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The noise of cameras flashing made him feel deaf and what good were glasses if they couldn't protect him from the binding lights? After a few turns, his target was in clear view and the words left his mouth before he even reached him.
- Malfoy, can I talk to you?
As two blonde heads looked at him, Lucius Malfoy was the first to respond.
- Can't a man be left alone, Potter! Came to gloat about how you spoke for my wife and son and left me to fend for myself.
His furious stance which would typically make others scared, only made passersby chuckle.
- My apologies Lucius, but you see, my hands were tied, you tried to harm me when I was twelve when both Lady Malfoy and your Heir saved my life in the Battle.
The fake politeness was not well received by the now-fallen Malfoy lord. As he sneered at the raven-haired man, the elder spoke as if he was still absurdly well respected.
- You and I have no business with each other Mr. Potter.
- Indeed Lucius, we do not. Perhaps I should have been more clear.
Now looking at his target once more, taking in his disheveled appearance and unkempt hair.
- Draco, can I talk to you? In private. It will be just a moment.
With suddenly startled eyes, he asked:
- Me? Potter, what are you playing at?
- No games, just talking. You have my word.
- Your word? How noble.
- Father!
Yelled the younger man, turning to the other:
- I'll talk to you Potter, where?
- Follow me.
The minister had allowed him to use one of the offices upon his request, now, all he needed was to get the words out. Looking at the pale man in front of him, made Harry realize, that they were not that different after all. Where to start? He hadn't thought about what to do or what to say. Once all was over, he had time in Grimmauld to think and make a truce with Kreacher. Enough time to understand, that he was human, and that no amount of bravery would make him perfect. Draco Malfoy was a constant in his life, that he had not expected. The hexing, the cursing, the name calling, the pranks. Voldemort might have been his war enemy, but Draco had been his Rival. A rival is someone that deep down, you respect, you look up to them in some way or another, they ground you in reality, they show you your flaws. But like the war, school was over too. His friends were so deep in love that they didn't realize, how uncomfortable it can be third-wheeling. And he wasn't that close to anybody else. The Wesleys were indeed like family, but he still felt like an impostor, especially after his breakup with Ginny. Only His Godson was left in his life, and from what Andromeda told him, Draco would be Teddy's cousin. Maybe, if the blonde no longer wished to follow in his father's footsteps, he could instead reconnect with his aunt and cousin, and maybe, Harry could be part of that too. Andromeda has been feeling unwell for a month now, and as much as Harry loved the little, he couldn't skip auror training. But both of them had too much story to be just forgotten, Harry decided to take a leap of faith, the first step. With trembling lips, he managed to get the first words out.
- I want to apologize.
- I want to apologize.
The words were ringing in my head, what in Salazar's name was happening?
- What do you mean potter? Apologize? What for? Shouldn't you be demanding me to apologize?
- Um, well you see, the first time I met you, you reminded me of my cousin, and I hated my cousin, we are good now but that's not the point. The point is, that I was too quick to judge. You looked like one of the people I most disliked, you were raised by your magical parents and also spoke about going to Slytherin. And then proceeded to insult my friend. First Friend.
Looked like his cousin? I had parents, but he didn't I can understand that, and what about Slytherin? Yes, he was quick to judge, definitely, but perhaps, so was I.
- I don't understand. Why did you hate your cousin? He's not magical, right? And unless you won a was for nothing it can't be because he is a muggle. And even if a muggle family raised you, surely they told you about magic, didn't they? And what's wrong with Slytherin?
The other man's next words shocked him:
- Oh no, I was raised by my muggle side of the family, what people didn't know, however, is that they hated magic. My cousin was always bullying me, hunting, and hurting me with his friends. I slept in a cupboard under the stair until I was eleven and to top it all off, I was told my parents died in a car accident and that my father was a drunk and my mother a bitch. I only found out I was a wizard after Hagrid knocked down the door with a cake in hand on my eleventh birthday.l
I suddenly understood Harry for the first time in my life. Not Harry Potter, the chosen one, no Potter, my rival, but Harry, the boy from 7 years ago. I insulted Hagrid, I was bragging about my parents to an abused and abandoned boy, most likely the same way his cousin did. And before I could say anything, he kept going.
- I am apologizing for hastily deciding you weren't going to be my friend, that you were like Dudley, and that you were evil. I asked Hagrid afterward, what was Slytherin, and well, the part of "There's not a single witch or wizard who went bad who wasn't in Slytherin. You-Know-Who was one" definitely made me think the worst of house Slytherin, which was also wrong and I also apologize for not taking my own conclusions. I apologize for thinking you were the heir of Slytherin and breaking into your dorm, and almost killing you in sixth year. I am not apologizing for insulting you however and I don't expect to be forgiven, just know that I am terribly sorry.
As the laugh come to me, I couldn't stop it. Harry Potter apologizing to me was not what I expected, but I like it.
- I see, I accept your apologies, Mr. Potter. I also offer my own. I should not have assumed you had lived a spoiled life. I also don't apologize for our rivalry. And I am sorry for your loss.
Those shocked emerald green eyes were looking at me with absolute wonder. It made me warm.
- I accept your apologies.
- Great! Was that all?
So this is it. Potter and I apologized, forgave each other, and now was time to forget and move on. But to my surprise, he said:
- Actually, no. What do you know about your aunt?
- Bellatrix?
- No, Andromeda.
- No, Andromeda.
The confusion on his face made me realize that maybe he didn't know about her.
- I'm sorry, who?
- Andromeda Tonks, she is your mother's older sister, left the Black Family to marry a muggle-born.
- Well, you just said why I never heard of her, to my credit, I never knew Bella was my aunt until she escaped Askaban.
- Really? Well, Andy had a daughter who married Professor Lupin.
- Something tells me about a possible really big age gap but I will make no comments. And do you want me to reconnect with them or something?
Harry said after a deep breath
-They died actually. But they left a son behind, my godson Teddy. I was wondering if you would like to meet him and talk to Andromeda.
- A godson? How do you feel being a parent so young?
Although there was mirth in his joke, Harry could also feel uncertainty.
- Pretty overwhelmed actually. Think about it. She said she'll send you a letter, I'm just giving you a heads-up.
-Alright.
Unable to help himself, the blonde joke:
- You actually had second intentions when apologizing, how cunning.
The green-eyed man laughed before saying:
- I was almost sorted into Slytherin, and yeah, I did have ulterior motives. What are you going to do about it?
The smirk on his face left the blond speechless and slightly colored cheeks.
- Guess I'll see you around Potter.
Lowering his gaze to the floor, he moved to the door.
- Harry, call me Harry. See you Draco.
- Harry.
With a small smile, the blond left the room and Harry felt like he accomplished his mission.