"Hello?" Harry called as he walked through the apparently empty house. "Oi! Where is everyone?"

Harry jumped when Dobby popped up next to him, "Mister Harry Potter sir, Dobby is to be telling you to finding Mister Draco Malfoy in the Library. Mister Draco Malfoy is telling Dobby to finding you right away Mister Harry Potter sir."

Harry smiled at the bowing elf and said, "I'll head up there right now. Thank you Dobby."

"Should Dobby be taking your bag Mister Harry Potter sir?"

Harry looked at his overnight bag and thought for a moment, "Uh, yea Dobby, thanks. Just put it on my bed please."

Dobby smiled an apparated as Harry walked up the stairs to the Library. He'd only been in the Manor a little over a week and the Library was one of the few rooms he knew.

The fire was roaring as he walked in and he could see the shadow of someone sitting in the wing-backed chair in front of it. "Severus, I'm back. Molly said Draco asked me to come back right away, is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine Potter, why wouldn't it be?" a very un-Severus voice answered. "It's not as though you did anything seriously stupid while you were away, right? I mean it's not as though you went traipsing off in the middle of the night to who knows where, and oh I don't know, say followed a seriously psychopathic werewolf into an innocent village. It's not like you did anything that could have gotten you killed," Draco finally stood and turned to face a blushing Harry, "now did you Potter?"

"And I'm Potter now again, why?" Harry asked trying to distract Draco from the real point.

"Don't you dare try to change the subject now!" Draco said seething with anger. "You have some nerve doing what you did. You promised Severus. You promised you'd be careful. And were you careful?"

Harry opened his mouth to answer the obviously rhetorical question, and closed it just as quick as Draco continued on his rant.

"No you were not careful. You took some sketchy information from an arse who's, at best, trying to get back in good with his family and at worst, working for the wrong side, and ran blindly into what very well could have been a trap." Draco wasn't yelling, but his intensity and pacing was starting to make Harry very nervous.

"Did you take a single second to think about how everyone would have felt if something had happened to you? I'll tell you…NO you didn't. You ran head long into the dark and didn't think about the consequences. You followed the Gryffindor in you instead of the Slytherin and did something so infinitely stupid that there aren't words to explain it."

Harry waited to see if Draco was really done or just catching his breath before he said, "Were you worried about me?"

"WORRIED?!" Draco finally blasted, the fire flaring with the magic that suddenly filled the room. "Why in the bloody hell would I be worried. Just because I promised Uncle Severus that you wouldn't do exactly what you did. Because I took up for you and told him there was no way you would go off and do the damn fool thing you did."

Draco walked right up to Harry and stood, barely an inch from his face and quietly said, "You're just lucky he didn't scent you or you'd be dead now and I'd be having this conversation with your tomb."

Harry didn't move until he heard Draco's door slam shut and he knew Draco was right. Scenting him was exactly what was happening when Greyback got distracted.

"Why is my Godson slamming doors Harry?"

Harry answered quietly, reverting to his intimidated student voice, "Sorry sir, we had an argument. I'll go and talk to him and apologize."

"Harry, if you need to discuss anything with me, please know I'm available day or night."

"Thank you sir," Harry said as he left the room.

Draco stood in his room in front of the floo, pacing as he tried to calm down. It wasn't that Harry had gone after Greyback that so infuriated him, he would have done the same. It was the fact that he had gone alone, without checking the information or area first.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on his door, "Draco, can I come in?"

Draco turned and glared at the door.

"Please Draco, let me in."

Draco flicked his wrist and the door opened. When Harry entered, Draco closed the door again and threw up a silencing and locking charm so they could finish their 'discussion' without interruption.

"Draco, I'm sorry I worried you. It wasn't my intention to worry anyone. I even told Ron where I'd gone so someone would know."

"Harry it's not about someone knowing where you'd gone. It's about the recklessness."

Harry looked at Draco in that moment and realised Draco shouldn't have even known about his little fieldtrip, "Hey wait, how in the hell did you even find out? Did Ron tell you?"

"No, the ginger git didn't. He should have but he didn't. Hermione told me. She flooed me shortly after she found out and told me what was going on. I thought about getting Severus but she convinced me to wait until morning to see if you came back. When you did, she let me know."

Harry watched as Draco calmed and finally sat in his favourite chair by the window, then he went and sat next to the boy. "Draco, I'm sorry you worried but I had no intention of anyone knowing. My plan was to check out the area and see where Greyback would be then go back when he was there and kill him."

Harry sighed and leaned forward putting his head in his hands, the adrenaline that had been fueling him since the previous night having finally left him, and the reality of the situation set in. "He showed up while I was checking out the area. He wasn't supposed to be there yet. Percy said it'd be two days before he was there but I wasn't surprised when he showed up."

"Harry, don't do it again."

"I can't promise that Draco."

"Why?"

"Because I…I just can't."

Draco took in the picture before him. Harry's eyes were surrounded in dark circles and his usually tan, glowing skin was sallow. He stood and took Harry by the arm and helped him up, "Harry, you need to get some real sleep. Go to bed and we'll talk about this tomorrow."

Harry's legs didn't want to hold him up as the exhaustion finally took hold. Draco led him to the bed and tucked him in and watched as Harry's eyes fell shut the minute his head hit the pillow. He went back to his chair and curled up with a blanket for the night.

Morning found Harry flying from the unfamiliar bed, wand at the ready, and looked around the room. It took a moment to realise he was in Draco's room and another for him to remember why. He saw Draco curled up in his chair by the window and felt guilty for taking over the bed. He tried to quietly leave the room but as his hand grasped the golden door knob, he heard, "You can't sneak away. I'm a light sleeper."

Harry turned and smiled, "Thanks for letting me sleep here last night. You didn't have to sleep in the chair though. Gods know the bed's big enough for both of us."

Draco sat up and ran his fingers through his platinum hair, "I didn't want you to hex me if you woke up from one of your nightmares and found me there. I figured I was safer over here." He stood and flicked his wand at the bed where his blanket and pillow folded themselves back into the piles on the bed as it made itself. "I'm sorry for how I reacted last night but I couldn't believe you had gone off like that. It would have killed Sev if something had happened to you."

Harry smiled thinking there was more to be said, "What about you? How would you have felt?"

Draco blushed slightly and said, "Yeah, well I would have been pissed. I would have had to clean up the mess you left behind."

Harry laughed and walked straight over to Draco and hugged him.

Draco tried to push away and then finally gave in and hugged him back. "Okay, that's enough. Let's go and get some breakfast. I have a feeling I have to apologise to Sev for my behaviour last night."

Harry laughed and followed Draco out the door.

Severus was sitting in the kitchen having his morning tea and reading the Prophet when the boys entered. He didn't lower the paper or acknowledge them until Draco cleared his throat, "Uncle Sev, I'm sorry about the noise last night. I was angry and shouldn't have behaved like that."

Severus closed and folded his paper and placed it on the table. He looked at the boys and thought for a moment before saying, "Draco, you should not have behaved like that but I can understand anger getting the best of you at times. There have been many times when Harry has made me angry enough to want to blast the hell out of something."

Harry sat down as he laughed at Severus' response. "Oh and none of us students have every felt that way about you," he said dripping with sarcasm. "You have no idea how many times we wanted to hex you as you passed our desks or in the hallways."

Severus looked angry for the briefest of moments and then chuckled. "And that is the reason I always have my shield up when in the presence of students."

The men finished breakfast in companionable silence before Harry asked, "So what's on the agenda today?"

"Well, I have a meeting with the Headmistress and then I'll be home. I should be gone a couple of hours," Severus told the boys as he got up to leave. "Please do not do anything stupid while I'm away."

"We'll try Uncle Sev." Draco said smiling.

"Minerva. How are you today?" Severus inquired as he took a seat in front of her desk.

"Good morning Severus. I'm as well as can be expected, and you?"

"Well, I can't say the last week hasn't been interesting. I believe I might have taken on a bit much with these boys. Though I have to admit, Harry has quite a sense of humour I didn't know existed before."

Minerva raised her eyebrow at this and Severus waved the question away. "So, you wanted to talk to me about something?"

"Yes I did. How's Harry doing? He seemed so withdrawn at the service and I understand he has only just started to interact with the Weasley's again."

"Minerva, it's only been a week since he saw his Godfather killed and killed his arch enemy. This boy hasn't even come to the realization that he is truly alone now and that he has now become the head of two houses. He has no concept of what his life is going to be like now," Severus stood and began to pace as he continued talking, finally able to release his feeling about Harry in a safe environment, "he felt put upon before and pressured into his status. Think of what it will be like now! He felled the most powerful evil we've seen in a century and he did it with a flick of his wand. I don't know how he did it and I doubt he does. People are not just going to let him be now."

Severus stopped and looked at the portrait of the sleeping former Headmaster that now graced the wall of the office and sighed, "Minerva, I'm worried about what he'll do about all of this. I believe he is planning to go after Greyback. On his own."

Minerva looked at the man who sat down heavily on the chair and contemplated what he said. "Severus, I get the impression you have some feelings about the boys."

"I have many feelings for and about the boys. Right now, I have concern over what Harry has seen and done. Not to mention what he's planning on doing. I believe he's also trying to figure out who he is and he's discovering things about himself he's not sure how to take."

Minerva perked up and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Severus realising he had said more than he wanted to tried to back track. "I just feel as though he's discovering he's not who he thought he was. He was presented with an image of himself that everyone thought he should be and he took that on. Now he's finding that image doesn't fit who he really is. Minerva, I believe we need to watch him closely. I think he means to hunt Greyback and kill him in revenge for Sirius."

"While that maybe, Harry's a good boy and I do not believe he would do that. I don't believe he's capable of killing someone in cold blood. Now young Draco, I find myself believing that of."

"Draco is not the blood thirsty Slytherin people see him as. He's uncommonly kind and very sensitive. He and Harry seem to be getting on well enough although they did have a fight about something last night. Draco even took Harry shopping in London just the other day."

Minerva stood, rounded the desk and sat beside Severus before saying, "Severus, are you harbouring feelings for these boys that would be inappropriate?"

"No Minerva I'm not." Severus said firmly. "Harry asked something along those lines the other night about Draco and me. I understand you all are not used to seeing me 'caring' about someone or treating people as though they aren't simple an interruption in my day, but I am human and do know how to behave as such."

Minerva leaned in and kissed Severus on the cheek, surprising the potions master and said, "I have never doubted that. I never would have allowed Harry to leave the scene with you had I thought he'd be worse off." She patted him on the hand and rose beckoning him to follow as she strode to the door. "Now go home and watch over the boys. Harry will need to be at the Ministry next week to speak with the Minister about Tom's death and whatever he knows and I expect that Draco will want to be in town to spend more time with his mother. I understand there has been no change but that he's there daily."

"Yes he spends most of the morning at her side. He believes she'll recover from the shock and when she does, he wants to be by her side. He feels it's his responsibility to take care of her now."

"Well, enjoy the rest of the day and I would like the three of you to come back next Friday for dinner."

With that Severus found himself outside the office and not knowing how it happened. "She's as bad as Albus was," he mumbled as he walked back to the gates of the school so he could apparate home.

Draco could see Harry had drifted off on the couch and was very gentle as he took the Quidditch magazine off his chest and covered him with a blanket. He was so emotionally exhausted that he should have no problem with dreaming, but Draco wasn't gonna leave him alone just in case. He took the potions book he'd been reading and curled up in the chair next to the couch and sat reading while Harry snored lightly.

About an hour after he fell asleep Harry screamed so loud Draco thought his ear drums would burst. He was clawing at the air and fell off the couch. Draco tried to reach him to wake him but, when he touched Harry a burst of magic threw him across the room where he landed in a heap at Severus' feet.

Severus helped Draco up and ran to Harry's side. He cast a shield around himself and grabbed onto Harry, holding his arms next to his body and began talking to him. "Harry, wake up now. You're safe. You're at Malfoy Manor. Wake up now." When Harry refused to wake and continued to struggle, Severus changed his tactic and used his 'Professor Snape' voice and said, "Mr. Potter. You will cease this nonsense and wake up immediately."

Harry's eyes snapped open and he scrambled away from Severus to cower by the chair Draco had vacated. Wild eyes took in his surroundings, Draco shaking and apparently injured standing by door; Severus sitting on the floor with his hair in disarray and robes a mess. "Sir, I'm sorry." Harry began crying as the emotions flowed through him. He had no idea what happened but he knew he caused it.

Severus looked at Harry and then at Draco. Draco approached Harry, holding his injured arm close to his body. He sat on the floor next to Harry and wrapped his arm around the boy and held him while he cried.

"Harry, it's okay. You were having a nightmare and we couldn't wake you up. You're okay. You're safe now and no one here will hurt you."

Harry got himself under control after a few minutes and took the handkerchief offered to him to wipe his face. When he sat up from Draco's embrace, he saw the injured arm and raised an eyebrow.

"You kinda threw me across the room and I hurt it when I hit the wall." Draco smiled and continued, "It's not broken and I'll be fine. About you though, are you ready to get up off the floor?"

Harry rose and helped Draco up. He quietly said, "I'm sorry I hurt you Draco. I didn't mean to."

Draco smiled as he sat next to the shaken boy, "I know. I'll be fine. No worries."

Severus watched the boys interact and knew that Draco would be key to Harry's healing in the future just as Harry would be an integral part of Draco's transition. These boys had become friends under the worst of circumstances but a friendship is exactly what had been forming over the week and maybe even before. He would have to make sure help nurse it along.

"Draco, let's take a look at your arm," Severus said as he approached the pair. He wasn't sure he hadn't scared Harry when he took on his 'Professor' persona earlier so he didn't want to do it again. Draco held out his arm and waited as Severus waved his wand over the arm and then mumbled that he'd be back as he left the room.

Harry's eyes had not left the goings on and he felt horrible that he had caused Draco pain. "Draco, I'm so sorry."

"You said that already," Draco said gently.

Severus was about to walk in and hearing Draco's reply, waited to see what would come next.

"I mean about everything. Last night, what I did, and arguing about it. You're right; I shouldn't worry my friends and family like I did. I'm sorry."

Draco looked surprised and smiled bigger, "Harry, I understand why you did it and I know you won't stop until you achieve what you want but please be careful. I consider you a friend now and I don't want to lose another one."

Severus walked in then and handed Draco a potion to swallow and looked at Harry, "Will you let me check you over or would you prefer I ask Poppy to come and check you over?"

"No Professor, if you feel I need checking, you may do it."

Severus ran his wand over Harry from head to toe running a basic diagnostic spell and a few others he wasn't ready to talk about then had the data transfer to a piece of parchment on his desk. "Harry, I believe you're fine but maybe you should talk to someone about these nightmares."

"Sir, it wasn't a nightmare. It was a memory. I was remembering the night I first fought Voldemort over the Sorcerer's Stone. Something about that night has always bothered me and I guess it just came to the surface."

"What bothered you about that night so much Harry? I thought Albus explained why you were able to stop them that night."

"He did, but what I always wondered about was how Voldemort was not able to see what I saw in the Mirror of Erised that night. I mean we had this link and were a part of each other and yet when I looked into the mirror, I saw the Stone in my pocket and when he looked, he saw himself drinking the elixir of life. Why didn't he see what I saw has always bothered me since I discovered how far the link with him went."

"And did you figure it out?" Draco asked. He had never heard the story of what happened in the cavern.

"Yes, I believe I have. It seems that as he was not attached to me physically at that point he saw what Quirrell wanted. Had he been corporeal instead of a parasite, he would have seen what I saw as he wanted what I am to be what he was."

Severus sat watching Harry and knew the truth of what he spoke. "Harry, you are correct in your analysis. Had Voldemort been in his own body, his link with you would have had him seeing what you saw. He did want what you are, to be his. He wanted to have the power you encompass. He saw that power in action that night. It wasn't only your parent's love for you that saved you the night he came for you. It was your own innate power that caused the spell to fail. I think there is much more about you and your abilities to discover young man."

"Why don't we put all this aside for now and have some lunch. Then I think the afternoon would be best spent doing something fun and forgetting about all of this." Severus led the boys to the dining room and requested lunch for three from Kreacher and they discussed what to do the rest of the day.