A/N: Story takes place in that cliche 8th Year we all know and love so much. The "8th Years" share a dorm, due to over population, Neville and Harry room with Draco and Blaise. It'll be a slow burn, and slow write. But it's something I've been sitting on for a hot second and want to get it out to you all. (No Beta, mine own and I had a falling out. Accepting 'applications'!) I do hope you're all well. Forever yours, ~kiz

Warnings: Language, 8th Year Drarry AU, EWE.

Harry James Potter/Draco Malfoy. 8th Year AU.

"What's that?" Pansy asked with a point at Draco's desk, a paper was folded in half with his name scrawled across in cramped, messy handwriting.

"I don't know," Draco lifted a shoulder, picking it up and opening it. He recognized the handwriting immediately, but he didn't say that. "You're cute."

Pansy arched an eyebrow, "no it doesn't."

He handed the paper to her passively, quirking an eyebrow, "yes, it does."

"Who...?"

"I have no idea," he lifted a shoulder. (But, he knew.) "Anyway, Potions?"

"Don't you want to know?"

"Not interested." He nodded towards the trash bin. (But, he was.)

"Draco," she breathed out, putting the note back on his desk and pulling out her wand to give it a once-over with a few identifying spells. He had tried that before, on one of the many others he had been receiving since 8th Year started, but he wasn't going to tell her that. Instead, he pulled out his school books and sat cross-legged on the bed getting ready to study.

Pansy huffed in disappointment that nothing came back, "suppose it's a bloke with this handwriting?"

"I'm fairly certain," Draco nodded, giving a small glance, "I do share this room with three other boys."

"I bet it's one of them," Pansy whispered excitedly, and pulled his desk chair out to take a seat, "Blaise wouldn't do this unless it is a prank. But..." she shook her head, "I know his handwriting, this isn't him." She glanced around the rest of the room, "Longbottom and Potter." Pansy quirked an eyebrow, peering at their beds, "Surely not Potter, isn't he dating that girl weasel? You don't suppose Longbottom is a poof, do you?"

Draco gave her look, "don't be crass, Pansy."

"I'm just asking," she was smiling, "he's not bad on the eyes, really grew into himself last year."

Draco watched her grab the note off his desk again, he should really just tell her but he didn't want to deal with it. He knew what would happen and he didn't want this to happen. He just wanted to focus on their unofficial 8th Year and get the hell out of there.

The door sounding caused them both to glance over, seeing the two in question coming through the door. Pansy grinned at Draco, before calling out. "Oi! Longbottom?"

"Hey," he smiled edging closer. Longbottom didn't care anything about anyone related to the past, he came back to school with a new attitude.

"Drakey and I were just talking," she started, dropping the note on the desk, "who would stand a better chance with you?"

Draco sighed, "I just want to study."

"Right after I figure out who gets the date," she said with a shushing sound, "me or Draco?"

"A date?" Neville flopped down on the edge of Draco's bed without invitation and much to Draco's irritation. The blonde glanced up at Harry who was standing at the door with his eyes trained on Draco's desk. "Well, no offense Malf-."

"None taken," he answered quickly, "now that, that's answered can we study?"

Pansy chuckled, "we'll get back to this," she promised him in a quiet voice and turned to look at Harry, "aren't you dating that red-head girl?"

Harry swallowed with a nervous gulp, darting his eyes to Draco and Neville before giving a forced nod. "I forgot something."

Neville gave a small wave and got to his feet, heading over to his trunk. Pansy and Draco shared a look, she and him performing the nonverbal at the same time merged their minds, he's not very subtle.

Drop it.

You already knew! Pansy gasped loudly and fixed Draco with a glare, you let me make a fool of myself!

You did that on your own, Draco turned back to his Potion's work, plus you got a date with a cute bloke out of it.

He is pretty cute, huh?

Draco snorted softly and cut off their connection. "By the way," Neville said turning around with his clothes in hand, "they're not together anymore," he glanced at Draco as he said it, "Harry thought he was a little... uh, he was much less interested in her than he was someone else."

"Wouldn't happen to be Draco would it?"

The man growled, "Parkinson, for the love of Merlin, drop it!"

Neville chuckled, "well," he threw a wink at them and eased over to the bathroom, "us though?"

"When and where?" Pansy asked, the previous conversation fallen to the wayside, "I'm there." He glanced at Draco and held open the door to the bathroom a little wide, giving Pansy a lifted eyebrow and smirk. She knew it was a joke, but bloody Merlin, talk about that Gryffindor confidence. Pansy fought back the urge to get up to join him and instead she tilted her head and ran her fingers through her short hair, "dinner first, Longbottom."

"That's right, class." He smirked and stepped into the bathroom.

"I mean, honestly," Draco said as soon as the door was closed, grabbing his wand to blow the note into the trash bin and accio his quill to him, "can we do some work now?"

Pansy frowned, flopping across the bed that was across from Draco's, she pulled out her notes and Potion's book, "he's cute," she said after a moment, "why not give him a chance?"

"He writes me little letters, Pansy, and leaves them on my desk." Draco said without looking up, "he could talk to me if he wanted."

"He's obviously nervous and not near as confident as Longbottom."

"He's Potter, and I'm Malfoy," Draco's eyes still trained to the book, "we're not a thing."

"You could be." Pansy wasn't working, at all, instead she was laid back on said Potter's bed with her eyes closed.

"Could you get off his bed at least?" Draco asked shortly.

"Why? I'm tired, it's comfortable." She stretched out with a quiet sigh, throwing her arms over her eyes, "pros to pursuing Harry Pot-."

"Pansy!" Draco threw a pillow at her, "shut the hell up!" They had heard the shower shut off some time ago and he knew how much you could hear in that bathroom.

"I'm trying to help!" She laughed, peeking an eye open, hearing the bathroom door open. Neville came out clean and wet, toweling at his hair.

Draco quickly composed himself and focused back on the essay he was working through.

"Comfortable?" Neville smirked over at the girl, "mine's better."

"It was too far," she grinned before turning away and shutting her eyes again.

"What are you two doing?"

"We were studying," Draco answered passively, "she's avoiding it."

Neville grabbed his own book and sat down at his desk with a hum, "I'll join."

Draco gave a small shift, studying the side of his face.

"I won't say anything," Neville said after a moment, catching Draco's eyes and the two shared a look. "Honestly." He flipped his book open, "he's a nice bloke, one of my best mates but he's slow... I've watched him go through crushes and never let anything happen." Draco stared in shock, "so, if it's not your thing it'll go away and you won't have to worry about it after too long."

Pansy huffed, rolling to her side, "but, you should give him a chance Draco."

Malfoy looked down at the book in his lap, "I'm going over the properties of The Memory potion," he said after a moment, "have you finished that yet?"

Neville shook his head, "no, all ears."

Pansy was asleep and curled up with Harry's pillow and blanket when he came back in. Neville was waist deep in a heated argument with Blaise about their coursework while Draco watched, slouched back against the wall, his tie undone and shirt half unbuttoned with a grin. Harry shut the door quietly, not bothering anyone and it was only after he cleared his throat that any of them looked up at him.

"I didn't see any of you at dinner," holding up a tray, "I brought dinner."

"Ah, thanks, Potter." Blaise and Neville paused their argument to each grab a sandwich, Harry offered the tray to Draco who was quick to sit up straight and pluck an option with a quiet thank you before he looked away over at the other two. Harry sat the tray on his trunk before giving a point to Draco's desk chair.

"Sure."

Harry eased into the seat, "what are they on about?"

"The best time to pluck a soursprut," Draco answered passively, his previous grin gone as he took a bite and looked over his own coursework. He was in the editing stage of his paper when they had moved on to that subject.

"Well, which is it?" Harry questioned, interrupting Draco again. The blonde glanced up in question, Harry hadn't talked to him but a few times since the school year started and all of those had only been in passing and small group conversations such as this. Neville and Blaise were quick friends, and now it seemed Neville and Pansy were headed towards (something a bit more than) friends. Draco enjoyed Longbottom's company, he was intelligent and very Gryffindor. Annoyingly so but it was refreshing, Draco thought anyway, it kept him on his toes admittedly and gave him something to think about in times like this.

"Depends on why you need it," Draco explained, softly, "using it for food? Longer the better. Using it for potions? Earliest is best."

"Exactly!" Neville exclaimed, slapping his desk. Pansy jolted awake with a yelp, looking around, "sorry, beautiful." He said so quick it was obviously an oversight, "but, like Draco said!"

"Oh, piss," Blaise waved his hand, "he doesn't know anything. The plant is most sour when it is young."

"I'm going to bloody find you a bloody fucking plant." Neville got to his feet, stomping into his shoes, "and when I'm right I'm never letting you live it the hell down."

Blaise, grabbed his coat, jerking it on, "never in a million years, Longbottom."

Harry stared in slight shock watching them run out of the room, sandwiches in hand. Draco snorted inelegantly and turned back to his papers.

"Oh, sorry Potter," Pansy said though she didn't move and merely curled back into the pillow Draco had thrown at her earlier.

"My friends like to make themselves at home," Draco said without looking up. Harry gave a small laugh, leaning towards the tray of food before he picked up a sandwich but he didn't say another word. He just moved from Draco's desk to his own. Malfoy watched him under his eyelashes, once seated he threw up a few silencing wards.

Then he glanced over at the trash bin and eased himself off his bed. He bent down to pull the note from the wire basket, turning it over in hand to re-read it. You're cute. He smoothed it against his desk and tucked it into the drawer with all the others taking a moment to read a few of them, Smile more, it's beautiful. Your hair looked silver today. I've never been a fan of silver before..., you're a good person, before pulling out a fresh piece of parchment.

Harry. He scrawled in his long, elegant strokes. His quill hovered over the paper, unsure what to say. Neville's previous promise of it going away came to mind, his hadn't gone away. It'd been almost 8 years. He was on the wrong side of the War to make anything happen but now it was done, they could move on. Was this what they wanted? Was he sure?

Draco dropped the quill and ducked into the bathroom, Harry never once looked up.

Draco woke to a grumble and a shove, his eyes flashed opened immediately as he gripped his wand and he saw Pansy shoving him awake, "almost time for breakfast."

He searched the room quickly, Potter was sprawled out on the floor rug between his bed and Draco's and the blonde realized quickly that Pansy had slept in their room. "Parkinson!" He hissed, hearing Blaise in the background. "Did you stay in here?"

"I was asleep," she drawled, before giving him a look, "you think Potter will bring us breakfast if we ask real nice?"

"No," Harry answered from the floor, propping himself up, "go get your own breakfast."

She pretended to be hurt, grabbing at her chest, "so rude."

"Am I?" He ran a hand through his dishelved hair and rolled his neck to the side with a pop, "last I checked you were asleep on my bed."

"Already cheating on me Pansy?" Neville called from where he was doubt lounging in his bed with the tapestry still drawn, Draco didn't even need to look. It was a morning routine for the four.

Blaise woke and showered first, then Draco, then Harry and lastly Neville would come out. It was almost rehearsed, but it really boiled down to their own personal rituals. Blaise liked to go for a jog, and when he came back in it always woke Draco. Who typically studied or read until he could shower. The blonde had a sneaking suspicion that his best mate tended to nudge the other two awake because he often commented on how they slept through alarms and were almost late their first week together - now they were on time or even early every day.

This morning was different, though, Draco frowned. Blaise hadn't woke him after his run and now he was on the same schedule as Potter and Longbottom.

He chanced a glance down at Harry, who had turned to his side and was glaring up at Pansy as she made some back-handed comment about how only one person ever made Harry Potter a choice over Neville.

Draco tutted quietly, "drop it." He demanded and something in the room shifted, it went from the playful joke to the reality of the words.

Pansy glanced away, slight pink on her cheeks, "sorry Potter."

"No harm, no foul," he answered quickly and jumped to his feet heading straight for the bathroom, disrupting their morning even more.

"Nice going, Pansy." Blaise scowled.

"I wasn't thinking." She hurried and grabbed her own bag off the ground next to Draco's bed shuffling towards the door.

"Maybe that's the problem," he snapped back, giving her a head shake.

"Okay, lay off," Draco got up and gave a small stretch. He made his bed using his wand before dropping down at his desk, "and get out."

"Aren't you coming with me?"

"My morning is already ruined, Parkinson," he rubbed his temple, "so, no."

"Draco," Blaise gave his shoulder a rub, feeling his friend relax against his hold slightly. "You alright mate?" He asked quietly, leaning in.

"Fine." Draco cleared his throat, turning away slightly. "I'll see you before lunch."

"We still going to Hogsmead?" Pansy asked from the door, teetering on the spot.

"Yes."

She looked over towards Longbottom's bed, using her wand to blow the canopy cover apart, "buy me a drink?"

He smirked rubbing his eyes and looking up from the book he had been reading - so, that's what he does in there, Draco thought. "Its a date."

Draco chuckled, "get out Parkinson for the love of Salazar."

"Fine." She blew Draco a kiss and ducked out, pulling Blaise behind her. Draco stared down at Harry's name he had written out last night with a sigh.

"You okay mate?"

Draco glanced over, "she's a mess, sorry about that." He said sincerely, tilting his head.

"Ah, she's harmless." Neville grinned, "I like it."

"Well," Draco offered a grin before standing again.

"Really though," Neville was standing now, "you seem bothered?" Draco lifted an eyebrow in question, "I've been your roommate long enough to judge your moods, Malfoy."

"Oh," he lifted a shoulder, "I'm actually a little tired."

"Thoughts?"

Draco hummed, glancing down at the parchment on his desk. "I don't know what to say."

Neville stared at him a moment before mouthing, oh. Then he smiled, a real genuine good-hearted Neville Longbottom smile, "I'm good at flirting, need help?"

Draco rolled his eyes and grabbed his change of clothes from the chest-of-drawers, turning his back as he stripped his pajama top.

"Honestly, a mastermind. People wouldn't think it by looking at me."

"Piss off."

"That's no way to accept help."

Draco whipped around, his undershirt in hand, "if you don't stop I am going to hex you."

"How about we start with a compliment," Neville said dryly, arms crossed and clearly unfazed. The bathroom door sounded and Neville looked over, Draco hurried to pull his undershirt on, turning away again.

Harry stood there a moment, freshly showered and dressed looking between the two.

"We're going to Hogsmead later, Potter, gonna join us?"

Draco glanced over his shoulder at the question, both curious and perturbed. Harry shrugged, "yeah, I'll check with Hermione and Ron."

Neville quirked a brow, "you guys doing better, then?"

Wait.. the Golden Trio was on the outs?! Draco thought, pulling his jeans up quickly. He hadn't seen them together much but he also had been trying to avoid watching for Harry Potter anymore. Or again. However, he wanted to look at it. He was trying to break his unhealthy interest in The Savior.

He looked at his desk at the thought, quickly pushing it away.

"It's strained," Harry spoke softly, "I'll just extend an invite, they may decline."

"Sure," Neville headed towards the bathroom, "oh, hey, you can buy Draco a drink. It'd be like a double." He said before shutting the door and both heard the lock sound.

Draco was frozen, quite literally with his hands down his pants as he had been tucking in his undershirt. His eyes were wide, though Harry couldn't see them. He could only see Draco's back rigid and frozen in front of him.

Neither said a word. Potter had been planning to finish up that Potion's essay he had put off. He really should have worked on last night with them, when Neville and Blaise got back. Blaise proved wrong, they had made a bet of some sort resulting in Blaise having to do Neville's Charms work. And since Pansy had been fast asleep, curled up on his bed Harry had the time. Instead, he followed her example and curled up on the floor rug with his pillow and a throw.

Harry broke first, clearing his throat and turning to his bed. He used his wand to tidy the blankets, before sitting on the edge and grabbing his shoes. Always tomorrow. He thought, hurrying to stuff his feet in.

Draco finally took a deep breath, feeling the magic behind him before all he could hear was hurried shuffles. He zipped his jeans and once again his eyes trailed over the parchment. Harry. Scrawled in his long, loopy handwriting.

Harry. Harry. Harry.

"What?"

Draco blinked in shock, realizing he had said it out loud. Not just his name but... Harry?

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.

"You," Draco took a slow breath, turning to face him properly. "He... it'd be a 'double' because Pansy and him are going together." What the fuck am I talking about?

"I heard."

"Right."

"Wait!" Harry got up, one shoe on, "are you saying you want to go with me?"

There's that stupid pride, Draco sniffed and picked up his dark green sweater from the footboard slipping it over his head. "Are you asking?"

This had to be a record conversation between them. Probably ever. Nicest and longest conversation they had managed to have together. Harry glanced at Draco's desk fleetingly and it was almost as if Draco could read his mind without performing Legilimens. He could read it all over Potter's stupid face.

"Yes," Draco interrupted his thoughts, "yes, I am saying I'd like to go with you."

Harry wet his lips in shock, his tongue darting against them before opening his mouth. "Oh."

Oh?! Draco fought down a yell, what does oh mean?!

Harry blushed, rubbing his hand against his bare arm and that bright dazzling Harry Potter smile made it's way across his lips, "I would like that. Too."

"I know," Draco found himself saying. Wishing he hadn't when Harry laughed. "We're going for lunch," Draco spoke over him, grabbing his bag from the ground.

"Right," Harry quieted down, "lunch." Still smiling like a maniac.

"I don't like to be kept waiting," Draco hummed and turned, leaving Harry without another word as quickly as he could without running.

Harry's obsession with Draco hadn't lessened in any way since half-way through 1st Year when the twat told on them for being out of the castle after dark and they had ended up as partners in the Forbidden Forest. Now, he was only more open about it. His theory, as direct and crass as it could be was, I died for these fucking people.

Harry wanted his cake, and he wanted to eat it too. Isn't that what you're supposed to do?

"Oi!" Harry called to the back of Ron's head, jogging to catch both Hermione and him as they were making their way down the corridor no doubt headed to the library based on the look both faces were wearing.

Ron gave him a glance, before around the hallway and Hermione smiled. Harry had been trying to get them all back together for the past two months but it was a never-ending battle. Ron was mad about him and Ginny, Harry had 'hurt her' - though the last he knew she wasn't hurt. She seemed okay, not the mention the break-up had happened just after the War.

"I'll meet you there," Ron muttered, heading away. No one was around to whisper, he didn't have to pretend.

"No, wait, Ron." Harry hurried, sliding to a stop just before Ron disappeared, "I wanted to ask you all to lunch?"

Hermione nodded excitedly, "yes, of course, Harry."

"We're going to Hogsmeade, I wanted you two to join us."

"No."

"I'll be there," she promised, speaking over Ron.

"Really?" Harry breathed out a quiet sigh, "Ron, if you change your mind... We're meeting at the doors just after 12."

"I'll be there," Hermione promised again and gave Harry's hand a squeeze, "want to join us? We're just going to study some."

Harry had his bag over his shoulder and gave the strap a hard pull, Ron was turned towards him. Waiting for his answer. "Uh, y-yeah." He finally answered, "mind if we go to Hagrid's? He had just asked me to tea." He explained, waving the scribbled note he was delivered that morning.

"Oh, yes! Ron?" She held her hand out for her boyfriend. There was nothing that could turn Ron away from going to see Hagrid...

Ron took her hand, giving her palm a soft squeeze, "alright."

Harry led the way, quietly, while Hermione and Ron followed behind him closely. Hermione was going on about their Defense class - how different it was for the year. Harry and Ron didn't say much about the subject and she didn't need them to. She was talking to herself mostly, making a comparison list in her head, only pausing when they got to Hagrid's and Harry knocked.

"Though' ye forgot 'bout me!" Hagrid's booming voice greeted them, pulling the door open and ushering them inside, "I made fruit cake and tea."

Ron fought down his groan, before flopping down on one of the chairs, Hermione taking a seat as well. Hagrid hurried to get his pink oven mittens off and was pouring them all a mugs worth of tea, "well sugared." He promised, spooning in a heaping amount to all three cups before passing them around the table, quick to join at the head.

"How yeh been?"

"I don't need another friend, if you're not mine.
I don't need you, if you're not here by my side."
- Slaves, Deadly Conversations