Harry clenched the invitation he received by owl in his fist. He hadn't been sure if he'd still be welcomed at the wedding. Although it might be Bill and Fleur's he didn't want to cause any undue stress. Molly had already been panicking before he even left to go to Hogwarts and that was a month before the wedding itself.
Snape entered the room in time to see Harry crush the parchment in his hand. The boy didn't know it, but Snape screened his mail, sparing him from reading the hate mail of citizens who didn't want a king – particularly not one as strong as Harry Potter – so he knew it was the wedding invitation.
"I assume you plan on attending?" Snape asked.
"I don't know if I should," Harry admitted, smoothing down the invitation. The white ribbon at the top started to fray as he picked at it.
"I'm sure the Weasleys would understand, particularly since the press is sure to invade if you were present."
"I'm amazed they still invited me at all," Harry whispered, folding the invitation more gently this time, before pocketing it.
"What would you like to do, so I can plan accordingly?"
Harry shook his head. "I'm not going to go. I mean, I want to, but I'm not going to turn Bill's wedding into a spectacle, just by showing up."
"I'm sure they'll understand."
Harry sighed. "Yeah, sure. I'm going to go and send my owl to let Mrs. Weasley know."
Snape watched Harry go, frowning at his defeated posture.
Harry sat beneath the window he'd just let Hedwig fly out of and hit his head gently against the ledge. He wanted to see his friends. He wanted to apologize to Ron for being a prick and he genuinely wanted to see Hermione. Harry missed them both; as hard as Snape tried it wasn't the same.
The next morning Harry received an owl from Remus, letting him know he was finally back and asking if he could come for a visit. Harry sent a reply right away, asking Remus to come as soon as he was able.
The return letter came within the hour and Harry wondered if Remus had already been on his way.
Harry made his way down to the room Snape had claimed as his lab and knocked softly. "Excuse me, Professor?"
"Yes?" Snape asked, carefully measuring out a vial of what looked like pus. Harry shuddered.
"I just wanted to let you know that Remus was going to be dropping by," Harry said, leaning against the doorframe. "What are you working on?"
"Do you honestly wish to know or are you just making idle conversation?"
Harry flushed and nudged the floor with his toe. "Idle conversation."
Snape snorted. "When is the wolf supposed to arrive?"
"Don't call him that," Harry said, scowling.
Snape rolled his eyes. "When is Lupin supposed to arrive? I actually need to pick up a few things from my lab at Hogwarts and I'd just as soon do it while he is here with you."
"He said within the hour."
Snape nodded. "I should be done here within thirty minutes. I should be gone by the time he arrives. Do you need anything while I'm out?"
"We're out of juice," Harry said, chuckling.
Again, Snape nodded. "Now go so I can get this done and leave before the... before your guest arrives," he said, waving Harry out of his lab.
Harry hovered in the doorway for another few seconds before vanishing around the corner and out of sight.
Soon after Snape left, Harry walked out to the Apparation border and waited for Remus to arrive. It would be nice to see a face other than Snape's since he was going to be stuck here for the duration of the summer.
"Harry!"
Harry spun around and smiled as Remus approached him from a field off the road. He jogged over to where Remus was and without prompting enveloped him in a hug. "It's good to see you."
Remus chuckled in surprise, squeezing Harry tightly for a moment before standing back to look at him. "Well, you don't look any the worse for wear. Is Severus treating you well?"
"Yeah, it hasn't been half as bad as it could be, or I thought it'd be." Harry shrugged and laughed when Remus mussed his hair.
"Well, are you going to show me around?" Remus asked, rubbing his hands together and grinning.
Harry rolled his eyes. "You're going to see the library and drool like Snape does, aren't you?" he asked, walking toward the house.
"I'm sure I will," Remus joked. "But if you don't show it to me you'll never know, will you?"
Harry took him on a quick tour of the house. At least the parts he could navigate without getting lost. Eventually, they ended up sitting in the library drinking tea and catching up.
"I'm not going tomorrow," Harry said, his tone brooking no arguments. "I'm sorry."
Remus studied Harry over the rim of his teacup. "Believe it or not, Harry, I can understand your reasoning. The day should be about Bill and Fleur, and with you there the press will take the focus away from that. It's actually a very mature decision," he finished, sipping his tea. "However, knowing what is best for the situation doesn't make it any easier does it?"
"No, I miss them."
"Have they been to visit yet?"
"Ron came here once," Harry said, spinning his spoon between his fingers.
"And?" Remus asked, sensing there was more to the simple statement.
"We fought."
"Ah," Remus said, setting his cup on the table. "Does that have anything at all to do with not going to the wedding?"
Harry picked up his cup and held it close to his mouth as he mumbled, "Maybe a little."
Remus smiled. "As long as it's not the main reason. I hope you know that if ever you want to talk, you can owl me."
"I know," Harry said, grinning. He heard the opening and closing of a door. "Sounds like Snape's home."
Remus set down his teacup and stood. "I don't want to cause any tension, which there tends to be when Severus and I are in the same room. You'll owl me if you need me?"
Harry twisted in his chair as Remus headed towards the door. "Do you really have to go?"
"You know better than I what living with Severus is like, Harry."
"I'll owl you."
Remus nodded and smiled. "Good lad."
Harry watched Remus go and with a sigh, flopped back on to the couch.
Three days later, Harry was going mad being stuck in the manor all day. He dropped his piece of toast back onto the plate. "I need to get my school supplies."
"Either I can get them for you, or you can order by owl post," Snape said. "You're not eating enough," he added, nodding towards Harry's toast.
Harry shook his head. "Not hungry."
"If you're not going to eat, you're going to have to drink a supplemental potion, and I can guarantee it will not taste pleasant," Snape warned.
"Bastard." Harry picked up his toast and took a large bite out of it, and then chewed it obnoxiously, before swallowing.
Snape smirked. "So will I be making a trip to Diagon Alley, or are you just going to use an owl?"
"I'm really sick of being cooped up here," Harry said, tossing the toast onto his plate again.
"Are you saying you wish to go Diagon Alley?" Snape asked, surprised.
Harry nodded slowly. "I think I am."
"And you think that wise?"
"Nope," Harry answered, smiling.
"Would you like me to accompany you? No, strike that. I will be accompanying you."
Harry sniggered, and took a sip of his pumpkin juice. "So, can I go?"
"So long as you don't blame me when you got mobbed by your adoring public. If you thought it was bad before, it's going to be much worse now."
"Can I hide behind you?" Harry asked cheerfully. He was finally getting out of this house, with its blank picture frames and odd hallways leading him astray. It was fascinating, but he wanted to go out. "I'll even let you hex especially frisky girls."
"Does that mean Draco has free rein with your person?" Snape asked, amused.
"And frisky boys!" Harry hurried to add. "Especially that one. Did I tell you I got another letter from him last week?"
"I warned you he would be persistent. What did he have to say this time?" Snape was in equal parts amused and concerned. The concern being that he would have to do something about Draco to get him to shift his attention elsewhere.
"I don't know," Harry admitted, color suffusing his cheeks. "I chucked it into the fire the moment I recognized the handwriting."
Snape snorted. "A wise choice. What time do you wish to leave?"
"Sometime this morning, before the afternoon crowds."
"Then lets go," Snape said, pouring his remaining tea down the sink. "The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I'll be able to relax."
"You won't have people throwing themselves at you asking you to marry them and give them your precious babies," Harry pointed out, bringing over his plate and glass as well.
"Potter, that happens to me on a daily basis, why do you think I spend so much time in my lab?" Snape deadpanned.
"Ah, so does that mean you're normally a god?"
"You've failed to notice?" Snape purred before walking out of the kitchen. "We don't have all day, Potter," he yelled over his shoulder.
Harry snapped his mouth shut and chased after Snape, meeting him by the front door.
They walked to the Apparation point together and once again, Snape stopped and looked at Harry, waiting.
"What?"
"Do you have your Apparation license?" Snape asked.
"Um, no," Harry replied, looking at Snape oddly. "But you knew that already."
"Do we need to go over this again?" Snape asked, holding out his hand.
"Oh, n-no," Harry said, grasping Snape's hand and moving closer.
"Good." Snape pulled Harry against his chest, and smiling smugly, Disapparated the two of them to Diagon Alley.
Harry stayed still as they Apparated in the back alley near the Leaky Cauldron. His hand clutched the back of Snape's shirt so he wouldn't stumble. Realizing just how pressed up against Snape he really was, Harry backed off and mumbled an apology.
Snape merely arched his brow, amused. "Let's see your list," he said, holding out his hand.
Harry pulled the crinkled parchment from his pocket and handed it over.
Snape quickly scanned Harry's letter and nodded. "Basic supplies first, books last."
Harry grinned, pocketing the list. They emerged from the alley and quickly entered the wizarding pub. Harry stuck to Snape's side as they wound their way through the tables, towards the back door leading to Diagon Alley. He lifted his hand to flatten his hair over his scar, but realized how futile a move that would be. Even with his scar covered, his face had been splashed over every tabloid for the past month; Harry reckoned anyone who wanted to recognize him would be able to with just one glance.
Before tapping the bricks that would lead them into the magical community, Snape stopped and studied Harry for a moment. "Hold still."
He pointed his wand and cast a spell that made Harry shiver. "What'd you do?"
"A simple Glamour and an aversion spell. You'll still look like you, but it won't make such an impression on people. If you keep your head down, we may get out of this unscathed."
Harry grinned crookedly. "I'm amazed we made it through the bar."
"Most the people in there are sleeping off the night before," Snape smirked, tapping the brick wall with his wand. The bricks moved apart, revealing the magical world Harry called home. Grinning broadly, he stepped through.
The crowded streets pressed against them on either side as people did their shopping, but none of them looked twice at Harry, but many did a double take of Snape.
"Are you sure you don't want to do what you did to me on yourself?"
"If they are looking at me, then they are not looking at you," Snape answered, scowling at a man who couldn't seem to stop staring. He pushed open the door to Flourish and Blotts and let Harry precede him inside. "Try not to dawdle."
Harry pulled out his list and set to work on getting all the supplies that he needed. After ten minutes of forcing his way through the small crowd, he managed to get all the books he needed except one. He milled through the stacks, his eyes scanning each and every author trying to find his new Defense book. His arms were growing tired, from the strain of holding six books.
"Potter."
Harry stiffened and turned slowly, suddenly remembering the featherlight charm and feeling stupid for not remembering he could use magic now outside of school.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry asked, eyeing the blond warily.
Draco was smiling brightly. "You didn't respond to my last owl, I was worried. I'm pleased to see you are well. Shopping for school? May I carry those for you?" he asked, reaching for Harry's books.
Harry clutched his books a bit tighter. "I'm fine."
Draco smiled tightly when Harry pulled his books away. "So," he said, clapping his hands together. "Would you like to go for an ice cream cone? My treat, of course."
"I'd have to ask first," Harry hedged.
Draco looked surprised. "Ask? Who on earth do you need permission from, Potter? Er, Harry."
"Me," a voice drawled in Draco's ear, causing him to jump.
Draco's eyes danced between the two of them. "Professor Snape, so nice to see you."
"Sir, Malfoy wants to buy me an ice cream cone," Harry stated with forced politeness. "May he?"
Draco looked at Snape, confused. "What are you asking him for?"
A glare from Snape shut Draco up.
"If you wish," Snape answered, frowning.
Harry sighed and handed Snape his books and money to pay for them. He swallowed thickly and turned back to his year mate. "You've got twenty minutes to impress me, Malfoy."
Snape shoved the books back at Harry. "You will pay for them and I will accompany you."
"If you want to," Harry said, adjusting his books. One of them slipped and Malfoy caught it before quickly putting it back on top of Harry's pile. "Thanks."
"It's not a matter of want," Snape growled through clenched teeth.
"It isn't?" Harry asked, innocently. "Hang on, how could Malfoy see through the glamour from behind?"
"Malfoy has perhaps become a better Legilimens than I had believed," Snape said, eying Draco thoughtfully.
Draco merely smiled smugly.
"Can we just pay for these and go?" Harry groaned. He was going on a date. With Malfoy. Chaperoned.
"We're waiting on you, Potter," Snape pointed out, sneering.
"Just a minute then," Harry said, taking his books to the counter, glancing behind him to make sure nobody was hexing anyone else.
"So, are you Potter's new best friend now that he's royalty? Clever, Severus," Draco said, looking slyly at Snape.
"What I am is none of your business, Draco. I suggest you be on your best behavior."
Draco grinned. "I'm always on my best behavior."
Snape snorted. "Are you seriously interested in Potter, or is this merely a power play?"
Draco didn't answer right away. "What I'm doing is none of your concern."
"If it involves Potter, it's very much my concern," Snape returned.
"Since I'm the Potter in question, maybe we can all agree it's my concern and leave it at that. Are you ready, Malfoy?" Harry had come to stand between the two men.
"Of course, but please call me Draco."
Harry looked pained as he nodded in acceptance. "Fine, Draco, are you ready?"
"After you," Draco said, standing back and motioning toward the door with a blinding smile.
Snape rolled his eyes, and followed the two of them out the door.
Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor was almost empty. Taking a glance at his wrist watch, Harry discovered it was barely eleven. Going into the cool store was a blessing after dragging his books, now lighter thanks to a charm, and quills and ink through the busy street.
"What do you want?" Draco asked, tipping his head to the side as his eyes raked over Harry's lithe form. Harry's jaw twitched at the intense scrutiny, but he didn't make a fuss over it, instead he answered, "Chocolate, please."
"Adventurous," Draco said, widening his eyes in exaggerated surprise.
"Shut it, Malfoy," Harry said, though it was said with humor instead of malice.
Sneering at the two of them, Snape found a chair in a darkened corner and waited for the nightmare to end.
"Don't mock the person with the money, Harry," Draco teased, swinging his coin purse in front of Harry's face and much to Harry's chagrin he began to laugh.
Snape fingered his wand, wondering if he could get away with hexing the two of them for their disgusting display.
"I'll have you know," Harry drawled. "I'm plenty rich enough on my own; I can pay for my own ice cream and will if you don't hurry up."
Draco laughed and tossed a Galleon on the counter top.
Harry bit his lip as he gazed around the empty parlor, his eyes resting on Snape for a brief moment, before settling back on Malfoy. "If only you were always this much fun to be around."
"What makes you think I'm not?" Draco asked, placing a hand on his chest in mock indignation.
"Because you're a prat?" Harry asked, taking his ice cream.
"All part of my charm," Draco assured him. "So why does Snape look like he's about to burst a vein?"
"I have absolutely no clue." Liar. "It isn't like we weren't prepared for a possible run in with someone."
"So you're a 'we' now?" Draco asked, leering at Harry and walking to a nearby table.
"There is no 'we', Malfoy. There is a 'you' and there is an 'I', and there is Snape, who looks ready to burst a vein, remember?"
"Or hex me," Draco said, smiling happily. "If I didn't know better, I'd say dear Severus is jealous."
Harry quirked a brow. "Snape? Jealous?"
Draco's grinned turned devious. "Don't hex me for this, it's just an experiment." He reached across the table and took Harry's hand, then sensually licked his ice cream cone.
The sound of a table slamming into a wall had Draco jumping back in his seat.
Harry stared down at his licked ice cream cone in bewilderment, and then over at Snape who was currently spelling a broken table back together again. His face burned hotly and the only thing he could think to do to stop his blush was to lick some of his ice cream.
"That was fun," Draco said, wiggling his eyebrows at Harry. "You're cute when you blush," he added.
"Snape really just broke a table?" Harry asked meekly, ignoring Malfoy's last comment completely.
"Yeah, his eye is twitching too. Ah, Snape-baiting, always good for a laugh." Draco sighed happily.
"You're lucky," Harry grumbled, licking a straight sweep around the top of the cone where the ice cream was melting. He couldn't explain this easy conversation with Malfoy, but he wasn't going to push it. It was just too damned hot to fight. "You were always his favorite. If I tried something like that I'd be hexed to a point beyond recognition."
"Point to you," Draco conceded. "So why is Snape being your guard dog? Did you hire him to protect you?"
Harry didn't know whether to be glad that Draco had stopped kissing up to him, or upset that he wanted to talk about Snape.
"It's complicated," Harry said, staring at his ice cream.
"Can't be that complicated."
Harry looked up at him with a half frown. "He put me under a Glamour."
"Oh, well that explains everything," Draco said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Look, if you plan on talking about Snape the whole time," Harry began.
"Relax, Potter."
"What happened to Harry?"
"Harry," Draco amended. "It's pure curiosity I assure you. It's not every day you'd find Harry Potter and Severus Snape in the same company, willingly."
"Why are you suddenly so interested in me, Malfoy?"
"What happened to Draco?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "Draco. I can't help but notice you started owling after the Prophet made their little announcement."
Draco popped a spoonful of his own ice cream into his mouth, taking an obscene amount of time cleaning the spoon, before answering, "My father and mother thought it would be best to attempt to win your 'favor'."
"If you're capable of telling the truth, now would be a good time. Do you really have any interest in me whatsoever?" Harry asked.
Draco shook his head. "Not particularly, no. If I had I would have made a move long before that Prophet article."
Harry felt himself relax. "Good to know. So this is all to make your parents happy?"
"If you'd be so kind as to feign a little interest back, I would appreciate it. I have things, and people, I'd rather be doing, no offense."
"None taken," Harry assured him, smiling.
"I just want them off my back."
"I know what you mean."
"So, I propose this. I act like I'm chasing you and you pretend you're letting yourself be caught, and we'll do whatever we want in the meantime."
"And when there is nothing to show for it in the end? Are your parents going to be angry?"
Draco snorted. "Of course, but it wouldn't be the first time. They'll get over it."
Harry gazed at Draco uncertainly. The plan was actually pretty good. It would have benefits for both of them. "I don't know, Mal- Draco."
"Consider me a buffer against the rest of the student body who now see you as the Wizarding World's Most Eligible Bachelor, which I'm still not happy about by the way. Bad enough you have to steal my glory, but now you're stealing my title."
"Does it make you feel better to know I hate that title?"
Draco thought for a moment. "No, not really. So, have we got a deal?"
"Wait, what's this whole thing going to entail? I'm not going to be walking the halls holding your hand or anything, I'll tell you that right now."
"Don't be absurd. Until school starts, respond to my owls, tell me how handsome I am, so when my parents read my mail, as they are wont to do, they'll be happy. Once school starts, I'll scare off anyone who tries to date you, unless you tell me otherwise. Everyone wins."
"Until Snape blows up another table," Harry pointed out with a small smile.
"Added bonus," Draco said, grinning.
Harry licked his lips, shooting an anxious glance towards Snape in the corner, before finally sticking out his hand. "Mr. Malfoy, you've got yourself a deal."
"Excellent," Draco smiled, taking Harry's hand and shaking it. Holding it a little longer than necessary, just to irritate Snape. "When you get home, send me an owl extolling my many virtues," Draco said, rising to his feet.
"It might take me a while," Harry said with an easy smile. The plan was beginning to sound better and better. He didn't have to make any actual physical contact with Malfoy, and since Malfoy had to act determined it would mean there wouldn't be any fights. "Since I've never given any thought to your virtues."
"Alright, this time you can just thank me for taking you out for ice cream. You can do my virtues tomorrow."
"You really are a prat, you know," Harry said, but he couldn't help but smile.
Malfoy leaned forward and whispered in Harry's ear. "Don't look now, but Snape's about to kill me." Draco pulled back. "See you later, Harry." He waved at Snape. "See you at school, Professor," and walked out the door with a spring in his step.
Harry watched him go, faintly amused. But that amusement died the moment he caught sight of Snape's face. Harry got up and moved over to where Snape was standing by the door.
"Sir?"
"If you're finished, Potter, I have work I could be doing," Snape said, and Harry couldn't miss the tenseness in his jaw.
"I'm done, we can go back," Harry answered, unsure if he should be amused or worried.
Snape nodded and stalked to the door, waiting outside while Harry grabbed his bags and went out to meet him. Snape pulled Harry into a nearby alley and without a word, wrapped his arms around him, and Disapparated.
When they arrived back outside Potter Manor, Snape released Harry abruptly and he found himself on the ground, staring back up into the Potion Master's scowling face. Snape turned and stalked back to the manor.
Harry stared after him, his heart thudding painfully slow in his chest. "What?"
The only answer he received was the slamming of the door.
Harry blinked stupidly at the door. "What the hell just happened?"
An hour later, Snape found Harry in the kitchen, standing at the sink. The boy's back was turned away from him, shoulders hunched and he was in a perfect sulk.
"I'm going to go and spend some time in the garden. You're welcome to join me if you wish."
Harry stared at him some more and nodded. "Sure."
The made their way out to the gardens, each to their own area and began to work. "Professor?"
"Hmm?"
"There was an article in the Prophet about Dolores Umbridge being under some curse. I don't suppose you would know anything about that."
The sound of dirt being tilled stopped and Harry looked up to see Snape watching him carefully.
"That depends."
Harry pulled at a weed that was growing too close to the bellflower. "Depends on what?"
"On whether the information I give you goes any further than between us."
"Of the few secrets we share, have I ever actually told anyone any of them?"
Snape thought, then nodded. "I'm afraid Dolores found herself in front of a rather nasty hex gone awry."
"What kind of hex?" Harry asked, grinning.
"It was quite painful, and I'm afraid it's going leave some nasty scars." Snape said, as if he were describing what was for dinner. "First it was boils, uncomfortable to be sure, but nothing life threatening. When the Healers applied the normal salve for it, things got very bad for poor Umbridge. You see, the salve mixed with the boils caused a reaction they were not prepared for. The boils did go away, but the fluid in the boils combined rather well with her blood. Now every time the poor woman thinks badly about someone, the ink/fluid mixtures will come out of her skin and write a tattoo across any particular body part saying exactly what she was thinking. I don't think she'll be going to many Ministry parties."
Harry had never seen such a joyously smug smile on Snape's face.
"I was rather impressed with it myself. It was time for the old bint to pay for some of her sins. I knew you'd be upset if I killed her, so I went with this option." His smile was still smug, and his dark eyes were shining.
"It's the better option, to be certain," Harry agreed, shaking his head. "But you didn't have to do it, you know."
"She messed with something that is now mine and under my protection. She hurt you, she paid the consequences, it's as simple as that."
Harry gaped at him for a long moment, before flushing a brilliant shade of red and throwing himself back into his gardening.