Life Renovations

Chapter Thirteen

Who Needs Proof?

Nearly three days went by without Harry and Draco seeing each other and with everyone having to deal with their subsequent bad moods before Severus decided enough was enough. He knew, eventually, the boys would work it out themselves, but it being Draco and Harry, that could take centuries, as both were very stubborn and refused to be the first one to back down. Just like their old rivalry at Hogwarts.

Harry had taken to brooding in his room and was doing just that when Severus knocked and entered without waiting for an invitation. "'Lo, Severus." Harry barely picked his head up off the desk where he had been sitting for half the day. Severus gave his nephew a calculating look after perching himself on the window seat.

"You two are acting like children. You need to stop being stubborn and seek Draco out."

"Why doesn't he stop being stubborn? I've already apologized a hundred times. Draco doesn't want to hear. I refuse to say it again and I'll be damned if I'm the one to go looking for him!"

"Does it not hurt to be away from each other for so long?" Severus watched as Harry sat up, his hands fisted on the desk in front of him. He looked down and mumbled something so low Severus had to lean forward. "What was that? I missed it." Harry's gaze snapped to his and Severus held his breath. There were dark circles under Harry's eyes and his skin was sallow looking.

"I said yes, it hurts." But it was more than that. The bond seemed to be punishing Harry for staying away from his mate. The heavy pull in his chest always trying to pull him in Draco's direction. Inside he was cold and his skin clammy. And yesterday he'd felt like he had the Muggle influenza; at least now it wasn't as bad.

Harry went to lie on his bed and stared at the ceiling covered in black and Slytherin Green silk, betting all his money every room was probably decorated like this one. He'd stopped trying to get through to Draco using their bond yesterday when it became apparent Draco wasn't going to respond. At least Draco hadn't cut him off completely, and they could still feel each other. Draco was still angry but Harry couldn't discern through the bond exactly what was making him stay mad.

"I thought you were a Gryffindor, Harry. Why are you in here hiding?"

Harry glared at his uncle. "I'm not hiding. He knows where I am. And it wouldn't do me any good to go find him because he'll just ignore me and being ignored like that pisses me off."

Severus sighed. It seemed he wouldn't be able to get through Harry either. "Have you eaten today?" Harry shook his head. Severus stood and glared down at him. "It's nearly tea time. You haven't had anything at all today?"

"No, I wasn't hungry. I'm not hungry." Harry rolled his eyes when Severus sneered at him. "I did take the nourishment potions."

"I suppose I should be grateful for small miracles," Severus drawled. "You will dine with me tonight, no arguments Harry. I'll collect you in an hour, so be prepared to leave."

"I Don't Want To Go Anywhere." Harry punctuated each word through gritted teeth.

Severus snarled and grabbed Harry's t-shirt, pulling the young wizard halfway off the bed and bringing their faces close together. "You will get a hold of yourself, Harry. No nephew of mine is going to waste away because of a lover's spat! You will go have a shower and you will present yourself in dining robes when I return." Severus released his hold, and Harry flopped back down against the mattress.

Harry briefly considered telling Severus where he could shove all his stupid demands, but thought better of it. Maybe getting out would make him feel better, at least for a short time. And he was hungry, despite what he'd said. "I don't really have a choice, do I?"

"No, you don't. You have an hour, Harry." With that said, Harry's uncle swept out of the room in a spectacular wave of billowing robes.

"I'm going to find out how he does that."

"Draco, mate, what are you doing?" Blaise asked after stopping by for a visit and finding Draco at his desk, a book open in front of him, but the page had not been turned in an hour. Draco's elbows were on the desk, his hands splayed through his hair, holding his heavy head up while his eyes remained closed. Blaise came over and perched on the corner of the desk. "Draco?"

"What?" Draco replied slowly, opening his eyes. His gaze was glassy and unfocused as he gazed at the table.

"You can't seriously tell me you haven't spoken with Harry yet? How long do you plan to let this go on?"

"It's not any of your business."

"You're right. It probably isn't my business," Blaise agreed cheerfully and pushed off the desk. He watched Draco's slumped shoulders for a moment, and then shook his head. This was dim-witted. Harry did say he was sorry. And Blaise understood why Harry said what he did. The Gryffindor had been stressed and worried. They'd just had to flee from Dumbledore, of all people and Hermione had been lying in a bed with a gash in her side. And to top it off, a Death Eater was healing Harry's muggleborn friend. Blaise understood why Harry had snapped at him. Surely Draco understood this.

"I ran into Ginny on my way here." Blaise thought changing the topic might bring Draco out of his stupor for a while. "She tells me she's temporarily holed up here as well."

Draco snorted. "Yeah, it's crazy. Charlie Weasley came by yesterday, prepared to drag her home on his mother's orders but Severus and Sirius had a talk with him. Apparently he was already sympathetic to Ha…" Draco sighed and looked back down to the book. "He was already sympathetic to Harry, and after talking with Sev, it seems we've gained ourselves another ally, who will also remain in the Order like Lupin to keep tabs on Dumbledore. It's a good move, especially since Dumbledore has moved the Order headquarters."

Ooh, intrigue! Blaise perked up. "Another ally for what?"

Draco surprised him with a smirk. "Oh, you know. This and that."

"Is that all you're going to tell me? Come on, Draco!"

"Fine, I will say this. It's going to start when we return to Hogwarts. We're going to have fun, Blaise."

"I suppose I can wait for more information with a promise like that." Blaise studied Draco for a minute before speaking again. "I'm sure Black will be happy to have his home back. He won't have to spend so much time here. You can see he hates it."

"No." Draco stood and stretched. "It's actually the opposite. If you watch him, you can see it. Gryffindors are always showing their hearts on their sleeves. He hates it because he likes what the manor is making him remember from when he and Father were together."

"Has Black said when he plans to move?"

"Some time soon, that's all I know."

"When he moves back, do you think Harry will go with him?"

Okay, so Blaise had thought to keep the subject off of Harry, but from Draco's reaction to his question, he was sure this avenue of topic was exactly what was needed to get Draco to do something other than sulk. Draco's reaction was instantaneous and Blaise hastily backed up when Draco turned on him with blazing silver eyes; his teeth growing until they were poking against his bottom lip. After a second, Blaise saw drops of blood pooling around the teeth points until the droplets began to fall from his lip and down his chin. Blaise was completely justified in feeling the briefest moment of fear.

"No," Draco hissed. "He's mine!"

"Did you know you have blood dripping down your chin?" Blaise took a tentative step forward. "Are you two turning into vampires? Because this," Blaise pointed at Draco's eyeteeth, "is screaming vampire at me. You're not getting the urge to suck my blood, are you?"

Draco hissed and Blaise raised his hands in surrender and backed away. "No problem. I'll keep my thoughts to myself."

Blaise wasn't so afraid that he feared for his safety if he turned his back on Draco, so he turned around and walked to the terrace, throwing open the French doors and stepped out, knowing it wouldn't be long before Draco calmed down. He leaned against the railing and looked across the grounds. There usually wasn't much to see at the front of the manor, except the few hundred yards of lawn and then the forest surrounding the manor. But he knew behind the manor, the Malfoy's had a Quidditch pitch and broom shed, as well as a horse stable, and near the end of the property, a small lake. And at the opposite side of the manor, there was a large garden with an exquisite fountain, and strangely enough albino peacocks.

The sun was just setting, and the view didn't look as uninteresting with the different colored light streaking across the sky. And at the last moments of light, the sun shined brightly upon the forest, blasting hot color on the trees, making it seem as if the forest were on fire.

"I don't think its vampire," Draco said at last. Blaise looked to find Draco leaning against the doorframe, staring at the horizon. Every inch of him with taut with tension. "But what do I know about insane magical creature bonds? It could be anything."

"Hermione's been going to the library to research different magical creatures. She may have some answers. You should leave your room for a while and go speak with her. Tell her about all the changes that have happened to you so far."

Draco closed his eyes against a particular sharp tug originating in his chest, which meant Harry was on the move. As the pull became more irritating, Draco knew his soul mate was increasing the distance between them. "I'll go find her in a minute." Draco closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind. And it worked after a few minutes, when he felt the bond tug lessen.

Blaise peered over the railing when he heard the main door open. Moments later Professor Snape glided out onto the grass. He stopped after a few feet and turned to look back at the door. "Let's go. We don't have all night."

"Just coming." And then Harry came walking out.

"Harry is going somewhere," Blaise announced.

Draco opened his eyes and pushed off the door frame. He moved to stand beside Blaise and looked down. Draco stared without blinking, merely soaking in the sight of Harry. Nearly three days had gone by since they'd seen each other, and now all Draco felt was the want for his soul mate. Especially when said soul mate was immaculately dressed in dark green formal robes and his hair was being swept back away from his face by the wind. Harry and Severus were talking quietly and they made no move to Apparate.

"Merlin, please don't leave me here alone!" Sirius shouted as he ran out of the manor. "You weren't thinking of leaving without me, were you?"

Harry turned and smiled at his godfather. "Of course not, Padfoot. Did you forget we need you to get passed the wards?"

Draco's fingers gripped the railing in a death hold, and his eyes were nearly spitting fire. Blaise smirked and gathered up more fuel for the flame.

"I guess Black is moving home today then."

"Potter, where the fuck do you think you're going?"

Draco's voice carried all the way to the forest, and Blaise winced at the harsh tone. That was no way to speak to a lover when you need to make up with said lover. Hearing him, Harry's smile fell and he looked up at the terrace, but only for a moment. Then he deliberately turned his back on them.

"Let's go," he said flatly to his guardians.

"Potter? I'm talking to you!"

"Can't talk now, Malfoy. I'm leaving." Severus and Sirius were exchanging looks, wondering if they should intervene at last, but Harry grabbed Sirius' arm. "We're going now!" he demanded to the older wizards.

Draco jumped onto the railing "The hell you are!" he jumped off the terrace just as Sirius, Harry, and Severus Apparated away.

"Draco! Fuck man!" Blaise strained his eyes against the darkness and located Draco just as the blond landed forty feet below, with perfect balance and no injury whatsoever. "Have you lost your bloody fucking mind? You can't just go jumping off buildings!" Blaise twisted around and searched the room for the Firebolt Draco always kept in his room for emergencies. Once located, Blaise mounted and flew out of the French doors and down to land in the lawn where Draco was sitting, arms wrapped around his legs, head pressed against his knees.

"Do you think he really left?" asked Draco in a small voice. Blaise understood the tone. Not many people could claim they had ever seen Draco Malfoy defenseless and vulnerable. Only Pansy and himself. But Blaise was still too lit up from Draco's jump to really give a damn if Draco wasn't himself and needed to be dealt with in a calm manner.

"He left!" Blaise shouted. "He's fucking gone, Draco!" he threw his arms out and turned in a circle, indicating all Malfoy land. "Harry is no longer here! Your fault, by the way!"

"I didn't think he would leave me."

Blaise sighed and looking up at the star lit sky, started to count to twenty. When he was done with that, he gripped Draco's shoulder after crouching down beside him. "Mate, you need to snap out of it. This isn't like you." Draco raised his head and Blaise gasped at the amount of longing encompassed within his silver eyes. "Seriously, Draco. Do you honestly think Harry would just leave without saying anything to you if he wasn't coming back? You need to reign in your hormones and think logically." It was obviously the right thing to say. Blaise knew Draco was back the moment his friend glared death at him.

"No need to speak to me as if I were a child." Draco rose and dusted his slacks off. They began to walk back to the front door.

"You were acting like a child." Blaise rolled his eyes when Draco hissed at him.

"Besides, what were you thinking, jumping over the balcony like that?"

"No big deal, Blaise. I'm perfectly fine."

"No big deal? That was forty feet!"

Draco and Blaise entered the manor and Draco turned to make his way towards the library. "It's only thirty feet from the terrace to the ground."

"Who cares! Thirty, forty feet? Doesn't make much difference if it's anything over twenty feet and you have no broom!"

Just then Ginny came tearing down the hallway as if fifty Death Eaters were after her. Considering where they were, both Draco and Blaise looked behind her to make sure that wasn't the case.

"Hey Gin, what's-" Ginny barreled into Blaise, and then took cover behind him.

"Be a Gryffindor! Save me!" Both Slytherins shivered by the cold brought on from such a thought.

"Who lit your heels on fire?" Draco asked. Ginny peeked around Blaise's arm to look at him

"Hermione wants to go to the library…Again! I can't take it anymore. Take me away, please?" she begged Blaise and Draco arched an eyebrow. Blaise threw an arm around Ginny and grinned.

"Later, mate. Can't say no to Luscious Red. We'll be at the Zabini House if you need us." He and Ginny began walking in the opposite direction. "Oh, and tell Hermione about the jump, Draco. That's important."

"Fine, whatever."

"Draco…"

"I'll do it, all right!" Draco continued to walk, and barely heard Ginny ask Blaise what jump he was talking about. He was sure he'd be hearing from Ginny later on about that. "Luscious Red," he murmured. "Makes her sound like an apple."

Knowing Hermione, she would have gone straight to the library, not wanting to waste valuable research time tracking Ginny down, so that's where he continued to go and was pleased to see he was correct. He walked in just as she was rounding a table in which every inch was covered in books, and the stacks were at least two feet high. She smiled at him as soon as she saw him. It still amazed him that she would have such a smile for him after everything that had happened in the past, and then he thought of Harry and his smiles and his forgiveness, and was amazed again and instantly regretful that he was ignoring his mate.

"What's up, Draco? I haven't seen you in a couple of days."

And then Draco felt guilty for forgetting how hard it might be for Hermione to be living at Malfoy Manor. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to leave you alone in a house full of Death Eaters…"

Hermione instantly waved his words away. "You and Harry were having problems." Draco sighed and heavily sat in the chair next to Hermione. She frowned at him. "You're still fighting, then?" it was a question with an obvious answer and she didn't expect Draco to respond. Hermione smiled and rubbed his arm for a second before she grabbed a book and cracked it open. It literally made a cracking noise as if it hadn't been opened in a hundred years.

"How are you…Er…the cut?" Draco motioned to her healed wound.

"Healer Bluemoon patched me up and I'm good as new now. We talked a bit today when she came to check on me. She's a lovely witch, Draco and it's so strange that she's a Death Eater. I thought all Death Eaters hated Muggles and Muggleborns."

"Don't tell anyone." Draco leaned close and whispered, "it's a conspiracy. Not all Death Eaters are for the extermination of Muggles and muggleborns."

Hermione had no reply to that, and went back to reading her book. Draco thought about helping her since she was doing all the work just to help him and Harry, but he couldn't concentrate because of his worry.

"Do you know if Sirius is moving back to Grimmauld Place today?" he asked casually while grabbing a book amongst the piles. Hermione looked at him curiously. Anything casual Draco had to say was never really said in a casual way and she was alert at once.

"Today? I'm not sure. But on my way here I did see Sirius leaving with Harry and Severus. I overheard them say they were going to Grimmauld for something. Why?"

"No reason."

Hermione made a noncommittal noise and went back to reading. She began to think Draco had followed after her when he spoke again. "Did he say anything to you before he left?"

Hermione smiled as innocently as possible. "Who, Sirius?"

Draco gritted his teeth. "Harry."

"Nothing. We only saw each other in passing and Severus was in a hurry so all we could do was wave at one another."

Draco began scowling at the table and started to torture a page of an old book by coiling the ends of the page in towards the center. He only made it with one corner before Hermione huffed and pulled the book away from him.

"I know what this is about. If Harry planned to change locations, you would be the first to know. And it doesn't matter if you two are fighting, he would still discuss it with you. Draco, he's not going to leave you just because you've had a row. Harry's not like that."

Hermione shut her own book and pulled a rolled up parchment out of the journeyman's bag sitting near her feet. Draco seemed to be listening, so she continued. "Honestly, you two are acting as if you've never fought before. I would think it strange if Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy never fought, being soul mates or not."

Draco smirked, suddenly feeling worlds better. He attributed his lightened mood to Hermione, who was very good at soothing people, and the other part to Harry, who seemed to have lightened up a bit himself. "Stranger than living in a house full of Death Eaters and the supposed evil incarnate himself?" he asked her.

Hermione's eyes went wide and she leaned forward to whisper, "Voldemort doesn't live here, does he?" she began to look around, paying close attention to the shadows, checking to make sure no Dark Lords were lurking about. Draco laughed at her until she started to glare at him and finger her wand.

"He stays here sometimes but I'm never informed of when. Actually, I don't care to know." Draco took a closer look at the long parchment Hermione just unrolled and frowned. "What's this?"

"This is a list of all the creatures I've learned of so far with the characteristics and traits you and Harry have been displaying." She handed it to him and studied it for a minute.

He didn't know if amazing was the word for it, but she'd been thorough in her research so far. The list was in alphabetical order and ranged from A to Z and beside each name was a little symbol representing whatever trait that creature possessed which resembled what he and Harry were displaying. "This really is… amazing, Hermione."

Hermione blushed and took the parchment back. "Yes, well…."

"I have something else for your list."

"Really? What?"

Draco hesitated. Hermione was prone to overreact, and he didn't know if he wanted to deal with a lecture right now. But at least a lecture from Hermione might keep his thoughts occupied. "I jumped from my balcony and landed on the lawn with no problem."

"You jumped…." Hermione frowned. "How far?"

Draco resisted the urge to gulp in fear. "Thirty feet down. But it wasn't that bad, honestly. It felt like I only jumped five feet."

"Interesting…" Hermione pulled more parchment from her bag and pushed the other parchment over to him. "Go through that. I've got to start another list and then go through the books again to look for any creature that has the ability to jump like that." Then she frowned at him. "I suggest you don't try a jump like that again until after the transformation."

Draco was going to ask why she had to make another list, when he decided he really didn't want to know. He and Hermione sat in silence, each occupied with their parchments. Draco studied the lists and the further along he read in detail, the more he wished he could tear it up and throw it in the fire. He refused to even read the descriptions of some of the names on it. The name was more than enough information.

When he was finally finished, he set the parchment down and folded his hands over it. "Done?"

"Yes." Draco took a breath. "Listen, Hermione. I need you to do me a favor."

"Okay."

"Whatever you do, do not show the lists to Harry."

At first Hermione wasn't keen on the idea of keeping the information away from Harry, but as she thought about it, she understood why Draco was asking. "You think he'll have a bad reaction?"

"I'm having a bad reaction. I think it's safe to say Harry will not take it well."

"All right. The lists will stay hidden from Harry but I will not keep him from looking for information on his own."

Draco smiled and hugged her.

Harry had never felt being a vindictive bastard was the way to go, but he had to admit after days of Draco ignoring him, it felt good to give as good as he got and Draco's snarling outrage as he'd Apparated to Grimmauld had given him a small thrill. It was always a thrill when Draco lost control.

"Come on, pup. Let's get in and out," Sirius said after dismantling the wards for Harry and Severus. "The Place isn't completely safe yet. Some Order members might return to check they haven't forgotten anything." Harry nodded and followed Sirius into Number Twelve.

"I'll just wait in the hall. Be quick about it," Severus called when he Apparated in behind them.

"Just a minute, Uncle Sev," Harry called back and led the way into the library.

"Did he say you could call him that?"

Harry grinned. "No."

Sirius snorted and watched Harry walk over and kneel down beside the fireplace. He started touching stones, jiggling and tapping them until he found the one he was looking for.

"What are you doing, Harry?" Sirius came to stand beside Harry and looked down to see him pull up a large stone at the base of the fireplace. Then he looked at Sirius with an apologetic smile.

"Sorry. Should have told you about this a long time ago. I meant to ask you if I could use the space beneath it, but something happened, and I had to put the journal away in a hurry. And I didn't remember it until Draco and I started that misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding?" Sirius asked amused, staring at the black journal Harry had just pulled from beneath the mobile stone. "That's a very mature way of describing it. Funny, it wasn't very mature the way you ignored Draco, though. You could have solved this misunderstanding if you had just turned around and talked to him proper like."

"I didn't want to talk to him!" Harry declared and stood up. "If he can act like an arsehole, so can I."

"Oh, yes. Very mature."

"You're one to talk, what with you and Severus griping at each other all the time."

It only took five minutes to do what they had come for, and Harry thanked Sirius for coming with him. "Don't worry about the stone, Harry. I would have given you my permission. And besides, now I have another secret hiding place for something!" Sirius ruffled Harry's hair, much to Severus' chagrin and then Apparated back to Malfoy Manor.

"Must he cause chaos wherever he goes?" Severus' spat, and began to try and fix Harry's hair back to almost presentable. Harry looked up at him with wide eyes. Severus Snape was actually trying to fix his hair! Severus Snape was trying to fix his hair, and he wasn't even scowling or throwing snarky insults his way.

Severus caught sight of Harry's look and dropped his hands. Embarrassment was definitely an uncomfortable sensation. But then Harry smiled easily at him and Severus was able to relax. Harry watched curiously as Severus pulled out a Muggle candy wrapper.

"You would think the Ministry could find better objects to turn into Portkeys, wouldn't you?" the elder wizard drawled.

"Not really. The Ministry is run by fools. No logical changes are going to occur under the current administration."

Severus nodded, happy to know his godson could see the potential in their world, and the lack of people in charge that could bring about a grand change. "Indeed. Are you ready?"

"Yep."

Harry placed a finger on the wrapper. Five seconds later, at exactly eight o'clock, the Portkey activated and Harry felt that awful pull in his gut alerting him they were traveling. The cold darkness lasted longer than he'd ever felt using a Portkey and when they landed, Harry dropped to his hands and knees and began wheezing. His chest felt like Vernon Dursley was sitting on it; his stomach was all a mess and the pull of the bond was more irritating than normal.

He felt Severus' hands, lifting him up under the arms. "Are you all right?"

"Yes…" Harry coughed several more times until he felt his chest clear. "I don't particularly like Portkey transportation," he said as he looked around where they had landed; seeing that they were in a dimly lit room with only chairs lining the walls.

"The bond isn't too painful now, is it? We can go back."

"I'm okay. It's more of an irritating pain. I'll get used to it in a few minutes. I guess the pain isn't so bad because Draco and I aren't resisting the bond. We've already accepted it and each other."

"Then why in Merlin's beard are you still fighting?"

"Because he was being spiteful and I don't feel like accommodating him just because he's over it now. Though I doubt he is. The next words out of his mouth would probably have been a demand for me to stay at the Manor. So I left before he could say it. I'm not going to bow down to his whims."

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. "Do you know the amount of headaches the two of you have given me these past two days-"

"Three days. It's been three days since fifteen minutes ago."

"Fine, wonderful…three days. Even Lucius has lost his patience with Draco and refuses to go near his son until you've worked out your problem. I will stay out of this, but you shouldn't let this go on."

Harry knew Severus was absolutely right, but when did you ever hear of a sixteen year old who took good advice from their elders, especially when it related to relationships. "So where are we? I didn't think you would bring me to a room filled with chairs."

Severus scowled and lightly cuffed the back of Harry's head. "Insolent brat." They left the room and Harry saw they had been in the Apparition and Portkey room of a restaurant. Instead of heading for the host stand, Severus took Harry's arm and led him outside. Harry's eyes widened and glittered as he took in the sight of Paris, France.

"Wow." Harry sincerely wished he had his glasses so that he could see the view without the blurriness.

"You've never been out of England. I thought some more culture would do you good. Come, we have reservations." They returned inside and Severus led Harry to the host stand to be shown to their table.

"Monsieur Snape. So good to see you again. And you've brought someone else with you!" The maitre d' seemed generally pleased that Severus had brought a guest.

"Do you always come alone?" Harry realized the maitre d' had been speaking in French, and he had understood. He figured it must be some spell that allows foreigners to understand what is being said.

"Lucius in prone to dine here occasionally." Severus turned a blank face to the maitre d'. "This is Harry Potter, my nephew."

Harry rolled his eyes. Honestly, was it necessary for an announcement? They were in a wizard's restaurant after all, and it only took two seconds for the French man's face to light up. Severus was smirking and Harry wondered if he'd told on purpose. Snarky bastard! "Monsieur Potter, what an honor! And you're Monsieur Snape's nephew?"

"It's not widely known yet," Harry replied, and continued to look behind the wizard to gape at the beautiful brightly lit restaurant. It had two floors; the bottom being used for the restaurant, while the top looked more like a fancy bar. It really wasn't the type of place Harry thought Severus would go.

"You're table is ready and you will not be disturbed."

"Thank you." Severus passed the wizard several Galleons after he and Harry had been shown to a table in the back, far from any other patrons.

"Wow, Severus. You seem positively cheerful!" Harry grinned cheekily at the Potions Master.

"I'm glad to see you're feeling better."

Harry shrugged and picked up his menu. He sighed and dropped it back to the table. "I can't read this."

"You're in the Wizarding World, Harry. Use your head." Severus leaned over and tapped the menu with his wand before going back to studying his own menu. Harry picked it up and saw the menu had translated itself into English. Looking over, he saw Severus had not translated his and when it was time to order, the wizard fired his off his choice in rapid French. Harry raised his eyebrows, and watched his uncle amusingly. It seemed Severus was full of surprises. He would have to remember to mention to Hermione about Severus speaking French. When it was his turn, Harry chose the simple roasted chicken and scalloped potatoes.

"I bring you to France and you order the chicken?"

"What? Chicken's good. Chicken's safe."

Severus shook his head. A moment later, their food appeared in front of them and they began to eat. "You'll begin lessons with Lucius tomorrow morning. He'll be expecting you in his study at eight in the morning."

Harry nodded while chewing, but cursed Lucius for making the lesson so early in the morning. Severus watched his nephew carefully; making sure Harry ate enough food. He was fully prepared to order more food if he thought Harry could eat it. The younger wizard was still under weight. But Harry seemed to have regained his appetite and Severus wondered if it was because he and Draco were realizing how stupid they were being.

"Severus?"

"Yes?"

Harry looked up from his meal, studying his uncle. "Are you loyal to Voldemort?" he asked quietly.

"As long as you are no longer his target, I will always be loyal to my Lord."

Harry gave a half smile, nodding. Severus watched as Harry finished his dinner, apparently very well satisfied with that answer. Which made Severus wonder what his nephew was scheming now. "Have you thought about what you are going to do when Hogwarts reopens in September?"

Harry pushed his empty plate away and took a sip of the dark red wine and grimaced. Nasty stuff. Tasted like vinegar. "I'll return for my seventh year, of course. Dumbledore can't really do much to me there. And if he tries, he'll be alone. I doubt any of the other professors would help him, unless he gets a DADA professor who's under his thumb."

"Which is very likely."

"If that's the case, we'll be ready. I'm being serious; Dumbledore is going to learn that he can't mess with me anymore. We're taking his power away, Severus. It's already started and it'll get worse for him as the days pass."

"Yes and I'm sure if he attempted to harm you, Draco would try to kill him."

Harry blushed, suddenly missing Draco more than ever. "True." He looked around again, noticing that some of the patrons were looking over at them. "I did think about demanding a re-sort. Hermione said it was possible under special circumstances."

"Which House would you want to be resorted in?"

Harry gave him a wry look. "Slytherin, of course. That's where the hat would send me. It's not just a suspicion. Did you know it wanted to put my father in Slytherin?"

Severus choked on his wine, and just barely kept himself from spewing the contents in his mouth all over the table. "Don't ever repeat that again." Harry grinned and stood up to leave with his uncle. "We have some time before the Portkey activates to take us home. Do you want to walk around for a time?"

"Sure." They left the restaurant and entered the heart of Paris' Wizarding World. It was not unlike Diagon Alley, except maybe a bit more cosmopolitan. There were definitely more restaurants and entertainment areas then Diagon Alley, and with a gulp, he noticed all the designer robe shops. Dozens of them. "Um…Draco doesn't make his way here to shop, does he?" Harry felt dread when Severus smirked.

"Oh yes. Often. He and Lucius come here to shop every year just before Draco goes off to Hogwarts. Lucky for you, they are still due for the trip this year and you'll most certainly be dragged along."

Harry groaned. "If I'm going so are you."

"I will not. Lucius and Draco are animals when it comes to spending money on themselves. Disgusting really. I'll not be dragged into that. Family or not."

They were silent for a time, taking in the sites, and Harry promised when his eyes were fixed or when he decided to go get contacts (because there was no way he was going back to glasses) he would return and tour the city with Draco. Surely Draco must know all the good places to see. And if he were forced by the Malfoys to come to France for a shopping trip, he would make sure they would do more than shop.

"Er… Severus? I just wanted to say thank you for bringing me."

"Surprisingly, it was my pleasure." They sat down at an outside café. Severus ordered more wine, while Harry chose butterbeer. "Is that your decision, then? To get resorted into Slytherin?"

"No. I realized it would be better for everyone if I stayed in Gryffindor…"

"I assure you, Harry, Slytherin would welcome you."

"Maybe that's true, but I'll cause more problems for Dumbledore if I remain in Gryffindor. And the other Houses will be easier to infiltrate if I'm not a Slytherin." Harry grinned at Severus' blank look. "I plan to bring about what Dumbledore has been preaching for years but has never really done anything to make sure it happens. I'm going to unite the Houses."

"And they'll be behind you, not Dumbledore…"

Harry nodded. "Probably not all the students, but Draco and Hermione will help with my friend making skills."

"You're looking for political allies?"

"Eventually."

Severus studied his nephew. "Will this road you plan to go down make you happy?"

"Should happiness be the deciding factor in anything?" Harry asked, staring steadily back at him, his emeralds eyes bright and curious.

Severus was unsure how to answer. It was true; he had never based any of his decisions upon his happiness. Perhaps he would have had he known about Lily and Harry before now. And he knew he wanted his nephew happy, if anything. They'd grown closer than ever imagined over the last few days and it was a shock for Severus to realize how much he cared for Harry.

"I think it should be one of the factors, yes."

"Strange. Hearing that from you." But it made Harry unexplainably happy.

"Yes, I realize it's an unnatural phenomenon."

When they returned to Malfoy Manor, Severus left Harry in the Entrance Hall and went off elsewhere in the manor. Harry supposed he was off to see Lucius or Voldemort, though he wasn't sure either was there at the moment. Harry went to his room and changed into green silk pajama bottoms he was sure Draco had lent him and a black tank top.

Before they'd arrived, Draco had mentioned a garden at the side of the house, and since he didn't feel like lying in bed and waiting for sleep that would probably never come, he decided to check the garden out. There was a rumor that the Malfoys actually kept peacock ghosts. Harry wasn't sure if that rumor was real or not, as the idea seemed kind of stupid to him. What good are peacocks that are ghosts? It just seemed pointless and not something the Malfoys would have.

Harry had to laugh at his train of thought and would have continued laughing if he hadn't heard a noise. Expecting the worst, he spun around with his wand in hand and nearly dropped it in shock. There outlined by the moonlight was a peacock ghost.

"Bloody hell! They really are ghosts…. what the fuck?"

"They are not ghosts."

Harry stiffened and just barely held himself still. "You really shouldn't sneak up on me like that around here, Lucius. You're liable to lose an arm."

"You sound convinced." Lucius stepped around Harry so that they were face to face. Harry sighed and tucked his wand away. "I don't need to sound convinced. You really might have lost an arm."

"You may relax around me. I'm not about to hurt you, because then I would be hurting my son, and others, and Draco can be such a pain at times…. It would really be an inconvenience."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Riiight…"

"I do have some honor after all and you did come here seeking sanctuary. I've given you sanctuary and I'm not about to throw my family's name further into dishonor by hurting you in my own home after letting you in."

There were things about Lucius that reminded Harry of Draco, and he supposed that's why he relaxed. "I suppose it's just hard to get used to. You tried to kill me a couple of times." Harry half grinned, but Lucius frowned.

"More than a couple of times. You have a lot of dumb luck, Harry. Granted, it has worked for you so far but that doesn't mean it's going to last. That's why you need to think before getting yourself into situations-" he stopped when Harry raised a hand. Both blond eyebrows shot up past his hairline. What in the bloody hell made him just stop at Harry's command as if he'd been under the Imperious curse?

Harry had not meant to, but he'd felt the push of his power when he raised his hand. Suddenly Harry was feeling better than he had all day. "I appreciate what you're trying to say but isn't that what the lessons starting tomorrow are for?"

Lucius decided to ignore what just happened. "Yes, that's true. And I didn't come out here for that anyway-"

Again Harry raised a hand, and smirked when he saw how irked Lucius was becoming by having to automatically do as Harry wanted. Harry was having way too much fun with this new power and he'd only used it a couple of times. He briefly wondered if he could do it to Voldemort. "If this is about the quarrel Draco and I are having, you needn't worry. I've already decided to end it tomorrow. I don't like being away from him. If he tries to ignore me again, I'll make him listen."

"That's good then. I was getting tired of the moping."

Harry had an urge to stick his tongue out at Lucius, but decided against that and chose to sit on a bench and watch the peacocks that were not ghosts? Whatever. Why was he even thinking about it again? Lucius quickly bade goodnight and began walking back the way he came. Before turning out of sight, he looked back.

"They are not ghosts, Harry. They're albino peacocks." And then he was gone.

"Albino? Aren't peacocks popular because of their colors?" It still didn't make sense, but he shrugged. Draco and his father did a lot of things he didn't understand yet. And he knew he'd probably be better off not knowing a lot of the things.

Harry stayed in the garden for another thirty minutes until he thought he'd better go to bed. He took the long way around the manor, and wasn't ashamed that his wand was gripped tightly in his hand. Up the stairs and a few turns later, Harry slowed his steps when he heard the low murmur of voices. He thought about going to investigate, but then he recognized the voices belonged to Severus, Sirius, Remus, and surprisingly Lucius.

Harry didn't feel like talking to anyone and knew if any of them saw him, they'd drag him into a discussion. He just wanted to walk until he was too tired to think, and then crash out on his bed. He was just turning to leave when he heard his name.

"When do you plan to tell Harry the rest, Snape? You haven't even told us all you know."

Harry crept up and flattened against the wall beside the open doorway. His heart was suddenly pounding.

"I was waiting until after the transformations."

"How did you find out about Dumbledore's plans involving Tom Riddle?" asked Remus.

Severus remained silent and it was Lucius who next spoke. "Is that why you've come back to the Dark Lord?" came Lucius' drawl.

"I thought you left because Voldemort killed Lily," Sirius piped in.

There was more silence and it seemed Severus wasn't going to answer any of the questions. Harry heard the clinking of a glass, followed by the gurgling noise of liquid being poured into it. There was another moment of silence. Harry rolled his eyes. Couldn't Severus answer already?

"No." More silence. Dammit, Severus! Why can't you people talk!

"What do you mean, no?" Sirius finally barked.

"I mean, you unsophisticated mutt, that the Dark Lord did not kill Lily Potter."

"That's impossible, Severus," Remus said quietly.

"There's no fucking way you can be right about this!" Sirius shouted. Harry barely registered the sound of Sirius' chair hitting the floor, as the buzzing in his head seemed to get louder. He couldn't believe what he just heard; yet he knew Severus was telling the truth. Severus wouldn't lie about that, even to Sirius and Remus.

"I'm more curious to know who did kill Mrs. Potter." Lucius' voice was easily the calmest in the room.

"James Potter." Harry felt the color drain from his face and he noiselessly slid down the wall to sit in shock.

Inside the room, Sirius and Remus were in a similar state of shock and stared at Snape blankly.

"The Imperius?" Lucius finally questioned.

"Yes." Severus rubbed a hand against his forehead. He hadn't meant to get into this tonight.

"Did Dumbledore do this?" this came from the shaking voice of Remus.

"You can't seriously believe this, Remus! How the hell are we supposed to believe you, Snape?"

"Let's just say I've acquired some Pensieve memories that were thought to have been destroyed."

"Pensieve memories…. Dumbledore's?" Sirius was still now, speaking quietly. Remus' head was in his hands. Lucius was watching Sirius.

"Yes. They are Dumbledore's memories," Severus confirmed.

Back in the hallway, Harry was struggling to breathe, trying to pull enough strength together to get himself off the floor and away.

Harry!

Even Draco couldn't penetrate Harry's shock. He managed to stand finally, but stumbled his first steps, slow to catch his balance. Somehow he finally managed to walk completely up right and he wandered around in a slow walk, unknowing where he was going and not really caring.

How was he supposed to believe his father killed his mother? Even if there was indisputable proof like a Pensieve memory. After all these years, now he was just supposed to accept that his father, who had loved Lily very much, shot the killing curse at his wife. If that were true, then why? Why was Voldemort there? And could Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts really have used an Unforgivable to make another person kill their spouse?

Harry…Harry, where are you? Draco's voice was frantic, but Harry didn't hear him. His legs suddenly stopped moving, his muscles went lax, and he tumbled to the floor again. Harry could only manage to pull himself to a sitting position and pull his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around his legs.

My father killed my mother. Harry started to say it in his mind and repeated it over and over again. My father killed my mother. Until then, his tears had been kept at bay, but they silently fell now and Harry let them fall unchecked.

A crack in the air broke the silence and Draco appeared halfway down the hall, landing on his stomach. He looked around and spotted Harry sitting in the middle of the hallway, looking like a ghost and apparently unaware of anything but his tortured thoughts. Draco tore down the hallway and skidded to a halt on his knees in front of Harry and pulled the smaller boy into his arms. A shuddering sob came from Harry before he said, "my father killed my mother, Draco. He made him kill her. He made him…"

"Harry, look at me…look at me!" Harry didn't look at Draco, but he did crawl into Draco's lap, wrapped his legs and arms around him and buried his face against his favorite part of his Slytherin's neck.

Draco held Harry tightly against him, and concentrated on his room and hoped to Merlin he could Apparate without any problems again. It worked, sort of. They landed in his room, but in a tangle of limbs on the floor. Draco disentangled himself and picked Harry up to take him to bed. All he could hope to do was calm Harry down enough so that the brunet could sleep. Draco was sure whatever happened tonight was big and they would need their strength to get through it. He pulled the feather down comforter over them both, and tucked Harry against him. When Harry turned into him, Draco began to nuzzle his neck, speaking softly to him, soothing Harry through the bond as much as he could and was pleased when Harry fell asleep after only fifteen minutes. Draco kissed his forehead over the scar and watched Harry's face. He looked at peace, in Draco's bed. He looked in place too. Finally.

Draco frowned when he thought about what Harry must have gone through tonight to put him into such an emotional lockdown. The only thing Draco knew was that Harry had suddenly gone cold in Draco's mind, and the words, my father killed my mother had been going through the Gryffindor's head nonstop. Draco lay back against the pillow and pulled Harry tighter against him, trying to clear his own thoughts for sleep; knowing things were going to happen the next day.