Okay, right now I'm writing chapter nineteen and I need my readers' help. A sex scene is scheduled for this chapter, in fact, I'm writing it right now. The thing is, it is really graphic and I'm only halfway done with it, which means I'll most likely have to change the rating to NC-17. Now I want to know if this will be okay with you guys. I am willing to rewrite and edit the scene so that it can stay in the R-rating. I would really like to know what you think. I wanted to warn you now, so that I have time to change it and won't get behind on my writing. You can either leave your opinion in a review, or you can email me at nufaciel@hotmail.com, putting something in the subject to let me know what the email is about. Thank you very much.
To my reviewers...thanks so much for the reviews. I like to know what you think of my story. I don't have a list of my reviewers right now, but I know one asked why Harry was taking Muggle Studies. I answer this question in a later chapter, don't worry. Draco was curious as well! Hee hee!
Sirius, Severus, Harry and Draco walked into the Great Hall, fully aware of the abrupt silence they caused. Harry smirked inwardly. Severus and Sirius walking in, side by side, sort of, was not something that was seen every day. Severus quickly veered off towards Dumbledore, presumably to talk about the new arrangements for the boys. Or possibly just to get away from Sirius.
Harry walked up to Sirius, who nudged him, nodding towards the door. Draco still stood in the doorway, looking incredibly pale and slightly trembling with fear. Harry looked around the room and realized that all of the students of Hogwarts that were present, all of them Gryffindors, were looking at him with a deadly gleam in their eyes. All of them, that is, save one Miss Hermione Granger. She just stood there, looking curiously at Harry and Draco. Harry could see the wheels in her brain turning from where he stood. Harry immediately walked back to Draco and pulled him forward, into the Hall. He brought the reluctant Draco over to Sirius, and whispered in Sirius' ear, "I need to talk to Ron and Hermione, now. Take Draco with you, and don't leave him alone. While I'm sure that no one will physically harm him, they will say something extremely nasty, if given the chance. Don't give them that chance. And Sirius, don't kill Severus, okay?"
Sirius scowled at Harry, but nodded. Harry fleetingly thought to tell Sirius that he looked remarkably like Severus when he scowled like that, but thought better of it. After all, he needed his own self alive just as much as he needed Severus alive. Harry simply grinned at Sirius, gave Draco a sympathetic look and then quickly walked over to a very angry Ron Weasley. Before Ron could say anything, Harry clapped a hand over his mouth and led him out of the Great Hall, indicating that Hermione should follow. When they reached the Gryffindor common room, Harry let Ron go, practically shoving him into the room. Ron started to rant and rave, and Harry just sat there with a bored look on his face.
"What the hell? Harry, what are you doing with Snape!? And Malfoy!? Bloody hell, Harry, are you insane? In case you didn't know, they are the ENEMY! What's wrong with you? And Sirius, lettin' you that close to those murdering gits! All that time spent in Azkaban must be gettin' to him! OW! 'Mione, that wasn't necessary!" Ron glared at Hermione, holding his nose.
Hermione glared back at Ron. "Serves you right, idiot! How dare you talk about Sirius like that? Now, why don't you let Harry explain? You haven't let him say a word. I'm sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for everything."
"You would think so. Hermione, you are always so sure. Aren't you angry? Harry didn't come to us when You-kno-...Voldemort was killed, and we're his best friends! Then we finally see him, and he's with Snape and Malfoy, of all people! Now don't sit there all high and mighty, telling me you don't care!"
"Of course I care, git! I just want to hear what Harry has to say before I get angry and say something I might regret. Unlike you, I think with my head, not my ass! Now will you shut up and let Harry TALK!"
During the entire exchange, Harry just sat on a chair by the fireside, watching the exchange, but with little interest. He thought about decking Ron for the Sirius comment, but Hermione took care of that one for him. /Way to go, Hermione!/ Now that they had finally screamed each other out, they both looked at Harry expectantly-Hermione, curious and a little hurt; Ron, seething with anger and betrayal. After taking a moment to calm himself, Harry began.
"Well, first thing. Ron, if I were you, I'd get that angry look off your face," Harry said coldly. "It's nothing compared to the anger I'm feeling towards you right now." Harry got up and walked over to Ron, staring him straight in the eyes. "I know about the letter, Ron. You know which one I'm talking about."
Harry stepped back and watched Ron's eyes grow wide in realization. "How did..."
"What letter? What are you talking about? Ron?" Hermione's eyes darted back and forth. "I don't understand."
Harry's eyes flicked from one to the other. "Well, Ron, do you want to tell her, or shall I?" Ron looked down at his feet, a deep blush creeping up over his face all the way to the tips of his ears.
Harry let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine then. I thought it might be better coming from you, but since you won't... Hermione, Ron sent Draco a letter, an anonymous letter, a few days after the attack on my un-, on the house at Privet Drive. I don't want to tell you exactly what it said, it was rather nasty, but basically Ron taunted Draco about Lucius being one of the ones caught and well, he threatened Draco. He told him, in more appropriate words, I wouldn't dare repeat any of the actual words in front of you, that if he came near any of us, he had better be prepared to die. He threatened to beat Draco up every single time he saw Draco alone, beat him to within an inch of his life. Didn't you, Ron? You're lucky Snape didn't blast you into oblivion the moment he saw you! You're lucky I didn't!"
Ron started pacing. "I did it for you! I don't want that bastard trying anything with you! He's evil, Harry! Look at his father. Dad told me what happened, that Malfoy's father was the one who drug you out of the house, that he held you as your family died, forcing you to watch! I just wanted to make sure that he knew not to mess with you! I wouldn't have really done it, you know that! I just wanted to scare the git!"
Harry fumed. "Well, congratulations! You certainly did that! What's the matter with you, Ron? I would expect that sort of behavior from Crabbe, Goyle, and that bastard Flint that used to go here, but not from someone like you! I know you're a good person, if not completely stupid at times. Honestly Ron! And an anonymous letter? At least have the guts to admit it's you writing the pathetic thing! Did you really think that Severus wouldn't have recognized your handwriting after five years?! Use your head! I can't believe you did this!"
"SEVERUS?! You're on a first-name basis with that greasy bastard?!"
/Oops!/ thought Harry, but he was saved by Hermione.
"Ron, shut up!" Hermione gave him a warning look that told him if he didn't stop now, he'd be getting a black eye to go along with that bloody nose. "Harry, I know your opinion of Malfoy and Professor Snape both didn't change overnight, but I wish you would explain. I just don't understand."
"I will, 'Mione, if you can keep him quiet for a few minutes! He is just as bad as Sirius, flying off the handle before hearing any sort of explanation about anything."
Ron glared. "All right then, I'll just sit here and keep my mouth shut, but Harry, this had better be good!"
Ron was true to his word, even resorting to clapping his hands over his mouth to keep it shut, as Harry told him and Hermione all about what had transpired since he had left Hogwarts. Of course, he left out certain details, like his four-going-on-five-month-and-growing-stronger-every-day interest in a particular potions professor they all knew, the nightmares, gory details of his run-in with Voldemort, and certain revelations Severus had revealed about a certain Mr. Malfoy. All he did was hint that Draco was not fond of his father in the least. Harry had to hide his amusement at the shocked look on Ron's face when Ron found out that 'the greasy bastard' had not only apologized, but had allowed Harry into his house for protection. He also showed the same shock when Harry told him how Draco thanked him for putting his father away forever. What Harry also didn't mention was that Draco was Severus Snape's nephew. He knew exactly how Ron would take that, and he wouldn't let Draco and Severus miss that performance for all the gold in Gringott's!
Hermione sat silent for a few moments after Harry had finished speaking, taking it all in. Ron didn't speak either, too occupied with trying to scrape his bottom lip off the floor. Harry just sat there patiently.
"Well, that's a lot to take in all at once," Hermione said, glancing at Harry.
Harry nodded. /You have no idea,/ Harry thought. He hadn't told them of his leaving the Tower to live with Draco and Severus in the dungeons yet. He'd wait a little while longer before springing that on them. There was only so much Ron could handle at one time.
"Don't you two have anything else to say?"
Hermione shook her head. "I need to think things over. I'm not angry. A little hurt that you didn't come to us first, but I understand why, sort of. I just need a little time."
Ron looked down at his feet. "Same here."
Harry glared at Ron. "Oh no you don't! What you did was inexcusable, no matter what your reasons are. All those letters Draco got basically said the same as yours, but none of them were as openly threatening as yours. I know that one not only scared the hell out of Draco, but it also hurt him. Yes, Ron, even Draco Malfoy has feelings. He didn't tell me it hurt him, but I could tell it did! Your behavior was not that of a Gryffindor, and you WILL apologize. RIGHT NOW!"
"I'm sorry, Harry."
"Not to me, you twit! To Draco."
Ron paled, then grew defensive. "Why do you care so much? You spend a couple of days with him, and now he's your new best friend. Who are you?"
Harry sarcastically replied, "Let's see. According to the world I am both 'The Boy Who Lived" and 'The Man Who Killed Voldemort'. According to that Skeeter bitch, I am a spineless coward. Draco thinks I'm the 'Gryffindork'. To Severus I'm 'Mr. Potter' or just plain 'Potter', until I humor him and do my Potions homework. Then I get to be 'Harry', the perpetual thorn in his side. Sirius thinks I'm 'Godson with an Insanity Complex' and Voldemort can't think anymore about anything, but I used to be his archenemy, the bane of his existence. So tell me, what do you think?"
No answer.
"Fine. To answer your questions, I am simply me, just a little older and a lot wiser. Why do I care about Draco? For the reasons I told you, and a lot more. I know much more about Draco's situation than even Draco realizes. I can't tell you what that is, because I gave my word to Severus that I wouldn't breathe a word of what he told me to anyone for fear of someone intentionally hurting Draco." Harry looked pointedly at Ron. "I won't break that promise. He's not my new best friend, we're always bickering and arguing, driving Severus up the wall already, but we're not enemies any longer." Harry looked at them pleadingly. "I need your help. Draco will be a target for pain and ridicule when school starts. He will need all the help he can get, and he won't get any of it from the Slytherin house, I have already been assured of that. According to Severus, some of those letters came from Slytherins. He won't have any friends, if he doesn't have me. I won't let that happen. I want you two to help me."
"You want ME to be a friend to that..."
"Careful, Ron." Harry's look was deadly.
"Sorry. I just- I need to think."
"Fine. You can think all you like, after apologizing to Draco."
"But Malfoy will hold it over my head until the end of time!"
"Serves you right. If you don't tell Draco you're sorry for the letter, and actually mean it, I'll never talk to you again!"
"Okay, okay! Jeez, you don't have to get so loud!"
Hermione sighed. "All right, Harry. I'll help you. I'll try to be nicer to Draco, but it's not going to be easy. I can't just forget some of the things he said and did."
"I'm not asking you to. Just remember that he had a part to play when he was at school. He's still cocky and sarcastic at times, but I really think that it's just some sort of defense mechanism. Apparently, he was not loved in his home. The only on who did love him, still does, is Severus."
Ron looked like he was going to be sick. "Uh, are you telling that they're 'together'."
Harry looked horrified. "Eeeeewwwwwwwwwww!! NO! Not like that. More like a fatherly love."
Ron looked relieved, not knowing of their uncle-nephew relationship. He just thought that Harry was horrified at the thought of Snape being with anyone, like he did.
Harry rolled his eyes. He could just imagine Ron's horror when he found out that Harry was in love with Severus.
/Whoa! Where did that come from? I knew that I fancied him...but love? What was that?/ He decided it was best to push that thought away for examination at a later time.
"Well, then, there's no time like the present for apologies," Hermione said, looking pointedly at Ron. Then Hermione had a thought. "Hey, since Sirius is free, are you going to be staying with him now?"
"No. I'm staying with Severus for the summer, but we're going to hook up the Floo Network to wherever Sirius is staying so Draco and I can come and go as we please. If I stay with Sirius, Draco will be alone, and I would have to duck the media every time I walked outside wherever Sirius' house is located. I'm sure they're already camped out there."
Hermione nodded. She didn't understand Harry's sudden protectiveness over Draco. Surely since Draco was an only child he was used to being alone.
Of course, she didn't know of the Cruciatus curse that Draco had suffered for failing to become Harry's friend their first year, nor the beatings he had received. * * * *
Harry walked into the Great Hall. Everyone had sat down to eat together, saving places for the three missing teenagers: two to Sirius' left, and one on the other side of the table, to the right side of Draco. Severus sat to the left of Draco. Remus had shown up and was sitting to the right of Sirius. Harry nodded at those who greeted him as he headed for Draco.
He leaned down and whispered, "Draco, could you come with me for a second."
Draco nodded, glad to leave the glaring hatred of those around him for the moment. They quickly left the Hall, but Draco stopped short when he saw Ron and Hermione. Draco, in a rare show of insecurity, stepped behind Harry for protection. Harry turned and pulled Draco to his side, and put his hand on the small of Draco's back for support. "It's all right," Harry whispered so that only Draco could hear.
"Draco, Ron has something he would like to say to you." Hermione pushed Ron lightly towards the blond-headed boy.
Ron shuffled his feet, his face flushing beet-red. "Mal- Draco, I'm the stupid git who sent you that letter, the one Harry recognized. I'm really sorry. I was angry and afraid that you'd hurt Harry, and I didn't think about what I was doing. I didn't mean what I said. I wouldn't really have done those things to you. I really am sorry!"
Draco stared, mouth hanging open. "I don't know what to say," he said, after a moment. "I know I did a lot of things to deserve it since we came to Hogwarts. I really don't blame you. I honestly thought that letter was from one of the Slytherins. Some of them are mean enough to write it and actually mean it."
Draco looked at the two in front of him. "I'm sorry too. I'm sorry for everything. I never really hated you two. I was jealous, you got to be friends with Harry, and I had that stupid Crabbe and that moron Goyle. I'm sorry, too." Draco looked at his feet, a blush creeping into his cheeks.
Harry looked at the three, surprised not only of Ron's sincerity, but of Draco's apology. He never expected that! He was still angry with Ron, but decided that it would dissipate with time, now that Harry knew that Ron's apology was truly sincere. He tried to think of something to say, but was spared the effort by Hermione.
"Apology accepted, Draco. I know it will take a while for us all to get over hurt feelings and such, but I for one would like to try to be your friend, now that there's nothing standing in the way."
Harry smiled. Hermione...always the diplomat.
"Me too," Ron mumbled, glancing quickly at Harry and then Draco.
Draco nodded, a small wavering smile on his lips.
Harry sighed, having enough of all the drama that tended to be his life for the day. "Well, now that this is all settled, can we go in? I would like to eat before the end of the century!"
The others smiled at him, and in a show of determination, he linked his arms with Draco and Ron's. Hermione followed suit, linking her arm with Ron's, and the four walked into the Hall together, daring anyone to mess with them.
* * * *
The four were sitting in the Great Hall, stuffing themselves and watching amusedly as Severus and Sirius glared at each other. Harry didn't care as long as they didn't kill each other. There would be time enough to get them to be more civil.
The other Gryffindors were shocked by the sudden display of unity between the Golden Trio, as they were fondly referred to by the rest of the school, and Draco Malfoy. The message was clear: Draco is not to be touched. They had all heard of Harry's role in Voldemort's annihilation, and they didn't want to meet the same fate, so they readily complied, either not looking at Draco at all, or with a neutral expression.
The Weasley family was surprisingly supportive of what seemed to them a newfound friendship between the four, even the twins. All of them made it a point to say something cordial to the blond-haired boy.
Severus was touched by the sentiment, though he was careful not to let it show. That would be most unbecoming of the greasy potions professor. Of course, watching everyone have heart failure at a smiling greasy potions professor might be fun.
Harry, however, couldn't help but notice how Draco's eyes seemed to follow Fred Weasley all around the room. Fred and George had snuck in some of the gags that could be found in their shop. Harry was a silent partner in the business, much to the chagrin of Mrs. Weasley. She had found out about his venture into the world of business soon after the twins had opened their shop, but she never told anyone save Harry, George and Fred that she knew of Harry's involvement. She kept the secret because she knew the money Harry had won from the ill-fated Triwizard Tournament had funded her sons' business, but also had paid for Ron's dress robes for fifth year. Ron's pride would be wounded if he ever found out.
Harry kept an eye on Draco, intrigued. The fact that Fred was gay was not news to several people in the Hall. Fred had announced it in Harry's fourth year. The way Draco was looking at Fred, Harry had the suspicion that Draco was about to 'come out of the closet' as the muggle expression went. That is, he might leave the proverbial closet if Fred had any interest. He knew instinctively that Draco wouldn't do anything about it.
Harry also knew that Fred thought Draco was 'hot'. Fred had shared that little fact with him last year, knowing Harry was of the same persuasion.
Harry was inclined to agree. Draco was a git, but a very nice looking git nonetheless. Definitely not Harry's type, who liked his men tall, dark and just a little dangerous, but he knew Draco was Fred's type. Fred didn't do anything about it because, one, Draco was an ass, and two, he didn't know if Draco swung that way.
/Maybe I should do something to remedy this. I'll have to speak with Draco soon. It shouldn't be too hard to get them together, considering the WWW shop is in Hogsmeade, and Fred and George live there./ Harry smiled at Draco. He was about to say something, but he found himself suddenly intrigued by the tall, dark-haired, dangerous man sitting next to Draco.
Severus was eating strawberries. Harry stared, unconsciously worrying his bottom lip as Severus slowly bit into a large strawberry. A small drip of juice trickled from the side of Severus' mouth. Severus' tongue casually licked the trail off his face. Harry let out a slight whimper. Severus sucked greedily on the bitten end of the berry and Harry practically came then and there.
/Oh, what I wouldn't give to be that strawberry,/ Harry thought as he watched Severus pop the rest of the berry into his mouth. His Severus- watching was stopped by a kick to his leg.
He awoke from his daze and saw Draco staring at him amusedly. Harry blushed.
Draco leaned over to whisper into his ear, "You're lucky it was me who caught you. Any longer, and you'd be drooling in your food."
Harry blushed an even deeper red mumbling, "Thank you." He glanced around quickly, assessing whether or not anyone else saw that. When it seemed no one did, he let out a sigh of relief.
Harry leaned to whisper to Draco, "You're not going to say anything, are you?"
"No, but I want to talk to you later."
"I want to talk to you, too," Harry said, looking pointedly from Draco to Fred and back again. He smiled, when Draco blushed and nodded, turning his interest to Severus.
"Hey, Uncle Severus, could you pass me the salt?"
Harry sniggered as he watched Ron choke on his apple, falling off the seat. Harry looked at Draco, who was hiding a giggle behind his hand. Ron gave Harry a look that said he would get Harry back for not telling him. Harry just grinned. He looked over towards Severus, who gave Harry a wink before biting into another strawberry. * * * *
An hour later, the party broke up. Harry hugged Ron and Hermione, telling them that he would write them soon, and that they could visit him sometimes when he was with Sirius. Draco and Severus left too, telling Harry they would see him later that night. Harry smiled and nodded, hitting Sirius when he growled.
Now it was only the two of them. They had tried to get Remus to stay, but he made up some flimsy excuse about having lessons to plan for the upcoming year. They didn't believe it, but didn't press him on it. It was a week until the full moon and Remus sometimes tended to start getting weird around this time. They let him go after getting a promise from him to spend some time with them tomorrow. They now sat on the floor of the Gryffindor common room, in front of the fire.
"Now can we talk about all this Harry. I just don't understand."
Harry looked into his godfather's eyes. "I will tell you why this is so important to me, but if you say one word, to anyone, particularly Severus, I will not only stop speaking to you, I will make you wish you'd stayed in prison."
"God, Harry, all right. I know you're serious when you bring up Azkaban." Sirius gave him a hurt look.
Harry pulled Sirius into a warm hug, sorry he had been so abrupt. After a moment Harry pulled back and looked Sirius in the eyes apologetically. "I'm sorry, but I need you to take me seriously. This could really hurt Draco if anyone knew. I promised Severus I wouldn't tell anyone. If I'm going to break that promise, I want to be sure no one will get hurt."
Harry proceeded to tell him what Severus had told him, leaving nothing out. When he finished, Sirius nodded.
"Snape is right, much as I hate to admit that. It's not your fault. I better understand now why you want to do this though. I won't stop you. I know I can't. I wish you would reconsider living with Snape so near, but I trust you. Just watch out! He can't be trusted."
"Yes, Severus can be trusted, but I'm not going to try to convince you. You'll have to figure that out for yourself. I promise you, just because I'm staying with him this summer doesn't mean that I won't be spending as much time with you as possible. I've missed you so much!"
Harry flung himself onto Sirius' lap and hugged him tightly. Sirius hugged him back, just as tightly, tears running down his face.
"I missed you too, so much. I've missed so much in your life, I just don't want to miss anything more."
"You won't, I promise you. We'll spend so much time together, you'll be glad to be rid of me for the school year."
"That'll never happen, kiddo. Never."
"I told Ron and 'Mione that they could visit sometimes. Is that okay?"
"Sure. Draco too, if he wants to come, and if Snape'll let him."
"He will, I'm sure. We need to make sure Remy spends some time with us, too. Did you notice the way he acted?"
"Yeah. I know the full moon is coming, but that didn't seem to be the problem."
Harry thought on it. "I think he seemed lonely."
Sirius looked at Harry. "Why do you think so?"
"I caught him looking at us, and he seemed so sad, so lost. I think he's afraid that now that you and I have each other, there's no place for him. Of course, that is completely ridiculous! I love Remus as much as I do you. It's like I have two godfathers when he's around."
Harry jumped off Sirius' lap. "I want to learn to become an animagus. I've been thinking about this for a few months now. I want to be able to spend full moons with Remy, and I want to start right away."
"Harry, are you sure? That's a lot of work, and it takes time."
"Time I have. Voldemort is gone, and we have all summer to start. Please? I really want to be able to spend full moons with Moony. Please? Help me?" Harry set himself back on Sirius' lap and pouted.
Sirius groaned. "Merlin, how am I supposed to say no to that face? All right. When do you want to start?"
Harry jumped up again. "No time like the present. There are some books in the Restricted Section. I think Dumbledore will allow us into the library. But Siri, can we keep this a secret? I want to surprise Remy."
Sirius laughed, getting up. "Okay, I won't tell. Come on, let's go to see Dumbledore and get the books from the library. Do you know what you want your form to be?"
"Yes. A wolf, like the ones you see in the northern parts of the United States. I've seen pictures of them, and I know what it looks like. I'll show you."
"Okay. I think Moony would like that."
Dumbledore thought it was a wonderful idea, provided Harry register when he succeeded, and Sirius and Harry spent the rest of the night pouring over the books.
A/N: The wolf I am referring to is the Gray or Timber wolf. If you'd like to see a picture of the animal, go here: http://www.cosmosmith.com/gray_wolves.html