firecracker ???

5-13

She rolled her eyes. "You're lucky I didn't hit you with a Silencing Charm at the end-of-year feast."

"I would've worn it off. I have charm immunity when I'm in love."

"You're not in love," she said flatly, but her tone had no heat.

He gasped. "You wound me, Black."

She squeezed his hand once. "Come on, Potter. You'll survive."

He leaned slightly closer, voice low. "So. The toad's really gone?"

Lyra's lips quirked. "Mm. Connections. Paperwork. The right photo in the right owl post. You'd be surprised how fast justice moves when it's Lucius Malfoy behind it."

Harry's grin stretched as he thought about her words from the day in the library. "So what you're saying is... she's gone?"

"Very gone."

He realised something quickly and stopped walking. "Wait."

She turned and watched him with a soft smile. "Yes, Harry?"

"Are you saying I've been waiting this entire year for you," he said dramatically, "and you could've just snapped your fingers and cleared the path?"

"I told you," she said, leaning in, "we'd begin when she was gone."

"And?"

"She's gone."

Harry stared at her smile, dazed. Then he laughed—bright and boyish, head tilting back. "Well then. About bloody time."

She shook her head but couldn't hide the warmth in her eyes.

"So..." he said, smile growing, "that means..."

She raised a brow.

"That you and I—"

"Don't say it like that," she interrupted dryly.

"I'm just confirming," he grinned, all teeth and confidence. "Are we—?"

She didn't answer.

Instead, she gave his hand a very deliberate squeeze.

He beamed. "I knew it."

"You're absurd."

"And you're mine now."

She sighed. "This is going to be insufferable."

"Only every single day.".

They reached the carriages just as the last of the students were boarding.

A familiar voice drawled behind them. "Are you going to spend the entire summer flirting, or will you be sitting together too?"

Lyra turned and nodded.

Draco stood with his hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable but not unkind. His tie was loosened, his sleeves rolled. He looked like someone who was finally—maybe—accepting what he couldn't stop.

Harry grinned. "Is that approval?"

He didn't speak immediately. Just looked between them, expression unreadable.

Draco arched a brow. "Let's not push it."

Harry raised their joined hands and wiggled his fingers in Draco's direction. "Look at that. Progress."

Draco sighed. "Just don't do anything revolting in front of me."

"No promises."

"Potter."

"Yes, Malfoy?" Harry grinned, expecting him to clap back as always.

"Watch her back."

Harry's paused in surprise for a moment, then his face softened. 

"Always."

Draco walked past them toward the front of the line, robes swaying behind him.

Harry looked at Lyra. "Did that just happen?"

"Yes," Lyra said, tugging him forward. "Don't ruin it."

"I'm not," Harry whispered. "I'm just—I think brother dearest might like me now."

She gave him a look.

"Okay, tolerate. Fine."

He helped her into the carriage.

They sat together. Close. The thestrals pulled the carriage forward, hooves silent on the gravel path.

Hogwarts faded behind them. The road ahead stretched into summer.

She was still holding his hand.