Heading back to the RoR I'm focused so hard on calming down and keeping my shields up that I don't notice Dumbledore walking right up to me.

"Harry, my boy, I was just on my way to Gryffindor to get you. Why don't we head to my office?" Not having a legitimate reason to say no I nod and follow behind him. After we are settled in his office I decide to try my luck.

"Professor you said you were on your way to Gryffindor to see me?"

"Of course dear boy, where else would I go?"

"Sir I've been staying in the RoR. Most of the Gryffindors have made it clear they won't live in such close quarters with a fag like me." I say the last part sadly to my hands in my lap.

"I could have a talk with them if you'd like." Dumbledore suggests and I shake my head.

"No sir, really that's okay. But I was thinking...I don't know...maybe it's stupid..." I trail off sounding sad.

"I'm sure that's not true my boy. Why don't you tell me?" He says, using his grandfather voice.

"It's just that working with my Slytherins has made me realize how bad it is for them. Most of them feel like they have to become Death Eaters and the whole schools always against them..." I trail off again looking at Dumbledore with wide, watery eyes.

"That's awful Harry but what do you want to do about it." He asks, looking genuinely upset that I'm so upset.

"I thought that maybe if we held a public resort and I let the hat put me in Slytherin this time I could work on keeping them away from Voldemort and identify any that are already . You could explain to everyone else what I'm doing and maybe once everyone sees how okay they are Slytherin won't be so outcast."

Dumbledore's twinkle got brighter as he thought it over. "Harry I think that's a wonderful idea and I applaud you for trying to make these children's lives better."

"Thank you sir, but if it's okay with you I'd like to make sure professor Snape is okay with this. It's his house after all."

"Of course Harry. I'll go get him, you can wait here." After he left I sent a quick patronus to Severus explaining what happen and telling him to get to his office. Then I looked around for the ring, I knew it had to be here somewhere. I found it behind one of Dumbledore's odd knick knacks and then obliviated the portraits so they couldn't tell anyone. As I settled back into my seat Dumbledore came back with a thoroughly and obviously upset Severus. His eyes flick to mine as Dumbledore finishes explaining, making it sound like his idea. To anyone it looked as though he was examining me for ulterior motives but I knew he was looking for answers so I pushed my thoughts into his mind.

"Say yes but sound reluctant." Severus broke the connection and turned to Dumbledore.

"If this is what you feel is necessary Headmaster then I will agree." He answers, his tone dripping in disdain and even though I know it isn't aimed at me I still flinch and I know Severus notices. His lips thin out and his eyes harden. "If that is all I will take my leave."

"Of course, you may both go." He finishes and shoos us out. At the bottom of the stairs I open my mouth to apologize but he stops me.

"Later." And we walk to the room in silence. "Lorem Corvus." He says and as soon as I walk in I'm pulled in to a hug from a worried blonde.

"Emerald what happened? Are you okay?"

Severus cuts of his worried tirade of questions. "Draco you will be sleeping in the dorms tonight, Mr. Evans and I," I smile when he calls me that. "Have some things to discuss."

"But..." Draco starts and I cut him off.

"Go Dray, I'll see you in the morning." He huffs and walks out.

"Harry," Severus sighed. "What were you doing with Dumbledore? You told us you were finishing with Tom."

"I did! I was upset after and I was focusing on keeping my shields maintained and bumped into him, he was looking for me and asked me to his office. I didn't have a good enough reason to say no." As I say that I was upset worry settles in his eyes.

"Why were you upset? What did Tom do?" He demands.

"He didn't do anything, I promise. I asked him to do something for me and he said he'd try."

"What did you ask him for?" He asked curiously.

"I asked him to get Sirius back and clear his name." I answer staring at the floor and Severus sits heavily in the chair.

"Oh Harry, I don't think there is a way to get someone back from the veil." He says sadly.

"I know." I respond, tears falling down my face. "I just thought he might know something, but I don't think he can do it."

"Harry?" Severus says nervously.

"Yes?"

"I actually wanted to talk to you about something but then Tom and Lucius showed up and you got dragged to Dumbledore's office." He babbles nervously and I just wait. "Would you...maybe...let me adopt you?"

My mouth drops open and I stare at him. 'Well I wasn't expecting that.' I think.

"...You...I...huh?" I smack myself at how dumb that sounded. "I mean...You want to what?" 'Because that sounded so much better you idiot.' I think and duck my head as my eyes fill again.

"I want you to let me adopt you and make you my son." Tears stream down my face and I throw myself in his arms.

"Yes!" I sob as he wraps his arms around me and when I can't calm down he rocks side to side until I do. He carries me to bed and tucks me in after he transfigures my clothes into pajamas. I grab his sleeve as he turns to leave. "Please stay."

He nods and conjures a chair.

"I'm going to get a book from the other room, I'll be right back." He comes back in with a muggle book; The Hawk and the Jewel. "I have a weak spot for muggle literature." He says.

"I love muggle fantasy books. I have shelves of them at the Dursley's. My favorite author is Tamora Pierce." I admit turning pink.

"I think I have a few of her books at home though I've never read them." He opens the book to start reading.

"Will you read it to me?" I ask softly.

"Of course Harry." He took a breath and started the book. "London, 1832. The casket dipped precariously in the hands of the sailors..." I made it through the first three chapters listening to Severus' deep voice as I watched the story play out in my head and drifted off to sleep.

Harry you have to wake up now."

"Go 'way." I grumble as I pull my blankets over my head.

"Come on Harry, it's time for breakfast, you're going to be late and then Draco will storm up here thinking I killed you."At the mention of breakfast I pop my head out. "That's what I thought. Now come on, don't forget, your resort is today."

I'm up dressed and walking out of the room in ten minutes, just in time to see Draco coming up the corridor. "Is someone going to tell me what's going on now?" Draco asks, crossing his arms over his chest and raising an eyebrow.

"I think I'll leave it as a surprise." I smirk at him. "You'll find out at breakfast. Speaking of which, let's eat!" And I sprint down the hall before Draco can grab me.

"Potter!" Draco yells chasing after me.

He catches me just outside the Great Hall and we walk in laughing and holding hands. I walk Draco to the Slytherin table and kiss his cheek.

"Trust me." I whisper pulling away and walking to stand at the staff table. I wink at Severus before I stand in front of Dumbledore smiling.

"I'm ready sir."

Dumbledore nods and stands, giving one of his crazy speeches that no one understands. Finally he motions me to the stool and goes to drop the hat on my head. The hall holds their breath in anticipation.

The hat doesn't even touch my head before its yelling out 'Slytherin'. The hall gapes in shock, Dumbledore twinkles as bright as ever, Severus is looking at me with pride in his eyes and Draco looks shocked and excited.

When I walk to the Slytherin table Draco greets me with an incredible snog that furthers the muttering in the Hall.

"Come on," He whispers. "We have free period first today." And he proceeds to drag me back to the RoR.

"Lorem Laminis." Draco says and practically throws me into the room. He leads me to the bedroom and began pulling off my robes and uniform as I do the same to him.

"Drop it 'Ry." Draco whispers between the kisses being placed along my jaw. Nodding I drop the whole glamour and lay back on the bed pulling him on top of me. I can tell this shocked him as he looks at me in open shock and curiosity.

"Are you sure?" He asks, trailing off, running fingers over my skin.

"I trust you." I whisper back before pulling him back into a kiss. I can feel him getting hard against my own hardness and push up slightly. He moans and breaks the kiss.

"You're beautiful." These words caused such a feeling in my chest that my breath caught in my throat. No one has ever told me that yet here he was, looking down at me with such intensity, running light fingers over every scar he could reach, telling me I'm beautiful and for now I let myself believe it.

Draco reaches down and cups my face; he slowly brought his lips to mine in a soft and passionate kiss, his eyes never once leaving mine.

…...Slight time jump...(sorry everyone)...

Draco cuddles me up to me with his face in my hair.

"Merlin Harry, love you so much." He mumbles before falling asleep. I watch him sleep for a few minutes before pressing a kiss to his neck and closing my eyes.

"I love you too."

I woke later to Severus standing over me, an amused look on his face.

"Shouldn't you be on your way to DADA?" He asks innocently.

"Don't got it till fourth." I mumble, throwing my arm over my eyes.

"Exactly."

"Wait, what?" Draco asks from in his pillow.

"Fourth block starts in five minutes." Sev answers smugly.

Draco and I jump out of bed, thankfully we'd put our boxers on, ran around pulling on our uniforms and grabbing our bags and ran out the door leaving an amused Severus behind. We ran through corridors tripping over each other and sliding down banisters before we reach the classroom. We skid to a stop, vault over the desk and land neatly in our chairs just as Severus walks into the classroom.

"Mr. Potter please refrain from turning my classroom into a playground." Severus said smirking using his teacher voice before turning and starting the lesson on patronus'.

I should have known things were going to well.

As we walk to lunch the red light of a stunner shouts past Draco inches from his head. Whirling around I push Pansy out of the way of the purple light of a bone breaking curse and it hits my arm instead.

"Daphne! Get Snape!" Draco yells and she takes off down the hall.

Looking up I get a good look at the group attacking us. Ron, Hermione, Seamus and Dean are scowling at us from the other end of the corridor but only Ron has his wand raised.

"What the hell Weasley!" Blaise yells as I help Pansy up and cradle my arm.

"A Slytherin Harry? You should be ashamed! Your parents are probably rolling in their graves! How could you betray us like this!?" He yells, his face turning red to match his hair.

"Being a homo was bad enough but to be an evil Slytherin on top of it? What happened to you Harry?" Hermione started in too.

Hearing footsteps I turn to see Severus coming around the corner. All of a sudden Draco is screaming and everything goes black as I'm hit from behind.

I'm next to the black lake, sitting against my favorite tree, just staring out over the water. I don't know how long I've been here but it's so peaceful I'm in no hurry to leave.

"Everyone's real worried about you." I turn my head to look at Sirius sitting next to me.

"They worry too much, I'm fine. I'm happy here." I reply quietly. "Sev misses you." Sirius smiles at me in a sad longing kind of way.

"You can't stay here Harry, you know that. They need you, they love you."

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Four days."

I silently look back out over the lake. "We'll win wont we? Make things better?" I ask.

"Only time will tell but you can't make a difference here pup, you need to wake up."

"I know." I sigh, tears running down my face. "I miss you Padfoot."

"I know pup, I miss you and Sev so much." He hugs me and I start to wake up. "One more thing Harry, tell Tom the book he needs is in the Black vault."

"What book?"

"You'll see, now open your eyes."

The first thing I heard was Severus reading out loud as he sat next to my bed. "Sev." I rasp, my throat dry. He jumped up and sat on the edge of my bed.

"Harry, thank Merlin." He sighed in relief.

"He misses you too Sev." I say as more tears fall from my eyes. I fall back asleep but not before I see tears roll down Severus' face as well.

The next time I woke up Madame Pomfrey was there and after several arguments and scans she released me to my fourth block DADA class. Walking through the corridors I think about what Madame Pomfrey told me. Ron hit me from behind with an unknown spell and I'd been asleep for five days. Dumbledore just waved it off saying 'boys will be boys' however Severus wouldn't stand for that and gave Ron a month's worth of detention. She barred all Gryffindors from seeing me except Fred, George and Ginny who she was amused to see come in with a group of Slytherins. They came everyday and Severus stayed every night. Coming out of my thoughts I realize I'm in front of the classroom and knock, walking in when Severus yells enter.

"Mr. Potter," He says in an annoyed tone but I can see the relief in his eyes. "How kind of you to join us." I bow my head and take my seat next to Draco who immediately grabs my hand. I write a quick note and pass it to Draco and the others telling them to hang back after class.

When class ends Severus throws up a locking and silencing charm once we're the only ones left.

"How are you feeling Harry?" Severus asks looking me over.

"Tired but fine otherwise." I say and he nods, pulling a vial out of his desk.

"Pepper up, it'll help." I nod, downing it and shivering at the awful taste.

"Right well I asked you to stay so I could tell you to meet in the Chamber tonight after dinner. Severus do you have Venantium, Sheruesi and Vrases today?" I ask quickly.

"Yes, after lunch."

"Let them know, give them all detention or something so they have an excuse to be out of the tower." He nods. "One more thing, I need you to contact Tom and have him come tonight."

"Sure Harry, but what is this about?" Severus asked.

"He said the book Tom needed was in the Black vault." I answered.

"What book?"

"He didn't say."

"Who 'Ry?" Draco asks softly, taking my hand again.

"Sirius." Draco squeezes my hand and Severus sits on the edge of his desk wringing his hands.

"You three," Severus snaps pointing at Blaise, Pansy and Daphne. "Get out." He demands and I flinch slightly. Once they're gone he turns to me.

"I'm not mad at you Harry." He says in a softer tone. "You said Siri told you about the book?"

"Yea but he didn't tell me what the book was." I say, talking to my hands.

"Tom is only working on one project right now Harry." He says looking excited and then it clicks and I gasp looking up.

"That means..." I trail off thinking of the possibilities.

"Yes, He can bring Siri back." Severus says smiling.

Draco sat heavily in a chair.

"Sweet Circe." He whispered, but in the silent room it echoed in my head like he'd shouted it. We sat in silence until Severus cleared his throat.

"You guys should get on to lunch. I'll get a hold of Tom and ask him to meet us tonight."

I was visibly agitated all through lunch but Draco left me to work through my thoughts. That is until I hit Blaise with a stinging hex for 'breathing obnoxiously'. After muttering a cooling charm over the welt Draco dragged me up by arm and out of the Hall to Severus' office.

As we walk in we see Sev staring at the picture of him and Sirius on their bonding day.

"Oh Uncle Sev." Draco says sadly.

"What can I do for you boys? I thought I sent you to lunch." He says looking us over.

"Harry thought it would be a good idea to hit Blaise with a stinging hex." Draco says as Sev turns to me and raises his eyebrow.

"And his reasoning?"

"He said Blaise was 'breathing obnoxiously'. It was fairly obvious to all of us that he was agitated but I was content to leave him be about it until he hexed Blaise. Then I brought him here."

"Thank you Draco, go back to lunch, I'll handle Mr. Potter." I wince when he calls me Mr. Potter. Draco tries to kiss me goodbye but I turn my head so he kisses my cheek and leaves.

"This is mutiny, or have you forgotten I'm head of this clan?" I ask petulantly.

"Have you forgotten that you agreed to an adoption, or that outside of quarters I am your teacher?"

I look down at my feet as tears fill my eyes.

"Harry," Severus calls and I look up to see his arms open to me. "Come here." I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on his chest.

"I'm sorry." I sob brokenly. "I'm so sorry I got Padfoot killed."

"Oh Phoenix," I sob harder at the nickname. "You didn't get Siri killed. He should have even been there that night, and Bellatrix threw that curse not you."

"I feel so guilty all the time and I miss him so much sometimes it hurts."

"I know but hexing your friends, snubbing Draco and sassing me isn't going to make it better, it'll make you feel worse." He lectures as I pull away and sit down.

"I know, I'll apologize."

"Good now dry those tears and I'll walk you back to lunch."

When we get back to the Great Hall I sit next to Draco and across from Blaise. Looking at Draco I can tell I really hurt him by refusing his kiss and I decide to start with Blaise.

"I'm sorry for taking out my feeling on you and hexing you. It was uncalled for and over the line."

"It's fine Harry, Draco fixed me up." Blaise says smiling. "We know how stressed you are.

The bell signaling fifth block potions rings and we all get up to leave. I grab Draco's hand and kiss him under his ear whispering, "I'm really sorry. I wasn't mad at you I was mad at myself. Please forgive me?" Draco turns and smiles at me.

"Of course Emerald." He says softly before kissing me.