Cheers, Potter.

Fancy the Three Broomsticks?

Harry's POV

I couldn't sleep. It wasn't the nightmares or anxiety, I just didn't feel like sleeping. Since Professor Slughorn had given me the draught I'd slept like Fluffy listening to the harp but tonight I didn't want to. I decided instead to go for an invisible wander around the castle, for old time's sake. It hadn't registered yet how strange it was to be back at Hogwarts; everything was so different from when I started in first year. Different professors, McGonagall was Head Mistress, a whole new body of students had replaced the lot since my first arrival, new common rooms – actually, quite a lot of the castle was new because of the reparations after the war.

Luckily, Professor Lupin had taught me to update the Marauders Map before... anyway, it was easy enough to find my way around thanks to it's enchantments. It was sometimes strange just how easily I could get to and fro without even thinking, like it was second nature. Before long I found myself not paying attention and bumping into a fellow unsuspecting wanderer.

"What in Merlin's name—?" A tall blonde said, a frustratingly indignant and punchable look on his face.

I uncloaked myself just to glare at him.

"What are you looking at me like that for? You were bloody invisible!"

"I—" irritatingly, he was right.

"What are you doing out so late, Potter?" Malfoy asked, his usual malign tone seemed to be gone but he obviously wasn't asking out of politeness, "Not following me again are you?"

"No, we agreed not to do that anymore," I narrowed my eyes at him, "What are you doing up, Malfoy? Surely, it's way past your bedtime."

We glared at each other as seconds passed and somehow found ourselves grinning.

Malfoy had never smiled at me without some foul intention behind it before, but in that moment I wished he had because he had a pretty nice smile. He had dimples.

Realising that a while had gone by without either of us saying a word we both coughed and puffed out our chests, all man-like. If 'Mione were there she'd have rolled her eyes so hard they'd fall out of their sockets.

"I, uh, couldn't sleep."

"Yes, nor I," he replied, I fought down the urge to roll my eyes at the formality in his tone.

More awkward silence.

"How's your mum?" I asked, obviously grasping at straws, it was a stupid attempt at conversation but Malfoy seemed grateful for the relief of tension.

"She's in France at the moment," he paused, not sure if he should continue, "She couldn't stay after..."

The War, the trials, Lucius being sentenced to Azkaban.

"You know, you did the right thing in the end," I don't know why I was trying to reassure him, perhaps it was the kicked puppy look on his face, "giving me your wand and fighting with us once I'd... risen from the dead and all..."

"I assure you, Potter, you may be the only person in the school that refuses to hold me accountable for my role in the War."

"Well, I've never been the sharpest tool in the shed."

"That's an understatement." We both smiled again.

"Anyway, I should probably get back," we nodded in unison as Malfoy said something to the same effect.

"Oh, by the way, Ron wants to try and beat you at Wizards Chess, I said I'd ask."

"Right, yeah, that sounds... good. What about tomorrow after lessons?"

"Cool, I'll let him know," I suddenly didn't know what to do with myself and was very grateful for the invisibility cloak under my arm. Wrapping it around me I said, "See you later, Malfoy."

~Ж~

"Checkmate," Ron said, pleased with himself. Hermione rolled her eyes at how proud he was but kissed him on the cheek for his efforts.

Malfoy looked down but smiled, a strange gesture I couldn't quite place.

"I'm not kissing you," I said to Ron but bumped his fist instead.

"Well done, Weasley," Malfoy said respectfully, almost seeming surprised but disguising it quite well, "You are quite the Chess Master."

"Yeah, you're not that bad either, Malfoy" they shook hands amicably, which I'd not expected from the Slytherin. He stood and turned away from the table and wandered off to do whatever it was that he did these days.

"You thought he'd win, didn't you, Harry," Hermione nudged my shoulder, a sly smile on her otherwise sweet face.

"I've gotta say, mate, I'm a bit offended," Ron chimed in as if he'd known I was silently betting against him.

"I don't know," I said defensively, "He's a poncy git, they're usually good at this sort of thing!"

"Good, but not brilliant," Hermione reasoned, hooking her arm around Ron's side once he stood up, planting a soft kiss on his lips.

I made a comically exaggerated barf noise and excused myself, "I'm going to leave you guys to it before I see something I can't un-see."

They knew I was happy for them really, and I knew they needed time for just the two of them now that they were actually together, and I didn't hold that against them. I was glad to see them happy but after everything with Ginny ended, I couldn't help but feel a bit jealous of their love-induced bliss.

And so, I wandered off to the common room, hoping that Dean and Seamus could dredge themselves out of each other's eyes long enough to hang out with me. However, it seemed that my hands and feet had other plans and I caught myself unfolding the Marauder's Map from my pocket walking towards Draco Malfoy's footsteps.

It didn't take me long to catch up to him, he seemed to be on his way to the courtyard which was where Blaise, I assumed, was waiting for him. When I was no more than ten steps behind him he suddenly stopped and turned looking down at the Remembrall in his hand, heading straight for me. So I panicked, but not in a sensible way.

I pushed myself up against the wall as hard as I could as if that would hide me from sight and almost as soon as I did, I realised it was ridiculous and tried to scurry past him before he looked up – an equally ridiculous idea that obviously didn't work.

"Sorry I–" Malfoy began as be bumped shoulders, but when he looked and saw me he looked thoroughly exhausted, "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to the courtyard," I answered too quickly.

"Why?" he asked knowing I was lying.

"Because that is where the... people are,"

"Right, well, enjoy your people," he drawled, looking at me as though I was a basket case and currently, I was in no state to object.

Now, I couldn't tell you what possessed me to say what I did next but I stopped him as he began to walk away and asked, "A few of us are going to the Three Broomsticks tomorrow, do you want to come?" for some reason I felt it necessary to add, "Seventh and eighth years only, you could bring Zabini?"

Looking conflicted and confused, Malfoy was quiet a little longer and, after an obvious battle in his head, replied with a simple, "Okay," and hurried off. When he was out of earshot I let out a breath I hadn't realised I was holding. What the Hell have you just done, Harry? I chastised myself, what are you going to do now?

I went back to the dorm room after that so that I couldn't do any more damage, and the next morning, after mulling it over for what felt like the entire night, I turned to Ron and asked, "Fancy going to The Three Broomsticks tonight?