Author's note: Just to give you something you haven't read before (at least those who have read "The Sylph(s)" the 1st time around)


Chapter 7

"So you mean that if you add lavender you avoid the hiccupping effect?" Harry asked and Draco nodded.
"Yes. It's the same as with peppermint in the elixir to induce euphoria. There it counters excessive singing and nose-tweaking side-effects." Draco explained.
"Wow. I can't believe I never understood this before. It's a complicated subject but once you find someone who explains it properly it's quite simple. How did you learn all of this?"

Draco chuckled. "Father explained it to me. So we've actually learned it from the same person."
Harry frowned. "He never explained it like this in school."
"That's right he didn't. But you know that and why he couldn't right?"

Harry nodded. "Yes."
"So I think you've understood this year quite well. All you can do about it now is learn it by heart. I won't be able to help you with that. How about we stop for today? It's already seven o'clock and there is no use in starting fifth year now." Draco said.
It was Thursday evening and they had been studying for six hours with only a small break at about four o'clock.

"Oh shit. I'm so sorry Draco." Harry said apologetically. "I'm sure you have better things to do the evening before your birthday."
Draco sighed. "Harry. How often do I have to say it again? I like helping you and spending time with you."
Harry smiled at him shyly.
"So you're definitely coming to my dinner party on Saturday right?" Draco asked and Harry nodded.

"Of course I am Draco. But you already asked me that about ten times."
"Just trying to make sure that you're not going to miss it." Draco winked at him causing Harry to blush for what felt like the millionth time in just a few days.

"How is your shop coming along?" Harry asked in order to change the topic.
He loved the happy expression that appeared on Dracos face.
"It's going really well. I managed to get good rooms in Diagon Alley. The only thing that might be problematic is that they are across the street from WWW's. Do you know if the twins share the weird believes of their siblings?"

During their first study session, Harry had told Draco about what had happened with Ron, Hermione and Ginny.
"I don't think so. You know that I can't be sure because, let's be honest, I can't be sure about anything that happened since I entered the wizarding world. But if I think about everything I know about the twins … I think I would have become their friend nevertheless.

They were always different from Ron, Ginny and Percy. I can only hope that this means that they really are what I thought them to be." he couldn't help but sound a little depressed.
He knew that he wasn't too upset about Ron and Hermione but he couldn't help but wonder if he could trust anyone at all.

He suddenly felt the couch next to him drop and a warm arm around his shoulder.
"I know that you're unsure about whom to trust after what happened and it might take some time to learn how to handle this but you know that my parents and I, as well as your godparents, are always going to be there for you right?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. Thanks Draco. For helping me and all that."
"You're still welcome Harry." Draco said and rubbed Harrys arm comfortingly.
Harry felt butterflies flying around in his stomach.
He looked up at Draco shyly. "Draco can I ask you something?"
"Sure. Is something wrong?"
"No there's just something I've been wondering about. I hope you won't be insulted by this but why are you hosting a dinner party?"

"What do you mean by that?" Draco asked, looking confused.
"I mean … I know that you and your father had to play a role during the war but I had the impression that things like your pride and social standing were very important for you nevertheless. I would think that you would host more than I dinner party." Harry looked down at his hands, afraid that he had insulted the blonde.

He was relieved when the blonde smiled at him. "Don't worry Harry I'm not insulted. You're right. It is important for us but you have to realize that many of the people that I associated with during school weren't really my friends. Like you said, there was an image I had to keep up. I think it would be quite embarrassing to host a party for just a handful of people don't you think?"
"You know that that's not important, right? I mean how many friends you have." Draco nodded. "Yes the logical part of me knows that it's not important but … I don't know. Maybe it's just my pride." he chuckled softly.

"So who is going to come?" Harry asked.
"Just a few friends and family. Father and dad are obviously going to be there. Narcissa will come and of course you, Sirius and Remus. From school there'll be Blaise and Theo."

"I meant to ask this before. I know that the Zabinis were neutral but what about the Notts? Wasn't Nott Sr. a Deatheater?"
Draco nodded. "Yes. Theo's father was a Deatheater but his mother wasn't. She was forced to marry his father just like my dad was forced to marry Narcissa. Theo was supposed to receive the Dark Mark the summer before our seventh year but his mother took him away from their manor one night while his father was in a meeting with Voldemort. They went into hiding somewhere in Germany and didn't come back until after they found out that both Voldemort and Theo's father were dead."

"I see. Is that why he took his NEWTS at the Ministry?"
"Yes. He studied on his own while he was in hiding and took them in May when he came back."
"Did he already receive his marks?" Harry asked.
"Yes. It took them about two weeks I think."
"Two weeks? But I won't have two weeks." Harry said, alarmed.

"Two things Harry. One, most of those who went into hiding and had to take their NEWTS at the Ministry took them shortly after Voldemort died. Two, I know you don't like it but you're Harry Potter. You will get your results within the weekend."
Harry sighed in frustration.

"I hate this. I wonder when people will stop treating me as if I was anything special."
He felt the arm around his shoulders again and was pressed into Draco's side soon after.
"You are special Harry. No matter what anyone might have told you or might still tell you. Do you think I would study Potions for six hours with hardly a break with just anyone? Of course I wouldn't."

Harry blushed and looked at his lap but long, soft fingers on his chin soon lifted his head and he looked into stormy grey eyes.
"What do I have to do to convince you of that?" he asked softly.
Harry tried to answer but no words left his mouth. All he could do was stare at the grey eyes of the person that still had one arm around him. He distinctly felt how Draco's hand left his chin and brushed a streak of hair out of his face before he cradled Harrys face and started leaning forward.
Harry's heart started to beat faster and faster. Oh my god! He's going to kiss me. Ohmygodohmygodohmygooooood!
He closed his eyes and felt warm breath just in front of his mouth when -

*POP*
"Dobby is being sorry that Dobby is interrupting Sir and his guest but Mister Lupin be sending me to tell you that dinner is being ready and that Mister Malfoy is welcome to join them."

Seriously? You've GOT to be kidding me!

He thought he heard Draco groan before he pulled away.
"Why did you keep that elf again?" Draco asked and Harry laughed softly.
He stood up and looked back at Draco with slightly tinted cheeks.
"Are you going to join us?"
Draco shook his head. "No, thank you. I still have a lot to do for the apothecary before my birthday."
"Do you need any help?"
"It's only boring paperwork Harry but thanks for offering."


They walked out of the flat and downstairs. Draco hugged Harry goodbye and left the house via floo.
Harry walked into the kitchen and dropped into a seat with a loud sight.
"What wrong cub?" Remus asked while offering Harry a bowl with potatoes.
"I don't like you anymore." Harry murmured while picking at his food.
"Why's that?" Sirius asked curiously. "Did we do something?"
"Yes."
"What?" Sirius asked again.
"You sent Dobby to get me for dinner."

Sirius frowned. "Why is that … aaah. Bad timing?"
Harry simply glared at him and Remus chuckled. "I'm sorry Harry. Had I known that you wanted to be left alone I would have never sent him."
"No it's alright it's nobody's fault."
"What happened exactly?" Sirius asked.
"He was about to kiss me when Dobby interrupted us." Harry mumbled.
"Oh no that sucks! Why did he leave?" Remus asked.
"He still had to do some paperwork for his shop."
"Oh yes, I imagine that there's a lot he had to do. Severus told me that he wanted to know it as soon as he could."

They ate in silence for a while before Remus spoke up again.
"How was work today?" he asked his mate.
"Don't ask me." Sirius asked with an annoyed snort. "I had to fire Tracy today. She's absolutely useless and she wouldn't stop hitting on me."

Remus growled darkly. " .WHAT?" he practically barked out.
Sirius looked at his plate. "She … ehrm … kept hitting on me."
"And why didn't you tell me about this?" Remus asked sharply.

Harry watched half in fascination and half in shock how his godfather's entire behavior changed from one second to another.
"I'm sorry Remy." he kept his eyes down and bared his neck slightly.
"You know that it means nothing. You're my mate. You're the only one I've ever wanted to be with and will ever want to be with. And even if that wasn't the case … you know that I'm not into women."

Remus sighed deeply and rubbed his temples. "It's okay Siri. It's not your fault. I know that you don't want someone other than me. It's just the werewolf, … sometimes I can't help it."
Sirius smiled at his mate shyly. "It's okay Remy. I should have told you."

Remus just nodded. "So you fired her?"
Sirius nodded. "Yes. Like I said she was useless. I'm glad she's gone. The only problem I have now is that I will have to find a new assistant on short notice that is enthusiastic about the Department but also capable and reliable." he looked at Remus and smiled softly. "And preferably won't flirt with me all the time."

"I might know someone Sirius." Harry said.
Sirius looked surprised. "Who?"
"Alicia Spinnet. I met her when I went to the Ministry on Monday and we talked about her career for a while. I know her because she was on the Gryffindor team with me and she played for the Hollyhead Harpies after her graduation. She had to leave them because she got injured and won't be able to play anymore."

"What do you know about her?" Sirius asked.
"She is crazy about Quidditch. Everyone on the original team was. She also knows a lot about things other than the game itself since the played professionally for one and a half year. She's funny but she can be professional when she has to be and I can guarantee you that she won't hit on you since she's been happily dating George Weasley for about three years."

"That sounds good. Do you think she would take the job?" Sirius asked and Harry nodded.
"She told me that she would like to work in your Department but that it was very hard to get into it. I'm sure that she would practically jump at the idea."
"Could you contact her for me?"

"Sure. What do you want me to tell her?"
"Just about the offer and that she should come around my office around lunch time tomorrow should she really be interested." he turned towards Remus.
"I'm sorry but that will mean that I won't be able to come home for lunch tomorrow."

Remus just smiled and pressed a kiss against his mate's cheek. "That's alright. I know how urgent this is love."
Harry watched his godparents with a smile on his face.
He could only hope that, someday, he would find what they had.


Please be nice people that would like to motivate me with reviews?

~Waliingb