Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the other characters.
Beta by: ChiCagoChiCa
Another night, another ball to attend. Lord Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, sighed from where he was standing. He had chosen a quiet corner which allowed him some privacy but still showed what was happening in the ballroom.
As one of England's most eligible bachelors, he had no shortage on the amount of available ladies begging for his attention, and he was glad to be able to get some-however brief- alone time. Malfoy was a name which made people cower- and for good reason. The Malfoy family was considered one of the most powerful and influential families among society. The previous Lord Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy, had done an incredible job establishing their wealth and status. The family had been raised from to one of England's most prestigious families. Sadly, he passed away due to an unknown disease. His son, Draco Malfoy became the next Lord Malfoy.
Society was skeptical when it heard news of the young man becoming Lord, but Draco Malfoy proved to them that he was worthy of the title. Soon after receiving his title, he went on a series of business adventures that expanded his family's wealth substantially. He soon acquired a seat on the parliament. Although he appointed one of his trusted cousins to attend for him and rarely went himself, he was the most powerful member in the parliament. Nobody dared to cross him since they knew he could easily destroy a person's status with just a raised eyebrow.
That had been three years ago and now at 24 years of age, Draco Malfoy had established himself firmly among the society. People looked up to him for guidance and opinions- even about fashion. He had high standards. Everywhere he went, ladies would throw themselves at his feet, but he never showed any interest. It was common knowledge that the Lord Malfoy rarely showed interest in others. But when he did, it would be the gossip for the following days to come. Every available lady was hatching up a plan to ensnare one of the most eligible bachelors among the society. However, people who knew him best would probably tell them that they were wasting their time.
Now stepping out of his haven and into the view of the rest of the ballroom, Draco let his eyes wander around the room, and his gaze landed on none other than Lord Potter, Harry Potter. Harry Potter was the also one of the most sought out bachelors, second only to Draco. He came from a powerful family and like the Malfoy family, the Potters had established themselves well enough among society.
Draco, for one, was constantly intrigued with this lord. He was the total opposite of Draco. While Draco was considered cool and aloof, Potter was the Golden Boy of the society. He had this charm about him which seemed to draw people to him. Draco was no exception.
One thing that society didn't know about him was the fact that he found men more attractive than women. He knew it was wrong of him and that his mother would probably die of shock if he was to tell her the reason why he didn't want to get married. Society didn't accept such a relationship. Therefore, Draco had to keep his sexual preference secret, knowing his family would be doomed if word ever got out. He had succeeded in fooling the people around him for a good amount of time.
Then, his gaze had landed on Potter two years back. He had known Potter in earlier school years. Back then, they were friends but as soon as they finished their education, Potter had left the country to do who knows what. Since then, nothing was heard about him, but Draco never forgot even when some people did. He realized that he was attracted to men when he befriended Potter at Eton. However he had thought it was just an attraction as a friend, and he never took it seriously. But after Potter had left, he realized that there was a hole inside him that none could fill. Precisely at that moment, Draco realized that he was truly attracted to Potter and was saddened to hear that he had left without informing him. But all that was forgotten the instant he saw Potter again. For the first time, his control had snapped.
The attraction he had felt all those years ago was immediately rekindled. And that made him afraid, very afraid. The moment Potter turned and met his gaze, he knew he was lost. Just standing there and looking at Potter, he could feel his heart beating wildly inside, and he could feel his pulse staring to quicken. When Potter started to make his way towards him, Draco was left rooted to the spot, unable to move even when all he wanted to do was flee from the room. Draco remembered the conversation that they had as if it was only yesterday.
Flashback
"Hello. Nice to see you again Malfoy," Harry said and held up his hand, waiting for Draco to accept it.
"Nice to see you too Potter. You must be the new lord everyone is talking about now," Draco said while grasping the hand that Potter had offered, feeling a jolt but making sure to hide it.
Potter laughed when he heard this. "I wouldn't know about that. As I'm sure you are aware, I rarely attend functions such as this. But, alas, I can't just lock myself in my house, can I?"
Draco, chuckled, "Actually you can, but think what people will say about that."
"I know. I forgot how tiring a ball could be. I just came back from overseas and here I am once again, surrounded by all these available ladies throwing themselves at me, driven by their mothers," Harry said rolling his eyes slightly.
Draco smiled, "Well, you can't really blame them, can you? You left after we finished Eton and we seldom hear any news about you. Now you're back, a Lord no less. Surely you expected something like this would happen."
"Well, I never expected to be greeted with ladies throwing themselves at me if that's what you're implying," Harry said with a slightly raised eyebrow.
Draco laughed when he heard Potter response. He was the same naïve boy that Draco remembered when they were together at Eton. But at least Potter had come back and Draco knew he hadn't forgotten about him. Draco was happy about it but knew deep inside that they would be eternal friends but nothing more.
End Flashback
Since then, so many things had happened. He and Potter had resumed their close friendship once more, spending time with each other when they could. Society hadn't said much about it as it was common knowledge that they were best friends when they were in school. But Draco knew that, sooner or later, gossip would start flying.
He studied Harry carefully. He had been paying close attention to Potter for the last few days whenever he could and found himself drawn to him more and more. There was something about Potter that fascinated him. As always, he was elegantly dressed and he stood out from the rest of the crowd. He was surrounded by three ladies who were each trying to win his attention, but Draco could see that Harry was paying no special attention to any of them. Suddenly Harry looked up and once again their eyes locked together. When their eyes met, Draco could feel the other people disappearing as if he and Harry were the only one in the room. He wondered whether Harry was feeling the same. Harry tore his eyes away and Draco could see him saying something to the ladies and, moments later, Harry was making his way towards him, leaving three disappointed ladies behind.
"Glad to see you here," Harry said with a smile.
"Glad to see you too, Harry. I see you've been chatting to, not one, but three ladies this evening," Draco said smirking all the while.
Harry groaned when he heard Draco say this, "I can't believe that this is happening to me. You're a Lord yourself. Why are you not surrounded by them?"
"Well, for your information, I know how to avoid them. If you spend much of your time attending balls like I did when I was younger, you would too" replied Draco.
Harry scoffed good-naturedly, "Oh, so now you're blaming me, are you? How was I supposed to know that immediately after I stepped into the room, every lady would have their eyes on me?"
"My, my. Spending too much time abroad has dulled your senses. Let's see now. Firstly, you're a Lord. An unmarried Lord no less. Secondly, you're rich, powerful and, might I say, not bad looking at all. Of course every lady wants their hands on you," Draco said easily.
Harry groaned once again, "God, you just have to point out everything I don't want to hear, don't you? For your information, I don't plan on getting married. Not this soon at least."
Draco could feel his heart breaking. So Harry was planning on getting married after all. But could he really blame him for that? Of course he would want to get married and have a successor for his family. And after all, he didn't know that Draco fancied him.
Draco hid his pain with a small smile, "Well, just don't let those women get their hands on you."
Harry smiled back, "I know that now, thanks to you. Well, I'll see you tomorrow as usual. Same time, same place?"
"Of course. I'll see you tomorrow then," Draco said.
With that, Draco and Harry went their separate ways. Draco went home and Harry went to who knows where.
