Draco stumbled across Harry in a back alleyway, hyperventilating. He wasn't sure what to do at first; they had been mortal enemies during school and then stood on different sides of the war. But then he realised that though they spat profanities back and forth, they never actually tried to hurt each other. He took a slow step forward and froze when Harry tensed.
"Harry? It's Draco…" fisted hands relaxed. "I don't know what's going on but…is there anything I can do? Do you need help?" emerald eyes snapped up to Draco's and the blond was stunned at the confusion he saw there. "Can I help?"
"Just…keep talking to me, if you don't mind please." Harry managed to get out around his continued hyperventilation.
So Draco talked. About the ridiculous price he had sold his family home for due to people's morbid curiosity. The fact that he was going into healing potions, with a side gig helping George with his prank potions. He talked about how hard it was to shake the Slytherin and Malfoy image from himself when dealing with others. He wasn't entirely sure what he said or how long he talked, but eventually Harry's breathing calmed.
"Thank you Draco." Harry offered an uncertain smile. "No one usually…" he grimaced and didn't finish the sentence. He would not complain. "I'm going to have lunch with George now, if you would like to come?"
Draco stared for a moment, hoping this wasn't some last hurrah to the pranks from their school days. He couldn't tolerate an act of kindness only to find out it was a joke, not now. All he saw in those emerald eyes was honesty and, to his surprise, hope. "If you're sure… People don't like me too much."
Harry shrugged. "And I don't like people too much, so it all evens out in the end. Come on. I don't want George hexing my place setting again if I'm late." When they stepped out into the street people started to stare. When the stares progressed into vehement glares, Harry mumbled something under his breath and suddenly it was as if they were invisible.
Draco stared at the other wizard in shock. "What did you just do? It's like they can't even see us anymore." He didn't comment on the fact that Harry hadn't used his wand. That was something he would have to think about.
Harry gestured towards a shop window with his chin as they passed by. Draco glanced sideways and instead of Harry and Draco he saw two strangers in the reflection. "It's not so much that we're invisible as it is that we just don't look like us. I'll remove it once we get to lunch; no one will bother us there."
"What was that spell you used? I haven't heard it before…" Draco asked curiously. He had been scouring anything he could find for a decent cloaking or perception spell and had found nothing.
"I should hope not. I haven't taught it to anyone else." Harry grumbled, shoving his hands into his pockets while the tips of his ears turned pink. He guided Draco to a small restaurant and opened the door.
"Wait. That is your spell?" Draco asked as he followed Harry to a table where George sat waiting. It wasn't that he didn't think Harry could create his own spells; he was just shocked that he had done it.
Before Harry could respond George was standing with a grin, staring at the two of them. "Harry, Draco." He nodded in greeting. Then Harry mumbled something to remove his spell and Draco realised that George had figured out who he was before. "Harry always looks the same when he goes incognito; he's too lazy to change his disguise even though he can. And he does not share that spell. With anyone. So it had to be someone just as famous, and in Harry's eyes, just as misunderstood." George explained when he saw the questions rising in Draco's eyes.
Then the red head looked more closely at Harry. A quick inspection had worry rising in his eyes. "Another attack?" Harry responded with a curt nod. "They're getting more frequent Harry. You really need to start talking to someone."
Harry grimaced. "Who? I'll not burden you with my troubles George, and Ron and 'Mione are only just back from their honeymoon." He grimaced. "Everyone has their own troubles after the war, no one needs mine added to the mix." He waved a lazy hand, dismissing the subject. "George…do you want to see him? Are you in the mood?" Harry asked quietly.
George smiled sadly. "Harry, when has the answer to that question ever been no? But I'm worried about you. You're tired and in pain." Draco listened on in confusion. He had no idea what they were talking about.
Harry's eyes were weary but his smile was genuine. "And offering some comfort to my true friends allows me some comfort of my own. This is always as much for me as it is for you George… I like to see him too. Takes away some of the guilt of failing him."
Harry closed his eyes for a moment, his head dipping forward as he forced himself to relax, hands folded in his lap. When a new person appeared in the spare seat at the table, Draco's eyes widened in disbelief. Harry slowly looked up. "Hey Fred…" he whispered softly.
Draco shook his head. "No way…" he knew for a fact that Fred has died at the Battle of Hogwarts. During school Harry had never been overly exceptional with his magic, but apparently as soon as the wizard stepped outside of a classroom he excelled. Or as soon as he wasn't constantly fighting for his life, he had enough energy to concentrate on other things.
Fred turned to grin at the blond. "Dead as a doornail and they still can't get rid of me!" he chuckled. "Although it is lucky that Harry likes me as much as he does, it's both our stubbornness that keeps me around."
While George and Fred began their own conversation Draco turned to Harry. "It's only Fred so far. If they…choose to go over, I can't do anything. Fred's connection to George was strong enough to allow him to choose to stay." Harry spoke softly, not meeting Draco's gaze. "Before you get your hopes up."
The statement brought about a whole new thought path for Draco to follow. What sort of people was Harry surrounded by that his first thought about someone was that they would want something from him? Someone who's first instinct was to clarify what he could and could not do for someone had surely been conditioned that way after years of mistreatment.
"I was actually going to say that it's astonishing you can do that at all. I've never heard the likes of it before. Besides, George clearly just implied that it takes it out of you. What sort of person would jump right in and ask for such a favour? That is something to be offered, Harry, not demanded." His voice was soft and his eyes concerned, softening the sting that accompanied the truth of his words.
For the first time in his life, Draco was on the receiving end of an appreciative smile from Harry Potter. Not one that is in place of words of gratitude, but more a soul deep gratefulness for being accepted as he was. It shook Draco to the core.
Harry excused himself a moment later and Draco found himself in a position he never expected to happen again; securely in the sights of the Weasley twins. "So, Draco, what are your intentions with our Harry?" the voice, that had sounded alone for too long, once again in stereo made Draco's heart lift. "Don't get us wrong, we're not…busybodies like Granger, but we look out for him."
Draco shifted awkwardly. "Honestly? I just found him hyperventilating in an alley and he invited me along to lunch."
Fred shook his head. "For him to…do whatever he does that brings me back to this world, we have to have a bit of a psychic connection. I know something more happened."
Draco shrugged. "I asked him what I could do to help…if I could help. He told me to talk, so I did. I don't see how that's relevant." He frowned in confusion when the twins shared an excited glance.
"No one offers to help Harry Potter, Draco, they only ask him for help. You are the first person in years aside from us and our parents, to actually offer him help." Fred explained sadly. "It may have seemed like nothing to you, but it is actually a big deal."
Draco blinked, staring at the twins as the words sunk in. "What do you mean? Everyone loves him." He protested.
George grimaced. "Everyone loves for him to help them. They never even think to offer the same in return." He explained softly. "And Harry won't ask, doesn't think to ask because he has always done everything himself. Since before he came to Hogwarts."
Fred nodded, staring at the table. "So, we keep an eye out for him. We have no objection to you two being friends." He glanced up in time to see Draco's slight blush and smirked. "Or more. But we want to make sure you are going to be a good thing in his life, rather than another weight on his shoulders."
