The Dating Game, Part Twenty Four Title: The Dating Game, Part Twenty Four Fandom: Harry Potter Author: digthewriter Rating: PG-13 Word Count: 1000 Warnings: AU / EWE A/N: Unbetaed PART TWENTY THREE
"I think she put in the idea in Jones's head that he and I should date. I mean I didn't even know that the man knew who I was. He worked in Creatures. But he was so indecisive. So I made up some jargon about Pureblood courtships so I could change my mind about going on a date with him. A month later, I ran into him again at the Ministry café, and he said that he was sorry, that Granger was the one who'd said he should ask me out— I still have no idea why. I don't have any hang ups about Pureblood dating etiquette."
"Oh God!" Harry covered his face with his hand and closed his eyes.
"What's the matter?" Draco asked, sounding concerned.
"Did you ever talk to Hermione about it?" Harry asked.
"Sort of. I told her to mind her own business and she said she would. I mean, I know Weasley and I talk sometimes when he comes by my office. He's always looking for some trivial information but I was surprised that she'd tried to set me up. Me? I mean, we barely talk."
"Ron comes by your office?" Harry asked. He had no idea.
"Yes. At first, he wanted some information on a hangover potion. I gave him some samples, then he asked about another potion because his father was getting nauseous by some medicine that a Healer at St Mungo's had provided. After that, he just stopped by because he wanted a potion that would numb his taste buds because he was expected to drink Egg nog at the last holiday party and apparently he hates the taste."
"Yeah it was a challenge from Seamus. We were invited over to Seamus's place for dinner and they had mysterious drinks in small Santa Claus container. If you didn't drink it, you... It's a long story. That night was a disaster," Harry said.
Draco raised an eyebrow and looked at Harry sceptically. "After that, I enquired about his father again, and then he just stopped by to chat. I suppose he'd stopped hating me by then."
"Hermione thinks he has a bit of a crush on you," Harry said dryly.
"Maybe that's why she was trying to set me up with Jones," Draco said.
They were still in the kitchen, standing against opposite walls and Harry felt so relaxed. He liked that he could just talk to Draco like this. At work whenever they'd crossed paths, they had been cordial, and also in front of Teddy. It was surprising to see how far they'd come now, over a decade after the war. This made him ache for Draco even more. Now, he felt more foolish for not having made his move earlier.
"You know she dared me to ask you out," Harry blurted out before he could stop himself.
"She did?" Draco was surprised, but didn't seem cross. Harry thought that was a good sign.
"She knew I liked you since...forever. So she told me I would have to do it or she was going to tell you for me. So I did— And you know. She told me about Jones. I think she was trying to get me to be jealous."
"She's not very good at matchmaking," Draco said smiling.
"Well. I'm here, aren't I?"
"Yes," Draco said, "two years later."
Harry bit his lower lip. He knew that Draco was teasing him, still, he felt strange about it.
"I..." He began to say when Draco cut him off.
"I'm sorry."
"Why?" Harry asked, confused.
"I don't mean to bring it up so much. I just...I can understand that not everyone can look past my mistakes from the war. I understand why you wouldn't have wanted me to—"
"I've always wanted you," Harry said.
"Yes, and I should have said something when you flirted with me and forgot about it. I just...I should have asked you out for a drink. I waited foolishly for two years too. I would have waited longer. It was just easier to think you didn't want me or you didn't remember than to act...I wasn't a Gryffindor, you know."
"It doesn't mean you weren't brave. You were brave in the war, and I was the idiot for the past few years. There's just a lot of things that I had to consider—"
"Like what?" Draco asked before he reached across the room, took Harry's hand, and guided him to his bedroom. They sat on the small sofa in the other corner; away from the bed. "Tell me."
Harry took a deep sigh and decided to come clean. He told Draco about all of his reservations. About how the Weasleys were his family, and they had a lot of loss during the war. He was afraid if Draco didn't like the Weasleys, or if the Weasleys didn't like him, how he would never be able to choose. He spoke of his guilt and about being around them and how he wouldn't even be able to understand that kind of loss...
"They'd never make you choose," Draco said, though he didn't sound confident in that statement.
"I know," Harry said.
"I would never make you choose," Draco said, this time, sounding very confident.
"I know that too. I know we're different now from before the war. Everything that happens to me now is my own doing. Or something that doesn't happen... I mean..."
Then Draco kissed him again and Harry was glad for it. He was getting tired of talking; getting tired of being so uncertain.
"You know what this means now," Draco said with a shy smile after they pulled apart.
"What?" Harry asked, and then grinned. "Whatever it is, if it makes you smile like that, I'm already loving it."
Draco rolled his eyes and squeezed Harry's hand. "Now, I can't ever make you feel guilty about waiting two years to ask me out on a date after flirting with me at the Ministry Ball."
"Really?" Harry said with a teasing tone. "In that case let me tell you more about my insecurity and reservations..." He laughed and Draco placed a finger on Harry's lips that he immediately kissed.
"Potter, there's being adorable and then there's being absolutely pathetic," he said.
"I can be adorable and pathetic," Harry replied with a serious look. "Trust me, I excel at being adorable and pathetic."PART TWENTY FIVE