Walking into the library, Harry looked around. There were not many people studying today, which suited Harry just fine.

Ever since the battle and coming back to complete the year he missed, people seemed to only be able to look at him with pity because of how many people he cared about dying or over the top hero worshiping.

His eyes landed on one of the few people around. Draco Malfoy. Malfoy looked up and their eyes met. Harry nodded at him in greeting and then went to sit down at an empty table.

Malfoy of all people was Harry's roommate in the new Eighth Year Tower. It had been a shock to both of them at first, but they didn't clash as much as people might have expected, though beyond being roommates, they did not interact much at all.

Pulling out his parchment, Harry started to work on his potions essay.

"Hi."

Harry looked up at Malfoy and raised an eyebrow, confused.

"Hello," Harry answered. He went back to his potions essay and thought that was the end of it. Everyone was seeing Malfoy make an effort to prove he was a changed person, but Harry had no clue why he would approach him like this.

Harry reasoned maybe this was one of the things he was doing; just making an effort to acknowledge people when he came across them, and since they were roommates, it did make sense. He thought Malfoy would leave after the exchange, but he was still standing next to him, waiting for Harry to finish writing. It was perplexing that he was being so patient and didn't even seem annoyed about basically being ignored.

Putting his quill down, Harry looked back up at Malfoy. "Can I do something for you, Malfoy?"

Sitting down at the table, Malfoy moved some library books out of the way and leaned forward, putting his chin in his hands.

Harry was struck with the thought that he had never seen Malfoy acting so casual; he was usually so… but Harry shook that thought away. He was thinking about the Malfoy of before. The Malfoy who was under his father's thumb and groomed into joining the wrong side of the war.

"Yes?" Harry asked after Malfoy sat there without answering his first question.

"Oh, sorry, I was distracted." Malfoy smiled.

He smiled? Harry wondered if he was suddenly on some Muggle hidden camera show. What was going on? Malfoy was acting strange.

"By what? I mean… back to your original reason for seeking me out." Harry didn't know why he felt flustered, but he did.

"My therapist…"

He was seeing someone? That surprised Harry, but what shocked him even more was that he was willing to share this with Harry.

"... told me that it would be helpful for me to open up about things I wasn't allowed to do before, so that is where you come in." Malfoy grinned and his cheeks were turning pink.

Harry had never been more confused in his whole life, and that was saying something. Why was Malfoy smiling so much? Why was he blushing?

"Okay, I guess. Go ahead."

"Right!" Malfoy leaned over the table, getting closer to Harry. "I'm speaking my truths now, for healing reasons, of course."

"Of c-course," Harry stuttered.

"Truth; I was distracted because you have stunning eyes." Malfoy seemed genuine and was leaning even closer to Harry as if to get a better look at his eyes.

"W-what?" Harry spluttered. His cheeks burned. People talked about his eyes all the time, but never like that, never… in a flirting way? Or was it flirting? Probably not, just an objective fact, maybe. A lot of people liked green eyes.

"Yes, I like your eyes. Truth; I was a right brat and was jealous of Ron becaue you wouldn't be my friend. Truth; I didn't know how to properly channel everything I was feeling, so I baited you to get you to notice me." Satisfied for telling his truths, Malfoy sat back down.

Harry just blinked. "O-okay… um, what?"

Malfoy rolled his eyes, which oddly made Harry feel a little better. "Keep up, Harry."

Harry? He was Harry to Malfoy now?

"I'm obviously telling you that I'm in love with you." Malfoy smirked and even that made Harry feel better, but then he processed Malfoy's words and his brain fried.

"You… huh?" Harry didn't know what to say. "Malfoy…"

"Draco," Draco corrected. "I plan on courting you, so you should call me Draco."

Harry flushed, the reality of everything Draco was saying falling in his lap and knocking him metaphorically out.

"Just like that?" Harry asked. "You're gonna confess to me and say you want to court me? Isn't that an intention to marry?" Harry did not know much about pureblood marriage rituals, so he was so out of depth here.

"Exactly. I love you, so I would want to eventually marry you." Draco brushed a hand through his hair.

Harry saw that Draco's hand was shaking. He watched as the hand moved through the silvery blonde strands, taking a moment to appreciate the new way Draco styled it.

It was a little past his shoulders, loose and wavy, just natural as if Draco let it go, like he was trying to let go of his trauma.

"I'm flattered and confused," Harry said, catching his bottom lip in his teeth. He bounced his knee in nervousness and felt an odd shyness overcome him. This was a lot to take in.

As softness came to Draco's eyes that Harry would never have expected to see. "It is confusing. I'm sorry. I got carried away and came on too strong." He hesitantly touched Harry's hand. Harry felt the tingle of his magic and it was a pleasant feeling. Comfortable.

Looking down at their hands, Harry wondered why he didn't pull away or just politely turn Draco down.

"Forget the love and marriage stuff for a minute, Draco. I thought… well, I figured you hated me," Harry said, the memories of all the times he thought about Draco hating him and wishing they could just be friends. Wishing they didn't have to be war children. He tried to keep a mask up, but a small frown slipped through.

"Oh, it did seem like that. I'm sorry." Draco hung his head. "There was so much tangled up in my head. My therapist said it was like like untangling the roots of a Devil's Snare."

The open vulnerability on Draco's face touched Harry's heart. He could tell Draco was being honest about it, and it was still shocking to hear him share such private things. He moved his hand so that he was holding Draco's. The movement startled Draco, and he looked back up at Harry with wide eyes.

Draco's magic spiked, and Harry could feel it going all the way up his arm. It made him shiver. He wondered how his magic felt to Draco.

"So much is tangled up in my head, too," Harry admitted. "I keep it to myself mostly. I don't want anyone to be brought down. Everyone is moving on so easily, so…" He felt humiliated when his throat tightened, and a half sob came out. He put his free hand over his mouth and flushed.

"There is no time limit on grief, Harry," Draco said, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. "We're always going to have this with us, but we don't have to be held back by it."

"I suppose not," Harry said with an unsure smile. These were whole new grounds he was on with Draco. "I think I am still a bit in shock. I mean, this came out of nowhere, Draco."

"I guess I only know how to be direct," Draco said, smirking in a way that Harry found comforting.

"I do envy your confidence," Harry said.

"Are you willing to hang out as friends and see…" Draco flushed, and his eyes were so earnest. How could Harry say no to those eyes?

"I-I…" Harry stuttered. "Okay." He answered so quietly that Draco barely heard him. "What does that mean?"

Draco smiled. "Do things that friends do, what else?"

"Oh, right." Harry suddenly could not remember one thing a person did with a friend. He was feeling so dazed.

With a laugh, Draco squeezed Harry's hand. "My therapist said I should see the Muggle world. I'm escaping my father's views about Muggles, but I don't know anything about them, other than what I randomly overhear from Muggle born wizards here. We could ask Granger what sort of…"

"Draco, if you want to do this friend thing with me, that has to include my friends, at least in being civil toward them, which I know you're already doing, but could we attempt first names, too?" Harry asked. He was the earnest one this time, leaning forward toward Draco. "Please."

His eyes impossibly soft, Draco nodded. "Of course. I can't say they will…"

"No, they would embrace it, honest. It might be awkward at first, but we all want everyone to move on and get along, you know?" Harry said with a smile.

"Alright, the same with my friends. Deal?"

"Deal, and while having feelings is nothing to be ashamed of," Harry said, blushing, "could we not… I mean…not while I'm…"

He wanted to say not while he was trying to figure out how he felt about Draco, because he clearly felt something if he was willing to go along with anything. Just what he felt, Harry didn't know.

Laughing, which made Harry feel relieved, Draco nodded. "I was a bit hasty there, so you have my word, though I can't promise Gr.. Hermione won't figure out how I feel about you. She's a perceptive witch."

"I can't control what she figures out, but she doesn't have to know you basically proposed to me." Harry felt like he was in an alternative reality. What was this conversation?

"May I…" Draco made a humming noise as he tried to think of how to say what he wanted. "I just want to know if I can be honest with you about how I feel? Or do I have to pretend…"

"Give me an example," Harry said.

"If you do something adorable, can I mention it?" Draco grinned, pleased when that got an adorable flush right on cue.

"Fine, but tone it down around our friends."

"Okay, darling," Draco said, winking at him.

Harry wasn't sure if he was going to survive long enough to graduate.

"Have you always been a flirt?" Harry asked.

"I wouldn't have been allowed to be," Draco said quietly, sadly. "Not the Malfoy way, especially if I were to cause a scandal."

"I'm sorry. You should be able to express yourself how you want to," Harry said, squeezing his hand. They both looked at their hands, remembering they were still clasped together.

"Oh, really?" Draco chuckled. "You said I should tone it down," he said, teasingly.

Blushing, Harry rolled his eyes. "Don't be a jerk, Draco." The insult held no heat like it might have in the past. It was positively full of confused affection Harry did not know what to do with.

"Sorry. I'm just happy I can be around you in whatever capacity. So let's go on some Muggle 'dates' and you can show me how awesome they are, right?" Draco asked, using his free hand to make air quotes. "Also, I've got a list of things I want to do. My therapist told me to make a list of things I wanted to do that I never thought possible."

Blinking, Harry nodded. "Show me your list."

Pulling parchment from his pocket, Draco handed it to Harry. It was a list of simple things, some serious and some silly, there was also mention of things he wanted to aplogize about.

"Oh," Harry said, as he scanned down the list. "Well, we can check one thing off already." He let go of Draco's hand and grabbed his quill, putting a checkmark near, 'Hold hands with Harry Potter.'

"What? Already?" Draco took the parchment back, and Harry watched as his ears turned pink.

"There is something else on there that can be easily completed," Harry said. He stood up and walked around the table, standing next to Draco. Draco looked up at him, startled when Harry grabbed his hand and pulled him up.

"What?" Draco asked, nearly going weak in the knees when Harry wrapped his arms around him. He melted into the hug and burst into tears. His therapist would say this was a breakthrough; a good thing.

He got to check off, 'Be hugged by Harry Potter.'

"What's wrong?"

"Malfoys are not really known for hugs or any sort of affection," Draco sniffed into Harry's shoulder. "I didn't know how it would feel."

Harry tightened his arms, not even minding when Draco clutched at his robes. It was a desperation for physical contact, but not in a romantic sense, even if Draco had feelings for him. Harry could understand that feeling all too well. It was one of the reasons he and his friends were so open about showing their love and affection for each other.

"I didn't know how it felt either until I came to Hogwarts," Harry confessed. "My Muggle family didn't exactly love me."

"How could they not? You went to them as a baby."

Smiling sadly, Harry pulled back slightly and looked at Draco. "Maybe I will talk about it one day. Let's go do more things on your list, Draco."

'Tell Granger I didn't actually think her hair was ugly.'

Back in the Eighth Year Tower, Draco and Harry sought out Hermione, finding her curled up in the common room, reading a book.

She looked up and smiled. Confusion flickered over her face, but she quickly composed herself.

"Harry, Malfoy, what's up?" She asked, closing her book.

Harry looked at Draco, seeing small tremors in his hands.

"Draco, if you please," Draco said. "I would like to…tell you something, and may I call you Hermione?"

Taken aback, she stared at them for a moment, before slowly nodding. "Of course. Go on."

"I'm sorry I made fun of your hair. I was lying. It's actually pretty, and while we're at it, I'm sorry I called you a mudblood." Draco fidgeted, wringing his hands together.

Hermione touched a strand of curls and blinked at Draco. "Thank you for saying that, D-Draco." They shared a small smile.

'Offer condolences to the Weasleys for their loss.'

Harry owled Ron and Ginny to meet him in the Eighth Year Tower. He watched Draco pacing around the room. Hermione was giving him a confused, yet concerned look. It was like a light switch being flipped now that Draco was letting his mask go around certain people.

Ron and Ginny came inside the Tower. It was awkward as the five stared at each other. No outward hostility, though.

Draco bunched up the front of his robes, leaving wrinkles behind. Not saying anything, Ron and Ginny removed their robes, hanging them over the back of a couch. Following their example, Draco and Harry did the same.

Now, in their casual clothing, they sat around the common room.

"Okay, what's going on?" Ron finally asked.

Instead of saying anything, Malfoy dug a letter out from his pocket, his cheeks burning. He handed it to Ron, who slowly opened it, confused.

To the Weasley family and friends of Fred Weasley,

Words such as these never come easy to me as I've never been allowed to express them, and now it seems like too much time has passed and I've missed my chance. Considering my past, this might not come off as sincere, and I wish I knew how I could prove that it is.

Since spoken words are not easy, I'm trying it this way. I hope that is okay.

I am sorry for your loss. My therapist said I am taking on the sins of my father, feeling like I have to make up for his part in the war. I don't think that is the full extent of it. The truth is, all the deaths at the battle are on me. I can't use the excuse of being groomed into letting them on Hogwarts grounds.

I did that. Now people are gone, and I am still here.

I'm sorry.

Draco Malfoy

His expression blank, Ron handed the letter to Ginny, her eyes widening as she read it. Ginny finished and gave the letter to Harry, who moved near Hermione so they could read it together.

During this exchange, Draco stood there, his face paler than usual, the fear and self-hatred in his eyes unmasked.

Still with no words spoken, Ron walked up to Draco, put a hand on his shoulder and just stood there. Ginny touched Draco's cheek, and Harry and Hermione put a hand on his back.

Just standing, comforting, forgiving.

"You were a child," Ginny said, her voice cracking, "groomed from the day you were born."

"That does a lot to a person's psyche," Hermione added.

"Do you want to send this letter to my mum," Ron asked, "so that the rest of the family can see it?"

Draco nodded, but was unable to speak.

"You know what this is?" Harry asked, looking down at Draco's list. They were sitting on Harry's bed, talking about what kind of Muggle outing they should have and which thing on his list he should complete next.

"What?" Draco tilted his head to the side, looking at Harry's side profile, at the flutter of his eyelashes as he read.

"A bucket list." Harry turned to him and grinned. Draco knitted his eyebrows in confusion, so Harry continued, "Maybe that phrase is a Muggle thing. It means a list of things you want to do before you die."

"That seems extreme, considering," Draco said, while pointing at one of the things on there, "some of these are so silly."

"Not silly if you want to do it," Harry said. "If you want to pet a stray cat, we shall do that!"

Draco laughed. "It's just because I was never allowed to have any sort of pets. Too common, too dirty. We had peacocks, but they didn't consider them pets, and I got in so much trouble when I was a kid for trying to sneak them inside the manor."

The image of a young Draco tip-toeing around with peacocks following him was too adorable. Harry couldn't stop the smile that spread across his face, but he was also saddened to think something as simple as having an animal companion was seen as a nasty thing. He could relate to that. His aunt had a fit when Harry got Hedwig, but she had no choice but to give in.

"So I guess that in their mind a stray would be the dirtiest of them all," Harry mused. "Okay, I know a person who takes in so many strays. You'd be covered head to toe in cat fur for years after visiting." A dark look passed over Harry's face.

"Let's do it," Draco said, smiling, and then he grew concerned seeing how Harry's mood suddenly shifted. "What's wrong?"

"Squib neighbor from when I was growing up. She was appointed by Dumbledore to basically spy on me. I would stay with her whenever my family did anything. We'd spend hours going over her picture albums full of cat photos." Harry scooted back on the bed and pulled his knees up to his chest.

Draco leaned over and put his arms around Harry. "So going there would be hard on you?"

"I guess. Not because of her. She was nice for a cat lady," Harry humorlessly laughed, "but I would be wary about seeing my family again."

"Makes sense, though I don't know your history with the Muggles. Family drama is hard. Harry, what would be on your bucket list regarding your relatives?" Draco pulled Harry closer to him, hoping he understood there were no ulterior motives.

"My cousin, he was worse than you…oops, no offense, but that last day, he said something to me that made me think if things had been different, we could have been proper cousins." Harry sighed. "It would be nice to see if he turned out alright."

The parallels were not lost on Draco. If things could have been different, he would have never hurt people. He could have been friends with everyone from the get go. He could have maybe had a family with the capacity for proper love and not manipulative, controlling, toxic love.

"We can check the cat one off later," Draco said, "when you're ready, we can both get something from our bucket lists done."

"I don't have one."

"Maybe not written down," Draco said, "but we all have things we wish we could do."

Harry smiled. Draco wasn't wrong about that. "Okay, but what if I'm not ready for a very long time? You won't get to pet a kitty, Draco."

Draco laughed. "I'll survive somehow."

They nudged each other, and both started to feel better.

One by one, they knocked more things off Draco's list, growing closer as friends. It was obvious to everyone that Harry and Draco were very close now. It confused people at first, but now they were used to it.

Their newfound friendship was healing for both of them in many ways. Harry found himself lighting up whenever he saw Draco. He was blushing more and finding ways to be closer to the blonde.

The feelings Draco had for Harry were becoming mutual.

All the students of age could come and go from Hogwarts grounds with approval, which was different from how things used to be; Harry wondered if McGonagall was doing it to make everyone feel like they weren't trapped in a building that at one point had been a death house.

"I got permission for us to leave the grounds this weekend," Harry said, as Draco came out of the restroom. He walked over to Harry's bed and flopped down on it, as if the bed was his own.

"Really?" Draco felt a swirl of excitement run through him. "Where are we going?"

"The most cliche Muggle date possible, Draco. Dinner and a movie!" Harry laughed and looked down at Draco, whose cheeks were flushed.

"I know you don't mean date in that way, darling, but I can't deny the use of that word made…"

"Stop," Harry interrupted.

"Huh?" Draco sat up. Harry was giving him a timid smile.

"Do you want to go on a silly Muggle date with me, Draco?" Harry asked. "Yes, I mean it in that way."

Blinking rapidly, the reality of Harry's question washed over Draco. "Really? Are Muggle dates the same as courting?" he couldn't help but ask, smirking slightly.

Harry laughed. "No, dumbass."

"Oh."

"But I do like you, or I wouldn't have asked like that. I'm not… the feelings stuff…" Harry bit his lip. "I'm not ready to be as bold and confident as you are, Draco."

"You're adorable. I accept your terms."

"Terms? It's just a date."

"You like me, I love you, so it feels like a lot more than just a date for me." Draco grinned. "I knew you wouldn't be able to resist my charm for long."

"Shut up," Harry said, though he was laughing. "You are so full of yourself."

Dressed casually in blue jeans and a green tee shirt, Draco looked at the strange building in front of him. He rubbed the back of his neck and then glanced at Harry, who was also dressed casually in blue jeans and a soft blue tee shirt. Harry had insisted that a Muggle dinner and a movie was not a fancy affair, and Draco was not allowed to dress up.

"This does not look like a garden," Draco said. "It for sure does not smell like one."

"It's Olive Garden," Harry said, "sometimes names don't have to mean anything, Draco."

"You didn't bother looking up the meaning, did you?"

"Why would I?" Harry shook his head and grabbed Draco's hand. "It's a mock Italian restaurant that serves wine. Maybe it has garden in the name because of grapes."

"That does not make any sense at all."

Harry laughed. "I'll give you some credit. We're at a Muggle restaurant in Muggle America. Come on, let's go in. Remember, no magic." Harry glanced at his arm where his wand holster was hidden.

"There's a wizard," Draco said as he slurped his noodles in a very undignified way, though Draco told Harry that in some cultures, slurping was a sign of respect to the cook. Harry thought he was just having fun getting further away from his Malfoy image.

Harry glanced where Draco was looking. "How can you tell?"

"The style. Who wears plaid with cashmere?" Draco said, scoffing. "I mean… also in this heat. That sweater looks sweltering."

Snorting into his wine glass, Harry had to admit that Draco had a point. The man across from them did look out of place. "The colors clash, too," Harry said, though he had no clue what he was talking about.

"Right," Draco agreed, grinning brightly. "So you get it?"

"Sure," Harry said, though he didn't.

Draco sipped his wine. "Good thinking bringing the fake IDs," he whispered. "You wanted to get me drunk, huh?"

"One glass isn't going to do anything, Draco."

"Shame."

Harry threw a pepperoni at Draco's forehead, leaving a grease print. Draco looked at him as if he had just hexed him, his mouth falling open.

"I already know what the twist will be," Draco whispered into Harry's ear as they watched the movie. "So the kid can see ghosts, right?"

"Yes," Harry answered, feeling warmth flow through his body as Draco moved closer to him, their thighs pressing together. Draco had pushed back the armrest as soon as they sat down, and Harry didn't mind at all.

"Mm, then I think I'm right."

They went back to focusing on the movie. Harry was hyper aware of every movement Draco made, every breath he took. They started to look at each other more than the movie.

"You're going to miss your twist, Draco," Harry whispered. Draco jumped and looked back at the screen. Harry smiled, cheeks flushed.

The twist in the movie came, and Draco gave Harry a smug look. "Told you so!"

"Shh," Harry said, stifling back laughter. He put his head on Draco's shoulders, feeling Draco's heart rate speed up. Draco shifted and wrapped his arm around Harry's shoulders.

They finished the movie, not even moving when the credits started.

"It was a good movie, even if I saw the twist coming a mile away," Draco said, his hot breath ghosting the top of Harry's head.

"Y-yeah, I liked it."

"Are you sure you want to end our date like this?" Draco asked, as they walked along a sidewalk in Surrey, London.

"It won't be our last date," Harry said, casually, "and I'm ready."

Draco blushed. "Oh, in that case, okay."

They walked until Harry stopped them at 4 Privat Drive. "This is where I grew up," he said, nodding to the house in front of him. The house was dark. There were no cars to be seen, and the yard was overgrown. Aunt Petunia would never let the yard look like this.

Harry's shoulders slumped. He felt relief and disappointment flood him at the same time. Draco pulled him close.

"They never returned," Harry said, "the ministry took them into hiding. I'm shocked my aunt and uncle even let them. That was the last time I saw them and when Dudley… my cousin said he didn't think I was a waste of space."

A tear fell down Harry's cheeks. "I didn't really want to see my aunt and uncle, but it would have been nice to see if Dudley got away from his parent's influence, if he was doing okay."

"Just like me," Draco said softly. "So many people have parents that…" He trailed off.

"It's similar, yes," Harry agreed. "Groomed into hating magic and into hating me."

"Groomed into joining the dark side," Draco murmured.

Harry sighed. "I wonder where they went."

"Oh, sweet Merlin, Harry is that you?" Mrs. Figg hobbled out of her front door, several cats following. Schooling his expression, Harry smiled.

"Yes, Mrs. Figg, it's me. I've come to say hi, and my friend would like to meet your cats."

"I'm delighted," Mrs. Figg said, eyes brightening up. "My babies would love the company. Come on in!"

They followed her inside and sat down on her couch. Mrs. Figg grabbed a photo album off her shelf.

"Loads of new photos, Harry." She plopped the album in Harry's lap.

A small kitten jumped up onto Draco's lap, startling him. Draco's eyes widened as if the kitten were a lion about to eat him. Harry laughed.

"Just pet her, silly."

Regaining his composure, Draco slowly started to pet the kitten. He smiled as another one of the items on his bucket list was ticked off. 'Pet a stray cat.'

His parents were wrong. This wasn't dirty. This was refreshing. Draco had never felt calmer.

"Did my family ever come back, Mrs. Figg?" Harry asked.

"The child did. A few times. He said his parents retired somewhere in Yorkshire. He's living on his own now." Mrs. Figg smiled softly at Harry. "He looked good."

"Oh…" Harry nodded. "That's nice to hear."

"He's asked about you."

Harry looked away from the album at Mrs. Figg, his eyes wide. "Did he?"

"Wanted to know if you survived and how you were doing, dear boy."

Dudley wanted to know the same things Harry did? Harry smiled, feeling a small weight from his childhood lift from his shoulders.

"Did you tell him?"

"I said that you won and were well," Mrs. Figg answered.

"For the most part," Harry said.

"Isn't that the truth for all of us?" Draco murmured. "We're as well as we can be, but we're moving on and becoming happier." He snuggled the kitten and laughed when it pawed his face.

"Do you want that cat, lad?" Mrs. Figg asked.

"W-what?" Draco spluttered, and then he blushed, because he kind of did want the cat.

"Every wizard needs a familiar, sweetheart."

"I can have her? Just like that?"

"She wants to go with you. I see her in your life."

"H-how?" Draco asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I may be an unmagical Squib, but seer blood runs in my family. Sometimes I get feelings." She gave Harry a significant look. Harry's eyes widened. That was why she witnessed the dementors attacking him and Dudley.

"Okay, I want her. Please."

Back in their dorm room, Harry and Draco laughed as the kitten ran around, jumping and attacking lights they were shooting out of their wands to tease her.

"I never knew cats were so fun," Draco said, yelping when the cat figured out where the light was coming from, jumped on him, and tried to take his wand.

"It makes me want to find my own familiar," Harry said wistfully. "I miss Hedwig, but…"

"Harry, Peach can be both of ours!" Draco picked up the cat and shoved it in Harry's face. "What do you think, Peach? Are you in love with Harry, too?"

"Peach?" Harry laughed as Peach pawed at his nose. "Share a familiar?"

"Why not? Let's raise a horde of them. Just like Mrs. Figg."

"Noo, that's going too far. Maybe one more, so Peach can have a companion." Harry laughed and poked Peach's nose.

Draco put the cat on the floor and turned to Harry. "Thank you, I had a lot of fun on our date. I know the last part of it was hard on you."

"It might seem so, but I actually feel so much relief. Just knowing he's doing okay is enough. For now, at least."

"Harry, I know I came on too strong at first. I promise to go at your pace from now on." Draco touched Harry's cheek. "You've just got to tell me what you want, okay?"

"I want us to finish your bucket list and then mine. I want us to be free to be ourselves in front of our friends, so you don't have to hold back anymore. No indecency, though." Harry flushed, looking down. "I want you to be in my life, Draco."

"I've wanted that for a long time," Draco whispered, stepping closer to Harry. He tilted Harry's chin up, his eyes searching. Harry licked his lips and then stepped closer, leaving no space between them.

"Go ahead."

Draco brushed their lips together, both sighing into the kiss. It was slow, it was healing.

Draco fell first, but Harry fell harder.

When they pulled back, Draco smiled. "How long do you want me in your life, Harry?"

"Always."