Author's Note: I decided to write this fic because I felt like a more realistic Drarry story deserved to be told. I want their relationship to reflect some of the things that everyday couples go through. I hope that I accomplished that.

Rated: M

Pairings: mentions of Harry/Ginny as background, Ron/Hermione, primarily Harry/Draco

Summary: Both Harry and Draco are at turning points in their lives after the war. One of them his looking for love and the other is just putting the pieces back together. What happens when both men come together to build a life as one? Can they let go of their pasts to achieve something beautiful? Is love really enough to get past a betrayal? Ignores Deathly Hallows Part 2 epilogue. ***Rated M for adult content and sexual situations***

Chapter 1: Rainy Days and Lonely Nights

Harry stood staring out of his drawing room window, arms crossed in front of his chest, brooding. It was raining heavily, the sky so dark and grey that there was no hope of sunlight piercing through. He thought it reflected his inner turmoil perfectly. He had recently broken things off with Ginny Weasley. Honestly, he had seen it coming a mile away. They both had. After the war some three years ago, Harry and Ginny had rekindled their relationship as promised. Things were good at first. Harry no longer felt like the third wheel when Ron and Hermione were around and Ginny had finally gotten her knight in shining armor. Their relationship was easy. Whether it was because they had known each other for so long or because they simply worked well together, Harry didn't know. What he did know was that almost immediately after they kissed for the first time in a long time he realized that something was missing. The rush of heat and attraction he expected to feel from her just wasn't there. No matter how many times their lips brushed or they made love that spark never came.

At first Harry figured he was still reeling from the war. Perhaps his emotions hadn't had a chance to settle yet and he would need time to feel normal again. But after a year or so of going through the motions, Harry could not bring himself to fall in love with Ginny. He loved her for sure, like any brother would love his sister or one friend loves another, but he wasn't in love with her. After nearly three years of dating, Ginny began to sense it too. Harry can remember the conversation like it was yesterday.

"Harry?" Ginny called, peaking out of their bathroom door as she brushed her teeth. She wore a lacy, silk gown that left little to the imagination.

Harry sat on their bed with a pensive look on his face, his brow creased. He'd had a long day of Auror training and he was secretly hoping that Ginny wouldn't want to be intimate tonight. He turned his bright green eyes on her, almost pleading with her to let him be.

"This isn't working anymore, is it?" she said, leaning nonchalantly against the door jamb. A sigh of relief escaped his lips and he hung his head before answering "No. It isn't".

Ginny quickly finished brushing her teeth and came to sit next to Harry on the bed, resting her head on his shoulder. "I can feel it you know, the distance between us", she said. There was a hint of sadness in her voice, but no anger. Harry was glad for that. He had contemplated telling her he couldn't be with her any longer, but he wasn't quite sure how to start the conversation. He was happy Ginny was the one to do it.

"I'm sorry, Gin" Harry responded, turning to face her for the first time. Green stared into hazel, conveying as much sincerity as he knew how. "I really wanted us to work, I really did", he added grabbing her hands lightly. "I know Harry", she responded. "It would've been the perfect fairy tale story, but things don't always work out that way," Ginny offered him a soft smile. She leaned in, giving him a chaste kiss on the cheek. Harry smiled back. He was thankful that things with Ginny were as easy as ever. That night they lay in bed together peacefully. Harry spooned Ginny with his arms wrapped around her waist. She rested her hands on his, rubbing her thumb across his knuckles softly. Despite their intimate position, neither of them felt awkward. It actually felt quite normal. Harry relished the feeling of having her in his arms for the last time. They stayed that way for only a few minutes before Ginny drifted off to sleep. Harry shortly followed.

That had been a few months ago. It was easy enough for Ginny to find her own flat and move out her things. Harry had helped her, of course, and neither of them said a word to their family or friends about it. They were both wary of how the rest of the Weasley clan would react. It unfolded just as they expected. Molly was sorely disappointed but understanding. Arthur didn't have much of an opinion, just silent acceptance. George made an untimely joke and made sure Harry knew he would still be treated like a little brother. Hermione had wanted a detailed explanation of why. She eventually came around to the idea. And Ron stormed off in anger. His anger was initially directed at Harry, being so protective of his one and only sister and all, but Ginny was there to quell his rage. Once Ron saw that Ginny was really alright and that she and Harry had made the decision together, he gave a short nod and retreated to the Burrow's backyard to cool off.

At first Harry thought working along side Ron would be awkward, seeing as they were partners in Auror training, but they easily fell back into their old routine. Harry started having dinner with Ron and Hermione once a week again and he still showed up at the Burrow when Molly invited him over for family time. It was in fact one of those dinners that had Harry brooding now. At the latest Weasley feast, Ginny had brought a date. Although Harry didn't mind that Ginny had moved on, he really didn't, he couldn't help but feel lonely at the sight of his ex with someone else. Harry was in no way jealous of the bloke. He did, however, realize that he was craving the same sort of affection he and Ginny shared.

And so he stood in front of his window at Grimmauld Place dwelling on his loneliness wondering if he would ever have the happily ever after he truly wanted.

Draco carefully wiped the beads of sweat from his brow, making sure they didn't fall into the cauldron he was standing over. This was a difficult potion to brew and he couldn't afford to have it ruined just because he decided to perspire. He carefully dropped the correct number of phoenix tears into the liquid and watched as they mingled, turning the potion a pearlescent lilac. He sighed in relief stepping back from his lab table and casted a stasis charm on the cauldron. It was very important that he brewed the potion to the letter. It was for his very first high profile client since becoming a self-employed potions master and he needed to make a good impression.

It didn't take a genius to know that Draco loved potions and was quite good at it. He'd always known it was what he wanted to do. At one point, just after the war had ended, he'd thought he would never get the chance. As you can imagine, the Malfoy name wasn't what it used to be after the Dark Lord was vanquished. His father was a known Death Eater after all. And so Draco was resigned to the fact that there was a chance he wouldn't be able to support himself and his mother, especially since their accounts were frozen and they were both certain Lucius would be sent to Azkaban. Their worst fears were realized once the Death Eater trials began. The Ministry was coming down hard on anyone they knew to be involved with the Dark Lord. Lucius had been given a life sentence, as expected. They hadn't been able to charge his mother with much except accessory and so she was only given a one year house arrest sentence. Of course, Draco had thought that a bit excessive seeing as she hadn't actually committed any crime, but he knew it could've been much worse were it not for Potter's testimony. The real surprise came when Potter also showed up to Draco's trial. Not only did he show up, but he had Potter's testimony to thank for his current freedom. With the new information that Potter revealed about his failure to kill Dumbledore and his lie to the Dark Lord about Harry's identity in the Manor, the Ministry was forced only give him house arrest as well.

That was three years ago and he had served every day of his sentence without complaint. He was secretly extremely thankful to Potter for what he'd done. He did not have to testify for either of them, but Draco was thankful nonetheless. He hadn't gotten the chance to properly thank the Golden Boy for his heroics, but he had a feeling that Potter knew of Draco's gratitude. It was in fact his house arrest that allowed him to throw himself behind his potions work. Using some of the contacts that his father still had, or at least those that would still associate with him, Draco was able to build a small client base to generate a steady income. Now that his sentence was served and his name not so tainted he was able to branch out and expand his base. On one of his recent visits to an apothecary in Diagon Alley to replenish his stock, Draco had overheard an older woman complaining of her aging skin to another witch. Draco didn't recognize the woman but he did notice her quality robes embroidered in lace and her emerald jewelry. With a burst of confidence, he approached the pair.

"Excuse me," he said, offering what he hoped was a pleasant smile. The woman clearly recognized him with a quick glance at his platinum blonde hair, but turned her gaze on him to see what he would say.

"I couldn't help but overhear that you were showing signs of aging…although, you are quite stunning", Draco quickly added at the sight of her eyes growing wide in offense. She sniffed at him, turning her nose high in the air. "And what of it?" she responded haughtily. "Well, I just so happen to brew potions for a living and I would gladly offer to brew you the potion that keeps my mother's skin from showing even one wrinkle." Draco said, smiling brightly when she returned her gaze to him. "I'd brew it at a fair price and I guarantee that nothing you can buy in any store will work as well."

Draco held his breath, watching as the woman thought over his offer. He could tell she was battling whether to employ a Malfoy or take her chances with a store-bought potion that may not get the job done. She clearly wasn't having much success with whatever product she was using. Draco was hoping that her vanity would outshine her pride and when she gave him a short nod, he smiled even wider in relief.

"Thank you so much madam for your consideration. I assure you you will not be disappointed", he grasped the hand she offered him and kissed it softly. "I would hope not, Mr. Malfoy" she responded pulling her hand from his grasp quickly. Draco wasn't even offended by her rudeness, too excited about the prospect of gaining a new, clearly wealthy, client. They exchanged information and Draco promised to send her the potion by owl within the week.

It turned out that the woman was a senior member of the Daily Prophet staff and could potentially make or break his career with one word if she pleased. Now finished with his brewing, Draco removed the stasis charm and bottled a month's supply of the Anti-Aging potion. He called for his tawny eagle owl and attached the parcel to her leg with a short, sweet note, hoping it would further warm the woman to his charms. She was to send payment for the supply by return owl, which should be enough to not only replenish a few items he was running low on, but to turn three times the profit he was used to. Her owl returned promptly with a small sack of galleons that Draco clutched to his chest in happiness. A trip to Diagon Alley was in order and he might even treat himself to Fortesque's to boot.