House: Gryffindor

Position: Transfiguration

Drabble/Standard: Standard

Prompt: (Theme) Lost Love; (Weather) Rainy; (Word) Bookshop

Word Count.: 2704

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, it belongs to JK Rowling. Also, the song lyrics come from 'Way Back Home' by Shaun (look for the English version).

AU: Canon divergence after the Deathly Hallows.

Draco was sad. Very sad. He was staring at the photo of him and Harry which they had taken shortly after graduation. They both looked so full of life. Harry was laughing while Draco was scowling at the camera though he looked pleased. He saw as the photo-him captured Harry's lips in a kiss.

Life was so simple back then. So easy. They needn't have wondered about how things would turn out fifteen years later. They had defeated Voldemort just a year ago. They had wanted some reprieve from the constant nightmares that plagued them. They had found that reprieve with each other. They understood each other the most. Both were misunderstood, lonely boys forced by the expectations of people to do something they never wanted to.

So, they went out together. That year was the best year in his entire life. He had fantasized about becoming Harry Potter's friend ever since he first met him. He had hated it when Harry turned down his offer. So, when he offered a chance of reconciliation, well… He grabbed that opportunity with both hands. They had lots of fun for months. Even Harry's friends accepted him for who he was.

They thought that they would have a happy ending. They were hopelessly in love with each other. Of course, they didn't get a happy ending.

He still remembered the day he found out that he had a crush on Harry bloody Potter.

Draco watched as Harry-no-Potter walked away to the Gryffindor Tower with his friends. Today, just looking into Potter's eyes gave him goosebumps. In a nice way, not the creepy way.

"Draco? Draco!" Pansy hissed. Draco was barely able to control his irritation even with all the Occlumency training he had had ever since he could understand things. Pansy was so irritating. He could never be more thankful to his parents when they had decided that Draco would not be married to Pansy.

When Pansy heard that, she almost had a heart-attack.

It would be brilliant if she actually has a heart-attack, Draco thought.

She wailed to him for days on end about how she loved him and would do anything for him.

Yeah right, Draco thought with a snort, I will jump off the Astronomy Tower if she didn't want to marry me because of the status and the Malfoy Family wealth she would get by becoming my wife.

"What is it, Pansy?" he asked snappishly.

"Nothing Draco," she simpered.

Merlin, he hated people who simpered.

"You were staring at nothing for such a long time. I grew worried," she said.

"What I do is none of your business. So, please. Go away, Pansy," he said.

Pansy looked like she would dissolve into tears then and there.

So weak, his mind whispered.

"Parkinson, go away," Daphne said coldly.

Daphne Greengrass. The Slytherin Ice Queen. Known for dating multiple people and breaking their hearts. A brilliant witch, both academically and in real life. Stands up for herself when needed, otherwise, lets others do the job. Perfect Heiress.

Pansy walked away as fast as she could without making it seem like she was running.

"Thanks, Greengrass," he said.

Daphne gave him a small smile and said, "No problem, Malfoy. She was irritating me very much… And I hate people who simper."

"Yes. I really don't know how you managed it for seven years straight," Draco said.

Daphne gave a small laugh and said, "Nor do I, Malfoy. Nor do I. Now, at least, I will not have to sleep with that-that—"

"Bitch?" Blaise asked, coming from nowhere.

"Well, I was not going to use such a vulgar term but I think this situation calls for it."

All of them shared a laugh.

"You both coming to the common room anytime tonight, Malfoy? Zabini?" she asked.

"You go ahead. We will be coming in a second."

Draco looked at his only friend confusedly.

As Daphne went away, Blaise said, "So? I never knew you were gay."

"What?" Draco asked. Surely he was not gay. No, he couldn't be. Now, the wizarding world accepts homosexuals but his own parents don't. So, if word ever gets out, his parents would disown him first and ask questions later.

Blaise simply laughed and said, "The way you were looking at Potter…well, that really confirmed it."

"I was not looking at Potter in whatever way you are saying!" Draco shouted.

"Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night," Blaise shrugged.

"I am not gay!" Draco shouted at Blaise.

Blaise looked surprised. He hadn't expected such an extreme reaction from his long-time friend.

"Draco. I don't care if you are gay," he said in a soothing voice, "The wizarding world doesn't care if you are gay. After all, love is love."

"My parents," Draco began in a soft voice.

"It is your life, Dray." he hadn't used this nickname ever since they were two, "You have to live it like you wish. Don't be governed by others. You will never get what your heart desires."

Draco gave a small smile and said, "Please no more philosophical things. It is so sweet that it feels like I'm going to puke."

Blaise just smirked.

They both started walking towards the common room.

"You know what, Draco?" Blaise asked, his eyes twinkling.

"What?" he said warily, knowing that Blaise's twinkling eyes meant no good.

"If you want to date Potter, you have my blessing," Blaise said hurriedly and proceeded to run towards the common room.

"BLAISE ZABINI!" Draco screamed after him as he understood the meaning behind Blaise's words.

Draco chuckled bitterly as he thought about that memory. If only he had known what he would face… he would've never accepted Harry's offer of friendship, which quickly turned into something more.

They were in the Room of Requirement working on a side project which required peace of mind.

"Draco?" Harry suddenly said.

Draco cleared his throat and said, "Yes, Harry?"

"You were staring at me," Harry said in—what seemed like—a husky voice.

Draco gulped noisily and said, "Oh! Was I?"

In truth, yes. He was. How could someone not stare at the beauty was beyond him. It looked as if Harry had been sculpted out of a marble block by skilled sculptors. That pale skin. The shock of black hair did not look messy. On the contrary, it gave Harry a 'just out of the bedroom' look which looked very good on him. The lithe, athletic body. Gods, he had never been more appreciative of quidditch. Those plump ruby red lips which just begged to be kissed, sucked, bitten…

No, he thought, I can't think of that.

"You are again staring at me, Draco," Harry said, amusedly.

"I… ah. You are very beautiful," dammit! Why did he say that?

Harry looked very surprised.

"Forget about it! You don't have to remember it. We can go back to what we—"

Harry gave a little chuckle and said embarrassedly, "Well. Since you have said. I… ah. Ifindyoubeautifulaswell."

"What was that, Harry?" Draco asked, smirking.

Harry growled a bit and said, "You know what I mean."

"I want to hear it from you."

"Fine! I find you beautiful as well."

"..."

For once in his life, he was well and truly shocked. Of course, he knew Harry would say this but, hearing him say it was a totally different matter.

Harry laughed and said, "Shut your mouth and kiss me already, Malfoy."

He didn't need any more persuasion.

Draco smiled. That memory never failed to put a smile on his face. It was from this day they started going out-in secret of course. They could not tell it to anyone until they were sure that the others would accept it. And they did. They happily went out for almost a year. Then… that fateful day came.

It was raining. 'Suitable' was what he thought. What he was going to say was going to make Harry miserable. It matched with the theme.

"Hullo, Draco. What is it?"

Harry. Lovely Harry. Never beating around the bush.

Draco had to take deep breaths to calm his nerves.

"Draco? What is it? You're scaring me now!" Harry said.

"Ican'tcontinuethiswithyou!" Draco said, hoping-no-praying to Merlin that he didn't have to repeat it.

Unfortunately, Merlin wasn't being merciful because Harry said, "Say it a bit slower, Drake."

Draco almost flinched.

Don't call me Drake! He wanted to scream. How was he going to accomplish the task if Harry is being so sweet and loving to him? He didn't even want to do it in the first place.

"I said. I can't continue this with you," he said, his insides clenching and twisting. He couldn't believe that those words had come out of his mouth.

Seeing Harry's face, he knew that Harry felt the same. Draco couldn't look at his face. It was so full of pain. He would do anything to take back those poisonous words he had just uttered. Harry's face made his heart break.

All around them, the rain was splattering to the ground.

"Wha—? Why, Draco? WHY?!" Harry screamed as tears streamed down his face. He looked mad and very sad.

Draco was speechless. He wanted to say something, anything. But, his voice seemed to have abandoned him.

"I-I thought you loved me," Harry whispered, tears still streaming down his face.

Draco finally got his vocal chords to work again.

"I love you," he said in a raspy voice.

However, it seemed like the wrong thing to say. The rain around them increased ten-fold. Harry's magic was running rampant, tearing apart the wards Draco had created with great difficulty. Draco didn't even process the fact that he was drenched in ice-cold water. Harry too. Lords, he looked even more beautiful when he was drenched in water.

No, he thought to himself, I made my choice. I can't think of that anymore.

Harry's lips curled up in a silent snarl as he hissed, "Don't lie to me, Malfoy."

Those five words from Harry was enough for him to start crying. Tears leaked down his eyelashes and streaked through his cheeks, glistening. However, Harry either didn't notice or care.

"I-"

"Why did you do it?" Harry asked when he had got some control over his anger. Neither of them noticed the rain.

Draco wanted to say so many things. How his parents had forced him to do it. How they had threatened that Harry would be disposed of if he didn't break up with him. How they had forced him to make an Unbreakable Vow to break up with Harry.

However, his voice wouldn't work, again. Draco wished desperately that Harry would see that it was not his idea. He would see Draco's unwillingness to do this. But, Harry didn't. He didn't see it.

"Fine," Harry said after waiting for a minute, "I hate you. I HATE YOU! I knew this would happen. But I still gave you a chance."

Draco tried to say something but Harry cut in, "We are over with, Malfoy."

Without glancing back, Harry ran away from him. From his life.

When Harry was out of hearing distance, Draco curled up like a ball and let loose heart-wrenching sobs.

"ARE YOU HAPPY NOW, MOTHER? FATHER?!" he screamed to the sky.

The rain was pouring in buckets. Lightning flashed but Draco did not make any move to get himself to safety. He had broken up with the only person he had ever truly loved. That too, on his parents' pressure.

'Don't be governed by others. You will never get what your heart desires,' Blaise had told him. And he was right. So right. Why did he break up with Harry? Why?

Because you didn't want him to die, a voice at the back of his mind whispered.

The entire neighborhood looked depressing because of the rain. It should be. He had broken up with Harry. Nothing should look beautiful. Everything should be black-and-white.

And here he was, fifteen years later, reliving their past relationship, giving anything to be with Harry once again. To go back in time and strangle his past self if necessary to stop him from saying the words.

He wouldn't have opened the box which contained all of the pictures of them if it weren't for that damn bookshop.

Draco had ordered some very obscure potions books about a week ago but it still hadn't been delivered. He was getting mad. After all, he needed it to make some of the rare potions his customers had wanted. He was a talented potioneer—just like his uncle Severus, or even better.

After he broke up with Harry, his parents wanted him to marry Astoria Greengrass whose existence he didn't even know until they wanted him to sign the contract. He couldn't do it. He couldn't insult Harry's memory like that. So, he took control of the Malfoy family and disowned both of his parents. It took months but he finally did it. However, it was too late. Harry's relationship with him has been severed.

"Hello. I ordered defense books from this bookshop about a week ago but it still hasn't been delivered."

He knew that voice. It had been years since he had heard it but he could never forget it. It was branded in his brain.

"I am sorry, Mr. Potter. But, for a week our transfer-by-owl is not working. We are extremely sorry. Could you please bring the book which you wanted? You can have it now."

"Sure thing, miss."

Draco slunked towards Harry. He grabbed a book on potions and casually checked it beside Harry.

Harry gave a jerk when he saw that someone was standing beside him.

"Please move," Harry said in a controlled voice, "You are invading my private space." Harry's hand was moving towards his wand. Harry had become a popular hit-wizard after he graduated. He had never married and had never shown interest in anyone. Part of Draco had thought that maybe Harry would come back to him.

This is it, he thought to himself, This is the day Harry will either accept me, or he won't.

While he was thinking, Harry had looked at his face. Harry's face was the epitome of shock.

"Malfoy," he said curtly.

"Harry," it hurt Draco that Harry had resorted to calling him 'Malfoy'.

Harry flinched as if someone had electrified him.

"Don't call me that," Harry said in a low growl.

"Harry, I am sorry—"

"No. Don't say anything. I am happy. I don't want anything from you. Do you understand? Also, don't lie to me."

"Harry, I am not lying," he erected a powerful notice-me-not and muffliato charm to avoid being overheard and seen.

"Yeah? Well… too little, too late. I have moved on with my life." Harry said, putting the book back on the shelf.

"Harry please. Give me a second chance," but, even as he said it, he knew that those days were his second chance—to fix everything he had destroyed. Harry would not give him a third chance, he was not as forgiving as Dumbledore once was.

"No. You have chosen your way. And, I have chosen mine," the words sounded ominous as if sealing the fate between them. That they could be nothing more than a couple of cold acquaintances.

Harry's eyes looked cold and hard. No emotion could be seen in those beautiful green orbs. Nothing like what it was when he was dating him.

Harry grabbed the book and walked out.

So, here he was. Reminiscing about the past. Of everything he couldn't say. Couldn't change. If only there was a chance to change everything.

No, he thought to himself, I can't be thinking of such things. Time is a dangerous thing to meddle with, never mind the fact that all time-turners got destroyed. I should leave. This place is doing nothing more than depressing me even more.

As he was leaving, he mistakenly hit the 'play' button of the record box filled with the songs that Harry had sung to him.

Remember when I told you

No matter where I go

I'll never you side

You'll never be alone

Even when we go through changes

Even when we're old

Remember when I told you

I'll find my way back home.

A/N- Hope you like it. Please read and review. Have a good day/night.