Entry tags:

harry/draco, hp, my fic, romeo

FIC: And an Owl Named Romeo Part 2 (Harry/Draco)
Title: And an Owl Named Romeo - Part 2
Author: rickey_a
Genre: Romance, Drama/Light Comedy (Dramedy?)
Word Count: ~5000 (Part 2) / 26,500 total
Rating: NC-17
Warning(s): None
Summary: Draco breeds owls, Harry's an Auror, and an owl named Romeo is going to bring them together.
Author's Notes: Thanks to the wonderful and talented sansa1970 for the beta and to my friends at FFC and I.Smith for their honest opinions, encouragement, and lovely company. :) I'm going to post this story in 5 parts + a short epilogue. The whole thing is almost done and will top out <30k words, if you're worried about length or unfinished WIPs.

Link to Part 1

And an Owl Named Romeo - Part 2

~ooOOOoo~

October 30, 2002

Potter,
Thank you for dinner last night. Your company was surprisingly tolerable. Romeo also seemed to enjoy spending the night at the hangar, but don't worry, he seemed eager to return to you. Did you see The Prophet this morning? Sorry about that.

Malfoy


By coincidence, Harry was looking at The Daily Prophet when Romeo arrived. The caption was fairly innocuous: Harry Potter dining at The Alchemist's Lounge with Draco Malfoy. It was a decent photo, and for some inexplicable reason Harry decided to clip it out.

October 30, 2002

Malfoy,

Tolerable. That's a glowing compliment coming from you. I want you to know that I truly appreciated the owl lesson last night. It's going to be very helpful. Don't worry about the papers. They're always hounding my friends and me. I can't walk down Diagon Alley without someone snapping a photo. No snarky reply necessary. I can anticipate just what you might say to that.

Thanks again,
HP


October 30, 2002

Potter,

I doubt that you have the cognitive prowess to anticipate what I might say. In case you were confused by the situation, one dinner without hexing each other does not make us friends.

Malfoy


Harry had come to hate Halloween. It was the one day a year he was allowed to stay inside and feel sorry for himself. In past years, Ron and Hermione had tried to draw him out, but eventually gave up and granted him his solitude. He would stay inside, drink straight from the Firewhisky bottle, and look at all his photographs and the contents of his Hogwarts trunk until he passed out. This year seemed so different with the presence of Romeo. He refused to leave Harry's side and kept trying to tip over the bottle of Old Ogden's.

"Malfoy said you were a loner too," Harry said to the owl perched on the coffee table surveying all of Harry's most cherished possessions. "We can be loners together." Harry laughed at the silliness of that statement and pondered just how drunk he was already at two in the afternoon.

Romeo flew to Harry's shoulder and chewed on his hair while Harry stared at photo after photo of his parents and their deceased friends. A short time later, Romeo flew from his shoulder and returned with the clipping of him dining with Malfoy.

"You want to go to Malfoy's? I don't blame you. I'm pretty darn pitiful," Harry said, taking the photo and examining it.

Romeo pecked ferociously at Harry's finger. "Ow! What then?"

Romeo snatched the clipping, flew over to the sofa, and placed it on the seat.

"You want me to invite him here?" Harry asked incredulously. Romeo ruffled his feathers and let out a series of soft trills.

Apparently Harry had drunk enough that the idea didn't sound half bad. He could also take his mind off his memories by learning more about owl training.


October 31, 2002

Malfoy,

Romeo thought I should invite you over for a drink. Actually I don't think he likes that I'm drinking alone, but it's Halloween and I always drink alone on Halloween. Fancy a drink? You could tell me more about your owls. I need to learn more. Do you like Firewhisky?

HP


October 31, 2002

Potter,

Just how snockered are you? No, I do not want to drink with you. The bloodstains on this parchment are from your psychotic owl stabbing at my fingers. He may be even more pathetically persistent than you. You can drown in your sorrows together.

D. Malfoy

Harry frowned at the note, but realized that Malfoy was right. Sending the invitation was most assuredly the act of alcohol. Or insanity. Or both. Harry poured two shots of Firewhisky. He set out one for Romeo, and then tossed back the other.

~ooOOOoo~

After dinner Draco paced his living room. Potter! Inviting him over like they were old school chums! Potter, the intrepid hero, was sitting at home alone and drinking himself into oblivion. Draco didn't know what to make of it. It was unnerving. There were probably a dozen parties to go to on Halloween, and Potter had probably been invited to every last one. Who sits at home alone and drinks on Halloween? Oh.

Number twelve Grimmauld Place wasn't too hard to find. Staring at the outside of the building, Draco paused to remember all the talk amongst the Death Eaters about searching for the Order of the Phoenix Headquarters. It had been under a Fidelius Charm so even his mother, who had been there several times as child, couldn't find it. Now, after all these years, he was going to see it. Harry Potter had invited him. Life was truly unpredictable. Draco took a deep breath and then used the knocker several times. After a few minutes, he knocked again.

Finally, Potter answered the door. "Oh, it's you." he said, obviously surprised and even more obviously well into a bottle of Firewhisky. "I didn't think you were coming."

"I decided to make sure you haven't killed Romeo with copious amounts of alcohol. May I come in?"

"Y-yes. Come in. Sorry. I'm a little…"

"Yes, you are." Draco hung his cloak by the door and took in the dark and depressing décor of the entry foyer. No wonder Potter was drinking. "Somehow I don't believe you did the decorating."

"Umm, no. I inherited this house from my godfather, Sirius Black."

"Yes, I know. Mother always said that Aunt Walburga had macabre taste, even for a Black."

Potter shrugged. "Here, this way." He led Draco upstairs to a small sitting room.

Draco guessed it was a converted bedroom. It had simple yet comfortable décor and was probably redecorated in recent times. Romeo flew across the room to Draco's shoulder and began chewing on his hair.

"Hello there. I see that Potter hasn't poisoned you after all."

"I only let him have one shot."

"You did not let him drink!"

Potter blushed. "He seems okay."

Draco rolled his eyes and then looked about the room waiting for Potter to invite him to sit. When no invitation came, Draco shook his head and took a seat on the far end of the sofa.

Potter looked flustered. "Oh. Please, make yourself at home. Can I pour you a drink?"

Draco nodded and nudged Romeo off his shoulder and onto the back of the sofa.

Potter Summoned an extra glass, poured a shot for Draco, and then poured another one for himself. Tentatively, he sat down an arm's length away from Draco. "This is surreal."

"As surreal as the other night?"

"More. You're in my house. Cheers."

"Cheers."

They clinked their glasses and drank down the shot in one gulp.

"Why'd you come? And don't give me some line about Romeo."

"Curiosity."

"Ah."

"That makes sense to you?" Draco inquired.

"Yes, because I'm curious too. Another one?"

"Yes, although you may want to slow down."

"Pffft." Potter poured two more shots.

The second one went down more easily. Draco wanted to ask Potter why he was home alone getting drunk, but bit his tongue. The last thing he wanted was for Potter to get maudlin. Instead Draco brought up his recent research. "I read up on what happens when an owl transfers ownership from one wizard to another."

"Oh. What did you find out?"

"It's their inherent magic that governs their decisions. There's a magical bond between a wizard and his owl, and the owl simply knows when they are being purchased or gifted. When someone dies the bond is broken, and the owl will seek out the next of kin or rightful heir."

"That's some powerful intrinsic magic."

"Indubitably."

"I ate dinner earlier, but I must have some crackers or crisps around." Potter made an inept attempt at hospitality.

"No, thank you. I ate earlier as well."

"Another shot then," Potter said with a smile.

"Just how many have you had?"

"Dunno, don't count, but this is still the first bottle." Potter held up a bottle, slightly less than half full. "I took a break and had some dinner."

"Probably a smart move." Draco chewed on his lip to keep himself from asking about Potter drinking at home alone.

Potter poured another two shots, and Romeo hopped onto the table.

"Oh no, you don't," Draco said, as he shooed Romeo off the table. The owl flew to his perch at the far side of the room.

Potter barked out a strange laugh and then downed his third shot in five minutes.

"I think I'll wait on mine," Draco said diplomatically.

"Tell me how you became an owl breeder. I've been dying to know since that day I found you at the hangar."

"Really," Draco drawled. "Dying to know?"

Harry nodded.

"And what piece of personal information are you willing to offer up in trade?" Draco didn't feel the least bit guilty negotiating with a drunken Potter. For once he was going to come out on the caster's end of the wand.

"I don't think I have any stories to barter with. There isn't anything about me that hasn't been printed and published in mass distribution."

"What about your break-up with Ginevra Weasley?"

"Please, that was all over the papers," Potter said with a loud huff.

"Ah, but that wasn't the real reason, was it?"

"What makes you say that?" Potter asked with a scowl.

"Romeo."

Potter snorted. "Fine. You go first."

Draco worried that Potter might pass out before he took his turn, but knew that Potter would never trust him if he didn't tell his story first. "All right."

Potter sank back against the sofa cushions and pulled his legs up underneath him.

"Comfy?" Draco teased.

Potter nodded and gestured for him to proceed. Draco reached for his third shot and drank it down. It had been a long time since he'd talked about himself in such an intimate way and liquid courage was certainly warranted.

"The summer after fifth year," Draco began, and watched Potter for any reaction, "I had a less than desirable homecoming. My father was in Azkaban, my mother was in the midst of a nervous breakdown, and my Aunt Bellatrix was in… well, she was just insane."

Potter relinquished a faint smile.

"The Dark Lord had also decided that the perfect sixteenth birthday present for any purebred lad was to sear The Dark Mark into his flesh. I was akin to common cattle."

"Did it hurt?"

The question came as a surprise. Draco had expected Potter to ask questions about allegiances and the murder of Muggles. He had expected Potter to make some obnoxious quip, something to the effect of 'what did you expect' or 'you got what you deserved'. Potter's curiosity about such a small, yet intimate detail was unsettling.

"Yes, it hurt like my entire arm was on fire. I wished I could've passed out from the pain and never woken up."

Potter nodded, and Draco suspected that he too was familiar with such mortal pain.

"The Dark Lord hadn't yet moved in, but he was at the Manor often. He made it clear to me that my father was a failure and my family's only hope of survival was my redemption of the name of Malfoy in his eyes." Draco took a deep breath. "It was not a pleasant summer holiday."

Suddenly, Romeo flew from his perch and landed on Draco's lap. Draco stroked his feathers and took comfort from the softness against his hands and Romeo's warm presence against his body.

"I stayed away from the main house as much as possible when we had visitors. I went flying over the groves or spent my time walking about the property, anything to keep away. Often I went up to our small owlery to visit with my Eagle Owl, Hazel. I didn't have any letters to send. I couldn't have imagined what I would write to anyone. I would just sit with him, much like this." Draco gestured to Romeo still sitting in his lap.

"Anyway, moving the story along, one day I noticed that Hazel and one of the family Eagle Owls, Chelsea, were nesting in a corner pile of straw. I discovered she had laid two eggs. If nothing else, it was a welcome distraction. I went to my father's library and found a book with information on magical owls. It wasn't particularly detailed, so I went to Flourish and Blotts and picked up several more selections, including Merryall's Encyclopedia of Owl Breeding. If you're truly interested in learning, you should start there."

Potter nodded. He seemed to be listening intently.

"When the owlets hatched, I began the intensive handling regimen." Draco absentmindedly stroked Romeo along with his description of the owlet handling. "You have to handle them several times every day. Stroke their heads, their beaks, and even their feet. You have to cradle them in your hands so they can get accustomed to humans, and also absorb your magic and become accustomed to that as well. I ground up bugs to hand feed them at least twice a day. I let their parents feed them the rest of the time. I placed marker bands with the Malfoy Crest on their legs to show where they were hatched. My first owls." He had been so proud of himself at the time.

"What did you name them?" Potter asked.

Draco had been so involved with his description of the initial magical acclimation process that he had momentarily forgotten where he was. "Aries and Leo."

Glassy-eyed, Potter smiled. "Sorry for interrupting. Go on."

"When they became fledglings, I began the flight training. Hazel and Chelsea adapted to the teaching fairly quickly. I sent small missives to Pansy or mail orders to the shops at Diagon Alley. It took my mind off of my troubles and became my only refuge. At the end of the summer, the Dark Lord had given me an assignment… well, you know the rest." Remorse crept through Draco's veins. This was exactly why he hated to talk about his first experience with owl breeding. It was inseparably tied in with that first summer under the Dark Lord's evil thumb.

"After the war, I wasn't sure of what to do. I was a bit lost," Draco confessed.

"I know what that's like."

"I'm sure you do. Leo and Aries were full-grown, so I went to Eeylops to buy a couple of females for them. It truly started out as a hobby, but then I wanted to try other breeds, and a short time later I built the hangar. It became a business soon after that. Eeylops said there was a need for owl breeders, and he encouraged me."

"When did Romeo find you?"

"Ahh, Romeo. About three years ago, he just flew into the hangar. At first I thought he might be delivering mail. The hangar is charmed, only magical owls can see it. I fed him a treat and tried to discern where he might have come from. After a few weeks, I gave up and he moved in."

"And you tried to breed him," Potter added with a grin.

"Tried being the operative word. I sold off his rejected Juliet. Yes, I suspect he's gayer than a Pink Pixie. "

Potter snorted.

"Romeo and I have that in common," Malfoy said, stroking the feathers along Romeo's back. "We understand each other."

"It's not easy."

"And you would know, how?" Malfoy asked.

"You've already guessed. The other night you asked me."

"Your break-up with the youngest Weasley?"

"Amicable," Potter replied.

"Come now. We had a deal."

Potter poured two more shots and passed one to Draco. Romeo gave a loud woot call. They both laughed at him, and Potter edged a little closer to Draco.

In challenge, Potter raised the glass to his lips and Draco accepted by raising his as well. After the empty glasses were back on the table, Potter began to speak. "It was amicable. We're still friends. The Weasleys are still my family, as is your aunt, Andromeda and your cousin Teddy Lupin. He's my godson. Did you know that?"

Potter was drunk and rambling.

"Yes, mother had mentioned that. What's that go to do with you and—"

"I'm getting to that." Potter took a steadying breath. "The most important thing in the world to me is family. I never had one worth fighting for. Now I do. I didn't want to ruin that. I can't ruin that."

"You're losing me."

"I think Ginny sorted it out before I did. I don't know what I did to deserve her."

"You saved the entire world. That usually does the trick for most people."

Potter laughed much too loud for an intimate conversation between two people in such a small room. "That's odd coming from you."

"Well, I'm an odd bird, what can I tell you."

Romeo hooted indignantly, and hopped off of Draco's lap and up to Potter's shoulder. "I meant no offence," Draco called after him. Romeo hooted again and flew to his perch.

"My family and friends all know, but I've tried my hardest to keep it out of the press. I have to sneak around, use Glamours, or only go to Muggle clubs. I can't have a relationship. I can't have anything." Potter slurred the last two sentences.

"What are you saying?"

"You know what I'm saying."

"But I want to hear you say it."

"This isn't a game, Malfoy."

"So I'm supposed to believe that wizarding's most popular and powerful Auror, savior of the universe, simply waltzed into my breeding hangar looking for an owl. I'm supposed to believe that you're not investigating my family or me. I'm supposed to believe that you like men when I've never seen you at any homosexual wizard establishment. I'm supposed to believe that we're here having an innocent tête-à-tête about life and being gay. I'm supposed to believe all that?"

Potter had nerve to laugh. "You still think I’m spying on you. Believe me when I tell you that you're not even a fly on the Ministry's list of least wanted. You think I'd invite you into my home…" Potter stared at him, obviously at a loss for words.

"Well, yes. I'm no fool, Potter, and the last thing I'll ever be is a fool for you."

"You're incredible. You think I'm undercover? I'm making all this up?"

Draco hesitated to answer. He didn't know what to think. All these interactions with Potter had been so strange, so out of the ordinary. Nothing made sense, least of all Potter. "Aren't you?"

Something burned in Potter's eyes. He leaned forward and crowded into Draco's personal space. Potter grabbed him, manhandled him closer, and then he kissed him. The kiss was sloppy and drunken, but believing Potter would never remember it, Draco kissed him back. It should have ended quickly with Potter pulling away and saying something plebian like, "So there." Instead, to Draco's astonishment, it turned passionate.

Despite his overly intoxicated state, Potter managed to put some considerable effort into the kiss. One hand snaked around Draco's waist and the other drifted into the hair behind Draco's ear. The kiss evolved into something full of want and desire. The more ardent the kiss grew, the more irate Draco became. Why should it be that the best kiss of his life should come from Potter? Drunken Potter! This kiss wasn’t like his nervous fumbling with Pansy when he'd tried to prove his kissing skills. It wasn't like the clumsy groping he'd experienced in the dark with other young wizards, so desperate to get off that he resorted sucking the face of a total stranger. Potter, damn him, was more intense even in his drunken demonstration of gender preference. Potter's mouth was warm and supple against his and tasted of whiskey. There was the right amount of tongue, the perfect amount of tooth, and it was strong without feeling forced. Draco was certain this was the type of kiss that brought the Great Alexander to his knees. When he couldn't stand it any longer, he shoved Potter away hard. Awkwardly, Potter fell backward against the sofa cushions. Draco braced himself for angry and confused accusations; however, The-Boy-Who-Lived-To-Snog only stared at him with a sappy, toothy grin and then had the audacity to close his eyes and doze off.

Draco was beside himself. He took a few minutes to calm down and Apparated home.

~ooOOOoo~


November 1, 2002

Malfoy,

I wanted to thank you for changing your mind and coming over last night. Also, Romeo looked a little out of sorts today, so I thought he could use the fresh air. I'll be careful not to give him anymore firewhisky. I'm feeling a little embarrassed this afternoon. I hope I didn't say or do anything too horrible. I don't remember much, but I remember your company, and I appreciate it.

HP


November 1, 2002

Potter,

It was the strangest night of my life. It was nothing. I'm still researching your owl issue.

DM

~ooOOOoo~

After the war, Kingsley Shacklebolt became an important figure in the wizarding world as well as in Harry's life. The man was strong, confident, and had an air of incorruptibility. Kingsley was a rock of support and leadership while people mourned their losses, reorganized the Ministry and Wizengamot, and began the ominous task of rebuilding Hogwarts. Harry joined both the reconstruction effort as well as the Auror department with Ron and Hermione at his side. During the long days of repairing Hogwarts, people looked to him for direction and guidance. Harry, in turn, looked to Kingsley for advice and strength. Over time the man became Harry's mentor, and they forged a close kinship.

At first, Harry imagined that Kingsley would be acting Minister for Magic for as long as the recovery and reconstruction effort took place, but four years later he was still the wizard that everyone wanted at the helm. Kingsley also remained a close personal friend and confidant. Harry had even felt comfortable enough to discuss the real reasons for his breaking it off with Ginny. No, they didn't discuss Harry's sex life or lack there of, but Kingsley was part of Harry's trusted inner circle of family and friends who knew of his sexual preference.

Despite the busy schedule of the Minister for Magic, Kingsley always squirreled away a little time to visit with Harry, even if it was just a few minutes to sit in Harry's office and talk over a cup of tea.

Kingsley sat in the far corner sipping his tea while Harry used him as a sounding board for his latest case. The man had great instincts and Harry respected his opinion.

"Listen up, Potter!" Malfoy bellowed as he burst through the door and tossed a rolled up piece of parchment onto Harry's desk.

"Malfoy? What the—?"

"One drunken snog doesn't make us friends! It doesn't make us anything!" Malfoy waved a pointed finger at Harry as he yelled.

"Malfoy." Harry desperately gestured to the far corner of the office where Kingsley sat looking far too amused for Harry's comfort.

Only Malfoy was too furious to react and continued his tirade. "You have no right to interfere in my business. I don't need your pity or your charity. So you can fuck off and fuck your Ministry contract and fuck—"

"DRACO!"

Malfoy finally turned his head to where Harry indicated and blushed a fierce red as Kingsley gave a friendly wave and even friendlier smile. "Mr. Malfoy."

"Mr. Minister. I apologize for my outburst," Malfoy said with a schooled expression and turned to Harry. "Potter, you need to work on your hand signals."

Harry smiled at Malfoy's amazing talent of hiding his mortification. "Yes, I'll work on those."

"Mr. Malfoy, I want to assure you that it is you who would be doing the Ministry a favor. We were in need of some freshly trained owls and none of our sources had any available. Harry merely passed on the information of your breeding stock to the head of the Auror Department."

Malfoy's mouth hung open slightly, and Harry rather enjoyed the sight of Malfoy rendered speechless.

"So, Mr. Malfoy," Kingley said as smooth as silk, "will you sign the contract? The Ministry will be gratefully in you debt."

In a business-like manner, Malfoy picked up a quill from Harry's desk and unfurled the parchment. He signed his name and dated it November 6, 2002 with an extravagant flourish. "I'm only too pleased to be able to do my duty for the Ministry."

Kingsley rose with his typical regal grace and retrieved the signed contract. He held out his large hand for Malfoy to shake. Harry truly admired the man.

For the briefest moment Malfoy looked surprised as he took the Minister's hand.

"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. We look forward to receiving your owls as soon as they're ready. I'll have my assistant send over a copy of the signed contract and the contact information of our chief Owl Keeper."

"I look forward to working with him."

Kingsley left with a smile and a nod to each of them. The moment the door clicked shut Malfoy collapsed into a guest chair. "Not one word, Potter."

Harry smiled and sat back in his chair, feeling quite satisfied. "You have a right foul mouth when you're pissed off. If I didn't know better, I'd question your breeding."

"I said not one word."

Stifling a chuckle, Harry sucked in his lips to show that he'd be quiet.

"I hate you." Malfoy said, devoid of emotion.

"How are your fledglings doing?" Harry asked.

"They're doing well. They've had several flights to the Manor."

"When will they be ready for London?"

"Not for a few weeks."

"You could send mail with them to me here at the Ministry."

Malfoy nodded. "I'll let you know."

"I really wasn't trying to do you any favors."

"Yes, yes, you told me of your owl woes."

"You don't hate me," Harry stated with a smug grin.

Slowly Malfoy rose out of his seat and headed to the door. "Of course I do."

Harry waited until the door had closed behind Malfoy before he laughed out loud. Although something Malfoy said had lingered on his mind. Had he actually kissed Malfoy the other night? He suddenly had the foggy memory of a firm body pulled to his own and a scorching kiss.

"Well, fuck."

~ooOOOoo~

The next day, Harry had lunch with Hermione and Ron at the Leaky. Despite the fact that Ron was also an Auror, Hermione worked in the Research and Magical Support Department of MLE, and the two of them were married, in the years following the war they found it harder and harder to spend time together as frequently as they would have liked. Once there was a six-month period when their schedules and travel were such that Harry hardly saw them, and he found that it affected his mood greatly. He needed them as a constant in his life. They anchored him. It was, of course, Hermione's idea to have a standing lunch date every other Thursday. No matter what else was going on or even if they had spent plenty of time together, unless they were traveling too far away (or undercover), they made the lunch date.

Harry brought up Draco Malfoy for the first time since he told them of his initial encounter with Malfoy at the hangar, and he had Romeo taken home. Hermione asked question after question regarding the owls at the Ministry and Malfoy's owls. She had been working on the case for five months without a single lead. Ron asked why Harry hadn't told him about corresponding with Malfoy and what did he think Malfoy was playing at.

Ron had to leave early for a meeting, which left a grateful Harry with some time alone with Hermione. Harry cast a Muffliato which earned a raised eyebrow from his skeptical friend.

"I need to ask you something," Harry said softly.

"Obviously."

"Malfoy… did you know he was…?"

"What?"

"That he flies for my team?"

"What?" She looked puzzled then suddenly her expression cleared. "Oh. No, no, I didn't. He does?"

"Yeah," Harry answered sheepishly.

Hermione clapped her hand to her mouth as she gasped. "You like him."

"No. Really, no I don't. Not like that anyway. "

Hermione wrinkled her nose. "Hmmm."

"Okay, maybe a little. He came over on Halloween when I was drunk. I mean really drunk."

"You never let anyone come over on Halloween, not even me and Ron."

"I know. Anyway, I think I kissed him."

"Think?"

"Maybe. Yes. Kinda fuzzy about it, but I'm pretty sure I did."

"Oh my God. You do like him. I'm going to have to hide Ron's wand."

"Ron doesn't need to know. Nothing's going to happen. It's probably because it's been so long. I need to get laid."

Hermione made a sound between a laugh and a sigh. "Oh, Harry."

"But as me. I'm tired of the Glamours. I think that's why."

"Why what?"

"Why I've entertained this most ridiculous idea."

"What idea?"

"Me and Malfoy."

"You're right it is ridiculous, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't feel what you feel. You said that he'd changed."

"Not that much. He didn't seem to be too happy about the kiss either."

"All right." She didn't look convinced.

"I just need to get laid."

"You said that."

"Sorry."

"Look, Harry, we've been through this before. Stop hiding. You can't live your life this way."

"I know. You're right."

"Then how come you never follow my advice?"

"It'll be ugly."

"But then it'll be over and done with."

"You're right. You're right." Harry leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I shudder to think," she said with a broad smile.


~ooOOOoo~

Continued with Part 3