It's not long until Harry sees Draco again. About a week, to be precise. This time, it's for Sunday lunch at Ron and Hermione's. Hermione was true to her word and invited Draco round, failing to mention to Harry that he would be there. Harry had been up late painting and had not tumbled into bed until after 4. Getting pulled out of bed at 10 by an overenthusiastic Ginny had not been fun, hence the dishevelled look Harry was sporting. Sleepy green eyes, unbrushed hair (well, was it ever brushed?) and a crumpled, paint splattered t-shirt completed Harry's I-don't-want-to-be-here look. But Hermione would have been upset if he hadn't turned up and he wasn't one for breaking traditions. Sunday dinners at Ron and Hermione's were a regular fortnight event for him. There would be the usual group of people (Hermione, Ron, Ginny and himself) and any number of other friends or family members. Today's gathering included Luna, Neville, George and of course, Draco Malfoy. Probably not the best time to be turning up looking like a hot mess.

Running a hand through messy hair and yawning, Harry made his way over to Neville. Neville is taking a well earned break from teaching for a few months after a nasty allergic reaction. One of his particularly difficult students had slipped something into his Butterbeer. Neville never found out what it was, but instead found out he was severely allergic to it. He got a few months away from Hogwarts to recover.

'How are you, Nev? Rash gone down yet? Bet you're looking forward to going back to Hogwarts soon,'

'Better thanks, Harry. Not too long until Christmas now so I'll only have a few weeks of teaching before the holidays when I go back,' Neville smiles and lowers his voice. 'What's going on with Malfoy then, Harry? That's twice I've seen him in the last 2 weeks and both times it's because Hermione bribed him by saying you were here. You both seem pretty close,' He whispers.

Harry chokes on his tea. 'What did you say!' He splutters. 'Hermione bribed him here? How do you know that anyway?'

'Hermione told Ginny, who told Luna, who told me. You know how much Luna hates keeping secrets,' Neville smirks.

'Well, I had no clue. Typical Hermione. We've seen each other quite a bit recently. It's strange, living in the same part of the city but it seems like he disappeared off the face of the earth after Hogwarts. It is nice seeing him again though,' Harry replies.

'Hermione told Luna that he was in a bad way after hogwarts, apparently slipped into depression and didn't really leave the house. He didn't have a job for about a year, not that it mattered; he has a trust fund the size of Spain anyway. Oh, by the way Luna was asking about Ginny. Is she still with that pretentious twat that she was wrapped around at the party?'

'No, you know what she's like, one fuck and she she never looks back. It's a bizarre kind of game for her, I think. Can't wait until she actually finds someone and stops bring randomers back to our flat that she's picked up in a bar somewhere. Luna got anyone?'

No, she mainly stays at home and studies but she is loving her job at Kew Gardens. She has so many houseplants, it's like the entire apartment is growing. Women,'

Their conversation is interrupted by Hermione herding everyone towards the big oak dining table. There is a steaming plate at every place, piled ridiculously high with food. Harry is so hungry, he could eat a dragon. He sits down in his usual place by the window and immediately picks up his fork and tucks in.

The curtains flutter as someone slips into the seat next to him. Harry can tell it's draco before he looks up. He is instantly alert, senses tuned and nerves tingling. Goosebumps spread along the length of his arms as Draco flashes that blinding smile in his direction. Not trusting his voice to work and sure that his cheeks are glowing red, Harry smiles back and turns to the plate of food sitting in front of him.

The dinner conversation bounces backwards and forwards, Hermione, as usual, leading the debates. Harry only catches snippets of what they are saying, his focus on his food and the boy sitting next to him. Looking up, he instantly notices some strange tension between Ginny and Luna, sitting opposite each other near the head of the table. They seem to be avoiding eye contact while, at the same time, not able to tear their eyes from each other. Interesting. Harry makes a mental note to question Ginny later.

Harry's plate is empty and he is looking down, running his short fingernails against the rough denim of his jeans. He cannot bring himself to look across at Draco, for fear that he may not be able to stop looking. Harry almost jumps 6 feet into the air when a soft hand covers his under the table. Draco continues to stare straight ahead, chatting to Neville about teachers strikes as if nothing has happened. Harry's face starts to grow warm but he does not make a move to pull away. Neither does Draco. Slowly, Harry tucks his hand into Draco's, fingers curling around his skin in a perfect fit. Two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. They stay like this until the end of the meal.

Harry stands up, releasing Draco's hand and placing his other hand on the blonde's shoulder as he pushes in his chair. Stretching out his fingers, Harry already misses the warmth of Draco's hand. Trying desperately to keep a silly grin off his face, he heads into the kitchen to help Hermione. She, as usual, picks up on his mood straight away.

'What happened?'

'Nothing,' Harry replies, smirking at her frustrated face.

'Ugh, you're so annoying. You never smile this much. What did Malfoy do to you?'

'Nothing! Well, nothing apart from holding my hand,' Harry's face splits into a huge grin.

'Just go and ask him out already,'

'What? No. Fuck no. What is he said no. No. Not doing that,'

'Why not? He fancies you, you like him. I see no problem,'

'I don't have a crush on Malfoy,' Harry bluffs.

Hermione just rolls her eyes and heads back into the living room, leaving Harry standing there.

Back home, Harry sits on the sofa in denial. It's this denial that leads him into Ginny's room. She sits on her silk covered bed, grabs a pot of coral coloured nail polish and pats the spot next to her.

'Got a problem, Harry? Talk to me,'

'I don't know what's going on. How come I spent 7 years of school passionately hating Draco, don't see him for a few years and now suddenly he's everywhere? Why is he always where I am? And why do I want to kiss him all of a sudden. How come I didn't notice how hot he is before? I just want to be near him but at the same time I don't. I don't trust myself around him. But it's not like he's going to go away especially as Hermione seems to have adopted him now. I don't know what to do. Hermione told me to ask him out but I can't do that. What if he said no? What if he said yes? I'm a mess, Ginny,'

Ginny smears the glossy paint over her toenail, deep in thought. 'Why does it matter so much what he thinks? You're HARRY POTTER, in case you've forgotten. You have just forgotten what it feels like to have a crush. My advice is that you should just roll with it and see what happen. You will be spending a lot of time round each other, what with the wedding coming up and everything. Relax, he obviously likes you too but if you're worried, just leave it. I always thought you would make the most adorable couple,' she grins at Harry and Harry feels his heart lighten.

'Oh, what was all that at lunch today? You and Luna? Have you had an argument or something? I didn't know Luna could even have arguments,'

'It was nothing,'

'Really? Are you sure you don't want to tell me?'

'Nothing worth going over. No point focusing on something you can't have,' she gives Harry a sad smile and looks away.

Harry backs out of her room, closing the door quietly behind him.