Making a New World - Moment by Moment Book #7 (Harry Potter, Drarry)

Exploring

Harry pulled on his Molly-knitted jumper, which had been supplied along with his and his friends' clothes and affects by Poppy after breakfast. He stretched the wool down over his chest, and took in the smell of the Burrow, which never quite left the fibres, before he met the world on the other side of them. He glanced over to his lover, smiling as freedom beckoned, but he held back the full expression, inhibited by the warning Poppy had delivered to him.

Harry hadn't touched Draco either since leaving Poppy's office, unsure of himself, and wondering who might take offence at his relationship to Draco. Draco had seemed aware of his thoughts, and had not offered contact beyond the odd glance. Harry was also trying to keep his emotions in check, holding back from anything that roused them in order to stop his magic acting out. The endeavour had worked, mainly, and there had only been one further incident when Harry's boiled egg had jumped out of its cup and into his lap. Luckily it had not been broken and it had caused no more than a laugh and some more ribbing from the rest of the room. Still, the young man was glad Poppy had made the decision she had, because many more accidents and he thought he would remain beetroot forever.

Finally, Harry placed his hairbrush and toiletries into his bag and looked to his friends.

"Time to go," Ron announced, with the same grin in place that had been plastered across his face since he had found out his wife would be coming back to Hogwarts.

"After you," Harry waved his best friend in front of himself, and then he fell in behind him.

Draco brought up the rear, and slowly the trio made their way down the room, saying goodbye to anyone and everyone. People waved and smiled and generally commiserated that they couldn't go with them. Harry was very glad to be going: he was feeling exposed in the open environment, and despite the good will, he couldn't shake the way everyone's attention made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. However, as they approached the end of the room, the attention became less onerous as a call came from the back of the ward, "Harry, Draco."

All three young men turned round and looked at Jason, who was standing at the end of his bed, which was not going to please Poppy, because he was still on complete bed rest. As soon as he had their attention, Jason's smile broadened to a grin, and he bellowed, "Three cheers for the Saviours of Britain. Hip, hip..."

'Hooray' rang out from every direction, including from Ron, who very heartily slapped Harry on the back hard enough so that he took a rapid step forward and slammed into Draco. He steadied himself by placing a hand on his lover's shoulder and then watched over that shoulder, taken aback by the noise.

"Hip, hip..."

A second cheer sent shivers through Harry as the incredible amount of praise embarrassed and made him proud at the same time. He'd been in front of crowds who were cheering him before, but during war that had been a strange adulation which had placed the burden of figurehead on him. This gratitude was different, no expectations, just thanks, and he smiled.

"Hip, hip..."

The final shout quickly descended into clapping, and Harry discovered that Draco was a much better showman than he was; his partner performed a formal, flourished bow, which made people laugh and clap even harder. He then began to back out of the room, waving goodbye. Harry waved as well, and nodded his goodbye to Poppy as they passed her office, and then, with the shouts still ringing in his ears, Harry found himself in the corridor outside the Room of Requirement. Waking up in the ward, Harry had only reason rather than any other association to connect the large room with the magical chamber, and half of him had been expecting to be somewhere else, so he took his time getting his bearings. Draco it seemed was also taking his time, and was staring at the floor, a small smile playing over his lips. Harry ran his hand down the shoulder on which it had been resting, over the arm and took hold of the palm which was on the end of it. Draco glanced up at him, and he squeezed the hand he had taken, smiling back.