CHAPTER THREE

The Gryffindor retreated from the Leaky Cauldron and tapped the bricks that lead into the blossoming wizard community. He touched his black hair and made sure that his scar was covered, but he wasn't sure what good that would do, when everyone knew he was the best dressed seventeen-year-old in the wizard world. He even beat out Draco Malfoy and an older man by the name of Gilderoy Lockhart in Witch Weekly. Not that Harry read the magazine or anything, but he heard enough of it from Gryffindor girls that resided in Hermione's dorm, Parvati and Lavender about all the rumours and theories that centred on the saviour.

It was a tepid afternoon in Diagon Alley with the sun shining all around; witches and wizards bustled by at all ages. Some were wearing muggle clothes and some were wearing wizard's attire. The outside of shops were having sales for back to school shoppers, and customers were spilling in and out of their shops haggling with the shopkeepers on their prices.

Harry made his way through the smouldering crowd, trying hard not to brush up against anyone or attract attention to himself, until a couple guys passed him and whistled or someone made a comment not realizing it was Harry. They just thought it was a good looking teenager. Harry should be used to it, but he found himself blushing and ducking his head. A few girls craned their necks to look at him, but he made sure not to make eye contact.

He made his way to Flourish and Blotts, the door was opened for him by an older man in his late fifties. He tipped his hat Harry's way, who thanked him and slipped inside. There were kids around his age running around with Hogwart's lists in their hands, and the parent's trying to pry their children off of the joke spell books that were lined at the front just in the view of a child. He ducked when a fellow Hufflepuff looked his way.

He moved through the crowds and nearly got wedged between two heavy men, if he hadn't been small enough to slither out. "Good Merlin, what is it, half price day?" He mumbled, crinkling his nose at the various scents. He weaselled his way to the front, and craned his neck hoping to see Remus, but all he saw were two witches at the front looking flustered and agitated. "Rem, where are you-" whispered Harry, turning around in a full circle.

He bumped against a tall guy, who turned and saw Harry, but had yet to recognize him, "Watch it gorgeous, with a bump like that, some might take it suggestively."

Harry flushed and shook his head before moving away from the guy until he had several overweight witches obstructing the man's view of him. He moved to the Transfiguration section, there were workers and customers all around, and he smiled when he saw just who he was looking for. Remus was helping three wizards at the exact same time. He was a good looking man, and a bit thin around the edges. His hair was long and chocolate brown falling to his shoulders and then his eyes were a golden amber, unless it was closer to the full moon and then they would turn more of a yellowish colour. He was standing there in almond brown robes, with his name written across his chest, and Flourish and Blotts on top of it.

He was being bombarded with wizards and witches needing help, but he was smiling every second. Harry shifted passed a good looking witch with potion-dyed blonde hair. "REMUS!" called Harry, over the crowd.

Remus' head turned and he beamed when he saw Harry manoeuvring through the crowd.

Finally, Harry reached Remus, who handed a book over to a wizard, and then his arm curled around Harry, and hugged him close. Remus had to lower his head to talk so that Harry could hear him properly, "Well what a pleasant surprise this is! You alone?" asked Remus, pressing a kiss against Harry's cheek.

Harry nodded, "Yeah, I can't handle them at the moment." He admitted, "They're too much."

Remus smiled gently, "I understand Cub. I'll go see if I can go on break, and we'll go for some ice cream, meet me out front." He said into Harry's ear.

"Alright!" Harry gave him a kiss on the lips in a way a child would a parent before manoeuvring through the crowd once more and back to the front of the store. He pulled the heavy doors open and scrambled out into the busy alley. At least it wasn't cramped, he thought as he leaned against one of the stone gargoyles just outside the book shop. He lowered his head, and ignored any of the assorted comments he received from those who passed by.

For the most part, no one noticed, that he was the Harry Potter, unless you counted the reporter staring at him with goggling eyes behind one of the stands. The reporters were always so damn easy to spot. The only one who ever gave him serious trouble was Rita Skeeter. That woman drove Harry absolutely mad.

Remus joined Harry about ten minutes later, "My boss told me to go ahead and go. He was especially, lenient when I mentioned that you were in his store-"

Harry laughed and rolled his eyes, "Remmy, Remmy, Remmy, using me as a way to get an early break?" Harry looped his arm around the man's waist. Remus sniggered, and held Harry by shoulders, as they moved toward Florean's Ice Cream Parlour. "You really have, been sleeping with my godfather for far too long."

This caused an even larger laugh to escape the werewolf's mouth, "I think I have too-" He admitted, his eyes twinkling endlessly. "I'm so happy, you came to see me!"

"Dad wanted to come, but, then he got scared because of all the reading material." said Harry, as they moved into line behind a lady with emerald green robes and a large pointed hat.

Remus snorted, "Well, at least I don't have to worry about them two coming in and wrecking the shop-"

"Yeah, just sick mum on them." Harry insisted. "Works every time."

Remus laughed again, and then he straightened and looked seriously at the teen, "How are you doing?" His voice had been replaced with deep concern.

"Fine," said Harry, quietly. "Well - last night-" He diverted his eyes, "You won't believe what happened-"

"Uh oh." said Remus in a sing-song sort of voice. "Let's get our ice cream and we can go and talk."

"We can't talk until you check us for listening charms."

"I already have checked you Harry, as soon as I walked out. You had four on you."

Harry scowled darkly, "Bastards!"

"Now, now, Cub, take it easy." Remus smiled, "When we sit down, I'll place a spell on you that keeps listening charms from being used for twenty-four hours."

"That would be a Godsend."

They got to the front and Florean recognized Harry immediately, but the man knew better than to broadcast it. He beamed brightly and gave Harry a free chocolate sundae with muggle rice krispies, marshmallows, and white chocolate sauce.

Harry had made it when he was seven-years-old, and it was still his favourite ice cream. Remus got the same thing, for free, because he was with Harry, and they took a seat outside at a red and white checked table for two. Remus checked Harry again for listening charms and then added a charm to keep listening charms from being placed. They then placed a silence bubble around them. Harry moved his feet up onto the chair and sat Indian style, with his elbows against his knees. He licked against his ice cream.

"I ended up pissed beyond belief last night."

"Your parents didn't notice?" asked Remus, with a bit of concern.

"Nope, they never saw me slipping the bartender extra coins for shots… but someone else did."

"Who?" asked Remus, interested now.

The teen blushed, and closed his eyes, "Oh, Remus- you will not believe it."

"Severus?" asked Remus, trying not to smile.

Harry laughed weakly, and licked the white chocolate from his spoon, "No, but close-" His cheek's flushed a brilliant shade of scarlet. "Lucius-"

"Ohhh." Remus winced, "I assume you want me to keep this disclosed?" Harry gave a sound that reminded Remus of a wounded dog. "No need to say anything, Harry. Whatever you tell me stays with me."

"Oh, Rem- I was so drunk. He came over, inquiring, what I was doing drinking - I - just - I hit on him- I came onto my professor, Remus! Lucius Malfoy-" Harry brought his hand to his mouth and shook his head in the process.

Remus cleared his throat, "Well, you were intoxicated." He hadn't expected that. Harry was not the type to come onto men. In fact, all the years, Remus knew Harry; the boy was a magnet to the colour of blush.

"But, I'm still thinking about it." murmured Harry, blushingly. "I - I was just - all over him. Then - we talked."

Remus arched an eyebrow, "Talked?"

"Yeah, we started talking, and he told me that I am not a controller of a relationship and that I am a submissive-"

Remus laughed, "I can't believe he said that." He took a bite of his ice cream, "Well, it is true."

Harry raised his head, eyes staring at Remus, "I know that. I have known that for a while - I never felt comfortable to go that way with him." He didn't want to say Roger Davies name. It was a foul name that left a bitter aftertaste in his very mouth. "It just - didn't seem right."

"Probably because it wasn't. Harry, you're more emotionally connected than most wizards your age." admitted Remus. "That's how it was for me, but then that's the creature that resides."

"I don't have a creature, Remus."

"Yeah you do." said Remus, his eyes flickering to the hidden scar. Harry sighed, and didn't respond to that, instead, he took a big bite of ice cream and winced, when he got a freeze. "Harry, you are a true-blue creature with a want for attachment. I am a true-blue creature with a want for attachment."

"But, you're dominant." Harry didn't blush at this. He didn't have too.

"True." admitted Remus, "But, that doesn't stop me from being the emotional creature that I am. If you don't feel comfortable with a potential life-long mate, then you won't take that step forward. I am suspecting, that you and him, were both submissive."

"That's what Lucius said."

"Lucius now is it?" teased Remus, his lip quirking. "He is a fine thing to behold-" said the werewolf going sheepish.

Harry laughed out loud, despite the conversation bordering on the edge of dejected newspapers and unfaithful companions. "Yeah, I even said that in my first year to Hermione. She just looked at me and blushed, but never responded to that comment."

Remus chuckled, leaned up, and touched Harry on the knees, "You're only seventeen, Harry. I would have been surprised had your relationship with Roger actually stayed true. Even on your part-"

Harry frowned, "Remus! I would never cheat-"

"No, you would never cheat intentionally, and no you would never broadcast it for the whole world to know. However, if you're not right for each other and you're let astray, there's not much you can do when the right person steps into your path and you don't even know it. You don't know why you feel so strange around him or her; you don't understand why you are craving attention from this being. It's magnetic."

Harry collected the advice from Remus, as he snacked on his ice cream. "I got sick on Lucius." He said out of nowhere.

"What?!" asked Remus in shock.

"No, no, not sick on him," laughed Harry, seeing Remus' scandalized look. "But, he had to lead me to the nearest restroom. I started crying, I busted up half of the bathroom's windows and flower pots… and then I got sick." He winced, "Lucius took care of me-"

"Did he now?" asked Remus, leaning back against the wiry chair. He was visibly surprised.

"Yeah, he held my hair back…" The teen trailed off, as he said this. "He - washed my mouth and helped me to my feet. We talked, and then - when I was sober I kissed him on the cheek."

Remus was staring at Harry with complete and utter surprise on his face. "You did? While sober?"

Harry blushed and stared down at his melting ice cream, "Yeah, it was the only way I could think of to thank him…"

"He let you kiss him?"

"Yeah, well, I believe it's a better alternative than having me try and slide my hand up his bloody knee…" He cringed at remembering that particular scene, and felt a twitch inside of him. "God, I was so - not me."

Remus chuckled, "Did you like it?"

Harry's cheeks were so red by this time that they could make a rose jealous. "Yeah, I did."

"Whoa, you had an interesting night my Cub."

"I sure did. But, that's not all-"

"Oh no- what did you do?" asked Remus, warily.

"Nothing!" said Harry, shaking his head swiftly. "He came by the house-"

"Ohhh, dear." whistled Remus, placing his ice cream down. "Who answered?" Harry gave him that look. "Ooh, James…" The seventeen-year-old confirmed with a nod. "What happened then?"

"I don't know, it was weird. He came by, and we talked about this - fake Defence work that I was doing. He told me I looked like a raccoon with blood shot eyes. He didn't stay long, because well, you know dad…" Remus smiled in response. "He left soon after, and I - still have no idea why he dropped by. That was unusual."

"He was concerned Harry."

"Concerned? Over me? I figured, after last night, he'd never want to speak to me ever again."

Remus smirked, "Maybe there's something more to Lucius Malfoy-"

Harry rolled his eyes, "No, he was probably just checking up on a student, not wanting to be responsible if he had been the last person to see me alive…" He lowered his head as he said this; even he knew he was stretching it.

Remus laughed out loud, "That is so far-fetched dear Cub that I think it reached America."

Harry stuck out his tongue childishly, "What else am I supposed to think?"

"How do you feel now?" asked Remus, instead of answering Harry's question.

The teen frowned and he contemplated how he felt. "Besides embarrassed that my teacher saw me in that light? I feel a little relieved, as if I can really get through this with some time. However, big of an arse dad is."

"That's all that matters then Harry." said Remus, planting a kiss on the boy's forehead. He lifted Harry's chin, and he stared him in the eyes, "It's going to hurt for a while, but it'll be over soon, and you'll heal completely. Especially, when someone else weasels into that beautiful pumping heart and finds themselves uncontrollably wrapped around your finger."

Harry couldn't help but crack a smile, his eyes glittering. Remus was the best.

-

They began to head back off toward Flourish and Blotts, and Harry had told him about teasing James with the Slytherin's over for dinner. Remus could only laugh out loud at the mere image of James sitting next to Severus Snape and talking amiable with him.

Harry smirked, "Well, it was funny, especially when mum joined in."

"She did?" asked Remus, his eyes twinkling.

"Mhmm, poor dad, he looked as if he had swallowed something very sharp."

They headed back into Flourish and Blotts, when they ran into the most unlikely wizards. Harry's arm having been around Remus squeezed him instinctively, when he nearly ran into the chest of his Potion's Master Severus Snape, and who else could have been standing next to him, than the man on Harry's very mind.

"Watch where you walk, Potter." scowled Severus, his black curtain hair falling over his dark eyes.

"Sorry, Professor." He glanced to Lucius once and tried not to blush, at the gorgeous man.

"Lucius, Severus! Long time no see!" said Remus, his eyes brightening. Harry pinched Remus, who smiled even more and gripped the boy by the shoulders.

Lucius took a step forward; his eyes flicked to Harry and then back to Remus, who was beaming, "Yes, Remus, it has." He shook Remus' hand. He then took Harry's, "Mr. Potter." His gloved hand lingered longer than usual in Harry's smaller hand.

"Professor Malfoy." said Harry, making sure to get it right, in front of Professor Snape, who was eyeing him coolly.

Remus exchanged a few pleasantries with Severus, who was a little more forthcoming since Harry's father and godfather weren't around. Lucius stood next to Severus, his eyes drawn to Harry, who was standing there as close to Remus as he could get.

He tried not to let his cheeks redden as he got the nerve to raise his head and match Lucius' gaze. Lucius walked around Severus to the man's left side and to where he was closer to Harry. He lowered his head, so that only Harry and possibly Remus could hear. "You look better."

Harry smiled, "Yeah," he said, moving closer to Lucius so he didn't have to yell. He could smell the man's hair and cologne scent. "I feel it. Thank you again."

"Stop thanking me. He knows." said Lucius swiftly, looking over to Severus. "He always knows."

Harry laughed, "So does Remus." He nodded to the werewolf, who was much more animated than Severus in conversation. "Look," he said quickly, before he changed his mind, "I just wanted to … apologise-"

"You have nothing to apologise for." Lucius interrupted firmly.

"No, really, I was out of order. I shouldn't have…"

"Come now Harry," Remus interrupted easily, his eyes alight with mischief. "Are you trying to tell me you don't find Lucius attractive?" Harry grimaced visibly, when had he started listening?! He could feel Snape's eyes on him as well, and if he didn't know better, he would swear the man was as amused as Lucius looked.

"Umm... I mean…"

"Oh leave the boy alone, Lupin." Snape said with a roll of his eyes. "He looks like he's about to faint."

"Err-"

"Nonsense!" Remus said cheerfully. "We were just talking about this very thing! Actually, Harry was just telling me that James and Lily were thinking about sending you both an invite to dinner this evening. For old time's sake, you know." Harry gaped at the werewolf in disbelief and then flinched when he felt a hand brush his shoulder lightly.

"Is this true?" Lucius asked curiously, something glowing in his eyes as he looked down at him. Harry hesitated and then nodded quickly, knowing that his father was going to kill him.

"Y-yes." He murmured softly, averting his eyes as he felt a blush stain his cheeks once more. "I'd … I mean, we'd be honoured to have you."

"Then I'd – that is, Severus and I – would be delighted to come." Lucius replied with a small smile.

"Speak for yourself." Snape muttered but then scowled when he received a sharp elbow to the side. Harry flushed again.

Remus beamed, "Ahh… it's awfully short notice, I know. We usually eat around seven…"

"Then we will be there at seven." Lucius said again and Harry had to stop himself from grinning stupidly, even though he was positive that his cheeks had eternally changed colour. Snape rolled his eyes and grabbed Lucius' elbow.

"Come Lucius, let's leave so that he can run home and inform his parents. Though admittedly, I would like to be there to see Potter seniors face…" He led the elder Malfoy away and Harry stared after them, watching as Lucius lifted a gloved hand in parting, and as soon as they were out of sight, he rounded on the werewolf.

"What the hell were you thinking?"

"I wasn't." Remus admitted, his eyes gleaming, and then he grinned. "Come on, I'll bring Sirius around tonight, he'd never forgive me if he missed this."