Love on the Line

Harry woke up early on Saturday morning, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation. This saturday was special because it meant he could spend time with Teddy. As he got ready, he thought about how much fun they always had together. He quickly showered, dressed in comfortable jeans and a t-shirt, and made his way downstairs.

In the kitchen, Kreacher had already prepared a hearty breakfast. Harry thanked him and ate quickly, not wanting to waste a single moment of the day. After breakfast, he grabbed a small bag he had packed with toys and treats for Teddy and Apparated to Andromeda Tonks' house.

The familiar sound of Teddy’s laughter greeted him as he arrived. Harry smiled, thinking of Teddy's contagious giggles. He walked around to the backyard and stopped in his tracks at the sight before him. There, on the playset, was Draco Malfoy, laughing and playing with Teddy.

Harry couldn't believe his eyes. Draco looked different from the last time he had seen him. His platinum blond hair was long and shining brightly in the sun. As he laughed with Teddy he tucked his hair behind his ear. He wore casual clothes, a tight t-shirt and short low waisted denim shorts, accetuating his legs and his small waist. But his laughter is the only thing he could focus on, it was so genuine and carefree. There was a certain gracefulness in his movements, and Harry couldn't help but notice how relaxed he appeared.

For a moment, Harry just watched them, taking in the unexpected scene. Teddy was climbing up the ladder, and Draco was right behind him, encouraging him with a warm smile. They both looked so happy.

"Harry!" Teddy's excited voice broke Harry's reverie. The little boy slid down the slide and ran towards him, throwing his arms around Harry's legs. Harry picked him up and hugged him tightly.

"Hey, Teddy!" Harry said, smiling. "Having fun?"

"Yes! Draco's here, and he's really good at playing!" Teddy said, his eyes shining with excitement.

Harry glanced at Draco, who was now standing at the bottom of the slide, watching them with a soft smile. "Hi, Malfoy," Harry said, a bit awkwardly.

"Harry," Draco replied, nodding. "Andromeda had an errand to run and asked if I could come over early. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all," Harry said, still adjusting to the idea of Draco being here. "It's nice to see Teddy having so much fun."

Draco's smile widened. "He's a great kid. We've been having a blast."

Teddy squirmed in Harry's arms, eager to get back to playing. Harry set him down, and he immediately ran back to the playset, calling for Draco to join him.

As Draco climbed back up, Harry followed, feeling a strange sense of camaraderie forming. Watching Draco interact with Teddy, Harry saw a side of him he had never seen before. He was kind, patient, and genuinely enjoying himself.

He couldn't help but wonder what Draco had been up to since their days at Hogwarts. They had gone through so much during the war, and Harry realized he knew very little about Draco's life afterwards. Had he found peace? Happiness? Did he have a job he enjoyed? Seeing Draco so relaxed and happy with Teddy made Harry curious about the path Draco had taken and the experiences that had shaped him into the person he was now. Perhaps, Harry thought, it was time to bridge the gap and get to know the man Draco had become.

As the morning sun continued to rise, the warmth of the day mirrored the growing camaraderie among Harry, Draco, and Teddy. The trio played various games, their laughter filling the air. Harry found himself relaxing more and more, the initial awkwardness melting away.

While Teddy was engrossed in building a sandcastle in the sandbox, Harry and Draco sat on a nearby bench, taking a short break. Harry glanced at Draco, noticing how content and at ease he seemed. He sat one knee hugged to his chest while the other dangled his toes touching the grass and his long golden locks blowing in the slight breeze. It felt like the right moment to share something that had been on his mind.

“You know,” Harry began, a hint of hesitation in his voice, “Hermione set me up on a date.”

Draco turned to him, eyebrows raised in curiosity. “Oh? With whom?”

“Her name is Emily,” Harry said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Hermione says she’s really nice, but… I don’t know. I haven’t been on a date in a while, and I’m not sure how I feel about the whole thing.”

Draco gave him an understanding smile. “Blind dates can be a bit nerve-wracking, I suppose. When is it?”

“Tomorrow evening,” Harry replied. “We’re meeting at this little café in Diagon Alley.”

Draco nodded, then seemed to consider something for a moment before speaking again, a shy note creeping into his voice. “If it helps, I could give you an escape call.”

“An escape call?” Harry asked, intrigued.

“Yes,” Draco said, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush. “You know, if things aren’t going well, I could call you. It gives you an excuse to leave if you need one.”

Harry stared at Draco, a little taken aback by the offer. “You’d do that for me?”

“Of course,” Draco replied, smiling softly. “It’s what friends do, isn’t it?”

Friends. The word hung in the air, carrying more weight than Harry had expected. He realized that he did consider Draco a friend, despite their complicated history.

“Thanks, Draco,” Harry said, genuinely touched. “I appreciate it. I might just take you up on that.”

Draco’s smile widened, and Harry felt a warmth spread through him, realizing how much Draco had changed. This new, softer side of Draco was a pleasant surprise, and Harry found himself looking forward to spending more time together.

“Plus,” he said looking back up to Harry, “I was planning on being here anyway… who knows… Teddy may have a terrible potions accident…” He said in a teasing tone, smiling slightly.

“It has been you! You are the one getting Teddy into all of this potion making” Harry said shocked that the pieces didn’t click in his head earlier.

Teddy’s excited shout interrupted their moment. “Harry, Draco, come see the castle I built!”

The two men stood up and walked over to admire Teddy’s creation. As they praised his work and joined him in the sandbox, Harry felt a newfound sense of ease. 

Harry stood in front of his mirror, adjusting his shirt for what felt like the hundredth time. He had opted for a simple, dark button-down and jeans, trying to strike a balance between casual and put-together. Despite his best efforts, nerves fluttered in his stomach. He glanced at his reflection, taking a deep breath. “You’ve faced worse than a blind date, Potter,” he muttered to himself, attempting to muster some confidence.

When he arrived at the little café in Diagon Alley, Emily was already there, sitting at a small table near the window. She was pretty, with curly brown hair and a warm smile. Harry approached, putting on his best smile. “Hi, you must be Emily.”

“Hi, Harry,” she said, standing up to shake his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

They sat down, and Harry tried to start a conversation. “So, Hermione tells me you work in the department of Magical Creatures?”

“Yes,” Emily replied, nodding. “I love animals, and it’s a great place to help those who can’t speak for themselves and share that passion.”

Harry smiled politely. “That sounds wonderful. I’ve spent a fair amount of time around magical creatures myself.”

Emily returned his smile, but the conversation soon hit a lull. Harry racked his brain for something to say, feeling the silence stretch uncomfortably. “Do you have any favorite genres?” he asked finally.

“I enjoy fantasy and historical fiction,” Emily said. “How about you?”

“I like Quidditch books,” Harry said, feeling a bit lame. “And, well, I guess I haven’t read as much as I’d like to recently.”

Emily nodded, sipping her drink. “Quidditch, right. Hermione mentioned you were a great player.”

Harry chuckled awkwardly. “I used to be. I still play sometimes with friends.”

Another silence fell between them, and Harry felt his nerves rising again. He glanced around the café, wondering what else to talk about. Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw Draco’s name on the screen. Relief washed over him.

“Sorry, I need to take this,” Harry said, standing up. He answered the call, stepping away from the table. “Hello?”

“Hey, Harry,” Draco’s voice came through, calm and reassuring. “Just checking in. How’s it going?”

Harry sighed, grateful for the interruption. “Honestly, not great. It’s really awkward.”

Draco chuckled softly. “Do you need an out?”

“Yeah, that would be great,” Harry admitted.

“Alright, give me a second.” Draco paused, then continued, sounding more urgent. “Harry, I need you to come over. Something’s come up, and I could use your help.”

“Got it,” Harry said, making sure he was close enough to Emily for her to hear the urgency in his voice, and finally feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. “I’ll be right there.” He hung up and returned to the table, trying to look concerned. “I’m really sorry, Emily, but a friend needs my help. It’s kind of an emergency.”

Emily looked disappointed but understanding. “It’s alright, Harry. Maybe we can try this again sometime?”

“Yeah, maybe,” Harry said, not entirely sure if he meant it. “Take care, Emily.”

He left the café, feeling a mixture of relief and guilt. As he walked away, he dialed Draco back. “Thanks for that, Draco. You really saved me.”

“No problem,” Draco replied. “How about you floo to andromedas? I just put Teddy to bed, and you can tell me all about it?”

Harry smiled, feeling grateful for Draco’s friendship. “Sounds good. I’ll see you soon.”

It was late at night at Andromeda Tonks' house. The soft glow of the moonlight filtered through the windows, casting gentle shadows in the quiet living room. Draco had just finished putting Teddy to bed, the little boy falling asleep quickly after a day full of excitement and play. Andromeda was in her room, engrossed in a book, her door slightly ajar.

Draco was in the living room, waiting for Harry. He wore a simple yet elegant robe, his hair loose and falling around his face. The dim light made him look ethereal, almost otherworldly, as he sat on the couch, his expression serene.

A sudden whoosh broke the silence as Harry stepped through the Floo, brushing off a bit of soot. He glanced around and saw Draco waiting for him. For a moment, Harry was struck by how beautiful Draco looked, the soft light accentuating his delicate features.

"Hey, Draco," Harry greeted, his voice low to avoid waking anyone.

"Harry," Draco replied, a warm smile spreading across his face. "How did it go?"

Harry sank into the couch next to Draco, letting out a sigh. "It was awkward. Really awkward. Emily seems nice, but we just didn’t click. Thanks for the call, by the way. It was a lifesaver."

Draco chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling. "I’m glad I could help. Tell me more. What happened?"

Harry ran a hand through his hair, recounting the date in detail—the stilted conversation, the uncomfortable silences, and the relief he felt when Draco’s call gave him an excuse to leave. Draco listened intently, his expression sympathetic.

"Sounds like it wasn’t meant to be," Draco said gently when Harry finished. "But at least you gave it a shot."

Harry lingered for a moment, feeling a reluctance to leave. Sensing this, Draco stood up and offered, “Would you like some tea? We could talk a bit more, if you’re not too tired.”

Harry smiled, grateful for the offer. “Tea sounds great, actually.”

Draco led Harry to the kitchen, his movements graceful and deliberate. Harry couldn’t help but notice how attractive Draco looked, even in his simple bedtime attire. There was an effortless elegance about him, a quiet beauty that Harry found hard to ignore. As Draco set the kettle on the stove and began preparing the tea, Harry's thoughts kept drifting to how Draco's hair fell softly down his back and how his eyes seemed to sparkle even in the dim light.

“Chamomile or peppermint?” Draco asked, glancing at Harry with a small smile.

“Chamomile, please,” Harry replied, trying to focus on the conversation and not on how Draco’s smile made his heart skip a beat.

Draco nodded and set to work. Harry watched him, appreciating the care he took in choosing the tea leaves and brewing the perfect cup. There was something soothing about the way Draco moved, each gesture precise and thoughtful.

Once the tea was ready, they carried their cups to the living room and settled on the couch. Draco took a sip, his eyes distant as he began to speak. “You seem like you have something on your mind.”

Harry hesitated, then decided to go ahead. “I’ve been wondering about you, Draco. About what happened after the war, after the trials. I realize I don’t know much about what you and your family went through.”

Draco’s expression grew somber, and he nodded slowly. “It’s a long story, but I don’t mind sharing it with you.”

Harry watched as Draco took another sip of his tea, noticing the way his fingers wrapped around the cup, slender and delicate. He shook himself mentally, trying to focus on Draco’s words.

“After the trials, things were… difficult. My father went to Azkaban, as you know. It was hard on my mother and me, but we managed. She was my rock during those times.”

Harry listened intently, feeling a pang of sympathy. “I can’t imagine how hard that must have been.”

“It was,” Draco continued, his voice softer. “But we tried to rebuild our lives. We kept to ourselves, mostly. My mother was determined to protect me from the aftermath of the war. She did everything she could to give us some semblance of normalcy.”

Draco paused, his fingers tightening around his cup. “But a f-few months ago, she fell ill. It was sudden, and there was nothing we could do. She passed away shortly after.”

“I’m so sorry, Draco,” Harry said, his heart aching for him. “I didn’t know.”

Draco’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but he held them back. “It’s alright. She was a strong woman, and she fought until the end. Losing her was the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced. But it also made me realize how precious life is, and how important it is to cherish the people we have while we can.”

Harry reached out, placing a comforting hand on Draco’s. He couldn’t help but notice how soft Draco’s skin felt under his touch. “I’m really sorry for your loss. Your mother was incredibly brave.”

“Thank you, Harry,” Draco said, his voice barely above a whisper. “She was… But… God getting to be with Teddy and Aunt Andromeda in what feels like an actual home is all I have ever wanted. I am so grateful for them.”

They sat in silence for a while, the weight of Draco’s words hanging in the air. Harry felt a deeper understanding of Draco now, seeing the pain and strength that had shaped him into the person he had become. He squeezed Draco’s hand gently, offering silent support, unable to ignore the way his heart seemed to race at the contact.

As the clock ticked past midnight, Harry knew it was time to head home. He stood up from the couch, stretching slightly and feeling the pleasant fatigue of a long, heartfelt conversation. Draco walked him to the Floo, his presence a comforting shadow at Harry’s side.

“Thanks for the tea and for listening, Draco,” Harry said, his voice sincere. “It really helped.”

Draco smiled, a soft and genuine expression that made Harry’s heart skip a beat. “Anytime, Harry. It was good to talk.”

Harry hesitated for a moment, then added, “I’m glad you’re staying over to help with Teddy tomorrow. He really enjoys having you around.”

Draco chuckled. “I enjoy spending time with him. He’s a wonderful kid.” There was a brief pause before Draco’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “And remember, if you ever need an emergency escape call from another date, I’m just a phone call away.”

Harry laughed, feeling a warmth spread through him. “I’ll keep that in mind. Hopefully, I won’t need it too often.”

Draco’s smile widened. “Hopefully not, but it’s always good to have a backup plan.” he winked.

Harry stepped into the Floo, glancing back at Draco one last time. “Goodnight, Draco.”

“Goodnight, Harry,” Draco replied, his voice soft and reassuring.

With a swirl of green flames, Harry was gone, leaving Draco standing alone by the fireplace. Draco sighed, a content smile playing on his lips as he turned back towards the living room. He knew he had a full day ahead with Teddy, but the thought of spending time with the cheerful little boy brought a sense of joy and purpose.

Hopefully he would see Harry again… Draco liked to talk to Harry.