Twist of Fate

Epilogue

July 30, 2002

The morning sun was still low in the sky and already it was stifling hot as Draco sat reclining on the chaise. His drawing pad was propped up on his knees as he sketched the preliminary storyboard for the next book from Harry's notes. He looked up as Harry burst up the stairs and onto the roof terrace.

"Hey," Harry smiled, breathing hard, "I was afraid I'd missed you."

"Let me guess. You ran up the stairs, because going out and running in this infernal heat wasn't quite enough." Draco said, eyeing him up and down. Harry had already taken off his t-shirt and was blotting his chest with it. Without even consciously thinking about it Draco flipped the page over and started sketching him.

"I ran up the stairs because I wanted to kiss you good morning." Harry said, taking the drawing pad from Draco and setting it on the table. He placed his hands on either side of Draco and leaned in, "Good morning."

"You do realize you are still dripping with sweat?" Draco said, crinkling his nose.

Harry glanced down, "Seem to be," he looked at Draco's crisp linen trousers and silk shirt. "You aren't."

"I know better than to try and move in this heat." Draco reached up and put his hand behind Harry's head pulling him forward, "Unless, it is well rewarded." Draco kissed Harry's neck, feeling the gold and silver necklace that lay against his sweaty skin. Harry hadn't taken it off since the day that Draco had put it back around his neck following the memory session of the first time he'd given it to Harry.

"You certainly moved last night," Harry murmured against Draco's neck.

"And, I was well rewarded." Draco smiled. "Go. Shower."

"Will you still be here when I get out of the shower?"

Draco nodded, "I'm not due at the Center for another hour."

Harry smiled and kissed him, "I'll be quick." He made his way down the iron staircase that led to their bedroom. Draco had moved in exactly a year ago, after the final memory session.

Draco grimaced as he remembered that session. He never thought that anything could match the pain of that September day but having to go through it again with Harry had been almost worse. When he had shared the final memory on the train and Harry saw the wand being held to his head he had screamed in protest, despite the sedation and bonds. The bond circles had tightened as Harry had desperately struggled to break free. They had emerged from the session in physical pain, clinging to each other as the healer hastily released them from the circle. Draco had held Harry tight as his hands struggled to free himself from Draco's grip. Finally the fight went out of Harry and he clung to Draco as they sat on the floor of the treatment room. Harry's tortured breaths and pulse gradually slowed down as his mind struggled to remember that the memory was in the past. That had been over a year ago and Harry still had to go in for monthly checkups at St. Mungo's to make sure that his memory fabric was continuing to heal and accept the grafting.

Draco stepped off the circular staircase just as Harry came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. "I'm guessing you aren't working in the art studios today, that purple shirt wouldn't last long in the studio." Harry commented as he moved over to his dresser and took out a t-shirt and khakis.

"The music counselor is taking her hols and I'm filling in for her. And, to clarify for your obvious and appalling color blindness," Draco glanced down at his shirt and slacks, "This shirt is a light shade of lavender, not purple," he added with a shudder.

"If you say so," Harry said with a smile, as he pulled his t-shirt on. "When are you going to tell me about the surprise party?"

Draco laughed, "Exactly, what surprise party would this be?"