Awakening

- by BiSciFiGuy -

Pairing: Harry P/Draco M

Genre: Drama

Rating: M

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or character histories or places or anything except my own plot. No copyright infringement is intended. I am not responsible for any underage readers who come across this story.

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A/N: Here we go, my second try at a multi chapter fic, I hope you enjoy it. This story discounts most of what happened in the last book.

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Chapter 1 : Homecoming

Harry woke slowly, his body protesting to the idea of leaving the comforting world of sleep. He turned on the mattress and looked at the old clock on the wall, it was just past six in the morning, he'd only slept five hours. He turned his back on the clock again and closed his eyes, hoping to get back into the wonderful nothingness of sleep. A sound assaulted his ears suddenly and he groaned. It was Ron and Hermione, they were going at it again. It was remarkable how far sound travelled in the mansion. Harry could hear every groan and grunt and mumbled "Yes" as his two friends made love in the room on the opposite side of the house. It seemed as though the walls were exceptionally thin on the floors with the bedrooms, perhaps Sirius' mother had cursed the floors or something so she could hear everything that happened, probably making sure neither of her sons were getting up to good deeds. It was useless for him to try and sleep now, Ron and Hermione would be busy for at least another half hour, and he really didn't want to spend that time listening to them.

He got up and quickly pulled on fresh jeans and a shirt, it felt so good to be able to wear washed clothes, he'd become so used to wearing magically cleaned clothing while they were hunting Horcruxes. Magical cleaning worked pretty well, but it left the clothes feeling fake in some way, nothing like the softened feeling that a decent water and soap washing left. He made his way down the stairs and was glad to hear the sounds of his friend's love making fade away. He hated to admit it but ever since the two of them had started dating during the hunt for the Horcruxes he had slowly begun to feel left out. The two of them were having little private conversations and intimate moments that he could never be part of. He had gotten so used to the three of them being together that it hurt to have them go off into their bedroom and leave him alone. Learning to knock before entering their room had also been something that had been hard for him to learn, he hardly wanted to join the two of them in some sick threesome, it was just that he was lonely. He'd been so in love with Ginny the previous year and had had to leave her without them getting much chance to be together. He reached the kitchen and waved his wand to let the kitchen know he wanted coffee, something he had never drunk before the war started, now it was a much needed treat when he felt upset, like he did now. As he stood there he realised that he hated himself for a lot of things these days but most of all he hated himself for resenting his friends, who it their right mind resented his friends for being happy.

He thought of Ginny again as he sat down at the big table in the kitchen, they had been together for such a short time, he had barely kissed her let alone done anything more. Ron had made sure of that, interrupting them every chance he got. He'd only ever been truly intimate with one person and that had ended so badly. He missed the feeling of having someone else's body brushing against his. Sure the orgasm had a lot to do with it but for Harry it was hardly the only thing he wanted. He had never told anyone but Harry was different, not just in the sense that he was the so called saviour of the Wizarding world, no, he was different in the sense that he loved differently than his friends. He loved each individual person uniquely, he didn't care whether it was a boy or a girl, he just loved them and if that love turned sexual then he didn't have any problems with it.

After what had happened in fourth year Harry had done plenty of research on the subject of sexuality and had finally determined that he was in fact bisexual. The thought of being with a man had never really scared him until he'd read in one of the books that it was important to tell one's friend and family about your sexuality. He'd left the library, feeling confident and happy, ready to tell Ron and Hermione what he had discovered about himself. His determination faded as he entered the Gryffindor common room. Ron and Dean were teasing one of the younger boys in the room, calling him a faggot and other unfriendly profanities. Hermione tried her best to stop them with one of her many angry faces but they hardly noticed.

That night after everyone had left, Harry had tossed out a line to see if he could find out what they thought of men with men. Hermione hadn't seemed to mind one bit but Ron exploded, telling them how much he despised those 'abnormal' people, how wrong and disgusting it was for two men to be together. Harry found it incredibly difficult to keep his mouth shut as Ron continued his tirade. Harry had been so proud of himself just seconds before coming to the common room, now he was feeling ashamed and almost hated himself thanks to Ron. He had been pissed off at Ron too and excused himself when Ron compared seeing two men together with watching Death Eaters murder an innocent victim. Harry hadn't known exactly why he'd been so upset then, but now as he sat at the table in his home he knew, it had been and still was because Ron unknowingly compared his closest friend to a Death eater. As Harry sat sipping the cup of coffee the kitchen had sent him he felt tears sting his eyes, those words had been the most hurtful thing any person had ever said to him and it had broken his heart to hear such words come from Ron's mouth. But for the sake of their friendship Harry had kept his mouth shut, he had chosen to lie and sneak glances at cute guys whenever Ron looked away, it was pure hell not being accepted by someone you cared for so much.

Somewhere in the house he heard a door open, it meant that Ron and Hermione were done. She opened the kitchen door, looking terribly dishevelled and sweaty. She gasped when she saw him sitting there.

"Harry, I didn't know you were up". She said, pulling desperately at her hair, trying to make it look normal even though her clothes were rumbled in a way that sleep could not rumple them and her robe was hanging half open.

"Yeah, it's pretty hard sleeping through your… activities". He didn't why he felt so much resentment towards his best friends. He hated being mean to them.

"Oh, I'm sorry Harry".

"No, I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to apologise for being happy while I'm not. I'm just jealous… all I ask though is please use a silencing charm on your room". Hermione blushed but Harry was sure he saw a flash of anger in her eyes too but she either hid it well or he had imagined it.

"Sure Harry, you want another cup?" She gestured and he looked down at the empty porcelain in his hands.

"No, I'm fine thanks. Should I get Kreacher to make you guys breakfast?" He asked, hoping his gesture would serve as a make up for his earlier rudeness. Hermione smiled slightly, letting him know that it was already forgotten but shook her head.

"No, I will make it, let him sleep". Harry was still amazed by her, even at this terrible time in their lives she still cared for the house elves.

"Thanks, see you later". He stood and went to the big library on the ground floor, right next to the living room, he avoided the room at all cost because he knew what awaited him there. He saw the hallway where the security charm had been put up. The ghostly shape of Dumbledore that burst up from the floor was one of the worst things Harry had ever experienced. He closed the library door behind him, shutting out the rest of the house. He sat down at the big desk, the fire place automatically came to life when he walked past it and began heating the room. He pulled a piece of parchment close and dipped one of the quills in the tiny ink pot by his right hand. He looked a the parchment and sighed, trying to collect his thoughts. They had been on the run for almost seven months. Trying to finish the old Headmaster's work. He touched the quill to the page and wrote.

Horcuxes:

Number 1: The Diary – Destroyed in second year by Bassilisk Venom (Role as Horcrux confirmed by Dumbledore)

Number 2 : The Ring – Destroyed by Dumbledore – Wearing it poisoned the Headmaster. Note Do not wear Horcruxes again.

Number 3: Necklace – Destroyed by Ron, using Gryffindor's sword.

Number 4: Goblet – Destroyed by Hermione using Gryffindor's sword.

Number 5: Diadem – Destroyed by Me, using Gryffindor's sword.

Number 6: Nagini – Voldemort's snake, probably with him at all times, she should be hard to find but pretty easy to kill.

Number 7: Voldemort – Hardest of all the Horcuxes.

He sat back and read over the little list again, as he scanned the middle three items he remembered how terrible it had been for them to carry around the necklace, how its influence had caused such a rift between them, how it had almost cost them Ron's friendship. Harry was thankful for finding Gryffindor's sword, it had helped them a lot, not just in destroying the Horcruxes but also with bringing them back together. It had been the same night they destroyed the Necklace and the Goblet that Ron and Hermione had finally made their feeling known and had left Harry by the camp fire; Alone. He shook his head, reminding himself not to think too much about it.

The fifth Horcrux on his list had been the hardest to find, and had cost them the most. After the triumph with the third and fourth Horcruxes they had slipped into the school. Dumbledore had let slip that the diadem may have been there and they had found it, after almost two weeks of living in the school, sleeping in empty classrooms and having Dobby sneak food in for them. Thinking of Dobby made Harry's heart ache. They had already lost so much when they went to the school and then only lost more. After so much time spent looking for the damn diadem they had found it hanging in plain sight on a statue near the entrance to the Ravenclaw dorms, thanks to one of the Hogwarts ghosts. But alas, as they had been preparing to destroy the old headdress they had been discovered by so called ministry officials working at the school –they were basically Death Eaters in ministry robes. A battle had ensued between the three friends and the Death Eaters. Dobby had appeared in the middle of the fight, just as Harry was hit by the cruciatus curse and he'd dropped the sword. Dobby had run for the sword and as the curse broke tossed it to Harry only to be struck down by the Killing Curse. Harry still remembered how the light went out behind the elf's big eyes, Dobby's lips had moved silently for a moment before he collapsed. Feeling rage like never before Harry had brought the sword down on the diadem, destroying it in a flash of bright light and Voldemort's screams. The Death Eaters had been stunned for a second before Hermione literally stunned them and they crashed to the floor. The three friends burst out in hysterical laughter, they'd done it, they had destroyed the last non sentient Horcrux. Their celebration was cut short however when Professor Snape showed up in the hallway.

"What the hell are you doing here. More ministry officials could show up at any moment". Harry looked around at the hook nosed man and only then remembered Dobby. He rushed to the elf's side and cradled his dead body in his arms. The little creature felt so tiny as he held it.

"Mister Potter, I just told you, you need to leave, forget about that damn elf and go". Harry hated Snape right then, more than he had ever hated anyone in his life, but he also knew that the potions Master was right, they had to leave but as they tried to apparate the realised they couldn't.

"We can't go anywhere!" Hermione cried out, they heard footsteps coming down one of the corridors.

"Yes, I expected as much". Snape reached into his pocket and drew out a rather old looking book and thrust it at Ron, who reluctantly took it, staring up at Snape.

"It's a port key Mister Weasley, it'll take you to Grimmauld place". Snape started muttering a spell and the three friends saw the port key begin to glow. Harry stepped forward and gathered Dobby up off the floor again before reaching out and touching Ron's shoulder. As the spell ended Harry saw Snape smiled one of his hateful smiles at them and reached between them.

"I believe that is mine". He said and then the group were gone. When they had appeared in the living room of Grimmauld place they had realised that Snape had taken Gryffindor's sword.

Harry had cursed Snape and his whole family for hours after they had returned from the school, he had felt his magic surge around him. His magic had always been unstable, a result of Voldemort's first attack on him as a child, as Dumbledore had once explained to him. It had something to do with the four centres of magic. Harry didn't really know what it meant, since he hardly cared where his magic came from as long as it worked and he could use it to defend the people he loved.

He stood and left the library, he needed more coffee. The energy it would give him would be greatly needed. They had to bury Dobby after all. The elf was in the living room, under a suspension spell. They had been too tired and upset the previous night to bury him. The kitchen was empty, Hermione had probably gone back up to the room with breakfast. She'd been thoughtful enough to leave a plate of bacon and eggs on the table for Harry, the heating charms around it glowing brightly. He couldn't help but smile as he lifted the plate and began eating. The breakfast was good and he felt it fill the empty space in his body.

Several hours later the three friends were standing in the garden of Grimmauld place. The muggles around them went about their business, completely oblivious to the entire building standing right in front of them as well as the three mourners who were standing over a little mound of dirt between two rose bushes. Harry's hands hurt, he had insisted on digging Dobby's grave by hand, he would use the pain from the shovel handle to ease the pain in his heart, and remarkably it worked, just like it had worked so many times before. After the grave had been dug they clothed Dobby in some old children's clothes they found in the attic –they had probably belonged to Sirius and his brother when they were children. Harry found it sad that Dobby had to buried in the garden, like a dog or some other beloved family pet instead of the hero he actually was.

Something crashed in the house behind them and all three of the mourners turned and rushed back inside. The safety charm was deactivated and they stormed towards the sound. Hermione was the first to reach the kitchen door just as another crash was heard echoing through the house. The door was flung open and all three of them stepped inside, wands at the ready, prepared to fight. But they didn't need to fight, they needed to hug. Harry smiled as he saw Molly Weasley standing over several broken plates, using words he had never thought she even knew.

"Mum!" Ron cried out and rushed at her, the old woman cried out and drew her wand too, thankfully recognising her son the moment before she cursed him. Ron drew up to her and pulled her into a tight bear hug. She cried out and yelled and sobbed as she rocked him like a baby. When Ron was welcomed she turned to Harry and Hermione and they were pulled tight as well. Harry loved to be in Molly's arms, she was the closest thing to a mother he'd ever had.

"What are the three of you doing here?" She asked, still touching them every chance she got. Harry smiled at her, she knew about the mission Dumbledore had left for them but didn't know exactly what it was.

"We're finished with our mission, well mostly anyway". He felt he owed her that much at least especially after stealing her son away from her for such a long time. She smiled at them.

"So since it's over you can tell us what it was right?"

"Its almost over Molly, not done yet so I can't tell you".

"But Harry, you three have been gone forever and I need to…"

"Did you know Ron and Hermione are dating now". Harry said as Molly tried to press him into a corner, literally using her body as an interrogation tool. Her face lit up and Harry saw how she forgot all about Dumbledore's mission. Ron and Hermione however were looking daggers at him, he knew it was a lousy way for him to get out of a tight situation but it was the only thing he could think of to distract her, she was a very persuasive woman after all and he uncertain if he could resist her for long. He slipped out of the door as she began to flutter over Hermione and Ron.

Later as they sat in the kitchen while she made dinner –she insisted on cooking herself, saying it gave her something to do. Harry noticed how much food she was cooking, it looked like she was getting ready to feed a whole army and he inquired about it.

"Oh yes, well, even though it's been a while since we've been here the order decided we had to have a meeting here tonight, Apparently some new information has come to light".

"Really, information about what?" Harry asked. Ron and Hermione seemed to not be talking to him at that time and he was left alone to keep the conversation going.

"I have no idea, Severus called the meeting here. He says something really important might be happening soon".

"Snape called this meeting?"

"Yes why?"

"No reason, please excuse me". He stood and made his way to the door, gesturing for his friend to follow him and also hoping they weren't too mad at him to do so.

It seemed they weren't as they did indeed follow him into his room. The door shut and Hermione immediately cast locking and silencing charms on it.

"You know what Harry, that was a really shitty thing to do". Ron said as the door closed.

"Yeah, Harry knows that Ron but its in the past, after all what else was he supposed to use to escape your mother, she can be pretty demanding you know".

"Thank you Hermione".

"So why are we up here?" Ron asked as he settled on Harry's bed.

"I think Snape is planning something. He might be trying to get all the order members here so he can betray them".

"What, I don't think so Harry". Hermione said as she too folded herself onto the bed next to Ron. Harry sighed and settled onto the chair.

"Last time I suspected someone of doing something shady you both said I was overreacting and then I was right".

"Harry what happened with Malfoy and Professor Dumbledore is hardly our fault. We just didn't see any evidence to show us that Malfoy was doing anything wrong. Yeah we missed the signs you saw but we are only human". Hermione put on one of her challenging faces and stared Harry down, she was an expert at staring people down and it usually ended in her getting her way.

"I am not blaming you for anything, I just want to make a point that sometimes my reactions are legitimate".

"Okay, why don't we just let the meeting happen tonight and see where it goes. We'll warn Ron's father and Professor McGonagall about our suspicions and then if they or we see anything shady going on we set up a plan".

"Okay. Thanks guys". Harry smiled down at his friend, they were really happy together, he'd wanted them to be together so many times in the past since it was so obvious that they were perfect for each other and now for the first time in a long time he could actually see it.

* * *

Harry sat on the big window seat in his room and looked out over the streets of London as the sun slowly dipped it's head beneath the horizon. Members of the Order had begun arriving an hour earlier, he would have expected there to be some kind of fuss about him and his friends being back but he had never imaged how crazy people could go over simply seeing him. Sure he supposed it was normal, those same people cared for him a lot after all but he could only stand so much attention. After probably the twentieth bear hug he received he decided it was too much and retreated to his room, leaving Ron and Hermione to do the explaining and answer all the questions. He'd head back down stairs when everyone had arrived, Hermione had promised to come get him.

He had barely finished the thought when he heard her knock at the door. He turned and smiled feebly at her, no matter what Molly had said, a meeting of all the order members meant that there was something big, and most likely bad going to happen.

"Everyone is here, I think they're about to start".

"What about Snape?"

"He's not here yet, he sent his patronus with a message that said we should start, he'd be a bit late". Harry frowned as he walked down the stairs with her.

"He's planning something Hermione, I'm certain of it".

"I'm starting to believe you Harry". He nodded and brushed his hand through hers. She smiled back at him and together they stepped into the kitchen. It had been magically enlarged, the four chair dining table that had stood there that morning was now big enough for twenty. Harry looked around the room, most of the higher ranking order members were there. Remus and Tonks, mister Weasley and Kingsley, as well as Professor McGonagall and several people Harry didn't know. When they entered Remus stood up and welcomed him, also embracing him tightly. Harry didn't mind this though, Lupin was the only person he had left who had truly known his father.

"Harry I would like to introduce you to two of my friends". Lupin said and steered Harry towards two men who were standing near the stove, the younger of the two was speaking with Molly and gesturing wildly at the food she had cooked while occasionally scooping up a spoonful of whatever it was she was cooking and tasting it. She seemed a little overwhelmed but didn't seem to mind his attention. He was pretty young, maybe only around thirty, the man who stood behind him was a bit older, by maybe ten years. Lupin reached out and shook the older man's hand.

"Harry, this is my friend Nick Stokes". Harry smiled and shook hands with the man, He had short cropped hair and a strong built, it seemed like he worked out a lot.

"Nice to meet you Harry, I have heard so much about you". Nick said as he lifted a hand to tap the younger man's shoulder.

"And this is Greg Sanders, Harry, he is another friend of mine". Lupin explained further and the younger man turned to Harry. He turned energetic eyes towards Harry, his wild hair seemed to turn slightly lighter as he smiled. Harry assumed that Greg was also a Metamorhmagus, like Tonks was. Perhaps he was even family of the pink haired woman.

"Harry Potter, it is an honour to meet you". It looked like Greg wanted to say more but the words died in his mouth and he just stood there, staring at Harry. It was fine for a few seconds but as it began to drag on Harry began to feel uncomfortable.

"Remus, is he okay?" Remus and Nick both smiled at him and Lupin touched Harry's shoulder.

"Greg and Nick are both Medi Wizards Harry, but not only that, Greg is also a Auristic". Harry frowned, it was an unknown word to him, but clearly not to Hermione, her hears literally seemed to perk up as she heard the word and her eyes took on a glazed look, much like the one Greg was wearing.

"What does that mean?" Harry asked, feeling even more stupid than usual as most of the adults looked at him like he was nothing more than a child.

"An Auristic is a person who can see your magic Harry. In the medical field they specialise in treating disorders of magic. What it means is that he treat you when it's not you who is sick but your magic itself that is injured or damaged". Harry nodded absently, he'd never thought that one's magic could actually get ill or hurt, he'd always just assumed that the magic was just there.

"Harry, I must tell you that your magic is very unstable". Greg suddenly came out of the trance he was in and reached out to touch Harry. Harry almost cringed away from the touch but Lupin was standing behind him, blocking his way.

"Let him touch you Harry, he's not out of it yet". Harry nodded.

"Your centres are very narrow Harry, you must be careful. You need to stop this mental self mutilation you are doing, it's bad for your magic. You could lose control of it at any moment". Greg's hands ran up and down Harry's arms several times before he let out a loud sigh and blinked twice.

"Sorry about that Harry, sometimes my powers get the better of me".

"That's fine".

"But you need to listen Harry, your magic is in danger of erupting".

"Thanks". Harry said, the young man made him incredibly uncomfortable and he slipped away from him, Nick and Lupin as soon as the three of them began talking about their own topics. Ron and Hermione gestured to him from the other side of the room and he mad a bee line for them.

"What did that guy want?"

"Apparently he's something called an Auristic, and he said something about my magic". Harry rubbed his arms, the feel of Greg's hands was still on him.

"They are very rare Harry, I think you should listen to whatever it is he said".

"Bull, they are just a bunch of quacks, I'll bet you he's just a fag using his so called talent as an excuse to touch Harry, the damn pervert". Harry felt the words sting. He hated when Ron used it so freely but he still chose to say nothing, he couldn't afford to lose his best friend.

"Ron, It is a legitimate talent and I hardly think it's appropriate for you to use such a demeaning word in present company". For a moment Harry thought she was referring to him, she couldn't possibly know, he had only told one person and that person most certainly didn't share it with anyone. He sighed as he saw her gesture to the other side of the room with her head. He turned and saw Greg and Nick now standing in the corner of the room with Remus and Tonks. The two men were holding hands. It looked so nice to simply hold hands with someone and Harry smiled at how sweet the two men looked together.

"I was right, he is nothing but a no good fag, could just as well invite Death Eaters into the house and get it over with". Harry felt fury boil in him but it was quickly over taken by shame.

"Ron, stop saying that, it's…" She never got to say any more as Professor McGonagall called the meeting to order.

She proceeded to explain that they were there on the call of Severus Snape who would arrive shortly, she also thanked Molly for the dinner that she had prepared.

"Now, as we wait for Severus to arrive I would like to welcome Nick and Greg to the order. In the trying times that lay ahead they have offered their expertly hidden home as a refuge should any of us need it" With these words she looked directly at Harry and a small smile touched the corners of her mouth. As she continued speaking there came a fluttering sound from somewhere in the house and as they looked around trying to find the source, a purple origami bird flew into the room and settled itself in front of the old woman. She stopped talking and unfolded the parchment. The members of the order watched as her face turned from mild interest to complete shock and then go completely expressionless as she remembered she was being watched by more than twenty other people. She looked around the table and cleared her throat.

"Remus, Arthur, Tonks. Would the three of you mind meeting me outside for a moment". Leaving everyone to scratch their heads, the four people left the room. Just before the door closed Harry heard someone speak and he was sure he'd heard the voice before.

They sat around the table, waiting for the group to return.

"What do you think was on that parchment, it seemed to upset McGonagall pretty quickly".

"Ron, she was hardly upset, I'd say she was more surprised or shocked".

"Doesn't really matter does it, she still looked pretty bad". Harry tried his best to drown out his friends, he desperately wanted to hear what was going on outside the door but even if he'd been completely alone in the room he probably wouldn't have heard anything. He felt someone looking at him and he turned away from his friends to find Greg near him. The man was staring at him again and Harry distinctly thought that Ron might be right.

"What are you doing?" Harry whispered, no one else seemed to hear.

"I'm sorry Harry, its in my nature to notice unstable magic. Please, you need to let me help you heal your magic before its too late. You could harm those around you if you should lose control of it".

"Look, I really appreciate you trying to help me and I respect that you believe that you can do what you say but I'm not having any problems okay, so just drop it. Seriously". Harry knew he was lying, he had noticed little strange things happening when he got upset or sad but he wasn't going to tell Greg that, even if Ron was a but narrow minded he was still Harry's friend and what if he was right, Greg might be some kind of predator who was trying to get his hands on Harry. For a moment Harry actually entertained the idea of being with Greg but the look on Ron's face at seeing the two older men touching caused him to physically retreat from Greg. The man's hair visibly changed colour, its blonde spiked turning dark black and he turned away.

The door to the kitchen opened again and Professor McGonagall and Mister Weasley walked into the room again followed by the bat-like figure of Severus Snape. The Potions Master seemed troubled and tired, as though he were wearing the world's troubles in the pockets of his robes. He visibly sighed as he stood at the head of the table.

"I have spent the day within Voldemort's inner circle and during my time there I discovered some disturbing news". Harry despised how the oily man could just stand there and speak as though he wasn't a traitor. He knew that it had been proven that Snape had murdered Dumbledore on the orders of the old headmaster but Harry couldn't believe that the rest of the order still trusted him. Anger overtook him, it was fuelled by grief over Dobby, and he stood up. Snape shut his mouth as the chair scraped on the old floor.

"Professor, how can you stand there proclaiming to help the cause when just last night you did your best to hurt us".

"Excuse me Mister Potter?" Professor McGonagall asked next to Snape. Hermione touched Harry's arm but he was too angry to care. He didn't notice the lights in the house flicker as he spoke.

"Yes, yesterday we went to the school and professor Snape stole something from us that we need to defeat Voldemort". The Potions Master frowned, Professor McGonagall looked outraged and Harry heard Hermione sigh next to him.

"I ask you Mister Potter, you attacked two of the Dark Lord's servants in a corridor at the school, what was I supposed to tell the rest of his supporters after I gave you the port key that got you back here?" Harry stuttered, he hadn't really thought of it like that.

"Professor Snape has informed us of the incident last night Harry, and we all agree that he acted in the best possible way to defend his position in Voldemort's inner circle". Mister Weasley explained.

"I… I…"

"Please Mister Potter, we have important business to attend to, are you quite finished accusing me of being a traitor yet again?" Harry opened his mouth to protest but no words came out and he sat down, shame turning his face red. It was so hard trusting the Potions Master after what he'd seen on that tower.

Anyway, what I learned today is that the Dark Lord intends to start an occupation of Hogsmeade at dusk tomorrow. We as Order members need to make a choice whether to defend the town or leave it". Harry was outraged again and again didn't notice that dishes were clinking together as he stood.

'Of course we need to defend it, we can't just give it up, there are innocent people in that town and he's not going to care about hurting them if he has too".

"Yes Mister Potter, we are well aware of that". Snape said, dismissing Harry's opinion with a flick of his hair.

"Don't do that!" Harry shouted and this time the entire house rumbled.

"Don't do what mister Potter".

"Don't just dismiss me like you did at school, I have an opinion and it counts just as much as your does".

"Yes your opinion is in fact just as important as mine but unlike you I know my place and show the necessary respect for my elders when raising it". Harry felt his eyes bulge. How was it possible for Snap to treat him like that and have both Professor McGonagall and Mister Weasley look at him as though Snape was right. The decision was about Hogsmeade was cast to a vote and it was decided that they would defend the town, leaving Harry to feel like a bad mannered child.

"We have one more order of business". Professor McGonagall said after the vote, she took up her place at the head of the table again and frowned down at all those attending.

"Severus has brought with him two people who are seeking asylum from the Dark Lord". Harry caught Ron's eye and the red head frowned lightly, it seemed both of them thought this was the trouble they had expected.

"I want to cast this to a vote again". She stopped as Snape stepped knocked on the door and Remus and Tonks came back into the room. Professor McGonagall smiled at them and nodded.

"Good. As most of you may know granting asylum to someone from the other side of the war is a practice that is as old as war itself. I ask you to please remember Dumbledore as you cast your vote later, he was a kind man and he suggested this to both me and Severus about two months before he died. It is not Severus' idea". She looked pointedly at Harry and he blushed.

"Now, I must warn you that these people have been through hell and will need our support". Everyone nodded and waited for her to name the people who they now knew were standing right outside the kitchen door.

"Please raise your hand if you agree to give asylum to Narcissa and Draco Malfoy". Harry looked at the Professor and then at his friends, his mind reeling with the news. Neither of his friends could believe the words either and what was even more shocking was that apart from them all the hands around the table went up in agreement.

Before Harry could really digest the information the door opened and he saw Draco and his mother step into the room. His hate for the blonde boy burst to the surface.

"You can't be serious!" He screamed, getting to his feet too fast and his chair toppled to the ground behind. Again the house shook and this time the light flickered in tandem.

"I assure you, we are quite serious, Draco and Narcissa have betrayed the Dark side and their so called Dark Lord and are now fugitives, hunted much like you and your friends have been hunted for the past months". Professor McGonagall said, staring him down.

"No, you can't do this. This is my house, I do not want them here!". He expected the Malfoy's to respond to him but as he watched he saw Narcissa turn her face away from the people looking at her and to his utter horror he saw Molly step close to her and embrace the tall woman. Draco didn't even sneer at the words he simply looked at the floor and seemed to be trying to pretend he wasn't there.

"I agree with Harry, we can't have them here. They are probably spies, traitors just like Snape". Ron protested from beside them. Harry turned to look at his friends and noticed Hermione was frowning at them. Fine then, he decided, if she wasn't going to fight for this then he sure as hell would do it without her.

"Mister Potter…"

"No, I can't do this, we can't do this…"

"Harry, would you and Ron just shut the fuck up". Harry felt his eyes bulge again and turned to face Hermione, she was standing too, a fire in her eyes he had never seen before.

"What?" He stammered, still unsure he had heard her speak.

"You can't possibly agree with this". Ron said from the other side of her. She turned her head in his direction and Harry saw him shrink away from her eyes.

"We are here to help, this is what we do. So shut your damn mouths, Dumbledore said this would happen, it's his wish for us to help them, he died trying to protect Draco and now the two of you are to selfish and narrow minded to see past your own prejudices". Harry stared at her, dumbstruck, what the hell did she mean Dumbledore had died trying to protect Draco..

"Fine, do whatever the fuck you want". He said and stormed out of the room, lights flashing on and off as far as he went.

"Potter!" He heard the voice behind and squared his shoulders and kept on walking, he refused to let someone bully him into agreeing to this.

"Potter, I'm speaking to you". Harry grunted and turned around, coming face to face with the Potions Master, well it was face to chest rather as the black haired man was much taller than he was. He expected one of Snape's mean worded speeches but as he looked up he was amazed to see the usually angry face look almost caring, Harry also noticed the dark circles under the Professor's eyes for the first time as well as the newly acquired scar on his neck.

"You… You…" Snape seemed to have prepared a speech but now that he was actually faced with Harry he appeared to have forgotten what exactly it was he wanted to say.

"You have no idea what those people have been through Potter. Your friend was right, if you just take a moment to consider anyone apart from yourself then you will see it". Harry didn't know what to say, Snape really cared about the Malfoy's.

"How can I trust what you do?" Harry said, feeling oddly defeated.

"Because the headmaster trusted me".

"I know I should but after last night".

"I already explained myself Potter and what were you doing with Gryffindor's missing sword?"

"I can't tell you that, its between me and Dumbledore".

"Very well". Snape's face returned to it's mask of indifference and with a dramatic twirl of his robes he turned and walked back towards the kitchen.

"Professor Snape?"

"Yes Potter". Snape said as he turned around.

"What does Voldemort do with his snake, where does he keep it?" Harry asked, surely if Snape could really be trusted then he'd tell Harry the truth.

"What, why do you care?"

"I just need to know". Snape looked down at him for a second before taking four steps to again close the distance between them Standing close to Harry again the black clothes blocked out Harry's vision completely. Snape frowned as Harry looked up at him.

"You know don't you?" Snape asked, his eyes reflecting amazement and shock even though his face was perfectly expressionless.

"Know what?"

"Yes, quite". Snape said and walked away again. Harry looked after him in wonderment. Just before his former Professor reached the kitchen door he turned slightly in Harry's direction.

"He keeps her with him at all times, except during a battle when he releases her to terrorise his opponents". And with that he was gone from the hall.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N: Now that you have read the first chapter I would like to post a warning to my readers that there is going to be lot of violence in the next few chapters, I don't know how graphic it is going to be as of yet but it will be there.