Twist of Fate

Chapter 22

Harry's last glimpse of Draco was of the blond leaning against the iron gate... "Thanks for the dance" With those words echoing his head he turned and apparated away.

He landed on the doorstep of his Devon home. The crack of his arrival started the neighbor's dog barking at the disturbance. Harry stepped into the house only long enough to shed his formal robes and grab a jacket. Heading out the back door and he went through the garden to the footpath that led to the moor. There were so many thoughts running through his head that he didn't know what to think about...the first moments when they had walked onto the dance floor and Draco had put his arms around Harry like it was something that happened every day. How he had stared into Harry's eyes. The heat of Draco's hand pressing against his back. Harry pressed his lips grimly together, dancing with Draco Malfoy was definitely not what he had intended when he had thought about attending the opening. It was the last thing he needed right now.

The cold night air chilled him as he made his way up the well-worn path, stepping over roots and ruts. He had traveled the path so often he could find his way easily in the near pitch black. At last he reached the tor that erupted with craggy sharpness out of the moorland. During the day he would climb it to get to the top but tonight he apparated to the top. He leaned against the outcropping that made a natural chaise and stared up at the sky. In the darkness of the new moon he could see the millions of stars in the sky and yet all he saw was Malfoy's eyes staring back at him as they danced around the floor.

OOoOo

Harry woke up the next morning cold and stiff from his late night walk. He cursed and eased himself out of bed. Brewing the strongest coffee he could make he went and sat out on the stone fence in his garden, staring at the moor. The cold air cut through his jersey but he didn't bother casting a warming spell, it felt good to be outside. The farmer down the road was leading his sheep up the path to the downs for grazing and Harry watched the skittish movements of the lumbering animals as he sipped his coffee.

"Harry," he turned to the sound of his name coming from inside the house and realized that the floo was still closed. Knowing Hermione's habits he should have opened them immediately when he got up to save time. Stretching, he stood up and went back into the house.

"Coming." He called out and went and poured another mug of coffee and took it in to the living room. Hermione's head was still in the flames and she was peering around the room.

"There you are! Where were you?" She said disgruntledly as Harry pointed his wand at the fireplace, releasing the wards. She stepped through, brushing the ash from her hair and clothes. She took the offered mug with a smile.

"Outside. Do you want to be inside or out today? Where's Ron?"

"Inside. You can make me breakfast, please. Ron is still sleeping..." they walked into the kitchen and Harry set about making eggs and sausages.

"Ron have a little too much firewhiskey?" Harry asked with a side glance.

"Just a tad, had to side-apparate him home." She said with a wrinkle of her nose. "I think seeing you and Draco dancing was a little too much reality for him."

"It was just a bloody dance!"

"I know, but you know how Ron is, the thought of you and Draco together—"

"We are not together!" Harry slammed his hand down, forgetting about the egg he was holding and it smashed on the counter.

Hermione smiled and shook her head. She pulled out her wand and cleaned up the mess. "I know that, he knows that but seeing you two dancing just reminded him of what happened between you. Hence, firewhiskey."