Life had to move on no matter how painful, and a week after the memorial Harry returned to school, still not sure. He was still barely speaking, and for now he would live with his Uncle, he was not ready for the dorms. He and Draco had been excused from their work while away, but Harry had needed a distraction, and both boys did it. Remus was worried about his nephew returning to class, of course all the kids knew how Sirius died, and there would be a lot of talk around. Albus promised he had spoken to the school, and even without it, most kids would back off and even if they did not, Harry would have Draco and his other friends, for support.

They returned on Friday morning, but the boys would not be expected in class till the following week, time to settle back in. It was breakfast time, so the kids were in the hall, so Harry did not have to face any of them. He spent the weekend with his Uncles, Lucius came days, Draco and Severus, mainly doing work, talking little.

Remus kissed his nephew Monday morning."I am happy for you to return to class, if you are sure you're ready."

Harry was pale but he nodded. "Dad would have wanted me to be strong."

Holding Harry, Remus once again reminded him that even aurors and marauders were scared, his dad knew fear. His dad would have only been upset because he hated seeing his son in pain, and knowing he was the source of it. Harry had reminded him of when he had the pox, Sirius had actually allowed Remus to have him for a week, claiming he had never had them. Remus had known it was a lie, but knew he could offer Harry better care, Sirius could not stand to see his four year old so sick.

Draco appeared in the door."Are you ready for class Harry? We have potions at least this morning."

Harry shared one last look with his Uncle and nodded. "I am."

The school had been enjoying a break from Severus, he was not as strict as Minerva, but he could still be tough on the kids in his class. Remus and Severus had not had subs, there had been home work left for their classes, so it had been over three weeks. Harry could not believe it had been nearly a month since the game, the last happy moment for him before his world came down around him. Even that memory was marred, from his dad not being there, being on the mission that killed him.

Harry saw the eyes on him, and he heard some whispering, suddenly wishing his Uncle lived in the dungeons. Draco held his hand though, and he knew his boyfriend well enough, that he squeezed his hand when he knew Harry needed his support. Harry was not sure he would have even made it to the class without him.

Blaise was waiting for them and Harry worried he would try to hard, but he didn't. "good, I have my partners back. I didn't do too hot on the homework."

Draco shot him a relieved look."Well we had Professor Snape in person, and we have been missing our slug chopper."

As Harry sunk down into his stool, Draco mouthed a thank you to their friend, but Blaise shook his head. He had been friends with the two of them since he could talk, and Blaise cared about Harry as well. He knew Harry didn't need any more of the talk, or the sympathy either, he needed his friends to help him survive this. Harry was a strong person, but in many ways because he took that strength from his loved ones, and he was not asking for pity.

Severus came into the room and put the potion on the board, happy to see Harry had come, like Remus he was not certain that Harry would. He knew it was good for him to be back, though Severus found himself having to talk to a few of the others, mainly lions. Slytherin seemed to have enough respect to be quiet, around Harry, about it.

Ron cornered Harry after class when heading for lunch. "You are such a cri baby, needed Snivellus to fight for you. Dad probably could not live with the shame........."

He was cut off when he was floored by a jelly legs curse by Draco. "Don't even, you little weasel."

The scene caused enough of a stir, Minerva had appeared from the hall, and found Ron on the floor. Ron of course claimed he had been attacked unprovoked, but even the lions who were there, told her what he had said. Minerva was very strict and of course could not condone it, but she had been close to the marauders and Lily, and cared deeply for their son. She could not believe even Ron, who she was constantly seeing detentions for, would say something so cruel.

Minerva looked at Draco. "You will spend the evening with Professor Lupin. I am sure he can find something for you to do to be useful."

Ron was helped up, as the charm had been removed. "That is not fair, he is like Draco's Uncle. They will play chess or something."

Minerva reminded him the detentions were up to a professor to choose, and for his mouth, he would spend the evening with Snape. Draco knew Ron was right, Remus would likely have him do homework, but Ron was looking at a night of cauldrons. Draco thought he was lucky, he deserved more.

Harry shook his worry off when he asked if he wanted to head home. "No. We should have lunch before charms."

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The first few days were hard with the talk, but talk died down, and Harry was settling back into school. He remained with his Uncle, and for the first few weeks he refused to join his team for practice, but the last practice before Christmas, he did. Harry likely had the hardest time with that, because of the link to the day his dad was shot, but he needed to be back on a broom. He did not have another game till March, and his team was more than understanding, but he needed to return for himself.

Harry headed down for the pitch bright and early, it was a Hogsmeade weekend and the team did not want to miss it, but needed practice as well. Harry could see his team was relieved to see him, not because he was their key for a win, but because they had been worried about him.

Their captain clapped him on the back. "We missed you around here. No one to keep us on our toes, well not till today."

One of the beaters piped in."We decided to share pitch timewith the lions, due to town, and have a scrimmage. It should be good practice for a game."

Usually only one team would have the pitch, but they had permission from Hooch to share, so they could have a proper practice. In the past it wasn't done, concerns the two teams could not share, and there was no ref to keep an eye on them. Considering everything, Hooch decided it was not a bad idea, but told the captains if there were any problems, both would spend every night for two weeks, cleaning bathrooms wit Filch.

Fred spotted Harry when they had come out onto the pitch. "And here I thought we would win for sure, even if not an actual game and all."

Harry smiled a bit at that."Not much of a win if you defeat us with out a seeker. But I assume you lions have to take wins where you can find them."

Seeing some of his humour back for the first time in too long, Draco knew quidditch had been a good idea, and this as well. He and the twins thought an actual game would pump Harry up more, and had spoken to both heads of house, who helped the captains convince Hooch. Oliver was usually all about other teams and spies, but they two teams had already played for the year, and he thought it would be good for the team. He also liked Harry, he was a good player, and friendly off the pitch too.

Harry looked at his broom for a moment, a gift from his dad. He whispered to himself though."He would want you to fly and have fun with them."

The seeker for the other team called. "You know it will be much easier for me to win if you don't mount your broom at least."

With that Harry climbed on his broom, and knowing that he needed this, and when he hit the air, he felt better than he had in a long time. As the other players scrimmaged, he and the lion seeker spent the time chasing after the practice snitch. Harry was beat one time out of ten, the rest of the lions could hold their own, but there was no doubt Harry could fly circles around their seeker. As they headed for showers, Harry was smiling, and for a morning he felt normal.

George came over after showers."Oliver thought we should all have a drinking town, since we made it through practice in one piece."

Draco was not sure as Harry had refused to even talk about town before, but Harry nodded. "I think that is cause for a butter beer."

Filch would only have Ron to help with toilets, as no blood had been shed in practice, and now the two teams headed for town as one. Ron had been a prat, and had received detentions from every professor, and two howlers from his mother. He had beaten the records set by the twins, which no one thought was possible, and the worst was, he did not seem to learn a lesson. He had not even had a response from Harry, though Draco and the twins had all pranked him good.

They were having their butter beers and chatting in the Three Broomsticks, and Harry noticed his Uncle and Severus come in. The two men saw him, and he could see they were happy he had been convinced to come, and that practice went well too.

Blaise was happy to see them in town when they left the others. "I was hoping you would be here some where. Save me."

Pansy stuck her nose up."Like Hermione and I really wanted your company shopping. We were just being polite."

The two girls headed off, Harry surprised to learn Hermione was spending the holidays with the Parkinsons, who were not travelling for once. Harry knew she won their approval last year, the couple supporting their daughter's choice fully, but this was another step for them. The three boys shopped for gifts, and back in the school, Harry found his Uncle home from lunch, and told him all about practice and town as well.

Remus was relieved his nephew had a good time at both. "I won't insist, but maybe after the break, you might consider moving back to the dorms."

Harry knew his Uncle would not force him."I will consider it, but after the holidays."

The two of them would not be at school this year, not like the past two, they were to spend it at Malfoy manor. Severus had been invited and had accepted, or they would have considered the home on the coast, or school. Severus was fine at the manor before, there were good memories there, and he was okay with coming.

Remus let out a sigh of relief when his nephew was in his room."I hope some of his good cheer can carry him through the holidays."

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They ended up on the coast after all, not at Remus' in Scotland though, but a Malfoy home down in Kent. They had wanted to be aw from the school, but thought the manor might remind Harry of the funeral for now, and chose another home instead. Neither boy complained, they had been to the home as kids, and Harry was relieved to not head for the manor. In the summer he would be ready to see it again, but right now he wasn't, and home was definitely out as well.

Harry had been doing better, but they knew it would be rough, it was Harry's first holidays without his dad. Just like Severus had good memories of his mother and the holidays, Harry's dad had always taken the time off, and been home with him. Harry surprised them, he was holding it together well, and not because he was bottling it up.

Severus handed Remus a gift on Christmas morning. "I think Harry is not the only one in need of some smiles right now."

Remus looked down at the box. "You did not have to give me anything."

Harry and Remus had a lot in common, both were very humble, and not big on being spoiled either. Harry had a lot of money, but he had never been one for big gifts, and much of that was Remus' influence. Severus reminded Remus he had been so amazing, taking care of Harry through all of this, and he deserved to smile as well.

Remus reluctantly opened it and found a beautiful pendant, a coin with all three true marauders on it. "It is beautiful."

Severus showed it was a locket and showed the photos. "I have given Harry the same. I thought a happy memory."

Sure enough Harry had one as well, and both had the same photos, Harry with Sirius as a baby on one side, and Harry as a teen with Remus on the other. The lockets meant a lot to them both, and Lucius was touched by the album from Severus. His had photos from when they were kids, and through the years as well.

Draco looked down at the cool new puzzles book from him. "I feel left out, I am the only one who did not have a tear jerker gift from you."

Severus laughed. "I could tell you what you earned on your last exam, and it might bring tears."

The room filled with laughter, the boys were two of his best students, and h had been lightening up the mood. Harry still missed his dad lot, and he and Remus talked later that night, but Harry allowed himself to smile, and have some fun.

Harry looked to Remus before bed. "I think I am ready to move back to the dorms when we return."

Remus held his nephew. "You know the room is always yours when you need it, but I am happy if you are ready."

Harry was slowly on the mend, there would always be times when he missed his dad like birthdays and his wedding, but he could start to heal at least. It was slow, and Harry still needed time, but Remus was relieved Harry was ready for another step. It would be good for him to be back in the dorms.