Harry went into the boy's dorms and went to throw his bag down by his bed but froze with it still hanging on his fingers when he noticed something on his bed. He walked closer to the bed and saw it was something woollen with a note on top. He sat down next to it and opened the folded parchment.

I won't get upset if you keep this.

-Draco

Harry picked up the woollen thing. It was a deep green jumper with a thick silver stripe across the chest. Harry's stomach clenched. The Slytherin quidditch jumper. Instead of being the traditional wool, it was much softer. Smiling so much his cheeks hurt, he brought the fabric to his face. Draco had obviously been wearing it a lot before giving it to him.

"What've you got there, Harry?" Harry jumped out of his skin and blushed to the roots of his hair.

"Nothing…" he looked sheepishly at Seamus.

"Your face says otherwise, Harry." Harry tried to school his face into something neutral.

"It's nothing, Draco is just taking the piss."

"How come?"

"I found his watch and kept forgetting to give it back." Seamus frowned. "Inside joke," he added with a smile.

"You have inside jokes with a Slytherin?" He grinned at Harry, but his smile turned soft. "You really like him, don't you?" Harry shrugged a shoulder.

"He's a nice person. I enjoy his company."

"Blaise is a nice bloke now, too. He used to be so stuck up. They've all changed."

"We all have."

"Are you going to keep it?" Seamus asked, gesturing to the jumper.

"For a bit, yeah."

"Just don't wear it. It'll cause an uproar."

"People are used to us spending time with the Slytherins, aren't they?"

"Yes, but you wearing that jumper would scream 'I'm dating Draco Malfoy'."

"But I'm not."

"Good." Harry new Seamus wasn't homophobic in the slightest and had fooled around with Dean at some point.

"But the teasing?"

"I want you to be happy, Harry. People spreading rumours about you dating an ex Death Eater will force you into the spotlight. You'd hate that."

"Fair point."

"If you ever do date him though, we'll be here for you." Harry snorted.

"Like that would happen." Seamus raised an eyebrow.

"You never know."

Dean stumbled into the room and threw himself onto his bed.

"I'm so tired," he mumbled into the pillow.

"Fancy a trip to Hogsmeade instead of homework?" Dean immediately sat up.

"Yes!" He pounced on the idea.

"Harry?"

"Sure." Harry could use a laugh.

Half an hour later a group of Gryffindors were ready to leave to Hogsmeade. A lot of their friends had also jumped on the chance for an afternoon out. Harry walked with Seamus and Dean, chatting about their workload, quidditch, Muggle sport and anything else that came to mind. Harry realised he hadn't spoken to them properly in an age. As they walked down the cobbled street, Harry saw Draco walk towards them.

"Malfoy!" Seamus greeted him before Harry got the chance. "Feel like joining us?"

"We're going to the three broomsticks," Harry clarified.

"Uh, sure," Draco replied hesitantly. Harry was as surprised as Draco that Seamus had asked him. He hoped the cheeky Gryffindor wasn't plotting anything. Draco turned and fell into step with Harry.

"Where did you come from?" Harry asked him.

"Just looking for a gift for mother," Draco told him.

"How is she?" Hermione asked from behind them.

"She's much better, thank you, Granger."

"I'm glad to hear that." Draco gave her a small, grateful, smile. Harry put a hand on his arm affectionately.

The Three Broomsticks was warm and inviting, but, thankfully, mostly empty. The waitress smiled at them when they entered. A swish of her wand brought extra chairs over to a large table so they could all sit down. Draco settled himself next to Harry.

"What did you get your mum?"

"Not much, just a silk scarf and some truffles," he told him.

"Nice." The waitress approached them.

"What would you like?" She asked them.

"Butterbeer, please," Harry told the waitress. Ron, Seamus, and Dean all frowned at him.

"You come to a pub and get a butterbeer?" Dean asked. Harry shrugged.

"Never developed a taste for alcohol." Truthfully, alcohol was used to toast the deaths of people close to him and he could never shake that association.

"I'm just having butterbeer too," Draco told them.

"Why!"

"It's a weekday. And it's half past five." Harry suspected there was more to it than that, but it was obvious Draco didn't want to talk about it right then.

Five minutes later, two butterbeers, two meads and three firewhiskeys were placed in front of them. Even Hermione was drinking. When Harry gave her a questioning look she shrugged one shoulder.

"I'm as stressed as you are."

"But you're ahead!" Harry whined. Harry wasn't exactly behind but he had to work very hard to stay afloat. "I don't know how anyone can remember all those plant names."

"They're easy, Harry. It's all Latin," Neville chipped in.

"But I don't know Latin!" Harry protested. Draco snorted.

"Rusticus," Draco said in a way that told Harry it was an insult, even if he had no idea what Draco said. He hit him on the shoulder for good measure.

"I came here to get away from homework!" Dean grumbled.

"Would you rather talk about quidditch?" Draco asked.

"Any day."

"Of course," Draco smirked.

"What does that mean?" Dean asked, angry.

"You're common."

"Well, what do you Slytherins talk about around supper then?"

"Harry," Ron and Seamus said in unison.

"Aguamenti." Draco shot a stream of water at them both. They both stood up drawing their wands.

"Sit down, Ronald." Hermione pulled Ron's sleeve. Harry cast the hot air charm on them both, drying them instantly.

"Behave," Harry told Draco, lightly. Draco pulled an innocent expression that melted into a smirk almost immediately. He busied himself with his butterbeer.

Xx

Draco sipped his butterbeer. He'd managed to upset half of the Gryffindors and he'd been there five minutes. He was frustrated with himself more than anything. Sometimes he just could not keep his mouth shut. He'd much rather come off as an asshole than weak. He looked towards Harry. Harry glanced at him and suddenly laughed. Draco frowned at him.

"You- you have a foam moustache," he told him around laughter. Draco touched his upper lip. "no." Harry raised a hand towards him. "Here," Harry said and gently wiped Draco's mouth with his thumb. Draco forgot how to breathe. He felt his face heat up. Even more frustrated with himself he pulled his face away. Draco stayed quiet for the rest of the time he was there. He thought about making his excuses and leaving early but he wanted to be in the Gryffindor's good books. He was amazed and taken aback when Seamus invited him. Harry tried to engage him in conversation, but Draco really wasn't feeling like talking. Draco was glad none of them got too drunk.

They headed back at nine, unfortunately after supper. Of course, they all went to the kitchens to beg the house elves for leftovers. After they'd all eaten, Harry offered to walk Draco to his common room. Draco wanted to spend some time with Harry by himself, so he agreed.

"Do you drink?" Harry asked conversationally. Draco groaned inwardly. He'd been waiting for that. He debated whether he told Harry the truth or not.

"No," he answered simply.

"Have you ever?" Draco sighed. "Sorry." Harry must have seen his expression.

"No, it's fine." He took a steadying breath. "I used alcohol to forget about the war." Suddenly Harry's arms were around him. And by around them, it meant squeezing the life out of him. Draco hugged harry back and let his head rest on Harry's. His infuriatingly messy hair was surprisingly soft. Draco let harry hold him for a good few minutes, until he was ready to let go.

"I stopped as soon as I came here. I just stay away from alcohol just in case."

"I'm glad you're better." Harry wasn't meeting his eye.

"Thanks."

"I don't drink because we used to toast people that had died. It just reminds me of mourning." Draco just nodded. He was frustrated that he'd told Harry so quickly. He was angry that Harry would probably never want to be with him now he knows.

"Sorry for being a disappointment," Draco told the floor.

"You aren't," Harry replied softly. "Everyone has a different way of dealing with things. You've been through so much, it's okay if you can't do it on your own." Draco didn't really believe it, but he nodded anyway. Harry gave him another, smaller, hug.

They continued their walk in near silence. Harry was comfortable with it, but Draco's mind was buzzing with regrets. It didn't stop when he said goodnight to Harry and went into his common room. He sat with his friends, who were still up, and sighed deeply.

"Where were you?"

"Got dragged to the Three Broomsticks by the Gryffindors. I think I messed everything up with Harry. Again."

"What happened?" Pansy asked.

"I told him about the drinking thing and now he probably won't ever want to be with me."

"If he said anything I'll kill him." Theo told him darkly.

"He just said something about everyone needing help. Just generic rubbish."

"Babe, that's not Harry. He's horribly nice."

"Pansy's right. Harry doesn't hate you. If anything, he probably likes you more." Draco grumbled. He didn't want to believe them, but he couldn't help it. His group of friends were brutally honest and while a lot of people disliked them for it, Draco was grateful. By the time he fell asleep, Draco was much more optimistic.

xx

Sorry if this is a little rusty, wanted to get it out before Christmas! Happy Christmas if you celebrate it, Happy Holidays if not. Hope you enjoy!