Draco's probably getting a little frustrated at this point, as he sees clues to his mystery man's identity everywhere.

Ai Neko Yokai- I enjoyed Draco's moment of panic over Ron, too lol

Thanks to littlesprout, yukino76, Rori Potter, sjrodgers, and cassy1994 for reading and reviewing.

oOo

By Wednesday morning, Draco still hadn't talked to Harry about the results of their experimenting. Though he was loathe to face Weasley again, Draco decided to pay Harry's office a visit. He walked down the hall and knocked on the partially closed door.

"Come in," Neville called. "Oh." He didn't seem particularly happy to see Draco standing there. But neither did he seem annoyed.

Frowning a bit, Draco scanned the tiny room. "Harry isn't here?"

"No," Ron answered. "He's . . . busy."

"I see. Could you let him know I popped by? We need to finish up the work we've been doing."

Neville snickered. "Work?"

"I know it may not be the most important job around here, but someone's got to do it."

"Sounds like a hardship," Neville giggled again.

"Neville," Ron warned.

"What? I'm just saying, I wouldn't mind if part of my job was to get plastered with Hannah Abbott, eh?"

Ron pursed his lips. "I'll tell him you stopped by," he said to Draco.

Though he was somewhat suspicious of Ron and Neville's behavior, Draco nodded and simply said, "Thanks."

He nearly bumped into Harry coming from the opposite direction as he made his way back to his own office.

"Were you coming from my office?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, we need to talk about our next move."

"Our next move?" Harry blinked.

Raising his eyebrows, Draco said, "In the regulation process?"

"Oh. Right."

"Do you think we've done the necessary research or should we try other forms of alcohol? Personally, I believe if the spells didn't work on one type, it shouldn't work on another. What do you think?"

Harry appeared to considering his options. His thumb subconsciously raised to rub his lower lip.

"We ought to try some more. Just to be safe."

Instead of addressing Harry's suggestion, Draco asked, "Is everything all right?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because you seem . . . apprehensive. Did I behave badly in my drunken stupor?"

"No, not at all. My office mates have been taking the piss. A bit too much."

Draco smiled. "Longbottom did allude to the fact that he didn't consider having a few pints on the job to be work."

"Is that all he said?" Harry asked.

"Basically. It was in jest. My skin is a bit thick to be offended by that."

"Good." Harry licked his lips. "So, should we continue the research?"

"May as well." Draco leaned forward and lowered his voice. "As long as they're willing to pay us to drink, I say we go for it."

"I, uh, I'll get the liquor again," Harry offered.

"How about if I provide some food? I think part of my problem was drinking on an empty stomach."

Harry nodded. "All right. Tomorrow afternoon?"

"Can't. Thursdays are inspection days, remember?"

"Oh, I didn't realize it was every Thursday," Harry said.

"Yes. Blythe and I have quite a few establishments to keep tabs on. No pun intended," Draco chuckled.

Harry smiled. "Keep tabs. That's funny."

Draco shrugged. "I try."

"I didn't think you were known for telling jokes."

"I can't really take credit for–" Draco's brow furrowed.

"What?" asked Harry. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that you couldn't be funny. I just meant you were always so serious in school."

"Oh."

"But you were quite amusing last Friday."

"Amusing?"

"Charming."

"Charming?" Draco's brows rose.

At that point, Harry was getting flustered. "I mean witty."

"You're sort of a hoot yourself, Potter. I look forward to Friday."

Draco continued on to his office, thankful Harry couldn't see the grin on his face. Harry's comment about him not being known for telling jokes was close enough for Draco to consider it more evidence that perhaps Harry had been his secret lover. The fact that Potter continually put his foot in his mouth whenever he was around Draco only solidified it.

When he returned to his office, only Blythe was there.

"You look like the cat who ate the canary," she said.

"Not yet. I'm still playing with him."

"Ooh. Who are we talking about?" She leaned forward as Draco closed the door behind him and sat at his desk.

"I can't be certain, but I've been gathering evidence as to the identity of my . . . masked friend from the gala."

"And? You know who it is?"

"Like I said, I can't be certain. If I tell you, you can't tell a soul. Not even Nigel."

She drew her fingers along her lips to mock-zip them shut. "Who is it?"

"I think there's a strong possibility that it's . . . Potter."

She leaned back in surprise. "Harry Potter?"

"Well, how many other Potters do you know?"

"What makes you think so? Is he even gay? I've never seen him with a man. Not that I've paid particular attention to him or anything."

"The man at the gala said he was still in the closet, so it could literally be anyone based on that information. A few things Potter has said have given me pause. Not to mention the strange way he acts around me."

"You and he have had a turbulent past. Couldn't he simply be nervous about being around you again?"

"I suppose. But when I suggested we do some experimenting, he blushed."

"What kind of experimenting were you talking about?"

"Casting spells on Muggle beer. But the look on his face . . ." Draco grinned. "He looked as though I'd just propositioned him. And he was considering it."

"Don't you think that's a bit of a stretch?" Blythe questioned. "I think maybe you just want it to be him."

"What? Don't be ridiculous. I haven't given him a second thought since I came to work here."

"It seems to me you're giving him second thoughts now. Third and fourth thoughts as well."

"All right. Maybe none of that is evidence per se. He did call me charming, though."

She smiled. "Well, I think I'd be giving someone who called me charming second thoughts too."

"He said he meant witty," Draco pursed his lips. "Perhaps he simply spoke out of turn. I can't really figure him out. Sometimes he appears quite confident, like at meetings and such, or talking about Ministry business. Other times, he's falling all over himself like a tongue tied school boy."

Draco rested his chin in his palm.

"From here, it looks as though you're the one who finds him charming."

He glanced over at Blythe and sighed. "He is Harry Potter after all."

A large grin grew on Blythe's face as she got back to work. Draco took a few more moments to daydream before getting his inspection certificates in order for the following day.

oOo

Friday afternoon, Draco made sure to have his paperwork in order by three o'clock, in case Harry came by early. It was ten minutes before three when sat with his desk cleared, appearing somewhat eager.

"You can't be finished for the day," Blythe said.

"I'm not. I'm waiting for Potter so we can practice spells on the Muggle drinks again."

The corner of her mouth lifted. "So that's the reason for the crisp, new shirt and tie."

"Shut up," he said, but had no bite. "Clothes make the man. If I want to move up in the Ministry, I need to dress the part."

"And the haircut is coincidental, I suppose?"

"It was getting shaggy," he defended. "I doubt anyone but you noticed anyway."

She snickered. "Oh, I don't think I'm the only one who noticed."

"Meaning?"

"Let's just say I've seen Bert Rogers walk by the door a number of times today."

"And what makes you think that has anything to do with me?"

"Woman's intuition." She raised her eyebrows and nodded her head toward the door.

Harry appeared in the doorway holding a large paper grocery bag.

"You all set?"

"Take me away," Draco said. He turned to Blythe. "We'll be a while, so I won't see you later. Have a splendid weekend."

"You too," she waved. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Is there anything you wouldn't do?" He winked and followed Harry out.

Once again in the conference room, Harry set up the liquor in a similar manner. Instead of plastic cups, though, he brought shot glasses.

"We don't want to be drinking big glasses of whiskey," Harry chuckled.

"Don't we?" Draco smirked.

"I thought perhaps you ought to stick to the wines, since that's what you said you normally drink."

"Don't think I can handle the whiskey?"

"No offense, but you didn't handle the beer all that well," Harry said, then bit his lip.

Draco snickered. "I suppose you're right."

They decided to take turns casting spells and sampling the drinks. Draco would curse the hard liquor that Harry drank. And Harry would curse the wine and champagne for Draco.

"Are you really only giving me a shot of wine?" Draco huffed. "I'm not a child."

"But there are several to try. If you have a whole glass, that's as much alcohol as a bottle of beer."

"Well, then at least a half of a glass," Draco pouted. "It's quite good."

"We're not here to drink for pleasure," Harry reminded him. "One of us has to be sober enough to make it to the floo network."

Draco laughed. "Or we could simply spend the night here."

Harry blushed. "Let's just keep going."

It took much longer to test out the hard liquor and wines that Harry brought because they kept pausing to nibble on some food. Draco was thankful, as it helped him keep a clearer head. That, and the fact that Harry was keeping him to less than half a glass per spell.

Harry, on the other hand was getting wasted quickly. Despite eating, and claiming he was used to Muggle liquor, he had to stop casting curses for fear of actually hexing Draco rather than the drink. He insisted he could keep drinking though, so Draco kept casting.

Harry held a shot of vodka, on which Draco had cast an Immobulus, to his lips.

"I–I can't," he said. He dropped it back onto the table, spilling a bit.

"It's all right," Draco assured him. "There's no reason to think it will work anyway. Not one of the others did. It's time to wrap this up."

"Thank you." Harry sat down and closed his eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier you wanted to stop?"

"I didn't want you to think I was a pussy," Harry mumbled. "I'm not a pussy. I'm a dick."

Though buzzed, Draco was still mainly in control of his faculties. He giggled at Harry's declaration. "I didn't think you were a pussy."

"Do you want to see it?"

Draco raised an eyebrow. "See what?"

"My dick."

Though reasonably certain that Harry wouldn't remember the things he was saying and doing, Draco remained a gentleman.

"No, Harry. You keep that to yourself for now."

"For now? Do you want to see it later?"

Draco stopped cleaning up and leaned closer to Harry. "I would only want to see it when you're sober. But I would definitely like to see it later."

Harry gazed up at him from his seat. "You're so lovely."

"Thank you." Draco straightened up. "So are you. When you're not sloppy drunk, that is."

Draco waved away the things Harry brought and coaxed Harry toward the lift. At one point, Harry began singing a love song and clutched at Draco's clothing.

They made it to the fireplaces without too much trouble. Draco considered bringing Harry to his home, then remembered the address Harry used. He called it out and pulled Harry into his sitting room.

"Where's your bedroom, Potter?"

"Oh, no. I'm not ready for that," Harry slurred.

"I'm going to put you to bed, you fool," Draco laughed. "You need to sleep this off. I hope you have an extra hangover potion."

Figuring the bedrooms were upstairs, Draco led Harry up and found a room with a bed that was neatly made.

"This one will do," he said.

He hoisted Harry onto the bed and covered him up, clothing and all. Before he closed the door behind him, Harry had passed out completely.

On the way downstairs, he noticed the portraits hanging on the walls that he hadn't noticed the first time.

"I know this house," he said to himself. "Why does Harry live here?"

He shrugged, then took the floo back home. He would have to ask Harry about it on Monday.

oOo

"Morning Potter," Draco nodded as he and Harry stepped out of adjacent fireplaces Monday morning.

"Oh, hello," Harry gave a half-hearted wave.

"And how are you feeling today?"

"Fine. And you?"

"Me? I'm great. I was wondering about you because you were as pissed as I've ever seen anybody on Friday."

Harry scratched his head. "Yeah, I don't really remember too much after I stopped casting hexes. Did you get me home?"

"It was the least I could do," Draco said.

They got in the lift with several other people. Harry glanced around to see if anyone was paying attention to their conversation.

"Thanks for that," he whispered.

"My pleasure." Draco gave a small gasp. "I've been meaning to ask, how is it you're living in Great Aunt Wallburga's house?"

"Great Aunt? Oh, I forgot that you're related to Sirius. He left me the house. I've been living there since I left Hogwarts."

"Oh. And you haven't thought of redecorating or something?"

"I felt a little funny about it. I didn't want to get rid of all of Sirius' family heirlooms."

"You don't have to get rid of his things necessarily. But you might want to spruce up the place," Draco suggested. "You must have some difficulty entertaining there."

They stepped out of the lift and walked toward their respective offices.

"Yeah, I don't do much entertaining," admitted Harry.

"Well, perhaps you could if you had somewhere nice to bring your . . . dates."

Harry's face flushed slightly.

Before walking into his own office, Draco called, "Let me know when you're free to work on that new regulation to the Intoxicating Beverages Guidelines."

Harry stopped down the hall in front of his door. "It'll have to be sometime this week."

"All right. Just tell me when and I'll clear some time. Any day but Thursday."

"Right."

Draco was about to go inside when he heard Weasley say, "You going to stand there gawking all day?"

He looked back, but Harry was no longer in the hallway. He wondered if Weasley was talking to Harry or someone else.

oOo

Tuesday and Wednesday had Harry and Draco working in the Ministry records room, getting the wording just so on their new regulation regarding Muggle alcoholic beverages. As long as they were at it, they included Muggle food.

To Draco's disappointment, Harry didn't let slip any more comments about finding Draco attractive. He figured it had been the alcohol talking mainly. However, even in a drunken state, a straight man wasn't going to offer another man a peek at his naughty bits.

While Harry was putting the final flourishes on their new document, Draco glanced around at the others doing research or writing their own documents. An attractive redhead woman gave him a smile. He didn't know her, but was reasonably certain she had been on the right side of the war. Most of the others appeared to be concentrating on their task, and didn't notice him. One man looked up and furrowed his brow. Apparently, some people didn't like to be stared at.

"How's this?" Harry asked, sliding the parchment toward Draco. Though he'd just written it, Harry leaned in to read along with him.

"That's got it," Draco said, after finishing. "I think we're ready to present."

Harry looked up at the large mantle clock. "It's too late today."

"Hm. And I have inspections tomorrow. It will have to wait until Friday."

"Actually, I have meetings with Shacklebolt and several other department heads the next two days. You'll have to present on Friday alone."

"But this was a joint effort."

"Can't be helped."

"I'll make sure your name goes on for credit," Draco assured him.

"Thanks."

"No. Thank you. I wouldn't have been able to do this all on my own. To be honest, I'm not certain how it would have gone with either Weasley or Longbottom. You and I appear to make a fairly good team."

Harry grinned. "It was my pleasure."

The clock struck five o'clock, signaling the end of the work shift.

"Oh, I've got to go. Meeting Ron and Hermione for supper," Harry said.

"Go on. I'll take care of all this." Draco gestured to the books and parchments they had laid out on the table.

"They can wait," Harry said.

"Nonsense. It's the least I can do. I'll let you know how the presentation goes, yeah?"

Harry nodded. "See you." He gave a half wave, then turned to walk out.

Draco noticed him glance back over his shoulder at least twice before going through the doorway.

A voice nearby startled him. "Ah, there's the book I was looking for."

Draco turned, finding a handsome young man picking up one of the books.

"Sorry. I haven't had a chance to put it back yet."

"No problem. I heard a rumor that you're writing some new legislation regarding Muggle Artefacts. But I thought you worked in Intoxicating Substances."

Draco's brow drew together. Like many faces at the Ministry, Draco had seen his before, but didn't know his name, or what department he worked for. One of the many hazards of being antisocial. The young man, however, seemed to know not only who Draco was, but where he worked, and that he was writing a new regulation.

Picking up on the fact that Draco was at a loss, the man held out his hand. "Hugh. Hugh Buckwalter. Improper Use of Magic."

"Draco Malfoy." He took the hand and shook.

"I know," Hugh laughed.

"Of course you do," Draco muttered.

"I didn't mean anything by it. You were in the papers a bit a few years back. That's all."

"Oh."

"Actually, I'm curious about what you and Harry Potter were working on exactly."

"I'm not really at liberty to say just yet. I won't be presenting until Friday." Draco paused. "But I am curious as to how you found out we were writing new legislation."

"I've got a friend in Wizengamot Administrative Services. He picked my brain about curses and Muggle items, particularly food and beverages. I couldn't help him much, as I deal more with underage magic. But it aroused my interest. I asked around, but nobody knew much."

"I see."

"Anyway, I'm working on my own new regulation and was looking for this." Hugh waved the book in front of Draco. "I'll take it if you're finished with it."

Draco shrugged. "Saves me the trouble of putting it away myself. Thanks."

"No problem," Hugh smiled. "Maybe we'll run into each other again."

As Draco watched Hugh Buckwalter walk away, he wondered if there was more to the story. He shook his head. He couldn't suspect every man that said more than two words to him of being his anonymous shag. However, Draco couldn't help himself. Every time he was certain it was Harry, someone else would give him pause. It was driving him crazy.