Draco,

How is prison? Do they give you food like you gave us? I miss you. You were the best guard. Even Dean agrees. Do they have Nargles in Azkaban?

Your Friend,

Luna

Luna,

Are you okay? You act like your time at the Manor was a vacation. It was not. I have deep regets about that. To answer your question, I do get fed.

I'll look for Nargles.

Draco

Draco,

If you find any Nargles, who will you kiss? The Manor wasn't fun, of course, but I look for the good even in the bad. You were that good, even if you don't believe it.

We would have starved without you and you tended to our wounds in secret. And you never hit us, not even once!

I think that means we're friends. Don't you?

Love,

Luna

Luna,

I'm flabbergasted by your blinding sunshine. I won't be kissing anyone in here. Thanks for your words, even if I have a hard time believing them.

Why would you want to be my friend?

Draco

Draco,

Because I see you, Draco. You might not believe it, but those closer to the situation… we all see you. The past is the past. Now all we can do is move on, heal, and try to find a happier tomorrow.

Be our friend, Draco. Not just mine. Please.

Luna

Luna,

Thank you. I see you, too, but I'm not a good friend to have. I will be your friend, though. You are persistent. I doubt the others would want that, even if they can "see" me as you say.

Friend,

Draco

Draco,

Wanna bet?

Luna

Malfoy,

Luna told me that you've been writing to each other. She said you were friends now and that you don't believe anyone else cares about you or sees you.

You might call this Gryffindor Savior bullshit, but it's really not that. I do see you.

You were a bully, a jerk, you're snarky and smug. But you have a softness, a kindness when you think others don't see you. When you interact with your friends, when you look at your mum. You're a person.

A child groomed since birth. Sorry for the bluntness. I think you need it, though.

Potter

Potter,

You're insufferable! That's the first letter you send me? To think you'd send me one at all. To think I'd write back. Azkaban must be driving me to insanity. I don't know what you think you know about me, but…

Fine, some of those points are true. Why were you looking that closely anyway?

Bloody Gryffindor.

Malfoy

Malfoy,

Wouldn't you like to know? I'm not telling. It will give you something to look forward to when you get out.

I don't know if she told you, but I'm in contact with your mum. I sort of think she adopted me in some strange way I don't understand.

As for writing back. Maybe you do it because… I dunno, maybe you want to.

Potter

Potter,

Insanity runs in the family, which is why mum must be doting on you. No. Fine. I will give you a nugget of truth, but don't expect it to happen often. She's indebted to you because you saved her son.

There. Now you know why you find yourself weirdly an honorary Malfoy. I'm going to go puke now.

No, better not. Can't waste the calories.

Potter, is she okay?

I'm not allowed correspondence with her as part of my sentence. I'm glad she is not alone, even if it is you.

Malfoy

Malfoy,

She's coping, which is all I can say for everybody. Ew, don't flatter yourself. I don't want the Malfoy name. It's nothing to do with you, though. I like your mum. We've all been seeing to it that she eats. She smiles more and talks of you a lot, of the good times.

Like how you used to sneak peacocks inside the Manor. Things like that.

Your comment about calories is concerning.

Potter

Potter,

I don't blame you. I don't want the Malfoy name any longer as well. I wonder if my mum will take her maiden name back.

It hurts to say… no, that's a lie. I am grateful you're all staying in touch with my mum. Damn, I miss her and those stupid peacocks.

The food is fine, just not Hogwarts quality.

Malfoy

Draco,

If you don't want the name there is no point in using it in these letters.

Hogwarts food was good, wasn't it? The building is well on its way to being rebuilt, but it won't be for another six months or so. You will be out before that.

What are you planning on doing when you get out?

Harry

Harry,

Seeing stars, seeing my mum, of course. Don't get weepy, but seeing you, Luna, and the others, if they want.

I'm thinking of going back for the eighth year if they let me.

Draco

Draco,

They will let you. We can go to the Astronomy Tower and see the stars up close.

I want to see you, too. We all do. We grew up together, you know? War children, all of us.

We're free of that now. Will you let yourself be free, Draco?

Harry

Harry,

I will try. The idea of just being free sounds alien. The concept of being free in more ways than one.

Never did I see the day that I would admit this to anyone, least of all you, I am scared of freedom.

Draco

Draco,

We're all scared and it is nothing to be ashamed of. I was scared when I faced Voldemort, of course, rushing in with no wand, but what choice did I have? Then there was you. You had a choice. You finally picked something for yourself that day, didn't you, Draco? You gave me your wand.

That truly meant a lot and don't think the professors and other students didn't see it.

Like Luna and I said, we all see you.

Leave Azkaban with your head held high, Draco.

I will be waiting. We will all be waiting.

Your friend (if you will allow it),

Harry

Harry,

I wanted to be your friend since I was eleven years old and not just because Father told me to. I was jealous of Weasley… no, Ron. I was jealous that you picked him over being my friend.

What a fool I was. When I see you will you shake my hand this time?

I did choose something that day. Not just to give you my wand. I choose you.

If that was too sappy, blame the brain rot of staring at dark walls for a year, of not seeing stars twinkling in the sky, the sound of birds singing, the laughter of friends, or of seeing you.

Maybe you didn't notice, but I've been way too obsessed with you for my whole life.

But I don't want it to be an obsession. I want it to be a friendship or whatever you'll allow.

See you soon.

Your friend,

Draco

That was the last letter Draco sent, because the day after sending it, he was released, thin, practically starved, hair long and matted, not quite clean, even though they allowed him a last shower.

He barely had the strength to walk out the doors of his prison for the last year and the strength he did have almost failed him when he saw he wasn't alone. Of course, he knew someone would be there to collect him and take him off the island, but not a group.

Not Harry and his mum standing in the front. Not Luna, Hermione, Ron, Neville, Dean, Seamus, Ginny, Blaise, Theodore and Pansy standing around them.

Draco's lungs burned as he walked toward them, slowly at first, then half jogging, and then running. He was nearly at the point of passing out from the exertion he wasn't used to, when instead of a handshake from Harry, he got a gentle hug.

His mum hugged both of them. She was normally so reserved, but she was crying. Harry was crying. Draco was crying.

"Bloody hell," Draco groaned, under the weight of arms, because more people joined in on the hug. "Are you all usually so whiny?"

Everyone laughed and cried some more.

"This is unbecoming for a group of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin!" Draco grumbled, but he was happy and they knew it.

"Shut up, Draco," Harry said, laughing. "Over the past year, we've all been doing a lot of soul searching, so we've decided not to hold back on affection and love."

Speaking of that, Luna kissed Draco's cheek, then Ginny, and embarrassingly enough Dean followed. Not to be left out, Seamus crowded in and tried to kiss Draco, too.

"No more!" Draco tried to push Seamus away, but he was too weak. "I…you need you to let me work up to this sappy shit."

Seamus pouted. "Suit yourself, but Dean thinks I'm a great kisser."

"Too much info," several people said at the same time.

"Draco!" Pansy whined. "You look atrocious."

"You look like a slut."

She grinned. "Why, thank you."

"Let's go home, darling," Narcissa said softly.

"I-I…" Draco looked down. "Mum, I don't want to go back to the Manor."

"I thought as much, which is why I've been living with Harry for about half a year."

Harry shrugged when Draco looked at him. "You didn't like the idea of her being alone, and I didn't want to be alone, either."

"What a twist of fate," Ron said. "Harry Poter and Draco Malfoy living in the same house."

"Historians will say they were just roommates," Theodore teased, raising an eyebrow when both of them blushed.

"Interesting," Blaise whispered to Theodore.

"Can we please get off this bloody island," Draco begged.

"Just over here," Harry said, leading Draco, holding his elbow. "This spot is unlocked especially for our lot, so we can apparate out. Side along, Draco?"

"Please. I don't think I could do it." Draco and Harry glanced at each other, small smiles playing on their lips.

With a twist, they were gone. Everyone followed.

They ended up in a cozy little flat. Not Grimmauld Place.

"Welcome home, Draco," Harry said. "This way. Your mum and the others wanted to leave you some time to adjust, so it's just us."

Cheeks warming, Draco followed Harry down a hallway. "Our rooms are connected by a restroom," Harry said, going into a bedroom, and opening a door that showed a restroom.

"This is your room."

Draco looked around, his eyes wide.

"I know it's not up to-"

"No, it's perfect. Thank you, Harry. Thank you for allowing my mum to stay here, and… well, and me." Draco looked down at the plush green carpet. He couldn't help but notice that the room was decorated in his favorite colors. Slytherin colors, of course, but also a deep blue color, a royal purple color, and some baby pink thrown in.

The colors clashed horribly, but Draco couldn't care less. He doubted his mum even knew what colors he liked beyond the green and silver. How did Harry know?

"Uh, well, I've left clothes for you on the bed and the restroom has everything you'd need, so…" Harry stood, looking as awkward as Draco felt.

"I'm glad we survived."

"Me too."

They shared a glance, something deeper at work, something that had been waiting a very long time for there to be nothing in the way.

"Harry?" Draco asked, voice quiet, unsure.

"Yes?" Harry answered, just as quiet, just as nervous.

"Will you…shake my hand?" Draco looked at Harry and Harry saw a vision of them as eleven years old, shaking hands and everything being different.

"Of course," Harry said, closing the distance between them. He held his hands out first. Draco clasped it. They shook hands. Not like adults, but like little kids, finding themselves again.

"Go take a shower, Draco. Let me know if you need anything, okay?" Harry said. He reached up and touched Draco's cheek. "I mean it, Draco. Anything."

Draco sucked in his breath and nodded. "Okay, Harry. Anything."

"There you are," Harry said. Draco was washed and in fresh clothing. He was hovering at Harry's door, holding a hairbrush and blushing profusely.

"My arms…well, my whole body actually, hurt too much after having a shower." Draco of before would never admit any type of weakness.

"Will you help me, Harry?"

"Come in, have a seat."

Draco slowly made his way over to Harry's bed and sat down, wincing in pain as every muscle reacted to the movement. It was awkward, but Draco was grateful as Harry sat behind him, legs on either side of him.

It felt like Harry was taking care of Draco's inner child and he couldn't stop blushing.

"It's a huge mess," Draco muttered.

"I can fix it," Harry whispered, gently picking up stands of Draco's damp, tangled hair. Some spells could help, but Harry wanted to do this slowly, the Muggle way.

He worked at the ends, gently untangling, his hands and brush moving through Draco's hair with a tenderness that almost brought tears to Draco's eyes.

The tangles were easily fixed, but Harry continued to brush and Draco let him. It was calming, therapeutic, loving. For the both of them.

"It's long," Harry murmured.

"Azkaban's barbers are not very good."

Harry laughed. "I should imagine not."

"It looks horrid, doesn't it?"

"Nothing about you could look horrid, Draco."

"Shut up, I'm skin and bones and weak as shit, my hair is long and stringy. I look like a hag."

"You don't look like a hag. All that stuff can be fixed anyway and I'll fix it."

"Savior Complex much? You can't fix everything."

"Oh, but don't you want me to, Draco?" Harry asked. The brush was forgotten. Now he was just running his fingers through Draco's hair, lightly scratching his scalp every now and again.

"A little," Draco admitted, sighing. Harry's fingers were putting him to sleep. "If you don't stop, I'll end up asleep in your bed," Draco mumbled, truly nearly out of it.

It had been a long year.

Draco thought he heard Harry say, "I wouldn't mind you in my bed," but he assumed he was dreaming.

A month later, they were back at Hogwarts. All the returning eighth year students were put in a new house; the Eighth Year Tower. It was strange at first, but they had a comradery, and the mixed group of houses soon found themselves close. Like a family.

The rooms were set up as two person dorms, and somehow Draco got roomed with Harry. Which, he was eternally grateful for. He was the most comfortable around Harry now, having lived with him for a month and having corrasponded with him through letters during his time in Azkaban.

Draco met other students who had been at the final battle. It wasn't what he expected, but they started to come up to him and actually thanked him for giving Harry a wand.

Even though he was the one to fix the cabinet and let the Death Eaters in. Draco learned that not many students knew that fact. Somehow that bit of info had been kept under the radar, and that had been part of the reason his sentencing hadn't been longer.

Draco couldn't fathom how this happened, but he had a feeling. Harry. Not just Harry. Harry's close friends, all of them knew the truth, yet they all stayed quiet about it.

It was something Draco was at a loss about. How could they ignore this? How could Ron or Ginny? They had lost their brother in the battle.

It didn't make any sense.

"It's because you were groomed into this," Harry said, holding onto Draco as he cried. "We grew up together, Draco. Sure, not as friends, but we know you better than you think or maybe want."

"So they forgive me for killing…"

"You did not kill anyone!" Harry shouted, more forceful than he meant to. "No matter what, remember that. You did not. You could have. You had plenty of times where you could have. You didn't. You stopped. You picked us."

"I should have done it sooner, Harry."

"Hermione said being groomed does a lot to your psyche, Draco."

"I guess, I still feel shit about it."

"I know. We all have things we feel bad about."

Harry touched Draco's chest. "Ah. Harry, you don't have to feel bad about that. I forgave you for that a long time ago anyway. I deserve-"

"Nobody deserves that. I didn't know what the spell did. I was too impulsive," Harry said, shutting his eyes. "I'm so sorry."

"You don't…"

"Please accept my apology, Draco."

Draco sighed. "I do."

Harry smiled. "Please accept that we forgive you for the things that need forgiveness, but we're not going to try and blame you for the actions of a groomed child. Sixteen is still a child, Draco."

"Alright," Draco said, "I'll try."

"Harry, can we talk?" Hermione asked. She was standing with Ron, Neville, Luna, and Ginny in the common room. Luna and Ginny were not eighth year students, but they had been placed in the Eighth Year Tower regardless, probably because of their part in the battle.

They weren't the only younger students to be put in the tower. Dennis Creevey had also been allowed in. He lost his brother and needed to be close to a group of people who understood.

Nobody else was around. Draco was still in their dorm.

"Sure."

"In private," Hermione said, casting a spell so that nobody could overhear them.

Ginny smiled at Harry, a soft, caring smile. Harry's heart twisted. Was this the moment she was going to ask to get back together? He loved her, but he realized he felt for her the same way he felt about Ron and his other friends. It had been a year and a half since the battle, and the topic of their relationship was never brought up.

"Harry, I love you, but don't take any offense," Ginny started. "I don't ever want to kiss you romantically again."

Harry blinked. Okay, that wasn't what he expected.

"Sounds good." Harry rubbed the back of his neck. What more was there to say?

"So you never actually liked me, did you? I mean… not like that, right? It's okay! The war made a lot of people rush into things, Harry."

Harry shrugged. "I don't know, I mean…"

"You always tried… or was forced to do what people expected of you, mate," Ron said, "including snogging my little sister. Gross, by the way."

"Hey!" Ginny playfully shoved Ron, who shoved her back.

"Why are we talking about this?" Harry asked, cheeks burning. "We can talk about all your relationships if you want. To make it even. Neville, you're being quiet. Luna, you too. Who are you into? Shagging anyone? Each other?"

"Whoa, calm down," Neville laughed. "No to both questions."

"We do like someone, but not each other," Luna answered mysteriously. Neville shot her a look, his cheeks red.

"How would you know that, Luna?"

"Nargles, of course."

Everyone laughed, but not in a mean way.

"Fine, back to me, why are we talking about this?" He crossed his arms. "You could have told me this in private Ginny."

"Oh, but…" Ginny sighed. "We know you wrote to Draco for a year and you lived together once he got out, now you're roommates here. We have eyes, Harry. So we're checking in."

"That's all," Hermione added. "Are you guys…"

"No," Harry said, flushing. "Why do you think that?"

Ron snorted. "How could we not? Harry. Life is short. We've all got freedom now and room to make so many choices. I think you should be able to have someone to love, even if it is Draco."

Hermione playfully slapped Ron on the back of his head.

"I'm kidding! Shesh." Ron glared at Hermione. "He's turned into a decent guy. We approve."

"For what it's worth, I believe his friends would, too," Neville said, "Theodore's my roommate and he loves to gossip about his darling Draco finding love finally. I think you know who he means."

"Blaise is my roommate and he's dropped hints as well," Ron said.

"So has Pansy," Hermione said, giggling.

"Harry, the Nargles said to go for it," Luna said in a dreamy voice.

Draco,

For old time's sake, I'm writing you a letter. How is Hogwarts treating you? Made any good friends? How's the food?

Do you want to join me to see the stars?

Your friend,
Harry

Harry,

You're ridiculous. I'm with you almost every moment so you know the answers already. But I will humor you. Hogwarts has been good, shockingly. So many people have thanked me, which is bonkers. They don't know about the cabinet. That's your doing, I know it is.

The food is great! I've made a lot of friends, even if half of them are insane.

I'll meet you at midnight.

Your friend,

Draco

"You made it," Harry said, smiling at Draco as he approached him. The wind swirled around them, blowing Draco's long hair around his face. Draco wore it down now. It was beautiful. His hair was as free as Draco was now.

"Of course, I did."

They walked over to the ledge and stared out at the Great Lake. Stars reflected off the water. Draco sighed and looked up, his eyes collecting stars. Harry felt his heart thump in his chest.

"It was my doing," Harry said softly, "but not just mine. After everything was said and done and you were taken." Harry flushed, brushing hair out of his eyes, but it was a lost cause.

"So much had happened, but I knew that if that bit of info got out to the press or the authorities, it would be over for you, Draco. No matter how much we testified in your favor."

"So what did you do?" Draco asked softly.

"Got everyone together who knew and asked, no, I pleaded that they not speak of that part."

A tear slipped down Draco's cheek.

"I needn't beg. We were all hurt, physically and mentally, all of us grieving all the loss lying around us, but everyone agreed anyway."

"I just can't picture that."

"Doesn't matter if you can, it's the truth and it happened."

Harry grabbed Draco's hand and squeezed it. "We're free now. Let's move on and be happy. Okay? Together?" Harry's voice came out sounding strangled, his hands shaking. His eyes were wide and earnest.

"Together?" Draco nodded. "Yes. I want that."

"In your first letter, you asked why I was looking so closely, Draco. Do you remember?"

"I remember everything we said to each other. The letters were the only thing that kept my mind intact."

Harry pulled Draco closer to him, pressing their foreheads together. "I said I wouldn't tell you, that it would give you something to look forward to."

"I've been looking forward to knowing," Draco whispered. "So why were you looking so closely?"

"I liked you. It was not something I would have admitted to myself, all things considered, but now that we're free of distractions and have been able to just be Draco and Harry, and not two kids with horrible emotional regulation…" Harry's breath shuddered. "I'm trying to say that I still feel…"

"Harry. Are you trying to say you have feelings for me? Even now?" Draco asked, his eyes wide, his cheeks flushed.

"More so now. I've got to know the real you. Through the letters, through living together at home and here at Hogwarts." Harry smiled. "It's deeper than… I mean…" Harry looked down, chewing on his bottom lip.

"I love you, too."

"O-oh," Harry blinked, his eyes shooting up to look at Draco, who was giving him the softest smile he had ever seen before. It took Harry's breath away.

"No fair, you said it first." Harry laughed, hugging Draco.

"You can't win everything, Harry."

"That is…" Harry pouted. "Fine."

Draco pushed him back. "I'll pretend I didn't say it first. Go ahead, Potter." Draco smirked.

"I love you, you jerk."

"Oh, my," Draco said, dramatically, putting a hand on his chest. "I never saw this coming, even though your words before were a huge confession. I'm simply shocked. I love you, too, darling."

Harry pressed a hand over his face, everything on fire.

"Did you like me saying that?" Draco asked. "Darling. Did you?"

"Shut up."

"Don't think I will, darling."

Harry groaned. "You know I can turn the tables, Draco."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Yeah, how?"

"You said you didn't want the name Malfoy anymore, so does that mean you'll take my name?" Harry asked, smiling when Draco spluttered, his cheeks turning pink.

"I mean Draco Potter does sound good. Purebloods take dating seriously, don't they? So if we start to date, that means you'd want to get married eventually. Right? It's not something purebloods take lightly? Are you any different when it comes to that?"

"Harry James Potter, you can stop talking. I lost. You win this round."

Draco slumped to the stone floor. Harry sat next to him. "They are kind of important questions, though. We're adults now, so… it's not that odd to talk about the future, is it?"

"No. I just didn't know I would have one."

Harry leaned his head on Draco's shoulder. "Me either, but now we do."

"Yeah, we do."

"How many children do you want?"

"Harry!" Draco laughed, jumping on top of him. "Fine, let's talk. Yes, some traditions are important to me, though not as much as they would have been before I got out from beneath my Father's thumb. Yes, I would want to only date if we were taking it seriously. I would want approval from your… closest parental figures. You'd get approval from my mum."

Draco huffed, "And yes, I would probably want children."

"We shall have it all."

"Can we start with a kiss?" Draco asked, leaning toward Harry, pressing his lips close, waiting for Harry to close the distance.

Harry did.

They kissed and lay under the stars. They talked about the past and the future. They laughed and cried.

"There's Draco," Harry said, pointing at the constellation.

"I love seeing the stars. I love seeing them with you."

Draco snuggled against Harry, and they smiled.