Chapter Text
Quite tipsy and completely knackered, Harry stumbled down the hallway to his new flat. Still riding the high of the first enjoyable night he’d had in months, he smiles to himself while fumbling with his keys.
Him and Ginny had only split up in March but by April Harry was in search of new housing. He just needed to get out of the Grimmauld Place. It was unsettlingly quiet there and with Ginny gone there was nothing left to subdue the silence. Every room painted with memories he once thought of fondly, ones he would never get to relive.
While Ginny was now figuring out adulthood and working to achieve her goals, Harry seemed to be stuck. That was a pretty common theme in his life since graduation. Practically everyone he knew was happily moving on from the past and fulfilling their dreams, let alone having dreams in the first place. Harry on the other hand still felt seventeen most days.
He’s wondered if it has something to do with the fact he never expected to live this long. You don’t really have the time or prospect to plan out your life when you’re too busy fighting for it all of the time. The only real goal he ever had was to end the war, now that he’s done that he hasn’t a clue what he really wants out of life. In all honestly he only became an Auror because it’s all he knows how to do. He was never especially gifted intellectually. Maybe he could’ve been if given the proper time, support, and resources but there’s no use in dwelling on maybes.
Nonetheless it was June 2nd now and Ginny definitely wasn’t coming back. From what Harry’s heard she’s practically flourishing. He wants to be happy for her. He should be happy for her. It’s just a bit difficult for him to do so.
Just as Harry finally managed to unlock his door he heard another shut behind him.
“Potter?”
Harry recognized the voice instantly. Turning away from the door, he found himself face to face with Draco sodding Malfoy for the first time in years.
“Merlin’s tits it really is..” Draco muttered as his grey eyes carefully examined him
They seemed to have an unspoken agreement that they’d put aside their adolescent rivalry following the war. It’d only be immature and unnecessary to drag it on any longer. Harry testified on Draco’s behalf during his trial and that was that, they hadn’t seen each other since.
As he stood across from him now, Harry couldn’t help but notice Malfoy was certainly in much better shape than when he had last seen him. He recalled the image of the young malnourished Draco, who sat before him on trial, vividly even now. It had shook Harry to his core to see the pompous boy he once knew diminished to nothing more than an irrevocably broken man. In contrast, the Malfoy in front of him now was… undeniably fit.
“The one and only.” Harry said running a hand through his untamed hair awkwardly
“You’re not stalking me again are you? It didn’t end very well last time.” Draco teased, a playful smirk tugging at his lips
Although Harry found himself a little flustered at the mention of his past fixation, the statement only confused him further about what the hell Draco was doing here.
“Not intentionally. Only trying to get back to my flat.” he replied, a little too defensively
Malfoy raised an eyebrow, “Since when is that your flat?”
“Since two weeks ago, what’s it matter to you?”
“It matters to me because this is my flat. Has been since long before you showed up.” Malfoy gestured to the door behind him, obnoxiously rolling his eyes.
At this point Harry was sure he had to be dreaming. He went as far as to discreetly pinch himself but, following the scoff he received from Malfoy and stinging sensation left behind, it was safe to assume this was very real. He may have been drunk but he was no where near hallucinate Draco Malfoy level drunk.
“Wait, you live in a muggle flat?” Harry asked. To call that uncharacteristic for the Malfoy he once knew would only be an understatement.
Draco stood a little straighter at that, evidently uncomfortable. He always had a knack for silently communicating through his posture in that way. Though Harry didn’t really regret asking, this clearly wasn’t something Malfoy was jumping with joy to discuss.
“Things change Potter. People change.”
And with that Draco walked away, leaving Harry arguably more confused. He watched Malfoy saunter off, fighting the urge to attempt to continue questioning him, before entering his flat at last.
As Harry laid in bed that night his mind raced with more questions than answers. Firstly, what the hell just happened? Secondly, just how much change was someone like Malfoy capable of? The only obvious change to Harry, aside from the bloke’s current living situation, was his appearance. Malfoy had adorned an oxford blue knitted jumper and more surprisingly jeans. Up until now Harry wasn’t sure the man owned any attire outside of school robes and black suits. Draco’s hair being free from any sign of gel was just the cherry on top. At this point Harry was growing genuinely concerned that he had an impersonation case on his hands.
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Three days had passed since Harry’s strange encounter with Draco in the hallway and he hadn’t seen him since. As far as he was concerned it was divine intervention. Sure Malfoy piqued his interest but given their history it’s probably for the best they leave one another alone. Their last conversation hadn’t exactly ended on a high note anyway.
As of now, Harry was in his shared office studying the profile of their current lead when Ron barged in.
“Sorry I’m late mate, got caught up in a chat with Kingsley. You of all people know how he can be.” he said with clear irritation.
Harry snickered. Kingsley was an alright bloke but Merlin was he an earful when he got the opportunity.
“How’s the first few nights in the flat? Had a mint time celebrating on Friday, gotta give ‘Mione props for the idea.” said Ron as he settled in
Harry attempted to hide his smirk, cruelly deciding to wait till Ron took a sip of his coffee, before breaking the news to him.
“Oh it’s been alright. It’s nice having a new space, no paparazzi are allowed since it’s muggle property, Malfoy is my neighbor-“
Ron nearly choked
“Come again? Malfoy, as in that Malfoy? As in Draco Malfoy?” He coughed out in disbelief
“That very one.”
“Mate sometimes I swear the bloody universe has it out for you, I mean what are the chances of that? Of all people!” Ron remarked as he barked with laughter
“Good to know someone shares the sentiment.” said Harry almost indignantly
“I thought the place was muggle owned?”
“Oh it is, All he had to say about it was ‘Things change. People change’.”
“Blimey, that is a mindfuck. Malfoy living in a muggle flat going on about change. I’d pay good money to see that.” said Ron, letting out an unflattering snort
⊹✧⊹
Eventually the conversation died out and they returned their attention to the case at hand. The rest of the day dragged on painfully slow. Harry enjoyed his Auror work for the most part, he really did. Being on the field made him feel as if he still had purpose. It’s just that when it came to other aspects of the job he simply couldn’t say the same. Harry didn’t do well with sitting idly especially when he knew he could actually be out there helping people. Patience was key for this occupation and patience wasn’t something Harry had ever had much of.
At last the day had come to it’s end and Harry was free to Apparate home. Needing some fresh air, after enduring hours of never ending boredom, he decided to Apparate a little ways away from the apartment complex.
He had spent half of his life locked in a cupboard and the other half being chased by frenzied fans every time he dared to go in public. So to say Harry appreciated the times he was actually able to have some peace outside was an understatement.
Just as Harry neared the parking lot any sense of peace he had possessed was gone with the wind.
“Malfoy?” He called out
Draco stood alone on the roof. Harry would’ve easily missed him if the platinum of his hair didn’t stand out so starkly in the darkness.
After a moment of waiting for a response Harry realized one wasn’t coming. He attempted to brush it off, continuing his way to his flat, but he couldn’t shake the feeling in his gut. With his keys in hand and door in front of him, he froze. Maybe it was a bad idea to go up there, but he couldn’t help but feel it was an even worse idea to not. Under an intuitive sense of urgency, he practically ran to the roof.
Malfoy looked out at the sky, bottle in hand. Harry felt slight deja vu for that day in the bathroom. He always just had to encroach upon Malfoy's moments of vulnerability.
As Harry slowly approached Draco didn’t even spare him a glance, though Harry knew he was aware of his presence.
“Reminds me of the astronomy tower, being up here.” said Malfoy quietly
Harry winced at the memory of their last time there together.
They shared an uncomfortable silence. Harry now standing at his side a bit awkwardly. He didn’t really think through the comforting part of all this, now that he was actually there he hadn’t a clue what to say. For all he knew he could’ve entirely misinterpreted the situation. Although he had a sneaking suspicion he hadn’t.
“Come up here for a first row seat to my fatal jump or do you actually have something to say?” said Draco, voice laced with sarcasm, finally looking at Harry.
Harry cautiously grinned, “At this point I’m not sure. Though I must warn you, try to jump and I will be forced to intervene. Y’know being law enforcement and all.”
Draco shook his head, looking out into the sky again. “Always gotta be the savior don’t you Potter?”
“That’s me, the boy who wouldn’t stop saving the fucking day.”
“More like the boy who wouldn’t fucking die.”
Harry couldn’t help but snort at that remark, backhanded as it may be.
Malfoy raised the bottle and eyed Harry, silently offering to share. He briefly thought it over before accepting.
The vodka unpleasantly burned his throat as he swallowed it down. Handing it back to Malfoy before watching as he did the same.
“So what’s the occasion?” Harry asked, gesturing to the bottle
“My birthday.” Draco answered indifferently
“And you’re spending it on the roof of our rubbish muggle complex? Not exactly what I imagined to be your ideal celebration.”
“Yeah well me neither Potter.” he bit back almost defensively, though it was clear this statement carried an underlying meaning.
Harry inwardly cursed himself before carefully selecting his next words. He really couldn’t afford to offend the bloke at the moment.
“I suppose people change.”
Malfoy lifted an eyebrow at the reference, visibly relaxing with a skeptical smile. “That they do.”
Falling into a notably more comfortable silence than before, the two stared at the sky before them. It didn’t take long for Malfoy to take his leave, claiming a pack of corner store cigarettes were calling his name. Strangely, Harry found himself wishing the moment could’ve lasted a little longer.
“Happy birthday Malfoy.” he called out at the last second, only to be polite of course.
The comment made Draco stop in his tracks, staring at Harry with an unreadable expression. If he didn’t know any better, Harry would say the man seemed rather grateful. Whether it be for the entire encounter or just those words.
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