Sweet scents of spring swirled around us, it was exhilarating. We walked together, hopeful smiles plastered over us, like school boys in love. Draco stopped in the back alley, knocking in a rhythmic pattern.

"Esto quod es."

The door opened, allowing the two of us in. The change in atmosphere was jarring, the music was so loud I was certain I could feel it rattling my bones.

"This way."

His hand was slick in mine, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was as nervous as I was. In the corner, in the far back left, was a small table. We didn't even make it to a seat before Draco had me in his arms. He pressed his face in the crook of my neck, and I felt a bit of…wet? Was he crying? I felt his hands work their way over my body. He grasped my shoulders, loosening his hands to then run down the top of my arm, gripping again at my forearms before taking my hands. He placed my hands on his waist, turning his to my chest. They caressed further down, ending at my hips, which I felt him push his thumbs into. The tension was going to drive me insane. I brought one of my hands up, curling my index finger around his chin, and lifting his face up to meet my gaze.

God, the way he looked at me, as if I held his whole world.

I was still so confused, about him, about Ginny, about my marriage. In that moment, though, it all seemed to fade away. The glare of the lights, the beat of the music, the shield of the crowd—it melted any hesitation within me. I paused, soaking in the depth of his eyes, before turning my head, and bringing my lips towards his own. I barely heard him whisper, "Harry…" before they met. The feeling in my body was visceral. I could feel my heart beating in my head, my hands searching for every part of him. We never had privacy like this—Draco had been reluctant to take me to this club, one he frequented, for fear of my reaction. I didn't care about the club, though, I cared about this stolen moment. Between the tension of our friendship and having nowhere to hide but the manor, these opportunities rarely presented themselves.

He tasted so fucking sweet.

I could feel his hard on pressed against my thigh, and I couldn't help but want more. We both parted to take a gasp, but as we began to do so, I saw a flash of light. Next to Draco, on the table, broken glass flew in every direction. He jumped towards me and I instinctively grabbed him in my arms for protection, my own wand already in my hand. But then…. she stepped out of nothingness.

The Cloak

Her cheeks were as red as her hair, and she had her wand raised in our direction.

"How fucking foul."

I had dropped my arms to my side, disbelief washed over me like a tidal wave. Draco had taken a step back, looking confused, and angry.

"You really are just as loony as you've been playing, aren't you?"

"Ginny, let me explain, put down your wand," my voice cracked.

Ginny sent another bolt flying at a bottle next to me.

"For fucks sake Ginny put your fucking wand down!" I screamed, my nails sinking into my flesh as I clenched my fists.

Draco took a step forward, putting himself in the middle of Ginny and I. "Ginny, hey, we're just hanging out, okay? Harry, he needs someone, he—"

"Yeah? I often hang out with the man that helped Voldemort, too!"

"I was a boy!" Draco was screaming, now. She'd touched a nerve.

"I also put my tongue down my friend's throat during a wee chat!" She was mocking. "Let's fucking go, Harry."

Draco leaped forward a bit, "He's not going anywhere! Can't you see you're the one driving him mad?"

"Both of you, enough!" I hadn't even noticed my hands, gripping my hair, tugging, pulling at it. I winced at the feeling, trying to catch my breath. After several moments, I looked at Draco. He'd relaxed his stance, looking at me full of worry and fear, but remained between Ginny and I. I took a step forward, clutching his shoulder, pursing my lips, and giving him a nod.

"Let's go"

I was leaving with her. I was the one in the wrong, I was the one having a borderline affair. Who was I? What was I becoming? With a wave of our wands, we were outside our house, the lights on, Mrs. Weasley meandering about the house cleaning this and that.

It only took a moment for her to stop my step and whip in front of me.

"What were you thinking?"

"I just, I don't know, okay? We've been hanging out, he's a really good listener Ginny, really gets me, and—"

"Oh, 'gets you' better than your wife?"

"You don't get it! You never hear me! You don't want to hear anything unless it's about a new job promotion or how happy I am in our quaint little life. What about all I've been through?"

"You mean all we've been through?"

"Don't pretend you know how I feel, not then, not now! Fuck you!"

"You wouldn't know about that, seems you want to fuck Malfoy instead."

I felt my hand rise, and I stopped.

"Were you going to hit me?" She laughed, pushing me away from her.

"I would never."

"You're right, you haven't the gall."

I paused, was she really trying to antagonize me? My hands dropped to my sides, and a grin began to spread.

"You know what? Draco's right about you, you're toxic."

"Oh and you're perfect?!"

"Perfect for someone else, I think."

"Harry you can't do this! What about your children, you selfish cunt!"

I hung my head, she was right, I didn't have the kids in mind at this moment. Maybe that made me a horrible father, or maybe it was simply self-preservation. I flicked my wand, and I stood before Malfoy Manor.