Author's Note: Next installment for you, enjoy!
Harry was curled on a stone bench, watching the Albino Peacocks strut across the grass. "Look weird, don't they?" Sirius commented as he plonked beside his godson.
"Sirius!" he cried, throwing himself into his godfather's lap.
The Animagus held him in a bone-jarring embrace. "I missed you too," he breathed, rubbing his cheek against the top of his godson's hair.
He pulled back with a soft laugh. "That was more feline, than canine," he pointed out.
Sirius grinned. "Have to stop myself from turning into Padfoot and chasing the Peacocks," he said wickedly.
Harry laughed again. "I almost want to see that," he murmured. "Why is it when I'm with you, my Marauder side wins out?"
"You mean there are times when it doesn't?" he teased making his godson laugh. He tugged him close, smiling when Harry's head rested on his shoulder. "Because you feel safe enough to let it out, without fear of repercussions," he said softly.
"I suppose," he murmured. "Or maybe I just have a weakness to your bad influence."
"You know, your Dad used to say he had the same trait."
Harry smiled, and was quiet for a moment as he watched the Peacocks. "I know what it is," he stated. "They're too tranquil."
"Arrogant," Sirius supplied.
"Confident in their place and superiority over others," Harry continued. "They need shaking up a bit."
"It's getting more tempting by the minute," he admitted wickedly.
Harry let out another laugh. "You got here quick."
"Well, he is determined. And before you ask, my name hasn't been cleared yet – they're in the process. But he figured if I had to be confined to a house, I'd sooner be with you. And he was right," he added.
"What process? Just dump Pettirgrew in the Ministry," he muttered.
"But you're not a true Slytherin," he pointed out.
"Worried that the truth might be covered up?" he asked cringing.
"That, and using it at the most effective time."
"Eff-" he cut off with a sound of realisation. "Causing something else they want at the same time. Like underlining Fudge's inadequacies."
"Or undermining Dumbledore's influence," Sirius countered.
"Or both," they said in unison.
"Slytherins," Harry murmured.
"They do come in handy now and again," Sirius grinned. "And you've got the truest Slytherin of all looking out for you. Or is it two?"
Harry blushed. Sirius' grin widened and Harry clapped a hand over his godfather's mouth. "Don't," he ordered. "It'll be bad enough when the twins find out, without you starting."
Sirius gently removed his godson's hand. "Well, there is a way to reduce the amount of ribbing from your dormmates…" he trailed off as he turned to look at the Peacocks once more.
"Own it?" Harry retorted, eyes pointed heavenward.
"No," the Animagus replied, with a sly sideways look at his godson. "You could get resorted into Slytherin."
"You can get resorted?"
"Of course," Sirius replied easily. "The traits you most display at eleven, aren't always going to be the same as those at seventeen."
"Huh," he breathed as he assimilated that. "Why do you think I'd be in Slytherin, or was that just a suggestion?"
"Because you have snake-like tendencies, as well as being brave, hard-working and intelligent." Harry snorted. "I realise I mentioned all four," he stated. "But I'd say Slytherin suits you as much – if not more – than Gryffindor and you won't be opposed to the move since it's your boyfriend's House."
Harry smiled shyly. "My boyfriend," he murmured happily.
"It took you long enough," he replied, gently bumping the teen's shoulder. Harry gaped. "What?" he asked with a grin. "With the way you two have been since day one? I saw it coming."
The teen blinked. "You're one of the few."
"Your parents were the same way," he stated.
"Yeah?"
"Mmhmm, right up until seventh year, when she finally agreed to date him. Though he was a goner from…the first time he saw her," he said whimsically.
"And what about you?"
"Me? I was never into your Mum, promise."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Your love interest."
A split-second pause before his godfather grinning rakishly. "I'm a consummate ladies' man, I'm not about to stop now."
"And there was the odd man too," a snide voice drawled behind them.
Harry tensed slightly before he turned. "Professor," he murmured, eyes averted.
"Well yeah, I'm not a prude. If a guy's hot, why not?" Harry's lips curved upward.
"Not planning to do something to the Peacocks are you?"
"Would Lucius be mad at me?" he asked with a grin.
"Yes, but he would rein himself in."
"Pity."
Harry rolled his eyes again. "I would have thought being immune from the wrath of the Death Eaters would be more fun, not less. Or didn't they tell you?"
"What?" Sirius asked with a gleeful smile while Snape groaned.
"You're under the Dark Lord's protection," he informed with emphasised gravitas.
"The fun I can have with this," he grinned, rubbing his hands together.
"You had to tell him," Snape murmured. Harry lifted a negligent shoulder. "You realise he can make you regret your actions without harming you, don't you?" he purred dangerously.
"Yes, but would that make my godson happy?" he asked blinking innocently.
Harry suppressed his smile. "Is there a reason you're here Professor?"
"My godson wishes to see you."
"That answered several questions," he muttered under his breath. "Okay." He patted his godfather on the shoulder. "If you're going to chase the Peacocks, no maiming or killing them."
"Got it," he agreed.
Harry entered the Manor, unerringly finding his way to Draco without casting a Point Me. Funny, he'd never thought about how he always knew which way to go, even when he had no clue. The one time he got lost, was when he listened to Ron, instead of following his instincts.
He smiled as he spotted Draco waiting outside a door. "Okay…?"
Draco opened his arms and Harry stepped into them with a warm smile. "I found the perfect place," he stated, and opened the door. He urged his boyfriend inside, closing the door behind them.
"For what?" Harry asked, looking around at the room filled with clutter. Quite a bit of which was ugly.
"Feel free to let your emotions out." Harry turned to him in horror. "I checked with Mother, she would be glad if everything in here was destroyed," he stated.
Harry's expression turned thoughtful. "Probably better if you're not the room."
"But I want to see," he wheedled.
Harry shook his head. "I don't want to hurt you," he spoke firmly.
"All right," he sighed. "I'll wait outside the door, with a protection charm in place," he added when Harry hesitated.
"Okay," he breathed.
Draco stepped out of the room, and cast a strong protection charm, a man of his word. Not that he really felt he had need to, but if it made his lion feel better…
"Draco," Tom drawled as he strode down the hall. "Why were you looking for Harry?"
"Does it really matter?" he asked curiously.
"Let me rephrase, why were you not with him?"
"Because I was getting something he needed."
"Which was?" he asked, voice close to dangerous. They both stilled as they felt a surge of magic on the other side of the door. "What was that?" he demanded.
Draco opened the door and gazed in awe at the dust that filled the air and covered the floor. "No wonder you didn't want me in the room," he murmured.
Tom urged the blonde inside and closed the door, casting silencing and privacy charms. "What was in this room?"
"All the possessions mother detested but was too polite to destroy herself," the blonde answered honestly, attention rivetted to his boyfriend who stood, panting hard. "Are you all right?" he asked, concerned.
He blew a lock of hair out of his face. "Better," he stated.
"Did you know that would happen?" Tom asked curiously.
"Bad things happen when I get overly emotional," he spoke in a small voice. He licked his lips. "Even after I started school."
Tom raised the lion's chin. "That is not a sign of weakness," he spoke firmly. "It is a sign of magical strength." Draco hummed agreeingly, causing Tom to sigh. Harry grinned. "Laugh it up," he growled, releasing the lion.
"You're the one who wants me happy," he pointed out, stepping close to the blonde before hesitating.
Draco tugged his boyfriend against his side. "You're not getting rid of me that easily," he breathed into his ear. Harry relaxed against him.
Tom's expression turned pensive before he sighed. "I have duties," he sighed, ushering the teens from the room. He sealed it shut. "Better that no one go in there," he stated. "Go enjoy yourselves," he urged as he strode purposely down the hall.
Harry grinned. "Does this mean-"
"No," Draco spoke firmly. His boyfriend sighed. "I stand by what I said. I would have thought you would want to spend time with your godfather."
"He's probably causing chaos," he stated with a Marauder smile.
"Do I want to know?" he asked slowly.
"Probably not," he replied, his smile becoming a grin.
"You must be rubbing off on me," he remarked. Harry looked up at him curiously. "I really want to see this."
The brunet laughed. "We should probably start outside, then work our way inside."