Confrontation and Comfort

Severus Snape was never exactly understood; therefore, he was not a very understanding man. Anyone who wavered from the norm was a "freak" or "unworthy" in his eyes, but then again, Snape himself was considered a freak by many, even those in the magical world. Perhaps it was this attitude that made Snape so narrow-minded especially in the aspect of sexuality. Then again, Snape could be considered celibate, not by choice, but I think you get the point. Snape believed that contact with people should be kept to a minimum, and "relationships" were unnecessary involvement. Anyone that had a same sex relationship, well, in Snape's eyes should be condemned to death. No one really knew why, but the knowledge of Snape's closed minded views was well known. Naturally the news of Draco and Harry being an "item" was absolutely mortifying in his eyes. And being forced to live with the couple over the summer was Snape's equivalent of having to be gay himself. Emotions were running high to say the least.

After the capture of Malfoy Sr., Albus Dumbledore had suggested that Malfoy Jr., now affectionately known as Draco, moved in with the Order due to the fact that he was on Voldemort's "good side." Because of his connections with the Dark Lord he could easily be used as a spy to help the Order. After Draco had expressed his very good intentions and desire to rejoin and help the light, he had been removed from the manor and set up with the rest of the Order. After a few days of awkwardness, the Order decided Draco was not a bad person and had actually learned to enjoy his company. Not much more than a week later, Harry rejoined the group after clearly expressing his disgust of the Dursley's and unwillingness to stay there in a rather curt letter to the Headmaster. Dumbledore decided that Harry was old enough to decided for himself and had him removed from the premises. This, to Harry, was one of the happiest moments of his life. He was finally going to be able to spend almost an entire summer with those whom he knew and loved. News of Draco being there wasn't even enough to dampen his spirit. Actually, and amazingly, Harry made a truce with Draco after learning of his good intentions and forgot all of their childhood feuds. Some could say a friendship was formed, though to those around them they could tell something more was happening.

While first at number twelve, neither Ron nor Hermione was willing to talk to Draco. Harry saw that he was changed, and honestly felt for him. Now, two months later and only a few weeks until school resumed Harry and Draco had both resolved that the never ceasing tension between them had actually been sexual tension and acted upon that. Ron was disgusted, Hermione was happy for Harry, Harry and Draco were scared to death and confused but relieved to find comfort in each other. There was a varying degree of other emotions felt through the house over the two's sudden choice but most were of acceptance and support; even after time, Ron learned to accept the facts. While most people were accepting, this was not the case with Severus Snape's. Besides his incompetence of homosexual relations, he could not bear to think that his star student was being fucked by wonder-boy. He mainly kept his feeling of the two to himself, but after a rather risqué public display of affection he decided to make his feeling known.

"Harry, don't start. I swear I will not tolerate this," Snape hissed in Harry's direction, his hatred was obviously seething from his very being.

"Whatever, Professor," Harry said, trying desperately to keep hs cool.

"And to think this is the savior of the Wizarding World. You're disgusting, and we are all damned!" Snape hissed with a strong note of disdain in his voice.

"Just because you're not getting any doesn't mean you have to rain on my parade!" Harry said with a little more confidence and cockiness than he felt. He could see that vein in Snape's head throbbing, and he knew that meant nothing but trouble but Harry was clearly tired of Snape and all of his bullshit. Even Draco, who was sitting in his lap, chuckled a bit.

Remus Lupin entered the room at the opportune moment. Seeing clearly that emotions were running high, he decided to intervene before World War III occurred. "Is there a problem, gentlemen?"

"What do you think, you twit? This entire situation," Snape spat, "is a big problem."

"I don't see your involvement in either of Harry nor Draco's sex life so I don't see why you should be affected? I think you should meddle in places where you are more involved, agreed?" Remus said coolly, trying to calm the situation. Snape's reaction was volatile; he was not going to be told what to do by a werewolf, and a homosexual werewolf at that. Snape could not hold his temper.

"Shut up you were-fuck! Just because you are a flaming homosexual doesn't mean you can encourage it!" Severus screamed, his pale, slimy face reddening.

Remus, obviously hurt by the outburst, somewhat backed away from the entire situation, not wanting to become involved. Harry, on the other hand, was entirely outraged and would not stand for something like this. Severus Snape was not going to curse out the closest thing Harry had for family and get away with it. He had hit a nerve and Harry couldn't hold back. Professor or not, no one talked to his friends like that.

"What was that you insensitive prick?" Harry mockingly asked as he quickly stood from his chair by the fire, knocking Draco from his lap who landed with a thud in the rug below. Harry, who at sixteen was very intimidating, stood a full foot over Severus' head, but the rather rashed off potion's master would not back down.

"Harry, don't!" Remus exclaimed knowing that this would most definitely go smoothly.

"You heard me, you faggot." Severus' words oozed venom.

"That's it! You will not mock me, nor Draco, and especially not Remus, you spineless bastard! Just because you can't accept anyone who isn't like yourself: a slimy, sniveling, greasy fuckwit, doesn't mean that you cannot be prejudiced against anyone who washes their hair more than once a month and isn't straight!" Harry finished his exasperated tirade, and realized exactly how much shit he was in. Although he did still have to be in Snape's class at Hogwarts, living with him made it very easy to forget that small note. When school resumed, potions would be worse than usual if that is physically possible.

"YOU AUTHORITY IMPAIRED LITTLE PARENTLESS FAG WHO IS THE CAUSE OF SIRIUS' DEA--" was all that Snape screamed before he charged at Potter. Remus, who was endowed with his wolf reflexes bounded after Snape, covering his mouth before anymore could be said. Snape fought against Remus hold, but Remus being by far the taller and stronger held him safely until much of his wrath had passed. Once he was not any longer seeing red, Snape broke from Remus' now relaxed grip and fled the room. Harry, realizing what Snape and unknown and countless other's might have thought about him was reduced to tears. Was he really fit to save the wizarding world?

"Reme--" Harry choked, his voice impaired by the sobs that were steadily rising. Draco was still sitting in the same space on the floor, with a look of pure mortification displayed across his face. He never thought of Harry that way, ever, and he didn't find it fitting that anyone else did, especially that prick. Draco picked himself up and went to Harry who instantly fell into his arms in a crying heap. Draco knew how much he was hurt, he could see it in his eyes. Weakened by the sudden weight that Harry was putting on the slightly smaller boy, Draco slowly lowered himself and Harry to the floor in front of the fire and held Harry closely, as if his life depended on how tight his grip was. While Harry shook with grief and rage, Draco soothed his back with his delicate fingers while he kissed his forehead, and whispered reassurance into his hair. He had never felt so heart broken in his entire life; to see another person, a person he loved, in such a state was emotionally devastating. Draco never realized he could feel so much.

After Harry's trembling had clamed into faint shaking, Draco lifted Harry's head with his thumb and forefinger and looked straight into his eyes. They were puffy and red from crying, but still Harry possessed the most beautiful green eyes he had ever seen. They seemed like a pool of never-ending liquid emerald, a pool that Draco would not mind falling into and never coming out of...the one way to describe them was pure beauty.

"I love you, Harry."

Harry stared at Draco as silent tears flowed down his face. He knew Draco's words were heartfelt and so full of meaning.

"I--I love yo--you too, Dra-Draco." Harry managed to sputter before he was reduced to a bawling mess again. He buried his head in Draco's arms, wishing that if he buried deep enough, he would never come up and never be away from Draco. That had been the first time Draco and he had actually used the "love" word and Harry knew he had never meant anything more in his life and probably never would.

Waiting patiently till Harry was calmed again, Draco stroked Harry's hair and whispered in his ear, telling Harry of his love for him. Harry sat up and went to wipe his eyes, when Draco cupped his face and led him into the most meaningful kiss either had ever experienced. Meaningful soon led to explorative and then lust-filled and passionate took over. When both were out of breath and cursing the primal need for oxygen, Harry nestled back down into Draco's lap and let the warmth of the fire overtake him; he fell peacefully asleep. Not long after, the emotionally-drained Draco followed suit, placing Harry's head on his stomach as a pillow before he dozed off.

Remus sat in a chair by the fire, reminiscing on days gone by: better days, days with Sirius in them. A tear fell down his cheek unnoticed as he stared at the two boys lost in peaceful sleep that lay before him. Sirius and he had been so much like them...

Deciding that the floor could not be very comfortable, Remus decided that after the day's traumatizing events he would gently rouse the sleeping couple and bring them to bed, the same bed. Remus gently woke Harry first, then Draco, and lead them to the stairs and then carefully guided each of them by the shoulder as they climbed the stairs still in a half doze. After quickly turning down the sheet and fluffing the pillows, he guided Draco, then Harry, into the warm oversized bed; the bed that was he and Sirius' old bed...

"Remus?" Harry groggily asked.

"Yah, Harry, I'm right here," Remus said as he took a seat at the side of his bed.

"Did I do the right thing?"

"Yah, Harry, you did. And though some people, most actually, would have told you to leave grown up matters in grown up hands, Severus proved that that can't be done. Harry, in this world you have to make yourself heard, because no one will if you don't try. Don't let the world change who you are, Harry; there are too many of them and not enough of you. You need to remain just as you are: brave and independent. It's the only way you will make it." With that, Remus finished his speech. He turned in his chair to face Harry, but when he did he saw a face of supreme serenity. Harry had drifted to sleep upon Draco's chest, and his tan fingers were intertwined in Draco's pale slender ones.

Remus sighed wearily.