"You've dared to sully my godson with your presence?! I'll kill you!" Sirius jumped up and started towards Severus, but Harry was prepared.
"Impedimenta!" Harry shouted, stopping Sirius mid-lunge. "Sirius, when I release you, I want you to sit back down." Harry stood between the two men. "Then I will speak, and I expect you to listen. Much has happened since I last saw you, as you well know. I would love to explain things to you, if you will listen. Will you do that for me?"
"Fine!" Sirius growled.
"Finite Incantatum."
Sirius shook off the spell and sat back down. "Now will you please tell me what the hell is going on, and why you are protecting that bastard?"
"Severus Snape hardly needs my protection, any more than you do. This," Harry said, holding up Severus' wand, "is for Draco and my protection. Neither of us is keen on getting caught in the crossfire, and we need you both in this room." Harry looked at the two-Sirius still about to lunge and Severus in perpetual sneer mode-and sighed. "It's always nice to know that you two can live up to your nicknames, but-"
"And what would those be, Potter?" Severus snapped, still feeling a little betrayed, though he could admit that the teenagers did have a point. They more than likely would have gotten hurt if he and Black had been allowed to let things escalate.
"Nevermind that. Will you two just calm down and listen to us? Please? Do it for me?" Harry pleaded. Surprisingly, Severus was the first to crack.
"Fine, Potter. Keep your mutt on his leash and I'll refrain from doing him bodily harm."
Harry looked at Severus beseechingly. "Sev, you're not helping."
"Sev! You call him Sev? Are you fucking him too? If he's touched you I'll kill him!"
Harry blushed, giving Sirius a withering glare. "Sirius! That is enough! Don't be crude! Now both of you shut up, or I'll seal your mouths shut for a week!" Harry glared at each of them, eyebrow arched.
Draco laughed in spite of the awkward situation he found himself in. "That's a trademark Professor Snape look, Harry. You're scaring me."
"Mm. So it is...'The Sneer', patent pending. So, do you wish to go first, or shall I?"
"Oh, you, by all means." Draco sat down, wands aimed at the two elder wizards, while Harry started telling Sirius of the events surrounding the death of Voldemort, and Severus' offer to stay in the Manor, protected from the media.
"But Harry, you don't have to stay there now. You can come to stay at my mansion. I've already had house elves sent to get it ready." Sirius glared at his childhood enemy, who gave him a smug smile.
Harry looked up at the ceiling and exhaled audibly before looking at Sirius again. "And if you apparated there right now, what do you think you would see? Media as far as the eye can see. That's where they're expecting me to go, you know that. Sirius, I cannot handle them right now. I'm staying at the Manor. I don't want to go away, I don't want to travel. I want to be somewhere where I can go outside and just sit there, without having to worry about who is watching me. But there is more to it. Draco, would you like to tell your part?"
Draco told Sirius about the letters and backlash, and about his being disowned by his mother.
"Okay, I'm not sure what this has to do with you, Harry." Sirius said, taking in Draco's words.
"I've got the same problems, on a different scale. I am going to be hunted by every Death Eater left in the world-and if you look at Severus like that again I'll blindfold you-will be after me, and I will be watched and stalked and will most likely suffer a kidnapping attempt or two."
Harry heard a grunt and turned to see Severus staring at him, exasperated. "Where is this going, Potter? Just get to the point already."
Harry and Draco looked at each other, commiserating. Harry turned back to Severus and replied with an edge of sarcasm. "Fine, Snape, this is the point. I don't want to leave Snape Manor this summer, but I do want to spend time with Sirius-"
Severus jumped up. "Oh, no! I will NOT have Black in my home!"
"Uncle Sev, will you please..."
Harry gave his wands to Draco and walked over to Severus. He put his hands on Severus' shoulders and guided him back into his seat, saying, "Sev, I was not insinuating that he would be staying in your home. Remus Lupin is going to be the DADA teacher, and I thought, if Remus was willing, he and Siri could stay here at Hogwarts, and I could Floo back and forth when I wanted to spend time with them, but I still have the Manor to get away." Harry turned to Sirius. "And if you, Sirius, wish to stay at your home, we can always open the Floo Network between the two houses."
"I really would like to stay at my own house. Remus can come stay with me there when he isn't at Hogwarts working."
"Then we have no problem." Harry smiled at his godfather, who returned the gesture sincerely.
Severus sat there looking bored. "Okay, Potter, what does this have to do with me?"
"Not much really, but it's the second thing that has to do with you. Sev, you're probably not gonna like it, and I KNOW Siri won't." Harry looked at Sirius uneasily.
"Well, what is it?" Severus probed.
Draco started, eyeing his uncle warily. "It's not going to be safe for me in the Slytherin Tower, you know that. And Harry is going to be a walking target as well, wherever he goes. Gryffindor Tower will be watched continuously, the little brats of the Death Eaters waiting for him to come out alone."
"Yes..." Severus said, an uneasy, sinking feeling starting in the pit of his stomach.
"There is a secret hall in the dungeons, leading to rooms that are directly behind your rooms, Severus," Harry explained, stepping closer to Draco, grabbing his and Severus' wands back.
"How do you know about those?" Severus asked.
"Marauder's map," Draco, Harry and Sirius said all at the same time.
"I see. Go on." Severus knew they were referring to the piece of parchment that he had confiscated from 'Moody' in Harry's fourth year. He had it in his office safe at Snape Manor. He never did figure out how to use the damn thing.
Harry said, "Well, Draco can't exactly live with a teacher, and he doesn't want to live alone. Draco and I think it would be the perfect place for us to keep out of the way. The only others who know of the rooms are Fred and George Weasley, and they're gone. That way, we can watch each other's backs." Harry crept even closer to Draco, the wands he was carrying pointing at Severus. Harry shifted his feet, not quite daring to go on.
"GO ON!" Severus snapped, having a good idea what was coming next.
"Well," said Draco, "We want to connect the rooms to yours, completely open. That way, if something happens, we can get to you easily."
Draco and Harry cringed back, waiting for the explosion. They cautiously peeked at their potions professor when it didn't come. They were quite surprised to see a bemused expression on his face.
"Well, well. Who thought of this idea?" Severus was amused by their shocked expression at a lack of tantrum, but he hid it well.
"Both of us. I came up with the rooms. We told Professor Dumbledore all about our idea and he said if you agreed, he would take care of the construction." Harry looked expectantly at Severus, happy that Sirius, for the time being, was so shocked by the idea he couldn't speak.
"Mm. Quite Slytherin of you two. If I agree to this, do I have your solemn promise that you two won't come traipsing through my room whenever the whimsy hits you? Will you two leave me be unless it's necessary?"
Both nodded as Sirius finally found his voice. "Oh no, you are not going to live with him! I won't have it! You can live with Remus!"
"My nephew will not live with that werewolf! Not when he has family here! Who better to protect my nephew than I?" Severus roared at Sirius, black eyes glittering with anger.
"Fine! Draco can live with you, and Harry can stay in Gryffindor or live with Remy!"
"God, Siri, aren't you listening to me? Draco can't live alone. I don't want to leave him all alone. I've been alone most of my life, and I don't wish that to happen to him. He's going to be friendless, except for me. Would you have allowed that to happen to Remus when he was a student here?"
"But he's a Slytherin-"
"What does that have to do with anything?
"Excuse me, but didn't you hate Slytherins up until recently?" Sirius snapped, glaring at his godson, wondering just when it was that Harry had become completely insane.
"Yes. I was wrong. Not all Slytherins are created equal. Neither are all Gryffindors," Harry said pointedly. Sirius knew he was talking of Peter Pettigrew.
"What about your house? Your friends?"
"I will still be a Gryffindor, Draco a Slytherin. That won't change. As for my friends, they will be most welcome, provided they don't attack Draco. If they're my friends, they'll understand. Remember, Gryffindors are loyal, almost to a fault." Harry looked at Sirius, pleading with him to try and understand. Of course, there was no way in hell he was telling Sirius of his ulterior motive for living so near Severus. He just got Sirius back, no need to kill him with that bit of information.
Sirius shook his head. "I don't like this Harry, not at all."
"I know you don't Siri, but it's necessary. We can talk about it more, but later. Severus, you still haven't told us if you'd allow it."
Severus looked at the two teenagers. They both gave him pleading looks, and he just couldn't find it in his heart to say no to them. "Merlin, I'm going to regret this...fine. We'll try it out, but I swear, if you two so much as try to pull any pranks or badger me every minute of the day, I will take it upon myself to string you up naked on the tallest tree I can find and leave you there for all the world to see."
"You touch my godson, and I'll do the same to you," Sirius snapped.
"I assure you, I'm so terribly frightened."
"Harry, can't I talk you out of this? Please, Harry!" Sirius implored.
"No, you can't. I promise we'll talk more in a little while, but for now, do you two think you can not kill each other long enough to make it down to the Great Hall. If I remember correctly, there are people waiting to congratulate you."
"Wouldn't want to miss that," Severus mumbled, receiving a glare from Draco and a pout from Harry.
Severus groaned. The look on Harry's face was just too adorable. He couldn't resist him when he put on that face. It took all of his strength not to pull that pouting bottom lip into his mouth for some much needed attention. Severus threw his hands up in defeat. "Oh, great Merlin, I'll behave, so long as Black does. Happy now, brats?"
"Yes." Draco said and Harry nodded, beaming at Severus. "Now, we're going to give you two back your wands." Draco and Harry handed them back their wands, stepping back. The two adults glared at each other, but put their wands away, not wanting to upset the two boys.
"Come on then." Harry grabbed Sirius and headed for the door, Draco and Severus following behind. Harry removed the spells and the four of them headed back towards the Great Hall.