The next morning at breakfast, Harry and Draco sat next to each other silently as usual, each reading the morning Prophet. As such, they were unaware of the rumor mill bubbling more boisterously than usual below.

Apparently, the Fifth Year Hufflepuff who had paid a visit to Harry's office yesterday was quite the gossip, and she had found the experience most intriguing.

Conversations among all of the tables were filled with snatches of, "Did you hear? Clara said they were holding hands! And I asked some second years and they said Professor Malfoy did come in at the end of the lesson! Do you think it's really true?" and, "I swear I thought something was going on before, I mean there's no way there's not, have you seen," and, "But do think she was lying? I mean they're both hot, wouldn't it be a shame...wasn't Professor Potter married to a woman for a long time anyway? Maybe that's why it ended!"

The conversations got progressively more ridiculous, but luckily the students would have a long break to forget. Or not to.

*****

Several students dropped by Harry's office to wish him Happy Holidays, and he even got a few chocolate bars (Honeydukes, at that)! He was elated. His students actually liked him, and he had gotten free chocolate - he definitely couldn't wait to shove this in Draco's face.

When those leaving for the holidays finally departed from the grounds, Harry practically skipped down to the dungeons. He paused in the doorway. Draco was concentrating hard on a cauldron, which he was stirring very precisely.

Six months ago, Harry would have wanted to startle him and mess up his brew (admittedly, a small part of him still did), but now he realised that not only was it not worth it, but it also wouldn't make him feel better in any way. He was starting to realise how pointless most of the time and energy he spent antagonising Draco had been.

Draco straightened and pointed his wand at the flames, which lowered. He turned and jumped slightly when he saw Harry.

"Merlin, Harry! You could've warned me you were there instead of sneaking up and just standing there like a cat. Reminds me of bloody McGonagall."

"Minerva, Draco." Harry said sternly, in his best impression of the headmistress.

Draco smiled slightly against his will.

"Never pursue a career in acting. You are truly terrible at impressions."

"I'm wounded, Draco, that was my best one!"

Draco scoffed.

"Why are you down here? Bored of marking already?"

"Please, I haven't even started. I'm not saying it's why I came down, but I may have had several students come by and wish me Happy Holidays."

"Pfft, so did I. Yours were probably just obligatory pity gestures."

"I got chocolate, though. Honeydukes. Do you think that's just pity?"

"With how painfully skinny you still are? Yes."

"Fuck off. You just wish you got chocolate."

"I did get chocolate."

"So why wasn't all that pity when it came to you?"

"Because I'm clearly the far superior teacher, Potter."

"Harry." He corrected grumbling.

"Harry. Will you help me bring this cauldron up to Poppy? She and I need to test this."

Harry peered curiously at it, although he wasn't sure why. It was, as expected, an unfamiliar liquid of some sort.

"What is it?"

"It's an improved healing draught I've been working on, and I think I've finally made sure the nausea side effect is gone."

"Really? That's pretty impressive actually, how is it different than the regular one?"

"It can heal more serious injuries, and some hexes, and it heals small things faster."

"Wow, yeah, I'll help you bring it up."

Harry was impressed. It was one thing to be good at following potions instructions, but it was another to create your own. Especially one so essentially helpful. Truth be told, he was a bit jealous of Draco's skill.