He whispered, quietly, "Yeah... it's too bad your mom was there." 
                              
Malfoy just stared at him, with an unfathomable expression on his face and Harry just played it off like he hadn't just flirted with his former rival. He just nonchalantly guided them to the Underground. He started rambling about the stuff they saw as they walked. Neon lights, London cabs, pub crawl buses and cleaners. Malfoy seemed fascinated as a vacuum picked up the fagbutts off the ground. Malfoy didn't even know what he was talking about and Harry had to explain that the muggles also called cigarettes "fags". He laughed a bit after understanding that Harry wasn't poking fun at him.
                              
Harry was vaguely aware that Narcissa was behind them and keeping her distance. He was grateful and half-wondered what she was making of their conversation, but he honestly only wanted to see Draco's reaction to everything he saw. Night took on a different meaning in the city, though darkness hadn't completely taken over. Football bars and teens wandering about, pushing their parent's boundaries. It wasn't as safe as their daytime wanderings. The crowds had thinned, but it was unsettling to Harry. He didn't know if Malfoy picked up on how tense he was. It didn't help that he had been attacked not a few blocks from the crowded Trafalgar Square. 
                              
When a car suddenly backfired, Harry jumped in front of Malfoy, immediately expecting an attack. Draco hadn't resisted when Harry grabbed him. When he located the source, he slowly relaxed and put his wand away. Malfoy was trembling from the unexpected noise and probably Harry's reaction. Harry slowly took a firm hold of Draco's hand. He mumbled an apology and explained that internal combustion engines made strange noises sometimes. Malfoy looked a little reassured and didn't insist on letting go as they continued toward the Tube.
                              
Harry really did enjoy the comfort of holding his hand as he was so afraid of being attacked while out in public. Diagon Alley was worse. He gripped his hand tighter and smiled. It was so much better. He didn't feel alone. Malfoy gave him a smile, too. He appreciated the contact. Harry's heart soared at that acknowledgment. Draco wasn't rejecting him. He didn't mind the physical contact. He was squeezing back. He didn't care that some muggles stared as they walked by. It was only five minutes, but it made Harry's stomach feel... weird. Bouncy. 
                              
Unfortunately, he had to let go as they reached the steps to descend into the Tube station. When they made it to the ticket machines, Draco proudly demonstrated his ability to use the muggle technology and led them to the correct train without Harry's guidance. Harry gave him an approving nod, especially because he didn't hesitate to use the touch screen and muggle money.
                              
As they waited the few minutes for the next train, he said, "Expert at muggle traveling already?"
                              
Malfoy gave him his old head tilt with a haughty expression that Harry was starting to admit that he really loved. It was almost a sign of his old nemesis was there, just without the look of hatred in his eyes. Mischievous and cunning. Harry liked him like that. However, they both frowned when the train arrived, packed with people heading to the outskirts of London. They squeezed in and Draco found a seat for Narcissa to take. They stood next to her and Harry didn't know if Malfoy was as tense as he was with all the people around them. He just put his hand on his mother's shoulder protectively.
                              
"This is our stop?" he asked, to confirm.
                              
Harry glanced up and read the scrolling message above their heads. "Yep. Ready to make our move?" 
                              
"Yes, thank you," she said, as Malfoy gave her his hand to stand up.
                              
Harry took Malfoy's other hand, pulling him through the crowd as he held onto his mum's. Harry led them off the train and up onto Dartford Road. They walked away from the others exiting and entering the Tube station and he realized that it was time for dinner. He knew there was an Italian place nearby from one of the walks he had gone with Malfoy on. He really had wanted to take Malf-Draco to a nice dinner. He knew it would be expensive, but he wanted to treat him, after everything he had gone through. Harry wouldn't mind taking Narcissa, too, but some part of him wanted Draco to be alone... with him. But you can't always get what you want.