Chapter 19

Harry and Hermione landed on the brick walkway leading up to the entrance of Malfoy Manor. He recognized the sounds of merriment as they approached the giant double doors.

"He threw me a welcome home party didn't he?" Harry asked with a smile.

"Of course he did Harry." She replied with a raised brow.

The heavy doors swung open and he was immediately greeted by Ginny and Luna. They both ran up and planted a peck on each of his cheeks.

"Welcome back Harry!" Said Ginny.

"Thanks Ginny." He said with a smile. "Hey have you seen-?"

"Harry! Blimey it seems like forever!" Said Neville. He and George both gave him a hug and a pat on the back.

"Yeah it does. I've missed you guys! Do you know where-?"

"Oh! Harry! My boy!" Molly exclaimed as she pulled him into a tight hug.

"Hey mum! It's so good to see you!"

Narcissa and Lucius were next to greet him. Lucius actually pulled Harry into a hug.

"It has felt entirely too empty without your presence here at Malfoy Manor Mr. Potter." He said with a smile.

"Oh, thanks Mr. Malfoy."

"Please Harry. Call me Lucius."

"Oh, okay. Hey have you guys seen Draco?" He asked with his eyes scanning the room for the familiar blonde hair he'd looked for in every room since he was eleven years old. Narcissa glanced at Molly and then back to Harry and smiled.

"I think I saw him in the kitchen a few moments ago."

Harry thanked her and made a beeline for the kitchen. Smiling and hugging each friend that greeted him on the way. They all followed closely behind him as he finally made his way into the kitchen.

He froze when he saw Draco standing at the stove. His back was facing Harry and he hadn't seen him come in. Ron had been leaning against the table when he saw Harry and immediately straightened up when he saw him.

"Oi-!" Said Ron but he was cut off by a sudden outburst from Draco.

"I swear to Merlin, if he doesn't arrive in the next three minutes I will hex his hair off! I baked this with just enough time for them to still be fresh when he got here and now they're going to be cold!"

Harry smiled when he heard the scolding he didn't realize he'd missed.

"You baked that yourself?" He asked. Draco shook his head in clear frustration and began to turn around as he continued his tantrum.

"Of course I baked it myself! It's Harry's fav- Harry!" He froze when he turned around to see Harry standing in the doorway just a few meters away. His heart skipped a beat and his stomach did a flip when he saw the bright green eyes that he hadn't gone a day without thinking about. His own eyes roamed unabashedly over Harry's new and clearly improved body. His eyes shot back up and he cleared his throat. "I mean, hey Harry, welcome home." He said with a smile.

It only took Harry three long strides before he was standing directly in front of Draco. Although Harry had bulked up in the last two months, Draco was still about an inch taller than him. He had forgotten how much he loved looking into those stormy ocean-like eyes.

"Draco, there's something I need to tell you."

Everyone around them had gone completely quiet in fear of ruining whatever moment was about to happen. Though, everyone was sure they knew exactly what was about to happen.

Draco shifted his weight so he was leaning against the stove. His breathing was slowly starting to quicken and he'd forgotten all about the abundance of people crowded into the kitchen.

"When I was away," Harry continued. "I couldn't stop thinking about you. So much so that I apparently talked about you quite a lot to the rest of the guys there. I didn't realize just how much I'd miss seeing you so often." Draco's breathing was now very heavy and his heart was pounding furiously against his chest.

"I realized how much I love spending time with you. You've become one of my best friends and I know that by telling you this I risk losing that but I have to tell you Draco. I can't stay blind to this anymore."

"Tell me what Harry?" Draco asked. His voice barely above a whisper.

Harry stared lovingly into Draco's twinkling eyes. He was beyond nervous and hesitated for a moment.

Come on Harry, you defeated the most evil wizard of all time, surely you can tell this man you're in love with him. Harry thought to himself.

"I'm in love with you Draco Malfoy. Unconditionally, irrevocably, madly in love with you."

Draco was sure his heart had stopped when Harry walked into the room and he was now in some form of limbo because he could have swore that Harry Potter just confessed his love for him.

Harry took the silence from Draco as a bad sign and took a tiny step back.

"It's okay if you don't feel the same way, I just had to tell you."

Hearing the sadness in Harry's voice brought Draco back to reality and he realized that this was indeed happening in real life. He smiled and replaced the step back that Harry had taken with his own step forward.

"Well, it took you long enough, scarhead."

Draco stared deeply into the emerald orbs that were mere inches away from him and leaned forward to close the gap between them.

He bravely wrapped his arms around Harry's waist and pulled him close. He felt Harry's breath hitch at the touch and used every ounce of bravery in him as he closed his eyes and leaned his head down to softly press their lips together. Harry immediately responded by throwing his hands around Draco's neck and pulling them even closer to deepen the kiss.

Harry's hands found their way to Draco's hair and he wound his fingers through the soft silky strands. Draco ran one hand up Harry's back and dug his nails in gently. He was sure that he would be perfectly okay with dying tonight because this kiss would have made it all worth it.

Draco's lips were soft and plump. Harry couldn't remember ever feeling this way when he kissed anyone else. As soon as their lips crashed together his soul left his body. The world stopped spinning and he felt as if they were floating away. Something burned deep inside of his stomach, and from the way Draco was kissing him, he guessed that he could feel it too.

For the entire time they had their lips pressed together, they were completely unaware of the magic happening between them.

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Their entire group of friends watched as these two men who had been dancing around their love for each other for at least two years (even longer for Draco) were caught up in a kiss so passionate it appeared to stop time. Everyone watched in awe as thin golden wisps circled around them and wrapped their bodies together like some sort of magical rope.

Hermione's eyes widened as she came to a realization. Narcissa and Lucius turned their heads to look at each other in shock. Ron and Neville stared in confusion.

Luna appeared to be the only one unphased enough to speak.

"Of course! They're bonding!" She whispered.

Ginny looked over at her and shot a questioning look that didn't need words.

"Harry and Draco are soulmates! It's rare these days, but when it happens it's absolutely beautiful, as you can see."

Ginny looked back over at the golden ropes and bright aura surrounding them. She had never seen anything like it, but Luna was right, it was simply beautiful.

Draco and Harry slowly relaxed their grip on each other and eventually pulled their lips away. When they opened their eyes they could see their own reflections in the pupils of the other man staring back at them.

"I love you too Harry."

As they slowly came back to reality the golden magic that had surrounded them slowly dissipated into nothing. They both smiled at each other when they heard the clapping and hooting of their group of friends behind them. When they finally turned to face the group they were both blushing.

Pansy walked right up to them and gave Harry a peck on the cheek.

"It's about time Golden Boy, I was beginning to think you really were as daft as I thought!" She teased.

Draco narrowed his eyes at her but she simply winked and walked off.

Lucius raised one eyebrow at Harry and smiled. "I told you the night I was released, Harry. You are part of the family now."

Harry simply smiled in response. He and Draco still had their arms around each other's waists.

The party continued on through the rest of the evening. Harry told everyone about the things he'd accomplished and how he couldn't wait to get out into the field. By the time midnight rolled around Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Luna were the only ones still hanging around. Hermione and Ron sat in their usual armchair. Ginny and Luna were curled up with each other on the floor in front of the fire and Harry and Draco were in their usual spot in the sitting room, the small loveseat. Although now Harry was slowly drifting off to sleep with his head against Draco's chest. Draco breathed a happy sigh and continually ran his hand through Harry's thick brown hair. Narcissa and Lucius stood in the doorway watching their son as he began to close his eyes.

"Did you know they were soulmates 'Cissa?" Asked Lucius in a quiet whisper.

"No. But it all makes a lot more sense now. The constant years of schoolyard rivalry? Their souls simply couldn't stay away from one another, even if it was negative attention."

"It appears that finding soulmates runs in the family then." He smiled over to his wife.

"That it does my love." She said as she leaned her head on his shoulder. "That it does."