Salchows and Serendipity (Harry Potter/Winter Olympics Xover)

13. Moving Forward

Of course, it was only when he had left Johnny and Evan alone to have a quiet talk that he realised he had no idea how to get hold of Draco. They moved in different worlds, literally, and Draco didn't have a mobile phone. It took a good hour and a half and several phone calls and lots of explaining before he finally managed to get a message through via a friend of a friend who knew someone who could get a note to where Draco worked. The note had a partial explanation and his phone number, and he only hoped Draco would be able to ring him.

An hour later his mobile went off.

"Hi," he said as he answered it, "James here."

"Harry?" said a rather unsure voice from the other end.

"Draco," Harry said, brightening instantly, "thank god, I thought I'd never reach you, thanks for calling."

"Yes, well I'm borrowing a phone in the Muggle office next to mine," Draco replied and seemed to be finding the whole thing unsettling. "What was it you needed to speak to me about so urgently?"

Harry only hoped he wasn't about to offend Draco with his suggestion.

"This is probably going to sound bizarre, but would you mind if we made tomorrow a double date?" he asked, deciding that beating around the bush just wouldn't work.

There was silence from the other end.

"Let me guess," Draco finally said, "your vampire and his mate."

Harry wouldn't have put it in those terms, but it amounted to the same thing.

"Yes," he replied, hoping he hadn't just blown it; "let's just say there's been some drama here since you left, and I'd really like to make sure there isn't any more. I'll make it up to you."

That drew a laugh from Draco.

"You're a hopeless romantic, aren't you?" Draco said, sounding amused, which made Harry breathe a sigh of relief, "Are you sure you shouldn't have been a Hufflepuff?"

"The hat mentioned Slytherin," Harry replied, beginning to relax, "but never Hufflepuff."

"Oh Merlin, you'd have ruined my house," Draco responded in a very dramatic tone; "your Gryffindor tendencies would have infected everyone. Thank god the hat had some sense."

Harry actually laughed; it was funny how something that had been so serious at school felt so insignificant now.

"So, we're still on for tomorrow then?" he asked, just to make sure.

"Yes, Harry," Draco replied and Harry decided now was not the time to remind Draco he was James now, "I will ring and change my booking. Just make sure the colonials do not embarrass me."

Harry laughed again; he was almost sure Draco was only joking.

~*~

Harry didn't see Johnny again until mid-evening, when he received a text message about meeting up for coffee. When he arrived at the little café in the village, he found it was a group gathering and as well as Johnny, Evan, Ohno and Celski were there too. Johnny looked much brighter and together than he had last seen him, which was very good news.

"Jimmy," Johnny saw him and waved him over.

It seemed there was already a drink on the table for him.

"I ordered for you," Johnny said and gave him a huge smile before linking arms with him and dragging him into a seat.

Harry took one look at Evan and Johnny and realised that the two were carefully not touching and Harry realised Johnny was using him as a substitute. They were in the middle of a public café, so he didn't object.