Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.
A/N Unsure of this one - guess I will just write and see where it takes me.
Chapter One
Harry was waiting for the elusive owner of 'Athena' to call him into her office. Athena was a place that claimed to be able to supply you with an actor, actress, escort or date, whatever you want to call it, that suited any need or occasion.
It was not a place that was advertised, only known amongst a select few people. Whilst Harry waited he vaguely remembered that Athena was a Greek Goddess of war and wisdom. Well, that was as a good as any name for a business.
"Mr Potter you can go in now," the secretary called.
Harry was pleased that all staff were screened, vetted and made to sign a magical contract, which forbids them to discuss any employees or clients. Athena depended on secrecy. Take Harry's reason for seeking out the services, he was a famous wizard who couldn't afford to let this secret be discovered. However, they have an excellent reputation and prided themselves on privacy and brilliant services.
Harry entered the large office, it was impressive but not very cosy. The owner was obviously trying to show potential clients how wealthy and sophisticated they were. Harry did panic momentarily, the witch behind the desk looked like Pansy Parkinson, but on closer inspection, it was not her.
Harry sat in a stiff leather chair and waited to be addressed. "Mr Potter how may Athena be of service to you?" she was direct, no pleasantries.
"If I divulge that but choose not to use your services, will you still keep my visit a secret?" he asked cautiously.
"You do not have to use our services to gain confidentiality. All business and conversations are between you and me. If you decide to use our services, it will also be between the employee who is assigned to your case. I rely on trust. You need to trust in what I say, if I do something to break that trust it will ruin my reputation. Word of mouth will spread and it will ruin my business." She confidently admitted.
"Okay. Well, I am gay and I have decided it is about time that I come out. I am too much of a coward to weather the storm alone. Besides some people may not believe it, so I wish to hire an actor to pretend to be my boyfriend. That way they can share the burden and the doubters would have to believe me. Seeing is believing after all."
He paused, noted that she was writing, jotting down his comments. Harry realised he didn't know her name.
"So you have any specific requirements for the actor?" she questioned.
"Um, he has to be comfortable with public displays of affection. As I would require them to act as my boyfriend, so hand holding, kissing. The standard couple like things. They will need a good back story, as the press will likely pick him apart and investigate everything about him. Also, I will require him to play my boyfriend for a long period of time, maybe a few months. Once everything has calmed down, we can stage a break-up. Then I will be free to pursue a real relationship and I will be finally free, no longer hiding my sexuality." He finished and watched as she pulled out lots of files from her desk.
"I'm sorry I never caught your name." Harry apologetically said.
"That is because I never gave it to you. I am Primrose Parkinson." She coolly replied.
"Any relation to Pansy Parkinson?" he asked.
"Yes, she is my little sister. However there is a large age gap between us, I left school just as she started. She is in her twenties and I am in my thirties. Here are the actors that fit your requirements." She handed Harry a stack of files.
"I will leave you to peruse them." She stood smiled and left Harry alone.
Harry wasn't too fussed about the look of his hired boyfriend, but if someone met his needs and was good looking, then that would be a bonus and he wouldn't complain.
He disregarded a few immediately based on their background and history. After some time he had whittled them down to two different actors. Primrose joined him again and asked if he had picked one.
"It is between these two," Harry replied and handed her the two remaining files.
She glanced at them, "Okay well if you don't mind me saying, I think this guy is better for you." She pushed the open file towards him.
"I could choose either, so why not. I'll hire him. Can you set up the necessary arrangements? I will meet him at my place and we can discuss my requirements then." Harry was happy that he was finally taking the steps to come out. Even if he was going to be lying and deceiving people.
They spent the remainder of the meeting filling out paperwork, Harry paying a deposit and signing necessary contracts.
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Draco had spent the last five years living in America, he gained his potions Mastership and had spent the last two years developing a new potion. He was successful but had yet to tell anyone that he succeeded.
He had decided to return to England and use the new potion to his advantage. The potion he had developed was complicated and unique. It was similar to polyjuice potion, in that you drank it and were turned into someone else in appearance and voice. However, unlike polyjuice potion, you did not take the form of someone who already existed. You didn't become a copy of someone. Instead, you became a new person, that did not exist.
The potion worked like a glamour spell, the maker of the potion decided what elements they put in the potion, therefore controlling what you would transform into, or how to disguise themselves.
He started researching into it when he wanted to disguise himself, so people did not recognise who he was. But glamour's could be detected and polyjuice potion was restrictive. You had to have a part of the person you were turning into and you had to continuously drink the potion.
The potion he invented was just as complicated to brew, if not even more difficult than polyjuice. But the reward was worth it. Draco could transform into a complete stranger and live a normal life, shredding the shadows of war and his past that clung to him.
He could return to England with a new face, a made up history and life. No one would judge him, ignore him, and look at him with disgust. At the end of the war, he had spent many nights wishing he was someone else, anyone else. Now he had his wish.
Draco knew he needed work and happened to meet Primrose Parkinson, whilst disguised as someone else. They talked and she offered him work at her agency. She had explained that her clients would hire actors to attend balls, or just for company – many different reasons.
He saw it as a way to test his potion and to earn much-needed money. He had decided to work with her for a year max, whilst he got settled back in England. He would subtly see how the wizarding world had changed since his departure and see if he would be accepted if he returned as 'Draco Malfoy'.
She called him yesterday to say that she had his first assignment and to come into the office so she could explain it to him. It was still his decision whether he accepted, but he would listen to what she offered.
The potion would not wear off like Polyjuice Potion, instead, Draco had created another potion once drank burned the other potions ingredients out of your system and causing the transformation to cease.
It was still in the early stages and he knew with more money and time, he could smooth out the kinks and have a world famous potion on his hands. He would sell the brewing instructions, ingredients list and counter potion to the Ministry for a huge sum and maybe he could name it.
Draco drank the phial of potion and immediately felt it take effect. It was a similar sensation to taking Polyjuice, the two potions were, after all, similar in their outcome. Human transformation.
He glanced in the mirror and saw a man his age, his height but that was where the similarities ended. He did not want to risk transforming into someone younger or older, he had not figured out how to transform into someone who was completely different. Only subtle changes like hair, eye and skin colour, facial features and body build. But he had yet to test the potion to its limits, he still needed to discover how to transform age and gender, but he was not that bothered at the moment. He had a way of disguising who he was.
Satisfied with the transformation Draco took a moment to get into character. He had to act like 'Cooper Mitchell', an American wizard.
He apparated to the street that the office of Athena was situated and walked the remainder of the way. Draco found he had a natural ability at acting, he was good at displaying or concealing certain emotions and he was a good liar. He was a quick learner and had mastered the American accent, it helped that he had lived there for the last five years. But things people took for granted, the way they walked or shook hands – he had to create a whole new way of doing this. So he was not in any way similar to himself. That was easy enough as he was a cold person who used a mask. His walk was unique, Malfoy swagger he called it. He just needed to walk minus the swagger and it would be different.
Cooper was more carefree, relaxed and casual. He used simple vocabulary when talking, but he knew bigger words, he was intelligent and he was approachable and friendly.
Draco knew Primrose, of course, growing up as a small child with Pansy as a close family friend, he had often seen Primrose. However, she was older and rarely paid him any attention. They had met when he was disguised as Cooper and she didn't have a clue that she actually hired Draco Malfoy.
He stepped into her office.
"Ah, Cooper how lovely to see you again. I think you will be pleased with this job offer, it is a long term assignment and a hefty wage to compensate." She indicated for him to take a seat.
He did and accepted the offered drink too.
"Miss Parkinson…"
"Please call me Primrose, Cooper." She chided.
He smiled, "Sure sorry. What does this job involve?" He sat with one ankle crossed on the knee. He would never sit like this, but he was being Cooper now and he was not as uptight.
"I won't give you the client's name until you have made your decision. If you decline then I will not divulge the client's details. However, if you accept I will let you know. You see he is somewhat of a celebrity in the wizarding world."
She frowned slightly, "Although I am not sure how much of a celebrity he is in America, but I'm sure you would have at least heard of him. Anyway, he has been keeping his sexual orientation a secret and now wishes to come out. He wants to hire someone to pretend to be his boyfriend in public, help smooth over the inevitable fall out."
Draco had thought of many wizards who were famous in England, but they could be famous politicians, musicians, well just about anything. Primrose hadn't given him the age of the person so it was pointless to try and guess.
"Why doesn't he come out by himself?" he asked.
She shrugged, "He said that half the populace wouldn't believe him if he had a boyfriend then they couldn't deny what was staring them in the face. However, he is single and doesn't have time to find a real boyfriend. So he's hiring one – I'm not going to complain." She sipped her coffee and waited for Cooper to speak.
"I see. So what am I meant to do?" he thought that was a bit vague of a job description.
"Just be seen with him on dates, kiss, hold hands in public, lie and convince people you are truly an item. Then once everything has calmed down, you two will split up. I cannot say the exact length of time you will be hired for, but it will be at least a couple of months. Your wage will represent the amount of work that this entails and you will be paid a large sum." She smiled, knowing this would be enough to make him accept the job.
Draco remained silent, thinking it over. He could do that, it was no stretch to kiss a man – after all, he was gay. He could act the devoted boyfriend in public- it would be easy. An easy job with a hefty wage. Only one thing was bothering him, he did not know the client's age. He had a gross image of an old pervy wizard – Argh! I could not make out with an old man.
"How old is he?" he casually asked.
Primrose chuckled, "Not to worry Cooper he isn't a letchy old man. He is near your age, actually the same age I think."
Phew. Okay, I can do this. It was the perfect opportunity to learn how the wizarding world had changed since he left, learn the new gossip and be social without risking being shunned for who he was.
"I'll take the job." He beamed.
He signed the relevant paperwork, took a magically binding oath and negotiated his wage.
Now he was sat back studying his hands out of boredom as Primrose went to get the clients name and address.
She entered with a single piece of parchment in her hands and a happy smile on her face. Draco noted that she was better looking than Pansy – but that was probably because Primrose actually smiled.
"Here you go, Cooper. His details, I will owl him to say you have accepted and that you will meet him tonight at 7pm, at his house. He can go into detail with you, about what is expected of you. You will receive weekly wages until the job is complete." She handed him the parchment.
Draco stared at it, then blinked and stared at it some more. I'm going mad. That says, Harry Potter. He remembered that as Cooper he would not be as shocked or as stunned.
Potter's gay!
"Harry Potter? I've only vaguely heard of him. Defeated some dark lord or something? I don't really pay attention to war, politics or other wizarding communities outside of my own hometown and my favourite quidditch team." He casually declared.
"Well in England Mr Potter is a hero, a celebrity and apparently gay. Shame, I took a fancy to him. Never mind I do not date clients anyway." She eyed him.
"You may go now. Owl me if you have any questions or problems." Her voice was firm and indicated she had other things to attend to that were more important than him.
Draco stood, said farewell and was surprised that his legs automatically took him to the apparation point. His mind was still whirling from the shock that Potter was gay, but new thoughts were cutting through the fog. I have to pretend to be Potter's boyfriend. I have to date him. Fuck I have to kiss him!
It was too late to back out, he signed a contract and he needed the money. Okay, you can do this. It's just a pretence, a fake relationship. Besides Draco rationalised that Potter would treat him differently as he wasn't hiring Draco Malfoy, he was hiring someone who he had no history with, no ill feelings, life debts or malice towards.
Draco apparated home and had a relaxing bath. He didn't drink the counter potion, he would only have to transform back to Cooper before 7pm. He might as well stay transformed as Cooper, it was easier than keep changing.
Draco was thankful that he had spent the last five years in America, it helped build Cooper's history and gave him confidence when pretending to be an American. He had American muggle and wizarding clothes, he knew different American phrases and words that were not common in Britain. He could play the part well.
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Harry had received an owl from Parkinson, stating the actor had accepted the job and that he would be over at 7pm. Harry tidied up, showered and cooked a simple dinner, keeping it under a preservation and warming charm.
I hope I'm doing the right thing – that I am not making a huge mistake.
No, he knew this was the right thing to do. He was fed up with witches hanging off him, mothers trying to thrust their daughters onto him at balls, offers of marriage – the lot. He was done with it – he wanted to be free to date and choose, and he wanted a man.
He had told his closest friends and family a few years back, and they had accepted his sexuality. He had not told them he was hiring someone to come out with. He would just pretend that he was his boyfriend to them too.
Right, ten to seven. What was his name again…that's it, Cooper Mitchel - an American. Harry had not really taken in much detail, just saw the file on Cooper, and thought he would do.
Ten minutes later a knock sounded at his door. Now or never – just do this. Harry took a deep steadying breath and then opened the front door. He was pleasantly surprised, Cooper was better looking than he remembered from the photo.
He had light brown hair, short and styled. Large open dark brown eyes, his facial features were handsome enough. He looked friendly and easy going. He had a huge open smile that relaxed him instantly and perfect white teeth. Most likely whitened by magic or dentists. Hollywood white – too white. Too perfect -Not natural.
He was the same height as him and had a firm strong build – like an all-American jock. Harry scolded himself for such a stereotypical statement. He did not know Cooper and he should not judge him.
"Cooper I presume? Please come in. I hope you haven't eaten, I have cooked us dinner." Harry brightly announced.
"Yes, Cooper Mitchell." Draco stepped into Potter's house. He had to force Draco's thoughts out of his head and replace them with Cooper's thoughts.
"Mr Potter I take it?" he added. As they walked to the kitchen.
Harry laughed, "That I am. But please call me Harry. Mr Potter is too formal and stuffy. Potter is just rude."
Harry always thought of Malfoy whenever someone called 'Potter' he couldn't help it, he was the only person he knew who could pronounce 'Potter' in so many different ways. The most memorable being as an insult and sneer said with disgust. Harry shook his head, now was not the time to think of Malfoy. The git had run away to America and as far as he knew was still hiding there like the coward he was.
Harry still could not explain why Malfoy being in a different country upset him. He spoke at his trial, returned his wand and hoped they could lay to rest their enmity and try and be friends. The git left. Left harry to wonder what could have been if he just stayed and tried.
He was never friends with Malfoy, yet he missed him. Now is not the time. Malfoy probably doesn't even give me a second thought. Why should I think of him?
"Harry, I can do that. Besides if I am playing your boyfriend we need to learn to be familiar with each other. First name basis is a start." He jovially said.
Harry smiled. Cooper's smile and casual friendly tone of voice was an instant calming draught, he relaxed and showed him to the dining room.
"I was in two minds about what to cook. I wanted to cook a traditional English meal to show you what our food is like. But then I wanted to cook something American so you'd feel at home. I couldn't decide so I cooked Italian." Harry rambled.
Cooper laughed, a soft warm laugh. "Lovely." He grinned at Harry and sat down.
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Draco thought he was handling this well. When Potter – no Harry. When Harry opened the door, he almost ran. But then he remembered that Harry was scrutinising Cooper and he wouldn't know that it was him.
Draco had seen harry at his trial, and later when he returned his wand. The look in his eyes, it was too much Draco could not face up to that or Harry. He was not ready so he ran away.
Seeing Harry again stirred up the old feelings. He had not imagined it, he had convinced himself whilst in America that his reaction to Harry was gratitude and admiration. He had saved him from Azkaban and had acted as if he wanted to be friends.
But looking at Harry now, he knew he had been denying what he truly felt. He was attracted to him, he felt it five years ago and still felt it now. If anything Harry had flourished, he no longer held a pained look that he had after the war. He was healthier looking and had more weight to him. He was skinny after the war, having been on the run with hardly any food and stress, it had caused him to lose weight.
He still had the frustratingly yet loveable mop of black hair, glasses and muggle clothes. Quintessential Potter.
But he had improved with time and Draco could feel the stirrings of long-buried emotions and feelings.
The food he cooked was delicious and the conversation flowed with ease and the topics discussed were interesting and stimulating. If this was a real date, Draco would have been impressed.
They retreated to the living room after dessert and made themselves comfortable. They hadn't really discussed business yet. Instead, they were acting as two old friends catching up.
Harry put on some music quietly in the background and turned to face him.
"What made you come to the UK, Cooper?" he sounded curious.
"Just an urge to travel. I need money to fund my next trip, one night in a bar I met Miss Parkinson and she offered to take me on. This is my first assignment." He honestly told him. Cooper was an open and honest person.
Harry nodded, "Sounds fair. I'm a flexible person….."
Draco's mind stuck on 'flexible'. He had to force himself to focus on the rest of Harry's words.
"…I have a few requirements, but if I ask you to do something you are uncomfortable with just say. Most of your job will be out in public. Behind closed doors, we can drop the act and I hope we can be friends. I do not want this to be awkward." He sounded sincere.
Draco decided he was privileged to be in disguise as Cooper. He could get close to Harry, see smiles, laughs and learn things that as Draco he would never get the opportunity to see.
"Trust me I'll let you know if I am unhappy with something. But I know I am here as a hired actor, I will be professional and do what is asked of me. In private I think being friends will make the business side of it go smoother, so yes I'd like to be friends." He answered confidently and cheerfully.
Harry's eyes lit up and his smile grew. "Excellent. Right down to business. We will need to set up a dinner date with my friends and family so I can tell them you're my new boyfriend and explain that I am coming out to the public. Then I think we can have a few dates in public, get photographed and let the shit hit the fan. Then I'll do an informal press conference, to confirm the rumours. Once that's done a few weeks of 'dating' and public appearances together, then we can break up."
"Sound good to you?" Harry asked nervously.
"So you plan to pretend I am your boyfriend to your friends too?" he was surprised that Harry would lie to Weasley and Granger.
Harry sighed, "I hate to lie to them. But it's just easier. One of my friends Hermione is...um well she likes to offer her opinion. If I told them the truth she would try and talk me out of it, to maybe come out alone. I can't be dealing with it. I love and respect my friends, but I need this. I need to come out and this is the only way I feel confident enough to do it."
Draco could see that Harry was struggling with his deception and betrayal of his friends.
"It's not my place to question your decisions. I'll meet your friends and play your boyfriend. Maybe after our staged break up, you can tell them the truth. Explain your reasons, they will understand if they are true friends." He reassured him.
That is the difference between Cooper and me. I would sneer and say Harry should not care what his friends thought of him.
"I think we should just play this out day to day. I'll contact you with the details of our dinner with my friends and we will deal with that first. One step at a time I think."
Draco agreed, he gave Harry his floo address and they spoke some more. Then he said good night and returned to the flat he rented under the name of - Cooper Mitchell. Draco had decided he would stay as Cooper, just in case Harry randomly floo'ed over, or fire called. He could not risk being caught as himself.
Draco had to laugh, all be it a little hysterically. He was going to have dinner with Weasleys' and Granger and be civil, friendly and happy about it. My acting skills will be tested to their limit.