The star, his moon and their comets

July 26th, 1997

Emma

The room was aglow with a soft, warm light as Draco and Emma found themselves wrapped up in each other's arms on the worn-out sofa at Grimmauld PLace. The air buzzed with a delightful mixture of laughter and affection.

Draco couldn't resist the urge to playfully nuzzle Emma's neck, planting a series of gentle kisses that tickled her and elicited a cascade of giggles.

"Consider this the charm of encouragement," he teased between kisses.

Emma squirmed, her laughter bubbling over. "Draco Malfoy, you have the most unconventional methods of encouragement."

He grinned against her neck. "Unconventional, but effective, wouldn't you say?"

With a mock-serious expression, Emma pretended to ponder the question. "Hmm, I might need more empirical evidence."

Draco didn't need further prompting. He showered her with a flurry of quick, affectionate kisses, each one punctuated by a whispered word of encouragement. "You're amazing. Strong. Irresistible. Brave. And did I mention amazing?"

Emma's heart swelled with warmth, and she couldn't help but reciprocate, planting a soft kiss on Draco's cheek. "You're not so bad yourself, Malfoy. In fact, you're kind of incredible."

He feigned surprise, hand dramatically placed over his heart. "Incredible, you say? I knew I had a certain charm."

Harry entered the room with an awkward cough, his eyes flickering briefly over Draco and Emma, who were still entwined on the sofa.

Clearing his throat, Harry hesitated before speaking.

"Uh, dads said dinner is ready," he announced, his gaze lingering on Draco for a moment longer than necessary.

The atmosphere shifted, and Emma could sense the underlying tension between the two men.

Draco, maintaining the silence, slowly disentangled himself from Emma and stood up, smoothing out his clothes.

Harry, on the other hand, looked genuinely uneasy.

As Draco walked past him, their shoulders brushed, and Emma could feel the tension escalating. She exchanged a quick glance with her twin, silently conveying an understanding of the strained dynamic.

The trio made their way to the dining room at Grimmauld Place. The air was thick with unspoken words and unresolved conflicts.

As they entered the dining room, tThe soft, warm light that had illuminated Draco and Emma's playful moments now seemed dimmer, and the atmosphere was far from the jolly gatherings that once took place in the same room.

Sirius and Remus were already seated at the table. Severus was present as well, though he had been in hiding since Voldemort's return.

The tension in the room was palpable, and the adjustment to life after Dumbledore's death had taken its toll on everyone.

As Draco took a seat, he exchanged a glance with Severus, a silent acknowledgment of the shared burden they all bore.

"Sit down, everyone," Sirius said, attempting to break the tension with a forced cheerfulness. "Remus and I were just discussing the latest—"

"Quidditch scores!" Remus interjected, a strained smile on his face. "Yes, Quidditch scores. Always a good distraction."

The forced casual conversation hung in the air, and everyone tried their best to contribute. However, the underlying unease was hard to ignore. The absence of Dumbledore, the recent events surrounding Voldemort's return, and the strained relationships within the group cast a shadow over the once vibrant gathering.