The Garden

The glare of the sun made him squint as he looked up to find the cause of the racket he was currently being forced to listen to. A large brown owl was perched on one of the tree branches and wouldn't go three seconds without making some kind of noise to grab Draco's attention. He gave up trying to block the noise and walked to the base of the tree, hoping the bird would just drop the letter and leave. It decided to drop the letter but continue with the same noise routine, driving Draco closer to pulling out his wand and making the bird into his dinner. He seriously considered it but figured that owl meat wouldn't taste too great and the owner might miss it, though Draco would never be able to figure out why.

He reached down, picked up the letter and opened the blank envelope to find a letter that seemed familiar and different at the same time. The parchment and ink were completely different from anything he had seen, and he did pay attention to those sort details, but the handwriting could only be by one person. Harry.

Draco, the letter began. I am at Hermione and Ron's and heard some interesting news concerning you. Hermione says that I should try to meet with you again and I think I will agree, though only on my terms. Dinner, tomorrow night at six, at that same restaurant but only as friends and only to talk. Please don't try to be romantic or try to win me over again. I'm not ready for that. I will be waiting. Harry. P.S. Ron apologizes but won't state what for.

Draco folded up the letter and held it to his chest, trying to calm his racing heart. How could a simple letter stir up so much inside of him? It was as if he was a teenager again. He never experienced the typical urges at that age, being a death eater took priority over being a teenager, so it was a possibility that it was just coming to him late in life.

He turned and looked out into the garden. In just a few weeks, it had almost undergone a complete transformation. There were still some plants in the process of growing new leaves and flower buds, but for the most part, the garden was almost as beautiful as it was years ago.

Draco pulled out the little notebook he had out of his pocket, along with the pencil, scribbled out a reply, tore off the note and handed it to the bird whose talons pierced through the delicate paper. It leaped off the branch and into the sky. Draco didn't bother watching it and instead finished up some of the gardening before heading inside the manor. After making his way to the kitchen, he made a small pot of simple soup and waited for it to warm up.

There was a sharp noise and Draco turned to find another owl scratching at the window with one of its feet. The other foot carried a small package. He opened the window, grabbed the package and watched as the large owl backed up and flew into the horizon. Taking a letter opener, he cut off the twine and the paper packaging. Slowly he pulled out heavy platinum square. A small smile touched his lips and he reminded himself to thank the artisan for doing a perfect job on the plaque.

He set it down on the kitchen island and headed out to the garden after quickly eating his bowl of soup. He was thankful for the warm sunny weather and quickly did some menial chores. Draco headed back inside the manor, once the sun began to set and went straight to bed to try to catch up on all the sleep he missed in the past few weeks.

The morning sun hit him through the window. His eyes squinted as he through off the blanket and stood. At the window, he had a clear view of most of property. He could see the other wings of the manor along with the entire garden. Beyond that were low rolling hills and the sun that had probably rose just a couple hours ago. It was at that moment he remembered that the sun has never once rose above the hills, it always set. So unless the earth completely turned around and east was now west, he was running late for the six o' clock dinner. Rushing around got him almost nowhere. In the end he was dressed but that was about all. Quickly he ran a comb through his hair and Apparated.

Draco made it to the restaurant as soon as the clock tower told everyone it was six. He rushed in and to the podium.

"Reservation for Potter." The man smiled and grabbed a menu. He led Draco to the table where a wonderful sight awaited him. Harry was sitting on the left side, holding a small glass of red wine and smiling. He was actually smiling, and Draco drank in the sight like it was a new drug.

The man dropped the menu at the seat on the right and Draco smoothly sat down.

"Hello Harry," he said with a devilish smile.

"Glad you could make it," Harry replied. Draco's heart leaped at sound of his voice and he had to force himself to take control of his body. They were here only as friends, but every fiber of his being wanted to oppose that thought. Draco took a sip of his wine and cleared his mind. He could not afford to think of having their relationship cross that border. He could not lose Harry again, not now, not when he was down to probably his last chance.

"I wouldn't miss this dinner for the world," said Draco who almost slapped himself in the head. Friends wouldn't say that, would they? Harry chose not to respond to that and instead picked up his menu and scanned through it. Draco chose to do the same but his mind didn't focus on the menu, it was racing a million miles an hour about how this whole meeting was going to turn out and already he figured out a thousand different ways that it could go wrong. Some of which included natural disasters and dark wizards along with the basics like spilling wine or bad seafood. The silence between them was stifling and Harry's nonchalant demeanor wasn't helping.

"So how have you been?" Draco asked with only a slight stutter, wondering where his typical suave attitude had gone to and why he was so anxious. He was so afraid of one wrong move, one wrong question and that constant worry had already started to wear down on his mind.

"I've been just fine," Harry replied not even glancing up from his menu.

"That's good." Draco couldn't find anything else to say and couldn't but think of how stupid he probably seemed to Harry. He felt like a teenager on his first date with a girl who was waiting for him to make the first move.

"Excuse me," said someone who must have been the waiter. Draco didn't even bother looking up. "Do you two have something in mind for dinner? I would like to recommend the minestrone."

"I guess that's what I'll have," replied Harry before folding his menu.

"Same for me," Draco agreed. He folded up the menu and handed it to the server which he finally got a good look at. Something about him was familiar. Dark blond hair, blue eyes, small frame. Something about him reminded Draco of somebody from somewhere.

"Hey, you're that guy from the bar last month," the waiter said with a large smile, and instantly Draco recognized him as the guy he saw at the bar after his last meeting with Harry. The guy a few seats down who wanted to "comfort" him. Draco glanced at Harry whose attention was entirely focused on the server. "If you ever need someone again, I get off at eleven," he said and gave Draco a wink, choosing to be oblivious of Harry and walked away, not without swinging his hips. It was obvious what he wanted. Quickly, Draco looked to Harry, apprehensive of his reaction. To anyone else, Harry looked fine but to Draco, who had known him for years he could find the little differences. Harry wouldn't look up, his hands would not stay still for a second and his eyes lost the usual life and vitality and just looked dead.

"Harry, it's not what you think," Draco began to explain, knowing all too well that they've already went through something like this.

"It's none of my business what you do with whom," he replied sounding indifferent about the whole situation but Draco could hear where his voice made the slightest crack. "We're just friends right?" Harry asked looking up at Draco with a small smile touching his lips. That was what sent Draco off and he clenched his fists, but there was nothing he could do. Harry was choosing not to get upset as if Draco just didn't matter anymore, as if he wasn't worth the time, as if he just didn't care anymore.

"Excuse me. I think I need some fresh air." Harry said shakily as he tossed his red linen napkin onto the table and stood. He got a few feet of distance between them before Draco closed it by grabbing his arm.

"Don't you think it's about time to stop running away? There was nothing between me and that guy, whoever he was." He slowly turned to face Draco. Their eyes met for a moment before Draco pulled out his wand and quickly Apparated from the restaurant and to the room where the manor's front entrance was. He loosened his grip on Harry's arm but still held the connection.

"Harry, you can run if you want but please, please just hear me out." The man nodded and a sigh of relief came from Draco. "There is nothing between me and that guy," Draco started out, calmly. "Yes, I did see him at a bar I went to but there was nothing else. I went to that bar right after our last meeting and spilled out our story to the bartender after a couple drinks and that guy overheard. He asked if I wanted him to comfort me that night and I said no. I walked out and left the guy at the bar. I swear I'm telling the truth." Harry listened to the whole explanation calmly and made no move to escape.

"There's something I want to show you," Draco said to Harry, releasing his arm and holding out his hand and though he was hesitant, Harry took hold of the cold pale hand, allowing Draco to lead him to a door.

"Close your eyes," he commanded with a gentle tone. This time there was no hesitation when his eyes closed. Harry's mind scanned through all the spells he could use if Draco tried to force him to do anything against his will. Draco released the hand just so he could be able to open the door. He could feel the cold evening air against his back as he faced Harry and took the hands that hung at the man's sides. Walking backwards he led a confused Harry into the garden.

"Open your eyes," he said as he released the hands and moved to the side, his own eyes never wavering from Harry. Harry did as he was told, not expecting the scene that faced him. The old, dead, and ugly jungle of a garden had completely transformed into something beautiful.

Everywhere was green and if it wasn't green if was red or blue, pink or purple, white, yellow, orange or lavender. There were flowers of every type blooming fully along the swept cobblestone paths. Even in the evening, butterflies and bumblebees were heading flower to flower without cease. A few sparrows chirped and a soft April breeze blew through making the cold air even colder. The most beautiful part was the tree in the center, whose branches spread across almost the width of the garden. Green leaves filled the branches and you could barely see the setting sun through the great expanse of leaves. Nailed to the tree, just below the first branch, hung a small bronze plaque. Harry slowly stepped forward leaving the other man behind him to read what was engraved. The garden of Harry Potter's and Draco Malfoy's love for each other.

"Harry, you once said that you took care of this garden, nurtured it like you were nurturing our love. When we fell apart, it too died. I have spent the past month doing everything I could to bring it back, to show you that, well, I love you. I really and truly love you and I wanted to be the one to show you just how much I care. I wouldn't do this for just anyone, especially not some sex toy." Draco cringed as he said the last two words, remembering that harry used them to describe how he felt Draco had thought of him. "Please, believe me. I've changed, Harry, and I can no longer take living without you by my side again." Draco ended his speech knowing it was all left up to Harry. He watched as the man pulled out his wand, and he already felt rejection crushing his chest but he still watched, waiting for Harry to Apparate, leaving him and his broken heart for the last time. Harry flicked the wand but didn't suddenly disappear.

"You forgot a charm for the garden," he said and turned around, eyes bright and a large grin was spread across his face. Harry ran forward, right straight into Draco, who stumbled back a step as Harry's arms pulled him as close as possible.

"I love you, too. Draco, I love you." Draco's arms wrapped around Harry, encasing him in his warmth.

"Does this mean you'll stay with me?" he asked trying to grasp the whole situation.

"Of course. Forever. I never thought you would do so much for me and know I've realized it was a huge mistake to leave you," Harry said, close to sobbing due to the incredible amount of happiness he was feeling.

"No, Harry. It wasn't a mistake. It was good that you left me otherwise I would have never changed and I wouldn't have realized how much you truly mean to me." Harry pulled his head back to look into Draco's eyes.

"You have no idea how I felt those five years. I wasn't lying when I said I forgave you, it was myself who I couldn't forgive." Confusion spread across Draco's face but he never released his hold on Harry. "When you apologized the next morning, I immediately forgave you but a part of me wanted to be mad at you, I wanted to never forgive you and I was furious and frustrated that I forgave you so soon. So I tried to solve that and ran, and you never came after me so I felt even worse and that I shouldn't have forgiven you so soon since you seemed happy enough without me."

"I'm sorry I never chased after you, I didn't think you wanted me to but at least we're together again. Let's not worry about the past." Harry's mouth opened to protest but Draco silenced it with his own. He could feel the other man melt into the touch and lips under his part. His tongue delved in and explored the warm cavern. He ran the muscle over Harry's teeth and tangled with Harry's tongue. A moment later he pulled back and opened his eyes to a kiss-drunk Harry.

"I definitely missed that," he said before leaning down and stealing another kiss.

Harry broke the second kiss and pulled himself from Draco's arms. Quickly he grabbed the pale hand of his lover and pulled him to the manor, leaving Draco only to guess where they were headed. They ran down the hall, up the stairs and down another hall before they reached Draco's bedroom. They threw open the door and as soon as they cleared the doorway, they were in each other's arms.

Author's Note: Hey guys, sorry for not updating for a while. I wanted to make this chapter extra special and I'm almost positive I failed. Also, I have been diagnosed with a terrible and deadly disease. It is known as "Writer's Block." It always has to happen right before I have to submit something huge, whether it's a paper for classes or a short story for a contest or the paperwork for copyright. It's not that fun. Right now I have two minor papers and a short story contest all within this week so it's just great. Oh yeah, please excuse the terrible title. I couldn't think of anything.