All the wrong choices

Hot Chocolate & Home Truths

They stepped out together into the warmth that was the café. The smell of coffee and cake filled the air. He looked over at the blond and felt the nerves return. For a second, Malfoy's face looked open and vulnerable, unlike any expression Harry had ever seen before. As their eyes met, he looked startled for a moment as though he had forgotten that they were there together. Harry smiled shyly feeling the need to smooth the way between them. He wasn't sure what had made him be so forward. He realised that he was still holding the green jacket, and held it out to the other wizard. It was Malfoys turn to smile. He took the blazer and folded it carefully as he placed it in his bag.

"So what time is the viewing?" Harry asked, "Do we have time for a coffee first?" Draco smiled but shook his head.

"It's in about ten minutes but the next one isn't until later, we could always come back?" He asked sounding hopeful.

"Sounds like a plan, that is if you want me to tag along?" Harry said testing the water.

"Well I can't get rid of you now," Draco said sarcastically as he teased with a smile. Harry felt his heart thud at the sight. "Come on, or we'll be late" Draco walked to the door and held it open for Harry. Harry pushed through and waited for Draco to follow.

"So what kind of place are you looking for?" Harry asked. He wanted to know what had happened to

Malfoy Manor, he would ask later if the conversation allowed.

"Just somewhere small and closer to the ministry, nothing too special" Draco smiled deprecatingly.

"You looking for a self-contained flat or house shares?" Harry asked as they strolled through the chilled street. All the windows were still steamed up

"At first I'll look at self-contained and see how desperate I become," He smiled again "There probably aren't many people lining up to share a house with an ex-death eater." He laughed.

"I never thought of that" Harry said.

"I managed to forget for a little while, but being back has brought back a lot of memories," He said sadly

"Ron said you'd been all over the place, How come you left?" Harry asked enjoying the new openness between them.

"After Mother died there didn't really seem to be any reason for me to stay. So I decided to go off and see the world" He smiled

"And escape here?" Harry asked "It must have been a nightmare, I can imagine, I'm so sorry about your Mother" Draco smiled appreciatively. After a moment he chuckled.

"You can imagine? The chosen one?" Malfoy laughed and looked down the street to where they were going.

"Do you not remember the hard time you and Rita Skeeter gave me in fourth year? Since Voldemort's death, there have been exposé's where my many "lovers" have come forward to spill the beans about their nights of passion or lack of. There have been reporters hounding me for my autobiography. Even my friends are pestered for every minute detail about my life." He sighed "Life under a microscope is not easy or fun" Malfoy seemed to look at him with a strange appearance.

"You really don't enjoy the attention?" Malfoy asked. "Not even a little bit?"

"Let's just say, I keep a healthy stock of Polyjuice potion at home" Harry winked, and he thought he saw him blush.

They walked in silence for a while before Harry opened his mouth again. "Why don't you live in Malfoy Manor?" The other man was silent for a long time, so long that Harry didn't think he was going to answer.