A/N: Ah, a little bridging chapter, I think you'd say. Enjoy the happiness, lovely readers, because it's going to get bumpy from here on out-- at least, as far as I have plotted out.
Thanks to all of my reviewers. Next chapter I'll comment on a few, don't want to give away too much plot here!



That evening, the three friends plotted out their Animagi practise.

We need to find some place relatively private, obviously, Hermione began, and Harry and Ron rolled their eyes as Hermione went into planning mode. Harry, isn't there an old abandoned classroom on the third floor, near where Fluffy was.

Harry grimaced at the reminder of Fluffy. Actually, the room where Fluffy was would be good, he suggested, and the three agreed to meet there at 10 that evening. Harry would travel with the Marauder's Map, and Ron and Hermione would use the Invisibility Cloak.

They made their way there later, and proceed to attempt the Animagus transformation yet again. They weren't entirely sure what forms they were taking, although all of them had experienced some fur growth. Luckily, since they started in their fifth year, it wouldn't take them the three years it had taken the Marauders to perfect the process.

It was nearing midnight before they returned to Gryffindor Tower. Hermione had discovered that she would have a long, thin tail, which she thought indicated some sort of feline. Ron, on the other hand, just experienced more fur, although the color – a bright, burnished red – was a source of amusement for the others. Finally, there was Harry, who had two ears on the top of his head, as well as paws, for an overall effect that was definitely canine. Pleased with their progress, they dropped into bed exhausted.



Harry found the next few weeks increasingly busy, and he actually wrote out his schedule on a piece of parchment once, just to see what it really looked like. His jaw dropped when he realised just how busy he truly was. Laughing slightly, he had taken it to the next Herbology class and slid it towards Justin with a quiet whisper. Pen yourself in, if you can. Justin had smiled slightly and returned the parchment to Harry at the end of the period. Carefully, Harry folded it and put it inside his cloak pocket; it wouldn't do to have Ron or Hermione questioning why there were blocks of time that Justin had marked as Study Cutest Ass in School Time or Study Inside of SO's Mouth Time, even though Harry was privately both amused and aroused by the descriptions.

A few weeks had passed before he realised that he still hadn't heard from Sirius. Concerned, he broached the subject with Remus.

Ah, have you heard from Snuffles lately?

Remus grimaced slightly. Actually, yes. Very tricky, by the way, having him come to me instead of you. He smiled, though, so Harry knew he wasn't angry. He came up here about a week and a half ago – one Tuesday evening. Harry raised his eyebrows. It had been sheer dumb luck that Tuesdays and Thursdays were the nights he spent with his father in the dungeons, trying to build some relationship between them. I told him, best I could, what had happened. Needless to say... he wasn't very happy. He decided to leave and said he would come back when he didn't feel like committing homicide.

Who was he going to kill? The whole mix-up is James' fault, if you have to lay blame, which I personally don't. Or maybe Dumbledore, for having the pair of them work together?

Remus shrugged helplessly. I wish I knew. The next part was said in a mumble that Harry wasn't sure he heard. He's not very fun in bed when he's angry, though, so I hope he snaps out of it soon.

Harry's eyes widened. You are too?!? he blurted out, before he could stop himself.

Are what?

What you just said... under your breath...

Remus blushed. Ah, yes, well... wait! Too?

Now it was Harry's turn to blush. Ah, yeah.

The two wizards stared at each other in disbelief for a moment. I take it that not many people know about you, then? Remus finally asked his student.

Er... well... just you. And my boyfriend.

Remus raised his eyebrows. Well, well, well. Then he grinned. Don't worry, secret's safe with me.

Thanks. Same here. I... well, with everything else going on, it just didn't seem to be like quite the right time to share the information with anyone.

Remus nodded. I quite understand. To be honest, it was never necessary for Sirius and I to tell anyone, really, although there are those who guessed. We were already close friends, so spending time together wasn't considered odd – especially when James began dating Lily.

Well, we don't really have that smokescreen, which makes it a little harder – not to mention we're both just busy people, and in different Houses.

Not a Gryffindor then?

Can you really think of anyone it would be in Gryffindor? Harry paused. See? No. Besides, I have too much Slytherin in me to be with someone from Gryffindor in that way, you know? And it's not like a Slytherin would have me. He clapped a hand over his mouth as he realised he was steadily narrowing it down for his professor.

Remus smirked. Tell you what, feel free to use this classroom if you need to. And I won't tell anyone about you and... the mystery Hufflepuff-or-Ravenclaw.

Harry sighed, but smiled. Thanks. We'll be sure to put adequate locking charms on if we use this room, just in case you drop by.

He left the room, feeling exhausted, and knowing he still had Quidditch practise to go. He manage to put together a practise that involved him hovering on his broom and doing nothing else, and he brought practise to a close thirty minutes early. Alright, you lot, let's head in. We've got time to practise later, and it'll do none of us any good to fall off our brooms. Harry puncuated the statement with a wide yawn that he couldn't control, which caused the Weasleys – all three of them – to burst into unrestrained laughter, and earned him sympathetic glances from the Chasers.

Hush, you three, Katie urged. Harry's got more on his plate that anyone here, and he's still managing to do a good job as Captain. Leave him alone. Harry shot her a thankful smile, and wearily trudged into the locker room behind the others.

His mind was swimming – it wasn't even two months into his fifth year, and he was dealing with finding out his real father was Severus Snape, he was gay, and being both a Prefect and Quidditch Captain, and Voldemort was actually being quiet so far – but he was still stretched to a breaking point. Something was going to have to give, but Harry wasn't sure what.

Caught up in his thoughts, Harry realised with a start that he was the only one still in the Gryffindor changing rooms. He continued to slowly get dressed, cherishing the small amount of alone time, when he heard the door squeak open. He stopped and looked towards the back of the room, where Justin suddenly appeared grinning.

Justin, you nearly gave me a heart attack, Harry said, smiling. What's up?

Oh, I just thought a certain over-worked boyfriend of mine might like a little pick-me-up visit. I saw you yawning out there on your broom when I was walking through the castle, he explained with a shrug.

Well, then... Harry said, his tone shifting downwards as he opened his arms slightly, come here. Justin crossed the rest of the distance between them quickly, and Harry brought his lips down to meet the other boy's. Wrapped in Justin's arms, Harry could very nearly forget everything that he had to do, all of his committments, all the expectations on him. Justin was with him just because he was Harry, not for any other reason. How could he be? No one else even knew of their relationship.

You're doing too much, Harry, Justin said quietly as Harry finished getting his things together to leave the changing area. I know you feel like you have to do everything, but you're exhausted. I don't know why no one else hasn't noticed, I really don't, but you... you're like a shadow of yourself.

Harry smiled tightly. He knew Justin was only looking out for him. I know, Just, but what can I do? The only things that seem expendable are my extra Defense lessons, my time with my father, and my time with you. And I don't want to give you up, or my father, and I need those Defense lessons.

You need to be awake to use the stuff you're learning, Harry! Look, I'm sorry if I'm overstepping any bounds here, but... I don't want to see you like this. I... it hurts me to see you like this. Please, Harry, drop something. Anything. Anything but me, that is, he added hastily, with a quick smile.

Harry smiled and pulled Justin to his side as they walked out of the changing rooms. I'll think about it, okay? I don't make any promises, but I'll think about it.

Justin smiled and gave his cheek a quick kiss. That's all I can ask for. Now, I'd better run – I have that Transfiguration essay due in the morning.

Harry clapped a hand to his head. Cripes, I do too. See you in class tomorrow afternoon.

See you.

Harry walked up to Gryffindor Tower, still tired, but considerably happier than he had been at the end of Quidditch practise, which Ron immediately noticed.

Harry! You seem much happier now than you did at practise. What's up?

What? Oh, nothing. I just got some good advice. Harry smiled as he collapsed onto the couch and began to work on his Transfiguartion assignment. About trying to cut back a little, maybe.

Cut back? Ron asked blankly.

Hermione rolled her eyes. I think we've been spending too little time with Harry if you didn't realise how exhausted he is. I don't think that Harry has a single free moment all week long.

Harry smiled sadly. No, I don't. I actually wrote out my schedule a week or two ago and it's basically all full. And, yes, I'm basically exhausted.

Hermione turned pink. Um, actually Harry, I, ah, found your schedule the other day – it dropped out of your bag, and I looked at it before I stuck it back in.

Harry felt his face flame, and was grateful that Ron was still half-absorbed by the chess game he was half-heartedly playing with Neville. Um, thanks, Hermione. Uh... Harry was trying to think of a way to ask her to keep her mouth shut, but nicely.

Not a problem, and I, uh, will. Harry smiled his relief at her. She would have known that Justin's additions weren't Harry's handwriting, but Harry hoped she hadn't been able to discern even gender beyond that.

Harry finally finished the last of his assignment and was headed up to bed, yawning repeatedly, and trying to decide what to do. He couldn't change his courseload, and he wasn't about to give up playing Quidditch. Being a prefect wasn't that much work, plus it was something that he, Ron, and Hermione all did together still. Then he smiled. He could forego some of the Defense lessons – like Mondays and Wednesdays, his mind thought, when Justin's free – and Ron was excellent at strategy. Why couldn't Ron be the Quidditch Captain? He was already doing all the strategy plans for Harry anyway – why not get the recogntion?

Smiling, Harry entered the dorm. Ron! You still awake? he whispered.

Harry? Yeah, mate, what's up? Ron poked his head through the curtains and Harry went to sit down beside him on the bed.

Listen, what I was saying about needing to cut back – well, you saw how tired I was at practise tonight. There's a lot of things I won't give up – I mean, I'm not going to quit playing Quidditch, and it's a lot of fun being a prefect with you and Hermione, but there is something I can give up.



The Quidditch captaincy, Harry said with a large sigh.

Harry, are you crazy? I'd kill to be Quidditch captain!

Well, you don't have to, Harry said laughingly. Because I'm giving it to you. Effective now. No he held up a hand No protests. Either I give it straight to you or we have to go to McGonagall and it'll take a week or so to get things sorted out again, and then we'll be behind in preparing for the first match. Trust me, I much prefer things this way.

Ron was gaping at him in astonishment. If... if you're sure, Harry...

I'm sure, Harry said with a smile. I'll call a quick team meeting for after dinner tomorrow and we can tell them then. Oh, and you can tell Hermione before that, he teased. Ron blushed bright red and playfully punched Harry on the shoulder before they both yawned.

Guess we need to go to bed, Ron said sleepily.

Harry agreed. See you tomorrow, Mr. Captain, sir!

Ron laughed and pulled the curtains tight around his bed once more.


The next day in Herbology, Harry smiled happily and leaned over to whisper in Justin's ear. You are talking to one EX-Quidditch Captain. I'm back to just being Seeker, he explained happily.

Justin's eyes lit up, but his words were cautious. Are you sure about that?

Harry nodded. Positive. Ron's going to take over. He was doing half the work, at least, anyway.

Justin nodded, and smiled then. That's great. That's something off your plate.

Harry's smile grew wider, and as Professor Sprout called the class to order, he quickly sprawled out a note to Justin, which read Not only that, but I'm going to drop my Monday and Wednesday Defense lessons. I think that Herbology' might get to take up a bit more of my time now.

Justin quickly scanned the note and grinned. Starting tomorrow? he mouthed, and Harry nodded vigorously. He added a quick P.S. – Meet me outside the Defense classroom. Justin's eyebrow quirked with a question, and Harry just nodded reassuringly. Then they turned their attention back to Professor Sprout's lecture.

That night, just before Harry's Defense lesson, the Gryffindor Quidditch Team assembled in one corner of the common room.

What's up, Harry? asked Fred (or George, Harry wasn't sure).

Harry began, I think you've all noticed that I'm running ragged, to say the least. The others nodded. So... I decided to hand the captaincy over to Ron, unless any of you have a major problem with it. If we do it internally, versus going to McGonagall, I think that will be better.

The others were quiet, stunned or shocked, Harry thought. Harry, are... are you sure? George finally asked.

Harry nodded vigorously. Positive. Ron was already doing half the work anyway, and I'm just spread too thin. It's a relief, really.

Well, I think you're nutters, Fred said, but if that's what you want, no problem. Then he smiled at his younger brother. Congratulations, Ron.

The others were soon congratulating Ron and Harry slipped out to meet Remus for his Defense lesson.

Remus, before we begin, I need to talk to you.

What is it, Harry? Remus' voice was concerned.

I need to cut back on these extra lessons. I'm stretched way too thin. I was wondering if I could skip the Monday and Wednesday ones from now on.

Well, Harry, as you know, you may need these skills...

Yes, but I need to be awake and healthy to use them, Harry cut in, as someone pointed out to me yesterday.

Remus raised his eyebrows slightly, then nodded. Alright, then. We'll continue the lessons, but not on Mondays or Wednesdays. Any particular reason for those days? Harry just grinned and didn't say a word as Remus began the lesson.

After that, there was just one more difficult conversation to go – telling his father what all he had done that day. He made his way down the dungeons and sat down in front of his father's desk.

Hello, Harry. Anything interesting happen today?

Harry smiled. Actually, yes.



Well, a few people were pointing out to me that I looked more like the Boy Who Was the Walking Dead than the Boy Who Lived. Sev raised his eyebrows in amusement. So I decided to... cut back a little bit.

Cut back?

Well, my schedule literally had no holes whatsoever in it, between all my responsibilities. So... I resigned as Quidditch Captain and cut my extra Defense tuition in half.

Are you sure that you want to do that? Sev asked finally after several moments of silence.

Harry said firmly. I can't do everything, and my nerves are frayed. It doesn't do me any good to have a huge repertoire of curses and hexes if I fall asleep in the middle of a duel, or I mispronounce one because I'm so tired. And... well, somedays, I'd like to just be a normal teenager.

Sev smiled at his son then. Only worrying about school, Quidditch, and girls, then? he joked. Harry smiled weakly. Let me tell you a secret – there has to be some advantage to having me as your father, right? Albus is planning to announce another Yule Ball this year, to be held just before the holidays begin. He's not announcing it officially until Halloween, but this way you know you would be the first to ask... He winked, and Harry attempted to looked pleased with the information. He managed to steer the rest of their conversation on to other topics, but groaned at the timetable he had been presented with. As the Boy Who Lived, no matter what his last name, he would undoubtedly be expected by everyone to have a date for the Yule Ball. To make matters worse, Hermione had told Harry only a few days ago that he had managed to finally beat out Draco Malfoy for the top spot on the Unofficial Hot Guys At Hogwarts list, which practically ensured that he would have plenty of girls asking him to the ball. Evidently, his new look was deemed to be sexy' by the majority of the female population. It was enough to make his head spin in agony as he walked straight from the dungeons to his bed.