Just something I was playing around with. I was in a very solemn mood at the time. Please tell me what you think :P
The snow fell calmly around me as I walked the streets of London on my own. I adjusted my auror cloak, tightening it around myself as a cool breeze blew streets were layered in the cold ice, and with it being around eleven, the roads were empty of all life.
The night shift was always a bit dull; not much was happening nowadays, with most criminals of the war captured or dead. I admit it was lonely, but I didn't mind much; it gave me time to think about life and home.
After the war, I completed my final year at Hogwarts and then immediately following was auror training. Once I became a full-fledged auror, I married Ginny and we bought a small place in London. Everything was going good, life should've been perfect. I spent my day's hunting down bad guys, and my nights with her and her family.
Unfortunately, after a year or so, things began to change. Ginny and I began distancing ourselves from each other, finding ways to spend time with others rather than together as husband and wife. I wasn't sure at the time why it was happening, but eventually I figured out that I just didn't love her anymore. Even though I felt that way, I know she still loved me. She may not have shown it much, what with us hardly seeing each other, but I think she felt that if she tried, she could get us back on track to a happy marriage.
We started going to marriage counseling, and she insisted on going out for dinner, just the two of us, at least once a week. She thought the romantic atmosphere would help. She came to visit at work for lunch sometimes, but never stayed for too long. My paperwork took up most of my time and she didn't like waiting.
When I started doing the night shift, she would wake up when I got home and kiss me, and of course try to take things further. Unfortunately, nothing helped, and my depression seemed to just continue spiraling down. I just couldn't bring myself to tell her; I'm not in love with her. And worst yet, I don't think I ever truly was.
I think the marriage was more of an obligation than anything else. When Fred died, Ginny took comfort in my arms. She always helped me with my classes that last year, and after graduating, she continued to always be there. We were technically dating, i wasn't seeing anyone else, and when we were together i did
hug her, and she would kiss me. After everything i had been thru, I longed for affection and love. When her father was hospitalized, she wept for days and told me I was the only person in her life that she felt she could talk to. I had smiled at her and a few days later I proposed. It just seemed like the right thing to do. It immediately brightened her spirit, as well as the rest of the family, and her father recovered soon after and thanked me for promising to take care of his daughter. Now, here I was, 23, and even though I had a seemingly perfect life, things just weren't right.
Did I want to divorce Ginny? Should I be the one to bring that pain on her, when she's been trying so hard to fix us? And what of the rest of the family? Surely it would break their hearts. These are my thoughts as I walk the streets almost every night.
As I made my way to the end of the block, I heard a loud cracking noise behind me, and I turned quickly, wand in hand. I sighed when I saw it was just my boss Gawain Robards. "Evening Mr. Potter. Everything alright?" I nodded. "Quiet as usual."
"Great. I was thinking, since you've been working so much, and dealing with all the changes like a pro, I figured you deserved an early night off."
"That's ok sir, I wouldn't feel right leaving before I'm supposed to."
"Harry, go on home to that wife of yours and enjoy a night off. You deserve it." He shooed me away and took over. I felt my spirit dampen. Home wasn't exactly where I would like to go right now. Ginny would probably still be awake. And if not, I would still wake up earlier than usual tomorrow and have to spend time at home with her. It wasn't my idea of fun really.
Instead of home, I decided to go out for a drink. I apparated to a bar not too far from home where the lights were dim and I knew the bartender. I took a seat at the bar and the owner, Simon, brought me a drink. "Long day at the office?" He asked, smiling. I smiled back and took a drink. We chatted for awhile about different things; quidditch, the ministry, Rons wedding to Hermione. We talked for a while until more customers came to the counter and he had to serve them their drinks.
I took the opportunity to turn slightly in my seat, looking over at the groups of people at their tables. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, drinking, eating, laughing with each other. I remember those days. Before my friends and I had lives. When the days were just us, enjoying the peace together.
I took another drink of what was my third glass of whiskey, when an uncomfortable feeling settled inside of me. I felt suddenly very aware of my surroundings and I placed the glass back on the bar. Slowly turning, I eyed each table carefully. I made it halfway thru the bar before locking eyes with a familiar face. Oh yes, that face. He was staring at me, drink in hand, a smirk planted gracefully on his mouth, grey eyes wandering too much for comfort. I've never forgotten those eyes. They haunted me for years, taunting me, mocking me.
He tilted his head slightly at me, motioning the empty seat across his table. I stood from the bar stool and slowly made my way to him.
"Potter."
"Malfoy."
"Long time no see." I nodded, taking another drink. He pushed the chair back with his foot, inviting me to sit. I stared questioningly at it.
"Its rude not to accept an offer for a seat from an old friend Potter."
"I wouldn't go as far as saying 'old friend' Malfoy, acquaintance maybe."
He waved his hand cooly. "Regardless. Sit." I felt myself easing into the chair across my old Slytherin nemesis. "How have you been?"
"I've been good. And you?"
"Eh, the same." He nodded in response and took another drink. I wasn't sure what to say. What needed to be said between two people who despised each other for 7 years?
"Shouldn't you at home with the weaslette?" He asked, smirking across the table.
I glared. "I don't think that's any of your concern."
"My apologies. Let me rephrase. What are you doing in a bar at 1am instead of being at home with your *lovely* wife?"
I sighed. Malfoy never made things easy.
"I got off of work early. Decided to have a few drinks. That's all." He nodded, taking another sip.
"Alone?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Yes...why?"
"I'm a people watcher Potter. And people don't usually drink alone unless they're running from problems. Or looking to shag. And I know the golden boy wouldn't step outside of his cozy marriage. So what's your problem?"
"My problem? What's your problem? I'm just having a few drinks before going home. I see nothing wrong with that. What's it to you anyway!"
"Hmmm testy testy Potter. Did I hit a sore spot?" I felt a headache coming on.
"You know, I was enjoying my night before this. It was a mistake to come over here." I placed the glass down and prepared to stand. He reached his hand over and placed it on mine to stop me.
"Don't get so uptight. I'm sorry. Here, let me buy another round ok?" I stared at him for a moment, trying to figure out his motive. When all I saw was sincerity in his face, I sighed again and sat back down.
He order more drinks for us and we slowly made small talk.
"So what do you do now? You know, besides finding ways to annoy me?" He scoffed at my comment.
"For your information, I'm a healer now. I work at St. Mungos. I save people's lives."
"Staying out of trouble then?" He smiled, a little too deviously for my tastes.
"And risk having the almighty auror Potter knocking on my door to take me in? I think not." I couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
"Nothing would bring me more happiness."
I watched him run his fingers around his glass, condensation dripping onto the wood table. "You know Potter, I never thanked you." I raised an eyebrow. "For what malfoy?.
"For saving me from the fiendfyre. And not letting me go to azkaban."
"Hey don't worry about it. I didn't think you deserved to die. Or be put away. Besides, your mother saved me as well. So consider us even."
Draco smiled and shook his head. "Ever so noble Potter. But really. Let me make it up to you."
"You bought a round already."
"So my life is only worth a couple of glasses of whiskey?"
"Malfoy you don't-"
"Shut it Potter. This Saturday, a night out on the town. You can bring your weaslette if needed." I stared at him, mouth open in confusion. He grinned.
"Don't get so excited Potter, it's not a date."
"I know that!" He raised that damn accusing eyebrow. I winced.
"Look for my owl." He finished his drink and stood, giving what I swore was a wink before apparating away. I stared at the spot he was last standing in, trying to figure out how I got forced into this.
"I don't understand."
I shrugged my shoulders at my wife. "I don't either Ginny."
"What the HELL does he think? That's we're just going to use our free time so he can sit around making fun of us like the old days?"
"Well Ginny, I don't know. He seems like he's changed a bit...I mean, he does still have a snarky attitude but he seemed genuinely sorry and just wants to make it up to me..us.."
"And dinner is supposed to do that?"
"Well...I mean...its a start..maybe we could even be friends.."
"Friends Harry? Do you even hear yourself? Friends with Draco Malfoy? A death eater?!"
"Hey!" I snapped back. "Listen here Ginny. The war was a long time ago! Things happened that we couldn't control! And people do change! Why can't you just give him a chance?"
"Some people don't change Harry."
"And who's to decide that? You? You haven't seen him in forever! You didn't see the things I did! In the bathroom 6th year! In the astronomy tower! The way he was treated by his father! He was given as much of a choice about being a death eater as I was about being the bloody savior!"
"Either way Harry, i don't like it and I refuse to go and if you know what's best then you won't go either."
"I do know what's best, I will go alone." With that I stormed out of the house into the garden. I wasn't sure why I fought so hard for the issue. But just seeing the way Ginny was acting was just really getting on my nerves. Who was she to say who i could and couldn't see? Even if it was just Draco.
Draco? Since when did I start referring to him by his first name?
I shrugged off the mistake and laid down in the grass, looking up at the stars.
Why should it be a mistake to call someone by their first name? It's not like we're exactly strangers. We've known each other for 12 years..
Ginny must have gotten to me more than I thought, to have me arguing with myself over something I'm not sure even matters.
I looked up at the sky at the constellations. I saw Sirius shining brightly, and i smiled at the thought of my late godfather. I wonder if life would be anywhere near the same today if he had been alive. We could've gone on adventures after I graduated, seen the world. Maybe instead of an Auror I could've played quidditch, or, well, anything really could've been possible. My godfather was a very mischievous and unpredictable man, we could've ended up anywhere in the world!
I wonder if he would have encouraged a friendship with Draco. After all they had been related...
Damn him! Still disrupting my thoughts about something that had absolutely nothing to do with him!
I shook my head at myself and lie there in the grass, still and a bit weak. Morning would be approaching soon, and I should think about turning in soon. But I knew she was in there. And it would probably be even more unpleasant than usual, what with our little spat over Draco.
See, that didn't hurt a bit. No harm done. Draco. Draco.
"Draco.." It just rolls right off the tongue.
What the hell is wrong with me?
AN: I have a few ideas about where this story will go, but please leave feedback if you have any ideas about what you would like to happen.
Also, I haven't given up on "Light Beyond the Shadows" I just needed some inspiration, and I finally got my old copy of Deathly Hallows 2 back, and watched it, so expect a new chapter for it shortly!