All Over Again

"Is there anything else I can get for you?"

"No, thanks."

"Okay, I'll be right back with your drinks," Harry said as he left the table and headed towards the bar to make the drinks for his customers.

"Oh my god, Harry, did you see that couple that just left?" Hayley asked giggling.

"No, I didn't. Still making fun of our customers?" Harry said, grinning slyly at his coworker as he filled the glasses with ice.

"Yes, of course. How the hell else am I supposed to spend my time?"

"Oh, I don't know. There is this thing called working I hear about," he said laughing as he poured gin into the glasses.

"Ha ha...anyway, they both had the worst mullets I have ever seen. I mean worse than the ones I used to see in the States!"

"What's a mullet again?" Harry asked truthfully.

"Oh, Harry, you are so ridiculous sometimes. It's like you grew up in a different world." She sighed and walked towards one of her tables. Harry grinned to himself and brought the gin and tonics he had just made to his table. None of the people who worked here knew anything about his past or where he came from, and it was refreshing.

"Oi 'Arry, there's a fella 'ere says 'e knows ya. He's waitin' in the garden."

"Thanks, Jim," Harry said and the other bartender nodded.

Harry walked through the dingy pub to the back door where the garden was; it was his favorite part about working here. The garden was so peaceful and something about serving people their tea out here made him smile. He descended the stairs and looked around, but all he could see were groups of people and no one he recognized. He looked around the big tree that was obscuring his view of the rest of the garden. Still there seemed to be no one he knew until...no, there was no way. Sitting at the special table they set aside for the most private couples, a popular place for engagements, sat a person he had almost forgotten about. What was he doing here? Instantly, Harry noticed his boots. They were the same boots he'd had for years; only now they looked new. His black pants and shirt made his white blonde hair stand out like no other head of hair he'd ever seen. Slowly, Harry approached the table. His shadow fell across the other man's face and finally he looked up and smiled.

"Come now, Harry, try not to be so excited to see me," said Draco, whose grey eyes were guarded by those damn Muggle sunglasses he loved so much.

"Well, say something won't you?" The blonde gestured to the chair across from him. Harry sat down warily without taking his eyes off of the Slytherin.

"This place is adorable. The chutney is particularly exquisite. I hear they have music at night? Do you know who is playing tonight? I'd really like to see it." Draco was rambling and Harry could not believe it. Couldn't believe he had just shown up here at his job in London, after everything...

"Well, say something Harry, how are you?"

"What are you doing here?" Harry finally blurted out.

"I came to see you," he said sipping his drink.

"Yes, but why?" Draco looked puzzled at this question. "I mean it's been so long and you, you just...I can't believe you have the bullocks to show up here! How did you find me anyway? Have you been stalking me?"

"I needed to see you. I did what I had to, to find you," Draco said not looking at him.

"Oh good, a straight answer. Thank you so much for your honesty," Harry said, thoroughly pissed off.

"Why are you so upset?"

"Oh c'mon, I would think the great Draco Malfoy would have put that one together."

"I am being perfectly nice, why can't you just -"

"Why can't you just take those bloody sunglasses off?" Draco stared at him, mouth open, and after a few moments took off the glasses.

"Happy?"

"You wish it was that easy," Harry snapped.

"C'mon, Harry, just give me a chance," Draco pleaded. The look in those familiar grey eyes made Harry think of kissing Draco and how it used to feel. So familiar that it made Harry regret making him take the sunglasses off.

"I..." Harry couldn't say anything; there was too much emotion there.

"What are you doing here anyway?" Draco asked sipping his drink and looking over at the other tables.

"I work here," Harry said flatly.

"Yes, I can see that, but what are you doing here--" Draco gestured to nothing in particular. "--in the Muggle world with a Muggle job. It's so not... you," he finished.

"I like it here. And besides I shouldn't have to explain myself to you of all people."

"Liar." Draco said ignoring the second half of Harry's statement. "There is no way a proper wizard could enjoy this."

"I can't do this," Harry said standing up. Draco stood up too and rushed to block Harry from walking away.

"Harry, let me explain, you have to let me tell you what...happened," Draco said so low that Harry could barely hear him.

"Please, just go," Harry said, pushing Draco aside and running back into the pub.

**

Harry flung himself onto the couch. After having left work in the middle of his shift without being able to give his boss a comprehensible explanation, he didn't feel much like moving. Or maybe it was the unexpected appearance of his ex-boyfriend. Draco was the reason he was forcing himself to live here, away from the magical world, trying everyday to convince himself that he was happy. He felt tears pushing through to the surface and stinging his eyes wetly. Tears he had not let himself cry for over a year because of Draco. The last time had been because of a shockingly blonde Muggle boy dressed all in black that he had seen at the market. He had been sure it was Draco until the boy had turned around and Harry couldn't remember ever being that disappointed. The tears were falling silently now and all he wanted was to forgive Draco and bring him home, but he couldn't.

Eventually, he forced himself to get up and have a shower. It may have been the shortest shower he had ever taken. Showers reminded him far too much of how he and Draco liked to spend time together in the quiet comfort of their home.

**

Two weeks later...

As Hermione poured hot water from the kettle into two cups she smiled to herself, thinking that everything had been so perfect lately. She turned around and placed one cup in front of her husband and put the other down in front of her own place at the kitchen table.

"Come here you," Ron said smiling. She smiled back and obliged, walking around the table. Ron put both hands on her stomach and then put his ear up to it.

"Any day now," Ron said to her round stomach, "and then I will be holding my son."

"Oh Ron, how can you be so sure?" Hermione said, still smiling as she walked back to her seat and sat down.

"I just know these things."

"Well I'll be just as pleased with a girl," his wife said stirring some sugar into her tea.

"So will I, but she will be our second child." Ron said grinning.

"Ron, you know it's the day before Harry's birthday."

"And?" he said not looking at her.

"I really think it will be tomorrow."

"So what?" Ron said picking up the Daily Prophet.

"I really think we should contact him-"

"If he can't find it in himself to get in touch with us, it's his own fault that he doesn't know we are having our first!"

"Ron!"

"No, Hermione I am sick of having this argument!" He stood and left the room.

Hermione frowned. She missed her best friend just as much as she knew Ron did. She had been sure that if Draco had gone and seen Harry, then everything would go back to normal. After Draco came back and told them what had happened to him when he left that day, she had been so sure that Harry would understand. But the fact that he didn't even let Draco explain...and now she was due on Harry's birthday, something that Ron was in such denial about. How did this happen? Sighing, Hermione got up from the table and went to the sink. She looked down at her tea and poured it out. Somehow, she just wasn't thirsty anymore.

**

Harry heard the doorbell and almost couldn't muster up the energy to answer it. It had been almost two weeks since Draco had dropped in on him and he had been so depressed that everyone at work would not stop calling to make sure he was okay. The doorbell rang again, and a third time. Finally he made it into the living room where whoever it was on the other side of the door was now pounding on it and screaming his name. When he unlocked and opened the door his heart sank. He was so tired he hadn't even recognized Draco's voice.

"Harry, finally," Draco said, catching his breath and looking like he had ran all the way to his flat.

"How did you--?"

"We've got to get to St. Mungo's--" he said pushing past Harry and into the room. "--Hermione's in labor."

"What?"

"She and Ron are having their first and it's your birthday, damn it! You don't have to make up with me but I am going to make damn certain you make up with them!" Draco said. Harry was speechless as he stared at his ex-boyfriend.

"Oh and, by the way, Happy Birthday--" he said pulling out a small parcel from his jacket. "--open it later. Now let's go or we'll miss it!"

Harry had no choice but to obey as Draco grabbed his arm and turned on the spot.

**

Harry felt his feet hit the ground and a tingling sensation shooting up his arm. When he looked around, he noticed it was the spot on his arm where Draco had been holding him. How could he still have this affect on Harry?

"C'mon, hurry," Draco said leading the way around the corner to the hospital entrance.

"Wait," Harry said right as they reached the door, "who's going to be in there?"

"Well," Draco said turning to face the other boy, "Ron, Hermione, the Grangers, and the Weasleys I suppose. Maybe a few old friends. C'mon, Harry, this is all part of it."

"This isn't exactly easy you know!" Harry shouted at the blonde. Slowly Draco turned back around, looking mutinous.

"Don't talk to me about easy, Harry Potter."

"Oh, like your life has been so hard the past two years!" Harry spat.

"I can't believe you! You want to do this now? Or do you want to go see your best friends have their first baby?" Draco had stepped closer to Harry with every word so that now their noses almost touched. Harry exhaled slowly and looked into Draco's eyes. He missed those eyes. He used to be able to see Draco's soul through those grey portals. Now all he could see was hurt and exhaustion, and it surprised him, which ultimately was what made him pull away and enter St Mungo's.

Draco stood outside the door, feet glued to where he stood. Oh, how he had missed The Boy Who Lived. He had always counted on Harry to be the only one who could understand, and now he was the only one who couldn't.

**

"Harry! Thank goodness you're okay! We've been so worried," Mrs. Weasley shrieked as she grabbed him.

"Hi, Mrs. Weasley."

"Harry, they'll be so glad to know you're here," said Mr. Weasley.

"Thanks," Harry said awkwardly. The twins, Ginny, Bill, Fleur, Percy, Hagrid, and Hermione's parents then greeted him.

"It's really wonderful to see you all again," Harry said as he noticed Draco walking in slowly and having a whispered conversation with Ginny.

"You too, dear. Let me go get Ron," Mrs. Weasley said.

"No need, mum," Ron said. Harry turned slowly to see his best mate looking confused.

"Hi," Harry said.

"Hey, c'mon, why don't you come see Hermione and the baby," he said with an air of maturity Harry had never seen in him until now.

"So, you ready to be a dad?" Harry asked as they walked to the room.

"Yeah, I think I am. You ready to explain yourself?" Ron asked, stopping to look at him.

"Look, Ron -"

"No, Harry, you look. I know he left you but we didn't! You could have at least contacted me and Hermione! She's been worried sick!"

"Ron, I'm so sorry, I didn't know what else to do," Harry said honestly. He felt the tears again, begging to be released. Forcing his eyes shut, he turned his face away from Ron.

"Oh, Harry," he heard Ron whisper from behind him. He opened his eyes and let the tears fall.

"I'm sorry, Ron," he said turning back to face him. Ron looked shocked by his tears. "I've never loved anyone the way I loved Draco. Not that this is an excuse but just imagine if Hermione left you one day with no explanation and no way to know if she was okay or dead. It was worse than any fight with Voldemort. I wasn't thinking straight. I know I can't undo what I did to you and Hermione but I'm sorry and all I can do now is ask for your forgiveness."

"Damn it, of course I forgive you, you're my best mate! But if anything like this ever happens again I'll kill you if you don't owl me at least," Ron said, losing his serious tone and sounding more like the Ron Harry knew.

"Thanks, mate. And I swear I'll let you know if I ever disappear again," Harry said wiping his eyes.

"Good, now let's go see Hermione," Ron said pushing the door open.

"Harry! I'm so glad you came!" Hermione said. She was holding her baby looking like she had just gotten a collection of new books.

"It's so good to see you too," Harry said walking to the bed and hugging her without squashing the newborn.

"So, you two made up I see?"

"Yeah," they said in unison.

"Good. And Harry, your apology to Ron is good enough for me. I'm so glad you're okay," she said smiling.

Harry and Ron sat down in the chairs set up around the bed and Hermione handed the baby to Ron.

"Thanks, Hermione. What's her name?" Harry asked.

"How did you know it was a girl?" Ron asked, looking up from his daughter's face.

"I always thought you guys would have a girl. Anyway, she's got a pink blanket, mate," Harry said.

"Oh yeah," Ron said laughing.

"Well Ron was sure it would be a boy. Ron, let Harry hold her," Hermione said. They both stood up and Ron handed the baby to Harry. She felt surprisingly comfortable in his arms.

"So what's her name then?" Harry asked again.

"Oh sorry mate," Ron said, laughing again. "Meet Rose."

"Rose," Harry said rolling it around in his head. "It's beautiful. She's beautiful. I'm so happy for you guys."

"Well, Harry, get used to it because we want you to be her godfather," Hermione said.

"What?"

"Yeah, mate. You're the best choice if you ask me. Plus, you two have the same birthday. It's perfect," Ron said, sitting down with his wife and watching Harry.

"But -"

"C'mon, Harry, we aren't letting you get out of this. We made up so what's the big deal?" Hermione asked.

"You guys are sure?"

"Yes," they said together.

"Wow, thank you I... I accept," Harry said.

"Good, but there is one condition..." Ron said.

"Oh?" Harry asked looking at them.

"Harry, you've got to at least hear Draco out. I understand it's hard but once you understand what happened, I think you two could be happy again," Hermione said.

"What do you mean happened?"

"Look, mate, we have to let him tell you. It's not a pretty situation," Ron said.

Harry sighed loudly and sat down again. He looked down at Rose. She was smiling at him and her eyes were brown like Hermione's. Harry also noticed that the tiny amount of hair she did have was fiery red.

"I want to hear him out, I really do. It's just -"

"Harry, what could be more important than the love of your life?" Hermione asked him.

"I think you'll be surprised, mate. You should listen to what he has to say. Plus, the bloke is depressed and we can't have that energy around Rose," Ron said.

"He's living with you guys?"

"Just for now. He promised to find a new place once Rose was born," Hermione said.

"I can't believe you guys get along well enough to live together," Harry said standing up and handing Rose back to Hermione.

"He changed a lot when you two were together," Ron said shrugging.

At that there was a knock at the door and Ginny popped her head in.

"Can we come in? I want to see my niece!"

"Of course," Hermione said. Ginny came in with Draco right behind her and Harry felt his stomach drop. Since when were Draco and Ginny so close?

"She's beautiful," Draco said.

Harry couldn't take it and stood to leave.

"Where are you going?" Hermione asked.

"Just outside. Rose needs some room to be with her aunt," Harry said.

As he walked to the door he could feel their eyes on him, but he couldn't stay in there; being so close to Draco was too much.

"Where are you going Harry?" George asked him as he made it to the lobby and was heading for the door.

"Just outside for some air," he said.

"Just don't wander too far, dear, we're having everyone over for dinner tonight and we would love for you to come," Mrs. Weasley said.

"Okay, yeah sure," he said without thinking as he practically ran for the door.

Once outside, he sat down on the ground with his back to the wall. This was all happening so fast, perhaps too fast for his liking. The way they all welcomed him back without question made him feel even worse for not keeping in touch with them. He also knew that, now he was back in their lives, he would never leave them again. Draco seemed to be a part of the family now too, which was so odd. He guessed that it was because of him; he had done well to convince them that Draco was on their side. But he had left Harry. When then did they all accept him back the way they had just welcomed Harry? He thought about his conversation with Ron and Hermione. Something bad must have happened to Draco. This thought only made him feel worse for being angry, but what could have possibly happened? Voldemort was dead and so were most of his followers as far as Harry knew.

"Harry, there you are." It was Ginny. Harry looked at her, noting that she was still as beautiful as ever.

"You found me," he said. Smiling, she sat down next to him on the ground.

"How have you been, Harry?" she asked. When she said his name, it reminded him of the way he imagined his mother to have said his name, and it sent shivers up his spine.

"Uh, not so good," he said honestly.

"That's what I thought. The way you looked when Draco came into the room, I thought you were going to be sick."

"So did I. So this dinner tonight, I have to go, don't I?" he asked.

"Well I would think you would want to be a part of Rose's celebration week," she said picking up a rock and throwing it into the street.

"Celebration week?"

"Oh, Harry," Ginny laughed, "there is still so much about the wizarding world you don't know. It's an old wizarding tradition to have the whole family get together and celebrate a newborn the first week. It's like her welcoming into the world."

"Wow, I wasn't expecting that I'd have to get off work," he said. At this Ginny rolled her eyes and laughed.

"Harry, don't you think it's about time you quit that Muggle job?"

"Hey I like that job!" he defended.

"Okay, okay do what you want. I just thought you were done with that life now that you're back," she said.

"It's not that easy, Gin. How do you know all this anyway?"

"Draco told me," she said flatly.

"Jeez, what are you two best friends now?"

"Don't be jealous, we just have similar situations with our ex-boyfriends if you must know," she said.

"What?" Harry asked.

"C'mon, you two, time to go. The healers are Apparating Hermione and Rose back to the Burrow," Mr. Weasley said as he, the Grangers, and the rest of the Weasleys came out of the hospital. Ginny got up immediately and went over to talk to Draco; this was annoying Harry more and more.

"I'll meet you all there. I need to get some things from my flat if I'm staying the whole week," Harry said getting up.

"Okay dear, but if you don't show up within the hour I'm sending Fred and George after you," Mrs. Weasley said hugging him.

"I promise I'll be there," he said looking around and noticing that Ginny and Draco had already left. Seeing them like this made Harry feel like he couldn't breathe. He needed Draco back whether he was ready to admit it or not.