Flashback 1 - Christmas Eve. 2002

Christmas Eve.

Harry Potter, age: 22

Location: The Thirsty Scholar, founded by Hogwarts graduates in 1978. A pub located in the opposite end of the Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron. It often plays hosts to Hogwarts Alumni on holidays and special events.

Harry had been invited several times for events at the Thirsty Scholar and he never accepted it until now. Luna Lovegood and Ginny Weasley had sent a personal invitation to Harry requesting his presence for an intimate gathering of Hogwarts Alumni to stop over before going to visit family and friends for Christmas. In the end, Ginny couldn't make it as she had been invited to Christmas Eve dinner by her new boyfriend's parents and thought it'd look odd to spend Christmas Eve with her ex-boyfriend instead. She had pleaded her case to Luna who understood and remarked "obligations are often exasperating however crucial to maintain a prominent place in one's social circle. Father has warned me about such things."

Harry was glad when he arrived at the Thirsty Scholar; there wasn't much of a crowd. He imagined it helped that he had told Luna to announce that Harry Potter was not attending, even though he was. He wanted a quiet night and he was glad he was going to receive it. The next day he was going to spend Christmas Day and have Christmas dinner with the Weasleys.

What Harry and Luna had not expected was that due to the announcement of Harry's non-attendance, many had decided to decline the invitation; it was the exact reason Draco Malfoy had accepted it. Draco walked in to the Thirsty Scholar and everyone had stopped talking. Silence fell over the entire room; it was so quiet that one could practically hear the wait staff polishing the silver in the kitchen. Harry turned around from his seat to look at the door and the reason the room had felt silent, "Blimey" he whispered to himself.

Draco looked well, really well. He walked into the room and all eyes were on him. His face had softened up a bit Harry thought. He wore black trousers with a matching fitted suit jacket, a hunter green buttoned down shirt underneath accompanied with a silver tie. The hunter green shirt also had silver cufflinks matching the tie. Harry wasn't sure if everyone stared at Malfoy because they were shocked to see him or whether it was his appearance.

Nearly no one from their Hogwarts years had seen Draco since the war. There were rumors of what he might have been up to, but no one knew for sure. Draco locked eyes with Potter from across the room and whispered a "bugger" to himself. I really should have confirmed, I should have known the Golden Boy would have lied about his attendance.

"Draco Malfoy, what a surprise," he was greeted warmly by Luna, the hostess. She truly was excited to see him. She escorted him into the room and the crowd reverted back to their conversations. Harry stood up from his table and walked up to Luna and Malfoy. A reporter ran up to the three of them and asked for a pose for the Daily Prophet. Both Harry and Draco had thought the same thing, I cannot wait to see this published in the papers, I can only imagine what the caption would state.

"Malfoy, it's been a while." Said Harry to Draco while shaking his hand.

"Yes, Potter, you're looking well." Draco responded.

Harry and Draco sat next to each other for the entire night. They enjoyed the Christmas Eve dinner and the free drinks that came with it. By the end of the night as the crowd was dying out, Harry was being interrupted in conversation every five minutes as one random person or another wanted to stop by and say goodbye and wish him a "Happy Christmas." They would just stare at Draco awkwardly, nod and walk away. Draco found it to be comical and eventually enjoyed the awkwardness his presence was providing in the conversations. Harry was glad to have Draco next to him, because then people did not stop and chat for long. Draco picked up on that and teased Harry about it.

As the night was finally ending, Harry needed to catch up with Luna to get a key to his room at the inn at the Thirsty Scholar. Luna approached Harry before he needed to go looking for her.

"Harry, there's a problem." Luna stated.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked.

"It seems that the inn did not properly count the list I had sent to reserve the rooms and we are one room short. I didn't realize that since I marked you as not attending I didn't reserve an extra emergency room. However, if you so wish, you can share the room with us."

The idea of sharing a room with Luna and her boyfriend wasn't exactly appealing to Harry. "Oh, it's alright, I will just go to the Burrow tonight then. It shouldn't be a problem." Harry responded.

"Harry you can't apparate when you've been drinking constantly. It's too dangerous!" Luna said. Harry was about to speak something when Draco interrupted.

"Don't be stupid Potter. I've got a room reservation in the inn as well. You can stay with me. It'll be less…" Draco looked at Luna then at Harry "…less awkward."

"No, it's fine really…" Harry started to speak again.

"Oh good, then it's been decided. Thank you Draco." Luna walked away to say goodbye to the rest of the guests that were leaving.

"Wait… no." Harry was confounded. Harry glared at Draco "It's not stupid that I don't want to be an inconvenience Malfoy."

"Fine, I am sorry, I tried to help you out and not have you stay in same room as them shagging." Draco snapped back at Harry. Harry sighed and sat back down at the table and continued to drink his whiskey.

Draco picked up his jacket from the chair he was sitting at and spoke "Well, are you coming?"

"What room number is it? I reckon I'll have to say goodbye to a few other people before I head out and besides…"

"…you don't want to be seen leaving with me." Draco scoffed, "Four hundred and seventeen, knock twice and the password is I am a git. You'll need a key to get in, and since you don't have one, I'll set up the charm." Draco walked away angry and Harry was left irresolute.

(A/N): Thanks for reading, please don't forget to write a review!