I Swear This Time I Mean It ✔️

Chapter 23

Breakfast was chaos to say the least. Draco, no longer Malfoy (for the most part) was the name heard most often, with the occasional mention of Harry of course.

"My boyfriend the celebrity", Harry whispered in Draco's ear.

"I could say the same about you", Draco retorted.

The old him thrived under attention, but now, he really wished people would stop looking at him. He couldn't imagine how Harry has felt all of these years, and his heart went out for his boyfriend.

"I think we'd win the hottest couple of the year award, if only they knew."

"Would you like to share with the class?", Hermione asked, an eyebrow raised.

"Harry is giving me tips on how to best avoid... this", Draco said, waving a hand around. "It won't be very beneficial if everyone could hear."

"Hopefully you'll be old news soon enough. I can see why everyone would be... surprised though. There were things that even I didn't know written in that article."

"It wasn't something I asked for", Draco retorted, with a pointed look at Harry. "His heart was in the right place though, so I can't be mad. The reaction doesn't seem to be too drastic in here, but I suppose that's because everyone here is used to me. I shudder at the thought of venturing out into the Wizarding World anytime soon."

"You're photogenic, you'll be alright. Unlike when they took that one horrible photo of me and reused it for a whole year", Ron grumbled.

"That's in my scrapbook", Harry teased.

"It better not be", Ron warned, fork pointed at Harry.

Harry just winked, and began to put some food on his plate.

"Do you both have any plans this weekend?", Hermione asked. "I was thinking we could all hang out sometime soon."

"We're going away this weekend, but how about the one after? I need to get away from all of this, and I'm sure by next weekend they'll have something better to talk about", Draco offered.

"Fine by me", Harry agreed.

"Maybe we can study together tonight then? We do have that Charms exam coming up..."

It was now the weekend, and Harry and Draco were laying on the beach, snuggled up together on a blanket.

"I still can't believe people actually like me", Draco said with a snort, his hand lazily drawing patterns on Harry's arm.

"It surprises me too sometimes", Harry teased, kissing Draco before he could protest.

"That's because you love me. Quite embarrassing for you, really Potter."

"About as embarrassing as you loving me back Malfoy. I'm a right mess."

"My beautiful mess", Draco cooed, pinching Harry's cheeks.

"Oh sod off!", Harry said with a laugh, playfully swatting Draco's hands away.

They laid in silence for a while, watching the waves crash onto the shore.

"Tell me what you're thinking?", Draco asked.

"You could easily find out you know. You don't even have to ask."

"It feels very intrusive sometimes. I'd rather ask you."

"I'm just happy that everything seems to be falling into place. Ron is finally starting to seem like his old self. Blaise and Neville look quite happy. I'm spending my second month anniversary with the man I love. What else do I need?"