AN: Lots and lots of time jumps in this one, so you may want to pay attention to the dates. Thank you again to everyone for reading. I love you all more than I can say!

*.*.*.*

Chapter Thirteen

- June 8th -

He was alone. Harry had left the day before and he was now completely alone. Well, technically, Harry had never come back. Sirius had come and packed up Harry's belongings and moved them to his house, then taken Harry directly from the hospital to his new home.

Draco sat on the couch and stared at the empty spot on the floor where the white rug had sat since his mother had bought it for him over two years earlier. He was glad that the blood hadn't seeped into the wood. Having a constant visual reminder would have been too much to bear anyway. And he couldn't imagine what it would have done to the resale value. Wow…compassionate thoughts there Malfoy. I guess you are your father's child after all.

"Knock, knock."

Grateful for a distraction, he smiled when he heard his best friend's voice.

"I've brought reinforcements," Pansy said as she walked into the room.

Draco looked up and directly into the tearing brown eyes of Hermione. He stood and managed a small smile. "Hello, Granger…or I guess its Weasley now."

She smiled a watery smile and hurried over to him, throwing her arms around his neck. "Draco," she said softly.

He cleared his suddenly tight throat and blinked back his tears. He wasn't sure why or when it had happened, but he had developed a soft spot for Hermione that almost rivaled Pansy. "I'm okay," he finally said when his emotions were under control.

Hermione laughed disbelievingly. "Of course you are." She stepped back and looked up into his eyes. "You should have called sooner. As soon as you two started fighting."

"And said what exactly? Please come home because I let your best friend fuck me and then broke his heart all within the span of an hour?"

Pansy frowned at him. "Don't be so crass."

Draco rolled his eyes and reached out for her, suddenly needing her near. He kept one arm around Hermione and pulled Pansy into his other arm. He held them both tightly against him and closed his eyes as he breathed them in. "Have you been to see him?" he asked no one in particular.

"No," Pansy said softly.

"I called but Sirius said he isn't seeing anyone right now." Hermione hugged him tighter. "How's Cedric?"

"I don't really know. I spoke to him briefly yesterday and he doesn't think he'll be prosecuted, but that's all he really had to say." He pulled them closer. "I can tell that he doesn't really want to talk to me. It's too much drama. I bet he's glad he got out."

"Don't say that." Hermione let go of him and headed for the kitchen. "Come on…let's catch up."

They gathered around the kitchen table to have some tea and talk. Draco asked as many questions as he could think of about Australia, anything really to keep the conversation from turning back to Harry, Cedric and Oliver.

"I think I'm going to sell this place," he suddenly said during a lull in conversation. He hadn't really thought it through before speaking, but just the thought of not living there anymore made him smile.

Pansy's eyebrows shot up. "But you love this flat."

"I used to. I don't feel comfortable here. I don't feel like this is my home anymore." He shrugged. "At least it's something to do, you know? It'll keep my mind busy."

*.*.*.*

- June 15 -

"He still won't talk to anyone?" Draco asked as he sat down across from Hermione and Pansy. He couldn't help the note of bitterness in his voice, even though he tried to hide it.

Hermione gave him a sympathetic smile. "It's not just you, Draco. The only person that he's been willing to talk to besides Sirius is Ron. I think that's because Ron wasn't there that night and he doesn't do the whole touchy-feely emotion thing. He feels safe with him because there are no reminders and no pressure to talk."

Draco raised an eyebrow at her. "Thanks for the pep talk, Weasley, but I was only asking a question." He folded his hands in front of him and tried to act casual.

Pansy and Hermione exchanged a knowing look.

"Stop having silent conversations about me," he snapped. "I'm fine." He stood up. "I'm not really in the mood for lunch? Shall we shop?"

The girls reluctantly agreed and stood to follow him.

*.*.*.*

- June 27 -

"This is just getting ridiculous," Draco complained as he lit up his second cigarette in a row.

Blaise sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Please…give it a rest, Dray. You can't force him to talk to you."

"But he had Pansy and Hermione over the other day. I don't understand why he won't just call me and let me know that he's alright."

"The girls said that he's doing fine. He'll call you when he's ready."

Draco glared at his friend and flopped down onto the couch with a soft sigh. "I miss him."

Blaise sat down by Draco's head and stroked his hair. "I know you do."

*.*.*.*

- July 14 -

Draco dropped his spoon with a clatter. "He what?"

Hermione looked down at her hands before looking over at Pansy, her brown eyes troubled.

Pansy reached over and took Draco's shaking hand in hers. "He left," she said softly. "He and Sirius are in America right now. They'll probably spend a few weeks there then they're heading to South America for a while. Then possibly Australia if Harry wants."

"What about his therapy?" Draco asked through the lump in his throat.

"He's doing well," Hermione assured him. "His therapist said that he thought this might be a good idea. Getting away from everything might be the perfect thing to help him get past…everything."

"In my world, we call that running away from your problems," Draco said bitterly.

Pansy sighed. "You always run away from your problems, so don't you dare start on Harry."

Draco gave her a dark look before turning his attention back to Hermione. "Why won't he talk to me? Really?"

She shrugged. "He won't talk about you either. I don't really know his reasons Draco. You're just going to have to be patient with him. Things will work out, you'll see."

Draco sighed and nodded. "Sure. If you say so."

*.*.*.*

- August 29 -

Draco gritted his teeth as he thrust hard into the slim body that was bent over the sink in front of him. His hands ran slowly up the man's back and under his t-shirt, causing the material to rise and revealing a large tattoo of a snake on his upper back. Draco scowled and pulled the shirt down, covering the offensive markings that so clearly reminded him of where he was and who he wasn't with. The pace of his hips increased and his fingers dug deeper into the other man's hips as he leaned forward and gently bit the back of his neck.

"Fuck," the dark haired man whispered. "Harder."

"Shut up," Draco growled at him. He slid his hand around front and grabbed the man's cock, which he stroked fast and hard. He was over it and just wanted to come so he could get this guy the hell away from him.

Soft whimpers and moans echoed through the small bathroom, but none of them came from Draco. He didn't make a sound as he pushed faster and harder. He clenched his jaw and shut his eyes tight, trying to imagine sparkling green eyes looking back at him. He imagined Harry's mouth on his neck, his sharp teeth biting and nipping at him, his rough hands tracing the muscles of his back. "Oh fuck… Harry," he whispered.

"My name's…not Harry," the dark haired man managed between panting breaths.

Draco grabbed a handful of his hair and pulled his head back. His hips stilled as he pressed his lips to other man's ear. "Two choices…I can keep fucking you and you will deal with me calling you whatever the fuck I want to call you or you can walk away right now." For the first time, he brought his eyes up to the mirror and looked into dark brown eyes. He frowned at the unfamiliar reflection. This isn't right. I shouldn't be doing this. It's not the same…it'll never be the same.

The man smirked at him. "Well, get on with it then."

Draco stared at him, then pulled out and did up his pants. "I'm not in the mood." He turned and walked quickly out of the bathroom and into the noisy club.

"I've been looking everywhere for you!" Pansy yelled as she hurried to his side. "What the fuck took so long?" She glanced over Draco's shoulder and frowned when she saw the dark haired man that followed Draco from the men's room. The dark haired man with shaggy hair and the same build as Harry. She turned her frown to Draco. "Are you kidding me right now?"

He raised an eyebrow. "What? I can't fuck a stranger in the bathroom? I used to do it all the time."

"'Use to' being the key words there. Don't turn back into the old Draco just because Harry is taking some time off to get himself healthy."

"I would have taken him unhealthy," he argued.

She nodded as her anger receded. "I know that, love. But you have to let him go for now."

Draco pushed past her. "I'm not ready to do that yet. Sorry."

*.*.*.*

- September 19 -

"Happy birthday," Draco said as he leaned in and kissed Hermione's cheek.

She was glowing and he could tell that she was just dying to tell him something. He smiled and raised an eyebrow at her, silently asking what was going on.

"I'm pregnant!" she yelled as she threw her arms around his neck.

Draco held her tight and laughed softly at her enthusiasm. "Congratulations." Can't imagine how excited she'll be when she's pregnant with her own child.

He glanced over the top of Hermione's head and saw Pansy hurrying his way, her eyes filled with tears. "Did Hermione tell you the news?" she asked as she hugged them both.

Draco kissed her head. "She sure did. Congratulations, love."

Pansy smiled up at him, then turned her smile to Hermione. "What would I do without you?" She hugged her friend, then linked their arms together and dragged her back into the living room.

"You just love me for my womb," Hermione joked as she held tighter to Pansy's arm.

"Is there a reason why you're standing in the doorway by yourself?"

Draco turned to face Ron and held out a hand to him. "Not really. Just…thinking about how much has changed since this time last year."

Ron nodded and shook Draco's hand. "I think you need a drink, mate."

The blond smiled at him. "I think you might be right."

"I could use one myself. It's not everyday that a man finds out that his new wife is pregnant with someone else's child." He smiled at Draco.

"You're a good man, letting her do this."

Ron shrugged. "If it were anyone but Pansy and Blaise, I might have questioned it." He led Draco into the kitchen and poured them two drinks.

Draco leaned against the counter, hoping to still the nervous shifting he had been prone to of late. He quietly cleared his throat and stared down at his glass of whiskey. "So…have you spoken to Harry?"

Ron was quiet for a minute before he nodded. "I have. He's doing well. He and Sirius are having a great time."

"Where are they?"

"Well…last I spoke to him was a few days ago and I think he said they were headed for New Zealand."

Draco nodded and looked down into his drink. Don't ask…you don't want to know the answer. Just bite your tongue, Malfoy. "Has he…has he asked about me?"

Ron fell silent again.

Draco sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. Told you so. "It's alright…just forget I asked."

"I'm sorry, Draco. I really am."

Draco nodded and turned to join the rest of the party in the living room.

*.*.*.*

- October 2 -

"They're back," Pansy said as she sat down on a box.

Draco looked up from his packing and brushed away the hair that was sticking to his sweaty face. "When?"

"Last week. Hermione's been to see him and she said he looks amazingly healthy. That he was laughing and joking around and more animated than she's seen him in years."

Draco sat back on his heals and nodded. "Good. I'm glad he's okay." He grabbed the packing tape and desperately tried to conceal the trembling of his hands as he sealed the box he had been working on. He stood up and stretched his back then sat down and faced her. "I need to see him."

Pansy shook her head. "Not right now, love. Let him get situated and used to be being back. There's bound to be some old emotions that sneak up on him and set him back a bit. He needs a little more time."

Draco stood and pushed the box he had been sitting on back against the wall with the others. "You've seen him too, haven't you?"

She was silent, but from the way she looked down at her hands, he knew the answer.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you to be angry with me."

Draco sighed and rubbed his tired eyes. He hadn't had a decent nights sleep in months and it was finally starting to catch up with him. He moved onto another box, hoping to distract himself. "I'm not angry with you. I'm just…angry."

She nodded, but still didn't look at him.

"Did Blaise go with you?"

She nodded again.

His stomach turned and his heart clenched as he realized that Harry really was avoiding him. Him and only him. "I'm sure it's for the best," he said softly, though he didn't believe a word of it. There was a sharp pain in his stomach that he tried so hard to ignore.

"I tried to bring you up, but…" She shook her head. "He loves you, Draco, I'm sure of it."

He snorted softly. "Right. He loves me. He just doesn't want to see me and can't stand it when anyone mentions my name, but it's okay because he loves me."

Pansy stood and moved to stand beside him where she took his hand in hers and held it tightly. "He still has nightmares sometimes. He dreams that he was the one who killed Oliver or that Oliver killed Cedric because Harry was too weak to protect him. He blames himself still. And until he gets over that, until those dreams stop, he has to be away from you."

"But why?" He threw down the books that he was packing and slowly slid down the wall. "Why me and no one else? I wasn't even there, Pans! It wasn't my fault."

She sat down beside him. "He knows that. At least, I think he does. It's just…" She sighed. "Don't you dare tell him I told you this, but…he feels guilty that Oliver is dead. He thinks if he hadn't told him he was going to press charges against him, Oliver would have eventually calmed down and left him alone…that he would still be alive."

"And I was the one who convinced him to press charges," Draco said softly to himself.

She held tighter to his hand. "He's convinced himself that everything would have been fine if he hadn't told him. He seems to think that Oliver was on the mend and that he was just going to let Harry go and he would never have seen him again."

"But that's ridiculous. Oliver never would have left him alone."

She nodded in agreement. "But he doesn't see it like that. He just looks at it as someone died and it was his fault. And he also thinks..."

"What?" Draco asked when she didn't continue.

"He says that if he hadn't been with you that night, you would have been able to get Cedric back and then Cedric wouldn't have been there that night packing his things. He wouldn't have been forced to protect him and he wouldn't have to live the rest of his life knowing that he killed someone."

Draco's eyes grew wide. "But…I'm thankful that Cedric was there. Harry never would have been able to protect himself. Oliver would have killed him."

"That's what Cedric told him." She looked away quickly when she realized what she had said.

Draco stared at her. "Cedric was there? He'll see Cedric but he won't see me?"

"It's complicated, Dray."

"Yeah…complicated." Needing a change in subject, he looked over at the piles of boxes in the corner. "The sooner I get out of here, the better."

"There are a lot of memories here. Are you sure you want to leave?"

He nodded. "I don't want to stay in the place where I made my worst mistakes. I'm looking forward to starting off fresh."

"Are you going to be alright?" She reached out a hand and gently stroked his cheek.

He tried to smile. "I don't really know."

Pansy moved closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "You've still got me."

He sighed softly and kissed her head. "I know."

*.*.*.*

- October 20 -

"Did you send him an invitation?" Blaise asked as they walked slowly together through Draco's yard.

Draco nodded and shoved his hands into his pockets. His eyes wandered to the large willow tree at the end of his property, over the small pond that lay right beside it and back over to the small white house with the large back porch that was currently crowded with people. I know Harry would have loved this place. "I knew he wouldn't come."

Blaise put his arm around the blond's hunched shoulders and gave him a squeeze. "But everyone else is here, Dray. Remember that." He turned him around, forcing him to face their friends. "Every one of these people loves you. Even if they don't say it often enough." He kissed Draco's head. "Don't forget about the whole group just because one part is missing."

Draco sighed and rested his head on Blaise's shoulder.

They stood in companionable silence for a few moments until Blaise finally broke it. "Hey, guess what we found out today."

Draco raised his head and looked up at his friend.

"The baby is due on your birthday."

Draco couldn't help but smile at the thought. Pansy and Blaise are going to be parents. How fucking weird is that? No more clubbing or drinking or Blaise working until four in the morning. No more barging into their house in fits of rage and dragging them on last minute trips to Paris. He sighed and settled his head back on Blaise's shoulder.

Blaise laughed at his friend's lack of enthusiasm. "You aren't being a very friendly host. What good is a house warming without the host?"

Nothing is ever going to be the same again. A wave of sadness washed over him and he turned towards Blaise, wrapping his arms around his waist and pressing his face into his neck to hide his tearing eyes.

"Hey." Blaise held him tightly against him. "What's wrong?"

Draco didn't respond, he just held on tighter.

"Dray? Are you alright?"

Draco shook his head and squeezed him, then suddenly let him go. "It's nothing. I'm fine. Let's get back to the party, shall we?"

"Sure." Blaise forced a smile onto his face to hide his concern, then ruffled his friends hair.

Draco glared at him. "Don't do that again if you want to keep your hands." He smoothed down his disheveled blond locks and headed back towards the house.

Blaise laughed and slung his arm around Draco's neck as he followed his lead.

*.*.*.*

- November 14 -

Draco was strolling slowly down the street, hands in his pockets and his chin tucked into his chest, trying to keep warm against the chilly autumn wind. He glanced into the store windows, browsing, but not really interested in buying. For once.

He paused in front of a pet store and smiled as he looked in the window at the puppies that were all curled up together, sleeping. His eyes fell on the two month old black lab at the center of the small group and his heart gave a painful knock against his breastbone. "Hey, Chuck," he said softly as he placed his hand against the window.

The puppy yawned, stretching its head back and inadvertently waking the other dogs that surrounded him. His warm, brown eyes opened and met Draco's gaze and he immediately jumped up, his small tail wagging as he pawed at the window.

"Sorry, buddy. I never really imagined myself with a dog." He tapped lightly at the glass and the puppy gave a tiny bark and wagged his tail harder. Draco smiled to himself and reluctantly pulled himself away from the window before turning and heading home.

*.*.*.*

- December 24 -

Draco smiled as he sat back in his chair and watched his friends laughing and talking. He glanced around his living room and his smile grew into an ear to ear grin. He was head over heals in love with this house. It was completely opposite from the Manor. The mansion he had grown up in had reminded him more of a museum than a home and as a child he had never been able to shake off the cold feeling that he was left with, even during the summertime.

This house felt like more of a home than anywhere he had ever lived and he had only been there for two months. Instead of the all white décor and sharp angles of the Manor, his home was filled with bright colors and soft, comfortable furniture. He had found a small vintage store in the next town over and with Pansy's help, had decorated the rooms in reds, greens and blues. It was everything that he had always wanted the flat to be.

And the lighting was amazing. Especially the almost floor to ceiling windows in the living room that stood on either side of the large marble fireplace and looked out on the ancient Willow tree and the small pond beside it. He had never imagined himself living anywhere other than downtown, but he had to admit now that this was what he had always wanted, even if he hadn't known it.

He was pulled from his thoughts by a loud screech from the kitchen followed by a bark and the sound of a dish clattering to the ground.

"Chuck!" he yelled as he stood and hurried to the other room. He threw the door open and almost laughed when he found Hermione on her knees and an overly excited black lab puppy standing on its hind legs and licking her face.

"I'm so sorry, Draco," Hermione said as she tried to push away the attention seeking puppy. She motioned to the dropped platter of cookies and brownies that had scattered across the floor. "I tripped over him and it just slipped out of my hands and…"

"Chuck, get down." Draco grabbed his collar and shooed him from the room.

Hermione covered her face and sniffled.

Draco closed the door behind the dog and immediately went and knelt beside her. "Did he hurt you? I swear that dog becomes more of a menace every day."

Hermione turned into his open arms and let him hold her. "No, no…he didn't hurt me. I just…" She sniffled again and straightened up, smiling a teary smile up at him. "Stupid hormones. You know how it is."

He laughed and wiped her eyes. "Are you saying that I cry like a pregnant woman?" he joked.

She slapped his chest and laughed softly. "No…well, maybe sometimes."

"Hey!" He wrapped his arms around her neck and kissed her head.

She sighed and snuggled closer to him. "I'm glad that you're finally okay again."

"I'm getting there," he promised her. And he was. He had gone back to the pet store the following day and had brought Chuck home with him. He had never had a pet before and he found that the puppy was tiring and amusing and did a good job keeping him distracted when he wasn't working. And if he occasionally cried when the small dog curled up on his cold feet at night, well, that was no one's business but his.

Pansy and Blaise had not been pleased with the purchase of Harry's dream dog, but Draco found it to be a huge comfort to him. Not spending every day completely alone was a relief and with the number of messes he was constantly cleaning up and the amount of training they had to do, his days were full.

Despite her initial protests, Pansy was now Chuck's number one fan. Draco had strong suspicions that she was beginning to like the dog more than she liked him.

"You're sure you're alright?" Draco helped Hermione to her feet and brushed off the cookie crumbs that had stuck to her pants.

"I'm fine, I promise." She kissed his cheek. "But you get to be the one to break the news that dessert was ruined by that rambunctious child of yours."

He rolled his eyes and grabbed the broom and dustpan to sweep up the mess. "Good thing I bought extras then." He finished cleaning up, then opened the fridge and pulled out a lemon cake.

She smiled. "Lemon is Ron's favorite."

"I know." He winked at her. "And don't you dare tell him that I was aware of that. I just figured with everything he's done for both you and Pansy and Blaise, he deserved something special. It takes a good man to be okay with his wife doing something as huge as what you're doing. And he hasn't complained once. I don't think any of us really give him enough credit. I know a cake isn't much, but…" He shrugged.

Hermione wiped at her tearing eyes and beamed at him. "I love you," she said softly then stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. "And there's no better way to Ron's heart than through food. Now you go sit down and I'll bring it out. He'll never know you had anything to do with it, I promise."

"I'm holding you to that." He kissed her head and left her in the kitchen to prepare their dessert.

*.*.*.*

- January 30 -

Harry's warm, kiss swollen lips pressed tightly to his, his tongue slowly tracing his lower lip as his hand slid into Draco's pants and began to stroke him. "It feels like forever since I've touched you," the dark haired man whispered, then he sucked Draco's earlobe into his mouth, biting down softly.

"Faster," Draco whimpered as he pushed his hips into the brunet's hand.

Harry's hand moved faster and squeezed a bit tighter as he licked at Draco's long, pale neck.

"Fuck, Harry." The blond's eyelids fluttered and closed and he pulled Harry into a rough kiss as he came.

The force of his orgasm woke him and Draco let out a long moan as he continued to push his hips against the mattress, trying to draw out his pleasure. When he finally came down from his high, he sighed and rolled over onto his back. A soft tapping noise caught his attention and he looked over at the door where Chuck was sitting and wagging his tail as he watched him.

"Sorry about that buddy," he said once he had caught his breath. He sat up and scratched at his hair. "You shouldn't be exposed to my perverted ways." He climbed out of bed and stretched before pulling the sheets from the bed and tossing them in the hamper. He showered and dressed, then made a cup of tea to take outside with them.

He watched Chuck run through the yard, chasing birds and the occasional leaf that fluttered in the wind. He tried not to think of the dream that had woken him so pleasantly, but it was the first Harry dream he had had in a while and part of him was reluctant to let it go.

He had stopped asking his friends about him. They all saw the brunet on a fairly regular basis, but Draco was never invited and he no longer asked if he could join them. Seeing the flashes of pain in Hermione's eyes had become too much and he found it was no longer worth asking just to get a negative response in return.

Two months had passed since anyone had even said Harry's name in his presence. I wonder if that means he's moved on. Maybe he's found someone new and they just don't want to tell me. He scowled softly to himself, unhappy with his train of thought. He had done so well lately. The pain had finally begun to ease and he had thought he was over it. He snorted softly at his thoughts. Right… you'll never be over it and you know it.

He whistled for Chuck to come back and the dog hurried back to his side. He fed him and started to prepare his own meal, but was interrupted by his ringing phone.

"Hey, Weasley, what can I do for you on this fine morning?"

Hermione paused briefly. "Sirius died."

Draco was stunned silent. He realized he was holding his breath and slowly let it out. "How? When?"

"Heart attack. Last night."

He swallowed heavily. I should call Mother and make sure she knows. "How's…how is he?"

Hermione sniffled softly. "Surprisingly fine, or so he's pretending. He hasn't cried about it and he's…I don't know what he's doing really. But I think it's safe to assume that he's devastated."

Draco nodded, even though he knew that Hermione couldn't see him. He was shocked when he realized how badly his legs were shaking, so he made his way over to the table and sat down. "I can't even imagine." He sighed heavily and patted his leg, absentmindedly calling for Chuck. Just feeling the puppy's soft fur under his fingers calmed his racing heart. "He just can't get a break, can he?"

Hermione let out a soft cry and another sniffle.

"Does he want me to stay away from the funeral?"

"He knows that Sirius is family. He wouldn't ask that of you."

"He's family by blood, but I didn't really know the guy. If he would feel more comfortable without me there, I won't come."

She was silent for a moment and Draco began to wonder if Harry was there and if she was talking to him. He turned his attention to Chuck who was panting softly and staring up at him. He smiled sadly and scratched his ears.

"No, you can come. He doesn't mind."

"Will you tell him that I'm sorry?"

"Of course. I'll let you know the details when I know them."

"Thanks." They said their goodbyes and he hung up the phone. He reached down and pulled Chuck up into his lap, holding him tightly as he began to mentally prepare himself for the days to come.

*.*.*.*

TBC…

AN: Umm…yeah, sorry about that, everyone (especially to you KoaL). Feel free to review and tell me you hate me. I kind of hate me, so no hard feelings. Thanks for reading.