H H H H
Harry lost himself in the kiss, in the warm slide of soft lips against his own. He sighed into Derek's mouth, never wanting the kiss to end.
Suddenly the wonderful lips pulled away and Harry's arms fell away from the warm, firm body above him. He winced as Derek carefully pulled out of him and a sudden rush of cool air met his body as Derek got off the bed.
Harry listened to the sound of Derek pulling his clothes back on and desperately wanted to say something, anything, to stop the man from leaving - but what for? To ask him out? Derek would laugh at him for being a silly little virgin who thought he had feelings for the first man to ever touch him. But he'd really felt something; a connection that he couldn't quite explain…
"Goodnight Mr. Potter," Derek spoke suddenly. "I hope you have a wonderful rest of your evening."
Hope blossomed in Harry's chest at the tightness in Derek's voice, almost like the other man didn't want to leave, didn't want the night to end either.
"Wait!" Harry called out, sitting up but not moving any further as he still couldn't see.
The sound of the door clicking shut was the only reply he received and Harry frowned, feeling panicked and ridiculous, but also desperate to speak to the man again. The way Derek had sounded when they'd been in bed together; the way he had admired Harry, made possessive comments, the reluctance to leave… It couldn't have all been an act - could it?
Harry felt a little flicker of doubt, but his heart still jumped into his throat when the door suddenly unlocked and opened a few minutes later.
"Mr. Potter?"
Harry flushed and quickly grabbed the quilt to wrap around his middle. It was the hostess again, Scarlett. He realised a little belatedly that he probably should've been dressing instead of sitting there naked and brooding.
"I'm here to reverse the blindness charm," she said quietly, stepping into the room and closing the door behind her.
"Oh. Okay." Harry felt disappointment wash over him and his flicker of doubt grew and expanded in his chest. It had just been an act and he'd been naïve enough to fall for it.
"Finite Incantatem."
Harry felt the cool wash of air over his eyelids and promptly opened his eyes. He blinked the lingering fog from his vision and suddenly everything was as it should be. Fittingly, it was almost like waking from a dream.
"Thanks," Harry said roughly as Scarlett passed him his glasses and the pretty hostess became clear once more.
She smiled. "I'll leave so that you may get dressed," she said kindly, turning away.
"Erm Scarlett?" Harry spoke before he even knew what he was going to say; just that he had to ask.
"Yes?"
Harry bit his bottom lip then took a deep breath. "My… er, companion, Derek?"
She turned around fully and tilted her head, dark ponytail swinging to one side. "Yes?"
"Is there any way I could maybe… speak to him?"
"Is there a problem Mr. Potter?" Scarlett replied, forehead creasing in concern.
Harry almost laughed. "No, not at all. He was great - perfect. I was just kind of hoping that maybe… I could see him?"
Scarlett smiled, looking genuinely interested. "I can ask him if you like."
Harry nodded. "Yeah, that would be great. Thanks."
"Wait here Mr. Potter," she instructed before turning and walking out the door, closing it softly behind her.
Harry quickly threw back the quilt and began to dress, glancing around for a mirror to check his reflection in after. He wanted to be presentable when he officially met Derek. He didn't know what he was going to say to him but he knew he needed to see him, to meet him properly and see if there really was a spark between them that felt like it could be more than just good sex.
Harry paused. It had been good sex, hadn't it?
D D D D
Draco strode quickly through the warm hallway and straight to the main office. He couldn't believe he'd just left Potter there like that. Harry had definitely called out to him to wait and Draco had kept going; literally shutting the door in his face.
He knew their time together would be something forever indelibly embedded into his brain, no matter what age he reached. It was more than just sleeping with someone he'd fancied in school, and more than just bedding the famous Harry Potter, it had been... amazing. He'd never had sex with someone he actually cared for before; it was as though Harry's pleasure was more important than his own. The way Harry had writhed and arched beneath him, the needy sounds of arousal and whimpers of need he had made only served to heighten Draco's own experience. He wanted to make Harry happy. He knew he could've gone the whole night without coming and still walked away fully satisfied as long as Harry was happy.
Draco frowned and waved a hand at the office door. It opened before him and he walked through, shutting it firmly behind him before leaning back against it, the rapid speed of his breaths matching the beating of his heart.
"I told you."
Draco opened his eyes to see Pansy seated at the desk, one black brow raised in a pointed look.
"Drink?" she suggested, lifting a tumbler of Scotch that she had obviously prepared in advance.
Draco sighed, heart-sore. "Fuck, yes."
He strode forward and took the glass from her hand before throwing it back in one.
"How was it?" she asked, sounding concerned instead of smug.
He swallowed and closed his eyes. "Torture."
"That bad?"
He opened his eyes and held out his glass to be refilled. "No, it was fucking fantastic. It's torture knowing that I won't get to experience that ever again - and somebody else will."
Pansy poured him another generous splash. "It could be you if you offered Draco."
Draco shook his head and allowed the burn of the Scotch to trail down his throat a little slower this time. "Even if he was interested, he wouldn't step out on the town with an ex Death Eater Pans. Just leave it and let me wallow in my misery."
Pansy snorted and filled a glass for herself. "So… was it his first time?"
"Yes." Draco paused, glass halfway to his mouth, eyes slightly glazed at the memory. "Salazar, he was so beautifully responsive…" he trailed off and took another sip from his glass. "Like no one had ever touched him before."
Pansy's eyes widened a little. "Oh wow. I would have loved to watch," she added, pouting. "How dare you turn off the camera on me."
Draco rolled his eyes but a knock on the door interrupted them before he could think of a suitable retort.
Pansy stood to answer it but Draco waved her back down and opened the door himself, Scotch still in one hand.
"Yes Scarlett?" Draco said when he opened the door and spied their hostess standing in the hallway with a shy smile.
"Sorry to disturb you Mr. Malfoy, but… Harry Potter would like to speak with you. With Derek rather."
Draco felt frozen with panic for a moment then cleared his throat. "Did he say why?"
She shook her head, still smiling. "No, but I think he really liked you. You knew each other at school, right?"
"Uh yes," Draco replied distractedly. There was no way he could meet with Potter, the man would be utterly horrified that his first time with a man had been with Draco. He would be so cross, and probably dive right back into that hole of heterosexual pretence from which he came from. "Please pass on my apologies, but tell him that I am unable to meet with him. Make up something about it being against house policy."
Scarlett's expression fell a little but she nodded dutifully and turned away.
Draco shut the door and promptly swallowed the remainder of his drink. He was going to need a lot more before the night was through.
"What did you do that for?" Pansy demanded.
"Because," he replied acerbically, "he probably wanted to make sure that this Derek fellow was going to keep his big bad gay secret."
"Or," Pansy said, frustrated, "he was going to throw himself at your sexually proficient feet and confess his undying love for you!"
"Unlikely," Draco dismissed with a wave of his hand as he set his empty glass back down on the desk. "If it was something like that, it would just be because it was his first time and he thinks he feels something that he doesn't. In a few days he'll realise the truth and be glad that he didn't try to pursue something more with a total stranger. Now, I believe I am going to go home and get properly pissed before falling into bed. Alone."
"Fine, be miserable," Pansy replied in exasperation, dropping back into her chair.
"I will thanks," Draco shot back before walking to the coat rack to retrieve his black woollen coat. "Have a nice Christmas Eve tomorrow Pans, see you on New Year's."
Pansy smirked, spirits lifting. "Biggest night of the year for us," she said with glee. "All that lovely money from all those drunken, lonely fools."
Draco smiled faintly before heading out the door, remembering to take the back entrance so as to avoid any possible run-ins with Potter.
H H H H
Harry slowed his steps as he reached Amortentia's waiting room; he really didn't feel like facing his friends after everything that had happened. He'd been disappointed but not really surprised when Scarlett had told him that Derek wouldn't see him, spouting house rules or some other such nonsense.
No matter what Derek had said to Scarlett, Harry couldn't get the sound of Derek saying his name so reverently out of his mind. It was almost as though Derek had said it with real affection - with love even.
Harry shook his head. He knew that wasn't possible, or if it was, then it was just celebrity infatuation like every other person out there that thought they loved Harry but knew absolutely nothing about him.
Harry set his jaw and walked back into the waiting room, trying not to let his gloomy emotions show. It was still Seamus' birthday after all and he didn't want to ruin the night. He should just be grateful that he'd had an evening with a man and answered the question of whether he was gay or not.
Gay. Definitely gay.
"Harry!"
Harry forced a smile as Ron grinned at him and slung an arm around his shoulders.
"How was your night mate?" he asked, eyes gleaming.
Harry couldn't help but laugh and his heart lifted a little at his friend's jovial expression. "It was brilliant," he replied honestly.
Ron pulled him along and they joined the rest of the group as they laughed and chatted and teased each other out the doors and into the cold night air.
"You were in there the longest Harry," George exclaimed from in front, flashing him a wink over his shoulder.
"Yeah, you're a champion mate," Seamus agreed, grinning. "I couldn't hold it together once she started playing with my bollocks."
The others all laughed and Harry felt a little twinge of unhappiness in his chest; he hated that he was different. He knew he wasn't the only gay wizard by any stretch of the imagination, but it felt like it, no one he knew or was close with was gay. He wondered what his friends would say if they knew he'd been with a man tonight.
"You alright Harry?" Ron whispered aside as they continued walking up the frozen cobbles, heading to Seamus' favourite pub for their last stop of the night.
Harry frowned and stopped walking. He suddenly didn't think that he could keep up a happy façade for the rest of the evening; there were too many conflicting thoughts and feelings swirling around his head. "Er… not feeling so good," he replied quietly. "Think I… think I might head home actually."
"Oi!" Ron shouted to the others. They all stopped and turned. "I'm going to take Harry home, he's not feeling well. I'll catch up, yeah?"
"You don't have to do that," Harry protested as the others waved and walked off, loudly singing a Celestina Christmas song with utter abandon. "I can make it on my own."
"It's fine," Ron replied easily, taking his arm. "Don't want you splinching yourself."
Harry smiled gratefully and Ron Apparated the both of them back to their small shared flat. He followed Harry to the lounge where Harry collapsed onto the nearest sofa with a sigh.
"Thanks Ron," he said appreciatively.
Ron hovered in the middle of the room for a moment before sitting next to him. "You sure you're alright?" he asked. "You seem kinda depressed. Did something happen at Amortentia?"
Harry let his head fall back against the sofa, suddenly too drained to lie. Ron was his best friend and he might as well know the truth, he was going to find out sooner or later anyway. "Yeah, it did."
Ron frowned in concern. "What happened?"
Harry swallowed and closed his eyes, finding it easier to look at the backs of his eyelids than at his friend's openly concerned expression. "I… requested a… a male companion."
There was a slight pause. "And…?"
Harry opened his eyes and looked over. "And? And what?"
"And did you enjoy it?" Ron asked, completely unperturbed.
Harry blinked and it took him a moment to find his voice. "Yeah, I did. A lot." He could feel his cheeks heating but Ron still appeared unfazed.
Ron suddenly grinned lopsidedly. "Well good, I'm glad you figured it out."
Harry gaped. "What do you mean? You knew?"
Ron shrugged, still smiling. "I wondered. I caught you staring at Oliver Wood's arse once and ever since then have noticed a few… clues. My brother Charlie's best mate is gay and I caught him staring at a bloke's arse once too."
Harry laughed, feeling slightly light-headed with relief.
"What, did you think I was going to be disgusted by you Harry?" Ron said then, looking mildly affronted.
"No, not really," he replied honestly. "I thought you might be a bit cross that I led your sister on for so long though."
Ron waved a hand dismissively. "Nah, I know you didn't do it on purpose mate. You're not like that. Plus, I could see that you were still working things out."
Harry hit him with one of the throw pillows. "You git, why didn't you tell me?"
Ron laughed. "Hey, it's not up to me to figure out your sexual orientation mate."
Harry laughed and flopped back against the sofa, holding the pillow to his stomach. He sighed, feeling better but still needing to ask Ron's opinion on the whole Derek issue.
"Uh… so the thing at Amortentia was more than just the fact that I was with a male companion," he continued hesitantly. "The bloke I was with, he… he seemed to actually care for me and I… I really want to meet him. Properly. Like maybe on a date."
Ron's expression was both sceptical and sympathetic at the same time, and Harry knew what he was going to say before he said it. "But Harry, he's paid to pretend that he's in love with you. And that was your first time with a bloke, right?"
"Yeah it was, but it was more than that," Harry insisted, not really knowing how to explain it. "I… I felt a connection. He seemed familiar, like we'd met before, and the way he said my name and… and the things he said - and the way he said them -it was real Ron. I know I sound pathetic and completely mad, but it wasn't fake. I know it."
"Okay…" Ron replied slowly, considering. "So, you're going to go back and request him again? See if he'll go out with you?"
"I could but… I really don't want to do that, I don't want to be a paying customer, I want to meet him in a normal setting." Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair, still damp with melted snowflakes. "I asked the hostess if I could meet him face to face to chat but he declined, said it was against house rules or something."
"Maybe we can figure out who he was and track him down outside of Amortentia. What was his name?"
"Derek, but I get the feeling they don't use their real names there."
Ron frowned. "Yeah, you're probably right. What did he look like?"
Harry blushed. "I don't know, I couldn't see anything."
Ron gaped. "You don't know what he looks like? He could look like a troll!"
Harry burst out laughing. "I don't think they hire trolls there Ron, most people get to see what the companions look like. Besides, he didn't feel like a troll."
Ron grimaced. "Please, no details, I'm not that supportive mate."
Harry laughed and smacked him with the pillow again, causing Ron to grin and snatch the pillow out of his hands.
"You know what we need?" Ron said, eyes suddenly gleaming.
"What?"
"Hermione."
A smile slowly bloomed across Harry's face. "Yeah, Hermione in investigative mode. But… don't you want to get back to the party?"
"Nah," Ron brushed off easily. "We need to find your secret admirer."
"I might be the only one who is the "admirer" here, Derek's probably not even interested - but I don't care." Harry stood, suddenly buzzing with adrenaline. "Alright, you call Hermione and I'll put the coffee on."
"Right." Ron jumped to his feet and went to the Floo while Harry headed for the kitchen.
Twenty minutes later, Hermione was sitting perched on the sofa with a cup of coffee cupped in her hands, feet neatly tucked underneath her, and a gobsmacked expression on her face.
"Let me get this straight-"
"I think you mean bent," Ron sniggered, causing Harry to roll his eyes.
"Ron! This is serious," Hermione chastised before turning back to Harry.
"It's not, it's really not," Harry interjected hurriedly. "It's just trying to find a bloke that I'm interested in to see if he'll maybe go out on a date with me. That's all."
Hermione bit her lip. "But Harry, say we find this Derek chap and he agrees to go out with you, could you really date someone who has a job like that?"
Harry stared. He hadn't even thought of that aspect. "Shit…" he breathed, more to himself than to the others. "I… I didn't even think of that. I… don't know. I don't think I could." He stopped and looked up at Hermione. "Maybe he would be willing to change careers for me?" he suggested weakly.
Hermione couldn't help but smile affectionately at her friend. "Maybe."
"Worry about that after we're able to track him down," Ron said firmly. "If he's as interested in you as you make out Harry, then perhaps he will quit his job."
"It's worth a try," Hermione agreed with a nod.
Harry exhaled noisily, blowing his fringe in every direction. "Okay, so we know where he works but that doesn't actually help us. We need to find out his real name and where he lives."
"Or even just the general vicinity of where he lives if they'll tell you that much," Ron said. "Then you can just accidentally bump into him on purpose."
"Except that you don't know what he looks like," Hermione reminded them. She set her coffee down and folded her hands, looking every inch the serious investigator that they knew and loved. "What you should do Harry, is speak to the owner or manager of Amortentia. They will be the only ones who can help you. Perhaps go there and ask to speak to the person in charge and make it out like you have a complaint or something so that they don't just brush you off."
"Hopefully this is one of those instances where you can throw your name around and get extra special treatment," Ron added with a grin.
Harry swallowed, feeling nervous at the thought, but resolute. "Alright. I'll go there first thing tomorrow and speak to them."
"You know, they're open for another couple of hours…" Ron said, a daring gleam to his brown eyes.
Harry stared at him a moment, heart racing at the thought of getting an answer tonight. He smiled. "Yeah… they are, aren't they?"
Ron grinned and Hermione shook her head, smiling fondly.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" she finally said. "Go get him."
Harry laughed and stood. "I'm not likely to find him tonight 'Mione, but if I can speak to the owner now then maybe I can find Derek tomorrow."
Hermione stood and picked up her empty cup to take back to the kitchen. "It's all so romantic," she sighed.
Ron stood as well and stretched his arms over his head. "Yeah yeah, Harry falling in love with a prostitute is incredibly romantic."
Harry laughed even though he thought he should probably be insulted, but he was too excited. "Alright, I'm off."
"Think I'll catch up with the others," Ron said.
"And I'm going to bed," Hermione replied before kissing Harry on the cheek. "Good luck Harry, let me know what happens. Still coming to the Burrow Christmas Day?"
Harry nodded as he slipped into his coat. "Yeah, see you there."
Harry wrapped a dark green scarf around his neck before Disapparating on the spot back to Knockturn Alley, Ron and Hermione's smiling faces blurring into swirls of colour before disappearing completely into a flash of white.
The laneway was less busy than it had been earlier but there were still quite a few people milling about; doing last minute Christmas shopping and cheerfully celebrating the holiday season. The smell of roasted chestnuts and hot apple cider still lingered in the air from the street vendors.
Harry strode quickly to the black brick building, only one goal in mind as he stopped at the entrance door. He wasn't on the guest list anymore so the door wouldn't open automatically this time. Instead he pressed the gold buzzer and waited.
"Amortentia, how may I help you?" Scarlett's voice crackled through the speaker.
Harry smiled in relief. "Uh hi Scarlett, it's Harry Potter," he replied, leaning in to speak directly into the microphone.
"Hello Mr. Potter, I'll let you in."
Harry took a step back as the door swung open and he quickly walked inside, hoping there wouldn't be anyone in the waiting room to overhear what was going to be a private conversation with the hostess.
Luck was with him; the room was completely empty when he walked in. The warmth of the building seeped into his chilled body as he smiled in greeting at Scarlett behind the glass desk.
"Welcome back Mr. Potter," she said, looking as though she were hiding a grin. "What can I do for you?"
Harry placed his gloved hands on top of the desk, feeling a little awkward; he wasn't normally one to demand things. "Erm, I was wondering if perhaps I could… speak to the person in charge? An owner or manager?"
She raised a brow. "The owner is unavailable but I have the manager here. What can I tell her it's regarding?"
Harry was surprised by the "her" title, for some reason he assumed the manager would be a man; he didn't think it was the type of establishment a woman would want to manage. "It's regarding… er, a complaint," he decided.
Scarlett's smile faded. "Really? I thought you enjoyed your time here."
Harry immediately felt bad. "Okay, it's not a complaint," he amended. "I just really need to speak to them about… er… uh… oh fuck it, I need to find this Derek chap and I can't do it on my own."
Scarlett's expression instantly turned delighted. "Oh, of course Mr. Potter, why didn't you say so? I'll ask if she has time to see you now."
Harry exhaled, feeling shaky as he leaned on the desk to wait. He didn't know how much more his nerves could take tonight; it had been quite the night.
It wasn't long before Scarlett returned and led him to an adjoining room that looked like a small casual office. He sat down in the black leather armchair, removing his gloves and fiddling with them in his lap as he waited anxiously. It felt like forever before the door finally opened behind him.
"Potter, how nice to see you again."
Harry's head snapped around as Pansy Parkinson closed the door behind her and smirked at him. His eyes widened as she walked around to the small desk and sat down behind it.
"P-Parkinson?" he finally stammered, stunned.
She smiled and crossed her legs as she leaned on the arm of her chair, surveying him with obvious amusement. "The one and only. What can I do for the Chosen One this evening?"
Harry inwardly groaned; he couldn't ask Pansy Parkinson for the details of a bloke he fancied, it would be all over The Prophet by morning.
"I already know you shagged a wizard tonight Potter, so don't get your knickers in a twist."
Harry recovered from his initial shock and glared at her, crossing his arms over his chest and wondering if he could hex her before she called security.
Pansy laughed and leaned back in her chair. "I won't tell anyone Potter; confidentiality agreement, remember?"
Harry sagged with relief. Of course.
"Scarlett tells me you have a marked interest in one of my staff members," she prompted, fingers absently twisting the ends of her smooth, dark hair, bright eyes locked on Harry.
Harry swallowed and was determined to get what he came for, despite this slight hiccup. "Erm, yes. Derek?"
Pansy smiled. "Yes, he's one of our finest. Did you enjoy him?"
Harry narrowed his eyes at her but couldn't stop his cheeks from heating with discomfiture. "Yes I did, and I would like to see him again."
"That can be arranged with our receptionist Potter, you don't need to speak with me," she replied evenly.
Harry shook his head. "No, I… I would like to see him outside of Amortentia."
Her red lips quirked into a smirk as she leaned back in her chair. "You don't say?" she commented with interest. "And why is that?"
Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair, unable to hold her gaze as he replied. "It felt like we had a connection and I want to see if he feels the same way and if you make fun of me I'll fucking hex you," he said all in one breath.
Pansy's tinkling laugh echoed off the walls.
"He told Scarlett that he couldn't speak to me because of house policy or something," Harry continued, raising earnest green eyes back up to meet her gaze. While Pansy was obviously amused by the whole situation, he also sensed that she was willing to be helpful. "I thought if I could contact him outside of Amortentia, then he would be a little more agreeable to speaking with me."
Pansy surveyed him critically before replying. "Is this because he was the first male you've ever been with Potter?"
"No." Harry frowned, thinking. "I mean, he was, but it's really not like that. It's not just that he's good at… at what he does, it was that he felt familiar and he sounded so… so sincere. I didn't want him to leave, and I don't think he wanted to either. I know it sounds ridiculous, and you probably get barmy people in here every day confessing their love for your employees, but… I'm not delusional, I know what I want from him is real. I just don't know if he would even be interested."
Pansy pursed her lips and seemed to be considering something. She finally clasped her hands together on the desk and leaned forwards onto her forearms. "Listen Potter, Derek is… special. He's a good friend of mine and I don't want to see him hurt."
"Hurt?" Harry repeated, confused.
She sighed and looked at him almost imploringly. "He's the owner of Amortentia, and he has never been with a client - until you."
Harry's lips parted in surprise as he stared back, uncomprehending. "What do you mean? Why would he do that for me?"
"Because although he won't admit it, he's been in love with you for a very long time."
Harry frowned and sat back, feeling a trickle of trepidation run up his spine. "In love with me? But he doesn't know me…" Harry trailed off and then it hit him. "He does know me, doesn't he?"
"Yes, I believe you've met before," she replied vaguely. "Once or twice."
Harry waited but she obviously wasn't about to elaborate on his identity. "So… you'll help me then?" Harry asked, sitting forwards in his chair. "I just want to meet him and… see where it goes from there."
Pansy nodded, teeth sinking into her bottom lip as she thought. "Okay Potter," she finally relented. "I'll give you his address and then it's up to you. And if he asks, I had nothing to do with this. I'm only doing this because I want to see him happy - and to get him to stop mooning over you every time he gets a little drink into him."
Harry smiled uncertainly, wondering just who this person was. "Is Derek his real name?" he asked as Pansy scrawled the location on a piece of pink parchment.
Pansy handed the parchment over with a faint smirk.
Harry took the address from her and stood up before glancing down at what she'd written. He froze and then raised incredulous eyes to hers.
"Surprise."
D D D D
Draco strolled through the Manor's extensive grounds, hands shoved into the warm, deep pockets of his black woollen Muggle coat. He had discovered - and subsequently adored - Muggle fashion once he'd begun to take an interest in anything beyond his parent's narrow views of the world. His father was still in Azkaban, and would be until he was dead, and his mother was much more tolerant than his father, and endured Draco's Muggle fashion choices with remarkable grace.
He sighed and looked up at the tops of the snow frosted trees that towered over him on the garden path. It was Christmas Eve morning and he'd tossed and turned for most of the night before finally forcing himself out of bed and outdoors for a walk to clear his head. Sometime around three in the morning, he had suddenly and horribly regretted his decision to leave Harry so swiftly without even waiting to see what the Gryffindor had been about to say, or to return to the room when Scarlett had said that Harry had wanted to speak to him. What if Pansy had been right and Potter had been interested in something more?
Draco shook his head. Harry hadn't known who it was that he was asking to proposition.
He paused and glanced towards the main entrance gates at the far end of the property. He could feel a disturbance in the wards; someone was at the gates that shouldn't be. He waited a moment to see if they would ring the bell but nothing happened.
He withdrew his wand and Apparated to just inside the wrought-iron gates, far enough away that he was not within easy reaching distance of an intruder. There were still a few people out there who didn't appreciate the fact that Draco and his mother had been allowed to go free at the end of the war.
His grey eyes widened and he almost dropped his wand in shock when he saw who it was.
"Potter?"
Harry was standing on the other side of the closed gates, wearing black jeans and clean trainers underneath a warm grey Muggle coat, his dark hair tossing about in the wind and a sheepish smile on his flushed face. "Oh, hi Malfoy, er… I didn't realise you'd know I was here if I didn't ring the bell."
Draco felt his defences soften as he stared at Harry's embarrassed expression. "Would you like for me to leave while you decide?" he drawled, quickly regaining his composure.
Harry laughed awkwardly and shook his head. "No, that's alright. You're here now."
Draco flicked his wand and the gates swung inwards. "What are you doing here?" he asked as he approached Harry, the crushed gravel crunching beneath his feet. He tucked his hands back into his coat pockets after re-sheathing his wand and schooled his features into a neutral expression, determined not to give anything away, even if Potter was here to accuse him of… whatever it was he was here to accuse him of. He suspected it had something to do with last night.
Harry visibly swallowed and Draco shivered as those green eyes flicked over his body before coming to rest on his face. "I… erm, was hoping to speak to Derek."
Draco frowned, thrown. "Who?"
Harry smiled, cheeks still flushed, rather attractively Draco thought. "He's the bloke I was with at Amortentia last night. Pansy Parkinson said that you owned the place and could introduce me to him."
Draco truly didn't know what to say to that. He silently cursed Pansy in his head for putting him in this position. He cleared his throat before replying. "Oh yes, Derek. And why are you interested in being introduced to him?"
Harry smiled and took a step closer. "He is rather good at what he does, and I would very much like to experience that again."
Draco's breath caught in his throat. "Why don't you… make another appointment then?"
Harry continued to move closer and Draco had to physically stop himself from taking a step back.
"Because I want more than that," Harry replied, not looking quite as nervous anymore.
"More?" Draco repeated, pleased that his voice didn't tremble.
Harry cocked his head to one side, eyes appraising. "Like… maybe go on a date? Perhaps play a game of quidditch and then have dinner, maybe go back to his place for the night…"
Fuck, he wanted that too. Draco nodded, attempting nonchalance. "I think I can arrange that," he replied quietly.
"Today?"
"Possibly." Draco could feel his pulse race and his chest constrict as Harry continued to look at him in that way, and suddenly he knew that Harry knew, and he was terrified and exhilarated all at once - because fuck, Harry was still there, waiting to see what Draco would do next. He carefully closed the remaining distance between them, still not quite touching. "He's a very busy man."
Harry grinned, and it wasn't awkward or nervous, it was bright and relieved and thrilled, and so utterly Harry. The kind of smile that Draco had always wanted directed at him. "I'm sure he'll make time for me," Harry replied softly.
Something low down in Draco's stomach tightened at the tone of Harry's voice. "Yes, I believe he will."
"Draco…"
Draco almost moaned at the sound of Harry saying his name. It was too much and something inside him snapped. He reached out with one hand and slid his fingers across the cold skin of Harry's cheek until his hand was cupping the back of his head, buried in all that soft thick hair. He stepped in so that they were chest to chest, warm breath ghosting across the other's face. Harry's eyes fluttered shut for a moment and then opened, staring up at Draco expectantly.
"Is this really what you want?" Draco whispered; needing to know that this wasn't a joke or an experimental fling for Harry.
Harry nodded as he slowly slid his arms around Draco's waist. "Yeah, it is," he murmured before leaning in and firmly pressing his lips to Draco's.
Draco couldn't stop the breathy moan from escaping as he closed his eyes and kissed Harry back. It was even better than last night's kiss; it meant more. Harry knew who he was this time and was pouring everything he had into kissing him. Draco thought his heart might just explode right out of his chest with happiness and want and contentment…
Harry pulled back a few inches and grinned, panting slightly. "Hi."
Draco chuckled and kept his arms around Harry. He didn't think he'd ever be able to let go now that he had him there. He suddenly frowned quizzically at him. "How did you know it was me?" he asked.
"Erm, would you believe a helpful Christmas Elf?" Harry hedged, still smiling.
Draco narrowed his eyes. "Parkinson," he growled, causing Harry to laugh.
"Hey, it's thanks to her that I'm here," Harry pointed out.
"Hmph…" Draco huffed, but a smirk pulled at his lips as he leaned in to rub his nose in Harry's hair, just behind his ear, inhaling the scent of his coconut shampoo. He kissed the side of his neck and heard Harry's breath hitch. "Would you like to come in?" he murmured into Harry's ear. "I believe the house-elves have prepared a lovely breakfast in the kitchens."
"Oh," Harry replied, eyes widening. "It's Christmas Eve today, isn't it? Sorry, did you have plans?"
"Yes," Draco smirked. "I plan to introduce you to my mother - properly - and then the three of us will have breakfast together. After that I plan to take you back to my room and spend the rest of the day in bed, with perhaps a bath or two in between all the shagging."
Harry laughed but his green eyes flared with interest. "Sounds good to me."
Draco pulled away and took Harry's hand to lead him towards the Manor. He couldn't quite believe that Harry was there, holding his hand and smiling at him; it felt too good to be true. He had wanted this for so long that he couldn't quite wrap his brain around the fact that it was actually happening. Harry wanted him. Harry wanted him.
"Happy Christmas Malfoy," Harry said with a grin, squeezing his hand as they walked, bringing him back to the present.
Draco glanced over and smiled back as he squeezed his hand in return. It was shaping up to be a very memorable year ahead…
