Chapter 21

Author's Note: Amarah wrote a part of this chapter, see whether you can spot a different writing style. ;)

Draco's POV

I was sick.

I had known this would happen. I had never had the best immune system, and staying out on that pond with Harry for hours wasn't the greatest idea. I didn't want to leave, though, and at the time I had convinced myself that it would be okay, I would just drink some coffee or something and I'd be back to full health in no time. No such luck. Instead, I was currently lying on the couch in our living room, my head pounding beneath my fingertips and my stomach aching dully. Harry had pulled up a chair beside me and was looking at me worriedly, biting his lip.

"I knew I should have made us go home before we got too cold." He shook his head, handing me a bowl of soup.

I took it gratefully. "It's not your fault, Harry. I don't feel bad at all."

"You're sick, Draco."

I smiled weakly. "Okay, maybe I feel a little bad."

He rolled his eyes.

"Do you know what would cheer me up, though?"

He visibly perked up, eager to make me feel better. "What?"

"A kitten." I hopefully looked up through my lashes at him.

"Right, yes, a kitten... A kitten?!" he repeated incredulously, staring at me.

"Please?"

He chewed on the inside of his cheek, visibly debating the issue. "Kittens turn into cats."

I sighed. "You sound like my mother."

He glared but I didn't relent, still peering up at him trough my lashes hopefully.

"Fine." he said it crossly, but I could tell that he was happy that there was some way that he could make me feel better.

I grinned up at him. "I'd kiss you if it wouldn't make you sick."

He raised his eyebrows and stooped down, pressing a quick kiss on to my lips. "You're sure you'll be okay?" he asked uncertainly. I nodded.

"It's not like you're going for long. I'll be okay, just watching TV and eating." I gestured to my soup bowl.

He grabbed his coat off of a nearby coat hanger. "I'll be back soon. Bye, Draco."

"Bye, Harry."

The door closed behind him and I picked up the remote, flicking through the channels idly. There was nothing on, though, so after a while I clicked it off, spooning the last bit of soup into my mouth and setting it aside. That's when I heard the tapping.

It was coming from the window by the kitchen, and when it didn't relent after two minutes, I managed to get up and investigate. I wrapped a blanket around my shoulders and it dragged after me on the floor as I stumbled into the kitchen, glancing around the room. Everything seemed to be in order, and I was about to leave when I noticed an owl at the window. It was loaded with a letter and a heavy-looking, rectangular package that was weighing it down.

I rushed towards the glass, pushing it open and letting the bird in, and checking that no muggles had seen the bird. Luckily, the street was empty and no one had noticed the strange barn owl tapping at our window.

The animal had flown to the table and was nipping at the string that attached to parcel and letter to its leg. I slumped into the chair and undid the knot, pulling the brown paper package away and glancing at the envelope. It was marked with only Harry's name, but I assumed that he didn't mind me looking at it and slid my fingernail under the flap, tearing it open. The bird had made itself comfortable on the table so I ignored it as I unfolded the delicate material and scanned through the neat, small words.

'Harry,' It read;

I hope you know that the only reason I haven't contacted you during these last couple of months is because you asked for some time away. I've been working on Ron and he seems to be accepting you easier now... so please come and visit us sometime. I promise that I won't write to you and beg for you to come, since you explicitly told me not to, but reporters have stopped following Ron and I and I think it's safe for you to visit us, at least.

Of course, this will never be over for you. You saved the entire Wizarding World single-handedly: it will never be forgotten in centuries, let alone your lifetime. Your name will be as famous as Merlin's... maybe one day the saying will be 'Harry's scar' instead of 'Merlin's Beard', or something of that sort. Anyways, the fact is, they'll never stop wanting your story, but that doesn't mean you have to stop being friends with us. Please, please, come and visit.

The package attached is something that I found at 12 Grimmauld Place while we were staying there. He was mostly asleep during the time that I saw it, and I forgot to tell you about it, but I think that you deserve to have him while you're alone in the Muggle world, if you won't accept me or Ron.

Merry Christmas.

Hermione x

I glanced over the letter again, resolving to make sure that Harry visited his friends as soon as I was feeling better. Besides, I wanted to apologize for all the trouble I had caused them during our years at Hogwarts.

I wasn't sure whether I wanted to open the package, but I did it anyways, pulling the thick, brown paper off. What remained was a painting, a painting that depicted the face I recognized from my third year, when it had been plastered all over The Daily Prophet and any other newspaper worth my time: Sirius Black.

''Draco.''

I blinked. ''Um. Hello''

''If you don't mind me asking, can you please place me on a chair somewhere? I had a rather unsteady journey.'' He frowned and rubbed his lower abdomen.

''Oh, right, of course.''

I placed him on the seat Harry had just vacated and sat on the couch staring at him for a good few minutes.

''I, um, think I got delivered to the wrong address. I don't suppose you know where Harry is?''

''No, he lives here, don't worry... you're in the right place. He's just popped out for a while.''

''Oh.. he lives with you?''

''Yes, actually.'' I said feeling slightly offended.

''Oh don't take it personally boy, I was just confirming. May I ask why?''

''Harry needed some time away from the Wizarding World... as did I.. we never planned to live together, it just sort of happened.''

''Oh, I see. Time away from what exactly? The magical world is safe now.''

''He, erm..'' I chewed my lip, not knowing what to say. Should I tell Sirius that Harry came out? Or would Harry want to tell him himself?

''It's okay, I won't say anything to Harry.''

I glanced up at him, not sure what to do. He was being surprisingly nice considering it was my aunt who killed him.

''You see, right after the war ended, Harry sort of, well... came out.''

''Came out? Of where?'' Sirius had a look on his face that said 'what on earth are you trying to get at?'

''This is awkward. Um.. well, Harry told everyone he was gay.''

I looked at him expectantly, to see what his reaction would be.

''I see, and..?''

''Wait, you don't mind that he's gay?''

''Why would I? He could be a fire-breathing dragon and I would still love the boy with all my heart.''

''Sir-''

''Please call me Sirius. And I assume he has a partner?''

''Yes... me.''

It was his turn to blink. ''You? Draco Malfoy? Slytherin Prince?!''

I sort of shrunk back into the blankets, expecting him to rant on about how Harry was too good for me.

''Well, I definitely need to congratulate the boy. He bagged a fine piece.'' He winked at me.

Wait, what? What happened to the Harry was too good for me thing?

''Sirius, I don't understand...''

''Oh, don't worry my boy I have no issues with him being gay or even you being his partner. Your father was a handsome man too. Feisty under the covers I'll say.''

''Whoa, okay, too much.'' I did my best to clear the image out of my head, and wondered why exactly my dad was so against anything 'unnatural' now if he experimented back then.

We laughed and it eased some of the tension in the room between us.

''Sirius... I'm sorry about what happened.''

''Whatever do you mean?''

''About my aunt. I'm sorry that she put you there. And I'm sorry that you got taken away from Harry so soon.''

''Draco, stop apologizing. I don't have the faintest idea as to why you would think to bear this burden. What happened between me and your aunt had nothing to do with you. Don't feel guilty about it at all.''

''I know, but I just felt I had to apologize for her.''

''You'll do no such thing. Now, how is living in the Muggle world working for you?''

Talking to Sirius was very easy. Everything just came naturally without having to think too much. I could tell why Harry accepted him instantly and how he had been so famous in Hogwarts. I could feel a bubble of happiness growing inside my chest mainly due to the fact that Sirius had given us his blessing and that he was happy for us. After a short while of talking I heard the door click open.

I got up and shuffled to the doorway, holding my aching stomach which, having temporarily been ignored, was once again throbbing painfully.

''Harry's home.'' I didn't miss the visible gleam in his eyes and the widening of his smile.

I went out to the hallway to greet him. He was clutching a small green ball of fabric. ''Hey.'' A soft yowl came from blanket.

''Hey Harry.'' I moved closer to the him and unraveled the cloth. A tiny white head popped up, its fur mussed up and standing in all directions. It had bright blue eyes that stood out from the pure white of its body, and I couldn't resist a small 'aww'.

''Draco, meet Snowflake. Snowflake, this is Draco.''

I let out a small laugh. "Original."

"Yeah, well..." Harry rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks reddening.

I raised my eyebrows. "You named her?"

He shrugged, but his blush gave it all away. I grinned, holding out my arms and he handed the kitten to me. Her fur was still cold from the wintery temperature, but she meowed softly and curled into my neck.

"Hi, Snowflake," I murmured softly into her fur. She peered up at me with curious eyes, batting at my nose with her paw.

I led Harry into the kitchen, not quite wanting to shock him with the portrait just yet. I handed the letter to him and watched as his eyes quickly scanned it.

''Draco.. what-?"

I pulled him arm back to the room. He looked slightly confused but then his eyes zeroed in on to Sirius.

Finally the voice came from the painting. "Hi, Harry."

Harry sounded all choked up when he let out a small ''Eep,'' and abruptly fainted.

Author's Note (again):

Thank you again to Amarah for coming up with the AWESOME idea of bring Sirius back (or at least, the painting of him), and writing the entire scene where Sirius and Draco talk. It's awesome. :)

We had a really awesome ice storm a couple weeks ago, and everything looked like a scene straight out of Disney's Frozen... It was all sparkly and crystally outside, but it's all melted into a normal amount of snow now, unfortunately.

School's starting for me again soon, which kind of sucks because I won't get a lot of time to write (plus I have a ton of homework which I've been neglecting over the break). But I'll do my best to keep on updating on a sort-of frequent schedule.

Love,

Raven