Harry beamed up at me proudly, and I flushed.

"Alright. I'll see you later." He pressed one more chaste kiss to my lips before heading off to the Quidditch pitch. As I watched his retreating figure, my heart swelled. Bloody hell, Harry, just what the fuck are you doing to me?

Clearing my throat and turning on my heel, I headed to the library. I'd arrived sooner than I'd expected, so lost in thought was I. Hardly anyone was there, and I gratefully found the same desk we'd kissed at earlier during Herbology. The memory of this moment warmed my cheeks as I sank into the chair. Now comes the hard part.

Gritting my teeth, I withdrew a blank parchment from my bag and a quill. I sat, hesitating with the tip over the page for a good few moments before finally lowering it to write.

'Mother,

I hope this letter finds you well. My year at Hogwarts has begun magnificently different than what I'd feared. Would you believe I'd caught the eye of a certain brunette savior? I'd like to think we're beyond the point of having secrets from each other, but I apologize if this comes as a rude shock to you.

I think of you often. I wonder how you are doing. We never really talked about father and things after everything coalesced. This is, of course, partly my fault and for that, I apologize.

I'm considering pursuing Potions after graduation. The magical principles therein have always made sense to me, and it brings me a certain satisfaction to do something I'm equipped to do.

I look forward to seeing you over Winter break. How would you feel if I invited Harry? I know he's grateful to you, and I hope you two would get along, and that you can accept his newfound importance in my life.

Sincerely,

Draco

P.S. I never blamed you for any of it, just so you know.'

I was feeling quite satisfied, if a bit awkward and vulnerable, once I set my quill down. Now, all that was left was to bring this letter to the owlery. As I wound the parchment and replaced it carefully back into my bag, however, a few Ravenclaw boys - must've been fifth years? - passed by my desk, and uttered a slur in my direction. This only earned a scoff from me as I stood.

"At your service," I answered before heading toward the door. I didn't turn to see their expressions on my way to the owlery tower.

The Quidditch pitch was empty as I strode across it, making a beeline for Hooch's office. It was more of a broom closet (literally), but she never seemed to mind. Once I'd knocked on the door and it swung open, I feared the older woman would swoon with relief as she recognized my face.

"Potter!"

"Madam Hooch, I just wanted to have a word with you if I could."

She clutched her chest as she ushered me into the room.

"Yes, yes! Of course! Please, come in!"

"Thanks," I offered as I entered her cramped office. A few trophies were scattered around the room, and nondescript brooms seemed to hang on every wall. Trunks piled in the corners could've only been filled with jerseys and other Quidditch accoutrements as I navigated myself to the only seat opposite her small desk.

"Good Lord, you are a godsend, boy. And not just because of what you've done for us all! I assume you're here about rejoining the Gryffindor team," she pontificated as she came to sit across from me, eagerly awaiting the good news.

"That's actually what I wanted to talk about. I am considering it, but-" I interrupted her jubilation as I laid out my terms in my head. "Madame Hooch, I would greatly appreciate it if we could avoid any kind of… Favoritism this year." Her exuberance sobered slightly, and I swallowed. "I just… Would rather feel I'd earned my spot than had it handed to me… If that makes sense. I think it'd be detrimental to the team if everyone else assumed I didn't have to try." Hooch rested her chin on her hands as she leaned forward on her elbows, considering my petition. "I'd really like my team to feel like equals with me."

Her eyebrow quirked, and I internally winced as I realized no one will ever feel like an equal with me.

"I understand completely, Potter. Quite a noble requisite, you ask me. Alright, you can compete in the tryouts fair and square. Don't be disappointed if you're still the best, though. Youngest Seeker in a century!" Her awe at me made me slightly uncomfortable, but I tried to smile gratefully.

"Thank you, coach. I'll do my best."

We stood and shook hands across her desk before I left.

Once I'd tucked my letter into an envelope and offered it to Ulysses, he ascended into the sky and my gut clenched. No going back now.

After descending from the tower, I decided to head toward our next class, albeit very early. The stairs leading up into the Astronomy tower seemed to loom before me as I froze in the hallway. Luckily, an increasingly familiar hand slid into mine. I turned the smile that had resulted on my face toward Harry.

"You speak with Hooch?"

"Yep. She said I can have a fair go at tryouts, same as everyone else." His returning smile sent warmth into my face.

"Of course she did. Want to be early?"

"Sure." Harry and I began ascending the Astronomy tower, and I suddenly felt ten pounds lighter. "Did you write your letter?"

"Sure did. And sent it."

"Brilliant. Let me know when she replies," Harry requested.

"Of course."

As we reached the observatory, I was pleased to find Draco's face didn't blanch. He's getting better at this. I'm so proud of him.

"I wonder if this class was ever taught at night," Draco mused.

"That would make sense. But you'd have to ask Hermione about that."

"Or me," Sinistra's voice behind us made us both jump, but we turned to see a gentle smile on her face. "As it happens, just before your time, this class was Wednesdays at midnight." Her eyes glanced down at our clasped hands, and the smile on her face softened.

"O-oh. Thanks, professor."

"Of course. Glad to see you in class again, Mr. Malfoy," she offered him a nod as she walked past us to set up her things on her desk at the front of the observatory. "Also, on a slightly personal note, you two should know you're not nearly an anomaly here." She paused her setting up to admire a gold band around her ring finger. "My wife and I have been happily married for twelve years." Her kind smile turned back up to our shocked faces. "In case anyone's told you differently, you belong here."

Draco and I exchanged a glance.

"Thank you, Professor. It… It means a lot," his hand tightened in mine. With a twinkle in her eye, she set back to work opening up the textbook and aligning the telescope. The rest of the class still hadn't arrived, so we went to the railing to lean over and look out.

"That was… Unexpected."

"To say the least!" Draco agreed. A cool, Autumn breeze swept through the observatory, and we both inhaled the rich, woodsy scent. When we realized we'd done this in unison, we chuckled. "I think we might've given the rest of our year heart attacks in the library," he commented as he turned to lean his back and elbows against the railing. I scoffed.

"Statistically speaking, there's at least a few others in our year who're bent, too. I can't ever remember seeing a bloke holding another bloke's hand in the hallways, or girls, this whole time. But I was never really looking for it, either. Suppose it's because it's, well… Us."

"The Daily Prophet's gonna have a field day with this one," Draco groaned.

"Fuck the Prophet. And fuck their readers. All they post is sensationalist shite."

"Well, I'd say we're pretty sensational," he assessed as he turned back toward me, a flirty grin on his face. "Maybe we'll make the front page?"

"You'd like that, wouldn't you!" I laughed, but then grimaced. "I'm sorry to drag you into the limelight. I know you used to like attention, but now…?"

"Shacking up with the Boy Who Lived? Are you kidding? I already have the flyers made, you know, just say the word…"

I served my elbow into his chest playfully, and was rewarded with his laughter again.

"Trust me, we've done enough to thoroughly spread the word. I honestly didn't know if you would kiss me back there."

"I-I was nervous, for sure, but… Well, you asked so sweetly, how could I say no?" He grinned at me, and I flushed again. Just then, the rest of our class started arriving. Draco made a show of leaning back against the railing casually, but I let my satisfied grin turn up towards the sky. What a beautiful day.

When Sinistra finally called the class's attention, I turned back to participate. She opened up the lecture asking about our observations from the previous night. A few voices volunteered their takes, but when silence fell before she was satisfied, who should she call on, but…

"Mr. Malfoy? What did you make of it?"

All eyes turned back to us as Draco cleared his throat.

"Oh, it was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. Well worth the wait." This wasn't really a productive answer, but it wasn't intended for Sinistra. My damn cheeks flamed as the class continued.

"Prick," I muttered under my breath to him.

"Later," he responded in kind, grinning at me smugly. Again my elbow shoved into him. I'm going to need new glasses soon if I keep up all this eye-rolling.

As we settled into class, I sensed Draco's mood change and cast him a sideways glance. Is he still anxious about being up here? I saw a sheer gleam on his brow, and my hand immediately found his. This seemed to shock him out of some kind of reverie, and he glanced at me before taking a few deep breaths. As he steadied himself, Sinistra assigned us new homework.

"There are plenty other dark cloud constellations that will make appearances in the coming months. By the end of next week, I'd like you all to choose one to map." A collective groan sounded from the class. "This star map will be due at the end of the semester, but do take care not to put it off until the last moment. No two students may map the same constellation, so I've created a sign-up sheet. Please have your decisions soon, as the spots will begin to fill."