DISCLAIMER: Nothing in the Harry Potter world is mine except for the plot. Everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling.
WARNING: This is SLASH people. So if you don't like it, go back while you still can.
Reunions
"I don't think you should do this," the woman said as she tried to get the man before her to change his mind.
"I have to do this and I have to do it before tomorrow," the man responded, determined, as he prepared to leave. "I have to do this now because I won't have the willpower to do it later."
"But it's been three years."
"Three years, four months and ten days. But who's counting," the man laughed nervously. "It doesn't matter how long it's been. I need to do this today."
"This could open up a can of warms that neither you nor anyone else will be able to close," she said as she started getting riled up. "Have you any thought to the repercussions? How many lives you could be turning upside down, including your own and-"
"Let him go," another,calmer female voice chimed in. "He's made his decision and there is nothing you norI, or anyone else can say that will make him change his mind," the more reasonable of the three said. "If there are consequences, we will
face them. If there is heartache we will deal with it. No matter what the outcome, all we can do, should do, is support him."
"I hope you know what you're doing," a new male voice said.
"So do I," was the only response the first male could give before disappearing.
As the door to the Leaky Cauldron squeaked open, most of the patrons continued on with their business, not paying the familiar sounds any mind. They were all used to the tell-tale signs of the everyday man coming and going. While some actually stayed
in the rundown pub, most just used the facility as a way to get access to Diagon Alleyor Knockturn Alley, though they would deny the latter even if it were true.
But when a tiny voice squeaked out the name of the savoir of the wizarding world, everyone's head had been years since anyone had seen hide or unruly hair of the Man-Who-Defeated-He-Who-Still-Must-Not-Be-Named.
Looking at him, he had changed over the years, though he still had the same jet black hair that resembled a bird's nest, the same bright green eyes that seemed to see right through you, and the same humbled aura that lured others to him. There was no
doubt about it, Harry Potter had returned.
"Harry Potter, goodness gracious. It's really you," one of the patrons said as he rushed up to Harry and shook his hand. "Do you mind if I buy you a drink?"
"You barely have enough coin to buy yourself a drink, Stan. Go back to your table," a second man with a scruffy voice said as he shooed the first away. "Name's Ethan Crumplebottom. Mind if I buy you a drink, Mr. Potter?"
"No thank you," Harry said kindly as he tried to walk through the pub. "I'm just passing thoughactually."
"Nonsense, nonsense, a small pint's never hurt anyone."
"Leave him alone Mr. Crumplebottom or I might just suddenly remember exactly how big of a tab you owe me," a new, sterner voice called out before Harry could respond.
"You wouldn't," Mr. Crumplebottom said as he turned his head to the bar, where a very familiar face greeted Harry.
"Neville?" Harry said, shocked to find an older version of his old Hogwarts dorm mate.
"In the flesh," Neville smiled as the two greeted each other with a hug.
"It's been years since I last saw you," Harry smiled back as he sat down at the bar. "You work here now? What happened to you being an Auror?"
"I'm still doing that, though it hasn't been the same since you left."
"I couldn't stay. After I went on that last assignment, certain … things … happened that forced me to leave."
"That's too bad. You were the best," Neville said with friendly pride.
"Thanks," Harry laughed. "So what are you doing behind the bar of the Leaky Cauldron if you don't work here?"
"I own here- it. Well, actually my wife does. She inherited the placealmost three years ago."
"Hannah bought the Leaky Cauldron."
"Yeah, after Tom died. He was her uncle … or great uncle, or something like that. Someone offered to buy it, but she wanted to keep it in the family," Neville shrugged. "We moved into one of the rooms upstairs."
"I bet your grandmother wasn't too thrilled about that."
"She was fine with it once I put my foot down. Funny, I think she actually liked thatI went against her wishes. But it was time for me to move out, even though there were more rooms at her place than this whole place."
"She just wanted to make sure that you grew a pair before you left," a familiar voice called out before an arm was draped over Neville's shoulder and a pair of lips connected with his in a brief kiss. "Hello Harry," Hannah greeted with a warm smile. "Are
you looking for a room to spend the night?"
"No, thanks though," Harry said as he got up from his seat. "There are certain things that I need to do, and I think I've distracted myself from them long enough."
"Well I hope there's no trouble," Hannah said in good wishes.
"Hannah, it's me you're talking to. You know trouble follows me wherever I go," he said a little nervously.
"I also know that you always come out stronger for it. This time will be no different, I'm sure," she smiled softly in reassurance.
"Thanks," Harry smiled before leaving through the back to get into Diagon Alley.
After tapping the appropriate sequence of bricks with his wand, Harry finally entered the busy street of Diagon Alley. Now all he had to do was get to Gringotts Bank before noon and everything will be the way it was supposed to be.
Keeping his head low, Harry pulled his hood over his head so as not to attract any unwanted attention, before manoeuvering his way through the bustling streets. Within what felt like only a few minutes, Harry was standing in front of the bank. Remembering
the circumstances of the first time he came to this place, Harry tried to take a deep breath as he climbed the steps. Thoughts about what he could be sacrificing slowed, but never stopped, his steps. In no time, he was standing at the top of the steps,
the doors just a few feet away. Harry looked at his watch, saw that it was still some time before noon.
Soon…
Soon, everything in Harry's world would change, for the better or worse. He could forget about the whole thing. He could go back home, do nothing, and let everything play out the way it had been for all these years. But Harry was never one to run away,
and besides, he had a right to know. Secrets were something Harry had hated growing up with. Everyone had kept secrets from him, from the moment he landed on his aunt's doorstep, to the day he defeated Voldemort. Harry would be damned if he let secrets
run his life any longer, whether intentional or not.
The moment the alarm on Harry's watch beeped, his heart began to pound. He had set it to go off ten minutes before noon to get his nerves ready for what was to come. Soon, very soon…
He looked within the crowd, while keeping his face hidden, searching for the face he hadn't seen in what felt like forever.
Almost time…
Suddenly, a distinctive head of hair caught his attention. Even from its distance, Harry could track it through the crowd. It was the same flawless blonde, almost platinum, hair that Harry had known since his Hogwarts' days. Soon the body attached to
the hair was making its way up the stairs.
At this point, the only sound Harry could hear was the rapid beating of his heart. All he could see was the man he had known for most of his life coming towards him, towards the doors to Gringotts.
Pulling himself together before it was too late, Harry reached out his arm and grabbed the man's sleeve before he stepped into the bank.
"What the," the blonde said as he whirled around to reprimand the nerve of whoever dared to touch him. "How dare you-" The man's scathing words were cut short as Harry pulled back his hood to reveal his face. "Harry," the blonde said, disbelief in his
eyes.
"Hello Draco," Harry smiled, or at least tried to with his nerve reaching its peak. It was now or never. "Sorry to bother you, but we have some unfinished business to attend to," he said before pulling something out of his pocket and placing it in Draco
and his hands.
The moment the object, a small stuffed animal touched their hands, the noon bell rang throughout the streets of Diagon Alley, and the two old school mates vanished from the top of the steps of Gringotts Bank.
The moment the two landed, Harry stumbled on his feet. Portkey travel was never one of his favorite modes of transportation. But for today, it was necessary.
"What is the meaning of this, Potter?" Draco demanded with the same amount of hatred he had exhibited during their school days.
"Potter? A second ago, it was still Harry," Harry said when he finally found his balance and started walking away from the blonde.
"A second ago, I hadn't just been kidnapped," Draco snapped as he rushed to catch up with his kidnapper. "Where the hell have you taken me, and why can I not apparate back to Diagon Alley?"
"You're at my home, and you can't apparate because I've warded my place against it," Harry explained.
"Then I demand that you show me where the ward ends so I can leave and get on with my life," the blonde said as he grabbed Harry arm and spun him around, giving the saviour of the world no room for arguments.
"Not until you listen to what I have to say. Just give me an hour of your time."
"I have no time for your games, Potter," Draco said as his grip tightened. "Let me leave this place at once."
"You're hurting me," Harry winced as Draco's grip started cutting off the circulation of blood to his arm.
In a flash, Draco's grip was removed. Words of apology were on his lips before Draco remembered who he was dealing with.
"Show me the way out," Draco growled.
"I will. Don't worry. But first, unfinished business. It'll only take an hour," Harry said before turning around. He continued walking from Draco as he made to fold his arm, rubbing the bruise that was sure to appear later.
As Draco started to follow, a little more willing than moments before, he noticed a rather large, two-story cottage not far from where they were. It was simple in its design, though tasteful. It took them a while to reach the front steps of the house
and when they did, Draco found his voice again.
"I'm getting married tomorrow," he said at the bottom of the steps.
Harry froze at the top of the stairs. Silence followed the blonde's words and, for a split second, Draco suspected that someone might have hit the savoir with a stunning spell. That is until he saw Harry turn his head to him, not enough to see his face,
but enough to know he was being spoken to.
"I know. The Prophet can't seem to talk about anything else these days," Harry said in a tight voice. "Astoria Greengrass to Marry Heir to the Malfoy Fortune. Don't worry, after you hear what I have to say, you can go back to her."
Without another word, Harry continued towards the front doors. Draco followed some moments later. As soon as he stepped into what looked like the living room, Draco came face to face with someone he thought he would never have to deal with again.
"What did you do to him, you little ferret," a head of red hair snapped as it invaded Draco's personal space.
"Mr. Weasley, always a pleasure," Draco said sarcastically.
"Ron, leave him alone. I'm fine," Harry said as he came between them.
"Harry, this is a bad idea," Ron whispered harshly. "It hasn't even been an hour and he's already-"
"You're starting to sound like Ginny. I told you, I'm fine. Where is she by-the-way?"
"She left shortly after you did. She took Teddy back to his grandmother's house. She didn't want him to be here when you brought him by," Ron said, gesturing to Draco with a scowl, to which the blonde merely rolled his eyes. "Then she said that
she was going to her tryouts."
"Oh right, the Holyhead Harpies are looking for a new chaser. I forgot Ginny told me that was today. Okay, that's good," Harry sighed. "You guys can go as well. I'll be fine," he reassured when he saw his best friend about to protest.
"Call us if you need anything," Hermione said as she appeared beside Ron.
"Thanks."
"Come on Ron, we don't want to keep your mother waiting," she said as she literally dragged him out of the house.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Harry walked over to the window, most likely to watch his friends leave.
"So, you dragged me from my appointment with Gringotts so we can talk. So… You're hour is almost up. Tell me what you wanted to say so I can leave and get on with my life," Draco said as he watched Harry smile and wave as he looked out the window.
"Follow me," he said a moment later and walked out of the room without turning to see if he was being followed. "It's best if I just show you rather than tell you."
As the two walked through the house, Harry led Draco towards a set of stairs. As they climbed its steps, Draco couldn't help but comment.
"I see you finally got the cottage you've always wanted," the blonde said with more malice than he intended as they reached the landing.
"More or less," Harry said before stopping in front of one of the rooms. "Now I need you to keep your voice down while you're inside," he said as he opened the door. "Follow me."
Without another word, Harry took his time walking into the room. It was darker than the other parts of the house which were well lit. The only source of light was coming from the window that was covered by blinds. So it was a little time before Draco
could see exactly what kind of room he was standing in.
There was no mistaking the drawings of wizards zooming around on broomsticks in the middle of the wall or the ones of a werewolf, a giant black dog and a stag that chased each other on the bottom. If he had mistaken their purpose, the child-size bed in
the middle of the room surrounded by toys, was a dead giveaway.
"Why the hell-"
"Please don't swear around him," Harry said, turning to the blonde in a flash.
"Don't swear around who?"
"James? What did I say about the glow paint?" Harry reprimanded as he spotted a small child sitting at a child-sized worktable.
"Gow paint pwetty," James smiled as he lifted up a sheet of paper to show Harry.
James, Draco could tell even in the darkened room, was a carbon copy of Harry. The table he was sitting at was against the adjourning wall that separated the doorway of the room from the main room. As the child lifted up the picture for them to see, Draco
noticed that some of the paint had gotten on the child's fingers, though he seemed too proud of his work to care.
"James, what did I say about the glow paint?" Harry repeated sternly as he took the picture away.
The look on the child's face when his picture was taken with no praise in its place had Draco pitying the poor child.
"No gwonups, no gow paint," the child said dejectedly.
"Exactly," Harry said as he took out his wand and within two flicks, the paint on the child's hands were gone. Then he turned on the lights before lifting the kid into his arms.
"Please don't tell me that you pulled me out of combining my Gringotts account with Astoria's because you wanted me to meet the little spawn you had with the Weaslette?"
"No," Harry said, holding back his anger at Draco's words. "I pulled you away because I wanted you to meet your son. Say hello, Papa," he said before depositing the giggling child into Draco's arms.
End of Chapter: Reunions