The Embrace

It was done. It was over. Voldemort, after 17 long years, was finally dead. Harry stood where he had faced Voldemort a few minutes before. Shouldn't he feel relieved? The weight on his shoulders gone? Strangely enough, he felt no better. In a way, he felt worse. His school, his home, was now nothing but a few towers and rubble. Some of his friends, dead. Some of his teachers, dead. His mentor, the one whom he thought was invincible, was now dead as well. Being honest with himself, Harry stood in thought. Did he even have anything to look forward to? Not that he had ever had much of that anyway. 

He decided that he needed to face everyone. He bent down, retied his shoes, gripped the two wands firmly in his hand, and made his way to what was left of the Great Hall. 

Draco sat in the Great Hall between his father and mother, feeling numb. McGonagall had insisted that they stay, left with no choice but to agree. To his surprise, nobody had shot him a dirty look. Not even a grimace. Hermione had even given him a sad smile. He looked around the room, with mixed emotions. Voldemort was gone, which was great news, but the aftermath of what had just happened was heavy on the atmosphere. Barely anyone was speaking, and if they were, it was in hushed voices. He watched as people walked, trying to avoid the rocks and stones scattered across the floor. Then, he looked down at himself. His black suit was ripped and stained with blood. His shoes were covered in a thin layer of dust, most likely from some of the building collapsing. He lifted a hand to the side of his face, feeling the wetness there. He winced, realizing he was bleeding. He wiped the blood on his pants and pulled himself together. He was about to go pay his condolences to the Weasley family, for Fred, but that's when he saw it. Saw him, rather.

Harry walked through the doorway, and the sight before him made his knees weak. Everyone looked so heartbroken. Bodies were covered with white sheets. People were trying to speak with their peers, but some couldn't bring themselves to even lift their chins. Hermione was allowing Ron to lay his head in the crook of her neck, while silent sobs racked his body. McGonagall was walking around, trying to be of assistance. Hagrid was helping Filch rummage through the rubble. He started walking farther in the room, and that's when he saw a familiar blonde rising from where he sat with his parents.

At first, Draco walked, but he couldn't contain himself. Putting one unsteady foot after another, he started running. Barely breathing, he watched as he passed, seeing everything blur into one faded picture. The one thing that didn't blur in his vision, was the messy haired, emerald eyed boy in front of him.

The wind was knocked out of Harry as Draco crashed into him, throwing his arms around his shoulders. Harry stood completely still, not wanting to move. 

"What are you doing?" Harry whispered.

"Hugging you. Believe it or not, Potter, I am very pleased that you are alright." Draco whispered back, with a shaky voice. 

Harry wrapped his arms around Draco's waist and closed his eyes. It was finally happening. This embrace was all he had ever truly wanted.

Draco smiled as he felt Harry relax into his touch. They stood like that, while listening to Draco's breathing go back to normal. Harry opened his eyes and looked over the top of Draco's shoulder, and saw Hermione looking over at them. She was smiling softly, while running her fingers through Ron's hair, who was still crying in her shoulder. Harry pulled away, and cupped Draco's face in his hands. 

"Are you alright?"

"Me? Potter, I'm fine. I should be the one asking you that. Are you alright? I was so worried you weren't going to walk back in here. I thought for a moment that maybe Voldemort wasn't the one who had died. I thought that you didn't make it, and that you-"

Harry cut him off by leaning in and grazing his lips over the blonde's. It shut him up, that's for sure. Draco lifted his hands and placed them over Harry's, and pulled back.

"I've been wanting you to do that since third year." Draco admitted. "What was that for, anyway?"

"I almost died out there, Draco. Well, I was dead for a moment, but that's not the point. The point is, I was almost gone, without being on good terms with you. What I'm trying to say, is that I've been wanting to mend our relationship. Being enemies is too tiring. I guess the point that I'm trying to make is-"

This time, it was Draco's turn to cut Harry off. He kissed Harry, and Harry's lips started moving against his almost immediately. Draco pulled back.

"What you're trying to say, is that you would've hated yourself in the afterlife for not seeing my greatness before you died?" Draco teased.

"Oh, for sure." Harry laughed, and so did Draco.

"No, but seriously Potter, I thought I'd lost you." Draco muttered, while leaning forward and laying his head on Harry's shoulder.

Harry brought his hand up to rub the small of Draco's back. He looked so small, even though he was taller than Harry. 

"Draco, look at me." 

Draco raised his head, and locked eyes with the brunette.

Harry noticed the dark circles under Draco's eyes. "I'm fine, you're fine, we're fine. Honestly, being with you here is the happiest I've been in a while."

The corners of Draco's mouth lifted up into a smile. "I couldn't agree more."