Harry woke up to Crookshanks standing on his chest. A glance at Hermione's clock told him it was close to 5:30 am but without glasses it could have been 4:30 am or even 6:30 for all he knew. He felt like he had been tossing and turning all night. Weird dreams, not quite nightmares, had plagued him all night.
"Hello, Crooks. How was Christmas in the castle?" he whispered, making Crookshanks perk up with the sudden attention, "Did the elves give you lots of turkey and ham?" he scritched behind the cat's ears, earning a purr as he wondered if there were wizard eye doctors and where he would have to go to see one. He was fairly certain his eye sight was getting worse but he was also fairly certain Draco would know just who to go to.
Harry was just thankful his Aunt had at least taken his bad eyesight seriously and had him seen every few years after his kindergarten teacher had pointed out that Harry was having difficulties seeing and therefore was having difficulties learning. He half suspected his Aunt was worried someone would speak badly of her or his Uncle if they knew how much Harry went without. Having a little kid bumping into walls and missing a chair when they went to sit was rather hard to ignore. Not to mention he could clean the house to perfection if he could actually see the dirt.
Crookshanks was warm and heavy as he started kneading at the quilt Harry was under, drawing the young man's wondering attention back to him.
Hermione had been thrilled when Crookshanks was found hiding out in the kitchens of Hogwarts after the end of the war. The cat had survived and his owner bawled at his discovery.
Harry smiled at the memory. Kreature, who was the one to stumble across the flat faced animal and remembered the cat belonged to his Master's friend, had looked rather uncomfortable with Hermione's tearful thanks.
It was days before she could look at the cat without tearing up.
The cat settled in, intent on sleeping on Harry's chest but Harry had other ideas.
"I'm glad your're ok." Harry whispered to Crooks and slowly started sliding out of Hermione's bed, moving carefully so as to not dislodge the cat from his spot, "But I think I need to go do something before the whole eighth year wing is awake."
He put on his glasses and quickly dressed before heading for door. He had just gripped the doorknob when he noticed Draco watching him silently from the bed as Hermione rolled in her sleep, snuggling into his now vacated spot as she hugged the grumpy looking cat to her chest.
Harry raised a finger to his lips and quickly slipped from the room.
He wanted to talk to Ron alone. Needed to.
Harry found himself pouting the previous evening and night. He pouted till they fell asleep, the three of them, cuddled up in Hermione's bed. He wasn't use to being ganged up on and both of his matches were highly amused by his embarrassment the night before. He understood where they were coming from though. If the tables had been turned he would have laughed at them too. He just wished they would have refrained from giggling about it every 15 minutes while they put the finishing touches on the homework they had been assigned over the holiday.
Hearing Draco snicker made Hermione start in every time.
It was embarrassing.
But the whole thing made him realize he should have sat Ron down days ago and talked. He was, after all Harry's first ever friend and until recently he had shared everything with the tall redhead. Well, nearly everything.
Ron opened his door after a few minutes of Harry knocking and stood there for a minute before grunting and stepping back to let the other man enter.
"Sorry to wake you up so early." Harry cringed when he saw that it was really only 4:40 am. He really should have checked the clock after putting his glasses on, "Figured we should talk."
Ron sighed, dropping back onto his bed as Harry took the chair at the small desk each room had tucked into the corner and pulled it up to the bed.
"You seem awfully cozy with your former enemy." Ron yawned, not bothering to cover his mouth, or question Harry's timing,"What the bloody hell happened there?"
"I did hate him at one point and he hated me but things change, Ron. We're not eleven anymore and you of all people should understand that the Wizarding law is unchangeable. Believe me, Hermione kept looking even after the Binding made us very comfortable with being Matched. She has read so many books since that day in the Ministry. She couldn't find a way out but she did find away to lessen the effect it was having on most of people Matched. She even grilled the Minister himself to make sure families and couples who had been together for years but never married weren't being torn apart. You should have seen her get all defensive when Kingsley told her it was already taken care of." Harry grinned and noticed Ron was watching him closely, "She wanted details and his word that no one was being truly hurt by new law."
"Yeah that sounds like her." Ron smiled a bit, "But you guys and Draco? You're happy like this?"
"He's not bad." Harry shrugged, "He's handsome and even has a sense of humor. Besides he seems to really like us. He's trying to not be a prat even while his father wants nothing more than to separate Draco from us and this law. Malfoy Senior has been petitioning to make it so the Ministry won't have say in who the pureblood heirs marry. He's even written to the Headmistress about it."
"Bloody arse hat, that man." Ron sighed and sat up straighter, rubbing a hand across his face, "I am happy Hermione ended up with you." he admitted,sounding more than a little tired, "If she had to be Matched to the Slytherin at least she's not alone with him."
"I told you he's not that bad." it was Harry's turn to sigh, "You just need to give him a chance."
"Maybe one day I will but I'm just not ready yet." Ron nodded slowly as he fought off another yawn, "I'll try to be happy for you guys but I'm not ready to be friendly with that ferret. But I will be nicer about the whole thing."
"And be nicer to Cho?" Harry asked, hoping Ron wasn't about to yell at him.
"I'm trying." Ron grunted, dropping his gaze to his flannel pants, "Thank Merlin she likes Quidditch."
"She was pretty talented in the DA as well. You should be happy she came back to school. Maybe SHE can help you with your homework." Harry stood as Ron snorted, "But I'll let you sleep a few more hours. See you at breakfast?"
"I'm not sitting with him." Ron said without moving from his bed.
"Fine. Just make sure you sit with Cho." Harry left before Ron could respond. He quickly shut the door, hoping he would be able to fall back asleep. He was worried about the weird dreams he'd been having and now he was also worrying about Lucius. He had already attacked his own son and Harry had no doubt he was trying to find away to harm all three of them for being Matched.
Harry stopped in his tracks when he spun away from Ron's door to find Pansy blocking his path in the hallway.
"If you guys think you can just take Draco then you are sorely mistaken." Pansy pointed a finger close to Harry's nose.
"Have you been watching Hermione's room all night waiting for one of us to leave?" Harry raised an eye brow and ignored her finger in his face, "That's just strange...Besides, according to this new law, we are not "taking" Draco. We are bound to him as he is to us. If you want to argue with someone about Draco being Matched to us then you should go the Ministry. I seriously had nothing to do with it. I did not cast the Binding nor did I ask for it to be cast. Now that things are all cleared up I am going back to sleep."
"Did you three really spend the night together?" Pansy asked before Harry had even gone a few steps.
Harry turned his back on Hermione's door and met Pansy's eye. She looked more worried than angry and Harry found himself sighing again, "Look," he ran a hand through his hair, "It's not what you think it is. We're not having sex. It's just that after- after everything we've all been through sleep is sometimes hard to come by. The nightmares can be a bit-" Harry shook his head to organize his sleepy thoughts. This was important. Pansy needed to hear the truth and Harry prayed she might understand. Draco had looked hurt and shocked when the brunette witch had pulled her wand on him without so much as a word.
Harry took a deep breath and could feel Pansy watching his every move, "Hermione and I made a deal to never let the other fight those demons alone. Draco is now part of that. We don't want to hurt him, Pansy. In fact all first half of the school year we were trying to be his friends. We figured that he had as rough of go in the war as we did. We could understand the terror and the incredible weight of responsibility. I don't really know how I got to this point but I'd rather suffer than see him or Hermione in pain."
Pansy just stood there staring at him. Her hand had hovered by her hip since he had entered the hall and Harry was half worried she was going to pull her wand for the second time in 12 hours.
"Fine." Harry tossed his hands up in frustration, "Believe what you want and ignore my embarrassingly honest babbling. I'm going back to bed." He spun on his heels but faltered for a moment when he saw Hermione standing in her doorway with a very smug, very awake looking Draco leaning on her shoulder.
"How long have you been there?" Harry almost shouted, feeling like his face had burst into flames.
"For most of your "embarrassingly honest babbling"." Hermione smiled at him, looking very cozy with Draco as she held a hand out towards Harry. He crossed the short distance to lace his fingers with hers.
"I have an incredible desire to not be in the hallway right now." Harry leaned into Hermione who still had Draco wrapped around her shoulders, "Can we talk inside?"
By the way Draco had nodded before closing the door behind them Harry was guessing that Pansy had still been standing there.
"I'm sorry I told her about the nightmares but I really don't think I can handle people making three way jokes about us in class today." Harry sat on the edge of the bed while his Matches stood, "But I meant it, not sure when I started feeling this way about you, though." he shot Draco a look before speaking to Hermione, "You, you I've always wanted to protect."
"Who would have thought you'd get so sappy when you're tired." Draco grinned, "But it is only 5 in the morning. We can sleep for nearly two more hours or we can follow Harry's lead and be a sappy mess before breakfast."
"I'm blaming the Binding." Harry shrugged, "I've never been "sappy" about things."
"I think he's sweet." Hermione leaned down and kissed Harry's forehead before crawling past him to the middle of the magically enlarged bed, "Going back to sleep." she announced, "Join me if you want. If not, just don't wake me till 6:30."
"I'll lie down but I may not sleep." Draco stepped up beside Harry and, to Harry's surprise, also kissed his forehead, "I'm not about to call you sweet but I will agree that I hope to never seen pain come to either of you." He held Harry's eye for a second before climbing into bed beside Hermione.
"Come cuddle, Harry." Hermione's voice was sleepy and muffled by the pillow she had her face half buried in.
"Let me kick off my trainers and jeans." Harry mumbled, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
He never really thought it impossible to fall for Hermione. Hell, she was amazing and anyone would be a fool to say otherwise but Draco. Harry hadn't expected to still like the blonde man as much as he did after the Binding had been recast.
But he did. He liked him a lot.
Harry slid into his previously spot on the bed. Crookshanks was nowhere to be seen.
"How did Ron react?" Hermione asked, quietly, sounding concerned.
"He said he will try to be nicer but he still doesn't want to give Draco a real chance yet." Harry smiled into his pillow as Hermione wrapped her arms around him, hugging him from behind. He even propped himself up a bit to let her slid an arm under him. Harry loved it when she hugged him. It felt like he had always loved her, like she was always a part of him somehow and he loved her touch.
"Hopefully he will get over it soon." She said, making Harry tense a little when he felt her breathe on the back of his neck with each word.
"I really hope so." He forced the words out a second before Draco said, "Who cares if he does? Let him make himself miserable. For once I feel hopeful and I won't let him or my father ruin that."
Hermione squeaked then chuckled when Draco suddenly spooned her, pulling both her and Harry close.
Breakfast was quiet.
A lot of people were looking at them.
"Draco, what's you're favorite color?" Hermione asked as she took a bite of oatmeal. Her voice carried down the table and Harry almost laughed when he noticed more than half of those within hearing distance were now actively listening in or out right staring at them.
Harry, who was seated across from his Matches hid his smile behind a piece of toast as Draco slowly turned to face her.
Draco stared at Hermione and she tried to ignore him by pouring juice, "What?" he asked very quietly.
"Favorite color." she smiled, passing him a glass before pouring some for Harry, "I like blues and yellows."
Harry had to bite his lip to keep from laughing at the look Draco was now wearing.
"I like red." Harry spoke up, making Draco frown more.
"I like dark blues and black. I just don't see why you want to know now." Draco pointedly glanced around the table and a lot of eyes were suddenly being averted.
Hermione shrugged, picking up and immediately dropping the Prophet back onto the table when she saw it was still the picture of her being kissed adorning the cover. It was smaller this time but still front page news.
She gave the paper an annoyed look as she said, "McGonagall's words last night. She said to take this time to get to know our Matches. I know Harry fairly well. I don't really know you."
"I'm hurt, Hermione." Draco smiled a small charming smile, "I've lived with you night and day for almost 2 weeks and you didn't learn anything about me?"
Everyone was still trying to hear their conversation so Draco had kept his voice low and quiet. And it was affecting Harry's heart rate.
He felt warm suddenly and was relieved to see Hermione blushing too.
"I know you like tea with milk and three sugars." Hermione spoke just as quietly, leaning towards Draco who was still turned to face her," I know you take ungodly long showers, usually in the evening and you have a sweet tooth, hence the three sugars. You like softer fabrics and wear a lot of black or gray silk. Even your stiff looking white button ups are super soft to the touch. You like to sleep cuddled up even though you had said you don't like being touched."
"It's different with you two." Draco's pale face had actually went pink as she spoke and he quickly turned back to his glass of juice, "And I said I wasn't use to it. Not that I didn't enjoy it."
There were whispers and giggles all day but thankfully it wasn't just the trios being pointed at. It seemed the younger students couldn't get enough of the "Matched Gossip" and everyone was being talked about.
While Harry was use to being pointed at and whispered about the rest of his classmates were becoming less and less amused with it all.
By midday even the professors were annoyed.
Hermione's calm demeanor was the only thing holding Draco back from cursing the younger Slytherins they had run into in the hall.
"It's our first day back." Harry had heard her whisper to their taller partner as they walked to potions class, "Please don't end up in detention."
"And what do I get if I behave?" Draco asked as they claimed a table together, leaving Harry standing behind them.
"Sir?" Harry called out to Slughorn who had just entered the classroom, "Would it be alright if I pulled up a chair to sit here?" he pointed to the table his Matches had chosen.
"Of course, my boy! And with that I guess now is as good a time as any," Slughorn smiled and clapped, getting everyone's attention before magically enlarging the table to accommodate three people, "In this classroom Matches are encouraged to work together. Brewing potions together will teach you how to communicate clearly. Too many or too few ingredient and the cauldron will blow up in your faces so speak precisely and clearly to communicate what these potions will need. Now, in groups of twos and threes please brew the potion on page 412. And remember to communicate! Communication is important in all aspects of this life whether it be with friends or Matches." he quickly clapped again, "One cauldron per table. One grade per group."
Draco turned to Hermione, "So I'll ask again, what do I get for not ending up in detention today?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and opened her textbook, "Go a month without picking a fight, throwing a curse or attacking any of my friends and we will talk rewards."
"Why does her tone make me think we're going to get gold star stickers?" Harry asked.
"Gold star what?" Draco, who was sitting between them looked from one to the other, "Is it a muggle thing?"
"Yeah, in school kids receive gold stars on their papers for doing well." Hermione was scanning the textbook as she spoke quietly, "But that wasn't what I had in mind at all."
"O?" Harry was embarrassed by the quiver in his voice. Draco's full attention was on their witch but she was busy pretending she didn't hear the question at all.
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