Of course, when it actually came down to explaining everything, Harry hadn't a clue where to begin. He supposed going back to the exact day it had all started would be a good place to launch his tale. The three of them had reconvened at the boys' cottage and were seated around the little sitting room. Draco had poured them each a cup of tea, and was now watching with a bemused smile from his place on the sofa beside a very nervous Harry Potter.
"I suppose it started last year, during Christmas holiday," he began, his hands shaking as he set his tea cup on the side table. He proceeded to fill Hermione in on he and Draco's eight month love affair, explaining how they would sneak off to meet in the room of requirement several nights a week. He told her of the conversations they'd had and the feelings they shared for each other, ending with the story of Draco's surprise appearance at the Dursleys' which had resulted in their journey to Cancun.
When he had finally finished, the room was filled with a rather thick and awkward silence. Harry sat waiting for Hermione's reaction, his heart pounding furiously in his chest. Draco reached out to take his hand; the gesture did not go unnoticed by Hermione.
"This is all rather shocking, Harry," Hermione said at last. "It hurts me that you felt you had to hide this."
"I didn't mean to hurt you, 'Mione…I just—"
Hermione silenced Harry's plea with a wave of her hand. "Please, Harry, let me finish." Harry nodded, his eyes dropping to his lap where he held Draco's hand tightly in his own. "It hurts me that you felt you couldn't tell me," Hermione continued. "I wish you had felt differently. I want nothing but the best for you, harry. I want you to be happy. If Mal—excuse me—Draco makes you happy, then you have my full support. I'm glad to see you've found someone."
Harry looked up, the light in his eyes a mix of astonishment and pure joy. He launched himself from the sofa, pulling Hermione into a bone-crushing hug. She laughed at his enthusiasm, smiling breathlessly as Harry threw his arms around Draco's neck, kissing the blonde full on the mouth.
"Did you hear that, Draco?!" he exclaimed. Draco smiled.
"Yes, love," he replied. "I heard her."
Draco had heard, alright, but he was not as pleased as most would expect. In fact, he wasn't pleased at all. He had liked the way things were going between him and Harry. Sure, the sneaking around was tiring after a while, but when they met there were no interruptions. Now that Granger had turned up and discovered their secret, he knew things would change. His perfect vacation was over.
This fact was set in stone later that afternoon when Hermione phoned from her cottage, located in another part of the same resort, to invite them both to dinner with her family.
"No," Draco answered flatly when Harry asked.
"It'll be fun," Harry coaxed. Draco shook his head.
"I highly doubt that, Harry."
"Draco…please? Hermione's trying to make an effort, but she can't do it all on her own. We have to meet her halfway."
Draco met this with a stony silence. He watched Harry cross his arms out of the corner of his eye.
"Well, I've already said we'd go," Harry stated. "You can either get ready and go along when I leave in an hour or you can spend the evening alone. It doesn't matter to me."
Draco watched Harry leave the room, stepping out to stand alone on the balcony. The blonde sighed, admitting defeat. He followed his lover through the French doors.
"So what do I need to wear?" he asked. Harry turned, smiling, and kissed him.
"Thank you," he whispered. Draco nodded, holding him tightly.
"I want you to understand that I'm doing this for you, not for Granger."
"Just try to be civil, alright love?"
"I'll do my best."
The fateful hour found them outside the Granger's cottage. The door swung open at Harry's knock, and Hermione ushered them in. She gave Harry a tight hug before introducing her parents. They were nice enough, Draco decided, not that he knew many muggles well enough to judge them by.
If the scene in the living room hadn't been awkward enough, it intensified still more as the five of them climbed into the Granger's rental car. Draco kept his eyes focused out the window, remaining silent through the trip. He glanced down only once as Harry set his hand on his thigh. The Gryffindor smiled supportively, trying to bring the blonde from his silence. Draco smiled half-heartedly, wishing he and Harry hadn't gone to the beach that day, or that he had planned their trip in Italy, as he was originally going to do. Then Hermione wouldn't have intruded on their holiday, and he and Harry would be spending a blissful week alone together.
They pulled up in front of a small café. It looked well enough, he supposed. They climbed out of the car and followed Hermione and her family through the door. Draco wrapped his arm around Harry's waist, feeling an odd need to state his claim to the brunette as they entered the restaurant. They followed the hostess to a large table near the back. Draco took a seat by the wall, as he preferred, and Harry settled in next to him. The grangers sat across from them in a row.
Their waiter came to take their orders and Draco's former sense of protectiveness returned. The waiter was gay, that much was blatantly obvious, and he was extremely keen on Harry. Draco's jaw clenched and his eyes flashed dangerously as he watched the man openly flirting with Harry—his Harry. The waiter, Davyd, didn't seem to notice Draco at all. In fact, he nearly left the table without even taking his order.
Draco glared after the man, wrapping his arm securely around Harry's shoulders. Mr. Granger struck up a conversation, breaking the silence around them. Draco spoke only when directly brought into the discussion, and even then he kept his part short. He was trying, though it may not have seemed that way to the others. In truth, he felt like an outsider. He was ignorant, for the most part, of muggle ways. Harry had grown up with them, had belonged to their world for so long. Draco was a stranger to their way of life.
The waiter returned a while later, bringing a pitcher to refill their drinks. Draco watched angrily as the man smiled and winked at Harry, his eyes barely leaving the Gryffindor for a second.
"Anything else I can get you?" he asked with a heavy accent, his hand resting on Harry's arm. Draco just managed to stop himself from letting out the growl that was building in his chest.
"I think we're pretty well off, thanks," Harry answered politely.
"Well if you need anything don't hesitate to ask sweetie." Draco would have gagged if his anger had allowed him. The waiter moved off, swiveling his hips in a way he obviously thought was seductive. Draco placed a hand on Harry's arm, gripping slightly tighter than was necessary.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?" he asked, standing and tugging Harry along with him to the men's loo. Draco checked briefly to make sure they were alone before latching the door, ensuring their privacy. He turned to face Harry, suppressing his anger as much as he could.
"I think it's going rather well, don't you?" Harry asked, smiling cheerfully at the blonde.
"What the bloody hell are you playing at?" Draco hissed. Harry looked slightly confused.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about that waiter practically throwing himself at you and you not saying a word to stop it!"
"He's just being friendly."
"Bollocks! You know that's rubbish, Harry!"
"What is your problem?!"
"My problem is that git who thinks he can put his hands all over my boyfriend."
"Well at least someone is showing some interest in me. You've barely spoken all night! Can't you at least try to make an effort? Is it really so difficult to spend an evening with people I like?"
"You should be glad I'm here at all! I didn't even want to come to this bloody dinner!"
"Well if it's such a bad experience for you then maybe you should just leave!"
"I will, seeing as you've got 'Davyd' to keep you company now." Without another word, Draco unlatched the door and left the bathroom, heading purposely for the front door. Harry made his way back to the table, not even giving Draco's receding form a second glance. Hermione opened her mouth to speak as he sat down. Harry waved her off.
"I don't wanna talk about it right now," he said. She closed her mouth abruptly and looked worriedly to her parents. Her father nodded to the door and tossed a few bills down on the table. The four of them exited the restaurant and climbed into the car in silence.