Ghosts ✔️

Chapter 21

{Happy pride month my lovelies, reminder that you're all so incredibly valid 💗}

It had been a week after the dinner, and Draco's birthday was coming up in a few days. Harry had been making preparations to do something with him.

"Prince,

I know your birthday is in a few days, and I'd like to do something to celebrate with you. Save your protests, we're friends and I want to spend some of your special day with you. Are you free the evening of your birthday? If so, let me know what time. You can even spend the night again if you want.

Scarhead"

Harry sent Scarhead Jr out with the letter because a timely response wasn't too important. He had some shopping to do. If there was one thing Harry hated now, it was going out in public. For Draco, he could manage. Taking a deep breath, Harry got into his car after donning his glamour. His contacts were in so that he could freely wear his sunglasses.

Evan was Harry's alter ego. It was so much easier to talk and be open with people when he was someone else. Dissociation wasn't healthy, Harry knew that, but he only did this when he went out in public.

The drive to the shopping complex was nice. Harry had the windows down, and relished in the wind blowing over his face. It was as close to the feeling of flying as he had gotten in awhile. The last time he was on broom, Malfoy had been clutching onto him for dear life. Funny how everything always came back to him. Now, Malfoy would hold him just as tightly when they would cuddle. Harry much preferred that to the alternative.

After locking his car, he headed inside, armed with the list of artists Draco had written him that he loved.

"Scarhead,

We spoke about music the last time I saw you, so here are some of my favorite artists in no particular order. If you want specific song suggestions, those can be arranged.

Mayday Parade
Taylor Swift
Harry Styles
Paramore
We the Kings
All Time Low
Greyson Chance
Halsey
Troye Sivan
Blink-182
Panic! At the Disco
Ed Sheeran (even though he looks like a Weasley)

Your Prince"

The first place Harry thought to go to was Hot Topic. Draco had mentioned that he liked Harry's band shirts, so Harry thought he would like some of his own. Harry would allow Draco to borrow most of his clothes, but the band shirts were sacred.

Hot Topic always had a welcoming atmosphere, at least in his opinion. The people here seemed to actually enjoy their job, and very rarely did Harry ever see a wizard that he knew in a store like this. How scandalous of the savior of the wizarding world to be in a shop like this.

"Hello, we're having a buy one get half off sale, and clearance is buy two get one free. Let me know if I can help with anything."

"Thank you."

Who said he only had to shop for Draco? Harry had found a new flannel for himself as well as some band shirts he would like. If two of them matched Draco's then so what?

"Would you like to leave some stuff up at the counter?"

"If it's not a bother."

"Not at all. Are you birthday shopping? Anything I can help you find?"

"I am, for my boyfriend. He keeps trying to steal my band shirts so I'm getting some of his own."

"I'm sure he'll still take yours, but that's sweet. I can help you find things if you would like?"

"Recently he's been obsessed with Tangled. Got anything for that?"

"Size?"

"Large."

With a grin, the worker headed off to the other side of the store. Harry neatly folded all of the shirts he had chosen on the counter with the tags sticking out to make it easier to scan them.

"You didn't have to do that, it's my job."

"Doesn't mean I can't make it easier."

The girl grinned at Harry.

"I'm Zoe."

"Evan."

"Wonderful to meet you. You're the most polite customer I've ever had."

Harry laughed it off and followed her to the Disney section. He wasn't going to go into his upbringing with a total stranger.

"How does he feel about face masks? I'm not trying to be stereotypical so please don't take that the wrong way. Skin care is universal."

"I'll take some. I've never used them but I'm sure he has. He has beautiful skin."

As she grabbed a few of them, his eyes wandered over to the rest of the tangled items. He grabbed a purple shirt with the kingdom's symbol on it because Draco looked fantastic in purple.

A few bottles of nail polish caught his eye. Biting his lip, he decided to grab a few. Guys with painted nails were hot.

Harry couldn't believe he had spent almost 2 hours in this store. There had to be a response from Draco by now, and his social battery was running out.

"Thank you so much Zoe."

"It was my pleasure, this was fun! I just started working here not too long ago so it's nice to be able to help people."

When she gave him his total, it seemed too low. When he questioned her, she blushed and told him she gave him her friend's discount. After thanking her profusely, he left a nice tip when her back was turned.

Ladened with bags, Harry was content. He stopped for some hot cinnamon pretzels on the way out, and drove home with a big smile on his face as his music was blaring. Harry hadn't felt like this in awhile. It was nice to be back.

Once he got home, sure enough there was a letter waiting for him.

"Scarhead,

Sadly Pansy, Blaise, and I have this Slytherin tradition we do the night of each other's birthday. I'd prefer to spend it with you, but if I cancel they'll very well kill me, and it would be a true travesty to this world.

What about the night before my birthday? Does that work? You'll have the honor of being the first person to wish me a happy birthday. I could spend the night and you can make me more of those amazing chocolate waffles. Salazar those were good. Can you tell I haven't had lunch yet?

Onto more pressing matters, could you stop by tomorrow around lunch to help me with the potion? It'll be done soon, but I could use the company. Who would've thought you'd be this fun to be around? Let me know if I should expect you.

Your Prince"

With a grin, Harry wrote back to Draco confirming that he would be there tomorrow for lunch. He couldn't wait.