A/N: I am so sorry it has taken me so long to update. Life got in the way unfortunately. I hope to be slowing down again, soon. So regular updates on the way, I daresay.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and gang. JK Rowling does, lucky bird. I don't mean any harm in using these characters for my own perverse pleasure.

Golden Boy Returns

Chapter Five

Snape stretched languidly against the mattress and the slight weight that was pressed into his side. He ran a hand down the younger man's spine before opening his eyes. Had he just gone by pure feeling he'd have assumed he was back in Godric's Hollow with Harry. He saw the emerald green canopy come into focus and felt soft hair lightly grazing his chest. "Harry?"

Harry shifted a little, "Yeah, Sev?"

Snape smiled at the casual response, "What time is it?"

"Seven."

Snape nodded, "Guess I better get ready then. It's almost time for breakfast."

Harry disentangled himself from the potions master. "Go ahead, it's my day off and I'm sleeping in before I have to tackle my lessons and Remus."

Snape kissed Harry's raven black hair and sat up, "Until later then my annoying little friend."

"Yes, later snarky git." Harry responded with a smile.

Snape got dressed and left the room to go shower in his own.

Harry lounged in bed for a while longer before showering and dressing. He had Dobby bring him breakfast while he started studying Transfigurations. Around ten thirty a knock sounded on his door. Harry realized he hadn't moved in almost two hours as he stretched before reaching the portal. He pushed it open and saw Draco standing outside, looking around nervously.

Draco smiled as he stepped through and into Harry's arms. "Good morning."

"Same to you. Sleep well last night, hun?" inquired Harry.

Draco smiled faintly, "Yes, I did. Did you run into Professor Snape on your way out of the dungeons last night?"

"Why?"
"He did a bed check before I even crossed the common room. I knew he entered right after me. I hope you didn't get into trouble." Draco rushed to say.

Harry smiled, "Yes, I ran into Sev. No, I'm not in trouble. Unlike you, I can't get detention anymore."

Draco grumbled a little, "That is so not fair. I have gotten three detentions for this weekend."

"And what did you do for said detentions?" inquired Harry guiding his boyfriend to the couch and pulling him down beside him.

Draco hung his head, "I told off Pansy in front of Sprout, I wasn't paying attention in Snape's class and finally, I snapped at Flitwick when he asked me some stupid question."

Harry smothered a laugh, "You've got detentions from Sprout, Sev and Flitwick for this weekend?"

Draco just nodded, "Yes. Sprout's is tonight in the greenhouse, Flitwick has me doing lines tomorrow morning and I've no idea what Snape has up his sleeve."

Harry got an idea, "I can mention that I need some help tomorrow if you'd like. Seeing as we aren't supposed to get along, it would be a double bonus that he can torture us together."

Draco's eyes lit up, "You'd do that for me. You'd risk someone finding us out so I don't have to spend an evening with Snape?"

Harry nodded, "Sev owes me a favor or two anyway. He won't say anything."

Draco got a puzzled look, "Why do you call him Sev?"

"He was one of my friends last year. We remain friends much to his dismay most days." Harry explained.

"I noticed he's changed since you left with him to fight. He returned and you didn't but he still changed. He was also absent quite a bit from evening meals and on weekends, was he with you?" inquired Draco, finally adding two and two to get four.

Harry nodded, "Yes, Sev kept me company when I couldn't sleep. He'd listen to me rant, rave or generally talk about things. We discussed the weather patterns over Northern America for three hours one night, quite dull but it passed the time." Harry admitted with a confused expression that Draco couldn't help but snicker at, "We've developed an odd friendship that I wouldn't trade for the world, Draco."

Draco nodded, "I still can't believe he gave me a detention. Slytherins never get detention unless it's for fighting with the Gryffindors."

Harry smiled faintly, "He's finally being fair, Draco. He doesn't have to coddle anyone anymore. The war, which he was fighting internally, is now over for him. He can finally be the teacher he wants to be without having angry parents threatening to reveal him to the Dark Lord." Harry explained, looking Draco dead in the eye. He saw the expression change as it all hit him at once.

Draco was shocked to find that Sev didn't enjoy playing favorites to only the Slytherins.

Truth be told, Harry knew it would shock the entire school that Sev hated to play favorites. Sure, he wanted to go easier on his own house but to turn a blind eye was killing him morally.

Harry laughed when Draco still hadn't responded after five minutes, "I didn't mean to stun you into silence, hun. It was merely a revelation I thought you should know."

Draco just nodded, "You know, I forgot to tell you about school last year."

Harry leaned back and looked at Draco, weighing the importance of this, "You are right. Want to tell me now?"

Draco just nodded, "It wasn't pleasant when you first left. Almost nothing changed but there was a slight shift in the air. The golden trio wasn't as golden anymore since they were missing their leader, I didn't have anyone to fight with and the two other houses just watched in fascination to see what would become of us. One night, I found Hermione crying in the Astronomy tower. She said she was worried about you because they hadn't heard anything about your welfare. Ron was sullen but tried to hide it. Ravenclaw stuck their heads in a book, Hufflepuff bounced their merry little way to each class with their heads firmly placed in the clouds. Gryffindors were tense, on edge if you will, and were waiting for news. Slytherins were unsettled not knowing what was happening to their families, it was hell." Draco stopped to make sure Harry was listening before he continued.

"One night, Dumbledore made the Gryffindors and Slytherins from fifth year and up stay in the Great Hall after dinner. He wanted our petty feuding to end. It was the same night we learned that you defeated Voldermort. That was almost two weeks after you walked out of dinner that night."

Harry was quiet for a moment longer, not sure if Draco was going to continue. "What happened after that?"

"There was an uneasy truce. We weren't fighting but we weren't getting along either. I'd stop and ask Granger if she'd heard from you. She spouted off about a short three line letter before storming off. I'll admit, I was confused. I found Weaselette and asked her. She was more forthcoming with information. I didn't see why they were so upset with you because at least they knew for a fact that you were safe. I didn't hear about my father until five weeks after I spoke to them. Thank you for saving him, in spite of the fact that he deserved to die." Draco spoke quietly.

Harry hugged him, "I was trying to preserve as many lives as I could. I didn't want your father to die although, had it happened, I wouldn't have felt bad. Sorry but it's the truth. How did you and Hermione become chummy?" inquired Harry as an afterthought.

"She and I came to an understanding. After you left, she was appointed head of Gryffindor in place of you. Being the Slytherin prince, we decided to make the first move. I also think she wanted inside information about why I wanted to know about you." Draco stated easily.

"Did you give her any information?"

"No, she tried to get it but I chose not to say anything." Draco replied.

Harry nodded his understanding, "So, it was a weird kind of normal here, then. Slytherins and Gryffindors not fighting but not talking, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs just hoping that we would kill each other."

Draco smiled ruefully, "That about sums it up. The tension was thick, even after the Dark Lord died. Every time the door opened, we were expecting you, 'The great Harry Potter' to be coming back. Dumbledore never said a word about your absence. He treated it as if 'If I don't acknowledge he hasn't come back, maybe no one will notice' idea. We noticed Harry, and we worried after Snape came back alone."

Harry chuckled lightly, "I didn't mean to worry you. I just assumed that Albus would tell everyone that I was fine but not returning to school right away."

"Did he know if you were going to return at all?" asked Draco.

"No because I didn't know I was going to return." Harry admitted.

Draco looked at the mantle clock, "I've got to run. I need to see Blaise and Theo about a Herbology project before lunch. Can I see you later?"

Harry nodded, "Dinner tonight, here?"

Draco nodded back, "I'll see you then." He went to stand but was brought back down quickly. His startled expression would've made Harry laugh if he had mind to.

Harry leaned down and kissed Draco sweetly before letting him up. He smiled at the dazed look on the blonde's face, "See you later."

Draco just stood with Harry's help and stumbled out the portal to the hall.

Oh, blonde can kiss. You are trembling.

Stuff it.

Can't think of something better? Come on, taunt me. You are becoming a bore

Then leave me alone.

No can do. Love to torment you. So, you going to teach Draco that trick? The one you really like that had you screaming Sev's name for hours?

Damn you. Maybe one day.

Start the training early, he'll never know the difference

Will you leave me be.

What about the tongue ring? Suck on ice first. The cold steel, hot skin

Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Please for the love of all that is good and holy, shut it.

The inner voice just continued to cackle at him as he prayed for salvation.

Harry turned to go back to studying when he remembered his promise to Sev about Remus. He picked up his floo powder and sighed as he stepped into the emerald flames.

Remus was in Godric's Hollow library when Harry emerged from the fire. "Hey, Remus."

Remus jumped about a foot in the air, "Gods, Harry don't do that."

Harry looked sheepish, "Sorry. I am here on a mission."

Remus arched an eyebrow, "What is that, dare I ask?"

Harry laughed, "It's Sev. He's worried because you won't owl back."

Remus stared at the floor for a minute, "I don't know what to say to him. He means so much to me but what happens when he decides a werewolf isn't worth the trouble?"

Harry came up and wrapped his arms around the older man's torso. He sighed before speaking, "Sev really cares Remi. I'd daresay that he might be falling in love with you. Please just answer him. He's a wreck."

Remus returned the hug, "I will answer him, Harry. I promise. Tell him to give me the weekend and he'll have a reply by Monday."

Harry smiled, "Great, how about lunch? I've to get back for my potions assignment but I think I can spare the time."

Remus laughed and headed for the kitchen.

Harry returned to Hogwarts an hour later after a relaxing lunch with Remus. He found Sev in his sitting room as he emerged from the fire.

"Hey, Sev."
Sev just growled, "Where have you been?"

"Home to see Remus. I told you I'd go today."

Sev looked surprised, "You really went?"

"I said I would and I did," responded Harry as he sat down.

Sev nearly jumped into his lap, "What did he say? What did you say?"

Harry laughed, "He said to give him the weekend and you'll have your answer."

Review…please. Let me know if you want to know what Sev is asking Remus or should I let the side story die. I promise more interaction with the golden trio plus Ginny soon.