It seemed like a dream seeing Severus in the hospital. Since the final battle he had hoped to wake up one day and find Severus was alive. But the dream had been a nightmare. His fiancé wasn't dead, he had chosen to leave Harry. He had chosen to allow Harry to suffer his loss. He had chosen to allow Harry to think he had lost another loved one. The pain of the last year, the guilt that eaten away at his soul, it wasn't real. Harry wanted answers, he needed answers from the man. The man claimed Harry didn't love him and would be with him for pity. Harry deserved better than that. He didn't deserve to be told he did not love the man or wouldn't fight for him. But even that was taken away from him. When he returned to the hospital, the man was gone. He went to all the homes, the shops, all he knew, but found no sign of the man he had loved.

Draco and Lucius were little better. Lucius was more furious than anything. He could not understand how Severus would put Draco through it. He hadn't just let Harry believe him dead. And now, he had not just abandoned Harry again. Lucius hated either was in pain.

On New Years' Eve Draco came to Grimmauld. "Is he here?"

Remus looked up. "Not yet."

Draco grunted. "He got me to agree, he better not be backing out."

Remus laughed a little. "You have made moony eyes long enough."

Draco groaned. "Not you too."

"Not him what?"

Remus turned to his son. "Pointing out the obvious."

Harry laughed. "Not trying to back out are you?"

Draco groaned. "Not that you'd let me."

"You haven't really dated anyone since you came out."

Draco smirked. "I go out plenty."

"Never even a second date."

"You are one to talk. When was the last time…..?"

Harry cut him off. "George should be here soon."

Remus motioned. "Three seems a bit of a crowd."

Draco smirked. "He seems to think I need a chaperone."

Harry shrugged. "Maybe it is George."

Draco knew not to push the subject of dating and he regretted the words before they came out. He had tried to convince Harry to date before they found his Uncle. He had truly believed his Uncle loved Harry and wanted him to move on. He could admit he had his own questions now. If he truly thought Harry loved him so little, he should have stayed. He should have broken up with Harry and simply pushed him away from him. He knew Harry well enough to know what his death would do. He knew the guilt and pain would never have allowed Harry to move on easily.

George came into the house and he wondered about the mood he had walked in on. He was a bit unsure of tonight but he had been less hard to convince. He did joke it was to get his mother off his back. Now Charlie was dating, she was even worse on George. After she had been told about what happened with Severus, she laid off Harry. He knew it wouldn't be forever, but he was grateful for the reprieve.

Harry looked at his dad. "Are you sure you won't come?"

Remus reminded him. "I have Teddy."

"I know for one that Andromeda offered."

Remus agreed. "I want a quiet night."

George looked at Harry. "No backing out."

Draco agreed. "You are coming."

Harry managed a small smile. "Can't miss midnight and your kiss."

Draco smirked. "Kiss? You think I would kiss a weasel? And on a first date?"

"First date? Who said I would ever date a ferret?"

Harry shook his head. "Come on you two."

Remus called. "Have fun."

Harry turned back. "Oh I am sure we will."

Remus looked at a napping Teddy when alone. "At least he is smiling."

Harry had been working longer hours. He was in officer training now at the academy. Ron was still in basic training. It usually took two years but Harry had been passed ahead. Ron planned to be a street auror. Both Harry and Remus were considering Minerva's offer next fall. He knew it would be good for both of his sons. Harry was reluctant because of memories but he hoped his son would be able to take that next step. He really needed to move on. If he wasn't working, he was at George's shop, helping him work towards opening a second shop. Harry had become a less silent partner since Fred died. Lee would eventually run one shop, likely London, and George would take the new one and mail order.

It wasn't really Harry as a third wheel. They were joining friends from both sides at a party in muggle London. George's brothers and their partners were all there. Ginny was off playing in France. Oliver and the old team. Pansy, Blaise and a few Slytherins were in tow as well.

Ron grimaced when he saw. "Please tell me I am seeing things."

Harry shrugged. "Was bound to happen."

Hermione agreed. "They are cute together."

Ron thought his wife mad. "He is a Slytherin."

Harry had an odd look. "They aren't all bad."

Ron grimaced. "I finally thought you saw different after…."

Hermione cut her husband off with a look. "He didn't mean…."

Harry sighed. "I need a drink."

Hermione elbowed her husband. "Ron."

"It's true."

Harry was getting a drink when a voice came. "Drinking alone?"

Harry turned to the person. "They are over there."

Lucius bought his drink. "Not going well."

"Well-meaning friends."

Lucius motioned to a stool and Harry sat down with him. They had been allies and perhaps more because of Severus. And after the battle, that had been cemented. Like with Draco, they had shared in mourning with each other. Now they both knew their pain had been wasted. Lucius watched Harry over the drink and later at the party. And again he was hit with what a fool his brother had been to throw Harry away.

At midnight Harry smiled at least when he saw George and Draco kiss. "Perhaps the year will be slightly better."

George and Draco had gone on a real date a few days later. Molly had been surprised but she had been pretty good about welcoming Draco. She and Arthur had of course worked with the Malfoys when they came out. If she could accept Harry with Severus, Draco should be no different. She loved Harry as a son as much as George. And Draco was a similar age, and had never taken the mark. And he seemed to make George happy. When Charlie and Rodger were married in March, it left Harry and George the only single ones for her to set up. To no surprise, when George opened his second shop in Hogsmeade, he decided to run it. Draco had already accepted to take over for Poppy in the fall, when done school.

Draco would not be the only one moving. Harry had been convinced to face his memories and move to school. Harry would teach defense and Remus was taking over transfiguration. Minerva had not given it up until now. Harry would have Draco, Neville and Luna at school.

Harry was settling into his new rooms. "It feels odd."

Remus had come through a door from his. "Being back."

Harry nodded. "Not in the tower."

Remus laughed. "Teacher now."

"More light then….."

Remus put a hand on him. "Harry."

"Good memories here too."

Remus sighed and nodded. "Many I hope."

Harry smiled. "Patronus training with a certain teacher."

"One of my favorite too."

Harry asked. "It can't be too easy…."

Remus cut him off. "We both need to move on."

Teddy came running at Harry. "Harry, Harry."

Harry scooped up the two and a half year old "Like your new room?"

Teddy beamed. "Quidditch."

Remus smirked "Already converting him."

Harry shrugged. "What are godfathers and honorary big brothers for?"

Harry had seen to a bedroom for his little brother. He knew the school had bad memories for both him and his godfather. But they were both ready to face them and make new ones. He had bought his little brother his first broom and was already teaching him to fly. Remus just smiled at it all. He was happy to see both of his sons smiling and happy. Teddy reminded him so much of his mom, and not just because of his powers.

The three of them headed down to the hall to have dinner. School would not start for a few weeks' time, but most of the teachers were back now. Draco had moved in a few days ago. He had been spending plenty of time in Scotland with George since George moved.

Teddy was happy when they got into the hall. "Uncle George."

Harry was surprised. "What are you doing here?"

George laughed. "Well what a nice welcome that is."

Remus laughed. "Just expecting teachers for dinner."

Teddy smiled. "He come with Uncle Draco."

Harry had a coy smile. "Not till they are married."

George smirked. "Me marry a ferret?"

"You said the same thing about dating one."

Draco appeared. "What was that?"

Teddy turned. "Uncle George say he not marry a ferret. That's good, he marry you."

Draco blushed. "Your big brother has been telling you stories."

Harry looked at them. "Going out?"

George shook his head. "Staying for dinner."

Teachers had guests but they would usually dine in their own rooms. But it was summer and Minerva had no problem with the company. With new younger teachers, she knew it would not be uncommon. For the first time in decades, they had staff members with kids. Luna and Neville had been married for a year and were expecting their first child, so Teddy was alone for now. But there were many younger teachers on staff.

Minerva smiled when they sat. "The last comers."

Harry looked. "Are we not missing someone?"

Angelina laughed. "Missing him?"

Harry shrugged. "Oh I loved slug club."

Draco smirked. "Never did get how you got in."

Minerva surprised them. "Horace retired."

Remus turned. "I guess he retired years before as well."

Harry was pale. "After he….."

Draco was confused. "I can brew my potions for a while but a…."

Minerva had an odd look. "There is a new teacher."

Remus sipped wine. "Well with school starting in a few weeks, which is good."

Minerva looked at Harry. "I should tell you. I would have warned you earlier, but Horace retired quite quickly."

Harry was confused. "Why would you tell me?"

Minerva shared a look with Filius and said. "Because of his replacement."

A voice came from the door. "It seems you started without me."

All eyes turned to the door and the last person Harry thought to see, came in. The very reason he had second thought about the job, came in. Unlike Remus, his bad memories were not about the final battle. Well not totally. The loss of Tonks and Fred had been hard. But like George have had been able to face it again. His memories of this man and their romance here at the school, were still in his mind though buried. He had not seen him in a year. He had not seen the man since the hospital room when he found out he was alive. He stared in shock as Severus entered.

Severus walked, though using a cane. "I wasn't expecting such a warm homecoming when Horace asked me to return."

An: Laughed when someone thought DM/GW meant Ginny. Forgot there were two GW? I did say Draco came out and Harry was trying to set him up with a brother.