Work Text:
Harry couldn't be happier. He's here, in the 8th year common room, surrounded by his schoolmates and he's never felt so loved.
The 8th years decided to throw a New Year's party because honestly they'd find any reason to celebrate, but Harry couldn't be bothered to be annoyed or even the slightest upset.
He’s here with his best friends—third wheeling, naturally, but he doesn't too much mind that either—and everyone else from the year.
Even the Slytherins. As of late, he and Draco decided to call a truce. Naturally, with the war and everything, fighting each other wasn't even something that crossed their minds. However, they wanted to verbally come to the term and start on a new foot.
Everyone knew they were friendlier and of course it took a little bit of work and words to get to where they are now, but they're here. Together.
Harry is sat on a loveseat, legs up over the nearest armrest and eyes traveling the bodies in the room. Parities have never been his thing, but this was nice.
He watched as Ginny—his ex with no harm done to their friendship—sipped from her cup and a sparkle of interest in whatever Luna was telling her.
He watched as Neville flushed at whatever Blaise had said. How he turned his face away and Blaise gently turned it back. Those two are insufferable. It's honestly adorable.
He watched as Hermione and Ron danced together and Pansy and Draco at their side.
Ah. Draco. He's not as bad as he seemed to want everyone to think. He’s really a huge teddy bear with slightly sharpened claws. A koala if you will.
He caught those icy grey eyes across the room and held his stare. How could he look away when he craved those eyes to be on him at all times. He noticed the little nudge Pansy gave him and the glare he threw back. He also caught the soft smile he tried to keep from his face when he turned back to face him.
See, they were together. Some people knew, some didn't. It's not like they were trying to hide it, they just weren't running through the corridors screaming it. Private but not secret.
It honestly shouldn't be a surprise. All those years they'd spend obsessing and taunting the other. They just wanted the others attention, of course their little 11 year old brains just wouldn't accept that.
He wonders what to expect for the new year. They graduate this year. Officially . Harry and Ron have already been working with Aurora for training and it wouldn't take long to finish soon. Hermione is getting into politics to become the next Minister of Magic. Luna and Neville are going into Herbology and Care of Magical creatures work. Ginny is looking to go pro in Quidditch. He's pretty sure he heard that Blaise is going to culinary school and Pansy and Draco are going into fashion.
Meetings with Ron and Hermione on Monday's for lunch and Luna and Ginny on Wednesday’s for tea. Waking up next to Draco with their cat meowing for food.
Harry doesn't know when it started, but he can't seem to picture a future where Draco isn't waking up next to him with a matching gold band on his left hand.
Just as the the thought crosses his mind again, the man himself comes and plops next to Harry.
“Mon Amour,” he cooed in his ear.
He flushed like he does every time he hears it. There's just something about the way he says it. They way his tongue curves around the three syllables and make them sound like a symphony he never wants to forget.
“Darling,” he’s hopeless but to respond.
“I can see the cogs turning in your eyes. What’re you thinking?” Draco’s arm finds It’s way to the couch behind Harry’s head.
“Now. The feature,” he responds.
“Yeah? And what do you think?”
“I'm happy.”
“Good. Me too.”
They turn and smile up at each other before noticing Seamus coming around with a tray of glasses filled with champagne. They pair receive their glasses and join the forming bunch in front of the tempus, specifically set to show the hour, minute, second, and millisecond. 23:59:30:25 on December 31st, 1998.
In thirty seconds, the new year starts and the world moves on. But in thirty seconds, things have never been better.
Five!
Four!
Here, in this moment, Harry nor Draco could wish for anything better. The pair turn to face each other, eyes bright and faces pink .
Three!
Two!
Both boys lift their glasses and take a sip. Harry’s left hand finds Draco’s face while the other holds his glass. Draco right hand is placed at Harry’s hip while the other holds his glass.
One!
They give each other a closed-mouth smile before leaning in and sharing a kiss. Of course they shot gun because who would they be if they didn't, and the liquid was now swapped between the initial receiver of it.
Happy New Year!
It didn't actually stay because they started smiling and it started dripping from the partially connected mouths.
No one batted an eye because honestly, no one was surprised they turned out this way. They were either destined to hate each other for eternity, or realize it was never hate and they just don't know how to deal with emotions properly. And here we are.
The year has come and gone, but the love will only come and grow