Title: Home In You Giftee: mld13 Author: cinnamon_sins Rating: light NC-17 Word Count: 2,172 Characters/Pairing: Harry/Draco, with mentions of Dean/Seamus, Remus/Sirius, Harry/Ron, Remus/Tonks Warnings: Gratuitous use of pairings. Haha. Seriously though... Slash, Het, and I think that's it. Author's Notes: I will admit this fic gave me some trouble. I'm the kind of person that needs lots of prompts to function adequately. So with a lack of prompting, I decided to be original and use all the requested pairings for something completely different. Special thanks to everyone that listened to me wibble and *headdesk* as I worked on this. You know who you are and you're all golden. And a very special thanks to my beta whom I couldn't have made this perfect without, and almost made cry with forcing her to beta another H/D. Haha. Hope you enjoy! Summary: Home is where you find a perfect fit, whether it be in a person or a place. And sometimes you have to know when to let the past go so you can move on with your future.
It had been three years since the war had ended. Five years since the last time any of them had seen Hogwarts. In a way, tonight was a celebration for them all: a time to relax; a time to be around each other again as friends; a time that, for once, they wouldn't spend plotting their next mission.
Tonight wasn't about reunions though. Tonight was about Dean and Seamus. It was about the happiness they had found in each other that they were now sharing with the world.
Harry laughed a bit from his seat in a dark corner at the back of the bar. He'd known about this relationship long before anyone else so it wasn't surprising to him. He was one of two people that knew. The other was someone he hadn't seen in over a year. That is, until he suddenly appeared through the crowd, striding across the bar towards him.
"Harry..." Ron said casually.
The calm tone of Ron's voice was agonizing. They hadn't parted on the best of terms, and now, over a year later, it came down to this moment.
"Can I join you?"
Ron stood silent for a minute while they contemplated each other. Finally, Harry nodded, motioning to the chair next to him. Ron easily slumped down in his seat, causing Harry to silently snort. He always hated when Ron did that. Harry swore it would give him back problems one day.
"I remember when it all started," Ron whispered, drinking from his bottle of butterbeer as they watched all their old friends cheering for the happy couple.
Harry smiled. "It's kind of hard to forget. Those two never could be quiet, and they never could get their silencing charms right either."
Ron laughed and Harry felt like he could shatter right there, rip into a million pieces. That laugh was like a blade to his heart. It caused him to regret the things he had said, fear the things he had done. But he couldn't do that, because it was for the best and they both knew it.
"Their relationship led the way...even if it was in secret," Ron said offhandedly.
Harry knew that Ron was talking about them. If it wasn't for Dean and Seamus, for catching them sneaking into each other's beds at night, Harry and Ron would never have known that that kind of devotion was possible. They would never have known that a friendship could be more. And they would never have taken their own friendship that one step farther.
Harry nodded silently. This was becoming harder by the second and his reasons for not wanting to come tonight were more apparent. But these were his friends and he couldn't let them down for his own selfish reasons. Not after they were always there for him when he needed them. And oh, how many times he needed them, even if he couldn't admit it.
"And who would have ever thought it was so common," Ron added as Remus walked threw the door of the bar with Tonks on his arm.
"Sirius..." Harry whispered distractedly.
He'd never forget the first time that he and Ron had fought as a couple. They had be arguing over Ron going into battle with Harry, when Remus burst in on them, not realising the situation. He caught them half-dressed, faces scarlet with anger, but eyes dark with lust and need.
That was the day Remus told them both about Sirius. The day they found out that Sirius was more than a brother, a friend to Remus; he was a lover. The day that Remus said he regretted every moment he fought with Sirius because in the end, he spent what seemed a lifetime believing he was rightfully sent to Azkaban and no amount of time could make up for that. And no amount of regret could make up for the moment that Sirius died and Remus had lost him again.
Live every moment like it's meant to be lived. You never know what might happen next. ...Especially with this war.
Harry replayed Remus' words over and over again in his head. Those simple words had stopped many fights from escalating. But once the war was over, they didn't seem as important as they once had.
"Do you think she knows?" Ron asked, watching Tonks laugh at something Remus and Dean said.
"I do," Harry whispered, still deep in thought.
"That's rather understanding of her," Ron said a bit awe-struck.
Harry nodded. "I reckon with a love like hers, she was willing to put her heart on the line, no matter the circumstances. He may have loved Sirius, but that doesn't mean he can't love her too."
Ron finally turned, tilting his head slightly and gazing at Harry as the implications of those words struck them both. Harry had moved on and fallen in love, but he still did, and forever would love Ron. You could never forget your first love.
"How is Malfoy?" Ron asked, looking back to the celebrations again.
Harry sighed as the topics got more and more difficult. He could hear the disappointment and pain in Ron's voice. He knew Ron didn't like Malfoy, and of all the people to move on with after breaking your best mate's heart, the one person your best mate didn't like wasn't exactly the best option.
"He's good," Harry said simply. "He's at home."
He didn't want to mention that Draco didn't want him to come tonight. That he had fought with him only hours before because Draco was afraid that Harry would run into Ron and start again. He didn't want to mention that he knew Draco was sitting in the window seat, staring out the window and waiting for Harry to come back to him.
"As long as you're happy," Ron muttered.
Shutting his eyes tightly, Harry took a deep breath, setting his drink down. Opening his eyes again, he turned to Ron, finally having enough.
"I was happy with you Ron. But there is more to a relationship than that. We've always been best mates. It was something we excelled at. And yes, it saddened me that we couldn't be more, but it never felt quite right. As a couple, we fought more often than not."
Ron stared at him slightly aghast. His mouth opened and closed a few times, obviously trying to say something, but no words were coming out.
"What?" Harry said sternly. "Tell me. I'm sick of us not talking just because we broke up and now I'm with Malfoy."
Ron's eyes softened slightly, perhaps even a bit fearful of Harry's forwardness. "I met someone," he finally spoke, eyes narrowing in anticipation of Harry's response.
Harry felt stupid. Stupid for thinking Ron still had any lingering feelings for him. Stupid for thinking Ron would never move on. And stupid for caring and letting it come in the way of his feelings for Draco.
"...oh," he finally whispered. "Do I know the person?"
Ron shook his head. "No. I met her this past summer...in this small village outside of Paris. She attended Beauxbatons around the same time as Fleur."
Ron stopped, obviously searching for his words. Harry couldn't help but stare in amazement.
"I didn't want to tell you unless it was serious," Ron whispered, staring down at the floor. "But, that's why I came over here tonight. We're getting married in the fall."
Harry couldn't think, couldn't breathe. He didn't know why he cared, but suddenly he did and his world was crushing him slowly, and painfully.
"Harry," Ron whispered, finally looking up at him. "I want you to be my best man. I hate that we don't talk anymore and I want to change that."
Harry nodded, desperately trying to catch his breath before Ron noticed. "Of course, Ron... Always best mates..."
Harry stood, setting his empty butterbeer bottle on the table next to him, and facing Ron. "I hate to do this now," he said biting his lip, "but I promised Draco I wouldn't stay out too late."
Ron nodded, standing as well. They stood in awkward silence before Harry reached forward, wrapping his arms tightly around Ron. His lips ghosted near Ron's ear as he chose his words carefully.
"Keep in touch, Ron. And tell that girl of yours that she's lucky to have a guy like you."
He pulled away and stepped back, fighting the emotions welling up inside of him. Ron laughed hesitantly, obviously facing the same dilemma himself.
"I think she already knows," he whispered. "And I will keep in touch...now."
Harry smiled, turning to leave the pub. "Goodbye, Ron."
As he turned and walked away, he thought he heard Ron mumble, never goodbye, only see you later, but he couldn't be sure. He couldn't be sure of anything anymore.
Harry left the small pub and Apparated home to the flat he shared with Draco. He knew Draco was worried about what tonight might bring; the emotions it would bring up. He had promised Draco a million times that he'd come home to him. So it didn't surprise him when he found the flat dark and a shadowed figure sitting at the window, staring down at the street.
"Draco," he whispered, hesitant to step forward.
Draco turned, quirking his lips slightly. He didn't speak, just watched. He was hunched in the window seat, eyes dark.
"I promised you I'd come back," Harry whispered again, finally moving to sit in front of Draco. "You shouldn't have worried. I've never given you a reason to doubt me."
Draco nodded, reaching out and wrapping his arms around Harry. He held him like there was no tomorrow, like this was only a dream and Harry felt the pull at his heart as Draco's fingers dug into his skin for dear life.
Harry dipped his hand under the edge of Draco's shirt, drawing soothing circles on the small of his back, trying to calm the fear that had built in them both. As Draco elicited a sharp breath, Harry slowly brought his fingers to the front, idly unbuttoning the thin shirt that Draco wore.
He ran his hand along the smooth flesh of Draco's chest as the skin was revealed, letting the material gently fall from Draco's shoulders. He let his hands drift down Draco's arms, causing them to prickle, only then noticing that Draco had started on the buttons of his own shirt.
As fingers found flesh and clothing was delicately strewn about, Harry caught Draco's lips in a languid kiss, his tongue darting out lightly to savor Draco's sweet taste. It was a taste he had come to know and enjoy since their first kiss so long ago and Harry knew it was something he wouldn't likely forget. Just like Ron's...
He pushed away the thoughts lingering in his mind, nimbly unfastening Draco's trouser button. Draco lay back in the window seat, arching his hips as Harry slid the trousers down his body and threw them into the random pile. Kissing along Draco's bare chest, Harry removed his own pants, crawling back between his legs.
Their lips found one another again, gently moving against each other in soft, slow kiss. Harry's hand played across Draco's skin, longing to touch every inch. His fingers wound through the pale golden locks as his other hand traveled down, dipping between Draco's legs, tracing his entrance lightly. Harry muttered the charm, their charm and pressing two fingers in.
Draco arched, his breath becoming shaky with desire. He was keening as Harry stroked into him. It didn't take much to prepare Draco anymore, he'd become molded to Harry, just as Harry had to him. A perfect fit...
Scissoring a few times, Harry gently removed his fingers, positioning himself at Draco's entrance. He leaned forward, kissing Draco passionately as he entered him, capturing Draco's lost breath as his mouth opened in a silent gasp. A perfect fit...
After all they had been through in their lives, they had found home in each other. They had left their regrets in the past and had found solace in each other. They grew and learned from each other, and together had moved past their old relationships, putting everything behind them.
It was only in Harry's embrace that Draco could ever know how Harry truly felt and he stroked into him slowly and passionately. It was impossible to determine how long they continued in that slow roll of hips, impossible to know who came first, but lying sated and sweaty in that large window seat; they watched the sun come up together before falling asleep in each other's arms.
How it rightfully should be.
And when he woke up, Harry would tell Draco how his night had gone and tell him what he truly meant to him. But for now he was satisfied with their perfection and happy that not only could he move on with the one he loved, but now Ron could move on as well. For once he knew what true happiness was.