Oh Merlin, what the hell is he wearing? I've just caught sight of Harry on the platform for the Hogwarts Express, and wow! Seems he went shopping over the holidays and finally bought clothes that fit him. He's got on a pair of black jeans that seem moulded to his legs, and oh my, I don't think I've ever seen a better looking arse. But while it's a magnificent sight, that's not what's got me mesmerised. Harry's whole aura has changed. He looks more happy and relaxed than I've ever seen him, his smile lighting up his whole face, making his eyes sparkle in a way that's almost got me dazed. For all these years there's always been that ever so slight air to his stance of defence and wariness, as though he was always waiting for something bad to happen. Suddenly that air is gone, and the effect is electrifying. His whole air is one of confidence, and I'm definitely not the only one noticing. Harry's standing with Granger, Weasley and his sister, and all three keep glancing around the platform with amused smiles on their faces. They are obviously enjoying the fact that everyone is noticing the new improved Harry. Well, not really new, it's just that finally he's happy and relaxed, two things that have been missing from his life, and the change is written all over him.
"Draco honey, if you're going to keep staring like that at Potter, you may want to close your mouth before you drool or swallow a fly."
I jump as Millicent's voice filters through the Harry induced fog in my brain. Turning to her, I can see the amused sparkle in her eyes.
"Alright, so I was staring, but so is pretty much everyone on the platform, you included." I am about to add a suitably scathing remark about Potter to that, but when I see no disgust in Millicent's eyes, I change my mind. I'm serious about not being Harry's enemy anymore, and what better place to start than by not putting him down to my friends.
"Of course I was looking Draco, I mean, he's always been cute, but right now I'd quite happily eat him up with a spoon."
Oh god, really not a mental image I ever wanted to have when connected to Millicent Bulstrode. But I've got to admit, not a bad idea applied to Harry. I look back over to see him just stepping onto the train, and realise we had better get on too, it's getting close to eleven o'clock. Turning my thoughts resolutely away from Harry, I motion to the others and we move forward to find a carriage to sit in for the journey.
"Draco, I'm not trying to pry, well, actually, I am, but why the sudden desire to play nice with Potter?"
"Look, I already told you, the whole reason I was always nasty to Potter was because of my father. He's gone now, and with the Dark Lord gone too, there's really no reason to keep being nasty to him. I mean, what the hell's the point? I know people will keel over when they hear me say this, but I never thought Potter was all that bad. Bad case of Hero Complex maybe, but I reckon given the chance we might have even been friends."
Oops, I really didn't mean to give away that much. I'm not usually that careless, maybe this has been bottled up a little too long. Oh well, after the war I know I can trust these guys with my life, so maybe telling them my secret wouldn't be so bad. Apart from anything else, it's been eating me up a lot more lately, and I could really use someone to talk to.
"Guys, if I tell you something really personal, you know it goes no further than us, right?" Blaise and Goyle-sorry, Greg, both nod with a curious look on their faces, but Mille has a slightly knowing gleam in her eyes as she nods. That girl always surprises people with how observant she is. She was the one who knew Pansy and Crabbe were actually loyal to the Dark Lord, which in the end saved our lives, if we had trusted them, we would have ended up dead along with them.
"Ok, well you know how I told you guys that I never actually hated Potter? Well, it's a bit more complicated than that. Actually, a hell of a lot more complicated than that. When I first met Potter, before father walked in and informed me who he was, I was totally spellbound with him. I was really upset when I found out HE was the boy that my father hated so much. When Potter scorned me that first day at Hogwarts, I wasn't angry like everyone thought, I was heartbroken. See, the truth is, I've been in love with him basically since I met him." I stop, not really sure what else to say. Greg's doing a pretty good impression of a goldfish, his eyes so big I can't help wondering if they might be in danger of falling out. Blaise is just staring at me, his eyes wide, but I can see he's busy thinking, probably looking back in his head over the years to see if it was obvious and he somehow missed it. Millie however has this little smile on her face, though her eyes are a bit wider than usual. Now I'm seriously thinking she must have guessed something, 'cos she doesn't seem all that surprised. Though how the hell she managed to guess this, I have no idea. Think I'm going to have to have a long talk with her later.
We're all snapped out of it when there's a knock on our compartment door and it opens to reveal the lady with the tea trolley. We all buy a few things to snack on, and sit back to open our purchases as the lady moves on, closing the door again behind her.
Surprisingly, it's Greg who breaks the silence. Everyone, myself included, had made the mistake of thinking he was stupid. He's not really, it takes him a bit longer than most to work his head around something, but he's not stupid by any means.
"So, you're in love with Harry Potter. I'm going to go out on a limb here and reason that means you're gay. That doesn't bother me, no offence Draco, but I kinda always thought you were. I guess the real question is, are you gonna go after him, and how can we help?"
"Yeah Draco, I mean, I won't deny it's a really big shock, he's the last person I ever thought I'd hear you admit to being in love with, but if he's who you love, you've totally got my support."
Right, now I understand the muggle expression of feeling like you've woken up in the twilight zone. I was hoping my friends wouldn't be too upset with me, but I honestly wasn't expecting any of them to come out with that, least of all Greg! And I really thought Blaise would have a bit of a problem with it being Harry I'm in love with. I think I'm the one doing a goldfish impression now. When did my friends get so unquestioningly supportive? I know we've all changed from the war, but I guess I never realised how much.
Millie's giggling softly, and when I turn to look at her she gives me a huge smile.
"Draco, I hate to burst your bubble, but I've suspected for a couple of years now. I didn't think you were in love with him at first, just that you didn't really hate him, but when the war really got going, there were a few times when we were all together and I could see the concern and fear in your eyes every time we heard something about Harry. I really don't think I would have even seen it if I hadn't already suspected. You've hidden it very well all these years. But you're right. Now that the war is over, you don't have to hide it anymore. You should be free to love whomever you love, and as you've already guessed, we'll support you no matter what. And just so you know Draco, I really don't think he hates you either."
Oh god, I am not going to cry, Malfoys do not cry, but my eyes feel very full right now. I don't think I've ever felt so unconditionally loved and accepted as I do right now. I've just told my three closest friends my biggest secret, one I was sure they wouldn't like much, and instead of ridiculing me, they've just smothered me in affection and support. Wow.
"Um, wow. I… wow. I didn't dare to hope you guys would react even half as well as you have. I don't really know what to say right now, except thank you, all three of you, so much. I can't imagine better friends than you guys." Millie seems to notice how choked up I am right now, cos she smiles and pulls me into a tight hug, and next thing I know the other guys are there too, and we're sharing a warm group hug. After a second we all pull away, sit up and straighten our clothes, looking around as if to see if anybody saw us. After all, we're still Slytherins, we do still have a reputation to maintain.