The Aftermath

Chapter 9

Harry was sitting with Hermione. She had brought Severus along with her. He was still pup sized but not nearly as small as he was a few weeks ago. It was getting close to going back to Hogwarts and they were planning their meet to buy school supplies; without Ron.

"I can't believe it, Hermione."

"Harry,"

"He just walks around like he's so happy without me. And I'm here working with his girl and being civil and not telling her why Ron doesn't want to be my friend. Especially the magic part of it. Cause I don't even know if he's told her yet. Why?" Harry paused for dramatic effect. "He's not speaking to me."

Hermione sighed. She, of course, was still speaking to Ron. But never about Harry. And Harry... he missed his best friend and was having trouble adjusting. They were his family. He didn't have anyone else so losing Ron was like losing a brother. He was taking it hard.

"You said he would come around. We are almost heading back to school and nothing."

"I know Harry. I'm as shocked as you are." They didn't have any silencing charms up because they didn't plan on talking about anything remotely wizard. And if they did it be safe enough to write of as teens being weird. Their food came and for a few moments, there was nothing but the sound of other chatter and eating.

"Of all the things i thought to lose a friend over in our world, my sexuality was not one. I'm not surprised though. I should've manned up when gay jokes were laid instead of going along."

"Harry we were both guilty of that."

"Hermione don't lie. You never failed to tell him or anyone it wasn't funny. Even when the jokes were so good you were struggling not to laugh yourself."

Hermione chuckled. It was true.

"Fair enough. He will either come around or he won't. There's nothing you can do about that."

"He doesn't even miss me though. That hurts most. He's the bad guy why am I so broken up by this. I just want my friend, my brother back."  Harry looked down towards his food letting a heavy sigh escape from him.  Hermione wished she could magic some happiness into him but forcing emotions never ended well.  That's how Voldemort came into being.

"I understand. I do. But you came out of this war a drunken borderline sex addicted teen. It's taken you almost the entire break to finally get a grasp on yourself. Don't let this derail you. You're better than that." Harry knew that she was right. It didn't make it any easier to just move on.

"If she asks me again what's going on I'm telling her. Not the magic parts but that he hates that I'm bisexual. We get along just fine and I'm not letting his issues ruin that. He can deal with it however best he can." Hermione wasn't sure this was the best solution but she was here for it all the same.  One ryined friendship was enough. Severus seemed to be a little tense, curious really. He sensed something that was making him alert but not enough to be bothered. Hermione looked around. She thought she saw something but didn't have time to acknowledge it.

"I think I need someone to fill that void again. Now that there's no Ginny, dealing with all the Drama of being the boy who lived is hard. Voldemort is gone but the memories, the death, that stupid connection I had to him because I survived the curse; it all lingers. It doesn't just go away. Maybe I'm just growing up and I'm past the stage where you and Ron are enough." Severus decided he did want to inspect the situation. Hermione let him.

"Are you sure you're ready for a relationship?"

"Not really. But I'd like for someone strong-willed enough to fly in on their broom and make me believe I am. Change my mind. And considering what my life has been like I can't think of a single soul ready to carry that much baggage. Especially when everyone comes with their own baggage. Maybe I'm just going to live out my days with fleeting romances that fizzle out once things get to close."

Hermione thought for a while and then smiled to herself.

"What are you thinking?"

"Just. It's funny before the war school romance was just this thing that we went through. Now, coming up on your 18th birthday it's a serious thing. Like every person we meet next could be our forever. When did it get to this point." They both laughed together, lightly. It was definitely a change from talking about secret plots and NEWTS and OWLS. Almost like regular human conversation. Things had indeed changed.

"I dunno. But after this summer. A nice real relationship would be a pleasant surprise. Okay, a nice real open relationship."

"Then you should probably hex Blaise into a gay man. I'm sure he would have no issues about you shagging all of England." Harry laughed. Blaise was sex on legs. Everyone thought this.

"Did you?" He asked Hermione.

"Oh god yes. And don't you ever tell Ron."

"Your secret is safe with me... until it's not."

Draco was out to lunch. Still trying to sort out his life. How to move past the lingering memories of his father. Move past his time on the Dark side. He had a vague idea of how to do it and started in on it. But he wasn't sure. It was, however, his only idea.

While he was contemplating his thoughts he heard two familiar voices. He gave a quick glance, sure enough Harry and Hermione were not too far from him. They probably couldn't recognise him firstly because of his hair and secondly, he was more muscular. Unless you'd seen him since the war he was too different to just notice.

He mumbled a tiny spell to enhance his hearing. There was something ironic in the fact that he was now doing what Harry had done to him for years. He let out a slight chuckle remembering the time on the train when he stunned Harry hiding in the luggage rack. Hogwarts definitely had its moments. What he heard though was definitely miles away from what he was expecting to hear. He was even more unnerved when Hermione's Dracanis came over to him. Not so much after it nudged his leg looking for a rub. He obliged and petted the animal which quickly left and went back to his owner.  He knew a fair bit about them considering it shared half of his name.

After listening to their conversation he was certain about his idea. He was going to write a memoir about the life of a kid in an abusive household and being forced to join the Dark. Just lay it all on the line. People needed to know that just because one followed the Dark Lord it didn't mean they all wanted to. He knew he wasn't the only child or family in an awkward position who'd have to struggle to clean up their family name. Who knew who this story might help?

With that in mind he got up from the table, paid, and started to walk to a place where it was safe to apparate home. He obviously wasn't thinking right because he ended up on Diagon Alley. Almost in a panic. He checked to make sure all of him was there. Thankfully no splicing had occurred. He had to be thinking about where he stood extremely clear to make it there whole. But why? When he saw what shop he was standing outside of he knew why. And, thankfully, they had what he needed.