"You're sure I can stay with you? I won't be in the way?" Harry muttered, looking up at his godfather and his old professor.

"Harry, why would we ever leave you out on your own?" the black haired man shook his head like something had seriously upset him.

And that was the beginning of this oddly comfortable home. Remus Lupin and Sirius Black and Harry Potter. What a family of hilariously close misfits.

The post-professor currently resides in his evening spot on the couch, next to his reading lamp. He, as always, has a book in one hand and was absently running through Siriuss thick hair with his other. Of course, the ex-prisoner has also taken his usual spot, head laid over his lovers lap as he laid across the couch like debonair royalty- which is exactly how he feels at this point.

Harry had taken up residence on another chair, reading over his listings of books for his eighth year classes and checking off the last bit of supplies- petting Hedwig, the snow owl Hagrid had gotten him when hed first discovered- well- everything.

"Find everything you need today, Harry?" Remus gives said boy a slight side eye before looking back down at his, nearly half asleep, significant other.

"Ah, mostly. I need quills and ink and one last book."

"We'll take you to get that stuff tomorrow. Oh, and Molly sent you a letter while you were away- likely just checking up on you." Sirius's voice came out as more of a grumble, rolling over a bit, facing the small television that wasnt even on, probably just trying to get comfortable. Remus lift his hand to let the other reposition, laying his hand back in the mess of hair.

"It's there on the table." The blonde nod toward the table like he was pointing.

Stretching a bit, the teen stood to grab the letter off the coffee table opening it carefully so he wouldn't rip the letter itself. Harry let a small smile slip as he began to read it over.

'Harry, I know I'll be seeing you soon, but I couldn't wait to write to you, dear boy. I hope you're in good health and that those hooligans are treating you well. Ron has been asking all about you, we've been so busy though- hardly had any time to write! Ronald got a job, and Fred and George have been running their shop of course. I just wanted to write to you and let you know that we care so much for you. See you on the platform.

Love,

The Weasleys.

p.s. Ron would like you to know that he is saving you a seat on the train.'

Harrys grin spread across his face before he could stop it. He hadn't expected letters at all over the summer since- well since everything happened last year. Seems he was wrong. His friends were just busy, just like Remus kept suggesting- though Harry would never admit he was right.

It appears Lupin had caught on anyway, smiling softly as he turn his attention back to his book, the man in his lap now fast asleep.

Harry let a yawn escape, humming a bit. It had been quite a long day, he would be able to get away with retiring early, walking past the men on the couch, mumbling a quite 'goodnight' so he wouldn't wake his sleeping god-father, and heading to his room nearly silently, closing his door behind him. He let himself drop lazily on his bed, sliding off his shoes and letting them lay next to his bed wherever they land. Tanned hands laid his glasses on his night-table and he gaze up at the ceiling. Part of him worried about this next year. Many of his peers wouldn't be there- and what's more- many would be deeply disturbed from the previous year. He wondered how much had changed- how many were gone and how many would be unable to go back- and what of the students who had death eaters for parents? Would they be allowed to come back to Hogwarts?

Harry tried to wipe the thoughts from his mind, but only managed to rub his eyes hard enough to see colors. He let himself lay awake for a while, pondering almost endlessly over everything hed endured.

That was the last thing he remembered doing before-

"HARRY" Sirius shouted for the thirtieth time from the kitchen, "COME DOWN HERE AND GET BREAKFAST!" Sirius was always coaxed, quite comically out of bed at ungodly hours by Remus, who was the only naturally early-riser of this bizarre family- well, on most days.

Slowly, Harry began getting out of bed, making his way down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Sleep well?" Lupin watched the boy trudge about the kitchen to a seat at the table.

"Not at all" The dark haired teen rubs his face, speaking in a gravelling monotone voice.

Black watched his god-child rub his face miserably, "Why not?"

"Worrying about this year."

The two adults didn't push the boy any further, they sure as hell didn't want to make him any more upset about the issue, and even they didn't know what had been changed since the war.

The three ate their breakfast, the two adults making pleasant small conversation, mostly about Remus's book, considering the past-professor enjoyed telling his lover about the books he'd read.

Harry listened blankly to the happy conversation, looking down at his food, snorting a little as a thought came to his mind, "I wonder who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts is going to be."

Remus let out a short laugh, making Sirius look up at him like the heavens had just split wide open, "No clue- doubt they'll be able to get anyone to fill the position."

Eventually breakfast ended, the three heading to Diagon Alley to get Harry's missing items. Remus and Sirius stayed at a sweets shop briefly, leaving the teen to go get his own book, which wasn't unusual. Harry couldn't say he minded though, grabbing a History of Magic book meant for eighth year students and starting into a corner of the store for ink, but giving pause.

There was Draco Malfoy, someone Harry hadn't seen since the end of the school year- but he seemed different.
He seemed almost timid of everyone around him, jolting as a few books fell to the floor near him. Even in the summer heat he had on a black long sleeved, button up shirt, as per usual. His silvery blonde hair was, as always, fixed accordingly, black slack dress pants and black dress shoes. His eyes looked more broken than Harry remembered, scanning the room in a tense, awful manner.

The sight was more than enough to make Harry sick. His pride looked like it had been absolutely stripped out of him, probably was- considering he had, allegedly, faced countless trials over the summer. He did have a dark mark, but he pleaded innocent.
He claimed his father forced him into the following.

It was hard to believe, Harry thought, that Draco's father had forced his son into such a life- apparently- judging by the boys freedom- it had to be true. Still, Draco seemed to have always trusted his father- if you counted to numberless times he had said 'my father will hear about this.'

It was hard to tell what hed experienced, apparently, it was awful.

Draco slunk away quietly as he was nearly shoved back by a group of students that Harry only slightly recognized as Hogwarts students.

Once his former sworn enemy was gone, Harry walked over to get a container of ink and a few quills, going to pay for the items- only to find Narcissa Malfoy folding back Dracos sleeves on one of the benches near the counter. She was scolding him quietly, he could hear it as he got closer.

"I know you hate it, but it is late summer, dear. You'll be thrown into a heat stroke like this." She no longer seemed to scold him, instead her tone softened as she looked down at Dracos arm, Harry could see it too, from his spot in line. The dark mark was still evident, but under thousands of small cuts, nearly covered in scarred and slightly raised skin, but also surrounded by narcissus flowers he had apparently gotten tattooed to almost cover the mark.

"Just keep them rolled up, and at least unbutton your collar a little?" Mrs. Malfoy smiled softly at her son, rubbing her thumb over his cheek, "Now, go get your books and well check out, yes?"
Draco nodded slightly, "yes, mother" he nearly whispered, getting up to likely find his school books.