"I don't know if I'm more nervous or if you are? You need to calm down some or you'll cause me to freak out even more," Percy chuckled as Harry anxiously paced the sitting room, waiting on Ron to arrive after returning to Britain by international portkey the day before.

Harry shifted the strap of his bag more firmly on his shoulder and turned to pace across the room once more. "Toss up, I suppose. It's not like either of us are quite human anymore, and last time Ron and Hermione saw us, they at least thought we were. I wish they both came back at the same time to just get this over with. Now we'll have to do it twice…or at least I will. I doubt Hermione's opinion means all that much to you."

Percy sighed and clutched his hands together so Harry wouldn't notice them slightly shaking. It wouldn't do to freak out the teen more than he was already doing himself. "You don't have to tell them. It's your secret, and it is perfectly fine if you keep it to yourself until you are ready. Mum and Dad, unfortunately, outed me, but you're still passing. Why don't you just wait a while? Just do it the one time when they are both together and here."

Harry huffed before finally sitting in the armchair across from the older Weasley. He put his bag in the chair beside him so he wasn't carrying it at least when Ron arrived. "Yeah, that's probably a better idea. I kind of just want it over with though, you know? You have a point, but frankly, I'm actually a bit more noticeable than you with the strange colored eyes that like to glow sometimes, the occasional slip of the fangs and talons, oh and the random bag I'm always carrying around."

"I have yet to see fangs or talons," the redhead gave a nervous laugh himself. "Plus, we all have speculations about that bag of yours, and I have a feeling none of us are even close."

Harry couldn't meet his eyes and cleared his throat awkwardly. "At least Snape has stopped trying to get into it. I really don't mean to lash out at everyone, but I can't help it."

"Or he's just biding his time and coming up with a new strategy," Percy couldn't help adding with a grin.

Their conversation halted as the flames in the fireplace turned green and a rushing sound preceded Percy's younger, and much less gangly brother stepped out smoothly with an ease that made Harry jealous. His already a bit tall and imposing friend had filled out some over the last couple months with good food and rest. He was a good stone of muscle heavier than when Harry had last seen him and looked less like a scarecrow and more like an actual adult. Harry and Percy both stared in surprise at the teen who was now looking at them sheepishly.

"Er…hello…I did owl that I was coming, right?" Ron asked them, looking in confusion between both stunned occupants of the room. "Er…do I have something on my face?"

"Merlin, Ron! You look like…well, like a taller Bill now!" Harry shook his head but eventually smiled and chuckled. "How did you turn into this over the summer, and I'm still a short, string bean?!"

"Erm, well, 'Mione insisted I eat healthier, and I got into swimming in Australia…" he trailed off. He walked right up to Harry and stopped. "Permission to hug you now?"

Ron clearly remembered Harry's reactions to any touch back in the aftermath of the war, and Harry was beyond grateful for the thought. "Permission granted," he stood and wrapped his arms around Ron, taking in the smell of smoke and sugar that was permeating his shirt.

"Ron…are you staying with the twins?" He pulled slightly out of Ron's arms to ask, recognizing the smell of their shop very well.

"Huh? Yeah, I stayed there last night after I portkeyed in, and I'll head to the Burrow later today. I just wanted a calm night before rushing back into everything being back, and you know how Mum and even Dad can get at times," he chuckled before turning to his brother with a questioning look at the expression of dread on his face. "Hey, Perce…you good? Everything ok?"

Percy let out a pent-up breath of relief as his awkward younger brother nervously seemed to reach out to him. "Ron," he just stepped forward and almost tackled his brother into a hug.

"Hey…it's ok," Ron patted Percy's back and gave Harry a helpless look, nonverbally asking his friend to please save him. "What's wrong? I know I'm the best brother you have, but I didn't think you'd miss me this much," he tried to joke lamely. "Are you ok? Did something happen?"

"Er…Ron?" Harry frowned, wondering now if Ron even knew. He was sure the twins said they told him. They had said he was acting a bit weird though when they broke the news.

"Wait, do you not know?" Percy pulled back and held onto Ron's arms with a look of fear on his face.

"Know what?" He looked between his friends now with his own fear. "Did something bad happen? Is Fred ok? He was getting better, right?"

"But, Fred and George said they told you…about me," Percy let go and stepped back, realizing he was actually going to have to come clean and not looking forward to the expected rejection.

"What about you? Did something happen? Do you mean that you're a werewolf? Or that you're up for History professor? I'm not really sure about the whole History professor thing…it's going to be really weird to have my brother as a professor. Can you even grade my papers or will someone else have to?" He asked with a wrinkle of his nose. "If we aren't really students, do our grades even matter though anyway? Merlin, that would be awesome."

"Er, we mean the werewolf part," Harry snorted, holding in a laugh. "I'm guessing you don't care…?"

Ron shrugged in unconcern but also a bit of worry. "Why would I care about that? Has someone been giving you a hard time? Who was it? Don't they know we just lived through a war?!" Ron's face turned thunderous as that thought sunk in, getting even darker as he processed it.

"Wait…Mum sent a weird letter about you having an 'alternative' lifestyle or something…is that what she meant?! Are Mum and Dad the ones treating you bad?! Merlin, I just thought you were into aromatherapy or crystals or something, was she really talking about not being supportive of who you are as a person?!" Ron threw his hands in the air before grabbing onto Percy's shoulders vehemently, seeing that he'd guessed correctly from the pain on his brother's face.

"Your parents have made it clear they do not want Percy staying in the Burrow or with any of your siblings," Harry explained, sitting back down and doing his best to hold in his anger. He'd gotten several letters from the Weasley parents since Percy moved in, probably warning him off, but he hadn't read a single one of them, having Kreacher incinerate them gleefully whenever they arrived. Of the many creatures in Harry's household, he would bet his entire vault at Gringotts that Percy was by far the least dangerous of them. Not that it really mattered, but it just showed how ridiculous it all was.

"She basically chased me out of the twins' flat. They wanted to disown themselves, but our family has already suffered so much…I'm not worth that…" Percy patted Ron's hand that was still on his shoulder and gave him a disparaging grin.

"Bloody hell, Perce! I know we haven't gotten along most of our lives, mainly because you were a prat there for a while, but you are my brother, and you are worth everything!" He growled in anger while trying to make his brother believe him. "Have you told Bill? We'll tell him and he'll fix this, you know how he is."

"No, we're not going to tear the family apart," he protested firmly. "Bill is already irritated about it all with Fleur. I want to keep you all together for as long as possible."

"He won't even let Snape curse a letter to send, and he offered so nicely," Harry smirked at the two and finally relaxed at the realization that Ron really and truly was on their side. He also really wanted to help with that cursed letter.

"Wait, what had you acting all weird when the twins told you about me if it wasn't learning I was a werewolf?" Percy frowned, remembering the twins' comment. "The twins said you were acting strangely."

Ron snorted and finally sat on the couch, causing Harry to relax a little more now that he wasn't towering over them, and more importantly the egg. "I'm always acting strange…"

"Uh huh, you're right there, but anything in particular this time?" Harry reached out a foot to poke Ron in the leg with a teasing grin.

Ron sighed and turned to face Harry with a small frown that looked more concerned and confused than anything. "Why's he still here? The twins said he was in the house…I don't understand…"

"Percy?" Harry frowned back. He thought Ron was ok with his brother. "He can stay as long as he wants, definitely until school at least. I want him here…"

"No, Snape," Ron rolled his eyes. "Why is Snape still here? Wouldn't he have left for his own place before now? He isn't like holding something over you or something, is he? If he is, then I'll…I'll…I don't even know, but it'll be very unpleasant!"

"Oh…" Harry let that sink in. Of all the things he'd been stressing over Ron not taking well, Snape staying in his house was decidedly one he'd overlooked. He had really started to like their professor being around though. He was good company, had a wonderfully sarcastic sense of humor, was helping Percy with his potion, and frankly, Harry was starting to feel really attached…something that if he thought about enough would definitely start to freak him out.

"He really isn't that bad, Ron," Percy cut in to save a floundering Harry. He had a suspicion that Harry and Snape were at the beginning of something…something neither wanted to admit, and he was really enjoying watching whatever was happening unfold. He was certain Harry would not be able to articulate this to himself, let alone Ron, though. "He has been helping George brew my potion and even offered to do it himself next year when I'm at Hogwarts teaching…if I get the job. He's really not that bad now that he doesn't have to play double agent."

"When he gets the job," Harry corrected with a pointed look. "There really isn't anyone else. The board just has to get over themselves and they'll agree that Percy will be perfect."

"Thank goodness for that," Ron leaned back and chuckled. "Not Snape, I still don't understand that, but it would solve a few problems if Percy is at the school, even if it'll be bloody weird."

"Problems?" The werewolf raised an eyebrow questioningly at this brother. "You're not going to be skipping out on my class or something, are you?"

"What? No," he shook his head and chuckled. "I do however need a place to stay. Could we maybe conjure a bed in your room? I promise I'll stay out of your way. I'd ask Harry, but he really gets protective of his space, even when we were all in a dorm together instead of single rooms. So, please…" He gave his brother a pleading look at the end, attempting some puppy dog eyes.

"Hey!" Harry protested even though he knew Ron was right. He had gotten a bit obsessive about people not touching his bed or his things over the years, and it would definitely be worse now with the egg. It was just, every time someone entered his room or touched his very few possessions growing up, then Dudley or Vernon had either ruined them or it was followed with pain. "Wait, weren't you staying with Hermione? McGonagall said you'd requested to room together and she looked all scandalized about it and everything."

"Er…yeah…so," Ron sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck and turned slightly pink. "Things didn't go so well with us in Australia…"

"Did you two break up?" Percy asked as Harry just looked on shocked.

"Ronald Weasley…you had better not make me choose between my friends! I'm not doing that again!" Harry shook himself to angrily protest. He was absolutely not dealing with that ridiculousness again in his life and they could just get over it.

"No! Of course, not Harry!" Ron assured him quickly. "We're still friends and all, but we actually realized that we hadn't spent much time alone together without you as a buffer, Harry. Turns out, it really didn't work just the two of us very well…"

It was Harry's turn to turn bright pink now. "Ron…please tell me you aren't actually asking me to join your relationship, are you? Because I really, really don't think of either of you that way…"

"Ew! No!" Ron protested with a grimace while Percy almost died laughing. "Merlin, Harry…no, we just decided that we worked better as friends. I came back a bit early so we could have some time apart after all that happened, but we aren't going to stop being friends or anything, and I'm definitely not asking you to join us…er, not that I'm against, erm, whatever it is that you like…or if you don't like people, or…erm…"

"Ron, stop digging the hole. You're almost buried alive at this point," Percy continued to laugh loudly at Ron's horrified look and Harry's embarrassment.

"What? I don't want to be the next Mum or anything, so erm, just you know, both of you…whatever, I'm well, here for you…you know...whatever" Ron sighed, not being able to just stop digging it seemed.

Harry joined Percy in laughing at this point. Percy finally calmed down enough to attempt to save him again. "Ron, Penelope and I broke up a while ago, but I prefer women, if you must know. Also, if we really need to and there isn't a free room somewhere, we can add a cot in my room."

"Oh good," he sighed in relief. "And, right, yeah, me too," the younger Weasley nodded quickly, happy for the save.

"Er, well…there's a few things I should probably fill both you and 'Mione in on when we're all together," Harry started a bit awkwardly. "Erm, but I guess I can tell you now that I'm bi…I guess anyway. I haven't really had the time to think about it, but I think I'm attracted to both men and women."

"Ha! 'Mione owes me a galleon!" Ron grinned broadly and fist pumped the air in celebration.

"You were betting on your friend's sexuality?" Percy looked at him in shock even though Harry was laughing again and definitely didn't seem offended.

"There wasn't much to do when you're stuck in a tent on the run. I owe her a galleon if it turns out that Charlie is asexual. I personally think he's only attracted to magical creatures and will eventually end up with someone who has either been bitten by something or gone through an inheritance," Ron filled them in to both Percy and Harry actually agreeing with him, knowing how excited he had been to learn about Percy being turned.

"I guess I'll watch myself around Mr. Charlie Weasley then," a voice drawled, preceding Snape silently entering the room. The man hadn't bothered to change out of his muggle clothes, so he was still wearing his jeans and black t-shirt that he favored around the house, but he had glamoured himself to look older again.

Ron jumped in surprise at the silent entrance as well as the comment. "Er, sir? Erm, hello?"

"As eloquent as always, Mr. Weasley," Snape smirked and sat on the arm of Harry's chair, purposefully on the opposite side from the bag. "Potter, older Weasley, do either of you need anything from Tesco? We're out of those biscuits I like, and the elf's are not as good."

"Don't let Kreacher hear you say that," Percy looked behind them to make sure the elf wasn't actually in the room. "You know how he gets, and I'm sure you want your laundry actually washed and not tossed out a window."

"Nah, Kreacher likes the biscuits too so get extra," Harry shrugged as Ron took in the exchange with shock lining his face. "Could you grab some lemon drops, please?" He grinned up at the man.

"I'll not support you and the bird's addiction," the vampire snorted and crossed his arms. "It's not healthy and will rot your teeth."

"That's what teeth cleaning spells are for," the teen pouted at him. "Besides, Hermione's parents are dentists, so I'm covered."

"Er, mate, they're staying in Australia since their practice is doing so well there," Ron cut in with a frown. "Is Fawkes living here too? Why is Dumbledore's bird living here? How many people are actually staying here?"

"Ignore him, and please pick up a baguette too," Percy added. "Kreacher is making stew for dinner, and it needs a crusty bread."

"Agreed," Snape stood with a nod. "I will return before dinner."

"Not without lemon drops!" Harry called out to his retreating form, only getting a snort in reply.

"The world is ending…yes, I crossed into some sort of alternate reality when I took that portkey," Ron nodded in decision. "Did that interaction not seem extremely strange to either of you?! Please tell me I'm not imagining this."

"He took a bit to get used to," Percy nodded. "I thought the same thing when I moved in, but we're all actually getting along, mostly…when Harry isn't blasting someone with accidental magic and Fawkes isn't chirping annoyingly just to mess with you."

"That's only happened a few times," Harry rolled his eyes. "So, the Grangers are staying in Australia…?"

"Nope, no changing the subject. What did he mean about watching himself around Charlie? Is Snape a creature too?" Ron glared at him.

"Er…" Harry looked at Percy questioningly. The man had made the comment, so was he really outing him if he answered the question… "Erm…yeah…?"

Percy huffed a laugh at Harry's awkwardness. "He's a vampire. Harry, I don't think he would have made the comment if he didn't mind you telling Ron."

"Oh good…" he sighed. "Well, now that's out and all…"

"Wait! That rumor was true?!" Ron gaped at them, having a similar reaction as Harry when he found out.

"Apparently…" his brother shrugged. "Hey, since you are going to the Burrow later…"

"What? I'm not going there!" Ron sat up quickly and protested. "Not now! I can't believe you think I'd stay under their roof! Why can't we disown ourselves again? That sounds like a good idea to me. I got quite a lot of money from that whole Order of Merlin business."

"Personally, I agree with Ron and the twins," Harry offered wryly, understanding but also protesting Percy's point of view about the whole thing. "I also have a couple more guest rooms that are free."

"Look," Percy pinned them both with a look. "Let me finish…since you are going to the Burrow later, can you try to feel out where Ginny stands? I haven't heard from her, and we can't determine what she's thinking."

Harry huffed, upset that he had to agree. "Actually, he's got a point there. If you could stay at the house for a while at least, we could have an inside man to figure where Ginny stands before school and maybe even try to get your parents to see reason."

"You mean, play spy?" Ron wrinkled his nose in distaste. "Can't I just move into the guest room? It'd be so much more peaceful."

"You'd be living with Snape," Harry just grinned unapologetically back.

"Fine," he groaned. "I'm doing this in protest though, so you better fill in the rest of our lot that I'm not siding with the parents. I'll not have the twins having a go at me for something I didn't even do."

Harry and Percy had finally attempted their night of getting pissed and complaining that they'd been threatening all summer after Ron had left since they were in a bit of a celebratory mood. Snape had joined them in one glass of firewhiskey before escaping to his lab. He was woefully behind in brewing for the hospital wing since they'd depleted almost all their potions during the reign of the Carrows and after the battle. Once he'd bottled his last batch of pepper-up potion, he decided to call it a night and check on his two inebriated housemates to make sure they weren't in any danger.

He made his way up to the sitting room where they'd moved after dinner and steeled himself for whatever was waiting for him on the other side of the door. Frankly, he was really just hoping that neither of the young men had thrown up. While magic could easily clean it, the smell always remained.

He stepped in to see Fawkes perched on the back of the couch and looking over to where Weasley seemed to have passed out on the floor and where Potter was sitting on the couch and staring into the fire, a half-empty bottle of scotch by his hand. "I'm surprise you are still conscious," he remarked as the teen turned his unearthly green eyes on him, which always caused a shiver to run up the vampire's back.

Harry snorted with little amusement before putting the bottle on the floor. "I'm not even drunk," he rolled his eyes and seemed to be upset about that for some reason.

Snape was confused why Potter was upset about not being drunk. He must have not had as much as the unconscious werewolf. "Well, one less hangover potion I need to brew then," he said, joining the man on the couch and looking into the fire. The room was very warm for a fire, but neither of them minded. Fawkes actually made a flying hop over to the mantle to sit closer to the flames.

They sat there in silence for a moment. Without a word, Harry passed the bottle to Snape. "Thanks," the man took a swig and passed it back. "Get enough complaining in before the lightweight passed out? Any catharsis reached?"

The teen made a humming noise and pulled his bag more onto his lap before taking another swallow of the golden liquid. "I think I hate Dumbledore," he remarked simply with absolutely no emotion behind the words.

Snape made his own humming noise of agreement before reaching for the bottle again. Fawkes surprisingly gave a chirp that sounded very much like agreement as well. "May I ask what led to this revelation? You will find no judgment on my end, by the way. I'm one of the few who actually knows he purposefully raised you to die at the right moment. The fact that you didn't has absolutely no bearing on that in my opinion."

Harry stared at the fire a while longer seeming to formulate an answer. "Snape…you don't have to tell me, but I'm going to ask. How many people have you killed?"

Snape's eyebrows rose as he glanced at the teen beside him. Potter was still looking into the flames, seeming to not even acknowledge the fact they were sitting side-by-side on the sofa. "May I ask why you want to know that?" He stalled for time. It wasn't that he would not answer the man beside him; he actually believed that Potter deserved to know whatever he asked after what all he'd been through, but it was something he never wanted to say out loud.

"Did you know my first kill was when I was eleven," Potter remarked hollowly as Snape's heart must have stopped since his brain definitely was reeling.

"Excuse me?" Was all he could force from his throat.

"Dumbledore told me that Voldemort killed Professor Quirrell, and I appreciate him trying to save me some pain, but the fact remains that I held onto the man as he disintegrated knowing full well what I was doing," Harry said, followed by a swig of the Scotch that didn't seem to be affecting him any at all if his clear gaze and steady hand was any indication. "I killed a professor and was awarded house points for it…Dumbledore was messed up."

"Salazar's ghost," Snape breathed out and stole the bottle. It may not be doing anything for Potter, but he definitely needed more alcohol after that.

"Three," Snape remarked. "Three by my own hand. I'm not sure how all of the potions I brewed for the Dark Lord were used, but I would assume…I was thankfully excused from more violent endeavors because of how valuable I was as a brewer…"

Harry was nodding and didn't seem to be scared away. He actually just winced when Snape had said the number, something that he was both grateful for and which made him want to continue for some inexplicable reason. He needed Potter to understand; he needed him to know. It was as if he could not stop the words as they came.

"One was my own father," he heard himself saying to his surprise. "It is the death I least regret…one was the vampire who turned me…one was an innocent. That one haunts my dreams nightly. I try not to think about those who may have been victims of my potions…"

"I've killed six," Harry turned empty eyes on him, the luminous green boring a hole through him. "Quirrell, Tom Riddle was a sentient being with a body when I killed him second year, Dolohov, Greyback, and Voldemort during the battle, and the Death Eater who I don't even remember his name this summer…Snape, I don't even remember his name!"

Snape turned and faced the man in front of him more, shocked at all he'd been through so young. He was hurting, and Snape was ill equipped to handle that situation. "I am not proficient at this, but I believe I should do something…would a hug or a pat on the back be best?"

Harry laughed, dispelling the heavy atmosphere and some life coming back into his eyes. "I don't think the situation is dire enough for us to attempt a hug. The world might end around us," he chuckled. Frankly, Snape was relieved, but surprisingly found a twinge of regret under that relief.

"I hate Dumbledore too," Snape settled back into the couch, thankful that the man seemed slightly less morose. "You should have been protected from all of that."

"Just to be very clear, I hate Voldemort too," Harry added.

With a little toast of the bottle of Scotch, Snape drank in full agreement. "With the intensity of a thousand burning suns," he added to the toast.

September 19th

I do not remember being this hungover ever in my life. My nineteen-year-old body apparently does not hold its liquor anywhere near as well as its thirty-eight year old version. Thankfully, I brewed two vials of hangover potion for the two idiots who thought up the plan of a drunken night of bonding, and it inexplicably seems Potter does not need his, so at least I will recover shortly. I have an appointment with Healer Morris next week and will be instructing him to thoroughly check over Potter. The fact that alcohol seems to not affect him any at all is both extremely concerning and something I'm currently very envious about. The only thing keeping me going with little embarrassment is the fact that Weasley is much worse off than I am, so at least my nineteen-year-old body is not completely failing me.

Observation #24: The yellow room, what Regulus's old room is now known by, has been decorated more over the past week. There are now clouds painted on the walls and various birds and creatures as well. I believe this was some work of Fawkes; however, I still have no idea how a bird could paint anything. It must be some kind of phoenix magic, either that or Potter is more than likely just messing with my head. As for furniture, only a rocking chair has also been added.

Conclusion #24: I believe I have solved one mystery among the many at Grimmauld Place. The yellow room must be for Teddy Lupin when he comes to visit. He has yet to spend the night, but the room also does not yet have a cot. We must be preparing to overnight babysit. I believe I will look up some recipes for baby formulas and colic cures in case they are needed.

The mood in the house has decidedly risen with the apparently favorable reception of Ronald Weasley, and the message delivered by owl post this morning formally offering Mr. Percy Weasley the position of History of Magic professor on a probationary term of one year. There will be much scrutiny on him this year, but I believe he is a person that can rise to the occasion.

Last night…last night Potter talked to me. We discussed some aspects of the war. I admit, I am very concerned for his mental well-being, but I find that I am very much impressed with the way he has handled himself and how he has managed to pull through and still be an admirable person at the end. This is in no way in thanks to how he was raised, the adults in his life, or how he has been treated by the wixen world.

I wish I were not one of those who failed him in the past. This diary may be my only witness, but I swear I will not fail the one who saved us all again. I will not fail the man who physically pulled me from my death and threatened an entire hospital of healers to get me medical attention and who is slowly giving me some hope that this world might have a chance of becoming a better place in the future. I may outlive him a thousand years, but I will not forget what Harry Potter survived and how he rose above it to stand in the gap for us all.

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