A couple of weeks passed by and Christmas wasn't too far away, Harry was keeping an eye on Draco but still seeing nothing particularly suspect, other than a lower appetite, and he seemed tired quite a lot, perhaps part of the stress. As far as he knew, Draco hadn't been home once this year so far, which was odd wasn't it? When it was now so easy to travel by floo and his father had wanted him to at the Ministry party.
But suddenly there were bigger things going on. A break in at the Ministry by a couple of death eaters who had escaped capture after the war, had resulted in several Ministry officials being badly injured. Arthur Weasley had been working late and was the first at the scene. He had tried to hold them off on his own and had ended up badly injured at St Mungo's.
Ron had been called there by Molly and he, Harry and Hermione all left, staying at the hospital to offer support to the Weasley's.
Once Arthur had woken up, Harry and Hermione had left to get food and drink for the family. As they came back, they overheard the doctor talking to Mrs Weasley about a payment plan for the Potions and ongoing treatment he would need over the next few days. Harry's jaw dropped as he heard the price. That would be an enormous chunk even out of Harry's bank account to pay for, how in the world would the Weasley's pay?
"I didn't realise how expensive medical care was?" Harry whispered, appalled.
"Another one of Rufus Scrimgeour's great ideas" Hermione said darkly.
As the family talked to Arthur and he recounted his role in the fight, Harry pulled Mrs Weasley aside.
"Mrs Weasley" he began, not quite sure how to say it without being offensive "I'll happily help out with the medical bills for Mr Weasley, it's not right for healthcare to cost that much -"
"Oh Harry, you're such a sweet boy but no" Molly blushed, putting a hand on Harry's arm "I could never accept that, don't worry we'll manage"
Harry nodded, understanding why she felt the need to pay herself and not accept help, but wishing he could so all the same.
As visiting time ended, Harry, Ron Hermione and Ginny all went back to Hogwarts.
Harry brought it up with Ron and Ginny, maybe he could do it anonymously.
"I know this is awkward, but I would happy to help with the medical bills for your dad, it's horrible what they expect people to pay for a few potions!"
Ron and Ginny exchanged looks and shook their heads.
"That's really kind of you Harry" Ginny said smiling a little awkwardly "But there's no way Mum or Dad would accept that from you, you're basically family to us"
"Gin's right Harry" Ron nodded "Bloody dark wizards using experimental spells. They couldn't have just gone with something simple could they?" Changing the subject with a dark look on his face, thinking about the escaped death eaters.
"At least they were caught" Ginny said.
Harry nodded, wishing there was something he could do. He hadn't meant to make them feel embarrassed but it was so much to pay.
They bid Ginny goodnight and went to their own Common Room.
- 0 -
"Everything okay?" Draco asked Harry in Potions on Tuesday as they worked beside each other on their individual projects. Harry had been deep in thought about how to help the Weasley's.
"Yeah I guess" Harry said tiredly "Just worried about Ron's dad"
"Yeah I read about that, he was very brave, going against them on his own" Draco said, grimacing "Will he be okay?"
"He will, but the Death Eaters used some weird experimental spells so he'll be in for another couple of days" Harry said sadly.
Draco knew what St Mungo's was like now under Scrimgeour's new laws, trying to make more money and forcing people to pay obscene amounts for healthcare.
He didn't bring it up, knowing how many comments he'd made about Weasley's family and their lack of wealth. It would be taken badly. But perhaps he could help out...
- 0 -
After school that day, Draco travelled by Floo and made his way to St Mungo's. He hated this place now, it was just a reminder of the little time he had left, and he sped up, walking through the corridor's until he found the ward that Arthur Weasley was in. A doctor was talking to him, the very doctor that gave Draco his bad news in fact, so Draco took the opportunity to slip by out of sight and to the reception desk.
"Hello, how can I help you?" The receptionist asked smiling.
"Hi, I'm hoping to pay for a medical bill?" Draco asked her.
"Sure, are you the patient?" she asked.
"No I'm paying for someone else, Arthur Weasley" he replied.
"Oh okay no problem, and can I take your name?"
"I'd rather stay anonymous from the family if that's possible?" Draco said quietly.
"It is" she said, scribbling a note "But we will need your name for our records"
"Oh okay" Draco hesitated "It's Draco Malfoy"
The receptionist's head snapped up, staring at him in shock, suddenly realising who he was. She swallowed.
"Oh um okay, yes, yes Mr Malfoy, we can do that" she stuttered, looking nervous all of a sudden, and Draco felt awful. His old self would have loved making people scared just by saying his name, now it just felt wrong.
"How much is the bill?" Draco asked, trying to just keep things moving.
The receptionist handed over the paper with a slightly shaking hand.
Draco scanned over it and down to the final number, his eyebrows raising in shock. To him it wasn't a lot, even to his smaller Malfoy inheritance. But to the Weasley's... this could ruin them.
He wrote down his vault details, doing the magical fingerprint signature that would allow the Goblins to take that from his vault and smiled at the receptionist, thanking her before making his way out.
As he walked out, he heard his name being called.
"Mr Malfoy?" It was his doctor. Draco kicked himself for not checking to make sure they were still there as he tried to leave.
He turned slowly and the doctor and Arthur Weasley behind him were both staring at him.
"Doctor" Draco greeted him, he had never actually learned the man's name.
The doctor bid goodbye to Arthur and walked over to Draco.
"Are you hear for another check up? Has something happened since I saw you last?" the doctor asked.
"No, no" Draco replied quickly "I was just visiting someone, I'm fine, I've been taking your advice" he said as he backed up a few steps towards the door.
The doctor frowned but nodded.
"Please do not hesitate to come back here if you feel any worrying symptoms" he said quietly and Draco thanked him then rushed away.
He felt sick being there, talking to the doctor again. Everything from the summer was rushing back and he was suddenly so aware of how quickly time was passing. He tried to ignore the tears stinging his eyes and flooed back to Hogwarts. He needed to do something, he needed a distraction from his imminent mortality. In bed that night he pulled out his list and looked at it, crossing Ron Weasley's name off his list. Only one name left under his first item now, Harry Potter. What could he possibly do for the boy that had saved his life countless times?
- 0 -
Thursday came, Arthur's release date from Hospital, and Ron had gone along to the Burrow to be with his family for his dad's return.
He arrived back in the Common Room quite late that night and sat down with Harry and Hermione with an odd look on his face.
"How's your dad?" Hermione asked, giving Ron a kiss.
"He's good, just needs to rest for another week and then he can go back to work" Ron said, still with an odd expression.
"That's great isn't it?" Harry asked, confused by the look on Ron's face.
"Yeah" he said then cleared his throat awkwardly "Listen mate, I know you wanted to help but you really shouldn't have, I mean it was really kind of you but Mum feels a bit awkward about the whole thing, we really can't pay you back for it -"
"What are you talking about?" Harry said, completely confused.
"Come on mate, the whole medical bill was paid off, and you had said you wanted to help" Ron ran his hand through his hair "I mean of course it was incredibly generous, I'm not saying it wasn't -"
"Ron" Harry said slowly "I didn't pay for it"
"Harry" Ron said disbelievingly.
"No I swear it" Harry said, holding his hands up "I would have if you were all happy for me to, but I wasn't going to go against you all"
Ron looked confused "So who did?"
They all looked at each other and shrugged.
"An anonymous donor, I guess" Hermione suggested "Maybe someone felt guilty, or owed your dad a favour?"
"That would be one expensive favour!" Ron said "Well I'll let mum know it wasn't you, she'll be glad"
They changed the subject but Harry was curious, he knew someone who could afford it. Someone who had been making amends and doing odd things all year, but he didn't get on with Ron, why would he do this, if it was him?
- 0 -
"I think I want to have a party" Draco said to Pansy that evening.
"At your house?" Pansy asked, eyebrows raised.
"Yeah, you know drinks, music, have people round" he said. He'd been feeling the need to do something fun ever since he'd been in the hospital. He wanted to live his life.
"Who would you invite?" Pansy asked curiously.
"I was thinking all the eighth years" Draco said and Pansy's eyebrows flew up.
"And let them know where you live? Isn't that dangerous?" She asked worriedly.
"I was hoping to find some sort of secret keeping spell so nobody knew where they were, but I'm not sure how"
"Hmm, I don't know" Pansy said thoughtfully "Granger might though? If you felt comfortable asking her?"
Draco looked over at where the trio sat. Yes, he thought, he was pretty sure he could trust Granger.
He walked over and stood awkwardly beside the trio until they stopped talking and stared at him.
"Hi" he said awkwardly "Granger can I talk to you for a minute?"
Ron narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but Hermione stood up, smiling.
"Sure" she said, walking with him to the window seat and sitting opposite him. "Everything okay?"
"So, I kind of need this to stay a secret" he started and Hermione looked at him a little warily. "It's nothing bad" he continued hurriedly "I bought my own house earlier this year and was thinking of throwing a party, but I need the house and the location to stay a secret. Do you know any way that I can do that?"
Hermione studied him for a minute, her brain going at a hundred miles an hour, thinking over what Harry had said about Lucius, and now hearing that Draco had his own property, which he wanted the location of to stay secret. Maybe there was something in Harry's concerns after all.
"Sure" she said slowly "There are ways around that. If I were you I would just create portkeys that would take people there, then you can put a spell on the portkey that means that nobody knows the location. You could also create a false surrounding for your home so if people look outside there's nothing that is actually geographically accurate to your street" She suggested.
Draco nodded "They sound fantastic, but... complex?"
"Yes they are" Hermione admitted "During the war I became quite good at these sorts of spells though. I could do them for you? Or I could teach you and then I wouldn't need to know your address either" She remembered Draco's reaction after performing complex spells and didn't want to put him through any unnecessary pain.
Draco bit his lip, thinking for a moment, she could teach him, Blaise and Pansy but that would take time, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he had no time. He had been getting on well with Granger but if somebody asked her, would she tell them where he lived?
"I understand if you don't want me to know where you live" Hermione said with understanding "What we could do is I could teach you how to make the portkey and you can make it, then we go there and I can do the protection spells from there?"
Draco thought for a second then nodded in agreement.
"Can we do it now?" Draco asked. He felt restless and needed to be feeling productive.
"Oh um sure" Hermione said in surprise "I'll just tell the boys that I'm working with you on a Herbology project"
After telling Ron and Harry that she'd be back in a while she left with Draco, Ron watching them go suspiciously.
"They talk a lot don't they?" Ron said, frowning.
Harry laughed at Ron's jealousy "I think they are getting on well" he said.
"Too well?" Ron asked suspiciously.
"Um, she's not really his type, remember?" Harry smirked.
"Oh yeah" Ron said, relaxing a little "he better not try anything though"
"He wouldn't" Harry said confidently.
It was Ron's turn to smirk at Harry "God you've got it bad for the ferret" he shook his head.
- 0 -
Hermione successfully taught Draco how to make the portkey, it didn't take long but Draco watched her doing it a fair few times before attempting it himself. Hermione knew it was to save his magic but didn't mention it, just repeated the spell every time he asked her to politely. She could feel his impatience to get it though and she wondered what had sparked this whole idea.
He got it on his second shot, creating it when Hermione was out of the room so she wouldn't hear the location, he called her back in, looking optimistic.
"I think I've got it" he said, somewhere between excited and nervous.
"Amazing" Hermione smiled "Shall we give it a go?"
"What if I got it wrong?" Draco asked apprehensively.
"Then it will either not go at all, or take us somewhere different, but we can just apparate back or I'll turn it into a portkey to take us back, don't worry, we won't get hurt" she said reassuringly.
Surprisingly, Draco did feel reassured by the kind witch, he trusted her intelligence.
Nodding at each other, they both put their hands on the book that they had used as a portkey, and Draco said the trigger word to enable it and felt a pull at his stomach as the portkey took them to their destination.
The landed gracefully, and Draco felt relieved as he found himself looking at his living room.
"I did it" he whispered happily.
"Wow" Hermione said, taking everything in "this is beautiful" she said.
It was a big house, though not outrageously so. It was very modern and light and comfy. The complete opposite of Malfoy Manor which Hermione hadn't expected from Draco.
"You look surprised" Draco said to her in response.
"I had expected it to be more like Malfoy Manor, more..." she tried to think of the words without being offensive.
"Dark Lord Chic?" Draco asked with an amused expression "That's how Harry described it"
Hermione burst out laughing, but she didn't miss that Draco had called him "Harry" rather than "Potter".
Interesting, she thought, smirking as she got to work on the security spells.
- 0 -
On Friday, Draco and Pansy invited all the eighth years to a pre-Christmas party. They didn't mention it was Draco's house or where it was, but that a portkey would be organised to take people there on Saturday evening.
It was nearing the end of the day on Friday, and while the Gryffindors had been wary at first about the party, Harry and Hermione had convinced them it would be fun and they should all go.
Harry made sure he was positioned beside Draco in Defence Against the Dark Arts, they only had around a week now to get the Patronus spell perfected for their grading, and today, they had been informed by Lupin, was a practical lesson.
Draco looked at him a little nervously as Harry came and stood beside him.
"How are you getting on with it?" Harry asked, as he easily performed the spell and the Stag erupted from his wand.
Draco just shrugged a little. The last time had scared him, and he didn't want to end up like that again.
"Mr Malfoy, Mr Potter" Lupin greeted them with a little bit of surprise as he came round the room and saw them together "Let's see where you're both at"
Harry cancelled the first spell then cast it again, just as flawlessly. Lupin smiled proudly at him, then turned to Draco, who looked whiter than normal.
"Mr Malfoy, care to give it a go?" Lupin prompted.
Draco glanced at Harry, who tried nodding at him encouragingly, smiling, but he could see Draco was psyching himself out.
With a pained look, Draco just shook his head and looked down at the floor.
Lupin sighed sadly "Mr Malfoy, you can do this, you are a talented wizard, but you need to put your fears aside and try, you won't do it otherwise" he spoke softly so nobody other than Draco, Harry and Blaise on Draco's other side could hear.
Draco just gave a small nod but didn't look up.
Harry watched him as Lupin left. No way was Draco going to go to Azkaban because of a Patronus. It was something Harry was excellent at and Draco had got them an O in Potions, Harry needed to return the favour.
- 0 -
It was Saturday morning and Harry, Ron and Hermione decided to go to the Burrow before the party later in the evening. Harry had to admit he was excited for the party. He knew it was in Draco's house as Hermione had told him. He couldn't wait to see it, curious to see the life Draco was making for himself and speak to him for the first time outside of a school setting.
They flooed to the Burrow and were greeted with hugs from Molly, who was over the moon to see them, and Harry was pleased that she hugged him warmly, glad now that he hadn't caused awkwardness by paying for the extortionate medical bill.
They all sat down in the living room and Molly brought food round for everyone.
"How are you doing Mr Weasley?" Hermione asked.
"Oh doing well now, thank you Hermione, definitely recovering from spell damage" Arthur replied, still his usual cheerful self.
"Did they say what the spell was dad?" Ron asked curiously.
"Apparently, it was a spell made from Nagini's venom, an experimental spell of some kind" Arthur shook his head, both bemused and disgusted "Luckily after the bite I took a few years ago from her they still had the specific venom on record and were able to treat it quite swiftly"
Harry felt an odd twinge of guilt, remembering it from his fifth year when he felt Voldemort possessing him in his dreams.
Molly saw his face.
"Oh Harry dear, don't look guilty, you don't still believe that was your doing?!"
Harry grimaced "It just felt so real at the time"
"That was just the Horcrux though" Hermione said sympathetically "It wasn't you"
"Did you find out who paid for the medical bill?" Ron asked his parents with interest.
They both shook their heads.
"Anonymous donor apparently" Molly said "I would love to know who it is so I could thank them, it was extremely generous" she eyed Harry as she spoke.
"I promise you, it wasn't me Mrs Weasley" Harry said honestly.
"You never saw anyone odd around? Or anyone you know that owes you a favour?" Ron pushed.
"Oh I did see someone unexpected!" Arthur exclaimed "Though it never would have been him"
"Who?" Everyone asked at the same time.
"Draco Malfoy of all people, in the same ward as me, told the doctor he was visiting someone"
Mrs Weasley scoffed "Yes it definitely wouldn't have been a donation from the Malfoy's. Lucius would still love to see you out of the Ministry" she rolled her eyes.
"He knew the doctor?" Harry asked Arthur.
"Yes" Arthur nodded mildly "The doctor asked him if he was there for a check up, and asked about symptoms and things, I can't fully remember, the boy looked like he couldn't get out of there fast enough"
Harry and Hermione exchanged a knowing look while Ron zoned out of the conversation and picked up some of the food Molly put out.
- 0 -
It was almost time for the party, and Harry took longer than he wanted to admit getting ready for it. Twice he asked Ron and Hermione about his outfit then swapped for a different shirt. He felt nervous.
"Mate, the git knows what you look like, and seems pretty taken with you anyway" Ron said with a reassuring yet slightly disgusted tone "Just put on a shirt, any shirt".
"We don't know that" Harry mumbled, blushing.
"Well a little while ago he was prepared to lose all his gold just to kiss you over your potions essays so I'd say you're fine" Ron rolled his eyes.
"Ron's right Harry, I don't think you have anything to worry about, but the navy shirt looks great on you" Hermione smiled at him. She was already dressed, looking beautiful again as she'd went to the girls dorms and found that Pansy had laid out an outfit for her, a beautiful but simple fitted white top with a shimmery gold skater skirt. Pansy was getting ready at Draco's house, leaving Blaise with Daphne and the portkeys.
As they went down the stairs to meet up with the others, they heard arguing.
"Don't say that Daphne, there's no need to be that rude, what has she ever done to you?" Blaise was saying, looking pissed off.
"She's a slut Blaise, I don't know why men are always throwing themselves at her" Daphne said snidely.
"Don't call her a slut" Blaise said, getting angrier.
"She is, come on, she's always sleeping with some quidditch player or another, thinking that makes her seem important" Daphne said, and everyone could hear the jealousy in her voice.
"She was in a relationship Daphne, she's not just sleeping around, not that it's any business of yours"
"Not in a relationship anymore though is she?" Daphne accused. "No the second we're together they mysteriously break up!"
"What are you trying to say?" Blaise asked angrily.
"That she's clearly jealous of us! She wants to sleep with you then toss you aside like all the other quidditch players but she knows she can't have you when you're with me!"
"That's ridiculous" Blaise sighed, tired of arguing.
"No what's ridiculous is that I've been giving you the best sex you've ever had and you're still pining over that slut!" Daphne screamed.
There was a silence and Hermione stepped forward angrily.
"Pansy isn't a slut, that's a horrible way to talk about your friend!" She snapped at Daphne.
Daphne rolled her eyes at Hermione "I wouldn't bother sticking up for her Granger, she'll get bored of you once you learn how to dress yourself"
"This is over" Blaise said flatly and everyone turned to him.
"I agree baby" Daphne said "Let's put this all behind us and go to the party" she went to take Blaise's arm but he took a step away.
"No" he said coldly "I mean we're over. Me and you."
Everyone in the room's mouth dropped, shocked at witnessing a break up.
"Excuse me?" Daphne asked coldly "You're breaking up with me, for Pansy? She doesn't want you Blaise. Wake up"
"Maybe she doesn't want me like that, but she's one of my best friends, and you don't talk about her like that" he said dangerously.
Daphne glared at him "Oh fuck you Blaise!" she screeched and stormed up the stairs.
Everyone was silent for a second, then Ron went up to Blaise "You alright mate?" he asked, in an unexpected show of affection for the Slytherin.
Theo walked up and put a comforting hand on Blaise's shoulder as well.
"Yeah, thanks" Blaise sighed "Next time I make a mistake as dumb as going out with Daphne, one of you needs to curse some sense into me"
Both of them smirked and agreed.
"Well I'm just glad we can all get a full night's sleep again without the porn show in your bed" Theo chuckled.
"Yeah, yeah okay, let's go" Blaise said going red, but smiling a little all the same.
He pulled out the portkey, they were the last group to go, Blaise making sure all the others had got there first. He looked at Hermione as they all put a hand on the book.
"Thanks for sticking up for Pansy, that was kind of you" he smiled warmly at her. Hermione returned the smile. Then there was a familiar pull and they all landed in Draco's home.
- 0 -
They landed and looked around them in awe at the beautiful home, taking it all in. So this is where Draco Malfoy has been spending his free time, Harry thought to himself. The place was stunning, and filled with people, music, food and drinks, chatter and laughter.
Harry looked around and spotted the hosts talking to a couple of Slytherin's and Ravenclaw's. As if sensing Harry's gaze, Draco looked over, said something to the group and he walked over. Pansy looked over and her eyebrows furrowed a little when she noticed that Daphne wasn't attached to Blaise as she usually was, but still didn't come over.
"Hey" Draco greeted them all but he kept his eyes mostly on Harry "I'm glad you could make it, there's tons of food and drink so help yourself" he said finally tearing his eyes away from Harry to look at them all.
"Shall we get some drinks Harry?" Ron asked as Pansy and Hermione walked up to each other and started chatting. Harry guessed she was filling Pansy in on the break up.
"Yeah sure" Harry said, though he wanted nothing more than to talk to Draco. He looked over and saw Draco looking at him too and they shared an awkward smile before Harry went with Ron.
"What's going on with you two?" Blaise smirked at him.
"Nothing" Draco said automatically.
"Oh come on, you're both smitten with each other, it's adorable, but the sexual tension is insane, ever since your almost-kiss over your Potions essays" Blaise chuckled.
"You saw that?!" Draco asked in shock.
"Yeah Dray, why do you think I threw my card down at that exact moment? You were about to snog him in front of everyone!" Blaise scoffed.
"Shit" Draco whispered.
"Hey it's okay, nobody noticed" Blaise lied "And besides, who cares anymore? You have this place and your own life. You can date whoever you want" he encouraged.
"Maybe" Draco said doubtfully, looking over at Harry, here in his home. It felt right for some reason, and part of him wanted nothing more than to get rid of everyone else so it could be just the two of them.
"But anyway" Draco continued, changing the subject quickly "speaking of partners, where's yours?"
"Ah about that" Blaise pulled a face and ran a hand through his hair "We uh, we broke up, like just before we came here"
"Sorry man, what happened?" Draco asked, not overly surprised.
Blaise sighed "Pansy of course, Daphne just wouldn't stop slagging her off so..." he just shrugged.
Draco nodded in understanding "Good for you Blaise, I take it Pansy doesn't know yet?"
Blaise shook his head.
"Well this should be an interesting night" Draco muttered "let's get you a drink"
- 0 -
Several drinks later and Harry still hadn't been alone with Draco, much to his frustration. They kept catching each other's eye over the room but Draco always looked away quickly.
Having decided enough was enough, Harry excused himself from chatting with Seamus and Dean and walked up to Draco who had walked over to fill up his drink, feeling confident as he was a little tipsy.
Seeing Harry turn up beside him with an almost empty glass, Draco topped his up too.
"Thanks" Harry smiled at him. "Cool place" he said casually.
Draco smiled at him but didn't respond to that. "Are you having fun?" he asked.
"Yeah I am" Harry said looking around. Quite a few people were tipsy already and had turned the music up, starting to dance with each other. "It's great to see everyone getting along, this was a nice idea"
"It's nearly Christmas" Draco replied, taking a sip of his drink "I think everyone needed to have some fun"
"Do you know what would be fun?" Harry asked.
"What?" Draco asked, cocking his head to the side slightly.
"Playing Quidditch. I miss it" Harry smiled wistfully "Especially against you, they were my favourite games"
"Because you could beat me at it" Draco rolled his eyes in amusement.
"Well that part was always fun" Harry smiled cheekily, but then he shrugged, looking at Draco earnestly "But you were always my biggest competition, you made me want to put everything I had into it"
Their eyes met and they both felt that tension pulling at them again, their hearts beating a little faster, their eyes flicking to each other's lips, until Draco suddenly snapped his gaze away, mentally slapping himself, and taking a large gulp of his drink trying to get back on track with the conversation.
"Well I like to think I gave you a run for your money" he smirked a little.
"Oh you did" Harry laughed, recovering as well. "I was thinking we could maybe organise a game, so we could play this year, you know, one last time?" Harry suggested nostalgically.
One last time. That hit a chord with Draco. So many one last time's for him this year.
He tried to smile, but it came out as more of a grimace.
"Oh it's okay if you don't want to, it was just an idea" Harry said quickly.
"No" Draco replied, trying to take his mind away from those dark thoughts "I think it's a great idea, I'd love to" and he smiled properly this time, though Harry looked at him a little curiously.
"Okay" he smiled hesitantly "perfect, I'll try and organise it for the spring, before the proper tournament starts"
"Well hopefully I'll still be here by that point, and not in Azkaban for failing that bloody Patronus" Draco said wryly, before downing his drink and putting the glass down.
At that point a couple of the dancing students bumped into Harry, knocking him forward into Draco who grabbed Harry by the biceps to steady him. As they both looked up they locked eyes again, they were so close to each other. This time Harry was the one that swallowed and looked away, taking a step back and clearing his throat.
"Thanks" he said "Shall we take our drinks somewhere less chaotic?"
Draco nodded, topping both drinks up again.
As he did so, Harry had an idea.
- 0 -
Hermione was standing with Ron and Blaise, chatting about school and Daphne and Quidditch and a little bit of everything.
She was a little distracted though watching Harry and Draco talk at the drinks table, they were becoming close, the tension between had changed into something different than it had been in previous years. She just hoped it worked for them, they would be good together she thought. As she watched them, Harry led Draco out of the living room.
"That's great about your Dad recovering" Blaise was saying to Ron. "I can't believe those Death Eaters would try something so stupid"
"I know, apparently they were casting experimental curses using Nagini's venom" Ron said in disgust.
"What the fuck? How do they even come up with that?" Blaise shook his head, pulling a face.
They talked for a little longer about it, Hermione zoning in and out, wondering what Harry and Draco might be up to.
"Yeah they treated dad really well but we were so lucky there was a donor that paid for it all, apparently treating Nagini's venom isn't cheap!" Ron was saying.
"Yes, it was extremely kind of Draco to pay for it" Hermione said absent-mindedly, she was met with silence and she turned to the boys and upon seeing their shocked expressions, she realised her slip-up.
"Um I mean, I don't know that, it's just a theory -" she tried to dig her way out, but Ron's face was already reddening dangerously.
"He did what?" He fumed.
"Ron no, I don't know that for sure, and even if it was, why get angry at him, it was very generous -"
"No he wants something" Ron raged "He's been acting weird all year, with you, Neville and I mean fuck, look at the way he's all over Harry!"
"Ron they get on well, and he just helped Neville and I, he's done nothing wrong!" Hermione said desperately.
"I think he just wants to start afresh, right some wrongs, the war was a bit of a wake up call for him" Blaise suggested calmly.
"Or he's just using everyone to try and do what his slimy father did and win his way back into being a social elitist, and we'll see his true colours once again. Just you watch Hermione, he'll be back to calling you a mudblood in no time!" Ron's face set in furious determination "Well not if I have something to do with it!"
With that he looked around the room and stormed out the living room, starting to check all the doors.
Blaise and Hermione ran after him.
- 0 -
Harry took Draco by the hand and pulled him through a doorway. He paused as he looked around at the huge bed.
"Big bed" Harry commented, not quite sure what to say when he realised he had just pulled Draco into a bedroom.
"Can I tell you something? A secret?" Draco asked, biting his lip.
"Sure" Harry said curiously.
"This house is mine. I bought it" Draco said awkwardly.
Harry stared at him, surprised but pleased that Draco had told him, trusted him, but unsure of what to say since he already knew that. Draco took the silence the wrong way.
"I - sorry I didn't mean that to sound braggy, or just - I don't know, pointless? I just -" Draco felt flustered and stupid.
"No Draco" and Harry walked right up to him putting his hands on Draco's arms "I'm sorry, I was just surprised! This place is incredible, I love it. That's amazing that you've got your own space, I would love to live somewhere like this one day"
Draco felt his heart rate pick up. You can live with me, he thought, and then mentally slapped himself. Fucking hell Draco, calm down!
"So is this your room?" Harry asked and Draco nodded.
Harry's face broke into a grin and he jumped and lay himself on the huge bed. It was the comfiest bed he'd ever felt.
"Hey I'm in your bed" Harry laughed, feeling a little tipsy "Imagine hearing those words a year ago"
"I would have taken you to hospital to get your head checked" Draco laughed alongside him, sitting down on the edge of the bed beside where Harry lay.
"So why did you pull me in here?" Draco asked him.
"Oh right!" Harry exclaimed, he had almost forgot. "We're going to do a Patronus!"
"Um, excuse me?" Draco asked him as if he'd lost his mind.
"Yep!" Harry said happily, standing up and pulling Draco up by the hands too, causing Draco to blush. "You got me an O in Potions, I need to return the favour"
"As if you haven't done me about a hundred favours already" Draco said in a slightly pained voice.
Harry waved his hand, dismissing the comment as if it were nothing.
"Nonsense, now come on, get your wand out"
"Potter I -"
"Harry"
"I - excuse me?" Draco said, confused.
"Call me Harry. We're friends now" Harry said.
"Harry" Draco said quietly "I can't do a Patronus"
Harry walked up to him so there was only a short distance between them "Yes, you can. If there's maggots, I'll vanish them"
"That's not the only reason" Draco grimaced, looking away.
"Then what is it?" Harry asked curiously, tilting his head a little.
"I've been struggling with some..." Draco sighed "I don't know how to explain"
"Stress that's affected your magic" Harry finished for him.
Draco frowned, it was the lie he'd told his friends "Who told you that?" he asked in accusation.
Harry just shrugged "Worked it out myself, oh and well, I guess Hermione might have put some things together"
"So basically Granger worked it out then?" Draco joked.
"Hey! I'm smart too!" Harry put on an offended face.
"Did you do something to get the practical work in classes changed?" Draco asked.
"Um, yeah, guilty" Harry ran a hand through his messy hair "sorry"
Draco thought he would be more annoyed but instead he just sighed.
"Don't be, it's been a great help, just another thing I owe you I guess" he said sadly.
"Don't be silly, you don't owe me anything" Harry said quietly. "So will you try the Patronus? You haven't done any spells today right?"
Draco shook his head "Not for a couple of days"
"So? What do you say?" Harry bounced with excitement.
"Po - Harry, I don't know" Draco bit his lip and looked down.
"Why?" Harry asked gently, stepping a little closer.
"I don't have many happy memories" Draco whispered so quietly Harry almost didn't hear it.
Harry frowned. Lucius? He wondered.
"Surely there's something? With your friends or from your childhood, or with... Finlay?" Harry suggested, trying to bury the memory of what he saw at the Ministry party.
"My family are... strict." Draco chose his words wisely. "And I do have good memories with Blaise and Pansy but, I don't know, when I try and think of good memories they lead to bad ones." He deliberately didn't mention Finlay.
"What kind of bad memories?" Harry asked. Would he tell him about his dad, if it was true?
"Just - the war, and Azkaban and things like that" Draco replied quietly. He couldn't tell Harry about his father, he was still family. And he couldn't tell him about his condition, he didn't want to be pitied.
Harry nodded in understanding and swallowed hard, coming to a bold decision in his mind.
"We'll need to make some good memories then" he whispered, and Draco looked up at him with big eyes.
Placing his hand softly under Draco's jaw, he gently guided Draco to him at the same time as he moved forward, and captured Draco's lips with his own, sliding the other arm around Draco's waist.
The kiss was soft, and light and perfect. Draco responded tentatively, putting one hand on Harry's chest and the other around the back of his neck, pulling him a little closer but still keeping the kiss soft.
Eventually they broke apart, Draco keeping his hands on Harry for a second longer to savour the feeling.
"I wasn't expecting that" Draco whispered, his heart beating fast, happiness filling him.
"I've wanted to do that for a while" Harry admitted sheepishly, his own heart racing. He couldn't believe he had actually done it! And Draco had kissed him back!
They pulled away from each other.
Harry tilted his head and smiled "Think you could try the Patronus now?"
Draco laughed and rolled his eyes "Such a high opinion of yourself Harry"
Harry laughed. "Just give it a go. I'm right here if anything happens"
"That's actually annoyingly comforting"
Harry smiled, feeling his heart warm.
Draco sighed and took out his wand "Fine, but I swear if you get me put in hospital at my own party..."
Harry just grinned at him encouragingly.
Draco held up his wand and took a deep breath.
"Okay, just think about the memory, concentrate on that, and only that, there's nothing else going on, focus on the happiness, then say the incantation" Harry instructed softly.
Draco took another deep breath, in and out, closing his eyes and thinking. Harry kissing him, Harry in his house, the two of them in his bedroom together, his strong hand under his jaw, his arm holding him firmly around his waist, making him feel safe and cared for.
"Expecto Patronum"
There was a gasp and Draco opened his eyes. There in front of him was a white aura emanating from his wand, as he became excited that he managed it and no maggots had come out, the aura got bigger.
"Draco you're doing it!" Harry exclaimed proudly.
"I am" Draco whispered happily, and cancelled the spell, not wanting to overdo it.
He turned to Harry beaming and Harry walked forward, enveloping him in a tight hug. Draco felt his body melt into Harry's, it felt so good to be held like this, in Harry's arms.
Harry pulled back and smirked "You know if you want to try again I'm sure I could give you another bit of inspiration" he murmured.
Draco smirked back "You know I do think I'm forgetting the first one already, I could do with having my memory jogged".
Harry chuckled and they kissed again, this time with a bit more passion, digging a hand into each other's hair, Harry's arm snaking firmly around Draco's waist, pulling him close. Draco slipped his tongue into Harry's mouth and Harry responded eagerly, their tongues running over each other. Draco let out a small moan and Harry pulled him even closer in response.
Just as they were really getting into it, the door burst open, and Ron stormed in, Hermione and Blaise just behind him, Hermione hissing "Ron, stop!". When they all saw the scene in front of them they stopped short. Hermione and Blaise's jaw dropped and Ron's face turned bright red with anger.
Harry and Draco sprung apart, Harry blushing in embarrassment and Draco going even whiter than normal.
No no no no no, Weasley can't know I'm gay, he hates me, the whole school will find out, father will find out! Draco's thoughts went into overdrive.
"You" Ron snarled at Draco, grabbing him by the front of his shirt and shoving him against the wall "What the fuck is your game ferret?"
"I don't know what you're talking about" Draco said as calmly as possible. But inside he was panicking, and a slight shake in his voice betrayed that. He couldn't fight Weasley, there was no way he could perform the spells, and he couldn't risk being cursed or beaten.
"Helping Hermione with the House Elves, Neville with his plant, paying my Dad's medical bills and now getting with Harry!" Ron fumed, shoving him hard against the wall again and Draco winced.
Blaise stepped forward to intervene but Harry beat him to it.
"Ron stop it!" Harry said, pulling Ron off Draco.
"Oh come on Harry!" Ron said "He just wants to win back his reputation and he thinks the quickest way to do that is through helping us" he glared at Draco. "Do you think it would help your social standing if your dad and all the purebloods knew you were gay, Malfoy?" Ron taunted.
Draco paled even more, and they could see him trembling. If his dad found out, it wouldn't take long before Draco would be dead, or married immediately and moved out the country, where he would die in just under nine months' time.
Blaise, Hermione and Harry had gasped at Ron's threat.
"Ron!"
"How fucking dare you threaten him with that!" Harry raged.
"I'm sorry" Draco said.
They all turned to him in shock.
"Draco you don't need to apologise, it's Ron that -" Harry started but Draco shook his head.
He took a second to find the words.
"No, I do. I can't repay any of you for what you did to help me during the war" he looked at Harry and he could see the pain and shame in Draco's eyes. "And I can't make all the awful things I've ever said and done to you all disappear" he looked at Hermione and Ron. "I just, wanted to do something, to help, and I'm sorry for how I was, all the way through school. I'm so sorry for the names I called you Granger" he looked at Hermione earnestly.
"Thank you Draco, it's all in the past now" Hermione smiled gently.
"So that's it?" Ron fumed "We just forgive him? Just like that? You threw your gold around just like your father and we're supposed to just brush everything you've done under the rug?"
"It's not the same Ron, he's not Lucius" Harry said flatly.
"I'm not buying back my reputation Weasley" Draco said firmly "I know that's how it must look, but I just wanted to help, and yes, having money made that possible but what else could I do? I've always been jealous of your family, of how close you all are, of how much you love and support each other, and if someone offered me to start my life again as part of your family I would do it in a heartbeat" Draco said, tears stinging the back of his eyes as he spoke a truth he'd hidden for so long.
Ron stared at him in stunned silence, as did Harry and Hermione. Blaise just looked sadly at him.
"Bullshit" Ron said, but he seemed a little more doubtful.
Draco shook his head. "I'll go through and tell everyone right now if that will convince you" he said with shaky determination.
"Draco you don't have to -"
"Yes he does" Ron said. "Go on then" he challenged, nodding at the door.
Draco nodded and then walked out of the door. What am I doing? As if this won't get back to my father somehow? he felt himself shake. No, you have a list, you can deal with father later, you don't want to see him anyway. Making amends is more important now.
Draco walked down into the living room full of people and picked up a champagne glass and spoon, clinking them together to get everyone's attention.
He cleared his throat as everyone turned to him. Harry could see how nervous he was.
"I just wanted to thank you all for coming here, to our party. I'm glad that we can all move on from the war and spend time together now without jinxes flying everywhere." Draco hesitated, shaking slightly. "I'm especially grateful to everyone who has seen past what I did last year, especially Potter, Weasley, Granger and Longbottom who I've treated so poorly for years, and I'm sorry. I've always tried to put my family first, as is the Malfoy way, and I thought I was better than everyone because of my family. But I've wondered recently... If I grew up in a family like the Weasley's, who also put their family first, and love and support each other, but also extend that to everyone around them, that maybe I'd be a better person..."
"What is he doing? His father's going to kill him for this" Hermione and Ron heard Pansy whisper to Blaise.
Blaise looked at Pansy in shock, he hadn't even noticed her creep up beside him.
"He feels like it's important to do it" Blaise whispered back warily.
"I -" Draco hesitated. Everyone was watching him with rapt attention and he was trying to control his nerves as he spilled this out to everyone.
Suddenly Weasley strode up and was beside him. He gave him an awkward punch in the shoulder.
"Trust me Malfoy, if you were part of my family, you would definitely be a Percy, and I am shocked every single day that that pompous arse wasn't a Slytherin" Everyone in the room laughed, and Draco felt a little more at ease. "But hey, he's still one of us, right guys?" Ron turned to the Gryffindors and they all cheered.
Harry grinned at Ron.
"Well I'm not head boy" Draco joked "So top up your glasses everyone, and thanks again for coming" everyone cheered and got back to drinking, turning the music back up.
Draco turned to Ron "You didn't have to do that."
"It seemed wrong to let you completely destroy your Slytherin pride in front of everyone" Ron shrugged.
Draco smiled a little at that.
Ron awkwardly ran a hand over the back of his neck. "Listen, paying for my dad's medical bills was a really nice thing to do, and I know you're not your father. He would have made sure that everyone knew he did it, instead of doing it anonymously."
"True" Draco said quietly.
"And I would never out you to your father, or anybody. I shouldn't have threatened you like that" Ron admitted.
"I understand, I couldn't blame you if you did. And I'm sorry for ever making fun of you and your family" Draco said earnestly.
"The war changed us all I guess" Ron shrugged.
"Yeah I guess it did"
"I'm not saying we're going to be friends" Ron said, pulling a face "But Harry likes you a lot and so does Hermione, and you really helped her and Neville this year so... I guess we can upgrade to acquaintances, or something?"
Draco chuckled "Acquaintances works for me"
Ron nodded at him, and walked back to the Gryffindor's.
- 0 -
It was now well into the night, and the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws had filtered away back to their rooms at Hogwarts. It wasn't long before drinking games started with the remaining Gryffindors and Slytherins.
They were playing truth or dare. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Blaise, Pansy, Draco, Theo and Seamus.
"Dare" Seamus said, with drunken confidence.
"Spend the rest of the night in girls clothes" Ron said smirking, "and I'm talking pink mini dress"
"Where am I meant to find one of those?!" Seamus asked.
"Oh allow me" Pansy smirked, and did a few quick spells that transformed Seamus' clothes into a pink mini dress.
Everyone burst out laughing, and Seamus got up, walking to a mirror and looking at himself from all angles.
"I don't look half bad!" he laughed, posing for them all.
He came back over to the group "alright then, Malfoy! Truth or Dare?"
"Dare" he braced himself for something filthy, but it would still be better than having to tell the truth about anything.
Seamus smirked "Okay, you want to be a Weasley huh? Spend the next hour with ginger hair and freckles" he turned to Pansy. "Miss Parkinson, would you do the honours?" he asked in an exaggeratedly courteous voice.
"Gladly" she grinned, and a few seconds later Draco could almost pass for a Weasley. Everyone laughed hard as Draco checked out his reflection and pulled a face.
"Hey bro" he joked to Ron.
"God that's unsettling" Ron said through his laughs.
"Right, Potter. Truth or Dare?" Draco asked.
"Umm... Truth" Harry said.
"Ooh okay" Draco said, thinking, he couldn't ask him anything about love or crushes, not with Theo and Seamus there. "If you woke up tomorrow as a girl, what's the first thing you would do?"
"Um, scream" Harry laughed. "Then get naked and check myself out"
"I think you would have small boobs but a great butt" Pansy said smirking, tilting her head and giving Harry a once-over.
"Uh, thanks?" Harry asked, chuckling.
"What about me?" Ron asked her with interest.
"Oh massive tits for sure" Pansy laughed "You'd be a busty red-head"
Ron nodded approvingly, smirking at Harry and everyone laughed.
"Okay Nott, truth or dare?" Harry asked.
"Dare"
Harry stood up and walked to the kitchen, having a look around. He smirked when he spotted the Jalapeño peppers.
"Eat five of these peppers" Harry said "If Malfoy doesn't mind?"
"Oh I don't mind at all" Draco laughed.
"That's dark Potter!" Theo said, taking the bag of peppers "It says "very hot!"" he exclaimed.
"Yep" Harry smirked.
"Well, cheers" he grimaced, holding up a pepper.
Quickly, he put the whole thing in his mouth and bit into it, he looked thoughtful for a second then suddenly his face reddened and he opened his mouth, trying to fan air into it, making a strangled noise. Everyone laughed.
"Just chuck the next four in Theo!" Blaise encouraged through his laughs.
Theo picked up another four and stuffed them in his mouth, chewing as fast as possible, tears streaming from his eyes, finally swallowing, letting out a yell, pointing his wand at himself saying "augmenti!" and letting the water pour into his mouth.
Pansy and Blaise dived out the way as water splashed everywhere. Everyone else laughed uncontrollably at him.
They gave him a minute to cool his throat, Draco giving him a glass of milk which helped bring the heat down.
"Well fuck you Potter" Theo panted "That was a positively Slytherin dare. Pansy, truth or dare?"
"Oh god, I'm going to regret this. Dare" She said, grimacing.
Theo smirked "I dare you to kiss Blaise" he said immediately, he'd obviously been waiting for this moment, judging by the glint in his eye.
Pansy and Blaise stared at each other for a minute, both of them frozen, everyone else watching with rapt attention.
"She doesn't have to do that" Blaise said quickly. "You don't have to do that Pansy, if you don't want to" he said, a small amount of pain evident in his tone.
Pansy glanced at Draco, who gave her an encouraging smile and indicated his head at Blaise.
Pansy sighed and turned to Blaise "The thing is Blaise, I do actually want to" she told him and she leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. Draco and Theo both let out the most un-Slytherin-like squeals of excitement, grabbing each others' arm and shaking it. Finally!
The Gryffindors all laughed at the reaction and Seamus wolf whistled as Pansy pushed herself even closer to him, deepening the kiss and knocking Blaise backward onto the ground from where he was sat, knocking over Theo's drink. The rest of them quickly got up off the floor.
"Well party's over for us I think!" Ron said quickly, and the other's pulled a face quickly dispersing as Pansy and Blaise rolled together on the floor, their hands over each other, kissing with a fiery pent-up passion.
Seamus went through the floo first, followed by Theo, then Ron, then Hermione, leaving Harry and Draco.
"Don't shag in my bed okay!" Draco called back to them, then turned to see Harry still there.
"Wild night" Harry smiled at him.
"Yeah, bit of a rollercoaster" Draco laughed lightly.
"We should probably go" Harry said, though he didn't want to go back to Hogwarts, he wanted to be back in Draco's room, just the two of them.
"Yeah we don't want anyone getting suspicious" Draco replied quietly.
They both flooed back to Hogwarts, catching up with the others and heading back to their dorms.