All Over Again

When Harry got back to his apartment he felt drained. Seeing everyone again and agreeing to be Rose's godfather, how could he have agreed to that? Of course, when he thought about it, it made perfect sense that Ron and Hermione would want him to be her godfather. If he ever had children, he wouldn't think twice about asking his two best friends to be godparents. But seeing Draco after all this time and watching him with the rest of the Weasleys was all too much to handle.

He was sitting on his couch with his bag packed and ready to go, but he couldn't make himself get up. He knew that he would have to listen to what Draco had to say but he was scared that it wouldn't change anything. Thinking about Ron, Hermione, and his new goddaughter, he pushed himself up off the couch and picked up his bag. When he went to get his wand off the table next to the front door, his heart dropped into his stomach. Sitting next to his wand was the small parcel Draco had given him containing his birthday present. He made to grab the small brown package but his hand stopped and hovered inches from it. Just open it, his mind was saying. Why had Draco even bothered to get him a present? He wished he hadn't, it was too much pressure. Cursing under his breath he grabbed the parcel and ripped it open. Harry gasped and almost dropped the tiny locket. Eyes wide, he turned it over in his fingers and saw the precise engraving of L. Malfoy on the back. It was made of silver and had the Dark Mark engraved on the front. It had belonged to Draco's father and was one of few lockets given to the highest ranked Death Eaters. This was not public knowledge and Draco had told Harry about it when they were still together...

"So what are they for? Why does he give them these lockets?"

"So he can collect them when the wearers die. They're cursed. Death is the only thing that can remove them," Draco said.

"Do they just fall off?" Harry asked.

"No babe, it is removed by the one who does the killing and then kept as a relic. It's Old Magic that hasn't been used for decades. Probably what drew Voldemort to the idea."

"But you don't have one, do you?"

"Harry, of course not, don't be silly. I think you would have noticed by now. Anyway, I was never officially a Death Eater, remember? Besides, Voldemort wouldn't have deemed me worthy," Draco said grasping Harry's cheek in his palm.

"Good," Harry said pulling the blonde into a deep kiss.

Eyes burning with fresh tears, Harry forced them open and stared down at the locket. He knew what this meant and what it must mean regarding where Draco had been for the past two years. Shoving the locket and his wand into his pocket, he turned on the spot, mind set on The Burrow.

**

When his feet hit the ground, he looked up at the house that had been like home, second only to Hogwarts. He was surprised at the way it looked now, crooked still but nicer, with a few additions here and there. Harry knew the Weasleys had much more money now considering Arthur's promotion and the great success of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. He just hadn't seen the house in a while and was happy to see that Ron's family was finally able to have what they deserved. He walked up to the gate and was greeted by Fred.

"Oh good! You made it. Mum was just saying we should go get you and then I saw ya pop into the yard," Fred said as they walked into the house.

"I told her I'd be here," Harry said smiling.

"Yeah, well, you know Mum," Fred said winking at Harry.

"What's that you're saying about your dear mother?" Mrs. Weasley said.

"Nothin' mum, but you can calm down now, Harry's just made it."

"Oh Harry, dear, so glad you're here! Are you hungry? I've just made soup--it's your favorite, French onion," Mrs. Weasley said pulling him down into a seat without waiting for an answer.

"Oh yes, thanks, that'd be great," he said.

"So how's London? We heard you were working at some pub that has live music?" George asked as he and Fred sat down for soup as well.

"Yeah, it's great. It's a little place in Earl's Court called the Troubadour," Harry said.

"Any wizards work there?" Fred asked.

"Um no. Just Muggles actually," Harry said, slightly embarrassed.

"Oh... well you should come see the shop sometime. It's loads different since last time you came in," Fred said awkwardly.

"Yeah, I will," Harry said, relieved that Fred hadn't pushed the Muggle subject. They were all obviously sensitive to the situation.

"Harry, mate, finally!" Ron said coming into the kitchen.

"How's Hermione?" Harry said, standing up.

"Oh, are you finished, dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Yes, thank you, Mrs. Weasley."

"Glad to have you back," she said hugging him.

"C'mon, mum, he just got here. Anyway Harry, Hermione's good. C'mon, let's go see her," Ron said dragging Harry away from his mother.

Harry followed Ron into the hallway and up the stairs; it was then that he remembered what was in his pocket.

"So, um, is Draco here?" At this Ron stopped and turned around with smile.

"I thought you didn't want to talk to him," Ron said.

"I didn't," Harry said pushing past Ron to the room he assumed Hermione was in.

"So what's different?" Ron asked meeting him at the door.

"Nothing," Harry said opening the door.

"Harry!"

"Hey Hermione, how was the trip back?" he asked hugging her.

"We arrived in one piece," she said, gesturing over to the crib where Rose was fast asleep.

"Oi! I asked you a question," Ron said interrupting.

"Nothing's different, I just opened his present," Harry said turning back to Ron.

"Anyone care to let me in on this little tiff?" Hermione asked, laughing at them.

"All of a sudden, Harry's all concerned about where Draco is. At the hospital you couldn't wait to get away from him!" Ron said.

"Yeah, well, I thought about what you guys said and you're right, I need to hear him out."

"Oh, that's great, Harry! I think you'll be so happy you did. Now what about this present?" Hermione asked.

Harry sighed and sat down, he already had his suspicions about why Draco had given him the locket and he knew that Ron and Hermione's reactions would confirm them. He pulled the locket out of his pocket and held it up; he didn't need to look at their faces to know that they knew what it was. They had been the only people Harry and Draco had told about the lockets.

"Damn, he's smart," Ron said.

"Wow, Harry, I don't even know what to say," Hermione said.

"I know, this is why I need-" but at that moment something bright caught Harry's eye. He looked out the window to see Draco and Ginny flying in the yard passing a Quaffle around.

"Harry?"

"What is it, mate?" Ron asked, walking over to the window.

"Well, that answers my question," Harry said with a hint of jealousy in his voice.

"Harry, you can't possibly be jealous of Ginny?" Hermione asked.

"It's just habit, I guess. I hate the idea of someone being close to him who isn't me," Harry said, sighing.

"Well you can't blame them, can you?" Ron asked, moving away from the window and sitting on the bed with his wife.

"For what?"

"For being friends. I mean it was bound to happen, what with their situations," Ron said.

"What does that mean? Ginny mentioned something about it at the hospital," Harry said.

"Besides, they mostly talk about you," Ron said, ignoring his last statement.

"Really?"

"C'mon, Harry, Draco's in love with you and Ginny used to be. It only makes sense they would become friends," Hermione said.

Harry didn't know what to say to that because it still didn't change how he felt.

"Look, mate, you don't have to worry about Draco. He doesn't talk about anything but you. Bit annoying really," Ron said.

"Yeah, Harry, Ginny has actually complained about it, but I suppose it goes both ways," Hermione said.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"She's the only one who will tolerate hours of him talking about you and, in turn, he's the only one who will listen to her talk about, um, you know, her ex," Hermione said awkwardly. She shifted on the bed and Ron looked around the room like he was trying to find something that clearly wasn't there.

"Okay, what is the deal with that? Why won't anyone tell me?" Harry asked, annoyed.

"Harry, we can't tell you," Ron said.

"Why not?"

"Because it has to do with what Draco needs to say to you. If we let something slip... just trust me, you need to hear it from him," Hermione said, looking at him as if she wanted nothing more than to tell him herself.

"Okay, okay, I understand," Harry said sighing. Deep down he knew that they wouldn't be insisting on this if they didn't feel like it was really important. Even if he had spent the past two years out of contact with them, they were still his best friends and he had to trust them. Looking out the window again he noticed that Ginny and Draco had abandoned their game and were putting their brooms back in the shed. Whatever they were talking about must have been funny because Draco was smiling and laughing. Harry missed that smile, missed the way it used to be directed at him. Draco looked up and Harry swore Draco saw him staring but Harry looked away so suddenly that he couldn't be sure. When he looked again they were walking back towards the house.

**

"I'm serious! You should tell her that," Ginny said, laughing hysterically.

"I don't think your mum would appreciate the fact that her bread pudding literally makes me come in my pants," Draco said sarcastically.

"I swear you are the only one who likes it," Ginny said, still giggling as she put her broom back in the shed.

"More for me," Draco said, smiling as he happened to look up at the house and missed Ginny's next statement. He could have sworn he saw sharp green eyes and messy black hair in the window looking in his direction.

"So what do you think? Draco?" Ginny asked as she started walking to the house.

"What?" Draco asked as he caught up with her. "Sorry Gin, I missed what you said."

"I asked if you wanted to play again tomorrow," she said.

"Oh, um, yeah. Maybe," he said, distracted.

"What's up with you?" Ginny asked.

"Nothing, I'm fine," Draco said, not looking at her.

"Okay, well, I'm gonna have a shower," she said, giving him a funny look.

After she left, he sighed loudly. He walked into the sitting room and sat down on the couch. Looking around, he smiled at all the funny little things the Weasleys had in their house. He still found it a little strange that he was there, let alone felt comfortable. The whole reason he had even given the family a chance was because of Harry. Harry... the thought hurt so much. Draco had missed him so much and Harry wouldn't even give him a chance. Draco hated seeing that look in Harry's eyes, that look of disappointment. If only Harry would hear him out, he would know that Draco had spent the past two years wanting and trying to get back to him. Then he remembered seeing Harry in the window. Had he been watching them? Draco didn't even know he had shown up; nobody had bothered to tell him. He was sure that Harry wouldn't bother coming to the celebration after the way he had run out after he and Ginny came into the hospital room. Draco thought again of the look on Harry's face up in that window. Was it a look of contempt or perhaps jealousy? But Harry couldn't be jealous of him and Ginny could he? There wasn't anything going on between the two of them and Draco needed someone to talk to about all of this. He sighed again. Just another thing he would have to explain to his ex-boyfriend, not that he didn't want to. He was prepared to do whatever it took to get Harry back. He wondered if Harry had opened his birthday present. Draco supposed that if he had, he would have said something by now. At least that's what Draco had hoped would happen.

"Draco, dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked coming in from the kitchen.

"Yes, Mrs. Weasley?"

"Molly, dear, call me Molly. Are you hungry? I have some soup for you in the kitchen," she told him.

"Oh yeah, thank you, Molly," he said following her into the kitchen. He would just have to wait for Harry to come to him. He would have to after seeing the locket, Draco was sure of it.

**

That night held the first dinner in a series that were to come for Rose's welcoming into the world. Tonight was just for family and, for whatever reason, Draco was included. Harry could understand why Draco had been there during the day if he and Ginny were such good friends now. But why Draco was at the family dinner didn't really make sense to him. He supposed Draco didn't really have anywhere else to go and was still technically living with Ron and Hermione, who probably felt obligated to extend an invitation. Harry was also not going to be fooled by everyone's attempts to get them back together. Not only his two best friends, but just about all of the Weasleys were working hard to get them alone. Fred and George had even pushed Harry into the bathroom with Draco while he was coming out and then proceeded to slam the door in their faces. Harry had run from the tiny room so quickly he didn't even catch a glimpse of Draco. He and Draco hadn't spoken properly since their fight earlier that day at the hospital and Harry wasn't exactly eager to repeat the experience. He wanted to talk to the blond about the locket and find out what happened to him. Still, Harry wanted it to happen on his own terms and he wasn't so sure he was ready for that yet.

"It's good to have you back, Harry. You think you'll be coming to work at the Ministry any time soon? I know they would love to have you," Percy said, sipping his after dinner drink.

"Thanks Perce, but I'm not sure what I want to do yet. Technically, I still have my other job," Harry said, realizing for the first time that he hadn't told anyone at work that he would be out for a week.

"Well, if you change your mind you should talk to Kingsley. He's very interested in seeing what you're up to these days," Percy told him.

"Thanks, I'll, um, keep that in mind," Harry said. Harry still hadn't gotten over the way the Ministry reacted to Dumbledore's efforts when he was at Hogwarts and he wasn't sure he was ready to work for them.

The whole family was sitting out in the garden around the dinner table. Harry looked around to see Ginny and Hermione singing to Rose, while Ron's parents were dancing to the low music coming from the old radio inside. Ron was having a drunken argument with Fred and George while Draco was talking to Bill and Fleur about their time in France. The Grangers had already gone back to their room at the little inn in Ottery St. Catchpole. It had been a nice evening and everyone seemed really happy, except Draco, Harry mused. If there was one thing Harry knew for sure, it was that he could still read Draco as easily as ever. He could tell how much it was hurting Draco to be around Harry while Harry was avoiding him.

He watched as Draco hugged Bill and Fleur before walking over to Hermione to tell her something. Ginny and Hermione both seemed to be trying to convince Draco of something and Harry realized as Draco began walking towards the end of the paddock that they had been trying to get him to stay. Without thinking, Harry got up and ran to catch up with Draco. He caught Draco's arm as he was walking through the gate.

"I said I can't... oh," Draco said, turning to see Harry.

"Leaving so soon?" Harry blurted out, losing complete control of his words; he was sure it was because of the wine.

"Yeah, I, um... have to get back to my flat," Draco said, giving Harry a strange look.

"Oh, did you get your own place?" Harry asked, feeling stupid.

"Uh, yeah, signed on it yesterday. Listen, I should get going, it's getting late," Draco said, pulling his arm from Harry's grasp. Harry noted that it was only a little after eight.

"Okay, yeah... see you tomorrow?" Harry asked.

Draco sighed before saying, "Yeah goodnight," and with that, he turned on his heel and was gone.

"Ugh," Harry muttered, "what is wrong with me?"

He had spent the entire day ignoring his ex-boyfriend. What had made him think the other man would want to talk to him? Harry made a note not to drink again until all this was resolved and made his way back to the table. Ron and Hermione had gone inside to put Rose to bed and now it was Percy who was arguing with Fred and George. Harry sat back down in his seat and began to pour himself another glass of wine.

"Fancy a walk?" Ginny asked.

"Sure," Harry said, looking up at her.

"Well, c'mon then," she said, walking back down towards the gate. He got up and followed her, walking in a direction he'd had never been.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

"There's a river down this way, it's my favorite spot. It looks positively radiant in the moonlight," she said, smiling.

"So, what have you been up to?" Harry asked her after a short pause.

"Well, not too long after you left, I found a spot and opened my bakery," she said. Harry remembered now; she had been voicing her idea about it for months before Draco's disappearance.

"Well done, Gin, I'm happy for you," he said earnestly.

"Thanks, Harry," she said as they reached the river. Ginny was right--the clear night cleared the way for a flush of moonlight over the river.

"Wow," he muttered.

"Right?" Ginny said, walking down to the shore and dipping her feet in the water.

"So where's the bakery?" he asked, mimicking her.

"Diagon Alley, a spot right next to Ollivander's actually. Hermione is going to partner in with me now that she has Rose. Easier to bring her to work," Ginny told him.

"Oh, good for you guys, that's really great."

"So," she said, conjuring a blanket to sit on and gesturing for Harry to join her.

"So," he said, sitting down.

"Look, Harry, about me and Draco--"

"You don't need to explain, you guys are friends," he said, cutting her off.

"Yes, that's true, but I don't want you to get the wrong idea because I assure you, I have no romantic feelings for him," she said.

"Oh."

"Did you really think I was into him?" she asked.

"I don't know, it's just still so weird, coming back and seeing him all settled in with your family," Harry said.

"Well, you know, Harry, we wouldn't have been so keen on him without you. You convinced us that he was better than all the Malfoy Death Eater bullocks," she said.

"I know," Harry said, sighing.

"You were right you know."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"About Draco. He really is better than all that and perfect for you if I do say so myself," she said, smiling at him.

"I know," Harry said quietly.

"Then talk to him, get him back. Because he's pretty much driving me crazy," she said.

"Oh, so now I'm doing this for you, am I?" Harry asked, smirking at her.

"Yep! Just remember, Harry, everything is about me," she said, pointing to herself and laughing.

"I'm so glad you clarified this." Harry grinned.

"See how helpful I am? Seriously, though, Harry, he really needs you right now," she said.

"I guess I do owe it to him to at least hear him out after the way I have been acting," he said.

"Yeah, you arse! He loves you and I know you love him so just get over it," she said.

"You make it sound so easy. Every time I talk to him, I feel like a schoolboy all over again. It's like I'd been forcing myself to hate him and then I just got so pissed when he came to the pub that day and I realized that he still had that effect on me," Harry said.

"That's a good thing though. You don't want it to get boring," Ginny said.

"Yeah, you're right about everything, of course," he said, smiling at her.

"So... talk to him tomorrow and then shag him senseless because that boy is tense! Merlin knows you both need it!"

"Oh gee, thanks," he said, embarrassed.

"What? You can't tell me that's not the main reason you want to make up with him. And if it's not, you're barking mad," she told him.

"What about making up for lost time and mending our relationship?" Harry asked with an eyebrow raised.

"Blah, blah, blah, I'd just want to shag him," Ginny said, raising one eyebrow back at him.

Harry stared at her with his mouth hanging open, at a loss for words. She looked back at him, raising both of her eyebrows this time.

"Ugh, fine!" he blurted out.

"Ha! I told you!" she said, initiating a strange victory dance.

"Okay, okay, keep your knickers on. It's not like you've invented some new spell or something," he said.

"You're impossible," she said, laughing.

"It's true," Harry said with a half-smile, thinking that she probably wasn't the only one who thought so.