𝐀 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐒𝐎 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐒

Chapter 20

Chapter Number/Total: 20/44
Chapter Title: Sweet Birthday

Over the next weeks, Harry and Draco practised going out with each other. They took walks in the park nearby, and actually did a little shopping in the Muggle part of the city. Harry went to the Ministry with Ron a few times to turn in papers and do a few different interviews, and he'd gone without Draco. They were getting better. They had to.

So when Harry's birthday came round, and Harry's friends begged him for one of their old nights out, he and Draco both agreed to go. They all went to The Three Broomsticks, and a few of his friends actually teased them about what had happened there.

Harry was currently happily buzzed and watching Seamus make goo-goo eyes at the handsome "friend" he'd brought along. He had no idea how no one knew he was a poof, because he was, and seeing him with this Trent fellow sealed the deal.

Draco was nervous but he felt comforted by the fact that this time, he could hold Harry's hand or touch him for reassurance when he felt he needed it. He turned down anything alcoholic. It was amusing watching his lover get slightly drunk.

"Complete prats, the lot of you," said Hermione with no real bite, watching Ron, Justin and Terry taking drunken turns to see if they could walk on empty bottles.

"I heartily agree," said Ginny, sitting with Dean.

Madam Rosmerta kept looking over with expressions of exasperated amusement.

Harry turned his head to watch them too, laughing loudly as Ron fell flat on his arse. It was a sign of how pissed Ron was that he laughed as well and didn't get embarrassed or mad.

Hermione rolled her eyes, moving to help him to his feet when he couldn't get up.

The door opened across the room and the warm summer air blew in. Lavender came in with it, crossing to the corner full of friends and giving an odd look to those obviously drunk and laughing. "Sorry I'm late, Harry," she said, handing him a wrapped package. "Happy birthday."

He smiled. "Thanks," he said.

She smiled too. "Hello, Draco," she said.

"Good evening, Lavender," he replied. He was the only one not drinking and it left him feeling a bit like the only adult at a kids' party. He reached behind him and pulled an empty chair from another table and held it for her.

She sat down, smiling again.

Harry opened the gift, which was a new briefcase-type bag. "Does everyone know that's what I'm doing?" he said, smiling amusedly. Almost all of his friends had gotten something to do with his soon-to-be job. Even Draco had gotten him a nice wand holster.

Lavender shrugged and laughed. "You know Ron's mouth."

Harry snorted, listening to "Ron's mouth" right then as he began to sing a Weird Sisters number.

"Who's that?" Lavender asked, looking over at Seamus with the dark-haired Trent.

"Seamus' friend," Draco said, smiling.

Lavender raised an eyebrow. "Oh," she said, and glanced at Dean, who shrugged.

Harry didn't want to give Seamus away before he was ready, so he didn't say anything.

Ron stumbled his way over to the table then, throwing his arms about Harry's shoulders. "What're you drinkin'?" he asked, smiling widely.

Harry laughed at him. "Not what you are," he said.

"'Er you drinkin'?" he asked Draco, even smiling at him.

"Lemonade," Draco answered. He regarded Ron and Harry with amusement. "Maybe you should try it," he suggested.