Summary: Harry's working at a motel for the summer. Unexpectedly, Draco appears and rents a room. Harry is filled with questions. Why is he there? What is he hiding from? And, probably the most important question of all, why is the need to be close to him so strong? This takes place somewhere between year five and year six.
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters mentioned in the Harry Potter series. I will not be profiting off this story.
Harry's mop landed heavily on the ground, splashing soapy water across the tiled bathroom floor. He sighed, absentmindedly moving it back and forth. Occasionally shuffling around to scrub any spots he might have missed.
Harry recently got a job at the Sunny Side Up Motel. Although the job was extremely mundane and the building was a crap hole, it was far better than spending his time at Privet Drive. Plus, he met a lot of interesting people on the way. From your average guys with business meetings the next day to groups of teenagers just wanting a place with a pool. The occasional (suspected) axe murderers. Either way, all the customers seemed to get along fine with Harry. Way better than the way he got along with his Uncle or Aunt.
"Oi, kid! Stop daydreaming and go change the towels in the supply room." Harry whipped his head around to see his boss poking through the doorway.
Harry nodded and hastily put away his mop. Mr. Jameson was strict, but he was never too harsh on his employees. He was actually really nice to talk to on breaks or after work. He would always listen to Harry and his situation back at home. During work, though, it was always "Oi, kid!" or "See here, boy…" Harry liked it that way, anyways. Made it easier to work.
One by one, Harry carefully set the towels on top of each other in the supply room. It was just behind the front counter where the customers checked in. He liked to keep the door slightly open so he could see what new characters he could expect. Unfortunately, whenever he restocked the towels he could only hear the newcomers. That was fine, though. Made it more interesting to find the face to match the voice.
Harry was on the last few towels when he heard the door open and someone walk to the front desk. The stranger's voice was soft, yet somehow direct and strong. It had an edge to it that Harry recognized from other customers. It meant they were scared. It meant they were hiding from something.
"Room for one please." The soft murmur requested to Mr. Jameson.
"How long will you be staying?" Mr. Jameson said gruffly. His voice was considerably louder than the others.
"... I'm not sure."
"I'm sorry sir, but we're going to need an estimate for rates..."
The customer clicked his tongue in frustration. After a bit of shuffling, he said in a strained, aggressive tone, "This should cover however long I choose to stay. I hope you choose to accept it."
Harry froze. He could hear a distinct sneer in the last phrase. But that's not possible…
"... O-of course. Yes. That- that should be… Ahem…" Mr. Jameson stuttered. Harry's eyes widened. There was definitely only one person who could make his tough as nails boss fumble like that. "May I have a name for the room?"
He hesitated. "Draco."
What? Harry thought, That's not possible. No Malfoy would step foot in a muggle town.
"... Ah… And, last name?" Mr. Jameson said before Harry could come to any possible conclusions.
"You will only need my first." You could feel the venom that seeped out of every syllable.
"... Alright. I'll have someone show you to your room right away. Oi, kid! Come show Mr. Draco to room 115." Mr. Jameson called towards the supply room.
Harry groaned. He had a feeling that the last thing Malfoy wanted to do is bump into a schoolmate. Much less him. He slowly stepped out of the closet and locked eyes with "Mr. Draco". Harry gave him a tight smile, "Right this way, sir."
Draco's eyes widened, but overall he kept his composure. If Harry wasn't so familiar with his expressions, he wouldn't have thought Draco had any reaction at all.
Draco gave a curt nod and followed Harry up to the second floor. Harry opened the door to 115 and stood to the side, allowing Draco to look about the room.
A long and painful silence followed.
"So… Never thought I would see you in this side of town. Thought a quick visit to a muggle town would expand your worldview, then?" Harry commented after he couldn't take anymore of the quiet.
Malfoy glared at him. "I thought I could prove myself wrong about your pathetic lifestyle, Potter. Guess the trip was pointless, though, since you work in such a crapper."
Harry laughed, which made Draco take a step back, a bit startled.
"Sorry," Harry chuckled, "I'm just used to this kind of pointless banter in very different settings."
Draco couldn't help but smirk, "Yes, the situation is a bit unsavory. I agree."
Harry ran his hand through his hair and looked tentatively towards the other, "So, why are you here?"
Draco's face fell back into its usual nonchalant demeanor, "That's hardly any of your business, Potter."
Harry sighed, "Yeah, I was expecting that answer." He pulled out a key card and a few brochures. "Here, this is how you get into your room and these will help you with getting around the building."
Malfoy took the objects, carefully setting them on the bed. "...Thanks."
Harry smirked, looking from the key card to the proud boy, "... Do you know how to use that?"
Draco narrowed his eyes, "I'm sure I'll figure it out. Without the help."
Harry rolled his eyes, "Whatever you say. Just call the front desk when you need service… Or, I guess, just go to it. I doubt you know how to use a phone…"
Draco nodded curtly, still glaring as Harry headed out, "I'll manage, Potter."
"Oh, and," Harry started, turning to Draco in the doorway, "I don't think using your real name is the best tactic when one goes into hiding. Just a thought."
Draco cocked an eyebrow, "Who says I'm hiding?"
Harry grinned, "Really? There's no other possible reason. And why the muggle world, of all places?"
Malfoy's face suddenly darkened, "They won't go searching for me here."
They stared at each other, Malfoy holding his expression, leaving Harry to search for meaning in it.
"Is that all?" This time Draco broke the silence. Harry came back to reality, realizing that they had stared at each other for far too long. He nodded and turned on his heel, heading for the front desk, calling behind his shoulder, "Remember to ask when you need help."
Draco huffed and yelled out, "I think you mean if."
All he heard in response was a light chuckle and the faint sound of disappearing footsteps.
Thank you for taking the time to read this! This is my first fanfic that's not Teen Titans... I hope I do the pair justice.
Also, this is rated T for now. I'm not sure if I want to write anything explicit, but it may be heavily hinted at. We'll see where this goes.
Please feel free to review!
-Bob