Everything Remains

Chapter 9- Looking Out for You

Later on in the evening, Harry got ready to meet Draco for Hogsmeade. He didn't necessarily need anything, but he could always use some sweets and a visit to George. He had expanded the joke shop business he started with Fred and had a location now in Hogsmeade too. Harry was so happy that he was having success. It was looking bleak after the war, because of course he was missing Fred and was having issues coping. But after a few months, getting back into the shop was his saving grace. 

Harry grabbed his bag and headed down to the common room, about to head down to the lawn. Hermione and Ron were in the main area, lounging by the fire as per usual. 
"Oi, where are you going?" 
"To Hogsmeade... with Draco... is that okay with you, dad?"
"Blimey. Never thought I would hear those words together before. Can you get me some fizzing whizbees and some chocolate frogs?"
"Was already planning on it." Harry chuckled.
"Harry.. I think this is really good. That you two are hanging out and spending time together. I think it's going to be a very positive thing." Hermione smiled earnestly at him, filling him with warmth. 
"Alright, let's calm down a bit. We're just getting to know each other. Without the threat of death. You need anything Mione?"
"No, I'm fine. Have fun!"
Harry rolled his eyes and began to walk out through the corridor. He walked down the few flights of stairs and hallways to get to the lawn. 

Draco was already there waiting, pacing around by the looks of it. 'He looks nervous for some reason?' Harry pondered to himself.
Harry approached Draco, clearing his throat to get his attention. 
"OH, um, hi. Are you ready to go?" 
"Yes.. are you okay? You seem nervous." 
"Yes, I'm fine. Do you want to floo?" 
"Sure, beats walking the several miles there."
The two flooed to the entrance, right before Flourish and Blotts. 
"Where did you need to go again?" 
"I guess to get a cauldron first. Let's head to Ceridwen's Cauldrons."
The two began to walk in that direction, window shopping in the stores on the way there. They passed the magical pet shop, which caught Harry's eye. 
Harry stood in front of the big front window and sighed. He saw an assortment of toads, cats, rats, and of course, owls. There was a pang in Harry's heart, remembering Hedwig. She was the best owl in the world, no matter how biased he may be. She gave her life to save him. Just like so many others. Before he knew it, silent tears were sliding down his face. 

"You miss her a lot? Hedwig?"
"Ye-yes. I love her so much. It's hard sometimes being without her."
"I can imagine. I'm sorry that she's gone."
"Thank you. Anytime I see a flash of white, I'm hoping that somehow, it's her. That's she has come back to me."
Harry breathed deeply, wiping his face with his hands. 
"Sorry. Let's keep going." 
The two finally hit the cauldron shop. They looked around a bit before Draco decided on a pewter cauldron, silvery with some green accents. Perfect for a Slytherin. 
As they exited, Draco turned to Harry, "I have to run another quick errand, would you mind meeting me back here?"
"Oh, uh, yeah that's fine. I want to stop at Honeydukes anyways."
Draco nodded and disappeared the way they came from. 
'That's strange.. what is he up to?'

Harry walked to Honeydukes. Feeling a little emotional still, he bought wayyyy too many pumpkin pasties, liquorice wands, fizzing whizzbees, bertie bott's, chocolate frogs, and little tankards of butter beers. As he left with his lot, he walked back towards the meeting spot. 
Draco wasn't anywhere to be seen yet. 'Must be something important..'
After a few minutes of waiting, Harry began to get nervous. He paced around the spot, looking to see if he could get a glimpse of him returning. 

After a few more minutes, he saw the familiar icy-blonde head walking towards him. He felt relieved, more relieved than he thought he would. 
Draco came a bit closer before yelling "Close your eyes!" to Harry. Harry looked at him confused, but covered his eyes with his hands. Draco approached, his footsteps getting nearer. 
"Keep your eyes covered. If you want me to return it or if you feel like I'm an absolute git for this, just tell me. But I thought that this could help you feel better. Open your eyes." 
Harry uncovered his eyes to see Draco holding a large cage. Inside was a beautiful owl. He was mostly black, with white tips around each feather. A white spot in the middle of his forehead. He had huge, blueish-gray eyes. 
Harry's mouth fell open in shock. "Did.. did you get this for me??" 
"Yes. I saw him when we walked by and I saw how sad you were. I thought that maybe he could cheer you up? And, you wouldn't have to borrow Ron's ancient owl anymore either. But if you don't want the responsibility, I'll take him back." Draco rushed out, almost afraid that he would reject it. 
"NO. He's perfect. I think he could help me. Hedwig would want me to have a companion again. What shall I name him?"
"I was thinking... Sirius?"
Harry's eyes welled with tears again. 
"Oh, no, I'm sorry, we can call him-"
"No. Sirius is perfect. An homage to two great beings that I loved. I don't think I could thank you enough, Draco." 
Draco handed over the cage to Harry, letting him pet Sirius and talk to him. He felt a blush roam over his body. A good feeling that he did something nice and selfless for someone else. Something he never would have done a year ago. 

Harry put the cage down on the ground before slipping a small piece of parchment out of his bag. He scribbled 'Look after Sirius for me until I get back ~Harry' on it, before tying it to Sirius' leg. Harry instructed him to take it to Ron and Hermione in the Gryffindor Common Room. Sirius took off into the sky, a black dash in the early evening light. 
Harry shrunk down the cage so he could place it in his bag for easier transport. 
"Anywhere else you want to go?" Draco asked. 
"I wanted to stop by and see George at his shop, if that's okay?" 
"Oh, um. Sure. I'll wait here."
"Nonsense. Just come with me?"
"I don't know if that's a great idea... I don't think he would want to see me."
"I don't think he holds ill-will towards you. I think it would be good for him to see that you have been changing, you know?"
Draco blew out a heavy breath. "Yeah, I suppose. Let's go."
The two walked down the street to the left, where Weasley's Wizard Wheezes stood. The lifelike statue of Fred (and George's) face was smiling and laughing, just like he used to. 

Harry entered the store first, searching above the masses of kids for that familiar red hair. 
Harry and Draco pushed their way through the crowd; apparently, George had released a new product just yesterday. A "flaming flower" that you could plant or hold. If anyone but you touches them, they burst into flames, scaring whoever the unlucky person is that you're pranking. 
Harry led Draco up the stairs, not finding George on the first floor. 
By a display of Weasley's famous puking pastilles was George, looking tired but otherwise pretty good. 
"George!! George!" Harry smiled immediately, running over to him. Harry practically jumped on him in an embrace. 
"Blimey Harry, what in Godric's arse are you doing here?"
"I wanted to come see the shop and.. Draco and I were in town..." Harry hesitated, waiting for a response from George. 
"Dra-Draco? Hmm.. well, welcome." George had a very confused expression on his face, but didn't ask or assume anything else. 
"Let's go to my office, we can talk there." George led the two the the back room, hidden from the main store space by a purple and orange striped sheet. 

"Harry, how have you been? It's been ages."
"I've been alright. Faring well enough. But how have you been? Ron told me that... he stayed with you this summer. Enjoy his snoring, did you?" Harry attempted to keep it lighthearted, not sure if he actually succeeded with that. 
"I'm.... better. Opening the second shop has kept me busy and my mind off.. things.
I'm just going to come out and ask, okay? What the hell are you two doing together? Where's the ancient hatred??" George asked, exasperated. 
"Oh, um. We decided to turn a new leaf and attempt to be friends instead of enemies. We have nothing to fight about and nothing to lose. So, here we are?" Harry shrugged, keeping it lighthearted. 
"Well. I suppose that's a good thing. Although slightly jarring. But anyways, Harry I'm glad you stopped by. I was actually thinking about reaching out to you soon before the Holidays. I was thinking, only if you want to, that we could split the cost and get Ron a firebolt. Partially because he deserves it and he never gets anything new to himself, partially because I feel bad for the way I treated him this summer. What do you think?"
"I think it's brilliant. He will be floored. And he does deserve it, after everything." 
"Great! I'll buy it and get the package to bring home for Christmas."
"I'll have my owl bring you my part of the payment."
"...new owl?"
"Draco actually just bought me a new owl. Named him Sirius. I think he will help me overcome some of what has happened..." Harry smiled slightly, eyes blinking back additional tears. 
"Well, that's great then. Do you all want anything from the shop? On the house!"
"Nonsense, we'll pay."
"No you won't. You helped make this happen. The least I could do is give you some free puking pastilles to prank Ron." George laughed heartily, the first deep laugh he has had in awhile. 

George loaded up Harry and Draco with an assortment of prank sweets and other novelties before they headed back outside to the floo network. 
"Wow, what a night." Draco said, a 'phew' escaping his lips. 
"You can say that again. My bag weighs 75 pounds." Harry chuckled, rubbing his shoulder where the strap is digging in. 
"You ready to go?" 
"Yes." 
The two flooed back to the castle and said their goodbyes before walking to their respective common rooms. 

"Oi, Harry? Care to explain this??" Ron was holding Sirius on his arm, away from his face. 
"You act like you've never seen an owl before, Ron."
"Okay, but WHOSE IS IT? AND WHY IS IT NAMED SIRIUS?" 
"Draco bought him for me tonight. He thought it would help me cope with the loss of Hedwig. We named him Sirius, for obvious reasons."
"Harry, that is so sweet. How incredibly thoughtful." Hermione smiled lovingly, tears prickling her eyes. 
"That's all great and well, now get him off me please!"
Harry laughed until his stomach hurt, reaching out and having Sirius climb onto his arm instead. 
He felt loved, taken care of. And it felt amazing. 

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