Harry was sitting on the couch scratching Seeker behind the ears the next morning, waiting for the door to open. He wasn't sure if he was worried about seeing Viktor or if he was anxious to see him. He realized it was a bit of both.

The painting eventually swung open and Viktor came in. He was scared he'd see disgust or pity in Viktor's eyes but he saw neither. "Harry."

Harry managed one of his first genuine smiles in a long time. "Viktor. I missed you."

Viktor came across and sat on the coffee table across from him. "I have missed you so much Harry. I never realized I could miss someone's smile like I did yours."

"I'm sorry I wasn't ready to see you before Viktor. I know you wouldn't hurt me but it was just hard. I'm surprised you waited for me." Harry admitted.

"I care about you Harry. I'm falling for you hard. Nothing is scaring me off Harry, especially not this." Viktor assured him.

"I'm sorry I ruined your Christmas. You guys should not have cancelled the ball. You should have taken someone else."

"I wasn't the one who cancelled it, Cedric and Fleur asked to. But if it hadn't been, I could never have taken someone else. There is only one person I want."

"Viktor I don't even know when I'm going to be ready to let you kiss me or anything else. I can't ask you to wait for me." Harry whispered.

"You didn't ask me. I'm here be choice Harry. I meant what I said. I'm falling for you. And if I have to wait ten days or ten years for a kiss again, I will."

"I can't. I won't let you Viktor. I care too much about you. It isn't fair Viktor. I really care about you. I have to give you up."

"Tell me something Harry do you want to be with me?"

"I can't. It's not fair to you."

"I didn't ask what you think if fair to me. I want to know what you think and you want. Do you want to be with me?"

"Vik, I..."

"No. No more worries about me and what you think is fair. I want to know if you want to continue to be my boyfriend? What do you want Harry?"

"Yes. I want you. I want to be with you. I'm just scared." Harry finally managed.

"Then I'm not going any where. The only reason I'd leave is if you didn't want to be my boyfriend any more. I promise I'll be as patient as you need."

Harry looked into his eyes for the first time since they started talking and he saw Viktor's genuine care in his eyes. He could see the love in his eyes and Harry felt his heart flutter. He wasn't ready for much right now but he was so glad that Viktor refused to walk away. He had no idea how he had ended up with so one so amazing.

Harry surprised them both by reaching out and taking his hand. "I was wondering maybe you might, if you don't mind, maybe you'd take a walk with me tomorrow."

Viktor squeezed his hand a bit. "I'd like to go for a walk with you if you're ready for it Harry."

Harry nodded. "I'm not ready for the great hall or classes with all the people around but I'd like some fresh air."

"Then how about I come for you tomorrow morning when most people will still be asleep and you won't have to worry about running into too many people."

"I'd like that Viktor. It'll be nice to get out of these apartments and actually stretch my legs for once." Harry admitted.

They spoke for a while longer as Harry felt slightly more at ease and Viktor told him how the holidays had been. He had gone home with Draco since the Yule ball had been cancelled. It turned out it was only postponed until the end of February when the second task was. Viktor had yet to crack the mystery of the egg. Harry promised him if he was ready, he'd accompany Viktor to the dance as he had before. Harry hoped he would be.

Severus came back for lunch and Viktor got up to leave. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

Harry nodded. "Yes. And thank you Viktor for coming."

Viktor just shook his head and smiled. "Stop thanking me for coming and visiting my boyfriend. I'm just happy you asked,"

When Viktor left Harry sat and had lunch with Severus who had spent he assumed the day in his private potions lab as he usually did. Severus didn't push for any information about how it had gone with Viktor and he was thankful for that.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Severus was back in his lab after lunch. He was wondering how things had really gone that morning. His only assurance was knowing that Harry had asked Viktor to come back and he noted Viktor calling him his boyfriend still.

There was a knock at the door from their apartments and not from the hall so he called. "Come in Harry."

Harry came in looking a bit nervous. Harry hadn't come near the potions lab since the attack. "I thought maybe I could..."

Severus moved towards him. "If you want to talk and you don't feel in comfortable here Harry, we can go back into our rooms."

Harry shook his head. "No. This isn't that room. I'm not going to hide from potions. I feel okay here with you dad."

Severus smiled. "Good. Was there something you wanted to talk about or did you want to come and help me with a potion like you used to?"

Harry answered by slipping one of the aprons over his shirt and trousers. "Maybe a bit of both. I missed this. I never thought I'd say I missed potions."

Severus motioned for him to cut some slugs. "Then we'll start you off on your favourite task. I've missed working with you on potions as well."

Harry was silent for a while as he diced the slugs but he eventually spoke. "I asked Viktor if he would take a walk with me tomorrow."

Severus was a bit surprised by that. "Are you sure you're comfortable with that? I didn't think you were ready to get back out there."

Harry didn't look up. "I'm not ready for large amounts of people like the hall or class but we're going in the morning when most people are asleep."

Severus thought it was a good idea. "You could use some fresh air and it might help you get back into things. Did I hear Viktor call you his boyfriend?"

"I told him he didn't have to wait. I offered to back away because I don't know when I'll be ready for a kiss or anything but he said he'd wait. He cares about me."

Severus smiled. "And what about you Harry? I knew Viktor still cared and was falling badly for you. But what about you?"

Harry actually blushed a bit. "I was falling badly for him before all this. And my feelings haven't changed. I'm just a bit scared to let anyone get close that way.'

Severus came over to him. "Harry after what was done, no one could blame you. With some time and perhaps some gentle assurance from Viktor, you will be."

"He told me that the dance was moved to after the second task in February. I thought, well I hope, maybe by then at least, I'd be ready to be his date for it properly."

"Don't push it but you know the walk is a good start. Maybe we could start easing you back into classes. Maybe a few a week. When you're ready for it of course."

Harry was back looking at his work but he did speak up. "Maybe. I mean if tomorrow goes well. I mean maybe transfiguration. It's a bit hard outside of class."

Severus decided not to press the matter for it had taken quite a lot for Harry to come in here or for him to decide to take the walk as well. He was just relieved to see Harry had been able to take that next step. He had to admit he was also happy to have his son back with him in the lab. He remembered the first time in the summer when he asked Harry to help and thought the boy would have refused but had asked to come back. He really missed his son and hoped he'd come back to him soon.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Harry managed to get to the top of the stairs from the dungeons on Sunday morning with Viktor but he was starting to have a slight panic attack. Viktor noticed and turned to him.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay with this Harry? We can go back down if you're not ready." Viktor assured him.

Harry took a few deep breaths and took Viktor's hand. "If you're with me I'll be fine. Just need to get outside."

Viktor squeezed his hand and led Harry towards the doors. "See I told you an early morning walk was good. We're likely not to see very many people out here."

Viktor and Harry walked in silence out on the grounds for a while. Viktor was relieved to see Harry's breathing was starting to even out and a small smile began to appear and they started to talk a bit.

Everything had gone well until they were heading back inside when Harry ran into a group of older Gryffindor. "Look the little queer has finally come back out."

Viktor put a hand on Harry's arm. "Don't let them bother you Harry. They're just jerks. You're okay Harry."

Harry was growing pale until a welcomingly familiar voice came from behind. "Hey lions, go pick on someone your own size."

Harry turned to see Draco coming up with several of his quidditch buddies and realized they must have been on the pitch for practice. They had avoided it knowing that though there was no quidditch that season, some of the teams still practiced for fun mainly.

Adrian nodded. "Takes three seventh years to confront a fourth year? I thought the Gryffindor were brave. Back off."

The lions turned to leave but one turned back. "You should go and join the snakes Harry. After you turned on your friends and had them locked up, we don't want you."

Draco came to Harry. "Are you okay Harry?"

Harry nodded. "Thanks Draco and Adrian. I think I was kind of expecting that."

Adrian smiled. "You know the snakes have your back if you need and if you re-sort I'm sure Draco would go keeper next year and you could play seeker."

Draco actually readily agreed and Harry found himself laughing. "That's something to consider. I think I should get in. I'm a bit hungry."

Viktor was going to take him down but Draco said. "You know it's still pretty early and there won't be more then a few dozen in the hall if that."

Harry shook his head. "I don't think I could sit at Gryffindor. Not now, not yet."

"Then sit with us at Slytherin. Viktor already does and you're welcome." Adrian suggested.

Harry wasn't sure why but he found himself following them into the dinning hall. They were right and there weren't that many people in there. He got pretty warm welcome from most though as he sat with Draco the lions shot him nasty looks. He didn't talk much and he left as soon as he was done eating but Draco and the others smiled, happy he'd at least tried.