Title: Verisimilitude

Author: GrapeSmshr

Rated: R

Coupling: HP/SS slashy goodness

Disclaimer: As much as I wish it were so, these charas don't belong to me.

Thanks to: Crazy Mary-J... You're my lifesaver with this, you know.

A/N: I loved writing this chapter. Draco is entertaining to no end. So are the other two, for that matter. Can I just say yum? Anyway, I'll keep this short and to the point. Read on and enjoy!

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Chapter 5: The Dinner

"And then he asked me if it was all right to use newt eyes instead of toad eyes because they were practically the same creature. He nearly blew up himself and his partner. It was a good thing I noticed in time!" Harry was saying, gesturing wildly with his fork.

Laughing, Draco replied, "He does the same thing in my class as well. It is almost the end of term, and I still can't tell if he is purposely doing things to be funny or if he really doesn't get it."

"First-years," Harry grumbled. "Were we ever that clueless in our first year?"

"You were, yes. But not me." Draco ducked as a roll went flying over his head.

"Well, that wasn't my fault!" Harry protested. "Had my Aunt Petunia embraced the fact that she was a squib, I would've had at least some knowledge of the Wizarding world before age eleven."

"Poor little Harry, as clueless then as he is now," Draco teased, chuckling as Harry growled.

But then Harry's expression changed from a brief flash of surprise to a half-smile as he glanced over Draco's shoulder. "I see you decided to join us?"

Draco turned around in his seat. "Severus! Pull up a seat!" He tossed a cloth napkin in the air and transfigured it into a dining chair.

"Is this how your dinners usually go?" Severus picked up the thrown roll that had landed near the doorway, placing it on the table as he took a seat opposite Harry.

"More or less," Draco shrugged. He snapped his fingers, and a food-laden plate appeared in front of Severus. "Eat up. We have plenty."

They ate in companionable for a short while. Every so often, Harry would steal glances at Snape. He hadn't really expected the man to show up. Not that he minded. They would have to learn to get along civilly before next week, or their classes would be disastrous.

Severus could feel Potter's eyes on him from time to time, but he ignored it. The first few times, that is. When he happened to catch Harry staring at him, he snapped, "Why are you scrutinizing me? Am I that fascinating to you, Mr. Potter?"

Slightly embarrassed at having been caught, Harry shrugged and answered, "Why, yes, actually."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "And what, pray tell, is so fascinating?"

"Just your being here willingly, having dinner with Harry Potter."

"I am having dinner with my godson. You just happen to be dining here as well, Potter," Severus corrected irritably.

"Ah, but I was the one that made this dinner date," Harry shot back in amusement.

"Yes, but my invitation was not from you, was it?"

"Would you like it to be next time?" Harry asked coyly.

"What? No! I just--of course I don't--no!" Severus stuttered, flustered at the question.

Draco watched this entire exchange with a raised eyebrow and more than a little interest. Their banter back and forth, while insulting, seemed to be stemming from something other than animosity. He knew both of them well. Very well, in fact, which was why he was going to file away this conversation for a later date.

"It doesn't matter who invited whom. We are all dining together now," he interrupted smoothly, flashing his dining companions a smile. "Don't ruin the atmosphere by arguing."

"You are right, Draco. I apologize." Severus picked up his fork and resumed eating.

Harry, while knowing he should apologize as well, only replied innocently, "I was only trying to be friendly."

At least Severus had the decency to apologize, Draco mused wryly. But maybe they could finish the meal in peace now.

No such luck.

By the time all of the food was eaten, Harry and Severus were back to throwing barbs at one another.

"Why can't you just admit that I'm competent? I've had no complaints about my teaching!" Harry was shouting.

"Which only shows what rubbish has filled the students' brains!" Severus returned vehemently.

"Oh yeah? Well, those students include Slytherins as well!"

"Which only reinforces the fact that you turned their brains into rot!"

The argument had been going on for almost five minutes. Draco would have imagined that he would find it upsetting, but he was actually rather entertained. They were both so angry, so proud, so... passionate.

Yes, Draco knew them both probably better than they knew themselves. He could see that his work would definitely be cut out for him. Stepping in-between the two, he said, "That's enough for one night. We had a nice, pleasant dinner. Let's not ruin it now."

Giving the potions master one last indecipherable look, Harry turned to Draco and said, "I am getting rather tired. Besides, the third-year Gryffindor/Ravenclaw Astronomy class will be meeting here soon."

With a couple of snaps of his fingers, Draco cleared the table and had cleaned up, sending everything back to the kitchens. He faced his two favorite people, smiling winningly at them. "You two really need to get along, especially if you are going to be teaching together on Monday."

"Imbecilic Gryffindor," Severus muttered under his breath.

Shooting him a glare, Harry said, "That may be asking too much, especially if he"--he jerked his thumb in Snape's direction--"is going to continue making snide comments."

"Oh, as if I'm the one who--"

"Honestly! Just give it a rest already!" Draco cried.

"Fine. I have things to do, anyway." Harry turned to leave, then paused and glanced over his shoulder at Draco. "We're still on for tomorrow, right?"

"Of course."

"Great. Good night, then."

Draco stared after Harry's retreating form, a goofy smile on his face.

With a raised eyebrow and a smirk, Severus asked sardonically, "A date?"

"What? Oh, no, it's not a date. Been there, done that," he chuckled. Noticing Severus's rather shocked face, he shrugged. "Sorry, Muggle expression."

But Draco's use of an inane Muggle expression was not what caught his attention. No, it would have to be the fact that his godson, the embodiment of the perfect Slytherin, had previously dated Harry Potter, the typical annoying Gryffindor. He almost believed it was a joke. Almost.

As he continued to gape, Draco added helpfully, "I suppose that wasn't the part that rendered you speechless?" Gesturing for Severus to follow, he left the Astronomy tower and began the lengthy trek down to the dungeons.

When Severus regained his composure, he burst out, "You dated Potter?"

Grinning sheepishly, Draco answered, "Dating isn't the right word, exactly. There was never any actual dating..." He paused as a group of students passed by, sending the duo greetings and curious glances. Once they were a safe distance away, Draco continued. "When I heard that Harry was helping with research on your poison antidote, I wanted to help as well. In that time, we grew close. Very close, in fact, and that led to one night of intimacy. We became even closer friends after that. And before you interrupt," he broke off as Severus opened his mouth to interject, "we refrained from starting a relationship because it wasn't meant to be, not because it was a horrible night. And don't even think about asking me for any details about that, either."

"As much as I wanted to know what I have missed in your life, I would be perfectly pleased in not being updated on your... bedroom antics," Severus returned with the slightest tinge of pink coloring his cheeks. It was only visible if someone was paying extra close attention, and Draco most definitely was.

Kidding aside, the blonde added in a serious tone, "I don't know what I would have done without Harry. Since you were briefly incapacitated, he became family to me. It would mean a lot to me if you would at least attempt to get along with him."

Rolling his eyes at Draco's pouting face, he relented, "I'll put in some effort if he does as well."

Draco immediately brightened. "Glad to hear it. Now, I have to be off. I just remembered something that needs to be taken care of. I'll visit tomorrow, all right?" He took off down the hallway, calling back, "Don't mention a word of what we just discussed to Harry. We decided long ago to keep it to ourselves."

Watching his godson walk off, Severus heaved a long-suffering sigh and continued down to the dungeons. What was he supposed to do with this information that Draco so readily divulged? Nothing? Well, he couldn't just do nothing. Since Draco and Potter were friends--closer than friends, even--Severus supposed he really did have to make an effort to be civil to the Boy Wonder, at least for Draco's sake. Besides, how difficult could getting along be?

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Harry had only been in his room for a few minutes when the portrait swung open and allowed Draco entrance. He gave a lazy grin to his friend and went back into his bedroom, calling out, "Just couldn't get enough of me, could you?"

Following him into the bedroom, he was greeted with the heavenly vision of a shirtless Harry, who was rummaging through his wardrobe. "No, never."

Shooting the blonde a smirk, Harry threw a shirt on over his head and flopped down on his bed, laying back against the pillows. "Did you forget anything?"

Laying down next to him, Draco made himself comfortable on the bed he had spent many nights falling asleep on. "Actually, yes."

When Draco made no move to elaborate, Harry urged, "Well?"

Fluffing a pillow behind his head, Draco asked nonchalantly, "Do you have a thing for Severus?"

Harry took a moment to let those words sink in. A long moment. A very long moment in which he repeated the question over and over again, trying to make sense of it. Because it really did make no sense. When he finally found that his voice did indeed still work, he exclaimed, "I don't think so! What an absurd question. Why did you even ask it?"

"It was only a question. No need to get all defensive."

"What am I supposed to be besides defensive?" Harry asked indignantly.

"Nothing, nothing at all. It was just a question, and now I see I shouldn't have asked it." Draco shrugged in apology.

"Damn right you shouldn't have."

"We're agreed, then. I guess I'm just not thinking straight. I'm still emotional from his being back."

"I know," Harry sighed, reaching over and gently squeezing Draco's shoulder. "It's a big adjustment for everyone, but I can imagine how much it's affecting you to have your godfather back."

"It really is a rather large affectation," Draco admitted, turning on his side to face Harry fully.

"I know," Harry returned, gathering the blonde into a hug which was avidly returned.

They lay in silence for a moment before Draco yawned. "Do you mind if I sleep here tonight?"

"Of course not. You don't even have to ask."

Sitting up, Draco pulled the blanket folded at the end of the bed and draped it over the two before he collapsed back against his pillow. He sighed blissfully as he was pulled against Harry, his back against Harry's chest, strong arms wrapping around him in an ever reassuring embrace.

Lying together like so many night before, they let the lull of their steady breathing lead them into slumber.

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Ugh. I had to rewrite this ending twice because it was too mushy the first two times. Granted, I'm a huge mush fan, but it was even too mushy for me. That's really bad when that happens. But I like it much better now. Anyway... I know some of you are probably thinking that Draco is going to be a little Cupid in this fic. Well, he's not! Draco meddles, sure (he is a Malfoy, after all), but he'll strictly be a mediator between Harry and Sev. Well, you'll see.

Please review! I enjoy my reviews like I enjoy dreams about chocolate-covered Sev... Uhhh... sorry... So please review! It would mean oh so much to me. And as always, thanks for reading. Until next Friday!