Lily's Charm: The Gift

Chapter 27: Draco's Imaginary Friend

1996

"Harry?" Sirius finally stirred. His eyes were searching Harry's face. "You...what happened?"

Harry hesitated, not wanting to break the spell that seemed to have fallen over the little group. "The Veil affected me a bit," he finally admitted. "My vision's been changing since we came back..." Harry's hands stretched against the lining in his pockets as he stared at his godfather. "...my mum's charm was partially reversed so I look more like I was meant to...before mum used James' genes to make me look more like him..." Harry clamped his lips together to end his babble.

Harry watched Sirius swallow, waiting for the explosion. "Oh," Sirius murmured at length. He nodded briefly. "You do...look...a bit different, I suppose."

Harry hoped he didn't look as incredulous as he felt. That was all?

There was a rustle of movement behind Harry. Sirius glanced over Harry's shoulder.

"Black," Severus greeted flatly. Harry was little surprised when his father didn't move any closer.

Sirius moistened his lips before responding in a strained voice, "Snape."

Harry wished one of Hagrid's more dangerous pets would come storming through their little group, though he doubted even that would ease the tension.

"What are you doing here?" Harry finally ventured when he could no longer stand the suffocating silence. Sirius' eyes came back to Harry.

He gave a half shrug, slouching a little as he stood on the slope leading into the Shrieking Shack's secret tunnel. "I couldn't let Moony do this alone, could I?" Sirius tried a smile, but his lips didn't quite make their mark.

"But...what about your training?" Harry glanced at Remus, who gave him a small smile. "I thought you couldn't leave," he finished, turning back to look at his godfather.

"I quit," Sirius said simply. "It wasn't much fun without James."

"Oh," was Harry's less than brilliant reply. He moistened his dry lips.

"Harry, I..." Sirius began nervously, just as Harry said, "Sirius, I..."

They both stopped speaking abruptly. Sirius' feet shifted along the little slope. "Yes?" he queried, gesturing for Harry to continue. The motion was awkward.

Harry had already decided what he wanted to say in the letter he had planned to write. But somehow, saying it out loud to Sirius made his tongue stick to the roof of his mouth. It was only Sirius' anxious expression that loosed his tongue.

"I...was going to write you a letter-"

"You were?" Sirius straightened out of his slouch. A hopeful smile pulled at the corners of his lips.

"Well, yeah," Harry said with a self-conscious shrug. "I..." He'd pulled his hand from his pockets; he absently tugged on the fingertips of his gloves as he tried to remember what he had wanted to say. "...I wanted to tell you I didn't mean what I said." Harry couldn't stop staring at his bulked-up fingers. "You know...about not wanting you around." He couldn't say the rest without looking Sirius in the eye, so he raised his head. "I'm sorry."

Sirius looked like he'd just had the wind knocked out of him. He hoisted himself so that he was standing on standing on level ground. "You...don't not want me around then?"

Harry stared at Sirius as he tried to puzzle out what his godfather had just said.

"You want him to be a part of your life?" Remus translated, his eyes dancing. Harry couldn't help but smile at his friend before he turned back to Sirius.

"Of course I do," he said quietly. "I never thought I'd see you again, Sirius."

Sirius nodded jerkily. "I'm sorry, Harry. I shouldn't have left without-"

"No," Harry said with a shake of his head. "When you died," he corrected. "I tried to cast Crucio on Bellatrix for killing you," he explained, trying to make Sirius understand how much his death had affected him. Harry winced at the sharply indrawn breaths of both his father and Remus. Sirius' mouth fell open in surprise.

"I was upset," Harry said with a grimace. Upset didn't really express his state of mind at the time. Devastated, would have been more accurate. "You'd just died," Harry stressed, his voice embarrassingly hoarse.

"I'm sorry, Harry," Sirius said, his voice almost inaudible, even though he was only standing an arm's length away.

Harry shrugged; he butted the toe of his trainer up against the unyielding earth. "And you know the stupidest thing?"

"What?"

"If I'd just opened that mirror, I wouldn't have gone to the Ministry." Harry tried to gouge a hole into the dirt. "All I had to do was open it," he said disgustedly; a chunk of dirt flopped toward Sirius.

"You didn't open the mirror?"

A heavy breath escaped through Harry's nose. He shook his head miserably. So many things. He'd done just about everything wrong. "I broke it," he mumbled. "After..."

--

Severus didn't like that he was standing in the loose circle of Harry's potential male role models. Especially as he was the only one who didn't know anything about this mirror which was apparently at the center of the entire debacle at the Ministry of Magic. And to make matters worse, Black was sidling closer and closer to Harry--at any moment he was going to hug him.

Jealousy--it was such an insidious emotion. Severus didn't reject it though, not like he had when it had been Lupin he was jealous of. Harry was his son, and now he understood that nothing was going to change that; this jealousy, it seemed, was simply to be a part of that.

Black glanced at Severus then, his entire posture uncertain. Obviously attempting to gauge whether or not Severus would object to the hug. Severus continued to gaze stonily at the reinstated Marauder; he would give him no assistance either way. Black looked away again.

"It's all right, Harry," he said to Severus' distraught son. "It doesn't matter." He stepped closer. "I'm glad you told me though."

"Why?"

Black smiled at Harry. "I thought you just didn't want to talk to me."

Harry's incredulity was echoed clearly in Severus' mind. "Why would you think that?" he asked, dismayed.

Black shrugged; it was one of the man's more infuriating habits.

Harry shook his head slowly. Severus frowned; the gesture was very like the way Harry often responded to him.

"You're daft, you know," Harry said, and Severus was hard-pressed not to scowl. How could Harry be so fond of the mutt? That was the only word for it. And Black's eyes actually twinkled at the statement.

"Is that so?"

Severus could practically hear Harry rolling his eyes. But then there was a long pause. "I'm glad you're back, Sirius," Harry said quietly, his voice much more serious. There were so many times I've wished for it and-"

Severus would have liked to comfort Harry, but Black took the one step necessary to bridge the gap between them and put his hand on Harry's shoulder, cutting off the rest of what Harry was going to say. It was just as well, Severus supposed morosely. He didn't really know that he could stand to hear the entire sentiment anyway.

He watched until Harry took an awkward step toward his godfather before turning away; if there was to be a hug, Severus didn't need to see it.

He stared at the towering castle walls. "Tonks would surely be eager to see you," he said as Lupin came to stand beside him.

"She's been on Malfoy duty since before the first trial," Lupin replied, showing no surprise at having his footsteps recognized. "She won't be off-duty until later this afternoon."

"You are well-acquainted with her schedule," Severus observed.

"I asked Molly to find out where she'd be today."

Severus glanced sideways at Remus. Remus shrugged sheepishly.

"Thanks for coming so early," he said after a moment of quiet, broken only by the muted conversation behind them.

Severus could have excused his own desire to ensure that Lupin was free from the dark agent that had plagued him for so many years, but it was unlikely that Lupin would believe it had been solely Harry's wish to come. So he simply inclined his head. Remus smiled at the single nod.

Both men looked up as a winged shadow crossed over them. Hedwig was gliding gracefully toward them. Remus and Severus turned a little toward Harry, but the snowy bird began fluttering her wings too soon to make a touchdown near Harry; she came to rest gently atop Severus' shoulder.

Hooting softly, and seeming to find nothing out of the ordinary in delivering a note to Severus, Hedwig extended her leg purposefully. Severus ignored his surprise, and simply undid the tiny scroll of parchment attached to Harry's owl. He ran a finger once down her breast when she didn't move. Satisfied by the small gesture, Hedwig hooted once more and with no excess show, the owl took off toward the dawn sky.

"Rather unusual behavior for an owl," Remus observed.

It was indeed, but Severus did not remark on it. He unrolled the scroll, tied with one of Albus' more colorful ribbons, and quickly scanned the missive.

"Albus is requesting a meeting," he said to Remus as he tucked the scroll into his pocket.

"Has it to do with Harry?" the other man asked with concern.

"Simon is obviously much more invested in Lucius' acquittal than either of us had realized," Severus answered. "Albus' patience with him has apparently reached its limits."

Remus frowned. "Then you think Simon's interest in Lucius extends beyond political gain? But he and Lucius aren't acquainted on a personal level, are they?"

"Not that I was aware of, no," Severus answered as he glanced back at Harry and Black, both of whom were propped up against the quiet tree, facing toward the lake; the hug, if there had been one, had been brief. Though they were obviously deep in conversation, judging by the intense look on Harry's face.

"I'll let Harry know you had to leave," Remus spoke, breaking into Severus' melancholy thoughts.

Severus nodded, unwilling to speak. He could easily let Harry know himself, but the interruption would undoubtedly make Black uncomfortable. If Harry had not been beside the mutt, nothing would have pleased Severus more than Black's discomfort. As it was though, Harry needed to talk to his godfather.

"Be certain he does not miss breakfast," Severus said gruffly.

"I will."

Severus gazed at his son a moment longer, feeling an unwelcome realization that he couldn't hold onto him forever. He turned away, toward the castle, leaving Harry alone to solidify his relationship with Black. He was well aware that Remus watched him go.

--

"Remus tells me you're in love with Ginny Weasley," Sirius said with a suggestive grin. Harry felt his lips sliding into the same slow smile that always seemed to grace his lips when someone mentioned Ginny's name. "I see he was right," Sirius said with a chuckle.

Harry grinned sheepishly at his godfather. "It was rather hard not to fall in love with her. She's just..." He couldn't explain though. "Well, she's perfect."

"I'm glad to hear it, Harry," Sirius said, still smiling. "It's nice seeing you so happy."

Harry nodded absently as he and Sirius looked out over the lake. "I guess I was a bit of a mess last year."

"From what Remus tells me, you've been faring much better this term."

Harry glanced quickly at Sirius; his face was perfectly at ease, so much so that Harry wondered if he knew his comment sounded like an invitation to discuss things which might be better left alone. "I have been," Harry admitted cautiously. Sirius nodded.

"I wish I could have been more available...I should have been."

"You couldn't help it, Sirius. I understood."

"Why didn't you open the mirror?" Sirius asked after a moment of quiet.

Harry shrugged, feeling foolish. "I guess...I didn't want you to get into trouble." At Sirius' perplexed look, Harry explained quietly, "Things were pretty bad for awhile, and I knew you'd come if I told you how miserable I was."

"You were miserable?" Sirius echoed flatly.

"Sometimes," Harry admitted, but that's all he was going to admit.

Sirius jaw was fixed in a hard line as he stared out over the lake. "Petunia and her family really should suffer for what they did to you."

Harry had no idea how that sentiment was connected to his difficult year.

"Fifteen year-olds aren't meant to fend for themselves, you know," Sirius continued, his gaze turning to Harry. "You should have told me things were so unwell with you." He sighed when Harry had no response. "It doesn't matter now, I suppose..."

Sirius straightened up against the tree. He turned a smile toward Harry. It seemed a bit forced to Harry's eye.

"I hear you're taking Ginny to Hogsmeade this weekend?"

Harry didn't even blink at the change of subject; most of the conversation had revolved around the safest topics.

"I am. We didn't really have many chances for a proper date. I didn't get to go on the last Hogsmeade weekend."

Sirius' smile became genuine. "Whatever did you do to earn yourself a detention on a Hogsmeade Saturday?" he asked curiously.

"Er..." Harry scratched his nose, while Sirius only grinned more broadly. "Well, I didn't really have a detention," he tried to explain. "My..." It seemed odd, but Harry was reluctant to call Severus by the title he had become so familiar with. But he didn't want to upset Sirius, not now that there were speaking again. "It wasn't safe," he finished. Feeling as though he'd somehow betrayed his father, Harry glanced guiltily to where he'd left Severus with Remus.

Remus was walking toward them--alone.

Sirius followed his gaze.

"It's just about time for breakfast," Remus told them when he came close enough.

"Where's my dad?" Harry asked as he pushed to his feet, and only realized after the words came tumbling out of his mouth that he hadn't paused to consider Sirius' feelings. He couldn't help wondering if Sirius had cringed.

"Professor Dumbledore requested a meeting," Remus answered. He smiled between his two friends. But Harry was frowning.

"Is everything all right?" he asked.

"As far as I know."

Well, at least Remus didn't look worried, but Harry still wanted to ask him if the abrupt departure had had anything to do with Sirius. Though, under the circumstances, it probably wouldn't be a particularly helpful question.

"I promised your father you'd make breakfast," Remus told Harry with a smile.

When Harry turned around to give Sirius a farewell, he faltered; Sirius looked uncommonly nervous.

"Harry, I..."

"Yeah?" Harry prompted.

Sirius shook his head; he smiled. "No, nothing," he said with a shrug.

Harry tilted his head as he studied his godfather when it didn't seem like Sirius would elaborate. "Do you want to come eat with us? I'm sure Dumbledore won't mind."

Sirius ran his fingers over his shirt front. "I'd scare the firsties."

"I'll see you before dinner, then," Remus said to him. To Harry he said, "I'm going to go over to Tonks' flat."

"Does she know you're coming?"

"No."

"Think she'll open the door?" Harry grinned when his friend scowled at him.

"I'll be certain not to let you know," Remus told him. Harry made a face at him, and Remus squeezed his shoulder affectionately, a grin on his unmarked face. Sirius watched the pair with a wary eye.

--

"I can't believe he just quit, though! It's the Aurors," Ron was saying incredulously hours later, after he'd wolfed down three sandwiches.

"What is he going to do, Harry?" Hermione asked as she checked to make sure her Potions essay was in her sack. Harry shrugged as he glanced once more up at the Head Table. Severus had missed lunch, as well as breakfast earlier. Remus smiled at him as he pushed his plate away, and prepared to leave for his classroom. Harry returned the smile, wondering just what his father was up to that would keep him away from two meals.

"He just came back from the dead, Hermione. He doesn't have to have something to do already," Ron was assuring Hermione as Harry turned back to his friends. Ron swung his sack over his shoulder, and stood up from the bench.

"I know that, Ron, but he must have some sort of plan," Hermione insisted, standing up alongside Ron. Ron shrugged; he took her hand, leaving Ginny and Harry to follow behind them.

"I don't think he has any specific plans yet," Harry said as they left the Great Hall.

Hermione's wavy hair swayed too close to Harry's nose as she shook her head. "That's rather irresponsible."

"His vault is crammed full of money...isn't it, Harry?" Ron asked, turning his head back toward Harry.

"I don't really know."

"It must be," Ron said knowingly. "The Blacks are an old family, just like the Malfoys."

"Actually, Weasley, my mother is a Black."

The quartet turned.

Draco, a friendly smile on his face, was walking toward them. Zabini, who seemed to have taken up for both Crabbe and Goyle, was beside him. "Your own family tree intersects with mine," Draco continued helpfully.

"I know that," Ron said irritably.

Draco nodded. "Of course," he agreed before turning to Harry. "The Snape line is a respectable one as well."

"It can be traced back even farther than yours," Hermione informed him.

"Yes," Draco answered, unperturbed by her observation. "May I have a word with you before class, Harry?"

'Harry?' Ron mouthed, followed immediately by a retching motion. Ginny didn't quite stifle her laughter. Draco glanced at her, and Harry thought he could see a familiar flash of annoyance in the grey eyes but in the next instant, Draco was smiling again. He turned back to Harry expectantly.

"Sure, Malfoy," Harry said cooly. Malfoy hesitated, but the plastered smile stayed in place.

"It's a rather delicate subject," he explained, with an apologetic glance for Hermione and Ron. Ron frowned at him.

Harry intervened. "Whatever you'd like to say, you can say it in front of Ron and Hermione," he assured the Slytherin, whose smile was beginning to falter a little. He quickly collected himself.

"I was hoping," he began in an unrecognizably friendly tone, "that you hadn't yet made your plans for Saturday. I've agreed to escort Sara Coate to Hogsmeade." He turned his smile on Ginny again when she made of noise of surprise. "She was hoping we could make it a double, since she assumed Harry would be escorting you," he explained.

"You're going to Hogsmeade with Sara?" Ginny demanded. "On a date?" she clarified when Draco nodded.

"Oh, certainly." Draco smoothed his robes. "We've had it planned for ages."

"What happened to Parkinson?" Ron asked suspiciously, and even Harry was eyeing the Slytherin with magnified mistrust; Sara was Ginny's dorm mate and no matter what Draco said, Harry was certain that he hadn't had a date planned with a Gryffindor for ages.

Draco gave Ron a rather superior look; a look Harry was used to. "That's a rather personal question, Weasley. I'll excuse your faux pas though."

"If you want a favor from me, Malfoy-"

"Oh, it isn't a favor, Harry," Draco assured him quickly, with a sideways glance toward Zabini, who was watching the exchange closely. "I simply thought it would be fun. Especially since our girlfriends are already such close friends."

"Your girlfriend?" Ginny echoed, her eyes narrowed. Draco raised his eyebrows suggestively.

"Oh, certainly," he drawled. Both Ginny's and Hermione's lips twisted in distaste.

"Look, Malfoy," Ron said pointedly, "if Harry and Ginny want to double, Hermione and I will go with them. They don't need you."

"Of course not," Draco said congenially. "But it would be fun." He smiled again at Harry. "Perhaps, we'll see you there, then?"

"I suppose so," Harry said slowly, caught off guard by Draco's abrupt acquiescence; he'd been certain the sneaky Slytherin was up to something.

"Excellent."

Harry gave Draco a hesitant nod of farewell as he turned to leave. But Draco and Zabini fell in step beside him. Draco didn't seem to notice when Harry glanced at him surprise.

"Too bad whatever your mother did to you, didn't wear off sooner," Zabini remarked to Harry as they walked. "At least you look like a proper pureblood now."

"The Potters are purebloods," Hermione said tersely.

Zabini shrugged. "So is your boyfriend," he said pointedly.

"Well," Draco said, a shade too loudly as all four Gryffindors turned to glare at Zabini, "that hardly matters now, isn't that so?"

"It's always mattered to you, Malfoy," Ron said through his teeth.

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean," Draco said with a wide-eyed look of surprise. "Now, we best be on our way. We wouldn't want Ginny to be late for class, now would we?"

And because it looked like Draco would take Ginny's arm and usher her toward her destination, Harry picked up the pace. He exchanged looks with Ginny; she looked just as bewildered as he felt. Even though it seemed perfectly obvious that Draco was still parlaying for Harry's support of Lucius, he'd never gone about it in quite this manner; it was a more than a little disturbing.

When they reached Ginny's classroom a moment later, Draco gave her a smile that could only be called charming.

"See you after class, Ginny," he said cheerfully. "Be sure to give my regards to Sara, won't you?"

"I'll be sure to do that, Malfoy," Ginny agreed sarcastically, and then she pressed her lips quickly against Harry's cheek and went into her class, straight toward Sara, Harry noticed in amusement. No doubt to disprove Draco's tall tale.

"Shall we?" Draco invited, waving magnanimously toward the flight of stairs that would take them to the dungeons.

"You first, Malfoy," Ron told the Slytherin in a curt tone, holding Harry's arm when Harry made a movement toward the stairs.

Draco shrugged, and he and Zabini led the way.

Ron stepped in front of Harry, with Hermione taking up rear to make a very amused Harry sandwich.

"I don't think he's going to try anything funny right outside my dad's classroom," Harry whispered as they marched down the steps.

"Never can be too careful with a Malfoy, Harry," Ron muttered. If Draco heard, he made no indication. They made it into the Potions classroom without incident. "Be on your guard," Ron advised out the corner of his mouth as Harry continued on toward the front of the room with Draco.

As soon as they were seated at their table, Draco began unpacking his supplies. When Harry leaned down to undo the clasp on his sack, Draco spoke, "Oh, don't bother with that, Harry. We can use my supplies." He pushed his cauldron to the middle of the table. "My cauldron as well," he added with gracious nod.

"Oh." Harry let the clasp fall back against the canvas. "Well, actually..." he began, and then paused as Draco smiled widely.

"I know you haven't always enjoyed working with me, Harry," he said, sounding almost eager. "But we actually have so much in common. And of course, Zabini didn't mean his comment about purebloods as an insult." Draco was babbling. "But you see, all of us...Slytherins, I mean, of course, we've always looked up to Severus. It was a bit hard to take when everyone found out he wasn't really working for You Know Who, but not every Slytherin is a Death Eater, you know. We still really like him."

Harry stared at Draco, as he attempted to find some sense in that long, garbled spiel. "Er...yeah," he finally settled on saying. Draco practically beamed.

"Excellent," he said as he turned his attention to lighting his cauldron. "I'm glad we're in agreement."

"Agreement?" Harry echoed warily.

Draco waved his wand toward the tiny flames under the cauldron. "You didn't think I'd actually want to abandon our partnership after all these months, did you?" Draco laughed; Harry thought it sounded a bit maniacal. "We work rather well together, after all."

"I..."

The classroom door swung open, cutting off Harry's muddled response.

"Finnegan, light your fire. Or did you believe it would light itself?"

Harry smiled at his father's sarcastic question, in lieu of a greeting to the class.

"No, sir," Seamus muttered. Severus ignored him to glare around the classroom.

"Most of your efforts during my absence were abysmal. Those who do not turn in a potion worthy of a N.E.W.T. level E, will serve detention with me in order to re-brew today's potion until I am satisfied." The scattered groans were immediately cut-off with a dark glare from Severus. "Begin," he ordered curtly when the students were silent again.

"I don't think we'll have any need for worry," Draco said smugly as he thumbed his text to the correct page. A large shadow obscuring the recipe made him start. Both he and Harry looked up. Severus was gazing at Draco with narrowed eyes.

"Good afternoon, Professor," Draco said. He gestured around at the assembled supplies. "Harry and I are really looking forward to brewing the potion. It's a bit complicated, but I'm sure we'll have no serious problems. We work well together. Don't we, Harry?" He smiled expectantly as he turned to Harry. Harry was on the verge of telling Draco that he would rather work with Neville and risk an exploding cauldron every day than work with him, but there was an odd waver in the question.

And a desperate gleam in Draco's eyes.

Harry found himself nodded, albeit reluctantly.

"Yeah, I guess so," he finally agreed. He looked up again to find his father looking between them. Harry shrugged ever so slightly.

You are certain?

Yeah, Harry's flames answered, well aware that his father could clearly feel his lack of enthusiasm. Severus pursed his lips, but nodded.

"Proceed," he agreed, sparing a second to give Draco one of his more glacial stares. Draco swallowed, his smile thinning a bit. Temporarily satisfied, Severus whirled around and stalked toward a very unfortunate Finnegan, who was fumbling with a pair of oversized Tricken Seeds. "You should have mastered this technique as a second year, Finnegan..."

Harry tuned out his father's sharp voice to focus on his own seeds with the point of a very sharp knife. Once he'd pried open the giant seeds, Draco was ready with a small trowel.

"Thanks," Harry said as he scooped the innards into the cauldron.

"You missed a bit," Draco pointed out, without a note of bile in his voice. Harry dutifully scraped the last bit of innards from the corner of the separated seed, and the two boys watched as it plopped into the cauldron. The fledging potion immediately began to fizz, and Draco grinned at Harry. Harry gave him a blank sort of smile.

"Did you enjoy your holiday?" Draco inquired as he continued to pulverize sixteen beetles.

"Er..."

"Where did you go? It must have been a wonderful diversion."

"Yeah, I guess so."

Malfoy glanced up as he continued to pound the beetles into dust. He smiled. "I heard you saw a Canons game."

"Oliver Wood invited us," Harry explained just as he finished slicing the outer shell of the seed.

"Delightful chap, Oliver," Draco said with a nod.

And on and on, Draco prattled, almost without respite until the voice inside Harry's own head was beginning to sound suspiciously like a pompous, nasal whinge.

"Has someone confunded you, Malfoy?"

Draco stopped speaking in mid-sentence at the sarcastic question. Harry twisted in his seat. Ron was on his way back from the classroom's storage cupboard, and he'd stopped beside Harry and Draco's table, a pestle in his hand.

"I have no idea what you mean," Draco said, looking the very picture of innocence.

"You've been talking Harry's ear off for an hour now," Ron said as he tapped the stone pestle pointedly on the table.

"Well, we are conversing," Draco stressed.

"Is there a problem?"

The three boys looked up at the dark question.

"Not at all, Professor," Draco assured him.

"Then I suggest, Mr. Malfoy, that you pay more mind to your potion, and less to your conversation."

"Yes sir," Draco replied smartly.

"You are about to enter the most vital stage of today's brewing," Severus added, though that bit of instruction was delivered to Harry, and Harry nodded in understanding. To Ron, Severus said mildly, "Your cauldron is about to boil over."

Ron let out a yip of surprise and scurried back over to his table. Parkinson was already standing over the bubbling potion. She snatched the pestle from Ron's hands and began attacking the Tarn Eggs as though it was Ron's head in the mortar instead.

"Pansy was much too aggressive, to make a suitable match," Draco informed Harry quietly when he noticed Harry watching.

Having no idea what to say to that, and really having no desire to hear about Draco's ex-girlfriend, he said, "We really need to pay close attention to the potion."

Draco complied with Harry's unspoken wish--for the most part. But even with the decrease in chatter, Harry felt exhausted by the time they turned in their potion.

Seamus was the only one who had to remain behind--Ron and Parkinson had managed to salvage their potion.

"I'll see you Saturday, Harry," Draco reminded him as he placed his quill back into his sack.

"Oh, yeah...maybe, I guess."

"See you then," Draco said with a confident wave as he and Zabini left the classroom together. Harry watched him go, completely flummoxed by the blond boy's behavior.

"Saturday?" Severus queried as soon as Harry turned back around. Without even turning around, Severus said abruptly, "I suggest you keep your eyes on your work, Finnegan, if you wish to leave before the elves stop serving dinner."

Seamus muttered something under his breath behind him, which Severus ignored.

"He invited Ginny and I to double with him--he's apparently dating one of Ginny's friends," Harry explained; he smiled as Ron and Hermione parked themselves on one of the tables in the back row, waiting for him.

"Did he?" Severus sounded anything but pleased by the prospect. Harry nodded, not wanting to speak in front of Seamus. Severus pointed his wand discreetly toward the disgruntled boy. "Muffliato."

Harry smiled and explained, "He's been acting oddly. I don't think I've ever heard him talk so much, not even combined through the years."

"Nor have I."

"He wasn't even so friendly when he wanted me to help Lucius when Voldemort was still alive," Harry said with still more confusion.

"I imagine he is feeing desperate," Severus murmured. "Or perhaps, he has seen how desperate his mother undoubtedly is. Especially as they are all aware that you have not agreed to speak at Lucius' new trial. He is eager to show everyone that you and the Malfoys are not enemies."

Harry nodded, wishing the Malfoys and their problems wouldn't keep intruding on their lives.

"Your pity toward him is unnecessary," Severus continued, gleaning the reason for Harry's change of heart about acquiring a new partner.

"I know," Harry said with a shrug. "But I don't mind him too terribly...I suppose. You had a long meeting with Dumbledore," he said, changing the subject to one he was more concerned about when his father raised his eyebrow in disbelief. "Remus said there wasn't anything wrong though."

"There is not," Severus assured him. "Simon has been pestering the Headmaster. Albus is attempting to figure out exactly why he has such an interest in helping the Malfoys."

"I thought they were friends."

"They are no more than business acquaintances," Severus corrected. "And even were they friends, the lengths Simon is going to, to ensure that Lucius goes free, would still be suspect."

"You'll tell me once you figure out what he's up to, won't you?" Harry asked, still hating more than almost anything else the feeling of being left to decipher things on his own.

"I will," Severus promised, smiling slightly at the question. Or perhaps he was smiling because Harry still felt the need to ask it. It was a rather indulgent smile, but Harry found it hard to mind. "I assume you and your godfather are again on speaking terms?" Severus inquired briskly when Harry smiled his thanks.

Harry hesitated before answering, "I think he's trying too hard to be okay with everything that's happened. Did you notice that he said almost nothing about how different I look?"

"He does not wish to upset you."

"I know." Harry shifted his feet so that he was leaning up against the work table. "I think he thinks I'll stop speaking to him if he shows any signs of having not completely accepted everything. He wanted to ask me almost the entire conversation if I'd like to spend some of the Christmas holidays with him, but he couldn't. Remus finally told me when we came in for breakfast."

"We do not have any formal plans for Christmas, if you wish to go," Severus said with a crisp nod.

Harry gave him a lopsided smile. "I don't."

Severus features were predictably still at the frank words.

Harry pushed against his palms, straightening out of his slouch.

"We're going to study in our quarters. Want to join us for dinner?" he asked as he slung his bag over his shoulder. He tried not to let Severus see his amusement as an involuntary smile lifted his father's lips.

"Certainly."

Harry glanced over at Seamus. "Enjoy your detention," he said with a sly grin.

"I do not enjoy detention."

"Sure you don't," Harry returned with a knowing smile.

Severus smirked. "I will see you at home."

"Don't have too much fun," Harry advised his father as he turned to leave. " Ron won't be able to wait if you're late."

"I will not be late."

Harry smiled at him, as relaxed as he had been in months. "See you at home, then."

Severus watched as Weasley hopped down from his perch when Harry approached. Ms. Granger smiled at Harry as she took up position on his other side. Harry looked over his shoulder before they cleared the door; he flapped a hand at Severus and then followed Weasley out into the corridor.

Home.

The word resonated deep within Severus' chest. With a quick word, he ended the Muffliato and turned around to check Finnegan's progress--perhaps encourage him not to dawdle.

It would be a bitter pill indeed, when Harry finally moved back to the tower.