Summary: Harry's working at a motel for the summer. Unexpectedly, Draco appears and rents a room. Harry is filled with questions. Why is he there? What is he hiding from? And, probably the most important question of all, why is the need to be close to him so strong? This takes place somewhere between year five and year six.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters mentioned in the Harry Potter series. I will not be profiting off this story.


Harry rolled onto his back, stretching his arms up to better see the letter in his hand. He wrote to Hermione and Ron about the situation at his work a few days ago. Of course, Ron was more concerned about what a "Motel" was and why Harry was working there.

Harry sighed and turned over again, bringing Hermione's letter close to his face. She, on the other hand, actually gave a thought out response. It wasn't much, but it was better than Ron's "Do you even need muggle money?"

Harry,

I wouldn't think too much about Draco. We're all at that odd stage of growing up where acting brash is very natural. Maybe he just needed to get away from his parents for a bit? I can just imagine how stifling that house could be.

Honestly, Harry, I would just stick to work as usual if I were you. Whatever Draco's reasons are for being there is his own business. Best stay out of it. Don't go causing trouble before school even starts!

Hope all is well. I'll see you at Ron's later this summer!

Hermione

Harry gave out another sigh and let the letter fall to the floor. That couldn't be it. Why would Draco decide to go to the muggle world just to get away from his parents? There was definitely more to it than that. Harry was sure.

Hermione was right, though. It wasn't any of his business. He should just keep to himself and continue doing his job. But since when has he ever kept his nose where it didn't belong?

Dawn crept slowly into Harry's room, the light of the sun trickling in from the window. He could hear Uncle Vernon start to stir. Harry groaned, forced to get up. The only way he was allowed to have a job was if he was out of the house before anyone else was awake.

Quickly throwing on his uniform, Harry tip toed out the front door.


"Glad you could finally make it," Mr. Jameson commented as Harry stamped his time card. Five minutes early, for the record.

Harry grinned, "Had to stop to read the paper this morning, sir. You know how it is."

Mr. Jameson ruffled his hair, pushing him toward the glass doors that lead to the pool, "Don't be a smart ass. Go clean the tables outside. And make sure those kids don't drink anything near the pool!"

Harry laughed and tried brushing his hair back, but the rebellious locks wouldn't cooperate. He pulled at them, scanning the pool. The recent group of teens were splashing about. Some of them were trying to start a chat with a surly blond sitting in one of the lounge chairs.

Draco was wearing expensive sunglasses and swim trunks, sitting lazily under the shade of an umbrella. It was odd seeing him look so much like a muggle. He must have done some research on how to look before hand. He definitely bought clothes at a muggle store.

Draco pulled his sunglasses up and looked as though he was going to retort a snide comment. He stopped when he spotted Harry walking towards the edge of the pool. The teens talking with Draco immediately swam to the other side, meeting him with a chorus of "Harry!"

Harry grinned and squated down, "Hey! You guys swimming already?"

One of the teens, around thirteen or so, crossed their arms and rested them at the lip of the pool, "Our goal is to swim until there's no more water."

A girl around Harry's age splashed at him playfully. "Join us!"

Harry laughed and raised his arms to block the droplets. He shook his head, "I gotta clean up all your messes."

"We're not even drinking around the pool this time!" One yelled from the middle of the water. He was on one of the kid's shoulders, playing chicken fight.

Harry rolled his eyes, "For now." He got up and started to wipe down the glass tables. He glanced back at the lounging boy, but Draco had already slid his sunglasses back on. He looked bored without his usual posse.

Why is he here? Harry asked himself for the hundredth time today. He shook off the thought and continued to chat with the pool dwellers as he cleaned.

Harry knocked on Draco's door. He held a few towels in his arms and absentmindedly looked over the golden numbers plaqued on the dark green wood.


"... Yes?" A drawling voice answered.

"House keeping." Harry said jokingly. He heard some shuffling before the door was opened a crack. He pushed it open with his foot and gently closed it behind him. He searched the room, noticing how spotless it was. Almost cleaner than he when saw it on Draco's first night. "How's the muggle life holding up?"

Draco looked up from the desk he was working at. "Well, I've figured out this 'electricity' nonsense, so that's something."

Harry nodded, "Yeah, seems you already got the hang of the muggle world. You even have the right clothes… How do you know any of this stuff?"

Draco sent a glare Harry's way before sneering, "Don't you have towels to put away, Potter?"

Harry sighed in exasperation, "Whatever, Malfoy." He went to the closet to quickly put away the new set of towels. He was suddenly feeling stupid and embarrassed. Why was he trying to make conversation with him anyways? Why did he even care what weird crap Malfoy was going through? He shoved the last towel in the closet before turning on his heel to face Draco. "Need anything else before I head out?"

Draco shook his head, not even bothering to look up. Harry huffed and walked to the door.

"...Wait…"

Harry turned around a little too quickly, having not expected anymore conversation between them. Draco's brow was furrowed, as though he were contemplating even continuing his thought.

"What?" Harry said, slowly walking back to the middle of the room.

"... Never mind. Forget it." He turned back to his work abruptly.

Harry walked over to the desk, craning his neck to see his expression, "No, really, what?"

Draco jumped, leaning away, "Watch yourself, Potter!"

Harry sat on the edge of the desk, resting his weight on his hands. He laughed, "Don't be so jumpy." Was he imagining the feeling of relief? He felt as though a slight tightness in his chest loosened.

"I am not jumpy, Potter." He turned away with his nose in the air, cheeks slightly pink. "You're face would startle anyone."

"I know. It's gorgeous, isn't it?"

Draco snapped his head around and narrowed his eyes, "Hardly."

Harry clutched his chest in feign hurt, "Draco, you can't mean that…"

Draco rolled his eyes and picked up his quill.

Harry grinned and nudged his shoulder, "Seriously. What were you gonna say?"

Draco glanced disdainfully down to his shoulder before looking back to Harry. "I…" He suddenly looked away, slightly sheepish, "I was wondering what 'secondary school' was. Those muggles at the pool mentioned it to me once or twice."

Harry blinked, "Oh, that's all? It's just regular muggle school."

Draco's nose crinkled in confusion and slight disgust, "What would they even study?"

"Math? Physical education?"

"What in the name of Merlin is physical education?"

Harry chuckled, "You know, like, running."

Draco cocked an eyebrow, "Muggles need to learn that?"

Harry shrugged, "Well, it's like training. Usually you'd learn how to play certain sports. Like dodge ball."

"What the fuck is dodge ball?" Draco looked utterly bewildered.

Harry bit his lip to keep from laughing, "It's a muggle game. You have two teams. Each is trying to hit the other with a ball. Whichever team is the last one standing, wins."

Draco shook his head, "I swear, you're making this shit up."

Harry grinned, "Oh, Draco. Like I could lie to you."

Draco narrowed his eyes, leaning towards him. "Watch it, Potter," He said darkly.

Harry leaned in as well, a mischievous smile gracing his lips, "What, you're the only one allowed to be a smart ass?"

"Being 'smart' is a gift, Potter. It's not that I'm allowed to be intelligent. I just am." Draco flashed a wicked grin back.

A shiver went down Harry's spine. His face started to heat up, but he attempted to look unfazed.

Draco chuckled, noticing the slight redness in Harry's cheeks. "What, my charm already making you fall in love with me, Potter?" He rolled his eyes and turned back to his papers. "Don't expect me to be this nice to you at school. I have no intention of being all buddy-buddy with my sworn enemy," He said the last phrase in an almost sarcastic tone.

Harry took an exasperated sigh, ignoring the "falling in love with me" comment, "Honestly, Malfoy, this arch nemesis relationship is getting old. Even at school. Let it go, you prat."

Draco turned and opened his mouth to retort, but quickly closed it. He sighed after a beat and leaned towards Harry, his cheek resting on his fist. "Fine. What would you rather be, then, hmm? Friends?"

Harry chuckled and shook his head, "I doubt that could happen so quickly. Maybe acquaintances. We don't know that much about each other, anyways."

Draco raised an eyebrow, doubtful. "What would we possibly want to know about each other?"

Harry's smile dissolved. He paused, looking into Draco's face, his brow furrowed. His voice dropped to barely a whisper. "What are you hiding from?" He breathed.

Draco didn't look away or try to distance himself. His confident demeanor seemed like it was slipping away as he searched Harry's eyes. Almost as if he was looking for reassurance. He took a breath, "I-"

"Oi, kid! Get down here and clean the pool!"

They both jumped and straightened at the sound of Mr. Jameson's voice.

"On it!" Harry yelled back.

He glanced at Draco who had started shuffling papers nervously. He realized how far away they were now. How close were they a second ago? Their noses must have been mere inches apart. Harry was uncomfortably aware of how loud his heart was beating.

He quickly rose to his feet, "Well… Duty calls." He strided to the door and hastily shut it, practically running for the front desk.

As soon as Draco heard a click, he let his head drop against the desk. His cheeks pinked with embarrassment.

"Shit."


Thanks for reading! I'm pretty excited for the next chapter. Very angsty. But also very cute.

See you next chapter and please feel free to write a review.

-Bob