Hello! We all know the saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." right? That's exactly what I was doing all these days but there were so many lemons that I just lost track of time making the lemonade! *wink*

On a serious note: A big thank you to all those who are still sticking around waiting for my updates, I truly appreciate it! Thank you to all those who commented and liked, I don't really have the time to reply separately, sorry.

PS: The time to make the next batch of lemonade might vary coz I donno how many more lemons life is gonna throw at me... so please have patience and sit tight! I'm not going to abandon this story.

CHAPTER 16

Draco walked into The Maple Apartments and directly went to the guest bedroom Hermione had offered him the previous day. He banged the door shut before taking a deep breath and walking to the wardrobe looking for a change of clothes. He knew something had happened but he wasn't sure what.

Graham's favourites had informed him in the early hours of the morning that he didn't want to see Draco's face ever again and had given him no further explanation. Confused, he had gone to Hammersmith district himself to talk to Graham but he had been denied entry. A young lad was sent out to convey "Graham's sincere apologies" for all that he's done to Draco till date. When Draco had asked him about the debt he had to pay back, he was told that everything's settled and the door was politely shut on his face.

Disoriented beyond belief, he had gone to Claire's flat and had stayed there till afternoon, not knowing what's going on. Claire was still unreachable and Mia had no idea about any of this, either.

He had then taken the muggle bus back to Hermione's place. The initial plan was for Hermione to pick him back but he didn't want to be treated like a child so he had spoken against it and had assured her he would be safe. He knew a muggle bus was hardly safe but that was the last thing on his mind right now.

He showered, had a change of clothes and went out into the living room, needing a drink. The house was quiet, Hermione and Weasley having left for work in the morning, but when he entered the living room, he found Potter sprawled across the couch, warming a cup in his hands.

"What are you doing here?"

"It's my friends' house, I have all the right to be here."

"Shouldn't you be at the ministry?"

"Mmm-hmm" was all the reply he got.

Draco shook his head and fetched himself a glass of whisky and plopped down on the loveseat beside the television.

"How was work?" Potter asked.

And it all became clear.

"It was you, wasn't it?" Draco asked, clenching his jaw.

"Mmm-hmm."

"Potter."

"Mmm-hmm..." He was still peering into the cup and pretending to be really interested in swirling it.

"Potter! Stop hmming!"

He looked up directly into Draco's face and stared deep into his eyes and said with utter conviction , "Yes, it was me."

The confession threw Draco for a bit who wasn't expecting it. His expression turned grim.

"Bloody hell, Potter! I lost count of the number of times I've told you this. ' . . When will it get into that thick skull of yours!"

"Now you're just being stubborn." Potter rolled his eyes, getting up to go place the mug in the kitchen. He was behaving like this was all too silly and Draco was having a childish fight for no reason. He needed to understand how serious this was. Draco stood up and followed him to the kitchen.

"You can't just dismiss me, Potter."

"I don't understand what the issue is here."

"The issue is that you want to assuage that hero complex of yours and somehow I always end up being the perfect candidate for it. Do you know what it does to my self-respect! This time it cost me my job."

"Are you telling me you enjoyed working there?"

"It doesn't matter! Stop trying to demean my job! Who are you to decide where I should or shouldn't work!"

"It definitely matters, Draco. It will be clear to anyone with eyes that you were stuck! Stuck because you couldn't pay back the debt, because you have a very sick son , because the wizarding world is not going to hire you anytime soon!"

"Exactly! So how am I supposed sustain myself and my son now? And please, don't tell me your charity is enough of an income. You've already humiliated me enough."

"Merlin, Draco! I wasn't humiliating or.. or trying to wound your stupid dignity and pride and any of that crap! Don't you get it? I didn't want you working in such a hostile environment! I wasn't trying to dishonour the job as such in any way! The work is not the problem! You being forced to do it is the problem!" Potter bellowed. He seemed to have finally understood the gravity of the problem.

"Enough with that drivel. You think I don't know any of that? And despite that if I'm doing something, you should have stopped and thought for one second that it will be for a reason? Or is it too much for you to comprehend that!"

"I was only trying to help!"

"You should stop poking your nose in other people's business, Potter. It's a wonder you haven't been arrested for providing unwanted help yet. It sure disrupts people's lives!"

"I don't go around offering help to any and everyone I come across! I'm not an idiot."

"Then why am I a special case!"

"Because I like you."

Harry hadn't really planned it out. He hadn't even intended to say it out loud actually. Though the one thing he was sure about was the absolute truth behind those words. He knew he had started harboring feelings for the blond but he wasn't sure announcing it was the best thing to do. One glimpse at the said blond's face confirmed his suspicions.

He couldn't find the surprised, shocked or flummoxed expression that usually accompanies such a revelation. All he could find was anger.

His face contorted and after a moment Draco blurted out the words - "Very funny, Potter. Ha-ha!" And all Harry could think of was 'this isn't how it was supposed to go.'

"I am not trying to be funny, you know." Harry said, tentatively.

"I don't care about that, Potter. I don't want you getting all touchy-feely suddenly and start spewing emotional crap like you just did."

Harry was completely taken aback. In his opinion, that was uncalled for and he couldn't help being offended.

"There are ways to politely say no to people. Why do you always have to be so rude?"

"Oh please! Now don't start something about hurting your feelings." Draco rolled his eyes. "You know, it'd be a whole lot better if you could keep them in check actually. Didn't expect this from you, Potter." And just like that he walked away, leaving Harry wondering what the hell just happened.

Draco had just made Harry look bad, like liking someone... liking Draco, was a grave error he hadn't expected Harry to do. He had looked angry and disappointed. The two things a normal person would never imagine seeing in such circumstances. One would expect that after such a confession from one's ex-enemy, things would probably turn awkward between the two. But it seemed like here, things are going to be far from awkward. How weird.

'He doesn't even care.' was all Harry could think of.

But how much he actually did care, only Draco knew. He knew very well Potter hadn't been joking. What he'd said, was genuine. Draco knew.. because Potter's eyes always tell the truth. There was a fire in those orbs when he'd said it and also a tinge of hesitancy like he knew Draco would never feel the same way about him. He couldn't be more wrong.

The anger and disappointment were for himself. He'd been in love with the speccy git for sometime now. He'd accepted it. But he'd also accepted that he'll have to live with it. He'd been pining and he had planned to continue that way. This sudden news of it being mutual didn't go well with his plan. Any sane individual would be delighted to have been wrong in this aspect, but Draco's, as we all know, is a different story.

Thus comes in the anger and disappointment. He was furious at himself because he hadn't said it back to Harry and disappointed that he couldn't say it back. A small part of him knew he'd done the right thing but that was a very small part. Therefore he couldn't prevent the vase shattering against the wall.

Why did Harry have to go say it? It should have continued being unrequited ... Hell, he wanted it to be unrequited. It was the one thing he had the sole possession of and Harry had to go take that away too. He knew he was being unreasonable. He didn't exactly know why he couldn't just be with Harry, but for some reason he knew he couldn't.

His mother had just died. His ailing son was dying of some mysterious disease. He is basically an innocent fugitive. He had no money...and now no job. Seeing as his life was already too messy, he couldn't complicate it further by starting something with Potter of all people... because that is what it's going to be - complicated.

Draco groaned in frustration. Wait a minute! This is not the primary reason he should be upset about!

Harry was seated on the off-white love seat which was Ron's favourite when Draco peeked into the living room like he was making sure Harry was still there, before making his way to the long settee directly opposite the love seat.

He sat down gingerly and stared at him for a long minute before quietly saying - "So you know?"

"What?" asked Harry stupidly, with no clue what he was talking about.

Draco gave him a drawn out glower before it dawned on him.

"Oh! Okay! Yeah! Yeah I know." Harry said, his tone taking on a descending pitch.

"How much?" Draco mumbled after a long pause.

"Enough." said Harry, watching Draco like a hawk, but his expression remained neutral.

"And?"

"And what?"

"I don't know, Potter. Just say something."

Harry gave him a puzzled look. He had no clue what Draco was getting at...and then it hit him. His expression remained neutral but there was a careful mask of indifference plastered across his face. Harry could tell it was a mask because his demeanor gave him away. His fingers were clutched too tight in a fist, placed atop the cushions he was seated beside. His foot kept tapping the floor, clearly showing how uncomfortable he actually was and every once in a while he swept a nervous hand through his smooth hair.

"Draco, it's okay." Harry reassured him. "I'm not going to think lowly of you for something you were forced to do."

"I wasn't forced, Potter. I chose to go sell myself."

"To avoid going into anything else that was illegal. I get it. So stop trying to make me think otherwise."

Draco looked at him with an expression Harry couldn't quite decipher before he gave him a quick nod and looked away.

"How did you get to know?" he then asked.

"I followed you." Harry admitted without reluctance.

"Some habits never go away, do they?" Draco looked up sharply but Harry wasn't fazed. He knew it had been the right thing to do.

"Following you wasn't enough though. Hermione filled me in on the rest. Well, she was forced to fill me in on the rest."

"So you knew about her too."

It wasn't really a question but Harry felt compelled to answer.

"I'm not really as unobservant as you think." he shrugged.

They sat there for sometime, both looking at the floor. Draco seemed lost in his thoughts and Harry had no intention to disturb him.

Then Draco stood up and walked to the kitchen, fetching two cups and heating water to make tea. After a few minutes, he returned, handing Harry one of the cups and taking a seat beside Harry this time. He blew into the cup and took a sip, enjoying the warmth that spread and the flavour of chamomile, when Draco spoke.

"It wasn't her fault you know." Draco turned to look at him. "Hermione. She didn't want to hide anything from you. I practically swore her to secrecy."

"I know." he said. "Hermione told me. She might be on her way now to apologise to you."

Harry gave him a sideways glance and then turned so they were now facing one another. They sat looking at each other and it appeared to continue forever.

They looked and looked and the intensity of the stare seemed to be increasing but neither backed down. Harry could literally feel the heightened tension in the room and he knew Draco could feel it too. He didn't know what exactly was happening but he wouldn't look away. Couldn't look away. There was sweat beading on his forehead and the silvery grey eyes seemed to be dilating, enabling Harry to see the blue specks that otherwise remained inconspicuous. They weren't the usual cold grey... there was warmth there, clear and concise and Harry knew.

Draco was the first to look away. Harry then realised they had inadvertently moved a little closer, leaving only a few inches between their faces. This delighted Harry to no extent but Draco quickly moved away and was already halfway across the room when Harry got off the sofa and pulled Draco towards him, kissing him square on the lips.

He would later realise what a stupid thing it was to do but at the moment he felt brave enough to do it and so he did. Draco's lips were chapped and seemed unrelenting for a second but then they gave way and Harry was delving into that sinful mouth, exploring, biting, tongues seeking dominance...desperate to span the entire area. It was no longer just a kiss... it was sensual in an obscene way. Harry raised his hands and wrapped them around Draco's neck, pulling him closer than what was possible and suddenly he found himself across the room, his knees hitting the settee which Draco had previously occupied.

It was all so abrupt that it took him sometime to realise how he'd actually gotten there. He found Draco breathing heavily, a series of emotions clouding his face ... skepticism, confusion, disappointment before settling on anger. He quickly tampered it down and walked the length of the room towards his bedroom and was in the process of shutting the door when Harry, with great agility ran the expanse of the hallway and stuck his foot in, preventing the door from closing.

Draco didn't even bother protesting. He left the door open and lied down on the bed, turning away from Harry. Harry wasn't sure what was the right thing to say at the moment so he made a sad attempt to lighten the mood.

"Am I such a bad kisser?" he half heartedly chuckled, which came out more like a grimace.

"I am not in the mood for your pathetic little jokes, Potter." Draco grumbled.

Harry sighed, pressing his thumb and index finger to his temples in irritation.

"Okay, let's just talk about it alright?"

"There's nothing to say."

Harry could easily start pulling at his hair from the frustration he was feeling... better instead he should pull at Draco's hair. Would serve the git right. Trust him to spoil the whole mood after such a fabulous kiss.

"Can you please clarify what exactly is the problem?.. because I'm at a total loss." Harry snapped.

"How wonderful! The irony behind you creating the problems and then asking what is the problem. You jumped me! That's the problem." Draco said in an even tone, still facing the wall at the far end of the room.

"What the bloody hell, Malfoy! That's just an exaggeration. I didn't jump you!"

"Are you telling me you didn't pull me into a kiss?"

"No, that's not what I meant-"

"And didn't I tell you to keep your feelings to yourself?"

"Yes! But you-"

"So now we know everything there is to know." Draco concluded like he had just read a boring report.

"And what exactly are you going to do knowing? Call the aurors? I'm sure they'd arrest the one with simple harassment charges before an almost-convicted murderer. Especially if the murderer is an ex- death eater. I mean, how does Harry Potter stand a chance, right?" Harry mocked scornfully.

"That's low, Potter. Even for you. Didn't your mother teach you conduct? Oh sorry, I always forget you didn't have one." Draco took the bait. "That also means we can't really blame you for forcing yourself on people. If one never learned manners, then what can one do..." Draco drifted off dramatically.

If Draco was trying to get a rise out of him, it was definitely working. Harry was fuming. He thought he might burst a vessel or two if he didn't calm down soon. The painting on the wall shattered due to his uncontrolled magic and Harry knew it was time to leave before he hurt Draco.

"I'm extremely sorry for forcing myself on you. I assure you it will never happen again!" he gritted out.

There was a deafening thud that it was a miracle the door didn't just fall off its hinges...And Harry was gone.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Angeu!"

"You know I hate that name." Angelina huffed, folding her arms.

Hermione giggled. She picked up the folders of different research papers she wanted to read through and walked around their work table to give Angelina a one armed hug.

"You know I love it though." she whispered, which made Angelina huff a little more.

Smiling, Hermione left the lab, walking down the corridor to the lifts. Cordially nodding at a few familiar faces, she made her way to the ministry atrium. On reaching the fire places she made a crash decision to floo over to Grimmauld Place instead of home. She was early today, might as well make some more progress with the research.

To be honest, Hermione wasn't ready to go home just yet, because when she does, she'll have to go pick Rose from The Burrow and just the mere thought of it left her hoping she could just stay back in the ministry...actually it won't even be a problem, because she loved her job. Not that she didn't love Rose.

She sighed.

On speaking out the address, she was transported to the old Black home and stepping out of the fireplace, the first thing she reached for was the wine cabinet. Summoning a glass she poured some clairet and plopped down on the sofa. She stretched her legs, resting them on the coffee table and took a moment to relax. It hadn't even been such a long day but thinking of going back home made her feel like she was carrying the load of the world.

It was times like these when she wondered if deciding to start a family had been the right thing to do. She had no regrets marrying Ron...loved him so much that she cannot imagine not being with him. But was it the right decision to have a kid so soon? When she had found out she was pregnant she had been on top of the moon. Didn't even have second thoughts...and the day Rose was born... Merlin! It had been the happiest day of her life.

She remembered that squished pudgy face of her sweet baby girl and smiled dazedly. A happy tear rolled down her cheek which just confirmed what she already knew - she cannot imagine a life without Rosie.

Maybe it is just her then. No matter how hard she tried, it was apparent that she lacked in parenting skills. So even if she had waited, she knew she never would have been 'ready' to become a parent.

Whenever she looks at her mother or Mrs. Weasley interacting with the kids, she wonders how they could be such great mothers. She always thought that girls were born with the skill of good parenting, that being a mother was second nature to them...that it just comes. Her case proves just how wrong she was.

Becoming a mother and being a mother are two different things and eventhough Hermione Granger was good at lots of stuff and grasps things real quick, this was the one thing she wasn't good at.

With this thought in mind, she gulped down the rest of the wine and started working on the files she had to read.

There was a deafening thud again and Draco woke up with a start.

"What the-!"

He blindly searched the room, his heart rate coming back to normal and found the source of the noise to be the door again.

"It's a wonder you have any doors left if you and your friends handle them this way." Draco mumbled, trying to sit up.

"Draco! Wake up!" Hermione pulled at the duvet and Draco yelped pulling it back.

She gave him a weird look. "You're not naked below the blanket, are you?"

Draco didn't say anything to that, blood was traveling to his face and he could feel his cheeks getting warm.

"You are, aren't you!" Hermione suddenly exclaimed, grinning wildly.

"What's so funny about that? As though you've never wanked to the thoughts of your husband?" Confidence was supposed to reflect in that sentence, but his blush was making it hard to feel that confidence.

"And to whose thoughts were you wanking to?" she wiggled her eyebrows, amusement evident on her face.

Draco flushed. His whole face was on fire and he knew he was probably red.

"I'm not going to tell you that now, am I?" his voice croaked and he cleared his throat, embarrassed beyond belief.

"Well, I have my guesses." she murmured.

Draco's head shot up. He felt his expression flicker and clamped down on it but the sudden sharpness of her eyes told him he hadn't been quick enough. He opened his mouth to say something but Hermione cut him off.

"Meet me in the kitchen when you're ... presentable." she grinned again and left the room.

Christ! This lady is just too clever for her own good.

He looked around, wondering what time it is. It was dark outside and his window was open, bringing in cool air. He didn't actually remember falling asleep. After that argument , he'd been pretty high strung. What he'd said about Harry forcing himself on Draco... any ten year old kid - had he witnessed the incident - would know Draco had just as much enthusiastic participation in it as Harry.

He'd wanted nothing more than to just melt into the kiss and never let Harry go and it had been through some incredible burst of willpower he'd pushed him away. He couldn't look at Harry after that and that is why the whole argument had taken place between Harry and Draco's back.

The only way he knew of to send Harry away was to get him angry and the topic of his parents had always helped to achieve that. He knew Harry had been seething when he'd stormed out. Draco hadn't enjoyed doing it but he had needed some alone-time to collect himself and that alone-time had resulted in something else entirely.

He'd been so hard and no matter how much he tried to quell it down and concentrate on how to fix this Harry-liking-him-back issue, at that moment, he could only have inappropriate thoughts about him...and henceforth it only got harder (no pun intended).

The kiss had been phenomenal and after experiencing something like that ... he couldn't immediately plaster the mask back on and he knew his face would easily give him away.

Now he wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to look at Harry again.

Hermione had the broth heating for the curry and she was stirring the veggies but her mind was whirling. She had news. Big news. And it was making her anxious. She couldn't wait to let the others know.

She was excited and at the same time she was even more puzzled than she was before. She shook her head, bringing her concentration back to the cooking.

Let's just wait for Draco.

After fifteen minutes, she was done. She was pouring the curry in bowls when she heard footsteps approaching the kitchen.

"I'm here." she heard Draco saying and then he turned the corner and sat himself down on the dining table. He had freshened up ... 'and is fully dressed this time.' she thought, which brought a small smile to her lips.

She brought the two bowls over, placing one in front of Draco and carrying the other to the seat opposite him.

"How'd you know I was hungry?" Draco asked, happily digging in.

Hermione just shrugged. They ate in silence for about a minute and then it was broken by Draco.

"Where's Rose and Weasley?"

"Upstairs, sleeping." she said, peering into the bowl.

"So you just came home?" he asked, noting her ministry robes.

"Yes." was the short reply he got.

There was a pause.

"What is it, Hermione?" he asked, concerned.

Hermione looked up nervously. She regarded him for a second before producing a thick black book from her bag and pushing it towards Draco.

He gave it a curious look but pulled it towards him and opened it to the front page.

"Dark arts?" he questioned, gazing into Hermione's eyes, confused.

"Turn to page 850."

He did as he was told and skimmed through the page before looking up again.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Read it, Draco." she said impatiently.

"I would have, if it hadn't started bleeding."

And there it was, blood oozing from the pages. It splattered across the table while Draco tried to balance it in his hands, holding it away from him to stop the blood falling onto his clothes.

Hermione quickly came around the table, picking her wand from the counter.

"It does that...the spell must have worn off." She cast a Stasis charm followed by a Tergeo to siphon off the blood.

Draco then placed the book on the table, and they peered into it together, reading.

Hermione knew the exact moment he was done, because Draco turned round so quickly , she was sure he must have cricked his neck. He stared at her, his eyes widening .

"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Hermione nodded.

He looked back at the book again and then at Hermione.

"But...How?... Who? "

Hermione shrugged again. She had no answer to that.

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