A/N: Yes, you have to put up with the Justin/Harry pairing for a few more chapters; it's Very Necessary for plot development, let me put it that way. I hope the Potions scene is satisfactory; I re-worked it slightly but I'm still not entirely pleased with it. sigh Oh well.

Oops, I haven't put a disclaimer in a bit – not mine!


Harry was smiling as he entered the classroom and exchanged glances with his father. He sat down and looked around the room expectantly, waiting for Malfoy to make a comment.

So, Potter decided to get himself a makeover. How much magic did all that take, anyway? More than you have, I'm sure, Draco sneered.

Harry looked at him curiously, head cocked to one side. Are you addressing me?

Yes, Potter, are you dense?

There are no Potters, Harry stated firmly. None left living. I'm not a Potter.

Draco narrowed his eyes. What are you talking about?

Ask my father, if you really want to know. I doubt that he would appreciate a student enquiring into his private life, however.

At that moment, Severus decided to call the class to order. Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Snape, if you could save your conversation for after class, we have a complex potion to make today.

Harry smirked at the gasps he heard behind him. Ron whispered in his ear then. You know, you really do look like him when you smirk, Harry. Harry just shrugged.

Ah, could you repeat what you just said, Professor? asked Pansy Parkinson.

I merely asked Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Snape to cease talking so class could begin.

Draco gasped, then looked between Harry and the professor, understanding showing on his face. Bloody hell, he whispered. I think I'll sit down now.

Harry, for his part, was staring at his desk, resolutely trying his hardest not to burst out laughing. This included avoiding the glances that his two best friends were sending him as well. The rest of potions passed without much incident, and Harry smiled briefly at his father before he and the rest of the Gryffindors headed out to the greenhouses for Herbology.

His resolve not to do much about his sexual orientation for a bit was squashed when Justin walked in, looking gorgeous as always. Since Harry and the Gryffindors had arrived first, Harry found himself sitting alone at a table, but he hardly hoped that he would get to partner with Justin today. Consequently, all resolve went out the window when Justin came over to sit beside him.

Hey, Harry.

Hi, Justin. Harry smiled in response to the now-shorter boy.

So... you found out that Snape's really your dad, huh?

Harry nodded. It's not as bad as it sounds, honestly. I guess you could say that I was result of the war going on, he said wryly. But being seven inches taller and looking different is a bit to get used to. James had put a long-lasting charm on me.

Justin looked interested. That's got to be a powerful charm, then. He smiled. Well, I think it suits you.

Harry replied, now feeling a bit shy. At that moment, Professor Sprout entered the classroom and began to speak.

Class, let's come to order. We're about to begin a project that will constitute a major part of your preparation for your O.W.L.s in June. Unless anyone has a problem with it, the person you are partnered with today will be your partner for the duration of the project. This will involve no little amount of outside research and other time spent out of class, so if you do have a problem with who you are sitting with, please, tell me now or after class.

No one moved, and Harry's heart was doing somersaults at that moment – large somersaults of joy.

Professor Sprout continued. With your partner, you will choose two of the assembled plants to care for over the remainder of the year, and you will turn in a joint report covering all aspects of each plant, from how to grow it to its magical uses, at the end of the year as well. The plants themselves will constitute the practical portion of your O.W.L.s, and the report will count for half of the written portion. The other half will be an exam paper written on the other plants that your classmates choose, and to help you study, you will each receive copies of your classmates' reports.

Harry was impressed at the depth of the project. He turned to Justin then. Whew. That's gonna be a big project. Any preferences on plants?

Not really. Some of them look pretty... dangerous.

Yeah... wait! I think there are two Devil's Snares. He grinned at Ron and Hermione, who had also noticed that.

Devil's Snare? Justin asked warily.

Don't worry, they aren't as bad as they seem, Harry said confidently. He and Justin walked forward to the front of the room and claimed one of them as Ron and Hermione claimed the other. Professor Sprout's eyes were twinkling when she saw the ones that they had chosen.

Ah, yes, I thought that you three might enjoy playing with that one in a less... perilous situation.

Harry grinned in response. Justin, why don't you pick out our other one, since I got one of the more interesting ones here?

I think that might just be a good idea, Justin said, the relief apparent on his face as he picked up a simple aloe plant and the pair walked back to their table.

Well, taking care of them won't be too hard, at least not at first, and I know a few things about Devil's Snare, from first year, but we should probably try to find out more about both of them in the library pretty soon, Harry stated. I don't know about you, but my schedule's pretty full, so I guess we need to see if we have any free time in common.

Yeah, my plate's pretty full too, Justin agreed. What about after dinner one night?

Harry winced. Can't. Defense lessons with Remus.



Oops, yeah, he was one of my... oh hell, he was one of James' best friends, and also one of my godfather's friends, here at Hogwarts. Anyway, he's giving me extra lessons. Harry grimaced. For the next time I get to be captured by Voldie.

Justin chuckled. You know, I think it's great, that you still have some sense of humor about the whole thing. Can I copy the Voldie thing?

Harry grinned at the other boy. Sure. Now, after Defense lessons, I have Quidditch on Mondays and Wednesdays, but I suppose I can change the practise times if I have to.

Justin frowned. Actually, I'm on the Quidditch team this year, myself – Chaser – and we have practise right on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so.... Hmm. Any other potential conflicts?

Well, my share of detentions has decreased substantially this year, Harry confided, but I always seem to get into some sort of difficulty. Wait! Saturday. I know it's a Hogsmeade weekend, but are you busy in the morning?

Justin shook his head. Good idea.

Meet you in the library after breakfast?

It's a date, Justin said with a smile as he walked away, causing Harry to stop still. A date? Nah, surely he didn't mean... Of course not.

Ron and Hermione caught up to Harry then. Oi! Harry! What do you think of this Herbology project, hmm?

At least it's better than if we had a big project in some other classes, Harry said. Could you imagine what Trelawney could come up with?

Ron groaned. I don't even want to think about it. Speaking of, we'd better run to Divination. Bye, Hermione! he called, and the two boys took off through the castle towards Trelawney's tower hideout.

Trelawney was full of new predictions for Harry's death, now based around the fact that Harry's father was Severus Snape. Harry tuned her out after the first five minutes and got through the rest of the day fairly well after that.

Harry found himself in his father's office on Tuesday evening after his Defence lesson with Remus, and the two of them talked rather amiably.

I don't think most people know quite what to think of all this, Harry shared. And I know Ron and Hermione still find it odd that I'm voluntarily visiting the dungeons.

Yes, well, the other faculty members still hadn't quite recovered from how much nicer I was acting at the beginning of the school year, so I think they're still not quite processing the fact that you're my son. I know for a fact that Minerva's rather disconcerted that there is a Snape in her House. Not to mention he's a prefect and the Quidditch captain.

Harry grinned. I wonder how soon until the news hits the world outside Hogwarts.

Sev shrugged. It should be interesting to see. I hate to imagine what that Rita Skeeter woman will do with this story.

Harry snorted. I doubt Rita Skeeter will be writing anything. Hadn't you noticed that she hasn't written since... oh, the night of the last task of the Tournament?

Sev narrowed his eyes at his son. What do you know, Harry?

Just that Hermione, er, captured her, and only let her go with the promise that she wouldn't write for a year. Otherwise, we'd turn her in. Harry's smile was impish.

Turn her in?

As an illegal Animagus. A beetle, to be exact.

She's a beetle?

Harry nodded. That's how she found out so many things last year, during the Tri-Wizard Tournament. She was outside when Hagrid admitted to Madam Maxime that he was half-giant, she was in Hermione's hair after the second task, and then Hermione caught her on the windowsill of the hospital wing.

Hmmph. And she kept her in a jar or something for a bit? Harry nodded. Good. Sounds like a suitable punishment for bending the truth.

The rest of the week went by quickly, and Saturday morning rolled around before Harry knew it.

Harry! Are we meeting you in Hogsmeade, mate? Ron asked cheerily as they got dressed.

I don't know, Harry said slowly. This morning is the only time Justin and I could find to work on our Herbology project, and neither of us has had time to do anything on it until now, so I don't know how long I'll be.

Oh, alright then, Ron replied, and the two friends went to meet Hermione and go down to breakfast.

After breakfast, Harry made his way to the library, where Justin was already waiting. Hey, Harry. Ready to read all about plants? He made a face, and Harry laughed along with him. It was relatively easy to find information on the aloe plant, but most of the books on Devil's Snare were in the Restricted Section.

Well, here's what I can tell you. You can escape it by relaxing, or using fire on it. And it doesn't have to be a wood-burning fire, Harry smiled at the memory.

Excuse me?

When we went after Quirrel, first year, the first obstacle was Professor Sprout's – a huge Devil's Snare. Hermione relaxed, and I did too, so we dropped through, but Ron was too well caught, so Hermione starts talking about fire and how there's no word, and finally Ron explodes Are you a witch or not?' at which point Hermione conjured an excellent little fire, and Ron was free. Well, free to go on to the next obstacle.

Justin made a face. You never have a normal school year, do you?

Harry just shook his head ruefully. I was kind of hoping that this year would be, but it's already had its share of interesting relevations.

More than one?

Forget I said anything. Harry was embarassed, and tried to cover it quickly. Here, this book should have something about the care and feeding of a Devil's Snare, at any rate.

The pair continued working steadily for quite some time, and took another small break around 11 AM.

Do you think they'll have another Yule Ball this year? Justin asked conversationally, and Harry made a face.

I hope not. I'm a horrible dancer. Not to mention that it's another opportunity to watch Ron and Hermione make fools of themselves. Not that they don't make a cute couple, but...

It's nauseating to watch sometimes, Justin finished for him. I know what you mean. Ernie and I have always hung out together, but now he's gotten together with Susan, and I feel like a third wheel – or maybe a fifth.

Harry laughed, a genuine laugh. I told Ron that, and he couldn't understand why I was talking about wheels. It's nice to talk to someone who understand Muggle phrases – and won't try to overanalyze them.

Justin guessed, and Harry nodded.

What's worse is that since Remus has been giving me the extra lessons, my marks in Defense are higher than hers. That she might could forgive, but the effects are carrying over into charms, and a bit of transfiguration as well, and I've never really put much effort into my classes, so seeing me do well as her has put her in a bit of snit.

Justin winced.

Remus said that he knows how she feels, though, so he's trying to be extra understanding with her. Evidently things were the same way for him with James and Sirius.

Justin nodded understandingly. I used to do worse than just about anyone, because I didn't... I don't know. I just didn't really seem to care, especially after missing most of second year. Then, right at the end of third year, I just decided I wasn't going to waste my time here. I spent most of that summer catching up, and I've been working hard to get even with the rest of the class, but now that I am, I'm not needing to spend as much time – like it's gotten easier.

Intense magical study accelerates the development of magic, Harry nodded. At least, that's what Remus said was happening with me. When you put effort into catching up, it must've affected your magical development.

That makes a lot more sense when you put it that way. I've been trying to work ahead, just a bit, in some classes though, Justin confessed. And if that really is the result of the extra work... well, I have to admit I like it.

Harry sobered a bit. We'll all probably need it, at some point. But, I agree, I like it, too.

The pair returned to their work and it was past lunchtime before they stopped again. Merlin! We've missed lunch, Harry cried.

Justin chimed in. I didn't really want to wait until dinner to eat again.

Well, we could raid the kitchens, but since it's a Hogsmeade weekend, the best solution is to get a plate at the Three Broomsticks. Wanna come with? Harry casually offered, but his mind was racing. Did I just ask Justin out on a date? It's not a date if he doesn't realise it's a date, right? Did I mean for it to be a date? His thoughts were interrupted by Justin himself.

he smiled brightly, then paused for a moment. Is this, you know, like... a date? I don't mean to assume, he rushed on, but you've kind of been...

Sending out signals? offered Harry. Yeah, I am, but... well. It's whatever you want it to be. Two friends, classmates, whatever.

Justin cocked his head tenatively. I think... I think I'd like it to be a date. He smiled then, and Harry returned it, somewhat shyly, as the two boys made their way out of the castle and on towards Hogsmeade.

As they approached the settlement, Justin turned to Harry, his face serious. I know... I know that you aren't out yet, by any stretch. So... even though you might think you're willing to come out by doing something, anything in public, I'd advise you not too. I've at least told a few people, but have you?

Harry shook his head. No. Actually, I've never even said it out loud.

Justin's eyes sparkled. Could I be the first to hear it?

Harry smiled. Justin, I'm gay.

Justin staggered back in fake shock. What a surprise.

The two boys laughed as they entered the pub and sat down at a small table by the door, quickly ordering some roast pork and vegetables. Harry attacked his with a vengeance, as did Justin. I guess we were hungry, Harry said with a laugh.

Justin chuckled, then looked around for a moment before leaning forward. We have to be careful, or we'll give in to the effeminate stereotype, he said, then laughed as Harry nearly spluttered his butterbeer everywhere in an attempt to stem his own laughter.

Well, I think with our manly images as Quidditch players, we hardly need worry, right? Harry jested, and the rest of the conversation went in the same direction. The two were just finishing up and ordering two butterbeers to go when Ron and Hermione entered the pub.

Harry! There you are! said Hermione as they detoured to Harry and Justin's table. Mind if we join you?

Actually, we were just leaving, Harry said, his tone apologetic. Actually he wasn't sorry at all, he had just invited Justin to come back with him to the Shrieking Shack – after explaining that it wasn't haunted at all.

Oh, okay, Hermione said, although she didn't sound too terribly disappointed. Oh! Tonight, are we studying in the common room?

The three had been meeting on Saturday nights to study the Animagus transformation, but had missed several Saturdays lately.

Harry said, before he and Justin exited the pub and walked down the street in the rapidly cooling air. The sun set early by October in Scotland, and the wind held the promise of snow to come soon. Harry was thankful to reach the comparative safety of the Shrieking Shack, and Justin conjured a smokeless fire while Harry removed some of the dust on the rickety bench that was the only place to sit. Chores completed, the two sat down beside each other, and the small size of the bench meant that they were touching ever so slightly. Harry suddenly felt unbearably awkward, and the silence was heavy.

Finally Justin spoke. Bloody hell. I... do you mind if I... kiss you?

Harry felt himself redden slightly. he managed to stammer, and then he turned to face Justin, and felt Justin's arms slip around him, pulling him closer. Harry let his own arms worm around Justin's neck as their lips touched, and Harry could not have said which of them deepened the kiss. Harry did know that both of them were breathing hard when they pulled apart and he felt his own grin stretch across his face, matching the one on Justin's. Their eyes met and held each other's gaze.

Justin began. I know that you aren't ready to come out yet – in fact, I think coming out right now wouldn't be good for you, with everything else, but... would you be my boyfriend?

I think I'd like that, Harry said shyly. I'd like that alot. Then he took the initiative and pulled his boyfriend – his boyfriend! – in for another kiss. They continued snogging and staring into one another's eyes for quite awhile before realising that they needed to hurry back to the castle in order to make dinner. They skidded into the entrance hall as most of the school was entering, and parted with the briefest touch of hands.

Harry made his way to the Gryffindor table, pausing to smile at his father as he did so, and sat down across from his two best friends. Have a nice time in Hogsmeade? he asked innocently.

Ron and Hermione smiled in return. Yes, thank you. What about you?

Eh, well, we had only gotten done after lunchtime, so I wasn't there that long, really. But the food was good!