The day the other students were to return Harry sat having breakfast with Lucius. He never really thought that he'd ever be comfortable with the man but he had to admit that he was. He realized now that they were away from Cornwall and their relationship was not restricted to the bedroom, that it was easier. He knew things would change now that school was in but he'd be grateful for Luna to be there and for Draco and his other friends.

Lucius looked up. "I have spoken to Hagrid and he said he'd be happy to have your company this evening to collect the students from the train."

Harry was a bit surprised. "You have spoken to Hagrid for me?"

Lucius smiled. "I know you have been anxious to see your friends Harry and I thought you'd enjoy getting to go to the train station and meeting them."

Harry returned his smile. "Thanks Luc, I really appreciate that. Is Draco on the train or is Severus bringing him back on the knight bus?"

The need for Lucius to answer was cut off when there was a knock at the door and when Lucius went to open the painting his son and Severus came through the door, having arrived back at the school only moments before. An elf has taken Draco's things to his dorm room but Draco had wanted to come and see his dad.

Draco threw himself into his dad's arms. "I missed you father."

Lucius kissed him on the head. "I missed you to Dragon. I had thought you might change your mind and decide to come back to school earlier."

Draco shrugged. "Uncle Sev was there and it was kind of lonely with out Harry but I wanted the two of you to have time to settle in here."

Harry came over to them. "Hey Draco. I have missed you a ton. Hope my dads didn't drive you insane without me around."

Severus was the one who responded. "They happen to like Draco. Me on the other hand, I am quite happy to be back here at the castle."

Draco told Harry about the past two weeks. He and Severus had spent most of the time in the caves or in town together but he had spent some time with his cousin who he had never really got a chance to know until that summer.

Harry led Draco into his official bedroom. "So any plans for their wedding yet?"

Draco groaned. "That was the only thing that those two talked about half the time. I am not sure which one is the bride in the couple. They are both bad."

Harry tossed a pillow at him. "Those are my dads and your cousins you're talking about. Besides I'm just glad that they're together finally and getting married."

Draco laughed and conceded the point and Harry could see that Draco was looking around his room. He wondered if Draco still found it strange that Harry was apprenticed to his father. Draco understood since he came from an old blood family and this was traditional, and he thought his father did it as a thank you for Harry's friendship to Draco but it still had to be a bit odd for his friend.

Draco sat down on the bed. "This is pretty comfortable. I'm sure you must be happy not to have to share a dorm room this year and listen to snorting."

Harry had of course never even lain on the bed, but Lucius didn't snore so he guessed Draco was right about something. "Yeah. Never a prefect like you were."

Draco smiled. "I am a sixth year so I actually get my own private bedroom this year. It should be a lot better then a dorm room with the other guys."

Harry knew that there was only a few Slytherin students who after the war would not be returning to school, including Daphne and Nott from their age group. He was happy for Draco that most of his friends were loyal and that with the loss of his mom and everything else, Draco didn't have to be worried about his friends. Harry was just glad he had been added to those numbers and hoped he could continue with that.

Draco noticed Harry's schedule on the desk. "Dad is going to keep you busy this year isn't he? I shouldn't get my hopes up I assume that you're off quidditch?"

Harry snorted. "I do believe your dad's words were that he knew how much quidditch meant to me and he'd not take it from me. He's made room for it."

Draco nodded. "I guess you'll have time for homework and quidditch and some free time in here."

"And friends. You know I haven't forgotten your promise to help me pass potions this year." Harry reminded him.

"Well we will be partners but you know I'd be happy to help with homework too and Uncle Sev would proof read even here for you." Draco confirmed.

Harry's friends had taken his new found friendship with Draco decently when he had his birthday so he was not too worried about their reactions but he still wondered how the rest of the school would react. He didn't really care though. The school had been talking about him since he started there and he was friends with Draco which really was all that mattered to him.

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Draco was invited by Hagrid to accompany him and Harry to the train station later and he was happy to accept. Harry decided to allow father and son some time alone and went off for a walk. He was out on the grounds when he heard someone come up behind him.

"You seem a bit happier then last time I saw you. Or is that just a show for my godson?" Severus asked from behind.

Harry turned around to see him. "No. I decided to finally take your advice and make the best of this situation with Lucius."

Severus nodded. "So you have finally come to your senses have you and seen how much my best friend is in love with you?"

Harry shook his head. "No. I mean I know he says it but... I know he cares though and I understand the Erastes role. I have simply stopped fighting it."

Severus looked at Harry for a few moments in silence. He had been told by Lucius that he had taken Harry to see his Uncle and confront him but Lucius had not betrayed Harry's confidence. He had not told Severus about the molestation he had suffered at the hands of his Uncle.

Harry found himself telling Severus for some reason some details of the past few weeks but he left out that side. "I guess you weren't as mad as I thought you were."

Severus was amazed at how well Harry had handled things. "I must say I never thought you'd handle Albus and the newspaper crisis so well."

Harry shrugged. "I had Luna and my brothers, and now I realize Lucius as well, by my side to help me through it. Luc can definitely be someone to count on."

Severus smiled inwardly at hearing Harry call Lucius by his nickname. "He can. I always found he was easy to talk to back in our school days."

Harry was reminded that Lucius and Severus had been best friends since their fifth year, friends before that but not as close. He had grown close to Lucius after his fight with Lily had destroyed his relationship with her and with Remus who had been his best friends before. He knew that the fact that they were both forced into being death eaters and had helped each other become spies, had brought them even closer then before.

Harry surprised Severus. "Thank you."

Severus smirked at him. "And what might I ask are you thanking me for Harry? I believe you have already thanked me for the help for your scars."

Harry shook his head. "For helping me see sense. I mean the twins did as well but you were right. Lucius is trying to take care of me. Thanks for making me see it."

Severus' smirk turned to a smile a bit. "You're welcome Harry. Lucius is my best friend and you are like a brother to Draco. I care that both of you are happy."

Harry was the one to smirk. "Who would have ever thought the two of us would have ever managed a civil conversation, not alone wish each other was happy?"

Severus shrugged. "Your mother has always been even after our fight, one of the most important people in my life. I know she'd be happy if we got along."

Harry didn't know a lot about his mom for the marauders tended to speak a lot more about his dad for they had been closer but from what Remus had told him over the years and that summer, he knew that Severus would be right. Even after the fight in fifth year Lily had never stopped caring about Severus and for her son and one of her first friends to get along, would have been important to her.

"For not only my mum's sake but Draco and even Luc's, I think perhaps we should continue being civil at the very least." Harry admitted.

Severus eyed him for a moment. "I agree. I said for Lucius I'd allow you to call me by my name but I think we could probably do a bit better then that."

Harry chuckled a bit though. "You know I think my dads would be shocked to say the least if they saw us actually having a talk like this."

"I think they'd be shocked if they knew anything about this summer but I understand. I think Remus at least will be happy." Severus told him.

"I never understood what happened? I mean to learn the two of you were friends, after the way you talk about him, was a surprise." Harry admitted.

Severus sat down on the bench next to him and explained. Remus and Severus were both out casts in their own way who had been befriended by the amazingly gentle and good hearted Lily. She was the first to accept Remus as a wolf and Severus had told her about the abuse at home. It was through Lily that they had become friends, even after the marauders had tricked Severus into almost getting killed by Remus in wolf form. Their friendship though was torn apart when he had called Lily a mudblood. Remus had already been a marauder for two years by then and it had been the last nail in the coffin of their tentative friendship.

Severus looked at the tree. "That afternoon one stupid word cost me two of my best friends in the world. I'm just lucky Luc has stayed with me all of this time."

Harry remembered seeing the vision. "You know Remus would be willing to give it another try I'm sure. You know he isn't Sirius. You guys got along this summer."

Severus actually smiled a bit. "Indeed. You never know, miracles have been known to happen."

Harry had absolutely no idea why he cared about this man suddenly but after his help, he seemed to. Maybe he told himself it was the memory of his mum and his love for his dad. Some how he thought Lily would be smiling from heaven if she knew two of her best friends might be able to mend their friendship. He knew Sirius might not like the man all that much but they had called a truce that summer really and he'd want his fiancé, soon to be husband, to be happy.

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Draco and Harry were smiling as they stood with Hagrid on the platform in Hogsmeade and were waiting for the train. When the train pulled up and the students started getting off Harry wondered how this would go down but he smiled when he saw his friends coming his way.

Ron pulled him into a hug. "Hey mate. How has been living at school with Malfoy Sr. gone anyways? Not to bad I hope."

Harry shook his head. "No. I mean it has been an adjustment but it is pretty cool. His extra training is really going to be good for me in the future."

Hermione hugged him. "Yeah. I mean if you become an auror like you have always said you were considering, you'd definitely have a leg up."

Harry had been talking to Lucius as of late, after the first time they had talked about Harry's future plans, and he was starting to think about different options out there for him then being an auror. Now the war was over, Harry was really not sure he wanted to be an auror. For now he didn't correct Hermione though.

Ginny looked over at Draco. "How did the rest of your summer go? I thought you had stayed in Cornwall when your dad and Harry came back to school."

Draco seemed a bit surprised that Harry's friends turned to him but he smiled. "I did. Uncle Sev and I arrived this morning on the Knight bus."

Draco actually found himself talking to Hermione when a group of his Slytherin friends came his way and he and Harry both braced themselves for the reaction but Draco was dragged into a hug by Blaise and then Pansy and Crabbe and Goyle.

Blaise turned to Harry. "Heard you have been a like a brother to my pal here all summer. Thank you. You know you're always welcome at our table any time."

Harry was a bit surprised but he accepted the hand extended. "I'd like that Blaise. Draco's told me a lot of you guys and I think I could handle hanging out."

Vince smirked a bit. "We have heard you're a dungeon dweller with us now, apprentice to his dad. You're not worried about being turned into a snake."

Harry shook his head. "I think I can resist the urge to change my skin. I'm quite happy as a lion though like I just told Blaise, I'd be happy to accept your friendship."

Harry could see the relief in Draco's eyes as he saw his old friends from his house accepting Harry. Harry knew the feeling as he remembered being worried at his birthday how his friends would react to his knew friendship with Draco. It looked perhaps as if his and Draco's friendship could heal some old wounds between the two houses, though they knew the quidditch rivalry would always be strong.

Neville and Luna came up behind them as they talked. Neville hugged him. "Miss you on the train Harry."

Harry smiled and remembered his friend's worry when he learned harry was to be an apprentice. "You know we're still friends Nev, I promise."

Neville finally gave a small smile at that. "Good because you're my best friend and I couldn't stand not having you as such."

Luna came and hugged him. "Has everything been going well big brother, with Lucius?" Luna whispered.

Harry kissed her cheek. "You know I promised to tell you if it wasn't, little sister. I promise I will keep my word."

He knew that Luna would talk to him soon about it when they were alone and he was only happy to do so. He wanted to put his friend at ease and he was happy to share with her the progress he and Lucius had made. For now he and Draco split up and went into carriages with their own friends but they walked into the Great Hall together before again going different ways. He could see Lucius actually smiling from the head table when he saw the two of them together.

As they sat at their table Hermione turned to Harry. "You know there is no rule about sitting at other tables except at opening feast. We should sit over there sometimes."

Harry looked at her. "Am I missing something Hermione?"

Hermione blushed a tiny bit but she shook her head. "I just think that you had a good idea becoming friends with them. I'm up for it too."

He was surprised to see that both Hermione and Ginny seemed to like the idea and he wondered if there were certain Slytherins who had them both willing to join Harry some time if he saw with Draco and his friends. The fact that they were the ones who suggested it, raised Harry's eyebrow but for now he held his tongue.

Harry turned his attention to the guys. Seamus groaned. "You and Harry are lucky Ron. You guys have rooms away from the grizzly bear over there."

Dean shot a nasty look but Ron snorted. "There are definitely some perks to being a sixth year prefect. I'm just glad I', not down in the dungeons like Harry."

Harry shrugged. "They're not as bad as you might think, you know and besides it is the best sleep I have had since I started school."

Harry felt good to be back with his friends joking and speaking with them like this. Things had definitely been better with Lucius lately but he couldn't help but be happy his friends were back and most especially Luna. He could talk to Luna but he could also count on his friends for a welcome distraction.

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Lucius had been happy to see how at ease and happy Harry was at dinner that night and seeing Luna he had been reminded of one of two promises that he had made her in return for her aid.

When Harry came down later he turned to him. "Harry, I think that there is something we should speak of before you head for a shower."

Harry looked up slightly concerned at that. "Is there something wrong Luc?"

Lucius shook his head and motioned for Harry to take a seat and wasn't surprised to see Harry take up the armchair to the left of the fireplace which had become his own since they moved back here.

"I have come to a decision Harry that I thought might make this year a bit easier on you. Seeing you with your friends, has confirmed that." Lucius told him.

Harry was growing more confused by the moment. "I don't understand."

"You have one night every week Harry that is yours. You will not be expected in our bed. You can stay with your friends in your tower, you can stay in your private space or of course you are welcome in our bed but you won't be expected to be with me." Lucius explained.

Harry was surprised to say the least. "You are giving me a night of freedom every week?"

Lucius nodded. "I may have to go on business or you away for the wedding but those nights don't count. You can choose any night each week, as your own Harry."

Luna had insisted on this. She wanted Harry to not feel trapped. She thought a night where he could be with his friends or could simply have a break from this all, would be a good idea for her big brother. Seeing Harry with his friends, Lucius knew she had been right.

Harry surprised him with a question. "I can though, I mean I can sleep in our bed every night if I want. I mean if I don't want to go to Gryffindor or..."

Lucius cut him off with a kiss. "Yes. It is your bed remember. You are always welcome in our bed. I just want you to know you have the choice."

Harry had to admit it meant a lot to him. "Thank you Luc. That means a lot to me. I'd like to go and take a shower before bed if you don't mind."

Lucius kissed him one last time and sent him off to the bathroom for a shower. He smiled when Harry came in from the bathroom after he had climbed into bed came into his arms without a moment's hesitation. They both needed rest for their first day of classes the next day so after a warm passionate kiss, he pulled Harry close and felt the boy drifting off into his arms. He had to admit that Harry's question about being allowed to sleep with him even on his free night, had meant a lot.