The Contract : Book II [Draco/Harry]

Chapter 4 : Melancholia

It had been a week since Draco had come to live at the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley had insisted upon hearing of his parents' abrupt departure and with the Tonks' house undergoing massive reparations, he really had no choice.

He had been mostly left to his own devices with everyone walking on eggshells around him. Even Granger hadn't tried to prod him out of his deep melancholy, something he was thankful for. Potter had offered a gruff 'sorry' when they had bumped into each other once, but apart from that, they behaved like strangers living under the same roof.

Draco was exempt from being the most hated member of the Weasley household by the appearance of Fleur Delacour, who for some reason known only to womankind, had simultaneously irked Mrs. Weasley, Hermione and Ginny.

Draco hid a smile as Ginny twirled her hands in the air in an attempt to mock Fleur's graceful exit only moments earlier. To his surprise, he found it remarkably easy to get on with Ginny. She had also taken his break up (if it could even be called that) with Potter rather personally, making it a point to let her displeasure of it known to Potter.

But with friendship came the unfortunate liability of satisfying one's burgeoning curiousity, Draco found.

"So, for all intents and purposes, you both are still married?"

"Yes, Ginevra."

Draco took his revenge by using the name Ginny seemed to despise. She glared at him, but with no real heat behind her gaze. She looked on with annoyance as Potter, Granger and her brother were huddled in a corner by the fireplace exchanging heated whispers. Ginny hated being excluded, she had told Draco as much.

"There they go again. Say, do you know what they're whispering 'bout?"

"Nope."

Except Draco did have an inkling. It had been only a few months since the prophecy - Draco didn't want to brood on that for too long, it wasn't his business anymore.

"Ginny!"

Mrs. Weasley's shout had Ginny frowning, she clasped at Draco's sleeve tugging him along with her.

"Hey -"

"I'm not suffering Phlegm alone. Besides, you can distract her with all of your French talk -"

Draco sighed. He supposed it wouldn't be too bad to brush up on his French.

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"Draco."

Draco should have known Granger wouldn't let sleeping dogs lie. She looked nervous, but determined, a combination Draco had come to associate with her. He glanced at her wearily over his Potions book.

"Granger."

Granger didn't beat around the bush, Draco would give her that much at least.

"I think you and Harry should talk. Things can't continue this way."

"On the contrary, I would say things are going really well. No arguments, no slammed doors or tirades, it's been great."

Granger sighed, she sat down next to Draco on his bed. Her earnestness drove Draco spare sometimes.

"We both know that's not the truth. I know there have been some hurtful words said -"

Draco snorted, Granger didn't know the half of it.

"- on both sides."

She paused meaningfully, Draco looked on impassively.

"Harry's agreed. Draco please, just talk to him. Once. That's all I ask. One honest conversation."