Draco woke feeling refreshed, he hadn't expected to sleep so peacefully. It seemed all he needed was Potter as a pillow and all his sleep issues were fixed. He smiled slowly against Potter's chest and was content to stay snuggled against him until he woke.

Harry woke to find Draco snuggled against his chest, "We fell asleep." Stating the obvious.

Draco sat up and replied, "Yes we did. I slept well – thank you, for helping before."

Harry smiled and took hold of Draco's hand, "No need to thank me. You scared me for awhile, do you get flashbacks often?" He wondered if Draco suffered in silence.

Harry watched as Draco averted his gaze to their joined hands, he quietly replied, "Often enough. They feel so real and vivid, it feels like I am actually experiencing the trauma all over again."

Harry hated seeing Draco like this, he had no idea what he could do to help. He squeezed his hand and Draco continued talking, avoiding Harry's eyes as he spoke.

"It is like it is happening right in front of my eyes, and I can't tell what is reality and what is memory. They range in severity from mild and brief to long and strong." He admitted finally looking up at Harry.

"Oh Draco." Harry sympathetically said, not wanting to be patronising but wanting to offer some comfort. He leaned forwards and hugged him for a few moments.

Harry pulled back, "Any time you need me, just ask. You shouldn't go through this alone."

Draco agreed to call upon Harry if he was free. Draco wanted to ask what was going on between them, but was reluctant to get into a heavy conversation about relationships. Especially when he was so broken, and couldn't offer Harry a stable, consistent relationship. After spending the evening with Draco and the Weasleys, Harry headed home. Tired but hopeful that Draco was turning a corner, he was talking about his attack more. He wasn't acting as if nothing happened, being numb and hurting alone. He wanted to talk to Draco about them, as an item, but he didn't want to seem pushy or frighten Draco. He was positive that Draco liked him a lot too, but was also holding back due to their past, Draco's attack and numerous other reasons. Harry decided to talk to Draco about them being a couple, or trying to be one at least the next time he saw him.

A few days later at work, he met Hermione and Ron for lunch and was having a good time catching up with them. That was until Draco was brought up by Ron.

"It's been months since his attack, he should move on. He always knows how to milk it." Ron insensitively stated.

Hermione sent him an unimpressed look and Harry was slowly losing his temper. "Don't be such an asshole Ron. Draco was attacked and he nearly died. He still suffers from flashbacks,.I've been there when he's had one. They are severe, they make him feel as afraid, as helpless, and as out of control as he did during the actual trauma" Harry snapped, pushing his half eaten lunch away.

"I get that he's been through a traumatic situation. But Hermione was attacked in his f-ing Manor and she coping and deals with life. All I am saying is he needs to deal with it." Ron raised his voice and argued back.

Harry took a calming breath, "I'm not saying Draco's situation is by far worse than anyone else's. Hell we all still have nightmares and the odd flashback to something traumatic during the war, me probably more than anyone. But Draco was Raped Ron – you get that!" He hadn't meant to blurt it out like that. Ron was only aware that Draco was attacked and left for dead, he didn't know what happened during the attack.

Hermione covered her mouth with her hand and gasped. Ron stared blankly for a few moments.

"What?"

Harry sighed and lowered his voice, "Please don't tell anyone. Especially Draco, he trusts me and I just told the two people he probably doesn't want knowing. The muggle locked him in his car, attacked him, raped him, beat him and left him for dead. Just stop being so insensitive and leave off Draco." Harry warned.

Ron nodded, "I didn't know. Sorry." Ron quietly said.

They all finished their lunches in silence, returning to work subdued and deep in thought. The following Sunday Ron turned up to The Burrow for Sunday Dinner and didn't say anything negative or insulting to Draco. He mainly left him alone.

Draco was starting to get used to being in a room full of Weasleys and respective partners. He was surprised when Weasel showed his face, but was glad he did, as Molly seemed very happy that Ron was making the effort. He had expected Ron to throw insults, but he remained quiet and Draco was glad. Even though he was getting used to family Sunday dinner, he still felt on edge. He barely registered when others were talking. He took notice if it was Harry or Mr and Mrs Weasley but mostly, the others would talk but all he could see was their lips moving. The words and concepts made no sense. It was like he was incapable of taking what was being said on board. He was too busy taking in information for his survival. Things like who was in the room, where they were sitting, where the door is, which is the quickest way out, do they look hostile or friendly, how are they reacting to me? He was relieved when Harry pulled him to one side and asked if he wanted to take a walk.

"Sure." T

hey walked to the Weasleys pond and watched the water in silence for a moment. Harry turned to watch Draco.

"Draco?" He ventured.

Draco turned to face him, "Hmm."

"I...Well I wanted to...I wondered..." Harry stopped trying.

"Wanted to what?" Draco prodded.

"I like you, as more than a friend and I know you are going through a lot at he moment. It's probably wrong of me to ask, but I wanted to know if anything was going on between us, and if so what it was." He blurted.

Draco smiled at Harry's awkwardness, "I like you too Harry."

Harry grinned, beaming at Draco. He couldn't help it, Draco Malfoy liked him. Harry took Draco's hand and loosely interlocked their fingers, "We'll take this as slow as you want. There will be times when you are making progress, and take one step forward, to only take two steps back. But I will be with you for every step of the way." He said with such passion. Draco believed every single word Harry had said.

He kissed Harry briefly and softly on the mouth. "Thank you." Was all he said. Pulling them down to sit on the grass, looking out at the clear sky and peaceful surroundings.

Harry knew he was taking on a lot, having a successful relationship with Draco would be hard work. But something was telling Harry it would be worth it – he trusted his instincts. Over the following months Harry spent a lot of his evenings and free time with Draco. Draco talked more about the attack, how he was coping and how it made him feel. He was sleeping better and eating more. Relationship wise, they had only kissed, held hands and cuddled. During one occasion their kissing started getting steamy and Harry went with his desire and startled Draco by running his hands under his shirt. It took Harry a moment to realise that Draco was shaking, not in pleasure but fear. That stopped Harry's horniness and added a huge wave of guilt.

Draco had eventually calmed down and explained that when Harry started acting on impulse and 'in the moment' Draco felt like he was losing control of the situation. He knew rationally that Harry wouldn't harm him, or force himself on him, but he felt out of control and panicked. Harry was pleased with Draco's honesty and they had an open and frank talk about the sexual aspect of their relationship. Setting limits for when they were fully clothed and knowing what Draco was comfortable with. Harry knew he couldn't let the desire overtake him again, not when Draco wasn't ready.

If Harry wanted to touch Draco's bare skin, he promised he would ask permission first and only do it if Draco was truly comfortable with it. Basically not be spontaneous and act on impulse. After various make out sessions and failed attempts to step up their relationship Draco was worried that Harry would become fed up and leave. However when Draco voiced his concerns to Harry. Harry dismissed them, saying Draco was worth the wait.

Draco knew he only had to say, 'No', 'Stop', 'I don't like this' and Harry would back off and it meant a lot to him. He could trust Harry, and because of this he was slowly starting to relax and move their kissing from mild, to a little more racy. Harry made him feel like no other person or partner had ever made him feel. He no longer felt numb, he felt alive and that he was healing. Also having Mr and Mrs Weasley guidance as parental figures was a huge help. He had never been apart of such a loving and amazing family before.

Mrs Weasley's book was selling at a steady pace, and the bookshop owner had placed an order for some more. Draco was happy to see that it was doing so well, the money the books made was a big help to the Weasleys. They even decided that they would go on holiday to visit Charlie. Draco panicked that he was to be left at The Burrow alone. It took Harry a long time to calm him down and say that he was staying over for the week, in a guest room so Draco didn't feel pressured. He even took the week off work himself so Draco wasn't alone in the day- as he usually had Mrs Weasley for company.

The various Weasleys soon realised that Harry was helping Draco, but in his own way Draco was helping Harry. No one objected when Harry informed them that he and Draco were in a relationship. All could see the pair were good for one another. Hermione had struck up a friendship with Draco, it was strained but the both of them were making the effort.

She visited on the first evening that Draco and Harry were alone, after Mr and Mrs Weasley left for their vacation. Harry cooked dinner, and the three of them ate off their laps in the living room. After dinner Hermione surprised Harry by saying.

"Draco, I hope you don't feel I have overstepped my place. But I um got a plaque made up with a poem, and I found a tree," She blushed and continued, "What I am trying to say is Mrs Weasley said we can plant the tree in the garden, and put the plaque up. It's to honour your mother and you will have somewhere to go to remember her by." She rushed out.

Draco stared in shock at her for a long time.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have...I'll return it. I should have asked." She apologised quickly.

Draco stood and pulled Hermione into an awkward one armed hug. "Thank you." He sincerely said.

She smiled and pulled the plaque out. It was simple, yet elegant. It had 'In loving memory of...' – then Draco's mothers name in elegant script, with her date of birth and death. Bellow her name was a simple yet touching poem.

Though I am dead grieve not for me with tears think not of death with sorrowing and tears;

I am so near that every tear you shed touches and tortures me, though you think me dead.

But when you laugh and sing in glad delight, my soul is lifted upward to the light.

Laugh and be glad for all that life is giving and I, though dead, will share your joy in living.

"I wasn't sure what poem you would want. I hope that's okay, you can get another I won't be offended." Hermione suggested after Draco finished reading it.

He hugged Hermione again and returned to his seat, his eyes clearly welling up with unshed tears. "It's perfect. What tree did you get?" He asked curious.

"Again I didn't know what you would like, or what your mother would have wanted. I got a magnolia blossom tree – it looks beautiful when in bloom and really is a magnificent tree." She hoped it would be sufficient enough.

"I look forward to watching it grow and blossom. Thank you for your kindness." He replied.

They found a nice spot for the tree and planted it, making sure that the plaque was secure next to it. Harry and Hermione left Draco alone to pay his respects and Harry gave Hermione a bone crushing hug for the wonderful thing she did.

Hermione said goodbye to them and returned home, leaving Harry and Draco alone. Harry was relaxing in an armchair when Draco returned, he seemed uplifted. Like the gesture Hermione made, helped him realise that he was starting a new chapter and that there were still decent people out there.

"I was doing some deep thinking out there." Meaning beside his mothers memorial.

"And?" Harry kindly asked.

"I want to start living again. I want to make my mother proud and I feel ready to start. I want to find a job, even if it is only part time for now. It will get me out of the house and around strangers. I need to accept that being outside isn't going to be the end of me." He admitted. He mainly stayed at The Burrow, and even though he was happy to do so, he knew it wasn't healthy.

Harry smiled, "Well starting tomorrow we can look through the daily prophet job vacancies pages and see if we can find something."

"Sounds good. I want to have a career, do something I am passionate about and enjoy. But I need to complete further education and such first and I am not ready for that. For now I am happy to just have a simple, easy to manage, part time job." He didn't want to do too much at once.

Harry stood hugged Draco and told him he was very proud of him. The following week they looked at a few jobs. Draco applied but was politely told he was unsuccessful on a few of them. However on the fourth day he received an owl from a local apothecary in the nearby wizards part of town, saying they would be delighted to employ him on a part time basis. They asked Draco to stop by for an informal interview today.

Harry went with him, but went into the bookshop that sold Mrs Weasleys book to check how sales were going. Leaving Draco to his interview. The apothecary was only a few shops from the book store and was a small family owned business. The owner Mr Arrington was in his sixties and a very jolly, happy man. He greeted Draco like an old friend. Showed him his shop and the storeroom, explaining that his own children weren't interested in taking over the family business, and he was getting too old to do all of the work. He asked Draco a few question about potions, potions ingredients, antidotes and how best to store certain ingredients. He was impressed with Draco's knowledge and hired him, asking him to start on Saturday morning.

Draco thanked the man and went to find Harry. He couldn't stop the happy grin to break through upon seeing Harry, waiting outside holding two ice creams. One almost eaten, the other half melted.

He held the half melted one out to Draco, "Yours. Sorry it's melted a bit."

Draco took the ice cream, "Thanks."

They walked around the small wizarding community and stopped to sit on a bench. Once Draco had consumed his ice cream he told Harry he got the job, and that he felt he could really help the owner become more efficient and make more money. His mind already whirling with ideas at what he could do, starting with the shop front and display. Harry was rewarded with a kiss and a smile that he had never seen on Draco before – he really was getting better.