The Great Hall was filled with chatter and laughter as students enjoyed their meals, but a sudden hush fell over the room as Harry, Ron, Blaise, and Pansy noticed something unusual happening at the Slytherin table. Draco Malfoy was engaged in a quiet conversation with a brunette girl, Astoria Greengrass. The two seemed completely absorbed in their discussion, and there was a noticeable tenderness between them.

Ron, still in disbelief, asked, "When the fuck did that happen?" His mouth hung open as he pointed at the Slytherin table.

Blaise, Harry, and Pansy followed Ron's gaze, trying to make sense of the situation.

Pansy explained, "That's Astoria Greengrass, Daphne's younger sister."

Harry, intrigued, asked, "Are they dating?"

Blaise replied, "It's unclear. They've been spending a lot of time together, but there's been no official confirmation."

Harry then quietly confessed, "I think... I think Astoria is good for him."

Concerned, Pansy asked her boyfriend, "Are you okay, Harry?"

Harry had not spoken to Draco in nearly two years, and they were now halfway through their fifth year. Despite their shared history, they had avoided each other in the corridors and hallways of Hogwarts. Deep down, Harry missed his former best friend, even if he couldn't fully forgive him for his past actions. Harry knew that Draco had been attending anger therapy and seeing a psychologist.

With a somber tone, Harry admitted, "I miss him. He was... he's my best friend."

Pansy asked, "Why don't you talk to him?"

Blaise added, "Pans is right. We've all noticed a change in Draco, and you two were best friends. Maybe you should try to reconnect. We still have two years left at Hogwarts. Who knows if we'll ever see Draco again after that?"

Ron chimed in, "Didn't your sister tell you to try and make amends with Draco?"

Harry nodded, saying, "Yes, she did. But... it's not easy to forget what he did."

Pansy offered a wise perspective, "You don't have to forgive him completely right away. Remember the saying: you can forgive but not forget."

"You're right," Harry acknowledged. He got up from the Gryffindor table and began walking towards the Slytherin table.

Suddenly, the entire Great Hall fell silent. Everyone knew that Harry and Draco had been best friends until the beginning of last year. It had been almost two years since they had spoken.

"Harry's coming this way," Astoria whispered to Draco, who was sitting beside her.

Alarmed, Draco asked nervously, "What should I do? We haven't spoken in two years "

Astoria reassured him, "Honey, relax. Do it like we've practiced."

Astoria and Draco had first crossed paths in the Hogwarts library. One day, Astoria had found Draco crying in a corner, deeply troubled. Concerned, she had approached him, only to be met with harsh insults. However, the following day, Draco had mustered the courage to apologize. Astoria had then asked him what had been bothering him, and Draco had opened up about everything, without holding back any details. Despite being horrified by Draco's past actions, Astoria had chosen to become his friend and help him through therapy sessions and counseling.

Draco, a proud and stubborn young man, had frequently tried to push Astoria away, believing she deserved better than to be tainted by his toxic past. But Astoria was just as determined and stubborn, refusing to give up on him.

Draco, however, had unknowingly fallen in love with Astoria, and when she had finally confessed her feelings for him, he had been terrified. He felt unworthy of her, believing he couldn't provide her with the loving relationship she deserved. But Astoria had kissed him after one of their therapy sessions and told him she loved him and no one else.

As Draco nervously awaited Harry's approach, the entire Great Hall observed the reunion between the two former best friends, fully aware of the tension in the air.

"Draco", Harry cleared his throat, "can we talk outside for a moment?"

"I... yes of course", Draco said nervously, feeling how his girlfriend squeezed his hand in support.

Harry and Draco stepped out of the Great Hall and walked towards the Black Lake.

"I... You look happy," Harry remarked, sitting down on the grass.

"I'm trying." Draco replied cautiously,a nervous smile tugging at his lips, not entirely sure how to respond

Curiosity getting the best of him, Harry inquired, "What's her name?"

"Astoria," Draco murmured, "Her name is Astoria."

"She seems nice," Harry commented.

Draco, still uncertain how to navigate this conversation, responded with a small smile.

"How have you been?" Harry asked, looking at Draco.

"I've had good days and bad days," Draco admitted, his embarrassment showing. "I still have them, but I'm getting better."

"I'm... I'm sorry I wasn't there for your therapy sessions," Harry said regretfully. "I know they're important to you."

Draco reassured him, "It's not your fault. I understand why you distanced yourself from me. If I were in your shoes, I would've done the same."

"I'd like us to be friends again," Harry said earnestly, "to start over. The group misses you, and... I miss you."

"Are you serious?" Draco asked, surprised.

"That's my godfather", Harry chuckled and extending his hand he said, " Harry Potter, Gryffindor."

Draco, surprised by the offer, hesitated for a moment. Then, extending his hand, he said with a genuine smile, "Draco Malfoy,Slytherin."

Harry returned the smile and shook Draco's hand, feeling a glimmer of hope for a rekindled friendship.

Little by little, Draco integrated back into his old group of friends. They began to study together in the library, claiming an entire table for themselves. Harry and Pansy sat alongside Lavender and Ron on one side, while Blaise and Luna occupied a corner. Draco and Astoria sat across from Harry and Pansy.

They revived friendly Quidditch matches and enjoyed outings to Hogsmeade, reminiscing about their younger days. Madame Rosmerta, the proprietor of the Three Broomsticks, knew that whenever they entered, they'd be ordering a round of butterbeers.

Harry, taking a sip of his butterbeer, asked, "What are your plans for this summer?"

With final exams just a month away, Harry was looking forward to reuniting with his older sister, despite their frequent correspondence.

Draco replied, "Astoria and I are going to have a conversation with our parents."

"You've been together for almost a year, and you haven't told your parents yet?" Pansy raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Astoria explained, "We wanted to enjoy some privacy. When my father hears that my boyfriend is Draco, he'll want to arrange a marriage contract."

"Does that still exist?" Ron wondered between bites of pumpkin pie.

Draco confirmed, "Unfortunately, yes. But my parents no longer believe in such things."

Harry asked, "How's your relationship with your parents?"

"It's getting better," Draco said. "My mother has a harder time talking to me than my father."

Harry expressed his understanding, saying, "I'm sorry."

Draco reassured him, "Don't be sorry; it was my fault."

Finally, Blaise asked cautiously, "So, what exactly did the Grimaldis tell your parents?"

Blushing, Draco explained, "My parents had multiple meetings with the royal family lawyer. Since I'm a minor, they released me on a fairly high bail and mandated that I complete community service hours at the Princess Sophia of Monaco Foundation. They also imposed a five-hundred-meter restraining order against me with respect to Jace. However, the restraining order can change in the future, depending on Mia."

Harry, surprised, asked, "Why does it depend on my sister?"

"Jace set the condition," Draco continued, "according to what the lawyer told my parents. Both Mia and Jace are aware that we're friends. Mia is also my mother's goddaughter, and it's inevitable that our paths will cross at some point. If, in the future, it seems acceptable to Mia, the restraining order against me can be lifted."

Pansy mused, "I continue to be amazed by Mia's ability to forgive people. No offense Draco"

Draco nodded and said, "None taken."

Harry shared an anecdote, saying, "My sister is like that: quick to love and quick to forgive. She got that from our father."

Draco added, "My psychologist recommended I write a letter to Mia and Jace, asking for forgiveness for what I did."

"Have you sent it to them?" Harry inquired.

Draco admitted, "No. My psychologist told me it was an exercise for me to learn to forgive myself and become aware of the damage I caused. It was very... challenging to write it; I even vomited three or four times during the process. I felt dirty after rereading everything, realizing that, had there been no one around, I could've killed Jace."

"I'm glad you've recognized that," said Harry.

Astoria revealed, "Draco keeps a diary. He's learning to manage his emotions in a healthier way."

Draco blushed, saying, "You didn't need to share that."

Pansy reassured him, "You have nothing to be ashamed of. I'm glad to hear that you're improving. If a diary helps you, we're not going to judge you."

Ron injected some humor, saying, "Enough sentimentality, or you'll make me cry."

"Returning to Harry's question," Pansy asked, "So, what are your summer plans?"

"Me and Lav are going to Romania to see Charlie with the whole family", Ron said.

"I'm going with my mother to India", said Blaise and smiling at his girlfriend, and Luna is coming with us.

"What does the great Deborah Zabini think of your girlfriend?" Draco asked amused.

"She really likes Luna", Blaise confirmed happily, "she says that we complement each other and that she makes my wild side less wild."

"What are you going to do Harry?" Ron asked him.

"Pansy and I are going with my whole family to Paris." He smiled at Pansy, who blushed.

Blaise asked, "And your sister?"

"Mia and her friends are planning to visit Australia, I believe," Harry replied. " We'll all get together to celebrate my sister's birthday. By the way, you're all invited. Yes, Draco, you're invited too."

Draco, taken aback, asked, "I'm... can I go?"

Harry reassured him, "You and Astoria are invited. My sister knows that you and I have made peace."

Draco expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you very much."

Pansy asked, "Aren't we going to talk about the big elephant in the room?"

Blaise, puzzled, responded, "What are you talking about?"

Pansy exclaimed excitedly, "I'm talking about when is Jace going to propose to Mia. I need a wedding, and what better than a royal wedding! It will be the event of the year."

Harry voiced his concerns, growling, "They've only been dating for a year."

Pansy dismissed Harry's objections and continued, "Officially, yes. Unofficially, they've been in a relationship for at least four years without even knowing it. Jace fell in love with Mia when they were only twelve years old, and now they're seventeen."

Lavender chimed in, excitedly adding, "That's very sweet."

However, Harry questioned, "But isn't it too early to get married?"

Draco reminded Harry of his own parents, saying, "Harry, your parents got married a week after graduating and had only been dating during their final year. It's not unusual in pureblood families to get married before the age of twenty."

"But my parents were at war," Harry stammered, "this is different."

Pansy, considering the matter, noted, "I think Jace might propose to Mia this summer."

Blaise enthusiastically agreed, "It could be. It's common for pureblood couples to get engaged during their final year of school, but that doesn't mean they'll get married right away."

Harry continued to express his concerns, emphasizing, "But Mia is not a pureblood."

Pansy explained, "But she was raised like a princess, and Jace was raised like a prince. Their upbringings are quite similar to ours."

To reassure Harry, Draco said, "Mia will have to wait at least until you graduate to get married."

"A year as boyfriend and girlfriend and a year as fiancés before getting married is not a bad plan", Astoria said.

Pansy shared her admiration for the couple, saying, "They're literally the perfect couple. I wish I had a boyfriend like Jace."

Harry was indignant, responding, "What do you mean? I'm your boyfriend."

Pansy expressed her affection, saying, "Harry, I love you.I really do" She kissed him on the cheek. "But Jace has something special."

The other girls agreed, with Lavender adding, "The way he takes care of Mia is beautiful."

Astoria sighing noted, "The way he looks at her, as though she's placed the moon in the sky."

Luna described Jace, saying, "The way he talks about her makes you want to cry."

The girls sighed in admiration, while their boyfriends looked at each other with a mixture of horror and disbelief.

"We should probably stop", Mia sighed breathlessly, her voice hoarser than normal.

It was physically painful for Jace to look at his girlfriend when she was looking at him like that. His hazel eyes almost engulfed by her black pupils as she squeezed his shirt, her lips slightly parted. Their foreheads almost touching. Jace had her arms around her girlfriend's waist, trapping her in his arms.

Jace felt himself nod but then he did the complete opposite of what she had suggested. He grabbed her chin and lightly brushed her lips with his. He felt Mia's hands squeeze the hairs on the back of his neck, making him moan.

Their kiss was slow, and it made Jace's heart beat furiously. They broke apart for air and Jace looked at his girlfriend on top of him. Mia's cheeks were flushed, her pupils were completely dilated and her breathing was labored. Jace felt proud to have that effect on his girlfriend even though she had the same effect on him.

"You're dangerous, pretty boy," Mia whispered, playing with his gold chain.

Jace smirked before kissing Mia one more time, "Me? You are too good at distracting me, princess."

Mia rolled her eyes at her as she got up from over her boyfriend and started walking around the room picking up her clothes. Jace looked at her tenderly from the bed, supporting the weight of his body on his shoulders.

"What are you doing?" Jace said in a childish voice, "Come back here."

"We have to pack our bags", Mia said, "We're leaving for Australia tomorrow."

"But I wanted to kiss you, not pack a stupid suitcase," Jace said, pouting.

"If you help me with the suitcases then you can give me lots of kisses", Mia said mischievously.

Motivated by the possibility of kissing his girlfriend to his heart's content, Jace quickly began to gather clothes while Mia laughed at her boyfriend, as Winston barked.