Chapter 4

Harry pulled into his driveway and glanced over at Draco. He was staring in awe up at the house. Raising an amused eyebrow, Harry climbed from the car and retrieved his bag from the back seat. Draco, finally snapping to attention, followed suit. Inside Harry and Draco found Remus in the kitchen making himself lunch. Harry opened the fridge and removed two sodas and tossed one to Draco, who deftly caught it. Remus turned around and surveyed the two boys.

"Hello, Harry. Home a bit early aren't you?" Harry only shrugged. "Care to tell me why?"

"Too many questions that hit too close to home. I didn't feel like answering them."

"What kinds of questions?"

"Nothing of importance Remus. I'd like you to meet Draco Malfoy; he sort of followed me home."

Remus shook Draco's outstretched hand, "what do you mean he followed you home?"

"Long story, I'll fill you in later." Harry sniffed the air, "what are you making?"

"Pizza."

"Your famous homemade pizza? You were going to make it when I wasn't home?"

Remus laughed, "I was going to save you some, but now that you're here we might as well sit down and eat it together. Sirius will be home soon anyway."

Harry nodded and walked out of the kitchen, gesturing for Draco to follow him. He made his way up to his room and dumped his bag on the bed after removing his sketch book. Harry placed his beloved book on his desk in the corner and sat down heavily in the chair. He put his head in his hands, seemingly forgetting that Draco was present. Running his long fingers through his tangled black hair, Harry sighed. He looked up to see Draco watching him with guarded eyes.

"Care to explain why you flipped out now?"

"Not really."

"Why not?"

Harry shrugged, "I'm just not ready to share that with anyone yet. I'm still struggling to get used to things here. I don't want, or need, pity from anyone. The reason we moved here is a big one, I still have trouble accepting it."

Draco nodded, letting the subject drop for the time being. He wandered around Harry's sterile looking bedroom, "I guess you haven't really had time to add personality to your room yet."

"No, not really. I've just been trying to adjust. I will though, you should've seen my old room. Now that room had personality, not like this one, although I'm sure I can do some great paintings on the walls and stuff."

"You paint?"

Harry nodded, "yeah. I'm kind of a self-taught artist. I've been drawing since I was a kid and the painting and what not is all fairly recent, mostly from the last couple of years."

Draco paused in front of one of the partially finished drawings on Harry's wall, "You did these? They're really good."

"Thanks. These aren't even a quarter of all of my work, most of it is in storage. Sirius and Remus needed the space when they moved in with me. Maybe I'll set up one of the extra rooms as a studio or something."

"Sirius and Remus didn't always live with you?"

Harry shook his head, "no, they were always around though. They're family even if we're not related by blood. They were my parents' closest friends when they were in school."

Draco nodded, but before he could respond Sirius stuck his head through the doorway, "hey, champ, Remus says the pizza's ready. Are you two hungry?"

"Yeah. Sirius, Draco, Draco, Sirius."

The introductions were exchanged as the three of them made their way down to the kitchen where the aroma of Remus' pizza was strong. They all sat down to eat in silence, Harry only picking at his food after realizing that this had been his parents' last meal. Fighting tears, Harry hurriedly excused himself from the table. Draco, Remus, and Sirius were all left to stare bewilderedly at the doorway. Sirius turned to Remus.

"Remus, what set him off this time?"

"I don't know. What do you think?"

Sirius shrugged, "I don't have a-" Sirius stopped talking as thought popped into his head. He glanced at the pizza. "Remus, when was the last time you made your pizza?"

"Oh, I don't know. Not for at least a… month. Oh, no! Fuck. I didn't even realize."

"No, but Harry sure did. Do you want to go after him or should I?"

Draco looked between the pair, "what are you guys talking about?"

"Harry didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

Remus sighed, "the reason we moved here."

Draco shook his head, "no."

"Then I don't think it's my place to tell you. Harry will let you know in his own time," he looked at Sirius, "I'll go, Siri. It is my fault after all."

Remus stood and left the room in search of Harry. He found the saddened teen curled up in a ball on his bed. Remus sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled Harry into his arms. Harry clutched him, desperately needing the comfort. Remus whispered soothing words into Harry's ear as the boy sobbed. "Why did it have to be them? What did they do to deserve that? What did I do to deserve that? Oh, God, Remus, I miss them so much!"

"Shh, I know Harry, I know. Shh. Just let it all out."

Harry sniffed, "I want my parents back. You and Sirius are great, but you're not them. I never said goodbye, I couldn't even tell them that I loved them one last time! I hate knowing that I was the only one to survive while they died! They're dead and gone; I'll never see them again!"

Remus held Harry tight to his chest. An overwhelming sense of sorrow washed over him. Yes, he, too, was mourning the loss of Lily and James, but he knew Harry's grief was ten times stronger than his own. Harry had lost his parents at a crucial age. Remus would never know what it was like to lose both of your parents at seventeen. He couldn't even imagine how torn up Harry was inside. Seeing his best friends' previously strong son break down in his arms was ripping his heart out. After several minutes Harry had calmed himself down enough to rejoin Sirius and Draco at the kitchen table, but he wouldn't even look at his food; instead he shoved his plate away violently. Harry slouched in his seat and the other three present could make out silent tears running down Harry's cheeks.

Draco laid his hand on Harry's shoulder in a comforting gesture and gave it a gentle squeeze before moving his hand back to his lap. Harry looked over at him and gave him a watery smile of thanks. Draco smiled slightly back at Harry, but couldn't stand to see the bright green eyes shimmering with tears. He hated it when people cried, he never knew what to do, and therefore, he lost his sense of control in a given situation. Although Draco had to admit that he'd lost control the second Harry had run into him that morning. He would always be a slave to his preferences. Yes, Draco Malfoy was bi, and he was a sucker for green eyes. Harry didn't know it yet, but he already had Draco wrapped around his finger. Draco wondered just how long it would take Harry to see that for himself.