Not Such a Short Time (Part 2 of 2, follows A Telling Article) (H/D, PG-13)

[sesheta66]

Title: Not Such a Short Time (Part 2 of 2, follows A Telling Article)
Author: sesheta_66
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: ~ 700
Pairing/Characters: Harry/Draco, Ron
Challenge: For pinkelephant42's birthday prompt of "How far we've come." It also fits this month's hd_fluff prompt of candy hearts, from which I chose the phrase, True Love.
Summary: A sequel to A Telling Article, this takes place at Harry and Draco's wedding reception, from Harry's point of view.
Warning: Extreme fluff (though not quite schmoopy).
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. They belong to JK Rowling and her publishers. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.



Harry sat at the head table watching Draco, still amazed at the events of the day, and those that led them to this place in their lives.

Draco was on the dance floor, Narcissa glowing with pride in his arms. They had both had their requisite dances with Narcissa and Molly, but Draco had wanted to have another with his mother, one that he wasn't obliged to perform, one just for them. Sometimes he still surprised Harry with the occasional glimpse into how loving he could be. Usually it was something to do with Harry, but he didn't begrudge Narcissa her place in Draco's heart. Lily had the same place in Harry's, even if he couldn't show her.

Harry caught his eye, and Draco winked at him from the dance floor, grinning. Harry smiled back, mouthing I love you and receiving a huge smile in response.

"Oi, save the sweet talk for when you're in your room later, mate," Ron said with a groan as he slapped Harry's back affectionately and sat down beside him. "Well, you did it."

Harry beamed. "Yeah, I did."

"I still can't believe you married the ferret." Harry glared at him. "Aw, come on, Harry. I mean it in the most affectionate way now. Draco knows that." He grinned half-drunkenly, but Harry knew it to be a true statement.

"Thanks, Ron."

"For what?" he asked, confusion written all over his face.

"For finally coming round about Draco."

"You're like a brother to me, Harry. It's not like I had any choice. Considering everything you went through in your lifetime, who am I to deny you happiness?"

Harry knew the alcohol was loosening his friend's tongue, but he was happy for the words just the same.

"I've never seen you so happy as when you're with him, y'know. And the reverse is true, too. He's not the same smarmy git he was in school. Yeah, he's sarcastic and snarky, but I think you need that. You know, someone to keep you on your toes and not bow at your saviour-of-the-world feet."

Harry snorted. Certainly Draco would never do that.

"And you know what?"

"What?" Harry asked bemusedly. He couldn't wait to hear this.

"I think he deserves happiness too, even if it took me a long time to get over the whole Weasley-Malfoy resentment, and all the crap he used to spew."

"You spewed your fair share too, you know."

"Yeah, I did too, didn't I?" Ron's eyes glazed over, as if remembering something sweet. Harry frowned. "Relax, Harry. Draco and I have managed to get past all that shite. He's not such a bad bloke. I think he had almost as rough a time of things as you did." Ron furrowed his brows in thought. "Okay, maybe he didn't have old Voldie after him until later on, but still. Living with Lucius?" He shuddered and Harry laughed.

"Lucius, in his own warped way, loved Draco."

"Whatever. You won't ever convince me of that. Besides, let me feel for the guy. I'm trying to be charitable here."

"Okay," Harry chuckled.

"What I'm saying is that none of us is the same as we were in school. It might not have been so long ago, but so much has happened to change our lives, to change us. I think the two of you are great together, and I wish you both happiness."

"Thanks, Ron."

"Okay," he said abruptly as he stood up. "I've said all the mushy shite I mean to. You make sure you tell 'Mione just how nice I was, yeah? I'm off to the loo."

Harry sat back, revelling in Ron's comments. He looked around the room at the guests, some from each of Hogwart's houses. Having fun together, really together, just like Dumbledore had longed for. Ron was right. Times really had changed. They all had.

"It's amazing how far we've come in such a short time," Harry said to Draco when he returned to the table.

"Not really such a short time, I don't think," Draco replied. At Harry's questioning look, he leaned in to kiss him on the cheek and added quietly, so that only Harry could hear, "I think my heart has always been yours."


.

Comments

[lackofmendacity.livejournal.com]

Awwwww... quite mushy and sentimental perhaps, but I think it's important to have these things said. :)

Though the whole Weasley/Malfoy thing had me momentarily cringing at the pairing connotation. :/ *needs to get mind out of gutter*

[tray-la-la.livejournal.com]

yeah marriage!fic!. so much fluffy goodness!

the first kiss in A Telling Article made me melt, and draco's last line is completely swoon-worthy *g*

[enchanted-jae.livejournal.com]

What a lovely story! I adore supportive!Ron.

[lire-casander.livejournal.com]

I think you've melted my heart. All I can think is 'awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww'

[svgurl.livejournal.com]

I love Ron in this story! He's so funny. And Draco just adorable. That last line just melted my heart.

Great fic! I enjoyed both parts very much.

Thanks for writing and sharing!

(http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee155/svgurl410/?action=view&current=34.jpg)

[gurliemoviegeek.livejournal.com]

Yay for a pissed and loose-lipped Ron! Loved him! And double yay for a sweet and romantic Draco!

Loved the image of him dancing with Narcissa! What a sweet idea!

Thanks for the warm fuzzies, my sweetie!

[pinkelephant42.livejournal.com]

Aww that's so sweet! Thank you so much!
I like the caring Draco and the drunk Ron. And wedding fics always make me smile. :D

[kcstories.livejournal.com]

Very sweet. :)

And I love Ron here, too.

[lijahlover.livejournal.com]

Awwww! That was so sweet.
Thanks!

[kaykayen.livejournal.com]

*swoons*

And Ron rocks.

[idontgiveafaux.livejournal.com]

although i managed to pull back i could feel my eyes getting all tingly - the sign of if i let myself, they'd be filling up with tears right now. this was just so sweet and lovely. i like how draco wanted a second dance with narcissa and absolutely loved ron's speech and when harry was observing everything afterwards and saw that ron was right (just like Dumbledore had longed for ::cries a little::) it just made me feel very happy and content. thanks for the read hon ::hugs you::

[piratesmile331.livejournal.com]

AAAWWWW!!! I read the first part of this the other day, and somehow missed this second part. I happen to love Ron, and I can totally imagine that at some point in his life that he would accept Harry and Draco together, if only for the sake of his friendship with Harry. He has gone much further than that in this story, and I love it! They truly have all come a long way.

[byaghro.livejournal.com]

Last line LOVE!!! That was so sweet!

[damedbx.livejournal.com]

AWESOME!!!! this just made me go awwww! brilliant!

[murielago.livejournal.com]

Hi!
I was wondering if it would be okay if I translated this and A Telling Article into Finnish? I would post it to http://finfanfun.arkku.net , which is a Finnish HP fandom site. Of course I'd put the proper disclaimer and a link to the original. (: