•Harry's pov•

"How was your weekend Harry?" Ron asked as I picked at the food on my plate. "Alright, we showed Sirius another film.. its always hilarious watching him question muggles. We had our regular dinner Saturday with McGonagall and Narcissa and Draco came too. It was actually a really lovely evening. Then Sunday we took Teddy out on a stroll." Ron nodded smiling at me, "and how are you doing?" I shrugged sheepishly. I hated how much they worried, but I understood it was just because they cared.

"I'm not entirely sure. I'm questioning so much. I just think that I need to use this year to figure out who I actually am. Not the chosen one, or the boy who lived. Not the war leader, or the savior. I just want to figure out who Harry is." Ron patted my shoulder, and Hermione cleared her throat, "we will be here every step of the way for you Harry."

"All of us." I turned to the voice behind me, smiling at Draco. "Hey Dray." I patted the seat next to me which he gladly took. Hermione gave me a look to which I just ignored her. I didn't want to deal with any of that today. "I think we should go to hogsmeade this weekend." Neville said, turning to us all. "I'm not sure about that Nev.." I said slowly, not wanting to hurt his feelings.

"Voldemort.. took enough of our lives Harry. Especially yours. I think it's time you start living for you. If the press gets in the way, Ginny can hex them." We all chuckled as Ginny overdramatically twirled her wand, winking at me. I sighed, "alright alright. I'll let you know how I feel on Friday and I will go Saturday if I'm feeling up to it." Draco smiled, putting his hand on my shoulder, "there's the gryffindor courage." He teased, making us all laugh with a roll of the eye.

"Harry, if you go we will go." Pansy said pointing to her and Blaise. Blaise agreed with a nod. "Yeah Harry, we will!" I smiled, "and they say gryffindors are the brave ones." I teased back with a wink. Everyone laughed again and I just smiled at my friends. I laid my head on Ron's shoulder and sighed in content, "you know how nice hogwarts would've been if we were all just friends from the beginning."

"Now I distinctly remember one of us trying to give our hand in friendship, the first day of hogwarts." Draco said glaring at me, I just laughed, shrugging. "You insulted my husband." I said firmly. Ron and Hermione looked at each other, and started laughing loudly. "Yeah! You insulted his brilliant husband." Ron yelled, louder than necessary. Draco started laughing as well, and I caught myself smiling at the sound. He had a beautiful laugh.

I shook off the thought, quickly sitting up. "Well I'm going to head to potions, you coming Dray?" Draco nodded, standing up after me. Hermione and Ron followed close behind, along with Pansy and Blaise. "If we walked in a group like this two years ago, the school would've exploded." Pansy said chuckling. "Blimey I can only imagine. The war is over and the school is still exploding, doing this two years ago would've caused major malfunction." I said pointedly, shaking my head at the thought.

•

After potions Snape had asked me to stay back. I was a bit nervous but told everyone to go without me. "I'll see you in defense Harry." I nodded, "see you then, Dray." I walked over to snape, "yes professor?" He nodded curtly, "hello.. potter. I just wanted to thank you for being so kind to Olivia despite all I have done to you." I smiled awkwardly.

"I've put it all in the past Severus. You helped just as much in the war as I did, you're one of the bravest men I know. Anyways, I wouldn't hold any of that against Liv. She seems to really love you." He half smiled, "she saved me. You're a lot like your mother as you get older, I'm sorry that I treated you unfairly because of what your father did to me." I shrugged, "like I said, in the past." He nodded, and looked back down at the stacks of paperwork he had to grade. I took that as the end of the conversation. I started to walk out again but what stopped by his voice.

"Oh and Potter?" I turned around and looked back at the man, "yes Severus?" He pushed his lips into a thin line, thinking for a second before saying, "I think this friendship is good for Draco, take care of him." I nodded awkwardly again, shifting a bit under his gaze, "of course professor." He nodded again towards the door and I walked out confused.

Two things I never expected in this life time. An apology from Draco Malfoy, and a thank you from Severus Snape. This is quite frankly the weirdest year of my life, and it's the only one without a madman trying to kill me. Hilarious. I quickly made my way to the defense class. "You really aren't ever on time are you Prongslet." My head shot up and I smiled widely. "REM!" I shouted before clearing my throat at Hermione's warning look, "I mean professor Lupin. What are you doing here?" He shrugged, "they needed a new defense teacher and I decided it's about time I stop letting things affect me." I smiled and nodded, before a dog tackled me.

"Why did you bring Padfoot?" I groaned as Draco Hermione and Ron laughed. No one else knew who padfoot was and they were all probably confused. Even though Sirius was cleared after the war, he still was unregistered so I didn't need anyone finding a reason to take him away again. "He wouldn't sit still." Remus simply shrugged and I rolled my eyes at the overdramatic prat, "Padfoot get off you git." Sirius walked away curling back up next to Remus' desk. "Alright class, I'm professor Lupin. You may recognize me as I was your teacher in your third year. I'm glad to be back." Everyone smiled saying hello.

Remus began to explain the lesson plan as I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to the blonde next to me. "What?" I whispered trying to be quiet. "Do you guys want to hang out after dinner with me, Pansy, and Blaise? I figured we could go play some party games in the common room or something." I nodded, smiling at him. "Sure, I'll ask everyone else but that sounds like fun."

"Harry could you come up and give us an example?" I jumped at my name, looking at Remus with a confused expression. He was smirking between me and Draco and I glared, not him too. "Sorry professor, an example of what?" He chuckled, "not a problem Harry, can you come up and show how you cast the patronus charm? I do believe you're quite good at them."

I smiled playfully, "well I had a fabulous teacher, but sure." I got up infront of the class, "uh, well the moral of it is focus. Close your eyes and focus on a happy memory. It has to be strong. Once you've not only thought of a memory, but can feel the memory.. open your eyes and speaking very clearly, 'expecto patronum!'" My stag appeared very quickly, running in circles.

"Amazing Harry!" Remus said, and I nodded to him, still holding up my patronus. The class all gasped in amazement. "Now I'm sure some of you were in dumbledores army, and can perfectly cast this charm already, but I still want everyone to learn it. Up out of your desks let's go. Harry you can help, since I know you teach it well." I blushed, nodding. "Yes professor." Everyone got in a circle and continued trying to cast one.

Hermione, Ron, Neville, Luna, and Ginny got it pretty quickly. As did all of the other members of dumbledores army. Remus was helping a hufflepuff, and I walked over to Pansy, Blaise, and Draco. "You guys going alright?" Pansy nodded, "I think I've got it." She said as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, and as she said the spell, a decent sized fox started running around her head. "Fierce, I like it Parkinson. Excellent. Blaise..?" I trailed off as I saw a big black panther running around Blaise. "Wow, brilliant Blaise."

Draco had a sad look on his face, as he tried again to cast it. I walked up behind him, putting my hands on his shoulder. I leaned in and whispered in his ear, "relax, you're too stiff. Just breathe, close your eyes and focus on your memory." He nodded, relaxing under my touch, I didn't let go of his shoulders. He took a few seconds, and finally raised his wand, shouting 'expecto patronum.' The whole class had turned to watch us. I just ignored them focusing on Draco.

A big dragon soared in the air, making me smile. "You did it!" I said happily, and Draco turned around hugging me. "Thank you so much Harry! I've never been able to get that spell!" Everyone around us clapped as I chuckled, hugging the blonde boy back. Silence flooded the classroom as we hugged for a second or two longer than we should've. I cleared my throat backing up, "uh anyways, yeah good job Dray. Good job all of you!" I said, and Remus smirked but continued on with the rest of his lesson without any teasing.

"Where's Teddy?" I questioned Remus curiously after class. "He's with Andromeda for the first week. He's going to come here with us." I smiled brightly hugging him, "that's so exciting!" He chuckled ruffling my hair. "I wanted to surprise you." I nodded, "well you sure did."

"Can I have a real hug now?" A voice behind me asked, I turned to Sirius. I hugged him tightly, allowing him to spin me around while I laughed. "I'm glad you're here Moony! Maybe we'll learn something." Ron said making everyone chuckle. "Like you're worried about learning Ron." He put his hands up in defense at Miones words. "Hey listen darling, I like DADA. Not my fault that literally everything else is boring." Hermione just clicked her tongue in disapproval.

"Harry we need to talk then by the way!" Hermione said making me groan, "oh what did I do now?" She glared at me, "can I not want to talk to my best friend without you believing I want to lecture you?" Me and Ron shared glances, laughing. "That would be the day for sure!" Ron said making Hermione storm out. "Way to go Ron. Remus, Sirius, I'll catch up later!" I shouted running off towards Hermione.

•

"Mione please let it go, I don't have feelings for him!" I said defeatedly, she'd been quizzing me on my feelings for Draco-that I didn't have-for over an hour. "Look after dinner we're all supposed to hang out and I don't want awkward tension. Please let it go." I snapped before I could allow her to speak again. Ron put a hand on her shoulder, "he's asked twice now." She nodded, "you're right I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed."

I smiled and sighed, hugging her. "It's alright, I just don't want people getting the wrong idea. We just became friends you know what I mean?" She nodded, "yes I understand Harry, I'm sorry really." She hugged me a bit tighter. "May I ask how your nightmares have been?" I shrugged, "they've been there, that's for sure."She chuckled sadly, giving me a look of pity. Ron saved me changing the subject, "well I think it's about time we head down for dinner. I'm-"

"Starving. We know." Me and Hermione said at the same time. We all laughed as Ron rolled his eyes, "let's go, pricks." We all chuckled again making our way out of the common room. We headed towards the great hall. "Harry!" I heard a familiar voice call. "Hello Liv. How are you?" She beamed at me, "I'm alright! How are you?" I just nodded in response smiling at the girl.

"Guess what?" She asked loudly making me chuckle. "I made slytherin seeker! Will you practice with me sometime?" I smiled brightly, ruffling her hair, "that's amazing Liv! Yes I'd love to practice with you. We can play a seekers match sometime." She jumped up and down in excitement, "that would be brilliant, okay I will leave you be now! Tell Dragon- I mean Draco I said hello!" She blushed at her nickname slip up and skipped off.

"I can't believe Snape is raising her." Ron said with a wide eyed expression. "I can, Snape is a good man. He just took a long time to get over a few things." Hermione chuckled, "Harry you think everyone's a good man, I'm surprised you didn't try to rationalize with Voldemort." This got Ron laughed and I just shook my head. "The man who murdered my parents didn't deserve fucking sympathy. Normal fucking people do." I didn't mean to snap really, but it just happened sometimes.

I knew I was too nice, I knew I gave too many chances, and I knew I trusted people too easily but that's just how I was. That's who I am, 'the golden boy' remember? I rolled my eyes and walked up in-front of Ron and Hermione. "Just give him a few minutes." I heard Ron whisper. I sighed, I felt bad really. I was very self aware of the fact that I was a ticking time bomb, but I couldn't control it at the same time.

I sat down in my usual seat, Draco was already there. I laid my head on his shoulder. "You alright?" He asked softly and I shrugged. "No. Liv said hello." He nodded, understanding immediately I didn't want to talk. Hermione frowned, "I'm sorry Harry, I wasn't thinking right." I shrugged, "Don't blame yourself. It's fine." Was all I managed to spit out. Draco piled some food on my plate but I shook my head.

"You've got to eat a little bit okay Scarhead. Just a little, for me." I sighed again, lifting my head off his shoulder and beginning to eat. I picked at my food a little bit. I honestly felt sick to my stomach. After half of the plate I pushed it away. Draco inspected it a bit, "alright, that's good enough. I'm proud of you. Thank you." I nodded just putting my head back on his shoulder.

"Do you want to cancel games tonight? We can go to our dorm and go to sleep?" I shook my head, "no. Nightmares are worse. I'll be okay." He nodded, and started running a hand up and down my back. I'm sure everyone was giving us weird looks but I didn't care, I felt comfortable around Draco.

I stayed like that for the rest of dinner, and if anyone noticed they didn't say anything. Everyone avoided me like the plague when I was like this. I couldn't blame them, I snapped and got irrational. "Let's go back to the common room okay?" I nodded getting up and following Draco close. I grabbed his pinky and he chuckled, "we're friends now Harry, this is easy." He grabbed my hand interlacing our fingers. I blushed slightly and looked around. I couldn't possibly be blushing over Draco holding my hand right now.

Ron held my hand all the time and it was no big deal. Why did this matter so much to me? I shook it off swinging our arms. He smiled brightly at me and I felt like I was going to faint for a second. I shook it off again, dammit Harry stop. You're not into Malfoy. Just emotionally unstable. I sighed, turning my head to Hermione. She was smiling at me and I glared, "stop it." I whispered and she laughed, "it's cute, no matter what it is. You guys being friends is cute. Also I really am sorry." I nodded, "it's fine, really Mione. You've said worse." I teased, winking at her. She rolled her eyes playfully, swatting at my arm. "Oh you love me." I nodded, "of course I do."

"You still love your husband right?!" Ron said in a panicked tone. I chuckled at my best mate, "of course Ron my love, how could I not love you?" He smiled like a dork, shrugging. "I don't know, I'm pretty lovable." We all laughed, and Draco nudged my shoulder. "Feeling better now?" He whispered quiet enough so no one else heard. "Yes, thank you." He just shrugged, "what are friends for?" I blushed, smiling at him. Ignoring the looks Ron, Ginny, and Hermione we're giving me. They're very annoying.

•

We all sat in a circle talking for a little. I had Draco and Ron on either side of mine and I was holding both of their hands. Apparently I had to fairly love my husband and my newfound bestfriend. They were bickering about who I loved more before I just grabbed both of their hands. We had been talking for a little about muggle games.

"Muggle games actually sound fun!" Neville exclaimed and I shrugged, "most of them are. I haven't played many but when my cousin Dudley wasn't being a total prick to me he'd play with me sometimes. He'd throw a temper tantrum if I didn't let him with though and get me locked up." Fuck Harry stop over sharing your trauma. You idiot. I mentally cursed myself as I felt both hands in mine clench. "Excuse me? Lock you up?" Draco spat. "I hate those filthy muggles." Ron said at the same time.

"Your girlfriends a muggle born...?" Pansy questioned towards Ron. He laughed, "I don't mean all muggles. Just Harry's." She nodded her mouth forming a silent oh. "Draco please loosen the death grip on my hand. When I did anything they didn't like they locked me in my cupboard. I lived in it until I was nearly eleven. That's all I want to say on the matter." Draco loosened his grip but he was still very visibly pissed off, now along with everyone else.

"I'm so sorry Harry.." Blaise said sincerely and I smiled awkwardly. "Guys it's alright. I'm fine. Remus and Sirius have me now, I've always had the Weasleys and Hermione. I used to think I didn't have a family, just because my parents were dead.. but I have the best family anyone could ever hope for. Now, let's play some fucking games!"

Everyone chuckled, except Hermione who scolded me for my language. I just smiled cheekily at her. We spent the rest of the night playing games and laughing. It was the most peaceful I'd felt at hogwarts in awhile. Eventually the fun died down, as people exited slowly back to their dorms. Me and Draco walked back to our dorms. "Thank you for earlier." I said softly as we laid in our respective beds. "You don't need to thank me again Potter. We're friends now, and I am here for you." I just smiled. "Goodnight Dray." He smiled back, "goodnight Potter."

-

A/N for anyone who didn't see my message board, posts and updates will be a bit sporadic. Dealing with a bad breakup and taking some time for myself, just posting pre-written chapters xo

hope you enjoyed loves.

Much love,

-H🫶🏼