Pen Pal (Drarry) HIATUS

11

"So.." Hermione started, a smile on her face, "you and Draco seem close lately," she said slowly, not wanting to upset Harry. It had been a few weeks now, and they were finally back to normal.

"We've been hanging out more, he's really decent once you get to know him," Harry shrugged, missing the teasing look on Ron's face.

"Sure mate, decent," Ron said, laughing quietly. Harry glared at him, "what does that mean?" He knew what it meant, but he was in the denial stage.

"Oh nothing, you just seem a bit closer than friendly is all," the ginger laughed, "I know you came out after you left my sister. I never expected Draco to be your first boyfriend."

"Draco is NOT going to be my boyfriend, we are just friends," Harry sputtered out, convincing absolutely no one. He rolled his eyes as his friends laughed.

"Hey," Draco said awkwardly, Pansy and Blaise with him. He still felt weird joining the gryffindors, and it felt even weirder when he had Pansy and Blaise with him.

"Hey guys, grab a seat," Harry said, scooting closer to Hermione. The three sat down in an awkward silence. "Who wants chicken?" Ron stumbled out holding the plate towards them with a mouth full.

Harry and Hermione laughed at his odd attempt at making the slytherins feel welcomed. The air was still a bit tense, but they all smiled. Harry sat picking at his food as everyone got acquainted.

While his overall mood had improved, his mood in general was still unstable. He tended to just sit quietly now instead of lashing out, or at least he was trying to. He didn't want to hurt his friends again.

"You okay?" Draco whispered softly, causing Harry to jump a bit, "I'm alright mate, thank you though," Harry forced out with a smile. Draco could tell it wasn't true, but he didn't push any further.

He simply handed Harry a piece of treacle tart, and winked at him. Harry blushed and shook his head, "thanks," he muttered, accepting the treat onto his plate.

In their own little world they missed all of their friends' looks. They were all quite pleased with Harry and Draco's newfound friendship. Knowing the two would be good for each other.

They both had a lot to work through, and so maybe they could do it together. Hermione especially was rooting for a friendship between the two this year. She knew as well as anyone that their endless banter was a huge part of what kept them both alive and focused during the war.

Without it, they would've focused too much on the possible life ending battle looking their way. So yes, she was pleased with this turn of events.

Ron on the other hand was counting the days until he'd have to invite Draco Malfoy to weekly dinners, because he couldn't let his best friend show up without his boyfriend. Ron told Hermione as such, and she rolled her eyes, "just let them grow at whatever pace they want Ronald," she muttered.

"So Potter, what do you say you and these two spend the weekend with us at Pansy's house? It will be fun," Blaise said with a smirk, resting his hand on his chin.

Harry looked up with a raised eyebrow, then looked to Hermione and Ron, "uhm?" He stumbled out in confusion. He wasn't used to being invited to places as Harry, only as Harry Potter, and his friends knew that.

"Of course, I don't see why not mate, we'll be there," Ron said, watching close as Harry started to pick at the skin around his fingers. He nudged what he hoped to be Draco's foot, gaining the blonde's attention he glanced over at Harry quickly.

Draco grabbed Harry's hand and smiled at him softly, stopping him before he could make his hands bleed. Harry was a bit jumpy, but smiled back briefly, not convincingly for sure.

"Awesome shit, we can get to know each other better, it'll be fun," Pansy said, a bit brighter than the trio had ever seen her.

She wasn't so bad after the war, she had come with Draco on the train to personally apologize for trying to get Harry killed. Since then she has been overly friendly. Probably trying to make repairs in her own weird little way.

"It's a date," Blaise said, winking at the three, who collectively all blushed. That was just the power of Zabini, the man was a natural flirt, and a good one at that.

-

After lunch was over, Draco and Harry walked to class together. Bumping shoulders and joking about whatever they thought about in the moment.

Harry thought Draco had become quite easy to talk to. He didn't feel the pressure to be perfect, or even kind with Draco. Of course now he was kind, because he wanted to be.

Draco and him had become friends quickly, like it was something so simple. Something simple they'd been avoiding since they were eleven of course.

"I'm surprised you're continuing potions, I thought you hated them," Draco said as they walked into the potions classroom. Professor Griswold wasn't in the classroom yet, so Draco and Harry took seats next to each other.

"I never hated potions, I didn't understand them, and Snape hated me so it didn't help," Harry said laughing. He was well over his Snape hatred at this point, once learning how much the man did to protect his life.

"I was planning on becoming an auror, so I needed the NEWT. I suppose I could drop out now but I don't see the point," Harry continued, "mine as well finish what I started, then go brag to Sevs portrait that I did it."

Draco laughed, shaking his head, "I called him wall art last time I spoke to his portrait, he isn't so pleased with me at the moment. What do you plan to do now if you're not going to be an auror?"

"You can't tell anyone," Harry said giving Draco a pointed look, Harry hadn't even told Hermione and Ron this information yet. Draco put his hands up, "my lips are absolutely sealed."

"The DADA professor is only here for two years, so I'm going to shadow him next year and then you're looking at future professor Potter," Harry said with a small smile. McGonagall had approached him about that recently and he was looking forward to it.

"That's amazing Harry, that suits you so well," Draco said quickly as the professor walked in. Harry muttered his thanks and looked up to pay attention to the professor.

He wasn't thinking about potions nearly as much as he was thinking about Draco though, and that scared him.

-

A/N I am hanging on by a thread trying to finish this story😖⛓️‍💥 sorry it's such a mess

Hope you enjoyed loves.

Much love,

-H🫶🏼