DISCLAIMER: I never owned Harry Potter and I do not profit with this story. The songs used in this story aren't mine as well.
WARNING: Slash story, male to male, swearing, MPreg
A tall red headed man in burgundy robes stood tapping his foot on the Ministry's floor while leaning his back against the cold walls beside the floo; an irritated scowl adorning his freckled face as he kept glancing back at his watch as if waiting for someone. Soft tapping footsteps came from a distance becoming louder as it neared the red headed man. He faced the direction of where the steps are coming from.
"Blimey! What took you so long? Pansy's going to have my head." Ron Weasley exclaimed as the blonde man slightly shorter than he is stopped in front of him.
"Sorry. I just needed to send in those reports or else Robards will have our arses tomorrow. And anyway, she wouldn't do that to you. She loves you too much for that to happen." Draco Malfoy drawled out and gestured for them to start walking towards the floo.
They flooed straight to the Leaky Cauldron and headed out towards one of the pubs they frequented whenever their friends arrive in London for a few weeks. It is one of the two of their favourite hang outs; a place where they could catch up with each other over a pint or two…or maybe more depending on their moods. As they entered the Blue Pig, they spotted their friends at the far corner of the room and headed straight towards them.
"What took you so long? We've been here for almost an hour." Pansy asked as she kissed Ron and then moved aside so that her husband can sit beside her.
Draco surveyed the table to see Theodore Nott along with his wife, Hermione Granger. Yes, the brain of the Golden Trio is his friend, a Slytherin's wife. They met in Paris while Theo was doing his training as a Healer with Blaise Zabini. Granger happened to be taking up her own training as an intern at the Magical Law Enforcement in France. Beside Blaise is his girlfriend, Ginny Weasley. Right again. The Weaslette is now her girlfriend and they have been a couple for two years now. Beside Ginny is another couple, Oliver Wood and Adrian Pucey. Typical Quidditch couple. Their group is a perfect example of the reformations that happened after the war. Who would have thought that one day you will get to see Gryffindors and Slytherins chattering up and drowning in alcohol together? He shook his head as he sat down beside Ron.
"Well Mr. Auror-of-the-Year decided to submit his report on the last minute instead of doing it tomorrow." Ron teased the blonde beside him as he slapped him on the back.
"Well, unlike someone, I do not like my reports to be rushed when my boss is already after my arse and about to rip my head off." Draco answered back.
"Well, unlike you, we have what we call life outside of our work." Ginny piped into their friendly banter.
"Oh fuck off Weasels!" Draco sneered as he chugged his drink down and that made everybody laugh.
Seven years ago, if you ever mentioned that Draco Malfoy a.k.a Mr. Purest-of-all-Purebloods would be friendly with the Blood traitor Weasels would definitely land you a spot at the Janus Thickey Ward at St. Mungo's along with Lockhart. It all started off with Ron and Draco being Auror partners, then come Pansy being an Unspeakable and always hanging out with them ending up being married to Ron. Since Ron, Pansy and Draco usually hang out together, they meet up with Blaise and Theo whenever they are in Britain and Ron would tag Ginny along during her break from Quidditch. That is where Blaise started dating Ginny and up until now are still a couple. Eventually, Draco is always present during Sunday luncheons at the Burrow and is getting along pretty well with the rest of the Weasleys.
Their attention was caught when a guy on the stage spoke "We have a special request from a group of folks at the back for their Boss to come up here and sing with us since it is his birthday. Please join us sir and hopefully we would be able to play any song you wished to sing."
At the table on the other corner, a man with long raven locks that reached up to his waist stood up, said something and slapped one of his mates on the back which made them laugh. What caught their breath was when the man turned towards the stage and they recognized him. The man walking towards the stage is Harry Potter. Anyone close to him would be able to recognize those eyes.
He had his hair styled into fishtail braids that swished along his back as he walks and with bangs swept on the side to hide his ever-so-famous scar. His scrawny form is now evenly filled out which is noticeable in his semi fitting black button down shirt. He grew taller than he was last seen and he is no longer wearing any glasses.
"When did he get back?" was Draco's whispered question. The rest on their table just shrugged and continued watching the said man. "Blimey! It is his birthday today." Ron broke the silence as he slapped his palm against his forehead as punishment for forgetting his friend's birthday. "Oh yeah, I forgot as well. Might as well greet him when he gets down." Mione admitted as well.
As Harry stood on the stage he turned to speak to the vocalist and was handed a guitar He moved to adjust the microphone in front of him then he looked at the crowd "I'm not that really good but I got compromised with those guys. Please bear with me for my voice" he said and then chuckled. He started strumming on the guitar.
Now that it's all said and done. I can't believe you were the one
To build me up and tear me down like an old abandoned house
What you said when you left just left me cold and out of breath
I felt as if I was in way to deep. Guess I let you get the best of me
Well, I never saw it coming. I should have started running
A long, long time ago! And I never thought I'd doubt you
I'm better off without you. More than you, more than you know
I'm slowly getting closure I guess it's really over
I'm finally gettin' better. Now I'm picking up the pieces
From spending all of these years putting my heart back together
'Cause the day I thought I'd never get through, I got over you!
Draco can't help but stare at the man on the stage as he strum the guitar and sing line after line. He isn't the man who he last remembered. No longer was he short, he is now almost as tall as the blonde man. His beautiful emerald eyes are now free of those horrible glasses and are shining as he sang. He isn't as muscled as Draco is but you can tell that he filled up well and it pretty obviously shows how good the time he's been away has been good for him. 'Years without me. Has he really moved on?' he thought to himself bitterly.
You took a hammer to these walls. Dragged the memories down the hall
Packed your bags, and walked away. There was nothing I could say
And when you slammed the front door shut. A lot of others opened up
So did my eyes, so I could see that you never were the best for me
Well, I never saw it coming I should have started running
A long, long time ago! And I never thought I'd doubt you
I'm better off without you. More than you, more than you know
I'm slowly getting closure. I guess it's really over
I'm finally gettin' better. Now I'm picking up the pieces
From spending all of these years putting my heart back together
'Cause the day I thought I'd never get through, I got over you!
While the blonde is busy observing the raven haired man, he was not able to see that most of the people he is with have been observing him as well. They couldn't help but notice the longing and sadness radiating from their friend. They all know what he is going through, the guilt that he is feeling, and the loneliness he has been harbouring for seven years.
Well, I never saw it coming. I should have started running
A long, long time ago! And I never thought I'd doubt you
I'm better off without you. More than you, more than you know
Well, I never saw it coming. I should have started running
A long, long time ago! And I never thought I'd doubt you
I'm better off without you. More than you, more than you know
I'm slowly getting closure. I guess it's really over
I'm finally gettin' better. Now I'm picking up the pieces
From spending all of these years putting my heart back together
Putting my heart back together
'Cause I got over you, I got over you, I got over you
The day I thought I'd never get through, I got over you
(Song: Over You by Daughtry)
After Harry finished the song, everyone in the pub is standing and cheering for him. All of them are requesting for an encore which earned them a blush from the raven haired man. He chuckled then shook his head "Nah, I'm good for one performance only. Sorry folks, maybe some other time." With that, he handed back the guitar and moved to step down from the stage when he heard someone shout his name from a different direction than the table he came from earlier.
He looked over at the direction where the shout came from. He looked at the people waving at him. He started walking over towards them as he recognised that the person who called him was no other than his friend Ron along with their other schoolmates. He embraced Ron in a one armed hug with his left hand while the other hand gently slapped Theo Nott's back. "Hey guys! It's been a while" he said as he looked at all the people around the table.
He looked at Theo Nott who has Hermione Granger beside him. Next to her sat his ex-girlfriend, Ginny Weasley who was leaning on Blaise Zabini. Beside them is his former Quidditch team captain, Oliver Wood with his partner Adrian Pucey. The person beside the former Slytherin Chaser caught his attention the most. Draco Malfoy. He took a moment to look at him before he glanced to the person beside him, Pansy Parkinson and then Ron who was currently busy grabbing a seat for Harry.
"Wow! I never thought I'd see you guys altogether." He said as he chuckled. "Man, this is a sight. A table full of Gryffindors and Slytherins."
"Yes Harry. It has been this way for a couple of years now." Oliver said as he stood up to hug his former teammate.
"And you better get used to it Potter!" Blaise said with a wink as he hugged him as well.
"When did you get back?" Hermione asked him.
As Harry was bombarded with questions from the people in their table, Draco watched silently as he took in the sight of the Golden Boy. He couldn't take his eyes off the said man. It has been seven years since he last saw him and the way that their last meeting ended up was someone would consider not-so-friendly. Only a few people knew what they really were and god how he wishes that the whole world knew back then. Maybe then, he would not be this person full of regrets and what ifs.
"So, what have you been up to Potter? We haven't heard about you for quite a while." Adrian Pucey asked.
"Well, I've been travelling here and there. Took up Healing and now I'm assigned in Mungo's" Harry answered as he eyed Theo and Blaise with a knowing look.
Hermione hid a smile behind her glass as she took a sip. "Well, it seems like a coincidence since Blaise and Theo are assigned in Mungo's as well. That's why we've all decided to move back here. " She said.
"Yeah, I didn't know that. But I do know that Blaise and Theo are one of the best in their field." Harry answered evenly and gave her a knowing look. "I just arrived here the other day. How about you guys, when did you arrive and where are you staying?" he asked them.
"We've portkeyed in this morning, Blaise is staying with Draco for the meantime while Mione and I are staying at her parent's old place" Theo answered as he put down his glass.
At the mention of Draco's name, Harry looked at him and smiled. "How have you been? I've heard you're next in line to be the Head Auror as soon as Robards retires."
Draco took a sip of his drink before he answered and stared at the raven haired man's eyes "I've been good." He chuckled "wherever you've heard that news is surely just exaggerating their arses off".
The whole group laughed, it was Pansy who recovered first "Well, he would be since he doesn't have a life outside work." She said while looking at her friend with a smirk.
"Really now, I would never have thought of you as a workaholic but what can I say. People change" Harry stated before gulping the drink that was set in front of him. He was about to say something when he caught sight of the flashing band on his wrist. "Oh, as much as I would like to stay I can't. I have an emergency. Sorry but I need to go. See you around" He said as he stood up and clapping everyone on their backs including Draco.
"Hey mate! Come to the Burrow on Sunday, everyone misses you and I'm sure Mum has a lot to say to you." Ron called to him as he started to move towards the table of his colleagues.
After Harry left, their table was silent. Only Oliver's farewell broke that silence "We need to go as well. We have an early morning practice tomorrow. See you guys" and with that, he and Adrian left.
Hermione, Ginny and Pansy stood up as well to freshen up in the loo, leaving the men behind. Draco sat there looking at his remaining drink sullenly. Theo and Blaise sat there looking at each other as if communicating with their eyes. If you were to look closely, you will notice that it isn't just between the two of them but the red headed male was also included. Sighing, he looked up at his companions "What?" he asked them as he saw them all looking at him.
At the loo, Hermione was powdering her face while Ginny is combing her hair. "I didn't know that he would be here. I swear or I wouldn't have invited you guys here" Hermione started.
"You should have seen Draco. He is still hung up on Harry and to think it was he who ended it." Ginny piped in.
Pansy stopped applying lip gloss to look at both of them "Hey, you can't blame him. He only wants to be an obedient son but what can I say. I agree. He should've fought for Harry. But still…how long has it been since he moved out from Paris?" she asked Hermione.
"It has been like five years since he left Paris and moved to Frankfurt and stayed there. He barely visits, mostly just to have check-ups or to assist in Blanc Pétale" Hermione answered as she applied the last touch of her make-up.
Ginny who was already done, leaned on the sink as she crossed her arms across her chest "Do you think he has moved on already? I mean it has been seven years and the song earlier…" she trailed on.
"No one knows Gin. I know I might sound selfish but I do hope he hasn't. I grew up with Draco and I want him to be happy at one point and I know that it is only Harry that would be able to do that – " she was not able to finish whatever she was about to say as they heard a knock on the door.
"Ladies, if you please. We need to get going. Draco just lost it and is about to break." Came Blaise's voice through the door.
The three ladies hurried up and the four of them quickly moved back towards their table to find Theo and Ron trying to cheer the blonde man up. Pansy and Hermione paid their tabs as Ginny was the only person able to console Draco with Ron hauling him to his feet wrapping an arm around his waist while the blonde's arm was flung around his shoulders and the other being held by his sister.
Blaise, Theo, Pansy and Hermione apparated to Draco's flat while Ron and Ginny assisted Draco through the floo. Pansy and Ginny helped each other in putting Draco to bed while the rest are lounging at his study talking about what to do.
"I can't stand seeing him like this. He is so miserable ever since Harry left but I can't do anything." Ron said as he punched the wall. Blaise walked over towards him and patted his back.
"What do you mean you can't do anything Ron?" Hermione asked as she looked up to him from where she sat by the couch.
"Even if I've known where Harry is and met with him several times, I am unable to tell Draco all that. Even Pansy can't as well. He has us under an Unbreakable Vow to not tell his whereabouts or anything about him to anyone –" Ron stopped as realization dawned unto him.
"Yes Ron. There is a loophole in the Vow. You may be able to talk to anyone who knows his whereabouts and certain topics. But for anyone who is not aware, anything you try to say about him would be forbidden." Theo explained.
"What do you know? About Harry I mean?" Blaise asked.
"Pansy and I were on a holiday then in Australia five years ago when we met him. We were both shocked to see him there. He didn't tell us much just that he's been travelling here and there and that he's currently doing his Healer training in Paris and is about to be done. Ever since then, we meet up every time we are on holiday. He knows that we've married and we know that he's settled in Frankfurt. That's pretty much it. There's a lot more, isn't it?" the red head said as he looked at them.
They nodded. "Now I understand." Hermione blurted out.
"What?" Theo asked his wife.
"Nothing. It's just that now that I've thought about it. We were discussing – Pansy, Ginny and I – earlier at the ladies room, about Harry's whereabouts. I was wondering how she knew that Harry was in Paris and moved out. He never told us that you've met." Hermione explained.
Just then, Pansy and Ginny appeared. "Is he asleep?" Theo asked.
"Yeah, he is. I think we should go somewhere else to talk." Ginny suggested as Blaise hugged her from behind.
Sunday came and they were all at the Burrow. Pansy, Ron and their son – Hadrian who was four years old – arrived as the same time as the Notts. Theo and Hermione brought their daughter – Tia Helene who is two years old. Blaise arrived a little later with Ginny, Oliver and Adrian who he picked up from Quidditch practice. George and his wife Angelina has been there earlier than them and was busy helping Molly in the kitchen. Their son, Fred II who is seven, is busy playing with his cousins Victoire and Dominique – daughters of Bill and Fleur. Charlie was busy arranging the table at the backyard along with his partner, Radu and his father, Arthur. Percy and his wife, Audrey brought their twins, Amaryllis and Amadeus both five years old and looking over the playing children.
They were all silenced when there was a knock on the door. Ron looked at Hermione and Theo as hope flickered in their eyes. Ginny went and opened the door. She gasped in surprise when she saw Harry standing on their front steps. She threw the door wide open and shouted "Guys! Harry's here!" as she enveloped the raven haired in a tight hug.
Reviews are greatly encouraged and appreciated!
The song used in this chapter is "Over You by Daughtry"