𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐇 | 𝐓𝐇𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 1

Chapter 5

Chapter Five-Hogwarts From the Ashes

Draco awoke with a pounding headache and something more than a foul taste in his mouth. A memory. Did he remember that or did he dream it?

Fully dressed, Harry bounded into the living room and headed for the kitchen. "Morning," he said far too loudly.

"Have a little compassion, Potter," he groaned, burying his head under the pillow.

"Want a little headache remedy?" He raised his wand but Draco put a hand up.

"First, answer me a question. Did I...did I kiss you last night?"

Harry smiled broadly. "And how!"

Draco sat up. "Wait a minute. What else did I do?"

"Well," said Harry, putting the kettle on the fire and slicing some bread, "it was your idea to put on those dresses. I didn't want to wear the boots, but you insisted-"

"WHAT?"

"I'm just kidding, Malfoy."

"Ha. Well...don't do that again. I'm a little vulnerable here."

Harry chuckled. "Ready to go to Hogwarts with me?"

Draco sat back down and dropped his throbbing head in his hands. "I don't know if I can face it sober."

"Well sober or not, that's where the job is. And the chance to get your wand back. If I were you, I'd jump at it."

"There will be no jumping today."

"How about lurching?"

"I am prepared to lurch."

"Why don't you take a bath first? I'll bring you your tea if you like."

"With me naked in the bath? I don't think so, Potter."

"Darn. Well, the pot will be out here when you come out."

Later, Draco emerged renewed but still grumpy and took his mug silently. "What will we be doing?" he asked.

"A little of this, a little of that. But first, we must go to see Dumbledore."

"I was afraid of that. Harry...." Harry gazed at Draco. He hadn't forgotten their kiss. It fueled all those old feelings again. But it left him a little empty, too, since Draco admitted there could be nothing further. But when Draco called him 'Harry'--a very rare occurrence indeed--it stirred the embers in his heart to flames. He tried to stem them once and for all, looking at Draco in a purely business-like fashion. "What am I to say to him?" Draco went on. "I haven't seen him since the trial. What in God's name am I supposed to say?"

Harry gave a friendly smile. "Why don't you just let him talk. Everything will be fine."

"Will you...will you stay with me?"

Harry swallowed. Surely he could get past this. "Sure. I won't leave."

That seemed to settle it and they were finally ready and standing before the fireplace. "You first, Draco."