Finally the meal was over and Harrie could stop pretending that she wasn't noticing everyone staring at her, Ron could pretend he wasn't getting uncomfortable hearing all Seamus's comments about how Harrie had grown up and Hermione could stop rolling her eyes and straining her ears to listen to the uplifting and moving speech the teachers had given.

The three friends made their way to their common room, taking their time to enjoy seeing the castle restored to its former state, and allowing the common room to empty of their fellow housemates.

After reaching their destination and a friendly reunion with the Fat lady who still maintained the entrance to Gryffindor Tower they moved into the homely common room. Harrie was so happy to be back she thought she might burst with the sudden onslaught of joy she had. Ron and Hermione sat beside each other on one of the comfy settees and Harrie folded herself into an arm chair. They could hear the noises of their housemates getting ready for bed and the familiar sounds were like a balm to Harries nerves which she could now admit had been running high since her arrival back at Hogwarts.

'Wasn't that bad after all was it?' Hermione said with a knowing smirk at Harrie, Ron playfully ruffled Hermione's hair and gave her a 'don't poke the dragon' look. Harrie smiled at her friends 'I will admit it was better than I thought it would be' and stretched her arms above her head, giving in to a yawn.

The reaction of everyone in the great hall, staff included hadn't been as bad as Harrie had been dreading. Yes, people had stared and looked at her with open mouthed shock but after a few minutes she had just been yet another person sitting at the table. The only reaction she had liked was a certain blonde's heated stare when they had left the Headmistress's office and she would just keep that little moment to herself for now...though it was confusing the shit out of her.

Meanwhile the Slytherins had listened with cool disdain while Professor Slughorn gave them the yearly house pride speech in their common room before finally letting the students head towards their sleeping quarters.

"Did you get a look at Potter?" Pansy spoke as they made their way to one of the large settees before the fire "Wait what am I saying, of course you did Dray" she said with a smirk in Draco's direction.

"She certainly looks very fuckable now" Blaise said watching the telling twitch in Draco's cheek showing that despite his outward indifference the blonde had indeed noticed Potter's appearance.

Pansy tossed her hair over her shoulder and huffed "If you like that sort of thing, the blatantly good looking, hero type has never been my thing"

Blaise grinned at the girl, who through her outward bitchiness had always been incredibly jealous of the golden girl and her admirers. Least she had given up on trying to get Draco's attention long ago and seemed content to remain a friend.

"Granger and Weasley seem to have finally hooked up. I had been curious as to whether Weasley was bent, always hanging out with girls like that did not translate to straight in my books" Blaise declared whilst nodding at some of the other students disappearing to the bed chambers.

"Please Potter was so boyish and rugged you would think Granger was the only one without a dick in that trio" Pansy muttered looking at her finger nails.

"Not anymore. Though Potter certainly has the biggest balls" Blaise said throwing a wink at Pansy when they saw Draco's hand clench

"And tits" Pansy added with a smirk

"Can we drop the subject of the chosen few" Draco snapped sharply

Pansy and Blaise shared a look. Draco chose to ignore them.

"Right, I am off to bed then. Got to play nice with my fellow females at least for the first night"

Pansy rose and drifted off towards the girl's dormitories.

Blaise raised his hand in farewell and but never took his eyes of the blonde in front of him.

"Is this the year you actually do something about it?" Blaise said quietly when they were alone

"About what?" Draco liked to play dumb when the subject was one he would rather not discuss.

"Your thing for Potter"

Draco stared at his friend so surprised that it showed on his face before he could shutter his reaction. Blaise had never been one for speaking directly, Draco couldn't decide if this was a good development or not. The next response would decide it for him...

"I do not, nor ever had a thing for Potter" Draco tried and failed to pull of his customary Malfoy sneer but the raised eyebrow showing Blaise's disbelieve had his mask slipping in defeat.

"Lies don't become you Draco" Blaise huffed seeing no point in skirting the issue any longer. He wanted Draco to at least once get the girl he had been obsessed with all their school life.

Draco looked down away from his friends piercing stare "Even if I wanted, there is the little matter of the vow I made"

Blaise's lip curled at the mention of the archaic vow that was the pure blood tradition in many of the old pureblood families. His own Mother had rebelled against her family's vow, she had been disowned and had forever drifted through marriages, she was currently on husband number seven. As far as Blaise was concerned most pure blood traditions should be abolished.

"You could still dabble" He said, watching his friend closely

"Yes, I am sure that would go down a treat with all concerned" Draco growled leaning back and wishing this night would just end already.

"You can be very pervasive. Plus, she has gotten very hot"

Draco sighed "She always has been"

Blaise's eyebrows rose, he knew that his friend had always liked the Gryffindor but that was the first time he had admitted to it. It had always been ironic how similar the Prince of Slytherin and the Golden girl had been. It seemed incredibly unfair how they had both been robbed of their youth in one way or another.

Filling the sudden quiet Blaise asked, "How long until it is decided?"

Draco's scowl darkened further "Next summer" his voice sounding hollow

Blaise rose and hesitantly put his hand on the blonde's shoulder "Make this year count then" he let his words hang in the air but both young men knew that Draco would always try to fit into the mold his Father had dictated and Blaise would always stand with him.