Pairings: HP/DM SS/RL NL/BZ RW/HG PP?

Rating: R, drama, angst and sap. Post Hogwarts

Warnings: R, bad language. All flames will be made fun of! THIS IS SLASH! How many times will I have to say that for you homophobic guys understand that you shouldn't be reading these kind of fics I don't know… But you have been warned so I again tell you… All flames will be made fun of!

AN: This is not the first Harry Potter fic I've written, but the first I've ever published.

Disclaimer: I asked Dumbledore to magically give me the rights over Harry potter and crew, so nowhe has been arrested for plagiarism and fraud! Now I own nothing but the story T.T

Getting you back.

By Black Komagoro

As he had predicted he lost horribly and Draco had been so smug he actually felt like normal. But soon it had ended, he had some things to do, some letters to send and a lot of apologies to give.

"Pansy, Blaise, Neville… Once again, I'm sorry for putting you all through this…"

"No Potter, we're not the ones you have to say sorry to… That's Draco, and you'll have to say it again and again till he's satisfied he kicked your ass hard and long enough for you not being able to sit for the next hundred years…"

Harry actually gulped at that, he knew Draco was capable of doing just that.

"Then I hope he likes me still enough to know that would be counter-productive…"

Three pairs of eyes rolled in unison, but they knew Draco cared enough not to hurt him that much, the worst would be two weeks, but they weren't about to tell him that. Harry took his broom and cloak and prepared to go.

"I'm going now, the faster the better… I know it'll take some time to convince Snape to work together with those two…"

Pansy raised an eyebrow.

"And who, pray tell, are 'those two'?"

Harry turned his head and smiled devilish.

"Hermione and Lupin of course… Who else?"

The expressions he received back where just what he though he would get.

"Good luck then Potter, you'll definitely need it… A lot of it"

Harry smiled and then bowed his head.

"Thank you… Guys, I'll be back as soon as I can and…"

He was completely serious now, pure determination.

"I'll bring him back… That I swear…"

He then left, leaving the three friends feeling a hope they had thought lost.

Harry flew faster than before, since he knew the situation and how urgent it was for him to move quickly; soon he could see the castle he had called a home for so many years. Yes he would have to answer a lot of questions, but he just would answer to the ones he considered deserved them. His friends of course, Lupin and over them all Snape, Dumbledore was something else, the last one he thought deserved any explanations was him, after all, Harry had asked him so many times for those and never got a thing.

You harvest what you sow, or so they say…

He stopped in the middle of the air and stood there, floating just in front of the school, he suddenly felt scared, not because of Dumbledore, not because there would be so many who were going to ask him a lot of questions. He was scared because that was the place where his life became a complete disaster, just after the battle.

I never thought I would think about Hogwarts this way… Guess is not easy to come back to the crime scene, though they say that the culprit always comes back… Go figure…

Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, he landed, took his invisibility cloak off and folded it, he looked up and started walking, though he didn't walk that much before he was hugged almost to death.

"Harry! It's really you!"

Hagrid had found him, another he ought an explanation.

"Yeah… It's me… But I'll stop being me if… you keep squeezing me… like this"

Hagrid let go of him quickly and turned him around.

"Merlin Harry! It's so good to see you… Were have you been?!"

Well, it was time to start feeling like shit, again.

"Away Hagrid… I had… Well, I had to leave it was just too complicated and it hurt too much… I should have written, but-"

"It's ok, I understand… You were just a boy, no matter how much you appeared to be an adult…"

He was embraced again, just more carefully, and Harry felt happy to finally come back, to the point to ask himself why had he been such an ass. There was a lot of people who cared for him and for whom he cared for, people he had forgotten when he left.

"I'm sorry Hagrid… I know you don't want me to apologize, but I need to do it… I left, forgetting so many people, making the biggest mistake of my life. I lost two years trying to overcome something that never happened, something I was too stupid to be sure of before doing what I did"

Hagrid looked confused, of course, no one knew what had really happened.

"Don't worry, just please accept my apologies?"

Hagrid smiled and nodded.

"It's important to you… So I'll accept them… Welcome back Harry"

Harry smiled and had to repress the tears that wanted to leave his eyes, he needed to appear strong in front the person he came to see. He had been crying a lot lately, and he was sure he would continue to do so; it seemed that almost two years of accumulated tears had finally found an escape route.

"Thank you… I promise I'll come to visit more often from now on…"

Hagrid smiled happy and let his friend go, as he knew Harry surely was there to see others, he was just happy to have seen him before the young man entered the school. Harry waved good bye and went into the castle, there was no way he would not be seen. The older students, those who had known him, looked as if they were seeing a ghost or something. Some even tried to touch him, but didn't really manage to do so since Harry passed so fast. He went directly to the dungeons and didn't notice Peeves who clearly wanted to say something, not very nice of course, giving the look the Bloody Baron was giving him, Nearly Headless Nick just couldn't believe what he was seeing, they all thought he was dead it seemed.

He walked fast, he had to focus or he would start doubting himself, Harry soon made it to the office he knew was Snape's and stood in front of the door. Suddenly all his Gryffindor bravery disappeared and was left with just doubts.

"Ha… Harry?"

Harry stood frozen there, if there was someone he wasn't prepared to see right then was Remus Lupin. From a certain point of view he was the closest family he had left, and he never contacted him. With each person he met, came a horrible feeling of guilt, and from them all he knew Remus would bring the worst of them. So he didn't turn to look at him, because he couldn't; because he was so ashamed for not even sending an owl saying he was ok.

"Harry…"

Remus' voice was trembling and he felt even worst if that was possible, Harry lowered his face and turned, he just couldn't look at him.

"I'm… Sorry"

He knew Remus could hear him, that came with being a werewolf but he knew no one else could have. His voice had been so low, so full of grief and shame and this time he couldn't stop the tears.

"God, I'm so sorry…"

He found himself in another embrace, and he buried his face in the robes in front of him. He embraced the man back and cried, he didn't care a damn that he was in the dungeons, in front of Snape's office and near the potions classroom, he didn't know if there would be a class or if it had just finished, so there may be students around. He just didn't care a bit about any of that.

"Harry… Come with me"

Remus voice was still shaky but that was to be expected, Harry let go of the man and let him lead towards an empty room. Once inside Remus secured the door and used a silencing charm, for which Harry was thankful.

"We were so worried…"

Remus said, his voice calm but it clearly showed his sadness.

"But I think I understand… I just… I missed you so much Harry"

Harry still couldn't look at him, and he knew then, that confronting Snape would be harder than he thought. Because the other man was not going to be so kind, because Remus at least cared for him, and wouldn't make him feel like scum, at least not on purpose.

"I don't know what else to say… I made a mistake, back then seemed so logic, but… I'm so sorry…"

Remus smiled sadly, mostly because Harry wouldn't meet his eyes.

"I can't tell you not to worry, I can't say it is ok, because we both know it isn't… But you're finally back, and that's all that matter isn't it?"

Harry had sat over an unused table, his clothes dirtying a bit with the accumulated dust, but he didn't even notice. He felt Remus take seat next to him and then an arm bringing him close to the werewolf.

"I'm happy you're back… Just don't go like that again, please"

He still couldn't look at him, because he had thought of himself and no one else, he had been selfish and uncaring.

"Back then… I ran because I couldn't bear the pain and grief Remus, maybe if I had stayed or at least decided to come back sooner…"

"What ifs will only cause you more grief Harry, and never do anything to fix the situation. I more or less can guess what pushed you to leave the way you did. I can't blame you for wanting to disappear… However I hope you have learnt something from this whole ordeal, you never take time to think things through Harry, and even though I have to admit most of the times that helped you a lot, when it comes to people you care for is always better to analyze the situation"

Harry nodded lightly, feeling his eyes still wet but the tears had stopped. Remus took a handkerchief and passed it to him. He dried his eyes and sighed deeply, no matter how much he would be reassured he knew the guilt would never go away. Remus didn't know how close he was to the truth with those words.

Never rush into conclusions…

"I understand now… But I'll never stop feeling sorry Remus, I caused you all so many problems, worried you and… And caused someone to get really hurt"

"Harry, please look at me, I don't want this thing to make us grow apart; you are like a son to me…"

Remus knew very well who he was talking about, after all Longbottom himself had told him about Draco's situation, he just didn't know about the real reason behind Draco's depressive state, why it was related to Harry. But Remus wouldn't push Harry, he would let him say whatever he wanted when he felt it was the time to. Harry slowly raised his face, his eyes were red, Remus smiled at him and embraced him again.

"I'm so happy to see you again, alive and ok…"

"I'll never stop saying I'm sorry Remus… I don't know what else to say"

"Having you back is enough for me…"

"Thank you…"

Everything had gone completely different at how Harry had expected, his plan said he would go back, enter the dungeons and get Snape to help with Draco, simple and quick. But things with him had never been simple, forget about quick. Remus, even tough he was extremely happy to see Harry again, was no fool, and knew Harry was not there to see him. Specially because of the fact that the young man had been standing right in front of none other than Severus Snape's office.

"Harry… You were about to knock on Severus' door weren't you?"

Harry nodded, knowing that now came the hard part, explaining his motives and starting feeling even worst than before, and he asked himself if that feeling would ever go away.

"That's right… I need to… talk with him"

Remus raised an eyebrow, there was nothing he could think about that Harry had to talk with the man who had brought so much problems in his life, at least that was the way he always saw the interaction between those two.

"There's… Someone… Who needs his help, and I'm here to do whatever it's needed to make him help"

Remus was really confused, who could that be that he didn't know about? Harry had been away for so long and contacting no one. Dumbledore had said just the necessary to let them all know he was ok, not mentioning places or people.

"Can I… Know who that person is?"

"Draco Malfoy"

The werewolf opened his eyes wide, that story he knew, and also knew Severus couldn't help. What he didn't understand was, why Harry wanted to help him so hard to the point of going to Severus for help. As far as he knew, Harry and Draco had hated each other from the very start, or at least that was at the start. Evidence said they had started to change their animosity towards each other a little at the end of the last year, and judging by Draco's status and Harry's reactions it was obvious hate wasn't all they felt.

But to this point? It makes no sense really and it still doesn't explain Malfoy's state

"Remus… I know this may be shocking for you, but the fact is… That I'm in love with him, I never had the courage to tell him and for that I may not get him back… Don't ask me when it happened, that was like four or five years ago, Pansy knew though, and told me to say something. I didn't and made the worst mistake of my life… I want to fix that mistake"

Remus nodded, he wouldn't judge Harry as he had no right to do so, since he was more or les in the same position Harry was. Had he been more straight-forward he may have protected Severus from the fate he had fallen into.

"But Harry… Severus can't help… I'm sorry"

"I know about his condition Remus, Pansy, Blaise and Neville explained it to me… However I believe in that git, and I know he can help him. I don't care if I have to humiliate myself to force him to do it. But he'll do it like it or not… That man, as far as I know, has never quitted, this won't be his first time… I won't let him"

Remus smiled, that was faith like he had never seen before.

"For a man you can't stand, he has really gotten to you, hasn't he Harry? But he is blind, and he needs his eyes to brew potions"

"Then I'll find someone capable enough to be his eyes… More than one even, if you don't oppose I would like you to be one of them"

Remus sighed and rested his hands over the dusty table, letting his head fall back.

"You know I would never say no… The problem here is not to find helpers, is to convince Severus to let them work with him"

"Then you have some points in your favour, as he has been letting you teach his classes… And I know he won't oppose to the other one, at least after enough persuasion. She's the most logical choice after all"

Remus raised his head and looked at him again with a raised eyebrow.

"She?"

"Hermione of course, I can't think of another one better fitted to this job. She's incredibly intelligent and knows how to follow directions perfectly, she understands procedures and is an expert when it comes to analyze a problem"

Remus couldn't help but think that Draco was one of the most fortunate men he had come to know. Not everyone would go to extremes such at these to help you. Harry would be humiliated, yelled at and surely slapped, hit with several hexes and who know what else; but he was ready to go through all that for him.

"Draco better accepts you back…"

"There would have to be something first to accept me back… I just hope he won't hate me again… Pansy said…"

He lowered his head once again and his voice became very sad.

"She told me he felt something for me, that it was the shock of 'knowing' I was dead what put him in the state he is now… I'll understand if he doesn't want anything to do with me anymore, but I at least hope he will want to be in better terms with me…"

Remus stayed silent, nodding at his words, but he suspected that Draco would accept him back. Yes, knowing the boy, once he were back to his normal self he would kick Harry, hit him, hex him, yell at him insult him and kick him again; but he would accept him back. If Pansy was right, a love as hard as that would survive even the worst of tests.

Merlin knows I've been there, and it worked out… Somehow

"Harry, the only thing I can tell you right now… Is that no matter what the future will bring to you, the best formula is to live the present the best way you can…"

Harry smiled and embraced Remus again.

"Now, I think there's someone who doesn't know he's expecting you… And since he's not ready I'll better go with you, Devil's advocate if you want…"

"I'll need more of a body guard than an advocate Remus, so please do cover my back, and if I don't make it, hide the evidence…"

Remus arched an eyebrow.

"At least till he can fix Draco, then you can bring the evidence back"

"Harry, haven't you ever tried to write detective stories?"

Remus said while cleaning his clothes.

"Not really, though, I may think about it"

He smiled devilish, which made Remus to smile just the same kind of smile.

"Come on, let's go…"

"Just let me prepare my will ok?"

Remus shook his head and then lifted the charms he had put before, opening the door and waiting for Harry to get outside. He promptly left the room and Remus closed the door behind them, they walked down the hall and once again were standing in front of Snape's door.

"Here goes nothing"

Harry took a deep breath and knocked twice on the door.

"Who is it?"

He suddenly felt scared upon hearing that deep voice, he was about to answer but Remus beat him at it.

"It's me Severus and someone who desires to talk with you"

Remus had to hide his smile when he heard the growl that came from inside.

"Come in"

Remus opened the door and let Harry go inside first; he entered the room after and closed the door, putting some locking spells and silencing ones as well. Severus raised an eyebrow at that, he couldn't see but that didn't mean he was deaf, in fact his hearing sense had gotten sharper.

"Who is there with you Lupin? That requires such protections?"

Harry swallowed and answered quickly.

"Good afternoon professor Snape"

Harry looked at the professor and then the rest of the room, Snape looked the same, except for the fact that he had his eyes closed and looked as if he hadn't got that much sleep, dark rings marking them, hadn't he been so creepy he may have been compared to a panda bear or a racoon. The room was as he always thought it looked like, dark; except that it also had a little style to it, there were some tinges of green but the main colour was black, a large leather couch was placed near a window and two arm chairs were next to the fire place, both also made of black leather. In front of the couch there was a rectangular coffee table with just some books over it, probably about potions or the like. There was just a faint smell of what he thought may be some potion but he couldn't identify what it was exactly, at the other side was a large desk, full with books, a small cauldron, some rolls of parchment and several vials some empty and others with various different colours. Behind the desk Snape had rows and rows of shelves full of books and some bottles with ingredients, all in all, just a potions master's office.

"Potter?"

Severus' voice revealed his surprise and of course his displeasure.

"Yes…"

Remus stood aside, he would only interfere if he sensed things were about to get nasty. Severus had turned his head towards the place he heard the voice and frowned, his arms were crossed over his chest, clearly an action of protection that Remus was sure Snape did unconsciously.

"This… What could possibly have brought you here?"

Harry didn't move from his spot next to the door, these were not his territories and would proceed with prudence.

"I'm in desperate need of your help professor…"

That admission gave Snape the upper hand and he now was a little more relaxed sitting on his chair, arms still over his chest but his stance revealed his knowledge of having power.

"And why you of all people, would want my help with anything?"

Harry maintained his submissive posture, knowing he would have to accept what ever the man said if he wanted to save Draco.

"Because you are the only one who can… The only one with the knowledge and abilities to do something"

"You are aware that you are the last person I would like to help right now, aren't you? Mr. Potter?"

Harry sighed, he knew that already, and he also knew Snape was just enjoying this way too much.

"I know… But it is not me whom I want you to help, is someone else"

Severus frowned, if it was some of those stupid friends of his he would definitely say no, he had already done much more than what he was asked to do in the past.

"I'm not helping any of your little friends Potter, so don't even bother… Now leave"

Harry had to count to ten before he calmed down, or he would end failing terribly.

"Professor, none of my friends are in problems… Though, I hope the one I need your help with will want to be my friend"

Severus head snapped so fast that the other two could hear his bones cracking. His now useless eyes clearly showing that he needed no further explanations and that the subject not only was a delicate one, it was also one that affected the man deeply.

"So you finally witnessed the result of your actions… I hope you're satisfied Potter, for that problem has no solution"

Those words hit very hard and hurt very deeply.

"I saw yes… And I'm neither satisfied nor proud… However, I do believe there is hope, I'm sure he can be helped"

Snape's voice lowered even more if that was possible, anger clearly laced in his words.

"It shows how much you know, close to nothing… I can't help him I need my vision to do what it needs to be done and as I'm sure you already know, the only one who can help with that is the one that needs my help… So please leave and never you dare to come back"

"Severus…"

"You too Lupin"

Remus frowned, he hated when Snape acted that way, he understood the anger and frustration, but he was not going to be the potions master's kicking bag.

"No Severus! You are being irrational, he's here because he has faith… At least hear him out"

Snape's knuckles where white for the strength he was clenching his fists with.

"You're the one being irrational Lupin! You and him, Draco can not be saved! And I don't want the one responsible for my godson's misery, to stand in my office telling me I have to do something! I lost the last of my family because of him and now he thinks he can order me around?!"

"You seemed to have forgotten something professor…"

Harry's knuckles were very similar to Snape's, and he was trembling with anger too.

"You at least have a chance to get you family back! Remus really lost everything! And so did I! So now tell me who the wrong one in here is!"

And he suddenly remembered that he was supposed to let the other humiliate him and say what ever he wanted, but he was Harry and he once again witnessed how things never moved the way he wanted.

"Don't you dare! I already paid for those crimes Potter! As it is I'm still paying for them!"

"STOP! Both of you!"

Harry deducted that full moon would probably be soon, that or they had angered Remus so much he had started to change on his own free will. He decided he preferred the first option, those yellow eyes and pointy teeth didn't look safe at all. Severus seemed to think along the same lines, since he fell silent as well, even though he couldn't see the werewolf, but if they had been working together for so long, they knew each other well enough.

"Now, Harry you must understand how hard all this is for Severus, we all lost loved ones during the war… Severus, the same goes for you…"

He said quickly when he felt the other one actually starting to get all smug because Remus was about to go against Harry. He may be all stern and dark and serious, but he was a man after all, and it was proved that men never really matured.

"Harry… Severus not only lost friends and family, he also lost his eyes… Tell me, how would you feel if you suddenly found yourself unable to do what you do best because of a physical injury?"

Harry's shoulders fell a little.

"Severus… There is only so much you know about this whole ordeal, you only knew about Malfoy's situation when it was already very advanced… Harry never knew about it, he left thinking Malfoy was dead…"

Severus sighed in defeat, it was not so difficult to guess what had happened more or less. Harry on the other side felt guilty for feeling relieved that Snape couldn't see, at least he wouldn't see his blush.

"Lupin… It doesn't matter anyway, there's nothing I can do… You know that"

Before Remus could answer Harry started talking.

"There's a chance"

His voice was determined and Snape noticed it, and even if he wouldn't admit it no matter the torture, it made him feel better, it gave him a sense of hope.

"If you can't see, then I'll find the best pair of eyes I can find to be your eyes to work with"

That didn't look good for Snape, there was only one person he trusted to work with the most difficult potions, and that was Draco.

"There's no one good enough Potter, these potions are not children games… They are dangerous during the making and need expert eyes and hands"

Harry smiled and knew Snape would know he was smiling, as he soon was proven.

"I refuse to work with whomever you're thinking of Potter"

"Not even Remus? You have been working with him lately… And I know you can't deny Hermione's ability…"

Snape stood up making his chair fell over the floor.

"I refuse to let that girl get near my potions! Even less getting near me!"

Harry sighed again, he knew this was going to happen; at least the man didn't downright refuse to work with Remus. And now he had to start proving to Snape that Hermione was the most logical option.

"Professor, Remus has had the experience already working with you and that's why I suggested him, but Hermione, even though she has never worked with you, knows how to follow directions perfectly and her results in your classes were always perfect… At least admit that"

"I won't admit such a thing"

Remus smiled, he knew the man better than most, and he knew he had not outright refused to the girl this time.

"At least think about it, this is not about you or me, this is about Draco… I'm here because of him, because I believe with all mi heart that you're the only one with the knowledge to help him… He's so immersed in his fantasy that he won't let any one unknown or not trusted to get near him, if you ask him he'll let Madame Pomfrey get a look at him"

"Harry, do you think there is something else?"

Remus had suspected that, what had happened to Draco had shocked everyone, the boy had always been strong willed and if the feelings he had were as strong as Pansy had said they were, then Draco wouldn't have let all those stories get to him so hard. Draco would have tried to look for him, to at least see a body, so he could get some closure. Harry had known the boy for so long he also though the same, Draco never let things just like that, he looked for proves. He always looked for something that proved he was right about Harry when he wanted to annoy him, if he went so far for something like that then the fact that he didn't look for Harry after the war, that he didn't search for proves that he was alive or dead was illogical.

"Yes… If there's something I know about him is that he wouldn't stay put until he got all the facts. And there was nothing, not evidence of my whereabouts or a body to bury… So I think he was forcibly led to the state his now…"

"You're not as stupid as you appear to be Potter…"

"I'll take that as a compliment"

Harry said with a smirk Snape couldn't see.

"So please help me professor… I'm…"

He lowered his head, this was difficult, but he knew it would help.

"I'm ready to do whatever you want"

"Even if I ask you to leave Draco alone? To never get near to him and leave the country?""

Harry's eyes got wide and his fists clenched.

"Even that… Whatever it takes for him to be back to what he used to be"

Snape hummed and Remus stood nervous, because he knew Snape was capable of asking just that and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Because Harry wouldn't let him get in the middle, because it was for Draco and he would do anything for him.

"Very well then… I'll help you, but once Draco is recovered I'll tell you what you'll have to do"

"Severus…"

Remus knew, but he still would try, it was unfair, Harry loved the Slytherin and leaving would destroy him, what was worse if Draco also loved Harry the way he though he did, then there would be two people deeply hurt.

"No Lupin, this is between Potter and I, I will not let him be more of a danger to Draco as he already has been…"

"It's alright Remus… This time I'm doing not what others expect from me, but what I expect of myself… I did say no matter what"

Remus nodded still worried at the outcome of this whole ordeal, Snape had finally found a target for his anger at Draco's and his own destiny. And Harry was way to ready to take the place the man was putting him into.

"What about Malfoy? Does it matter what he wants at all?"

"I don't think he'll be sane enough to think on his right mind Lupin, and so I will decide what is best for him till he can"

Harry stayed silent, even tough he would say as Snape decided he wouldn't deny Draco whatever he wanted, and Snape would have to deal with that.

"And when he does? Will you be the one to tell him Harry's not here because you pushed him away? Because it was the condition you put to accept his proposal to help him?"

"I'll see to it when the time comes Lupin… These are my conditions, I will not see how Draco is hurt once again by this poor excuse of a man… Now if you are finished I need to get some things prepared to start with this"

Snape stood up and walked away, as if he had his both eyes with a 20/20 vision range. Obviously he never moved anything in this room, since he went through it without a problem. He went towards the coffee table, touching the back of the books and finally taking the one he wanted.

"What are you still doing here? Lupin, go to my personal lab and get things ready… Potter, go to wherever you need to go and just come back when everything is ready. I don't want to deal with you more than I already have"

Remus looked at Harry sadly but said nothing, Harry just smiled, his lips not really reaching his ears.

"Well then, bye Remus I'll contact you as soon as I get Hermione… Good afternoon professor"

He bowed, even though Snape couldn't see him and left.

TBC

Ok, this is the longest chapter I've posted till now, I really hope you liked it too and I'll update as soon as I can. I don't like pressing my fics, that'd only end in bad fics.

Freddie

Well, I'm sorry to tell you that it actually was my intention to make him a cry-baby, however, from now on there would be less cry and more action. Why so many tears, well tears caused by a strong emotion such as grief, sadness and anger are charged with natural sedatives, you cry because you need to calm down. That's just the way hormones works, you need them they act :p. But don't worry, Harry has already shed enough tears and now is time for him to be more aggressive, since he needs to convince Hermione to work with Snape XD And then fight with Ron because of the same thing, among others.

Anyway, I hope you don't feel deterred by this last bit of shedding tears, and keep going.