A/N Oh god sorry that was the LONGEST hiatus. I'm now a uni student and I just remembered my password for this account (after creating a new one for my new story "When You're Close to Me" in the Gorillaz universe. My apologies, once again. I hope you enjoy this third chapter.

Chapter 3

Harry crossed the tackroom and removed his grooming kit, half-chaps, helmet and gloves from his box. He slipped his half-chaps on over his Ariat boots and Jodphurs, the tight, form fitting pants that all English style riders wore. Once finished assembling himself, Harry grabbed Moon's halter, light blue saddle pad, bridle, girth, and saddle and exited the tack room. In this time, Rose had managed to make one rotation around the arena. Severus was just emerging from the rear of the barn, Salazaar now soaking wet from a hose-down. Harry took the time to notice that Severus's hair was no longer as greasy as it once was, perhaps due to the lack of potion fumes, perhaps due to some time to take proper care of the chin length ebony locks. Harry shook himself and reminded himself that he needed absolute focus today. Harry set his things in the front cross tie and went to get Moon out of her stall.

As he walked down the aisle of stalls he heard Rose say to Severus, "So we're still on for dinner tonight right, Severus?"

"Of course we are. You Griffindors need to learn that a 'weekly dinner' means that it will occur every week without fail," Snape said tersely, though he was smiling affectionately at Rose, Harry noted with a trace of surprise crossing his face. Having reached Moon's stall, he entered and she greeted him enthusiastically, and Harry noticed she had settled down nicely.

"Sorry Severus, I'll learn one of these days. Um, Sev? Do you think Harry could join us? Oh please Sev, please?" Rose begged, giving Snape a pout that, in Harry's opinion, was so perfect she had probably spent years practicing for moments like these. It was rather like the way a daughter would look to her father. Harry led Moon out of her stall, leading her on the left side and hiding behind her muscular neck, as blush rose up his cheeks.

Snape sighed audibly. "I don't suppose it would be of any great inconvenience to myself," he looked towards Harry and Moon and said scathingly, "What about yourself Potter? Do you think you can manage to stuff your ignorant pride into a bottle for a few hours?" Harry decided what to do in a heartbeat, if only to annoy Snape, and to find a chance to bring up the fact that Rose had called him Sev. This would probably found with much chagrin on Snape's side of things.

"Sure, Rose." Harry addressed Rose, pointedly ignoring Snape, as he brought Moonshine into the cross tie and turned her a full circle so he could clip her in. "I'd be delighted." Rose smiled and clapped her hands delightedly. Harry could see in her a young, excited girl that she had been, many years ago. Harry smiled sadly, remembering how the war had torn everyone in it to shreds. Harry decided to focus on a happier subject and began grooming Moon, rubbing a curry comb in circles all around her body. Moon had her eyes closed, enjoying the massage-type sensation.

Harry groomed Moon at a leisurely pace, making sure she was soft and sparkled to her full potential. He lovingly ran a brush through her mane, forelock, and tail. When he finished, he stepped back to inspect his work, and smiled in a satisfied nature. His girl was gorgeous now. Harry then threw the saddle pad over Moon's shoulders, admiring the way the light blue stood out against white fur. Harry then put the saddle and girth on, making sure the girth was snug, but not tight as of yet. Harry just realized he had forgotten his crop, not that he would need it, but he always rode with one anyway because he never knew when it would come in handy. Harry jogged up the aisle and into the borders' tack room, crossing the space towards his box in two strides. He also grabbed Moon's splint and bell boots as an afterthought, as Harry did not know if Snape would have him jumping today. Butterflies rose in Harry's stomach as he thought of riding before his old enemy. Harry tried his best to squash them down, Moon would be able to feel his fear and would be sure to act accordingly, which would only lead to a disastrous ride.

Harry exited the tack room. The arena was deserted except for Moon and himself. Harry hadn't noticed everyone leave, but, he considered, he was in his own little world when he was with Moon. This probably wouldn't be classified as a good coping method, but Harry didn't particularly care. Harry believed that people had their own way of coping with horrid things, and this was his. Harry shook his head and then continued on his way to the crosstie where his girl was waiting.

Once he reached his destination, Harry swept up the debris from when he picked Moon's hooves, then preceded to put on his helmet and gloves. After finishing his ensemble, he unclipped Moon, removed her halter, and put her bridle on. Harry grabbed his crop and walked out into the arena.

A little green mounting block was sitting innocently in the center of the arena. Harry led Moon up to this little block so that her left side was facing it. He pulled his stirrups down, put the reins over her head, and tightened his girth so the saddle wouldn't slip. Harry hadn't properly tightened his girth once, and the saddle had slipped mid-ride, which consequently made Harry fall off. Upon finishing all his preparations, Harry climbed up onto the top step of the mounting block. Moon wiggled impatiently, at once trying to avoid work, and anxious to get it started. Harry stuck his foot in the stirrup and swung his leg over her. By now, Snape had put Salazaar back into a spacious box stall, a little larger than Moon's.

Harry gently squeezed Moon's side and she walked on. Snape stalked out from what seemed like nowhere. "Alright Potter. Let's get this over with. I'm starving. Now, what have you been jumping?"

"About 2'3" in stadium. Cross country still needs help," Harry said, remembering all the disastrous attempts he had made at taming Moon in the field. She turned into a wild child that had sent Harry sailing on more than one occasion.

" Good." Snape nodded curtly. "Salazaar was much the same way. She was a rescue, I think?"

"Actually, yeah," Harry said, still walking Moon around the arena. He could feel her being ready to continue the warmup, so he moved her to trot. "I got her at a horse auction. She was a western horse originally." Snape nodded, looking impressed.

"She moves like a true dressage horse. I am loathe to say it, Potter, but I am fairly impressed." Snape seemed to be chagrined. Harry smirked and looked down at the ground so Snape wouldn't notice.

The rest of the lesson went fairly well, Snape even managed to keep the shouting to a minimum. Harry managed to keep his temper in check, as well. Moon was flawless. She moved with the grace of an angel, she jumped with perfect form. She went into a frame after a little coaxing. Harry could not have been happier.

After the lesson, both Harry and Moon had worked up a lather. Harry took her to the back of the barn. He slipped her halter on and began to un-tack her after he clipped her into a shower stall. He was humming as he turned the hose on to cool her off. Harry was always contented after a long, hard ride. Moon was much the same way. He could see the satisfaction of a job well done in her eyes. He started the hose at her legs, allowing her to get used to the feel of the water. He then worked the hose up her leg and onto her back where her saddle had been.

"Moon," he began, as if continuing a conversation that had only begun moments ago, "I know that this is a scary new place, but you're doing so well. I think we have a good home here. I mean, even Snape isn't so bad. Although it's not like I enjoy his presence, but he obviously is serious about this, and he cares about his horses, you included. I don't know that I would have expected it from that greasy git." Moon looked at him and shook her head, as if dismissing his apparent foolishness. "I know, I know. You can lecture me all day about looking beyond the surface but that man was still a slimy get when I was in school." I can't believe I'm having dinner with him, Harry added silently. He then unclipped Moon and led her out onto the track for a few laps to cool her down. Once she was back to normal, Harry tucked her away in her stall, put his things away, and headed to find Snape and Rose. Dinner awaited him.