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Chapter Text

Harry's hand hurt like he'd just been hit by a thousand Cruciatus' and all the pain in his body was concentrated on his left hand.

Despite the slight exaggeration on his part, the pain was definitely bad enough for him to stagger on his feet, making him sway with every step he took. The cuts had re-opened again after tonight's detention and Harry didn't know how much longer he could keep hiding it. Harry winced, from the pain as well as mentally imagining the verbal beating down he'd undoubtedly be getting from Hermione.

"Why, if it isn't Potter without his pets. Wonder what I owe this misfortune to," drawled an obnoxiously snide voice from behind that Harry was ashamed to admit he'd recognise anywhere.

He was 𝘴𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 in the mood for Draco Malfoy right now.

But try as he might, he never really had been able to ignore the prat. "Not now, Malfoy. In fact, make that 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳". Harry didn't have to turn around to know that Malfoy was sneering when he snapped, "Aren't you especially testy today? What's got your knickers twisted?".

Harry sighed, he was way too tired and hurt to even be pissed at anyone, which was a first since this summer. The entire debacle with the Dementors and Dursleys, then the Order being secretive and Dumbledore showing up at his trial with the gall to act magnanimous after ignoring Harry when he'd needed the Headmaster the most had successfully left him in a state of perpetual anger.

Though he had to give it to Malfoy, for doing such a phenomenal job at testing Harry's patience when he was too exhausted to even walk properly by simply existing.

"If you really must know, I had detention with the pink toad. Again. I am so knackered Malfoy that not even thoughts of hexing you green can energise me. Ta, then." No sooner had Harry taken three steps forward that Malfoy called out, "Potter! Potter, wait".

Harry rolled his eyes but for some Merlin forsaken reason, he did halt in his steps. He mentally berated himself for every precious second wasted away from his warm bed whilst waiting for Malfoy to walk up to him. "What is it?" Harry demanded, annoyed and silently cursing the blonde git's height when he had to tilt his chin up to glare into stormy-grey eyes.

For what seemed like the first time in the five years that Harry had known him, Draco Malfoy hesitated before speaking.

"Well? I haven't got all night Malfoy", he scowled. "Why's your hand bleeding Potter?" Malfoy asked quietly, his perfect eyebrows drawn together as he frowned looking down at Harry's injured hand.

Taken aback, Harry's face blanched, sputtering, "I- What? That's none of your business, Malfoy". Harry knew someone would've found out about Umbridge's disciplinary methods sooner or later but he had not expected Malfoy to be the one noticing the scars on his hand.

"You'll find it is indeed my business, considering I am a Prefect," Malfoy boasted. "Now, show me". Without waiting for Harry's response, which was extremely likely to be a polite 'Off you fuck', or even for Harry to show him the scars himself, Malfoy gently lifted Harry's hand up with the utmost care.

Harry gaped in surprise, both at the delicate handling and the way Malfoy winced at the sight of the bloodied words. "She's been using a Black Quill on you, all this time and you didn't see it fit to inform anyone?" Malfoy hissed.

And Harry would've put him in his place for taking that tone with him if he hadn't been completely overwhelmed by the fact that Draco Malfoy was chastising him for being careless.

This cannot be Draco Malfoy.

This isn't the guy who dedicates every year to finding new and innovative ways to bully Harry. "Who are you? Why are you impersonating Malfoy? I'll have you know I've already been fooled once by someone using polyjuice and I am not going to fall for that again", Harry growled, he now knew Hogwarts wasn't as safe as he once thought it was, especially for him.

Malfoy didn't reply and Harry was about to draw his wand when he got momentarily distracted by the small smile, no not a sneer or even a smirk, a smile, so tiny that anyone else would've missed it, gracing Malfoy's lips.

"I met you for the first time at Madam Malkin's. No one knows that except for you and I. Satisfied?," Harry frowned but nodded, ignoring the fluttery feeling he got when he realized Malfoy was still not letting go of his hand. Examining his hand every which way for a few more seconds, Malfoy ordered, "Come with me".

"Where? You know what, never mind. No. I am tired and would like to go back to my tower and sleep. Now if you'll excuse me," Harry glowered, even though he knew he'd be able to take the prat whilst injured and tired but he wasn't foolish enough to go with Malfoy fuck knows where in a state like this when he could be bested if ambushed by a bunch of Slytherins.

As if reading his mind, Malfoy sighed deeply, before reaching for his wand. He faltered a bit, but then took on a determined stance and said, "I am not challenging you to a duel. Nor do I have nefarious intentions. You don't have to trust what I say so you can keep this instead," with that Malfoy handed his wand to Harry.

Harry had never been more befuddled in his life. He stared at the piece of wood in his hand, 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘧𝘰𝘺'𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘥, something that's more precious than all the galleons in his vault, and he'd handed it over to Harry, allowing himself to be vulnerable instead. Harry shouldn't have been as moved as he was by this.

"Where are you taking me?", Harry queried only to be ignored. Harry followed Malfoy to the seventh floor all the way to the left corridor in the castle, as he led them towards the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy.

"Wait," Malfoy demanded ominously when he noticed Harry opening his mouth to ask again. Standing still for a while, Malfoy closed his eyes and started pacing in front of the empty wall.

"Malfo-", Harry was about to chide Malfoy for wasting his time again when suddenly a large door appeared in place of the wall. Harry gawped in astonishment, "What the fuck?"

Malfoy chuckled, "Eloquent as ever, Potter." Still gaping awe-struck at the wall/door with his mouth hanging open, Harry whispered, "What is this?"

"The Room of Requirement also known as the Come and Go Room. Didn't you read about it in Hogwarts: A History?" Harry turned his head to look at Malfoy with an expression that clearly said, 'Do I look like I'd read something like that?'

Malfoy tutted with a shake of his head, "It's sort of a sentient room that takes the shape of whatever it is that the person walking past it may require. All you have to do is wish for it and walk in front of it thrice. Yes, Potter even the loo. Shall we then?" Malfoy rolled his eyes towards the end and Harry smiled cheekily before following him inside.

𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘐'𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘨𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴. Harry was once again rendered speechless when he entered the room, full of shelfs laden with all sorts of potions. Though in hindsight he realized it wasn't that much of a surprise considering this room was a formation of Draco Malfoy's wishes. It was still more simple than he'd ever think Malfoy capable of.

There was also a little fireplace warming the room pleasantly and the only piece of furniture inside the room was a dark green couch which he distinctly remembered seeing in the Slytherin common room back in second year.

On the floor beneath the couch was a large rug that looked softer than a cloud and Harry couldn't wait to sink his bare feet into that softness. After a little deliberation, Harry did just that once he'd taken off his shoes and socks. "Gods this rug is so soft. I didn't know rugs could be 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 soft!"

With childlike excitement Harry ran towards the couch and sat in front of it, resting his back against it's legs. He looked towards Malfoy with a beaming smile only to flush slightly in embarrassment when he noticed those intense grey eyes fixated on him, studying him carefully as if he wanted to memorize every little detail about Harry.

He couldn't believe how he'd just acted like a child in front of his biggest rival.

"Why'd you bring me here Malfoy?", Harry whispered shyly, and Malfoy startled at being broken out of his reverie. "Obviously to heal those cuts of yours, Potter. Wixen aren't immune to infections, you know? You could have lost your entire hand." Malfoy scolded even as he pottered in front of the shelfs filled with vials upon vials of Potions.

Harry sat silently, pondering over the weirdness of all this. He couldn't believe he and Malfoy had willingly spent so much time in each other's company without resorting to verbal or physical abuse. Had he suddenly entered a parallel universe without being aware of it? But then again, he couldn't imagine any universe existing where Malfoy would be 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦 to him.

"Ah! Found it!" Malfoy announced with a proud smile and walked over to Harry before sitting down next to him. "Give me that hand," once again not waiting for Harry to oblige, Malfoy took it himself, still as gentle. "This is Dittany and it may burn a little but I'll try to be gentle alright?" Harry nodded and stared at Malfoy as he coated his fingers with the dittany and stroked gentle fingers over the bleeding words.

Harry bit back a wince and stared at Malfoy instead. His gaze seemingly stuck on the single strand of errant, gold-spun hair falling over one storm-grey eye when Malfoy leaned over to carefully apply the essence over his wounds. Harry was utterly fascinated.

Harry shivered when all the weariness drained from his body only to be replaced by an incredibly uncomfortable yet familiar tingle that turned his brain into mush and made his palms itch with the urge to stroke that hair back.

𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘬, but when did that colossal git become so pretty?

This wasn't the first time Harry had been made aware of his proclivity towards the same gender but he'd never felt it to such an extent before. He wasn't new to crushes either, but he couldn't remember a single time when he'd waxed poetic about the shine of Cho's hair.

𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬.

And Harry swore that the minute he regained his energy, he'd be back to being furious with Malfoy. Furious with him for making Harry feel the way he was since Fourth year. For looking so darn attractive while being an all around prat to Harry and everyone he cared about. Harry doubted if he'd ever not be furious with everything Malfoy was and represented but he also couldn't help being attracted to him.

He'd rather seethe uncontrollably than be vulnerable while sitting helplessly next to the boy he seemed to have developed the most unlikely crush on while said boy probbed carefully at his injuries, healing them.

Because this really was awfully inconvenient.

𝘉𝘶𝘵 for now, he could allow himself to look.

He cast furtive glances at him, allowing his eyes to linger on the places his fingers suddenly itched to touch, greedily drinking up the sight of Malfoy looking so uncharacteristically relaxed and dare he say it, 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵.

Harry deserved at least that after the train wreck of a day he'd had.

"I am not going to tell you to run and tell Dumbledore about this. God knows, I don't trust the man. Nor do I have any right to tell you how to act but I will advise you to not keep this from your friends. If nothing else, then Granger will at least be able to devise a revenge scheme worthy of a Slytherin," Malfoy suggested before blowing on cool air on Harry's burning wound.

𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵, 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘧𝘰𝘺 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘦? Harry honestly couldn't remember the last time he'd been so befuddled by something, 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦.

"You haven't been yourself this past week, Potter and Salazar knows how long before that. It's obvious to anyone with two eyes and a conscience. It's okay to be angry. You've been dealt the worse cards of us all. And I am sure your pets would tell you the same", Malfoy finished with a snide remark, exhaling heavily as though physically pained after having said a somewhat nice thing to Harry.

Flummoxed, Harry asked, "Why are you telling me this?" Malfoy shrugged nonchalantly in response, "Just felt like you needed to hear it."

And Merlin knew that Harry did need to hear it but he couldn't guess how Malfoy knew him well enough to understand that Harry needed one final push to be able to talk to Ron and Hermione about everything including his feelings regarding their behavior this summer. He wasn't just angry. He was 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵.

"Is it done then?", Harry asked once he stopped feeling Malfoy stroking over his hand. "It is yes, tomorrow's the last of your detention right? I'll see you after and apply a second coat, yes?", when he looked over at Harry for a response, he quickly nodded in agreement, "I don't know why but I feel like it's not enough." Malfoy muttered under his breath, staring at his now sufficiently patched up left hand with a dissatisfied frown on his face.

But before Harry could enquire about his pointed stares, Malfoy abruptly stood up, a thoughtful expression on his face as he paced around, shaking his head in contradiction to whatever it was he thought Malfoy announced, "This shan't do", the git pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation before releasing another one of his patented woe-is-me, agonized sighs.

He stood up, looking down at Harry under his nose as one would look at a creature so peculiar that they couldn't help but be curious. "Up, Potter", he commanded. Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise at the weird demand. He was used to the imperial tone but still unable to comprehend the bizzare turn his evening had taken. Ron would shit a brick when Harry tells him about how Malfoy had patched him up, of all people.

"Are you deaf as well now? Up, up come on", Malfoy cajoled and even held a hand out for Harry which he took on impulse while rising to his feet. Clearing his throat to brush off the moment which he was sure would lead to one of the most painfully awkward silences of his life Harry crossed his arms across his chest and fixed cool, green eyes on Malfoy.

Malfoy's steely gaze raked over Harry's frame and he fought resiliently to not shudder under those eyes while they appraised him. "Not like this Potter. Widen your arms." Confused and more than a little curious, Harry did as asked ignoring the suspiciously Hermione-like voice in his head that reminded him of what it was that killed the cat.

"Did no one ever teach you the word 'please' Malfoy?" Harry complained, full lips unconsciously puckering into a little pout, one that he was too distracted to notice Malfoy's eyes continuously flitting towards and fixating upon. "No, Potter. I have never felt the need to say it", Malfoy admitted quietly.

Rolling his eyes, Harry let it go, choosing instead to ask, "What is the purpose of this then?" gesturing to himself as he did. "Oh, yes", Malfoy nodded before advancing towards him and closing the little distance between them.

And just like that, within the span of a few seconds, Harry's entire life tilted on it's axis.

Strong arms wrapped tightly around his frame as Draco Malfoy hugged him snugly to his firm, ridiculously warm, chest. Harry's cheek pressed against a hard pectoral, the left one, guessing from the steady thumping of the heart that beat right under his ear.

𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘧𝘰𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘗𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳. 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘧𝘰𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮.

And Merlin, what a delightful hug it was.

Harry desperately wanted to wrap his limply hanging arms around that toned abdomen. "Err... Malfoy... What in Godric's name are you doing?" Harry whispered weakly.

He doesn't know why he didn't immediately push Malfoy away. Maybe he wasn't as much of a courageous Gryffindor as he'd thought he was, because one would have to hold Harry at wandpoint to get him to admit how terrifyingly safe he felt right then being held in his rival's arms.

"Hugging you, of course", Malfoy answered primly, his tone sounding as haughty as it did while he went on ordering his cronies around. "Why?" Harry all but breathed out the word in disbelief, immediately regretting it when his nose was assaulted with Malfoy's delicious fragrance, a bit spicy mixed with a little rosewood and something which he couldn't really identify and therefore simply named it 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰 in his head.

"Say what you will about Malfoys but we actually weren't raised like barbarians, taught to curse every Gryffindor in the nearest vicinity, Potter. My mother always taught me that no potion or spell can fix an injury faster than a hug". And despite every nerve in his body protesting against it, reminding him that it was 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘧𝘰𝘺 holding him like he was precious cargo, Harry 𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘥.

Reluctant but also curious, Harry clasped his arms around Malfoy, his fingers locking when they reached around his back. Malfoy's arms tightened the slightest bit around him in response and Harry sighed, instinctively burrowing his face against one broad shoulder.

Harry didn't have much of a history with hugs. If he disregarded the ones he received from Mrs. Weasley, Hermione and now more recently Ginny and Sirius, at the beginning of every summer, then he didn't have any experience with hugs at all. He couldn't remember being hugged as a baby and the Dursleys sure as fuck never hugged him.

But despite his lack of experience in being either the hugger or the hugged, Harry had never quite felt like this in a hug. He'd never related the feeling of being hugged to 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 before. The closest he'd come to feeling like this was with Sirius, but even then it wasn't quite the same.

An embrace to him was just that, someone wrapping their arms around another person in greeting or departure or comfort. He'd never equated that feeling to being protected or safe before either.

Molly Weasley's hugs were tight and squeezing bordering just barely on suffocating and they were quick almost always ending with a fond squeeze of Harry's bony shoulders. Hermione's hugs were just as quick and to the point as herself, a quick 'hello' or a quick 'good bye' and sometimes a quick 'I am sorry this happened to you'. They did what they were supposed to do and that was that. Ginny's hugs were somewhat hesitant, more shy and lingering which Harry couldn't for the life of him guess why.

Sirius though, hugged him like he would hug James. A fond squeeze and a friendly pat on the back that made him feel closer to his father than he ever had. There was something heartbreakingly nostalgic about Sirius' hugs that made Harry feel closer to his parents than he ever did, ergo closer to home.

But Draco Malfoy hugged Harry like he belonged to him.

Which was honestly insane but Harry just couldn't help feeling as though he'd just come home after years of aimless wandering. Malfoy didn't squeeze nor did he suffocate and yet Harry felt warmer than he did while sitting in front of the fireplace inside the Gryffindor common room. The git was like an actual furnace.

Harry felt like he'd just been given treacle tart after an entire day of weeding the Dursley's garden. Malfoy stroked a big palm up Harry's spine in a soothing gesture and Harry was putty.

He felt adored.

He never thought he could miss something he never even had, but now that he'd had a taste of it, Harry sincerely doubted he could go without it. "How old were you when your mum told you that?", Harry asked softly, soaking up the comfort Malfoy's rhythmic stroking of his back allowed.

"Three years old, I think. Probably four. Why?" Hiding a smile in Malfoy's chest, Harry teased, "So you mean to tell me that if I'd hugged you back when Buckbeak almost '𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥' you, you wouldn't have kicked up such a fuss?"

Malfoy was silent for a beat, the palm stroking up and down Harry's spine came to a stop on the small of his back. "Maybe but we'd never know, would we?", He murmured softly before burying his face in Harry's hair and squeezing him gently, unconsciously swaying them both where they stood.

"Are you all better now?" Panicking at the mere thought being let go, Harry shook his head vigorously, his own arms squeezing around Malfoy in a tight grip. "I think it'll take a bit more time," Harry whispered, his voice muffled against Malfoy's robes. Malfoy hummed in agreement, "Yes, I think so as well". Harry smiled again, glad that Malfoy couldn't see him and sassily demanded, "Carry on, then".

And if Harry felt an entire herd of erumpents somersaulting in his belly at Malfoy's responding chuckle, then it was for no one to know except Harry.

_______________________________________________

"I believe you, you know?", Malfoy said suddenly, without even lifting his head from the task he was currently absorbed in. "What?," Harry asked, puzzled. "I saw him. The Dark Lord. I saw my infallible father lower himself to his knees and kiss that Snakeface's robes", Malfoy continued casually as though he were talking about the weather and not clearly making it known where his loyalties lay.

"Malf- What are you saying?," Harry asked, taking his hand away from within Malfoy's grip to have the git face him. "Why, Potter did you actually think every Slytherin was a Death Eater in training? That 𝘐 am a Death Eater in training?", Malfoy asked instead of answering. Harry's lips pressed together, fierce green eyes narrowing at the audacity.

Harry knew that no matter what anyone else thought, the Malfoys were deeply ingrained with all things Voldemort. "When have 𝘺𝘰𝘶 or your cronies and housemates given me any reason to think otherwise? What was it that you called Hermione again?" Harry demanded, his tone sharp and cutting.

They were back inside the same room that the Room of Requirement had provided for them yesterday after Harry's detention. And for awhile after Harry's little rant with both of them refusing to speak, the only sounds in the room were both his and Malfoy's breathing which seemed almost abnormally loud in the sheer silence until Malfoy broke it.

"You don't understand, Potter. I didn't grow up like Weasley. I may be spoilt and I may be a bully but what I have never been is independent", Malfoy sounded weary and distant, the words falling out of his mouth seeming forced despite the honesty Harry could clearly see in his eyes almost as if Malfoy couldn't imagine anything more painful than having a heart-to-heart with Harry.

"Even without never having met your father, you still find yourself living in his shadow, don't you? All I've ever wanted to be was Lucius Malfoy and I was groomed appropriately too", Malfoy confessed a self-deprecating smirk taking over his features.

"But I guess I took the 'Malfoys bow to no one' bit more seriously than my father ever had. How could the man that taught me the importance of always being on top fall so low himself? I wasn't taught to be nice, Potter. I was taught manipulation. I wasn't taught about kindness or generosity, I was taught how to win and how I am superior just because I am a Pureblood and a Malfoy", Malfoy explained and Harry had never seen him look more earnest before, his beautiful, stormy eyes clouded with a sense of nostalgia and remorse.

Harry didn't say anything to that, he 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵. He had been content to believe that there could never be a softer, nicer side to Malfoy. Let alone a side that Harry could actually sympathise with. Malfoy was always supposed to be incorrigible.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘌𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘞𝘦'𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘶𝘴. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦. Harry heard Sirius' voice echo in his ears as he related those words to the new side of his rival that he was finally being introduced to. He'd never been good at comforting people but what he could do was 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯.

"It was difficult to unlearn all that and I am still not very good at admitting my weaknesses or someone's superiority over me but I am getting there. Mother's been a huge help", Malfoy continued taking Harry's silence as a cue. "You mean your mother doesn't believe in the whole Blood Purity tripe?" Harry interjected curiously, hugging his knees to his chest and watching Malfoy carefully.

"No, my mother's own sister married a muggleborn. Mother had always been silently supportive but couldn't speak out; then because of Bellatrix and her family and now because of father. He'd take me to his study for private lessons and mother was neither allowed inside nor did he ever take any of her opinions seriously. But after the Triwizard Tournament, she and I sat down and had a much needed talk where we came to a mutual agreement regarding the impending war".

Harry goggled at Malfoy, utterly baffled by the weight of his confession. He thought he knew what Malfoy was saying but didn't allow himself to hope. "Mutual agreement?" Harry repeated like an idiot and Malfoy apparently agreed because he rolled his eyes before asking, "Have you met Nymphadora Tonks?," to which Harry nodded reluctantly.

"She's my cousin. Mother and I spent the summer at the Tonks'. Yes, Potter we've defected. I understand it must be hard for your pea-brain to comprehend. Do you need me to spell it out?," Malfoy questioned dryly, reaching for Harry's hand again. "You- Wait? Seriously?," Harry stammered, both miffed and surprised.

Malfoy looked heavenward in annoyance. "Oh for fuck's sake. Of course 𝘯𝘰𝘵. I do enjoy joking about things which could land my head on a silver platter for The Dark Reptile courtesy of any wannabe Death Eaters," he sneered and Harry almost laughed before suddenly remembering that this was Malfoy and they didn't do things like laughing together.

But they also don't do things like patch each other up or have heart to hearts.

"Does Dumbledore know?," Harry asked after successfully biting back a grin.

Malfoy nodded, "He does. Though mother and I made it clear that despite our change in loyalties we are not going to be Dumbledore's pawns". Harry felt another stab of anger in his gut for the Headmaster and the Order for keeping this from him as well because he was pretty sure that if Dumbledore knew, the rest of the order did too.

"I am angry with him, Malfoy." Harry blurts out and the fingers carefully applying the dittany on his hand suddenly stop. Malfoy's nose crinkled in confusion and he almost looked like he wanted to say something but decided against it, silently beckoning Harry to speak. 𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥.

He couldn't believe that he was about to bare his soul to Malfoy. 𝘊𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘦'𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘴, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰?

"I am just so furious at everything under the sun. Furious with Ron and Hermione for acting like, witless pawns and not reaching out to me when I needed them the most. Furious with the Dursleys. Furious with Sirius. And Professor Lupin. I know I should talk to them but I can't bring myself to... I fear I'll burst out," Harry confessed softly.

Malfoy sat up straight once he was done with Harry's hand and shifted closer to him, back resting against the couch legs beside Harry, their shoulders almost brushing. "Dora told me about your little temper tantrum... But I can't refute you. It's justified. On both sides. Your friends did what they had to do and you've got every right to be pissed about it. No one likes being disappointed by people they were counting on. Take it from me."

Harry looked up into grey irises, feeling his heart start to misbehave when he noticed how close they were sitting. He drew his lower lip between his teeth, deliberating on what to say before he finally whispered softly, "You don't think I am overreacting?"

Malfoy shook his head, silky wisps of golden strands loosening from the careful way he'd styled his hair and once again falling tantalisingly over one eye. "You watched a friend be killed. Went through so much after that without having anyone to share it with. Feeling detached can be scary. Not to mention going to trial for a crime you didn't even commit. Yes, I'd want to Bombarda Maxima everything in near sight too had I been in your place."

Harry rested his cheek against his knee, gaze downturned and focused on the graceful arch of Malfoy's pretty, pale ankle. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺. "How is it that I sometimes feel so alone in a house full of people that supposedly care about me? Why do I feel like I have absolutely no one in my corner?", Harry mumbled, drawing random patterns on the rug with his uninjured hand beside Malfoy's palm.

Malfoy sighed, mimicking Harry's pose so he look into his eyes. But Harry turned away, refusing to meet his stare. He pressed the heel of his palm to his eyes, ignoring the tell-tale sting in them. Repressing the onslaught of angry tears for what felt like the millionth time since this summer.

"You're not alone, Potter," Malfoy whispered earnestly, his warm palm engulfing Harry's to capture his attention. "And you aren't a liar either. In fact, you're none of the things, I have always mocked you for. Though I didn't mean them half the time anyway, mind."

Harry turned towards him then, raising his head from his knees despite being aware of his glistening eyes. He 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 missed the way Malfoy's eyes softened when he looked at him. He couldn't believe that 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘧𝘰𝘺 was trying to comfort him. Most of all, he couldn't believe that he was actually 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥.

"What do you mean?," He croaked weakly and the corner of Malfoy's mouth curved up in a tentative half-smile, "All these years, my jealousy towards your friends has led me to do some pretty questionable things. I felt so green with envy about the fact that 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 were the ones allowed to be your friends. Half the time, I wouldn't know for sure what I'd said myself".

Blinking back the tears, Harry flushed pink, both from Malfoy's words and the feeling of a long, elegant finger drawing a line along his wrist bone. The words kept pleasantly ringing in his ears as he tried to wrap his head around the fact that 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘧𝘰𝘺 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺'𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥.

He always had.

Granted, he didn't really know how to earn that friendship but that's all he wanted. Harry swallowed, finding himself completely overwhelmed with the need for 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨.

"Have you always been like that?," Harry asked. 𝘏𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯? He meant, though he was sure he wouldn't have to enunciate that for Malfoy. His eyes unconsciously followed the movement of Malfoy's finger. He couldn't help but notice how beautifully Malfoy's skin contrasted against his.

Malfoy cracked a grin, an honest to Merlin smile, that had Harry sucking in deep breaths before responding, "You'll just have to find out, won't you?"

Was it just Harry or did that actually sound a tad flirtatious?

Once again finding himself, craving that 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 he couldn't quite put a name to, Harry hastily changed the topic, "Are you done then?"

Malfoy gazed down towards his hand before nodding, "Almost".

With that, Malfoy removed his hand from over Harry's and all of his following protests died on his lips when Malfoy extended that same arm over Harry's shoulder instead and brought him close to his warm body in a side-hug. Harry exhaled in relief, finally feeling that craving of 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 come to fruition.

𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘩𝘶𝘨.

Harry wriggled a bit to get comfortable, finally finding a position where he could rest his head on Malfoy's shoulder and wrap his arms around that furnace-like torso. His knees rested on Malfoy's thigh as the hand on his shoulder crawled carelessly into his hair, running deft fingers through the messy strands.

He doesn't know how 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 became a thing between him and Malfoy but he couldn't be arsed to care about it. He'd never felt safer or more comforted.

Which was rather ironic considering this was the boy who had bullied Harry for years and was on the receiving end of some nasty hexes and schemes doled out by Harry himself and his friends.

The universe sure did have a twisted sense of humour.

"Why did you finally defect?" Harry asked after a few minutes of comfortable silence.

Malfoy sighed deeply, "I was waiting for you to ask that", his finger curled around one strand of Harry's thick raven hair and tugged softly at it before he continued, "The Dark Lord's 'vision' is a pipe dream. His goals and motivations are utterly ridiculous. Even when I hadn't yet seen the faults in my father's ways I still didn't agree with the whole 'kill the muggleborns', agenda. He is going to lose, I know he will. And he'll take everyone down with him. I, for one, don't intend to be there when it happens." Malfoy explained imperiously and Harry peered up at him with shock lacing his features for what felt like the millionth time already in merely two days.

Being 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 pleasantly surprised by Draco Malfoy of all people, couldn't be good for his health.

Catching Harry's look, Malfoy rolled his eyes.

"Don't look at me like that, Potter. I am a Slytherin. Self-preservation comes as naturally to me as breathing. I know you must find it hard to believe what with your non-existent self-confidence but all Wizarding children grew up listening to tales of how you'd defeated His Royal Reptile as a mere baby, Potter. Why would anyone think 𝘺𝘰𝘶 can't again, this time with an actual wand?" Malfoy's eyebrow arched haughtily as he considered Harry, his tone so confident as though anyone thinking otherwise was an idiot.

Harry couldn't have helped the incredulous chuckle that escaped him even if he tried.

"Why, Malfoy, did you just admit that I was your childhood hero?" Harry mocked, unconsciously nuzzling his face against that sharp jaw.

Malfoy scoffed in response, though his cheeks were tinted a pretty rosy pink, Harry noted with delight. "In your dreams, Potter. I'd be the last person to put you on a pedestal. I don't say you're going to win because you're some sort of boy-wonder, though 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦. I say you're going to win because you don't know how to lose. Because you know what'd be on stake if you do. I defected with faith in you, 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺, not Dumbledore's Golden Boy."

Harry bit his lip, cursing his stupid, stupid heart for almost immediately erupting into completely unnecessary flutters.

Though, Harry couldn't really blame himself or his giddy, fluttering heart because he had honestly never been told anything quite as wonderful as that.

He also rather thought that it should be illegal how sexy his name sounded rolling off Malfoy's tongue, in that posh accent.

"Thank you," He murmured, because he wasn't good with words, not like Malfoy was. He was feeling too much.

He wasn't used to being this vulnerable with someone nor was he used to the havoc wreaking within him by just being near Malfoy. He had never felt anything even remotely close to this for Cho or anyone.

Harry was so, so, 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥.

Because how was he going to protect his heart from Draco Malfoy now that he knew Malfoy was nothing like how Harry had thought he would be?

Closing his eyes shut and allowing the fingers gently caressing his scalp to calm him, Harry relaxed. He squeezed his arms around Malfoy, clinging the slightest bit tighter to him.

And before he could talk himself out of it, Harry mumbled, "Thank you, 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰", so softly that it was almost inaudible but he knew Draco heard him when he felt the soft nuzzling of a cheek against his hair.

Harry smiled softly, comforted by the warm, fuzzy feeling of being so affectionately nuzzled and feeling safer than ever while resting on his rival's shoulder.

_______________________________________________

Inexplicably, Harry and Malf- 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰 became friends.

Their clandestine meetings somehow continued even without the excuse of Harry's injuries.

Harry's scars had healed wonderfully. One could barely even make out the words despite the bit of scarring that stubbornly remained in spite of Draco's best efforts.

The conversation about the scars had gone over far more better than Harry had thought considering by the time he'd told Ron and Hermione the scars were fully healed.

Hermione was very impressed albeit rather reluctantly once Harry had admitted 𝘸𝘩𝘰 exactly helped him. Ron however, had surprisingly not burst a lung screaming in indignation and instead kept quiet with an introspective look on his face, he'd just patted Harry on the back before going to sleep.

The next day, when Harry had been 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 wandering the castle, he 𝘤𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 found himself at the Seventh floor, only to 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 run into Draco.

And before they knew it Harry and Draco were back in their room, sitting side by side, comfortably talking about everything without hexes being thrown or hurtful insults being exchanged.

Harry had never thought it possible that he could feel so damn comfortable talking about things he'd only ever told Ron and Hermione with 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘧𝘰𝘺. But soon they found themselves spending almost every evening in each other's company.

Sometimes they'd play Wizard's Chess, Draco relentlessly mocking Harry's abysmal skills with a delighted smile every time he'd win. And sometimes after having another one of their heavily emotional conversations they'd play a fun round of Exploding Snap to lighten up. Sometimes they'd just sit in silence and do their homeworks, exchanging tentative smiles every now and then.

And each time Harry would secretly lose a tiny, little sliver of his heart to this boy whom he'd severely misunderstood for so long.

It was a month later, that Harry finally found himself in an emotionally better place to finally be able to talk to Ron and Hermione about the things that had been bothering him for so long.

Harry found Ron and Hermione sitting in front of their designated area by the fireplace and couldn't help but smile at the familiarity of the sight.

His newfound, tentative friendship with Draco was extremely precious and slightly precarious as well in its novelty. And though he wouldn't trade that for the world, Ron and Hermione were still his best friends and he missed them.

He hated feeling so detached from them.

"Harry!", Hermione greeted happily when she saw him standing by the Portrait hole. "Hey, mate. Back already from your meeting with the ferret?," Ron called out as well gesturing for Harry to come to them.

It would never stop astonishing Harry how well Ron was taking his friendship with Draco.

"Ronald, we've talked about this. He has a name." Hermione chastised with a frown.

Harry's grin widened, as he watched them bicker back and forth for a while.

He was broken out of his stupor when Hermione asked, "Aren't you gonna sit down, Harry?", as though suddenly remembering Harry was indeed there.

He shifted slightly from foot to foot in a nervous gesture contemplating how to start. Ron looked back and forth between Harry and Hermione, the latter's knowing brown eyes narrowing as she scrutinized him.

"You know you can tell us anything, Harry", she insisted, softly patting the seat beside her in invitation while Ron gasped in realisation, though Harry couldn't exactly tell what it was that he'd dramatically discovered.

"Is it happening already?" Ron mumbled under his breath, obviously believing he wasn't being audible at all as Harry sat down in the offered seat, staring weirdly at his best friend even as he took a deep breath.

"There's something that I've been waiting to talk to you guys about... For a long time now", Harry started carefully.

Hermione nodded understandingly, her hand squeezing his knee in a comforting gesture. "We know, Harry, we've been waiting for you to tell us for a while now". Harry's brows drew together in disbelief, "You do? You have?"

Ron nodded gravely in response. "Oh that makes it easier then, I think," he muttered, "It's just that... I was really angry then, you know? But now I am just hurt and I can't help feeling it".

"Wait, what?" Ron and Hermione squeaked in unison.

"Hurt?" Ron asked with a frown, "Angry?" Hermione repeated in confusion.

"Well, yes. I am talking about what happened this summer. I thought you knew?" Harry explained with a frown.

"Oh, oh" Hermione mumbled, more to herself than either him or Ron before looking up at Harry with a determined expression, "Go on, we're listening". She looked at Ron who nodded quickly in affirmation.

"What did you think I was going to say?" Harry asked curiously and Hermione paled for a bit until Ron patted his back good-naturedly, before conveniently changing the topic by saying, "Never mind that, now. What were you saying, mate?"

With a sigh, Harry continued, "It's just that all this time I have been feeling like my feelings regarding everything that happened this summer were brushed over, way too quickly. I swear I am not angry anymore. I know you guys apologized and I 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 forgiven you. I am not used to counting on people because I didn't know what having a family felt like until I met you guys and I have never felt lonelier than I did this summer. I had nightmares of Cedric dying everytime I closed my eyes", Harry's voice broke and Hermione's lower lip trembled as she whispered a quiet, "Oh, Harry...," before drawing him in her arms.

"And I couldn't talk about it with anyone. I felt like I didn't even belong. Not with the Dursleys. Not even when I finally reunited with you guys, I'd already been feeling so detached from everyone. Because who did I have if not you? I know you guys did what you had to... It's not your fault but why am I still so disappointed? I am sorry for over reacting" Harry mumbled into her shoulder.

"We 𝘢𝘳𝘦 sorry, Harry. We really are because all this time we'd thought everything was back to being as fine as it could be. That 𝘺𝘰𝘶 were fine. We had no idea", Hermione sniffled. Ron squeezed his shoulder, wrapping a big arm around both Hermione and him.

"I am glad you told us. You aren't overreacting at all, mate. Your feelings are completely justified", Ron stated once Hermione had let him go shifting herself over so that all three of them could sit in a circle with Harry in between. Ron and Hermione covered both of Harry's hands with one of their own.

"You're our family too, Harry. We promise to do better by you," Hermione said solemnly, squeezing his palm and Harry exhaled, feeling a large weight being lifted off his shoulders.

"We do, Harry. You're the best mate anyone could ask for and I swear I won't ever let you feel as lonely as you did, ever again." Harry's eyes stung even as he beamed at his friends, squeezing their hands back affectionately.

"I am glad I told you too. You know how bad I am with the whole talking about feelings things. I was actually planning on spewing with anger 'til it dwindled into nothingness even though I hated feeling so detached from you. Draco pestered me for a whole month trying to get me to talk it out", Harry confessed quietly.

He completely missed the quick, knowing glance exchanged between his two best friends.

"So the ferret-face is actually good for something then?" Not being one for sentimentalies Ron joked and Hermione's nose wrinkled in displeasure, "Ronald! Grow up!", Harry chuckled at their antics resting his head on Hermione's shoulder, finally feeling a semblance of peace being registered in his world.

"It baffles me how easily you guys are taking my friendship with Draco", He commented offhandedly. He hadn't exactly been expecting a response so when Ron said, "Tell him, 'Mione", he couldn't help but glance up at her curiously.

"He- Malfoy, approached me a few days ago in the library." Hermione started and he quickly sat up straight. "What? Why am I hearing about this just now? Never mind. What happened then?", Harry asked, locking his hands around his ankles, feeling the slightest bit cross with both Hermione and Draco for keeping something as big as this from him.

"I am getting there", she sniffed primly before continuing, "He sat next to me and apologized for demeaning me all these years and using those slurs. He said and I quote, 'It was wrong and unfair of me to underestimate you just because you're better than me and I was jealous. I am in no position to make excuses, I was a pillock plain and simple and though I can't take it all back I can at least try to do better'. And when I told him that Ron and I were aware of his defection and how he was turning over a new leaf, he told me that his defection has nothing to do with his apology and he owed me one."

Harry's jaw dropped in surprise and remained gaping for a bit until finally, a small, besotted smile stole over his lips.

"That absolute prat. He didn't even tell me once", he muttered, feeling touched and delighted.

He thought the conversation was over until Hermione squeezed his hand to grab his attention attention before saying, "We are your best friends, Harry. We'd walk through hell for you and be loyal to you until our very last breaths but the one thing we 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 be for you is; selfish. If it comes between choosing one of us or the Wizarding World our morals won't allow us to choose each other, no matter how we feel about it. It's who we are."

She looked at Ron for back up, who squeezed his knee and smiled encouragingly at him before saying, "Exactly. We all need someone to be 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘺 in our corner. And I guess, that's where the ferret comes in. He's unapologetically selfish. That's who 𝘩𝘦 is. He'd say 'Sod the world' and choose you every time. It's obvious from the way he looks at you, mate".

Harry's eyes widened as he considered Ron's words carefully, forehead puckering up in thought. His friend was right to an extent but what did he mean by Draco looking at him? Emerald eyes bore into Ron as Harry asked, "What do you mean? How does he look at me?"

Hermione giggled, answering for Ron, "Like you're the best thing since sliced bread." Ron hummed, "Nah, that's not as apt. Try, how my father looks at Muggle appliances. Or how 𝘺𝘰𝘶 look at books. Or maybe how Neville looks at his plants."

Hermione smiled widely before whispering, "I think how Moony looks at Padfoot works the best".

The flush that crept up Harry's face when he registered what exactly those particularly looks meant was so fierce that he felt his entire body could be lit from the flame in his cheeks.

"He 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵", Harry protested weakly.

"Sure, mate and I am a flobberworm" Ron nodded convincingly with a casual wave of his hand leading Hermione to burst into another fit of giggles.

"Your face is 𝘴𝘰 red right now", she laughed. Harry pouted in spite of the doxies fluttering about madly in his belly.

𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘬, but he really was done for.

"No but seriously though, what did you guys initially think I wanted to say?", Harry asked suddenly, right before they were about to say their good night's and depart to their respective dorms.

Ron and Hermione looked at each other guiltily, "We thought you were gonna come out to us, mate. Tell us you and the ferret were dating or something," Ron finally said and Hermione squeezed his arm apologetically, "We're sorry for assuming".

Harry bit his lip glancing at his friends, "Hypothetically speaking", he started, "If I were to date a boy who 𝘮𝘢𝘺 or 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘵 be my rival... It'd be alright with you?"

Ron stared at him weirdly and Hermione rolled her eyes, "Well, of course! We all but gave you our blessings to date the ferret".

"I said 𝘩𝘺𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺", Harry insisted feeling the redness in his cheeks increase at the thought of dating Draco. While Ron was absolutely delighted by her misstep, and teased with mock disappointment, "Hermione Jean! what'd we say about names?"

And when Harry went to sleep that night, it was with happy thoughts of family and the warm feeling of forgiveness finally settling in his gut from the knowledge that his friends had forgiven Draco. And so he could too, without the guilt.

The next day, Harry was so busy with classes that he was unable to see either hide or hair of Draco until lunch.

After a quick check in the Marauder's Map, which showed Draco's dot blessedly alone, in the Fourth-floor Corridor, Harry skipped lunch to go find him instead. Spotting that familiar head of blonde hair exiting their History of Magic classroom, Harry shouted, "Draco!"

Draco turned around, surprise clouding his features only to have the breath knocked out of his lungs in the very same second as Harry flung himself at him without ado.

Draco choked out a gasp stumbling on his feet after the sudden attack, as he struggled to keep them both upright. Even then, he still caught Harry around the waist. 𝘚𝘰 tightly that his feet lifted a few inches off the ground.

Harry's jaw hurt from smiling this wide. Locking his arms securely around Draco's neck, Harry shamelessly clung tighter.

They swayed precariously for a while until Draco finally found his footing and bodily held Harry up those last few inches. 𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘵. And really, Harry didn't know how he wasn't having a stroke considering how wildly his heart was fluttering.

"Why aren't you at lunch?" Harry breathed against his neck, brushing his nose against the soft skin in a barely there touch. "I had an essay due for Professor Binns. Missed me, did you?," Draco teased, squeezing Harry affectionately.

Harry 𝘥𝘪𝘥 but he wasn't about to tell him that.

Harry reluctantly released his hold on Draco's neck, silently asking to be let go so he could look into those beautiful grey while he talked, "You great tosser. Why didn't you tell me you talked to Hermione?"

Though Draco allowed Harry to stand on his feet, he didn't retract his arms from around him. He kept his arms firmly locked around Harry, as though there couldn't ever be any greater comfort to him than having Harry in them.

Harry blushed scarlet at the direction of his thoughts.

Raising a curious eyebrow at the sudden colour flooding Harry's cheeks, Draco replied honestly, "Isn't it obvious? I want to be a part of your life. I didn't apologize to her only because I know she and Weasley follow where you go. I did it because I was wrong and I want you to be right every time you say 'Draco isn't a bad person'.... Why are you staring at me like that?," Draco's voice softened towards the end, his pale cheeks flushing a startling shade of red, as he registered the look of pure awe transforming Harry's face.

Stunning green eyes locked into storm grey as Harry repeated with conviction, "You've been misunderstood for a long time but you aren't a bad person, Draco. You never have been. I am so proud of you for owning up to your mistakes."

Instead of giving a verbal reply, Draco's hands that had been sitting dormant on the small of Harry's back stroked gently up his spine before tangling in his hair. Those striking grey eyes looked beseechingly down at him. Draco didn't have to say it for Harry to know that he meant 𝘩𝘶𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.

Harry smiled up at him shyly, rising up on his tip toes to lock his arms around Draco's neck once again. 𝘏𝘦'𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘺 '𝘚𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥' 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦. Ron's words rang in Harry's ears as Draco once again lifted him off his feet, twirling him around in delight when Harry laughed in excitement.

He felt 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺. 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥. And finally understood what Ron meant.

When the lightest of kisses brushed against Harry's hair, he decided he'd be quiet alright with Draco Malfoy choosing to be unapologetically selfish for him.

_______________________________________________

"So she's really serious about it then?," Draco asked, his eyes focused on the Transfiguration essay he was finishing and yet his attention was completely on Harry.

Harry nodded, munching on the chocolate frog he'd stolen from Draco. "Yeah, Padfoot firecalled us, few days ago. Things aren't going well with the Order and Voldemort is 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 on the move. Hermione thinks we've got to learn how to defend ourselves sooner rather than later."

Draco chuckled, "And she's nominated you as the scapegoat then?" Harry sighed in affirmation.

Looking up at him from his parchment, Draco arched a brow in inquiry, "Well, do you want to do it?"

"Yeah, I am thinking about it. I'll have to admit that it seems rather necessary at this point what with the Pink Toad naming herself the Hogwarts High Inquisitor", Harry scoffed derisively.

"Granger does have a point though," Draco murmured, drawing Harry's eyes to his lush, pink mouth by biting the edge of his quill in thought.

"Look at the situation at school. She all but sacked Trelawney. We are at war. Sooner or later we'll have to go out and face Salazar knows whatever creatures V-Voldemort has assembled and we can't do that without being properly trained. It's a risk, yes, but you're all a bunch of foolhardy Gryffindors so I don't see why not." Draco's lips quirked into a smirk when Harry snorted, squeezing his knee encouragingly for finally braving the fear of Voldemort's name.

"You can hear yourself motivating me with this, can't you?" Harry poked his rib teasingly. "Even if I did agree to teach a bunch of people practical DADA where could we even do it without alerting Umbridge?", Harry wondered. "Why, the room of course", Draco responded, looking at Harry as though he were stupid for even thinking that.

"It's a valid question. We can't all be as smart as you", he teased and Draco smirked in satisfaction, "And don't you forget it, Potter". Once Draco was 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 finished with his essay, Harry quickly shifted over to rest his head on Draco's sturdy shoulder.

"That took way too long. Couldn't you have done that later?" He pouted making Draco chuckle fondly. "Unlike you, Potter I don't have a free evening. I've got Prefect duty".

He buried his nose in Harry's hair, just breathing him in. Draco had been doing that a lot lately, as if the mere smell of Harry calmed him. "It's going to be a vigilante group more than a practical study one. I can just feel it", Draco chuckled softly and hummed in agreement, "And I doubt I'll do anything to discourage that from happening", Harry mused, drawing lazy patterns on the inside of Draco's wrist. "You'd lead it", Draco teased with the most endearing little smile.

"Will you be there too?" Harry asked and Draco hummed again, pressing his lips lightly against Harry's hair, making him flush red.

"If you're doing it then of course. There's nothing I love more than doing things spitefully. Besides we both know Granger is doing this to put Umbridge in her place. After all what better way to do it than making an entire rebel group against her doing the very things she'd forbidden from being done?" Draco said gleefully, his mercury eyes glinting with mischief and looking so devastatingly attractive that Harry felt just a little faint with desire.

Realising that he still hadn't said anything and was probably staring at Draco all lovestruck Harry mocked, "𝘚𝘭𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘴," even though there was a smirk playing at his own lips.

Harry succumbed to Hermione's demands that evening, already aware that Hermione wouldn't go down until he'd agreed anyway.

"I doubt many people are gonna show up. They're calling me The Boy Who Lied these days if you weren't aware", Harry muttered sulkily walking beside Ron as Hermione led them towards their scheduled meeting at the Hog's Head.

No sooner had Harry agreed to her mad scheme that Hermione was ready with several ideas on how to best reach people whilst keeping it all on the downlow. And before he knew it, everything was finalized and they were walking down the snowy path into Hogsmeade ready to meet a 'couple of people'.

Trust Hermione Granger to work faster than a hex.

"Be positive, Harry. I mean think about it, you can't be worse than the old toad", Ron said, patting his shoulder in a comforting gesture. Harry snorted, rolling his eyes, "Thanks, Ron"

Ron smiled sunnily at him in response. "Anytime, mate."

And not for the first time he wished Draco had walked with them instead of choosing to come directly at the Hog's Head.

"Lovely spot," Ron mumbled sarcastically as he and Harry, followed Hermione inside the small, dingy room that suspiciously smelled of goats.

The 'couple of people', turned out to be almost all of the Gryffindors, a large number of Hufflepuffs, some Ravenclaws and Harry's favourite Slytherin accompanied by two of his friends. Pansy and Blaise, Harry's mind supplied, who looked so out of place in their expensive robes and perfectly styled hair that it wasn't even funny.

"Hi," Hermione started awkwardly. Looking all of them in the eye, she continued, "So you all know why we're here. We need a teacher. A proper one, who's had real experience with defending themselves against the Dark Arts".

"Why?", asked someone whom Harry recognised as Zacharias Smith, a Hufflepuff in the same year as them.

"Why?" Ron repeated incredulously, "Because You-know-who is back you tosspot." Zacharias scoffed, "So he says."

Hermione frowned, clearly not having anticipated that disruption, "So Dumbledore says," she defended loyally. Without backing down the boy continued stubbornly, "So Dumbledore says because he says".

"We don't know whether he's telling the truth. If he could just tell us more about how Diggory died-" Another Hufflepuff started only to be interrupted by that familiar voice that was quickly becoming one of Harry's most favourite sounds.

"Stop talking, you abominable piece of Goblin shit", Draco drawled, the insult rolling easily off his tongue.

"𝘐 have seen him. You know who my father is, don't you? Which is why you should believe me when I say, 𝘩𝘦 Crucios people in greeting. Insignificant you maybe, but I won't begrudge you the right to defend yourself", he finished magnanimously, with a haughty sniff.

Harry bit his lip trying his hardest to fight off the smirk threatening to break, knowing that he shouldn't laugh lest the Hufflepuffs get further offended.

Ron clearly not sharing the same sentiments as Harry snorted loudly in laughter, "You heard him".

Zacharias scowled at the sight of the Slytherins, his face transforming into a pinched, constipated look of immeasurable disgust, "What are 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 doing here?", he spat.

People who'd had no problems with the Slytherins in the room before started whispering, throwing them wary glances. Fred and George looked inquiringly at them while Luna waved pleasantly at the Slytherins.

"I wonder exactly the same thing everytime I see you breathe", Blaise replied airily, nodding back at Luna cordially with an indulgent smile.

"I love your idea for this secret club, Granger. Very avant-garde. So, where do we sign to be permanent members?" Pansy smiled saccharine sweetly at them, crossing one leg primly over the other as if she were at Madam Puddifoot's for tea instead of this dimly lit, shabby old pub.

Hermione looked like she'd entered another universe as she struggled to respond, "I- uh... Thank you. About that, yes... Now that you mentioned it... I would like to stress the importance of keeping this 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 a secret from everyone it doesn't concern. Just to keep Umbridge off our backs."

"Awful to think that we'd have missed out on all this fun had Draco not decided to be bosom buddies with Potter, isn't it Pans?" Blaise asked, throwing a mocking smirk Draco's way, who's only reaction other than looking deadpan was an exaggerated eye roll.

Seemingly having had enough of the Slytherins, Zacharias' snarled through gritted teeth, "We're not staying if the Slytherins do, Potter. They're all Death Eate-"

"Do not finish that sentence, Smith", Harry's glare was bone-chilling when he finally spoke up for the first time since entering the pub, "Everyone and their grandmothers know that Draco and Narcissa Malfoy have defected. And the Zabinis and Parkinsons had remained neutral back then as well as now. So, for your sake, do not finish that sentence", Harry finished darkly, his voice baring no arguments.

He stood up after locking his eyes with Draco's for a millisecond to gain the confidence he needed and addressed all his schoolmates present at the Hog's Head, speaking in a clear voice, "I won't force any of you to join against your wishes. What I will say though, is that, facing this stuff in real life isn't like school. You don't get to try again if you fail".

Harry exhaled shakily, haunted by the memories from all his meetings with Voldemort, the night mares, his mother's screams, Cedric's death.

"When you're out there, minutes away from being murdered or watching a friend be killed in front of your eyes. You don't get second chances. I don't know about you, but the next time I face 𝘩𝘪𝘮, I intend to be prepared", Harry promised, grimly.

"We all do, Harry. Which is why we need you to help us so we can help each other", Hermione insisted, resting a comforting palm on Harry's shoulder.

"Hmm, secret vigilante group led by Hogwarts most notorious trio? Why, count Forge and I in," Fred Weasley declared cheerfully walking over to sign his name on the charmed parchment which unbeknownst everyone Hermione had tweaked with a clever little spell just to beware of snitches.

"Is it true that you can produce a Patronus Charm?," Luna Lovegood asked dreamily as she floated over to sign her name in as well after George Weasley.

Harry nodded slightly and Hermione beamed at him with pride, "He can, I've seen it myself."

One by one everyone started coming over to sign their names. Even Zacharias Smith, who sneered at the Slytherins before storming out of the pub.

Cho Chang, smiled timidly at Harry, her cheeks flushing as she spoke in a soft voice, "Thank you, for doing this Harry". Harry smiled back, awkwardly. He still felt guilty about Cedric and couldn't quite look her in the eye. It felt like centuries ago, when he had been awkward around her for an entirely different reason.

Harry sighed, tilting his head up to look for Draco without even realizing he was doing it. He smiled to himself when he heard Draco laugh at something Pansy said, grey eyes twinkling with humor and Harry felt his heart leap inside his chest. Draco really did have such a pretty laugh.

"Since when are you guys chummy with the Slytherins?," Ginny asked suspiciously coming over to them after all the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws had left. "Are you sure they wouldn't snitch?", Neville chimed in from behind her, much more tentatively.

Ron answered before Harry even opened his mouth, "No, they won't Nev. Long story, Gin. Next!"

Ginny rolled her eyes, moving over to make way for Neville who signed his name quietly, placated by Ron's words unlike his own sister. "Always with the secrets, you three. Fine, but I will be hearing about this", she huffed before following her friends out.

The Slytherins were, naturally the last of the crowd to sign their names.

Pansy and Blaise sauntered over to him after Ron had left to discuss something over with Hermione and see his brothers off, looking for all the world as if such easy camaraderie with Harry was a regular occurrence for them.

"Imagine having someone to defend you so fiercely, Pans, of course our Draco is smitten," Blaise commented while signing his name lowly enough to only be audible to Pansy and Harry.

He then handed the quill over to Pansy, who giggled, saying, "Indeed. And look at him, he sure is 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, isn't he?", as though Harry wasn't even there.

Harry wished he'd been able to come up with something sharp and sassy but his brain seemed to be stuck on the part where Blaise said, 'Draco is smitten' and continued playing it over and over like a broken record.

"Enough. Look, you've embarrassed him. Bugger off now, you aren't allowed to see him blush", Draco drawled from behind and Harry's cheeks darkened further if possible. His eyes trained completely on Harry as he all but shooed his friends off.

"Speak of the devil. Well, Potter, we must be off then. It was nice being in your company without the ritualistic hexes", Blaise smiled tipping an imaginary hat at him.

"Likewise", Harry nodded before quickly having his attention stolen by Pansy who leaned over to kiss the air beside his cheeks. She looked teasingly at Draco when she said "Possesive, much?" only to be ignored by the blonde who still hadn't taken his eyes off of Harry.

She patted Harry's scarlet cheeks and declared, "You're not so bad, Potter", before leaving arm in arm with Blaise without so much as a goodbye to Draco, who had yet to spare them a glance.

"Hello", Draco finally murmured after signing his name off with a flourish towards the very end.

"Hi," Harry breathed, flustered. His eyes remained rooted to the slight sheen of spit on Draco's lower lip, making it shine and Harry was overwhelmed with the sudden desire to 𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘦 it.

Letting the quill drop on the table, Draco straightened his eyes once again studying Harry intensely. "Alright?", he asked, voice still soft in the way that it only is with Harry.

"Alright," Harry nodded, biting his lip as he looked at Draco.

He couldn't be sure what Draco had seen in his eyes right then but it must've been something right because before he knew it, he was being hugged to within an inch of his life.

Harry sagged against the solid chest holding him up, fingers fisting in the heavy fabric of Draco's expensive winter cloak.

"I am not used to speaking in front of crowds," he confessed, leaning up on his tip-toes to bury his face in the warm crook of Draco's neck that had somehow become 𝘩𝘪𝘴 space.

"I know. You did so well", Draco hummed against his hair. His arms tightened around Harry, properly holding him up those few inches so they could look each other in the eye.

"Did I?", Harry asked cheekily, locking his arms firmly around Draco's neck and losing himself in those gorgeous, 𝘨𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘰𝘶𝘴, grey eyes. Draco smiled fondly at him.

"Don't fish for compliments, Potter", he replied teasingly before pressing a gentle kiss to Harry's forehead, setting every nerve in his body alight.

Harry's cheeks coloured, his chest tightened and he suddenly had trouble breathing. Harry couldn't even blame his poor heart because how was one small organ supposed to carry all the feelings Harry already happened to hold for this boy?

𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯, 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘱 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦.

"Your hair's so soft," Draco whispered and Harry's breath caught in his throat once again when he leaned in close to bury his nose against Harry's hairline.

"𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 hair is so soft," Harry argued stupidly, his fingers combing through the baby-soft blonde hair. And Draco sighed contentedly, resting his chin on Harry's head as they held each other close.

"Harry!", Ron called suddenly, breaking them out of their bubble.

Startled, Harry turned to look at his friends who he had 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 forgotten were still there. Ron stared at Harry then Draco then back again at Harry, looking like he had swallowed a lemon while Hermione was trying her hardest to fight a grin.

"Malfoy," She nodded politely. "Granger", Draco responded in kind and Hermione smirked noticing Draco's flaming cheeks.

"We're all done here so we'll catch up with you back in the Castle okay Harry? C'mon Ronald I need to go to Scrivenshaft's." She smiled at him and started tugging a reluctant Ron away with her without needing a response.

"Mate...," Ron called again, sounding like he had just found out that Harry had stolen all his chocolate frogs and Harry couldn't help but laugh at the utter ridiculousness of the situation.

"Bye, Ron!" Harry laughed, resting his head on Draco's shoulder, absolutely 𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 inside when those strong arms tightened around him.

"You'll hurt your brain it you think too much, Weasley", Draco said mildly which made Hermione laugh out loud. Ron flushed, the tips of his ears going red as he retorted without heat, "Stuff it, Ferret".

Harry 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘥 at the three people who meant more to him than everyone else, suddenly realising that life would be just fine if he got to have moments like these even years later.

No matter how rarely they might come. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴, is what he's fighting for.

_______________________________________________

Umbridge decreeing the ban of all student organizations the very next day did nothing to dispel their enthusiasm. In fact, the student body of Hogwarts was now more fired up than ever.

They started with the Disarming Spell. Not only was it the easiest to learn but also the one that's underestimated the most. Witches and wizards often mucked it up due to lack of precision. And exactly as Harry had expected, most of his classmates and seniors couldn't throw an Expelliarmus powerful enough to actually disarm.

"You're flourishing your wand too much", Draco said tentatively, watching as Neville failed at Disarming the dummy wizard time and time again. He approached a tensed Neville, who stammered in response, "Oh-uh...".

"I think you should try it like this", Draco suggested, gripping his wand and swishing it the right way. He yelled a powerful, "Expelliarmus!" sucessfully disarming the dummy wizard. Neville looked bug-eyed at having been helped by Draco Malfoy of all but nodded gratefully, "Thank you, Malfoy". Harry's heart swelled with pride and affection when Draco smiled at Neville shyly.

Hermione had the ingenious idea to give each member of the study group a galleon bewitched by the Protean Charm so that whenever Harry activated it, the numbers on the coin would change to show the date and time of the next meeting to the bearer.

"Stunning is one of the most useful spells in your arsenal," Harry started, "It's a wizard's bread and butter, really. Grip your wands tight and move it in an up-side down triangle. Make sure to enunciate the incantation clearly," Harry instructed before moving towards the practical application of the spell.

"Don't worry, I'll go easy on you," Ron promised, smiling charmingly at Hermione. "Thanks, Ronald" She smirked as she watched him walk away to stand in the opposite direction of the room.

"Five galleons says he'll get his arse handed over to him," Draco whispered conspiratorially in his ear and Harry shivered, feeling the warm breath against his skin before snorting a laugh.

"No, thanks. I am not gonna bet against the obvious", he replied and as if in agreement with him Hermione's powerful Stupefy threw Ron back harshly against one of the practice mats.

"I let her do that," He said walking over to Harry and Draco, cheeks ruddy with exhaustion and embarrassment.

Not being one to let any chance of embarrassing Ron further go, Draco teased, "Right, Weasley. It was fairly obvious how intentional that was".

And Harry marveled over how adaptable Ron was being to all of this.

Hermione had always been the most open minded of the three, so it didn't surprise Harry when she started inviting Draco to join her in the library, obviously excited by the prospect of having an intellectual to debate over Arithmancy or some rot.

When Harry went back to the Gryffindor Common Room from Hogsmeade that day, he was absolutely positive that he'd be met with a temper tantrum of righteous fury from Ron. Only to be astonished, when Ron hadn't so much as thrown a fit.

In fact, both Draco and Ron seemed to have come to a truce and appeared to have formed an almost reluctant fondness for each other.

Ron had taken to playing chess with Draco, sometimes joining Harry in the evenings when he'd go to meet him. Both of them would pass scathing remarks about the other as they played with the utmost concentration, leaving Harry baffled by not coming to blows as he'd predicted they would.

And before Harry knew it, the feud that The Malfoy and Weasley clans had been known to uphold for ages had become all but extinct.

Ron rolled his eyes, before suddenly smirking deviously at Draco. "𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵, 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺", Ron swooned in an extremely exaggerated imitation of Draco's posh accent tipping it off with dramatic kissing noises.

Yeah, he and Draco were never living 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 down.

Taking it as his cue to leave, Harry quickly rushed off to help Neville, smiling to himself when he heard Draco's responding, "You are 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 a prat." Harry didn't have to look at him to know that Draco was sporting a delectable blush on his pretty face.

The classes continued at a fairly fast pacepace. Neville had finally managed to disarm Hermione and Colin Creevey had mastered the Impediment Jinx. Draco was particularly fantastic with the offensive spells whereas Ron excelled in the defense one's.

"You guys are doing fantastic," Harry grinned at the Patil twins, watching Parvati Patil produce a Reductor Curse so powerful that it reduced the table carrying all the Sneakoscopes to dust.

Harry was walking across the room towards Draco only to be stopped by Cho. "Hello Harry", she called out shyly when she saw him walking by.

"Hi", he greeted awkwardly, his eyes stuck on the weird angle she was holding her wand. "Cho, raise your arm a bit higher", he advised, cupping her elbow gently to guide her the right way.

"Oh err... Of course", she stammered her cheeks flushing with colour. Harry nodded quickly in acknowledgement before continuing to make his way over where Draco was mock-duelling Ron.

Time seemed to be flying past in a blur and before long they were already at the last lesson before Christmas.

"Stupefy!" Blaise yelled, his spell hitting the with perfect precision as Hermione tumbled backwards, stunned. He was the first of them to have managed to stun Hermione.

"Well done, mate!" Harry praised patting his shoulder in encouragement, his smile widening when Blaise reached out to help Hermione up.

"All you, Potter. I had my doubts coming into this but I have to give credit where it's due. You're a good teacher", Blaise smirked holding a hand out for Harry to shake. Taking the gesture for what it was, that is, a show of respect; Harry grasped his hand firmly shaking it once.

Nodding once Harry left them to it, losing himself to the shouts of several spells and incantations.

"That's it for today's lesson", Harry announced with a grin. Everyone turned to look at each other with identical grins, all of them aware of how far each and everyone of them had come after weeks of practicing together.

"Now we're not gonna be meeting again until the holidays but I just wanted to let you guys know how amazing you all are doing. Great, great work", Harry said, his voice laced with pride for all his peers, their bravery and strength filling Harry from the inside with renewed determination. He smiled widely when the room erupted into applause.

"Well done, mate," Ron congratulated with a pat on his back and Harry beamed at him in thanks, his cheeks flushed with delight.

Slowly the room started emptying and Hermione whispered, "We're doing Patronuses next right?" Ron nodded in the affirmative while. Harry called out a "Happy Christmas," to Neville who waved at them before following a skipping Luna out with an awestruck expression on his face.

The crowd slowly started dispersing, greetings of "Have a nice Holiday!", being passed amongst everyone. His eyes surveyed the entire room, forehead puckering in displeasure when he didn't see the head of pale blonde hair he'd recognize anywhere.

"Not that it matters anymore but mate, I think Cho fancies you", said Ron, lazily wrapping an arm around Hermione's shoulder and completely missing the bright flush on her face.

Clearing her throat, Hermione subtly leaned into Ron's side even as she mocked, "I am surprised you noticed Ronald, what with your emotional range being equivalent to a tea spoon." Ron sputtered in indignation, cheeks flushing as red as his hair as he furiously refuted the accusation.

Much to Harry's amusement, Ron's arm remained exactly where it was.

Harry shook his head in disagreement, "I don't think Cho fancies me. She'd like to I think but she's still very much not over Cedric's death." Hermione hummed, nodding along. "Doesn't stop her from making eyes at you though. I honestly thought Ferret-face was going to obliterate her today", Ron commented, snorting when Harry blushed.

Harry didn't notice the longing look Ginny aimed his way before leaving the Room even as he gave her a distracted grin of acknowledgement, his eyes wandering around the room in search of Draco. "Where 𝘪𝘴 Draco anyway?," Harry asked dejectedly, lips drawing down in a frown. He had been so busy during today's lesson that he hadn't even had the chance to sneak glances at Draco even once.

"Right here," Draco purred roguishly, suddenly wrapping his arms around Harry from behind and pulling him flush against his body. Harry 𝘴𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘥 in surprise making Hermione giggle.

"Your paramour has arrived," Ron teased, once again mimicking Draco's accent dramatically. "Shut it," Draco murmured offhandedly, like he couldn't care more whether Ron did or didn't as long as he could breathe Harry in like he was doing right then.

"Ugh, you guys are gross," Ron muttered in disgust dragging a laughing Hermione away, "C'mon 'Mione, let's leave them to whatever it is they're doing."

"Hello, professor", Draco greeted slyly, lips lightly brushing the skin of Harry's jaw.

"Hello," Harry breathed, leaning back against that strong chest. "I wanted to show you something," Draco started, "I know both of us are going to be here for Christmas anyway but I still wanted to do it 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦."

Squeezing the arms around his waist affectionately, Harry turned around in his hold to wrap his own around Draco. "What is it?," he asked, turning serious when he noticed the nervousness glinting in those lovely grey eyes.

"I have been practicing something and I am extremely close to perfecting it," Draco explained vaguely, confusing Harry further. "I don't understand...", Harry frowned. Draco cupped his cheeks then, gently, 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺, like Harry would break if he dared press harder.

"I didn't either but now I know why I couldn't perfect it... I just need to...", without even finishing his sentence Draco leaned down, flitting his lips over Harry's in the softest of touches.

Draco pulled away slightly, his cool breath fanning over Harry's flushed, abnormally warm face. And Harry actually forgot how to 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦.

Keeping his eyes firmly locked to Harry's hazy emerald ones, Draco flicked his wand and murmured, "Expecto Patronum".

Harry gasped out loud when almost immediately, a brilliant, white Stag brushed forth from the tip of Draco's Hawthorn wand, leaving silvery mist behind it as it floated across the room.

It was a stag. Not the same as Harry's, no, Draco's was taller, and prouder with beautiful antlers. It's snout was longer too almost pointy in a way and Harry couldn't help the little chuckle that escaped him, even choked up as he was.

The playful, misty Stag finally bounded over to Harry and leaned down to touch Harry's nose with it's cold, pointy snout before disappearing into thin air.

"Draco...," Harry whispered brokenly, lips trembling and eyes stinging with tears.

"𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 all my happy memories. I was having trouble finding the best so I went ahead and made one", Draco attempted at being casual but was given away by his flushed cheeks and averted eyes.

Harry buried his face in Draco's chest. Finding himself at an awful loss for words, Harry chanted his name reverently "Draco, Draco, 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰".

Tears flowed from Harry's eyes when the meaning behind Draco's Patronus shone clear as day. Harry was 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥.

He was Draco's happiest memory.

Draco lifted his face away from his chest, looking agonized when he saw the tears in his eyes.

"What's wrong, Harry? Did I do something wrong? Shit- you don't... You don't like me that way, do y-" His woeful ramblings were cut off when Harry leaned up on his tip toes and pressed his mouth firmly against his.

He pulled away once he realized Draco was sufficiently quitened. Harry didn't want to make his inexperience more obvious than it was.

"You love me." Harry stated, blinking tearily at the beautiful boy in front of him in disbelief. Draco smiled beatifically, looking drunk from that short and awkward, closed-mouth kiss Harry had bestowed upon him.

"Yes, I do. Can't remember a day I haven't. I loved you even when I hated your guts," Draco confessed, unblinking and somber.

Another set of fresh tears rolled down Harry's cheeks at that.

All those times when Draco embraced him like he was something precious. Making Harry feel like he was 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥, 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 Draco had actually been meaning it. It wasn't a figment of his overactive imagination.

"I d-don't how to put to words what I am feeling right now. I am not very good at them either. I didn't grow up with love Draco. I don't know how it feels to be loved. I didn't have a family until I met Hermione and the Weasleys and I never thought that 𝘐 could make someone so happy that it'd power a Patronus. But I have never felt for anyone what I feel for you. I have never felt more treasured than I do right now", Harry croaked.

Draco frowned again, wiping the tears away from Harry's flushed cheeks, "Hush, darling. You have always been and will always be treasured. All you need to do is 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦 to show you how much".

Harry peered dreamily up at him. Still more than a little dumbstruck over how far they'd come. He had actually gone and fallen for the one boy he had always loved to hate.

Somewhere in the back of his mind Harry remembered the time he was practicing to produce a Patronus. His memory had been of the first time he'd ridden a broom. 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮.

"It's always been inevitable, hasn't it? Us, I mean", Harry mumbled, leaning up on his tip toes so he could mouth the words against Draco's lips.

"It has, yes," Draco mouthed back. Harry sighed against Draco's mouth, so close but not enough.

Harry rested a palm on Draco's steadily beating heart, feeling his own flutter when it started beating faster under his touch.

"I allow you. Show me, Draco. 𝘒𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘦", Harry whispered, his lips trembling with anticipation against Draco's.

And Draco did. Fleetingly, once, twice and Harry whined his displeasure low in his throat when Draco pressed a short, butterfly kiss to his lips the third time.

"Like you mean it, 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘧𝘰𝘺", Harry snapped, jaw clenching in irritation.

"Say please, 𝘗𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳," Draco smirked in retaliation.

But Harry didn't get the chance to retort let alone say 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦, because Draco was finally kissing him.

𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘺, kissing him.

Draco licked a slow stripe along Harry's lower lip, using his thumb to pull the plump flesh down so he could stroke the inside of Harry's mouth with his tongue.

Harry moaned, feeling light headed with desire and kissed Draco back, 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺.

He flexed his fingers against Draco's chest, clutching helplessly before tentatively letting his tongue curl around Draco's.

Long, elegant fingers tangled into Harry's messy, curly hair as Draco tugged on them, fingers gripping the soft strands possessively and angling Harry's head to his convenience so Draco could kiss him harder.

Harry couldn't help but groan and press himself closer to Draco. He wanted to crawl inside his skin.

Merlin, but he wanted. He 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 so much.

He wanted to 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘦 Draco and he wanted to be 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘥 by him.

As if reading Harry's mind, Draco pulled back with a heavy exhale, looking devastatingly attractive with his cheeks flushed and grey eyes darkened with desire.

Harry frowned, immediately wanting to have those delicious lips back on his. He didn't even get the chance to bite them yet.

Determined, Harry decided to do just that but Draco pulled away with a chuckle, leaning down to kiss Harry's nose instead just like his Patronus had.

And if Harry almost fucking 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘥 then it was nobody's business except Draco and himself.

"We have two whole weeks to ourselves, darling. There'll be enough of this. Now, onto more important things", Draco stopped to smile bashfully at him before asking, "Will you go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?"

Just when Harry thought Draco couldn't possibly surprise him anymore, he goes and says things like that.

Feeling ridiculously endeared, Harry grinned and kissed him on the mouth chastely instead of giving a verbal agreement.

"Let me walk you back to Gryffindor," Draco offered after minutes of just holding each other close. "I am not a damsel!" Harry laughed, blushing under Draco's fond gaze.

"I know I just want to hold your hand." Draco 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥 and really, how could Harry ever deny that face anything?

_______________________________________________

Draco smoothed gentle fingers through Harry's hair, elegant fingers brushing lightly across his scar. And Harry couldn't help but gaze at his and Draco's perfectly intertwined fingers, laying on his chest with a contented little sigh.

They had just returned to the castle from their date at Hogsmeade and were now spending time together in 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 Room inside the Room of Requirement, since neither of them had been eager to let the other go.

Their date had been absolutely 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵.

Draco had met Harry and Ron outside the Great Hall and after suffering the ritualistic ribbing from Ron, the two of them had left the Castle, walking hand in hand down the snowy path that headed towards Hogsmeade.

Harry was completely ecstatic over the idea of his 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦 being with the boy he most adored. He didn't really care what they did as long as he got to hold Draco's hand and maybe even kiss him a little.

The fact that Draco had an insatiable sweet tooth was no secret to Harry and he hadn't been surprised when Honeydukes came to be the first establishment Draco steered them inside.

Maybe Harry would tell Draco about the secret passage at Hogwarts which led directly inside Honeydukes, one of these days. Draco would be very pleased with him indeed.

Draco had then proceeded to buy every toffee, candy or chocolate of any variety that Harry's eyes rested on for more than a second there in nervous excitement.

Harry couldn't even find it in himself to be mad when he saw the complete joy on Draco's face as he bought Harry an inordinate amount of Cauldron Cakes, an abnormal number of Chocolate Wands and Frogs, and an armful of Liquorice Wands, Sugar Quills and Exploding BonBons. Harry had to ask a delighted Mr. Flume to shrink all the sweets for them after Draco had deemed himself satisfactorily stocked.

"It completely baffles me how you think I'd even eat all these", Harry had commented dryly, absolutely smitten with the satisfied little smile on Draco's lips.

"Share with Weasley," Draco insisted before tugging Harry closer and pressing a kiss sweeter than all the chocolates in the world against his lips.

And Harry had all but melted into a puddle of goo at Draco's feet.

After that Harry had been much more careful about where he looked because he honestly did not put buying Hogsmeade out past Draco Malfoy if it meant spoiling him.

Draco had later taken Harry to a rustic looking little cafe by the name of, "Amortentia" located a short distance away from Madam Puddifoot's which Harry had never even noticed before.

When Harry had wondered out loud why he never noticed it before Draco said, "That's because not many people can go in here".

When Harry had asked why, Draco looked sheepish and tentative as he softly said, "It's not exactly cheap and reservations are necessary," as if he was afraid of offending Harry.

Draco knew that Harry was by no means lacking in the wealth department but he also knew that Harry had always steered clear of frivolous spending and had grown quite sensitive over the topic because of his protectiveness for the Weasleys. Harry couldn't quite help smiling at him fondly for remembering.

It was hard to believe that this was the 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘧𝘰𝘺 who had never held back from flaunting his galleons in front of other's faces and had always insulted his best mate for being poor.

The change in Draco was palpable and Harry loved it.

Draco sighed in relief noticing the quirk of Harry's lips and explained, "I didn't want to be a show off but I also didn't want to take you to the pink monstrosity that is Madam Puddifoot's or the Three Broomsticks, which is absolutely 𝘯𝘰𝘵 an ideal date establishment."

Harry had smiled widely at him before burying his face in Draco's chest just because he could.

"You're going to spoil me rotten," Harry stated allowing Draco to lead him inside the little cafe which was actually extremely large from the inside.

"As I should", Draco responded without missing a beat and pressed a lingering kiss to Harry's knuckles.

Harry had immediately fallen in love with the entire aesthetic of the cafe which was both country and chic.

The waitresses were sharply dressed and the decor was upscale and posh while also not being over the top. From the vintage chandeliers on the ceiling down to the polished, woodsy floors everything screamed wealth.

If Harry had been a second-year girl with a list for how her boyfriend should act on a date then he was pretty sure Draco would've ticked all the boxes. After one of the waitresses had guided them to their table, Harry had looked on in surprise when Draco pulled the chair out for him.

Noticing Harry's eyes on him, Draco smirked, "What do you look so surprised for?".

He tucked a strand of curly hair behind Harry's ear after he sat down before whispering, "I am a Malfoy, darling, raised to be a perfect gentleman, though I haven't acted much like one. I am trying to do better, starting with treating my date right. Think he'll be impressed and agree to go on another?", Draco winked and for all his claims for not being a damsel Harry 𝘣𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 like one and nodded vigorously.

"You're so beautiful," Draco had murmured, gorgeous grey eyes drinking in the sight of an extremely red-faced Harry as he slid into the seat opposite him. "Shut up," He had replied weakly and Draco had responded by reaching across the table for Harry's hand so he could play with his fingers.

"Did you have a good time?," Draco asked suddenly, sounding shy and affectionately brushed the fringe off of Harry's forehead subsequently breaking him out of the dreamy haze he'd entered thinking back on their date. "The best," Harry breathed grinning ridiculous up at Draco from where he lay on his lap.

"Tell me about Christmas with your Muggle relatives," Draco said after a while, completely out of the blue and Harry's closed eyes flew open in surprise.

"Why d'you suddenly wanna know?", He murmured, burying his face in Draco's stomach. He loved that abdomen so much.

"I don't know. I've already prattled your ears off about Yuletide at the Manor. It's only fair if I heard about how you used to spend Christmas back there". Harry was extremely glad Draco hadn't used the word 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦. He knew enough to never relate the Dursleys with home in front of Harry.

It wasn't something he particularly wanted to talk about after the day they'd had but honesty on all fronts was Draco and Harry's unspoken pact. Draco had been holding his end of the bargain since the very beginning and Harry was intent upon doing the same as well. "I didn't." Harry said with a sigh and lifted his head from Draco's lap so he could look into his eyes.

He always felt better being vulnerable when he could see those eyes.

Draco's forehead crinkled with confusion, "Pardon?"

"I never spent Christmas with the Dursleys. They'd only let me out of the cupboard to make them breakfast on Christmas mornings and sometimes let me have a bagel or a pancake and then I was dismissed until dinner. The only upside was I didn't have any chores that day and if they're feeling particularly generous they'd even give me a present like a sock or a shirt without buttons. Things like that," Harry explained offhandedly.

Draco was silent for minutes after that and Harry didn't speak either. He knew that Draco, much like Snape still does, had thought he grew up like the Prince the Wizarding World believes him to be.

𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬, Harry thought sardonically.

"Would you be terribly cross with me if I socked Dumbledore in the face?" Draco asked calmly. 𝘛𝘰𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘭𝘺.

And Harry immediately responded with, "Yes, of course I would. Whom will I snog after you get expelled?"

Draco scowled, "Oh, the shining wit on you always leaves me dumbstruck". He murmured several choice expletives under his breath regarding the Dursleys and Dumbledore making Harry laugh out loud.

"This is not funny, Harry!" Draco exclaimed, incensed on his behalf and Harry felt ridiculous for being absolutely touched and turned on at the same time.

"They kept you in a fucking cupboard. And 𝘩𝘦 let them. Why, I ought to let the house-elves at the Manor wipe the floor with their ugly faces!" Draco seethed through gritted teeth, "I fucking swear to you, Harry. They'll pay their due for how they treated you. They must."

Harry crooned at him, "Okay, whatever you say. They're insignificant to me, Draco. I don't spend any more time there than I have to, you don't have to worry about me."

He crawled into Draco's lap so he could straddle those slim hips and wrapped his arms around those strong shoulders.

"What we should be focusing on is how we'd be spending our own Christmas together," he whispered, pressing his lips against the smooth skin of Draco's jaw, thoroughly delighting in the full-bodied shudder it elicited.

Draco cupped Harry's jaw with one hand while the other rested possessively on his lower back. He tilted Harry's face before brushing a soft kiss against his parted lips, "I am so sorry, darling. So sorry for not noticing how horribly mistreated you were."

The blood rushed to Harry's cheeks as he shook his head at the unnecessary apology and instead murmured, "I love when you call me that".

"Darling?," Draco asked with a smile which widened when Harry's cheeks coloured darker. Draco licked slowly, carefully along the life-giving vein in Harry's neck and stopped to kiss the hollow behind his ear sweetly before whispering, "You are my darling," He pulled Harry flush against his chest while his hand gently massaged Harry's lower back.

It shouldn't have been so arousing. But it was. 𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯, it so was.

Draco tilted his chin up, leaning in close to Harry's face until their mouth remained just inches away from each other.

They quietly breathed against each other, neither moving as they savored the closeness. It wasn't enough, it 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 was and yet Harry's body felt taut like a bow string with anticipation.

He felt utterly ravished and he hadn't even been touched.

Cold winter air fanned against their equally flushed, heated cheeks as their lower lips brushed fleetingly with every exhale.

Harry could feel his entire body tremble with need from that mere touch.

𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, Harry realized, waiting for Harry to close the distance between them.

Harry slid a tentative hand down Draco's shoulder, trailing it slowly down his lovely chest before slipping it inside the front seam of his robes to catch on the soft material of the shirt he was wearing inside and stared deeply into his eyes.

With a jolt of surprise Harry realised that one of Draco's eyes were the lightest, palest shade of blue, and in fact not the same shade as his other eye. 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴? He wondered, tracing his fingers under the vulnerable skin of Draco's eyes.

The colours were so incredibly alike that it was extremely difficult to tell them apart from even 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 up close. They were enticingly beautiful like this. They resembled a brewing storm, sure to wreak havoc and Harry was a willing victim.

Draco breathed heavier when he felt Harry's curious stroking, his own hand clutching the fabric of Harry's jumper tightly like he wanted to Incendio the material with his fingertips.

"Your eyes are so stunning", Harry breathed against that tempting, plush mouth, reverence colouring his tone. "Did you know one of your eyes aren't exactly the same shade of grey as the other?", he whispered again, not exactly knowing why but reluctant to break the spell they'd fallen under.

Draco's mouth quirked up into an endearing little smile, "Can't say I was aware of that actually. What colour is it?" Harry flushed slightly as he responded, "I... am not good with colours but it resembles ice. Steely and cold while the other is soft and warm. Just like how you're prickly and mean but also have the biggest, most beautiful heart I've ever known. It's gorgeous. 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 gorgeous."

Draco exhaled sharply, looking up at Harry with disbelief written all over his features. "You can't mean that", he murmured and Harry smiled, feeling another piece of the puzzle that was Draco Malfoy fall into place.

Harry had always thought Draco would be the type to fish for compliments and throw a fit when he didn't receive them as desired. And for years he'd known that to be true as he watched Draco preen under the worshipful gazes of his fellow Slytherins year after year. It was humbling to learn that wasn't the case at all and that Draco would refute the simplest of appreciative observations.

"But I do. I do, Draco", Harry inched himself 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 closer to Draco, his lips whispering the words against Draco's own, but still not covering the barely remaining distance.

"𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺", Draco groaned, "Kiss me already. Let me have your lips, 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦".

Staring at Draco through lowered lashes, Harry smiled coyly before lowering his lips on Draco's waiting, pillowy ones.

Draco's mouth opened beneath Harry's with a tiny moan and the hand stroking his jaw quickly tangled in Harry's hair.

Harry sunk his teeth into the soft flesh of Draco's lower lip and felt his entire body shake with the needy groan Draco released against his lips.

Harry's head felt muddled from the headiness of it all and the only thing he could care to think about was Draco.

𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰. 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰'𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩. 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰'𝘴 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰'𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘢𝘯𝘴. 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰. 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰.

Harry cautiously snuck his tongue inside Draco's mouth, remembering how Draco had done it the other day and stroked Draco's tongue with his own experimentatively.

A moan bubbled up in his own throat when Draco snuck his hand inside Harry's jumper and shirt in retaliation, warm hand meeting the even warmer skin of his back.

Harry felt 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥.

He knew right then that he could never feel like this with or for anyone. He was 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰'𝘴. He was ruined.

And he wanted to ruin the boy under him just as bad. Mess him up from the top of his perfectly coiffed hair right down to his dainty, little toes until he couldn't even look in the mirror without seeing how 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺'𝘴 he was.

Draco trailed his fingers lightly over Harry's back as Harry continued his curious exploration of Draco's mouth his own hands stroking up and down Draco's side. Neither of them came up for air for a long time.

And just like that Harry spent the evening of his first ever date snogging the boy of his dreams in the most magical place on Earth.

Harry had gone to sleep that night with a besotted smile on his face.

And woke up screaming when he saw himself as the snake that almost bit Arthur Weasley to death.

Chapter Text

"Good morning, Draco" Granger greeted him with a forced smile.

Draco frowned, observing the prominent circles under her eyes and the screaming absence of the two permanent fixtures beside her. He'd specifically come late that Sunday morning to be able to have breakfast with Harry, knowing the latter wouldn't wake up until after ten. Worry had begun to gnaw at Draco's gut the second he found Granger sitting at the Gryffindor table all alone.

Where was Harry? Why did Granger look so harrowed?

"Morning, Granger. I'd ask how you slept but I can tell it was terrible if the circles under your eyes have anything to say about it", drawled Draco, sliding into the seat across her with a swish of his robes.

Granger sighed deeply, "Something happened last night. I'd suggest you get started on your breakfast while I tell you because chances are you'll lose your appetite".

As if Draco would be able to eat a thing with a warning as ominous as that. "No, thank you, Granger. I don't have much of an appetite. I'd appreciate it greatly if you could please just get on with it" Draco said, trying and failing to keep the impatience out of his voice.

Even after all the significant changes Draco made in these past few months, he still couldn't quite help slipping his old Malfoy heir mask on, his tone turning haughty and nose upturned with derision everytime he was overwhelmed with anxiety or worry.

And suddenly not finding Harry at the same place he'd been seeing him every year for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Great Hall and rather sitting across a Hermione Granger, who was a shell of her usual self, looking so small and helpless and completely unlike the girl who, everyone knew, would one day be the Minister for Magic; was more than enough cause for Draco to feel such negative emotions in spades.

Hermione sighed reproachfully, narrowing her eyes at Draco and letting him know without a single word that she appreciated neither his tone nor the fact that he lied about not having an appetite. 𝘋𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵.

"I am sorry" Draco muttered, "But, I must know now Granger. I won't be able to eat a single thing without knowing Harry is okay".

Granger's gaze softened and she laid a palm over Draco's hand, squeezing it softly, "He's okay, Draco. He's absolutely unharmed. Now, please have some tea before I 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵".

Draco cracked a tiny smile, nodding as he made his tea in precise, practiced movements. 𝘚𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘧𝘰𝘺 𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦, he thought trying to finish his tea and toast as quickly as humanely possible.

𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘯 𝘞𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘺, came the errant thought after he'd finally swallowed the last remaining bit of dry toast in a record of three minutes.

Even Hermione, who'd been previously looking so lost and upset, had a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "You really do care about him, don't you?" She asked softly and Draco nodded, "More than I'd ever have the words to articulate".

Harry was without a doubt the most important person in his life alongside his mother. Harry was his family.

Granger smiled tightly and squeezed his hand again once again before finally telling him about the horrific turn of events which took place after they'd all gone to bed last night.

Aghast, and terrified for the Weasleys Draco exhaled a ragged sigh, ignoring the goose pimples prickling at his skin, "Circe's tits, Granger... That's-That's horrifying. I am just glad he's alive".

"Thanks to Harry," Granger acknowledged, her tone grave and solemn.
__________________________________________________

Draco wouldn't be able to remember a single thing that happened throughout the day after his conversation with Granger, to save his life. He'd spent the whole day on pins and needles waiting for word from Harry.

He didn't even realise when morning had bled into night and before he knew it, he was being forcefully ushered into the Great Hall by Pansy once again for dinner.

"You didn't even have lunch today Draco. The only thing you had all day was a scrap of toast. You'd be doing Potter no favours from the hospital wing if you get yourself sick", Draco was dimly aware of Pansy's fussing and muttering in spite of the fact that she was right next to him.

"Cease your mothering, Pans. Do you actually think he's even listening?" Blaise interrupted, snapping his fingers in front of Draco's face as if to prove that at that moment he was little more than an alive statue.

"See? Never thought I'd see the day when His Majesty, Ice Prince of Slytherin would be reduced to a lovesick imbecile but here we are" Blaise mocked, Draco knew he wouldn't resort to such coddling, aware as he was that Pansy worried enough for the two of them anyway. A resigned Pansy who could only sigh, shaking her head disapprovingly before primly taking a seat at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall.

Blaise sat across her, leaving the chair at her side for Draco, knowing he'd want an undisturbed view towards the Gryffindor table and being proven right for the second time that night as Draco's previously blank, robotically blinking eyes zeroed in there almost immediately after he was pulled down at his seat by Pansy.

Blaise shared a look of confusion and worry with Pansy as she attempted to feed Draco, because seriously 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯'𝘴 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘗𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨?
_________________________________________________

"Draco, Draco, 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰", Blaise hissed in Draco's ears, later that very night, shaking him in what seemed to be a most urgent manner.

"𝘞𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘶𝘱, for Merlin's sake!" Draco groaned in annoyance as he finally came to consciousness.

He'd only just been able to sleep after hours of twisting and turning, being plagued by the most horrific thoughts of terrible things happening to Harry.

Harry being hurt. Harry being kidnapped. Harry avoiding him. Harry inevitably realising Draco was a waste of time and he deserved better than that. Harry leaving him, snatching away even the friendship he'd been offered.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?", Draco snapped, petulant. He sat up with a fierce frown, pushing Blaise's hand off of his arm in a disgruntled manner.

"Untwist your knickers, Malfoy, you should be thanking me, instead” came Blaise's dry response.

“Oh? Pray tell what exactly has me beholden to your generosity” Draco sneered, his already bad mood worsened after he’d been rudely awakened “Ah yes, thank you ever so Blaise for waking me up so unpleasantly and ensuring that I do not get a wink of sleep for the rest of the night. Marvel, you are.”

Blaise chuckled, “You're such a fucking drama queen. You owe me, Draco, seriously. Seeing that I risked much to bring you something very precious" Draco sighed, his temples hurting from the lack of both nutrition and sleep. "Blaise, I am in no mood to entertain your whims right now. You haven't the foggiest about how hard it was for me to-"

"And you haven't a clue about how hard it was for Pansy and I to get Potter here without Filch or any other prefect noticing. Be a little grateful and get your arrogant arse off the bed, will you?" Finally losing his patience Blaise glowered, making sure that his voice was contained to a harsh whisper, ever so careful of prying ears. Draco was bug-eyed with disbelief and stared at his friend in astonishment for quite a while.

He didn't wait to confirm if Blaise was pranking him, he knew his friend well enough to be certain that Blaise wouldn't be waking him up so late for a meaningless prank and that his friend understood him and his feelings for Harry enough to know that Draco would kill him, if not literally then at least maim him, for joking around about something that meant as much to him as Harry did.

"Where is he?", Draco asked. "Out in the dungeons with Pansy", Blaise replied, "We figured it'd be better if you met him outside and brought him in rather than sneaking him in ourselves. We didn't want to raise any suspicions".

In a flash, Draco was up and out of the warmth of his four-poster, not even bothering with his slippers and braving the cold in simply his pyjamas as he rushed out of the dorm. "You're welcome", Blaise muttered behind him, helpless to fight the smirk that pulled his lips at the sight of an utterly 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘱𝘪𝘥 in love Draco.
__________________________________________________

Draco gawped when his eyes finally landed on Harry, as though he was in the Saviour Extraordinaire's company for the first time in his life.

Even though he'd seen Harry a million times before, the mere sight of him in all his disheveled glory was enough to bring Draco to his knees with relief.

It hadn't even been a full day but Draco had missed him terribly.

Gods, how he'd missed him.

"Draco...", Harry called but Draco wasn't listening as he looked him up and down searching for any obvious signs of injury or pain in his features. He exhaled a stuttering breath when he found none.

"Draco", Harry called again but Draco was still lost in those beautiful green eyes, appalled at himself and his reactions to spending a mere day apart from his boyfriend.

"Draco Lucius Malfoy!" Pansy all but shrieked. She strode towards him and clapped her hands in front of his face, her delicate features twisted in a scowl and Draco was forced out of his Harry-induced reverie.

"Are you back in the land of the living? Good, there you go, here's your paramour. Feast your eyes upon him and for Salazar's sake get some sleep, that goes for you too, Potter. You both look like a pair of raccoons", Pansy huffed, crossing her arms across her chest as she glared at them both.

"I always did have a soft spot for raccoons", Draco managed to say, a small smile curving his lips, sheer gratitude for his two friends threatened to overwhelm him.

"Wanting one as a pet and resembling one are two entirely different things, Draco dearest", Blaise tutted from behind him, sauntering slowly towards Pansy and draping an arm around her slim shoulders.

When Draco finally looked over at his friends, he was astounded by the exasperated fondness clear as day in their eyes.

They've never been the type to hug and offer words of comfort. No, instead, they were unflinchingly loyal, hiding their affection behind scathing quips, derogatory remarks and being a constant presence beside each other even if they didn't agree with what the other was doing. If one went down, then they all did.

"I- Well... You see", Draco started, fumbling with words as he tried and failed to frame a proper sentence.

He was barely even five, when Draco's father had drilled into him how significant it was for a Malfoy to be eloquent. Words have always been a Malfoy’s most powerful weapon.

That is exactly how Lucius managed to retain the power he still has after the First War, over the Ministry, the Hogwarts Board and even the Minister.

An Imperio is for the lesser men, those who do not possess the skill to speak their way out of any situation, to mould a person into behaving exactly the way that is best suited for them, to turn the tables so masterfully that there is never a question about who actually holds the power and that it is always a Malfoy.

And Draco for the longest time boasted of that same ability. He had it. He was well trained in it.

But today both words and eloquence abandoned him and he felt wholly inadequate as he continued doing poorly in his attempt to thank his friends.

Perhaps, this is exactly why Draco couldn't be Lucius because try as he might he has never been able to falsify emotions. His emotions have always overpowered him. His father said it would lead him to his grave.

But perhaps that was for the best.

Perhaps, a grave would be a better home than the one where he'd be forced to kiss the robes of the abomination who ruthlessly rendered a child an orphan.

Draco would always choose being Draco, over being the next Lucius Malfoy.

"We know, Draco. We know. You'd do it for us too", Pansy said with a half-hearted smirk, after all they weren't Gryffindors, they didn't do teary smiles and kisses on the forehead.

Draco turned to look at Blaise and saw the same sentiment being reflected in his deep brown eyes.

For once, both his friends didn't jump at the chance to mock him relentlessly for his stuttering. This was their way of telling him that they'd be here, right behind Draco, whichever way he went.

They might not be the Golden trio but Draco wouldn't trade his obnoxious, annoying, dramatic friends for the world.

"Well, we've delivered our gift. Now if you'll excuse us, we do have Prefect duties to see to. After you m'lady", Blaise smirked down at her while Pansy smiled looking almost smitten and Draco watched, just a tad bewildered.

Pansy turned around then with a flourish and muttered a final "Ta, darlings", before the two went on their way back to the castle, dark heads bent together as they whispered Merlin knows what to each other.

Throughout the proceedings, Harry kept quiet and when Draco turned back to look at him, he looked just as haunted as he did five minutes ago with the barest hint of curiosity in his eyes as he watched Blaise and Pansy leave.

“You guys sure have a unique dynamic. They love you, y’know?” Harry whispered, fidgeting where he stood. “I was wandering rather aimlessly, knowing I wanted to come to you but well… I am not exactly in the best state of mind… and… “

Draco watched Harry chew on the supple flesh of his bottom lip, emerald eyes stuck towards his feet and refusing to look up at Draco as he continued to wring his hands, “And I don't know how you can forget the way around the place you know like the back of your hand but I just did and I couldn't find you Draco… and then Pansy found me and I didn't know I was crying till I was and I just wanted to…” Draco's heart hurt for his Harry, his kind, sweet, precious Harry.

"Draco", Harry called again in a barely audible whisper. He sounded desperate. He had a Harry way of saying Draco's name like it was the only word he knew. And Draco simply couldn't take it anymore.

"𝘚𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵", he answered, heart fluttering wildly in his chest as he closed the distance between them in two long steps and enveloped Harry in his arms.

Now that Draco knew how it felt to have the most unattainable boy in Hogwarts melt in his embrace after a stressful day, he wasn't willing to part with that feeling.

It would also not be an exaggeration if one said he was almost rather addicted to it.

He breathed in Harry's sweet scent, contentment coursing through him in waves as he burrowed his face further in Harry's hair, letting his senses be overwhelmed by the familiar vanilla scent of Harry's shampoo.

Going an entire day without feeling those strong arms cling to him had definitely taken it's toll upon Draco. He simply couldn't help being unapologetically selfish over Harry and wanting all of his attention for himself. That was one thing which was as ingrained in him as the fact that he was a Malfoy and therefore, superior.

"You're alright", Draco whispered when he felt the slight tremors going down Harry's spine and smoothed his hand down his back.

"No. No. No, Draco I am not. I am not alright", Harry choked out, his face buried in the collar of Draco's silk nightshirt.

Sobs wracked his tensed body and Draco's heart shattered when he felt the wetness soaking through the silky material of his favourite silver night wear. There was very little that Draco hated more than Harry's tears.

His Harry had been so, so happy yesterday. Draco recalled those beautiful smiles lighting up that precious face brighter than a Lumos.

What had happened to Arthur Weasley was nothing short of absolutely terrifying. The Weasleys and everyone close to them were devastated. And as much as he understood how distressing being the bearer of such a horrifying news could be for Harry, he had a feeling that this wasn't all there was to it.

He held Harry tighter to him, rocking him exactly how Draco knew he loved.

Draco wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth but after everything that happened he had certainly not been expecting Harry to be back at Hogwarts that night.

With utmost reluctance which was reciprocated by Harry's strong resistance to let go of him, he somehow managed to pull away from the embrace. The last thing Draco wanted was to let go of him, but the only way to make Harry feel better would be to let him talk the weight off his heart.

Missing the warmth of Harry being pressed close to him almost immediately, Draco drew a soothing palm down his quivering back. "Shh, darling. Please, don't cry. Talk to me, Harry. What happened?"

Once again, Harry refused to look at him, stubbornly fixing his gaze somewhere above Draco's shoulders.

Draco would be annoyed if not for the way his beautiful jade eyes glistened with more tears and the pitiful quiver of his downturned lips.

He hated seeing Harry like this.

Shoulders slumped, fiery gaze lowered and looking so defeated that it went against everything Draco had ever known about him. Hooking two fingers under his trembling chin, Draco gently turned Harry's face to him and wiped his tears away with his free hand. He could barely resist trembling with poorly restrained rage.

He was so angry. Angry with Voldemort. Dumbledore. Everyone and everything in the universe that did not allow the one boy that Draco thought deserved all the happiness a single moment of peace.

As much as Draco wanted to do the mature thing and talk to Harry, his resolve had long since crumbled and all he wanted to do then was curl up by the fire with the boy he loved nestled safely in his arms.

"Come on, sweetheart. Let's go inside and warm up by the fire. And after I get my fill of holding you, we'll talk, alright?" Draco asked softly, fingers tracing the strong line of Harry's jaw.

"Alright", Harry murmured, sounding weak and broken, the tone of his voice completely contradictory to the strong hold he had on Draco's hand, as though he feared someone would materialize out of thin air and snatch Draco from him.

𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘳𝘺𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘳, didn't he know there was not a thing in this world, Wizarding or Muggle, that could make Draco leave his side unless he demanded it himself?
__________________________________________________

"Welcome to the Slytherin Common Room, 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺", Draco teased wanting nothing more than to lighten Harry's mood and felt extremely gratified when his lips curved up in the barest hint of a smile.

"I am sorry I woke you up", Harry said softly squeezing Draco's palm.

"The only thing you should be sorry for is worrying the shite out of me. I don't care if you wake me up at the arse crack of dawn everyday, Harry", Draco huffed before flopping down gracefully onto the plush emerald green couch by the fire, the same as the one in their room and tugged Harry down with him.

Harry sunk into him, his body melding with Draco's, legs tangling together as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

And Draco almost believed it was.

He had wanted this, wanted 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 for so long that he feared if he ever had him he simply wouldn't know what to do. He'd never handled precious, delicate things well. And for all of Harry's bravery and unbridled magical power that's what he was, 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦.

And so, so, 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 that Draco could hardly breathe every time he looked at him.

Nothing scared him more than the thought of losing Harry after he'd finally had him all because he was too egoistic and self-absorbed to be considerate of a blast-ended skrewt's feelings.

It was as much of a surprise for him as it was for the Weasel and Granger how quickly he'd taken to 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 for Harry.

And he found that he loved it.

Draco loved being the one Harry depended on. He couldn't remember a time when providing Harry comfort when he needed it hadn't felt like second nature to him.

Whether it was giving Harry a hand to hold when he was upset, or being a soothing presence in a stressful crowd. 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘰 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘧𝘰𝘺, 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, he thought sardonically to himself, 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺.

"Where did you go?", Harry whispered close to his ear, breaking him out of his reverie. Draco smiled softly.

Another thing that never failed to surprise him was how often he smiled in Harry's presence. He'd always been rather generous with his sneers and smirks while protecting his smiles like a leprechaun protects his gold. 𝘜𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺.

"I am right here", he whispered back tightening his arm around Harry's waist. "Always", he whispered, brushing his lips softly against those dark curls.

Harry exhaled a shuddering breath, his fingers clenched tight in Draco's nightshirt. "It was me, Draco", he finally whispered after what felt like hours of simply holding each other in the dark.

"It was me", he repeated insistently, his voice now stronger.

"What are you talking about?", Draco asked, careful not to spook Harry now that he'd begun talking without any prompting and pressed a chaste kiss upon his temple.

Harry sat up suddenly leaving Draco's hand bereft but before he could feel too bad about it Harry immediately seized his hand again in a tight grip, as if Draco's hand were the only thing tethering him to reality.

Draco mirrored Harry's posture, shifting slightly so he could face him. "I was the snake that bit Mr. Weasley, Draco. It was me", he insisted again.

Draco took a minute to process this information. He tried to open his mouth to say something only to end up not making a sound. There were thousands of things running across his mind at Harry's statement.

He felt shocked, anxious, out of the loop and a million other things along with the ever present anger that once again it was Harry.

Harry the best person in the world, to whom all the worst things happened.

His magic crackled around the room, an embodiment of his anger. Anger was a poor understatement. He was brimming with rage, at everyone who failed to protect Harry, so much so that it rollled off of him in waves. He watched as Harry stared entranced at the very obvious aura of unrestrained magic surrounding them.

He knew Harry. He knew Harry would never exaggerate about something like that but the question was how could that even be possible?

Draco drew in a deep, calming breath to control the nervousness that he knew better than to show on his face. Not only because he was a Malfoy and indifference was one of his character traits but also because he knew that he couldn't let Harry see how much this confession actually bothered him. Harry was already physically tired and mentally strained after witnessing such a gruesome attack on his best friend's father who had been like an actual father figure for him as well. And if all of that wasn't enough already, he now appeared to be convinced that he was the one responsible for this.

He realised his silence wasn't helping much when he saw the beads of sweat forming against Harry's brow and the shortness of his breath. Draco reached his free hand towards Harry carefully cupping his cheek while drawing soothing circles on his wrist with the other. His touch putting a temporary stop to the emotional spiral he could see him going down.

"Darling", Draco started, his voice so gentle that he couldn't even recognize it as his own.

He hated it sometimes.

Absolutely abhorred the effect Harry had on him. Detested how he'd do anything for Harry in a heartbeat that he'd never even consider doing for anyone else.

He was also terrified of it.

Terrified of his own feelings and how sometimes he felt so much for him that he feared it'd spill out of his chest and pool at Harry's feet. Draco equal parts loathed and adored him.

He knew he would always loathe Harry for somehow always being able to bring out a part of him so unlike the boy he was supposed to be, exposed and like a raw nerve. Easy to hurt and anger when all his life he was trained to maintain a perfect social facade. But Draco also knew that those are the very reasons why he would also always adore him.

For being so... 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺. Honest and beautiful, trusting him and ready to defend him even though he felt like he hadn't done anything yet to deserve that trust.

"Look at me", he continued, waiting patiently for several long moments until Harry's bright emerald eyes, devoid of their usual fire but gorgeous all the same, rose up to meet his.

"That's it. Keep looking at my eyes and breathe, yes? I've missed you. I missed looking at your pretty eyes today." He whispered and Harry nodded taking a deep, slow breath then several, a helpless but shaky smile curving his lips at Draco's words.

"You're doing so good", Draco smiled tugging at the hand he was holding in subtle encouragment for Harry to move towards his lap.

His smile widened when Harry readily obliged, settling between Draco's now spread legs. His back rested against the couch's headrest while Harry's rested against his chest.

"This is nice", Harry whispered, his voice calmer than it had been the entire time they were together that night.

"I am glad to hear that, darling. Now if you don't mind, please explain to me why is it that you think it was you who was responsible for the attack on Mr. Weasley?" Draco questioned plainly, without beating around the bush.

When he realised Harry was anxiously trying and failing to frame his thoughts properly, Draco teased, "Take your time but full sentences this time, please", feeling his chest burst with joy when Harry released a soft chuckle then immediately hating himself for succumbing to such sappy thoughts.

Draco carded his fingers through the soft strands of Harry's ever so rebellious hair silently encouraging him to put his feelings to words in a show of patience he didn't exactly feel.

"I don't exactly know how to phrase this but I felt it, Draco. I felt my fangs sink into his skin. And I felt... I was happy about it. Because I'd made my master happy. It was too real to be a figment of my imagination and I can't... I haven't even told Sirius yet because I don't know how to look any of them in the eye. I just wanted to come back to you and see you because you wouldn't judge me. You wouldn't think of me as monstrous... y-you don't right?" Harry rambled, his voice breaking towards the end.

"Of course not, darling. You're not a monster. Dare not think that. You saved him. If it hadn't been for you, I don't even want to imagine what could've happened." Draco responded immediately, pressing a gentle kiss on Harry's wild curls.

"Master, you said, then it'd be safe to assume this was Lord Reptile-face's doing?" Harry nodded with a tired sigh, "Pretty sure it was his pet, Nagini. What I don't understand is how could I see through the snake's eyes? Do you think... Do you think he has possessed me?" Draco had never heard Harry sound as frightened as he did right then, and his arms instinctively tightened around Harry.

"No", Draco declared, "You're not possesed by him. I don't have an answer for the rest yet, Harry, and all that you've recounted tonight honestly sounds terrifying. And it's scaring me to even think of what he might be planning or if anything bigger is at play because I've heard my father speak of him. He used to sound 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘧𝘶𝘭. And if I know anything by now it's that everything that happens with you because of him, has a reason. I am going to find that reason Harry no matter how frightening it is. And I am going to protect you" Draco vowed.

In response, Harry leaned further back in Draco's embrace, tilting his head just so. Nuzzling his face into the crook of his neck, Harry pressed tiny, butterfly kisses there in silent gratitude as he turned putty in his arms. Smiling indulgently Draco couldn't help asking, though reluctant to disturb the lull Harry had fallen into "Have the adults said anything about this? Offered any suggestions on how to deal with this?"

Harry nodded "Yeah, Dumbledore told me to learn Occlumency from Snape and then continue when the holidays are over under the guise of remedial Potions. I don't think that's going to help because yesterday I had my first session with him after the entire debacle but he didn't tell me what to do. Just demanded that I focus and then forced his way in my mind. And that hurt. I don't know if it was because I am naturally bad at it or because the incident was so fresh in my mind that I couldn't focus". Draco frowned, because unlike Harry, he knew.

It wasn't merely the fact that the incident had been such a recent memory because even then it wasn't supposed to hurt him. Legilimency, as far as Draco’s aware, is always painless unless deliberately meant to cause harm. He respected Severus but his treatment of Harry had always been abysmal and he was certain that Severus knew better than to teach Occlumency in such a manner that was not only physically painful but also carried the risk of damaging the brain.

He didn't know what Snape's problem was with Harry but he, for once, was not going to sit here idly while the greasy codger all but tortured his beloved's mind. "I'll teach you Occlumency", Draco declared, "in every bit of free time that both of us can manage, I'll teach you how to Occlude properly. Learning Occlumency is not supposed to hurt you, Harry. But don't worry, you'll be alright, my love. I've got you" He soothed, running his palm down Harry's sternum in a comforting gesture.

Draco smiled softly when he felt Harry's responding shudder and the way he immediately melted into him seconds after. "Yes, please Draco, thank you. I was so scared. That vision was awful. And Snape isn't helping in anyway. I felt so dirty and dangerous everytime I was thrust back into that memory", Harry whispered brokenly and Draco tsked, resting his chin on Harry's strong shoulder after placing a butterfly kiss there.

"All things, you absolutely aren't. You're beautiful, amazing and 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦". Harry shuddered again, his breathing finally relaxed and slow.

"Always, always, always, yours", he promised, enchanting green eyes drifting shut in Draco's protective embrace.
__________________________________________________

Draco honestly couldn't remember the last time he'd slept so well.

His heart felt overwhelmed with all sorts of fuzzy, embarrassing, absolutely ridiculous feelings that he harboured for a certain green-eyed Boy Wonder who currently lay in his arms, slumbering peacefully.

He awoke after what was the best sleep of his entire life, even though he was on an uncomfortable couch, with his back half bent to have Harry fit comfortably in his embrace and his right arm permanently asleep from supporting Harry's head the entire night.

Draco sighed in contentment like the apparent sap he was while lowering his head to Harry's neck as he breathed in that familiar scent.

"Good morning, love", Harry mumbled and Draco could feel the amused smile on his face.

"Are you a kneazle?" He asked with a soft, breathless, chuckle when instead of responding Draco simply nuzzled deeper into the crook of his neck. He placed a tentative kiss to the skin under Harry's ear and tugged playfully at the lobe, noting with delight how the tip of said ear turned a deep pink.

"Now it's a good morning," Draco whispered, softly blowing on the heated flesh. And what happened next could've brought Draco to his knees had he been standing.

Unexpectedly, to both of their astonishment, Harry moaned.

Draco had always known Harry would be responsive but he never would've thought that a slight tug to his earlobe could arouse a sound so breathy and sensual. The effect was instantaneous and Draco was immediately hard.

Harry's fingers tangled in the lush hair on Draco's nape as he tried, in vain, to move Draco's lips towards his own. Salazar's tits, how was Draco expected to behave himself when Harry was acting like this?

"Mmm, darling, patience", Draco purred like he wasn't dying to kiss him.

Chanelling a level of control he didn't actually posses, Draco stretched leisurely across the length of Harry's body, effectively holding him in place.

He waited another beat before raising himself up on the arm that wasn't numb from playing pillow to his boyfriend and stared down at the beauty squirming under him. He couldn't help but wonder, for the umpteenth time, how in the world did I get so lucky?

"You're so pretty", he murmured, delighted by the visible effect of his husky, morning voice on Harry as the latter, already breathless, squirmed some more, the bare skin of his neck and collarbones flushed a deep red and Draco was dying to see how much further it went.

"Do you want me to kiss you, baby?" He asked just to be an insufferable tease. Draco was expecting a challenge or a demand in response but was instead completely bowled over when Harry moaned again, followed by a desperate, "Please".

Unable to resist any longer, Draco took his chin in hand and pressed his mouth to Harry's without preamble. Fuck, morning breath. There would never be anything more arousing than a soft, vulnerable Harry Potter in bed begging him for morning kisses.

Harry, opened up to him like a budding flower in spring, his tongue sliding hungrily in Draco's mouth, feasting on him. His free hand slid inside Harry's jumper, brushing across miles of sleep warmed skin.

He responds so prettily, Draco thought, marvelling at the gooseflesh prickling Harry's skin at his touch. His fingers kept busy, gliding teasingly across Harry's navel drawing a whine from him.

Draco wanted to devour him whole. It couldn't possibly be legal for someone to be this tempting.

They'd only shared slow kisses before, never quite attacked each other's mouths like this. But Draco shouldn't have been surprised though, after all as they say, there's a thin line between love and hate.

And now that Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter have crossed onto the 'love' side of that line, the hate would surely manifest in other ways. So, maybe they no longer punched or hexed each other, but there are obviously other, more pleasurable ways to bruise one's skin.

Smiling at the thought, Draco gave a particularly vicious suck to Harry's pillowy bottom lip, nibbling on the flesh sharp enough to sting.

Harry whined again, pitifully and so beautifully. One of his hands slipped inside Draco's night shirt and caressed the rippling muscles of his back, while the other buried itself in Draco's hair as he tried to tug him closer.

Draco allowed it for a moment, writhing their bodies together and feeling the delicious rub of Harry's rock-hard erection throbbing against his. He soon realised that they were stepping into dangerous waters when he couldn't seem to make himself stop from rubbing against Harry, who was making the sexiest little sounds, breathless and disheveled and entirely Draco's.

But Draco didn't want their first intimate experience to be sullied by bad memories, or to be rushed for that matter. With that thought in mind and gut-wrenching difficulty, he somehow managed to pull his lips away from Harry.

"Fuck", he groaned when he looked down at the utter mess that was Harry, lips swollen red and hair even messier than it usually is, pupils dilated as those gorgeous gem-like eyes blazed with arousal.

Harry looked like an utterly debauched angel.

"Draco, don't stop", he whined, puckering his lips in invitation and Draco groaned desperately, unable to stop himself from giving in and kissing that lush mouth again. He bit Harry's lips in retribution for him being so tempting, moaning when his boyfriend purred and arched against him.

Feeling his control and sanity starting to dwindle once more, Draco pulled back, lavishing Harry's rosy lips with soft kisses.

Harry glanced up at him with glassy eyes, panting softly. His mouth was now set in a petulant pout after he tried to get Draco close to him again but failed.

"Why'd you stop again?", Harry grumbled when he realised he wasn't getting Draco's attention other than the occasional soft kiss along his jaw.

Draco nuzzled their noses together, confessing earnestly, "Darling, I don't want to stop but now's not the time... You've just been through a terrifying ordeal. I want us to go slow with this and enjoy every moment of it okay? There's no rush. I won't go anywhere, and I won't let you go anywhere either".

Understanding dawned on Harry and he smiled bashfully at Draco.

Those striking green eyes crinkled at the corners, and he looked like the Harry from before, happy and comfortable, gazing up at Draco with so much adoration and trust. And Draco felt buoyant with happiness at being the sole recipient of that gaze, he could've cast a Patronus wandlessly and not even heave a sigh.

"No one's ever been so thoughtful of me. Draco, you're everything." Harry wrapped his arms around Draco, folding him in a warm embrace as his lips latched onto Draco's once more but this time in a kiss sweeter than Honeydukes' finest chocolates.

"For the love of Magic! Must you two canoodle out in the open where literally anyone can walk in?" Blaise chided in a tone eerily similar to Pansy's, breaking Harry and Draco out of the romantic lull they'd fallen into.

"Why'd you stop them? They looked so hot together" Pansy complained, aiming a leer in their direction.

"Jesus Christ", Harry gasped in surprise before burying his flushed face in Draco's chest, startled and embarassed by the Slytherin duo's unceremonious arrival.

Draco couldn't help but chuckle, while running his fingers soothingly through Harry's soft hair. "Better them than anyone else in this house, love", he teased before sitting up to face his friends.

"What are you two doing out here so early?" He asked, a tad irate at having his romantic morning with Harry interrupted, while attempting a very sorry hand at fixing his hair.

"Just came to wake you two before anyone found out, is all", Blaise responded with a smirk.

"Err, not that we don't appreciate the sentiment, but it's okay, we don't mind if anyone found out- or... Um, at least I don't", Harry stuttered, sitting up beside Draco peering up at him with a sudden shyness that didn't seem to be there a few minutes ago when he was begging Draco for more kisses.

Merlin, those eyes, Draco thought as he leaned down towards him. He observed with relish how Harry's long lashes fluttered in anticipation, his already kiss-swollen, bruised lips parting eagerly for Draco.

Utterly charmed and absolutely stupid in love, Draco kissed those tempting lips and sucked that plump bottom lip soundly before pulling away. "You're irresistible", he whispered, brushing his knuckles along Harry's cheekbone.

"Disgusting. You two are rotting my teeth", snarked Blaise. But for all Draco cared Blaise might as well have been invisible and under a well cast Silencio.

"Also, I had been in love with you before I even knew what it actually meant, so no, Harry, I do not mind if people walk in on us making out either", Draco continued, ignoring Blaise and was rewarded with an angelic smile.

"I don't mind walking in on you two making out", Pansy smirked, giving them an obvious once over.

"Merlin's balls, Pans, can you not?" Blaise groused and Harry chuckled, leaning against Draco's side.

"Why do you have a problem when Potter doesn't mind?" Pansy waggled her eyebrows at Harry with a snicker, eliciting another laugh and Draco's heart warmed.

In a show of Slytherin deviance, Harry suddenly turned the tables. "So, you two came together to wake us up? I don't reckon that's a two-person job, do you, Draco?" He mused, but knowing him as well as Draco did, the mischief colouring Harry's tone was clear as day to him.

"Do keep up, Potter, Pansy and I were obviously returning together after our du-", Blaise started to say until Harry interjected with a sly grin, "But, your patrolling hours are only till 1:30, I'd know, Ron and 'Mione are prefects too. So is Draco!"

Narrowing his eyes shrewdly at his friends, Draco smirked, "Why, yes, you're right indeed Harry. Now what, pray tell, were you two doing up so early? And do try to do better than 'we were coming to wake you'. A Gryffindor saw through it."

"Hey! That's rude!", Harry protested, his beaming smile completely betraying his attempt at being offended.

"Well, darling you've turned me into a besotted mess. Excuse me, for trying to latch onto the last remaining threads of my pride", Draco drawled in a mock-haughty tone making Harry giggle.

"I told you they were not going to fall for that! Let me make up the excuses, next time" Pansy hissed.

"Well, since you sods have already figured it out, we'll just say it then... Blaise and I are dating", she announced with pomp, her challenging gaze focused on Harry and Draco as if daring them to say a word against their romance.

"That's a good thing, right?" Harry asked, his befuddled gaze turning to Draco, being unused to Pansy's dramatics.

And Draco absolutely lost it.

"You look like a crup" he said between peals of laughter making Blaise chuckle along with him. "And Pansy, you bint, stop being dramatic and lose that expression. You're no Juliet", Draco wiped tears of mirth from his face.

Pansy gasped in exaggerated horror, raising her hand to her neck in the classic 'pearl-clutch' pose, "Why, you might as well have asked me to stop breathing! Must you be so cruel?" She pretended to wail, intensifying Draco's laughter.

"You'd think by now I'd be used to their cobblers, but with each passing day they somehow manage to be worse", Blaise addressed Harry, the fondness in his tone unmistakable.

Feeling that he was being stared at, Draco looked towards Harry. Rather unexpectedly, he now found himself subjected to a heartbreakingly tender look.
"I don't even care if you're laughing at me as long as you keep laughing like that. I just realised how rarely I hear you laugh", Harry mumbled, instantly sobering the atmosphere.

"I didn't have much reason to before, did I? You're my reason now", Draco smiled bashfully and those emerald eyes glowed with what could only be described as sheer, unadulterated, love as Harry sighed blissfully, taking Draco's hands to kiss them.

He hadn't said the words yet, but Draco simply knew.

Directing his gaze heavenward in exasperation, Blaise groaned, "Bloody hell, this shite is too much. You nauseate me."

“Then I suggest you temporarily blind yourself, Zabini”, Draco stuck up his nose in the air. He was a Malfoy, raised by a Black and while masking his emotions in public was of course prudent, he had never been taught to hide his affections for his beloved. In fact, he'd even go so far as to deem it of the most high importance!

Harry rolled his eyes at their antics, "Okay, okay, we hear you. Now back to the topic at hand, where were you two?"

A shy expression, most unlike her, crossed Pansy's features and she glanced furtively at Blaise, "Well, after we were done with our duty, we simply walked around the castle, then sat down by an alcove. We lost track of time, talking till sun-up."

Draco's eyebrows rose at the unexpectedly pleasant "date" his friends accidentally ended up on. Though, his tone was snide when he commented, "How sweet", he was trying valiantly to fight a delighted smirk.

Harry rolled his eyes again, so hard this time, that Draco worried that it might cause his head to hurt. "Would it kill you three to just say 'happy for you, mate' or 'great going' like normal people? It's beyond me how you could make 'sweet' sound like an insult".

"Well, we wouldn't want to steal the Gryffindors' job now, would we?" asked Pansy, with a flip of her sleek, dark hair over her shoulder.

"Never in a million years", Blaise concurred with a shake of his head.

"Not even if you take away the last of my galleons", Draco added with a decisive nod.

"You're all knobheads. I don't know why I was ever intimidated of being in Slytherin", Harry commented, reclining casually and resting his head on Draco's arm like he hadn't just dropped a big bomb on the new couple.

"Say what, Potter?" Pansy shrilled, followed by Blaise's equally astonished, "You were almost a Slytherin?"
__________________________________________________

Later that morning, Harry and Draco met up with Granger in the Great Hall who immediately ran towards Harry, hugging him fiercely. They talked for a bit about Mr. Weasley and things related to the Order that Draco didn't much care about and took the liberty to zone out.

Later in hindsight, Draco acknowledged that, that's exactly when things started going in the wrong direction where he was concerned.

In a rapid turn of events, Granger announced that she'd be requesting the Headmaster to let her Floo over to the Order headquarters along with Harry, likely to spend her Christmas in her friends' company. And inspired by the thought, Harry simply refused the idea of leaving Draco alone in the castle.

Manipulative little shit that he was, Harry turned pleading doe-like green eyes towards him, lashes lowered prettily and bottom lip jutted out in the most tempting way known to man, as he sweetly asked Draco to spend Christmas with him and to not leave him alone.

Draco, predictably incapable of denying him anything, turned putty.

And that's how he found himself in the living room of Grimmauld Place on a late Sunday afternoon, awkwardly looking around as his boyfriend constantly pressed grateful kisses on his cheek. He sighed, partly resigned, partly elated. So worth it.

"Wotcher, Harry!" Tonks greeted with a bright smile, "And I see you brought my darling cousin, with you!" Her gaze was locked on their joined hands in fascination. "Hullo, Tonks", Harry smiled back, poking Draco who merely waved a disinterested hand.

After spending the entire summer in his company it was easy enough for Tonks to disregard his rudeness, rather used to it as she was. Instead, she instead looked expectantly at him.

When Draco continued staring at her blankly. Tonks rolled her eyes and prompted "So?" smiling impishly at him with a raised eyebrow.

"So?" Draco repeated, deadpan.

Once again ignoring his cousin, Draco looked around the fairly large living room that led to the kitchen where he could see the Weasley matriarch puttering about. "So you finally dragged your head out of your arse and confessed to your crush instead of pulling at his pigtails then?" Tonks teased, suddenly grabbing Draco in a headlock.

Harry guffawed at their antics. "Dora, stop! You're ruining my hair" Draco groaned. "Oh no, I am ruining your perfectly coiffed hair. How could I possibly sleep at night?" She bemoaned in pretended exaggeration.

"What's all this noise? Is Harry back yet?" Asked an unfamiliar voice. Draco was grateful for the interruption that helped cease his immature cousin's torment upon his hair. He glanced in the direction of the new voice to see a man with dark, wild hair descending down the stairs towards the living room and being accompanied by Professor Lupin.

"Pads! Moony!" Harry exclaimed, smiling brighter than the sun. He ran over to the roguishly grinning man with the shaggy hair and hugged him.

So that's him then, Draco realised, Sirius Black, his cousin. Harry's father's best friend. The man who was imprisoned for years, declared guilty of a crime he never committed.

"Moony, Paddy, meet Draco, my boyfriend. Do not be rude" Harry gestured excitedly towards Draco, before staring pointedly at Sirius. He continued his little introduction, "Draco, the same goes for you and meet Sirius, your... um cousin? And my godfather. You know Remus, my honorary godparent.", he grinned awkwardly.

An uncomfortable silence fell upon them until choosing to make the first move, Draco cleared his throat, refusing to give in to his nerves. "Hello, professor. Hello, cousin", he greeted with a polite bow, proud of how steady his voice sounded.

Lupin nodded at him with a gentle smile, "Hello, Draco. Nice to finally meet the better version of you that Harry won't shut up about."

But Sirius was still deadly silent.
Calculating and sharp grey eyes scrutinized him so thoroughly that Draco felt as though every little detail worth knowing about him was laid bare for his infamous cousin's perusal. The dark shadows in his eyes and gaunt cheeks were a visible reminder of him having spent twelve, long, agonising years in Azkaban. But they still did nothing to take away from the fact that Sirius Black was a striking man.

Draco gulped, this wasn't the cousin whom his mother so adored. No. This was Harry's godfather.

"So the apple didn't fall far from the tree, did it, Moons?", suddenly Black cackled, tilting his chin towards Harry in a way that was reminiscent of a dog with a rakish grin on his face. Draco was so caught up in being anxious that he missed Professor Lupin's responding expression of exasperated amusement.

"What?" He mumbled soon being echoed by Harry's much louder, "What?"

"Let's just say your father had a bit of a thing for Slytherins too", Black answered nonchalantly. Refusing to elaborate and ignoring Harry's dumbfounded goggling, he instead walked closer to Draco.

"I always thought I'd see Lucius Malfoy in you when we finally met", Sirius admitted and Draco mentally berated the tremors in his hands. Then to his complete bewilderment, Black cupped his chin and adjusted Draco's face this way and that, as he pleased, further observing him.

Draco hadn't realised that while they were talking more people had filed into the room, half of them being the rest of the Weasley clan, including Ron and Hermione (who had left to go find Ron as soon as they stepped out of the floo). And now they were all there to either witness Draco's humiliating examination or to stare suspiciously at him.

"You have the Black bone structure. You're all Cissa, I can't even dislike you now for dating my godson", Sirius grouched with a childish pout. Draco breathed out in relief.

"Pads, I am not a girl!" Harry laughed, but Draco could tell he was secretly overjoyed at his godfather's protectiveness. Those jewel-like eyes glowed with a rare happiness that he had never been witness to before.

Draco suddenly realised that Sirius was the one thing linking Harry to his parents. And how important it must've been for Harry to get Sirius’ approval of Draco. And to Draco's utter surprise, he had it.

Harry's joy was reflected in his very being and Draco would do anything to keep Harry looking like this. Well-loved. Taken care of. Adored. And protected. He'd always be there to save the Saviour.

Draco gazed at Harry's beautiful, smiling face and just like that, everyone else blurred before his eyes. His focus was, as always, centred on the only person that mattered. Harry. Always, him.

"I love you", Draco declared, out of absolutely nowhere and immediately hated himself for it. The silence that followed was deafening.

Feeling everybody's gaze on him, Draco squeezed his eyes shut, utterly humiliated by his own lack of restraint. He prayed for the polished black-tiled floor of Grimmauld Place to open up and swallow him whole and then spit him right out when it'd been long enough for everyone to forget this, after all, he couldn't exactly go without snogging Harry now that he'd finally started.

He was startled out of his reverie by a fierce hug, the scent of vanilla and honeysuckle invaded his senses and he reflexively held the warm weight close to him. Harry. His heart thrummed wildly in his chest as he buried his face in that unkempt hair.

"I love you, too. So much, Draco. So much", he confessed, and Draco couldn't breathe.

This can't be his life. Surely, he isn't worthy of deserving this.

"W-What?" He stammered, like a first-year Hufflepuff.

"I love you", Harry reiterated, pulling back and looking at him with those eyes.

And so what if he'd known that Harry loved him? Knowing and being told are two completely different things. He wasn't expecting the words! Not so soon. Certainly not when he was meeting Harry's godparents for the first time. And absolutely not in front of half the Weasley brood.

"I. Love. You", Harry repeated again, this time he enunciated each word with a kiss to his lips, softening the sting of treating him like a gormless buffoon.

"I am not slow!" Draco's mouth twisted in a scowl as a last desperate effort to contain his giddiness. "Oh? Could've fooled me with the way you're resembling a confused pygmy puff right now", Harry sassed, grinning at him boyishly and Draco knew there would never be any moving on from him. He has never even stood a chance. Harry Potter has officially ruined him for anyone else and he wouldn't have it any other way.

"I want to kiss you so bad" Draco said, instead leaning towards those tantalizing lips.

"Hey, hey, none of that now. That was all romantic and shite, but no making out when you're in my vicinity" Black ordered.

"You do know that if you word it like this, it'll just make them want to do it more, right?" Lupin commented flatly, drawing Black in his arms.

Oh. Draco couldn't fathom how someone as intimidating as his cousin could look as soft as he did the second Lupin wrapped him in his arms. He observed how the tense set of Black's shoulders visibly melted in relief when he leaned against his partner's chest.

"They're in a relationship", Harry offered, when he caught Draco looking at them. "Are they? Couldn't tell", he snarked, smirking when Harry rolled his eyes. But it was useless, he looked as besotted as Draco felt.

"Out of all the people in the world, I had to go and fall in love with the biggest plonker", he complained while tugging Draco up the stairs, in the direction of his room.

Always a willing follower when it came to him, Draco smiled, "You love me", smug beyond belief. His Harry, whom he'd carried a torch for since he was twelve, loved him. As the luckiest wizard in the world, he was allowed to be this pleased with himself.

"Godric help me, but I do", Harry smiled tenderly at him, eyes soft with love, affection and other mushy feelings and crinkling prettily at the corners. The room erupted in giggles, pulling Draco and Harry rather harshly, out of the pink-tinted parallel universe they'd entered.

"Ahh, young love", Molly Weasley cooed, resting a palm upon her heart.

"They're ridiculous", Ron shook his head, just to be contrary but Draco wasn't fooled. He could see the pleased, fond smile on his face.

Sirius chuckled, when he saw them retreating subtly, looking years younger, "And where do you think you two are going?"

Harry smiled sheepishly at his godfather, "To my room?" Lupin shook his head, gesturing with his hand for them to get back down. "Not now you're not, young man. Get back here. We want to get to know Draco as your boyfriend and not the bully" With a huff of disbelieving laughter, Draco descended down the stairs with a pouting Harry in tow, reconciling himself to an evening of being grilled mercilessly.

Having dinner at Grimmauld Place was a surreal experience, a toast was made in Harry's honour, and the entire Weasley entourage was treating Draco like an exotic pet.

They were immune to his sarcasm and sneering barbs now that they'd witnessed him being mindlessly in love with one of their own.

The twins, who he mentally referred to as the devious duo, were especially terrible with their taunting of the new couple.

Draco was used to dinner at the manor being a sombre affair, his father would talk politics at the dinner table and superficial shite, while his mother would nod primly in agreement to his every statement. Their meals would be elaborate and lavish, presented in the most extravagant of ways.

But, those meals could never hold a candle to Molly Weasley's scrumptious roast and shepherd's pie, the love poured in every morsel of it as she forced a second helping onto his plate, with a chiding "You need more meat on your bones, dear." It was the best dinner of his life.

"Say it again", Draco whispered, lips hovering over Harry's, that night after they'd finally been allowed to go to bed.

"Say that you love me, again." Harry's pupils dilated and his lashes fluttered as he whispered "I love you, Draco."

The blood rushed in Draco's ears and he felt lightheaded for the second time, fuck this was insanity. "I love you", Harry confessed again on a trembly breath, without prompting and Draco's lips descended upon his with a growl.

In a mere moment the kiss turned feral as they all but mauled each other's mouths, biting and tugging at lips agressively. With a wanton moan, Harry buried his fingers in his hair before arching his back to seal their chests together.

Draco felt electrified, feverish with desire. He swallowed Harry's delicious little gasps and moans like a man parched to near death.

Draco's cock throbbed almost painfully in his pants, desperate for an out and he couldn't help but grind it into Harry a little, letting him feel what he does to Draco. A raspy groan left his kiss swollen mouth when Harry, responsive as ever, whined beautifully and spread his legs, accomodating Draco between them.

His hands strayed from Draco's hair to paw at his jumper instead, demanding it off. Draco pulled away with a sharp intake of air and bit Harry's plush bottom lip hard enough to sting before sitting up on his haunches with his knees bracketed on either side of Harry's hips. He then tugged his jumper off smoothly and a curtain of blonde hair brushed over his eyes at the movement. A bit annoyed, Draco flicked it back, running a hand through his mussed hair.

He felt the heat of a stare on him and looked down at Harry to find him looking at Draco wide-eyed and flustered, the green in his iris seemed to be almost swallowed by the black.

He allowed Harry to gaze upon his beauty for some more time, enjoying the feeling of those glittering eyes devouring him visually. Draco wasn't vain per se, but he knew he had a very attractive body.

Harry ran a reverent hand down Draco's torso. Suddenly timid, he muttered, "I don't know what to do" Draco caught the hand resting on his sternum and brought it to his lips for a kiss before smiling softly, "Neither do I, let's just do what feels right to us okay, baby?"

He was pleasantly surprised when Harry visibly turned into a puddle of goo at the endearment. His eyes shut close and the deep red flush on his cheeks darkened. "Do you like that? Do you like when I call you baby", Draco husked and Harry nodded with a quiet moan.

Harry raised his arms above his head in a wordless plea for Draco to relieve him of his t-shirt. Draco complied with shaky hands, his breath coming out in harsh pants as sliver by sliver, inches of golden skin was revealed to him.

Throwing his t-shirt in some corner of the room, Draco leaned over him, "You're breathtaking, baby" he captured Harry's lower lip again, sucking it possessively and Harry choked out a groan, struggling to breathe through his intense arousal.

Keeping a firm hold on his jaw with one hand, Draco skimmed the fingers of his other up Harry's waist, drawing teasing lines over his ribs. Harry shuddered in response. "Does that feel good?" He asked. "So good. Please, more" Harry whispered, groaning softly. Draco smirked, trailing his tongue across Harry's sharp jaw, nibbling along the smooth skin. Harry's wish was his command.

Needless to say, neither he nor Harry got much sleep that night. But Draco figured as a healthy teenage boy it should be quite expected of him to choose actual snogging over snogging in his dreams.
_________________________________________________

Christmas at Grimmauld Place was like a fever dream. Draco couldn't recall a moment in his life when he'd felt as much warmth and comfort as he did there. He only wished, his mum could've been a part of that as well but he knew how hard his mother had fought to get the both of them out of Lucius’ clutches and he wasn’t about to trade his mum one prison for another.

The return to Hogwarts was that dream being shattered into a thousand little pieces. Coming back to reality was like someone had snatched away his peace, looked at him with condescension and said, "You don't deserve it anyway."

Right after the Christmas Hols an avalanche of terrible things happened at once. Umbridge was more insufferable than ever and she'd made her own troop of minions from the student body, glorifying them as the Inquisitorial Squad, to be her eyes and ears from within.

Her suspicions of Harry increased every day and so did her torturous treatment of the students who refused to kiss her arse. And to top all that off, apparently his deranged aunt and her fellow Death Eater comrades have escaped prison. Draco sighed in annoyance, vanishing The Daily Prophet from his vicinity. His day was already shaping up to be a bad one, he didn't want to ruin it further by reading that tripe.

"Eat, darling. You look peaky", Pansy muttered, looking glum. "Things happening outside the castle are beyond our control". Draco scoffed, "You say that as if things happening within the castle are anywhere in our control".

Squeezing Pansy's hand, Blaise replied, "Maybe not control them per se, but we sure can influence things." Any response Draco could've given was halted when the Great Hall filled with excited murmurs and giggled.

He didn't have to look up to know that the Golden Trio had just walked in, but he did anyway. "Malfoy", Harry barked, his eyes immediately spotting Draco even in the throng of unruly students settling in to have their breakfast.

Draco frowned, why was he calling him by his last name and in that tone? Harry hadn't called him Malfoy for months now. Even, the Weasel called him Draco. Had he done something to upset Harry? Draco wracked his brain for an answer but couldn't come with any. As far as he was aware they were doing fantastic.

What had suddenly happened to Harry? The whispers in the Great Hall increased in anticipation of what might happen next as the Golden Boy of Gryffindor advanced towards the Slytherin table, wand outstretched.

They were itching to witness a brawl, Draco knew that. After all, it had been way too long since a good ole fashioned exchange of hexes between the rival houses. And a fight between Potter and Malfoy was sure to be most entertaining and enough to sustain their need to gossip for at least a fortnight. Not to forget, in a perverse way it would establish a semblance of normalcy that had long been gone.

Draco would be lying if he said he wasn't a little hurt. If he'd upset Harry, why couldn't he just talk to him? Why humiliate him like this in front of everyone? He cast a sideway glance at The High Table, relieved to see that their professors or the Pink Toad hadn't arrived yet.

Stopping right beside his seat, Harry pointed his wand at him. Draco didn't reach for his, though he could see Pansy's hand covering hers. He didn't close his eyes either, if Harry was going to hex him, he wanted to look into his eyes.

"Orchideous," Harry murmured, a pink light glowed from the tip of his wand as he conjured a bouquet of beautiful red orchids. "Here, for you", he said, suddenly bashful when he realised everyone was gaping at him, Draco included.

Harry's cheeks flushed as red as the bouquet he was offering Draco. Pansy heaved an exasperated sigh and Blaise slapped a palm against his forehead in a manner most unbecoming of the scion of a reputed Pureblood family.

Endearingly shy, Harry leaned up on his tip-toes and pressed a gentle kiss on Draco's cheek after he'd received the flowers. Draco could feel himself flushing a deep, blotchy red. He sure did nothing by halves, his Harry.

And then The Great Hall erupted. Loud proclamations of 'what the fuck's and 'I thought they were sworn enemies' filling the air around them.

But Draco might as well have been deaf. This brilliant fool had just gone and made them public in the most Harry-esque way possible. "You fucking nutter", Draco swore, delighted and ridiculously fond, "I thought you were going to hex me".

"But I already did cast a spell on you", he winked cheekily, "With my love". Draco groaned, flushing a deeper shade of red if it were possible. He loved Harry so much it's difficult to even bare it. "You're embarassing, go away" Draco bit his lip to hold back the smile that was threatening to burst forth.

"Do you like them?" Harry asked, taking Draco's hands in his. "I love them." Draco responded, honestly and leaned down to press a kiss to his forehead. "Now, scram, you romantic tosser. Before Umbitch catches and makes a new law against same-sex couples as well", he commanded but made no move to let go of Harry's hand.

"Let me go, then", Harry laughed and helplessly taken as he was Draco gave in to his urge and beamed so wide, his jaw hurt with the force of his smile. "Thank you, darling." Harry stared at him in quiet surprise, his pretty, pretty, eyes getting glossy with tenderness and it would never cease to amaze Draco how someone like Harry could look so visibly in love with someone like Draco.

Their moment was interrupted when Seamus Finnegan, walked up to them, looking tentative and sheepish, "Harry, I wanted to apologise.” Draco looked at Harry, with his jaw clenched, no longer love-drunk. Draco wouldn't tell Harry what to do or not to accept Finnegan's apology even though he thought Harry deserved better than friends who, after years of sharing the same dorm with him, didn't understand him well enough to know that he would never lie about something as serious as the return of fucking Voldemort. Especially considering that Harry wasn't the type to lie in general.

"Now even me mum says that the Prophet's version of things don't add up" Finnegan smiled foolishly, "So what I am really trying to say is that I believe you". Draco sneered, "Oh sure, and your opinion is so very important in the grand scheme of things, Finnegan. Much thanks".

Harry chuckled, "Thanks for the apology, Seamus. Though, I am not sure I can accept it just yet. Because, if you'd been in my place I would have had enough faith in you to know that you would never lie about the bastard who tried to kill you as a baby and several times since, actually murdered your parents and is actively trying to gain followers and continue the war from where he left off."

Finnegan's face paled, eyes widening and the few people close enough to eavesdrop, gasped frightfully. Even Draco winced. Dismissing him wordlessly without another glance, Harry grinned shyly at Draco, "I'll see you in potions!" With that, he walked over to the two-thirds of the Trio, a bounce in his steps that Draco knew was from the excitement to narrate what just happened to his best friends. Draco, of course, watched his retreating back and when he looked over the Weasel and Granger waved at him in greeting.

Contrary to Draco's earlier prediction, his day wasn't bad in the least. A huge part in that is the fact that, he and Harry had several snogging sessions between classes throughout the day much to the Weasel's disgust.

When classes had concluded for the day, Draco decided to continue Harry's Occlumency lessons. They'd begun practicing during the Christmas Hols and just as Draco had expected, Harry wasn't a natural by any means, but he was not shite at it either. And it no longer hurt for him to have his mind entered when finally being done the right way.

Harry was progressing brilliantly and Draco couldn't be prouder. They'd found a hidden alcove earlier in the day during one of their more enthusiastic snogging sessions and Draco suggested they go back there to work on practicing Occlumency, for the privacy and calm the procedure of the spell required.

Draco sat down on the stone seat at the alcove without preamble, widening his legs for Harry to stand between. "Hullo", he murmured softly, fiddling with Harry's fingers, watching avidly as a small, shy smile spread across Harry's lips. "Hullo", he whispered back, raising a hand to cup Draco's cheek.

"I missed you, today. I do everytime you're not around. Don't go pouting like you did at lunch because you thought I don't miss you as much. I can't risk people seeing how adorable you can actually be", Harry said, lower lip jutting out in the most enticing way, like it always did when he had to force himself to admit something he'd rather have kept for himself.

"Were you thinking about this all day then?", Draco asked, charmed when instead of answering Harry just stroked the apple of his cheek with his thumb. Draco wrapped an arm around Harry's slender waist beneath his robes and tugged him closer to himself, "Sit on my lap", he breathed out the small command in the small space between them and Harry obeyed, sitting sideways a tad awkwardly on one of Draco's outstretched thighs.

"Comfortable?", Draco asked as Harry hooked an arm around his neck, fingers immediately finding the short strands of hair at the nape of his neck and playing with them.

"Very", Harry replied, his smile widening to show those little dimples on his cheeks and Draco honestly just couldn't wait any longer. He palmed Harry's jaw, fitting his thumb into one of the little indents of his dimple and tilted his pretty face forward then finally, 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 pressed his lips against his boyfriend's teasing, cheeky, luscious mouth.

It was torturous, truly, the effect those lips had on Draco. He wanted to see them puffy and bitten red, with Draco's teeth of course. Obvious for anyone who came across Harry that the Chosen One's mouth had just been devoured.

Harry pulled away with a breathless chuckle, "Now let me just get it out there that I will absolutely not oppose being snogged within an inch of my life right now but” he paused smiling at a pouting Draco, “we don't have much time left before we're expected at dinner."

Draco sighed, long-suffering. "Alright, baby, let's get started. Now, I need you to take a deep breath. That's it. Exhale and think happy thoughts, like you're summoning a Patronus, but don't power through it. Let it calm you. You're safe, you're all warm and cozy here on my lap", he whispered, smiling when Harry giggled, "and you're so, so loved. You can let go now, darling. You don't have to be wound so tight. Remember how I told you to make little compartments for these special memories that are calming you down right now?"

Harry nodded in the affirmative to his question. "Yes, now I need you to picture putting a firm lock on these compartments. Your mind is your house of memories and some evil prats are trying to trespass and steal what you hold so close to your heart. Are you going to let them?" Harry shook his head vehemently, a determined glint in his eyes, "I won't, Draco." Draco pressed a kiss to that infamous scar, "That's right, you won't. Now, let's try this okay? This is probably the only time I'll ever say that I want you try your absolute best to not let me in."

After a successful Occlumency session where Harry had managed to keep Draco out for longer than his previous attempts and dinner, the two made their way hand in hand into the Room Of Requirement. The only person other person in the room was Neville, who was standing forlornly in the middle of the room and staring at the pictures and clippings taken out from the Daily Prophet, stuck on one of the various mirrors the room provided.

"Hey, Nev", Harry called and Draco smiled, softly in greeting. "Oh!" Neville startled, and he turned around to greet them back. "You look rather pale, Longbottom. Are you coming down with something?" Draco asked and Neville shook his head in resignation. "You guys must've seen the prophet. Bellatrix Lestrange, the death eater who tortured my parents has been freed."

Draco staggered in place, clutching the edge of the desk nearest to him to keep himself upright. Of course, no matter what he does, now matter how fast he runs, Draco could never leave behind the shadow of his family, the very one that has done inconceivable wrong to not only the love of his life but also his friends. "Longbottom... Neville, I am so sorry", he whispered, brokenly.

"Why are you sorry? It's not your fault, Draco. You're not them". Neville patted his shoulder awkwardly before scurrying off to speak with Luna who had just skipped in.

"He's right. You're not them, Draco" Harry declared vehemently. Draco shook his head, his heart feeling heavy, "I almost was". Harry stretched his arms up to pull him down into a hug, "But you got out. You said you did it because you have faith in me. Guess what? I have faith in you too. You have so much love in you. I feel it everytime you look at me. And no one who has this much love in them could be bad, Draco. I need you to trust me on this". Wrapping his arms tightly around Harry's body, Draco breathed him in, feeling lighter in seconds.

"Okay... Okay, Harry" he acquiesced, clutching Harry to his chest. "Thank you", he bit his lip, embarassed at allowing himself to be emotional in a public setting. "I love you", Harry said instead, with a tender smile. And just like that Draco was rejuvenated.

Everything was alright in his world. He was not one of them. And Harry had faith in him. Harry loved him. He would lay his life down for Harry. That already made him the antithesis of his father, who couldn't even defect from a megalomaniac for his child and wife. He also knew that he could never make a Crucio work. His father had tried hard enough to get him to, but he couldn't because Draco didn't want to.

Harry was right. He was nothing like them. He could never be. He would never allow himself to be.

Soon, people started gathering into the room, shouting greetings and talking amongst themselves about how they'd spent their holidays, and Draco knew it was time for him to walk away from his boyfriend, lest he cause any distractions. "Go play professor, I'll be over there helping Nigel", Draco whispered with a wink and smile.

He could feel Harry's worried gaze burning into his back, and he wanted to turn around and tell him that he was okay. He was perfect because he had Harry. Harry who believed in him and loved him. And that was enough for Draco to keep trying to be better everyday. But that's a conversation to be had later.

"Working hard is important but there's something that matters even more", started Harry while adjusting Parvati's wand arm in the correct position to cast a proper Levicorpus, "Believing in yourself". All eyes were on him, awe-struck and admiring, Draco's being amongst them as well.

This was the Chosen One. Voldemort's doom. The reptile-faced bastard doesn't even know what's going to hit him. "Think of it this way", he made his rounds around the others, making a few adjustments here and some muttered advices there. Cho Chang stared at him longingly as he corrected her stance.

"Every great wizard in history has started out as nothing more than what we are now: Students", completely oblivious and wholeheartedly Draco's, Harry paid her no heed as he paused in the middle of the room, "If they can do it, why not us?"

Draco smiled. "Hear, hear!" The twins crowed, wrapping their arms around Draco and jostling him. "Merlin and Morgana, you brutes, get off" he growled even though he knew it wouldn't work on the devious duo. "That's your boyfriend, dearest snake", Fred or George, stage-whispered.

"Look at him commanding the entire room. Is it true what they say about Slytherins and their kink for power?" Fred or George, on his other side pried.

They were utter nuisances, who were no longer intimidated by him after his wholly embarassing (but absolutely worth it) declaration of love in Grimmauld Place. In fact, knowing these two, they were never intimidated by him in the first place.

Now they just had one up on him and were using it to the most to vex the fuck out of Draco. "Keep wondering", he huffed petulantly.

"Your nasty looks don't fool us anymore, dear snake" Fred or George, grinned patting his shoulder like he was a child in the middle of a temper tantrum.

"Right you are, brother. We're now aware that you're arse over tits for our little Harry and a proper loverboy to boot!" Fred or George, on his other side cheered.

With a mighty roll of his eyes, Draco was just about to shoulder his way out of their hold when they continued, "Anyway, that's not why we're here Malfoy." Fred or George started, "As much as we love talking to you, ray of sunshine that you are", the other pair continued. "We've been thinking..."

"Tell me no more, please. I don't want to end up in Azkaban as your accomplice", Draco pleaded, completely serious. The devious duo chortled merrily, "Oh, he's funny. We were so wrong about him, weren't we Fred?" The twin on his other side, which he now noted was George wiped a tear of mirth from his eye.

"It's nothing bad, Malfoy. At least not for anyone other than Filch, Umbridge and that git Nott", Fred assured.

"I am listening", Draco's going to be interested in anything that has something to do with making that incorrigible woman suffer. "So first, we are going to slip Umbridge some Puking Pastilles into her tea", Fred began.

"Or maybe Fever Fudge, they give you these massive puss filled boils on your face" George offered. Draco hummed in consideration, "The Puking Pastilles, I think. She's already ugly. The Puking Pastilles will make her feel the way we do everytime she's around"

Smirking deviously in agreement the duo nodded. "Don't worry, about that blighter Nott. Blaise, Pansy and I can handle him. Just focus on that toad", Draco suggested and the twins nodded in agreement.
"Speaking of said toad..." they huddled closer to Draco and whispered their plan carefully avoiding any possibile eavesdroppers.

By the time they were done, only years of proper training kept Draco from bouncing in place with excitement. "You two were clearly made for Slytherin", he complimented, trying to sound indifferent but betrayed by the excitement shining clearly in his eyes.

"You guys are doing brilliantly. Now that we've brushed up on all that we learnt before in today's class, we'll move on to something special tomorrow" Harry's voice boomed across the room, effectively catching everyone's attention.

"Oh, oh, are we finally doing Patronuses?" She-Weasley asked excitedly. "Indeed we are, Gin" Harry grinned. "I can't wait!" She all but squealed, her excitement carrying through everyone.

"That's it, for today then guys before we adjourn though I'd suggest you guys read up a bit on Patronuses to get a head start", Harry advised, "Any questions?" Hannah Abbott, a fifth year Hufflepuff, meekly raised her hand.

"Yes, Hannah?" Harry asked politely. "Are you and Malfoy really together?" Draco smirked at the deep flush that instantly coloured Harry's cheeks. "Why yes, we are" he announced at the same time as Harry said, "Well, of course."

Their eyes met across the room and they burst out into helpless laughter. Zacharias Smith scoffed in derision while everyone else wolf-whistled, "I don't see why they're so excited about it. I am around them all the time and their constant snogging is sickening" the Weasel complained to a sympathetic Blaise, who nodded and patted his shoulder in solidarity, "I feel you, mate."

Draco was too busy ogling Harry who was still blushing prettily as people kept congratulating him on their way out. Pansy from somewhere around him muttered, "Just because you two are prudes" and an agreeable Hermione hummed, "Exactly. I quite like their unapologetic display of affection."

Knowing the two women, Draco could've bet anything that they were staring at Blaise and Ron like dirt under their nails. The two unlikely friends laughed raucously as if privy to a particularly raunchy secret. And Draco shuddered with the mere thought of the havoc this dangerous friendship would create. Wanting himself away from this terrifying duo, Draco speed-walked over to his Harry, like he was being tugged by an invisible string, "Hi" he smiled. "Hullo", Harry whispered back with a chuckle.

"There they go again" the Weasel groaned from somewhere behind them. "Ron, my favourite ginger, let us get out of here before the sight of them playing tonsil quidditch is once again thrust upon us", Blaise pleaded.

"Merlin, look at him. And he has the audacity to call me dramatic?" Draco complained to Harry with a pout making him chuckle louder. Their friends left the room in duos, Blaise and the Weasel arm in arm, while Pansy and Granger shot them twin evil smiles and giggled secretively, following behind the guys.

"This setting seems awfully familiar, Malfoy" Harry commented, raising himself on his tip toes to wrap his arms around Draco's neck. "Does it now, Potter? What about it seems familiar?" Draco teased, pulling him closer with a possessive arm wrapped around his neck. "Hmmm for starters the, way we've been ditched by our friends once again because apparently we're too mushy to be around these days"

Draco's brows furrowed at that, "My reputation is in ruins. No one takes me seriously anymore, all thanks to you Potter" Harry grinned at him, sure and confident, "Do you regret it then?"

Leaning down towards that beautiful face smiling up at him, Draco nuzzled their noses together, "I regret many things, baby, but you could never be on that list." Harry sighed in pure contentment, before saying, "Another thing familiar about this situation is that, if memory serves right, this is the part where you usually snog me breathless" Draco laughed, squeezing Harry affectionately and before he could comply to his demand Harry suddenly looked up, "Oh look, mistletoe!"

And indeed, hung above them was a wreath of mistletoe. "Incentive that I didn't really need" Draco remarked, grinning rakishly and captured those smiling lips between his and proceeded to snog the breath right out of him.

___________________________________________________

The next day at breakfast, Hogwarts witnessed an uproar.

Hermione (her ingenuity deserved to have her be addressed by her first name, rather than an indifferent Granger) had managed to blackmail Rita Skeeter into writing a supportive article about Harry's experiences in the graveyard and a detailed narrative about Voldemort's return while on the other hand Luna Lovegood, arranged for the article to be published in her father's tabloid, The Quibbler.

As much as Draco adored Luna and her eccentric personality, he'd never before read, or even heard of The Quibbler. Luna had informed them that The Quibbler, was the Wizarding World's alternative voice, the one that wasn't corrupted or afraid to speak the truth. Hermione, however, had whispered to him that it was a load of tosh that published conspiracy theories and spoke of creatures never sighted before.

But Draco was certain that after getting Harry's story published, The Quibbler would become a household name and he was right. Even after a furious Umbridge had banned the tabloid from school, he could still find several students who had kept hidden copies of the tabloid and read it secretly, anytime they could. The rumour mill was running rampant and those who couldn't read the article were being told about it by their friends.

And in a mere day, Harry had amassed wide spread support. The people who were against Harry just a month ago, who were calling him the boy who lied, were now looking at him in admiration again. Umbridge's shrieking, howling and numerous attempts to continue trying to prove Harry as a liar could do nothing about it.

Over all Draco had a fantastic day which he knew could only get better since that very evening, the much awaited DA session was scheduled.

Surrounded by their peers in the Room of Requirement who all looked up at Harry like he was a teen God (except for Zacharias Smith), in some ways maybe he actually, Harry began, "Now, we won't get much into the theoretical part but what you need to know before conjuring a Patronus is that the spell is powered by a memory".
"Make it a powerful memory. The happiest you can remember. Allow it to fill you up", he added. "Would you give us a demonstration, please Harry?" Luna asked, in a soft, lilting voice.

Harry smiled at her indulgently, "Of course." Taking a deep breath, Harry closed his eyes. When he opened them again, a slow smile spread across his face and his cheeks flushed but his voice was sure and steady as he yelled out, "Expecto Patronum!" And the gorgeous, silvery stag sprang forth from his wand and sprinted across the room. It paused in front of Draco, before fluttering away in the air.

"What memory did you use?", ever so inquisitive, Granger prodded. He met Draco's eye, lashes fluttering as he bit his bottom lip. Oh. "The first time Draco showed me his Patronus" was Harry's instant answer.

"Malfoy learnt how to cast a Patronus before me?" The Weasel complained at the same time as Pansy shrilled, "Draco, you git, you never told us". Blaise smirked, as if he knew something the others didn't "Show us, yours. Come on, mate". Though, Draco didn't know how that could be since he hadn't told Blaise anything about his Patronus either. That was just for him and Harry.

"If you don't mind?" Harry asked, looking nervous for some reason. Did this idiot think Draco would be embarassed about his Patronus being the same as his? "I don't, Potter. Everyone should be allowed the opportunity to gaze upon the magnificence of my Patronus", Draco announced and the Weasel snorted. Casting a bored glance at him, Draco adjusted his robes primly and walked to where Harry stood in the centre of the room.

"Whenever you're ready" Harry whispered, gaze darting around the room anxiously. Annoyed, Draco took his chin in hand and planted a firm kiss on his lips, "Keep those pretty eyes on me" he demanded and Harry melted. "Always", he promised, his voice husky.

Murmurs followed his actions, Zacharias Smith's loud, "What the fuck?" sounding the loudest. But Draco didn't care, he's going to leave the twins to deal with anyone who gave he and Harry shite about their relationship. Truly lovely allies to have in your corner, he thought with a smirk. "Prepare to behold!", he exclaimed.

Memories of Harry flitted across his mind, at the forefront being the most recent one of Harry saying 'I love you' for the first time. He felt breathless and lightheaded again just by the mere thought of it. “I bet it's gonna be a snooty little ferret”, he could hear the Weasel snicker to an amused Pansy. "Expecto Patronum!" Smiling he bellowed, watching in delight as his own stag bounded merrily across the room.

Hermione gasped while the Twins cheered and wolf-whistled and Luna smiled dreamily. The Weasel was gaping and his friends weren't far behind, though they had more decorum than to openly gape, they couldn't hide the absolute astonishment on their faces. "Harry..." Hermione exhaled, her eyes misty.

"I know" He smiled, gazing at Draco with so much love, he could burst with it. "Oh how lovely. The wrackspurts have left. True love repels them, you see" Luna commented blithely. "Salazar fuck me sideways, Draco..." Blaise gaped, gobsmacked, "I honestly thought it'd be a ferret too".

That sufficiently broke the aura of reverence clouding the room as everyone snickered at the memory including Harry. Beyond such childish things, Draco sniffed, haughty and proud as ever "Fuck you all very much". Because in his humble opinion, he reckoned he made quiet a majestic looking ferret and he said as much making the room burst into laughter once again.

"Now, it's your turn guys!" Harry clapped his hands, directing the distracted students attention back to what they were about to learn. "A full bodied Patronus is the most difficult to produce" Harry explained, "but shield forms can also be equally useful against a variety of opponents".

Murmurs of the incantation being uttered sounded across the room as everyone began trying to produce their own magnificent misty beast. Surprisingly, Ginny was the first to succeed and a galloping horse sprung forth from her wand. "Fantastic, Ginny!" Harry cheered with a beaming smile and the rest applauded her immediate mastery of the spell, even before Granger.

"That was really well done", Draco praised begrudgingly. "Just remember, your Patronus can only protect you for as long as you stay focused" Harry added and began making his rounds around the room again. "Think of the happiest thing you can. You're doing really well, Longbottom", Draco's lips curved in what he hoped was an encouraging smile.

"I am trying, Draco", Longbottom nodded. "You can do it. Your happiest memory doesn't have to be something you did years ago when you were barely old enough to walk. It can be the future too. Think of something that you really, really want that'd make you happy. That gives you hope to carry on and look forward to tomorrow" Neville smiled nervously at his explanation, "Do you think that'd work?" Draco shrugged before patting his shoulder, "Won't know till you try".

"This is really advanced stuff, guys. You're doing so well" Harry added. Zacharias Smith scoffed from some corner of the room, "Easy for you to say, you've mastered it". While everyone else (as per the usual) chose to ignore his very existence, one of the twins, Fred or George paused in his efforts to yell, "That's why he's teaching us and not you, you bellend".

Draco chuckled with satisfaction and went back to helping Longbottom. One by one, misty creatures wisped past Draco, the room turning into their playground as some wafted while some bounded in air and played around with their silvery friends, Hermione's otter, Pansy's rattlesnake, Luna's hare, Blaise's owl, the Weasel's Jack Russel Terrier (he was expecting a weasel from the Weasel) and last but not the least Neville Longbottom's lion.

"How fitting", Draco muttered, feeling ridiculously proud, as he watched Luna's hare nuzzle into the wispy lion's mane. Everyone gazed upon Neville's patronus with mixtures of awe and envy and the poor lad blushed to the roots of his hair. Draco thought it criminal how Longbottom underestimated himself but he supposed there's nothing quite as entertaining as the glorious emergence of an underdog.

Suddenly the lights started flickering and the chandelier above rattled ominously. The luminous glow of the Patronuses shimmered and dimmed as everyone lost focus, "What's happening?" Harry whispered, walking closer to Draco.

"I don't know", he responded and wrapped a protective arm around Harry. "Something is happening. I think someone's trying to ambush us. We need to leave" Hermione panicked, "But how..." She questioned in the same breath, more to herself than anyone else. "Not a clue, 'Mione" Ginny who was standing right next to her sighed disparagingly.

"I don't know? Should we just ask the room? It is the Room of Requirement and we urgently require an escape", the Weasel suggested with a casual shrug like he hadn't just come up with the most genius plan. "Where have you been hiding that brain, Weasel?" Draco approved. "Hush, Draco" Harry chided, though he was smiling before he instructed, "Quick, everyone think of an escape route that leads directly to your houses."

__________________________________________________

The Room of Requirement had indeed provided a way for their escape, the glass walls in each corner of the room had vanished to reveal secret pathways. And though they had managed to slip past Umbridge's clutches that day, it wasn't long before Marietta Edgecombe had gone and snitched about the DA.

However, Dumbledore had pulled some dramatic stunt and gotten them out of that situation. But that moment, marked the beginning of a tumultuous period for Harry and Draco.

Though Dumbledore had managed to save them from expulsion, all the members of the DA were given detentions with the Black Quill. Draco's eyes glistened with tears he refused to shed, not because of the indescribable pain of having what he wrote on a parchment be carved on his skin, but rather the thought of the same pain that Harry had experienced a multitude of times over the course of several detentions. To top it all off, Umbridge had become headmistress after Dumbledore disappeared from the face of Hogwarts.

After their detention Draco had immediately caught Harry in a hug, holding him for a long, long time. And Harry, as always, simply knew. Even though Harry wasn't in anyway delicate or fragile, but Draco still wished to protect him at all costs and take care of him. Draco wanted to provide him all the happiness, that was snatched away from him at such a young age, in a golden platter.

"You must've hurt so much, baby. I am so sorry", he whispered brokenly. "Would've hurt worse, if you hadn't caught me that night. I might be their 'saviour' but you're mine", Harry had smiled, clearly oblivious, to the magnitude of the impact his casually spoken statement had had on Draco. Merlin, but Draco loved him. Speechless and unused to it, Draco could do naught but kiss him.

Harry, despite getting better at Occlumency from his lessons with Draco, was still being made to continue his sessions with Snape. It was during one of these torturous sessions where in a fit of anger Harry had retaliated and accidentally found out the reason behind Snape's immense hatred for him. Harry, being the absolute sweetheart he is, had been willing to disregard years of maltreatment after finding out Snape had been bullied by his father.

But Draco had vehemently disagreed. Whatever had happened, was of course, not fair to Snape and Draco sympathised with him. But that still didn't excuse his behaviour, someone as experienced as Snape should be mature enough to realise that Harry was nothing like his father.

In fact, as a victim of bullying Snape was doing himself a great disservice by treating a mere child of eleven years like a criminal. Harry hadn't even known a world with magic existed and Snape had just begun to attack him from his very first day. Nothing could justify this. It was a testament to the purity of Harry's heart, how he couldn't even muster up the anger for his own mistreatment in the light of the awareness that his father had bullied Snape.

Draco had kissed away the tears of a distraught Harry, who no longer knew how to feel about his father, who everyone regarded so highly, anymore, and said, "Darling, don't be so hard on him. He obviously changed, if he hadn't your mother would never have married him. I changed too, didn't I? We all do, with the right motivation and belief. And I am sure he regretted his behaviour more than you'd know because I do. Every waking moment, I regret who I used to be. He's the man who laid down his life for your mother and you."

Harry had felt marginally better after that. James Potter wasn't Lucius Malfoy. He chose his family. He allowed his emotions to make a better man out of him. And Draco wouldn't let Harry stew in guilt that wasn't his or to hate his father for the mistakes he made as a teenager. If Harry could forgive Draco, he could very well forgive his own father. Besides it wasn't like Snape had been a saint.

Once again, Harry had come to him, without prompting, to seek solace and Draco couldn't be prouder of him. He'd rather Harry communicate his hurt and anger, then stew in a fit of teenage angst and rage. He didn't want Harry to stifle his pain like he'd been doing all these years.

It was under Umbridge's tyrannical reign as headmistress that the fifth year's began their career guidance sessions with the heads of their respective Houses. Of course, prior to his defection Draco never had the need to think of a career or to have an occupation.

Technically, he still doesn't have to. After all, his father would never disown him, it was one of the rare few perks of being the only Malfoy heir. The Malfoy family vault has enough galleons that Draco and the next two generations after him could live comfortably without needing to work a day in their lives. But that's not all Draco wants to be. He's more than the Malfoy heir. And he wanted everyone to know that he's more than his family name.

"Galleon for your thoughts?" Harry had asked one evening when he'd come to see Draco in their room in the Room of Requirement and found him thinking deeply about his upcoming career guidance session. And when he'd told Harry his doubts and concerns regarding his career, Harry had only smiled, kissed him and said, "You'd be able to do anything you set your heart on. You're a Slytherin. You're tenacious. Now what you need to ask yourself is that, who is Draco when he's not a Malfoy?"

Enlightened, Draco had taken the entire night to think about this. He was Draco. And Draco was good at a lot of things. He was second to only Hermione in their year, but even she is bitter at not being able to best him at Potions. With his intelligence, skills and love for Potions he could easily be a Potions Master or an Auror. But Draco didn't exactly feel any of these occupations were his calling. He could always try out for profesional Quidditch but he felt that in the long run he wouldn't be quite as satisfied with it because he had enough fame as it is and he wanted to feel fulfilled with whatever he chose to do in life.

He wanted to be challenged, he wanted his intelligence to be valued and his ambition to be admired at what he did, he didn't want to be hindered by his status as a Dark wizard, he wanted to actually work and while Auror life came close to meeting a few of the conditions he'd settled for himself, Draco decided against it because he hated the passive role the Aurors were playing with all that was currently going on. They were no more than animated puppets, blindly following the Ministry or Dumbledore, rather than their own sense of justice.

And Draco Malfoy had fought his very upbringing to not be reduced to a blind follower. And so when he went to meet Snape the next day for his career guidance session, he was confident of his choice to study further to become an Unspeakable.

Things took an unfortunate turn for the worst after the fifth year's O.W.L examinations commenced. Draco, Harry along with their friends had somehow managed to study regardless of being overwrought with stress about matters that should've been dealt with by the adults. He'd never forget Hermione screaming and howling at them to revise properly for as long as he lived.

She was, as the Weasel liked to put it, a nightmare. One that gradually became more frightening the nearer they got to their O.W.Ls. Their first few exams had gone over without much chaos, and Draco allowed that to lull him into a false state of security. However, he should've guessed things wouldn't remain as they were for long.

After the Astronomy exam, the situation, impossibly enough, worsened. The Gryffindors were in dire straits after the gruesome attack on McGonagall, yes, attack, because Draco would never believe that to have been an accident. It was difficult for all of them to focus on their studies after that incident but thankfully they had only one last exam to get through.

Draco had been diligently scribbling answers on his parchment, ignoring Hermione's requests for more parchment paper every few minutes to avoid feeling anxious when he suddenly heard a blood-curling scream. Harry.

His quill broke in his hands and he immediately ran towards Harry, the invigilators tried holding him back but he couldn't see, couldn't even hear, anything beyond Harry's gasps of pain after he fell to the floor, shaking as though he were having a seizure.

Harry was inconsolable after the vision he had amid the History Of Magic exam and combined with all the madness that has been going on prior to this, Draco could understand why Harry was so determined to believe that vision to be the truth. But Draco's instincts didn't agree. He simply wasn't inclined to believe it completely. This seemed too carefully crafted to be anywhere near the truth, the timing of it almost perfectly aligned to effect Harry in the worst fashion.

"Harry. Harry look at me", Draco demanded, his grip a firm weight on Harry's extremely tense shoulders. "We're not going out of Hogwarts. 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 not going anywhere out of Hogwarts. Think for once in your life before jumping into a situation which could- 𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯, which is life threatening for everyone".

Predictably enough, Harry's lips pursed into a thin, stubborn line as he tilted his chin defiantly. If Draco hadn't been half sick with worry, he'd be endeared. "That's not fair! I want to go alone. I haven't-" Harry started to argue only to be interrupted by a furious Hermione, "Don't finish that sentence Harry James Potter. If you think for one second that we'd let you barge into a death trap all alone, then you haven't learnt a thing about us in all these years".

Sufficiently chagrined, Harry immediately quietened at the chastisement. "I- I am sorry, 'Mione. I really am. But we don't have time. They have Sirius. What if- What if he's hurt? God, he must be. I can't lose him. I can't, I can't, I-I can't", Harry's voice broke and his breath came out stuttered.

"I don't know about you, mate but the timing seems really fishy to me", Ron commented, much calmer than the situation entailed and Draco honestly envied him that. Since he was anything but.

It was also another hint to Weasley's intelligence, that Draco had always doubted he possessed in spite of Harry's proclamations that without the Weasel's unparalleled prowess in chess they would never have made it out of Professor McGonagall’s enchanted Chess board in their first year. He thought that the Weasel preferred to keep this intelligence protected under a layer of patented Gryffindor stupidity, after all he did speak out loud what Draco had been thinking all this time.

Draco knew Harry well enough by now to be able to register the signs of him starting to hyperventilate in a mere few seconds and quickly enveloped Harry in his arms. He could feel Harry's heart thudding violently in his chest and for the first time he wasn't comforted by the feeling of his heart beating against his chest. He couldn't help feeling distressed everytime he saw Harry like this.

"Breathe, love", Draco reminded, his arms wrapped protectively around him and Harry trembled in his arms, shaking his head. "I can't, Draco. I can't. They have him. I can't lose him now that I've finally got to meet him after all these years. Please, Draco", Harry sobbed and Draco's heart ached hearing the plea in his voice.

"Harry....", Hermione started, softly. She raised a tentative hand to Harry's shoulder, squeezing it sympathetically. "For what it's worth they won't do anything to Sirius till you show up anyway, mate" The Weasel blurted, this time apparently the dimwit within him had overpowered the intellectual.

"Ronald!" Hermione hissed. Draco had almost forgotten they were even there. "Weasley... surprisingly is quite right, I believe. It's a trap, Harry", Draco said. Harry raised his face from where it was buried in Draco's neck, his green eyes shining with the tears he'd just shed and yet, still so fierce and determined.

Draco smiled a small, fond thing, brushing his fingers against Harry's strong jaw, "We need to find out the truth". Taking a deep breath to ground himself, Harry asks in a voice much calmer than Draco knows he feels, "How do you suppose we do that, then? I tried calling him on the mirror. Several times. He wouldn't- he didn't- he 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 picks up, Draco.”

Draco stroked the inside of Harry's wrist, "Breathe. We haven't tried the floo yet" Draco noted. "There's a floo in the Headmaster's office", Hermione gasped with the realisation. "Yes, Hermione. Which is why we're going to need you and the Weasel and as many people as you can manage really, to keep Umbridge properly distracted. Buy us at least an hour and a half, please", Draco requested and Hermione nodded already pulling a disgruntled Weasley along with her whom Draco could hear murmuring, "Why are you two on first name basis and I am still the Weasel?"

Harry blinked at Draco, noticeably brightened with the faintest glimmer of hope, "You and I are going to get your cloak", Draco said and Harry nodded rapidly, eager to get a move on alreadyy. He impatiently tugged at Draco's hand when he couldn't quite match his footsteps and Draco obligingly quickened his pace. "Draco we're never going to make it if you continue walking at that glacial pace", Harry remarked, amusement clear in his voice despite the worried set of his jaw.

"I am almost running!", Draco protested weakly. "We need to 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 run", Harry replied, tugging at his hand again and pulling him along as he began to jog towards the Gryffindor tower, letting Draco catch on to his stride. And Draco couldn't believe he was actually doing something as uncouth as running in the hallways.

His father would be appalled. He imagined old Lucius' face if he saw him just then and couldn't quite hold back the snort. "What?" Harry asked, turning back to look at him. "Nothing", Draco smiled, squeezing his hand and slowly, Harry smiled back.

Together, they raced towards the Gryffindor tower.

And though everything seemed to be going downhill, Draco couldn't help but feel that they'd be alright. Together, they'd be just fine.

Chapter Text

Grimmauld Place had probably never seen as much liveliness as it did on Harry's 20th birthday.

No, not even on Moony and Padfoot's reception. His Godfathers had gotten married nary a few months after the Battle of Hogwarts. A final 'fuck you' to Voldemort and all that he represented, as the most infamous Blood Traitor of his and his Werewolf boyfriend since forever tied the knot.

Though a joyous occasion it was still a rather sombre affair.

They'd all gotten smashed (even Hermione), cried tears of joy and relief because none of the people in the room that day had thought they'd live long enough to attend another wedding after Bill and Fleur's.

Harry had given an embarrassingly tearful speech as the best man and the only thing keeping his dignity intact was the fact that after he was done there was not one dry eye in the room.

His most favourite part about that day, selfishly enough, was when after the reception Draco had dragged a blindfolded Harry off (could he really be blamed for the directions of his thoughts when his boyfriend deliberately chose to employ such instruments of capture?) and Apparated them to what was now their flat in Islington, not very far from Grimmauld.

Merry conversations, laughter, good-natured banter, off-key singing (Ginny really was making everybody's ears bleed but they were all in such fine spirits that no one's shut her up yet) and a litany of noises filled the air alongside the delicious smell of Molly's infamous roast.

The guests gathered under Walburga’s roof that evening included Half-bloods, Muggleborns, Blood-traitors and her bloody werewolf son-in-law. Harry chuckled at the irony, picturing a caricature of the woman rolling in her grave hysterically, driven positively mad.

"You look like an army man's wife in those sad, romantic movies, who's sitting at the window all maudlin waiting for word of her husband," Hermione commented, taking a seat beside him on the settee and handing him a butterbeer.

Harry snorted, "Close. Though, I am not being maudlin. I simply wish my boyfriend would hurry the fuck up."

Ron, having greeted both Remus and Sirius as well as his brothers, appeared from the other side and claimed the spot beside Harry, resting his feet on Harry's lap, "That is called being maudlin" he nodded sagely at his amused girlfriend.

"Is not!" Harry pouted, internally revelling at the familiarity of the situation. Regardless of time or place, Harry, Ron and Hermione would always keep a certain amount of time reserved for each other.

Instead of continuing their childish argument with a mocking, 'Is too', Ron wondered, "It's strange, is what it is. How are you both still so fucking obsessed with each other?"

Harry ducked his head, shy, "We're not. I just love him."

Hermione cooed strangely at him like he was a tiny crup and then patted his heated cheek patronizingly, "And I love Ron, Harry but you don't see me sitting maudlin when he's a tad late from work, do you?"

Harry rolled his eyes, "I don't see you waiting for him, period. I just worry about him. I don't think it'll ever stop." Knowing a lost argument when she saw one, Hermione sighed and squeezed his knee.

"It's not gonna get easier merely two years in, mate. Give it some time. Draco's gonna be fine, he’s a powerful wizard”, Ron suggested, and then because he was Ronald Weasley talking about Draco Malfoy, he probably couldn't help remarking, “But at least you have legitimate reasons for your obsession, can't say the same for Draco."

And as if summoned by one too many utterances of his name, the Floo burst to life and out came Draco Malfoy, in all his glory. Dressed to the nines in a fine Muggle tux, Draco looked like he'd stepped out of the cover of a magazine or at least after shooting for one, rather than having spent the whole day hunched over a desk at the bloody Department of Mysteries researching Merlin knows what.

It was completely beyond Harry, how Draco could even walk through that place on a regular basis, let alone work there after what happened back in their Fifth year.

They'd found out in time that Bellatrix was using Kreacher to lure Harry into their trap, thanks to Draco pulling the Black family heir card. The contemptuous little elf was chomping on the bit to impress Draco and told him everything they wanted to know.

Harry, of course, had still gone there anyway, even after learning it was a trap. His one act of rebellious rage had almost cost him the lives of the two people he loved the most; Draco and Sirius.

Thankfully, they made it out of there alive but Harry still couldn't stop feeling guilty about it.

Neither of them had ever held him responsible for anything. Draco had even said that he'd have done the same had he been in Harry's place but Harry continued being plagued by how he'd almost lost them.

It was a dangerous word that, almost.

He remembered being unbelievably clingy with Draco after that entire debacle, following him around everywhere, touching him all the time, randomly kissing him, making sure he was always within touching distance. His boyfriend had lapped it all up, of course.

It was sometimes frightening how much he loved Draco.

The war fucked them all up in various ways but as selfish as that might sound, he was glad he had his family with him.

Ron and 'Mione were engaged. Blaise and Pansy were traveling the world together. Ginny and Theodore Nott of all people had recently started seeing each other. Neville and Luna had been going strong since the War. And of course, Harry and Draco were together and happy.

It didn't matter how many nightmares he had, as long as he found himself being comforted in Draco's arms after being awoken, it's all worth it.

As he was wont to, Draco's eyes scanned the expanse of the room once before immediately zeroing in on Harry.

He sauntered powerfully over to them and Harry wondered, not for the first time, how this gorgeous man deigned to ever give him the time of the day.

"There you are", he whispered, smiling before leaning down to press a chaste kiss upon Harry's lips, "Hello, darling. I'm home".

Harry smiled back, cradling his dear face and pulling him down for another small kiss.

Gods, how he adored this man.

"Why does he always say that? He's not at home, is he?" Ron asked.

Hermione huffed, exasperated, "Oh, do shut up Ronald. Just because you don't have a romantic bone in your body..."

Harry chose to ignore the rest of his best friend's scolding tirade against his other best friend, in favour of staring at his beautiful boyfriend and pecking a few more innocent kisses to his smiling lips.

Ron, desperate to change the topic like a drowning man clutching at a straw, said, "We were just talking about your obsession with Harry, Malfoy. I can guess where it began and how the whole rival thing played into it but I can't help but wonder how it kept getting stronger long after you both stopped your rivalry and resorted to romance."

Draco drew away from Harry to fix a blank stare at Ron and drawled, "Were you now? It's going to be extremely difficult for your pea-brain to fathom the actual depths of my obsession with Harry down to their very roots so I'd thank you to not exhaust your few remaining brain cells by trying."

To soothe the sting of his words in classic Draco manner, he dropped a smacking kiss of greeting on Ron's cheek before pressing a much politer one upon Hermione's.

Harry doesn't remember when exactly this became a tradition but everytime Draco kissed Harry in greeting in front of his best friends, he made it a point to kiss them as well.

He particularly enjoyed doing it to Ron, who had turned as red as his hair the first time it happened. He'd then sputtered and shouted indignities at a cackling Draco. What began as a way to take the piss out of Ron had now become ingrained in their regular dynamic.

"Ugh, Malfoy", Ron groaned in pretended disgust but Harry could see him trying to hide a smile.

Draco winked at Harry, “I am going to kiss you some more after I say hello to Molly and offer my services as taste tester, should she need my assistance.”

Hermione giggled, “Is that code for, ‘baby sit tight, I am just gonna go nip some food off the table and snog you in front of your friends’?” Harry burst into surprised laughter and Draco cast an affronted look towards ‘Mione, “You, Miss Granger have been spending too much time with your Weasel here. His absolutely abysmal sense of humour has passed onto you. I suppose if I spoke plebeian I'd have worded it like that.”

Ron snorted at that prim tone and shook his head, “You're just too predictable, mate. Not to mention we've had years to get used to this.”

“Are we talking about Harry and Draco’s unending public displays of affection?” asked Ginny Weasley, smiling slyly as she sat herself down on the armrest beside her brother. “And that's my cue out. Lovely company as always these Gryffindors” Draco muttered before heading towards the kitchen.

“Hey!! Are you actually gonna leave me all alone with these vultures?” Harry called from behind.

“They’re your beloved vultures in the first place. You can handle them, Potter!” Draco yelled from the kitchen entryway and then disappeared from view.

Ron sat up, eager all of a sudden “Do you remember our time in the forest?”

Hermione nodded in excitement and Ginny leaned in closer to hear as well, “Oh wait, let me call over the rest. NEV, LUNA, THEO!!!! BRING YOUR SNAKES TOO WE'RE GOSSIPING!”

Harry dropped his head in his hands and groaned, “Dear God.”

Of course, the Slytherins got there faster than one could cast Accio.

And where there was any possibility of chaos, there went the twins. The Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes had grown into a proper brand after the war. Even during the war, the twins had refused to close the store believing that in such times everybody needed some laughter in their lives.

They'd almost lost Fred but Harry didn't want to go there because then he'd inevitably be thinking about his own death as well.

Both of them had taken to bandaging their right ears after George lost his, so people would still be confused and though most of the time it was pretty obvious who was who everyone still played along.

“Happy birthday to our favourite little brother!” They wished in perfect unison.

Harry beamed and widened his arms to hug them both, “Thank you, guys!”

Fred and George flopped down on the floor along with Neville and Luna. And Fred, in a very solemn tone, said “We've been threatened by your beau to remain on our very best behaviour today”.

Harry looked at them wryly, “Threatened and you?” George grinned, “Well, it was more of a trade.”

By then Draco had come out of the kitchen looking like a pleased kneazle, which meant Molly had allowed him to taste a bit of whatever she’d prepared for Harry's birthday dinner.

Draco chanced one look at them, saw all their friends gathered around Harry and immediately changed directions to go bother Sirius and Remus instead.

Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes at his antics.

“What did he trade?” Neville asked.

“Allowed us full freedom to pull any prank of our heart's desire upon him on his next birthday.” Fred answered.

They gasped dramatically loud at that.

“Love does not get any truer than this, mate” Neville stated, looking at Harry with surprised admiration in his eyes.

“He's just so dreamy.” Ginny whispered, almost swooning as her eyes trailed over to where Draco now stood engaged in a conversation with Padfoot and Moony.

“Isn't he just? Like a fairy-tale prince” Hermione agreed, “Helps that he's easy on the eyes too and rather looks like one” she added as an afterthought.

Harry nodded enthusiastically in assent. Draco absolutely did look like a prince.

Ron jostled Harry playfully, “That'd make you the princess.”

Harry instantly flushed the darkest shade of red because obviously Ron had no way of knowing that's exactly what Draco called him in bed whenever he was being particularly bratty and demanding.

“Merlin, look at him. He's so red! If we didn't know better we'd think you started dating yesterday with the way you're acting like a blushing virgin,” Ginny laughed blissfully unaware of the actual reason behind Harry's embarrassment.

“Pish posh, Granger. I know you're trying to be careful of your Weasley’s feelings but say it like it is. Draco's delicious. Always has been,” Pansy smirked at an amused rather than irked Ron.

“It's always the gay men,” Luna remarked sensibly and the other girls hummed in agreement.

“Right as you all are, can we now please stop objectifying my boyfriend?” Harry complained, pretending to be annoyed though he was anything but.

Draco was, as Pansy put it ‘delicious’, and he'd never bemoan his boyfriend getting the appreciation he deserved.

“I concur, if you ladies are done undressing my old chum with your eyes shall we proceed to what we're here for in the first place? Do tell, Granger,” Blaise demanded, claiming the loveseat before tugging Pansy down on his lap.

“Some of us are positively on the edge of our seats with curiosity about this titillating piece of gossip you claim to have,” Pansy winked, teasing Ginny who was indeed barely even sitting on the armrest.

Her whole body was tilted towards Hermione to hear whatever she had to say. Theo, the quietest in the bunch, smiled shyly, seeming endeared by her.

He was still nervous around them and Harry couldn't begrudge him that. He was just glad that Theo had taken Dumbledore’s offer of getting himself to safety while he had the chance.

Theo was obviously extremely guilty for all he'd done in their sixth year but no one held anything against him because at the end of the day he’d fought for the Light.

Ginny was fiercely protective of him and Draco too, had taken him under his wing like a mother hen. Harry reckoned that part of it was because Draco harboured a sense of guilt for Theo's situation. For some reason, he felt like because he and Narcissa had defected, what was meant to be his destiny had been thrust upon Theo instead.

Luna smiled dreamily, her head resting on Neville's shoulder, “Oh!” She exclaimed all of a sudden, her smile widening.

“What's it, Luna?” Ron asked while making a bit of space for Theo on the settee.

“Harry, your aura is so delightfully pink. It's the sweetest colour I've ever seen! It speaks of the purest feelings of fondness.” She replied and Harry smiled, bemused.

Half the time, he could never really understand what Luna was talking about but in her own way she somehow always made sense.

Like now, he couldn't see anyone's auras or even believed their colour was influenced by one’s emotions with regard to any situation. But ‘purest feelings of fondness’ is what Harry felt every time when he was surrounded by his friends.

The Gryffindors who fought with him because they believed in him, who were willing to risk their whole lives for him since they were eleven. And the Slytherins who went against everything they'd ever been taught and ever since fifth year had been unwaveringly loyal to him.

Even though all of them seemed to have unhealthy amount of obsession with teasing him and Draco, Harry still wouldn't have this chaotic bunch any other way.

“Are you sure you're not a seer Luna?” Harry asked, smiling indulgently.

Luna’s gaze was everywhere and nowhere at once, her dreamy smile still in place as she lilted, “Oh no, I am not a seer Harry. I just allow myself to look beyond the visible.”

Not a believer of something she could neither see nor find in a book, Hermione rolled her eyes, “Right. Anyway so, we were talking about our time in the Forest of Dean.”

She paused for a proper, dramatic effect during which, Draco who was unaware that the conversation had barely even begun but probably assumed it to be over, had finally joined them.

He sat himself down between Harry's legs and Harry was absolutely determined to express his displeasure at being left all alone to deal with their friends teasing by ignoring Draco for a while.

But then Draco turned his head and pressed a cajoling kiss to his knee and Harry was a simple man, he was too in love with this blonde git to ever be able to remain properly upset with him for too long.

Hermione smiled dangerously at Draco before continuing, “And as you're all well aware, we were sent on a very important mission.”

Draco groned, throwing his head back. “What is this? Are you still not done?”

Harry chuckled, threading his fingers through the soft blonde strands, “They kept sidetracked by other topics. You know how it is.”

Hermione didn't bother responding and chose instead to continue about their time in the forest, in a show of see Harry I get sidetracked because I want to, it doesn't happen naturally, “Rather than feeling like we were on a life-threatening journey, half the time we felt as though we were on a romantic camping trip. Of course, Ron and I were the third and fourth wheel. All they'd do is make moon-eyes at each other and kiss.”

Well, Harry couldn't refute that.

Draco always made everything bearable, which is why he wasn't so frightened of going on the Horcrux hunting with Draco beside him.

He had saved Harry countless times and still continued to.

And he'd like to believe that when they weren't making moon-eyes at each other they were valuable assets to the operation.

Draco, never one to let things go, immediately interjected in feigned offense, “Now that's just not true, if I may refresh your memory, you and Weasley were tip-toeing around the edges of a great romance of your own. The sexual tension was so stifling it gave us a headache. Even thinking about it threatens to bring the migraine back.”

Miffed, Ron argued, “And so you decided to retaliate by actually having sex while we were on said life-threatening mission? Silencing and Locking charms, guys, come on. The vivid picture of Draco's pale arse is burnt in my memory and haunts me more than the nightmares starring that bloody red-eyed, snake-faced, noseless bastard!”

Theo’s sudden guffaw silenced them into astonishment until, as if infected, they were all in stitches.

Neville, wiping tears of laughter, said “Can't believe we were ever afraid of him, the only thing even remotely scary about him is his fucking face.”

And that set them off again.

Breathless with laughter, Draco added, “He was like… like Pansy in second year. Kept a diary and was obsessed with a cute boy.”

Ginny cackled, “Can't blame Lord Snake-face for being obsessed with the most popular teenager of his time.”

Curious, Harry wondered, “Do you think he used to write about me in his diary?”

Ron snorted so loudly he was seized by a coughing fit. _____________________________________________

As was typical of any feast prepared by Molly Weasley, dinner that night was a grand affair.

Per tradition, all of Harry's favourite dishes had been made along with having treacle tart as the dessert.

Molly had truly outdone herself.

Conversations had lulled into every day topics. Draco grilled Charlie about the dragons, Bill and Percy discussed Ministry affairs and to everyone's surprise Arthur and Narcissa were talking enthusiastically about rubber ducks of all things.

Harry had never thought he'd make it to twenty but he was grateful everyday that he did. It took him a long time to believe that he was more than a weapon and he honestly couldn't imagine a world where that'd be possible without Draco in his life.

Everyday, Draco made him feel so loved that Harry couldn't help but be scared that this had all been a dream and that he'd never really returned from being dead. 

But he did. He did. And Draco, sweet and loving and his never failed to remind him that if he, by any chance, hadn't returned then he'd try everything to bring him back and if he couldn't then he'd go to Harry.

And Harry hated the sound of that so much that he was forced to cease thinking about the what ifs. 

After dinner, they'd once again occupied the large and spacious living room to have dessert together, this time with Molly in tow.

Harry rather thought they never appreciated Mrs. Weasley enough for all she did.

She knew she didn't have to prepare the birthday meal for every one of her children, year after year but she still insisted.

And since none of them could make her stop, they'd all made it a point to do kitchen rotations in groups to help her out and keep her company. Having had two helpings of dessert, Harry felt close to bursting at the seams.

“Take a walk, mate. You're all swollen… like a bloody balloon” Charlie teased, “Do you need help standing?”

Harry scoffed, “Do shut up” but took his advice anyway.

He walked around the living room for a while and talked a bit with Molly and Narcissa.

He wished Dora and the older Tonks’ could've made it too but she'd recently been injured in an Auror raid and her parents were at Mungo’s looking after her. Draco, Harry and Narcissa had planned to visit her tomorrow as well.

He was then distracted by a conversation about the best potions for hair-care of all things, between Fleur and Sirius, collecting all the prudent information Harry had taken mental notes.

He continued his walk for another minute or so until he found himself at a quiet corner where he couldn't help but stop. The entire living room was within his vicinity from where he stood, lost in his thoughts.

It was too soon to be able to properly say but he worried if he'd always be so melancholic on his birthday.

Being surrounded by all the people he held so dear only made him think of how close he'd come to losing them.

Especially Draco.

This wasn't the first time he'd come to this realisation but Merlin, he really couldn't live without him.

It was as though the two of them were tied by an invisible string which tingled and alerted Draco everytime Harry felt even the slightest bit dejected because in a mere span of few minutes Draco found him.

"So, how'd it go today then?" He asked, breaking Harry out of his reverie and draping a protective arm around his shoulders.

Draco drew him impossibly close and Harry smiled, cheeks pinking at the gesture, "Well, enough I s'pose. They took it far better than I expected. They'll be releasing an official statement about my retirement, soon."

"And how does that make you feel?" Ever so careful of his feelings, Harry could see Draco searching his entire face for signs of a lie, a twitching eye or a clenched jaw, anything to give away any discomfort that Harry may or may not be feeling.

"I feel fine, Draco. Better than! I wanted to play once at the Quidditch World Cup and I did but now I am not feeling up to it anymore and so I quit. That's it. I am not down about it" Harry smoothed his beloved's furrowed brow with a thumb, before adding, "If I were, I'd tell you. You know I would."

Satisfied, Draco grinned at him, looking charmed, “What did you do after your meeting with the Coach?”

Harry hummed, inhaling Draco's scent, “Then I came here. Spent the afternoon with Pads and Moons, we went out for lunch. It was fun. Now that I have time, I reckon I'll be doing more of this.”

Draco kissed his temple affectionately, before asking, "Have you thought about what you want to do next?"

Harry shook his head, "Nah, not at all. I am not inclined to either, if I'm being honest. Maybe I'll just do nothing and be a trophy husband." He chuckled at his own joke, not realizing for the longest time that Draco hadn't responded and was instead gaping at him like he'd been Stupefied.

Understanding dawned on him and he immediately began rambling, "T-That's not... I didn't mean anything by it! Not that I don't want to be your husband. Because I do. But I swear I wasn't implying anything."

Draco still hadn't said anything, instead he continued staring at Harry.

Stunning gunmetal eyes, the shade of the right iris lighter than the left, laser focused on him like he was the only thing Draco could see.

Five years of being the very centre of his once rival's attention and Harry still wasn't used to the effect it had on him.

He was suddenly nervous and felt incredibly bashful, because really what was he even thinking casually bringing marriage up when they'd never discussed it before. Godric but, he didn't even know whether that was something Draco even wanted but he had to go and put his foot in his mouth.

Harry tried once again to say something, anything, that would get them away from this topic, when his lips were caught in a fierce kiss.

It wasn't one of Draco's proprietary, 'Darling, I'm home' kisses or even a 'Look, Potter, this is how you properly catch a snitch without drowning yourself in mud' snogs (Harry quite liked those because that meant Harry had lost whatever bet they'd decided on which ultimately led to a smug Draco utterly ruining Harry's arse).

No, he'd have to make a completely separate category for this.

Draco had Harry gripped tight by his hair, his other hand resting dangerously low on his back as he snogged the daylights out of Harry.

Harry's knees weakened from the sheer force of Draco's passion and he could do nothing but moan softly against his gorgeous boyfriend's mouth.

By the time Draco was done with him Harry was reduced to a pliant, needy mess.

"Alright, then" Draco's voice was husky, lips swollen and red and Harry was only human.With a soft moan, Harry leaned on his tiptoes to press another kiss against that criminal mouth.

"OI HARRY! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING, HIDING AWAY IN THE CORNER AND SNOGGING IN A PARTY MEANT FOR YOU?" Ron yelled, from where he stood playing Exploding Snap with Fred and George in the living room.

It was as if Ron had cast a Sonorous on himself before speaking because now the previously loud room was uncomfortably silent and curious, prying eyes stared pointedly at him and Draco.

"Can't stay away from me for even a second, can you Weasel?" Draco laughed, allowing Harry to bury his embarrassed face in his chest. _____________________________________________

“Dance with me”, Draco whispered later that evening, smiling charmingly at him.

He dragged Harry off, like there was a possibility of him refusing which in Harry's humble opinion made absolutely no sense because Harry would follow him even to hell, to the free bit of area by the fireplace.

Celestina Warbeck played on the Wireless and Molly hummed along with her.

Draco locked his arms around Harry's waist and swayed them gently.

Harry sighed in utter contentment, nuzzling his nose against Draco's chin.

“You charmed the heart right out of me, don't need no broom, I'm flying free” Draco sang along and Harry threw his head back in laughter.

“I think by now it's plain to see, I'm nothing without you” Harry joined in as well. Though, he didn't sound half as good as Draco did but he was so happy it barely even mattered to him that he was practically butchering the already ridiculous song.

Looking as love-sick as Harry felt, Draco twirled him and drew him back into a tight embrace.

Harry locked his arms around his neck and swayed from place to place, staring at that beautiful face as Draco mouthed the words, “Your every wish is my command, my fragile heart is in your hand.”

And Harry just couldn't help drawing him into a kiss.

“You really would make the prettiest trophy husband,” Draco tucked a wayward curl behind his ear and whispered, out of nowhere after Harry had pulled back.

“What?” Harry asked, bewildered.

“I have one last gift for you, today,” Draco admitted and Harry begun shaking his head.

Draco had already given him several gifts this entire week. Flowers everyday, breakfast in bed, a new set of robes, a charmed journal for him to write in, a stupidly expensive diamond bracelet.

“Draco, you've given me multiple gifts, already. I don't need any more” Harry complained, only to be shushed by Draco “I have a feeling you'll want this one.”

He fiddled inside his pocked and drew out a simple black box.

So consumed was he in Draco that Harry hadn't even realised how everyone in the room had been quiet for a long, long time until collective gasps echoed around them.

“Is he doing what I think he's doing, Moons?” He heard Sirius ask and Moony must've mumbled a response but it was too quiet to be heard.

“That’s it we've officially lost our Draco to a lifetime of Gryffindorish romantic displays. There's no coming back from this!” Blaise grouched.

Harry stood stunned in place as Draco flicked the box open.

“I was worried I'd muck it up or never find the right moment to do this but Remus told me when I am there, I'd know and I feel like this, right here, is it.” Draco admitted and Harry exhaled long and deep, he couldn't believe this was happening.

“This is an exact replica of the ring your father proposed to your mother with. Well, except for the emerald”, Draco gestured for Harry to see the ring. It was a plain platinum band, embedded with tiny diamonds and an even tinier emerald, glittering in the middle.

"I had to pay homage to your beautiful eyes somehow, didn't I?" Draco smiled, that endearing, beautiful smile and Harry's heart stuttered.

Harry's vision blurred with the onslaught of tears.

Merlin, is he destined to always be helpless when it comes to this man?

Draco stroked a reverent thumb under his eye, not letting the tear fall, "When I went to ask Sirius for your hand in marriage, he said you'd appreciate the sentimentality of having something of your parents. He generously even offered to let me take your mum's ring, but I wanted something that was just for you but also connected to them."

Harry looked at Sirius, who was grinning at them mischievously but his eyes seemed a tad misty as well.

"You went to ask for my hand?" Harry asked in a soft whisper, audible anyway because of the quietness in the room, now that once again all eyes were focused solely upon them.

Draco gave him that look, the one that said, I love you Harry but you're an idiot of the highest proportions.

"Of course, I did. I talked to both your Godfathers along with Molly and proved my honorable intentions to make an honest man out of you," Draco sent a wink their way.

Remus laughed, "I think we've been witness to your intentions too many times, Draco. Not all of them are entirely honorable, are they?"

Harry blushed scarlet, he did not want to be reminded of all those times his Godfathers had caught him and Draco in fragrante delicto, thank you very much.

"You're one to talk, Moony!!" Harry chided.

Sirius, as if all the times when it was them being caught hadn't been his fault, shrugged and remarked, "You know what they say, Moonshine, point a finger at them, three point back at you."

Remus shared a look of fond exasperation with Harry as everyone around them started snickering at their banter.

Still chuckling, Draco brushed a soft kiss against Harry's hair, before gracefully dropping down on one knee. "Harry James Potter, I genuinely did not plan this, if I had then you bet your pretty arse I'd have the most grandiloquent speech prepared in your honour", he paused when Harry choked out a teary laugh.

"Grandiloquent? What does that even mean?" Harry could hear one of the twins ask only to be hushed and scolded by a raptly watching Hermione.

Clearing his throat, all dramatic and suave, Draco continued, "No matter though, five years with you has taught me how to expertly wing it. I'll just say it, then?"

Ron whooped and cheered, "Hell yeah, mate!"

Rolling his shoulders like he was walking into battle, Draco offered a mock-serious salute to Ron, "Thanks for your vote of confidence, Cap'n Weasley. Right!"

Harry was openly crying now, tears streaming down his face in rivulets but he was also grinning so wide, his jaw ached. He couldn't believe this ridiculous man was entirely his.

Draco Malfoy, who routinely called Harry "gormlessly romantic", was actually proposing on his birthday, surrounded by his friends and extended family.

One does not and can not get more gormlessly romantic than this.

With a heavy exhale, Draco took Harry's hands in his. He was the picture of poise but the tremors in his hands betrayed his nerves and Harry didn't know how that was possible but he fell even deeper in love with him.

"When I first spoke to you, no, not on the train", Draco chuckled at his surprised expression, "At Madam Malkin's. It wasn't because I wanted to be friends with the Chosen One, no. I saw a boy, who looked shy but when he walked in the air around him crackled with energy and I immediately gravitated towards you. Initially, the Slytherin in me convinced me to believe that it was your very obvious power that attracted me to you... It took me a while but I did come to the realisation that you could've been a squib and I'd still feel as pulled towards you as I did that day. There's never been anyone else for me. You're everything, darling."

Harry bit his lip hard but the sob that left his lips was uncontrollable,"You're the sun and I, the earth. I will always orbit around you. Forever isn't enough, but it's a start. So, will you let me do you the honour of further glorifying your existence with my fabulous presence forevermore beside you as your husband?" Draco finally asked.

The people around them burst into raucous laughter at that.

Draco threw Harry a cheeky wink and Harry threw himself in his arms with a "Fuck, yes" so loud, they probably heard him in Hades.

For as long as Harry could remember, he'd never felt at home.

Home was never with the Dursleys.

Hogwarts was familiar but it was also dangerous and the place where he'd come close to death more than once. He'd long stopped associating home with Hogwarts. And after the war he couldn't reconcile which of his positive feelings about the place were genuine and which of them were manipulated.

Sirius, Remus and the Weasleys were his family but neither the Burrow nor Grimmauld felt like home.

Held protectively in Draco's arms, the boy who he was going to marry and soon, Harry smiled having been reminded of the first time Draco hugged him and the first time he actually felt at home.

He has a home now, permanently.