Lupin squeezed Harry's shoulder, "Harry its true… Sirius is back!"

Harry was in shock. So many thoughts went through his head at the same time but the most powerful emotion was one of relief. Of all the deaths he felt he had caused, the one he felt most responsible for was Sirius' death. His godfather's death had eaten away at his very soul because he felt so terribly responsible for it. Now, if Sirius was really alive he could be free of that guilt.

"Where is he?" Harry asked Remus.

Remus looked down staring at the floor before answering, "It's like Severus said, Sirius is in need of a mind healer. He's been at Saint Mungo's for the past three days, since he first showed up at the ministry."

"Have you seen him?"

"Yes, every day," Remus answered not giving out more details than necessary.

Harry could tell that something was wrong by the feel of the room. Everyone was tense, on edge. He turned to face his father once more, "Dad, what is it?"

Minerva sucked in her breath and Tonks placed a hand on her heart over hearing Harry call Severus 'dad'. Harry saw how anxious everyone was and his mind started reeling with the possibilities. After the harrowing experiences he had just lived through he thought nothing would surprise him now.

Severus stood up and walked to his son. He sat down on the coffee table directly in front of Harry and took the boy's hands in his, "Black does not remember what happened to him while he was away. However he does have his memory intact of what his life was like before he fell through the veil. He remembers you quite clearly, son."

Harry nodded and smiled, "So, what's the problem?"

Severus wasn't quite sure how to tell him, "He is not the same Harry. I saw him twice and he attacked me both times."

"What did you say to him!" Harry snapped out in anger and ripped his hands away from his father. Severus felt a sharp pain over Harry's loyalty to Black.

Remus quickly stepped in, "Harry it's not just Severus who he attacked. He attacked me as well and Albus too."

Harry looked towards the Headmaster and saw deep bruising on his neck. He had only one question, "Why?"

When no one answered he placed a hand on Severus' arm, "Dad, why did he attack everyone?"

Severus looked deep into Harry's eyes and slowly said, "Because Harry… you are now my son."

Harry felt like a heavy boulder had just landed on his shoulders. He hadn't even thought of how Sirius would take that news. Of course Sirius would be over protective of him and question the adoption but to actually attack everyone was beyond his comprehension. "Erm, maybe I could talk to him. Tell him every-thing's okay. He probably thinks I was forced into it or something."

"But there is more Harry," Albus said.

"Is the ministry going to put him back in Azkaban?"

"No. Fortunately Wormtail's body was found, proving that Sirius did not kill him. The Minister has agreed to a full pardon in exchange for us to keep quite about the false imprisonment," Remus offered up.

"However, Mr. Black still requires care. Sirius is quite convinced that you need rescuing," Dumbledore explained.

"Yes sir, I understand that but maybe after I put his mind at ease…" Harry started before Severus cut him off.

"No, I will not allow you to see him yet. He is not safe to be around," Severus stated.

"I have to see him!" Harry yelled out, losing his control as was normal these days. He stood up and grabbed his cane, pushing Severus' hands away. "Remus take me to him."

"Harry, sit down and stop acting like a belligerent child!" Severus said in a firm voice.

Harry begrudgingly sat back down and grabbed Remus' arm, "Please Remus … please take me to him." Remus looked helplessly towards Severus.

The Potion Master shook his head, knowing that Harry would be at odds with his decision. He wasn't wrong.

"Severus, please," Harry put a hand on his father's arm. "Please understand how much I need to see him. Please Dad, please." He didn't care how pathetic he looked begging or what anyone thought of him. He had to see Sirius himself, with his own two eyes.

"Harry you must understand I am doing this for your own good," Severus began. "Black needs time to recover."

"Okay fine! Then I'll go on my own!" Harry growled out, standing once more with the help of the cane. "You can't watch me every minute of the day."

Severus stood too. They were standing toe to toe in the space between the sofa and the coffee table. Severus knew his son would find a way to escape the school grounds and land himself in another sticky situation. He had absolutely no doubt the boy would go on his own at the first given opportunity. He did the only thing left to do … he relented, much to the surprise of all the adults in the room.

"Fine, I will take you. Do not think I am taking you due to your appalling outburst either."

Severus truly hoped this experience wouldn't damage the boy's state of mind any further than it already was. The anxious teen had so much to recover from as of yet.

Harry thanked his dad then ducked his head in embarrassment when he looked towards Tonks. He had forgotten she was here to witness his latest display of humiliation.

"I warn you son, Black is not the same," Severus stated. "I am working on a potion to help Black recover fully. I was intending to deliver it this evening. I suppose you may come along."

"Brilliant!" the excited teen exclaimed.

The potion master excused himself to gather the potions to take with them to the hospital. The rest of the Order members wished Harry luck and filed out the door.

Remus stayed behind, "Remember, Sirius is still recovering. He only found out about the adoption two days ago through the newspaper. He hasn't had time to see the changes in your father yet."

"I know, but Sirius will see how good this is for me," Harry exclaimed and felt so overjoyed at the thought of seeing Sirius again that he couldn't wipe the smile off his face.

"Yes, in time he might. However that may never happen," Remus warned. "Good luck, Harry."

XXXXXXX

An hour later Harry found himself in the lobby of St. Mungo's. He hadn't been prepared for the celebrity he had become. But even more shocking was the notoriety and fame his father attracted! Severus had just as many admirers as he had. Apparently the Potion Master was famous for saving him on numerous occasions. He could hear his name, along with that of his father's being spoken in hushed whispers throughout the waiting room. Even the healers and medi-witches had stopped to stare at them.

A boy came up to Severus with a newspaper article of the day of Voldemort's demise. The giant moving picture on the cover showed Severus holding Harry as they walked up to the school. The cloak had slipped down a little and Harry's face was twisted in pain. The boy passed up Harry and handed the article to Severus for an autograph. Severus waved his hand and dismissed the child as he continued walking towards the staircase. Harry saw the disappointment on the child's face.

"Wow Dad, you're even more famous than Gildaroy Lockhart," Harry teased.

"Shut up, Harry," Severus said with a glare. Harry ignored the glare and laughed. Severus cracked a small smile and put an arm over his son's shoulder. "Perhaps I shall write a book of my own adventures," quipped the professor, making fun of Lockhart's books.

"Yeah, you could call it; 'Saving The-Boy-Who-Lived'," Harry said in a fit of laughter.

"I think a more appropriate title may be, 'The-Boy-Who-Lived-To- Irritate-Me'," Severus said with a dry wit as he opened the office door of Healer Fairchild. Harry looked up at him and smiled. It was the first genuine smile the professor had seen in a very long time. Severus didn't know what came over him but he pulled Harry closer and kissed the top of his head. It shocked both of them to the point of silence.

Just then Ms. Fairchild stepped into the room and cleared her throat, "Hello Severus. Harry it is good to see you again. I believe congratulations are in order."

Harry quickly recovered from the out of character show of affection his father had just displayed. He stuck his hand out and shook the healer's hand. "Thank you, Ms. Fairchild."

Severus just nodded and handed over the potions he had been carrying. "I believe I have found something a bit stronger to help heal the mind. However it will not cure your patients completely."

"At this point anything will be an improvement," Ms. Fairchild said with exasperation.

"Has Mr. Black been difficult today?" Severus asked. His concerns only lie in the reception his son would get from Black. "You may speak freely in front of my son. I have told him how altered Black is now."

"It has been a rather trying day. I am glad you are here Harry. Mr. Black will be quite happy to see you."

Harry's face lit up upon hearing that, "Yeah, I can't wait to see him."

"Shall I escort you?" Fairchild asked and looked towards Severus as well. "I believe you should let Harry see him alone, Severus. After all, Mr. Black is under the impression you have brain washed his Godson."

Severus had no intention of letting Harry be alone with the mutt. But before he could protest Healer Fairchild spoke up, "Severus, it would only make this first meeting worse if you were to attend."

The message was blunt and rather disturbing to the professor but he wanted this first meeting to go as smoothly as possible. "Very well. As long as the meeting is monitored at all times."

Healer Fairchild opened the door for Harry. Harry started walking out but turned back and walked over to his father. He gave him a quick one armed hug, "Everything will be okay Dad."

Severus gave a curt nod, hoping that would be true, "I know. Go see your Godfather, son."

XXXXXXXXXX

Healer Fairchild gave Harry another warning about the change in Black. As they entered the locked ward Harry's heart began to beat faster with anxiety. Part of him was so happy to see Sirius again and part of him was extremely worried.

They finally arrived at another locked door that was opened by a flick of Fairchild's wand. She pushed opened the door and stepped to the side to allow Harry to enter. Harry leaned heavily on his cane as he entered the white hospital room. There was a bed in the center with a nightstand next to it. A picture of the four Marauders was displayed on the nightstand. Harry took comfort in seeing his father waving at him from behind the frame. In the far corner was a man sitting in a chair turned to face the wall. On the wall a magical window was hung, displaying a moving scene of children playing in a park.

Healer Fairchild broke the silence by softly saying, "Mr. Black, you have a visitor."

The entire chair swiveled around to reveal a very haggard, sick looking older man. It took Harry a moment to catch his breath and realize that it was indeed his godfather staring back at him.

"Sirius?" Harry asked in a near whisper. He stepped closer until he was directly in front of the man. He awkwardly knelt down with his bad leg barely able to bend that much. He ignored the pain it caused to kneel and focused on the man before him.

Sirius had been in a haze of memories before he was so rudely disturbed. He almost lashed out at the doctor for troubling him when he spotted the raven haired teen in the room. The boy said his name and he immediately knew it was his godson. He froze in disbelief, praying he was not hallucinating again. When the boy knelt down in front of him and took his hand in his own he snapped out of his confusion. "Harry?"

"Yes," the teen said in a strangled sob. He tried to hold back the tears but they betrayed him and fell down his face.

"Harry. My boy. My boy is back," Sirius cried. He grabbed Harry's head and kissed it. Harry laid his head on Sirius' lap and cried as Sirius held onto him. Sirius couldn't believe this was actually his godson. The boy was so big and handsome. Gone was the scrawny boy of a year ago. James would have been so proud!

After a good few minutes of hugging and crying Harry looked up at his godfather, "I'm so sorry Sirius. I didn't know Voldemort was tricking me. Please forgive me. I was so stupid to fall for his tricks."

"Shush Harry. We're done with all that. It's over now," Sirius said as he placed a shaky hand on Harry's face.

"I missed you so much," Harry said emotionally. Sirius nodded and looked towards Fairchild standing in the corner now. "May I have a few moments alone with my godson?"

"I am afraid not Mr. Black," Ella said reluctantly. She had not seen this side of her patient before and did not want to unbalance him so soon into the meeting.

Sirius nodded but asked once more, "Just one moment alone, please?"

Harry heard the pleading tone and added, "Please Ms. Fairchild?"

Ella reluctantly agreed to give them five minutes alone but under the condition that Sirius not upset himself. After the haggard man agreed she walked out the door to wait in the nurses' station.

Sirius helped Harry to stand and then stood himself. They leaned on each other and walked over to the bed. They sat down facing each other with tears still fresh on their faces.

"Harry, I've been so worried about you. How did that greasy bastard get you to agree to the adoption?'

Harry sat up straighter, feeling hurt on his father's behalf, "Sirius, he's changed. Severus is not the same person he used to be."

"Are you under the Confundus or Imperio?" Sirius asked intently.

"No! Just believe me when I say I'm okay. I don't know what I would have done without Severus this past year." Upon seeing the hurt look on his godfather's face he quickly added, "I couldn't recover from losing you. I was so broken."

"He was the one who forced you into fighting Voldemort, wasn't he? That sneaky bastard probably had it planned all along!" Sirius didn't seem to take in the fact that Harry sat before him with a look of shock on his face. The teen was so upset over the words his Godfather was speaking that he couldn't speak himself. The Marauder continued on as if nothing was wrong, "Did Voldemort hurt your leg or did that slimy bastard hex you?"

Harry couldn't let Sirius get away with talking badly about the only person to ever treat him like a true son. He angrily yelled out, "Stop it! Just stop Sirius. Severus was there for me. I needed him."

Sirius could clearly hear the pain in Harry's voice but his own anger got the better of him, "So you turned towards that greasy bat? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!"

"I needed him Sirius! Please understand I needed him." Harry now had tears rolling down his face but he refused to look away.

"Why not go to Remus then? Or Albus? Or even Weasley! You had to let Snape be a father to you! I can just see the disappointment in your father's face. He's probably rolling over in his grave as we speak!" Sirius spat out in anger. He didn't care that his godson was looking at him in anxiety, nor did he care that he was causing the boy so much pain.

"But he was th-there for me, Sirius. He saved me more times than I can count. I needed him, I still need

him …," Harry started to say before he was abruptly silenced by a harsh slap across the face. He froze and looked at his godfather in shock.

Sirius covered his mouth with one hand and placed a hand to Harry's red cheek with the other. "Oh Merlin, what have I done? I'm so sorry Harry. Please forgive me, I'm so sorry."

Harry quickly recovered from his own shock and saw the devastation in his godfather's eyes, "It's okay Sirius. It's okay." Unfortunately, he was quite used to being treated that way.

Sirius grabbed Harry into a fierce hug, "I'm so sorry, so sorry I ever left you. I should have never left you. Please forgive me?"

Harry held onto his godfather, feeling partly responsible for the slap he had caused the man to give him. He shouldn't have gone on so much about Severus. Of course Sirius would not take that very well, he should have known better.

"I'll get out of here soon Harry. Maybe even by Christmas," Sirius said with determination. "Won't that be nice to spend Christmas together again, like we did last year?"

"Yeah, Sirius. I'd like that," Harry said in a near whisper.

Sirius hung onto Harry as if he were a lifeline on a sinking ship, "I'll get better real soon James, real soon. It'll be just like old times, we'll have so much fun."

Harry heard the slip Sirius made by calling him James. He wasn't quite sure if it was a mistake or if Sirius really thought he was James. He didn't know what to say so he just let Sirius cling to him.

Just then the door opened and Healer Fairchild walked in, "Visiting hours are over Harry. Why don't you say goodbye?"

Harry nodded and untangled himself from the weeping man before reaching for his cane, "I'll come back soon, Sirius."

Sirius nodded his head and grabbed hold of Harry one last time, "I'll get better real soon."

Harry kept his head down as he walked back to the office his father was waiting in. He was grateful his father didn't force him into a conversation since he felt so worn down and confused. The meeting had not been anything like he thought it would be like. Sirius was certainly altered in both mind and demeanor. He had to push aside the disheartening thought that Sirius would recover and want him to live with him. Maybe even try to get him unadopted from Severus. But no, he wouldn't ever let that happen … ever.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Harry hardly said a word as he and Severus walked home from the gates of Hogwarts. Severus didn't want to push the boy into telling him what happened. They were almost to the front doors of the school when Harry finally spoke up, "Severus, can I sleep in the dungeon tonight?"

"Yes. Are you alright?"

Harry heard the caring and worry in his father's voice and it almost broke him, "I'm fine. Thanks for taking me, Dad." Sirius' words of anger and hate towards the man hurt more than ever at that moment.

"I am here if you wish to talk."

"Yeah, I know," Harry said, feeling comforted by the words his father spoke.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

The next day during breakfast the owls came in to deliver the thoroughly searched mail. As soon as Hermione opened the newspaper she gasped out loud, "Oh Merlin! Harry look; the minister said some people came back out from the veil after Voldemort died! Maybe Sirius was one of them?"

"Yeah, he was. I saw him last night," Harry said and tried to push excitement into his disheartened voice.

"You saw him!" Hermione and Ron yelled out.

"For Merlin's sake Harry, why didn't you tell us?" Hermione asked.

Harry shrugged, "I was planning on it."

"So … tell us you prat!" Ron said.

"Well, he was kinda weird. I mean he recognized me and that part was great but … you know?"

"No Harry, we don't know," Hermione said.

Harry suddenly felt really uncomfortable telling them about getting slapped. He decided to leave that part out, "He was a little upset over Severus being my father. He just wasn't the same."

"Well of course he's not going to be the same after what he's been through. Did he say anything about his time spent behind the veil?" Ron asked.

"No. He doesn't remember anything. My dad's trying to find a potion to help get his mind on track again."

"Harry, I'm so happy for you! You must be so happy to have your godfather back?" Hermione said and gave his shoulder a little squeeze.

Harry nodded, forcing a smile and pushed all thoughts of Sirius' anger away. Yeah, it was good to have him back again.

Just then Harry felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see his father.

Severus looked at Harry and then around at the friends closes to his son, "Harry, you must use your wand today in class."

Harry furrowed his brow, "I'm not ready yet."

"No excuses, Harry," Severus said in a stern voice before leaving the Gryffindor table.

Harry watched his father walk out of the Great Hall before turning back to see the inquisitive stares of his two best friends. He shook his head, "Don't ask."

XXXXXXXXXX

That morning during Transfiguration Harry was called upon to transform a rock into a pillow. That would have normally been a breeze for him but his leg had been throbbing all morning. He felt more apprehensive than ever to use his magic. He held his wand out, pointing it at the rock but just couldn't get the words out of his mouth to make the spell happen. Professor McGonagall was very patient with him and didn't push him but he still felt like an idiot. He walked back to his seat and slumped into the chair. He had no doubts his father would hear of this before the day ended.

The morning dragged on as everywhere he went he heard his name being whispered. He hated the way girls giggled when he walked by or the way first years looked frightened of him. He was grateful that no one had stopped him for autographs but he felt certain people were taking pictures of him when he wasn't looking. He distinctly heard clicking sounds as he walked down the hallways.

That dark foreboding just wouldn't leave him. He snapped at Collin Creavy for offering to carry his books, then yelled at Ron for holding the door open for him. Any sort of special attention was irritating to him. He almost always looked down when he walked through the hallways to avoid those gawking stares people gave him. By the time he made it to Potions class he had enough and just wanted the day to end.

He walked into the classroom and could feel his father's eyes on him. He looked up and gave his dad an irritated look, scowling at the class in general. His father pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head as if a headache was coming on. It served the man right for forcing him into attending the last three days of school. Harry still couldn't figure out why his father had been so adamant about him attending school. Severus wasn't the one who had to endure those stupid first years following him around or teachers giving him that patronizing smile.

Harry threw his book bag on his desk and dropped into his chair. He hoped Hermione would take notes for him so he wouldn't have to listen to Severus drone on about boring potions. He was pretty sure she would do anything he asked of her right now.

Hermione sat down and immediately pulled out her quill and parchment. She wrote the date on the top before the professor cleared his throat and begun the lecture. After ten minutes of frantically writing she leaned towards Harry and whispered, "Why aren't you taking notes?"

"Don't feel like it. Can't I just borrow yours?"

Hermione bent her head down when Professor Snape glared in her general direction. She whispered out, "No. You have to do your own work."

Harry looked at her with his mouth open. "Geez Mione, can't you cut me any slack? I've had a busy week," he added sarcastically, ignoring the frown his father shot him.

"No. Start writing."

"Just help me out this once," Harry said with more anger than he intended. He felt that darkness creeping up on him and couldn't shake it. "Bloody hell Hermione, your such a prat."

Just then his father stopped lecturing and looked their way.

"Do you have a problem Mr. Potter?" came the stern voice of the professor.

"No."

"No what?" Severus snapped at his belligerent son.

Harry rolled his eyes before saying, "No sir."

Severus had to remind himself of the ordeal his son had just been through and turned his attention back to the lecture.

Once the lecture ended Harry took his cauldron out and asked Hermione to heat it up for him. Hermione ignored him and continued working on her potion.

"Come on Hermione?" Harry begged.

"No, your dad wants you to use your wand today. He made that perfectly clear this morning."

Harry begrudgingly took out his wand and pointed it at his cauldron. He could do this … he'd warmed up his cauldron hundreds of times before. His hand shook but he couldn't get the words out. What if that darkness came out through his wand and hurt everyone in the room? Feeling totally frustrated with himself he threw his wand down on his desk and swore.

Severus had been watching his son out of the corner of his eye. He walked over to stand in front of Harry's desk and picked up the boy's wand. He handed it back to the scowling teen, "Try again."

"No," Harry said, then seeing his father raise an eyebrow he quickly added, "sir."

"May I ask how you intend to brew a potion without heating up the cauldron?"

Harry placed the wand down on the table and folded his arms in front of him. He wasn't about to perform any magic with the way he was feeling right now.

Severus had his arms folded as well. He could tell Harry was in one of those dark moods and wasn't sure how far he should push his son to use the wand. They both stood there looking at each other until Severus finally spoke, "You have a choice, you may clean all those cauldrons sitting on that shelf," the potion master pointed to a tall black shelf lined with dirty cauldrons, "or you may heat up your cauldron and brew the potion. Which will it be?"

Harry glowered back at his father, noticing the entire class staring at him. He looked at the shelf of cauldrons then back at his father, "Neither."

"Do not test me, Mr. Potter," Severus said in an ominous dark voice.

Harry measured his father and noticed the pulsing vein on the side of his forehead. Maybe now wasn't the best time to press the man. He thought of a new tactic and quietly said, "I don't feel so well, Dad."

It caught Severus off guard. First off, Harry never called him 'dad' while in class and secondly, the boy did seem a bit flushed. He instinctively placed a hand against Harry's forehead and thought there might be a slight fever.

Harry hoped his dad bought his story about being sick because he wasn't in the mood to clean cauldrons and he definitely wasn't going to be forced into performing magic. He heard Hermione huff next to him and knew she knew he was lying. He avoided his father's stare and looked down at his cauldron.

"You may go visit Madame Pomfrey," Severus said as he lowered his hand.

"No! I mean … I don't feel bad enough to go to the infirmary. Couldn't I just rest in your office for a bit?"

"Very well," the potion master said and helped Harry store his cauldron. He walked him to his office and watched as the boy settled into his chair behind his desk. He pulled out a vial of fever reducer and handed it to the teen, then spelled a cup of tea in front of the boy.

Harry swallowed the potion and thanked his dad for the tea before asking, "Do you have any cool books to read?"

The boy seemed a little too happy to be ill. Severus wondered if he had just been tricked. But no, that wasn't like Harry to tell lies to get out of doing work. He pulled open a door and rummaged through the cabinet until he found a book on Quidditch.

"Will this do?" Severus asked as he handed the book to his son.

Harry smiled wide, "Yeah, this is brilliant." He opened the book and began to read, feeling quite pleased with his ruse.

When class was at an end Hermione came into the office and stood at the door. "Harry James Potter, you are becoming a spoiled brat. How could you lie to your dad like that?"

"Shhh, get in here before he hears you," Harry cautioned.

"Don't worry, Dobby just gave him a message and he left."

Harry shut the book and stood up with the use of his cane. "Hermione you don't understand. I can't do any magic until this curse is gone."

"Harry, I'm sure the professor wouldn't make you perform magic if he thought it would harm you … or others. You better learn to trust your father at some point. He doesn't deserve to be lied to like that."

Hermione's words hit a nerve and made Harry rethink his dishonesty. He slung his book bag over his shoulder and walked out of the office feeling guilty over the lie he had told. But when he walked by the shelf of dirty cauldrons he shook off the feeling of guilt.

XXXXXXXXXX

On his way into the Great Hall for supper, Dobby popped up and handed him a note. His father was requesting his presence down in the dungeon for supper.

Harry told his friends he'd see them later and made the long trek back down to the dungeon. He walked into the dungeon apartment expecting to get a long lecture but stopped in his tracks when he saw Draco sitting on the sofa.

This was the first time Harry had seen Draco since that fateful day with Voldemort. Draco looked tired. His clothes were hanging off him as if he hadn't eaten in days.

He felt somewhat guilty over causing the demise of Draco's father and wondered how the Slytherin would react to him. He glanced at his father sitting behind the desk and gave him a nod. He was glad that Severus was there to mediate this first meeting.

"Hi Draco," Harry said and took a seat on the sofa across from the Slytherin.

"Hey Potter. I guess I should congratulate you or something."

"No. Don't do that," Harry said feeling really uncomfortable. He supposed he should just get it over with, "Sorry about your dad. I didn't know the dementors would turn on the them like that…"

"It's not your fault. The Headmaster showed me the pensieve with Nott's memories. I think Dumbledore thought I would come after you and kill you or something," Draco said with a harsh forced laugh at the end.

Harry shot a look to his father, "I wish he hadn't of shown you that." His face flushed with humiliation over Draco seeing him in the throes of the Cruciatus and almost getting killed by his own girlfriend.

"Don't worry, he made me promise not tell anyone what I saw," Draco added. "Just so you know … I don't blame you for my Dad's death. He got what he deserved."

"Erm, well I couldn't stop it from happening. There were too many dementors to stop, I was too weak…" Harry quickly added rubbing the back of his neck at the memory. He still felt somewhat responsible for letting the dementors kill so many people. "I'm sorry."

Severus looked up from his papers and studied the Gryffindor. He had no idea the boy was carrying guilt over the dementors killing the Death Eaters. He should have known Harry would feel responsible even though it wasn't his fault. He would certainly need to address that issue soon.

"Like I said, it's not your fault. They should have never trusted those creatures to begin with," Draco said.

"Draco?" Harry waited until Draco looked up at him, "Um, thanks for helping me save Ginny. It was almost too late, so … you know … thanks."

"Yeah, no problem," Draco answered back awkwardly.

Silence hung in the air for a minute or two before Severus finally spoke up, "I believe supper is here. Draco will be joining us while his mother is meeting with the Headmaster."

Harry walked past his father on his way to the table but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. Without saying anything Severus placed a hand against Harry's forehead. When he was satisfied all signs of fever were gone he made his way to the dinner table.

It took Harry a moment to recover from his guilt over needlessly worrying his father.

Both boys took a seat but neither one hardly touched a thing on their plates.

"Eat," Severus commanded. He watched as both boys ate a few bites before he spoke, "Harry, how does your leg feel?"

"Better I guess. I think I'll be ready to fly soon," he said with a hint of longing.

"Albus has come up with a spell that he thinks will help to drain that dark magic. He would like to try it out this evening."

Harry had a hard time swallowing the lump of beef in his mouth, "Drain the magic, into where? Where would it go?"

"Do not look so alarmed. It will be safe enough," the Potion Master said.

"Well, okay then. I'll be glad to be rid of this cane," Harry said.

Draco kept his eyes on his food but finally looked up at the professor, "Did my mum tell you that we're moving?"

"Yes, she did."

"Don't you think it's a little soon? I mean we just had my dad's funeral and she already wants to move on with her life," Draco spat out as anger tinged his voice.

"There are rooms in that house that are rather dangerous," Severus stated flatly.

"So, you agree with her?"

"It is not my business what your Mother intends to do with the house. However, you should offer support in any way possible during these troubling times," Severus admonished.

"Yes sir."

Severus then turned his attention back to his son, "Harry, how were classes today?"

Harry looked up at his father and wondered if McGonagall had spoken to him, "They were good."

"Were they?" the Potion Master asked with an eyebrow raised.

Yeah, he knew. No use lying, "I don't think I'm ready to test out my magic yet."

"That is foolish. Hand me your wand," Severus demanded severely.

"No."

"Accio Harry's wand," Severus held his hand up in time to catch the wand coming at him as Harry tried to grab at it too.

Severus inspected the wand before handing it back to Harry, "Warm up that pumpkin juice."

Harry looked at the tall glass of orange liquid and shook his head, "No sir."

"Harry, I can not have you roaming the hallways without the ability to cast a simple charm. Now warm up that pumpkin juice and stop being so foolish!"

Harry furrowed his brow and glared back at his father. Why did Severus have to do this in front of Malfoy?

"Can't we talk about this later?" Harry asked and shot a furtive glance at Draco.

Draco smirked, "What's the matter Potter, is that charm too hard for you? I know you suck at Potions but I thought you were half way decent in Charms? I could perform that charm when I was five."

"Shut it, Malfoy," Harry said as he gripped his wand tighter. He shot one last look at his father and noticed the satisfied smirk on his face. That sneaky Slytherin man had known all along Malfoy would humiliate him into trying! He pointed his wand at the glass but the words stuck in his mouth. After a minute he lowered his hand, "I can't."

"But you will," his father firmly stated.

Harry noticed Draco's look of confusion and was glad his father hadn't told Malfoy about his fears. He raised his hand again and his wand shook but he finally managed to say, "Ferveo!"

The pumpkin juice bubbled a little then began to steam… just as it was supposed to. He had done it! Nothing bad had happened, no explosion, no dark creatures popping out of his wand. No more worries!

He looked towards his father and Severus motioned for him to drink the juice. He noticed how intently both Draco and Severus were staring at him. Harry held back a smirk over the trick he was about to pull. He carefully picked up the pumpkin juice and took a small sip, then put the glass down… before rolling his eyes upward and falling off the side of his chair while faking a choking sound.

Severus scrambled out of his chair and was at Harry's side in a flash with a vial of potion in his hand. Before he even had the stopper out Harry opened his eyes and starting laughing.

Harry looked up and saw how shocked both Severus and Draco were as they stared down at him. He rolled with laughter. They looked ready to kill him but he thought they both deserved the trick he pulled on them.

Draco smirked, finding the joke both immature and a bit funny, but only due to the Professor's reaction. Severus on the other hand wanted to kill the boy.

Severus stood up as he looked down at the laughing teen. He grabbed the full glass of warm pumpkin juice and dumped it on Harry's head without saying a word.

Now Draco was in full hysterics, he couldn't stop laughing at the shocked expression Potter wore. Harry grabbed Draco's leg and tackled him to the ground, getting pumpkin juice all over the Slytherins tailored attire.

Both boys' were laughing uncontrollably as the Potion Master stood back watching with a small smile on his face. These boys had been through so much and deserved a great deal more than life had handed them.

At just that moment the floo turned green and Narcissa Malfoy stepped into the dungeon quarters.

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