Harry grins at the people surrounding him- a vastly different reaction from the last time he was knocked out and crowded by them, and Draco felt his heart warm. He's back. He's genuinely back.

Poppy ushered everyone out— "He JUST woke up! Back OFF!— except Ginny, who begged to stay. Draco resisted the rather childish urgue to glare at her and turned his attention to the group of friends celebrating outside the Hospital Wing.

Neville was hugging Dean and Seamus was screaming. Someone was crying. A few other Gryffindors who Draco didn't care to name were also being overly dramatic and loud. And yet, Draco found himself joining in.

He did, however, notice Looney standing to the side, looking downcast and confused. Neville, once he separated himself from his friend, asked her, "A-are you like, okay? Harry's back, I mean, y-you're not exactly looking the happiest about it—"

"That's because," Luna said quietly, "Harry's not back." She turned on her heel and left.

"That was odd," Draco muttered, "Like everything about her."

"Yeah," Dean conceded, "I'm not gunna give her any thought. I'm just glad Harry's alive and with his memories."

Another wave of cheer went throughout the group, but a part of Draco stayed pondering the words of the blonde haired girl.

Meanwhile, in the infirmary, Ginny was getting friend-zoned.

"B-b-but you said once you got your memories back!" Ginny protested through tears. "You said we'd be together!"

Harry shrugged. He wanted to respond with a deadpanned "I lied" but decided that seemed decidedly un-Harry of him, so instead he settled on, "I'm sorry, Ginny. I... I still like Draco." He likely has the book with me and Voldy's plans, he thought but did not say.

Ginny's face contorted, tears cascading down her face freely now. Her expression was one of loss. Pain. Understanding. "Okay," she says finally, "I just want you to be happy."

With that, she left the infirmary.

Madame Pompfrey fed him some more potions, saying he has to drink up before he subjected himself to large amounts of social interaction. "One last thing," she said, "There's been some.. discoveries in the week you were gone. Hermione Granger, I'm sorry to say, has been found dead. We believe Jackson Smith, who tried to kill you and was disguising as her, was the one to kill her. I'm sorry."

Harry morphed his expression into one of sadness, raw and undeniable.

Poppy sighed. "Are you sure you want me to let them in? You can take some time to yourself, if you need it."

Harry shook his head. "No— I just, want to distract myself. Being alone won't help."

Poppy nodded in understanding before opening the door, where his friends (excluding Luna, he noted) piled in. Draco immediately caught his eye, and everyone including him was bustling beside his bedside and firing off questions.

Harry grabbed Draco's face, pulling it in for a kiss, which Draco gladly returned.

The group around them silented for a moment, before cheers broke out and betting money was exchanged.

"I love you, too," Draco said, whispering it in Harry's ear so no one else would be able to hear it. It was meant for Harry, and no one else. "I'm sorry it took this long for a proper response." Harry smiled, pulling him in for another kiss.

Someone grabbed his sleeve, desperate for his attention, pulling him away from Draco. "Ron told us to give you this!" the girl said, handing him an envelope.

"Uh," Harry said, "Thank you." He detached himself from her and from Draco and opened the letter. It was written in familiar chicken scratch, very short, and reeking of mourning.

Dear Harry,

Hope you've woken up by the time this reaches you. Enjoy school, mate. Sorry I'm not there.

Owl me if you need anything.

Your best mate,
Ron W.

Harry folded the letter, sticking it in his pocket. "I'll miss him," he said, "Hermione, too."

The mood significantly dimmed at that, but the air of joy was still undoubtedly there.

Jackson was gone, Hermione was gone, but Harry was back. Not a fair trade, some would argue, but a trade nonetheless. They'd have to make due.

"Cam I talk to Draco?" Harry asked. "Alone?"

Snickers went throughout the group, but, other than some vague teasing, he was left alone peacefully. "Did you miss me?" Harry asked with a laugh.

Draco pulled him into a hug, which was an answer all on it's own. "Oh yeah," he said when he pulled back, "I was asked to hold onto the stuff in your pockets. Here you go."

He handed him his wand, the student file, and the three memories. Harry returned the papers to his pocket, giving none of them a second glance, and grasped his wand, running his fingers over the familiar wood. "Thank you."

Draco nodded. "There's something else I wanted to show you. You know the book- the one we found with the wards around it that turned out to be Jackson's? Well, I finally got to look at it only to find it incrypted. Or coded, or something. I can't understand it. But I was thinking that maybe it's parselmouth writing? It was just a guess. But I wanted to see if you could read it, since you're, you know, a parselmouth."

Harry took the yellow book carefully, running his fingers over the spine and cover gently before opening it. The words swam in his vision at first, but eventually evened out to show understandable writing. "I'm sorry," Harry lied, "I can't understand this. I don't think I can understand parselmouth anymore, since my connection with Voldemort is gone."

Draco's shoulder's slumped in disappointment. "I was looking forward to seeing what kind of plan Jackson had in store. But I guess it doesn't matter, right? He's gone." He took the book away from Harry, setting it aside.

"Yes, he is," Harry said with a smile, leaning in to another kiss. "I guess I forgot to ask," Harry laughed, "But would you like to be my boyfriend?"

Draco's eyes widened. "Even with your memories back, you still like me?"

"If the two kisses are anything to go off of, then yes," Harry laughed. "I like you more than ever."

Draco took his hand, squeezing it gently. "I accept."