Thank you all who have continued to read this fic. At least it's back at the appropriate time of year. Sort of

"I thought about you all day," Draco groaned.

"Was I doing this when you were thinking about me?" Harry swirled his tongue over the head of Draco's cock.

"And more."

The remnants of their Valentine's Day takeaway, along with a few token gifts, lay on the floor while the men occupied the bed.

"Don't bring me too close. I don't want to burst the moment my cock touches your arse," Draco said.

"I could stop now if you'd like," Harry teased.

"Don't you dare."

Harry worshipped Draco's cock with kisses, licks, and nibbles. Enough to pleasure, but not enough to satisfy. Harry's cock was firmly gripped by his own hand. When he could no longer stand the wait, he straddled Draco's lap.

"Do the spell," he commanded. It had become more efficient to learn a quick spell than to manually spread the lube and prepare himself. Though, occasionally, Draco still enjoyed using his fingers on him.

In no time, Harry was raising and lowering himself on Draco's cock.

"Oh Harry, you feel fantastic."

"Mmm. You too."

Though most of his past lovers had expected him to be a top, Harry had always preferred to assume the role of bottom. That didn't mean he didn't want to be in control. But the stigma of that role sometimes made him feel obligated to acquiesce to his lovers' wishes and let them take control. The trust he and Draco had built over the previous six weeks had put them on equal footing. It gave Harry the confidence to ask for what he wanted.

That night though, Harry took his time, the way he knew Draco favored.

Draco's hands slowly roamed over Harry's chest and arms, exploring every muscle and crevice. Looking down on his lover, Harry caressed his face. He'd never seen such an expression of adoration on any of his partners' faces.

Thinking about it, Harry decided it wasn't adoration. That look, he had seen in others' eyes. But they were fans, not friends or lovers. What he saw in Draco's eyes reflected the words he said to Harry the night they went to The Blue Wiz. Words Harry was still reluctant to acknowledge. And definitely hesitant to reciprocate. For now, both of them seemed content with the status quo. And Harry was going to enjoy it as long as possible.

hdhdhdhd

The following week, Harry was frustrated by what he saw as a lack of progress regarding the relationship between his friends and Draco. Draco had not offered another apology and Harry feared there was an expiration on Hermione's acceptance.

When Draco stopped by Harry's table in the canteen to make plans for supper, Harry tried subtly gesturing toward Hermione with his head.

"Have you acquired a tick?" Draco asked.

"What?"

"I'm trying to figure out why your head is bobbling about." Harry sighed. "Don't you have something to say to Hermione?"

Draco turned to her. "Actually, yes, I do. Thank you."

With a furrowed brow, she replied, "You're welcome?"

"I meant an apology," Harry clarified.

"Oh, but a thank you is so much more appropriate," Draco told him. "I've apologized more in the past few years than I ever did in the previous seventeen. And it hasn't helped anyone. Harry, you told me that you show you're sorry by not repeating the behavior. I haven't repeated the atrocious behavior of my youth, and yet, Granger didn't forgive me on the spot. Instead, she accused me of wasting my second chance."

Harry turned and glared at Hermione.

Draco continued. "She was right. My apologies are worth shit, regardless that they've been heartfelt. And I've come to realize that my own suffering during the war didn't lessen anyone else's. It was punishment. I have no problem accepting that. The problem I have is proving my contrition. I thought somehow working for the Ministry would do that. But, really, working here has been somewhat self-serving. And so, it doesn't count."

"What are you on about Draco?" Harry asked. He thought Draco had spent much more time psychoanalyzing the situation than was warranted. He just wanted Draco to say he was sorry so Hermione would accept and then they could become friends.

"I've spent the past few weeks at the Manor encouraging my mother to repair her relationship with her remaining sister."

"What does that have to do with calling Hermione a mudblood?" Ron asked.

"Nothing."

"Then what–

"I'm paying it forward. I can't bring back any of the people who died at the hands of Death Eaters, like Ron's brother . . ."

"But you can give Andromeda her sister back," Harry finished. "I know how much that will mean to her."

"And I am by no means a suitable substitute for Teddy's parents, but as his only magical cousin, I can provide some guidance. At the very least I'm an example of how not to behave," Draco chuckled.

Hermione stood and held out her hand. "Apology accepted. And, um, offered . . . for things I did to you at Hogwarts."

Draco took the hand. "Such as a swift right hook?"

Hermione blushed slightly, but Ron said, "Yeah, that was bloody brilliant. I wish I'd done it."

Everyone paused to look at him.

"Back then," Ron clarified. "Not now."

Draco chuckled. "In a way, I wish you'd done it too. When I told my father, hoping to get Granger in trouble, he hit me harder than she did. He wasn't about to go to the Headmaster to say his sissy son was put in his place by a filthy mudblood witch. His words, not mine." He shook his head. "I didn't tell you that to garner any sympathy. Most of the time my father spoiled me."

"I always wondered why you didn't tell Dumbledore," Hermione mused.

"Yes, it was one of the few time I may have had a legitimate claim. But I knew my father wouldn't be pleased. Unfortunately, getting punched by a girl didn't teach me anything."

"Well, you've learned now," Harry said.

"Pride goeth before a fall." Draco smirked. "How proud I was. And now I'm working my way up from the bottom of the Ministry."

"Loads of people have to start at the bottom," Ron reminded him.

"I lost connections, status, possessions. I don't earn nearly what my monthly allowance would have been. And my entire flat could fit inside my bedroom at the Manor, with room to spare. But I'm not complaining." Draco reached out and caressed Harry's cheek. "I have so much more now than I ever did."

Harry rose to his feet and kissed Draco, prompting others in the canteen to catcall and whistle. Harry tried to pull away but Draco held tight.

"They've already seen, Harry. Stopping now won't convince anybody you're not mine," Draco said against his lips. He gave one last swipe of his tongue across his mouth before releasing him.

"Remember, Potter, you kissed me first."

"As I recall, you kissed me first. After our supper date that wasn't a date."

Draco blushed at the memory. "What can I say? You charmed me so much I forgot myself. Best move I ever made."

Robert and Mathilde stood to clear their trays, signaling the end of lunch time.

"Well, I should be getting back to work if I'm going to work my way up through the ranks," Draco said.

As Harry stood dreamily watching his lover leave, he heard Ron laugh. "What?"

"I was just wondering if I look that stupid when I'm watching Hermione."

"As a matter of fact, you do."

Laughing again, Ron said, "Glad I'm not the only fool in love."

"We've been dating two months," Harry said.

"And you don't think that's long enough to know you're in love?"

"I like him very much."

"Okay," Ron chuckled.

"Ron." Hermione nudged him. "Leave him alone. I think it's good they're taking their time."

"So, does that mean you approve?" Harry asked. "You'll try to become friends?"

"Of course we'll try, Harry."

He walked away feeling hopeful about a future with both Draco and his friends in his life.

Hermione turned to Ron. "Why were you goading him?"

"I wasn't goading. I was just taking the piss. You think he hasn't ribbed me about you? I'm trying to save him some time, considering how much we wasted not admitting our feelings."

"But it's not the same. You didn't have to choose between me and Harry. Harry isn't certain he won't have to choose between us and Draco. There's probably a part of him that's holding back–to save him from heartache down the road."

"You know as well as I do it's too late. They spend all their free time together and he talks all about Malfoy when they're not together. And when he's not talking about him, he's daydreaming with a goofy look on his face."

"Then the only solution is for us to become friends with Draco."

"Yeah," Ron sighed. "I was afraid you were going to say that."

hdhdhdhd

"More pie and mash?" Harry asked.

He and Draco sat across from one another at the small table in Draco's studio flat.

"Thank you, no." Draco held up his hand. "Where did you pick this up? It was delicious, but I'm full. I may have to digest awhile before I ravish you tonight."

"Oh, I made it myself," Harry told him, ignore the comment about ravishing him.

Draco raised an eyebrow.

"Well, most of it. I bought a ready-made dough and the pork was already cooked. But I boiled the potatoes, put the pies together and baked them. And I picked up some Eton mess."

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you trying to butter me up."

"I want to treat you well. Is there something wrong with that?"

"Of course not. I enjoy being treated well." Draco stared Harry in the eye until Harry had to look away from the intensity–as if he could see right through him.

"So, um, you've been to see Teddy Lupin?"

"Yes."

"You didn't mention it."

Dabbing at his mouth, Draco smiled. The same dazzling smile that got Harry on their supper date that wasn't a date.

"You don't like that I didn't tell you," Draco surmised. "I thought about it, but if things hadn't worked out, you would have been disappointed. And I really don't want to disappoint you."

"I haven't been disappointed by you."

"Give it time."

Harry chuckled. "I've been annoyed, surprised, satisfied and cheesed off by you. But never disappointed. I think the only thing that would disappoint me is if you didn't pay attention to me."

"You're annoyed then."

"I love that you're connecting with Teddy and Andromeda. I just wish I had known. I could have helped."

"It was something Mother and I had to do on our own. It was something we should have done a long time ago, without being shamed into it," Draco said.

"The important thing is that you're doing it now. And . . . how is it going?"

"Well. Mother and Andromeda have had tea several times. It was a bit awkward at first. But they've managed to do some catching up while avoiding Andromeda's banishment."

"No." Harry shook his head. "I meant with Teddy."

Draco shrugged. "The boy is only three or four. I'm not particularly good with children. He's a bit exhausting actually."

"He enjoys sport. You could toss a ball with him. Or play board games."

"We don't have those sorts of things at the Manor." Draco paused. "How do you know he enjoys sport?"

"He's my Godson. I visit with him about once a month. You didn't know?"

Shaking his head, Draco replied, "No. Andromeda never said anything about you. But why would she? She doesn't know about you and I, does she?"

"Then that means they truly want to mend your relationship. It has nothing to do with me. I was afraid . . ."

"You were afraid what?"

Harry tried to think of a way to say what he was thinking without insulting Draco. As much as Draco didn't want to disappoint Harry, Harry felt the same way.

"I was afraid you were trying to please me. Or they were."

"Hmm."

"It's not ego. People are constantly trying to get in my good books. I'm not saying that's your reasoning. I'm . . . I'm just pleased it's not. I–

"Harry." Draco laughed. "Stop falling all over yourself. I'm not insulted. In the past, it's exactly the sort of thing I would have done. But you know, it makes me happy to see my mother happy. My aunt is a lovely woman and Teddy . . . well, I'm sure he'll grow on me."

"Do you think it would be all right if I joined you next time? Or would you prefer not to tell them about us?" Harry asked.

"I would be happy for the support. Perhaps you could help me entertain my cousin while the women talk."

"Excellent." Harry beamed. "Are you ready for pudding?"

"Eton mess, you say? I've always wanted to eat cream and strawberries . . . from a firm, flat belly such as yours."

Harry's cock twitched at the visual in his head.

"I'm sure I could arrange that."

hdhdhdhd

"Where are you going?" Draco asked groggily.

"It's late. We have work in the morning." Harry kissed Draco's temple. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"You could stay. You've stayed before."

"On the weekend."

"What's the difference? My bed is cold without you no matter the day of the week."

Harry stood, hesitating. "I guess I could get up a little early to go home and shower."

Draco reached out a hand, beckoning him to get back into bed. Harry slid his trousers off and pulled his shirt over his head, then slipped between the covers. Draco immediately spooned him, wrapping his arm around his waist.

"That's better," he whispered against his neck. "Goodnight my love."

Harry lay awake a while after he heard the heavy, rhythmic breathing behind was more content than he had been in a very long time. Every night he spent in Draco's bed made it difficult to face his own lonely room. It was surprising how quickly Harry had gotten used to the company he never thought he needed. Even more surprising was how his former enemy made him feel more loved than nearly anyone else.