Draco Malfoy was apprehensive about coming to Ron and Hermione's engagement party. Even after all these years, he still feels like a bit of an outsider. But Hermione told him Harry was going to be there, and he did so want to see him, so he went. It was totally beautiful, with the lights and the music and he was welcomed like he'd always been part of the group. It was nice. Every head turned when Harry entered, even after all this time, he is still treated as a hero. Must be nice.
Draco's heart leapt when he arrived, then quickly sank as Ginny walked in behind him. Ginny Weasley, utterly gorgeous, lives with Harry Potter. No competition. Everyone came up to greet them and Draco got distracted by Charlie Weasley, who offered him booze and then started talking about Harry's recent Auror missions. And then Harry Potter was standing next to him, all glowing green eyes and messy black curls, that beautiful tanned skin and looking so fit and perfect that Draco had to stop himself fainting there and then. Harry Potter. The One and Only. The Golden Boy. Looking at him in a daze. What is this life? Draco didn't want to break the conversation but he didn't want to be caught ogling Harry. The small talk was all bullshit. They both felt something unsaid between them but neither of them had the guts to say it. Draco knows he probably shouldn't have brought up the February incident but he wanted Harry to know he knew, to know he was as scared as the others. He probably also shouldn't have asked about Harry and Ginny but he wanted to make sure the information he knew was correct. Harry most definitely saw the relief of Draco's face when he denied they were together. And then the music started. Photograph by Ed Sheeran. Draco saw Harry watching his two best friends with something close to longing and as the other couples started dancing, Harry blushed. Draco wouldn't have usually been so bold, but whatever Charlie had given him seemed to have calmed his nerves and hesitantly, he slipped his arms around Harry Potter's waist. Draco could feel Harry's sharp intake of breath and whispers in his ear. He can smell Harry's shampoo and cologne and as Harry slowly brings his arms up to rest on Draco's shoulders, Draco feels like coming here wasn't such a bad idea after all.
The music fades and Draco doesn't want to pull away. He wants to stay with his head on Harry's shoulder forever, in this beautiful moment underneath the lanterns. But when Hermione calls everyone into the marquee, Harry removes his arms from Draco's neck, gives Draco a quick smile and hurries after Hermione into the marquee. Draco can't seem to move, his mind is so full of Harry Potter.
Inside the marquee, Harry makes his way to his seat beside Ginny on the table at the front. He can hardly think after that dance. Draco's body fit so perfectly into his, Harry loved every minute. If he hadn't run off, Harry probably would've kissed him. His whole body can tell when Draco enters the tent and sits in his seat next to Neville. Harry can feel his eyes burning into the back of his head. Hermione jumps up onto the stage and speaks to everyone.
'Hello everyone, I'm so happy you could all come and celebrate our engagement tonight. We would love it if all of you could be at the wedding in June. I know that's 8 months away so clear the date in your diaries. Invitations will be sent out shortly. Nothing would make me happier than marrying the love of my life,' She blows a kiss to Ron, who gives her a look of pure adoration. 'As you have all probably guessed, Ron's best man will be Harry, and my maid of honour will be Ginny. My bridesmaids will be Ginny, Luna and my cousins Hanna and Erin. Alright, that's the boring stuff over, let's get on with the meal!' She jumps off the stage and goes to sit at the table with Harry.
'Soooooo Harry, what was all that with Malfoy?' Hermione asks excitedly.
'Nothing,' Harry lies. In truth, it was the opposite of nothing. Harry can't remember the last time he felt this confused.
'Bullshit,' Ginny mutters, earning another giggle from Hermione.
Harry feels a blush spread over his skin. In a quiet mumble, he tells Hermione everything. After he's finished, Harry is not expecting the huge grin that spreads over her face. Ginny, too, seems ridiculously happy. Ron, as usual, looks confused.
'You know he's gay, right?' Hermione tells Harry
'Uh, no. I didn't know that. How do you know?' Harry attempts to tamp down the feelings of excitement growing inside.
'Oh, he told me ages ago when I spoke to him in Hogwarts. He wanted to come out like you did but he thought he didn't have the courage. I'm surprised he didn't tell you,'
'Well, I haven't seen him since the Hogwarts days and when we were there, we didn't really speak much,' Harry admits.
'Well, he's staring at you pretty intensely right now,' Ginny adds with a smirk. Both girls burst into giggles as a heavy blush spreads across Harry's skin.
'You know, I may invite him to the next Sunday dinner,' Hermione muses to a still giggling Ginny.
'Sounds like a great plan,' she replies. Harry fights the urge to hide under the table.
A few hours later, everyone begins to leave. Harry stays to the end to help clear up and surprisingly, Draco stays too. Ginny has had a few drinks too many, well more than a few. Hermione is also a bit tipsy and they sit on the garden swingseat and giggle as Draco and Harry awkwardly help each other carry chairs and tables into the house and desperately try to avoid eye contact. Finally, Harry grabs Ginny's coat and bag and heads to the door. Hermione launches at him and wraps him in a tight hug, whispering a lot of sentimental gobbledygook. She's still over-emotional from when Harry gave them their engagement present. An a2 canvas with a beautiful oil painting of Hermione sitting on Ron's lap in the Gryffindor common room, the two of them laughing and almost glowing with happiness. It had taken Harry 4 months to complete and Hermione burst into tears at the sight of it. Ron has to gently pry Hermione from Harry's neck before wrapping Ginny in a bear hug. Draco helps Ginny down the front stairs to where Harry is waiting for her.
'Um, do you two want a lift home?' He mumbles more to the floor than to Harry.
'It's only a short walk from here and the cold air might do her some good,' Harry replies, jerking his chin at Ginny, who's taken off her heels and has both her jacket and Harry's wrapped around her tiny body.
'Well,' Draco says almost indistinctly, taking a tentative step closer to Harry. 'I'll maybe see you around then?' Smiling shyly, he steps towards his car and leaves Harry standing on the cold pavement with his heart racing.
'Uh..yes, that would uh…be nice, I guess,' Harry stutters, blushing furiously but Draco is already speeding off into the October night.
Getting Ginny home is a task and a half. It seems to take her twice as long without those ridiculous heels and she's practically dead on her feet when they reach the front door. Harry ends up scooping her into his arms and carrying her up the many flights of stairs to prevent any potential A&E trips. At their flat door, he judges Ginny while trying to reach into his back pocket to grab his keys and when he looks down, Harry realises she's already fast asleep. He carries her into the flat, dumping her gently on her bed after unwrapping the multitude of jackets from around her. The building is silent, the only noise coming from the buzzing city below. A city that never sleeps. Harry stands at the window watching the cars, until the streaks of light turn into the ice blonde hair of a boy he wishes to see again.