The news has fairly varied reactions.

Ron shouts profanities at the top of his lungs.

Neville gives Harry a worried look, but seems to trust his judgement.

Dean has more of a fuck it all attitude lately, and he simply raises his glass in toast.

Luna says something about love in the most extreme of circumstances.

Parkinson stares at Malfoy like he's crazy.

McGonagall just sighs, and offers to officiate the wedding.

Malfoy and Harry agree.

Neither of them seem as enthused as one would expect an engaged couple to be, but in these times, no one is.

*******************************

"Do you think we could ever love each other, or are we too different?" Malfoy asks one night, his eyes trained on the table.

"I don't know."

"Have you ever been in love?"

"Yes. Have you?"

"Yes, Blaise, remember? Who have you been in love with?"

"Cedric Diggory. He didn't love me back."

"How long have you known you were gay?"

"Fourth year, around the same time you pointed out my attraction towards Cedric. You?"

"First."

"You were eleven."

"I was also gay."

Harry allows an amused smile to flicker across his face, and Malfoy's small grin matches it well.

"I think that's the second time in my life I've ever seen you smile a genuine smile."

Malfoy shrugs. "Not much to smile at lately."

Harry nods at that. "Do you still love Blaise?"

"Do you still love Cedric?" Malfoy challenges.

"I'm not sure. Feelings get jumbled when the person you're in love with dies. You?"

"I don't think so."

They sit in silence for a while before Malfoy speaks again.

"Say we win this war. What then? What comes after?"

"I don't know," Harry admits. "I never really think about it. I expect death around every corner, so much so that I can't even fathom a future anymore. I expect to die in this war, and I pray that I die for our victory."

"Stay alive, if only to keep me so," Malfoy murmurs, another small smile crossing his face.

Harry holds out his hand, pinky outstretched. "I promise."

Malfoy laughs softly, a real laugh, and hooks his pinky with Harry's.

"I promise," he echoes.