Harry wanted a fireplace, he decided. A big one, just like the one in the Gryffindor Common Room. The warmth of it next to almost felt like magic across his skin. Harry hummed softly, gaining the attention of Ron and Hermione, who were sharing the red love-seat across from him. The fire cast soft shadows across their entwined legs resting on the table between the three. There were a few other people in the dorm, including a group of studying first years, and Ginny Weasley—who was practicing her transfiguration on a stray quill.

"What is it, Harry?"

Said boy's eyes flitted back to his friends and he gave them a small smile.

"I want to get a big fireplace in my new house. You guys know I've been trying to buy a house because I refuse to stay at Grimmauld Place and I will never go back to the Dursleys," he said fiercely. Harry wished the Potter family had a house he could use, but sadly any properties they used to possess were destroyed during the first war.

A sly smile crossed Harry's face as he remembered, "Draco was telling me about all the kinds of magical properties fireplaces have in the wizarding world. Maybe I'll get one with red and gold flames, to commemorate Gryffindor once I'm gone."

Harry was looking for a reaction to his words and he was happy to get one. Ron had turned a bit green at the use of Draco's first name by Harry while Hermione was just observing him with a mix of exasperation and suspicion.

"Two things, Harry. One, fire is already red and gold—there is no reason to pay money to make it those colors. Two, Malfoy. Harry, what in Merlin's name is going on between the two of you?!"

Hermione got more worked up the longer she talked and at the end, she was red in the face and out of breath. She had started to stand up while she spoke by after a moment she leaned back with a huff. Harry raised an eyebrow. Ron looked like he had no idea what he was supposed to do. A sharp glance from Hermione makes him sit up, clearing his throat a bit.

"Harry, mate, what 'Mione meant was we've become a bit worried about this...situation with Malfoy." Ron seemed wary about what to call their interactions, "Just, why start talking to him now—in eighth year of all years!"

Harry nodded his head along with Ron's tirade and at the end, he looked his two friends in the eye before answering seriously, "I'm fine Ron, Hermione, really. We just thought it was time to bury the hatchet."

Hermione clarified for Ron's sake, "It's a muggle term. It means for two people at odds to get over their differences."

"Exactly," Harry added, "and if you have any more questions, Draco should be here any minute now."

Ron almost toppled over with how quickly he stood up.

"You invited him to the Gryffindor Common Room?! How does he even know where it is?"

Harry snorted. "Ron, if we were able to figure out where the Slytherin dorms were in our second year, I'm sure Draco figured it out by the eighth."

Ron's ear blushed red at the statement before finding his resolve once again. "Even so, you shouldn't have invited him to the dorms.

Harry eyed Ginny, who was watching the scene unfold from afar. "Ginny brings Luna here all the time. How is that any different?"

Ron didn't know what to say. Ginny finally stood up, gathering her books. Over her shoulder, she acknowledged the trio before scolding Ron, "Get a grip Ron, or do I have to bring my Bat-Bogey Hex out of retirement?"

Ron sputtered as her flaming hair was finally out of sight, heading to the girls' dorm. Harry laughed in amusement before hearing a knock at the door. He pointed a finger at the red-haired boy.

"No funny business, you hear me?"

Harry made his way toward the door, opening it to see Draco standing there. The blonde wizard had shed his outer robes but he still wore the dark vest of the school uniform. Harry pulled the boy into the room before gripping him in a tight hug. Draco initially seized up before catching Ron's gaping face over Harry's shoulder, which is when he melted into the hug along with the dark-haired boy. A red tinge had started to spread across Hermione's cheeks, at which point she averted eye-contact with the scene altogether.

Harry turned around to lead the other boy to sit with him on the couch he had been occupying earlier. "I was thinking, Draco, that you might want to verse Ron in Wizard's Chess instead of me. He would be a much more worthy opponent. Don't worry, I'll cheer you on."

Harry fluttered his lashes at Draco, causing the other boy to enable every aspect of his Slytherin training to make sure the huge grin he was felt forming didn't come to the surface. Hermione fanned herself with one hand, probably from the heat of the raging fire, Harry thought. Ron, who had briefly lost the ability to form words, suddenly reanimated before pointing an accusatory finger towards Draco.

"You!" Ron exclaimed.

"Me," Draco replied in agreement. "Black or white?"

Ron, who looked ready to start another rant, stopped to let the question sink in. "What, wait…what?"

Draco patiently waited until the other boy's disjointed questioning died down before asking again, "Black or white?"

He motioned his hand to the chessboard Harry had set up while Ron was distracted. Ron still looked suspicious, but Harry knew the boy's love for chess would outweigh any ill will he felt towards Draco.

"Uh, Black." The other boy finally answered. The game started, but Harry had his sights set elsewhere, specifically on the bushy-haired girl sitting to Ron's right. Both Draco and Ron were deeply immersed in the game. Draco was leaning forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. So far, Harry had only given a few words of encouragement here and there to the other boy—but Harry was all about going that extra mile. Hermione seemed hyper-aware of any interaction between the two wizards. She squeaked slightly every time Harry leaned close to Draco.

Deciding on a plan of action, Harry gave a fake a yawn, "It's getting late Drake, how much longer?"

Draco himself almost blanched at the nickname, but what really almost did him in was the warm arm he felt snake around his own arm and the cheek he felt pressing against his shoulder. To keep his cool, he turned the entirety of his attention back to the game—where Ron hadn't looked up from once.

Hermione, while the smartest witch of her age, was not able to keep her emotions in check as well as the blonde-haired wizard directly across from her. Harry looked on in bemusement as Hermione's eyes widened and she put a hand over her mouth. While she seemed in some state of shock, her eyes gave away the excessive amount of excitement she was feeling. She seemed to be stuck in that pose, Harry wondered what that reaction could possibly mean.

Well, that was enough experimenting for one night. Even though he was done messing with Hermione he stayed in his same position against Draco. Hey, the other boy didn't seem to mind and he was incredibly cozy. Harry snuggled closer, deciding to close his eyes until the game ended.

Draco hoped the rising color on his face was hidden by the low lighting in the common room. Going by surprised choking noises suddenly coming from Ron's right, the boy wasn't so lucky.


A/N:

Unedited

I'm back! Not even a mere twelve hours later, here is the next chappie for all of you. I'm a bit busy this upcoming weekend, as I'm sure most of you are. It's Passover and Easter! If you want something new to read, I would recommend checking out my other stories on my profile. As always, leave a like and review if you enjoyed!