Heaven Through a Window • Drarry •

Chapter Seventeen: Mistletoe

On the first day of the Christmas holidays, Albus and Ginevra visited the hospital. Draco booked the day off so that he wouldn't accidentally punch her in the face.

"How was it?" Draco asked. "Lumos. Look to the left."

"Weird. Al asked me if I was getting better, and I told him I poured boiling water in my breakfast cereal this morning."

"Good, look to the right," Draco murmured.

"He assured me I was a bit scatty before, as well. I reckon he's a bit of a joker." Potter followed Draco's finger and Draco wrote in the Healing Records. "Then as soon as Ginny's back was turned, Al asked if he could have a cat, and 'Mum said it was fine', which I didn't buy for a minute. Sneaky one, isn't he? Bet he learnt that behaviour off Scorpius."

Before Draco could butt in, Potter continued, "Anyway, I told him I was making no parental decisions. Told me all about his friends, how my godson's coming to visit me soon. Then Ginny came for a chat and it was really awkward. Did you know she was shagging some Quidditch player?"

Draco pressed the stethophone to Potter's back. He smelt nice. "Breathe in. And out," he said. "And again. Yes, I did."

"It's so weird. On one hand, I remember being happily married to her. But I just can't imagine us at all long term. Know what I mean?"

"Yeah, well, you are divorced. There is a reason for that."

Potter crossed his legs and rested his chin on his hand. "I always thought I'd meet someone, fall in love, become an Auror, get married, have three kids and a house. Be with someone who would care about me forever. But instead, I've been locked up in here for a year, my wife isn't my wife any more, my son is a stranger who is weirdly similar to me, I've no wand, presumably I've lost my job? I've got no house, and it could be months till I'm normal. Unless someone tries to do me in again. That about right?"

"Not succinct. But essentially correct, yeah. Want to go upstairs?"

Potter plastered a smile on his face but Draco wasn't convinced. "Yeah! Should we try Legilimency again soon? I think it might be working."

Ever the optimist.

Draco smiled. "All right."

****

Over the course of the next two Legilimency sessions, it became apparent that Potter actually fancied him.

Draco pretended he didn't see the memory of Harry looking at him when Draco's back was turned, the vision overlaid with romantic interest. But Draco couldn't ignore the tender look in his eyes when once again Draco pushed him out after a disturbing memory from 1998.

"You okay?" Potter murmured, rubbing Draco's arms.

He didn't shake him off and felt his face soften. "Yes," he said hoarsely. "You?"

Potter nodded. "I'm fine."

"Good."

Potter was not six inches from his face. His gaze flickered down to Draco's lips, and the room was very hot.

"I... should get back to work." Draco ran a hand through his hair and made towards the door. He halted at the threshold, staring at a sprig of mistletoe. "I'll see you again after dinner."

Harry's gaze drew up to the mistletoe as well.

"Okay," he said, eyes not leaving the sprig.

Draco fled.

Approving the Healing Records for the Longbottoms and Mr Wilkes helped refocus Draco's mind on rational matters. Therefore he was his normal composed self when he took Potter to see the Christmas lights.