Chapter 8 – Epilogue

Three weeks later, no one seemed to remember anything about the strange curse Voldemort had cast at Hogwarts. No one seemed to know whether Voldemort was alive or dead.

But still…

Some students had been acting pretty off lately.

The twins disappeared regularly. Their disappearing act seemed to coincide with the absence of Blaise Zabini every single time.

Inter-House relationships became more common. Katie Bell and Marcus Flint were the first ones to go public with their relationship. More Slytherin-Gryffindor couples followed.

-

"Oompf!"

Harry was shoved up against the wall unceremoniously right after he entered the Astronomy Tower.

"Malfoy! What the hell…"

"Shut up, Potter," Draco growled. "I'll say this one more time: tell me what happened when Voldemort cursed Hogwarts."

Harry frowned at the Slytherin.

"How many times do I have to tell you, Malfoy? I DON'T REMEMBER!"

Draco looked at Harry warily.

"Then why do I have the distinct feeling that you're lying every time you say that?"

Harry shook his head.

"I don't know, Malfoy. Could it be the fact that you're raised to be a paranoid, mistrusting Death Eater?"

Draco's grip on Harry's robes tightened.

"Stop trying to piss me off, Potter. Answer me."

Harry cast his eyes down.

"No."

Draco's grey eyes widened in surprise.

"So you do know what happened!"

"I do. But I'm not telling you. You'd have a heart attack if you found out."

"Say what?"

Draco released his grip on Harry's robes. He took a step back and looked at the Gryffindor incredulously.

"You're not telling me because it's something embarrassing and you want to spare me the shame?"

Harry blushed violently.

"Alright, yes, you stupid git! Will you stop bothering me now?"

Draco smirked and stepped forward once again.

"Hell no. This is just about to get interesting. Tell me, Harry, why are you so eager to protect me?"

Harry was close to tears now.

"Don't do this… You insufferable jerk, don't do this…"

"Do what? This?" Draco closed the distance between them and kissed Harry.

Harry froze.

This wasn't something that was induced by magic.

This was Draco fucking Malfoy kissing him voluntarily.

Could it be?

He pushed Draco back gently and looked at his Slytherin rival.

"I swear to Merlin, Draco, if this is some kind of joke…"

Draco smirked at him.

"Does it look like I'm joking, Potter? For fuck's sake, if only I had found out sooner…"

Slowly, a grin spread over Harry's face.

"You know what, Malfoy? I hate you."

"I hate you too, Potter."

The Astronomy Tower became very quiet after that.