Harry decided it would be petty to point out that apparently people did make Draco do things, after all. Actually, he was a little alarmed that their father had said a thing as cruel as that to Draco. Not that Harry remembered him saying it, but...
"What I said, and I do believe it was mentioned only in the privacy of my bedchamber, was that your upbringing had never encouraged you to think past advantage to absolutes, and that personal moral principles would stand you in good stead once you made it clear to others that you did in fact possess them."
Draco snorted slightly. "Yeah, well you meant that I didn't have any ethics at all, didn't you? And that's why you gave me such bloody stupid books to read, and why now you're asking what I think of them--"
"In fact, what I'd like to know is which book someone your age would find the most clear and understandable." Snape shrugged. "It's hard for me to gauge."
Harry had a feeling that something odd was going on. "But why would you need to gauge a thing like that?"
"Ah." Snape's expression was a little smug. "I'll be teaching an ethics course next year. Seventh-years only. There will be some hard choices to be made in this war, and Albus and I have decided that part of preparing the students to face it includes preparing them for that, as well."
"Oh... you're trying to figure out which textbook would be best?" Draco started to preen, then. "And you asked me to help you. You wanted my opinion. I see."
Snape gave him a wry glance. "Do you? If you're wondering why I didn't ask Harry to help with this, you might consider that he has more than enough to do in order to complete his spell lexicon. And only he can work on that, you realise."
"Yeah, I realise." Draco sighed a little. "Well, if you really want my opinion, both those books were tripe. I mean, the one by Brookbender was a little more readable than the one by Jamison-something-or-other, but they're both a little soft if what you're looking for is the kind of ethics that would help people make battlefield decisions."
"Try the other two, then," said Snape, his voice calm. "They're written to a much higher level, but since this is a course for seventh-years, I think they'll suit. When you've finished reading them, let me know which one you would prefer the class to use."
Draco nodded as though he'd been given a solemn charge.
"So you aren't going to be teaching Potions, Dad?"
Severus turned to glance at Harry. "Certainly I will. The ethics class will be an additional responsibility."
"Oh. I thought maybe you'd finally got fed up with the Ministry's changes to the Potions curriculum, and--"
"I frankly don't care what changes they make. I shall teach what needs to be taught, and well they know it."
"It's not as though they'll sack him," added Draco in a slightly disdainful voice. "The man who saved Harry Potter, and then took him in as his own son? I don't think so. Severus has carte blanche to ignore every curriculum guideline they might issue."
One glance at Snape told Harry that their father agreed with that assessment. Harry sighed a bit. He knew that Snape didn't think of him as famous Harry Potter any longer, but still...
"Draco, if you'd be so good as to get to that reading, I'd be very appreciative."
When Snape glanced at Harry, the boy knew what was coming. "And I'll get back to my spell lexicon--"
"Actually, I'd like to speak with you alone, about an unrelated matter."
That didn't sound too dire, Harry thought, but he didn't have any idea what his father could want. Unless it was to tell him to stop provoking arguments with Draco. But no, Snape had just said that Harry shouldn't blame himself for everything all the time--
"All right," he said, following Snape into the man's bedroom. He sat down on the edge of the bed, wishing he could feel less tense. It was probably just something about Harry's swimming lessons, or... but then, why was his father closing the door? Why was his expression so solemn as he turned around?
"Something wrong?"
"I sincerely hope not," said Snape, sitting down beside him. "But we're overdue for a talk, you and I."
"Oh, about how Draco and I keep fighting all the time? I'll try harder not to let him annoy me." Harry frowned. "I think you should talk to him, too, about just how annoying he's become. I mean... I'm not trying to put him down, really, but don't you think he's kind of changed since term ended? He used to say the occasional awful things about Muggles, but he didn't go on about them constantly."
"Constantly is a bit of an exaggeration. That said, it's quite true that Draco is sharing more about his true opinion on the subject."
"Well, tell him to cut it out." Harry sighed. "Ron and Hermione are coming tomorrow. And I just don't need him starting in. Though maybe when they're here, he'll use those perfect manners he likes to brag about."
"Ah, but don't you see?" Snape's lips curled slightly. "He's testing us again."
"Oh..." Harry thought about that for a moment. "Seeing if we'll still love him, even though he thinks these terrible things. Well, I suppose this is better than what he did before."
"Not the least because this time, he's trusting us to accept who and what he really is."
"Did you figure all this out on your own, or did you talk it over with Marsha? But when would you have a chance to talk to her alone?"
"Let's merely say that the good doctor and I have been in communication." Snape grimaced slightly. "Do me a favour and don't mention it to your brother. His insinuations do get tiresome."
Harry nodded. "So if that's all, then--"
"That is by no means all," interrupted Snape. "I didn't ask to talk to you because I needed to discuss Draco. I'd like to know if you've given any thought to talking honestly with your friends when they visit. They don't know about your recent difficulties yet, I trust."
Harry bristled a little. "Look, I may not be able to tell them everything, but I'm not dishonest."
"I didn't mean that." Snape paused, turning to face Harry more fully. "This is difficult, Harry. You're almost an adult, after all, and your friendships are your own concern. But you were the one who convinced me how important those friendships are. We told Miss Granger and Mr Weasley about your wandless magic and your deep powers--"
"We?" Harry made a scoffing sound. "The way I remember it, you didn't want them told about any of it."
"I didn't." Snape shifted restlessly beside him. "Looking back, however, I can see how useful it was for them to know such things."
"You aren't going to go on again about them leaving me alone in Hogsmeade?" Harry slanted his father a glance. "Though I guess the Howler you sent them kind of covered that."
"Don't change the subject," Snape said firmly. "The matter at hand is how much your friends should know, now. They didn't always behave as responsibly as I would have liked, but all in all, it was best for them to understand the extent of your changed powers. You were right about that."
"I was... right." Harry couldn't help but goggle a bit.
"Yes. It all comes down to your instincts. I've learned to respect them, Harry. So what are they telling you now?"
Harry crossed his arms, scooting away a little. "I don't want to talk to Ron and Hermione. Not about this."
"I'm sure you don't. The question wasn't about what you want, however." Snape said nothing for a moment. "Are you wary of their reaction?"
Sighing, Harry forced himself to really think about that. When the answer came, he clenched his fists. Too bad he couldn't just answer yes. He was sure that his father would drop this whole idea if he was convinced that it would end up hurting Harry. But... it probably wouldn't.
"Harry?"
Another sigh, this one more heartfelt. "No, I couldn't really say that I'm worried, exactly. It's not like when I told Ron that I liked being your son. There's nothing about this that would make him... er, turn on me. It's just..."