Harry felt the closest to lighthearted he had in some time as he left the Potions room. If it weren't the miracle of gaining a friend from an enemy, but Snape had almost seemed...friendly. Or at least in a good enough mood where he didn't seem inclined to dock Gryffindor's points for every little thing.

Only two things could make this day better-if Ron and Hermione would stop looking at Draco like he was going to attack, and if Snape were to approach and sweep him into a passionate embrace.

Even with nearly seven years of anger and bitterness between Draco and his friends, Harry had a feeling the former was going to happen *long* before the second.

In fact, reconciliation strides were already being made. Once Harry had explained exactly what had transpired the night before-and reassuring Ron that he did *not* seek Draco out over him-his two best friends were a little more predisposed to tentatively accepting Draco into their group. With the caveat that any betrayal would be deal with swiftly and harshly, of course.

Actually, all things considered, Ron and 'Mione weren't taking everything half-badly.

Harry wrenched himself out of his thoughts when Ron began poking him in the shoulder. "You in there, Har'?"

"I...I think so."

Ron smirked. "Well, considering that everyone else is out *there*," he pointed to the courtyard, "you shouldn't be in anywhere."

Harry groaned as he followed his friend. "Ron, I think that's got to be your worst yet."

"Yeah," agreed Hermione as she sat underneath a tree. "Even for a Weasley, that was bad."

Ron puffed out his chest with mock-pride as he nearly collapsed into his girlfriend's lap. "I have to surpass my brothers at *something*." Hermione pushed him off of her, causing Ron to try and drag Harry into the mess.

Draco couldn't hold back his giggles as he listened to the three interact. 'So...this is what friendship's like-what *they're* like. Why did I spend so long making them miserable?'

Harry looked up at Draco's laughter, and a small smile appeared on his face. "Don't worry-I swear they won't bite."

Even as Draco acknowledged Harry's words, his mind fixated on the smile. "I hadn't realized how long it's been since I've see you do that," he said softly.

Harry blinked, confused. "Do what, exactly?"

"Smile." Hermione had pulled away from her 'discussion' with Ron and reached out, tracing the curve of Harry's lips. "He's right, you know." She sighed. "How did we not notice?"

Harry shrugged and pushed her hand away. There was only one person he wanted touching his lips. "You were falling in love, 'Mione. It's all right-I was glad to see you happy."

"But our happiness shouldn't have made us ignore yours." Ron sighed and sprawled out on the grass. "That wasn't fair to you."

Draco leaned against the tree and slid down it to the ground. "Does it matter, really? *I* think you should focus on helping *now* rather than kicking yourselves for past mistakes."

"True, that. It'd be easier to help if you were in love with someone different, though," Ron said, smiling to show that he was at least partially joking. "I mean, if anger and hatred are what do it for you, why didn't you go for Draco here? He's not such a bad fellow."

Both Harry and Draco blushed. Draco's blush deepened, though, when Harry murmured, "I did-two years ago."

Before Ron could try to grill for details, Draco cleared his throat, drawing attention away from any crushes on Draco, both past and present. "And how long have you felt the way you do for Professor Snape?"

Harry looked up to the sky, considering. "About a year now, I think. Or, at least I figured it out a year ago. After Voldemort."

Hermione winced at the recollection. "Well, *something* must've triggered it...what was it?"

Harry's smile softened. "He was...different, somehow. He acted like he cared that I was injured. Not because I was the Boy who Lived, the best hope for success, but because I was Harry Potter, a student who by rights should have never seen a battle like that so young. I don't know, but in that moment...the way I looked at him changed, and I realized what I'd been trying to deny to myself."

"What was that?" But Harry shook his head, refusing to part with his most private thoughts.

The four of them sat in serious silence for a few minutes, thinking and remembering. Finally Ron, who seemed to have a genetic predisposition towards dislike of seriousness, raised his eyebrow and, in a good impersonation of Austin Powers, drawled, "Yeah, that's good and all, but...does he make you horny, baby?"

The others stared at Ron for a second, shocked. Draco was the first to crack, pulling the others with him into hysterical laughter.

The disturbance drew attention from all over the green, most of whom were in shock over seeing three Gryffindors and a Slytherin-especially *that* combination-enjoying themselves.

The only one who did not show evident shock was Snape, who was observing them quietly. Rather, he was evaluating the situation. 'Draco is sitting rather close to Harry, but that doesn't need to mean much. They all seem happy...that's a good thing.' He was yanked from his thoughts when Draco looked up and caught his eyes. Flushing for a second, he whispered something to the other three, whereupon they all eyed him...and blushed as well. Snape took that as his cue to walk away rather than find out what the joke was. 'An unexpected consequence, that-their influence on Draco's behavior.' Oh well-he knew were the boy lived if he needed to talk to him.

*********

For the second night in a row, Draco hovered outside Snape's office door. He had seen Snape watching them this afternoon, and he wondered what exactly it meant. Finally, he knocked, and the door opened. "Draco. Will this be becoming a nightly ritual?"

"Are you annoyed, sir? Because I can leave...."

"No, sit down, Draco." He waved the boy into a seat. "What is it you wish to discuss tonight?"

"I wanted to talk to you about the person I found last night."

"Ah, yes, the upset one?"

"Yes." Draco paused. "He's a Gryffindor."

Snape smirked. "I figured that out for myself today when I saw who you've befriended." He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. "As you said 'he,' I can only assume you talked to Mr. Weasley or Mr. Potter. Mr. Weasley would be my guess."

"Why would he be your guess?"

Snape snorted, knowing he was deliberately trying to draw a reaction out of Draco. "Because what could make the legendary Harry Potter unhappy?"

Draco frowned. "Being seen as just a legend and nothing more, sir."

Blinking, Snape considered Draco's words. Maybe there was more to the situation than met the eye. "How do you know this?"

"Harry told me. Last night."

"And is this why you were asking me about House loyalty?" Draco nodded. "So...where does the question about loving someone who hates you fit in?"

Draco flushed bright red. "With all respect, sir, that is none of your concern." 'Dammit, this is *not* going right!'

"But there *is* a real situation like that?"

Draco sighed. "Yes." Then, brightening, "If someone loved someone else, and that love was true, but it was seen as inappropriate for any number of reasons, what would you say about that love?"

Snape repressed a smile. "In my humble opinion, it is not anyone's place to determine what is 'appropriate' and 'inappropriate' in romantic affairs except for the two people involved."

Draco grinned. "I was hoping you'd say that, sir." He stood suddenly. "I should go to bed now. Good night!" Before Snape could say another word, Draco was out the door.

Snape stared at his paperwork for some time after Draco left, lost in thought. 'It seems this is no mere crush, Mr. Malfoy. What will you do now?' With a shake of his head, Snape cleared away all thoughts and went back to work.