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

TW: I know I don't usually do this, but there's some mentions of war in this chapter, and with everything that is happening in Ukraine, I don't want people to feel upset by this chapter. The mentions are in the very last section, after the second paragraph break.

Chapter Fifty

.

Remus and Draco stared at one another across the patio table. They'd taken lunch outside as it was pleasantly warm. Sirius had Harry helping him with the motorbike, teaching him all the various parts and maintenance needed to keep the bike in working order. At first, Harry had complained, but soon got into it when he had to learn about the complex charms that went into diagnosing any issues that cropped up. Draco had been with them and paying avid attention as well, until Remus had called him over. He had just gotten a floo-call from Minerva in regard to Draco's N.E.W.T. results. The moment the words left Lupin's lips; he felt the bottom drop out of his stomach.

The owl had left some time ago, in a huff. The parchment was still sealed, the wax surely about to melt in the summer heat.

"You did all you could do under the circumstances, Draco," Remus' gentle voice startled him out of his staring contest.

He gave a tight nod but made no move to reach for the scroll. Once he opened it up and read the words written there, it could not be undone. Whatever he read, was sealed. If he never opened it, he would never have failed anything, and that would be okay. Academically, at least.

"Draco?"

"Mm?"

"Just open it, okay? Whatever the results, we're proud of you. Your mother will be too."

Closing his eyes Draco couldn't deny the warm flutter in his chest. Results day used to be one of fear and anxiety for the last decade of his life. Lucius expected nothing but perfection from him, because he was a Malfoy. One day Draco would have to inform his father that Malfoy was not a synonym for 'perfection'.

With a huff, he snatched up the parchment, broke the wax seal and unravelled the scroll in his hands. He read over the inked results one, two, three times before they began to sink in.

"So?" Remus prompted. "How did you do?"

"I fucking passed," he breathed, dazed. Looking up with a stunned expression, he numbly offered the parchment to Remus. "I'm going to graduate …"

Remus took the parchment and started reading through it, his amber eyes darting back and forth. Eventually, he turned a grin towards the blonde. "This is brilliant, Draco! Look at these marks! O's and only two E's, this is amazing!"

"What's all this ruckus?" Sirius asked, clapping a grubby hand on Draco's shoulder.

"Draco has passed with flying colours," Remus held out the parchment to Sirius. "I think we may have a cause to finally break open that selection of spirits you've been hoarding."

Sirius scoffed as he took the parchment and read through it. His face split into a grin as he looped an arm around Draco's neck and hugged him tight. "I'm so damn proud of you, kid! These marks are amazing! Go to the floo, go on! Go call Cissy and tell her what you got; she'll be so proud!"

"Oh yes … Mother …" Still in shock, he took the parchment from his cousin, and walked into the cool shade of Grimmauld place.

Sirius raised his eyebrows at Draco's retreating form. "He doesn't seem too happy, Moons."

"I think he's just shocked, Pads. I don't think he expected to be treated fairly, considering how his testing conditions were."

"Well, Kingsley is a fair judge. Granted it wasn't only him that made the decision, but I'm glad that Draco was assessed fairly."

"You and me both. Now that he has his results, we can focus on this Umbridge mess."

Sirius rolled his eyes, leaning over the table on his forearms so that the two of them butted foreheads. "Moony, one day your brain will burn out and I'll be left carting around a freakishly tall idiot. Why would you make me suffer, Moons?"

"I live to torment you."

Sirius snorted, before pressing a chaste kiss to Remus' lips. "I'll finish up with Harry and then maybe we can figure out how to celebrate Draco's big win."

"Do you think we should invite Andromeda?"

"On the weekend. I want tonight just to be our little family."

Remus softened at the words. "Yes, that sounds lovely."

.

In the lounge Draco knelt in front of the hearth as he tossed in a handful of floo powder and recited the Chateau's address. He waited patiently until he heard the muffled call of, he assumed, an auror letting his mother know that she had a call waiting. Finally, the door across the room opened and shut, and his mother walked towards the fireplace. She settled down onto the hearthrug, her hair neatly braided and hanging over one shoulder.

"Draco, dear, this is a surprise. I wasn't expecting you to call until Friday," she smiled.

"I know, I can call again. It's just … this couldn't wait."

Immediately her smile vanished, and she frowned at him. "Oh dear, is it something serious?"

"I … I got my results today."

"Oh love," she pressed her lips together. "Would you like to open them now? I'm sure you did as well as you could given the circumstances. And if you feel at all like there was any prejudice involved I'll speak to -"

"Mum, I passed everything."

"Passed?"

"I got O's in Potions, Transfiguration, Ancient Runes, Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts. I got an E in Herbology and an E in History of Magic."

Narcissa stared at him with wide eyes, her lips parted in shock. He must have worn the same expression when he first read the results. "Well …. Those certainly weren't the results I was expecting for you," she admitted, before her smile returned. "I'm so proud of you, Dragon. Those jobs will allow you to get any job you want!"

"Yes, well. Anyone else, perhaps."

"Draco, now, don't start. Just enjoy this achievement. Besides, there's no need for you to think of a career anytime soon. You're still on parole for another two years, unless you appeal sooner. You may be able to now, we'll have to look into that."

"I don't really mind it so much. I think I've gotten used to it," Draco shrugged. "Besides, I want to work full time on the Wolfsbane project for those bitten and affected during the war. And other werewolves of course."

Narcissa watched him talk, a fond smile on her face. "You do surprise me sometimes, Draco. Has Mr. Lupin liked your wolfsbane?"

"Please, Mother, call him Remus. And no, no one is supposed to like Wolfsbane. If it tastes as bad as it smells, it's a wonder Remus takes it at all. But he does, and he's nothing if not grateful."

"Well, then hopefully he and my cousin can campaign on your behalf. In fact, I may have some people Remus and Sirius could talk to, if they ever wanted to host an event for fundraising."

"Oh, mother, no, we're nowhere near that stage yet."

"For the future then," she hummed. "It can never hurt to preamble these sorts of negotiations, dear."

"Yes, mother."

"I am so proud of you, Dragon. I wish I was there so I could give you a cuddle and then take you out for the evening to celebrate."

"However, we celebrate here won't be nearly as good. I … I miss you."

"I miss you too, dear." She moved, as though to reach for his hand, but stopped herself, somewhat sheepishly. Draco knew that feeling, he had to sit on his hands for that very reason. "Now, dear, go off and celebrate! This is a joyous occasion! Before you close the connection, could you go and fetch Remus for me? Just while it's on my mind. I wouldn't want to forget."

Draco smirked and nodded, knowingly. Once his mother hand an idea stuck in her head, she refused to let it go. Heading back out into the garden, he tapped Remus on the shoulder. "Mother says she'd like a word with you, before I close the connection."

"Right, I'll be back in two minutes!"

In no time at all, Remus was crouched down at the hearth, staring into the green flames. "You wished to speak with me, Narcissa?"

"Yes, I did, Remus. It was about future fundraising for Draco's wolfsbane project. Now I know you're not at that stage yet, but it never hurts to get in touch with this event planners ahead of time."

Remus could see that he had no way out of this conversation. Shifting so that he was somewhat comfortable on the floor, he accio'd a piece of parchment and a muggle pen. "Okay, I'll make a note of the names and reach out a few of them around Christmas time."

"Excellent, the names are …"

Fifteen minutes later, Narcissa had given him several event planners, venue locations and ideal donors that were mostly like to invest in their little project. Remus wrote everything done, the muscles in his hand cramping a little. Casting a quick glance at the door, he cast 'Muffliato!' before turning to Narcissa with a quirked eyebrow.

"There's something else you might be able to help me with, Narcissa, if you're able to?"

"I'll see what I can do, although I am extremely limited, Remus."

He nodded, knowingly. "I don't think it will be too much of a hassle but if it is, do let me know," he hesitated and licked his lips. His nerves thrummed with anxiety. "It's … it's about Sirius …"

"Oh?" she frowned, the corners of her eyes crinkling with worry. "Is everything alright?"

"No, I don't think so. That's why I need your help. I … I need something. From the vaults."

Narcissa's eyebrows shot up into her hairline, before descending into a heavy frown. She may not have known exactly what he was asking for, but the Black Family vaults were a treasure trove of the dark and macabre. "Remus, are you sure?"

He paused for a moment. "Yes, yes, I'm sure. I think it's time."

"Very well," she inclined her head. "I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you."

~0~

Despite the heat, having a fish & chip dinner was something that Draco would never tire of. He'd loathe to admit it, even now, but he loved the taste of perfectly crisp, salty, greasy chips and how he could feel all his arteries clogging up with every swallow. He didn't care. It was heavenly! Having a little 'family dinner' sat around in the living room, TV on in the background and watching as Teddy plodded around on his little legs, depositing himself in a different persons lap every twenty minutes was other worldly. Draco didn't even care when the rascal dove into his lap, where he sat with his back against the base of the sofa. He had Harry sitting beside him, touching from shoulder to toe, while Sirius and Remus sat opposite. They had a game of Monopoly in front of them but, for once, no one was really taking it seriously. Every so often Sirius or Remus would have to stand up and crack the joints in their knees, but otherwise their bubble was undisturbed.

By 7 o'clock, Remus went to take Teddy up to bed and read him a bedtime story. Sirius busied himself with clearing the greasy papers and plates away. As he scrunched up said paper, he caught his cousin's eye and sent him a sly wink, before retreating to the kitchen to give the two teens some privacy.

Draco rolled his eyes but was secretly pleased to have any alone time with Harry. Especially as he was due to go to the Burrow over the weekend.

"Sirius needs to stop with those winks, he really isn't as subtle as he thinks he is," Harry chuckled, tilting his head back against the sofa.

Draco smirked, "No, he really isn't. Then again, I don't think the man would know how to be subtle if he's life depended on it."

Harry grinned, his eyes sparkling. He nudged his bare foot against Draco's. "I'm proud of you, you know?"

"Oh?"

"Yeah, you got great results in your N.E.W.T.s anyone would be amazed at getting those. Even Hermione."

"Such honours," he rested his head on his arm, leaning sideways to better face the brunette. "Have you thought about what you want to do when you're fully aged again?"

Harry grimaced, "Honestly, no. The idea of all those charity events and what-not sounds so tiresome. I never asked to be the poster-boy for the Ministry, nor do I really want to be an advocate for doing honest work, like rebuilding the wizarding community. That should be obvious without my face plastered everywhere."

Draco nodded sympathetically, using his free hand to link their fingers together. "For what it's worth, I know being a figurehead would get tiresome quickly, but I also know that you would do a world of good. People are sheep, Harry. If they don't see someone setting an example, they'll mill around until someone else does, and that doesn't necessarily mean it will have a good outcome."

Harry hummed, "I know. Just … feels really pushy. Like, I don't get an honest choice or a fair fight for what I want to do with my life or career anymore."

"You could literally do anything you want."

"Yes, you're right. I could," he turned piercing green eyes up to Draco, "and yet, you couldn't."

"I'm a war criminal, Harry. You know this, we've been over this. Besides, spending all day brewing potions and aiding Hermione in her latest endeavours isn't a hardship. I thrive with books and potions."

Harry tutted with a fond shake of his head, "True, I still think you could do more."

"Give it a few years, maybe. But for now, I'll happily work behind the scenes. Maybe one day Kingsley will grant me some leniency and allow me to study for my potion's masters licence, but until then …" Harry pressed a kiss to his cheek, making Draco blink in surprise. "What … um … what was that for?"

"I find you remarkable."

Snorting, the blonde shook his head. "You wouldn't have said that a year or two ago."

"Maybe not. However, growing up as I have with all this …" he waved his hand around the room. "I've come to learn that admitting I'm wrong isn't a bad thing. I judged you. I suspected you. I was probably the only one who thought of the bad things you wanted us to think about you. All my anger was directed at you because you were there, but you were such a small cog in the grand scheme of Voldemort's plans."

"I wanted to be bigger than I was. I wanted someone to be proud of me, but I was too fucking scared to turn away."

Harry leaned their foreheads together, "That night on the Astronomy tower opened my eyes a lot. I can't forget what you've done, not really, but … you've changed. For the better, I think."

"I'd like to think so too."

Harry pressed their lips together in a soft kiss, noses bumping softly, fingers still entwined. Draco didn't deepen the kiss. There was plenty of time for that later, when Sirius wasn't bound to walk in.

Readjusting his head on his hand, Draco cocked an eyebrow at Harry. "So, Potter, what did you want to be when you grew up?"

"That's so cheesy!"

"Indulge me."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Fine! I either wanted to be a lion tamer -don't laugh! -or one of those safari guys that documents crazy animals in Africa."

Draco couldn't help but laugh, raising his arm to deflect Harry's weak attack to silence him. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I just find that adorable. Teeny Potter trying to whip a lion into shape!"

"Hey, if I could kill a basilisk, I reckon a lion is child's play!"

"Not when you're literally a child!"

"Yeah, yeah," Harry scoffed, amusement dancing in his eyes. "So, what about you? What did you want to be?"

"Truthfully?" Harry nodded. Draco groaned loudly, pre-empting his own embarrassment. "I've always wanted to play Quidditch professionally. Father always aid it was a profession unbefitting of a Malfoy. Not that any teams would take me, especially not when I always came second to you," he shoved Harry playfully. "But yes, that was my childhood dream. Father allowed me to play for school but made it very clear that it would never be a career option for me."

"Do you still have your old robes?" Harry asked.

"Somewhere probably. They won't fit anymore," he cocked an eyebrow at the brunette. "Why?"

"I just … always found you um … quite hot in your robes." Groaning loudly, Harry buried his face in his hands and slumped down onto the rug.

"Oh really?" Draco smirked, leering at Harry. "You found me sexy when I was all hot and bothered and angry at losing to you?"

Harry's ears went bright red. "I … what?! N-no -!"

"Oh really? So, you didn't want me to yell at you and shove you in the locker room?"

"I don't -I just -"

"And you didn't want me to pin you to the shower cubicle and show you what a sore loser I really am?" he grinned wickedly as he trailed a finger up Harry's bare leg. He felt the young man shiver against him. "Is that what you're telling me Harry?"

Harry tried to squirm away, but Draco was faster and started tickling the brunette until he was gasping for air, howling with laughter and trying to claw his way to freedom across the rug. Draco leaned over his back and pinned him down, Harry's face squishing sideways into the floor.

"Draco-o-o-o!"

"Yes, dear?"

"You're heavy!" he grunted.

"Oi!" he swatted Harry's thigh, delighting in the sharp sound. "Such a rude brat."

"If I remember -ugh -you're the brat here -blondie."

Draco rolled his eyes, twisting his fingers into Harry's side, earning another loud laugh. "Even when you're in this position, you don't know when to quit. Figures."

"Gerroff!"

"Not when you're being rude to me."

"You're SITTING on me!"

"And? Don't act like you don't love it."

"Had no -idea -you were -such a -fucking -flirt -Malfoy."

"Pity, we could have had so much fun at school," he purred, leaning closer to Harry's ear. "Imagine all those alcoves, the dark corners of the library, behind the broom shed for a cheeky snog. Would have made the whole experience way more fun, don't you think?"

Harry wheezed a laugh, making Draco pity him enough to shift his weight somewhat. "Yeah -snogging the face off my school nemesis -would've been much more fun."

Draco quickly leaned up and pushed Harry onto his back, slotting himself between the lean thighs and bracing himself on his elbows. "You just want the post-quidditch, angry locker-room shag."

Despite Harry's cheeks blushing red, there was a challenge in his eyes. "Maybe I do. Maybe I would've even lost to you, if it meant I got to pin you up against the wall."

Draco chuckled, "You're so recklessly brave. Why is that such a turn on?"

Rolling his eyes, Harry slid his fingers under the hem of Draco's shorts, squeezing his thigh. "I can't wait to be fully aged again."

"Oh, why is that?"

"Because I don't want anything to hold us back anymore."

Despite the spike of fear ripping through him, Draco scoffed and rocked his hips sharply, "You teens and your hormones."

"You're technically still a teenager yourself."

"I've always had more self-control that you, Scarhead."

"I can feel your self-control poking me in the thigh, blondie."

Gripping the back of the blonde's neck, Harry forced him down into a rough, open-mouthed kiss, hot tongues fighting for dominance as he felt the weight of the older body pressing him deep into the rug. He ached for Draco and even though the memories and little voice in the back of his head that always sounded like Hermione, telling him it was a bad idea, he wasn't going to deny himself something good for a change. He'd done that too much, he knew that. Seeing everything he'd been through with fresh eyes truly hammered it home. He wasn't a saint, or a martyr and he needed to stop denying himself happiness when it was glaring at him right in the face.

A sharp clap made them spring apart. "Not in the living room, boys!"

~0~

Sirius raked his hair back into a bun at the nape of his neck and rubbed sleep from his eyes. Teddy had woken up at about 1 o'clock in the morning and fussed until someone tended to him. Even though Remus had been awake reading, Sirius had stumbled, half asleep, into the neighbouring room and checked in on the toddler until he settled back down to sleep. Remus looked up over the top of his glasses and smiled adoringly at the bare-chested man before him. They were both sleeping in vests and boxers, or topless in Sirius' case, whenever the heat became far too unbearable.

"How is he?" he asked softly as Sirius closed the door and padded back to his side of the bed, sliding up into the cool tangle of sheets.

Sirius shrugged, slumping down onto his pillow. "He's alright, I think it's just the heat. I put him in a little vest and shorts, and he seemed okay. Got off to sleep alright."

"That's good," he stroked a stray curl behind Sirius' ear. "Are you still okay with taking Harry to the Burrow tomorrow?"

"Yeah, right as rain, Remmy," he yawned, stretching his arms out before flipping his pillow over onto the cool side. "You got any plans?"

"Just sending our letters to those listed on the werewolf registry, seeing who is in need of wolfsbane. Figured I'd start a little client list for Draco. See how he gets on."

Sirius turned sleepy grey eyes to his lover as he readjusted the book in his lap, "Draco is really lucky to have you."

"Lucky to have us both," Remus amended. "Did you let Kingsley know about Draco attending the graduation at Hogwarts?"

"I did, he said that Buxley was happy to accompany us on the day."

"That's good," Remus breathed a sigh of relief. "About that registry; do you think it will help Hermione too? She can help us organise files on those who are happy to trust in Draco, as well as accounts and what they order on which dates."

"Should we really be asking so much of Hermione?"

"Well, I'm sure Harry could do it, but we haven't really discussed his plans once he's fully ages. I know he's spoken about it with Draco, but somehow most of their conversations turn to playful insults, bad flirting and then them shamelessly rutting in the middle of the floor."

Sirius snorted, "Remus, you and I were just as bad. The moment we had the dorm room to ourselves, we lunged at one another."

Remus chuckled, "True, true. Either way, I think Harry is happy to take his life slowly for a little while. Even if just for a year. I'm sure Draco could love the extra pair of hands to help, as long as he doesn't feel as though he's standing in Harry's way."

"Do you think he would?"

"Hard to say. I think he'd be okay for a while, and then worry that Harry's doing all of this out of pity and that he should be going out and living his life, not waiting for the time Draco might be able to leave the house by himself."

Sirius grunted as he stretched his back again, "They're good kids. They'll be okay. Draco has managed to get Harry good at potions and his handwriting has definitely improved from what I remember of it. When the time comes, I'm sure Harry would be happy to drag Draco outside to enjoy life a little more."

Remus exhaled softly, closing the book in his lap, shoulders slumping. "You don't think I've help you back, do you, Padfoot?"

Sirius turned affronted grey eyes up to his lover. "Of course not, Moons, why on earth would you think that?"

"Just you used to have all those plans with James and I, for you and Harry when he was old enough. You wanted to go cross-country on your bike, spend all your family's wealth doing things they'd have hated you for … I just feel like I keep tying you down."

Sirius rolled onto his side and wriggled closer, his head nestling on Remus' thigh. Reluctantly, the young man threaded his fingers through Sirius' curls, the familiar motion relaxing them both. "Those wild, chaotic plans were just that; wild and chaotic. Granted my track record since then probably hasn't helped, but you've not stopped me from anything, Rem. Would I still like to bike around for a while, maybe travel up to Scotland, or to Europe? Of course, and one day I can do. It's still possible. However, I know I'm also going to have great family holidays, helping you not freak out when Teddy gets his Hogwart's letter, spending my parent' money on the man I love, because it would make them roll in their graves."

Remus chucked but didn't interrupt.

"I'd also get to spend that money helping Draco start his own little business, to help aid in the aftermath of the war. I've hopefully given Harry a better chance at a better childhood. I came back and I have you, I have a family, I never thought I would have any of that. I feared my whole life would be war this, war that, and it's just so boring!"

Remus snorted and shook his head fondly, "Only you, Sirius Black, would deem a war 'boring'."

Sirius sniffed, "Yes well, those bloody Goblin Rebellions and Troll Treaties or what have you bored me to tears for seven years straight. In both wars, I died, so yeah, you know, I could live without another."

Stiffening at the mention of That Day, Remus clenched his jaw and fought against the memory of watching Sirius fall back through the veil. Feeling strong fingers thread between his own and squeeze, Remus breathed as the floating orbs changed the colour to a soft, lilac to soothe his throbbing mind.

"Sorry," Sirius whispered, his lips moving against Remus' taut knuckles.

"You came back," he breathed. "You've got nothing to be sorry for."

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