*I only have one more chapter planned after this. This ended up a very short fic. But thanks to everyone reading and adding to faves & alerts! Thanks especially to Ashinia, Linda, KatieMarrie, cassy1994, Zatsune D. LawLuFan, yukino76, antonia45456, hotflower901 and CaelynAilene for taking the time to review! I appreciate it so much.

oOo

Harry spent Christmas with the Weasley family as usual. It helped to take his mind off his troubled love life. Seeing Bill with his perfect little family stung a bit, but he reminded himself that Bill and Fleur were older than him.

He made plans to spend the next day with Ginny, who was also going through a dry spell. They stayed up late at the Burrow Christmas night getting pissed and complaining about their respective lack of companionship. Having a wicked hangover, Harry spent most of Boxing Day in bed. He was barely coherent when he'd received an owl early in the day, and he nearly missed his late lunch date with Ginny.

On Friday he visited George at his shop. When he'd stopped in before Christmas for Teddy's gift, George had been much too busy to show Harry any of the new items. George was finally beginning to let go of the guilt he had over the success of his business without Fred, and he was able to reminisce with Harry about the high jinks they got into while at Hogwarts. Unfortunately, talking about Hogwarts only brought Harry's mind back to Draco.

Finally, he arranged to catch up with Teddy Tonks at Andromeda's on that Sunday. The boy was able to keep Harry's mind sufficiently occupied, so that day, Harry didn't have time to throw his own personal pity party.

But when Monday rolled around again, Harry was back to his glum mood.

"How was your weekend?" questioned Ron with a smile as he walked into the office.

Harry shrugged. "Okay, I guess."

"Oh, only okay?"

"Well, maybe a bit better than that. I saw Teddy yesterday. He loved the Muggle Magic Tricks I bought him."

"How old is the boy now?"

"He'll be six in April. He looks so much like Remus," Harry sighed. "I don't know how Andromeda keeps up with him. He played nonstop."

"So . . . no word from your chef then?" asked Ron tentatively.

Harry paused to give Ron a look. "He's real, Ron."

"I didn't say he wasn't."

"You implied it before." Harry crossed his arms over his chest. "But, no, I haven't heard from him. Nor do I expect to."

"Sorry mate." Though Ron felt badly for Harry getting his feelings hurt, he was relieved Malfoy thought better of trying to get together with Harry. It would sting for a little while, but Harry would get over it and move on. Ron was certain, in the long run, Malfoy would have hurt Harry far more if they began a relationship. "Maybe Hermione's friend will be at the New Year's Eve Gala."

"What have I got to lose?"

Later, when Hermione came down to join them for lunch, Harry finally mentioned that he might be open to an introduction to the bloke in Muggle Artifacts. But he was adamant that it not be set up as a date. He was willing to talk to the man. That was all.

oOo

Two days later, when Harry walked into the large lobby of the Ministry of Magic, he was amazed at the way it was transformed. The ceiling was spelled to look like a dark, starry night. Round tables draped in black cloth were arranged about the room to allow an area for dancing. Each table had a centerpiece of sparkly gold roses and balloons that rose high above. It was festive, yet tasteful.

The band was set up along the side, and Harry wondered why on earth they needed so many instruments . At the moment, they were playing soft music while guests mingled.

He looked around and saw a man in an apron standing behind a long table serving small plates of food, Another two men stood behind a bar serving drinks of all sorts. Harry noticed them all wearing logos on their uniforms– a pair of bright red lips wearing a chef's cap.

Harry turned all the way around the room, spotting two more buffet tables covered in food. Behind one of them stood Draco. He was busy plating at an hors d'oeuvres station.

Heart beating faster, Harry had only taken one step toward the table when he heard his name being called.

"Oi, Harry," Ron waved from across the room, distracting him from Draco temporarily.

"Glad you showed," Ron said, when they met somewhere in the middle.

"Where's Hermione?"

"She went to get drinks already. Did you pick a table yet?"

"Not yet. I've just arrived myself."

"Let's grab this one," Ron said of the nearest one.

Harry followed and sat, realizing that from there, he couldn't see Draco at all. Perhaps it was for the best. Soon, Hermione joined them with two drinks in hand.

"Oh, Harry, I didn't get one for you."

"That's all right. I'll get one of my own when I grab some food."

He used the excuse to walk around the room and observe Draco as he quickly plated crackers and pâté, bacon wrapped scallops and something that resembled cups made of parchment.

Casually as he could manage, Harry approached Draco's table. He queued up behind a few others, then took a small plate when it was his turn. Most people simply moved on, but Harry stopped and stood there.

"Hello."

Draco looked up, doing a double take.

"Oh. Hello."

"You look nice."

Smirking, Draco replied, "I'm wearing an apron." He made up some more plates. Without looking back up at Harry he said, "You look rather dashing yourself."

Harry looked down at his ensemble. He was glad to have gotten his new dress robes at Madam Malkin's recently.

"Can I talk to you?" Harry requested.

"This isn't a very private place to have a conversation," Draco answered, giving furtive glances to the people taking plates. Some of them were lingering curiously.

"We could have had it in private if you had talked to me in the first place."

"As I recall, you are the one who ended our last conversation. And you didn't show up to Madam Puddifoot's , so I–

"What?" Harry frowned. "Why would I go to Madam Puddifoot's?"

"Didn't you get my owl? I sent a note."

Harry vaguely recalled an owl pecking at his window after Christmas. He thought he had either been dreaming or too drunk at the time.

"I, uh, no. I had a hangover and slept in that day. What did the note say?"

Draco hesitated. As long as Harry hadn't read it, Draco could still stop the growing fantasy in his mind that he and Harry could actually have some sort of relationship. But eventually, Harry would find the note and read it, and he'd know what a sentimental fool Draco was.

"I . . . invited you to tea on Boxing Day."

"But I thought you weren't interested in me. You didn't want to settle."

Acutely aware that people were now pausing to listen in, Draco offered, "Can I find you later? We have an audience. And I need to finish plating."

Although Harry was afraid he was being put off again, he agreed to let Draco finish his job so the pair could talk more privately later.

Stopping at the bar and another food table, Harry made his way back to the table he shared with his friends. There were four more people sitting down with them.

"Oh, Harry, I hope you don't mind," Hermione smiled. "I've invited a few people from Muggle Artifacts to joins us

Inwardly groaning, Harry smiled politely.

"Of course not, Hermione." He was kicking himself for agreeing to this.

Ron shot him an apologetic look while Hermione began the introductions.

"Harry, this is Winifred, Garrett, Ian and Connor."

They each nodded as she said their name. Harry was certain one of the men was the fellow Hermione was trying to set him up with. He wasn't sure which one, though.

After a while of talking, he figured out that Winifred and Garrett were married, leaving either Ian or Connor as the set up. Unfortunately, Hermione mentioned Harry's recent break up and Ian immediately spoke up, sympathizing with Harry's situation.

We have a winner, Harry thought.

"I'm recently single myself," Ian told him. "It's especially difficult to be alone during the holidays, isn't it?"

"Well, I have great friends," Harry said, "so I haven't been alone at all."

"But you know what I mean. Even tonight, all the people dancing and toasting one another. I'd be happy to make myself available if you're in need of a dancing partner," offered Ian.

"Um, thank you. I'm not much of a dancer."

For the next hour, Ian tried to come up with as many ways as he could to get in Harry's good books. And Harry came up with an equal number of excuses to avoid him.

Winifred and Garrett had left the table long ago to dance, and Connor had gone off looking for a suitable partner for himself. Ian volunteered to get a sampling of desserts for the table, leaving the trio of friends to talk amongst themselves.

"Harry, why are you being so difficult?" admonished Hermione. "Ian is perfectly charming."

"Then you date him. I'm not interested. It's not my fault the man can't take a hint."

"You're not still pining for Clive, are you?"

"No. I'm not thinking about him at all."

"You seem anxious or nervous," she said. "Are you waiting for someone? Is Clive supposed to show up?"

Harry let out a frustrated breath. "No. He's not. I wish everyone would just leave me alone."

He got up from the table and nearly walked into Draco.

"Does that include me?" he asked. He was no longer wearing an apron, but had donned dress robes. And he looked quite handsome.

"Thank Merlin. Are you here to take me away?"

Harry did his best to avoid the expressions on Ron, Hermione and the recently returned Ian's faces.

"If you wish," replied Draco. He turned on his heel and began walking away, confident that Harry would follow.

Harry gave a glance backward. Hermione and Ian's jaws were practically on the floor. Ron, on the other hand, appeared suspiciously unsurprised. Harry quickly caught up with Draco, who led him to a small set of round tables near the back of the room and a bit off to the side.

"We're staying?" asked Harry. He was a little disappointed.

"Minister Shacklebolt has invited us and our staff to join the festivities since the food has all been laid out."

Draco sat, prompting Harry to do the same. He spoke again before Harry had a chance.

"Before you ask your thousand questions, I have something to say. I think the look on your friends' faces is representative of everyone's reaction to the two of us being together. No one is going to readily accept our hero shacking up with a former Death Eater, no matter what my circumstances are now."

"Is that your only objection?"

Draco hesitated. "No."

"Then what else? Is it because I'm just an Auror now? Because I've turned away from celebrity and choose to live a simple, modest life? Is that what you don't want to settle for?"

"No. Not at all. I think you're confusing me with that other bloke. In fact, I didn't realize that I hadn't finished my thought that day at breakfast until Weasley came in accusing me of–

"Weasley? Ron? Ron came to see you?"

"Oh, I assumed he told you."

"No, he didn't." Harry looked back in the direction where he knew Ron was sitting, but couldn't see him through the crowd.

"Well, he made me realize that you had misunderstood what I was trying to say. I don't know why, but . . . he was helping me."

"I'll have to have a talk with him later. Go on. What did I misunderstand?"

"What I meant was that I didn't want to be a rebound. Perhaps it sounds arrogant, but I don't want to be second choice, or a convenient one."

"But–

"You had literally just broken up with your boyfriend when I turned up. And I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say I was probably the last person you would have chosen to get involved with."

Harry sighed. He could see Draco's point. "You're right. I probably wouldn't have. You have to admit though, that we hadn't been enemies for a long time."

Draco nodded in agreement.

Harry continued. "You won me over that night. I know you weren't trying to, but you did. It wasn't because I wanted to replace Clive. It felt good to be free of him. Much better than I thought, or I would have broken up with him long ago. What can I do to convince you that it's you I'm interested in getting to know? Not the idea of you. Not to fill a void. If you turn me down, I'm not going to go after the next bloke I see. I'm certainly not going to hook up with the bloke Hermione has been throwing at me all evening."

"What about all the hateful things we said and did to each other in the past?"

"I'm not living in the past. I'm not that person any more. I believe that you're not quite the same person you were either. So, maybe we can start over."

"I don't know if that's possible," Draco told him. "Perhaps we can move forward instead."

A smile grew on Harry's face. "So . . . are you saying you're willing to give it a go?"

Draco chuckled. "You make it sound as though it's a hardship for me."

"Well, you fought me hard enough."

"Not because I didn't want . . . you. I did. I do. Very much. I was merely trying to protect myself. I've been hurt before."

They sat staring at one another for a moment, only brought back to reality by the noise of the crowd.

"They're counting down," Draco said.

"Nine . . . Eight . . . Seven . . ."

He looked down at the empty table. He hadn't thought to get champagne ahead of time.

"Six . . . Five . . ." the crowd continued. Harry and Draco both stood. Everything was moving too quickly to think.

"Four," Draco joined in.

"Three," said Harry.

"Two."

"Kiss me."

It was so loud, Harry couldn't hear a thing. All he was aware of was Draco's body, close to his and lips moving against his own. He pulled at Draco's shoulders, pulling him even closer. They snogged longer than what was customary for a New Year's kiss, but neither cared. If Harry had his way, they'd be snogging all night long.

Draco was the first to pull back. "Happy New Year, Harry."

"Happy New Year, Draco. I have a feeling this is going to be the best year yet."

He leaned in for another kiss but was stopped short by the expression on Draco's face. When he turned to see what caused the look of apprehension, several people, including Ron and Hermione, were standing there. Those nearby had paused to watch the unlikely couple as they celebrated the beginning of two thousand four. It was clear that when Hermione dragged Ron along to look for Harry, finding him in a lip lock with his former rival was the last thing she expected.

"Harry, what are you thinking?" she demanded.

"Well . . . I'm thinking of taking Draco back to my flat, stripping him down, and licking him everywhere my tongue will reach."

While she gasped, Ron and Draco blushed.

"I'm serious, Harry." Hermione's hands were on her hips.

"So am I."

"Hermione, luv, this is none of our business," Ron tried to steer her away. "Let them figure it out."

"That didn't seem to keep you out of our business before," Harry said. "By the way, thank you for that."

Harry turned to Draco. "Let's get out of here. I'll deal with the fallout later."

Without waiting for a response, Harry disapparated them out of the building to his flat.

"What do you think they're all saying about us back there?" Draco asked when they arrived.

"I don't really care," Harry answered. He finally had Draco back in his flat. He couldn't think about anything else. "Would you like some wine? We didn't get a chance to toast the new year."

"All right. Only a little, though. I'd like to keep my wits about me this time. I . . . I'm sorry about what happened last time."

As he poured, Harry frowned. "What do you mean? What happened?"

"I should have stopped when you asked me to. I behaved like a horny school boy with no self control."

Harry laughed. "The only reason I wanted you to stop was because I was about to cream my pants and I didn't want you to think I was a . . . horny school boy with no self control. I didn't really want you to stop."

He handed Draco a half-filled glass and clinked his own against it.

"Cheers."

They each took a sip. After standing a moment, Harry removed Draco's glass from his hand and put them both down.

"I don't think I can pretend I'm not hard any longer."

Draco glanced down at his crotch. "I tried not to notice," he snickered. "It's rather obvious."

He reached out and rubbed the front of Harry's trousers.

"Fuck, don't do that. I don't want to cream my pants again," Harry breathed.

"Then take them off." Draco popped the button and unzipped them.

After that, clothing came off in a flurry, in between kisses and gropes. As they tumbled onto the sofa, grinding body parts, Draco ended up on his back with Harry hovering over him.

"There are so many things I want to do to you right now."

"Just pick one."

Harry leaned down taking Draco's cock into his mouth.

"Oh, that's a good one," Draco moaned.

Harry rolled his tongue over the head of Draco's cock, tasting the saltiness. His own cock leaked and he had the urge to stroke himself while he sucked Draco off. But he held off. It was the other man's hands he wanted on him, not his own.

As if reading Harry's mind, Draco leaned up and groped for him. His hand ran up Harry's thigh, not quite able to reach his cock.

"Oh, you have to stop," Draco said. "And I mean it."

Releasing Draco, Harry asked why. "Not good?"

"Too good. I haven't had time to wank since I was here before. So, I don't think I'll be able to hold out for long."

Harry smirked. "Really? I've been wanking constantly. It's completely your fault, I'll have you know."

Sitting up, Draco gently pushed Harry backward on the sofa.

"Then you should be able to last while I get my fill."

He licked and sucked Harry's cock to his heart's content. The sounds Harry made spurred him on until Harry finally pushed him away.

"I don't want to cum alone. Is it too soon . . ."

"For what?"

"Is it too soon to . . . fuck? I mean, we haven't even talked about what sort of arrangement we want to have, I don't want to pressure you into anything, but . . . I'm ready."

It had been nearly ten months since Draco had been in a monogamous relationship. It ended badly and he vowed not to invest his heart in another one unless he was certain he wouldn't get hurt. But that was a guarantee he could never get. It was time to take another chance.

"Yes, please."

Quickly, before Draco changed his mind, Harry sat up, pushing Draco back to his original position. When Draco let his legs open, Harry kneeled between them.

"Accio lube." He caught the tube mid-air as it rushed toward him.

He poured a bit into his hands and rubbed them together. Taking both cocks in hand, he coated them well. He could have almost been satisfied bringing them off together that way. Knowing they were both ready to fuck, though, he kept the stroking to a minimum. He picked up the tube again, and pushing Draco's legs together, he straddled them instead.

"Accio condom."

"What are you doing?"

"I normally bottom. Is that okay?" Harry unrolled the johnny over Draco's erection. He swiped some extra lube in his arse and tossed the tube away. One of the many advantages to having a former lover who liked to screw as much as he did, was that Harry required little preparation for sex. One finger, simply to slide the lube inside, was usually sufficient.

"That's convenient. I normally top."

Wasting no more time, Harry moved up until his arse was lined up with Draco's cock and lowered himself. They groaned in unison. Slowly building to a steady pace, Harry directed the action.

It was just as well. Watching Harry move up and down on his cock left Draco feeling bit high. He was mesmerized by Harry's fit body and the expression of pleasure on his face.

He reached up to touch Harry's smooth chest. His other hand stroked Harry's cock.

Harry leaned forward, then back a bit, searching for the position to get Draco's cock precisely where he needed it. When he found it, he whimpered. Struggling to keep his bearings, Harry sped up his pace. His moans grew louder when Draco pinched his nipples.

"I'm so close. Keep doing that," Harry begged.

Draco was surprised at how long he himself was lasting. He made an effort to hold back, wanting the moment to last as long as possible. He used both hands to play with Harry's nipples while watching his cock bounce up and down in front of him.

"Draco, I'm gonna cum." Harry's cock spewed out in all directions, continuing to bob and fling cum onto Draco and the sofa.

The tightening of Harry's arse brought Draco quickly over the edge. As he emptied himself inside Harry, his grip on Harry's hips was tight enough to leave small marks, as they would discover later.

"Harry," he whispered. His hands wandered up Harry's body to his face, pulling it down to his own. The kisses he placed on Harry's lips were tender and gentle, now that the frantic passion was sated.

"That was . . . so good," Draco sighed. He pulled off the filled condom and tied it, tossing it into a small waste can.

"Yes, it was," Harry chuckled. He leaned down and rested on Draco's chest, where they lay quietly for a while. Their eyes drifted closed.

"I can't believe I had sex with Harry Potter," Draco sighed.

Harry tensed, then sat back up on Draco's legs. "What do you mean?"

"Oh," Draco chuckled drowsily. "I didn't mean to say that out loud."

"But why did you say it like that? Like it was some sort of accomplishment, having sex with someone famous or something." Harry was afraid it was going to be like Clive all over again.

Draco opened his eyes. "No, not someone famous. I . . ." He covered his face with his hands. "I mean, I can't believe I'm here with you."

"Why not? I've been trying to get you back here for weeks."

"And I've been imagining being here for . . . well, a lot longer than that."

Harry pried Draco's hands away. "You have? For how long?"

Sighing, Draco began his confession. "Do you remember that last time we saw each other? I mean before I came to teach you to cook."

Harry thought. "I think it may have been a Quidditch match. Almost a year ago. Yeah, the Harpies versus the Magpies. It was right before I met Clive. You were there with some delicious eye candy on your arm as I recall."

"Carlos," Draco chuckled, rolling his eyes. "You walked past, but stopped to ask after my mother."

"I also remember making some sort of inappropriate quip about swallowing the snitch," Harry cringed.

Draco laughed. "Yes. And before that, we saw each other in Diagon Alley. One of the shop keepers was being rude to me. I don't know if you meant for it, but the way you treated me made the man soften his attitude toward me. Before that, it was a small gesture in Hogsmeade. Even right after the war, you helped my mother at her trial. That was probably when my infatuation began. It's only grown since then."

"Infatuation?" Harry smiled. "You had a crush on me?"

"Is that so difficult to believe? But I've never seen you as a celebrity. A hero, perhaps. But that isn't why I think you're brilliant."

"So, when we were cooking, and you kept putting your hands on me . . ."

"I took some liberties," Draco admitted. "I couldn't help wanting to be near you. I never would have accepted the invitation to stay from anyone else."

"Couldn't you tell that I liked it?"

"I could, once you pulled me on top of you and started humping me like a dog," laughed Draco. "I just wasn't confident enough to believe it wasn't all the wine."

"I'm perfectly sober now. And you're not my second choice. I want you."

Draco looked into Harry's eyes. He was sincere, Draco was sure. But there was still the matter of Harry's friends and the general wizarding public.

"I believe you. Your friends aren't happy about it, though."

"We'll deal with that later."

Feeling better after Draco's explanation, yet uncomfortable sticky, Harry got off the sofa to retrieve his wand. He knew Draco was watching him, so he made sure to give him the best view he could, especially when he bent over to pick up the wand. He performed a Scourgify on himself, Draco and the sofa. Then he pulled a large, fuzzy blanket off the armchair, sat down next to Draco, and wrapped them both up in it.

Smirking, Draco asked, "You're a cuddler? You didn't strike me as one."

"Clive wasn't one for unnecessary affection, as he put it." He felt Draco stiffen next to him. "Just because I mention Clive's name doesn't mean I miss him. It's usually because I'm realizing how much I didn't like about him. You shouldn't at all feel threatened by him."

"Okay." Draco yawned and snaked his arm around Harry's back under the blanket. "So you know, I enjoy unnecessary affection. Even in public." His eyes closed as he began to drift off. It had been a long and exhausting day. That, coupled with the late hour, made it impossible for him to stay awake. The feeling of a warm, nude body next to him further lulled him to sleep.

Soon after, Harry too, was out, wrapped up in Draco's arms. Moments before he fell asleep, Harry thought about all he and Draco had yet to talk about. He also looked forward to cooking together again. Perhaps most of all, he would enjoy kissing the cook anytime he pleased.

oOo