Draco's Best Friend

by Esarathon

Draco's memory of Hogwarts and his friends is...different to Harry's. A strange conversation leads to a set of circumstances Harry would never have imagined.

Draco's Best Friend

This story is in response to both the prompt by u bonsly24 and the comment from u midasgoldentouch on the HPfanfiction subreddit.

Prompt: Draco thinks the Trio are his best friends because after years of watching his father politicking he thinks that is what close friendships are like.

Beta read by Elaure le Panda and gracerosenora. Thank you a lot to both of you!

OoOoOoOoO

"Potter, I need a word."

Harry jerked out of the trance he was in. Writing reports late at night in the DMLE did that to him, and it was happening more often lately. Ginny would have some smart comment to say about that, he was sure. He'd zoned out of the world around him, only focused on reliving what had happened that day and putting it into words succinctly enough that he wouldn't be forced to rewrite it the next day. He turned around to see the least likely person standing next to his cubicle.

"Malfoy, I didn't know you worked back this late," he said, adjusting his collar as he lent back in his chair. He checked the clock out of the corner of his eye. Almost a quarter past eleven. Judging by the silence, he was probably the only employee still back this late from the day shift. He really needed to get himself home earlier. That would be easier if he wasn't recruited for every public bodyguard stunt that Kingsley could get from him on top of his regular duties.

"I don't, but I know that you do. And so I thought this would be the best time to chat."

"Chat? Is there something in particular you wanted to talk about? I'm kind of trying to get my reports done so I can catch a few hours of sleep tonight."

"Of course, of course," Draco said. He made his way into the cubicle and sat down on Harry's desk right next to where the head of Harry's chair was leaning. Harry's eyebrows shot up and he adjusted his chair to face Draco properly. "You see, we just never get any chances to talk anymore like we did in school. I miss it, you know. Hopefully, with what I want to talk about today, we'll get more chances to chat again."

"I see." Harry really didn't. "And what is it exactly that you want to talk about?"

"Oh yes," said Draco. "I'm not sure if you're aware as, as previously stated, we don't talk much anymore, but I'm engaged."

"Congratulations," said Harry. He hadn't been aware. "Who's the vict-, the lucky witch?"

"Astoria Greengrass. Not sure if you remember as you only really hung out with me from Slytherin, but her sister was in our year too. You know, the girl who sat with Pansy a lot. Daphne's her name. Astoria was a couple of years younger and I don't think you ever really spoke at all."

Harry nodded slowly, scrambling his brain. "I don't recall Astoria though I know who Daphne is."

"Of course," said Draco, looking as though he was trying to reassure Harry. "As I said, you only ever really hung out with me, so I don't expect you to remember at all. I'd have been quite offended if you'd forgotten about me though, Potter."

Harry chuckled along with Draco, keeping a fake smile plastered on his face. Seriously, what in Merlin's name was going on?

"Anyway, as I was saying, I'm now engaged to Astoria and the wedding is set for May next year. I know it's a fair way in advance but I have no idea of your schedule and wanted to make sure you could make it."

"Make it to the wedding?"

"Yes."

"I, well, I see no reason I couldn't. I can't say I was expecting it, but I can come."

"Of course I would want you there. There's nobody else I've had such a good friendship with. I want you there beside me on this most important day."

"Beside you?"

"Well, that's where the best man normally stands, Potter. Don't play daft."

"You're having me on, aren't you?" Harry had had quite enough of these mind games that Draco was playing now. He glared at Draco. "Whatever you're playing at, you'd better bloody knock it off."

"Well, that's some way to acknowledge someone asking you to be their best man," said Draco. "Seriously though, who was as close as friends as us? I'd say we're as close as Father and Mr Weasley were, though I have personally been comparing that friendship with mine and Ron Weasley's friendship so I can feel like I've got a Weasley of my own like Father did. I normally compare us to Father and Dumbledore. Always at each other's throat, ready to punish any tiny error and forcing the other to be a more perfect version of their self. The continual banter and sharing of ideas with good discussions about pros and cons."

"Sharing of ideas?" The conversation had taken another twist for the crazier and Harry was feeling even more lost.

"Yes, sharing ideas. An essential part in any healthy friendship. All through school, when I felt like I wanted to get some feedback, I'd bounce my ideas off you three. Like when I wasn't sure whether Hagrid was worth keeping as a gamekeeper or whether to get him fired after the incident with the hippogriff. You guys shot down the idea quickly and pointed out his worth. Though I do wish Granger would learn to use her words rather than her fists. Father also didn't like my change of plan and still pursued the firing. By the way, is Hermione getting better at using her words or do you receive bruises periodically?"

"That's what you're calling sharing ideas?"

"Well, it's how Father and Dumbledore have always kept each other sharp. Father would push for something to happen and Dumbledore would shut him down. Vice versa when Dumbledore has the idea. Father was always going on about how Dumbledore was the only person he respected, aside from Mr Weasley, of course, and I thought we had a similar relationship. I mean, you were the one to force me to up my game when following those stupid orders from Voldemort. I really had to work hard because of your efforts, and I appreciate you making sure I was on top of everything."

Now Harry was questioning every interaction he'd ever had with the blonde boy. Had Draco been trying to be friends in his own twisted way. No. Surely not. But Draco seemed so convinced that it was the case.

"And this is why you think that I am the best candidate for your best man?" asked Harry finally. "Because I'm the only one who ever challenged you?"

"Exactly, ever since we met at Madam Malkin's, you were there for me. I do appreciate it and that's why I want you as my best man. Though, you don't have to put on this nice act for it all. I know you're being very polite because I've just got engaged but it feels unnatural, you know. You can go back to your normal self, challenging, threatening and insulting me. It's far more normal when you do that and I don't want to lose that friendship. I need to know I can count on you telling me when I'm stupid like I tell you when you're behaving without class. Keep helping each other, you know."

"Unnatural," Harry repeated slowly. "Yes, I guess you could call it that. So, you'd rather I pushed your buttons and called you out for being a bigot? Even on your wedding day?"

"Oh, probably not on the wedding day, I think we'd need to call a temporary ceasefire for the day so that nobody around us who can't appreciate true friendship is insulted. I think even Astoria would ask us to switch to our suck up modes for the day, as dreadfully boring as it is. At least she can actually speak bluntly with me like you can, the darling lady. Told me I was a bigoted idiot the day I first spoke to her. Couldn't have asked for a finer woman. It took a while, but she finally understands how to appreciate having those people in your life that insist on doing everything different to you to make you really think about what you're doing. You'll get along famously, I'm sure, as she comes up with similar arguments to what you do. Don't call people mudbloods. Stop slaughtering muggles, they have feelings too. All those kind of things. Sometimes they make sense too."

"Sounds charming," said Harry. Was it weird or was Malfoy actually making some kind of weird sense? Either way, this was going to be a hell of a story to tell Ron and Hermione. "When do I get to meet her?"

"So you'll do it? You'll be my best man?"

"Well, sounds like I'm the perfect candidate for it, doesn't it? I mean, who else were you going to ask? Goyle?"

"Hahaha! Good one, Potter. Him and all his 'You're so clever, Draco' and 'I wish I was as clever as you' comments. Seriously, can you believe he never once insulted me or challenged me in my entire time at Hogwarts? I mean, I pushed him and Crabbe every day but they couldn't be bothered to do the same for me. Almost as bad as Pansy. Cheap friendships, I say. Good for filling out parties but not for drinking whiskey with, you know?"

It was now scary how much sense Draco was making, Harry realised as he nodded along to Draco's chatter. He'd take George's teasing over Percy's dry suck up attitude any day. In a way, that seemed to be what Draco was saying and Harry couldn't help but agree.

"Well, suppose I can be polite and treat you differently, in a cheap friend kind of way, for the wedding day," said Harry, really getting carried away with the role now. "But don't expect me to put up with any blood superiority nonsense!"

"Of course not," said Draco. "I'll be saying things I don't mean all day, being polite to everybody, but I'll save the good arguments for another time when we can insult each other as much as we please without offending the weak-minded populace around us."

"Good," said Harry. "Now, I really should finish this report and you've waffled on far too long for this kind of hour. You've got to learn your timing, Draco."

"Ah, then you've got to learn how to schedule time for your friends so they don't need to force their way into your life," countered Draco. He suddenly beamed at Harry. "See? I missed this!"

"Yes, yes, no need to get all emotional, you blonde ponce," grinned Harry. He really was going to take this too far, he could already tell.

"Of course, ever the wise one, Potter," said Draco, getting up from the desk. "Now, how does Saturday at seven P.M. sound good to go over the best man duties and have a catch up? We can meet at the Wobbly Unicorn. Bring Weasley, Granger too, if you feel like they are still good company. I have no idea what they're like these days as I see them less than you and you know what our friendship has fallen into. Are you seeing anyone?"

"Ginny Weasley."

"Perfect! Another Weasley. We'll have some fine discussions, I'm sure. My Father would be quite jealous with how many quality people I can call my friends. Bring her too and I'll bring Astoria so we can all get to know each other before the wedding."

"Sounds like a plan. Now get lost," said Harry. Draco hopped off the desk, shook Harry's hand firmly before striding out of the cubicle. He popped back in a moment later, a big grin on his face.

"I'm so glad you agreed, Potter," he said. "It'll be like old times. Cheerio!"

With that, Draco was gone again, leaving Harry to finish his report. Harry just sat at his desk for several minutes, trying to process Draco's strange behaviour. "I'm going to need to get a pensieve," he muttered. "No way that they're going to believe it. No freaking way."

OoOoOoOoO

Harry sipped his Firewhiskey slowly. The pensieve from Hogwarts sat in front of him on the coffee table and he was waiting for his friends to reappear. McGonagall had hardly put up a fight when he popped by to borrow the ancient artifact, though she was still uttering threats as he left her office with it as to what would happen to him if it was damaged. Being transfigured into a ferret was one thing, but kitty litter? The woman needed to drink better Scotch, he determined. He would return the pensieve with a bottle.

He waited until his wife spilt out of the stone bowl and then guided her into the chair beside him and put a glass of Firewhisky in her hand before passing the other two glasses to his friends who were standing shakily beside the bowl.

"I found a drink helped me process it better," he said as they sat. "So I'll give you a moment to tell me what you think."

"Did you create a fake memory for us to view?" Ginny asked. "You know, like Slugface did back in the day?"

"No, you'd see the mistakes in a fake memory pretty quickly, especially in one that long," Hermione said, sipping her Firewhiskey.

"Bloody hell." Ron took a large sip of his Firewhisky. "So, you think he was serious? I mean, he does have a history of yanking your chain, mate."

"Well, I thought he was playing me but now I'm just not sure," Harry scratched at his stubble as he spoke. "I've been thinking about it all day to be honest and I'm stumped. I mean, is he really that dense? I can't say."

"Maybe we just meet his fiancé and then decide from there?" suggested Hermione. "I mean, he describes her as a reasonable person but this whole situation is a little nuts so I want to see her to know if they're just hamming his character and trying to make his previous behaviour acceptable by sympathy?"

"I think that's fair," said Harry. "What do you think, Gin?"

Ginny shrugged and took another sip. "He seemed genuine enough but I'm just struggling to separate this Draco from the one who's dad slipped me a horcrux. I don't know when that will happen though."

Harry slipped his hand around hers and then rubbed the back of her hand gently with his thumb. "I get that. I mean, you saw for yourself. I was there and still thought he was pulling my leg, you know? Let's meet Astoria and see for ourselves. Has anyone met her before?"

"I know who she is," said Ginny quietly. "She seemed ok, for a Slytherin. Never gave anyone trouble that I know of. Her older sister didn't return to Hogwarts for her last year. Not sure where she was."

"She got a scholarship program with one of the European guilds," said Hermione. "However, I can't remember which one. It was something to do with charms."

"Oh, you remember when Seamus asked her to the Yule Ball?" Ron asked, grinning widely as he filled another glass with Firewhiskey. "All she commented on was how many things were wrong with his uniform. He never said a nice word about her after that but I'm pretty sure he still had the hots for her."

"I don't think I want to think about Seamus's fancies," Ginny shuddered. The others chuckled and nodded. "I mean, he asked me out by commenting on my ability to handle a broomstick."

"You never told me about that," commented Harry. "Come to think of it, he never mentioned it either."

"Well, I did ask him if I needed a special kind of telescope and some tweezers to handle what he was packing," grinned Ginny. "And then I used a bludgeoning curse on his bits when he stuttered getting flustered. Pretty sure he doesn't want to remember that one at all."

"That's our girl," crowed Ron, he started pouring another round as everyone wiped tears of laughter from their eyes. "No wonder he never wanted to hang out with us since you and Harry started dating."

"Oh, that reminds me," Hermione turned to Ron. "Speaking of school crushes, I ran into Lavender last week."

Ron gave an exaggerated shudder. "Don't remind me of those days. I swear, teenage years can be summed up with the word 'hormones'. I don't know why Neville is going back to school to face kids going through that."

"He's a lot better at managing teenagers than you are," Hermione said, "but that's not my point. She asked if you are better at remembering where you put your wand these days." Harry and Ginny looked like they were about to burst into laughter and Ron was burying his head in his hands. Hermione quickly clarified. "I know! That's what I thought she meant too. It was mortifying. How improper and all that. But apparently you actually lost your wood, er, I mean, magical wand a lot when you were dating. What's that all about?"

"Sounds like you help Ron find his magical wand a lot better than her," Ginny said sweetly. Hermione merely flipped her off and took a drink of her Firewhiskey.

"She asked about my wan- Oh!" Ron started laughing uncontrollably. The other watching him as he tried to get words out coherently. "She, she, she was always wanting me to, heh, walk her to classes," Ron said. "I was definitely feeling like the relationship was going nowhere by this point, you know, so I'd, uh, tell her I'd lost my wand and needed to go and find it."

"Breaking up with her wasn't an option?" Harry asked.

"Nah mate, she always had something going on. Her grandma was sick, her crup died, she got the wrong chocolate from Hogsmeade," Ron said, slugging back his whiskey. "I didn't want to be a dick, ya know?"

"So, you strung her along and lost your wand a lot?" Ginny sniped. "Real classy."

Ron shrugged and lay back on the lounge. "It was my best plan at the time. Like you haven't done anything that made you look like a bitch."

Ginny stuck her tongue out at him and they started to argue. Hermione looked across the table at Harry and raised her eyebrows. Harry shrugged and they both laughed quietly at their partners.

OoOoOoOoO

Saturday rolled around and Harry and Ginny were walking along in Godric's Hollow, Ginny tucked tightly against Harry for warmth.

"I could just use a warming charm, you know," Harry chuckled as Ginny snuck both her hands between his arm and his chest.

"But then I'll be too warm in the pub," she replied. "Slow down. You're making me run."

"I have learned how to remove charms," Harry chuckled as he slowed down to a crawl.

"Not that slow, you jerk," Ginny growled. She stuck out her tongue at Harry's chuckle as they resumed walking at a normal pace. They walked around the corner and caught the eyes of Ron and Hermione who were standing outside the Wobbly Unicorn. Hermione waved cheerily as they approached, Ginny still stuck to Harry's side.

"Thought we'd wait for you two so we can all get the full experience," Ron grinned. "I'm actually looking forward to this. If he's a git we just chuck him out and have a few drinks ourselves."

"That sounds lovely but how about we get inside before I freeze my bits off," Ginny said crisply. She dragged Harry along into the pub door. The old wooden door open and let out the warm glow coming from the roaring fireplace inside. Ginny let go of Harry and slipped in as he stopped to hang up his cloak.

"Ginny doesn't know what a warming charm is?" Hermione asked with a smile as she hung up her scarf and mittens. "Or warm clothes for that matter."

"I was hoping you'd understand it to be honest," Harry replied. "I was told it's a girl thing."

"Like I ever understood all those girl things."

"They all stood in the entry to the pub and then spotted a couple getting up from a booth at the far wall. The blonde hair gave away the identity of the male and so the group headed over to them.

"Harry!" Draco calls out as they get close. "Good to see you again so soon."

Harry reached out to shake hands and Draco stepped close and whispered. "Fake politeness tonight, if that's ok. Story's request."

"Of course," Harry said, letting go of his arm. "And this must be your lovely lady. A pleasure to meet you, Astoria."

"Likewise," she said quietly, holding out her hand for him to kiss, which he did. She was dressed in a lovely gown which would have not looked out of place at a formal dinner. Her dark brown hair fell in ringlets to frame her face as she watched him stand again. Harry heard Draco greet Ginny and then move on to Hermione and Ron.

"I don't know if you have ever met my girlfriend, Ginny Weasley," Harry said, guiding Ginny closer to greet Astoria. As the women exchanged pleasantries, Harry looked over and saw Draco laughing at something that Ron said and slapping him on the back. Harry pinched himself hard on the leg and winced. "Not fucking dreaming then," he muttered.

The group was led by Draco and Astoria to the booth they had come from on the back wall of the pub. It was a round booth built into the wall and looked quite cosy. Harry sat last on his side, opposite Draco, and noted the gentle use of magic in the design to expand the space. Nobody would be kicking anyone else's ankles.

"Shall we order some cocktails?" Draco smiled at everyone. "We are celebrating, after all. Flaming Shortsnouts?"

"I don't think this is quite the sort of establishment that would serve a half-reasonable Flaming Shortsnout even if they did decide to 'give it a jolly go'," Astoria sniffed. "I think we should settle for a bottle of the house white and," she pointedly looked around the group, "maybe something stronger also. A bottle of gin, perhaps."

The silence thickened around the rest of the table as she spoke and Harry suddenly felt very much back in reality. Draco, however, seemed oblivious to the mood shift.

"Sounds splendid!" he beamed. He raised his hand without looking at the bar and snapped his fingers. Astoria gently patted him on the arm.

"Not the place, dear," she sniffed. "They don't appear to serve to the table here. You will have to join the line at the bar. And I don't think they will take cheque either. You'll need to take make sure you have some coins. Knuts would do it judging by the clientele."

"Oh really?" Draco asked with a genuine look of surprise. "How quaint! Well, I shall re-join you all shortly." He disappeared and Astoria watched him go with a small smile.

"Well, uh, gin sounds fantastic," Ron started but was suddenly cut of by Astoria's wand casting a spell at the table. Harry felt the magic of a silencing bubble and relaxed his grip on his own wand.

"We only have a moment to talk so let's make this fucking quick," Astoria said, staring around the table. "What the bloody hell is this all about? Because from where I was standing at Hogwarts, it didn't look like a fucking friendship between you all and my fiancé. I don't give a fuck if you all gaslight him and lead him up a fucking garden path. Merlin knows the prat deserves a lot worse for what he did. But this is interfering in my fucking wedding and I'm not bloody having it. So, in real fucking shorthand, what the bloody fucking hell is happening?"

Harry could feel his jaw hanging and quickly snapped his mouth shut and swallowed hard. "What?" he croaked out. "This isn't a joke. I mean, we thought Draco was having us on, you know."

"Well he's not the brightest fucking wizard you've ever met," Astoria retorted, "but he means really well, personal history excluded. And I won't have you fucking taking advantage of him at this time. So, who's bloody talking?"

"Well, I mean, Draco hasn't always behaved in an altruistic fashion," Hermione said. "I mean, he did stand there and watch us get tortured by his crazy aunt. Granted, he didn't dob us in so maybe he's not as bad as he came off but you've got to remember all the history before that. I mean, threats, hexes, name-calling, we could go on forever but-"

Astoria cut her off with a small bang from her wand. "You are, princess. What the fuck did you not understand about shorthand? I thought you were some kind of bloody genius." She turned and pointed her wand at Harry, who had instinctively pointed his wand back at her, which she ignored. "Wonderboy, talk fast and explain the current, fucking situation. Not your sob story."

Harry ignored Ginny's muffled snort of laughter from next him and started talking. "Look, Draco and I weren't friends as far as I could tell. But then he corners me one night at work and talks about how long it's been since we hung out. Then, out of the blue he asks me to be his best man. Like you, I thought the situation was too weird but he seemed totally sincere. As sincere as a Malfoy can be, that is."

Astoria shrugged and nodded at the last part, her wand held loosely in her hand, but she didn't seem to notice how everyone was watching it. "So, this isn't some bloody prank of yours to get back at my loveable idiot?"

"No," Harry said gently, putting his own wand away slowly. "There was no malice intended by anyone here. We all think it's very strange."

"Bloody strange," Ron muttered. Hermione elbowed him sharply.

"Bloody strange," Harry agreed, "but I showed my friends the memory of my conversation with Draco and we agreed that he seemed genuine. So, here we are, seeing if Draco has had some different view of our past than we did. We're prepared to put things behind us if so and start afresh."

"Some things," Ginny said. "I'm not fucking forgiving his father anytime soon."

"That makes two of us," Astoria said, rolling her eyes dramatically. "I can't believe that bastard will be my father-in-law. A fucking Death Eater. You would not believe how long it took Draco to convince me to go out with him considering who his family is. But that's another story we can talk about when we ain't so pressed for time. What's the verdict then? You want in as his best man?"

"Has he really changed?" Harry asked. "Is it genuine? And does he really think I'm his best friend?"

"Yes, yes and yes," Astoria said. "His family fucked him up good, especially good ol' daddio. He's got issues but I know he's a good person deep down so I'm going to be there, by his side, until the world sees who he really is. He makes it bloody hard sometimes though, the goddamn ponce."

"Well, er, good enough for me," Harry said after a lengthy pause. "I'll be his best man. However, any bullshit and things get ugly. Good enough?"

"Yeah, that's fair," Astoria said. She turned and beamed around the table. "I'm really glad Draco was right about you all. You do seem lovely. We must have tea sometime. Especially you, darling. I can tell we'd have fun."

The last comment was directed at Ginny who grinned back at her. "Sounds bloody fun! Now, our ponce is coming back."

"Oh, right," Astoria quickly removed the silencing bubble without revealing her wand and then her mannerism changed entirely. "Well, it was a beautiful, proposal. Thank you for asking, Hermione. Draco took me in an Abraxan carriage and we had a tour over Switzerland whilst having dinner. He loves to keep things simple, you know. So, he arranged for the elves put the ring on top of my sherbet. It was so sweet. Oh, darling, there you are!"

"That was a very strange experience," Draco said, looking uncertain as he gestured with his wand and the bottles and glasses settled onto the table. "The barkeep was very angry when I asked how many knuts this was. Apparently, this place isn't as cheap as it looks. Anyway, here we go. I got a couple of bottles of white that the barkeeper didn't know the vintage of, a '91 for those who needed to know, and this is the finest gin that they had which I cannot vouch for at all. What would you like, my sugar-fairy?"

Harry could hear the deep breaths of air that Ginny was taking in to stop herself from laughing. Ron was having a whisper conversation with Hermione as Harry was just enjoying the show.

"Oh, you know me, I'll just have a glass of the wine, my angel," she said, so softly and sweetly that Harry had a hard time believing the language she had been throwing around a minute ago. "I'm sure Harry would like some of the gin though. Do help yourself, please! We shan't be standing on ceremony tonight!"

"Oh yes, please, charge your glasses for I have a toast!" Draco cried as he poured his fiancé a glass of the white wine. Harry quickly poured gin for himself, Ginny and Ron as Hermione then let Draco give her a glass of wine.

"To my old friends, thank you all for being here to celebrate with us!" Draco raised his glass, smiling broadly at them all. "We are so happy to share the joy that we feel with all of you. I am so excited to call this beautiful witch beside me my wife and I look forward to sharing that day with you all also. I hope we have many happy memories between now and then, however, and let us not let it be so long between gatherings. To future joys!"

"To future joys!" Everyone cried out. As Harry raised his glass, he felt magic tingle around his hand. He quickly looked at his drink and noticed that his clear gin had been replaced with the yellow of white wine. He looked across the table and saw Astoria drinking deeply from her very, very clear wine. She saw him looking at her and winked.

'The little fox,' Harry though as he sipped his white wine from his gin glass. 'And that was one of the smoothest switching spells I've ever seen. Flitwick would be damn proud.'

After a lot of conversation and several drinks by everyone, Harry headed to the bar with the group's dinner orders. As he was waiting for the barman to finish serving the group at the other end of the bar, he was joined by Astoria.

"I'm here to change my meal order," she said sweetly.

"Uh-huh, and what else? Steal a bottle of Scotch?" Harry grinned at her.

She shrugged. "The barkeep doesn't look like he deserves his Scotch stolen," she said. "You looked like you would appreciate a nice vintage white, anyway."

Harry chuckled. "And Draco is none the wiser on the rest of your personality? Don't you worry that you'll get sick of acting the part eventually?"

"Oh, but it's so much fun," she said with wicked grin. "You should have seen all your faces. It was amazing. The gin was nice too. And no, he doesn't know about the personality shift and wouldn't believe you if you told him."

"Fair enough," Harry nodded. "And what about him? Is this a real personality or does he still have the old one that we used to see in Hogwarts?"

"I think the personalities merged when his father got put into Azkaban," Astoria said slowly. "I mean, I think that part of him was always thinking that he had to rise up to the challenges that opposition gave him, like he imagined his father doing. But there was always the anger and pain that lashed out also. It never excuses it, of course, but it makes it understandable. That's what I think, at least. Anyway, this is far too bloody real. Get me the lamb instead of the pie and put a shot of something in my wine, would you?"

Harry chuckled to himself as Astoria disappeared. He changed her order and then she reappeared at his side. "By the way, I need to meet up with you for a get-to-know each other and convey my expectations for the wedding."

"Meet up?"

"Officially it will be for high tea followed by some fine dining," Astoria said before suddenly giving him a wicked grin. "Wanna go to a muggle pub instead? We can get plastered and then discuss the wedding and what to expect. I'll supply the hangover cure?"

OoOoOoOoO

Harry apparated and appeared out the front of the Malfoy Manor. The gates still brought back memories, but he suppressed them. He tapped the gates with his wand and they swung open, revealing the perfectly manicured drive and lawns. The white peacocks were conspicuously absent. The gravel crunched under his feet, disturbing the stillness, making him feel exposed.

The door swung open as he stepped onto the stoop and he met the gaze of Narcissa Malfoy. He could always see the Black in her, but she was definitely different to Andi and Bellatrix. Whilst the others looked foreboding, she looked haughty.

"Mister Potter," she gestured him inside. "A pleasure to see you again."

"Mrs Malfoy," he smiled. "I believe congratulations are in order. Your family is expanding."

She smiled back, "Thank you, Mister Potter. I am led to understand that you will be joining us for the occasion as a member of the wedding party. I had not realised how close you and Draco were."

Harry smiled back at her, understanding the unspoken question. "Ah yes, we do have a very memorable history that has given us many memories together. I suppose you could say that we have watched each other grow up."

"That is very true," she replied. She said no more as she led him into a lounge room where Astoria was waiting.

"Ah, Harry, how lovely to see you again," Astoria said as she daintily rose from the recliner. She was wearing a beautiful set of light blue robes that matched her eyes and Harry felt very underdressed in his simple formal robes that he was wearing over his more casual muggle attire. He stepped forward and kissed Astoria's knuckles when she proffered her hand.

"And it's lovely to see you again as well," he said, smiling at her. "You are looking lovely tonight. I feel like I am stealing from Draco to be taking you to tea instead of him having the pleasure."

"Nonsense," Draco's voice cut in from behind him as he entered the room. "I am pleased you both get on so well. Though, you do look especially stunning tonight, my dear."

"Oh, stop it both of you," Astoria blushed. "It's just a simple evening and I am in no ball gown."

"You can't stop my heart racing from the sight of you, my dear," Draco said, smiling at her.

"Alright, I feel like I may need actually cut in here before you two forget that you're not the only ones in the room," Harry grinned. "Now, I do believe we have a reservation to meet?"

"That's right, we do," Astoria said. She approached Harry, holding out her arm for him to take. She winked at him as he took her arm and he could see the mischief in her eye. "We can't keep Maddam Puddifoot waiting, can we?"

Harry blanched briefly before he remembered the plan. "Madam Puddifoots? I thought we had something classier in mind."

"Ah, well, we can't upset tradition, can we?" Astoria asked, clearly amused. Draco was looking at Harry pitifully and Narcissa was smirking from her seat.

"Perhaps I shall leave you to your beloved's devices then," Harry said. "He's always been more traditional than I have."

"Now, you can't stand up a lady," Narcissa cut in. "And Draco is occupied with taking me to a play tonight. You won't leave me alone again, will you, Mister Potter?"

Harry's eyes met hers and he saw the jab clearly for what it was. Apparently, she hadn't forgiven him for refusing to defend her husband's choices like he did hers and Draco's. He gave a subtle shrug and smiled slightly. "Not tonight. I shall honour my promise to this lovely lady. Draco, I trust you got the tickets?"

"Yes, we did and we shall see you all there," Draco said though he looked pained. "Did it have to be a Cannons game though? I love the Harpies and seeing your lovely lady fly for them is always a treat, but there's no competition for them. It's going to be a slaughter."

"Ah, well, you see, Ron's favourite team is the Cannons and so Ginny makes sure she gets us all tickets for games against them so he can watch her destroy them. It's a sibling thing, I think."

"Oh yes, it would be," Astoria said. "If I was as good as Ginny and played for the Harpies, I'd send Daph tickets for every time I played the Arrows."

Harry met eyes with Draco and they both shrugged. "Well, we shall be there nonetheless," Draco gestured towards the door. "Now, you take of my darling and we shall have a smashing time at the game anyway."

Harry said his polite goodbyes and then left the mansion with Astoria. Walking away from the enormous mansion felt a lot better than approaching it, he decided.

"So, are you going to move in with Draco and his mother?"

"Fuck no," Astoria grinned. "She's got a lovely seaside villa that she's having prepared for her occupation. I'm not having my days filled with her snide comments. I'd apologise for her behaviour and attitude earlier, but I don't claim any responsibility for your having to meet her. You're the one who thought acting as Draco's best mate was a fucking good idea."

"Do you get frustrated by not swearing around him and his mother so much that you bombard the poor sod who decides to spend time with you and doesn't put on airs and graces?" Harry changed the topic with a grin. "Because if so, I get it."

Astoria giggled as she nodded. "I 'spose I do. It's a bit of a release, you know. I taught my house elf to swear growing up and my parents had no idea whose fault it was that she started saying 'Here's your fucking tea, ma'am'. Bloody hilarious, I tell you."

Harry chuckled softly as they walked, imagining Dobby doing that to him. He was sure that the elf wouldn't have taken much persuasion to do it either.

"What're you smiling at?" Astoria asked, staring at him as he walked. "Surely not me and the house elf still."

"Kinda," Harry said. "Your story made me realise that you would have gotten along famously with a friend of mine."

"Would have?"

"He died during the war," Harry said softly. Astoria fell silent and looked contemplative as they walked the rest of the way to the roadway. Harry looked at her when they stopped. "Ready? Are you really going to wear that to a pub?"

"'Course not. Apparate us somewhere else first so I can spell it muggle and then take us to the pub," Astoria said.

Harry nodded and then apparated into the Shrieking Shack. He watched Astoria look around and then catch a glimpse of Hogwarts through the loose boards. Her eyes widened and her body stiffened. "What the fuck?" she growled, looking around nervously. "Why are we in the fucking Shrieking Shack?"

"An easy walk to Madam Puddifoots," Harry smiled as he leant against a doorframe. "Consider it revenge for your comments earlier. Now, hurry up. The longer you take the longer we'll be here."

Harry quickly exited the room and walked down the hallway. He peered into the passageway to Hogwarts before quickly repairing some of the boards and sticking them in place over it with a couple of spells. Nobody would trip and fall into the hole now.

"Harry? Where the fuck are you? I'm not coming looking for you."

Harry grinned to himself and went back to Astoria. She glared at him viciously as he entered the room. "Ready to go?" he asked innocently. She grabbed his arm and he immediately apparated them to an alley near where they were having dinner.

"Now, was that any way to treat a lady?" Astoria hissed at him as she let go of his arm.

"It's the swearing," Harry said to her, ignoring the glare she sent his way. "I can't help but treat you like one of the guys if you're going to add an expletive to every noun. Besides, we were perfectly safe."

"It's bloody haunted, you bastard," she growled. "And I don't fucking swear for every noun."

"Convincing," Harry said drily. He strode towards the pub, hearing Astoria start walking behind him. The distinctive sound of muggle heels. "And it's not haunted. I've been there a lot. You remember Professor Lupin? Well, you see, he and my dad were friends…"

A few hours later, they were pushing away empty plates and pouring gin from the bottle into their glasses.

"So, what happened then? Did Dobby help you find whatever it was you were after to kill Voldemort with?" Astoria asked, leaning across the table. "And we should so totally let Dobby and Emsy meet. That's my elf. Emsy. They'd be so funny together."

"Er, well, Bellatrix threw the knife after us as we left and it hit Dobby," Harry said. He swallowed deeply. Maybe it was the alcohol but it was a lot harder to talk about the little elf now than it was earlier. "He didn't survive."

"Oh, fuck," Astoria stared at him blankly.

"Yeah," Harry said glumly. "He was the friend I wish you could have met. He totally would have served tea whilst swearing like a sailor."

Astoria laughed softly and pulled out a handkerchief to dab at her eyes. "Sounds like my kind of elf," she said weakly. She sniffed a bit as she sat there, staring at the table. "I'm jealous of you, you know. You've had such a, a full life. So many adventures and tales from such a short period of time. I wish my life was like that."

"And I wish my life was quiet," Harry replied. "If I could have no more adventures like those then I'd be happy. But why are you sad? You've got a hundred years in front of you to have plenty of adventures. I'll even help you convince Draco to get his ass of his comfy chair to go with you if you need the help."

"Try twenty years," Astoria said softly.

Harry blinked slowly. "What? Why?"

"Urgh, I don't know why I said that," she said. "I mean, I know why I said it, but I hadn't planned on it. It's such a mood killer. All right, here's the big secret. I have a stupid blood curse. It'll eventually make me so weak that I'll die. No, there's nothing you or anyone can do. It gets someone in my family every couple of generations and, believe me, we've tried to get rid of it. Please don't suggest anything or try and fix it."

Astoria just stared at the table, a couple of tears sliding down her face. "I've made my peace with it and I don't need any pity or any of that shit," she said as Harry sat in shock. "I just wish I could do more in the time I had, you know? And that's why I said it. Please don't spread it around either. I don't care if you tell your mates if you trust 'em. Of course you do. I trust 'em after the little bit you've told me tonight. Oh god, I'm rambling. I just, oh!"

Harry had stood up and moved around to her side of the booth and put his arm around her, startling her from her rant. "It's fine," he said softly. "No pity. I get that. I really do. You know, it's really overhyped. Death, I mean. Death's just another adventure. It's a bit funny as you kind of slip away, but it's peaceful, if you let it be. Your soul then begins its next journey and what mattered in this life slips away. Don't worry about having the most adventures. Be a positive impact on others and enjoy the simple things. That's my philosophy, anyway."

Astoria sniffed and nodded. She turned and looked at him. "You actually died, didn't you?" she asked. "In the forest. When Draco's mum checked on you. You'd died, proper like. And came back."

"I did," Harry whispered. "But it wasn't my time. Voldemort linked our lives together in way when he returned. It was all kinds of messed up. But I had a choice and wanted to finish things. Couldn't leave everyone in the lurch like that, though it was tempting to just rest. I'm not scared of it happening again now. I just try and appreciate each day as it comes."

"You make it sound bloody simple, but I know it isn't," Astoria said. "I know because I've tried."

Harry shrugged. "I guess we're all different," he said. "I was never at peace until that happened and sometimes I'm still not. I just try to let it go and move on. It gets easier over time."

"I hope so," Astoria whispered. Harry gave her shoulders a squeeze and then slipped back around his side of the booth.

"Now, how about a more cheerful topic," he grinned. "Draco. What are we allowed to do to him?"

Astoria eyed him suspiciously. "Who's we?"

"Well, Ron and me, of course. Though George has given us a few ideas and I wanted to see what you wanted."

"Right," she said, downing the rest of her glass and leaning back. "Nothing permanent. That includes trauma. Just act like decent people and I have no issue. Is that clear enough?"

"Naturally," Harry nodded. "And your expectations of him as a married man?"

"I know what he's like and I'm happy with it," she shrugged.

"Of course," Harry said smoothly. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly. "But are we allowed to make him think that he needs to change?"

Astoria's eyebrows rose and she gave a little grin. "And, dear sir, what are you proposing he changes?"

"Well, George very thoughtfully pointed out that his father was probably busy a lot during his adolescence. I'm assuming he knows the basics of biology, but George pointed out that there is a lot more than just basics that perhaps his father never had time to point him in the direction of. Have you heard of the Kama Sutra?"

Astoria snorted loudly as she tried to contain her laughter. Harry grinned at her. "I take that as a yes," he continued. "Anyhow, we thought we might make sure he's aware that married purebloods are expected to perform every position and spell taught in the complete, magical edition of the book. In light of your big secret, I am more convinced than ever that we need to make your life a very, very happy one. Any complaints so far?"

Astoria gave up on her stifling her laughter by this point and her chest was shaking with uncontrollable laughter. Harry sat back, grinning, glad to see her misery had departed.

"Oh, Harry, I don't know how I'll repay you," she eventually croaked out.

"Don't worry, just the standard fees apply," Harry quipped. "Your firstborn son will suffice."

Astoria chuckled as she got her breathing under control. "I didn't tell you that there's a good chance I can't have children, did I?"

"You're meant to tell me that after we sign the contract," Harry sighed dramatically. "How'd you get into Slytherin anyway?"

"Guilt tripped the hat due to my illness," she giggled. Harry's eyebrows rose.

"That's the Slytherin way," he grinned. "I had to persuade it not to put me there."

"Oh! But then you and Draco could have been even closer friends through school!"

"Somehow, I doubt it," Harry replied. "Now, onto our planning. Any complaints about me misrepresenting your expectations? I am, of course, happy to take full responsibility. Just don't discuss it until your wedding night, you hear? I can always say that I was challenging him to be the best version of himself."

"That would actually work," Astoria said. "Slytherin indeed."

"Don't insult me," Harry said. He winked at the glare she sent him. "Now, we also want to know desired holiday destinations so that we can guide Draco towards some acceptable honeymoon options. So, if you could assist me with building a list, we can make sure we can get a result from your top three. Five at worst."

OoOoOoOoO

"Well, Potter, that dinner was almost up to par with what we feed our elves," Draco leant back in his chair, carefully adjusting himself to ease the pressure on his belt.

Harry rose an eyebrow at him, "That was four times he went back for more, wasn't it, Ron?"

"I believe so," Ron said, burping loudly. "He had more than me, that's for sure."

"Well, I didn't want to be rude," Draco said, suppressing a belch. "Couldn't hurt Potter's feelings by not eating this muggle-fare."

"Perhaps I shall cancel the desserts I had planned for later," Harry said. "Can't afford to offend you with crappy muggle dishes."

"No, don't!" chorused Draco and Ron together.

"I've been saving room for it," Ron protested, ignoring Draco's surprised expression at their synchronicity. "I love tiramisu. And the gelato they serve is to die for."

"Can we wait a bit first?" Pleaded Draco. "I don't think I can fit it in but I want it."

"Perhaps I deserve a compliment on my dinner choices?" Harry grinned. Draco rolled his eyes.

"Oh, I'm so sorry that you've got such thin skin, Potter," he said. "You can't take a joke. Now, tell them to hold the desserts for now but definitely bring them. And can we take the rest of this, what do you call it? Petesah? Anyway, I would hate to waste it."

"Pizza," said Harry, getting up from the table. "And I agree. I'll get the waiter to package it for you. Wait until we leave before you shrink it though, won't you? I hate making up weird stories that nobody believes."

Harry returned quickly to their table in the quiet restaurant. Ron looked and him and he nodded. With a quick excuse of needing to find a loo, Ron was gone and Harry cleared his throat noisily.

"Well, I need to have an important discussion with you," Harry said as Draco looked at him curiously. Harry quickly cast a silencing charm which made Draco perk up from his sleepy state. "It's about Astoria's expectations."

"Ah, of course," Draco nodded. "She said she'd had a lovely dinner with you and you were very charming but we would be having a chat."

"Of course," Harry said. "It's not a topic that she would be expected to bring up, but as circumstances are and your father has made some unfortunate choices, it is now left to me to discuss this matter with you."

"Ah," Draco stared at the table uncomfortably. "I see. Don't worry, old boy. I understand and I know that this isn't easy for either of us, so, uh, be a hitwizard and make it quick and clean."

"Of course," Harry said. "So, cutting to the chase, um, you know what the Kama Sutra is, don't you?"

"Is that the South American wedding tradition?"

"Not quite," Harry scratched his neck uncomfortably. "It's a book. A guide, really, on how a proper wizard is to treat his witch once they're married. I have a copy in case you didn't. Don't worry, completely magical techniques are included so we need to make sure you are quite capable of casting everything required."

Draco accepted the book from Harry and his eyes widened immediately. He flicked through to the middle of the heavy book and his mouth opened in shock. "Circe's tits," he muttered. "And, umm, which page should I be looking at? There appear to be a few, uh, techniques included."

"All of it," said Harry. Draco looked at him in shock. "It's the wedding gift of the wizardry."

"And, um, she's learning this too?" Draco's cheeks were aflame.

"I don't doubt she knows a lot of it," Harry said carefully, biting his tongue to keep his smile from spreading. "But, you, as the wizard, and, uh, the one with the wand, are expected to be the experienced one in this and the spellcaster."

"I see," breathed Draco. He sat back and stared at the book in front of him before looking for a table of contents.

"Sixty-four," Harry said. Draco's head snapped up in shock. "Not all include spellcasting but a lot do so we will be requiring you to train with me on your delicate spellcasting. Don't worry, I'm not going to be leaving you alone on this one and will learn it myself to ensure I can check your ability properly." That and Ginny and Astoria talked and Ginny had made it clear that she was willing to put in the time to learn the book if Harry was. Harry was.

"Now, we have a while yet and so you will have every chance to do this properly," Harry said. "But I suggest a quick routine every morning to prepare yourself for the casting levels required to learn this many spells. I have a few routines from auror training so that you have a baseline to work with."

Draco took the pieces of parchment wordlessly, stuffing the scrolls into his pocket which suspiciously let him put his arm in up to the elbow. He looked at the book once more before closing the cover and putting it in his pocket also. He accepted the glass of wine that Harry levitated over to him.

"You alright, mate?" Harry asked. "You look a bit peaky."

Draco swallowed deeply before staring blankly again. "I guess I hadn't thought about missing my father for a while," he finally said. "Or thought about what he did. What he risked. Why would someone give up the chance to be with their kid as they get married? Or just the everyday things? I don't think I could ever do that. Here I am, having to get taught what it takes to be a husband from my friends instead of from him. It just sucks to have him gone, you know."

Harry swallowed, feeling incredibly awkward. "I don't think he thought about what he was risking," he said finally. Draco snorted.

"That just makes it worse."

"No, I mean, I don't think he saw it," Harry said. "Extreme emotion makes you blind. Even prejudice or pride. You don't see what the effect you are having is until it is so often too late. I think he got that, at the end though. Once it was too late."

Draco nodded slowly. "I don't blame you," he said. "As you said, it was too late. He'd hurt too many people. The world needs to heal and not having consequences for actions like his wouldn't allow it to heal as cleanly. My mother, on the other hand, is experiencing the blindness you speak of. She still can't see why you didn't speak up for him."

Harry shrugged and Draco nodded. "Don't worry," the blonde said as he poured himself more wine. "I'm sending her to a home for herself so that Astoria and I can make a clean start for ourselves. Astoria wants that and I think I need it."

"Astoria is someone special," Harry commented softly. "You got better than you deserved."

"Oh, and I remember every day," Draco said. "She's made me a better person. And she's made my life so much brighter. She changed me. Believe it or not, I don't actually hate muggles anymore."

Harry raised an eyebrow and Draco quickly continued. "Oh, I know I still talk the talk sometimes," he said, "but it's mostly habit. And making sure we still have matters to challenge each other on. I don't want to lose your friendship, Potter. It means a lot to me that you would still talk to me after what I've done and not think that I had gone too far. And what you'd do for me with the wedding."

"About that," Harry started, the guilt getting too much. "I think we could skip some of the book, you know."

"Oh no!" Draco said sharply. "I will give my wife the man she deserves. Don't slacken up on me now, Potter. Your job is to challenge me to be all I can be. If not for me, for her."

"Fine," Harry said. "But I am going to change something. You've made me think with what you said and I am making a ruling. No more insults that are not banter. No more of your old language. You've changed and so you need to act like it. For Astoria and for a new beginning."

Harry raised his glass and Draco thought for a moment before clinking his against it. "To new beginnings," he said, "and improving on the examples from those before us."

Harry nodded and drank. His thoughts raced to his parents and what they would think. It was hard to say as he knew so little about them but he knew that his mother at least would approve of him helping change someone for the better.

"Lost in thought, Potter?"

Harry looked up and saw Draco smiling at him as he poured himself another glass. "You made me think about my parents is all," he shrugged. "You're surprisingly eloquent for someone who has drunk so much."

"It must be the magnificent food we had," Draco said. "It's made me feel very content."

"Just don't be surprised by weird dreams," Harry said. "That can happen."

Draco looked at him oddly. "Should I take dreamless sleep?"

"Depends. Do you still get affected by bad memories?"

"I guess I do sometimes."

"Then consider it," Harry said. "Or see how you go tonight and decide how you want to treat further pizza nights. I can't see this being your last."

"Last pizza night for blondie?" Ron cut in, appearing at the table. "I'd be surprised if he doesn't set up a pizza delivery service himself and live at the restaurant."

"You can get it delivered?"

"That's the normal way to have it," Harry said. "Get it delivered or take away, get some beers and watch a game on the telly at someone's house with a bunch of mates."

"You know, I don't get this footyball but a pizza night at Dean's is always a bloody good time," Ron said.

Draco looked curious. "You watch games on a telly? You mean like quidditch? What do you mean?"

"Next game night, I'll ask Dean if you can come along," Harry promised. "It's too much to take at once unless you took muggle studies."

Draco shook his head. "Not a chance. But pizza with games, do you think selling it at quidditch games would work?"

"Probably," Ron said. "You may have to convince people to try it at first but make some fancy wizarding name for it and give out free slices for a bit then I think it would work."

"Are you actually thinking of doing it?" Harry asked. Draco shrugged and took a drink.

"Astoria's had this plan she's been bugging me about," he said. "I think she talks with Granger too much, to be honest. She wants to buy abused house elves, like Dobby was, and give them a job. They're very good at cooking and so I thought maybe doing a pizza service at quidditch games would work."

"I think Hermione would love that," Harry said.

"Bloody oath she would," Ron said. "She might even not punch you in the face again if you do that."

They all laughed at that and Draco rubbed his face very self-consciously. "That sounds like a good outcome for all. I shall talk to Astoria and contact Hermione if Astoria approves. Now, Potter, you mentioned dessert? If it's as good as the pizza then I need to try it tonight."

"Very well," Harry said, getting up. "And then we shall carry out the next objective of the night: planning your honeymoon. Astoria has given me some guidelines to be followed but I think we can have some fun with them."

OoOoOoOoO

"Potter!"

The door to Harry's new office slammed open and an angry witch strode inside. Harry quickly rose and stepped back from his desk, drawing his wand as he did so. A moment later, one of his aurors ran in and raised his wand at the intruder's back. Harry looked at the witch's face and recognition dawned on him.

"I'm sorry, sir," the auror said. "She said she'd wait and then she was gone."

"It's alright, Greenfield," Harry nodded. "I've got this. Leave it with me."

The auror gave him a questioning look as he stepped away from the witch and Harry nodded. The auror shut the door after himself and Harry gestured to the chair opposite his desk.

"Take a seat, Daphne," he said. "I wasn't expecting visitors, but I do appreciate your dedication to congratulating me on my new post."

"I am not here for pleasantries," she snapped, her brown eyes furrowing in anger. "I want you to back the hell away from my sister."

"What on earth are you talking about?" Harry sat down at his desk, once again gesturing to the chair across from him. Daphne ignored him and leaned on his desk.

"You know exactly what I mean," she hissed. "Don't play dumb with me. I know you've got your revenge for Malfoy all planned out but I won't have it as it now involves my sister. God knows why, she actually loves the twerp and I'm not about to see her heartbroken by whatever you and your mates think is a freaking lark. I'm not playing here, Potter, and I suggest you stop whatever it is you are doing this instant."

Harry stared at her for a long moment before leaning back in his chair and putting his feet up on his desk, smiling at her. "Take a seat, Miss Greengrass."

"I am not here for – Oh!" Whatever she was about to say was cut off as the chair cut her legs out from under her and she ended up seated at Harry desk, trapped up against it. Harry lay his wand on his lap and then pretended to examine his fingernails.

"Funnily enough, you seem to think that threatening me will get you anywhere," he said cheerfully. "Do you even remember who I am, Daphne? We spent years in the same building and yet you seem to have forgotten a lot about me."

"Let me up, you absolute arse," she growled, struggling to push the chair back from the desk to no avail.

"No, you need to listen, Daphne," Harry said. "I could have you arrested for threatening an auror. Auror Greenfield would be a witness to whatever charge I brought against you and I doubt he's the only one who saw you running in here. But let's not get to that. Let's be civilized and drop the threats. You seemed to want to talk. Let's talk."

A wave of emotion swept over Daphne's face until it settled into settled into a false calm. "Fine," she seethed. "Let's play pretend, shall we. Let's pretend that this is a conversation of equals when we both know where you really stand."

"If I'm standing, then you would be sitting," Harry smiled. He noticed the tic in her face as he did so and let his smile spread further. "Don't pretend you're anything more than you are. A fine member of society? I'm Head Auror. A person of influence? I get bureaucrats coming by my office weekly if not daily, offering me favour after favour just to get in my good graces. A potential threat to my security? I'm the Man-Who-Won. Untouchable by all, including dark lords."

Harry took his feet off his desk and leant on it instead, staring into Daphne's eyes. "Now that we have our introductions dealt with, let's get to the root of this matter. You think I'm going to hurt Astoria in some way. As such, you, the strong older sibling, are here to make sure any threat to your delicate little sister is dealt with without even thinking about what you're doing. Now, before I settle any fears, I need to know: what made you think I was planning something against Draco?"

Daphne stared at him, seemingly fuming in her chair. "Cut the saint act, Potter," she growled. "Draco slipped up and revealed your plan to me. Kama Sutra? What's next? Love potions to ensure fidelity? Crushed ashwinder eggs taken as a tonic every morning for virility?"

Harry hummed thoughtfully. "Ashwinder eggs for virility you say?" he asked. "Does it work? You see, I have a little problem that I can't seem to find the solution for."

Daphne looked horrified until he broke down in laughter. "Oh, Daphne. Astoria said you were a stickler for decorum, even more than her, and I can see she was right," He smiled at her, releasing the charm on her chair so she could sit back comfortably.

"Then you don't know my sister, Potter," she replied, smoothing out her dress. "She's so proper that I don't know how you even made an average impression with her. She tolerates you for her husband's sake. But we both know that you don't even like Draco."

"I'm his best man," Harry said simply. "We hang out every couple of weeks nowadays. I must say our friendship was strained at many times and I didn't see him for a long time after the trials. But now things have moved on and we actually get along and so do our partners. He's not a bad fellow after you get past the bloodlust for muggles."

Daphne snorted at the last part and Harry grinned. "Then why this cruelty?" she frowned. "And what else is planned?"

"Oh, we've got more planned, but nothing like what you're thinking," Harry said. "Now, when was the last time you hung out with friends, had a few drinks and had a bit of banter at each other's expense? No ill will amongst you?"

Daphne was silent for a long time. "Perhaps you need to find some friends who actually know how to have a good time," he suggested. "Let your hair down to some good music, and I don't mean your operas or musicals. A bit of Weird Sisters or Hobgoblins maybe. There are plenty of muggle options. But do it with friends who aren't looking for an opportunity to take you down a peg for real. Make fun of you? Yes. But only when you need it and not when you're vulnerable. That's what Draco has become to me and my friends. We have some banter, take each other down a peg in jest, but nothing serious. That's one of the reasons we are having him concentrate on making his wife a lucky woman in the sack. Less worrying about little wedding details for him, because we all know he's the type to do that, and a goal to focus on. The fact we get a kick out of it? An absolute bonus. The fact that Astoria will be happy for it? Even better. Don't you want your sister to be happy?"

"Leave my relationship with my sister out of this, Potter," Daphne said. "I don't believe this plan has her benefit in mind at all."

"Let's not leave your relationship out of it," Harry said. He leant forward and looked at Daphne. "I'd say that from a young age you felt you had to be the stronger person, always being strong for your sister and protecting her from the world. Now that she's a grown woman and can look after herself, you can't see the change and still want to protect her from anything that isn't exactly what you define as perfect. You can't see beyond your own hubris and see that your sister is no longer the delicate flower she once was."

"Nothing has changed!" Daphne hissed, leaning forward to match Harry. "She's still the same. Her condition is still the same."

"Her condition may be the same, but she isn't," Harry said. "Or maybe you haven't ever truly seen her for who she is. She's strong, confident and knows what she wants. Let her be free but always be there when she needs support."

"You don't know her truly or else you would understand why I protect her."

"You think that she won't have a long life and that anything could be her end," Harry said steadily. He watched Daphne's eyes widen. "So let her have a good life, one that she's in control of but has your support throughout. What's better? The ability to have a long life but spend it in a cell or have a short life but experience everything life has to offer?"

Daphne sat still, eyes locked on his for a long while. "She told you, didn't she?"

Harry nodded.

"Then why don't you see where I'm coming from? How could you not hear her story and feel sorry for her? Do you not have empathy?"

"I do feel sorry for her," Harry said softly. "I just don't pity her. That's the difference. I know what it's like to be treated differently because of a condition."

Daphne glanced at his head and then sat in thought. "So, whatever you have planned, nothing will hurt her?" she eventually asked.

"Correct," Harry said. "It will hopefully have the opposite effect. A husband who is occupied on tasks we give him and then won't be stressed about the actual day or stressing her. The extra bonus of Astoria having a husband who has been studying the Kama Sutra for months? Well, I hope it's not a negative. A short life but a good life and all that."

Daphne nodded slowly, a small smile appearing on her face at Harry's last comments. "So, I have been completely out of order and have leapt to a lot of conclusions?"

"Some fair conclusions," Harry conceded, "but done in a completely disgraceful manner. I may have to have words with Astoria about keeping her family in check. Can't have them coming in and ranting at me every time I'm having a good day."

"You wouldn't," she said sharply. Harry grinned.

"Only if there's a repeat performance," he said. "We can keep this quiet, don't stress. You were doing what you thought was right. Just in a manner unbecoming of a woman of fair society."

Daphne snorted. "Like you ever cared about that. I figured bluster and show was your kind of language."

"Maybe you're right," Harry said. "But nowadays I'm going to have to act like a good society member. Can't have the Head Auror acting out. Though I'm sure I'd get far too much grace because of who I am. They'd probably just call me quirky."

"Probably," Daphne said. She stood and nodded at him. "Congratulations on the promotion, Potter. I, er, sorry about the, uh, earlier behaviour. You were right. It was unbecoming."

"Already forgiven," Harry said, walking to the door. "And thank you. I appreciate the congratulatory visit. Next time just ask me to tea, will you?"

Daphne gave him a slight scowl. "I will hold you to your word though. Nothing that would hurt my sister or her beau from anything you do. The wedding day must be perfect or I will find some way to powder your testicles."

Harry raised his eyebrows at her and she swept out of the room. He watched her stride through the auror department, never looking back. As he turned back to his office, he noticed Greenfield pretending to be busy nearby.

"It's all good, Greenfield," he said. "Thanks for standing by."

"You're not going to charge her, sir?"

"Only if there's a next time," Harry shrugged. "I give you permission to stun her if she breaks into my office again. Leave off the cushioning charm too."

The auror gave him a grin and Harry slipped back into his new office.

OoOoOoOoO

"Aren't you going to tell me where we are going, Harry?"

Harry and Ron grinned at each other as they guided Draco into the Abraxan carriage.

"And why would we do that?" Ron asked.

"That would definitely take a lot of the fun out of it," Harry chipped in. "Now, we need to take your wand for the next bit. We're doing this muggle style and you could get hurt if you try and use magic."

Draco eyed them both suspiciously but handed his wand to Harry all the same. "You did run this by Astoria, didn't you?" he asked as the carriage took off.

"Don't worry, Ron did," Harry grinned.

"Oi, we said you were going to," Ron said.

"No, that was the original plan but then you upped your bet on the final margin in the later part of the game. Remember?"

"Oh, yeah," Ron said bashfully. "Right. I tried to forget everything about that night. Didn't think the canons could lose by over seven hundred with their new line up."

"That fair," Harry said. "Anyway, who wants a drink? We don't have anything strong, Draco, as we can't have anything interfering with our upcoming experience. That could be fatal."

"So, nobody ran the plan past Astoria?" Draco asked, panic in his voice.

"Apparently not," Harry said. "Ron, apologise to the lad. He did insist on the condition, after all."

"Oh yeah, right," Ron said as he opened a bag of crisps. "Sorry, mate. Slipped my mind."

"But Astoria trusts us," Harry said. "Butterbeer?"

"She doesn't trust you," Draco insisted. "She agreed with me! She wanted to vet this!"

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Harry said. "Don't stress about it. Ron will apologise to her too. Won't you, Ron?"

"Of course, mate," Ron said. "It was my stuff up and so I'll make it right with her."

"See, Draco? She'll be fine. Now have some butterbeer and try some of this dip."

"It's not her that I'm worried about," Draco snapped. "It's me."

"You? Why are you worried, mate?" asked Ron. Harry noted that he was doing a particularly fantastic job of hiding his grin. "You trust us, right?"

"Well, with most things. Not this!"

"Why not?" Harry chipped. "Oh, and you should definitely try this dip. I'm going to get old and fat eating this. Probably get bigger than Dudley."

"What will we call you then? Big H?" Ron asked. "Doesn't have the same ring to it."

"Why isn't anybody listening to me?" Draco panicked. "I don't approve of this. Stop the plan."

"You're right," said Harry thoughtfully, ignoring Draco's mounting frustration. "Heavy H? Hulking H?"

"It's the 'H' bit," Ron said, bits of chip falling out of his mouth. "It's not as tough as 'D'. Don't you think, Draco? You'd be a fan of 'D', wouldn't yah, mate?"

"I'm not a fan of either of you right now!"

"Unbelievable," Harry said. "All we've done to get this planned and absolutely no gratitude. I've half a mind to forgo his backpack and let him have a solo run."

"Backpack?" Draco looked back and forth between them. He stood and glared at the two of them. "What the hell are we doing? I'm not dressed for hiking and you bloody well know that."

"Language, mate," Harry said, eating another chip with dip. "Fuck, this is good. Anyway, we're going to carry out a kind of muggle experiment. You'll love it."

"What kind of experiment?" Draco asked suspiciously. A loud ding suddenly echoed through the carriage.

"Right, that means it's time for the run through and practice,' Harry said. "You really should have enjoyed the food whilst you could, mate. Now, put these glasses on."

Draco took the protective glasses he was handed and eyed them suspiciously. "What do they do?"

"They'll help you see the experiment better," Ron assured him, putting his own on. "Besides, there is a very small risk something could get in your eyes and this prevents that."

Draco put the glasses on and then watched as Harry and Ron put on harnesses. "What are those?"

"They prevent you from coming loose," Harry said. "Can't have you getting thrown about, can we? Here, put this on."

They guided Draco through putting his harness on and then got him to turn around. Harry quickly stood behind him and attached their harnesses together.

"I hope you know what you're doing, Potter," Draco said, "because this feels very awkward."

"Don't worry, mate," Harry said reassuringly. "You'll be glad you've got me close once it happens."

"What about Ron? Who's he with?"

"I'm by myself, mate," Ron grinned from next to them. "Don't worry, I've done this heaps of times so that we could make sure we knew what we were doing."

"Oh, right," Draco said. Ron then pulled the two large backpacks out from under the seats and attached them to himself and Harry.

"Why do we need provisions?" Draco's voice had gone noticeably higher.

"Don't worry about it," Harry assured him. "Think of them as cushions instead of provisions."

"That's not making this better," Draco said. "Are we expected to fall on our backs?"

"At some point, yeah," Ron said. Another loud ding rang out and Harry guided Draco to the side of the carriage.

"Now, Draco, I need you to put your hands flat against the carriage doors and look out the window," Harry said. He watched Draco follow his instructions and then turned and grinned at Ron. "Can you see where we are?"

"No, we're too high up," Draco said after squinting for a while. "The sun's also a bit bright."

"Well, we'll have to get closer," Harry said, his smile almost splitting his face. He checked his stopwatch. "How about now?"

With that, the doors to the carriage swung wide open and they plunged forwards. Draco's scream was echoing through his ears as they fell, feeling the air rush past them. Harry laughed and spread his arms wide, trying to slow them down slightly. After a few moments further of falling, Ron appeared next to them. Harry poked Draco, who's cries had reduced to a whimper, and pointed at Ron who was waving cheerily.

"Having fun?" Ron mouthed at them. Harry smiled widely and gave a big thumbs up. He looked below them and pointed. They all looked down and could see the coastline gradually pulling away from them as they fell towards a foggy spot which was growing larger. As they approached the foggy mass, colourful lights shone through it and the fog began to disappear. Harry gestured at Ron who gave him a thumbs up and moved away from them. Harry pulled the chord to his parachute and they lurched about as it caught the wind. He watched Draco eyeing it with wonder, probably a bit upset at the red and gold colours with the giant lion symbol on it.

Draco turned back to look at him and Harry gave him a big grin. "I'm going to kill you," shouted Draco who had started to smile.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever!" Harry grinned. "Look down there."

They were drifting down towards what was now clearly a large stadium. A green pitch was clear and you could vaguely see some poles at each end.

"Is that Exmoor?" Draco called out. "That's fucking Exmoor! We're landing at Exmoor!"

Harry laughed and gave Ron a big thumbs up. Ron gave him one in return, happily drifting near them with his bright orange parachute. Harry let Draco get excited and admire the stadium before he began guiding them so that they could make a landing on the middle of the pitch.

There was a small crowd standing at the edge of the pitch who cheered on the landing, especially when they fell over. Harry quickly detached them and watched as Draco was approached by Astoria.

"That was amazing!" Draco said, giving her a hug. "Thought these buffoons led me to believe that you hadn't approved this."

"Oops, I forgot," called out Harry. "I must have mentioned it in passing or something."

"Liar," Draco turned back to Astoria. "You should try it. It was amazing! We got to see Exmoor from so high and it was so amazing."

"I am glad you loved it, darling," Astoria smiled, "but I am never going to fall out of the sky like that. I am owed a memory of it though. Harry? You promised!"

"Oh yeah, I'll get you the memory," Harry appeared next to Draco. "His face was amazing. I'll just be a sec."

"Well, uh, ok," Draco turned as Harry disappeared. He then noticed the women walking over from the stands. "Hello ladies! I see you're whole hen's party is here. Um, I thought you were going out for dinner and then a movie night?"

"We've got to wait for Ginny," Astoria smiled. "We'll go when she's done."

"Oh, Ginevra isn't here?"

"I'm here, blondie!"

Draco jumped as the voice came from above him. He turned as Ginny swept down from her broom beside him, followed by a stream of other players in quidditch uniforms. He turned back to Astoria with a puzzled expression but then Harry then dropped down in front of him also, wearing a red and gold uniform.

"Next up, quidditch!" Harry gestured to the people gathered around. "Now, we know that you always were more of a chaser than seeker, Drake, so you're going to be facing up against Ginny in the centre."

Ginny gave Draco a wicked smile and he suddenly paled. Astoria was smiling at him brightly and so he gave her a small smile in return.

"Now, we can't separate Ginny from her team so Gwenog, Stacey and Valmai will be filling in the line up from the Harpies. As we couldn't get Rosa to join us as she had prior commitments, I will join the team as a seeker."

"So, can't I like, be the seeker on my team?" Draco asked. Harry smiled at him and shook his head, watching Draco's defeated expression.

"Then what position would Vicki play?"

"Vicki?"

"Vy are you callink me Vicki, blondie?"

Draco turned in shock to see Victor Krum glaring at him. Draco's expression lightened massively.

"We get Krum!"

Harry winced as Draco's voice practically broke again. "Yeah, yeah, but he's up against me so he's still going to suck."

"Keep dreamink, vunder boy!"

Harry waved him off with a grin. "Now, we have King Weasley keeping for us," he said, pointing to a beaming Ron. "And, to help you keep these wonderful chasers in check we are letting you have Wood. It's only fair, I suppose."

"Like they'll be scoring at all," Oliver called out.

"Remember last game, Ollie?" Ginny retorted. "I believe I set some scoring records for most goals against you by one chaser."

"It's all in the past, girlie."

"Anyway, before this gets more violent," Harry quickly stepped in between the professional players. "So, we have filled the rest of the spots with some of the stag and hens parties. Let's get you changed quickly, mate, and we can get this game started and Vicki pounded into the dirt."

"I heard zat vone, Potty boy!"

Harry quickly turned to Astoria as Draco flew off to the stands. He handed her a vial filled with a silvery substance. "Here you go. Hermione's got the pensieve. He screamed like a girl. It was fantastic."

"Thanks! Sounds brilliant," she grinned. "I had a bet riding on this. Daph's gonna have to pay up!"

"I didn't think you needed more spending money."

"Who said money? That girl's getting a lapdance!"

"Oh, I need a memory of that! Please!"

"Maybe."

OoOoOoOoO

"You nervous, mate?"

Draco stopped himself from adjusting his robes and smiled. "Of course not," he said quickly. "Just jittery. Can't wait."

"You'll be fine," Harry said, stepping over and smoothing out Draco's robes from where they had been put out of place by the blonde's fidgeting. "Remember: you love her and she loves you. You're just making public what you both already know. Everything else that happens today is secondary."

"Yeah, I know," Draco ran his fingers through his hair, turning to look out of the window over the grounds where people were gathering. "It's just, well, there are so many people here. Now that we've reached today, I wish it was a smaller wedding."

"Tell them all to fuck off and just elope," Harry shrugged. He laughed at Draco's shocked expression. "I'm just messing with you! Don't worry about it. It won't be as painful as you think. Once the ceremony has happened you'll be floating on sunshine and can ignore all the tediousness of the day. Besides, I'll be there to fend off unwanted visitors. People love to talk with the man-who-won."

Draco grunted disbelievingly. "You sound full of it. How do you know that it will all fade away once we're married?"

"I'm incredibly wise," Harry grinned. "And I may have asked a few people on what a good best man should do and say on the day."

Draco snorted at his initial comment and then gave him a smile. "Thanks. I appreciate you doing all of this for us."

"Oh, I'm not doing this for you," Harry quickly replied. He turned to grab them both a glass of champagne. "Astoria and Daphne have both threatened multiple disasters to my balls if today goes pear shaped due to something I did or didn't do."

"Astoria did? Oh, I suppose she would," Draco sipped his champagne. "Daphne definitely would. I sometimes think she's looking forward to the wedding more than I am and she's just the witch-in-waiting."

"She is very protective of her sister," Harry said. "And I suppose that her being standing by her for the day means she wants to maintain her own image as well."

They drank in silence for a while, watching the crowd gather. Eventually a rap at the door disturbed them from their thoughts. They put down their glasses and headed for the door. Narcissa was waiting on the other side and she smiled brilliantly when Draco opened the door.

"Oh, you look so handsome!" she gushed. "I can't believe the big day is finally here. Now, we must go and make our appearance. Are you ready?"

"I think so," Draco said. Harry caught his eye and gestured to the en-suite. "Ah, good thinking. I will be a moment, mother."

As Draco disappeared, Harry stepped out into the hall with Narcissa. "You look positively radiant today, Mrs Malfoy," he said with a smile.

"Thank you, Mister Potter," she gave him a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I am very proud of my son. He has grown up into a fine young man. It's a shame his father won't be here to see him today."

"Ah, yes," Harry felt his smile strain, "it's such a shame he made such choices that he has to miss this day. We can only hope that future generations will learn from the decisions made by those before."

"Yes, quite," Narcissa's smile had disappeared and she pointedly turned to look at the door to Draco's room in silence. Harry was happy to oblige.

Draco eventually emerged and smiled at them both, taking his mother's arm as they headed downstairs and out into the garden. Many people stopped to try and talk but Narcissa especially was very efficient with each conversation, moving them towards the grove where rows and rows of chairs had been set up. Harry politely greeted each person also, accepting many congratulations on his promotion and thanks for saving them so many times. He could feel his cheeks already starting to tire and regretted not practicing smiling for the event.

"Harry! You look gorgeous! Will you marry me?"

Harry laughed and turned to see Ron and Hermione approaching. "Ron, I would, but your sister might be upset for some reason," he grinned. "Speaking of, I thought she was coming with you two?"

"Oh, she's here," Hermione said. "She was waiting for some other quidditch people to arrive or something. She'll be up here soon."

"Sounds like her."

"Are Nev and Hannah here?" Ron stood on his tiptoes and started peering around before Hermione yanked his arm to pull him down.

"Yeah, I saw them arrive earlier," Harry chuckled. "You guys should probably go and see if they have some free seats near them. I think Gin might sit with her mates. Anyway, I gotta go before Narcissa has an actual reason to be upset with me. See you guys after."

Harry quickly made his way after the Malfoy's, catching up to them as they reached the end of the aisle. After a long, tearful hug, Draco and Harry made their way up to the witch who would be conducting the ceremony. After a few quick words, Harry guided a pale looking Draco off to the side, out of sight of the gathering crowd.

"Hey, you'll be fine, mate," he said quietly. "Think back to when you decided to ask her to marry you. You remember that day, don't you?"

At Draco's quick nod, Harry quickly continued. "And the day that you actually asked her, you remember how it felt when she said yes, yeah? So, today's going to feel just like that. You're going to feel nervous like you did when you proposed but then once you see her coming down the aisle towards you, you're going to realise what this is all about. The two of you and your future together. Having her by your side as you go through life together."

"Yeah," Draco took a deep breath and then flashed a small grin. Harry gestured back to the stage but Draco held him back. "I, uh, wanted to ask you something."

Harry raised his eyebrows as Draco fell into silence again. "Yeah?"

"Umm, well, we weren't friends in Hogwarts, were we?" Draco quickly asked, looking at the ground.

"Why'd you say that?"

"Mother's been talking to me and I've been ignoring her mostly because I know she hates you but it kind of stuck with me," Draco said.

"Well, you picked a great time for a deep and meaningful chat, mate," Harry said. At Draco's pleading expression he continued on. "Right, so we weren't on very good terms through school. But out of the people who you were on good terms with during school, how many of those people have supported you and Astoria and are good friends with you now? And do you think that you are the same person that arrived at Hogwarts all those years ago?"

"I guess not," Draco said. "but why'd you lie about it?"

"At first I thought you were pranking me, to be honest," Harry said. "But then I saw how earnest you were and I met Astoria who convinced me you had changed. I got to know the two of you and we have actually become good friends. I don't invite you to hang out with Ron and the rest because I have to. You've changed. You're a different person, a better person, and I like hanging out with that new person. You're not the brat who made me convince the hat to not put me in Slytherin."

"You were going to be a Slytherin?"

"Yeah, until this jerk talked down about one of my new friends on the train," Harry said. He grinned. "You've come a long way since then. Astoria wouldn't marry you if you hadn't."

"I guess it's a good thing I changed then," Draco whispered. "I love her and I don't know how I could go through life without her."

"That's the spirit," Harry said. "Now, we're going to go back out there and you need to keep thinking about that."

Draco clasped Harry's hand and pulled him into a hug. "Thanks," he said, releasing him. "I'm glad we're friends now. And I'm not going to switch you out for Blaise at the last minute like my mother wants me to."

"Good. She's so sweet. When did you say she's moving to her new house?"

"Come on, Harry," Draco laughed. "Let's go do this. It's time for me to get married."

OoOoOoOoO

A/N: Well, I hope you enjoyed that silly little one shot. I have a much larger work that I am writing. It has a lot of AU aspects but does have some tropes in there that I am trying to put a twist on. It diverges very quickly from the stations of canon also. I won't say any more as I don't plan on giving out spoilers, but, if you're interested, feel free to follow. Otherwise, thanks for reading!