If there was one thing Draco Malfoy was not, it was easily silenced. He had been told that Harry was very nearly sorted into Slytheirn, and he was convinced that the reason as to why he hadn't been is because he looks way too good in green. His thoughts were racing at just how good Harry looked, and when Harry tried to grab his hand, Draco retreated as if he had been burnt.

"Are you alright? Is it that bad?"

Harry had finished writing his letter to Molly, and then immediately gone to change into Draco's robes, thus assuming his alter ego.

"Salazar no. I'm just having very private thoughts that you do not need to hear right now."

"I think I would love to hear them", Harry purred.

"Harry", Draco warned.

"You're no fun", Harry replied with a huff.

"I'm not fun? Really? Do you find it wise to provoke me?"

"When you look and sound like that, yes."

Letting out a low growl, Draco had pulled Harry onto the bed and pinned his arms above his head before Harry could say "Quidditch."

"Just think Harry, if you were in Slytherin, we could've been doing this for years."

"Doing what exactly?", he asked innocently, looking up at Draco through his eyelashes.

He drove Draco crazy when he did that, and he knew it. Draco wasted no time in kissing Harry harshly. There was no way that his lips wouldn't be red and bruised after this, but he couldn't find it in him to care.

"The only thing you'd look better in than a Slytherin robe is nothing at all", Draco whispered huskily into Harry's ear.

"You're the only accessory I need, Draco."

Harry arched up into him, and all Draco wanted to do was mark his Harry's neck. Show everyone that he was taken.

"Can't", Harry panted, but he wanted Draco to mark him, and Draco knew that.

"Oh can't I?"

Draco's lips had been on Harry's neck for not even a minute when there was a knock on their door. Begrudgingly, Draco got off of Harry and went to get the door after casting a quick spell to fix his hair, and then adjusting his robe.

"Yes?"

"McGonagall sent me to get you and Harry for the assembly."

"Thanks Pans. We'll be down to the Great Hall as soon as we drop off a letter."

"See you soon."

Harry was laughing as soon as the door was fully closed.

"I don't know why you're laughing. You're the one who started this because you don't know how to behave."

"Are you going to punish me?"

"What has gotten you so worked up Harry?"

"Too much on my mind, would rather have you on me instead."

"Come on my darling, let's go visit Scarhead Jr and send the letter. Then we can show off how hot you are in Slytherin green."

Harry sighed in such a dramatic way that Draco was proud and got up. Before going out the door, he kissed Draco one more time, just because he could.

"Seems like you got punished after all hmm?"

"What?"

"I started to leave a mark on your neck. Oops."

"You're not sorry at all."

"Damn right I'm not. That's what you get for getting me going."

Harry couldn't argue with that, as he had antagonized Draco.

"I'd rather be getting you off", was his last remark, accompanied by a wink that left Draco weak at the knees.

Blinking, he shook his head and chased after his idiotic, horny boyfriend.

Harry's demeanor quickly changed once he saw Scarhead Jr again. Immediately he was cooing at the small owl and showering him in attention.

"I have a letter for you. Are you up for a fly?"

After hearing the proud hoot from the owl, Harry opened the cage, and Scarhead Jr immediately flew over to Draco, nuzzling into his neck.

"Aww he missed his other daddy", Harry cooed.

"I've missed you too, Scarhead. If Harry ever refers to the both of us as 'daddies' again I'm breaking up with him and I'll have sole custody of you."

"What, you don't want-"

"Don't even finish that sentence Potter. I can assume where it's going, and I don't have enough time to unpack all of your issues now. Send the letter to Mrs. Weasley and let's go before McGonagall puts us in detention."

"Be safe Scarhead", Harry said, patting the little owl on the head after tying up his letter.

The two men walked down the hall in silence, side by side, lightly bumping into each other. It was nice, not having to hide that they were close, even if it was only because every other student was already in the Great Hall.

"Let me fix your collar before you go in", Draco said, stopping Harry before he opened the door.

The small mark he had left was low enough that it could easily be concealed by their uniforms. One day, Draco wouldn't have to worry about such matters.

"How do I look?", Harry asked, adjusting his robes one last time.

"Like I need you back in my bed immediately."

"And you said I was bad. Let's go sweetheart."

The volume in the Great Hall was loud enough that the two men were easily able to slip in unnoticed. They sat next to Luna and Ginny at the end of the table next to the eighth years, who were the first to notice them. Blaise was grinning madly, and many emotions flickered across Ron's face at the sight of Harry in the Slytherin robes. He gave Harry a small smile and a thumbs up, which meant a great deal to Harry.

"May I have your attention? Now that we are all here, I have a multitude of announcements to make. I have seen more students than ever before in detention. We have all been through a war. I am not invalidating anyone's trauma, but attacking Slytherins is not the way to go about venting your anger and frustrations.

You are not your parents, nor do you have to be. You will have noticed that we now have multiple tables. I have spoken to the eighth years, and we have come to the agreement that these tables may be doing more harm than good. You are allowed to sit with whoever you wish, other than the eighth years.

Now, starting at lunch today we are trying out a new policy. I have spoken to all of the prefects who are in agreement. Only they will be allowed to wear their uniforms at meal times. If I cannot trust you to keep your fellow students safe, you will not be allowed to represent your house at meal times. Your uniforms are not meant to be a target. There will be time once this is over for you to change.

If these measures are effective in keeping everyone safe, then we will be able to have some fun. The eighth years have suggested a dance, on a much smaller scale than the Yule Ball they attended in fourth year. We haven't come up with specifics yet as this is contingent on how many students continue to serve detention.

Do not make me expel anyone. I have eyes and ears everywhere", McGonagall finished sternly.

This caused all of the students to look around, looking for someone in particular. As their eyes found Harry, the volume increased once again. McGonagall looked at him, eyebrows raised. Harry nodded, understanding the question behind her gaze.

"Now, I have someone who would like to say a few words to you all."

A chorus of cheers and boos were heard as Harry arose and headed to the front of the Great Hall. He sneered in such a manner that Draco was proud, and rolled his eyes. Draco moved to the eighth year table, settling in next to Pansy.

Harry stood there for a few moments, silently, letting all of the yells and chants subside.

"Mr. Potter, if you will?"

Harry felt everyone's eyes leave him as they looked for the "real" Harry Potter. He took this time to push back his hair and slip on his glasses. Those who had continued to stare at the strange Slytherin gasped as he became none other than Harry Potter.

"What the hell?", someone yelled from the back of the room.

"Potter is one of us!", yelled a sixth year Slytherin.

A chant of "one of us" echoed across the Great Hall, and Harry grinned, sending the Gryffindors into shock.

"Silence!", McGonagall demanded. "Mr. Potter is a man of few words, so I advise you to listen to them closely. I'll explain so he doesn't have to waste his words on that. He has come to me on multiple occasions because he was concerned about the prejudices others carried against the Slytherin house. My words were not enough, so in true Potter fashion he took matters into his own hands.

Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy are roommates. He has been borrowing Mr. Malfoy's uniform and masquerading as a Slytherin when he hasn't been safely escorting various Slytherin students to their destinations. As certain individuals were still tormenting our students and not abiding by my zero tolerance policy, he has been catching all of you in the act.

If you have tried to cause harm to your fellow classmates, it was Harry Potter who reported you. He has seen your true colors, and watched you work against what he gave his life for twice over. The sacrifices everyone has made will not be made in vain. We lost friends, family, students, staff, and alumni during the war. Everyone, Mr. Potter especially, has seen and experienced things that no one, let alone a child, should have gone through. He has returned to complete his education, not to be a bodyguard. This is all I have to say on the matter at the moment."

"Why did you do it?", asked one of the Slytherins Harry had sent to find safety in the Great Hall.

He glanced evenly at all of the students before him, choosing his words carefully, and from the heart.

"Draco Malfoy loves photography, calla lilies, and chocolate ice cream sundaes. Pansy Parkinson wants to become a beautician and somehow managed to tame my eyebrows. Blaise Zabini loves Harry Styles and has a brilliant vinyl collection. These Slytherins are my friends.

I was incorrectly told that there had never been a witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin. Because of this, I asked the hat to put me in Gryffindor instead of Slytherin. If I had never been told this, I would have become friends with those three despite my house because they are good people."

"How are they good people? Draco tormented you for years and Pansy tried to kill you!"

"Exactly. They did these things to me specifically. If I can forgive them, why can't you? And on that note, why are you basing your opinions of a whole house on a select few individuals?"

No one had anything to say to that.

"Thank you Mr. Potter. You may rejoin your friends."

All of the Slytherins clapped for Harry out of respect, and they were quickly joined by the Hufflepuffs, and a few others from the remaining two houses. McGonagall continued to go over the rules as well as other changes she would be implementing. Harry didn't bear her much mind as he had heard this all before. He was doodling on some parchment when he got hit square in the back with a ball of parchment.

"Sorry!", a younger Slytherin squeaked. "That was for Pansy", she whispered.

He smiled at the girl, and handed the parchment to Pansy, who had to clamp her hand over her mouth to keep her yell of excitement quiet. She shoved the parchment over towards Harry, Draco, and Blaise to read.

The young girl had asked Pansy if she could do her eyebrows, as well as a few other Slytherin girls. Turning around, Pansy gave the girl a thumbs up, before hugging Harry really tightly.

"Thank you Harry, truly."

"Anytime Pansy."

"You're all free to go and change for lunch now. If there are any more incidents, I will not hesitate to expel any of you. This was your final warning."

The eighth years hung out for a while longer, waiting until the crowds had dissipated. Tentatively, Hermione and Ron made their way over to Harry. Draco immediately went on the defensive, with Pansy looking wary. Blaise was too busy flirting with Neville to notice.

"Can we walk up to the dorms with you?", Hermione asked.

"Of course you can", Harry replied, giving Draco a look to silence the reply of "no" he was sure would be leaving Draco's mouth.

Draco could deal with this, as long as Weasley didn't open his mouth.

"What are your plans for this weekend?", Hermione asked politely.

"Can I tell you in my room?", Harry asked, worried of others overhearing.

"Oh of course! I should've thought of that. It's very strange getting all of this attention now."

"You've always had this kind of attention haven't you?"

"People used to avoid us because when something bad happened it was usually to us three", Ron chimed in. "No one really knew the extent of what we were doing."

"It was for the best", Harry agreed.

"Harry, I think it's time to fix up your eyebrows before the weekend."

"Showing off for new clients?"

"You caught me, I do have an ulterior motive. But I'd never charge my poster boy of course."

"Would you do mine as well?", Hermione asked hesitantly.

Pansy stopped in her tracks on the stairs to the tower.

"You trust me enough for that?"

"If Harry trusts you, then so do I. We don't have a good history, but maybe we can make a better future. I'm willing to try."

"Okay. It would make our living situation less awkward", Pansy agreed.

They entered their tower, where the rest of the eighth years were chattering excitedly.

"Welcome Potter", Nott cheered, as soon as he walked in.

"Thank you. You helped out my sister a few times", Daphne added.

"Of course. I'm sorry she needed helping."

"I think things are going to get better", Blaise declared.

"They will", Neville agreed.

"We're going to be late to lunch, so you don't have to wait up", Draco called over his shoulder, already on his way to his room.

"My room in five?", Harry asked.

Pansy, Hermione, and Ron nodded. With a small smile on his face, Harry walked into his room.

"Salazar, you look so good in my robes. We need to take a picture before we change."

"Everyone will be here in five."

"That doesn't even leave time for anything fun", Draco said with a pout.

"What if we went back to mine before dinner and I cooked for us?"

"Will you wear my Slytherin robe for our classes after lunch?"

"If it will make you happy, then yes."

"It would make all of me very happy", Draco purred.

"I didn't need any convincing. I would want to see you in my Gryffindor robe though."

"Absolutely not. I'll compromise though."

Harry watched as Draco went into Harry's closet and grabbed a soft maroon sweater.

"Hurry up and change, we only have a few minutes and I want to kiss you", Draco chastised.

"Yes sir", Harry sassed sarcastically.

"Careful there my darling, I just may like that."

Draco's (mostly) teasing remark was met by Harry throwing a pillow at him.

"You just cost yourself some kisses."

"If I recall, you were the one who wanted to kiss me", Harry retorted, grabbing a shirt from his closet.

"I'm going to burn that blue shirt. Please wear anything else."

"What's wrong with my shirt?"

"People are going to think it's the only thing you own. Wear one of the shirts Pansy got you. She would love that."

"Choose."

With a gleam in his eye, Draco chose a short sleeved button up for Harry.

"Might as well leave the pants. Wear a pair of your boots with it."

Harry did as instructed, then laid down on his bed, waiting for his friends to arrive.

"You're really not going to kiss me?"

"You said-"

"I lied."

Playfully rolling his eyes, Harry got up and met Draco in the space between their beds. Right before their lips touched, there was a knock on the door. Draco moved to pull back, but Harry leaned forward to connect their lips briefly.

Pulling away with a cheeky grin, he opened the door letting his friends in. Ron was hesitant in entering, so Harry threw his arm over Ron's shoulder, and led him inside. Harry would do his best to see if their friendship could be salvaged.

"You guys really made your room look nice", Hermione complimented.

"It was an abomination beforehand I assure you. We wanted something neutral, and we both like the stars", Draco replied, sitting on his bed.

"Alright Harry, same position as last time. This won't take as long since the shape is still visible. I'm just cleaning them up."

Harry placed his head in Draco's lap as Pansy got her materials ready. Hermione and Ron sat on Harry's bed, exchanging a look.

"That's a nice shirt Harry? Where did you get it?"

"I gave it to him for his birthday. He needed desperate fashion advice, Granger."

"Yes, well I'm sure I could use some of that as well."

"We could all go shopping together one weekend?", Pansy suggested.

Hermione looked to Ron for an answer.

"Yeah, okay", he replied slowly. "You're coming over for dinner tomorrow, right Harry?"

"Should be."

"So that there are no more surprises, I was invited as well Weasley. Harry wrote to your mother earlier today to confirm."

Ron looked between Harry and Draco, blinking slowly, trying to come up with a response.

"As long as you don't insult my family", he decided on.

"I would never. Not anymore", Draco responded immediately.

"Then we'll be okay."

"Brilliant", Harry cut in with a grin.

"Potter, don't you dare move!"

He quickly shut his mouth, and Hermione laughed at the exchange.

"Malfoy you'll have to tell me what you both plan on doing this weekend then."

"We were heading back to Harry's tonight, dinner at the Weasley's tomorrow, then tea with my mother on Sunday before we come back here. What about you?"

"Australia to visit my parents again. By winter break they'll be moved back home completely. There's a 9 hour time difference so we'll be leaving here late and getting there at 6am. The timezones are very messy, but I want to make sure they're doing okay."

"I hope you both have a nice trip", Draco replied politely.

"You should come with us sometime. It's nice there. No one knows us so we can do whatever we want without having to worry about it ending up photographed and published."

"That could be nice. Maybe when it's winter here and summer there. I'm not one for the cold. Thank you for the invitation Granger."

"You're both friends with Harry. Zabini too, so I'd like to get to know you all better. We can take things from there, and at the bare minimum tolerate each other."

"I'll take it", Harry agreed.

This was a start, and Harry could live with that. Ron had him feeling hopeful, so he must have read his letter. Hopefully, this really was the start of a positive change. He wouldn't get his hopes up just yet, he had been let down before. 

{Helloooooo I am, in fact, alive. So sorry for the wait, I hope this longer chapter makes up for it. I completed a short Drarry Halloween AU a few days ago if you're looking for something else to read  while waiting for my updates. Stay safe everyone. All my love as always, J 💗}