I'm back: sorry it took a while but as I said, I'm a VERY busy person and probably won't be able to update for a while after this one… I would love to thank those who have been waiting steadfastly for this chapter and for your encouragement.

Warning: this chapter contains lunch, a (very annoying) house elf, swearing and snuggling.

CHAPTER 4: THE STUDY

It had been a month since Harry remembered the Potter-Malfoy Truce; it took a while for Harry to adjust to calling Lucius by name. He had numerous dreams of Lucius and his son coming over for lunch or exchanging jokes with Remus in the study.

So far, Harry and Lucius have become good acquaintances but Harry could not help feeling a sense of tension between Sirius and The Malfoys. Whenever Harry asks about their whereabouts, Sirius would walk out of the room in a huff or change the subject immediately.

Now Harry, Sirius and Remus sat at the table eating the lunch Buggy had prepared for them. Today was a beautiful Monday afternoon and Sirius was in a good mood, so Harry decided to take a risk.

"So, Sirius." Harry started casually. "I have been meaning to ask you this for a while…"

Said man looked up from his food and raised a questioning eyebrow.

"What do you have against The Malfoys?" Harry continued.

Sirius smirked. "Other than the fact that they are good for nothing scumbags, I have nothing against them." He said coldly, making Remus cast a warning look to Sirius.

Harry frowned. That doesn't make sense.

"Why would you say that: did you argue or something?" Harry asked.

Sirius sighed and shook his head. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Why not?" Harry pressed.

"Because I don't." Sirius replied coolly.

"So now you're keeping secrets from me?" Harry asked wryly.

Sirius glared at Harry. "It's for your own good."

"I'm twenty-one years old." Harry cried. "I think I know what is and isn't good for…"

Sirius banged his fist on the table. "Why can't you get it in that stubborn head of yours that I'm trying to protect you?" He growled.

Harry stood quickly, trying to avoid his drink that spilt over the table due to his godfather's tirade.

"Protect me from what, exactly: Lucius?" Harry snarled. "I thought we made a truce with them and from what I can remember, they have done nothing to us: why are you acting like this?"

Sirius kept quiet and Remus placed his hand on his partner's.

Harry watched the gesture and cocked his head. "It related to my amnesia, isn't it?" he asked.

"Harry, drop it." Remus said.

"But…" Harry started to protest.

"Now." Remus tone was final.

Harry stared, startled, at the two men in front of him and then huffed.

"Fine." With that, he walked out of the dining room, grabbed his jacket and went for a walk. This time, he remembered to bring his wand.

000

Stupid Sirius, stupid Remus, stupid amnesia. Harry thought angrily to himself.

It was already nearing dusk; since the moment he left Grimmauld Place, he allowed his legs to take him where they may: he just needed time to think.

Why can't someone just give me a bloody straight answer? And as if on cue, his legs stopped walking. Harry frowned at his feet and looked up, The Malfoy Manor, in all its splendor, stood in front of Harry.

Before harry could question himself, his legs started moving again; past the gate, through the garden and to the front door. His hand lifted itself to knock on the heavy wood but Harry stopped himself.

What the fuck am I doing? He asked himself. This is madness, as if Mal… Lucius will give me the answers.

He backed away and started to turn when he door opened and a house elf peered out at him.

"Master Potter is coming back." The elf said in awe.

Master? Coming back? Harry was about to ask the elf but someone came along and shooed the elf away.

"Honestly, don't you know it rude to keep guest wait…" Draco trailed off when he saw Harry.

They stood staring at each other; Draco, with his out open and Harry stunned at how handsome Draco had become. Harry had not seen him since the day he hex him and from the memories he has had so far, Draco was not in many of them. Now, he felt like he was seeing the blonde for the first time.

"Uh, sorry to disturb you." Harry said lamely.

Draco seemed to snap out of his reverie. "N-no problem." He stuttered.

Harry raised a brow when a voice, which sounded strangely like Lucius', ran through his head. Malfoys do not stutter.

"Please come in." Draco said and stepped aside.

Harry obeyed and nodded politely to Draco. As the blonde lead him through the mansion, Harry could not help but stare in astonishment.

The foyer was wide with white marble on the floor and wall with portraits of past Malfoys and a green carpet with the Malfoy crest, lay in the middle of the room. The high ceiling was decorated with a few floral designs here and there and an exquisite chandelier hung in the middle of what Harry assumed was a ballroom.

Draco led him to a study; the room was decorated with elegant and dark, earthy pieces and colors and a roaring fire under the marble mantle, added to its appeal.

Draco gestured for him to sit. "So Harry, what are you doing here?" he asked, sitting on the table by a wide window.

"First of all, I want to apologize for what happened last month." Harry said, sitting on a loveseat.

Draco waved his hand dismissively. "It's no problem really." He said. "It was kind of a relief to see the old you again."

Harry smiled and blushed a little bit. "I also came here for answers." He said. "Where's Lucius?"

"Hey, I may not be my father but I am a great listener." Draco cried and smirked as Harry blushed again in embarrassment. "Old Siri not giving you what you need?"

Harry sighed and shook his head. "No, in fact, he's adding more questions to the list."

Harry narrated what happened in the dining room and sighed. "I know I'm supposed to remember myself but…uggh." He scrunched his face and buried it in his hands.

Draco hummed sympathetically. "I would love to help you, Harry." He said. "But Hermione gave strict orders that…"

"I know." Harry snapped a bit harsher than he intended. "Sorry: it's just… I'm so confused. Sirius was one-hundred percent for the truce and now… I feel so clueless." He finished with a sigh.

Draco laughed darkly. "Leave it to him to screw things up."

The venom in Draco's voice caused Harry to glare at the blonde. "Hey, that's my godfather you're talking about."

Draco shrugged. "So?"

Harry narrowed his eyes and stood to leave. "To think I thought you'd changed." He mumbled.

"Wait!" Draco shouted and grabbed his hand.

As their hands touched, Harry gasped as images of him and Draco laughing together surfaced in his mind. Draco, however, was oblivious to the myriad of emotions that played on Harry's face.

"I'm sorry." Draco pleaded using his other hand to grab Harry's shoulder. "Force of habit and all."

All Harry could do was nod and allow himself to be steered towards the loveseat he once occupied.

Draco frowned and sat beside Harry. "Are you okay, Harry? You look a bit pale."

Harry nodded. "I'm fine." He breathed.

"Are you sure?" Draco pressed, placing his palm on Harry's forehead just as Lucius had done a month ago.

Harry tried to protest but his mouth grew dry as Draco leaned in unconsciously. He could feel the blonde's breath on his lips. His touch set Harry's body alight but not like Lucius; he felt safe and at peace with Lucius but with Draco, he felt… alive: like hot lava running through his veins.

Draco then looked into his eyes.

Beautiful. They both thought as silver met emerald. His eyes travelled down to Harry's lips and back up while his hand, which was once on Harry's fore head, was now cupping his cheek.

"Harry." Draco whispered.

They got closer and Harry closed his eyes: it felt so natural. Their lips were close enough to only just brush against each other and…

"Master Draco." A house elf said, causing Draco and Harry to fly apart.

Harry touched his lips with a shaky hand and Draco gulped. What have I done? He thought in dismay.

"I…I'm sorry." Harry said standing up again and starting for the door.

"No!" Draco cried and ran after him. "Please, Harry stay."

Harry continued briskly to the door, not even sparing the blonde a glance. "Thank you for your time, Draco but I'm afraid I should be heading home." With that, Harry fled leaving behind a devastated Draco Malfoy at his doorstep.

000

It was ten in the evening and Harry was still not home. Sirius was pacing from one side of the study to another while Remus was on the couch fidgeting with his thumbs.

"Oh, Remus." Sirius cried. "I'm worried."

"Harry is old enough to take care of himself, Sirius. I'm sure he's fine." Remus reassured Sirius as well as himself.

This was the first time Harry was out alone since the accident. So, Sirius was pretty sure he had a good reason to worry.

Sirius sighed and sat down beside his partner. "Harry hates being bossed around; so many people have controlled him for such a long time and… I feel like I am as well."

"Come here." Remus said with open arms and Sirius obeyed, climbing into his lover's lap and rested his head on the werewolf's shoulder.

"It's okay, Sirius." Remus said, rubbing Sirius' arm. "Harry will be home before you know it."

Sirius nodded and snuggled deeper into Remus' shoulder while the werewolf tightened his hold on him.

A few moments later, they heard the door open and jumped off the couch. They arrived at the door just as Harry hung his jacket back on its peg.

"Harry!" Sirius ran forward and hugged his very confused godson.

"Uh, hey, Sirius." Harry said, dumbfounded. "I missed you too?"

Sirius blinked and released Harry with a sheepish smile, causing Remus to chuckle. "Sorry, cub."

"I'm sorry too." Harry said. "About this afternoon. I was just so frustrated; I hate not knowing things."

"It's okay, son." Sirius reassured the same time Remus said, "It's understandable."

"Come on, dinner is waiting." Sirius started to lead Harry to the kitchen but said boy maneuvered gently out of his godfather's grip.

"Sorry, Siri." Harry said. "I'm not hungry."

"But you didn't finish your lunch." Remus cried.

"I got myself some food while I was out." Harry lied. I thought you had stopped lying, Harry. His conscious practically sang.

Harry scowled inwardly at it because, it was right…again: he had found no reason to lie since the war was over… until today.

"And I'm tired." That part was true.

Remus and Sirius exchanged a look that Harry missed.

"Alright." Sirius said reluctantly. "Goodnight, Harry."

"Goodnight." Harry said and ran up the stairs to his room.

Sirius gave Remus a panicked look. "Should we call Hermione?"

Remus shook his head. "Not yet: let's observe him for a while and see what happens."

Sirius nodded albeit a nagging sensation in the back of his head: dread.

A/N: Dun dun dun. What will happen next? Who knows, I may decide to kill Harry in the next chapter or I could send in a break-dancing polar bear but both are highly unlikely.

I was thinking of maybe writing a one-shot about how Sirius and Remus hooked up. What do you think? I can't know if you don't tell me. Leave a review!