—Harry POV—
"Neville, Luna!"
The two of them stood behind me with smiles on their faces.
"How've you been? It's been years!" Said Neville reaching to pat me on the back. I didn't let my surprise at the gesture show, holding back a flinch.
"Yeah. Things have been quite interesting these past few years actually. How about you all?" I responded.
"I met someone, his name is Rolf. He's a Magizoologist, like me." said Luna in her usually calm tone, wearing a gentle smile.
"Really? That's fantastic Luna. How about you Neville?"
"Actually, Hannah Abbott and I are to be married soon. You remember her, don't you?"
The name sounded awfully familiar, and I remembered she was in Dumbledore's army, but that was basically it.
"Of course, she was in the DA with us."
"Yes! Exactly." He said with a smile. I returned it.
"What about you and Ginny? How have the two of you been?" He asked, I sucked in a breath, hiding my discomfort.
"W-We are fine, things have happened but, everything is alright." I said, plastering a fake smile onto my features, one that quite obviously faltered.
"You're just saying that. What's wrong?" Said Luna, taking a seat beside Neville, in front of me. I sighed.
"It's... a long, complicated story. One I'm not particularly fond of sharing, at least not at the moment... I'm going to get a drink."
Luna seemed concerned by what I said about Ginny, Neville gave me a confused look.
"Didn't you tell me you were going to stop after that one party Seamus threw in 6th year?" He asked, leaning towards me.
"Seamus always threw parties." I said unenthusiastically.
"Yeah, and you could take back entire bottles of Firewhiskey with no problem." He retorted.
"Harry are you sure you want a drink? You don't seem to be acting yourself today." I heard Luna question.
"Yes. I'm fine." I said shortly, growing annoyed.
"No... I'm calling Ron and Hermione." Said Neville, taking out his cell phone.
"Don't" I said sharply, burning my eyes into Neville's. They both stared back at me.
"I'm sorry... Just, don't call them please." I said. Calming my breaths.
"Fine. But I'm not letting you order a drink."
I scoffed at that. "Neville, one drink won't do anything."
"Easy for you to say isn't it." He shot back. I kept my head down trying to hide my anger. My leg was bouncing up and down rapidly. I focused on stopping the movement. Just then, Neville stood abruptly. "I'll be in the restroom." he said before leaving.
I glanced up at Luna. "Sorry for snapping." I said dejectedly.
"It's ok Harry. What's been troubling you?"
"I've just had a really complicated day. Things happened that I never thought would actually happen."
"You and Ginny have been fighting?"
"Something like that... I don't really know what to call it."
"I'm sorry that's happening. I do hope things get better soon."
"Thanks Luna, I appreciate it." I said, giving her a soft smile.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he's calling them in there."
I snapped my head up. "What?"
"It's obvious he's worried. I just think it's peculiar Neville's gone to the bathroom right after you told him not to call Hermione and Ron." She said in her characteristic feathery voice. I grew anxious.
"Luna they're going to murder me. I've just had a fight with Ginny... I need to go." I said, getting up, looking everywhere for any sign of them.
"I... It was nice catching up Luna, but I think I'll be leaving now." I told her. Shakily grabbing my coat and scarf.
"Harry, are you sure they'll be upset?"
"It's obvious isn't it? I have feelings for our enemy and I've fought with my wife."
"You have feelings for someone? An enemy? Is it Draco Malfoy?" She said standing up as well, I froze. Did I really just say that? God, what an idiot must I be.
"Harry you can tell me what's going on." She said softly.
"N-no. I'm alright really. Good bye." I backed up, bumping into Neville.
"Bye Neville."
"No, Harry. Hermione says that She and Ron are worried sick about you. And they aren't the only ones."
My mind was racing and I felt sick. Everything was spinning. They'll want me dead. They'll find a way to make me pay for what's happened. I reached over behind the bar next to me and grabbed a bottle before leaving the pub, knowing I can't apparate because of the muggles there.
In a blurred rush I ran into another body, and immediately kept going.
"Harry get your arse back here." I heard Ron yell.
—Draco POV—
"Ron you'll only make him more upset." Said Hermione, holding him back. I began running after him.
"Harry. Harry stop." I said, huffing for air as my feet stomped against the cold snowy ground beneath.
He turned into a corner, and I followed suit. However, he was gone. I stopped abruptly. Anger, worry, and guilt bursting inside of me.
"Fuck!" I screamed. Kicking the wall. I began to tremble, and leaned onto it for support. Soon, Hermione, Weasley, Lovegood and Longbottom were with me. Hermione placed a tentative hand on my shoulder. I shoved her away.
"Didn't you lot of idiots hear what Longbottom said on the phone? He's drinking again!" I said, rage coursing through my veins.
"He had a bottle in his hand. How were you two not competent enough to keep that away from him? Harry isn't emotionally stable. He can't be left alone!" A wand was promptly held at my throat.
"What are you doing here." Sneered Longbottom.
"Stop. He's not like he used to be... It's a long story." Said Hermione. I huffed as he put the wand down and stood back.
"Now we have to track him down again. Who knows what could be happening." I said harshly.
"Calm down, Malfoy." Said Hermione Sternly. "You yelling at us as if you aren't just as involved as we are won't do anything good." She said, shoving into my shoulder as she walked passed me. I took a deep breath and tried swallowing the bile rising in my throat. Harry can die if we aren't quick enough. I closed my eyes, standing before them defeated.
"I just want him to be alright." I whispered. Luna patted me on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, I understand. We all want him to be okay... I have a feeling you like each other. He mentioned you... back at the Seven Swans. He's scared you'll be mad." She said with her sickeningly calm voice. How could she sound so relaxed at a time like this.
"Don't try to sympathize with something you don't understand the extent of, Lovegood." I spat, before walking in the direction of the others.
—Harry POV—
By the time the sun was setting I turned up in an alleyway in Hogsmeade, before sliding down the wall, needing to sit. Ginny was right; I have grown to become a coward. I couldn't even confront Ron, Hermione, Draco, Luna, and Neville... Draco. I began analyzing his behavior towards me. It really is nothing like he used to be. He's almost a completely different person. What if Ginny is right? What if he's just manipulating me? What if that's why he's been so... different?
I shook my head. He wouldn't have been that cruel even back then. Right? I ignored my thoughts and decided to open the bottle I'd randomly stolen, and took a swig of it.
The strong liquid sent me a burning sensation as it crawled down my throat. And as soon as I swallowed, I realized: what have I just done? I dropped the bottle, letting it spill around me. I can't go back to how I was. I told myself repeatedly. My emotions took me over, and I felt an unavoidable sob escape me, wracking my body. By now it was dark, cold, and windy. I brought my knees to my chest and hugged myself, shivering as my hot tears streamed down my face, and the wind mercilessly howled.
After a while, I found myself wanting another sip. I picked up the now mostly empty bottle, and took a large sip, before deciding to finally read the label. Red Currant Rum it read. I sighed before getting up, and looking to find the Three Broomsticks, so I could sleep in a bed.
—Draco POV—
"Draco, it's the middle of the night. He could be anywhere. Let's stop. We'll keep looking for him tomorrow." Pleaded Hermione.
"Are you insane? The more time we spend the more time he could be doing Merlin knows what-" I stated sharply, forcing my tiredness away.
"He's probably sleeping, Malfoy. Besides, Ginny is at home, and the kids are with your cousin. Don't you think at least they're wondering where we've gone that we disappeared for so long?" Said Weasley with a tired face. Lovegood and Longbottom had left shortly after the sunset to be with their respective families, so they were no longer looking with us. I thought it was quite selfish and ignorant of them, even though they both offered to help if he was still missing tomorrow. What if tomorrow is too late?
"Harry never has a proper night's rest, Weasley. I'd assume you knew that since you slept in the same room for nothing short of seven years-"
"Malfoy you are really getting on my last nerve." he said through gritted teeth.
"Enough, let's go home. Draco, will Andromeda mind if the kids stay the night?" Asked Hermione.
"I don't think so... She spoke about how she's missed Teddy. The last time she saw him was the just about a month after the battle..."
"Okay, we're apparating home then."
"We need to continue looking." I retorted.
"It'll be easier to look for him in the morning." She rebutted. I stayed silent, and allowed her to take mine and Weasly's hand. Within an instant, we were in front of their home. I remembered that the bitch who started this was still in there.
"I don't want to see her." I said defiantly.
"She's probably asleep, Malfoy." Spat Weasley.
"Can I go through the back?" I asked sourly, ignoring what he said. Hermione said yes.
"There's a bed, and a bathroom down there. You don't have to walk through the main house at all if you really don't want to." She said.
"Thank you." I turned to get to the basement, down the hill their house was placed on, to the back door.
As soon as I got inside, I felt warm air everywhere, bringing feeling to my numb face and hands. I closed the door, turned on the light, and took off my coat, looking around. The basement looked like a miniature inn room. There was, as Hermione had said, a small bathroom with a shower, a sink, and a toilet. As well as a dresser, and two beds. I had no extra clothes, but I couldn't stand being in what I was wearing any longer. I stripped down to nothing and took a hot shower, then just put on my underwear, and got under the covers.
Everything felt alien, and I was no longer used to sleeping in a bed alone, like I had for so many years prior. Harry's absence left a cold feeling in and around me. I hugged myself, going into the fetal position, wishing he was here, safe with me. I would hug him and pass my hand through his hair, telling him he's safe, and saying that everything was going to be alright...
The rest of the night was one of minimal sleep, as I tossed and turned, worried for Harry, and feeling a certain emptiness I hadn't felt since Astoria passed.