Fic: No Hiding Place book Four: The Cupboard Under The Stairs (12/32)

[sua_lay]

Title: No Hiding Place: Book Four: The Cupboard Under the Stairs (12/32)
Author: Rimau Sua Lay
Rating: overall NC-17, Angst, Drama, Action/Adventure, First Time
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairings: Harry/Snape, Ron/Draco, (Sirius/Remus)
Date: December 2002 - ?
Disclaimers: Not mine, borrowed without permission, am not making any money. Please don't sue. Sherbet Lemon?
Summary for Book Four: -Before you can go forward, you must face your past. Sins of the father may bury the son. Harry will find out if a dog really is the man's best friend.
Warning: This part contains deaths, gore, mention of het rape, explicit sex between men, disturbing themes, angst and a partridge in a pear tree.

The earlier parts of the fic can be found here.

Part 12

Harry could feel the excitement in the air as soon as he stepped out of the Slytherin dungeons.

It had been nice and quiet down there, the hallways as empty as always. Even with the torches here and there, the light was always faint these days, when there was no need for multitudes of students to see where they were going.

Shivering, Harry watched the people in the paintings rush towards the Entrance Hall and the Great Hall. The sound of dozens of people talking was almost deafening, different voices blurring into an annoying buzz that seemed to come from everywhere around him.

The fact that most of the ghosts were flying around the staircase, yelling to each other didn't really help.

He smiled slightly as Snape glared at the Bloody Baron who was waving his sword around and making very nasty comments. The Slytherin ghost didn't seem to be immune to the glare. Instead of making threats, he backed away slowly and then rushed to chase after Peeves.

The contrast to the peaceful morning spent with Snape was almost too much. Harry wanted nothing more than to turn around and walk back into the dungeons, but he knew it was the one thing he couldn't do now. He couldn't help muttering, "Bloody hell."

Snape cast a sharp look at him, but said nothing.

It was more annoying than the disapproving words that were so obviously on the man's mind. Harry bristled a little. Anger was better than the hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach, but he didn't want to be angry with Snape. He was probably the only person in the world he wasn't angry with right now.

There were sounds of footsteps coming from behind them. Harry looked over his shoulder, smiling faintly as he saw professor McGonagall hurry towards them. This would be it, the end of his peace and quiet, not ending with a crowd staring but with polite small talk.

To his surprise, McGonagall simply nodded at him, cast a slightly amused look at Snape and then moved on.

Not wishing to analyze the look right now, Harry kept moving, his feet feeling heavier with every step. He could hear the sounds coming from the main hallway and knew that there would be more people in the Great Hall than he'd ever seen before.

He was glad they weren't using any of the larger, more crowded hallways, for now he could pretend a moment longer. Snape's presence next to him gave him strength, but not even that could drive away all the butterflies that were so merrily dancing around in his stomach. Especially now that the man was clearly heading towards the teacher's entryway.

A small sigh escaped Harry as they stood by the stone wall.

Pointing at the small doorway, Snape muttered, "I will go through here. You should probably use the main entrance." He knew that it was what people would expect, their glorious hero making an entrance. He also knew this was something Harry had to do on his own.

Harry grimaced, but he knew it was true. "Yeah." He would have to try to get used to this, for from now on, things would never again be simple.

There was nothing more to say. Snape didn't want to share another sad kiss with Harry, so he simply turned around, his hand grabbing the doorknob without having to even look where he was reaching. He had used this entrance for most of his years here and it was almost as familiar to him as the dungeons.

"Snape?"

He turned around to look at Harry, who was still standing there, as if waiting for something. "Yes?"

"When I come back to Hogwarts to meet with Dumbledore or if there's an Order meeting..." There was a small pause, as if Harry didn't know how to really say it. "I'll come to see you. I mean, I'll come here. To be. With you."

He wondered if Snape understood what he really meant; that he didn't just want to see him sitting in the Great Hall, wouldn't crawl into the dungeons simply to get more great sex. He wanted everything. Maybe he was greedy and maybe he shouldn't want this so bad, but he did.

He wasn't going to let go of this and he'd be damned if he'd ever settle with a big house and followers and memories.

Snape raised an eyebrow, his hand squeezing the doorknob. "You will?" He could hear well that Harry's words hadn't been a question or a plea.

A nod.

It didn't surprise Snape. "I don't think that's wise." Now that he couldn't act as a spy anymore, he didn't know what his part in the war would be, but he was sure it wasn't to stand by Harry Potter like this.

"I didn't say it was. I'm saying I want to continue seeing you." Seeing that Snape was about to argue again, Harry stepped closer. "No. We've been through this conversation. More than once. I'm not going to waste any more time arguing with you about this. When I come here, I'd like to come and see you."

He didn't care what people would say. Things would change, and he knew he'd have to do things he didn't want to, things that had kept him awake during long nights, all the fears and doubts that had lead him to the dungeons in the first place. The war was reality now, out there in the open, and the wizarding world would turn to their hero.

No matter how he disliked it all, he was ready to do it. He had to, because no one else would, he accepted it.

Self sacrifice, honor and bravery. Gryffindor traits he would have to live through. He knew that wanting to hold on to Snape was selfish, but he didn't give a damn. He was pretty sure he was entitled to have this one thing of his own.

Snape was quiet for a moment, marveling at the honesty in Harry's voice. It almost sounded like he believed in his words and thought he would indeed care about Snape even after the world took him away from this.

Then he nodded curtly. "Then I shall see you later." He didn't wait for a reply but simply stepped through the doorway, letting the door slam shut behind him.

Staring at the door, Harry muttered, "Yes, you shall."

The hallway was empty, and Harry let his shoulders sag for just a moment. He really didn't want to do this now. There had been meetings with the Order before; either a large amount of people gathered in Dumbledore's rooms where Harry could try to sit quietly next to Ron and Hermione, or the few weathered members of their inner circle planning and plotting.

He had always had the chance to sit and listen. Observe and learn. Now, he would have to actually use the little knowledge he had.

He rubbed his palm across his face. Even all those weeks he'd spent worrying about this day hadn't really prepared him to what this would be like, what it would feel like to stand here and know what was waiting for him.

"Damn..." Standing here wouldn't likely help either. Harry straightened himself again and then continued walking down the hallway, his steps measured.

It was actually a blessing that there were so many people in the main hallway. Most of them were standing in small groups, talking with hushed voices and completely missed seeing Harry Potter sneak into the Great Hall.

Trying not to look around in search for people who wouldn't be here, Harry walked down the central aisle of the Hall. But when the sounds around him grew louder, he couldn't help turning his gaze here and there.

There were more people here than he'd imagined. He nodded politely at those who recognized him and muttered out his name, but didn't go to talk to anyone. The Gryffindor table on his right side was almost drawing him to it, but he knew that this time, it would not be his proper place.

He kept nodding at people, his lips not co-operating with him when he tried to smile. This was strange, like he was simply walking through a dream, and he felt like he was really not here at all.

So many people. Old witches and wizards who looked too frail to be here, men and women in brightly colored robes, talking to each other and looking somber. Younger people didn't look as morose, but no one was really smiling. No one had a reason to.

There were those Harry could remember from school. A few older Gryffindors he had looked up to when he'd been only a first year. Lots of people whose names he didn't really know, but who all knew his. Then there were those he'd seen every day.

Harry froze as his gaze met an achingly familiar face. A moment later, he continued on his way towards the Head Table. Hermione hadn't noticed him. He couldn't help wondering if that was intentional.

Ignoring the buzz all around him, he kept his attention on her. She was talking quietly to Lee Jordan, both looking subdued and wan.

Lee looked up, seeing Harry and nodded slightly, his expression tired, but definitely not hostile.

It made Harry stumble a little. He'd somehow expected to see glares and blame on the faces of his former housemates. Especially Lee, who had been the best friend of Fred and George.

"Lee?"

Harry could hear Hermione's voice even from the distance. He knew what would happen next, but didn't turn away, couldn't move even if he wanted to. He simply stood there, watching as she glanced to see what had caught Lee's attention and then spun around.

The smile appearing on Hermione's lips lit up her face. She took a step forward at the same time as Dumbledore's voice called out for Harry. Still smiling, she rolled her eyes, gesturing Harry to go on and mouthed, "Talk to you later." It was definitely a promise, not a threat.

Blinking hard, Harry mouthed back, "Yeah." He had been so afraid when he'd heard nothing from her since she'd left and now she was here and it didn't look like she hated him.

He could feel his lips curl into a faint but real smile as he walked to the Head Table. Even the way people were moving out of his way, startled by Dumbledore's call, didn't make the smile disappear.

"Harry. Please sit here." Dumbledore's words were a command as he pointed at the seat next to him where their DADA professor had used to sit. Most of the professors seemed to be sitting where they always did, professor McGonagall now looking at him from her usual place at Dumbledore's right.

Grimacing a little, Harry walked around the table to take the seat that was offered.

He sat down on the surprisingly comfortable chair, staring at the table in front of him for a moment before raising his gaze again. He didn't want to say anything to Dumbledore, not feeling like he could say anything polite right now, so he looked to his left, fully expecting to see professor Sinistra there.

"Snape?" Harry stared. Why on earth was he here? A quick glance to his right gave him all the explanation he needed. The twinkle in the Headmaster's eyes told him exactly what had made Snape forgo his place at the other end of the table.

The very curt nod and the muttered, "Potter" clearly showed what Snape was thinking about all of this.

Harry turned his attention away from him, afraid that he would do something he'd regret later if he kept looking at Snape. He did however move his leg a little, so that it barely brushed against Snape's, and didn't move away when he heard the suffering sigh.

The Great Hall was filling with people. Witches and wizards from all around the country, all members of Dumbledore's silent task force. Harry had met with most of them previously, knew many by name. He'd felt it was important for him to learn.

People were talking together quietly. It looked like there were whole families here, small groups formed by wizards of all ages. Harry could now see that there were indeed many from his year, Gryffindors and Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs gathered together. He waved at Seamus and Dean, not quite able to form a smile in greeting. Next to the familiar duo was another one and Harry had to blink to make sure he was seeing correctly. Yes, it was indeed Lavender and Parvati there, whispering together as always.

So many familiar faces. Hermione was now talking to Terry Boot, looking relieved to see him here. On the other side of the room, there was a group of a bit older wizards. Harry met with Oliver's gaze, shivering when he saw the sadness there. He had to turn his gaze away as he saw Angelina there by his side. The old Quidditch team looked so wrong without their redheaded Beaters.

Not a thing Harry wanted to think about right now, especially since the Weasley family was absent. He'd hoped at least Ron would be here, but it seemed he wouldn't come after all.

The noise level in the room was rising. It was almost the time for their meeting to begin, and everyone was starting to feel restless. They had lots of things to discuss now. The war wasn't a far away concept anymore, it had become a reality to everyone.

Harry glanced around him, feeling a bit weird sitting here at the Head Table, but he knew it was his place from now on. He wondered how alien Snape felt right now, but as usual he couldn't read anything from his face; he was looking as composed as ever.

The only ones absent were their latest DADA professor -- who had indeed suffered a nervous breakdown in May -- and professor Sinistra. He didn't know why she wasn't here. Maybe it was because she was a Slytherin. There didn't seem to be many of those here.

He didn't even have to look to know that Draco Malfoy was sitting alone at the Slytherin table. The room was full, and people had taken seats on that table as well, but no one sat close to him.

Except... Harry couldn't hide his surprise as he saw a man sit down opposite to Malfoy. It was apparent that Malfoy was as shocked as he was. He was staring with his mouth open before the shock melted into a genuine smile.

"Ah. Young Zabini," Dumbledore muttered, clearly pleased. "He is the only one from your house to refuse going home, Severus." Looking over Harry's head, he smiled at Snape.

Snape didn't say anything.

There was a small commotion at the door, and Harry turned to look what was going on. Seeing the group of people walk slowly down the aisle almost made his heart stop. His hands grasped the edge of the table, his knuckles going white. "Thank Merlin." It was a soft whisper, choked by the familiar strangled feeling.

Ron's journey towards the head of the Gryffindor table was cut by Hermione rushing to hug him. They stood there, in the middle of the room, holding each other tight. It was clear that at least Hermione was crying.

Looking determined, Arthur Weasley continued his way across the floor, nodding absentmindedly at people who offered their condolences with hushed voices. Right behind him came Bill and George, both looking as grim as their father.

Harry couldn't believe his eyes. He couldn't stop staring at the Weasleys, a lump forming in his throat as he saw Percy stepping into the room, hiding at the back.

His eyes were blurring with unshed tears. Rooted at his seat, he tried to breathe evenly.

"Go to them." Dumbledore's hushed voice came from his right. "We still have some time before we'll start the meeting."

Not bothering to even glance at the Headmaster, Harry pushed his chair back and then walked slowly around the table. He couldn't hurry, not now.

Arthur Weasley's grave nod made one of the tears slip down his cheek. Others followed as Bill offered him his hand without words. By the time George patted his back, Harry couldn't really see anything.

Then Ron and Hermione were there, both holding him tight.

This was the absolutely worst time and place for this but Harry didn't give a damn, holding his friends tighter. Ron was standing awfully still, his eyes bright but he was not crying. Hermione's soft sniffles were the only sound in his world.

Harry wished he could just stay here for the rest of the day; to revel in this moment of shared grief and friendship and forget all about the war. Squeezing his friends one last time, he let go. He couldn't do this now.

Voldemort had made this decision easy. No matter how he hated this, hated the war and his role in the Order, he couldn't even imagine doing anything else but fight right now. It wouldn't matter where he went; these people would still be in danger. They would fight and they would die, and he was determined to be right here by their side when they did.

He pulled back, slowly. Wiping his face, he took a deep breath. "You'd better find seats." His voice sounded too deep even in his own ears.

"Sure." Ron nodded. His expression was calm, no tears on his face. He guided Hermione to sit next to him and his brothers at the Gryffindor table.

Harry walked back to his place at the Head Table, his mind strangely clear.

The silence that had fallen when Harry had walked to greet the Weasleys continued as people all waited for their leader to start the meeting.

"Welcome." Rising to his feet slowly, Dumbledore greeted his Order. "Welcome all."

The familiarity of those words made Harry almost wince. They had been the beginning of everything good for as long as he could really remember. 'Welcome all to another year at Hogwarts.' A warm phrase that had brought him back home for seven years.

People murmured their greetings back, the room echoing with the polite words.

Dumbledore waited until the last sound died before grabbing a glass that had appeared in front of him a moment earlier. "First, I would like to raise my glass for those who have already fought in a war that should never have started." He lifted the glass up. "And to those who have fallen."

Hearing only the humming sound in his head as people everywhere raised their glasses, Harry followed suite. He didn't taste the liquid in his glass, couldn't say if it was pumpkin juice or something else. His grip on the glass was so tight he was stunned it didn't shatter.

He listened half heartedly as the Headmaster continued with his speech. The encouraging phrases were familiar to him, as were the plans.

The Order was gathering here for the first time, but it would also be the only time they would all be called to Hogwarts. No matter how good a stronghold it was, the castle was now and would always be mainly a school. A place of education where generations of wizards and witches had lived their teenage years.

Hogsmeade, the small village that existed mostly to cater the students and the wizards who were passing through and needed to spend time with something familiar, would become the heart of their Order. Though he shouldn't be, Harry was slightly surprised to hear that there were already plans for their new headquarters, and that they would soon be able to gather in Hogsmeade. When he'd been enjoying his last free days, it seemed that the Headmaster had been quite busy planning.

Or maybe the plans had always been there, and he just hadn't looked hard enough to see them.

Dumbledore's speech was long and winding, but for the first time, there were no silly anecdotes or humorous phrases. He simply stated facts, outlining the plans.

It was probably the one thing keeping everyone silent and staring. The Headmaster guiding his flock had disappeared somewhere, and Harry for one could well see how this wizard on his right had been able to battle against more than one Dark Lord.

He simply wished this were enough, knowing it wouldn't be. The churning feeling in his stomach only intensified as Dumbledore seemed to come to the end of his speech.

"Now that the war is upon us, you are all needed. No one's effort is too small." Dumbledore looked around the room, his gaze serious. "Those who can, should stay close to Hogsmeade. Others should make sure your floo works well, but don't forget to put up wards to your fireplace!"

Some people were actually scribbling down notes, making sure they didn't miss any advice. Harry knew he shouldn't have been surprised, but the sight of quills scratching on parchment was somehow absurd.

This was not a class. This was more real than that.

After Dumbledore finished with his speech, some of the older members of the Order took a stand in front of the crowd and gave short reports of the situation with the Death Eaters.

Harry didn't listen to that either. He already knew what was going on, and couldn't concentrate on anything right now. All that mattered was the fact that sooner or later he would have to stand up as well, the mere thought of that making his palms sweat. As Arabella Figg sat down after her short speech, he knew the time was finally here.

There was a moment of excited babbling all around the room. People whispering plans and making decisions.

Waiting for the silence to land again, Dumbledore turned to Harry. Keeping his voice quiet, he said, "You will be staying in Hogsmeade to train them. I believe now would be a good time to say something to your troops." It didn't seem like the slip was accidental.

Until now, it had always been Dumbledore's Order, his small army. It would still be called that, but he would not be the one leading it into the fight.

Harry wasn't surprised. He didn't feel anything as he slowly stood up.

His actions silenced the room better than any charm could have. People were staring at him, waiting for him to say something.

Feeling slightly nauseous, he looked at Ron and Hermione. Then his gaze moved to Arthur Weasley. "People have fought against Voldemort," there were a few gasps in the room at the name, mostly from those who had joined the Order recently, "for a long time. My parents died fighting him. My friends have died fighting him. It's quite probable that many of us will too. But we will not stand back and let him rule our world."

A few cheers. Applauds. They went on for a surprisingly long time.

Harry didn't know why would anyone cheer at that. He'd just said they would die, and people cheered. It was incomprehensible. After the noise died, he went on. "There is a lot of work waiting for us." More than most people could see. They were a big group of dedicated people, but they'd have to learn how to actually work together.

He kept his gaze away from the Slytherin table and the empty benches around Malfoy and Zabini.

There was an absolute silence in the room.

"We have fought and we have died for decades. Many people remember the first time Voldemort came to power and I've heard that most of you call this the second war against the Dark Lord." Harry nodded at the younger people. "Let's make damn sure there will not be a third one."

With that he sat down, squeezing his sweaty hands together. He'd said all that he wanted to, like in a Quidditch strategy meeting, feeling just as nervous and wondering if anything he'd said made any sense at all.

Unlike in those meetings, where people just nodded and went to work, there was a continuing silence that suddenly ended with loud catcalls and applauds. Some people stood up to cheer, and others quickly followed suit. In a few minutes the Great Hall was back in similar chaos as it had been when they'd started the meeting.

Harry glanced at Dumbledore, waiting for him to restore the order. Seeing the old man just sit there with a benign smile on his lips, he shook his head. If Dumbledore expected him to try to control the crowd now, he would be sorely disappointed. He didn't have anything else to say.

Since everyone was milling around already, Harry stood up. "I do believe our meeting is over." He didn't even try to moderate the sarcasm in his voice.

He stepped away from his chair, squeezing his hand into a fist so that he wouldn't brush it against Snape's back as he passed him by. Then he headed to the crowd, seeking for his friends.

Snape saw the way Harry was immediately surrounded by former Gryffindors. He sat there a moment longer, experiencing a very annoying surge of hesitation and something that tasted awfully like regret.

When the first redhead approached Harry, Snape decided it was time to go. Harry had the Weasleys and either they or Draco Malfoy would make sure he got home safely. There would be family waiting there, Black and Lupin undoubtedly all settled in already. He wasn't needed anymore.

He got up and walked out of the Great Hall, ignoring the very knowing glance Albus cast at him.

Down amongst the Order, Harry experienced a moment of panic as people closed in on him. He stood his ground, offering everyone a nod once again. The faint smile that flickered on his lips as Lavender rushed to hug him was real, showing genuine amusement.

Following Lavender came Parvati, who settled for just grining at him, as did her sister. It was kind of confusing, considering how neither of them had been really friendly with him since the ill fated Yule ball over three years ago.

It was strange, but having to actually form coherent sentences -- even ones filled with all kinds of platitudes -- pulled Harry's attention to the here and now, chasing away the feeling of unreality.

He couldn't pinpoint what exactly what had snapped him back to himself, but he definitely knew when he noticed just how much strength he needed to do this.

When a blur of black robes caught his attention.

Watching Snape leave the room quietly, Harry wanted nothing more than to run after him, to say goodbye once again, to hug him. It would make this even more difficult, but he still took a step towards the side door.

Then the crowd enveloped him, and the moment was gone.

Everyone seemed to want to say something to him. Congratulations, condolences, just a stuttered greeting from Blaise Zabini. Most older people wanted to shake his hand, while some of the younger women wrapped their arms around him.

It was slightly unpleasant and awfully crowding, but Harry allowed it. He disentangled from the witches with a few kind words and then went on to the next person needing to have a moment or two with their hero.

"Good to have you back!" Boot exclaimed, shaking Harry's hand vigorously.

Harry nodded, forcing the lie out automatically, "Good to be back." It wasn't. Especially right now.

"Yeah."

The slightly hesitant sound made Harry turn away from Terry Boot. He looked at Ron, suddenly unable to think about anything to say. "Ron." Well, at least he got his name right.

"Harry. I heard you have a great big house in Hogsmeade." It was said with almost a too casual voice, as if Ron didn't really know what to say either.

Nodding, Harry said, "Yes. A great big house." Huge. With lots of space. Lots and lots of space. He had an idea where this was going, and couldn't hide his relief.

Ron shoved his hands into his pockets. "So... It's okay with you if I.... You know? Stay with you? I mean if you have some room to spare."

"Yes!" Harry smiled. It was more than okay. "You know it is. I do. You know?"

They both grinned.

"Don't do anything stupid then, little brother." Cuffing the side of Ron's head, Bill Weasley stepped closer. He didn't look at Harry, keeping his attention on something at the back of the room.

It hurt, especially since there had been a moment two years ago when they had fought side by side, ignoring things like age and experience, both trying to survive and keep the other one alive. Harry glanced at Mr. Weasley, wondering if he'd be as distant as his oldest son.

"Harry! Good to see you." There was no sign of false cheer in Arthur Weasley. "I see my son has already managed to pester you about housing. We have a place to stay, but if you do have the room for him..."

Harry hurried to assure him. "Yes. There's plenty of room for Ron." He didn't want to talk about things like rooms and rent with Mr. Weasley. "For anyone, really."

"Good." Nodding absentmindedly, Arthur stepped next to Bill, his gaze focusing at the back of the room as well. He looked worried. "Good... All right then. Ronald, you have your trunk ready?"

"Yes, dad!" By the suffering sigh, it wasn't the first time Ron's father had asked that. With a last grin at Harry, Ron rushed to get his things.

A few older wizards came to shake Harry's hand, making Harry feel extremely uncomfortable. He didn't want to do this, not in front of the Weasleys to whom he would probably never again look like a hero. It was absurd how that could hurt so much even when he wanted nothing more than to leave that title behind.

As the crowd thinned again, he turned his attention back to Mr. Weasley, opening his mouth to assure him that Ron would be safe with him.

None of the words came out. Mr. Weasley and Bill were both staring over his head towards the doorway, both looking slightly alarmed now.

Harry swallowed and slowly craned his neck to see what had caught their attention.

At first, he couldn't see anything special, just people milling around. Then he shivered as his gaze met with an intense stare that threw daggers at him through the distance.

"Oh no..." There was nothing else he could really say as he saw Percy Weasley there. Unlike the rest of his family, he'd stayed near the doorway the whole time, standing there wrapped in a heavy outer robe.

Percy's expression was full of insane hatred. He stared at Harry for a moment and then turned around, walking out of the room.

It felt like a slap in the face. Harry swallowed hard. A part of him felt like he really did deserve that, the part that would probably forever blame himself for every single death in this absurd war.

"Harry, we..." Arthur looked from the doorway to his son. "He doesn't really know what he is doing." His glance sent Bill after his brother. "I'm sorry."

"No! I'm sorry." Shaking his head, Harry said, "I don't blame him for not wanting to be in the same room with me. Or for blaming me for everything that happened." Why wouldn't he?

Arthur sighed. He couldn't say Harry was wrong. "I'll go and tell Ron we're leaving." At the questioning look, he added, "We really must go now. Just remember that we will be here whenever you need us." It was a promise he intended to keep. Even if he had to resign from his position in the Ministry, he would be here to make sure that the men who had killed his son would pay for their crimes.

It was really hard for Harry to keep a neutral face at that. He finally managed a nod.

"Good bye, Harry Potter." Arthur turned away, walking quickly to the small group next to the door.

Harry followed him with his gaze, feeling completely drained. He saw Mr. Weasley whisper something to Ron before turning to George, who was chatting with Lee Jordan. He noticed there was a stunned expression on Lee's face as he stared at George and wondered what that was about.

He didn't really want to know. There were so many things he had to concentrate on already.

The Order was slowly leaving. Harry looked up at the ceiling that was for once charmed to look like an ordinary ceiling with its rafters and took a deep breath. Somehow it had felt as if there wasn't quite enough air in the room with the crowd here.

"Are you ready to go?"

Not even jumping at Ron's question, Harry smiled. "Yeah." It would be good to be away from the multitudes of people. The house would be quiet, he hoped. At least he could go to his room and lock the door and know that no one would bother him. Sirius and Remus would respect his privacy, and Malfoy...

He groaned, "Oh, crap." How the hell could he have forgotten Malfoy?

Ron stopped fidgeting with his shrunken trunk at the sound of Harry's voice. "What?" He had a bad feeling about this.

"Ron... About my house." The word still made Harry grimace. His house.

"Yes?" Ron cocked his head. He wondered what the slightly annoyed expression was about. It was definitely a good thing to own a house in Hogsmeade. A real house! His father had told him all about it. A few blocks from Honeydukes, in the older -- more respected -- part of the town.

"Like I said, you know you are welcome to stay. But... There are already people living there with me. Remus and Sirius have a room downstairs." Not that it would matter. They all liked the older men.

Ron let out a grin. "I don't mind." Once he'd got over the gawking, he'd really started to enjoy Sirius' presence. The man knew more dirty jokes than anyone.

They could live together. Hell, they should ask Hermione to live with them too. Five Gryffindors under the same roof? No problem. He'd lived with worse, much worse. Hopefully, they'd even have a house elf or two so that they wouldn't have to waste time on stupid chores.

"Ron." Not knowing any way to make it easier, Harry drew a deep breath. "I have a lot of room. So I offered... I offered Draco Malfoy a place to stay."

He cringed at the sudden silence that fell.

Not sure he'd heard right, Ron stared at his friend. There was worry in Harry's eyes, as well as guilt. So he had heard right. Malfoy. Living with Malfoy. It had to be a joke. Had to be. "Very funny," he said calmly. "For a moment there I thought you said you're living with Malfoy."

Harry could only nod. He knew words wouldn't be needed.

After a moment, Ron raised his hand to push his hair back from his forehead, the movement half hearted. "Oh, fuck!"

"I know you hate him, so if it's a problem..." Seeing the strangely empty stare, Harry's voice faded away. He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, Ron, but it's his home now as well." He couldn't throw Malfoy out even if he wanted to.

"Whose home?" Walking quietly to her friends, Hermione blinked as her question made both of them startle. "Oh, and Harry. Do you mind if I stay with you as well? Terry said you have a big house in Hogsmeade."

Ron let out a choking sound.

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[silver-mist1982.livejournal.com]

You've got me hooked I promised myself that I'd wait until you had it all posted and then read but I read the first chapter of the first book and was sunk. I have since read everything you've posted and can't wait for more. I love how you portray Snape, he's so very believable. I can't wait to see more of Malfoy and Ron, next to Snarry it's my favorite pairing in this verse.

[sua-lay.livejournal.com]

Well, I can promise I'll definitely finish this fic! So you won't have to deal with a WIP that leaves off just when it gets intriguing. :D I really try to keep Snape as in character as possible, or at least consistent. Oh, and Draco/Ron is definitely intriguing, especially since I can't really see them do the very happy mushy thing (even if they do have a knack on the whole shagging thing...).

:D

[xikum.livejournal.com]

Hmm...didn't you say 4 bedrooms? So, Harry, Remus & Sirius, Draco, Ron...where does Hermione go? Or was that only 4 upstairs bedrooms, others downstairs? Well, this should be interesting!!!

[sua-lay.livejournal.com]

:D Only four bedrooms upstairs. The old guys and Hermione will sleep downstairs. I think that would make it a bit more decent, something even Hermione's parents would approve.