Hogwarts was like a ghost town. Very few students in each year came back after the building was repaired, but life must go on, so even with a much smaller student population, classes started again.
Harry was among the handful of students to come back for an eighth year to make up for what they missed during the war.
The sentient building took it upon itself to make a few changes to the layout, but most of the professors agreed that it was a good idea.
Instead of four houses, there were only two set up with two person dorms. Some might say it was a cruel twist of fate that Gryffindor and Slytherin were combined, but they might say the worst part of the whole ordeal was that Harry, the savior of the world shared a room with Draco Malfoy.
It wasn't as bad as some might assume. It was however, quiet. They were cordial, nodding when they saw each other, but otherwise, not speaking except for when absolutely necessary.
Harry was unusually depressed about it. He was ready to move on fully and that meant in every aspect. He didn't expect to become best friends with Draco, but there was no need for them to act like strangers, either.
Sitting at one of the desks in their dorm, Harry groaned. The instructions for a potion he was attempting to create blurred and he could not make heads or tails of it. He had never been good at potions and this was not one meant for the faint of heart. It was too advanced, not even taught at Hogwarts. So far, Harry had failed to make it five times.
Draco silently watched him work on his potion over the weeks they'd been back, curious despite himself, but feeling like he didn't have the right to ask about it. He could tell as the days went on and after each failed attempt, Harry was becoming more frustrated, muttering and kicking the wall beneath his desk.
It was becoming hard to ignore, especially when Draco was one of the best potions students.
Harry shut the advanced potions book, sighed, and started to scoop his failed potion into the metal wastebasket. Using a spell he vanished the potion.
After Harry went into the restroom, Draco stood up and went to look at the book Harry was using, his eyes widening in surprise. The book was something people with master levels skills didn't even want to touch. It was full of blood and soul magic.
Not only that, it was a book from the restricted section of the library. Draco had a feeling Harry did not get permission to take this book to his dorm room.
Confused, Draco sat back down. He picked up a book and tried to look like he was casually reading it and not putting his nose in Harry's business.
What would Harry want with a potion from that book? Blood and soul magic could be dangerous and some argued that they could be considered dark magic.
Now Draco felt like he had an obligation to help, otherwise, this could blow up in Harry's face, kill him, and possibly even Draco because he was in close proximity.
"But how?" Draco mumbled to himself, flipping a page in his book. 'We're not friends. I don't deserve that title after everything I've done, even if the ministry gave me my innocence after…' He pushed the thought aside. It was best not to dwell on it.
Even if his demons told him that he did not deserve it, Draco wanted to be Harry's friend, wanted a do-over so much that it killed him inside every single day he and Harry ignored each other.
"What type of potions should you never try to do unless you have a master skill?" Slughorn asked, twirling his wand in his fingers. He asked random questions like this on days when he was too bone-weary to teach anything. Other professors related and the students enjoyed the break.
"Obviously love potions, but those shouldn't be made even by masters," Hermione said. She tapped her quill on top of the table she was sitting at in a fidgeting manner. Everyone was fidgety these days. People tried not to draw attention to it.
"Quite right," Slughorn agreed.
Draco looked over at Harry, who as another twist of fate shared his table with Ron and Hermione. He saw that Harry looked pale, like he was going to throw up and that his hands were shaking.
"Blood magic," Theodore said. "Most blood magic spells are temperamental and could have devastating results."
"Similar to that is soul magic,' Neville added.
"Yes, good one," Slughorn said, yawning.
Now Harry's face was red. Draco stared out of the corner of his eye, hating that he noticed the color looked good on him.
Harry started to nervously bounce his knee, knocking it against Draco's leg a few times, though he didn't seem to notice, considering they were four to a table and so close to each other that they were always accidentally touching and it was something you got used to after a while.
At least that was the case for the other students. Draco would never get used to it. He had finally had enough of the bouncing, wobbly knee as the friction it was creating against him was annoying, more so because Draco didn't mind it.
Harry looked down when he felt Draco's hand on his knee, holding it down, grounding him.
"Sorry," Harry said, flushing. He couldn't help how jittery he was. It was just because of the potion he was making; it was everything. The war, being back, and of course, Draco.
The Draco who still had his hand on Harry's knee.
"Are you okay?" Draco asked quietly. It was the most words he had spoken to him in the three weeks of being back.
"No," Harry automatically said. His cheeks burned. He had meant to lie. "I mean, yes."
Draco finally met Harry's eyes, this was also new. Harry saw the doubt there and wondered how Draco could read him so well.
"Is anyone?" Harry mumbled.
"Point taken."
A few days later, Draco walked into his room to find Harry angrily crying, throwing things in a fit of rage. There were broken things all around Harry's feet and gashes on his bare feet from the glass shattered on the floor.
Without saying anything, Draco took out his wand and started to repair everything, and then he walked over to Harry, who numbly allowed Draco to sit him down on his bed. Harry didn't even react when Draco bent down and touched his feet, healing the wounds.
Neither said anything as Draco sat down on the bed next to Harry, and still, nothing as Draco put a hand on Harry's shoulder, just being there, grounding Harry again.
It happened several more times over the next week and each time, they repeated the same pattern, going a little further each time, a word there, more comfort being offered and taken.
Something was shifting.
"Will you tell me about it?" Draco asked, looking at the book Harry was reading. "I can see the title, Harry."
That was new, too, being on a first-name basis.
"I don't want to be alone forever," Harry answered. He handed the book to Draco and pointed to the potion.
"This is not an easy one and forgive me for any assumptions, but can't you have anyone you want?" Draco asked. "I feel like after everything, you'd have many eager suitors."
"That's the problem," Harry said, sighing. "Yes, I have had many offers, but not for the right reason." He took the book back from Draco.
"Ah, yes, that could pose a problem, someone only wanting to…" Draco trailed off.
"To be with me because of my so-called fame," Harry said, laughing bitterly. "I don't want…fame."
Draco nodded. "I understand."
"The soulmate potion could find the one person who would want me for the right reasons," Harry said, cheeks burning. "Besides, it's nice to know who the universe believes I'm meant to be with."
"Not Ginny?"
"No, not…" Harry shrugged. "Turns out we feel more like siblings than… well, it didn't go anywhere."
"I'll help you," Draco said softly. At Harry's surprised gasp, he continued, "Because you're angry that you keep failing. You're having rage fits, anxiety episodes because you know you're working on a potion that could be dangerous if not done right."
Harry nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "You've been helping me, Draco. I've never shown that side of me to anyone, and I didn't mean for you to see it, but you just… well thanks. I mean…"
We're they friends now? It was a fragile foundation, but it felt like they could be.
"Counterclockwise. That's the wrong angle," Draco said, and then he smiled when Harry gave him an annoyed look. "Yes, the angle matters. Here," he reached out, grasping Harry's hand, tilting the stir stick. "Like this? See how different it feels?"
"Y-yes, I do. It feels good… I mean… the potion seems to like it." It was true, the potion was reacting positively, but that wasn't what Harry was really talking about.
Draco touching his hand. That is what felt good. Harry purposely used the wrong angle several times, so Draco would help him do it the right way.
"What if the recipient is upset?" Harry asked. "Would you consider it invasive to suddenly have your soulmate show up on your skin and realize someone out there did the potion?" Harry asked. He sighed and looked at the almost finished potion.
"Some might not like fate telling them what to do, but I don't think I'd mind too much. It would take away all the guesswork at the very least," Draco answered and then he frowned. "Not many people want to…" He looked at his arm where the Dark Mark was hidden.
"Someone would want to," Harry whispered. "I mean…you were…" He coughed, not wanting to bring up bad memories, but Draco needed to realize that he was a war child groomed to be on the wrong side.
"I know. Thank you."
The potion was done. Harry didn't want it anymore. He wanted it to be Draco. But to not take the potion would be a disservice to all of Draco's help. He never saw the day coming when he would care about Draco, let alone have feelings for him, but it happened.
"Are we sure we did it right? We have to be sure, otherwise…" Harry looked down at the bubbling liquid.
"It's perfection, Harry," Draco confirmed. "Not to brag, but I'm really good at this."
Harry snickered. "I know, you're probably smarter than Hermione, but don't tell her I said that." He looked at Draco and smiled, surprised to see that his cheeks were rosy.
"I solemnly swear not to say anything," Draco said, putting a hand over his heart. Those words made Harry's stomach twist and his heart hurt. He thought about his parents, Sirius and Lupin, and of Fred and George.
"Good, because the Wizarding World will get a huge shock if I'm killed by Hermione after everything that happened."
They laughed. It was comfortable. It was easy.
"I'm sure she'd spare you, I don't know if she'd offer me the same grace." Draco reached out and touched Harry's hand. "Go on, Harry. You've been waiting for a while."
"Y-yeah, I have," Harry agreed. He didn't pick up the potion.
"Why are you hesitating?" Draco asked. He was still touching one of Harry's hand and somehow their fingers became intertwined.
"Not…stalling, just bracing myself for finding out and bracing myself for the rejection or acceptance," Harry answered. He trembled as he picked up the potion.
"No matter who it is, you are still not obligated to be with them," Draco said softly. His eyes didn't stray from Harry's.
"I know." Harry drank the potion. "How long does it take?"
Draco couldn't answer, because they both passed out.
Harry woke up first, lying flat on the floor, staring at the ceiling in a daze. He blinked and looked at his palm, his eyes widening.
The name on his hand wasn't what shocked him, it was the feeling inside Harry, the feeling that Harry had known this for a very long time, but so many things got in the way.
There were no longer any obstacles, except one. He looked at Draco. What would Draco think about all this?
Draco woke and set up. He didn't look at his hand, because why would he think he needed to?
"So?" Draco asked, not questioning why he had been on the floor. He hadn't realized Harry also passed out. He reasoned that he had because they'd been working so hard and may have missed a few meals here and there.
"It worked," Harry answered. "But I don't know if they would like the idea of it being me."
"If it's your soulmate, how could it be possible for them to not like it?" Draco asked. He looked away to hide his frown.
Harry reached out and touched his chin, making him look back into his eyes. "Draco, what's wrong?"
"I've kind of got used to having you to myself," Draco admitted. "You don't have to worry about it. Go be happy, Harry, that's all I've ever wanted."
Flushing, Harry pressed his forehead against Draco's. "I rather you have me to yourself, Draco. That is why I was hesitating about taking the potion."
Draco sucked in his breath. "You-you can't give up on a soulmate."
"I'm not," Harry answered. "See?" He showed Draco his hand.
In small font was, 'Draco Lucius Malfoy - June 5th 1980.'
Shaking, Draco looked at his own hand. 'Harry James Potter - July 31st 1980.'
"It's you, Draco," Harry said, nuzzling his nose. "Is that okay?"
"Yes, Harry. I was ready to face moving on from loving you and wasn't sure I would be able to," Draco said, sounding more open and vulnerable than Harry had ever heard him sound.
"I love you, Draco." Harry pounced on Draco, throwing his arms around him. They were thrown backward, both laughing like little kids, like they hadn't been war children.
"I love you, too, Harry."
"So you really are smarter than Hermione," Harry said, kissing Draco's cheek. "I wonder if this will make her want to do the potion to one-up you?" Harry laughed and it sounded like a carefree giggle. Draco loved the sound.
"Want to go brag to her?" Draco asked. "Uh... will they be okay with this?" he asked, looking to the side. "I don't want to make things weird between your friends."
"Draco, have you not realized they've already been treating you kindly?"
"I've had my head down," Draco admitted. "Scared to see the looks I might get."
Harry stood up and helped Draco to his feet. "My friends will be your friends. We will work on any awkwardness. We're all war children. We want a peaceful future."
"I was horrible, not meaning the Death Eater stuff, you know?" Draco frowned and Harry hugged him.
"None one of us were innocent in that regard. Okay, maybe Luna."
Draco laughed. "Oh, no, she was a downright bully toward me."
"Don't slander her!" Harry poked him in the ribs.
"I apologize."
They looked into each other's eyes. Draco's breath hitched as Harry stepped closer to him. "It always annoyed me how beautiful you were."
"Couldn't keep your eyes away, could you?" Draco asked, preening at the compliment, his cheeks flushed.
"I never could." Harry leaned up. "I'm gonna kiss you."
"I'm going to let you," Draco answered, as their lips touched. He sighed into the kiss, a tear streaking down his cheek.
Harry pressed a palm into the small of Draco's back, pulling him closer. Draco's hands tangled in Harry's hair. They kissed slowly, not desperate. They had all the time in the world now to get to know each other, physically and mentally.
"Harry Potter, how dare you be so good at everything," Draco teased, pulling back. He panted, trying to catch his breath.
"You haven't seen anything yet," Harry said, smirking.
Harry and Draco gathered all their friends in the common room. It was a small mix of Gryffindor and Slytherin, with no hostility among them.
Out of the Slytherin, it was only a few as not many Slytherin even came back. Draco, Theodore, Pansy, and Blaise were the only eighth-year students to return.
The Gryffindor gathered were all of Harry's former roommates, Hermione, Luna, and Ginny.
Draco and Harry held out their hands.
Hermione gasped. "That's a restricted potion! I mean...congratulations."
"I knew it!" Theodore shouted, turning to Blaise. "You own me, Blaise."
"You own me, too, Blaise," Pansy said, snapping her bubblegum.
"It was obvious from the get-go," Ron said, rolling his eyes. "Never saw any two people more obsessed with each other."
Seamus and Dean laughed. "Welcome to the team," Seamus said.
"Hurt him and die," Neville added.
Theodore whistled. "Hot." Neville blushed.
"When's the wedding?" Ginny asked. Luna giggled.
"I know when it is," Luna said. "The Nargles told me years ago."
Everyone burst into laughter.