Trying to talk with his father at dinner was harder than Harry had expected it to be, though. He tried to bring the subject up several times as they ate their salad and chicken alfredo. He really did. But admitting that he was insecure and needed Severus' reassurances made him sound so weak and pathetic that Harry just couldn't do it. Severus gave him odd looks, but each time Harry quickly began chatting about something harmless and inconsequential.

When they had finished dessert...one of Harry's favourites, treacle tart, Severus remarked, "I believe I owe you some of my time this evening. Shall we go upstairs and decide what we wish to do?"

Harry nodded, although Severus' choice of words bothered him a bit. "I owe you some of my time..." Didn't his father want to spend time with him? Or was he just an obligation now, a duty? Harry shuddered at the thought of that word. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had always gone on about how he had been thrust upon them and how they had had to fulfill their duty by taking him in. He never wanted to be someone's duty again.

"Yes, sir," he said quietly.

Severus gave him another searching look but then just motioned for him to come along. "Let's go then."

They climbed the stairs to Severus' sitting room, which connected to his bedroom to make one spacious suite. The rooms were elegant but cozy and soothing, with a huge mahogany four poster bed and a matching wardrobe and tables, a stuffed linen sofa and armchairs, drapery that fell in sweeping cascades from the windows, and a thick rug that covered the marble floor, all decorated in ivory and beige with touches of sage green.

They seated themselves on the sofa and Severus asked, "So what would you like to do?"

"I don't care, whatever you want," Harry replied.

Severus raised an eyebrow. "In that case, why don't you tell me whatever it is that you were trying to say all through dinner?"

Harry gaped at him. "You knew?"

"Well, you were rather transparent." Severus smirked at him for a moment before growing serious. "Harry, it has been obvious that something is bothering you all day."

Harry looked away, his shoulders slumping.

Severus' hand settled on his shoulder and he spoke gently, "Can't you tell me?"

"I want to," Harry sighed. "It's just hard."

"You can tell me anything," Severus told him. "It's about Draco, isn't it?"

Harry nodded silently.

"I have to admit that I overheard the two of you talking last night," Severus remarked. "I was very proud of you, Harry, for showing such compassion and maturity."

A lump appeared in Harry's throat and he had to swallow before saying softly, "Thank you."

Severus squeezed his shoulder. "It sounded as if the two of you were getting on rather well under the circumstances?" From the tone of his voice, he was obviously asking a question, rather than making a statement.

"I don't know. I suppose," Harry mumbled.

They were quiet for a few minutes and then Severus said quietly, "Just tell me what's wrong, child. I can't help if I don't know what's wrong."

"It's just...that well, you've said that you love me more than him, and that you'd put me first, and I said that I knew that." Harry ducked his head and finished in a whisper, "But maybe I don't know it as well as I thought I did."

"You're worried that I might care for Draco more than for you?" Severus asked in disbelief. "Harry, look at me."

When Harry hesitated, Severus reached to lightly take his son's chin between his fingers and turned Harry's face so that he could peer intently into his eyes.

"Harry, you are my son. You will always be my son, and I love you with all my heart. Nothing could ever change that," Severus said firmly.

It was only then, gazing into his father's eyes and hearing his promise, that Harry realized how worried he truly had been. He blinked hard, but couldn't hold back the tears that filled his eyes and silently slipped down his cheeks.

Then Severus pulled him close, wrapping his arms around him and cradling Harry's head to his chest. Harry clutched his father's robes and leaned against him while Severus gently stroked his hair and murmured soft reassureances. They sat like that for a long time, just holding one another and sharing quiet comfort.

When they finally pulled apart, Severus spoke in a regretful tone. "I am sorry if I have done anything to make you doubt your place in my heart, Harry."

"No, you didn't." Harry shook his head. "It's just me. I don't know why I was being so stupid..."

Severus raised an eyebrow and just said in a mock warning tone, "Frogs..."

Remembering his father's teasing from earlier that day, Harry had to laugh a little.

"That's better." Severus reached over to take his son's hand and lightly squeeze his fingers. "But Harry, I don't want you to ever worry that I might care for someone else more than you. That could never happen. It is simply an impossibility. There is no one else like you. You are such an amazing young man; generous and selfless and compassionate."

Severus paused, and then reached to lay his hand against Harry's cheek. "Harry, every morning when I wake, I look forward to spending the day with you. I have never been happier in my life than I have been since you became my son. I am very grateful to you for giving me the chance to be your father. I love you."

Harry's eyes misted again, but his smile was joyful. "I love you, too, Dad."

He wrapped his arms around Severus and hugged him again, tightly. Severus returned the embrace, patting Harry on the back gently, and then kissed the top of his head.

"There now," he said when they had sat back against the sofa. "But Harry, whenever you are worried or have a problem of any kind, I want you to come to me. I know that it might be difficult for you. In the past you never had any adult to turn to for guidance, but believe me, child, I want to help you in any way that I can."

Harry nodded. "I do know it, Dad. Really I do. But if it's something like this, it's still kind of hard."

Severus studied him, his eyes warm and soft. "Harry, what if one of your friends or I had some trouble or difficulty? Wouldn't you want us to confide in you? Wouldn't you want to help?"

"Well, yeah, of course." Harry gave him a wry look. "Okay, Dad, I get it."

"Good. Remember it." Severus slid an arm around his shoulders. They summoned a couple of books and settled down to read, with Harry tucked against his father's side and Severus holding him close.

***

The next morning Severus sat in a chair in Draco's room, waiting for Poppy to come to check on the boy's recovery. He couldn't help but feel guilty over the conversation that he and Harry had had last night, that despite his efforts he had still caused his son even one moment of anxiety. He had thought that, after all this time and everything they had been through together, Harry felt secure with him, that he knew how much Severus loved him. To learn that Harry had truly worried about his place in Severus' heart had shaken him.

And what was the solution? Obviously Severus needed to be sure to spend time with Harry, to tell and show him how much he meant to Severus. And Severus had been trying to do that, but apparently he hadn't done enough. It was just so difficult, when he had precious little free time these days between tutoring the two boys, planning their lessons, and grading their work.

Then again, Draco needed someone to comfort and guide him, too. It couldn't be Severus though. Severus had realized that anew last night. It just wasn't fair to his own son, not when Harry was still so hurt and insecure himself. Perhaps, providing he could make more time to meet Harry's needs, he could still be something of a mentor to Draco, but he simply could not be Draco's main father figure.

He didn't want to just abandon the boy completely, though, especially not now, when Draco was just beginning to make some changes in his attitude and his life, and when he was also so vulnerable. Severus didn't want to see his godson go to Azkaban, and more importantly, he knew that Harry didn't want that either.

So they were going to have to come up with some other solution for Draco. Severus just wasn't sure what yet. He had spoken briefly with Albus the other night, but Zan had appeared before they had had much time to discuss matters.

Well, he would pay another visit to Hogwarts today after Poppy's visit, and insist that Albus come up with some way to give Draco the support he needed, while ensuring that Severus had more time for Harry.

"Severus?"

Draco's voice, uncharacteristically quiet and meek, cut through Severus' ruminations.

Severus gave himself a mental shake and turned to look at his godson. Draco was sitting up in the bed, watching him thoughtfully. Draco had insisted on dressing in proper clothes this morning...a sure sign that he was feeling stronger...so rather than his silk pyjamas he was wearing a dark blue plaid shirt underneath an ivory jumper, and grey trousers. He was still pale, though, and his silver eyes were troubled.

"Yes?" Severus asked.

"May I ask you a question?"

"Apparently so," Severus responded. When Draco frowned slightly at him, he simply shook his head and gestured for the boy to continue. "Yes, you may."

Draco took a deep breath. "Well, you used to hate...Harry, and I couldn't help but wonder what happened to make you change your mind."

Severus considered whether to answer and if so, how much to say. He didn't want to mention his old feud with James Potter or to reveal information that Harry would want to keep private.

Finally he said, "I once despised Harry because I badly misjudged him. Long before he even came to Hogwarts, I assumed that he would be spoiled and conceited, that he would consider himself better than others and think that he was too good to follow rules or to respect anyone. Then the fact that Harry was sorted into Gryffindor made my prejudices even worse. I'm afraid that I never gave him a chance or considered the possibility that I might be wrong. I was too blind and too stubborn to let myself see the real Harry Potter."

"But when Harry had to come here last summer and we were forced to live together and share a home, I began to get to know him. It was a gradual process. As you know, I find it difficult to admit that I am wrong, but finally I could not deny the truth any longer. Harry is a wonderful person, Draco. I have never met anyone as kind and generous as he is. Once I had gotten to know Harry, I couldn't help but change."

Draco was quiet for a while and Severus thought he was finished with the topic, but then Draco said, so quietly that Severus almost couldn't hear him.

"The things you said, about thinking that Harry was spoiled and conceited, and thought he was better than everyone else...that's how I am, aren't I?"

Severus considered his reply carefully. "You used to be, but I think perhaps you've begun to change." He leaned forward slightly, speaking in a low but intent voice. "You can change, Draco. You can become a better person, and I think you've already taken the first steps towards that."

Draco clasped his hands together and looked down at them. "When my father took me to that meeting last year...you did know that he took me to a Death Eater meeting last year, didn't you, Severus?"

Severus nodded. He himself had not been present at that meeting. For some reason Voldemort had not called him to that one, but he had heard of Draco's presence at it.

"Well, they were hurting people, Muggles, and...and laughing and jeering at them while they screamed and died. When all that was going on..." Draco broke off and swallowed hard before he was able to continue. "Well, I knew then that I didn't want to be a Death Eater. I knew I couldn't hurt people like that."

Severus hesitated, but then reached to take Draco's hand and give it a comforting squeeze. "You are a good person, Draco. You have a conscience and the ability to empathize. You haven't spent enough time developing those qualities before now, but it isn't too late. You can work on it now."

Draco looked up and gave Severus an almost desperate look. "I don't know how."

Severus clasped the boy's fingers again, gently, before letting go and sitting back. "Treat others the way that you would like for them to treat you. Before you say or do something, think of how it would make the other person feel. It isn't that difficult, truly."

Draco studied him. "You've changed too, Severus."

Severus nodded. "I hope so."

"Because of Harry?"

Severus was a little surprised at Draco's perception. He nodded again. "Yes, Harry has inspired me to try to become a better person. I hope I am succeeding."

Before Draco could respond the Floo roared to life and Poppy stepped from the fireplace.

"Good morning, Severus. How are you feeling today, Mr. Malfoy?"

"Better, thank you, Madam Pomfrey."

Draco's tone was friendlier and more polite than usual, and Severus hoped that it was indeed a new beginning for Draco. He watched as Poppy went over to the bed and ran through some spells before finally nodding in satisfaction.

"You're recovering well, Mr. Malfoy. I want you to continue taking blood replenisher every eight hours for today and you should be able to stop by tomorrow. You may get out of bed if you wish, but you are still to rest and not exert yourself for a few more days."

The medi-witch turned to Severus. "He is not to resume physical chores until after the weekend, but studying and schoolwork should be fine. Now I'm afraid I must return to Hogwarts. There has been an unfortunate outbreak of spattergroit among the first-years."

She turned to leave and Severus stood to accompany her. "Thank you, Poppy. I'll go with you. I need to see Albus."

The medi-witch tossed Floo powder into the fireplace grate and disappeared in a rush of green flames. Severus started after her, but Draco called to him.

"Severus?"

"Yes?" Severus paused and arched a questioning eyebrow at him.

"May I go down to the library and read that Muggle art book again?" Draco asked.

"Harry studies in the library in the mornings. Wait until after lunch," Severus instructed before following Poppy off to Hogwarts.

Draco sighed but nodded. Severus vanished, leaving Draco alone in the small room. He reached for his textbook on the night table beside the bed and then leaned back against his pillow to read.

But the chapter on memory charms could not hold his attention and Draco spent much of the morning lost in his own thoughts, his gaze turned inward while he pondered past events and future possibilities with new eyes.