1000 Days of Harry Potter

Day 158

One Sunday evening at Grimmauld Place, they're joined for dinner by the Granger-Weasley family.

"So, how's the, er, Apothecary business, Malfoy?" Ron asks politely.

"It's fine," Draco answers carefully. "I like having access to the potion ingredients I need. I'm considering expanding, creating a pre-brewed potions division. That's where my passion really is. Well, that and inventing my own potions."

"You've been inventing your own potions?" Hermione leans forward in her seat, eyes bright with interest. "That's incredible! What've you done?"

"I only have one working so far, but it's a, um, a specialized Strengthening Solution, with Stasis elements. It helps keep patients involved in physical trauma stable longer so that the Healers have more time to set everything right. I provide St. Mungo's with a batch every month or so, but I sell it to them at cost, so even though I'm proud of it there's really no profit margin at all..." Draco trails off as he notices Harry looking at him strangely. "What?"

"Nothing," Harry says quickly, looking away. "That's just really impressive."

"Oh. Thanks."

"How does it work, exactly?" Hermione presses, and Draco starts explaining the details of making the potion while she asks questions and listens raptly, and Harry and Ron's eyes immediately glaze over.

"Harry! Harry! Harry!" Teddy bounces up and down next to his godfather. "Rose and Hugo want to have a sleepover at their house tonight. Can we? Can we can we can we?"

Harry looks over at Hermione, who smiles and nods.

"Sure, kid. Go pack some pajamas and your toothbrush."

"YES!" Teddy pumps a fist in the air and takes off running, his best friends cheering and following behind.

* * *

The house is strangely quiet after everyone leaves, and Harry and Draco continue their weekly tradition of wine and discussing Teddy.

"He's opening up more," Harry says. "I think seeing the Mind Healer each week is really helping."

"I think so, too." Draco agrees. "The angry outbursts have definitely been less frequent, and he seems happier. Bedtime is still an absolute nightmare, though."

"I'm not sure there's a way to fix that," Harry laughs. "But I am very grateful for the break from it tonight."

"Oh, definitely. I miss Teddy when he's with you, but I don't miss the horror of putting him to bed."

"We could do more things together," Harry offers, smiling tentatively. "When he's with me, so you don't miss him so much."

"I'd like that," Draco smiles back, "thanks, Harry. We can do the same when he's with me."

His eyes really are beautiful, Draco thinks. They crinkle at the corners as Harry smiles at him again, and Draco's stomach flutters nervously. Oh, no. No no no.

"So," Harry says, "who do you think is going to the Finals this year? I think with their new Seeker the Harpies might actually have a shot, but Ginny's worried that their Keeper still isn't consistent enough to stop the Falcon's more aggressive offense..."

Right. Draco tries to shake off his unease. Quidditch. I can talk about Quidditch.

They talk about Quidditch for a long time, and Draco is horrified to realize that at some point he actually drifted off and leaned against Harry's shoulder. He jerks away from him, his face heating. Harry gives him a kind smile, completely oblivious to Draco's inner turmoil.

"Do you want to stay in one of the guest bedrooms tonight? Teddy will be back after breakfast, so you can see him before you go?"

This is a terrible idea, given his sudden, strange attraction to him, but Draco says yes anyway. Probably because of his sudden, strange attraction to him.