"Have you seen him right now? Precious is the only word," she says, laughing and so delighted. This is who they could have been through school if not for Dumbledore and Voldemort and all their fighting. This is the friends Draco could have had.

But he has them now.

Hermione sighs, shifting to snuggle in against Draco. "No headshaving. Fine. I'll see to the joke shop and find the proper charm then," she teases, sliding her hand along Draco's back. "You're like a bird," she murmurs. "Soft and warm and feel like your bones are hollow but so strong."

Draco makes a noise. "She always poetic?"