Disclaimer: I do not own any characters created by J.K. Rowling. I also do not share her homophobic views.

A/N: This chapter was only meant to be a 3K filler and somehow it's doubled in length?! HOW?!

Also, I am not trying to directly quote from OotP, so please don't flame me for not quoting the scene verbatim.

Chapter Forty-Seven

.

Harry hated the fact that Draco's house arrest was becoming tighter. He could practically feel the life being choked out of the blonde. That wasn't to say that the young man didn't find things to smile about, but it was rare that he laughed these days. After their kiss, Harry had worried that things would become awkward between him and Draco, however the blonde acted as though everything were normal. For some reason this irked Harry for the better part of the day until Draco had requested his assistance in the cellar to help portion out his latest batch of Wolfsbane, only to steal a delicate kiss that left Harry's belly fizzing with excitement.

However, he didn't dare push for anything more than the blonde was willing to give him.

Now that the weather was getting even hotter, Ron was constantly sending him owls or floo calling to see if Harry fancied a game of Quidditch or to go for a hike. It amused Harry to no end that this was the same boy who had complained loudly about any form of exercise that didn't involve racing around on a broom. It became apparent after the first Quidditch friendly that Ginny was still pining after him. It made Harry uncomfortable, as he definitely remembered the way she had obsessed over him from the moment she'd laid eyes on him. He knew it had started out innocently enough and that they'd become friends since the Chamber of Secrets incident -that was where he felt as though he'd blurred the line between celebrity crush and real boy in Ginny's eyes -however, his newfound admission of feelings for Draco felt like a sheet of ice had appeared between them.

Could she tell? Were girls able to pinpoint the moment their crush discovered their feelings for someone else? Was it some weird sort of sixth sense that only girls gained access to?

Either way, he definitely tried to avoid being alone with Ginny whenever he was at the Burrow, which seemed to be every few days. Harry had, personally, been looking forward to staying up in Hogsmeade for a long weekend with his dad's, Draco and Teddy, but until Draco's restrictions were lowered, it wasn't a possibility.

Back at Grimmauld place, the restless heat seemed to have burrowed into Sirius' mind like a tic. He had started giving both Draco and Harry lessons on the motorbike, much to Remus' chagrin. The werewolf would watch from the shaded patio, a frown marring his features as he watched the boys rev the engine. Harry was far too young to actually drive the bike, and until Draco's restrictions were lowered, he couldn't go beyond the confines of the house, with or without a guardian present. The only thing it seemed to benefit, were his current brewing projects. He had even started to do some experimenting, although what he was trying to invent no one knew for sure.

On one such Thursday, they were all eating lunch on the patio, when an owl dropped a letter into Harry's lap, swooping in a loop and heading back from where it came. Mid-bite, Harry unravelled the short note and frowned a little.

'Hey mate, fancy a game of Quidditch? I'm trying to convince Mione to give it a go! You'd be mad to miss it! ~R'

"Oof, now that's not a happy face," Remus remarked with a wry smile. "More quidditch?"

Harry nodded, pocketing the note and went back to eating his sandwich. "I love Quidditch, don't get me wrong, but wizards really need to find more hobbies."

Sirius snorted, "I wish I could say you're wrong but -well -I leapt at the chance of being a beater the first chance I got."

Remus chuckled, "Yes you did. I still don't know how you and James persuaded me to take on the commentator role. I was the least biased of all the Gryffindors and that's saying a lot!"

"We bribed you with chocolate," Sirius stated with a shrug. "Honeyduke's finest selection. You drooled the moment you saw the boxes."

"There were eighteen of them!"

"Did you complain?!"

Remus rolled his eyes and mumbled something under his breath.

"What was that Moony?"

"I said 'Fuck you, mutt!'"

Sirius leaned back in his chair with a smug smirk, "Yeah, that's what I thought."

Harry looked between the two men with amusement, "How is it that, after everything, you two are still able to bicker like that?"

Remus and Sirius looked at him with matching amused expressions. Some of the ever-present tension eased out of the werewolf's shoulders and he slipped a hand along Sirius' arm, stroking his thumb over a small tattoo on his wrist. "I think we used humour as a distraction as well as a reminder that there was always something worth fighting for. Who'd want to live in a world without laughter and mischief anyway?"

Sirius blinked a few times, shooting a fond look at his lover. "Besides, this one is such a sour puss, it's practically my God given right to ensure he laughs at least once a day!"

Remus playfully shoved Sirius. Due to his enhanced strength, Sirius almost went flying backwards off his chair. Remus snatched at his arm, bringing his chair back down to earth, the grip on Sirius' arm bruising slightly with minimal effort. "Merlin, I'm sorry Pads."

"I'm used to worse," Sirius waved him off before digging his wand out of his pocket and muttering a low incantation. The faint purple bruises faded within moments.

Harry and Draco watched everything with raised eyebrows. Turning towards the brunette Draco asked, "So, are you going off to the Burrow today or are you going to hang around here?"

"Oh uh …" he blushed. "I'm not sure. I think my arse is going numb from riding that broom all the time."

Draco and Sirius snorted at the innuendo, before shooting bemused looks at one another. Harry blushed and groaned, burying his head in his hands.

"That's not what I meant!"

Remus smiled, leaning back in his chair. "You're welcome to go with your friends, Harry, if you like. Although do feel free to remind them that they're just as welcome to come here now and again."

"Yeah, I might go over in an hour or two. There's no rush, the Burrow isn't going anywhere," he added jovially, although his stomach twisted with guilt all the same.

As everyone resumed eating, Harry spared a glance at the blonde sitting across from him. Since the Ministry had tightened their reigns, Draco had become withdrawn in the moments where he thought no one was watching him. It took Harry way back to when Draco had first come to Grimmauld place, sneering at everything and refusing to wear muggle clothing, even when the heat got too much. There was none of that old bitterness, though. It was like he'd just rolled over and accepted his fate. This irked Harry more than the snide remarks had done.

He had half a mind to storm to the Ministry and demand a meeting with Shacklebolt. However, the place was crawling with reporters like Skeeter. The last thing he needed was to make the tabloids as a de-aged idiot. People didn't want that. They wanted to see their hero's smiling as though they didn't have a care in the world.

Something touched his foot, making him start.

Draco quirked an eyebrow at him and mouthed, 'are you okay?'

Harry nodded back and, though Draco didn't believe him, he accepted it and didn't press further. He simply nudged his foot up along Harry's. The sly touch sending a tremor of barely concealed excitement shooting up his leg.

.

It was almost two o'clock by the time Harry decided that he'd put it off long enough and decided to head on over to the Burrow. As he wriggled his feet into his trainers, he couldn't deny that he was a little fed-up of always being at the Burrow and always playing Quidditch, even if the prospect of Hermione joining in did fill him with glee. Whenever he was there, regardless of what he was doing, Molly Weasley always managed to say something just within earshot about Sirius.

It made him feel uncomfortable being around her. It was all well and good that she was so motherly and fussed over him constantly, but at the same time Sirius was his dad. Regardless of what she thought how she could've done a better job, Harry wouldn't have traded any of the scraped knees or bruises or late night cuddles for anything in the world. Naturally, he secretly wished he could have remembered all the times he'd had with his real parents back when he was a baby, but Sirius was the next best thing in his eyes, and that was all that really mattered.

With a sigh, he ruffled a hand through his hair, messing it up even more.

"One of these days, Potter, we're going to get that hair under control," Draco's drawl made him jump.

Turning on the step, he looked up to see the blonde leaning against the banister, somehow managing to look superior even when wearing muggle shorts and a flimsy t-shirt.

Harry grinned, "Maybe I just have a thing for you lecturing me."

Draco flicked him on the cheek. Standing up, Harry brushed himself down and couldn't fight back the grin that all he had to do was tiptoe and he would be eye-level with the blonde. According to Sirius' measurements on the kitchen doorframe, he had grown at least five inches taller than his previous height at fifteen. Tutting, Draco nudged him back to earth.

"So, I'm guessing Mrs Weasley will keep you there until after dinner, right?"

Harry looked sheepish, "Yeah she usually does. Worries that neither Sirius or Remus can cook."

"Granted, Sirius could use a few extra lessons, but Remus lived on his own for about fifteen years. He had no choice but to learn to cook. Besides, who could say 'no' to his Bolognese?"

Harry grinned, "Don't, you'll make me crave it!"

Chuckling, Draco reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind Harry's ear. As his fingertips rested against Harry's jaw, his face became sombre, his grey eyes thoughtful. "You'll definitely come back, tonight?"

Fingers curled around his wrist. "Of course I'm coming back," Harry assured him, "Will you wait up for me?"

"I can try," Draco smirked, before stepping out of the touch. "Go on, off with you. Weasley has probably gone out of his mind with boredom waiting around for you."

"Nah, I doubt it," Harry shrugged, heading into the lounge and taking the floo pot off the mantlepiece. "It just means he can snog Hermione without me awkwardly third-wheeling in the background."

"And with that lovely image," Draco grimaced. "Get out."

Harry laughed and in a flash of emerald flames, he was gone.

.

Shooting out of the Burrow's fireplace was never a great experience. The only benefit to it at all was that he almost always landed on one of the overly squishy armchairs. Hopping to his feet, he hurried out of the lounge and bounded up the stairs to Ron's bedroom at the top of the house. He made his footsteps as loud as possible, just on the off-chance that his two best friends really were snogging on Ron's childhood bed. He reached the door just in time to hear;

"-ave to get off, before Harry walks in!"

"Merlin's beard, I never thought my best mate would cock-block me!"

The door swung open just as Harry thought it was safe to knock. Ron's cheeks were flushed pink, and he was breathing heavily. "Er … hey mate … gimme two minutes I just need to pop to the loo."

He dashed around Harry who made sure to keep his eyes upward at all times. He counted to ten and then turned to face the room, an amused expression on his face as he took in a flustered Hermione, perched on the edge of the bed and trying desperately to neaten her frizzing curls.

"Had fun while waiting for me then?" he teased, plonking himself down on the end of the bed.

Hermione's cheek went even redder. "Sorry, Harry. Molly and Arthur went to the village for some food and Ginny went to visit Luna. It's not often we get a chance to ourselves, especially not here."

"I feel bad now," he chewed his lip. "Would you have done … you know … if I hadn't -"

"Oh no!" Hermione blushed all over, her eyes going wide. "I mean … realistically … maybe but … we knew you were coming over and … I just …"

"Mione, relax, it's okay," Harry reached out and gave her hand a squeeze. "I'm sorry I didn't owl ahead and given you guys some more alone time. I'd have understood, you know."

"Well, when you didn't come straight away, we just thought we'd enjoy not having to fuss about with Molly. Then well …" she trailed off, cupping her hands over her face in embarrassment.

Harry laughed gently for a few moments before sobering up. Casting a quick glance at the door, he chewed his lip before saying, "Hermione can I tell you something? Something private?"

Hermione looked at him with wide eyes, "Of course you can. What's up?"

Suddenly the loose thread on the hem of his t-shirt was overwhelmingly interesting. He stayed quiet, trying to run through every possible scenario in his head, the good and the bad. "Draco kissed me," he finally mumbled.

Hermione's went wide, her lips parting in a silent 'o'. Harry dared to look up and winced at her expression. "I see," she finally said, getting her bearings. "Did you … enjoy it?"

Harry frowned. "THAT'S the question you're going to ask? You're not going to give me shit for it? Or that I couldn't possibly like blokes, let alone MALFOY?"

Hermione raised a sardonic eyebrow at him. "Harry, when have I ever used the word 'bloke' in my life?"

He clamped his mouth shut.

"Besides, I saw the way you two were looking at each other the last time you were both here when we went camping. He risked messing up his house arrest to make sure that you were safe."

"You and Ron would have done the same thing."

"Regardless, Draco risked much more than we did in that moment. He didn't care, Harry, as long as you were safe. Now, I'm going to ask you again. Did you enjoy it?"

Harry couldn't find it anymore; his face split into a grin and he felt his cheeks warm up, "It was brilliant, Hermione. I gave him the cheesiest line and he still wanted to kiss me!"

A fond smile graced Hermione's face. "I'm glad for you Harry. Granted Malfoy was never my first choice of relationship for you, but then after Cho and Ginny, maybe you need someone who can spar more on your level."

"We don't spar!" Harry scoffed. "Anyway, I thought you wanted me to be with Ginny way back when."

Hermione shrugged, "Things change and so do people. Besides, even when you were with Ginny you were obsessing over Malfoy, regardless of why that was. Ginny has a very short temper at the best of times, I think she would have given you an ultimatum one way or another."

"And you think I would have ditched her to stalk Draco?"

Looking up, Hermione shook her head sadly, "No. I think you would have stayed with her because it would have been easier than breaking her heart. Cowardly, but easier."

Harry shifted uncomfortably. "Look, I don't really know what this thing is with Draco. It's new, exciting and dear Merlin he's such a good kisser. I just … I want to enjoy it, you know? No rushing about, no big ultimatums straight away."

"You know you're going to have to talk it all out at some point."

"I know," he sighed. "But not right now. Let me have a couple of weeks of snogging a really fit guy, Mione."

Smiling, she shook her head, "You really are an idiot, Harry."

He laughed, nudging her thigh with his foot. "You uh … you won't tell Ron about the kiss, will you? Like you said we haven't figured it all out yet and I really don't want Ron to go in there all big-brother like."

"Of course, I won't say a word. It's not my secret to tell. He'd be happy for you, though. You know that right?"

"Yeah, I know. It's just … I like that right now it's just Draco and I. No one else is involved. I like the little bubble we have. Merlin knows, the moment his probation is up and I'm back to my right age, as soon as we step outside together, the reporters will be onto us. Draco … he doesn't deserve that."

Hermione gave him a sympathetic smile just as the door opened and Ron reappeared with a grin. "Right you two, who wants to give that Quidditch a go?"

.

The sun didn't start to set until about 8 o'clock. By that time, they'd had dinner with the Weasley's in the back garden, and now were trying to teach Arthur how to play monopoly. It was more goofing around and joking, but Harry enjoyed himself regardless. The blue hued dusk started to creep up over the hill and a soft breeze skirted down the back of Harry's neck. His body froze as he was about to roll the die. Panic flared in his belly; why couldn't he move?

"Harry? Mate, are you alright?"

"He's shaking. What's wrong with him?"

Harry wasn't even sure if he was breathing. He wasn't seeing the monopoly board anymore. Now all he was seeing were glossy, black tiled walls, dark jagged rocks, flashes of bright lights -curses? -shooting overhead so close he could hear them fizzing through the air. His hand was started to tremble; he watched as the die rolled out and clattered to the table. He couldn't feel anything.

He could feel the blood running down his face.

The sting or broken, cracked skin.

The shrill laughter of Bellatrix ringing in his ears.

'Come on! You can do better than that!'

'AVADA KEDAVRA!'

"NO!" he jumped away from the table, the fields of yellowing grass vanishing to be replaced by the stone archway. The veil shimmered just beyond his reach, he was so close, all he had to do was pull it back. Sirius couldn't be gone, he just couldn't! "SIRIUS? SIRIUS! REACH FOR MY HAND!"

He was just playing, a prank like his others. Any minute now he'd walk back from beyond the veil and grin his manic grin and he would take Harry home. They could be together! They could be a family.

But … Sirius didn't come back. He didn't hug Harry. The emptiness was like a chasm yawning open in his hollow chest. Like a dementors maw was swallowing all the happiness, the glee, the jokes, the raw emotion that kept him going.

Suddenly, there she was. Bellatrix. He raced at her, he threw hex after hex at her, much she barely whimpered at their touch. She cowered for a mere moment, seeing the hysteria in him. He could take that leap. He could kill her. Why should she get to live when Sirius had suffered for half his life? Why should she get to laugh and skip and do what she enjoyed?

She didn't! She didn't deserve to live!

"That's it, Harry. Do it. Kill her. Kill her just like she did to Sirius." The hissing voice crawled beneath his skin, vibrating through his veins and flooding the chasm in his chest, feeding the hatred gripping his heart. "It will be so quick. Or do you want to make her suffer? She deserves it, after all, doesn't she?"

There was a flash in Bellatrix's eyes, that quickly gave way to her mania.

He felt like his very soul was knocked from his body as he collided with the floor, Dumbledore fighting Voldemort in the middle of the Ministry. A sandstorm of broken glass whirled around him and then He was there, towering over him, the bone wand steady as he aimed it at Harry's chest.

'DO IT!' he wanted to scream. 'KILL ME! I WANT TO BE WITH SIRIUS! DO WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED!'

He contorted with pain, writhing in the sand, gripping for purchase, his body almost slithering. He felt the presence in his head, the fight for control. Voldemort saw his weakness, his desire for Death to come to him, but then he remembered. He remembered that Sirius had died to save him. If he died now … it would be for nothing. He couldn't let the bastard take the last good thing Sirius ever did away from him. He deserved that. He deserved BETTER!

"… you will never know love, or friendship. The power that it has. And you know what? I just feel sorry for you."

He felt something ripped from his very marrow, his own screams filled his ears, he felt like he wanted to be sick, the nausea swirled in his belly and –

.

He was hot and sweaty all over and he could taste blood in his mouth. His vision was blurry. Where were his glasses? Something cool was pressed to his forehead. He tried to move and instantly regretted it. Moving was bad right now. He kept his eyes closed and just tried to focus on regulating his breathing.

In … out … in … out …

Very slowly he tried to open his eyes. Yes, everything was still blurred but he was able to recognise the ceiling of the Burrow's living room with the flickering shadows dancing across it from the fireplace. Something stroked his hand and he flinched away. Shadows of the memories still warped behind his eyelids. They wouldn't go away, and he felt a fresh onslaught of tears beginning to burn up.

"S'rus …" he slurred, his throat feeling like sandpaper.

"Harry, shh, don't speak. You need to rest. You've exhausted your magic right now."

"Nu-nnnnn S'rus! S'rus!"

"Mate, just lie still and rest. You gave us a bit of a scare, mate."

"Si'Rus!" he thrashed and felt his arm collide with something. Shifting about on his back, he winced as something bit into his skin. Was that … glass? But he wasn't at the Ministry, right?

"Here, get him to drink this!"

Something was pressed to his lips. He choked on the spicy flavour as it rushed down his throat. Within seconds, his aches and pains dissipated, and his vision was no longer painful. Someone gingerly placed his glasses on his face, and he sucked in a sharp breath when he saw Hermione and Ginny's twin expression of shock and concern. With a grunt he managed to prop himself up on his elbows and felt his jaw drop at the carnage of the Burrow's living room; shards of broken glass bottles and picture frames littered all around him on the hearth rug. Shimmering sand twinkled in the firelight. Apologies were on the tip of his tongue when the fire roared to life in a blaze of emerald fire. Sirius appeared, closely followed by Remus.

Harry's heart jolted so painfully he almost choked. "Dad? Dad!" Staggering to his feet, he raced forward into the man's arms.

Sirius gripped him tightly, burying his face into Harry's dark hair and curling his arms protectively around his godson's shoulders. "It's okay, Harry, I'm here. It's all alright now, I promise. Okay?"

Harry felt the tears drip down his cheeks. He burrowed closer, nodding his head frantically, letting himself be engulfed by the sugary warm scent that clung to Sirius' shirt. Had Remus been baking with Teddy again?

Pulling away, Sirius cupped his cheeks and looked deep into his eyes. "Do you want to tell me what happened?"

Harry floundered, looking for words -any words -that could explain what had just happened. "M-memories …" he gasped. "Y-you … you died …"

It was like the air was sucked out of the room.

"I'm sorry you had to remember that, pup," Sirius bowed his head. "If I could take that pain away for you, I would."

Another hand cradled Harry's head from behind. Remus crowded closer, wrapping both dark haired men in his arms. "You need to remember that this is our life right now. The memories hurt, and they're painful, but we are better for it. We're a family."

Harry had never felt so safe and loved than he did in that moment.

Letting out a loud sniff, a cloud passed over his face. He frowned into thin air, the cogs in his head whirring as memories filtered through. He felt a headache brewing up, despite the aftertaste of the potion still lingering at the back of his throat. Remus could smell the warring emotions on the young boy and massaged the back of his neck to relieve some of the tension.

"Sirius, I think we should get Harry home. The emotional hurdle he's just crashed into is going to linger. I think he needs to try and sleep it off."

"Perhaps it's best if Harry stays here for the night. Travelling by floo will only aggravate him."

All three men jumped, having completely forgotten about the other onlookers in the Weasley's lounge. Sirius immediately tensed as his eyes landed on Molly Weasley, standing there with her arms crossed over her chest, eyes narrowed at them huddled on her hearth. Out of sight of the others, Remus gripped Sirius' wand hand in a firm warning not to let himself get riled up.

"Actually Mrs. Weasley I'd very much like to go home. I'm s-sorry about all the mess …" he ducked his head, feeling humiliation burn through him.

"Nonsense, Harry. You can stay here in Ron's room; you know we love having you here anyway. Besides, travelling in your condition is just irresponsible. You may have given yourself a concussion and if I know anything having raised seven kids, it's that you don't want to treat head injuries lightly."

"Can you just stop?!" he snapped, only realising he'd said the words out loud as the sudden silence fell around him. Heart hammering in his chest, he swallowed as he looked at Mrs. Weasley. "I know you're only looking out for me, Mrs. Weasley, but you have got to stop undermining Sirius at every turn. He is my dad; he knows what he's doing. He's looked after me my whole life! Well -you know what I mean …"

"Now, Harry, really, you always did put him on a pedestal, when we all know he just wanted to relive his glory days through you, which isn't right, dear –"

"ENOUGH!"

Harry jumped at the roar of Remus' voice. He backed away a step or two; he was both awestruck and a little scared at the gravitas of the man's voice and how he raised himself to his full height of 6'4" and glowered. His features had become somewhat more feral, his eyes gleaming gold, the muscles in his face more pronounced against the low lights. The werewolf was hovering just below the surface, rippling under his skin and baying for blood.

"I have had enough of this constant squabbling from the both of you!" he growled. "You are both grown adults, and I'm sick and tired of having to listen to the bickering like you're both children! Kitchen, now!"

He stalked across the room and into the kitchen, leaving no room for argument. Arthur's eyebrows shot up into his hairline as he bridged the distance to the kitchen and gingerly sat down on one side of the table. Sirius sighed and followed, Molly shadowing him. They each took their seats, facing one another, with Remus at the head of the table.

"Now, after tonight I will not be repeating myself on any of these topics and if I catch wind of anything, I will be forced to take drastic measures."

Sirius bowed his head to show that he understood. The only time he had seen Remus this livid was after The Prank in fifth year. It still churned his stomach to remember the hollering match they'd had. Across the table Molly and Arthur looked too shocked to say anything, so they nodded mutely.

"Molly, you will cease talking negatively about Sirius in any way, shape or form in front of, or around, Harry. What you say in private in your own home to Arthur is none of my business, but to constantly berate Sirius' abilities in front of his godson is just unforgivable. He is trying his best, that's all that matters.

"Sirius, you need to accept that Molly does have seven children, so she may know what she's talking about. I'm sure if you asked for advice, she'd be happy to give it. I will not tolerate anymore of this nonsensical arguing; it serves no purpose. You used to get along, back in the day, and yes, war changes people, but we are all alive and trying to move on. Holding grudges from that time we were in our twenties is rather pathetic. Now, as for ground rules."

He pulled out a piece of parchment from his back pocket along with a muggle pen. Arthur's eyes immediately zeroed in on it.

"After the summer holidays, Harry may visit the Burrow up to two times a month, whether they be sleepovers or not. Molly is not to criticise Sirius for his parenting style, if you cannot say something nice then don't say it at all. The same goes for Sirius about Molly; she is allowed to encourage Harry much like she would do to her other children. This is not a competition on who loves Harry most."

Sirius struggled not to roll his eyes. Like there'd be any competition between the two of them.

"We will also be starting a little tradition of once-a-month family dinners; I'm trying to allow for everyone's soon-to-be busy work schedules once term starts up again. We can alternate who hosts each month, and I'd also like to invite Hermione's parents to join those as well, seeing as she and Ron are a couple now."

The three other adults nodded in agreement; it was a wonder they hadn't thought of it sooner. Trust Remus Lupin to think of everyone in the bigger picture.

Once he'd finished writing everything on the parchment, he signed his name with a flourish, before handing the parchment for Arthur and Molly to sign. They did so, Arthur running his fingers along the pen and then chuckling with excitement at not having to dip a quill into an ink pot. And no mess! Muggles really were amazing! Sirius gave the man a fond smile, before signing his own name.

"Perfect," Remus smiled, taking the scroll. "Now, if memory serves me right, Hermione knows a few handy spells to deal with anyone who breeches the contract. I'm sure she can be very creative." With a wolfish grin, he stood up and disappeared into the living room.

Sirius cleared his throat and stood up from the table. "Thank you for having Harry over, Molly, but I do really think it would be best for him to rest up at home," he spoke in a calm, level voice. "You're welcome to pop-by and check on him if you like."

Molly looked resigned and exhausted, the streaks of grey suddenly looking more prominent in her red hair. "Very well, I suppose I can't argue with you. Just … don't let him strain himself."

He bit back his usual retort, and forced a smile, "Of course not. Wouldn't dream of it."

Back in the living room, Remus was waiting patiently by the fireplace, talking to Hermione in hushed tones. She already had the scroll of parchment in her hands. The shards of glass had vanished from the rug and the broken picture frames and bottles on the mantle, had been fixed. Sirius smiled fondly and walked up to snake an arm around Remus' waist, "Shall we get a move on, professor?"

Remus rolled his eyes, "Yes, I want to make sure Teddy gets to bed on time."

Harry said a quick goodbye to Ron and Hermione, awkwardly tottered over to the kitchen doorway and quietly thanks the Weasley's for having him. Molly gave him a big hug before releasing him with a teary smile.

.

Flooing home wasn't nearly as bad as Harry expected it to be. He still felt somewhat nauseated and lightheaded, but not nearly as bad as earlier. Brushing the soot from himself with visibly shaking arms, he looked up to see Remus and Sirius staring back at him with twin expressions of concern marring their faces.

"Thank you for being alive," he murmured against their chests.

"I'm not leaving you again," Sirius promised, kissing him on the head.

"Neither am I."

Harry gave a wet laugh, backing up a step so he could wipe at his eyes. "If you don't mind … I'm going to go to bed now."

"Do you want us to come up with you?" Remus asked.

"Or do you want to come into our bed tonight?"

Harry's heart lurched at the idea of Sirius holding him for as long as he needed. However, he was also very aware that the full moon was only two days away, which meant that Remus was barely going to sleep. He couldn't take his sole comfort away from him.

"I wouldn't want to bother Moony anymore than normal," he murmured sheepishly. "He needs you more than me …"

"Don't worry about me, Harry," Remus gripped the back of his neck tenderly. "If you need to come in, we won't stop you. Even if we're already asleep, just crawl in, okay?"

Harry felt his smile tremble, "I love you both."

"We love you too, pup," Sirius pressed their foreheads together. "Go on, go and get some rest."

Harry lingered for a moment longer, locking this familiar aroma in his memory, before slowly retreating from the kitchen.

Closing the kitchen door, Remus turned to Sirius with a haunted look in his amber eyes. "I don't think I'll be able to sleep without a good stiff drink, tonight, Pads."

"Coming right up, love."

.

On the third floor landed, Harry hesitated as he eyed Draco's door. It was closed and no sound came from within. Was he already asleep? It wasn't even 11 o'clock yet. Would he have waited up? Creeping across the landing, Harry decided to open the bedroom door and find out.

"Potter!"

He felt his back collide against the door as Draco crowded against him, their bodies pressed flush together, pale arms wrapping around him to hold him tightly, fingers snaking up into his hair and hold him in place. The sharp minty scent rushed over him, tingling in his nose as he wrapped his arms around Draco's back and clung on, fresh tears springing to his eyes.

"Harry? What happened? What's made you so upset?" Draco's voice wavered ever-so-slightly as he cupped Harry's face in his hands. He stroked a tear away with his thumb. "Was it really that bad?"

Harry gave a mute nod.

"Do you want to tell me about it?"

Harry shook his head as another hot, silent tears raced down his cheek. Bunching his fist around the fabric of Draco's shirt, he let out a loud sniff and looked up into the blonde's grey eyes. "Can you … can you just h-h-hold me please?" he let out a strangled sob, a fresh wave of tears creeping up on him.

Draco's heart broke. Looping his arms around Harry's shoulders, he drew him close and peppered his forehead with chaste, tender kisses. "Of course, I'm not letting go of you, okay? Come on, let's get into bed. We don't have to talk at all."

Suddenly, Harry wanted to cry for a whole other reason. The ghostly memories of Sirius' blank, dying stare echoed through his mind and he tried to push them away as he staggered over to Draco's bed. The blonde held the covers up for him to crawl under. The sheets were pleasantly cool, yet he still shivered and curled up, with his face buried against Draco's chest. The blonde gently removed his glasses and stretched awkwardly to place them on the bedside table, before wriggling lower on the pillows. He wrapped his arms around Harry and cradled him close, emotions warring away inside him as he pressed a soft, lingering kiss to that infamous scar.

The ghosts and memories faded just enough for Harry to feel himself calm down. The exhaustion to his body slowly weighed down on him and, in no time at all, he fell asleep in Draco's arms.

A/N: Please leave some lovely reviews! I hope you liked the update!