The floo roaring to life was quite unexpected so early in the afternoon. Severus had expected Harry to stay at the Wake longer than anyone else. As soon as he saw their faces, however, he knew something was terribly wrong. He set his book aside and stood up, his question in his expression.

“There’s been a mass break-out from Azkaban. Most, if not all, of Voldemort’s followers are on the loose, including Lucius Malfoy. He might well be making his way towards Hogwarts as we speak. I think it would be best if we informed Draco,” said Remus, his expression grim and worried. He hated being the bearer of bad news, especially news as bad as this.

Severus was shocked into silence for a few seconds before he gathered himself and nodded curtly. “It would be better if Draco knew what to expect, just in case Lucius does try anything. I have no idea what he’s been informed of; he may not even know that Narcissa was killed.” He turned to Harry, who was white as a sheet and shaking slightly. A sudden surge of protectiveness took hold of him in that moment, so he moved forward and pulled his almost-son into a tight hug.

“I know you’re worried, but you’re safe here. You’re all safe here. We won’t let any harm come to any of you, including Draco.”

“I’m not worried about myself, Sev. I’m worried about the Weasleys, and Draco, and you. They’ll be coming after you too, for your betrayal. I can’t lose any of you, I can’t...” Harry buried his face in Severus’ robes, taking as much comfort as he could from the man’s strong embrace. He was overwhelmed, overemotional, and stressed to the core; he couldn’t help but to fall apart in his soon-to-be father’s arms.

“Calm yourself, child. You won’t be losing anyone, no one is going anywhere. Come sit down for a few minutes; you’ve been through a lot today,” Severus said in a quiet voice, leading Harry over to the sofa and pulling him down with him as he sat down. He bundled the Gryffindor close to him, gently running a hand through his messy hair. Severus looked up at Remus, who was making sure Hermione was calm and ok.

“Remus, can you please go to Draco’s room and tell him we need to speak with him? The password is ‘pumpkin pasties’.”

A few minutes passed in complete silence. Harry was still curled up against Severus, his head leaning on his chest, and Hermione had taken up one of the armchairs, her eyes red rimmed and wide with fear. The door to the dungeon quarters opened once more, and Draco made a direct line to Harry. When Draco saw him curled up next to Severus, his expression grim, he sat down beside him and started rubbing his back.

Draco had no idea what was going on, other than something big had happened, and Harry was highly upset by it. He looked over at Severus expectantly, but it was Remus who spoke first.

“There’s been a mass break-out from Azkaban, Draco.”

The blood drained from the Slytherin’s face, even as Harry grabbed one of his hands and gave it a reassuring squeeze. He squeezed back a little bit harder than was strictly necessary. He already knew what the break-out meant, but it was vocalized anyways.

“We’re not sure of anything at this point, but there’s some reason to believe your father may be making his way towards Hogwarts. There’s no telling if he knows about your mother’s murder or not, but suffice it to say that if he’s unaware, there will be hell to pay when he finds out. Don’t worry about coming to any harm; you’re perfectly safe here. Just know that your father may attempt to seek you out or contact you in some way, and to be prepared for it.”

Draco stared at the Defence Professor for a while before turning his attention back to Severus. “That’s all good and well, but what am I supposed to do if he shows up or tries to contact me? Have we all forgotten I’m practically an invalid and don’t know any defence at all?” Draco asked exasperatedly.

“You’re not an invalid, Draco,” Harry said heatedly. He extracted himself from the Potions Master’s embrace and turned towards his boyfriend. “We’ll start tutoring you, but I don’t think you’ll have to worry about your dad getting in the castle. We won’t let anyone hurt you. I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.”

Draco blushed slightly under Harry’s intense gaze, but nodded that he knew better than to think he was in much danger in his current position. “I wish I could remember why I feel so afraid of my own father...”

There was a tense silence as Harry pulled Draco into a hug and just held him there, glad for Severus’ presence beside him. Remus had perched himself on the arm of sofa on the other side of Severus, his hand grasping his lover’s shoulder in a comforting gesture.

“What we’re trying to say is that you shouldn’t worry about being in danger, but be prepared for some kind of attempt on your father’s part. It is simply a warning to be cautious, that’s all. We don’t mean to worry or frighten you,” Remus said reassuringly, glad when Severus reached up to grasp his hand appreciatively.

“I can start tutoring you during my free periods if you’d like. Perhaps if you start learning some more spells, you’ll start to remember things. I know Healer Smithson said that familiar situations might help jog your memory, and it’ll maybe distract you from thinking about your father too much,” Hermione suggested with a tentative smile. She hadn’t talked to Draco very much since he had been released from the infirmary, but now that she knew he was a permanent part of Harry life, she had to start getting to know him somehow.

“I think that’s a very good idea. The rest of us will all help as well, whenever we have the free time to do so. Please don’t worry yourself, Draco; everything will be fine,” Severus reassured his godson, his expression one of determination.

Draco sighed deeply as he looked around at everyone. All these people were willing to help and protect him, and as alone as he felt before, he finally felt like he had a family again. He’d never see his mother again, and his father would probably end up in Azkaban once more, but these people around him were the ones who mattered now. He smiled faintly and nodded, looking mainly at Harry. “Thank you...all of you.”

S~S~S~S

It was dark and cold when he walked in. The silence was to be expected, but the lack of greeting and warmth immediately boded ill. Before concerning himself with food, a shower, or decent clothing, he moved up the long spiralling staircase and down the hall, headed straight towards the large oak double doors at the end. This was it; he’d finally get to see her, after what seemed like forever. When he pushed the doors open and looked around hopefully, all he saw was an empty, abandoned room.

Struggling down the hall towards the library, he realized he would soon have to succumb to the need for food and water. The few things he had managed to scrounge for right after the break-out were not enough to sustain even the frailest of infants, let alone a middle aged man who had been denied sustenance for so long.

The doors to the library were open, which was distinctly unusual. She’d always had perfect manners, and even when they escaped her, the house elves were there to make up for it. He slipped in through the small opening, sickened that he was so withered he could fit without moving the door open more.

The fire hadn’t been lit in some time. There were no candles burning low, the shades were drawn and the room was definitely empty. His panic reached a crescendo as he turned to the tapestry and saw all the blood. His heart pounded, his breath coming in sharp gasps as he moved towards the tapestry, his eyes scanning the blood spray on the fabric of the family tree, the walls around it, and the dark, dried pool on the ground. It spread nearly six feet around in diameter. Somebody had died here. Somebody had died a horrible, heinous death in his esteemed library, and all he could think of was which one it was; his wife, or his son?

Just as he was about to turn to leave the library to investigate more, something caught his eye by the foot of his favourite armchair. He knelt down and reached under, his hand closing over something small, cold and round. He held up his hand, palm up, and stared at the diamond and emerald ring. For a few seconds, the only sound he could hear was the blood rushing through his veins, his heart pounding as his anger and sorrow battled for dominance in his heart and mind. Then there was a horrible, heart wrenching sob and a howl of sheer pain as he closed his hand over the ring, squeezing so hard he could feel the little jewels draw blood from his palm.

His wife had been murdered, and somebody would have to pay. There was no question as to who had done this, had taken his wife away from him. The Dark Lord never was one for theatrics or blood baths; he always preferred the clean and swift Killing curse. No, Narcissa Malfoy had not been killed at the hands of Lord Voldemort. The bloody mess was the well known signature of someone else he knew, someone who was very close to Narcissa. This was the work of Bellatrix Lestrange.

Still clutching the ring so tightly that it was painful, Lucius quickly stood and rushed from the room, heading towards his personal study. When he reached the room, he went straight to the portrait of his great grandfather, and pried the frame from the wall. A safe was built into the wall; a Muggle safe. He quickly spun the dial, his hands shaking as he heard the loud click that told him he’d gained access. He pulled the lever and opened the door, reaching in and pulling out the slender black box that contained his great grandfather’s wand. There were a few extra wands in the house, but none of them worked as well for him as this one. Replacing the box, he pulled out the pouch of Galleons he kept in the house, just in case of an emergency. It was quite a bit of money, so he only took about two-thirds of the gold, leaving the pouch in the safe. He closed the heavy metal door and armed it once more, replacing the portrait over the opening in the wall.

He headed back to the master bedroom, trying not to hope that Narcissa would appear in the room and welcome him with open arms. He took a quick shower, rinsing the filth and disgust of Azkaban from his skin. He used a hair cutting charm to fix his matted and too long hair, making sure to get it as clean as possible. It lacked the shine it once possessed in his youth, but it was better than the mass of dirty, nappy hair he had gained in Azkaban.

The large walk-in closet was full to bursting with robes of every variety you could imagine, with all colours and styles under the sun. He picked a simple black one, then reached for his favourite green cloak. As he walked over to the full length mirror at the back on the closet, he was shocked to see himself looking so...normal. Except for his diminished appearance from near starvation, he almost resembled his old self.

He took a quick meal in the kitchens, a little lost in his own home without the help of his house elves. He had no idea where the creatures had gone, but he hoped they had fled to safety rather than being killed in much the same fashion his wife had been. The food he was chewing tasted like ash, and he only forced himself to swallow it out of necessity for his health and energy. The pepper-up potion he had taken after his shower would not hold him over forever.

Back in his study, he pulled out a clean sheet of parchment from the drawer dedicated to his personal stationary and dipped a quill into the pot of ink at the head of the desk. It was short, concise, and to the point. He couldn’t let Draco see his fear or sorrow; he had to maintain the mask he’d always worn. It wouldn’t do to let his son see him so weak.

‘Draco,

I’m sure you’ve been informed of my escape from Azkaban already. You know where I am currently, but I will not linger here. I have learned of your mother’s death, and I wished to make sure that you were alive and well at Hogwarts. A letter addressed to me will find me wherever I go, so do send a reply. I’ve no idea of anything that has happened since my imprisonment, so a short description of the current situation in the Wizarding world would be welcome. Do not hesitate to reply; I await your letter.

Lucius Malfoy’

He opened the window of his study and leaned out, whistling into the darkness. It took a few minutes, but a large eagle owl came flying out of the forest which lay beyond the Manor and flew to window, landing heavily on his outstretched arm. He attached the letter and whispered to the owl, “Take this to my son.”

As he watched the owl fly off into the distance, he gasped as a familiar pain assaulted him. He looked down at the Mark on his arm, black and angry from the Summons. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, turning on the spot and apparating straight through the heavy wards to his Master’s side.

S~S~S~S

Harry sat up quickly in bed as he heard a loud crash. It sounded like it had come from the sitting room. He grabbed his wand from the bedside table as he slipped his glasses on, pulling the blankets back as he slowly and carefully got out of bed. Slipping the door to his room open, he peaked out, but it was too dark to see very far down the hall. He opened the door wider and slipped through, hearing a sharp intake of breath behind him. He whipped around and nearly panicked as a hand clapped firmly over his mouth. He breathed a sigh of relief as Severus’ held a finger up to his lips, indicating that Harry needed to be quiet when he removed his hand. He pointed firmly to the spot where Harry was standing, and it was clear that he was not to move from that spot.

Severus slunk quietly down the hall, his wand raised in front of him. Upon entrance to the sitting room, his eyes quickly scanned for the source of the crash. A picture frame had fallen from the mantle of the fireplace, laying in pieces on the flagstone floor. His heart nearly jumped through his throat as a large eagle owl gave a loud cry from the back of his armchair, making him wince horribly. He squinted at the letter attached to the owl’s leg and felt a heavy sense of foreboding; it was addressed to Draco, and that most definitely Lucius Malfoy’s flowing script.

“Harry, it’s alright. It’s just an owl,” Severus called behind him as he lowered his wand and moved towards the owl to retrieve the letter. He cursed as the owl nipped sharply at his finger, refusing to give up the letter to anyone but Draco.

Harry came up behind the Potions Master, his wand lit and pointed at the large owl sitting on the back of Severus’ favourite armchair. He sighed in relief, glancing over to the broken picture frame. “Who’s it addressed to?”

Severus swallowed and gave Harry a significant look. “Draco. Please go wake him up for me; the owl refuses to give the letter to anyone but him,” Severus said as he wiped the little bit of blood from his finger. He jumped as he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to glare at Remus.

“A little jumpy are we, love? What’s going on?”

Severus rolled his eyes as he watched Harry leave their quarters to go fetch Draco like he had been asked. “Sorry if I woke you. There was a loud crash, so I came to investigate. I’m surprised you didn’t hear it too. Harry woke up as well.”

“What is it with you and impatient owls, eh? They just can’t wait until morning,” Remus said with a chuckle, brushing his hand across Severus’ cheek.

“It’s not for me this time. It’s addressed to Draco. From his father,” said Severus, his expression dark and, if you knew what to look for, slightly worried.

“That’s not good...” Remus mumbled.

Harry gave the password to the portrait protecting Draco’s room and slipped inside. He moved over to the bed, smiling at the form of his sleeping boyfriend, even through his worry about what the letter contained. He looked so calm and peaceful; he hated to have to wake him up. He reached out and gently shook the blonde’s shoulder.

“Draco, wake up.”

Draco’s eyes fluttered open, blinking blearily up at Harry, his eyebrows knit in confusion. “Harry? What’s wrong?”

“A letter came for you just now. The owl ended up in our quarters for some reason. I think it’s from your father but I’m not sure. It won’t give the letter to anyone but you, so Sev told me to come wake you.”

Draco sat bolt upright, completely wide awake now. He could tell Harry was trying not to act so worried for his sake, but he was feeling slightly panicky himself. He took a deep breath to calm himself and crawled out of bed, grabbing his dressing gown to throw over his night clothes.

“Why would it come in the middle of the night, to your quarters?” Draco asked with a bemused expression as the two teens headed back into the Potions Master’s quarters. He didn’t know exactly how he felt about hearing from his father. His emotions were a little skewed because he still couldn’t remember rather large chunks of his life. It was beyond disconcerting, but things did come back every now and then. He just needed to be patient.

Harry shrugged as he rubbed his tired eyes. “I have no idea, really. Maybe it tried to go to you, but the wards on your rooms stopped it. There’s the owl,” he said, pointing needlessly to the large eagle owl still perched on Severus’ armchair.

Draco gasped as he recognized the owl; his father’s owl, Caligo. He approached the owl cautiously at first, but was glad when the owl gave a soft chirp and flew over to gently land on his outstretched arm.

“Hey girl, haven’t see you in a long time. What’ve you got for me, eh?” Draco softly cooed at the owl, gaining strange looks from the other people in the room. He carefully smoothed down the feathers on Caligo’s back, smiling to himself. He slipped the scroll out of the sling attached to the owl’s leg, distracting the owl by cooing at her and petting her. He slowly handed the scroll to Harry, who took it wordlessly.

Harry felt a sort of thrill when he realized that Draco remembered this owl, he knew who she was. He was starting to remember more and more, and as much as that scared him, he also wanted Draco to have all of his memories back. He held the scroll close to him as Draco placed the owl back on the armchair, giving her one last pet before moving back towards Harry.

“If you don’t distract her before you take the scroll, she’s liable to take a finger off. She’s a little too protective of her post,” Draco said in way of explanation when he noticed the strange looks he was getting. He took the scroll from Harry and slit the green wax seal, his breath hitching just a bit as he saw his father’s familiar, flowing script. He felt Harry sidle up beside him to read the letter over his shoulder.

‘Draco,

I’m sure you’ve been informed of my escape from Azkaban already. You know where I am currently, but I will not linger here. I have learned of your mother’s death, and I wished to make sure that you were alive and well at Hogwarts. A letter addressed to me will find me wherever I go, so do send a reply. I’ve no idea of anything that has happened since my imprisonment, so a short description of the current situation in the Wizarding world would be welcome. Do not hesitate to reply; I await your letter.

Lucius Malfoy’

Draco read through it twice before handing it off to Severus and Remus, a heavy sense of relief making his shoulders sag. He shared a look with Harry, but they both remained silent as the two Professors read the letter.

“Well that was hardly anything to worry over, I guess, but you never know when it comes to Lucius Malfoy,” Severus said, handing the scrolled parchment back to his godson.

“Should I write back? How much should I tell him?”

Remus had already pulled out quill, ink and parchment, placing it all on the desk in the corner and directing Draco to sit down. The other three all hovered around him, and he shifted uncomfortably under their scrutiny.

“Tell him you’re safe, but you had an accident over the summer. You’re slowly regaining your memory, but things are still quite fuzzy. Try not to mention Harry, or how he relates to the accident. Be sure to tell him that he’s unwelcome here. He already knows anyways, so you can include the fact that you’re in my custody now. I think that should do it,” Severus said, watching as Draco elaborated a bit and fleshed the letter out. He waited for the ink to dry before lifting it from the desk and reading it once more.

‘Father,

I am alive and mostly well here at Hogwarts. However, at the end of the summer I was attacked, by some of your colleagues nonetheless, and I was in a coma for nearly three months. When I awoke, I’d lost nearly all of my memory. Since then I’ve been getting it back pretty slowly, and a lot of it is still a little unclear to me at this time, but my Healer assures me that my memory should come back in full eventually.

Please, whatever you do, don’t come to the castle. It will only cause more harm than not, and you’ve no business here. Forgive me if I am out of line, but things have been mostly quiet around here, and I prefer it to stay that way. I’m sure I’ll see you when the summer begins, somehow. As of right now, Severus has custody of me as my godfather. He’s taken good care of me, and is even paying for the Healer and hospital bills and everything. I’m safe, so there’s no need to worry.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m suffering from sudden onset amnesia, so I’m probably not the best person to ask about what’s going on in the Wizarding world. I’m sure you can found out some other way.

I hope you’re well, wherever you are. Merry Christmas, Father.

Your son,

Draco Malfoy’

“You honestly give the man more credit than he deserves, Draco,” Severus said in an icy tone, rolling the scroll and using a candle to heat the wax. He pressed the Hogwarts crest stamp into the hot liquid, then pressed it to the scroll, sealing the missive.

Draco felt a pang of regret and longing, avoiding everyone’s eyes as he took the scroll back and took it over to Caligo. He brushed her feathers down and whispered to her once more as he attached the scroll, then kissed her gently on the top of the head. Draco watched as his father’s owl took off, flying up the chimney with the scroll secured to the sling on her ankle.

“He’s still my father, Sev. Even if he is the world’s biggest prat and a sadist at that, he’s my dad. I don’t even understand it most the time, so I hardly expect you to.”

Severus shrugged as he gathered his dressing gown around him and made for the hall to head back to bed, Remus in tow. He looked back over at Draco, avoiding Harry’s eye quite pointedly. “Considering what a piece of work my own father was, I don’t think I could ever share your views, Draco. A tiger cannot change his stripes anymore than a monster could become a good father,” he hissed, his eyes narrowing as if communicating something to the blonde that neither Harry nor Remus could understand.

Draco bristled, shaking off Harry’s arm as the Gryffindor gripped his shoulder. “You’re no better than him! What makes you think you could be a better father to Harry than Lucius was to me? I see no difference.” He knew the instant the words were out of his mouth that he should never have said it, or even thought it, but he couldn’t take it back now. He winced as Harry flinched away from him.

“That’s completely unfair! How could you say that, Draco?” Harry asked, shaking his head in disbelief. He couldn’t believe that Draco had the audacity to even compare Severus to Lucius. There were so many things he could argue that he just didn’t feel like Draco even dignified an answer.

“Think of it this way, Draco; while your father was in prison after being caught playing Voldemort’s lapdog, who housed you, fed you, took care you? Who was there for you, worried and supportive after you found refuge by going to Dumbledore? Severus has been more a father to you than Lucius ever was. You’re blind if you don’t see that,” Remus whispered, turning and brushing past Severus down the hall.

With one last lingering glare that held just the right amount of hurt, anger, and pity, Severus followed Remus, letting the werewolf’s words sink in. The final blow for Draco was when Harry frowned at him and shuffled off to his own room, closing the door firmly behind him.

He didn’t know how long he stood in the middle of the sitting room, feeling like a properly chastised infant and foolish to the core. Wondering how he managed to get himself into these messes, Draco headed back to his own room, his head hung in shame. They were all right, and truth be told, Draco was jealous. Jealous of Harry, for getting the father Draco had always wanted, but could never have.

S~S~S~S

It was three days before Christmas, and Harry still had no idea what to get Severus. He’d taken Draco’s advice into consideration, but the little Slytherin part of him dedicated to self-preservation still told him that touching Severus’ mother’s pocket watch would result in his untimely death. He’d appealed to Remus, but the werewolf was little more helpful than Draco was, admitting that he himself had been agonizing over the same thing for weeks. It was time to recruit Hermione to his cause.

Harry had avoided Draco like the plague for the last three days, still smarting over his attack on Severus. He was still shocked that his Draco would say such a thing, but then he should have realized that slowly but surely, the other Draco was coming back. This person that Harry had become smitten with, that had stolen his heart, was only a temporary replacement for the snarky, snide Slytherin that he’d known for the past five years. Even with Hermione’s reassurances that Draco would never be that person in full again, he couldn’t stop the fear and doubt from gnawing at him.

Having learned the password from Nearly Headless Nick, Harry entered the Gryffindor common room and made straight for Hermione, who was sitting at a back table, wrapping what looked like Christmas gifts. The brunette looked up as she heard the portrait hole open and she beamed at Harry from her sitting position.

“Harry! Good thing I wrapped your gift first. What’re you doing here?” she asked pleasantly as she cleared away the snippets of cut up wrapping paper from beside her and motioned for Harry to join her on the floor.

Harry plopped down beside her and pulled his knees up to his chest, offering his best friend a smile as he leaned over and bumped her shoulder playfully. “I am still a Gryffindor you know, I can be in here whenever I want,” he teased, one of his eyebrows shooting up in an uncanny resemblance to the Potions Master’s.

Hermione giggled and nudged him gently in the ribs, shaking her head exasperatedly. “Oh, you know what I meant, you prat. You do realize how strange it is that you’ve picked up all of Professor Snape’s little mannerisms, don’t you? I’m almost afraid you’ll take points for my shoddy wrapping job.”

Harry laughed, loudly. He hadn’t felt so open in a long time, if he was quite honest with himself, and it was nice to just sit and talk to his best friend again. He really did miss having Hermione around more often. The only thing that was missing was Ron’s horrified expression and his shuddering comment about Hermione not joking about something so serious. Harry sighed gustily, his smile fading into a frown.

“Are you alright, Harry?” Hermione asked, her tone changing quickly as she abandoned her spell-o-tape and wrapping paper, turning her full attention to Harry. She had that familiar gleam of concern in her eye, which somehow made Harry feel better.

“Yeah, I’m ok. I just...I miss Ron. I miss us, all three of us, sitting around and talking or playing chess or doing homework. Everything is so different now. Don’t get me wrong, I like living with Severus and Remus, I do. I just miss how things used to be.” Harry shrugged, as if this wasn’t anything of importance, but Hermione knew better.

“Me too, Harry. Things got a little...tense here in Gryffindor after you and Ron stopped talking, and then you fought with Ginny. Ron and I broke up, and then Ginny accused me of choosing you over Ron and her. It was all just crazy and ridiculous. No matter what I did, I was always the one in the wrong with those two. Most of my time was spent studying by myself avoiding Ron’s longing looks and Ginny’s glares. Sometimes I wish I didn’t live in Gryffindor anymore, either,” Hermione sighed, her bushy curls lifting on the gust of breath she released.

Harry frowned at the crestfallen look on Hermione’s face. He’d been so wrapped up in everything going on with Draco and Severus that he’d not spared much time for Hermione, or thought about how she was fairing with Ron and Ginny on the warpath.

“I’m sorry, Hermione. I didn’t realize they were taking their anger towards me out on you. I just hope things will be better after the winter hols. Actually, that’s why I wanted to talk to you. I still haven’t gotten a gift for Severus yet,” Harry groaned, his earnest expression making Hermione forget her own problems.

“Well, have you any ideas at all what to get him?” she asked, her expression one of thoughtful concentration. Harry knew he’d made the right decision coming to Hermione.

“Well, Sev has this pocket watch he usually always has with him. It was his mother’s, but it doesn’t work anymore, and he doesn’t want to fix it using magic because it’s actually a muggle watch. Draco thinks I should take it to get it fixed, the muggle way of course, and have it restored. I have a feeling he’d murder me if I so much as touched it,” said Harry, bemused by the smug expression on Hermione’s face.

“Harry, that’s a wonderful idea! I think you should have listened to Draco all along. I’m sure Professor Snape wouldn’t kill you for touching the watch. In fact, you could always have Remus take the watch for you and distract him from noticing that it’s gone. I’ll even help! We’ll get Hagrid to escort us to Hogsmeade again, and we could even ask Draco to come!” Hermione said excitedly, gathering all her wrapping materials to store them away as if she expected it all to happen just then.

Harry’s happy expression fell at the mention of Draco, and he pulled his knees closer to his chest. He’d forgotten to mention his little rift with the Slytherin to Hermione. Maybe he was being oversensitive to the situation, but he’d been feeling strangely protective of the Potions Professor ever since the adoption interview with the casewitch. He was nervous; afraid things wouldn’t work out and the adoption wouldn’t go through after all. He knew hearing from Lucius couldn’t have been easy for Draco. Maybe he was being unfair to the blonde.

“Er, we kind of had a row the other night. Well, he kind of had a row with Sev, and Remus and I sort of involved ourselves. He got a letter from his dad, and he was told to write back, so he did. Apparently Sev thought Draco was being much too sincere, and he said so. Draco got defensive and Sev of course said something a little degrading about Lucius, and Draco accused Sev of being no better than Lucius was. He told him that he’d be a horrible father, ‘Mione. It was so obvious that it hurt Sev, and it hurt Remus and me as well. I haven’t talked to him since, which was three days ago. Maybe I’m not being fair to him...” Harry trailed off, his expression clearly asking for Hermione to provide all the answers like she normally did.

Hermione sighed. She felt like maybe she was out of her depth with this one, but maybe she could help at least a little.

“I’m sure a lot of things were said in the heat of the moment because of all the stress and tension. Draco shouldn’t have been so defensive, but Professor Snape should have taken the initiative and been the bigger man, leaving his thoughts about Draco’s letter unsaid. He’s an adult, and you and Draco are under his care now. He needs to realize that the relationship between Professor and pupil is much more different than the relationship between a guardian and his ward. He may not be adopting Draco, but he’s still his godfather. I’m afraid there’s really not much any of us can do to teach Professor Snape a little compassion, other than to show it to him and hope he returns the favour.

“I think you were at least partially validated in your defence of Professor Snape. After all, he is your father, or will soon be. Just like Draco used to passionately defend his own father, you have every right to do the same thing. I think perhaps that Draco’s words were taken more seriously than they should have been, considering Draco was only doing what you were doing; defending his father. Sometimes love is blind, and even the most heinous crimes can’t erase a lifelong bond between father and son. Everyone just needs to recognize it as the misunderstanding it was, apologize for the heated exchange, and put it past them.”

Harry smiled warmly at his friend, sighing as he pulled her into a messy hug. He’d be so lost without her, it was painfully obvious. “What would I do without you?” he muttered into her hair, earning himself a small chuckle as Hermione pulled away from the hug.

“You know, you seem to ask that question a lot, and the answer still hasn’t changed; you’d be nothing without me,” Hermione teased, giggling as Harry tackled her and tickled her mercilessly as revenge.

Ten minutes later, they were standing outside the portrait protecting Draco’s personal room, Harry taking in a nervous breath as Hermione gave him an encouraging pat on the back. He decided it would be too rude for him to just walk in after three days of not talking to the blonde, so he gave a few tentative knocks, and waited.

The portrait slid open smoothly to reveal Draco fully dressed in black slacks, a soft white cardigan, and charcoal grey robes that brought out his eyes magnificently. Harry almost forgot what he’d come for, other than to snog the Slytherin senseless. He blinked and shook himself as Draco’s eyebrow shot up, his expression one of obvious displeasure.

“Can I talk to you?” Harry asked tentatively, fearing that Draco would deny him and tell him to leave. He sighed as the blonde nodded and led the way into his quarters. Hermione had planned on waiting in the corridor for Harry, but Draco shot her a look that said ‘why are you still standing there?’ and gestured for her to enter the room as well.

Draco sat down on his bed, his back leaning against the headboard as he slumped elegantly. Only Draco could pull the look off. Harry sat at the foot of the bed, a respectful distance from the blonde, but not too far away either. Hermione took the desk chair, looking awkward and out of place as she studied the nails on her left hand.

“Well, talk,” Draco said shortly, staring at Harry so intensely that the Gryffindor had a hard time meeting his icy glare. He was reminded far too much of the old Draco, and his skin prickled uncomfortably.

“Look, I’m sorry for snapping at you the other night. Everyone was pretty stressed and tense, and things were said that none of us probably meant. I know you were only defending your father, but I was defending mine as well. It’s definitely something I’ve not had very much experience with, but when I heard you insulting Severus like that, I felt like I needed to defend him. I’m sure you know how that feels, having a father whose reputation isn’t a very good one. It’s easy to get defensive. Remus was just defending the one he loves, the same way I defended you when Ron and Ginny started to have a problem with you. I’m sorry...” Harry trailed off as he noticed the shell shocked look on Draco’s face, and the faint squeak of surprise he heard behind him from Hermione. Uh oh, what did he say wrong?

“Harry...did you mean...are you saying that...you love me?” Draco asked in earnest, looking hopeful and scared all in one. The room seemed unnaturally quiet.

Harry seemed to stop breathing as he realized what he’d said. He hadn’t meant it that way, just that Remus was defending the one he loved; Severus. Did he love Draco? He thought of all the nights he spent sitting in the hospital wing, talking to the comatose Slytherin, pouring his soul out. Draco had heard every word of it; he’d told Harry when he’d used Legilimency to wake him up. The problem was Harry didn’t know if Draco remembered any of that now, and he’d been too afraid to set off one of the blonde’s temper tantrums by asking. He always felt like he was walking on egg shells around Draco.

But was that really what was important? What about all the time they had spent together after Draco had woken up, after he’d been released from the hospital wing? They’d laughed and joked around, Harry had been teaching Draco some simple spells, celebrating when Draco suddenly remembered how to do it all on his own. And the snogging...the snogging was the best. They hadn’t really gone any farther than touching above clothing, but Harry knew what came next, and he was excited, anticipating it.

He tried to imagine his life without the Slytherin, and he felt his heart nearly stop in his chest, panic stricken just at the thought. He was hopelessly attached, smitten to the highest degree. He did love Draco, and he’d been a fool for not realizing it before.

“Yes, I do love you, and I’m sorry for avoiding you for the last couple of days.”

Harry was afraid that Draco was going to cry for a second, but instead the blonde launched himself at Harry, latching onto his mouth and wrapping his arms tightly around his neck. Harry kissed back, pulling the Slytherin practically in his lap. He heard Hermione giggle quietly behind him, but he didn’t care. When Draco finally pulled away, he stayed extremely close – close enough that Harry could almost count his pale eyelashes one by one.

“I love you too, Harry. I’m sorry for attacking Severus like I did. You’re right, it wasn’t fair. I just...I hate when people attack my father like that. I realize now that I was a hypocrite, attacking your father like that. Forgive me?” The blonde asked, his pouting lip making Harry melt like butter.

“Of course you’re forgiven. But I think maybe you owe Sev and Remus an apology as well. I need to go talk to Remus about something anyways, so come with me. You can distract Sev while I talk to Remus,” Harry said with a mischievous smile and a glance over at Hermione.

Draco look bemused, even as he nodded that he would go. “Why do you need Severus distracted?”

“Because I’m doing what you told me to do a week ago. I’m going to take his mum’s pocket watch to get it fixed, but I need Remus to give it to me, since I’m not exactly sure where it is.”

“What if he’s got it on his person, Harry? I didn’t really think of that,” Hermione said, sounding as if she couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of something so simple.

Harry frowned, not having thought of that either. He needed to appeal to Remus; they’d figure something out. “I dunno, but we’ll figure it out if it comes to that. Come on; Operation Pocket Watch is a go,” Harry grinned cheekily, dodging Draco’s hand as he tried to cuff him on the back of the head.

They found Remus and Severus marking papers quietly by the fire in the sitting room, sitting beside each other on the sofa. Neither of the Professors even noticed the three teens enter until Severus went to reach for his tea cup and paused mid-reach.

“Why does it feel like we’re being ambushed?” he muttered to Remus, who had belatedly looked up and noticed the children. He slanted a look at Severus and shrugged, setting his marking aside.

“Maybe because we are,” he muttered back before smiling up at the group. “Did you guys need something?” he asked politely, reaching for his own tea cup to take a quick sip.

“Er...can I talk to you, Severus? In private, please?” Draco asked quietly, a crimson blush colouring his cheeks and Severus gave a rather dramatic sigh and nodded, his expression unreadable.

“I suppose so. Come, we’ll talk in my office.” Severus led the way to the door adjoining his quarters to his office and allowed Draco to pass in front of him before closing the door behind them.

“What was that all about?” Remus asked as Harry took Severus’ vacated seat and Hermione took up the ottoman sitting in front of one of the armchairs.

“Draco wanted to apologize to you both, but he wanted to do it separately. But that’s a good thing, because I need your help with something,” Harry said quickly, his voice much quieter than he normally spoke.

Remus gave him a curious look, but nodded for Harry to go on, now fully recognizing Severus’ feeling of being ambushed.

“Severus’ mum’s pocket watch. It doesn’t work anymore, and it’s kind of careworn. I wanted to take it to get it fixed, the muggle way, as his Christmas gift. I wasn’t sure where he kept it though, but sometimes he actually carries it around with him. I was hoping you could get it for me and distract him from noticing that it’s gone,” Harry explained. He hoped this would work, because he had no idea what else he could get the Potions Master for Christmas. It needed to be something personal, not some generic potions journal or fancy cauldron. It had to mean something.

Remus sighed heavily, his mind working quickly. “Well, I actually think that’s a wonderful idea. Shame I didn’t think of it, really. You’re lucky, because as of right now, the watch is in our room, in the drawer of his bedside table. It’s been there nearly a week, so I don’t think he’ll go looking for it any time soon. I’m not sure what kind of trouble will happen if he realizes that’s it’s gone, but I’ll do my best to distract him from it. Let me fetch it now while he’s still talking to Draco.”

Harry beamed and hugged Remus quickly, glad that the man hadn’t warned him off the idea entirely. He knew how important that watch was to Severus. He just hoped he was doing to right thing. “Thanks, Remus. I’ll start talking loudly about N.E.W.T.s with Hermione if they happen to come in while you’re still in there, alright?”

Remus chuckled and nodded as he stood up and quickly made his way down the hall into their shared bedroom. He went straight to the nightstand and opened the door, ruffling around in the random stuff before finding the tarnished and worn pocket watch. He quickly stuffed it in a pocket, and walked back out to the sitting room, which still lacked Draco and Severus. He walked over to Harry and held out the watch, making sure Harry quickly stashed it away in his jacket pocket.

“Guard that with your life, Harry. Severus will have the fit of all fits if anything bad happens to that watch; it’s very important to him.”

Harry nodded vigorously as he pat the lump in his pocket, making sure it was nice and secure. “I’ll be very careful with it. Thank you.”

Just then, the door to the office opened once more, and Draco walked in, Severus trailing in behind him. They both looked slightly happier, though Draco’s eyes were red rimmed. He walked over to the sofa and stood in front of Remus, looking slightly embarrassed as he let out a long breath.

“I’m sorry for what I said the other night. I know how much Severus has sacrificed for me, and it was very selfish of me to accuse him of being a bad father. He’s been more of a father to me than my biological father, and I do appreciate everything he’s done for me.”

Remus looked slightly taken aback, but he nodded and he reached out and gripped Draco’s shoulder briefly, a warm smile on his face. “Apology accepted, Draco. Thank you for recognizing your mistake.”

Severus was looking suspiciously between Harry, Hermione, and Remus, but he didn’t voice his concerns as he bumped Harry’s shoulder and gestured for him to give his seat back. Harry obliged quickly, smiling at his soon-to-be father.

“Hermione was wondering if Draco and I could go with her to Hogsmeade. She still needs to get her parents something for Christmas, and I told her I would help her pick something out. We’ll ask Hagrid to escort us again,” Harry said, his expression betraying nothing as he smiled at Severus. Oh, he was getting good at Occlumency, and it was all thanks to the Potions Master.

Severus still looked suspicious, and he studied Harry carefully for a few seconds before finally nodding and gesturing towards the door. “Alright, you two may go, but only if Hagrid agrees to escort you. If he cannot, then Remus or myself will take you. You’re not to go without an escort, do you understand?”

Harry nodded quickly, grabbing Draco by the hand and dragging him to the door, Hermione following in their wake. “I understand. I’m sure Hagrid will take us. Thanks Sev!” And then they were gone, leaving Severus feeling like he was missing something, and Remus with a big secret that he had to protect from his lover.

“Teenagers...” Severus muttered as he picked up the pile of essays he had been marking before.

Remus snorted into his teacup.