A/N: I would have uploaded this a bit earlier, but while I was spell checking and reading through my mother wanted to see how the 'WonderBook' worked, so of course I had to show her because she is never interested in anything Harry Potter, so I jumped at the chance… and the WonderBook is pretty darn cool ;D! Yeah, and then my brother wanted to put a spare cable he had in the PS3 which made it better quality, so I wanted to try out my Deathly Hallows game with the graphics… it looks so good ;D! But anyway's enough of my chitter chatter… ENJOY!

Chapter Twelve

They're not listening

The next day was Monday and Harry was back at work once again. The morning was full of paperwork and searching through the archive with Ron; they found nothing. This killer was still on the loose and they didn't know when or where he next planned to kill.

"I've come to a dead end mate" Ron was sat crossed legged on the floor in the Law enforcements archive department, in his hands he had a few sheets of paper full on information on people and files full of pictures of ex convicts, and plenty more on the floor in front of him. The war took up most of the shelves in the big room because of all the tragedy. Harry soon came to the conclusion it could be any death eater still out there, ones they know about and ones they were still yet to have knowledge on. Even worse… it might not even be a death eater. Though he was almost certain this was not a first time killer. Four deaths and they had nothing. No this was a known convict they needed to take down once and for all. With Azkaban full of men and women who done wrong it was hard to think who could be behind it all.

"We just need to keep looking"

"We've been doing that for hours" Ron moaned collapsing back on the floor.

"I know but I think we're getting somewhere" He lied, looking through tonnes of files himself.

"Bullshit"

"Hmm" Harry also gave up, he dropped the current files he was reading on the floor with a sigh and rubbed his eyes. He wasn't sure what the time was because there were no windows in this room and it was only dimly lit.

"Wanna go for drinks tonight?" Ron offered.

"No I'm going to have a night in, I'm really tired." He lied again. He cursed himself for lying when he had only told himself yesterday he was finished with that. How did Ron and Hermione make him feel like a really bad person? This wasn't fair at all. He had tried to tell them the truth, but whenever he did he was interrupted or something. But in this case he felt he needed to lie, if he said he was already going out that would only be asking for a bunch of questions from his ginger friend he didn't want to answer.

"You're no fun anymore." Ron said looking up at the ceiling. Harry glared at his friend but he didn't see. "Well I'm going to go for lunch" Ron got up off of the floor and walked towards the door. "Coming?"

"No, I'm going to keep looking."

"You love your job to much" Ron laughed and left the room. Harry picked up the files again and scanned them once more. This was going to take ages.

By the end of the day Harry was tired and feeling a little low; he didn't even really know why. He almost forgot about drinks with Draco and when he remembered he couldn't wait to get home for a different reason. He got himself ready so he looked like he wasn't stuffed in a warm room the whole day without any sunlight, and was preparing to meet the blonde. 10 minutes before they would meet up at the park and Harry was finally ready. He apparated there and waited on the bench.

"Hey you" Draco walked up to him, wearing the same black coat and green scarf.

"Hey"

"I found this small muggle pub in London, it seems nice"

"Cool, let's go" He smiled. Draco held out his arm for Harry to take, first of all Harry thought they were going to walk arm in arm there, but then when he held the man's arm he felt the horrible sucking feeling of side along apparition. Seconds later they were walking up to the muggle pubs doors.

"What would you like to drink?" Draco asked letting go of Harry and walking up to the bar.

"I'm buying remember?" He laughed.

"Fine, but I insist on paying for at least one round." Draco lifted his head in the air like a true Malfoy that wasn't going to be told otherwise.

"Fine. What are you having?"

"Just a fire whiskey for me please" Harry ordered two drinks and they sat down at a table near the back. "So common, tell me about your horrible night last night?" The blonde looked right into Harry's eyes like he was really interested. Harry couldn't help but be relieved he was finally being listened to because the other person wanted to listen. It made him love Draco more.

"My friends… they're not really… I guess I just wish they were a little more on my side. Lately it feels like they're so against me and I can't stand it."

"Why would they be against you Harry?" Draco frowned like he actually cared… maybe he did. Harry smiled inside but it didn't reach his mouth as he was also thinking about his friends.

"Because of Ginny" He looked down at the table and nearly missed the look on the other man's face. Draco had leant back looking a little uncomfortable for a moment, but then straightened himself out again and listened more. "Everyone expected us to be together, but I don't want that. I feel like I've let everyone down, and they make it worse by telling me I've changed or they don't like who I'm turning into."

"If they were your friends they would love you for who you are."

"They will always be my friends, after everything we've been through together how could they not be?" Draco leant over the table and took one of Harry's hands in his. Harry swear he felt electricity shoot through him and wondered if the other man felt it too.

"Sounds as though you need to speak up and tell them how you feel." He smoothed the pad of his thumb across the back of Harry's hand. "I may still not particularly like the red headed git but he makes you happy along with miss know it all" Harry looked up at him and glared. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself. But that's not the point, you should tell them how you feel before you're forced over the edge and end up making everything worse."

"What do you mean?" Harry furrowed his brows in thought.

"Harry, you're different from me I know, you're a stronger person and you can take much more than I before you crack. But I'm just saying, I thought I would be friends with Pansy and Blaise forever after all we had been through on our side, but one day I had enough with their games and I flipped… long story short… we're no longer friends." Draco closed his eyes and took a deep breath as though the memory hurt him. When he first said to tell them how he felt Harry laughed inside his head and was about to say how he'd tried that so many times, but what Draco said next made him realise he shouldn't give up. He didn't like Pansy or Blaise but he knew they meant a lot to Draco.

"Draco, I'm sorry"

"It's fine, but listen to me when I say you need to work things out with Weasel and Granger. They're good people really."

"I can't believe you just said that" Harry laughed and held Draco's hand tighter. It seemed it would be easy when it came to Draco accepting his friends… but what about his friends accepting Draco?

"Neither can I" He laughed back then took a sip of his drink, still holding onto Harry's hand.

"I like the real you, pity you didn't show him back in school"

"No, that was the real me I'm afraid, but I've just had time to change my views and my father has let me go a bit to be my own person finally. Sometimes it's not a bad thing to change." He raised his eyebrows at the other man and smiled.

"You're right; I'm not going to let them get me down. I've done nothing wrong."

"Things will get better, I promise" He lifted his glass to his lips once more. "You have to fall before you get up again, Bleed before you heal, Cry before you can wipe away the tears."

"You have a way with words. I like it"

"Thank you"

"Who knew Draco Malfoy could be so deep?" He laughed.

"Not even me" He let go of Harry's hand and Harry's tummy dropped, his heart feeling the loss of connection. "It's my turn to buy." Phew. He was only getting up to get another round of drinks. The dark haired man had a real smile on his face for the first time in quite a while that really hit his emotions. He thought life was near enough as perfect as his life could get before that day Draco strolled into the ministry, but now he knew it was just the beginning of a whole new adventure; he loved a good adventure; it's like he was born for them.

The rest of the night they spoke about a dozen of random things, having a laugh and getting closer to one another. Harry was starting to feel so comfortable around the guy and loved their little chats. But the few sensible drinks turned into quite a few… themselves ending up a little tipsy… ok, really, really drunk. Harry could only just about walk, the room span in circles and he found himself laughing for no reason.

"We should I think maybe go home maybe?" Draco couldn't really get a proper sentence out although Harry understood him perfectly, but he was a little more sober than Harry and could get up without wobbling. "Common, I'll take you home then send a message for someone to pick me up. We should Apparate in this state. I mean shouldn't" He clutched his head and closed his eyes before reaching out to grab Harry's hand.

"Ok" Was all Harry could say, he just wondered why Draco had grown another eye before his vision cleared again when he stood still. They walked a few steps before Harry felt the floor drop beneath him – he was walking down a step – and he fell into Draco.

"Whoa, common stand up straight" The other man held Harry by the arms to lift him up straight again, and Harry leant forward and crashed their lips together. It was a messy kiss but they both were a little too drunk to really realise it. Harry lifted his hand up to Draco's hair and ran his fingers through the stands, while Draco had hold of Harry's waist and was running his fingers down his side. "Home" He said after they broke apart. Harry nodded and let Draco guide him. Together they managed to locate the Gryffindor's flat in the end, after a few turns where Harry didn't recognise where they were.

"Here" Harry got his key and fumbled with it, trying to fit it into the hole in the door. He kept missing and knocking just beside it, Draco was laughing at him. Eventually after sitting on the floor and moving his head close to the door Harry unlocked it and crawled in. "Thanks for taking me home Draco" He smiled.

"No problem, my ride should be here any minute" Draco sat on the floor next to Harry and pulled him close. "Is it alright if I wait here till then?"

"Sure" Harry was suddenly very sleepy in the blonde's arms. "Will older Malfoy get angry?" It sounded alright in his mind, but when he said it, it sounded somewhat childish.

"Maybe"

"Sorry" a car turned up outside on the road in that moment and Draco got up. That was quick. Maybe it was as fast as the Knight bus.

"I'm 19, he can't tell me what to do, no worries. I'll owl you tomorrow" He turned and kissed Harry again but this time more gently on the lips. "Sleep tight"

"I lo - " Harry was stopped mid sentence by Draco's hand being clasped over his mouth.

"Shh, don't say anything in this state." Shit. Harry was just about to admit he loved the man. Thank god Draco stopped him; he didn't want to admit that while he was drunk. That was something to do while sober. "Goodnight Harry"

"Night" and Draco was gone.

He couldn't tell you why he did it, and he would probably regret it in the morning, but he was feeling confident - He apparated to the Burrow; thankfully he didn't get splinched in his drunken state. Harry staggered through the gate and across to the front door. He was technically family so he had access to inside, so he unlocked the door and tip toed in. He crawled up the stairs and to Ron and Hermione's bedroom. The couple were asleep in each other's arms, and Ron was snoring. God knows how Hermione dealt with that every night. He cleared his throat to announce he was there, but the couple didn't move. "Ron" He whispered but Ron just snorted in his sleep before carrying on his loud snore. "Hermione" He tried a little louder and her eyelids began to open slowly. Suddenly she jumped back and somewhat screamed, making Harry jump and fall to the ground. She grabbed her wand beside her on the bedside table and pointed it at Harry. Ron fell off the other side of the bed with a big thud.

"Harry?" She was breathing fast in panic.

"I didn't meeaann to waaake you like thaaat" He slurred.

"What the fuck happened?" Ron poked his head up from the bed and looked around squinting his eyes. Hermione used her wand and cast another Muffliato charm so they wouldn't wake anyone up if they already haven't. "What's wrong Harry?" The red head asked while he got up and rubbed at his tired eyes.

"Nothing" He answered simply.

"What?" Ron sounded annoyed. "Why in Merlin's name made you decided to wake us up in the middle of the night then?"

"Are you drunk?" Hermione asked picking Harry up from the floor with a great struggle.

"Nooooooo"

"You are" She sat him on the bed, sounding annoyed.

"Ok a little" he lifted his hand and made a tiny size with his fingers to act out what he said. "I need to taaalk to yooou"

"Are you crazy? Harry James Potter, you get out now and come back when you're sober!" She raised her voice a little in anger.

"No, I need to tell you something."

"It can wait." No, no, no! Harry shouted inside his head. This is not going to happen again.

"No, You're not going to force me to put this off any longer Hermione, it's time you listen to me and what I have to say." He sounded a little more sober now; maybe it was the realisation that this was an important moment he needed for them to understand.

"But you're drunk; we will listen to you tomorrow when you know what you're saying"

"I'm not that drunk" He lied, although he knew exactly what he was doing. "I know what I'm saying, and it needs to be said."

"Tomorrow" She warned, creating a crease in between her eyebrows looking like she could kill.

"No!" He shouted getting up from the bed. "Not tomorrow. I want you to know now!" Thank god for the Muffliato charm on the room.

"Know what?" Ron asked from the right of him, obviously interested yet pissed at Harry's late arrival.

"No Ron, he needs to be sober, he might regret it in the morning and I'm not taking advantage of his state to get answers out of him." She got up and took Harry's arm. "I'm taking him home" with that she apparated him to his flat and put him to bed. Harry didn't feel like arguing after the sucking feeling of apparition twice in one drunken night, not counting the first one with Draco when they were sober. He crawled into bed and rested his head on the pillow. "I can't believe you right now" Hermione shook her head. "Coming to the burrow at this time when you're drunk, scaring the shit out of me and Ron while we were sleeping. Do you have no respect what so ever?" She tucked him into bed and took off his shoes. She looked at him waiting for a reply, and then to find out he had already fallen asleep. He knew she actually cared, he just wished she showed it more instead of making him feel shit. Hermione then left the flat and left Harry there once again still holding his secret he's tried to get out so many times.

The morning after was not a lot of fun. Harry walked into work with the worst headache anyone could imagine, his legs and arms ached too, and Ron was in his office pacing back a forth.

"You're here" Ron pointed out the obvious. "I need to run this by you, Robards asked me too" He had documents in his hands.

"Please Ron just be a little quieter… and maybe don't move around so quick, it's making me feel dizzy" He moaned.

"I see, but to be honest mate I think you kind of deserve it. Seeing as you seemed to have had fun last night without me when you told me you were going to bed, then turning up late at my house and shouting at my wife and I. Hope you feel absolutely great." He said sarcastically.

"Are you taking the piss?" Harry glared at his so called friend, and wished he had enough energy to throw a punch at his stupid freckly face.

"We're trying to find our colleagues killer and you turn up to work with a bloody hangover Harry! What are you thinking?" Ron shouted. Harry clutched his head in pain and realised that they really weren't getting along lately at all. "That's right you weren't thinking at all" Ron threw the documents on the desk. "Look through that and get back to me." He then walked to the door. "Oh and Hermione demands to speak to you later, she wants to know what was so important that made you turn up late last night." Harry sat at his desk and bowed his head in his hands. He noticed Ron still hadn't moved from the door a few seconds later.

"Ok" He grumbled.

"I'm sorry Harry, it's just we're stressed too with planning the wedding, Hermione's pregnant and is worrying about how to tell her own parents as well as mine. I need you to understand that."

"And I need you to understand my troubles too" Harry felt like bursting into tears. He couldn't figure out if it was because he felt so crap because of the hangover or if it was because he felt his friends didn't want to listen; felt they had no time for him anymore. It really did hurt a lot. Ron was silent for a moment before he next spoke.

"I promise we will listen to you tonight" And that was it, that was what pushed Harry over the edge. The fact he knew they probably weren't going to, the fact he knew they were probably going to interrupt him or come up with something completely unrelated to why he was feeling so down, or take no blame for their actions. He couldn't stand listening to Ron make a promise he knew he probably wouldn't keep. He sat there and cried. "Harry? Are you crying?" Ron shut the door again and walked up to him.

"Please leave me alone for a minute" He tried to hide his face, he didn't want to seem weak. He was angry more than anything but he couldn't stop the tears.

"Harry please, why are you crying?"

"Just go" Ron pulled Harry in and hugged him, and Harry cried some more, holding onto his friend he had known since he was 11; the first friend he ever really had. The friend he had by his side that helped him destroy Voldemort, the friend who helped him through that hard time and helped him save the Wizarding world.

"Harry" Ron sounded worried for him.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be crying, it's just my friends mean the world to me, and if I don't have you guys…" Harry tried to explain.

"Harry I am so sorry" He let go of his friend and looked at him. "Is it something really bad?" He asked.

"Um" Harry didn't know how to respond, it could be bad because he knew how his friends didn't like Draco and they hadn't had the chance to see the new him like he had. But then again they could understand. All he knew was he needed to tell someone and he wanted his friends to know everything so he didn't have to lie. "Depends how you take it I guess."

"What's it about?"

"It's something I need you and Hermione here for, and preferably not at work" He looked up out the glass wall to make sure no one was looking at them, and saw Robards looking in. Shit. But then just as Harry was preparing himself for Robards outburst, his boss nodded his head with sympathy and walked away. It confused the dark haired man but he then thought Robards might have thought this was all about Olivier. Harry bowed his head again. Merlin this was all so messed up.

"Straight after work we will go get Hermione and Apparate to your apartment. Mum and dad will be at home with Ginny and George and I think it's best if you don't turn up there for a while." Ron explained.

"What?" He kind of felt hurt in all honesty.

"Ginny was in tears when you left, she likes to pretend she's strong but she's not. Mum just wants to make sure she's ok and doesn't want to see her in anymore heartbreak; I hope you understand that mate? She doesn't think bad of you don't worry, I told her you weren't cheating and Ginny made it clear that you two weren't actually together."

"Right"

"So tonight?"

"Yeah, straight after work?"

"Straight after work." He confirmed.

Would he finally get to tell them the truth? Would he finally be able to explain how he was attracted to a man? And not just any man either… Draco Malfoy, The guy they all hated for so long; the guy who tried to make their lives hell. He wasn't overly confident this would all go down well, but he knew he needed to tell the truth and be brave like a true Gryffindor. This was just something he needed to do.