Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling. This story is merely my way of saluting her. I do not own any of these characters; I just manipulate their thoughts.

A/N: Sorry, I'm a sucker for dreams and fairy tales.

Harry cracked his eyes open at the sound of grass crunching beside him. "Malfoy," he greeted with a lazy smirk.

Draco gave Harry a one-sided smile as he sat down. They were outside the Quidditch pitch, waiting for the first couple of teams to finish their practice. The sun was beating down on the ground, but the tree provided ample shade. Harry's picnic spread was half strewn on the blanket, the only evidence that his kids were with him.

"What's up?" Harry asked, turning his head to look at Draco.

"You said if I wanted to talk…"

Harry was silent for a few seconds, as though contemplating Draco's words. Then he nodded curtly. "Right. I'd listen."

"Good." Draco had had weeks to run through the conversation in his mind. Each scenario ended differently – with Harry storming away, or hexing him, or loving him, or hating him. Reality was much harder than Draco had imagined. "How did you know you loved Ginny?"

Harry looked at Draco thoughtfully and shrugged. "I knew. She made me a better man. So I knew. How did you know you loved Astoria?"

Draco shook his head dismissively. "That's not – I mean, how'd you feel around her?"

Harry absently chewed on the inside of his cheek before answering. "I guess… special? Like I was supposed to be with her."

"Happy?"

Harry smiled at Draco. "Of course. Always."

Draco nodded. "Right."

Harry sat up now, sitting cross-legged on the crumpled picnic blanket. "You weren't?"

Draco made an indifferent gesture with his hands. "I guess. I don't know. Happiness is a varying emotion, right?"

"Right. When have you felt the happiest?"

"When Scorpius was born," Draco said without a moment of thought.

Harry grinned in understanding. "Because you love him. See?"

Draco felt his lips twitch up. "Yeah."

"When else have you felt happy?"

"Flying…"

"Because you love flying."

"School."

"Me too," Harry said, nodding at Draco in encouragement.

"But…"

"But what?"

"With Stori – I thought I was happy."

"And you weren't?" Harry asked.

"I guess I was happier somewhere else."

Harry frowned at Draco in puzzlement. "Somewhere –" His eyes widened. "You didn't –"

Draco growled with frustration, interrupting Harry's tentative question. "No, I didn't cheat on her," he muttered fiercely.

Harry visibly pulled back at Draco's anger. His confusion grew. "Oh. That's not what I – I meant… Never mind."

"What did you mean?" Draco asked stiffly.

"Not that," Harry said sullenly.

"What did you mean, Potter?"

"Look, I know you wouldn't cheat on her. Not like that."

Draco didn't bother responding to Harry. He chose to stare studiously at the spindly spider crawling onto the plate of carrots.

"Draco," Harry said, nudging Draco's arm. "I didn't mean – I was just – I thought maybe you… Well, when you said you were happier somewhere else, I thought you meant that you loved someone else."

Harry was hitting too close to the mark and Draco was getting much too antsy. Draco started with anxiety as Harry spoke those words. He swiveled his eyes at Harry before he could stop himself. Harry's brows knitted together as revelation struck. "You do love someone else…" he murmured, more as a thought said out loud. Draco didn't say anything. Harry sighed and rubbed the back of his neck as though to relieve the tension. "She loves you back?" he asked, wondering if that was an appropriate question.

"If I said it was he, you'd say…"

It was almost inaudible, but Harry heard it nonetheless. He saw Draco's growing apprehension in his body language. "I'd ask," Harry said deliberately, "does he love you back?"

Draco let out his breath slowly, slumping as his nerves loosened. Harry noticed this and smiled wryly. "He does?" he asked. Draco scoffed and rolled his eyes, appearing more at ease now. The scoff wiped the smile off of Harry's lips. "He doesn't…"

Draco glanced at Harry with a cocked eyebrow. "You're so far in my business right now," he informed.

Harry laughed lightly. "Most drama I've had in months," he said.

"Hmm…" Draco said. They sat in comfortable silence for a long while. Draco couldn't believe Harry was so approachable. He was also astounded that Harry didn't really care for his sexuality. Maybe there's hope for me yet. Harry, on the other hand, was more than stunned that Draco had chosen to talk to him about this. He supposed Blaise was absolutely no help. But Harry had never realized until then that he was one of Draco's closest friends. Weird…

"Do you and Scorpius want to come over for dinner tonight?" Harry asked abruptly.

"Sure."

The four children were seated comfortably on the floor, playing their board game. Scorpius seemed perfectly happy to be there, much to Draco's relief. The past month had been hard on the boy, with Astoria moving out and the miserable atmosphere in the house. It was relief to get out and forget. The usual banter between Albus and Scorpius was returning and the room was filled with laughs and reproachful words.

"It's going to be awful when he's at Hogwarts," Draco said absently.

"I know what you mean," Harry answered as he added salt to the stir-fry.

"I really need a job. And I don't want to get one."

Harry grinned at Draco's griping. "You just need a hobby," he said. "Like right now, you're doing Quidditch. In the winter, you can… I dunno, help out with other stuff." He tasted the rice and grimaced, looking at Draco. Draco sighed and grabbed the spoon from Harry's hand. Harry moved aside and leaned against the counter, nursing his Firewhiskey. After a few seconds of silent contemplation, a sly smile grew on his face. "You can help Hermione with SPEW!"

Draco's eyes widened as they turned towards Harry. "You have to be fucking kidding me!" he said in disbelief.

"No," Harry said, playing along.

"Gone bonkers," Draco muttered, waving his wand at the steaming food. "I'll probably get killed working for her. As in, she'll kill me. And if that doesn't work, the bloody elves will kill me."

"Perfect time to make amends," Harry shrugged nonchalantly, amused by Draco's words.

"Fluff for brains," Draco grumbled and swirled his wand to levitate the spices from the cupboards. Harry watched many of the (as of yet unopened) seasonings being dumped into the pan.

"By the way, how did you learn to cook?" Harry asked, thoroughly mesmerized by Draco's handiwork. The scent was no longer repugnant, but rather spicy and sour.

"Unlike you, I like to eat good food."

"You taught yourself?"

"I've had time."

"Hmm…"

"It's not poison."

"Anything that smells that good couldn't possibly kill me," Harry said appraisingly.

"Yes, yes, keep the compliments rolling."

Harry guffawed. "That's all you're getting from me."

"Also, what exactly have you been feeding your kids if you can't cook worth shit?" Draco asked in mock concern.

"Laugh it up, why don't you," Harry muttered, giving Draco the stink eye. "I'm not hopeless. Sheesh."

An hour later…

"I want Uncle Draco to cook us dinner everyday!" Lily announced.

Draco smirked at Harry, who answered with a contemptuous stare. "Whatever," he said dismissively as he polished off the dinner. The boys snickered at Harry.

"Can I sleep over?" Scorpius asked loudly.

Draco was about to give Scorpius a scolding but Harry silenced him with a glare. "Sure," he said, turning to Scorpius with a smile.

Once the two men were in the kitchen alone, Harry gave Draco an earful. "Why exactly were you objecting? Obviously this is what he needs right now," he said.

"Didn't want to impose," Draco muttered, Scourgifying the plates and glasses.

"Since when have you not wanted to impose on me?" Harry asked, trying to hide his smirk.

"Shut up."

By the time the clock struck nine, the six were situated comfortably on the drawing room floor, busily playing Scrabble.

"No, Nargles is definitely not a word, Potter. You're such a cheater," Draco said.

"Cheater!" James reiterated, sticking his tongue out at Harry.

"It is too a word!" Harry said, trying to convince Draco's team, which consisted of Draco, James and Lily.

"Yeah, it is too a word," Albus said. "Aunty Luna uses it all the time."

"Aunty Luna is touched in the head," Draco muttered glibly.

"Malfoy!"

"Either make a new word, or I'm wiping your scoreboard clean."

"No! You're just a sore loser."

"I am if you're winning because you're cheating!"

"I'm not cheating! Nargles is a word!"

"Ever seen one?"

"Um…"

"Exactly."

"That's convoluted logic, and you know it!"

"Just make a new word," Draco said dismissively.

Before Harry could retort heatedly, Scorpius' mouth was against his ear, whispering, "I want water." Just as Harry was about to conjure the water, Scorpius got to his feet and trotted to the kitchen. Harry watched him go and shrugged at Draco. Draco's amused eyes were on Harry's wand.

"Planning on hexing me?" he asked. "Such a poor sport."

Harry scoffed as he got up stiffly. "I don't stoop to such low actions. I'll be back. Albus, keep an eye on the board. I just know Malfoy's up to no good," he said with a haughty smile. "Make your next word. And I'll know if you changed anything."

The laughs died down as the door to Harry's kitchen swung shut. Harry found Scorpius standing uncomfortably by the sink. He quirked his eyebrows at the boy, who simply shrugged. Harry got out the cup and filled it with water before handing it to Scorpius. He took a quick sip and handed the cup back. Harry tried to keep his smile at bay. He realized that Scorpius didn't really want the water. "Alright," Harry said, putting the cup away. "What's the deal?"

"No deal," Scorpius said. "Just don't tell Dad, okay?"

"Tell him what?"

Scorpius motioned for Harry to crouch down. Once Harry was at eye level, Scorpius tentatively hugged him around the neck. Harry frowned in confusion as he wrapped his arms around the boy. "You alright?" he asked. Scorpius nodded mutely, his grip tightening around Harry.

"Mummy left…"

Harry stifled a groan. "I know."

"Now Daddy's sad. I don't want to make him sadder."

"You could never make him sad," Harry murmured reassuringly.

Scorpius didn't respond, instead choosing to stay as he was. "Thanks for being nice to us," he whispered after a long moment.

Harry chuckled helplessly. "Well, thanks for being nice to us," he said. He looked up from the floor to find Draco standing in the doorway. Harry smiled weakly and shook his head. Draco nodded, his expression unreadable, and stepped out of the room. After another minute, Scorpius let go of Harry and discreetly wiped his tears. Harry's heart ached at the sight. It reminded him of his children's tears after Ginny had passed.

"I'm okay now," Scorpius said shakily.

"Not yet," Harry said with a half-smile as he waved his hand. He handed the small slab of chocolate to Scorpius. "Now you are."

"Um…"

"Don't tell Dad," Harry said conspiringly. Scorpius smiled as he took a nibble out of the chocolate. Harry straightened Scorpius' crumpled shirt. "When I was in school, my Dad's best friend would give me a piece of chocolate anytime I felt down. It helps, doesn't it?"

Scorpius nodded. "You're my Dad's best friend, then?" he asked absently, taking bigger bites now.

Harry snorted. "Highly unlikely," he said, laughing.

Scorpius grinned knowingly. "I think you are," he said, handing back the half-eaten bar of chocolate. "I'm done."

"We'll go back?" Harry asked.

"Mhm," Scorpius said, wiping his cheeks one last time before heading towards the door. Harry followed, thoroughly preoccupied with his thoughts. Scorpius' loud voice interrupted them. "I agree with Uncle Harry. Nargles is a word," the boy said, sitting back down next to Albus.

Draco's eyebrows shot up. "What did you do? Bribe him?" he asked, his gaze softening when he looked up at Harry.

"No," Scorpius said, rolling his eyes. Harry winked at Draco and smiled. 'He's fine,' he mouthed. Draco nodded. "Besides," Scorpius continued, "Uncle Harry doesn't lie."

"It's true," Harry said solemnly, causing Lily to snicker.

As midnight rolled in, all the children were knocked out on piles of blankets in front of the television. The blue screen made soft static, lulling everyone to sleep. Harry jerked awake, suddenly noticing the inactivity. Draco was asleep too, his head cradling in his arm as he curled into the couch.

"Wake up," Harry whispered groggily.

Draco opened his eyes lazily. "What?" he asked.

"Sleep upstairs," Harry said, getting up from the couch and stretching out the kinks on his neck.

"I'm fine here," Draco mumbled.

"You'll wake up with a killer backache," Harry said. "Guest room's not that bad."

Draco grumbled as he pushed off the sofa and got up unsteadily. The men dragged themselves up the stairs. Harry pushed a door open near the stairs, letting Draco into the room. "'Night," he said.

"Yeah."

Harry was out cold in minutes, as was Draco. Not that it mattered for the latter because he was scared awake a second later, or so it seemed. Draco sat up in the dark, his heart hammering. He whipped his eyes around the strange room, trying to figure out where he was. "Oh," he sighed with relief as he remembered. He fell back onto the pillows. "Tempus," he muttered. It was just after three. He groaned tiredly as he rolled over and shut his eyes again.

"Stop."

Draco frowned, his eyes opening again. He listened.

"Please…"

Draco threw back his covers and slipped out of bed. His heart was hammering again. He took a hesitant step towards the door.

Muffled shouts.

Draco's feet faltered and he froze. Harry? He shook himself awake and quickly walked to the door, opening it slowly. He followed the noise to a shut door. He opened it and flicked the lights on with his wand. Harry didn't wake up. He was thrashing in bed, fighting off his nightmare. "Potter," Draco hissed, poking his head out the door to see if the kids were woken up. Harry was still trapped in his dream. Draco quickly placed a muffling charm on the door and closed it. He tiptoed to Harry, heavily disconcerted by his pained expression. "Wake up," Draco said. Harry didn't hear. Draco poked Harry with his wand. "Wake up," he said again. Harry was mumbling incoherently now. Sweat drenched his hair. Draco grabbed Harry's shoulder uncertainly and shook it. "Harry, wake up."

Harry gasped and sat up, coughing as the sudden intake of air went down the wrong pipe. He squinted against the light and his shaking subsided.

"What the hell, Potter?"

Harry whipped his head to the side and ogled Draco. "Wh – what are you – oh! Fuck! Sorry! I forgot to… um…"

"You have those often?" Draco interrupted.

Harry nodded unconsciously, even as he said, "No big deal. I've had them forever."

"Scared the shit out of me."

"Sorry," Harry apologized again, blushing as he stumbled out of bed. "What time is it?"

"Three."

"Ugh," Harry groaned as he rubbed his tired eyes. "Awful."

"You're telling me," Draco yawned, sitting on the edge of Harry's bed. Harry stumbled into his bathroom and ran the water. Draco heard some splashing and a minute later Harry came out, face dripping and hair sopping wet.

"Go to sleep," he said, wiping his face with the towel.

"Don't think I can anymore," Draco said.

"Makes the two of us…"

"Hmm?"

"Nothing."

Draco made a face. "You don't have to carry all of the world's problems on your shoulders, Potter," he said emphatically.

Harry snorted derisively as he sat down on his bed. "Don't worry, I'm not."

"So, what? You run on four hours of sleep everyday?"

"I'm used to it," Harry mumbled, twisting the edge of the blanket in his hand.

"No wonder you look like hell."

Harry gave Draco a thin-lipped smile. "Boy, you sure know how to make me feel good."

Draco grinned. "Truth's the truth." After a long pause, he said, "About Scorpius… Thanks."

"He's quite mature for his age, isn't he?"

"He's had to grow up fast."

Harry nodded in agreement. Both men left it at that. More silence.

"You know what you should do?" Draco said with finality.

"What should I do?" Harry asked.

"You should go back to becoming an Auror."

An expression of perplexity dawned on Harry's face. "What?"

"You. Auror."

"Um…"

"See, there's your problem, right there," Draco said, pointing at Harry.

"What problem?" Harry asked, looking down at himself.

"You think too much."

Harry looked back up at Draco with arched brows. "Huh?"

"You think too much. Where's that impulsive streak you had in school? Couldn't have saved that damned hippogriff if you were thinking too much."

"You're making no –"

"I'm saying," Draco said loudly, overpowering Harry's weak words. "Stop being such a girl."

Harry snapped his mouth shut and looked affronted. "A g – a girl! I'm being a girl? Me?"

"Yeah. You."

Harry sputtered indignantly. "Has it ever occurred to you that I might not want to get myself killed?" he asked heatedly.

Draco guffawed. "You're Harry Potter. Almost getting killed is who you are. Besides, you can't die. No big deal."

"I'm not invincible."

"Tell me why you don't want to be an Auror," Draco said.

"I have children!"

"Yeah, you and half of the Aurors out there."

"I'm a single parent."

"Um… With a family like the Weasleys, I'd think that's the weakest excuse in the books."

"It's not worth the risk."

"Hah!" Draco exclaimed triumphantly. "See, you are such a girl!"

Harry huffed. "I don't like this conversation."

"Look," Draco said, sobering up. "All I'm saying is, stop over-thinking things. If you love doing your job, you should do it. No holds barred."

"It's not that simple…"

"Make it simple!"

Harry shook his head at Draco as he leaned against his headboard. "You know," he said, "I didn't want to be an Auror after the Battle."

Draco looked shocked at the admission. "I thought you… Really?" he asked.

"Yeah, really. Ginny made me join." Draco waited for Harry to continue, nodding. Harry shrugged. "Guess you're right."

"Which part?" Draco asked, a lazy smile on his face.

"I loved it…" It surprised Harry to hear it out loud.

The smile grew into a grin as Draco wiggled his eyebrows. "See. You should go back."

"I'll thi –"

"No!" Draco interjected. "No thinking allowed."

"But I –"

"You make so many bloody excuses, Potter. I have no idea how Weaslette dealt with you…"

"It's Ginny, not Weaslette," Harry mumbled sullenly, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "This is exactly how she dealt with it. She wouldn't let me think."

"Smart woman."

Harry smiled. "That she was."

Draco twirled his wand in his fingers. "So, after Quidditch season, you should go back," he said. Harry didn't deign to respond. Draco pointed his wand at Harry. "Yes?" he asked. Harry shrugged. Draco rolled his eyes. "What, you don't even flinch?"

"I'm fairly certain you won't curse me."

"Hmm…" Draco smiled, lowering his wand. "Petty way to get to Azakaban, huh?"

"Very petty," Harry grinned.

They wiled the minutes away with banter and laughs. By the end of an hour, they were asleep – Draco at one end of the bed and Harry against the headboard.

Draco blinked back the sun. It seemed like he had gotten absolutely no sleep. He almost groaned in frustration but stifled it when he suddenly remembered that it was a Saturday. With a grateful sigh, he relaxed again. He opened his eyes slowly and blinked at the vision that appeared before him. A simple vision, but it managed to take Draco's breath away.

During the course of the night, Harry had managed to find his way to the middle of the bed. He didn't even bother to get under the covers. He was on his side, his knees pulled up to his chest and a lazy arm holding them close. His other arm was under the pillow, holding it as though to stop it from escaping from beneath his head. His tousled hair looked like a nightmare. But Draco couldn't keep away from Harry's face. The expressionless sleeping mask with lips pulled down. Draco had never seen Harry this way, without the sharp eyes and quick smile.

Impulsively, Draco sat up and crawled up to Harry. He lay down on his side and stared into Harry's slackened face. He wanted to see the smile. He brought his hand up and ran his fingers down Harry's jaw with a feather-like touch. He had never felt Harry before. He held in a gasp when he realized that now he had felt Harry, he never wanted to let go. His fingers moved from the stubble on Harry's jaw to the smooth nose. He traveled up and reverently touched the exposed scar on the forehead. Harry murmured something and tried to flinch away. Draco fought to breathe as his fingers slid down and captured Harry's chin. He pulled it up and leaned in for a chaste taste.

Smooth lips pressed against chapped ones.

That was all…

Draco opened his eyes and pulled away. Harry was still asleep. The tip of his tongue darted out to wet his lips unconsciously, causing Draco to shiver. Harry unwrapped his arm from around his legs and wound it around Draco. A soft smile played on Harry's lips.

Draco dipped down and captured Harry's lips in his. He felt a heady rush as Harry responded. The response was eager. Harry's arm tightened as he pulled Draco in. His legs shifted away and Draco was closer than ever now. Draco didn't know right from wrong anymore. He was too consumed by Harry's long kiss. His lips were sucked between Harry's teeth without hurry. Harry let out a low moan, as though he had been waiting for this for ages. His hand moved sluggishly as it pushed under Draco's shirt. Draco's body shuddered under the hot touch. Harry's fingers were running over him and it felt like the heat seared to the bone. Then it stilled over Draco's thundering heart that, try as he might, wouldn't stop aching. Draco felt Harry's lips freezing as well.

Draco opened his eyes and stared into bewildered green ones. Their lips were still melded together. Draco wasn't going to move them. He wasn't going to move Harry's hand away either. He saw recognition dawn in Harry's wide eyes. He closed his eyes before he could see the horror break through. He felt Harry's lips trembling against his now.

"I love you," Draco whispered, his lips gliding over Harry's.

Harry let out a strangled cry and, in a flurry of movement, pushed Draco away. Draco felt like he had been punched in the chest and left winded. He sat up slowly, watching Harry pale and scramble away. "No," Harry said, his voice hoarse from sleep and emotion.

"Yes," Draco said, wrapping his arms around himself while trying to breathe.

Harry staggered out of bed, never once looking at Draco. "You need to go," he said shakily.

Draco felt the ache grow in his chest, crushing him. "Please, let me –"

"No. You need to go."

Draco lurched out of bed in a trance. "Harry, I can't –"

"Now," Harry said with a crack in his tone as he threw the door open.

Draco neared Harry cautiously. "You have to listen," he said.

"I don't."

"I'm not –"

Harry growled with anger and grabbed the front of Draco's shirt. He slammed Draco against the wall with fierce murder in his eyes. "You have no right," Harry snarled.

"No right to what? No right to love you?" Draco asked in a voice harsher than he had intended.

"How dare you! This is not some fucking joke!"

"Do you see me laughing?" Draco hissed, shoving Harry's chest. Harry staggered back. "You waltz into my life and tell me I have no right?"

"Do you take pleasure in fucking up my life?" Harry asked, his wand at hand.

"I'm sick of being who you want me to be," Draco spat out. He was seething now and he would stop at nothing. "I've been a friend. I've helped you out. I've been nothing but good to you. And I'm sick of it. I want more. I'm sick of being who you want me to be. I want to be who I want to be. And I want to love you. You have no right to tell me I can't."

"I never asked you to change for me," Harry shouted.

Draco pulled out his wand swiftly. "You're not the only person in your life! Stop being so fucking self-involved. Everyone has problems. But you seem to be the only one having trouble letting go. Even your children know when you're depressed!"

Harry took a menacing step forward. "Shut. Up."

"Being a widower is not the end of the world! And you should not be bringing your children into it!" Draco couldn't stop himself now. Harry was listening now and Draco was going to tell him everything he had wanted to say. "You're wasting your life because, what, your wife died? Move on! Everyone moves on!"

"S – stop t –"

"No. I'm not saying move on with me," Draco said, trying to calm down. "I'm saying you can't run away from it all. I've tried. God knows, I've tried. I know what you're going through. I watched Blaise – and it was – I can't – Harry, I can't watch you go through that. It consumed him for five years. Imagine what five years could do to you? You can't even handle a year of it. Please, just –"

Harry muffled a sob against his hand and rushed to his bathroom, slamming the door shut before Draco could reach it. A crash sounded. Draco rattled the knob but the door remained closed. "Harry," Draco rapped on the door. "Please, open the door." Draco listened for any other noise, but couldn't hear anything. He knocked harder. "Now!" he said forcefully. There was no movement. "Fuck, Potter! Open up!" Draco all but yelled as he pounded the door. "I want you out of there right now!" It was too quiet and Draco's terrified mind was racing. "I'm opening it if you won't," he threatened. There was no response. "Fuck," Draco breathed, kicking the door vehemently before fumbling with his wand. It took him another minute to get the door open as he tried to bypass Harry's Locking charms. The second Draco heard the click, he threw the door open.

Harry was on the floor, leaning against the bathtub with his knees pulled up and his arms hugging his legs to him. His face was hidden away, downturned. One hand clutched his wand with white knuckles and the other was bloodied. Draco saw the shards of mirror scattered across the granite counter and the tiled floor. He quickly swished his wand, clearing the debris in an instant. He knelt down beside Harry, feeling utterly helpless. He gently took Harry's gashed hand in his. Harry's head shot up as he tried to pull away. Draco felt sorrow well up inside him when he saw Harry's teary face and pained eyes.

"Let go," Harry gasped, trying to tug his hand free.

"No," Draco said gently. The tugging stopped and Harry's hand fell limp in Draco's. "Are you hurt anywhere else?" he asked, holding his wand out. Harry flinched at the sight of the wand. Draco hesitated, unsure of what to do. Harry didn't answer, his eyes set on the wand. They sat in silence for a few seconds. "I'm sorry," Draco said. "I shouldn't have – I was just emotional. I didn't mean… I'm sorry."

Harry merely blinked at him. He took the opportunity to close the cuts on Harry's hand and assess for any other injuries. Finding none, he finished up quickly and lowered his wand.

"Not one year."

Draco frowned at Harry's soft words. "What?"

"It's not about Ginny."

"What's not about Ginny?" Draco asked, relieved that Harry was talking.

"I have trouble letting go."

Harry was making no sense. His hand was still in Draco's. He tightened his grip, not wanting to let go of Draco. Draco merely looked at Harry.

"Not one year. All my life."

Draco felt his stomach clenching painfully. "What?" he breathed in horror.

"She helped me through it. But she's gone now."

Draco struggled to understand what Harry was saying. Harry was looking at him the most open eyes he had ever seen. He resisted the urge to envelope Harry into a hug.

"It's because I have trouble letting go. I know that…"

"All your life?" Draco asked, knowing the answer as he asked the question.

"Depression."

Draco sagged at the word.

"It got worse after Seventh Year. After everyone – it wasn't - it's not about Ginny. I know she's gone. I know I have to let go of her." Harry's eyes shifted away from Draco and he let go of Draco's hand. "I have to let go of everybody," he murmured lowly as fresh tears sprung.

Draco was at a loss for words. His hand hung where it had been, void of Harry's touch.

Harry quickly wiped his cheeks. "She even put it in our vows, you know," he reminisced. "Till death us do part. She wanted to cover all the bases, she said. To make sure I'd learn to let go if anything –" he broke off as he choked on his words. He cleared his throat painfully. "I didn't want to, but she insisted. And now… Now she's dead and we've parted." He didn't resist when Draco wrapped him in an embrace. His tears spilt on Draco's shoulder.

"Letting go and forgetting are two different things, Harry," Draco said.

Harry nodded but Draco wasn't sure if he understood. They sat on the cold floor for a long while.

"I'm sorry," Harry said, his words muffled.

"Hmm?"

"For everything."

Draco frowned at the wall. "What exactly are you sorry for?"

Harry shrugged. "You and Astoria… Scorpius. Everything."

Draco made an impatient noise. "I thought I told you that everything doesn't revolve around you." Harry didn't remark at this outburst. Draco sighed in frustration. "Look, it was bound to happen. You aren't at fault."

"I didn't mean for you to change…"

Draco's harsh words were coming back to haunt him mere fifteen minutes later. He gently squeezed Harry. "You've changed me for the better…" he said.

"Oh."

"And, um… about – you don't have to –" Draco stammered.

Harry shook his head. "No, I'm just clueless like that."

"I just needed to get it off of my chest," Draco said apologetically. "You don't need to do anything about it."

"Hmm…"

"It's going to be awkward now, isn't it?"

"Oh yeah."

"But you don't mind?"

Harry shrugged and untangled himself from Draco's arms. Draco unwound his arms begrudgingly. Harry took a moment to collect himself. He looked at Draco warily. "I'm the last person to know, aren't I?"

Draco bit his lip uncomfortably. "Well… um… Not the very last per –"

Harry groaned tiredly. "Draco…" he muttered, dropping his head in his hands.

"What? I was confused," Draco said, holding his hands up in surrender.

"I can't believe you'd tell me last," Harry said, getting up off the floor.

Draco huffed. "I wasn't going to surprise you with it. I had to be sure too," he said, looking up at Harry.

"Wasn't going to surp – you kissed me!"

"Um…"

"I'm never going to hear the end of this."

"Blaise's known for years, so you don't really need to wor –"

"Years?"

Draco gulped nervously. "I – er… Never mind."

"How many?"

Draco scrambled up, blushing profusely. "Doesn't matter."

"Malfoy," Harry said emphatically. "How long?" he asked.

Draco scowled at Harry. "Ten," he mumbled.

Harry's eyes widened. "What the f – ten? Ten years?" he asked, his voice uncharacteristically high.

"Whatever," Draco muttered, eager to get out of the suddenly stuffy bathroom. He pushed past Harry, but was stopped by a steady grip on his shoulder.

"You were crushing on me," Harry exclaimed.

"That's about all the humiliation I can handle for today, Potter," Draco drawled, slipping out of Harry's grasp and exiting the room.

"Awkward," Harry muttered to himself, straightening his clothes and smoothing his hair as he walked out.