After the disastrous evening with Narcissa, Harry began to avoid being alone with Draco as best as he could. He would wake up, shower, dress, and head to breakfast before Draco woke, and be asleep, or pretend to be asleep, before Draco came to bed, to avoid him in their private rooms. During the day, Harry ensured they were surround by friends so that he wouldn't have to actually talk to Draco. Harry thought he was doing a fairly good job of it, too. It had been ten days since he had put his memories into the pensieve and Draco didn't seem at all suspicious.

'Draco doesn't suspect a thing. He doesn't even realize I've been making sure we're never alone together.' Harry thought to himself as he finished dinner that night and left, heading back to their quarters. Harry's plan was working and he should be happy, but he had a terrible, constant headache, and he wasn't sleeping well, if at all, and his heart hurt, a dull pain that continually throbbed. Harry sighed, rubbing his temples as he turned a corner and descended into the dungeons.

On his right, the door to an abandoned classroom slammed open and a pale and shot out, grabbed him by the arm, and yanked him inside, sending him sprawling to the floor. Harry scrambled up, flicking his wand into his hand as he heard his attacker cast a strong locking charm on the door. Harry blinked quickly, his eyes watering as light flared around the room, his attacker lighting all of the candles with a flick of his wand.

"Draco?" Harry gasped once he caught sight of his mate standing menacingly in the middle of the room. "You scared the shit out of me! What are you doing?"

"No, what are you doing, Potter?" Harry flinched at the use of his surname, not having heard it from his mate since they'd rescued him.

"I don't know what you mean." Harry shrugged, feigning innocence even as his stomach clenched with dread.

"What. Are. You. Doing?" Draco annunciated slowly.

"Standing in an abandoned room wondering why you're acting like such a prat?" Harry retorted sarcastically, trying to quell his rising fear.

"You've been avoiding me," Draco said bluntly. "I want to know why."

"Draco, I don't know what you're talking about. I'm with you all the time."

"You're with me and all of the people you feel safe with all the time. You've been avoiding being alone with me. Why?" Harry shuffled nervously, tugging at his shirt-sleeve. He shrugged defiantly and Draco growled.

"Tell me." Draco ordered. "Tell me why you are suddenly so afraid to be alone with me. Tell me what you're hiding. I know you haven't been sleeping and Longbottom told me you've barely been eating."

"So you're talking to my friends behind my back now?" Harry demanded angrily. Draco threw his hands up in frustration.

"What else am I supposed to do when you won't even look at me?" Draco demanded. "Harry, I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong. Just tell me what's wrong!"

"I can't!" Harry shouted. "I can't, and I won't."

"Why?" Draco pressed. "Is it your nightmares? Harry, you know you can tell me about them, no matter what they're about."

"It's not the nightmares. I'm not telling you," Harry insisted stubbornly, folding his arms across his chest and glaring off to the side. Draco sighed, his shoulders slumping tiredly as he ran his hands through his hair.

"Harry, I don't want to have to do this, but if you won't tell me what's bothering you willingly, I will command you to as your Dominant and you will have no choice," Draco said quietly. Harry jerked as if Draco had physically struck him, he almost wishes he had.

"You wouldn't do that. You wouldn't. You know how I feel about people forcing me," Harry rasped.

"I know, but you aren't giving me any choice!" Draco snapped.

"Why can't you just accept the fact that I'm not going to tell you? Why do you need to know?" Harry snapped back.

"I will not have you pulling away from me, submissive. You've become so distant. You won't let me touch you, you flinch whenever I get too close, and you aren't eating or sleeping. Harry, whatever you're keeping secret, it's hurting you. I don't want you to hurt anymore."

"So to stop me from hurting myself, you'll hurt me instead?" Harry asked bitterly. Draco stepped forward but stopped abruptly when Harry flinched back from him. Draco's eyes filled with anguish and he closed them resolutely, taking a deep breath.

"I don't want to hurt you, Harry. I'm doing this for your own good and I hope you can forgive me later," Draco sighed, opening his eyes to look at his mate.

"That's what Dumbledore told me when he sent me back to them every summer after I would ask to stay at Hogwarts. He'd tell me I had to stay with them for my own protection, for the Greater Good, and that he hoped I would forgive him," Harry whispered. Draco swallowed thickly, disgusted with himself at the comparison.

"Please, Harry. Just tell me. Tell me and I won't have to do this," Draco pleaded one last time. Harry shook his head.

"You'll hate me," he said in a small voice.

"Never. Nothing you could ever do would make me hate you, Harry. I love you." Harry stared at Draco, weighing his options. He couldn't let Draco order him to speak, he would never be able to trust him after that breach of free will, but he didn't want to lose Draco either, and he would. Draco loved his mother dearly and if he knew how Harry had treated her he would despise him, submissive mate or not. Harry whined low in his throat in despair. No matter what he chose he'd lose.

"When you're mum was here last week," Harry began, eyes locked on his trainers. "She stayed with me while you were gone. I…I asked her if she would stay while I put some of my memories in the pensieve, I knew I wouldn't be able to do it alone and you were gone. I…could only remove three memories before I lost it. I'd…not forgotten, so much as repressed, how awful things were, even back then. The last one I removed was the first time that my uncle…that he…"Harry trailed off, wrapping his arms tightly around himself in a sad parody of a hug. Draco was frozen, listening intently to his mate and trying to push back the rising fury.

"It was the first time that he…raped me," Harry whispered, fear and shame coating his words. "I…didn't handle removing that particular memory very well. When your mum tried to comfort me I…I said some things, awful things. I couldn't stand the thought of her seeing me so vulnerable and I lashed out at her. I didn't hurt her!" Harry rushed to clarify. "What I said wasn't pretty but I didn't hurt her physically."

"Harry-"

"I know how much you love her and I know that it was unacceptable for me to say what I did but-"

"Harry, I-"

"I couldn't handle anyone being so close after reliving that and I had to make her stop touching me-"

"I understand, Harry. I-"

"Just, please, don't leave! I've never felt as good as I do with you. You make me feel so safe and I've never had that, never had someone who actually cared about me. You can beat me, if you want. I don't care. You can use me however you want, just stay. Stay with me, please," Harry begged desperately, stumbling forward to clutch at Draco's robes. Draco immediately wrapped his arms tightly around his distraught mate, shushing him gently.

"Harry. Harry, no. Its fine, everything's fine. I understand why you did what you did. Shh, submissive, you're okay. I'm not going to hurt you. I won't beat you, I won't use you. I would never do that to you, just calm down," Draco soothed, rocking his mate slowly.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Harry whispered over and over again, pressing his face into Draco's shoulder. "Stay. Stay with me."

"I'm not going anywhere," Draco promised. "Harry, I'm not leaving you. Not ever." He pulled back so he could look into wet emerald eyes. "We're going to go to out room and you're going to eat something and get some sleep. I know you're tired. We can talk more in the morning, alright?" Harry nodded, still grasping the front of Draco's robes tightly.

Draco held Harry close to him as he dismantled the lock on the door and led his still shaking mate to their private quarters. He sat Harry down once they got inside and called a house elf to bring him dinner. Draco made sure Harry ate everything on his plate before leading the shorter boy to their bedroom. Harry changed into his sleep clothes quickly and climbed into bed. Draco slid in on his side and Harry instantly rolled over until his back was pressed against Draco's chest. Harry reached behind him and grabbed Draco's arm, pulling it over him and lacing their fingers together on his stomach.

"I love you, Harry," Draco said, pressing a kiss against Harry's neck.

"How do you know? I'm not sure if what I feel is love. I know I've said it but I don't know what it means," Harry admitted, his voice so soft Draco almost didn't hear.

"Harry, you don't have to say it just because I do. Say it when you mean it, when you're certain of what it means. I know I love you because I can't bear the thought of ever living without you," Draco answered softly. Harry was quiet for a minute before he spoke again.

"Draco, what are we going to do about Dumbledore?" Draco sighed, a flash of anger coursing through him.

"I don't know, Harry. There isn't much we can do right now. He has too much power over us here. Honestly, I think we should leave Hogwarts and get private tutors, but I don't want to give him the satisfaction of running us out of school,"

"He'll hurt you if I don't do what he says. You heard him at the meeting."

.

Flashback

Harry and Draco stood in front of the entrance leading to the staircase that took them to the Headmasters office. Harry glared up at the gargoyle statue blocking there path, fury churning in his gut.

"Let's just get this over with. I don't want to have to be in his presence any longer than necessary," Draco sighed and Harry growled.

"We shouldn't have to be doing this at all! If Dumbledore would just keep his nose out of my shitty life then maybe I could find some semblance of happiness," Harry snapped.

"Harry, you need to calm down. We can't let him affect us. Don't show him anger, don't show him fear. We need to stay calm, no matter what he says," Draco said coolly, trying to calm his mate down. Harry nodded jerkily and took a few deep breaths.

"Toffee," Harry muttered. The gargoyle jumped aside to allow them onto the stairs. They rode the stairs to the top and Harry knocked on Dumbledore's office door.

"Come in," Dumbledore called happily. Harry opened the door and walked in, his dominant close behind them. Harry sat directly across from Dumbledore and Draco conjured a chair right beside him.

"Hello, my boy. Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore greeted them with a smile.

"Headmaster," Harry responded quietly. Draco inclined his head politely.

"Would either of you like a lemon drop? They're quite delicious," Dumbledore offered, holding out a container full of the round candy as he popped one into his mouth.

"No, thank you," Draco declined for the both of them.

"If you're sure. How have you boys been doing? Everything going well with your bond?"

"As well as it can with the circumstances," Harry shrugged.

"Oh, and what sort of problems are you encountering? Perhaps I can be of some service?" Dumbledore offered.

"I highly doubt that, sir," Harry said, barely resisting the urge to sneer at the older wizard.

"Oh, I insist you tell me all about it," Dumbledore said smoothly.

"We'd rather handle this ourselves, but thank you for that kind offer, Headmaster," Draco said.

"What did you want to talk with us about, Headmaster? Surely it wasn't our bond," Harry said, diverting the topic.

"No, that was not the only reason. I asked you here to discuss a very sensitive topic, your obedience." All traces of geniality were gone as Dumbledore stared coldly at Harry.

"I've no idea what you could be referring to, Headmaster. I have obediently followedevery school rule so far this year," Harry said breezily. Dumbledore narrowed his eyes.

"You're obedience to me. I will not have you traipsing around doing whatever you please, Harry. You seem to forget that we are in the middle of a war, a war that only you can end."

"I haven't forgotten anything, Headmaster, and I don't plan on forgiving anytime soon, either," Harry said coolly. "You have singlehandedly ruined any and all happiness I have ever managed to find, you've lied to me, and you've threatened my dominant. Do you honestly think I would ever do anything you ask of me?" Harry asked primly.

"You will if you do not want me to follow through on those promises I made you," Dumbledore warned.

"And what is it that you threatened him with?" Draco asked through clenched teeth. Dumbledore ignored the question, staring directly at Harry.

"If threatening your mate is not enough to keep you in line I can easily move on to your friends. Mr. Longbottom seems to have a reputation for being dreadful at potions, it would be too easy to stage a small, but fatal, accident. No one would ever question it," Dumbledore said softly, still staring at Harry. Harry froze, his fist gripping the armrest of his chair. He leaned forward slowly, his eyes burning with fury.

"If you hurt him, either of them, then I will make good on my own threat. How do you think the Light side will fare if I join the Dark Lord? We would tear this world apart. You wouldn't stand a chance, Dumbledore," Harry growled.

"Harry," Draco murmured, resting a hand on Harry's arm. Harry remained tense, glaring at Dumbledore a moment longer before he relaxed into the touch, regaining his calm composure.

"You wouldn't join forces with Voldemort, Harry, not when I hold the life of your mate's parents in my hands," Dumbledore said triumphantly. Draco straightened in surprise.

"What do you mean?" Draco demanded.

"I mean, I have many ways of getting to them should I desire to do so. So I suggest you follow my orders from now on, unless you want your loved ones to suffer for it."

"What, exactly, do you want from us?" Harry asked stiffly.

"I want you back in Gryffindor. I want you to come to my office every second Friday for special training, alone. I want you, Mr. Malfoy, to become a spy for the Light. I want to know everything you can find out about what Voldemort's plans are," Dumbledore said simply.

"How do you expect him to become a spy? Voldemort would never trust him, not when he finds out that we're mated," Harry demanded.

"Mr. Malfoy will have to get the Dark Mark to prove his loyalty. He will not be able to get the information I need otherwise." Harry jumped up from his chair immediately, standing in front of Draco protectively, the blond too shocked to move.

"No! You are not forcing him to become a Death Eater. You already have Snape spying for you, you don't need Draco as well! I won't let you!" Harry snarled, wand in hand as he glared at Dumbledore.

"You have no choice if you want your friends to remain safe," Dumbledore smirked.

"Fuck you," Harry hissed. "We'll leave this fucking school and get private tutors. You can't force us to do anything if we aren't enrolled here. You wouldn't be able to touch us."

"And what of your friends?"

"They'll come with us," Draco said simply, standing up beside Harry.

"And their families? You can't protect everyone," Dumbledore sneered. Harry placed his hands on Dumbledore's desk, palms flat on the wood as he leaned forward into Dumbledore's face.

"I. Will. Kill. You," Harry whispered, his eyes completely emerald, the color glinting with cool determination.

"You can certainly try, Harry," Dumbledore said with a chuckle. Draco grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him back.

"We need to think things over. Once we've come to a decision about your…requests…we'll arrange another meeting." Draco's voice was soft, menacing, as he glared at the older wizard.

"Of course, you have a month to think on it," Dumbledore offered graciously. Draco inclined his head and dragged Harry out of the office and down the stairs. The shorter teen was trembling in Draco's hold, his chest heaving with rapid breaths.

"Hold on, Harry. We're almost to our rooms," Draco soothed quietly as he led them through the dungeons quickly.

"Draco," Harry choked out as magic began sparking around them.

"I know, just a minute." Draco rushed them to their private courters, urging Harry inside. As soon as the portrait closed behind them Harry let go of the tight hold he'd been keeping on his magic. Harry screamed, his hands fisted in his hair, pulling sharply on the dark locks as his magic lashed around the room, destroying everything within reach.

Draco watched in awe as Harry's magic rushed around the room, the power lapping at his skin, whipping his hair around as it created chaos. Harry screamed again and the couch exploded, stuffing and fabric flying everywhere. Draco's breathed hitched, arousal coursing through him at the blatant show of power. He gathered Harry to him, stifling a moan as power rushed through him at the contact.

"Harry," Draco rasped. "Harry, you have to calm down. You need to reign in your magic." Harry growled into his chest. In the kitchen all the cupboard doors were ripped off their hinges and all of the plates, bowls, and cups shattered, the silverware went flying, embedding themselves in the wall. Draco moaned at another wave of power. Harry looked up at the sound and gasped at the lust darkening Draco's eyes.

"Harry, stop," Draco panted. Harry shook his head and crushed their lips together. Draco pulled Harry closer, quickly taking control of the kiss. He turned and slammed Harry up against the wall, covering Harry's smaller body with his own, they never noticed that Harry's magic had stopped flinging furniture around. Draco ground his hips against Harry's, growling as it brought their erections together.

"Fuck," Draco gasped, thrusting roughly against Harry. "Fuck, Harry. So powerful, so beautiful." Harry kissed Draco hard, biting at the blonde's lip hard enough to draw blood.

"Mine, Draco," Harry hissed as his lips moved to Draco neck, his teeth sinking into the skin before his tongue lapped at the area. "My mate, my dominant. He can't have you. Only I can mark you." Harry glared at Draco, his eyes completely emerald. Draco moaned, his own eyes bleeding silver as his hands moved to Harry's thighs, lifting him. Harry wrapped his legs around Draco's waist, his head thrown back as he moaned, hips snapping forward against Draco's.

"Yes, yours," Draco agreed, burying his face in Harry's neck, sucking at the skin to leave his own mark.

"D-Dominant. Yes, yes, o-oh god," Harry whimpered, his nails digging into Draco back as he clutched the blonde closer. Draco growled as he grabbed a handful of hair, tipping Harry's head back so that he could ravage his mouth.

"Fuck, yes. Look at you, so fucking beautiful. Mine, all mine. Come on, Harry," Draco purred as he circled his hips, grinding Harry into the wall. "Come for me, submissive. Now." Harry threw his head back and wailed, his body tensing as he came hard, his vision fading out. Draco moaned brokenly as he watched Harry come, his own hips stuttering in their rhythm as he came in his pants.

Draco collapsed against Harry, pressing him firmly into the wall as they gasped for air. Draco turned his head to capture Harry's mouth in a filthy kiss that was all tongue and teeth, mapping out the contours of Harry's mouth, drinking down his whimpers as he slowly rocked his hips, trying to prolong their ecstasy. When the pleasure began to turn painful Draco pulled back, slowly lowering Harry's legs so he could sand on his own. Harry kept hold of Draco once he was standing, staring up at Draco, his expression stunned.

"What the hell was that?" Harry gasped, still breathing heavily, and Draco smirked.

"Fuck, Harry. I had no idea you were that powerful! Merlin, that was the sexiest thing I've ever seen," Draco stared at him, awe and love shining in his grey eyes. Harry blushed and shrugged.

"Neither did I," he said as he turned to look at the destruction his magic had caused. "We should probably fix all this stuff." Draco pulled out his wand and waved it across the room.

"Reparo." Bits and pieces of debris began to fly around the room as everything set itself to rights. Harry nodded and did the same for the kitchen.

"I could really use a shower," Harry said with a grimace as he tugged at his pants, sticky with cooling cum.

"Mind if I join you?" Draco leered and Harry blushed deeply.

"Yes, I do!" He shouted in embarrassment and ran to the bathroom, Draco's laughter trailing behind him.

End Flashback.

"We'll figure something out. We have a month, after all," Draco reminded Harry.

"I won't let him use you, Draco. I we leave, we have to make sure we can protect everyone."

"Looks like we've got a busy month ahead of us then, but we can think of a plan later, for now, you need to sleep."

"Fine, goodnight, dominant," Harry whispered, lifting their joined hands to brush a kiss against Draco's.

"Goodnight, submissive."

.

.

.

Remus Lupin sat, slumped over, in semi-darkness in the kitchen at 12 Grimmuald Place, all of Harry's letters open and spread out before him and a bottle of whiskey in his right hand. 'I am pathetic.' He thought harshly, eyes scanning the papers in front of him. 'I am useless and pathetic.' He had finished reading the letters a week ago and had spent the rest of that time drowning his guilt with as much alcohol as he could. Remus sighed, picking up the last letter that Harry had written him and reading it again.

Dear Remus,

I'm sorry. I can't say it enough. I am so sorry. Because of me you have lost everything. First, my parents and now, Sirius. It's my fault that they're dead, I know this. And I know how much you must hate me, you have every right to. Just know that however much you hate me now I hate myself infinitely more. I was stupid, Remus, and Snape was right. I'm a foolish, stupid, selfish bastard. I should have worked harder at Occlumency, I should have been smart enough to know it was a trap. I know nothing I can say or do can fix this or bring him back, but I wish it had been me. I wish Bellatrix had killed me instead. Everyone would be better off without me, safer without me. I cause nothing but pain and death everywhere I go. At least I'm being punished, it's no less than I deserve. I just wanted to say good-bye, Remus. This will be the last time you hear from me. I've decided to do what's best for everyone.

I ask that you grant me one favor, Remus. I don't deserve it and I understand if you refuse, but this is the only thing I have ever asked for. When they find me, if they find me, can you make sure they take me home? Not to the Dursley's or Hogwarts. I want to be with my parents, that's all I want. Please.

Harry Potter

Remus let the letter flutter back to the table as he stared unseeingly into the dark, his vision blurring as tears slipped down his cheeks. Harry had been planning to kill himself. Remus could feel the despair and depression seeping from the letter and it made him sick with horror. How could he have let Harry sink this far into hopelessness? He had been wallowing in his sadness like a child, stubbornly refusing contact with anyone and he had missed all these pleas for help, for comfort. Remus pressed shaking fingers to his eyes, letting out a broken sob.

Sirius would be disgusted with him. Hell, James and Lily would be disgusted with him. He could almost imagine their looks of fury if they knew how he'd been treating their son. Remus lifted his bottle of whiskey, stopped, and placed it back on the table. He stood up, swaying dangerously from too much alcohol. Remus fumbled with his wand, finally manage to clear his head enough to summon a sobering potion. He down it, grimacing at the taste and the sickening flare of pain in his head.

Once he was sure the potion had worked he turned and left the kitchen, heading to his room. Once there he grabbed a quill and some parchment. He needed to write back to Harry, needed to beg for the teens forgiveness and make it up to him anyway he could. He had failed Harry too many times already, he would not do so again. Squaring his shoulders determinedly he put his quill to parchment.

.

.

.

"Look, I just say we march into his office and tell him. We're Gryffindors, Fred. We don't do the whole sneaking around thing," George whispered to his brother. They were sitting in a secluded corner of the Gryffindor common room, privacy wards up to make sure no one overheard their conversation.

"We're also the best pranksters since the marauders. We basically do nothing but sneak around," Fred countered.

"Fine, that's true, but he isn't going to be overly happy if he catches us breaking into his potions closet," George argued.

"Then we won't get caught."

"Oh! Brilliant plan, that. Don't get caught. It's a wonder I didn't think it up myself. Oh, yeah, that's right, because it's the dumbest thing I've ever heard!" George hissed. Fred rolled his eyes at his twin and sighed.

"Georgie, we already tried flat out telling him and we froze like a couple of first year Hufflepuffs!"

"Because we were unprepared. We didn't expect to run into him and we froze. This time is different. We'll plan out what we want to say and we'll go to him when we're ready," George insisted. Fred hesitated before sighing.

"Fine, we'll do it your way." George beamed at him and Fred felt a rush of love for his brother. "When did you want to do this?" George pulled a folded piece of parchment out of his pocket and handed it to Fred.

"When did you turn into Hermione?" Fred teased as he unfolded the parchment. George rolled his eyes at him.

"Shut up," he huffed as Fred read the paper.

"You already wrote down what you want to say? How long have you been planning this?" Fred asked.

"Since we completely flopped at telling him the first time," George shrugged.

"And you never told me about this?" Fred asked, surprised at how hurt he felt. George must have noticed because he pressed both hands to Fred's cheeks, uncaring of the fact that they were in their common room where anyone could see.

"I wasn't sure you would agree to this and I didn't want to show you anything unless we both agreed on a plan," George said, trying to catch Fred's eye.

"You could have told me," Fred said softly, still refusing to look at his brother.

"I'm sorry, Freddie. I didn't want to show you anything that wasn't perfect. I want this to work out so much. I didn't think and I'm sorry." George leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to Fred's cheek. Fred smiled and looked up at him.

"Yeah, alright. Quite being so girly. So, when do you wanna do this?" Fred asked, pulling the parchment back towards him.

"Tonight. Right before curfew," George said firmly. Fred raised an eyebrow but nodded.

"Okay, you're running this show so we'll go when you want. Are you sure about this though?" Fred asked one last time.

"Positive."

The twins walked out of the common room and quickly made their way to the dungeons, using every shortcut that they knew of to get there faster. It felt like seconds had passed before they found themselves in front of Snape's office door. Fred and George shared a determined look before George knocked firmly on the door.

"Enter." A smooth, cold voice called. George pushed the door open and stepped inside, his brother right behind him to close the door.

"Professor, can we talk?" George asked. Snape glared at them as he stood up and stalked forwards.

"What do you think you are doing, barging in here at this hour and disturbing me?" Snape growled.

"We need to talk to you, sir. It's very important that you listen to us," Fred said. Snape sneered at them and folded his arms.

"Get out. I will not play victim to whatever scheme you have cooked up tonight. Fifteen points from Gryffindor each, for having the audacity to come here with the intention of pranking me. Leave before I give you detentions," Snape snarled, turning back around to walk to his desk.

"We're almost eighteen," George said. Snape stopped walking and turned to face them, one eyebrow raised in contempt.

"Why should your age matter to me?" He asked.

"Twins are…special," Fred said. "We're two halves of a whole. When we turn twenty we'll get a magical boost. We'll gain an exceptional amount of power along with new abilities."

"We won't be able to stabilize ourselves on our own. It will be too much magic for us to handle. We have a bond with each other but to stabilize our magic after the boost we'll need someone else," George explained. The twins watched Snape carefully for any signs but the older male kept his face blank.

"We need a Grounder, a third person to bond with us. It has to be someone who is magically strong, someone who can take care of, and protect, us when we need it," Fred said. "We want our third bondmate to be you, sir."

"I do not know what kind of sick game you are playing-"

"We aren't playing any games, sir! We need a Grounder and we've thought about what we want and need in a Grounder since we were twelve," George said hurriedly.

"We've thought long and hard about this, sir. There's no one else we want. We really think that we could be good together, all three of us," Fred admitted.

"You don't have to give an answer now. All we want is for you to at least think about it."

"Let us court you. You can have the rest of the year to think about it while we get to know each other. You can give us your answer before schools out."

"Please, sir. At least think about it," George begged. Severus glared at them as he weighed his options.

"I will think on it. You will have your answer by the end of the school year. Do not get your hopes up for I plan on saying no. Now, get out. It is after hours and I will not be giving you a pass so you better not get caught." George beamed at Snape who sneered and rolled his eyes.

"Thank you, sir," Fred said sincerely. "You have no idea what this means to us."

"I can imagine. And I suppose, given the circumstances, you may call me Severus when we are alone," Severus murmured, refusing to meet their eyes. He froze when he felt something soft brush against his cheek. He looked up sharply, his eyes wide with surprise. George smiled at Snape as Fred dragged him out of the room.

"Are you stupid?" Snape heard Fred hiss at his brother. "We can't rush this, idiot!

"All I did was kiss his cheek! Just because you're too much of a coward-"

"Oi!" Snape shook his head and resisted the strange urge to brush his cheek where the phantom feeling of lips still lingered.

.

.

.

Okay, so this chapter is really late and I don't think everything fits together as smoothly as I would have liked but at least it's kind of long! Right? Well, I think so, anyway. Review so I know what you thought about it! If there's anything you want to see in the story just let me know and I'll do my best to fit it in there! Thank you all for being so patient with me. I love you all so much, Lovelies!