A/N: I did a bit of research for this chapter; Google the mentioned estates for some nice visuals.
Updated: March 2015
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July 28
Harry awoke far too early for his tastes – I mean, really, 10 o'clock in the morning?! – and stumbled to the kitchen to make himself a pot of coffee. After pouring himself a rather large cup, he settled himself on the oversized couch in his living room and allowed himself to get lost in his thoughts. Hermione had given him a lot to think about the day before, and he knew he needed to get his life in order while he still had the time.
"All right, Harry," he muttered to himself, "what are you going to do?" He took a long sip from his coffee before rolling his eyes at himself. "Go nutters, seems like. Talking to myself, honestly," he chuckled.
After finishing off the cup, Harry sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Okay," he breathed, "so... Ginny." He paused, considering his thoughts. A few moments later, he groaned and kicked the coffee table that he had been resting his feet on.
"What have I been getting myself into?" he moaned, throwing his head back against the cushions. "I'm turning 23 in a few days, I'm nowhere near ready to be married!" he paused again, before continuing, "Especially not to Ginny... Oh fuck, what have I done?" he sighed.
Harry sat silent for what felt like hours before he took a shaky breath and exhaled slowly. "All right," he said, his voice rough. He pushed himself up off the couch and, feeling somewhat like a zombie, shuffled to the bedroom and searched for his mobile.
Once he located the phone in a pile of dirty clothes, he began dialing a number before he realized that he had a new voice mail. He sat down on the bed and warily pressed 1 to listen to it.
"Message, July 28th, 10:43 A.M.," the mobile toned before playing the message. "Morning, Harry!" Ginny's voice squealed. "I have the best news, dear! We finished the assignment here early, and I'll be coming home much earlier than planned – as in, a few days from now! I'm so excited, we'll be able to work together on the wedding! Oh, also, Neville will be staying with us for a bit, his flat's being remodeled and won't be done until late August. Anyway, can't wait to see you, darling, I've just missed you so! I have to get going now, Neville's calling! Ta ta, sweetie, love you, bye!" The mobile beeped and informed Harry that that was the "End of message."
Harry stared at the wall for a moment, deep in thought, before dialing the number he had meant to in the first place.
"Harry? Oh, thank Merlin! I thought you'd never call back!" the voice answered after the first ring.
"Hullo, Draco," Harry mumbled with a small smile.
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"Oh, Harry, I'm sorry, I'm rather busy at the moment!" Ginny said hurriedly picking up the phone after six rings.
"It's all right, Gin, I just needed to tell you something," he replied.
"Well?" she questioned impatiently.
"Sorry, it's just Draco and I are leaving for France today to look at those locations like you wanted, and we'll be gone until the 2nd, so I won't be home when you get back, and I'm sorry, but I didn't get your message in time to change our plans," Harry rambled. He barely blinked as he lied.
"Oh, not to worry, Har! Why don't Nev and I just join you when we get back?" Ginny said cheerily.
"Er, well," he stammered, "I mean, you've already been there, haven't you? The only reason Draco and I have to go is because you'd like me to make a wise decision."
She sighed. "You're right, as always! I suppose we'll just see you when you get home, then?"
"Yeah, sounds great," Harry replied, sounding slightly relieved. "Bye, Gin." With that, he hung up and tossed the mobile on to the bed.
"Hmm," he hummed to himself, frowning. "Now I've got to pack. What does one wear on a trip to France with a wedding planner extraordinaire?"
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July 29
Harry knocked on the door, and the wards shimmered, the door opening at his touch. He raised a surprised eyebrow and stepped through, closing the door behind him.
"Draco?" he called, dragging his bags and wandering through the hallway into a spacious, beautifully decorated sitting room.
"Yes?" the blonde replied from behind Harry's shoulder, causing him to jump.
Harry turned to glare at Draco, but he couldn't help but to grin as well when he saw the other man laughing.
Draco took a breath to calm himself and gave Harry a grin. "Sorry, I couldn't resist," he said cheekily. "Ready to go, then?"
Harry nodded but said, "I dunno, I'd like to have a look around this place. It's beautiful!"
Shrugging nonchalantly, Draco waved his wand and levitated Harry's bags to the middle of the room to join his own small mountain of luggage. "You could get lost in here, that's for sure," he replied. "It's really too big, but then again, it's a Malfoy estate, so what did you expect?"
"Mm, I suppose," muttered Harry, still looking around in awe.
Draco rolled his eyes. "We haven't got all day, Potter," he drawled.
Harry stuck his tongue out at the other man. "Good to see you're back to your usual self," he joked and joined Draco in the center of the room next to the bags. "Just how are we getting to France, then?" he questioned.
"We'll Apparate, of course," replied Draco simply. At Harry's wary look, he rolled his eyes and continued, "Eloise set up an International Apparition point within this room, don't worry."
Harry smiled. "Just checking, you know."
Draco chuckled. With a swish of his wand, the luggage disappeared, presumably to their destination. He then turned and held his arm out to Harry, who took it without hesitation. Draco wrapped his other arm around the brunette's waist and pulled him a bit closer.
At Harry's surprised expression, Draco coughed awkwardly and looked away. "We're Side-Along Apparating internationally," he explained. "Wouldn't want to Splinch you, eh?"
"Oh... Right, yeah," Harry replied, sliding his arms around Draco's waist as well. Both men tensed at the close physical contact. The last time they had held each other like this…
"Well," Draco said, breaking the charged silence. "To France, then." He studiously avoided Harry's gaze and turned on the spot, the two disappearing into thin air.
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Mere seconds later, the two landed in a garden. Draco's feet tangled in a vine, causing both men to careen towards the ground.
Harry landed on top of him with a grunt. "Graceful landing, Malfoy," he teased, causing the blonde to pull a face.
They were still for a comfortable moment, before Draco registered that Harry was laying atop him in a beautiful, aromatic garden. He shifted a bit and blinked nervously. "You're welcome to get up anytime you wish, Potter," he said, attempting to behave casually.
Harry looked down at him and smirked. "All right, then. I think I'll wait a bit longer." He then proceeded to make himself perfectly comfortable, resting his head on Draco's shoulder.
At the blonde's surprised squeak, Harry flushed and laughed. "Joking, relax!" he said, still laughing as he pushed himself up from the ground and offered a hand to Draco. "It's not like we haven't been through all kinds of awkward and tense situations together. Let's just chalk it up to another one." Draco smiled and nodded.
Once they both were standing and had brushed the grass off their clothes, they turned to admire the beautiful building in front of them.
"Monsieur Potter, welcome to the Renaissance Chateau," Draco said in a fake French accent, complete with a courteous bow and elaborate gesture.
Harry snorted. "You're so strange sometimes, you know that?" He paused before continuing, "This place really is beautiful, though."
"Hmm, yes," Draco muttered in agreement. After a moment, he continued, "All right, would you like the tour?"
"Lead the way," Harry grinned.
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After the lengthy tour, Harry collapsed on one of the plush, old-fashioned sofas. "This place is the best!" he sighed happily.
Draco smiled. "I'm glad you like it," he replied. "Would you like to visit the other location now?"
Groaning, Harry cracked an eye open and said, "But I'm so comfortable here, don't you think we could stay for a bit?"
"You're so bloody lazy," Draco chuckled, rolling his eyes and taking Harry's hand. With a swift tug, the brunette was on his feet with a disgruntled look on his face.
"It always has to be your way, eh?" Harry questioned, pretending to be angry.
"Of course," Draco answered, linking his arm through the other man's. "I always get what I want," he said meaningfully, before Apparating them both to their destination.
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"What did you mean by that?" Harry demanded the second after they landed safely on the ground.
"Hmm?" Draco hummed, raising an eyebrow distractedly as he perused the view.
Harry ignored the glorious estate behind him and narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the blonde standing in front of him.
After a moment, Draco sensed Harry's eyes on him and looked up at the brunette. "What?" he sighed.
"What did you mean by that? 'I always get what I want'?" Harry frowned.
Draco flushed. "Nothing," he mumbled. "You know me – spoiled Malfoy and all..."
"Mmm," Harry hummed, unconvinced. He continued to study Draco, who was once again meticulously avoiding his gaze. "Fine, then," the brunette huffed. "I know that's not what you meant, but fine. Have it your way." He finally turned to see the beautiful chateau laid out behind him. "Wow," he breathed.
"Welcome to Cote d'Azur," Draco said, adding softly, "one of the many Malfoy residences."
Harry stared in awe at the beautiful landscape before him. "It's brilliant," he said with bright eyes. Mere moments later, he looked over at the blonde in astonishment. "Did you say this is Malfoy property?"
Draco nodded, slightly pink in the face.
"As in, you own this place?" Harry asked, amazed.
The blonde bit his lip to hold back a sarcastic comment and merely nodded again.
"Wow," Harry whispered again. After a few minutes of admiring the view, he turned back to Draco, an excited look in his eye. "Does that mean this is where we'll be staying?"
Draco nodded once again, and his cold mask broke into a smile when Harry's face lit up.
"C'mon, then!" Harry exclaimed, taking Draco's hand and pulling him towards the front doors.
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