A/N: This was going to be a little one-shot, but after I wrote it, I decided to expand it into a full length story, inspired by "I won't be denied by you." by trowicia on DeviantART. art/I-won-t-be-denied-by-you-200464790 It's in the P.O.V of Harry.

I was walking down the street after having just left the Ministry. The paperwork that the aurors have to fill out after every mission is hell, seriously. I need something to drink. Might as well go down to the Three Broomsticks to grab a pint before I head home.

I found a good Apparition spot, then landed right in front of the entrance of the pub. I walked in and extended my greetings to Madam Rosmerta. Wonderful woman, she is, always kind and helpful. I took a booth in the back of the restaurant to give myself some space to think.

Madam Rosmerta bustles over to my table and asks, "What would you like, dear? You're looking a bit tense there, maybe some Firewhiskey would be the thing to help you relax, then?"

"That would be great, I'll take a pint." With my last word she bustles away again. I sat there thinking about my life choices so far, about Ron and Hermione, the War, the whole fiasco with Ginny... At least she's happy now, with Seamus. That reminds me.. Hermione has been taking me out a lot lately, so many gay bars in such a short time.

Don't forget the headlines when I came out.

The-Boy-Who-Lived-To-Come-Out, Our Savior: The Shirtlifter?, From Birds to Blokes: Harry Potter's Love Interests. Then there was the vengeance interview that Ginny gave to Rita Skeeter.. I visibly shuddered.

I really need to find someone. I scanned the crowd in the pub, looking for someone to catch my eye. Hmm, that brunet in the corner with blue eyes looks pretty good. I scanned the room again, and the last person I expected to see walked in the door.

Malfoy. I hadn't seen him since the Battle of Hogwarts.. He looks pretty fit now, those broad, strong shoulders, that platinum blonde hair that shimmers even in the low lights of this tavern, those lustrous, sterling eyes, and that porcelain alabaster skin, I just want to run my hands all over him, feel the muscles rippling under my fingers, maybe leave a couple of marks, I wonder how they would stand out- NO, BAD HARRY, YOU SHOULDN'T BE THINKING ABOUT YOUR EX-RIVAL LIKE THAT. I can't believe I'm getting hard by just looking at him... Does it really matter anymore? He's gorgeous, and I would like to get him in my bed, and see if we can go from there.

He turned those gorgeous eyes towards me, and from the moment he looked at me, I knew he was attracted. I quickly looked away, blushing. I covered my face. I am a grown man, so why am I blushing like a 14 year old girl? I was quickly saved from Malfoy's heated gaze as Madam Rosmerta came back with my drink. "Here you are, Harry, enjoy! Oh, and I think the Malfoy boy is interested in you. Maybe you should consider him." Madam Rosmerta winked at me and glanced in Malfoy's direction, then left to serve her other customers.

I took a swig of my drink then looked up to see Malfoy walking straight towards my booth. Shit, what does he want? Was my attraction that obvious? Merlin, help me...

Malfoy sat down across from me and stared me straight into my eyes. "Potter."

"Malfoy."

"You're looking well, considering all the hell you've been through."

"You're looking pretty well yourself, considering all the hell you've been through also."

He laughed, a rich, low sound that increased my attraction.

"Can I buy you a drink, Potter? You look like you might need another."

"Sure, it's been a long day at work, and I really need to relax."

"Doing the Auror thing, like everyone predicted?"

"Yeah, I still have that 'saving-people-complex' that Hermione told me I had since the Hogwarts years."

He laughs again, "A 'saving-people-complex'?"

I chuckle a bit, since it sounds ridiculous to me also. "Yeah, you know, the whole being 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' thing would have done that to anyone."

"So, how's the love life going?"

"Still single, of course, you didn't read the papers? It was all over the Daily Prophet for a few weeks."

"I don't read that pile of rubbish, Potter, isn't that obvious?"

"You were really interested in it when we were in school."

"What?" A look of genuine surprise crossed his face. I think he now knows I've been watching him. Good job, Harry, Draco now knows you've been practically stalking him in our Hogwarts years.

I felt my face heat up, and I rubbed the side of my head in embarrassment. "Well, during 6th year...I kindastalkedyouandfollowedyouaroundbecauseIlikedyo u."

"Can you repeat that, Potter, I don't speak gibberish."

"I used to follow you around and stalk you, sort of, because I liked you."

A wide grin split his face for a brief second before changing into the traditional Malfoy smirk. "Oh, really now? Do tell more about your compulsive interest in me during our school days."

"It was only because I thought you were up to something!"

"Or, because you wanted me to be up in your something," he smirked.

"It was nothing like that!" My face felt like it was on fire. He's baiting me just like the old days, damn him.

"Oh come now, Potter, it probably was something more than what you say, you're blushing redder than a strawberry."

"So what if it is? It's not a big deal," I bluffed, not wanting him to know that I still wanted him.

"It is if your schoolboy crush hasn't gone away."

I couldn't say anything, the words of my untruthful denial to head him off my trail lodged in my throat. How could he tell?

"If you're wondering how I could tell that your 'crush' hasn't gone away, Potter, you're not that hard to read. You're like a open book, really," he drawled, looking ever so smug with himself.

"And what if you're right? What will you do about it, Malfoy?" I challenged him, since I knew that denying it now would be suicide. He wouldn't be deterred from his potential gloating, most likely and I wanted to get what I wanted. It's about damn time I lived my life for myself.

"Well," he pondered, putting his hand to his chin, pretending to go into deep thought, "I might start a Potter pursuit. You aren't the scrawny, malnourished twat you used to be. You grew up nicely."

I started to bristle at his response to my challenge. At least he's not gloating. "A Potter pursuit," I question, laughing all the while.

"Yes. I will pursue and court you, and try to get you in my bed. Or yours, whichever you prefer, I don't care," he shrugs.

"So, does this mean we'll be going out on a date? I'm not that easy, Malfoy," I smirk, baiting him further.

He stares intently into my eyes for a moment, then grasps my chin with his elegantly long fingers and pulls my face over the table closer to him. "Of course we will, Harry. I will take on the perfect Malfoy gentleman role, and formally court you. I do love a good challenge," he drawls, with his stupid, sexy, perfect voice, his stupid, sexy, perfect, quicksilver eyes, and his stupid, sexy, perfect lips. I had just realized how close in proximity he was to me, lips almost touching, and I knew by the intense stare he was giving, he was deadly serious.

"So, I'll be picking you up Thursday from your place, make sure you're looking delectable. You better be ready for me, Harry." With that last word, Malfoy was up and heading out of the Broomsticks, walking with purpose, the sibilant hiss of my name from his lips still ringing in my ears. I never gave him my address...