A/N: This is coming along a storm now – I have managed to rekindle my absolute infatuation with this pairing. Go me! This, I feel, is a bit… pfft. But it is necessary (and I quite like it), and the next chapter is a whole load of drama to make up for it. Enjoy!

Chapter Seven

Don't

"Hey! That's mine!"

Draco's hand halted in mid-air on its way towards a small cardboard box packed half-full of stationery, a mug and several files of parchment. His pale fingers were clasped around an expensive looking eagle feather quill with a delicate gold nib, fine cursive letters etched into the metal, and he brought it curiously to his face. "Harry James Potter," he read aloud, peering at the flamboyant script through narrowed grey eyes, "So it is."

The feather was held out to Harry, who took it back and placed it gently on his own desk before turning to watch the blonde beside him once more, sitting perched on the edge of the mahogany table.

Irritated at Harry's apparent concern that more of his office things may go awry, Draco swivelled in his chair to face the former Gryffindor, demanding, "What do you want, Potter?"

"Oh, nothing," fumbled Harry, who had been lost in his own thoughts, staring at the blonde through slightly glazed eyes. He shook his head, raven hair flopping hopelessly into his face, and straightened up, making to leave the shared office.

Draco smirked. "No, you were watching me." He eyed the shorter man, sweeping his eyes over the Quidditch-toned figure still obvious beneath stiff cotton. "You want something," he pressed, thin lips curling into an arrogant, knowing grin.

Harry flushed ever so slightly, tanned complexion gaining a rosy tint in the cheeks and he insisted, "No, no. I was just -" He threw his hands in the air, shrugging his shoulders, seeming to struggle for the right word. "- thinking," he finished lamely.

"I see," smirked Draco, not moving from his seat, stormy eyes remaining fixed upon the squirmingly uncomfortable man before him.

After a heartbeat's silence Harry muttered, "Well, bye then," the tiniest hint of dejection creeping into his otherwise distant tone. He turned away for the second time and strode towards the door.

A gentle pressure on his forearm, however, prevented Harry from leaving, and he looked over his shoulder to see that Draco had stood up, that familiar carnal longing glinting deep in his mercury irises. Harry sighed and braced himself mentally, clamping shut his emerald eyes for a split second in an attempt to disperse the wild thoughts that were already flitting through his mind.

"I'm leaving today," stated Draco, hand still clasping near Harry's wrist, pulling himself closer to the darker man.

A shiver of expectant desire crawled down Harry's spine as Draco's leg slipped between his own, pushing him against the doorframe. "I know," he breathed, palms against Draco's chest in silent protestation.

The former Slytherin ducked his head towards Harry's, whispering, "And I know you said it's all or nothing, but -" He paused, teeth nipping at Harry's earlobe, "- the world isn't a clear cut place." A slender hand reached out behind him and grasped the cool metal of the door handle, pulling it closed as Draco continued, "Not everything is black and white: there are -" his tongue raked down Harry's neck, beneath his jutting jaw, "- grey areas. I speak from experience," he hissed. "You see. It's all. About. Compromise." His words were punctuated by small, rough bites to Harry's throat, and the former Gryffindor let out a groan.

"Stop it," muttered Harry, attempting to push away the taller man.

Draco ignored him, slowly trailing kisses towards the corner of Harry's mouth, murmuring, "There's nothing wrong with a bit of fun every now and then, Harry."

"Stop it," the former Gryffindor repeated in a forceful whisper, drawing his head back, as far away from Draco as possible.

The blonde continued, leaning closer. "If it bothers you that much, think of it as a hobby. We both know you want it really." His words rushed hot over Harry's skin, and Draco pulled back, grinning, before making to crash their lips together.

"I said, stop it," hissed Harry. Draco blinked in surprise at the strong hand clutching his jaw, preventing him from closing the distance between them and holding his head still, framed by bronzed fingers.

Using Draco's temporary stunned rigidity to extricate himself from the blonde's intoxicating hold, Harry grabbed the handle to his left and pushed it down, swinging the door open and finally leaving his office.

Wide grey eyes followed the raven-haired man down the corridor and out of sight before Draco snapped his head around and resumed packing the few possessions his desk had accumulated over the past fortnight, slamming an inkpot a little too vigorously into the cardboard box, stuffing a book a little too roughly in between a couple of folders. Fine.

Oh dear, yet another tiny chapter.

But don't worry! Expect more really quite soon!

And review! Please?