A/N: So um... I'm sure some of you are going to ends this chapter with mixed emotions. Well, probably all of you. I wanted to post it because I probably won't get to post again until Friday, but I might... We'll see, but just in case, I want to post this chapter for you all.

I do want to remind you there is a method and a purpose to my madness so although some of you might want to tell me a thing or two, I promise, I will make it awesome in the end :)

Enjoy and let me know your thoughts!

Chapter 10

My floo flared to life late in the afternoon. I had just come back from the beach and hanging out with Avery. He had to work so I was alone. He had turned out to be quite a brilliant friend. Once we got over the awkwardness that is. I still think he wants more than just friendship, but that won't be happening, for a long time, even if I haven't seen or heard from Draco in over two years, actually it's almost three now. From what Hermione tells me he's happily married and his wife was expecting a baby. Good for him, I guess….

It was Hermione and I wasn't expecting her. "Mione, what are you doing here?" I asked as I came into the kitchen. She looked a bit frazzled.

"Are you going to come back for mine and Ron's wedding?" she blurts out.

I come up short and stare at her. "Um…. I was planning on it. Am I not allowed anymore?"

She rolls her eyes at me and shakes her head. "Of course you are allowed. It's just you've been here a lot longer than I thought you would. I was worried that you wouldn't be coming back."

I laugh and shake my head. "You guys aren't getting married until next fall. I've still got six months to make it back. I won't be staying though. I like it here. You understand that right?" I ask, seriousness kicking in.

Kreacher had lasted about a month before he arrived at my cottage asking if he could stay. He hasn't left since and seems to be much happier here. He even goes out on the beach with me. I glance over at him as he putters around the kitchen humming. Yes, Kreacher is humming.

Hermione bites her lip and looks away, tears in her eyes. This happens every time I tell her I'm not coming back. "I didn't want to do this, but you need to see them. She reaches in her pocket and pulls out a shrunken package. She resizes it and slams the pile on the table. I know instantly that it is the Prophet more specifically the ones from Draco's wedding. It amazes me how I really feel like I've moved on and am over him and then something like this happens and I backtrack to the day I left.

"I'm not looking at those. He's married, he has a kid on the way, and he's happy. I don't need that shoved in my face. You of all people should know that," I remind her, completely ignoring the pile. I walk over to my cupboards and pull out some tea and biscuits.

"Harry, you need to see them! You don't even understand what happened that day!" Hermione cries in exasperation.

I turn on her with a glare. "I was there, I saw," I say through gritted teeth. Geez, will I ever be over him? Avery is here and he could be a good person to be with, but he's not Draco. No one will ever replace him.

She puffs out her cheeks and walks over to the pile and pulls off the first one. She flips it open and begins reading. "September 1. Today brings up the question of arranged marriages. Is this an old tradition that needs to be let go of or should we continue the tradition? I bet that Draco Malfoy and his new bride are asking that question today. Draco, who has most recently been seen in the company of Harry Potter and looking rather pleased to be, was married today to Ariana DeFleur from France. Their marriage was arranged more than twenty years ago between Lucius Malfoy and Andre DeFleur. The specifics of the agreement are not known. What should have been an easy bonding ceremony and making a marriage contract official turned out to be anything but," Hermione stops and looks up at me. I'm focusing on what she's reading; wondering what happened at the wedding that I missed. "When the wizard overseeing the wedding performed the bonding ceremony, he was surprised at what he saw. In a marriage ceremony there are different kinds of bonds that will appear. Bronze means that the couple has no compatibility and will surely fail. Silver means they are friends, but there is no love between the two. Gold means there is some sort of love or commonality between the two and they have a solid foundation. Platinum, the best there is, represents true love and soul mates. Gold bonds almost never fail and platinum bonds are the strongest and unbreakable. Draco and Ariana's bond: Silver. That should not be seen in an arranged marriage because they've been planned and known about since birth and by the point of marriage; they are on common ground and may even possibly love each other. What makes it most curious is that if neither Draco nor Ariana were in love with someone else, as is assumed by most, than a gold bond would have shown just out of technicality. So our next question is, is Draco in love with someone, his soul mate, or is it Ariana? Close sources suggest that Draco's soul mate is Harry Potter. What do you think readers?" She stops reading and sets the paper down.

I sink down in a chair at the table and stare at the pile. I pull that article towards me and reread it. "What does this mean?" I ask quietly. I'm afraid to speak what I really think it means.

"It means that you're a freaking idiot. You and Draco are soul mates. You are meant to be together. You want to know how much more of an idiot you are?" She asks, hands on her hips. I shake my head. I know she's going to tell me regardless. "Draco and his wife only have to be married for three years and produce an heir. After those three years are up, they don't have to be together anymore. Ariana doesn't want to be with Draco. Never has. As a matter of fact, she was involved with someone before her and Draco were forced to marry. If you cared to be home, you would know this," she says angrily.

I look up at her with a glare. "How was I supposed to know? It's not like Draco has tried to contact me in the almost three years that I've been here! He probably hasn't thought about me in months, years even!" I exclaim.

She narrows her gaze further and reaches into her pocket and pulls out another pile that she resizes and sets next to the Prophet. I look down at them and see my name written in Draco's elegant script. "You were saying?" she asks.

I reach out and pull the pile towards me. I open the first one, dated September 1, his wedding day.

Dear Harry,

I'm so sorry for all of this. I wish I could have run up into that balcony and pulled you into my arms and held you again. I wish that we were the ones getting married today. I love you so much, Harry. Please don't ever forget that.

Always yours,

Draco

There were hundreds of letters there. Enough for at least two or three a week until this very week. Hermione handed one to me. I took it carefully from her hand. "He wrote this one last night," she whispered.

I opened it carefully. My heart stopped as I started to read it.

Dear Harry,

I've given Hermione all the letters that I've written to you since September. I wanted to send them to you myself, but I couldn't. Part of our contract was to have no contact with our previous lovers. It's stupid, but it maintains the faithful part of the agreement. I want to meet all the expectations from it so that when the three years are over, Ariana and I can go our separate ways without any problems. I think that you would really like Ariana. She has been so understanding since the beginning. She knows how much I love you. I still love you Harry. I love you more and more every day. I can't wait to be with you again. I hope that you have not forgotten me or have stopped loving me. I suppose I would understand if you had moved on, but I hope every day that you haven't. I hope to see you soon. I love you, so much.

Love always,

Draco

"He hasn't forgotten his love for you and clearly, he wants to still be with you. You need to come home soon," Hermione encourages.

I sigh, a few tears slipping down my cheeks. "I really like it here though. It's so peaceful," I whisper.

"So come back here once you and Draco are together again," she suggests in exasperation.

"I don't know, Mione. So much time has passed and I just don't know if we will be okay. I'm still so hurt by what happened and angry," I reply sadly.

"Oh my gosh! Come on, Harry! Draco didn't do this on purpose! That man loves you so deeply. He has come to visit Ron and me nearly every week to get updates on you. All he talks about with us is you. I have never seen or heard someone show as much love as he does for you. Don't be stupid." she cries. She huffs loudly and walks over to the floo, disappearing before I can even begin to catch up to what has just happened.

"She is right," Kreacher comments from near the window. I look over at him in confusion.

"How would you know?" I question.

Kreacher chuckles. "I haves kept my eyes on Mister Draco, sirs," he replies.

I stand up and walk over to him. "What?" I demand.

He shrugs. "I knews that ifs you ever asked about him, that I should haves answers," he responds.

"What have you noticed?" I question.

"That Mister Draco has nots stopped lovings you since the last time you saws him," he tells me. He walks quickly away, signaling that he would tell me no more.

I stand up and look out my window at the setting sun. What the hell am I supposed to do now? Draco and Ariana are still going to be married for several more months. Knowing what I do now, how can I not rush back there? I always do my best thinking on the beach so I walk quickly out of my house, grabbing a sweater and head down to the beach.

I settle myself on a log and stare out at the expanse of the sea. It's so beautiful here. What am I to do? I feel my wards shudder and I turn around to see Avery walking down to the beach. He walks up, greeting me kindly. He can tell instantly that I'm troubled.

"Hey, what's going on?" he asks in concern. He reaches out to touch my arm, but I scoot over to avoid the touch. He doesn't seem to notice and sits down next to me.

"I've just learned that Draco hasn't stopped thinking about me a single day since his wedding and that he still loves me," I tell him quietly.

Avery lets out a woosh of air. "Wow. That's crazy," he responds.

"Yeah, it is. Now I don't know what to do. Do I go back and see him and compromise the marriage contract rules or do I just wait until their marriage is over and then return?" I ask.

"What are the rules?" Avery asks.

"Married three years, produce an heir, and no contact with ex lovers," I explain.

"Ah, I see. Well, if you go back now, you'll mess it up because of the no contact. You're bound to run into him at some point and then there will be repercussions. I say wait or never go back," he replies.

I turn to look at him in surprise. "How could you possibly even think I'd never go back?"

Avery looks up at me with those intense blue eyes of his. "Harry, you're happier here than the day you came. How do you know that you and Draco can pick up where you left off? You've said so many times that you're not going to go back and that you love it here and that you are comfortable here, more at ease. Besides, why go back to someone who is still married when you have the potential for something here with someone else?"

I shake my head at him, not liking where this is going. "That was before I knew the whole story. And Avery, we've talked about this, you and I, it can't happen. My heart and soul belong to Draco, regardless that he's married," I tell him.

"I know, but I'm not attached and I really, really, like you. No, not because you're Harry Potter, but because of who you truly are. I have never been so attracted to someone as I am to you," he reminds me.

I sigh and bury my head in my hands. "Avery, please don't," I beg. Yes, I know, I'm begging again.

"Why not?" he demands. I lift my head and look at him with a glare. He stares back at me with determination and then before I can react, he is kissing me, hard. I catch myself reacting for a mere millisecond before I'm shoving him hard and he's tumbling onto the sand. I stand up and take several steps away from him, glaring the entire time.

"You shouldn't have done that! Avery, come on! You're my only friend here, please don't do this," I cry.

Avery stares up at me and then he pulls himself up. He's turning a deep shade of red as he looks away from me. "I'm sorry, that was totally out of line," he whispers. He shakes his head once and turns around and jogs up the path and away from me.

I let out an exasperated sound and kick at the sand. I turn and stomp up to my cottage, more confused and agitated than before.

XXXX

Well, I decided after much of an internal battle and talking with Kreacher that my best plan was to stay where I was and then go back for the first time for Hermione and Ron's wedding. It was scheduled for September 4th, three days after Draco and Ariana got married. Hermione said little to nothing about Draco since she visited me and dropped the bombshell of what truly happened at the wedding. She was happy that I was coming back for the wedding and I know she hoped that I'd be staying.

Avery and I had gotten back on better terms. He apologized profusely for kissing me. I think we've finally come to an understanding though. We are close friends again. He was nervous for me about going home again. I think it is because he is hoping that Draco and I will find that we can't pick up where we left off and that when I come back, it leaves the door open for him. I suppose that is a possibility, but it's not likely.

I still haven't broken it to Hermione that I'm not coming back permanently. If Draco and I do get the opportunity to be together again, I'm going to ask him to come back here to live with me. I know he'll love it.

"Kreacher, is Grimmauld ready for us?" I ask as I'm packing a suitcase. He had just returned from there.

"Yes, sirs, it is," he replies. He sounds a bit sad that we're leaving and when I look over at him he's staring out the window at the sea.

I sigh and walk over to stand next to him. "Who would have thought you'd like it so much here?" I tease.

Kreacher looks up at me and glares slightly. He smiles slightly though and continues shutting down the cottage for the few days we'll be gone. I chuckle and finish my packing.

At 7:00, I am ready to floo over to Grimmauld. Kreacher has gone ahead and I take one last look around the cottage, trying to ignore the nervous churning in my stomach. As I'm about to floo to Grimmauld, I stop and look out the window, a thought coming to mind.

I grab my broom and step outside. I run up the path and through the tunnel. I mount my broom and fly over to the café that Avery works at. I know that Draco and Ariana are still married as she has yet to have their baby. She's due in a few weeks though, but the thought of going alone to Ron and Hermione's wedding where Draco will be with Ariana, I needed moral support.

Avery is behind the counter looking at a book. I walk up quickly and he looks over his book at me and smiles kindly. "Harry, I thought you were leaving," he says. He sets the book down and puts all his attention on me.

"I am, but I want you to come with me," I say.

His eyes widened and he looks at me in surprise. "Really?"

I nod. "Yeah, I mean, next to Hermione and Ron, you're the only one who knows everything that I've felt since being here. I want you to go with me, be my moral support and just keep me company," I reply.

He frowns slightly at the moral support comment, but I brush it off. Ugh, some day he'll figure it out. Then he smiles at me and nods. "Of course, what kind of friend would I be if I didn't help a friend in need?" he replies. He gives me this really cute grin that I've never really noticed before. Hmmm, damn hormones.

I look away, trying not to blush. I guess part of my mind is going to the possibility that Draco and I won't be together and is starting to contemplate the possibility of Avery and me. No, mind, we are not going there.

"Great, thanks! Can you pack quickly?" I ask. He nods and starts shutting down the store.

It isn't long before we are heading out of his store. I contemplate going back to the cottage and flooing, but I know that my wards are all up and ready to knock anyone's socks off so I mount my broom and choose to fly home. It's a nice evening. "Let's go," I tell Avery as I gesture to the broom. His eyes widen and I see this blush color his cheeks. I smile slightly and turn around as he gets on behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

I ignore that thought and kick off the ground. Avery's grip tightens and he buries his face against my back. I let out an exhilarating cry as I always do when I fly. I do some barrel rolls and dives effectively scaring the pants off of Avery. He's laughing though as we sail through the sky towards London.

Only until we are coasting over the outskirts of London does he speak. "It means a lot that you invited me," he whispers.

I blush. I don't understand why I'm even contemplating anything with him. I don't think I really am, it's just for the first time, the possibility of Draco and I not working or Draco and Ariana being unable to dissolve their marriage, seems so much more real. "I'm glad you came, honest," I reply quietly. I reach up and squeeze his hand quickly before returning it to the broom.

"Harry, what are you going to do if it doesn't work?" he asks.

I gulp. "I'm not sure. I guess contemplate other possibilities."

"Such as?" he asks.

I sigh. "Avery, I'm not going to say anything in regards to that because I don't want anyone getting their hopes up," I reply quietly.

I feel him nod against my back and nothing more is said. We fly over the center of London and soon we are coming upon Grimmauld Place. I start to descend and come to a stop, just above my garden. I land in there and Avery and I go in through the back. Kreacher is in the kitchen preparing dinner. He looks up as we enter and I see his eyes widen at the sight of Avery. I cut him a glare and he scowls at me.

"Let me show you to your room," I say as Avery follows me through the kitchen and to the stairs. I know he's staring around at the place in awe and confusion. Grimmauld is very different from my beach cottage.

"You live here?" he questions in confusion.

"Yeah, my godfather left it to me. It's a lot better than it used to be," I state as we start up the stairs. He follows me closely, I'm hoping more out of fear instead of wanting the closeness.

I head down the hall towards my room and open the door adjacent to my own. "This will be your room. There is a loo across the hall and my room is right here. I'm going to go downstairs and help Kreacher prepare dinner," I say and I leave him to unpack and give ourselves some much needed space. I rush downstairs before he can say anything in return.

Kreacher is slamming some things in the kitchen as I enter. "Master Harry, what is Mister Avery doings here?" he demands harshly.

I frown and move closer to him. "I asked him to come. Moral support and all," I reply quietly.

Kreacher turns and glares at me. "You knows he has strong feelings fors you," he reminds me.

"I know that, but I can't go to that wedding alone and what if Draco and I don't work out? Avery clearly cares about me and I do care about him and we could work, right?" I ask.

Kreacher shakes his head at me and mutters something I don't understand. I hear Avery coming down the stairs and I go about getting busy with the plates and silverware for dinner. This is going to be a long weekend.