Updated Author Note: Ok, my wonderful beta reader Artemis has fixed up the chapter, only a few minor changes. I had an excellent week and this week my fiancé (god I love saying that) is taking me to Knott's Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain! Wee! I feel a writing streak coming on! LoL!

Chapter 14 – Starlit Understanding

"Here's the deal", Ron began, "I've trusted you for the past four years and you've not let me down yet, so as difficult to accept as the situation is…I trust you Harry and if you say he's changed, I'll believe you…and so does Hermione", he added as Hermione nudged him in the arm. He clutched the cloth tighter to his cheek as he continued, "Now I don't know how everyone else is going to react to this, although if they care about you as much as I do, then I reckon, not well, but as for Hermione and I…well…we're willing to give Mal-Draco here, a chance."

"But only one chance", Hermione added sternly, although she gave a nervous glace at Sinilu.

"That's right, cause if you ever hurt Harry…" Ron said rounding on Draco. Sinilu squawked indignantly.

"I think we get it Ron", Harry interrupted with a smile on his face, "and thank you." Draco smiled as well.

"We're just glad to have you back, Harry. We were so worried, and we missed you terribly", Hermione said. The five sat in a strangely comforting silence that wasn't even disturbed as the snack trolley rolled by; no one was really in the mood to eat anyways. Ron was soon able to remove the cloth, although it would certainly leave a scare; Sinilu gave an apologetic look to Ron, who warily nodded his understanding.

The train rolled creakily on and Harry sighed happily as Sinilu nestled snuggly on one shoulder and Draco dozed on his other. Harry glanced at Ron and Hermione and his mouth dropped open. Hermione's hand was in Ron's and her head was resting on his shoulder; his arm draped lovingly around her.

"YOU TWO ARE…I MEAN YOU'RE…WHEN…HOW…" Harry exclaimed, startling the others. Sinilu flew up to the luggage rack crashing into a sleeping Pig who began racing around the compartment. Where'd he come from? Hermione and Draco's heads shot up and Ron retracted both his arms extremely quickly; they came to rest nervously in his lap. Once Pig had finally settled down again, Ron nervously began to mutter out an explanation: Hermione attempting to help.

"Well…" Ron stuttered.

"…We were going to tell you…" Hermione continued.

"…But we didn't think it was right…"

"…I mean with you missing and everything…"

"…But because of that, we spent a lot of time together…"

"…And Ron's rather charming…" Hermione stopped mid sentence, quite surprised those words had left her mouth, and blushed a color quite similar to Ron's hair.

"…And Hermione's rather beautiful", Ron replied blushing just as deeply. The two starred at each other, lost for a moment, before Harry's curt chuckle snapped them out of it and into even deeper shades of red.

"Well, I'm happy for you two. I always thought you guys were made for each other", Harry said happily.

"Yah took long enough." The three Gryffindors turned to stare at Draco. "What? Like the whole bloody school didn't know it was bound to happen." No one said anything, but upon finding nothing to be offended about, Ron laughed and took Hermione's hand again.

"I guess you're right." The movement of taking Hermione's hand though caused Harry to notice something silver pinned to each of their robes and Harry once again gasped.

"You two have been made prefects as well!"

"Well we've certainly forgotten to tell you a lot, haven't we"? Ron chuckled nervously.

"Yah we have been made prefects", Hermione answered, "and so have you Draco. I believe Pansy has your badge. She's the other Slytherin prefect, you know."

"I should have known…uh…did she seem mad or anything?"

"Actually" Hermione began, thinking back on it, "she seemed pretty worried, really stressed out and quiet for once. I don't think she said more than two words and that was only 'yes, Professor' when Professor Snape asked her to hold onto your badge."

"She probably hasn't heard yet…about me refusing the Dark Mark and all."

"Draco", Harry said sternly, pulling Draco toward him in a one-arm hug, "think positively. Maybe she knows and doesn't care. I'm sure not every Slytherin is going to be against you."

"Well, you don't know them like I do", Draco mumbled, looking paler by the minute. Harry, though, appeared not to have heard him, because he merely smiled and held Draco tighter.

"On a lighter note though", Hermione continued, "you've been made Quidditch captain, Harry."

"I have?" Harry asked, not really believing it. Sinilu gave a proud hoot for her two boys and then a disgusted one to Pig, who was hooting annoyingly beside her. She scooted a few inches away, wondering silently whether or not stupidity was contagious.

"Yah, mate" Ron answered happily, "and now maybe I'll make it on the team what with Oliver Wood being gone and all."

"Oh don't even get started with that again Ron," Hermione huffed out, "you know Harry isn't just going to give you the position. You're going to have to try out just like everyone else, isn't that right, Harry." She finished looking sternly at Harry as though he better agree or face the consequences.

"Uh, yah, of course there'll be tryouts, but there's nothing wrong with say…" Harry thought quickly of how to say it to Hermione's liking, "…giving Ron some tips and practicing with him, would there?" Hermione tried desperately to think of something to counter it but only managed a feeble, "but people might think you're playing favorites."

"Oh come off it Hermione", Ron grunted, "they're going to think that one way or another anyways, just because we're best mates, might as well reap a little benefit from it." Hermione sighed, clearly exasperatedly and personally believing this argument better left to when she had reinforcements on her side since she knew she was right. Unfortunately, arguing with these two dunderheads was like arguing with a brick wall, although, she'd learned that in the wizarding world, talking walls didn't sound all that impossible.

The train rumbled on without any more surprises. Draco played a few games of chess with Ron as Harry and Hermione watched. Ron won six out of seven times, although Harry was almost certain Draco had lost at least three of them on purpose. After the seventh game, Hermione interrupted, "we should be arriving soon, so we should probably change into our school robes." The three boys agreed, changing quickly and then packing their trunks.

"Uh…I was thinking", Harry began, "I'd rather people not know we're back yet. So I was wondering if you two could take our stuff out for us while we wait for everyone else to get off the train. Then we'll sneak out and join you. Would that be alright?"

"Sure, mate", Ron answered, "but why?"

"We're sure to be bombarded with questions and people wondering what happened. I'd rather just go in unnoticed, keep our hoods up, sit at the end of the table, and then head up to bed. You know, worry about it tomorrow." Draco nodded in agreement. He hadn't actually thought about that, since Ron and Hermione hadn't asked many questions, but now that Harry had mentioned it, he was growing worried again about what was going to happen.

"Of course", Hermione said, "of course we'll do it."

"Thanks." It wasn't fifteen minutes later that the train began to slow to a halt. Harry and Draco helped pull down their trunks and then waved goodbye as Hermione and Ron slipped out of the compartment, trunks in tow. "You go to", Harry said to Sinilu, who was still sitting on the luggage rack. She gave the boys an uneasy look but flew out the open window anyways.

The two just sat there waiting for the noise outside the compartment to completely die away. Draco gave Harry a halfhearted smile and Harry sighed.

"It's going to be alright." Harry tried to reassure him. He was feeling much better now that he knew at least Ron and Hermione were on their side, and with as stubborn as those two normally were, Harry took it as a good sign that things would work out with others as well.

"I know, I know", Draco answered exasperated, even though it wasn't what he was thinking. Even though he would never admit it, he was scared, down right scared, "it's just a bit nerve racking waiting here and all. I mean I never thought I'd be in a position like this."

"Yah, I know what you mean, but look, Hermione and Ron are alright with it, I'm sure others will be too, and I'm not just saying this, I believe it." Draco sighed but said nothing. Harry finally stood after a few more minutes and listened with his ear pressed to the door. "I think it's all clear."

"About time", Draco exclaimed standing up and joining Harry as the two opened the door and stepped out of the compartment. Then suddenly there was a jolt and the train began to move. Both boys looked at each other with wide eyes, before tearing down the way to the nearest exit and leaping onto the platform as the train picked up speed and sped away.

"Well that was close", Harry said standing up and then helping Draco up as well, "I really didn't think we'd stayed on the train nearly that long."

"Me either", Draco replied dusting off his robes, "we'd better hurry to the carriages then."

The two set off down the platform, but when they reached the spot where the carriages normally stood waiting to take the students to the castle, there was nothing there. Harry and Draco glanced off into the distance and could just barely make out the last carriage disappearing into the distance.

"Bloody hell", Draco exclaimed, "now what are we supposed to do?"

"I guess we'll just have to walk", Harry sighed, "although tell me, what were those things pulling the carriages. It looked like some sort of winged horse, although we're pretty far off so I might have just been seeing things."

"No, you weren't seeing things", Draco replied as the two set off towards Hogwarts, "there're called threstrals. They've always pulled the carriages, why did you…oh wait. Cedric must have been the first person you'd ever seen die, am I right?"

"Well, I guess, since I don't really remember my parents' death." Harry was quite unsure where Draco was going with this, but the reminder of Cedric's death was not a topic he was too keen to stay on. The wounds were still too fresh for his taste.

"I thought so, see you can only see a threstral after you've seen a person die."

"Yah, but then why didn't I see them on the way back to Hogsmeade station at the end of last term." Draco thought for a moment.

"I guess it hadn't really sunk in, I mean with everything that happened and all."

"So, who did you see die", Harry asked warily.

"When I was six years old", Draco began sadly, "my father caught a muggle just outside our property and tortured him to death. He couldn't have been more than sixteen years old. I think that's when I first began to think that maybe being a death eater wasn't all it was cracked up to be."

"That early huh? Then why did you brag about wanting to become a death eater all these years?"

"It was expected of me, I guess", Draco sighed and then tried to change the subject, "They seem like pretty morbid creatures, don't they?"

"Yah they sort of do." Harry was beginning to worry about Draco. He couldn't shake the feeling that Draco was depressed and no matter how much he tried, it didn't seem like he was making Draco any happier. "Draco, I know I've asked you this before, but do you regret the choice you made…to defy Voldemort and be with me instead." Draco stopped. Harry took a few more steps before he'd noticed and then stopped and turned to face Draco.

"Is that really how I seem?"

"I suppose."

"I don't mean to be. I couldn't want it any other way, I'm just…scared." Draco mumbled. Harry closed the gap between them and wrapped his arms around Draco. Draco just stood there numbly as Harry rested his chin on Draco's head.

"Look, everything is going to be fine, and I'm going to see to it. I can't promise you that things will be perfect or that everyone will be the same as they've always been, I mean look at how you've changed, but one thing I can promise is that no matter what happens, I'm going to be right there with you the whole way, till death do us part." Draco sighed happily and then shivered. It was getting late and it was getting cold. Harry took off his robe and wrapped it over Draco's shoulders. He tried to protest, but Harry insisted, then took Draco's hand in his and continued to walk. "Come on, we're almost there and then you can warm up by the fire."

The two walked on hand in hand until they reached the grounds, Hogwarts castle looming brilliantly in the distance against a dark sky speckled with luminescent stars.

"It's beautiful isn't it? I almost can't believe I didn't want to come back." Harry nodded, but he wasn't looking at the castle, he was starring lovingly at Draco. This face was what made fighting Voldemort worth it, this face was what made living enjoyable, this face was what made everything else second best, and this was the face he loved more than anything. Draco turned a questioning look on Harry.

"What is there something on my face?" Harry chuckled causing Draco to pout and then Harry leaned over and gave Draco a peck on the nose. "Now don't go getting all mushy on me ok?" Draco stated as a blush crept across his cheeks.

"Don't worry, I will." It took a second for Draco to get it, but when he finally did, it was to late to make a retort, because they had already reached Hogwarts. Harry pushed opened the door just a crack and the two of them slipped inside. They walked across the Entrance Hall to the great oak doors that led to the Great Hall, but neither made a move to open the door.

"Do you think we should? Wouldn't it just be better to go to our dorms?"

"And what, wait outside the entrances. We don't know the passwords. Besides you haven't eaten since last night, you need to eat something."

"You haven't eaten anything since last night either", Draco argued.

"Yes, well I'm used to it, you're not."

"Potter!" Harry froze before slowly turning around to face none other than Professor Snape. Snape looked mildly surprised until he spotted Draco. "DRACO!" Snape rushed over to Draco and knelt down, wrapping his arms tightly around the shocked boy, "I was certain some death eater had killed you, what with you disappearing like that and the fact that the Dark Lord was furious about it. He sent half the death eaters after you. What happened?" Draco quickly explained about refusing the dark mark and then running away and meeting Harry at the Leaky Cauldron, conveniently leaving out the romance portion of the story, and then waited for the worst. "But why did you not come to me, if you were in trouble?" Snape questioned.

"I didn't know who to trust and I thought that since you're a…you know...I…"

"Draco, I am a spy for Dumbledore. I have been one for years and besides, you are my godson. I would have helped you no matter where my loyalties lie, you should know that."

"Yes well it didn't seem to matter much to Lucius that I was his son."

"Lucius is a fool then. I care about you Draco and I simply wish to help you. Now come on you two, I want you both to go straight to Dumbledore's office, is that understood?" The two boys nodded. "I am going to inform the headmaster and then we will meet you there. I will have a house elf bring up some food. The password is ice mice." Snape then got up and headed into the Great Hall, his robes billowing dramatically behind him.

"Snape is your godfather?" Harry asked as they made their way to Dumbledore's office.

"Yah, but I never knew he was a spy for Dumbledore."

"No wonder you were always his favorite." Harry joked.

"That's not funny." Draco said sternly.

"Of course it is and besides, it looks like there's at least one person on your side." Draco smirked.

"Not when he finds out we're engaged." Harry looked worried.

"Hey, since Lucius disowned you that would make you Snape's adoptive son. Does that mean I have to ask for his blessings to marry you?" If it was at all possible, Draco's smirk grew.

"Yup, so you had better start kissing up now, cause as you should know, he's very protective of me and he really doesn't like you all that much to begin with, does he?" Harry sighed.

"Just great, I have to be nice to Snape." Draco laughed at Harry's dilemma.

"Ice mice", Draco announced once they'd reached the gargoyle guarding the entrance to Dumbledore's office. It promptly hopped aside and the two boys stepped onto the spiraling staircase as it ascended upward. When they reached the top, the two got off and each took a seat in front of Dumbledore desk, upon which was sitting a tray of food and drinks and desserts. The boys immediately began munching away, only just having realized how truly hungry they really were. It wasn't long before the door to the office opened and in bounded a large black dog followed by Snape and Dumbledore. The dog took no precautions as it leapt on Harry transforming mid-flight into none other than Sirius Black.

"Sweet Merlin, it's true", Sirius, exclaimed as he held Harry in a bone crushing hug, "you're alive, thank Merlin you're alive. You have no idea how worried I've been, but I never gave up hope that we'd find you again." Harry hugged Sirius back and when they let go, Dumbledore took a seat behind the desk and Snape came to stand behind Draco, placing a hand reassuringly on his shoulder.

"Well my boys", Dumbledore began happily, "It is good to see the two of you back here safe and sound. As you can tell, you're godfathers have been out of their minds with worry and yet from what I understand, the two of you spent a relatively peaceful summer together at the Leaky Cauldron." Draco and Harry both nodded and then went into a detailed description of everything that had transpired since the end of last term, starting with Harry's relative's treatment of him and Draco's refusal to take the dark mark and ending with the pair missing the last carriage and having to walk on foot to the castle. They of course left out their little relationship, but all else was told with perfect accuracy. When they'd finished, Sirius looked outraged, Snape looked furious, although at who or what it was unclear, and Dumbledore looked like he always did with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes.

"Those damn muggles", Sirius growled, "I'll kill them myself."

"You'll do no such thing", Dumbledore said calmly, "They will be dealt with by the proper authority. Now the question facing us is how to handle things as they currently are. Draco, do you feel safe returning to the Slytherin dormitories?" Draco looked worriedly at Harry and then at Snape, before turning back to Dumbledore and nodding. "Alright then, you shall return there, but you are to alert me or any of the Professors immediately if you begin to become 'uncomfortable' with your fellow house mates. Is that understood?" Once again Draco nodded. "I am very glad that you made the choice you did, and I am sure it is one that you will not come to regret." Draco gave a halfhearted smile and then nodded again. Snape squeezed his shoulder reassuringly.

"Now as for you Harry, I'm sure you will be fine returning to Gryffindor tower." Harry looked sadly at Draco, but nodded just the same, "Unless", Dumbledore continued, "you would be more comfortable with other accommodations", he said glancing knowingly between the two boys. Was it possible that Dumbledore knew about their relationship? Harry shook his head clear. No, it was impossible.

"No, I'm fine", Harry replied.

"Very well", Dumbledore finished, "I believe that is all we can do for the time being. You boys should get some rest. Classes begin bright and early tomorrow morning."

"Wait a minute", Sirius exclaimed, "What about me? I want to stay here with Harry. After nearly losing him, I refuse to leave."

"I don't believe…"

"Headmaster", Snape interrupted, "as much as I despise the mutt, I do understand his grief in nearly loosing his godson", Snape looked caringly at Draco before continuing, "and I believe that accommodations should be made for him to stay close to the Potter boy. It might also assist in his future safety." Was Snape actually being nice? Dumbledore sat quietly for a moment, head resting on his hands, before nodding.

"Very well than, Sirius shall be staying with you in your rooms, Severus." Everyone gasped.

"Headmaster that is not what I meant!" Snape argued.

"Yes, but that is my final say", Dumbledore stood to leave; "now I believe that all four of you should get some rest. Goodnight." With that, Dumbledore turned and made his way up the stairs into his private chambers.

Snape growled his utter disapproval at the situation. Nevertheless the four made their way out of the office and back into the main hallway. Snape gave Draco another hug, who hugged him happily back.

"The password is Serpent Venom and remember what the Headmaster said, if anyone mistreats you, I want you to come to me immediately, is that understood." Draco nodded and smiled happily. Harry and Sirius embraced as well.

"Although my living accommodations are going to be almost unbearable, I want you to know I'm here for you, is that understood." Harry nodded.

"The password is Phoenix Feather." Harry nodded and then they parted. Harry and Draco going one way and Snape and Sirius going the other. Harry was sure they were going to be worse for wear come morning, that was, if they hadn't already killed each other. Although, if Dumbledore had approved it then it must be ok.

Harry and Draco walked on hand in hand through the deserted halls until they came to where they had to separate; Harry going up the stairs and Draco going down. Harry turned to Draco who looked a bit better, if that could be said.

"See, so far so good, right?" Draco nodded and smiled before leaning in for a desperate kiss. When they parted Draco handed Harry back his robe and immediately began to descend down the stairs.

"Goodnight, my little Gryffindork", Draco laughed.

"I love you too", Harry called after him, smirking. He then headed up the stairs to his dorm. Tomorrow was going to be one hell of a day.

…S…T…O…P…S…T…O…P…S…T…O…P…S…T…O…P…S…T…O…P…S…T…O…P…

Raiyevern: We all love you too! LoL! And I'm really glad you like it!

Sinilu Silverspell: I was going to say, all that and the only thing she has too say is "…". My, my, you really made me nervous there. Anyways, I will only say this one more time, Sinilu is a girl and only a girl, while there is something else that's special about her, let me make it clear that it has nothing to do with being cross-gender or something, lol! Actually you're going to be noticing that Sinilu has quite a few strange absences, she has…uh…things she does…yah… Don't you just love little cliffies like that, I do! Yah, I must say that I get really lazy on rereading things, even my own story. But sometimes it must be done. Anyways, enjoy the next chapter, and I so am looking forward to your next review!

Mysticruby: I'm really glad you liked it although, you won't find out who it is for a while yet! Anyways, enjoy!

Fifespice: My, my, so many questions although I can really only answer the one answered in the chapter, the one about Hermione and Ron coming around, you're just going to have to wait to find out who the death eater is. Anyways, glad you like it and enjoy!

Hikari's-dark-side-08: LoL! Funny story! I love cliffies too…LoL! Sorry I take forever, oh and hey I love Harry/Draco, Harry/Severus, and Harry/Sirius, and I'm a devoted fan to all three, although I admit HP/DM is my favorite. And I'll admit I just finished reading a really good Harry/Voldemort that has begun to pull me a bit in that direction as well, not sure about it yet though. Anyways enjoy!

Potterluvva: They are aren't they? Oh and yah about updating soon…sorry? I know I take forever it's just…yah! Anyways, enjoy!

Staryday: I guess if I didn't take so long to update, people wouldn't forget about this story, oh well, me sorry! Trust me your review is fine, just letting me know you're reading it in anyway is enough for me. Oh and you're just going to have to wait to find out the whole deal with Eddy and Nic as well as who the death eater is. Oh and sorry for taking so bloody long to update, but please enjoy anyways!

Swampthang: I'm glad you like it, and sorry I took so long to update, but enjoy anyways!

Luxerious and light: Sorry I took so long and SQUEELyou think I'm a skilled writer. Thank you so much and enjoy!

Zoomaphonethepirate: Uh, yah poindexter doesn't quite add up does it. Sinilu is a girl and only a girl; although there's something special about her, trust me when I say it's not that. LoL! Anyways, enjoy!

Raina Faye Sheridan: No, no, I like hearing other people's life stories, LoL! Actually, when I first started reading Harry Potter fan fiction, I was completely homophobic and got in quite a few arguments with slashers, defending that there was no way Harry was gay. Then after I accidentally read one called 'Please Remember' by MagicGerbil, I suddenly became hooked on slash. The story is really sad and romantic, had me balling by the end of it. And yah I had a few of my best friends suddenly come out with it and I'm glad they waited till now cause I think a few years ago I probably wouldn't have been able to accept it, but now hell, I love it. Gay guys make the best friends is all I have to say. Anyways, yes the S. T. Seller will be making another appearance, which most certainly will not end well. OMG! You think I'm amazing! I love you! In fact I'm dedicating this chapter to you, so enjoy!

Lady-Draconian-Sapphire: Well, I'm glad, and please continue to enjoy!

Lady Constance Malfoy: You're wish is my command, enjoy!