Draco wasn't one to be ignored.
And he was certain that Harry knew as much
He scowled down at the melted ice in his cup, wishing vehemently for another splash or two of Firewhiskey.
With a huff, Draco left his cup on a nearby table and made a beeline for the open balcony doors. Ignoring the passing glances, he exhaled with relief once he was alone.
The crisp autumn air made his cheeks tingle, making him shiver involuntarily. Ducking behind a pillar, Draco leaned heavily against the stone column.
He had come to this dismal banquet for one reason only-to make Harry want him again.
So far, no luck, but the night was still young, he reminded himself.
After their all too public breakup, Harry decided to run back into the arms of the token Weasley daughter while Draco remained ever the recluse.
Draco sneered, the thought of Harry curled up with her made his blood boil. He pulled his dark green robes tighter around his thin frame, running his fingers over the silky smooth material. He knew that Harry would notice his birthday present to Draco in an instant.
If in the off chance he didn't remember the robes, Draco was sure Harry remembered the sex.
Oh the sex they had. Hours on end, quickies in Harry's office, rough and masochistic, slow and sensuous...
Groaning, Draco pushed his weight off the chilly wall and slowly made his way back inside. If he sat and dwelled too much, he wouldn't ever stop.
Inside, people seemed more alert, trying to politely crank their neck towards the top of the stairs.
"Oh, he's with her this time!"
Draco snapped to attention, brushing past the tall blonde. "Is he now?" he murmured.
The woman blushed at the sight of Draco and wobbled away on her unsteady high heels, her chubby companion following close behind.
Draco didn't pay them any mind, his eyes were locked on Harry.
He stood awkwardly as people greeted them, nodding his head as people shook his free hand.
Ginny on the other hand seemed to be thriving at the attention, beaming at the underlings as they cooed over her.
Hatred washed over Draco, a rush of heat and bile filling him. Fist clenched, he snarled quietly as Ginny glance his way.
While he was fuming, Ginny smiled sweetly up at him and clutched Harry's arm tighter.
Who does she think she is? The bitch Weasel in her sickly yellow ensemble rubbing all over his….His what Draco wasn't sure anymore, but it still pissed him off.
At the squeeze from Ginny, Harry patted her hand absently. He made a beeline for the open bar, trying to block out the crowd, Draco knew.
He looked tired, Draco noted. Dark smudges marred the skin under his eyes, his complexion a pasty grey. Why wasn't he sleeping?
He knew about the nightmares. How Harry would cry out in his sleep, sobbing for the dead. He would clutch at the sheets, body bracing for something unseen.
Nothing made Draco feel more helpless than watching Harry fight his dreams again and again. He wondered if Ginny sat up at night with him.
Frowning, Draco wended his way through the crowds, sweeping up another drink from a passing waiter.
He watched Harry closely, unfazed by the crowd's eyes, unlike Harry.
Did Ginny drag him here? Draco mused silently. The banquet, yet another charity event for the War victims, wasn't something Harry would come to voluntarily. He hated big crowds gawking at him.
"Attention everyone! Please make your way into the next room for dinner and speeches from our guests!", a perky voice called out.
Draining his glass, Draco followed behind the crowd lazily. He noticed Harry was nowhere to be seen, having rushed ahead to secure a seat in the back, Draco was sure.
He lingered in the open doorway as the lights dimmed, searching for Harry's scraggily head among the sleek and polished.
Dinner appeared before the seated guest, the usual fair of fish and disks of chicken. Draco was just starting to consider heading back to the bar when he was roughly pulled backwards.
Draco stumbled backwards, groping for his wand. Cursing wildly, he whipped around quickly.
Harry stood in front of him, emerald eyes on fire. "Why are you here?"
Smoothing over his robes, Draco took his time answering. "My mother is chairperson of this group.", he said finally.
"That's not what I meant and you know it! Why are you suddenly at these banquets?" Harry asked. Taking Draco by the elbow, he led them to the empty balcony.
"Why, does it bother you?" Draco snapped back. "Why are you here for that matter?"
Color rose in Harry's pale cheeks, making Draco want to grin. Instead, crossed his arms over his chest and arched his eyebrow. "Well?"
"I was invited." Harry said simply.
Draco scoffed. "Ah. The Weasel too?"
"Jesus Draco, knock it off! I'm not doing this here." Harry scolded, glancing over his shoulder.
Draco rolled his eyes. "Don't want your adoring fans to see you in a lover's tiff?"
"Were not lovers anymore!" Harry spat out.
"That's right, because you caved to your 'friends' criticism, to the media's gossip! You catered to everyone's demands but your own!" Draco argued, pointing an accusing finger at Harry. "And now what are you doing? Pretending to be straight and going to snooty charity events, things you loath!"
Harry flinched at Draco's outburst. "It's not like that…", he muttered weakly.
"It's just easier to lie huh?" Draco mocked.
Sighing, Harry ran his hand through his already ruffled hair. "Is that so awful, to want my life to be a little easier?"
"Is it really making life easier for you Harry? To lie constantly, day in an out?", Draco asked softly. "If they were truly your friends they would want you happy, you know that."
Harry leaned against the railing, staring off into the night. "I know that, I'm just trying to make things simpler."
Draco studied Harry's profile. His strong jaw was clenched, his eyes unreadable. "Harry…"
Harry scrubbed at his face with calloused hands. "I know Draco, you're right, of course." He said without venom.
Draco's heart leapt, there was hope. "Then what's the problem?" he asked tensely.
Harry picked at his fingernails, a telltale sign Harry was thinking to much. "I don't want the conflict."
Biting his tongue, Draco laid his own hand over Harry's fidgeting ones. Even in the night wind, his hands remained warm. Unable to restrain himself, Draco ran his thumb over Harry's dry knuckles.
Harry left out a breath and took a step towards Draco, their knees brushing.
"I've missed you." Draco said huskily. "I think you've missed me too."
Harry glanced down at their now entwined hands and nodded his head. "Every day, I miss you every day." Harry agreed, pulling Draco closer.
Harry pressed his lips against Draco's so sweetly, so full of emotions that it broke Draco's heart. He cupped Harry's cheek, wrapping his other arm around his waist tightly.
With a sigh, Harry pulled away, ending the kiss all to soon. He slowly ran his thumb over Draco's full bottom lip, marveling at its softness.
"That felt like a goodbye kiss."
Harry closed his eyes briefly. "I need to figure out some stuff."
Draco bit his lip to keep quiet. It angered him that Harry needed to think about pursuing a relationship with him again. But he kept quiet, knowing anger wouldn't be taken well right now.
"I know you're mad, but you're just gonna have to sit tight for a bit, ok?", Harry said, smiling sheepishly.
"We will see how long I last. I don't have the best patience. " Draco said, running his hand down Harry's back.
Harry arched his back like a contented cat. "Don't I know it."
Taking Harry in his arms, Draco pressed his lips against Harry's forehead.
"Go inside."
After Harry went back in, Draco returned to his hiding place by the pillar. He knew Harry had a lot to work out, but it's wasn't like he had it easy. His family and friends weren't exactly ecstatic over their rocky relationship, but they knew better than to say as much to Draco.
He cared for Harry deeply, maybe even loved him if he wanted to be completely honest. But he wasn't going to sit in the background and wait forever.
With a sigh, Draco made his way back into the building, the cold steeping into his bones.
Inside, the banquet was coming to a close. The crowds were thinning, people lingering around the doors.
Draco swept across the floor, nodding an unnoticed goodbye by his mother.
Outside the gates he Disapparated back to his flat with a loud crack.
The wait began.