It took a week and a half for Harry to come into contact with Draco after that, and Harry found it entirely justified. He'd started his job the Monday after he'd figured out what Draco needed from him, and he'd added a new member to his household the following weekend, so there was some getting used to that had to be done. But by an otherwise unremarkable Wednesday a full 10 days after Harry had his revelation, he couldn't think of any qualified excuses anymore. He was contemplating what to write to Draco when he heard a familiar voice erupt from his entryway.

"No attacking this time, Zion! It was endearing the first two times, but do it again and I'll deprive you of peacocks for two days."

"I thought the peacocks were all gone," Harry said as Draco entered his living room. Zion was curled around Draco's arm, looking about as threatening as a pygmy puff. "Go ahead and sit down."

Draco complied, sitting opposite Harry. "I've gone back to the smug—er, breeder so Zion can have some snacks." The dog at Harry's feet stood and walked over to Draco. It began licking at Draco's fingers before Draco could pull away. Draco looked at the dog warily.

"A new friend, then?" Draco asked, making no move to stop the dog.

Harry nodded. "Mal. He's an Australian cattle dog. Just got him from a breeder last weekend. Supposedly, they're excellent guard dogs and highly protective of their owners. Sadly, Mal is in love with everyone and everything. His name's short for Anomaly."

Draco smirked, but not unkindly. "Clever. So you sought inspiration from me, then? Saw the virtues of having a pet?"

"Yeah, actually," Harry said sheepishly. "I was jealous of the way Zion wrapped himself around you all the time. He's so possessive of you."

"Jealous of me, or jealous of him?"

Harry blushed deeply and ignored the question coupled with the sustained smirk on Draco's face. "Well, I figured it out," said Harry. "I was just about to owl you, actually." Mal walked back over to Harry, hopped onto the couch, and ungracefully deposited himself onto Harry's lap. "Fuck, you're heavy."

Draco laughed and Harry, without thinking, smiled. "I figured it out, too," said Draco. "About a week ago, actually, maybe more. But my time's been occupied."

"What with?" Harry couldn't control his curiosity. He hadn't seen Draco at the Ministry, but that didn't mean anything, as he didn't often leave his department except to take in a Quidditch game, an unexpected perk of his job as the assistant to the head of the British and Irish League Headquarters.

"I've just started working at the Apothecary."

"Really? Working at a shop?"

"Indeed," said Draco. "Mother encouraged me to do something, as she said, 'below our means' rather than shooting for a position in a Ministry department. Best not to tell anyone that I quite enjoy it."

"You always were good with Potions," Harry said, aware of the grudging tone in his voice.

Draco snickered. "Did it really bother you that much? I had to be better than you at something. And as I recall, you bested me time and again our sixth year."

"Well, your mind wasn't really there then, was it?"

"Nor was yours, but you did just fine."

"That's not really a year I want to revisit," Harry said quietly. "And I can't imagine you do, either."

Both Harry and Draco were quiet for a moment.

"Sorry," said Draco. "And I mean that. Really. For, you know. Everything."

Harry let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding. "It's fine. Really. And, for what it's worth, so am I."

"It's worth something," Draco said softly. He shook his head as though he was attempting to break himself out of the moment and asked, "So what'd you figure out?"

"Your wand. I have it."

"That's what I thought of, too."

"I wanted to give it back," said Harry. "I really did. But Theo Nott stopped me. I was on my way to give it back to you, waiting outside your common room, and he said it was fine that you didn't have it, that you were doing alright with the new one."

Draco chuckled. "Probably just didn't want to leave me alone with you," he said. "Theo's a good friend, but he doesn't trust me not to hex some people who may or may not deserve it."

"Do I deserve it?" If Harry's tone became flirtatious then, he didn't care. This felt alright somehow. And if it were the last time he'd see Draco for a while, well, may as well make it count.

"Not right now, you don't." Harry wasn't sure what flirtation looked like from Draco Malfoy, though he desperately hoped this was it. "So, where do you keep your former enemy's wands?"

Harry stood. "You can come with me if you want." He walked to the stairs, Draco and Mal following him. Harry had the fleeting thought that Draco had never seen his bedroom in the right circumstances as he entered and immediately dropped to his knees. He tugged his school trunk out from under the bed and opened it.

"I didn't get a good look last time, but this is a nicely decorated room," Draco commented as Harry rummaged through his trunk. "Judging from the clothes you wore at school, I assumed you had no taste."

"Those were mostly my cousin's castoffs," said Harry, pulling out a slim wooden box. "I don't dress so badly anymore, do I?" He stood and handed the box to Draco, who opened it and took out the wand.

"It's a bit beat up, isn't it?" Draco commented, putting the box down on Harry's nightstand. He took the wand in one hand and stroked its length with the other. Harry did his best to ignore ... well, everything: Draco Malfoy in his bedroom, the satisfied look on Draco Malfoy's face, the practical handy Draco Malfoy was giving his wand. "And yes," Draco added. "You've gotten better at dressing yourself. Much better."

"Thanks." Harry coughed. "So, think you'll start using it again?"

"Well, Theo was right when he said things were fine with the new one." Draco reached down and took his replacement wand out of his ankle holster, an invention that Harry had always considered completely useless. Now, as Draco bent at the waist and hitched up the leg of his denims, revealing a well-toned calf, Harry saw that the holsters had their benefits. "Seems like it would be smart to test one and then the other. Can you close the shades?"

Harry complied and Draco cast a Lumos with both wands in succession. Though the replacement produced a decent amount of light, it was clear that Draco's original wand was more suited to him.

"Looks like you're better off with your old one," said Harry.

"Do you think its allegiance is with me again, even though you won it off me?"

"Well, I'm giving it to you, so I don't see why it wouldn't be."

Draco nodded and looked at Harry. There were about two steps between them, and the room was dark now. Harry tried again to ignore everything about the situation, the lack of lighting and the proximity and the way he could still see the shine of dark grey eyes...

"I should go," Draco said abruptly, breaking the reverie Harry had unwittingly entered into. "I'll see you around, Harry. Potter. Harry."

"I hope so," said Harry, smiling. He took out his wand, flicked his wrist, and opened the shades. "You can apparate out of here, since you've already all but demolished my wards." Harry took one last look at Draco, Draco in well fitting jeans and a crisp black button down with short sleeves, his hair skimming in front of his eyes, his lips nearly upturned in a smile. "Bye, Draco. Malfoy. Draco."

Draco shook his head and, perhaps grudgingly, allowed himself to smile before turning on the spot and taking his leave.