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Chapter Text

~~~

Harry’s half-swollen face hurts, chest heaving from adrenaline and strain.

They’ve been caught.

In the kaleidoscope of events happening way too fast, Harry’s priority is Hermione whose Snatchers took special interest to.

When he agreed for Ron and Hermione to accompany him, Harry knew he was putting his friends in danger, but he would have never expected it would be this kind of danger.

Shouting at the disgusting men to let her go, Ron is struggling in the painful hold like his own life depended on it, and yet it’s not really effective.

‘Come on, come closer, Draco…’ Bellatrix tempts when the blonde appears in the room.

‘Take a good look, we must be certain…’

Harry’s lungs suddenly get empty and his green open eye focuses on the newcomer with fierce determination.

Draco is wearing a fine black suit, like he often did in his sixth year, his frame tall and slender, face even paler and more sullen.

It feels like decades since they last saw each other, and Harry’s heart reacts on instinct, pounding hard as if it tried to escape his chest.

Draco’s expression is in no way relaxed, a deep crease between his eyebrows, gaze tense.

And that’s it… Harry sighs.

The moment their eyes lock, it’s clear he’s been recognized.

‘Well, is that him?’ Lucius Malfoy is impatient to know, taking a few steps closer to them.

Draco’s face is right in front of his now, and Harry innerly tells his stupid heart to stop pounding so fast.

The few seconds with their faces a breath apart isn’t long, but it lasts forever, just like each time when their bodies intertwined.

Harry’s expression is firm as he stares back into Malfoy’s eyes, ready to be exposed.

And that's it... That's the end.

‘I can’t be sure…’ Draco ends up saying, his grey eyes never leaving Harry’s.

‘...What happened to his face?’

The question sounds almost as if he was concerned, but only Harry is close enough to hear that tone.

While Harry is going through a wave of shock, Lucius pulls his son up and holds him tightly by the collar.

‘We have to be absolutely sure!’ he seethes in his son’s ear.

Draco’s eyes are still on Harry’s face, he looks like this was the last place he’d like to be.

‘If we turn them in, we’ll all be well again…’ Lucious tries to convince shakily, looking like there was only a thin strand of his nerves left.

‘The Dark Lord will forgive all our mistakes…’

Draco’s expression gains a disgusted look, but perhaps it’s only Harry who’s able to decipher that.

Hermione’s scream averts everyone’s attention, Ron starts cursing loudly at the snatchers who have started playing with the girl like with food, pushing her from one Death Eater to another.

‘Leave her alone, you bloody freaks!!’ Ron lets out a feral yell, drawing everyone’s attention.

That’s when Bellatrix notices something that one of the Snatchers yields.

‘Where did you get that??’

Wondering how long Hermione’s spell is going to last, Harry turns his bloated face to look up at Draco again.

It’s not an ice cold glare like a moment ago, but a more fervent and pleading one.

To save his best friend, he’s ready for any form of humiliation.

Unexpectedly, the Snatcher gets attacked by Bellatrix, who seizes the sword in her hands and takes down the rest of his companions.

‘Where did you get it from??’ she screams out again.

One of the men swears it was in Hermione’s bag, and Lestrange instantly sets her insane eyes on her.

‘Draco, you take the two away and watch over them while I have a nice girl talk with the lady here.’

Malfoy nearly visibly flinches when he’s called out, and yet he mutedly obeys the order.

Having casted a body binding spell on Ron and Harry, Narcissa approaches her sister as she starts interrogating terrified Hermione.

Standing at the front, Draco keeps glancing back at Harry, looking like he was hesitating on what he should do.

With everyone busy on Hermione, Draco quietly pulls out his dark wand and casts a Finito on Harry, pressing a finger to his lip to tell him to stay quiet.

The moment he can move again, Harry's green eyes go wide open, he stares at Malfoy as if he could read some answers from his stiffly cold face.

Still under Petrificus Totalus, Ron can’t see what’s happening beside him, his eyes frozen on Hermione’s form struggling on the other end of the room.

The snatchers have long fallen or run away and it’s only the seven of them here now, Pettigrew still lurking somewhere on the opposite side of the spacious hall.

As they stay hidden behind a pillar, Harry thinks intensely until he gets reminded of something.

He quickly pulls out the fragment of the mirror and whispers a plea for help.

Nearly right away, Dobby apparates beside him, closing his mouth when Harry presses a finger to his mouth like Draco did to him earlier.

Bellatrix’s loud voice and Hermione’s screams have successfully deafened out the sound of apparition, and so they have a few more seconds to think things through.

Malfoy looks a little freaked out at the sight of his prior House Elf, he glares at Harry with intent.

But Harry doesn’t pay attention to him, his determined eyes are planted on Dobby.

‘Could you teleport us away from here?’

Dobby hopelessly nods his head.

‘Of course, I can. he whispers plainly.

‘I’m a House Elf…’

That’s when the sounds of commotion change slightly, Pettigrew comes in dragging a goblin, bringing him to Bellatrix for an interrogation.

And Of course, Harry thinks, suddenly enlightened, Luna must be there too.

Giving Dobby clear instructions on what to do, Harry comes back to his initial position.

The next moment Dobby disapparates.

Draco has walked away from them now, and Harry can’t blame him – whatever they do will be his responsibility for not watching over them properly.

As the goblin is being interrogated, Hermione has for once stopped crying and yet they still ring in Harry’s ears, leaving him nauseous.

There’s nothing worse than this feeling of hopelessness, being unable to help his close ones.

Soon enough, a short scream can be heard from the other end of the room and the next moment Dobby appears beside Harry, handing him Peter Pettigrew’s wand.

Harry instantly grabs it, frees Ron from the petrificus curse and without a second thought disarms Bellatrix.

The Malfoys’ heads whip back towards them in shock, but before any of them can act, Harry casts a spell on Lucius, while Ron uses Bellatrix’s wand to spar with Narcissa.

Pretending to be equally surprised at Potter’s stunt, Draco joins by his mother’s side and crosses wands with Harry.

A worse imitation of a fight couldn’t exist, Harry thinks, and yet he pretends to cast several “vicious” basic spells at Malfoy, helping Ron from time to time to ward off Narcissa’s attacks.

The duel ends when Bellatrix pulls a crying Hermione up and presses a knife to her throat.

Harry and Ron have no choice but to drop their wands, and Draco stiffly listens to the order to pick them up.

‘Look who we have here.’ Bellatrix smirks, her lips stretching into a disgusting smile.

‘Isn’t your face pretty again, Potter?’

Harry can still feel a part of his cheek being swollen, but his right eye can at least open now.

His expression is ice cold when he notices Hermione’s worn-out countenance, covered in sweat and blood.

‘C’mon, call him…!' Bellatrix orders, and everybody looks at one blonde young man.

Pretending he doesn’t know what it is about, Draco looks away, and eventually it’s Lucius who exposes his tattoo and lifts his hand to summon Voldemort.

He doesn’t manage to begin when the squeaky sounds coming from the Chandelier distracts everyone gathered.

They look up just in time to jump away.

With the noise of the glass scattered all over the place, Harry leaps to Draco to take away his wands, giving his all as the taller surprisingly puts up a real fight.

In the fervency of it all, they end up straddling each other.

‘This one is mine!’ Draco grits out through his teeth, but Harry doesn’t care, a steel grip on them all.

Ron has managed to catch Hermione and there’s no time to waste, so Harry regards all decency and puts a hand on the place on Malfoy’s body that he knows is especially sensitive.

Taken aback, Draco releases the grip on the wands, and Harry’s hand leaves his nape as he scrambles up to his legs.

Before anyone can say a single word, Ron, Hermione, Griphook and Harry reach out to Dobby and disappear from sight.

Having thrown a knife at them, Bellatrix lets out a long wicked scream as it hits the wall, for the next few minutes she wreaks havoc all over the room.

Head bent down, Draco stands to the side in the midst of broken glass, glancing at his parents to make sure he hasn’t been seen through.

But Lucius is too engrossed in kicking Pettigrew and Bellatrix isn’t done venting her anger yet.

Only Narcissa takes a moment to look at her son, and Draco holds her gaze, his expression blank and worn out.

It’s been long since he stopped feeling any pride from belonging to the Death Eaters. 

Witnessing pointless deaths of innocent people, both wizards and muggles, made him realize that there was no future on Voldemort’s side, for anyone.

Watching his harmless Muggle Studies teacher getting tortured only solidified him in his resolution.

Besides being frightened for life, Draco has been angry at his parents, especially at his father.

Watching Lucius getting punished and constantly humiliated before other Death Eaters makes him feel nauseous, and he finds himself unable to look into his father’s eyes.

As if knowing it all, Narcissa’s gaze isn’t judgmental in any way. Though sad, it’s fond and loving, as if she could see his heart right through.

Draco gulps loudly, and quickly turns away.

He walks through the broken shards until he reaches the corridor, the bodies of dead snatchers littered all over the hall.

His home has long been ruined, and it's doubtful it will ever feel like this to him again.

Going past one of the bodies, an unexpected shine catches his attention.

Soon enough a golden snitch flies out the pocket of one of the snatchers, hesitantly flying in his direction.

Intrigued, Draco Malfoy peeks behind to make sure he’s not being followed before he easily catches it in his pale hand.

It is no doubt Potter’s possession.

With the golden snitch in his pocket, Draco goes outside, a gust of fresh air clearing his head.

It’s not long before Narcissa’s soft steps can be heard in the grass, Draco can decipher the sound of his mother’s elegant walk even with eyes closed.

Without averting his gaze from the picturesque view, Draco keeps his hands in the pockets of his fancy slacks, playing with the golden snitch in one of them.

Once close enough, Narcissa whispers a quick spell around them and Draco finally glances at her.

These days, his bloodshot eyes are constantly empty, the sight would stir any mother’s heart.

‘Is aunt Bellatrix still mad?’ Draco rasps before clearing his deep voice.

‘As always.’ Narcissa smiles, her hands landing on Draco’s stiff shoulders only to massage his neck fondly.

‘We almost got him so it’s only reasonable she’s going livid…’

Draco doesn’t say anything to that, and they stay in a comfortable silence for a while, his mother’s hands still massaging his stiff muscles.

‘You recognized him, Draco..., didn’t you?’ Narcissa whispers eventually, and the reason why she’s casted the muffling charm around them is clear now.

Going tense all over, Draco freezes where he’s sitting.

Narcissa rounds the stone bench and sits beside him, taking her son’s cold bony hands in her own.

Draco’s eyes are glassy now, he can’t hold her gaze.

‘It’s alright, sweetheart, you can tell me...’ Narcissa smiles, her own eyes getting teary too.

They both feel the weight of this conversation.

Draco’s chest is tight and painful, he doesn’t utter a single word.

‘It was a mistake, mother.’ he eventually whispers instead.

‘I believe you know it.’

It’s Narcissa’s turn to grow tense. Reading the double meaning of his words, she looks back round-eyed, making sure no-one is spying on them.

Squeezing her son’s hand, Narcissa smiles, one that has Draco certain she’s nervous.

‘We don’t choose who we fancy, Draco.’ she says in a comforting voice, acting as if the other subject didn't exist.

‘And no matter who it is – your happiness is the most important.’

Draco Malfoy is so tense he’s unable to sit still, his icy eyes finally rest on his dear mother.

‘Worry not, mother.’ he says quietly, feeling strange talking about Potter with his mum.

‘There’s certainly no mention of “fency” when it comes to him.’

Narcissa only smiles fondly, giving his hand a soft pat.

‘Whatever it is, you must keep it a secret.' she whispers sternly.

'Guard your thoughts at all times — even from your father. Understood?’

Reciprocating her gaze, Draco stiffly nods.

The wind is chilly but there’s a wave of burning warmth spreading all over his chest.

His parents' acceptence has never been something he’s imagined or expected, but it feels groundbreaking.

Could it be that if Potter won the war, there would be a chance for them to …?

The tempting thought doesn’t last long, remembering all the times they’ve hexed each other is like a cement to all hopes.

They're enemies in each meaning of the word, they've offended each other and each other's families in all possible ways, they're from feuding Houses, they're on the opposite sides od the war...

Not only does it sound ridiculous — there's literally no possibility for him and Potter to end up together.

~~~

Chapter Text

~~~

It takes days for Hermione to recover.

Even if the physical wounds heal, her trauma still lingers.

Harry leaves the job of comforting his friend to Ron, who seems to be just enough for Hermione’s recuperation.

Planning the next step in searching for the horcruxes, Harry himself spends time talking to Griphook and Mr Ollivander.

Handing the wands to Mr Garrick, Harry is at the verge of the seat, wondering what he’ll hear about Malfoy’s wand.

He wasn't really thinking when he pulled the wands from Draco’s grasp.

Or maybe he was, innerly hoping that if Malfoy is unarmed, he won’t be used like a tool for Voldemort’s ploys?

‘I sense that its alliance has changed…’ Mr Ollivander decides, handing Harry the item back.

The words are weighty, and yet not that surprising any longer.

Draco literally risked his life to free him, and it looks like he’s no longer on the dark side.

How longer will they have to act like enemies then? Harry ponders as he examines the elegantly polished piece of dark wood in his hands.

~~~

The breaking point turns out to be during the Battle of Hogwarts.

Amidst searching for and destroying the horcruxes, Harry shouldn’t have time to think of his situationship with Malfoy and yet he does, Voldemort going to the back of his mind at the mere glimpse of those blonde hair and pale complexion.

Pointing his mother’s wand at him, Draco looks somewhat unconvinced in what he’s doing, Crabb and Goyle have more malice in their eyes than their leader.

When Harry asks the question, he already knows the answer.

He says it aloud only to have Malfoy finally wake up and realize — to make him understand that he’s no longer on the wrong side of the war.

In the end, Harry ends up saving that fool from fiendfyre, and with the tight grip of those cold bony hands around his waist, he can feel that it’s not only fear that has Malfoy holding him this tight.

It’s only later when he realises what happened at that time.

Because the golden snitch, the one Harry lost to snatchers, can’t have magically appeared in his pocket.

Holding it now, ready for his own death, his heart is painfully warm.

It’s so difficult to go willingly when there’s a person his heart aches to…

Pressing his cold lips to the golden snitch, Harry imagines it’s him, the last kiss they’ll never be able to share.

The Resurrection Stone is pathetically tiny, but the moment it touches his palm, it lives up to its name.

Holding his breath, Harry suddenly finds himself surrounded by his family, his deceased parents standing at the front, Sirius right next to them.

Harry’s breathing is ragged when he sees Cedric’s tall frame, the boy is smiling at him sadly from the side.

There’s not much time to talk to them all, and yet Harry can’t miss the chance. There are so many things he wants to know before leaving this world.

He starts addressing his father, an uncomfortable gulp growing in his throat.

‘In Professor Snape’s memories, I saw you and your friends constantly humiliating him.’ Harry begins with a difficulty.

‘Care to explain how it was? Bullying the weak, I mean.’

James’ ghost seems ashamed at the question, the usual fond look dimming slightly, making way to crushing regret and sadness.

‘I’ve always regretted my past, Harry.’ James reveals, looking him right in the eyes.

‘Severus wasn't a saint, but that didn’t give me an excuse to torment him. I’m aware that apologizing won’t mend things, but if I could live my life once again, I would do anything to fix this.’

Harry’s fists tighten painfully, his glare turns from James to Lily.

‘He shielded not only mum, but you and me too. He begged Dumbledore to hide us from Voldemort.’ Harry’s face is covered in tears now. He doesn’t cry often, but tonight he has every right.

‘All this time… he’s been protecting me.’

Harry’s mother is looking at him fondly, her eyes moved and glazed over. It doesn’t look like she can see James or hear their conversation.

Having witnessed Snape’s childhood memories, Harry doesn’t even know what he wants to tell his mother. He doesn’t know the entire story, he only knows that Snape was to blame too.

But something still doesn’t feel right.

How come she abandoned her friend like that? She had to know that James was Snape’s number one bully.

Could love really make her so blinded…?

Stiff all over, Harry suddenly realizes something. Round green eyes darting up from behind his glasses, he stares at James with mouth agape.

‘Did you use amortentia on her??’

James lifts his head slightly, looking at him with evident guilt written all over his face.

They really do look alike.

The silence speaks more than words, and Harry feels nauseous. He doesn’t want to look at James any longer.

‘I’ve always loved Lily,’ James says quickly, as if sensing he’s about to be sent away.

‘It was only at the beginning, I promise. Only one drop…’

Harry finds himself trembling all over, his eyes travelling back to his oblivious mother.

‘You disgust me.’ Harry spits out, and the next moment James’ spirit vanishes into thin air.

It takes a long time for Harry to calm down, his hands trembling, tears flowing ceaselessly.

It takes a long time before he’s ready to look at his mum.

Unsure whether the ghosts will carry the burden of this conversation to wherever they go, Harry chooses not to tell her anything.

All he asks is if it will hurt — to die.

Sirius gives him a lot of comfort, Cedric guarantees that dying from Avada Kedavra is more part shock than actual pain.

Harry has calmed down now and by the time he gets to that conversation, he looks up at Cedric, hesitant of what to say.

‘I’m sorry…’ is all Harry ends up saying, but the handsome young man only smiles at him.

‘There’s nothing to apologize for, Harry. Thank you for not rejecting me, although you clearly didn’t feel the same way. I’m sorry if I ever made you uncomfortable.’

Harry’s eyes are stinging with new tears, but he ends up reciprocating the smile.

‘Can I… ask you something?’ Cedric asks, and Harry has a strange feeling when the boy’s spirit initiates the conversation.

It must be that there’s something in this world that still bugs Cedric in the afterlife.

‘Yes, what is it?’ Harry asks, somehow nervous but eager to help.

‘The boy you disappeared with during the Yule Ball — who was it…?’ Cedric asks carefully, looking at him from under his long lashes.

Harry’s lips pop open in slight surprise – he expected anything but that.

‘Um… well…’ Harry hesitates, and glancing at his mother, he feels a crushing shame overwhelm him.

But Lily seems not to hear him when he’s talking to others, and he wants Cedric to have a peaceful afterlife.

Clearing his throat one final time, Harry finally whispers,

‘It was Malfoy.’

Diggory looks at him as if he was being made for a fool, but the longer they look at each other, the more he’s certain Harry isn’t lying.

Finally accepting this eerie truth, there’s a smile playing on the corners of Cedric’s lips.

‘Well, that’s certainly not the answer I expected.’

Truly, Harry doesn’t want to know who the boy had expected, and so he doesn’t ask.

Since he’s going to die, Harry doesn’t feel the need to say any kind of farewell.

He walks closer to his mother instead, wishing he could hold her hand while facing Voldemort. 

Feeling like he’s failed her, Harry smiles sadly, reaching out only for his hand to go through hers like through air.

‘I feel like I have failed you…’ Harry says quietly, and Lily’s face instantly softens in concern.

‘Why do you think so, sweetheart?? No matter what you do, you’ll never fail me.’

Harry frowns, recalling his countless entanglements with Malfoy has him unable to look into his mother's eyes.

After a moment of silence, Harry sighs shakily, those green eyes looking at a pair of exactly the same ones.

‘I fell in love with the wrong person, mum...’

Lily only smiles fondly, reaching out to hold his hand even though it's physically impossible.

‘I thought I did, too.’ she whispers, looking like she tried not to cry.

‘But it’s not something you can control or blame yourself for, my child.’

Taking a deep intake of air, Harry feels like arguing with that, but he doesn’t want to oppose his beloved mother.

‘He’s done truly horrible things,' Harry reasons fervently instead, as if he was trying to convince himself the most.

'... he offended me and my friends, he even used to follow Voldemort …’

But Lily quickly interrupts him,

‘None of those things matter when your wellbeing is in the picture.

I can consider myself lucky since your father eventually found the right way and was the most amazing person in the world.

If that boy of yours follows the same path, you can’t let the past deprive you of your happiness.'

Harry’s eyes are getting teary again. He doesn’t tell Lily that he’s never going to live till that moment.

What he also wishes to ask is if she knew about amortentia, but he decides not to.

Soon enough, he’s going to join his mum, Sirius and Cedric on the other side anyway, and maybe he’ll be able to learn the truth then.

The thought of reuniting with his family is incredibly comforting, and when Harry drops the Resurrection Stone, he’s no longer afraid of death.

~~~

Finding Voldemort is incredibly easy.

Harry stands before the man unarmed, waiting for his end like a pig for slaughter.

Before the fatal blow reaches him, there’s only one regret in his mind,

and his name is Draco Malfoy.

The next moment there’s a short moment of pain, everything gets bathed in a blinding light and suddenly Harry finds himself in a place that somehow resembles King's Cross train station.

An afterlife version of the place is way too clean and neat though, and Harry needs a good moment to recognize it.

His conversation with Dumbledore feels surreal, and although it feels like hours in his head, Harry opens his eyes to the real world just a few seconds later.

He can sense someone right behind him, leaning in to check on his state, and Harry doesn’t budge, holding his breath for as long as he can.

He doesn’t need to do that for long though, a haste whisper has his eyes momentarily open.

‘Draco… Is he alive??’

Recognizing Narcissa’s voice, Harry hesitates for a moment before he gives a small nod.

It seems to be all the woman needed to know. She stands up with grace typical of her and turns to Voldemort, lying to him with a straight face.

‘Dead.’

~~~

As his body is being carried back to Hogwarts, Harry finds that playing dead is harder than he had expected.

Hagrid’s continuous sobbing allows Harry to breathe comfortably though, and so he does his part as well as possible.

When his defeat is proudly announced to the entire student body, a veil of silent mourning descends upon the ruined courtyard.

Harry is listening to Voldemort’s lackeys laughing as they celebrate his passing, to Malfoy’s silence when he’s being called by his parents.

The moment Narcissa speaks up, Harry already knows that Draco will listen, and he’s not wrong.

Nobody, not even one person tries to stop him.

If Harry wasn’t in this position, he would keep Malfoy in place, not even give him a chance to cross that line again.

Neville comes forward next, and after being publicly ridiculed by Voldemort, he gives one of the most moving speeches Harry has heard in his life.

The moment the Gryffindor’s sword is drawn from the hat, Harry stops feigning death and leaps off Hagrid’s arms.

He can’t let Neville die from Voldemort’s hands.

He’s planning to use Draco’s wand, but the next second something unexpected happens.

‘Potter!!’

Harry would recognize the call even in his grave, and before he knows it, he already catches what Malfoy has thrown at him.

Everything happens so fast, and Harry has no time to explain the complexity of using the Elder Wand to Draco, who’s now openly its rightful owner.

Before Voldemort’s bare hand can exert justice on young Malfoy, the Elder Wand already fires at Nagini, the spell bouncing off some protective charm around the snake, successfully averting the Dark Lord’s attention.

Seeing that Draco has already disapparated from sight, Harry legs it, running away so as to have a moment to think the next step through.

Everything is so chaotic, everyone starts running in all directions, fighting the Death Eaters, dying from their hands…

Nothing goes according to any plan, and it seems like the fight is never going to end.

Rushing through the ruined corridors, Harry hopes to find Malfoy, and unexpectedly, he’s pulled into a familiar set of arms.

In a rush, Harry looks back to make sure the commotion is enough of a distraction for Voldemort, and that Draco isn’t in danger.

‘Take it, quickly!’ Harry whisper-shouts, placing the Elder Wand in Malfoy’s hand.

Before Draco can open his mouth, Harry’s Expelliarmus already disarms him, and the Elder Wand lands back in his hand.

‘Now leave, don’t let him find you.’ Harry orders before Draco can even open his mouth.

Instead of replying, Malfoy presses his lips right against Harry’s, and while their mouths share a needy passionate kiss, a familiar wand is placed in Draco’s hands.

‘I’m sorry for borrowing it without permission.’ Harry whispers urgently as he catches a breath, glancing back to see Voldemort heading towards the stairs.

‘You mean ‘stealing’,’ Draco mutters, pressing one more kiss to the other boy’s parched lips. Who knows if it won't be their last.

‘Did you see my parents?’

Hearing the screams coming from the corridor, Harry has no more time to talk, and so he only whispers ‘the bridge’.

The next moment Draco disapparates again and Harry leaves his hideout to fire a powerful spell at Voldemort. 

Tom Riddle is now using one of his lackeys’ wands but it’s way too feeble to stand the Elder Wand’s power in its rightful owner's hands.

Voldemort lets out an angered scream when his own weapon bursts into pieces.

Nagini is nowhere to be seen, and Harry stalls for time. He can’t exactly kill Voldemort before all horcruxes are destroyed.

It’s Neville who comes to rescue.

Although he didn’t manage to successfully use the sword against Voldemort back in the courtyard, it’s his moment now, as he unexpectedly cuts off the snake’s large head.

Harry’s green eyes open wide, and

before Voldemort can react, Potter already points the Elder Wand at him.

It doesn’t take long for the nightmare of his life to vanish into thin air, he watches it all until not even a speck of dust remains.

Everyone has fled by now, the corridor is completely empty, a gust of wind blowing through the damaged walls.

And just like that, the evil, everlasting presence in his life is all gone…

Harry falls to his knees, finally able to catch a proper breath.

He’s finally avenged his parents, Professor Dumbledore, Sirius, Neville’s parents, all the people who suffered because of that devil’s doing.

After years of terror, it’s quite surreal to finally find yourself in a Voldemort-less world, and Harry wonders when this truth will really sink in.

~~~

Chapter Text

~~~

The Battle of Hogwarts follows an unspeakable commotion.

It takes literal ages before Harry manages to flee the barrage of questions, Hermione and Ron have long disappeared somewhere and he must depend fully on himself.

Sneaking out into one of the less ruined corridors, Harry avoids the passerbies, hiding whenever he hears any voices.

His legs soon lead him to the Hospital Wing, a pair of aurors keeping guard over the imprisoned Death Eater.

The man is lying unconscious, countless bite marks have already been healed by Mrs Pomfrey, but the fatal one on his neck still seems to be tended to.

Black hair a mess, clothes unkempt, Harry comes over on his stiff legs, watching the man’s deathly pale face in silence.

Emotions and the adrenaline finally dim down, and Harry feels a wave of crushing exhaustion overwhelm him whole.

He grabs a chair and heavily rests by the patient’s bed, wordlessly waiting for his tormentor and saviour to wake up.

Madame Pomfrey rushes into the Hospital Wing a while later, ever so busy with all the injured in the Great Hall.

Noticing Potter who everyone has been searching for, she immediately totters over clicking her heels, asking him if he needs any medical help.

‘Will he get well?’ Harry rasps instead, quickly adding a,

‘...Professor Snape?’

Mrs Pomfrey shuts her small lips in a thin line, glancing at the unconscious man with quiet disdain.

‘If Mr Potter hadn’t insisted… I would have refused to even lift a finger to…’

‘Will he be alright, Madam Pomfrey?’ Harry asks again, cutting her off.

Sparing him further opinions on the notorious Headmaster, Madame Pomfrey explains that it will take some time, but Severus Snape should eventually recover.

Harry only nods to that, remaining in his chair beside the bed until the man regains consciousness.

It takes the entire night before Snape awakes.

Pale face ashen with sweat, he looks in pain when his black eyes squint open to the dim light of the candles.

Expression sour, he’s clearly taken aback to see Potter there.

Harry is barely connecting now, a crushing wave of exhaustion overwhelming him, but seeing the man opening his eyes, he straightens up in his chair.

Snape doesn’t say anything, but it’s rather clear he never took surviving as an option.

Adjusting slightly, a hiss of pain escapes his lips, and Harry automatically moves to help him.

Glaring at the boy as if he’s grown a second head, Snape moves away with a scowl.

‘No matter what you saw, don’t you dare think you can get familiar with me, Potter.’

The line sounds exactly like something Malfoy would say, and Harry instinctively smiles, the corner of his bruised lip lifting slightly.

‘I’m not going to, Professor. I just wanted to ask you something.’

Snape looks at him with that face full of suspicion, and with no reply from the injured man,

Harry gulps dryly, asking,

‘Were you ever aware that my mother was poisoned with Amortentia?’ 

The information is so unexpected that Snape’s eyes open wide, and the next second a fit of uncontrolled cough takes over him.

It has the wound on his neck reopen, and Harry’s heart stills in sudden fear.

He instantly calls out for Dobby, and soon enough, the House Elf reapparates with Mrs Pomfrey by his side.

The woman immediately has her hands busy with work, and as Harry steps back from the bed, those deep-black eyes are following him, desperate to know more.

‘We’ll talk about it when you get better.’ Harry says, manipulating the professor to hang onto life if he wants to learn the truth.

Harry leaves the Hospital Wing with stiff steps, muttering a quiet good morning to the aurors on both sides of the entrance.

His eyelids are so heavy now he’s seriously considering sliding against the wall somewhere for a good nap, but it doesn’t take long before a panicked Hermione bumps right into him.

‘Harry! We’ve been looking for you everywhere! Dobby told us you have summoned him here, and…’

Noticing in what state Harry is, Hermione goes silent and only rubs his arm in comfort.

The entire school seems to have been awake through the night to take care of the aftermath, and many people stop to talk to the Chosen One as they head to the dorms.

But Harry can only frown a tired smile at them, having no energy to reply.

It’s no different in the Gryffindor common room, and finally Ron and Hermione must yell at others to leave their friend alone.

Only then does Harry get some peace and quiet.

Despite being so exhausted, Harry finds himself unable to fall asleep.

He’s in the room all alone, and Hermione has even casted some silencing charms, but the silence doesn’t help, he moves around, unsettled.

Finally, Harry sits up, his black hair a total mess.

After a lingering moment of daze, he slurs out Dobby’s name.

The House Elf pops up shortly, surprised to have Mr Potter call his humble self again.

‘I’m sorry, Dobby.’ Harry says first.

‘I don’t want to bother you, but I’d really appreciate your help.’

The elf instantly opposes.

‘But Dobby is honoured to help Mr Potter! Mr Potter not only freed Dobby, but also defeated the Dark Lord himself! Dobby will always help Mr Potter!’

Harry’s half-lidded eyes are bloodshot when he silently looks at him.

‘Can you take me to Malfoy residence please?’

The House Elf looks quite baffled at the request. Holding his small hands together, he hesitantly asks,

‘Is Mr Potter sure he wants to travel in this state..? Mr Potter looks terribly tired …’

Harry’s face is numb from exhaustion but he frowns a smile.

‘That’s exactly why I need to find Malfoy. I think he has a way for me to fall asleep easily.’

Dobby’s eyebrows furrow slightly but he doesn’t argue any longer.

‘If Mr Potter wants to get to Malfoy mansion, Dobby will get him there!’

With those words, Dobby approaches the bed, and grips Harry’s outstretched hand.

The next second, they already stand before a large splendid house.

It’s early morning by now, the long sleepless night has finally passed.

Letting go of Dobby's hand, Harry blinks as he tells the elf he can leave.

‘If Mr Potter wishes to go back, he can feel free to call for Dobby!’ the House Elf exclaims proudly before he disappears with a loud pop.

Going through the straight path leading to the mansion, Harry looks around, admiring the picturesque sight. 

Last time he was here, he didn’t have much time to take a proper look, and in hindsight, it doesn’t seem to be the place he was brought to during the Yule ball.

Could it be that Draco isn’t even here?

Alerted by a protective charm, an unfamiliar House Elf oppens the front door just before Harry steps on the stairs.

‘Welcome, Mr Potter. My mistress is already waiting for the honorable guest.’

Gulping loudly, Harry freezes in place.

In his half-dead state, he didn’t consider that Malfoy’s parents could be here.

Before he can change his mind and flee, Narcissa is already heading in his direction, the elegant woman walking with a proud measured step.

‘Come on in, Mr Potter, come in.’ she encourages, suspiciously amiable.

Trying to swallow the uncomfortable gulp in his throat, Harry braces himself for yet another unpleasant meeting with Lucius.

Reluctant, he stiffly walks in.

‘I’m sorry for the bother, but I really need to speak to your son.’ Harry says stiffly, his bright green eyes look much more awake due to a sudden adrenaline rush.

‘Does he happen to be here?’

Narcissa only smiles at him with red lips pressed together, flicking her fingers to summon another house elf.

‘Notify Draco that his friend is looking for him.’

The House Elf glances at Harry Potter with terror, as if he could never imagine the word “friend” used in terms of that specific person.

He doesn’t dare to argue though, disapparating the next second.

‘Defeating the Dark Lord was not an easy affair and yet you’ve succeeded. My sincere congratulations...’ Narcissa says with a hint of admiration, as she continues to guide him deeper into the house.

‘If there’s anything you need, feel free to say so.’

Harry stops in the grand sitting room. 

Not much time has passed since he saw this place demolished by the death eaters, but it has been now renovated beyond recognition.

Functioning on a last remaining brain-cell, Harry blinks the sleep off his eyes, taking time to mutter,

‘If it wasn’t for your not exposing me, Mrs Malfoy, I wouldn’t have managed..’

Narcissa smiles that uncommon motherly smile again, and Harry has a strange feeling seeing the same kind of gaze his mum had when she looked at him.

‘Following the Dark Lord was never a choice, for both me and Draco.

I did what I had to do to protect my family.’ she explains plainly.

The next moment, a frightened Malfoy heir appears by the fireplace with his wand in hand. Blonde hair a mess, he’s wearing a set of dark silky pajamas, eyes still sleepy.

Noticing Harry in his living room, he must rub them to make sure he's seeing clearly.

‘Hi.’ Harry whispers awkwardly, his dry eyes are stinging painfully at this point.

It must be quite eerie for Harry bloody Potter to appear at the house of his mortal enemy in the wee hours of the morning, practically right after defeating Voldemort.

Looking somewhat confused, Draco glances at his mother, his cheeks getting red.

Narcissa in turn has a smug look on her face when she shrugs her shoulders, indicating she also doesn’t know the reason behind the visit.

‘Can we talk?’ Harry asks first, praying to escape that awkward situation before Lucius Malfoy joins the party.

Giving him a curt nod, Draco glances at his mother as if threatening her not to spare a single comment, and Narcissa only smiles knowingly before she turns around to leave.

Rolling his eyes, Draco grabs Harry’s wrist, and the next second, they’re back to the mysterious room from several years ago.

If Harry wasn’t so exhausted, he would certainly ask about its real location.

‘What did you want to talk about, Potter?’ Malfoy spits out, but there’s no real tone of malice in his rough drawsy voice.

Harry doesn’t say a word; scrambling up to the inviting messy bed that the latter must have just left behind.

Being the only person who would agree to cast an unforgivable spell so easily, coming here, Harry was planning to ask Malfoy to cast imperio on him and order him to fall asleep, but suddenly it seems unnecessary.

Lying down in the comfortable set of silky bedsheets, Harry lets out a long pleased groan, the bedding still warm and smelling pleasantly of Draco’s innate scent.

‘Hey, Potter!’ Malfoy exclaims after him, but there’s no longer any contact with the other boy.

With no other choice, Draco walks back to his bed, angrily adjusting the quilt around Potter’s shoulders before he lies back down as well.

The blonde doesn’t manage to ask a single question when a cute loud snore reaches his ears, and he heaves a short sigh.

Carefully reaching for Potter’s glasses, Draco slowly takes them off and puts them on the bedside table.

Harry’s forehead is messy and the taller reaches out to see his eyes better, dark thick eyebrows like painted on the boy’s handsome face.

It gets brighter outside with time and soon Draco utters a quiet spell, and thick curtains close slowly.

With the room immersed in pitch darkness, he’s no longer able to stare at Potter’s face, but hearing his soft snores is enough to lull him back to sleep.

~~~

Chapter Text

~~~

Harry doesn’t immediately return to Hogwarts.

The next morning, he wakes up with Malfoy’s arms tightly wrapped around his waist and warm breath in his nape.

This moment is so peaceful Harry stays where he is, watching tiny specks of dust dancing in the sunlight right before his nose.

His empty stomach is what breaks the calm, as it awakes Malfoy, who turns around with a low grumble.

Biting his lower lip, Harry slowly sits up and searches for his glasses on the bedside table.

He should talk to Malfoy about whatever is between them, the unknown makes him feel nervous.

Lily’s blessing has soothed something in Harry, but it was not enough to fully convince him.

Because Malfoy is Malfoy. He’s still the same annoying prat from years ago, and it's unlikely he'll ever change.

There’s even no guarantee the Slytherin would want to actually have anything to do with him.

Draco moves and blinks his sleepy eyes open, glancing at Potters face twice as if to make sure he’s not dreaming.

Looking back at him, Harry’s face is calm.

He wants to say something, but whatever it would be, it seems it would be awkward.

And so without averting his eyes from Malfoy’s, Harry mutedly leans in, greeting him with a kiss.

Draco seems stunned at this action, but he doesn’t protest, accepting it with eyes closed.

Heart picking up the pace, Harry ends up leaning closer, easily forgetting time and space when Malfoy’s lips come into picture.

It must be the loud growl in his stomach that has Draco pull away.

The next moment, Malfoy is gone.

Suddenly left to his own devices, Harry feels his cheeks heat up in embarrassment, he puts a hand on his forehead to calm down.

He gets out of bed and finds the bathroom, nearly as large as Malfoy’s bedroom.

The bathtub looks tempting but he shouldn't make himself too comfortable in someone else’s home.

And so, he only washes his face and uses a mouthwash before he hears a characteristic pop in the other room.

Malfoy’s face looks cloudy when Harry opens the door.

‘I left for something to eat, but my mother insists that we have breakfast with her.’  

Green eyes going round, Harry gapes at him wordlessly.

‘Me too?’

Malfoy’s expression forms a familiar snarl.

‘’We’ means you too, you moron.

You’ve come here without a heads up, so bear the consequences.’

Heaving a long sigh, Harry looks down at his out of place gryffindor pyjamas, and Malfoy pulls out his wand to charm his clothes as he did his.

Dressed quite too smartly for a casual breakfast, Harry and Draco disapparate into thin air.

Ordering the House Elves around the table, Narcissa puts a fresh installment of The Daily Prophet on the antique chest nearby as she greets them with a broad smile, encouraging them to sit down.

Harry stares at the moving picture of him at the front page, it must have been captured shortly after defeating Voldemort.

He was in such a state back then he doesn’t clearly remember what he was saying, vaguely recalling being asked about the Malfoys and vouching for them.

Did he by any chance end up advocating for them all…?

The former Death Eaters have made to the front page, Harry can clearly see the box especially reserved for that topic, including Lucius’ picture.

‘Your father is still testifying in the Ministry. He should join us soon.’ Narcissa says to Draco as she passes by him, dearly kissing his cheek.

Watching this plain but affectionate gesture, Harry wonders if this would be his life if his mum was alive.

The next moment, Narcissa’s elegant hand lies on his own back as she guides him to his seat.

Flinching slightly, Harry lets himself be led and quietly sits down next to Draco, feeling totally out of place.

He has already experienced plenty of warmth from the Weasleys, but Ron’s mum always treated him rather like a kind aunt he’s never hand.

For some reason, Narcissa’s behaviour seems more motherly to him now, and his heart swells uncontrollably.

He’s never expected he’d feel like this because of Malfoy’s mother.

‘So, boys, there are some things that need to be discussed today.’ The woman starts as she sits in front of them.

The table is full of elaborate dishes, all appetising and pleasant to the eye.

Harry’s stomach grumbles again, and Draco scowls in annoyment, taking a bun from one of the plates and practically pushing it into the other boy’s mouth.

Startled, Harry glances at Narcissa but she only sends her son a scolding gaze and Harry starts munching on the food.

‘I find literally nothing that could be discussed between the three of us.’ Draco mutters, grabbing a croissant to fix his own food.

‘I’ve come here only to see his uncomfortable reaction.’

Harry stops eating to send him an offended glare, before his softened green eyes rest on Narcissa.

‘Of course it’s about your relationship, boys.’ the woman says, nearly having Harry choke on his bun.

‘You’re a Malfoy, Draco, and it comes with certain expectations. We need to learn what ground we stand on and come up with a plan before things between you turn serious.’

Malfoy has frozen with his croissant in hand and stares at Narcissa with cheeks tinted with crimson.

Not knowing what to do with himself, Harry is looking at them stiffly, wondering if he’s heard it right.

It takes a while before Draco replies, his grey eyes flickering to petrified Harry.

‘I don’t know what you’ve come up with, but Potter and I are not together.’ Malfoy finally spits out.

Narcissa’s eyebrows furrow in displeasure.

‘Watch your tongue, my boy.’ she scolds poshly, and Draco’s head reluctantly bends in respect.

Heart pounding at realizing their relationship has been exposed, Harry’s round eyes travel between the blonde and his mother.

‘I think I’ll be going now… Thank you for the food.’ Harry says stiffly as he begins to stand up.

The next instant, Draco grabs his hand, keeping him in place.

Narcissa’s attentive eyes immediately follow the movement, as if proving her point.

Harry glances at Draco incredulously, but the taller one won't let him leave him to his own devices.

‘What if…’ Malfoy starts, licking his lips at Harry before he looks at his mother.

‘Given your words now were true… is there really a way to convince father?’ 

Harry presses his lips together.

Even if they were together, he needs no approval from someone like Lucius Malfoy.

Draco’s father has done him enough harm to never want to speak to him again.

‘What he says doesn’t matter, sweetheart.’ the woman smiles at him fondly.

‘You know, son, your happiness is of utmost priority to me. Since the war is over now, I’ll make sure no-one stands in your way.’

Listening to them in sheer disbelief, Harry feels quite surreal.

He’s never expected Narcissa to be this supportive of whatever is going on between them, going as far as to start the topic.

Draco’s pale hand doesn’t leave Harry’s, his pointing finger starts playing with Potter’s thumb.

Eyebrows furrowed, Draco seems confused.

‘Father keeps nagging me about descendants.’ Draco reasons.

‘He’d never agree on this.’

Narcissa’s lips are pressed in a witty smile before she mysteriously puts an envelope before them.

‘That’s why you need this. You two are still too young to think of starting a family, and yet getting informed early won’t hurt.’

Looking at his mother in suspicion, Draco opens the seal and reads the private correspondence.

Feeling incredibly awkward, Harry glances at him in puzzlement, but the taller man closes the letter before he can look over his shoulder.

Harry watches how Malfoy’s cheeks grow even more red, the baffled look in his grey eyes turning strange, almost heated.

Not saying a single word, Draco throws the letter back on the table and the next moment, he grabs Harry’s hand and they disappear from sight.

Reappearing in the fancy bedroom, Harry feels a bit dizzy. He’ll never get used to this form of transport...

‘It was quite rude to leave like that, don't you think?’ Harry says while Malfoy starts pacing the room.

The boy looks strange, glancing at him every now and then as if there was some idea planted in his head that wasn’t there before.

Harry watches him cautiously, feeling somehow like a prey under a predator’s watchful gaze.

Heaving a sigh, Harry approaches the large bed and plomps at the verge of it.

Playing with his wand to ease his nerves, he starts to think his next words through.

‘Why does your mother think we’re together?’ Harry asks plainly.

Malfoy stops in his tracks and runs his hands down his sullen cheeks.

‘Maybe because you've come here especially to crawl into my bed, Potter?’

Discontent, Harry’s thick eyebrows furrow.

‘I came here to ask you for help. Your bed looked so comfortable that in the end, it wasn’t needed.’

A deep crease between his eyebrows, Draco haughtily strolls over, his hands tucked in his pockets as he sits down beside Potter.

‘What did you need me for?’ the blonde man asks sullenly.

It seems like he can’t get rid of that superior tone when he addresses the latter.

Harry looks to the side to have a look at him, those bright green eyes taking in Malfoy’s sullen face.

Instead of replying, Harry straightforwardly asks,

‘Have you ever considered a proper relationship with me? Or was it all just a game?’

Draco Malfoy regards him silently, his grey eyes dimming in superficial malice, gaze turning serious instead.

‘You and I together?? Have you lost a marble fighting the wicked baldie?’

Harry presses his lips together before he averts his gaze, looking ahead stubbornly.

Draco folds his arms, suddenly even more grumpy.

Harry gives him a moment of a chance to take it back, but it never happens.

Having nothing else to do, Harry finally stands up, and with a feigned smile, he faces Draco.

‘Well, since we’ve established that, I guess it’s time for me.’

A set of grey eyes look up at him, their gazes lock midway.

It seems as if Draco wanted to say something, but some inner wall had him unable to.

Instead of saying anything, Malfoy reaches his hand out, his blonde head tilting down as he grasps Harry’s hand.

Smiling genuinely now, Harry feels his heart pounding harder.

‘Why are you always such a prick?’ he teases.

‘All you have to do is to say it aloud.’ 

‘Shut up.’ Draco mutters, pulling the shorter man closer until their lips are enough distance to connect.

It feels as if it’s been years since the last time they were together, Harry’s blood rushes in his veins, impatient to feel the latter inside him already.

Malfoy has always been quite rough with him, but now his silver eyes seem to be shining with some hidden resolution, his hold aches a bit more, teeth leave more painful bruises.

Kissing the taller’s prickly jaw, Harry fights a whimper when familiar manhood pushes into him, the lewd squelching sound of their connected bodies has his ears go red.

Instead of starting a fast rhythm like he’s used to, Malfoy pushes his entire manhood deep inside him, the impressive hardness putting pressure on Harry’s inner organs.

Tilting his head back, Harry then feels a cold hand cover his flat stomach, and his cheeks flush red.

How could such a simple gesture ignite him this much…?

Breathing hotly, Draco seems to have grown harder inside him, pressing a filthy open mouthed kiss to Harry’s lips when his hips begin a familiar rough pace.

The lubrication spell works even better this time, the slicky substance is pounded out of him with every thrust, running down Harry’s wet inner thighs.

There’s no way to tell what exactly has changed, but this encounter is way more intense than all previous ones, the pressure of Draco’s hand on his stomach adding up to all the sensations.

It doesn’t take long for the pleasure to reach its peak, hard slaps of skin against skin filling the room.

Way too soon, Harry comes undone, shivering in pleasure around Malfoy’s thick cock, his body arching up from the bed as he’s going through it.

His climax seems to excite Draco even more, and with a pleasurable groan, he finishes inside him in several sharp thrusts.

Legs trembling from strain, Harry lies there boneless, trying to collect his breathing, while Malfoy isn’t moving out of him, dropping onto him heavily instead.

Harry winces when the blonde’s manhood presses into him even more with the movement, Malfoy’s hot breath hitting his ear.

Slowly getting used to the feeling of the other man filling him up, Harry feels last night’s lack of sleep kick back in, and soon he succumbs to slumber.

Several minutes later, Draco slides out if him, glancing down to have a look at the remnants of their closeness.

The mere sight of his seed flowing out of Potter stirs his desire again, and the thought freshly planted in his head takes a deeper root.

Magic or not, he needs to get Potter pregnant.

~~~

Chapter Text

~~~

Days pass by quite slowly afterwards.

It’s mostly thanks to Dobby, who has kept his word and never told anybody about Harry’s whereabouts.

Living with Malfoy is exceptionally easy. Yes, they keep bickering practically all the time, but it’s never so serious Harry would want to leave.

They stay in the remote mansion most of the time, taking strolls outside, endlessly talking.

Long conversations with no malice, only some sarcastic or teasing remarks every now and then.

That’s how Harry learns the details of Draco being forced to be a Death Eater, how he was brought into this hoping to become someone. How quickly he learnt what following Voldemort would entail.

Harry on the other hand fills him in on his search for the horcruxes, talking to the ghosts of his parents through a Ressurection Stone, about Snape...

Then it’s their childhood, life in Hogwarts, why they behaved this way or another, old school dramas that Draco knows inside out.

The more they talk, the more Harry gets attached to the other boy, the more he understands his toxic traits and tries to find a way to neutralize them.

It’s highly unlikely Draco will ever change, but it’s not that Harry even believes he will. It doesn't mean he can't try.

The main source of information about the current situation is The Daily Prophet, which Draco occasionally steals from his parents.

Sitting with his Spell Book on top of an endless grassland, Harry disinterestedly peeks at the newspaper thrown next to him.

‘They’re looking for you.’ Malfoy mutters, stopping beside him with hands in his pockets.

Taking the paper in hands, Harry unfolds it on the front page to see his own picture and a huge MISSING caption.

‘So McGonagall is the new Headmistress…’ Harry says calmly, skimming through the text.

'She absolutely deserves it.'

Malfoy doesn’t say anything, turning around and snapping his fingers once.

The next moment, one of the House Elves appears on the meadow behind them.

Harry glances back, pressing his lips tightly.

He can’t watch how pitiful those creatures look in those rags.

‘Bring me some snacks and a chair.’ The blonde mutters, and the House Elf nods humbly.

When she disappears, Harry turns away and adjusts his glasses.

It’s clear he’s not pleased.

‘What?’ Draco asks, and before he finishes speaking, there’s already a chair waiting for him.

Making himself comfortable, Malfoy takes the drink from the small table beside him, his pale eyes squinted from the sun that has now peeked through the clouds.

‘You are not being angry because of them, are you?’ Draco snorts, finally realizing.

‘You literally have your own House Elf.’

‘I freed Kreacher — he just doesn’t want to accept it.’ Harry mutters in reply, reluctant to even look at him.

‘Malfoys claim to be so wealthy and yet they can’t afford a galleon per week to pay elves for their hard work. That’s pathetic.’

Draco sits up in his chair, visibly offended.

‘Do you think I have any power over that? When I was a kid, my father nearly killed me when I freed one of them.’

‘He wouldn’t kill you.’ Harry says flatly, reaching back with his memory to a certain event.

‘But he nearly killed me when I tricked him into freeing Dobby. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here today.’

Leaning forward in his chair, Malfoy is lost in thought for a while before he says,

‘Father believes that the contract is the only way to reassure safety in the house. With each elf ‘lost’, the rest have more work.’

Harry doesn’t really take that explanation, and so he doesn’t grace him with an answer.

‘But if it makes you feel better, I’ll talk to him about… their salary…’ Malfoy mutters.

Finally turning to him, Harry is still squinting his bright green eyes from the sun.

‘I didn’t know you cared so much about my feeling well.’

Locking eyes with him, Draco seems slightly annoyed.

‘I’ve always known you don’t think highly of me, Potter, but I didn’t know it was this bad.’ he snarls, his voice deprived of real malice.

‘As if I wouldn’t care about my man’s mood….’

Harry’s heart skips a beat, and puzzled, he averts his gaze from him.

They’ve never put a label on whatever it is between them, and the words coming right from Draco’s mouth make Harry feel some kind of way.

Light breeze tousles the boy’s black hair into even a greater mess, and soon enough a familiar pale hand rests on it, running his fingers through it.

Such simple yet intimate gestures are still something Harry is getting used to, but damn do they feel pleasant…

Maybe he doesn’t look like it, but Draco is quite a touchy person. Without a word, he will put a hand on the small of his back or nape, or press a swift kiss to Harry’s cheek, going about his routine the very next moment.

Each time Harry’s heart swells, and he tries to convince himself it doesn’t mean anything.

‘Blimey… I forgot.’ Draco mutters, summoning the House Elf again.

‘What is it, Master?’ the same elf asks quietly, her round eyes big and hesitant.

‘Bring it here.’ Draco says, and the elf nods as if knowing exactly what he is talking about.

‘Wait.’ Malfoy mutters, and the elf freezes with fingers ready to snap.

Pulling out of his cheque book, Draco hastily fills one page.

‘Here, buy yourself and the others new shoes and better clothing.’

The House Elf gapes at him as if he was speaking a foreign language, and Harry watches the situation from the side with a warming heart.

‘Take it and go.’ Draco insists annoyedly, quickly adding.

‘And bring the thing.’

Having no other choice, the House Elf accepts the cheque, and holding it like a rare relic, she pops her lips open at the number on it.

‘R-Right away, Master!’ she exclaims then, disapperating the next second.

Harry doesn’t manage to comment before the elf reappears with a pretty large black cage and carefully puts it beside them.

They’re alone on the field once again, but there’s something moving in the cage.

Quite intrigued, Potter moves closer, noticing that the mass of black is actually a rare breed of an owl.

‘Wow, she’s beautiful...’ Harry says in awe, admiring the shiny pitch-black fur.

‘It’s him, and he’s yours.’ Draco says with a tone of a husband proud to be spoiling his wife.

‘You should let the gingerheads know that you’re alive.’

Since Hedwig died, Harry hasn’t planned on getting another owl. He never even had time to properly mourn over her loss, and he didn’t want to risk losing another pet.

But being gifted with this one, he doesn’t really want to say no, especially when Draco is right about finally notifying the Weasleys.

Pulling a quill out of his enchanted bag, Harry focuses on scrabbling a quick message, asking Hermione and Ron not to worry and tell everyone to stop looking for him.

Comfortably reclined in his chair beside him, Draco has his pale hand in Harry’s messy hair, habitually running through it and softly massaging his scalp.

It’s quite distracting now, and Harry keeps tilting his head to the side to get rid of it, adjusting his round glasses every now and then.

He also asks about Snape, curious to know if he’s back on his feet by now.

Done with annoying him, Draco has now opened the cage and takes the owl on his arm, the bird is even prettier in full sunlight.

‘Hi…’ Harry smiles at it warmly, rubbing the owl’s crooked nose as a greeting.

‘Bring the letter to the Weasley’s for me, will you?’

The owl makes a sound of agreement before he takes a fly from Draco’s arm.

Left behind in peaceful silence, they watch a mass of black feathers disappear in the horizon.

Not knowing when, a certain blonde tackles Harry to the ground, rolling in grass until the shorter boy is underneath him.

‘For Merlin’s sake!’ Harry protests, his hands and shirt all messy.

‘I’m all in ink now!’

Not caring in the slightest, the blonde tilts his head up until their eyes lock.

‘I’ll eat you.’ Draco mutters, unable to comprehend

how Potter does it that he looks so palatable. It’s impossible to hold back sometimes...

Harry lets himself be kissed with slightly open mouth, closing his eyes as he puts his hands on Draco’s face.

‘Is your father home?’ Harry mutters into the kiss.

‘You might be jesting, but I’m getting hungry for real.’

‘You’ll eventually have to talk to him anyway.’ Draco replies, lips trailing down to his neck.

Harry tilts his head to the side, wincing at the unpleasant thought.

As much as he quite enjoys Narcissa’s company, he physically can’t stand Lucius.

‘Let’s go.’ Draco mutters as he pulls away.

‘Not hungry anymore.’ Harry replies, his eyes squinted from the sunlight.

‘Fearless Potter ducking his tail because he’s scared of some old man. That’s pathetic.’

‘You nearly pissed yourself at the sight of Professor Moody, sit down.’ Harry mutters in response.

‘Besides, I’m not scared of your father, I simply want nothing to do with him.’

Malfoy gasps dramatically.

‘Crouch literally wanted me dead!’ Draco argues, scandalised.

‘Yeah, sure. You must have had a delightful time in Crab’s pantaloons.’ Harry snorts, remembering Malfoy’s ferret form.

‘Oh what I’d give to see it again...’

The next moment, a hearty slap lands on the side of his leg, only because their position makes it impossible to spank his bottom.

‘Yah!’ Harry complains, but then he’s angrily kissed again.

~~~

Hermione’s letter arrives the very same day, it’s night time when Harry unfolds it, the paper nearly rolling to the ground.

Getting ready for bed, Malfoy has enchanted the bath to stay warm, waiting for Harry to read the thing and join him.

‘Hermione wants to meet up.’ Harry concludes soon, relieved to read the last part.

‘And Snape has finally been discharged from St Mungos. I should talk to him soon.’

‘Want me to go with you?’ Draco mutters, sitting on the couch with legs crossed.

‘If you want.’ Harry says, but there’s a gulp forming in his throat.

He’s already told Draco about his mother being poisoned by James with amortentia, getting a juicy litany of curses in his father’s direction in turn. 

Harry didn’t expect he’d ever confide in Malfoy about something so important to him, but talking to Draco makes him feel a lot better.

Reaching a hand out, Draco waits for Harry to take it and they head to the bathroom together.

‘Hermione says we’re expected to return to Hogwarts this year.’ Harry continues, letting the blonde disrobe him.

I’ll certainly have to retake it.’

‘I’m not coming back.’ Draco mutters, running his hands down Harry’s bare spine.

‘Nothing will convince me to return to this pigsty.’

Turning round, Harry plants a set of his sad enchanting eyes into Malfoy.

‘What are you going to do without proper education? Be an heir full time?’ 

It has Harry recall their conversation with Narcissa from a few weeks ago. He’s still curious to know what she meant but neither of them wants to tell him.

It sounded like some surrogacy plan to assure an heir for the Malfoy line.

And if Harry is being honest, he has nothing against it.

He’d also like to have kids in the future, and if his relationship with Malfoy works out, surrogacy will be the only way. It's common in muggle world after all...

Realizing he’s getting too far with such thoughts, Harry shakes his head back to the present.

‘I don’t know yet. I’ve been through literal hell, the last place I’d want to be right now is Hogwarts.’ Draco mumbles out in annoyance.

All bare by now, Harry gets in the bath, making himself comfortable in the pleasant warmth before the other joins him, the level of water going up again.

Resting on the opposite sides of the tub, the two young men are relaxing in soothing silence, eyes closed, legs intertwined.

‘Is your mother planning for you to bring forth an heir?’ Harry asks out of the blue,

those bright grey eyes rest on him.

Adjusting in the water, Draco rubs his toe against Harry’s side.

He closes his eyes again before saying,

‘She wants us to have a child.’

Looking to the side for a moment, Harry thinks it through slowly, wondering what is the difference between this and what he has said.

Draco opens his eyes again, looking quite smug.

‘You didn’t know it was an option?’

Harry gapes at him in silence, clearly not following. Do wizards think they're first to come up with something like this...?

‘Whatever…’ Malfoy mutters as he lies back.

‘We’ll discuss it again in a few years.’

Playing with his bottom lip, Harry irks to ask about what it is going to look like, but he decides it’s better not to know.

The rest of the night goes as usual; they start teasing each other in the bath, move things to the bed, Draco fills him up and wraps himself all over Harry with his manhood still inside.

Used to this plasurable feeling of Malfoy's hand rubbing his flat bulging stomach, Harry is tired, but he fights the slumber, wanting to prolong the moment.

Falling asleep under the pleasant weight, Harry imagines an eerie scenario.

If it was possible for two men to have a child, he wonders what their kid would look like.

~~~

Chapter Text

~~~

‘I cannot believe I’m really doing this…’ Draco spits out, glaring at his Slytherin cloak disdainfully.

‘You’ve always looked pretty good in it.’ Harry comments, and that’s what has Draco’s grumpy expression turn into a smug grin.

So many things have changed, but Draco Malfoy still remains the same…

Ready to apparate, Harry pulls out his wand and starts to focus on the main gate before Hogwarts.

For the past few weeks, Malfoy has been teaching him the skill, and Harry is getting better at it with each day.

‘That's way too far,' Draco mutters, placing his hands on Harry’s waist.

'This time it will be better if I do it.’

Feeling a pleasurable shiver in his stomach from the touch, Harry opens his green eyes.

And maybe the taller is right with this one…

Instead of the intended destination though, they end up in the main hall of the Malfoy mansion, Narcissa stands up and approaches them when she sees them.

Harry stiffens when a familiar figure looms behind her. He has managed to avoid Lucius his entire stay here, and he hates Draco for forcing him into this situation.

Glaring at him from the side, Harry doesn’t say a word.

‘Just look at you boys, you look splendid.’ Narcissa smiles, taking their hands as she admires their new uniforms.

‘Slytherin green would definitely look better on you though,’ she whispers to Harry with a small wink.

Harry can’t help but smile genuinely this time, squeezing her hand back.

Narcissa is such a good mother to Draco, protecting him and only wishing for his happiness… She reminds Harry of Lily.

Lost in thought, he looks to Draco, hoping he’ll get them out of here before he’s forced to talk to Lucius.

But it’s already too late, the head of Malfoy family struts to them with a trademark smirk on his Azkaban-ruined face.

‘I wish you a… fruitful time at Hogwarts.’ Lucius mutters, his mocking eyes planted on Harry.

Keeping his lips pressed into a thin line, Harry’s green eyes are glaring up at him, not going to spare the man a single word.

‘Off you go before you’re late for the opening ceremony.’ Narcissa urges, clearly trying to dissolve the tension.

‘Your luggage will be transported there for you right away.’

Turning back to her, Harry smiles genuinely.

‘Thank you, Mrs Malfoy.’

‘Please, call me ‘mother’.’ The woman fires back, which for some reason comes out naturally.

At this unexpected bomb, Harry gets rooted to the ground while Lucius chokes on his spit, erupting in a coughing fit.

‘We’re heading off.’ Draco decides once he sends his father a lingering stare.

The taller's voice is suspiciously amused, and Harry sends him an incredulous glare while his wrist is being captured.

The moment they appear before the gate, countless heads turn in their direction, everybody waiting to be let in.

‘It’s Harry!’ Someone exclaims, and the crowd immediately gets lively.

‘Harry Potter??’ another asks, and soon there’s a swarm of people surrounding the two.

‘Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy? They apparated together?’

‘That’s impossible, you moron, they absolutely detest each other.’ Another student comments.

‘Have you been blind for the entire six years?’

Having long released Harry’s wrist, Draco has his usual scowl on, and Harry discreetly bumps his hand to have the blonde cheer up a bit.

Despite their plans to visit Snape and the Weasleys, it’s actually the first time the two make a public appearance.

Living far away from everything was simply too addictive, and Harry didn’t want to come back to earth just yet.

Even now, he doesn’t really want to do that, but he knows he needs proper education to finally lead a normal life.

‘I know you’re all eager to meet Mr Potter, but the order should be kept!’ Filius Flitwick exclaims, holding a student list.

‘Please return to the line!’

But he’s not being paid attention to – everyone wants to hear what Harry has to say.

‘Where did you disappear? Everyone has been looking for you!’ someone exclaims.

‘Can we see it?? The Elder Wand?'

‘Wait, did he really come here with Malfoy?’

‘It’s none of your business, you dumb twat.’ Draco spits out, pushing his way through the crowd.

Having no other choice, Harry follows right through, and they take advantage of the situation to approach Flitwick without waiting.

‘Mr Malfoy and Mr Potter, what an honour…’ the Professor mutters under his nose as he checks their names on the list.

‘The Headmistress wants to speak with you, Mr Potter.’

‘She must get in line!’ Some Gryffindor chips in, and the next moment Harry sees a familiar face running in his direction.

Luna Lovegood looks bright and happy, she comes in for a hug as if it was something they’ve always done.

‘I worried about you, Harry.’ she says, unwrapping herself the very next moment.

‘Hello, Draco.’ she adds politely.

'It's good to see you here.'

The look in her dreamy eyes is almost as if she knew about them, and Malfoy sends Harry a curious glance.

The three walk in first, the line of students again forming behind them.

‘What have you been doing during the break, Luna?’ Harry asks, glancing at her.

He hasn’t seen his friends for so long his chest aches with nostalgia.

Malfoy glances at him from the side, as if figuring out what he thinks without the need to mention it aloud.

Harry looks away, slightly flustered.

‘Recently, I’ve been reading on Crumple-Horned Snorkack and Wrackspurts.’ Luna says calmly. ‘Pretty interesting read if you ask me.’

Not knowing what to say, Harry is saved by a call from behind.

‘Harry!’

Hearing the voice, Harry turns to see a set of ginger locks jumping up and down as she runs toward him.

Hermione’s eyes are layered with tears when she falls into Harry's arms, getting swayed left and right in the air.

Luna and Draco stand beside them in silence, one smiling, the other frowning.

Following Hermione, a bulky ginger boy stops in his tracks, his gaze turning cold at the mere sight of Malfoy.

‘I can’t believe we’re only seeing each other now, Harry.’ Hermione says as she wipes her eyes and pulls away to have a proper look at him.

‘Where have you been? Why didn’t you visit us at the Weasley’s?’

‘I’m sorry…’ is all Harry says, already looking at Ron over his friend’s shoulder.

And blimey, it will be awkward…

Bracing himself for his friend's reaction, Harry glances at Draco before he gets a long intake of air.

‘Well, I guess Malfoy and I are... hanging out now. ' Harry drops, though his words shock only one person among the four of them.

'He… He let me stay at his place for the summer.’

It’s only half-truth, but it’s better to start with this than throw Ron in at the deep end.

Weasley gapes at Harry as if he's turned into a Demiguise, then he turns his disbelieving eyes to Malfoy.

‘You hit your head, dude?’ Ron snaps, ignoring a silent glare from Hermione.

‘There’s literally no way Harry would befriend this freak.’

‘Ron’ Harry mutters, although deep down he knows his friend is rightfully worried.

‘Don’t.’ he only adds.

There are flames in Ron’s eyes now and it seems like he's going to make a scene, but before he says anything, Hermione’s hand lands on his mouth and she pulls the boy away.

'See you in the Great Hall, Harry!’ She exclaims right behind, dragging her infuriated boyfriend with her.

Still smiling lightly as if she didn't sense the mood, Luna glances at Harry and Draco and says a farewell before following the other two.

Mr Flitwick must have taken control over the crowd and resumed letting the students in because some voices can be heard behind them.

The most eager ones must have followed their example and decided not to wait for the carriages, hoping to catch up with Harry.

Heaving a sigh, Harry finally looks at Draco before he decisively strands into the forest, getting off the main road.

‘Thank you for remaining quiet.’ Harry says as they disappear among the trees.

Grey eyes cold, Draco sullenly follows after him.

'Just because I didn’t say anything doesn't mean I didn't curse the git in my mind...' Malfoy mutters.

'You better start thinking on how to repay me for having to put up with those idiots.’

‘It's your parents who wanted you to continue your education.’ Harry mutters.

‘You’re not doing this for me.’

Draco only snorts, his hand finding Harry’s as they exit the trees and a stunning view opens before them.

The castle looks as majestic as before, rising above the gleaming lake, the expanse of water reflecting the moonlight in a truly magical way.

‘As if I would let you come here alone...’ Malfoy mutters under his nose.

‘Half of this school has their pants wet for you. They must know their place.’

Trying to stop an amused smile, Harry squeezes Draco’s hand under their touching sleeves.

Their palms fit so well together…

How will Harry even stop himself from habitually reaching out to hold hands?

His thumb soothingly rubbing Potter's hand, Draco doesn't gaze at the view but at his "mortal enemy", insistently tugging his arm until the shorter boy tilts his head up.

He is already used to Malfoy's needy stunts, and as they exchange a few clingy kisses, Harry wonders how they're going to survive ten months without snogging on a daily basis.

The final year at Hogwarts hasn’t even started, but Harry already knows that getting through it will be quite a challenge…

Fin ~