What If (Drarry)

14. The Talking

No one knew how much time had Draco spent in the kitchen. For the boy it seemed like only a minute. For the others in the living room it felt like hours. However when Draco stood up, streched moaning, and walked back to the room trying to make the tear tracks on his face vanish, he felt much more relaxed than he'd felt in the previous hours. Both Hermione and the two Weasleys noticed this.

Draco sat down into an armchair and sighed. "I'm back."

All three of them nodded, but didn't say anything. Neither of them knew what to say.

"First of all..." Draco started slowly. "I want to apologize. For two things. I know... well, back in school I was an arse. To all of you. And to Harry. So I'm sorry, I really am. I know it's not much, though. But I'll try to redeem. Second, I'm sorry for... killing your best friend. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness at all, but please-"

"Draco. I think we talked about this." Hermione said softly.

"Yeah, we aren't mad at you... mate."

Draco looked up at Ron astonished. Did Ron Weasley, the Weasel, called him 'mate'? What's happening here?

"You are... not?"

"No. So please stop apologizing, will you?"

Draco only nodded.

"Brilliant. Now tell us, what happened betw-"

"No, Ron! Stop! Let him be, don't ask that!"

"Okay, okay. I was just curious, I wanted to know."

"Know what?" asked Draco confused.

"Nothing, really. Let's talk about the plan. Are you sure you're in?"

"Yes, why wouldn't I?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe-" Ron started sarcastically, but cut himself off and waved instead.

For a moment Hermione glared at Ron, but when the redhead didn't seem to start fighting Draco again, her expression softened.

"Alright." she said. "We'll start tomorrow. I mean... today." she added when she checked the clock and realized that it already was tomorrow.

***

After going through the plan again, all three of them decided to have a nap. After all, they needed their energy: they were facing a quite eventful and exciting day.

So Hermione and Ron retreated to their bedroom, while Ginny went to the guest room where she always slept when she was at her brother's. They told Draco to sleep in the living room. They conjured blankets and pillows, even charmed the couch to be bigger and more comfortable. But Draco couldn't sleep. Neither the others.

Ron and Hermione cuddled in their bed, having shushed conversations about Harry and Draco. Ginny also lay in bed but her eyes were wide open. She let tears make their way down her cheek. She thought back to those time when she and Harry... And then thought about Draco and Harry. She didn't know how to feel. She wasn't in love with Harry anymore. But still, she loved him. In a not romantic way. And she still remembered when they were together, and find it strange to imagine Dracos arms around Harry's waist instead of hers, Draco's lips on Harry's. Instead of hers... And Draco's naked body tangled with his muscular body instead of hers. She shook her head to bundle off these thoughts.

Meanwhile Draco was tossing and turning in bed. When he couldn't find a position worth to stay in, he sat up tears running down his pale cheeks. He couldn't forget the image of Harry's body trapped in that shield.

***

Morning came as a redeeming. As Draco couldn't sleep at all, he was already sitting in the kitchen gazing out of the window, his gaze as far in the sight as his thoughts in his head.