"Harry?" Hermione asked.
                              
"Maybe... he's outside?" he said and walked to the door. The flowers had been watered, and the beds looked weeded and trimmed. He paused in awe and smiled a little fondly. The garden and kitchen were his places.
                              
"I don't see him," Hermione said, as the yard went behind the house, where they couldn't see. But she noted the rubbish pile. "He's cleaned your precious garden, too."
                              
"Yeah, it looks great, "he said, and then went to the back of the den and ripped open the old, thick curtains that unleash a ton of dust that made them cough, but through the dirty window, he could see him.
                              
Draco was playing with both Shadow and Gus. He threw the squeak toys, and the pups fetched them. They didn't let it go easy as he tried to wrestle it from both of them. They were happy to tug back until he wrested it from them and then hide them behind his back. Gus and Shadow jumped happily onto his legs, trying to get it. Draco pretended like he didn't have them and would fake throw them. Gus and Shadow would run a few feet and come back, more desperate for the toys.
                              
But after another fake out, they charged and fully jumped into Draco's chest and knocking him to the ground. They started licking him like crazy, and Draco was laughing and petting them, trying half-heartedly to get him to stop. Harry had tears in his eyes just watching him with them. It was so... perfect... loving. Merlin, he could feel Shadow's happiness and contentment. This was how it was supposed to be.
                              
"You're in love with him," Hermione suddenly exclaimed.
                              
Harry coughed, as Hermione had abruptly snapped him back to reality. "Wh-What?"
                              
"You're staring at him with that same look in your eye as you do when Shadow is on you. I know that look. Your I'm-fucking-happy-look. Whenever you fly, crack a case, see Ron and I together that is the look on your face. You're in love with Malfoy, aren't you?"
                              
"I... I... well..." he stammered, as he glanced back out to Draco, now giving belly rubs to the krups. He thought how much he liked being with Draco. How despite losing everything, he survived and didn't become bitter. He wanted to come home every day and see Draco. He wanted a family and partner of his own.
                              
"Harry? You really didn't notice?" she asked.
                              
"I did... just not... but you're right. He's all I think about now."
                              
"I'm happy for you, both. I don't even need to talk to Malfoy to know that he's changed."
                              
"He has, but it doesn't mean that he feels the same way for me, Hermione."
                              
She took his hand and pushed his head to look back out the window as Draco, sitting in the grass, hugged the pups and kissed them. "He's playing with your companion, Harry."
                              
Harry swallowed hard, feeling the emotions from Shadow.
                              
"Harry, you been bonded to Shadow for a while, now. You understand that familiars don't do that. Even if you think it is one-sided, they know how you both feel. If they have doubly-bonded with you and him, then it's for certain. Malfoy loves you, too."
                              
More tears fell. Harry was scared, though, despite this revelation. "I don't know if it's enough. You heard what Kreacher said, and I've heard him say it, too. He doesn't think he deserves to be here or with me."
                              
"Harry... just talk to him. Take it slow, convince him to stay and don't let him walk away."
                              
He nodded and took a deep breath. He wiped his tears away. "Okay... stay in here. I'll go talk to him. Thank him."
                              
"I'll start dinner. I can send a message for Ron to come over, too. Just stay outside for a while and talk... about your feelings and your familiars. I'll take care of everything."