DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of it, JK Rowling and associates own all rights, no infringement intended, no money is being made, unfortunately.

WARNING; Pre-slash if you do not like do not read remember you have freedom of choice. Reviews appreciated but no flames those will be ignored.

STORY; as we get older and some of us actually mature you find that what you firmly believed was the truth can suddenly shift into something completely opposite and how you handle that shows what kind of adult you can become. Harry must deal with what he considers to be the weirdest summer of his life. Enemies become allies, friends become enemies, and sometimes there is a very thin line between love and hate, attraction and fighting. Poor Harry, poor Draco

PAIRINGS: HP/DM, SS/RL, GW/OC, RW/HrG, NL/LL

Chapter 9 Time to head home

Harry watched as Malfoy assimilated what he had been saying. Seeing, by the way that Malfoy's face was reddening and the narrowing of his eyes, that he was getting ready to speak he spoke again.

"By the way Malfoy, as far as I am concerned, the sex of the person you love is no ones business but your own. I never said I have a problem with Remus being gay. In fact, I have known he was gay for quite a while now. So are some of my other friends the only problem I have is whom he is involved with. I do not trust Snape not to hurt him but I have realised there is nothing I can do but stand by to pick up the pieces. Therefore, your little lecture was wasted." With a smirk worthy of Malfoy Harry rose to his feet

"I suppose we will be seeing each other fairly often this summer if you're going to be staying here. I will keep the peace if you will. Deal?" Harry held out his hand knowing that he performing the same move that Draco had done in their first year. He wondered if Draco would accept or not.

Draco stared at the outstretched hand. 'How dare Potter say that he, Draco Malfoy, wasn't worth fighting? So, Potter thought he was going to ignore him; no one ignored him ever. We will see about that; that sanctimonious prick thought he was better then a Malfoy. No one outdid a Malfoy especially some stupid Muggle loving Gryffindor. Potter thinks he is so clever. The old fool told me we were going to be working together and if Potter thinks he is going to be in charge he can think again. It is time to hand the twit a couple of shocks of my own.'

"Well Potter it seems you do have a brain after all, who would have believed it. I'd be more worried about the wolf hurting Severus then the other way around. Lupin is a Gryffindor after all and we all know how they can be carried away with their emotions. Also for your information, we will be training and fighting together according to the old fool so you are a little late with your speech. I will keep the peace and it will be up to you to keep the Weasel and the Mud… the Big Brain off my back."

Draco took Harry's hand and the two gave a quick shake ignoring the little jolt of electricity that shot up their arms. Harry turned and walked quickly from the room while Draco rearranged himself on the sofa. Each was thinking they had come off best in that conversation.

Snape was stirring a potion while he listened to Remus ranting on about the bloody Boy Wonder. "I did tell you that he would react violently when he found out Remus. That's why I said to wait until he was older but you wanted to tell him now."

"I know Sev I just thought that he would react better. He has been acting so mature lately that I thought he could handle it."

Snape snorted, "it seems our young Mr. Potter doesn't have a problem with you loving a man it's just who you're in love with that is the problem." Silently he wondered if this would be the end of their relationship. He had loved Remus for a long time but would never have revealed his feelings if not for accidentally overhearing Remus tell Dumbledore that he could not work with Snape because it hurt to hide his feelings for him. Then he had gone on to say how he had been in love with Snape since they were 7th years at Hogwarts. He had gone away in a daze never realizing that the headmaster had set the whole conversation up for him to overhear, so that they would recognize their feelings for each other. He had gone to Remus that night at headquarters and confronted him with what he had overheard. At first Remus denied everything sure that Snape was there to mock him but after being kissed senseless had decided that maybe he really was wanted and loved. That had been six wonderful months ago now this was happening. Would Remus choose Potter over him? He did not know what he would do if the Wolf choose to protect the cub, he was family after all. Suddenly he realized that Remus was calling his name.

"Severus, are you listening to me?" Remus stood next to his lover trying to get his attention. He had been calling his name for several minutes. He was concerned as he watched the dark eyes suddenly turn to him in recognition. "Are you okay?"

"Did you require something?" Snape asked smoothly turning back to his potion.

"I told you, I decided what we have to do and you are not going to like it" Remus said laying a hand on Sev's arm.

"Since you know I won't like it don't tell me." Severus did not want him to say they were over even though he knew that was coming. He started to pull his feelings back inside hiding them like before. Damned if he would show how much it hurt to be chosen second again.

"Severus listen to me, you are going to have to show Harry your true self. He needs to understand why I love you and why I trust you. The only way that is going to happen is if he sees the real you." Misunderstanding the look of shock on Severus's face he laughed and continued speaking, "I don't mean you have to be nice to him or anything, just show him how caring you are to me and to Draco. He needs to understand that I will not choose between the two of you so you will have to learn to live with each other."

Severus looked at him for once his emotions plain on his face. He was not choosing Potter over him. He thought for sure that was what he was going to hear and now could only stare dumbly at Remus.

"Sev talk to me, what's wrong? I know you dislike Harry but if you got to know him you would see that he is not his father." Suddenly a nasty thought hit Remus and he grabbed Severus by the shoulders turning him so he could look him in eyes. "Severus Snape, tell me you did not think that I was going to say that it was over and that I chose Harry over you!" Severus refused to look at him confirming his suspicions. "You idiot," at this Severus looked up glaring at him, "yes I called you an idiot. How dare you think that my love for you was so little that this was all it took to break it Yes, I love Harry and I intend to take care of him but I will not live my life according to the whims of teenager no matter who he is. If the two of you cannot learn to live together in peace then you can learn to ignore each other but you Severus are stuck with me and I had never better hear you even hint about leaving me because of Harry. I will not be forced into the middle of this issue. You need to let Harry see the real you, the snarky, ill-tempered, sarcastic, caring, loving, dependable person that you are." By this time Remus's eyes were glowing amber, his voice deepening into a slight growl and he was shaking the taller man slightly, "And you need to see that Harry is not his father, he is not a spoiled attention loving fool. Harry is just a young man forced to grow up before his time, he lives with people that despise him and if forced to put with having his life under constant scrutiny. Reminds you of someone don't it?" The last statement was said with a bit of smirk and a raised eyebrow as he stare his lover straight in the eye.

Severus did not say anything mainly because he could not think of anything to say. Instead, he leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to Remus's lips while encircling his waist and pulling him close to his body.

Remus responded by sliding one hand into Severus's thick silky hair and deepening the kiss, Merlin he loved kissing this man.

Severus leaned back still keeping his arms around Remus and said softly, "I will try but you know that while in school I will have to keep up the same act. As long as I am a spy I can't be seen as not hating the boy."

Remus just gave him that gentle smile, the one he used when he knew he had won the argument and said, "Of course love, I think the best way to start is to escort Harry back to the Dursley's."

Severus stepped back instantly, "Oh no that's your job. I have a potion to fix. He is too upset to want me to take him back. He needs to see you right now." He knew he was babbling but he really did not want to be alone with the brat. He also knew by looking at the determined look on Remus's face that he was going to lose this argument.

Sure enough ½ hour later he found himself Apparating to the end of Privet Drive with Harry Potter. As they walked to the house, he could see Potter sneaking glances at him and just knew that he was gathering his courage to have a meaningful conversation with him. 'Damn Gryffindors always have to "do the right thing", he thought with a sneer.

"Sir, can we stop for a minute I have something I need to say to you." Harry said with determination.

tbc