Harry knocked on the door of Greenhouse Two after classes ended the next day. Neville looked up.
"Oh, hi Harry. What's up?"
"Neville. Help me."
"What?"
"I did some thinking like you told me to, and now I don't know what to do."
"Well, what did you discover?"
"Yesterday Draco came into my class for some help with a dark object Minerva found; but when he came in my heart did the flippy over thing, and I don't think that's good. It doesn't normally do that, but it has before and I usually feel all warm and smiley. I don't know Neville, but this is not good."
"Aww, I was so right. Harry, I don't know why you keep saying these things aren't good. They're your emotions and they're important, okay? You keep saying all the symptoms, but you're refusing to say what they mean. You need to stop lying to yourself, and I know you already know because otherwise you wouldn't say your reactions are bad!"
"Fine. I have...feelings for Draco. I— I think he's pretty, and I admire him for his skill and knowledge, and I like it when he gets talking in depth about a subject or when he's concentrating. I like the way he is with Teddy and with his students. But there are so many problems here, Neville!"
"Are there?"
"Yes, Neville! Don't be daft. Firstly, we're both male. Secondly, we hated each other for years. We're also co-workers, and he doesn't feel the same way about me. And what about Ginny? And what would people say? I mean he was a Death Eater, and we were rivals...people wouldn't get it. And they would hate Draco. And none of that matters anyway, because he doesn't feel the same way."
Neville sighed.
"Harry. Come on, seriously? Clearly, as most of the students already thought you two were together last year, they don't care. Homophobia isn't really a big thing in the wizarding world, it's really only something that pureblood elitists promote, like blood purity. And Ginny is the one who wanted the divorce; besides the fact that your marriage had been falling apart for years. When you guys got back together after the war, nothing was quite the same. And then you guys wanted to take your lives in such different directions, but you were just determined to make it work.
"Plus, when have you ever cared about what other people said about you? People always have something to say and you just ignore it. I mean, half the school thought you had opened the Chamber of Secrets and you got through that. The Prophet tried to convince the wizarding world that you were insane during Fifth Year and you got through that too. It doesn't matter if they understand.
"Harry. You are so disgustingly happy with Draco it's ridiculous. Why are you trying to prevent the one thing that would finally make you happy? If I hadn't seen it myself, I'd never have believed you were capable of being such a light-hearted, smiling person. You've always been so weighed down and tired in the past, and Draco is what's different."
Harry started to protest, but Neville plowed on.
"And don't even give me that shite about him not feeling the same way. I told you about all the ridiculous soppy eyes you make at him and everything, but he does it all right back. Come on Harry, it's so obvious it's painful."
Harry sighed.
"But what am I supposed to do about it then?"
"I don't know Harry, that's up to you. Ask him out on a date or something, or just tell him how you feel and the two of you can decide from there."
"I don't know if I can. How did you muster up the courage with Hannah?"
"I just forced myself to Gryffindor through it. Just go up and ask."
"Yeah, I'm really not sure if I'm going to be able to do that, mate."
"Just try."
~*~
Harry failed to muster up the courage every day for two weeks. It was now the middle of October, and he found himself more drawn to Draco than ever, but also more scared. He really didn't want to mess this up.
Draco had come into his office right as Harry's last class had ended and was lounging obnoxiously on his desk as usual. Harry walked over and sat on the edge of the desk next to Draco and sighed. His shoulders slumped, and Draco frowned.
"Tough day?"
"Just busy. And all of my classes were so energetic. It was just so much to handle."
"Ah. See, I don't have that problem because I just give them an intimidating look when they start to go overboard."
"No, I'm glad they're excitable and that they like the lessons, because I just want to teach them as much as I can. And the fact that they like it is great, because that'll make them remember. I just want them to succeed so much — I mean, in general — my students are great, just sometimes—"
Draco kissed him. He didn't weigh the chances that things would go badly, like he did with most of his decisions, he just acted on impulse. Maybe that was a sign of real emotion.
Harry just blinked, and Draco blushed.
"I'm sorry! I really don't want to mess up this friendship thing we have going on. I don't know why I did that, I just acted without thinking."
"You know...I really like you, Draco. And I, er, I guess I sort of wanted to do that for a few weeks now. So, it's fine, I guess. I mean... did you— did you, er, like it?" Harry stumbled over his words, nervous that even still Draco might reject him.
"Yes. I think I did quite like it. And I...I have feelings for you as well."
The conversation had become so stiff with all of the nerves, and it made Harry uncomfortable. So, to break the tension, he did the only thing he could think of. He kissed Draco again.
It was nice. It was sort of like he could feel his magic coursing through his body, amplified so that he felt tingly all over.
He pulled back slightly and smiled.
"Can I touch your hair? I've always kind of wanted to."
Draco snorted, but nodded his permission.
Harry ran his fingers through his hair, their mouths still brushing occassionally but not quite kissing.
Draco closed his eyes in contentment. "So, what are we doing then? Are we going to be an item?"
"If you want to, I'd like that." Harry answered, feeling the warm glow in his chest spread with his smile.
"I'd like that too. But maybe we shouldn't tell people, you know, outright. I don't want to keep it a secret, but it might be easier if we just let everyone assume that things are the same."
"Okay, yeah, I can see that. As long as I can tell Ron and Hermione. And Neville."
"You think they'll be okay with it?"
"Neville? Definitely. The other two will be fine. Maybe just surprised. Really, they don't hate you anymore — although Ron still thinks you're an annoying git."
Draco laughed.
"Okay."
