It was Saturday and the day of the Ministry party. Harry and Ron had been dragged out by Hermione to go shopping for a dress. Their strategy had been to nod at everything she picked up, not knowing anything to do with women's fashion.

They got back mid-afternoon and sat in the boys dormitory for a while with Neville, wondering what it was going to be like. Neville was in quite high spirits compared to the last few days.

"You seem happier Neville" Harry commented "How's Herbology going?"

"Oh it's great!" Neville beamed "Well it will be" he reached into his trunk and pulled out a sapling in a glass case, it looked like it had a small sun and clouds hovering over it.

"You got a new sapling?" Harry asked, remembering how rare Neville had said it was.

"Um, actually Malfoy gave me it" Neville said, looking bemused "and uh, apparently took care of Harper so he wouldn't sabotage me or my project again" he smiled timidly.

"Malfoy did that?" Ron asked bewildered "I don't believe it" he shook his head.

Neville shrugged "He was actually... nice?"

"First Hermione, now you" Ron said suspiciously, "What is his game?"

Harry felt himself release a breath. He had thought Malfoy was up to something too, but he had been helping Neville, he had completely saved Neville's project and stopped a Slytherin from bullying him, something he used to do relentlessly himself.

"I think he's trying to make amends" Harry said honestly, but felt a little sad, he was putting in effort with Hermione and Neville, why had he turned so quickly on Harry?

"The world has gone mad" Ron sighed.

"Well, I've got to say, it works for me" Neville grinned.

- Hermione's POV -

Hermione huffed as she tugged at her dress in the mirror. She was getting ready for the Ministry party and had purchased a long, floral dress at a discount occasion-wear shop in Hogsmeade. As she stood looking at her reflection she cursed the day she had decided to become friends with boys instead of girls. Harry and Ron had been bored in the shop and when Hermione held up the dress they had both just shrugged and nodded in a noncommittal way.

She pulled the cheap fabric this way and that, trying to get it to hug her figure correctly. She'd never learned dress-altering spells, thinking it was superficial and a waste of her time, but now as she experimented with holding her hair up and putting on a bright red lipstick, she regretted not being prepared for an event like this. As she despaired in front of the mirror, she spotted Pansy walking into the Girls Dorms in the reflection. She was dressed in a gorgeous strappy, silk, navy dress that hugged her hourglass figure perfectly and had a deep V at the front that showed a little bit of cleavage before draping out at her waist. She looked stunning and as Hermione watched her in the reflection, Pansy glanced over at Hermione, casting a quick eye over. Hermione turned away, and suddenly felt a hundred times uglier being in the same room as Pansy.

Pansy had got up and walked to her wardrobe rummaging through her things, not saying a word to Hermione. They hadn't argued once yet this year, but they hadn't spoken much either, except to discuss their potion. Their relationship had always been catty and aggressive and Hermione hadn't bothered trying to put effort in with her this year, no matter how much she wanted unity, she would have no idea what they could possibly talk about, they surely had nothing in common.

But as she tugged at her dress in the mirror again, looking at the time getting closer to party and feeling tears form in her eyes as she couldn't get it to improve, Pansy suddenly appeared beside her in the mirror, holding up a beautiful black dress.

Hermione froze and stared at her. Pansy looked Hermione up and down with critical eyes.

"This would look much better on you" she said confidently.

"What?" Hermione asked in shock turning around.

Pansy held the dress out to her "Try it on, I think we're about the same size"

Shocked into silence, Hermione took the dress cautiously from her hands, and walked into the bathroom, scared to believe it wasn't a trick to take a picture of Hermione in her underwear and send it around school or something.

She zipped it up, but it didn't quite fit all the way to the top. She sighed again.

"Come out" Pansy called "Let me see"

Hermione stepped out "It's beautiful, but it's a little too small for me" She blushed.

Pansy put her hands on Hermione's shoulders and turned her round, after a second's look, she picked up her wand and muttered a couple of quick spells before Hermione could whip around and defend herself.

"Whoa relax, I've just fitted it to your size" Pansy walked her over to the mirror "see?"

And Hermione did see, as she twirled slowly in the mirror, she saw that Pansy had made the dress fit perfectly in every way, the zip now reaching the top. The black dress was floor length, strapless, fitted tight to her upper body, with a split in the thigh that had a gold encrusting where it split and draping elegantly down to her ankles.

Hermione gaped at her "I - thank you, that was incredible!"

Pansy smiled "yes well it's what I'm going to do after school so I need to be good at it" she shrugged, then she looked at Hermione's hair, picking it up and looking thoughtful.

"Hang on a second" she said, and went over to her trunk.

After a minute of rummaging, she turned back to Hermione "Here we go" she said handing Hermione a pair of gold heels, a gold necklace and a more natural pink lipstick than the bright red she had swiped on. Pansy clasped the necklace at the back of her neck, used a quick spell to take off the red lipstick and applied the new one. She put a swipe of mascara and a little eyeliner on her eyes, and performed a spell that made her wild curls tame down into beautiful waves. She stepped back to admire her handiwork and smirked.

"Oh yes" she nodded approvingly, looking Hermione up and down, "Weasley will not be able to keep his hands off you" she said and Hermione blushed.

"Pansy I can't thank you enough" Hermione said honestly, "I've never even dreamed I could look like this"

Pansy smiled warmly "You're welcome... Hermione" she tested out "We're all entitled to feel our best, a little dressing up once in a while is good for the soul"

"Alright" Pansy said giving them both one last look over in the mirror "Let's go knock em' dead"

Hermione laughed and followed her down the stairs.

The boys were all waiting at the bottom, and as Hermione and Pansy walked down together laughing, all of them looked up in shock at the sound of the two girls laughing, then their jaws dropped at the sight of them. Hermione blushed at the unusual amount of attention.

She walked up to Ron and gave him a peck on the lips "what do you think?" she asked.

Ron gaped like a goldfish, his face and ears tinged pink "I - I think, I think - wow"

Hermione laughed at his speechlessness. "I'll take it" she replied.

"Doesn't she look fabulous" Pansy said and Hermione turned to see all the Slytherin's staring at her, with the exception of Zabini who had only had eyes for Pansy since they came downstairs.

"Damn Granger" Daphne Greengrass said eyeing her up and down "Who knew that body was under there?!"

"What do you think Blaise?" Pansy asked him, leaning into his arm in a slightly seductive way.

Blaise tore his eyes away to look at Hermione and smiled at her "I think all you girls look stunning" he said diplomatically "Now shall we go?"

As they all made their way out of the portrait hole, Pansy leaned forward to Hermione.

"The best thing" she whispered "is that the lipstick is charmed not to smudge, so you can make out with Weasley all you want and you're face will still be flawless!" And Hermione giggled.

- 0 -

The Slytherin's entered into the Ministry party and Draco could barely contain the eye roll, seeing all the same faces as usual, all most likely talking about the same boring things. He was both apprehensive and determined to hear what Finlay had to say about standing him up on Wednesday night for Potter. He spotted him across the hall almost immediately and as he watched him talking to a group of Aurors he gave him a once-over. He was dressed in emerald green robes with a white shirt and he looked as delicious as always. As much as Draco wanted to be aloof and unimpressed with him, he felt his breathing hitch, already feeling aroused just watching him.

To distract himself he decided to mingle, telling the other Slytherin's he'd catch up with them later. He knew his father would find out who he had and hadn't spoken to and it was even more important without his father here to make a good impression. He spent at least an hour going around the hall, talking to groups of officials he'd met at previous parties, smiling, laughing, reacting at all the right times. When he was sufficiently bored of them all he decided to seek out Finlay. He spotted him about 20 metres away, looking uninterested in a group conversation he was part of. Looking up, he caught Draco's eye and imperceptibly inclined his head to the door. Draco gave a tiny nod of understanding and Finlay left, Draco following not far behind.

He made his way up to Finlay's office, Finlay was already there, and Draco entered, shutting the door behind him and turning to face Fin.

"You never replied to my letter" Finlay said, his voice holding little emotion.

"I didn't know what to say" Draco said honestly, matching the emotionless tone "and I wanted to hear it from you anyway"

"Hear what Draco?" Finlay asked, his jaw clenching in annoyance "It was basically a business dinner, an interview even!"

Draco scoffed "Is that how you interview all your employees? Cosied up in intimate restaurants, candles on the tables, holding each other's hands? Or is that just reserved for saviours of the wizarding world?"

Finlay looked confused "Holding each other's hands? What are you talking about? And how did you know about the candle?"

Draco narrowed his eyes at the denial "I saw you both, I went to get a drink after you stood me up and saw you both in the restaurant holding hands"

Finlay sighed "That's not what that was Draco" he said shaking his head "And honestly I don't think I need to explain myself to a bloody teenager, it's not as if we're in a relationship or anything" he muttered.

Draco flushed in embarrassment and anger, "Then what are we doing?! You were about to take my virginity last week, does that not count for anything?"

"Well I didn't take your virginity did I Draco?" Finlay snapped.

Draco was taken aback "Would that have made a difference? If we had sex would you have seen me that night instead of Potter? Or at least had the decency to let me know you weren't going to show"

Finlay threw his hands up in frustration "No Draco it wouldn't have! I didn't tell you because I forgot, I'm busy running this damn department and I don't have time for your teenage dramas! This is just embarrassing for you Draco"

Draco's breath caught in his throat and he felt a stab in his heart at the words "Is that what it comes down to? You can take Potter out to dinner in fancy restaurants in public, you're happy to be seen with him but not me, because I'm embarrassing to you?"

Finlay looked at him with fiery eyes.

"Yes" he said, and his gaze was intense, he took a step towards Draco "It is easier to be seen out in public with someone the entire world adores, but don't forget that you can't be seen out with me either. We're keeping this a secret for you just as much as me, and don't for one second try to tell me that me sucking your cock in my office when we could be caught any minute doesn't turn you on" he said stepping closer to Draco and undoing his robes.

Draco's eyes burned into Finlay's, he felt angry, but his emotions were running high, and suddenly he realised how close they were, how hot Fin was when he was mad. God he was feeling very turned on.

Finlay stepped forward again and Draco leaped into him, crashing their lips together, both of their lips battling each other, pulling each others clothes out of the way, Draco pushing Finlay's trousers and underwear down, Finlay ripping Draco's shirt, shoving his trousers and boxers off and wrapping Draco's legs around his waist pushing him up against the wall, their erections side by side, pushing into each other's abs and rubbing against each other, moaning through the kiss. Finlay grabbed him by the ass and twirled them round to the desk, clearing it with one arm and seating Draco on the edge, continuing to rut in a hot frenzy. Their moans unheard of by everyone in the party downstairs.

- 0 -

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville entered the Ministry and made their way to the grand hall where already around a hundred people stood in small groups mingling, music played in the background and several tables and a wine bar were set up for people to get drinks. Harry glanced around and noticed Malfoy, Zabini, Parkinson, and the Greengrass sisters enter in just behind them. A good-looking dark haired and blue-eyed man of around 20 years old beamed and waved from in front of the trio, and Harry recognised him as a chaser from the Appleby Arrows quidditch team from Northern England, he walked straight up to Pansy, embracing her and giving her a quick kiss on the lips. Harry glanced at Zabini who was trying and failing to look unbothered. Harry imagined that being a quidditch player, and a chaser no less - same as Zabini - was just adding extra salt to the wound.

Harry was accosted almost immediately by Rufus Scrimgeour, and Harry couldn't stop the scowl from forming on his face as he came over and clapped Harry on the back, exclaiming, as always, what a wonderful job Harry and the Ministry had done in defeating Voldemort. Harry rolled his eyes and allowed himself to be dragged around all the eager ministry officials waiting to shake his hand. In Harry's eyes they were all the same, all silver-tongued, fame-hungry ministry slaves, and he couldn't help but think that Blackwell really had stood apart from all of them. In personality and looks, Harry allowed himself to think of the attractive man. He finally got through all of the introductions and peeled himself away from Scrimgeour, but as more and more people filtered in to the party, he imagined it was going to be a long night for him.

He sat down with Ron, Hermione and Neville at one of the tables and barely had a chance to breathe a sigh of relief before another Ministry worker had come over and introduced themselves as someone who worked in the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, immediately annoying Harry by excitedly saying how they had put in measures to keep down the number of Hippogriff's in the wild, he was clearly not a fan of them.

"I've always liked Hippogriffs" Harry responded coldly "A Hippogriff saved my life from a werewolf once, they're incredible creatures"

The man gaped and stuttered, unable to come up with a response, before grimacing meekly and scuttling back into the crowd.

Harry rolled his eyes at the other Gryffindor's who pulled a face and laughed. Just then the empty chairs beside Harry and Hermione pulled out and Harry sighed, ready for another boring introduction, but when he looked around it was Blaise and Astoria Greengrass.

"Well you all look like you're having fun" Blaise joked.

"I don't know how you guys come to these parties all the time" Ron said, shaking his head in disbelief "I thought it was either going to be really glamorous or at least just a bunch of very drunk Ministry workers, but it's just so...stuffy. And I can't believe how much they want us to pay for the wine!"

Astoria laughed "Oh I know, it's disgusting how much they ask people to spend, don't worry though, we come prepared" she winked and subtly showed the hip flask in her clutch bag "it usually livens up later when we're all suitably tipsy"

They had never spoken to Astoria before but Harry assumed Blaise had done some work on his side and Harry was glad that they were getting somewhere with building bridges. It was a smart move to start with the Slytherin's that had remained neutral in the war, as the Greengrasses had.

Ron looked surprised that she had spoken to them in a friendly tone but thankfully joined in "Well damn" he said nudging Harry, "we should have thought of that"

"Oh don't worry we have plenty to share" she said, and gestured the drink towards Hermione in offering.

Harry thought she would refuse, she wasn't a big drinker but perhaps seeing it as a way to some form of friendship, she smiled and held out her cup of soda "Sure, thank you" Astoria beamed back and poured some in, then both girls cheers-ed their cups and took a sip, Astoria laughing kindly as Hermione pulled a face.

"Who are you and what have you done to our Hermione?" Ron joked, shaking his head in mock disbelief.

Hermione shrugged, smirking at her boyfriend "You're not the only one that thinks this party needs livened up" she quipped back and everyone laughed.

Blaise and Astoria shared their alcohol around the group, Blaise glancing every once in a while over at Pansy who was standing with her boyfriend, his arm wrapped around her waist, and introducing her to the other players on his team.

Harry was just starting to have fun, laughing and joking in their little group when Rufus Scrimgeour returned and dragged him to introduce him to a couple more people in the Wizengamot, Harry recognised them as people who had been against Malfoy's freedom in his trial, he didn't know when he had committed that to memory, but regardless, he made sure it was a fairly short conversation and managed to depart quite swiftly. Deciding he needed a breather, he nipped out the door unnoticed, pretending to head to the bathrooms, but instead wandering up to the third floor to see if Blackwell was in his office, since Harry hadn't seen him downstairs on his many tours of the hall, he had been hoping to see him as they had discussed, so he could talk to some of the auror's about working there.

He came up to the door and knocked softly, he heard a noise inside like something breaking and a moan, and Harry felt his heart race, was Blackwell in a fight? Without a second thought he opened the door and stepped into the room, wand at the ready and immediately stopped short, rooted to the spot and his jaw dropped at the sight in front of him.

Blackwell had his shirt open and his trousers and underwear at his ankles, and leaning against the edge of the large desk, his legs wrapped around Blackwell's waist in a similar state of undress, was Draco Malfoy. They were kissing passionately, solidly erect cocks pressing into each other, both men moaning in pleasure as they humped and rubbed frantically, moans increasing, Draco gripping the edge of the desk, eyes squeezed closed.

They hadn't noticed him come in and Draco arched his back, nearing his climax.

"Yes, yes, fuck, yes, oh fuck, fuck I'm coming!" Draco rutted harder and Blackwell moaned loudly as well, climaxing at the same time.

The door that Harry had swung open had drifted closed slowly behind him and suddenly clicked loudly as it shut behind Harry.

Blackwell and Malfoy jumped with shock mid-orgasm, both nearly losing their balance on the desk and if Harry hadn't had been in such a state of shock it might have been comical, Draco locked eyes with Harry and gasped, his body still rocking, cum still spurting from his cock.

"What the fuck Potter?!" He panted, an odd mix of ecstasy and rage crossing his features.

Harry just gaped and Blackwell pulled back, quickly pulling his clothes up and Harry could see the panic in his handsome face.

Harry just gaped at them both. "I - I'm sorry - I had no idea" Harry stuttered, going bright red "I'll leave, I'm - I'm so sorry - I never meant to -" and with that he spun out the door and started hastily walking down the corridor.

Blackwell, Finlay Blackwell, the FB from Malfoy's letter, how had he not put two and two together?! he cursed himself.

"Harry wait!" Harry turned and saw Blackwell hurrying down the corridor after him and Harry paused, the blush rising in his cheeks.

Finlay was still slightly breathless and took a second to form words "Harry listen, what you saw, it isn't what you think, it was a mistake, one that could ruin my career if anyone found out" he ran his hands through his hair.

"Mr Blackwell it's really none of my business, and I don't plan on telling anyone about it, so please don't worry" Harry reassured him, his cheeks still hot "I know how much it could affect both of you, which is ridiculous, we should just be able to be with who we want, I wouldn't want to hurt either of you"

"Thank you Harry" Finlay said, relieved "I um - I better go back" he awkwardly gestured back to his office where Malfoy would be and they both blushed.

"Yeah um, you probably should" Harry replied just as awkwardly. "I'll go back down to the party"

Finlay nodded "I'll be down soon and introduce you to the Aurors like we talked about"

Harry nodded and watched for a second as Finlay walked back to his office.

Harry turned and headed back down to the party, what he had just seen was still burning in front of his eyes, and burning down in other areas too. He shook his head frantically to get rid of it. He turned the corner and walked back into the party.

"Mr Potter" a silky voice spoke from behind him, Harry turned around, already feeling the cold look cross his face.

"Lucius" he greeted back in an icy tone.

Lucius Malfoy looked far better than he did when Harry had seen him at the end of the war. He was once again clean shaven and dressed in expensive dark robes. His silver snake-head cane still by his side and a smirk on his features.

"Well this is a rare sight to see you at one of our humble events" he said in his silky tone "I trust our Minister has paraded you around for everyone to see - our hero" he spoke in a quiet voice with an edge of mocking.

"Yes he has, and I see you've slithered your way back into your Ministry employment" Harry retorted coldly "amazing how quickly money can buy back your reputation"

"Indeed" Lucius replied, without an ounce of guilt "Though I must say, I've not had any complaints about your school being fixed using my gold"

Harry felt like if he continued on this path, he would end up cursing the senior Malfoy, and as the Minister and a couple of other officials drifted by, Harry quickly changed the subject.

"And how is Narcissa?" he asked politely for the sake of the people in earshot "I hope she is well"

"Very well, thank you Mr. Potter" Lucius played along "Regrettably she couldn't attend this evening, but I will let her know you asked after her"

Harry suddenly caught a glimpse of another white blonde head over Lucius' shoulder. Draco stopped dead in the doorway upon seeing his father, and Harry knew he didn't imagine the look of sheer panic that crossed his face before his emotionless mask slid back into place and he walked slowly towards them.

"Father" Draco spoke politely as he walked up to stand with them both "I didn't realise you'd be making it to the party this evening?" he avoided Harry's eye.

"The conference trip was cut short so I decided to come home in time for it, and lucky I did, otherwise I wouldn't have caught up with Mr. Potter here" he inclined his head at Harry, "I do hope my son hasn't been causing you any trouble at school Mr. Potter? I did ask him to be on his best behaviour" and maybe because Harry was looking for signs, he noticed the unnecessarily tight grip with which Lucius grabbed his son's shoulder at the mention of him.

Harry and Draco locked eyes for a moment and Harry could see Draco's were filled with dread, eyes almost begging Harry to not say anything. He had been cold and rude to Harry for the past few days and Harry had just caught him having a homosexual affair with a Ministry official. Harry held all the cards, and Draco knew it. What Draco didn't know was that Harry had overheard his and Zabini's conversation and Malfoy being gay wasn't a surprise to him today, and he would never say anything that could cause Lucius to abuse Draco, not that Harry had any confirmation of that being the case yet.

So with all that in mind, Harry turned to Lucius and smiled "No he's not been any trouble at all, in fact we're paired for potions and have been getting on quite well I'd say. It's been a very quiet year for me all round"

"Well that is good to hear" he replied and Harry noticed his grip on Draco's shoulder ease a little "though you can always let me know if he steps out of line" he smirked, "he's alway had a short fuse, lacked the ability to think before he speaks, I can get him back in line"

I bet you'd love to get him back in line, Harry thought angrily, as Draco swallowed and tensed at the words. But instead he quipped back lightheartedly "Oh don't worry Lucius, I've defeated Lord Voldemort remember, I'm sure I can handle my peers".

"Indeed" Lucius said again, his voice icier, his eyes twitching at his Dark Lord's name. "Well I still have people to greet, Draco why don't you come home tomorrow and see your mother and I?"

Draco hesitated before speaking "My apologies Father and please pass them to Mother as well, I'm afraid the potion Potter and I are working on requires a lot of attention in it's early stages so I will need to stay at Hogwarts tomorrow"

It was a complete lie and Harry was becoming more and more wary about Draco being abused at home, although it could be that he would be sleeping over with Finlay and he just needed an alibi.

"Ah, is that so Mr. Potter?" Lucius turned back to Harry.

"Yes, it's a fiddly one, and without your son there keeping me right, I have a feeling I would cause more harm than good to it" Harry lied smoothly.

"Very well, your mother will be most disappointed though" and Lucius gave Draco a cold, hard stare.

"I will write to her" Draco promised, and with that Lucius turned to Harry and gave him a gracious bow, sending one final glare to his son and departing across the room, leaving Harry and Draco standing together.

After a couple seconds of uncomfortable silence Harry spoke "Well I guess I'll head back to my fr-"

"Thank you"

Harry was taken aback "What?"

Draco swallowed "I said thank you" he repeated and when Harry just gaped at him in shock, he continued speedily in one breath "Thank you for not telling him that I've been shitty these past couple days, and about what you just walked in on, and for lying about the potion, and for saving my life in the fire, and with that death eater after the fire, and for speaking for me at the trial so I could come back to Hogwarts, and for standing up for me against your friends this year" he swallowed thickly and looked away for a second to gather himself.

"I never thanked you about the trial and everything before, which was wrong, I should have said it ages ago, I just didn't know how and I know this is a weird time to say it because what you just walked in on was frankly just fucking humiliating for me and nobody knows about it other than you, and barely anybody even knows that I'm even, well, you know, and I have no right to ask you for any favours after all you've done for me but if anyone knew about it he would lose his job and I think he's actually really good at his job and doing a lot of good after the war so -" Draco rambled.

"Draco" Harry cut him off.

Draco stopped talking, breathing deeply and looking at Harry with so many emotions in his eyes, looking more vulnerable than Harry had ever seen him. All Harry wanted to do was kiss him, but he shook that thought out of his head.

"Draco" Harry continued, and he was aware it was the first time he had used Draco's given name in front of him, "It's okay, all of it is okay, I'm glad you're at school with the rest of us and I was enjoying us getting along, and your relationship is none of my business, I would never tell anyone" Draco nodded and they both turned away to go back to their friend groups when Harry turned and spoke again.

"Oh and Draco?" Draco turned back to face him "I would never tell your father anything about you, I really really hate him"

Draco's lips quirked with amusement, meeting Harry's eyes with a glint in his own before they went their separate ways.

Blackwell was true to his word and introduced Harry and Ron to the head of the Auror Department and a few of the Aurors, singing their praises - Harry guessed if he hadn't seen what he had then he might not have laid the praise on quite this thickly - and the Aurors spoke to them both about the job and what it entailed. After the conversation Harry felt elated, they were a great bunch of people, a mix of ages, with good rapport and by all accounts exceptionally skilled. He went back to the Gryffindor's, and they all decided to leave, feeling in high spirits.

- 0 -

After Potter had burst in on them and left the room in a hurry, Finlay chasing after him, Draco had been left feeling cold. He sat there on Finlay's desk, covered in both of their cum, completely naked from the waist down and feeling ashamed of himself. He wiped the semen off of his abdomen and pulled his clothes on, hearing Finlay shout "Harry wait!".

Draco walked to the door and listened to the conversation, hearing Finlay call what he did a 'mistake', that it would ruin his career... Draco leaned against the wall, resting his head back against it and squeezing his eyes shut, trying to will away the pain he felt in his heart. Why was he kidding himself? This 'relationship' or whatever you wanted to call it, it could never go anywhere. He had thought to himself that he might have found love but now he realised that was a selfish dream anyway, he could ruin a good man's career over a fling that - even if it could be normal, with dinners and walks and kissing in public - would never last more than a year anyway.

A tear dropped from Draco's eye and he hastily wiped it away hearing Finlay walking back to the room.

He turned and looked Finlay in the eyes, Finlay stared back, a look of sadness and finality.

"I don't think we can keep doing this Draco" he said quietly.

"No I don't think we can" Draco replied, trying and failing to keep his voice steady.

Finlay nodded and stepped aside, holding the door open for him "Goodbye" he whispered.

Draco left and went back downstairs to the party.