Classes continued the next week. They were long and tedious, or so most of the students thought. Everyone was glad to have Remus back in Defence Against the Dark Arts, not because Severus was a bad teacher, but because having him in two different classes was wearing both his patience, and the students’ nerves very thin.

Of course, some of the frustration stemmed from the new rules about being outside of the castle. No one was permitted outside except to attend Herbology classes, which each class was escorted by Professor Sprout personally. As is usually the case with most rules, the more strictly it’s enforced, the more often it is broken. There had already been almost two hundred points taken from all four houses, cumulatively, and over twenty different students were serving detentions for trying to leave the castle, or being caught outside already.

More news of smaller attacks in the London area were reported in the Daily Prophet that week. Some were most definitely Death Eater attacks, while others seemed to be copy-cat crimes; Muggle youth revolting in the name of boredom and unemployment. There were still no leads on where Tonks might be, or if she was even alive, but everyone was operating under the assumption that she would be found maybe not healthy, but at least alive.

Away from the outside world, however, Remus had a smaller concern. “Harry, stay after class please,” the Defence Professor called out at the end of class while all the students packed their books and wands away. He knew the students missed the practical lessons Severus would give, but theory was important too.

The bell rang, signalling the start of lunch. Harry waved off his friends and his boyfriend, who were waiting by the door. “Go on guys; I’ll catch up with you in a bit,” Harry insisted, smiling when Draco frowned and Ron and Hermione just shrugged. When the door closed behind them, Harry turned to face his step-father, who was smiling warmly at him.

“Do you realise what tomorrow is, Harry?”

“Um, Wednesday?” Harry answered, completely thrown by Remus’ question. He couldn't remember what was significant about the next day.

Remus chuckled and shook his head. “Well yes, tomorrow is Wednesday, but it’s also Severus’ birthday. I was thinking about having our own little party for him; just the family. How do you think he would react to that?”

“Well, if it’s just the family, I don’t think he’ll mind. I haven’t gotten him anything yet, though. I was planning on looking in Hogsmeade last weekend, but that’s out now,” Harry said with a frown. He had no idea what he would have bought his father even if he had the opportunity, but he had wanted to get him something at least.

“You know your father isn’t very materialistic. I think just acknowledging that it’s actually a special day will be much more than anyone else has ever given him. He’s lived alone for the majority of his life, and from what I’ve heard he probably never got to celebrate his birthday as a child, either. This will show him that we care. He may not act like it’s that big of a deal to him, but I’m sure it will make an impact on him, whether we see it or not,” Remus explained, gently squeezing Harry’s shoulder. He knew making Severus proud was important to Harry, and he wanted to help his step-son out.

Harry still felt slightly uncomfortable knowing he had nothing to gift to his father, but a little family party was better than nothing. “Well, alright, but I’m going to ask Dobby to make a cake. Can I invite Draco?”

Remus smiled warmly at the Gryffindor and pulled him into a quick hug. “Of course you can. I don’t want to hold you back from lunch too long. Have a good day, Harry.”

“Thanks, Remus. You too.”

S~S~S~S

The trio had risen once more, what with Ron finally realizing that he was being a complete tosser. It was like old times once more, except for the few times when Draco would join them, and Ron would suddenly have something very urgent to do in some place very far away from wherever Harry and Draco went. It irked Harry, but he knew his friend was just trying to avoid confrontation, and he appreciated that much at least.

Ron and Hermione had also begun to spend more time together, and Harry distinctly recalled seeing both of them making eyes at each other in class over the last week. They were the perfect example of opposites attract, Harry mused. He glanced up at the Head table and smiled at his father and his...uh, step-father?

“Do you think it would be weird if I started calling Remus ‘Dad’? I mean, that’s what I call Severus, so I wouldn’t want to confuse them. It feels weird calling my dad Severus, but it doesn’t feel weird calling Remus – well, Remus,” Harry explained as he cut up his piece of chicken and dunked it into his mashed potatoes and gravy.

“Call him whatever you feel comfortable calling him. I don’t think that it offends Professor Lupin that you don’t call him ‘Dad’. You might want to discuss it with him, Harry. Maybe he prefers for you to just call him Remus,” Hermione said, matter of fact as she flipped through her Transfiguration book for the sixth time that lunch period.

Ron rolled his eyes as he piled another piece of chicken on his plate and smothered it in gravy. “You’re going to do fine on the test, Hermione. Would you stop freaking out about it?”

The Transfiguration book snapped closed as Hermione glared at the redhead. She shoved it back into her book bag under the table and took up her fork and knife once more. “I’m not freaking out about it, Ron; I’m just making sure I have the facts right. This is a really complicated chapter, you know.”

“Yeah, so what? You always know everything, even when the rest of the class is completely lost,” Ron said nonchalantly, though the effect was ruined by the mouth full of food he wasn’t done chewing.

There was a noticeable blush on Hermione’s cheeks, but she went on as if nothing had happened. “You’re disgusting, Ron. Don’t talk with your mouth full.”

“Oi, I a’ready go’ a mum, don’ need ‘ou too.”

“Urgh.”

Harry chuckled as he shook his head, feeling his spirits lift a little bit more as he listened to his friends bicker. It was just like their previous years at Hogwarts, and he had missed it terribly, no matter how annoying he used to think it was. It was sweet music to his ears now.

“Anyways, sometimes calling Remus by his name feels weird, like it’s too proper. I want to acknowledge that he’s my dad too, I just don’t know how.”

“Try a nickname, maybe? Like instead of calling him Remus, try calling him Rem,” Ron suggested, thankfully after he had swallowed his mouthful of chicken and gravy.

“Dad calls him that sometimes. It would feel kind of like...I dunno, intruding on something personal between them? Merlin, why is having parents so bloody difficult?” Harry groused as he smeared his potatoes around disinterestedly.

“I know, Harry! Call him Moony! I’m sure you’ll never hear your dad calling him that, at least. It also shows that connection between Sirius, your birth father and Professor Lupin. He’s not just your dad because he’s bonded to Professor Snape, but because he’s always been a part of your life.”

“I never thought of that,” Harry said thoughtfully, wondering if perhaps that was a getting a bit too personal. “I’ll talk to him about it; see what he feels comfortable with. I don’t want to make my dad uncomfortable by calling Remus ‘Moony’ either, because I’m sure that name is associated with memories he’d rather not recall every time I address Remus.”

Harry turned around as he felt someone tap gently on his shoulder, and let the wide grin spreading across his face go unchecked. “Draco.”

“Do you want to go for a walk?” Draco asked, glancing at his boyfriend’s two friends, hoping they would take the hint that he was inviting Harry only.

Harry looked between Ron and Hermione before shrugging and setting his cutlery down. “Yeah, sure. See you guys in class.” He grabbed his bag out from under the table and stood, walking with Draco into the Entrance Hall. He didn’t ask where they were going; they couldn’t go outside, so wondering the corridors would have to suffice. When they started to climb the spiral staircase and head up to the seventh floor, Harry knew where they would end up.

It was overcast and slightly windy outside as they stepped out onto the ramparts. It smelt like rain, and the air had a slight chill to it that was made worse by the gusty wind. The Astronomy tower seemed to be Draco’s favourite place now, and Harry couldn’t blame him. The view was beautiful, and it was the only way they could be outside.

“The Slytherins all know that I’ve got my memory back, and there’s trouble starting already.”

Harry gasped as Draco turned towards him, frowning at the blonde as he moved closer. He brushed the blonde tresses out of his face before kissing him gently on the lips.

“Did anyone try to hurt you? I swear I’ll hunt them down, Draco.”

Draco smiled and wrapped his arms around Harry’s waist, pulling the Gryffindor close and laying his head on Harry’s shoulder. “My hero,” he whispered, preening when Harry began to run his fingers through his white-blonde hair.

“No one has tried to hurt me, no, but there have been threats. Apparently Blaise Zabini has taken up my position as most prominent in Slytherin, and he’s been poisoning all of their minds. I’m positive that he’s Marked, and he’s been filling the younger kids’ heads with Pure-blood nonsense.” Draco paused and looked up at Harry, though it had the effect of looking right through Harry instead of at him. “He’s doing what I used to do,” Draco whispered, sounding both shocked and guilty at the same time.

“You’re not that person anymore, there’s no need to be upset over it, alright?” Harry reassured his boyfriend, cupping his cheeks and forcing the blonde to look into his eyes and see the honesty written there.

Draco sighed and nodded, offering Harry a chaste kiss in gratitude of his unwavering support. “Blaise told me I need to rethink my loyalties and realize I’m making a mistake by being with you. He said I had to stick with my own and become loyal to Slytherin, or else.”

“Or else what? Who the hell does he think he is, Voldemort’s poster-boy junior Death Eater? He lays one finger on you and I’ll break every bone in his damn body. He’s the one making the mistake by threatening my boyfriend.”

Draco smirked, biting his bottom lip to try to control its spread, but he was unsuccessful. Harry glared at him for a second before realizing that he shouldn’t be getting mad at Draco. He was the victim in this. “What’s so amusing, eh?”

“You’re bloody gorgeous when you’re pissed off,” Draco said quietly, the smirk taking over his face even as Harry blushed a bright crimson and tried to look away. “Oh you’re going to play coy now, are you? Remember, I have all of my memories; old and new.”

Harry’s blush deepened, but there was a smirk of his own creeping onto his lips, making Draco chuckle. There was a spark in Harry’s eyes that took Draco’s breath away, and also made him uncomfortably aware of just how tight his pants were starting to feel.

“You better remember that,” Harry whispered, feeling triumphant when Draco blushed just as deeply as he had before. However much he wanted to continue on this road, he knew Draco had brought him up to the tower for a different reason, and he didn’t want to take that away from him.

“Look, we can tell my dad about Zabini giving you trouble, see what he has to say about it. If you want, I can make sure you’re never alone, even if I have to have Hermione watch over you in Arithmancy and Ancient Runes, since I won’t be there to do it. I won’t let anything happen to you, Draco; I promise.”

Draco sighed, his concern and fear showing through for the first time as he let his mask slide completely. He had gotten so good at it that Harry hardly ever suspected it of being there. “I love you.”

Harry pulled Draco down for a long kiss, ignoring the distant sound of the bell ringing, signifying that lunch was over and they were now both late for Charms. “I love you too.”

S~S~S~S

The next morning dawned bright and early, and Harry really didn’t want to go to class. It felt like a lazy day, and he lay in bed perhaps a bit longer than necessary, as his father came into his room and vanished his pillows and blanket.

“Get up, Harry. You’re going to miss breakfast. Draco’s waiting for you,” Severus said as the bright light of his wand unmercifully poked Harry in the eyes. He pulled his pyjama shirt over his head to block out the light, and yelped quite loudly as all of his clothes, except for his boxers, vanished as well.

“Dad!”

“Up. Now!”

Harry heard somebody chuckling as he rolled out of bed, and glared at Draco as he waltz into the room, fully dressed and looking wide awake. Harry’s hair was even more messy than usual, and he was starkers besides his boxers, though he didn’t mind that fact in front of Draco.

“What are you laughing at?” Harry asked grumpily, digging through his trunk for a clean set of robes and his tie. He jumped as he felt two arms wrap around his bare waist, but smiled as he stood up straight and felt Draco’s some-what pointy chin lean on his bare shoulder.

“Oh nothing. I just like seeing you and Severus so...comfortable with each other,” Draco said with a soft smile, trailing his hands over Harry’s stomach. He chuckled as the Gryffindor broke out in goose pimples and squirmed away from him.

“No time for that, Draco. Dad will vanish my boxers next if I waste anymore time,” Harry said with a shiver, pulling on his trousers and throwing on a partially wrinkled shirt. He struggled with his tie for a few seconds before Draco took pity and tied it for him.

“Mmm, but I wouldn’t mind that at all,” Draco whispered as he pulled Harry closer by his tie and kissed him. He smirked against Harry’s lips as he fell limp against his chest. They jumped apart as they heard a loud cough from the doorway and blushed as Remus gave them both reproving looks.

“You have fifteen minutes before the first bell, boys. Hurry up.”

Harry finished buttoning his shirt and pulled his robes on, grabbing his book bag from the end of his bed and following Draco out of the dungeon quarters. Remus and Severus were walking not too far behind them having a whispered conversation. Harry was trying not to listen in, but it was inevitable as their voices rose.

“...I told you it’s fine, Remus, now drop it.”

“Severus, please just let me – ”

“No. Drop it.”

The Potions Professor sped up so that he passed Harry and Draco, leaving Remus walking alone behind them. Harry slowed his steps, waving Draco on in front of him. He fell in step with his step-father, who had a very confused look on his face.

“What’s wrong with Dad?”

Remus sighed as he looked over at his step-son, glad for his company. “I was trying to set it up so that Severus would think we forgot about his birthday so we could surprise him this evening, but he woke up in quite a snit this morning. I’m afraid your father is less fond of his birthday than we suspected.”

Harry frowned as he shifted his book bag on his shoulder. “Maybe the party tonight isn’t such a good idea, then.”

“Yes, well, I kind of suggested something like throwing him a little party, and that just made things worse. He said no one need bother going through such trouble for him. I tried to explain that it’s not trouble for us, but he refused to listen. I don’t want to completely ignore his birthday, but he doesn’t seem like a huge fan of having a party either. I’ll try to talk him around a bit today. Maybe wish him a happy birthday, see what his reaction is?” Remus suggested as they reached the top of the stairs into the Entrance Hall.

“Yeah, alright. I hope he doesn’t stay in a bad mood all day. I wonder why he hates his birthday so much.”

Remus sighed again as they entered the Great Hall and came level with the Gryffindor table. He pulled Harry into a hug. “Frankly, I’m too afraid to ask. Have a good day, Harry.”

“You too, Moony,” Harry replied, testing out one of the nicknames he had thought about using for Remus. He held his breath as Remus paused and turned back towards him. He felt his chest tighten as the man gave him a strange look, but released his breath in relief as Remus smiled warmly at him, nodding his head as if in approval.

After Harry had his plate almost full of food, Hermione looked up from her book across the table and smiled at him. “Well, that went well. What’s wrong? You both looked pretty worried when you walked in.”

“You’re very observant. It’s almost creepy,” Harry replied, receiving a glare from Hermione and a chuckle from Ron, who was sitting to the right of Hermione.

“I just happened to notice. It’s not like I follow you around or something,” Hermione snapped, opening her book once more and disappearing behind it.

Harry stopped laughing and cleared his throat, feeling slightly guilty for upsetting his friend. “I was only kidding, Hermione. Sorry, it’s been a bit of a rough morning. But speaking of following people around, I have a favour to ask you.”

Hermione sniffed as she looked up from her book trying to look haughty, but falling short as her curiosity got the best of her. “Well, I really shouldn’t, but...What do you need, Harry?”

Harry grinned at the bushy haired girl, glad he could count on her, even after being an arse. He really did have amazing friends. “Draco has been receiving threats from the Slytherins.”

“Already? They don’t waste any time do they, those snakes,” Ron said through a mouth full of sausage, thoroughly disgusting Hermione.

“What happened, Harry? Is Draco alright?” Hermione asked as she sat her book aside and leaned forward, almost landing herself into her bowl of porridge. Her expression was concerned, but there was also a hint of something else hidden in there.

“He’s fine, just a bit spooked. He mentioned Blaise Zabini specifically. I know they both have Arithmancy and Ancient Runes with you, so I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on Draco and making sure Zabini keeps to himself. I don’t want him left alone anywhere,” Harry said in a quiet voice, so as not to attract the attention of the people around them.

Ron looked over Harry’s head towards the Slytherin table and frowned. “Mate, that Zabini bloke is sitting next to Malfoy right now.”

Harry whipped his head around so fast he felt his neck snap unpleasantly. Rubbing his sore neck, Harry tried to look conspicuous as he looked across the Hall towards his boyfriend. The tall black boy who had been looking quite smug lately was indeed sitting right next to Draco, but he seemed to be minding his own business or chatting with Theodore Nott on the other side of him.

When Harry caught Draco’s eye, the blonde smiled and shook his head, as if saying he was alright. Harry smiled back and turned back around to face Hermione and Ron once more.

“It’s alright, he’s fine. I still don’t want him to be alone anywhere, though. Zabini isn’t stupid enough to do anything in the middle of the Great Hall, but that doesn’t mean he won’t try to ambush Draco in the corridors.”

The bell for first period rang, and all of the students who were still sitting in the Great Hall made for the doors to head to their classes. Harry waited by the door for Draco, and was glad when both Ron and Hermione waited with him. He offered his two best friends a thankful smile and led the way to Potions, Draco’s hand in his.

Outside the Potions classroom, all of the N.E.W.T. students were waiting for Professor Snape to open the door and direct them all in. The Slytherins were all standing together, of course, and when Harry and Draco approached, jeering and cat-calls rang out.

“Always knew you were a whore, Malfoy. You gave up everything just for a piece of Gryffindor arse,” snapped Theodore Nott. The other Slytherins snickered along with him, all except for Pansy, who just looked uncomfortable.

Harry, Draco, and surprisingly Ron all three had their wands out just as the door to the Potions classroom opened. Nott and Zabini had pulled their wands as well. Severus looked around and took in the scene, sighing inwardly at his luck. Of course today was going to be a bad day. Why not?

“All of you put your wands away this instant, before I start assigning detentions. I don’t care who did what or why; you’re not to pull your wands on each other unless instructed to do so. Ten points each from all of you,” the Potions Master hissed, pointing towards the open classroom door. He waited until most of the class had filed in before grasping Harry’s shoulder lightly to keep him from entering, ignoring the groan that emitted from the teen.

“What was that all about, Harry? You should know better.”

“I can’t explain everything right now, Dad. I’ll talk to you tonight, alright?” Harry whispered, watching carefully as Draco sat down and saved a seat at the front of the classroom for him. He made to enter the classroom, but the Potions Professor held tighter still.

“Is everything alright, at least?” Severus asked, annoyed that his son was seemingly keeping things from him already. That would definitely have to stop.

Harry sighed and let his shoulders relax, realizing that his father was simply worried about him. He felt a warmth settle in the pit of his stomach and smiled lightly up at his father. “For now it is.”

Severus released the Gryffindor’s shoulder and was about to follow him in when Harry stopped him this time.

“By the way; Happy Birthday, Dad.”

Severus watched as Harry walked into the classroom and took his seat next to Draco, leaning over to whisper something in the blonde’s ear. He felt as though he carried some talisman now as he walked into the classroom and began to write the instructions for the lesson on the chalk board. Maybe his birthday wasn’t so horrible after all.

S~S~S~S

After lunch, during which Harry stared across the Hall at the Slytherin table, the Gryffindor Trio and Draco made their way to the Defence classroom for a double period. Again, there was taunting from the Slytherins, but Draco ignored it the best he could.

“I’m going to talk to my father about this tonight, I promise,” Harry whispered to the blonde as they sat down at a table in the back together.

“Don’t bother, Harry. No matter what Severus tells them, they’ll never stop antagonizing me. I just have to deal with it and hope it dies down after a while. You should know how I feel, what with the way people have treated you after all the stories in the Prophet,” Draco answered as he pulled out his book and flipped to the chapter they had been working on in the previous lesson.

“Oh, so you weren’t oblivious to all the crap I’ve gotten over the years, then?” Harry asked jokingly, though he was quite curious about Draco’s response.

Draco glared at the Gryffindor just as the Defence Professor began writing on the chalk board. “Of course I wasn’t oblivious, Harry; I just chose to ignore it because it clashed with my preconception of you.”

“Prat.”

“I won’t argue with that.”

“Everyone put your books away and take out your wands. Today is going to be focusing on the practical aspects of Defence,” Professor Lupin instructed the class, smiling when most of the students celebrated with a whoop of joy, though Hermione Granger looked reluctant to stow her book back in her book bag.

“I need two volunteers – from different houses, please.”

No one seemed to be willing to volunteer, probably after remembering the practical lessons with Snape, which were slightly more daunting than what Remus would probably have them do. Harry sighed heavily as he raised his hand, but felt glad that he did in the next instant when Blaise Zabini was the second volunteer. Now he would get to pay Zabini back for threatening Draco, and show him what would happen if he ever cared to make good on that threat.

“Alright, Harry, Blaise; come to the centre of the room. The rest of you, please move all of the desks to the sides of the classroom and stay back.”

Harry watched as the pompous, much taller Slytherin whispered to his friends before moving towards the centre of the classroom. He was eyeing Harry with a smirk that said he thought he’d already won. Harry couldn’t wait to wipe that smirk off of his face.

Once the rest of the class had followed directions, Remus stood between the Gryffindor and Slytherin, already feeling a slight sense of dread. Harry looked very determined, whereas the Slytherin looked extremely haughty. Harry was going to wipe the floor with him, the poor sod.

“In our last class, we discussed the use of modified shield charms to protect against rampant curses that are usually capable of breaching a standard shield charm. This is definitely a bit more challenging than learning a spell. The incantation is still Protego. However, what modifies it is your willing it to change shape, size, strength and trajectory using the force of your magic willpower alone. There is no special wording or wand movement that will modify the charm. It is your power that will change it.”

Remus moved around the classroom as he spoke, watching carefully as the Slytherins glared at the Gryffindors from opposing sides of the room. He had flashbacks to the Duelling Club in his Hogwarts years, and made a mental note to discuss starting one up again with Severus and Dumbledore.

“Harry, you block first. Zabini, use any legal spell that you think may be able to defeat a shield charm. For the first attempt, don’t use full power,” Remus instructed the Slytherin, who brandished his wand like it was some noble sword. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

Harry got in position to block, but before he could even shout the incantation, Zabini had sent a slashing hex at him, full force. He ducked just as the curse flew over his head, the Gryffindors behind him scattering with a shriek. The wallpaper split and rolled down the wall where the hex had landed, a large dent in the plaster that covered the outer stone walls.

“Five points from Slytherin for deliberately disobeying my orders. I said not to use full power for the first attempt. You are a N.E.W.T. student, Zabini, you should know to give your opponent adequate time to defend themselves before attacking,” Remus said reprovingly, sending a repairing charm at the wall as the Gryffindors slowly moved back to their positions behind Harry, the Slytherins trying to hide their snickers behind their hands.

Draco, who was standing off to the side, not with the Slytherins or Gryffindors, took a deep breath to calm his pounding heart. He knew matching Zabini with Harry wasn’t a good idea after what he had told Harry, but he hadn’t expected his fellow Slytherin to fight dirty.

“To be honest, sir, in a real fight, you wouldn’t give your foe time to prepare for attack; you’d just attack.”

“Mr. Zabini, when you have fought multiple Death Eaters simultaneously and held your own, then you can lecture about how ‘real fights’ would go. Until then, kindly shut up and do as you’re instructed,” Remus said in a soft voice that still managed to carry throughout the classroom. It was eerily similar to the Potions Professor’s biting comments.

“Zabini, you block while Harry attacks.”

Harry let a smirk of his own stretch across his face as Zabini quickly got into a defensive stance. There weren’t very many spells that weren’t particularly harmful that a shield charm couldn’t protect against, though Harry wasn’t exactly concerned with not injuring Zabini just then.

“Confringo!”

“Protego!”

Harry’s blasting curse met Zabini’s shield charm with an almighty bang, a cloud of smoke enveloping the Slytherin. There was a few seconds where Harry thought he might have actually blown his opponent to pieces, but as the smoke started to clear, Zabini emerged, covered in soot with his hair singed, coughing. Harry tried to bite back his laughter, but gave up the attempt as the rest of the Gryffindors, and even a few Slytherins, started laughing at the dishevelled appearance of the tall Slytherin.

“You apparently misunderstood how to modify the charm, or else you are just incapable, Zabini. Another Slytherin, perhaps?”

The rest of class went particularly well for the Gryffindors, as the Slytherins all seemed to make asses of themselves, Draco being the exception as he successfully modified his shield charm to protect against Neville’s Leg-Locking jinx. Harry was extremely glad that, though the DA never practiced modified shield charms, everyone who had been a part did exceedingly well.

There were a few minutes before the bell for the end of class as everyone moved all of the desks back to their original places. Harry was looking around for his book bag, which had been misplaced with all of the shifting of the desks.

“Harry, is everything alright?” Remus asked as he straightened the desks in the third row. He noticed that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were searching the classroom for something, while Draco was waiting by the door patiently. He found it odd.

“I can’t find my book bag. I thought I left it against the wall when we moved the desks, but it’s not there.” Harry moved closer to Remus, looking around to make sure everyone else was otherwise occupied. “My cloak was in that bag, Moony,” he whispered with a worried look.

Remus felt his stomach drop at those words. He knew that Harry would be devastated to lose James’ cloak, but he could also remember all of the nights they had used that cloak in their own Hogwarts days to sneak around and cause mischief. They had to find it. “We’ll find it, Harry.”

“Colloportus!” Remus shouted, pointing his wand at the door. There was a minute until the bell, but no one would be leaving the classroom until Harry’s bag was found.

“There is a missing book bag somewhere within this classroom. No one will be leaving until it is found and returned to its owner. I suggest you all start searching.”

The class groaned as they dropped their own book bags and began to search the cabinets, under desks, in the storage cabinet, behind the tapestries and underneath the tanks and cages that would have held dark creatures. Remus began floating book bags over to himself, checking that there were no concealment charms on any of them.

“Harry, why don’t we just try to summon it?” Hermione asked after checking everywhere twice, and even a third time.

Harry glared at his bushy haired friend as he checked the storage cabinet for the fourth time. “Don’t you think I’ve already tried that, Hermione? That was the first thing I tried, and you know how strong my summoning charms are after the First Task.”

“Someone must be holding it hostage, mate. That’s the only thing I can think of,” Ron said, throwing his hands up in exasperation.

Remus sighed heavily, pinching his nose as the other students all began to give up the search and move back towards the door. He became increasingly aware of how much he resembled his husband at that moment. “I did not say you’d be released if the bag wasn’t found. I said no one was leaving until it was found. If someone has the bag and is intentionally keeping it hidden, there will be more than just detentions assigned.”

There was a scuffle by the door as Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott attempted to curse the door open as the bell rang. Remus was there in a flash, summoning both of their wands from them, as well as their book bags. One of them was much too heavy for a sixth years’ workload. Opening the bag after checking for curses, Remus pulled out another badly shrunken book bag. It was Harry’s, stuffed inside Zabini’s.

“Mr. Zabini, Mr. Nott; you two stay.” Remus waved his wand to unlock to door, releasing the other students as he resized Harry’s bag and handed it back to him. “I think maybe carrying your cloak in your book bag isn’t such a good idea without some sort of warding on it, yes?” Remus whispered to Harry as everyone filed out.

Harry sighed in relief as he checked inside his bag to make sure his cloak and books were still safely inside. He nodded sheepishly, sending a heated glare towards the two Slytherins who were waiting for their punishments. “I reckon you’re probably right. See you later, Moony.”

“Tell your father I might be a bit late. I need to escort these two to Dumbledore’s office,” Remus answered with a very stern look at the Slytherins.

Harry enjoyed seeing the stricken looks on Zabini’s and Nott’s faces as he waved to his step-father and left the classroom, meeting up with Draco, Ron and Hermione in the hallway.

“That was close, Harry. Why on earth would they want your book bag? Do you think they know about the cloak?” Hermione asked in a hushed voice as they walked down the corridor.

“I don’t see how they could know. You guys are the only ones who know about it, aside from Dumbledore,” Harry said with a bemused expression. He looked over at Draco, who was frowning as he watched his feet pointedly. He paused, making Ron walk straight into his back.

“Draco...”

Draco winced and looked up, a pained expression on his face. “I’m sorry, Harry...I found out about it in third year, or at least I suspected. I was talking to Crabbe and Goyle about it, but Zabini was there. I forgot that he knew as well. I have no idea how he could have known it was in your bag during class today, though. I swear I didn’t say anything.”

Harry sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. He knew it wasn’t Draco’s fault; they’d been enemies back then, he’d expect stuff like that from the old Draco. It was very disconcerting to know that the Slytherins knew about his cloak, however.

“It’s ok, Draco. It’s not your fault. I just need to make sure I’m more careful with it in the future. I’ll see you two later. I’ve got to go deal with my dad,” Harry said with a frown.

“What’s wrong with Snape?” Ron asked, earning himself in elbow in the stomach from Hermione. “What?”

“You don’t have to call him ‘Snape’ like that, Ronald. You could at least say Professor Snape, or your father. Show some respect.”

Harry chuckled as Ron just sent him a bewildered look. “It’s alright, Hermione. I don’t think Ron meant it in a derogatory way. That’s just what he’s always called him. Today’s my dad’s birthday, and he doesn’t seem too fond of that fact.”

“‘Course not. Tosser is getting older, aint he? I don’t think any old person likes their birthday,” Ron said with a shrug, earning a glare and a ‘chyah’ admonishment from Hermione.

Hermione shook her head exasperatedly as they reached the Entrance Hall, where they would be parting ways. “Tell him I said happy birthday, alright Harry?”

“Yeah, I will,” Harry replied as he and Draco headed down to the dungeons, while Ron and Hermione entered the Great Hall for dinner.

S~S~S~S

“Get your feet off of my table, Malfoy, or I shall see fit to permanently remove said feet,” Severus snapped as he entered his quarters to find Harry and Draco doing homework in the sitting room, the Slytherin sprawled on the sofa in a most undignified way.

Draco quickly pulled his socked feet off of the coffee table, sharing a wary glance with Harry as they both continued to do their homework. It was painfully obvious that the Potions Master was not in any better of a mood than he had been that morning, which boded ill for their birthday plans.

“Where’s Remus?” Severus asked as he pulled a book off of the shelf behind his armchair and flipped through it agitatedly. One of his third years had managed to singe the hair from the entire class’s heads – except for Severus, of course, who had used a shield charm to protect himself from the explosive potion. Madam Pomfrey had not yet been able to help grow their hair back, and many of the girls refused to leave the infirmary until it was fixed.

“He said to tell you he’ll be a bit late. Zabini and Nott tried to nick my book bag in class, so he’s taking them to Dumbledore for their punishments,” Harry said as he continued to focus on his Transfiguration essay, which was due the next day.

Severus found the book he was searching for, quickly stepping over to the fire and throwing floo powder in, along with the book. “Hogwarts Infirmary!” The book was whisked away in green flames, leaving Severus to turn back to his arm chair, and promptly drop into it, exhausted.

“Why on earth were Zabini and Nott trying to steal your bag, and why didn’t Remus send them to me for punishment?”

“My cloak was in the bag, and they didn’t return it when he warned the whole class that more than detentions would be assigned when Remus found it. He was right bloody mad,” said Harry, crossing out a line in his essay that didn’t make any sense. He glanced over to Draco’s parchment, but yelped when his father sent a stinging hex at him.

“No cheating, Potter. I hear Zabini has been giving quite a few students issues as of late. Do you think you were targeted on purpose, or just randomly?”

“Am I ever a random target?” Harry asked incredulously as he rubbed at the angry red welt on his wrist. He glared at Draco as the blonde snickered at him. “Zabini threatened Draco personally. I think he’s trying to get to him through me.”

Severus sighed heavily as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He was going to have to have a long talk with his Slytherins, and not just Zabini and Nott. He’d heard enough throughout the last week to know that there were many ill feelings towards Draco because of his seeming ‘betrayal’. Just as Severus was considering pouring himself some firewhiskey, Remus walked in, looking as haggard as the Potions Professor felt.

“That Zabini kid is a real piece of work, I’ll tell you! He lied through his teeth, claiming that someone had planted Harry’s book bag inside of his. Utter rubbish. Dumbledore assigned him and Nott two weeks detention with Filch. That’s it!”

“Good evening to you too, Remus,” Severus drawled, deciding he might just reach for that firewhiskey anyways. Everyone seemed to be a particularly foul mood tonight.

Remus felt his annoyance begin to drain as he walked over to the Potions Master, leaning down to place a quick kiss on his lips. “Sorry, love. Long day.”

“Mmm, I know the feeling. Bradley Barren, that thick-headed third year from Hufflepuff, decided to confuse wormwood and cedar bark. His hair thickening potion had the opposite affect when it exploded, removing everyone’s hair but my own. Poppy had a riot on her hands with a bunch of crying thirteen year old girls who refused to leave without all of their luscious hair back in place.”

Remus couldn’t stop the laughter from bubbling up through his chest and escaping, clutching his stomach for support. Harry and Draco joined in, eventually pulling a reluctant grin from Severus as well. “I guess today has been all around not a very good day,” the Potions Master sighed.

“Well, we could make the night better for you, at least. Dobby!” Harry called, grinning as the elf popped in with a large cake shaped like a cauldron. The little elf placed it gently on the coffee table and gave a low bow before disappearing once again.

The cake was very detailed, and in acid green letters in read ‘Happy Birthday Professor Snape, sir!’ Harry laughed at the incredulous look on his father’s face, accepting the plates and forks that Dobby had popped back in to deliver.

“You let Dobby bake me a cake? I feel I should perhaps check it for poison first,” Severus said with a frown, though he was fighting off the reluctant smile that kept trying to crop up. He’d never had a birthday cake before.

“Nah, Dobby wouldn’t do anything like that, especially since he knows how important you are to me,” replied Harry, who was sticking candles into the cake and using his wand to light them. Remus began to help with the candles, placing them strategically amongst the letters and details in the icing.

The Potions Professor shook his head exasperatedly as he watched Draco join in with the candle lighting as well. “Don’t tell me you’re actually placing thirty-six candles on that cake? You’ll burn the castle down.”

“Shush, Severus, and prepare to be sang to,” Draco said with a smirk as he lit the last candle. Harry, Remus, and Draco all sang Happy Birthday to the Potions Master, who had a slight blush on his cheeks even as he scowled at them.

“Now blow out the candles and make a wish, Dad,” Harry instructed, watching as the wax began to drip onto the icing.

“What am I, five? I’m not going to make a wish.”

“Just do it, love,” Remus said with a smile, coaxing his bond mate with a wave of his hand towards the cake.

Severus rolled his eyes and leaned forward with a heavy sigh. He felt absolutely ridiculous, but he knew he’d never hear the end of it if he didn’t just blow the blasted candles out. Taking a deep breath, he blew out all thirty-six candles in one breath.

“What did you wish for?” Draco asked as he began removing candles from the cake, licking the icing from the ends as he sat them aside.

“I did not see fit to make a wish,” Severus replied as he sat back down, glaring at Remus as he sat on the arm of his chair. He smirked as Remus rolled his eyes and sat on the floor in front of his feet instead, leaning against his legs.

Harry removed the last of the candles and started to cut the cake, frowning over at his father. “Well why not? Come on, even if it seems ridiculous, you should make one anyways. It’s like a birthday rule or something.”

“A rule, eh? And who made this rule?” Severus asked as he grudgingly accepted the piece of cake that was being shoved into his hands.

Harry shrugged as he handed Remus and Draco a piece of cake, then cutting one for himself before sitting down on the sofa beside the Slytherin. “I dunno. It’s just a rule. Everyone knows that. Sorry that I don’t really have a gift to give you. I was planning on looking in Hogsmeade for something, but the trips got cancelled.”

Severus hated to admit it, but the cake was actually quite delicious. He forced himself to take small, even bites. “Do not concern yourself, Harry. I am not exactly known for celebrating my birthday. In fact, this is the first time since my Hogwarts years that anyone besides Albus has made any sort of fuss about it.”

“That’s really depressing,” Draco said with a frown, wondering why he had never considered his godfather’s birthday before. He felt guilty, losing his appetite for the rest of his cake.

“Not really. I’ve never put much stock into becoming a year older. Besides, the most Albus ever did was send me a pair of garish socks and a bottle of firewhiskey,” Severus said with a nonchalant shrug, not intending to make anyone feel guilty by his words. He’d never celebrated his birthday, not even as a child. While attending Hogwarts, Lily had of course been the only one to recognize his birthdays until after fifth year.

“Socks? Dumbledore gave you socks?” Remus asked with a bemused expression as he set his fork and plate aside.

“One strange pair for every year that I’ve taught here,” Severus replied as he set his empty plate beside Remus’ on the coffee table.

Draco snorted as he finished his cake, swiping his finger into the icing on Harry’s slice of cake and earning himself a glare. “That man really is quite odd.”

“No wonder you won’t let me look into your sock drawer,” Remus chuckled.

Harry sighed, knowing exactly how it felt to have his birthday completely ignored, receiving nothing but a few cards from his friends, if even that. “Still, I feel bad not getting you anything.”

“Harry – you, Remus, and Draco have given me more than I could possibly ask for. Having a family birthday party is gift enough for me,” Severus explained quietly. This had certainly been his best birthday yet, and he appreciated his son’s efforts.

Harry smiled, trying to blink back the annoying tears that were trying to leak from his eyes. He was glad when Draco pulled him close and gave him a quick kiss.

“Why don’t you like your birthday, Sev?” Draco asked hesitantly, wondering if he just hated any sort of celebration or if there was a specific reason.

“When I was sixteen, my mother became ill. She was in hospital for most of the first half of my seventh year in Hogwarts, and when I returned home for Christmas hols, she got worse. I was in the hospital watching over her the entire time before she passed away just after Christmas...on my seventeenth birthday,” Severus explained, looking like his mind was in a far off place rather than the dungeons of Hogwarts.

Everyone was silent as they sat consumed by their own sense of horror at the story. No wonder the Potions Master hated his birthday, the poor man. “I’m so sorry, Dad...” Harry whispered.

“It was a long time ago, Harry, but thank you.”

Everyone in the room jumped as the floo roared into life. Albus stepped out of the green flames and brushed his robes off. He was holding a small wrapped package, his eyes gleaming madly.

“Happy Birthday, Severus.”

Severus nodded as he accepted the package, wondering what kind of ludicrous socks the Headmaster had gifted him this year. He snorted as he opened the package and held up the bright silver and green socks there were inside. They said ‘#1 Dad!’ all over them.

“Why thank you, Albus.”

The Headmaster chuckled as he took the piece of cake that Harry offered him, happily licking the icing off of the fork with an appreciative hum. He ate the piece in its entirety and vanished all of the dirty dishes with the flick of his wand before he turned to leave. He paused with the floo powder in his hand, however.

“Oh yes. Ms. Tonks arrived at the Ministry about an hour ago,” he said with a cheerful smile, his eyes twinkling so much they were almost blinding.