Harry woke for the first time since he married without his husband groping him. He lay in a spooning position but Lucius' hand was on his hip. It was a nice change. He noticed it was still early even if Monday morning. His arm was still a bit stiff but he was grateful for Severus. He never thought in a million years he'd be saying that. But then again he never thought he would be saying he was friends with Draco. Or that he was married to Lucius. Or he had joined the Slytherin quidditch team. This year had changed it all. As he lay there he thought how much his life had changed. His mind drifted to his dads for a moment. He wondered how they were doing. He wondered if they were starting for a baby. They had been talking about it. He had been excited to be a big brother.
But he shook away that thought. He could not forgive them. The pain hurt too much. Even if he was making peace with his husband it did not change what they did. They had him walk into this marriage blindly. Lucius should have courted him properly. But Lucius was different. He expected better by his dads They claimed to love him. He wondered if they would do better by their children by birth. He once thought his blood did not matter to them. Maybe he had been wrong on that.
Lucius had woken behind him but Harry had been lost in thought. He did not notice Lucius wake. Usually Lucius would grope him and sink his teeth into his neck. But Lucius had kept to his word. He did not kiss Harry and while his hand moved from Harry's hip it went and ran through his husband's long curls.
Harry was brought out of his thoughts by the gentleness of the caress. "Morning."
Lucius smiled and gently drew Harry onto his back and kissed him but just a light brush. "Good morning my green eyed lion."
For some reason the term did not bother Harry as it had before. Maybe because there was none of the possessive tone to the voice. It was said with affection. Harry never thought to hear it. Maybe it had been there before. He had no idea. But he was willing to hear it this time. He was further surprised when he went to shower. It was a pleasant surprise his husband did not join him. He had almost forgotten what a shower by himself felt like. It was a nice feeling. He stayed in a bit longer. When he got out of the shower he found his husband and breakfast waiting for them.
Lucius motioned him to sit. "I'd like us to continue to have breakfast together so we can talk but you can have both lunch and dinner in the hall."
Harry had still been restricted to lunch as Lucius thought he had not learned manners yet. "At Slytherin? You're not going to make me sit with you?"
Lucius shook his head. He promised Harry could sit with Slytherin. And he reminded Harry he had removed the other restrictions. Harry could spend what time he wanted with Slytherin. And Lucius would not seethe if he was with Blaise. Or he would try to handle it better. He could not promise he would change right away. He was trying his best though. He had years of conditioning, a life time, to get past. He just hoped that Harry understood that. Or could come to understand that.
Lucius handed him a muffin. "I am going to do my best here with you. But remember our deal. You need to give me a chance. This is how I have been raised."
Harry took the muffin. "I told you I'd give you a chance Lucius. And I meant it. I don't see me ever caring like you want me to. But I'll give you a chance."
Lucius reached out and gently squeezed Harry's hand. For a moment he thought Harry might withdraw it. And for a moment Harry seriously almost did. But it remained in place. He finally took it back because he needed both hands to eat the breakfast. Harry could feel his husband's eyes on him. He did not look up. He could not deny his husband did have a gentler side to him. And maybe more then a human side to him. Severus was not so wrong after all. He might not tell the man that.
He was surprised when there was a knock at the door after. Severus came into the apartments. Lucius explained he wanted Severus to look at Harry's arm again. He did not like watching his husband in discomfort. And he could tell he was. Harry was used to being in pain. He was not used to having someone concerned about it.
Seeing Harry was about to protest Lucius stopped him. "There is the Halloween party tonight. If you don't let Sev I will take you to Madam Pomfrey instead."
Severus added. "She will likely order you to some rest and the headmaster will hear and you'll spend time in his office explaining what has happened."
They both knew Harry did not want to report it. They had assured him he would not have to. As long as he told them if something happened. They wanted him safe. As odd as it seemed to Severus he was starting to feel like a father almost to Harry. Or at least a father figure. He had the same need to protect him like he did Draco. He knew it was his friendship with Lily. And likely his friendship with Remus from school as well. He knew how desperately Remus wanted to be there for his son. One of his friends could not be there because she was dead. The other could not be because of a mistake. But Severus was there for Harry. He'd at least keep him safe.
Harry submitted to his care. Severus was not surprised they won without a fight. The dance would not have been enough. Harry just did not want to go near Poppy. Severus massaged his arm with some more bruise cream. He could not believe Harry had managed to ply like this. And then rebandged his arm for him.
Severus got up. "You are to remember your promise. No more of this misplaced loyalty to him. He hurts you again, you tell me or your husband about it."
His tone had brokered no argument and he got none. "I will."
Believing him Severus took his leave. He hoped it would be Lucius Harry went to. The two would be married for life. They really needed to find peace. And Harry turning to his husband for help would be a start. He could see something had changed between the two. He was not sure what had happened but he was glad for it. Lucius was his best friend, his brother. He wanted him and Harry happy. He just hoped thy could get their heads out of their asses and work together on being so.
Lucius stopped him before he headed for class. "I would prefer if you'd stay close to Draco or even Blaise. I don't want you to give Ron a chance to try again."
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Harry sat down between Draco and Blaise at lunch. They were surprised to learn when he told them he would be having dinner with them now. And that his restrictions on being in Slytherin with them were lifted. Any tension left with his new house was gone since he had won the game for them on Saturday. Those his age he had already become friends with. He even started calling the goons Vince and Greg instead of their last name. And he admitted they did have more then muscles. Blaise and now Draco were still his only ones he would really call friends or good ones but the others were growing on him. Even Pansy.
Draco smirked. "What did you do to convince my dad that you should be let off your leash?"
Harry shrugged. "I promised not to disappear into any dark alcoves with Greg. You know I still might have to rely on you to help. Greg is such a draw."
Even Greg was laughing at that. He had become used to the excuse. And he often made jokes himself now. He had a pretty good sense of humour when he was given half a chance Harry had found out. He realized that he had never really given Slytherin much of a chance. He knew Ron's talk about all of them being future dark wizards had probably been part of the reason for that.
Harry looked at Blaise as they headed for the afternoon classes. "You don't have to be worried about my husband trying to hex you. But no snogging unfortunately."
Blaise tried to look serious. "You ruined my plans for the party tonight. I was planning on the two of us spending some quality time in one of those lovely alcoves."
Harry started laughing. They had both never flirted. Harry had made it clear with Blaise that he was not flirting from day one and Blaise assured him he had known. Harry hoped at least at Christmas it meant Blaise would be able to come over. He was not sure if he would get to see anyone else. He had written to the twins a lot but at school he was not able to see them. He remembered after his birthday Blaise had not been invited to the manor. But his husband swore that would change.