Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe and characters belongs to J.K. Rowling, unfortunately not me.

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Chapter 27

Harry woke up sometime later to a soft whisper and a tickle in his ear. "Haaarry," Draco whispered again, placing a light kiss on the aforementioned man's ear. Harry shivered slightly and attempted to pull the comforter over his head. He groaned in frustration when the comforter was pulled out of his reach.

"Dracoooo," he whined, cracking one eye open to give Draco the evil eye.

Draco ruffled his hair affectionately, giving him a sympathetic look. "I know. Believe me, I was quite enjoying watching you sleep, but alas you have company," Draco informed him with a dramatic sigh.

Harry giggled quietly and pulled himself into a sitting position. "Who's here?" he asked.

"Hermione," Draco replied, his voice flat so as not to betray his feelings on the matter. "I can send her away if you'd like."

"No, it's alright. I'll go talk to her." He stretched and dragged himself out of bed. "Come with me?" he added with a pleading look.

Draco didn't respond at first but eventually nodded reluctantly. He walked over to kiss Harry briefly before grabbing his hand and leading him towards the stairs. He paused abruptly at the top of them and pulled Harry into a hug. "I don't know what happened, but everything's going to be okay," he murmured into the top of Harry's head.

Harry smiled and mumbled against his chest, "Thanks."

The pair then made their way downstairs, Harry making sure to put some space between them as they approached the study. When they entered, Hermione jumped to her feet and launched herself at Harry. She gave him a tight hug. "I'm so sorry about Ron," she said quietly as she stepped away from him. Harry felt a lump form in his throat and just nodded silently. "Oh, Harry, you look awful."

Harry glanced at his reflection in the mirror mounted above the fireplace. Hermione was right; he looked dreadful. His eyes were puffy and bloodshot, his hair was an even bigger mess than usual, and his cheeks were stained with tear tracks. He shrugged self-consciously. "I'm fine," he mumbled.

Hermione's face conveyed the fact that she didn't believe him one bit, but she didn't comment. Her eyes flitted uncertainly to Draco but also refrained from commenting on his presence. "I was hoping we could finish our conversation from earlier," Hermione said gently.

"There's not much else to say. Ginny and I are through. I had decided that long before anything happened with Draco. We were both miserable, Mione. We spent all our time the last few months either screaming at each other or not talking at all," Harry responded sadly.

"So something did happen with Dr-Draco then?" she demanded, only stumbling over his given name a little bit. Her eyes flicked to the blond man once again.

Harry's face fell guiltily. "We snogged a few times before I talked to Ginny about the divorce."

Hermione gave him a disapproving look, but she didn't comment. "I knew it," she muttered to herself before adding out loud, "How did Ginny take it? She stuck around to assure us that she was okay with the divorce, but I didn't want to ask about the other part in front of my darling husband."

"She laughed hysterically," Harry informed her with a small smile. "And then lamented that she hadn't figured it out herself because it made so much sense."

Hermione chuckled along with Harry. "She has a point. All that obsessing and stalking at Hogwarts."

"There was no stalking!" Harry sputtered indignantly.

Hermione gave him a pointed look. "Really? Sixth year with the constant checking of the Map?"

Harry felt himself flush in embarrassment. "Map? What map?" Draco cut in curiously.

Hermione's face contorted into a smirk fit for a Slytherin. "You don't know about the Marauder's Map?" Draco shook his head. "Well, Harry's father and some of his friends made this map while they were at Hogwarts. It was a map of the whole castle, and it showed where everyone was at all times. Sixth year in particular, Harry made sure to keep an eye on you."

Draco turned to face Harry, a look of disbelief on his face. "You stalked me while we were at school!" he accused.

Harry felt himself get even more red. "Don't flatter yourself. I had to make sure you weren't up to anything too nefarious, like bullying first years," he joked, the conversation getting too close to uncomfortable terrain for Harry's taste.

Draco smirked in response. "Deep down you know it was my dashing good looks," he replied haughtily.

"There may have been some dreams that support that theory."

Both Hermione and Draco gaped at him in shock. Hermione recovered first. "I never thought I would say this, but you two are kinda cute together."

"We will re-vist that topic later," Draco informed Harry, grabbing his hand and dropping a kiss on it. "And yes we are quite cute, aren't we?" This was directed at Hermione.

"I may not approve of how this all happened, but as long as Harry and Ginny are happy that's what matters," Hermione said, squeezing Harry's shoulder. "You better take care of him, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco nodded. "I'll do you one better. I won't just take care of him; I'll spoil him," Draco responded seriously.

Hermione gave him a gentle smile and turned back to Harry. "I came over here to finish our conversation, but I also wanted to warn you that Ron told Molly and Arthur about earlier."

Harry felt his heart sink into his stomach. "What did they say?" he inquired in a small voice. Draco, sensing the tension rolling off of Harry in waves, put an arm around him and let Harry lean over against his chest.

Hermione hesitated slightly. "They didn't take it very well. They didn't take it as poorly as Ron did, but they're disappointed. I suppose that was expected. Ron also told them about Draco, and they were pretty upset about that. Arthur was ready to march over here and demand Draco tell him what spell you were under, but Ginny talked him off the ledge. I'm sure you'll be getting an owl soon though."

Harry sighed. It wasn't as bad as it could've been, but he wasn't sure he was equipped to deal with this at that moment. "At least Ginny was able to calm them down."

"Harry, I know things aren't great right now, but everything will be okay. Ron will calm down and come around eventually. And Molly and Arthur will see how happy you are and how much happier Ginny is, and they'll get on board eventually. How'd the kids take it?"

"I hope you're right, Hermione. The kids were alright. Albus already knew, and he's even a little excited about it. James was mad at first, but he calmed down a bit before we left. Lily cried. Merlin, what a bloody mess."

"You've just got to give people time," Hermione reassured. "Things will get better." Draco gave Harry a squeeze in comfort and agreement of what Hermione was saying. "I have to get going. I didn't want to tell Ron where I was going, and the last thing I need is for him coming to look for me."

Harry nodded and went to get up. "No, no. I can see myself out. You look quite comfortable," Hermione insisted with a playful smile.

"I am quite comfortable," Harry responded tilting his head back to look at Draco. "Thanks for stopping by, Hermione. It means a lot to me."

"I'll see you later, Harry."

"Bye, Hermione." She then made her way towards the Floo in the front room.

"You wanna talk about it?" Draco asked quietly, brushing some hair off of his forehead.

Harry shook his head. "Not yet."

"Well in that case, tell me more about these dreams," Draco responded, waggling his eyebrows teasingly.

Harry laughed, glad Draco was around to help him take his mind off of things. To show his gratitude, he turned himself around and met the other man's lips in a heated kiss.