As predicted, Neville had been overjoyed. When Harry firecalled Ron and Hermione, they had been a bit unsure, although Hermione definitely wanted to be supportive. Ron had just been in shock for a bit.
"Malfoy? Really? I knew you guys were sorta friends, but he's still a pompous prick. Malfoy? You're sure, Harry? Do you feel sick?"
Neville had talked to them for a while after Harry though, and they seemed a little less mystified after that.
The first time he woke up with Draco in his bed, Harry decided it wouldn't have mattered if they had reacted badly. It was worth it. Harry felt so warm and safe and almost violently content.
It was wonderful.
~*~
Sometime around mid-November, Harry realised that Draco had pretty much completely moved into his quarters. Draco's trunk sat next to his own against the wall. Their robes hung side by side in the wardrobe. Draco's toothbrush was lying on his counter, and the shower now had about three times the number of bath products in it. Most importantly, though, Draco himself was always around.
They went down to breakfast together, just as they always used to — but now if they'd just been snogging fifteen minutes before, no one had to know. They often hung out with Neville in the small front room of Harry's quarters, and life was amazing.
Draco, for his part, didn't think he could ever tire of being allowed to tease Harry all of the time now. Their competition about who was the better teacher had not at all diminished. In fact, it may very well have gotten worse.
"I'm teaching them things they need to protect themselves, and you're just showing them how to make what's, for all intents and purposes, just a nasty stew!"
"All you're teaching them is foolish wand waving and silly incantations, I am teaching them a precise and useful art."
It was endless bickering, but they loved every moment of it.
~*~
"You know, Christmas is coming soon; maybe we could go out on Christmas Eve? Maybe have dinner?" Draco brought up one evening as they were relaxing, reading on the sofa.
"Draco, I really would love too, but I promised Ron I would go to the Weasleys' this year. I've already skipped two years in a row, and Molly's beginning to get hurt over it. Ron told me he'd come and drag me over on Christmas Eve if he had to, and I'm expected to stay until Boxing Day."
"Oh." Draco said quietly, looking put out. So he was going to go back to being alone for Christmas. Great. At least last year he had hung out with Harry, even if they were just 'competitive acquaintances'.
"Actually, I was wondering if you would come with me. I don't really want to spend the holidays without you, and here you would practically be alone. I promise they'll be fine with it once I tell them."
"Really? I'd like to, but do you honestly think they'd be fine with me being there? I'm the reason Bill has those scars, and I've said so many terrible things about them. Of course I regret it now — I regretted it eight years ago — but I don't think they're likely to forgive all of that."
"Draco, you're important to me, and they'll be fine. If worst comes to worst, they'll be on their best behaviour because I won't be there if they won't accept you."
"I don't want to ruin their family holiday, though! I don't want them to just be nice because you're threatening to not visit."
"I care about you a lot Draco, I think— I think I love you, and they won't want to hurt someone I love, because I'm family, and they'll know I want to be able to spend Christmas with you too."
Draco hugged him.
"Thank you, Harry. I love you too. So much."
