Lucius was busy planning a second date for Harry and him. He planned to step it up a tiny bit but still not go over-board. Draco was happy to hear when his dad told him. He joked it was because it distracted his dad from wedding planning. But while true, it was for different had spoken to Harry the next day and knew Harry had a good time. Both he and George were happy to see Harry finally relaxing again.

Harry was looking forward to dinner with Lucius again. He had no idea what to expect from that man and he could admit he enjoyed it. It was easy and enjoyable being with Lucius. He could just laugh and relax with the man. There weren't any old emotions, good or bad, with him.

Friday evening Harry was shocked by a knock. "Who?"

He wasn't happy to find Severus. The man smiled. "I went by your office."

Harry grunted. "My office hours are over."

Severus asked. "Not going to let me in?"

"I don't see why I would."

"You want to have this conversation in the hall?"

"I don't want to have this conversation at all."

"And yet you are not closing the door."

Harry grumbled. "Fine."

Severus came in. "We need to talk about this so called date you have tomorrow."

"I don't know where you have a say in who I date."

"You are my fiancé."

"Last I looked I gave back the ring."

Severus showed him the ring on the chain. "You can have it back any time lion."

"Our engagement ended the night you faked your death."

Severus sighed. "I was trying to…."

Harry didn't want to hear it again. He didn't want to hear the man say that he was trying to do the noble thing. That he didn't think that Harry needed to sit by his bed side and watch him like that. Severus had known full well that Harry would have. He had allowed Harry to think him dead. He had known how badly Harry struggled with all of the losses in his life and had allowed him to suffer another one. And when Harry found him in the hospital? He had driven Harry away accusing Harry of never loving him truly and questioning Harry's loyalty.

Severus removed the ring from the chain and he had no intention of leaving until it was back on his fiancé. He had been a fool. Not in the woods but in the hospital. He should never have driven Harry away as he had in the hospital. He knew how badly he had hurt him.

"I should not have said that in the hospital."

"Accuse me of not loving you? Of using you to make myself feel a hero?"

Severus sighed. "I was trying to make you move on. You know I don't see you as that."

"As the fame-whore hero? I once believed that."

Severus tried to touch him. "It's true."

"And for allowing me to believe you dead? Are you apologizing for that?"

Severus sighed. "I did what I thought was right."

"You let me think you dead. You nearly destroyed me. When I thought you were eaten by Nagini….."

Severus tried to calm him. "I never thought I could come back Harry. You were better off."

"I was better off thinking I killed another person I loved? That my curse had destroyed another person that I loved?"

"You are not cursed."

"My parents. MY godfather. Fred. Dead because of me. And then my fiancé, taking a bite from Nagini, dying in my arms. But you didn't."

"I was trying to protect you."

"Protect me? Protect me? From what?"

"Pain. From a life I'd never wish on anyone. From…."

"Didn't save me from pain did you?"

"I failed to protect everyone who ever loved me. I wasn't going to fail you."

Harry was not the only one with guilt. He was not the only one who had deaths laying on his heart. He couldn't protect his mother. He had failed to protect Lily when Voldemort went after her. She had been his sister, the one person who always believed in him, and he had failed to protect her. He had failed to save Albus from the ring and from being killed, though he stopped Draco. He had like Harry, seen the man as more than a simple mentor. He had sworn he would not fail with Harry. He would not allow the man he loved to suffer because of him.

Harry was shaking. "You weren't protecting. I deserved to be with you."

"I know, Merlin I know. I truly believed you were better off without me."

Harry fought the pain. "You were the only one who ever saw me for who I was."

"I called you James for so long." Severus reminded him.

"But even that, you didn't see the hero. Other than Moony, and at times Fred, you were the only one I just was, me."

Severus held him. "I still do."

"I needed you."

"I am here."

"You can't just walk back in after two years and expect me to take you back."

"I know I need to earn your forgiveness. But I will. I will prove I was just trying to keep you from being hurt, no matter how wrong I was."

"I would have been there."

"I have no doubt. I never did. But I couldn't let you see me like that. You deserve a whole me."

"I can understand. I hate it, I hate it, but I….." Harry admitted.

Severus ran a hand down his cheek. "I will do anything to prove I am sorry, to earn your forgiveness. You are my heart."

Harry actually kissed him lightly. "I can forgive you."

Severus was surprised but took Harry into his arms. "I knew if I was patient. I promise we will…."

Harry stopped him. "I can forgive you. But I can't forget."

Harry stepped away from the man. He could understand. It had taken a lot of time and a lot of pain but he could. He knew Severus. He knew the guilt the man had. He knew that Severus had trouble showing his weakness. He knew it because he saw it in himself. As much pain as the man caused him, Harry couldn't deny part of him understood. And though not ready to completely forgive him yet, he knew he could in time. But the forgiveness was not the same as forgetting. It was not the same as being able to move on and trust the man again. That trust had been too broken.

Harry motioned to the door. "With time I want and know I can forgive you. But I can't trust you with my heart again. That Harry is gone."

Severus had not fought and had left him the night before. Harry had not gone to dinner and had been surprised when Draco had arrived. Draco had admitted his Uncle had come to him. He had known Harry needed someone to speak to. Harry had been as honest as he could be. He could forgive the man slowly, he was starting to. He was starting to understand the man at least. But the Harry who had worn that ring, who had agreed to marry him, was gone. He had died in those woods with Severus that night. Harry didn't simply say it out of anger and pain with the man. Harry had changed so much from the final battle. He had grown and been shaped by the pain he had suffered. Severus was not part of that life.

Harry had spent a long evening talking with Draco and later George who had come. In the morning he had gone to quidditch and to meals. He saw the man in the hall but Severus made no attempt to speak to him. He doubted the man had given up just yet, but he backed up for now.

He was surprised when Lucius met him in the hall. "I thought I was meeting you at the gates."

Lucius admitted. "I wasn't sure you…."

"Worried I would stand you up?"

"I thought perhaps you may have needed time."

"Draco spoke to you." Harry realized.

Lucius didn't deny it. "He was worried."

"I wouldn't have stood you up."

"I just wanted to make sure you know, if you need time…."

Harry cut him off. "I'd really like to go out."

Lucius smiled. "I would like that a lot as well."

Harry tried to lighten the mood. "Do I get the wine and lobster tonight?"

Lucius smiled lightly. "You have to wait for a third date for that."

"Who said we would get to a third?"

"I guess I am hopeful."

"So what is a second date with Lucius Malfoy entail?"

Lucius took his arm at the gates. "You will have to wait and see."

Draco had been worried but he had decided to talk to his dad. He knew Harry would be cautious about telling Lucius what had happened. Like his dad, he was not sure Harry would be ready for tonight after the talk. But both father and son would be happy that Harry had chosen to go. Lucius knew what he was getting into when he asked Harry out. He was not going to be scared off by Harry's former fiancé, his former best friend. Perhaps less former then before. He could admit, if his son and Harry forgave the man, it would be the last barrier for him. For himself he would have long ago. He and Severus had been through rougher times. He wasn't sure the man would forgive him though for dating Harry.

Harry put his mind and everything into that evening, determined to have a good night and let nothing ruin it. He was anxious to see what Lucius had planned for their second date. He found this time Lucius brought him down to London for the evening.

Lucius walked him into the Tate Modern. "I thought you wouldn't mind. I will see you to Grimmauld after."

Harry smiled. "Is the gallery still open?"

"On Saturday evenings it stays open late as does the restaurant."

Harry looked around. "I warn, I don't know much about modern art."

Lucius laughed. "Either do I. I usually go more classical."

"And yet you chose this?"

"There is some music tonight and the food is good."

Harry smiled. "Guess a bit on even footing."

Lucius took him to the restaurant. "There is that too."

Harry found they had amazing views of the river. "I can see why it would be popular."

"Little bit more crowded than last time."

Harry agreed. "Better for a second date."

"Needed a faster pace?"

"In case we have run out of things to speak about."

"I doubt that is a problem. I think you are worried about losing to me again."

Lucius was right about the talk at least. And perhaps about the game of darts as well, though he was not opposed to another in the future. They had a great meal and they even went to look at some of the exhibits as well. Lucius collected art but he could admit he was not a huge fan of modern art. But he and Harry did have a good laugh at some. And they made their way to the main hall where the concert was starting.

Lucius asked. "Would you like to dance?"

Harry warned. "I am not too good."

Lucius pulled him in. "I don't believe that."

"Don't say I didn't warn your toes."

"I have seen you dance at….."

Harry knew why he stopped. "Maybe needed a new dance partner."

Lucius shrugged. "Happy any time."

Harry allowed Lucius to buy him another drink. "I think you are trying to get me drunk."

"And why would I do that?"

"To convince me for a third date."

Lucius handed him his cocktail. "Has it worked?"

Harry smiled. "Haven't decided just yet."

Lucius sipped his. "Well I will just have to keep trying."

The two of them headed to Grimmauld after the concert where Lucius was leaving him for the night. Lucius could have stayed, there were extra bedrooms a plenty, but he was headed to his townhouse. But he asked Harry again if they would have a third date. He surprised them both though, when he tilted Harry's head up for a kiss. He had kissed him before but on the cheek. This was literally a brush, but still their first kiss. Lucius stepped back and he worried he had ruined it. It was just a brush but he wondered if he had just lost his third. Harry was silent at first.

Harry surprised him when he brushed Lucius with his own. "But I will be expecting the lobster and wine treatment next time."

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