Harry wasn't known for his patience. Rita Skeeter had been Owling him since early in the morning. He had just kicked her out of his office. He suspected she had used her beetle form to get in but he couldn't prove it. He was grinding his teeth on his way to Apparate home when Draco Malfoy came into sight. The latter flashed him a smile and made a beeline for him. Harry held up a hand to stop him.
"I'm warning you, Malfoy, I'm not in any mood to be messed with."
Draco rolled his eyes.
"It was strictly business related, but as you are /clearly/ over worked, I'll ask someone else."
He made to turn around when Harry reached out and grabbed his shoulder.
"What kind of business?"
Draco looked him up and down. He sighed and straightened his clothes. It was Harry's turn to roll his eyes now.
"Do you know that former Death Eaters are being attacked?"
"Yes," he said. It had been in the news a couple of times now, no deaths but enough injuries to keep the Death Eaters on their toes.
"Do you also know which Wizard people fear more than they ever feared the Dark Lord?"
Harry's lip curled up at the words 'dark lord' but he did not have the answer to that question. He remained silent instead. Malfoy rolled his eyes again.
"You. You killed him using only expelliarmus. If I hire you as my body guard, no one would dare touch me."
Harry snorted. Surely, Malfoy, was joking, but he merely raised an eyebrow at him. Harry laughed.
"You're kidding? Why would I want to be /your/ body guard?"
Draco sniffed and pulled at the cuff of his shirt sleeve. "Everyone has their price, Potter."
"Not me. Find someone else."
He pushed past Malfoy, fully intending on going straight home.
"Potter!"
The fear in his voice was what stopped Harry. He turned around and a wide eyed Malfoy was directly behind him.
"Potter...I...I realize you have no reason to, you have money-obviously, but..."
"You're scared."
"I am not!" Draco snapped in protest.
"You are, you're terrified. Admit it and I'll do it."
Malfoy mouthed wordlessly for a moment and finally choked out, "Yes, I am scared."
"I'll Owl you later to setup a time to meet."
Harry turned away again, a skip in his step. Malfoy was scared enough to depend on /him/. This wasn't such a bad day after all.
Harry was beginning to think Malfoy thought he was more important than he really was, perhaps he wasn't even on anyone's radar. After all, Draco had only been a child at the time. As it was Harry was stuck hiding under his invisibility cloak, waiting for an attack that didn't seem likely to come. He huffed, perhaps a bit too loudly, because Draco stomped on his foot. He winced but managed to remain silent.
Git.
This was another business dinner. Malfoy had at least three weekly and he was expecting Harry to be at every last one of them. He considered leaving. He was sure Malfoy wouldn't even notice. This had been the third dinner Harry had accompanied him on and there wasn't even a hint of danger. It was boring.
Did Malfoy ever smile? Harry wondered. The Slytherin had chuckled at a joke but it didn't quite meet his frosty eyes nor did his lips turn up in even a faint smile. The waiter brought by their food. Harry, being invisible hadn't ordered anything. His stomach gave a particular loud grumble at the smell.
Malfoy's eyes closed his eyes, he was clearly trying to remain calm. Harry grinned as his stomach made another rumble.
"You are hungry!" His associate said with a laugh.
"Yes, it's clear I skipped a meal today," Draco said with a small shurg.
It was as Draco was grabbed a fork when Harry noticed the wand being drawn from a table near their booth. He lurched forward, knocking Draco flat as he threw up a shield.
A red jet of light bounced off and scorched the ceiling. People started to scream. Harry dragged Malfoy to his feet and out the nearest door, quickly apparating them safely to Malfoy manor. He didn't let go until he dragged Malfoy inside.
Draco jerked away from him.
"What the hell were you thinking?" he snarled.
"I protected you?" Harry offered. He was tucking his cloak away. Draco crossed his arms.
"You let them get away."
"I was hired to protect you."
"I would think that would include eliminating any threats."
Harry snorted.
"So I should have killed him?"
"No!" Draco snapped. "But you could have revealed yourself /then/! He would know why he shouldn't attempt that stunt again."
"Why the cloak then? Why can't I be in the open?"
"I don't want you in the open!" Draco kicked his shoes off with such venom they hit the wall. Harry groaned. This wasn't worth it. He hadn't counted on temper tantrums. He buried his face in his hands. Draco continued to rant, throwing things around the room until he finally dropped face down on to his couch.
"Malfoy?" He ventured.
"Go, Potter."
"Have a drink with me first."
"No, get out of my home."
"Malfoy."
"Potter."
"Get up or I quit."
"I hate you," Draco groaned as he rolled off the couch.
"Ah, but you need me," Harry said with a laugh. "Come on, I've got fire whiskey at my flat."
"I've got wine here," Draco said gesturing to a door but Harry grabbed his arm and tugged him to the floo.
"Shut up, Malfoy."
