Sunlight spills through the gap in the curtains. Outside, the city is quietly murmuring in it's usual morning fashion. Harry smiles, stretches languidly and pushes his hair from his eyes, sitting up to slip his glasses onto his nose. Draco, from the other side of the bed, buries his face into the pillow and groans at Harry's attempt to get up. His arm curls round Harry's waist, dragging him back down into bed. Harry starts to grin, looking at Draco's sleepy expression and the annoyance in his eyes from being woken up. The open window lets in a breeze that rustles the curtains and makes the room smell like spring. The room is peacefully silent, punctuated by soft breaths and the faint shift of the duvet under restless limbs.
Draco has been staying over a lot lately, ever since the day he arrived to drag Harry out the deep, dark pit of despair. Harry, ever the loner, has found that he adores the extra company, especially as Ginny is working all the time nowadays, only coming home to crash for a few hours before running out again. There's something so comforting about being assured that if you fall, somebody is ready to help you up. The demons hiding in the dark have retreated slightly too, this spring is proving to be a new era for Harry Potter. He's starting to leave the shadows behind.
Draco has been staying over at Harry's a lot lately. Harry's obviously been struggling and it's been helping Draco too, having someone close at all times. He's falling fast for Harry's sensitive soul, the tight bonds he has with his friends and family, the way he can never decide on a movie, the faraway look in his green eyes when he's gathering inspiration for a new drawing. Draco's nightmares have eased and he feels lighter, happier these days. It feels like the start of a new age for Draco Malfoy.
They lie there, limbs intertwined, as the city awakes around them. Ginny's footsteps can be heard softly padding around the kitchen and soon the smell of coffee drifts in through the slightly opened door. Music starts up, Ginny's favourite acoustic playlist playing faintly in the distance. Draco sits up and stretches like a cat, brushing strands of soft white-blonde hair out of his eyes, grinning at a still-sleepy Harry with half-shut eyes. Harry follows, rolling out of bed and grabbing Draco's abandoned hoodie to slip on over his thin t-shirt. It may be spring but the morning air is yet to warm up. Draco starts to chuckle softly, eyes crinkling as he takes in Harry's dishevelled morning appearance.
'What, Malfoy?' Harry says, mock-impatiently.
'It's just...your hair, it looks like you've been dragged backwards through a hedge,' Draco laughs. Harry gives his shoulder a light shove, enough to Make Draco stumbled slightly before tugging him into a warm embrace and kissing Draco's neck.
'You're lucky you're unbearably cute, or I'd throw you out for insulting my hair,'
'Ginny would just let me straight back in again, and you know it. She likes me more than you,' Draco replies cheekily.
'Shut it, you,' Harry grins.
They walk into the kitchen to find Ginny fully dressed in a mock fifties dress patterned with cherry blossom, with perfectly done makeup and hair plaited in an elaborate style. She's spinning around the kitchen in bare feet, humming at the top of her voice until she crashes, rather ungracefully, into a surprised Draco. Draco wastes no time in lifting Ginny up into the air, making her squeal loudly.
'Why are you all dressed up, Miss Weasley?' Draco asks, with a squirming Ginny still wrapped up in his arms. Ginny promptly kicks him until he drops her with an 'ouch!'
'We're going on a road trip!' She sings happily, giving Harry a dazzling grin.
'Whoa, let me process that in five minutes,' says Harry as he wanders over to the table and pours himself a cup of coffee. With the mug in hand, he turns back around. 'We're doing what?'
'Max wants to take me to Brighton today and I thought you two could come too!'
'Okay, first of all, you're way too cheerful for this time in the morning. Second, who the hell is Max? Thirdly, I'm not really up for crashing one of your dates. Finally, do you ever tell me about something before you plan it?' Harry knows he sounds grumpy but it is too early for Ginny's manic happiness.
Ginny rolls her eyes sassily. 'The reason I don't tell you what we're doing is because you always say no!. This is my first day off in ages and I wanted to spend it with you. I thought it would be nice to drive to Brighton together and pretend it's summer. Max is that guy I was telling you about on Tuesday,'
Max. Harry only remembers him as the really really hot one on the third floor at work, as described by Ginny. Well, he can already see both Draco and Ginny looking at him pleadingly. They all need a day out. Harry's been at the offices most days, completing the paperwork for every Auror mission this month. A drive to the beach with Draco might be the perfect antidote to the long days cooped up with piles of forms. Harry reaches out to Draco, curling an arm around his waist and pulling Draco into his side.
'Go on then,' he says, watching Ginny's face light up with excitement.
'C'mon then, you two. Time to get ready then. Max will be here to pick us up soon. Ooh, I'm so excited,' Ginny squeaks before rushing out of the room. Harry and Draco look at each other with amusement.
Tendrils of steam from the shower curl into Harry's room as he dries off his hair and throws on his usual t-shirt and jeans. Glasses on, hair pushed over his scar and he's ready, slipping on a light cotton hoodie in Gryffindor red. Draco enters the room in a white towel slung low on his hips, pushing wet hair off his face. Harry stare so intensely at him, faint pink begins to creep over Draco's cheeks and neck.
'Um, I forgot to bring a bag with clothes over from my place, can I borrow some?' Draco says sheepishly. Harry nods absently, focused entirely on the smooth pale skin of Draco's torso.
Ten minutes later and they're outside on the kerb. Draco's wearing the t-shirt Ginny got Harry for his birthday a couple of years ago. Plain black with Harry's Quidditch number in red and gold on the back. Harry feels a smug sense of satisfaction when he sees it, and Draco can't stop smirking. Harry intertwines his fingers with Draco's, leaning forward to whisper in his ear.
'You look pretty good in my clothes, Malfoy. I should have given you my Quidditch jumper when we were back in Hogwarts,' Draco only smiles, loudly kissing Harry's cheek.
A can draws up beside them and Ginny squeals, running towards it and waving frantically to the guy in the front. Harry notices Draco gazing enviously at the cute red convertible and grins. Boys and their toys. Harry never learnt to drive, firmly sticking to his argument that it was better to make use of London's public transport system rather than be a danger on the road. Ron's often laughed at him, saying Harry's still scared from the incident in second year at Hogwarts.
They slide into the back seats while Max turns round to greet them. Ginny's gazing at him with stars in her eyes and Harry tries not to smirk as he shakes the guy's hand. It's been a while since he's seen Ginny blush. The sunroof is down, and the spring sun is warming up quickly. As Ginny plugs in her phone and presses play on her favourite Son Mieux album, the car pulls out onto the road.
The drive out of London is serene as houses make way for rolling green fields. Harry stares out of the window, hand in Draco's as Ginny chatters ten-to-the-dozen with Max in the front. Draco's hair blows in the breeze as he leans back, eyes closed, listening to the music. Harry can't resist taking a couple of photos of the look of pure bliss on his face.
The drive is over all too soon, punctuated by Ginny's loud yell of 'Oh look! The sea!' as they round a corner and spot it at the end of the hill, sparkling bright blue. They drive down quiet streets through a make of sandy coloured buildings before parking by the promenade. Ginny grabs Harry's hand and drags him in the direction of the sea like an excited child. Draco laughs, following them in their desperate dash. Once on the beach, Max grabs Ginny, swinging her up into his arms and setting off towards the water's edge, ignoring her delighted screams. Draco rolls his eyes, grabbing Harry's hand as they look around at the old pier and row of shops on the promenade. It's been years since Harry's been here, not since Ron, him and Hermione came down here for a weekend away a good few years ago. He'd forgotten the serenity and quaintness of the seaside city. Draco starts to walk forward, tugging Harry with him as they make their way slowly down the stony beach.
They reach Ginny, who by this point is up to her knees in the waves, shoes abandoned a little way up the beach. Her grin is one of pure delight, hair contrasting strongly against the vibrant blue water. Water soaks the hem of her dress, splashing her arms and face as she laughs. Harry's almost tempted to join her, until she kicks water his way and tiny icy droplets soak into his shirt.
'How have you not got frostbite already?' Draco asks, chuckling at her antics.
'When you grow up with six brothers, you learn to not mind a bit of cold water,' she replied as another wave splashes her from head to toe.
Ginny plays in the water, eventually persuading Max to join her as Draco and Harry sit on the beach, enjoying the sun. After an hour, the ice-cream shop on the promenade tempts them, so Ginny, complaining that the stones are too sore to walk on with bare feet, corrals Harry into giving her a piggyback up the beach. When Ginny's feet are dry enough to put her shoes back on, they walk along the promenade with ice-creams in hand, dodging the occasional frisbee or overexcited dog. The sun makes the stone buildings glow with warmth, and it sees like the entire city population is outside enjoying the weather. Harry feels happy, as he watches Draco and Ginny argue about pointless little things like they always do. This is a normal he could happily live with.
They don't go home until the sun starts to set, glowing orange over the sea. Fish and chips were eaten on the beach, watching the sunset turn the clouds pink and edge them with gold. Ginny is exhausted, almost asleep on Max's shoulder as he starts the car up. Draco leans into Harry, his hair smelling like the seaside and familiar mint hair gel. Draco's pale hand in Harry's tanned one. The breeze makes Harry's t-shirt flutter, spreading a slow trail of goosebumps over his skin as he pulls Draco in tighter. Max puts the roof up as the sky turns a deep blue and the last traces of orange disappear over the horizon. The car's slight movement makes Harry's eyelids flutter and when he looks down, he realizes that Draco is already asleep. It really had been a long day.
The car draws up outside Harry's flat, jolting him awake. The air outside the car is sharply cold, making Harry shiver as he shakes a drowsy Draco awake. Max carries a fast-asleep Ginny in his arms as they make their way up the stairs. She's deposited on the sofa amongst a nest of cushions, hair fanned out as she sleeps peacefully. Max kisses her softly and turns around to grin tiredly at Harry.
'She's special, that one,' Harry says jokingly, jerking his chin at the sleeping Ginny.
'Trust me, I know,' Max says, gazing at her. He nods at Harry and leaves the flat. A few minutes later, Harry can hear the noise of a car engine start up and drive away. Ginny mumbles, turning over and burying her face deeper into the cushions. Harry spreads a blanket over her before stumbling into his room. Draco is fast asleep on top of the duvet, hair ruffled and face relaxed in sleep. His borrowed clothes are draped carelessly around the room, thrown off in the seconds before falling asleep. Harry grins sleepily and within a few minutes, is fast asleep beside him.