Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter® is copyright J.K. Rowlings. HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of Warner Bros. TM and © 2005. This fan fiction is provided for entertainment purposes and in respect to J.K. Rowlings and the talented cast of the Harry Potter films.
A/N: I know, I know... all those readers who are following me as an author I'm sorry. I am aware that I have a few outstanding stories. They will be finished I promise. Most of the unfinished chapter stories are near the end anyway. One more short short story and I promise I will complete the other stories.
This a quick story where Harry hires Malfoys services and discovers how much he likes him. Not an escort fic. No I haven't copied and pasted this one either! - Too soon to joke, okay my bad.
Honey Trap - Part 1
Hermione thought Harry was crazy, "I think you're being paranoid. Your paranoia is what is making Nick seem distant. You are driving him away, you need to trust him." She reasoned.
Harry frowned at her, "I'm not being paranoid he is definitely up to something."
Hermione changed the subject and they finished their lunch avoiding Harry's relationship issues.
Later that day when at home and alone, Harry thought over his relationship with Nick. They've been together for a year now and during that time there have been many instances of Nick flirting with other men, including within Harry's social circle.
When out with his friends, Nick would connect across the room with someone and appear to engage with him, acting as if Harry couldn't see what was happening. Harry would spend the evening watching, wondering whether to make a fuss or wait to confirm his suspicions before raising the issue. It was stressful and agonizing, Harry hated those moments.
In the end he had developed some coping strategies, to use in situations where Nick's flirting was most likely to crop up and, although it doesn't seem to happen all the time, Harry felt that he can rarely relax when they are out together. Nick's behaviour makes him feel diminished as a man and rejected as a boyfriend.
He is rendered weak and powerless and he was starting to deeply resent it, and Nick. Whenever Harry confronted him about it, Nick would just repeat that he has, 'done nothing wrong' and the conversation goes nowhere. While Nick continues to deny all indiscretions, despite what Harry has observed, they can't seem to change anything or move forward. Harry didn't think Nick would act on his flirting, and follow through to cheating, but Nick's attitude is corroding their relationship.
Harry couldn't get Hermione to understand, she just assumed he was being paranoid and over reacting. Harry fire called Ginny and invited her over for drinks. Ginny arrived and Harry was sharing some drinks with her as he explained the situation.
"No I believe you. I don't trust the slimy git either. He was flirting with Dean when we had our double date." She seethed.
Harry had thought Nick was flirting with Dean too, but he was always second guessing his own observations. He would switch between thinking he was paranoid, to being certain that he was going to cheat, if he hadn't already.
Some might say, 'So what, it's only flirting', but Harry wasn't happy with a partner that didn't see a problem with flirting.
"So what do I do Gin?" He was desperate.
Harry knew he should just trust Nick, or just break up with him but he couldn't and he just needed to be reassured that he would never stray.
Ginny clicked her fingers and almost spilt her drink in her excitement, "I got it. Use a Honey Trap." She stared at him waiting for his approval.
"Use what?" He had no idea what Ginny was on about.
She placed her wine on Harry's coffee table, "Honey Trap. It's a legitimate business, you hire a witch or wizard depending on your needs, and then they will try and trap your partner."
Harry still didn't understand.
At his puzzled look she stood, "Do you have witch weekly?"
Harry snorted at her, she laughed, "Right sorry. I'll just apperate home and get my copy one sec."
She was back quick enough and she flipped through the magazine. When she reached the page she wanted, she shoved it at Harry. Harry took it and looked down at the open page. It was an article explaining what a 'Honey Trap' was.
Harry read:
Honey Trap is the term applied to private investigators who will approach the spouse of a client and attempt to flirt with them. This flirtation will only go as far as exchanging contact information, and then the investigator will leave and use the information to try to set up a date. The interaction is recorded by another private investigator and, if a second date is set up, footage of the spouse getting stood up will also be taken. This footage can be used to measure a spouse's willingness to cheat on their spouse, and as evidence of the faithfulness of one's partner.
Using these private detectives for the purpose of discovering the faithfulness of a partner is a new phenomenon and has become increasingly popular.
Harry looked back up at Ginny, "That sounds ideal, but I have no idea where to find such an agency."
Ginny sighed, "Aren't you glad you have me? Charlotte from work used one and caught her husband out, he actually admitted to shagging around when she called him on it."
Harry wasn't sure, if he hired someone and Nick took the bait, and the honey trap worked – well then Harry's fears would come true and he would be single yet again. If he used this agency and Nick didn't take the bait, then he was a paranoid and an untrusting person.
"Harry? You said you wanted to know once and for all." She ventured.
"I know. But it is a bit extreme paying someone to investigate him and try and catch him out." He knew he'd hate it if someone did it to him.
Ginny patted his leg, "Look I'll get the agency name and number from Charlotte and owl it to you tomorrow. You don't have to do anything with it, but you have the option."
Harry smiled, "Thanks Gin."
Harry was good friends with Ginny. It was rocky at first, especially when Harry came out and her hopes of a future with him was ruined. But she got over it and got under Dean Thomas.
Ginny downed her wine and stood, "Right it is getting late. I'm going to apperate to Dean's and give him a lovely wake up bl..."
"Whoa. Do not finish that sentence." Harry warned her. That was a little too much info.
She chuckled, kissed his cheek and then step back apperating away.
The next day Ginny owled Harry with the details. He deliberated for a week, unsure if he should really distrust Nick so much. But when Harry watched as Nick flirted with their waiter on their date, he made up his mind.
The following day he located the business premises for, 'Honeylicious', and entered through the inconspicuous front door.
The receptionist looked up and smiled politely at him, "May I help you sir?"
If she recognised Harry she didn't show it. Harry hesitated, "I erm I wanted to find out more about what your services involved."
She nodded, "Sure that should be easy enough to fulfil. Take a seat and I will call you when one of the agents are available."
Harry thanked her and took his seat. Feeling incredibly guilty for even being here.
A short while later the receptionist walked over and told Harry to follow her. She showed him into an elegant and stylish office. It was empty.
"Take a seat the owner and top agent will be with you shortly." She closed the door behind her leaving Harry alone.
Harry looked around, the office was monochrome – all black and white. It was a clean, neat and a contemporary office.
He was shocked to see rare prints of framed work by the street graffiti artist Banksy. He stood to admire them at a closer view.
He jumped when he heard, "Brilliant works of art don't you think?"
Harry turned to face Draco Malfoy. He stared at him, he looked relaxed and was dressed casually. Well casual for Malfoy anyway.
Harry remembered Malfoy had asked him a question, "Yes I agree with you. These prints are rare." He observed, feeling silly for stating the obvious. Malfoy would know how rare and expensive they were, he owned them.
"Extremely rare actually, but I just had to have them. Come take a seat and we can get down to business." Malfoy sauntered over to his desk and gracefully sat down.
Harry not so gracefully followed suit and sat in front of Malfoys desk. Harry was surprised, Malfoy hadn't sneered, looked down at Harry, or insulted him since his arrival. Neither was his politeness staged or fake, he was being genuinely friendly and welcoming. Harry relaxed slightly in the knowledge that Malfoy had grown up.
"Your office is opposite to what I would have assumed you to have." Harry confessed.
Malfoy smiled, "I couldn't bare to have a stuffy office. Full of antiques and ancient depressing furniture. Reminds me too much of the manor, and I like to break the norm."
Harry liked this new Malfoy. "So you own Honeylicious?" Harry once again stating the obvious, he just wanted to learn about Malfoy and find out what he'd been up to since the war.
"Yes. Me and Pansy are joint owners. A few years back she had a bad experience with a cheating boyfriend, and we decided to help others before it got to that stage. We are investigators and owners, we do the main work, but we have a small team to handle some of the jobs." He sounded proud.
Harry guessed Malfoy was pleased that he had built his business up, made it a success and did it on his own. He could also admit to himself if Malfoy showed up and flirted with him, he'd take the bait. He couldn't imagine anyone turning him down, whether they were taken or not.
Did I just think that about Malfoy? He asked himself.
Before Harry could avoid the reason he was here any more Malfoy spoke, "What do you need to know? Are you looking to hire someone to investigate a partner of yours?"
Harry looked away from Malfoy, embarrassed to admit the extent of his paranoia.
He cleared his throat, "I have my doubts about my partner. He is constantly flirting with other wizards and he is always hinting about having threesomes and stuff." Harry mumbled.
Malfoy nodded, "You'd be surprised how often I have heard something like that. You're not the first, and neither will you be the last. Does he flirt with women too?" he casually asked.
Harry shook his head, "No. He's not bi. He's gay and only shows interest in men. I'm probably being paranoid, I should trust him a bit more. What exactly is it you do?" he was starting to have second thoughts. He needed to find out more before he committed to anything.
Draco watched Harry for a moment before coolly replying, "There's a big difference between being nice, engaging and charming... and coming on to someone. Which is he doing?"
Harry sighed, "Okay maybe I'm not being paranoid. He is coming on to some of them."
Malfoy offered Harry a drink and launched into a well rehearsed explanation of his business, "What honey trapping really involves, is coaxing information. An agent will approach the third party in a public place, like a bar and flirt."
"Not to an extent where it would not happen naturally. For example, throwing themselves and offering everything in the world on a plate... that is unrealistic, and we're out to create a semi natural circumstance. Our honey trapping involves light conversation."
He stopped and checked that Harry was following. Harry nodded to show he understood. Malfoy continued.
"From that moment our experts try to get information. We're generally armed with a list of questions and see if they respond honestly, or lie. For example are they married? have children? how happy they are in their relationship? If they are honest they would admit to being in a relationship. If they flirt and claim to be single, our agent will try to obtain a phone number, floo address etc. and exit. The first stage of the honey trap lasts 10-15 minutes. It's what happens next that's the important bit."
Harry guessed giving someone your number wasn't too bad, it couldn't be classed as cheating as nothing has really occurred. He was intrigued as to what happens next.
"What happens next?" he couldn't help asking.
Malfoy gave a devilish smile, "The agent will then enter into text / Facebook / phone / letter conversation/ correspondence with the target, over a course of a few weeks. Striking up a relationship, and seeing where it leads."
Harry raised his eyebrows, "Facebook, you know what that is?" he was shocked.
Malfoy snorted, "Yes I know what it is. We masquerade as a muggle agency too, and some wizards are savy with muggle technology." He defended.
Harry apologised and told Malfoy to continue.
"If the contact leads to a further meeting, our investigators will be there to take evidence that the target turned up, essentially proving that they are having the desire to be unfaithful."
"It is done subtly. Passive honey trapping really. Active honey trapping is more brazen, flirting outrageously and taking it to a place where our detectives never would. Active honey trapping means nothing, except that the target will take what's thrown on a plate and forced at them or that they are basically weak to entrapment. Something we have never, and would never be involved in."
Harry was impressed, "Sounds great. So if I wanted to use your services would you be the agent on my case?" he wasn't sure what to think about that.
Malfoy looked thoughtful, "Most likely. Seeing as your partner is gay. If he was bi I could have sent in Pansy. I have a few other male agents if you aren't comfortable with me doing it."
Harry thought over Malfoys words, admittedly he knew Malfoy was the best option, he was charming and Harry suspected he was a brilliant flirt, not to mention very good looking.
"No. I'm okay with you doing it. What are your rates? And how do we go about this?" Harry wondered.
Malfoy gave Harry a run down of the costs, Harry paid part of the fee now and the rest would be paid after the trapping was done. Harry said he would arrange to go out to a bar with Nick, then conveniently be called to work quickly, leaving Nick alone and a perfect opportunity for Malfoy to do his thing.
Harry stood, "I'll owl you with the name of the bar and the time we will be there. Thanks Malfoy."
OOoOO
Harry had convinced Nick to go out Friday night for a drink, they were at a pub called 'Fairies Fire' in Harry's neighbourhood. Harry had sent Draco an owl informing him of the place and what time they'd be there.
When Harry and Nick arrived he spotted Draco sat in a secluded corner reading a book. Harry ordered some drinks and they sat on bar stools at the bar. Nick had already made a comment about how attractive the barman was.
After half an hour had passed Harry cussed and told Nick that he was meant to have seen his boss before he left work, it was really important.
"I will be right back. I'll just apperate to work, he'll still be there. He always does overtime on Friday nights. I wont be long." He kissed him briefly and left the pub.
Draco had watched Harry enter with his boyfriend. His boyfriend was too sure of himself, he acted as if he was, Merlin's gift to wizards, or Gods gift to men – whatever the saying is.
Draco could admit Nick was attractive enough, but Harry could do better. Harry was definitely the better looking one in the relationship. Draco took a few seconds to give Nick the once over and observed that he was average height, but taller than Harry. He had short brown hair styled with gel, he dressed casually and had deep set eyes, he couldn't see the colour. His nose was a little big but not noticeable.
He was just an average, normal looking bloke – nothing remarkable about him. Draco wondered if he had a huge cock, and that was why Potter was with him.
He watched as Nick obviously flirted with the barman. Nick's body language and facial expressions were clearly that of a man who was being flirtatious. Whether this was done to make Harry jealous, or Nick flirted so often he never realised he was doing it – Draco didn't know.
Harry stood and left, Draco waited ten minutes before approaching Nick. He slid onto the bar stool and ordered another drink. He could see Nick giving him the once over out of the corner of his eye.
This will be easy – he clearly checks out and flirts with every man he comes in contact with.
Draco looked up at Nick, he held his gaze for four seconds, looked away, and then looked back. When he looked back he sent a small encouraging smile.
Nick smiled back and spoke, "What book are you reading?"
Draco knew he didn't care about the damn book he was just trying to start conversation, so he could flirt.
"It is a tour guide of London. I'm not from around here and was reading up on the city." He lied.
He lived in London and knew it pretty damn well, but if Nick thought he wasn't on home ground he would be more tempted to do something. As he would think Draco would return home and Harry would be none the wiser.
"Oh, well I can help show you the best places to go. I'm Nick by the way." He held out his hand.
Draco had held eye contact the whole time and he took his hand. Nick caressed the back of it and sent him a flirtatious smile.
"Hello Nick. I'm Russell." Giving him a half smile, enigmatic and mysterious.
Draco knew that he could be charming, he had many different smiles. Most were attractive and tantalizing enough to hold many peoples attention.
They casually talked about London and the various things one could do for entertainment.
Nick turned slightly on his bar stool, angling his body towards Draco. Draco mirrored his body language. Making sure he frequently held eye contact and smiled coyly at him, Draco leant slightly towards Nick. Sitting with his palms and feet facing him. Draco played with his hair drawing Nick's attention to his body and sending out the signal that Draco wished Nick would reach out to him similarly.
"I know some brilliant gay clubs, I could show you the best ones. You are gay right?" Nick said, laughing lightly at his own question.
Draco smiled wider, "Yes I'm gay. I thought we were flirting, am I that bad at it?" looking at Nick sheepishly.
Nick looked around the pub quickly, his eyes looked hungry when they fixated on Draco, "Yes we're flirting. You are good at it don't worry." he placed a hand on Draco's thigh.
Sleaze Draco thought.
Draco moved in closer, "So I take it you are single?" placing his own hand on Nick's thigh.
Nick's hand crept up higher and Draco almost hexed it off. "Yes – free as a bird."
On the inside Draco was enraged at the bastard in front of him, externally he beamed at Nick, "Excellent. I'm single too. Here write your contact details on the inside of my book and maybe we can hook up at one of these clubs."
Draco slid the book and a self inking quill over to him.
Draco slid off the stool, "I must be going Nick. Sorry to cut our chat short, it's been delightful talking with you. Until we meet again." Draco caressed his arm and then left the pub.
Draco returned to his office where Potter was waiting. Draco placed his memory into a pensive and Harry watched. He didn't look happy when he emerged from viewing the contents.
"That fucking bastard." He angrily seethed.
Harry felt an array of emotions. Hurt, angry, upset and low. Was he really that unattractive that Nick had to flirt with others? Why wasn't he enough for him? What was wrong with him? He felt his self esteem plummet.
"He was very eager, I barely had to coax him at all. He also shamelessly told me he was single. Sorry Harry. At least you know his character and you can leave before he actually cheats on you." Draco reasoned.
"I'm too...too...argh! I just can't deal with him tonight. I'm going to send an owl saying I got held at work and to not wait for me. I can't see him, not right now." Harry paced back and forth.
On top of all the shit with Nick, Harry was starting to find Malfoy increasingly attractive. Viewing the pensive memory and watching Malfoy openly flirt, it caused Harry to react. The man was a natural born flirt and was very captivating, Harry had the urge to kiss Malfoy just to taste and feel those perfect lips.
Could Harry be mad at Nick, when he too was lusting after Malfoy. Yes you can be mad at Nick, he answered himself. He wouldn't act on his urges, he was in a relationship. Nick however had lied, pretended to be single, flirted and handed over his contact details. Hoping to secure a date or hook up for sex.
Harry borrowed an owl from Malfoy, sending a note to Nick cancelling their evening together.
Malfoy handed Harry a tumbler glass of amber liquid – whiskey.
"Do you love him?" Draco wanted to know. Potter intrigued him and he didn't want the man to leave.
Harry stopped his pacing, looked over at him, "Maybe?" He paused, "No, I don't think so. I just needed someone I guess and he doesn't care about who I am, or what I've done. It was refreshing."
Draco arched an eyebrow, "He doesn't care because the only thing he cares about is himself." He dryly commented.
Harry agreed, "Yeah I know that now. I guess the next time I see him, we will be breaking up."
Draco was secretly pleased about that. Ever since he saw Harry again he'd been on his mind. When he saw Nick he wanted to tell Harry he wasn't good enough, that Harry deserved better. He wasn't sure if he was better, but he was prepared to see if he was.
"Do you still want me to continue with the investigation? Normally we would contact the target and arrange a date." Draco didn't want Harry to end this – even if it is only on a business arrangement at the moment.
Harry slumped down into Draco's office chair. Draco didn't complain about the fact that was his chair, and no one but him sat in his office chair.
"I don't know. I don't see the point seeing as I will finish with him either way. Even if he hasn't technically cheated, he had the intention and well he flirted and lied." He explained.
Draco was gutted, he just knew Harry would leave and he wouldn't see him again.
Draco nodded, "You're not going to let him defend himself and then try and work through it? You'd be surprised how many clients I deal with that forgive their partners."
Harry grimaced, "No I'm done. There isn't enough going for our relationship to try and salvage. He really isn't that worth it. He was just a boyfriend, not a future husband or anything."
Harry stood, "I think what bothers me the most is the fact that I wasn't enough for him. Even when we were out together, he would flirt with others." Harry sombrely announced.
Draco could tell that putting up with Nick had worn Harry down, and made him doubt how truly amazing he really was.
"He's got a choice between chatting up a stranger and paying attention to you. Which does he want?" Draco coldly said. Draco knew which choice he would pick, he would pay attention to Harry.
He had spent most his life trying to get Harry's attention and paying him attention in return.
Harry laughed a cold, empty laugh, "He nearly always chooses chatting up a stranger. I should have ditched him immediately."
Draco refrained from telling Harry what he really thought of Nick.
"Right. So I guess I will see you around Malfoy. Thanks for the help and being reasonable. I really appreciate everything." Harry approached the floo and took a handful of powder.
"Sure no problem. It was my job after all. Besides I don't hate you, never really did. Jealousy, resentment and wounded pride for your rejection of friendship. I've grown up and moved on. It was actually nice seeing you, shame about the circumstances." He honestly thought if Harry was single and they had met again, then they would have hit it off.
Harry looked stunned for a moment. Eventually he composed himself, "Thank you Draco. Bye."
Harry stepped through the floo before he threw himself at Draco.
- TBC -