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1. Hermione Granger
It was only as Hermione looked up from her book that she spotted the duo in the far corner of the eighth year common room. Harry seemingly had his notes spread out on the table before them. He was frowning in a way that Hermione recognized easily. Harry always sported this expression when he was moments away from comprehending a complex matter. His eyes were glowing with determination.
Draco had his left arm around Harry’s shoulder. He was running his hand through Harry’s black strands of hair. The gesture seemed unconsciously intimate, Hermione thought as she watched the pair’s interaction. She felt like intruding but at the same time, she could not divert her gaze and go back to reading. Her eyes felt transfixed on the sight before her.
If Hermione had to be honest, she would admit that at first, she did not understand the relationship between her best friend and his former archnemesis. She had thought they had too much bad blood between them to ever leave their rivalry behind them and become friends. She had even voiced her worries to Harry at the beginning of the year. Maybe Draco only used him to restore his reputation?
Hermione had not expected them to hit it off the way they did: Harry had invited Draco into their study group, pointedly ignoring Ron’s complaints. Draco had formally apologized to both of them - to Ron for insulting his family and repeatedly making fun of his financial problems and to Hermione for being blinded by his purist upbringing and for calling her all those ugly names. Hermione had recognized the honesty and genuineness behind those words.
Still, her worry’s stayed. Hermione knew that she had developed trust issues throughout the war with too many allies betraying them. She argued that it was her nature to keep distrusting Draco after everything. She was happy to be proven wrong for once.
The effect Draco had on Harry was monumental. Harry, the boy who had previously been shying away from touch, could not keep his hands away from Draco, always finding a way to touch him. Draco let him, even indulging Harry’s need (It took two weeks for Hermione to realize that Draco was as touch-starved as Harry and could not keep his hands to himself, too). In Draco’s presence, Harry let himself relax. He had started showing his true emotions, the good and the bad. Not seldom had Hermione found them entangled into each other, one comforting the other, gentle hands drawing circles into exposed skin, featherlight kisses pressed onto foreheads.
Harry looked up from his homework and turned his head towards Draco, puckering his lips. Draco laughed and pressed a quick kiss to Harry’s lips, making Hermione’s heart flutter with joy for her best friend. Draco whispered something to Harry who turned his head and caught Hermione’s gaze. His eyes were sparkling. A smile broke out on her face before she could help herself. Her worries were finally left in the past.
2. Ron Weasley
Contrary to popular belief, Ron was not as thick and oblivious as people thought (mainly Hermione). He did notice the changes in his best friend. He had seen Harry’s misery when he tried to be with Ginny again. Ron had counted the days until they finally broke up. He had also seen the way Harry had first been starstruck by Bill when they had first met years ago, as well as resigned himself to watching Harry’s growing obsession with Malfoy throughout their years at Hogwarts (especially in their sixth year and they all knew how that turned out). So, it came as no surprise when Harry had hesitantly come out to him as bisexual and Ron had been fully prepared to be a supportive best friend.
What had, in fact, caught Ron by surprise was the aspect of the intimacy of Harry’s new relationship. With Malfoy. Merlin, Ron had not yet gotten used to this development. He was still blushing red like a tomato whenever he spotted Harry being all lovey-dovey with the blond git, touching him, and, Merlin forbid, kissing him. He had known Harry as a very private person, keeping everything to himself, sharing only the necessary stuff (For example, the idiot had “forgotten” to tell the Weasleys about the abuse he had suffered at the hands of his relatives. His mum had almost fainted as Harry had casually mentioned it in a throw-away comment during the summer).
However, what surprised Ron the most was the amount of mutual support. He knew about Harry’s nightmares, he had often witnessed them himself and he had Ginny ask him for advice. Harry always woke up screaming, crying, and disoriented. Ron had seen his best mate slowly suffer from his nightly terrors, opting to just stay awake instead of facing his trauma.
Since Harry had gotten together with Draco, Ron had not been awakened by Harry’s nightmares. At first, he had thought that Harry was casting silencing charms to not disturb the night rest of his roommates. Only after observing the slowly reducing tiredness of his best friend, did he start questioning the true nature of this development.
In the end, Ron did not plan on eavesdropping but he couldn’t help himself. It was early in the morning. The sun had not yet risen and the sky was painted in a greyish blue colour. Ron had spent the night with Hermione and was now sneaking back into his dormitory. He stopped dead in his tracks when he heard the murmurs of soft voices. At first, he thought that he had been caught red-handed, but then he recognized Malfoy’s voice. He spoke too quietly for Ron to understand what was spoken but he still heard the tenderness within those words.
Malfoy was in Harry’s bed! For a moment, Ron felt scandalized but then he shook his head. No, he had just spent the night in his girlfriend’s bed. He would be a hypocrite for scolding his best friend for seeking out the comfort of his loved one.
Malfoy’s voice quietened. Ron heard Harry’s sighs and what sounded like the shuffling of bedsheets. Ron hurried to his own bed, not wanting to be caught standing in the middle of the room like a bloody idiot. He had only just reached his bed and managed to hide under his blanket when he heard soft kissing, Harry humming and then someone quietly making their way across the room. Malfoy’s bed creaked, the fabric of his blanket rustled and then it was quiet.
Ron closed his eyes, contemplating the recent events. He wanted to ask his best friend about his nightly sleeping habits but decided against it. Harry was cared for, so much was evident and everything Ron needed to know. He adjusted his blanket around him and closed his eyes. Maybe Draco had been the one Harry had needed all along.
3. Ginny Weasley
Ginny sat on the bleachers of Hogwart’s Quidditch stadium, watching Malfoy and Harry chasing each other on their brooms. Her heart felt heavy as she listened to Harry’s carefree laugh. He had never laughed like this in her presence, even before they had started dating for the first time one and a half years ago.
Ginny wouldn’t lie to herself. She had hoped to rekindle their love. Harry had always been the man of her dreams, the one she wanted by her side. But the war had changed them. They were different people now and they both knew that.
Ginny thought back to the short period when they had both tried to be with each other again. Ginny had quickly found out that she had no idea how to deal with Harry’s nightmares, with his screams in the middle of the night and the tears streaming down his face. He would recoil from her touch whenever she tried to reach out. She quickly stopped, instead opting for giving him space. It seemed to help, at least she had thought.
But Harry, too, had no idea how to be with her properly. He was so incredibly polite all the time, not sure how to handle her, never initiating intimacy out of fear of overstepping her boundaries. Harry had carried this air of awkwardness around him, not being able to shake it off completely.
At the end of the summer break, a few days before the start of their last year at Hogwarts, Harry had approached her hesitantly, wanting to talk to her. He had explained his feelings, said that he knew that they were not meant to be, that he loved her but saw her more as a sister than a girlfriend. Ginny had sighed and grabbed his hand. She had assured him that she, too, had realized that their relationship was not like before and that he was not what she wanted and needed in a man - not anymore, at least. In the end, they both had cried and hugged, promising to stay friends.
Now, Ginny wondered if Harry’s heart had ever truly belonged to her. Even before their first break up, just before the extent of the war’s madness became obvious, Ginny had not seen Harry as cheerful as this. Harry had not smiled like this in her presence.
Even months after their final break up, her heart broke when she saw him with Malfoy out of all people. She was still jealous, yes, but as she watched Harry catching the snitch before Malfoy as he had done so many times prior, she knew deep down in her heart, that she would heal and be truly happy for Harry and Malfoy.
4. Narcissa Malfoy
The soft sound of french music caught Narcissa’s attention as she made her way to the dining room. She stopped and listened. The music seemed to be coming from the ballroom. She was intrigued. It had been so long since the room had been properly used and Narcissa dreamed of the day she would be able to host another event there again.
The door was ajar, leaving a tiny gap for her to take a look into the room. The sight made her quietly gasp. Her heart fluttered and she had to press a pale hand to her chest.
Narcissa absentmindedly remembered the discussion Draco had had with Harry about his dancing abilities, saying something about his “atrocious dance moves” and the need to learn some ballroom dances. It seemed like her son had finally managed to talk his boyfriend into working on his dancing skills.
Draco was patiently leading Harry through a slow waltz. Narcissa thought back to the evenings she had spent dancing with her son, teaching him all variations of dances when Lucius had been away for business. Oh, how she had enjoyed their evening dances. Draco had taken to dancing very quickly, always leading her around the ballroom as if it was second nature to him. While dancing, he had looked so carefree , Narcissa remembered.
The look on Harry’s face made her quietly chuckle. He was frowning in concentration, his green eyes showing his determination to follow Draco’s lead and not step on his partner's feet. He looked awfully tense, his fingers gripping onto Draco’s shoulder as if his life depended on it.
Draco seemed to sense his boyfriend’s misery. He leaned forward, his lips brushing against Harry’s ear, whispering something. Harry’s facial expression changed instantly. His eyes met Draco’s and Narcissa watched the way the frown left his face, being replaced by something much more tender. A few wrinkles formed around those green eyes. A smile graced Harry’s lips and Narcissa felt her heart break. Harry’s face, which had been awfully closed off the whole time he had visited the Manor, showed the love he felt for Draco like an open book.
Narcissa watched as Draco leaned forward again, pulling Harry into a soft kiss. Harry’s eyes fluttered close and he slightly tilted his head to give Draco better access. The hand that had rested on Draco’s shoulder made its way upwards, bony fingers running through platinum blond hair.
Now, that he was not thinking about his dancing performance anymore, Harry seemed to relax against Draco, moving with him as if dancing was his second nature. Even after their kiss ended, Harry did not return to his tense state. Instead, he pressed his face into the juncture of Draco’s neck and shoulder. Draco leaned his head against Harry’s.
Narcissa kept watching them for a few more moments before she decided to leave them alone. She had seen enough and would not impose on her son’s private moment any longer. But deep down, she felt a warmth spread through her body. After everything that he had been through, her dragon had found his happiness and Narcissa would give everything she had to protect it.
5. Molly Weasley
It was late when Molly finished cleaning up behind her family. It had been their first celebration after the war and Molly had been ecstatic to have everyone over for the holidays (not everyone, a broken part of her heart reminded her, but she learned to live with her grief). She sighed and put away the last dishes she had just cleaned.
After such a bustling day, Molly was exhausted - the good kind, where she could still feel the warmth of her family and the comfort from those she loved dearly. She knew it wouldn’t take long for her to follow her husband to bed but she decided to take a few moments just to calm down and bask in her happiness. Maybe she could read a book while listening to the fire crackling in the fireplace, with one of her woollen blankets thrown around her shoulders.
Molly turned off the light in the kitchen and made her way over to the living room with the full intention of relaxing when she spotted the pair on the sofa and stopped abruptly. Lying on the sofa, she saw the entangled bodies of Harry and Draco Malfoy, sleeping peacefully.
At first, Molly had been wary when Harry had asked her about bringing Draco Malfoy along. She had remembered the way her sons had spoken about the boy, the angry complaints about his attitude, the rage about his pureblood supremacist world views, as well as Arthur’s remarks about Draco’s father. But Harry, who must have sensed her worry, had taken his time to explain how Draco had saved their lives, how he tried to change and be better. She had looked the boy she had adopted as her own all those years ago into the eyes, recognized the emotion behind those green orbs and pulled him into a hug.
Molly moved a little closer to the boys - Merlin, they were grown men now, she realized with a pinch of sadness. Harry laid flat on his back, with Draco draped all over him. Harry’s right arm was thrown over Draco while his left arm must have fallen, now hanging down to the floor. Draco, too, had his arms around the other boy, fingers twisted in the wool of his Weasley sweater. He had hidden his face in Harry’s neck.
They looked peaceful, Molly thought, as if they never had to endure the trauma and violence of the war they had just fought. Harry’s face, which had always been closed off, not showing his real emotions, looked so young and serene as he was laying there, the other boy in his arms.
Now, seeing their sleeping forms on her sofa, Molly could finally put a name to these emotions she had seen in her adoptive son’s eyes. Her boy had fallen in love. What a shame that he and Ginny will never get back together, a quiet voice murmured in the back of her mind but she quickly caught herself. Yes, she had always secretly hoped that her daughter and Harry would find their way back to each other, now, however, Molly realized that this would never have been possible. Ginny was not what Harry needed. Instead, she was happy that her troubled boy had finally found his one .
A small smile grazed Molly’s lips as she reached for the blanket she originally had planned on cuddling up under and carefully draped it around her boys. She took her book from the coffee table, put out the fire in the fireplace and left for her bedroom. As she climbed into bed next to her husband who was softly snoring Molly thought that this Christmas had been better than she could have ever imagined.
+1 Lucius Malfoy
If all this time spent in Azkaban had taught Lucius anything, it must be that there was justice left in this world. He had had a lot of time to think about his life choices, about the way he had seen the world and treated his name as an excuse for his poor judgement. After the war, they had sentenced him to five years in Azkaban. He had expected a much harsher punishment, already prepared to spend the rest of his life in a small cell, having all his sanity sucked out of him by dementors. Five years seemed like an awfully short time compared to all the evil he had done during his life.
Lucius had been prepared to come back to a changed world. He had not been prepared for this reality. He had never hoped to return back to Malfoy Manor, being welcomed back by his wife. Narcissa had changed, too. Gone were the tension and the resignation on her face. Instead, she had greeted him with warmth and a kiss on the cheek. She had wrapped her arms around him, holding him close to her body. After all these years in Azkaban, her appearance equalled that of an angel. He had sunken into her warmth, breathing her in, soaking in all the comfort she had to offer.
It had been later that day, that she had pulled Lucius aside to talk. She told him about Draco and did not hesitate to point out that if he ever dared to put Draco’s happiness at stake again, he would be back in Azkaban. Lucius had only nodded and slowly reached for Narcissa’s hands. She reciprocated the squeeze of his hands.
Now, sitting at a table in a small corner of his garden, watching the wedding, Lucius thought back to this moment. He had meant it when he assured his wife to leave all the hate and prejudices in the past. And Merlin, he was glad that he did. He could not imagine losing his family again because of his own mistakes. He would do everything to prevent that.
The wedding had been beautiful. Narcissa and Molly Weasley had outdone themselves. The Manor, which had once been a place of pain and torture, had been transformed into a place straight out of a fairytale. The sun was shining brightly. Flowers were blooming everywhere. Lanterns had been hung up all around the garden. A fresh breeze made them sway softly in the air.
The ceremony had been beautiful. Draco had been glowing as Narcissa had walked him down the aisle. Harry, who had looked moments away from fainting, had relaxed as soon as he had spotted his fiancé. A part of Lucius regretted not being there for the majority of their relationship. He had missed so much during his time in prison that he felt like a stranger in his own life. He had been so overcome with emotions during the heartfelt vows that he could not hold back his tears. Narcissa had squeezed his hand comfortingly.
Now, his wife was being led across the dancefloor by Arthur Weasley. In another corner, Lucius spotted the Granger girl - Hermione, he corrected himself - laughing uncontrollably at her boyfriend who failed to remember the correct steps for the waltz that was currently playing, stepping on her toes repeatedly. Lucius did not suppress the small smile threatening to spread across his face.
His attention was quickly caught by his son who was talking to a girl with messy blond hair. His husband was standing by his side with an arm around Draco’s back. Draco leaned back against Harry’s side, resting his head against the other man’s shoulder. He looked so serene, Lucius realized. He had never seen his son so content. It hurt him deep in his soul that he had been responsible for all the weight Draco had had to carry all through his life.
His thoughts were interrupted by Molly Weasley asking him to dance. Lucius hesitated for a moment before taking her hand and leading her to the dancefloor. A feeling of gladness spread through his body. The world had truly changed!