That night Harry had to teach a group of first years then a group of sixth years. Since the school already knew about Harry and Draco's relationship now the Slytherin felt it was his 'duty' to help out the Griffindor with his teaching.
"Um, try doing a quick swish then a quicker flick when you're doing it." Said Harry to one of his students.
The student nodded and tried it again. Whatever the spell was it worked, the other person had fallen backward and both the students smiled at Harry who smiled and nodded back.
"Well, I see your doing a great job." Said Draco leaning against the door
Harry looked up at the familiar voice he loved to hear and smiled.
Draco walked toward Harry, "I came to see if I could help in any way."
Harry smiled, "Thanks, maybe in a bit with the fifth years."
"Oh, fifth years. It'll be interesting."
Harry nodded.
His defense classes were taking place in the Great Hall. There simply wasn't enough room in a regular classroom for an entire year or students.
A bell in the Great Hall rang signaling the dismissal of the class.
"Okay, I want a one foot essay on the spells you learned today each. About all the defenses and such. Due next week and you all did wonderfully."
The students left smiling, it gave Harry a great feeling of gratification seeing the students smiling at him and saying their goodbye's to him as they left.
After the Great Hall was empty of first years the fifth years started spilling in. They didn't look as afraid as the first years had as they each took a seat while Harry and Draco stood at the front of the class.
"Okay, today I simply want to test you all on what you know so far."
Draco actually had put in a rather helpful hand during the class. Trying to help Harry while they were correcting the hand movements of the students and such.
By the end of the class the two seventh years were tired, class is hard when there is so much to do. And as they got older, it was harder to get the students to change their old habits they might have learn, most likely from that Lockhart professor and that Umbridge Bitch.
The two boys just had enough time to take a short shower before dinner would start.
When Harry entered the Great Hall, which had all the tables and chairs back in place, many of the students were talking about the defense class even if they weren't first or fifth years.
"Harry, so tonight are we going to meet up with the Slytherin again?" Asked Ron as soon as Harry was able to take his seat.
"I'm not sure, if you want I guess but then I have a lot of work so I think you should all go by yourselves."
Ron frowned, "Their working you too hard Harry. First you're expected save the world, now they make you teach classes while your still in school. That's a bit much Harry. Maybe you should talk to Dumbledore-"
"Ron, it's only been one day. If I could handle Voldemort when I was one then I'm pretty sure I can handle teaching a bunch of students."
Ginny leaned over, "Yeah, Harry if it's too much I think you should talk to someone about it."
"I'm fine, I just need time that's all."
"How about a time turner." Suggested Ron
"Naw, it'll be too much trouble trying to hide and stuff."
Just then a letter appeared in Harry's hands. Harry opened the letter and read it to himself.
"Dear professor Potter,
I am hereby excusing you from having to do any assignments from your professors for the reason that I know firsthand how stressful teaching can be. Do not tell anyone this as I do not want others thinking that you are getting special treatment. Also, I am allowing Mr. Malfoy to join you in teaching your classes if you like and he too will be excused from his homework. Just write your decision on this parchment and depending on your decision a letter will be given to Mr. Malfoy. Thank you for your work today, I have been told that it was the best yet.
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore"
"What is it Harry?" Asked Ron trying to look at the parchment in his hand.
"Nothing." Said Harry and took out a quill to write his response.
On the other side of the hall a letter appeared in Draco's hand and he jumped at the surprise.
Draco opened the letter and read it silently.
'Dear Mr. Malfoy,
You are excused from any assignments from your professors for the reason that you will now be assisting professor Potter with his teaching every night. You are to be made an assistant to professor Potter. Welcome to the faculty professor Malfoy.
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore'
Draco smiled at the letter and he looked up at the Griffindor table and he saw Harry look back at him openly, this was great, they no longer had to hide anything, their secret was out, they no longer had to fear anything anymore.
After dinner Harry made his way to the potions room to find Severus. When he arrived Draco was already there talking to Severus.
"Started without me huh?"
Draco whipped his head around and smiled at his Griffindor.
"Well it's great you got time to spend with us professor Potter."
Harry laughed, it sounded so funny. Professor Potter, that just didn't sound too right, not yet anyway, he'll just have to get used to it.
Harry went over and took a seat near the potion masters desk beside Draco.
"So, how are things?" Asked Harry
"Severus was just telling me what happened to that bitch."
"Which bitch?"
"The one that tried to get in your pants."
"Oh! Professor Fentson?"
"Yeah, that rat. Anyway, she got sent back to the ministry and they immediately turned her away. They were so ashamed at what she had done. I mean trying to seduce a student is just wrong. So now she's fully unemployed and everything. Serves her right."
"Draco, she made a little mistake. She doesn't deserve to be left out in the cold to die."
"Oh, she's not going to die or anything, at least not yet. Apparently she came from a very wealthy family so Severus has told me. She's still living like a queen."
"Uh, then why did she even become an Auror if she's so freaking rich?"
"Because she wanted to get down your pants."
"What?"
"She knew that your father and your mother had a son. She did everything so she could seduce you Harry."
"That's ridiculous. She wasted so much time to seduce a boy who is old enough to be her son?"
"Apparently she was really obsessed with your father but she backed off after she found out about your fathers interest in your mother."
Harry looked at Severus and the potions master nodded in agreement.
"That's so stupid. What a waste of time."
Severus nodded again, "Yes well, apparently that's why she didn't get married and stuff as well. She really was obsessed with your father, then when she realized that she couldn't have him, she wanted you."
"You mean she could have anyone but she chose me?"
"Yup my pet, and she chose one who was already taken and doesn't even go for girls."
They all laughed. It was way to outrageous. That woman really wasted her time. Chasing a little boy who didn't even know she existed.
"I bet she even attended your parents wedding." Said Draco
"She might have. She did look very familiar when I first saw her. I guess I'll look at the album again to see if she's in there."
"So, Harry, how was class? I heard you were quite the hit. Everyone thought your teaching method was wonderful. No doubt you were nice." Said Severus
Harry laughed, "Yeah, I didn't glare at them and threaten them."
Severus frowned in mock shock, "And it worked?"
They all started laughing again. Just like how things were at the beginning. Harry would never forget these moments of his life. He was actually genuinely happy. Not being someone everyone expected him to be. He was himself, relaxed and well, he felt like he had really made friends. Real friends that he could keep forever and who didn't care that he would eventually have to kill Voldemort.
"So I heard Draco's going to be your assistant and I guess your both exempt from all homework as well."
The two boys nodded with wide grins on their faces. They were waiting for this the entire time. They had to see the reaction from Severus.
"Well, that may be for your other classes, but not with me. You will have to hand in all assignments to me."
Both their grins transformed into shock.
This is when Severus started laughing, "You really think I would do that?"
They both sighed a breath of relief and Harry glared, "You tricked us."
"I know, actually it was my idea to exempt the both of you from your assignments." Said Severus still smiling.
Just then there was a knock on the door and they all jumped but then they remembered that their secret was out already. Nothing to worry about.
"Enter." Said Severus after he waved his wand to release the locking spell he cast after Harry had entered out of habit.
Ron poked his head into the room, "Uh, I was just wondering if it's time to, you know, uh, Griffindor and Slytherin." Then the red head saw Harry, "Hey! You told me you had homework."
Draco was about to say something but Harry interrupted, "I was talking to professor Snape about our potions essay. You know the one we handed in last week?"
"Oh, why? Is something wrong?"
"Yeah, I thought I did something wrong so I came here to talk to professor about it."
"With Draco?"
"Well I met him in the hall and he said we haven't been able to spend much time together so he volunteered to come with me."
"Oh, okay, well, can we, you know."
Harry smiled, "Yeah, we'll be out in a sec."
The red head nodded and closed the door.
"Harry, why didn't you tell him that you don't get homework?"
"We're not allowed to tell anyone. This is between the staff."
"Oh, Dumbledore didn't tell me that."
"Did you tell anyone?"
"No, we just got out from dinner, I didn't get a chance."
"Good, so, we're going to be able to spend time together after all aren't we?"
Draco grinned. "Hey! Wait! The weasel called me Draco."
"Yeah, I think he's starting to like you. Well more like Blaise, and your friends with Blaise so he's staying on good terms with you."
Draco grinned.
"What? I thought the Wesley was with that book worm." Said Severus who was just sitting back listening to their conversation.
They boys laughed, "Ron and her had it rough after she wouldn't accept me and Draco but long story short Ron and Blaise got to know each other and well, they kind of grew a liking for one another." Said Harry
"Don't forget Pansy and Ginny!" Added Draco smiling
"Oh my, all these Griffindor and Slytherin bonds." Said Severus still wide eyed.
They both nodded, "Anyway, Goodnight Severus." Said Harry giving the potions master a hug.
Draco did the same and they both left the potions room to a crowd of Griffindor and Slytherin gathered in front of the door waiting for the two.
"Finally! We were beginning to think you would both never come out of there." Said Pansy
"So, where do we go tonight? We didn't really make McGonagall happy last night. She was trying to sleep but we were too loud." Said Harry
"I know!" Shouted Draco and everyone turned to him, "The Shrieking Shack. We can clean the place up a bit and we'll just meet there, it's supposed to be secluded and no one goes up there anyway, it'll be perfect!"
"You know what Draco?" Said Blaise, "I think the Griffindor is good for you."
"Of course he is."
And they made their way to the Whomping Willow. That's when they encountered their first problem.
"How do we get past this?" Asked Blaise
"Hum, I know when my dad used it they used Pettigrew who was an animangus and he turned into a rat." Said Harry pondering.
That was when Neville came forward, "You know, my toad can fit into there."
Harry didn't look too happy with the idea, "Uh, what if your toad gets hurt?"
Neville shrugged, "We'll never know until we try."
"But it might not be such a good idea Neville."
Too late, Neville already released his toad and to everyone's surprise the toad headed straight for the lever branch and jumped on it causing the entire tree still and open up a little pathway for them.
Harry looked at Neville impressed. Neville smiled and shrugged, "He's good for some things you know."
Harry smiled and patted Neville on the back as they made their way into the tree and on their way to the Shrieking Shack.
After a long exhausting walk they finally reached the Shrieking Shack. It was still as much a mess as it was in Harry's third year.
Harry saw Draco make a face of disgust, "We'll have a lot of work to do wont we?"
Harry nodded.
"Couldn't we have brought some house elf's?" Asked Blaise
"Nope, the Shrieking Shack isn't part of Hogwarts. They can't come."
Draco let out a breath, "Well, better get started then. Fifth, Sixth and Seventh years I guess should start upstairs and the rest will work downstairs. We definitely can't get this place looking good in one night."
They all nodded and the older years headed up the stairs.
Draco gave a yawn, "Harry, I think we should start heading back. We can continue tomorrow or something. It's starting to get late. It's almost eleven."
Harry nodded and stuck his head out of the room they were in and shouted, "HEY EVERYONE! MEET DOWNSTAIRS WE'RE GETTING READY TO LEAVE!"
Two minutes later the group of Slytherin and Griffindor were all gathered downstairs. The peculiar thing was that none of them seemed put out. They all seemed quite happy to have been able to help with something and they were working together. Getting to know one another from a different point of view. It was like getting to meet a whole new group of people for the very first time. It was, it was a second chance and not many people get that.
After another long walk and a lot of talking among the group they finally made it back to the Whomping Willow. Neville placed his toad on the lever and the branches parted once again. After they had all made it through safely Neville's toad released the lever and hopped his way back into Neville's grasp.
It was after hours so they had to sneak back to their houses. Luckily for the Slytherin they had a back entrance from the outside leading down to the dungeons of the school. The Griffindor's weren't so lucky. Harry had to get his Firebolt along with the Slytherin Quidditch team getting their Nimbus 2001's, not trusting the school brooms, and they let the Griffindor ride their way back into the towers. Some of the students needed the older one's to ride with them since they didn't know how to ride a broom yet.
Harry was told to once again stay with Draco, it still wasn't safe for him. Perhaps he would talk to the Headmaster about changing sleeping quarters but he doubted the idea going through.
All in all, it was a very interesting day. Harry got a job, so did Draco. They now no longer had to do any homework. They found a place where they could all hang out. Everything was great. Their secret was out in the open, people knew and a lot of people accepted. Nothing could ruin it, nothing at all.