"Public disturbances. 10-76, Malfoy?"

"What's the deets, Reynolds?"

"Gah, stop saying that! What kind of Gen-Z kids have you been around?" Draco couldn't help but snicker. "Anyways, there's apparently been a fight between two men- well, really one man attacking the other. From what I can tell, any damage sustained on the attacker was out of purely self defense."

Draco scowled to himself. Of course. "Any details on the victims?"

"Attacker is a man named Cameron. Victim is Lincoln."

"Alright, thanks. I'll be there in fifteen."

-

An hour later, Cameron and Lincoln were both in the back of Reynold's cruiser for possession of drugs, assault, public disturbance and suspicion of domestic abuse- and the entire time, all Draco could think about was Harry's conversation with his supposed boyfriend Ryan. Draco had seen enough domestic abuse cases to know what the warning signs were. Overprotective, quick to make accusations and assumptions, controlling... 

Draco sighed, dragging his hands over his face. He hadn't stopped thinking of Harry- specifically his conversation with Ryan- ever since he'd seen him at Ron and Hermione's. His old obsession kept resurfacing, no matter how forcefully he shoved it down. 

He called Hermione just before his shift, requesting Harry's address and phone number. She'd given it over without reluctance, and once his shift was over, he changed into loose-fitting blue jeans and a button-up and apparated there. 

It was a nice house. Quaint, but nice. 

He knocked on the door. Some muttering and stomping, before the door was yanked open. A moderately tall man with sandy blond hair stood there, lanky but muscular. He took one glance at Draco and frowned. "Who are you?"

"I'm a friend of Harry's. I was told this is where he lives? We went to school together."

"Okay... and?"

"... I was hoping to see him."

The man- whom Draco presumed to be Ryan, frowned again before turning into the house. "Harry! You've got a visitor!"

The sound of more footsteps followed, until Draco was face-to-face with a confused looking Harry. Ryan hovered by the door. 

"How did you find me?" Was the first thing Harry said.

"Hermione."

"Why?"

"Because-" He shot a glance at Ryan, frowning at the mans stubborn presence. "I feel like we should talk."

"About what?"

Draco was a police officer. He'd gone undercover before, and he was very capable of lying. "Hermione's birthday. I'd like to plan something, but I don't quite know her well enough. I know it's not for a while, but I'd like to be prepared."

Harry looked skeptical, but nodded. "Alright, then. Uh... Come in."

The house was nice- cluttered, but nothing that Draco could judge. 

What Draco could judge, however, was the slew of broken items. Well, they weren't broken anymore, but rather hastily reparo'd to a point where it was obvious they were cast by an unskilled wizard. Ryan, Draco guessed. 

The coffee table, several vases, the glass of picture frames, old tears in the couch and chairs... Draco didn't want to think about what could have possibly broken all of these things. He recalled Harry having magic outbreaks during school- Draco would say something too far or Harry would get pissed and in result, things typically broke. Windows, desks, chairs, walls- anything around him. By eighth year, however, they'd died down- whether it was because of Harry gaining control of his magic or Draco simply not talking to Harry, he wasn't sure.

"Nice place," he complimented the two of them. "I'm assuming you're Ryan? Harry mentioned you at Hermione's place."

Draco stuck out his hand politely and Ryan took it with a grin, clearly pleased that Harry was talking about him. "Yeah, that's me. All good things, I hope."

"Nothing less," Draco lied with a short laugh. "Hope you don't mind me intruding- Hermione helped me out a while back and I'd really like to repay her."

Ryan seemed to relax more hearing this. "Yeah, no problem, sorry about the mess- we've both been awfully busy- Right Harry?"

Harry nodded, sending a small smile in their direction. "Yes, very busy."

"Not a problem, my place is a disaster at the moment. It's surprising how much devastation a singular child can wreck on the place."

"Yes, Scorpius, how is he?" Harry asked, finally turning to face Draco more fully. 

"He's doing well," Draco replied easily. "He turned six last month and starts kindergarten next week."

"You married?" Ryan asked, not-so-subtly trying to get a feel out for Draco's intentions towards Harry. 

"I'm a widower, I'm afraid." When Ryan just looked confused, Draco forced himself to not roll his eyes. "She passed away not too long ago."

It had been 6 years, but in comparison to the rest of his life, it wasn't that long ago. Plus, making Ryan think that he was both straight and mourning would ease his mind. 

"How long have you and Harry been together?" Draco asked conversationally, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Four years," Ryan boasted, wrapping an arm around Harry's waist and pressing a long kiss to his cheek. "Almost five."

"Very happy for you both," Draco smiled, trying to not let his suspicion or irritation show in his expression. Either he was doing a good job or Ryan wasn't all that bright, considering the man turned and headed for another room.

"I'm going to make some tea, I'll be right back."

Draco lazily waved him farewell before turning to Harry, who's expression was surprisingly stern. "What are you actually doing here, Malfoy? And why are you lying to Ryan?"

"Hermione's birthday, and I don't like people knowing everything about me, thank-you-very-much."

Harry brought out his wand, still glaring as he cast a silencing charm around them, crossing his arms over his chest. "Malfoy."

"Potter." 

Harry stared him down until Draco sighed. 

"Listen, Potter, I know it's not my business but..." Draco dragged his hands down his face. "You had color on your wrist a couple months ago and now I see it's not a tattoo so it was obviously a bruise, everything in your home seems to have been broken at least once, and I overheard your call with Ryan in the closet at Ron and Hermione's place. I'm a cop, I've seen these things before and... I worry, alright?"

Harry looked like that wasn't the answer he was expecting, blinking at Draco almost stupidly. "You think I'm being abused?"

"Well- I don't know what I think, Potter, I just know I'm worried. And I know you're going to deny it, even if you are, which is why I didn't want to outright confront you." Draco sighed, dragging his hands down his face. "I've seen these situations a dozen times, Harry. I worry. Which is why I want you to be honest with me."

"Malfoy, you really think I, someone who killed Voldemort, a mass murderer, would let someone push me around? I'm the fucking savior of the wizarding world, the chosen one- and you think I'd let him abuse me?"

"Yes. I do."

Harry blinked, obviously taken aback. "What?"

"I know you better than anyone. I stalked you for years during school, Potter. I know you. I know you think you're just as lowly as everyone else, and I know that you hated the 'Saint Potter' title more than anyone else, so you'd only use it if you were trying to get away with something. Like now."

Harry blinked. "I- But- I- No, you're-... You're wrong."

"And as soon as your defense doesn't hold up, you crumble, because you know there's nothing you can say to defend him."

Harry's expression of shock quickly morphed into one of anger. "Get out of my house, Malfoy. Don't come around trying to 'save' me again- I don't need help, I'm happy with Ryan, and if I hear a word from Ron or Mione I swear I'll kill you. Do you understand?"

Draco put his hands up, taking a step back. He knew an earnest threat when he heard one. "Fine. But here's my card. It has my address and phone number. Stop by if you want to... talk. Or if you need anything. It doesn't have my occupation, so he won't know I'm a cop. If he asks, I'm a retired businessman living off my parent's wealth." Draco took another step back, noticing how Harry was shaking, simply putting the card with his information on the bookshelf at his side. "I'm leaving now. I won't be back. If you want help, come get it."

Draco walked out the door, cramming his hands in his pockets after he shut the door behind him, letting out a stuttering breath. He just had to hope Harry would stop by.

Woo-Hoo, an update, thank the person who DM'd me and reminded me this book existed lol. What do y'all think so far?