Happily ever after

A/N Thanks to all my reviewers. You make it worth it.

Some of the warnings are for later chapters or just in case.

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Happily ever after.


The rest of the week passed quickly and Saturday was getting closer. Harry and Draco hadn't exactly met since their "date" by the lake, but they had shared a couple of glances at mealtimes and in classes. One day they ran into each other in an empty hallway and had a quick snogsession, but was rudely interrupted by a group of noisy first years Hufflepuffs. So they were both looking forward to Saturday.

Draco did because he had found out that he only felt completely safe in Harry's arms, although he would never admit that to anyone. On top of that the image of Harry's face when he came wouldn't leave his mind and yet at the same time, he couldn't remember it completely, so he couldn't wait to get it refreshed. He was so giddy that even Pansy had told him to come down to earth, although she actually enjoyed his high spirits. Nothing seemed to bring him down except for when Marcus was in the same room. Since they weren't in the same year that luckily didn't happen very often.

He knew he was being silly. The way everybody treated Marcus, even though most didn't even know why he was being shunned, made sure that he wouldn't try anything again. Draco had also noticed that whenever Marcus saw Pansy he flinched and left the room quickly, but he hadn't yet found out what had caused that change in the older boy. He would have to ask her again one of these days. She would have to tell him some day, if he kept asking. Although he didn't mind the evil and secretive look she sent him. He hugged her every time she caused Marcus to leave. With fear of sounding like a girl, the fact that she had avenged him made him feel special.

Harry was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Or so he felt. One moment he would be jumping with joy with the mere thought of seeing Draco again, the next he would sigh deeply thinking about how long time would have to pass before he could kiss Draco again. Then he caught sight of Ron or Hermione and sulked when he remembered that if Saturday went well, he might have to tell them about Draco. And then the thought of Draco made him beam with such happiness that Ron or Hermione would ask what he was so happy about, which prompted him to make up some lie and lead him right back to pouting. Then he would spot Flint and start boiling with rage once again catching the attention of Ron or Hermione. It was definitely not easy being Harry. The only time he felt comfortable was during that one short kiss. Saturday could not come quickly enough.

Saturday morning most students going to Hogsmeade was bustling around making the last preparations and arrangements but this Saturday Draco Malfoy had a date. Everybody in the house knew something was different. Draco normally used more time getting prepared than anybody else, but today there was a completely different atmosphere in the dungeon. If was as if they could smell Draco’s happiness and eagerness. He spread excitement were he went when he used to spread fearful silence. It felt like spring had come to the lower regions of the castle. Everybody wanted to be around him, but he disappeared to his room before he got swamped. Pansy and Blaise helped him pick out an outfit. He had finally decided on black slacks, black loafers and a very beautiful grey cashmere jumper. He let his hair hang loose but off course still styled. He looked cool, serious and, according to Blaise and Pansy, very sexy. Well, he felt sexy, so he walked to the entrance hall with confidence, ready for the date of his lifetime, ready for Harry.

Harry wasn’t as fortunate. He couldn’t ask for help, because then he would have to explain why he had to look pretty. During their summer vacation Hermione had taken him shopping in muggle London, so he did have clothes that fit, but he had no idea which trousers went with which shirt. When he was running out of time he just quickly grabbed a pair of ripped jeans, his favourite, an all black, tight, long-sleeved T-shirt and his green chucks. He realised that there was nothing he could do about his hair, so it stayed as dishevelled as it always was. With not as much confidence he went towards the entrance hall. When Ron and Hermione joined him reality caught up with him and he very nearly panicked. Shit. He had somehow managed to forget that off course they would be going to Hogsmeade as well. And even though they often split up when they got there, they always walked there together. They would notice it if he wasn’t there or if Draco was there. He had to tell them. He took a look at his clock, and decided that they had enough time to step into an empty classroom. They looked a bit funny when he asked them to come with him, but they followed him nevertheless.

When he didn’t start to speak at once Ron spoke;
- “What’s wrong mate? You look awful.”
Harry decided there was no reason putting it off any more, and realizing there was no easy way to say this, he ended up just blurting out;
- “I have a date today.”
- “Well that’s great mate. Who is she?”
Harry knew he hoped for it to be his sister. Again the just-spill-it technique seemed to be the best approach;
- “Well, It’s...It’s Draco.”
- “...”
Ron looked gob smacked. Hermione on the other hand seemed to be going berserk and decided to attack him. He closed his eyes and waited for the impact and very nearly fell when Hermione threw herself around his neck in an attempt to squeeze him to death. After a couple of seconds it occurred to Harry that actually he was still alive and Hermione was talking to him;
- “...so happy for you. I thought you would never figure it out. When did this happen? I want to hear everything!”

Now it was Harry’s turn to look gob smacked. Not only was Hermione not trying to kill him. She seemed to be happy for him and, AND, had been waiting for it to happen. When she saw his expression she started laughing and hugged him again;
- “Oh, Harry. Did you think we wouldn’t be happy for you?” Harry started to feel a little embarrassed. Although he wasn’t really sure why.
- “Well, I thought you wanted me to get a girlfriend.” He directed that at Ron who was also smiling and surprisingly still breathing. Ron grinned;
- “That was before I knew you were gay. We just want you to be happy. Especially since I got to feel what it’s like to have a girlfriend. I just wanted you to be as happy as I was. I don’t really care whether it is with Malfoy or Ginny. Except for the fact that had it been Ginny we would have been real family. But were still family this way. And I hope Draco can make you as happy as Hermione makes me.”

Both Harry and Hermione was staring at Ron. He wasn’t the kind of guy who said sentimental things like that very often. Hermione gave him a big kiss. Only when Harry cleared his throat did they stop. They laughed;
- “Sorry about that Harry. We will love to hear about everything that has happened, but if I am not mistaken, he is waiting for you.”
Harry looked at his watch and immediately started towards the door. Just before he left he gave Ron and Hermione a big smile and a; “See ya!”

Draco Malfoy did not look impatient, but he sure felt it. Harry was now 5 minutes late. Had he dumped him? But he melted completely, when Harry raced down the stairs completely breathless. He had obviously been running for a while;
- “Sorry I’m late. I got held up.”
Draco just smiled and when he thought nobody was watching he took Harry’s hand and led him off towards the village.

Harry had never really understood the whole holding hand business. But walking down a quiet pathway with Draco’s small hand in his made him realize that it was absolutely amazing. They didn’t talk much, but he let his thumb caress the soft skin on Draco’s hand and he revelled in the little sigh that left the other boy's mouth and the reciprocating caress on his own hand. It was a very innocent parallel to the physical contact they had shared the other day, but in some ways just as satisfying.

Harry realized that he probably ought to tell Draco that he had told someone about them;
- “Ehm...I told Ron and Hermione about our date today.”
Draco turned to him, looking alarmed;
- “What did they say?”
- “Well, they seemed to be happy for me, and Hermione even mentioned that she had been waiting for it to happen.” Draco’s eyebrows shot up;
- “She what?”
Harry continued to tell how it had happened and they agreed that it was probably a good thing that both of their friends knew and approved, because otherwise it could prove hard to ever see each other. The rest of the walk they were almost silent, but kept sending each other coy glances.

TBC
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A/N I think this will have several chapters. Do you think it's too slow, or should i keep it like this? I can post the rest in the next chapter, or make several more detailed chapters. What do you think?

Please review.