Repetitions

by madam-malicia

AU SLASH Orphaned Harry Potter is adopted by Sirius Black just before his 17th birthday. In his new town, Harry falls for Draco Malfoy and tries to uncover the mystery surrounding his parents' death. NEW CHAPTER!

4. Chapter Four

Title: Repetitions

Pairing: H/D

Rating: PG-13 to R

Warnings: Complete AU, Set in America, Slash, WIP

Summary: Orphaned Harry Potter is adopted by Sirius Black just before his 17th birthday. In his new town he begins a relationship with Draco Malfoy and tries to uncover the mystery of his parent's death.

AN: Yay! Finally new chapter! Hopefully, you will excuse the long long LONG wait as I have posted a double chapter, over 15,000 words. I had to rewrite it 4 times and this version is absolutely nothing like the original.

Thanks so much to everyone who has reviewed so far! Please let me know what you think of this chapter. Don't be afraid to give Con Crit or tell me which parts you hated. I have a thick skin. I'm so sorry I am not answering the reviews as I said I would. It was such a bitch to get this chapter up (you don't want to know) and I am feeling extremely tired right now. I truly appreciate everyone who took the time to review. I will try to answer them in the next chapter. If you have a question or something you definitely want a response to, your best bet would be to privately email me at madammaliciayahoo.com.

One thing I do want to address is the location. This comes up in a lot of the feedback I get. This information was originally posted with the chapters before I got deleted but I removed it in the repost. The fact that I put them in America is the second most common thing people comment on. The first is Snape. Originally, this AU was going to be set in an earlier time period in a culture that was distinctly American. I realized that putting them in such period and situation would create some angsty problems I'd rather not deal with considering this fic is already so plot heavy. So I moved them up to modern times. At that time I thought about putting them in England as they should be but I was scared of having lots of Americanisms and thought the story would read like they were American anyway. So I left them in the USA, thinking it's AU, I can do that. Plus at this point I had already thought about making Snape a cowboy and fell in love with the idea. I thought such a characterization would stand out too much if it was set in England. That was the swaying factor in deciding to keep in them in America. So in the end, it's all Snape's fault.

And now the fic...

Draco Malfoy was having a very foul week. Oh, it had stared off quite nicely. Draco had to admit that. Meeting Harry Potter, not to mention kissing Harry Potter, was the most exciting thing to happen in an otherwise tedious summer and he hadn't been in such a good mood in quite some time. But, as the old cliché goes, all good things must come to end and Draco's good thing came to a screeching halt immediately after he returned home from Harry's birthday party.

Dobby, an exceptionally small man with a bald head and huge ears, served as the butler and occasional driver. He had been waiting for Draco with the news that his father wished to speak to him without delay.

"He's in a right state," warned Dobby. "Better keep that tongue in check!"

Draco found his father in the Senator's private office. Lucius Malfoy was a tall, powerfully built man with pale blond hair and cool gray eyes. Tonight he donned an expensive, well-cut tuxedo. As always Lucius held his long black cane tipped with a silver snakehead. It had been a constant in Lucius' life ever since he injured his leg in childhood accident. Lucius tapped that cane against the side of his black leather shoe as he sat behind the wide expanse of his normally over-loaded desk. Now, however, it was bereft of anything save a lone piece of paper. Draco knew immediately why his presence had been requested and prepared himself for the forthcoming lecture. He didn't dare ask how his father had found it; doing so would only make things worse.

"Oh, yes, I've discovered your little secret," said Lucius as he picked up the piece of paper. "For weeks you led Narcissa and myself to believe that you hadn't gotten your results back. Why did you lie to us?"

"I was going to tell you," insisted Draco with as much sincerity he could muster. "It just slipped my mind." Actually, Draco had had no plans to inform his parents about his SAT results. He had intended to retake the test in hopes of achieving a higher score. Eleven hundred and eighty might be a number welcome in other households but was considered sub-par for a Malfoy. Lucius' disappointment with the results was evident and he threw away them away with the same distaste one might have when handling another's used Kleenex.

"But you didn't tell us," said Lucius, pursing his lips. "Naturally, there shall be punishment."

"Naturally..." echoed Draco, sullenly.

"You are going to Chicago for a few weeks," said Lucius. "Your Grandmother is expecting you tonight so you will have to miss the party."

"What? No! You can't do this to me again! She hates me!"

Lucius looked away and far too late, said, "Don't be ridiculous, Draco."

"She does! And I hate her ten times more!"

"Nonsense. Now your things have already been packed and Dobby is waiting to take you."

Draco slouched in his seat then sat up confidently. "Mother will never stand for this!"

"Narcissa was the one who suggested this course of action." Lucius allowed himself a grim smile at the look of disbelief on Draco's face. "You can ask her yourself. She is in her room preparing for tonight's festivities."

Draco did not go quietly. Amidst the shrieks and screams he promised his parents he would never forgive them. This was just too much. No one deserved Vanessa Malfoy as a punishment. Draco wouldn't even wish her on his worst enemy. Which was really saying something considering the many other things he has done to those who dared to make themselves his adversary. Dobby took the slowest route to Chicago and listened to Draco complain with a sympathetic ear.

Six hours later Draco stood in the opulent foyer of Vanessa's Lake Shore Drive penthouse. Vanessa, an elegant matron of seventy-five years, did not bother to greet her grandson herself. The maid she sent informed Draco that he was to go straight to bed and Vanessa would see him in the morning.

Draco didn't know why his father forced him to visit her so often. Visits that could be very damaging to a lesser willed person. Draco couldn't say that Vanessa didn't like him because he was gay, it was clear she had had a problem with him way before that had come out. Never once in his whole sixteen years could he recall her ever actually addressing him by name. She would merely point and say, "You." This had alienated Draco before he was even out of diapers and he retaliated by refusing to call her 'Grandmother'. In his freshman year, after Draco came out as a homosexual, Vanessa wouldn't speak to him more than a year. Draco hadn't minded, in fact, he was quite happy to be estranged from her and would have come out sooner had he known that would be the result. It was only after Lucius threatened Vanessa with "assisted living" did she resume communication.

The visit went exactly as Draco expected. He not permitted to explore Chicago nor was he allowed to use the phone or watch television. Everyday Vanessa forced him to read the various pamphlets and books she had collected on the perils of homosexuality, and then discuss with her what he had learned. Draco did not hold back his opinions despite it making Vanessa agitated to the point of near heart attack. After such conversations Draco would be grounded to his room where he took wicked satisfaction in pleasuring himself as he thought about Harry Potter.

The only bright spots in these dark, miserable days were the mornings when Vanessa would reluctantly take him to her country club so that he could swim. Draco had been swimming competitively since he was a young boy and until two years ago he had been a serious contender for the Olympics. He was still the best in State thanks to regular, grueling training sessions and Vanessa knew better than to disrupt them.

Liberation came in the form of Dobby very early on Friday morning. Never had Draco been so happy to see the man. They hightailed it out of Chicago as fast as they could. Draco encouraged Dobby to speed and they made it to Hogsmeade in no time at all. Upon returning home, Draco went directly to find his parents, determined to give them a good piece of his mind. Really, what were they thinking, sending him to stay with such a person, grandmother or not? He had only stayed a week instead of the threatened "few weeks" but still, there are some things you just don't do your children. Unfortunately, Lucius and Narcissa were not home to receive his wrath.

Draco seethed silently for a few minutes then went to check if he had any messages. He was extremely disappointed to see that Harry hadn't left a single one. Draco wondered if Ron Weasley had turned Harry against him while he was away and vowed that the Weasel would pay if he interfered.

He wasn't exactly sure why he liked Harry so much. He had certainly known cuter boys in his lifetime. Harry wasn't even they type of boy Draco normally liked. He liked them raw, reckless and just a little bit rude. The kind of boy mothers warned their daughters and gay sons about. Boys like...Neville Longbottom. Definitely not the shy, sweet and innocent type. But Draco couldn't deny that there was something special about Harry Potter. He knew it the very second he had seen him.

Thinking of Harry improved Draco's mood immensely and it with a light heart that Draco turned to his other messages. Most of them were from Blaise Zabini and labeled urgent. He called her right away to see what the fuss was about.

"Where the fuck have you been?" barked Blaise the second she got on the line.

"Father grounded me to Chicago again."

"That sucks. But listen to this shit. I heard from Theodore that Terry Boot asked your boy out. He overhead them at The Three Broomsticks."

Draco nearly dropped the phone. "What?"

"Terry asked out that boy. Harry Potter. Must be for revenge."

"And did he accept?" asked Draco with a cool calmness he did not feel.

"Fuck if I know," said Blaise. "You can ask him yourself if you want. He'll be at the football field for the try-outs." Blaise suddenly burst into mad cackles. "You should come anyway, especially if you want to see Ron Weasley throw a bitch fit."

Harry Potter was a very nervous boy. He had come early to the football tryouts with Ron, who needed to help Coach Hooch prepare. He was very surprised to learn the football coach was a woman though he could tell right away that she could be just as tough as any man. Over the last few days Ron, along with George and Fred who had played all though high school and still played at Hogsmeade University, had been him teaching the sport of football. Though he had never played before Harry found that he was actually kind of good at it. Ron even said that with a little practice he would make a great running back.

Still, in all honesty, Harry would much rather not be there. He was positive that he would make a fool of himself. Harry's anxiety was magnified by the fact that he had a date with Terry Boot that very night. He hadn't told anyone at all about the date; hoping something would happen so he'd have to cancel.

The rest of the team arrived in a noisy mass, tearing Harry from his thoughts. Shortly thereafter, the prospective new players trickled in. Most of the prospectives were young and small, no doubt incoming freshmen, however, there were a few older ones and Harry didn't feel quite so out of place.

"Fuck!" Ron snapped suddenly.

"Watch your language, Weasley," said Hooch as she scribbled something on her clipboard.

"Look, Coach!"

Hooch looked up. "Dammit!"

Everyone looked over to what had captured their attention. There was Tonks in a wavy blond wig and black business suit, heading up a group that included Blaise, Nicky, and trailing at the very, Draco Malfoy. Harry immediately wished he wore something other then Dudley Dursley's old clothes.

"Hello, Coach," said Tonks once she had reached the field. She looked a bit peaked but the voice was strong and commanding. Hooch did not return the greeting. Tonks pulled a grinning Blaise forward and said, "Blaise Zabini informs me that for three years she asked to try out for the team and for three years you have denied her the opportunity."

Hooch said nothing and glared at the lawyer. Ron swarmed behind the coach, nearly magenta with rage.

"Aren't you supposed to be resting at home?" he finally shouted out.

Harry hadn't known Tonks long but even he knew that was very much the wrong thing to say to her. Tonks gave Ron a sharp look of her own and pressed on, even more determined. "According to Title IX-"

"I am familiar with Title IX!" barked Hooch.

"Apparently, you are not, else I would not have to be here today."

Hooch was livid. After a few calming breaths she commanded Ron to take everyone to the end zone and get them warmed up. Ron did so reluctantly. It was clear that the conversation between Hooch and Tonks was getting quite heated and everyone was distracted as they tried to listen in.

"And furthermore," Tonks was saying loudly, "I am appalled that you, as a woman in this male dominated arena, would try to prevent another female-"

"Man, I hope they don't let her on the team," said a brunet player a few feet from Harry. "The season will be ruined."

"We have to let her at least try out, Ernie," spoke up Justin. "It's the law."

"This is all my fault!" said Ron, bitterly. "I was the one who taught her how to play."

"Why'd you do a stupid thing like that?" asked Ernie. The rest of the team turned accusing eyes to Ron.

"It was in the seventh grade!" protested Ron. "She wasn't all dyke-y back then. I didn't think she'd ever want to play for real."

Hooch soon arrived with a very pleased Blaise tagging along behind her. "Line up with the rest of them, Zabini," Hooch snapped.

The try-outs were very rough, far more so then the earlier practices with Ron and the Weasley twins had ever been. He suspected they were only being so hard on them because they wanted to oust Blaise. Harry knew he was playing poorly as he couldn't stop looking over at Draco who sat in the stands with Tonks and Nicky. Ron eventually had to pull him aside and tell him to concentrate.

After several plays they were given a break. Harry had never felt so battered and exhausted in his life. If Blaise was the favorite to be roughed up then he was definitely in second place. He was sitting on the grass, enjoying a moments of rest when he felt light tap on his shoulder. He looked up to see Draco smiling down at him.

"Hello, Harry," said Draco. "....you didn't call me..."

Harry didn't know what to say. He certainly wasn't going to say that he had wanted to every night but had been too shy to dial the digits. He wasn't going to say that he had hoped every day for Draco to call him instead and had been depressed when he hadn't.

"You didn't call me either," Harry eventually said.

Draco looked pained. "I was sent to my father's mother's place in Chicago and wasn't allowed to use the phone. I just got back this morning."

"I see," said Harry as casually as he could. Secretly, he was elated Draco had had a good reason to not call him.

"Well, I have to go soon. I was just wondering if you were doing something tonight?"

"Err, I...I have to do something with Sirius."

"I'm sure Sirius will let you out of it,"

"Umm-"

"Break's over!" shouted Hooch. Harry was relieved for the interruption. "I better go," said Harry, quickly.

The second half of things went much quicker for Harry since he didn't have Draco to look at every two seconds. By the end, Harry was too worn-out to react when his own name was called as one of those who made the team. Blaise had made the team as well and her thrilled shrieks drowned out the angry grumbling of everyone else.

Ron was furious and complained about Tonks and Blaise as he drove Harry home later that afternoon. Harry didn't like Blaise but he had to admit that she had played well. Certainly better then he had. However, he was sure Ron wouldn't appreciate his input on the matter and wisely kept his mouth shut.

Sirius was waiting anxiously in the parlor after Ron dropped him off. "Are you in?"

"Yeah," said Harry, dully. He plopped in a ratty old chair and handed Sirius several permission and clearance forms. "You and a doctor have to fill those out before I can play."

"Jeez, try not to sound too excited about it." Sirius studied Harry for a few seconds. "You don't have to play if you don't want too. Don't let Ron pressure-"

"It's not that," interrupted Harry. "I...have a date tonight."

"Why all the gloom then? I thought you liked Draco..."

"It's not with Draco. It's with this boy named Terry Boot. I don't know why he asked me out." Harry sighed miserably.

"Well, you're a great boy...If I were twenty years younger and you weren't James's son…" Sirius paused. "The question is, why did you accept if you didn't want to go?"

"I didn't accept! Not really!" Harry quickly told Sirius how Terry had asked him out.

"Hmmm. Maybe he was just thrilled to meet another gay boy his age. I can't imagine there are many. That are out, at any rate. Back when I was in high school no one was out of the closet. I didn't even tell the rest of the Marauders until I was in college. But they pretty much knew by then anyway."

Harry perked. "You know, I didn't ask you if I could go out-"

"You don't need my permission to go on dates."

Harry continued as if he hadn't heard Sirius. "I could tell Terry that you won't let me go."

"Oh, no you don't. You're not going to use me as an excuse. Just go and try to have a good time. It's will good for you to meet boys other than Draco."

"I know lots of boys. Ron...Fred and George...some of the guys on the football team..."

"You know what I mean, Harry. Better go get cleaned up. You don't want to go on your date stinking."

"Turn that down!" snapped Draco. "We have to be inconspicuous!"

For reasons Draco had no hope of understanding, Blaise had chosen to tear the entire backseat from her Mustang and put a huge carpet-covered speaker in its place. Currently, she had that speaker blasting at full volume and Draco was sure that anyone in a ten-mile radius could hear it. Draco knew it was mistake to bring her but he thought Harry might recognize his own car and Blaise would sooner rot in hell before she allowed anyone to drive her precious 'Stang.

"Hey! I was listening to that!" complained Blaise when Draco turned the stereo off.

"Listen to it later!"

Blaise sat back in the driver's seat looking completely and hopelessly bored. After several prolonged sighs, she asked, "Are you even sure this date is tonight?"

"Oh, I'm sure," said Draco as he brought the binoculars to his eyes again. They had parked on a small hill and from his vantage point he had a clear view of Grimmauld Place. He remained glued to the binoculars, attentive to even the smallest signs of activity.

"This is really sad, Draco," said Blaise, shaking her head. "I know you haven't gotten any in a while but if you're that hot for a piece of ass tonight why don't you just call up Ian Warrington? You always liked him."

"Ian is old news. And Harry is not just a piece of-Oh!" Draco jerked in his seat and quickly refocused the binoculars. "What kind of car does Terry drive?"

"How the fuck am I supposed to know that? Like I pay any attention to Terry Boot."

Draco watched as a blue car parked in front of Grimmauld Place. Terry emerged from the vehicle and went to the front steps where he was greeted by Sirius and Harry. Harry looked delicious in a crisp white shirt and snug black pants. He had obviously come fresh from the shower as his skin had that fresh dewy look. It galled Draco to think about Harry looking so good for someone else and his mouth tightened into a thin white line.

Blaise dutifully tailed Terry's car through winding and twisting roads of Hogsmeade. Being a Friday night, the streets were crowded and Blaise was able to closely follow without calling any undue attention to their car.

"I can't believe he took Harry to this dump!" Draco said when Terry pulled up to an Italian restaurant called Giovanni's.

"My Aunt Carina owns this place, I'll have you know!"

"Well, it's still a dump."

"People think it's quaint," said Blaise as she parked in front of an office building next to Giovanni's. "Please tell me we are not going to sit out here the entire time."

Draco made a tittering sound and reached for his binoculars. Fortunately, Giovanni's had large bay windows and he was able to see everything quite well.

Things were certainly getting interesting inside the restaurant. Harry and Terry were, initially, very awkward with each other. Draco could tell that just by looking at them. Then very abruptly both boys relaxed. Harry gave Terry a wide smile and scooted closer to him in the booth as they commenced with a very animated but intimate conversation.

Draco tore the binoculars away from his face with an aggravated frown. Harry was not supposed to smile at Terry like that. Harry was not supposed to like Terry. For the life of him, Draco couldn't see what Harry might find interesting about Terry Boot. He knew from personal experience what a bore the boy was.

"What's going on?" asked Blaise as she wrestled the binoculars away from Draco and took a look for herself. "Hmmm. Looks like they are getting friendly. I bet they get it on tonight."

Blaise put down the binoculars to see Draco's very annoyed face. "I guess you won't be taking that bet."

Draco glared at her for a few seconds then asked, with a smirk, "Do you think Lisa Turpin knows about this?"

"I doubt it. Terry would never tell and I told Theodore not say anything. Can't have everyone knowing you got dumped for Terry Boot."

Draco had the peculiar sensation of being both touched that Blaise sought to protect his reputation and annoyed at the suggestion that he had been dumped.

"What are you thinking, Draco?" Blaise asked. "You've got that look in your eyes."

Draco smiled for the first time this evening and got out of the car. "Let's go. It's about time this date came to an end."

As they made their way to the restaurant, Draco outlined his plan to Blaise. At Blaise's suggestion, they entered through a back service door that immediately opened to a large kitchen. She quickly sought out her Aunt Carina and communicated their urgent need to speak with Terry Boot privately. Carina offered them use of her office and sent a waitress to retrieve Terry.

Terry arrived at the office a few minutes later. He tried to bolt from the room when seeing who had summoned him but Blaise managed to close the door and lock it before he could get out. Draco sat at a chair behind the desk and leaned back as he surveyed Terry.

"Well, isn't this a coincidence?" Draco asked, grinning at the wary boy.

"What do you want, Draco?"

"I think that should be rather obvious but I'll play along. What I want to know is, why are you here, having what, by all appearances, seems to be a date with Harry Potter?"

Terry stiffened and weakly said, "I don't see how that is your business."

Draco chuckled. "Anything is my business if I choose to make it so." He paused and tapped a finger against his bottom lip. "But you know whose business this really is? Lisa Turpin's. I wonder how she would react were she to find out that her loving boyfriend is having a nice romantic date with someone else. And not just anyone, but a boy! I don't think she'd react too kindly. Why, after all those rumors last year…"

"It's not like that!" protested Terry, who had paled considerably during Draco's speech.

"Isn't it?" Draco lifted his eyebrows and shifted his gaze to Blaise. "What say you? Shall we call dear Lisa and inform her of this development?"

"Absolutely!"

"No!" shrieked Terry.

"Why shouldn't I?"

As expected, Terry had no answer.

"However," began Draco, looking oddly repentant. "I am not the complete bastard you think me to be, Terry." A look of pure anguish crossed Draco's face as though such an assessment greatly wounded him. "I am prepared to keep your secret if you do me a little favor."

"And what would that be?" Terry asked cautiously.

"Leave. Leave now. Go out there and tell Harry you have a family emergency or something. Just leave."

Terry stared miserably into space for a few seconds then gave a resigned sigh. "Fine."

"Oh and Terry?" said Draco, smiling though his voice had taken a harsh tone. "It would behoove you to stay the fuck away from him in the future."

"We should have called Lisa," said Blaise after Terry had left. "You were far too easy on him."

Draco agreed completely, but he couldn't afford to rile Terry up much more than he had. Who knew what the boy would do then. Terry had just as much, if not more, damaging information he could dangle over Draco's own head. He was just too stupid use it. Or perhaps too embarrassed. Draco couldn't decide which but it didn't matter to him as long as certain secrets remained secret.

They followed Terry to the main section of the restaurant and hid behind a large aquarium as Terry said his goodbyes to Harry. Draco told himself he didn't care that Harry looked very much disappointed to see Terry go and unsuccessfully tried to ignore the twisting, sinking feeling growing in his gut.

"I think you got some competition!" whispered Blaise, putting voice to Draco's concerns. "This could get interesting."

"No, it won't," bit out Draco. "Terry will stay away, if he knows what's good for him."

"So what are you going to do now? Claim your prize?"

Draco wanted to do just that, but… "No, it would look odd if I suddenly showed up. Plus Father has me on an 8 o'clock and I'm already 30 minutes late. "

"God, that's gotta burn. So we're just gonna leave him here?"

"Nope, you are going to give him a ride home. I'll call Dobby to pick me up."

"And what if he won't go with me? I don't think your boyfriend likes me very much."

"Why is that?" Draco's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "What did you do to him, Blaise?"

"Nothing!" said Blaise, laughing.

"Blaise…"

"Nothing!"

"Blaise!"

"Nothing! I swear! It was probably something Ron Weasley said. You know he hates me."

That was certainly possible, Draco had to admit. But Blaise looked far too amused with herself for his liking. "Don't you dare fuck this up for me, Blaise! Just see him safely home…oh and try to find out as much as you can about what went down with him and Terry tonight."

Blaise rolled her eyes. "Alright. Jeez! You want me to tuck him into bed and read a bedtime story too?"

Harry lingered over his plate of cheesecake, thinking about this strange evening that had come to such an abrupt end.

Terry, at first, had been extremely nervous and distracted, almost as if he didn't want to be there himself. Then, very suddenly, midway through their appetizers, Terry admitted that he had a girlfriend and had only asked him out because he started having feelings towards other boys and wanted to talk to someone else who knew about such things.

Harry could sympathize. The discovery of his own sexual preferences had been confusing and, at times, painful, mostly due to living with his extremely homophobic relatives. Harry, however, was not the fount of homosexual wisdom that Terry seemed to hope he would be, and certainly not when it came to liking both sexes. Nonetheless, Harry shared his limited experience and Terry listened eagerly.

After Terry's revelation things improved greatly and their date became more like a dinner between new friends. Each boy relaxed in the new atmosphere and Harry discovered that an un-anxious Terry was very intelligent and funny. They shared many common interests including a near fanatical love for Troma films. Harry was very excited to learn that Terry had every single Troma movie produced. They had been discussing the finer points of the Toxic Avenger series and making plans to hold an all-night film fest when Terry was called away to attend to a family emergency.

A hand grasped Harry on the shoulder, startling him from his reverie. He turned to see Blaise Zabini grinning at him.

"S'up?" asked Blaise as she made herself at home in the seat across from Harry and lit a cigarette.

"Umm…what are you doing here?"

"My aunt owns this joint. I'm here all the time."

"Well, can I help you with you something?"

Blaise's grin deepened. "I saw you. With Terry, I mean. How very interesting. I didn't even know Terry was into boys."

Harry pushed his plate of cheesecake away, his appetite dampened by both the company and the turn of conversation. Though he didn't know much about Terry just yet, Harry was sure he wasn't open about his preferences. Harry had to make sure he didn't inadvertently out the boy. "Terry and I are merely friends. Besides, he has a girlfriend."

Surprise fluttered across Blaise's face. "So you know about Lisa…"

"Yes. What's it to you anyway?"

"Nothing," said Blaise between puffs of smoke. "But I bet Draco would like to know you were out enjoying a cozy little dinner with another boy."

Harry tensed. Draco. She was going to tell him. Of that, he was certain. While Harry knew he was well within in his rights to see any boy, in whatever capacity, he'd prefer Draco not knowing. Especially since he had already lied about his plans for tonight.

"Don't worry," said Blaise, giggling to herself. "I'm not going to tell him."

He didn't believe it for one second. "Why wouldn't you? You seem to enjoying gossiping about people."

"Because…" Blaise trailed off and intently studied the lit end of her cigarette. "Because he is one my best friends…and he would be crushed to know you were on a date."

"I told you already, Terry and I-"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," interrupted Blaise, waving a hand dismissively. "Just friends. But it looked like more than that. Listen to me-"Blaise suddenly looked around as if she expected someone to be eavesdropping on them. She continued in a hushed whisper. "-and don't tell Draco I told you this! But, ah, he really likes you. Probably more than is good for him. I don't what's going between you and Terry and like I said, it's nothing to me. But it's going to mean something to Draco. So if you don't like Draco like that, let him know now before he gets too wrapped up. I must admit, at first I thought you were like the other boys Draco has liked but you've proved me wrong."

Harry felt ridiculously happy at Blaise's words but managed keep his expression passive. He did give in to his curiosity though. "So have there been lots? Of other boys?"

Blaise's face twisted into a sneer and with her voice dripping with disdain, she said, "Oh…let me guess. Ron Weasley has told you what a big slut Draco is?"

His first instinct was defend his friend but he couldn't as Ron had pretty much said just that. His face must have answered for him as Blaise continued, "Well, I am not going to lie…there has been some. But let's get realistic here for second. Maybe it's different where you used to live but around here there aren't that many gay boys our age. Even if Draco wanted to go whoring around Hogsmeade, there wouldn't be much of an opportunity." She scooped her pack of cigarettes off the table and stood up. "Anyway, I just thought I would be nice and offer you a ride home since your good friend Terry seems to have abandoned you."

"I can take a cab."

"Hey, its no skin off my ass if you waste your money. I was going that way anyway."

"Why would you be going that way?" Harry asked, looking at her inquiringly. "I live in the middle of nowhere."

"I know!" Blaise said happily. "All those long, empty roads and not a cop in sight. I can get up to 110 in less than 60 seconds!"

A feat Blaise aptly demonstrated once she had passed the city limits. The combination of speed, loud booming music, and ever-present clouds of cigarette smoke left Harry feeling very nauseous by the time they reached Grimmauld Place. Her none too subtle angling for information about him and Terry didn't help matters. However, Harry conceded, she wasn't quite as annoying as he had previously thought.

He was a bit awed that it had been Blaise, of all people, to lay to rest the lingering doubts he had about Draco. The rational side of Harry told him that people didn't give their beloved possessions away to someone if they were only looking to get a quick roll in the hay. Harry wouldn't think so at least. Everything was just so new and confusing to him and he didn't know what think or believe most of the time. Ron was certainly sincere in his convictions, even if he was allowing his dislike of Draco to color his opinions but what Blaise had said made a lot of sense as well. Harry decided to just take things as they come, to base his choices on the present rather than suspect, second hand accounts of the past. It was the only fair thing to do.

A loud scuffling sound greeted Harry when he first entered Grimmauld Place. He quickly discovered the source, which turned out to be Snuffles attacking a pile of broken and old furniture in a corner of the large front hall. Similar piles were laid out throughout the house. Mrs. Weasley had been taking a break to prepare for Percy's departure for law school and Bill's upcoming wedding. Neither Harry nor Sirius had felt much inclined to clean without her to nudge them along. Even the damaged portrait of Mrs. Black still hung on the wall. Harry gave the animal a quick rubdown before cautiously proceeding deeper into the house. If Snuffles was there then Severus was no doubt close by, doing only God knows what with Sirius.

Sirius and Severus. Now those two had a very odd relationship in Harry's opinion. Sirius explained that he and Severus had been secretly seeing each other for years before he was sent away to Azkaban and they had tentatively renewed their relationship on his release. Harry wasn't so sure it was going well. According to Sirius, Severus was still a bit closeted and refused to publicly acknowledge their relationship even though many in Hogsmeade already knew. Sirius was determined to drag Severus completely out the closet, kicking and screaming if need be. The issue was the source of never ending fights between the two and they seemed to spend most of their time together arguing over that and the most trivial things as well. But then, there were other times. Calmer, almost gentle times when they didn't act as if they hated each other. Times when they would look at each with an intensity Harry could not fathom then disappear to Sirius' room for hours on end.

Harry had no clue what Sirius and Severus were up to at the moment, as a quick investigation fruited neither man. Harry abandoned the search and headed for his room, intending to change into something more comfortable. He was halfway up the stairs when he heard a loud blood-curdling scream that sounded like Sirius. Was Severus trying to kill him? Harry reacted without thinking and hurried towards the sound which had come from the closed off Billiards room in an unused section of the first floor. Harry rushed in and soon wished he hadn't.

He stared, agog at Sirius and Severus in a twisted tangle of sweaty, naked flesh atop a pool table. It took them a few seconds to realize that Harry had stormed in but a few seconds was all Harry needed. Severus's unclad form proved to be even more enticing than Harry had imagined. And Sirius! When had Sirius gotten all those muscles? No! He was not going to go there. A tiny shred of guilt cut into Harry. It felt so incredibly wrong to think about Sirius that way. Though he had only been living with Sirius for a few weeks, he already thought of him as family.

The thought did little to subdue Harry's reaction. Heat surged through his body and pooled itself in his very core. He couldn't stop staring. Never had he seen two men together like that. Never. Harry hadn't even dared to look up the odd spot of gay porn on the internet during the rare instances he was allowed to use Dudley's computer for fear the Dursley's might discover his nefarious activities.

"Harry! What are you doing home so early?" asked Sirius, his voice resounding with shock and embarrassment as he and a glaring, cursing Severus scrambled off the pool table and frantically searched for their clothing. Finding none nearby, Sirius crouched behind the pool table while Severus used his cowboy hat to cover his naughty bits.

"Er…I, um, my date ended early."

"And why did you find it necessary to bust in here like a deranged maniac?" Severus asked furiously.

"I heard Sirius scream…and thought he was hurt." Harry refrained from mentioning he thought Severus had done the hurting.

The pink in Sirius' cheeks darkened. "No, not…hurt. So, um, Harry, can you…" Sirius looked pointedly at the door.

Of course! They wanted him to leave. Why was he still standing there? "Uhh, yeah! I'll just go."

"Yes, you do that," growled Severus.

"Don't talk to him like that!" snapped Sirius, frowning at Severus as Harry fled. "It was an honest mistake."

Harry ran to his room. Increasingly loud and bitter shouts between Sirius and Severus chased his heels. An all out fight soon broke out, their most headed one yet. Harry heard his own name mentioned several times. He strained to hear what they were saying about him but couldn't gleam much of anything. Giving up, Harry turned on the radio with the volume just loud enough to block out the angry reverberations from below.

This was all his fault. He should have known better than to barge in there like that. True, it had been because of a misunderstanding but that fact barely diminished the guilt he felt. Sirius and Severus could be breaking up at this very moment.

He pushed the thoughts aside to address a more immediate problem. It was still there, completely unfettered by the situation at hand. Raging, aching and demanding it's share fair of attention. Harry looked down at the constricted bulge between his legs and unbuttoned his pants. Sometimes he really hated being a boy.

The next morning Harry was surprised to see Severus reading the newspaper at the kitchen table. The two men had still been fighting when he had gone to sleep last night and he thought Severus would have surely stormed off as he usually did after such incidents. But today there didn't seem to be any animosity between them, for which Harry felt glad. If they weren't going to bring up last night, then neither was he.

"Morning, Sirius…Mr. Snape."

Severus offered Harry a small grunt in acknowledgment.

"Really," said Sirius from where he stood at the stove, burning the breakfast bacon. "How many times must I tell you? You can call him Severus outside of school."

Severus' left eyebrow arched so sharply at the suggestion that it completely disappeared under his hat.

Sirius frowned at him. "Don't be that way, Severus."

Severus sighed and returned to his paper. "Do whatever. Anything to shut this man up."

"So what will it be, Harry?" Sirius asked as he waved a spatula over the smoking skillet. "Black or extra black?"

Harry's nose wrinkled and he went to the food pantry to grab the box of Cheerios. "I think I'll have some cereal."

"Good choice." Sirius abandoned his culinary attempts and took a seat at the table. "So what happen last night? Why'd your date end so early?"

"Terry had a family emergency and had to leave. We're gonna meet up later this week and watch some movies and stuff. But not as a date or anything."

Sirius nodded and said, "Got any plans today? I thought we'd ride for a while then go out and do something. It will be good to get away from the house."

"I'm free."

He turned to Severus with a questioning look.

"I've got to work."

Sirius looked dubious. "On a Saturday? In the summer?"

"There's still work that needs to be done," said Severus as he folded his newspaper and stood up. "Not that you'd know anything about working."

"Eh! There's plenty of time to find a job. Besides, I have enough money to live comfortably for three lifetimes."

"Well, just because a man doesn't have to work, that doesn't mean he shouldn't." Severus lifted his eyebrows in challenge.

Sirius sighed and said, "I'm not letting you pick a fight with me today."

Severus' look of disappointment was almost comical.

Immediately after breakfast they began the riding lessons. Harry didn't know why they bothered. Some people were simply not meant to ride a motorcycle and Harry figured he was one of them. Except for a few small improvements, Harry's performance on the bike had changed little since day one. He would have given up already were it not for Sirius. Sirius remained optimistic though Harry knew he was frustrated by the lack of success.

After an hour or so of unrewarding instruction, Sirius changed tactics. Instead of riding alongside Harry, Sirius decided that Harry should go out alone.

"That's how I learned," said Sirius as he urged a hesitant Harry off. "Only me and the open road. Just don't go too fast and stay to the blacktop."

Surprisingly, Harry did have an easier time of it by himself. Since there was no one watching him, Harry didn't have to worry about impressing or disappointing anyone. While he still made the usual mistakes, they were fewer in number and he didn't dwell on them as much. Eventually, Harry even felt bold enough to take on the highway.

The roads were extremely crowded with cars, campers and hitched boats as people went on their way to a bit of summer merriment but Harry found it wasn't too difficult to navigate between the vehicles.

Then he felt it. A cold, almost icy feeling washed over him. The sweat dripping on his brow dried up and goose bumps broke out on his arms even as the blisteringly hot sun shone down. A creeping feeling of being watched intensified as each second passed. Harry left the highway for a side road but the feelings persisted.

A distant rumble buzzed in his ears and he let out the breath he was holding. Motorcycles. The Thestrals? Harry didn't have any more time to contemplate the issue as the motorcycles soon bore down on him. He heard loud laughs and cackles as they surrounded him on all sides. Harry's stomach dropped. They were not the Thestrals. The unknown riders drastically increased their speed, forcing Harry to do the same. Harry had never gone so fast on the Firebolt before and could barely get through the haze of his panicked mind to control the shaking machine. He swerved violently from side to side and he was certain he was going to crash.

And he just about did. It happened during a particularly sharp curve. They hadn't left him enough space to adequately turn and his bike almost grazed against the one beside him. He heard a loud shout and the bikers drew to a stop. Harry wanted to ride on, to get away from them but the bike he had nearly collided with pulled forward and turned sideways, effectively blocking his path.

It was the biggest bike he had ever seen, a masterpiece of chrome and leather, driven by a tall, thin man with sleek silver hair and a white goatee, yellowed by years of smoking. Perched behind him was the biggest woman Harry had ever seen, dark haired, solid and with a height to rival Hagrid's.

"Get him, Karkaroff!" A harden voice gleefully shouted behind Harry.

"Don't, Igor," said the woman, timidly, as Karkaroff got off the bike. "He's just a child."

"Shut it, Olympe!" snapped Karkaroff. Olympe winced and said no more. He sauntered over to Harry. The man inhaled deeply from the soggy stub of a cigar clenched in his teeth and blew the smoke right in Harry's face. "You hit my bike, boy."

It was all Harry could do to not cough. He gripped the handles of his bike to steady the trembling in his hands and looked up at Karkaroff only to see himself reflected in the man's mirrored sunglasses. "I-I didn't!"

Karkaroff chuckled. "No?"

He made as to move away then very suddenly jerked Harry by the collar of his t-shirt. Karkaroff was much stronger then he looked and easily pulled Harry off his bike. The Firebolt crashed to the ground and Harry cringed at the horrible sound of grating metal. Karkaroff dragged Harry over to his bike and kicked him in the shin, making him to his knees. Sharp pain shot through his legs but Harry made himself not cry out.

"Then what do you call that?" Karkaroff pressed Harry's head just inches from the gleaming chrome of the motorcycle.

"I don't see anything!"

"Maybe you need a closer look?"

Harry felt his helmet being wrenched off. A rough hand clawed the back of his head and pushed him even closer.

There was a small scratch. But it was a very faint and had obviously been there for some time. An odd sense of bravado flooded through Harry. He didn't know who these people were or why they were messing with him but he wasn't about to admit to something he knew he didn't do.

Harry lifted a defiant face to Karkaroff. "I didn't do that!"

At the very least, Harry expected to hit. He did not expect Karkaroff to stumble back and weakly mumble, "I'll be a son of a bitch."

Karkaroff quickly gained his bearings and tore his sunglasses of his face. He leaned in to leer at Harry. "Who are you, boy?"

A loud siren wailed before Harry could answer, or rather, not answer as he had no intention of telling Karkaroff his name. The siren belonged to a single gold and tan police motorcycle cruiser of the Highway Patrol. The officer stepped off the cruiser and removed her helmet.

Harry was extremely shocked to see that it was Crystal. The Crystal Harry knew was a quiet, soft-spoken woman who was prone to staring at him with a shy smile. There was no trace of that person today.

"Officer Devereaux," Karkaroff said with a small smile that did not meet his eyes. "It's been awhile."

"Not long enough," Crystal said gruffly. She stood boldly before them with one hand poised above the gun in her holster. Her eyes turned to Harry and she motioned for him to come to her. He did so without delay.

Karkaroff must have notice the spark of recognition between the two for he asked, "So who's this little friend of yours?"

"Don't you worry about who he is!"

"The hell I won't! The boy slammed right into me!"

Concurring shouts came from the bikers behind them.

"No!" protested Harry. "They're lying!"

Crystal pursed her lips and walked over to Karkaroff's bike. "Well, I don't see any damage," She said after giving it a thorough inspection. "I suggest you all move along now…unless you'd like to be brought in for assaulting a minor?"

Karkaroff glared Crystal then hopped on his bike and waved to his friends. They zoomed off, jeering as they went.

"Goddamn Dementors!" Crystal roared then literally spat on the ground when the last one had faded from sight. Her head shook slightly. "I can't believe Olympe! Riding around with such trash!"

Harry watched her, still quite frazzled. Crystal seemed to be lost in her own thoughts and nearly jumped out her skin when Harry asked, "Who were those people?"

"The Dementors. They're from Durmstrang, about ten miles north. I don't why they were down here fucking with you but they will pay!" Crystal's frown transformed into a very sinister grin.

"Are you going to arrest them?"

Crystal almost sneered. "No…there are better ways of administering justice..." She sighed and smiled ruefully at Harry. "I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner. Sirius is going to murder me. He called and told me you were out alone and asked me to keep an eye on you. I got side tracked by a bunch of speeding kids."

She went to his bike and put it right side up. "Come along, Harry. I'll escort you home." Crystal paused then continued very sternly. "And you stay away from Karkaroff in the future. He's a very dangerous man."

Indignation rose in Harry as he got on his Firebolt. It wasn't as if he had invited the Dementors to come after him. Nevertheless, he promised to avoid the man though Harry had the feeling he would be seeing him again soon.

It took Harry over an hour to calm a very enraged Sirius down. All his hard work was for naught as Tenebrus and a few of the other Thestrals arrived and quickly had Sirius reworked into a foaming fury. The group of angry men sat in a little powwow; discussing ways they could "Get Karkaroff". Harry was quite shocked at some of the suggestions.

While he appreciated their anger on his behalf, Harry couldn't help but feel they were blowing everything out of proportion. Sure, he wanted justice. But not like this. His protests were either brushed aside or completely ignored. Harry gave up and left them. It was making him a little sick to hear what they were planning. He hoped they were just blowing off hot air.

Unfortunately, that proved not to be the case.

"Harry! We'll be back in a couple hours!" shouted Sirius from outside.

"Wait!"

But Harry was too late. By the time he reached the front lawn Sirius and the rest of them were already gone. Harry sat on the front steps and listened as the dim hum of motorcycles faded into nothingness. Sirius was going to get himself killed, if Karkaroff was as dangerous as they were making him out to be. Harry thought he ought to do something. Maybe call Remus or even Severus. He immediately dismissed the idea. He couldn't go tattling like Sirius was some misbehaving child.

Three hours later Remus' car pulled up and Harry anxiously ran out to greet him. "Is Sirius alright?"

"Better than he ought to be. He's been arrested."

"Arrested?"

"Yes, the whole lot of them. Got into a big brawl up in a Durmstrang bar. He'll be there until Monday. That's earliest he can go before a judge."

Harry sighed miserably then flopped back down on the steps.

"Oh, no you don't, Harry," said Remus, seeing Harry's glum face. "Don't you dare feel bad about this. Sirius knew exactly what he was getting into. He's lucky he's got away with just a little jail time."

"He just got out of jail!"

"Well, maybe he needs a little reminder of what it's like. Then next time, he'll think twice about rushing hotheaded into things. Anyway-"Remus' voice softened. "Sirius doesn't want you staying out here by yourself. Go pack some clothes for a few days and whatever else you might need. You're going to go stay with Severus. I'd take you home myself but Tonks hasn't been doing so well and…"

Harry nodded. Remus didn't need to say any more.

Like Grimmauld Place, Severus' home was located outside of Hogsmeade and surrounded by a thick patch of wood. It was a large two-story house with a wraparound porch. There was small pond behind the house and another building that Harry thought might be a stable. The whole setup looked far more expensive than Harry would expect someone on a teacher's salary to afford.

Severus sat on the front steps, mechanically puffing away on a cigarette. Several butts littered the grass around him. He hadn't spoken a single word to Harry in the five minutes he had been standing there.

"I didn't know you smoked," said Harry, saying anything to break the uncomfortable silence.

"I don't," said Severus as he tossed his current cigarette away and lit a fresh one. "But certain people drive me to drink and this is my compromise."

His eyes flickered over to the large overnight bag slung over Harry's shoulder. "You can take that up to the guest room. Up the stairs and last door on the right. Don't get comfortable. We're going out."

"We are?"

"Yes. I'm already late." Severus' tone did not invite any more questions so Harry stepped past him to enter the house.

The interior was about what Harry would expect of Severus' home. Stark white walls with very dark-almost black-brown leather furniture. There were no personal effects or decorations except for a humongous Texas flag that covered up the entirety of a wall in the living room.

Knowing Severus was in a hurry, Harry did not dawdle and quickly found the guest room. Like the rest of the house it was sparsely furnished with only a bed and dresser. When he returned outside, Severus was already in his truck with Snuffles.

The ride through Hogsmeade was silent and uncomfortable. Uncomfortable, not only because of Severus' bad mood but because Snuffles had taken it upon himself to crawl up on Harry's lap so that he could poke his head out the window and let his long tongue flap in the wind. Droplets of dog droll continually splashed on Harry's face and he would have sworn he saw Severus' lips curl in amusement.

Severus turned onto a wide long road. Behind tall hedges and fences Harry saw flashes of large, elegant homes. As they went deeper, the houses were set further apart and grew bigger and grander. At the very end of the road was an intricately worked iron gate that seemed to open of it's own accord the very second Severus reached it.

"Who lives here?" asked Harry.

"The Malfoys."

Harry's head swung to look at Severus. "Draco, too?"

"Draco too."

Nervousness bubbled up in Harry. He didn't think he'd meet Draco's parents so soon, if at all even. While he wondered what business Severus had with the Malfoys, his real concern was making himself presentable. Harry fidgeted in his seat, trying to smooth the wrinkles out of his jeans and shirt. He was so very glad he had taken the time to shower while he waited for Sirius to return. Harry wanted to check himself out in the mirror, to make sure his hair was okay but Severus was already snickering at him.

His first thought of the Malfoy Home was that it looked like a miniature White House. Not that miniature could in any way describe the large house. It was roughly the size of Grimmauld Place but that's where the similarity ended. Whereas Sirius' home had been left to rot, everything here had been beautifully maintained, from the far-reaching landscaped lawns to the home itself. Even the dark tan brick that made up the circular drive in front of the house looked as though it had gotten a good scrub that very day.

A teeny tiny man in a black suit stood in the middle of the drive. He put Harry very much in mind of Kreacher though on his face he wore a welcoming, unKreacher-like smile.

The man walked up to Harry's door, opened it and waved a hand with a flourish.

"Welcome to Malfoy Estates, Mr. Potter," he said, as though Harry were some great dignitary.

"Umm, thanks."

"Mr. Snape," he then said with a cordial nod to Severus who had gotten out as well.

"Dobby," returned Severus, with a nod of his own.

Dobby crawled into the truck and turned it in the direction of a large garage. Harry wondered how he could possibly reach the pedals.

"Let's go," said Severus as he went to the tall double doors and walked right inside.

They entered a large hall with a curved marble staircase. A small group of men, Harry counted six in all, milled about, talking amongst themselves. He recognized two of them Nicky Zabini and Mr. Dumbledore. Nicky Zabini briefly halted his conversation to throw a friendly wave and Mr. Dumbledore smiled warmly at Harry.

Another stepped forward. No doubt Draco's father, thought Harry as he took in the blond hair and gray eyes. His gait was caught by a small hitch in his left leg though that did nothing to lessen his imposing presence. Harry's eyes latched on his snake tipped cane. Something about the style of it seemed familiar. He then realized it reminded him of the dragon Draco had given him. Perhaps they were made by the same person.

"Harry Potter! We finally meet. Draco has told me much about you."

"Nice to meet you, Mr…er…Senator Malfoy."

"No need to be so formal, Harry. You may call me Lucius."

Harry nodded and there was a long, awkward pause. He felt a blush creep up his cheeks. Lucius was staring at him. Openly and with intense scrutiny. Probably trying to decide if I am good enough for his son, decided Harry. But the gaze lingered far longer than was comfortable. It was a full minute before Lucius looked away.

"You must excuse me for staring, Harry," said Lucius, though he didn't seem sorry in the least. "It's just a little…eerie how much you Potter men always look alike."

Harry wanted to laugh. Lucius had no room to talk about eerie family resemblances. Though Draco was shorter and not as broad in the shoulder, he looked just a like a younger version of Lucius.

"Draco is going to keep you company while we attend to our business." Lucius walked over to the staircase and called out, "Draco!"

A few seconds later, Draco appeared at the top of the stairs. His face broke out into a huge grin and he ran down.

"I'll give you the grand tour," said Draco as he grabbed Harry's hand and dragged him up the stairs. "Starting with my room."

"Yes, well, you mind how you choose to occupy yourselves," Lucius said sternly. "And keep your bedroom door open."

"Oh Father!" said Draco, with a long-suffering sigh. "We aren't going to do anything. Even if we did, it's not like either one of us is going to get pregnant."

Harry flushed. He couldn't believe Draco would say that to his father. Let alone in front of Mr. Dumbledore. But he and a couple of the men laughed. Lucius and Severus, however, looked less than amused.

"A sound whipping will take care of that cheek," advised a robust black haired man with a thin moustache.

"Don't I know it, Walden," said Lucius, sounding long-suffering himself. "I truly regret letting Narcissa talk me out of spanking the boy when he was younger. Though-"Lucius gave his son a severe look. "It's never too late to start."

Draco cringed and there was considerably less pep in his step as they continued up the stairs.

"What's going on?" asked Harry when they had reached the landing. He looked down. It was such an unusual mix of men, some blue collar, others seemingly very affluent. Back in Surrey the classes didn't mix like this. You had your own kind and stuck to them. But the men below seemed to know each other very well and were quite friendly. Mr. Dumbledore was definitely the odd man out. He was much older than the rest who all seemed to be around the same age.

"That's one of the big mysteries of Hogsmeade," answered Draco. "According to Mother they have been meeting like this since forever. All of them come here once a month and go down to the basement. They stay down there until exactly midnight."

"What's in the basement? What do they do?"

"Just a lounge kind of thing and some storage. No one really knows what they do down there. That's why it's a big mystery. Blaise thinks they have these massive orgies but she's pretty perverted like that. Father swears they just drink brandy and play poker but really-"Draco's face twisted as if that was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard. "He comes home just for these meetings when Congress is in session. People don't fly halfway across the country just to get drunk and play cards. And Walden Macnair there-"Draco pointed to the man who thought he needed a good spanking. "He missed the birth of his daughter 2 years ago just to come."

"Damn."

"Oh, it gets better," promised Draco. "You see that man next to Nicky Zabini?"

Harry nodded.

"That's Rabastan Lestrange. His brother Rodolphus is right next to him. Rodolphus is married to my Aunt Bellatrix. Anyway, Rabastan is a Colonel in the Army. During Desert Storm, he was stationed in Kuwait and Father actually flew them all the way to the fucking Middle East just so they could do whatever it is they do! I don't think we'll ever know. Blaise and I tried to sneak down there once but we got caught and were grounded for six months."

"That's crazy!"

"I know! Father always makes Mother and me leave on these nights. She's upstate visiting friends right now. I usually go with her but Severus had you and didn't want you at his house by yourself so Father asked me to stay."

"Does he think I'm going to steal something?"

"Probably," Draco said with a chuckle. "Don't take it personally. That's just the way he is. I have never seen him be nice to anyone but that dog of his. Why are you staying with him, anyway? Father said something about Sirius getting arrested."

Harry frowned and gave a quick recant of the morning's events as they walked to Draco's room.

Draco looked at Harry with concern. "You're not hurt, are you?"

"No," said Harry, shrugging. "Just confused. I don't know why the Dementors came after me. It was really kinda weird, though. That Karkaroff guy acted like he knew me or something. Maybe he knew my Father. Everyone says I look just like him."

"Could be…" mused Draco. "Well, here we are, my room."

Walking into Draco's room was like walking into a different century. A kind sized bed with a green canopy and curtains dominated the room. A large matching armoire, made from the same heavy dark wood of the bed stood across from it. Everything in the room was well preserved but looked very old, more fitting in some fairy tale castle. The only thing that looked like it had remotely come from the 20th century was an old wind up Victrola in the corner.

"You bought that Victrola in Ollivander's," said Harry.

"No, I made Father buy me that when I was four."

Harry blinked. What kind of four year old wants a Victrola?

"Do you want me to play something?" asked Draco. "You'll really love the way it sounds. It's so much better than a CD player."

Draco went over to the Victrola and began sorting through the records in the case below it.

"You wouldn't happen to have any Aerosmith in there, would you?" asked Harry.

Draco laughed. "Oh, I don't listen to anything modern."

Harry looked at the records Draco did have. At this point, he was completely unsurprised to see that for Draco, modern meant anything produced in the last 100 years.

"How about some Beethoven?"

"Sure." It mattered little to Harry. Classical music sounded all the same to him.

While Draco fiddled with the Victrola, Harry explored the rest of Draco's room. There was a stand that held several crystal balls of varying sizes, a pile of small stones Harry recognized as runes, and an Ouija board. Next to it was a bookcase in which all the books were about the occult, witchcraft, and coin collecting.

Harry looked around, taking everything in, then asked, "So you're kinda, umm, quirky, huh?"

"Quirky?" There was a bit of a pout to Draco's voice but he was smiling. "Is that supposed to be a nice way of saying you think I'm weird?"

"Maybe," said Harry, smiling as well. "I guess we are both fortunate that I happen to like weird boys."

"Glad to hear it. I don't do normal very well. So…what do you want to do?"

You.

The thought came unbidden to Harry and he nearly spoke it aloud. He bit down on his tongue. How ironic, thought Harry. Just days ago he was worried about Draco only wanting to get in his pants. Now Harry was the one who couldn't stop thinking about…doing things. Especially after seeing that huge bed of Draco's. Harry eyed it and turned a violent red. Luckily, Draco did not notice.

"We could go out," said Draco. "But I have a 7 o'clock curfew and since it's almost six it would be rather pointless."

"Why so early?"

"Well, it was eight. But I was late last night and Father upped it to seven." Draco grimaced. "It's his way of punishing me. I should be the one punishing him for sending me off to Vanessa."

"Who is Vanessa?"

"My Father's mother."

"You don't call her 'grandmother'?"

A dark look passed Draco's face. "Oh no, Harry. That woman is not my grandmother. Grandmothers are sweet little ladies who bake you cookies. Vanessa is an old bitch who most likely wishes I were never born. She only talks to me because Father makes her." Draco scratched at his chin. "I never understood why she hates me so much. I never did anything to her but exist. I guess that was enough."

"Sounds like she could be related to the Dursleys."

Draco lifted a questioning eyebrow.

"Those are the people who I lived with before Sirius adopted me."

At Draco's request, Harry went into a vague account of his life with the Dursleys. He glossed over much of the really horrific stuff. Now that he was around people who actually cared for him, his previous existence seemed so sadly pathetic. Sirius asked about it from time to time but Harry didn't like to talk about it with him. If he mentioned something even dimly bad, Sirius would get this tragic look and act like everything was his fault.

But Draco was different. He listened sympathetically but did not make Harry feel like he was being pitied. And he knew what it was like to be so disliked, so devalued as a person by someone who, presumably, was supposed to love you. In the end, both boys decided that some people just truly fucking suck and left it at that.

To their surprise almost two hours had past while they had talked. It was only an unrelenting rumbling in their stomachs that stopped the flow of dialogue. They went to the kitchen where Dobby had two piping hot plates of food waiting as if he had been expecting them at that very moment. Snuffles sat in a corner, on a large blanket, gnawing away at a large bone.

They ate right at the kitchen table and Dobby stood nearby, ready to attend to their every need. Once again, Harry was struck at the similarity between Dobby and Kreacher.

"Are you related to a man named Kreacher?" Harry finally asked.

"No," said Dobby. "But we did come here together."

No? How could they not be related? Harry boggled over that for a moment then asked. "Here, as in Hogsmeade?"

"Yes. We originally hail from a small community in England."

"Father says Dobby used to sound really strange when he first came here," said Draco.

Dobby smiled widely. "Yes, I had a rather strong accent back then. It would have been a bit peculiar to a young American boy."

A loud chime sounded, indicating someone had rung the doorbell. Dobby gave a small bow and said, "Pardon me."

"I just don't know what we would do without Dobby," said Draco as he watched the man retreat. "He does everything around here."

"I thought he would surely be related to Kreacher."

Draco shrugged. "Maybe there's some village of incredibly short servants with bald heads and big ears over in England."

They soon discovered that the person who had rung the doorbell was Blaise. She came rushing into the kitchen with a huge grin on her face.

"What are you doing here, Blaise?" asked Draco.

"I came to get the dirt!" She turned to Harry. "Dude! I heard you started a big ol' fucking gang war up in Durmstrang!"

His eyes grew wide. "I didn't start anything! And how do you know about it?"

"It was on the news!"

Harry's fork fell to his plate with a deafening clank. "I was on the news?"

"No. I learned that part from my Dad. Sirius and the rest stopped by the station to gas up before going to Durmstrang. They told him what happened. Man, I wished could have been there to see that shit!"

"What did the news say?" Harry asked quietly.

"Not much. Just that there was over twenty thousand in property damage and four people had to go to the hospital. And they kept flashing Sirius' old mug shot from back when he was arrested in the eighties."

Harry palmed his forehead. The last thing Sirius needed was to be in the news again. Despite being cleared beyond a doubt there were some people who still believed him to be a murderer. They would give him looks in the street or walk across them to avoid passing him. Sirius tried to act like it didn't bother him but Harry knew it did. And it was going to get worse now that he had been connected to another violent act.

"Don't worry, Harry," Draco said softly. "In a few days, everyone will have forgotten about it."

"Not fucking likely," said Blaise. "Sirius is pretty famous around here and-"

"Blaise!" snapped Draco. "Shut up!"

"God! Rudeness!" exclaimed Blaise, but she did shut up.

Harry rubbed at his temples in the suddenly silent kitchen. For a few hours he had managed to forget about Sirius' situation but now it was back in the forefront of his mind. A sickly feeling descended over him. Remus thought he could get him off with just a hefty fine. What if he was wrong? What if Sirius got sent back to prison? Where would he go? Not back to the fucking Dursleys that's for sure. He's run away before that happened. Harry felt guilty. He should not be worrying about himself when Sirius might be locked up again.

Dobby set a cup of steaming tea in front of Harry. "Drink this, Mr. Potter. It might make you feel better."

He didn't particularly like hot tea but he sipped it anyway. Snuffles came over and started licking away at Harry's hand. The tea did seem to ebb away at his misery and by the time Harry finished he was feeling pretty damn good. Like everything was going to be all right.

Harry stared into the now empty teacup. "What was in this?"

"Just a bit of chamomile," said Dobby as he removed the dishes.

Draco grinned. "There's always been something magical about Dobby's teas."

Realizing Harry wasn't going to give her 'the dirt' about the incident with the Dementors, Blaise soon decided she had better ways to spend her Saturday night. Once she was gone, Draco gave the promised grand tour, showing off his favorite places. He ended the expedition with what he proclaimed the "best room in the place". It was a large room just off the library and its only purpose appeared to be to exhibit hundreds, if not thousands of coins.

"Wow," said Harry. "You're really into this coin collecting thing, aren't you?"

"Well, I told you Malfoys really like money," said Draco as he wiped some imaginary dust off a case. "Father is worse than I am. He likes the very rare, uncirculated coins. His collection is valued at over five million dollars and he keeps them in a vault at the bank. These are all mine. Some of them are very valuable but I mostly prefer the more common ones. The kind you might accidentally stumble across in a random pile of change. It's like discovering buried treasure."

Draco showed Harry the cherished among his collection and waxed poetic about the art of coin collecting. Though he had no real interest in the hobby, it was fascinating listening to Draco speak so fervently about the subject. Harry had a feeling he could go on forever. Then, the lights suddenly went out.

"What the fuck!" said Draco as they went out to see what had happened.

"This often occurs on these nights," said Dobby, appearing out of nowhere with a battery-operated lantern. "The lights should return at midnight."

"Well, isn't that great! What does Father expect us to do without any electricity?"

Harry could think of quite a few things they do in the dark. But he wasn't nearly bold enough to suggest them. Instead he took Draco's hand and took him to a set of French doors that led to a small sitting garden.

"It won't be so bad, Draco," said Harry. "At least now we can see all the stars. I never get to see them out at Grimmauld Place. Sirius always keeps everything lit up like a torch."

There were few things Harry enjoyed more than looking at the stars. It was his favorite pastime back in Surrey. He loved seeing how vast the universe truly was. He loved knowing that there was so much more out there than his horrible home with the Dursleys. It had given him hope and he would fantasize for hours of a different place, a different life. Harry realized he hadn't sought out the stars since arriving in Hogsmeade. Perhaps he didn't need to anymore.

"I don't like looking at the stars, Harry."

There was something in Draco's voice that made Harry cease his star gazing to look at the boy.

"Why not?"

Draco opened his mouth to speak then shut it. Harry was surprised to see him blush.

"You'll think I'm weird."

"I already think you're weird," said Harry with an encouraging smile. "You know that."

Draco gave a small laugh then swept his eyes across the sky. "Well, looking at them and seeing everything that's out there…I feel lost, like I'm not really where I am supposed to be. Pretty stupid, huh?"

"I don't think so. I felt that way all the time back in Surrey. Like I wasn't supposed to be there. I used to think that this couldn't possibly be the life God intended for me. But then I came to Hogsmeade. I feel like I belong here. I guess you don't then?"

"Sometimes I do. Like when…" Draco broke off and the blush returned.

"Tell me!"

Draco shook his head and looked away. Harry decided not to press the issue.

They lingered in the garden, talking about everything and nothing as they sat on a padded bench. As much as Harry liked simply talking to Draco, he grew restless as the night passed. Draco hadn't tried to kiss him once this whole evening. He hadn't even looked as though he wanted to, apparently content just to talk.

Harry certainly wasn't. He intently watched Draco's lips move as he spoke. He barely heard a word Draco said, thinking of better ways he might engage that mouth.

Maybe Draco was waiting for him to make the first move. But just how was Harry supposed to do that? In the movies there was always a perfect time for a kiss. Harry saw no such moment now. Did he just do it? It seemed kind of rude to interrupt Draco like that. Should he ask first?

Harry bit his bottom lip. God! Why couldn't Draco just kiss him first? It would solve all his problems.

There was a lull in the conversation. The garden was silent save for the constant serenade of cicadas. Moonlight glistened off Draco's wet lips. This was his moment. A movie moment, if you will. Harry gathered his courage and slowly scooted closer to Draco on the bench. All right, he was going to do it.

"Draco?" Harry whispered softly.

Draco turned and Harry went in for the kill.

He closed his eyes and parted his lips.

And got a mouth full of nose.

The two boys broke apart quickly. Harry held his mouth. Draco, his nose.

How could his aim been so fucking off?

He knew this was a bad idea. Why did he do it? Why couldn't he have just suffered in silence?

"Harry?" asked Draco, sounding very nasally as he was still clutching his nose. "Were you trying to kiss me?"

"No!" Harry denied emphatically, finding great interest in a small thatch of peonies.

"Then were you trying to bite my nose off?"

"I just sorta…fell. I'm sorry."

"So am I. I had really hoped you were trying to kiss me."

Harry didn't know what to do or say. He just wanted to go off somewhere and die.

"So do you want to? Do you want to kiss me?"

Harry's entire face burned, right to the very tips of his ears. He managed to choke out a "yes".

Draco laughed and jerked Harry off the bench. "Let's go. Unless you want to molest me right in front of Dobby. He's been lurking about, making sure we don't ravish each other on Mother's prize roses."

Harry was still too mortified to speak properly. He let Draco silently lead him through the dark house and up to his room.

Draco shut his bedroom door and locked it with a sly grin. He went to his bed and laid down on it with his arms lying across his chest. "I believe I have a kiss coming."

Harry stared down at him. Draco looked so peaceful. So anticipatory, with his lips slightly parted. In this fairytaleish room Harry thought he looked like a male Sleeping Beauty waiting for some prince to wake him up from a long slumber. Harry guessed he was the prince given their positions, though, for some reason, Harry thought he was really the Sleeping Beauty.

But he was the one with the kiss to give. Now, how to go about it. Did he simply bend over and do it? Should he lay next Draco? Would it be presumptuous to get on top of him?

Harry contemplated each option for several moments.

Draco popped an eye open. "Why are you just standing there? You can't be shy now."

He grabbed both of Harry's arms and pulled him onto the bed. Soon, Draco was on top of Harry, straddling his stomach.

"Oh, Harry," said Draco, patiently, as if trying to explain the mysteries of the universe to a small child. "You think too much about these things."

He reached down to smooth the hair off Harry's forehead then gave it a small kiss. "I know you're not experienced." Another kiss to Harry's right temple. "Don't worry about messing up." Yet another along the side of his jaw. "Just do what ever feels good to you. Trust me, it will make me happy too."

Draco rolled off Harry and returned to his former position. He dramatically swept his arms apart and with his eyes closed once more, he said, "Now kiss me."

Harry leaned into the boy and tried not to think too hard about what he was doing. He kissed the corner of Draco's mouth, parting his lips just enough to let the moisture of his mouth touch Draco's skin.

He felt Draco grin beneath his lips. That was a good sign.

Palming Draco's cheek, he turned him to face him. Harry's lips slide to fully capture Draco's. His tongue lashed across the slit of Draco's mouth, forcing him to open it. Harry paused. Now what was he supposed to do? Just put his tougue in there? God, he was hopeless! Their first kiss wasn't nearly this bad. But that time Draco had pretty much done everything. Now, Draco wasn't helping him one bit.

"Stop thinking about it," murmured Draco.

Easier said than done, thought Harry.

He pressed against Draco, slowly moving his lips. Their teeth clashed and Harry started to pull away but Draco held him tight.

So maybe he wasn't the best kisser. Maybe he was a little clumsy. Maybe there was too much teeth and not enough tougue.

It didn't matter.

Harry stopped thinking.

He just felt.

He felt the velvety texture of Draco's tougue as he massaged it with his own.

He felt the smoothness of Draco's lips as he licked at them and sucked them into his mouth.

Harry relaxed, letting his body melt against Draco. He kissed Draco for what seemed like hours, lost of in the taste and feel of him.

Just do what ever felt good. And for Harry, touching and kissing as much of Draco as he could is what felt good at the moment.

He ran his lips down Draco's chin into the soft contours of his neck. His breath ran hot and cold against the spit slicked skin.

Harry let his hands roam all over Draco's body. Draco moaned under Harry's attention. He seemed to like that. Harry liked it too.

After hesitating for a moment, Harry brazenly dipped his hand lower and cupped Draco through his pants. He was thrilled to find Draco as rigid as himself. Draco gasped and arched into Harry.

"Oh God, Harry! Don't do that!" Draco exclaimed even though he continued to grind against Harry's hand.

Harry promptly removed his hand, like he had been burned. Had he gone to far? Draco had certainly acted like he wanted it.

"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have assumed-"

Draco silenced him with a kiss. "Don't apologize." he said breathlessly. "I want you to. God! I want you touch me everywhere. But-"Draco gave a tearful look to the clock ticking away on the wall. It was almost midnight. Where had the time gone? "They are going to be done soon and will come looking for us. I don't want to start something we can't finish. It will be worse than not doing anything at all."

Harry nodded and Draco kissed him again. It was a soft kiss, meant to please but not excite. They were still at it a few minutes later when the lights came on.

Draco blinked into the sudden brightness. "Ah, looks like the ball is over, Cinderella. Our carriage reverts back into a pumpkin."

Harry didn't want to leave Draco's bed, nor the comforting heat of his body. Unfortunately, he could already hear Severus calling for him from below.

"I'll come and see you tomorrow, if I can," said Draco as he walked Harry out. "We have to go to a charity luncheon and I don't know if we will be back before my curfew."

Severus barely glanced at Harry when they arrived downstairs but Harry stared at him. Severus did not look like a man who had just spent the night getting drunk. He looked flushed and slightly tired but definitely sober. He had a certain radiance about him. A sparkle. Perhaps it was just the excitement from being with Draco but Harry thought Severus looked freshly fucked. All of them did, Harry now saw as he snuck a peek at the other men, saying their goodbyes. There was no other way to describe it. They looked freshly fucked. Perhaps Blaise wasn't too far off with her orgy idea.

No! Severus wouldn't cheat on Sirius. Not with Draco's father. Not with Mr. Dumbledore! Would he?

What had they been doing down there? And why had it made the lights go out? Harry knew better than to ask, though the questions ate away at him. Draco watched them as well, a similar look of suspicious inquiry on his face.

"Let's go, boy," said Severus, walking out the door, not looking back to see if Harry was following him.

Harry said goodbye to Draco than ran to catch up.

Severus clearly expected Harry to go right to bed when they returned to his house. Harry was far from tired but did not argue. He much preferred being alone when he was in such a stimulated state.

He laid listlessly in his bed, thinking of Draco and everything they had done that night and everything they might do in the future. Harry waited until he was certain Severus was asleep then retrieved a ratty old t-shirt from his bag. He did not want to have to explain why he needed new bed sheets after one night. He wrapped it around himself and for the second night in a row, Harry had a furious wank before going to sleep. He wondered if Draco was doing the same.

Harry thought it might be a little exciting to stay with Severus.

He was completely wrong.

Severus had neither a TV nor radio. Only books. Lots and lots of books. And every single one of them devoted to chemistry. After watching Harry mope around the house all morning, Severus threw a heavy textbook at him and told he could get a head start on the school year. Having nothing else to do, Harry did just that and flipped through the first few chapters. He soon grew bored and took to staring at Severus.

They were both in Severus' large den. Harry in a large chair and Severus, behind a desk, clicking away at a computer. It was one of the rare times when Severus wasn't wearing his hat. He had a pair of thin glasses perched on the very tip of his large nose and Harry thought he looked quite scholarly, like the scientist he was.

"I hope you have better things to do than stare at me all day," said Severus.

Harry didn't.

"Go read something, if you're so bored."

Harry pursed his lips and then went to reexamine Severus' bookshelves. Perhaps he had missed something non-chemistry the first time around. He had just about given up hope when he spotted a large photo album tucked away in a far corner. Harry pulled it out and settled into a niche away from Severus' eyes. Harry had a feeling Severus wouldn't like him looking at it but Harry was curious and well, you should never leave a bored teenager to his own devices.

The first several pages were of old pictures and news clippings. They showed the same man riding a wild bronco in various rodeos. The man looked very much like Severus and Harry figured it was Severus' father. The following pages revealed that Severus, himself, had been a rodeo star in his late teens and twenties. The truly priceless part was that Severus had apparently gotten his start as a rodeo clown. Harry had to bit his fist from laughing aloud. He quickly passed those pages, lest he die of hysterics.

Something clicked and Harry turned back to look at an adolescent Severus Snape in an orange wig and white grease paint. He stared and this time there was no holding back the laughter.

"Give me that!" shouted Severus. He yanked the album away. A single photo dropped out it and fell to the ground face down.

"You were the clown at my birthday party!"

"I was not!"

"You were!" Harry wiped a tear away. "I wondered why Sirius kept getting those balloon animals. I thought he had a clown fetish!"

"I really have no idea what you are talking about!" Severus slammed the album back on the shelf and stalked away.

"You missed one," said Harry, his voice still ringing with amusement. He leaned down and picked it up. It was a close up of a young Severus. God, thought Harry, Severus was pretty fucking hot back then. But it was the pretty redheaded woman leaning behind Severus that really caught Harry's attention. She had her fingers in the corners of Severus' mouth, trying to make him smile. Harry liked looking at her. He had to make himself hand it over to Severus.

"Who is she? Was she a good friend of yours?"

Severus snapped the picture from Harry and looked at it. His prior irritation dissolved into something else. Something that disturbed Harry.

"Is that supposed to be a bad joke?"

Harry felt sobered and looked anywhere but at Severus. "No. Sorry I asked. I was just curious."

"You don't know who she is?" He gave the picture back to Harry.

Harry shrugged. "Is she a Weasley? With that red hair…"

"No, she was a Evans, then a Potter. That's your Mother."

"Is she really?" Harry asked, as if he expected Severus to lie to him.

"You mean to tell me you've never seen a picture of your mother?"

Harry ignored the question to ask one of his own. "Do you have one of my father?"

"It will be a cold day in hell before there's a picture of James Potter in this house!" Severus looked like he immediately regretted his words. "No, I don't," he said, his voice a little less snappish. "I'm sorry."

It was days like these that Draco truly hated being the son of a politician. A day full of hearty handshakes and fake smiles. A day full of pretending that he actually gave a fuck about some stupid endangered bird whose only purpose, as far as he could tell, was to crap all over his car.

Thank God it was finally over.

Only an hour to go and he'd be back in Hogsmeade. But for now, he was stuck in the Malfoy limo, privy to the rather disgusting display of his parents' lust. Really. Why didn't they just get a fucking room? What makes them think he wants to see all that?

"Draco," said Lucius, finally managing to tear himself away from Narcissa to knowledge he had a son in the car. "Quit sulking. It wasn't that bad. And since you were so good today, I am willing to extend your curfew until 9."

Oh! Nine o'clock!

"Thank you, Father. That's so very generous of you."

Lucius frowned. "Why yes, it is. Don't think I didn't notice those marks on your neck. I will not having you looking like a leopard. I expect you to show a little more decorum in the future."

The nerve of that man, talking about decorum, with his hand steadily snaking up Narcissa's thigh for the last two hours!

It seriously strained Draco, not to roll his eyes. Instead he pursed his lips, stared out the window, and tried to ignore his parents for the rest of the ride. His ear did, however, perk up when he heard them discussing Sirius Black.

"You know," began Draco. "We really ought to help him."

Lucius and Narcissa looked at him like he had lost his mind.

"This should be good," said Narcissa, sending Lucius an amused look. "Help him how?"

"Get him off. You two know important people in Durmstrang you can persuade."

"And by persuade, you mean threaten and bribe?" asked Lucius.

"Well, yeah."

"Why would we do that?"

Because it would make Harry happy.

"Because he's family?"

That brought a scornful laugh from Lucius and Narcissa.

"Do it for Severus."

All traces of amusement left Lucius' face. "Severus' life would be much better without that man in it."

Draco sighed. "Then do it for me!"

"For you?" asked Narcissa, confused. "Tell us, how is your life affected by Sirius Black's possible incarceration?"

"Well…If Sirius gets sent away then Harry will have to go back to his mean, awful relatives. It would make me so very sad to know Harry had to live that way. Why, I might get so depressed, my grades slip. Then I won't get into a good university and will probably end up in some crappy community college studying Hotel Management." Draco glared at his parents. "Is that what you want for me? To spend the rest of my life working at the Holiday Inn?"

"Your argument is rather moot," said Lucius, sharply. "Even if Sirius were to be sent away, he has friends that will see to it that Harry is taken care of, just as they are doing now."

"You don't know that for sure!"

"And what are your feelings on this?" Lucius asked Narcissa.

"There's certainly never been any love lost between Sirius and me," said Narcissa as she curled up to Lucius. She smiled at Draco. "But where's the fun in having money and power if you don't get to abuse it from time to time?"

"I thought you might say something like that." Lucius said, smirking, as he nuzzled against Narcissa, his voice muffled by her neck. "I'll see what I can do."

Draco sat back content in his seat and the rest of the trip flew by. On arriving home, Draco immediately proceeded to Severus'. He couldn't wait to tell Harry the good news. Lucius had said "no promises" but Draco knew it was as good as done. Nothing could hold up against the Malfoy persuasion.

He found Harry sitting on the front porch staring dreamily into his lap. His eyes were a bit pink as if he wanted to cry but hadn't.

Draco tilted his head and studied him. Harry didn't even seem to notice he had arrived.

"Harry? Are you okay? If you are upset about Sirius, don't be because my father is going to help get him off."

"That's good to hear," said Harry, still not looking up.

Draco frowned. Something was very odd here. He walked up to the porch and sat beside Harry. In Harry's lap was an old photo of Severus and some woman. Harry clutched it tightly, like it was a security blanket and he, a frighten child.

"That's my mom," said Harry, breaking into a goofy grin.

"She was very pretty," offered Draco. He paused. "Harry, you act like you've never seen her before."

"I haven't, not til today."

Draco was momentarily struck speechless. "How can you go seventeen years and not see a picture of your mother?"

Harry looked up and swallowed hard. "I used to ask my Aunt Petunia all the time if she had any pictures of my parents but she would yell at me and I learned not to ask anymore. So I made up my own idea of what they looked like. Eventually it became so real I forgot that I really didn't know."

"What about Sirius? He must have had some pictures!"

"I didn't ask," said Harry, so softly Draco almost didn't hear him. Harry seemed to shudder with a weighty quilt he could not bear. "Isn't that terrible of me? I didn't even think to ask."

He still should have shown you some, Draco thought unkindly. He was so wrapped up in his indignation that he was too late to stop Harry when he jumped up and ran around the corner of the porch. Something broke in Draco when he heard the subdued choke of someone forcing himself not to cry. He started to go after him when a new voice called out his name.

It was Severus, poking his head out of the house. He motioned for Draco to enter. Draco hesitantly complied.

"He's been out there all day, looking at that picture," said Severus, nodding at a window through which Harry's pacing silhouette could be seen.

"Why hasn't Sirius shown him pictures of his parents?" Draco asked angrily.

"I don't know, but Black and I will be having a conversation about it soon." Severus rubbed tiredly at his nose. "He wants to see a photo of his father but I don't have any. And I haven't been able to reach Remus Lupin. There's only one place where I know there might be one and I want you to take him there."

"Sure, where?"

"Godric's Hollow."

"G-Godric's Hollow?" Draco felt a shiver run through him at the very name. "You're going too, right?"

"No, I can't go to that place." Severus sneered at the look Draco gave him. "I have my reasons and they have nothing to do with fear. It's just a damn house, Draco. Get over it. Now, are you going to do this for Harry or not?"

For Harry…

"Yeah," Draco mumbled weakly.

There you have it. Next up, Godric's Hollow. I wanted to get it in this chapter but it was already so long.

And I know it may seem very odd that Harry didn't even think to ask to see a picture of his parents yet. I can speak from personal experience that it does happen. I was raised by relatives myself, and don't have the slightest clue what my father looks like. Most of the time I don't even think of people as even having parents. I kinda saw this in canon!Harry in the beginning books and decided to write this AU!Harry the same. At this point, Harry's parents are almost like an abstract idea to him. Not quite real. That's partially why he didn't act so strongly when he found out about their murder. But, very soon, they are going to become very very real to him and angst shall ensue.

If the next chapter goes as planned, it will be rated NC-17. Since ff.net does not allow NC-17 content, an R version will be posted here and the NC-17 version will be posted elsewhere. I am not sure how I am going to go about it. I have been thinking of creating a yahoo group for such things. Would there be any interest in that?

Also, I have come to realize that I am desperate need of a beta. I thought I wasn't doing too bad without one but then I reread the last chapters and found some truly embarrassing mistakes. I think I corrected most of them but I am not fully confident in that. If you would like to volunteer I would prefer that you contact me privately at madammaliciayahoo.com or contact me on Y!IM under the same name.

Thanks and please review!