A/N: I don't which one of your made a deal with my Muse, but she was a little bit kinder to me...and so you now have an instant new chapter! (Seriously, whoever bribed my Muse, please continue to do so. lol) It's a bit of a shorty, but I needed to drop a few tidbits to you before I could go into the next part. ( I totally know that sentence makes no sense to anyone but me right now. But you'll see in the next chapter what I meant.)

Major thanks to everyone who has Fav'd and Alerted this diddy. It's the most I've ever had and it totally blows my mind.

Extra Uber mega thanks to:

carrie fischer, Agnieszka-luv-HP ,panda-ryuu-chan ,Suzie74 ,Penelope Elizabeth Anne Snape , Nocturnal Rose ,A Being Of Violet Fire , Darlin'Roses ,ryouXichigo-lover ,joytiger ,hedwighoots,Pitch Black Summer ,Justpucky ,randomshoes42 ,Lady DestinyHope ,Michally ,SeverusSnapePrincess10 ,fairyprincess91 ,Badbonita ,AlmondWithUnicornHair , and amaya luner for reviewing!

I'm going to do something that I don't do a lot..I'm going to try to answer some of your comments!

Lady DestinyHope- I honestly don't know yet. I know that sounds like I'm trying to be coy, but I really haven't decided if it's going to be Snarry or a Triad in the end. I may leave that up to you guys. Def. know that Luc, Sev, and Harry are the major triangle in this story.

randomshoes42- Thanks for thinking I don't suck giant monkey balls. :oD

Justpucky- The Sexuality Status in the Announcement will say whatever the person listed thinks and won't lock until they are 17. Since Harry didn't know until 2 days before, his status said Het until then. In my mind, everyone figures out their sexuality by 17. (Ha! I know...not the case in real life, but this is totally fiction! lol)

A Being Of Violet Fire- You totally put a dirty little seed into my head. I completely blame you for the mayhem that will result from you're comment. lol. It's going to be wicked fun. hehe. And don't worry...Ron and Harry will be friends again. (I know spoiler...but there you go. They stay friends.)

Penelope Elizabeth Anne Snape- You'll find out in this chapter how Luc can court Harry.

Suzie74-That riding comment made me laugh out loud and scare my poor cat at 3 a.m. (And maybe that might happen. I've thought about it. :oD)

Agnieszka-luv-HP- In my head I see it as two kisses. The first one being just a press of lips, the second being an all out french kiss. I dunno. That's how I see it. lol And maybe an older Weasley puts in a bid...maybe not. you'll just have to see.

Anyway...

Thank you all so very, very much for following me on this story. I seriously write for you guys. Without you...there'd really be no point.

I hope you like it!

~Belladonna~

Harry gawked at the paper in his hand. Lucius Malfoy couldn't seriously be interested in courting him. This had to be some sort of practical joke sent by the twins. As far as he knew, Narcissa hadn't died recently, so how could this even possible? Could a married man court him and if he could, how would that work? Would he be married to both the husband and the wife? What if he had a Consort and a Husband? Would they all marry each other? He was going to have to read that book Hermione sent him to make sure this was even legal.

Aside from all of that, this man was the father of his arch nemesis and a known Death Eater. For Merlin's sake, Malfoy had tried to cast a killing curse on him over the loss of his house elf, but now he wanted to share tea and biscuits and go steady?

"I don't believe it, Mooney. I just can't believe it. I can't believe you believe it!" Harry heard Sirius bellowed.

"Paddy, I know you don't want to, but it's true. You know it is. You saw his memories and Dumbledore isn't a fool. If he believes him, then it's the truth."

Sirius growled. It was never a good sign when his godfather slipped into dog-like mannerisms.

"Sometimes, I think Dumbledore has gone barmy! I mean, look at the horrible muggles he left Harry with! If the man didn't have the sense to see that those people were the worst sort of muggles seventeen years ago, how can he see this for the lie that it is now? I just can't believe it. The man is a Death Eater, Mooney! No good can come from trusting him. Nothing! I'd trust Snape first!"

"Sirius, I know it's more than shocking, but it's the truth. You know it is, as much as you want to deny it."

Remus carded a hand through his tawny coloured locks.

"You have to feel more than a bit sorry for him. He's lost close to the last thirty years of his life. Can you even imagine? One day you're seventeen with your whole life ahead of you, the next you're over forty. You of all people should be able to sympathize with losing a piece of your life."

Hurt flashed across his godfather's face. "It's not the same, Mooney," he sighed. "Anyway, isn't that the excuse that he used during the last war?" Sirius huffed. "Which time was real? Hmm? You tell me? Then or now?"

Remus sighed. "Paddy, you saw the memories. You saw him! The way he carries himself is different than before. Couldn't you see it? "

"No, he looked as snobby as before. A great big stick up his bum."

"Don't lie to me, Sirius. I can always smell your lies. I know you could tell a difference. Even Draco didn't know. His own son! It would be horrible to realize that the father you had known all your life, was a puppet controlled by your mother."

"You saw what they did to him, what they made him do. It must be horrible to know that your own hands committed such awful acts, but that you had no control over them. I wish you would stop being a petulant child about this whole thing-"

"Remus, you've always been too—" Sirius began as Harry descended the stairs and interrupted him.

"Who are you two talking about?"

"Lucius Malfoy," Sirius spat the name out like it was poisonous.

"What about him?" Harry was more than a bit curious.

"He-" his godfather began before Remus interrupted him.

"I think we should wait until Snape joins us. Dumbledore told us to inform him as well. This turn of events affects everyone in the Order."

Sirius sunk into the large plush chair near the fireplace and sulked. "Alright Remus, alright. I'll wait to continue ranting until Snivelly joins us."

Now that Malfoy Sr had sent his Declaration, Harry had a vested interest in any information about. Maybe they would be able to explain why someone who was an emeny would want to court him.

"This had better be important wolf," Snape grumbled as he crossed the room, robes billowing. Harry's breath hitched involuntary as his professor sat close beside him on the sofa. He desperately tried to hide the blush that threatened to creep up his face at the memory of their kiss. Harry's hands itched to stroke the fabric of Snape's robes, to feel the warmth of his body, to feel that wicked tongue plunder his mouth. To have him—

"Severus, we have some important news regarding Lucius Malfoy," Remus began. "It seems the man…well… to put it bluntly, escaped from his wife a few months ago."

Snape's brow arched. "Escaped? "

"Yes. It seems that their entire marriage was, well apparently Lucius was little more than a slave. She has had him under Imperious for almost thirty years. He only recently threw off the spell in its entirety and sought sanctuary with Dumbledore. I have to hand it to the Headmaster, he knows how to keep a secret. Apparently, Dumbledore and Poppy have been nursing the man back to health since the end of last term."

Harry gasped. "I can't believe it!"

"I can't either," Sirius mumbled.

Snape's face showed nothing, not even his normal sneer.

"Abraxas, Lucius' father, wanted his son to wed Narcissa to cement ties to the Black Family. When he discovered that Lucius was a homosexual, he cast Imperious on him before the Courting Announcement was posted and forced him to accept her courtship offer. After the wedding, his father told Narcissa what he had done and she decided to continue to keep him under."

How could a man put his own son under such an awful spell? How could someone keep the person they claimed to love under like that? It was horrendous to even contemplate. Harry turned to look at Snape. His breath caught in his throat at the pain he saw in the older man's eyes.

"Lucius told Dumbledore that there were times he managed to throw off the curse, but Narcissa would drug him and cast it again."

"I think it's a load of bollocks!" Sirius grumbled. "I think he's lying. He used this same excuse during the last war. He was under Imperious, blah blah blah! I swear this is a plot to get an active Death Eater in our ranks. I just know it!"

"No," Snape said quietly. "No. I do not believe that is the case."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Of course you would believe him, you two being best mates and all. It's a plot I tell you. I just know it."

"Of course you think it's a plot, you mangy mongrel. Your time in Azkaban didn't do you any favors in the area of rational perspicacity," Snape spat viciously.

Standing gracefully, Snape walked over to the mantle, the tension in his body swirling around him like a suit of armor.

"I have known Lucius and his family since our school days. He and I have been… close for many years. I am Draco's godfather after all."

This was news to Harry. He had always seen how Snape tended to favor Draco in class, but he hadn't realized that it went deeper than a normal student-teacher relationship.

"I had the misfortune to be acquainted with Abraxas Malfoy in my youth. He was a horrible man. He hated homosexuals and muggles. Pure bloodlines were his only concern. He wouldn't have tolerated Lucius marrying a man or anyone of mixed parentage. I have no doubt that he would have gone to any lengths to make sure his son did his bidding."

"So what if Abarxas made him marry a woman! That doesn't change the fact that he joined the ranks of the Death Eaters. He did that all on his own," Sirius smugly commented.

"No, I think his father had control of that as well. Lucius didn't join Voldemort until he was twenty. Before he married, Lucius never spoke out against muggles, muggle-born witches and wizards, or those of us with mixed parentage."

A long-fingered hand rubbed his lips and chin. "It finally makes sense. I always—" Snape whispered.

"Always wondered what? Why your boyfriend up and dumped you?" Sirius sneered.

Snape whirled around and glared at Sirius with thinly veiled hatred.

Everyone's eyes went wide. Was Sirius right? Had Snape and Malfoy been an item?

"Bu-but you were only…and he was…bloody hell that's sick," Sirius spat.

"I'll not dignify your foul comments with an answer, Black. Being his friend since my first year, I had always wondered about his radical change in preference and beliefs. I was too young to fully understand the changes that I saw in his behavior, maybe if I had…"

Harry stood and placed a gentle hand on his professor's shoulder. He didn't know what compelled him to touch the man in such an intimate way. All he knew was that he hated the seldom shown vulnerability he saw radiating from Snape.

"It's not your fault," Harry whispered softly, grateful that Snape hadn't thrown off his touch. An overly loud cough broke the moment.

"What news of Narcissa? Have they captured her?" Snape inquired cooly.

"No," Remus replied. "Unfortunately, they haven't been able to located her."

"So, what does this mean for Mr. Malfoy? Is he going to stay at the Manor or are they going to hide him away somewhere?" asked Harry.

"His divorce from Narcissa should be final in the next few days. Once that is done, he will stay at the manor, since it is his. The Order along with a few Aurors, will re-ward the house and grounds. No one wants Voldemort or his ex-wife to just pop up there."

"So, he's defecting from the Death Eaters?" Harry asked

Remus nodded his head. "Yes, quite adamantly. He's quote remorseful for the acts that he committed while under the spell. He wants to join the Order as penance. I think it's quite brave of him to want tot try to make amends."

"I think it's bloody bollocks. I still say it's a trap," grumbled Sirius.

Harry, unconsciously, mimicked Snape's trademark cocked brow.

"Really Sirius, you're starting to sound like Mad-eye. Not everything is a plot." Harry held up his hand cutting off his godfather's retort.

"If Remus and Dumbledore trust him, then so do I. A good thing too, since he sent me a Declaration," Harry said breezily.

"He WHAT?!" Sirius bellowed.

"He sent me a declaration. He was the second in fact. The first was from Professor Snape."

Sirius' face turned the most violent shade of purple.

"Snape!" he squeaked. "Lucius Malfoy and Snivilley sent you Declarations? They're both old enough to be your father! You have to decline when the time comes. No godson of mine will marry a Death Eater. Anyone is better than those two!"

Harry and Remus shook their heads. Sometimes Sirius acted like a two year old. Today was one of those days.

"I don't think so," Harry replied with a teasing smirk. "I think both of their suits are intriguing. I'm not going to decline them because you don't like them."

"Yes, you should play nice Paddy, who knows? Harry could end up marrying one of them," Remus goaded with a smile.

"Or both of us," Snape chimed in.

Sirius abruptly stood and stalked towards the door. "Has the whole world gone bloody mad?"

"Sirius, why don't you take a walk?" Remus sighed in exasperation.

"Yes, please. Don't forget to take your leash and be sure not to cross paths with any females. It's bad enough that you exist. We don't need any more mutts running about," Snape sneered.

Remus stood pushing Sirus into the kitchen. "Don't. Go. Now," he growled, his normally gentle eyes gaining a wild tint. With clenched fists, he exited.

"Was that really necessary? Couldn't you try to get along with him? Even if it's just for a short while," Harry asked in frustration.

Snape had the grace to look mildly sheepish. " It is...difficult to break one's bad habits. I will endeavor to try."

"Thank you."

"Lupin, is Lucius still at Hogwarts?" inquired Snape.

"I believe so. The Headmaster would know better than I."

"How very wise of you to acknowledge that fact," Snape dryly replied. "If you will excuse me, I must speak with Dumbledore. Lupin. Harry."

He gave a curt bow to Harry before grabbing a hand full of Floo powder and disappearing into a flash of acid green flame.

Butterflies filled Harry's stomach. Snape had called him Harry, again, and apologized in his Snapeish way. He didn't know why that made his insides flutter, but it did. Severus Snape was going to be the death of him, he was very sure of it.

"So... Severus and Lucius have sent Declarations? That's interesting," Remus commented once they were alone.

"Yes, it took me by surprise as well." Harry blushed, remembering the way in which Snape had delivered his suit.

"Has anyone else sent one?"

"Not yet. Do you think it's odd that they sent me Declarations? D-do you think I should decline them when it's time?"

"It's not my place to tell you whom you should be with. This has to be your decision. The outcome of this will change the rest of your life. Just trust your instincts, follow your heart. You'll know when the time comes." Remus suddenly clapped his hands. "Now, enough of all this serious talk. I promised you a cake when I returned and cake you shall have."

Harry hopped off the couch and followed him into the kitchen. On the table sat the most beautiful cake had ever seen decked with seventeen gold candles. Each candle flickered with a red flame. It almost seemed a shame to blow them out.

"Molly sent it over, "Remus said with a smile. "Happy Birthday, Harry. I know it has been a day full of surprises and changes, but I have a feeling everything will work out in the end."

"Thank you, Remus," Harry replied sincerely.

"Make a wish."

Harry closed his eyes and thought about what to wish for. Suddenly, a flash of onyx eyes and silver-blonde hair flitted through his mind and he blew out the candles in surprise.