Chapter 2: Fall Out

Monday morning Draco was sitting in his flat having breakfast before his morning shift at the hospital. When Draco had returned to England he swore he wasn't going to move back into Malfoy Manor, he could hardly step inside it without having horrible flashbacks. He still checked up on it and he knew that maybe one day future Malfoy's would live there but for now he was content in his London flat. Just as he was pouring himself coffee Blaise walked swiftly out of the Floo; it was almost a daily routine between the two old friends, Blaise came by on his way to Gringotts to have breakfast and talk. The only time the two broke their habit was when Draco was on overnights. Without having to say anything Draco poured his friend a cup of coffee and added two spoonful's of sugar and a little cream while Blaise helped himself to toast and jam. Draco smiled as they sat in a companionable silence for a few moments, they had known each other for far too long, and they both liked that they were able to just sit without words.

"So," Blaise began as he chewed his toast. "Did I miss anything interesting when I went after Ginny?"

Draco simply smirked over the rim of his coffee mug, but Blaise saw it and knew that look very well.

"Is it good?"

Draco nodded.

"Very good?"

The blond bobbed his head again.

"Sex?" Blaise jumped to the first thing he thought would make Draco smirk like that.

Draco shook his head no this time.

"Oh please tell me you've lost the ability to speak," Blaise joked putting his coffee down.

"I kissed him," Draco couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face, knowing that Blaise would know exactly who Draco was talking about.

"Really?" his best friend looked impressed. "Maybe I shouldn't have chased after Ginny."

"Well, you weren't really prepared for her announcement to go the way it did," Draco reminded him. "Not even you can control that Weasley temper."

Blaise just smiled and shook his head knowingly. Draco had been surprised when his best friend had declared that he was going to date Harry Potter's ex-girlfriend, but he did remember Blaise's attraction to her during their Hogwarts days. Of course an attraction to Ginny Weasley wasn't hard to find among the halls of Hogwarts and often in the Slytherin common room, the joke was that the only person who wasn't attracted to the female Weasley was Harry Potter and now Draco understood why. Still, when Blaise had reintroduced him to Ginny, Draco found that he liked her very much and thought she and his best friend would complement each other well. Ginny was the more talkative and extroverted one of the pair, letting Blaise sit back and observe, only speaking when he felt like he could add something to the conversation. Blaise was levelheaded and kept his calm, as was the usual Slytherin way, while Ginny was more impulsive and fiery. All in all, Draco had been convinced that Ginny Weasley would be a good match for Blaise and he enjoyed spending time with them.

"What is it with Gryffindors and Slytherins?" Blaise wondered aloud. "First Ginny and I, then Pansy shows up to the memorial with Ron Weasley, and now you and Potter."

"Let's not get carried away Blaise," Draco spoke, setting his coffee down. "There is no 'me and Potter' yet. It was just one kiss."

"But you want something to happen with him?"

Draco sighed. "You know I do Blaise. You've known what I want for a long time."

His friend looked thoughtfully at him for a moment. "What about-"

"Don't ask me questions," the blond requested. "It isn't like I want to go declare my love for him, I just want to see what happens."

Blaise continued to regard his best friend for a few more moments.

"I'll keep my mouth shut," he promised holding up his hands. "I'll also ask Ginny to stay out of it as well. If the two of you want this I think you'll have to find a way to make it work without cajoling and interference from outside sources."

Draco raised his mug to his friend. "You're a good man Blaise Zabini."

"I know," he smirked. "That's always been my problem."

Draco chuckled and shook his head as a tap came at the window. It was Draco's owl bringing him his mail. Blaise got to his feet to retrieve it; he opened the paper and handed Draco the rest of his post. The dark skinned man was not at all shocked to see a story about Harry Potter's clumsy admission splashed across the front page.

"The Boy-Who-Lived-To-Like-Boys," he read the headline aloud.

"Oh that's original," the blond scoffed.

"Harry Potter, age twenty two, has once again thrust himself into the center of the Wizarding world when he announced Saturday night, at the Memorial for the Fallen, that he is a homosexual," Blaise continued to read the article for his friend. "Sources say that he and Ginevra Weasley had been having problems in their relationship and publicly decided to proclaim that their relationship was finished. Ms. Weasley then swiftly exited the celebration leaving a devastated Harry Potter in her wake."

Draco snorted in a manner very unbecoming of a Malfoy, Blaise chuckled and went on reading.

"This reporter's personal opinion is that Ms. Weasley is the reason Harry Potter has turned his back on women. A dark day indeed for Witches everywhere."

Blaise trailed off not feeling a need to continue.

"Skeeter?" Draco looked at him when he stopped.

Blaise nodded. "That woman is so vile."

"I wonder if she realizes just how much pain she's asking for by messing with Ginny," Draco spoke amusedly.

"I hope she registered her Animagus status or Granger will be coming for her as well," Blaise pointed out as he set the paper aside. "So are you going to owl Potter?"

"I think I should probably wait," Draco told him. "I don't want to draw more unneeded attention to him while he's dealing with the press."

"You just want him to chase you," Blaise remembered his friend telling him that once long ago.

"That may be," the blond spoke firmly. "But coming out isn't easy Blaise, especially the way he did it. No one should have to face that kind of judgement and scrutiny but he is going to face it at every turn because of who he is. He probably won't even want to be involved with me because I'll only add to how much he has to deal with."

Blaise got to his feet knowing that he had to be to work soon. He laid a gentle hand on his friends shoulder.

"If Potter doesn't want to date you because of that then he doesn't deserve you," Blaise insisted. "Just be careful. I don't want you or anyone else getting hurt."

Draco nodded knowing exactly what his friend meant. "I'll see you later Blaise."

"Thanks for breakfast," he called before apparating away.

The young Malfoy heaved a heavy sigh as he picked up the paper and started to read the article Blaise had given up on; he had a lot to think about.

Harry sighed and read the same line of the report in front of him for the fifth time in a row. It had been a very long day and he only had an hour left until he could finally go home. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt so anxious. Ever since his admission that he was gay, the public had been even more vocal about his life than before and after the article that had run in the Prophet that morning, Harry was seriously on edge.

He could take the attention, really he could, in fact being the Savior of the Wizarding world he was used to it. But Harry hated that Rita Skeeter felt the need to drag Ginny and, inadvertently, Blaise through the mud. Harry had spent time with the couple over the last few months and he was getting to like Blaise a lot, he approved of their relationship and knew that the Slytherin truly cared for Ginny and that was all Harry really wanted for her. He also knew that Skeeter would stop at nothing to get her story but she was going too far and Harry had already contacted Hermione to see if the reporter could still be turned in for being an unregistered Animagus.

Harry sighed and looked over at the empty desk next to him. When Harry had arrived at the office that morning Pansy had handed him a hastily written note that Ron had left explaining that George needed help at the store. Harry however, had suspected that Ron might just be avoiding him because he had used Ginny to cover up his secret and Ron was angry. He heard a gentle knock at the door as he tried to calm the thoughts in his head.

"Come in," he called.

Pansy opened the door and walked into the room regarding Harry for a moment or two.

"Stop frowning before you break your face," she instructed crossing her arms and staring intently at him.

Harry gave her a big fake smile. "Better?"

"Harry, Ginny will be fine," Pansy tried to convince him yet again. "You of all people know that she is more than capable of handling herself. Blaise probably found the article laughable and badly written so it's not like you have to worry about him being angry with you either."

He ran a hand through his hair roughly. "I'm just waiting for the mail that is inevitably going to follow; everything from howlers to sexually explicit fan mail and propositions via owl post. I don't know why I even bother trying to date with the media circus that surrounds me."

"Maybe because you've done enough for the Wizarding world and you deserve to be happy," Pansy responded drolly.

"But no one ever seems to look at it that way," Harry sighed. "It's been five years and everyone still looks at me as if I'm their savior."

Pansy sat down in the chair in front of Harry's desk. "Sadly you're always going to be their savior but the more you live your life, the more people will get used to it."

"And if they don't?" Harry asked, voicing something he had been fearing for a while.

"Then I have two words for you to keep in mind," Pansy leaned closer to him. "Repeat after me….Fuck them."

"Fuck them?" Harry repeated, his voice full of doubt. "I don't think that would go over well."

"Harry, does someone have to give you permission to be self-interested?" Pansy wondered. "I know you were a Gryffindor but seriously it can't be this hard for you to put yourself first. Date who you want to date, be who you want to be, stop caring about the opinions of people you don't know."

Harry sighed, knowing that she was right but having a hard time figuring out just how to do what she suggested.

"Thanks Pans," he finally said, giving her a small but very real smile. "I'll try. Hopefully things will be better after this whole 'Harry Potter Comes Out' thing blows over."

Pansy got to her feet and walked toward the door, turning back to Harry one last time.

"Well I'm going to give you some advice my mother gave me, and I gave Draco when he came out and worried what people would say," she told him as she opened the door and made her exit. "Selfish people live longer."

Harry sighed and finally got to his feet, not able to stay at work a moment longer. He apparated directly into the living room of Grimmald place and flopped down on the sofa. He was very grateful that he had chosen to redecorate the house in a manner that suited him more, he knew that Sirius wouldn't begrudge him making it feel more like his home. He had even managed to find a potion that took care of the sticking charm that kept Mrs. Black's portrait on the wall. Now he didn't have to worry about her screeching insults at the drop of a hat.

Right as Harry felt the tension drain from his body he heard a knock at the door. He groaned as he got to his feet and opened it, surprised to find Ron on his front step.

"Is there a reason you didn't apparate in?" Harry asked.

Ron looked uncomfortable and didn't answer. Harry knew something had to be up if Ron didn't want to apparate directly into his house, that was how Ron and Hermione always came and went.

"Can I come in?" Ron asked, running a hand through his hair.

Harry stepped aside and Ron brushed past him, making sure not to actually touch Harry by accident. The dark haired wizard knew that this wasn't going to be pleasant but figured that Ron had to get all of his anger out eventually. The two sat down and for a few moments neither of them said anything until Harry couldn't take it any longer.

"Look Ron," he sighed lowering his head for a moment before looking at his best mate. "I'm sorry for asking Ginny to go along with my lie. I'm absolutely ashamed to say that I would have asked her to keep lying for me if she and Blaise weren't getting so serious about each other. I made a mistake. I was selfish and horrible and you have every right to be angry at me."

"Ginny's a big girl," Ron finally spoke. "She went along with it for her own reasons and I can understand that."

"So what's wrong?" Harry pressed him. "You don't come into work, leave a terse note explaining why, don't directly apparate in to see me and now you're being cold."

"How long have you known Harry?" Ron asked tightly.

Harry looked at him, confusion clouding his green eyes. "How long have I known what?"

"Don't play stupid with me," Ron ground out. "How long have you known you liked men?"

"That's what this is about?" Harry's eyes went wide. "You, one of my best mates, the first friend I ever had, are going to sit here and take issue with something that has nothing to do with you?"

"Of course it has something to do with me," Ron got angrily to his feet. "We shared a dorm and used the same showers and changed in front of each other all during school. You've spent whole summers in my room."

"Wow," Harry shook his head. "So that's what you think of me? Now that you know I'm gay all of a sudden it's a big problem? Did I ever once make you uncomfortable over the years?"

"That's not the point," the redhead insisted, face getting red. "You could have been looking."

Harry scoffed at the other man. "Don't flatter yourself Ron, you're not my type."

"You dated my sister-"

"And she wasn't my type either," Harry reminded him, raising his voice slightly. "I hate to tell you this Ron, because I know it's going to make this situation worse, but I've always been gay. Maybe it isn't obvious, and maybe it didn't always show but this is part of who I am and I can't change it. Being gay isn't something I chose because Merlin only knows that anyone who would choose to have people misunderstand and ridicule them is mental. I denied this part of me for a very long time, pushing it off by saying that everyone has thoughts about how good looking a bloke is, or what it might feel like to kiss another boy. Then when I went into therapy after the war I was able to be honest with myself about who I am and what I wanted."

"But you're Harry Potter," Ron reminded him.

"And why the fuck does that mean that I have to do what people expect of me?" Harry demanded remembering Pansy's earlier words. "I have toed that line my entire life. 'Defeat Voldemort Harry', 'sacrifice your life Harry', 'help us, save us, do it all Harry' that is all I seemed to get from anyone over the years. I did exactly what was expected of me and now I'm going to do what I want."

"So you're going to go flit off into the sunset with some bloke and the two of you will live gayly ever after?" Ron's expression was dark.

"Well it's called a 'fairy' tale for a reason isn't it?" Harry replied sardonically. "I knew that this was going to make people look at me differently, the public, the media, sure, but not my friends. Not my family."

"You are not my family," Ron replied darkly, his cheeks an even deeper shade of red that clashed horribly with his hair. "Family doesn't lie, family doesn't keep secrets and family sure as hell doesn't decide that one of them is more important than anyone else."

"Go ahead Ron, twist my words," Harry got to his feet and started to walk to the door to show Ron out. "You're good at making yourself the victim."

He wrenched the door open and made on over exaggerated bow indicating that Ron should leave the way he came in. Ron huffed and rushed out the door turning to look at his friend one last time.

"Fuck you," he cursed under his breath.

"I don't think you want to do that Ron," Harry glared at him. "You might actually like it."

Before he could reply Harry slammed the door shut and yelled loudly in frustration. He stomped up the stairs and into his room collapsing down onto his bed. He had always assumed that Ron would be the one to take his news about being gay the worst. Harry figured they would talk about it, Ron would be uncomfortable for a while but then the two of them would move past it. Now just the thought of seeing Ron at work the next day had Harry wishing he could call in sick. He had briefly talked to Hermione the Sunday after the memorial and she had been supportive. She worried that the press would harass him but it wasn't like that was something new for either of them.

"At the end of the day," Hermione had told him right before she left. "You're my best friend, I love you and nothing will ever change that."

If only Ron could be that accepting. Harry sighed as he got up to take his clothes off and change for bed. He realized that it wasn't even seven o'clock yet but after his altercation with his friend and partner Harry felt exhausted. He hadn't even eaten dinner but now he didn't really think he could stomach food. The dark haired man deposited his glasses on his bedside table and climbed into bed hoping that somehow tomorrow would be better.

Around noon the next day Harry had run out of hope for that day as well. Instead of dealing with Ron he had Flooed into his office early and picked up some reports he needed to work on and went home. Harry figured that Ron must have said something to Pansy because she did everything she could to keep him in the office, hoping that the two friends would be able to work it out if they had the chance. Harry had told her as nicely as possible that he just wasn't up to seeing anyone today but if she needed him for any reason he had the Floo in his study unwarded.

He had cringed when he had seen yet another article in the Prophet about his "choice" to be gay. Harry didn't even bother to read it, simply crumpled the whole thing up and tossed it in his fireplace. He had been working since early that morning and had made a surprising amount of progress, he supposed that being away from the distraction of working with your best friend could only help his productivity. He summoned Kreacher and had the elf bring him lunch to his study. As he ate he heard the Floo roar to life and sighed, knowing that the peace and quiet wouldn't last. He looked up expecting to see Pansy and instead saw the white blond hair of Draco Malfoy.

"Harry, I apologize for bothering you at home," he said, truly looking sorry. "But I went to the Ministry looking for you and when Pansy said you were working at your house today she told me how to Floo you. You need to come to St. Mungo's right now. It's Teddy."

That was all Harry needed to hear before getting to his feet and going through the fireplace himself. He stumbled out into the crisp halls of the hospital and would have fallen if strong arms hadn't been there to catch him. He looked up at Draco and murmured a thank you before setting himself to rights.

"Is Teddy okay?" he asked remembering why he was there in the first place.

"He'll be fine," Draco assured him as they started to walk toward the young boy's room. "Andromeda is with him now and I promise I've been taking good care of him."

They reached a private room that Harry was sure, between his money and his connection to the hospital, Draco had procured for the young boy. Andromeda looked up as The-Boy-Who-Lived walked into the room but Teddy looked away from his godfather.

"Teddy, would you like to tell Harry what happened?" Andromeda asked her grandson.

Teddy looked down at his hands and then back up not quite meeting Harry's eyes.

"Draco came over for lunch and he and Nana were inside getting everything ready. We were all going to have a picnic in the garden and Draco said he would fly with me again but I didn't listen to them. I was trying to make my broom go too high and I fell off."

Harry stared unbelieving at his godchild. He certainly had Marauder blood running in him and Harry felt proud and worried at the same time. He sighed realizing this must have been how Sirius and Remus felt about all the trouble he had gotten up to in his day.

"Basically," Draco took over the story. "He forced the broom too high and the safety spells malfunctioned which is what threw him off. He fell and broke his arm in a few places but I was able to mend that pretty fast. He also hit his head so we have to make sure he didn't get a concussion. It is unlikely that he did but I want him to stay here for a night to monitor him for any signs of a head injury."

"Well, if he ever does that again I'm sure his grandmother will give him a head injury," Harry shook his head.

"We're lucky Draco was there," Andromeda told Harry. "He knew just what to do and kept Teddy calm until we got to the hospital."

"Well Teddy also knows the rules that you and I agreed to," Harry said still looking at the boy with blue hair in the hospital bed. "So whatever punishment you decide I'll support Andromeda."

"Punishment?" Teddy's face fell.

"You break rules and that is what happens, you have to face the consequences," Harry told him firmly.

Draco let out a gentle snort that only Harry heard. "Why don't we give Teddy a minute alone with my Aunt? You and I can talk out in the waiting room."

Harry followed the young Malfoy out into the hallway and then back to the waiting room.

"It's funny to hear Harry Potter talking about rules and consequences when he never seemed to have to worry about them in school," Draco spoke, an amused tone lacing his voice.

"I suppose I did get away with a lot during school," Harry admitted. "But I never asked for special treatment."

"I know," Draco told him. "I know you didn't ask for a lot of things that happened to you."

Harry dropped down into one of the overstuffed chairs and put his head in his hands, he felt Draco sit down next to him.

"Harry, he's fine, I promise," Draco spoke to him gently, changing the topic.

"How far do you think he fell?" he asked.

"The safety spells make it so the broom doesn't go any higher than thirty feet," the blond replied. "So he was at least thirty five feet off the ground.

"Oh Merlin, thirty five feet? He could have broken his neck," Harry gasped. "I'm supposed to protect him and keep him safe Draco. What kind of godparent am I?"

"You're not going to be able to protect him from everything," Draco told him, laying a hand on the other man's back. "He's five, he is going to do stupid things and have accidents but he'll bounce back. It's more important that you're here now while he's getting patched up."

"I just feel guilty that Andromeda is doing this all alone," Harry sighed.

"She's a Black," Draco reminded the younger man. "She can handle anything that kid dishes out and she isn't alone….she has you."

Harry smiled up at him. "She has you now too. Thank you so much for being there, for taking care of things."

For a reason Draco didn't know he had started to rub calming circles on Harry's back with his hand in an attempt to comfort the dark haired wizard. For a few moments the two sat in silence with Draco still running his hand tenderly over Harry's back and Harry trying to calm himself, letting the Slytherin soothe him.

"I'm sorry I'm such a mess," Harry finally spoke. "I had a little incident last night."

"Did it have something to do with the article in the Prophet?" Draco questioned, thinking that was the most logical answer.

"No, it had to do with my best friend being a homophobic git," Harry answered honestly.

"I can't say I'm too shocked," Draco responded. "Sometimes it isn't easy for people to accept. Especially when they don't see someone as "stereotypically homosexual". If a man doesn't have a lisp, a love of show tunes and impeccable fashion sense there is no way he can like other men."

Harry looked at the other man for a moment or two.

"I myself only have two of those three things," he finished smirking at Harry.

The green eyed man cracked a smile.

"Look, I got you to smile," Draco looked pleased with himself, still a little shocked at how at ease he felt around the other man. It was as if their years of rivalry and schoolboy taunts were fading away each time they spoke to each other.

Harry finally sat up and looked the blond in the eye, "I was wondering if maybe you would like to come over for dinner?"

Draco was a little taken aback. "What for?"

Harry chuckled. "Well to thank you for helping Teddy first of all, and second of all because I'm attracted to you. We spent a long time hating each other and I'm sure we have all kinds of assumptions about one another that are wrong. I'd like to get to know you...the real you."

The Malfoy heir didn't think he'd ever had such an appealing offer in his life.

"Well you have good taste Potter," he joked, smiling. "And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't attracted to you as well. I think dinner would be a great idea."

"Is tonight too soon?" Harry wondered, finding himself calmed and comforted by the presence that had once set him on edge.

"My shift is over at eight," Draco smiled even wider.

"That sounds perfect," Harry returned his smile. "I'll come by the hospital and say goodnight to Teddy and I can sidelong you to my house. It still has a lot of wards and protections on it so I don't get unexpected guests."

"I can understand why," Draco nodded.

"I'd better say bye to Teddy," Harry got to his feet. "I still have some more work to get finished."

Draco up and the two walked back to the room.

"So what did your Nana say?" Harry asked, crossing his arms and watching his godson.

"No broom for three months," Teddy hung his head. "And if I ever get on it while no one is watching again I'll get it taken away for good."

Harry nodded. "That sounds fair after what you put us both through worrying about you."

"I'm sorry Uncle Harry," Teddy told him sadly. "I'm sorry Draco."

Draco ruffled the blue hair on top of the boys head. "I'm just glad you're alright. I have to go check on my other patients but I'll be back to see you a little later. I have someone bringing you and your Nana lunch so behave. If you need me Aunt Dromeda, you know how to get a hold of me."

"Thank you Draco," she got to her feet and kissed her nephew on the cheek.

"I'll see you later," Harry whispered to him as he left.

Draco started his rounds with a smile on his face and something to look forward to after work.

"Okay Teddy," Harry sat down next to him. "I have to go back home and get some work finished so stay here and be good. If your Nana tells me you aren't listening to her or Draco you will be in even more trouble."

"I'll be good Uncle Harry," he promised.

Harry leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the small boy's forehead before turning back to his grandmother.

"Andromeda if you need me contact me through the Floo in my study and I'll be right over."

"We'll be fine Harry," she assured him.

"I'll stop in later before you have to go to bed," Harry told Teddy. "Just be the little angel I know is in there somewhere."

Teddy laughed and Andromeda shook her head but smiled as well. Harry went back to the lobby and Flooed home. He had said he had work to finish but now his head was so full he didn't know if he could concentrate. He was worried about Teddy, even though he knew that the boy was fine. He was worried about what happened with Ron, even though there was nothing he could do to make his friend change his mind except give him space and hope. And now on top of all that he was worried about having Draco Malfoy in his house for a dinner date.

Harry sighed, he had a lot of work to do indeed.

Here's chapter two, I hope I haven't kept you all waiting too long. I am super happy that everyone has been liking this story so far so I want to keep everyone pleased by updating as often as I can. Sorry if anyone doesn't like the way I portray Ron, I just think he would be the one to have the hardest time accepting that Harry is gay. Please keep up the follows and favorites and if you are feeling very generous please leave me a review. Love to all!