Some students spotted Harry and Draco and talked among themselves. They ignored them as best as they could.  The Thestrals nearby craned their heads to look at Harry. He guessed they liked his magic. 

"So that's what they look like." Draco said quietly. 

Harry blinked. He shouldn't be surprised. For them, it had really only been a matter of when. 

Before they could make it to their seats, a crowd surrounded them.

"Harry!" Seamus said cheerily. 

"Papers said you were kidnapped." Dean said. 

"I saw." Harry said, and turned to Draco. "How could you kidnap me?"

"Well, maybe it wouldn't be so easy if you stopped fainting like a damsel in distress." Draco said. 

"When have I ever-" Harry began.

Draco began to count with his fingers. "Chamber, detention, bite, and just the other day. And that's just this year so far. Am I missing any?" 

Harry gaped. Draco shot him a pointed look, and nudged his mouth closed with a finger under his chin. The faces of confusion on his classmates were almost enough to make Harry laugh despite his embarrassment and affront. 

"Well, glad to see you aren't kidnapped, Harry." Lee said with a grin. 

Then the questions about the fight with Voldemort surfaced, and Harry didn't know how to answer them. Again, it was the boy who lived, twice. 

"Err..." Harry was half tempted to fly out of the situation. 

Ron and the twins swooped in, forcing the crowd back. Ginny was their backup, a daring glint in her eyes. Draco and Harry darted over to Slytherin table before a new crowd could form. 

"I can tell our privacy is going to be in short supply." Draco said lowly. Harry nodded grimly. 

Luckily they didn't have long before McGonagall was asking for all the students to take a seat, and giving her speech. She introduced the new transfiguration professor, Beryl Winterbourne, then the returning professors, Slughorn and Lupin. Harry was rather pleased at how many students cheered for Remus' return. 

They made it through dinner and back to their dorm without anyone mobbing them. Blaise teased them when they climbed into the same bed. They both slept well that night.

~~~

In the morning, they skipped herbology and went to McGonagall's office. They discussed how they could speed through their studies and get all their tests taken. She had already done her research, had begun it once she'd learned of Harry's inheritance. They were both ever thankful. 

They had the rest of the day to themselves, as McGonagall would have to discuss with the professors after classes ended for the day. They decided to spend their time on the Quidditch pitch.

They met up with Blaise at lunch, where Pansy confronted them about skipping classes. Draco artfully brushed her off. After they ate, they went to the library. Draco wanted to read, and Harry had letters to write.

His first letter was to the Dursleys. He hadn't given them a thought in so long. But, well, he really ought to tell them he wouldn't be back. He didn't go into detail. Once that was done, it was on to the more complex and important matters- Sirius. 

Having trained as an Auror, Harry knew how to write his letters and appeal. He knew who to address them to as well. Once he'd finished, he passed them over to Draco to proof read. After Draco's approval, they went outside. 

Harry whistled for Hedwig, and she came as she always did. They played with her for a bit before she left with the Ministry letters. The one for the Dursleys could wait. 

~~~

The following morning, they went to class as usual. It was odd to see Professor Winterbourne in McGonagall's place again. She handed them a list of spells to master at their own pace, and then gave her attention to the rest of the class. 

Draco began to run through them, sometimes taking a few tries on the spells that he hadn't needed to use once he'd passed the assignment. Harry watched the magic carefully before he tried to replicate it. 

They tried not to draw extra attention, but evidently it didn't work when Winterbourne had to tell the class not to mind them. After class, they approached Winterbourne, and agreed that it would be best if they practiced outside the classroom and didn't distract the other students. They would have to check in and show their progress now and then. 

History of magic was as boring as always. They did receive a list of topics that they would be tested on. Draco and Harry came to a silent and mutual understanding of how to tackle this class. 

Care of Magical Creatures was going to be easy for them both. Harry would have enjoyed it more if he was with his Gryffindor friends, but the Ravenclaws weren't bad. It was a class they both enjoyed, Draco appreciating it more in recent times than he did when he was younger. 

They arrived a bit early, Harry eager to see Hagrid again. Hagrid, predictably, scooped Harry into a crushing hug. He was consoled by the time the other students had all arrived. 

The rest of their classes continued on in a similar pattern. Harry would get distracted by the magic, Draco would help him stay on task, and Harry would further Draco's understanding by explaining what he saw. 

Thursday morning they skipped history to study on their own, and then it was off to their first potions class of the week, since they'd skipped their monday classes.

Slughorn gave them a list of potions. Harry withered a little at the list, but Draco was in his element. They began with the first potion on the list, which was the same as what their classmates were doing.

Harry followed Draco's direction in helping to prepare ingredients. Once Draco started adding in the third ingredient, Harry got distracted. He could faintly sense the magical properties beginning to interact. Setting down a pestle, he leaned closer to Draco to look into the cauldron. the magic was faint, and hard to spot, but it was there.

"What are you doing?" Draco asked.

"Looking." Harry said, as Draco added another ingredient. Harry startled at how the reactions abruptly changed from lazily swirling around each other to popping. "Woah." Thus started Draco taking detailed notes on Harry's descriptions of the potions' magic. 

Later in the afternoon, they both were eager for Defense. They were waiting outside before the class before them was excused. They walked in after the last student had left, and saw Remus setting up the chalkboard again. The student desks were gone. 

"How's it going?" Harry asked. 

Remus turned and smiled, not startled by their appearance. "Better than I initially expected, considering how suddenly I had to start. I've just been helping students catch up on the practical side of the theories they've learned. It's giving me time to figure out to fix the lesson plan."

"Makes sense." Harry said. 

"How are you doing, personally?" Draco asked. 

"I'm alright. There's a couple students here and there who are nervous, but... The majority of students seem to prefer me over Umbridge." Remus said. 

"You're a proper teacher." Draco said. "And a good one." 

"Thank you." Remus gave a small, shy smile. His smile fell away. "There is something I need to discuss. We have enough wolfsbane for the next full moon, but... We no longer have a regular source. I don't know if we should ask Professor Slughorn, or find some other way..." 

"I can brew it." Draco said, easily. "Mother gave me Severus' notes. Harry can compare my potions to his last ones."

"Oh?" Remus turned to Harry.

"Yeah. I can see a bit of the magic in potions. It's weird." Harry said. 

"Interesting. Well. That does put me at ease. I'll trust you with that, then." Remus said. "Ah, by the way, your personal lesson plans." 

"What do you have in mind?" Draco asked. 

"Honestly? Nothing." Remus said. 

Harry grinned. Draco raised a brow.

"I know you both will excel. I'm not worried for that in the slightest." Remus said. "So... As long as you aren't causing trouble, I don't care what you do with your Defense time."

"Alright. That works for me." Harry said, and turned to Draco. 

"Seems sensible to me." Draco agreed.

"Good, good." Remus said, finishing up the board. "And Draco, you've been alright?"

"Fine, yes. Still getting used to a few aspects, but fine." Draco said. 

"Which aspects?" Remus asked. 

"Being more territorial than I expect." Draco said. 

"Ah. I see." Remus said, with a smirk.

"You don't need to smile like that." Draco said. 

Remus tried to stifle a grin. Draco looked away pointedly, a hint of pink to his cheeks. 

Harry and Remus idly chatted about how the students across the different years were doing. The Gryffindors were the first to start arriving, the Slytherins not too far behind. They all set their bags down against the walls.

"Hey Harry." Ron grinned. "Finally get to have a class with you. You are staying, right?"

"I think I will, today." Harry replied. 

"You better." Ron said. 

"Dean, look! Harry's here!" Seamus beamed. 

Dean turned from talking with Neville. "Harry! Finally decided to show up, did you?"

"Couldn't miss it." Harry grinned. 

"Glad to hear it. Was starting to get worried Malfoy was stealin' you away." Seamus said. "Two of you been thick as thieves lately."

Blaise bit back a grin, having just walked in. Harry glanced to Draco, who was intently discussing this morning's potion with Hermione. He turned back to Seamus and Dean. "About as thick as the two of you, I reckon." Harry said.

Dean and Seamus were quiet for a moment, before the realization slowly settled in, and they gaped.

"How did you-" 

"The two of you?"

Harry grinned. 

"Him?" Seamus asked incredulously. "Him?" 

"I know, that's what I said." Ron said. 

"Well, I guess Malfoy's alright nowadays." Dean said.

"Yeah, we did see him fight You-Know-Who. Can't deny that." Seamus said. "But still, him, of all people?"

"Apparently." Harry said. 

"Wait." Ron said suddenly. "Wait." He looked between Dean and Seamus. Pointed back and forth. "Are you...?" 

Neville tilted his head. "You didn't know, Ron?"

Ron stared at the floor with a hundred yard gaze. Blaise patted his shoulder, while desperately trying not to laugh. 

~~~

Friday afternoon, Draco didn't find Harry at lunch. He wasn't with the Gryffindors either. Draco felt a sorrow through their bond, and so he followed it. He found Harry in a rarely used corridor, sitting on a windowsill with the panes open. 

There were tear tracks on his cheeks, and his hair was magically longer, ruffling in the bitter chill of the breeze. Oh. Draco understood. 

Harry leaned into Draco's embrace. They stayed quiet for a while, fingers entwined.

"I was so excited to teach him one day." Harry admitted in a whisper. 

All Draco could do was hold him.

~~~

Saturday morning, after Blaise complimented Harry's new hair, Harry and Draco walked to breakfast in their matching green Weasley sweaters. Harry eagerly dug into his mail, and Draco left him to it, serving him a plate and tucking it within reach. Harry absently nibbled on it while he read. 

"Is that a Weasley sweater?" Millicent asked.

"It is." Draco replied easily, adding sausage to his plate. He ignored her look of disgust. 

Draco could practically feel Harry vibrating next to him. He ate a couple more bites before he felt Harry nearing his blowing point, and then waited. Harry shot out of his seat with a "Yes!" and hands held high in the air, one fist clutching a couple letters. 

"Good news, I presume?" Draco asked. 

"There's a trial date. I have to tell Remus." Harry said excitedly, and darted off to the head table. 

"Potter's on a first name basis with Professor Lupin?" Pansy asked. 

"Mhm." Draco said. "They're family."

"Really? Then why was he calling him professor back in third year?" Pansy asked. 

"Harry didn't know it at the time, and it was a hard topic for Remus." Draco said, watching Remus' face light up as Harry showed him the letters. 

"And you're on a first name basis?" Millicent asked snootily. 

"Yes, I stayed with them over Christmas. We had a lovely time." Draco said. 

Harry darted back to Draco, beaming. "I have to go write responses and let Sirius know. Good luck with practice." With his free hand, he tilted Draco's face and gave him a quick kiss before dashing off again. 

Millicent choked on a bite, Daphne sprayed orange juice across her plate, Theodore dropped his fork. 

"Wow." Theodora said, while her brother breathed an "Oh."

Pansy looked at Draco with a "you've done it now" expression. Behind her, Draco saw other students staring, some nudging their unaware neighbors and speaking excitedly. 

Draco looked down at his plate and sighed. He was too hungry to leave, and so resigned himself to ignoring the chaos for as long as he could. Damn werewolf appetite.

~~~

Draco eventually found Harry in the courtyard, and sat down next to him. "How'd it go?"

"Sirius is excited. Nervous, but excited. He's going to get his life back." 

"What do you think he'll do with it?" Draco asked. 

"I have no idea." Harry said, happily. 

"Hm." Draco didn't have any guesses. "What are you going to do with yours? Teach?" 

"Eventually, yeah. But I think I want to research Lycanthropy first." Harry said. "I think I'll learn something new if I look into it with my eyes."

"Are you sure?" Draco asked.

"Yeah. Pretty sure." Harry smiled at Draco. 

"Aw, for me?" Draco teased. 

"No, for Remus." Harry replied. "You're fine."

"Are you sure?" Draco said, leaning in and pressing his lips to Harry's neck. "What if I suddenly really wanted a nibble?" 

"Draco!" Harry squeaked, leaning back. "This is the courtyard!"

Draco straightened. "Harry, Love. You kissed me at breakfast. In front of the whole school."

Harry's jaw slacked and his eyes widened. "Oh. Shit. I did. That would explain why everyone's been staring."

Draco laughed. 

~~~

Gossip, rumours, and theories filled Hogwarts. Some were about Harry and Draco. Some were about the white panther and hawk that could be spotted on the grounds at night. Some were about the news of Sirius Black's re-trial. 

When Lucius Malfoy was caught, Draco didn't attend his trial. 

~~~

SIRIUS BLACK INNOCENT AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS

~~~

Sirius, upon the insistence of Remus, Harry, and Draco, waited until a few days after the papers went out to make his first free public appearance. It was a saturday, and the four of them went to Diagon Alley together. 

Harry could see the wear of the Azkaban years melting off of him. Harry and Remus quietly celebrated every wide grin and little smile from Sirius, every time he tilted his face up to feel the sun and breeze. Every time there was a bounce to his step, was a reason to rejoice. 

Harry and Remus stood back to watch Draco and Sirius jokingly speak like very posh pretentious purebloods as they discussed the wallpapers and furniture. 

"I have no idea what they're saying." Harry whispered to Remus. 

"I can only guess." Remus replied, with a grin. 

"They sound like they know what they're talking about." Harry said.

"They certainly do." Remus agreed. "Do you think they'd notice if we snuck off to look at the curtains next door?"

"Definitely." Harry said. 

"They'll be insufferable when they get to the curtains."

"But we'll love them anyway." Harry said softly.

"Yes, we will." 

~~~

Graduating from Hogwarts wasn't their happy ending. Transforming Grimmauld place wasn't their happy ending either. There was no ending. 

There was no 'new beginning'. Their beginning started the day Draco Malfoy extended a hand, and that would never change. The actions they had taken could not be undone, and would remain forever in who they were. 

There was no happy ending. There was no happy beginning. There was simply now, and now they were happy.