AN: Not mine – But Goddess do I love playing with them…..

"So, I think I'm gonna stay the night there and then tomorrow when I come back, we can talk. If that's okay that is." Harry was suddenly nervous about dictating the situation to Severus.

"Harry, you are free to come and go as you like. You do not need my permission. But I do ask that you be careful and at least let someone know where you are headed when you go. If Greyback is going to continue to hunt for you then you have to be careful."

"Severus, I understand and I cannot say I'm sorry and more than I already have. I just wanted to get some fresh air. I really didn't plan on taking such a long walk."

"Harry, you were gone for three hours!" Severus began.

He was interrupted by Draco walking into the room, "Uncle Severus," he said in a calming voice, "We've been through this and Harry said we could talk about it tomorrow when he returns. He needs to leave or he'll be late arriving and you know how Molly will worry."

Severus looked between the boys and nodded.

Harry walked from the room and headed toward the study to floo to the Burrow. Draco followed and said, "He's just worried Harry. He doesn't want anything to happen to you."

"I know, but seriously, how many more times can I say sorry?"

Draco walked to Harry and hugged him, "Just be careful over there. I've gotten used to having you around here to bug me."

Harry chuckled, "Draco, I'm only going to be gone one day."

"Not if you don't leave now."

Draco watched as Harry threw a handful of floo powder into the fireplace and said, "The Burrow" as he walked into the fire and disappeared.

"Welcome home Harry," Molly said as she helped him up from the floor.

"Why can't I learn how to exit the bloody floo without falling?" Harry said as he brushed his robes off.

Molly dragged him into a rib breaking hug and laughed, "Then you wouldn't be my Harry. Now the boys are outside degnoming the garden so we can have dinner out there and Hermione is upstairs working on getting a room set up for you."

"I'll go and help but you know I can just stay with Ron."

"Not unless you like sharing with Hermione also, and that's something I don't want to know about."

"Me either," Harry said as he headed up the stairs to the first floor landing where he could hear banging and muttering. He opened the door of Bill's old room to find Hermione struggling to get a cushy arm chair to fit in the confined space that was already occupied with a king sized bed, large dresser and bedside table.

"You know I don't need the chair. The bed's fine to sit on." Harry said laughing.

Hermione jumped and turned as she banished the chair to another room and ran to Harry's side hugging him tight. "Harry, when did you get here?"

"Just now. Molly gave me the choice of degnoming or helping you. I figured since it's my room you're working on, I should help you."

"Well, I just wanted to make sure you were as comfortable here as at the Manor. I could shrink the bed if you want the chair?"

Harry released Hermione from the hug and smiled, "Bed's fine. So, when did you and Ron start sharing beds?"

Hermione blushed and smiled, "Just after the battle. We decided it was bloody stupid to wait any longer. Molly's been very understanding but still makes it a point to talk about birth control whenever she gets the chance."

The pair climbed onto the bed and settled in as they continued their chat.

"So, Ron said you think there's something going on between Malfoy and Snape. I guess I can see that, I mean, it's not like Snape would have many to choose from."

"Yeah, about that, I was wrong. We discovered that last night. Although they are both under the impression that Ron has a thing for me." Harry explained laughing.

"Who wouldn't mate? You're tall, built, funny, strong," Ron began as he seductively walked toward the bed, batting his eyelashes and removing his shirt to reveal his toned torso, "I mean seriously, you saved the world as we know it. Of course I want you."

Ron climbed onto the bed and crawled toward Harry, who was slowly moving backwards until he reached the edge of the bed. He was blushing furiously and looking to Hermione for help.

Hermione was trying not to laugh as she watched her boyfriend stalk across the expansive bed, "Sorry Harry, when he gets like this it's best just to let him go."

Ron reached up and caressed Harry's reddened cheek and smiled softly, "I've always wondered if your skin would be as soft as it looks."

Harry tried to back up more and fell off the bed. As he scrambled to his feet, he heard his friends laughing hysterically and saw them rolling on the bed, "That wasn't funny," he said in a huff.

Ron hiccupped through his laughter and said, "Yes it was, mate. I mean I love you but I don't love you. Hermione's the only one who gets that honour. You should have seen your face. That was bloody great."

The Twins walked in, having heard the noise, and said, "Ron, where's your shirt and why does Harry look like he's gonna hex you?"

Hermione sat up and looked at Harry and then at the Twins, "Your brother decided to play a little joke on Harry and had him believing he wanted to take Harry right here in front of me."

The Twins looked at Ron's smiling face and Harry's red face and said, "Why didn't you wait for us?"

"Lunch is ready," Molly called up, saving Harry from having to fend off not one Weasley but all three.

The group tromped down the stairs and into the kitchen taking seats around the food filled table. Harry made sure to sit on the opposite side from Ron and began to regret it when the Twins took up positions on either side of him.

"Ya know Harry," Fred whispered in his ear, "Ron may not think of you that way…"

"But we couldn't agree with his assessment of you any better," George finished in his other ear.

Harry shivered between the two and blushed brighter than ever. "Um, well, thanks I guess," he answered. Then thinking quickly, he added, "But how could I choose between you two? Now if you're both offering…then we can talk later."

The Twins sat back stunned by what they had heard and realised teasing Harry wasn't going to be as easy as it had always been.

"Touché," they both said.

The afternoon flew by with Harry, Ron and Hermione working to get the garden set up for dinner and watching the Twins compete to see who can throw the gnomes the farthest.

"Fred always wins," Ron told him as they finished positioning the tables. "I'm sorry about earlier. I just couldn't resist the chance to get you."

"That's okay mate. I was just surprised." Harry looked at Ron and added, "You and Hermione, you're exclusive right?"

"Yeah mate. No interest in anyone else. Why?"

"Well, what you said…was just a little too realistic and it made me wonder if you were bi?"

Ron smiled, "Yeah, I am but no worries. I'm totally happy with Hermione."

When dinner was ready, Harry didn't take any chances and sat by Ron this time. He didn't want to upset Molly by hexing the Twins at the table for inappropriate conduct.

Harry was enjoying the evening with his family and all the nonsense chattering when he noticed someone out beyond the garden in the tree line watching them. He nudged Ron under the table and tipped his head toward the watching shadow.

Ron whispered, "Can you tell who it is?"

Harry shook his head and said, "Excuse me a moment." He got up and headed through the house and out the back door. He waited a moment for his eyes to adjust and noticed the shadow was still there watching. Their attention was still on the dinner gathering and not him, so he quickly ran to the tree line and, staying in the darkest shadows, made his way toward the figure.

As Harry slipped up behind the figure he realised who it was and drawing his wand asked, "Percy why are you hiding out here?"

Percy turned around and saw Harry, he put his hands out showing he was unarmed and said, "I didn't want to interrupt anything but I needed to talk to you about something."

"Percy, we have nothing to talk about. You should leave if you do not want everyone to know you're here." Harry began to walk away saying, "Besides, what could you possibly need to talk to me about? "

"Greyback."

That simple word stopped Harry in his tracks. He spun around and walked back to face the hated Weasley, "What about him?"

"I have some information about him that I thought you might want," Percy said suddenly getting cocky; "I would assume you plan on going after him to avenge Sirius' death. Or am I wrong?"

"What could you possibly know that would be helpful to anyone? It's not like he registers his movements with the Ministry."

Percy chuckled, "You have a point but I still have ways of finding out and I know where he will be in two days time."

Harry was more than curious now but knew he couldn't show too much interest, "Well, I don't have all night."

Percy handed him a slip of parchment and said, "Read this tonight when you are alone and be careful. If I hear anything else I'll get a message to you here."

"I'm only here tonight, I'm not staying here."

"Where should I reach you?"

"Just charm a parchment to come to my magical signature and it will find me. If this information is good, I may not be at home when you try to reach me again."

Percy apparated and Harry tucked the parchment into his pocket as he headed back to the house.

Ron found him as he was coming in the back door, "Who was it?"

"Percy, he wanted to talk to me."

"About what?"

"Nothing big. Is dinner done?"

"Yeah, Mum sent me to see if you were okay. What should I tell her?"

"Tell her I was tired and went to bed. I'll talk to you and Hermione later."

"You okay Harry?" Ron asked concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine. No worries mate." Harry walked upstairs and into his room and cast a locking charm on the door. He pulled the parchment out of his pocket and opened it. An address appeared and Harry knew that he had to take the chance and see if the information was real.

His preparation was interrupted by a knock on his door, "Yeah, just a minute." He hid the bag he'd been packing and shoved the paper into his pocket and unlocked the door.

Ron walked in and closed the door, "Hermione's down stairs with Mum. They're talking about you as a matter of fact. Mum thinks you're acting weird and that you're being sneaky."

"I am being sneaky. Listen, I'm only gonna tell you this because I promised Severus I'd let someone know where I'm going when I go somewhere on my own. Percy gave me an address where he thinks Greyback's gonna be and I'm gonna go scout the area."

"What! You can't be that stupid mate. What exactly do you think you're gonna do? Capture him? Kill him? You can't do this on your own."

"I can and I will. That's actually where I'm going right now. You go back to Hermione and I'll see you guys in the morning."

"Harry, you can't possibly think I would let you leave here alone? I'm going with you."

"Ron, I can't let you do that. I can't be responsible for something happening to you if this information is wrong or a trap. Besides, I need someone here to know where I went." Harry handed a parchment scrap to Ron and continued as he grabbed his bag and headed to the window, "That parchment has the address of where I'm going, if I'm not back by morning, floo Severus and let him know where I went and why. I'm just going to see what the neighbourhood is like. Percy said Greyback is planning something for this area in two days and if I have a chance to get him then, I want to be prepared to take it. I'll see you in the morning for breakfast." Harry slipped out the window before Ron could argue further.

Ron looked at the address as he walked up to his room and wondered if he should tell anyone about it now or wait like Harry wanted. He walked in to find Hermione sitting by the window reading and stopped for a moment to admire the beauty in front of him. He smiled as she twirled a strand of hair around her fingers, a habit she had that he had come to love; she looked up when she sensed his stare.

"Something wrong love?"

Ron hesitated briefly before handing her the parchment and casting a silencing charm on the room. He knew Hermione would explode and didn't want everyone to be awakened.

"He went here didn't he?!"

Ron's face grew red as he tried to hold his temper. He wanted to remind his wild beauty that Harry was a man and could handle protect himself very easily but he didn't want her temper targeting him. He simply replied, "He left a little while ago and said he'd be back by morning. If not, I'm to let someone know where he went. He doesn't want us tagging along as he's just looking around."

Hermione took a long deep breath and reined her temper in as she realized Ron isn't who should be feeling her wrath, "I'm sorry I yelled at you darling. I just don't understand how you could let him leave here without us."

Ron smiled and drew Hermione into his embrace, "Do you really think I would let him go without knowing where he was going? I cast a locater charm on him as he left. We can trace him on any map. I know you're worried about him, but he really can take care of himself."

Hermione wrapper her arms around Ron's waist and rested her head on his chest, "I know he can but I worry."

Ron chuckled and tipped her chin up so he could place a gentle kiss on her pouting lips, "And you know how much he appreciates that but I think he's got something on his mind that he wants to do or see about and doesn't want us involved yet. He'll bring us in when he wants to."

"You're right. Let's go to bed and hope he's back in the morning."

Ron was stunned that Hermione had given in so quickly to backing off Harry. She never relented without a fight and he doubted she was really ready to give in. While she was in the loo, he placed a locking charm on the window and door so she couldn't leave without him knowing and then left the map on the table. If she really wanted to follow Harry, she could do it on paper.

Harry slipped through the forest behind The Burrow until he cleared the wards and then apparated to the town of Little Hangleton and walked to the address he'd left with Ron. He knew the area well enough given his previous interactions with Voldemort. Thankfully, he didn't have to go anywhere near the graveyard or the Gaunt house; he wasn't quite ready to face that yet.

He stuck to the shadows and hid behind an old shed as he watched the area for Greyback to arrive. He didn't have to wait long. Greyback and two others came into the clearing behind the house and walked up to someone Harry didn't recognise. The woman didn't appear to be afraid of the wolves and seemed to know them. She handed the imposing figure a bag, then turned to leave. His companions began to retreat into the forest and as Greyback made to follow, Harry raised his wand and prepared to end the man. As he stood, however, he stepped on a tree branch, snapping it and drawing the attention of the werewolf.

Greyback spun around and looked directly where Harry was standing. Though Harry was concealed, his pulse increased and he began to sweat. He began to back away as Greyback slowly came toward him sniffing the air.

Just as Greyback got close enough for Harry to fear for his safety, a noise on the other side of the lawn drew his attention and he walked away from a very relieved boy.

Harry quickly left the area and apparated back to the Burrow. He snuck back into the house and fell into his bed. He was thrilled that Percy's information had panned out but disappointed that he had hesitated when he had the chance to take the killer out. He drifted off into a deep, dreamless sleep while he thought about his next move.

Harry awoke to a very angry red face with matching hair about an inch from his own. His glasses were unceremoniously shoved on his face and he was instructed to, "Get your arse out of bed and downstairs now. Mum's made breakfast and you are required to be there. Hermione will be talking to you after breakfast so prepare yourself. I'm not covering for you again. She wouldn't leave me alone last night until I told her what was going on, so I won't do that again."

Harry sat up as Ron left the room in a huff and slammed the door. He knew he'd put his friend in a spot when he'd given him the information, but Ron was the only one likely to understand and he did think it was good that someone knew where he'd gone. He felt guilty though about making the night hard between Ron and Hermione.

Harry walked into the kitchen to find the Weasley clan crowded around the kitchen table and all talking ceased when he entered. Molly walked over and hugged him hard and welcomed him, "Good morning love. Come, tuck in and have some breakfast."

Harry sat between the Twins, not wanting to get near Hermione given the angry look on her face. George leaned over and whispered, "What did you do mate? I've not seen that look on her face since the last time I pranked Ron and he ended up with polka dots on his willy."

Harry choked briefly on his tea and laughed, "Polka dots?" he answered.

Fred leaned in, "Yep, pink, yellow, green and purple polka dots. On his willy, bum, and each nipple. It was quite funny. Took a week for them go away too. Hermione was livid because the git wouldn't tell her what was wrong but wouldn't undress in front of her either."

George added, "And let me tell you, we felt those stinging hexes for a very long time when she did find out."

Harry was not looking forward to the conversation he was going to be having as breakfast ended, but knew he couldn't avoid it. Hermione was always worried when he did something she thought was stupid and he always had to find a way to make it up to her. This would be no different.

"Harry, Draco flooed and asked that you come home. He didn't say anything was wrong but asked that I have you floo home after breakfast." Molly said as Harry handed her the last of the dishes from the table.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief at the reprieve he had just been given. He smiled and kissed Molly on the cheek wishing her a lovely afternoon and headed to his room to get his stuff. Hermione was waiting on his bed and smiling in a way that made him uncomfortable. "Hermione, I know you wanted to talk to me about last night but I have to head back to the Manor now, so can we just talk later?"

Hermione stood and handed Harry his fully packed overnight bag and walked out of the room saying, "Have a nice afternoon Harry." It was never good when Hermione had a smirk on her face and he didn't think this time would be any different.