Facade

The rest of the day passed blissfully without Malfoy's company. He, in fact, did not make an appearance until that evening's party. He showed up, resplendent in a dark brown coat over a cream colored shirt that gave him a somewhat softer appear than his usual dramatic style, and made Harry feel almost regretful of the harsh words that had passed between them. That was, until Draco very coolly ignored both himself and Ron all throughout the meal, concentrating his energies on Miss Granger and Miss Weasley. Ginny was, of course, extremely flattered by the undivided attention.

Harry's face was devoid of emotion, choosing to smile indulgently at Ginny's admiration, contenting himself with the fact that Draco, like the Weasleys, Miss Granger, and himself, were leaving Hogwarts the next day. Malfoy, unlike the rest of the party, was heading for Lambton while the others journeyed to the Burrow to make preparations for the wedding between Ron and Miss Granger.

"Oi, Harry! Come and join us!" Fred (or was it George?) bellowed from the card tables.

"Yeah, Come on, Harry. You need to lose a bit of money tonight." Lieutenant Lee Jordon added. Harry allowed himself to be swept away by the twins and Lt. Jordan, watching with amusement as they blatantly cheated in front of him. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Malfoy watching him, engaged in conversation with Miss Granger, softly. Hermione caught his eye, smiling once at him before returning to the matter at hand.

"A Toast, A Toast!" Dumbledore cried out. He stood up from his place at a small corner table, engaged in a chess game with one Severus Snape, chemist. The black haired man scowled before lifting his glass with the rest of the party. "To the happiness of Miss Granger and Mister Weasley!" Ron flushed with pride.

"Hip Hip, Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray!" The crowd responded.

Fred and George started singing a rather bawdy tune of the time, causing Hermione to flush with embarrassment. Malfoy seemed both shocked and horrified by this, which made Harry smirk. Malfoy would never fit in with the Weasleys, even if he tried for Miss Granger's benefit. The Weasleys may not have been as high class as the Malfoys but they enjoyed life with a vigor that Harry could only dream of. Harry was filled with the resentful pride of one who has had what is most dear to them insulted. The Weasleys, ever since his school days, had been his surrogate family.

As the night grew later, the wine flowed more freely (along with the toasts and drunken renditions of popular songs). Harry noted Malfoy sipping tea, the usual look of bored arrogance in place even at the late hour. He looked up, slightly tipsy, from his conversation with Bill Weasley to notice Fred and George whispering beside Malfoy. He watched, with almost morbid attention, as one of the twins approached him, offering a glass of wine. The cool blond looked up, but declined. The other twin, with Draco distracted, tipped a small vial into the abandoned teacup before vanishing. The rejected twin seemed non-plussed, drinking the proffered wine himself before rejoining his brother. Harry blinked.

The blond scowled, reaching for his teacup and taking a long draught. Hermione chose that moment to abandon her future husband for the time being and chat up her neglected friend. Malfoy smiled broadly at her and Harry lost it. He sputtered mid-sentence and tried to stifle a laugh. Fred and George were in near hysterics across the room. Hermione looked shocked and amused at the same time. Draco's perfect teeth were stained an atrocious black.

Draco seemed to notice something was wrong, frowning and looking around the room with an accusing eye. Hermione tactfully whispered to Draco the issue and he blushed, cheeks tinged pink as he rose and quickly made his excuses to Miss Granger and Miss Weasley. His pale blue gaze met Potter's as he exited. Harry laughed mirthlessly, grinning like an idiot with Fred and George snickering in the corner. Draco returned the gaze coolly, noble features taut with suppressed emotion.

Harry smiled, satisfaction flowing through him. Malfoy was gone and Harry was where he belonged. Thank God for the Weasley twins. Harry reminded himself to thank them personally, later. There would be no questioning gazes from the blond that night. No more midnight waltzes, no more billiards interrogations. His feelings could return to what they had been previously, before Malfoy and midnight and music. And, most importantly, Ginny was safe from Malfoy's handsome looks and persuasive charms. As Malfoy left, Ron came up to Harry, grinning madly. "Did you see? Harry! Did you see?" He laughed heartily. "I never thought I'd be glad to see the day I had two pranksters for brothers."

Harry grinned back. "I remember when they did the same prank to me-that first vacation away from university." Harry shook his head. "My teeth were black for a fortnight, I swear."

"You know what, though?" Ron asked slyly.

"What?"

"I don't think Malfoy's ever looked better."

The next day dawned overcast. Ron staggered down the main walk, rubbing his temples and groaning with the effects of too many celebratory toasts. Harry smiled at that as he packed, helping direct the loading of the carriages the family would be taking to The Burrow. Bill and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were taking one carriage, leaving Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny with the second carriage.

As the carriages were loading, Malfoy's arrived. The blond brusquely moved past Harry to oversee the loading of his individual trunk, Miss Granger at his elbow. They embraced once, Malfoy's face a cool mask. Hermione seemed somewhat concerned but he brushed her worries away with a careless hand, whispering something in her ear as he glanced in Harry's direction. She blinked, but nodded, glancing at Harry himself with questioning eyes. "I shall see you at your wedding, Miss Granger." He said formally, and departed swiftly thereafter.

Miss Granger watched him go with sadness in her eyes. She turned towards Harry and offered a hesitant smile. "He is like a brother to me, you see." She said softly, and moved past Harry to her future husband's side, fussing over him and his headache.

Dumbledore ambled up to him, a letter in his hand, which he pressed into Harry's. "Someone left this for you, Mr. Potter." The aged eyes twinkled merrily at him. Noting the confusion on the young man's face, Dumbledore smiled kindly. "There are some rather lovely gardens near the lake that are good for walking in when one has something to think about." Harry nodded, taking the letter and making his excuses from his host and walking towards the lake.

The letter, addressed in an elegant hand, was to Mr. Harry Potter. He turned the parchment over carefully and noted the Malfoy crest impressed in green wax. He stared at the letter for a long moment before opening it carefully.

Be not alarmed, Sir, that this letter contains any renewal of those sentiments that are so offensive to you. I hope that you will do me the honor or reading this letter, so that I may explain the nature of the relationship between Miss Granger and myself.

Miss Granger and myself grew up in the same small village, as you are aware I am sure. We spent our summers running wild and swimming in trout streams. She, unlike other peers of my acquaintance, was not intimidated by my name. My father, however, found out of our friendship and disapproved, sending me to boarding school. Our acquaintance was maintained through corrospondence throughout the school year and secret meetings during the summer.

When Miss Granger came of age she was presented in London through my sponsorship. It was there that she met Mr. Weasley. At this same time I was involved with some gentleman in the seedier areas of London. My father knew nothing of this. One night my father came to visit me. I came home, very intoxicated, and reeking of the gaming houses. Rather than explain to my father what I was doing in Knockturn Alley and face disownment, Hermione took the blame for my state. As she said, there was no possible way my father could think any less of her in any case.

For the truth of everything here related, I can appeal to the testimony of Miss Granger herself. She is sworn to secrecy but will, at my urging, confirm all I have revealed. I have nothing more to say, except God Bless you.

Draco Malfoy

Harry let out a deep, shuddering breath, trying to compose himself. Draco's tale, however brief, did explain the deep attachment he felt towards Miss Granger, as well as his reasons for being separate from her. Knockturn Alley was a well-known haunt of mollies, or male prostitutes. He hardly knew what to make of Draco's confession. He himself had never ventured to Knockturn Alley, but knew of it through acquaintances of his. Harry puzzled over his tittilated reaction, the memory of Draco's smoldering eyes making him shiver.

He gently refolded the letter, placing it in his pocket. He stared at the lake for a long moment at once admiring of Draco's bravery and at the same time completely dumbstruck by the amount of confidence and trust Malfoy must hold in him to have confessed such a thing to begin with.

"Harry?"

Miss Granger's voice broke through his thoughts and he turned, surprised.

"Miss Granger."

She smiled. "You've read his letter, I presume?" At Harry's nod, she continued. "He has a prodigious faith in people, despite what he's been through. And quite contrary to his upbringing."

"I . . . that is, I am not . . ." Harry stammered, his cheeks flushing as he skittered delicately around the subject.

Hermione merely shrugged, taking his arm and leading him back towards the carriages where their party was waiting. "Draco would not ask of you anything you are not willing to give, Harry." She said simply. "But do not allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice."