A week after the initial conversation, moving day was upon them. Harry still felt uncomfortable moving back to his Godfather’s old house, but after all the encouragement from his family and friends, he felt a bit better. The Weasleys would be joining them immediately, and Hermione would be there after spending a week with her parents.

The Grangers had almost refused to let Hermione move in to Grimmauld Place after hearing that the Headmaster of Hogwarts had been brutally murdered. It took a visit from Severus, Remus and Harry to convince the couple that Hermione would be safer at Headquarters than anywhere else, and that she was such a great asset to them, with her extensive knowledge of just about everything.

The Grangers agreed after all of the reassurance, though they asked that Hermione be allowed to come home whenever she wished and come for a visit here and there when she could. They missed their daughter terribly, having to part with her for nine long months of the school year, and now she would be gone for the summer too. Severus promised to look after her and make sure she was kept perfectly safe.

Though Severus had thought that Lucius might not be as easy to convince, the man readily agreed to make the move, especially if he could help the Order by being there. He still had plenty of inside knowledge on the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters; knowledge the Order could most definitely use now that Severus was no longer a spy.

Getting all of their possessions ready for the move seemed to take much more time than they had anticipated. The boys had indeed begun packing the first day they had discussed the move, but their belongings had been so strewn about the castle that their packing had taken a few days alone. Even Severus and Remus seemed to have a harder time packing, now that their singular status had been changed to plural. Packing as a couple was one thing Severus had never anticipated being a challenge. That is, until he and Remus had an argument over whether or not to leave some things behind, or take their entire lives with them.

It was with a sense of relief that they all flooed to Grimmauld Place a week after the official end of the school year. They were greeted by Molly, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George, Bill, and Charlie. Molly had made a huge dinner for the evening and they all sat down to relax and enjoy the meal, not even bothering to claim their rooms and unpack first.

“Now I wasn’t sure exactly how the rooming was going to work, so I put Ron and Harry in one room again, Ginny and Hermione together, the twins are sharing, and I gave Bill and Charlie their own rooms, since they are adults now. Tonks is staying as well, and she’s agreed to room with Fleur while she visits. Remus and Severus, your room is on the second floor across and down the hall from my own, and Lucius and Draco each have their own rooms across from Harry and Ron’s. I think that covers things nicely!” Molly explained, losing most of the dinner table somewhere around the first sentence.

Harry and Draco had shared a look of annoyance at not sharing a room, and Harry noticed Ron’s slightly green look when he learned he’d be rooming with Harry again. He wasn’t sure why the redhead would feel apprehensive now, but he had a feeling it was something to do with his sexuality and his relationship with Draco.

After dinner as they sat in the drawing room, Harry shared his thoughts with Draco, who became immediately angry. Harry had to stop him from finding Ron and going off on him.

“Wait, Draco, just listen! Maybe we can convince him to switch rooms with you? Your room is right beside Hermione’s and Ginny’s so that might help convince him. Besides, if he has a problem with me being gay, then I don’t think I want to share a room with him after all. I’m sure he’ll agree right away.”

Draco sighed heavily, trying not to let his irritation show. If it wasn’t for Harry’s insistence to leave Ron alone, he would have torn the redhead a new one by now. “Well, let’s go and find him then. I don’t want to sleep alone anymore.”

Harry frowned and pulled Draco towards him, kissing him firmly on the lips as he brushed a lock of blonde hair from his silver eyes. “Me neither. My bed has felt so cold since camping on the grounds together.”

They found Ron unpacking his things in the room he was sharing with Harry. It was immediately obvious that Ron was annoyed when he slammed the lid of his trunk closed when they asked if they could speak to him.

“We were wondering if you wanted to switch rooms with Draco. His room is right next to the one Hermione and Ginny are sharing, so we thought you might want to be a bit closer to Hermione and all,” Harry quickly explained, wary of the dark look spreading across Ron’s face.

“Yeah, I’m sure that’s exactly why you want us to switch rooms; for my comfort. I’m not stupid, Harry, and I don’t appreciate being talked to like I am,” Ron snapped, earning a warning glare from Draco.

Harry grabbed Draco’s arm to stop him from saying anything, or worse yet, just right out punching Ron in his face. “We’re not calling you stupid at all, Ron. Yes, we’d like to share a room. Wouldn’t you like to share one with Hermione? It’s nothing personal. We just thought it would work best for everyone.”

Ron stood up and opened his trunk, shoving all of his possessions back into it with such force that his things were making loud bangs against the wood. He slammed the lid shut once more and lifted the handle, glaring at Harry and Draco as he stood up straight.

“You do whatever you want. Why would I want to share a room with a poof anyways?”

Before Ron could take one step towards the door, Draco had ripped his arm out of Harry’s grasp and punched Ron firmly in the mouth. Harry pulled the blonde away, glaring daggers at Ron as the redhead nursed his bleeding and already swollen lip with his thumb.

“Get out, now!” Harry shouted, not trusting himself not to punch Ron again if he didn’t leave in that instant. Ron glared at Harry and spit a mouthful of blood onto the carpet before stalking to the door and swinging it open. It slammed with a resounding bang as he left. Harry let Draco go and turned his glare on his boyfriend.

“What the hell, Draco? You didn’t need to punch him! He was leaving; there was no need!” Harry hissed, not wanting to attract the attention of any of the adults and explain exactly why Ron was sporting a fat lip now.

Draco rounded on the Gryffindor and poked him viciously in the chest, causing Harry to wince in pain and take a step back. “I was not going to just stand there after he called you that, Harry! I had every right to punch him, and I ought to do it again!”

“No, Draco; just leave him alone! I think he’s upset about something else and just used that as an excuse. Give him time to cool off. I’ll talk to him about it later.”

Draco crossed his arms tightly over his chest and huffed indignantly, deciding it was a lost cause to try to convince his boyfriend that the redhead deserved what he got. “Fine. But I swear to Merlin, if he ever says anything like that to you again, I’ll use my wand next time!”

Harry just sighed and shook his head, turning his back on the blonde to begin unpacking his trunk. He couldn’t say he wasn’t hurt by Ron’s outburst, but he had a feeling there was something else, a deeper reason for Ron’s anger.

S~S~S~S

At breakfast the next morning, Severus sensed the tension between the three boys immediately. He watched them and noticed that Draco couldn’t keep from glaring at a certain redhead. This, along with Molly’s fussing over Ron ‘running into a wall and busting his lip’, prompted Severus to question Harry after breakfast.

“What is going on, Harry? I’m sure the wall Ron ran into was actually Draco’s fist, from the way he was glaring at Weasley all morning. Something I should know about?” Severus asked as they sat together in the drawing room. Draco was off taking a shower, and Remus had gone back to bed, his muscles and joints aching due to the approaching full moon. Ron had immediately gone back upstairs, slamming his door for the entire house to hear.

“It’s nothing, Dad. Just forget it,” Harry said quietly, burying his nose in the Daily Prophet, though he didn’t take in a single word of it. He never paid any mind to the rubbish they posted anyways.

Severus set aside his book and leaned forward in his armchair, which was facing the sofa that Harry occupied. He summoned the newspaper away from his son and folded it by his side, demanding the boy’s attention. “I’m not stupid, Harry.”

The echo of Ron’s words the night before caused Harry to scowl, and he realized his mistake too late as his father raised a curious eyebrow. He knew there would be no avoiding the talk now. “Ron and I had a bit of a disagreement last night. Ron got upset and said something he shouldn’t have and, well, Draco punched him.”

“And what did Weasley say to warrant a fat lip?” Severus asked curiously. Although he knew Ron and Draco would never be the best of friends, he had thought the boys were getting along amazingly well, of course for Harry’s sake. He knew whatever the redhead had said must have been pretty bad for Draco to haul off and actually hit him.

“He…er…he called me a poof,” Harry mumbled, feeling his face heat up as he uttered the word. He had never felt so uncomfortable with his sexuality before, especially in front of his father, no matter that the Potions Professor shared the same preferences. He had never felt ashamed of being gay before, and it felt terrible.

“He called you a what? That nasty little son-of-a – ”

“Dad, calm down! I kind of understand where he’s coming from. A lot of straight guys get uncomfortable around gay guys. He probably just doesn’t know how to deal with it, and used anger instead.”

Severus sat there, fuming at the boy who was supposed to be his son’s best friend. After all the hell the redhead had put him through during the school year after learning of his close relationship with Severus and his budding friendship with Draco, Severus had no idea how Harry could make excuses and forgive him so easily.

“What prompted this disagreement anyways?” Severus asked, realizing his son had failed to elaborate on that part of the story. He knew he had hit a sore spot when Harry tried to avoid his eyes. “Harry…”

“Well, er…We, uh, Draco and I…Um. Well, we sort of asked Ron to switch rooms with Draco,” Harry said in a rush, feeling his cheeks flame as his father frowned at him.

“Harry, now really! Molly put you in separate rooms for a reason. Ron and Hermione surely would not be allowed a room together,” Severus admonished. He knew this would happen, and yet he hadn’t really done anything to stop it.

“Listen, Dad! It really has absolutely nothing to do with sex!” At his father’s disbelieving glare, Harry growled in frustration and banged his fist on the arm of the sofa. “I’m serious! When you want to spend time with Moony, is it only because you want to have sex?”

Severus blushed furiously at his son’s words, but he thought he knew where this was going. “Of course not, Harry. Sometimes we’d just like to spend time in each other’s presence.”

“Exactly! Just because we’re sixteen and gay, doesn’t mean our minds revolve around sex! Hell, we haven’t even done it yet!” Harry yelled in frustration blushing to the roots of his hair as Molly entered the room to investigate all of the yelling.

“Oh! Pardon me; I was just wondering what all the fuss was about. I’ll just leave you to it!” She bustled from the room in a hurry, the door closing firmly behind her.

Harry buried his face in his hands, mortified that Mrs. Weasley had heard the end of his rant. He met his father’s gaze and glared as the man sent him an amused look. “It’s not funny,” Harry pouted, crossing his arms over his chest.

Severus smiled at his son in adoration. It was cute, seeing the boy so embarrassed over talking about such things as sex. His amusement was short-lived as he realised that talk he and Remus had been discussing would need to happen very soon indeed, especially now that the boys were sharing a room. And since Severus now knew they hadn’t yet crossed that line, it was the perfect time to warn them about the consequences and try to convince them to wait.

“Remus and I had discussed this just before we moved. I guess it is time.”

“Time for what?” Harry asked, his heart in his throat. If this was what he thought it was, he was ready to run screaming from the room. He did not want to have this talk. The Talk.

“It’s time we both sat you and Draco down and discussed some things. You’re both at an age now where urges are hard to resist, especially considering all of the stress you’ve both been and will be under – ”

“Oh Merlin, Dad, please stop! We don’t need The Talk! Honestly, we’re not stupid. Like I said, we’ve not…you know,” Harry mumbled, his face feeling so hot now that he was sure it was about to melt off. He’d never felt so uncomfortable and awkward in his life.

Severus chuckled at the horrified expression on his son’s face, relishing the fact that he was doing something all parents eventually did. In an odd way, it made him feel closer to his son. “I don’t think you are stupid, but whether you believe you need the talk or not, you’re getting it. I’ll give you some time to prepare and warn Draco, but there is no avoiding it, Harry, so don’t even try.”

Harry groaned and buried his face once more. Though he was honestly mortified, he couldn’t deny that deep down inside, he actually felt like a normal teenager for once in his life. It felt good.

S~S~S~S

Severus was in quite a mood when he and Remus returned to their room, after suffering through a dinner in which he watched Ron glare at his son and Godson all night. When Remus asked what had him so upset, Severus went on to explain the argument the boys had the night before, and Ron’s actions toward Harry ever since.

“The boy has absolutely no respect for anyone, including himself! He has done quite enough to Harry this past year; he does not need more stress on top of it all. Harry was actually ashamed, Remus, ashamed of who he is because of that damned boy’s actions!” Severus hissed, pacing back and forth in his and Remus’ bedroom. He had made sure Harry was alright after the initial fight, but his anger for the Weasley boy had not subsided at all.

“He is only a boy, Severus; you must understand that he is having a hard time as well. He feels like he has lost his best friend in the thick of it all, now that Harry has us and Draco,” Remus explained in a calm, level-headed voice.

“Bollocks! Weasley was of age as of April. I will no longer give him the benefit of the doubt and think of him as a child. He should be mature enough to know when he is out of line! He has abandoned Harry and left him quite upset time and again and I am quite sick of it. I do not want him around Harry any longer.”

“Severus, they’re best friends – ”

“Yes, because you can clearly see the loyalty that Ronald Weasley has for Harry,” Severus snapped sarcastically, not really paying attention to his wording as he continued on with his rant. “How far is too far, Remus? How much more should Harry have to take from that despicable fool before you grow tired of seeing our son in such pain from it? My patience has grown too thin already.”

Remus smiled lightly, making Severus’ brow furrow since the situation did not seem to warrant any kind of smile. “Sorry, this is a little off topic, but that is only the second time you have referred to Harry as ‘our son’.”

This seemed to calm Severus down considerably as the man stopped pacing and instead sat beside Remus on their bed. There was a trace of a faint smile on his thin lips as well. “Is it really?”

Remus nodded, feeling a tad bit of sadness creeping into his good mood. “Yes, it really is. You always say ‘my son’, or ‘your son’, but never ‘our’,” Remus said quietly, feeling a tight pressure in his chest as he saw the shocked expression on his lover’s face.

“I...I never even realized I was doing that. I’m sorry that I’ve been so inconsiderate. He is our son, Remus; he is every bit your son that he is mine. I guess, perhaps, I was feeling a little possessive. I do not think that Harry realizes, even to this day, how very much it meant to me when he asked me to adopt him. I have been selfish.”

“No, not selfish, Severus; just protective, and perhaps a tad bit possessive. I understand, I do, but I am also glad that I’ve finally been included,” Remus admitted, his smile widening as Severus leaned over and kissed him gently on the lips.

“You forgive me too easily sometimes, you know,” the Potions Master whispered against his lover’s lips.

“You’re always forgiven, Severus. It is getting angry or upset with you to begin with that is the hard part,” Remus whispered back, brushing a strand of blackest hair out of Severus’ eyes.

“You’re a fool, Remus Lupin, and I love you.”

Remus chuckled as he accepted and returned the tender kiss Severus pressed against his willing lips, allowing himself to be pushed slowly down onto the bed. He allowed himself to be thoroughly kissed before speaking once more.

“Perhaps we should have Molly talk to Ron. Little as though I want to rat him out, I don’t think the boy will want to listen to either of us.”

“Speaking of talks, the one we knew we’d need to give the boys soon? It’s time. The fight started over Harry and Draco asking Ron to switch rooms with Draco so that they may share instead. Harry did confirm that they’ve yet to have sex, though,” Severus admitted, smirking at the look of relief that crossed his husband’s face.

“That will make the talk a little easier then, I suppose. It’ll be hard enough as it is, but knowing there’s still a chance to try to convince them to wait helps. Was Harry mortified at the very thought?” Remus asked knowingly. He knew he’d been beyond embarrassed when his father had sat him down at sixteen and given him the talk, none the wiser that not only was his son gay, but he’d already had sex.

“Naturally, but I told him they were getting the talk whether they wanted it or not, and to prepare themselves. I just hope I don’t mess this up. I know it’s important, but I never imagined I’d be having this talk with a child of my own. For Merlin’s sake, I got the talk from Dumbledore rather than my own father!”

Remus winced and shuddered, causing his husband to laugh openly, which made him feel warm and secure. “Now I’m very glad my da’ gave me the talk, even though he was about six months too late.”

Severus rolled his eyes and slapped Remus very lightly on the cheek, as if reprimanding him. “Tsk, tsk, Remus,” he drawled, earning a smirk from the werewolf before being pulled down into a deep kiss that turned into much more.

S~S~S~S

After Harry warned Draco about the upcoming ‘talk’, both boys had avoided being in a room with both Remus and Severus for longer than a few seconds. After dinner the next night, however, they were cornered.

“Oh please, no,” Draco groaned, burying his already flaming face in his hands. Harry nudged him painfully in the ribs, but Draco just ignored him.

“You might as well just get over it, Draco. I’ll use sticking charms on your seats if I absolutely must, but I prefer that you stay willingly and actually participate in the discussion,” Severus stated. He was a little surprised that it was Draco putting up a fight, not Harry. The way his son had reacted the day before made it seem as though he’d be the more difficult one.

Draco looked up and sent his Godfather a glare, earning a sharper glare in return. “Lucius already gave me this talk; I don’t need to hear it again,” he claimed desperately. He knew it was a futile attempt, but he’d try anyways.

Severus just glared harder until the blonde teen backed off with a look of embarrassed defeat. “I am aware of Lucius’ talk with you, Draco, but that was when he was under the assumption that you were straight and would remain so. There are things you both should know about as a gay couple that Lucius most certainly did not cover.”

Both Harry and Draco groaned, their faces practically glowing from the twin blushes on their cheeks. Remus actually thought it was quite endearing and had a hard time concealing his look of amusement.

“We’re not stupid; we know that at your age you’re already a little too aware of sex and everything it entails, but we want to make sure we set some things straight – no pun intended,” Remus added, earning a chuckle from his husband and an exasperated snort from Harry. Draco just groaned and hid his face once more.

“While we won’t directly ask the state of your virtue, we’ll just assume that it is not altogether intact, being healthy nearly seventeen-year-old boys. The main thing we want to stress is waiting to go all the way. You’re both very young and have all the time in the world to experience such things together, but the responsibilities and emotions associated with taking that big step in your relationship are immense. You’ve both been through a hell of a lot in your lives, granted, but it’s important to wait until you’re ready to handle such a monumental thing, and also be able to recognize when you’re ready.”

There was a long silence after the Potions Professor’s speech in which both teens waited for the inevitable talk about the details of sex. When it had grown too long, Harry decided to brave a question.

“Aren’t you going to tell us about practicing safe sex and all of that rot?” Draco sent the Gryffindor an indignant glare that just made Remus laugh and Severus roll his eyes.

“Well, if you want us to we will, but we’re pretty sure we don’t need to remind you of things you already know. Besides, as embarrassing as this may be for the two of you, it is not the most comfortable conversation for us either, and the thought of explaining things in detail seems not only unnecessary, but quite embarrassing for us as well,” Severus said, feeling his own cheeks heat. He was comfortable with his relationship with Remus, but the idea of expelling things kept private, especially to his son and Godson, was humiliating.

“Er – no, we’re good! We don’t need details. None at all,” Draco was quick to assure the older couple. Remus just grinned as Severus let out a little sigh of relief. He had been dreading that possibility, even though Remus had convinced him they would divulge whatever they had to in order to ensure the boys were informed.

“Are we allowed to ask questions?” Draco asked, shocking both Severus and Remus, and earning a worried look from Harry.

“Well, um, yes I suppose so,” Severus answered, fidgeting a little in his seat. He sighed when Remus took his hand under the kitchen table and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

Harry was desperately trying to see through the side of his boyfriend’s head and figure out just what question the Slytherin thought he was going to ask, hoping it had nothing to do with the few experiences they had shared so far. Before he could kick the teen and get his attention, Draco was asking his question.

“How old were both of you when you lost your virginities? You say it’s important to wait, right? Did you guys?”

Harry tried to keep the smirk off his face, wanting to high-five Draco for that table-turning question. Now it was his parents’ turn to blush until their faces caught fire. He was slightly disappointed when the Professors only shared a knowing look, then nodded in agreement to some silent communication.

“We were both sixteen, and no it was not to each other. I’m sure you’re familiar with the axiom: ‘Do as I say, not as I do’? I cannot speak for Severus, but when I made the decision to take that step, I thought it was the right time. And before you ask or get some strange notions running through your heads – no, it wasn’t some fairy tale night wrapped in perfection. It was messy, awkward and painful. Neither one of us knew what the hell we were doing, but we were doing it anyways.”

Harry smiled sadly, knowing exactly who Remus was referring to. Not knowing how his father would react, Harry didn’t bother to mention Sirius at all. He was curious, however, about the Potion Master’s experience.

“Dad, did you lose yours to a girl or a boy?” Harry asked, getting used to the fact that the blush on his cheeks would be a permanent fixture during this conversation.

Severus blushed profusely and let out a heavy sigh, gathering his wits. His son was curious, obviously, but he still felt horrified at answering such questions. “My first time was with a girl, Harry. I didn’t actually realize I preferred men until Remus and I started seeing each other. I suppose I had an inkling of my true sexuality because of thoughts and urges I had experienced in the past, but I was never sure.”

“Who was it?” Draco asked, earning a glare from Harry and an even deeper blush from his Godfather.

“I really don’t think that’s relevant,” Severus said in a strangled voice, ignoring the way Remus was smirking at him out of the corner of his eye.

“Oh, come on, Severus. Would it really hurt to tell them? It’s not as though it matters, but we agreed to answer their questions,” Remus pointed out, hiding the gleeful satisfaction he got out of his husband’s glare.

“I do not think it’s necessary for either of you to know, or why it holds any importance in your minds, but fine. Draco, you remember your Healer, Abigail Smithson?”

Draco’s jaw dropped and Harry burst out laughing. He hadn’t expected to know who the girl actually was, but he should have known something was amiss when Remus got that mischievous glint in his amber eyes.

“Abby was my girlfriend through sixth and seventh year. I hadn’t seen her since Graduation until your accident. Any other questions?” Severus snapped as Harry continued to giggle beside his boyfriend.

“Hell, why not; what about you, Remus?” Draco asked, abruptly cutting off Harry’s laughter and diminishing the smile on the werewolf’s face. He immediately regretted the question when Severus sent him an acidic glare. “Er, never mind. You don’t have to answer – ”

“No, no. I made Severus answer, so it’s only fair. Turnabout is fair play, after all. My first time was with Sirius Black. We began dating in our fourth year, and were together a whole two years before we decided to actually have sex. I loved Sirius, and he loved me. We thought that was the only thing we needed to know in order to go all the way, but the truth is, sex brings out deep emotions that are often never felt before.

“The love you two may feel for each other now will pale in comparison after you take your relationship that step further. The bond that is created when you share that part of yourself with someone for the first time is a big responsibility to take on. Just remember that you’re both young and have plenty of time to enjoy the little things together before going that far, and you already have so many other responsibilities hanging on your shoulders without adding another one on top of it all. We can’t stop you from having sex, but we can encourage you to think seriously about it and to try to wait until you’re both ready,” Remus said quietly, glad for the supportive hand that gripped his beneath the table. He wasn’t sure if he would ever truly get over Sirius completely, but he was glad he had a loving husband who understood and accepted his pain over another man.

After promising the two older men they would definitely consider waiting and make sure they were careful if they ever did decide to have sex, Harry and Draco made their escape quickly. It had been the single most embarrassing conversation of his life, but Harry was glad to have gone through it. He felt like a normal teenager; one who had loving parents who actually cared enough to address such humiliating things.

“That was so…so awkward! I feel unclean now,” Draco said with a shudder as they entered their room.

Harry rolled his eyes, coming up behind the blonde and wrapping his arms tightly around his waist. “It wasn’t that bad, Draco. They’re just making sure we stay safe and make good decisions. That’s what parents do.”

Draco leaned back into his boyfriend’s embrace, smiling gently at the secure feeling that enveloped him. This was his favourite place to be; in Harry’s arms. “I guess you’re right, but still. I mean, how did they know we haven’t gone all the way yet?”

“Er…” Harry blushed as he let go of Draco and made his way over to the bed they had been sharing. He hadn’t meant to tell his father, it had just slipped out. He wasn’t sure how Draco was going to react.

“Harry, please say you didn’t tell them what we’ve done,” Draco groaned as he flopped onto the bed beside Harry, his heated cheeks hidden in his hands. This had to have been the most embarrassing day of his entire life, and it apparently wasn’t over yet.

“No! No, of course not. I, er…just kind of let slip what we haven’t done. Look, you heard what they said. They can’t stop us; only encourage us to think carefully. So, technically, they kind of gave us permission.”

Draco snorted and finally looked up at Harry, who had a rogue grin on his face that made Draco’s heart race. “You fiend! I really doubt they would agree with that statement.”

Harry’s grin turned into a genuine smile as he leaned over and brushed a lock of white-blonde hair out of the Slytherin’s molten-silver eyes. He felt so lucky to be able to be so close to Draco. “I know, I was only joking. Besides, we’ve already agreed to wait, and I stick by that. I love you, and I want it to be special; perfect.”

Draco blushed once more, but this time he didn’t mind so much. He leaned over and kissed Harry firmly on the lips, lingering there for a long few seconds. “I love you too, and I still want to wait. But I have a feeling no matter how long we wait, it’ll never be perfect.”

“You know what I mean, though. I want it to mean something. Every time it happens, you give a little piece of yourself away. I only want to give myself to you,” Harry said quietly, feeling extremely exposed. He wanted Draco to see all of him, though; he wouldn’t hold back in front of the person he loved.

Draco grinned and kissed Harry gently on the cheek, brushing a lock of ebony hair out of the Gryffindor’s eyes. He felt so lucky to be with someone so compassionate and pure. “You’re such a sap, love,” Draco drawled, chuckling as Harry glared at him half-heartedly before kissing him once more.

S~S~S~S

Molly was in a right mood. Not only had she argued for nearly two hours with Charlie about going back to Romania for an important meeting, she’d had to convince Bill not to take a job in Egypt, even though she knew her sons was itching to get back to their lives. It wasn’t fair that her family was being forced to give up the things they loved, but they all had sacrifices to make if they wanted to win this war. Merlin knew all she wanted was to curl up in a warm bed and just cry for days for the loss of her husband, but she would not allow herself to. There would be time to mourn later, as no doubt there’d be even more to mourn after the war was won – or lost.

However, when Remus and Severus came to her and told her about what her youngest son had said and done, it was the last straw for Molly.

Ron knew he was in more trouble than ever before when his mother calmly asked him to speak with her privately in the kitchen. When his mother was angry, she screamed and yelled and shouted and ranted a raved. She was never calm, she was never this silent and her eyes had never looked so cold. Ron actually shivered in fear.

“How dare you, Ronald?” Molly asked barely above a whisper. She had never felt so ashamed of one of her children before, and Merlin knew her children had done some crazy things in their lives. She missed Arthur terribly.

Ron tried to swallow around the lump in his throat, but it was proving difficult. He felt a cold wave of utter disappointment from his mother, and had to look away from her accusing eyes. No one could make him feel shame like his mother could, and it was tearing him up inside. He hadn’t the faintest idea what to say. “Mum…”

“No – you listen to me, Ronald Weasley. I am disgusted by the way you have treated someone who has been your best friend since you were eleven, and I’m not only talking about what happened earlier. I’m talking about the entire school year. I warned you in the very beginning after you and Ginny started in on Harry about his relationships with Severus and Draco, but you didn’t listen to a word I said. It is not your place to judge Harry’s idea of family. He has never once judged our family, so how can you judge his?

“Your father and I raised you better than this, Ron! Your taunting about Harry’s sexuality is no better than those who spout of about pure-blood supremacy. In the end, it is all just ignorant prejudice. You are not a stupid boy, but your actions of this past year have displayed that you can be an utter fool. What would your father say?”

Those last words finally broke through Ron’s rapidly deteriorating control, and he broke down in sobs. He cried for a god five minutes before he realized his mother had moved from sitting across the table from him, to sitting right beside him with her arms wrapped securely around him. He hugged his mother tightly and began to apologize.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I’ve been so horrible, Mum. I just miss having Harry to myself. He was my best friend, and now I feel like I’ve been replaced. I just want things to go back to the way they were.”

“Oh, Ronnie, you know that’s not going to happen. Harry is still your best friend; he just has other people in his life now that take up more of his attention that you were used to having on you. He hasn’t replaced you at all. You’ve essentially replaced yourself by displaying to Harry that you don’t accept who he is now. If you want Harry to treat you as his best friend once more, then you have to start acting like one,” Molly said firmly, pulling away to look into her son’s icy blue eyes that were shot red from crying. She loved her children, and she wished she could prevent all of them from ever feeling any pain, but she knew that wasn’t realistic. She just had to do the best she could to help them pick up the pieces and put them back together when they fell apart.

Molly pulled out a handkerchief and started drying Ron’s tears before handing it to him to blow his nose. “Now, first things first: you need to apologize to Harry for the way you’ve been treating him and his family. Then, you must apologize to Draco for the comments you’ve made about him, and lastly, you need to apologize to Remus and Severus. Your remarks about Harry’s sexuality did not just affect him, you know; Harry is the son of gay parents, and they felt the pain of that remark too. After you’ve done all that, you can start to redeem yourself. I know you’re a good person, Ron; all of you kids were raised with open minds and hearts. I know you can make me proud again, and your father too. He’s still with us, love, every day.”

Ron hugged his mother close, resting his head on her sturdy shoulder with a heavy sigh. He felt so young and vulnerable, and he was glad to have his mum there, though he felt a terrible pang of sadness that his father was not there with him as well. “I will, Mum. I’ll make you proud again. Thank you.”