Chapter 11

"I'm not convinced."

"I'm telling you it looks great."

"What would you know?"

"Bloody charming."

"I like it."

"Do you really?"

"Why is her opinion more important than mine?"

"Do I really need to answer that?"

Draco turned back to face his reflection in the mirror while Ginny gave Harry a self-satisfied smirk. He had his first date with Bill later that evening and he had gone through his meagre wardrobe to try and find something suitable to wear.

"In an ideal world what would you wear?" Ginny asked as she sat cross-legged on his bed.

"In an ideal world I wouldn't be an impoverished bartender," Draco said, wistful for the days when money wasn't an issue.

"Come on, I'm ridiculously handy with Transfiguration and I'd love the chance to practise. We have mock exams coming up soon and you can be my guinea pig."

"Have you snuck out of Hogwarts?" Draco asked, the thought just occurring to him. When Harry had shown up with Ginny in tow Draco had been too pleased to see her to question how she was there.

"Harry's invisibility cloak comes in handy sometimes," she said with a grin. "It's a Hogsmeade weekend, Harry's going to apparate us back when it's time to get back to the castle."

"Sneaky," Draco said approvingly. He was fond of Ginny and wasn't sorry to be spending more time with her. He was also aware that getting Bill's favourite sibling on side would be no bad thing.

"So come on, what would you like to wear?" Ginny asked, extracting her wand from her sleeve and tapping it on her chin.

"I don't know," Draco said with a sigh. "What would Bill like?"

"Oh come on, you're not pathetic enough to dress for someone else's approval," Ginny said with a snort. "I know you're besotted but you're still you!"

"I am not besotted," Draco protested.

"Yes you are," Harry said breezily. "You go all gooey when he walks into a room."

"Piss off," Draco said, knowing that he was banged to rights. Whenever Bill was anywhere near him it took all of his self-control not to throw himself into the man's arms.

"I still can't believe you're dating my brother," Ginny said, jumping off the bed and circling Draco with a pensive expression. "Is it the hair?"

"It's…everything," Draco said, wondering when his tongue had become so loose.

"Sickening," Harry said, rolling his eyes and allowing himself to fall backwards on the bed.

"I think you guys are so cute together," Ginny said with a grin. "And you know Bill hasn't been in a relationship for a long time."

"Really?" Draco asked, his interest piqued. He didn't know much about Bill's past love life, but he couldn't help but wonder what his former competition had been.

"He's one of those people that doesn't need to be in a relationship so when he gets into one it's because there's a damn good reason. He has to really connect with the person, you know? He's a complete romantic at heart. Quite…traditional I think when it comes to those kinds of values."

"Yeah, you're telling me," Draco said, wishing he could sneer at Bill's somewhat old-fashioned approach to dating, but finding himself entirely charmed by it. He had never felt so valued in all his life and they hadn't even had their first date yet.

"Right, let's see what we can do here. You said you don't know where he's taking you?" Ginny asked and Draco nodded. "Ok, well how about this?"

She waved her wand with a flourish and Draco turned back to look at his reflection and was pleasantly surprised by what he saw. Ginny had transfigured him a soft pair of tailored grey trousers with a midnight blue shirt that accented his pale complexion very well.

"Hm, it's missing something," she said, as she looked at him with a scrutinising squint of her eyes. "Harry, pass me that blanket," she instructed, and Harry did as he was told, grabbing it from the end of the bed and chucking it at her.

She caught it deftly and swung it around Draco's shoulders, stepping back to take a look at him before she waved her wand again. "A-ha! Perfect," she declared, and Draco looked in the mirror to see the blanket was now a dark brown, suede jacket that set off the outfit perfectly.

"Oh Ginny, it's lovely."

"It is rather fetching, if I say so myself," Ginny said, admiring her handiwork. "You'll knock him dead."

"I hope not, that would rather spoil my plans."

"We don't want to hear about your plans," Harry said, wrinkling his nose.

"Speak for yourself," Ginny said with a grin. "Well I think you're all set. Be back by midnight or you'll turn into a pumpkin."

"Very amusing."

"Right, come on Boy Wonder, get me back to Hogwarts before they realise I'm missing," Ginny instructed, and Harry hopped off the bed.

"It's really alright?" Draco asked, feeling a flutter of nerves.

"Would I let you go out looking like a pillock?" Ginny asked, and Draco had to pause to wonder. She was devious enough, that was for sure, but he also suspected that she rather liked him so he figured he was safe.

"Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it."

"Any time. Besides, I like having you in my debt," she said with an unnerving wink.

"Come on, let's go," Harry said, holding out his hand. "I'm staying at Hogwarts overnight so I'll see you tomorrow," he told Draco as Ginny wrapped her arms around his waist.

Draco tried not to look too disapproving. They had agreed to disagree where Harry's rather manic schedule was concerned but Draco couldn't help but worry that Harry was working himself into the ground.

"Have fun, don't do anything I wouldn't," Ginny said, wiggling her eyebrows before Harry apparated them both away.

Draco turned back to the mirror to admire his reflection again. He had to admit that he looked good and that Ginny had done a damn good job. He'd have to think of some way to thank her.

His date wasn't for another few hours so he decided to take the outfit off and save it for later. He laid it out on the bed and got back into his faded pair of jeans and his Weasley jumper. It was a gift he treasured, both for its sentiment and its practicality.

With a few hours to kill, he decided to get in a little studying. He was determined that when he attended St Mungo's he would be the top of the class. He wasn't just going to be a Healer, he was going to be the best Healer. He would show his father and the rest of his detractors just what he was capable of, just how much he could accomplish without the Malfoy name and fortune to prop him up.

He liked learning about Healing. It was interesting and involving; half the time it didn't even feel like studying. He found the theory of it fascinating and he had already had experience in the field tending to those who had been wounded.

He spent a couple of hours studying the theory behind the magical healing of breaks and fractures. He made flashcards and tested himself at regular intervals, pleased with the progress he was making.

At around 6 o'clock he heard the front door go and moments later he heard Bill's rather heavy footsteps on the stairs. His stomach fluttered a bit when he heard Bill call out, "I'm just going to grab a quick shower and get ready for tonight."

"Stop behaving like a starry-eyed 12 year old," Draco told himself sternly. "It's just a date. It's a non-event."

Of course, that wasn't true, not at all. In Draco's mind it had, in fact, taken on capital letters and he hadn't been able to stop thinking about The Date all week. He had no idea what to expect. He had never been on a date in his life, and, although he knew they were going for a meal, he had little notion of what a date was supposed to consist of.

In the back of his mind he couldn't help but wonder if it would end in sex. Bill had told him he wanted to take things slowly but it was still confusing to Draco. Bill was affectionate and tactile, he wasn't remotely reticent where such things were concerned, but still no move had been made to entice him to bed.

Draco began to wonder if perhaps it was his own perspective that was skewed in this matter. He had never conducted a relationship, had never started something with a view to it having any longevity, so perhaps jumping into bed without any thought of tomorrow wasn't the best way to go about things.

He had no one with which to confer about such issues. Harry had quickly become his closest friend, which in itself was odd enough, but Harry had even less experience in these matters than he did. Truth be told, he worried about Harry. The boy was so obviously in love with Snape, for reasons Draco couldn't fathom, and he was concerned that Harry's blind adoration for the man would lead him into trouble.

Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he began getting himself ready for the date. Ginny's choice of outfit was exquisite and he owed her for transfiguring something so perfect for him. He admired his reflection in the mirror and had to say that he didn't look half bad. Bill didn't stand a chance.

He was running a brush through his hair and trying to get it to flop dramatically the way he liked when the doorbell rang.

"Bill?" he called. "Do you want me to get that?" He paused for a moment but there was no answer. "Bill?" he tried again.

Sighing, he checked his reflection one last time then made his way downstairs. He opened the front door to find Bill standing there, grinning at him.

"What are you doing?" Draco asked in confusion.

"This is a proper date, isn't it? I have to pick you up."

"We live in the same house."

"Are you complaining?"

"Most definitely not."

"Well then, Mr Malfoy, the evening awaits."

Bill held out his hand and Draco took it with a smile, his stomach fluttering. He felt like a nervous, starry-eyed fool but he was finding that he was minding less and less. Bill looked amazing, but then the man always did. He was dressed in those sinfully figure-hugging jeans and had a dark green jumper on that accentuated his colouring perfectly. Merlin but he was so attracted to the man it was almost painful.

They walked to the end of the street then Bill wrapped his arms around Draco with a seductive smile and told him to hold on tightly. Draco did so and closed his eyes as the squeeze of apparation overwhelmed him.

He opened his eyes and realised that they had apparated to Bath, the beautiful city lit up by the bright full moon and starry evening. "Back to the scene of the crime?" Draco asked with a smirk.

"It seemed appropriate," Bill replied as he offered Draco his arm.

They strolled languidly, Draco remembering the last time they had been there and the first kiss they had shared. It was nice to think that this time they were returning to have an actual date and no pretence was involved.

Bill led him through the streets to a strange little café. They descended to an underground level where they walked through a narrow doorway and Draco found himself in a dazzlingly pretty restaurant. They had clearly crossed into the wizarding quarter of Bath and Draco allowed himself a moment to drink in the charm of the place as they were shown to their table.

"This is lovely," Draco said as he placed his jacket over the back of his chair. "How did you find this place?"

"I've been here a couple of times for business meetings. I've always wanted to come here with someone special."

Unable to repress his smile at being called 'special', Draco busied himself with looking at the menu. If this was what dating entailed then he could quite easily get used to it.

They decided on a rather exquisite bottle of Malbec and shared a starter of a mezze board. The food was a selection of the finest examples from around the world and Draco's taste buds were tantalised wonderfully.

The conversation flowed easily they were both subtly flirtatious with one another. There was a delicious undercurrent of attraction and Bill kept reaching out to touch his hand or run a finger gently down his forearm, leaving his skin tingling.

Even with the atmosphere as charged as it was, Draco felt more comfortable with Bill than he had ever felt with anyone. It felt as though there was more than just attraction, that there was a friendship that they were building upon that underpinned things between them.

"Oh they were a nightmare," Bill said, as the conversation turned to Fred and George as their main course was served. "I'm amazed Mum didn't go grey bringing those two reprobates up."

"They were just the same at school. Even the Slytherins had grudging respect for them. I still feel it's something of travesty that they were sorted into Gryffindor, they should have been ours."

"You wouldn't have wanted them, trust me. You'd have had no peace."

"They really are ingenious."

"Mm, like evil super villains," Bill said with a quirk of his eyebrow. "They nearly burnt the house down on more than one occasion. When they were six they got into Dad's toolbox and charmed a hammer to attack anyone who said 'cup of tea'. It was very nearly a bloodbath."

"You have to admit that that's impressive," Draco said, grateful that hadn't embarrassed himself by snorting out his wine in amusement.

"You wouldn't have said that at the time. Little gits, the both of them. Still, they're settling down a bit now. I can spend time with them both without feeling the need to use silencing charms."

Cradling his wine glass to his chest and leaning back in his chair, Draco looked at Bill with a smile and said, "What was it like, growing up in such a big family?"

Bill returned the smile and said, "Chaotic. The house was never quiet, there was always some drama going on. You'd think, with so many of us, that people's personalities would get lost somehow but everyone always managed to be heard, to forge their own identity."

"Who's your favourite?" Draco asked wickedly.

Bill tutted and said, "I don't have a favourite. You can't pick between your siblings like that."

Draco narrowed his eyes and said, "Ginny, right?"

Bill smirked. "Don't you dare tell anyone, especially her."

"I can't blame you. I must say I've taken quite a shine to her. She's a hoot."

"She's a madam," Bill corrected. "And I love her for it. She's the youngest in a family of huge personalities and somehow she always makes her voice heard. She's funny and smart, she doesn't take any crap from anyone and there's nothing she can't do if she puts her mind to it."

"Like someone else I know."

"If I had half her tenacity I'd be well pleased."

Draco sipped at his wine, letting the rich flavours unwrap themselves on his tongue. He liked talking about the Weasleys, like the sense of family it invoked. There was still the familiar stab of pain when he thought about his own family, but it was starting to dull somewhat.

"We can change the subject if you'd rather," Bill said gently.

Draco shook his head and said, "I don't mind. It feels…further away somehow, like I'm looking at what happened from a distance."

"Time is a great leveller."

"It is," Draco replied, placing his glass on the table and swirling it gently. "There are some days…I'll be getting ready to go to bed and I'll realise I haven't thought about either of them, not once."

"Is it better that way?" Bill asked, and Draco considered the question.

"I think so," Draco said softly. "They belong to my past now, it's best to keep them there. I…feel no connection to them anymore. Besides," he added with a smile, "I have a new family now."

Bill looked at him thoughtfully and Draco was struck with the sudden urge to trace every freckle on the man's face with his fingertips.

"Is that how you really feel?" Bill asked eventually. "I mean, you see us all as family?"

Draco smirked and said, "The irony of the situation isn't lost on me. If you'd have told me a couple of years ago that I'd feel this way I'd have had you committed."

Draco paused and took a sip of his wine, considering the strange situation he now found himself in. "Your mother has shown me more kindness and affection in these past few months than my own mother showed me in a lifetime. Your father has treated me with patience and gentleness and even Ginny, who should hate me after what happened to her, has been open and warm. It's taught me a lot and, in all honesty, I'm grateful for it. It's made me a better person"

"You know, the person I met in Grimmauld all those months ago was nothing like the person I'd heard about from Ron. I think that you'd already begun to change before we all took you under our wing."

It was true, of course, Draco mused. He had been struggling with his parents' beliefs, his father's dogmatic adherence to Voldemort's cause, which had begun to border on insane. By the time he had run away from home he already knew that he had no place there, that he had chosen a path that would ensure his alienation from his family permanently.

"I suppose eventually we all make choices," he said eventually, realising that his were now all made. There was no going back and he had no desire to do so.

They shared an extremely decadent dessert, Draco hypnotised by Bill's sucking of his spoon. The man exuded raw sexuality and Draco found himself distracted by it almost constantly. There was a good-natured argument over the bill, but Bill prevailed and assured Draco that he could get the next one.

It was a little embarrassing but Draco wouldn't have been able to afford the affluent restaurant anyway. With his current meagre income from the pub the most he would be able to spring for would be fish and chips. Still, he had a feeling that Bill wouldn't mind and that was a comforting thought.

They apparated back to the street near Grimmauld and walked arm in arm back to the house. It all felt terribly romantic, and the starry winter night helped to add to that feeling.

"Are you coming in for coffee?" Draco asked with a grin as they paused on the doorstep.

"Oh indeed," Bill said with an answering grin as Draco let them in.

They stood in the doorway for a moment, the atmosphere charged between them. It tingled up Draco's spine and down his fingertips, igniting his blood as it went. He reached up and placed his hands on Bill's chest, feeling the firmness of muscle beneath his palms.

"Thank you for dinner," he said softly.

"You're welcome. I'm very much looking forward to our next date."

Draco smiled and said, "But this one's ending now, isn't it?" He was starting to learn how to read Bill and he could see that, although there was an intensity building between them, nothing was going to happen tonight. He was both disappointed and slightly relieved.

"For now," Bill said, reaching out and cupping Draco's chin gently. "Think of all the dates that are ahead of us."

"Oh I will," Draco said before leaning forward and pressing his lips to Bill's. The electricity tingled between them, Draco senses seemed heightened and it occurred to him that if a simple kiss made him feel this way then anything more would likely kill him.

Bill's hands moved to hold him gently and Draco's back felt warm where they rested. It created a heady mix of safety and excitement, and Draco had never experienced such a sensation before. Their kisses had a certainty to them now, a familiarity that didn't dampen the spark but that made Draco feel secure in the arms he was held in.

They broke apart naturally and Bill smiled as he ran his knuckles down Draco's cheek. "Goodnight," he said and Draco shivered at the gentleness in his tone.

"Goodnight," Draco replied with the same tone, already thinking about what their next date might entail.

AN: I know, I'm useless. I have no excuses to offer other than my muses are still being little sods. I'm not sure when I'll get the next chapter of this out, but I am trying to get a Christmas Snarry done, so hopefully you'll forgive me. Hope you enjoyed the chapter!