Chapter 10. Closet Life.
The day after his therapist's appointment, Harry was still feeling disoriented and confused. He wasn't sure what his entire conversation with his doctor had meant. He felt he needed to evaluate and take a break from everything. He wished he lived alone again because now he couldn't mope around the house with Draco talking to him every time he saw him in the common room. He liked having a flat mate but he wasn't particularly feeling too social at the moment. He wondered if he should go to Muggle London and rent a hotel room and spend a weekend there away from everyone. He was in the middle of his thought when Draco interrupted.
"Deep in thought Potter?"
"Huh? Oh, hey Malfoy, sorry I've just got a lot on my mind at the moment. Sorry, did you say something?"
Draco looked at Harry and smiled "I like how every time I call you 'Potter' you reply with 'Malfoy' otherwise it's Harry and Draco. That's a bit instinct isn't it? Have you noticed?"
Harry hadn't. "No, well, not really. Sorry, that's insensitive of me isn't it?" Harry smiled.
Draco let out another chuckle "No, not really, just a funny observation. What's on your mind Potter? Anything I can do to help?"
"Oh no, not really. I am thinking of going away for a few days. Maybe the city, clear my mind, be around some strangers. Just you know need some inspiration to write." Harry answered, trying to be a bit vague; he didn't want anyone in the wizarding world to know about his career, except for his best friends.
"Oh you write? Anything I've read?" Draco seemed eager.
"I dabble, nothing's published in these parts, otherwise it'd be all over the Daily Prophet don't you think? Just randomly, not a career or anything." Harry lied, but he was good at that. "A sort of a hobby really. Just a hobby."
"Sounds exciting still. I thought about it awhile back. Especially when I was travelling. But the reason for my moving and travelling was really escaping, so wasn't sure what I'd do. I thought about writing travelling romance novels for the Muggle-verse, it's a big genre there. Did you know?"
Harry couldn't believe it, he knew, he was well versed in the Muggle bestsellers "Oh really? Sounds interesting. What would have been your pen name?"
Draco thought about it then said, "I don't know, I have actually thought about that quite a lot. I suppose, it'll be something monotonous like 'Julius Drake' that's the best I could come up with. Something that still has me in the name but not something that's quite that obvious. I still can't seem to deviate myself away from my father I suppose even though I haven't even spoken to him in so long. What do you think? What about you?"
Harry tried his best to hide his confliction, he didn't want to lie to Draco, he was worried that if they did end up becoming really good friends, the truth would finally come out and he didn't want to hurt his friend in the future, he opened his mouth to say something and Pathi interrupted them. "Excuse me, Master Draco, you've received an owl sir, sorry for the disruption Harry Potter!" Harry let out a sigh of relief and made a mental note to buy Pathi a gift next time he's in Muggle London for just saving his dignity from lying to Draco again. Unintentional it may have been, Harry hadn't been this thankful for Pathi's actions in a long time. "It's alright Pathi; can you get my suitcase from the storage please?"
Draco turned to Harry just as he was about to get up from the sofa "Okay so it seems I'll be off for a few days as well. If you're looking for solitude you might just have it at home. I got my owl from Mandoredi that the potions I mixed for her are selling well, so I am going to take myself on a mini holiday. I would ask you to join me, but you already said you need to be alone. You can still change your mind if you wish. Also, I am sorry if I am in the way sometimes. I hope I am not the reason you felt the need to get out of dodge."
"I still can't believe you're working for that crazy witch."
Draco let out a hearty laugh "Well, it's not like I am mixing up sex potions to make one's wife look more attractive without her knowing or potions to suppress sexual desires so you can stay loyal. These are healer's potions that aren't readily available for the general wizarding community. It's not so bad." Draco looked at Harry almost seeking approval.
"It is your life, and I do not judge. Trust me, I have trained myself to not make a passing judgment, it's a great thing one learns when they're trying to live a reclusive lifestyle." Harry smiled. "Ok, thanks for letting me know about your plans, I think I shall pass this time. I really do need to evaluate some things. I might take a day off to the city anyway. Have a great time wherever you go. And Draco… I really do enjoy you as a lodger, you don't need to apologize for staying here. I welcomed you, and my problems aren't your doing so please don't think you're an inconvenience. You're really not."
Draco smiled and said goodbye to Harry to pack for his trip. He was heading to Muggle London and was going to stay in a hotel himself. It had been a while since Draco had had sex; he was heading into town to try to pick someone up. Draco had forgone relationships for a while and since he moved back to his hometown, he didn't want to start any new rumors or scandals. He really wanted to concentrate on his new mission and his healing potions. However, he also realized, sometimes the body wants what it wants. He was absolutely against sex potions. He was into the real thing. If his life had become a series of one night stands, then for the moment, that's what he'd have to do. He had reviewed Muggle newspapers to find a more upscale club since his last incident with Mark from the "Krimson Tavern" was rather unfortunate, he had decided that perhaps it was time for someone to court him. He's a Malfoy after all.
Draco asked Harry out of courtesy, knowing pretty well that he would have said no. He still was struggling with his closet life with Harry. Draco wasn't in the closet about being gay, but he hadn't informed it to many people. He figured, time would be on his side eventually and he'd reveal to Harry that he was gay. He also didn't want to scare Potter off by making him think that Draco was after him, he wasn't. He wouldn't be. Why would I be after Potter? Draco always wondered when he couldn't bring himself to tell Harry.
Draco had no idea Harry was also a one step still-in-the-closet-homosexual.
-End of Chapter 10.
(AN): This is my least favorite chapter so far, but I needed to add some information in order to set it up for the next crazy twists and turns that might be coming up. Reviews are greatly appreciated. Even if you hate it, let me know!