Chapter Text
Harry looked in the mirror one last time, his suit was ironed perfectly while his hair was still a mess but less so than usual. This was as good as it was going to get he thought as he ran his hand through his hair yet again.
"You know you're father used to do that all the time. Drove your mother crazy." Sirius moved to stand behind him looking at both their reflections in the mirror.
"So I've been told." Harry smiled. "Are you ready?"
"I'm always ready for a wedding Harry, me in a suit, it just works." Sirius checked himself one last time.
"Not to feed your ego but it really does." Remus called from the door.
"Time to go boys." they all walked together until they were put into their places by Mrs. Weasley who looked so happy she could burst. "Oh! My youngest boy is getting married! Oh what a day! Places everyone!" she called out over and over as more guests were shuffled into place.
"You alright Ron?" Harry bumped him in the side to get his attention. All the color seemed to be gone from his face.
"Yeah Harry I'm alright. Just nervous is all. You?" Harry laughed, Ron looked more than nervous. He looked like he might collapse at any second.
"I'm not the one getting married mate."
"That is true."
Mrs. Weasley came rushing past "Oh Harry dear you're needed in the back! Go go!" he was being ushered past oncoming guests to the back where Hermione was waiting with her friends. Her dress was simple but beautiful, it was perfect for her.
"Wow Hermione. You look amazing." She moved through the small crowd to hug him.
"Thank you. You look so good Harry. How's Remus and Sirius?"
"Great. Their in their seats waiting. Ron's a nervous wreck." she laughed.
"As to be expected I guess."
"Is everyone ready!" called Mrs. Weasley as she opened the tent. "Oh dear you look beautiful! You all do! Let's go everyone!"
Harry was walking Ginny down the aisle first, him being the best man and her being the maid of honor. Since their breakup they have had a hard time being around each other but lately things have been calm. She took his arm and they walked slowly to the alture with Luna and Neville, Dean and Seamus, and Lavender and Cho behind them. Ron couldn't take his eyes off Hermione as she made her way to him, her father at her side. All too soon the wedding was over and everyone was pushing their way into the party tent.
Remus and Sirius left soon after the wedding was over, they wanted to get back to Teddy as soon as possible. Once they said their goodbyes Harry moved closer to the bar as he chatted, keeping a shot of firewhiskey ready for more unpleasant conversations he knew were to come. As if on queue Draco Malfoy slide easily onto the stool next to Harry’s.
“Potter. Having a good evening I see?” The sneer was ever present in his voice but seemed to be dulled. He ordered a shot himself and downed it smoothly.
“Malfoy. It could be worse I guess. You? Surprised you could even make it considering your busy schedule lately.” After the war Malfoy followed his parents to France for a month then came back and made a very sincere and public apology. He helped immensely with the rebuilding of Hogwarts and donated much of his family's money to war charities. He even participated in the work done within the charities. That's how Hermione came to forgive him. Hermione and him were forced to work together on a project helping to house children whose parents had been killed in the war and somehow he won her over. Ron was still against it but kept his mouth shut, as for Harry, he was still as awed by Draco Malfoy as ever. Though he was still a prick sometimes, Harry found him less irritating than he did before.
Somewhere in the last few years Malfoy had grown into his sharp features. He stood almost a head taller than Harry and he was fit. He put on some weight and it suited him, Harry knew he had to be working out regularly, even if his suit covered him completely Harry could see the outline of his muscled arms. His shirt pulled tight against his chest made Harry's mouth dry. But he had to stop thinking about that before he embarrassed himself. Malfoy was a primary shareholder in Gringotts and ran several extremely profitable businesses. The prophet was almost as interested in him as they were with Harry, which oddly Harry didn't mind at all.
“Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss this for the world. Hermione is my friend, even if you and the weasel can't wrap your tiny brains around it. Anyway, I'm taking a portkey back to the states tomorrow morning for a business meeting with the ministry there. Still busy as always it seems.”
Harry nodded and downed his third shot since talking to Malfoy. Before anymore could be said Hermione found them and Draco stood quickly to give her a short hug.
“Wow, you two talking without anything in the near vicinity bursting into flames? I never thought it possible. Harry, Ron is looking for you.” she pointed to where Ron was standing with Fred and George.
“Alright,” he said. Then looked over at Draco and gave a quick nod “Malfoy”.
“Potter.” Draco nodded back then took Hermione’s hand and led her to the dance floor.
“What did the git want?” Ron’s eyes stayed focused on where Hermione was being led around the floor by Draco while Harry took a seat between him and Fred.
“Just asked how I was. He's going to the states tomorrow, can you believe that? Draco Malfoy in the United States?” Fred and George chuckled.
“He's made himself into quite the entrepreneur hasn't he? Ginny was at the shop last week and she told us that Draco was thinking of buying the Harpies. Said he stopped by during one of the practices to talk to the coaches about potential changes they would want to make.” Fred shook his head and George picked up the conversation.
“If he does buy the Harpies he'll be the youngest owner of a team ever. And it was in the prophet last week that he bought two new properties somewhere over in the States.” They were all looking over at Draco now as he bent and kissed Hermione’s hand then lead her back to Ron.
“It really was a lovely evening, but I have a portkey early tomorrow so I must be off. Best wishes to you both.” he nodded in Hermione and Ron's direction. “Weasley, good luck to you. Potter.” He gave a small smile that Harry felt himself return almost too eagerly. Then he waved his goodbyes to the twins and walked out, Harry still staring after him. It had only been four and a half years since he came back from France carrying the tarnished Malfoy name and he had managed to gain the respect of most of the wizarding world back single handedly. Even Harry found himself more than a little taken back. Not that he wasn't before. He thought back to fifth year and then to the time in Malfoy Manor, but he pushed that thought away and went back to the conversation.
“I don't see why you can't move past it. He's completely different!” Ron sulked as Hermione went on. “I've told you a million times Draco is not the same boy from school, people change. Anyway we are not arguing about this tonight. Dance with me?” Ron's frustration melted away quickly as he stood and led her back to the dance floor. Leaving Harry and the twins to laugh at how easy it was for Hermione to take control of the situation.
“You know mate, she's right. Draco isn't the same bloke he was at Hogwarts.” George was looking at Harry, almost studying him.
“And?” Harry knew what they were doing. He was a trained Auror for God's sake, he knew they were fishing.
“Well I mean fifth year was pretty telling, but you always talk about him and-”
“I do not! It's not my fault he's the new wealthy and available wizard on Rita Skeeter's list. He's plastered all over the Prophet how is it my fault we talk about him?”
The twins smiled and Harry was done with this conversation. “I'm getting a drink then getting out of here. See you lot later.” he said his goodbyes then flooed back to the new flat he had bought a few weeks ago. Still the place seemed foreign to him but he liked it, it was his and he liked the novelty of being alone once and awhile. Taking a quick shower he made his way to bed, sleep finding him quickly but the nightmares followed fast behind.