Just one chapter to go after this one. Let me know what you think.
Harry and Draco caused a bit of a stir with their romance. Luckily, it wasn't all negative. People had grown accustomed to them being together from their friendship and courting. But there was a very obvious shift after the day at the greenhouse.
Draco was very attentive and sweet to Harry. It was as if Harry's declaration of love had broken the dam, and all the sweetness that Draco possessed came flooding out.
Harry was treated to massages, chocolates and gentle fingers carding through his hair and stroking his scalp. He'd been rather stunned by Draco's solicitous behavior, unfamiliar with a Draco Malfoy that was determined to spoil him.
Parvati and Padma Patil had been quite vocal in their support of the relationship. They hadn't been particular fans of Draco but they'd accepted his friendship with Harry. And something about seeing Draco fawn over Harry so adoringly had softened them. Hannah Abbott and Susan Bones seemed to agree. Harry's delightfully blissful expression in Draco's presence was rather convincing.
Others were less pleased by Harry's choice of partner. A few of the members of Dumbledore's Army were outraged. A few questioned Harry's sanity or even if he was under a spell or potion. But, nobody was willing to confront Harry about the matter. Not after Michael Corner anyway.
Micheal had boldly approached the group as they studied in the grass near the lake. He didn't see Draco with the group, so it seemed like a good time to approach. "Could I have a word Harry?" he asked stiffly.
Harry looked up from his notes in surprise. His lovely white cat was curled up in his lap, his front paws making rhythmic kneading motions against Harry's trousers. "Can it wait?" Harry asked, dropping one hand to stroke the cat. "We're sort of in the middle of something."
Michael huffed impatiently. "I think you need to consider what your relationship is going to do to your reputation," he snapped. "Why would you stoop to dating a death eater?"
Ginny, Ron and Hermione glared at Michael. Neville, Seamus and Dean were watching Harry warily. Blaise leaned back and watched the scene with interest.
"Draco is not a death eater," Harry said calmly, though his eyes were narrowed in anger.
"That mark on his arm says otherwise," Michael retorted. "Why would you date him?"
"They're courting actually," Seamus said helpfully. "Bit different."
"More than a bit," Blaise drawled. "It's like... pre-engagement."
"It's like spitting in the face of everyone that died in the war," Michael snarled, drawing gasps from Hermione and Ginny.
Harry was on his feet in an instant, Dragon tumbling out of his lap with an indignant meow. Ron jumped up as well, catching Harry's arm in a tight grip. "Shut up about Draco," Harry growled. "You know nothing about him. I don't answer to you, the Daily Prophet or the Ministry. I don't care what you think about me or my relationship."
"What about all the people who have followed you and fought for you over the years?" Michael demanded.
Harry's temper was spiking to an unmanageable level. Ron could feel the flare of Harry's magic fighting against his control. "Harry never asked for that," Ron said sternly, deftly sliding between Harry and Michael. "He gave enough during the war. He doesn't owe anybody anything. If that bothers you, keep it to yourself."
Harry leaned past Ron's shoulder to give Michael a furious look. "If you ever assume you have the right to speak to me, think again," Harry said coldly. "If you choose to approach me, you better hope that there's someone to hold me back. And if you go near Draco, I'll make sure you regret it."
Michael left quickly, muttering darkly to himself. Harry remained where he was, breathing hard as his anger continued to surge through him. Behind him, Hermione was setting up wards and charms. When she was finished, Draco transformed and pulled Harry into his arms.
Harry breathed out slowly, closing his eyes. "Just relax Harry," Draco coaxed softly. "Get it under control."
"What a bastard," Ron muttered, returning to Hermione's side. "Who does he think he is?"
"Unfortunately, most of the wizarding world seems to think they have a claim on Harry," Hermione said with a sigh. "They'll just have to get over it."
Harry calmed downed a bit and finally met Draco's concerned gaze. "I don't care what anybody else says," Harry informed him. "I love you, and I won't give this up."
"You'll lose friends over me," Draco noted sadly.
"But I've got my best friend," Harry smiled, kissing Draco's fingers gently. His gaze shifted to his other friends. "And the friends I have right here are amazing. I couldn't ask for anything better."
Blaise made a gagging noise, making Luna giggle. "Potter, you sentimental idiot," Blaise sighed.
"Shut up Blaise," Draco said absently, his gaze not straying from Harry's face. He bit his lip and brushed his fingers over Harry's cheek bones. "I don't want you to have regrets or resent me," he said quietly.
"Never," Harry insisted firmly. "That won't happen."
Draco sighed but lifted Harry's hands and kissed them. "Then I'm yours," Draco murmured lifting his eyes from Harry's hands to his green eyes.
For a moment, they all stood still and silent. The odd hum of Harry's magic calmed and settled again. It was growing darker with the setting sun and a breeze ruffled their hair.
"So..." Seamus said, trying, and failing, to look casual. "Pre-engagement. Heavy stuff."
Draco looked down, his cheeks flushing. "Obviously I won't hold Harry to that," he chuckled uncomfortably. "But that prat Corner doesn't need to know that."
Harry frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?" he asked.
"You were ignorant of the implications when this all started," Draco explained. "As lovely as it sounds, you can't be expected to go through with an engagement when you honestly didn't know what you were doing. That's just ridiculous."
"Give me a little credit Draco," Harry responded in annoyance. "I wasn't about to make another mistake. After that day in Hogsmeade, I immediately began researching the topic of courtships. Hermione helped me," he added. Hermione nodded in agreement. "I'm not a complete idiot. I've been fully aware of the 'implications' for a while now. For me, it changes nothing."
Draco stared at him in amazement. "We're only eighteen Harry," he argued, keeping his tone gentle. "This is a big decision."
"One that I've already made," Harry replied with a slightly nervous laugh. "I want this. It feels more right than anything else ever has. If it's not the same for you-" He paused and looked down. He took in a deep breath, not quite meeting Draco's gaze. "If it's not the same for you, I understand and I respect that. Your happiness means the world to me." He cleared his throat roughly and looked around at their friends. "Let's go inside."
Draco walked along next to Harry, not speaking. Ginny, Luna and Blaise were chatting; Probably trying to avoid the awkward silence that threatened to descend on their group.
Draco hadn't expected Harry's response. The idea of being courted was wonderful and romantic, but Harry hadn't really understood the concept when it had been presented. Draco had resigned himself to the idea of their relationship being more like dating than a real courtship. It was better that way, considering their past and their age. But now, he was seeing how serious Harry was about this.
Draco had a lot of thinking to do. Harry was stubborn and sometimes made rash decisions. Draco would have to be cautious and think carefully, to protect both of them.
To his surprise, Harry didn't bring it up again. He'd basically placed his heart in Draco's hands, only to step back and wait to see what Draco would do with it. For a week, Draco pondered his situation while Harry calmly continued on as if nothing had changed.
Draco sat with his back to a tree and a book in his lap. The book was open, but Draco had quickly lost interest in reading it. Blaise sat nearby, reading his own book, despite wearing a bored expression. Harry was in the hospital for an examination and had offered to catch up with Draco later.
Luna approached them quietly and seated herself next to Draco. She smiled at Blaise when he looked up at her and then she turned to look Draco over. "The wrackspurts are quite fond of you today," she commented lightly.
Draco snorted. "Well I'm flattered," he replied with a little smirk.
Luna nodded her approval, her eyes drifting to stare at a spot just above Draco's head. "Do you want to talk about it?" she asked lightly.
Draco sighed, shaking his head. He wasn't sure he could come up with the words to say.
Luna stared at him for a moment and then nodded again. "Will you listen then?" she asked. She smiled when Draco motioned for her to proceed. "It's been lovely getting to know you," she informed him. "I don't think any of us knew that you were so clever and funny." She pause and reached into her pocket, enlarging the object she pulled out with a spell. It was the stained glass frame that she'd gotten Draco for Christmas.
"How did you get that from my trunk?" Draco asked. He wasn't angry with her, but he was a bit unnerved that she could just retrieve his personal belongings whenever she had a mind to do it.
"The house elves really like me," Luna shrugged.
"Well of course," Draco muttered sarcastically. Blaise snorted into his book.
"Anyway," Luna went on, "I chose this for a reason." She handed the glass to Draco, watching as he frowned down at the image of the dragon. "This is you," she said softly, running one finger over the glass the made up the dragon's body.
"Because of my name," Draco reasoned, still quite baffled. "Draco means dragon."
"That was why I chose this picture," Luna corrected gently. "I meant the glass itself."
Draco sighed, giving Luna an exasperated look. Blaise's face was a mask of bewilderment as well. "Is this going to make sense any time soon?" Blaise asked.
Luna took the frame back and looked down at it with a smile. "There's so much detail. It's lovely and colorful," she explained. "But watch this..."
She lifted the frame so that the image was still visible to them. But now, the morning sunlight was beaming down on it. The whole picture lit up with the splendor of the morning sun. The colors were suddenly much more vibrant. The dragon even stretched his wings within the frame. It was so beautiful.
Luna gazed up at the image with a smile. "You can't see how wonderful it really is until you see the sunlight shining through it," she said, glancing at Draco over her shoulder. "Harry is your sunlight."
Draco couldn't speak. Luna was truly a wonder. She'd given him the stained glass months in advance. Clearly she saw something in him that he'd been unaware of himself. But, he couldn't disagree. Friendship with Harry, Harry's love, had revealed parts of Draco's character that had been hidden by his fear, bitterness and desire to be in control. Once those barriers had been melted by Harry's warmth, Draco had found himself doing and saying things that would have seemed contrary to his nature.
"That's... profound, Lovegood," Blaise said, his gaze darting between the frame and Draco's face.
"I have my moments," Luna replied with a grin. She took out her wand and cast a few spells, frowning in concentration. When she was finished, the frame had been shrunk and turned into a pendant. She threaded it onto a leather cord before fastening it on Draco's neck. "Now you'll always be reminded," she said softly, pulling her hands away.
"Thank you," Draco said, his hand lifting to stroke one finger over the colorful pendant.
"When you change, that cord will become a collar," Luna added cheerfully. "That pendant will look wonderful on Dragon."
Draco smiled. Odd as she was, Luna was very clever and Draco was rather grateful for her friendship. It was worth all the confusion that she generally inspired.
Harry had admired Draco's new necklace when he saw it. He didn't question it much since Draco seemed hesitant to discuss it's significance. "We don't have to talk about it now," Harry had said. "It obviously makes you feel happy, so that's good enough for me."
Draco's response had been a slow, deep and smoldering kiss that left Harry weak-kneed and breathless.
A few weeks later, Draco had just finished sending off a letter to his mother when Andre and Millicent burst into the owlery, wide-eyed and panting. "What's going on?" Draco demanded.
"Come quick," Andre wheezed. "They've got Potter."
"Where?" Draco snapped, his thoughts spinning frantically.
"Black Lake," Millicent responded, rushing them back through the door. "Blaise thought they were going to come after you, but it was Potter again."
They ran as fast as they could across the school grounds. Draco froze at the scene by the lake. He clearly saw himself standing at the waters edge, wand pointed at Harry. There was a large crowd of students, shouting and pushing one another. There was a group of students at the front that prevented interference from the crowd.
"But- who is that if you're Draco?" Andre asked, his expression horrified.
Draco didn't pause to think it over. He transformed and darted toward the lake, slipping through the crowd easily. He leapt into the air and launched himself at the Draco doppelganger.
The imposter shrieked when Dragon scratched his face viciously, tearing at the skin before jumping to the ground. He positioned himself in front of Harry, his hackles raised and a threatening growl rumbled from him. He shifted and returned to his human form, instantly drawing his wand and taking a duelling stance.
"Malfoy was the cat!" a voice cried from the crowd.
"Who's the other bloke then?"
Draco held still, his eyes sweeping the crowd. He could see Hermione, Ron, Neville and Ginny running toward the lake. But they weren't close enough. Behind him he could hear Harry wheezing and coughing weakly. Draco raised his wand, prepared to defend Harry for as long as he could.
A jet of red light hit Draco in the side. He cried out in pain, but forced himself to remain standing. He clutched his side with his left hand while sending a disarming charm at his attacker. A second he's hit his right shoulder, leaving him unable to lift his wand arm. He dropped to his knees, still stubbornly blocking Harry from further attack.
"Get them!"
Draco wasn't sure where the shout had come from. But in the next moment, the Slytherins were being disarmed and stunned. Michael Corner tackled the Draco look-alike and bound him in magic ropes. Parvati was checking to make sure that the attacking Slytherins were properly bound and disarmed.
Hermione slid to a stop and dropped to her knees in front of Draco and Harry. "Oh Merlin," she gasped.
Harry had coughed blood onto the ground and his breathing was labored. "Draco," he whispered.
"Don't speak," Draco choked out, ignoring the pain that burned through him. "Just hold on Harry."
"Dean went for the Headmistress and Seamus went for Madam Pomfrey," Hermione said anxiously. Blaise was injured so we sent him to the infirmary as well.
"What happened?" Draco gasped, grasping Harry's hand carefully.
"We all thought it was you," Micheal said, his face ashen. He motioned to the other Draco. "He said horrible, hateful things to Harry. Harry seemed to think it was an Imperious curse. Told everyone not to hurt him." He drew in a shuddering breath. "Then the curses started. Harry wouldn't fight back, begging Malfoy to fight the Imperious Curse. The other Slytherins kept us from helping."
Draco's breath caught in his throat. He looked down at Harry in horror. "Harry, I would never-"
"I know you wouldn't," Harry whispered with a pained smile. "I never doubted that."
"It must be polyjuice potion," Hermione said, sighing in relief when she saw the mediwitch running toward them.
Draco allowed Hermione and Ron to support him as they walked behind Madam Pomfrey. The mediwitch was levitating Harry to the infirmary with a grim expression. Behind them, they could hear the Headmistress furious voice demanding an explanation from the remaining students.
Draco groaned when a door slammed loudly followed by heavy footsteps. Who the hell was making such a racket?
"Mr. Weasley, this is an infirmary," Poppy scolded. "Try to conduct yourself like a civilized person."
"Sorry," was Ron's sheepish response. "Are they awake?"
"I believe your exceptionally loud entrance woke Mr. Malfoy."
A moment later, the curtains were shoved open and Ron appeared at Draco's bedside. Draco groaned again. "I shouldn't be forced to look at your hair immediately after waking up," Draco complained. "It's too sodding bright."
"Very funny," Ron smirked. "Are you alright?"
"Delightful," Draco drawled, wincing at the pain in his side as he sat up in bed.
"Easy mate," Ron said. He propped up the pillows and guided Draco to rest against them.
Before Draco could question Ron, the doors of the hospital wing were thrown open again. McGonagall walked in followed closely by Narcissa, Molly and Arthur. Then Kingsley walked in with a few aurors. The aurors were leading several students into the room. They were bound by magical ropes. Among them were Pansy, Theo Nott and Greg Goyle.
"We thought you should know who your attackers were," McGonagall said tersely. She paused while Poppy ran a few charms over Harry who was just waking.
"Who used the polyjuice potion?" Draco asked.
"Miss Parkinson," McGonagall replied.
"Pansy?" Draco asked, his eyes wide with shock. "You disguised yourself as me and attacked Harry?"
"It's his fault!" Goyle shrieked at Draco before Pansy couple speak. "Because of him, Crabbe is dead." He sneered at Draco in disgust. "Crabbe was your friend and you're willing to bend over for his murderer. You make me sick."
Draco stared at Goyle in horror. Kingsley used a spell to silence the growing madness of Goyle's shouting. He looked completely unhinged. Even Pansy and Theo were looking uncomfortable.
Angry over the war and bitter about their losses, some of the Slytherins wanted to punish Draco for his betrayal. They hated Harry for obvious reasons, but when the two had become a couple it had only fueled the hatred. Evidently, Goyle had been the one driving the poisonous hatred that seeped through Slytherin house. He was devastated over Crabbe's death. The fact that Crabbe had started the fire that resulted in his death didn't seem relevant. Goyle's fury had evolved into madness.
Pansy had been reluctant to actually harm Draco, but she's gotten over her qualms when Harry and Draco officially became a couple. She'd been delighted to have the chance to break the Chosen One's heart just before she crushed him physically.
"They'll be placed in holding at the Ministry," Kingsley said solemnly. "That's twice that Harry's nearly died. They're likely headed to Azkaban."
The students were led away with Goyle turning to give Harry one last murderous look. Molly rushed to Harry and began pressing kisses to his face."You poor dear," she murmured. "It's alright now."
Narcissa approached Draco's bed and gave his hand a squeeze. "I heard some of the students call you a hero," she commented. "You put yourself in front of Harry to protect him, even after you were wounded yourself."
"You should be very proud," Molly put in, offering Narcissa a tentative smile.
"I am," Narcissa agreed with a prim little nod. "And you should be quite proud yourself. Your children have been so supportive of Draco. And sweet Harry..." She shifted her gaze to Harry and smiled. "So very charming. Not everyone can win the heart of a Malfoy," she added with a wink. She chuckled softly when Harry blushed.
"I'm injured," Draco complained. "Don't make it worse by embarrassing me."
"Of course not my Dragon," Narcissa said, pressing a wrapped box into Draco's hand. "I'm just glad you're both alright."
Harry fell asleep after a few minutes of talking. He'd had some internal bleeding so Poppy was dosing him with a few potions, one of which was to help him sleep while he healed.
"I suppose we should go," Molly said reluctantly. "Harry needs to rest."
"Before you go-" Draco blurted out, looking anxious. "Well- There's something that I need to speak with you about."
Molly and Arthur exchanged a look of concern. Hesitantly, they moved closer to Draco's bed. Narcissa's expression was unconcerned, but she did look a little surprised. "You have our full attention," Arthur said calmly.
Harry was released from the infirmary two days later. He'd been given strict instructions to return if he felt any pain.
He'd had a great number of visitors while he's been confined to a bed in the hospital wing. Michael Corner had even come by to apologize to Harry and Draco. Blaise had stopped in to drop off a basket of chocolates from a group of Slytherins, indicating that it was for Harry as well as Draco.
"It's a shame that it took me being nearly murdered for there to be some peace in this school," Harry said, waving to a fifth year Slytherin as they passed by.
"It's horrible," Draco sighed, wrapping one arm around Harry's waist. "I'm just glad it's over."
"Now we just have to survive exams," Harry said.
Draco nodded his agreement as he stepped into the Great Hall. They were greeted with applause and cheering. Harry blushed and gave a bashful little wave. They still received a few looks of disapproval, but neither of them cared.
"Come sit with me?" Harry asked hopefully.
Draco rolled his eyes but moved toward the Gryffindor table. "You are spoilt, Harry Potter," he announced.
"Whose fault is that?" Ron asked with a grin, making room for them.
"Oh I take full credit," Draco said, guiding Harry into a seat and preparing a plate for him.
"I can do that Draco," Harry said reaching for one of the platters of food.
"You're going to let me do it," Draco said firmly. "Just let me take care of you."
Harry let out a happy little sigh and nuzzled the side of Draco's face. Draco responded by kissing Harry's forehead lightly.
Parvati made a strange, high pitched sound. Her eyes were wide and fixed on the couple. "It's just so cute I can't stand it," she squealed.
"Great," Ron said flatly. "Can you try to hold that in?"
Parvati gave him a withering look before going back to her dinner. But she did occasionally glance over at Draco and Harry.
Harry ate his dinner happily, glad to be out of the hospital and sitting with his friends. Once finished, they all went to the Gryffindor common room together. Draco and Harry sat together on one of the armchairs with Draco cradling Harry against his chest.
"Draco, I'm alright," Harry said quietly. "There's no need for this."
"I don't need a reason to give you my attention and affection," Draco argued, his hand tracing little circles on Harry's back.
"Of course not," Harry replied. "But it's a little excessive."
Draco stilled. "You don't like it?" he asked.
"Of course I do," Harry assured him. "But it's not necessary."
Ron chuckled. "Mate, that's how courting works," he said. "It's about wooing your partner."
"Then it should be the other way round," Harry insisted. "I'm courting him."
"Not anymore," Draco said quietly.
The group went silent. Harry swallowed hard, his heart feeling like it was trying to sink down to his shoes. "What do you mean?" he asked, unable to keep the hurt out of his voice.
"Harry, I've been doing a lot of thinking," Draco began, hating the sudden dread on Harry's face. "This is just too important to rush into without thinking it over. I love you," he added quickly, wanting to wipe that sad expression from Harry's face. "I thought about what you said before and I wanted to do this correctly. So I'm courting you."
Harry stared at him in surprise. Then he turned to his friends. "Can he do that?" Harry added incredulously. Draco huffed a laugh.
"I think he can do whatever he likes," Ginny responded with a grin.
"Don't tell him that," Ron chided his sister.
"It's very romantic Harry," Hermione said. "Strange, but still... Aren't you happy?"
"I- yes. Yes, of course," Harry said. "I'm just shocked."
"I've already asked for permission from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," Draco told him. "I thought you would appreciate that consideration. They seemed very pleased." He paused, suddenly looking rather nervous. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. "I made a request of my mother... Told her exactly what I wanted and she took care of it." He held the box up to show Harry without opening it. "So when you're ready..."
A loud shriek interrupted all conversation. Harry would have leapt to his feet if his knees hadn't felt so wobbly.
"What the hell Pavati?" Dean snapped.
Parvati eyes were wide and her expression was so wildly ecstatic that she was making a few first year girls nervous. "Malfoy's proposing!" she cried, causing a few of the other older Gryffindor girls to cheer.
"No, I-"
There was a series of nearly hysterical squeals that filled the room, drowning out Draco's words. Neville looked completely bewildered. "What's wrong with them?" he asked in a horrified whisper.
Hermione stood and glared. "Would you mind fangirling elsewhere?" she growled at Parvati. Parvati responded by clapping her hands over her mouth and backing away, though her eyes were still bright with excitement. The other girls calmed themselves and pretended to mind their own business.
Draco rolled his eyes in annoyance. "I wasn't proposing," he told Harry quietly, his eyes dropping to the box still clutched in his hand. "I wanted to show you that I want this and that I'm perfectly serious. We'll take that next step when you're ready for it."
Draco lifted his gaze to Harry. Harry's face was lit up in a delighted smile. In fact, he looked as if he might be tempted to join in on all the excited squealing. Draco swallowed hard, his heart pounding. "Unless..." Draco began, glancing down at the box again. Harry's smile widened.
Draco laughed, hugging Harry closer for a moment. Then he opened the box to reveal two rings. They were platinum bands, inlaid with a row of small diamonds. They weren't so flashy that you'd notice them from across the room, but they did sparkle beautifully in the light.
"Wow," Harry breathed, staring at the rings in wonder.
"Harry, will you marry me?" Draco asked, his voice soft.
Harry's eyes were suddenly welling up with tears. He nodded eagerly, unable to speak at that moment. He watched as Draco slipped one of the rings onto his hand. Then Harry pulled the other ring out of the box to put it on Draco.
This time the squeals came from Ginny and Hermione. They instantly became embarrassed. "I think it's catching," Ginny said sheepishly. Hermione looked mortified by her actions.
Draco smirked but was unable to make a comment. Of course, that was because Harry had yanked Draco into a heated kiss. Harry's tongue swept into Draco's mouth, dragging a soft moan from the blond.
"Please not here," Ron begged abruptly, making the couple break the kiss. "I'm very happy for you, but I don't want to see that."
"Why don't we go get a message to Luna?" Neville suggested. "And Blaise. That will give Harry and Draco a bit of time alone. Then just close the bed curtains," he told Harry with smirk.
"And a silencing spell," Dean added helpfully.
"We do that all the time," Seamus said, gesturing between himself and Dean.
"Not as often as you think," Ron snorted. "Do you know how many times I've had to cast that charm for you? Nobody wants to listen to that."
"Wait!" Hermione blurted out anxiously. "This is all very exciting but..." She looked over at Draco and Harry apologetically. "It's so fast. This time last year, you were on opposite sides of a war."
"Hermione!" Ron cried, giving her a chiding look.
"I'm not saying that we've not forgiven Draco," Hermione went on hastily. "You're so young. You haven't been together for very long. I'm only looking out for you."
"And I appreciate that," Harry told her gently. "But I've never been more certain. This is right," he insisted, kissing Draco's hands reverently.
Draco smiled and reached into a pocket of his robe, pulling out a familiar object. He passed the item to Ron, looking slightly embarrassed. Ron burst into surprise laughter. "It's a chocolate frog card with Harry on it," he explained, holding up the card for his friends to see. "Harry got it last term when they started spending time together. Harry signed it too."
"You really kept it?" Harry asked softly while the others chuckled over the card.
Draco blushed. "I did," he admitted quietly. "It's stupid, but I didn't really want to throw it away. Even then I liked the idea of having you close to me, whether or not I was willing to admit it."
Ginny made an sort of cooing sound before she was able to stop herself. "I think I have a problem," she muttered sheepishly.
Hermione sighed, shaking her head fondly. Over the years, she'd learnt to trust Harry. He and Draco seemed very much in love. Hermione just had to trust that they'd take care of one another. She allowed Ron to pull her to her feet and guide her toward the door. She glanced over her shoulder to see Draco press a tender kiss to Harry's new engagement ring.
Draco and Harry watched their friends leave the common room, chattering about the use of silencing charms. Harry grinned and climbed out of Draco's lap. He turned and walked towards the stairs, pausing only to give Draco a coy look over his shoulder. Draco got up and eagerly followed.