Chapter Text
“And he just… ran out the door?” Neville Longbottom’s voice carried through the small speaker on Harry's flip phone as he counted the till and started on the closing work. Harry called him shortly after he closed the shop up for the night, knowing Ron or Hermione would likely have more pointed words for how Harry chose to handle Malfoy. But he and Neville had many late night conversations sat on one of their couches discussing their time at school, how and why Harry had defended Malfoy and his mother at their trial, and Malfoy's subsequent isolation after.
Between their individual mind healing sessions, late night conversations, and stories from Luna during her time in the dungeons of Malfoy Manor, the both of them found peace in forgiving the boy who was just trying to protect his family. There were many conversations had about the Slytherins as a whole, but occasionally it centered mostly around one Draco Malfoy. Both had decided to come to terms with their malice and hurt, figuring no good would come from lingering on it all.
Harry sighed, dragging his hand down his face, “Not necessarily ran, but definitely hurried to get out of there as quickly as possible…” he said with a bit of strain in his voice, trying to find the right words to describe the strange interaction.
“Most people would call that running, Haz,” Neville replied with a laugh. “I mean, what exactly did you say that had him so spooked? You told me it seemed like he'd be willing to talk at least for a moment,”
“I thought so! It at least seemed like it!” Harry cried, shifting the phone from one ear to the other as he began sweeping behind the counter. “I don't even remember what I actually said, something about telling him not to be so shocked that Wisteria trusts me? I think? I didn't think that would have been so offensive, though. I was trying to think of anything to say to keep the conversation going!”
“Ah, let me guess, you gave him a bit of sass with it too?” Neville teased.
“Nev, the sass is second nature at this point, I do it without even realizing it half the time. How could I possi–” Harry cut himself off, “Actually, wait a tick… No, yeah, yeah, hip cock and everything…”
Harry flicked his wrist for the till to start tallying itself, before picking up his watering can and casting a quiet aguamenti into it as he walked toward the various plants around the store watering them.
“Oof, rough go, mate. That would probably do it. Too caj, too quick. Probably made him think you were getting defensive and going back to how things were in school,”
“IT'S BEEN OVER A DECADE, NEVILLE!!” Harry shouted in frustration, water splashing out of his can as he threw his hands in the air slightly. He had to quickly catch his cellphone as it slipped from the movement, but soon he was back to his task with the phone between his shoulder and ear.
“Yeah, aaaaand? He was literally your number three enemy in school, also a death eater, no matter how unwillingly, and to top it all off, you did completely skip out after the trial and ignore him,” Neville reasoned.
“Okay, I didn't even see him coming up to me! I only saw it after the fact in the Prophet, I even put out a statement explaining that whole situa– wait a minute, number three? I get number one being moldy-wart, but who is number two?” Harry stopped everything to give a confused look to the air as he grabbed his phone with his hand to properly listen to the conversation.
“Snape.”
“Snape! Shit, you’re right, yeah. What an utter twat, bullying a literal child like that. What, because my mum rejected him? What kind of incel behavior is that‽ And what about you? You didn't do anything wrong!” Harry began ranting as he continued his work.
“Literally, nothing! He didn't even have any history with my folks, as far as I know?” Neville griped.
“Exactly! I mean, you were a bit clumsy, so what? Was the issue with Gryffindor as a whole?”
“I mean, that makes sense because of his whole thing with the Order being mostly Gryfs and all, but even then… We're getting off topic, back to the other Slytherin that gave us hell.” Neville pivoted back, Harry snorted at the segue that brought them back to heel.
“I don't know, Nev,” Harry's voice took on almost a wistful tone as he sighed and leaned on the nearest table, fully investing in the conversation, “I just– seeing him out of the blue like that, and with how he looked–”
“And how did he look? Huh, Haz?” Neville's leer came through loud and clear, making Harry's face burn as he bristled.
“Not like that, Neville! I meant how he looked so, I don't know, scared?” Harry snipped back, snatching his watering can to finish the closing work for the night.
“Okay, yeah, but how did he look, mate? Look, don't think you can get away from this, you're the one who went on a thirty minute tangent about his hair while drunk off your arse after the pub that one time,”
“I– wh– You can't jus– how do– I mean– ARGH!!” Harry spluttered as Neville's cackle carried through the receiver. “That's it. We're done here. I've got to finish my work so I can go home and not deal with you!”
“Ohhh, come on, Haz, don't be like tha—” Harry cut him off with a satisfying snap shut of his flip phone.
“Arsehole,” he grumbled as he dumped the rest of the water down the sink in the back, slamming the old watering can with a clang against the countertop.
Harry's phone rang two more times as he finished up his closing work, shrugging on his leather jacket before he turned off all of the lights and left through the back door into a cramped alley. He scurried towards the designated apparation points for shop owners and employees of that aisle, trying to avoid the chill biting at him, and leaned into the twisting feeling that pulled at his core before his vision resettled into the comforting sight of his flat entrance.
He kicked off his shoes and hung up his jacket in their designated spots at the front door, dropping his keys with a clatter into the little bowl Luna had gotten him during one of her and Neville's research expeditions a few years ago. It matched perfectly with the soft green walls and rich dark woods he used in much of the house, but felt perfectly at home in the front entrance as the bright pops of teals and light greens brightened up the darker color scheme just right.
As he made his way into the flat proper, he heard the telltale whoosh of his fireplace before a loud, “Harry? I know you're home, you twat!” Came from the sitting room. Groaning, Harry trudged his way towards the source of his annoyance.
“Come on, mate! I was just teasing you! You can't leave me hanging like that!!” The sound of Neville's voice felt like it was approaching as he spoke, so Harry decided to cut him off before he could leave the sitting room.
“Yes I can, and why are you in my home? I know your grandmother would be appalled by your abhorrent manners, flooing in unannounced,” Harry sneered, arms crossed over his chest, hip cocked, and eyebrow raised in clear disappointment.
Neville had hit quite the growth spurt after school, towering over Harry's meager 171 centimeters, making him have to look up as he came face to chin with the man in question. His frame filled a good amount of the doorway as well, constant heavy lifting in different greenhouses and farms, research expeditions up mountains and through rainforests, and even just maintaining a solid work out routine to keep up with the work left him with broad shoulders, strong legs, and rather toned arms. He still had a bit of softness all around him, never quite losing that bit of pudge that made him as approachable as he always was, but there was a hidden strength behind his broad frame.
He wore his usual style of a soft jumper over a button-down shirt, unbuttoned the first two buttons, and a nice pair of trousers well fitted, but comfortable looking. He dressed much better than he did when they first left school, listening to Ginny's advice on style when she all but dragged him to the nearest muggle shopping center after one particularly bad jumper that looked like Molly's yarn stash threw up on it. He looked good. Grew up to be a rather handsome man, and his confidence grew exponentially after a while with his mind healer after the war.
“Oh, come off it. I technically did announce myself, as per my voicemail I know you didn't listen to.” He said with a grin, one that turned into a slow smirk as he leaned against the doorway, “But if you really want to talk about poor manners, we could talk about the time you came to mine unannounced after your break up with Ginny?” Harry's face flushed all the way to the tips of his ears, but he stood his ground.
“I don't recall you complaining? If I remember correctly, you seemed rather enthusiastic when I came in that evening,” A soft but chipper voice piped up from behind Neville’s broad frame. “At least, it seemed that way based on the sound of the couch squeaking and you’re constant babbling for Harry to kee–”
“AH-BUP-BUP-BUP-BUP-BUH!!!!” Neville yelled, louder than Luna Lovegood’s usual tone as he waved his hands around before he quickly went to cover her mouth, face absolutely flaming hot, “THANK YOU! LUNA! FOR YOUR WONDERFUL COMMENTARY, AS USUAL!”
Harry burst out laughing at Neville’s embarrassment, doubling over and barely able to breathe while Luna grinned from beneath Neville’s hand, “Never fucking change, Luna Lovegood, the icon you are!”
Luna looked as lovely as ever, white blond hair falling to her waist with curtain fringe framing her still soft, heart shaped face. She chose to be comfortable that evening, likely having been writing that day based on the slight smudges of ink still on her hands, and wore a massively oversized cotton muggle jumper (likely stolen from Neville's closet) with the most eye wateringly patterned leggings underneath and those weird American boots with sherpa lining. She remained the same height she was in school, coming to just below Harry's height that she had to look up at him a little to make eye contact, though she rarely ever did.
Harry finally caught his breath and Neville let Luna go, standing back up and shooing the other two into the room, he gestured for them to sit on the couch. With a groaning sigh Harry flopped onto the couch with his legs in Neville's lap and his head in Luna's, where she instantly took his hair stick out to start playing with his hair. The soothing feeling of her long, delicate fingers combing through his hair and occasionally scratching his scalp helped the last bit of tension melt out of Harry's shoulders.
“Thanks, Lu. Any particular reason you're joining us this fine evening?”
“No problem, you seem to have several nargles trying to nest there right now. Oh, and Neville mentioned you saw my cousin today, so I wanted to see you having a gay crisis in person, rather than second hand when he told me later,” she said in her usual dreamy tone. This prompted Neville to burst out laughing at Harry's own embarrassment.
“Shut it, Longbottom,” He grumbled, lightly jabbing the thigh underneath him. Just then, the floo activated once again, and out stepped an excited looking Hermione Granger with two bottles of wine and an evil looking grin. She looked to be just coming off of work wearing a coral colored peplum blazer overtop a sheer blouse with a patterned vest beneath it and chunky buckled belt at her waist along with a form fitting pair of black trousers. It seems she had abandoned her usual chunky ankle boots before she came, though, as she wore her normal house slippers with the ensamble. Her hair, now better maintained than when she was in school or working on her mastery, was tamed in a heavy side part with a portion of it clipped to one side to act as a swooping fringe.
“I came as soon as I heard, tell me It hasn't started yet? What did I miss?”
“Nope, you're just in time!” Neville cheered.
“Excellent, move it, Longbottom, you're in my spot.” Hermione set the wine on the low table in front of the couch and shooed Neville away, leaning over to kiss Harry and Luna on their cheeks in greeting.
“Ugh, but the couch is so much comfier!” he whined.
“Too bad, you got to hear the start of this, go get some glasses and a bottle opener while you're up, too,” she demanded as Neville begrudgingly got up with a grunt. Harry lifted his legs to let him up and Hermione slipped underneath them before he could argue.
“Hey, wait a minute! Wait a minute! What do you mean by that? Why are you in my home too‽” Harry protested as Hermione nestled in, Neville rolling his eyes and heading towards the kitchen to do as she asked.
“Luna texted me, said you saw Draco today, and based on what he looks like now? No way I was missing your rant over him,” she said with a grin, using both hands to lightly scratch at his legs teasingly. “Kids were already in bed and Ron is keeping an eye on everything for now,”
“What are you even talking about? Just because I saw him today doesn't mean it's a whole ordeal! Why are the three of you acting so weird about this? And what do you mean by ‘based on what he looks like now,’? Have you seen him recently? Why is he Draco to you? I thought you hated him!” Harry threw up his hands to make the motion of the inverted commas, before the fell back to his thighs with a slap to highlight his frustration.
“Well,” Hermione started before Neville cut her off as he walked back in with the wine glasses.
“Alright, everyone scooch over, I'm sitting on this couch whether you like it or not!” He set down the wine glasses before opening up one of the bottles of wine, pouring four hefty glasses and passing them around. Harry sat up a bit to let everyone move down the sofa a bit to make room for Neville who still had to squeeze himself between Luna and the arm of the chair, arm slung across the back of the couch, just behind Harry's head.
Hermione took the opportunity to put her own legs on Harry's lap with her feet under Luna's thigh from her spot at the opposite arm, while Harry leaned his head on Luna's shoulder. Neville took over playing with Harry's hair as Luna settled against Harry with her own legs tucked up onto the couch. Everyone took a minute to take a few sips of their wine while they all got settled before the conversation really started.
Hermione cleared her throat before she started speaking, “Well, for your information, Harry, Draco owled me about a year ago with a request to meet with me to talk. You were busy with your apprenticeship so I didn't want to put it on you, but I spoke with Luna and she gave me some insight as to why Draco might want to speak with me, as she has been in regular contact with him since the end of the war,” Harry shifted a bit to look at Luna curiously.
“He is my cousin, after all, and he is the reason I'm still alive. He was the one who made sure I was fed and my wounds weren't so bad as to be long lasting. He couldn't completely heal me, obviously, as that would have given him away, but he made sure I stayed alive and relatively unharmed in the aftermath,” She explained all of this gently as always, but she had an air of sadness to her voice at the memory.
“And because of that,” Hermione continued, “I trusted Luna when she told me how he had changed and to let him say his piece. So, we met up, with Luna as moral support for the both of us, and he… He apologized. For everything. Every insult, his bigotry, his actions in the war, and overall just everything he could have apologized for, he did. He explained his upbringing a bit and even some of the more egregious behavior when I asked why he did any of it as well,
“At the end of it he told me he didn't even expect my forgiveness. He said he didn't feel like he deserved after waiting so long to apologize, but that he felt that he should at least give me the opportunity to air my own grievances. And I did. I let him have it! The craziest part is that he just… listened. It wasn't like I was talking to a brick wall that was hearing me but wasn't listening, he actually made an effort to stay engaged, no matter how much I said against him,”
“How do you mean?” Harry interjected.
“She was kind of a bitch,” Luna said, calmly, making Hermione, Harry, and Neville laugh in surprise at the blunt honesty.
“No, yeah, I was,” Hermione agreed with a chuckle. “I really didn't hold back how I felt all of those years, but I could see his remorse. I could see his regret. And you know what? I forgave that little bastard!” She said it with such indignation, as though upset at the very idea of her forgiving him.
“Why? He did some fucked up shit to me, but he was awful to you…” Harry whispered.
“I could tell he meant it. He was a kid, just like the rest of us. Scared his parents would be hurt or even killed if he stepped out of line. He knew the other children of death eaters, no matter the house, would have reported any slip up to their own parents if he did anything out of character. And in the end, he was another pawn in the fucked up game Dumbledore was playing against Voldemort. Dumbledore played him just as much as he did any of us, and that really stuck with me…” she trailed off with a sigh.
“That's….wow,” Harry was at a loss for words, he didn't know what to even begin to think in that moment.
“He did the same for me, too,” Neville added. “Came home one day three years ago and he was pacing my sitting room with his hand in his hair, looking almost deranged as he talked to Luna about how much of a bad idea it was,” he said with a laugh.
“I honestly thought he was about to have a heart attack when I dropped my keys in surprise! Once Luna calmed me down a bit, we had a pretty similar conversation, but I had already decided to forgive him when I saw how much the idea of the conversation was making him shake with nerves. Think he thought I was gonna deck him with how he was stuttering!” Neville laughed even more at the memory, taking another hefty sip of wine. “It's still bloody weird to have him over at the flat sometimes, though, I still get the occasional ‘young me would be losing it right now,’ moments,”
“I get the same feeling sometimes when we're at lunch together,” Hermione said with her own laugh. Harry froze with his wine glass partway to his mouth.
“I beg your pardon? You have lunch together‽ When‽ How am I just now hearing about this‽ How does Ron feel about any of this‽” Harry exclaims.
“Ron's still coming around to be honest. I had Draco round one day a few months after he spoke with me, with fair warning to Ronald, and we all talked it out. Ron is still Ron, though, so he tends to hold onto his emotions and grudges longer than anyone I've ever met, so he's been waiting for Draco to speak with you before he even begins to consider potentially maybe starting to work on the path of forgiving Draco,” that made Harry snort.
“So why hasn't he?” He asked quietly, settling back into leaning on Luna, staring at the small amount of wine left in his glass with furrowed brows.
“He's terrified.” Luna said bluntly, making Harry pull away again to look at her with further confusion. “Oh yes, he has talked about how to approach you for years now after you first ignored him after the trial,”
“I didn't mean to ignore him!” Harry complained, “I even put out a statement! Did nobody read the statement‽”
“Oh. Draco didn't go near the paper until six-ish years after the war…” Luna explained, “And I don't read much of the papers published in London, fills your head with gnargaks,”
The group went quiet for a while, drinking their wine and letting the conversation sink in. Harry's mind was buzzing with too many thoughts about everything he'd heard, mindlessly running his nails along Hermione's calf as she swirled the wine in her glass, waiting patiently. The silence couldn't last long however as Neville’s patience finally broke,
“So, Haz. How did he look?” He said with a devilish grin.