'Thanks for today.'

Draco looked up, Ria entered the living room and sat down next to him on the sofa.

'For bringing him home - for talking to him - for getting him to talk to me. I had no idea he felt like that.' she sighed heavily, a thoughtful look plagued her face.

'No worries - how is he?'

'Better ... I think,' she shook her head, 'I just - God I never realised I was being ... crap - I swore ... I swore he'd have a different life to mine. All I did was doom him.'

'You did what you thought was best - nothing less.'

'I was an overprotective shit - I wouldn't let him even graze a knee - what kind of childhood is that!'

'Sounds like the one I had.' Draco said, 'My mother was quite protective of me - as you may have gathered from - well yeah, it's not that she would stop me from doing things - but everything -' Draco laughed, 'the first time I flew on a broom - she charmed the damn thing not to go at full speed, and cushioned the ground.'

'OK I don't feel so bad now.' Ria said, 'I've never done that.'

'And you didn't shout at him or ground him.' Draco added. 'He thought he was going to be at least grounded.'

'As scared out of my wits as I was ... I'm just grateful that he's home.' she replied, her eyes watching the flames in the fire. 'As angry as I was ... I'd never forgiven myself ...'

Draco noticed that there were actual tears in her eyes. 'Ria what is it?'

She shook her messy hair, 'He did a right number on me - Teddy - is the first person I allowed myself to love unconditionally after - and today of all days ... it brought back - a lot of memories, I thought I'd lost him ...' Draco wiped the falling tears with his thumb, he struggled to hear Ria's next words, as she spoke in just above a whisper, 'I can't lose anyone else.'

Draco held her, Ria pressed against his chest, as her body begun to shake - it was awkward due to the position they were sitting in, but he did not break the contact, he let her cry.

'Sorry.' she rubbed at her eyes, that were blotchy and look slightly red. 'You're right - no point dwelling on what I've done - just learn and move forward.'

'He loves you ... he's just scared of what will happen if he lost you,' Draco said, putting a finger under her chin to tilt her head up so her eyes met his, 'and he's not the only one.'

The next morning was slightly uncomfortable, Teddy kept glancing at Harianna questionably, then towards Draco unsure of what to make of her quiet behaviour. Harianna avoided making eye contact with him, stirring her porridge aimlessly. Draco regretted saying it so soon. He wasn't sure what to do he had promised Teddy he wouldn't leave but had complicated things between Harianna and himself. It wasn't until Teddy went to collect his school things, did Harianna say anything.

'I like you too.'

Draco thought he had heard things, as she had spoken that softly. But the faint blush upon her cheeks was clear enough to indicate that he heard heard her correctly.

'I didn't say anything -' Harianna bit her lip, 'because I wanted - with everything that happened yesterday.'

Draco leaned over and kissed her forehead, 'I understand - no need to explain yourself. What say ... we try doing that date we should have had again.'

'I'd like the sound of that.'